By Ruth Oketunde

Ms Oluwafunke Adeoye, a Nigerian Human Rights lawyer, has been announced as the winner of the 2023 Waislitz Global Citizens Choice Award for her outstanding performance in the Criminal Justice sector.

The Waislitz Global Citizen Awards are annual cash prizes totaling 250,000 dollars that recognises  the excellence of individuals in their work to end extreme poverty.

The grand prize is 100,000 dollars  with two additional prizes at 75,000 dollars, for a total of three prizes.

Adeoye who is the founder and Executive Director, Hope Behind Bars Africa, an NGO, made history as the first person working in criminal justice sector to win global award, which comes with a 75,000 dollars prize.

The NGO provides free legal services and direct support to indigent incarcerated individuals, while also promoting criminal justice reforms through research, evidence-based advocacy and technology.

Adeoye said that she was inspired to begin the initiative in 2018 after some personal encounters with the justice system.

She said that her father who was once a victim, had been arrested and detained for a crime he did not commit several years ago.

Adeoye’s organisation has supported no fewer than 7,000 incarcerated individuals through their numerous interventions, ranging from providing access to justice, welfare, support and rehabilitation and reformation of ex-inmates.

Currently, the organisation is set to launch “Justicepadi”, a tech platform that hope to revolutionize legal aid in West Africa and expand its work for justice-seeking individuals.

The Waislitz Global Citizens Choice Awards recognises the excellent performance of individuals in their work to end extreme poverty and effect positive change in their communities and around the world.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Disasters triggered by the recent round of heavy rain in north China’s Hebei Province, on Thursday had killed 29 people, while 16 people remained missing, local authorities said on Friday.

According to a news conference held by the provincial government, a torrential downpours and severe flooding have wreaked havoc across 110 counties, cities and districts in the province.

Infrastructure including transportation, power, communication and water facilities in the disaster-stricken areas suffered damage.

The province had incurred a direct economic loss of 95.81 billion yuan (about 13.38 billion U.S. dollars), and the overall extent of the disaster was still being assessed and verified.

As of Thursday, the flooding had affected an estimated 3.89 million people. A total of 319,700 hectares of crops had been affected, with 131,500 hectares demolished.

Residential areas also suffered losses, with 40,900 houses having collapsed, while 155,500 houses were severely damaged.

A total of 1,150 primary and secondary schools, along with kindergartens, suffered damage.

Hebei carried out advance evacuation of residents from flood storage and detention zones, as well as from areas at risk of geological disasters.

Nearly 1.76 million had been relocated.

The province aims to complete post-disaster reconstruction work within two years, and would ensure that every affected student can return to school by Sept. 1.

The affected population can return home or move into new accommodations before the onset of winter, according to the news conference. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Isaac Aregbesola

By Perpetua Onuegbu

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has called for more concerted effort, creative and innovative ideas from the World Council of Civil Engineers (WCCE) in reversing the infrastructure deficit in Africa.

Sule, made the call during the First Regional Summit of the WCCE in Abuja.

The summit has ”Infrastructure Deficit and the Challenges of Development in Sub-Saharan Africa,” as theme.

The governor who was Special Guest of Honour at the summit, said that Africa has infrastructure deficit challenges in housing, electricity, water and roads.

”Reversing the deficit will require the cooperation of engineers.

”I urge participants to look into the deficit challenges and come up with work plan that is implementable and sustainable,” he said

The governor said that the state government has concluded plans to invest in solid minerals and agriculture.

Sule therefore urged the private sector to support government and come up with ideas that would help government make policies that would create enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

Earlier, the Continental Representative of WCCE for Africa, Dr Aishatu Umar, said the huge economic and potential of the African continent was being hampered by infrastructure deficit wedge on the path of its growth and development.

Umar said constructing a sustainable infrastructure would be critical in supporting the continent in fulfilling its economic potential and helping to turn things around.

“Infrastructure is a key obstacle to growth and development and it has a detrimental impact on trade both inside and outside Africa.

“Inspite of possessing 12 per cent of the world’s population, Africa produces only one per cent of global GDP and two per cent of world wide commerce.

“The huge deficit of infrastructure in Africa is largely due to the fact that investments in infrastructure have consistently lagged behind demand, while about a third of rural population have access to roads.

“Only five per cent of agriculture is irrigated and less then 40 per cent of the population has power, the impact of the infrastructural deficit is disappointing ,” Umar said.

She therefore said the summit served as a crucial platform for engineers, policymakers and stakeholders from across the continent to converge and address the challenges impeding sustainable development in the continent.

Also speaking, Mr Emeka Ezeh, former President of the Nigerian Society of Engineering said one factor militating against Africa’s infrastructure is its economic geography characterised by low overall population density.

“Interregional connectivity is therefore very low whether measured in intercontinental highway links, power interconnections or fibre-optic backbones.

“Recognising the importance of adequate infrastructure services such as power, telecommunications, transport, water supply and sanitation for the development of industry and quality of life.

“Given the constraints on public budgets to finance these growing infrastructure needs, it is necessary that governments in Africa turn to the private sector to share in the burden of new infrastructure investments,” Ezeh advised.

Ezeh’s paper was titled ‘Promoting Sustainable infrastructure Development in Sub-Saharan Africa , Roles, Prospects, Challenges and Solutions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Chimezie Anaso

No fewer than 300 world-rated marathoners are expected to take part in the second edition of the Onitsha City Marathon (OCM), billed for Sept. 30 this year.

Prof. Segun Sogbesan, the Director of Onitsha Business School, organisers of the OCM, gave this indication in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Friday.

Sogbesan said the elite runners were expected from America, Asia, Europe and parts of Africa for the 21-Km race around the commercial town of Onitsha.

He said this year’s edition of the marathon was bigger and better with an estimated total of 10,000 participants, a huge improvement over the first edition which featured only about 1,500 marathoners.

“Preparations are in top gear. We are mobilising stakeholders and it promises to be a bigger and better Marathon event this time.

“We are expecting 10,000 participants and about 300 of them will be top-rated, world-class marathon runners,” he said.

Sogbesan said the event would be an opportunity for visitors to experience the hospitality and rich cultural heritage of Anambra and Onitsha in particular.

He thanked Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra and Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, for their political and royal blessings respectively.

“It is not only about marathon. It is also going to be a rich tourism experience with lots of historical sites that visitors can visit.

“Registration is ongoing on www.onitsha city marathon.com, and the subscription so far is impressive. We are ready to host the world,” he said.

NAN reports that the first Onitsha City marathon was held on Oct. 5, 2019. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu rejoices with the doyen of accounting in Nigeria and Africa, Chief Akintola Williams, on the joyous occasion of his 104th birthday, on Aug. 9, 2023.

This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Thursday in Abuja.

“Tinubu shares in the special moment with all friends and professional associates of the elder statesman, whose vision and resilience has altered the history of Nigeria for the better,” Ngelale said.

He said Tinubu noted that the celebrant established the first indigenous accounting firm in Africa, Akintola Williams & Co., in 1952, which has extended services to many countries.

According to Ngelale, the President affirms the historic role of Williams in the establishment of several private and public institutions in the country as well as his contributions to democracy and good governance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institutions include the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN).

Ngelale indicated that the President noted that Williams began his impactful journey early on as a founding member of Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, along with late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and others.

Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà was at the forefront of the struggle for Nigeria’s Independence, which eventually transited into one of the first political parties, the Action Group.

As the chartered accountant turns 104, Tinubu said his presence and wisdom would continue to inspire the younger generation towards imbibing the timeless values of integrity and hard work as it concerns national development.

The President prays for the continued excellent health of Williams and his beloved family. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Chief Executive Officer of Federal Housing Authority (FHA)  , Sen. Gbenga Ashafa on Thursday performed the groundbreaking ceremony  of 7000 housing units in Mbora District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Ashafa, who said the ceremony was to commemorate FHA  50th anniversary, said the agency was committed to its core mandate of providing housing solutions for citizens.

“In recent times we successfully inaugurated the Zuba Housing Estate, currently advancing the Bwari Project, and are on the verge of initiating the development of our Smart City/Diaspora Estate in Maitama II.

“The FHA Golden Jubilee Estate will contribute approximately 7,000 district residential units to our national housing inventory upon completion. The meticulous planning of this estate prioritises the well-being and security of its future occupants.

“Today, we embark on the initial 1,200 units  realised  through a Public Private Partnership with Nuga Best Regis International, with a track record in real estate development distinguished by their proven capacity and capabilities,” Ashafa said.

He added that the authority remained resolute in advancing the government’s housing delivery initiative leveraging the potential of the construction industry to stimulate employment opportunities and foster economic diversification.

The senator said the houses, which were expected to be delivered within 30 months with first 1,200 units delivered in 12 months, would be affordable to the poor via mortgage.

“The time line is segregated, we are talking about 7000 housing units, if we are able to recover all the hectres, what we agree it is going to take about 30 months.

“But this 30 months is not something like everyone is going to wait until it is completed before they start buying into,   already we have off-takers that have identified what they want. Phases,” he said.

Also the Chairman, NUGA BEST International and Regis Integrated Services Limited Partnership (LP), Pastor Hilary Chukwuma, said the construction of the 7,000 units would ameliorate the housing challenge that Nigerians are facing.

“For Nigerians who are having housing challenges based on cost or availability, the good news is that this ground breaking ceremony presents an immediate solution to the challenge.

“The evolution of work and lifestyle demand that we rethink the choice  of location we live in and what we can have multiple access around it.

“The FHA Golden Jubilee Estate sits on about 200 hectares of land and it is designed with plans for schools, hospitals, recreation centres, markets, Police stations amongst others thereby encouraging a vibrant work-live-play community.

“We are happy to work with Federal Housing Authority in the delivery of her mandate and keeping to her slogan ‘Uniting Nigerians through housing’, it is an opportunity we cannot take for granted,” Chukwuma said.

Mr Turaki Hassan, Managing Director, NUGA BEST International, said they hope to deliver the project within 24 months, he however, appealed to State Governments to release lands to FHA  to provide houses for the citizenry.

He commended the chiefs and the village heads for assisting  FHA recover lands that had been encroached upon on the site, and was optimistic that all the lands would have been recovered by the time the construction was completed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the estate is expected to produce 1, 200  units of various house types made up blocks of flats, detached , semi-detached and terrace duplexes in the first 12 months. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Ibukun Emiola

Girls’ advocates have decried the high level of illiteracy among younger Nigerians due to the lack of education, especially at the basic levels.

They disclosed this on Thursday at the opening of the 20th Outreach of the August Girls’ Assembly (AGA), one of the largest gatherings of girls in Ibadan, Oyo State, organised by Worth-in-Womanhood arm of Vine Branch Church Ministry.

The convener of AGA, Pastor Bridget Kolade, urged the government to legislate compulsory education for every Nigerian from primary level to JSS 1 to address the growing concern.

According to her, there are no alternatives to education for both boys and girls.

“Education is what we owe the Nigerian child. It is a robbery of destiny to deny a child education.

“The government knowing what education was, should make laws that would enforce education at least, basic education from primary to JSS 1, should be a must and should be legislated.

“I believe that is where we should start because we are just breeding problems for tomorrow if we take our eyes off education,” Kolade said.

She said whatever it will cost the nation to pay as the price to get our children educated we must pay.

“Parents, governments and everyone’s hand must be on deck to ensure that every Nigerian child is educated, that is their right to get education; they are the ones who will build the infrastructures, and make the flyover bridges.

“Government investment should be targeted at education and Governors should not compete over the number of flyover bridges were in one state or another, yet there is abject poverty and illiteracy.

“To the shame of all Nigerians, this generation has a high level of illiteracy among our children, it is a shame and so we must do something about it.

“Every stakeholder must do what should be done now and the earlier we get it right the better. The Bible says righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people; that word righteousness means doing things right which exalts a nation,” Kolade said.

She called for end to all forms of corruption and selfishness, saying “all the money stolen over the years what has come out of it. Let us make a change everywhere we are.

“I am the change Nigeria needs and you are the change Nigeria needs. We must do things right so that our children will have a brighter tomorrow and Nigeria will be better. When a child is educated they will build this country,” Kolade said.

In her keynote address, Mrs Gbonjubola Owolabi, Provost, Oyo State College of Nursing and Midwifery, Eleyele, Ibadan, charged participants to be focus and never be discouraged in life.

“Life is a journey and we don’t know what is in it for us but we have a God who cares for us and we are not going to be discouraged but we will keep at it. Read your Bible stand on God’s word and pray until something happen,” she said.

Owolabi stated that the world is changing and children nowadays are faced with challenges associated with technology and social media.

“We have to continue to mentor them and encourage them in the way of the Lord because of moral decadence.

“All hands must be on deck and all stakeholders must get serious to ensure that the younger generation finds their feet to surmount the challenges of their days and build a bright future,” the provost said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi