NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Education

Kano Govt establishes special schools for Borno’s IDPs

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By Abbas Bamalli

Kano State Government says it has established special Primary and Secondary Schools for over 200 Internally Displaced Children brought from Borno.

Mr Muhammad Sanusi-Kiru, the State Commissioner for Education, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Kano.

He said that the government had initially established only primary and junior secondary school, but later expanded to senior secondary.

Sanusi-Kiru said the decision to expand it was to ensure that the children, who are mostly orphans, did not stop at the junior level, but also obtained their senior secondary school certificate.

“We are doing everything possible to give them quality education and that they should also participate in building the country in future.

“Kano State Government is not only sponsoring their secondary school education, but we are going to sponsor them up to higher institutions.’’

According to the commissioner, with the recent declaration of free and compulsory primary to secondary school education in the state.

He added that the number of enrolment has increased.

“Before, we have more than 1.2 million children in our primary schools, but with this development, our data shows that we have 1.9 million children in school,’’ he said. (NAN)

Foreign

Finland confirms first adverse reaction to COVID-19 vaccine

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The Finnish Medicines Agency says it has received the first report of an adverse reaction to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against coronavirus.

This is coming one week after Europe started its mass immunisation campaign.

The Finnish YLE broadcaster reported on Saturday, quoting the agency’s Chief Physician, Maija Kaukonen, as saying, “when there are at least five such reports, we will put information on our website about the type of reactions that have occurred’’.

Kaukonen told the broadcaster that no further details could be disclosed due to patient confidentiality.

At the same time, Kaukonen noted that reports of allergic or adverse reactions were likely to increase.

The EU member states launched the bloc-wide vaccination programme on Dec. 27, 2020.

This is a day after member states began receiving their first shipments of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine following the European Commission’s authorisation.

So far, COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to healthcare workers in Finland’s five largest hospital districts of Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Kuopio and Oulu, according to YLE. (ANI/Sputnik/NAN)

General News

Lagos residents optimistic of 2021

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By Mariam Akande

Some Lagos residents, on Saturday, expressed optimism that 2021 would be a better year for them and the nation.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that the previous year fell short of their expectations, with the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Adekunle Brown, a Lawyer, said he started a digital marketing business last year and was hopeful for an expansion this year.

According to Brown, who is also a fish farmer, the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his farm was what prompted him to start up the new business.

He added that his other expectation for 2021 was for a thriving economy and a realistic health provision for the citizenry of Nigeria.

“I value life more now because the Year 2020 had thought me that life can be very unpredictable.

“It is normal to have a crisis but how you manage it is what matters most; I think I would like to infuse that philosophy to every aspect of my life.

“I believe this year will be better,’’ he said.

Another fish farmer, Mr John Aisien, however, expressed gratitude to God for helping him to surpass his target for 2020.

Aisien said he believed that 2021 would be great because he was ready to attain a new level in his business.

“In the aspect of my production last year, I planned to produce up to one million fingerlings but by the grace of God, I exceeded that. I want to go beyond that this year.

“This pandemic has taught me how to keep fighting despite the challenges.

“The goal is not to give up but to always look at the positive angle in every situation,’’ Aisien said.

Mr Solomon Odewale, a teacher, says one of his goals is to set up his company before the first quarter of 2021.

Odewale added that he looked forward to getting married this year, as his plans to get married in 2020 did not work out.

“I have two goals already for this year; one is to set up my company, and the other, to get married.

“The Year 2020 was a year of so many lessons; I learnt to appreciate the people around me more and to be more creative.

“My former girlfriend disappeared off the screen but thank God she left, it made me realise that I needed to work more on myself,’’ the teacher said.

Also, Mrs Olufunmi Adeoye, a Nutritionist, said that 2021 would be a great year, as she was ready to work harder and look for other ways to improve her career. (NAN)

Health

NGO tasks Nigerians on commitment to contain COVID-19

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By Ikenna Osuoha

Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI), an Abuja based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has urged Nigerians to show more commitment in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Ms May Ikokwu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NGO made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as part of her new year message in Abuja on Saturday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has so far  recorded 88,587 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country with 74,373 recovery, while 1,294 had died of complications from the virus.

Ikokwu, also Secretary General, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), said that only compliant to safety protocols by Nigerians would curb further spread of the pandemic in 2021.

She decried the reckless attitude of some Nigerians to the NCDC safety  protocols on the use of  face masks, physical distancing, regular hand washing among others.

“Even if we had made the mistake of not complying with the safety protocols as prescribed by NCDC in 2020, let us ensure that we comply strictly to it in 2021.

“That we failed to comply in 2020 and luckily did not get infected with the pandemic does not imply the non existence of the pandemic but a sheer luck.

“Please let us all be responsive in fighting this pandemic to avoid a realisation of some unpleasant predictions about Africa by some foreign news agencies,” she said.

Ikokwu who reiterated calls for community responsiveness, commended the Federal Government for rising to the occasion through the Ministry of Health and NCDC.

She said that pandemics of such strain and magnitude could only be contained with collective efforts of all stakeholders irrespective of their ideological differences.

The SOHI boss expressed optimism in the ability of the  President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to make Universal Health Coverage (UHC) accessible to all Nigerians.

According to her, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can be accessible to all when everyone is ready to work in collaboration with government.

Ikokwu also advised Nigerians to shun behaviours that would undermine the health and wellbeing of the citizens especially older people.

She, however, expressed hope that 2021 would be a better year than 2020 with the collective efforts and support of Nigerians to government’s policies and programmes. (NAN)

Economy/Business , Food Security

Irrigation farming will curb food shortage – Olubadan

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By David Adeoye

The Federal Government and the South-West Governors have been urged to urgently adopt irrigation farming to overcome the projected food shortage this year.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji,  and two traditional worshippers in Oyo State,  Dr Biodun Agboola and Dr Fayemi Fakayode, made the call at the installation ceremony of Fakayode as the Mogaji of Onibudo family at Oke Aremo, Yemetu, Ibadan.

Oba Adetunji, who was represented at the event by Chief Shina-Olatunji Aresa, the Mogaji of Okiti family in Ibadan, stated that “for Nigeria to avert food shortage in the new year efforts should be directed toward irrigation farming.

“This will mitigate the effects of bad weather on planting while farmers should also be protected from criminals that attack and destroy their farms.

“We should see that the time has come for us to realise that the way we practice farming here in the South-West Zone cannot sustain us.

“The food shortage projection is predicated on so many reasons ranging from bad weather, insecurity and largely the poor funding from the government,’’ the Olubadan stated.

On their part, the Secretary-General, International Council for Ifa Religio, Dr Biodun Agboola and Dr Dr Fayemi Fakayode,  Secretary, Traditional Religion Worshippers Association of Nigeria, Oyo state branch,  called for collaboration among Southwest states, to ensure food sufficiency this year.

Agboola, who is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile Ife, said irrigation system could bring lasting solution to the food crisis in Nigeria.

“As a famer, I have come to realise that the problem farmers encounter is lack of good facilities and infrastructure in their farms.

“And for the citizens to escape hunger we must produce more food, the South-West governors should collaborate and evolve solutions to this problem.

“They should adopt mass irrigation farming as the permanent solution to food crisis in the region,” he stated.

Fakayode added:  “We have Ikere Gorge Dam at Iseyin in Oyo state, Erelu Water Works, Asejire in Osun and others which can be used to assist farming settlements along these areas.” (NAN)

General News

Nigerian ‘WASH’ advocate bags Africa Youth Award

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By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Wilson Atumeyi, Founder, Water with Development (WaterWide), a non-profit organisation, has bagged the 2020 Africa Youth Awards.

Atumeyi, who is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advocate, was selected among 10 nominees including men and women across different African countries, as the winner in the Advocate of the Year category.

With strong representation from South Africa and Ghana on the nominees list, the award also featured 18 Nigerians, 14 Kenyans and 9 Ugandan and Tanzanian nominees,

The awards shortlisted nominees comprised of 45 females, 65 males and 18 Organisations.

The Award ceremony which was held virtually, had no fewer than 129 young Africans and organisations nominated for the 2020 Pan African Awards Scheme.

The award is aimed at honouring young Africans who are championing the development of the continent in diverse fields.

In a statement on Saturday, Atumeyi explained that the awards scheme was inspired by the lack of recognition for young Africans who have selflessly dedicated their lives to making sure the future of Africa was guaranteed.

He added that “the award brings together like-minded young people who are passionate about the development and progress of Africa.

“The advocate of the year category is designated to award a young African who has adopted legal means to represent the voice of the marginalised in their community.

“They must exhibit courage, leadership and passion in championing their causes which must bring change to their community,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atumeyi’s WaterWide, is an organisation that tracks government spending for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for improved access to safe water in rural communities.

Atumeyi, through his organisation has provided access to safe water in communities in Nigeria and provided hand hygiene materials for over 430 households to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

He has also trained no fewer than 1,000 Nigerians on budget analysis and project tracking for water, sanitation and hygiene. (NAN)

Economy/Business

Tomato sellers in Enugu attribute drop in price to a glut

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By Maureen Ojinaka

Some tomato sellers in Enugu have attributed the current drop in price of the commodity to its harvest season which has led to a glut.

 A visit by a Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to some of the major markets in Enugu on Saturday, showed that a big basket of tomatoes now sells for N11,500 as against the previous price of N16, 000.

According to the traders, the price of tomatoes usually dropped during its harvest season.

One of them, Miss Oge Madu, a tomato seller, at Garki Market, said that the major reason for the sudden reduction in price of tomatoes was due to the cultivation of tomatoes in Enugu (Nsukka)

“The Nsukka tomatoes are also flooding the markets and this has made the commodity to reduce in price.

“During rainy season tomatoes are scarce, the prices are high, but in dry season, they are surplus and the prices usually drop,” Madu said.

Also, Mr Rufus Ozor, a tomato seller at new Akwata in Garki Market, said that the prices of tomatoes had significantly dropped in Enugu markets.

“A small basket of UTC tomatoes that comes from Jos  now goes for between N7,000 and N8, 500 as against N13,000 in October.

“A month ago, UTC tomatoes was scarce and expensive, but now it has flooded the markets making it affordable by everyone,”Ozor said.

Meanwhile, the pepper sellers on the other hand, have lamented over the increase in the price of pepper  in the markets.

Miss Agnes Onu, a pepper seller at Mayor market, said that a bag of  ‘Scotch Bonnet Pepper’ “ata-rodo” which was previously sold for N8,000, now sells for between N13,500 and N17,000.

“This is pepper planting season that is why it is scarce now,”Onu said.

Another pepper seller, who spoke on condition of anonymity added that the cost of transportation also added to the increase in price of the commodity.

“What l know is that we sell as we buy from those that bring it to the market ” she said. (NAN)

Science & Tech

FG approves replacement policy on phone SIM for Nigerians — NCC

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By Jessica Dogo

The Federal Government has approved a replacement policy for subscribers whose Subscribers Identification Module (SIM) may have been lost, stolen, misplaced or damaged.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Director, Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and Mr Kayode Adegoke of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), jointly made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Adinde explained that the policy was part of the government’s efforts to reduce the burden on subscribers and simplify the exercise so as to enable telecommunications services to the public.

He said that the Ministerial Task Force, under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, had set up a Technical Committee, made up of representatives of the NCC, NIMC, The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), to facilitate the policy.

Adinde added that the committee was also charged with the operationalisation of the process, to ensure an expedited linkage of all SIM Registration Records with the NIN.

Similarly, the minister had approved some conditions, based on recommendations of the Technical Committee, that required the subscriber to present a NIN, an effective verification of the NIN by NIMC, and adherence with the relevant Guidelines and Regulations of NCC, concerning SIM replacement.

According to him, the government’s drive to ensure all subscriber registrations were linked with NINs was on course and all stakeholders in the industry are working together to ensure a seamless process.

He said that the government sincerely appreciated Nigerians for the understanding and the commitment demonstrated towards ensuring the overall success of the exercise. (NAN)

General News

Gov. Okowa congratulates SSG, Ebie at 50

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By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Chiedu Ebie, on his 50th birth anniversary on Saturday.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika on Saturday in Asaba, thanked Ebie for his outstanding contributions to governance in the state.

He said that Ebie’s contributions had remained commendable as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, and now, SSG.

He said that the SSG, an astute lawyer, had brought to bear in the governance of the state, his experience from his distinguished career in the private sector as an entrepreneur and oil and gas executive.

The governor urged him to sustain his contributions to state and humanity by enunciating more ideas and strategies that would lead to the efficiency and effectiveness of governance and sustainable development of the state.

He also acknowledged Ebie’s sound knowledge of governance with his core competence in strong leadership and execution skills.

According to him, Ebie has brought his wealth of experience to bear by providing leadership towards the attainment of the Stronger Delta Agenda of our administration.

“Over the years, your sound and unblemished leadership style as an industry player has endeared you to many people in Delta and Nigerians.

“As Secretary to State Government, you have exhibited absolute knowledge of your core responsibilities with your robust coordination of government in the state.

“We appreciate your role in the revamping of schools sports through the Zenith Bank Delta Principal’s and Headmaster’s Cup under your tenure as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, my dear brother and friend, Mr Chiedu Ebie, on the occasion of your 50th birth anniversary.

“As you turn 50, your family and indeed, political and business associates and admirers, have cause to be grateful to Almighty God for having granted you a life of wonderful milestones”.

Defence/Security

Kidnapped sister of Oyo Deputy Minority leader regains freedom

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By Suleiman Shehu

Mrs Jumoke Babalola-Oludele, sister of the Deputy Minority Leader, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Sunkanmi Babalola, has regained freedom from her abductors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Babalola-Oludele was kidnapped on Dec, 21 around Oniguguri junction, beside Lion of Judah, Iyana Church, Monatan area, Ibadan.

The victim was allegedly kidnapped by three unknown gunmen who drove in a white Toyota Camry.
The kidnappers had earlier demanded for N20 million ransom for her release.

Confirming the release of the victim on Saturday in Ibadan, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, said the victim had regained freedom and united with her family.

Fadeyi said Babalola-Oludele was released through the collaborative efforts of the security agencies and other stakeholders in the state.

The police spokesman further said that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the case while investigation was still ongoing.

The victim’s brother, Babalola, representing Egbeda State Constituency in the state Assembly, who also confirmed his sister’s release, said that no ransom was paid to her abductors. (NAN)

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