Kaduna (Nigeria) — Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-rufai has said it would plant economic trees along its borders with Katsina, Zamfara and Kano states to reduce the devastating effects of climate change.
The Governor made this known at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, when delegation from the European Union and Yar’adua Foundation’s visited the state to enlighten the public on the Dangers of climate change and the screening of “Nowhere to Run” project.
According to him, deforestation, desertification, gas flaring and other harmful practices has put the nation’s economy and the environment at risk. He noted that the situation his administration inherited is about 40% of the state, local government and communal forests been encroached or stolen and converted to personal uses.
He however pointed out that, the devastating effects on environment in the South West, is shore line’s depleting; oil spillage in the Niger-Delta region, which is one of the worst cases in the world affecting the livelihood and survival of citizens; while up in the North is deforestation, floods and rapid desertification.
In a remarks, European Ambassador to Nigeria Micheal Arion, noted that there’s need for government at all level to have legal frame work on climate change and also educate it citizens on the effect of climate change.
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Two pastors of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) who were kidnapped on 21st October, 2016 along Kaduna-Abuja express way have been set free by their abductors.
The Duo, Pastor Joshua Kantiok and Pastor Yakubu Samaila, of ECWA Kakuri, a suburb community of Kaduna metropolis in North-west Nigeria, said they were kidnapped in their farm by armed men around Dakin takwas which is about 342 kilometres along Kaduna- Abuja express way.
Narrating their ordeal at a thanksgiving service on Wednesday, the clergy men explained that the abductors had earlier demanded for N15 million ransoms but later collected N500, 000 and twenty six thousand Naira recharge card.
While expressing worry over the rising cases of kidnapping especially of clergy men in the state, they called on government to intensify the security level of that route. It would be recalled that sometimes this year, Reverend Emmanuel Dziggau, the leader of TEKAN/ECWA block in CAN was kidnapped alongside Reverend Yakubu Dzarma and Reverend Iliya Anto, and the recent was the former Minister of Environment, Laurencia Mallam along Kaduna Abuja road.
The newly elected president of US Donald Trump has promised to be a president for all after he won the US presidential election that surprises many around the world.
Trump made the pledge in his New York victory speech on Wednesday morning, noting that he was “reaching out” to the people who had not supported him to “unify the country”.
He said, “Now it’s time to bind the wounds of division. I say to Democrats and Republicans it is time come together as one united people.”
“I pledge to be president for all Americans,” he said, adding: “The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer.”
He said it was not a campaign but a movement that had won him the White House, comprised of “all people of different backgrounds and beliefs”.
He said victory had been “tough”. “This political stuff is nasty and it’s tough,” he said, while thanking his family.
It was an extraordinary election night. Mr Trump won some early east coast states and did not look back. When he secured the key swing state of Florida, a clear path to the presidency was laid out. He went on to win Ohio and South Carolina.
The telegraph reported that in an extraordinary development, Mrs. Clinton did not initially concede the election – but then later called Mr. Trump to congratulate him on his victory.
Mr. Trump offered generous words for his vanquished opponent, saying she had worked hard for many years and was owed a “deep debt of gratitude”.
The crowd was respectful at the mention of Mrs. Clinton.
In a conciliatory speech Mr. Trump added: “We will get along with all other nations willing to get along with us. We will deal fairly with everyone. We will seek common ground, partnership not conflict.
“America will no longer settle for anything less than the best. We must reclaim our destiny.”
The Republican surpassed expectations and confounded pollsters in Florida, where Mrs Clinton had been expected to win following a surge in the Hispanic vote.
Mrs. Clinton’s hopes of a swift victory faded as the Republican picked up a series of states early on and maintained his momentum.
Financial markets around the world plummeted as votes for Mr Trump stacked up.
Mr. Trump’s threats to rip up a free trade agreement with Mexico and tax money sent home by migrants to pay for building a wall on the southern US border if elected president caused the peso to hit a record low.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Ukip, described the result as “bigger than Brexit”.
He told The Telegraph that Mr. Trump’s election will represent a “massive result” for Britain.
He said that the UK would have a “friend in the White House” who will prioritize trade relations with the UK.
Unveils National water Resources And Irrigation Policies
Nigeria has launched the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) and also unveiled the National Water Resources and National Irrigation Policies aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Six (6), and the present administration’s development policy.
Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while unveiling the two National water and irrigation policies recently in Abuja, said the policies would address the challenges being faced in the water supply and sanitation sub-sector, noting that, it was a good foundation towards achieving goal six of SDGs – ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
A statement by the Director, Information & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources Margaret E. Umoh, quoted the vice president to have said, “….it is now my pleasure and singular honour to launch the partnership for expanded water supply, sanitation and hygiene, for smooth implementation to the glory of God and benefit of our people and to also unveil the national water resources policy and national irrigation policy that are very important and strategic for the development of the water sector.”
He however called on all stakeholders, especially states and local governments to key into the PEWASH initiative and commit to its success so that the common developmental goals can be achieved.
Earlier speaking, the Minister of Water Resources, Eng. Suleiman H. Adamu, said that with the launch of the PEWASH programme, it would increase access to potable water and irrigations for all Nigerians. He added that, the programme intends to improve public health and eradicate poverty in Nigeria, as well as achieves the SDGs targets.
“The primary goal of the program is to contribute to improvement in public health and eradication of poverty in Nigeria through the achievement of SDGs Target 6.1 and 6.2 especially in the rural areas where access to quality water supply and sanitation are grossly inadequate,” he said.
According to him, PEWASH is a multi-sector collaborative platform that brings together government at all levels, development partners and the beneficial communities by mobilizing all efforts to channel same towards common goals, targets and standards.
He also noted that the project is set to cost N510 billion, giving the breakdown as; “it will amount to N290.5 billion for water supply and N217.1 for public toilets. The cost for household toilets is estimated at N855.5 billion largely to be borne by households in addition to the cost of operating and sustaining the services which includes software components estimates at N327.5 during the period 2016-2030”.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rabi S. Jimeta, posited that, the absence of adequate water supply, sanitation and good hygiene practices, life will be devoid of the needed pleasure and dignity, adding that, the ministry came up with the program in an effort to meet its core mandate of ensuring access to adequate water services to Nigerians.
Bayelsa (Nigeria) — A Policeman with the Bayelsa state Police Command has shot dead his colleague over N20, 000 given to them as a gift during an operation.
The incident happened on Tuesday morning following an argument between the officers on the sharing formula, after which the angry police officer allegedly brought out his gun and shot his colleague
The duo (names withheld) went on an operation where they were rewarded with N20, 000 where the deceased was of the opinion that they should give their Divisional Police Officer (DPO) part of the money, while the other objected.
The deceased, a native of Ondewari community in Southern Ijaw Local Council of Bayelsa State is survived by two wives and children. His remains have been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
Sympathisers were seen trooping to the deceased’s residence at Swali to pay condolences to his family.
He was described by some of them as a “jolly good fellow.’’
Spokesperson of the police state command Asinim Butswat, when contacted, said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
By Iliya Kure An Intergovernmental Russian-Nigerian Joint Commission on economic, scientific and technical cooperation will hold in Abuja on November 11, 2016.
The Russian Side of the Commission will be led by the Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, Alexander Tkachev, the Nigerian Side will be headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Geoffrey Onyeama.
In the course of the visit to Abuja, Alexander Tkachev will have meetings with the Nigerian leadership, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, ECOWAS Commission, with prominent Nigerian businessmen.
Ghanaian nurses under the umbrella body of, the Ghana Registered Nurses & Midwives Association (GRNMA) on Monday began the second phase of the roadmap towards their planned industrial action by withdrawing out-patients services (OPD) at the various public health facilities nationwide.
The action follows the wearing of red bands by the health officers last week to signal their resolve to see their demands met by authorities or withdraw all services by November 14, 2016.
Modern Ghana reported that, the Adabraka Polyclinic, La General Hospital, Ridge Regional Hospital, were some of the health facilities that turned away patients who went there for healthcare.
The Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital in Accra was also affected by the strike, leaving parents who had taken their children to the health facility for care, stranded.
Spokesperson of GRNMA Greater Accra Region, Douglas Adu-Fokou, said the nurses had withdrawn all OPD services, including family planning and child health services.
According to him, the association has been engaging the health authorities, saying as at noon yesterday, their resolution had not been addressed yet. He said, “For instance, on the issue of nurses at the psychiatric hospitals, the association’s demand of logistics that would see the place running again has not been fully met.”
“The cash and medicines the Ministry of Health presented could only last the health facility a few weeks,” Mr. Adu-Fokou added.
He further stated that other issues like the fees charged for promotional interview and intention for studies have been discussed by the authorities in charge, but the association has so far not seen their implementation.
“They said letters have been circulated to various institutions to stop charging promotion interview fees but we don’t see their implementation. So, for now, we are going by our roadmap and if nothing is heard by Sunday 13th we will withdraw all our services on November 14, 2016,” he indicated.
President of GRNMA, Kwaku Asante-Krobea, two weeks ago while addressing a press conference on the issues affecting the nurses, lamented the manner in which concerns raised by nurses are dealt with in the country.
Listing a few of the challenges that the nursing profession face during the said meeting, the GRNMA president said government has failed to solve pertinent issues of unpaid salary arrears, posting of graduate nurses and midwives, charging of promotional fees, sale of upgrading forms, inadequate logistics to government health facilities and allowances of student nurses and midwives, among others.
However, the association is yet to see any tangible solutions to their demands after weeks of waiting for government to address their issues.
Kaduna (Nigeria) – Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Mobgal Fulbe Development Association and Jama’a Foundation have accused religious leaders and security operatives handling the security challenges in the conflict areas of southern part of Kaduna state of lopsidedness and partisanship.
Briefing newsmen in Kaduna, the group also said willful encroachments of grazing reserves and illegal conversion of same to farmlands, residential among others are factors that led to the recent unrest in southern Kaduna; adding that it could be other reasons why it is difficult to coexist and develop a harmonious relationship among different ethnic and religious groups in the country.
The group also attributed the conflict to religious discrimination, poverty, unemployment, among others. While calling on the Kaduna state government to set up security outfits in Kafanchan and other trouble areas in order to reduce crisis to the barest minimum, they said, there is no community that can develop without peaceful co-existence. Spokesperson of the group, Abdullahi Hassan Mohammed (Jama’a Foundation), noted that, the group strongly condemned the crisis and reiterated their commitment to leave in peace and respect each other’s differences.
Kaduna (Nigeria) — Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-rufai has said it would plant economic trees along its borders with Katsina, Zamfara and Kano states to reduce the devastating effects of climate change.
