By Angela Atabo

The North-East Leaders of Thought (NELT), has appealed to youths to shelve the planned nationwide protest and give the government a chance.

The Chairman of NELT, retired Maj.-Gen. IBM Haruna, made the appeal at a news conference to mark his 84th birthday on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Haruna, a lot of sacrifices have been made for the nation to stand .

“I grew up joining the military not for the fun of it, but with the determination to ensure that the unity and stability of the country remains indissoluble.

“When the civil war broke out, we all had no other options than to make all the sacrifices to keep Nigeria one. By the grace of God, this was done.

“We have remained together for the last 63 years as a nation.

“Let me use the occasion of the celebration of my birthday to appeal to our youths, who are planning some protests around the country, to give the government a chance to settle down to work,” he said.

According to Haruna, the government has just spent one year in office.

“Hopefully, when it gets its acts together, it should be able to improve the living conditions of the people.”

He said that efforts had been made to send some palliatives to all the states of the federation.

The chairman said that there were many other measures which the government had mapped out to address the challenges confronting the nation.

“ It is my hope that those responsible for carrying out government tasks will take their assignments with all the seriousness they deserve.

“Let me also call on the government of the day to give a human face to all its programmes and activities that are being undertaken.

“The basis on which this government was voted into office in 2023 was for the renewed hope agenda of the President.

“By implication, it means Nigerians had lost hope and the administration promised to reset the hopeless situation with a renewed hope,’’ he said

Haruna said that things got worse with the immediate withdrawal of subsidy, hike in electricity tariff, currency devaluation, and expensive transportation system.

He added that the deepening economic crisis was getting out of hand.

Haruna reminded the government that the security and welfare of the people was the primary purpose of its existence. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Francis Onyeukwu

Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, has called on privileged Nigerians to invest in human development to reduce agitation by the youths and other unemployed persons.

Asadu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers’ Council and Edem Ani of Ogwugwu community, Nsukka area of Enugu State, made the call at a forum with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that helping in the development of human beings was an important avenue to tackle socio-economic challenges in every society.

“I am a compulsive philanthropist, my wife and I gave N63 million to the youths this year, tarred a road in my community and built eight houses for indigent persons in my community.

“I have also reticulated water in my town and empowered 25 youths who I brought to Abuja in May.

“‘I challenge privileged Nigerians and the government to look into the development of the youths because we cannot do much if they are not adequately empowered.

“Nigerians need to wake up and    engage the youths because they are the leaders of tomorrow,”‘ he said.

Asadu, who had travelled far and wide, said that Nigeria is one of the top 10 countries blessed with the population of between 20 and 50 years old.

The professional nurse-turned-traditional ruler harped on the need for the Federal Government to factor in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and climate change in her development plans.

Asadu, who derives joy in assisting the people, said that more than 250 persons feed daily from a food bank in his palace in the past five years.

He listed other humanitarian gestures done by him to include the building of a 20-bed hospital worth N70 million in 2018.

Asadu said that the health facility provides free services to the public.

He advised youths seeking divine upliftment to always tell God what they would do in return, if He uplifts them.

The traditional ruler advised   people against making promises they cannot fulfil as God detests such.

“I see the world as a football field where one plays and scores goals and if you fail to put your eyes on the ball, you can’t achieve much,” he said.

Asadu said that humanitarian gestures, apart from its spiritual gains, had the potential to reduce socio-economic challenges, insecurity and help in all-round development.

He advised the youths to respect their parents and constituted authorities, noting that respect for parents is the only commandment of God that has blessing attached to it. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Kingsley Okoye and Emmanuel Jonathan

Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, South-East Traditional Rulers Council, says the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) is a game changer for the development of the zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu signed the bill seeking the creation of the commission into law on July 24.

Asadu, who said this at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja on Sunday, said the council was excited over the establishment of the commission.

Asadu, who is also the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Kingdom, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, said that the establishment of SEDC after several failed attempts, validates the policy of  the three “Rs” as conceived after the civil war.

The three Rs – Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction – were conceived as a deliberate policy to shore up development after the 1967-1970 civil war ravaged most parts of the South-East.

“We are excited. It is a game changer, we love the president for that. It is kind of him.

“Everyone knew that after the civil war, we felt alienated from the country for political reasons. The SEDC has been delayed for a long time.

“With the SEDC, we can do better; this President saw the value, the benefit in it and the development coming with it.

“So, we thank Tinubu, all the Senators and members of the House of Representatives led by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. We give kudos to them for the astute support they gave to the passage of the bill  into law,” he said.

He said the entire south-east zone was so excited over the commission, saying that it would further serve as a veritable platform for productive engagement of youths in the zone.

“We are happy and loyal to the president Tinubu; we have never had it better than this, so we are in support of those policies that have an impact on people,” he said.

He emphasised the need to ensure the appointment of persons of integrity to drive activities of the commission to enable it realise its full mandate

Asadu also urged a background check on the team to pilot the commission, adding that they should be persons with verifiable means of livelihood, people with proven character and integrity.

“We have been through a lot, so I am sure that the government would be very wise enough to pick the right people to run the affairs of the commission,” he said.

NAN reports that SEDC is expected to manage funds allocated from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructural deficits suffered by the region due to age-long neglect.

It will also tackle ecological problems and related environmental challenges that had devastated the South-East for decades. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph

By Kingsley Okoye /Emmanuel Jonathan

The Council of Traditional Rulers in the South-East has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to consider the request for the creation of two additional states in the zone.

Speaking on Sunday in Abuja when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum, its Chairman, Chief Samuel Asadu, said the request was part of the demands the traditional council agreed to pursue at its last meeting.

According to him, the request for additional two states is to address the imbalance in the number of states in the six geopolitical zones.

“At the meeting, the traditional rulers agreed to accept any state created from any part of the eastern states.

“We are united in this struggle. We have five states in the South-East. There are zones that have seven. Some have six. So, we need to have two more states to be even.

“But whatever we get, we thank the President. We are at his mercy and God bless him for that.

“So, when the state is given to us, we will endorse it. It does not matter where it comes from, it does not matter whose lawmaker sponsored the bill.”

On the clamour for constitutional roles for traditional institutions, Asadu said that the traditional rulers were very experienced in all spheres and should be challenged with some statutory roles.

“We want to have some constitutional relevance, some constitutional powers.

“The statutory monthly allocation of five per cent from funds released to Local Governments is not given to traditional rulers in the states.

“The states don’t release the money.

“Traditional rulers play an important role in communicating government policies and programmes to members of the community.

“What that means is that they must be supported to do so. They need financial backing to handle these tasks. No one should pretend about that,” he said.

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Kingsley Okoye/Emmanuel Jonathan

The Council of South-East Traditional Rulers has appealed to the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, and expressed optimism that his freedom would reduce tension in that geopolitical zone.

The Chairman of the Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, made the call when he featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

Asadu said that the council was in support of stakeholders’ call for Kanu’s release.

“Governors in the five states of the South-East have called for his release. Our lawmakers have done the same. That is the position of everyone in the South-East,” he said.

Asadu spoke further: “He is our son. He has been there for a long time.

“Of course, we back the Governors Forum and other stakeholders’ call for his release so that tension will be reduced.

“Before that, the government will do its due diligence to guarantee that his release won’t cause anything unexpected. There should be some form of measures, a deal to be made.”

Asadu said that the eventual release of Kanu would, to a large extent, usher in  relative calmness and evoke joy to the people of the zone.

“If the president looks into that and gives him a pardon,we will be excited. It is affecting our area because some of the people are his die hard fans.

“Who would want to have his son locked up for a long time? We are praying every day, all the traditional rulers are praying for Nnamdi Kanu to be released.

“We feel his pains and the pain of his family.

“It will be a gift, if the President does that. We will come back to thank him in a big way.”(NAN)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Sadiya Hamza

By Kingsley Okoye and Emmanuel Jonathan

Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, South-East Council of Traditional rulers, says the council is not in support of the planned nationwide protest slated for Aug. 1 to 10.

Asadu, who is the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu kingdom, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu state, said this when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

The traditional ruler said that the council would not support any agitation organised by “some faceless people”, adding that the council is asking for calm.

He urged those behind the protest to find other ways of ventilating their anger to avoid causing chaos across the country.

Asadu said that peaceful protest could be infiltrated by miscreants who would take laws into their hands to cause anarchy.

“It is easier to destroy than to build, so all we are asking is for calm; we are asking for dialogue,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to engage them in a dialogue as they may have their reasons for planning the protest.

The traditional ruler said that times are hard with the current economic situation in the country, coupled with the fuel subsidy removal.

“I am feeling it in my community because the people come to me every day for assistance. We are not in any way supporting the protest at all.

“But I still want the government to see a way of engaging them in dialogue, the President is the Father of the nation,” he said.

Asadu encouraged traditional rulers in the country to find a way to engage their people by organising festive activities periodically.

“Find a way to engage the people, everything is not about government alone, insist on what you can do for your people and not what they can do for you as their leader,” he said.

NAN reports that several groups have announced their withdrawal from the planned nationwide protests against economic hardship.

A group from the South East, under the aegis of Enugu Innovative Youths, said on Saturday that it was opting out of the exercise to avoid exacerbating the security situation in the state and the country.

It recalled what transpired during the ENDSARS protest and argued that the tendency to hijack the protest was too high.

The group called for patience while things improve.(NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Akpan Glory

The Rotary Club of Abuja Aso-Golf District 9127, has carried out a sensitisation campaign to promote family planning services and hygiene practices for nursing mothers at Mpape Health Centre, Abuja.

At the event on Friday, Liz Asomugha, the Club President, said the theme, ‘Maternal and Child Health’, is aimed at enlightening nursing mothers on the importance of family planning, child spacing, and self-care.

“Having children is important, but having the resources and funds to care for them is more important,” Asomugha stated.

She said the initiative by her club exemplified their dedication to improving maternal and child health in the community.

Makosi Musambasi, a retired registered nurse and Rotarian, educated the mothers on the benefits of child spacing and family planning for both their children’s health and their own.

She said that these practices help ensure better health outcomes and resource management within families.

Dupe Abosede, the past assistant governor of the Rotary Club Aso-Golf, reiterated Rotary’s commitment to maternal and child health, one of their key focus areas.

“Our goal is to meet the needs of women and encourage them on how to care for their children, homes, and themselves,” she said.

Several nursing mothers expressed their gratitude to the Rotary Club for the education and support.

Tolufashe Jumoke, a single mother, appreciated the club’s efforts, noting the challenges of single motherhood, especially in the current economic climate.

Nafisat Shehu, another nursing mother, also expressed her hope that the Rotary Club would continue to support nursing mothers.

Adama Musa, the Officer-in-Charge of Mpape Health Center, thanked the Rotary Club for their support and asked for their continuous support for the mothers and the health centre.

The event concluded with the distribution of care packages to the nursing mothers.

These packages included mosquito nets, diapers, sanitary pads, detergents, rice, seasoning cubes, petroleum jelly, and cooking oil. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Salif Atojoko

Ms Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, on Friday, said her mission to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries that were forming a new alliance was successful.

Mohammed said this while briefing State House Correspondents on Friday after her meeting with the President Bola Tinubu.

She said she visited the country to debrief President Bola Tinubu on the visit of her delegation to Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

“We went to Ethiopia on a finance mission. We were able to debrief the president on the proposals that he had made to try to keep the dialogue going for some of the states that we have challenges with.

“But at the same time, we also looked for the possibilities to include economic development so that the people don’t suffer at the same time,” she said.

She said the countries had crises due to unconstitutional changes, and they must come back to a transition, a process to democracy.

“On the other hand, they have to also look at the development paradigm for their people where there is terrorism.

“But there is also a need to look at jobs, food security and energy. All those also have to continue.

“Now if they can display a roadmap that gives everyone some confidence that there is a return to democratic rule, then they will find support,” said Mohammed..

According to her, she believes that ECOWAS is a family, and regional integration is important for the region.

“And the proposal by ECOWAS at its last meeting to have President Faye of Senegal and President Faure of Togo continue that dialogue and engagement is a good one,” Mohammed added.

She said the response from the countries was that they felt they did not get the support of ECOWAS that they envisaged.

“There is a lack of understanding such that in some cases they are going ahead with their alliance, but at the same time they expressed their priorities.

“First was security and the fight against terrorism. The second was investments that they were looking for in certain areas like food security, and job creation for young people,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Sector-wide Coordinating Office-Programme Management Unit (SCO-PMU) domiciled in the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

A statement on Friday by his spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, said the unit would ensure efficient, transparent and accountable management of external grants mobilised towards the implementation of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).

Ngelale said SCO-PMU would report to a Steering Committee/Ministerial Oversight Committee chaired by the Minister, including the Minister of State, Permanent Secretary; Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and relevant development partners.

“The SCO-PMU will serve as the secretariat and delivery unit for the NHSRII and is to be headed by a national coordinator (NC).

“The functions of the SCO-PMU include programme management, monitoring and evaluation, engagement and supervision of Independent Verification Agents (IVAs) for NHSRII programmes and fiduciary management, among others.

“Consequently, the President has approved the appointment of Dr. Muntaqa Umar Sadiq as the National Coordinator of SCO-PMU,” he said..

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sadiq has over 17 years of experience in public health, impact investing, investment banking, energy, and climate financing across the health, finance, climate and energy sectors.

He had served as Head of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria.

He also served as Head of the Nigeria Energy Transition Office and Private Sector Engagement Adviser at the World Bank. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Salif Atojoko

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, says Nigeria is scaling up tangible and valuable investments in renewable energy systems.

He said in a statement in Abuja that he had a fruitful discussion on Friday with Dr Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director-General/CEO of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).

He said he also joined a virtual meeting with the Executive Management of Oando Clean Energy to discuss their groundbreaking work to increase investments in renewable energy systems.

Ngelale explained that Oando’s focused attention on R&D and study of prospective clean energy investment opportunities, with the willingness to take calculated risks, would be beneficial to the organisation and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

“They will be given all the relationship support we can muster based on the merit of their organisational vision and wide-ranging activities,” he said.

He said he also deliberated virtually with officials of the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. State Department.

He stated that the discussion focused on Nigeria’s push to leverage on its vast marine resources to attract new green-focused partnerships and investments in seaports and shipping corridors. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru