NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Muslim cleric lauds NDLEA for curtailing drug abuse

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

Chief Imam of Nurul Yaqeen Jumma’at Mosque Life Camp, Abuja, Yahya Al-Yolawi, has commended National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its tireless efforts toward curtailing drug abuse in the country.

Al-Yolawi gave the commendation while delivering his Jumma’at sermon entitled: “The Effects of Intoxicants and Drug Abuse: Special Prayer for NDLEA,” on Friday in Abuja.

The Muslim cleric said that since the assumption of office of the NDLEA boss, Retired Gen. Buba Marwa, the country had witnessed a drastic reduction in the incidence of drug and other substances’ abuse.

He stressed the need for religious bodies to champion the fight against drug abuse and its devastating effects on individuals, families and the society.

“ I will like to use this medium to pray for the entire NDLEA family and their boss, Buba Marwa, for his tireless efforts toward eradicating drug abuse in the country.

“May Allah strengthen him and his formidable team, empower, guide and protect them throughout the period of their noble assignment,’’ the cleric said.

According to him, Islam provides clear direction for every aspect of life, adding that protection of mind and mental ability of individuals is one of the five fundamental objectives of Islam.

Al-Yolawi said further stated that Allah prohibits alcohol and intoxicants for Muslim believers.

“Therefore, anything that affects and covers the mind and intellectual faculty of someone is regarded to be haram. Thus, use of alcohol and other drugs abuse is considered a major sin in Islam.

“Muslims are required to stay away from alcohol, as it is considered the mother of all evils.

The Muslims of today, especially the youth, are facing many problems and temptations that were not there before,’’ he said.

Al-Yolawi said advised the Muslim community to provide alternative forms of recreation for the youth, which could be community centres, sports and youth camps, where the youth can socialise in an Islamic environment.

The cleric also enjoined the Muslim community to encourage youths who were addicted to drug to turn to Islam.

According to him, there are many examples of heavily addicted Muslim youths, who have been rehabilitated by turning to Islam.

“Today, they are totally devoted to Islam. Allah accepts sincere repentance when one intends to give up the way of the devil and rather follow the straight path.

“Mothers have a very important role to play in the upbringing of their children. The whole community must work actively to rid the society of drugs.

“Only a mother knows the pain and sorrow of seeing her beloved child being a slave to the evils of drugs. Drugs destroy the dreams of every mother.

“We all have a responsibility to look after our youth and protect them from the dangers of social vices. Guard our youths and our future,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and ‘Wale Sadeeq

NRC pledges support to security agencies

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By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Jan. 19, 2023 (NAN) The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it will continue to support security agencies towards improving efforts at protecting its facilities and safety of passengers.
The Deputy Director, Public Relations of NRC, Malam Mahmod Yakubu, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos, on Thursday.
He said that the Board and Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had confirmed that the persons abducted at the Chief Tom Ikimi Railway Station, Edo, had all regained freedom.
Yakubu recalled that the attack took place on Jan. 7, 2023, at Chief Tom Ikimi Railway Station Ekekhen in Igueben, Edo State and said all abducted passengers had been released to their families.
He said that the feat was highly commendable, as none of the victims was hurt or injured during their period of captivity and release.
“At this point, the NRC Board and Management highly appreciate the role, patience and cooperation of the families of the victims.
“We also wish to express our appreciation to the security agencies, State Government and all those who contributed in one way or the other towards the release of the harmless and innocent citizens for their efforts.
“This dastardly and wanton act of kidnapping innocent and law-abiding Nigerians is a display of cowardice that must be condemned and not to be tolerated in any guise as all hands must be on deck to ensure the Security of life and property of all Nigerians.
“The NRC Management enjoins all communities residing along the Railway corridors to be security conscious by reporting any suspicious movement that is likely to cause breach of peace within their locality, to the nearest security agency or their community vigilante for quick intervention, as this is the surest way and means.
“Reporting to security agencies will help in keeping our society safe and protecting the Federal Government’s critical infrastructure constructed in their community for their socio-economic and other benefits,” Yakubu said.(NAN).
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAHCON, IDB deepen economic cooperation

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and officials of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) have agreed to deepen the economic cooperation between the two organisations.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, made the disclosure in a statement issued by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Hassan, during a meeting at the headquarters of the IDB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, stressed the need
for support and intervention of the bank in the areas of employment of Nigerians into the organisation.

The NAHCON boss also solicited the support of the bank to provide opportunities for Nigerians in seasonal slaughtering job, capacity-building, facilitation of the the take off of the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN ) and the supply of medical equipment to the Clinics.

“Nigeria as one of the Muslims populated country, we require your support in poverty reduction efforts.

” Specifically, we want your intervention in the employment of Nigerians into the seasonal livestock slaughtering during the Hajj and the distribution of Hajj meat to Nigerians in the same way.

” We also need your assistance in capacity building of our staffers and supply of instructional as well as medical equipment for the Hajj Institute of Nigeria (HIN) and Clinic,” he stated.

Responding, the Deputy Coordinator General of the bank, Dr Umar Adiya, said that Nigeria had always been its partner and would be accorded a place of priority, adding that the commission’s request falls within the bank’s ambit.

He further stated the need to explore sustainable future of Hadaya project, if the bank must serve the purpose of its establishment.

Adiya said: ” If we must guarantee the future of Hadaya project, then NAHCON must strive to support and encourage pilgrims to participate and key into the scheme to sustain it.”

While acknowledging the existence of a “black market” as posing danger to the scheme, he said that the only way to win the fight against them was through education.

” The black market activities have been detrimental to the scheme, I know, but while they cannot be eliminated totally, education is the tool to fight them,” he declared. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited buy Bashir Rabe Mani

FEMA cautions against sale of petroleum products under high-tension wire

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has cautioned traders and residents of the territory against selling petroleum products like kerosene, diesel and engine oil under the high-tension wire.

The Director, Forecasting Response Mitigation of FEMA, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, issued the warning while sensitising traders and markers at Kubwa Village market on how to prevent fire outbreak, on Thursday in Abuja.

Wenegieme frowned at the return of people who were selling petroleum products in the market after the 2022 fire explosion which was caused by the people selling kerosene.

She said: “Today, we are in Kubwa market, you will recall that sometime ago there was a kerosene explosion in this Kubwa village market and to be specific at this location.

“This is a location where a lady was selling kerosene and another woman was frying bean cake (Akara) and there was an explosion and we were involved in the rescue operation.

“Since, then we used to come here to carry out sensitisation to talk to them and advise them on the dos and don’ts in terms of disasters of different kinds.”

She explained that during the dry season, the agency discouraged traders from selling petroleum products in different locations because such products are supposed to be sold only at the filling station.

“But if you look around you will see people selling petroleum products like kerosene, diesel, engine oil, under the high-tension wire.

“Looking in front of us we have a generator mechanic and somebody selling kerosene right beside a transformer and under the high-tension wire.

“That is why the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, the Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary of FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola and the Director-General of FEMA, Abbas Idriss, directed us to come out immediately to advice the residents on how to mitigate the incidence of fire outbreak in the territory’’.

Wenegieme assured that the agency would continue to intensify efforts to rid the territory of all kinds of disasters with a view to saviing lives and properties.

The director said: “What we are doing here is a continuation of the dry season sensitisation which we started in Nov. 2022.

“We have been moving from one market to another to enlighten traders on how they can prevent fire outbreaks in the markets.”

She, however, commended the market management for the provision of fire extinguishers in various locations in the market and urged the FCT Fire Service to carry out comprehensive checks on the market.

Earlier, the Divisional Fire Officer, Kubwa Division, Uwadoneh Idorenyi, emphasised the need for traders and the FCT residents to avoid all risk factors associated with fire outbreak.

She also advised residents to have a fire blankets in their kitchens, avoid storing petroleum products at homes and switch off all electrical appliances whenever they were going out.

“And in case of a fire outbreak and you don’t have a fire extinguisher, everybody should leave the market or house and immediately call toll free number 112,” Wenegieme said. (NAN) (www.nannews,ng(

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Bashir Rabe Mani

Lauretta Onochie pledges to improve credibility, quality of NDDC’s project

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

Ms Lauretta Onochie, the Chairman, Governing Board, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has pledged to improve the credibility and quality of its projects.

Onochie spoke at a ceremony to celebrate her recent appointment organised by the Buhari Support Organisations (BSO), on Tuesday in Abuja.

She declared: ”The days of portfolio contractors and splitting contracts have ended,” adding that the commission under her watch was going to get the best contractors to do the best projects for the people of Niger Delta.

Onochie, who decried that NDDC had in the past became a cash cow for the elites in the Niger Delta Region and beyond, vowed, ”it is not going to be the same anymore.

She said: ”Although it is going to be a difficult task, President Muhammadu Buhari has made my appointment into NDDC easier.

”This is because he had ordered a forensic audit, and from the result, Nigerians were angered when they saw the quantum of evidence that was presented during the audit.

” We are not going to be looking at the forensic audit as a board, but we are going to do things differently.

“I’m very lucky to be a disciple of President Muhammadu Buhari, who everybody knows that he is an incorruptible leader, as he is a man that abhors corruption.”

Onochie said that Buhari the way Buhari was running the country since 2015 had shown everyone that he means business when it comes to tackling corruption.

She said: “We are going to stand with our people, as our youth are going to benefit massively, and the NDDC staffers that have been long suffering in the region are going to have a new leaf of life.

” They are going to be retrained, rehire some of them as technical aides rather than looking elsewhere. We are just going to do things totally different.”

She said that NDDC would train the youth and equip them with the requisite skills, so that they are able to get their own businesses started, and become employers of labour.

Earlier, the Chairman, BSO Coordinators Forum, Umar Shuaibu, who described Onochie as an incorruptible person that has been tested and trusted, expressed optimism that she was going to be the game changer in the Niger Delta region.

Shuaibu, who is also Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), said: “We know that a new Sheriff is now in town, God willing, it is not going to be business as usual in the area.

He said: “Our advice to her is to always stand strong, and affirm that belief and incorruptible nature of her to make sure that the right thing is done and we have confidence that the right will be done in the NDDC.

” The Buhari Support Organisations will make sure the legacy of President Buhari’s administration is sustained.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

NAHCON officials arrive in Saudi Arabia to sign MoU on 2023 Hajj

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON’s delegation has arrived in Saudi Arabia for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a pre- agreement document stating the guidelines for the 2023 Hajj.

The commission’s Assistant Director of Information and Publications, Mousa Ubandawaki, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He explained that the delegation, which had the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubair Dada, as the head, also included Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa, Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Abubakar Nalaraba, Chairman, House Committee on Pilgrimage.

He said others were the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, some board members of the commission, stakeholders and staff.

Ubandawaki said that the signing of the MoU would signal the commencement of operational activities for the 2023 Hajj.

He said that the commission was leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the 2023 Hajj operation was more successful.

He stated that in its attempt to ensure complete success of the 2023 Hajj operation, the commission was carrying along all the stakeholders for synergy and effective service delivery.

” The commission is appealing to all stakeholders and the general public for cooperation, useful advice and objective criticism that will aid in achieving more successful hajj operation.”

He said the itinerary of the NAHCON team in Saudi Arabia during the visit included attending an exhibition on Hajj and Umrah and meeting with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

” Also, the team will hold series of meetings with Mutawif Company for Africa Non-Arab Countries, Adillah Establishment in Madinah, Deputy Minister of Hajj for Umrah and Ziyarah, Madinah and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Pilgrims’ E-track system Department.

” Similarly, the team will meet with General Cars Syndicate, the United Agents Office, the Islamic Development Bank, the Executives of the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, the representatives of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria and others. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

2022 Floods affected 24,714 persons in FCT – Agency

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency says flood affected about 24,713 inhabitants in three of the six area councils of the FCT in 2022.

Its Director-General, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, stated on Sunday in Abuja that the floods also damaged 131 structures.

He said those affected in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) numbered 20,376; those in Bwari Area Council numbered 2,058 while 2,279 persons were affected in Abaji Area Council.

“The floods also resulted in the displacement of 2,972 persons in AMAC where 102 houses were damaged, while a total of 9,813 lives were saved.

“In Bwari Area Council, 343 households were displaced, six houses damaged and 41 lives saved. No life was lost to the floods.

“In Abaji Area Council, 380 persons were displaced, 23 houses damaged and 272 lives saved.

“In AMAC, 6,876 persons were affected in the first flood at Ebano Hudu Road by Damagaza River, Efab Estate, Lokogoma, Apo Dutsen Expressway, Carters Court, Apo and Trademore Estate, Lugbe,’’ he stated.

Idriss added that 15 road crashes were recorded but resolved in conjunction with relevant agencies.

“We responded to 15 incidents of road crashes, 10 fire incidents and the case of a collapsed building in Kubwa where five persons were rescued and two seriously injured.

“No life was lost in the incident,’’ he stated. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Alli Hakeem

FEMA seeks establishment of safety commission, floats emergency marshal

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on Wednesday in Abuja called for the establishment of a Safety Commission to regulate activities of gas stations.

According to him, the initiative is with a view to curbing fire explosions in the territory.

The Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Abbas Idriss, made the call while briefing newsmen on the activities of the organisation in 2022 and its plans for 2023.

Idris observed that most gas stations and outlets in the nation’s capital didn’t have well trained staffers that attended to customers professionally whenever they went to refill their cylinders.

” Every gas station is supposed to have a protective gear for customers to use within their vicinity to protect themselves.

“Gas selling outlets in the filling stations are supposed to have a wall demarcating them with the filling station, but it is not the situation.

” So, if we need to have a safety commission regulated by the FCT Administration to ensure that they train the workers of those stations and make sure that they do the right thing.

” If not, we will continue to have fire explosions that are going to cause much harvoc in the FCT and we have written to the administration to the proposed establish safety commission,” he said.

The D-G said that the agency had concluded plans to introduce Emergency Marshals to work in different communities across the six Area Councils to curb hazards.

This, he stated, was a measure enunciated to help in managing the adverse effects of the rapid growing population in the nation’s capital.

Idriss disclosed that the agency had carried out hazards mappings in Abuja, identifying areas where urgent attention was required.

He explained that the decision to introduce Emergency Marshals was based on the need to increase Idriss said; saving interventions and also mitigate hazards.

According to him, the Marshals will complement the efforts of volunteers who have played key roles in the agency’s activities.

Idriss said: ” We intend to introduce emergency Marshals this year. These are volunteers who assist students, hospital workers, PWDs, and the general public during emergencies.

” They also assist in facility services, Risk Management and Safety Services by reporting conditions in a building that could present a hazard during an emergency.

” They also maintain an orderly evacuation; conduct a sweep of an area to ensure that evacuation is complete.”

He also stated that the Marshals were expected to participate in debriefings resulting from evacuation and complete a monthly checklist for fire safety issues in their areas.

” The FCT has become a standard in flood control in the country. This is because of a drastic reduction in the impact of flooding.

“We attribute this development to early warning and massive sensitisation on what to do before the rains,
during the rains and after the rains.

” We have also issued early warning in line with the impact- based seasonal climate prediction by NIMET, and the annual flood outlook issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Agency,” he said.

Idriss also said that in 2022, FEMA responded to 42 distress calls on the 112 emergency toll free numbers.

” This shows a marked reduction to
2021 where we had 173 distress calls, I want to attribute this reduction to the massive sensitization of residents.

” In 2022, 270 lives were rescued from various flood incidents received from 16 distress calls
through the 112 emergency toll free number,” he said.

The D-G reassured the FCT residents on the commitment of the agency to the protection of lives and property following reduction of response time from five minutes to three minutes. ( NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Josephine Obute/Bashir Rabe Mani

IDPs camp demolition : ActionAid tasks FG, FCTA on provision of shelter, amenities

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By Angela Atabo

An NGO, ActionAid Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government and Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide amenities for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Durumi in the FCT.

Country Director of ActionAid, Ene Obi ,made the call at a news briefing at the camp on Monday in Abuja.

The director, who went round the camp to observe the impact of the demolition exercise by the FCTA described it as “unfortunate”.

She said: “The demolition was unexpected and had resulted in shock and trauma for the IDPs.

” Nearly 70 per cent of the IDPs are women, children and elderly persons. They are now suffering from the impact of the demolition.

“This is surprising, because, the camp had the recognition and support of the Federal Government, it’s officials, INGO, FCTA and other organisations and individuals.”

Obi said the various authorities had supported and built infrastructure in the camp such as a health facility, primary school, a block of toilets and boreholes among others.

The country director further said that the camp had over 3000 individuals from 330 households.

She said: “If the Federal Government recognised the IDP camp, then it is pertinent to ask what changed their stance, leading to its demolition just few days before the Christmas?” Obi asked.

According to Obi, the leadership of the camp, in collaboration with the different security agencies had helped to checkmate criminal activities within its vicinities.

She said her interaction with the IDPs indicated that the demolition took place without any form of notice to the IDP or option of relocation or resettlement.

“Some weeks ago, the Federal Commissioner in charge of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, visited the camp,” she said.

Obi stated that they had then discussed with the IDPs on the possible relocation, but did not fix time before the demolition exercise took place.

According to her, the IDPs cannot currently go back to their various homes as some of them are still under attack by the insurgents.

Obi said: “Women and children are currently sleeping in open places without mats or blankets.

“Starvation and hunger now prevail in the camp, due to loss of their stored foodstuffs and cooking utensils, because of the unexpected demolition.

“Different families have to take turns in using one pot to cook.

“There is an urgent need for psychosocial and health support for traumatised IDPs whose belongings are now exposed to theft.

Obi further said that ActionAid was deeply concerned by the plight of the IDPs and as always, would stand in solidarity with them.

“Today, we will be providing these IDPs with food, non food items and dignity kits.

“We are also appealing to donor and corporate organisations to support the IDPs to be self sustaining through the provision of economic empowerment.

“We, hereby reiterate that the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and FCTA should consider as a matter of urgency the establishment of an organised camp to resettle the IDPs.

“They should also support them with the construction of shelter and basic infrastructure like school, health centre, toilets and water facilities.

Also speaking , the Chairman of the camp, Mr Ibrahim Ahmadu called on the Federal Government and FCTA to dialogue with the leadership of the camp to fashion out a way of addressing all the issues raised by the authorities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ActionAid Nigeria distributed relief items to the women including N10,000 each to over 100 women in the camp. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Bashir Rabe Mani

2023: Minister donates delivery kits to 120 newborn babies, mothers in FCT

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu has donated delivery kits and baby items to 120 mothers of newborn babies in selected Primary Health Care Centres across the six Area Councils of the territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PHC facilities included those in Aleyita, in Abuja Municipal Area Council, Dutse Alhaji in Bwari and Township Clinic in Gwagwalada Area Council.

Others were those in Township Clinic, in Kwali Area Council, Kuje Comprehensive Health Centre in Kuje Area Council and Township Clinic in Abaji Area Council.

Similarly, the minister gave a token of an undisclosed amount of cash to some nursing mothers.

Presenting the items to the beneficiaries at Kuje Comprehensive Healthcare Centre, Aliyu described the successful delivery recorded in various primary healthcare centres as a bundle of joy.

She prayed that joy would continue to radiate in the Federal Capital Territory in 2023 and beyond.

Represented by the Director of Administration and Finance, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Justina Pawa, Aliyu tasked mothers on early training of their children, saying that children were invaluable divine gifts from God.

She called on mothers to accept all vaccines being given during government approved immunisation campaigns.

The minister enjoined mothers to ensure that their babies completed the routine immunisation before the age of two.

She also emphasised the need for them to take care of themselves, attend post natal clinics and continue to take their routine medicines.

She said: ”On my part, I will continue to identify with you and share in your joy. Since I came to office in 2019, I have continued to implement and support a myriad of initiatives.

”They are aimed at improving the health of mothers and children particularly towards reducing maternal and child deaths from preventable causes.”

The minister revealed that she had empowered many women to contribute meaningfully to the upkeep of themselves and their families.

“I will also encourage you to always contribute to the growth of the family in particular and community at large.

” All babies born today are welcome and I pray to God to continue to grant mothers and babies good health, while the fathers continue to have the means to support their families,” Aliyu stated.

Earlier, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ibrahim Kudirat, who delivered a baby boy at 12:01am on Sunday in Kuje Comprehensive Health Centre thanked the minister for the kind gesture.

She said that the items and cash donation would assist mothers at this early stage of delivery.

Other beneficiaries were: Mrs Mary Olayinka, who delivered at 12:40am, at the Dutse Makaranta primary healthcare centre in Bwari Area Council, while Mrs. Idoko Christina, delivered a baby girl at 1:52am, amongst other deliveries.

NAN reports that the high point of the event was the presentation of food items to FCT Minister of State by the community Head of Aleyita in appreciation of her efforts in boosting community health. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

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