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NGO, board partner against smoking in movies

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Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Smoke-Free Nollywood  and the National Film and Video Censors Board(NFVCB) have  launched a digital media campaign to discourage smoking scenes in home movies watched by  children.

The Creative Director, Smoke Free Nollywood, Ms. Esther Aghotor, announced this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to her, a visual Public Service Announcement (PSA) on the harmful effects smoking in movies has on children, was jointly released on social media platforms by the two organisations on Tuesday.

Aghotor explained that the PSA advocacy video titled “Children are watching” was endorsed by the Federal Ministries of Health, Information and Culture as well as other stakeholders.

“Today, the #SmokeFreeNollywood  campaign  and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) launched a public service announcement (PSA) on smoking in  films watched by children.

“The PSA video titled “Children are watching” showcased the harmful effects of smoking in movies significantly as they influence underage members of their audience.

“According to research, more than one-third of current adult smokers started smoking due to the influence of film.

“The partnership with the National Film and Video Censors Board shows the agency’s commitment to promoting public health and safety of movie watchers, particularly children who are the most impressionable members of the society.

“Recall that the Nigeria National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act of 2015 and the NTC Regulations 2019 prohibit the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products in entertainment,” she said.

The PSA video, among other cast, features veteran actress and filmmaker Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, who called on her industry colleagues to avoid promoting tobacco products in movies in the interest of public health.

According to the World Health Organisation, over 370,000 Nigerians smoke cigarettes and tobacco is the leading cause of cancers globally.

The #SmokeFreeNollywood had in 2021 released an entertainment industry PSA in support of the campaign from influential Nollywood stars, including Jalade-Ekeinde, Dakore Egbuson-Akande.

Others included Osas Ighodaro, Anto Lecky, Meg Otanwa, Michelle Dede, Kayode Kasum, Daniel Effiong, Linda Ejiofor, Kiki Omeili, and Imoh Emmanuel Chimezie. (NAN)

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Rivers Crisis:Former Senate President Urges Tinubu To Call Wike To Order

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Senator Adolpos Wabara ,Former Senate President

Former Senate President and Chairman Board of Trustees, BOT, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to caution his appointee and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike to avoid plunging Rivers State into a “needless political crisis”.

This is coming on the heels of the move by pro- Wike lawmakers, to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

This is coming on the heels of the move by pro- Wike lawmakers, to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

Wabara also condemned the call by APC Chairman in Rivers, Tony Okocha, for the House of Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against the Fubara.

The former Senate President who accused Wike of stoking the face-off between Gov. Fubara and the lawmakers, warned that Nigeria might not survive any instability in Rivers State considering the state’s economic importance to the country

Senator Wabara appealed to President Tinubu to prevail on Wike to give peace a chance and allow his successor to discharge his constitutional roles without undue influence.

“I want to appeal to Mr President to call his appointee, Nyesom Wike to order so that his actions in Rivers do not confirm the suspicion that APC has an agenda to turn Nigeria into one party state. Wike should allow peace to reign in Rivers State.

” Mr President should appreciate the importance of Rivers as a major revenue base of the country, and should the trouble they are stoking erupt, Nigeria will definitely not escape the aftermath.”

The PDP BoT Chairman, further advised members of the Rivers House of Assembly not to yield themselves as agents of distabilization of the state “because history will not be kind to them.”

He reminded the gladiators to carefully weigh the grave implications of any attempt to forcefully remove a democratically-elected Governor or President from office.

The former Senate President who warned that the PDP would not tolerate any further intimidation or persecution of the Governor, urged “all those involved in the political brouhaha in Rivers to give peace a chance”.

On the mass exodus of PDP members in Abia State, Senator Wabara who said such scenario was not unexpected, however, urged the party faithful not to panic.

He said that the elders of the party had initiated moves to half further exit of members, describing the development as the after effect of the impunity of the last PDP-led administration in the state, and its utter disregard to internal democracy and party supremacy.

Wabara further noted that some chieftains who are leaving the party are doing so for self protection while some join the bandwagon without any deep thought of their action.

He urged PDP members in the state to remain resolute and support the on-going efforts to rebuild and reposition the party for a winning spree in 2027.

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Gombe Schools Are Safe- Prof. Maigari Assures

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Professor Aishatu Maigari Gombe state commissioner for education

 

In response to concerns about the safety of schools in Gombe State,the Commissioner of Education Professor Aishatu Maigari,has assured that schools in the state are safe.

Responding to questions from newsmen regarding school security, the Commissioner refuted rumors suggesting that schools were closed due to insecurity.

She clarified that the government decided to close schools earlier than scheduled due to various factors, including the Ramadan fast, Sallah, Easter breaks, and excessive heat.

Professor Maigari elaborated that the decision was made considering that out of the remaining two weeks, approximately ten days would be devoted to public holidays. Therefore, only four days were deducted from the academic calendar.

The Commissioner gave the public the assurance that the school calendar remained on track, because the government was implementing measures to enhance school security.

Professor Maigari therefore called on the community, stakeholders, parents, and guardians to collaborate with the government in ensuring the safety of schools.

Amidst these reassurances, Professor Maigari’s statements aim to alleviate concerns and reinforce confidence in the safety and continuity of education in Gombe State.

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Port Harcourt school smashes UTME as 50% of candidates score above 300

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Garba Usman Gero

Bishop Okoye Spiritan Secondary School has smashed the just concluded UTME as 35 students accounting for 50 percent of the entire candidates from the school, got above 300. While unveiling the result, the principal Rev. Fr Jude Ekemgba C. S. Sp, said he was filled with joy to announce the superlative performance of the students.

He attributed the success to the collective hard work of the students, staff and management. He praised the staff for their sacrifices and the students for opening their hearts to learn and to prepare adequately, which paved way for the huge success recorded. On his part the Vice principal/Dean of Studies Rev Fr Edoziem John Paul C.S.Sp described the result as a product of hardwork, strategic planning and the blessing of God.

He noted that though the school has always ranked among the best performing schools, the 2024 UTME result is a consolidation. The clergy also thanked the students and teachers for their collective role in producing the heart warming result. Also speaking the student who got the highest score of 366 Emmanuel Jeremiah returned all glory to God and thanked the school for the rigorous training that repositioned them to achieve the feat.

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