The lingering crisis in Sudan has displaced 10 million people while two million others have become refugees, Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas has said.

Chambas, Chairman of the African Union High-level panel on the resolution of the crisis, told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in a telephone interview that the situation in the war-torn nation was critical.

“There is a very serious humanitarian crisis there; it is a very worrisome situation,” Chambas said.

He expressed regrets that the media was not reporting the scary situation in Sudan.

“The unfortunate thing is that the Sudanese situation doesn’t get to the front pages. It doesn’t get to the news. It is not Gaza or Ukraine.

“It is necessary to tell this story. The world needs to hear the Sudanese story. Any African coverage of this tragedy will be welcomed,” he said.

On the mediation efforts toward ending the conflict, he said that the warring groups were invited to Addis Ababa for talks.

“What we have done is to launch a preparatory meeting for Inter-Sudanese dialogue. We need to end the war and return Sudan to peace.

“We are calling the groups one at a time. We are reaching out to political and civil organisations in the country.

“In the next meeting, we shall be discussing with the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement.

“We shall meet the youth, women, civil society organisations, professional groups, traditional authorities.

“We shall seek views of all groups. We shall ask them to send their representatives. We want an inclusive process that will leave no one behind.

“More importantly, we want to have recommendations on how to end the war. There is a need for a political solution to the crisis. That process has commenced and we are happy with the stage of consultations.

“We are looking at successive inclusive dialogue, transitional justice, security reforms.

“All groups want peace. What we are saying is that they must all play their roles to bring it.”

Chambas decried the role of external groups in worsening the crisis.

“Yes, external groups are playing a huge role in prolonging the violence. But the more the crisis lasts, the more you have the outside forces seeking to fuel it.

“We want these outside forces to support the quest for peace instead of bringing arms.

“We want all groups involved in the crisis to place the collective Sudanese interest above their personal considerations,” he said.

NAN reports that Chambas’ panel had held a five-day preparatory meeting of the Inter-Sudanese political dialogue at the African Union Commission building in Addis Ababa.

During the meeting, the panel reminded participants at the mediation that the focus was on Sudanese ownership and leadership.

It also made reference to inclusiveness, neutrality and transparency in the mediation efforts. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Chiazo Ogbolu
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has presented N16.5 million financial assistance to 66 officers who were injured in the line of duty.

The General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, made the presentation at the 24th anniversary celebration of the authority on Monday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki said that the financial assistance was to assist the injured officers, those not serving and others who are still serving but incapacitated due to the injury.

He noted that 10 outstanding officers were presented award of recognition for their exceptional service.

“This gesture underscores LASTMA’s commitment to the welfare and support of its personnel, recognising the risks they face daily to maintain order on Lagos roads,” he said.

Bakare-Oki highlighted the significant milestones and achievements of the agency over the past 24 years and appreciated the officers for their tremendous efforts.

He commended the dedication and hard work of all LASTMA officers in ensuring the safety and smooth flow of traffic within Lagos State.

“These officers were honoured for their exemplary performance, dedication and contributions to traffic management and safety.

“The awards serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence and public service,” he said.

The LASTMA boss said that the authority remained committed to its mission of promoting road safety, reducing traffic congestion and enhancing the overall transportation experience in Lagos State.

“The agency extends its gratitude to all its officers, stakeholders and the public for their continued support and cooperation.

“Our new toll-free call centre 080000527862 has been inaugurated to serve as support/complaint/commendation from members of the public particularly motoring public,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the attack on former President of the United States, Donald Trump during a political rally in Pennsylvania.

The President, in a message on his official X handle on Sunday, described the attack as “distasteful and beyond the pale of democratic norms.

“Violence has no place in democracy.

“I extend my sympathies to the former President and wish him relief. I also condole with the family of the deceased and those wounded and wish them a quick recovery.

“Nigeria stands in solidarity with the United States of America at this time,” said Tinubu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Trump was attacked by an assassin days before he was due to accept the formal Republican nomination.

Trump, 78, had just begun a campaign speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S, on Saturday when shots rang out, hitting his right ear and streaking his face with blood.

It is feared that the attack will further inflame the U.S political divide and has raised questions about the security lapses. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Angela Atabo

The Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), on Friday in Abuja, conferred its Fellowship on Shehu Osidi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

The President and Chairman of Council, ANAN, Dr James Neminebor, said that Osidi was conferred with the fellowship for his contribution in driving the nation’s economy.

Neminebor explained that the conferment was in line with ANAN’s tradition of awarding fellowships to deserving members during its annual national conference.

The president, who urged the FMBN boss to carry the flag of ANAN with pride, described the association, established in 1979, as the second professional accounting body in Nigeria.

While noting the contribution of ANAN in driving Nigeria’s economy through strengthening the accounting profession, Neminebor, however, decried nonpayment of membership subscription fees, amounting to over N10 billion.

He described the development as a huge challenge, pointing out that with no subvention from the government, the association depends on membership subscription to thrive.

“When I visited the accounts department, I saw indebtedness of subscription amounting to over N10 billion, meaning, members have not been paying their subscription fees.

“How will ANAN survive? We have no subvention from governments. It is from subscriptions of members that we strive,” he said.

