Kakaki

Groundnut husks can serve as absorbent for purification of waste-water–Chemist

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Ilorin, July 12, 2024 (NAN) Prof Adenike AbdulRaheem, of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Ilorin has submitted that groundnut husks can serve as low cost alternative to commercial absorbents in the removal of harmful substances from waste-water.

AbdulRaheem stated this in Ilorin during her paper presentation at the 262nd Inaugural Lecture of the University entitled: “The Sojourn of a Physical Environmental Chemist Exploring Environmental Impact in the Life of Man”.

She stated that physically environmental chemistry plays a crucial role in addressing contemporary environmental challenges such as air and water pollution, global warming and depletion of natural resources.

Similarly, AbdulRaheem carried out research on the level of pollution at Iponri-Alaka canal on various contaminants; air and water quality parameters, and its impact to environment.

She explained that some of the hazard recorded in the community included cough, poor breathing, chest pain, headache and respiratory tract infections were reported by resident of the area.

The expert recommended that households that use charcoal and firewood should use clean and environmentally friendly fuel, with less or no emission.

AbdulRaheem observed that handywork of human in the use of environment constitutes threat to humanity due to pollution of soul, water and air.

The don advise government at all level to make Environmental Protection Agency to be functional and effective to aid collaboration between government and agencies for more innovative and sustainable solutions.

“Government ahould note that it is crucial to implement environmental management policies to mitigate the risks posed by heavy metal contamination in soil, water, ambient air quality and safeguarding public health,” she said.

New NAPTIP commander resumes in Benin, declares war on high-profile traffickers

By Usman Aliyu

Mr. Ganiu Aganran, new Commander of the Benin Zonal Command of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has vowed to tackle human trafficking in the zone with arrest of high-profile traffickers.

Aganran in an interview in Benin, said such arrested traffickers would be diligently prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

The agency under his watch, he said, would focus more on public awareness creation, particularly in rural communities, to prevent human trafficking and educate the public on the dangers of the crime.

Flowing from the above, he said the Agency in collaboration with the International Centre for Migration and Policy Development (ICMPD) would commence sensitisation initiatives under its School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) in both Edo and Delta States.

The commander said the agency would under the initiatives, sensitise 50 secondary schools in each state in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Justice on the ills of human trafficking.

According to him, the agency will also work to provide necessary skills and support in the form of empowerment to willing rescued victims to ensure they are self-sufficient and not further re-trafficked.

He noted, however, that Benin Zonal Command of the Agency in 2023 rescued over 100 victims of trafficking and secured 3 convictions in the same period while 65 cases are currently in courts Edo and Delta, which are two states under the command.

Aganran called for a collaborative approach to combat human trafficking, stating that the agency would work with other law enforcement agencies, stakeholders, and the media to achieve its goals.

“We cannot do it alone, we need the support of all stakeholders to combat human trafficking.

“We need to educate the public on the dangers of human trafficking, especially in rural communities where the victims are mostly recruited,” he said.

The new commander noted that poverty was not the only factor contributing to human trafficking, but also greed, desperation, peer pressure and unemployment amongst others.

He noted, however, that the agency would address these underlying issues/factors through its programmes.

The NAPTIP boss advised parents to be vigilant about their children’s activities, especially online, as human traffickers are increasingly using social media to recruit victims.

“Parents should be vigilant about their children’s activities, especially online, as human traffickers are using social media to recruit victims,” he warned.

He expressed his commitment to ensuring the visibility of the agency and working with the media to sensitise the public on the dangers of human trafficking. (NAN)

Group distributes sanitaty pads, foodstuffs to 150 people with disabilities in Kwara

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Voice of Disability Initiative (VDI), on Tuesday in Ilorin distributed sanitary pads, foodstuffs and cash to more than 150 People With Disabilities (PWD) in Kwara.

The event was a One-day Sensitization Programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for Women and Girls with Disabilities in the state.

Speaking at the programme, Barr. Catherine Edeh, the Executive Director of VDI explained that the programme was
organized in collaboration with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Kwara Chapter.

She stated that about 150 women and girls with disabilities from different disability clusters participated in the workshop.

Edeh listed some of the Groups to include women with Albinism, physically challenged women, deaf women/hardnof hearing, blind women and women with cerebral palsy among others.

According to her, the sensitization programme is part of the activities under the 2-Year Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Project being funded by in three states in Nigeria by AmplifyChange, a Uk-based organization.

She commended Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara for providing the legal framework for the protection of rights of PWDs through the enactments of Discrimination against Persons With Disability (Prohibition) Law in 2017.

Edeh however lamented on the absence of Disability Commission to oversee the affairs of PWD in the state.

“The absence of Disability Support Desks and Sign Language Interpreters in government hospitals have further compounded access to health care services for women and girls with disability in Kwara,” she said.

She appealed to the stated government to establish a Disability Commission to be domiciled directly under the Governor and the need to set up Disability Support Desks and engage Sign Language interpreters in government hospitals.

Also speaking, Mr Yusuf Bashir, the Chairman of JONAPWD, Kwara State chapter commended the initiative for catering to PWD needs.

He also applauded the governor for having disability-friendly policies, adding that AbdulRazaq has a PWD as an assistant.

Bashir obseeved that the state however need to do more for the disabled especially the establishment pf Disability Commission.

Earlier in his lecture, Prof Shuaib Olanrewaju, of the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental Healty Education of the University of Ilorin sensitized the PWD on sexually transmitted diseases and symptoms.

He advised them on the need to protect themselves against sexually transmitted disease such as Syphilis and Gonorrhea, adding that these are dangerous diseases.

Olaneewaju enjoined to access healthcare at hospital when they observed some of the symptoms of the diseases.

The Initiative distributed rice, noodles, salts, sanitary pads, soaps and cash to the PWDs.

Nigerians spend about 65% of salary on food–World Food Programme

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The World Food Programme (WFP), has disclosed that Nigerians spend about 65 percent of thier salaries on foods as prices have skyrocketed.

Dr Hameed Nuru, the Director of the African Union Global Office and Representative to the African Union and Economic Commission for Africa stated this on Wednesday in Ilorin.

Nuru spoke at the Annual Lecture (Maiden Edition) of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Ilorin in Honour of Prof. Saka Nuru, the pioneer professor in Ilorin Emirate.

The theme of the programme was entitled: “Navigating the Nexus of Food, Security, Safety, and Disease: A Holistic Sustainable Future and Economic Prosperity”.

He submitted that some African countries including Nigeria are facing high inflation, with thier citizens on the brink of hunger and starvation.

Nuru said there is interlinkage between
food security to national security because it affects agriculture, migration and economic development of any nation.

He observed that active conflicts, climate change are factors that result in food insecurity in most African countries, adding that conflicts have regional implications.

The director of African Union Global Office stated that WFP has provided food to about 3.6million people in Nigeria.

He decried lack of budget for food security in Nigeria, while warning that about a million people are projected to face hunger in Nigeria, adding that starvation looms largely in some part of the country.

Nuru enjoined government at all tiers to take some drastic actions to address food insecurity in the country

“Nigerian farmers are small scale subsistence farmers and to boost Agriculture, there ia need for semi-commercial farming by farmers,” he said.

According to him, there is need for strategic plans including hydrophilic dry Agriculture to boost production, harnessing of energy, digital education and innovation.

The director said Nigeria has all it needs such as water, land and people to be food security.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prof Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin described the Honouree; Prof Saka Nuru as a detribalised Nigerian.

“Prof. Saka Nuru is the first professor in Ilorin Emirate. Many people leaned on him to get to the top,” he said.

Egbewole who was represented by Prof. Suleiman Ambali, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Management Studies of the University, also described him as agile and an untiring hard worker.

Speaking also, Prof. Oyebisi Azeez, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University stated that the first professor in Ilorin has impacted the Fcaulty of Veterinary medicine and Public health.

She explained that the annula lecture l, which bears his name, serves as a beacon of inspiration driving people to strive for excellence.

In his reaction, Prof Saka Nuru, the Honouree and first professor in Ilorin commended the University of Ilorin for the honour and recognition.

He advised the students ans Nigerians not to be discouraged on the economic situation of the country

Nuru who was represented by his daughter, Mrs Rukayat Odekunle, the Commissioner representing Kwara and Kogi States in the Federal Civil Service Commission.

Nigeria generates 8.9 metric tons of Agrifood wastes annually–Unilorin don

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Prof Patricia Omojasola, of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Ilorin has submitted that Nigeria generates 8.9 metric tons of Agrifood wastes every year.

Omojasola stated this in Ilorin during her paper presentation at the 261st Inaugural Lecture of the University entitled: “Micro-organism in the Service of Man”.

She said: “Large amount of wastes are generated every year from the processing of crops and animals. Agrifoods wastes represents the edible and inedible residual biogenic fractions of crops, animal commodities and products”.

The don who teaches in the Faculty of Life Sciences of the University, postulated that these wastes are either converted to animal feed, burned or left to rot in heaps.

She observed that these waste constitute a nuisance and a source of pollution to the environment.

Omojasola listed some of the common wastes to include cassava peel, rice, sorghum and weat bran, corn corb, oil palm-fruit empty brunch and empty African mesquite pods among others.

She assert that approximately 33.33 percent of food that is produced for utilisation is wasted and fritted away on a global level.

“This is estimated as a loss of 1.3 billion metric tons per annum. These includes 30 percent cereal, 20 percent dairy products, 35 percent seafoods and fish, 45 percent fruits and vegetables and 20 percent meat,” she said.

The expert stated that these wastes being rich in carbohydrates, protein, fats and minerals makes them suitable substrates via microbial-biotransformation for production of value-added products such as bioplastic, bio fertilizers, food additives, antioxidants, antibiotics, organics acids ans enzymes.

Omojasola recommended that metabolites produced by each wates can be done at the sites of each wastes employing simple to operate bioreactors, adding that the product can then be pooled to supply bug industries.

She called on stakeholders collaboration across the food industry, academia and government on effective implementation of food preservation strategies.

Centre trains 140 CSOs on disability-inclusive programmes in Edo, Abia

The Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD)on Friday said it has trained no fewer than 140 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Public Institutions on disability-inclusive programmes and practices in Abia and Edo

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was done in collaboration with Project Enable Africa with support from the US – Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund.

The theme of the training was promoting inclusive economic opportunities and community resilience for Persons with Disabilities.

The Four days training which was broken into two parts, also had Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) trained on Rights Advocacy and Advocacy Action Plan.

Speaking during the training in Benin, the Special Adviser to Abia state governor on PWDs, Mr David Anyaele said the center has trained 70 CSOs each in Edo and Abia.

Anyaele, who is also the Director and Founder of CCD, said the capacity building for CSOs would help them became aware of their roles and the key issues affecting persons with disabilities in the state.

“We recognized that Edo has passed disability law and for it to be implemented, the civil society must be in tune of their roles and how to go about helping the PWDs advocate for their rights.

“The disability community is made up of people who cannot walk, hear and see, therefore we are involving CSOs to appreciate the key issues concern in our efforts to promote inclusive economic opportunity and a community that is all inclusive in Edo state.

“And to do this we need to build the capacity of the CSOs and what we have done so far and the response we have gotten from here shows that the civil society in Edo are really committed in ensuring that the vulnerable group are not left behind.

Speaking on the topic, Inclusive budgeting, Anyaele said government at all levels must take proactive measure to ensure that their budgeting process recognizes the needs of vulnerable groups in the society.

“When we say inclusive budgeting, we are talking about a process of generating, interpreting, programming and designing budget that takes the critical importance of physical responsibility in government .

“What we are doing here today is to build the capacity of CSOs to champion inclusiveness of PWDs in budgetary allocations, ” he said.

Also speaking, Ms Florence Attah, the Programme officer of CCD disclosed over 29million Nigerians live with one form of disability or the other in the country.

The CCD Program Officer, who quoted the 2018 World Bank statistics, noted that the figure might have increased.

She, however, lamented that the lack of comprehensive database of PWDs had made it impossible to get the accurate data of PWDs in the country.

The Acting Director of Center CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri took participants through Policy analysis and Engagement with a charge to the CSOs to ensure policies of government were all inclusive.

Comrade Bartholomew Okoudo, President, Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations CONGOS, Aliu Akokhia, Executive Director, Sustainable Health Family and Maternal Support Initiative
commended the center for the capacity building workshop.

They noted that the training was not just only a refresher course but impacted on them those things they were not conversant with especially the Inclusive-budgeting for PWDs.

Center laments lack of comprehensive database of PWDs in Edo

The Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has bemoaned the lack of a comprehensive database for persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Edo.

The center also charged the state governments to develop and implement budgetary policies that put persons with disabilities into consideration.

The Acting Director of Center CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, gave the charge on Wednesday at a 2-day training for Persons with Disabilities on rights advocacy and advocacy action plan held in Benin.

Unumeri called on the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) in Edo to work with government to come up with a comprehensive database of PWDs to aid planning.

Unumeri while speaking on Disability-inclusive budgetting, said that state governments must ensure that PWDs were carried along in their budgets right from planning to implementation stages.

He noted that government must ensure that their respective budgets should provide for easy access to all public infrastructure.

“As at today, there is a gap, the prejudice is still there. The various state governments have to address this gaps.

” They must ensure that budgets is address the way it will affect persons with disabilities, the male the female and everything about PWDs.

“Budgets that is PWDs-inclusive must need to involve them right from the planning stage to the implementation,” he said.

“Budget is a tool that affects your lives. So PWDs-inclusive needs to involve you right from planning to the implementation.

“If you leave it to the governments alone to do, they might be inclined to budget for only those visible to them at the planning stage.

“Ensure that budgets make provisons for accessibility to all public infrastructures. Insist that everything you need are included in the budget,” he said.

On her part, the Chairperson of JONAPWD in Edo, Ann Ojugo, thanked CCD adding that, the training would help them leverage on advocacy to champion their rights.

Politics: Women demand for more representation in Kwara

Women political aspirants in Kwara and civil society groups, under the auspices of
Women Political Participation (WPP) program have called for implementation of 35 per cent affirmative action for female politicians in Nigeria.

The Group spoke at a one-day workshop in Ilorin, on Strategic Advocacy for Increased Women Participation in Politics (SURGE-UP) organized by the Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV).

The programme is with the support from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and funded by the USAID and UKAID.

Mrs Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, the Executive Director of WOYODEV, emphasized on the need for women to be elected in political and appointive public service positions in Nigeria as contained in the extant National Gender Policy (NGP).

She observed that Nigeria does not have a specific quota system for women in politics in terms of programmes and policies.

Ajayi stated that women make up a significant portion of the electorate in Nigeria, adding that the country’s political landscape has historically been male dominated.

“For instance, no female Governors were elected in 2023 elections, a pattern that has remained constant since the return to democracy in 1999”, she said.

The executive director thus said that the SURGE-UP project aimed to reignite gender-responsive policies
and programmes in Kwara state
with the goal of achieving a strong gender quota legislation for
women in parliamentary elections and other local elections in the
state.

She said: “Also, it aims to increase women’s participation and representation in
politics in Kwara state through high-level advocacy for gender-responsive policies and programmes towards the 2027 elections”.

Thw activist noted that the project is aimed to achieve this by building strong partnership with female and male parliamentarians, party leaders and community gatekeepers with use of strategic awareness-raising, editorials and public campaigns as veritable tools.

She also said that objectives include reigniting political will of parliamentarians in Kwara to sponsor and facilitate bills and legislations to advocate a strong quota for women in coming elections at national and state levels.

She said that the group expected such results as, “Bills that seek strong quota for women in political offices initiated in state and national assemblies.

“Bills promoting women’s participation in politics and specific financial cap for local and national elections progressed”.

Ajayi seeks sustained, stronger and supportive networks that empower women that are interested in politics and provide them with guidance throughout their political careers established and sustained.

She also calls for increased skills and knowledge of aspiring women politicians,
leading to increased participation of women in politics and higher
number of women seeking public office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum agreed that the upcoming Local Government elections is an opportunity to ensure women emerge through party primaries in Kwara State.

2024 BECE: Private school owners back cancellation of leaked paper in Edo

The Coalition of Private Schools Association in Edo says it is in support of the State Government’s decision to cancel the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) paper slated for Friday.

The association, during a news conference in Benin, said the state government took the decision to cancel the Cultural And Creative Art (CCA) paper in consultation with the association.

The coalition is made up of the association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), National Association Of Proprietors Of Private Schools (NAPPS), and the Association Of Private School Owners Of Edo Nigeria (APSON).

The Edo Government cancelled the BECE examination paper, claiming that the question paper had leaked to the public.

In an address read by its chairman, Bishop Elakhe Imokhuede Ohis, the association disassociated itself from those seeking to undermine the effort and success of the present state Ministry Of Education in this regard.

“The Attention of the Coalition Of Private Schools Associations in Edo State has been drawn to a viral video and online report regarding the ongoing Basic Education Certificate Examination ( BECE ).

“We wish to state in strong terms that the 2024 BECE Examination which commenced on Monday, 10th June 2024 has been going on smoothly with little or no logistics challenges.

“Exam questions arrived at the centres on time, OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheets are coded and individualised with the students names on them.

“Supervisors have been professional and students have been engaged in the examination properly with the Coalition Of Private Schools carried along in the whole process.

“It became necessary to applaud the current Ministry of Education, Edo State and the team that put this examination activities together.

“The smooth running of the 2024 BECE is the first in the history of Edo State where such magnitude of examination will be concurrently ongoing with the eventful events of the “State Education Week” which brought dignitaries across the African Continent.

“The Coalition Of Private Schools Association in Edo State hereby dissociates from any video that seeks to undermine the effort and success of the present Ministry Of Education in this regard.

The decision to cancel the CCA formerly slated for today, 14th June 2024 was reached in consultation with the associations.

“Consequently, it was agreed that, the Practical Assessment will be used to form the Final Grades for Cultural And Creative Art,” said the association’s chair in its address.

BEDC cautions residents against unsafe practice

Ahead of the raining season, the Benin Electrical Distribution Company Plc (BEDC) has cautioned residents against unsafe practice such living and trading under high tension over-head lines to avoid electrical accidents.

In a statement, the Head of Branding/Corporate Communications of the BEDC, Mrs Evelyn Gbiwen said the company gave the charge during its energy safety sensitization program for staff and members of the public.

Gbiwen quoted the Head of Safety, Health and Environment, Mr. Gilbert Nweke as saying during the sensitization exercise that “safety enlightenment are electrical safety and energy management aimed at educating the public.”

She said the caution tips are part of its commitments to “reducing electrical accidents by providing safety sensitisation for members of the public, as well as in-house to engender safety consciousness among staff.

She stated that BEDC staff where admonished to put their health and safety first, so as to make them function optimally

The statement added that “customers were also urged to avoid using electrical appliances during thunderstorms, steer clear of power lines and never to use wet appliances or turn on, off switches with wet hands.

“Besides, heavy rainfall can cause lines to fall, making them extremely dangerous. In such incidents, residents should keep a safe distance and report immediately to the company,”