Day: May 3, 2023

As part of activities to commemorate its 59th Anniversary, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Tuesday, conducted medical outreach to over 1000 women, children and elderly persons in Biseni Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The Public Relations Officer, NAF Mobility Command, Sqn.Ldr. Olayinka Lawal, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

Lawal said the services rendered by the NAF medical team included free medical consultations, blood pressure checks as well as eye and blood screenings.

He added that drugs, corrective glasses and insecticide-treated mosquito nets were also distributed during the outreach.

The Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command, AVM Elijah Ebiowe, said that NAF would continue to employ other non-kinetic measures to win the hearts and minds of its host communities.

The commander, who was represented by the Command Operations Officer, Air Commodore Friday Ekpah, stated that NAF had been extending such kind gesture to the people of Bayelsa.

According to him, the NAF has since 2012 been at the forefront of airlifting relief materials and evacuation of victims of flood disasters in the state.

This, according to him, is in addition to working in concert with other security agencies and the state government to guarantee the safety of lives and property in the entire state.

Ebiowe added that NAF had made several gains in the various theatres of operations across the country, to bring lasting peace and security to all.

He added that the medical outreach was designed as a civil-military cooperation effort, to win the hearts and minds of residents of the host communities.

According to him, it is also for them to know that the military is not all about guns and violence, so that they can volunteer information to security agencies in the quest to secure lives and property.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Health, Bayelsa State, Dr Pabara Igwele, expressed delight that NAF conducted that kind of non-kinetic operation in Biseni community.

According to him, this is not the first time the NAF will be conducting an outreach such as this in the state, it has been at the forefront of providing humanitarian assistance to the State whenever the need arises.

“I am happy to recount that the Nigerian Air Force has a long history of providing humanitarian assistance to the State whenever the need arises.

“One such assistance was a similar medical outreach to the one we are having today which was conducted at Gbarantoru Community on May 18, 2021.

“The outreach, in no small measure, helped to ameliorate the health challenges in the community at the time”, he added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has released a 1,564-page compendium detailing the numerous achievements of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023.

The compendium, which came in two volumes and documented by the Ministry of Information and Culture was made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

In the preface, signed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, he said the compendium was one of the outcomes of the multi-dimensional programmes designed by the Ministry to showcase the administration’s achievements.

According to the minister, “the compendium contained the aggregation of the scorecards of the various ministries.

“Making it the most authentic and detailed collection – in a written form – that anyone can have on the achievements of the Buhari Administration from its assumption of office in 2015 to the end of its two-term tenure in 2023.

Mohammed said the collection came under the Administration’s Scorecard Series (2015-2023)’, launched by his ministry in October last year, to consolidate the propagation of the government’s achievements.

The scorecard series, according to him, provided the platform for ministers to tell Nigerians how they had fared in executing the policies and programmes of the administration from their various sectors.

Mohammed said other components of the multi-layer programmes included a documentary showcasing in vivid terms the giant strides of the administration in all spheres of life.

He said a Testimony Series was also organised, which gave ordinary Nigerians the opportunity to express how they had benefitted from the administration’s policies.

The minister said the ministry equally launched a Legacy Portal that would preserve for posterity all the achievements of the administration.

“I can boldly say that we have achieved our objective of launching the entire Scorecard Series, which is to tell Nigerians what the Buhari Administration has done in all the sectors to positively impact on

their lives.

“Prior to the launch of this Scorecard Series, the refrain from the opposition was that the APC and the Buhari administration have nothing to campaign with in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.

“But we have proven them wrong. Not only do we have achievements to campaign with, we are spoilt for choice,” he said.

The minister appreciated all the ministers for their support and cooperation in making the compendium and all the other components of the scorecard series a reality.

He also expressed gratitude to the members of staff of his ministry, heads of the agencies under the ministry as well as the media, which consistently reported the presentations.

On behalf of other ministers, Mohammed gave gratitude to President Buhari for his unflinching support for them to deliver on their mandates.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), leave to serve writ of summons on Meta Platform, social media giant and owners of Facebook.

The court gave the nod pursuant to an application by ARCON in a pending N30 billion suit against the social media giant for violation of the extant advertising laws of Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the writ is to be served at the United States corporate headquarters of Meta which also owns Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp social media platforms.

While Meta is the first defendant in the suit, AT3 Resources Limited is the second defendant.

ARCON is seeking a declaration that the publication of various advertisements and marketing communications materials targeted at Nigeria through Meta’s platforms without prior vetting and approval by Advertising Standards Panel is illegal.

The regulatory body also claimed that the act disregarded Nigerian culture, constitutional tenets, moral values and religious sensitivity of citizens.

ARCON is, therefore, seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their privies, agents, servants and associates from publishing any advertising or marketing communications materials without recourse to ARCON in line with the country’s advertising law.

It is also seeking N30 billion in fines and sanctions for the continued violations and infractions of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act No. 23 of 2022.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has canvassed for effective implementation of the national action plan on Ageing in Nigeria.

The Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), Dr Emem Omokaro said this on Tuesday in Abuja.

She stated this during a 2-Day Training Workshop for Desk Officers on the Implementation of NSCC’s Strategic Roadmap on Ageing 2022 -2032.

Omokaro said that the Strategic Roadmap on Ageing provides a framework for assessing the effectiveness of actions taken to effect change.

”This strategic framework will provide the needed multi-sectoral foundational thrust for the robust implementation of the strategic objectives of both the National Senior Citizens Centre Act 2017 and the National Policy on Ageing, aligned with the tenets of the SDG goals.

”This strategy should deliver transformational changes needed to promote and protect older persons’ rights to dignity, security, health and wellbeing, happiness, independence and continued participation in what they have reasons to value.

”It will also set the institutional precedent for sector-wide efforts to improve the quality of lives and wellbeing of older persons in Nigeria,” she said.

Omokaro said that the objective of the exercise was designed to increase the understanding of the desk officers in relevant MDAs on Ageing.

”Their role and responsibilities in the implementation of this strategic roadmap is necessary to develop Desk Officer Engagement Framework towards increasing feedback and Desk Officers’ effectiveness.

”NSCC has through its partnership successfully mainstreamed older person into the NDE Matured People Program and signed an MoU with relevant Agencies to support older persons in Nigeria.

”So, with the desk offices, we should be able to strengthen our partnerships with various MDAs, where they already exist and, to leverage on the enhanced understanding of ageing and issues of older persons to evolve more effective partnerships on mainstreaming ageing into specific programsme,” she said.

The D-G, therefore, expressed determination to establish ageing desks with focal officers in relevant MDAs to interface with NSCC so as to ensure effective inclusion of older persons.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop had in attendance participants from 40 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as three officers from House Committee on Disabilities and the Committee on Women.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Nasir Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development disclosed this on Tuesday.

He was speaking during a meeting with relevant stakeholders in the humanitarian services in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders include the Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS), World Food Programme (WFP) and the ECOWAS Commission.

”A total of 13,000 victims benefited from flood relief interventions across 16 states affected by the 2020 flood disaster in the country.

”These states include Anambra, Bayelsa, Katsina, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Bauchi, Delta, Rivers, Adamawa and Yobe.

”This is in addition to the implementation of stabilisation fund project in six local government areas in North-East and North-West where 27, 432 persons benefited,” Gwarzo said.

He expressed the commitment of the federal government towards providing the needed support to the vulnerable persons in the country.

”Food, shelter, households, water sanitation as well as cash was provided across the 16 flood affected states,” he said.

Gwarzo said that impact of the flood disaster necessitated collaboration with relevant humanitarian agencies to support government response towards providing succour to the victims.

According to him, the 2020 flood disaster has resulted in loss of lives and livelihoods of Nigerians across the country.

”The socio-economic impact of the 2020 flood was very devastating. It resulted in loss of lives and livelihoods in communities across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

”The persistent conflict concomitant with the frequent insurgents attacks also resulted in the displacement of hundreds of people,” he said.

He, therefore, commended the various national and international NGOs as well as other government agencies for the support in providing succour to Nigerians in times of need.

Speakers at the event took turns to express their commitment to support government efforts in addressing the humanitarian situations of vulnerable Nigerians.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A thunderous applause greeted an announcement by the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, that he would take steps to complete a 600-bed girls’ dormitory at the Christ the King Senior High School (SHS), abandoned for over a decade. The project is at the roofing level but had been left under the vagaries of the weather after the contractor abandoned site, leaving the huge investment to go to waste, while students share limited spaces as accommodation. It is against this background that the Minister’s pledge to fix the problem attracted spontaneous jubilation among the students. Dr Adutwum was in the school as part of his four-day tour of the Ashanti Region to interact with the students and inspect ongoing projects. Having listened to their numerous challenges that called for his intervention, the Minister, particularly, showed keen interest in the completion of the dormitory and assured the authorities of his commitment to bringing the contractors back to site. ‘I have taken notice of the challenges confronting the school and will work assiduously to have them fixed,’ he said. Dr Adutwum advised the students to work hard and believe in their abilities, irrespective of where they found themselves. He urged them to take a cue from his own upbringing, saying: ‘Where you come from accounts for nothing but the efforts you put into your education will take you places.’ The Minister reiterated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s resolve to enhance access to education and develop the country through that. The introduction of Free SHS lent credence to the vision of the President to create opportunity for every Ghanaian child to have access to free and quality education, he said. Dr Patrick Boakye Yiadom, the Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, said students must work hard, take their studies seriously and never relent in their efforts until they reached their full potentials. Madam Faustina Amissah, the District Chief Executive for the area, commended the Minister for the visit, which she said would motivate the students to strive higher. She said she was particularly happy that, at long last, the girls dormitory project would be completed and expressed confidence that the Minister would redeem his promise.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A Traditional leader has filed a GHC2 million defamation suit against Kumasi-based Oyerepa Radio and Television station and others. The Plaintiff, Nana Antwi Fosuhene, a businessman and resident of Manhyia- Ahenebuboano, Kumasi, directed the suit at Eunice Naa Amerley Nortey aka Auntie Naa, Emelia Agyemang, Proprietress and Owner Oyerepa FM and TV and Queenly Lilian Amponsah, a resident of Atonsu. In the writ of summons, the Fosuhene who is the Kyidomhene of Asem, Kumasi, is seeking ‘Compensatory, aggravated, and exemplary damages of GHC 2- million against the defendants. He is also seeking general and punitive damages against the defendants for defaming him and causing him emotional pain, embarrassment, and public ridicule. Fosuhene is further seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their assigns and all persons acting for any of them, or taking instructions from them, from making any oral or written derogatory statement about him. He is soliciting the court to direct the defendants to completely retract the said statements made against him at the same places and on media platforms including social media platforms, as well as publish and broadcast an unqualified public apology on all media platforms. Fosuhene is also seeking further orders or reliefs which the court may consider necessary or just, including cost and solicitors’ fees. In a statement of claim filed at the commercial division of the Kumasi High Courts, Fosuhene said Eunice Naa Amerley Nortey aka Auntie Naa is the host of a programme dubbed ‘Oyerepa Afutuo’ that is aired on Oyerepa FM and TV. It said the second defendant, Emelia Agyeman owns the media platforms (Oyerepa Radia and TV). ‘The third defendant is a former staff of the Plaintiff at Sefo’s and Sons Driving School’, Plaintiff averred. Fosuhene’s case is that on November 29, 2022, Auntie Naa while hosting her programme allowed Emelia Agyemang, the third defendant to make defamatory and false statements ‘without any notice’ to him. Emelia, in an interview with Auntie Naa, alleged that she went looking for a job and met the plaintiff. Emelia alleged that the plaintiff forced her to have sex with him, which resulted in her having five miscarriages after the beating she received from him. Emelia further alleged during the interview that the Fosuhene had gone in for two other ladies because she had difficulty conceiving. Fosuhene said Auntie Naa led and instigated Emelia to portray him in substance as ‘a rapist, unethical businessman who engages in unwelcome sexual affairs with his staff, an abuser, a womanizer and a criminal.’ He contended that Auntie Naa and Emelia in the pursuit of their agenda ‘paraded him as an abusive person.’ Fosuhene said during an interview on the same programme, Auntie Naa and Emelia further paraded him as ‘a rapist and an unethical businessman who forcefully subjects his employees to sexual intercourse and as someone who instigates abortion and assaults a pregnant woman to have a miscarriage.’ He stated that statements made by the two defendants on the said programme ‘were false and were made maliciously by them just to tarnish his hard-won reputation as a businessman and respected Traditional ruler.’ ‘The second defendant on her part also provided them with her platforms for them to defame the plaintiff,’ the Statement of Claim said. According to Fosuhene, ‘These defamatory statements have seriously affected him. ‘Indeed, aside from public ridicule, the plaintiff now finds it difficult to even go to public places as he has to explain himself to almost everybody since they keep asking and chastising him about the words spoken of him by the first and third defendants on the programme.’ Fosuhene said that because of the defamatory statement, his business partners had also formed a negative impression of him and are not willing to do business with him. He claimed that the statement had also cost him his economic interest, reputation, his position as a chief and his self-esteem. ‘The plaintiff avers that all efforts to have the defendants retract their defamatory words have proved futile as the defendants have consistently maintained and stood by their unlawful acts with the sworn intention of soiling the image of the plaintiff and bringing same into disrepute,’ the statement of claim said.

Source: Ghana News Agency