NEWS
FG Spends N22.44bn on Feeding 75,507 Inmates
The Federal Government is spending N22.44 billion in 2023 on the feeding of 75,507 inmates in correctional centres nationwide, an official said on Thursday in Abuja.
The inmates are spread in 244 custodial centres nationwide, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore said during a High-level conference on corrections and decongestion of custodial centres.
Belgore said that 70 per cent of the inmates were awaiting trial.
He attributed the high number of awaiting trial inmates to arbitrary arrests, delay in dispensing justice and inability to meet bail conditions.
The permanent secretary said that the situation had led to the congestion of 82 custodial centres across the country.
“The total number of male inmates are 73,821 and 1,686 are female inmates. Out of the 75,507 inmates, 52,436 are awaiting trial while 23,071 are convicted persons, with 3,322 as condemned inmates on death row.
“The Federal Government budgeted N22.44 billion in the 2023 appropriation to cater for the feeding of inmates. Failure to take action to decongest the custodial centres will come at a cost.
“The effects of overcrowding in the custodial centres have led to huge revenue drain for the Federal Government.
“Dilapidation of the centres, criminalisation of the society and the inability to separate awaiting trial inmates from convicted persons,” he said.
Belgore said there was need for holistic reform of the country’s correction system, including the modernisation of custodial centres for appropriate reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.
He said that stakeholders have since emphasised the need to build new facilities and redesign the bail system.
“I am of the view that the discourse at this conference should allocate more time to address speedy dispensation of justice to reduce number of inmates on awaiting trial.
“In as much as the Ministry of Interior works tirelessly to accomplish the goal of achieving greater reduction of number of inmates across our custodial centres, we are determined to ensure that the correctional facilities provide not just a decent accommodation.
“We also ensure that inmates acquire skills and knowledge to advance their integration into the society when they eventually regain freedom,” Belgore said.
He said that the conference should propose efficient, effective and sustainable solutions to tackle congestion of custodial centres and effective implementation of non-custodial measures.
The permanent secretary added that strategies should be devised to promote effective reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
Belgore said the role of the Federal and State Governments in correction of inmates should also be examined by the conference.
“The statistics ratio of federal and state offenders is mind boggling and worrisome.
“The federal offenders in the correctional facilities are far less than 10%, leaving the majority of over 90% to state offences,” he said.
Belgore said that improved implementation of the criminal justice system and adoption of non-custodial measures would help in the decongestion of custodial centres across the nation. (NAN)
NEWS
NAFDAC, Manufacturers Collaborate to Strengthen Food Safety Culture in Nigeria
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has partnered with the Association of Food, Beverages, and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE) to promote a food safety culture in Nigeria.
This collaboration was announced in a statement issued by NAFDAC’s resident media consultant, Mr Olusayo Akintola, to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
He said the event took place in Lagos on Friday, where NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof.
Mojisola Adeyeye, was represented by Mrs Eva Edwards, Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (FSAN).The statement quoted Adeyeye, highlighting that the collaboration stemmed from an end-of-year stakeholders’ dialogue session with NAFDAC.
She said the session provided an opportunity for both parties to have open discussions on strategic objectives.
Adeyeye noted that the FSAN dialogue had become a key part of NAFDAC’s calendar, marking its third consecutive annual edition.
She said the session aimed to share insights and tackle challenges related to ensuring the safety and quality of food supplied to Nigerians.
The NAFDAC Director-General emphasised that the event underscored the vital role of AFBTE in protecting public health and maintaining consumer trust.
“It also served as a platform for discussing important food safety concerns and sharing information on new regulatory processes for food manufacturing facilities in Nigeria.”
Adeyeye pointed out the far-reaching impact of unsafe food, which not only affected public health but could also harm economies and trade.
She stressed the importance of the food sector in adopting robust food safety standards, innovative solutions, and a food safety culture.
“NAFDAC, alongside AFBTE, is committed to guiding the industry towards voluntary compliance with regulatory requirements.
“This meeting is an opportunity to discuss how we can improve our services and better support you. What worked well in 2024? What didn’t, and how can we improve?”
She also mentioned that NAFDAC had received several applications from manufacturers requesting changes to product formulations, and the agency would work to verify these necessary changes.
The statement also quoted Mr Fred Chiazor, Chairman of the Technical Committee of AFBTE, who commended NAFDAC for facilitating the meeting, which provided an opportunity for industry stakeholders to collaborate on progress for the upcoming year.
He noted that AFBTE members had become more strategic in their thinking and encouraged them to speak openly about issues they encounter. (NAN)
NEWS
CHAN: Nigeria, Ghana Clash Ends in Goalless Draw
The Nigeria, Ghana final qualifying fixture in the race to next year’s African Nations Championship ends a goalless draw in the first leg played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Super Eagles B held their Ghanaian counterparts to a goalless draw on Sunday at the final qualifying fixture in the race to next year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Ghana’s Black Galaxies dominated the first period with a string of opportunities, but they found Eagles’ rearguard marshalled by Captain Nduka Junior impenetrable.
Stephen Amankwoo found a leeway through the Eagles’ defence in the 15th minute only to see his rising shot go inches wide of Henry Ozoemena’s goal-post.
Sikiru Alimi’s free-kick, with a minute to half time, also went over the sticks as the game became a ding-dong affair between the regional powerhouses.
The scoreless affair is the best result Nigeria have earned against Ghana away in any qualifying contest for the African Nations Championship, with the Eagles losing 2-3 to their hosts in 2008 and then getting spanked by two goals in 2022.
Both teams now look forward to the second leg of the fixture, set for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.
The winner on aggregate will represent WAFU B at the biennial championship reserved exclusively for professional footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic leagues.
The eighth edition of the African Nations Championship will be hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28. (NAN)
NEWS
FG Lifts Ban on Mining to Boost Zamfara IGR – Minister
Alhaji Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, says President Bola Tinubu has lifted the ban on mining in Zamfara to boost economic activities and raise the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.
The minister made the disclosure at a dinner session organised to host stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC), Zamfara chapter held in Gusau on Sunday.
Matawalle said the rationale behind lifting the ban on mining was to attract both foreign and domestic investors in the area of solid minerals “which is abundant in the state”, and equally give opportunity to local businessmen to obtain license and engage in the exploration.
He observed that with exploration of gold and other solid minerals, the state IGR would certainly increase.
The minister said that the president had also made it as a policy that companies were to be established in the states where raw materials were based.
“By so doing, the indigenes of the states will have job opportunities and at the same time boost economic engagements, thereby improving their living standard,” he said.
Speaking on the Presidential Tax Reform, Matawalle said it was designed to raise more revenue for both federal and state governments by creating more economic advantages to citizens.
The minister reiterated the commitment of the federal government to the ongoing construction of a dual carriage road from Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State to Badagry in Lagos.
He said the road construction would no doubt open so many economic potentials for the Northerners. (NAN)