NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Heavy downpour claims 31-year old motorcyclist in Abuja – FEMA
Metro

Heavy downpour claims 31-year old motorcyclist in Abuja – FEMA

207 total views today

By Philip Yatai

A heavy downpour on Friday evening claimed the life of a 31-year old motorcyclist identified as Yakubu Lucky, at Dogon Gada in Lokogoma District of the FCT, Abuja.

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which confirmed the incident in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said the deceased defied warnings, drove into a pool of water and drowned.

The statement, signed by FEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Nkechi Isa, said that the deceased defied warnings from the local divers stationed in the area by FEMA.

It added that the deceased also navigated through the barricade placed by the agency to stop residents from going through the flooding water.

The statement added that the Search and Rescue Team of FEMA, led by Mrs Florence Wenegieme, the Director, Forecasting Response and Mitigation, recovered the body of the deceased on Saturday.

It further said that the body was deposited at the Asokoro District Hospital where a doctor confirmed him dead.

“The family of the deceased who hailed from Zango Kataf, Kaduna State, has since taken his body away for burial,” the statement added.

Reacting to the development, the acting Director-General of FEMA, Mr Mohammed Sabo, appealed to residents to always heed to the warnings issued by the agency.

Sani said that the FEMA always places a barricade at Dogon Gada during heavy downpours.

He urged residents not to drive into a pool of water but should wait for it to recede or seek an alternative route.

Sabo commiserated with the family of the deceased and called on residents to always use the 112 emergency toll-free number in the event of a disaster or emergency. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Wife of defence chief tasks soldiers’ wives on regular physical exercise
Defence/Security

Wife of defence chief tasks soldiers’ wives on regular physical exercise

500 total views today

 

DEPOWA unveils Sports kits/Track Suit for members

 

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Oghogho Musa, has advised wives of officers and men of the armed forces to engage in regular physical exercises for healthy living.

The wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, made the call at the DEPOWA’s Route March/Aerobics Exercise to mark Cancer Awareness Month on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the association had on Wednesday, commenced a 3-Day Medical Outreach as part of activities to mark the cervical cancer awareness campaign in the barracks.

DEPOWA kick-started the outreach with donation of medical equipment to the Defence Headquarters Medical Centre and health talk on cervical cancer awareness at Mogadishu Cantonment.

The association also held awareness talk with over 250 school girls on personal hygiene and  Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine as well free cervical cancer test for 200 women and climaxed it with the exercise on Saturday.

Addressing women from all the services and police associations, Musa said the exercise marked the commencement of Bi-weekly DEPOWA walk that would be hosted by the various officers wives associations across barracks.

She said the move was to help boost the health of the women to be able to stay healthy to take care of the home front in the absence of their husbands who are always at the battle fields in defence of the nation.

“We have agreed that bi-monthly, we are going to continue this walk and want to let you know that today we have already done over 6000 steps and so by the end of the day, you would have done over 10,000 and that is the minimum.

“We must be able to do 10,000 steps each day so that will be free from all forms of diseases with God helping us.

“Also I want to use this medium to also unveil our DEPOWA tracksuit.

“This is one of our uniforms because we love exercising, we want to live healthy as ladies so that it will enable us take care of ourselves, take care of the children, take care of our husbands, take care of our families, take care of the home front.

“Please let us continue in this routine exercise. It is very important for every one of us,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Stakeholders, Media meet on Diphtheria Outbreak Response in Nigeria
Health

Stakeholders, Media meet on Diphtheria Outbreak Response in Nigeria

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By Abujah Racheal

The Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has convened a Media Orientation Meeting on Diphtheria Outbreak Response in the country.

The meeting was in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC),

The one-day workshop, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and held on Friday in Abuja, drew journalists and communication personnel from across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was aimed at improving the media’s knowledge of Diphtheria, helping them understand their roles and responsibilities, and identifying key areas to support the ongoing Outbreak Response in the country.

In his opening remarks, Dr Faisal Shuaib of the NPHCDA, commended and appreciated the efforts of both National and State Media Stations in promoting health programmes, especially the ongoing Diphtheria Outbreak Response in their respective states.

Shuaib, who was represented by the Acting Director of Advocacy and Communication at the Agency, Mrs Aisha Tukur, emphasised that the Federal Government and Development Partners recognized the media’s vital role in nation-building.

He underscored government’s reliance on the media to create awareness and sensitize Nigerians on Diphtheria and other Primary Health Care services in the country.

Shuaib also commended NCDC and Development Partners for co-facilitating the Media Orientation Meeting with NPHCDA and expressed the hope that the partnership would continue beyond the Diphtheria Outbreak Response.

In her goodwill message, Margaret Soyemi, Head of Social and Behavioral Change Communication at UNICEF, who spoke on behalf of partners, praised the efforts of NPHCDA and NCDC for facilitating the workshop.

Soyemi thanked the media stakeholders for their continuous support and commitment to creating awareness and sensitizing the public on health programmes, especially Diphtheria, at national and subnational levels.

NAN reports that  participants from NPHCDA, NCDC, FMoH, Federal Ministry of Information (FMol), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and NAN attended the meeting.

Additionally, representatives from national and state media (broadcast and print) from the seven priority states (Bauchi, Borno, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and Yobe) were present, as were Development Partners, including UNICEF, BA-N, Red Cross, WHO, ICAP, and others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

AMCE on track to providing world class medical care – Oramah
Health

AMCE on track to providing world class medical care – Oramah

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The Board of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE Abuja) says the project is on track to successfully accomplish its mission of providing world class medical care.

The AMCE will also conduct innovative and groundbreaking research, facilitate development initiatives, and offer educational programmes in collaboration with esteemed international organisations

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), made the assertion during the  inaugural board meeting of AMCE in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AMCE Abuja,  a landmark and visionary initiative by  Afreximbank, entails the implementation and operationalisation of a 500-bed quaternary level medical facility.

The AMCE will offer a wide range of services and specialisations including oncology, cardiology, hematology, and general care capabilities.

It will also provide a full range of medical services, including diagnostics, treatment, nuclear medicine, surgery and post-surgical care.

It will operate in collaboration with the Kings College Hospital, London (KCH), leveraging KCH’s diagnostic, clinical and capacity building expertise to become a world class healthcare institution.

Through establishing both international and Pan-African partnerships, AMCE Abuja will ultimately become a prominent global reference and a leading destination for medical tourism in the region.

At the inaugural board meeting of the AMCE Abuja, the Board endorsed the appointment of Oramah as its Chairman and appointed Mr Amr Kamel as his alternate.

The appointment of  Oramah reflects his significant contributions to and vision for the project, as well as his exemplary leadership qualities, which have led Afreximbank to remarkable growth.

Other members of the AMCE Abuja Board include Prof. Ghulam Mufti, Prof. Adedayo Onitilo, Dr Anwar Alhaq, Mr Emmanuel Assiak, Mr Brain Deaver and Dr Zahoor Khan.

Dr Aisha Umar; His Excellency, Namadi Sambo; Mr Amr Kamel, Ms Oluranti Doherty, Mr Olusola Babalola, and Dr Gloria Rowland are also members.

Speaking, Oramah said: “ I am delighted to chair this first meeting of the AMCE Board.

“This project is of great significance to our continent.

“With Africans being among the largest importers of medical services globally due to a lack of modern, affordable, and well-equipped medical facilities, technologies and personnel on the continent who especially deal with lifestyle diseases.

“This facility, with an initial capital investment of nearly USD 300 million, is by far, the single largest private healthcare investment both in Nigeria and on the continent.

“It will be the first of many facilities being considered across Africa and will serve as the headquarters for AMCE on the continent.”

At the meeting, the board also approved the proposal of the AMCE executives to organise a medical conference in the first quarter of 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The conference will serve as a unique platform for African leaders, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to exchange insights, discuss challenges, and explore opportunities in the realms of medical and scientific fields.

This would be with the goal of increasing awareness and collaboration in the areas of research, innovation, and public health throughout the continent.

According to the board, the conference will align discussions and outcomes with the objectives of the African Union and the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), by supporting the healthcare goals outlined in “Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.”

Commenting, Brian Deaver, CEO of AMCE Abuja, said: “The AMCE initiative is a great step forward in addressing the continent’s healthcare needs.

“Its success will require strong leadership, commitment, and collaboration.

“The decisions taken at this first board meeting represent an integral step in ensuring that beyond these broad objectives, the AMCE can fulfil its mandate of delivering quality healthcare across Africa.

“And we are honored to have Professor Oramah as Chairman of the Board.”

NAN also reports that a significant focus of the AMCE Abuja will be  to perform innovative and ground-breaking research, development and educational programmes.

This will be in partnership with leading global institutions such as the KCH, the Christies Manchester and University of Wisconsin, USA, in order to develop additional insights into diseases and treatment trends to improve the quality of care available in Nigeria and the West African region.

The facility will also provide first-class medical equipment and infrastructure that include PET CT scans, Cyclotrons that will produce nuclear isotopes.

Also, Linear Accelerators for radiotherapy, chemotherapy suites, fully equipped modular theatres, HTR/ HDR machines, among many others which are currently not available in sub-Saharan Africa in order to deliver superior quality of diagnostic and specialty services.

With the initial capital outlay for the first phase of the AMCE Abuja at nearly 300 million US dollars, the facility is by far, the single largest private healthcare investment in Nigeria.

This investment is set to rise to 700 million US dollars upon completion of the second phase of the project.

The construction of AMCE Abuja started in 2022, and it is projected to be completed and inaugurated in 2025. (NAN)

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

NBBF congratulates MFM for winning Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball championship
Sports

NBBF congratulates MFM for winning Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball championship

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By Babatunde Ogunrinde

 

Musa Kida, the President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), on Saturday commended the Mountain Of Fire Miracles (MFN) Basketball Team for winning the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball Championship.          

MFM, who are new to the basketball scene, achieved double success in the 2023 callendar winning the Atlantic Conference championship and the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball Championship in Lagos.                                                        

They did it by edging three contenders like Air Warriors Basketball Club of Abuja, Nigeria Customs Basketball of Abuja and Bayelsa Blue Whales Basketball Club.                        

Kida told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the team had done well to win their first ever national championship. with so much competition.

He told NAN that their victory was a testament to hard work for the newly created club to come from behind and steal the show within few years of their establsihment.

`This is a great development, we say a big congratulations to the owners of MFM and their management team for giving the girls support to achieve this feat.

“However, we urge them not to relent in their efforts as the continental championships are around the corner.

“As winners of the Nigeria women’s elite Zenith Bank Basketball League, they have to leave up to expectations by going all out to make the nation proud,” Kida said.

The president also eulogised the sponsors, Zenith Bank, for yet again bankrolling women basketball in Nigeria.

He said most of the products of the competition had gone ahead to secure college scholarships, and gone ahead to play for international clubsides in Europe and the U.S.

He also added that majority of the players over the years formed the nucleus of players who represented Nigeria and won laurels at international FIBA championships. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

================

Lagos govt. demolishes illegal Banana Island structure, warns against unapproved dredging
General News , Metro

Lagos govt. demolishes illegal Banana Island structure, warns against unapproved dredging

332 total views today

 

By Grace Alegba

 

 The Lagos State government on Saturday demolished an illegal structure on Banana Island, constructed on an unauthorised reclaimed land that will obstruct drainage paths.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr Oluyinka Olumide, who led the exercise also ordered the demolition of illegal fences.

Olumide was accompanied by the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr Gbolahan Oki, who decried the rate at which property owners and developers disregarded building code, hence, the demolition to compel compliance.

LASBCA is an agency supervised by the ministry Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The commissioner warned against illegal reclamation of land in the state, saying individuals did not have the right to reclaim without requisite permission from the ministry charged with that responsibility.

He said land reclamation was an exclusive right of government, which usually carried out required tests through sand filling, adding that, residents should follow the processes for land acquisition to avoid prosecution.

Olumide said the demolished structure violated a suspension order issued by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu during his assessment visit to the site earlier in the year.

He said it was discovered then that the developer illegally dredged the river to reclaim the land without recourse to any approving authority.

The commissioner warned that indiscriminate dredging activity in the area must stop because it violated Planning Laws and impacts negatively on the state’s ecosystem.

“We need to stop people’s believe that they are above the law, once you have law, every body is supposed to be controlled by the law which is supposed to guide the society.

“Here, lawless activities are taking place whereby people are on thier own deliberately reclaiming land for the purpose of their own developments which is very bad.

“The power line was even made at the centre of the lagoon, the ceiling is almost reaching the power line which is not safe for human habitation,” he said.

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Mr Gbolahan Oki, said the construction site had been sealed three times but the developers broke government seal to continue working.

Oki said the developers did not have building plan approvals and did not have layout approvals.

He advised residents to always carry out the necessary checks and documentations by visiting the district offices across local governments to get the right information.

He advised residents to get Certificate of Occupancy and building plan approval or regularisation before moving to site.

“My duty is to remove anything illegal,” he said.

Oki said breaking the seals contravened the building code, adding that, illegal land reclamation activities would be punished.

He said all buildings involved in unapproved shoreline extensions along the Lagos Waterfront would be demolished and their developers prosecuted.

He urged all intending building owners to always ensure due diligence before construction, including obtaining the necessary documentations from relevant agencies of the government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

================

Nigeria’s young population a global asset, U.S. official says
Science & Tech

Nigeria’s young population a global asset, U.S. official says

308 total views today

 

 

 

 

By Funmilola Gboteku

Ms Joy Basu, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of United States, Bureau of African Affairs, has described Nigeria’s young population as an asset to Africa and the world at large.

Basu made the remark during a visit to Vibranium Valley Tech City to discuss about the African economy on Saturday in Lagos.

She said it was important for the world to know that the young talents in Nigeria were incredible.

According to Basu, not only is the population of Nigeria so young but filled with youths who are very smart.

“These young talents have a history of unlocking economic prosperity through creativity and innovations.

“They see challenges in diverse perspective and are ready to delve into it to find solutions,” Basu said.

She said the young talented population were not only needed to solve Nigeria’s problems, but also Africa and the world.

Basu explained that such young assets should not be left unrefined, stressing that opportunities should be created for them to thrive for economic growth and development.

She noted that the U.S government recognises the immense potential of Nigeria’s young population and would continue to provide support through investment, partnership and trainings.

“We will continue to partner with Nigeria and Africa to build a better world,” she said

Basu stressed that talent discovery and development needed to be taken seriously.

On bridging gender gap, she said the U.S government had been doing a lot to support women by ensuring they had equal opportunities.

Basu noted that the U.S government was not only supporting women through access to funding, but also by ensuring that it reaches those in the underserved communities.

Basu said bridging the gap had been a challenge for both the U.S and Nigeria, adding that several opportunities through innovative programmes had been provided for women, to ensure they had equal rights.

Speaking on what Vibranium Valley Tech City had done to bridge employment gap, Mr Bunmi Akinyemiju, the Chief Executive Officer Venture Garden Group, said a lot of money had been spent to groom 1,500 talents in Nigeria.

Akinyemiju said for job creation, they had also built about 22 companies from the scratch.

He added that Vibranium Valley Tech City had invested in about 65 companies through their venture capital arm.

Akinyemiju said he believed that the growing of Nigeria Gross Domestic Product and Africa had to do with building bridges, noting that the bridge was between Nigeria and America.

He also noted that the U.S consulate had been an incredible partner in driving some of their goals of building talents.

Also, Mr Debo Omololu, the Chief Executive Officer, GetFundedAfrica, a tech-enabled marketplace, said Nigeria and other countries in the continent were going to be the workforce in the future.

Omololu explained that Nigeria, which had one of the youngest population in the world with 60 per cent younger than 45, needed jobs.

He said that to provide solutions to some the job challenges, GetFundedAfrica had partnered the Federal Government and one of the banks to provide opportunities for young Nigerians.

Omololu explained that the company uses technology to help aspiring business owners, existing businesses, job seekers and working professionals.

Omololu noted that leveraging on their partnership, they were able to get a bank to provide financing of up to $50 million to train every single person that registered under their organisation.

He explained that asides learning skills they were also given certificates to help them get jobs easily. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Strengthening nutrition with Nestlé’s NIDO Milk & Soya
General News

Strengthening nutrition with Nestlé’s NIDO Milk & Soya

793 total views today

 

 

By Augusta Uchediunor and Vivian Ihechu

The development of human health is majorly dependent on nutrition.

Good nutrition, alongside other healthy lifestyle habits, supports average growth, development, and ageing.

It helps people maintain healthy body weight, boosts the immune system, makes pregnancies safer, increases mental alertness, and lowers the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases.

For over 62 years, Nestlé has been part of the daily nutrition of millions of households in Nigeria, with focus on improving the nutritional value of their products.

This is by consistently using its research and development capabilities to unlock the power of food to enhance the wellbeing of individuals and families.

Recently, in Nigeria, it introduced the latest addition to its nutrition portfolio, NIDO Milk & Soya Instant Powder Mix.

This innovative product combines the double goodness of milk and soya, fortified with iron to provide consumers with an affordable, delicious and nutritious creamy milk and plant-based complement for beverages and cereals.

Fortification, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is the practice of deliberately increasing the content of one or more micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, in a food or condiment to improve the nutritional quality of the food supply and provide a public health benefit with minimal risk to health.

The Nigeria food fortification programme aims at achieving public health goals – tackling “hidden hunger” or micronutrient deficiencies – which cause 10 per cent of global diseases, inhibit human development and perpetuate poverty and deprivation.

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) says preventable deficiencies of critical vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, D, iron, iodine, folic acid and zinc contribute globally to up to three million child deaths annually.

Micronutrient malnutrition has far-reaching effects on individuals and impedes the economic development of nations, hence Food Fortification becomes one of the most cost effective interventions for tackling micronutrient deficiencies globally.

The World Bank has calculated the return on investment in nutrition interventions as Twenty Five Naira to every Naira (N25:N1) with food fortification being one of the most cost effective interventions for tackling micronutrient deficiencies globally.

This is imperatives as it is estimated that nearly 25 million Nigerians are at risk of facing hunger between June and August 2023 if urgent action is not taken.

This is according to the October 2022 Cadre Harmonisé, a Government led and UN-supported food and nutrition analysis carried out twice a year.

And, this is a projected increase from the estimated 17 million people currently at risk of food insecurity, with factors including continued conflict, climate change, inflation and rising food prices as key drivers of this alarming trend.

In addition, the National Emergency Management Agency, says widespread flooding in the 2022 rainy season damaged more than 676,000 hectares of farmlands, which diminished harvests and increased the risk of food insecurity for families across the country.

The food security and nutrition situation across Nigeria is deeply concerning noted Mr Matthias Schmale, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, UNICEF

Hence the United Nations urges the Government of Nigeria, the donor community, and public and private stakeholders to urgently commit resources and implement mitigation measures to save lives and prevent a potentially catastrophic food security and nutrition situation.

According to Ifeanyi Orabuche, the Category & Marketing Manager, Dairy, Nestlé Nigeria,  NIDO Milk & Soya is Nestlé’s first affordable fortified dairy and plant blend in the Nigerian market.

This unique blend of filled milk and soya is a source of Iron and has other essential nutrients including Protein, Calcium, Vitamin C, and dietary fiber which supports digestion.

“NIDO Milk & Soya joins our portfolio of fortified products to help address the high rate of micronutrient deficiency, especially of Iron in the country.”

According to the Journal of Public Health in Africa, the prevalence of anemia among school age children in Nigeria is 71 per cent and among women, 47.3 per cent.

NIDO Milk & Soya Instant Powder Mix was developed by local experts in Nestlé’s R&D Center in Abidjan and is produced locally in Nigeria using 100 per cent locally sourced soya beans.

It is a result of Nestlé’s progress in product innovation and renovation to meet the growing consumer demand for affordable nutrition options that also create societal value.

“At Nestlé, our decisions are guided by our purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for future generations.

“With this new product, we are helping to sustain a steady source of revenue to improve the livelihoods of the local farmers who supply the soya beans used in the production of NIDO Milk & Soya.

“This launch is part of Nestlé Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to offering affordable, wholesome and nutritious options for consumers across the country.

“This is while providing long term benefits that are good for individuals and families, good for communities and good for the planet,” says Victoria Uwadoka, the Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability lead at Nestlé Nigeria.

Laurent Alsteens, Global  Category Head for Early Childhood Nutrition at Nestlé, said:  “We continue to expand our offerings with nutritious, tasty products that complement the everyday diet of children and their families.

“Through combining the goodness of dairy and plant ingredients, we can deliver a new flavour experience with nutritional benefits.”

The introduction of  NIDO Milk & Soya is yet one work by Nestlé, guided by a desire to contribute to nutritious and sustainable diets, to help protect, renew and restore natural resources, while helping  strengthen communities and to operate responsibly.

It is about  Creating Shared Value (CSV), which is at the heart of Nestlé’s purpose- to unlock the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

 

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Tribunal judgment: Rep. claims victory safeguards constituents’ mandate
Politics

Tribunal judgment: Rep. claims victory safeguards constituents’ mandate

266 total views today

By Muhammad Nasir

Rep. Sani Yakubu, (APC-Sokoto) has expressed satisfaction with the recent judgment from the State and National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal.

Yakubu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Saturday stated that the judgment had effectively protected the mandate of his constituents.

NAN reports that the tribunal on Thursday upheld Yakubu’s election as the duly elected member representing Gudu and Tangaza Federal Constituency.

The three-man tribunal panel, led by Justice Josephine Oyefeso, delivered the ruling, dismissing the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Musa Gidan-Madi, who contested the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate.

The tribunal cited the petitioners’ failure to substantiate their claims and also imposed a fine of N200,000 on them.

Yakubu expressed gratitude to the Almighty Allah for his success at the tribunal, pointing out that the 2023 election in his constituency stood out as one of the best nationwide, truly reflecting the will of the voters.

“ In the general election, I achieved a historic margin, the first of its kind since the return of democracy in 1999 in our constituency. Unfortunately, it was initially declared inconclusive.

“ However, after a second round of counting, I was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“So, the tribunal Judgement not only reaffirmed my victory but also ensured the protection of the electorate’s mandate,” he said.

Regarding the potential appeal of the judgment by the PDP and its candidate, the lawmaker emphasised that it was a democratic norm for dissatisfied parties to seek clarification through the Courts.

“Therefore, I want to assure you that I am confident in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice,” Yakubu declared.

He also highlighted some of his accomplishments within his first 100 days, including presenting a motion to address the security challenges in his constituency, which has been one of the most affected areas by security issues in the state.

“ As a seasoned legislator who started in the State Assembly, my constituents are well aware of my capabilities, which is why they elected me to the National Assembly.

“ In my first 100 days, I successfully provided solar lighting to eight villages, and I am committed to sustaining such initiatives.”

Yakubu revealed that he had secured food stuffs, building materials, and fertilizer for distribution to his constituents to ease the challenges resulting from the fuel subsidy removal in the country.

He extended his gratitude to his constituents for their unwavering support and appealed to them to continue praying for their leaders to achieve a prosperous future for the nation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Delta community threatens legal action over exclusion from  trust fund
General News

Delta community threatens legal action over exclusion from  trust fund

173 total views today
By Taiye Agbaje
 An oil producing community, Aja-Omaetan in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta has threatened to sue Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL)  if it is excluded from the oil giant’s planned Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF).
The community, therefore, urged the authorities of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to prevail on the oil company.
Aja-Omaetan made this known in protest letters and pre-action notices written on its behalf by their lawyer, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-Geoege, SAN, to Chevron and the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of NMDPRA and NUPRC and copies made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the community is  claiming that Chevron plans to excluded it from the list of beneficiaries of the planned trust fund owing to past disputes over oil spillages.
While arguing that the NMDPRA and NUPRC, as regulators, have the duty to ensure that operators in the oil industry comply with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the Aja-Omaetan community also threatened to join both agencies in the suit if they fail to prevail on Chevron.
One of the letters reads: “Our client is one of the communities accommodating the Crude Oil and Gas Pipelines of Chevron Nigeria Limited in Dibi field, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State and has been host to Chevron Nigeria Limited facilities for years without any benefits from Chevron Nigeria Limited.
“On July 14,  2011 our client obtained a judgment from the Delta High Court in Suit No: W/105/2010 (copy herewith attached) against the Governor of Delta State, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and one other, wherein the status of Aja-Omaetan Community as an oil producing community was firmly established beyond any equivocation.
“The Delta State Government and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) among others, have since complied with the court order/judgment by recognising and according our client all privileges and rights as an oil producing community.
“Our client is aware that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Chevron Nigeria Limited are currently at the verge of establishing the ‘Warri Kingdom Onshore Host Communities Development Trust’ as required under the Petroleum Industry Act No. 6, 2021.
“However, our client’s findings show that it has been maliciously excluded from the list of qualified and entitled communities in Dibi Field in an attempt to punish her because our client took Chevron Nigeria Limited to court over crude Oil spillages.
“Our client has written to Chevron Nigeria Limited to no avail, hence this complaint to the authority (NMDPRA).(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Sadiya Hamza
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