NEWS
Presidential Villa takes Action to Protect Wildlife Species, Boost nature Conservation
The management of State House has pledged to boost nature conservation by taking appropriate measures to preserve wildlife, protect nature and reverse species loss in the seat of government.
Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, gave the assurance in Abuja while receiving a delegation of rangers from the National Park Service, and their colleagues in the Presidential Villa, popularly called ‘Royal Rangers.
’Umar, who stressed the importance of protecting and preserving plants and animals in their indigenous habitats, expressed concern at the recent killing of wildlife species in the Villa.
According to him, some locations in the Villa- which is a natural habitat to some wildlife species including tantalus monkeys, crocodile, pythons, giant tortoise, bush rats, guinea fowls, bats and diverse species of birds- have been delineated as conservationist areas.
He, therefore, appealed to staff and visitors to the Villa to preserve biodiversity and appreciate the natural world, adding that signages would be erected in specific areas and vegetation for sensitization and compliance.
The Permanent Secretary also used the occasion to congratulate Royal Rangers and their colleagues around the country on the occasion of this year’s World Ranger Day, commemorated on July 31.
He recognised the commitment of the Royal Rangers in preserving the flora, fauna and other natural resources around the Presidential Villa.
‘‘We will continue to support you to do your work effectively. The protection of the eco-system and the species in the Villa is not for the rangers alone, it is a task for all of us,’’ he said.
Umar also paid tribute to a staff of the Royal Rangers, Murtala Odi, who died from diabetes-related complications, praying God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.
In their separate remarks, Salihu Manzo, Senior Park Ranger and Kehinde Abidemi, Assistant Conservator of Parks, thanked the Permanent Secretary for his keen interest in conservation activities.
They also lauded him for approving specific measures to preserve the flora and fauna in the environment.
Manzo, who described the recent killing of a giant python as regrettable, expressed delight that measures were being taken to protect wildlife species.
Abidemi explained that the International Ranger Federation and its collaborators had chosen Diversity as the theme for World Ranger Day 2022.
According to him, they believe that diversity among Rangers should be embraced just as humanity should appreciate diversity in the natural world.
”We want to echo it with the management that the wildlife species in the Villa have the right to live, they have the right to their habitat and we want them to be protected,” she said. (NAN)
NEWS
Good Friday: Catholic Bishop urges Leaders, Nigerians to Emulate Christ’s Sacrifice
As Christians celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has urged leaders and Nigerians to emulate Christ’s sacrifice.
Badejo made the remark in his Good Friday message made available to Newsmen on Friday in Ibadan.
Badejo enjoined all leaders, people in authority and Nigerians to emulate Jesus in order to improve society and institutions.
The catholic bishop emphasised that Good Friday teaches us the best qualities of leadership in service, humility and love.
He noted that Good Friday represents all the challenges and problems in life, at work, in family and country at large.
According to him, those problems will be solved not just by praying, but by serious, honest and selfless efforts by everyone to do good and oppose sin and evil.
“Nigeria is not beyond repair, but it is righteousness that exalts a nation.
“Good Friday is the day on which Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving His life on the cross for the salvation of the world.
“That is exactly what is good about it, even though his suffering and death are painful and unjust.
“Jesus Christ, the son of God, gave his life in love and humility, leaving His glory aside. By His death on Good Friday, Jesus taught us that there are benefits in making sacrifice for the good of others.
“Such suffering or sacrifice, like that which a mother makes for her children, or a friend for another, is pleasing to God.
“Good Friday invites us to repent, do away with sin, but do something for the good of others and thus, enjoy God’s favour,” he said.
Badejo remarked that Easter Sunday is the celebration of the victory of Jesus Christ, which reminds all that the victory of good over evil is inevitable.
He said that, just as all conspiracies against Christ’s resurrection could not stand, similarly, all the evil happening in the world cannot stop the celebration of Easter as planned by God.
“That is why Christians rejoice at Easter. Alleluia! Easter Sunday answers all the questions of Good Friday. Why should good people suffer sometimes?
“Well, because God always has a superior reason and for allowing such to happen.
“If Jesus had not died, salvation would never have come. To all who suffer, I say: “Be comforted: with Jesus, Good Friday is not the last word, Easter Sunday victory is.
“I urge all Nigerians to emulate Jesus’ way of love and sacrifice for others,” Badejo said. (NAN)
Foreign News
Earthquake Shakes Western Greece
A strong earthquake has shaken western Greece on Friday morning, but no casualties reported.
The Greek Geodynamic Institute in Athens, said the 5.8 magnitude quake occurred at 9:12 am (0812 GMT) local time.
The epicentre of the quake was about 20 kilometres below the seabed off the west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula near the islet of Stamfani, also known as Strofades.
It was preceded by a smaller quake with a magnitude of 4.
1.Greece’s Civil Defence organisation did not initially say whether there were any casualties or damage to buildings.
A tsunami warning was not issued.
“We felt the tremors very strongly,” a resident of the nearby Olympia region said, adding that
“everyone here is on the streets.
”Local media reported that many schools had been evacuated as the quake was felt throughout western Greece, and on the tourist island of Zakynthos and as far away as Athens, about 300 kilometres away.
The deepest point of the Mediterranean Sea is located between western Greece and Sicily in Italy, with a depth of over 5,000 metres.
The African and European tectonic plates meet in this region, which make it prone to strong earthquakes. (dpa/NAN)
NEWS
Tinubu’s Refusal to Celebrate 72nd Birthday Mark of Good, Great Leadership – Aide
Mr Tunde Rahman, a Senior Presidential Aide to President Bola Tinubu, says the President’s refusal to celebrate his 72nd birthday due to challenging times in the country is a mark of good leadership.
Rahman made the remark in a statement signed by him on Friday, in Lagos.
The President directed that there should be no celebration of any kind, including placing newspaper, radio or television advertorials in his honour.
The President urged anyone wishing to do such for him to donate the money to charity organisations.
According to Rahman, the decision was taken in deference to the present challenging times which is a mark of good leadership for a leader to have compassion for the people, identify with them and demonstrate he shares in their pains.
The presidential aide described the President as an individual who is compassionate and emphatic toward the pain of others.
He recounted how Tinubu had on several occasions, shelved his birthday celebrations just to identify with the weak and vulnerable in the society.
“In March 2020, on the cusp of his 68th birthday, the President cancelled his birthday colloquium over the outbreak of coronavirus,
“The President said the decision was important amid the overriding public concern over the pandemic.
“Also, on his 70th birthday in March 2022, Tinubu called off an ongoing birthday colloquium to honour victims of Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
“Likewise, in 2023, even after he had convincingly won the election, President Tinubu did not celebrate his birthday, saying he will devote the moment for reflection on the huge task ahead.
“This is a mark of good leadership for a leader worthy of that name to have compassion for the people, identify with them and demonstrate he shares in their pain,” he said.
Rolling out the achievements of the Tinubu led administration, Rahman said the President had instituted bold reforms, notably the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the multiple foreign exchange rates
He assured that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“Light is not only assured at the end of the tunnel, it is presently beginning to shine brighter and brighter through the tunnel.
“For instance, naira has continued its streak of rebound and steady appreciation.
“More remarkable is the courage, political will and personal commitment to effecting a change and improving the quality of life of the people in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda the President has brought to the fire.
“This shone brilliantly in his handling of hydra-headed problems.
“To speedily effect changes in the country’s security architecture and enhance safety of lives and property, the President, working in collaboration with state governments, has set up a high powered committee to draw up modalities for the introduction of state police.
“There is also the Pulaaku initiative, a non-kinetic effort aimed at addressing the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts and fostering national unity, ” he said.
Rahman also lauded the President’s order on releasing of N50 billion as operational fund for its immediate take off.
“The initiative, expected to revitalise the communities through the construction of residences, roads, schools, and essential facilities, will initially focus on seven states namely, Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, and Kaduna states.
“An executive order to further boost investment, create jobs and business opportunities in the oil and gas sector is in place while the Federal Government in collaboration with states, again are engaging in mechanised agriculture among other initiatives,” he said.
Rahman stated that the Tinubu government is thinking and working frantically to ensure initiatives put in place were executed effectively and that his governance remained impactful and enduring.
The presidential aide, therefore, urged citizens to continue to play their part to make Nigeria a prosperous nation. (NAN)