By Ahmed Ubandoma

Malam Ali Muhammed Ali, the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) says the Agency will continue to lead as a critical partner in promoting truth and integrity.

Ali said this on Thursday when he received members of the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

NAN reports that Lux Terra Leadership Foundation has over the years, been championing advocacy in anti-corruption, integrity and value reorientation.

He explained that the agency “is very circumspect in the use of words, avoids controversial reports and promotes facts and accuracy in its contents”.

“NAN has been a long standing ally of the truth, national rebirth of which Lux terra is championing at various levels – the level of schools, leaders of thought and the media.

”Media is an important partner in any kind of national rebirth, whether in Africa or elsewhere; our agency here, like I said, is a natural ally and a perfect partner for your foundation.

”We share in the ideals of lux terra leadership foundation for a more integrated nation” he said.

Ali said that, NAN, in line with its statutory mandate, has been projecting the Nigerian story positively, over the years.

”The agency share in some of these sentiments you expressed, including  promoting integrity,  moral probity,  uprightness and the socialisation of the Nigerian Youth,” he said

The NAN MD assured the agency’s readiness to support the foundation in its determination to promote moral values in the society.

Earlier, Mr Henry Ijomah, the leader of the delegation and Manager, Training of the foundation said, the NGO had been in the forefront of advocating value reorientation.

Ijeomah said NAN would play vital role in the campaign to promote national values and addressing societal ills, which were among the core mandates of the foundation.

He expressed optimism that partnering with NAN would help lux terra foundation towards achieving its mandate.

”Our visit is to congratulate you formally on your appointment as NAN MD.

“You were not chosen because you are a politician, but because people have distinguished you for what you have done in the media space.

“We also want NAN to help us project our stories. Nobody will know about Nigeria except you tell the Nigerian story.

“We have a number of projects that we are doing that help to promote what we consider to be real Nigerian values,” he said.

Ijomah said, the organisation focused on promoting integrity and national values.

He added that the organisation had succeeded in changing the perception of school children about examination malpractices.

”We are also working with religious leaders and institutions of learning to achieve our goals,” he said.

The meeting was attended by NAN Editor-In-Chief, Mr Ephraim Sheyin, Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr Abdul-Hadi Khalil and Director of Special Duties, Mr Muftau Ojo among others(NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Aderogba George/Michael Ajayi

Advocacy for Positive Behavioural Patterns Initiative (APBPI), an NGO, on Thursday in Abuja cautioned students on drug abuse saying doing so could ruin their lives.

Mrs Lilian Omoyemi-Mann, the Project Coordinator, APBPI, gave the advice, at a dialogue organised for students of Government Secondary School Tudun Wada, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was supported by Vento International Trading Ltd, a furniture company.

NAN also reports that the theme of the programme is “Dialogue on substance use and truancy; Consolidating global standards of behavior for better outcomes”.

Omoyemi-Mann encouraged the students to embrace positive behavior in order to be a prominent figure of the society.

Mr Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), also advised the students to desist from drug abuse and truancy.

According to him, drug abuse doesn’t just affect the individual but also the parents, community and the country at large, adding that student must avoid it.

Babafemi decried the activities of celebrities whom some of the students consider role models, involves themselves in drug abuse.

He said that some of the celebrities embraced the use of drug especially to advance their careers with the wrong impression that it fashionable and attractive to the youths.

“You will find such youths in chartrooms on social media discussing freely the use of illicit substances using the expression “get high’’.

“Such youths have liberal view about marijuana, colorado, meth and psychoactive mixtures such as ‘skuchies’, he said.

According to him, NDLEA is on aggressive public enlightenment by taking the message against drug abuse to schools, churches, mosques, and communities.

Mrs Azeezat Lawanson, an official of Vento International Trading Ltd, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), unit highlighted a significant shift in reward system in the nation’s schools.

According to her, rather than only rewarding intelligence and academic performance, the focus has now been shifted to acknowledging good behavior.

She listed some of the criteria used in evaluating students as attitude, punctuality, outward appearance, and other criteria, while also encouraging the students to activate good behavior throughout their life time.

Lawson explained that the new approach was aimed at encouraging positive conduct and overall development, beyond academic activities and achievements of students.

Mr Abubakar Umar, the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, also highlighted the primary obstacle to fostering positive behaviour on students.

Umar, an Assistant Controller of Correction, said poor parenting was one of the factors that have exacerbated substance abuse in the Nigeria country.. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Fabric Professionals a Association of Nigeria (FPDA) says Nigeria should give more attention to the cleaning and hygiene industry to benefit from its over $165 billion global industry value.

Mr Enibikun Adebayo, FPDA Chairman, said this during a news conference ahead of the association’s Clean Show Africa Conference on Thursday in Lagos.

Adebayo said that Nigeria’s dry cleaning industry was valued at $8.4 million in 2019 and was projected to grow at 6.4 per cent year on year for the next ten years.

“Even the statistics are now looking better than what they were before.

“It is now left for us to reposition the industry to the world because nobody is paying attention to this lucrative industry and this is what we want to address with the conference,” he said.

According to him, the association was launched in 2023 as a platform that educates its members to be better professionals, while stressing the need for collaboration in the cleaning and hygiene industry.

Adebayo said that the conference, which would hold on May 28 to May 29 in Lagos, would expose no fewer than 25,000 dry cleaners to the opportunities in the cleaning and hygiene industry.

He said that the conference would also focus on women in the drycleaning business, maintaining that reports revealed that women are better managers of drycleaning businesses.

Also, Mrs Ruth Okunnuga, Managing Director, Wasche Paint Nigeria, said Nigeria’s drycleaning and laundry industry has not been given the necessary support and publicity it deserves.

Okunnuga said, “The industry has gone for so long without proper structure and it is not attracting investment as it should.

“This is why we have put together this event to feature all industry experts and have pertinent discussions on how to create value that is needed to grow the industry.

“We want to revolutionise the sector to make it attractive for investors and potential professional dry cleaners and stakeholders,” she said.

She further said that the event provides a platform for better data collection critical for proper planning to galvanise growth of the industry.

Similarly, Mr Joseph Oru, Managing Director, Zenith Exhibition, said FPDA would leverage on the conference to engage the federal government on establishing institutions that would train dry cleaners to become professionals in the industry. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Tosin Kolade

Swap Station Mobility Ltd. has signed a partnership agreement with Glovo and Siltech World to deploy electric vehicle accessories across the country.

The accessories include motorbikes, smart swappable batteries, and a network of quick interchange stations across Lagos State.

It may be recalled that the company, signed partnership agreements with  GlovoApp Nigeria Ltd. (Glovo) and Siltech World.

The partnership will provide Glovo couriers with two-wheel electric motorbikes that offer lower cost, clean mobility alternative to the internal combustion engine (ICE).

The Electric Vehicles (EVs) are provided on a lease-to-own model whilst also offering riders a unique “pay as you ride” or “weekly subscription” to access SSM’s battery swap and charging facilities.

It will also give technical support and cover for insurance, licensing, and routine maintenance services.

This is part of efforts to increase adoption to build out a network of solar powered automated quick interchange battery stations along major demand routes and logistics bases starting in Lagos and surrounding states over the next 24 months.

Blackaion Capital and FundCo Capital Managers who are the co-sponsors of Swap Station Mobility, believe the operational cost of battery swapping per kilometre (km) will remain substantially lower than the fuel cost per km for the ICE counterpart.

“This is the main value driver which has been catalysed by the Federal Government’s near elimination of fuel subsidies.

“The products are designed to exceed the performance of petrol alternatives whilst significantly improving CO2 emissions, local air quality, and cost efficiency for users over the life of the asset,” said Obiora Okoye, Director at Swap Station and Partner at Blackaion Capital.

Okwu Njoku, who sits on the Board, said “We are very excited about signing with Glovo who operates one of the most prolific food delivery platforms in Nigeria.

“Our EVs and swappable batteries are in-country, and Siltech World, one of our key technology and technical partners, supported us with the procurement, testing, and certification of the EVs, and so, we are now ready to start operations.

“We plan to spend the next few months securing additional swap locations, building our technology platform, and expanding our team.”

Abiodun Oni, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FundCo Capital Managers, and former Regional Sales Director, Energy, for Tesla, stated, “e-mobility is critical to our sustainable infrastructure investment strategy, and this agreement with our partners enables us to kick start that process”.

On his part, Head of Operations at Glovo, Ify Adah stated, “ By 2030, our goal is to have about half of our orders delivered by non-combustion vehicles.

“So, we are very excited and look forward to working with Swap Station, and supporting our couriers with cleaner and more cost-effective transport solutions.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company is an integrated EV financing and battery charging infrastructure development company that has built a business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) platform.

It provides access to electric two-wheel and three-wheel vehicles, swap station infrastructure, swappable batteries, and a hub for repairs and maintenance services to fleet owners, businesses, and users operating in the logistics and last mile connectivity in Nigeria. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Okeoghene Akubuike

Mr Larry Odeh, a school administrator, has underscored the need for proper upbringing of male children to ensure moral uprightness in society.

Odeh, Head of Administration, VineCare Schools, gave the advice during the commemoration of the International Day of the Boy Child, organised by the school on Thursday in Abuja.

The Day often celebrated on May 16 yearly was founded by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a university lecturer from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in 2018.

The celebration seeks to focus on the promotion of the well-being of the male child, particularly their need to feel happy, healthy and valued within family, and community.

He explained that the proper upbringing of male children was crucial to ensuring a healthy and functional society in the future.

“Today is a day where you need to remind boys of how special they are and how useful they are to society.

“This is because without proper mentoring of boys to ensure moral uprightness, we will have a dysfunctional society.

“The more reason we need to remind them of their potential and worth, have a sense of belonging so they can grow up to be more humane and imbibe good morals, as well as ensure a better society in future.”

Odeh reiterated the day was not intended to relegate or neglect the girl child, but to celebrate the boy child as the girl child was also celebrated globally.

Mr Raphael Odanaogun, Head of School (Academics), said the school decided to celebrate the boy child because the management recognised the importance of children.

“It is our responsibility to celebrate the boy child today, because internationally today is boy child day and we value them so much, and we want them to know they are valued.

“It is also to let them know they need to be responsible and accountable to have a better brighter future.

“We want them to understand how valuable they are and the need for them to grow with a sense of value.

“This is to help them become responsible and grow up to become what is morally expected of them in the society.”

Mr Chibuzor Akubuike, a parent, emphasised the need for boys to be God-fearing, disciplined, and respectful, saying male children should be taught to express themselves.

Akubuike restated that boys should be taught to study hard to improve their grades in school, live healthily, and imbibe gratitude as a lifestyle.

Mr Bishop Adamu-Chitumu, a parent, told the boys to imbibe the qualities of their superheroes.

“The essence of the celebration is to encourage proper upbringing of male children to enable them to become superheroes, imbibe good morals, and become professional as doctors, nurses, teachers, pilots, policemen and engineers.

“To build the character of the male child to be kind, strong, brave and disciplined,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Martha Agas

An NGO, Restore Hope for the Boy-Child Initiative, has said that boys are particularly vulnerable and subjected to torture during violent conflicts and other insecurity situations.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Dr Babatunde Kayode, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja to mark the International Day of the Boy-Child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day is celebrated annually on May 16 to advocate for the well-being of the boy-child, and the need to feel happy, healthy and valued in families and communities.

The observance day was founded by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a university lecturer from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to highlight the unique challenges and pressure faced by boys.

The 2024 theme of the international day is “Boys Health and Well-Being.”

The NGO director, who said that boys also face sexual abuse, added that such incidences were hardly reported because of the pressure on the boy-child to show masculinity.

Kayode said “societal expectations of male strength and emotional resilience often result in a culture of silence among male children, even in the face of danger.

“The suppressed pain can lead to psychological problems and trauma.”

He noted that the growing incidence of single parenthood had also created a void in mentorship and positive role models for boys.

According to him, boys from a young age carry the burden of being providers, shaping their choices and often diverting them from pursuing their passions to meet financial expectations from family and society.

He said that the situation could lead to rise in toxic masculinity, mental and physical challenges, ritual killings and involvement of boys in internet fraud and violent conflicts.

He added that the situation could also lead to an alarming rate of school dropouts and drug abuse among boys.

He said a study had found that teachers had observed low attention spans and declining educational performance among primary and secondary school-age boys.

He said that addressing the situation required concerted efforts from critical stakeholders, noting that “addressing these issues require collective efforts of parents, schools, society, government and private individuals to find holistic solution.”

Kayode, who pointed out that issues of the girl-child were given more attention, added that

bringing boy-child issues to the fore would lead to a healthy society.

“Our mission is to bring to the fore, the emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing of male children, just like the girls,” he said.

He explained that the NGO’s activities aligned with the Child Rights Act and would involve conducting needs assessments to identify the most pressing requirements of the boy-child.

The organisation conducted an advocacy walk around Garki in Abuja to create awareness for  the boy- child.

Destiny Tada, a student who spoke on behalf of the boy-child, said he is happy about the renewed attention to boys through the celebration of  the day, and expressed hope for a better future.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Aderogba George

Dr Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, on Wednesday in Abuja urged Nigerians to be diligent at their places of work and business.

The Minister gave the advice at a dinner tagged “Industry Evening of Honours” organised in honour of Ms. Kachollom Daju, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Perm Sec. was honoured at the dinner by the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists with an Honorary Fellow of the college.

Alausa said that diligence, commitment, hardworking and transparency are the prominent virtues of every man, while calling on all Nigerians to possess these qualities.

He said that Daju, who was honoured with Honorary Fellow, possesses those hence the award.

“These qualities are things people should aspire for, Daju also has cerebral capacity, the way she attends to things in a very fair manner; she doesn’t discriminate against any profession’’, he said.

Alausa also described the Perm Sec as a team player and urged the younger ones to emulate her.

“Hard work, honesty, truthfulness and credibility matters in all what we do, we should maintaining high level of credibility in everything we do’’, Alausa said.

Dr Ibrahim Kana, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, described the award bestowed on Daju as recognition of her hard work, fairness and dedication to duty.

“The group of Pharmacists has found her worthy of the honour because of her level of fairness and equity in the discharge of her duties in the ministry.

“I join in congratulating her, she is always dedicated to her work and ready to learn and she has been doing that and she will continue with that.

“With Daju in the ministry of health, our journey to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) will be easier,” Kana said.

Dr Fidelis Ayebae, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fidson Healthcare Plc, also said Daju has performed excellently in improving the health sector.

Ayebae commended the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists for finding Daju worthy of the honour.

He reminded the pharmacists of their crucial role in the development of the health sector.

While responding, Daju, thanked the organisers for the honour saying that it was not for her alone, but for those who believe in Nigerian’s health sector.

She said the Award would inspire her to do more, adding that government was ready to unlock the value chain embedded in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Oluwafunke Ishola

An NGO, Hacey Health Initiative, says students require proper guidance and counselling in their choice of career paths to achieve fulfillment and contribute positively to socio-economic growth.

Ms Mercy Kalu, Programme Officer, HACEY’s PAVE Project Officer, said this during a Career Day Programme at Saint Francis School, Iwaya, Lagos, on Wednesday.

According to her, the event aims to assist students understand the process of effective career choice, clarify their future objectives, and appropriate action to implement these objectives.

She noted that an opinion sampling conducted showed that many of the students lacked clarity about their future career paths, while some were pushed to a career choice by their parents.

“It is important for a child to make this decision themselves as it encourages confidence and self-reliance in future plans,” she said.

Kalu said that the programme was also to deconstruct gender bias that it was safer to invest in educating a boy-child and marry off the girl-child.

“We also engage parents and community leaders in our discussions so that they understand and align with what we are doing with the girl-child, so that we can build a safer society for them,” she said.

She noted that the event was done under its PAVE Project, a girl-centred, community-based safe space programme, aimed at supporting teenage girls by providing them with essential health, financial, and life skills information, services, and tools.

“The project establishes safe spaces where girls can access knowledge and resources related to sexual health, mental health, and career development.

“They receive mentoring and are referred for additional support services as needed,” she said.

Similarly, Mrs Oluwanifemi Sowole, a psychologist, said that passion, skills, personality, values were some factors that influence career choice.

Sowole emphasised the vital role played by parents and teachers in identifying and nurturing gifts of children to enable them excel in their chosen career.

Also, Mr Samuel Facon, Principal of the school, commended the organisers for their interest in the future of the students.

Facon advised the students to utilise the opportunity properly, saying “ whatever career you choose, make sure you have the passion and capability for it.

“Don’t go to science class because your friends are there. Stay in your area of strengths and you will excel in your chosen career,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/ Vivian Ihechu

By Femi Ogunshola

The Forum of the 19 Northern States Governors’ Wives has endorsed the Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Care strategy of the Re-Orientation Advocacy of Nigeria (RAN).

Mr Charles Folayan, Executive Director of RAN, announced this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

He stated that the partnership followed the Northern Governors Wives Forum stakeholders’ meeting on Substance Abuse, held in Gombe on May 14 at the Government House.

Folayan mentioned that RAN presented on the successes and aspirations of the organisation in their efforts to prevent drug abuse, particularly in the 19 Northern states.

Folayan said that the Chairperson of the Forum, Hajia Asmau Inuwa-Yahaya called on all stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to support their efforts on rehabilitation and reintegration of people with drug use disorder.

Folayan called for treatment and care of victims of drugs, adding that RAN focuses on the wives of the Governor in the region to end drug abuse.

He said RAN is currently working with two of the governor’s wives in the region.

The director said that RAN is seeking the involvement of others in the establishment of modern social and rehabilitation centres in their various states.

According to him, some of the Governor’s wives who responded to the partnership proposal of RAN, agreed on the need to step up prevention and treatment programmes in Nigeria.

“They expressed their acceptance to work with RAN and their partners on the project.

“RAN earlier in the year entered into partnership with Annmom Foundation USA, and formed a joint task with the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on drug prevention

He said the organisation is also in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant government agencies, on drug prevention, treatment and care programmes.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh