By Olasunkanmi Onifade

National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), has inaugurated a committee on restructuring and vacancy creation.to address the challenge of stagnation, especially for research officers.

This is in statement signed by the press secretary to the Director- General of the agency, Mrs Toyin Omozuwa , on Monday in Abuja.

The Director-General of the Agency, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, enjoined the committee to adopt the new scheme of service as approved by the Head of Service.

The Chairman, Establishment Committee, Member, NABDA Governing Board, Baba Shehu, applauded the efforts of the D-G in restructuring the agency for seamless career progression and workplace efficiency.

The committees terms of reference include; adopting the new conditions of service, addressing the challenge of stagnation, and creating additional departments.

The committee recommended the creation of additional service and technical departments such as: Planning, General Services, Procurement and Service Innovation on Bio-entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, Heads of Departments appointment would henceforth be rotational.

Members of the Restructuring Committee include the Director- General, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHETSCO), Prof. Paul Oyenekwe, Member, NABDA Governing Board, Chief Livinus Opuakpa and Secretary General, Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions (ASURI), Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku.

Others are Director, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, representative from the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs Ronnel Dola, and NABDA Directors.

This restructuring is one among many initiatives of the Director- General to advance the agency since his appointment in Nov., 2020

NABDA carries out well- focused research and development in biotechnology in priority areas of food and agriculture, health, industry and environment and other strategic sectors for National development. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Olawale Alabi

A former Director of Sports in Katsina State, Aliyu Kofar-Soro, has urged the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, to take urgent steps to save football in Nigeria.

Kofar-Soro told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that the football sport needed Dares urgent intervention in order to save it from a collapse.

He said it was important to do so now that President Muhammadu Buhari has given the minister the approval to implement the 10-year Football Development Master Plan.

Since he (Dare) already has the go-ahead from Mr President to implement the 10-year Football Development Masterplan in the country, he should kindly take immediate steps to save our football from total collapse, Kofar-Soro said.

He added that the only way to save the game is for the Minister to ensure that the present executive committee of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stepped aside.

The Executive Committee and its members have to leave, just as the federations President, Amaju Pinnick, did, the former Director of Sports said.

He stated that failure of the executive committee to leave would be a sign that Nigerian foot ball is on a time bomb.

Kofar-Soro, who is a retired football referee and Match Commissioner, said doing as demanded would ensure that the Minister would be leaving behind a legacy whenever he was leaving office.

You (Dare) have to do this so that Nigerians will for ever remember you.

The former Katsina State Director of Sports also advised that the NFF Statutes needed to be amended before the forthcoming elections.

NAN reports that elections into the NFF Executive Committee have been slated for Sept. 30 in Benin.

We have one million and one Nigerians that can move the game of football forward. Nigerians are tired of the present executive committee.

Please, Honourable Minister, rescue us from untimely death that can arise as a result of the high blood pressure and cardiac arrest that can afflict us as a result of the maladministration we are presently seeing, Kofar-Soro said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTIW) says it has developed a portal that hosts information on grand corruption-related probes in the country made public between 1999 and 2022.

A statement on Sunday by Mr Victor Agi, Head, Public Affairs, CeFTIW, stated that the effort was to deepen democracy and enhance transparency in the countrys democratic process.

Agi said the portal would be unveiled for public viewing on Aug. 31 in Abuja.

We are therefore concerned, first and foremost about the abuse of constitutional processes in which case probe panels are constituted and abandoned halfway.

Agi said that the move was also to draw the attention of all concerned stakeholders to the litany of abandoned probes for them to take advantage of the portal and data to demand transparency and accountability from the leaders.

One of the oversight functions performed by the three arms of government is the constitution of probe panels to check, investigate and scrutinise the actions and inactions of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and public office holders.

These probes are often also constituted to ensure that laws are adequately implemented, to curb power abuse and prevent public sector corruption.

The non-implementation of some probe committees reports in the country is a source of concern to the centre.

The continuous defiance of government institutions and public officers to extant laws in this regard will continue to weaken our democratic processes.

He said it was common to come across media reports of probe panels constituted by different authorities across the three arms of government to investigate allegations of grand corruption and misconduct by public service holders.

According to Inhim, in most cases, the probe panels have clear terms of reference, but Nigerians are left in the dark about their findings, actions and when their reports are concluded and submitted.

He urged lawmakers at the federal and state Houses of Assembly to be diligent in their constitutional assignments, having derived their oversight powers from the 1999 Constitution in sections 88, 89, 128 and 129.

The Constitution empowers the National Assembly to set up investigative panels on any matter or thing with respect to which it has powers to make laws in order to expose corruption.

It also has powers to expose inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it

This is also true of the judiciary, led by the National Judicial Commission, which has also severally constituted probe panels as a self-cleansing mechanism to deter lawyers and legal practitioners from acting corruptly and punishing infractions.

He, however, urged the executive arm of government not to disregard sanctions and recommendations of probe panels in order not to make a charade of the constitutional process. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Onah

Some residents of Kubwa in Bwari Area Council of the FCT have decried the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the area, which has become a menace.

The residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the development as worrisome, adding that it would have an adverse effect on their health.

Mrs Christiana Ezeala, a trader in Kubwa Ultra modern Market, decried that the odor coming from the waste was unhealthy and was an eyesore.

She said, the act was caused by the residents that show little or no concern over the issue not minding the health threats.

Ezeala also called on the government and other relevant bodies to seek possible solutions to the impending problem.

The government should issue orders to stop the dumping of refuse in the market and surrounding environment, this situation is very bad and not healthy for the resident, Ezeala said.

Mrs Cordelia Ezeugwu said that dumping of waste make the environment unkempt and very unhealthy.

She said, the act of dumping refuse indiscriminately was terrible and people have become comfortable living in a dirty environment, which was worrisome.

The residents have grown to enjoy sleeping and leaving around a dirty environment without feeling irritated and disgusted.

This act needs to stop, residents need to understand that we are humans and our health comes first.

This issue cant be eradicated by the government alone, it all starts with us, Ezeugwu said.

Mr Chibuzor Eloka, the maintenance Engineer of Kubwa Ultra modern market, said that the issue of refuse dump inside and outside the market environment was out of hand.

Eloka said, the government was also having a hard time eradicating waste in our environment today.

He said that the market managers were doing their own quota by hiring trucks for the market since they cant afford to pay tippers anymore.

Dealing with humans is not an easy task. Even though we enforce no dumping of dirt order, nobody will obey it, thats how they are.

We are trying our best, the problem of waste in the market is from the constructors of the market as they didnt plan a place for waste.

The managers have ordered a truck to pack out the dirt from the market environment to a place that does not discomfort humans, Eloka said.

Jennifer Ike, said that the issue could only be eradicated if the residents come together and decide we want a conducive environment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Bridget.Ikyado /Emmanuella Onah

A parent, Mrs Deborah Agim, has advised parents to monitor and assist their children reach the peak of their dream careers, as it enhances excellence in nation building.

She spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday when the children at St. Lukes Catholic Parish, Kubwa-Abuja, celebrated their 2022 Career and Harvest day celebration.

Agim, who doubles as the Churchs 2022 harvest committee chairperson said it was time to correct a lot of issues in the country.

She said, we have the youths placed where they dont want to be and hence they were not productive.

According to her, children should be encouraged to follow their dreams and aspirations, to get better results in the different sectors of the economy.

The purpose of putting this up as one of our harvest activities is for us to draw the children closer to participate in the harvest activity this year.

We want the children to educate the crowd. We want people to know what their children and wards can do

We do not only have professionals for white collar jobs ,but we have other professions like the farmers, entrepreneurs and the likes.

Secondly, the aim is to build boldness in the children, you could see how articulate and bold these children were when they were talking before the congregation in the church.

That will be able to instill in them courage. We encourage other children to key into this when next we call children for other activities.

She said that discipline and boldness had been instilled in some of the children and we are teaching them how to stand before a crowd and talk without fear and intimidation.

She said all the crafts and displays from children were to encourage self reliance and ensure they avoided peer group influence.

In his sermon, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Tyolumun urged Christians to practice the act of charity as it was rewarding.

He said, there was always someone who is better than we are,; nobody in this world do not know what poverty is about.

I call on my friends to be in humble union and reach out to the needy.

Let us create resources and employment for the poor. If you have resources from time to time, organize things for those who are poor.

Invite them to come to your place so that they can see that you are not only privileged but humble.

He encouraged those who were privileged to come to God, so that they can see His goodness in their lives through Christ, our Lord. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

A News Analysis by Taiye Olayemi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Nigerians struggling with consumption and use of locally made products has been a great challenge for the country.

Nigerians seem not to understand that patronising locally made products will boost the nations Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This simple act has transformed the economy of great nations of the world like China, Japan, UnitedStates of America, France and Germany, just to mention a few.

The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has taken the campaign for the need to patronise local products to the next level, which is evident at the just concluded 35th International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC), in Abuja.

NCAC took advantage of the expo which attracted delegates from over 26 countries and 15 states to sensitise Nigerians on the advantages of embracing local products.

This was done through consumption of local drinks and cuisines by both local and international delegates.

Kunu, Tigernut, Zobo drinks, Ofada rice, and other major delicacies were served to the delegates.

With the theme of the expo, Networking Nigerian Crafts to the World, NCAC went ahead to exhibit local crafts, arts, fabrics, and also indigenous engine oil manufacturers.

The expo held from Aug. 18 to Aug. 20 at Sheraton Hotel in Abuja.

In a bid to promote reading culture among the Nigerian youth, NCAC also encouraged exhibitors to display books of African authors.

Nigerian musical bands and artistes were not also left out. The delegates were thrilled with indigenous music peculiar to Nigeria and Africa.

Alhaji Ado Yahuza, Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), urged Nigerians take conscious efforts in patronising local products.

He said Nigeria is well endowed with various nutritious cuisines which can be developed and exported to boost the nations foreign exchange earnings.

Nigeria is so blessed with different kinds of delicacies, let us all work on embracing our products, project them for international acceptance and then make money from it, he said.

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, NCACs Director-General, said the focus on consuming and exhibiting local produce was a deliberate move like the previous years to further drive home the need to patronise the nations products.

Runsewe said that INAC is organised annually with the aim of showcasing the rich and unique collections of African arts and crafts and as an avenue to promote rural economy.

He said Nigerians must be aware that expos are good avenue for product launch.

He noted that he deliberately wanted to make culture Nigerias new oil by taking conscious efforts in projecting the countrys diverse crafts and arts.

Runsewe urged Nigerians to invest in branding local produce for export, adding that good packaging will attract the needed audience.

The expo is meant to promote importation and exportation of arts and crafts to international communities.

We also aim at sensitising investors on the need to invest in the arts and crafts sector as a way of encouraging enterprise development and export oriented production.

We are also looking at establishing an international arts and craft market in the African region, we want to attract international investment in line with governments development agenda, he said.

Runsewe said that the creative industry should be seen as Nigerias new oil, capable of creating huge employment opportunities, tackling the nations security problem and engaging the youthmeaningfully.

We can address the problem of insecurity and youth restiveness in this sector, if we can get things right by believing in our products and our skills, taking them to the next step, he said.

Runsewe also took opportunity of the platform to woo investors and tourists to Nigeria, adding that Nigeria is a safe country with lots of opportunities.

The expo which also featured a skills acquisition programme empowered no fewer than 137 youths in skills like bead making, body ornaments, gele making, and makeup.

12-year-old Munachi Okoronkwo of Federal Government Girls College, Bwari, who was mandated from school to learn a skill during the summer holiday was elated with the skill she acquired.

Also, Mrs Patience Ameh, who learnt bead making and body ornaments said the three-day skills acquisition programme was quite effective as she could independently produce neck pieces and beaded slippers.

According to Ameh, she sold some of the slippers she made and looks forward to generating revenue from it and converting it to her business.(NANFeatures) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army (NA) says the two soldiers it dismissed from service, were tried in the Headquarters 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru in connection with the murder of an Islamic cleric, Sheik Goni Gashua Aisami in Yobe.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Sunday, identified the two soldiers, Lance Cpl. John Gabriel and Lance Cpl. Adamu Gideon.

Nwachukwu said the soldiers were dismissed after facing trial at the Headquarters 241 Recce Battalion, Nguru on Saturday having been indicted in a report of a Board of Inquiry set up to investigate the unfortunate incident.

He said that both soldiers were charged and summarily tried for failure to perform military duties and conduct prejudice to service discipline.

The offences according to him, are punishable under Section 62 (a) of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 and Section 103(1) of Armed Forces Act CAP A20 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

Army spokesman said that the two soldiers were found guilty and awarded reduction of rank from Lance Corporal to Private and Dismissed Regiments.

The two dismissed soldiers will be officially handed over to the Nigeria Police, Yobe Command in Damaturu for civil prosecution in the court of law.

Recall that the NA pledged to institute a Board of Inquiry to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and speedily bring the suspects to justice, if indicted.

Once more, the NA wishes to commiserate with the family of the victim and the good people of Yobe.

May the soul of the deceased rest in perfect peace, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

After marriage, the change of status brings new ways and habits with it.

A person living single for years now to adjust to seeing another person day in day out; and possibly share same room and/or bed.

Welcome to a new live! Enjoy the experience shared with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Continue to enjoy the bliss of marriage as you chose which suits your situation.

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

As most Nigerians continue to decry the increasing public debt stock of Federal Government, others look at the lucrative investment opportunities in some of the debt instruments.

These debt instruments refer to the various Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Securities, which make up the local component of government debt.

FGN Securities refer to the FGN Bond, FGN Savings Bond, FGN Green Bond, the Sovereign Sukuk, the Eurobond and Treasury Bills.

In recent times, the Debt Management Office (DMO), the government department saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the management of the countrys debt, has embarked on awareness drive, to educate retail investors about the benefits of investing in these debt instruments.

The awareness drive, which was inaugurated in Lagos in March, has also been taken to Enugu in the Southeast, Ibadan in the Southwest and Kano in the Northwest.

Patience Oniha, the Director-General of DMO, said the aim was to sell the various existing FGN Securities to the Nigerian public.

Oniha said the various FGN Securities, apart from raising funds to finance government projects, also offered attractive investment opportunities for Nigerians.

According to her, the Federal Government, through the DMO, issues the securities and makes periodic interest payments to the investors, while the principal is paid at the end of each tenor.

The Federal Government has various investment platforms like the FGN Bond, FGN Savings Bond, Treasury Bills, the Green Bond, the Soveriegn Sukuk and Eurobond.

One function of these FGN Securities is to raise capital to finance deficits in the budget, and also to raise funds to execute critical infrastructural projects. They are backed by full faith and credit of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and are default risk-free, she said in a recent media report..

She said that the FGN Securities also contributed to the development of the domestic capital market, adding that they served as benchmark for other private institutions to issue their own securities.

They enhance the savings and investment opportunities of the populace, thereby promoting financial inclusion.

They also attract foreign investors into the domestic financial market, to refinance maturing domestic debt and to diversify sources of funding for the Federal Government. You can use them as collateral to obtain loans from banks and other financial institutions, and they help in diversification of investment portfolio, the report further quoted her as saying.

Because of its potential to offer returns on investment, Mr Monday Usiade, the Director, Market Development Department of the DMO, urged Nigerians to embrace the various FGN Securities.

According to Usiade, it is more profitable for Nigerians to invest their monies in FGN Securities.

Saving is a culture we must all imbibe, and the FGN Securities have come to help Nigerians save. The driving force is to encourage us to save in a secure environment. The Federal Government cannot default on a loan in its own currency, he said.

He said that the various FGN Securities were already competing with the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), adding that there was the need to challenge the DMBs to improve on their service delivery.

According to him, the securities could also serve as means of diversifying investment as it could be too risky for an investor to put all his eggs in one basket.

We can encourage Nigerians to invest in the various Federal Government Securities to diversify their investment portfolios and improve their earnings. But we cannot undermine the integral role of the DMBs in the financial system and in delivering our mandate. We also need the banks to execute our mandate, he said.

Financial experts caution that investors should be properly educated on the risks associated in investing in securities such as bonds which includes the influence of inflation on returns; what becomes of the investment in face of failure of corporate bond issuers inability to repay the debt.

However, some members of the stockbroking community say they are confident that the Federal Governments securities are worth giving a try.

According to a stockbroker, Mr Abiodun Fagbohun, with the FGN savings bond, you can earn between nine per cent and 10 per cent interest per annum, adding that it is a good opportunity which was not there for the retail investors before now.

According to Fagbohun, in the past, institutions like banks and pension funds administrators were the ones who took advantage of FGN Securities.

He said that the DMO, along with the stockbroking community, was trying to ensure that the general public can participate in the bond market.

We created this window through the FGN Savings Bond, whereby retail investors with as low as N5,000 can also participate in the market.

For example, if you put about N10, 000 in your savings account, you will earn like two per cent interest per annum, he said.

Another stockbroker, Mr Kayode Olayemi, said that it had become increasingly imperative to create awareness about government securities among retail investors and how they can benefit from them.

Olayemi said posted that government securities also enhances the saving and investment opportunities of the populace, thereby, promoting financial inclusion.

Mr Adeyinka Sonekan, Divisional Head, Sales and Business Development of a stockbroking firm urged Nigerians to take advantage of the investment opportunities to key into the financial system and also improve their finances

According to Mr Fortune Ibe of CSL Stockbrokers Limited, the investment in FGN Securities is an additional way for Nigerians to make money.

The Federal Government is telling Nigerians that they can borrow their money for infrastructure and they will get interest on it. The interest rates on FGN securities is higher than what the banks will give you, Ibe said.

As the expenditure needs of government continue to grow in the midst of scarce resources and imperative to borrow, stakeholders are encouraging Nigerians to lend to government by investing in its various security instruments, which constitute the local component of government borrowings.

They say such investment will also help to promote and encourage financial inclusion, while growing the local capital market.

Experts say that FGN Securities can be sold for cash at the Nigeria Stock Exchange, and they are acceptable as collateral for loans by banks.

They are also good for savings towards retirement, marriages, payment of school fees and for housing projects. (NANFeatutres)

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

As Delta marks 31 years of its creation, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation in the state has said the party will kick the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of power come 2023.

In a statement in Abuja on Saturday by Mr Ima Niboro, Director, Communications and Media Strategy of the organisation, the group lamented the level of alleged infrastructure decay in the state, 31 years after creation.

Niboro said level of the alleged decay by the PDP in the state had left all reasonable people wondering what the current government did with the humongous oil money accrued to the state in the past seven years and more.

He, however, expressed hope to indigenes of the state stating that we must all collectively speak with our votes next March.

According to him, the task of ousting PDP from Government House, Asaba, has become far more urgent than before.

Beyond mismanaging the physical resources that have accrued to them, they are now reaching into the future of the state taking loans of mind-boggling figures.

Come March 2023, we must speak with our votes and kick them out. Thats the only way we can regain our lost glory and restore Delta to a pride of place amongst the states of Nigeria, he said.

Niboro added, Deltans are earnestly looking forward to our EDGE Agenda and Omo-Agege will hit the ground running upon assumption of office.

His developmental impact through infrastructural projects, employment and human capital development already speak for themselves.

With Omo-Agege, we have an opportunity to raise Delta to a level where it can compare with other states that are leading the infrastructure change in different parts of the country.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News