He added that ANAN was a member of both regional and international accountancy bodies and pays its dues in dollars.

According to him, ANAN cannot afford to have members not paying their subscription fees.

“We pay our membership subscription in dollars to regional and international accountancy associations, but members owe over N10 billion debts. This is a serious challenge,” Neminebor said.

He called on members, including organisations to do well to the association by paying their membership subscribers.

On his part, Osidi thanked ANAN for the honour, which he said, reflected the values upheld at FMBN namely integrity, accountability and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Describing the association as a pillar of excellence and professionalism, the FMBN boss said that the recognition would further entrenched transparency and accountability in the housing sector.

“This fellowship will serve as a reminder of the importance of promoting financial stability and transparency in the housing sector and ensuring that every Nigerian has access to affordable housing.

“The fellowship is also a recognition of the positive trajectory we are now beginning to witness in FMBN, within the short period of the current Executive Management in office.

“This is a sign that the implementation of the agenda we have set for ourselves has begun to bear the expected fruits,” he said.

Osidi encouraged young accountants and professionals to continue to pursue excellence and integrity in their careers, saying “your dedication and innovation will shape the future.”

He assured ANAN of FMBN’s continued support in the implementation of its plans and programmes. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

By Blessing Odega

No fewer than 81 victims of the school building collapse in Jos, have been discharged from the various hospitals they were admitted to.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Saints Academy, a secondary and primary school in Jos, collapsed on Friday, while students were writing their third term examination.

Dr Abel Izang, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), of Plateau Specialist Hospital, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Saturday in Jos.

NAN reports that the Saints Academy, a secondary and primary school in Jos, collapsed on Friday, while students were writing their third term examination.

Izang said that out of the 39 patients hospitalised on Friday, 23 had been discharged, while two were referred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) due to spinal injuries.

Izang further said that the five patients who were still on admission were in stable condition.

Similarly, Prof. Steve Anzaku, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, said that out of the 55 hospitalised, 23 were discharged and those on admission were in stable condition .

Mrs Chioma Ofodille, the Public Relations Officer of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) Hospital, said 23 out of the 32 patients brought to the facility, had been discharged, while the remaining nine were also in stable condition.

Dr Josiah Njem, the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), told NAN that the six victims of the collapsed building, hospitalised in the hospital with various injuries were in stable condition.

NAN reports that no further casualty had been recorded from the four hospitals that treated the victims.

NAN reports that Mr Musa Ashoms, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, on Friday confirmed that 154 people were brought out of the debris of the collapsed building.

Sadly, 22 were confirmed dead by Ashoms, who also disclosed that six were in critical condition.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

By Salif Atojoko

Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State says President Bola Tinubu is determined to do his best to pull Nigeria out of the current situation and catch up with the developed world.

Yahaya made the remark while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with the President.

He said he was at the State House to see the President on the recent developments in the country, especially on the economy as regards food security.

“Our engagement was very robust. We talked about all the issues and I am convinced that Mr President is ready and has been doing his best,” he said.

The governor said that Gombe was tackling insecurity to ensure increase in agricultural production.

“We have been doing a lot with regards to insecurity; it is unfortunate that the whole country, particularly the northeast has suffered for 15 years with Boko Haram, insurgency and displacement of people,” the governor lamented.

He said luckily, Gombe was not part of those front line states.

“We have been doing a lot in order to ensure there is security for lives and property in Gombe, and the security agencies have been very supportive.

“We are relatively secured and we will continue to pursue and ensure that there is full security for lives and property in Gombe State.

“We will collaborate with our brothers in the neighbouring states in the northeast sub region and the wider north.

“We will ensure that we are our brothers’ keepers until security is restored back to normalcy, knowing fully well that insecurity is the cause of the current food crisis that we have in the country.”

The governor said his recent trip to Morocco was to deepen and widen the economic and diplomatic relationship between Morocco and Nigeria, particularly Gombe State.

According to him, Gombe State is an agrarian state with 75 to 80 per cent of its population engaged in either livestock or crop production, and Morocco has succeeded in developing both livestock and Crop production.

“So, we decided to go there and see how we can partner with them and ensure that our own state and, indeed, the whole of Nigeria can improve in terms of productivity with regards to agriculture and animal husbandry.

“And of particular note is the fact that Morocco is closer to the desert and, therefore, has issues to do with desertification and lack of rain fall.

“But still you see, wherever you turn to in Morocco you see lush and green environment that is yielding positively in productivity, yielding more than enough for them to consume and even export to the rest of the world,” he said.

He said Gombe had gotten partners that would work with the government to enhance productivity in livestock and crop production.

The governor also spoke on the issue of Kolmani Oil and Gas field on the boundary of Bauchi and Gombe States.

He said it was unfortunate that close to two years after the foundation laying for 250 thousand capacity refinery, 350 mega watts of power plant and 2,000 tons capacity fertiliser plant, the project had stalled.

“I think there are some issues with the NNPC and the developers; those issues really have prevented the takeoff of the project, and it was part of the discussion I had with Mr President.

“We believe that once he steps in maybe we will see activities back. As you know, petroleum and gas are under the exclusive list.

“There is not much we can do, NNPC is the only company that can handle anything gas or petroleum.

“As such Presidential intervention, which we came to seek, will really ensure activities to resume on the site as soon as possible, “he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Conversion Workshop Owners, to fast track free conversion of one million vehicles in the country.

The Conversion Incentive Programme will tackle barriers by offering free CNG kits and conversion to targeted one million vehicles in the next three years.

The P-CNGi embarked on this elaborate programme regarded as the highest quantum of conversions so far in the world.

Speaking at the MoU signing on Thursday in Abuja, Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, Programme Director/CEO, P-CNGi, said it had identified 123 conversion workshops, aiming to have 2,000, and achieve one million conversions by 2027.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the partners, including NIPCO Gas, Portland Gas Ltd., Fix It 45, ABG Oil and Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), are participating in the conversion programme.

The Conversion Incentive Programme is designed to tackle the barriers in Nigeria’s commercial transport entities/operators, to convert vehicles from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to CNG engines.

The programme is a government response, borne out of the complaint by Nigerians over the high cost of conversion amounting to about N500,000.

“This partnership is basically to respond to that concern; firstly for commercial operators that are unionised through their unions can benefit 100 per cent discount, that is they will get the kits and installation done for free.

“The unionised commercial operators include the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Nigerian Association of Transport Owners (NATO) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

“And these will be done through the 123 certified workshops that we have identified while we will work with these five present in the FCT then activate more as we expand across the country.

“Through the partnership the second operators which include Bolt Nigeria and UBER among others will also benefit 50 per cent write-off on the equipment and free installation, while government pays the remaining 50 per cent.

“Arrangement is made too with these companies for them to pay at instalments without upfront.

“Vast Nigerians depend on these Rideshares aside from the public mode of transportation; now Nigerians will be able to benefit from the low cost of transportation occasioned by the implementation of this programme,’’ he said.

He said the P-CNGi had about 20,000 plus potential conversion kits to be distributed to state with CNG capacity under the palliative initiative in the next three months.

He added that the National Assembly had made additional funding, to facilitate procurement of necessary kits and cylinders to be made available in the fourth quarter of 2024.

“Work have started, installation of conversion kits has begun, mass transit vehicles operators that move 90 per cent of Nigerians will benefit and pass on their savings to consumers, based on the agreement,’’ he said.

The P-CNGi boss said it had a strong monitoring mechanism around conversion and enforcement of reduced pricing, adding that the Nigerian Gas Vehicle Monitoring System would ensure proper conversion and tracking.

He further said that within the framework of the agreement, some significant pass-on of the savings would be realised.

According to him, the President upon adoption of CNG for transportation promised that Nigerians can benefit from reduced cost of transportation by ensuring proper implementation.

In their seperate remarks, Mr Mohammed Bawa of ABG Oil and Gas, Zankyang Duniwa, Operations Manager, Bolt Nigeria and Mr Aliyu Isa, Acting President, NURTW, pledged to ensure that Nigerians derived the CNG initiative benefits through 50 per cent transportation fare slash. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA) and Lagos state ministries of transportation alongside works and infrastructure have met to address key issues impacting the Lekki- Epe community.

LERSA President, Alhaji Sulyman Bello, at a tripartite meeting in Lagos, lauded the state government’s current efforts on collaboration to improve businesses, the environment and livelihood across the axis.

Bello stated that key issues to be addressed included pedestrian safety on the newly paved sections of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, to address the rising number of hit-and-run accidents.

He called for the completion of key roads such as the regional road and Saliu Obodo road projects.

The LERSA president also advocated the need to manage increase in heavy-duty truck traffic due to the area’s rapid development.

“There’s the need for efficient heavy-duty towing infrastructure services and improved bus terminus operations at the Ajah BRT terminus.

“We also propose the possibility of reviewing some intersections for optimal commuting experience and enhanced operational efficiency.

“We call for the Ogombo-Sangotedo bypass road project status and completion details, and also the Bonny Camp to Ajah Road Upgrade with regards to current repair interventions, as well as short to long term solutions.

“It has also become important to checkmate the rising impact of drug abuse and other associated vices along the axis,” he said.

Responding, Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said that approval of 12 units of pedestrian flyover bridges with full illumination, on the Lekki-Epe Expressway had been given.

He shed more light on the recent launch of the Lagos State Transportation Masterplan, its wide-ranging implications and the implementation of the state’s new transportation model, starting from the Lekki axis.

Osiyemi stated that there were new initiatives to ramp up water transportation assets or services, and ongoing efforts to ensure that construction sites do not cause drainage constraints.

“There would be imminent enforcement action against gated estates blocking the free-flow of traffic, and I reiterate that gates must be manned and accessible between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

“We are announcing the advent of e-call-up system and evacuation of freight by barges and enhancing Vehicle Inspection System (VIS) as a tool to address unworthy trucks,” he said.

Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos on Infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Daramola, said that the implementation of proper signages around construction corridors and other areas in need of road signages was ongoing.

He urged citizens to guide against the worrisome trend of willful damage and vandalisation of critical public assets by helping to protect state resources.(NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa