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Defence/Security

Media, important ally in anti-corruption campaign – EFCC

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says collaboration with the media will strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.

Olukoyede said this when the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He described the media as an important ally in fighting and defeating the menace of corruption in the country.

According to Olukoyede, appropriate and effective public enlightenment is a significant tool used by the commission in ensuring a paradigm shift in the perception of corruption among Nigerians.

“We believe that concerning our mandate, we must have strong synergy with the media; the News Agency of Nigeria, especially.

”It is extremely important because part of the factors we can deploy to really fight this war is public enlightenment, and the major stakeholders are the media people.

“Without you it will be extremely difficult to reach the grassroots and let the people know how endemic this problem is, and the need for us to all come together to collaborate.

”The job is not only for the law enforcement agencies; it is for everybody,” he said.

According to him, there is nowhere in the world that anti-corruption agencies succeed without collaboration with the media and civil society.

”These are the people that will drum up whatever you are doing and where there is sentiments, they are the people that will be able to balance things up,” he said.

On the effect of corruption in Nigeria and Africa, Olukoyede said corruption had a strong relationship with insecurity, stressing that security could only be achieved when the fight against corruption is won.

”As a matter of fact, if you can deal with the issue of corruption, the issue of insecurity will become an issue of the past. So we are going to collaborate with you”.

Responding, Ali said the visit was to intimate the EFCC   on the agency’s plan to organise an international lecture on insecurity in the Sahel.

“We are coming to first intimate you on our plan to have the first international lecture organised by the agency.

”The agency, as part of its efforts to also contribute to the body of knowledge, has to go about having a resolution to this lingering crisis of insecurity in the country and beyond.

”We took it on a bigger scale. We are looking at insecurity in the Sahel, how it has affected Nigeria.

‘’We are dissecting the origin, the genesis, the impact and the options available to the country,” he said.

Ali said that there is a strong relationship between insecurity and corruption that has remained a challenge in the African region.

He said that the EFCC had made significant strides in the anti-corruption fight in the country over the years.

“We have seen the commendable job you’ve been doing in the last couple of months. We said let us go to the EFCC and intimate them and this is what is happening.

“We don’t want to just have the Chairman as a mere invitee. The whole management came to intimate you about our plans,” the NAN MD said.(NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Gender , Health

Group uses drama to tackle child marriage in Abuja community

By Angela Atabo

A group, Girl Child Values Support Initiative has adopted drama as a strategy to combat child marriage in Dafara community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Its Executive Director, Ms Precious Wakili, stated this during one of the drama sessions to sensitise members of the community in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, against child marriage.

The drama session, organised with support from HET ActieFonds, was designed to address the menace of child marriage in communities.

The compelling community drama vividly portrayed the harmful effects of child marriage on young girls.

The drama drew the attention of the community members to the serious risks associated with child marriage, including the physical, emotional, and psychological toll it takes on young girls.

Wakili explained that the organisation adopted the use of drama to communicate the realities of child marriage and spark a meaningful conversation within the Dafara community.

“Child marriage has a lot of consequences, especially on the reproductive health of young girls.

“Child marriage doesn’t just rob girls of their childhood; it puts their health and future at severe risk.

“I urge you to consider the dangers posed to the physical and mental well-being of girls forced into marriage at an early age,” she said.

She encouraged parents to prioritise the education of their daughters, describing it as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and achieving gender equality in communities.

According to her, the campaign marked a significant step in the fight against child marriage, a practice that has remained prevalent in many parts of Nigeria.

“Through continued effort and support from partners like HET ActieFonds, more communities will take up the mantle, in the fight to end child marriage.

“Girl Child Values Support Initiative and our partners will ensure that every girl child is empowered to live her life to the fullest potential.”

Some of the community members at the sensitisation campaign expressed commitment to champion the cause to end child marriage.

They pledged to begin a movement that seeks to secure the future of the girl-child, free from the dangers of early marriage.

One of them, Malam Safiyanu Sani, an Imam in the community, expressed a strong stance against child marriage, and promised to use his platform to advocate for change.

Sani equally promised to continue to encourage parents and caregivers to protect their daughters by ensuring that they have access to quality education instead of early marriage.

Also, the Women Leader of the community, Mrs Munsirat Lawal, commended the NGO for the initiative to prevent child marriage in communities.

Lawal, who acknowledged the prevalence of child marriage in Dafara community, expressed optimism that the awareness campaign would help the community to turn over a new leaf. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Defence/Security

We’ll wield big stick against corrupt legislators – ICPC

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has expressed determination to wield the big stick against corrupt  legislators.

Its Chairman, Dr Musa Aliyu said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the inauguration of a three-day capacity building workshop for Jigawa State Legislators.

The theme of the workshop is: “Transparency and Accountability: Effective Legislative Tools Towards Successful Mandate Delivery.’’

Musa, who expressed concern over the level of corruption in the country, stressed the need for the legislators to live above board and be seen to do so in all their public and private functions.

The chairman pledged the commission’s readiness to partner with the state legislative arm of government to fight corruption.

He said the ICPC would continue to carry out its three-pronged mandate of enforcement, prevention, public education and mass mobilisation within the confines of the law.

“We are ready to partner with the state legislature to advance the fight against corruption as we have done and are still doing with other arms and tiers of government.

“However, we will succeed in wielding the big stick when the occasion demands that we do so.’’

According to him, the relevance of the legislature in democratic governance needs not be overemphasised.

“The oversight function is critical in ensuring that the legislature’s intent in making laws that will improve the living standard of the poor is reflected in the performance of the executive functions.

“As important as its role in government is, the state legislature must endeavour to conduct its oversight functions within the ambit of the law that established the House of Assembly.

“Legislators should live above board and should be seen to do so in all their public and private functions.’’

He said that the interest and unity of the country, as demonstrated by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, should override the personal and collective interests of members of this critical arm of government.

“The principle of separation of powers must be respected and observed; encroaching on the functions of the executive and judiciary undermines democracy and good governance.

“Additionally, the legislature is expected to detect waste, inefficiency, ineffectiveness, corruption and mismanagement of public resources.

“However, these functions can only be effectively discharged by the legislative arm of government if it embraces transparency and accountability in its operations; this is why this workshop is so important,” he said.

The Speaker, Jigawa House of Assembly,  Haruna Dangyatin, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Sani Abubakar, described the workshop as very timely and very good for all the members.

He promised the assembly’s collaboration with the ICPC in its fight against corruption by making laws to address the menace in every sector in the state.

“I believe that the knowledge we will receive will assist us in delivering our mandate.

“We are going to make very good use of what we are going to learn; in terms of legislation, we will make laws.

“We have to conduct very good oversight to make sure that the money allocated to MDAs is being spent as expected to be spent and ensure proper budget implementation,” he said.

Richard Bello, acting Director, Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), said that the academy was working with stakeholders to build capacity to tackle corruption in different sectors.

He described legislative arm of government as a veritable partner in the quest to tackle corruption in the country, and ready tools that could be deployed to fight corruption.

“The importance of working with the legislative arm of government at both federal and state levels in combating the phenomenon of corruption can never be overstated.

“Legislators as direct representatives of the people in the corridors of power occupy a very sensitive position in a democratic setting such as ours in this country.

“The need to communicate the appropriate message down the line has never been more urgent than now.

“The crusade against corruption has moved to a critical stage in recent months and the realisation of the damage that the phenomenon is doing to the nation has made it even more urgent.’’

According to him, the society expects anti-corruption agencies to lead the crusade against the phenomenon.

“But we must also accept the fact that the anti-corruption agencies cannot alone on their own, fight and win the battle against corruption.

“The agencies need to work with various segments of the population in taking the battle to all corners and all sectors,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Solutions Journalism

A Ray of Hope in Nigeria: Turning the Tide on Cervical Cancer

A Ray of Hope in Nigeria: Turning the Tide on Cervical Cancer

 

By Usman Aliyu

 

In Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, a personal tragedy sparked a life-saving movement. Itoro Usoro, a young Nigerian, lost his mother to cervical cancer, prompting him to lead the “Help The Women Campaign”, a crusade to raise awareness and facilitate screening for women.

 

Since its inception in 2021, the campaign initiative has reached an impressive 30,000 women, both online and offline, and screened 500 women, potentially saving countless lives.

 

The campaign’s impact extends beyond local boundaries as the initiative in its tireless efforts joined a successful advocacy that convinced the Federal Government to incorporate into the national immunisation programme the HPV vaccine, to build the immunity of women against the disease.

 

This milestone ensures that thousands of girls and women will be protected from the devastating effects of cervical cancer.

 

Beneficiaries’ accounts

 

Ndifreke Godwin, a 24-year-old Public Health student at the University of Calabar, was once in the dark about cervical cancer, but her encounter with the Help The Women Campaign changed everything.

 

Through the initiative, she discovered the deadly nature of the disease and received free screening and education on preventive measures.

 

“I became aware of the activities of Help The Women Campaign through its Facebook page. The founder usually shares videos, where he creates awareness about the cancer.

 

“In one of the videos, he talked about screening. I knew cervical cancer as a Public Health student, but didn’t not how deadly it could be.

 

“Itoro (Usoro) talked about the need for regular screenings and shared the location for the exercise. We were screened in 2022 free of charge and the result was okay.

 

“For those who had issues, they returned for further engagement. As for me, the result was okay,” said Ndifreke.

 

Ndifreke’s story is a testament to the power of awareness and early detection in the fight against cervical cancer.

 

According to medical experts, cervical cancer can be cured only if it is diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly.

 

Corroborating the benefits of these anti-cervical cancer efforts, Mrs Glory Udoffia, 51, said she enjoyed, for free, a test that could have cost her N20,000 at a public hospital.

 

“It was the first time I would learn about cervical cancer. It did not stop at the awareness, I was also screened in Uyo alongside several others. I learnt about other preventive measures I can take against the disease.

 

“I learnt those who go to public hospitals for the screening, pay between N15,000 to N20,000,” said the middle-aged woman.

 

The two accounts were further buttressed by Esther Jumbo and Maria Fabian, who were also touched by the impact of the campaign.

 

Cervical cancer, Human Papillomavirus Infectious

 

By records, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with around 660,000 new cases and around 350,000 deaths in 2022.

 

The highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality are in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria.

 

Cervical cancer, according to studies, is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV); and women living with HIV are 6 times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.

 

In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women as well as the second most frequent cancer death among women between 15 and 44 years of age

 

In 2020, Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from this cancer type.

 

Records also show that the HPV types 16, 18, 31, 35, 51, 52 are all high risk and are prevalent serotypes in Nigeria with serotypes 16 and 18 responsible for 66.9 per cent of Nigeria’s cervical cancer prevalence.

 

But by providing free screening and education, the campaign empowers women to take control of their health and fight against this preventable disease.

 

Beyond The Awareness Creation and Screening

 

Beyond the awareness creation and screening, the initiative has begun vaccination for girls, who are not sexually active from nine years to 26 year-old.

 

“We started (the campaign) in November 2021 and we have reached over 30,000 women online and offline. We’ve been able to screen 500 and the target is all women who are sexually active especially women between the age of 30 to 49 years. In this group, the incidence of cervical cancer is high in our nation.

 

“Moreso, we have vaccination for girls who are not sexually active and ideally nine to 14, but we still extend it up to 26 year-old,” says Usoro, the founder of the campaign initiative.

 

Though the intervention currently is in Akwa Ibom, he says there are outreaches in Cross River, Nasarawa states as well as the Federal Capital, Abuja.

 

“Our focus is majorly in low and middle income areas of the nation, where access to awareness and screening facilities are limited.

 

“This is a preventive measure against cervical cancer while we mostly refer women with positive cases, except for the ones that can be handled in our partner facilities,” he says.

 

The founder does not stop at that, the initiative according to him, actively involved in advocacies alongside other stakeholders, which resulted in the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria’s National Immunisation Programme, rolled out in October, 2023.

 

Providing further insights, he says the initiative organises awareness campaigns using various channels such as community outreaches, campus tours, sharing of educational materials, including on the social media platforms and on conventional media.

 

This, he said, is being achieved through partnerships and collaborations with hospitals and relevant agencies among other stakeholders. According to him, the campaign is able to leverage resources and expand its reach as well as its effectiveness.

 

Funding & Constraints

 

According to Usoro, the initiative raises funds through personal contributions, support from individuals as well as funding from Nguvu collective, a group of over 250 women Change Leaders from South Asia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

 

The name “Nguvu” means “Power” in Swahili, and the organisation is inspired by the power of a collective of women Change Leaders to make a difference.

 

This organisation aims to support and empower women to become Change Leaders and create positive change in their communities with Help The Women Campaign as one of the partners to drive its aims.

 

Certainly, Help The Women Campaign has created a supportive community, where women can access vital information, resources, and care. Nevertheless, the initiative is constrained by lack of adequate funds to expand the efforts to other states in the country.

 

The founder also identifies lack of sufficient manpower, insufficient materials/equipment, security and other logistics as some of the challenges hampering the mission of the initiative.

 

All in all, the dedication of the founder has inspired others to join the fight against cervical cancer, fostering a ripple effect of hope and resilience.

 

Usoro’s story serves as a testament to the power of grassroots initiatives and the impact one person can have in driving meaningful change.

 

By confronting his grief and channeling it into action, he has improved the lives of countless women and paved the way for a healthier future.

 

**This story has been made possible through collaboration with the Nigeria Health Watch with support from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization.

 

***If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The lush greens and breath-taking course of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja
Sports

IBB Golf Club launches international tactical golf campaign

By Victor Okoye

The IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, is set to place Nigerian golf on a center stage as it rolls out a two-month tactical golf campaign.

The Captain of the club, Banjo Obaleye said on Friday in Abuja that the global promotional and educational campaign expected to start this month (November) would be the first of its kind.

“It is aimed at promoting golf, sportsmanship, the spirit of unity among enthusiasts and the potential of Nigeria emerging as a top golf nation.

“This ground breaking campaign, running from November to December on peak time evening spots will also specially highlight the 2023 Independence Golf Tournament.

“This golf event set an all-time record in attendance, atmosphere, sponsorship, executive presence, community engagement, and the grand car prize from PAN Nigeria,” he said.

Obaleye said that the special CNN campaign was designed to elevate the profile of the club and showcase the world-class facilities it offers.

He said it would also emphasise the importance of golf as a sport that transcends boundaries and goes hand in hand with nature.

“The CNN campaign will give a quick photo panorama of the IBB Golf Club.

“It will explore the club’s history, world-class facilities, lush greens, breathtaking surrounding and the natural habitat which is also a home to various mammals and captivating crocodiles.

“The CNN feature on the IBB Golf Club rounds up with a powerful tip by the Tournament champion and winner of the PAN Nigeria car, Joe Poromo,” he said.

The captain said that the country was blessed with beautiful courses that could compete globally.

“We are also looking at the youth development and grassroots promotion, because golf is not just about elites,“he said.

Ibrahim Babayo, the Vice-Captain of the Club and Chairman of the Independence Cup Organising Committee, told NAN that the goal of the campaign was to take golf beyond just playing the game.

“We are looking at how we can improve our social capital and at the same time, how we can improve tourism.

“The potential of Golf tourism is over $19 million dollars. We are excited to be at the centre of history and rewriting the story of golf in Nigeria,” he said.

NAN reports that the sponsors for the just concluded IBB Independence Golf Tournament were PAN Nigeria, Access Bank, BUA Group, Glenfiddich, Sterling Bank, TAJ Bank and Hope PS Bank among others.

The 2023 IBB Golf Club event also featured a historic special golf exhibition by the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=========
Edited by Joseph Edeh

Defence/Security

Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Niger unveil ‘Op Safe Domain II’ against maritime crimes

By Oladapo Udom

Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo and Niger Republic have inaugurated  “Operation Safe Domain II” as a collaborative effort toward eradicating piracy and maritime crimes within their maritime domain especially the Gulf of Guinea.

Speaking at the inauguration on Monday, the Director of Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone E, Commodore Aniedi Ibok, said the Operation was in furtherance of the implementation of the MOU on Joint Maritime Operations and Patrols (JMOP) agreed upon by the countries.

The programme had the theme: “Enhancing Maritime Security Through Collaboration for Regional Prosperity”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event holding at MMCC Zone E Complex is from Sept.11 to Sept.15 at Cotonou Port Naval Base, Republic of Benin.

The Yaonde Code of Conduct in 2013 divided the Gulf of Guinea into two sub regions coordinated in the West by the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in West Africa (CRESMAO) and to the East by the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in Central Africa (CRESMAC).

Thereafter, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Integrated Maritime Strategy (EIMS) established the three maritime zones of E, F and G in 2014.

Zone E was established earlier as the pilot project in 2013 and its success resulted in the establishment of other zones.

According to the director, the purpose of the JMOP is primarily to ensure the permanent, joint and coordinated control of the Maritime Zone E’ with a view to ensuring maritime safety and security.

He said that the operation was wholly sponsored by ECOWAS and Member States of Zone E.

Ibok added that the operation was necessitated by the high rate of illicit maritime activities including piracy and sea robbery reported over time in the Gulf of Guinea and West African waters in particular.

“These security challenges undermine the economic development of the zone while endangering the livelihood of local coastal communities and seafarers in general.

“Therefore, the operation will help defeat the adversary in whatever form they appear,” he said.

According to Ibok, the objectives of the patrols and joint operations are to pool resources of the states parties, make the maritime resources interoperable and evaluate the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs).

“The objectives will also operationalise the right of hot pursuit as defined by the rules of engagement, multilateral and bilateral memoranda to secure the maritime area of the ‘Maritime Zone E’,” he said.

One of the ships participating in the operation Nigerian Navy Ship Aba.

 

The director said that the adopted strategy would comprise research and exchange of information, maritime and air surveillance as well as intervention of the operational units in case of necessity.

“This strategy will enhance the safety and security in the maritime domain of Zone E through operational patrols and sustained force presence at sea.

“It will also strengthen cooperation amongst Zone E countries’ navies and other maritime actors through capacity building in maritime law enforcement operations, intelligence sharing and technical assistance among others.

“This will invariably lay the foundation for further joint and combined operations,” he said.

Ibok recalled that the Zone E navies contributed similar assets during the execution of ‘Op SAFE DOMAIN I’ in November 2021.

“Some successes recorded from the operation include: the improvement of obtaining and sharing daily and weekly intelligence reports among member states, maritime stakeholders and partners in the zone.

“The successful arrest and trial of pirates onboard Chinese fishing vessel, FV HAILUFENG 11 and vessels of interest such as STI SOHO.

“The operation also led to foiling the attacks and setting free TOMMI RITSCHER and MAXIMUS with their crew,” he said.

Ibok said that Operation SAFE DOMAIN II would focus on routine activities within the framework of policing duties at sea so as to deny pirates and other maritime criminals, freedom of action.

The director said that the total water area to be patrolled and monitored for Op Safe Domain II spans 105,746sqnm which would involve three ships and a helicopter.

“I am trusting that member states zone and regional organisations will continue to support all efforts at tackling criminality at sea while sustaining the joint operations for the betterment of the Sub-region.

“Sustaining the joint operation and patrols will enhance security of lives and property in the Gulf of Guinea, particularly in Zone E’s waters for our shared prosperity,” he said.

The Benin Chief of Defence Staff, Brig.-Gen. Fructueux Gbaguidi, who said that the country had been facing piracy problems called out to neighbouring countries for help.

“That is why the four countries have come together to form a formidable force against piracy and maritime crimes.

“The collaboration of these countries led to the establishment of ‘Op Safe Domain I’ in 2021 and the success of the operation has led to ‘Op Safe Domain II’ in 2023,” Gbaguidi said.

He thanked the authorities of the four countries for coming together to enable the realisation and success of the operation.

“This has made it possible for us to realise the objectives of securing our waters and checkmating the activities of pirates and sea crime in our maritime domain,” the Brigadier General said.

The Benin Republic Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Captain Jean Le’on Olatoundji said that only the collaboration of countries can help improve the fight against the disastrous activities of piracy.

Olatoundji said that ‘Op Safe Domain II’ demonstrated the member countries common will to face up to the threat in the maritime domain and piracy in the zone.

“I am very confident in the crews’ abilities to carry out this noble mission successfully,” the CNS said.

The Director, Regional Maritime Security Coordination Centre, West Africa, Commodore Richard Shammah, said: “The issue of sea blindness is gradually being eradicated from our minds.

“Countries are now becoming more aware of the great economic importance of what the sea has to their various economy.

“So, for us to have economic prosperity at sea, we must have a safe and secured Maritime domain.

“This operation is necessary so that we can have a sea line of communication and trade and no one country can do it alone hence the collaborative effort .

“”It is my prayers that the aim and objectives of this collaboration shall be achieved because it will also tend to develop capacity with our navies,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Environment

SCI inaugurates campaign to mitigate effect of climate change on children

By Angela Atabo

Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria has inaugurated a campaign to build the resilience of children and amplify their rights on the adverse effect of climate change.

The campaign tagged; “Generation Hope” is also to galvanise Federal Government’s commitment to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The Country Director, SCI Nigeria, Mr Famari Barro, said at the inauguration in Abuja on Thursday, that the campaign was necessary in view of the harsh realities of climate change.

Barro, who was represented by Mr Amanuel Mamo, Director of Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media of the organisation, noted that women and children bear the brunt of the adverse effects of climate change.

“Many children are experiencing the devastating impact of climate change first-hand, such as extreme temperatures, flooding, erosion, landslide, and drought.

“These results in an increase in inequality, displacement, or migration of communities, including crop failure, low food production, hunger, and extreme poverty.

“Others are malnutrition, conflict, and lack of access to basic social and development services particularly education, health, and social protection services,” he said.

He described the climate crisis as “a global emergency”, and stressed the need for government at all levels to develop strategies that would minimise the effect of climate change.

According to Barro, the main objective of the Generation Hope campaign, is to enhance climate actions, secure the commitment of the Nigerian governments, and mobilise stakeholders to invest in child-sensitive interventions.

He said that through the campaign, SCI would significantly contribute to building climate resilience for children, their families, and communities through shock responsive interventions.

He also said that SCI would drive political commitments and accountability initiatives to address the imminent climate crisis, by limiting global warming and promoting effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The Country Director added that SCI would also empower children to carry out climate campaigns and advocacies, particularly the most affected by inequality and discrimination.

In his remarks, Mr Amanuel Mamo, Director of Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media, SCI, said that the campaign was inaugurated in recognition of the impact of climate change on almost all aspects of children’s lives.

Mamo, who was represented by Mr Ifedilichukwu Innocent, Advocacy, Campaign and Policy Manager, SCI, said that Nigerian children participated in a worldwide consultation to get their views on the climate crisis.

This, he said, gave birth to the Generation Hope flagship report.

He described Generation Hope as a “global campaign for and with the children” and called for urgent action on the climate crisis and inequality.

According to him, the move will create a safe, healthy, and happy future for children.

“The campaign envisions a world that cares for children and their planet by demanding action to address the connected crises of economic inequality and the climate emergency.

“SCI will mobilise relevant stakeholders to amplify the voices of children, their rights on the climate agenda, and advocate for social accountability in climate action.”

He called on all duty bearers, families, religion, traditional leaders, government, and private sectors to act for a sustainable future.

On her part, Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director, Department of Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Environment, said that climate change was responsible for rising temperatures, and erratic weather patterns.

“These effects have a devastating consequence on floods, drought, and land degradation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Philip Yatai

General News

Buhari working hard to fulfill campaign promises — Minister

By Douglas Okoro

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology says President Muhammadu Buhari is working hard to fulfill his campaign promises and social contract he entered into with the Nigerian electorate.

Onu made this known on Tuesday at Uburu in Ohaozara Local Hovernment Area of Ebonyi while speaking with newsmen after revalidating his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The minister who performed the revalidation exercise at about 11a.m. alongside his wife, Mrs Chinyere Onu at polling unit 003 in Obiozara ward, also urged Nigerians to start trusting their government.

He maintained that values such as trust were virtues missing in the political system, adding that APC as a party came to restore these values and reposition the country for greatness.

“There is what I really will let Nigerians know that the founders of APC decided that the time has come for a political party that can get back the values that were missing in our system.

“There is the need for Nigerians to start trusting their government because trust is very important and you only trust your government when it is doing those things it has promised that it must do.

“And you can see that the administration of Buhari is working very hard to make sure that all the promises made are kept. We were just at the second Niger bridge, this is a project that has been on for a very long time.

“Other administrations made promises but they failed to keep those promises but the President made a promise that he is going to build the second Niger bridge and the project is over 50 per cent completed, its like a promise made and promise kept,” Onu said.

The minister who also appealed for patience from Nigerians, noted that nation-building was very demanding and not easy anywhere.

According to him, developed countries like the U.S. and the Great Britain are still grappling with their own problems.

“Buhari means well for Nigeria because he is keeping many of the promises he made not minding that he came at a time when national revenue was on the decline.

“Before now, crude oil was sold at 100 dollars per barrel and you know what it has been since he came to power, hovering around 60 dollars and this has been one of the best in about five to six years now,’’ he added.

Onu also applauded the President for the changes made recently in the security architecture of the country, noting that the nation was winning the war against insecurity and other forms of violent crises.

The minister explained that the ongoing registration/revalidation of membership embarked by APC was critical for the party because there were those who were in APC before that were no longer in the party now.

“APC was registered in 2013 and many people don’t even know that we are barely seven years as a political party but we are growing and there is the need to have this revalidation and registration from time to time.

“This is imperative because there are those who were members before but are no longer in the party for quite a number of other reasons including deaths.

“There are also new people coming into the party hence the revalidation and registration is critical for a party like the APC,’’ he said. (NAN)

Foreign

Why anti-graft war is difficult in African countries – Expert

By Harrison  Arubu

A U.S.-based management and anti-graft expert, Dr Mannixs Paul, has attributed the difficulty being faced in the fight against corruption in African countries to the lack of a rule-based culture.

Paul disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York.

According to him, the community- or relationship-oriented culture existing in such countries only drive corruption.

Paul, a Nigerian, is the founder of Afro Red-Flag Protective Shield, an anti-graft initiative launched at the weekend to check white-collar crimes in the private sector of African countries.

He said: “There are anti-corruption laws in African countries that are well crafted but fail at the point of implementation.

“Most of these laws and rules were borrowed from the western world where they are effective, and they fail in Africa because of the difference in culture.

“The western world operates rule-based culture, which emphasises explicit, objective, and externally made rules that forbid personal preferences or favoured relationships.

“But the developing world operates under the community-based culture where relationships or connections dictate application of rules.

“It is very hard to fight fraud and corruption in a community-based culture, and the very few who stand their ground end up as enemies of society,” Paul said.

He called for a paradigm shift, emphasising that Africans “cannot continue to sustain the status quo and expect a new result.”

Paul, who is a licensed private investigator, described Afro Red-Flag Protective Shield as a robust anti-graft initiative established with the aim of cultivating an ethical and rule-oriented culture among business organisations.

According to him, the programme is designed to strategically modify the behaviours of employees and employers alike to ensure honesty, transparency, and accountability.

“Afro Red-Flag Protective Shield is a collection of professionals in different fields such as law, business management, criminology, psychology, and forensics, among others, committed to helping in tackling organisational issues.

“We will be conducting corruption risk assessments, system reviews, capacity building for employers and employees, and business intelligence reporting, among others, in entities that need our help.

“Our mission is to help business organisations and agencies to achieve corporate goals, save cost and time, maximise human capital, and regain prosperity with fewer resources.

“Ordinarily, it is called consulting, which businesses and organisations are supposed to pay for, but we are doing it free of charge.

“All you need as an organisation to assess the services, is to be a member of the Afro Red-Flag Group,” he stated.

Paul said the programme, designed exclusively for the private sector, was launching its pilot phase in Nigeria and would be extended to other parts of Africa in due course. (NAN)