Tosin Kolade - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Wed, 2023

Nigerian, 2 others win 2023 Waislitz Global Citizen Awards

33 total views today

By Tosin Kolade

Oluwafunke Adeoye, Nigerian human rights lawyer and two Kenyan citizens have won the 2023 Waislitz Global Citizen Awards.

The award is aimed at inspiring people working within their communities to overcome challenges like air and water pollution, period poverty, unstable infrastructure and gender disparities in education.

It is also to drive the mission to end extreme poverty and improve the living conditions of people globally.

Adeoye founded the Hope Behind Bars Africa, after some personal encounters with the justice system including that of her father’s arrest and detention for a crime he reportedly did not commit.

The organisation closes the justice gap by providing free legal services and direct support to low-income incarcerated individuals while promoting criminal justice reforms through research, evidence-based advocacy, and technology.

Over 7,000 incarcerated individuals have benefitted from their interventions.

With the award, Adeoye plans to fully launch Justicepadi, a tech platform that will revolutionise legal aid in West Africa and also expand her work for climate justice.

“It is crucial for people to understand that behind the labels of “convicts” or “prisoners”, there are human beings with stories, hopes, and dreams.

“By offering legal aid, we strive to ensure that every person, regardless of their circumstances, has access to fair representation and a chance to rebuild their lives”, Adeoye said.

The others are; Peter Njeri and Esther Kimani, both Kenya citizens, were named as the 2023 Waislitz Global Citizen Award winner and the Waislitz Global Citizen Disruptor Award winner.

The Waislitz Global Citizen Awards are annual cash prizes totaling $250,000 that recognise the excellence of individuals in their work to end extreme poverty and its systemic causes.

The grand prize is $100,000, with two additional prizes of $75,000 each.

“When we first conceived these awards almost 10 years ago, we wanted to shine a light on those heroes working at grassroots levels to end global poverty. We also wanted to encourage others to do the same.

“The awards have grown in stature and participation rates every year and I am proud that we’ve been able to assist so many outstanding and inspirational young champions from around the world to advance their efforts in the fight against global poverty.

“This year’s winners are no exception and I wholeheartedly congratulate them all”, Alex Waislitz, Chairman and Founder of the Waislitz Foundation said.

Peter Njeri, who grew up in Soweto, Nairobi, and saw his family suffer first-hand from the effects of indoor air pollution, set out to solve this problem.

He produced a technology that turns plastic waste into clean energy and co-founded Mega Gas Alternative Energy— a clean-tech startup on a mission to provide access to clean and affordable cooking energy for low-income families all while protecting the environment.

Today, over 10,050 families in Kenya use his technology. The Waislitz Global Citizen Award will enable him to serve an extra 5,400 families each month.

Esther Kimani is the 27-year-old CEO of FarmerLine, a climate agritech trailblazer disrupting Africa’s agricultural sector.

With delayed detection of crop pests and disease destroying over 47 per cent crop yield every farming season, Kimani developed the first-ever solar-powered AI-based crop pests and diseases detection device.

Its vision is to end hunger and extreme poverty for a million marginalised smallholder farmers.

Her inspiration comes from experiencing farm losses from pests and diseases firsthand as she grew up farming on the slopes of the Aberdare mountains in Kenya.

Kimani’s technology has so far impacted over 60,000 farmers in Kenya. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Tue, 2023

Judiciary

Ajulo cautions against derogatory comments on judges sitting at PEPT

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By Femi Ogunshola

A constitutional lawyer and right activist, Dr Kayode Ajulo has cautioned some Nigerians against making derogatory comments on judges sitting at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).

He said such comments were troubling and uncalled for.

Ajulo said this in a message in Abuja on Tuesday which he titled: “Navigating Democracy: Unraveling the Nigerian PEPT and Public Perceptions”.

He said: “Particularly alarming trend is the growing disrespect for the judiciary, characterised by absurd conspiracy theories, slanderous remarks, and baseless allegations often targeting the Honourable Justices.”

He said such trend thrived due to historical perceptions of partiality, polarisation, and the rapid spread of misinformation via social media.

Ajulo said that regrettably, there had been a growing trend of public disregard for both the ongoing tribunal and the broader Nigerian judiciary.

According to him, one malignant trend I have noticed, which is slowly becoming the norm, is the utter disregard and disrespect of the judiciary by Nigerian citizens.

He said this is characterised by ludicrous conspiracy theories, slanderous statements and false accusations, which were majorly targeted at the justices.

Ajulo said such trend was fueled by various factors, including historical instances of perceived judicial partiality, political polarisation, and the amplification of false information through social media.

He said it was imperative to recognise that a healthy democracy relied on the judiciary’s independence and credibility, making it crucial to address and counteract such negative sentiments.

The legal practitioner said the proliferation of misinformation often eroded public trust in the judiciary and undermined the fundamental tenets of democracy.

“In less than 24 hours, I have come across two separate posts on social media which are perfect examples of the negative sentiments in question.

“In the first post, the writer accused a former governor and minister of writing the judgment of the presidential election tribunal, which is yet to be announced.

“In the second post, which was a video, a pastor displayed the pictures of the presiding Justices, and asked his congregation to make certain declarations and ‘lay hands on the Justices’.

“In addition to these, I have also come across several comments castigating and berating the Justices, whilst accusing them of partiality and questionable practices,” he said.

According to him, what is most upsetting about these accusations is the fact that the Justices in question, by virtue of their calling, the ethics guiding this prestigious profession, and the nature and sensitivity of their offices are not afforded the luxury of addressing these false claims.

He said the plight of the presiding Justices, and the judiciary was a sad one which forced him to act as a voice to an institution unable to defend itself from such onslaught.

“After going through a number of these posts, articles and videos, I have come to the conclusion that these attacks are premeditated and can be traced to have originated from some particular groups and political affiliations.”

He said the Nigerian PEPT remained the canvas capturing Nigeria’s democratic essence, principles, and sentiments.

He added that the Justices presiding over it remained the guardians of justice, entrusted with the monumental task of upholding democracy’s core values. (NAN)

Edited by Edith Bolokor/Chioma Ugboma

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Tue, 2023

Environment

Yobe Govt, World Bank engage stakeholders on flood prevention

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By Ahmed Abba

Gov Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, has urged local government authorities to sensitise residents on the dangers of floods and the importance of adhering to early warning responses in a sustainable manner.

Buni said this at a workshop on Flood Disaster Preparedness, organised by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), with funding from the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).

He also urged community leaders to take precautionary measures to clear blocked drainages and embankments to avert flood.

Buni, represented by Baba Malam-Wali, said the workshop was to enhance the state’s readiness and response to potential flooding based on NIMET’s predictions.

Also, Dr Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary SEMA, explained that the flooding experience in 2022 had tested the agency’s capacity in terms of preparedness, mitigation, and response.

He stated that many lives were lost, shelters and farmlands washed away, and roads cut off, limiting the agency in delivering aid to some affected victims.

He said following previous experiences, Buni had directed the agency to develop a blueprint to prevent a reoccurrence.

The ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shehu Mohammed, commended SEMA for organising the workshop, describing it as timely.

He also highlighted some of the ACReSAL multiple projects toward reducing the effects of climate change in the state. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Tue, 2023

Gender

Gender equality: No career path irrelevant for females—NGO

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By Henry Oladele

The Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) an NGO, says no career path is irrelevant for females as it empowers over 400 school girls on leadership programmes.

The JAN Executive Director, Mrs Foluso Gbadamosi, made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

The programme which was just recently concluded across the federation according to her, is in partnership with Union Bank.

“No fewer than 16 schools participated in the three-day Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement and Development(LEAD) camp program, organised for young secondary school girls across the nation,” she said.

She added that the programme was aimed at empowering young girls with relevant entrepreneurial and career skills needed for the future.

“The 16 schools that participated were Seed of Life College, Oyo; Topfield College, Lagos; Redeemer’s International Secondary School, Lagos; Queens School, Enugu; Kano Capital Girls School; Hope High Academy Zawan, Plateau.

“Others were Rosa Mystical High School Agulu, Anambra; Faith Baptist College, Rivers; Bedrock International School, Mararaba; Community Secondary School Asokoro, FCT; Taidob College, Ogun, Baptist Girls College, Ogun; Merit International School, Ondo.

“The remaining schools included Faith Academy, Kaduna; Christian Secondary Commercial School, Akwa-Ibom and Adiahaobong Secondary Commercial School, Akwa-Ibom,” she said.

While saying that the camp proved to be another transformative experience for the over 400 young minds nationwide, Gbadamosi added that JAN firmly believed that leadership had no gender boundaries.

“We are dedicated to breaking the barriers that have held girls back for far too long.

“During the programme, we nurtured the courage of these young girls, instilled essential leadership skills, expanded their networks, and, most importantly, showed them that no career path is gender-specific or irrelevant.

“We are confident that the positive impact of the LEAD camp programme will resonate for years to come, producing change-makers ready to shape the future of Nigeria and the world.

“Our commitment to expanding and strengthening the JAN Nigeria LEAD camp programme across the country remains unwavering as we aim to impact even more young girls,’” she said.

She said the three-day camp featured interactive workshops, panel sessions, and skill-building activities to equip the participants with valuable leadership skills.

“This year’s LEAD camp was tailored toward inspiring and empowering young girls with relevant leadership, entrepreneurial and career development skills they need to be high-achieving leaders.

“Throughout the camp, the girls were coached by experienced mentors who led them through developing their presentations to enhance their leadership skills further.

“A panel of judges evaluated their presentations on the final day, and the winners won different prizes.

“This year’s LEAD camp occurred in Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, and the FCT,” she said.

She expressed deep gratitude to Union bank for its consistent support, which had made the LEAD camp vision a reality.

“Together, we empower the next generation of leaders to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all,” she added.

Miss Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer at Union bank, said the programme marked the ninth year of partnership with JAN on LEAD camp.

“We have impacted thousands of girls in these nine years. Through LEAD camp, Union bank continues to empower young women to be high-achieving leaders well-prepared for the future of work and entrepreneurship.

“Glass ceilings are easier to shatter when we know people are supporting us, and the girls who participate in the LEAD camp programme benefit from exposure to phenomenal Nigerian women.

“This partnership aligns with our commitment to enabling success for women and girls, as is our contribution to supporting Nigeria to achieve SDG 5 – Gender Equality,” she said

One of the school girls, Chiamaka Moses from Topfield secondary school, said her experience was an unforgettable one.

“I learned about emotional intelligence and self-awareness, working with others, managing my temper, and what triggers my emotions.

“ I was also made aware that etiquette is a soft skill rather than a personality trait and that there is a need to improve soft skills.

“These skills are required to position me for employment opportunities successfully. I am grateful to JAN for this opportunity, which I intend to utilise,” she said.

Edited by Edith Bolokor/Chioma Ugboma

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Tue, 2023

Defence/Security

400 hunters, forest security personnel trained on weapon handling, security information

110 total views today

By Bosede Olufunmi

The Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) has trained 400 personnel on weapon handling, security information and combat, to ensure their alertness to duty.

The Deputy Commander General, Training and Development of the Service, Dr. Muhammed Abubakar-Abdullahi, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Kano on Tuesday.

He said the training would also enable them to gather relevant information on armed robbers, among other security threats.

According to him, “the service does not prosecute, rather, it disseminates information to police and other sister agencies.

“Each local government area in other states has 350 personnel, Kano State is lagging behind in the sense that 10 LGAs have no personnel of the service,”he said.

Abubakar-Abdullahi urged the state government and chairmen of each council area to join hands with the service to recruit more personnel, to curb illegal activities within the state.

He gave the total number of its personnel across the federation as 38,000.

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Mon, 2023

Health

Shell, partners revive flood-ravaged hospital in Rivers Community

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By Nathan Nwakamma

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and its joint venture partners have renovated the Edagberi Cottage Hospital in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers.

This is contained in a statement by Mrs Abimbola Essien-Nelson, SPDC’s Media Relations Manager, in Yenagoa.

It may be recalled that the 20-bed hospital, suffered devastating flood damage in 2012.

SPDC’s Community Health Manager, Dr. Akin Fajola, noted that the close collaboration between the state government, the community leadership and its partners made the renovation a success.

He therefore called for stronger ties between the community and SPDC for a peaceful environment that would allow for the delivery of social investment projects.

SPDC’s Director and Country Head, Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, who was represented by the Corporate Relations Manager, Evans Krukrubo, called for a sustainability system by the hospital management board.

He noted that collaboration with the community would ensure the availability of the facility to serve the people.

“Revamping the hospital is not enough but ensuring that the managers sustain a maintenance culture that keeps the hospital in good service shape at all times,” Weli said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Health in Rivers, Dr Adaeze Oreh, described SPDC and its partners’ intervention as a critical move that would change the face of health care delivery in Edagberi community and its environs.

“Shell and its partners, particularly the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, have proved that they really value their hosts in the scheme of things.

“And for which reason we thank the joint venture for coming to the aid of government to revamp the hospital,” said the commissioner.

Oreh was represented at the reopening ceremonies by the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers Health Management Board, Dr Bright Ogbonda.

NAN reports that the Edagberi cottage hospital is one of the five supported by the SPDC-operated joint venture in Rivers.

The renovation included the provision of a standard laboratory, a blood bank, a diagnostics centre, a maternity ward, and a well-equipped theatre.

The renovation includes an emergency room with a suction machine and an automated external defibrillator (AED).

The hospital has also been provided with an ambulance and staff accommodation.

As part of the reopening ceremonies, over 800 people benefitted from a medical outreach programme, the outreach offered surgical services, general consultation and treatment, pharmaceutical services, laboratory services including grouping and cross matching.

It runs a blood bank for blood transfusion, emergency services, handling of minor procedures and immunisation services. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Mon, 2023

Environment , General News

ACReSAL to drill boreholes, establish tree nurseries in Jigawa

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By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has concluded plans to drill solar powered boreholes and establish tree nurseries in five local government areas of Jigawa.

The State Project Coordinator, Yahaya Muhammad, told newsmen on Monday in Dutse that the boreholes would be drilled in Auyo, Babura, Birnin Kudu, Kafin Hausa and Suletankarkar LGAs.

He added that the project was to curb water scarcity and enhance water usability among households and farmers in line with the project’s objective.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ACReSAL is a World Bank intervention project aimed at tackling environmental degradation, desertification and related issues in the 19 northern states.

Muhammad said that the intervention would boost agriculture and improve the standard of living of the people while the tree nurseries would help to combat desertification and soil erosion.

NAN reports that Jigawa Government had over the years been planting millions of assorted trees and distributing it free tree to residents to plant in their respective communities, farms and along state and federal roads. (NAN)

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Maharazu Ahmed

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Sun, 2023

Environment , Gender , General News

Include women in climate action for sustainable future – U.S. Consulate

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By Busayo Onijala

Kenise Hill, Deputy Political and Economic Chief, U.S. Consulate, says including women in climate action will help create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Hill said this in a statement made available by the consulate to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

She said the consulate recently supported the first Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon that brought together women-led organisations, climate-tech entrepreneurs, representatives from the public and private sectors, who were leading efforts to combat climate change in their communities.

Hill said the Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon was organised by Shelley Taylor, a Silicon Valley technology veteran, and Folawemi Umunna, an alumna of the U.S. Department of State funded International Visitors Leadership Programme, with support from the mission in Lagos.

She said the Salon was a coalition of partners who came together in different countries and regions to support women in finding solutions to climate impacts through events and a growing supportive network.

According to Hill, climate change is a threat that sees no borders.

“We’re glad to enable this dialogue that gives voice to the women with livid experience of climate impacts.

“We’re glad to facilitate their collaboration with women who have developed strategies for creating greater resilience to find shared solutions to our global, shared challenge of climate change,” she said.

Hill explained that the shared priority of protecting the environment was another example of the close relationship and cooperation that existed between the people of Nigeria and the U.S.

Also, Shelley Taylor, Convener, Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon, said that climate change exacerbated gender inequalities and developmental gaps.

She noted that women had a unique perspective on environmental issues as they often bore the brunt of climate shocks and stresses.

Taylor said that one of the goals of the Climate Resilience Salons was to help some of the women working in non-profits to transform their work into businesses where they could generate profits from climate solutions, increasing their family wealth and influence in society.

“Existing climate tech founders need help scaling their solutions into other regions and across borders too,” Taylor said. (NAN)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Vincent Obi

Tosin Kolade
Aug, Sun, 2023

General News

NDLEA intercepts 57,450 pills of Tramadol, Rohypnol, others in Abuja

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By Ibironke Ariyo

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 57,450 pills of tramadol, rohypnol and exol-5 along Abaji-Abuja highway from a suspect, Mr Joseph Usman.

A statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja, said that 4,082 bottles of codeine-based syrup were also recovered from a suspect, Joseph Usman.

Babafemi said the suspect was arrested in a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Abuja on Friday.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted various quantities of Dextromethorphan.

Babafemi said that the drugs were mixed with heroin, Methamphetamine, Dimethyl Sulfone and Cannabis and concealed in different objects bound for Europe.

He said that 272 grams of dextromethorphan, mixed with heroin going to Greece were recovered from white neck beads, adding that 665 grams of cannabis being shipped to Hong Kong were hidden in bars of Dudu Osun black bathing soap.

He added that 261 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone bound for New Zealand hidden in reels of weaving threads and 1.5kgs of Methamphetamine also heading to New Zealand were intercepted.

“The drugs were neatly packed in an MP3 player after all the parts were removed and the substance stuffed as replacement, ” he said.

Also, in Kano state, a woman and four men – Ladi Peter,47; Umar Salisu, 38; Ahmed Naheeb, 36; Ibrahim Umar, 42, and Musa Suleman, 43, have been arrested for drug related issues.

Babafemi said that the suspects were intercepted in connection with the seizure of 977.7 kilograms of cannabis sativa recovered from them by NDLEA operatives.

He added that they were arrested along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora on Friday and July 31.

In the same vein, 2,445 kilograms of cannabis sativa were recovered from the warehouse of a fleeing suspect, Usman Nar at Madinatu area of Jere LGA, Borno state on Saturday Aug. 5. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman