Kenneth Anetor, Executive Director of A New Thing International Foundation, has been honored with the prestigious Nigerian Emerging Leaders Award. His nearly decade-long journey in the non-profit sector had been marked by notable achievements and a passion for making a positive impact.

Kenneth’s extensive experience as a certified Trainer of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and as a holder of a certificate in Understanding Addiction from Harvard Medical School, had contributed to his well-respected status in the field.

In his leadership roles, Kenneth served as the Ambassador for the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and for the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Narcotic Drugs. In addition, he had been elected as the National Treasurer of the National Almond Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAPPMAN), with a four-year tenure.

Kenneth’s collaborations with various organizations, including the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Nigerian Youth Parliament, demonstrated his commitment to reducing drug demand and fostering community development across Nigeria. His passion for health, education, gender rights, and youth development had been evident in all his efforts.

The award ceremony, held at the Oriental Hotel in Lekki, Lagos, had recognized the remarkable contributions of emerging leaders like Kenneth Anetor. This event celebrated those who had shaped the future of Nigeria, and Kenneth’s recognition had underscored his role in this movement toward positive change.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with other Civil Society groups have called for holistic  support for anti-corruption agencies in the country to end corruption.

They said this at a news conference to discuss the state of corruption and malicious attacks on Anti Corruption institutions in Nigeria both at the national and sub national levels on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Anwal Musa, the Executive Director, CISLAC, said there was the need to support the efforts of anti corruption agencies at grassroot and national level so that Nigeria could  have peace.

“We have observed with great concern, the malicious attacks and deliberate efforts to blackmail anti-corruption agencies through sponsorship influencers, incentivised opinion publications in some national dailies.

“Online and electronic platforms, all targeted at discouraging anti-corruption efforts and shielding the kleptocrats from thorough investigation.

“The pattern is clear, there is an unfolding plot of surreptitious moves to backpedal on the progress made by anti-corruption progress.

“Procurement of political appointments by some suspected or investigated looters who are serving under the current administration as ministers, legislators, or occupying leadership positions of the ruling party,” he said.
Musa added: “Has exposed anti-corruption work to serious setback and deliberate sabotage that cripple the efficiency of the anti-corruption agencies.

“So the fight against corruption is for all of us, it is for all Nigerians because the consequences has led us to the situation we have found our selves today.”

Prof. Jubril Ibrahim, Senior Partner, Centre for Democracy and Development said corruption in the country had reached an alarming stage.

Ibrahim said that the judiciary that was supposed to checkmate corruption had been bought over by enablers of corruption and increased corruption through bribery of judges.

“There has been consented war by corrupt people  to make sure that anti corruption agencies are unable to prosecute corrupt individuals and preventing such institutions from carrying out their mandate.

“We feel if we allow this destruction of the Nigerian state to continue we will not have a country and the risk is that the present tragedy of anarchy will prevail.

“We must stop this level of corruption form continuing to grow if we must survive as a country,” he said.

The Country  Director, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Mr Odeh Friday, said there was need to set up ethics and integrity department in every MDA to build public  trust.

He also called for the implementation of the Whistle Blowing Act to protect whistle blowers from been attacked by those they expose.

Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, said upholding the rule of law was key to fighting corruption.

“Attacks on institutions that have the mandate of defending our democracy should not be encouraged,  it is reprehensible, unacceptable .

“When we attack these institutions especially when they act to advance public interest we are undermining trust and the rule of law,” he said.

The Convener, Good Governance (GGT) Team, Mr Tunde Salman said that the fight against corruption should be citizen driven and not government driven.

Salman said there was need to capacitate those agencies of government  that have the mandate to investigate corruption, adding that special attention should be given to them and technology should be deployed to reduce human interference.

The CSOs recommended that the National Judicial Council must diligently monitor its members and promptly remove any corrupt judicial officer found to be compromising the judicial system.

“This requires holding politicians accountable for their actions and inactions, strengthening institutions to combat corruption, and ensuring that the allocation of resources is done in a fair and equitable manner.

“We urge the ruling All-Progressive Party (APC) and other political parties to take decisive action in purging its ranks by denouncing and breaking support with their members who are currently being investigated by anti-corruption agencies.

“Adequate resource allocation to the anti-corruption agencies has become imperative to uphold their independence and enhance efficiency in the anti-corruption process.

“We urge I-G to promptly reinstate the police personnel withdrawn from the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission, to facilitate the effective execution of Commission’s duties,” they said.

The news conference was jointly endorsed by 50 civil society organisations supporting anti corruption and Good Governance in Nigeria.(NAN)

The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR) has rolled out a campaign aimed at raising awareness about the health risks associated with consuming Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs).

The campaign was launched amidst growing concerns about the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such diabetes and heart diseases.

The NASR Coalition spokesperson, Ms Omei Bongos-Ikwue, told newsmen on Thursday  in Abuja that the campaign sought to educate the public and advocate for policy changes to promote healthy lifestyles.

Reports says that according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, NCDs are diseases that are not spread through infection or other people but are typically caused by unhealthy behaviours and genetics.

They are chronic diseases that result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74 per cent of all deaths globally.

Each year, 17 million people die from an NCDs before age 70, while  86 per cent of the deaths occur in low and middle-income countries, WHO said.

Cardiovascular diseases account for most of the deaths.

They are followed by cancers, 9.3 million; chronic respiratory diseases, 4.1 million;  and diabetes, two million, including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes.

These four groups of diseases account for over 80 per cent of all NCD deaths.

Tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets, all increase the risk of dying from an NCD.

Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.

Statistics also shows that NCDs are responsible for about 30 per cent of total deaths in Nigeria.

Most NCDs can be prevented if the risk factors are dealt with.

It is against this backdrop that the campaign became necessary, according to Bongos-Ikwue.

She said that the campaign featured  buses adorned with images depicting health consequences of excessive sugary drink consumption.

She said that through creative messaging and active community engagement, NASR aimed to capture public attention and spur action to address  rise in NCDs across the country.

She said that research had shown a link between sugary drink consumption and onset of diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes.

“Countries worldwide have implemented taxes on sugary drinks to discourage their consumption, leading to reductions in SSB intake and improvements in public health outcomes,” she said.

Also at the campaign launch, Ms Gloria Okwu, a coalition member of NASR, said, “Our objective with this campaign is to enlighten the public about the perils of excessive SSB consumption and advocate policies that promote healthy alternatives.”

Okwu highlighted the impact of NCDs on the population, with an estimated 11.2 million Nigerians living with Type 2 Diabetes.

“In addition to the bus campaign, NASR volunteers conducted on-the-ground activities to educate communities about the detrimental effects of sugary drinks on health.

“Complimentary bus rides were also provided on various routes, allowing members of the public to engage with campaign materials and learn about healthier beverage options,” she said.

She said that the campaign would increase public awareness on health risks associated with SSB consumption, mobilise support for higher sugary drink taxes, and encourage individuals to make healthy choices.

According to her, by addressing the root causes of sugar-related health issues, NASR hopes to contribute to good health of Nigerians. (NAN)