Author: darelasisi@gmail.com

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has urged Nigerians to love, tolerate and live peacefully with one another. Tallen made the call on Thursday in Abuja, at the 5th International Conference on Love and Tolerance: tagged “Countering Violent Extremism for Peaceful Coexistence” organised by UFUK Dialogue, a Non-Governmental Organisation. The Minister, who was represented by Princess Jumai Idornije, Special Adviser to the Minister on Technical Matters, said that people needed love and tolerance for unity. “There is unity in diversity, that is the strength of Nigeria our country, and will forever remain our strength; love…

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has commended troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) for their recent feat in the ongoing counter insurgency operations in the north east. Buratai also expressed confidence in the ability of the theatre commander, sector commanders and commanding officers as well as the troops to end the war. The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, said that Buratai’s congratulatory message and commendations were conveyed in his letter to the Theatre Commander, OPLD, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi on Friday. Buratai said that the rare display of courage, gallantry and patriotism by the troops…

The Kano State Fire Service said on Friday that it received 38 distress calls from different parts of the state within the last two weeks. The Public Relations Officer of the service, Alhaji Saidu Mohammed, made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano. According to him, the service received 28 fire calls, six rescue calls and four false alarm. “The calls emanated from victims and witnesses of collapsed buildings, road crashes and fire disasters,’’ he said. Mohammed advised residents of the state to be cautious when using electrical appliances and cautioned them to avoid storing petrol and…

The Kaduna State Chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) says it will partner the Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to boost food production in the state. Alhaji Nuhu Aminu, the state Chairman of the Association made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Zaria. Aminu said the partnership would guide the association in its plan to obtained a loan facility for its members under the Anchor Borrower Scheme. He said that the association decided to obtain the loan for the members to ensure that the farmers in the state…

The Delta Government says it is planning to establish 20 computerised Vehicle Inspection Centres to enhance safety of motorists and upgrade of Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO)’s oral test to Computer Based test. Mr Ezonebi Oyekemeagbegha, Director, Vehicle Inspection Department, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Asaba. Oyekemeagbegha said that there was need to sensitise people that they need to pass through the Computerised Vehicle Inspection centres to certify the road worthiness of their vehicles. “This is to encourage members to implement the upgrade of VIO Oral test to Computer Based Test to ensure…

No fewer than 11,500 athletes are expected to participate in the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged, “Edo 2020” between March 22 and April 1. The Secretary, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Emmanuel Igbinosa, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Friday. Igbinosa said the 11,500 athletes from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), would participate in 39 sporting events. “The figure is just the average we are expecting. The final figure will be gotten after the Delegate Registration Meeting (DRM),” he added. He also said no…

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned the growing culture of attack on judges and the Judiciary over judgments on political cases. Mr Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary, NHRC, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja on the heels of reported attacks on Justice Mary Odili and other Judicial officers. Ojukwu expressed concern on recent harassment of judicial officers in the legitimate and constitutional exercise of their functions. “This situation is further accentuated by the increasing lack of safety for Nigerians while pursuing their legitimate duties or businesses due to acts of hoodlums, criminal minded elements, banditry, kidnapping,…

The Sokoto State government, through its Giginya Microfinance Bank, will be offering interest-free loans to about 1,800 women in the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 1,800 women will be selected out of 6,000 persons, to benefit from the state government’s N500 million interest-free loans. Gov. Aminu Tambuwal, who made the disclosure in Sokoto on Friday, while inaugurating the Giginya Microfinance Bank, said that the scheme was aimed at fast tracking small businesses in the state. Tambuwal said that the bank was registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to also enhance the socio-economic wellbeing…

The Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government area of Kaduna State says it has recorded 108 reported cases of sexual assault between January and February 2020. The Centre Manager, Mrs Grace Abbin, made this known on Friday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kafanchan. Of the 108 cases, Abbin said that 19 were rape cases, adding that a total of 219 sexual assault cases were recorded in 2019 when the centre was opened by the state government. She attributed the high figure for the first two months of 2020 to more…

The Federal Government on Thursday admonished Amnesty International (AI) to stop providing succor to terrorists with its “growing practice of constantly attacking the Nigeria military and casting them as the bad guys”. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the admonition on Thursday in Abuja while briefing the media on topical national issues. Mohammed was reacting to AI accusation that the military burnt some villages in the North East and forcefully displaced the residents. “In carrying out their duties, Amnesty International should not cast themselves in the league of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists. “They should stop…