Council - News Agency Of Nigeria

Ismail Abdulaziz
Jul, Fri, 2025

Igbinedion varsity extends Prof. Mora’s council membership

235 total views today

By Nana Musa

The Zazzau Emirate Council has commended the renewal of appointment of Prof. Ahmed Mora as council member of the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo state.

This is contained in a statement by the Media and Publicity Office of the Emirate on Friday in Abuja.

“It is with great pleasure that we announce the renewal of Wakilin Maganin Zazzau, Professor Ahmed Tijjani Mora’s appointment as a Council Member of Igbinedion University, Okada, for a further period of three years.”

It disclosed that Mora has been serving on the council since 2022 and previously contributed to the Board of Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital (IUTH), Okada, from 2020 to 2022.

Mora holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree (Pharmacy) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto.

He is a Member of National Institute (mni), a Fellow of the West African Post-graduate College of Pharmacists (FWAPCPharm) and a Fellow of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), and has undertaken several Professional and Management courses in various Universities and Institutes including Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Mora led the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) as Registrar/CEO from October 2003 to January 2012 to execute a radical restructuring and transformation of the PCN into a global player in pharmacy regulation.

He was a member of the PCN Governing Council at various times and served as its Chairman.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

NGF backs constitutional role for traditional rulers

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Fri, 2025

Politics

NGF backs constitutional role for traditional rulers

314 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

Gov. Hope Uzodimma, Chairman of the Joint Committee of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and National Council of Traditional Rulers (NCTR), has pledged the Forum’s support for the establishment of the council.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Uzodimma addressed journalists following the Forum’s meeting on the proposed bill to establish the NCTR..

He affirmed the NGF’s commitment to ensuring the bill’s passage, which is currently before the National Assembly.

“With the bill now at second reading in the Senate, this meeting offers a timely platform to refine our collective stance,” he said.

He stressed the need for the bill’s provisions to reflect real conditions and practical governance realities across communities.

Uzodimma, who is also the Imo Governor, said the amendment offers an opportunity to embed traditional institutions in the nation’s governance framework.

He noted that including traditional rulers in State and National Security Councils is not merely symbolic but both strategic and long overdue.

“Last year, the NGF held a special meeting with the NCTRN to discuss involving traditional rulers in rural governance and administration,” he recalled.

He added that the ongoing constitutional amendment process presents a chance to recognise and assign defined responsibilities to traditional institutions.

He also revealed that a subcommittee comprising NGF and NCTRN members was formed as a result of that meeting.

The subcommittee developed proposals to strengthen traditional rulers’ constitutional roles and to secure NGF’s support for their inclusion in the amendment.

Uzodimma said the latest meeting featured presentations from the subcommittee, which nearly secured full support from Forum members.

He stated: “Our final report will go to the wider NGF board for consideration and possible adoption.

“If adopted, we will liaise with the National Assembly to ensure inclusion in the constitutional alteration.”

Uzodimma emphasised that the meeting came at a time of rising security challenges and weakening community bonds in some regions.

He said the government is committed to peace and stability, and this demands more than centralised responses.

“Community-driven solutions must be part of the strategy, drawing on the authority and influence of traditional rulers,” he noted.

He reiterated that the proposed amendment gives Nigeria a chance to integrate traditional institutions into formal governance structures.

Uzodimma stated: “Tackling insecurity should start at the grassroots. Traditional leaders are well-placed to warn early, reconcile disputes and support state actions.” (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Water, sanitation, food security critical to national development –FG

Tosin Kolade
Jan, Tue, 2025

Environment

Water, sanitation, food security critical to national development –FG

642 total views today

By Isaiah Eka

Mr Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has stated that water, sanitation, and food security are essential to Nigeria’s development.

Pheelangwah made this remark at the 31st regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation (NCWR&S) in Uyo on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the meeting is “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change”.

The permanent secretary, who also serves as the Council’s Chairman, noted that water, sanitation, and food security have a direct impact on public health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.

He urged the National Technical Committee, which is holding a five-day session, to identify challenges and propose solutions through the memoranda to be presented.

“The theme of this year’s Council meeting was carefully chosen to reflect the critical importance of water, food security, and the negative impacts of climate change on our people.

“This theme is timely, as it could not have come at a better moment.

“It is important that we continue to meet because what we know today may not hold tomorrow.

“Life keeps evolving, and we must evolve with it; otherwise, what we considered relevant yesterday becomes obsolete today,” he said.

He further noted that President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency on food security necessitates action from relevant ministries and authorities to ensure adequate irrigation and year-round farmland cultivation for food production.

The permanent secretary also commended the Akwa Ibom State Government and development partners for their unwavering support of the ministry’s efforts.

In her remarks, Mrs Emah Udonsek, Permanent Secretary of the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, emphasised that water and food security are fundamental to human survival, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

She noted the timeliness of the theme, noting its focus on sustainable water resource management and food security for Nigerians.

“The theme also underscores the urgent need for action, innovative solutions, and collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change,” she said.

Udonsek added that the future of food security and water availability is closely tied to the nation’s ability to adapt to climate change.

NAN reports that development partners and key stakeholders delivered goodwill messages during the opening session of the technical meeting. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Nigeria not snubbed in UN Human Rights Council election – Presidency

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Oct, Mon, 2024

General News

Nigeria not snubbed in UN Human Rights Council election – Presidency

721 total views today

By Salif Atojoko

Nigeria was not snubbed in the 2024 UN Human Rights Council election, as some reports have claimed, says Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy.

Onanuga said this in a statement titled, “Setting the Record Straight,” on Sunday.

He said the country did not stand as a candidate for this cycle of elections, just like it did not stand for election in 2023 when a Nigerian medium reported that the country earned three votes.

“The same lie was rehashed in the erroneous report in circulation. Again, we restate that Nigeria was not on the ballot in the election held on Oct. 9.

“Whatever vote was recorded for our country must have been cast in error in the secret balloting by some countries which thought Nigeria was on the ballot,” said Onanuga.

According to him, for those conversant with elections into international organisations, especially to the Human Rights Council, countries vying for positions usually receive regional endorsements.

He said the regional bloc endorsed Benin and Gambia, both members of ECOWAS, for the 2025-2027 term.

Given Nigeria’s continued leadership in fostering African unity, he said the nation focused on supporting the endorsed candidates to promote collective African representation.

“This has been the hallmark of President Bola Tinubu’s leadership on the continent.

“This strategic approach aligns with Nigeria’s long-standing diplomatic efforts to ensure Africa speaks with a united voice on the global stage.

“The media should cross-check their information before rushing to press. There was no sign this was done with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or our country’s mission in New York.

“As Nigerians, we should not be quick to disparage or drag our country, especially on international matters,” said the presidential aide.

He stated that on Oct. 9, the UN General Assembly elected 18 members to the Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term.

The members elected to the Council are: Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand.

Onanuga said the Council was an intergovernmental body within the UN system consisting of 47 States tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally.

“The election, conducted via secret ballot, determined which nations would fill three-year terms beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, replacing members whose terms expire on Dec. 31, 2024.

“Among the outgoing members are: Argentina, Benin, Cameroon, Eritrea, Finland, Gambia, Honduras, India, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Montenegro, Paraguay, Qatar, Somalia, United Arab Emirates and the United States,” he said.

He added that a report on the meeting published by the UN said Argentina, Cameroon, Eritrea, India and Somalia, which had served two consecutive terms, were ineligible for immediate re-election.

Also, Albania, Algeria, Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, and South Africa will continue serving on the Council.

“In the African regional group, the endorsed candidates, Benin, Gambia, Kenya, DRC, and Ethiopia – successfully secured all the five available seats.

“There was no competition in the African regional group, as the continent fielded the same number of candidates as available seats,” Onanuga clarified. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh