Category: General News

A herd of cattle as NCDC dispels rumours that cows from the north are sick

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on Monday dismissed as absolutely false, social media reports on purported outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in cattle from the northern part of the country.

The Director General NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, in a statement issued in Abuja, said Nigerians should disregard the fake report as it was completely false.

Ihekweazu assured Nigerians that there were no recorded cases of bovine tuberculosis in the country nor were there concerns on it at the moment.

He again advised Nigerians to ensure that meat and other food to be consumed were well cooked and safely handled to avoid the spread of foodborne illnesses.

The NCDC boss added that Nigerians should visit the centers website, www.ncdc.gov.ng, or its Twitter and Facebook pages, @NCDCgov, for accurate information on disease outbreaks in the country.

The fake report was being circulated on Facebook and WhatsApp claiming that the Director General of World Health Organisation had alerted on bovine tuberculosis in cattle from the North and advised Nigerians to stop eating beef.

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President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan

By Julius Toba-Jegede

The President of the Senate Dr. Ahmad Lawan on Monday condemned the continuous killings of Nigerians in South Africa, warning that further attacks on Nigerians would no longer be condoned.

Lawan expressed concern that about 118 Nigerians had so far lost their lives in different attacks over the years, out of which 13 were by the South African Police.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mohammed Isa said Lawan made this known when he hosted the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Bobby Moroe.

Moroe and his delegation paid the visit to brief the Senate leadership on his government’s investigations to unravel the causes of the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and steps being taken to stop such.

The meeting, according to Lawan became pertinent considering the incessant attacks on Nigerians residing across cities in South Africa.

He said “We in the parliament must speak and prevent any further killings. These killings must stop.

“This is the era of social media where corpse of a victim may spark violence that may go beyond the control of government.

“The South African government must as a matter of urgency do whatever it takes to protect the lives and property of Nigerians living there, just as Nigerian government remain committed to the safety of South Africans residing here and their investments.

“I believe we have faced enough, we will no longer take it anymore. We want to write the names of Nigerians killed, and the South African parliament must act fast to put a stop to this menace.

“Over the years, 118 Nigerians have been killed, while 13 out of these were killed by South African Police.”

He also recalled the enormous contributions of Nigeria to South Africa during the apartheid rule.

“We must establish events leading into these killings, including the recent one of Mrs.Elizabeth Chukwu, who was killed in her hotel room,” he said.

While commending the High Commissioner for the updates, Lawan noted that, “the update on the cause of late Mrs. Chukwu’s death is heartwarming. It is a sign that something has been done in this regards.”

Earlier, Mr Moroe expressed regret over the killings of Nigerians in his country.

He extended the country’s condolences to the families of the victims.

He said that an inquest had been instituted to investigate all cases of xenophobic attacks in the country.

The inquest, he said would reveal the cause of the menace and find solutions across board.

He reiterated the commitment of South African government and its law enforcement agencies to get to the root of the matter while bringing to book perpetrators of the attacks.

“Our government will continue to be committed to the good relationship with Nigeria.

“Your sentiment has gone deep into our heart, and you will be happy that the same sentiment has been our concern in South Africa.

“On behalf of the government of South Africa, we express our sincere condolences to Nigerian government for this unfortunate incident”, he said. (NAN)

Samson Murombo

The soldier who is being accused of spying on Zimbabwean First lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and plotting to topple President Emerson Mnangagwa has been identified.

The soldier identified as Lieutenant Colonel Samson Murombo is Commanding Officer 1 Presidential Guard Infantry Battalion.

The military boss was identified by a Zimbabwean on Twitter and exiled after former Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo posted “a shocking audio” of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa ranting about the army allegedly spying on her and a coup plan against her husband, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Twimbo posted the Picture of Lieutenant Colonel Murombo who with Mhlanga and Manjoro are accused by the first Lady of planning a coup against Mnangagwa.

Source

SDGs: Nigerian consul, U.S. senator call for Diaspora engagement

By Harrison Arubu

The Consul General (CG) of Nigeria in New York, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen, has called on stakeholders to leverage the economic power of the Diaspora in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Okoyen made the call at a one-day conference organised by the African Trade Centre, with the theme, “Diaspora Engagement in Sustainable Development in Nigeria’’ in New York on Monday

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, hosted by the Nigerian House, came on the sidelines of the UN High Level Political Forum on the SDGs.

The CG said existing huge financing gaps in implementation of the SDGs called for viable alternative sources of funding, which Nigerians in the Diaspora represented.

Noting that sustainable development “is multidimensional and multifaceted in nature’’, Okoyen said diaspora engagement should be prioritised in the process.

In a 2018 report, international audit firm, PriceWaterCoopers (PwC), said Nigerians in the Diaspora remitted 25 billion dollars that year making them the country’s biggest export.

The figure, according to PwC, represents 6.1 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 83 per cent of the Federal Government’s budget in 2018.

Okoyen urged government and other stakeholders to engage the diaspora in remittances; trade and investment; transfer of knowledge, skills and technology, and policy formulation and implementation.

In a goodwill message, a New York State senator, Mr Robert Jackson, emphasised the importance of partnership by stakeholders, which he said was critical to attainment of the SDGs,

Focusing on Goal 13, which borders on climate action, Jackson said climate change was real judging by the rise in the incidence of flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, drought and tornadoes around the world.

“It is up to us as legislators and leaders; Nigeria being one of the leading countries, to make sure that this world is a better place for us all,’’ the lawmaker said.

Also in a goodwill message, the President of Manhattan Borough, Ms Gale Brewer, focused on the issues of gender equality and women empowerment as catalysts for the attainment of the SDGs.

Brewer called on governments at all levels to eliminate all barriers to the full participation of women in the development process.

Mr Obed Monago, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NIDOA), said in spite of the huge contributions of Nigerians abroad to national development, they were not recognised until now.

Monago lauded the recent creation of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), which he said would help government to fully engage with Nigerians abroad for national development.

“NIDCOM as intended and if well managed, devoid of the `Nigeria Factor’ will help tremendously in harnessing the talents of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

“NIDCOM’s first step, in my opinion, is to find modalities to bring all the fragmented Nigerian Diaspora organisations under NIDO’s umbrella.

“Then they should seriously synergize with this administration in creating that enabling environment that has been so elusive.

“If this can be achieved, the names of the people involved will forever be written in Gold’’, he said.

In his address of welcome, the Chief Executive Officer of African Trade Centre, Mr Prince Nwaubani, said the event was organised to echo the call for diaspora engagement in sustainable development in Africa.

NAN reports that the event featured presentation of awards to Okoyen, Jackson, Brewer and other leaders in recognition of their achievements in public service.(NAN)

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Olakunri’s Death: Leaders must weigh their utterances – Presidency

By Ismaila Chafe

The Presidency on Monday cautioned leaders in the country to be mindful of their utterances and its potential consequences following the unfortunate killing of the daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Mrs Funke Olakunri was killed on Friday on the Kajola-Ore road in Ondo State by those the police described as “armed robbers.”

A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu issued in Abuja, warned against politicizing the tragic death of Olakunri.

”It is incumbent on all leaders across the country to consider their language and its potential consequences.

”Insecurity is an issue that Nigeria must face together as one nation – united.

”Times of tragedy like these are not the time for politics. It reveals only disrespect for the departed and her family.

”And we hope that those who stand in positions of influence recognise and understand this,” the statement said.

It added that President Muhammadu Buhari had already issued a statement expressing his heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs Funke Olakunri and followed up with a telephone call.

”The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has in addition, paid a visit to the grieving family in Akure, Ondo State.

”Her death is a tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.” the statement added.

A Professor of Health Education, Bidemi Idowu says no time is too long or stale to report rape or sexual abuse, as long as there is actually a case to answer .

Idowu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of delivering the 69th Inaugural Lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU).

The theme of the lecture was; Sexuality: The Savour, the Caution, the Pleasure.

According to her, most girls or women who were just coming out after 10 to 20 years to report a case of abuse might just be doing so because they were then in an era of not reporting such .

“People are now coming out to report rape or sexual assault because they were not enlightened to do so during their era and have a case to prove.

“However, there may not be a case of having to prosecute the perpetrator because there may not be evidence but at least, the culprit has been exposed,” she said.

Idowu noted that most girls or women have been abused at a time or the other in a lifetime but there might not be a penetration.

The professor said rape could be termed `fantasy’ because for some individuals, their minds were already so perverted that they did not derive pleasure except they rape or are raped.

“This however, is not a common phenomenon,” she noted.

According to her, about 35 per cent of women who were raped as minors were also raped as adults, compared to 14 per cent of women without an early rape history.

The don noted that 28 per cent of male rape victims were first raped when they were 10 years old.

Idowu identified the forms of sexual assault that were usually termed as rape include kissing of a sexual nature, touching the other person’s breast, thigh, buttocks, penis, vulva or anus, masturbation of the victim by the perpetrator.

She mentioned also, oral -genital contact, including Cunnilingus, penetration either through the vaginal or anus with a penis, finger or other objects, Exhibitionism and Frottage.

Idowu encouraged rape victims not to relent in exposing the perpetrators even if they ended up not getting justice, as this would expose the culprit and also serve as deterrent to others.

She advised that Counselling unit of universities should be expanded beyond career and academic matters to include issues encompassing family issue and sexuality.

The Professor advised that issue of sexuality should be made priority among staff and students in the university, as it did not concern only rape but was all encompassing.

According to him, this was an exceptional way to develop life skills in students.

Idowu also urged government agents to be bold enough to implement laws passed by past government on child abuse to checkmate the spread of the menace. (NAN)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Niger Command, has arrested 52 suspected drug traffickers across the state with substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and psychotropic drugs.

The Commander of the agency in the state, Mrs Sylvia Egwunwoke, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Tuesday, that the arrests were made in the first half of year 2019.

“We have so far succeeded in convicting 27 persons while the remaining cases are pending at the courts.

“The agency will not relent in frustrating the activities of drug peddlers and traffickers in the state, and the nation at large,” Egwunwoke said.

She appealed to the public to always report any suspicious activity or individual to relevant authorities to enable the agency to rid the state of drug trafficking and its attendant crimes.

”We have reached out to traditional and religious leaders to mobilise residents to volunteer information on those engaging in illegal drug business in their neighbourhood,” the commander said. (NAN)
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni and Olisa Ifeajika

Leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have called for the collaboration of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in uniting the different religious groups in the country for peaceful resolution of the farmers-herders’ conflicts.

The National Secretary of MACBAN, Baba Ngelzarma, made the call in his remark during the delegation of the association’s courtesy visit to the National leadership of CAN on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ngelzarma said that the cattle breeders association sought partnership with CAN to demonstrate its desire toward peace and mutual resolution of the lingering conflicts.

“MACBAN wishes to request the partnership of CAN in uniting the different religious groups in the country for peaceful resolution of the farmers-herders conflicts.

“We should unite against hatred and support all government initiatives toward solving the conflict.”

He said that MACBAN acknowledged the increasing tension between farmers and its members in the last five years due to scarcity of pasture over grazing reserve as a result of climate change.

Ngelzarma said that MACBAN was duly aware of the effort by the Federal Government in conjunction with state governors to address the farmers-herders conflicts through the 10-year National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) 2019 to 2028.

He said that the association had embraced the plan fully and had already trained her national and state executives on negotiation, peace building and conflicts prevention in preparation for the plan.

The national secretary said that MACBAN recognised the need to partner government to modernise livestock production as proposed in the NLTP.

“We believe the 10 years plan will guarantee efficient time for pastoralists to learn new techniques of Livestock production.

“MACBAN will require that government implements the plan as designed in order to assist the pastoralists through proper extension services and training over the plan period to properly learn how to manage livestock efficiently.

“Both MACBAN and the umbrella body of farmers, AFAN, benefited in training organised by the Presidency on peace-building and conflict resolution.

Ngelzarma said that MACBAN also looked forward to more engagement with CAN as a body and other stakeholders in the Nigerian project.

“We seek the cooperation of CAN to be part of our National Campaign to reorient our youth to fear the Almighty, inculcate values of hardwork, empathy and being our brothers keeper irrespective of their faith.”

He said that pastoralists had lived peacefully for ages with different nationalities and had learned to resolve their quarrels peacefully.

He, however, noted that the media were making it look like the pastoralists were perpetually at war with other communities.

“Like all other communities we have our bad eggs and we have not relented in fishing them out all across the country.

“We have been to Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Katsina, Oyo and now Zamfara to assist in resolving conflicts with our members.

“We are grateful with the level of understanding and cooperation we have received from the state governments in resolving some of these security issues.”

He said that as part of effort to address the farmers-herders conflicts, MACBAN had resolved to embark on a number of stakeholder engagements which it began with the leadership of CAN.

The engagements according to him include a summit that would involve people from all walks of live as well as multiple engagements with the media at various levels across the country.

Ngelzarma, who condemned the killing of Mrs Funke Olakunri, the daughter of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, urged Nigerians to desist from politicising the killing.

He also urged Nigerians to desist from dressing it in ethnic garb and allow the security to do its work.

“We are also reaffirming our call on the Police and other security agencies to do all they can to get to the root of this dastardly killing and ensure diligent prosecution of any individual or group found to have had a hand in the incident.”

Ngelzarma said that MACBAN as a responsible association did not condone criminals and criminalities within or outside the association but ever willing to assist the security in ensuring peace reigned.

He  denied the allegation on the social media  that the association donated N3 billion to a candidate of a political party in Akwa Ibom in exchange for the establishment of cattle colonies in the state.

In his response, the National Chairman of CAN, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, urged all Nigerians to be prayerful for the plan of the devil for the country not to be achieved.

“I will urge all of us to be prayerful because I see the devil at work, provoking men to do things that are very odd, things that for years ago you cannot think can happen in Nigeria.

“Devil is at work and it will make us to be fighting ourselves. If we are not careful we with not be able to chase him out.

“It is with our collectivity that we can chase the devil away.”

Ayokunlec commended MACBAN for the call for collaboration, pledging that CAN would discuss the proposal and get back to the association.

“We have received your move with appreciation, we will sit down articulate it to be well informed on all these proposal you have raised,” he said.

Also at the event was the National President of MACBAN, Muhammadu Kirowa, and other national leaders of both CAN and MACBAN. (NAN)