By Felicia Imohimi

Dr Musa Mohammed, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria (CVON), has tasked stakeholders in veterinary practice to develop a robust database on animal health that would improved food safety.

Mohammed made the call in Abuja on Thursday at the technical committee meeting for development of database on Veterinary Services and Trans-boundary Animal Diseases in Nigeria.

He said that such data provided good evidence on livestock health and gave more insights needed for disease prevalence and production burdens, incidence of zoonotic diseases, economic impacts of diseases and the costs and benefits of interventions.

“It will improve food safety and enhance food security and international trade in livestock products in the country.

“The technical meeting on the development of data base is critical to harness vast volumes of animal health-related data from live bird markets, livestock markets, abattoir, veterinary practices, livestock farms and other relevant sources.

“These data will be used for planning and implementation of intervention programmes from time to time,” he said.

Mohammed noted that the existence of volumes of data on animal health and veterinary sub-sector from live birds, livestock markets, veterinary practices, farms and laboratories could be used to identify animal health-related risks, risk mitigation and management.

According to him, such data can be used in monitoring livestock trades, development of animal disease emergency preparedness planning, disease reporting and proof of freedom from diseases.

Dr George Uzoaga, Head, Epidemiology Division, Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services (DVPCS), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the transformation of animal health resources systems demanded new institutions and policy.

Uzoaga said it also demanded structural changes in existing institutions that generated, manage and disseminated agricultural information.

He said the new direction should be geared toward partnerships and collaboration arrangement between Federal, States, private, farmers associations and development partners.

The DVPCS head said there was urgent need to initiate mechanisms and processes that would develop a system of continuous generation, analysis and integration of data in the veterinary and livestock domain generally.

“To accelerate the process, there is an urgent need for a policy dialogue among stakeholders that will lead to development of appropriate strategies of investment in terms of finance and capacity to rapidly develop a database.

“The database will be called National Animal Health Resource Information System and will contain qualitative and quantitative information.

The meeting was organised by the National Animal Health Resources Information System and hosted by the DVPCS Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Participants were drawn from animal health related organisations which included the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, and National Veterinary Research Institute and VOM.

Others included Directors of Veterinary Services from selected states, Federal Epidemiology Officers from states and private veterinary practitioners. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Vivian Ihechu

By Fortune Abang

Toastmasters (TM) International Club, a non-profit organisation, has underscored the need for adequate investment in skills development, particularly for women, to achieve meaningful growth in Nigeria.

Mr Jude Nnadozie, President, Hatlab TM Club, District 94, Division E, Area 30, Abuja, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He spoke against the backdrop of the Club’s bi-monthly meeting, with the theme: “The leading edge”, in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).

Nnadozie said, “When you join platforms like TM, you will meet other people and develop your skills which is important. So, the things we learn are enormous.

“This is why we have special meetings where we celebrate great women. By our theme, we put spotlight on things women who succeeded in their chosen career have done to succeed.

“Today, we brought together lots of distinguished women on the platform of TM, because they have been there for a while and conquered many grounds we look forward to conquer in life.

“Not just women and girls, but generally on what people can do to succeed in various endeavors.”

In her general evaluation, Mrs Stella George, Division E Director of Toastmasters International, urged people to always participate in meetings to imbibe modern skills which could enable them tackle modern challenges.

The division director quoted Mahatma Ghandi, saying: “The best way to gain yourself is to lose yourself to serving other people” to reiterate the importance of leadership.

According to her, Toastmasters International is a place people could build noble character and become more productive.

“Here you learn about emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication skills, quick thinking, and the ability to organise a group of people.

“You need to build capacity and support others; this is what makes the world go round because you never get tired doing what you love while serving humanity,” she said.

High point of the event was recitation of “Resilience” as key word of the day and panel discussion on gender equity being moderated by Udanga Jarigbe, a Toastmaster.

The discussion by Distinguished Toastmasters Stella George (Division Director), Toju Cole, Soji Salu, Alhassan Mohammed and Titi Ojo, stressed the need for people to understand and be dedicated to core values to achieve success in their career.

The event also featured general evaluation, introduction of table topics by Mr Ifeanyi Nwoko, Vice President of Hatlab Toastmasters Club, and cutting of cake to commemorate the IWD.

NAN reports that TM International Club promotes improvement in public speaking, self-confidence, leadership and networking skills. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne/Vincent Obi

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Government has advised secondary school students to come up with innovations to address water, sanitation and hygiene issues.

The Managing Director, Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Mr Muminu Badmus, made the call on Wednesday at the Grand Finale and Maiden Annual Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Essay Competition.

The event, which was part of activities to mark World Water Day, was organised by the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) in collaboration with LWC and held at Victoria Island.

It had over 80 schools and representatives from six education districts in Lagos in attendance.

Badmus commended participants in the essay competition, saying the students must go beyond classroom knowledge to providing solutions.

The managing director said analytical skills would help the students to become game changers and pledged continuous support for the essay competition.

He urged secondary school students to keep participating in the competition to boost their knowledge, exposure and get important research skills to become solution providers.

Badmus cited example of Ansar-udeen Grammar School, ‘ADGS’ Surulere which invented a water Filtration and Purification system a few years ago, which won them the Nigerian Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

He said that the winners went on to represent Nigeria later that year in Sweden and were commended for their innovation.

“By asking the right questions, you can develop analytical skills and Investigate effects by digging deep into their causes.

“When you know the cause of a problem, the solution would easily fall on our laps,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Miss Chioma Joseph, SS2 student of Keke Senior High School, Ifako Ijaye, clinched the overall best position in the senior category.

Vetland Senior Grammar School’s Olaoluwa Olaniyn came second while Oyewole Egunjobi of Ayangburen Senior High School and Josephine Hunpe of Lagos State Senior Model College, Kankon Badagry both came third place.

In the Junior Secondary category, Miss Chisom Ezeanya, Lagos State Junior Model College Ojo came first; Esther Ajileye, Eva Adelaja Junior Girls Secondary School came second while Blessing Nwabueze of District Junior College Agege, came third.

NAN reports that winners were given laptops and other educational gift items while some schools also received cash donations.

The National Chairman, NIMechE, Dr Funmilade Akingbagbohun, said over 80 schools from six education districts participated in the essay writing on topics related to water, sanitation and hygiene.

Akingbagbohun said the competition was organised to address a lacuna in the space of water sanitation and hygiene in Nigeria and engineering is about problem solving.

She thanked the Lagos State Water Corporation for supporting the programme, and commended all the six education districts that participated.

The chairman said 20 out of 80 schools qualified for the grand finale, with seven emerging as winners.

She said all hands must be on deck for effective collaboration towards achieving a clean environment.

The Chairman said everyone had a role to play in ensuring improved water and sanitation facilities, to promote hand washing and prevent diseases.

Akingbagbohun said that every aspect of life required water.

She said the use of polluted drinking water and poor sanitary conditions in Nigeria had increased water-borne diseases including diarrhea and cholera.

The chairman gave statistics on the consequences of poor sanitation and water and the need to target the youth as game changers to provide solutions.

The guest speaker, Ms Cherish Jefferson, said the problems of water required multi-sectoral solution because its impact affected every sector and segment of life.

Jefferson, a 500 level student of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos, called for collective action, saying SDG 6 was the most important which must be pursued to solve societal problems.

She said SDG 6 stated that everyone should have safely managed water, good hygiene and sanitation and focused on ending open defecation by 2030.

Jefferson called for deliberate efforts towards conserving water to mitigate the impact of climate change.

“Simple action like turning off a tap is important,” she said.

She also called for recycling of water, volunteering to support community-led initiatives for change and increased awareness campaigns.

Dr Adetola Salau, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on STEM Education said 1,000 children die daily from bad water, sanitation and hygiene, hence the need for creative ways for water conservation.

Salau promised to join the Lagos Water Corporation in the partnership, while urging the students to create prototypes on ideas they have toward solving problems in their communities.

She enumerated various aspects of engineering the students could explore while reeling out examples of teenagers providing solutions in some countries.

Other speakers, including the representative of the United Nations and the Commissioner for the Environment, explained measures and solutions being provided for flooding, and how STEM education was aiding creativity.

They enumerated challenges of COVID-19, hand washing, scarcity of drinking water, poor sanitation, among others.(NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

A cross section of the volunteers at the Jabi Lake Park in Abuja.

By Abigael Joshua.

Volunteer groups from civil society organisations have urged the Nigerian government to reactivate policies on water to curb pollution.

They jointly gave the urge in Abuja during a campaign to mark the World Water Day 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) led a team from the African Activists for Climate on a clean – up of the Jabi Lake Park.

CSDevNet National Network Coordinator, Mr Abu Steve, called on government to use the opportunity of the World Water Day celebration to reinforce the policies on waterways.

Steve said that if Nigeria must conserve biodiversity and manage her water very well, the issue of plastic wastes must be taken seriously.

“Should in case these policies are lying dormant, it is time to reactivate them to make them guide us.

“It is time to sensitise the people on how to reuse, recycle some of these plastics instead of dumping them anyhow.

“We have life under water, that this source of pollution of plastic wastes are dangerous to,” he said.

Steve said the World Water Day 2023 is an important day and called on the government to take action on water related issues in the country.

“We call on these companies that produce plastic to enforce a law on how to take back the wastes from the society.

“We are also calling on the public to change their lifestyles of littering the environment with plastics and other wastes,” he said.

Mr Femi Olubiyo, a volunteer from CSDevNet said that their main objective at the Jabi Lake Park was to create awareness and sensitise the public on how to keep water clean to be healthy for humans and animals.

“In safeguarding our environment, everyone has a role to play, we can’t just leave it for the government alone.

“When we fail to take care of our water, it threatens sustainable development, biodiversity and peoples’ access to good water and sanitation,” Olubiyo warned.

Ms Bilkisu Aliyu, a volunteer decried the lack of waste bins around the Abuja metropolis and called on stakeholders in charge of waste collection to introduce them.

Aliyu urged the management of Jabi Lake Park to ensure that there are sanitation security officers within the lake, to checkmate the dumping of plastics and other wastes within the park.

Mr Paul Sambo, who is also a volunteer in the clean – up exercise decried the level of indiscriminate dumping of plastics in the water bodies.

NAN report that the World Water Day 2023 is celebrated with the theme: “Accelerating Change”.

NAN further reports that the World Water Day is held annually on March 22, since 1993.

The day celebrates water and raises awareness of the two billion people living without access to safe water.

The World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-designation of the State House Clinic back to Medical Centre.

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar made this known after a pre-commissioning inspection of the new Presidential (VIP) Wing of the State House Medical Centre by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

Mustapha was accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed and Minister of State Finance, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba.

Umar said: ”In March 2019, the President had given approval that the State House Medical Centre, Asokoro, which was facing challenges with funding, deterioration of infrastructure and equipment, be scaled down to a Clinic until the challenges were addressed.

”Now with improvement in the problem areas and the addition of the new VIP Wing with state-of-the-art facilities, we can no longer operate as a Clinic. It is now to operate as State House Medical Centre.”

According to him, all is set for the inauguration of the new world class facility by the President to add to the growing number of completed and commissioned legacy projects of this Administration.

Umar added that the calibration, testing of equipment and training of medical personnel are ongoing, and the presidency is determined to ensure that the Centre remains fully operational and well maintained after inauguration.

Addressing State House correspondents, Mustapha described the newly built VIP wing as ”money well spent.”

He further expressed his excitement and fulfilment that the project was completed within a year as envisaged and will be commissioned after equipping under a year and a half.

The minister of Finance also expressed delight that the project was delivered ”dead-on-time”, and ”on budget”, recounting that funding for the edifice was provided on time in the 2022 appropriation.

“The facility here is world class and we are looking forward to the inauguration very soon”.

“I have volunteered myself as one of the people that will come for medical here on test run to testify that what we have here is comparable to the best around the world,’’ she jocularly said.

The ground-breaking ceremony at the VIP wing was performed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Nov. 1, 2021 and work began by Julius Berger Nigeria, the construction company that built the Presidential Villa.

The VIP Wing, which is a specialised/Intensive Care Centre dedicated for the exclusive use of the President, Vice President and other VIPs, spans over a total of 2,485m2 floor area on a suspended floor with a basement. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the medal-winning efforts of several Nigerian athletes and their counterparts in other sports, saying that their dedication and commitment is awe-inspiring.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said the president stated this when he received the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

Dare had recently received “Special Recognition Award for Contributions to Sports Development in Nigeria and the Africa Region” from President Mohammed Solih of Maldives.

Speaking after receiving the trophy from the Minister, the president thanked him for the honour to the country.

He recounted the exploits of Nigeria’s national football team, Super Eagles, at national and international stages, noting he still hasn’t forgotten Nigeria’s absence at the Qatar World Cup 2022.

While commending Dare’s enormous contribution to sports development, the president expressed delight that he had been recognized and applauded outside the shores of the country.

Buhari noted that under Dare, Nigeria’s sports sector had developed from recreation to business.

He added that with revamping of infrastructure, laurels had been harvested at international events by our athletes while harmony and unity of purpose had prevailed in several sporting associations.

The president also applauded the Minister’s commitment, dedication and service to the nation ”in a sector that brings young and old together, as well as athletes and fans.”

He extended his best wishes to the Sports Minister, urging him to continue to give his best for God and country.

In his remarks, the minister thanked the president for his tireless support towards sports matters in the country.

He cited the generous and timely funding from the government to all sporting organisations and their many local and international engagements.

Dare described the recent donation of N200 million to Team Nigeria at the last Commonwealth Games as deeply inspiring. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Bridget Ikyado

Rev. Peter Mutong, the spiritual leader of Nigerian Pilgrims currently in Jordan, has admonished Nigerians to let go of negativity for the good of the country.

Mutong made the appeal in Gedera, Jordan when he led the pilgrims in prayer during a tour of holy sites in that country.

He said it was important to shun negative spirits and embrace God for a new beginning in life as individuals and a country.

Quoting the Book of Matthew 8:28-34, he said Gedera was where Jesus cast out demons from two mad men who bowed to the power of God.

He said that the situation was akin to Nigeria’s present condition, which required all citizens to embrace God and work positively to overcome the country’s current challenges.

“You can wake up today and say, I will shun corruption, do the right thing. And as you worship and pray, it will be done,” Mutong added.

He urged Christians to pray and let go of negative spirits, as they would also be tired and bow to pressure “as we pray and seek God’s help”.

According to him, the scripture has a special purpose for Nigerians; as such all citizens must pray against spirits that cause confusion and wrong acts in the society.

“Let us pray to have “can-do” spirit with positive mindset that will provoke us to do the right things, promote peace and unity, national development and uplift our religious lives.

“I believe everyone can have a new beginning, and I hope that ‘re-starting’ will help you to overcome any obstacle or dead-end you may be facing,” Mutong said.

Meanwhile, one of the pilgrims from Kaduna State, Miss Oninye Mezie said that the pilgrimage was a spiritual reawakening for them.

According to her, many of the pilgrims have had their spiritual life uplifted and ready to impact others positively upon their return to Nigeria.

Mezie said, “I realised that Jacob’s river where Jacob had called his brother Esau for peace and reconciliation is the same place he encountered God.

“Also, I learnt that it is good to forgive, as doing so draws us closer to God.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ninth batch of Christian pilgrims from Nigeria are currently in Jordan and will later proceed to Israel for visits to more holy sites.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved 984. 7 million dollars for the procurement of maintenance equipment for the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

FEC also approved N5billion for the provision of accommodation to staff of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami disclosed these when they briefed State House correspondents at the end of the weekly council meeting.

The meet was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Sambo, the NRC equipment are specifically meant for the Kano-Maradi rail line connecting Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.

He said: “A memorandum presented by the Ministry was on behalf of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

“The memorandum sought council’s consideration and approval for the award of contract for the procurement of rolling stock operation and maintenance equipment for Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line that is currently under construction.

“The contract was awarded to a company that is also the contractor handling the railway project in the sum of 984,722,302.05 dollars inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a completion period of four years.”

He also disclosed that the council approved over N510 million for the supply of customised Fire Service Vehicles for the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation also presented a memo to the council on behalf of two of its agencies.

”The first agency was the Nigerian Ports Authority which sought to provide for the award of contract for the construction.

“And supply of four customised Fire Service search and rescue vans for extrication of accident victims for Rivers Ports, Port Harcourt, Lagos Port Complex, Tin Can Island Port and Marina Headquarters all in Lagos.

“The Council considered the memorandum and approved the award of the contract as recommended and reviewed by the Bureau of Public Procurement in the sum of N510, 934,600 million inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a completion period of nine months,” he said.

On his part, the Minister of Justice said the Council approved N5 billion for the construction of residential accommodation for officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to the minister, this has become necessary because to further secure the lives and property of personnel of the agency, who have been making tremendous success in the fight against drug cartels and barons.

He said: “As you are aware, there has been renewed and sustained onslaught by the NDLEA against drug cartels and barons. Within the three quarters of 2023, about 18, 940 arrests were affected by the NDLEA and indeed drugs worth an estimated value of over N40 billion were confiscated.

“The successes that were recorded unfortunately translated to unprecedented threats and attacks on personnel; the officers, men and other ranks of the agency.

”Thus, the need has arisen for the Nigerian government to consider the possibility of taking security measures that will now provide the desired protection to officers and men of the NDLEA.”

He further revealed that the council gave approval for the construction of two categories of barracks totalling 192 flats.

“Accordingly, two contracts were awarded to two different contractors. The first one is for the construction of barracks comprising a total 92 units of three bedroom semi-detached flats for Narcotics Superintendents and Narcotics Assistant Superintendents at the cost of N2, 267, 785, 450.83.

“The second contract was in the sum of N2, 889, 480, 320. 55 for the construction of barracks comprising a total 100 units of two and three bedroom semi-detached flats for Narcotics Superintendents and Narcotics Agents,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has travelled out for lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, as well to marshal out his transition programme, ahead of the May 29 inauguration.

Mr Tunde Rahman, his Media Aide said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, adding that the President-elect left the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos enroute to Europe on Tuesday night.

“The President-elect decided to take a break after the hectic campaign and election season to rest in Paris and London.

“Preparatory to going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) and the Ramadan fasting that begins Thursday.

“While away, the President-elect will also use the opportunity to plan his transition programme,” Rahman said.

He cautioned media organisations against publishing rumours, fake news and unsubstantiated claims, urging them to always seek clarifications from the Tinubu’s media office before publishing.

Rahman said the President-elect had directed that all his senior aides and campaign staff to go for a short rest. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/ Ali Baba-Inuwa