By Sumaila Ogbaje

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

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

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

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

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

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for scholarships for talented African youths who are disadvantaged by low incomes.

Jonathan made the call in his remarks during the 11th graduation ceremony of the Cavendish University Uganda (CUU), Kampala, Uganda.

Jonathan, who is the Chancellor of the University, in his remarks made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, assured the University of his continued support.

We will continue to focus on removing barriers to access of higher education for many African youths who are talented but disadvantaged by low incomes.

We will therefore need to look for scholarships for the talented but poor youths, even if it means connecting them to loan schemes where they can pay later, Jonathan said.

The former Nigerian president also advocated for collaboration between academia and industry within African continent to address some of the challenges facing the region.

We need to engage industry across the region and the continent with a view to creating meaningful and productive academia-industry partnerships.

This will work better if the academia supports industry with action research to strengthen production, distribution and marketing while industry supports the university.

Jonathan commended the CUU leaderships efforts to surpass the school pre-pandemic performance at a time when other universities were still struggling to recover from the effects of COVID-19.

He also commended CUUs collaboration with other universities and institutions, saying I know this leads to exchange of ideas and creation of opportunities for students and faculty in the collaborating institutions.

Progressive institutions know that collaboration is better than competition; and that there is a lot we can do together to take our universities to greater heights.

Jonathan who congratulated the 2022 class granduands and their parents, also advised the students to embrace success.

To succeed, you must be intentional in embracing success, anchor habits such as time management, planning and executing your plans, continuous learning and reflection

He urged them to be Committed to excellence, taking personal care to avoid causes of preventable diseases or death and networking with other resourceful persons.

It is important you develop big goals and a determination to realise them.

Understand that what differentiates the powerful from the powerless in the 21st Century is mindset.

The powerful have understood that they can create a lifestyle they desire.

They are driven from within; they apply relevant wisdom to fill gaps and solve challenges of society. They are able to do all these because they utilise the power of their mind.

Todays accomplishment is already a sign that you can achieve more if you continue to work hard. You have no excuse to fail.

I charge you to go out and change the world beginning with your person, families and communities, he added.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The North Central Coordinator of the institute, Mr Abdul Mamman said this at the 2022 Group B Induction Ceremony of new members in Abuja on Friday.

Mamman said that professionalising procurement would make people opened to the vagaries and complexities of procurement and understand the technicalities and as such when challenged, they would be able to offer services effectively in line with international best practices.

In Nigeria today, there are people who are doing this particular job by way of man-know-man and they never understand the fundamentals of dignity involved than carries the integrity in procurement.

And, there have been several calls that procurement activities in Nigeria are areas where much of the corrupt activities are done.

But as it is, most of our members who are professionals are usually not allowed to do what they are to do but rather those who are first to get it are not qualified, he said.

According to him, the ethics of the profession is taught and endangered in the practice of procurement and supply chain in Nigeria.

As at the time we wanted to carry out this reform, we decided to domesticate the law as obtained in other countries and other spheres.

But the first chapter of that law that has to do with national council of public procurement has been violated; it has not been inaugurated till this moment.

It is only the current administration that tried in 2017 to inaugurate the council, the council is supposed to be a board to the Bureau of Public procurement (BPP) as the BPP is supposed to be a secretariat.

But now it has no board overseeing their activities which is inimical to utilising the content of that particular law which was passed in 2007 by the government of late President Umaru Yaradua , he said.

According to him, as a result of that, what we have today is that people tend to believe there are no sanctions that can be meted on them.

He, therefore, called on the government to inaugurate the council to oversee and take up their respective positions as embedded in the law so as to intervene in the activities of the bureau.

Also, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the institute, Alhaji Mohammed Aliyu, called on government at all levels to adopt good principles and standards for procurement and public financial management.

Aliyu also called on government to implement procurement guidelines to ensure compliance with Public Procurement Act 2007 to ensure maximum transparency in bidding processes or public contracts.

He said that there was need to domesticate and apply the principles of procurement in the system for probity and accountability.

Procurement is a peculiar case that everybody wants to do the job without the knowledge but the issue still remains that an area where you dont have knowledge, you do it wrongly.

The institute is working very hard to ensure that best practice is domesticated in our country.

That is the bane of the problem we have in our country where everybody thinks that resources have to be mismanaged because resources of this country is into procurement of contracts and services, he said.

According to him, based on a studycarried out bythe World Bank in conjunction with the institute, it clearly stated that 80 to 90 per cent of the entire budget goes to the procurement contract and services.

He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to give proper recognition to the procurement practice in the schemes of service.

He said that doing this would not create tussle and the current opportunity for the usurpation of the functions of procurement professionals at any given time.

Also, the President of the institute, Alhaji Jibrin Ado, said the country was losing resources due to leakages caused by unprofessional.

We are losing resources through a lot of leakages and the major reason has to do with procurement, so there is need to professionalize procurement so that offices that are supposed to handle the procurement are professionals, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Mohammed Yunusa, said that the issue of purchasing and supply chain was an age long practice that required given value for money.

Yunusa said that the development process of any given country was driven by procurement process and as such must be accorded priority.

He said that the National Universities Commission (NUC) realised this and created six centres to close the knowledge and skills gaps in procurement and supply chains.

He, therefore, urged the inductees to take advantage of the centres in the universities to increase their various skills.

One of the inductees, Gabriel Goodwill, expressed optimism that the problems caused by lack of professionals in the area of procurement would be addressed.

I want to actually appreciate God for the time spent to be inducted today as an associate member of this great institute .

What I am going to put on the table is to ensure that what I have been taught is brought to bear in my works by ensuring value for money in all transactions and contracts proceedings and following the due process as enshrined in the act, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the institute had so far inducted over 3,000 graduates into the institute with over 400 graduands inducted in the group B batch of the ceremony. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=======

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Tosin Kolade

Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, National Consultant, Public Health and Environment, WHO Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to shun unhealthy and unsustainable practices that destroy the nations ecosystems, forests and wildlife.

Isotu-Edeh, who made this call at the ongoing 5th International Medical Geologists Association (IMGA) National Conference in Abuja, said there was the need to promote a one-health approach in implementing health programs.

He said to live healthy and free from pandemics, unhealthy behaviours such as poor sanitary practices, deforestation and consumption of bush meat and endangered species should be halted.

He noted that the effects of climate change were reflecting in our daily lives with occurrences of extreme weather conditions, floods and droughts.

Many zoonotic diseases thrive in the increasingly warmer, wetter conditions sparked by human-induced environmental degradation.

When there is a depletion of the ecosystem, it affects plants, animals, and man. This effect cannot be wished away because man is part of the environment and needs it to survive, he said.

According to him, civilization depends on human health, flourishing ecological systems, and the wise stewardship of natural resources.

He commended the current leadership of WHO Nigeria, led by Dr Walter Mulombo, for his unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability in health programmes.

He called on relevant stakeholders to understand that health meant complete wellbeing and beyond the absence of diseases and infirmities, we must adjust our behaviors towards prevention; and invest in environmental and planetary health.

The WHO Lead Public Health/Environment Health Expert in Nigeria said to have a healthy society, the nation must fix and regulate food production system, water and sanitation.

He said switching to sustainable agriculture, included safe management of dead bodies, and promote ecofriendly approach to mining of minerals, saying they were things that mattered.

Prof. Akinade Olatunji, the Chairman (Geology), IMGA, said the earth had the tendency to regenerate itself from mans pollution and all other unwholesome activities.

According to him, if humans desire to halt indiscriminate destruction of the environment, the environment was capable of restoring itself to order.

We can assist the depletion of the ozone layer by planting trees, recycling consciously, and looking out for resources that will help us to sustain the environment from damage.

We must do everything within our power to slow down the destruction of the climate before it is too late, he said.

Also, Dr Larai Salau, CEO, Initiative for Advancement of Mining, Earth Science and Environmental Protection (IAMESEP), said there was no mining activities that cannot be reclaimed.

She said,Therefore, we should plant both cash crops and food crops to balance the difference between carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange.

If we dont do this balancing, there will continue to be pandemics. We have to understand the environments effect on health and the socio-economic importance of the mining industry.

She added that the country could not wait to see how much carbon dioxide the atmosphere can handle before an environmental disaster occurred.

Prof. Abiodun Odukoya, Co-Chairman (Geology) IMGA said it was more expensive to cure diseases than to prevent them.

Conferences like what IMGA has organised today are to enlighten people on how to prevent future pandemics like COVID-19 that ravaged the world, she said.

She called on doctors, nurses, policy formulators, and all professionals in different fields to partner in building a pandemic-free environment. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Mark Longyen/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh and Emmanuel Afonne

The NNPC Limited started its activities last week on a cheering note as it bagged the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) Outstanding Partnership Award.

The award was for its robust adoption of technology in its business operations while the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Malam Mele Kyari was honoured with the Champion of ICT Award.

Speaking at the 2022 Awards and Dinner by the Abuja Chapter of the association which took place recently, its president, Mr Emmanuel Omoke, said a key factor that drives NNPCs business success was its adoption of technology.

NNPC Group CEO, Kyari, who was represented by Lukman Giwa, General Manager, IT Policy and Strategy, said ISACA had contributed immensely to process automation and enhancement of business sustainability and human capital development not only in the oil and gas industry, but in the country in general.

On his part, Chairman of the occasion and Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isah Pantami commended the Abuja Chapter of ISACA for its support for the ministrys programmes, including the digital economy solutions.

He tasked them to come up with initiatives on how to develop the digital economy sector.

ISACA Abuja is one of the 222 Chapters of ISACA International with head office in Chicago, USA and has over 148,000 members in 188 countries.

Members of the ISACA community span the breadth of the information and technology worlds, and include information systems audit, risk, compliance, governance and cyber security professionals.

Others are consultants, educators, regulators, Chief Executive Officers, Chief Information Officers, Chief Information Security Officers and internal auditors.

Also last week, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva set up a committee on National Petroleum Policy development fund.

This was in a bid to reposition the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to enable it function within the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Committee in Abuja, Chief Sylva noted that there was need to professionalise the ministry to make it attractive to the right caliber of professionals to enable it service the industry.

The Committee is headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Kamoru Busari, with other members drawn from all the departments in the ministry.

Visit us on www.nannews.ng for more details. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Jonah

Mr Adewole Adebayo, the presidential flag-bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has ruled out the option of alliance with any political party as the countdown to the 2023 presidential elections begins.

Adebayo made the statement while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

He said that the party had no plan whatsoever, to merge or forge alliance with any other political party, although the SDP appears to have limited scope and influence in the current political landscape.

Were underdogs but we will never enter alliance or merge with any other party in the current scheme of things, he said, disclosing that the party would soon spring surprises that would amaze political watchers.

He said that the party had come a long way, having won a previous presidential election that was later annulled by a former military ruler, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, in 1993.

According to Adebayo, the SDP is the best party to rescue Nigeria out of its current economic, political and social woes, urging Nigerians to support the party to make the difference for the country.

Commenting on the face-off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the presidential hopeful argued that poor governance and endemic corruption were central to the continued inability of the feuding parties to resolve their differences to save the education sector.

Adebayo said that if elected president, he would ensure that government would have no business running the universities, noting that running of universities should be the sole responsibility of universities councils.

According to him, universities funds should be controlled by governing councils of the universities, a development he said, would give the universities freedom to run their affairs in learning and research.

Adebayo described the recurring ASUU strikes as a showdown between ASUU and contractors in government, lamenting the negative impact of the endless strikes to the future of the nation.

The presidential candidate said he would increase the number of Unity Schools in Nigeria to 360, to ensure that every Federal Constituency had a unity school to provide quality education to the masses.

On the pervading insecurity in the country, Adebayo said that Nigeria needed good governance to tackle the problem decisively and end the wanton killing of Nigerians in various communities in the country.

What Nigeria needs is good governance. We should elect a good government that understands our diversity as a nation, he stated, pointing out that anarchists were currently using terror to create confusion nationwide.

Adebayo lamented what he described as the persistent stealing of Nigerias crude oil offshore, saying that money made from oil sales would be housed as special funds to discourage corruption and stealing of such resources.

He said that he would give special attention to ginger farming in the country to generate up to million annually from the product and give employment and sustained livelihood to farmers and the teeming populace. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Silas Nwoha

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

The Lagos State Government has partnered with Euro Vision Ventures to market and project the artistic products as well as the tourism potential of the state to the global world.

Mr Dozie Atueyi, Programme Director, Euro Vision Ventures, disclosed this at a news conference on Friday in Lagos.

Atueyi said that the partnership would ensure proper harnessing of Lagos music, arts, dance, crafts, cuture and tourism potential to be projected to the world.

He said in the process of executing this project, the state tourism and cultural potential would be trasported for exhibitions in cities like Toronto, Istanbul and London.

He noted that the exhibition which would be tagged Lagos Arts and Tourism Expo, would go a long way in attracting tourists to the country as well as boosting Nigerias foreign exchange earnings.

We are out to project Nigeria, most especially Lagos to the world, we want to reverse a trend of people wanting to go abroad but there are lots of opportunities here.

We will be projecting Lagos aquatic offerings, tourism potential, cultural assests, fabrics of adire, artworks and all manner of crafts.

This is to make Lagos the most preferred destination for tourism, leisure and business.

These tourism, cultural potential, arts and crafts will be exhibited in Istanbul from Oct. 5 to 9, in London from Nov. 16 to 20 and in Toronto from Dec. 14 to 18, he said.

Atueyi appreciated the state government for the support enjoyed so far.

He also commended Seamless Travels, Nigerian Breweries and CIT Micro Finance for their support.

Also, Mr Ayoola Sadare, Founder, Lagos International Jazz Festival, one of the partners for the project, said that authentic music from the city of Lagos would be projected cutting across Fuji, Jazz and Afrobeats.

According to him, the project is not a relocation plan for Nigerians to travel abroad but an opportunity for the products of their creativity to be exported for patronage.

He said the exhibition would create viable marketing platforms for Nigerian music, arts, tourism and culture.

Mr Todin Olukuade, Creative Director, FC Accessories, who specialises in turning storytelling of cities to works of arts, said he would be relaying the stories of Lagos in some works of arts which would be exhibited as accessories.

Olukuade said these accessories would be coming in form of household materials and souvenirs.

Ms Triumph Dominon, the sponsorship consultant, expressed her love for the rich and diverse culture of Lagos State, urging Nigerians to take pride in their culture.

I love Nigeria and specifically Lagos State with huge wealth of culture, we should learn to appreciate ourselves.

People said Lagos is crazy but New York is crazier, we must learn to appreciate our Lagos, she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folashade Adeniran

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

The Voice of Nigeria (VON) has pledged to support the Centre for Black Arts and African Civilisation (CBAAC) in the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the Festival of Arts and Culture held in 1977.

VONs Director-General, Mr Osita Okechukwu, made the pledge at a meeting with Chief Oluwabunmi Amao, Director-General, CBAAC, who was on a courtesy visit to VON office on Thursday, in Abuja.

This was disclosed in a statement by Amao on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 45th commemoration of FESTAC77 has been slated to hold from Dec. 5 to Dec.11, with the theme Celebrating Black and African Arts and Civilisation, Reliving the Memories of FESTAC77.

Okechukwu said that the two agencies share similar mandates which scored a high point for CBAACs voice to be heard on a global platform such as VON.

He assured the CBAAC team of his organisations full support and participation.

He promised that the event would be publicised in different languages as VON would also work toward creating a portal for CBAAC on its official website.

Earlier, Amao said her visit to VON was orchestrated by the need to intimate the organisation of the plans by CBAAC to host FESTAC77 @ 45 and to request for VONs partnership and collaboration toward a successful outing.

Sh, however, sought VONs support to project the event to the world at large from the planning stage to the eventual execution in December.

Okechukwu in company of members of his management board had also paid a visit to the Centres Black and African Hall of Fame, where he was warmly received by Amao and some other members of staff. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folashade Adeniran

Source: NAN News

Source: NAN News

The Deputy Mission Director USAID/Nigeria, Sara Werth, says untapped potential in the nations agriculture can help in achieving food security and economic growth.

Werth said this at the launch of the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) 2022 2027 on Friday in Abuja.

She said that agriculture is important to the growth and development of the economy, adding that in 2020, agriculture contributed over 25 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

She said the new policy is a deliberate effort by government to deploy knowledge and good agricultural practices to fast-track agricultural development.

Werth said it would provide a roadmap for some of the most pressing challenges the agriculture sector is facing.

She added that the policy outlined opportunities to attract public and private investments into agriculture and agribusiness to modernise the industry.

According to her, the approach will lead to a diversified economy that guarantees access to nutritious food, growth and employment opportunities.

She said the policy came at a critical time as Nigeria and the world are facing the worst food security crisis in years.

She said, Food, fuel, and fertiliser prices have risen sharply over the last year.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is exacerbating the issue, and we are now seeing indications of a growing global food crisis.

Dr. Bedru Balana, Acting Chief of Party, Feed the Future Nigeria Agriculture Policy Activity and Research Fellow International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)-Nigeria, said the policy would guide efforts to improve food and nutrition security.

He said, As a long-term collaborator and having engaged extensively in development of the NATIP, we are very pleased to support this launch event.

Rep. Amos Magaji, Rep. Member Zango, representing Kataf/ Jaba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, said there is need to reduce the level of unemployment among the youths with innovative agriculture. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has temporarily suspended the shutdown of the indebted broadcast stations across the country.

The Director-General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NBC, had on Aug. 19 revoked the licences of the AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication L.td., Silverbird TV Network and 50 other stations over N2.6 billion debts.

The commission ordered the affected stations to shutdown in the next 24 hours and directed NBC offices nationwide to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.

Consequently, the commission, on Aug. 20, extended the period which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday.

It explained that the extension of the enforcement date was due to an appeal by the affected broadcast stations, relevant stakeholders, public spirited individuals and organisations.

However, the NBC boss said following the ultimatum, the commission received positive responses from the debtor licensees, including big players in the broadcast industry.

Sequel to a follow-up meeting held with Executives of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and other critical Stakeholders in the industry.

The commission has decided to temporarily suspend the shutdown of the indebted broadcast stations all over the country.

We express our profound appreciation to the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the affected licensees and broadcast Stakeholders for their responses and interventions.

We specifically thank DAAR Communications Ltd., and Silverbird TV/Rhythm FM for their responses, Ilelah said.

He said that the commission was not unaware of the difficulties the shutdown would have caused the operators and other stakeholders.

The D-G stated that the commission would always operate within the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) says its not oblivious of the strength of the PDP and APC but is building structures to swing surprises.

The National Chairman of the Party, Prof. Rufai Alkali, a former presidential adviser on political affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Alkali, also the former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said the NNPP as an alternative platform will spring surprises nationwide in the 2023 general elections.

He said that the kind of leadership the NNPP would be bringing into Nigeria would be totally different from what the other political parties had offered and are offering.

We are out to reduce the drift and sharp edges of anger and bitterness in the country.

NNPP is a party that is rooted in national movement that will usher in a greater Nigeria.

We have now got our candidates at different levels and we are getting ready for the campaigning time soon for the elections.

Of course, we are not oblivious of the power of what PDP and APC can do. Our party is on course, we are very strong. We are waxing stronger. We are concerned about the future of Nigeria and our democracy, he said.

The chairman, who said that Nigerians needed a genuine change, said that NNPP was ready to mobilise the people for the elections in 2023.

Alkali noted that many countries without vast resources as Nigeria had been able to harness what was available to build their civilisation.

He said the consensus was that Nigeria was supposed to be one of the giants in the African continent because of the enormous human and material resources in the country.

Nigerians are desirous that Nigeria should be a better country, especially given the fact that we are the largest population of black people in the continent.

There is also a growing consensus that after 22 years of democratic governance, there country ought to grow in leaps and bounds.

Ordinarily, we are supposed to have gone farther than where we are by far. Institutions and structures of governance are not optimally functioning, Alkali said.

According to him, the security and economy of the nation are under pressure due to the cumulative effects of policies imposed on Nigeria in the past 40 years.

He said that some of these policies had dismantled everything that could provide and protect jobs.

He said there was need to address challenges facing the nation and strengthen the unity of the nation which made some elites in the North to put themselves together in the NNPP to build a greater Nigeria.

He said: Some of us, especially Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso (the Presidential Candidate of NNPP) felt that the way to go is to try and bring our people together. At that time, who becomes president, senators , minister is irrelevant.

The relevant point is to bring our people together so that we can sit down and talk to each other.We have a clear idea that our own target is to rescue our country and save Nigerias democracy.

We felt that having a national movement will not be sufficient, we must go extra mile to have a political platform, which is why we opted for the NNPP. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Loveth Ugwu/Vivian Emoni

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says that global carbon trade has in a short space of time grown into a market worth over billion annually.

The UNDP Representative, Mr Mohammed Yahaya, disclosed this at the inauguration l of Development of Nigeria Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Yahaya also said, according to a data made available from World Atlas, that as at 2020, carbondioxide emissions for Nigeria was about 126,9 million tonnes.

He said that the emission was coming mainly from burning of fossil fuel and heavy industries such as cement manufacturing.

For country like Nigeria, carbon trading should be looked for both medium and long term objectives which at the end of the day, will provide a lot of environmental benefits to the country.

In some countries, carbon emission trading has been known to be source of generating money for nature-based solutions to climate change.

This belief can be said to be the same for Nigeria in the nearest future, he said.

Yahaya said that history of carbon markets could be marked as a great political success story and an integral part of international climate change policies across the world.

He explained that carbon credits were provided for activities that claimed to benefit the climate, either by removing carbon dioxide from the air or preventing it from being emitted.

The UNDP representative said that carbon trading was the procurement of such credits.

According to him, this is what has given birth to ETS, which has, however, given flexibility to governments to deal with vested interests.

It has also allowed governments and decision makers to focus on the acceptability of the initial allocation in both domestic and international contexts.

Emissions trading systems expose emitters to the external costs of emissions in the most flexible and least costly way, he said.

Yahaya said that the design of the system needed to consider local contexts and regulations, as well as interlinkages with other policy priorities in each jurisdiction.

He, therefore, said that emissions trading was likely to be part of a broader policy mix to control emissions from the whole economy.

He added that an emission trading scheme was potentially one of the most powerful tools to build an effective global response to climate change.

It is also a tool that will meet the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments that the Nigerian government has made to the UNFramework Convention on Climate change.

The Minister of Environment, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, said that launching of the ETS was a sign of commencement of activities such as sensitising the public, and ensuring coordination with other relevant arms of government.

Abdullahi said it would also ensure coordination between the development partners under the leadership of the ministry with active collaboration of Ministry of Trade and Industries.

He thanked the UNDP and other relevant stakeholders for the support provided to ensure that policies and programmes were implemented in the country.

Also, the Representative of Foriegn Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Nigeria, Mr Adesuwa Obasuyi, said the UK Government would remain committed to support Nigerias carbon markets development.

Adesuwa, also the Climate Change Policy Manager in British High Commission, encouraged other relevant stakeholders to be involved in assisting Nigeria in adressing environmental crises.

I encourage other donors, businesses, civil society and other stakeholders to be closely involved and engaged in the process, so that together we can work to make Nigeria net zero. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Prof. Rufai Alkali, National Chairman, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Wednesday said the partiy was open to alliances, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Alkali, a former presidential adviser on political affairs to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, disclosed this in Lagos at a news conference.

According to him, the party is not aversed to negotiations toward building the country.

