Day: June 17, 2024

The 24 members of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2023 Abia State House of Assembly election have demanded an end to the factions in the party.

Mr Anderson Akaliro, the leader of the group, led the candidates on a reconciliation mission to Abuja, according to a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting.

The reconciliation meeting tagged `Abia APC Crisis Peace Initiative’, was anchored by Mr Anderson Akaliro, the only APC lawmaker in Abia State House of Assembly.

Akaliro who signed the communiqué, urged the national leadership of APC to, as a matter of urgency, convoke a meeting of all leaders and stakeholders of the party to resolve the impasse.

The meeting, he said, should include the zonal leadership and the 2023 House of Assembly, Abia APC lawmakers in the National Assembly, to get their commitment to a peace accord.

‘All factions within the rank and file of the party should be resolved and all factions should fall back into the party as one indivisible unit.

‘We are aware of t
he forthcoming Congress, and we employ the party leadership to commit to ensuring that all interest groups are duly represented in the state, LGA, and ward party positions”, he said.

This, according to him, will be a prelude to free and fair party primaries in 2026.

He, therefore, called on all gladiators in the crisis to sheath their sword and embrace peace and unity in APC in Abia State.

‘We want peace in the Abia APC because there are multiple factions, which is the reason why we lost the election.

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’24 of us contested for the State Assembly election and 23 lost; the faction challenge contributed to our loss. We only have one person as an APC member who won the election’ he said in the communiqué.

He said issues responsible for the factions, including imposition of candidates, greed, and pride anchored on personality clashes of interests were not good for the progress of the party.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu as the leader o
f the party and the National Chairman to call all stakeholders, including Assembly candidates, and Abia APC lawmakers in the two chambers of National Assembly for truce.

‘The facade of unity is but a veil over the fissures that have led to our collective losses in political contests, and it is time for introspection and action.’

‘The potential within our ranks is immense, with leaders of influence and respect.

‘It is our firm belief that through reconciliation and unity, the APC in Abia State will emerge stronger and victorious in future electoral endeavors”, Akaliro said.

He said the influx of new members into the party was a clarion call for reconciliation and to establish a harmonious environment that would foster alignment and promote the spirit of togetherness.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says recurrent cholera outbreaks in the Nigeria are critically affecting children and the population at large.

Celine Lafoucrier, Chief of Lagos UNICEF Field Office, on Saturday reacted in a statement in response to cholera outbreak in Lagos and other parts of the country.

Lafoucrier said that children faced substantial health risks, particularly those under five who were prone to severe dehydration and higher mortality rate.

She urged government to focus on the provision of clean and risk-free water to prevent the spread of cholera in the country.

According to her, despite the state government’s efforts to provide water to its population, the current outbreak demonstrates the need for an urgent government focus on ensuring the water provided to the population is clean and risk-free.

‘Addressing the challenges of cholera outbreaks requires a deliberate focus of state policies.

‘And this include provision of high-standard water and sanitation facilities as well
as strengthened healthcare systems capable of responding to the demand in times of outbreaks.

‘There should be campaigns on cholera prevention to protect children and the population at large’, she said.

Lafoucrier said that good water and sanitation infrastructure play a crucial role in reducing disease outbreaks, such as cholera, which causes an estimated 100,000 deaths annually.

‘Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions are fundamental in preventing and responding to cholera epidemics.

‘Safe water supplies, hygienic sanitation, and effective water management are key elements in this effort.

‘Ultimately, preventing cholera centers on good sanitation and hygiene practices.

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‘Key actions include proper disposal of faeces, eliminating open defecation, and ensuring access to potable water.

‘Regular hand washing with clean, running water and soap is vital.

‘Additionally, avoiding the consumption of uncooked
vegetables, unwashed fruits, raw or undercooked seafood, and food from street vendors is important to reduce the risk of cholera infection’, she said.

According to her, safer water can annually prevent 1.4 million child deaths from diarrhoea, 500,000 deaths from malaria, and 860,000 child deaths from malnutrition.

She said that it could also protect 10 million people from serious illnesses like lymphatic filariasis and trachoma.

Lafoucrier, however, said that disease outbreaks ultimately hinder Nigeria’s progress in achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all.

‘These outbreaks strain Nigeria’s health system, diverting limited resources from essential services like routine immunizations and maternal and child care, undermining universal health coverage.

‘However, outbreaks also present opportunities to strengthen Nigeria’s health system.

‘Prevention is more cost-effective than cure; thus, communities sho
uld establish systems that promote key hygiene practices, transforming them into a cultural norm,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) has inaugurated project empowering youth organisations to build stronger communities by addressing climate issues in communities.

The project titled ‘Empowering Youth Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria’ also seek youth leadership in climate action policies and implementation to safeguard rural communities.

Speaking during the project launch in Enugu on Friday, Joshua Alade, Founder of NGYouthSDGs, emphasised that youths had to play critical role in shaping Nigeria’s future.

He said the project was to raise awareness among young people, their peers and the broader community about climate issues and the importance of taking action and support youth innovations that enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Alade added that the idea would help to create a Local Climate Action Network of youth organisations and actors to mobilise local support and implementation of community-based climate solutions.

He said the organis
ation would work with at least 15 youth organisations from Delta, Enugu, Kaduna, Ondo and Nasarawa states to actualise the initiative.

According to him, the project represents a significant step towards inclusive climate action and sustainable development to tackle looming threat of climate change challenges in Nigeria and Africa that require urgent attention.

‘If young people are aware of their rights, and they can communicate and mobilise other young people as servant leaders in their communities, they can build alliances and sit with decision-makers to create programs and policies that will help youth to lead and thrive.

‘This project perfectly aligns with our mission to resource youth leaders and youth-led organisations to influence policies that enable young Nigerians to lead and thrive,’ Alade said.

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He explained that with support from the Germany Missions in Nigeria, the initiative aimed to equip youth-led civil soc
iety organisations (CSOs) in partnership with young people in their local communities to initiate, drive and transform policies.

This, he said, would lead to the implementation of Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

‘Through carefully designed capacity development sessions, these youth organisations will learn how to support NAP and NDCs.

‘The trained CSOs will work together to mobilise young people and youth stakeholders in their states to facilitate the meaningful engagement of youth in the implementation of the NAP and NDCs.

‘This include a National Sustainable Futures Dialogue with at least two hundred young people, therefore, raising awareness about the NAPs and the NDCs across the country,’ Alade explained.

He added that the youth CSOs would be equipped with tools to work with their communities to create a Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) which would be shared with their state government ensuring young people were in the driver’s seat on po
licies that affect them.

According to him, the project will also provide technical support to not just the state government but other government agencies and ministries like the Federal Ministry of Environment on effective dialogue and meaningful youth engagement in the implementation of the NAP and NDCs.

The Founder stressed that Germany Government recognised that the youths were key stakeholders in the national adaptation process to climate change.

‘They are providing essential funding for this project, showing their commitment to walk the talk when it comes to climate action and resourcing young Nigerians to be at the forefront of action.

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This support will help NGYouthSDGs strengthen its youth leadership initiative and equip youth with the tools they need to take social action in communities across Nigeria,’ he added.

He, however, urged youth organisations leading climate action in Delta, Enugu, Ondo, Kaduna and Nasarawa States, to use https:
//climatevoices.nigerianyouthsdgs.org/ to apply and participate in the project.

‘They should also reach out to Opeyemi Ogundeji Programmes Manager, NGYouthSDGs Email: [email protected] About NGYouthSDGs,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

‘Dragon Boat Races’ Music Video Blends Chinese and Western Music, Celebrating Guangdong’s Cultural Heritage

On the occasion of the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, the International Communication Center of Guangdong Province and British musician Shaun Gibson co-created a new music video, ‘Dragon Boat Races,’ featuring both Chinese and English lyrics. This MV highlights the enduring and evolving culture of dragon boat racing.

This year’s dragon boat races across Guangdong have been exceptionally lively, attracting large crowds and becoming a top trend both online and offline. The music video captures this vibrant atmosphere, detailing traditional customs from the awakening of dragons and ancestral worship to village gatherings, competitions, and the dragon boat feast. The video is fast-paced, blending tradition with modernity, and embodies the spirit of unity, cooperation, courage, and the pursuit of dreams. It reflects the youthful vitality and cultural confidence of contemporary Guangdong.

‘Drag
on Boat Races’ is a unique blend of Chinese and British musical styles. The song is arranged in a Western folk music style and incorporates traditional Chinese instruments such as the Suona, Pipa, Guzheng, Flute, and Xiao, enhanced with electronic synthesizers. This fusion creates a contemporary sound that resonates with young audiences, showcasing a successful blend of Chinese and Western music.

Contact Person: Zhang Yan

Tel: 008610-68994660

Email: [email protected]

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Ex-International, Kanu Nwankwo has called for support for Attom Foundation’s awareness and fund raising charity geared towards eye treatment of over 10, 000 Nigerians.

The football legend told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sidelines of a Charity Champions Cup match organised by the Foundation in Abuja on Saturday to raise funds for the project.

Kanu, who coached Team Attom to a 4-1 win over Team Celebrities in the well attended match at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, said he was proud to be part of such a noble cause.

‘It’s a football match to raise awareness for the Attom Foundation, which helps people with eye problems.

‘Because it’s a good cause, you can see all these big names and players are here today to support and make sure the foundation succeeds’ he said.

Kanu who is renowned for his charity work through his Kanu Heart Foundation, said there was need for more NGOs to support the needy in the society.

‘The Attom Foundation is just starting, so we need to encourage them, because
I love being involved in such initiatives,’ he said.

NAN reports that the carnival-like event at the Moshood Abiola national Stadium, had Super Eagles players, legends like Jay Jay Okocha, former Arsenal stars Robert Priest and Emmanuel Eboue.

Others included former Chelsea legend Claude Makelele, Mark Fish and comedians, such as AY, Sabinus and Broda Shaggy among others.

Other notable music stars like Tiwa Savage, Wande Cool and several other top celebrities also graced the event.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The new Pro-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Dr Mohammed Santuraki, has pledged to turn around the fortunes of the institution.

He said his wealth of experience as an education administrator would be deployed to ensure that the institution retains its pride of place.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Minna, Santuraki said FUT, Minna would also maintain its academic excellence.

”FUT, Minna is one institution that has been a rallying point for not only people of Niger or the North but for all Nigerians.

”It is a microcosm of the country where youths are engaged in inventions, innovations and technology development with one common cause of realising the dream of a better Nigeria.

‘Nigeria youth deserve to be encouraged to realise their full potential especially in a conducive educational environment,” he said.

NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of Santuraki as the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing C
ouncil of FUT, Minna a fortnight ago.

He is a seasoned tertiary education administrator having served earlier in the same position at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), the Niger University.

Santuraki also served as the Vice Chairman of the Committee of Pro-chancellors of State-owned Universities in Nigeria.

The new pro-chancellor said that the appointment of the new boards of tertiary institutions would accelerate the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu in the education sector.

He said that the education sector of the country would be revitalised with a strong board comprising men and women with wealth of experience and passion to make positive changes.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria