A new funding initiative supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency will provide acute malnutrition management services to more than 280 000 pregnant women, caregivers, and kids under five (SIDA).
The new funding of SEK 26 million (US$ 2.7 million), to be implemented by UNICEF and partners, will also help improve access to safe water, sanitation systems and hygiene for 86,000 conflict-affected women and children in north-east Nigeria.
Thirteen years of armed conflict in north-east Nigeria has left women and children in acute vulnerability. Congestion in camps and settlements, high rates of open defecation and poor sanitation practices have put conflict-affected families and children at the risk of disease outbreaks and preventable deaths. Insecurity, loss of livelihood opportunities, high food prices and COVID-19 combined have put 4.1 million people in need of food assistance, drastically impacting the food and nutrition quality available for children in the region.
North-east Nigeria is currently experiencing its highest burden of acute malnutrition since 2016, with 34 per cent projected increase in the burden of acute malnutrition in the lean season of 2022, compared to 2021. Unless urgent actions are taken, at least 1.7 million under five children in north-east Nigeria will need acute malnutrition treatment in 2022.
Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria said “Malnutrition, the single most deadly threat to child survival and development is dealing children in north-east Nigeria a deadly hand.’’
“Insecurity, global hike in food prices and ongoing humanitarian interventions targeting early detection at the household level are resulting in a record number of under five children presenting symptoms of acute malnutrition and needing urgent life-saving services.
“UNICEF is grateful that the support from SIDA will not only help to scale treatment services to more children and address contributory water and sanitation services issues in camps and settlements, but will also help increase investment in preventive nutrition services targeting pregnant women and lactating mothers with maternal nutrition services.’’
As the Headquarters of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) is yet to come out of the crisis that has engulfed one of its biggest churches in Jos which is currently in court, there is a problem in one of its biggest churches in Abuja due to the financial indiscretion and maladministration of the Senior Pastor of the church.
The Senior Pastor, ECWA Wuse II, Rev. Dr. Nash Azaki whose stewardship has been under serious scrutiny, has overwhelming allegations of financial indiscretion and maladministration hanging on him and over which the leadership of the denomination has failed to act.
A petition to the Headquarters of ECWA, signed by eleven concerned members of the local church, alleged that Rev(Dr) Azaki violated the financial guidelines and bylaws of ECWA within two months of his appointment as the Senior Pastor of the church. As a result of his financial indiscipline coupled with his amateur administrative approach, the population of the assembly has been depleted from over 3,000 to about 1,500 members within a space of two years of his stewardship.
Investigation revealed that Azaki’s impudence led him to fraudulently obtain two debit cards with which he accessed the church’s naira and dollar accounts and this was done without prerequisite approval of the Church Board as specified in ECWA’s Bylaws. The petitioners said that “the Senior Pastor withdraws cash from ATM (sometimes he sent people) and spent church funds using the debit card without the knowledge or approval of Local Church Board LCB)”.
Confirming that his actions were gross misconduct and in breach of the ECWA Bylaws, it was learned some Elders collected and destroyed the two debit cards, but the Senior Pastor has continued to explore other illegal means, which include, giving verbal instruction to one of the church’s banks for a release of N4m of the church funds without following due process.
The Cleric who is currently in the eyes of the storm over his maladministration was said to have also been promoted and posted to ECWA Wuse II to head two other Pastors who are his seniors in the ministry while he was still a student in the US. This was said to have breached ECWA’S Bylaws and Ministerial protocols too.
It was gathered that the Cleric’s indiscipline which has adversely affected the Church’s spiritual well-being and even financial status, has continued unabated due to his alleged links with certain cabal in the Headquarters of ECWA.
In the petition, it was alleged that his indiscipline and impunity was traceable to the wrong process that imposed him over his seniors in the ministry. According to the petition, Rev. Azaki was ordained in 2019 and posted to ECWA Wuse II to head the two pastors who were ordained in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
A reliable source in the Church who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that soon after the embattled Cleric assumed duties in the local church in 2020, there was an unprecedented exodus of youthful population of the church membership due to several allegations and complaints against the him.
Another letter also obtained during investigation revealed that, “the current state of affairs in the LCB was caused by the failure of the LCB to carry out due diligence on Rev. (Dr.) Azaki as all previous LCBs had done for incoming Pastors.”
When approached with the allegations, the embattled Cleric neither denied nor admitted to be guilty.
Instead of giving personal responses to defend himself, he invited the Church’s Secretary to respond on his behalf and agreed that such responses suffice as his own.
According to the Church Secretary, every issue of concern raised in the document by the aggrieved members have been resolved during series of meetings held with them.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has been alerted to the illegal conversion of the Kuje Railway line to private residences (FCTA).
At a gathering with traditional leaders, council representatives, Kuje traders, and artists over the weekend, this information was made public.
The situation was described as “extremely disturbing” by Comrade Ikharo Attah, Senior Special Assistant on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement to the FCT Minister. He also issued a warning that all such illegal structures would be demolished without making any restitution to the owners.
Attah also expressed shock at the lack of due diligence performed by land purchasers for railway corridors prior to spending their hard-earned money in such a risky transaction.
The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has made the decision to take harsh action against careless taxpayers in order to ensure that they comply with the payment and filing of tax returns.
When Mr. Haruna Abdullahi, the Service’s acting executive chairman, made the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TATleadership )’s a courtesy visit in Abuja, he revealed this.
According to Abdullahi, it is no longer business as usual because the FCT-IRS is legally permitted to collect all unpaid tax obligations and prosecute tax evaders. Every taxpayer in the FCT must be accountable and responsive to their civic responsibilities, and the Service is equipped and committed to achieving this goal.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Head Corporate Communications, FCT-IRS. Mustapha Sumaila on Sunday in Abuja.
He said considering the number of the taxpayers in the FCT, it is shameful to see that so many of them are not complying, stating that “we need to change that, we are engaging the Judiciary, Security Agencies, the media and other relevant stakeholders on this matter, I can assure you, before the year runs out, people will be held accountable.
“We are ready, we have built our capacity and it is our intention to make our mark and ensure that people do what they are supposed to do according to the law. We will be guided by the Personal Income Tax Act, Finance Act, FCT-IRS Act and of course, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” he said.
Abdullahi, who assured the Tribunal of the internal capacity of the Service, charged members of the Tribunal to justify the confidence reposed in them by the law by working assiduously towards ensuring that recalcitrant taxpayers are brought to justice.
The acting executive chairman stated some of the derivable benefits the collaboration will bring to both parties and the country to include voluntary tax compliance, evident growth of the tax net, awareness creation on FCT-IRS processes and the responsibility of the Tax Appeal Tribunal.
He said others include stringent enforcement actions which will ultimately result to a significant boost in revenue generation.
He disclosed that through this step, more individuals and agencies will be held accountable for failing to pay taxes as and when due. This is in line with the engagement being carried out by the Service with the judiciary, security agencies and other stakeholders.
Abdullahi described the visit as a step in the right direction and expressed delight in the quick adjudication of cases by the Tribunal.
In her response, The Coordinating Secretary of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Hajara Bolanle Oniyangi expressed happiness on the visit by the delegation from FCT-IRS.
Oniyangi stated that it is important for the Service to harness all areas of revenue generation as permissible by law.
She added that as a revenue generating agency there is bound to be dispute emanating from the Service, displeased taxpayers and Agencies, hence the reason the Tax Appeal Tribunal was established.
Speaking on the benefits of the initiative, she noted that the Tribunal’s processes are simple and clear with a reputation for prompt judgement delivery.
Lauding the Acting Executive Chairman’s efforts and recognising the intricate role of publicity in boosting compliance, Mrs. Oniyangi expressed her delight on the initiative taken by the Service to partner with the Tribunal.
She also highlighted the need for the Service to intensify its awareness and sensitisation efforts stating that taxpayers cannot be entirely be blamed for non-compliance if they are not duly informed about the process, pros and cons of paying their taxes and vice versa.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the tribunal, Mr Ahmed Aliyu also expressed joy on the step taken by the Service towards strengthening the enforcement with a view to boosting the revenue collection of FCT-IRS.
“If, for instance, there are organisations that collect personal income tax and fail to remit, it is sometimes difficult to go in there and force them, but there is a Tribunal created by the government for that purpose, and, once judgement is delivered by the Tribunal, even if they want to appeal, they will have to pay the money first”
Aliyu also pledged to assist the Service in whatever way possible within the ambit of the law to ensure that cases from FCT IRS are given accelerated hearing within the ambit of the Procedure Rules of the Tribunal, in order to ensure that not a single tax payer evades or avoids his or her tax paying obligation, which he said, would ultimately enhance the revenue generation of the FCT.
The phony recruitment portal that was allegedly built by the National Population Commission (NPC) has drawn the attention of authorities.
Dr. Isiaka Yahaya, Director of Public Affairs for the NPC, stated in a statement on Monday that Nigerians have been invited to apply for jobs for the Trial Census and the 2023 Census using a fraudulent website called “NPC Recruitment 2022/2023.”
The declaration says, in part: “The National Population Commission has been made aware of the spread on social media of a fraudulent “NPC Recruitment 2022/2023” portal that solicits applications from Nigerians for positions with the Trial Census and the 2023 Census.
“The Commission wishes to state that this information is totally false and misleading, and should therefore be treated as a scam by fraudsters to swindle unsuspecting members of the public, particularly job applicants.
“The Commission disassociates itself from the portal and reiterates the fact that its recruitment portal for the on-going Trial Census is no longer active and was shut down the moment the Commission concluded its recruitment process for the exercise.
“It will be recalled that on the 30th May, 2022, the Commission announced through its social media platforms and also widely reported on other national mainstream media the opening of an e-recruitment portal https://recruitment.adhoctrial.nationalpopulation.gov.ng for the recruitment of ad-hoc staff for the Trial Census exercise nationwide.
“The recruitment of the 14,461 field functionaries has been concluded and the Trial census commenced on 27th June, 2022.
“The Commission wishes to assure Nigerians of its commitment to transparency in the conduct of all activities related to the conduct of the 2023 Census, including recruitment of ad- hoc staff.
“All communication on issues relating to the Commission will be disseminated through its official platforms which include media advertisements, NPC website and verified social media platforms.”
Yahaya said the Commission is taking every measure to uncover those behind the fraudulent recruitment site, warning scammers to desist from “this inglorious act as the Commission will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law to bear on perpetrators in its quest to conduct the first fully digital Population and Housing Census in Nigeria next year that will be credible and acceptable.”
…as FCTA holds stakeholders Engagement, Gives One week Ultimatum
The Kuje Area Council and its Traditional Ruler approved on Friday the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) proposed removal of unlawful constructions and extensive cleanup in Kuje town.
The important stakeholders approved the intended activity during a Stakeholder Engagement and Sensitization Meeting to herald the planned massive demolition in Kuje..
The proposed clean-up operation has received the approval and blessing of HRH Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, the Gomo of Kuje, who stated that he thinks and hopes it will bring back sanity and, most crucially, security to the town.
In order to maintain peace and order in Kuje, he remarked that he has always communicated with various facets of the community, and that he had anticipated a more collaborative efforts from all government agencies.
Also, the Council’s Chairman, Abdullahi Sulaiman Sabo who was represented by the Principal Secretary to Kuje Area Council, Abdullahi Sabo hinted that the Council Officials have endorsed the coming of the bulldozers, but pleaded that more time should be given to allow residents salvage their properties.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to FCT Minister on Monitoring, Inspection and Enforcement, Comrade Ikharo Attah who convened the meeting, warned that after one week ultimatum the steaming bulldozers may not be restrained.
He hinted that FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello who visited the Kuje town recently had expressed angast over the deterioration of both environmental infrastructures and security in the area.
He further added that the Minister authorised the massive clean up to restore order and sanity and as well remove all illegal shelters that provide criminal elements covers.
Attah also urged all the stakeholders, to maximally use the one week to move out from all the illegal places to avoid unnecessary losses, as nothing would stop the clean up exercise.
According to him: “Everyone, the Royal Father, Area Council, and traders have all agreed that all contraventions to the Urban and Regional Acts, AEPB Acts must be cleared.
” The overflow from Kuje market must be taken to the two new markets close by. Those selling perishables will be taken to farmers market, we are saying it in strong terms .
” Based on the urgency of the matter the Area Council will engage the stakeholders and tell everyone to clear in one week. So that we have a better Kuje and everyone will be happy.kuje will be completely cleared”, he stated.
Politicians have been forewarned against rigging the general elections of 2023 in favour of any political party or individual Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Worldwide has hinted.
According to a video seen by our Kaduna-based journalist, Pastor Enenche issued the warning at a sermon at the church’s headquarters in Abuja, Glory Dome, where he said that any attempt to force a failure against the majority’s decision would be disastrous.
Enenche bemoaned what he termed as the country’s insecurity issues, saying that people had remained silent for too long while also complaining that there is too much suffering in the country.
According to him, “If a nation like our nation is headed towards disaster, the God who answers by fire, when he answers us, there is instant alterations.
“You know about seven years ago, some persons arrived and said they want to give change. I am sure you remember; you have seen the change. Loss of lives, blood flowing like water and all manner of banditry, terrorism, kidnappings, unbelievable insecurity, poverty, scarcity, shortage, and all manner of terrible things that continue till this day.
“Nobody should be afraid of the mess and rubbish that is happening today in the political cycle. We have a God in heaven that will answer us by fire. Anything they want, let them do now, but when Jehovah steps down,” he said.
The cleric, further urged that nobody should worry about who is the flag bearer of a political party nor their running mates, noting that such agitations do not matter as the will of God remains the ultimate.
He also stressed that the Nigeria political cycle, has taken God, the church and Christianity for granted for too long, disclosing that no amount of money will be able to suppress the choice of the masses during the 2023 general elections.
“Do not worry yourself about who somebody picks as president or vice president. It does not matter. That is what man has decided.
“It means there are a people that do not matter. They took the church and Christianity for granted in this country for too long, but the God we serve is about to answer by fire and he is going to show them who owns the land.
“Anybody who wants can spend quadrillion Naira to rig election, the will of God will be done in Nigeria this season. Any amount of money they want, there will not be enough to rig the election in favour of evil, killings, destruction and corruption.
“The people of this country have been too docile for long as if they have been charmed. But you know that goat does not bite but when you push him to the wall, he will show you his teeth. This season, any attempt to rig election, People will be shocked at the response. Evil is in the land, yet they want everybody to go quiet as if everything is normal, to hell with that devil.
“If you are silent with evil, it means you are in agreement with that evil. Whenever the occasion demands, you speak with audacity and authority; evil shall not rule our land.
“The same set of people who ruled the land and destroyed it are presenting themselves for leadership. That Devil is a bastard liar. Something must give way and it is evil that must give way.
“Is it not a shame, people said they do not want you to be their leader, yet you spend money to impose yourself on them. Somebody should lead because people want him or her; they should be happy because you want to lead. They said they do not want you but yet you want to bribe people, compromise election to be in power, you do not need to kill anybody to come into power, if they do not like you, clear out, do not contest,” he stressed.
The deep blue project fleet of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), according to Director General Bashir Jamoh, would deploy two special mission aircraft to combat oil theft and safeguard the country’s economy.
Speaking at the 16th Maritime Seminar for Judges, which was recently held and was put on by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Jamoh referred to oil theft, pipeline damage, and illegal refining as illegal acts that could endanger the nation’s economic and environmental well-being.
He stated that the aircrafts from the deep blue project’s mobile assets will assist the current platforms being used by other security agencies, for which NIMASA has an ongoing Memorandum of Understanding.
The NIMASA DG explained that the aircrafts would assist in patrolling oil facilities, installations and other assets to observe suspicious human and vessel movements in and around the facilities
Jamoh, while restating the agency’s commitment to a crime free and secure maritime domain, reminded participants at the seminar of President Muhammadu Buhari’s interest in rebuilding stakeholders and investors’ confidence in the country’s maritime sector.
He said the approval of the President for procurement of the assets, his coming to commission them in Lagos and their deployment for security duties have contributed immensely to the fight against maritime crimes.
According to him, “We shall be deploying our 2 special mission aircrafts for aerial surveillance to prevent and fight oil theft in the country. With this, we aim at using the aircrafts to patrol sensitive areas, record suspicious human and vessel movements to process intelligence for timely action by our security agencies.
“The oil industry is critical to our national economy and no space of the sector should be left for criminals to occupy or operate. We have recorded gains in our maritime security efforts and more needs to be done to sustain and consolidate on these gains.
“Our collaborations with security agencies which we have MoUs with is, among other reasons, to collaborate and work ahead of criminal elements. I am happy to state that our synergies have been beneficial to the country in many ways,” Jamoh said.
Over 500,000 people who have been impacted by conflict will gain from a new humanitarian and development initiative that aims to promote peace, increase opportunities for livelihood, and provide assistance for education, health, nutrition, child protection, and sanitation to build the resilience of vulnerable populations in Borno and Yobe States.
Children 0–23 months, expectant mothers, school-age children, adolescent girls, female-headed families, and individuals with disabilities will be targeted under the Resilience and Social Cohesion initiative, which will be carried out by the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF for three years. The German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development has supported the initiative through KfW, the German Development Bank.
The multi-year project will leverage ongoing humanitarian support in Bade Local Government Area (LGA) of Yobe State and Shani LGA of Borno State, while also providing multisectoral interventions to address drivers of conflict and fragility. The project will support the strengthening of local governance structures to promote social cohesion through community-based processes and the capacity building of Government partners.
Now in its thirteenth year, armed conflict in north-east Nigeria has levelled communities, destroyed livelihoods, and disrupted essential services for children and adults. Protracted insecurity, high food prices and COVID-19 lockdowns have put more than 4 million people in need of food assistance. The situation is further exacerbated by a severe impact of violence and unrest on family income, mental health, nutrition, education and other child protection concerns. Across the region, 1.14 million children are acutely malnourished at a scale not seen since 2018.
Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria said, “This is a pathway to peace and sustainable development.
“Children and other vulnerable groups will have a lifeline, and an opportunity to survive and thrive in communities where livelihood and peace building activities are present’’.
“Conflict in any region is potential instability in the rest of the world. UNICEF is grateful to the German Government for supporting pathways to child survival and peace in north-east Nigeria,’’ said Peter Hawkins.
The Resilience and Social Cohesion programme will contribute to seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of poverty eradication, zero hunger, access to quality education, gender equality, good health and wellbeing, climate action, peace, justice and strong institutions as well as partnership for goals.
The new programme which will focus on peace building, governance capacity strengthening, sustainable livelihood creation, restoration of infrastructures, and provision of life-saving services to 156,888 direct beneficiaries and 362,307 indirect beneficiaries in both LGAs.
“WFP welcomes this timely and generous support from the Government and people of Germany. This project will support people and communities facing the peril of conflict and hunger in northeast Nigeria, especially in Borno and Yobe states,” said Ms. Simone Parchment, Deputy Country Director and Officer in Charge, the World Food Programme Country Office, Nigeria.
“In these affected states, persistent conflict, climate shocks, high food prices and reduced household purchasing power undermine people’s ability to feed themselves and sustain their livelihoods. This contribution from the Government of Germany will go a long way in building resilience, social cohesion and peace in the affected communities”.
Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu. Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through the Hon. Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has resolved to support the indigent, vulnerable and willing families resident in the FCT to acquire and gain basic, secondary and tertiary Education in it’s Social Welfare Tuition Scholarship Scheme.
The goal of the program, which is being promoted by the Social Welfare Department of the Social Development Secretariat, is to make sure that citizens who want to progress their educational goals are able to do so without being prevented by lack of funding.
Modalities employed to achieve above OBJECTIVES include, (I) cushioning & mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on parents through free enrollment, tuition fees payment and organizing free Lectures for both the NECO, WAEC, NABTEB and IJMB candidates.
The Administration has engaged the services of over 50 Lecturers from the University of Nigeria, Abuja Alumni Chapter to take the various classes accordingly.
For IJMB students, the FCT Administration is waiving off a huge sum of N250k from the Tuition fees that’s about N300k across other centres where IJMB is being conducted. So all IJMB students are expected to pay just N60,000 fees for both the (internal & External) Exams as against the over N300k obtained elsewhere.
Lectures for all the above mentioned Exams commences on the 1st of August, 2022. The lectures is to hold every Saturday & Sunday at designated centers across the Six Area Councils with AMAC having three centres in Lugbe, Karu and JABI.
Interested candidates are advised to visit the Social Welfare Department of the SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SECRETARIAT, located at the Arts & Culture Building, by Old Post Office, Area 10 Garki Abuja,to pick up their forms according to the category of their choice or eligibility.
