Madagascar Newswire

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has described Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo as its ‘pillar of support’.

Its Executive Chairman, Malam Jalal Arabi, stated this when he received Uzodinma on a courtesy visit to the Muslims pilgrimage office on Thursday in Abuja.

Arabi, who expressed delight at hosting the governor, commended his interventions toward ensuring that intending pilgrims from Imo participated in this year’s pilgrimage.

‘You have been a pillar of support to us in the commission through your support that ensured the participation of Imo pilgrims in this year’s exercise.

‘You supported us in 2023 and did same this year in spite of the fact that you are a Christian and governor of a predominantly Christian State.

‘For us, you’re a symbol of peaceful religious co-existence and unity in the country,’ he said.

The NAHCON boss presented a letter of commendation to Uzodinma and an award of excellence for his support and promotion of peaceful religious co-existence and unity.

Responding, U
zodinma expressed sincere appreciation for the honour shown him.

He restated his firm belief in peaceful inter-faith co-existence to promote development and prosperity in Imo and the country as a whole.

Uzodinma was one of the governors that subsidised the 2024 Hajj fare which enabled intending pilgrims from his state to participate in this year’s Muslim pilgrimage.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has taken steps to improve facilities at informal markets in the territory.

The coordinator of the council, Mr Felix Obuah, stated this on Friday, during a fact-finding visits to informal markets in Area 7, Area 10 and GSM Village in Abuja.

Obuah explained that the visit was to see the current state of the facilities in the markets to be able to determine the needed interventions to improve them.

He described informal markets as critical to the development of every city or community, assuring that the FCTA, through the council, would develop plans to improve the facilities.

The coordinator added that the visit was also to know some of the facilities owned by FCTA but were taken over by illegal occupants, and find ways to address the challenge.

Obuah added that AMMC would partner with the market officials and relevant stakeholders to redesign the markets and beautify them for better commercial activit
ies.

According to him, the goal is to improve revenue generation for the FCT Administration.

Obuah who observed the presence of touts at the GSM Village, along Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Wuse Zone 1, directed the officials of the market to do something about it.

‘I came to the GSM Village to see what is happening and we discovered that most of the revenue meant for the FCTA are not being taped.

‘So, we want to see how we can review the tax rates and make sure that everybody is comfortable and paying the taxes due to the administration.

‘We cannot sit in our offices every time. We have to go round to see what we can do to add value to the city,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obuah was accompanied to the fact-finding visits by the Director of Urban Affairs, Mr Dan Sani and other Directors in the council. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Danjuma Adda, the immediate past President of the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), has called on the Federal Government to incorporate hepatitis B testing into antenatal, maternal, and child healthcare services.

Adda made this plea on Friday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the 2024 Biennial Conference organised by the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) in Abuja.

He stressed the importance of Nigeria investing in and integrating hepatitis B testing into antenatal, maternal, and child healthcare, as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), to bolster the country’s health system and immunisation program.

According to him, currently, hepatitis B tests are not part of maternal and child healthcare programs.

Adda, who lost his mother to hepatitis, emphasised the necessity for the government to include hepatitis B surface antigen testing in antenatal care and maternal child health programs, ensuring that all women undergo testing.

He asserted
that hepatitis B is preventable with the right vaccine, highlighting two key measures to reduce liver cancer deaths.

‘Liver cancer often develops among those infected early, especially in childhood.

‘Other factors contributing to liver cancer include aflatoxin exposure, alcohol consumption, and herbal medication misuse.

‘Pregnant women, according to WHO recommendations, should undergo screening for hepatitis, enabling early identification and intervention.

‘If a woman tests positive, she should receive prophylactic prevention treatment until delivery. Additionally, all newborns should receive universal vaccination’.

Adda emphasised the importance of attending antenatal care for hepatitis screening and vaccination opportunities.

He urged pregnant women to advocate for themselves and demand hepatitis B testing during antenatal visits.

Furthermore, Adda encouraged pregnant mothers to request ‘back dose vaccination’ for their newborns within 24 hours of birth, noting its potential to protect infants from h
epatitis infection.

‘Hepatitis virus is the primary cause of liver cancer, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Early detection through testing and prompt treatment is crucial in preventing its spread’.(NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Duale, Ovia and Alex-Adedipe (DOA), a law firm in Lagos, says it is dedicated to driving growth within the Nigerian technology sector.

DOA’s Managing Partner, Mr Adeleke Alex-Adedipe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the firm aimed to achieve that through the forthcoming TMT Business Law Breakfast Series.

Alex-Adedipe said that emphasis would be laid on fundamental drivers of growth, state policies, investment opportunities and global trade.

The event, slated for May 2, is with the theme: ‘Nigerian Tech Ecosystem: Policies, Investments, and Global Trade’.

According to him, the event will target government officials, policymakers; venture capitalists; investors; financial institutions; tech entrepreneurs; startups; innovators; corporate entities; industry leaders and tech enthusiasts.

‘We will have knowledgeable stakeholders to assess the current state of the Nigerian tech ecosystem, deliberate on pertinent policies, reforms, and global trade dynamics influencing its trajectory.

‘
It will discuss the fundamental drivers of growth, including state policies, investment opportunities and global trade.

‘Strategies that will further substantiate the ecosystem’s growth will be given priority as the event will showcase exemplary practices, success narratives; innovations; and regulatory frameworks shaping fundraising within the Nigerian tech space,’ he said. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has commended the World Bank for disbursing 2 million dollars to the FCT.

The fund is for the implementation of the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in the territory.

Mahmoud gave the commendation when the World Bank ACReSAL project Task Team Lead, Dr Joy Agene, visited her in Abuja on Friday.

She said that the partnership with the World Bank would foster environmental sustainability and agricultural prosperity for residents of the FCT under the ACReSAL project.

She said that the project aligned with the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in addressing environmental degradation and the impact of climate change.

The minister said that Abuja, as Nigeria’s capital city in the past 48 years, had lost its tree covers and land degradation due to physical developmental projects.

According to her, part of the goals of the ACReSAL project is to restore the l
ost trees through afforestation and other climate change adaptation activities.

‘We will do all that is possible for ACReSAL project to be sustained, maintained, and achieved by God’s grace.

‘We will try and provide all that is necessary from our own side. All the requirements necessary to take FCT to the next level will be done to access the entire 10 million dollars.’

Earlier, Agene said that the visit was to brief the minister on the performance of the project so far in the FCT.

Agene added that the visit was also to thank the minister for her support and solicit for more, to ensure the success of the project in FCT.

She said that so far, the World Bank had disbursed about 2 million dollars to the FCT.

She explained that ACReSAL,being a community-based project, was designed to enable communities to access the fund through a community revolving fund.

The task team lead commended the FCT for the formation of 250 community interest groups (CIGs,) through which the fund would be disbursed.

She said tha
t the CIGs would be trained on how to access and utilise the funds.

She explained that each benefiting community would access 25,000 dollars to carry out afforestation, irrigation, and some climate change adaptation activities.

‘The project is here to help communities to adapt to the shock that will come from climate change and to do that, one of the approaches is this revolving fund where communities will get about 25,000 dollars each.

‘Beyond that, we have some investment in gully erosion, flood control and large afforestation at the FCT and we will need your support to do this,’ she told the minister.

Agene also said that the visit was equally to infirm the minister what the FCT Administration needed to do to access more funding amounting to about 10 million dollars.

She identified the conditions as project design, environmental and social instrument, and catchment management plan.

‘Once these three instruments are in place, be assured that the 10 million dollars will be sent to the FCT under the pro
ject.

‘However, there is no way the FCT team can do this without your support and frequent checking and monitoring,’ she added.

Mr Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, FCTA, said that a robust framework had been established to ensure the success of the project.

Geidam, who is also the Chairman of the Technical Committee, assured the World Bank team of active community participation in the implementation of the project.

‘Also, the construction of boreholes in various communities, land restoration initiative, knowledge building programmes and the planned provision of critical agricultural inputs to farmers will improve the livelihood of our communities,’ he said.

The National Coordinator of the project, Mr Abdulhamid Umar, explained that the project was being implemented in 19 states and the FCT, to tackle the challenge of landscape degradation and promote effective watershed management. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on ensuring due process in its dealings with financial crime suspects.

Mr Jesutega Onokpasa, a lawyer and Head of the Tinubu Media Support Group, made the call at a news conference on behalf of concerned APC chieftains on Friday, in Abuja.

Onokpasa was reacting to the alleged financial misappropriation by former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi

According to him, EFCC should have formally invited him for questioning with documented evidence rather than inviting him through a telephone call.

‘We concerned chieftains, stalwarts and stakeholders of the ruling APC find certain pertinent issues emanating from the matter between former governor Bello of Kogi and the EFCC.

‘The development is quite unfortunate, most disturbing and totally unacceptable in a nation governed by laws.

‘Indeed, an unbiased assessment of the goings-on in this matter profusely showcases grounds for strong suspicion,’ he
said.

While admitting that the EFCC was an institution respected and looked up to in the country’s fight against corruption, he said it should at all times ensure it followed due process.

He stressed the need for all Nigerians, irrespective of positions, to follow the law to avoid anarchy and a lawless society.

‘There is a procedure in law for inviting a person of interest, which is by a formal written letter to invite such persons, which could be followed by a telephone call.

‘In this case, the former Kogi governor was not formally invited in writing, so he can also have a proper document to serve as his evidence.

‘By the way, this highly irregular and unorthodox offer was made not via a proper invitation in the contemplation of law but through the most irregular route of a mere phone call, according to the EFCC chairman.

‘The rule of law must always prevail because without the law, we would not have a society and without courts, we would not have a civilisation,’ Onakpasa said.

According to him, the
EFCC boss only indicted himself, when he said at a recent news conference that Bello was invited through a telephone call for questioning.

He also said the commission had no fact to substantiate its claims that the sitting Kogi Gov. Ahmed Usman assisted his predecessor from escaping from its custody.

The APC chieftain said it was embarrassing to accuse a sitting governor of such, describing the claim as absurd.

‘I can assure you that President Bola Tinubu is hell bent on fighting corruption, we must all respect him and key into the struggle.

‘The president is a stickler, and a die-hard fanatic of the rule of law and government institutions should not be a willing tool to sabotage his efforts.

‘We must protect our institutions from abuse and our government from ridicule. Also, corruption must not be condoned by anyone,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Xi Jinping of China, on Friday met with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

In a statement by the China Africa Press Centre, President Xi said that this year marked the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S.

The statement quoted President Xi saying, ‘ over the past 45 years, the relationship has gone through winds and rains, and has a number of important inspirations to offer.

‘China and the U.S., should be partners rather than rivals; help each other succeed rather than hurt each other; seek common ground and reserve differences, rather than engage in vicious competition.

‘Both should honour words with actions, rather than say one thing but do the opposite. I proposed mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to be the three overarching principles.

‘They are both lessons learned from the past and a guide for the future. At present, transformation not seen in a century is unfolding in a profoun
d way, and the international situation is fluid and turbulent.

‘It is the shared desire of the two people and the international community to see China and the U.S. strengthen dialogue, manage differences and advance cooperation.

‘I have said many times before that the planet is big enough to accommodate the common development and respective prosperity of China and the U.S.

‘China is happy to see a confident, open, prosperous and thriving United States,’ Xi stated.

The Chinese president expressed hope that the U.S. could also look at China’s development in a positive light.

This, according to him, is fundamental issue that must be addressed, just like the first button of a shirt that must be put right, in order for the China-U.S. relationship to truly stabilise, improve and move forward.

‘When President Biden and I met in San Francisco last year, we launched the San Francisco vision that is future-oriented.

‘In the last couple of months, the two teams have followed upon our common understanding, maintai
ned communication in various areas, and made some good progress.

‘There are still issues to be addressed, which require further efforts. Your visit this time was agreed upon between President Biden and I in our phone call several weeks ago. I hope you will find it productive.’ he added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Advocacy for Positive Behavioral Patterns Initiative (APBPI) has launched a campaign to cultivate positive behaviors among secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Bamidele Mann, the APBPI Campaign Team Director, announced this on Thursday during the campaign kick-off at Government Secondary School, Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Abuja.

Mann stated that the campaign aims to promote character development to foster positive change among Nigerian students and society at large.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign was organized by APBPI in collaboration with the FCT Secondary Education Board.

The theme of the campaign is titled, ‘Dialogue on Violence and Conflict Resolution for FCT Secondary School Students.’

In his remarks, Mr Sani Ladan, the Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, mentioned that part of the board’s mandate is to nurture good students.

Ladan, represented by Dr Ajayi Olatunde, emphasised that the board has counselors tasked with helping s
tudents shape their behavior positively.

He highlighted the challenge of students coming from diverse homes with different backgrounds.

The board’s secretary recalled that in 2023, the board developed, published, and distributed an anti-bullying manual to schools to tackle the issue of violence in the FCT education system.

He commended APBPI for partnering with the board to make a difference in FCT schools.

Mrs. Akerele Irene, the Principal of Government Secondary School, Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Abuja, stressed the importance of fostering positive behavior patterns to protect children and ensure a conducive environment.

Irene, represented by the Vice Principal Academy, Hajia Bilkisu Ibrahim, lauded the NGO for its initiative.

Ms. Rinsola Abiola, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, encouraged students to embrace education as it adds value to their lives.

She described education as the cornerstone of social development that students must prioritise.

Abiola also disc
ussed the transition from childhood to adulthood, noting the various changes that impact behavior during this period.

She advised students to prioritise conflict resolution skills in whatever situations they encounter.

‘The tendency to escalate conflicts during adolescence can be attributed to several factors, including behavioral changes as teens transition into adulthood,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria