By Okon Okon

Mr Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, says he has no excuse not to discharge his duties as assigned to him by President Bola Tinubu.

Jisalo said this during his second familiarisation visit to the Management and Staff of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was the second familiarisation tour by the minister to the agencies under his ministry.

Interacting with members of staff of the agency, the minister explained that his visit was in line with the policy trust of the president to achieve his 8-points agenda which include job creation.

Jisalo urged the agency to key into the president’s agenda through its capacity as a revenue generating agency.

He added that this could only be achieved through team work by the agencies under his ministry.

“Our visit is in line with the policy trust of President Tinubu, with his 8-points agenda, the agenda which includes job creation and I want team work of the agencies under the ministry to achieve this.

“I owe him a duty and I have no excuse not to perform, I will do my best to give Nigerians what they deserve and I urge the NLTF’s management and its staff to key into this agenda.

“My hope is that in the next one year, my ministry will emerge first when he comes for evaluation, ” the minister said.

Earlier, Dr Bello Maigari, Executive Secretary NLTF, expressed delight over the visit by the minister, saying it was ground breaking as it had never happened since the agency’s establishment in 2005.

“As far as I can recall, the trust fund has never had an honourable minister visiting the agency officially until now.

“We are indeed honoured and grateful for the opportunity to rob minds and extend valuable conversations beyond the usual meetings in the ministry, ” he said.

Maigari expressed hope that the minister’s visit would usher a new era of cooperation and understanding to build a strong commitment to deliver on the aspirations of Nigerians through the lottery industry.

He listed some of the major achievements by the agency to include: provision of healthcare facilities/potable water supplies across the six-geopolitical zones, intervention to support government’s efforts to respond decisively to COVID-19 pandemic among others.

“I am pleased to inform the minister that our commitment to implement projects in this vital sector has helped to strengthen our fragile healthcare delivery systems across the six-geopolitical zones, ” he said

Maigari however highlighted some of the challenges faced by the agency including lack of befitting office accommodation.

In her contribution, Mrs Ibiene Roberts, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the visit was not for formality but a genuine effort to strengthen the bonds between the ministry and NLTF.

“Let us use this time wisely, sharing knowledge, building connections and laying the foundation for a more productive and collaborative future, ” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Folasade Akpan

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Yush’au Ahmed, has urged state governments and all other stakeholders to play their role in securing corps members in their domains.

Ahmed made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day meeting of NYSC management with representatives of state governments.

According to him, safety of corps members in all service locations remains a top priority of the scheme.

“In this regard, we are stepping up our liaison with security agencies, which have been very supportive.

“It is important that state and local governments as well as other stakeholders such as traditional rulers, religious and community leaders play their expected roles in securing corps members,” he said.

The D-G also said that in view of the dangers associated with night journeys, NYSC management had been sensitising both prospective and serving corps members on the need to stop such dangerous adventures.

“Accordingly, I must use this medium to call on the state governments to join hands with the scheme in discouraging corps members from night journeys.

“As a matter of urgent concern, I appeal to the state governments to initiate policies in this direction.

“Reach out to the Corps Producing Institutions, other stakeholders and transport companies in their states to stop conveying corps members to various locations during night hours,” he added.

He added that corps members are expected to cut their journey by 6.00 p.m. and pass the night at corps lodges, military formations and other places officially designated as safe and continue the following morning.

Speaking about other matters, Ahmed said that the condition of the orientation camp is critical to the success of the orientation course which is the first cardinal programme of the scheme.

He said that apart from the fact that the camp being first pot of contact of corps members with NYSC, it goes a long way in influencing their impression about the scheme and the state of deployment.

“For these reasons, we have continued to emphasise the need for all our camps to meet the minimum standards with essential facilities such as adequate hostel accommodation, conveniences, multi-purpose hall and good parade ground amongst others.

“I am pleased to note that few states have constructed new orientation camps in recent times while several others are making impressive efforts through renovation and upgrade of existing facilities.

“On the other hand, there are still other camps that are in deplorable conditions across the country,” he said.

Ahmed appealed to the state governments to accord priority to the provision of adequate facilities in the camps to ensure the smooth conduct of the orientation course.

He also urged them to, in view of the continuous rise in corps population begin expansion of camp facilities to cater for at least 5000 corps members.

Other areas of concern are accommodation of corps members, payment of state allowance, rejection/under-utilisation of corps members by employers and reward for excellence/post-service employment for corps members.

The D-G said that the theme of the meeting: “Five Decades of National Service: Mobilising Stakeholders for Enhanced Service Delivery”, was to assess the states’ performance and draw attention to areas that require improvement.

He added that the meeting would also be an opportunity for sharing of best practices among all states and the FCT in their collective quest to deepen the impact of the scheme on the nation’s socio-economic development.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Ibukun Emiola

Oyo State’s Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, on Wednesday in Ibadan extolled the virtues of late Prof. Samuel Agbede.

Adeyemo spoke at a colloquium in honour of the late Agbede, organised by the Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan (UI).

She pointed out that there virtues exhibited by the late professor were those needed to build a functional and better society and Nigeria as a whole.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the deceased was the first Nigerian to be awarded a Master of Science degree in Aquatic Veterinary Studies by the University of Stirling, Scotland.

Adeyemo noted that the late Agbede lived well and touched the lives of people within and outside the faculty at the University of Ibadan.

“He was not just a bridge-builder, but a team-builder, who harped on collegiality for the overall development of all.

“Prof. Agbede was a father and his life was not a life of struggle, but collaboration. He employed the majority of the lecturers in Veterinary Medicine. He is humility personified and, with that, he was able to achieve all he did.

“His life is a lesson for everybody because when we start to look beyond ourselves, we will live selflessly and touch many lives, leaving a good legacy behind,”Adeyemo said.

Earlier in his address, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, the University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor who was chairman of the occasion, said the late Prof. Agbede spent his life for the service of humanity.

Adebowale, who was represented by the institution’s Registrar, Mr Saliu Ganiyu, described the late Agbede as a good teacher and a calm mentor.

”No man can service God except through serving humanity, which the life of Prof. Agbede typified,” he said.

NAN reports that the Chief Executive Officer, Educational Advancement Centre, Ibadan, Dr Muyiwa Bamgbose, delivered the keynote address at the event.

He spoke on the topic “The Imperative of Collegiality for the Advancement of Any Profession: Prof. Samuel Adewunmi Agbede, The Bridge Builder.”

Bamgbose said the subject of discussion which was collegiality bothered on cooperation and shared responsibility.

”It is the best way to get innovation, and there is a need for innovation in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is in a dire state, and we don’t know what tomorrow will be like. People are afraid.

“Although there are promises, but people have been beaten many times and promises don’t mean anything.

“So, at this moment, we have to come together. Enough of fighting one another, separations, sectionalism, and enough of playing blame-sharing.

”Let us own the problem now and come together to solve the problem.

“This is one of the lessons to learn from a man described as a bridge-builder. We need bridge-builders, not bridge-breakers, not people that will cause rift and fight.

“But people that will cause others to collaborate, cooperate, enhance and support whatever people are doing, so that together we can smile,”Bamgbose said.

The Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Olufunke Ola-Davies, represented by Prof. Simeon Cadmus, also eulogised the late Prof. Agbede in her remarks.

Equally, the Head of Department, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Prof. Victoria Adetunji, joined in eulogising the late Agbede.

They said the late icon was a guide and mentor who left a legacy of kindness, peace and unity, as well as service.

Others who paid tribute to the deceased included his son, Mr Olufemi Agbede, and brother, Mr Oluwole Agbede, as well as friends and colleagues.

They recalled with nostalgia the virtues of the deceased and what he would be greatly missed for.

NAN reports that the event was attended by the wife of the late professor, Mrs Florence Agbede, children, family members and other distinguished personalities.(NAN)

==============

(Edited by Remi Koleoso and Olawale Alabi)

By Ifeanyi Olannye

By Ishaq Zaki

The Zamfara Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Wednesday confirmed the murder of Alhaji Hamisu Danjibga, the state Correspondent of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

A statement issued in Gusau by the state NUJ Secretary, Ibrahim Ahmad, said that the body of the deceased was dumped in a soakaway by those who murdered him.

“The discovery of his corpse was as result of unpleasant odour observed by children of an Islamic School behind his house in the evening of Wednesday Sept. 20, 2023.

“After breaking the sockaway, the dead body was confirmed to be that of Danjibga by his family and some neighbors,” the statement said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Danjibga had been missing for three days before his corpse was found.

Sources said that the family was initially contacted to pay one million naira for his release, but the figure was raised by the faceless persons suspected to have murdered him.

NAN also gathered that the police had arrested one person suspected to have been involved in the killing of the veteran journalist.

The NUJ extended its condolences to the deceased family, VON, and entire people of Zamfara.

It urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring to justice the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

The deceased has been buried in Gusau, according to Islamic injunctions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The newly proposed Coral City by the Edo State Government would accommodate over 50,000 residents when completed, the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Housing, Isoken Omo, said on Wednesday in Benin.

Omo, in alongside the state commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, made this known while briefing newsmen on the state of the proposed city.

He noted that the proposed new city was designed under the new Edo master plan, adding that when completed, it would reduce the pressure on the City Centre.

“We have done the design and we have 1,300 plots available for different land uses: residential, commercial, multi-purpose, religion, leisure, schools, markets and health centres.

“Everything you need for a city to thrive will be there and it is coming with full infrastructure like roads, drainages, power, telecommunication, and others.

“We intend to house 50,000 people when it is fully completed. We have broken the project into four phases so that within the tenure of the current administration, we will do the first phase.

“The expectation is that subsequent governments will continue the project.

“We have invited subscription with 467 plots to jump start the project,” Omo said.

Omo disclosed that a New Town Development Authority had been set up to oversee the comprehensive development of the project.

She called on Edo residents to begin to apply for plots in the new city, assuring that the land acquired would come with title documents.

According to her, after the first phase, there would also be an opportunity for subscribers to do staggered and installment payments on plots allocated.

Also speaking, Chris Nehikhare, the commissioner for communication and orientation, disclosed that about 1,494,000 passengers had benefited from the free intra city transport put in place by the state government to cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy

“Since the state government flagged off its free bus rides on September 11, the feedbacks from the people had been most encouraging as commuters who had been making use of the free buses had been able to save their daily transportation fares.

“We have carried 1,494,000 passengers on the intra-city scheme while for the intercity we have carried 33,000 passengers.

“A lot of our people have been directly touched by this gesture. It was not a knee jerk programme by the state government but was properly planned,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=========
Edited by Vincent Obi

By Okon Okon
Mr Zaphaniah Jisalo, Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, says he has no excuse not to discharge his duties as assigned to him by President Bola Tinubu.
Jisalo said this during his second familiarisation visit to the Management and Staff of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was the second familiarisation tour by the minister to the agencies under his ministry.
Interacting with members of staff of the agency, the minister explained that his visit was in line with the policy trust of the president to achieve his 8-points agenda which include job creation.
Jisalo urged the agency to key into the president’s agenda through its capacity as a revenue generating agency.
He added that this could only be achieved through team work by the agencies under his ministry.
“Our visit is in line with the policy trust of President Tinubu, with his 8-points agenda, the agenda which includes job creation and I want team work of the agencies under the ministry to achieve this.
“I owe him a duty and I have no excuse not to perform, I will do my best to give Nigerians what they deserve and I urge the NLTF’s management and its staff to key into this agenda.
“My hope is that in the next one year, my ministry will emerge first when he comes for evaluation, ” the minister said.
Earlier, Dr Bello Maigari, Executive Secretary NLTF, expressed delight over the visit by the minister, saying it was ground breaking as it had never happened since the agency’s establishment in 2005.
“As far as I can recall, the trust fund has never had an honourable minister visiting the agency officially until now.
“We are indeed honoured and grateful for the opportunity to rob minds and extend valuable conversations beyond the usual meetings in the ministry, ” he said.

Maigari expressed hope that the minister’s visit would usher a new era of cooperation and understanding to build a strong commitment to deliver on the aspirations of Nigerians through the lottery industry.
He listed some of the major achievements by the agency to include: provision of healthcare facilities/potable water supplies across the six-geopolitical zones, intervention to support government’s efforts to respond decisively to COVID-19 pandemic among others.
“I am pleased to inform the minister that our commitment to implement projects in this vital sector has helped to strengthen our fragile healthcare delivery systems across the six-geopolitical zones, ” he said
Maigari however highlighted some of the challenges faced by the agency including lack of befitting office accommodation.
In her contribution, Mrs Ibiene Roberts, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the visit was not for formality but a genuine effort to strengthen the bonds between the ministry and NLTF.
“Let us use this time wisely, sharing knowledge, building connections and laying the foundation for a more productive and collaborative future, ” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Jessica Dogo

The Australian Government through its High Commission in Nigeria has collaborated with an NGO, MeCAHT to tackle gender inequality to facilitate girl-child protection.

The Australian Charge d’Affaires and acting High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Leann Johnston, made this known at the premiere of a film titled: ‘‘My Story’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 30-minute film is all about human trafficking, early child marriage and labour.

Johnston described the project as a great one and would be beneficial to rural communities in Nigeria.

She said: “Nigeria has a high percentage of young girls, who are denied their future through poverty and gender inequality,” adding that they are forced into marriages.

Johnston added: “We also provide funding to the International Organisation for Migration, UNHCR, UNICEF as well to educate the community, the girls themselves and also provide support to survivors.

“It is a great project proposal where they will take the film out to rural communities and show the story. So, we are very happy to be part of the project.

“We have provided support to allow them have the film in a format that is easy to take out to local villages where they can set up, to film and invite the communities to come in and watch the film.”

According to Johnston support to MeCAHT will help make that possible.

“The rate of trafficking is a scourge that affects huge parts of the world. It is a tragedy.

“Such a high percentage of young girls here who are denied their futures and through poverty, through gender inequality, are forced into these marriages or into a situation that denies them a future.’

She stated that the High Commission provides funding in order to educate the community and provide support to the survivors and other vulnerables in the community.

Earlier, Chairman, House Committee on Friendship Group Australia, Rep. Mohammed Bassi said child trafficking was not only about forced marriages but there were so many other habits attached to it.

“Child trafficking is not only about forced marriage, we know some do it for the purpose of organ harvest.

“There is the need for Nigerians to have the opportunity of watching to see and having an idea of what is happening in the society,” he said.

The International Director, MeCAHT, Ann Abok, said human trafficking needed to be dealt with through structural approache.

Abok said the film making was one of the fastest mediums used to pass such information globally to different communities without having to travel to any country to air it.

She said: “The beauty of making a film is that your film can go to places that you cannot even go.

“There was a time we were in Switzerland and we discovered the Police were talking about using one of our films to train the Swiss Police because they have an enormous number of girls from Nigeria.

“So, this medium really has helped us to reach out of the shores of our country to get our girls and our boys back into the country.

“Like I said earlier, human trafficking is complex. We need a more structural approach.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

===============

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Kadiri Abdulrahman

The CBN on Wednesday in Abuja unveiled a new online platform for the submission licence applications by microfinance banks.

Its Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isa AbdulMumin, said the platform, known as the CBN Licensing, Approval and Other Requests Portal (CBN LARP), would be the place to process applications.

AbdulMumin said the portal replaced the current manual process where applicants for microfinance banks’ licences submitted applications to the CBN physically.

He said the new portal would improve accessibility, reduce paperwork, and expedite licence approvals.

“In due course, the CBN will extend the platform to other categories of licences.

“The online application system offers numerous benefits, including a simplified process, time saving, enhanced communication, and robust security measures.

“By digitising the application process, the CBN aims to improve accessibility, reduce paperwork, and expedite

licence approvals, benefiting both applicants and the economy.

“Consequently, with effect from Sept. 25, microfinance bank licence applicants are required to submit both hardcopy and online applications (via the CBN LARP) as part of a parallel run,’’ he said.

He added that the parallel run would end on Dec. 31, after which the manual submission of hardcopy bank licence applications would no longer be required and accepted.

“From Sept. 25, prospective microfinance bank applicants are urged to log on to www.larp.cbn.gov.ng to submit their applications,’’ AbdulMumin stressed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

========

Edited by Alli Hakeem