By Thompson Yamput

The Hydro-Electricity Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) on Monday in Lokoja inaugurated its operational office in Kogi.

The office was donated to the commission by the Kogi Government to assist HYPPADEC to execute its assignment to the 10 flood proned local government areas in the state.

Inaugurating the facility, Representative of the commission’s Governing Board, from Kogi, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, described the occasion as laudable and heartwarming to the entire people of Kogi.

“What we’re doing here today is facilitating capacity building and to enhance communication between the commission and the people of Kogi.

“What HYPPADEC is doing across the six benefiting states across the country is serving humanity as many lives, particularly the poor masses, are being touched and uplifted.

“Thanks be to God for the man behind the Commission’s success story in the person of Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, the Managing Director, who is a genius in service to humanity,’’ he said.

Yelwa, in his speech, thanked Gov. Yahaya Bello’s administration for providing the operational office for the commission, describing it as an encouraging gesture that can create the enabling environment for better service.

The HYPPADEC boss said that the commission would use the edifice for five years after which it was expected to build and move into its own permanent office.

“As we appreciate this government for this gesture, as Oliver Twist, we are asking for a piece of land on which we can build our permanent office in the state.

“In the area of health, we intend to carry out another round of medical outreach programmes for the benefiting 10 flood affected LGAs in the state immediately after the Ramadan fasting.

“We have got approval from the governing board to provide electricity to over 200 communities in conjunction with the state government,’’ he said.

Yelwa said that the commission would do more for the youths in the areas of empowerment, scholarship and capacity building as they are “our future leaders and deserved to be assisted to fulfill their destiny”.

Bello described HYPPADEC as a household name in Kogi considering the quantum of assistance it had rendered to the people of the state.

Represented by the State Environment Commissioner, Mr Victor Omofayle, the governor promised to continue to partner the commission to ensure that lives of people of Kogi were improved.

NAN reports that youths from the 10 benefiting LGAs, who were in the venue with placards of various inscriptions of praises, honoured the managing director with an award for his outstanding performance. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Ikenna Osuoha
Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), an Abuja based NGO, has advised Nigerian politicians and voters to be peaceful and play the game of politics by the rules.

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the group gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Ikokwu urged them not to allow their personal ambitions jeopardise the unity and peace of the country especially during the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections .

She appealed to the political class not to exploit the country’s diversity negatively to advance their personal ambitions.

“We should emphasise those things that unite us more than the ones that divide us.

“Politics is a game that will come and go but Nigeria remains, so let us prioritize Nigeria’s unity and harmony above personal ambitions.

“Clean politics is part of our heritage and a legacy that we should aspire to leave for the future generations,’ she advised.

The Culture Advocate who warned against political violence and animosity, said that it was alien to Nigeria’s indigenous political culture.

She urged politicians to close ranks among each other in accordance with Nigeria’s culture of brotherly love.

Ikokwu also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restore confidence of the electorate by allowing votes count.

She explained that only transparent and credible election would truly reflect the will and wish of the people.

According to her, Nigeria should demonstrate their position as giant of Africa by conducting peaceful, credible gubernatorial elections.

Ikokwu however commended Nigerians for their commitment to stronger democratic process.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s Gubernatorial elections would be conducted on March 18. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Ekemini Ladejobi

By Yahaya Isah

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) said property valued at more than N23.3 billion were lost to fire outbreaks in the country between October and December, 2022.

This is contained in a statistical report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja by Mr Abraham Paul, the FFS Public Relations Officer.

The report showed that 649 fire outbreaks were recorded within the period under review, while property valued at about N145.4 billion were saved.

It indicated that 28 lives were lost in the fire incidents within the period, while 40 others were rescued.

The report gave the number of properties affected to include 111 public buildings and 230 private ones, 11 educational establishments, 61 shops, 19 factories and banks, nine clubs, hotels and restaurants.

It added that 56 petrol stations, 21 oil and gas facilities, two timber sheds, 63 automobile, 17 markets and 49 others were also destroyed by fire within the period under review.

On the causes of the fire incidents, the report indicated that 122 of the cases were linked to electrical equipment and high voltage, while 16 were due to illegal storage of petroleum products.

According to the report, 32 of the fire incidents were caused by cigarette stub and bush burning,185 by electrical sparks, 37 through gas, 104 due to accidents, arson and automobile incidents.

The statistics further showed that 88 of the fire incidents were due to unknown causes and seven as a result of building collapse.

The report also showed that 17 out of the fire incidents were under investigation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Maharazu Ahmed

By Philomina Attah

The Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Abuja Chapter, has empowered 32 widows, single mothers and young girls with relevant start-up materials to be self-employed and eventually employers of labour.

Chairperson of the association, Miss Joy Esu, in Abuja said that the gesture was to also mark the 2023 International Women’s Day.

Esu said that the Society had carefully put together the programme to celebrate and empower the women folk on this all-important event focusing on gender equity, embracing diversity and inclusion to help forge an equal world.

She added that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from different sub-urban settlements within the FCT and its environs, adding that every one of them truly deserved the empowerment scheme.

“This was made possible through their engagement in skill-acquisition training and we assistance them with start-up capital.

“The next phase is a Skill Acquisition Programme for the beneficiaries.

“This is with the view of empowering them with relevant skills and seed capital to help them to commence a Business and to be able to sustain themselves and their families economically.

“This is planned in anticipation that we will be able to raise the desired financial support from our partners/supporters,” she said.

She further explained that the beneficiaries would be train on book keeping, accounting and financial management to help them manage the financial records for their Businesses.

According to her, SWAN is an arm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), whose membership is open to female members of the Institute.

She explained that the Society served as an integral part of the Institute to meet the yearnings and aspirations of women for recognition, creating opportunities and an enabling environment for the promotion of socio-economic development of women.

“We have carried out sensitisation programmes and career talks in six secondary schools within Abuja and its environs.

“The aim is to elicit the interest of the young ones to embrace Accountancy as a Career Path and also inculcate in them self-dignity, discipline and integrity.

“We have also organized sensitisation lectures to undergraduates in Four Tertiary Institutions within FCT and environs on the Career Path of becoming a chartered accountant,” she added.

She further listed other projects executed by the organisation to include medical outreach, orphanage visitation, hospital visitation, prison visitation and anti-corruption advocacy, among others.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, the Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) commended SWAN Abuja Chapter for the laudable gesture, urging other states to key into such scheme in order to empower more women in the society.

Adesugba, who was represented by Dr Martins Odeh, Head, Corporate Communication, NEPZA, said that education was very important for a woman, adding that, “but if you do not have a formal education skill acquisition like this is very important.

“There is no society without assistance and there is no society without a woman because it has been measured that a woman’s management ability is much more than that of a man.

“It is said that when you empower a man, you empowered a family alone but when you empowered a woman you have succeeded in empowering both the family and the entire nation, ” he said

The managing director urged women to press on and do not look at anything that would distract them from achieving their set goals.

He equally advised the beneficiaries to use the support given to them today judiciously and ensure they extend helping hand to those not opportune to be selected.

Mrs Bright Okorie, responding on behalf of the beneficiaries appreciated SWAN Abuja Chapter for the support given to them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items donated to the beneficiaries included, sewing machines, electric irons, hair dryers, baking materials among others.

NAN also reports that the beneficiaries were educated on financial integrity to enable them to operate successful businesses with the items. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Former Chief of Army Staff retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has congratulated Nigerians on the election of Sen. Bola Tinubu as the President-elect, saying his victory was a clear reflection of the will of the people.

Buratai, who is the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He also called on Nigerians to vote all APC candidates in the March 18 Governorship and House of Assembly Elections across the country.

Buratai commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for presiding over an election in a country with the largest democracy in the African continent.

According to him, it is a job well planned and professionally executed.

He stated that the vote of all Nigerians had the power to make a difference and consolidate on the wise choice made during the presidential election.

“At this juncture, I say with all sense of responsibility that our collective future is assured under the renewed hope  vision and mission of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“I believe the President-elect is a man of capacity, empathy, vision, and all that it takes to lead Nigeria to the promised land.

“Therefore, I encourage all Nigerians to vote for the APC in the forthcoming governorship elections at the states levels so that the APC can have a majority at all levels.

“Do not be part of the minority opposition as we already have the APC at the Centre.

“Continuity has been achieved at the Federal level with the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the President-Elect from the APC.

“Therefore, for effective policy implementation, progress’ security and development of our country, also vote APC at the states levels. Nigeria shall be great by the Grace of God,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza