NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

FG promises improved security in 2021

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By Rotimi Ijikanmi

The Federal Government has given an assurance that the country will witness improved security this year.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the assurance at a new year media briefing on Monday in Lagos.

The minister disclosed that a number of the platforms the country had been expecting to pep up the battle against terrorists and bandits would arrive in the new year.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had continued to provide the armed forces and other security agencies with whatever was required to function better in terms of platforms, logistics and capacity development.

“As the president said in his new year broadcast, the security apparatus and personnel of the armed forces and the police are to be re-energised and re-organised.

“This is with a view to enhancing their capacity to engage, push back and dismantle the operations of both internal and external extremist and criminal groups waging war against our communities in some parts of the country,” he said.

Mohammed paid tributes to all security personnel for their sacrifice, dedication to duty and patriotism, noting that the nation remained in their debt for their service.

The minister said that 2020 was one of the most challenging years for the country with COVID-19 and EndSARS protest impacting on the economy in addition to security challenges.

He said the government, however, rose with courage and determination to tackle the challenges and had continued to do so.

“The year 2020 has been a challenging year, undoubtedly one of the most challenging years for the country.

“A global pandemic that triggered an economic recession, security challenge and an unnecessary violence that stemmed from what started as a peaceful protest are just some of the challenges.

“It is to the credit of the President Mohammadu Buhari Administration that it tackled these challenges headlong.

“Thanks to the several complementary fiscal, real sector and monetary interventions proactively introduced by the
government to forestall a far worse decline of the economy and alleviate the negative consequences of the pandemic,” he said.

The minister said the government equally introduced the Economic Sustainability Plan and took significant steps to reach out to the vulnerable.

Specifically, he said the National Social Register was expanded to 3.6 million beneficiaries across the 36 states while support was provided to 8.8 million households through the 70,000 metric tons food grains released from the Strategic Reserve.

Mohammed also said no fewer than 1.3 million vulnerable households benefited from the Conditional Cash Transfers across 34 states.

He said various other interventions were made through the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme as well as the Trader and Market Moni loans.

The minister berated opposition figures for their constant criticism of the programmes and activities of government as well as whatever the president said or did without justifiable reasons. (NAN)

Gov. AbdulRazaq dissolves cabinet, retains SSG

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By Abiodun Esan

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has dissolved the state executive council with effect from Dec. 31, 2020.

The dissolution of the cabinet is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor on Monday in Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 16-member cabinet was inaugurated by Gov. AbdulRazaq on Dec. 14, 2019.

The cabinet is made up of nine women and six males.

“His Excellency especially commends the Honourable cabinet members for their contributions to the development of the state while also wishing them the best in their future endeavours,” Ajakaye said.

The governor added that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Mamman Sabah Jubril, was retained.

The governor directed the former cabinet members to hand over to the most senior officers in their respective ministries.

The out gone cabinet also had the youngest commissioner, Ms Joana Kolo. (NAN)

IOM provides assistance to 79 illegal migrants off Libya coast

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said that 79 illegal migrants were rescued and eight others went missing off the Libyan coast.

“IOM staff are providing emergency assistance to 79 migrants returned to Libya by the coast guard today,’’ the UN body tweeted.

Among the rescued migrants were 13 women and seven children, it said.

Libya has been mired in the chaos following the ouster and killing of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who intend to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards Europe.

Thousands of illegal migrants, who were either rescued at sea or arrested by the authorities, remain detained in overcrowded detention centres in Libya.

This is in spite of repeated international calls to close those centres. (Xinhua/NAN)

Adeboye decrees 2021 a year of rejoicing, good news

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By Florence Onuegbu

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has predicted good tidings for Nigerians and residents of Lagos State in particular in the year 2021.

Adeboye made the declaration on Sunday at the 2021 Hybrid Edition of the Lagos State Annual Thanksgiving Service, held at Lagos House Ground, Ikeja.

It had its  theme as: “In Everything Give Thanks´´, taken from the Holy Bible, Psalms 50: 23.

The event, which was  organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State,  Dr  Femi Hamzat , Deputy Governor of Lagos State;   government functionaries,   religious leaders and other guests.

Reading from Psalm 67 Verse 3-7, the General Overseer who joined the Thanksgiving Service  virtually, prayed for the leaders, followers, young and the old.

He prayed that everything they touched in year 2021 should prosper and there would  be good news.

“I pray a year like 2020 will never come our way again. And year 2021 will be better, a year of rejoicing, of good news.

“2021 will attract miracles, signs and wonder. It will be far more successful than year 2020.

“I pray as you have praised God this year, He will bless you all. I decree in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, everything you touch this year shall prosper.

“There will be no famine and fruitless efforts. God will bless you fearfully. Bless you with signs and wonder.

“He will fill your mouth with laughter. A year of singing, dancing,  rejoicing for all of you. It shall be a year of good news,´´ Adeboye prayed.

Earlier, Pastor Johnson Kalejaiye, who had physically represented Adeboye, preached on the theme of the event and urged  all to always be thankful to God.

According to Kalejaiye,  giving thanks to God is spiritually mandatory with corresponding rewards.

“Thanksgiving provokes divine multiplication, thanksgiving can open door of recognition, thanksgiving can provoke answered prayers,´´ he said. (NAN)

LASG sets to inaugurate 377 projects

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The Lagos State Government on Sunday says 377 projects will be inaugurated across the state in the next few months.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known during the Year 2021 Hybrid Edition of the Lagos State Annual Thanksgiving Service, held at Lagos House Ground, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu said that all the projects were initiated to positively impact the lives of every Lagos resident.

He said that he had signed the largest budget in the history of the state into law on Dec. 31, 2020.

“The budget for the 2021 year is ready for implementation,’’ the governor said.

According to him, starting this month (January), Lagosians are going to see the renewed effort going into uplifting their welfare and living standards.

“Over the next few months, we have 377 projects slated for commissioning across the state in various sectors.

“All of them were embarked upon to positively impact the lives of every resident of Lagos State.

“These projects include the 52 Tonne Per Hour Imota Rice Mill, in Ikorodu, the Pen Cinema Junction Flyover and Ramp in Agege, the Restored Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island and the Ariyo (Mile 10) – Ira – Muwo Bridge Phase 1 in Ojo.

“Others are the remodelled Youth Centre in Abesan, Ipaja, the Lagos State Affordable Public Housing Scheme in Idale, Badagry, comprising 252 units of 2-bedroom bungalows and the LagosHOMS Housing Project in Iponri, comprising 132 housing units.

“Also billed for the inauguration are the LagosHOMS Housing Project in Lekki Phase 2, comprising 84 housing units and the LagosHOMS Housing Project Phase 2B in Igbogbo, comprising 84 housing units.’’

Sanwo-Olu said that as a government, the driving force was the vision for a Greater Lagos, hinged on the six strategic pillars of T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that T.H.E.M.E.S, an acronym for Sanwo-Olu administration’s six strategic development agenda namely, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology.

He called on Lagosians to continue to pray for peace, prosperity and continuous growth of the state.

“Let us remember that when it is well with Lagos, it is well with us.

“I wish you all a Happy New Year once again and I pray that 2021 will usher in blessings and good tidings for each and every one of us and for our dear state as a whole,´´ Sanwo-Olu said. (NAN)

 

Social housing scheme: FG, cement manufacturers agree on discount –Osinbajo

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By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government and cement manufacturers had agreed on a discount for the government’s Social Housing Scheme, being implemented under the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP).
“They have agreed to give cement for this project at considerable discount, which is a very helpful thing to do, and we really commend and thank them for the contributions they are making. It is a very patriotic thing on their part. They also see the importance of this Mass Housing Programme”, he said.
A statement on Sunday, in Abuja, issued by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, quoted the vice president as saying that the discount was part of Federal Government’s determination to ensure the success of the scheme meant  for low-income earners.
Osinbajo, who was visiting completed units of the model houses at  Dei Dei, a Federal Capital Territory suburb, observed that it was possible to deliver decent and affordable accommodation that would  be within the reach of many Nigerians.
After inspecting the prototypes of the one-bedroom  and two-bedroom bungalows, Osinbajo expressed satisfaction with the quality of the design and the fact that the houses were very affordable.

According to him, on the average, anyone earning N30,000 a month and was ready to spend a third of that amount, would be able to afford one of these houses, that is the plan.

“From What I have seen so far, there is a one-bedroom unit and there is a two-bedroom unit, both coming under N2 million. I think that this is a very good thing indeed. And a point has been made that it is possible to build good, decent accommodation that isn’t out of the reach of practically everyone.

“We are hoping that we will be able to replicate this not just in Abuja but all over the country.  So far, the Family Homes Fund is in 11 States, and they have given up land for the project.

“We are hoping that this year, we will be able to very rapidly improve the scale and speed of putting these houses in place.

“Once we are able to get moving quickly, we think we can make available several thousands of houses across the country and more people can afford to live in such houses”, the vice president said.

The vice president noted that the job creation component of the ESP would also be actualised through the Social Housing Scheme, as there were young men and women, who are builders, architects, civil engineers, working on the project.

”We are hoping that a lot of the building materials will be locally fabricated, especially the windows, doors and other components of the houses,” he said.

The social housing schemeis an important aspect of the plan by the Federal Government to address the nation’s housing needs and it entails building thousands of low-cost houses, creating jobs and wealth for youths that will be engaged in the construction of the houses.

Under the ESP, the Federal Government mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria  to provide financing for the housing scheme and already a first tranche of N200 billion had been approved as the first tranche already.

There would also be a ”Rent-to-Own” option as part of the administration’s resolve to impact the common man, in the social housing plan that had been earmarked to generate 1.8 million  jobs and deliver 1.5 million houses Nigerian families.

The implementing agency, Family Homes Fund (FHF) Limited, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Finance, had already mobilised thousands of Cooperative groups across the country to participate in the scheme.

Individuals would also be eligible for participation in the scheme, by applying through the portal: www.nshp.gov.ng.(NAN)

NCAC commends Gov. El-Rufai for demolishing sex party house

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By Taiye Olayemi

Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has commended Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State for ordering the demolition of a house slated as venue for a sex party in Kaduna state.

Runsewe who gave the commendation in a statement on Sunday said organising such sex party was a total disrespect for the Nigerian culture.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the house, located in Sabon Tasha, on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis, was demolished on Dec. 31, 2020 by the Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Agency.

Runsewe said that Gov. El-Rufai deserved kudos for prompt response to the disgusting sex party by promptly demolishing the building as a warning to others who could be planning such immorality.

“But for this intervention by the governor, Kaduna State possibly would become the new capital and destination for sex tourism in Nigeria.

“This will lead to social disconnect and dislocations with drug peddling in tow and our children destroyed in the process.

“In 1992, Senegal and Uganda, experienced massive influx of sex tourists and immediately took hard measures to curb it because if left unchecked, sex tourism will damage the spiritual, moral and cultural values of any society.

“And there is no sentiments about dealing with it as Gov. El-Rufai has done,’’ he stated.

In 2020, NCAC had a serious battle with cross dresser influencers and social deviants, nailing the spread of defiant influences to the walls.

Runsewe said NCAC would be doing more in 2021 to ensure that Nigerian cultures remained respected and upheld.

He stated that there was the need for parents to monitor their children closely and nip untoward attitudes and activities in the bud.

“Certainly, Gov. El-Rufai has vindicated our position on the need to stop and arrest the unfortunate presence and foreign behavioural influence threatening our cultures and traditions.

“Am sure with the pulling down of the house planned for the sex party, sufficient signals have been sent to other deviants, their sponsors and publics.

“The law of this country must be applied to the fullest to stop this rage from the pit of darkness,’’ he added.

Runsewe called on other governors to support the full restoration and enthronement of Nigerian cultural values to rid the nation of strange characters and lifestyles.

“This is how Boko Haram and “Yahoo-Yahoo” started and before we knew it, our society and young persons were left to drink from the polluted waters of social vices leaving us to struggle on all fronts.

“So let those who are angry at the response of Gov. El-Rufai go to check out various campaigns mounted against sex tourism by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the Universal Federation of Travel Agencies,” he stated.

Runsewe who is also President, Africa Region of World Craft Council, stated also that NCAC would be reviewing and reviving the campaign to promote true Nigerian cultural values.

He said this would be targeted at youths and the older generation to rid Nigeria of devil’s plan to destroy young persons and their future wellbeing.

“Our culture no doubt is under threat from all sides, but with what Gov. El Rufai has done in Kaduna State, I am convinced that we shall battle the demons of immoral living and enemies of  our cultures and traditions to a standstill,” he added. (NAN)

Power outage looms in Mararaba, environs – AEDC

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By Constance Athekame

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) says customers in parts of Mararaba in Nasarawa State and environs will experience power interruption between Jan. 3, and Jan. 6.

Mr Oyebode Fadipe,  AEDC’s Manager, Corporate Communications, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

“Our customers in the following areas under Mararaba: Aso Pada, Mararaba Guruku, Aku Village, Kabayi, part of Abacha road towards Sharp corner, Orange market, Abbatoir.

“Others include Tudun Wada,  NIMCO Qtrs, Abacha Road, GT Bank, Polaris Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Boundary Road, Custom Qtrs 1&3, overhead tank and environs.

“They are hereby informed that power supply to their homes and offices will be intermittently interrupted from today, Jan. 3, to Jan. 6, 2020,” he said.

According to him, the interruption is to allow AEDC’s technical team replace the entire breaker panels at the 2X15 Mega Volt Ampree (MVA), 33/11 Kilo Volt (KV) Inj. S/S J22 in Mararaba.

The AEDC appealed for the patience and understanding of consumers in the aforementioned areas.

He, however, assured the customers that the maintenance exercise was aimed at improving the quality of AEDC services to them.

“We are available to assist with enquiries through any of our contact channels. “he said. (NAN)

Police arrest 18 suspects over riot in Zamfara

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By Ishaq Zaki

The police command in Zamfara has arrested 18 suspects over a riot, leading to destruction of property including the Emir of Shinkafi’s palace.

This is contained in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, SP Muhammad Shehu on Sunday in Gusau.

“Youths carrying dane guns, cutlasses and sticks destroyed the Emir of Shinkafi’s palace and two other houses in Shinkafi town.

“A joint police and military team quickly responded and dispersed the protesters to avoid break down of law and order and possible loss of lives and property.

“The 18 suspects arrested are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation.

“The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Abutu Yaro has directed the state CID to commence a discreet investigation into the unlawful protest with a view to unravel the circumstances behind the dastardly act,” Shehu said.

Yaro cautioned parents and guardians to always monitor their children to prevent them from getting involved in criminal acts.

Balogun market shifts resumption to Jan. 11 for security reasons – Official

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By Uchenna Eletuo

The Caretaker Management Committee of Balogun market,  Lagos Trade Fair Complex, has shifted its resumption, earlier scheduled for  Jan. 4, to Jan. 11, for  security reasons, the Secretary of the committee, Mr Leonard Ogbonnia  has said.

Ogbonnia said in a statement on Sunday, in Lagos, that it would be risky to reopen the market, earlier closed on Dec. 24 for the Christmas holidays, on the stated date because of the security situation in the market.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the committee, led by Mr  Anslem Dunu,  was inaugurated to manage the affairs of the multi-billion-Naira market for three months; pending an election that would usher in new executives.

Ogbonnia noted that reopening the complex, as earlier scheduled, may endanger the lives and property of members, and hence the shift in dates.

“Regrettably, I wish to inform us that the security reports reaching the office of the caretaker committee on daily basis is threatening,  alarming and unpalatable to the original plans to reopen on Jan. 4, 2021.

“Obviously, non-opening of other neighbouring markets within the trade fair complex until Jan. 11, will  equally add to security porosity  of our own complex, if opened.

“The committee having weighed all options, merits and demerits,  therefore, came to a decision to reopen the market on Jan. 11, to enable it address the lurking dangers.

“We passionately regret all inconveniences this change may cause some individuals and humbly appeal to such individuals to also consider the importance of taking preventive security measures,” he said.

He said that the committee wished to reassure  the market community of its readiness to serve, and make the place better for business to thrive.

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