NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Agriculture

Abia LIFE-ND trains beneficiaries on gender action learning system

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By Leonard Okachie
 The Abia State Project Coordinating Office of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta (LIFE-ND), has trained some of its beneficiaries on Gender Action Learning System (GALS).
Participants comprising unemployed youths and women headed households were trained at the project’s headquarters in Umuahia on Saturday.
The State Rural Institution Youth and Gender Officer, Mr Anthony Nwaobilor, said it was a step down training organised for those set of trainees (incubatees) who were expected to receive LIFE-ND empowerment.
He said that the 50 participants were drawn from the participating communities in Ohafia, Bende, Umuahia South and Isiala Ngwa North Local government areas.
Nwaobilor said that the beneficiaries were engaged in the selected commodities, including poultry, rice production, cassava production as well as oil palm processing and marketing.
He explained that GALS is a community-led empowerment methodology using specific participatory processes and diagram tools that aims to give women as well as youths more control over their lives and activities.
State Rural Institution Youth and Gender Officer, Mr Anthony Nwaobilor, addressing participants at the event.
State Rural Institution Youth and Gender Officer, Mr Anthony Nwaobilor, addressing participants at the event.
Nwaobilor emphasised that the training aimed at enabling participants to recognise gender injustice as an obstacle to their shared visions for a better life.
He said: “Through GALS, the beneficiaries will be able to have a vision as well as steps towards achieving it.
“It is a transformational approach towards achieving their goals.
“They  are facilitated to learn and draw individual vision road journey with achievable targets and road map to move towards their visions.
“It is based on analysis of their current situation, past achievements, opportunities and challenges.”
According to him, it is the underlying change frame work that allows the participants to visualise and in diagrams draw what they would like to achieve in a given timeline.
A participant, Mr Peter Okorie, from Uzuakoli, expressed happiness that he learnt so much about having vision in business and life.
Another participant, Miss Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Okagwe Ohafia said she was greatly inspired by the training on gender to  believe that “whatever men can do, ladies can do better.”
 She said that she equally motivated to have a bigger vision of set up a big oil processing firm.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LIFE-ND is being funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
It is in collaboration with the Federal Government and Niger Delta Development Commission as well as the Abia state government.
The project, which is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for national food security, is for implementation in the nine Niger Delta states. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
Environment

Ekiti speaker tasks residents on clean environment

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By Opeyemi Aremu-Gbemiro
The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba, has charged residents in the state to always maintain a clean environment for healthy living.
Adelugba gave the charge while monitoring the January edition of the 2023 monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ikole Ekiti Local Government Area on Saturday
According to her,  to avoid the spread of diseases especially as the rainy season is fast approaching, there is the need to always ensure a clean environment.
The Speaker, during the inspection, frowned at the low level of compliance by the residents as well as high movement of vehicles and conduct of commercial activities during the exercise.
She appealed to the people to always observe government directives on the monthly sanitation, as it is not a means of punishment, but to help maintain a clean environment for healthy living.
Adelugba, urged Ikole residents and its environs to always ensure that wastes generated in their various houses, shops and markets, were properly disposed, as against dumping them in drainage channels.
She said improper disposal of these wastes also cause flooding.
She, however, called on the local government council to be more proactive in sensitising the people on the need to always clean their environment, as well as ensuring total compliance with the state environmental sanitation law.
The Chairman of Ikole Local Government, Mr Sola Olominu, who was represented by the Council Secretary, Mrs Aluko Olayemi, assured of the council’s continuous effort at ensuring that the people were adequately sensitive to always do the needful.
Areas visited included Ijesa-Isu, and Ikole township, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vincent Obi
Religious

Jubilation envelopes Imo community as Anglican Church gifts bungalow to widow

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By Uchenna Eletuo

 

Joy and excitement enveloped Umuanum Ohekelem community in Imo on Saturday as the Anglican Communion of Egbu Diocese, Imo, handed over a three-bedroom bungalow to an indigent widow, Mrs Ihuaka Achor.

Before the church constructed and furnished the house tastefully, Achor was living in a hut on the same site.

The building which took over her dilapidated hut was a project mapped out by the Anglican diocese of Egbu as a way of alleviating the plight of indigent members of the communion.

Achor worships at St. Mathew’s Parish, Ohekelem, under the Egbu Anglican Diocese.

She was one of the beneficiaries of Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Enyinnaya-Okereafor, the Bishop of Egbu’s housing scheme for the less-privileged.

President of Lagos branch of Ohekelem Development Union, Mr Valentine Okere, expressed joy and thanked the church for the kind gesture.

In a letter of commendation he wrote to the church, Okere stated that such gesture could rekindle the faithful zeal for Christ and promote good relationship between churches and host communities.

He described the gesture as Christ-like and stated that the church had demonstrated uncommon love and care typical of the early Church.

“This is a renewal of the ideals of the early Christian life and Christ-like way of living where people are others’ keepers as instructed in the scriptures.

“As a people, we are happy to see this happening in our society because it goes a long way to bond the people and the Church and foster unity of purpose between the Church and its faithful,’’ he stated.

Okere encouraged other churches in the community to emulate the Anglican Church, and practice what Christ instructed to foster peace in the society.

The dedication and handing-over ceremony was performed by Bishop Okereafor accompanied by his spouse Mrs Ngozi Okereafor (Mama Egbu).

The episcopal entourage was received by the traditional ruler of Ohekelem, Eze E.E. Okere JP (Ekelem 1 of Ohekelem) and his cabinet.

The President-General, Ohekelem Progressive Union Worldwide, Mr Raymond Anyanwu and his executives witnessed the event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Defence/Security

Retired Maj.-Gen charges officers to remain dedicated

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By Oladapo Udom

 

Maj.-Gen. Ademoh Salihu (rtd.) on Friday charged military personnel to be patriotic, creative and vigilant, especially at a time when the nation was faced with diverse security challenges.

Salihu, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the Nigerian Army Signals 2023 Pulling Out Ceremony of retired senior officers, said the security challenges had necessitated several kinetic operations, which had placed a high demand on the Nigerian Army.

“Consequently, I admonish serving military personnel to continue to be loyal, creative and extra vigilant.

“You must continue to demonstrate total commitment to the security of the nation just as you have exemplified in the successes recorded in the fight against insurgency in the country.

“Nigerians, especially we the retirees are expecting a lot from you,” the major general said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maj.-Gen. Ademoh Salihu (rtd.) was a Commander of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

According to Salihu, the unique ceremony signified the end of their military careers after about 35 years or thereabout, of active service.

“I am, therefore, deeply grateful to the Almighty God for his grace, guidance, wisdom and protection throughout our years of service.

“I am highly delighted to witness this event alive and in good health. It is also a premise that whatsoever has a beginning must ultimately have an end,” he said.

Salihu said that the Pulling Out parade was organised in honour of retired Generals in recognition of unblemished military service to the nation and dated back to the colonial era.

“The occasion brings serving and retiring officers as well as other well-wishers together to bid the retired Generals farewell as they transit to life in retirement.

“It is on this note that this ceremony is organised to celebrate me and other retired colleagues of the Corps of Signals for successful military careers,” he said.

The major general seized the opportunity to encourage serving officers and men of the Nigerian Army Signals to make early preparation for retirement.

“I still remember my cadet days in the Nigerian Defence Academy just like yesterday.

“You must not assume that 35 years is a long time and waste away precious time thinking you have enough time to plan for your retirement.

“Please endeavour to put everything you ought to put in place early enough, so that you are not put under any unnecessary pressure after retirement,” he said.

Salihu added that they should build good and healthy relationships based on mutual trust and respect and relate well with colleagues in the Armed Forces, friends outside the service and family.

He thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, for his support to the Corps of Signals and for approving resources for the conduct of this pulling-out ceremony.

“I am particularly delighted with the resuscitation of some tradition and customs of the Nigerian Army that are almost forgotten.

“I also wish to humbly appreciate the Commander Corps Signals, Maj.-Gen Garba Abdullahi, for his selflessness in putting this memorable ceremony to honour our exit,” Salihu said.

NAN also reports that 18 senior officers were pulled out from the Nigerian Army Signals. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

Economy/Business

Anguish, frustration trail ATMs failure to dispense Naira notes

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By Lydia Ngwakwe

 

Barely four days to the expiration of the old naira notes deadline, many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in major parts of Lagos do not dispense either the old notes or the new naira notes, leaving customers stranded.

The situation is further compounded by the fact that traders are also rejecting the old notes, asking consumers to pay with new notes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has fixed Jan. 31 as the deadline for the use of the old naira notes.

The new naira notes comprising N200, N500 and N1,000 became a legal tender on Dec. 15, 2022 after they were unveiled by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 23, 2022 in Abuja.

Some of the ATMs monitored in Ikotun, Ejigbo, Egbeda, Surulere and Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos were not dispensing either the old or new naira notes.

Some of the banks in Surulere, Oyingbo, Ojota areas still dispensing old notes witnessed rejection with the customers depositing back the money.

Mr Michael Adejumobi, a software engineer, told NAN that the banks were frustrating people by not loading the new redesigned notes in the ATMs.

“The suffering in this country is too much; why is the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) phasing out old notes without proper provision for people to have the new ones?

“Now, the banks are not even dispensing any of the notes, whether old or new.

“This is so frustrating. I have been running around banks looking for these new notes because the market women have also started rejecting the old notes,” he said.

At Ikotun market, traders also rejected the old notes leaving consumers in frustration.

The traders ask buyers to pay with new notes or use Point of Sale (PoS) machines to carry out payment which is done at a fee.

Miss Happiness Okpara, a PoS operator, told NAN that she had no new notes to service her customers because she was paid with the old notes.

“I went to the bank this morning with the hope that since the time for the deadline is near, that I would have new notes at hand to pay people.

“I was surprised when I asked for N100,000, what was given to me were old notes. I collected them because I needed to do my business,” Okpara said.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, during a sensitisation programme at Computer Village, Ikeja, said the new notes were lying in the apex bank’s vaults waiting for commercial banks to come and pick them.

Emefiele, represented at the event by Mr Kofo Salam-Alada, Director, Legal Services Department, said the apex bank had been calling upon commercial banks to approach its branches across the country to pick up the new notes.

He also said that the apex bank had even waived some of the conditionalities for accessing currency notes in order to accommodate the banks.

“The banks were being given slots, but now the CBN is bending backward to accommodate the demands of the banks in order to service them so that they can service customers for easy access to the new naira notes,” he said.

NAN also recalls that in one of the CBN’s monitoring tour to commercial banks in Epe, the banks complained that logistics of going to bring the new notes from its financial hub on the Island was the reason they had no new notes.

The CBN has insisted that the Jan. 31 deadline remains sacrosanct.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

General News

Crashes: Don’t use 18-seater buses for interstate travels, FRSC advises

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By Ibironke Ariyo

 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Friday advised motorists against the use of 18-seater buses for long distance travels.

The Corps Marshal of FRSC, Dauda Biu, who gave the advice at a news conference in Abuja, said most traffic accidents recorded in the country involved 18-seater buses.

According to him, the 18-seater buses were designed for short distance travels.

Biu also said there was alarming rate of crashes and fatalities from accidents that occurred as a result of night journeys and excessive speed in the country.

“A lot of crashes we have recorded involved 18-seater buses and the crashes also occurred at night. This is devastating and worrisome.

“To this end, great emphasis must be made to discourage the use of 18 seater buses registered under intra state mass transit, for inter-state long journeys.

“A practice that contradicts the use of high capacity luxury buses specifically designed for such purposes,” he said.

Biu said that the Corps had put in measures to ensure drastic decline in road traffic crashes by up-scaling and improving the quality of its public education and enforcement campaigns.

He said the corps would constitute a think-tank to map out strategic initiatives for the rebirth and upgrade of enlightenment campaigns in motor parks across the country.

The corps marshal added that the FRSC would broaden existing relationship with stakeholders to secure their buy-in on driver education. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Maharazu Ahmed

Economy/Business

Cooking gas price increased by 27% in one year – NBS

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By Okeoghene Akubuike

 

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), says the average price of 5kg of cooking gas increased from N3,594.81 in December 2021 to N4,565.56 in December 2022.

This is contained in the Bureau’s “Cooking Gas Price Watch’’ for December 2022 released on Friday in Abuja.

The report said the December 2022 price represented a 27 per cent increase compared to what was obtained in December 2021.

The report said on a month-on-month basis, the price rose by 0.36 per cent from N4,549.14 recorded in November 2022 to N4,565.56 in December 2022.

On state profile analysis, the report showed that Kwara recorded the highest average price of N4,950.00 for refilling of a 5kg cooking gas, followed by Adamawa at N4,933.33, and Plateau at N4,917.50.

It said on the other hand, Anambra recorded the lowest price at N4,182.14, followed by Abia and Rivers with N4,196.15 and N4,207.27, respectively.

Analysis by zone showed that the North-Central recorded the highest average retail price of N4,841.07 for 5kg cooking gas, followed by the North-East at N4,593.99.

“The South-East recorded the lowest average price at N4,386.39.for 5kg cooking gas.’’

The NBS also said the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cooking gas rose by 0.67 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N10,180.88 in November 2022 to N10,248.97 in December 2022.

“On a year-on-year basis, this rose by 39.78 per cent from N7,332.04 in December 2021.’’

State profile analysis showed that Benue recorded the highest average retail price of N11,250.00 for 12.5kg cooking gas, followed by Cross River at N10,892.86 and Ebonyi at N10,753.57.

On the other hand, the report showed that the lowest average price for 12.5kg of cooking gas was recorded in Yobe at N9,500.00, followed by Zamfara and Gombe with N9,706.25 and N9,750.00, respectively.

Similarly, the average retail price per litre of kerosene rose to N1,104.61 in December 2022 on a month-on-month basis, showing an increase of 1.94 per cent compared to N1,083.57 recorded in November 2022.

According to its National Kerosene Price Watch for December 2022, on a year-on-year basis, the average retail price per litre of kerosene rose by 136.04 per cent from N467.97 in December 2021 to N1,104.61 in December 2022.

Analysis by state showed that the highest average retail price per litre of kerosene was recorded in Abuja at N1,383, followed by Akwa Ibom at N1,341 and Cross River at N1,300.

“On the other hand, the lowest price was recorded in Bayelsa at N864, followed by Jigawa at N904 and Rivers at N916.’’

The NBS said that analysis by zones showed that the South-East recorded the highest average retail price of kerosene at N1,203 per litre, followed by the South-West at N1,177, while the North-West recorded the lowest at N1,011.

The report showed that the average price of a gallon of kerosene was sold at N3,753 in December 2022, indicating an increase of 4.42 per cent from N3,594 in November 2022.

“On a year-on-year basis, this increased by 137.15 per cent from N1,582.73 in December 2021.’’

State profile analysis showed that Abia recorded the highest average retail price per gallon of kerosene at N4,546, followed by Kwara at N4,515 and Enugu at N4,426.

It said Borno recorded the lowest price at N2,750, followed by Gombe and Bayelsa at N2,775 and N2,814, respectively.

Analysis by the report indicated that the South-East recorded the highest average retail price per gallon of Kerosene at N4,337, followed by the North-Central at N3,967, while the North-East recorded the lowest at N3,378. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Birnin Kudu/Ese E. Eniola Williams

Economy/Business

NIA optimistic of Presidential accent to 2020 Consolidated Insurance Bill

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By Rukayat Adeyemi
The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) on Friday expressed optimism that President Muhammadu Buhari would accent to the 2020 Consolidated Insurance Bill before the tenure of the Ninth National Assembly ends.
Mr Olusegun Omosehin, NIA Chairman, said this at a news conference in Lagos.
Omosehin expressed relief that the consolidated insurance bill proposed since 2020 for review of the Insurance Act 2003,  had been passed.
He explained that the bill was currently going through the remaining legislative procedures preparatory to the presidential accent.
“We are hopeful that the bill will receive speedy attention, so that the industry can begin to tap into the opportunities provided by the new law.
“We are optimistic that the President will accent to the bill after receiving it and this will be part of the achievements of the ninth assembly before they leave,” he said.
Omosehin stated that the Nigerian insurance market would host the next West Africa Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) Educational Conference in May,  and participants from other West African countries would be attending.
He noted that the conference was an avenue for the Nigeria insurance market to showcase itself, while looking forward to hosting the most successful conference in recent time.
The NIA chairman said in furtherance to expanding the frontiers of insurance through partnerships and stakeholders’ engagement, the association’s Governing Council had scaled up engagement with other arms of the industry to discuss issues of mutual concern.
He explained that the joint NIA/ Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) technical committee had been meeting on technical issues that affected brokers and underwriters.
Omosehin said he  expected that the engagements would further cement the already existing cordial relationship between the two bodies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma
Environment

Schneider Electric explains how microgrids can reduce carbon emissions

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By Augusta Uchediunor

 

Digital energy multinational, Schneider Electric, says existing technologies can reduce carbon emissions by 70 per cent and engineer a healthier energy world for humans across the world.

Microgrids Expert, Schneider Electric, Teina Teibowei, spoke with   journalists on Schneider’s aim for upscaling the energy world, at an Innovation Summit in Maryland, U.S., a statement said on Friday.

The event was attended by Schneider Electric Group Chairman and CEO, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, and top pioneer companies in the microgrid space.

It addressed how industry experts, through software and technologies, are making the digital, electric world a reality, and organisations across the world can accelerate digital transformation by choosing the right technologies to achieve a wide range of sustainability goals like microgrids.

Teibowei said carbon emissions from the power sector in Nigeria reached around 11.7 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2020 but could be reduced using technologies like microgrid.

“With the recent sustainability dilemma facing the world; rapid transformations in technology across all sectors, and the tripled advancement of cars, computers, phones, and daily technologies relied on, there is an ever-increasing demand for more energy than the 20th century technology for technological power advancement.

“Microgrids are self-contained electrical networks that draw from on-site energy sources and can operate independently of the grid.

“They offer straightforward solutions for elevating energy resilience and clean energy.

“Thus, they are a key 21st -century solution for powering 21st century technologies.’’

Teibowei also shared some sustainable approaches to providing resilient and clean energy.

Teibowei shared a core point for organisations wishing to adopt microgrids in Nigeria, on the use of Energy-as-a-service funding model for seamless project execution.

“The Energy-as-a-service model limits technical and operational risk, while delivering on reliability and cost-effectiveness.

“ Schneider Electric is strong with an extensive network of partners in West Africa to deliver on this solution.”

Babajide Ogunlesi, Regional Product Application Engineer, Schneider Electric, also spoke.

According to him, the use of microgrid is participating in the resolution of the energy challenge in Nigeria by paving a sustainable path to the electrification, as well as providing innovative energy solutions to drive cost-efficiency for homes and organizations.

He also mentioned a key point to note when building a microgrid, which is to start with a right sized microgrid design to optimise cost efficiencies as there is no one-size-fits-all microgrid.

“It is essential to right-size at the design phase of the microgrid for it to deliver measurable energy-cost efficiency.

“Factors to consider are the specific load to power, the load requirements at any given time and the demand sources.

“Taking the time to design the solution properly avoids ending up with an under or over-sized microgrid.

“The goal is to tailor a solution that is just right for the user’s energy needs.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Schneider Electric leads with a purpose driven focus to provide energy and automated digital solutions.

The solutions are for efficiency and sustainability in every home, industry, infrastructure, data center, by combining energy technologies, real-time automation, software, and services. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Defence/Security

Correctional Service raises value chain on biogas development

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By Augusta Uchediunor
The Rivers Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has raised a value chain for the production of organic fertilisers through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) at the Custodial Centre.
 
This was made known in a statement by DSC Juliet Ofoni, the Command’s Public Relations Officer.
 
According to Ofoni, the programme has been unveiled in Port Harcourt when the Controller General of Corrections (CGCS), Haliru Nababa, presented a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to the Controller of Corrections, Rivers Command, Felix Lawrence.
 
She stated that Lawrence, thereafter, handed over the document to the private developer, Mr Ibikun Taiwo, Director, Biofil Technology Nigeria Limited, to produce organic fertilisers at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt. 
 
Nababa, represented by Raymond Jatau,  Controller of Corrections,  Sewage unit, National Headquarters, Abuja, stated that there would be a continuous selection and deployment of inmates to learn and benefit from the programme.
 
He said the programme was expected to promote inmates’ rehabilitation and support their reintegration.
 
According to him, the programme will also enhance the human capital base of Nigerian youths, encourage PPP as a government strategic development policy and generate revenue from waste.
 
He said the programme was also intended to ensure sustainability of biogas as a viable option for sewage and waste management in a Correctional environment. 
 
“All benefits of the programme shall be articulated by a separate consultant on Inmates Rehabilitation Surveillance,  Messrs P- Greening Project Limited/ GTE, to ensure that inmates legitimate income is extracted from Biofil Tech. Nig Ltd.”
This serves “as an earning scheme for the effective rehabilitation of those affected inmates in the Correctional Centre”. 
 
“The clear advantage of the arrangement is that maintenance cost for the biogas facility on the authority is drastically minimised while additional value of extraction of fertilizers for agricultural use is achieved.
 
“Utilisation of the organic fertiliser is expected to be procured by Agric Unit of the Nigerian Correctional Service to enrich activities of farm centres in Rivers and other commands around the southern parts of Nigeria,” he said. 
 
He also said that it was the desire of the Federal Government to optimise investment in all aspects of Correctional management.
 
Nababa also used the occasion to urge all field officers to brace up to the new challenge of meeting up with the service mandate of productivity and capacity building of Inmates talents.
 
Highlights of the event was the presentation of the memorandum of understanding to the developer and the sight inspection of all dignitaries present.
 
The Controller of Corrections, Rivers Command, Felix Lawrence, thanked the CGCS for the sustainability of the Biogas project since 2020 and further harnessing of the value chain in developing the biogas through the public private partnership scheme. 
 
 
The conversion of human waste to biogas energy at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt started with a liquefied petroleum gas operated kitchen in November 2020.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Idris Abdulrahman

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