Day: July 9, 2023

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Lawmaker donates vehicles, cash to constituents in Sokoto

Alhaji Nasiru Shehu-Bodinga, a member of the House of Representatives (APC-Sokoto), representing Bodinga/Dange-Shuni /Tureta Federal Constituency, has donated vehicles, motorcycles and cash gifts to his constituents.

The items were presented to the beneficiaries in the presence of party officials and loyalists in Bodinga town, headquarters of Bodinga Local Government on Saturday .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had attracted thousands of party stalwarts and well wishers from across the state.

The items distributed included 43 motorcycles to the leaders and members of the party in the three local governments.

In the same vein, a vehicle was given to each of the Chairmen of APC in the three local governments, as well as a vehicle to the women leader in Sokoto South Senatorial District.

Similarly, N500,000 was doled out to each of the women leaders in the three local governments, among others.

“The event is to thank my constituents for reposing tremendous confidence by electing me.

“I promise never to fail you, my constituents, my party and its leadership in the state.

“I also promise to provide quality representation, with a view to attracting colossal development to my constituency, Sokoto State and Nigeria in general,”he said

Speaking at the event, Gov. Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State described the gesture by Shehu-Bodinga as unparalleled and worthy of emulation.

He, therefore, challenged other National and State Assembly members to follow suit, with a view to further alleviating the suffering of the people.

Aliyu reiterated his unwavering commitment to religiously implement his nine-point agenda unveiled during his campaigns.

The governor vowed that his administration would continue to reel out a myriad of plausible programmes and policies to provide the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

According to him, his administration remains resolute in fulfilling all his campaign promises,saying: “I know all these promises and we have already swung into action to redeem them.”

Speaking at the event, the Guest of Honour and leader of the party in the State, Sen. Aliyu Wammako, lauded the bold move by the lawmaker just a few days after assuming duty.

Wamakko, a former Governor of Sokoto State, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District on the platform of APC urged other lawmakers to also assist the less privileged members of the society.

He said: “We should all do more to assist the masses to ameliorate their suffering as this is the essence of democracy and being in leadership positions.

“We all have to do this passionately as the people are in dire need of help.”

The Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi, also commended the lawmaker for the gesture.

Dingyadi said that it would go along way in alleviating the travails of the beneficiaries, urging other elected and appointed officials to emulate him.

A cross section of the beneficiaries commended Shehu-Bodinga for the gesture and urged other lawmakers to emulate him.

Other speakers at the event included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tukur Bala-Bodinga and the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Isa Sadiq-Achida, among others.

They all lauded the lawmker for coming to the aid of his constituents.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Education is crucial in releasing potential of women, children – UNFPA

The Country Representative of UNFPA, Ms Ulla Muller, has stressed the importance of education in releasing the potential of women and children.

She made this known at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) forum in Abuja on Sunday.

She said, “education is crucial in releasing the potential of women and children, and as such, we must ensure that every girl has access to quality education that equips her with knowledge and skills.

“Quality education will also enable girls to have confidence to pursue their ambitions.

“The elimination of gender disparity in education will also create infinite opportunities for future generations and transform societies. When women have equal access to education, they are better able to enhance their own lives and contribute to the growth of their communities.

“Achieving gender equality is not only essential for its social and economic benefits, but also because it is the right thing to do.

“Our women and girls should be able to exist in a world where their opinions and decisions are valued and welcomed, and their voices heard’’.

The country representative, who called for women empowerment, added that when women are financially independent, they can provide for themselves and their families, thereby reducing poverty in the society.

Mueller stressed the need for stakeholders to uplift and ensure space for the voices of women and girls in decision-making processes, leadership roles, and political arena.

“When women’s voices are heard and their experiences are valued, a more equitable and just society is created for all.

“To uplift the voices of women and girls, we have to change the narrative; instead of seeing them as oppressed victims, they should be seen as powerful and critical citizens with a wealth of contributions to the society.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Speaker lauds Katsina United FC for returning to NPFL

The Speaker, Katsina State House of Assembly, Alhaji Nasir Daura, has commended the management and players of Katsina United Football Club (FC) for gaining promotion back to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Katsina by the Assembly’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Aminu Idris.

The speaker acknowledged the commitment of the entire management staff, players as well as the technical crew for living up to expectations of sports loving people in the state.

Daura further noted that with this development, the name of Katsina State would keep on resonating in the sports arena.

While describing sports as a modern lucrative venture, he assured of more effective legislations that would enhance the sector across the state.

The state’s number three citizen however enjoined the team to exhibit a high sense of sportsmanship and endurance in the professional league.

He also expressed optimism that the lads have what it takes to go the extra mile by winning the league crown at the end of the 2023/2024 season.

The club succeeded in returning to the league after winning two out of the three playoff matches in the ongoing Nigeria National League (NNL) Super-Eight in Asaba, Delta.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Brave Warriors in a must-win clash against Botswana

The national senior football team “Brave Warriors” lost their second match of the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup against Eswatini and are in a do-or-die situation against Botswana on Tuesday.

The 2023 Senior Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Cup is underway in Durban, South Africa. Namibia is drawn in Group A alongside Botswana, Eswatini and host nation South Africa.

In their second match at the championship, the Brave Warriors opened the scoring in the 34th minute through a brilliant free kick by Absalom Iimbindi but lost the match 2-1. Their hopes of qualifying for the next round of the competition are almost impossible.

Two goals in a space of three minutes from Eswatini in the first half turned the game on its head just before halftime. Sifiso Matse equalised for Eswatini and then almost immediately his teammate Bongwa Matsebula had them in front and they managed to hold on for the win.

With the defeat on Saturday afternoon for the Brave Warrior, this means that South Africa who won their match against Botswana earlier in the day heads the group with four points and will meet Eswatini next. Eswatini has three points, the same number as Botswana. Namibia has one point and is bottom of the group.

In an interview after the match, the Brave Warrior’s head coach Collin Benjamin said they dominated possession in the first half but failed to capitalise on their advantage.

“We got ourselves influenced by the players of Eswatini. They knew what they wanted and used that to their advantage and despite us taking the lead we did not put authority on the game which Eswatini did,” he said.

Benjamin added that his team got knocked on the day but they need to stand up and dust themselves off for their next encounter.

“We are looking at this new generation of players that we have to give time so that they can also grow to the standard we want them to be,” Benjamin said.

Only the top team in each pool qualifies automatically for the semi-finals of the Cosafa Cup along with the best-placed runner-up, so there is little margin for error. Namibia’s next match against Botswana will be at 18h00 on Tuesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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IPC World Para Championships kick off in Paris

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Anderson Pierson has called on athletes to break world records while competing at the 2023 Paris World Para Athletics Championships.

Over 1,300 athletes from 107 nations will be competing in 168 medals events at the 2023 IPC World Para Athletics Championships, underway in the French capital from 08 to 17 July.

The 10th edition of the 2023 Paris World Para Athletics Championships will make history as the Para Athletics World Championships kicked off at the Charlety Stadium on Saturday.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Pierson said for the first time, the world champs take place in a place that will be hosting the Paralympics Games the following year, and this is an opportunity for athletes to familiarise themselves with the venue and conditions of the city that will be hosting one of the biggest, events in the world.

“This allows athletes to learn and break records as they prepare for the Paralympics Games. Some of the athlete’s journey to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games begins here. I, therefore, call on all of you to take this time and opportunity to enjoy yourselves while competing at these championships as you prepare for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games,” he said.

Namibian athletes competing in the 2023 IPC World Para Athletic Championships are T11 male sprinters, Ananias Shikongo, Kinda Chris, and Alfredo Bernado, T11 female sprinter Lahja Ishitile, and T12 sprinter Lahja Ipinge, T13 sprinter Johannes Nambala, T47 sprinter Bradley Murere, T37 sprinter Petrus Karuli, and T44 sprinter Denzel Namene.

The athletes are accompanied by their guides, Even Tjiuiju, Hatango Murere, Kelvin Goagoseb, Philipus Paulus and Sem Shimanda.

The management team consists of Jean-Paul Schmidt who heads the delegation, team manager Michael Hamukwaya, Ruan Mocke (physiotherapist), Letu Hamhola (head coach) and Naomi Schmidt (assistant coach).

Ishitile and Karuli are the first athletes competing in the T11 and T37 400 metres (m) and 100m respectively on Sunday evening.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

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NamPol holds campaign against drug use at Otjiwarongo

The ‘No to drugs’ national police campaign, successfully took place at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region on Saturday.

The campaign aimed at creating public awareness on the dangers and consequences of drug use was jointly organised by the Otjozondjupa and Khomas regional Namibian Police Force (NamPol) officers as a community outreach programme on drug law enforcement.

The event which started with a street procession was held at the DRC informal settlement sports field under the theme ‘Cleaning Otjiwarongo from illegal substances’.

In a speech read on his behalf, NamPol Inspector-General, Lieutanant-General Joseph Shikongo said the youth of the country should join the efforts of the police in the fight against drug trafficking, distribution and selling in order to make the country peaceful and safe.

Shikongo said as of January to June this year, about 77 suspects were arrested in connection with drug-related crimes in the Otjozondjupa Region on charges of possession and/or use of cannabis, mandrax, cocaine powder and crack cocaine.

He stated that out of the 77 suspects who were arrested, 71 are men and six were women.

“Countrywide in June alone this year, a total of 153 suspects were arrested for dealing in the same drugs which carried an estimated value of more than N.dollars 617 000,” he said.

Of the 153 suspects, 148 were Namibians, three Zambians, and one each from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Several residents of Otjiwarongo called for more similar public awareness activities on drug use, saying the substances are destroying households, marriages and the future of their school-going children, sisters and brothers.

Otjozondjupa Governor, James Uerikua and Otjiwarongo Constituency councillor, Marlayn Mbakera also attended the event.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency