Day: July 10, 2024

The Federal Government on Tuesday distributed 2,416 bags of various grains as palliative to vulnerable residents of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Speaking at the ceremony in Apo Town Hall, AMAC Chairman, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, emphasised that the provided food items were strictly for vulnerable residents across the 12 wards of the council, and should not be sold.

He said that the initiative was aimed at addressing the ongoing food crisis and provide relief in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the current administration.

The council chairman said the items distributed would not have been possible without the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.

He appreciated their efforts in alleviating the hardship faced by many Nigerians through various palliative schemes, adding that the distribution of the items would be devoid of political affiliation, religious belief, and tribal background.

‘It may interest you to know that, this is not a political gathering,
the people you are seeing here today are residents of AMAC who are invited.

‘To this end, the Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture and I, will monitor and ensure the smooth and equitable distribution of these food items.

‘Strict security measures are already in place to avoid theft. You have to queue and be orderly, to receive these food items. No thuggery or criminal activity will be allowed,’ he said.

Residents of AMAC during the distribution of food items by the federal government

Maikalangu said the Tinubu’s administration as well as the council placed greater attention to agriculture,

He disclosed that the council would soon commence distribution of essential agricultural inputs to farmers in the rural areas to support a successful planting season.

Residents of AMAC during the distribution of food items by the federal government.

On his part, the Supervisory Councillor in charge of Agriculture, Mr Zakari Biu,

said the items to be distributed included, 1,000 bags of rice (25kg), 500 bags of maiz
e (50kg), 693 bags of guinea corn (50kg), 120 bags of millet (50kg), and 103 bags of grits (25kg).

He also introduced the committee members appointed by the FCTA to oversee the fair distribution of the items to the beneficiaries.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

WINDHOEK: The former minister of fisheries and marine resources, Bernhardt Esau has succeeded in his bid to have access to his frozen assets, in order to afford his legal fees.

A High Court ruling delivered on Wednesday by Judge Beatrix de Jager sets out that Esau shall be allowed access to N.dollars 1 235 738.44 or less to meet his current legal expenses. Judge De Jager also ordered that an amount of N.dollars 2 196 000 must be released from Esau’s restrained property to meet his future legal expenses.

The said amounts, the Judge ordered should so reflect, after tax. Esau was arrested in November 2019 alongside the former minister of justice, Sakeus Shanghala, former Fishcor Chief Executive Officer Mike Nghipunya, former Investec Asset Management Managing Director James Hatuikulipi, Ricardo Gustavo, Nigel van Wyk, Pius Mwatelula, Otneel Shuudifonya, Phillipus Mwapopi and Tamson Hatuikulipi. The State is alleging that the men received bribes from Icelandic fishing company Samherji, in exchange for fishing q
uotas.

The liquidators, David Bruno and Ian McLaren have been ordered to pay the said amounts into the accounts of Esau’s legal practitioners, Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys. They have also been ordered to release Esau’s restrained property, to give effect to the latest developments.

‘All invoices for the first applicant’s legal expenses for which provision for payment is made under this court order from the applicants’ restrained property must be referred to the taxing master of the court for taxation under the prescribed rates in regulation 8 of the Regulations made under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 29 of 2004. The second and third respondents or their successor in title must only pay the first applicant’s taxed legal expenses,’ De Jager ordered.

Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa opposed the application.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Creative Intelligence Group (CI Group), a media and content consultancy firm, says it is reshaping the landscape of public relations in Nigeria by combining extensive experience with innovative strategies.

Its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Femi Odewunmi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

He said that the firm aims to provide tailored services to organisations, emphasising reputation management, awareness enhancement and fostering meaningful connections.

‘CI-PR is leveraging CI Group’s robust capabilities, CI-PR will deliver strategic solutions that encompass media relations, digital engagement, and content creation, all tailored to align with clients’ business development and lead generation goals,’ he said.

He underscored the role of media strategy and public relations in organisational growth.

Odewunmi explained, ‘At CI Group, we excel in pinpointing the most effective ways to influence the stakeholders crucial to our clients.

‘With the introduction of CI-PR, we are
enhancing our ability to help organisations grow and safeguard their reputations.

‘Our goal is to ensure they are seen positively, address relevant issues, and attract new opportunities.’

Odewunmi said that CI-PR extends CI Group’s core strengths into comprehensive media relations solutions that not only establish client thought leadership and build trust but also secure strategic media placements to elevate organisational profiles.

‘Additional offerings now include media sentiment monitoring and predictive analysis to better anticipate market trends and public reactions, ensuring our clients are always a step ahead in their public relations strategies,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH) Activity have awarded 841,217 dollars grant to support seven organisations to improve hygiene services in Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grant approved by USAID will be implemented through the Capacity Building, Research, and Advocacy Fund.

It is to strengthen the sustainability and help Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in delivering safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

The recipient organisations include the Clean Borehole Water Sellers Association of Lagos, Youth Empowerment Foundation, Optimal Greening Foundation, Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP).

Others are Development Communications Network, Initiative for Disaster Risk Reduction and Urban Resilience, and Organisation for Peaceful Society in Africa.

Some of the grantees spoke to NAN at the sidelines of an orientation workshop organised by USAID and LUWASH in La
gos.

The three-day workshop was to strengthen the technical and managerial capabilities of the grantee organisations and ensure they utilise the grants for successful outcomes of their interventions.

Mrs Anthonia Bakare, Project Lead, Lagos State Civil Society Partnership for Development, said their project was aimed at tackling inefficiencies in the water sector, especially the Lagos State Water Corporation (LWC).

‘Even in areas where the corporation is supposed to provide water, they are not available.

‘So, our intervention is aimed at checking what is happening in terms of government investment into the sector.

‘We are going to start by carrying out studies to find out the budget that the government has been investing for the past few years and what policies are available guiding water resource management in the state.

‘To ensure sustainability, we are going to be engaging community members, civil society groups and community based organisations,’ Bakare said.

She added that the project, expected t
o run for 16 months, would 10 target communities namely Agege, Abesan, Baruwa, Ikoyi/Obalende, Saka Tinubu, Lekki, Badore, Iju, Isokan (Bariga) and Surulere

Mrs Bimbo Eluwole, the General Secretary, Clean Borehole Water Sellers Association of Lagos State, said the project would span a period of 18 months with activities such as mapping, needs assessment, training, and surveys on boreholes in Lagos State.

Eluwole said the project is targeted at ensuring people have access to clean and safe borehole water by bringing the sellers under regulations.

‘We want to regulate every borehole water seller and charity provider such as churches and mosques and train them on how to install filters, test their water and meet up with regulatory standards.

‘Our intervention will also include providing youth empowerment by training them to take up selling water as a business.

‘We are collaborating with the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, the Lagos Water Corporation and Ministry of Environment and Water Resources,’
she said.

She said the intervention would also create an avenue to sensitise the communities on cholera prevention and control.

‘Some people dig their borehole close to their septic tank and even release faecal to the gutters which are close to the borehole.

‘This means we are guilty and we have a lot of work to do,’ she said.

Mr Akin Jimoh, Programme Director, Development Communications Network, said the intervention would focus on building the capacity of community-based organisations in governance, resource mobilisation and sustainability in providing quality WASH services.

‘The provision of clean water is important. Governments private organisations and individuals need to be able provide services according to the rules and standards.

‘Our grant contract is for 18 months and we intend to work in three local government areas, six community development associations and 30 community-based organisations,’ he said.

Earlier in his presentation, the Deputy Chief of Party LUWASH, Mr John Soni, said the gr
ant would be managed in compliance with USAID and U.S. Government regulations governing Grants Under Contracts, as well as LUWASH’s internal grant management policies.

According to him, the organisations will implement interventions aimed at improving Menstrual Hygiene Management practices, establishing the Citizens-led Accountability and Inclusion Mechanism for WASH service delivery.

‘One of the grants will facilitate effective fecal sludge management and restore water supply and sanitation facilities in the Okobaba community in Ebute Metta East, Lagos Mainland Local Government, among other initiatives,’ he said.

He urged the grantees to prioritise the USAID LUWASH principles in implementing their interventions.

‘The LUWASH project principles include gender, equity and social inclusion, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, youth engagement, private sector engagement, collaboration, and do no harm principles,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria