National Light Newspaper

Soludo meets ndi Anambrain Abuja today

ALL is set for a town hall meeting with Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and Anambra indigenes resident in Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), today.

Scheduled to kick-off at 6:00 o'clock in the evening, the interface between Mr. Governor and a select audience of ndi Anambra from all sectors will hold at Bolton White Event Centre, along Kigoma Street, Wuse Zone VII, Abuja.

According to a release signed by Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, attendance to the event is strictly on invitation, with guests expected to be seated by 5:30pm.

The release also said the forum will be chaired by renowned Anambra-born industrialist, Sir Emeka Offor.

It will be recalled that Mr. Governor had recently held similar interactive session with Anambra indigenes in Lagos during which the state government reiterated the call on Anambra-born business brands to come home and invest.

Pitching under Akulueuno think-home clarion, Prof. Soludo showcased policies and incentives provided for ease-of-doing business in Anambra State across all sectors of economy.

1.6m Nigerians in modern slavery – NAPTIP
.. OVER 1.6 million Nigerians are living in modern slavery.

The figure was contained in release issued by National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) during a press conference in Abuja, yesterday.

Explaining the forum as part of activities lined up to celebrate 20 years anniversary of NAPTIP and this year's edition of World Day Against Human Trafficking, Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri Azi, said current global slavery index shows about 50 million live in modern slavery worldwide.

“For anyone that has followed the NAPTIP story since inception has visibly seen the agency progressed from its very first command in Benin, Edo State to offices in 32 states, the last seven offices acquired in the past year and a half. In 20 years, we have seen the crime of human trafficking spread like wildfire in terms of the enormity, trends and patterns. It has not been an easy fight to dismantle these networks, but we remain undaunted.

Only recently did the 2023 Global Slavery Index opine that globally, it is estimated that 50 million people were living in modern slavery on any day in 3021, an increase of 10 million people since 2016. What this narrative indicates is the urgent need for a more strategic and deliberate global response to these problems
Nigeria is better poised to control and tackle human trafficking due to the collaborative efforts of everyone. The public is better informed about issues of human trafficking, and this is due to the amplified visibility of NAPTIP,” she said.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of Ministry Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo who was represented by Director Humanitarian Affairs, Grema Ali, highlighted some achievements of the agency to include awareness campaigns and sensitisation.

Fuel price hike stirs tension, threats across country

-... Nigerians'll start eating grass, soon – HURIWA .. -Workers' patience may run out – NLC .. APC provoking Nigerians – PDP .. -Blame market forces – FG

PERSISTENT nationwide rise in pump price of petroleum products is set to spark off an Armageddon in the country as labour leaders, organised private sector, political camps and other stakeholders took time in different forums to berate federal government over the development, yesterday.

Rising against the development, a social advocacy forum, operating under the ageis of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), described the latest hike as toxic, despicable and absolutely intolerable.

Predicting that Nigerians may soon start eating grass due to economic hardship, HURIWA regretted that the people may be left with no other choice but mass public protest except federal government reverts the trend.

According to HURIWA, selling petrol at N617 per litre is absolutely unacceptable.
Also speaking, President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero said workers' patience may soon be exhausted unless fuel subsidy removal is revisited.

Ajaero stated this in a television audience participation program, yesterday.
“Nigerians are being deceived, that is the official reaction. Because in the first instance, if you are saying that the independent marketers are now bringing the products into Nigeria; Nigerians would want to know how many of them and for us to see the list of those who are importing the products into Nigeria. NNPC cannot import and say it is imported by independent marketers. That is not true. They are taking away all that the poor are trying to benefit from, and they are giving it to the rich. In the battle that will ensue, I think they need to buy more bulletproof vehicles for the rich to move around because when people cannot get food to eat, they will run to the street,” he said.

Grappling with the hike in Abuja, yesterday, People's Democratic Party (PDP) described current N617 per litre price for petrol as not only extortionist but an act of provocation of the people by All Progressives Congress (APC).

National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, accused APC of insensitivity and callousness towards Nigerians.

“The party cautions that the increase is worsening the already suffocating economic situation under APC and has the capability of triggering a very serious crisis in the country if not abated. It is appalling that instead of seeking ways to stabilise and grow the economy, APC administration has abandoned welfare of Nigerians which is primary purpose of government under Section 14 of Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and left citizens to vagaries of market forces and exploitative cabal; a disposition that is characteristic of a government that is not accountable to the people. PDP is alarmed that with its ill-thought out, badly planned and hurriedly-executed policies, APC is running Nigeria's economy aground with value of naira rapidly plummeting businesses and production shutting down; citizens losing their means of livelihood, commercial and social activities crippled, with millions of families no longer able to afford their daily needs as costs of food, medication and other essential goods and services continue to skyrocket,” he said.

Meanwhile, Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, has blamed continuous rise in petrol pump prices in Nigeria to market forces.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima at State House, yesterday, Kyari explained the trend as a direct consequence of fuel subsidy removal

ICPC, CSOs call for protection of whistle blower

… Cautions against corruption and misconduct of public offices

By lfeanyi Ndukwe and Chikaodili Chukwuleta

FIGHTING corruption is a collective responsibility for every Nigerian who is in support for a transparent and democratic nation bound by unity and progress.

This was disclosed by the Director, Public Enlightenment, lndependent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (lCPC), lnalegwu Shaibu at the One Day Review Meeting and Training on Strengthening the Capacity of Community Based Organisations on Whistle blowing and Whistle blower Protection.

The event, held in East End Hotels, Awka, was graced by professionals, civil servants, media practitioners and major stakeholders in the economic and financial matters.
Mr Shaibu explained that the whistle blower policy offers protection of the individual as well as safeguard his reputation. He appealed to concerned citizens to report any financial related matters in their various communities.

On his part, Anambra State Director, National Orientation Agency(NOA), Joseph Uchendu described a whistle blower as an informant who voluntarily discloses to the government a possible misconduct that is ongoing or possible to occur with basic concern to humanity.
"Though the information by the whistle blower could be Messianic in nature, he must, however,ensure honesty and legality of his information," he stated.
Sir Uchendu said NOA will continue to partner with all CSOs and respective institutions towards curbing corruption in Nigeria.

President, lnternational Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (lPCRC), Comrade Chris Azor bemoaned the effects on corruption on our society.
According to him, it is the duties of citizens to hold government accountable and demand transparency in governance.

He appealed to participants to take accountability of the projects in their communities and ensure that such projects are concrete and actualised.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, represented by Mrs Ezechi Chioma said the Soludo-led government is ready and willing to partner with sister agencies to make Anambra, a livable and prosperous homeland.

She hailed the leadership of the CSOs and called for total commitment and dedication to ensure a corrupt free society,
" CommunityWhistle blowing is an ardent tool to assist the local vigilante to curb criminal elements," she said.

In his address, Coordinator, African Centre for Media and lnformation Literacy(AFRICMIL) represented by NkechiUgwu, expressed optimism that implementation of the Whistle blower Law will harness protection of the persons involved and reduce corruption in public domain.

He encouraged participants to ensure maximum impact as an outcome of the trainings.
Highlights of the event include interactive sessions among the organisers and participants to checkmate the influence of their respective project monitoring and accountability, light refreshments and exchange of pleasantries .