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How Two Ibo Men Dispossessed 85-Year-Old Yoruba Man Of His Land In Yorubaland -Yoruba Rights Initiative 

By
Roland Edet
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**Alleges Collaboration With Other Yoruba People

The Yoruba Rights Initiative, a Yoruba indigenous rights organization, has condemned the alleged seizure of 1,355 hectares of land in Eti-Osa, Lagos State, from an 85-year-old man, Pa Faloye Awosika, by two individuals of Southeastern descent, Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu, through their real estate development company, Carter-Tech Ltd.

Addressing reporters over the weekend in Lagos, the group, through its convener, Bamidele Adebanjo, and spokesperson, Eniola Fafunwa, claimed that certain individuals from the country’s southeastern region had recently committed gross injustice and naked oppression against Yoruba people in Yorubaland.

The group said: “This case involves an 85 years old Yoruba elder, Pa C. Faloye Awosika, who has been most heinously duped of his land of 1,355 Hectares in Eti-Osa, Lagos State, by one criminally inclined fellow, Samson Nnadi and his equally crooked business partner, Jerry Erondu, through their criminal organisation masquerading as a property development company, Carter-Tech Ltd.

“The background to this matter is how building permit could have been issued on land belonging to Pa Faloye Awosika without any challenge to his documentation when the documents were submitted for planning permission, yet somehow those same documents *were later said to be defective after construction had completed on the land and it was time for Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu through their dubious company Carter-Tech Ltd to hand over the units belonging to pa Awosika.*

“In fact, the most astonishing aspect to the case is how the same Lagos State Government transferred the rights in the 1,355 hectares of land which the Awosikas bought from Ologolo Family in Ologolo Village in 1996, to none other than their development partners, Mr Jerry Erondu and Mr. Samson Nnadi in the name of Carter-tech Ltd! *We understand this dastardly act was possible through the dubious connivance of a said lawyer Olufon and some senior officials at Alausa who using a copy CoA claimed not to have known for over 2 decades that pa Awosika had encroached on his land*.

“Just imagine officials of a Yoruba state cheating a Yoruba elder and his family of their property and handing it over to the very two Ibo men who had initially approached them for development of their land on a partnership basis!

“We find it totally intolerable that two crooked businessmen can come all the way from the East to Lagos and have the effrontery to dupe an authentic Yoruba man of his property, even to the extent of reducing the octogenarian to tears at the insult meted to him by strangers young enough to be his children.

“The heartlessness and arrogance displayed by Samson Nnadi and his partner, Jerry Erondu, along with other dubious real estate developers from their section of the country, in their various nefarious activities in the real estate sector in Lagos, which has seen them duping several Yoruba people of their property and dubiously taking over their lands, will soon come to a head and create serious crisis in Lagos State if it is not immediately nipped in the board.

“To imagine that these two questionable characters had the boldness to drive Pa Awosika, a pensioner, for that matter, along with his wife and their children from their own land when they came to demand their entitlement under the terms earlier agreed on to develop the property.

“Just imagine people coming from the East to drive Yoruba people from their plot and forbidding them access to their own land in Yorubaland, for that matter!

“Who will tolerate that?

“Will their people tolerate it in their own place?

“Indeed it is a complete disgrace that Pa Awosika has had a pending petition on the desk of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which the governor has completely failed to treat thus far because apparently the problem of Yoruba people in Lagos is not his priority.

“Why do we Yorubas keep doing this to our own people?

“Even members of the Elegushi Family of Eti-Osa connived with these two rascals from across the Niger to dispossess their own fellow Yoruba brother and cheated their senior brother, of his property!

“What a shame!

“Indeed, at a point, Pa Awosika was in court with the Elegushis only for Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu to come to him claiming that they had reached out to Oba Saheed Elegushi and he had demanded N100 million as his settlement to leave his Yoruba brother alone to peaceably enjoy his property!

“Thereupon, they managed to convince Pa Awosika that two houses be deducted from his share of the joint venture and awarded to the same Oba Elegushi as settlement!.

“As a proper Yoruba “Omoluabi”, he felt he must defer to a Yoruba monarch and forfeited the houses only for these same two common criminals to steal the entire property from him!

“To even worsen matters, the Awosikas had briefed one Barrister S. A. Oshodi of Ade-Oshodi and Co as their lawyer to represent them, protect their interest in the matter and ensure their just entitlement comes to them.

“Despite being paid fully for his services, both his spoken and body language gradually began to change while he began to seem more interested in protecting Nnadi and Erondu, the adversaries of his clients, rather than advancing the cause of the Awosikas, his fellow Yorubas, who had briefed him and even somehow managed to cough out a whooping sum of ten million naira, the bulk of which they had to borrow, in order to pay him!

“Even our elder statesman, Chief Robert Clarke, SAN, was later briefed by the Awosikas to monitor the case for them when they lost confidence in S. A. Oshodi and began to suspect him of throwing them under the bus.

The Awosikas even also managed to borrow heavily to pay Chief Clarke for his services only for them to wake up one morning to realize that the same Barrister Oshodi they had asked him to monitor for them had somehow succeeded in merging his law firm with Chief Clarke and made the legal luminary his consultant to the extent of using Chief Robert Clarke’s name in his various correspondences!

“This is what Yoruba people are doing to Yoruba people in Lagos, Nigeria!

“Whereas the Awosikas are adamant to reclaim their land through the prescribed judicial process, we find it unconscionable what they have suffered at the hands of those who describe Lagos as a NO MAN’S LAND in connivance with supposedly authentic Yoruba people they had trusted to see justice done to them.

“The Awosikas even decided to brief yet another lawyer entirely to take up their case given the highly suspicious conduct of S. A. Oshodi, only for the same Oshodi to refuse handing over the documents in his possession to the new lawyer unless the 87 year old Pa Awosika coughs out an additional 47 million naira for all kinds of imaginary fees with nothing to show for his phantom services!

“In short, Barrister Oshodi is asking the Awosikas to pay him a grand total of 47 million naira for doing absolutely nothing for them, while, from all indications, having stabbed them in the back whilst sleeping with their enemies all along!

“If we may ask, what has happened to the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, For God’s sake, that we now have so many lawyers behaving like questionable characters these days?

“Pa Awosika rightfully bought the property in question from the Ologolo family, its original owners in 1996, a purchase thereafter ratified by a Deed of Assignment issued to him by the same Ologolo Family dated 4th December, 2003 and registered as No. 44 in Volume 2087 at the Lands Registry Office, Lagos.

“Yet it is the same Lagos State authorities, led by the Registrar Of Titles, that connived with two brazen and highly arrogant criminals from the South East claiming to be property developers and hiding under that canopy to dispossess Yoruba people of their land all over Lagos.

“Can any Yoruba man be so bold as to go to Iboland, pretend he wants to help an Ibo man to develop his property as a partnership only to then connive with their own government officials to dispossess the Ibo man of his hard-earned property and chase him and his family out of the land?

“Will any Yoruba man dare try that in Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia or Ebonyi?

“If not that Yorubas have sold themselves to outsiders, can Ibos ever dare to try such nonsense in Delta State or even Edo State or Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom or even Cross River?

“We can assure you that there would have been serious crisis by now but we the Yorubas are just too tolerant of rubbish for our own good which is why those from the East think they can just keep coming over here and taking our people for a ride.

“We say “No more!” Absolutely no more.

“We are not taking this lightly and insist that Pa Awosika and his family be given justice immediately, failing which we will take all necessary, ordinary or extraordinary measures to effect justice in the matter.

“Anyone can call it self-help, if they like but self-help cannot be the watery threat and cheap blackmail of only one section of the country.

“While we are law abiding and committed to the rule of law, we are quite prepared to fully demonstrate that self-help is not the monopoly of people from Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu’s part of this country.”

While the Awosikas, themselves, where not available for comments, and Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu refused to pick their calls, it remains to be seen how the matter will be resolved in the coming days given the stance of the Yoruba rights group, the insistence of the Awosikas not to be cheated out of their property, and the recalcitrance of Nnadi and Erondu not to relinquish their entitlement under the agreement, especially against the backdrop of recent ethnic tensions in Lagos.

Tinubu’s Aide To Put Nigerian LGA’s on Global Smart City Stage

By
Gladys Phillip
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Mrs. Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Community Engagement, has elevated the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to the forefront of the world’s smart cities by taking home the bronze Tech-InnovaCity medal at the Seoul Smart Cities prize.

Essiet announced it on her Twitter profile on Monday, writing, “I have re-elevated @AmacLg on the global stage. The grant that my team submitted for the Seoul Smart Cities award has just been given a bronze Tech-InnovaCity prize, making it the only African LG to receive recognition out of more than 240 submissions from all over the world.

The SSA Community Development was able to achieve this feat for Nigeria’s AMAC Area Council, Abuja, in her former capacity as the consultant to AMAC on development partner and the regional director Africa for the world smart and Sustainable Cities Organisation (WeGO), there by earning Nigeria’s AMAC local government the bronze award, making it the only African local government that emerged as winner in the contest.

According to Essiet, the Area Council as a result of the bronze award to AMAC representatives would have the avenue to be invited as participants in a tailored capacity building training program in Seoul Korea to experience peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and share technical know-how in advancing human-centered city development.

Representatives of the Area Council would also be given an opportunity to collaborate with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on a smart city project on various models including but not limited to a feasibility study and pilot implementation, triangular cooperation, and collaborative demonstration which will be customized to the selected cities’ smart city development stages and policy needs.

The Area Council representative would also be invited to join the ‘Seoul Smart City Prize Platform,’ which serves as a space for networking and interaction with relevant institutions, companies, and local governments.

The grant would equally afford the AMAC local government the opportunity to be invited to present it cases in a presentation, roundtable discussion, or exhibition format at international events, while the local government stand the chance of free publication of its achievements on the official websites of Seoul Smart Cities prize and other forms of media.

The official Seoul Smart City Prize application process had earlier announced that it will start the collection of applications on March 1st, 2023, and called on Cities, companies, organizations, and individuals who have developed or contributed to innovative and people-centered smart cities – in fields such as transportation, safety, environment, welfare, culture, and governance were invited to apply.

” It is our utmost honor to introduce and invite your city to apply for the Seoul Smart City Prize, which will be launched by WeGO in partnership with the President City Seoul, to promote an innovative yet inclusive smart city model that looks after underprivileged groups”.

The Seoul Prize aimed to commend cities that strive to implement an innovative and inclusive model of smart city in their respective capabilities, given different municipal circumstances.

Diphtheria Kills 453 People In Nigeria, Spreads To 105 LGAs

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The Federal Government has hinted that there have been 11,587 suspected cases of diphtheria in Nigeria, of which 7,202 cases have been confirmed and 453 deaths have been reported.

The reported instances of diphtheria, according to a situation report released today by the federal government, were found in 105 Local Government Areas (LGAs) throughout 18 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

A dangerous infection known as diphtheria is brought on by toxin-producing bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It may result in breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat, and even death. To prevent diphtheria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States advise vaccinations for infants, kids, teens, and adults.

This was contained in a joint press statement from the Federal Government through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), stating, “As of September 24, there have been 11,587 reported suspected cases out of which 7,202 were confirmed cases from 105 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in (18) States including the FederalCapitalTerritory (FCT).

“Most 6,185 of the confirmed
cases were recorded in Kano. “Other states with cases are Yobe, (640), Katsina (213), Borno (95), Kaduna (16), Jigawa (14), Bauchi (8), Lagos (8), FCT (5), Gombe (5), Osun (3), Sokoto (3), Niger (2), Cross River (1), Enugu (1), Imo (1), Nasarawa (1) and Zamfara (1).

“The majority (5,299 [73.6 per cent]) of the confirmed cases occurred among children aged one to 14 years with those aged five to 14 years bearing most of the brunt of the disease.

“So far, a total of 453 deaths have occurred in confirmed cases giving a case fatality rate (CFR) of 6.3 per cent.”

Meanwhile, given the escalation of the outbreak and findings that 80 per cent of confirmed cases in the ongoing outbreak are unvaccinated, the Coordinating Minister of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare (FMOH&SW), Professor Muhammad Ali Pate has set up a national emergency task team co-chaired by the Executive Director of the NPHCDA and the Director General of the
NCDC for higher level coordination of outbreak response efforts.

This includes ensuring optimal collaboration of all relevant health stakeholders in this fight. “Other prominent members of the task force include: Director of Public Health-FMOH, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Information (FMoH), the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), USCDC, USAID, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, other non-governmental organizations and development partners

TRANSPORT MINISTER EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT OVER PORT-HARCOURT MAIDUGURI NARROW GAUGE LINE PROJECT PROGRESS

By
Victor Obabunmi
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The Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, has conveyed his profound disappointment regarding the sluggish execution of the Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri narrow gauge rail project by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

Senator Alkali, who recently visited Port-Harcourt for an on-site evaluation of the Eastern rail project, expressed his discontent, stating, “I am not merely unhappy; I am deeply disappointed with the pace of work on this project.”

This dissatisfaction was relayed in an official statement issued by the Director of Press & PR of the Ministry, Henshaw Ogubike.

According to the Minister, the section between Port Harcourt and Aba has only achieved a completion stage of 47 percent, far below the anticipated 47 percent for the entire stretch from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri. Senator Alkali raised concerns, questioning, “If you cannot complete Port Harcourt to Aba, which spans 63km, in 12 months, how can you meet the challenge of completing over 2000km within 36 months?”

Furthermore, the Minister expressed dismay at the use of manual alignment processes by CCECC in laying the tracks, considering it outdated for the 21st century. He also voiced his disappointment about the contractor’s failure to provide the required 85% counterpart funding for the project.

The Minister clarified that the project agreement, signed two years ago, stipulated that the Federal Government would provide 15% funding, with Messrs CCECC responsible for 85%. However, to date, only the Federal Government’s 15% has been utilized to keep the project moving forward, with no contribution from the contractor.

Senator Alkali assured that the contract terms would be reviewed within the bounds of the law, and any contractual breaches would face enforcement. He underscored the project’s potential benefits, notably linking the two sea ports in Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri and facilitating regional trade at a significantly reduced cost.

In response, Mr. C. Ching, representing CCECC, pledged that the first project section from Port Harcourt to Aba would be completed by December 2023, citing ample materials on hand to meet the target date.

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY SENSITIZES STAFF ON FCSSIP25

By
Victor Obabunmi
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Transforming the civil service to a more productive and world class civil service is key to national development, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Marine and Blue Economy, has said.

She made this known at a one-day workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Transportation focused on the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25).

The workshop, aimed at enhancing effective service delivery, was attended by Directorate Level Officers and Officers on Grade Level 14 and below.

This was contained in a statement released by Henshaw Ogubike, Director Press & PR of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

She emphasized the workshop’s significance for the career growth of Civil Servants, particularly in the context of ongoing reforms within the Federal Civil Service.

Ajani who was represented by the Dafeta Tetshoma, the Director of Human Resources Management in the Ministry, highlighted the purpose of the new Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025 – propelling the attainment of a productive New Civil Service and a World-Class Civil Service to expedite national development. She stressed that the plan’s implementation would elevate the Service to greater heights.

Adeniyi Courage, the Deputy Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, expounded on the reform’s objective – transitioning from an analog Civil Service to a digital one. FCSSIP25 is envisioned to facilitate every Civil Servant’s schedule and assessment based on the new form of Performance Management.

Vera Azoro, a Resource Person from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, underscored the comprehensive nature of the ongoing Civil Service reform, of which FCSSIP25 is a vital component. This reform, approved in December 2021 and launched on 23rd June 2022 during the Federal Civil Service Week, is a blueprint dedicated to achieving a globally accepted Civil Service. Azoro noted that a significant portion of the Civil Service promotion exam questions now stem from FCSSIP25.

During the event, four presentations were delivered by distinguished Resource Persons. These included an Overview of FCSSIP 2021-25 by Mrs. Vera Azoro, a Culture Change Video by Hajara Idris, A.M.P.L.E Core values by Dr. Ibrahim Kogbe, and an Innovation segment by Engr. Uche Kene Okoye.

In her closing remarks, Vivian Nwosu, the Director of Special Duties, highlighted the immeasurable value of the training, urging all staff to invest dedicated effort in future training opportunities. She expressed gratitude to the Resource Persons and the organizing team for their exceptional efforts.

My Appointment Will Promote Closer Relationships Between Government, Communities, Tinubu’s Aide

By
Gladys Phillip
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Abiodun Essiet, one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistants (SSA) on Community Development, has said that the only way to address the problems plaguing the nation and its residents is to strive to strengthen links between the government and its people.

Essiet made this statement in response to the announcement of her appointment as Omowunmi Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Advisor on Community Engagement to President Bola Tinubu, made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

She claimed that although Nigeria has a diverse population and a rich cultural heritage, it is plagued by a number of problems, some of which range from regional wars to socioeconomic inequality.

Essiet a gender activist and development expert who is dedicated to accomplishing the implementation of SDGs 4.5, 6, and 16, as well as identifying development gaps in society and solutions to close them in order to promote public service efficiency, is one of these new hires.

According to her:”My role as a SSA on community engagement is to create and maintain a two-way dialogue between the administration and communities across the North Central to ensure that voices are heard and that concerns can be translated into action by the leadership of this administration”.

“Appreciating President Bola Tinubu for deeming her worthy of the appointment, Essiet assured that her appointment and that of other SSA Community Development would result in impactful democratic administration by the President.

” My approach to community engagement will be through Asset Based Community Led Development (ABCD) and the Inclusion of all vulnerable groups in all actions. Identifying the assets a community has (structures, network, human capital, CDA, etc.) to drive the solution to their problem.”

Essiet, who is a passionate community development expert with evidence to her name, said she would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the eight-point agenda of Mr President that aimed at turning around the economy and make life comfortable for all Nigerians a reality.

According to Essiet, the innovativeness of the President to have SSAs in Community engagement is a testimony to the fact that President Tinubu want all Nigerians in every core of the country to benefit from the present day government, not withstanding their region or location.

” President Tinubu is a leader of the masses. He want things to work out well especially those in the rural communities.

” My appointment and that of my other SSA Community Engagement would go a long way in ensuring that every Nigerian , no matter their location or tribe , enjoys the dividend of democracy.

” I will personally , within my own capacity, ensure that our people in the North Central Region of Nigeria feel the impact of President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda. That is the reason why I am appointed.

” People in the locals should also enjoy the dividend of democracy. We can not be saying Politics is local, when the locals are not enjoying their leaders. We are here to ensure the impact of this country is felt in every nook and crannies of the country,” she said.

She is an Open Government Leadership Fellow
of Mandela Washington Fellowship on Public leadership and Administration, Women Leadership Fellow- Coady Women’s leaders Research Network, Coady International Institute, Novascotia, Canada.

Added to her feather is a Fellowship Certificate Canvassity PAN African Youth Democracy Program, Certificate in Advocacy in Increasing Citizen voices and Agency of Coady International Institute, Reviewer on Reproductive Health for BMC International Journal, and a Diploma in Development Leadership- Coady International Institute, Canada.

Abiodun Essiet also holds a Certificate in Community development Leadership by women- Coady International Institute, Masters in Public health –( Health Promotion and Education )- College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. Oyo State , Nigeria
Project Management study, and a Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree ( BNSC) form the College of Medicine, Department of Nursing, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Osogbo , Osun State, Nigeria, and is a certified Registered Mid-wife (RM), Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Public Health Nurse (RPHN).

Abiodun Essiet’s wealth of knowledge and passion for leadership and community development is not limited to her certfications alone, she has performed in various leadership positions in different sphere, public and private sector of the economy.

She has distinguished herself and made her mark as Abuja Municipal Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja while functioning as Nigeria’s Consultant on development partners to the Council.

Similarly, while serving in the public service, she brought in lots of innovation to the area council in the areas of accountability and transparency by signing off the council to join the Open Government partnership which made AMAC to be the first local government in Nigeria to sign up to a Global accountability platform changing the status of Nigeria on the global stage.

She was also the desk officer for covenant of Mayor sub Sahara africa by leading a team of staff and development partner to develop 8 years sustainable energy access and climate action plan for the local council which again made AMAC to be the first Local government on Nigeria to have a climate action plan. On digital innovations, she lead the council to join world smart and sustainable cities WeGO Korea which led to the successful application for AMAC to host the Africa Regional Office for WeGO.

She has also demonstated her determination and committment towards community development by breaking the glass ceiling as the first Yoruba person to vie for the Vice chairmanship position of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) since the creation of Abuja , hence promoting women’s inclusion in the Nigerian political space.

QIOP Foundation: Oriwu Junior College wins 2023 Lagos Children’s Quiz competition, gets N1m star prize

By
Roland Edet
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Oriwu Junior College, Ikorodu has emerged winner of the 2023 Lagos State Children Quiz Competition Organised by the Queen Irene Onwuka Peace Foundation (QIOP), and went home with One Million naira grand prize.

The competition, which held at the JT Ade Ajayi Main Auditorium at the University of Lagos, was organised by the QIOP Foundation in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Education with the theme “Educating The Nigerian Child, The Importance of Peaceful Coexistence.”

Over 20 Junior Secondary Schools participated in the grand finale of the competition, with Oriwu Junior College emerging the best winner, while Unity Junior Secondary School Oshodi and Ajao Estate Junior Grammar School, Isolo emerged first and second runner-up respectively.

The first and second runners-up of the competition also got N500,000 and N300,000 respectively in the competition which entailed rounds of drilling in subjects such as mathematics, spelling bee, General knowledge and current affairs among the contestants

In her speech, the competition’s Convener, Queen Irene Onwuka, commended the participating schools for making it to the final, adding that the competition was organised to engage the children in activities that promotes learning, critical thinking and healthy competition.

She stated that in line with QIOP Foundation vision,the quiz competitions offer a unique platform for children to showcase their knowledge and skills, promote problem-solving skills and also foster a sense of teamwork and camaraderie.

“It is my well intended idea to set up this unique pace of getting today’s children to prepare for the future in my desire to invest in them for greater and futuristic rewards.

“I am so determined to motivate them as I often say that children are mirror of nature to seeing tomorrow in them through grooming, inspiration and motivation.

“Healthy quiz competitions encourage children to develop a thirst for knowledge and by participating in quizzes, children are motivated to study various subjects and expand their understanding of the world around them.

“With this, they are exposed to new concepts, ideas, and information that goes beyond what they learn in their regular academic curriculum,”she said.

According to her, Education is not just a fundamental right, but a powerful tool that can unlock the potential of individuals and societies.

Onwuka, and former beauty queen and a UN Peace Ambassador, said that in Africa, where the youths population is rapidly growing, investing in education is crucial for shaping a prosperous and equitable future.

She emphasised that Africa, with its rich cultural diversity and abundant resources, holds immense potential, but the continent has faced numerous challenges in providing quality education to all its citizens.

According to her,“Limited access to education, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of qualified teachers have hindered progress in many countries, but let us not focus solely on the challenges; let us instead explore the opportunities and solutions.

“We must recognise that education is a holistic process and in today’s rapidly changing world, it is essential to equip African students with these enabling skills.

In his remark, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Abayomi Abolaji lauded QIOP foundation for partnering with the state to organise such a laudable and healthy competition.

Abolaji, represented by Mr Asaulu Olufemi, Director, Special Duties and Innovation, Ministry of Education stated that the Ministry would continue to partner with such organisations, because the task for quality education is everyone’s responsibility.

He expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the competition, noting that the turnout was impressive and the student were exceptional.

Also, Immediate Past Commissioner For Education in Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, commended the organisers for the initiative.

Adefisayo explained that such quiz competition is very important, as it forms part of the Eko curricular activities, which contributes to deepen the school curriculum and add more value to the students.

Master Lemboye Abdulrahim , a JSS 2 student who represented Oriwu Junior College, thanked QIOP foundation for organising the competition, and giving the students an opportunity to showcase their talents.

“I feel so exited and want to tell other students that they are all a winners and can do it,” Abdulrahim said.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of prizes to winners and certificate of participation to all participating schools.

FG To Promote Container Barge Movement To Hinterlands

By
Victor Obabunmi
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Plans to promote container transportation by barge from the Onne port and other Eastern ports to the hinterlands have been made public by the federal government.

This was recently revealed by Dr. Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Marine, and Blue Economy, during an evaluation visit to the Onne port in Rivers State, which is currently run by the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT).

This announcement was made available to newsmen today, 23rd September, 2023. by Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Press & PR, Ministry of Transportation/ Marine and Blue Economy.

Dr. Ajani spoke during the visit and emphasized the necessity of cooperation between the Nigerian Ports Authority and the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Boat and Barge Operators Association.

The Permanent Secretary, who commended the immense efforts of WACT to provide within the port a beautiful work environment that meets international best practice, said “they are doing a great job”.

According to her, these efforts is however, being hampered with a basic challenge of goods evacuation from the port as a result of some bad segments of the access road leading from Eleme Junction to Onne Port. She however, assured that government will profer solutions to the situation in no distance time.

On his part, the Managing Director of WACT, Naved Zafar, said: ” We believe in Nigeria. And this believe has helped us set high ambition. It is equally the same believe that has made us to further expand and modernized the terminal”.

“The West Africa Container Terminal is equally committed to supporting the Federal Government’s drive to promote non oil export out of the country”, the MD added.

Armed forces Kill 52 Terrorists, Arrest 53, Rescue 61 Kidnap Victims

By
Victor Obabunmi
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According to Brigadier General Edward Buba, Director of the Defence Media Operation (DMO), as of September 22 in Nigeria, 52 terrorists had been killed and 53 had been detained by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

In a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja, General Buba revealed that Operation Delta Safe troops had prevented oil thieves in the South South zone from stealing the amount of N946,387,570.00.

According to General Buba, “Overall, as of 22 September 2023, the armed forces neutralized 52 terrorists and captured the following; 53 criminals, 7 suspected oil thieves, while freeing 61 captives who had been taken hostage. Additionally, 7 terrorists in total—5 adult males and 1 adult female—surrender to the military.

“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE denied oil theft of an estimated sum of N946,387,570.00 being value of seizures. The operations in South-South resulted in the recovery of the following; 496,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 83,400 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,200 litres of PMS, 4 pumping machines, 5 Speed Boats, 34 dugout pits, 57 storage tanks, 16 wooden boats, 85 ovens and 3 outboard engines.

“Troops recovered a total number of 77 weapons and 658 assorted kinds of ammunition. The breakdown as follows; 53 AK47 rifle, 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 18 locally fabricated rifles, 1 beretta pistol, 3 pump action guns, 650 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 50 AK47 magazines, 2 rounds of 9mm ammo, 6 rounds of 7.62 NATO, 5 fragmentation jackets.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 15 vehicles, 12 motorcycles, 12 Bicycles, 5 mobile phones, 12 cutlasses, 2 generator sets, 2 gas Cylinders, 133 livestocks and a sum of N602,000. and Airtel airtime worth N8,000.”

According to the Director, “The military will through its operations continue to make improvements towards ensuring safety of citizens and restoring security across the country.”

This is as he encouraged citizens to “know something, say something and let the military do something about it”.

Group Makes Appeal To Health Ministers, Perm Sec to reactivate Bimonthly Media Briefing

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Dr. Aminu Magashi, the coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), has urged Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, the coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the minister of state for health, and Daju Kachollom, the permanent secretary, to reactivate the bimonthly media engagements that were previously held to discuss and update Nigerians on developments in the health sector.

He hinted that AHBN signed an agreement with the Ministry of Health on the bimonthly briefing to disseminate health messages to the Nigerians.

Magashi, who made the appeal in Abuja at the sidelines of a courtesy visit paid on him by the newly elected executive members of the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists, (ANHEJ) noted that the practice is one that enhances feedback with the populaces, as well as, engenders accountability.

He stated that :”The last 2 years, we have been supporting the bimonthly press briefing at the Ministry of Health, and we found that meeting productive and engaging in the sense that the Minister of Health and all the head of MDAs with the Chief Executive Officers in the health sector will sit down in every two weeks or every month to provide updates of what us going on in the health sector in Nigeria about COVID-19, health security, family planning, and so many in the country.”

“Engaging the media on a quarterly basis has become productive and, at the same time, very useful to Nigerians whereby we know what is going on in every aspect of our healthcare system.

“That has become a transparent and accountable process where ministers provide updates and the CEOs of the health sector.”

“I think it’s important to revive that press briefing with the coordinating minister of health, the minister of state, and SA to the president on health to provide updates.”

“When the political players talk to the media, in the bimonthly meeting, indirectly, they are talking to Nigerians because it is through the media that ordinary Nigerians would get updated.”

“I call on the new Minister of Health, Dr Muhammad Ali Pate, and all the team to activate that regular press conference.”

Magashi also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his initiative of adding the Social Welfare arm to the Ministry of health, which according to him, will better the health outcomes for Nigerians, since welfare plays a big role in the wellness of the populace.

Also, the Engagement and Partnership Lead of AHBN, Oyeyemi Pitan gave a collaboration effort going on with CSOs, Youth, and Media in monitoring the implementation of all government commitments to the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents in Nigeria.

She said all stakeholders must be involved to develop a collaborative advocacy action plan to ensure commitments are of good quality and implemented promptly.

“The role of media in this is key and we trust you are with us to ensure our advocacy messages get to the right quarters.” She said.

Earlier, the President of ANHEJ, Comrade Joseph Kadiri, thanked AHBN for its steadfast support through the years

He also pledged the new leadership’s readiness to work closely with AHBN as is been the culture to provide visibility for the work they do over the years and appealed that AHBN extend its usual support to the new EXCOs.

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