By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Ladies section of the IBB International Golf and Country Club has sensitised children of the Durumi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Abuja, on the need for personal hygiene and dangers of child abuse.

Lady Captain of the Club, Dame Julie Donli who led members of the club to the IDP Camp on Monday to identify with the kids on the Children’s Day celebration, called for more support for them.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the visit was meant to uplift the less privileged children and give them a sense of belonging.

 “Today is a day to celebrate the children, we are here at the IDP camp in Durumi to celebrate our lovely children that are displaced.

“We need to give them a sense of belonging, in spite of the fact that they are in a displaced camp, we are trying to tell them we care about them, we love them.

“They are not different from the regular children and that is why we decided to bring the party to them and also talk to them about hygiene and other issues,’’ she said

Earlier, the Social Secretary of the Club, Omon Isemede said this year’s Children’s Day celebration was taken out of the lush green golf course, to create wider impact.

“We are here today to celebrate with the kids in the IDP camp, we also gave a talk about hygiene and how to take care of themselves, even though they are displaced, little things like this matter,” she said.

NAN reports that the pep talk to the children focused on the need for personal hygiene, dangers of child abuse/molestation and the need to take their education seriously.

High point of the occasion was the presentation of gifts to the kids and donation of N200, 000 to the IDP camp for their upkeep. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Deborah Coker

Former Deputy Governor of Edo, Mr Philip Shaibu, on Tuesday said that in the past one year President Bola Tinubu has made visible and conscious efforts to stabilise the nation’s economy.

Shaibu, speaking with newsmen in Abuja shortly after being installed as the Patron of Edo Journalists in Abuja, said with time the economy would overcome its present challenges.

”I want to say that I am seeing a conscious effort by the president to stabilise the economy.

“I see him working really hard, trying to bring experts, trying to get the international community to buy into his vision of developing and growing our economy’’, Shaibu said.

He said that with an economy as complex as Nigeria’s, it would take a magician to fix it in one year.

”We know that. But in terms of infrastructure, I see conscious efforts to build infrastructure, which is also a driver of the economy.

”I saw what he did in Lagos just three days ago,  and in Abuja, I’m seeing lots of bridges being constructed.

”Like in my own street, for more than 10 years, Arab contractors abandoned the roads, including my street and the bridge connecting to zone one and seven, within six, seven months the road is ready for commissioning.

”So for me, infrastructure wise, I can see that there is a serious boost in infrastructure development, though there are still lots of things to do’’, he said.

The former deputy governor called for deliberate efforts to build small and medium scale enterprises.

”We now need to consciously move to that next stage of building small scale and medium scale businesses.

”It is key and we must now turn Nigeria to a production economy, and that is why I am making governor Otti my number one governor for now.

”We need to start earning forex and the only way we can do that is for us to be a production economy.

“But before we rush into building or going into any forex, we need to produce for our local consumption’’, he said.

He said when the country was able to meet its local consumption it would be 50 per cent in dealing with inflation and capital flight.

”But if we continue this hollow block approach to building or retaining walls, you know, it’s a disaster because that’s what I’m seeing now in what CBN is trying to do.

”So we need to consciously go into agriculture, and when we are going into that  like I always say, the government has no business in business.

“Government has a business to provide an enabling environment’’, he said.

Shaibu said there was a need for the CBN to rejig its system with commercial banks with low interest rates.

”For us to be a production economy, especially in agriculture, if we are able to deal with the `stomach infrastructure` that will help to reduce the level of hunger.

”The whole issue of salary and wages, for me, is not the way forward, the way forward is how to make sure that we have food on our tables. First we must produce for our consumption’’, he said.

Shaibu commended Gov. Alex Otti of Abia for providing visionary leadership for the state.

”He has also done well in terms of trying to grow the GDP as well as expand the economy of Abia.

“I see a genuine technocrat bringing meaningful development and experience to open up Abia to the world.

”That has repaired some of the doubts we were beginning to have about these so-called technocrats, because in my state it didn’t work, but it’s working in Abia’’, he told newsmen.

Shaibu said that in terms of security, the performance of the present administration in the country was relative.

According to him, the situation is not as bad as it used to be. I can bet that it’s gradually stabilising. I can tell you that the level of insecurity in the country is going down.

‘’We are not yet there, but I can bet that it is not what it used to be, So I can say kudos to the president and the present sets of security heads. They are bringing the temperature down.

‘’But I think they still need to do more’’, he said. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Taiye Agbaje

Prof. Peter Ogedebe has urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of necessity, extend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to private universities and polytechnics towards enhancing research development in the country.

Ogedebe, a Professor of Computer Science, Baze University in Abuja, made the recommendation on Tuesday during his 2nd Professorial Inaugural Lecture in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture was titled: “Software Development: Who Owns the Life Cycle?”

He said that the fund should include the private institutions to also enhance staff development.

“it is unfortunate that private tertiary institutions are not being carried along in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund because of the erroneous belief that they are making money.

“Therefore, excluding these institutions from the fund is not the best.

“They should also be given grants so that they can train the lecturers who are helping in training our youths, the future leaders and for research development,” he said.

He said many of the private institution owners established the schools out of patriotism, hence, the government should not leave the responsibility entirely to them.

“If not, they will be passing the burden to the parents considering the economic situation of the country,” he said.

Ogedebe also recommended, among others, the introduction of a course to be called “Practicum’ with three credit units in the nation’s schools.

“Since courses are independently taught by different lecturers in the universities, it is appropriate to create a course (any course title) combining Programming (either C++, Java, Python etc); Systems Analysis and Design; Database; Networks at 300 level, second semester that will enable students to put knowledge gained into practice.”

He said the title of his second inaugural lecture was to address the problems associated with application software to our daily lives.

“I need to state that, like faulty buildings that collapse and lead to deaths, faulty software become unsafe and may cause bodily harm or lead to casualties.

“As in building construction, software not properly designed will not stand the test of time.

“I always emphasize to my students and colleagues that the essence of a good research is to solve a problem in the society.

“Any research that does not solve a human problem is no research,” he said

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Kathleen Okafor, said users have to be involved in the formulation of software.

The VC, who described the lecture as epoch making, said the school had contributed greatly to learning in many areas, particularly in Computer and Applied Sciences.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Isaac Aregbesola

Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has described the death of Ibrahim Lamorde, a former chairman of the anti-corruption agency as a colossal loss to the nation.

Lamorde, aged 61 and third Executive Chairman of EFCC died on Sunday morning in Egypt, where he had travelled for medical treatment. He was buried on Tuesday after a funeral prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja.

Olukoyede in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, described the late former chairman of EFCC as “a refined officer, disciplined, unassuming, amiable, compassionate, but professional.”

He said the footprint of the late Lamorde in the police and EFCC would remain indelible.

According to him, the commission’s story cannot be told without a reference to Lamorde, who invested his talent as an investigator in setting up the investigation machinery and mentoring the corps of officers who have become  the spine of the commission’s investigative activities.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and one of my predecessors as executive chairman of EFCC, between 2012 and 2015.

“The loss of this distinguished law enforcement officer whose ideals and accomplishments we have long respected, is painful, coming at a time when the EFCC and indeed Nigeria still needed his wealth of experience to deal with emerging challenges in the law enforcement environment.

“His footprints in the Nigeria Police and the EFCC, where he spent his most productive years, first as Director of Operations and later as acting Chairman and Executive Chairman, will remain indelible.

Olukoyede described Lamorde as a reformist, whose legacy in the commission included the establishment of the professional responsibility arm of the commission and the Department of Internal Affairs, later renamed Department of Ethics and Integrity.

He also established the Department of Public Affairs to drive the commission’s corruption prevention mandate.

“Lamorde also renamed EFCC’s Training and Research Institute, Karu, as the EFCC Academy, with an expanded mandate to train all cadres of officers of the commission and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria and indeed, Africa.

“Under his stewardship, the EFCC Academy became the centre for anti-corruption training in West Africa,” he said.

Olukoyede commiserated with Lamorde’s family, noting that the commission felt the death of the former chairman of EFCC.

“We share your bereavement in the loss of this icon. You can be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you in your grief,” he added.

The EFCC chairman added that Lamorde’s lifetime as a police officer and statesman in service will remain “a legacy of inspiration to all”. (NAN)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo / Isaac Ukpoju

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has expressed grief over the passing of Ibrahim Lamorde, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja described the late Lamorde, a retired Deputy Inspector-General, as a dogged fighter, who gave the hope in winning the war against corruption in the county.

Aliya said that the late EFCC chairman was a beacon of dedication and inspiration to many in the fight against corruption.

He said that during his lifetime, Lamorde made significant contributions to the nation, tirelessly working to uphold justice and ensure accountability.

“His doggedness and commitment to transparency and the rule of law inspired and will continue to inspire the younger generation and many practitioners in the anti-corruption sector.

“It is through the efforts of individuals like late DIG Lamorde that we continue to have hope for a better and corruption-free society.

“During this difficult time, the Commission sends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the EFCC,” he said.

According to Aliyu, his thoughts and prayers of are with Lamorde’s immediate family.

He urged the family to find solace in the memories of late Lamorde’s life and the positive impact he had on so many people in the course of his national assignment as a police officer and an operative of the EFCC.

“May they also find comfort in the love and support of those around them.

“Lastly, it is our prayers at the ICPC that the Almighty Allah gives the EFCC and the deceased’s immediate family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lamorde died on Sunday in Egypt where he went for medical treatment.

His remains were be laid to rest on Tuesday in Abuja (NAN)

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Edited by Isaac Ukpoju

Children’s Day : NHRC ,CALDEV collaborate against violation of children’s rights

By Joshua Olomu

The National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) and the Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV) have expressed willingness to work together against all forms of violation of the rights of Nigerian children.

The two organisation made this known when a delegation of CALDEV officials and school children paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of NHRC on Monday in Abuja.

Bamidele Salam, Founder and President of CALDEV, who led the delegation, said the visit was part of stakeholders engagement to rally support for the rights of Nigerian children as they mark the International Children’s Day.

According to Salam, who represents Ede North,South/Egbedero/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State at the Federal House of Representatives, there is a gap on issues affecting children in Nigeria in spite of the Child Rights Act.

“One of those gaps is the one that has to do with children’s rights to education, and is sad that in the whole world, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children.

According to UNICEF, about 17.5 million children do not have access to education in Nigeria today, and over 15 million are involved in forced labour.

“Children have been victims of violence in their homes, violence in schools, violence even in religious places and violence in several spaces.

“This is largely because there are inadequate measures to protect them from abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional trauma that they face.

“I believe that an occasion like this should be used to drum up the awareness and ask for the intervention of government at all levels on addressing these problems.

“So we are here today to further extend to you our hand of collaboration and readiness to work together with the National Human Rights Commission for the purpose of protecting the rights of Nigerian children.

“Together we can raise awareness and initiate measures that will ensure that there are consequences for those who abuse the rights of children, because where there are no consequences, impunity is bound to continue.

“So we are asking the National Human Rights Commission to please focus more attention on the rights of children because they can hardly speak up for themselves,” he said.

Salam therefore presented a formal proposal for a collaborative partnership with NHRC to the Executive Secretary

In his remarks, Mr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary/CEO of NHRC commended CALDEV for the initiative and expressed his goodwill to Nigerian Children on the celebration of their day.

Ojukwu who was represented by Mr Harry Obe, Director in the Department of Economic,Social and Cultural Rights of NHR, said the commission has a department that is dedicated to issues of children and women.

He therefore expressed the commission’s readiness to collaborate with CALDEV in protecting the rights of the Nigerian child.

“We also have programme areas that focus on issues of children because we believe that dealing with human rights abuses and violations is a question of vulnerability.

“The fact that children are vulnerable is not in doubt because of their age and circumstances they find themselves, they are subject to control and possible manipulation by older members of the society.

“So there must be a dedicated effort like you have shown and then institutions like the NHRC must work with you to ensure that the children are protected from possible violations or abuses.

“Our law envisage that we partner with civil society organisations, and for a civil society organisation that is focusing on a particular area that is within our mandate,we will work with you,” he said.

Obe added that a committee comprising of members from both organisations would be set up to draft a memorandum of understanding for the collaboration.(NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Ekiti govt partners FMBN to deliver 2,000 houses

By Angela Atabo

The Ekiti State government is seeking partnership with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to deliver 2,000 housing units to the people of the state.

Governor of the state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, said this during a courtesy call on the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of FMBN, Shehu Osidi, on Monday in Abuja.

Oyebanji, represented by his Special Adviser, Bureau of Housing and Mortgage Development, Gboyega Oloniyo, said the visit was to congratulate Osidi on his appointment as well as to make some requests.

According to him, there is need for the Ekiti government to synergise with FMBN on housing delivery to address the housing deficit in the state.

“Our government holds housing sector in high esteem but there is a challenge for us in achieving housing delivery because houses are not cheap now.

“You will agree with me that we don’t have low cost housing any longer and there cannot be medium cost housing because the cost of building materials has gone up.

“Where do we run to for shelter? It is only by coming to your organisation to see how we can truly join hands together,” he said.

Oyebanji said his government had earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a company to work with FMBN to deliver the 2,000 housing units.

He said Ekiti State had a huge diaspora population that could match any state in the country as well as a good number of civil servants, hence there would not be a problem with the off takers of the houses.

He said the housing idea was not only about availability of houses but affordability.

He said the housing project would address the challenges people in the diaspora faced by sending money home for building which were usually diverted by friends and family members.

He said the construction of the houses would be in all the local government areas of the state so that people would buy houses in places closest to them.

“The government is ready for this because we are providing hectares of land in each of the local governments to take care of this,” he said.

Osidi assured the Ekiti State government of the bank’s readiness to partner with the state to deliver houses.

Osidi said, “We feel normally excited when state governments extend hands of fellowship to us to partner to provide affordable houses to Nigerians.

“Like you know, our mandate is to provide homeownership, by way of mortgage financing to the lower and middle income earners in this country.

“This is for Nigerian workers in the public and private sectors, but even self employed individuals are also at liberty to contribute to the National Housing Fund and take advantage of our various loan products.

“One of the reasons FMBN decided to venture into financing housing construction is so that we can achieve controlled prices for the kind of houses that we are financing.

“This is because generally, houses that are available in the market are not within the threshold of affordability for our target market.”

Osidi said the Bank would partner with Ekiti State government to provide mortgage financing to indigenes of the state who were contributors to National Housing Fund at six per cent interest rate.

He said the bank also partnered with developers to deliver houses in the state, adding that it currently had three ongoing projects worth over N2 billion, already disbursed for the construction of 145 housing units.

He said the state would also benefit from the President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope housing agenda to delver 100,000 houses across the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko