Day: June 17, 2023

Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has commended the Nigerian airlines engaged by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for 2023 Hajj, for their patriotism and cooperation toward the success of the ongoing exercise.

National Coordinator of the organisation, Malam Ibrahim Muhammed, made the commendation in a statement on Saturday in Makkah.

Mohammed disclosed that based on the agreement reached with the airlines, NAHCON was expected to pay at least 50 per cent of the total fare before the commencement of the journey to the Holy land, but failed to do so due to some exigencies.

he, however, explained that the airlines provided full services without NAHCON meeting the terms of agreement.

“We are aware that after receiving all deposits from across the states, the Federal Capital Territopry (FCT) and the armed forces, NAHCON had gone ahead to deposit these monies into its accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

“The normal practice is for the apex bank to provide the dollar equivalent of monies deposited based on the approved official rates for disbursement by NAHCON to meet its obligations.

“But it is gratifying to note that after receiving assurances of payment whenever the dollars is made available, the airlines have gone ahead to not just offer full services, but they are so far doing a wonderful job.

” Over 50,000 pilgrims have so far been transported to Saudi Arabia by the airlines. We commend them for being patriotic,”he said

The coordinator urged NAHCON officials to ensure that proper arrangements were done toward the smooth take off of the second batch of pilgrims that would be airlifted after the hajj rites were performed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NAHCON had engaged seven airlines including; Max Air, Azman, Air Peace, Aero Contractors, Ari Air, Value Jet and Saudi based Flynas, to convey Nigerians pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Paul Edeh, Proprietor, Naija Ratels Football Club, Abuja was on Saturday in Makurdi elected Chairman of the Benue State Football Association (BSFA).

Edeh polled 28 votes to defeat his rival, Mr Godwin Uwua, former Super Eagles Assistant Coach, who garner one vote, at the end of the elective congress.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 29 delegates from the 23 local government areas and other statutory representatives in the state voted in the election.

Edeh told NAN after the election, that is vision was to take football in the state to a higher pedestal, in line with international best practices.

“My vision for Benue FA is anchored on a tripod encapsulated in the FIFA Forward Programme 3.0

“They include increased investment in football development, more impact through the achievement of football development objectives, and continued oversight to ensure that all funds are used responsibly.

“Under my watch, I will ensure that the Local FAs are empowered and given what is due to them,” he said..

The Board under my watch will advocate that each Local FA develops its framework for developing the game in their local communities.

“I will see how local FAs will operate with so much vigour and commitment to develop the game at the grassroots,” he said.

The chairman said the board would focus on grassroots football, women football, welfare for footballers, training of coaches/referees and encouraging education and sports.

He, thereafter, announced a donation of 10 million naira and a Sienna minivan for the cash-strapped BSFA.

NAN reports that other members of the new 11-member board were elected unopposed and subsequently sworn-in.

The election was monitored by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive board members, FA chairmen among other stakeholders.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray on Saturday condoled with families of Monday’s boat mishap in Kwara.

“ECOWAS Commission received with shock, the tragic news of the boat mishap that led to the death of 100 persons and the disappearance of several others in Kwara on June 12,’’ he said.

The president expressed his “heartfelt sympathy’’ and offered condolences to the bereaved families and to the Nigerian people.

He commended rescue efforts of the authorities and expressed confidence that adequate safety measures would be instituted to avert tragic incidents of such magnitude in the future.

According to reports, 270 wedding guests were returning from a marriage ceremony at Gboti in Niger to Patigi Local Government Area in Kwara when the boat capsized killing 100 persons.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Managing Director of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, Mr Saliu Ahmed says the N8 billion Jattu Dam in Edo will be completed in 2028.

Ahmed made the declaration on Saturday at the dam site in Ayoghena, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo during site visitation and first meeting report of stakeholders.

At the visitation were officials of the Federal Government, those of Edo State government and the contracting firm – Prospective Multilink Ltd. and Havage Engineering Services Ltd. Joint Venture.

He said Edo State has committed 25 per cent counterpart funding on the project, the contract of which was awarded by the Federal Government in April.

“This is a special project of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resource and co-financed by Edo State government.

“Edo State has committed 25 per cent counterpart funding for the project,’’ Ahmed said.

He thanked Edo’s Gov. Godwin Obaseki for his commitment in ensuring that water supply becomes a thing of the past in the area.

“Public water supply has become cumbersome, so the dam will address the challenge in the area,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Mr Nyamali Joseph, Permanent Secretary, Edo Ministry of Water Resources said the project would help to solve water supply challenge in the area.

He said the state government was committed to working with the Federal Government to ensure that the project is delivered on time.

“We are looking forward to ensure that the project comes to logical conclusion,’’ he stressed.

Earlier, the Project Manager, Eng. Oni Stephen said the project was being handled by Prospective Muiltlink Limited/Havage Engineering Services Ltd. Joint Venture.

He explained that the project covers an area of about 19,600sq.kms with pedestrian bridge, access road, storage reservoir and more than 5,000 hectares of irrigable land, visible downstream of the dam embankment.

“Jattu Dam is located across Ogio River just before the Auchi-Apana Bridge in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo,’’ he said.

Stephen said the dam would provide potable water for Jattu and Auchi and their neighbouring communities and promote fishing and other aqua-cultural activities.

It would also increase food production through all-season crop cultivation and animal husbandry, he added.

The dam would provide gainful employment for many farming families and support cottage industries in areas of storage, processing and marketing, he stressed.

Stephen said, however, that no payment had been made to the contractor company.

“No advance payment has been made on the project. The work programme for site camp erection and construction work programme has already been submitted to the river basin authority.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, has promised to promote endeavors that would project and enhance the status of women in Nigeria.

The First Lady, who was represented by Prof. Nora Daduut, made the pledged at the public presentation of a book titled “Strengthening the NAOWA Narrative”, on Saturday in Abuja.

The book was authored by Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, the President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya.

Tinubu commended Mrs Yahaya for her resilience and wisdom in writing the book, saying it was another giant step in chronicling events of army officers’ wives.

She expressed delight that the work came from the women folk, saying it had increased the need for women to continue to document their journey, experiences and accomplishments.

According to her, the well researched book came at a time when a lot of people had almost lost interest in writing and paying attention to history.

“You have not just added to the body of knowledge in Nigeria, you have renewed our interest in writing and documentation.

“It is my own opinion that this will go a long way in enriching the lives of not only members of NAOWA, but lives of our young ones who will appreciate this piece of work as a good resource in shaping their decisions and choices that they make.

“I congratulate you, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya and your association.

“It is my prayer that you will continue to grow in strength, in wisdom and vision to the glory of our dear country.

“I want to assure you that my office would not relent in promoting endeavors that will project and enhance the status of women in Nigeria,” she said.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, commended his wife for putting the idea together while at the same time providing support for him in discharging his duties.

Yahaya said the activities of NAOWA were centered in human capital development, especially women, youth, children and venerable persons and groups in barracks and the larger society.

He said the book was also centered on NAOWA as an organisation gleaming from the past experiences with some practical aspect of leadership.

According to him, it highlights the experiences garnered by the writer as she rose to the various stages and levels of NOWA from unit to brigade to division level, and now leadership position as the president.

Yahaya said leadership was always a challenging task, especially in NAOWA that was also made-up of diverse mix of people with different backgrounds, competencies and experiences.

“I therefore commend the author for successful leadership of the association so far and also for putting her thoughts to paper, which could serve as a guide to many including upcoming members.

“I believe the book is an interesting read as it gives insights into the association, its focus, aims and objectives.

“Furthermore, the principle of successful leadership, as well as many other lesson highlighted in the book, would help propel the minds of leaders towards optimal performance and achievements of leadership goals on the whole,” he said.

The author of the book, Mrs Yahaya said she wrote the book to appreciate the efforts of past leaders of NAOWA, inspire the present members and lay an enduring foundation for the future leaders.

She said the desire to impart lives especially the youth was another motivating factor that encouraged her to pen down her thoughts.

According to her, reading is a must have skill for effective leadership, adding that the book was aimed at boosting reading culture.

“The desire to write this book started when I attended a workshop comprising of participants from all military officers wives associations and in the course of the workshop, we were asked during an icebreaker exercise to mention our heroes and role models.

“Surprisingly, all of us, including myself here, were calling names such as Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Margaret Thatcher, and the rest of them.

“None of us mentioned any of the founding mothers of our various associations.

“That incident opened my eyes to the fact that the many heroic achievements and legacies of our founding mothers are not appreciated by many of us and therefore they have remained unsong heroines.

“Therefore, the book “Strengthening the NAOWA Narratives” is an attempt to recognise and celebrate NAOWA heroines who have made giant strides in the advancement of human capital and structural developments,” she said.

The Book Reviewer, Prof. Asabe Usman of Uthman Danfodio University Sokoto, described the book as a master piece and must read for all.

Usman said the book was written in simple language in spite of the author’s literary prowess with a view to communicate understanding to the readers.

She said the book was also borne out of the selfless nature of the author, adding that it was her desire to leave a legacy as a guide for her successor.

She said the pieces of advice packed in the book would be useful for both NAOWA and non-NAOWA members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book presentation had in attendance a number of prominent members of the society from government, business and military circles.

The Chief Launcher was the Alhaji Samad Rabiu while the former first lady and founder of NOAWA, Mrs Maryam Abacha, representative of States governors, past army chiefs and past presidents of NAOWA were in attendance.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Hage Geingob today announced that the Swapo Party, will after the Party’s Central Committee meeting, pronounce itself on the same-sex marriages court ruling, which recognises same-sex marriages involving Namibians conducted abroad.

Geingob during the opening of the meeting, here said the ruling has been widely misunderstood which has caused an uprising in the public and the meeting will address it.

“Misunderstandings can cause war. There was an uprising and evolution. You can misunderstand something and you can cause war. Churches were trying to call me to stop this, how do I do it? I don’t have that power,” he said.

Geingob said that marriage has been well defined in the country’s constitution and the court ruling didn’t abolish this law.

“First thing we must know in Swapo is that in 1970 we already had a constitution, a law drafted to define what family is. We said family will be a man and a woman. Our national constitution is equally explicit. It defines marriage to be between a man and a woman. The ruling has not abolished that,” he noted.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte are expected in Namibia this coming week, amongst others to discuss green hydrogen and energy transition at a forum scheduled for Monday.

NIPDB in a media statement on Friday said their visit will coincide with the forum which will feature speakers that include President Hage Geingob.

The forum will provide a platform for back-to-back meetings and exchanges between Namibian companies and their Dutch and Danish counterparts in the green hydrogen sector, enriching shared interests, insights and strategies.

“This forum will also provide a significant opportunity for local investors to engage with international players, further reinforcing the essence of multilateral cooperation and global developments,” the statement read.

The statement said the event will underpin Namibia’s vision of becoming the sustainable energy capital of Africa.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Women in Namibia make up a huge percentage of the agricultural labour force, hold a vital stake in the health of the land, and are the major actors in the country’s efforts to combat desertification and reverse land degradation.

This was said by President Geingob on the occasion of the Commemoration of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, under the theme ‘Her Land. Her Rights.’

This year’s theme is gender-focused and recognises the rights of women to land and their significance in achieving the interconnected global goals of gender equality and land degradation neutrality by 2030.

Geingob in a media statement availed here Saturday stated that the climate change emergency has accelerated desertification and droughts, which have profound impacts on nations’ agricultural output, risking food production and pushing many families into poverty.

“Regrettably, Namibia is anticipating drought in the current year due to poor rainfall in the previous rainy season and floods in some northern parts of the country. To deal with the adverse effects of droughts, the Government has redirected resources to mitigate the impacts of drought in affected communities,” he said.

At the level of policy, Namibia has made progress in combating desertification and drought through the implementation of the National Drought Policy and Strategy, monitored by the National Drought Task Force, which benefited immensely from the input of various organisations, including Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs), he said.

Government, he highlighted is in the final phase of the implementation of the Third National Action Programme to Combat Desertification, Land Degradation, and Drought (2014–2024).

The programme demonstrates the government’s efforts in the fight against desertification, land degradation, and drought, and it underscores the commitment to integrating sustainable land management into national development priorities.

“As a nation, we collectively need to build resilience to drought by developing drought-resistant crops and livestock and by storing water for future use. We need to improve the way we manage our land. This includes promoting practices such as planting trees, reducing deforestation, and conserving water,” he said.

The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on June 17 each year to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat desertification.

The day offers a chance to recognise that land degradation neutrality (LDN) is achievable through problem-solving, strong community involvement, and cooperation at all levels.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency