Day: July 23, 2023

Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima will on Sunday depart Abuja to represent President Bola Tinubu at two major international Summits in Rome, Italy and St Petersburg, Russia.

Mr Olusola Abiola, Director, Information,

Office of the Vice President, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

Abiola stated that at the Rome event, Shettima would join other global leaders for the first Stocktaking Moment (STM) Summit themed “Transforming Food Systems for People, Planet and Prosperity,” holding from Monday, July 24 to Wednesday, July 26.

According to him, during the summit, Shettima would chair a high-level session themed “Innovative Financing for Food System Transformation: the Case of Nigeria”

He added that the side event titled ”Scaling up Multi Stakeholders Collaboration and Investment in the Implementation of Food Systems Transformation Pathways in Nigeria,”

Abiola also said that the event is being organised in collaboration with the Rome-based UN Agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and World Food Programme (WFP), as well as the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and wider UN system.

“Shettima will then proceed from Rome to St. Petersburg in Russia to represent the President at the Russia-Africa Summit scheduled from Wednesday, July 26 to Saturday, July 29.

” While in Russia, the Vice President will join other political and business leaders at the 2nd Russia–Africa Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum focused on strategising to enhance relations between Russia and the African continent, among other benefits.

” Also, Vice President Shettima will participate in bilateral meetings with representatives of relevant Russian senior government officials and business leaders to discuss relations between Russia and Nigeria.” he said.

According to him, Shettima, who will be accompanied by senior government officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, is expected back in the country at the end of the week.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima would unveil two books on leadership and communication in commemoration of the 60th birthday anniversary of Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.

This is contained in a statement released by Bamidele’s Media Office in Abuja on Sunday, indicating that the event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 25.

The statement added that the two- term senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District (APC) who personally wrote the books in two volumes would clock 60 on July 29.

According to the statement the books are titled: “Leadership Through Communication” (Volumes 1 & 2).

“This is in his erudite efforts to dissect the social, political and economic events which gave birth to the current Fourth Republic in retrospect to independence era.

“Among other things, the first volume of the book comes in 406 pages and 14 chapters.

“It addresses how to actualise development at grassroots through information and strategy, advocating rights of the poor in the society, ending want in the midst of plenty and maintaining integrity in public office.

“This volume also talks about Lagos Mega City and global economic meltdown, government and media relations in Lagos.

“This is where the Senate Leader cut his teeth in politics under the able tutorship of President Bola Tinubu then as Governor of Lagos.

“It is on record that Bamidele served in various capacities which include two-term commissioner, Special Adviser and Special Assistant in government of Lagos.

“Lagos is proudly regarded as one of the largest economies on the continent and the commercial nerve entre of Nigeria.”

“In a foreword written by Prof. Adeyemi Isumonah of Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan; he said “Bamidele’s book is an overview of major processes of leadership and development with a pointed message for major stakeholders in society”.

The statement further indicates that the second volume of the book highlights issues around Nigeria’s democracy, terrorism and security challenges, the place of law and order.

It also highlights restoring public confidence in the justice system, road to self-awareness for the Nigerian youth and the anti-graft fight of Buhari’s administration are given robust engagements.

The statement added that, “On terrorism, Bamidele recommends that “It is important for the security services to review the existing security architecture that privileges protection for persons with power to the exclusion of the majority of the people.”

It also said that the foreword to the 2nd volume with 305 pages and 10 chapters was written by Nigeria’s foremost playright and pace-setting arts journalist, Ben Tomoluju, who described the book as “… predominantly the testament of a rights crusader.”

According to the statement, the book presentation scheduled to take place at the Yar’adua Center, Abuja is one of the series of events lined up for the birthday anniversary.

It said that Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, the former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos would be Guest Lecturer.

Also, governors of Ekiti and Lagos Biodun Oyebanji and Babajide Sanwo-Olu respectively would co-host the event, while the Senate President Godswill Akpabio is the Chief Host.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mrs Grace Okorie, the Proprietress of D’Green Grace Academy, Jikwoyi, Abuja, urged all tiers of government to tackle insecurity and poverty, to address the high rate of out-of-school children in the country.

Okorie said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the 2023 graduation ceremony of the school, on Saturday, in Abuja.

She said that poverty, hunger and insecurity contributed to the high rate of out-of-school children in the country.

“It is not just about getting the students off the streets and back to school, it is also because of poverty index.

“If you get the children back to school and the parents cannot afford food to eat, they will pull the children out, then to the streets to hawk for them to eat.

“If government can address the poverty level, it will go a along way to address the menace,” she said.

Okorie added that if government could also address insecurity, it would enhance the education system of the country.

“Insecurity is a general issue. The truth is that even parents most times are scared of sending their children to school.

This is “because sending your child to school, a whole lot could happen to that child, it is either the child is kidnapped or riot breaks out in the area.

“Government should really look into insecurity issue,” she said.

The proprietress, however, urged President Tinubu to take a second look into the Students Loan Bill he recently signed into law, especially the criteria to accessing the loan.

“I have read through the conditions. If you know somebody who is a director, I think you don’t really need a loan because the person should be able to help you.

“The people who need this loan are poor people who knows nobody.”

Okorie added that instead of loan, government should make education generally affordable.

She also urged government to put strict measures to curb examination malpractices in schools.

She said that D’Green Grace Academy was committed to bringing out the best of every child, morally, educationally, socially and spiritually.

“We believe that no matter how a child is, if you have the right teaching techniques you can bring out the best in him or her.

“We also believe that school is not just about reading and writing, it also involves teaching morals, especially in a society where we have moral decadence,” she said.

Okorie also advised parents to do their best to instill moral values in the minds of their children at the tender age and be an example to them.

“An adage says charity begins at home. So, we expect the parents to discipline their children rightly. When I say discipline, it does not necessarily mean flogging a child.

“There are other ways to discipline the child that you don’t even need to flog him. When you train the mind of the child, the child knows what is right and wrong from the very tender age.”

The Chairman of the Parents/Teachers Association (PTA) of the school, Mr Zitta Wilfred, advised parents to continue to invest in the future of their wards through education.

He said that through education, values would be added to the lives of children, who would in turn impact on the society and the nation.

“Lack of proper education is one of the reasons we have the issue of kidnapping, boko haram and other social menace,” Wilfred said.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Bestman Menekpugni, while congratulating the grandaunts, encouraged them to remember the values the school had instilled in them while going into the larger society and higher academic pursuit.

“To the parents, no matter how God has blessed you, I want to say your children in elementary schools have no need for smart phone until they gain admission into higher institutions, because it destroys them faster than their pairs in school,” he said.

On behalf of the grandaunts, Miss Zitta Israel appreciated their parents for investing in their future.

Israel also appreciated their alma mater for equipping them with sound education and skill needed to face the new phase of their lives and to excel in the future.

NAN reports that highlights of the occasion include presentation of awards and certificates to the grandaunts, grammar coach, chorography, cutting of cake.

Others are debate on “the real cause of Nigeria’s problem – government of the citizens”, spelling bee, British accent, cultural dance, vocabulary coach and spoken words.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Omusati Governor Erginus Endjala said the region’s police holding cells are overcrowded.

Endjala made the remarks whilst delivering his State of the Region Address (SORA) recently for the financial year 2022/23.

According to Endjala, overcrowding in police holding cells worsens due to the growing trend in inmates’ pollution density.

He noted that the cell capacity in Outapi, Okahao, Ruacana, Tsandi, Onandjaba, Etayi, Oshifo and Oshikuku is 309, but they are currently accommodating 609 inmates.

“The delayed criminal cases in court is partly contributing to congestion of the police holding cells,” he said. Only seven of 16 police stations in the region have detention centres.

Endjala indicated that due to extensive repairs of holding cells, Outapi Police Station still lacks the capacity to house convicts.

Regarding the maintenance of law and order in the region, Endjala said it is still under control.

He said that this is due to vigilance and cooperation between residents and the law enforcement agents.

However, Endjala indicated that increasing assault offences and domestic violence remain a grave concern.

“Though the crime rate in the region fluctuated, with stealing cases ranking first. The numbers of theft and home invasions with intent to steal have alarmingly risen,” he added.

He cited that the rise in stock theft occurrences were reported, particularly in Uukolonkadhi district, where stolen animals were taken into the Republic of Angola.

Meanwhile, cases of illegal immigration and smuggling of contraband goods are on the increase.

Additionally, he said that other criminalities have increased by 10 per cent since 4 079 offences increased to 4 529, while the number of assaults involving domestic violence has slightly increased with 257 incidents.

Further, a total of 112 rape cases were recorded during the period under review, with the majority child victims.

Other cases were 653 theft, 513 housebreaking and theft, 477 assault GBH, 447 other assaults (common assault and assault by threat), 257 domestic violence, 232 stock theft, 226 fraud, 129 theft of cell phones and 111 robbery.

Endjala said in order to reduce crime, the police are activating and increasing foot and vehicle patrols to upsurge their visibility and improving crime detection.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

NamPower’s long-awaited three power generation units for the new Anixas II Power Station with a combined generation capacity of 54MW of electricity arrived at Walvis Bay on Friday.

A media statement issued by the office of the Managing Director of NamPower on Sunday, stated that the electricity will use either liquid fuel or natural gas.

The purpose of this power station is to support the security of supply in the Namibian grid as it provides firm, dispatchable power when needed during times of energy supply shortages to support larger integration of intermittent renewable energies such as solar and wind, the statement read.

The expected completion of the project based in Walvis Bay is the end of May 2024.

Anixas I and Anixas II combined will give a total capacity of approximately 75MW, which will make the Anixas plant sufficient to meet the demand of the Erongo Region in its entirety.

According to NamPower, the power plant runs on Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), which replaces HFO, however it has the capability to also run on natural gas when it becomes available in Namibia, which is the preferred way to go, as a transition fuel of the future.

Each of the three engines weigh 350 tonnes and each of the three generators/alternators are close to 70 tonnes.

As per determination from the Ministry of Mines and Energy in 2018 , this project forms part of a group of 220MW of projects of which all the other projects are renewable energy projects (solar, wind and biomass) comprising 170MW of the 220MW portfolio.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Katima Mulilo residents have received free community internet services after Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) and the Katima Mulilo Town Council signed a memorandum of understanding in an effort to shape the Zambezi capital into a digital town.

Launching the community Wi-Fi on Thursday, Zambezi Region Governor Alfea Sampofu noted that the internet services will transform the Katima Mulilo Town into a smart town, digitally wise, adding that this will be a game changer among the residents.

The service is available in the central business district of the town, and to use, residents and visitors will just have to activate their Wi-Fi, without a password required.

Katima Mulilo Town Council Chief Executive Officer Raphael Liswaniso at the signing noted that the move of providing free Wi-Fi services to the residents is aimed at harnessing technology whilst shaping a better future for them.

“The free Wi-Fi will cover the whole central business district area, therefore residents can now do bank transactions and pay for their municipal services online without any difficulties,” he noted.

MTC Manager for Product and Enterprise Solutions, Elton Katangolo noted that Katima Mulilo, being a border town, having free community Wi-Fi, will play a pivotal role in attracting and assisting tourists with better services.

Katangolo indicated that his company will still expand the services as the need arises.

Meanwhile, Kabbe Urban Regional Councillor Kennedy Simasiku called on MTC to provide more centres in the region to cater to the needs of its customers, especially those registering their SIM cards, as many struggle with this due to constraints like transport and time, and long queues.

Katima Mulilo is one of the first few towns which have rolled out the community free Wi-Fi for its public.

To this, the Katima residents have expressed excitement, with the hope that young people here will not have to suffer and struggle to access internet services in search for better opportunities, including sending online applications.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A Namibian male, Clemens Kudumo, 35, allegedly burned to death in a shack on Friday at Rosh Pinah in the ||Kharas Region.

In a crime report issued on Sunday, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi stated that three shacks allegedly burned down around 02h00-03h00 and that the cause of the fire is not known.

Shikwambi said the fire victim allegedly died in one of the shacks after he burned beyond recognition, adding the deceased’s next of kin have been informed.

His body was removed from the shack and taken to the Rosh Pinah Police mortuary.

In a similar incident, a one-month-old female baby, Victoria Namawe allegedly died around 21h00 in a room at Oikango village in Oshana Region on Friday.

Shikwambi said it is alleged that the baby girl died suddenly at home after being ill for just a few hours.

“According to the baby’s mother the baby was observed bleeding from the mouth and nose while in Oshakati when she was shopping,” Shikwambi said.

The mother took the baby for treatment at the hospital and the bleeding stopped, however, during the night at home, it is alleged that the mother noticed that the baby was bleeding again and when she picked the baby up, the baby showed no sign of life, Shikwambi said.

The body was transported to the police mortuary and the next of kin are informed.

In another incidence, it is alleged that a suspect unlawfully and intentionally hacked a complainant’s First National Bank (FNB) account on Friday at Katutura in the Khomas Region.

Shikwambi confirmed that the complainant’s FNB account was hacked around 09h00 and N.dollars 24 778 was transferred from the complainant’s account.

No recovery and arrests have been made and police investigations continue in all the matters, Shikwambi said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A 61-year-old Namibian male was allegedly violently robbed of cash and belongings worth more than N.dollars 5 000 on Saturday at a lodge at Kamanjab in the Kunene Region.

In a crime report issued on Sunday, spokesperson of the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi stated that three unknown suspects armed with pistols allegedly forcefully broke into the victim’s house with a sharp metal object around 02h27 and gained entry into the living room.

The suspects allegedly held the victim and demanded money, and the complainant was then also allegedly assaulted with a metal pipe all over his body.

It’s further alleged that the suspects managed to take two diamond wedding rings, jewellery, seven pairs of women shoes, three cellphones, bank cards, a camera unit, N.dollars 5 000 in cash and vanished.

Nothing has been recovered yet, no arrests have been made and police investigations are ongoing.

In a similar incident, Shikwambi stated that a 33-year-old Namibian male was allegedly robbed of properties worth over N.dollars 3 000 at Okuryangava in the Khomas Region on Saturday.

“It is alleged that the suspect attacked the complainant by assaulting him with a pistol around 20h00, shot at the complainant, overpowering the victim and taking cash, wallet ID and ATM cards with the value of N.dollars 3 230,” Shikwambi said.

No recovery nor arrest has been made and investigations continue.

In another incident, Iipinge Mbute, 48, was found hanging from the roof in her sleeping room at Uupindi in the Oshana Region.

Shikwambi said the deceased was found at around 10h00 and no suicide note was left behind.

The next of kin have been notified and investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency