Month: July 2024

By: Mandy Park As Nigerians celebrate the. Financial autonomy granted local governments by the Supreme Court, a university don, Dr Philips Nto said it is not enough for the full liberation of the third tier of government from the state governors. According to him, for the local governments to function optimally and serve the people effectively, it must also be autonomous politically and administratively. Dr Nto who a former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Abia State, noted that the judgment of the Apex Court is only the beginning…

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By: Mandy Park Hon. Rotimi Makinde has hailed the judgment of the Supreme Court that declared on, yesterday, Thursday that it is unconstitutional for state Governors to hold funds allocated to Local Government administrations in Nigeria while also ordering immediate compliance of the judgement.The Apex Court further stated that no state should be paid monies meant for Local Governments. Supreme Court had in its lead judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, said the 774 Local Government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves without interference from the State…

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By: Mandy Park Esan sons and daughters in North America, under the aegis Esan World Congress (USA/Canada), is set to raise $100,000 for its Health Care and Educational Empowerment programmes in Nigeria. This will be one of the highlights of its 2024 Convention coming up from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28. The event, which promises great excitement will be celebrated in Houston, Texas State, USA. Vice President of the body and Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee (CPC), Mr. Pius Idiakheua, disclosed this in a chat with our…

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A former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Takai Shamang, has been abducted in his hometown, Biniki, in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. His daughter, Mrs Grace Abbin, confirmed the incident to NAN on Sunday. She said her 78-year-old father was abducted by gunmen at his residence in Biniki, at about 8 pm on Friday. Shamang is the President and Founder of Gantys Aid for Widows, Orphans and Needy Foundation, popularly known as GAWON Foundation. He was also a former President General of the National Union…

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Mandy Park The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, said that his unwavering commitment to building a better nation through investing in the critical areas of human and national development; health and education, is ultimately for the good of the nation and the future of society. Obi made the remarks yesterday, when he paid a visit to Grimard College of Nursing Sciences, Anyigba, Kogi State, where he donated N10 million to the College for the training of nurses, who he said, are at the centre of primary…

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By: Mandy Park The African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) has alerted Nigeria to a push by British American Tobacco (BAT) for Pakistan to export small packs of cigarettes, known as “kiddie” packs, to Africa. In a statement backed by 60 public health advocates, representing 54 organizations from 25 African countries, ATCA appealed to the government of Pakistan to “Protect the world’s children: Do not allow British American Tobacco to export kiddie packs of cigarettes to Sudan (Africa).” ATCA noted that BAT’s plan, if not halted, would see BAT subsidiary Pakistan…

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By: Mandy Park Socially-relevant and need-meeting NGO, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has inaugurated the Healthy Food Policy Youth Vanguard (HFPYV) programme with a youth-focused public health and food justice advocacy. The two-day event, held in Lagos, featured the training and induction of over 28 young Nigerians as HFPYV pioneers from across the country. In his address on Day 1 of the programme, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, disclosed that the HFPYV is designed to equip youths to promote healthy living lifestyle and resist attempts by corporations to…

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By: Mandy Park The International Trade Centre, an arm of the United Nations with WorldTrade Organisation, has pledged to work with the Agribusiness Incubation Centre, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, for enhanced service delivery in the Agriculture value chain. A five member team from the Centre based in Geneva made the pledge during a visit to ABIC in Umudike where they were received by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Maduebibisi Iwe and the Director of the centre, Dr Philips Nto. Leader of the delegation, Mr Richard Eke- Metoho, said they…

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By: Mandy Park Food justice campaigners, environmentalists, public health experts including, environmental think tank, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, Director, HOMEF, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Executive Director, CAPPA, Dr. Francis Fagbule, Public health specialist, UCH, Ibadan, Fidelis Obaniyi, CSEA, Opeyemi Ibitoye, Project Officer, CAPPA, and Bukola Olukemi Odele among others have raised the alarm over the abuse of the fundamental rights of Nigerians to consume healthy foods and be protected from corporations promoting unhealthy diets. They expressed worry at the adoption and promotion of GMO and SSB products despite the growing rate of non-communicable…

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