By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has lauded Voice of Nigeria (VON) for initiating a Forum for open dialogue and deliberations to get feedback on security issues in the country.

Idris also tasked the media on patriotic journalism and promotion of unity among the various ethnic groups in the country.

The Minister stated this during his address at the 2025 Voice of Nigeria’s (VON) Forum in Abuja.

The event with the theme, “Renewed Hope Agenda: Citizen Engagement and National Security” was organised by VON with support from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

“This Forum is a space that VON has initiated for open dialogue, deliberation, collaboration and strategic reflection.

“It is a platform where policy voices and the voice of ordinary Nigerians can be harmonised for national unity, understanding and resilience,” the minister said.

He lauded the initiative by VON under the leadership of the Director-General (D-G), Malam Jibrin Ndace.

He observed that VON, established over 60 years ago, represents what Voice of America was to America in promoting the country.

“I know the Director-General of VON is working hard to broadcast in Chinese language and take the agency to a greater height.

“In a world increasingly defined by misinformation, polarisation and fragmentation, VON is embracing a renewed mandate to amplify the Nigerian voice by localising global content and bringing the world closer to our people in a language that resonates locally within their shared global experiences.

“VON is also internationalising the Nigerian experience by projecting our stories, values, achievements and aspirations to the world with clarity, consistency and pride, and this is very important,” Idris said.

According to the Minister, it is important that the media say what is true and what is accurate, but it is also important to know that journalists must report responsibly, patriotically and in the interest of the country.

“Your media responsibility and role comes to nothing if what you report only ends in fragmenting and putting the country in chaos.

“Even as you report, you should know that you have a responsibility to keep this country together by saying what you know will promote unity,” Idris said.

Also speaking, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said his ministry intends to reach 15 million Nigerians within one year in the conditional cash transfer programme.

“Today we have paid over 5.8 million Nigerians who are actually poor within six months and we hope that before the year runs out, we will reach the 15 million mark.

”This is the work President Tinubu asked us to do, and we are doing it to ensure that we add our voice to the issue of security in the country. The security agencies have also helped us in carrying out the work,” Yilwatda said.

While appreciating and urging the media to always give feedback on his ministry’s activities, he commended the armed forces for the roles they are playing in saving the lives of Nigerians.

In his address, the D-G of VON, Ndace, said the VON Forum 2025 is a national platform dedicated to national unity, trust and collective actions around issues such as security, governance and citizen participation.

According to him, the theme of the event is a message that speaks directly to the soul of the nation’s aspiration and shared duties as communicators, defenders and builders of Nigeria’s future.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is not a mere policy document, it is a national philosophy that every Nigerian holds within them the capacity to contribute meaningfully for a more secure, united and prosperous nation.

“It is with that spirit that VON is convening this Forum. National security is most effective when the people are involved, informed and act with responsibility and patriotism,” Ndace said.

Also, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, in his goodwill message, said the theme of the event aligned with the UN’s strategy on road safety.

He said that the FRSC will continue to partner and collaborate with VON to continue to sensitise the public on road safety.

Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr Ike Neliaku, lauded VON for the initiative aimed at uniting Nigerians to participate in nation building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event attracted dignitaries from the Office of the National Security Adviser, retired and serving Service Chiefs, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

By Christian Ogbonna

No fewer than 300 male adults and children have benefited from the free scrotal hernia surgery of the Better Health for Rural Women and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO) of Ebonyi Governor’s wife, Mrs Mary-Maudlune Nwifuru.

Prof. Nkechi Emma-Echiegu, team lead of the foundation disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abakaliki on Wednesday on the two years of Gov. Francis Nwifuru in office.

Emma-Echiegu said that the beneficiaries of the surgeries were selected from the 13 local government areas of the state.

The BERWO Team Lead also said the foundation had in 2024 enrolled 4,078 pregnant women into the state health insurance and 600 infants for free immunisation.

She said that the office of Mrs Nwifuru had made significant achievements within the two years, ranging from youths and women empowerment.

“So far, 600 infants from 0 to 5 years were captured for immunisation across the 13 local government areas of the state. The office of the Wife of the Governor has also treated 300 sickle cell champions within the period.

“We have empowered the youths on various skills and they were given start up kits. Women groups from various local governments have been empowered in agriculture and supported with farm inputs.

“This is to improve the women’s livelihood in the state. We have done a lot on the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“In BERWO, we have thematic areas which include: maternal mortality, youth and women empowerment, girl child education, internal displaced persons and GBV,” she stated.

The Team Lead added that the state government under BERWO foundation is targeting to distribute 17,000 postnatal care items to pregnant and nursing mothers in rural communities under Baby Shower Initiative of Mrs Nwifuru.

Emma-Echiegu noted that the distribution of the items was in a bid to increase patronage of Primary Health Centres by pregnant women.

“The distribution was in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health and Office of the Wife of the Governor,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has pledged to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against reckless drivers during and after the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, made this known on Wednesday at a Sallah rally in Abuja, organised to sensitise road users to safe driving habits.

Mohammed also warned that all traffic offenders would face prosecution.

The Corp Marshall emphasised that the FRSC would strictly enforce laws against speeding, overloading, drunk driving, and other disruptive behaviours behind the wheel.

He, however, expressed concern about the national image projected through poor road culture, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.

He criticised the trend of overloading vehicles, describing it as dangerous and unacceptable.

“Three in front, six at the back. it doesn’t speak well of us.

“This time around, we are not leaving any stone unturned. Any recalcitrant driver that we catch is going to face prosecution.

“Our crash analysis shows that over 70 per cent of road traffic crashes annually are caused by speeding,” he said.

Mohammed also advised drivers and passengers to take responsibility for safety.

“Abuja is the heart of Nigeria. If our roads are chaotic here, it sends the wrong message to the world.

“When visitors arrive, the first thing they notice is our driving culture,” he stated.

Mohammed also warned against destructive behaviours such as using phones, watching inappropriate content, or eating while driving.

“We don’t condone this anymore. We are going to enforce it strictly,” he said.

The FRSC boss called on the public, especially commuters, to speak up when their safety was threatened by reckless drivers.

He also appealed to the media to support FRSC’s sensitisation efforts, stressing that a crash-free Sallah was possible through cooperation, enforcement, and education.

“Passengers must stop being silent. It is their right to demand safe driving. Our prayer is that this Salah, we record no crash. We are committed to making that a reality,” he said.

Speaking, Mr Jibrin Uke, Zonal Chairman Karu, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), commended the FRSC for engaging drivers in safety education ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

Uke expressed gratitude for the sensitisation exercise, describing it as timely and impactful.

He noted that the union often addresses safety concerns with members, adding that hearing the message directly from FRSC officials had a greater impact.

“We really appreciate the FRSC staff for their visit. They enlightened our drivers, and we are happy about that.

“Most times, our drivers don’t take us seriously when we talk to them. But with FRSC coming personally to educate them, they listened and understood better,” he said.

The union leader reaffirmed NURTW’s support for the FRSC’s campaign for safer roads and called on passengers to cooperate by obeying safety rules and cautioning reckless drivers. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Yakubu Uba