Wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajiya Sefinat Usman Ododo has enjoined parents in the state to imbibe sustainable environmental practices and climate change awareness in their children.
The First Lady, who made the call today, May 16, in a message to commemorate the 2024 International Day of Families in the state, stressed the importance of the family in shaping habits.
She said that the family institution could be empowered to drive the campaign against pollution, indiscriminate waste disposal and increase tree planting and recycling of waste products.
She decried the huge devastation that has been attributed to climate change, such as flooding and drought that have impacted negatively on households, resulting in displacement, hunger and disease.
Hajiya Sefinat called for measures to promote children enlightenment and lifestyle changes that could assist in reversing the impacts of climate change on the families.
She said that government programmes through office of the first Lady would continue to be initiated to support vulnerable groups and citizens in general, even as she advised parents not to waiver in their responsibilities in raising morally sound children.
The International Day of Families provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
The 2024 International Day of Families has, as its theme, Families and Climate Change.

Mallam Muazu Adamu, a dangerous fighter in the Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihad (JAS) faction, who operated under Commander Alai Gana, has durrendered to troops of 403 Amphibious Brigade of MNJTF Sector 3, Nigeria. He surrendered along with his wife.
Also surrendered were 47 individuals associated with Boko Haram, made up of seven men, nine women and 31 children.
According to a statement by the Chief Military Public Information Officer in
N’djamena, Chad, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, the terrorists surrendered at Kwatan Turare and Doron Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State Nigeria.
The statement said that during the initial investigation, it was discovered that these individuals escaped from Sharama, located in the Lake Chad Islands.

Members of the group told the soldiers that they have been engaged in farming activities before deciding to make their escape.
The statement said that the surrendered individuals are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation to ascertain more details regarding their activities and affiliations.
It said that the MNJTF would continue to be committed to maintaining peace and security in Lake Chad basin region.
“This development marks a step in the ongoing efforts to weaken the operational capabilities of terrorist groups in the region. The MNJTF continues to encourage those still involved in terrorist activities to surrender and embrace peace.”

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the N90 Billion subsidy for the 2024 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who made the announcement today, May 15, at the commencement of the airlift operations of the intending pilgrims to the Holy land recalled: “this year, we had a major challenge in announcing the final hajj fare for the 2024 Muslim pilgrimage due to fluctuation in foreign exchange rates.

“President Bola Tinubu also works round the clock to control the downwards spiral of our local currency to bring relief to our pilgrims and other Nigerians, a move that eventually succeeded in lowering the fare.
“The President approved the release of N90 billion to Subsidize the pilgrimage cost for this year’s hajj.”
The first flight took place in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi State, with first batch of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
On hand to witness the ceremonial first flight were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi and Kebbi state Governor amongst others.

Scavengers, popularly known as “baban bola”, have allegedly killed three residents of Byazhin community in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Eyewitnesses said that the victims include two women and a young boy.
According to a resident of the area, Jessica Adams, the scavengers attempted to steal a woman’s pot of soup, but was overpowered and beaten up after the woman alerted neighbours and passers-by.
The scavengers then went away, reinforced and returned at about 8pm yesterday night, May 14, wielding weapons, including machetes, clubs and stones and began to attack residents at random.
She said that the woman whose pot of soup was earlier stolen, was killed during the attack.
Two others, a woman and a young boy, reported to be passers-by who ran into the middle of the crisis, were also killed.
“They killed two people yesterday. The community has been in chaos since yesterday. “The crisis continued till this morning when they killed somebody again. “So far, three persons have been killed and many injured. The Police intervened and restored normalcy, but no arrest was made.
“The Police have intensified their patrol in the Byazhin area of Kubwa to prevent them from regrouping,” Adams said.
It was gathered that schools and shops in the area have been closed down, as parents scampered to pick up kids from their classrooms. Shops too were shut down yesterday.