Nigeria needs food, not tobacco —NTCA

By Tobias Lengs Dapam

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world in marking World No Tobacco Day, the Chairman of Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA), Akinbode Oluwafemi, said Nigeria needs food and not tobacco.

Akinbode, who stated this on Thursday in Abuja, said the day is set aside by the World Health Organization to raise awareness on the deadly effects of tobacco use.

Represented by the Pogramme Officer NTCA, Chibuike Nwokorie, the chairman said, “With over 8 million people dying from tobacco consumption worldwide. The commemoration is a solemn event targeted at bringing to the fore millions of lives lost to tobacco use and the many people around the world managing debilitating ailments brought on by tobacco use.

“We Need Food, Not Tobacco

The theme for this year’s commemoration; we need food,

Nigerian Institute of Surveyors harps on professionalism

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna not tobacco, draws the attention of the world to the dangers of tobacco farming. The World Health Organization estimates that 3.5 million hectares of land is used for tobacco farming globally. In characteristic fashion, the tobacco industry paints a picture of economic prosperity among tobacco farmers, however, in reality, tobacco farmers are poor. In Nigeria, farmers who have invested many years growing tobacco continue to live in poverty.”

Nigerian Institute of Surveyors (NIS), Kaduna State Council has charged members to keep upgrading and expanding their professional prowess, through training, if they must remain useful and relevant in the ever-changing world.

The Chairman of the State Council, Surv Daudu Andrew asserted this during the oath taking of new exco and induction of new members into the institute.

According to him professionals in the sector should consistently seek to improve themselves for adequate competition, saying surveyors must eschew all tendencies capable of undermining the professional ethics in the overall interest of the people and country at large.

Surv. Andrew called on the Kaduna State Government to ensure the inclusion of the members in government projects.

He said while tobacco cultivation has declined in the developed world in recent years, it has picked up in low-income countries in Africa, majorly in Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia.

He said in Nigeria, tobacco cultivation occurs primarily in Kwara, Osun, Oyo and Sokoto states.

“During tobacco cultivation and curing, wet tobacco leaves produce nicotine and other toxins that are absorbed into the body. This causes green tobacco sickness among farmers. Tobacco growers are also known to suffer from respiratory and neurological disorders due to exposure to tobacco leaves.

“According to the United Nations, over 25 million people in Nigeria are facing hunger, and globally, that figure stands at over 300 million people.

“ In the face of this looming food insecurity, large portions of arable lands are turning into barren wastelands from tobacco cultivation.

“Article 17 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control encourages parties to promote economically viable and sustainable alternatives to tobacco farmers. In Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for championing this objective.

“However, it is unclear how much land is used for tobacco farming in Nigeria. This critical data gap makes it difficult to identify and plan interventions for tobacco farmers.

We therefore call on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to make known the extent of tobacco farming in Nigeria. It is also important that the Ministry rolls out plans to help tobacco farmers transition to nutritious and healthy crops such as maize, cassava, guinea corn and even livestock.

“We note that very little can be achieved if every government agency works in a silo, and poor coordination among agencies is a recipe for poor public health. Therefore, the Federal Ministry of Health, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, and all agencies saddled with the implementation of the National Tobacco Control Act must synergize, share information and resources and work cohesively for the implementation of these laws.

“Finally, to Your Excellency

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we congratulate you on your recent inauguration as President of Nigeria. It is important that as you begin your administration, you are made aware of several burning tobacco control issues. You have promised Nigerians that you will hit the ground running, and we want to charge you to apply the same energy to tobacco control.

“Albeit with challenges, we achieved the National Tobacco Control Act, 2015, during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. We also achieved the National Tobacco Control Regulations, 2019, during Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

What is left is yours to do, and you can champion the strengthening and implementation of our tobacco control laws to protect the health of all Nigerians in keeping faith with the oath you solemnly swore on May 29th, 2023. “

L-R: National Director General, Coalition of Nigerian Youths on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA), Amb. Ade Marlo Emmanuel, the Proprietor American National University of Nigeria / Chairman of the Conference, Dr. Oludare Akande, Deputy Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Susan Ada Ajenge, Director of Programmes CONYSSA, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob and the Global President, Yoruba Council Worldwide, AARE Oba Oladotun Hassan, during the 1st Nigerian Youths Multi-Stakeholders conference on drugs Abuse and demand reduction Organise by CONYSSA, held recently in Abuja. Photo;. Justin Imo-owo

Peace Corp boss, Prof Akoh endorses Tinubu’s choices of SGF, CoS

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Prof. Dickson Ameh Akoh, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s choice of former Benue State Governor, Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila as the Chief of Staff (CoS).

Akoh in a statement in Abuja, extended his congratulations to the leader of APC in Benue State,

Senator Akume, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Gbajabiamila on their appointments as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chief of Staff to President Tinubu respectively.

Prof. Akoh believes that Senator Akume’s wealth of experience in governance being brought to the table would enormously assist President Tinubu in advancing the Nigerian Project, having been a Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service, Former Governor, Senator and Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs.

Prof. Akoh believes that Dr George Akume has the necessary prerequisites to assist Mr President in handling the complex socioeconomic challenges facing the country as demonstrated in the positions he had held inter-alia.

The APC Chieftain, in the same manner, extended his heartfelt felicitation to the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila on his appointment as Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Akoh acknowledged that the appointment of the youthful and experienced Gbajabiamila is a reflection of President Tinubu’s promise to feature the youths in his administration.

He expressed happiness that President Tinubu, in his usual ingenious manner, understands the numerous challenges ahead and the need to bring capable hands to the table in other to foster national unity amongst the country’s numerous ethnic nationalities for harmonious coexistence and progress.

The Founder of Peace Corps of Nigeria and President of Ambassador Dickson

Akoh Foundation said their appointments are not only well deserved but a true reflection of reward for hardwork, coupled with the belief that they would deliver in whichever responsibility they are bestowed.

Akoh, as a democrat and detribalised Nigerian who believes in purposeful synergy used the opportunity to express his readiness to collaborate with government authorities in his effort to advance the cause of peace, security and the onerous advancement of the socio-economic empowerment of Nigerian youths.

Bishop urges Tinubu to revive Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills for economic diversification

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Bishop of Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, Timothy Yahaya has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of reality, declare state of emergency in Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills, saying that it was high time the nation’s economy was diversified to stop depending on oil sector.

Bishop Yahaya who fielded questions from Reporters on Sunday at the end of a 3-day Synod of the church described Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills as a Diamond Mine that has been neglected for several years, adding that a lot of people will be lifted out of poverty if the Mills is revived to boost the economy.

However, the Anglican Cleric blasted Nigerian leaders over recent completion and commissioning of Dangote refinery in Lagos, saying that what a whole country cannot achieve, an individual has achieved, only for the nation’s leaders to play politics with oil, the mainstay of the country’s economy to the detriment of over 200 million population.

Dangote refinery is owned by the Kano born business mogul, Aliko Dangote, and it was commissioned early last month by the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him the nation’s leaders should bury their heads in shame for failing to provide such huge functional economic value and benefits to the teeming population of the country over the years.

The theme of the third session of the 22nd Synod was titled, “The God of Restoration”.

“Another thing that I must talk about is that if Dangote can build a refinery, a world class refinery, the biggest of its kinds in the world, it is a shame to the leaders of this country. You mean an individual can do what 200 million people cannot do? And today’s fuel has become politics in our country. The reality of what is happening in the oil sector can only be imagined, the rot and corruption in that sector, only God can deliver this country.”