Lagos, Jan. 19, 2023 (NAN) The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will continue to support security agencies towards improving efforts at protecting its facilities and safety of passengers.
The Deputy Director, Public Relations of NRC, Malam Mahmod Yakubu, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos, on Thursday.
He said that the Board and Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had confirmed that the persons abducted at the Chief Tom Ikimi Railway Station, Edo, had all regained freedom.
Yakubu recalled that the attack took place on Jan. 7, 2023, at Chief Tom Ikimi Railway Station Ekekhen in Igueben, Edo State and said all abducted passengers had been released to their families.
He said that the feat was highly commendable, as none of the victims was hurt or injured during their period of captivity and release.
“At this point, the NRC Board and Management highly appreciate the role, patience and cooperation of the families of the victims.
“We also wish to express our appreciation to the security agencies, State Government and all those who contributed in one way or the other towards the release of the harmless and innocent citizens for their efforts.
“This dastardly and wanton act of kidnapping innocent and law-abiding Nigerians is a display of cowardice that must be condemned and not to be tolerated in any guise as all hands must be on deck to ensure the Security of life and property of all Nigerians.
“The NRC Management enjoins all communities residing along the Railway corridors to be security conscious by reporting any suspicious movement that is likely to cause breach of peace within their locality, to the nearest security agency or their community vigilante for quick intervention, as this is the surest way and means.
“Reporting to security agencies will help in keeping our society safe and protecting the Federal Government’s critical infrastructure constructed in their community for their socio-economic and other benefits,” Yakubu said.(NAN).
The Association of Anambra State Town Unions (ASATU)-Youth wing, says it is committed to ensuring a peaceful election in the state.
The Association said this during a meeting with management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Awka on Thursday.
Mr Ken Okoli, National President of ASATU-Youth wing, said the association would use its structures across the 179 communities in the state to ensure the protection of electoral officers and materials.
He said Anambra youths would not allow anti-democratic forces and detractors to deny the people of the state their rights to vote or subvert their choices.
“ASATU-Youth and indeed Anambra youths are ready, we are committed to peaceful election, we shall work with INEC to ensure that the election process is protected.
“We shall show the light to others because we are the Light of the Nation,” he said.
On her part, Dr Elizabeth Agwu, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Anambra, assured of early deployment of both sensitive and non-sensitive materials during the election.
Agwu described youths as the biggest beneficiaries of good governance with the capacity to determine election outcome and called on them not to mortgage their future and destiny for peanuts.
She commended the youth for their massive turnout during the voter registration exercise, and urged them to ensure it reflected in the election outcome by casting their votes on the days of election.
“It might interest you to note that youths/middle aged (18-50 years) constitute over 70 million out of 93 million voters that will decide the election.
“This means that you will significantly determine the election outcome if this number is turned into votes for any of your chosen candidates.
“Therefore, I urge you to constitute yourselves into INEC vanguard for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.
“Say no to all forms of vices and confront those who stand against peaceful election as this works against your destiny and life time opportunities.
“INEC is ready, undaunted and has vowed to conduct free, fair, credible and peaceful elections in Anambra State and Nigeria in general,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Dr Michael Duyile, 83, a one-time Daily Times journalist, says he is fulfilled bagging doctorate degree at his age.
According to him, he feels on top of the world.
A former Director of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Duyile, was on Wednesday among the 2,251 graduating postgraduate students at the 60th anniversary and 53rd convocation of the University of Lagos.
The ceremony marked the end of the week-long activities lined up for the conferment of degrees made up of 69 Postgraduate Diplomas, 2,119 Masters and 65 Doctorate Degrees, cut across various disciplines.
The university also conferred gold medals honourary awards to two academic members of the institution.
Dr Michael Duyile, 83-yr-old journalist bags doctorate degree
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the event, Duyile expressed satisfaction for achieving the feat even at his age.
He noted that he felt fulfilled to witness the day come to pass, adding that where there is dedication and determination, every dream could be attained and obstacles surmounted.
“I want to say I feel very happy and fulfilled. Right now, I feel on top of the world because I have been longing for this opportunity for about 35 to 40 years now.
“But I did not have the opportunity because all the admissions for my Ph.D were thwarted by other engagements. So, I could not do that since 1991.
“I have been resilient, making efforts to go to the university to do my Ph.D and today, it is a reality and even at my age, it is something to be proud of,” he stated.
On how he felt interacting with students young enough to be his children, the octogenarian stated that it was full of fun.
He noted that it gave him the privilege to mix with them freely and see things from their own perspective.
According to him, it also made him feel much younger than his age.
“By mixing and interacting with them, I did not only have fun, it also made me feel much younger.
“I felt like a very young man because I was always sharing their views, discussing on the same platform and there was nothing like aging in our discussions.
“All that we discussed was either academic, political or international issues. So, in fact, I really loved and enjoyed being in the midst of younger people because it made me feel young myself,” he stated.
Advising young and upcoming journalists, Duyile urged them not to imbibe the habit of alcoholism, if they intend reaching the peak of their career.
He noted that such habit would easily make them lose focus and unable to have a good grasp of facts and realities on ground. Such persons cannot make good journalists.
“All those aspiring to be professionals in the industry must firstly, strive to be committed. The issue of choosing the path of journalism by any young person must first toe the line of total commitment.
“When I started journalism in the 1960s, my editor told me that in this profession, you might not be rich, but you will be famous, people will love you if only you are doing the right thing and are capable of writing well and be upright,” he said.
He said that the upcoming journalists too must ensure they are knowledgeable in almost everything so as to be able to highlight and share societal challenges, as well as strive to proffer solutions to some of these challenges.
“Otherwise, if you are looking for how to become a millionaire, then, this is not the place for you. So, again, I will advise the younger ones to be serious, committed to the profession because the sky will be the limit to every good writer here in Africa and globally.
“Right now even at 83, I am still a correspondent to some overseas newspapers and I eke my living from that. I also teach in a university currently, Elizade University Ilara Mokin in Ondo specifically, as a lecturer in Mass Communication.
“I have also taught in some universities such as Wesley University in Ondo and Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Duyile was the journalist that covered the opening ceremony of UNILAG on Oct. 3, 1962, while working for the Daily Times of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, another octogenarian, a female, 82-year-old Bridget Okonji, alongside Duyile obtained her M.Ed in Guidance and Counseling.
The gold medal award was conferred on two eminent academics, Profs. Duro Oni, a theatre guru, and Johnson Olaleru, a celebrated professor of Mathematics.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, had in her welcome address stated that the awards were in accordance with the provisions of the institution’s Act.
She said that the Act empowered the university to identify and honour deserving members of the society with proven integrity.
According to her, these persons have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and demonstrated significant contributions in raising the standard of the institution.
She said they had done these through teaching, research, administration and service in the community. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Customs Strike Force, Team A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 5,124 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa along the coast of Lekki, Lagos.
The Customs Comptroller in charge of the team, Sani Yusuf, said this on Wednesday in Lagos during a media briefing.
Yusuf said the contraband, with an estimated duty paid value of N516 million, was intercepted following credible intelligence in January 2023.
He added that the contraband was being moved directly from the ship to trucks before his men intercepted them.
“The Cannabis was intercepted following a credible intelligence. We intercepted it somewhere around Lekki along the coast at midnight.
“On getting there, we saw several persons loading the contraband from the ship directly into the truck in spite of the sea waves.
“Immediately our officers got there, they discovered that they had already loaded the first truck, they were loading the second and third trucks when we got there, and there was pandemonium.
“Arriving at the scene, we saw some other agencies, we don’t know who they were. But after heated arguments, we were able to take the truck down to our office, and the people who were loading the consignment ran away,” he said.
Yusuf, explained that the officials were able to take one truck because it had already been loaded, parked outside and was waiting to be taken out before his men busted them.
“This particular truck was parked outside while they were loading the other two trucks, they never knew we were coming. So, they had loaded this truck and kept it outside.
“So, when we came, while they were arguing, we decided it was better to take the one we were seeing and also for the safety of our officers. So, one of the officers drove the truck,” he said.
He also said within the same period, the team also seized 705 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each with a duty-paid value of N42 million and also 11 bales of secondhand clothing with a DPV of N3 million.
Meanwhile, the controller said between January and December 2022, the team seized different contrabands with a duty value of N9 billion.
He said the figure represented a 55 per cent increase when compared to N3.9 billion generated in 2021.
“Among the items seized in 2022 included, 225mg of tramadol, 100mg of sildenafil citrate, codeine cough syrup, used tyres, bales of second-hand clothing, bags of foreign parboiled rice, containers of timber, pangolin scales, slabs of Donkey skin, Cannabis sativa among others.
“The sum of N5.8 billion was generated as revenue through demand notices from January to December 2022,”:he said.
He warned all unpatriotic importers and their agents who dared the Customs officers, that service would not only make seizures, but its vigilant operatives would get them arrested to face the full wrath of the law.
He said the team had already reinvigorated its round-the-clock operations.
“We are relying on our gallant and intelligent officers to suppress smuggling and prevent revenue loss because our commitment to doing better in 2023 and beyond is hereby renewed,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Chairman, Lagos Council, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Adeleye Ajayi, has advised workers in the nation not to neglect those who retired from their organisations but rather, retain the friendships.
Ajayi gave the advice during a send off ceremony organised for Mr Peter Dada, a Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who retired after attaining age 60.
He said the retirees had spent time in service of the nation and in the process imparted knowledge, mentored people, and should not be left alone.
“It is not good to throw away our retirees. Let us cultivate friendship with our retirees to keep them happy no matter what. They have trained us.
“Mr Peter Dada is going, I will constantly communicate to ask about his welfare,” he said.
Mr Ephraims Sheyin, the Head of Lagos Operations of NAN, recalled the good moments working with Dada whom he described as straight forward, kind and hardworking.
Sheyin said Dada was an exemplary leader who always provided solutions and was blunt in telling the truth always, adding that he was also an advocate for doing things right all the time.
He commended the youthful look of Dada and prayed for God’s blessings upon him, his family and future path, advising him to always project NAN in good light.
“I really enjoyed working with him,” he said.
Immediate past President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, described Dada as a de-tribalised, honest, truthful, hardworking and kind colleague.
She said those who worked in NAN were usually”over groomed” and excelled well after service and prayed for Dada, urging him to always remember “NAN is home”.
Mr Debo Oshundun, an Assistant-Editor-in-Chief, described Dada as “a good ambassador of the people” while reeling out his qualities.
The Head of Marketing Department, NAN Lagos, Mrs Yemi Olateju, thanked Dada for his support to the department and collaboration for its progress.
The Head of Editorial, NAN Lagos, Mr Babatunde Abdulfatah, Head of Sports Desk, Mr Folorunsho Poroye and other heads of departments as well as reporters took turns to celebrate the retiree and recall good moments with him.
The NAN NUJ Chapel Chairman, Mr Yunus Yusuf, described Dada as a good man and joined in prayers for his progress outside of the agency.
Responding, Dada started his speech with rendition of a thanksgiving song, while reeling out many good things God did for him that required deep gratitude.
Dada thanked all his colleagues who had in various ways impacted his life and that of his family.
“For the gifts you have presented to me individually and collectively, I will continue to cherish and treasure them.
“May God in his infinite mercy continue to give you gifts that will be enduring and everlasting in your lives,” he said.
He thanked Sheyin, other department heads, the NUJ leadership and others who made his sojourn in NAN worth the while.
“NAN has become an integral part of me, having spent a productive period of 17 years and six months here. It is a wonderful and a delightful place to work,” he said.(NAN)
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and Actions for Collaborative Community Engaged Strategies for Human Papilloma Virus (ACCESS-HPV) have launched a programme that will increase awareness on cervical cancer screening.
Prof. Oliver Ezechi, the Country Lead of ACCESS-HPV and Director of Research in NIMR, said during the launch in Lagos on Wednesday that the programme would be funded by the U.S. National Institute of Health and National Cancer Institute.
He added that the project, which is expected to reduce the burden of the health conditions in Nigeria, would support the Nigerian National Cancer Prevention and Control programme in its drive to join other nations to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cancer of the uterine cervix, commonly known as cervical cancer, is the fourth most common cancer among women globally and the second most common cancer among women.
Ezechi said: “The Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) causes most cervical cancers and the prevalence in Nigeria is 24.8 per cent.
“The high burden of cervical cancer and the resultant number of deaths occurring in woman in Nigeria is attributable to poor access to screening and identification of precancerous lesions.
“It is against this backdrop that our team will develop new HPV vaccination campaign for young girls and self collection campaigns for mothers, using crowdsourcing open calls and participatory learning communities.
“The ACCESS HPV team comprises of experts from Saint Louis University, Missouri, U.S., led by Prof. Juliet Iwelunmor, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, led by Prof. Joe Tucker and Monash University in Australia, led by Dr Jason Ong.
“NIMR is also a leading centre in making cervical cancer screening accessible to the public through community-based screening and HPV testing.
“We will use the same methodology we used to increase access to HIV testing through HIV self-testing (ITEST Project), which is currently running in 30 local government areas across 14 states.”
According to him, the project is also aligned with the World Health Organisation’s global strategy inaugurated in 2020 to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health challenge.
Ezechi called for a multi-stakeholder approach across the health sector, government, women’s right advocacy organisations and various religious bodies to win the fight against the scourge in the country. (NAN(www.nanews.ng)
The world’s oldest known person, French nun Sister André, has died at age 118 in the southern French city of Toulon, the city’s mayor Hubert Falco said on Wednesday.
Born in the southern French town of Ales on Feb. 11, 1904, as Lucile Randon, Sister André was listed as the oldest person alive by the Gerontology Research Group in April 2022.
The Frenchwoman worked as a home teacher in her youth and did not enter a religious community until she was in her early 40s.
Most recently, Sister André was confined to a wheelchair, and for several years she could no longer see properly.
She was an honorary citizen of Toulon, where she lived in a retirement home for several years.
Falco praised her as incredibly modern and a nun with a big heart.
Guinness World Records said Lucile, who took the name of Sister André in 1944, was the second-oldest French person and the second-oldest European person ever recorded.
More recently, Sister André received the record for the oldest COVID-19 survivor after an infection in 2021.
“It’s difficult to fathom that someone born before the patenting of plastic, zips or even bras were alive well into the 21st century, and robust enough to beat COVID-19.’’
The Guinness World Records editor, Craig Glenday said in a statement.
“It’s been an honour to record her story in the pages of the Guinness World Records book, and she will live on in history as the fourth oldest person ever authenticated.’’
With her death, Maria Branyas Morera, who lived in Spain, assumed the title of the world’s oldest person at age 115. (Dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on African nations to maximise the opportunities presented by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to fully integrate the continent into the global market.
Chief Francis Meshioye, the President of MAN, made the call at the “Lighting the African Trade Torch for the Implementation of the AfCFTA” ceremony held on Wednesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AfCFTA’s “Torch Lighting’’ ceremony is to demonstrate the commitment of participating countries to the implementation of the AfCFTA.
Meshioye, who doubles as President, Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA), said AfCFTA had created a market of over 1.3 billion people and was the largest single market in the world with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over 2.6 trillion dollars.
He said that the AFCFTA would boost Africa’s export by more than 600 billion dollars with wage gain of more than 10 per cent, presenting a unique opportunity for increased production capacities and trade volume.
According to him, AfCFTA is a catalyst for significant reduction in poverty, offering opportunities for ramping up production, up scaling trade volume and creating enduring wealth for the continent.
“On behalf of PAMA, I congratulate the African Union, the AfCFTA secretariat and the Africa Business Council for the progress we have made since the commencement of the AfCFTA.
“We see the single liberalised market for free trade in goods and services, which AfCFTA offers as a lifetime opportunity for African countries to trade more with each other, refocus national economic, and fast track the process of fully integrating the continent into the global market.
“All these opportunities are for the taking, if competitiveness of private businesses is enhanced ; and I must say, we cannot afford to allow this monumental opportunity to liberate Africa economically, slip from our hands.
“In reality, the benefits and opportunities that AfCFTA offers are not without challenges and hurdles that will necessitate tough decisions and measures.
“However, I am confident that with concerted efforts of all stakeholders and overwhelming support of all private sector operators in Africa, these hurdles are surmountable,” he said.
The MAN president noted that his interactions with manufacturers revealed the hope that AfCFTA would transform Africa into a prosperous and competitive trade environment.
He stressed the need to immediately move beyond the completion of negotiations on schedule of tariff offers, finalisation of work on the rules of origin and fully operationalise the Pan African Payment Platform.
Meshioye said that all outstanding issues germane to the effective implementation of AfCFTA must be speedily resolved.
He charged participating countries to continue to support the African Union and the AfCFTA secretariat to evolve strategies that would ensure that trading in the AfCFTA corridor stimulated inclusive development in Africa.
Meshioye explained that this was achievable through strategic framework to facilitate inflow of investment and the inclusion of women, youth, innovation and technology development in the AfCFTA implementation roadmap.
He added that countries must address macroeconomic environment, poor competitiveness and dearth of trade facilitation infrastructure prevailing in many African countries.
“As we light the Africa Trade Torch on implementation of AfCFTA today, we must all resolve to keep this monumental light in our minds.
“We should ensure upscaling of trade in manufactured goods through improved industrial capacity and deliberately develop industrial inputs to reduce the intensity of reliance on the global supply chain.
“We must intentionally bring down all the historical physical borders in Africa, facilitating peaceful co-existence and security of lives and property.
“We must effectively support all Organised Private Sector organisations in Africa and strengthen the private sector directorate in the structure of the AfCFTA secretariat as PAMA continues to monitor unfolding events around AfCFTA with great optimism,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Lagos, Jan. 16, 2023 (NAN) Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state, says the state generates 2.2 million cubic meters of untreated domestic wastewater daily.
She made this known in Victoria Island at a ”3-Day Workshop on Regulating Urban Sanitation Services: Faecal Sludge/Waste Management Guidelines and Standards”.
Sanwo-Olu said the 2.2 million kilolitres of untreated domestic wastewater generated daily was based on the 120 litres of water used per person per day.
She said that with a population of over 20 million and annual growth of 2.9 per cent, sanitation management was currently a challenge in Lagos state.
According to her, the dire situation on ground calls for all hands to be on deck, to ensure effective and efficient regulation of faecal sludge management.
She said that this would help to safeguard the environment and protecting water resources of the state, and mitigating events of waterborne diseases.
”As a Medical Doctor, I am conscious of the fact that all waterborne diseases are deadly.
“Experts have also established that there is an unbreakable relationship between health and the environment. They are both intertwined!
”As a matter of fact, the negative impact of inadequate and improper regulation of faecal sludge management on the health of people in general and children, in particular, is crystal clear and well known.
”Diarrhea, for instance, is the second largest killer of children below five years in Nigeria, only next to Pneumonia.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WH0), 88 per cent of diarrhea cases are attributable to factors essentially originating from poor management of excreta disposal,” Sanwo-Olu said.
She said that without effective regulation, the dreams of having a livable, healthy, safe, and secure environment would continue to be a mirage.
The governor’s wife said that there must be a structured and sustainable arrangement in place to regulate and properly manage the faecal sludge value chain, starting from the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal, which in turn would yield both economic and environmental benefits to the state.
L-R: Representative, Faecal Sludge Management Alliance, The Netherlands, Mr Mansur Fall; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO), Mrs Funke Adepoju; Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resource, Dr Omobolaji Gaji and Chairman House Committee on Environment (Parasternal) Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Desmond Elliot during a Three-Day Workshop on Regulating Urban Sanitation Services in Lagos on Monday (16/01/23)
In his welcome remarks, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, said that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration had accorded sanitation a high priority.
Gaji said that it was a known fact that six in 10 people lacked access to safely managed sanitation services and nearly 1,000 children died due to preventable water and sanitation related diseases.
He called on stakeholders to support and come up with a far reaching solution that would reduce the health bills of Lagos citizenry, due to waterborne and sanitation related diseases.
Giving her welcome address, Mrs Funke Adepoju, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) said that the workshop was organised by LASWARCO, in partnership with the Faecal Sludge Management Alliance (FSMA) to tap from local and international expertise and best practices for effective faecal sludge management.
Adepoju said the workshop was a necessary beginning, needed for long term sanitation transition, to improve effectiveness of sanitation transition and ensure regulatory systems for public health.
She said there was need for stakeholders to key into the policy guidelines that would galvanise and up-skill critical sector players in the state in sustainably managing faecal sludge. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma
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