By Peter Okolie

Gunmen enforcing the sit-at-home order on Friday night, attacked Amaraku Market located at Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo.

Although, no life was lost in the attack, but the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the gunmen, suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), set a tricycle and vehicles ablaze.

Also, the attackers destroyed some goods and properties of petty traders, who are mostly women.

Eyewitness told NAN that the gunmen also attacked Obolo community in the same local government area.

“The gunmen were angry with the traders and transporters for flouting the order.

“The attackers warned traders to close shops and never to flout the order, warning them not come out on Saturday.

“They went on to raze part of the market and burnt vehicles.” the source said.

The source said the gunmen shot indiscriminately into the air which made the traders scamper for safety.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Imo Police Command proved abortive as the Police Spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, neither picked his calls nor replied to text messages sent to him. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to attend the 63^rd  Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS on Saturday.

The meeting to be held in the port city of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau on Sunday is expected to address memoranda on pressing sub-regional issues.

A statement from the presidential spokesman, Dele Alake, announced that the memoranda include Report of the 50^th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council (MSC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report covers security challenges faced by the member countries.

“Slated for discussion is Report of the 90th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“It will also discuss the Report on the status of Transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.

“Other items slated for discussion include; Memoranda on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme and the Report on Obstacles to Free Movement of Goods on the Abidjan- Lagos corridor”, he said.

He said that Tinubu would be accompanied by some members of the Presidential Policy Advisory Council and other top government officials.

The president is expected back in Nigeria at the end of the meeting. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Angela Atabo

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has reiterated its commitment to strengthen partnership with the Kaduna State Government on peace building.

The Acting Country Director of the institute, Dr Chris Kwaja, made the promise in Kaduna on Thursday, during a meeting with Mr Atiku Sankey, Special Adviser to Gov. Uba Sani on Peacebuilding.

Kwaja said that the USIP has been working with the Kaduna State Peace Commission to strengthen the state’s peace building efforts.

He explained that the visit, was to introduce the institute and its peace building initiatives in the state since 2016 to the new administration.

“We are here to congratulate the new government in Kaduna State and understand the focus of the government on peacebuilding.

“This will enable USIP to determine how to support the peace building process with a view to achieve lasting peace in the state.

“USIP has trained and supported six peace facilitators in Kaduna, through its Network of Nigerian Facilitators project.

“The facilitators were expected to organise dialogues in their various communities that will help address conflicts by promoting peace,” he said.

Kwaja added that USIP would continue to partner with the Kaduna State Peace Commission and extend the peace building platform to other peace builders across the state and the country.

He said that USIP Country Office has concluded plans to bring stakeholders together within the month, to appraise its peace building efforts and to roll out future plans.

Responding, Sankey thanked Kwaja and USIP for the sustained support to promote peace in Kaduna state.

He said that the Sani-led administration was committed to uniting the people as against the current divide along ethnic and religious lines.

“The current government is already doing this through inclusive governance while jettisoning divisive politics which is the key driver of hate, intolerance, and violent confrontations,” he said.

Sankey reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Sani-led government to heal the pains of the people and reconcile them to live in peace and harmony with one another. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Philip Yatai

By Cecilia Ijuo

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the FrontFoot Media Initiative, has trained journalists on how to identify and expose manipulations and corrupt practices in public accounts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the two-day training programme, which began on Wednesday in Abuja, is “X-raying Government Audit Reports”.

NAN also reports that the training which is the third in the series, was organised as part of Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Project, under the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, and funded by MacArthur Foundation.

During a technical session on Thursday, Mr Sully Abu, FrontFoot Media Executive, stressed the need for journalists to acquaint themselves with the tenets of auditing in order to report appropriately.

Abu, who was one of the facilitators, emphasised the pivotal role of newsmen in holding public officers accountable.

“The self-inflicted tragedies of our nation have derived substantially from the failure to hold not just people, but also leaders, to account for their actions.

“This has been quite evident at the state level, where governance touches people’s lives mostly.

“In many places, state governors have turned into local potentates because of their unfettered access to and control of public treasury.

“They can suborn individuals and other branches of government to do their will with results not always meant or guaranteed for the public good,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Sonala Olumhense, another official of the organisation, urged newsmen to take their constitutional obligation as contained in Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution(As Amended), seriously.

Olumhense, who is also a Columnist, said in view of the constitutional right of the press, it was necessary for newsmen to hold governments to account for their actions.

He added that auditors were critical to issues if accountability and transparency, adding that they had to act independently always.

Also speaking, Mr Chido Nwakanma, Coordinator of the FrontFoot Media Initiative Training, who delivered a paper on “the Principles and Purpose of Public Interest Journalism”, stresses the need for newsmen to always project the interest of citizens in their reportage.

Nwakanma urged journalists urged newsmen to use their profession to effect positive changes in the society.

According to him, journalists need to write in the public interest and adhere to other ethics of journalism at all times if they must effect changes in the society.

“The public interest content that journalism serves is about the lives and well-being of citizens and relevant issues that affect individuals and communities.

“It is about the common good in health, livelihood, quality of life, security, accountability and governance, among others.

“Note that public interest is not merely what people find interesting. It is more of relevant issues different from what is entertaining, fascinating or titillating,” he said.

Participants at the workshop, commended the organisers of the the training.

They said the training had made them better equipped to write informed stories and features that would empower the people and deter public officers from corrupt tendencies.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that facilitators at the training include experts in auditing, accounting and media.

Topics covered at the training include, imperative of audit reporting for Nigerian journalism and principles and purpose of public interest journalism.

Others are Features of Government Audits, Crafting Good Stories from Audit Reports, Where to find Audit Reports, among others.

NAN also reports that 20 newsmen, drawn from the print, broadcast and online media benefited from the training. which ends on Thursday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Jolotoye/Sadiya Hamza

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Second Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Summit will bolster ties between Russia and Africa in security, sustainable economic and humanitarian development.

Anton Kobyakov, an Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the Organising Committee for the Russia–Africa events, made this known on Wednesday.

Kobyakov, in its programme schedules said the summit would create the basis for the establishment of powerful, prosperous and safe regions in new realities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum will take place in St. Petersburg, Russia at the Expo Forum Convention and Exhibition Centre from July 27 to July 28, 2023.

He said that the summit would strengthen Russian-African cooperation and outline the trajectory of Russia’s relations with African countries in the long-term.

“The summit programme includes more than 30 panel sessions and thematic events on the most important issues involving cooperation between Russia and African states.

“African countries will obviously play an increasingly important role in the emerging architecture of a multipolar world.

“The summit’s business programme consists of four major thematic pillars that encompass all areas of cooperation between Russia and Africa.

“They are; `The New Global Economy’; ‘Integrated Security and Sovereign Development’; ‘Cooperation in Science and Technology’ and ‘The Humanitarian and Social Sphere: Working Together for a New Quality of Life’,’’ he said.

According to him, the programme of the pillar ‘The New Global Economy,’ will focus on the kind of prospects Russian businessmen have for doing business in Africa.

He said the experts would discuss topics on expanding business cooperation between Russia and African countries, their export potential amidst the new challenges, as well as cooperation in agriculture, energy, and logistics.

Kobyakov said the main theme of the ‘Integrated Security and Sovereign Development’ pillar would dwell on international security, political stability, food security and joint efforts to combat epidemics and emergencies.

“The key question that experts plan to answer as part of this pillar is: “How can Russia’s experience in ensuring security be beneficial to African countries?”

“During the panel discussions of the ‘Cooperation in Science and Technology’ pillar, experts will discuss collaboration between Russia and Africa in advanced technologies.

“The key themes of the pillar are how industrial cooperation leads to technological sovereignty and advanced technologies for Africa’s sustainable development.

“Separate sessions will be devoted to nuclear, digital, and healthcare technologies. During the discussions, speakers will talk about how high-tech solutions could unleash Africa’s potential and have a positive socioeconomic impact on numerous areas of society,” he said.

Kobyakov explained that these topics would be addressed as part of the pillar ‘The Humanitarian and Social Sphere: Working Together for a New Quality of Life’.

He said events on the sidelines of the Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum would include the Media Forum, the Congress of University Rectors and a roundtable. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), says its Interim Administrator, Retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, has stabilised the operations of the programme by clearing all inherited debts through tactical financial models.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the PAP Special Assistant on Media, Mr Freston Akpor.

Akpor stated that when Ndiomu assumed office in September, he inherited several liabilities ranging from unpaid scholarship awards, uncompleted vocational training centres, non-formal education programmes and other challenges.

“The media spaces in Nigeria have evolved, and are considered critical tools to announce the efforts of the PAP in changing the socio-economic narrative of the Niger Delta region

“So far, he (Ndiomu) has sanitised and stabilised the operations of the PAP,” media aide said.

According to him, since Ndiomu came on board, he has strategically cleared all inherited debts through tactical financial models.

He added that some of the debts which included those that were owed to critical contractors, agencies and scholarship debts had been cleared.

He said one of the strategic steps taken by Ndiomu was to reform PAP by implementing inconclusive scholarship awarded by his predecessor.

“Ndiomu sanitised and adopted the process with payment of all fees of 1700 PAP students spread across tertiary institutions of learning across the country

“As well as additional 55 delegates going into their first year in various universities in different countries.

“This is in addition to 1300 students already deployed to various tertiary institutions within Nigeria and overseas in the previous year bringing the total number of students to 3000.

“These scholarships covering tuition and In-Training-Allowance (ITA) have been paid in full by the administration of Ndiomu for the 2022/2023 academic session,” Akpor said.

Akpor also reiterated efforts by the PAP to launch the Formal Education Trust Fund to boost the formal education scheme of the PAP. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Deji Abdulwaha

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of Nigeria’s first Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, who passed on last Saturday in Lagos.

Ajose-Adeogun, who died at the age of 96 was appointed the Minister of Federal Capital in 1976 by the Murtala Mohammed Military Administration and served in the position till 1979.

Tinubu described the former minister and notable businessman as an eminent statesman for his contributions to national development.

He said that the country and the people of Lagos State where he held an important traditional title, owe the deceased a debt of gratitude for his meritorious service.

“I join the family, children, associates and Lagos State Government in mourning the death of Chief Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, an illustrious son of Lagos, who served our country excellently as the first Minister of Federal Capital Territory.

“Over 40 years after he served as a member of the Federal Executive Council, his records of unblemished and pioneering leadership of the FCT remain indelible till date.

“Chief Ajose-Adeogun will be remembered for his contributions to the economic growth of our country as an industrialist and businessman of note.

“He served his country well and the people of Lagos State where he was a traditional chief even much more. I pray that his soul will find eternal rest,” he said.

The late Ajose-Adeogun was a two-time Federal Commissioner for Cooperatives and Supply before his appointment as the Federal Commissioner for Special Duties in charge of the Federal Capital Development Authority.

He supervised the planning and the design of the Master Plan of Abuja during his time as the FCT Minister.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has assured genuine local and foreign investors of his administration’s commitment to providing conducive environment.

Mr Julius Rone, Group Managing Director of UTM FLNG Ltd, made this known after a meeting with Tinubu on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that investors from France and Japan pledged to invest five billion dollars in the floating Liquified Natural Gas sector during a meeting with the president.

Rone said that the president also directed them to prioritise the project which is expected to generate no fewer than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs in the country.

He said that the investors from Technip Energies of France and JGC Corporation of Japan, were also directed to report any challenge to the president in the course of implemention.

Rone added that the two companies would invest about five billion U.S dollars in the floating energies in collaboration with the NNPC Ltd, while the Afrexim bank is working on the financing aspect.

He said that the project would have a 300,000 tonnes capacity of LPG per annum as well as meet 25 per cent of local demand of the gas.

On local content, Rone said that a number of Nigerians are already being trained on handling of the various equipment for the project.

He added that plants would also be created for the delivery and marketing of the products to customers on completion.

Rone was on the visit with Ms Emmanuelle Blatmann, the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Ms Hiromi Otuski, Deputy Ambassador for Japan to Nigeria, Mr Naoki Noguchi, MD JGC, and Mr Sadeeq Mai Bornu.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)