₦airaland Forum

Justiceleague1:
Any and every project,plan by the jihadist is all about Ruga

FG to provide identification for all Nigerians


The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to provide a unique identification for every individual physically residing in Nigeria and Nigerians in the Diaspora within the next five years.

The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz, made the declaration while speaking at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Identity for Africa movement in Johannesburg, South Africa.



Addressing the over 1,500 delegates at the identity for development gathering, Aziz stated that for Nigeria to enhance governance, help people rise out of poverty, restore growth and participate in the digital economy, “we need a unique digital identification platform that is linked to functional ID registries for accessing services.”

In realisation of the demands to function in the digital economy for sustainable growth therefore, Aziz told the audience that Nigeria had started executing a digital identity ecosystem project that was endorsed in September 2018 by the Federal Executive Council.

In his paper entitled ‘Digital Identity, the Cornerstone to Effective Service Delivery’ Aziz revealed that the vision was to reach universal coverage of digital identification in Nigeria by applying an ecosystem approach of enrolling citizens of all ages and legal residents within the set timeframe.

Justiceleague1:
Any and every project,plan by the jihadist is all about Ruga

The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to provide a unique identification for every individual physically residing in Nigeria and Nigerians in the Diaspora within the next five years. not for Hausa alone, is all the Nigerians

The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to provide a unique identification for every individual physically residing in Nigeria and Nigerians in the Diaspora within the next five years.

The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz, made the declaration while speaking at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Identity for Africa movement in Johannesburg, South Africa.



Addressing the over 1,500 delegates at the identity for development gathering, Aziz stated that for Nigeria to enhance governance, help people rise out of poverty, restore growth and participate in the digital economy, “we need a unique digital identification platform that is linked to functional ID registries for accessing services.”

In realisation of the demands to function in the digital economy for sustainable growth therefore, Aziz told the audience that Nigeria had started executing a digital identity ecosystem project that was endorsed in September 2018 by the Federal Executive Council.

In his paper entitled ‘Digital Identity, the Cornerstone to Effective Service Delivery’ Aziz revealed that the vision was to reach universal coverage of digital identification in Nigeria by applying an ecosystem approach of enrolling citizens of all ages and legal residents within the set time frame.

Source:https://citadelng.com/fg-to-provide-identification-for-all-nigerians/

The Ondo State House of Assembly has confirmed five commissioners nominees submitted by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The Speaker, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun upon the unanimous decision of the house noted that the confirmation became imperative to deliver good governance to the people of Ondo state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu had on June 27 forwarded five names of commissioner nominees to the house for confirmation and approval.

The five nominees are Mrs Yetunde Adeyanju, Mr Titilayo Adeyemi, Mr Temitayo Oluwatuyi, Mr Fatai Olotu, and Mr Akindotun Owanikin.

The Majority Leader, Jamiu Maito representing Akoko North West Constituency 1 moved the motion for the confirmation of the nominees which was seconded by olamide Oladiji.

The speaker having listened to the good contributions of the nominees to their constituencies confirmed their appointment as state commissioners.

Adeyanju who spoke on behalf of the new commissioner lauded the state governor for the confidence reposed in them even as they assured of good governance for the benefit of all and sundry.

The house also confirmed the appointment of Mrs Margaret Akinsuroju as caretaker Chairman for Odigbo Local Government Area ( LGA) of the state.

The Majority Leader Jamiu Maito noted that the house stepped down the confirmation of Akinsuroju on July 28,2019 for further clarification which had been resolved.

Source:https://citadelng.com/ondo-assembly-confirms-five-commissioner-nominees/

BREAKING: Court Orders Permanent Forfeiture Of $8.4m, N9.2bn Linked To Patience Jonathan
Shola Soyele
Updated July 1, 2019


A Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture to the Federal Government, the sum of $8.4million and another N9.2billion linked to the wife of the former President, Dame Patience Jonathan.

Justice Mojisola Olaterogun held that she failed to show reasonable cause why the funds should not be permanently forfeited.

The court found that the funds as claimed by the EFCC was reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006

Source:https://citadelng.com/court-orders-permanent-forfeiture-of-8-4m-n9-2bn-linked-to-patience-jonathan/

ManspaceBarber:
Way to go! Only if the distributing process is not politicized.

At all just go for the training

kerzhim:
This is a wonderful development and other states should emulate.

Yes, Ondo state is going higher Education is getting better

Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture has concluded plans to commence the annual distributions of free Improved Cocoa Seedlings from next week Tuesday.

The annual distribution of free improved Cocoa seedlings which farmers across the state usually looks forward to is part of the Ministry’s deliberate strategies to ensure farmers expand their farms, increase yields & income

The free distribution of the improved Cocoa Seedlings will kick off on Tuesday at Besides Aunty Nike Nursery/ Pry School Ipetu Road at ile Oluji in ile- Oluji Local Government Area by ten in the morning.

The train will move to Olupona near Itaoniyan in Akure South Local Government Area on Wednesday while the distribution train will berth at Ehinogbe Area in Owo Local government Area of the State on Thursday.

Cocoa farmers at Ondo, Ikare and Okitipupa are expected to visits ADP offices and nurseries for their consignments as officers of the Tree Crops Unit of the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture are on ground to attend to them and their enquiries.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Adegboyega Adefarati is expected to lead the management of the Ministry and critical stakeholders in agricultural value chain addition to each of designated centre for the free distribution of improved Cocoa Seedlings.

Farmers especially cocoa farmers and other critical stakeholders are expected to take advantage of the exercise to improve their Cocoa farms.


Source: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/ODSG-to-commence-distributions-of-free-improved-cocoa-seedlings

As part of efforts to improve data quality and also change from paper method of quality assessment at various health facilities to electronic method, the Ondo State Government has distributed 511 tablets and Android phones to some selected health workers in the state.

Speaking during District Health Information System (DHIS) 2 mobile application cascade training for HMB/ LGA supervisors and distribution of over 500 tablets and Androids to some assessors in Ondo city, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro described the exercise as another effort to ensure that there is notable improvement in the state health sector.

While commending government for providing the necessary tools needed by workers to improve on their activities, he stated that the gadget should be used for its intended purpose noting that it behooves on workers to compliment government’s effort by being more productive.

Adegbenro who commended the facilitator of the training, Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) for its various contributions to the health sector, charged participants to be attentive and productive so as to have the desired result.

Executive Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu while addressing the gathering noted that the state is at the forefront in ensuring qualitative healthcare delivery in the country.

He noted that it is an unprecedented contribution towards uplifting the health of the citizens in order to change the face of health system in the state.

Describing the state as one of the few migrating to electronic health data collection, he explained that the distribution is to ensure that electronic data collection takes off completely in all health facilities in the state.

However, he appealed to participants to be more dedicated to duties so as to have a better health sector in the state.

Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dipo Durojaiye while stressing the importance of electronic data collection, noted that the tablets and Androids will enhance performance especially in timely reporting adding that “the application will be helpful in monitoring activities.”

While calling on participants to handle the gadgets well, he however enjoined them to put in their best to enable the state be at the forefront among other states of the country as regards qualitative health services.

Source:https://www.ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/ODSG-distributes-511-tablets--phones-to-hospitals-to-improve-data-quality

Contracts worth several billions of naira for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of about 733 public primary schools across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State have been awarded.

The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Princess Oladunni Odu who disclosed this in an interview with The Hope noted that there are 1,233 public primary schools in the state out of which 500 were earlier renovated by the present administration.

According to her, about N7.8 billion was made available by the government for the schools reconstruction and rehabilitation project with a view to giving them new looks and as well attract more pupils.

Princess Odu explained that part of the project also include provision of furniture, computers, boreholes and other amenities that will make teaching and learning more conducive.

Her words: “We want to make the school’s environment conducive for teaching and learning so that they will be motivated and be able to compete with others from the private primary schools.

We will provide information technology class; we are going to provide water sanitation. The N7.8 billion definitely cannot provide everything, but it will go a long way, though we may not be able to cover all,” she added.

Already, she said government has re-introduced sporting activities and agricultural practices in the schools stressing that most of them are now being used as pilot for poultry, fishery and animal husbandry.

While noting that sports play a vital role in the lives of children, she disclosed that: “We are providing some schools with tennis, volleyball and football equipment and because we need good health, water sanitation is very important.”

On security, Odu said most of the schools compounds have been fenced to ensure the safety of the pupils while in school.

The Chairman said the measures would depopulate the private schools that are mostly without competent teachers and good standard.

She said the state’s public primary schools could boast of qualified workforce, but still lacked adequate supervision. She promised that it would be looked into by the government as soon as funds are available.

Princess Odu said when Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu took over in 2017 primary education was in a state of disrepair and bad shape.

Odu noted that although, mega schools were built by the last administration, the remaining old schools suffered total neglect and infrastructural deficit.

She said the marching grant of N3.9billion from the Federal Government meant for revamping primary education in the state was not accessed by previous administration, thereby making the sector to suffer.

“There is this programme for basic education by the Federal Government, whereby if the state paid one billion, the Federal Government will march it with another one billion naira. So before the governor came on board in 2017, for four years, the state counterpart fund had not been paid. So the state was unable to access the FG fund. It was lying fallow there”.

“Governor Akeredolu took the bull by the horn. He sourced for the money and paid all the arrears of N3.9 billion at a go. It showed that he really wants basic education to be developed in the state. Basic education is the most important of all the tiers of education, that’s the very foundation and if it is not properly funded, other things will wobble.”

“We have been able to renovate 103 schools in Odigbo, 84 in Owo, 91 in Akure, 89 in Okitipupa, 24 in Akoko North East and across the three political zones of the state.

“What is peculiar about Akeredolu’s administration is that he wants the renovations to be a total package, whereby buildings that are bad would be renovated and some demolished.

“When the environment is friendly, the children would not want to sit back at home, it will be conducive for teaching and learning, ” she added.

Source:http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/ODSG-to-renovate-733-primary-schools

The Governing Council of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said it has suspended implementation of the new tariffs which came into effect on 1st June, 2019.

The move, NAFDAC said is to douse tension and assuage the yearnings of stakeholders in the pharmaceutical, food and allied industries.

According a statement signed by the director, Public Affairs, NAFDAC, Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, the decision was reached after a marathon stakeholders forum and meeting of the Governing Council.

The board said that the decision was reach by the governing council of NAFDAC at a stakeholders meeting held recently in Lagos and was disclosed by the chairman of the council, Mr Inuwa Abdul-kadir.

“After a marathon stakeholders forum and meeting of the governing council, it was resolved that all NAFDAC stakeholders affected by the new tariff will henceforth revert to payment of the old tariff until further notice.

“The council has consider substantially the inputs of the stakeholders in arriving at a new tariff regime which will soon be released by the agency after doing all the needful including sensitising the public before it becomes effective,” Abdul-kadir. said.

He said that the suspension of the new tariff is borne out of NAFDAC avowed commitment to the promotion of the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

Abdul-kadir said that the need to carry along stakeholders in decision making was in line with global best practices and that NAFDAC would continue to promote the manufacture, exportation and importation of good quality products.

“We need to promote local manufacture of regulated products as part of Federal Government concerted efforts to create jobs and increase foreign exchange earnings by our dear nation.

“Nigeria has the potential of producing pharmaceutical products for the domestic consumption and export to West African Countries,” Abdul-kadir added.

The chairman of the governing council stressed the need for NAFDAC to procure new laboratory equipment, operational vehicles and other facilities to enable it render quality and efficient services.

He said the agency will evolves separate tariffs for the over 35 millions MSME operators dealing on NAFDAC regulated products and also ensure that they adhere strictly to regulatory without compromise. (NAN)

Source:https://citadelng.com/nafdac-suspends-new-tariffs-on-pharmaceutical-products-others/

Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Ondo State chapter has commended the South/West governors and other stakeholders in their efforts to combat the activities of insurgents.

This is just as the council decried the rate of banditry in the South/West, it called on the government to acquire Air Surveillance Equipment for security forces to facilitate aerial monitoring of the ground space.

This was contained in the communique issued after their quarterly meeting held in Akure during the week.

The communique signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Council, Chief Anthony Meraiyebu and Elder Festus Akinyeke enjoined traditional rulers in the Southwest to stand up to the challenges of kidnappers, so as to stem the tide of insurgency by using all traditional powers to arrest the situation.

The communique charged the Federal Government to step up its operations to completely eradicate the insurgence of Boko-Haram terrorists with sophisticated fighting equipment for the Armed Forces and involve stiffer penalties for culprits accordingly.

The council condemned in its entirety the proposed radio station and amnesty for Fulani herdsmen and charged Federal Government to create more jobs opportunities for the Nigerian teeming youths by revamping moribund factories, refineries, agriculture and the power sector.

Source:https://citadelng.com/security-summit-yce-commends-stakeholders/

Ondo secures $5m medical equipment from a US group
THE Ondo State government has secured a $5 million worth of new medical equipment from MedShare, a U.S. based non-profit organization in Atlanta.
The non-profit organisation had donated more than $40 million worth of new medical equipment to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare systems.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said this, in Akure, at the inspection and flag off of distribution of the biomedical equipment/ consumables to health facilities in the state.
Akeredolu noted that his vision for the state “is to ensure that qualitative healthcare delivery is provided for the people of the state.
“We will not renege on our campaign promises to make the health of our citizen a priority.” Akeredolu said that his administration would not rest on its oars “as we have decided to continue to work in the health sector until we put smile on the faces of our citizens.”
Health commissioner Dr Wahab Adegbenro said China would soon invests $10b in the state Health Sector with the establishment of a Green Park. According to him the Chinese project would start before the end of this year in the state.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Health Dr Jibayo Adeyeye said each of the 22 containers cost $250.

Source:https://citadelng.com/ondo-secures-5m-medical-equipment-from-a-us-group/

In order to facilitate health sector development through improved data quality, health facilities in Ondo State will soon begin the use of mobile application for data collection and quality assessment.

The Executive Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Francis Akanbiemu disclosed this during the Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) State level Training of Trainees(TOT) on District Health Information Software to mobile application for quality assessment and verification in the state held in Igbara Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the application will improve data analysis quality and reporting for evidence based policy decision.

Describing the paper base method of data collection as cumbersome, he noted that the electronic data system is better, more accurate and sensitive saying “it makes result faster, simultaneous analysis, timely, more responsive and the health system becomes better with it.”

Addressing the participants, Project Coordinator, NSHIP, Dr. Paulinus Omode explained that the training aims at changing the mode of assessment and monitoring in the health facilities.

While stressing the need for TOT to be facilitated to the lower level, he stated that some of the participants are expected to step it down while others should continue to update themselves with the knowledge gathered.

Speaking extensively with The Hope, Omode described the mobile application as an important tool which will help in increasing data quality and also ensure real time data submission and reporting.

According to him, it encourages field check and real time monitoring of data among others.

Describing data as an important tool for planning, he stated that development of the health sector involves the use of accurate data in planning and making informed and evidence based decision.

He explained that NSHIP trains in order to build the capacity of the state health workers in terms of skills to use.

Putting participants through the exercise, M&E officer, NSHIP, Mr. Bamgboye Similoluwa noted that the training aims at improving access to national and Performance Based Financing (PBF) portal management of District Health Information System 2 adding that it also helps in moving from paper work of checklist to mobile application.

Source:https://citadelng.com/mobile-application-ll-ease-data-collection-akanbiemu/

Considering the importance of energy to the growth of Information Communication Technology, ICT’s system in any society, Renewable Energy companies are set to partner the BEMORE SUMMER BOOTCAMP initiative of the wife of Ondo state governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu in order to provide stable distribution of energy across the state.

President of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, REAN, Mr. Segun Adaju disclosed this during a partnership meeting with Ondo state first lady and the Solar sisters Nigeria, held at government house ground Alagbaka Akure.
Explaining the need for the partnership, the REAN President noted that renewable energy companies are committed to reduce the number of generators and dependence on epileptic power supply in Nigeria.

He noted that the commitment of Mrs. Akeredolu to the development of solar energy system in Ondo state through BEMORE initiative where the girls are trained on solar and ICT, attracts the interest of REAN to partner the programme and increase power distribution in the state.

Mr. Adaju noted that the Renewable Energy companies concentrate on turning agricultural wastes, water icing, and winds into energy.

According to him, he took interest in the project during his encounter with BEMORE girls during exhibition in Abuja, where they took him through solar-powered projects.
The REAN President who said he was so impressed by the excellent performance of the girls, expressed readiness of getting some of them trained and place them on internship and apprenticeship.

Mr. Adaju also said REAN will be willing to prepare the girls on financial report training, with mentorship opportunity, and to help make the laudable initiative of Mrs. Akeredolu go viral, and attract the attention of international agencies like USAID to support the initiative.

He assured that the collaboration will yield positive results within a year, while disclosing his readiness to bring his company down to the state and also encourage his colleagues to do so in order to make energy accessible to all and sundry at a very affordable fee.

Responding, Mrs. Akeredolu said ICT and energy works collaboratively, saying that it would be difficult to operate computers effectively without stable source of power supply.
She expressed her determination not to allow epileptic power supply in the country deter the mission, hence, the need to embrace REAN in order to provide energy across the state through the BEMORE initiative.
Mrs Akeredolu emphasised the need to carry women along in the project, noting that every market woman need solar energy in their shops as an alternative, reason they were all invited to witness the new development.

She felt excited about the partnership, noting that the Renewable Energy companies must have seen the ingenuity of the initiative before approaching her office for collaboration.

Earlier, the Country Director of Solar sisters Nigeria, Mrs. Olasinmbo Sojirin had noted that the focus of the company is to conquer energy poverty in Nigeria.
She lamented the rate at which Nigerians lack access to modern energy power, noting that women and girls are most affected, especially in rural areas through indoor smoke pollution.
The Solar sisters Nigeria director described indoor smoke pollution as the third highest killer that disproportionately affect women.

According to her, the target is to provide clean energy solutions for households, productive and institutional uses to achieve SDG 7 in the state.

helinues:
Best way to go

Yes May God help the Governors and the police man

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has forwarded the following names to the State House of Assembly for ratification as the new Interim Management Committee Chairmen for the eighteeen (18) local government areas of the state.

They are:

1. MUSA KASALI ——————AKOKO NORTH EAST LG

2. MR YOMI BABATUNDE——————–AKOKO SOUTH EAST LG

3. ELDER AYODELE AKANDE—————AKOKO NORTH WEST LG


4. MR. ADEBAYO OKE BENJAMIN———————-OWO LG



5. DR.

ANTHONY MODUPE———————————–OSE LG



6. GBENGA OLANIYI MICHAEL————————AKURE SOUTH LG



7. GABRIEL BANKOLE OGBESETORE—————-AKURE NORTH LG



8. ENGR. ALEX OLADIMEJI———————————-IFEDORE LG



9. MR. JEROME AKINOLA AKINSUYI———————–IDANRE LG



10. AKINKUOTU OLAWALE AUGUSTINE——–ONDO EAST LG



11. MR. ADEWALE ADELAKUN ———-ONDO WEST LG



12. MRS. MARGARET TALE AKINSUROJU ———ODIGBO LG



13. MRS. ADEOYIN RABECCA TAIWO—-ILE-OLUJI/OKEIGBO LG



14. OJO OMOLEWA —————–ESE-ODO LG



15. OTITO ATIKASE —————–ILAJE LG



16. OMOOBA ABAYOMI ADESANYA————-OKITIPUPA LG



17. MR. AKINBIOLA OLUWATOBI NICHOLAS ———-IRELE LG

NB: The name of the nominee for Akoko South West LG will be released at a later date.

Segun Ajiboye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Source:https://citadelng.com/akeredolu-names-new-interim-local-government-chairmen/

To make learning attractive and conducive for pupils in Ondo State, the state government is set to rehabilitate another set of primary schools in the state.

The State Chairman, Universal Basic Primary Education Board (SUBEB), Princess Oladunni Odu made this disclosure while speaking with The Hope in Akure.

She said at the last count, over five hundred primary schools have gone through complete overhauling in the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

The SUBEB boss maintained that what the state government is doing in the primary education sector is not just putting on structures, but putting a structure with befitting staff room, toilet and playing ground that will attract pupils to primary schools in the state.

She added that the state government has spent fortune in the sector by constructing fence round the rehabilitated schools to ward off miscreants and protect the pupils from any harm.

Odu added that the governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has passion for education in the state, reason he has resolved to make primary schools attractive in the state.

Her words:” In the next two or three weeks, another set of project on rehabilitation of primary schools in the state will commence. We have been given approval and it is what I am presently addressing. We have completed over five hundred primary schools’ rehabilitation in the state. What we are doing is to complete rehabilitation of schools with good staff room, good classrooms, toilet, playing ground, borehole and fencing the schools.”

“We have also given approval to schools in the state to embark on agriculture; this we think will boost food production in the state.”

Speaking on the welfare of primary school teachers, Princess Odu said that the present government has done much in that aspect, promising that the government is ready to do more.

“It gladdens one’s heart that the state government has been paying the salary of teachers as at when due and it is willing to do more as the economy of the state improves.

“Our teachers should reciprocate this kind gesture by putting in their best to impact knowledge on the pupils”.

On monitoring, she disclosed that the board will monitor teachers this year to ensure that they put in their best performances.

Source:https://citadelng.com/ondo-rehabilitates-500-primary-schools/

As the governors from the six states in the South West converge on the Theophilus Ogulesi Hall, Opposite UCH, Queen Elizabeth Road, Ibadan today for the South West Security Summit, the center of discussion will be the security of lives and properties of the people.

As the governors, led by the Chairman of the South West Governors Forum and Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, gather to brainstorm and decide on the ways out of the ugly security situation besetting the region, it is important to highlight some of the steps already taken by the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration in the sunshine state.

It is safe to say that the Ondo State Governor began the initiative for the ongoing when he organised a similar summit earlier this year as part of the efforts to tackle the security challenges in the state and create a conducive environment for investors and the people of our dear state.

Aside this, several other laudable actions have been taken so far.

They include, but not limited to the following:

* The activities of militants in the riverine areas of Ondo, Ogun and Lagos states which was very worrisome was brought to an end by the intervention of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu's administration.

Governor Akeredolu who secured the release of the kidnapped six students of Model College Igbonla, Lagos State also ended the reign of militancy in the state and by extension, the South West. This occurred in the early month of Akeredolu's administration.

* Apart from regular security meeting with all the heads of the security agencies in the state, Governor Akeredolu has donated many operational vehicles to the security agencies in the state to help them fight crimes and criminality.

* To further solve the security challenges in the riverine areas of Ondo State, Governor Akeredolu donates speed boats to the Forwarding Operation Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

The governor has held several meetings between the Itinerant Fulani herdsmen and host communities, especially in the Akoko area of the state.

These and many more are parts of the efforts of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration in keeping Ondo State safe. It's believed that the South West Security Summit will further make the South West States safe.

Olabode R Olatunde

Special Assistant (New Media) to the Governor

25th June, 2019.

Governors from the South West of Nigeria have been under pressure to put a lasting end to the spate of killings, kidnappings, robberies and other heinous crimes traced to Fulani herdsmen in the region. To this end, they have agreed to hold a security summit, from where residents expect a regional solution to emerge.

Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) will be attending the security summit in collaboration with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, DAWN.

Akeredolu, who doubles as the chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and convener of the summit, has assured that the proposed security summit would put an end to the activities of marauding herdsmen and address the insecurity challenges in the region.

On the expected results, the Chief Press Secretary to Akeredolu, Segun Ajiboye said: “You know we have held a security summit here in Ondo State and our governor is now taking the initiative to other states in the region.

“Governors of the six states at the meeting will find solutions to the menace. “I want to assure the people of the region that an end is in sight to the spate of insecurity in the South West. There will be a solution to these problems after the summit.”

The summit is coming on the heels of calls by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum ( AYCF), the Miyetti Allah, and other pro-northern groups to collaborate with the region in solving the herdsmen challenges. The Miyetti Allah even asked for the establishment of Fulani vigilantes in other regions.


These are expected to be part of the conversations. But ahead of this meeting, the governors should realise that they just must not fail with certain expectations on their shoulders.

To begin with, don’t sell out your region. The Fulani are offering security options that we all know they will not possibly consider. The priority is keeping the region safe, and the security measures should rest on mobilising our resources, human, environmental and financial, to protect our people.

The governors should realise that what matters to Nigerians and residents of the region is to have a safe place to live, commute and work. That implies that whoever is working against this peace should be dealt with decisively. It’s not a question of a tribe or ethnic division, but the need to end criminalities on all ends.

Then, we need state security outfits that will complement the role of the military and the nation’s police force. In recent weeks, local hunters and members of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) have expressed their readiness to help tackle the menace. No other group can know the routes and forests in Yorubaland as these two. Leaving them out could amount to shooting ourselves in the leg.

It’s more than certain the Fulani criminals will be particularly afraid of the involvement of these two groups. Since it doesn’t seem we’re ready for state police, the governors’ solutions should include their role.

Lastly, let’s stop the self-delusion, and declare the situation a terrorism emergency. We’ve erroneously kept the mindset that these are mere criminals, but the cost is there for all to see. Before we find ourselves in the shoes of Zamfara and Katsina states, these criminals must be treated with maximum force.

Now that, at last, South West governors realise the need to meet and chart a solution to the herdsmen invasion, Yorubas won’t accept outcomes that lack reality and a specific way forward.

Ondo State Governor ,Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu , SAN, has warned encrochers in the state to stay away from farm settlements across the state.

Governor Akeredolu warned encroachers that government has not abdicated the purpose for which farm settlements were acquired.

He said government will not hesitate to visit the full weight of the law on trespassers on government land either individual or group.

Akeredolu spoke at the flag-off of the 2019 plating season at Mariwo community in Ifedore local governments area of the state.

The Governor warned the people against buying of government land from any individual no matter how highly placed in the community.

Akeredolu said his administration will soon begin clamp down on encrochers , adding that the people must be careful.

He said "I have been reliably informed that in recent time, some individuals have encroached on the Farm Settlement land across the State while some have even engaged themselves in illegal sale of portions of the land

"Let me state clearly and sound a note of warning to these encroachers that government has not abdicated the purpose for which those parcels of lands were acquired

"Therefore, we will not hesitate to visit the full weight of the law on trespassers on government land either individual or groups. "

Source :https://citadelng.com/akeredolu-warns-encroachers-on-government-land/

thesicilian:
Only God knows how much was budgeted for this.

This is a Governor of talk and do, so you dont need to be lamenting on how much that was budget on it

Stakeholders in South-West Nigeria would tomorrow converge on Ibadan, Oyo State capital to deliberate on the way out of security challenges in the area.

Chairman of South-West Governors’ Forum who doubles as Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu made this disclosure yesterday at the 17-year-anniversary of Prayer Centre Church of God.

Akeredolu decried upsurge of criminality particularly kidnapping and armed robbery in the area promising that solutions to the menace was in sight.

Akeredolu appreciated the religious leaders for their prayers for leaders, just as he solicited for more support and prayers to end the activities of the Fulani herdsmen.

Meanwhile, South West governors have been challenged to urgently find a lasting solution to the incessant herdsmen attacks in the region.

Two clerics, Prophet Samson Oluwamodede, founder of Prayer Centre Church of God, Akure, and the Very Reverend Olufemi Adeleke, the presbyter and administrator, Methodist Cathedral Church, Gbogi, Akure, in separate sermons yesterday appealed to the governors in the region to call a stakeholders’ meeting with a view to tackling the ugly trend to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizenry.

Prophet Oluwamodede in his sermon at the 17th anniversary of the church entitled, “Righteousness exalts a nation”, also stressed the importance of righteousness and truthfulness among leaders and followers to promote peace and move the country forward. The theme of the anniversary was “Rock of Ages “.

He said something urgent should be done to address the menace of Fulani herdsmen which he said has become rampant and a major issue in the region.

The cleric also commended the state governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for being truthful in his approach to governance, saying the governor would only tell you what he would do without making empty promises.

The governor had earlier attended the 70th birthday thanksgiving service of Sir Patrick Adedapo-Aisida at the Methodist Cathedral Church, Gbogi, Akure, where incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen took the central stage.

In his sermon at the church, the Very Reverend Olufemi Adeleke, called on the South West leaders to critically look into the ugly situation with a view to put an end to it in the interest of the safety of the people in the region.

Rev. Adeleke also advised Nigerians to always support security agents with vital information that would lead to the arrest of the evil perpetrators.

He equally encouraged Nigerians to remain dedicated to God and their place of birth.

While rejoicing with Sir Patrick Adedapo-Aisida on his 70th birthday anniversary, the man of God, described him as a man who recognized the importance of God in his life.

Also, Governor Akeredolu while congratulating the celebrant on the occasion of his birthday, also described him as a good leader right from childhood.

Highlights of the two separate events were Thanksgiving, prayers for the governor, the state, the country and launching of a magazine at Prayer Centre Church of God.

Also in attendance were political, religious and traditional rulers including the Déjì of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, the Oniwo of Iwo, Osun State, Oba Adewale Akanbi; Ondo State Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale and other members of the state executive council.

An educationist and Principal of St Thomas’ Anglican Comprehensive High School, Akure, Mrs Bimbo Isatayo has tasked Stakeholders on the need to join in the funding of education to better the lives of Nigerian students.

She applauded the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for prompt payment of teachers salaries which she said encouraged the teachers to be more responsible to their duties.

Mrs Isatayo spoke in an interview with The Hope, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Isatayo said issues of sponsoring education cannot be managed only by the government and parents, but also requires assistance of Institutions, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Philanthropists .

She noted that stakeholders can assist in areas of infrastructural development of schools as well as supplying instructional materials to ease development of education and enhance performances of the students in external examinations

Her words: ” With the current economy, these cannot be achieved by the government and parents alone, because some parents are so poor that they cannot pay the little developmental levy they are supposed to pay to the school, we need agencies to assist in many other areas”.

She also noted the important role parents need to play in areas of getting necessary textbooks, ensuring proper dressings and monitoring of the students to ensure that they attend school punctually and not leave educational development to the government and teachers alone.


While imploring students to be more studious and be good ambassadors of their schools, she appreciated the donor NGO which gave 30 bicycles to outstanding students whose homes were far from the school to ease their transportation problem.

Source:https://citadelng.com/educationist-applauds-akeredolu-tasks-stakeholders-on-funding/

The Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has described sport as one of the veritable channel to take youths away from social vices and promote cordial relationship amongst them.


 Mrs Akeredolu said this at the Government House, Alagbaka Akure during the inauguration of the technical committee members of the third edition of Ondo State Summer Tennis Clinic, which she is the facilitator.


 She enjoined parents to register their children for the sporting programm, noting  that Tennis is a great game that will bring about physical and mental well being of young ones.


The First Lady added that her family loves playing tennis and that is where her inspiration for the summer Tennis came from.


"Since we started in 2015, the number of participants keeps increasing, an indication that parents understand better that playing tennis encourages interaction amongst children and promotes discipline among them," she explained.


Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu revealed further that for sustainability and continuous training of those who had participated in the sports program tagged Arabinrin Junior Tennis Club the management team has established a base at the Akure Recreation club where they could go to practice every weekend.


While assuring that 2019 edition of the programme would be unique, she stressed that she would  continue to do her best to support the tennis game and work towards making the participants gain international recognition.


In his welcome address, the Committee Chairman, Otunba Tajudeen Akinyemi, described Arabinrin Akeredolu as the best First Lady Ondo State ever had, He thanked her for the commitment towards sports development in the state and opined that 2019 Summer Tennis Club is very important because it will have apositive impact on over 600 children of Ondo State


"Our children can become international stars, that is why I am calling on parents to take this advantage and register their children. 


"We started in 2017 with 275 participants, last year, we registered about 379 and this year, we are targeting between 600-700 participants this year.


"This is an opportunity to make stars from our children," he said.



 Similarly, the Summer Tennis Club coach, Mr Philips Eguwa, explained that when the program started two years ago many did not believe the club could succeed but since then, the summer tennis club had been waxing stronger.


 "Part of our success story is that two of our  children between ages 12 and 14 are now recognized internationally. 


"This year, we are planning to give participants certificates  for future reference. So parents should key into this opportunity and register their children," Eguwa advised.


In his speech, Prince Wale Olagbegi, appreciated the efforts of the First Lady, saying  that the state has been benefiting from Mrs Akeredolu's initiatives as he described tennis game as a game of all. 


"There is no age limit in tennis and with the commitment and passion put into the game by the Governor's Wife, very soon, Ondo State will be producing international stars,"Olagbegi assured. 

Source link:https://citadelng.com/encourage-your-wards-in-sporting-activities-mrs-akeredolu-tells-parents/

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday, received in audience, officers of the Western Naval Command led by the Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji.

Governor Akeredolu said his administration will continue to support and work with the Navy to secure the waterways and rid it of criminal elements.

The Governor noted that since the protection of the waterways has been taken off individual and given to the Navy, calm has returned to the riverine area of the state.

While stressing the importance of securing the waterways in the state, Akeredolu said due to the nature of the coastal area, more attention must be paid to securing the area so as to forestall security breach in the country.

Speaking earlier, the Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Daji, who said he was visiting units under his command, appreciated the Governor for the support rendered to the Forward Operating Bases, Igbokoda in Ilaje Local government area of the state.

He said " The FOB Igbokoda has received tremendous support from the state government in terms of speed boats and operational vehicle. We are grateful."

The Commander also thanked the Governor for being a good host to the FOB Igbokoda and the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Imeri.

"Thank you for being a very good host not only to the FOB Igbokoda, but also the Nigerian Navy Secondary school, Imeri. I was there and I saw the beautiful road your administration has constructed there." He said.

The senior officer assured Governor Akeredolu that with the good work he has delivered to the people, the good people of the state will support him massively for a second term in Office so as to continue to serve the people of the state.

He said " As you are preparing to wind up your First term in Office , I have every assurance and confidence that the good people of Ondo State, having seen the good work you have done will vote overwhelming for you for the second term so you can continue to serve the people. "

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant (New Media) to the Governor
21st June, 2019

Source link :https://citadelng.com/akeredolu-restates-administrations-commitment-to-rid-waterways-of-criminals/

Men of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) Ondo State Command has arrested a 32-year- old man, Mr Ifedayo Ajayi, who allegedly signed a consignment from Trinidad and Tobago containing 42.1grams of cocaine.

NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Haruna Gagara, disclosed this to The Hope Metro in his office at the command’s headquarters that the suspect was nabbed after signing the contraband consignment at a courier office in Akure metropolis.

Gagara said, “”On June 13, 2019, men of the command interceded a consignment of vehicle shock absorber from Trinidad and Tobago, containing 42.1grams of cocaine.

“”The suspect, however, gave the name of one Mr Irewole aka “Kumu,” as the owner of the shipment, he said the man, who is resident in Lagos, begged him to assist in receiving the goods.

Our correspondent gathered that men of the command’s Control Delivery Unit (CDU) assigned to trail any consignment carrying illicit drugs from the original country or state to the final destination, apprehended the suspect while he was signing to receive the consignment.

The NDLEA boss further narrated that the suspect claimed that he never knew what was inside the consignment, as he only assisted in receiving it.

“Investigation was further carried out in Lagos, where Irewole was arrested, as investigation is still on going,””he said.

The commander advised that people should, henceforth, desist from receiving any consignment for someone, stressing that they should not agree to it, because they do not know what is actually concealed in the shipment.

Source :https://citadelng.com/ndlea-nabs-man-with-42g-cocaine-in-akure/

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has assured Nigerians that the country’s traditional institution has devised means through which the criminals among the Fulani herdsmen behind the menace of insecurity in Yoruba land and other parts of the country will be kicked out soon.

Ogunwusi gave the assurance during the courtesy visit of the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammed Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV, to his Ile-Oodua Palace at Ile-Ife.

While decrying the spate of killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling and other banditry activities in the country especially in Yorubaland, he explained that the hoodlums were on a mission to dent the country’s good image especially as Nigerians are renowned peace lovers.

The monarch who noted that what has been happening in Yoruba land recently is alien, said “we will work towards bringing sanity to our communities, people should not live in fear, but should have that freedom to move from one point to the other.

“Nigeria is our country and we are aware of all security issues confronting us, we know how everybody is panicking, it is about time for us to separate the corn from the shaft.”

Earlier, the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammed Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV, while acknowledging the effort of the Ooni and other traditional custodians across the country emphasized the need for traditional rulers to remain committed to the unity and oneness of the country.

Source :https://citadelng.com/insecurity-ooni-assures-of-end-to-herdsmen-menace/

Hike in school fees from time to time by state and federal universities has always been a contentious issue. In Nigeria when prices of goods go up, they hardly come down. You can ask the market people. But in Nigeria’s various institutions, especially universities, students have developed the knack of forcing the hands of authorities to bring down tuition anytime it is increased.

Few things touch the raw nerves of Nigerian students more than a hike in school fees. Take what happened in Ondo State as an example. In the wake of the announcement that the tuition of AAUA had been increased from N35, 000 to N200, 000, the students in unmistakable terms threatened to make the state ungovernable for the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

The student leaders of AAUA, with solidarity from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) mobilised thousands of students to protest against the hike.


The students, who carried different placards, barricaded the Oba Adesida road causing a lot of traffic in Akure metropolis, as they expressed their displeasure against the increment and chanted anti-government songs.

The crisis at AAUA is a signpost of an issue that bedevils most state universities in Nigeria. In fact, many state universities are caricatures of their federal counterparts. With so-called lean purses of the chief executives of the various states across the nation, little or no attention is often paid to tertiary education. Funding universities is the least of their objectives. Thus, for most of those institutions, the only way to survive is the hard way: increase school fees arbitrarily from time to time.

In countries around the world, tuition can cost an arm and a leg. In Nigeria where an average citizen lives on less than $2 a day, the federal government has had to subsidise university education. But has that been enough? What can the country’s higher institutions do to keep the ivory tower running smoothly – without hiccups as occasioned by strike actions and sometimes violent protests?

Experts in tertiary education funding have noted that state government’s financial contributions to run the universities are hardly sufficient resulting in the government demanding that the universities should source for 10 per cent of the fund needed to keep running.

The need for alternative revenue generation by the universities was emphasised by the implementation committee of the national policy on education that the universities must devise means to be self-sustaining, and “use their internal reservoir of initiative and ingenuity in finding alternative options in the face of the challenges of financial stringency”.

Prof. Comfort Akomolafe and Mrs. Esther Aremu at the Ekiti State University, in their research on alternative sources of financing university education argued that funding remains vital to the provision of functional education that can lead to a national transformation.

They, however, said, “Unfortunately, there have been an outcry against poor funding of education in the country most especially at the university education level.”

Between 1990 and 1997, the real value of government allocation for university education had declined by 27 per cent even as enrolment grew by 77 per cent. For three years – between 2004 and 2006 – N196 billion was allocated to federal universities (which is only 14.8 per cent of the required N1.3249bn billion).

“This is despite the fact that Nigeria is currently witnessing increase enrolment of university students as provided,” the scholars added.

Some have claimed that inadequate funding of university education illustrates a lack of commitment to the future growth and transformation of the nation on the part of the government even though more than 90 per cent of university funding comes from the government.

In recent years, various tertiary institutions across the country had witnessed spikes in tuition.

Osun State University, from N95, 000 to N135, 500; Anambra State University, from N76, 000 to N139, 000; Lagos State University (LASU), from N96, 750 to N158, 250; Imo State University, from N120, 000 to N150, 000; Plateau State University, from N50, 000 to N100, 000 and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) from N16, 000 to N75, 000.

For Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), returning students who are indigenes of Oyo and Osun state will be paying N200, 000 while non-indigenes are to pay N250, 000 from N50, 000; Kwara State University (KWASU) first year students who are indigenes pay N99, 500.00, while 200-400Level students pay N109, 500.00. For non-indigenes, new students pay N200, 000 while others pay N210, 000 from the initial N65, 000 to N80, 000.

Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) students pay N124, 900 at all levels; Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti school fees for undergraduate full-time degree student is N77, 500, while part-time is N78, 000.

The aftermath has always been uproar, protests, closure of schools and reopening. But there has not been an effective solution to the crisis.

Increasing school fees in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions seems to be a pastime for state governors in the country and when Ondo State government chose to join the bandwagon of states that arbitrarily increase tuition, his territory almost boiled over. Thankfully, there is calm in the sunshine state for now.

Some have argued that if tertiary education is expensive, the lack of it can be disastrous, some stakeholders have said, urging higher institutions to look inward and devise means of not depending so much on the government’s bailouts and handouts.

In a presentation to the international community on ‘Public-private partnership and sustainable higher education funding: the Nigerian experience’, Prof. Bashiru Ademola Raji, a few years ago asked the question: how do Nigerian universities cope with these two key issues? The answers are not far-fetched.

According to the World Bank, higher institutions in sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria face the formidable policy challenge of balancing the need to raise educational quality with increasing social demand for access. It said:

“The task of funding these institutions will become increasingly difficult in the years ahead, as the youth population continues to grow, each country will have to devise a financing approach to higher education development that enables it to meet the challenge.”

With average Nigerians living on less than one dollar a day and their representatives in public offices enjoying ostentatious lifestyles, the idea of increasing tuition or having tuition at all is considered amoral.

The argument is that public figures like the president, vice president, governors, and lawmakers, among others send their children to high-end private or foreign institutions while they allow public schools in Nigeria to deteriorate both in terms of academics and infrastructure. In view of this, Nigerians want free education up to the tertiary level.

Life as a Nigerian, they assert is pitiable as citizens have to provide their own community roads, water and generate their own electricity. More than ever before, public analysts claimed that it has become increasingly difficult for parents to fund the university education of their children.

Also, as Nigeria struggles in the face of economic instability, the issue of the federal government’s sole funding of university education and payment of tuition has come to the fore again.

That, however, did not sway Prof. Benson Osadolor’s view that tuition of public tertiary institutions should be reviewed as he was quoted as saying: “It is justified, of course, in terms of quality and the cost of education that we give to our children. University education in a country like Germany is free. Germany has enormous resources; the state actually contributes 100 per cent to the resources of the university system. We also have industries and foundations supporting the government’s efforts. This explains why they have high standards and good resources, particularly for teaching and learning.

“Here in Nigeria, a third-world country, the resources are not there. Students are crammed into very small lecture theatres. In some cases, they have no chairs, no benches, and tables. Do you think this can continue? No. We should sit down and reassess our future and the future of higher education in this country and think of what we can do to support the government’s efforts. We do not have foundations, institutions or organisations committing their resources to fund higher education in Nigeria.”

When the issue of fee hike was rife in 2017, the NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, had noted that the institutions and the government have always made students bear the brunt of “administrative ineptitude.”

“In saner climes, education funding includes revenue from researches and consultative collaborations. Implementation of UNESCO strategies, particularly commercialising research findings, should occupy Nigeria’s educational institutions rather than constant hike in tuition payable by hapless students.
NANS believes that the planned hike in fees would be the last straw that would break the cycle of obnoxious levy on learning and pursuit of education,” he had argued.

Obasi pointed out that such increase can jeopardise the future prospects of youths studying in various higher institutions.

He said, “If administrators of Nigeria’s educational institutions have run out of ideas of funding and sustaining educational institutions in the country, they should feel free to liaise with students to explore new ways of funding the institutions.


In April last year, the University of Ibadan was reported to have increased its accommodation and professional training fees for students –from N14, 000 to N40, 000 and N75, 000 to N100, 000 respectively while AAUA increased its school fees from about N35, 000 to between N120, 000 and N200, 000 per session.

But that did not sit down well with parents, students and the civil society. A human rights advocacy group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), had urged the authorities of the schools to reverse the hike or face legal action.

“The universities ought to have carefully considered the effects of high fees on accessibility and the vision of education that they seek to achieve. The universities are advised to find solutions to their funding difficulties elsewhere.

“But if they fail to reverse these fees within seven days of the publication of this statement, SERAP would take appropriate legal action to compel them to do so,” the civil organisation warned.

It is believed that such a dramatic increase in academic fees can have the effect of “discriminating” against disadvantaged students who may be unable to pay the new fees, and who are not granted an exemption, “thereby creating a classification based on the economic and social status of their parents”.

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to disregard rumour of a positive case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country, saying that efforts have been heightened at the various ports of entry into the country to ensure that sick people coming into Nigeria were properly screened.

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have witnessed resurgence of Ebola in their countries lately, with the Ugandan Ministry of Health announcing on June 11, 2019 the first cross-border case in the current outbreak.



In a statement signed by the Director, Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health, Boade Akinola, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Abdullaziz Abdullahi, stated that in line with the World Health Organisation guidelines, a recent risk assessment conducted by the Nigeria Ebola Preparedness Team indicated that the overall risk of importation of Ebola virus to Nigeria from DR Congo and Uganda was low.

He also described as false an alleged message circulating on the social media purporting a positive case of Ebola Virus Disease in the country.

Abdullahi said, “The Federal Government assures Nigerians that since the reports of outbreak of EVD in the Democratic Republic of Congo, heightened surveillance has been ongoing at the various ports of entry by officials of the Port Health Services division of the ministry to prevent importation into Nigeria. To this effect, every sick passenger has been properly screened and I can say categorically that none of the patients screened tested positive for Ebola or any deadly disease.

“In line with the WHO’s guidelines, a recent preliminary risk assessment conducted by the Nigeria Ebola Preparedness Team, coordinated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control indicated that the overall risk of importation of EVD to Nigeria from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda is low, but we are not resting on our oars in view of trading activities of Nigerians.”