Day: August 6, 2023

The Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York and the Royal Festival Inc. have celebrated the “Ayan Atayero Festival” (Festival of Drums) to promote the understanding and appreciation of Nigeria’s rich culture and heritage in the US.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden edition of the festival was held at the Nigeria House in New York in collaboration with the House of Oduduwa and the Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom, Ekiti.

The Consul-General, Amb. Lot Egopija, in his remarks said the gathering was aimed at celebrating the timeless tradition of drumming and vibrant Nigerian cultural heritage.

According to him, the Atayero festival holds immense significance and it showcases the power of drums as a universal language.

The envoy said that drums had the ability to transcend barriers and to bring people together regardless of their background and origin.

“The drums talk as you listen to it and they are various interpretation of the rhythm.

“Above all, the kings communicate with their subjects through the instruments of the drums. I will enjoin you to relax as the drums speak to us this night.’’

In his remarks, Olusegun Aderemi, the Atayero of Aramoko Kingdom, Ekiti, defined culture as the generality of the way people live and the way people behave.

“Heritage doesn’t die, heritage lives in the present and the future. We can’t take away our cultural heritage and we cannot add to it.

“The best we can do to our cultural heritage is to manage it.

“Our great culture is rich; our most expensive culture from Nigeria comes from the North, East to the West and down to the South is very rich,’’ he said.

The traditional ruler said the maiden edition of the “Festival of Drums“ would present different ways in which drums communicate and the interpretation of the rhythm.

“Our culture is very rich and our drums are very rich, our singing and dancing are very rich. They are very spiritual to us and very important to us.

“Drum speaks the language we understand; it could be used as a tool for calling and for healing,’’ he said.

Similarly, Olori Folashade Ogunwusi, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, who sent royal greetings from her husband also spoke about the rich heritage of the Yoruba culture, especially the drum festival.

“The Yoruba culture holds great importance as it represents the rich heritage of Yoruba people, an ethnic group, predominantly located in Southwestern Nigeria.

“The culture encompasses various aspects such as language, the art, outfit, the music and the beautiful drums.

“It is the culture that has been passed down through generation, your tradition is considered a heritage because it carries the collective history, values and identity of your community.

“It also provides a sense of belonging and the continuity connecting people together to their ancestors as well,” she said.

According to her, culture has influenced and contributed significantly to the broader African diaspora and the global cultural diversity, making it an essential part of board heritage toda

Also speaking, Edward Mermelstein, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs, thanked the Consulate for orgainising the festival, noting that New York City is the host of the largest diplomatic community in the world.

“This festival serves as a testament to the importance of preserving and honoring cultural heritage. It provides a platform for sharing and celebrating the tradition that has been passed down through generations.

“Moreover, the festival is a testament to the strength of our city’s cultural diversity.

“New York City is a melting point of cultures and events like this allow us to appreciate the richness and contribution of each community,’’ he said.

According to him, it is through embracing our differences that we forge stronger bonds and build a more inclusive and harmonious society.

“As we celebrate the festival in the night of drums, let us acknowledge the perseverance of our communities,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the festival, with the theme: Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage,’’ also showcased presentation of drum rhythms, their interpretation and their accompanying dancing steps by Olu-Gan Gan Troupe.

The festival was attended by the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Prof. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, Dr Akil khalfani, Pan African Diaspora Ambassador to the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Olori Abosede Yeyegunwa, Elesi of Ejesi Ife Kingdom as well as Princess Fadakemi Fadojutimi, Managing Director of Ife Grand Resorts and Industrial Hub, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Sen. Ahmed Wadada, has advised President Bola Tinubu to appoint an Auditor General of the Federation in compliance with the Section 86 of the 1999 Constitution.

Wadada (SDP-Nasarawa West) said this in a letter to Tinubu, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

He noted that the absence of the Auditor-General of the Federation leaves the Government susceptible to mismanagement, lack of accountability and transparency.

The lawmaker expressed concern that the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, which is the apex audit Institution of the country, had been without a substantive Auditor-General for the last 10 months.

” This will affect strict adherence to Accounting Standards and the Annual Reports of the Auditor-General on the accounts of the Federation of Nigeria Agencies and Ministries, Agencies, Departments (MDAs) cannot be efficiently transmitted.

” Thereby impending the necessary checks and balances integral to the functions of the National Assemblies Committees responsible for Public Accounts.

” Therefore, it is very imperative for President Tinubu to heed to my advice in the interest of the country, as the absence of the Auditor-General could affect the efforts of our government in the fight against corruption and enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.”

Wadada emphasised that appointing a substantive Auditor-General would strengthen the Federal Government’s commitment to fiscal responsibilities and safeguard public trust.

He pointed out that the Audit Reports of 2020, 2021 and 2022 are yet to be transmitted in accordance with section 85 (2) of the 1999 Constitution as a result of the non appointment of an Auditor General.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says there is no plan to deploy youth corps members to Niger Republic to fight a war to restore democracy in that country.

The NYSC Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Eddy Megwa, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja in response to a video he said was circulating on social media, alleging that members would be deployed to Niger Republic.

He stated that “management wishes to state that there is no iota of truth in the story fabricated by the purveyor, a skit and content creator.

“The public, especially youth corps members, prospective members and their parents should disregard the story, which borders on criminality in its entirety.

“Content and skit makers are strongly advised to desist from spreading false information capable of subverting the peace of the nation.”

Megwa added that law enforcement agencies would stop at nothing to bring the purveyors of the story to justice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was a coup in Niger Republic on July 26, where Nigerien soldiers toppled the government of democratically elected

President Mohamed Bazoum from power.

Consequently, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is making effort to restore democratic government to the country.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Segun Odunmbaku, the Chairman, Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), says 14 mini-buses have been released to ease movevent for residents in the LCDA.

Odunmbaku said this in a statement on his two years in office on Saturday in Lagos.

He said the release of the mini-buses was part of the palliative measures by his administration, to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on the people of Ojodu and environs.

Odunmbaku said to cushion the impact of the current economic hardship, plans were also underway to provide free shuttle buses for students and pupils when school resumed in September.

The chairman assured residents of the area that his administration was committed to improving their standards of living.

He said in the last two years, the LCDA under his leadership, had carried out development projects cutting across sectors such as health, education, environment, youths empowerment and social infrastructure, including road rehabilitation.

According to him, seven roads in the council area have been given face-lift, while over 2,000 youths have been empowered with skills, as part of efforts to reduce unemployment.

”With the level of deficit infrastructure that we met, it was necessary for us to have a vision and narrow down our needs into these four acronyms.

”I have been privileged to be the secretary in Ikeja Local Government and Ojodu LCDA, before taking up the mantle of the chairmanship.

“So, I gained one or two experiences and was prepared for the office that, if given the mandate, I would want to do things differently.

”In the health sector, we did the survey of the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

“As at that time, we had six PHCs in Gbadamosi, Aguda, Oluwole Ogba, Akiode, Akpata and we commissioned one, six months into this administration, then the new one at Agidingbi.

”Out of the seven, we have been able to upgrade two to 24 hours services, which is Akpata and Gbadamosi,” he said.

Odunmbaku said that relevant stakeholders had been engaged, as plans were afoot to take the PHC in Gbadamosi and Akpata to full fledged maternity.

He said that given the challenge of epileptic power supply, the council was planning to equip the PHCs with alternative power energy, in terms of solar panels and inverters.

The chairman said the council had able to do three, while reaching out to multi-nationals to get three done in the next two years, so that the PHCs could have sufficient power supply for its operations.

He also said that arrangements were underway, in partnership with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, to turn waste to energy, to boost electricity supply.

The chairman urged residents of the area to be patient and continue to cooperate with the government at all levels, while urging them against indiscriminate dumping of refuse

He said that residents should look forward to more poverty alleviating initiatives from his administration, including widows food bank, protein day, during which meat would be sold at very cheap price.

Odunmbaku said that in another palliative market days, all items would be sold at a subsidised rate of N1,000 for each product bought.

He added that his administration was planning to decongest the Ogunnusi Road by opening and upgrading inner roads.

On Corporate Social Responsibility, the council chairman berated some big organisations in the area for not engaging in such noble responsibility.

Odunmbaku said the council had raked in between N60 million and N70 million as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the last one year.

He added that his government was still trying to improve on the IGR.

Odunmbaku also hinted of plans to redevelop the popular Sunday market, to take in more people.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT) FCT, Abuja Chapter, has called on Nigerians to embrace tax payment in order to support governments’ efforts in providing social services to the citizens.

Mrs Biola Saliu, Coordinator of the group, made the call during her investiture as the 4th Coordinator of the chapter, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the inauguation of a 16-member executive committee to serve its 2023/2024 year.

Saliu said that it was important for Nigerians to pay their taxes at at when due, in other to enjoy the infrastructure and developmental projects of the federal government.

“There are so many amenities that we don’t have, such as good roads, water, electricity and so on, but government does not manufacture money.

“They use what they get from us to build all these things, so by not paying your tax, you do not have the right to ask for these benefits.

“The amenities are important and if you know they are important to you, you need to pay your tax, so that you can be able to face the government and ask for these things.

“So it is important for everyone to ensure they pay their taxes at the right time,” she said.

On her area of focus during her tenure, she said the chapter would focus on capacity building for its members and ensure that young students are enlightened on the importance of tax payment.

“The Abuja Chapter has not really gotten its foot on the ground and that is the main thing I would be working on.

“I will be working on membership drive, though we have started, we are trusting and believing God we will achieve it this time.

“We will also train and improve the knowledge of members through seminars and workshop, so that it will enhance their performances,” she added.

Also speaking, Mrs Bosede Ikhanoba, SWIT National Chairperson, advised the new executives to be determined and ensure they reach their desired goals.

“Leadership requires vision, it requires the desire to serve others and it requires sacrifice.

“Some leaders are born with the ability to lead this way but most of us need support and guidance, I therefore urge you to provide purposeful leadership needed at the SWIT Abuja and embrace effective collaboration to help you reach your goals,” she said.

For her part, Mrs Adesola Adeyemi, Immediate Past Coordinator, SWIT Abuja Chapter, called on the new executives to work effectively and selflessly for the success of the society.

“I want them to look at professionalism, integrity, efficiency and ownership.

“They should be ready to see the chapter as their own, they should also be patient and they should ensure team work as this is important,” she said.

Mrs Taiwo Ojo, Chairman, Investiture Planning Committee, added that the society would continue to be a beacon of inspiration and empowerment for the women in the field of taxation.

She however, called on Nigerians to ensure they pay their taxes to ensure industrial development and growth of the country.

“It is important for us to pay tax so that our infrastructures can be okay, we can pay good salaries and our children will be able to go to school.

So it is important Nigerians embrace paying their taxes,”she said.

NAN reports that SWIT, formally inaugurated on May 7, 2010, is the female arm of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Kenise Hill, Deputy Political and Economic Chief, U.S. Consulate, says including women in climate action will help create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Hill said this in a statement made available by the consulate to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

She said the consulate recently supported the first Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon that brought together women-led organisations, climate-tech entrepreneurs, representatives from the public and private sectors, who were leading efforts to combat climate change in their communities.

Hill said the Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon was organised by Shelley Taylor, a Silicon Valley technology veteran, and Folawemi Umunna, an alumna of the U.S. Department of State funded International Visitors Leadership Programme, with support from the mission in Lagos.

She said the Salon was a coalition of partners who came together in different countries and regions to support women in finding solutions to climate impacts through events and a growing supportive network.

According to Hill, climate change is a threat that sees no borders.

“We’re glad to enable this dialogue that gives voice to the women with livid experience of climate impacts.

“We’re glad to facilitate their collaboration with women who have developed strategies for creating greater resilience to find shared solutions to our global, shared challenge of climate change,” she said.

Hill explained that the shared priority of protecting the environment was another example of the close relationship and cooperation that existed between the people of Nigeria and the U.S.

Also, Shelley Taylor, Convener, Nigerian Climate Resilience Salon, said that climate change exacerbated gender inequalities and developmental gaps.

She noted that women had a unique perspective on environmental issues as they often bore the brunt of climate shocks and stresses.

Taylor said that one of the goals of the Climate Resilience Salons was to help some of the women working in non-profits to transform their work into businesses where they could generate profits from climate solutions, increasing their family wealth and influence in society.

“Existing climate tech founders need help scaling their solutions into other regions and across borders too,” Taylor said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 57,450 pills of tramadol, rohypnol and exol-5 along Abaji-Abuja highway from a suspect, Mr Joseph Usman.

A statement by the NDLEA spokesperson, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja, said that 4,082 bottles of codeine-based syrup were also recovered from a suspect, Joseph Usman.

Babafemi said the suspect was arrested in a commercial bus coming from Onitsha, Anambra State, to Abuja on Friday.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted various quantities of Dextromethorphan.

Babafemi said that the drugs were mixed with heroin, Methamphetamine, Dimethyl Sulfone and Cannabis and concealed in different objects bound for Europe.

He said that 272 grams of dextromethorphan, mixed with heroin going to Greece were recovered from white neck beads, adding that 665 grams of cannabis being shipped to Hong Kong were hidden in bars of Dudu Osun black bathing soap.

He added that 261 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone bound for New Zealand hidden in reels of weaving threads and 1.5kgs of Methamphetamine also heading to New Zealand were intercepted.

“The drugs were neatly packed in an MP3 player after all the parts were removed and the substance stuffed as replacement, ” he said.

Also, in Kano state, a woman and four men – Ladi Peter,47; Umar Salisu, 38; Ahmed Naheeb, 36; Ibrahim Umar, 42, and Musa Suleman, 43, have been arrested for drug related issues.

Babafemi said that the suspects were intercepted in connection with the seizure of 977.7 kilograms of cannabis sativa recovered from them by NDLEA operatives.

He added that they were arrested along Zaria-Kano road, Kwanar Dangora on Friday and July 31.

In the same vein, 2,445 kilograms of cannabis sativa were recovered from the warehouse of a fleeing suspect, Usman Nar at Madinatu area of Jere LGA, Borno state on Saturday Aug. 5.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Recent happenings in West Africa points the fact of the danger democracy and good governance are facing in the region. The military takeover in Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Niger Republic showed the fragility of moving West Africa out of its challenge of poverty, low infrastructure and globalisation.

Coup d’états have taken place over the last three years in the West African states of Mali (August 2020 and May 2021), Guinea (September 2021), Burkina Faso (January and September 2022) and Niger Republic (June 2023). Military governments are still in place in each country.

The roots of this wave lie in regional instability, poor governance by elected leaders, and many successful past coups.

A report by the Foreign Policy Research Institute says a day after arresting President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020, Mali’s Committee for the Salvation of the People publicly accused Keita’s government of corruption and announced its decision to “take our responsibilities before the people and before history” by ousting him.

In September 2021, Col. Mamady Doumbouya followed a similar script, explaining his overthrow of Guinean President Alpha Condé by declaring that “the duty of a soldier is to save the country.” Next to fall was Burkina Faso’s President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.

Just four months after the Guinean coup, Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba claimed that the severity of ongoing Islamist insurgency in the country had “imposed” the arrival of his Patriotic Movement for Protection and Restoration, pledging to step down once the security situation was under control.

Divisions within the Malian and Burkinabe interim authorities have even resulted in two further coups, exacerbating instability. The military leaders in Mali and Guinea have also promised to make way for civilian governments, but there are fears on whether the transition programmes will progress on schedule.

As a result of the military takeover in Niger Republic, the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a strong warning to the junta in order to reverse the action and restore democratic rule in the landlocked country.

After a meeting in Abuja on Sunday, the ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments agree for an immediate sanction on Niger including the closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger.

They also agree on establishing a no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger, and suspending all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger.

Furthermore, assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Bank, Niger state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks will be frozen.

Niger Republic will also be suspended from all financial assistance and transactions with financial institutions within ECOWAS.

Additionally, travel bans and assets freezes were imposed on the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as their family members and civilians who accept to participate in any institution or government established by these military officials.

However, over the course of the week, President Bola Tinubu, who is the current Chairman of the ECOWAS, introduced a new aspect to the various sanctions imposed on the junta in Niger republic.

A delegation of elders was sent to interact with the military leaders and find a diplomatic means of ending what has become a situation of national and regional pride between the military junta and the ECOWAS leaders.

Before the Sunday Summit began, President Tinubu held bilateral meetings with President Umaro Embalo of Guinea Bissau, President Mahmat Itno of Chad, and Michael Health, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of African Affairs.

Presidents Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Embalo of Guinea Bissau, Macky Sall of Senegal, Faure Gnassingbé of Togo attended the Summit while the Presidents of Cape Verde, Liberia, Niger and Sierra Leone were represented.

As the diplomatic shuttle unfolds, the effect of the coup across the West African sub-region continue to impact on the ordinary people further compounding their socio-economic woes, insecurity and poor public health.

At a one-day peace conference themed “Peaceful Elections and National Development” organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) in 2019, former President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the desperation of some African leaders to hold on to power, a situation that has brought avoidable woes to the people on the continent.

“There is a vicious cycle in Africa where the struggle for political power leads to conflicts that bring up poor governance and create hardship which fuels the struggle for change of leadership, thus creating further conflicts and poor leadership.”

He also noted that Africa’s relatively slow growth and poor performing economies are linked to the preponderance of conflicts, and that many patriotic Africans will not deny the fact that at the root of most of the conflicts ravaging the continent is the desperation that often characterises the struggle for power.

He stressed that the 10 most developed nations on this earth are those that experience the least conflict while the 10 least developed countries, many of them in Africa, are the ones wallowing in the worst form of conflict.

“The reality is that any leader who is committed to the development of his country will do everything to save it from turmoil and conflicts.”

According to Jonathan, the work of the foundation focuses on credible elections, peaceful transitions, good governance, as well as promoting youth and women empowerment.

The words of the former president at that 2019 workshop continue to ring a bell with the happenings currently in the West African region as the wave of military coups continue to resonate alarmingly and impact negatively on the region and its peoples.

As part of enshrining democracy and good governance in Africa, especially West Africa, a West Africa Elders Forum was created by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation more than seven years ago which comprises former leaders of the region.

The Forum engages government on issues such as transparent conduct of elections, collaboration of all contenders in elections and the acceptance of results that are adjudged free and fairs by electoral observers and umpires.

As parts of efforts to advance democratic consolidation on the continent and especially in West Africa, GJF instituted a home-grown, credible platform called the West African Elders Forum consisting of former leaders and statesmen who will provide mediation and interlocutory role in addressing electoral and democratic conflict in the region.

This Forum was officially inaugurated on the March 4, 2021.

It is instructive to note that a member of the West African Elders Forum, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar is among the eminent person chosen by President Bola Tinubu to meet with the military junta towards finding a diplomatic option to the crisis.

With the rising conflicts in West Africa as well as Africa, the use of the Forum and any such organisations members will provide a better alternative to resolving our conflict locally before bringing in international mediators in order to showcase the resilience of Africans toward handling their affairs internally.

Additionally, it will add to African credibility towards building democratic accountability, strengthening governance and building leadership towards ensuring transparent and peaceful transition of power.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni on Friday encouraged the Tsumeb town council to strive towards the improvement of physical infrastructure at the town through public private partnership.

In a media release availed to Nampa on Saturday, Uutoni, who was speaking at the Copper Festival’s Fundraising gala dinner said that he believes that local authorities play an important role in promoting economic development.

He said the ministry recognises the importance of the particular event and would like to applaud the Tsumeb town council for the initiative that will help grow the town’s economy.

The minister added that local authorities play an important role by providing residents with basic services such as access to water, electricity, affordable housing and sanitation.

“I strongly think that the opportunity to attain the theme; “Restoring the dignity of our community”, lies in the fact that local governments make decisions that affect the day-to-day quality of life for residents. Therefore, to build public infrastructure restores the dignity of residents at local authority level,” he said.

During the same event, also inaugurated the Tsumeb Fruit and Veg Hub, which commenced its operations in 2019 at the town.

“This particular event was a result of smart partnerships that create common understanding among local leadership, corporate and high learning institutions on issues of local governance,” Uutoni said.

“Equally, I would like to underscore that there is a greater need for public markets to increase access to healthy foods, while highlight the local culture of our communities in which they are found,” he added.

The minister stated that the hub was commenced with the aim to avail a safe and secure operation facility to the venders currently operating on Hage Geingob Street and that the first phase of the project was funded by Dundee Precious Meatals Tsumeb’s Community Trust.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency