By Oluwafunke Ishola

Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO) has partnered Palladium to develop a civil society public directory and management information system (MIS) to promote accountability, transparency, and legitimacy for civil society.

Mr Oluseyi Oyebisi, Executive Director, NNNGO, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

Oyebisi said that the platforms would capture and provide information on the operations of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and strengthen their capacity to engage citizens to influence the government in key development reforms at all levels.

He noted that the platform was developed as part of activities under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagements (SCALE) project, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to him, the project aims to create a system that allows for civil society growth through ensuring visibility, self-regulation, learning, and experience sharing among the different levels within the civil society community.

Regulations are delicate but remain very important for the development of any sector.

So, we have taken the initiative to create tools, platforms and systems that aid not only statutory regulatory compliance but also self-regulation while paying attention to capacity strengthening and growth for Nigerian CSOs using technology.

I must say, we are excited to be at the centre of this huge development in the history of the Nigerian third sector.

Following about six regional consultations to conceptualise the platforms design, we are again deepening the consultation moving from conception to practice in ways that ensures we can define user experience for the MIS and Public Directory through learning, collaboration, and consultation Oyebisi said.

He noted that the next few months would feature engagements with the CSOs across the country to encourage subscription to the platforms.

Oyebisi said that the platforms had been designed to allow information provided to be verified using algorithms supported by artificial intelligence; accessible to people living with disabilities and organisations in hard-to-reach areas.

He stressed that this would ensure that organisations have access to tools to develop their capacities across a range of areas.

Ultimately, the platforms will be useful to government, regulators, development partners, donors and CSO themselves in identifying Nigerian CSOs, their activities, partners, promote collaboration, good governance, capacity development and inspiring confidence and trust in the activities of civil society organisations, he said.

Oyebisi said that the platform was developed using learnings, feedbacks, recommendations, and insights from consultations with government, regulators, development partners, national and regional CSO Networks along with CSOs at the grassroots across the six geopolitical zones.

He said that it also took from the self-regulatory models developed as part of the work of the National Technical Committee on civil society self-regulation in Nigeria. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

PVCs

By Segun Giwa

A social cultural group, Atunluse Initiatives, has warned its members against selling their votes in the forthcoming general election, urging them to vote for candidates based on personal attributes.

The Chairman of Atunluse initiatives, Otunba Akinsola Akinbobola, gave the warning on Monday in Akure during a meeting with members of the group from all the 18 local government areas of the state.

Akinbobola charged them to examine the character and capacity of the candidates of the various political parties, and vote for candidates that will lead the country to the dreamland.

He admonished members to educate members of the public on the dangers of vote buying.

We must start thinking of breaking this hardship circle in Nigeria, by doing what is right. Reject their(politicians) money on elections day and vote for candidate with credibility and capability to deliver, he said.

Akinbobola revealed that the group was ready to work with any political party that has peoples oriented programmes in its manifesto.

He explained that the organisation stands for building a better Nigeria, where the masses would have access to affordable health care, qualitative education and other basic amenities.

According to him, Atunluse Initiatives is a big umbrella with membership across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Akinbobola also said the leadership of the group will only work with political party that recognised what it stands for, which is a birth of a new and better Nigeria.

Looking at the parties, the Labour party is the only party that share the same ideology with our group, nevertheless, we are going to x-ray the parties and adopt the best for the masses after further consultations, he said.

In his remarks, the Coordinator of the group, Mr Shalom Olaseni, urged members to remain focused, saying that better Nigeria is possible if we can all do away with tribalism, ethnicity and other negative vices.

Olaseni assured the members that the leadership of the group will always protect their interest. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

Source: NAN News

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (M) with service chiefs and heads of other security agencies after a closed-door meeting at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Monday (20/2/23)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Abuja, Feb. 20, 2023 (NAN) The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor has reassured Nigerians that the armed forces and other security agencies are ready to provide safe and secure environment for the 2023 general elections.

Irabor gave the assurance while briefing newsmen shortly after meeting with service chiefs and heads of security agencies on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the closed-door meeting was attended by Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Directors General of Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI).

He said the purpose of the meeting was to review security arrangements for the elections and develop action plans to ensure that the exercise hold under a peaceful atmosphere.

We have just finished the meeting. The service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, the DSS, represented by the Director of Operations, the DG, NIA and the CDI.

Looking at the security for the elections and as you know, the police is the lead agency for elections security, we have compared notes and assessed the entire situation and we are good to go.

The assessment is that we are set on all fronts.

We got representation from the Independent National Electoral Commission, who of course you have interacted with, and has also told Nigerians and the world that they are ready for this election.

By and large, we are good to go and I like to use this opportunity to assure Nigerians that on the security front, we are good to go on all fronts, he said.

Irabor also gave assurance that the security agencies would cover every part of the country to ensure peaceful elections, so that all eligible Nigerians exercise their franchise.

He added that contingency actions had been taken to address areas with peculiar security challenges.

The CDS warned those that intend to cause trouble during the elections to have a have rethink, because they will have a bloody nose. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Maharazu Ahmed

===========

Source: NAN News

Dr Oby Ezekwesili,

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), in the course of the week, approved 53.1 million dollars and N2.1billion as local component for the procurement and installation of electricity conductors to boost power supply across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting of the Council, which was chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja, also approved the introduction of an Electronic Cargo Tracking Note Scheme for the country.

The conductors, when installed, would help address the challenge of constant tripping of circuit breakers due to overloading of electricity lines.

The president had earlier hosted the Director-General of National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Gambo Aliyu; the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee; and Ambassador of the United States to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, on Monday in Abuja.

At the meeting, Buhari directed the transition committee to ensure that the achievements of the HIV programme are clearly highlighted in transition notes and a sustainability roadmap articulated for the incoming administration.

The transition committee is headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.

Also on Monday, Buhari during a telephone conversation with the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, called for a lifting of the blanket visa ban clamped down on Nigerians by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sheikh Al Nahyan doubles as the Emir of Abu Dhabi.

The Imo Traditional Council on Tuesday in Owerri honoured President Muhammadu Buhari with a traditional title, Nwanne di namba, (meaning a brother in Diaspora) title.

The Council appreciated the Nigerian leader for love shown to the South East, and sustained legacy of promoting peace and harmony in the country.

Buhari thanked Eze Imo, Dr Emmanuel Okeke, for the recognition, assuring that he will continue to demonstrate his love for the South East and citizens.

The president was in Imo to inaugurate projects and present the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu to the electorates in the state.

He thanked indigenes of Imo for continuous support for his administration, government of the state and All Progressives Congress (APC), asking for more support to consolidate on the gains.

Buhari on Thursday before departing for African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, addressed the nation where he approved the reintroduction of old N200 note as legal tender alongside the new N200 note until April 10.

He said the approval was necessitated by the need to cushion the hardship being experienced by citizens following the implementation of the new monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In the nationwide broadcast, Buhari also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intensify collaboration with anti-corruption agencies in checking the activities of those bent on frustrating the smooth implementation of the currency re-design policy.

The president also inaugurated the High-Level Advisory Council on Support for Women and Girls, calling for upscaling of efforts for more inclusion of women in development policies and projects.

Buhari made this known at the inauguration of an Advisory Council, Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Project, and National Womens Economic Empowerment Policy Dialogue on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the president, the three initiatives will target reduction of poverty and building of a sustainable economy.

Buhari also received briefing from members of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on cashless policy and Naira swap at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

At the meeting, the president explained that the cashless policy and Naira swap by the Central Bank have short and long term benefits for the country in dealing with insecurity and corruption.

At the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, the president pledged Nigerias readiness to host the Secretariat of the Sahel Climate Fund, including equipping and provision of accommodation to the top management staff of the fund.

The Sahel Climate Fund is the financial body of the Sahel Region Climate Commission (SRCC).

The body is one of the three climate Commissions for Africa created in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2016, at the Summit of African Heads of State and Government.

It was organised at the initiative of King of Morocco, on the sidelines of the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Speaking at the 2nd Heads of State and Government of SRCC during the 36th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday, Buhari said as an active member of the Commission, Nigeria would support the operationalisation of the secretariat toward effective implementation of climate change activities in the region.

While in Addis Ababa, the Nigerian leader called on African Union (AU) member countries to strengthen early warning systems to rein in conflicts in the continent.

He also urged all AU member states to ratify the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement.

The Nigerian positions and interventions on these issues were conveyed by the president during separate meetings at the ongoing 36th AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Summit is meeting under theme.

NAN reports that the president will return to Abuja on Feb. 20, 2023. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

New naira notes

By Aisha Gambo

Kaduna residents have turned to petrol filling stations for salvation in their desperate search for cash to satisfy their pressing needs, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

This development is sequel to scarcity of cash in Automated Teller Machines (ATM) of most banks in the metropolis, just as PoS operators have closed shop for same reason.

NAN checks indicated that people in search of cash troop to petrol stations dispensing fuel, hunting for those that are buying petrol with cash, instead of electronic transfer.

An agreement is then reached with those in need of cash, who would settle the fuel price from their account through electronic transfer, and then receive the cash from the fuel buyer in return.

People interviewed in one of the filling stations said the arrangement came as a relief to a lot of people who had been under severe hardship.

I got wind of this arrangement today and went to a petrol station dispensing fuel, talked to a commercial bus driver, and he accepted to help me.

We agreed that I should pay N7,000, through the stations PoS, being the cost of his fuel, which I did.

When it was his turn to be dispensed of the fuel, I presented the N7,000 slip, and collected the cash from him in return; it was a big relief to me as I had no cash on me.

The major challenge is that it is not everything that can be purchased through electronic transfer of money; there are some needs that can only be satisfied using (liquid) cash, said Adamu Saleh, a resident.

He said commercial vehicle operators had been very useful in that regard, just as he praised them for not capitalising on the situation to requesting for something in return.

Another resident, Mrs Aisha Fika, said she had to accost three different people at a petrol station before she secured liquid cash.

I accosted two people who told me they had already been booked by others, but a third person obliged, she said.

Fika said all efforts to secure cash through ATM or PoS proved abortive, until she got wind of the petrol station arrangement.

Another resident, Aminu Lawan, said the challenges with this arrangement, are the uncertainty of network service, and the time spent waiting for the turn of your helper to be dispensed fuel.

Sometimes, the network can disappoint, or the person to help you is far behind in the petrol queue; except you are patients you may end up getting frustrated, he said.

Others who spoke to NAN said the arrangement was a big relief, and had helped in reducing the frustration of many, occasioned by the current cash squeeze in the system.

Meanwhile, some hospitals in Kaduna patronised by ordinary people, are experiencing dearth of patients.

Some staff of the hospitals, who were interviewed by NAN, attributed the low turn out to the unavailability of new Naira Notes.

One of the staff at the hospital, who pleaded anonymity, said some patients did not even have cash to settle their transportation fare to the hospital.

A patient, Mrs Munirat Umar, met in one of the hospitals, said in spite of her coming late, she was able to see a doctor due to low turnout of patients, saying she met empty seats at the waiting hall.

She said that lack of cash, as well as poor network that hindered seamless electronic transfer of money, had played a measure role in reducing the number of patients in the hospital.

Another patient, Muhammad Adam, who brought his sister to the hospital, said they were able to see a doctor, but could not pay for medications due to lack of new Naira Notes.

We have old Naira notes and they have refused to collect the money insisting we pay with the new currency or use the Point of Sale (PoS), he said.

NAN also observed that tricycle operators in Kaduna metropolis now display boldly on their tricycle, their account details for customers to settle their fair electronically.

Passengers were also being warned in advance that old N500 and N1,000 notes were no longer legal tenders, and would therefore, not be accepted. (NAN)

Edited by Fatima Sule/Abdullahi Salihu

DD/Website

By Ismaila Chafe

Nigeria has been chosen by the Heads of State and Government of the Sahel Region Climate Commission (SRCC) to host the Secretariat of the Sahel Climate Fund.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidents spokesman, confirmed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

He added that communiqu was issued at the end of the second conference of Heads of State and Government of SRCC, held on the margins of 36 AU Summit.

Shehu said that the SRCC also approved the appointment of Issifi Boureim of Niger Republic as the Executive Secretary of the Commission.

Boureim, until his appointment, wasthe Coordinator of the Transitory Operational Framework of the Commission.

His appointment is for a non-renewable period of three years, without the possibility of candidacy for future terms of office.

It would be recalled thatPresident Muhammadu Buhari had declaredNigerias interest to host the headquarters of the Sahel Climate Fund and readiness to provide all necessary amenities.

The Sahel Climate Fund is the financial body of the Sahel Region Climate Commission (SRCC).

The body is one of the three climate Commissions for Africa created in Marrakech, Morocco in 2016 at the Summit of African Heads of State and Government.

The Morocco meeting was organised at the initiative of King of Morocco on the sidelines of the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Among other decisions by leaders of member countries during the mini-summit in Addis Ababa include the adoption of the methods of contributions from the States for the financing of the operations of the Executive Secretariat.

The decision taken also include the Sahel Climate Fund as well as for the participation in the 1recapitalization of the said Fund.

A panel of Heads of State comprising Buhari, King Mohammed VI of Morocco, President Alassane Quattara of Cote dIvoire and General Idriss Deby of Chad was established to support the work of the President of the Commission.

The communique also named eminent personalities as Ambassadors for advocacy and the mobilisation of resources for the financing of climate related programmes and actions in the region.

The Ambassadors are Issoufou Mahamadou, former President of the Republic of Niger and first president of the Commission, Amina Mohammed and the UN Deputy Secretary-General.

Others include,Tidjane Thiam, Ibrahim Hassane Mayaki, MO Ibrahim, Aliko Dangote, Ibrahima Thiaw, Paul Kammogne Fokam and Mossadeck Bally.

NAN reports that the Sahel geo-climatic region comprises 17 countries stretching from the Atlantic to the Red Sea, including Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso and Cameroon.

Others are Cape Verde, Cte dIvoire, The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sudan and Chad. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

DD/Website

Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

The Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, on Monday urged the Church and Nigerians to keep their peace and not to lose hope at the approach of the 2023 elections.

Akinfenwa gave the advice in his pastoral message to the Church and to country in Ibadan where he noted that the past few weeks had been quite traumatic for most Nigerians.

He blamed the trauma on fuel and cash scarcity.

In several places nationwide, the frustration has boiled over, and outbreaks of violence have been the consequence.

As we approach general elections, however, we hereby appeal to all Nigerians to please remain calm in the face of all provocations.

As a people, we have been through a lot in times past, and we have always proven ourselves to be a very resilient people. Time has come for us to demonstrate that resilience once again.

Let us encourage one another to eschew violence, to keep the peace, and to resist every machination or manipulation to incite upheaval so that the general elections would not hold.

In the face of widespread deprivation of cash, let us resort to our native communality and generosity; and at least for these few days let us re-enact Acts 2:44-47 and Acts 4:32, he stated.

Acts 2:44-47 states:

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.

47 Praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 4:32 states: All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

Let us share with one another out of the little that we have, and ensure that extreme hunger and or frustration does not tip our neighbours over, Akinfenwa added.

He advised that rather than allowing on-going adversity to incite us against one another, Nigerians should bond together in love across ethnic and religious boundaries, focusing on supporting one another to overcome the adversity.

The Ibadan Anglican Bishop recalled periods in Nigerias history when agents of evil exploited Nigerians vulnerability to set them against one another, to set back the nation, and to truncate the will of the people.

Do not let us allow them this time around. As a people, let us unite to say no to provocation and incitement, and to insist on peaceful change and democratic transition according to civilised norms.

On account of this, let us by all means remain peaceful and law-abiding, while trusting that government shall keep faith with the election timetable.

When we go to the polls on Feb. 25 and March 11, let us vote according to the dictates of our conscience, and in tandem with our collective desire for a better Nigeria.

This time, it is extremely imperative that our votes should agree with our hopes. May the Lord grant Nigerians the wisdom and courage to do the right thing this time.

Once again, we identify with all good people of God in the Church, and with all Nigerians as we go through these trying times. We know that indeed, the pains are much and the burden is heavy.

However, let us be assured that if we endure and do what is right, this too shall pass; and this painful process shall give birth to a better nation for us all, Akinfenwa stressed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

A capsized boat (file)

By Aisha Cole

Seventeen passengers escaped death by a whisker on Monday, as a ferry conveying them en route Ebute Ero from Ikorodu in Lagos State capsized.

The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA)., Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said this in a statement in Lagos.

Emmanuel said that they were rescued by first responders, including officers of the LASWA

The general manager said that the incident happened at about 7:a.m.

He said that the incident, which occurred around theThird Mainland Bridge, close to Bariga ferry terminal,involved a commercial passenger ferry named Fazma logistics.

He said that the boat was recovered immediately while the boat captain wasbeing interrogated and investigation ongoing (NAN).

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

By Thompson Yamput

The Wife of Kogi Accountant General (AG), Hajiya Zainab Jibrin, on Sunday distributed food items, rappers and cash gifts worth millions of Naira to indigent women in Koton Large near Lokoja, Kogi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the distributions were carried out at the Palaces of the traditional rulers of the four communities in Kogi Local Government Area of the state.

The benefiting communities, some of which were affected by the 2022 flood in Kogi, included Koton-Karfi, Gegu Beki, Uhana and Edaha.

During the occasion, Hajiya Zainab said this gesture is my own way of showing love and support to vulnerable and indigent women within these four communities.

I am aware of what some of these women are passing through right now, coupled with the Naira redesign.

This has always been my desire to reach out to the needy and support my fellow women with the little I have and as part of the dividend of democracy.

I am appreciative of the kind hearted and generous husband God has blessed me with, because he has always been supportive and a pillar to my vision and charity work, she said.

She expressed the hope that the little she gave out would go along way to cushion the effect of the present economic hardship being experienced in the areas.

Responding, Alhaji Abdulrazak Isah-Koto, the Ohimeje of Igu kingdom; Alhaji Muhammad Alhassan-Abba, Chief of Gegu Beki and Alhaji Isa Ohikwo-Aliyu, Chief of Uhana communities thanked the AGs wife for what they described as the kind gesture.

Isah-Koto told the charity team that Hajia Zainabs show of love to her fellow women at such a critical time like this was commendable.

The royal fathers, however, admonished well-to-do Nigerians to emulate the character and gesture of Hajia Zainab and put smiles on the faces of poor people in the villages.

Hajiya Zainab, youre indeed a true daughter that every community could be proud of, the royal father said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mallama Rakiyat Usman, a mother of five, thanked Hajia Zainab for remembering poor women for such a good gesture at a time like this.

I can tell you now, my joy is unmeasurable over this gesture, which is very timely, especially with the challenges being faced by the Naira notes redesign.

The food items, cash gift and rapper I got here today, will indeed go a long way to help my family just as families of other beneficiaries, she said.

NAN reports that at each point of distribution of the items, the benefitting women who were full of joy, sang praises and danced around in appreciation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Wife of Kebbi Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu

By Angela Atabo

The Wife of Kebbi Governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu has vowed to sustain the fight against the menace of cancer even after leaving office in the next few weeks.

Bagudu, who is also the Chairperson of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation disclosed this in Abuja at an interactive session with Journalists on her stewardship from 2015 to date.

According to her, the cancer epidemic will keep on recurring. It will keep on increasing and more needs to be done to tame it.

There is also an imbalance in the required interventions and adequate funding. Cancer should be seen as an emergency.

I will sustain my ongoing grassroots mobilisation to create the needed awareness in the above direction.

Bagudu further said an immediate action was desired by the government and all the stakeholders to stem the tide of the disease, saying, a stitch in time, they say, saves nine.

She promised to work with government, CSOs and all the critical stakeholders to increase funding to the cancer fight, as well as shore up preventive measures.

Bagudu added: It is a very big problem in Nigeria as the country is not doing enough considering the population of the country.

Strong partnerships are very important in this direction just as grassroots mobilisation is also very crucial.

Kebbi state has done a lot. We have a cancer control plan and the indigent cancer fund.

There is also the health insurance scheme especially at the PHC level and we must do more to [provide more actions.

She also expressed gratitude to her husband and all the stakeholders for the passage of the child and women rights laws in the state.

She listed them as : VAPP law, Child Rights and GBV Acts, saying that the action of the state government led by her husband, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu was commendable.

Bagudu also stressed the need for the people especially the victims and parents of victims of rape to always speak out and report such cases.

The people should take the right action and get the right evidence. Sensitisation should also be sustained, she urged.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

Bola Tinubu

Tinubu

By Naomi Sharang

Festus Keyamo, spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) says the presidential candidate of the party, Sen. Bola Tinubu will tackle revenue leakages if elected as president of Nigeria.

Keyamo, also the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, stated this when he appeared at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

One of the first port of call for revenue is our subsidy, the subsidy regime.

Dont even forget that in the 2023 Budget, subsidy was only provided till June. So is he going now to get supplementary budget in the face of our borrowings, in the face of our deficit budget to further subsidise.

Do you think a new government will do that, he said.

Keyamo said that the APC led administration had set an enviable record on the issue of womens emancipation.

It is the conservative north not even the south we give major gubernatorial tickets to women and you know the two of them; late Aisha Al-Hassan aka, Mama Taraba and Sen. Aisha Binani the APC gubernatorial candidate in Adamawa, he said.

So in the whole of Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos, he was the one that established that tradition.

He started that tradition in the South-west. He was one of the first person to pick a woman.

In all respects, we respected, we respect women more than any other party. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

D-G, National Senior Citizens Centre, Emem Omokaro

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Director-General of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), Dr Emem Omokaro, says there is a better deal for older citizens in Nigeria with the implementation of Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA).

Omokaro, who gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, said Nigeria had also developed effective national policies on ageing.

According to her, MIPPA is a policy instrument that brings a holistic perspective on Ageing.

It brings multi sectoral approach to ageing, lifting it from that small pocket of welfare and fragmented approach to a comprehensive approach.

There is a better deal for older citizens in Nigeria with MIPAA, because Nigeria has the necessary institutional frameworks that should be in place to enable interventions to better the lives of older persons.

There are frameworks in place to give them a life of dignity, security and opportunity for them to continue to participate and then healthcare has been put in place by this present administration.

There is a Policy on Ageing, that means challenges of older persons had been articulated, and strategic interventions had been recommended.

That policy on Ageing now has been operationalised in other words, being broken down in practically into plan of activities, and then objectives, justification, and timelines, the director general said.

She said that Nigeria had also developed a strategic roadmap to help navigate ageing, noting that it is complicated because all the persons and issues of older persons sit as statutory mandates in many other ministries.

So, we have developed a 10-year strategic roadmap that tells us exactly what we are going to do and how we are going to do and who we are going to do it with.

So, Nigeria has come out of that web of not knowing what to do and we are not overwhelmed, because we have clearly mapped out our plans.

Apart from that, we have now integrated this plan of activities into the National Development Plan of the country because without being integrated into the national Development Plan, there will not be budget line for the Centre, she told NAN.

Omokaro said that the NSCC was established by a legislation and mandated to identify the needs of older persons and cater for those needs.

She said that Centre has been able to clarify its vision, its mission, its commitment, identify priority areas and has developed programmes and was implementing them.

For instance, under income security, there are two pathways; mainstream into already existing income security programmes which was not done before, and older people were left out.

The National Directorate of Employment never gave older persons loans but now theyre giving loans (to them) because we mainstreamed older people.

In addition, Omokaro said the Centre had mainstreamed older people into Social Safety Nets programme of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

She said that no fewer than 3,000 older people benefited from grant for the poor and vulnerable, adding that the ministry has increased the slots for older persons.

The NSCC boss, however, advised older citizens to make themselves available and be involved in the programmes and initiatives of the Centre.

They should be involved in our programmes, from our planning to implementation they should get in touch with the Centre.

We will introduce them to mechanism already existing in their states where they can be involved, they are the best advocate for themselves.

They should speak out where they are, if there is no coordinating agency and their government is not doing anything, they should mobilise and engage, she said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

Emem Omokaro

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Dr Emem Omokaro, Director General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), has advised civil servant not to steal in service for the fear of unknown when they become senior citizens after retirement.

Omokaro, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, also advised them not to falsify their age for fear of becoming older citizens.

The NSCC said with the provision that the Federal Government had made to care for the older citizens, no civil servant should steal to amass wealth.

You dont need to steal. When you know that insurance is there. When you know that you can access health care, when you know that you can continue to engage after retirement.

When you know that what is your due, your gratuity will be paid so its a multi sectoral and it takes political commitment and determination.

The beauty of it is that we (NSCC) are backed by law and we are committed to reverse the material, psychological and economic derivations that all the old people face.

But as a matter of fact, the truth is that yes, you may have the money, but you may be in a situation that you need the cash and you are lonely and that money cant buy you the comfort you need.

She said the civil servants amass wealth when in service because of the unfriendly environment and because of the multi-dimensional poverty of older people, and because of the administration of pensions.

She said there was a time in Nigeria where the toil of senior citizens wasnt commensurate with the compensation they got when they retire.

The director general also said there was no value, respect, and dignity in retirement that became like a norm and brought a culture of fear of old age.

So, that is why we have that mandate and NSCC by legislation to start the campaigns and put things in place that people will see concretely, to know that you can grow old in Nigeria and be dignified.

There is no excuse for corruption or stealing money. Do you understand? Because the money that you have compromised can affect your future. What should have been used to develop infrastructure.

What should have been used to put institutions in place that will help you in your future. So, no matter how you amass the money, you cannot help yourself at a certain age.

So, its better that we become forthright and then, we all get determined to ensure that we build a future that we want to grow old in, she said.

Speaking on the achievements of the NSCC, she said that the Centre had addressed paucity of data by partnering with relevant agencies such as National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)

What we did was as soon as we were inaugurated, we identified the agencies with statutory mandate and that we could get data from; so our first call was NBS.

According to her, NSCC is discussing with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) for support to conduct a National Multi-Indicator Survey on ageing.

Omokaro said that the survey would provide all the indicators needed and the Centre could then build a baseline from there.

On funding, she said that the NSCC had been receiving funding allocation from Federal Government.

The government never funded ageing so people needed to understand ageing as development issue, but they still continue to see it as a poverty issue.

But we are breaking grounds, getting partnership, technical support because my philosophy is that when they now see it, they will support, for instance when we launched Strategic Roadmap on Ageing.

They saw different dimension and holistic approach and their agencies compelled to be part of it. It leads to understanding, they see us developing programmes, the director general said.

On challenges, Omokaro said dynamics of partnership had been a big challenge to the progress of the Centre, noting that what you want is the statutory mandate of a ministry and you cannot run ahead of them.

For instance, health, we want to develop care competency certification, we cannot do it without regulatory agencies. we have to bring all of regulatory agencies on table to understand it.

Our greatest challenge is the pace in which our partners move, they have other initiatives they focus on statutory, its not only older people that they focus on, they focus on entire population.

The pace is a challenge because they too are occupied with so many things and its the dynamic of partnership that determines your pace and range you want to go.

Another challenge is ageism, that negative perspective that you need to campaign to change them when you go the ministries, they have been doing things for so many years without including older people, she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Passport

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija, has said that 400 Nigerian passports remained uncollected at the Consulate, urging the applicants to come forward and claim them.

Egopija disclosed this at the virtual 8th Town Hall Meeting with the Nigerian Community in New York Jurisdiction.

Right now, we have so many uncollected passports as at the last count, we have 400 uncollected passports that were produced within the last two years, he said.

We have posted the names of the original owners of the documents on our website and also on our community platform, the WhatsApp group, he added.

We have also asked Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), New Jersey Chapter, and other relevant groups, to bring it to the notice of their members, he said.

Please, while you get this, circulate and bring to the notice of your members, let them send self-addressed envelopes to us and we would post these documents to them, he said.

According to him, some passports were earlier posted to the addresses provided but they were returned to the Consulate.

He urged those that would like to renew their passports to do so before they expire, saying, if you begin on time, youll certainly get your passports renewed before the expiration date or your intended travel date.

The envoy explained that the call for early renewal of passports was because the Consulate does not have printing machines to produce passports in New York.

We have been exploring a kind of model where we go to Washington DC once in a month to produce the passports, pending the time when the machine will be installed in New York, he said.

According to him, there are three categories of the new Enhanced e-passport, listing them as the 32-page passport validity, five years, 64-page and 10 years 64-page passport.

He advised applicants to indicate the passport category in their forms, noting that all the categories of passport will require National Identification Number (NIN).

Egopija said that the nationals could look up the updated information of NIN centres on its website.

The Consul General said the updated information on NIN had been sent to the WhatsApp platform for the community leaders to pass the information to their members.

He assured that any applicant that meets the requirement would get his or her passport between six and eight weeks, noting that passport timeline for collection is usually in two or three months.

In addition, he assured that the Consulate would continue to be responsive to the yearning of its nationals, adding that the mission has started to recalibrate or change its telephone system.

We have started to recalibrate or change our phone system whereby we will hear less of complaint that we have called and have not received or our calls have not been picked, he said.

We are returning to the old system where all the phone lines will go to the operator who will receive the calls and now send it to the relevant officers, he said.

He urged the association and group leaders to inform the Consulate about their activities for the year so that the Consulate can participate and factor them in its programmes.

He said that the Mission would be relating with its nationals more this year by visiting them and attending their events, saying, we are open to attending your events if you inform us in time.

You should let us know when you intend to host or have your National Days and the Flag Raising ceremony, we will come and support you, he assured. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Mr Festus Keyamo, spokesperson for All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Campaign (PCC) has recommended a structural change and more funding for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to enhance its operations.

He said this on Sunday in Abuja at the agencys news forum, adding that more funding was necessary to enable it perform more effectively.

Keyamo, also the Minister for State, Ministry of Labour and Employment said that in spite of obvious handicaps, including lack of funding that affected all government agencies, NAN had leaved up to its billing.

He said the agency had been able to project Nigeria positively more than any other news platform, adding that it was in the same class with the BBC and VOA that were synonymous with some countries.

The world sees Nigeria through the eyes of NAN and the agency has far more reach than we can imagine.

That also, I think, is the mistake some of us in government make, they dont know the reach of NAN.

So for me, maybe we need some structural changes to improve the bureaucracy, or even remove it entirely from bureaucracy to make it more funtional and more effective.

Imagine if we can give NAN more funding, more autonomy to perform more than it is doing now, Keyamo said.

He thanked and praised those who had managed the agencies affairs over the years, saying that government was proud of them.

He added that NAN should be insulated from bureaucratic bottlenecks of core ministry and the strict bureaucratic civil service.

NAN needs to be more independent and most have a direct funding, even if it was not first line charge.

But it should have its own independent and direct funding, not under the envelope of the general ministry, that is what I think should happen, Keyamo said.

NAN was established on May 10, 1976, with the primary function of gathering, processing and distributing news about Nigeria to local and foreign news media.

The agencys mandate was to present a complete, objective and impartial information, news or news material or features on any matter of public or national interest within and outside the federation.

Its vision is to remain as the most authoritative and credible news source on Nigeria, always first with the the most accurate news. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

NCWS National President, Hajiya Lami Lau

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has called on Nigerians to shun violence and ensure peaceful atmosphere during the general elections.

The National president of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

She urged women and youths to come out en masse to exercise their civic responsibility and should not allow themselves to be intimidated during the polls.

Lau called on Nigerian youths to denounce electoral violence during and after the elections.

It is the votes of women that will determine who will lead the country after the elections, therefore, Nigerians should stand united against violence and activities that will jeopardise the elections.

I advised all Nigerians, specifically women and youths to work together towards free and fair elections regardless of political party affiliations.

As women, we are worst hit in times of violence and as patriotic Nigerians, our collective goal should be a better Nigeria, she said.

Lau discouraged women from vote buying and selling or mortgaging their conscience and future for mundane things.

She advised youths against been used by selfish politicians to disrupt elections as thugs or engaging in unpatriotic activities.

Vote for people who will not forget you when they win the next elections. This is for the sake of your children and the children of your children, she said.

According to her, no nation can move forward without active participation of women in politics.

If we must move the country forward, we must position women to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Leadership must be inclusive, creating equal opportunities for women to function in key positions both at the Federal and state levels, she said.

This, she said represents the best practices and standards for sustainable development, gender equity and justice.

It cannot be denied that the democracy practiced in Nigeria for many years has not met the full ideals because of its lack of inclusion of women in important decision making processes.

For Nigerian women, democracy is seen as retrogressing, sadly moving backward, with the dwindling number of women in governance in Nigeria, which we consider rather alarming.

However, not voting will not only worsen the situation, but tactically widen the gender gap in politics and leadership hence women are advised to go all out and support every female candidate, she said.

Lau said that voting women into elective positions, will greatly enhance the quality of lives of women in terms of healthcare, agriculture, procurement, business and access to funds, grants and loans.

She expressed confidence that in spite of series of attacks on INEC personnel and facilities, the commission has committed to live up to expectations.

Lau called on the public to support INEC, while urging the commission to be open to comments from Nigerians that would help in achieving its set objectives.

The president urged INEC to do more to ensure that elections are won at the polls and not at the court as a result of technicalities.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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(Edited by Joseph Edeh)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former Ghanaian President John Mahama will lead West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Election Mediation Team to Nigeria for the 2023 general election.

The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) in a statement by its Communications Officer, Wealth Ominabo, in Abuja on Saturday said that Mahama and his team are billed to arrive in Abuja on Feb. 22.

Ominabo said that the team was expected to be on the ground for the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections as well as the March 11, state elections.

He listed other members of the team to include Nigeria former President Goodluck Jonathan; former Beninese President, Boni Yayi, and former Vice President of the Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang.

Also in the team are former Burkinabe Prime Minister and president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Kadre Ouedraogo and former Deputy Chair of the African Union (AU), Dr Erastus Mwencha.

Ominabo said the GJF Executive Director and Coordinator of the WAEF Secretariat, Ann Iyonu, disclosed that the focus of the forum is to interface with key stakeholders and provide the necessary support that would ensure peaceful elections.

Iyonu added that the leaders would be working with key stakeholders in the elections as well as the observer missions, to ensure a crisis-free process before, during, and after the elections.

Unlike other observation missions, the forum has a special focus on election-related conflicts, and the Elders will be on the ground for a longer time.

The forum made up of former Presidents and Heads of Government in West Africa will be interacting with the candidates, political parties and members, the citizens, the election umpire, observers, and other key stakeholders all the time.

The leaders will be looking out for crisis triggers, with the mind of nipping them in the bud by offering mediatory roles and giving relevant advice to ensure peaceful polling, based on their personal experiences as former leaders of the sub-region.

The leaders will also be calling for individual accountability by those who by their actions or inactions undermine the democratic process and endanger lives, Iyonu said.

Ominabo recalls that during the Gambian elections in December 2022, WAEF carried out a similar engagement where they deployed a team led by Jonathan.

He said that the presence of the WAEF team in The Gambia and their mediatory activities, especially after the elections, helped to resolve post-election tensions that threatened the integrity and outcome of the poll.

He added that WAEF team would be in Abuja to witness the second signing of the National Peace Accord by Presidential candidates and chairpersons of political parties.

He recalled WAEF earlier deployed a three-man delegation to Nigeria to undertake a pre-election mediation mission.

The delegation, which had strategic engagements with key stakeholders from Dec. 4 to Dec. 6, 2022 was made up of former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma; former Vice President of the Gambia, Fatoumata Tambajang.

Also in the team was Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambers; former President of the ECOWAS Commission and former Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the UNOWAS.

The WAEF, an initiative of the GJF, was established to serve as a home-grown and non-partisan platform of past heads of state and government in West Africa.(NAN)
Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

DD/Website

AU body appoints Nigerian clergyman its ambassador

By Temitope Ponle

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he stands ready to work with leaders of African countries to build a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

In a statement issued by the Peoples Republic of China in Abuja, Xi said this in his message to the 36th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Saturday.

The Chinese president extended congratulations to African countries and the people in the opening of the summit.

He said the AU, over the past year, had united and led African countries to stand up to global challenges and accelerate the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He also said the AU played an important role in mediating issues in Africa, which had boosted its international status and influence.

He also spoke of sincere hope for African countries and people to achieve greater success on their path of development and revitalisation.

Xi further said China-Africa relations maintained sound momentum in development in 2022, adding that cooperation between China and Africa was moving steadily forward in an all-round, multi-tiered and high-quality fashion.

He said the cooperation took the lead in international collaboration with Africa.

However, the Chinese president said he was willing to work with African leaders to further enhance friendly cooperation between China and Africa, and facilitate coordination in international and regional affairs. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail AbdulAziz

DD/Website

EFCC operatives

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered an additional sum of nine hundred million Naira for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The spokesman for the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.

He alleged that the sum was part of money which some deposit money banks fraudulently withheld since 2015 and refused to remit into the Treasury Single Account for NHIS.

According to him, the recovered sum was released to NHIS on Feb. 8.

He noted that the commission, had on Feb. 10, 2022, released to the NHIS, N1.5 billion recovered from the banks.

The commission had also on Aug. 5, 2022, released N1.4 billion to the scheme.

The Executive Secretary of NHIS, Prof. Muhammad Nasir Sambo, had on July 29, 2021, praised EFCC for assisting NHIS in the recovery of funds trapped in commercial banks. (NAN)(www.nannews ng)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Source: NAN News