A non-governmental organization and political watchdog, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has called on journalists to intensify effort on investigative reporting on asset recovery, adding that, that is the way to show the nation and the international communities the level of corruption in the nation.

The Executive Director of CISLAC, Awual Musa made the call while speaking on the inclusion of Civil Society Organization on Asset Recovery and Management Processes in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the Awual, lack of credible information in the area of asset recovery has hindered the targeted action to adequately combat corruption in Nigeria.

Auwal further also stated that International Financial intelligence report has shown that, at least 18 billion US dollars is lost abroad every year through money laundering.

The national leadership of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has declared indefinite strike action, taking effect on the morning of Tuesday.

The strike action is meant to demand full implementation of financial autonomy for all State Houses of Assembly.

The President of the Union, Com. Mohammad Usman disclosed this in a press briefing at the National Secretariat of the Union in Abuja on Monday.

According to its president, “this is due to the unwillingness of the federal government to implement the financial autonomy Act of 2018 and Presidential Order 10, 2020.”

In his statement, the union had first given twenty-one days ultimatum issued on 27th of January, fourteen days ultimatum issued on 18th February and Seven days ultimatum issued on 12th March, but government has refused to listen.

Speaking with TOS News earlier before the press briefing, Com. Mohammed said Senate President, Ahmed Lawan invited the leadership of the Union to a closed door meeting which is a reason why the event didn’t hold at 12pm as scheduled. Fielding questions from journalists afterward, PASAN’s president said, the meeting did not hold.

On 13 March 2019, a three story building in the Ita Faaji area of Lagos, Nigeria suffered a structural collapse, killing 20 people and leaving over 40 trapped.
It is in connection with this development that the Nigeria building institute held a one day symposium to honour the victim of the building collapse as part of activities to commemorate the 2021 builder’s day and the international women’s day
A school, housing 100 students, was located on the third story of the building, leading to the story gaining significant coverage in local and international media In the year.

The primary school and nursery had been operating illegally in a residential building.

The area were certified “distressed” and had been marked for demolition, but that landlords resisted the efforts of the government to demolish the buildings, opting to refurbish them for further use.

The builder’s institute of Nigeria has therefore called for end to quackery in the building and construction industry in order to put an end to the issues of building collapse in the country. Omale Peter chairman of the builders association FCT chapter said “the briefing was organized mainly to honour the 20 people including school children who lost their lives in the 3 story building that collapse Itafaaji , lagos Nigeria on the 13 march 2019 as part of activities to commemorate the 2021 builders day.

Also a female builder Regina Tanko , x-rayed challenges faced by female builders in the country. Calling on other women not to shy away from the building profession leaving only the male gender with the building task according to Regina“ if a woman plans herself properly there is absolutely nothing that can stop her from achieving her goal.”

The collapse of the structure killed several people and left over 60 people trapped in the rubble; many of those trapped were children from the third floor primary school. At least rescue efforts succeeded in recovering 45 people from the building, while 20 were reported dead in the collapse.

While Nigerians join the rest of the world to commemorate international women’s day, a non governmental organisation Female Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Network international honoured women who are making remarkable contribution to the female empowerment programme by the body.

In her words the CEO FEENI Anne Marie Adanna .K. George the theme for the IWD 2021 for FEENI IS “Women In Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID – 19 World (IWD 2021)
noting that the theme celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the COVID – 19 pandemic.

According to her the theme align with the priority theme of the 65th session of the commission on the status of women; “Women’s full and effective participation and decision making – Public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls” and the flagship Generation Equality Campaign, which calls for Women’s right to decision-making in all areas of life, equal pay, equal sharing of unpaid care and domestic work, an end to all forms of violence against women and girls, and healthcare services that respond to their needs”.

“Women stand at the front line of COVID-19 crisis, as healthcare workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders-combating the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry.

Women leaders and women organizations have demonstrated their skills, knowledge and networks to effectively lead in COVID – 19 response and recovery efforts. Today, there is more acceptance than ever before that women bring in different experiences, perspectives and skills to the table and make irreplaceable contributions to decisions, policies and laws that work better for all.

“Majority of the countries that have been more successful in steering the tide of COVID – 19 pandemic and responding to its health and broader socio-economic impacts are headed by women. For instance, Heads of Government in Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, New Zealand and Slovakia have been widely recognized for the rapidity, decisiveness and effectiveness of their national response to COVID – 19 as well as the compassionate communication of fact based public health information.

“The respective governments have allowed the people own the experience.

Yet, women are Heads of State and Government in only 20 countries worldwide”.

In addition to persistent pre-existing social and systematic barriers to women’s participation and leadership, new barriers have emerged with the COVID – 19 Pandemic. Across the world, women are facing increased domestic violence, unpaid care duties, unemployment and poverty”.

she points that “Despite women making up as majority of front line workers, there is disproportionate and inadequate representation of women in national and global COVID – 19 policy spaces”, to uphold women’s rights and fully leverage the potential of women’s leadership in pandemic preparedness and response, the perspectives of women and girls in all to their diversity must be integrated in the formulation and implementation policies and programmes in all spheres and at all stages of pandemic response and recovery.

Anne Marie Adanna .K. George the founder and CEO FEENI further challenged women world over and especially the Nigerian woman as they celebrate the International Women’s Day with the theme: Women in Leadership; achieving an equal future in a COVID – 19 world, to
Remember women are the future and urged them to bring up children who are worthy ambassadors of this great nation. According to the her “Remember that leadership begins with you, you have to lead yourself first before you can lead others. For me, I choose to challenge myself to be better so that I can change my world”.

Binta Tukur Idris CEO Bahaz furniture’s who is the recipient of the FEENI ‘WOMAN” of the year award for 2021, and Oribim Agbeka Gloria CEO Tariah’s Empire FEENI’s ambassador of the year 2021 award recipient, both lauded the efforts of FEENI and Anne Marie George for the initiative to lift many women out of poverty and them voice in the society.

For the past three years FEENI has relentlessly embarked on programmes targeted at empowering the girl child, and women in the society given them tools to eradicate poverty, reduce unemployment, with the focus of bringing social vices to the nearest minimum. So far FEENI has empower at least 1,000 females in their crafts.

As part of its effort to contribute to the growth and development of its host country (Nigeria) the embassy of the state of Israel in Nigeria in partnership with skill G Nigeria limited donated an e-learning center to ‘Brand Life Foundation in Abuja.

The e-learning center was commissioned by Yotam Kreiman, the Charge d’ Affaires of the embassy of the state of Israel to support the foundation contribution to empowering younger children, the less privilege and orphans in Nigeria.

The e-learning centre, equipped with advanced computers is aimed at providing functional computer services for individuals without access to technology at home or in their community. The computer labs also targets providing a conducive environment for students to learn, develop, grow and establish opportunities for the future.

The Charge De’ Affairs of the Embassy of the State of Israel in Nigeria Kreiman Yotam told TOS NEWs, that: “it is imperative to contribute to the development of human and national growth”.

Commissioning the e-learning centre, Kreiman Yotam said “the project is designed and initiated solely to uplift the Nigerian Child especially the orphans and the less privilege, and to equip them with tools to enable them compete favorably with children in developed world”.

Meanwhile fielding questions from TOS News and other media personnel, Hajiya Binta Sidi Lauded the Embassy of Israel for their relentless efforts at improving the lively hood of the Nigerian people especially the Nigeria Child, noting that the e-learning centre will be put to maximum use to ensure the Children are adequately trained to face the digital world.

Binta said “The brand life was founded with objectives to enlighten, build capacity and strengthen resilience for individuals, families and communities to enable them take informed and empowered actions towards achieving their full potentials”.

“It is line with this vision, that the centre is receiving the donation from the Israeli embassy in Nigeria with the belief that it will have positive impact.” I must say we are proud to provide opportunities for individuals through access to the computer lab, and we hope that the centre will further leverage their skills and learning abilities”.

Also Prof. Nuhu Abubakar who introduced himself to TOS News as a friend of the foundation, lauded the Embassy of Israel in Nigeria and called on Diplomats, stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to take cue from the Israeli Embassy and work at empowering the Nigerian child to rule their own world.

The charge d’ affaires of the state of Israel in Nigeria Yotam Kreiman further stated the donation is also aimed at commemorating the continuous 60 years of diplomatic relations and friendship that exist between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the State of Israel.

With this donation to brand life Vision foundation in Abuja it brings the total number of such project powered by the Mashav-Israel’s AID Agency, the Israeli Embassy in Nigeria and Skill G Nigeria limited to 3 since December 2020 to February 2021.

The Minister said on his Twitter account that “a military aircraft King Air 350 has just crashed short of our Abuja runway after reporting engine failure en route Minna.”

He gave no details on casualties but wrote: “It appears to be fatal.”

The plane’s destination Minna is a city about 110 kilometres northwest of Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.

Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari, Ajuri Ngelale, made the statement at the National Quarterly Policy Desk Review for Community Initiative to Promote Peace (CIPP).

Ngelale posited that peace is inevitable in the country as he urged citizens to do more to ensure peace remains in the country.

Peace, he said, must be “forged by the active process of producing, not assuming and maintaining peace”.

He also posed the question of why Nigeria should not set the standard for peace for peace and democracy.

Ngelale also stated that the principle guiding stakeholding in peace policy formulation requires inclusion that goes beyond government officials; but rather a shift from governmentality to governance.

“Also, public policy presumes public interest and to some extent public unity.

“In order to make policies with greater prospects, just affair resource sharing is required and policies that reduce inequality be dealt with,” he added.

The CIPP is a five-year project, is by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development.

It is designed to mitigate violent conflict in at-risk communities in six states; Kaduna, Kano and Katsina of Nigeria’s North West zone and Kogi, Benue and Plateau of North Central zone.

Residents told our correspondent that Igboho came to the town and was received by hundreds of youths at the Igangan Town Hall.

Igboho was addressing the youths and other supporters as of the time of filing this report.

One of the residents, Tajudeen Oke, told our correspondent that Igboho insisted that Seriki must leave the town.

This, according to Igboho, is because so many people fingered him (Seriki) to be behind the insecurity in the area. Before his arrival, some youths were said to have made bonfires on the streets.

It was reported that there was palpable tension in Igangan and other parts of the Ibarapa area of Oyo State on Friday morning as the quit notice given to herdsmen in the area expires today.

Frustrated by the incessant killings, kidnappings, and destruction of farms allegedly being carried out by herdsmen in Ibarapaland, Igboho last Friday stormed the Fulani settlements in in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area and asked them to leave within seven days.

Igboho accused the Fulani community in the area of masterminding abductions, killings, and other criminal activities in the area.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command had warned residents of the state against engaging in any act of lawlessness and violence in any part of the state.

The new Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, gave this warning in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi.

The police said four persons were injured when Igboho visited the place and the Fulani also allegedly waylaid farmers returning from their farms the same Friday night and hacked four of them.

Governor Seyi Makinde had on Wednesday in a state broadcast condemned the threat to evict the Fulani, while warning those behind the threat to desist or be ready to face the wrath of the law.

He was recognized as the most gender sensitive Governor in Nigeria by the National Council of Women Societies which is the umbrella body of gender related CSOs in Nigeria. Thus far, Governor Yahaya Bello has aided the successful elections of more than 105 women in grassroots political offices in his state; this includes all vice chairperson of the 21 local government areas. All 21 council leaders. 70 top government officials not limited to the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, Commisioner, DGs, MDs and Chairpersons.

During his acceptance speech, he thanked all the women in his life for molding him to become the enigma he is today. The Governor got emotional while thanking his late mother, he said, “from birth up till March 15, 2020 my irreplaceable mother, Hajiya Hauwa’u Bello, dedicated her life to raising me and my siblings after her husband and our father, Alhaji Bello Ipemida Ochi died relatively early. I was her last and still a tiny child at the time of her great loss, yet her iron will and hands forged all of us into individuals who are successful and useful to society today.”

It was also gathered the terrorists also vowed to keep Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi schoolgirl, as “a slave for life”,  In a short clip Leman was forced to kneel down, with her hands tied inside a white hijab which has a crest symbol, and then shot at close range.

In September 2018, the insurgent group killed Saifura Ahmed, one of the three humanitarian workers abducted in Rann, Kala Balge local government area of Borno state, in March 2018, in a similar manner.

Leman, a 24-year-old midwife and student of health education at the University of Maiduguri, was in the group that was abducted.

Four soldiers, four policemen and three humanitarian aid workers were killed in the attack.

Toafic Toure, ICRC operational communication delegate, Maiduguri sub-delegation, had on Sunday pleaded with the federal government to avert Leman’s killing as the Monday deadline given by the insurgents approached.

ISWAP, in a short statement, said: “

We have kept our word exactly as we said, by killing another humanitarian worker, Hauwa Leman, who is working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that were abducted during a raid on a military facility in Rann, Kala Balge in March 2018.

“Saifura and Hauwa were killed because they are considered as Murtads (apostates) by the group because they were once Muslims that have abandoned their Islam, the moment they chose to work with the Red Cross, and for us, there is no difference between Red Cross and UNICEF.

“If we see them, we will kill the apostates among them, men or women, and chose to kill or keep the infidels as slaves, men or women.”

‘LEAH AND ALICE WILL BE OUR SLAVES’

Meanwhile, ISWAP has threatened to keep Sharibu as a slave.

She is the only Christian among the 110 girls abducted at the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state, on February 19, 2018.

While other girls were released, she was kept back because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.

There has been a global plea for her release.

The group said in the statement that Alice Ngaddah, a Christian who works with UNICEF, will also be kept as a slave.

“From today”, ISWAP said, Sharibu, 15, and Ngaddah, a mother of two, “are now our slaves”.

“Based on our doctrines, it is now lawful for us to do whatever we want to do with them,” the group further said.

‘TELL MY PARENTS I’M IN TROUBLE’

In the audio sent to one of her male friends when she was captured in March, Leman, who spoke in Hausa, said her parents should be informed that she had been kidnapped.

Running and panting, the victim said: “We are under attack in Rann. They are shooting everywhere please pray for me; please go and tell my parents that I am in trouble.

“Please, look for Fatima and tell her they are taking us away. They have entered here now…”

At that point, a male voice ordered her to keep quiet and not to move an inch. That was the last that was heard from her.

The audio is reproduced below.

(THECABLE)