NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Let’s stay and salvage Nigeria, perm. sec. appeals to doctors, health workers
Health

Let’s stay and salvage Nigeria, perm. sec. appeals to doctors, health workers

162 total views today

By Deborah Coker

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, has appealed to medical doctors and other health workers in the country to stay back and join to salvage the country.

Kana’s appeal is contained in a statement issued by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, the Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry in Abuja on Friday.

Ogubike stated that the permanent secretary made the appeal during the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) National Executive Council Meeting in Abuja.

He quoted Kana as saying that the call was necessary as the Federal Government was also doing its best to reposition the health sector.

The permanent secretary added that “on the ‘jappa’ syndrome, please I am appealing to our doctors and other health workers not to leave our dear country.

“We don’t have another country. When you leave Nigeria now, you will still come back home, so let’s stay and salvage it together.

“As it is now, the present government of President Bola Tinubu is committed to improving the health sector.”

He said the government would continue to recruit doctors and privatise healthcare as part of its social responsibilities.

He explained that the essence of the meeting was to plan and strategise on how to manage the healthcare system.

The ministry’s director of press stated that the NMA President, Dr Uche Ojinmah, had earlier said that the theme of the meeting “Achieving Universal Health Coverage in a Depressed Economy” was deliberately chosen.

Ojinmah said it was to reflect the desire of the association for a Nigeria where the citizens experience zero out of pocket expenditure for healthcare services.

He added that the kidnapping of doctors and other healthcare workers was a major security menace that required prompt action. (NAN)

Edited by HadizaMohammed-Aliyu

Businesses fail due to poor planning, management- CAC
Economy/Business

Businesses fail due to poor planning, management- CAC

447 total views today

 

By Lucy Ogalue

Mr Hussaini Magaji, Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), says most businesses fail due to poor planning and management.

Magaji, represented by CAC’s Director of Compliance, Justine Nidia, said this during the 2023 CAC Management Retreat held in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event is “The Role of Corporate Affairs Commission in Promoting Investment and Economic Development,”.

Magaji said, ” available statistics, however, indicate that 20 per cent of new businesses fail in the first two years, 45 per cent in the first five years and 65 per cent in the first ten years.

“Only 25 per cent of new businesses survive for fifteen years and above. This is usually due to poor planning and management.

‘”Going forward, therefore, it is expected that the Commission will ensure proper management of businesses to avoid mortality rates.”

Magaji said by doing this, CAC would not only ensure promotion of investment by ensuring seamless registration of new businesses but also new businesses would be nurtured to become multinational corporations.

According to him, the retreat as a management tool provides an opportunity to withdraw from the crowd, focus or refocus on the desired future, and how to get there.

Mogaji said the dynamic vision of CAC was to be a world-class Registry, adding that the global reality was that this generation’s luxuries are tomorrow’s generation’s needs.

He said it was, therefore, imperative as individuals and organisations to be adaptable to change, particularly change in technology, if we are to be relevant.

“We have witnessed Registry operations move from manual to semi-automation, to full automation and now to online operations.

“Future operations of the Registry are expected to be cloud and artificial intelligence based.

“We should therefore strive hard to invent and reinvent ourselves as individuals and organisations to avoid becoming obsolete,” he said.

The CAC boss said in the future, the commission would ensure speed, cost, accuracy, and timeliness are among important determining criteria for evaluation of global registry.

” I therefore urge all of us to make frank but courteous contributions to discussions that will build the future Registry of our dreams. I wish us a fruitful retreat.(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Nationhood, belief in one country will put Nigeria on right path-Tinubu
Politics

Nationhood, belief in one country will put Nigeria on right path-Tinubu

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By Naomi Sharang

President Bola Tinubu says nationhood and belief in one country will put Nigeria on the right path.

Tinubu stated this at a Lecture/Colloquium in honour of the 61st birthday of the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was “Legislative Agenda for National Development”.

In his remarks, Tinubu described Akpabio as a man who is committed to the value of national development.

The president said: “The opportunity you (Akpabio) offered us to listen to the lead speaker and his recommendations will definitely be looked into deeper legislative activities and collaboration with all of us.

“We will work together. While we consider the affairs of this country, the nationhood and the belief in one country will put us on the right path.

“Having you as a partner and  Abbas as the Speaker, is good enough for me to succeed. Inshallah, we will succeed.

‘’I appreciate Godswill Akpabio, God will help you, God will guide you. I believe in the person of Godswill Akpabio; he is truly Godswill.

“I know him as a governor, as a commissioner in Akwa-Ibom. We share a vision even though he was a commissioner, he is extremely inquisitive.

“He transformed Akwa-Ibom tremendously. He built one of the most effective drainage systems in Akwa-Ibom. Today, up till now, no matter how heavy the rain is, you will never find casualties.

“All the other beautiful things you did, the stadium, the hotel, and caring for the lives of the  people of Akwa-Ibom, is exceptionally great.”

Earlier, the Guest speaker, former President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), said that for the country to tackle insecurity, peace and security must be developed.

“The first question is how we can find peace. Is it by the armed forces? It will be by executive and legislative processes.

“We can’t win, in my opinion, the war by armed forces. So I will suggest to the national assembly to consider the possibility of inviting the ethnic nationalities, the owners of Nigeria.

“The traditional rulers that are being ignored, I believe they have a hand in the constitutional process. If this is done we will achieve peace.

“Together with our traditional rulers who I think are being ignored in the process, we might  be able to resolve Boko Haram, IPOB.”

He further recommended the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which he said “is doing far too much.

“INEC is doing far too much. In the Uwais report, we recommended creating the electoral offences commission. I urge the 10th National Assembly to simply enact the recommendations.

”The Electoral Act makes a mockery of democracy, so we can correct that by passing all the recommendations of the Uwais Panel.”

On his part, Akpabio said that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration “is real and this government is a correcting government.

“Our legislative agenda is going to be  people-centred,” he said.

He also said that the national assembly would consider the recommendations spelt out by the guest speaker.

“We have taken note that we should unbundle INEC; we have taken note that we should involve our traditional rulers.

“We have taken note that most of the colonial laws are still in existence by virtue of the constitutional law given to us. We will work on these things,” he said.

Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen said that Akpabio, throughout his distinguished career, showed valuable assistance, strategic thinking and innovative leadership.

The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, who was also the Host of the event, said that the colloquium was the culmination of events to mark the 61st birthday of Akpabio.

He described Akpabio as a leader par excellence who was always willing to give his quota to the development of the country.

“The time has come for us to draw attention to the critical mandate imposed on the Senate and the National Assembly by the Constitution.

“(We will) engender an inclusive process of executing the mandate by working with a broad section of our society to design a legislative agenda for national development.”

Barau further said that the National Assembly was in the process of reshaping the Constitution and legal frameworks that would make good governance a way of life and democratic consolidation the legitimate expectations of the people.

For the Chairman of the occasion and  a former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, Akpabio has a date with destiny.

“You have emerged as President of the Senate at a time so much dexterity is required to redirect the course of our nation, reset our national agenda, and re- envision our future as a people.”

Anyim emphasised the need to align legislative agenda with the executive agenda.

He said that the agenda, when properly aligned, would reset national priorities, benchmark national interest and redefine development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that the event attended by dignitaries across the country and the diplomatic corps including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and traditional rulers.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

EWEI uses drama, poems to campaign against sexual harassment
Gender

EWEI uses drama, poems to campaign against sexual harassment

196 total views today

 

By Sani Idris

The Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI), an NGO, has displayed an art and cultural event, featuring drama, poems and music, to campaign against sexual harassment in Kaduna.

The colourful event brought together various stakeholders from the academia, civil societies, MDAs and students.

The event, which revolves around arts and culture, is meant to reduce sexual harassment in public spaces.

It is under the ‘We For Them’ (WFT) project, an initiative by EWEI.

Salome Yakubu, the Focal Person of the WFT project, said EWEI, founded in 2008, has been steadfast in its commitment to providing multi-sectoral interventions aimed at empowering and supporting women and girls.

She said the WFT, spanning from April 2022 to March 2024, received valuable support from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF).

Yakubu said the primary objective of the programme was to address and reduce sexual and gender-based violence, with a special focus on combating sexual harassment and abuse in public spaces.

She said in pursuit of combating sexual harassment and abuse, EWEI collaborated with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kaduna State Polytechnic Branch.

Yakubu, therefore, said the partnerships with the organisations underscored the importance of collective efforts in combating sexual harassment and promoting safer public spaces.

Mr Mendie Jeremiah, the Assistant Focal Person for the WFT, said the project worked with 130 direct beneficiaries cutting across 50 from ASUP and 80 from the NURTW.

Jeremiah explained that the NURTW was a male dominated union, where the project worked in collaboration, to reduce violence in motor parks.

“We identified these bodies because, like the ASUP, they are one of the strongest unions in polytechnics.

“We aim to see that our beneficiaries in the ASUP and NURTW serve as champions and advocates against sexual harassment in the institutions and motor parks.

“In Kaduna Polytechnics for instance, they have the 2019 sexual harassment policy. What we are doing alongside is looking at any gap if any, and make recommendations whenever the policies are due for review.

“In the course of our seminar with members of the NURTW who are our direct beneficiaries, the NURTW came up with a by-law, marrying their constitutions with the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPPL).

“The by-laws do not in any way supersede the NURTW Constitution nor the VAPPL, but a working template for them within the motor parks to know and be aware of repercussions when one is found wanting.

“The NURTW will step it down to their loaders, drivers, shop owners within the parks and others on the need for safe motor parks devoid of sexual harassment,” Jeremiah said.

Also, Mrs Fatima Ahmed, a member of ASUP, Kaduna Polytechnic, commended EWEI for the initiative towards ensuring that sexual harassment was drastically reduced in public places.

She said that sexual harassment could not be totally eliminated, but could be addressed in many ways.

“At the academia, we engage with staff and students; the students and staff can be harassed. With the WFT, we are optimistic that violence against women and girls, sexual harassment of both gender at homes, places of work and even within family circle is reduced to the bearest minimum,” Ahmed said.

NAN reports that some of the drama plays were sensitive in passing messages about “Who a woman is” and sexual harassment which cuts across gender.

The dramas, poems, dance and other displays were solution driven, thereby communicating on what to do, where to go, who to report to when sexual harassment or violence happens.

NAN also reports that a panel of discussants featured in the event.

The forum discussed barriers like cultural beliefs and stereotypes that hindered prosecution of offenders of sexual harassment. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

GAT disseminates research report on closing civic space for women-led organisations
Gender

GAT disseminates research report on closing civic space for women-led organisations

174 total views today

 

By Sani Idris

An NGO, Gender Awareness Trust (GAT), has disseminated a research report on closing the civic space for women-led organisations in the North West Zone of Nigeria.

The title of the report is “Closing civic space: The experience of Women-led Civil Society Organisations in North West Nigeria.”

The report was under the GAT’s project titled: “Women Expanding the Civic Space and Responding to Gender-Based Violence in North West zone, Nigeria.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the project is supported by Open Society Foundations (OSF).

During the dissemination event on Thursday in Kaduna, the Executive Director of the NGO, Dr Lydia Umar, said across the world, hostility towards CSOs had been on the increase.

She said this was because governments intensified restrictions on the civic space, under general concerns about insecurity.

She added that in Nigeria, and specifically the North West zone, the hostility had been accentuated by anti-gender movements, religious and cultural practices, rising insecurity and the nature of some CSOs.

According to her, the CSOs lack the needed funding and operational environments to effectively address gender related issues, including Gender Based Violence (GBV), lack of sexual health and reproductive rights and absence of gender inclusivity.

Umar explained that the NGO used a set of qualitative and quantitative data generated through a dual methodology of desk review and field research, including Focus Group Discussions (FGDS) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).

She, therefore, said they conducted a study on the factors that caused closing civic space in the North West region and the impact on women organisations.

“Participants were purposely selected from among women-led and women’s rights organisations in the region,” she said.

Umar said the study aimed at stimulating wider discussions among women CSOs on closing civic space in the region, to address the challenges of closing civic space for women CSOs.

She added that the study also meant to create an enabling platform for building the capacity and resilience of women-led CSOs in the region, to strengthen their resilience to engage in the civic space.

Umar, who doubles as the Project Coordinator, said the study was conducted in the seven states of the North West, mainly Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.

She said findings indicated, among others, that there was a robust presence of women-led and women’s rights CSOs in
the region.

She said the findings also revealed that the CSOs engaged in service delivery, social welfare, and charitable activities, as well as supporting development projects, especially in the absence of a strong government coordinated response to GBV.

“Closing civic space in the North West region manifests in restrictive legislations and overbroad application of existing laws, non-legal restrictions such as shaming and negative labelling, outright proscription of activities of targeted CSOs.

“Closing civic Space in the region is driven by factors such as actions of state authorities under security concerns, religious and cultural practices, as well as the nature and character of some CSOs within the civil society space.

The Executive Director, therefore, recommended increased awareness of key stakeholders, including donors and citizens on the peculiar CSOs operational environment in the zone.

She also recommended strengthening the capacity of women organisations in the region to effectively respond to gender-based challenges and build the resilience of women-led CSOs for sustainability.

“GAT is also recommended to mobilise women-led organisations in the region for advocacy campaigns and visits to state authorities to deliberate on collaborations and partnerships,” she added. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

FAAC shares N1.08trn November revenue to FG, States, LGCs
Economy/Business

FAAC shares N1.08trn November revenue to FG, States, LGCs

182 total views today

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared N1.088.783 trillion November revenue to the Federal Government, States and Local Government Councils (LGCs).

This is according to the communique issued by the FAAC at its meeting on Friday.

The communique said that the distributable revenue comprised statutory revenue of N376.306 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N335.656 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N11.952 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N364.869 billion.

According to the communique, total revenue of N1.620 trillion was available in the month of November.

“Total deductions for cost of collection was N60.960 billion; total transfers, interventions and refunds was N470.592 billion.

“Gross statutory revenue of N882.560 billion was received for the month of November. This was higher than the N660.090 billion received in the month of October by N222.470 billion.

“The gross revenue available from VAT in November was N360.455 billion. This was higher than the N347.343 billion available in October by N13.112 billion,” it said.

The communique said that from the N1.088.783 trillion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received N402.867 trillion, the state governments received N351.697 billion and the LGCs received N258.810 billion.

“A total sum of N75.410 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

“From the N376.306 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N174.908 billion, the State governments received N88.716 billion and the LGCs received N68.396 billion.

“The sum of N44.286 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue,” it said.

It said that the federal government received N50.348 billion, the state governments received N167. 828 billion and the LGCs received N117.480 billion from the N335.656 billion distributable VAT revenue.

“The communique further said that from the N11.952 billion EMTL, the Federal Government received N1.793 billion, the State Governments received N5.976 billion and the LGCs received N4.183 billion.”

It added that the federal government received N175.817 billion from the N364.869 billion exchange difference revenue, while the state governments received N89.177 billion, and the LGCs received N68.751 billion.

“The sum of N31.124 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

“In the month of November, companies income tax, excise duty, petroleum profit tax, oil and gas royalties and VAT increased considerably, while CET levies, Import Duty and EMTL recorded decreases,” it said.

It announced that the balance in the Excess Crude Account was 473.754 million dollars. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NAPA, Guards Polo Club inaugurate new club house
Sports

NAPA, Guards Polo Club inaugurate new club house

399 total views today

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Nigeria Army Polo Association (NAPA)/Guards Polo Club, on Friday inaugurated its new club house at the Nigeria Army Polo Resort, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club house was donated by Lubrik Construction Company (LCC) to the NAPA/Guards Polo Club, Abuja as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The facility, which cost the firm about N500 million in construction and furnishing, was flagged-off with the groundbreaking ceremony in Nov. 2020.

The inauguration, which took place on the sidelines of the ongoing 2023 National Carnival Polo Tournament, saw former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, perform the ceremonial cutting of the tape at the facility.

Sirika told newsmen that the edifice would propel him, other enthusiasts and fans to watch the game of polo.

“I’m really excited, delighted, happy to have a facility like this.

“I spend most of my time here in this club, it means I am not going anywhere else.

“We now have a lounge where one can relax, enjoy good food, and listen to good music,” he said.

Sirika, who is also the patron of the Rubicon Polo team, stressed that the club house boasts of the best of everything.

He added that the facility was world-class and could rival with the best in the world.

“There’s the open air, the indoor, the exclusive part. This is the best that you can have.

“I think this will take polo and this facility, the Guards Polo Club, to a higher level.

“There’s nothing like it now in this country, and I am really glad that gentlemen and ladies in this club have done this much.

“I’m very excited, and I can’t wait to start using it tomorrow morning,” he said.

The Chairman of NAPA, Brig. Gen. Adamu Laka, said the new club house would serve as a comfort zone for fans and players.

He said that the club had also embarked on a series of programmes in a bid to reproduce potential polo players.

“Well, this is my place. So, we thank the chairman of the Nigerian Army Polo Resort, Nasiru Danu for making this possible.

“We had a clubhouse before, but it was just a little structure, but he was able to bring in investment and bring this edifice to reality.

“So, we are all very thankful to him,” he said.

Laka noted that the club now has a place where people can come and relax, adding that it was also open to the public.

“The clubhouse is a place where you could come have lunch before your game. You can also come with your family to watch the game of polo.

“It’s just a place to relax and have fun.

“This is a place that we hold in great esteem for members of the club, and we will do everything to keep it functional and maintain the standard.

“The management of the clubhouse has a lot to do to maintain the standard and make sure that the food and ambience is what the public wants,” he said.

He also attributed the success of the club, the infrastructural development, and upgraded facilities at the club to the healthy partnership between NAPA and the Guards Polo Club.

“Guards polo club belongs to the Nigerian Army, and the Army is part of the society.

“So, we got the civilians to manage the club because we are not always stable in one place, and it has been a win-win working relationship for all stakeholders,” he said.

The NAPA boss also said that the resort accommodates other sports, apart from polo.

He explained that the idea was to promote grassroots sports development.

“This is the Nigeria Army Polo Resort, and the resort has various facilities, but the major facility here is the polo.

“We started with polo and then the Chief of Army Staff directed that I bring this place to world standard.

“Based on his directive, we introduced an archery club. We have the Scorpion Archery Club, where you can bring your children to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow.

“Then we have a five-a-side football field, a basketball court, and a tennis facility there.

“We are also building a children’s equestrian riding school, where children between the ages 3 to 8 can be trained by professionals on the basics of horse riding before they are introduced to the game of polo,” Laka said.

He said the facility was open to the general public, adding that all interested persons must be duly registered with the club.

Farouk Aliyu, a polo enthusiast, said he was impressed with the infrastructural development at the polo club.

“I’m excited. What I have seen is beautiful.

“Incidentally, last week I watched a World Polo Tournament in Argentina for the first time, and what I saw there is not different from what I see here.

“So, kudos to the Nigerian Army and all the members here.

“We’ll keep supporting them to ensure that this place becomes one of the best places in the world,” Aliyu said.

Nasiru Danu, Member, NAPA Board of Trustees/Chairman, Nigerian Army Polo Resort, said the club house would be run and maintained according to world-class standards.

“What we are witnessing here today is a new partnership with Solon; a group that is also in partnership with the British Council.

“They also operate in Monaco and the UK.

“They manage about five other different lounges in the country, and the whole idea is to see how we can partner with the private sector to rebuild the Nigerian army polo,” he said

Danu noted that the Nigerian Army was the number one club in the country with over 350 Argentine horses in its stables.

He said the quality of the pitch and the ongoing National Carnival Polo Tournament was top-notch and of world standard.

“Of course, you can see the tournament and the level of the competition.

“By Sunday, I assure you, you will be happy to see the final.

“So, congrats to the Nigerian Army and the Guards Brigade members,” he said.

Hassan Gashash, the PRO of Jos Polo Club and Chairman of Nigerian Polo Commentators, said that the Guards Polo Club was leading the way in terms of grassroots development of the sport in the country.

Gashash noted that of all the polo clubs in Nigeria, the Guards Polo Club probably has the largest number of junior members.

He stressed that the only way the future of the sport could be guaranteed was by ensuring that the young ones are developed.

“Abuja has bred a lot of young talents, ranging from the ages of 12 to 15.

“There are about four boys that I have seen here in Abuja that tells me that Abuja has a great future in polo, especially Guards Polo Club.

“Also, with the coming in of the equestrian riding school, you are assured that in the next few years, Abuja will lead the way.

“Poroto Cambiaso is just a teenager, and he is leading the world of polo now. We have the likes of Sa’ad M.S. Aliyu here; we have Al-Ameen Bayero here. We also have the lady player Hadiza Shehu here.

“In fact, polo is growing fast in Abuja and I can assure you that if you come to this place in the next five years, you will see lots of grassroots graduates coming in,” he said.

NAN reports that the Carnival Polo Tournament, which galloped off at the Nigerian Army Polo Resort/Guards Polo Club on Dec. 9 is expected to end with the grand finale on Sunday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

100 anniversary: Ansar-ud-Deen inaugurates N200m mosque in Gwarinpa.
General News

100 anniversary: Ansar-ud-Deen inaugurates N200m mosque in Gwarinpa.

401 total views today

 

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) on Friday inaugurated a central mosque complex in the Gwarinpa district of Abuja, as part of activities to mark the 100th  anniversary of the association in Nigeria.

President, ADS, Alhaji Abdul Rafiu Sanni, who inaugurated the mosque in the company of the National Missioner, Sheikh Abdulrahman Ahmad and other national leaders, thanked Allah for the successful completion of the project.

Sanni said that the celebration of the centennial anniversary of Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria and the inauguration of the mosque was a remarkable point in the history of the association in Nigeria.

“It is a tradition in this part of the world, we always want people to know that there is an existence of a mosque within their vicinity.

“And the only way we can do that is through a walimah(celebration), So what we are doing is like we are doing a walimah, as is obtainable in marriage,” he said.

The national president said Ansar-ud- deen had been a trailblazer in terms of  impacting on humanity and the nation at large.

“There is no doubt about it that the 100 years have been very eventful, impactful, and very successful. Because if you know the history of Ansar-ud-deen up to date, you will have known that we have impacted on humanity in a very significant manner.

“In terms of education, in terms of Islamic propagation, in terms of providing the necessities of life like health care and all others.

“But the next thing is, the next century, we have to do more ,because we cannot be stagnant, and that is why we are doing all these things. We are doing in order to plan for the next century. And by the grace of God, our intention is to do more in terms of serving humanity,” Sanni said.

He stressed the need to do more in terms of propagating Islam and also addressing the vices bedeviling the country.

Earlier, the Branch Chairman of the ADS, Alhaji Abdul-Kareem Abdul-Azeez, said that the estimated cost of the mosque, which started in 2020 was about N200m.

He said that the benefits of the mosque to the community could be over-emphasised, especially as the mosque would serve the residents and other estates in the area.

Abdul -Azeez noted that the funding for the project was through donations and contributions from members.

He called on Muslims to do more to support Islam and also be agents of positive change in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the the inauguration, which was preceded by a special inauguration Jumat service, was graced by Muslims from all walks of life. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Buhari Bolaji

Makinde promises to address staff shortage, as Poly Ibadan graduates 18,071 students
Education

Makinde promises to address staff shortage, as Poly Ibadan graduates 18,071 students

167 total views today

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has promised to address staff shortage at The Polytechnic, Ibadan towards achieving a robust technological education in the state.

Makinde stated this in Ibadan at the 2023 combined graduation ceremony of the institution for 35th to 38th sets of graduands.

Makinde, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, reiterated the commitment of the state government to technological education and continuous support for the institution.

The governor urged the institution to do more, especially in the area of technological training, science, innovation and creativity.

According to him, those will make the products of the institution self-employed and employers of labour.

He advised the polytechnic to come up with solar solutions to solve its electricity challenges.

“Your works department in conjunction with other relevant departments such as civil Engineering should be able to construct and maintain your road network.

“Required financial support will be given to you through special interventions in support of such initiatives if it is cost-saving coupled with assured durability,” Makinde said.

The governor urged the graduands on creativity and innovations in other to be self-employed and create opportunities that would contribute to the growth of the state and Nigeria at large.

Adelabu, also represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Olusanjo Adebiyi, said the government had given technical education the needed attention.

He prayed that the graduating students would excel in their various endeavors.

Earlier in his address, the Rector of the institution, Prof. Kazeem Adebiyi appreciated the governor for his continuous support to the institution during his tenure.

Showcasing his administration’s scorecards, Adebiyi said he built 72 office spaces for lecturers and the Ibadan  Radio Station through the Internally Generated Revenue, (IGR) of the school..

“Our administration created another faculty, which is Faculty of Social Management and Humanities.

“I’m also happy to inform Your Excellency that this management has secured accreditation for eight out of the 11 programmes across three Faculties.

“This is to give wider opportunities to indigenes of Oyo State and other education thirsty Nigerians to have access to new courses outside our traditional academic programmes,” Adebiyi said.

The Chief Executive Officer, Comfort Eduserve and one of the Endowed Prizes donors, Dr Babatunde Olowoore enjoined graduands to continue to work hard and be diligent to contribute to the growth of the society.

He said the prizes were to encourage graduans to advance their studies in the United Kingdom.

In her valedictory speech, the best-graduating student, Wasilatu Alimi from the department of Chemistry urged her colleagues not to rest on their oars but strive to achieve their dreams.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 18,071 students from four graduating sets of 35th, 36th, 37th and 38th of The Polytechnic Ibadan were awarded National Diploma and Higher National Diplomas.  (NAN)

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Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Isaac Aregbesola

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Poisonous ponmo” and Nigeria’s untapped recycled tyre ecosystem 
Features , Solutions Journalism

“Poisonous ponmo” and Nigeria’s untapped recycled tyre ecosystem 

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By Muhyideen Jimoh, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

At Dei-Dei abattoir, located on the outskirts of Abuja, a thick smoke is billowing continuously. Idris and other sweating young men work energetically, hauling large chunks of hide skinned from slaughtered cows into the smearing fire fuelled with tyres and plastics.

Under the heat from the sun and fire, they are assisted by Aisha and a group of women whose dresses have turned black from regularly working in the smoke.

Aisha and her team are washing the chunks of hide in equally blackened water and getting them ready for the market as vans take turns to load their portions.

As the fires go down, more tyres and plastics are hauled to further fuel the inferno as the butchers work to meet the large demand in the ever-increasing ponmo market.

Cooked cow hide, otherwise known as ponmo in Nigeria is a favourite meat enjoyed by millions of Nigerians. Many migrants to Nigeria have also fallen in love with it.

It is considered a taboo in some parts of the country to have a proper meal without a slice of ponmo.

However, researches have shown that ponmo may turn out to be poisonous if it is processed by burning with tyres or plastics-generated fire as is the practice in many abattoirs across Nigeria.

The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (2012) revealed that “tyre derived fuel” (TDF) contained several heavy metals such as lead (Pd), zinc (Zn), and Copper (Cu) that could be carcinogenic when exposed to consumers over a long period.

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) also warned against consumption of such meat, stressing that it could contain cancer-causing chemicals from the burnt tyres.

“The more we eat those meats roasted with tyres, the more we are prone to health risks.

“There are alternatives and healthy ways of de-skinning meat rather than using tyres. Burning tyres contaminates the meat, degrades the environment and pollutes the atmosphere,” Dr Fadipe Oladotun, an official of VCN told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Modern abattoir

This writer’s visit to major abattoirs in Abuja, which include: the Karu, Dei-dei, Kubwa and Gwagwalada abattoirs, showed that in spite of the health risks associated tyres and plastics-processed ponmo it remains is a common practice.

At Karu abattoir, tucked in the outskirts of Abuja, the unavoidable welcome by the stench of filthy environment occasioned by years of burnt tyres and plastics.

The pollution is palpable even to the most skeptic of environmental contamination.

Isa Adamu said he has been involved in the business of roasting slaughtered animals with tyres for no fewer than five years.

According to him, they burn scrap tyres to roast the meat because he tyres are cheaper sources of fuel, though they are not entirely ignorant of environment and health implications.

“We use these tyres for the meat because it burns sharp sharp and the used tyres are cheap to get around, so it makes our work easier,” he said.

Adamu said he was aware of the environmental hazard of this practice, but claimed he was not aware it could contaminate the meat and be carcinogenic.

The NAN investigation also shows this is the practice is rampant in Abuja, due to weak effort by the authorities to address it.

A Professor of Environmental Science at Addis Ababa University (AAU), Seyoum Leta, who said the practice also obtains in some African countries, stressed the need to stop this harmful practice.

He said doing so would not only safe potential cancer cases but also reduce emission of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) from those abattoirs.

“Burning scrap tyres will have not only health effects it will also largely contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and hence climate change with its implications for climate change.

“This practice releases what we call SOx, NOx, VOC and PM which are precursors of GHGs. Burning this resources is also a waste of resources as this can be recyleable material,” he said.

Leta told NAN that a number of alternatives can be explored by Nigeria, such as biomass based briquettes which are eco-friendly.

“Biomass-based briquettes are generally considered green technology compared to petroleum-based fuel such as tyres, so this is a good alternative in this regard,” he said.

The don advised Nigerians to embrace recycling of scrap tyres into beautiful furniture, shoes, mats and tiles.

Katharina Elleke, Project Designer, FlipFlopi Project Foundation, an East Africa-based NGO that built a sailing boat from recycled plastics in Kenya emphasised the need for Nigerians to embrace recycling plastics and tyres.

“We are East Africa’s circular economy movement that built the world’s first 100% recycled plastic sailing dhow.

“We use heritage boat building and waste-plastic innovation to create public engagement and drive policy action to ban all single use plastics and ensure all other plastics are part of a circular economy,” she said.

Elleke said African countries, including Nigeria, can tackle plastic pollution, through an effective plastic recycling system and keying into the circular economy model.

Recycled tyres for eco friendly furniture and horticulture

The Managing Director, FREEE Recycle Limited, Ifedolapo Runsewe said with Nigeria generating over three million scrap tyres annually, a lot more needs to be done to tackle the environmental/health challenge they pose.

She said that recycling of such tyres would go a long way in reducing environmental pollution and boosting Nigeria’s economy.

Sustainable environment stakeholders say all hands must be on deck in creating awareness and right investment in tyre recycling, while stepping up sensitisation and sanctions against burning of tyres.

They say this will engender good health and economic wellbeing of Nigerians. (NANFeatures)

** If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria

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