NEWSXTRA
Shettima Describes Late Kaka-Imam Irreplaceable
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has described Sheikh Khadi Kaka-Imam, the father of former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Borno State, Alhaji Mohammed Imam, as irreplaceable.
The Sheikh died in the early hours of Monday and was committed to Mother Earth later the same day.
Shettima, in a statement signed by his spokesman Stanley Nkwocha, said the death of Sheikh Khadi Kaka-Imam was an
irreplaceable loss.
The VP equally described the deceased as an institution.
The vice president, who joined other musliMuslimsaiduguri for the burial rites of the late Imam, said he would be missed by not just Borno people and Northern Nigeria, but the entire country.
He equally described the revered scholar as one whose legacy would outlive him, while adding that the deceased would be remembered as a philanthropist, role model and an elder statesman who was an embodiment of peace and harmony till death.
He said: ” We are mourning him and we are also celebrating him as an institution. May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannatul Firdaus.
” May Allah also grant his family and the good people of Borno and Nigeria the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
The funeral prayer, which drew a mammoth crowd, took place at the residence of the centenarian in old GRA, Maiduguri.
Thereafter, the deceased was interred at the Gwange Muslim Cemetery Ground in Maiduguri.
Other mourners who joined the Vice president included: Alhaji Abubakar Elkanemi, the Shehu of Borno, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and Alhaji Umar Kadafur, the Deputy Governor of Borno.
Others were: Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Mohammed Monguno, Sen. Kaka Lawan, Rep. Satomi Saleh and Alhaji Ali Dalori, APC Deputy National Chairman (North).
The traditional leaders under the umbrella of Council of Traditional Leaders in Africa(COTLA) have restated their commitment to end violence against women and girls in Nigeria.
The traditional leaders restated this in Abuja during the media dialogue by the COTLA to mark 16 Days of Activitism Against Gender Based Violence(GBV), organised UN Women, with support from Ford Foundation.
In his opening remarks, the Convener General of COTLA, HRM (Arc.) King Adedapo Aderemi, commended the efforts of UN Women over the years in championing the cause of women and girls.
He reiterated the commitment of COTLA to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
His Royal Highness, Dr. Haliru Yahaya Ndanusa, the Emir of Shonga and Deputy Convener-General of COTLA, said traditional leaders have introduced various initiatives to address harmful cultural practices and negative gender norms against women and girls in Nigeria.
Ndanusa explained that Islamic religion makes it clear that the rights of women to own property must be protected.
He noted that some of the myths and negative gender norms are based on patriarchy.
While sharing his success stories, Dr. Usman Ngakupi, Sapeyi of Garki, in the Federal Capital Territory, who decried the rate of prostitution among girls, said he had embarked on providing proper counselling to them.
He added that some of these girls who engaged in prostitution have changed their attitude through proper counselling.
He further pointed out that he had initiated a move that has made it compulsory for women and girls in his domain to attend school.
In his submission, Eze(Dr.) Onyibe Cosmos, the Enechi Ekuma IV Okposi Kingdom in Ohaozara, Ebonyi State, said his kingdom had introduced a law that gives women the right to share in their fathers’ properties.
Cosmos said physical violence against women and girls attracts the fine of N50,000 in his kingdom, adding that women have been given the membership of the town union, where critical decisions are made.
He revealed that his kingdom had put a stop to female genital mutilation in Okposi communities, adding that many initiatives have been introduced to empower women.
In her remarks, Ms. Funke Baruwa,
Programme Officer, Ford Foundation, pointed out that traditional leaders have deep knowledge and experiences in their respective domains to promote an understanding of customs and beliefs denouncing GBV.
She noted that campaigns have been intensified against sexual gender based violence, female genital mutilation, early child marriage, rape, adding that traditional leaders occupy pivotal position in preventing and responding to gender-based violence(GBV).
Earlier, in her welcome remarks, Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, commended the traditional leaders for their commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
Eyong added that working with traditional leaders in Nigeria was crucial to ending violence against women and girls as well as promoting women’s empowerment.
He urged the royal fathers to share what they are doing in their communities to advance the fight against gender based violence in their various communities.
It would be recalled that the Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa (COTLA), was established in 2018.
The COTLA membership in Nigeria, through the support of UN Women, has developed a work plan to support engagement in ending GBV.
The Chinese Government is boosting peanut production in the country by training farmers on techniques for quality production. This is part of its quest to assist in improving food production in Nigeria.
The intervention was done through the Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (IFST-CAAS) in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) and the China-Africa Green Agriculture Development Research Centre (GACARDC) collaborated in organising a one-day international training conference on peanut quality evaluation and processing utilisation technology at the China-Aid Nigerian Agricultural Development Technology Demonstration Center, Ushafa, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Wang Jun, Director of China-Africa Green Agriculture Development Centre and the Managing Director of Green Agriculture West Africa Limited (GAWAL), in his remarks, said the training provides an opportunity to explore new technologies in peanut cultivation and processing techniques for the benefit of farmers.
He said despite facing a series of challenges, such as the need to address aflatoxin issues and the significant fluctuations in peanut cultivation and yield, the future of the Nigerian peanut industry is promising.
He said: “Through measures such as technological innovation, sustainable development enhanced processing, and market promotion, Nigeria will further solidify its position in the global peanuts market, bringing sustainable development and benefits to farmers and the national economy.
“This technical training programme serves as a bridge between theory and practice, bringing together experts, practitioners, and enthusiasts alike to enhance knowledge, share experiences, and push the boundaries of what we know about peanut processing. During this session, we will embark on a journey of discovery, exploring the nuances of peanut raw material evaluation, from cultivation practices, post-harvest handling, and processing methodologies to quality control measures,” Wang Jun added.
Earlier in his remark, Professor Wang Qiang, Chief Scientist of the Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences said the technical training session is in line with the institution’s mandate to provide regular science and technology assistance projects to developing countries.
He said the institute is in Africa to promote the construction of the first China-Africa Cooperative Research Centre for Quality Evaluation, Processing, and Utilisation of Peanuts in Nigeria. He stated that the aim is to jointly promote the healthy development of the African peanut industry, and provide support for ensuring the quantity and quality safety of African peanuts.
On his part, Professor Garba Hamidu Sharubutu, Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), ably represented Professor Bello Zaki Abubakar, thanked the Chinese government for the training and urged participants to apply the knowledge acquired for the development of the peanut industry.
Participants at the conference received training on processing characteristics and quality evaluation of peanut raw materials, comprehensive utilisation of peanuts, and the practical demonstration of peanut quality portable tachymeter and peanut oil press equipment
Children of Nwachi Orphanage Home and Halal Children Home both in Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe FCT, Abuja, were full of excitement last Friday, when Abumet, Julius Berger’s premium quality and full-service aluminum and glass solutions subsidiary, donated foodstuffs, and other items as part of its sustained Corporate Social Responsibility contributions to schools in its host communities.
Addressing the children and staff of Nwachi Orphanage Home, the General Manager of Abumet, Alexander Hausner, who handed over the items to the children, said the essence of this exercise is to identify with the needs of the underprivileged while trying to relieve their diverse burdens.
He also encouraged them on the need to be very studious and hopeful for a great future. “Abumet is a subsidiary of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. It is our culture and tradition to always give back to society and that is what we have done.
“As part of Abumet’s contribution to support the environment where we operate; we select from the orphanages and public schools and donate useful items needed for the children.
“However, we have come to this Home to share from the little we have with our children. Also, I want to encourage every child here to be serious with their education; don’t limit yourselves and skills; be well-mannered and also have in mind that the sky is your starting point.”
He admonished the Founder and Management of the Orphanage to continue to take good care of the children because as caregivers, God will always have a way to reward them richly.
Receiving the items, the Matron, Mrs. Chizoba Chukwunyereze described the day as a special day for the Home. “I want to thank Abumet for making out time to come for this donation; it is indeed a kind gesture.
This is indeed no small donation especially now that we are in festive period. Our children would have plenty to eat and drink and not be left out in the celebration.
Abumet is here to present us with the most needed items of the Home, and we can’t be more grateful. Words fail us; however, we pray that the Lord will continue to enrich the company and take them to heights they least expect.
Thank you Abumet.” Meanwhile, at the Halal Children’s Home, the Supervisor of the Orphanage, Hajiya Zainab Basah also expressed her profound gratitude to Abumet for the timely donations. “We are sincerely very grateful to Abumet for this donation and for the show of love and warmth.
Something similar was done last year and at a time we needed it. We appreciate every item that was brought here, and we are happy
to have a company that puts so much interest in their host communities. Our boys are so grateful, you can tell from the happiness on their faces.
Thank you very much Abumet. I pray that God constantly expand the company’s presence and blesses everything it sets out to do.”
Hajiya Zainab Basah added that, “…the home was established to help cushion the worrisome conditions of vulnerable children within the FCT and other parts of the country, where we also have Halal Orphanage Home.
We also have a mission to take children o0 the streets, keep them and give them a loving home where they can get proper training. In Abuja, we have two homes, we have one at Lugbe and Lifecamp.
The one at Lugbe houses the boys from 12 and above, whilst the one at Lifecamp houses the girls and the younger boys. The Lugbe Home has 12 children and 34 children in the Life camp Home.
In Halal Childrens home, asides taking care of our kids and sending them to good schools, we also help engage their minds and hands through our skills acquisition programmes.
We have di0erent types of sewing machines, 2 well-equipped computer rooms, a learning room (where the children take classes) and a training room (where they practice all they’ve learnt).”
The Abumet delegation to the event was led by Mr. Alexander Hausner. Other Abumet officials at the ceremony include Gbadamosi Tolu and Esther Obong.
Other Julius Berger Nigeria Plc officials present at the event include Michael Ashofor and Uzoma Olivia.
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