Parties who want to discuss with the NNPP must do so as an equal partner and must share our views on the future of the country.

All parties are equal before the law.

We are talking about the future of Nigeria, Alkali, a former national publicity secretary of the PDP said.

He decried the lack of sophistication in political negotiations in Nigeria, saying that people should not come to a negotiationwith sole option that the NNPP Presidential Candidate, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso should step down his ambition for them.

According to him, when a party sits down to negotiate, they have to first try to understand themselves: what is it that they share in commonideals, vision, manifestos, aims and objectives-to work together.

He added that parties should also agree on the level of the alliance either at the house of assembly, representatives, senate, governorship or presidential.

In politics we talk about capacity.

The chairman, however, said that Nigeria cannot afford to make mistakes in 2023, stating that the NNPP would usher in fresh ideas on building the nations economy if elected.

NNPP is a Nigeria project and will usher in a spontaneous change in the nations polity, he added.

He noted that the NNPP remained the fastest growing political party in Nigeria and would soon get the support of majority of Nigerians nationwide.

He said the NNPP would remain consistent with its principles which was to better the life of Nigerian masses.

On power rotation, the scholar said that the concept of zoning is the bane of the nations polity.

What Nigeria needs is leadership that people can trust and will deliver, Alkali, a professor of political science and economy said.

On Muslim Muslim ticket, the chairman said it was the prerogative of the candidate to choose his or her running mate, noting that what should matter most should be tackling Nigerias challenges.

He added: If we want this country to change we must move beyond zoning and religious discuss.

We have passed the stage of contradictions of zoning and religious sentiments. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba has ordered the deployment of new Commissioners of Police (CPs) for Kano, Zamfara and Enugu states.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the CPs affected by the deployment were Abubakar Lawal, Kano, Kolo Yusuf, Zamfara and Ahmed Ammani, Enugu State.

Adejobi said the deployment of Lawal to Kano State followed the retirement of the former CP, Samala Dikko.

He said Lawal, a native of Daura in Katsina, holds a Bachelors Degree in Sociology from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and had served in various capacities since his commissioning as an Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1990.

The police spokesman said Yusufu, the new CP in charge of Zamfara hailed from Niger and holds a Bachelor of Law Degree and is a member of the Nigeria Bar Association.

He said Yusufu also holds a Masters Degree in Crime Management and Prevention and a Doctorate in International Relations.

Adejobi said the CP had served in various operational capacities including as Officer in Charge of Anti-Robbery Squad in various states; Commander, I-G Crack Squad and Coordinator, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

He said Yusuf also served as the Commander Technical Intelligence Unit and Special Tactical Squad under the Force Intelligence Bureau.

Adejobi said, Ammani, the new CP for Enugu state hailed from Katsina and holds a first Degree in Hausa and Islamic Studies from Bayero University Kano and Post-Graduate Certificate in Corruption Studies from Hong Kong University.

He said the new Enugu state CP also holds a Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

He had served as Divisional Police Officer in various divisions within Nasarawa State and as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in Ondo State.

Adejobi said the I-G charged the newly deployed CPs to hit the ground running in the areas of crime-fighting, public cooperation and safety.

The I-G called on the public to support and cooperate with the new Police helmsmen to enable them perform optimally on their mandate.

The police spokesman said the postings were with immediate effect. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Federal Government says it is taking practical steps to address the problem of drug and substance abuse, among vulnerable young people using the instrumentality of its At-Risk-Children Programme (ARC-P).

Mrs Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser to the President on Social Investments, Mrs Maryam Uwais, who is also the National Lead of ARC-P, disclosed this is a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

ARC-P is an initiative of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration facilitated by the Office of the Vice President.

Uwais, who spoke at the opening of a two-day Stakeholders Workshop to inaugurate the implementation of ARC-P in Niger, regretted the spate of substance abuse among young people across the country.

She said that the Federal Government, working with the NDLEA, UNODC and other relevant stakeholders, was making the necessary Interventions to discourage the illicit and distressing habit and practice.

Uwais said that with the support of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), ARC-P had since created a national desk that was working with the state offices of the programme to sensitise young people on the many dangers of substance abuse.

According to her, the programme is also putting in place support structures to assist and rehabilitate those who are already addicted.

I should mention that substance abuse is like the elephant in the room in efforts to tackle the vulnerabilities associated with youth.

We find too many young people, including women indulging in this unacceptable behavior even in our rural communities.

Those who cannot afford the expensive heroine and cocaine quickly go for cheaper alternatives that are readily available.

Interestingly, in ARC-P, we have a very senior, experienced and vibrant official from NDLEA who has been accompanying us to engage youths already using illicit drugs.

(This is) with a view to dissuading them from the unwholesome practice by providing them with viable alternatives in the form of skills acquisition to enable them become productive.

The presidential aide, who made a presentation on the roadmap and objectives of ARC-P to the stakeholders in Niger, said the programme was anchored on seven pillars.

She said that the pillars were strategically designed to empower the beneficiaries with basic education and life skills that would help them productively engage and take ownership of their lives.

We are not looking at replacing what is happening in primary schools rather we are working with UBEC, using their Master Trainers on an intense curriculum that introduces basic literacy and numeracy to these children.

It is important for those who have never been to school to connect with classroom activities so this pre-induction interim course facilitates a basic appreciation of the critical elements for such children.

Again, let me emphasise that we are not trying to take away the Islamic education already being taught the children currently in Tsangaya schools because Islamic knowledge is critical to our faith, imbibing the foundational values for life.

We are only trying to ensure that they are empowered with the knowledge that would enable them to become more productive in a rapidly developed and highly competitive world.

It is important that the children have skills to help them brace up to the challenges of this high-tech era, she said.

In her remarks, Wife of the Governor of Niger, Dr Amina Bello, appreciated Buhari for the ARC-P initiative which birthed the partnership in addressing the plight of out-of-school children and vulnerable youth in the state.

Bello expressed optimism that ARC-P would have a great impact in Niger as she projected that over 105 vulnerable children would benefit from the programme in the first two stages of implementation

She decried the high-level of substance abuse by young people in Niger, expressing confidence that much of the problem would be addressed with the ARC-P strategic Intervention.

Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the Government of Niger State, was among top government officials who attended the opening of the two-day workshop. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

A political support group, Asiwaju Project Beyond 2023, says reported ongoing talks between the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu and Gov. of Rivers, Nyesom Wike, is a good omen for the party ahead of 2023 general elections.

The Director-General of the group Barr. Realwan Okpanachi stated this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Okpanachi who said that the Tinubu-Wike proposed alliance was a good omen for the APC, added that Wikes step was justified.

He said, We can confirm to you authoritatively that Wike and his team met with Tinubu in London to discuss strategic alliance ahead of 2023 presidential election.

Both leaders appreciate the need to work together to ensure that Tinubu becomes the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

The question is, is Wike justified to take this particular step? The answer is capital yes. What do you expect from a governor that has given everything to sustain the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) only to be slighted compromised and embarrassed by the same party and its leaders/officers?

Okpanachi further said that Wike was equally taking the step to ensure his political survival after 2023 election.

Wike is old and politically experienced and savvy enough to make his decisions.

He is entitled to take any necessary step or measure that will guarantee his political survival after 2023 elections.

Theres no better way to do it than forming a strategic alliance with Tinubu ahead of 2023 general elections.

There is nothing in PDP for Wike anymore. He has lost his bearing and goodwill in the party.

The political conspiracy against him in PDP is huge and unprecedented, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wike had on Monday with some of his allies reportedly travelled to London to meet Tinubu for a critical meeting on their political future.

The delegation reportedly comprised of some PDP governors and other major personalities in Wikes camp.

NAN reports that Wike had been engaged in crisis with his party after he couldnt emerge as the running mate to PDP Presidential Candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He was also said to have recently given the party some conditions for an amicable resolution of the crisis.(NAN)

(www.nannews.ng)

NNL/JTJ

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News