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CAS cautions against encroachment on NAF lands

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CAS cautions against encroachment on NAF lands

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has warned communities and institutions against encroaching on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) lands across the country.

This is contained in a statement by AVM Edward Gabkwet, Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abubakar said he recently discussed issues related to NAF land encroachment by some communities in Benue, when he visited Gov. Hyacinth Alia of the state.

He said the warning was in view of the fact that such encroachment had negative consequences on national security.

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The CAS expressed concern that even though NAF had built a fence to contain encroachment at the western boundary of its base in Makurdi, encroachment had persisted at the eastern boundary.

Abubakar raised alarm about the potential loss of 1,537.8 hectares of the 4,486 hectares of NAF land in Benue, representing about 34 per cent of the land originally allocated for establishment of the base in 1977.

“It is important to note that the 4,486 hectares of land currently serving as the home base of Tactical Air Command in Makurdi was allocated to the NAF in 1977 as depicted by the Signature Plan signed by the then Governor, Col. Abdullahi Shellenge.

“The siting of NAF Base at the location was to meet set operational and strategic National Security objectives.

“Ceding such a significant portion of NAF land would limit the required space for medium, and long term infrastructural development necessary for future operational readiness and capability development.

“These are in addition to immediate security and safety concerns that are apparent with such boundary reduction,” he said.

The CAS said that encroachment on NAF land over the years had resulted in protracted disputes between the NAF and its neighbouring communities.

“Previous efforts to resolve these disputes have failed to achieve desired results,” Abubakar said.

The CAS, however, said a tripartite committee comprising the representatives of the Benue government, NAF and affected communities had been set up to seek lasting solution to the problem.

He expressed the commitment of NAF to tackling communal clashes, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality in Benue and other parts of the country.(NAN

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Tinubu to inaugurate Funtua Inland Dry Port May 9

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Tinubu to inaugurate Funtua Inland Dry Port May 9

President Bola Tinubu is expected to inaugurate the Funtua Inland Dry Port in Katsina State on May 9.

Mrs Rebecca Adamu, Assistant Director, Public Relations Unit, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday.

She said the inauguration, to be conducted at Funtua IDP Project Site, Katsina, at 11: 00 a.m would feature critical stakeholders and dignitaries

Adamu described the sea port as one of the pivotal projects to showcase the NSC commitments to facilitating trade in the country.

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“Establishment of inland dry port will bring shipping and port services closer to the importers and exporters at the hinterland,

“It will decongest the seaports, create job opportunities, improve and accrue huge revenue to the government, among others.

“It is also in line with the performance bond signed by the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“It is worthy to note that, this initiative is part of NSC’ Key Performance Indicator (KPI), to deliver the Funtua Inland Dry Port Project before the end of the 1st Quarter, 2024,’’ she said.

Adamu recalled that in Feb. 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari, declared Funtua IDP as a port of origin and destination to pave the way for importers and exporters to officially consign their cargoes from Funtua to any part of the world.

She said the Funtua IDP was the third port to be inaugurated by the Federal Government in recent time.

Adamu said that the Federal Government had also inaugurated the Dala Inland Dry Port in 2023 and the Kaduna Inland Dry Port in 2018. (NAN)

By Aisha Cole

Group urges FRSC to engage youths as Volunteer Road Marshals

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Group urges FRSC to engage youths as Volunteer Road Marshals

The Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation, has urged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to facilitate the setting up of  Volunteer Road Marshals comprising youths in each state of the country.

The Director General of the committee, Chief Obinna Nwaka, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Corps Marshal, Dauda Ali-Biu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said apart from engaging the youths to be productive, the effort would lead to safer roads in the country.

According to him, the group had made such proposal in 2020 but did not receive the appropriate response it deserved.

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Nwaka said that the initiative was also aimed at reducing restiveness among the youth as witnessed during the EndSars protests, and create opportunities for them to work as interns, in partnership with the committee.

“If we continue to engage the youth, there are some responsibilities they will take upon themselves. That is why we are representing the `Volunteers Road Marshal’ scheme for your kind consideration,” he said.

Nwaka commended the corps marshal for initiating welfare schemes for FRSC staff, saying it had raised the productivity of the personnel.

Responding, Ali-Biu, represented by Mrs Comfort Asom, Corps Commander, Special Duties and External Relations, commended the organisation for their commitment to youth development and promoting government policies and programmes.

The corps marshal expressed readiness to support the `Volunteers Road Marshal’ initiative and other youth friendly programmes. .(NAN)

By Ibironke Ariyo

Reps invite health minister, logistics firm over PPP, concessions

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Reps invite health minister, logistics firm over PPP, concessions

The Joint Committee of the House of Representatives investigating the performance of the Public-Private Partnership Programme (PPP) and concessions has invited the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.

The House Joint Committee on Public Assets and Special Duties also summoned one of the firms involved in the PPP and concessions, MDS Logistics, to appear before it.

Rep. Ademorin Kuye, Chairman of the joint committee and Chairman of House Committee on Public Assets said this in Abuja on Wednesday when the committee met with officials of the ministry.

He said that the team from the Ministry of Health and Social Services failed to give satisfactory responses to the management of PPP and concessions when they appeared before them.

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Prof. Sydney Ibeanusi, Director, PPP Diaspora, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Service, said in his presentation that the ministry runs PPP programmes with some private companies.

One such partnerships, according to him, is the ‘Warehouse in a Box Project’, saddled with the operation and maintenance of the Federal Central Medical Warehouse Lagos and the Premier Medical Warehouse Abuja.

The two warehouses located in Abuja and Lagos were insulated warehouses made up of pre-engineered modular components as well as fittings and operating components.

This, he said, includes offices, furnishings, racking, kitting, security, and office equipment, among others.

He said because of the partnership, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Services handed over the warehouses to a company, MDS Logistics, in 2019 to manage for 5 years.

However, members of the committee argued that the management of these warehouses in the last few years fell short of expectations.

In a resolution, the committee decried the lack of proper management of PPP and concessions and attributed it to one of the factors responsible for the failure of several health facilities during COVID-19.

The committee also maintained that its observations indicated that some of the PPP and concessions were not in compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

The committee said that there were several discrepancies in the PPP agreement with MDS, adding that the major one was the payment terms to the federation.

The committee said it was meant to be after the 5-year concession period, adding that the new administration renegotiated payment of all the revenues that have accrued to the federal government.

This, according to the committee, covered the four years that the concession had run.

The committee said the only payment made came with massive deductions for the maintenance of the facility.

The committee said it should have been borne by the partners in the concession according to the agreed sharing formula.(NAN)

By Femi Ogunshola

Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threats to ECOWAS

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Violent extremism, terrorism, biggest threats to ECOWAS

The Commandant, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Accra, Ghana, Maj.-Gen. Richard Gyane, says violent extremism and terrorism (VET) are the biggest threats to the ECOWAS sub region, Africa and humanity.

Gyane stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a mobile training course on women, youth, and VET, organized by KAIPTC on Wednesday in Abuja.

The commandant said that the security challenges in West Africa  informed KAIPTC’s decision to organize the capacity building for women and youth to build their resilience to tackle terrorism.

He said that the training, organized in collaboration with the Norwegian Government, would empower women and youth with the requisite knowledge about terrorists’ operations and build their resilience against VET threats.

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“If you look at our sub region now, violent extremism is a big threat to us; If you look at the Sahel nations, most of these countries are virtually taken over by violent groups.

“If you look at Nigeria and the Boko Haram group, and the movement of these groups southwards, it is worrisome.

“Why are we particular about women and youth? They become vulnerable. These are the most vulnerable groups in our society, who are subject to radicalization by VETs.

“The aim is to engage these women and youth especially and let them understand the issues, the recruitment and all that about these groups who want to destroy our humanity within the sub region,” he said.

According to Gyane, KAIPTC engages and empowers women and youth through its training programs because when people are empowered, it becomes difficult for VET groups, whose aim is to radicalize the people and take over their countries, to do so.

He said that no country could tackle VET alone, and stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders beyond the security space in order to curb VET’s surging scourge in West Africa and  Africa at large.

Gyane said that, given the porous borders of ECOWAS countries, and the need for them to cooperate and share intelligence, ECOWAS member states should do everything possible to bring on board Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, who are threatening to quit the bloc.

“It is not good for the sub region to have a divided front, and I think whatever we need to do to bring on board these countries, who want to separate themselves from the sub region, is very necessary.

“ECOWAS has done well in certain areas, especially the free movement of persons protocol and I think within the continent of Africa, ECOWAS has done so well.

“But I think we need to collaborate more beyond even the security space. I would want to see us one day using the same currency and all that.

“We should work more as one homogeneous sub region to ensure that people should be free to live and work wherever they are and do business.

“When we do that, it can help us to control violent extremism and terrorism,” Gyane added.(NAN)

By Mark Longyen

USAID, FCMB partner on private health sector financing Newsdiaryonline

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USAID, FCMB partner on private health sector financing Newsdiaryonline

USAID, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and the U.S. International Development
Finance Corporation (DFC) have launched a partnership to facilitate 10 million dollar loans to strengthen Nigeria’s private health sector.

The loans will bolster access to finance for businesses in the health sector, specifically micro, small, and medium-sised enterprises, and underserved populations, including women and youth.

Melissa Jones, Mission Director, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria, at the partnership launch on Wednesday in Lagos said “Nigeria is
facing challenges in the health sector.”

She added that the agreement would advance government’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improved healthcare for Nigerians.

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According to her, underinvestment is one of the key issues affecting the health sector.

She said “with Nigeria struggling to meet the 2001 Abuja Declaration goal of allocating 15 per cent of its budget to health amid competing national priorities, private investment in the sector is increasingly crucial to bridge the gaps.

“According to the World Health Organisation, Nigeria ranks 187th out of 191 countries in health system performance.”

She, however, said limited access to finance remained a central concern for the numerous small businesses that dominate Nigeria’s health sector.

This, she said, impedes businesses’ ability to expand, diversify products and services and, in some cases, to operate.

Jones said the financing opportunities being provided to selected private healthcare sector MSMEs would improve their ability to provide basic healthcare services to reach Nigeria’s growing population.

“Beyond financing, USAID will also provide technical assistance to FCMB to support the bank’s loan origination and monitoring processes for eligible loans.

“The technical assistance project will support FCMB to tailor loan products to the specific needs of its target market, develop a pipeline of beneficiaries, and increase their credit worthiness.

“In addition to this health loan portfolio, we are committed to working with FCMB to disburse loans to the agriculture and renewable energy sectors through our existing partnerships,” Jones said.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said that a robust healthcare system is the foundation of national development.

She added that with rapid adoption of healthcare technologies, Nigeria’s health sector has the potential to leapfrog toward holistic transformation.

She noted that FCMB would be playing a role in the journey by bridging long-standing gaps, enhancing efficiency, and ultimately supporting the sector in delivering better care for Nigerians.

“This facility represents a catalyst for progress, fueling services, expansion of infrastructure, and instilling hope within the sector.”

Edun also commended the DFC for the commitment to improve local access to quality healthcare and investing in a healthier, more productive future
for Nigerians by addressing the financing gap in the healthcare value chain. (NAN)

By Busayo Onijala

Brickhall School Mourns, Explains Death Of Pupil

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Brickhall School Mourns, Explains Death Of Pupil

 

The Brickhall School, Abuja has mourned the memory of its late four-year-old pupil, Miguel Ovoke who choked on a piece of meat offal in the home-packaged meal he ate during school hours.

Lamenting the death of the pupil, the school said it was greatly saddened that the life of the pupil could not be saved despite the timely response of its trained nurse and the eventual decision to rush him to a hospital.

While noting the decision to mourn the late pupil by closing the school for one week, the school respectfully urged everyone connected to the tragedy to respect Miguel’s memory with dignity and peace while allowing medical professionals and law enforcement agencies to conclude with the autopsy.

The school said:

It is with profound sorrow and deepest sympathy that we at Brickhall School, Management and the Parents Teacher’s Forum express our heartfelt condolences to the family of our dearly beloved pupil, Miguel Ovoke.

We are devastated to report that Miguel tragically passed away on April 24, 2024, following a sad incident where he choked on a piece of meat offal from his meal brought from home, despite the immediate and expert care provided by our dedicated staff and certified school nurse.

In response to this heart-wrenching event, we convened an urgent meeting with our school community on the day of the incident.

Out of respect for Miguel’s memory and to honor his bright spirit, we suspended classes for over a week, allowing our community time to mourn and reflect on this profound loss.

We have cooperated fully with the relevant authorities to ensure a thorough and compassionate resolution for everyone affected, especially Miguel’s grieving family.

The leadership of both the school and the Parents Teacher’s Forum has personally visited Miguel’s family to offer our support and condolences during this indescribably difficult time. We stand with them in their grief and extend our support to all who loved Miguel—his friends, classmates, and our entire community.

As our school resumes, particularly for students preparing for their Senior and Junior School Certificate examinations, we reaffirm our commitment to the well-being and education of all our students.

We have continued to work closely with medical professionals, law enforcement, and Miguel’s family to clarify the circumstances surrounding this tragedy.

In these efforts, we strive for transparency and sensitivity, mindful that the narrative shared in public may not always capture the complexity of such a deeply personal and painful moment.

As a school, we consider this a most tragic incident and continue to take steps to seek resolution.

However, we want to firmly reiterate the following:

1. Our duty of care has been efficient, and we have never recorded an incident of this magnitude.

2. Our staff are trained on emergency procedures and first aid.

3. Our licensed school nurse followed laid down procedures for handling such emergencies.

The loss of Miguel Ovoke, a cherished member of the Brickhall School family, fills us with profound sadness.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and assure them—and all who grieve alongside them—of our unwavering support and heartfelt empathy.

We respectfully urge everyone connected to this tragedy to honor Miguel’s memory with dignity and peace, while we allow the medical and law enforcement professionals to ascertain possible cause of death, as we continue identifying and engaging with the family.

We will continue to strive towards maintaining transparency with our school community.

Thank you.

Brickhall School Management

PoS agents frown at CAC’s registration mandate, says customers

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PoS agents frown at CAC’s registration mandate, says customers

Some Point of Sale (PoS) agents in the FCT, have frowned at the new directive of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for them to register with the commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CAC had on Monday issued a two-month registration deadline to PoS operators to register their agents, merchants, and individuals with the commission in line with legal requirements and the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The agents, who spoke to NAN in Abuja on Wednesday, said the registration which would require money would impact on transaction cost paid by customers.

Mr Kofi Kolawole, a PoS agent, said the registration would deplete the profits in the business.

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Kolawole said the registration would also discourage people from entering the business.

“I know that this registration when actualised by our operators will increase the amount they charge us.

“This means that the cost we charge on each transaction will increase, so our customers will bear the cost,’’ he said.

Another PoS agent, Mr Clement Agbasi, said the directive negated the financial inclusion initiative of the CBN.

Agbasi said that directive would cause many customers to save their cash at home rather than being charged heavily for their online transactions.

“The PoS business was geared toward bringing the banks closer to the unbanked and making it easier for them.

“With all these charges including the 0.5 per cent cyber-security levy on customers, many people will be discouraged from putting their monies in banks,’’ he said.

Miss Loretta Ubong, another PoS agent, said that although the registration was a welcome development, it must be done in a way that would not be detrimental to businesses.

Ubong appealed to CAC to conduct the registration in line with best practices.

“I am a student and I use the proceed from this business to pay my bills.

“The Commission should not do the registration in a way that will kill my business,’’ she said.

However, Mrs Ndidiamaka Ibe, a customer said the registration would help to check financial frauds and sharp practices perpetrated with PoS.

“I was a victim of one-chance and my over two million naira was withdrawn from a PoS.

“When I got to my bank, they could not trace the owner of the PoS.

“I think that what the Federal Government is trying to do is to check things like this so that when fraud is perpetrated by a PoS agent, he or she can be easily traced,’’ she said.

NAN reports that CAC had said that the registration was aimed at safeguarding businesses of Fintech’s customers and strengthening the economy.

The Commission had given July 7 as deadline for the registration. (NAN)

By Ginika Okoye

NEMA, UNICEF review Nigeria’s hazard risk analysis

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NEMA, UNICEF review Nigeria’s hazard risk analysis

 The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), with technical support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is reviewing Nigeria’s hazard risk analysis to mitigate disasters in the country.

Mrs Zubaida Umar, NEMA Director General, disclosed this  at the official opening of a 3-day hazard risk analysis workshop on Wednesday in Jos.

Umar said that the exercise was to ensure effective preparedness and mitigation of various hazards and risks.

The director general stated that  hazard risk analysis was a vital prerequisite for the development and review of a national contingency plan and other related documents for disaster preparedness.

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Represented by Mr Fred Anusim, Assistant Director, Planning Research and Focasting, NEMA headquarters, Umar said that risk analysis is reviewed periodically in order to be in tune with the present reality of hazards spreading in Nigeria.

Umar emphasised that preparedness was a vital component of disaster management and needed to be given adequate attention to ensure a timely, effective, and efficient response.

“Therefore, the agency, with the technical support of UNICEF, has deemed it fit to invite critical stakeholders to this forum to deliberate on how to identify, review, and update the impeding risks we are currently facing in Nigeria.

“This hazard risk analysis, data gathering, and mapping initiative being carried out in the next three  days will improve knowledge of the risk terrain in Nigeria and support risk-informed programming.

“It will also support the assessment of potential hazards, evaluate vulnerabilities, and inform strategies to mitigate risks and enhance community resilience.

“At the end of this exercise, it is expected that the baseline for developing mitigation strategies like early warning systems and

community-based preparedness will be provided.

“It is aimed at creating awareness of potential hazards to enhance public readiness,” she said.

Mr Sunday Abdu, Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency  said that the workshop was  a crucial step towards enhancing our understanding of risk analysis and its application in Nigeria, especially at this crucial

times when all hands must be on deck.

Abdu said exercise would enable relevant agencies to better identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks, ultimately contributing to the well-being and prosperity of our

nation.

The executive secretary appreciated  NEMA for always chatting about the way forward and UNICEF for remaining a reliable partner.

He urged the participants to work collaboratively, share ideas, and learn from each other.

Mr Olayinka Afolabi, Emergency Specialist at UNICEF, revealed that since 2021, UNICEF has been providing technical support to the NEMA in data collection and analysis of hazard risks across Nigeria.

Afolabi stated that the collaborative effort aims to bolster the country’s preparedness and response capabilities in times of crisis.

The emergency specialist said that the initiative has yielded valuable baseline information that serves as a crucial foundation for preparedness and humanitarian action.

“Additionally, the data collected has become a key reference point for government entities and development partners, offering a comprehensive view of the risk landscape in Nigeria.

“UNICEF is set to further support NEMA in assessing and documenting changes to the risk profile in the country.

“This ongoing partnership, which will involve validation across the six geopolitical zones, is expected to enhance NEMA’s capacity to coordinate disaster management activities effectively.

“It will reposition them as a central hub for information dissemination that will inform and strengthen response interventions nationwide.

“Through these collaborative efforts, UNICEF and NEMA are working together to ensure that Nigeria is better equipped to respond to emergencies and safeguard the well-being of its citizens,” he added.

Mr Eugene Nyelong, NEMA North Central Zonal Coordinator, said in his remarks that the workshop would generate new ways of tackling disasters in the country.

Nyelong lauded NEMA D-G for the initiative, saying that the review would improve knowledge of the risk patterns and terrain in Nigeria.

The coordinator added that it would help achieve coordinated planning through consensus building, mobilisation of resources, and information sharing among stakeholders. (NAN)

By Peter Amine

Group faults Atiku on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

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Group faults Atiku on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

Concerned Nigerian Network in Diaspora (CNND), a Pressure Group, has faulted former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s critism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project, describing it as baseless.

Mr James Erebuoye, the President, CNND, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Abubakar had alleged that the project was embarked upon because of business ties between President Bola Tinubu and Gilbert Chagoury, the owner of the Hitech Construction Company.

But Erebuoye, said that there was no iota of truth in the claim.

He said that Nigerians should focus on the capabilities, integrity and service delivery of the company, rather than some mundane issues.

Erebuoyo, also the President, Rebuild Nigeria Movement Worldwide, advised Nigerians to consider the company’s credibility and service delivery capabilities regardless of its ownership.(NAN)

 

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