By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has commended the Federal Government for the Extended Special Public Works (ESPW) programme, saying it will positively impact the state.

He gave the commendation on Tuesday in Asaba, during the flag-off of the 774,000 ESPW jobs programme of the Federal Government for the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.

Okowa was represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu.

He said that though each participant would be taking N20, 000 monthly stipend for the programme that would last for three months, the programme had the capacity of injecting about N500 million monthly into the state economy.

While thanking the Federal Government for the programme, he tasked the beneficiaries to effectively utilize the proceeds to build their future from little beginnings, and not to become reckless.

He said that the programme conformed with the State Empowerment programme, and was being executed without political party bias.

“What we have seen happen here today is that after the politicking that precedes an electioneering campaign is governance, and governance has no political coloration.

“Today’s programme is conceived by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government at the national level but it trickled down, irrespective of the party at the state level, such that the beneficiaries are Nigerians, because hunger does not know a political party.

“The more number of people you are able to empower, the more you take away crime and criminality.

“If you have in the case of Delta about N20 million going into a local government monthly, then escalate it to 25, 000 poor persons in the 25 LGAs, that brings it to N500 million monthly being injected into the state economy,” he said.

The governor said that given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the multiplier effect of the Federal Government programme was capable of healing the present recession in the country.

He said this was if the beneficiaries could effectively utilise the opportunity to invest their money.

In a keynote address, Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, said that the extended special public works programme was borne out the pilot programme approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and implemented by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) early in 2020.

The minister, represented by Mr Victor Ochie, Executive Director, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the strategy was adopted by the Federal Government to fast- track the achievement of Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017 to 2020).

“The pilot programme was implemented in eight states in order to gauge its impact on addressing the ballooning population of unemployed and rising insecurity in some parts of the country.

“However, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr President directed the Economic Sustainability Committee, China’s aired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to craft economic measures to cushion the adverse socio -econimic effect of the pandemic.

“The need to quickly address the above, informed the decision to implement the ESPW,” he said.

The Acting Director, NDE, Malam Abubakar Fikpo, represented by the State Coordinator, Mr Tony Olu, lauded the Federal Government for giving the directorate opportunity to execute the programme.

According to Fikpo, the ESPW prpgramme is a very significant step in Nigeria to win the war against mass unemployment as well as to ameliorate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that all the participants were duly documented and their details captured by designated banks to guarantee a fraud free, transparent and fair service delivery and to ensure effective monitoring.

The acting director charged the participants to reciprocate the gesture by diligently executing their assigned tasks throughout the three months duration.

Prof. Kelly Ejumudu, Chairman, State Selection Committee, charged the participants to see the gesture as a clarion call to serve the country.

He said that no government in the world could totally eliminate poverty and unemployment, but alleviate it.

“This is the first time that a government programme has cut through the entire 774 LGAs in the country, it is meant for the poor, not for the elite.

“This project is not for grabs, it is intended to benefit the poor in the society to enable them better their life, and at the end, the entire society will be better off.

“Participants should work, earn and develop a good investment culture and not to spend the money lavishly,” he cautioned.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Ms. Charity Okonkwo thanked the Federal Government for the programme, while promising their resolve to work, earn and manage their monies effectively.

She, however, join other stakeholders to call for government to evaluate and extend the programme beyond three months.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants were equipped with the necessary gadgets and materials to enable them keep and maintain a clean environment across the 25 LGAs of Delta. (NAN)

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences over the death of former Minister of Education, and Sarkin Gabas of Adamawa, Alhaji Dauda Birma, describing him as a decent politician.

Reacting to Birma’s demise in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, Buhari said:

“I am deeply touched by the passing of Dauda Birma, one of the finest and most decent politicians of our time.

“Birma was a disciplined and respectable politician who gave politics a good image through personal examples.

“I must also state here that Dauda Birma was a committed party man that worked passionately and assiduously for the success of our party.

“May Allah forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds with paradise and grant his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.’’ (NAN)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed cooperation in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and emphasised the possibility of joint production of vaccines against the virus.

The Kremlin disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

“The issues regarding the cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic have been discussed with an emphasis on possible prospects of joint production of vaccines.

“It was agreed that the dialogue on this topic will be continued between the health ministries and other specialised agencies of the two countries,” the press release said.

The Kremlin noted that the sides had also focused on the settlement of the Ukraine crisis, particularly, under the Minsk complex of measures and the other agreements reached within the Normandy format.

According to the press release, the leaders congratulated each other on New Year and Christmas. (Sputnik/NAN)

By Emmanuel Acha

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said that Fulani herdsmen were neither under attack nor being forced to leave any part of the South-East, particularly Ebonyi state.

The Southeast Zonal Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu, describing it as fake news calculated to create disharmony in parts of the country.

He said that although herdsmen in the area, just as in other parts of the country, have not had it so rosy, the situation was not hopeless.

Siddiki said that the Ebonyi Government had put in place structures that would ensure peaceful coexistence between herders and their host communities.

“It is not as if the relationship has been all smooth all the while, but the state governor has instituted structures meant to contain endemic skirmishes and conflicts.

“One of such structures is the State Committee on Herdsmen, with me representing MACBAN on the committee,” the zonal chairman said.

He said that Gov. Dave Umahi had made interventions, as well as demonstrated creditable interest in forestalling crisis and in mitigating their effects, wherever they broke out.

“Therefore, I implore our herders not to panic and leave their locations, but to only make calculated movements without giving any wrong impressions of aggression against them where none exists,” Siddiki said.

He assured that the association would continue to appreciate Umahi for his steadfastness in seeking to propagate the hospitality the Igbos are known for, notwithstanding the daunting challenges he was facing. (NAN)

Opeyemi Aremu-Gbemiro

An Ekiti born geo-scientist, Ayo Omotoso, on Monday distributed tractor, motorcycles, refrigerators, clothes, food and other items worth millions of naira to youths and women in Ado-Ekiti.

Omotoso, who distributed the items at the inauguration of his foundation, “Ayo Omotosho Foundation” (AOF) in Ado-Ekiti said that the gesture was to give the community a sense of belonging.

He said his Foundation was out to help serve the people, mostly the needy in the society.

Omotoso, who gave a tractor to a group of farmers, and motorcycles to 15 youths, also gave generating sets, clippers, hair driers, fans to young men and women to start salon businesses.

He said that bags of rice, garri, noodles, salt, groundnut oil, tomato paste, seasonings and other staples were to assist the women, especially the aged and also to cushion the effect of COVID-19 among the residents.

“As we know that some families have not recovered from the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) with the second wave gradually being reported across the globe.

“It is also the best way to identify with them as they are our brothers, sisters and parents; I always have the mindset of giving no matter how little,” he said.

He said that he was inaugurating the Foundation to enable him show love to the needy from the little God had blessed him with.

Omotoso, who promised to be of benefit to the generality of the people of Ekiti, said that the exercise was in phases, stressing that other communities would benefit in the subsequent phases of the programme.

He listed other programmes by his foundation in the New Year to include educational reform and improvement, through quiz and other academic competitions amongst schools in the council area.

others he said included bursary awards for best students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, poverty alleviation for farmers and petty traders, less privileged and the aged.

“AOF will henceforth have one or two events monthly and more especially during festive and national holidays to felicitate with people with our programs which we will be unveiling as the year rolls by.

“My foundation will start giving bursary awards to the best science students in Christ school and the overall best student of the school because I am a product of that secondary school,” he said.

According to him, with time, the foundation will also sponsor an educational competition among schools; the competition is going to be a reality TV show and the overall best school will always have our gift.

“The gift will not just go to the school, but to the individual students that participate in the competition will directly benefit, this is to encourage the pupils academically.

He said that best geologist and overall best graduating students from Ekiti State University where he graduated from would always get his foundation award.

Omotoso said that the kids in the primary school where he graduated would not also be left out.

He said, “Special attention will be given to the less privilege and the aged.

“Medical programmes by the foundation will be available periodically, some medical bills will be paid, we will partner with organizations that can make eye glasses, wheel chair, and it will cut across the whole state.

“AOF lastly, will key into small scale infrastructural development, not very big, but it will go a long way, for instance filling of potholes, parking the drainages, provision of street lights and a lot more”.

Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke at the event thanked Omotoso for the gesture, saying that it was not only an expression of gratitude and good manners but rather a way of building relationships.

Femi Awolumate, a beneficiary, commended Omotoso for the gesture.

He said that it would go a long way in alleviating the beneficiaries suffering.

Also, an octogenarian, Mrs Foluso Ademiloyo, thanked the donor, whom she said she had never met before.

“I want to thank my son for this gift because I have never met him, God Almighty will continually be your guide and protect your going out and coming in,” she said.

Also, Toyin Onileowo, Tope Aladesihun and Tosin Oloruntoba  who are also beneficiaries,  at separate chats thanked the donor and assured him of their prayers and support. (NAN)

By Christian Ogbonna

The Ebonyi government on Monday ordered the arrest of circulators of a video on social media that Fulani herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of the state.

Gov. David Umahi said at a news conference in Abakaliki that the video was faked.

He ordered security agencies to investigate the source of the video and arrest the circulators.

The governor said the video had caused panic and tension.

“Security personnel must ensure that those behind the circulation of the video, which has caused panic across the country, are brought to book.

“We must increase our security surveillance at the grassroots level. I urge the security agencies to step up and arrest persons circulating the video on social media,” Umahi said.

Mr Inusa Sani, Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ebonyi Chapter, condemned the misleading video, adding that “it is fake news”.

“The video is an orchestrated attempt by mischief makers and enemies of peace.

“What happened was that on Jan. 2, one of us, Alhaji Adamu, residing at Ozibo Village in Nkaleke Ichaba/Enyibishiri community, informed the association of his relocation to Taraba State.

“I use this opportunity to urge the general public to disregard the video in circulation and no Fulani herdsman was attacked or chased out of Ebonyi State,” Sani said.

He said herdsmen had co-habited peacefully with their host communities without any fear, molestation, threat or intimidation from any quarter.

The Police Command in Ebonyi had on Sunday issued a statement noting that Fulani herdsmen were not attacked or being chased out of the state.

Also speaking at the news conference, Mr Philip Maku, Commissioner of Police in the state, assured the public of the Command’s readiness to protect lives and property.

“The general public should disregard the video in circulation, which is misleading and fake. Keep going about your normal business and support the security agencies and state government at ensuring that those behind the evil plot are fished out,” Maku admonished.

Dr Keneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government, said the distorted and misleading video was propagated by the enemies of Ebonyi.

“We cannot keep quiet on any issue that is trying to tarnish the image of our dear state or cause disorder. We have enjoyed maximum peace with our Fulani brothers.

“The security chiefs are here and there is no incident of an attack on herders in the state; we therefor urge the general public to disregard the misleading video,” Igwe said. (NAN)

By Grace Alegba

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Touch of Love and Lifting Hands Foundation, has renewed its calls on governments at all levels to take care of the elderly very serious in order to attract God’s blessings on the nation.

The Founder/CEO of the foundation, Mrs Atinuke Owolabi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of an end-of-the-year free eye screening and get-together for some elderly and widows in Lagos.

NAN reports that the NGO caters for the welfare of old people, widows and the needy in the society.

Owolabi said that the old people had spent their youthful years serving and building various segments of the nation’s economy and society, and should not be neglected in their old age.

“Some of these old people are being owed pensions after using their youthful age to serve their fatherland. Some of them are lonely because their partners are dead; some of them do not have children.’’

The government should look after the old people so that the blessings of God would come to our country, she said.

She appealed to the government and the well-to-do in the society to partner genuine NGOs to put smiles on the faces of old people.

“NGOs do not compete with government, rather, they complement government but in a less or non-bureaucratic but professional way.

“If NGOs are in genuine collaboration with government, the society will be a better place and the dream of a just and equitable society can be realised,” Owolabi said.

Owolabi also appealed for government’s support for abandoned widows in the society.

She recalled the hardships faced in the Year 2020 by the public such as the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that slowed the nation’s economy and the #EndSARS protests that almost crumbled Lagos State.

She said the foundation founded on Dec. 29, 2017, had carried out several social interventions and provided “care, succour and a place of relaxation for the aged and widows in our society.

“Our impact on the society speaks for itself but it can be made better through collaboration between NGOs and government.

“This is the best way to move the society forward. No alternatives,” she said.

Owolabi called for medical and financial assistance for one of the old widows diagnosed with breast cancer for her to undergo surgery and save her life.

She said that the foundation had lost some widows and old people to death due to financial constraints, while some had gone blind due to late intervention to restore their sights.

NAN reports that free eye checks were carried out on 1,000 old people, given glasses, while those with complex cases were referred to specialist hospitals.

The beneficiaries who were hosted in three batches in line with COVID-19 protocols were given gifts and served food.

They were also treated to danceable music, games and had fun.

The programme was tagged: “Humanity and Good Governance, a Sine Qua Non For a Just and Equitable society.

By Abdullahi Mohammed

The Federal Government has inaugurated Rural Women Grants Project in Jigawa to cater for 4,350 beneficiaries across state.

Mrs Sadiya Farouk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development said at the inauguration in Dutse on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was introduced by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration toward achieving its social inclusion agenda of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years.

The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Nura Alkali, announced that the federal government had spent several billions of naira on poverty reduction project.

According to her, a significant number of some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural communities have benefited from 2015 to date.

Farouk said that a total of 4,350 women would be given a grant of N20, 000 each in Jigawa, adding that president Buhari has also approved the extension of the project till the end of this year.

The minister urged the beneficiaries to utilise the money judiciously.

In his remarks, Gov. Muhammad Badaru, who was represented by Special Assistant on Empowerment, Alhaji Abba Mujaddadi commended the federal government for its efforts toward reducing poverty in the country.

Badaru said that his administration has been complementing the federal government’s efforts on poverty reduction, adding that the state had supported 14,000 rural women from 2015 to date. (NAN)

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed trading in 2021 on a bullish trend with the All-Share Index surpassing the 41,000 mark, as investors continued to position ahead of full year results and dividend declaration.

Specifically, the All-Share Index inched higher by 876.67 points or 2.18 per cent to close at 41,147.39 from 40,270.72 achieved on Thursday.

Also, the market capitalisation, which opened the year at N21.056 trillion rose by N459 billion or 2.18 per cent to close at N21.515 trillion.

The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are: BUA Cement, Lafarge Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Flour Mills and Dangote Sugar Refinery.

GTI Securities Ltd expressed optimism that the domestic stock market would resume the new year upbeat with less attractive nature of the fixed income market.

Market breadth closed positive with 32 gainers as against two losers.

Honeywell Flour Mill, Sovereign Trust Insurance and Transcorp led the gainers’ chart in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent each, to close at N1.32, 22k and 99k per share, respectively.

International Breweries and Fidelity Bank followed with 9.92 per cent each, to close at N6.54 and N2.77 per share, respectively.

BUA Cement increased by 9.89 per cent to close at N85 per share.

Conversely, the FCMB Group led the losers’ chart in percentage terms with a loss of 6.01 per cent to close at N3.13 per share.

Caverton shed 3.41 per cent to close at N1.98 per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume of shares traded declined by 70.18 per cent with an exchange of 211.93 million shares worth N1.41 billion in 3,438 deals.

This was in contrast with 710.71 million shares valued at N10.08 billiion exchanged in 4,396 deals on Thursday.

AIICO Insurance topped the activity chart with 87.52 million shares worth N98.96 million; FCMB Group sold 19.67 million shares valued at N60.08 million, while Transcorp accounted for 12.78 million shares worth N12.61 million.

Lafarge Africa sold 9.95 million shares valued at N222.98 million, while Access Bank transacted 9.60 million shares worth N85.39 million. (NAN)

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Mobile Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered that four parks and gardens in the territory be sealed off for two weeks for violating the COVID-19 protocols.

Mr Ikharo Atta, Head of Media and Enlightenment of the Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) COVID-19 Protocols Enforcement Taskforce, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja

Attah said that the affected gardens were Eden Park and Garden in Utako, Byuan Resources Ltd., Skychef Park and Garden as well as 7th Option Park and Leisure Services, all in Garki 2, Abuja.

He also disclosed that 12 persons arrested at the gardens “very late in the night’’, would be arraigned after the two weeks.

“What we observe is that most of them (gardens) operate beyond the period (allowed).

“The persons who were in the shops didn’t comply with physical distancing. Face mask wasn’t there at all and no hand washing points.

“They were totally in breach of the COVID-19 protocol and the judge in his wisdom, Magistrate Egbe Arafe, issued the seal off order for two weeks.

“After the two weeks, we will now come back to the court and continue the trial,’’ Attah said.
Attah, who said that the task force would focus on night clubs, advised gardens and parks operators `to do the needful’.

He also said that the authority would not yield to undue demands by kids and parents for FCTA to reopen Millennium Park, Jabi Lake and other parks shut down due to COVID-19

He said that the measure was to save the lives of the people. (NAN)