By Sylvester Thompson

Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of State for Science and Technology, has advocated implementation of the policies of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) to fast track Nigerias industrialisation.

The Minister made the call at the Opening Ceremony of a three-day capacity building workshop on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mohamed expressed optimism that with such meticulous implementation, Nigeria would become one of the most industrialised nations of the world.

He said that the progress in the STI sector in the last eight years was due to policy implementation in areas such as solar technology, road research, biotechnology capacity development and many other crucial areas.

The minister stressed the need for the country to develop a bank and financial institution primarily for the purpose of funding Research and Development in STI area.

To mitigate against the challenge of funding, the Ministry is strongly advocating the establishment of Research and Development (R

By Stanley Nwanosike

Budding and renowned film producers, directors, actors and script writers have been pencilled down to converge on Enugu for the maiden edition of the Coal City Film Festival.

The Executive Director of the festival, Mr Uche Agbo, told newsmen in Enugu on Monday that the up-coming festival was meant to celebrate both indigenous and foreign film makers as well as already made films.

Agbo, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Okike Media, said that the festival would feature renowned film industry players like Zack Orji, Segun Arinze, Patience Ozokwor and other arrays of stars.

According to him, this film festival will open the doors of South-East, Nigeria through cultural exchange and cinematic experiences.

He said that the festival, which would be a three-day event, would be holding between March 25 and March 27 within three venues in Enugu metropolis.

We are pleased to officially announce the entry of the maiden edition of the Coal City Film Festival; joining the rest of Nigeria, West Africa and the world in the culture of film festivals.

Coal City Film Festival follows the mould of the world famous Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto film festivals among others.

Many film festival enthusiasts and industry practitioners understand the global economic, brand advantage film festivals give to the localities to which they originate especially Enugu as the cradle of film industry in Nigeria.

The festival like its contemporaries world over will serve as convergence between practicing and independent filmmakers, industry leaders and practitioners within South-East and the country for days of screenings, symposiums, tour trip, trainings and gala/award nite.

It is estimated that over 500 films have been cleared from over a thousand submissions from over 50 countries for screening at the Coal City Film Festival and a film, Oluedo will be premiering in its first time at the festival, he said.

Agbo said that the opening ceremony of the festival would hold at the evening hours of March 25; with red carpet between 4p.m. and 5p.m. and the actual opening by 6p.m. at Diamond Cinema, Enugu.

He said that for three-day running, there would be trainings for budding filmmakers at National Museum while there would also be seminars, symposia, tour of tourist sites in the state.

There will be basic learners class and master class in such areas as Acting, Directing, Script Writing and Production for two days across three venues in Enugu metropolis.

Registered participants will receive free unlimited access to the above mentioned activities and registration is still open and free-of-charge till the festival ends via our website:www.coalcityfilmfestival.com.

Participants might have opportunity to get a role in the filmmaking industry and we are also planning to set up a professional certificated film and cinematographic academy in Enugu, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Maureen Okon

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has congratulated Abia for being the first state to pass a bill to establish a diaspora commission.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head, Media and Public Relations of NIDCOM.

The bill was passed last Tuesday.

Dabiri-Erewa said that Abia made history with the passage of a bill for establishment of the commission.

She expressed appreciation to Abia State House of Assembly for passing the bill, and described the state Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu as diaspora-friendly.

She also lauded Dr Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters and Special Duties, for diligence and consistency in ensuring the passage of the bill.

She called on other states to emulate Abia, hoping that the diaspora commission would provide a platform to tap into enormous resources in Abia indigenes in the diaspora for the development of the state.

The bill known as Abians in Diaspora Commission and Other Matters Bill, was sponsored by Dr Mike Ukoha, Minority Whip/Member representing Arochukwu Constituency.

The bill, among others, seeks to establish the Abians in Diaspora Commission in order to monitor the welfare of Abia indigenes abroad.

The bill is also expected to encourage Abia indigenes in the diaspora in investments and development opportunities in Abia and Nigeria in general. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bukola Adewumi

The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has trained 269 soil doctors and agricultural extension workers in Borno and given them test kits to facilitate field operations.

The Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr Paul Ikonne, made this known in a statement made available to News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Tuesdayin Abuj.

Ikonne said the entry of the trainees into the Nigerian agricultural system would correct the anomalies of non-soil testing and address other issues associated with soil testing and food quality.

He said the two weeks intensive exercise was organised by NALDA in collaboration with the Borno Government.

The trainees comprised graduates with Agriculture and Science related educational backgrounds as well as members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

They were trained in areas of soil sample collection, soil testing as well as extension services.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Borno, Prof.Babagana Zulum, has commended NALDA for organising the training in the state.

Zulum said that was the first time the head of an agency would approach him with such intervention.

NAN recalls that NALDA, earlier in the year,made known its readiness to train over 30,000 youths as soil doctors across the 36states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). (NAN).

Source: NAN News

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

The National Center for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) says it distributed 5,700 crop species to individuals in five years.

Dr Sunday Aladele, the Director-General of NACGRAB, made the disclosure on Tuesday during the 3rd National Summit and Conference on Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilisation, held in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit was organised by NACGRAB and Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), with theme as Promoting Sustainable Conservation and Utilisation of Genetic Resources for Food Security in Nigeria.

According to NACGRAB, the 30 crop species were distributed free to 110 individuals and organisations, in the last five years, as required by International Treaty.

Aladele said that the centre registered and released 659 varieties of 40 crops including soya bean , yam, cassava, cowpea, maize, rice and pearl millet.

He said that NACGRAB played a vital role in the recent ratification of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, after almost two decades the treaty was signed.

This, he said, would enhance agricultural research for development, utilisation of plant genetic resources as well as provide platform for access and benefit sharing from the use of genetic resources by stakeholders in Nigeria.

Aladele emphasised that genetic resources were common goods considered as part of national heritage and thus, needed to be conserved for immediate use and posterity.

He, however, said that the major drawback affecting advancement of genetic resources in Nigeria were poor documentation and networking among major stakeholders.

Aladele also said that the theme was chosen in tune with the current development challenges in the world, with regards to climate change extremities, hidden hunger and food insecurity in the country.

According to him, to advance genetic resources conservation in Nigeria, NACGRAB over the years developed strong collaboration with International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) and development agencies for sustenance and management of the countrys genetic resources.

The center is currently partnering with the Global Crop Diversity Trust on the seed for Resilience Project towards enhancing the use of conserved seed collections to mitigate climate change, he said.

He urged the stakeholders to come up with practical, pragmatic approach to advance the course of genetic resources conservation and utilisation in Nigeria.

Also, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Sabo Nanono said that food security is very important in Nigeria as food is the number need of every individual.

Nanono, represented by Dr Machus Ogunbiyi, South-West Regional Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, said the ministry was working to ensure sustainable food security in Nigeria.

He pledged its total support to the Programme, emphasising that NACGRAB is an important ally in the development of agriculture and food security in Nigeria.

Also, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said that NACGRAB contributed immensely to agricultural growth of the state.

Makinde, represented by Mrs Funke Adeniran, the Deputy Director of Planning, Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, said that the government created innovative strategies to develop agriculture in the state.

He pledged governments support to NACGRAB while calling for collaboration with other agricultural organisations in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Segun Giwa

Ondo State will not be part of the sovereign Yoruba State being agitated for by some groups, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu declared on Monday in Akure.

Akeredolu said this while swearing in Princess Oladunni Odu as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and other Special Advisers in Akure.

Our people are knowledgeable enough to determine their interest at any point. If and when they consider self-determination as an option, they will not depend on external promptings to act.

That is why we are different. That is why we are who we are, said the governor.

The governor said the state would not subscribe to banditry and recklessness in putting forth its demands.

He said Ondo people had elected to stay in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as constituted at present.

He said no part of the entire state would permit any gathering or agitation which may suggest that the people were in support of what he termed unthinking rabble rousing.

We will not be led to assured annihilation by anyone or a group of people, still smarting from the electoral defeats of recent times and presumed exclusion from the process of decision-making, he stressed.

Akeredolu said the right of citizens to discuss, agitate and even fight to right perceived wrongs, culminating in self-determination must be done within known and acceptable parameters and all concerned must agree to pursue the same objectives to achieve a desirable or desired end.

He vowed to continue to eject and punish all trespassers occupying forest reserves with a view to rid the state of undesirable elements.

He stated that anyone who intended to engage in a private business of animal husbandry in the state must be ready to abide with the modern methods or quit.

He explained that his administration opted to participate in the Federal Government National Livestock Transformation Programme because it aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship in modern cattle breeding for profit.

On the SSGs appointment, Akeredolu said the choice of Odu symbolised the limitless possibilities of attainment for a well-trained female child. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ugonne Uzoma

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) on Tuesday shut down activities at the Imo House of Assembly over non implementation of financial autonomy for state legislature.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workers sealed all entrance to the complex, barring staff and legislators from entry.

Mr Victor Nnadi, the state PASAN Chairman told NAN that the action was to press home their demand for legislative financial autonomy.

Nnadi said that the association had followed due process in making its demands known without success.

We embarked on this strike to demand for the implementation of the Executive Order No 10, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020, granting the legislature financial autonomy.

An implementation committee was set up and it has completed its assignment; all we want is for the order to be implemented.

We issued a 21 -day ultimatum, followed by another ultimatum and yet another 14- day ultimatum before the last one which was 7 days.

All this was done to ensure that we fulfilled all the extant laws on strike, all state Houses of Assembly in the country are affected, Nnadi said.

Also in Osun, members of the association shut the entrance of the assembly complex in Osogbo, crippling down activities at the complex.

Mr Adekunle Akeem, the state PASAN Chairman said the national bodydirected members to embark on strike to demand for financial autonomy for the legislative arm of government.

We are informing the public that we are in full compliance with the directive .

The gate is locked and the staff are all in support of the directive.

Untill further notice, no work and all offices remain shut, he said.

In Ekiti State, members of the association barricaded the entrance of the assembly complex in Ekiti, thereby shutting activities at the House of Assembly.

Speaking with newsmen in Ekiti on Tuesday, Mr Tope Eyitayo, PASAN National Publicity Secretary, vowed that the state houses of assembly would remain shut until their demands were met.

Also, the state PASAN Chairman, Mr Gbenga Oluwajuyigbe vowed that until the associations demands were met, the state assembly would remain shut.

We will not open the door for activities until our demands are met, because this strike is indefinite, he said.

In Jigawa, members of the association shut down activities at the state House Assembly in Dutse.
Mr Umar Adamu, the state PASAN chairman told newsmen in Dutse that the chapter had joined the strike, following directive by the national president of the association.
He explained that the strike was imperative following the inability of the Federal Government to implement the Financial Autonomy Act of 2018 and the Executive Order 10, 2020.
The chairman added that the association has exhausted all avenues for the implementation of the act by the federal government.
According to him, the association has no other option than to embark on the indefinite strike.
All we are demanding is full implementation of the Financial Autonomy Act, condition of service, consolidated salary and allowances structure and 40 instead of 35 years or 65 instead of 60 years retirement age, the chairman said.

In Sokoto, members of the association joined their counterpart across the country to embark on an indefinite strike.

Mr Ado Abdullahi, the state PASAN Chairman who led members of the association to shut down the assembly complex said that the action was in compliance with directive from the national body.

Abdullahi who spoke with newsmen in Sokoto said that the directive was based on the non implementation of financial autonomy act and executive order 10.

Our members have ran out of patience and have resolved to forthwith put an end to condoning further delays to the implementation of state Houses of Assembly financial autonomy which is for over two years now.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Afriland Properties Plc on Monday approved a total dividend of N68.69 million recommended by the company for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2020.

The dividend which translated to 5k per share was approved by the shareholders at the companys eighth Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.

Sir Sunny Nwosu, Founder of Independent Shareholders Association, commended the company management for keeping up with activities in spite of COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on major businesses.

Nwosu applauded the company for resuscitating the former Raymond House building into what is now known as Afriland Towers a pride of place in Lagos business district.

He urged the company to gear up efforts towards increasing dividend in the next financial year.

The President of Pragmatic Shareholders Association, Mrs Bisi Bakare, expressed satisfaction on the companys expansion exercise.

Bakare said that the expansion drive would boost profitability and sustain the firms growth.

She said: Afriland has over 41 expansion projects in Nigeria and a good number of them is near completion.

This is in spite of the weak macro economic environment, exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Reviewing the financials, Afriland Properties Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Nnorom, appreciated the shareholders for their commendations as well as their words of advice.

Nnorom said that the global pandemic and the resultant lockdown took a turn on the companys business activities.

The real estate industry was affected negatively by the pandemic as public and private properties such as offices, apartments, hotels, sports, and entertainment venues were singled out as potential spreading locations for the novel coronavirus.

These places were either shut down or had restrictions imposed.

Several projects were commenced and completed in the year under review.

As at December 31, 2020, the company had over 41 projects in different locations in the country and at various stages of completion.

Our performance during the year was affected by the events in the larger economy.

However, we will further strengthen our balance sheet and business model this year by tapping into the opportunities that will be created in the building and construction sector, Nnorom said.

He said that the company recorded a revenue of N1.42 billion, representing a marginal four per cent reduction from N1.48 billion achieved in 2019.

Profit before tax stood at N1billion against the N1.3 billion in 2019.

Total assets for the year increased by nine per cent to N27.07 billion against the N24. 86 billion recorded in 2019.

Afrilands Chief Executive Officer, Uzoamaka Oshogwe, said the company is ploughing back most of its funds to generate more profits for its business and the shareholders.

Oshogwe said that Afriland would continue to explore more ways to ensure that the business remains profitable.

She said: During the year under review, we commenced and completed the construction of some offices nationwide while significant progress was made on other non-proprietary projects.

We have positioned your company to take advantage of governments policy direction; optimise future rental income from our proprietary properties and is actively pursuing an aggressive development of select properties for residential and commercial purposes.

On plans for the future, Oshogwe said that the company would continue to explore the possibility of partnering reputable organisations to optimise its property portfolio to deliver superior value to shareholders. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have empowered 255 youths with technical and vocational skills to tackle rising poverty and unemployment.

Sir Joseph Ari, Director-General, ITF, during the graduation of the trainees on Monday in Abuja, made a clarion call for more synergy with organisations and Nigerians across various strata of society in skills training.

The youths were trained on Industrial Automation and Mechatronics, Instrumentation and Process Control, I.T Essentials/ Comp-TIA A , Mobile Phone Troubleshooting and Repairs.

Others are Electrical Electronics Technology, Building Technology, Residential Air conditioning, Mechanical Services, Catering and Event Management.

Ari said that skills acquisition remained the most viable and sustainable solution to combatting the rising unemployment and poverty in the country.

The director general recalled that the management of NCDMB in 2019 sought for collaboration in skills training with the funds Model Skills Training Centre (MSTC), Abuja.

He said the boards delegation, which was impressed by the quality of equipment at the centre, opened negotiations with ITF for the empowerment of the 255 unemployed youths with technical vocational skills.

Although the six months programme was billed to commence in early 2020, it did not start until August 2020 as a result of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, he said.

In order for the trainees to acquire professional certification, the D-G said the MSTC implemented the programme in collaboration with three professional bodies.

He named the professional bodies as the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN), Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and CISCO Networking Academy.

These bodies, according to him equipped the youths with the listed technical and vocational skills.

The ITF boss said that with the training acquired by the graduates, they would no doubt contribute immensely to the development of the national economy.

I am thrilled to inform you that from this training, our trainees were able to assemble the first indigenous GSM smartphone.

As at today, plans are underway to seek collaboration from investors to partner with the ITF to boost this innovation, he said.

Ari, while commending the board on the collaboration and sponsorship of the trainees urged other stakeholders to partner with the ITF to conduct similar programmes.

He urged them to do so to empower the teeming youth population with requisite skills.

In a remark, Mr Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, said that the board had trained no fewer than 10, 000 youths, exposing them to skill acquisition programmes.

Wabote, represented by Mr Patrick Obah, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, NCDMB, said the training aimed at providing necessary skill required to support activities within the oil and gas sector of the economy.

One common denominator in the training programme was the infusion of entrepreneurship and the focus on achieving success in making things in Nigeria and achieving international competitiveness, he said,

He called on all the graduates to make use of the training and starter packs given to them to improve the Nigerian economy and become employers of labour.

In order to complement their effort and commitment, the NCDMB provided the trainees with starter packs, to support them on the transformational journey of entrepreneurship.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By George Odok
The former Commandant of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), Rear Adm. Adeseye Ayobanjo, said that the College has trained 87 Command Level Officers of the Nigerian Military between 2019 to 2021.

The officers comprise of 42 officers in the Naval Warfare Course and 47 officers in the Command Level Officers Course.

Ayobanjo disclosed this during the handover ceremony to his successor, Rear Adm. Murtala Bashir, at the College in Calabar.

He said that the officers, which were drawn from the Nigerian Navy, Air Force and the Army, were trained in line with the College vision and mission.

According to him, the vision of the College is to be a centre of excellence on naval/joint military operations and maritime security studies in the sub region.

He added that the mission of the College is to develop senior Naval leaders and equivalent from other services as operational level commanders with thorough appreciation of complex national security problems, who are prepared to make sound decisions in the application of maritime force as a policy.

He noted that the officers that graduated from the College have been contributing effectively to naval and joint military operations across the country and even internationally.

We have recorded tremendous successes since the establishment of the college in 2017 as a centre for excellence.

During my leadership of the College as Commandant, the College witnessed infrastructural development, expansion of the college library, sustainability of strategic training partners and conduct of inter-agency cooperation seminars among others.

Also, under my leadership, the College has trained 87 sound high level command officers who are contributing greatly to security provision in the country.

The College visited Kenya for international study tour in 2019. Also, in Nigeria the College has visited Bayelsa, Rivers and other states for environmental study tour, he said.

He thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. AZ Gambo and the immediate past Chief of the Naval Staff, retired Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, for their support and contribution to the growth of the College.

Responding, Bashir commended Ayobanjo for maintaining the standard of the College, adding that he would sustain the legacy and also take the College to the next level.

He gave assurance that he would operate an open-door policy in the College with a view to accomplish the vision and mission of the College.

Source: NAN News

By Friday Idachaba

Kogi State House of Assembly has passed the states Violence Against Persons Prohibitions (VAPP) Bill to provide for the elimination of violence in private and public life, as well as life imprisonment for rapists.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the passage followed the adoption of the report of the joint Committees on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Judiciary and Justice, on the bill presented at plenary on Monday, in Lokoja.

The report was presented by the Committee on Women Affairs, chairman, Abubakar Tanko Mohammed (APC-Kogi/Koto) and was followed by Clause-by-Clause consideration of the bill by the legislators at the Committee of the Whole.

The Bill provides for the elimination of Violence in Private and Public Life, Prohibition of all Forms of Violence Against Persons, Protection of Victims and Punishment for Offenders in Kogi State and Other Matters Connected therewith 2021.

The Bill also provided for life imprisonment for aiding and abetting same for the actual offender, upon conviction.

The private bill sponsored by Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and ActionAid Nigeria (AAN), was first introduced to the House in 2019, to serve as a legal tool for protection, especially of women and girls, from all forms of violence.

In the lead debate on the bill, Mohammed said it was no longer news that violence and other forms of offences against persons, in public and private life, were at their peak, making life unsafe in the state.

The purpose of the VAPP Bill is to eliminate violence in our private and public lives, to prohibit all forms of violence against persons and to provide maximum protection and effective remedies for the victims and punishment to the offenders.

He said that towards the off-cycle gubernatorial election in the state, the CPI implemented a project funded by the NDI called Get Out The Vote/Stop Violence Against Women in Politics (GOTV/Stop-VAWIP).

According to him, data collated and analysed by the CPI revealed that 85.7 per cent of the voters fell victim of violence during the governorship election.

It was further revealed that existing laws in the state did not cover all forms of the offence. That is why perpetrators of violence were not prosecuted and many individuals could not access justice, he said.

In his ruling, the Speaker, Prince Matthew Kolawole, said the House at the Committee of the Whole considered sections 1-48 of the bill, as well as the Schedule thereto bring to an end, the consideration of the bill.

The Third and Final Reading was read by the Clerk, Alhaji Ibrahim Anika, and was pronounced passed by the Speaker. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent felicitations to renowned economist and philanthropist, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, on his 58th birthday.

In a statement by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, Buhari joined family and friends to rejoice with the entrepreneur, whose interests had continued to create opportunities for growth and development in the country.

President Buhari commended the economist for his foresight and large-heartedness in setting up the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF).

He said the foundation had consistently inspired highly talented African youths into entrepreneurship, helped many to acquire business skills, enhanced positive social networks and provided start-up funds, within the larger goal of reducing poverty.

According to him, Elumelu, who is the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, United Bank for Africa and Transcorp, demonstrates resilience and relentlessness in dream realization, following his antecedents as a young banker.

He noted that Elumelu saw opportunities in the economy and worked hard to climb the ladder of success, receiving Nigerias National Productivity Order of Merit in 2019.

The president prayed for more wisdom, good health and longer life for the investor as he spreads investments into energy, real estate, agribusiness, health care and hospitality, creating more opportunities in the real sector. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

Connected Development (CODE) says it is developing a website to assess the social gaps and challenges faced by citizens affected by COVID-19 pandemic in some African countries.

The CODEs Project Lead, Dr Onyekachi Onuoha made this known when he led a delegation to the Federal Ministry of Health, in a statement in Abuja.

Onuoha said the organisation was seeking partnership with the ministry to assist it in countering fake news and misinformation about COVID-19.

He said that the website would also help to give credible information about the pandemic and what the governments had spent to fight it.

A website is currently being developed will look at the social gaps and certain challenges faced amongst citizens of those countries such as health, economical and a range of other issues.

He listed the countries as Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, adding that research had been carried out about the impact of COVID-19 and its effects in marginalised communities.

He said that the advocacy visit was to bring awareness to the ministry about a new project CODE was carrying out in partnership with BudgIT titled: COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability Project (CTAP).

Onouha said that the CTAP project was an initiative that sought to promote accountability and transparency through the tracking of COVID-19 intervention funds across seven African countries.

He said that the measure became imperative because people were having apathy about COVID-19, with the impression that it was something the governments were making noise about that was not in existence.

He said that the project would assist the governments in making citizens buy-in, believe in the policies and protocols of COVID-19.

The project also serves as a platform for coalition building which brings together the government, media, civil society organisations and citizens to help counter attack fake news and misinformation, he said.

He said that the NGO was embarking on the project because it understood that it was a collective responsibility to build citizens trust in government.

So if we have details of what governments are spending in this period of COVID-19 among other things, we can actually tell citizens this is where you can go to confirm all the records of the government.

What that tells you is that COVID-19 is true, it is not a means of just making money and beyond that.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Abdulaziz Abdullahi, who received the CODE delegate was receptive of the project and commended them for the initiative.

Abdullahi committed to bringing CODE on board when financial reports were released and to work with the team on COVID-19 issues.

The delegates from CODE included Dr Onyekachi Onuoha, Project Lead, Charles Uche, Staff Attorney and Anne Nwakalor, Communications Officer.

Source: NAN News

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Mr Isa Pantami, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy on Monday inaugurated the National policy on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) core skills.

Pantami at a virtual meeting in Abuja, said that the Federal Government also commenced training of 600 youths on the deployment and installation of VSAT in the country, as part of the implementation of the policy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were virtual presentations of VSAT installation tools and empowerment packages to participants

He said that the UNESCO recently came up with a global policy of building capacities for citizens in VSAT installation core skills.

NAN reports that VSAT is a managed satellite internet service for business and government use. Itis a data transmission technology used for many types of data management and in high-frequency trading.

It can be used in place of a large physical network as it bounces the signal from satellites, instead of being transported through physical means like an internet connection.

According to the minister, beneficiaries were selected from the six geopolitical zones, which included North West Zone- Kano and Kastina, South West Zone- Ekiti and Lagos, North East Zone- Gombe and Bauchi.

Others are South East Zone- Abia and Anambra, North Central Zone -Niger and plateau states South South- Rivers and Akwa Ibom.

Pantami said the training of VSAT core skills had begun in The Gambia andother African countries, adding that it showed the relevance of VSAT communication satellite in Africa.

In Nigeria, we have NIGCOMSAT 1R, which is our critical infrastructure in the country.

The Federal Government is working day in day out, to provide another back- up for the Satellite which is already on the way.

It is a truly relevant training; the installation alone has its market and by 2025 provides about seven billion dollars.

With the huge population in Nigeria, the earlier we realised and get ready to build the capacities for our citizens in that regards, the better for all of us, he said.

Pantami said VSAT installation and deployment was becoming very viable and profitable in so many places like Asia, Pacific, and Latin America.

He said recently that Mexico came up with Mexico Connect Door which provides internet access or connectivity to citizens in public places like market, universities, Airports and many other places using the VSAT installation approach.

VSAT is key to our broadband penetration in Nigeria which is in alignment with National Digital Economy Policy strategy for a digital economy.

It is also in line with the Nigeria Broadband plan and National innovation Entrepreneur policies, Pantami said.

The minister, however, directed the parastatals including the ministry should ensure the soft copy of the trainings are available on the Websites, within 24hrs to encourage stakeholders to key into the policies and training of citizenry.

Speaking, Mr Yusuf Kazaure, Chairman of Board of Directors of NIGCOMSAT LTD, said Nigeria was leveraging on the digital technologies to drive government digital services.

He said the programme would optimise the communications infrastructure for National Economic Development and Digital innovation, to create value and prosperity.

Digital Economy which aims to promoteand facilitate the development ofthe ICT, is part of the mandates of the Federal Ministry of Communications.

It also promotesdomestic software applications and enhances digital literacy and skill, as well as National Policy on VSAT core skills for Nigerians.

Theflag-off of the policy implementation is considered paramount to our National Technological Development, he said.

Kazaure said the launchingwouldplaya criticalroleinthe implementation ofthe National BroadbandPlan,asVSATwould beusedtocoveralltheunservedand underserved ruralareasin the country.

Given the untapped nature of a lot of this capacity, a programme like VSAT training provesinvaluable tomost ofour youths, in termsof harnessingcompetence and presentingthem with opportunities for exposureandbusinessacumen.

Kazaure saidNIGCOMSAT would continue to anchor and promote laudable programmes ofthe Ministryof Communications and DigitalEconomy,andcreate an enabling environment for innovativestart-ups,throughinnovative training.

Also speaking,Mallam Kasifu Inuwa, the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said the training offered a legacy in the digital sector in the country.

NAN reports that the training is for period of five days.

There were virtual presentations of VSAT installation tools and empowerment packages to participants in Gombe, Kano and Abia. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Government on Tuesday advised residents to speak up against extortion or arbitrary rents increase by landlords and stop suffering in silence.

Mr Ayodeji Amodu, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Housing gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Amodu said there was the need for residents to speak up because enforcement of the existing laws on rent was only possible when people lodge complaints.

He noted that the state government recently inaugurated a new agency to regulate and monitor both tenants and landlords to ensure equity, adding that laws were usually forgotten if not used or challenged.

The aide called on tenants who were victims of arbitrary rent increase or other vices to approach the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA), for amicable resolution of issues.

People just keep quiet when they are overcharged; but the law will not defend you if you dont come to challenge it.

Somebody must actually go out to say that I know my right and I can always challenge any landlord who is increasing his rent abruptly without any course to the law of the land, he said.

Amodu noted that the agency was created to monitor, control and regulate policies of real estate transactions in the state.

Like I said, the government is always on the side of the people; that is why the regulatory authority was inaugurated and is doing very well to ensure transactions are monitored.

If you are a tenant or a landlord, you have access to get LASRERA.

If either you have been defrauded or overcharged, or you paid for a property and you have not got value for your money, that is an area you can go to lodge your complaints and such people will be called to order, he said.

The aide listed completed and on-going affordable mass housing schemes embarked upon by the Sanwo-Olu administration, to increase housing stock and bridge the huge shelter gap in the state.

Amodu also highlighted the low mortgage offers aimed at making houses and rents cheaper, to ensure landlords have access to finance and individuals could afford decent housing.

He stated that the government would tinker with the existing laws on rent made by previous regimes, to bring them up-to-date with current realities.

When certain rules are made, people tend to flout it.

Landlords tend to believe that well, Ive got my money to build my homes and I feel I should charge what I feel I have put in as cost, but that doesnt come with government.

The government is always on the side of the masses and that is why I said the government of Babajide Sanwo-Olu came up with a new idea of creating mortgages for people who intend to have homes.

Like we have the Lagos Homes and you can still access the mortgages through the Lagos State Building Investment Corporation (LBIC).

The Rent Control Act of the government is still going to be something that would be promulgated again, because we know that it is very easy for people to jerk up their prices of homes based on the fact that they dont have good interest rates from the bank.

We understand the parts of individuals, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to resolving all pending pension issues in the state, promising to ensure prompt payment of pensioners entitlements.

The Director-General, Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mr Babalola Obilana, said this at the 83rd Bond Presentation in Lagos, according to a statement on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of 366 pensioners were credited with a sum of N1.49 billion for the month of March.

Obilana said that the commission was fully committed to ensuring that retirees receive their terminal benefits as and when due.

He said that LASPEC was established to take care of the needs of retirees, which it had been performing diligently, and would continue to devote itself to.

We are dedicated to the retirees welfare because we know that they have worked so hard for the progress of the state and now is the time for them to reap the benefit, he said.

The director-general appreciated the retirees for always cooperating with the commission and adhering to laid down rules.

Obilana noted that the cooperation of the pensioners had resulted in reduction of the delay in the payment of their entitlements.

We could have sent these bond certificates to everyone at home, but we deemed it proper to invite everyone here so that we can reiterate that LASPEC is open to all your questions.

It gives us great joy that there has been a big reduction in reports of retirees being swindled of their entitlements.

This is because the retirees are now better enlightened as a result of our constant advocacy as well as open door policy at the commission , he said.

Obilana urged the retirees to be wary of swindlers and crooks that were out to con them of their hard earned money.

The director-general emphasised that it was not a mandate of LASPEC to call or send messages to retirees to charge them fee before they could get their entitlements.

The LASPEC boss commended Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his swift response to pension matters and his unalloyed commitment to retirees welfare.

He said that the government was working on a template that would ensure that retirees did not have to wait longer to get their entitlements.

In order to improve on the current system, Governor Sanwo-Olu is currently working on a model that will ensure that retirees get their entitlements as soon as they disengage from the service, Obilana said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Abdullahi Shugaba

President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathised with traders at the Katsina Central Market and the entire people of Katsina State over the fire disaster that occurred at the market on Monday.

Buhari was represented by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, who led a delegation of top government officials to pay a sympathy visit to the traders in Katsina on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire destroyed property worth billions of naira.

The president urged the traders to be strong and consider what happened as an act of God.

He said that he was saddened by the news of the fire incident.

Buhari commended the Katsina State Government and people for efforts at controlling the fire.

According to him, the Federal Government will see how it can assist those who lost their property to the fire.

Responding, the Chairman of the Katsina Traders/Marketers Association, Alhaji Abbas Alobaba, thanked the president for sending the delegation.

The chairman pledged the associations support for Katsina State Government and Buharis administration.

NAN reports that in the delegation were the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbosola; his Police Affairs counterpart, Maigari Dingyadi; the Minister of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, and that of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

A Senior Special Assistant to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, was among the dignitaries. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibrahim Kado

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed off 16 petroleum stations over alleged irregularities in Adamawa.

Mr Sadiq Ibraheem, DPR Operation Controller in Adamawa, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday in Yola.

He said that the exercise was conducted during the weekend as part of DPRs routine surveillance.

We were able to inspect 43 filling stations in Jimeta, Yola, Numan and Maiha and out of which 16 were sealed for various offences.

The offences ranged from sales above official pump price, lack of safety facilities displayed and we discovered some stations were slightly under dispensing, he said.

According to him, the sealed stations have to pay certain fees to the Federal Government and rectify their pump price to official price before they could be allowed to operate.

He advised the marketers to always abide by the law for a successful business.

Ibraheem said that the routine surveillance would be continuous and any person found wanting would be sanctioned according on the law. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said on Monday that the 1.5 billion dollars approved for the Port Harcourt refinery was for complete rehabilitation and not turnaround maintenance.

The Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC, malam Mele Kyari, said this in Abuja on Monday, while reacting to controversies and unverified claims by some Nigerians on the funds meant for the project.

Kyari said that the refinery would work in optimal capacity at the completion of rehabilitation programme.

We are not doing turnaround maintenance, we are doing rehabilitation of the refinery, and it is very different; it means that we are replacing certain major components.

We are introducing some items that ordinarily we wont need to do in turnaround maintenance and there are major shift in the status of the plant that we have to do and it is not done during turnaround maintenance.

During rehabilitation, by the 18th month, part of this plant will begin to produce particularly the gasoline plants.

In rehabilitation, we normally dont shut down the plant completely, we repair a segment of it, and then it starts working, and then, you move to the next segment.

You continue to scale up and that is why, within the four-year period, the contractor would have completely left your premises.

What it means in a technical sense is that in 18 months, we will see production coming from that plant; we will follow it plant by plant until we are completely done, Kyari said.

The NNPC GMD also said that the process of rehabilitation started about 10 years ago but was slowed down due to a number of mistakes that occurred along the line.

He, however, noted that an Italian company had been contracted for the job with one billion dollars financing arrangement from the Afreximbank.

This process started 10 years ago and a number of mistakes happened leading to the enormous delay we have seen in this process because there were a lot of interferences in the past but these are gone.

Initially, we thought that the best way to go was to go to the original builder but it wasnt the right strategy.

Another way of making this project work was the introduction of borrowing for the repair work because when you borrow, the lenders will put conditions and one of the conditions is that it should be maintained under own and earn.

This means that the NNPC will not operate this plant as a basic requirement of the financing institution. The financing partner will ensure that the contractor will work efficiently.

Importantly is that the contractor O

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that the country does not have the financial muscle now to build a new refinery going by the economic situation of the country.

Mele Kyari, NNPC Group Managing Director, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while engaging newsmen on issues emanating from the proposed rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery approved by the Federal Government last week.

Kyari said building a new refinery now would cost the country about 10 billion dollars which was far beyond the 1.5 billion dollars earmarked for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery.

He also said that the country would have to live with importation of petroleum product, especially Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), for another four years if the country ventures into building a new refinery.

We have people saying why not build a new one; why will you repair an old refinery with 1.5 billion dollars?

He continued: The fact is available even by Google search, what it takes to build a refinery of this status today.

It will be difficult for the country to build a new refinery as it will take four years for it to commence production.

It is around 7 billion dollars and 12 billion dollars to construct a refinery of this nature (Port Harcourt refinery).

This is the estimate you see in public space and there are things you do outside the construction battle-limits like the utilities that are never accounted for when estimates of this nature are done.

Typically, there is an additional 25 per cent cost for construction battle-limits, so, when you say a refinery can be built at 7 billion dollars or even 10 billion dollars, also think of that 25 per cent.

With todays estimate, you cannot build a refinery at any cost below these amounts, that means that the option you have is to scrap this and build a new one, and we all know that we dont have that resource.

If we start a new refinery of this nature today, it cant work in less than four years, therefore, it means we will continue to import petroleum products in the next four years or more, Kyari said.

According to him, the country did not do well in maintaining the refineries in the past 25 years as the last turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt refinery happened 21 years ago.

He noted that the huge cost of rehabilitation of the refinery witnessed in this present time was as a result of poor maintenance of the plant over a period of time

What we are seeing today is the cumulative effect of our lack of doing proper maintenance over a period of time but something has changed today and this is why we are proud to tell Nigerians that we have done something different in the background.

This is because we have a government that allowed us to play our role without interference in terms of our procurement exercises and this made the process go unhindered.

This has also allowed us to involve every stakeholder including NUPENG and NEITI, to ensure openness and accountability of the process. (NAN)

Source: NAN News