President, Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, with some wives of soldiers during interaction with Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association (NASWA) in Abuja on Monday (24/4/23)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The President, Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, on Monday interacted with wives of soldiers under the aegis of the Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association (NASWA) to mark the Eid-el-fitri celebration.

Mrs Yahaya said the occasion had provided the opportunity to have interaction with the women, to identify areas of intervention and support them.

She said the meeting was convened in the spirit of Easter and Sallah seasons to be able to eat and interact together.

Wife of the army chief said that NAOWA had continued to support and empower barracks women and youths with skills and starter packs to make them to be self-reliant.

I know some of you have one or two things that you want me to hear. The one we can help you, we will help and the one we can take your complaint forward, we will.

So we are going to eat, we are going to enjoy ourselves and we are going to talk to ourselves, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the soldiers wives raised a number of requests and issues that bothered on their wellbeing, accommodation and welfare.

In her response, Mrs Yahaya promised that NAOWA would continue to do its best in the area of empowerment of women and youths.

She urged them to continue to instill high level of discipline in their children to be able to become better citizens. (NAN) ()

Edited by Benson Iziama/Idris Abdulrahman

=========

Source: NAN News

Justice Now Coalition, an NGO, has called on the Federal Government to obey the court judgement on the case of wrongful removal of Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume as non-executive Chairman of the board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Tony Erha, the group said compliance with the court order would impress on Nigerians the culture of rule of law.

Erha added that it would also save the federal government from engaging in unending legal tussles, which may give wrong signals to foreign investors in the oil and gas sector.

The Federal Government should take the window of opportunity provided by the Federal High Court judgment to the issue once and for all.

Afterall, Senator Godwin Ifeanyi Araraume was a director in the board of NNPCL before he was simultaneously appointed as the non-executive chairman, thus enjoying the privilege of having his name in the companys records with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Araraume remains a part of the NNPCL family in the face of the law. All issues settled in his favour in the judgment can be quietly revisited and resolved in ways that there will be no losers at the end of the day.

He said that the court judgements has opened a window of foreclosing the long legal battle that would emanate from several appeals as well as reduce public attention.

Araraume is a committed member of the ruling All Progressives Congress. We also understand that he was an appointee of President Muhammadu Buhari, as a federal commissioner at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where he represented the Southeast zone from 2016-2018, a position he held after he passed rigorous security checks by the Police and the Department of State Services.

That being the case, we believe that this issue can be resolved in-house in the interest of his party, government and the nation, so that the NNPCL can be surefooted forthwith in its operations and dealings with the IOCs, whose confidence the new national energy company must enjoy, more than ever before, to thrive.

He said that the legal option taken by Araraume was a good precedence that would solidify the judicial system and give confidence to judicial pronouncements in the country.

Erha added that all parties involved should not see it as a personal clash as was being insinuated in some quarters.

Besides, some groups had also erroneously claimed that by reinstating Araraume, the Court had usurped the powers of President Muhammadu Buhari to hire and fire.

A claim that is clearly not in tandem with the due process of removing a member of the Board of the NNPCL as circumscribed by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and other extant laws.(NAN)

DD/Website

By Ruth Oketunde

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has restated its commitment towards evacuating stranded Nigerians in Sudan.

The Director-General of the agency, Mr Mustapha Ahmed stated this in a statement issued by the Head of its Press Unit, Mr Manzo Ezekiel on Saturday in Abuja.

NEMA, he said, has set up a committee which was already working on all possible options of ensuring the safe return of Nigerians from the conflict-ridden Sudan, especially students in its various universities.

He said the committee comprised of professional emergency responders, search and rescue experts, who would constantly evaluate the situation and recommend the safest approach for the evacuation.

It has become necessary to inform the public that NEMA is in constant communication with all relevant partners including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and security agencies.

While seeking for an appropriate window of opportunity to evacuate all stranded Nigerians back home in a safe and dignified manner.

The current emergency situation in Sudan is very complex with fighting between waring factions going on and all airports and land boarders closed, he said.

He assured Nigerians that NEMA was working assiduously with all its partners, and is constantly compiling updated information on the situation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports thatclashes erupted amid an apparent power struggle between the two main factions of Sudans military regime.

The Sudanese armed forces are broadly loyal to Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the countrys de facto ruler, while the para militaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a collection of militia, follow the former warlord Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

The power struggle has its roots in the years before a 2019 uprising that ousted the dictatorial ruler Omar Al-Bashir,who built up formidable security forces that he deliberately set against one another.

When an effort to transition to a democratic civilian-led government faltered after Bashirs fall, an eventual showdown appeared inevitable, with diplomats in Khartoum warning in early 2022 that they feared such an outbreak of violence.

In recent weeks, tensions have risen further.

The UN said no fewer than 180 people have been killed and another 1,800 injured in three days of fighting between the rival factions in Sudan. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Martha Agas/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Executive Director of the school, Mr Roland Ediawe and others at the inauguration of ESPOLY Business and Innovation School

By Alex Enebeli

The newly inaugurated ESPOLY Business and Innovation School by the Enugu State Polytechnic will become innovation and Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub for Nigerians, says the Executive Director of the school, Mr Roland Ediawe.

ESPOLY, located at the former Enugu State University of Science and Technology AC building, is focusing on entrepreneurship development, ICT training and Vocational and Technical Studies for students.

Ediawe disclosed this during the official inauguration of the school on Friday in Enugu.

He said they would partner with India and European countries on ICT, stressing that India became what they were today because of the expertise in ICT.

Ediawe added they would also organise a bootcamp for secondary school students that would expose them early enough to technology.

According to him, the school is based on Public Private Partnership between Enugu State Polytechnic and a firm, Preziko Investment Limited, to create a training hub in Enugu for Nigerians.

The idea of the initiative is that the world is moving towards technological driving and we also discovered the skill needs for modern business are lacking among the graduates, artisans and informal sector.

This school is developed to bridge that gap, train the existing business owners on how best to manage their businesses, leveraging on modern technology and prepare graduates on challenges of modern day employment market, Ediawe said.

The executive director added that the school would begin its academic activities in May with selected courses.

Earlier, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Rev. Fr. Nnamdi Nwankwo, said polytechnic was supposed to be for skilled and technical workers and as such, every polytechnic ought have business schools.

He said the school was very essential for the existence of their polytechnic which was directly built on skill acquisition.

With this, Enugu State will have all the skill acquisition for the development of the state.

Mr Ediawe brought the idea and we accepted it with memorandum of understanding in partnership with the school.

We will issue them certificate while the school will provide the skill, the rector said.

He added that the graduates of the school would bear the certificate of Enugu State Polytechnic, while our partner will impact them with the required knowledge.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Bridget Ikyado

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other eminent Nigerians have showered encomium on Rev Dr Stephen Baba-Panya the President Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA)

They described him as a man with unique and uncommon qualities which he had used to better the society.

They spoke during the 60th anniversary thanksgiving service of the ECWA President who is also the Vice President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration also marked his 30th marriage anniversary and 26years in Ministry.

Osinbajo described the celebrator as a true servant of God ,nation builder and a friend to the down trodden

Osinbajo who was represented by the Villa Chaplain Rev Seyi Malomo, said the ECWA Presidents promotion in life was worthy to emulate.

It is with special honour I facilitate you and your family and the church on these unique celebrations.

For your humble nature and lover of Christ, your elevations in life has not caused you to build higher walls but longer dinning tables, and it is worth emulating, he said.

The vice president prayed God to grant him long life and favour in all the great works he has been doing through the church for humanity and Nigeria.

Also, Mr Joseph Daramola, the Secretary General of CAN, who represented the association described him as a man of goodwill.

He is calm, cool calculated, a gentle man,he is not a pushover in religious affairs

His love for welfare of people and humanity cannot be underestimated,

He has carefully carved his good name in serving God and Humanity; in the religious affairs of the country and world wide, his traits i will ask us Nigerians to emulate.

Rev William Okoye ,Founder and General Overseer of All Christians Fellowship Mission, Abuja Nigeria thanked Rev Panya -Baba for his show of kindness ,unity and love in the Christiandom, describing him as a man of peace.

He commended him for keeping to Gods words as God will keep to his words too.

Okoye encouraged him never to give up, in spite of challenges in winning more souls to Christ.

Also in his speech,the Esu Karu, in Nasarawa State, Pharm Luka Panya Baba also thanked God for giving him a such a wonderful brother .

He commended the ECWA President for enhancing religious activities in the family and community.

He is a younger brother, religious leader and friend, he is a visionary, prayerful, dependable leader,I pray God keeps him in his vine yard .

A U.S.- based clergy Rev Timothy Cowin, prayed the Grace of God never to departed from him as he remained in Christ too.
Cowin described the president as a child of Grace,he encouraged him not to look back in serving God but be focused

On his part, the celebrator, Rev Panya-Baba, said all he could say was thank the Lord, as only His Grace had kept him.

He said serving and knowing God, recognising Him as your dependable source, donations to charity, care for the downtrodden and the less privileges where his happiest activities in life.

Earlier in a sermon, Rev Silas Yako, who spoke on the topic the secret of thanksgiving urged Christians never to neglect thanking God for every thing He has one.

According to him thanksgiving means forgetting not and appreciating what God has done.

He said God in turn multiplies each time any thanksgiving is done.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

======

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says democracy has a bright future in Nigeria.

Fielding questions from newsmen after Fridays Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Abuja, the president said his conviction was based on Nigerians disposition to defend democracy against all threats.

Nigerians appreciate the stability of democracy.

The outcome of the 2023 elections in which more than 10 governors failed to make it to the Senate sent a message that Nigerians know the power of their votes and how to use them.

Nigerians cherish democracy. They have shown their love for it and will defend it against real or perceived threats.

They will continue to vote one way or the other depending on their preferences, President Buhari said.

He assured that the May 29 handover date to a new administration remained sacrosanct.

God willing, nothing will stop the handover, he assured.

On his plans after leaving office, the president said he felt fulfilled that God had made it possible for him to serve two terms of four years each and looked forward to an orderly handover.

I thank God for what He has done for me personally and for what He has enabled us to achieve.

I am looking forward to returning to my town; to be as far away as I can from Abuja so that the in-coming president will have the time and the space to take decisions without my distracting him. (NAN) ()

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The President, Alumni Association of National Defence College (AANDEC), retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, says Nigeria needs a compact force that will focus on technology as a force multiplier to defeat insecurity.

Abdullahi, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the country had armed forces that had been performing in dealing with the widespread nature of the insecurity.

He said the military operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes could be enhanced with the application of technology.

According to him, focusing on technology to enhance peace and security in Nigeria has become necessary, considering the dynamic nature of security threats.

We need to look deeper. We need to look at those areas that we can help our personnel because we cannot continue to recruit and recruit and train.

Meanwhile, there are systems that can help us to perform better with a compact force.

AANDEC president said that the just concluded 12th National Security Seminar of the association had examined critical issues and brought up reasonable ideas that would be presented to the government and heads of the military and security agencies.

He said that observations and recommendations had been made, adding that if the recommendations were implemented, they would go a long way to address key security issues.

He said the nations forest areas had become hideout for criminal elements as well as the cyberspace where a lot of recruiting into criminal groups had been going on. (NAN) ()

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola, News Agency of Nigeria

Among those jostling to be the Speaker of House of Representatives in the 10 National Assembly, Rep. Miriam Onuoha, representing, Isiala Mbano/Okigwe/Onuimo Federal Constituency, Imo, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the only female.

In the history of Federal legislation in Nigeria, Mrs Patricia Etteh is the only female to be elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Etteh later resigned following allegations of contract scandal involving N628 million.

In the 9 National Assembly, Rep. Nkiruka Onyejiocha was the only female lawmaker that indicated interest in the office of House Speaker but her dream was dashed when Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, the incumbent Speaker, won the election.

Etteh was unjustly removed from office. This is the time for restitution 16 years after her removal, she recently told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

She argued that if Etteh did not properly utilise the opportunity given to female lawmakers it was time to try another woman.

Onuoha said the Etteh incident happened about 16 years ago, adding that in the course of time the House of Reps evolved in a manner that the working relationship between female members and their male counterparts has improved tremendously.

I have not seen any guideline in the standing order of the House that excluded women from becoming the House of Reps Speaker.

Everybody is operating along agreed guideline and rules; the Constitution of Nigerian frown against discrimination, she told NAN, adding that women were natural leaders.

Onuoha said her success as the Chairman, House Committee on Disability, with its 80 per cent male membership was a testimony to her good leadership skill, stressing that many other female lawmakers also excelled in that role.

Committee is a miniature of the House, she aid.

She said by electing a female Speaker, the House would be making a bold statement for equal opportunities for both genders and demonstrating its institutional support for Affirmative.

Nigeria women were in court and got a judgment favorable to the implementation of 35 per cent affirmative and electing a female Speaker will be a bold statement in support of that judgment.

If we have the leadership of the National Assembly recognised as number three and four citizens in the country, and considering that the number one and two citizens are already men, why cant we make a woman the number four citizen.

I am not just from the South East, I am a woman and a youth and Christian and these are some of the things that have been raising dust and causing bickering in the country,

I am not just from the South East, I am a woman, a youth and a Christian. I possess all of these as an antidote to the toxicity in our polity now, she told NAN.

She said her leadership in the House would ensure equity and promote fiscal discipline and open door policy.

How can you be talk about a population with its 55 per cent made up of females yet there is no single woman on the decision making table in the country.

There are a lot of efforts that go into futility when tax payers money is being deployed by way of committee meetings and investigative hearings only for the outcome to be dumped; that will stop under my leadership.

Where you have committees with similar mandates, you will discover that they are inviting same minister over the same issue, this does not sit well and will be corrected during my tenure, she said.

She said her tenure would promote transparency in the oversight functions of the House members.

A situation where you want to carryout oversight function on a ministry and the ministry or agency government will send you vehicles, is not the way for a legislator to do his or her job effectively, she said.

In spite of the strong case for a female Speaker, some Nigerians say competence should not be compromised for gender sentiments.

One of them is Rep. Benjamin Kalu who posits that Nigerians are looking for a Speaker that will increase what I call parliamentary sovereignty; where the motions, the resolutions and independence of the arm of government will be showcased better than that of the 9th Assembly.

Nigerians are looking for a legislature that will be led by a Speaker that understands that though we are diverse, its not an impediment. We need a sensitive person to add to that diversity so that he would give everybody that sense of belonging, he said.

However, some gender-based pressure groups have thrown their weight behind the agitation for a female Speaker.

The Coalition for Women Participation in Governance and Leadership (CFWPGL) has even threatened legal actions if female lawmakers are not nominated as presiding officers in the House of Representatives.

Atinuke Olaolu, secretary of the coalition was quoted by the media as saying that there were enough competent women such as Onuoha to lead the House.

They must consider women who are ranking in order to emerge as presiding officers and chair of significant committees, Olaolu said.

Similarly, Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) have urged the Lower Chamber to uphold provisions of the national gender policy by electing a female as Speaker.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, WIPF President, Ebere Ifendu, told newsmen that in addition to electing a female Speaker, the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly should also appoint female lawmakers to lead key committees.

Although male legislators have successfully led the House in recent years, however, as gender advocates argue, what a man can do, a woman can do better. (NANFeatures)

Source: NAN News

Bola Tinubu

By Sumaila Ogbaje

An expert on economy, Mr Opeyemi Agbaje, has urged the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu to be decisive in dealing with the prevailing security challenges when sworn in.

Agbaje made the call while delivering a paper, titled, Crime and Insecurity: Understanding Nigerias Socio-economic Crisis, at a media parley organised by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Abuja.

He said if the security challenges were not tackled, they would have cascading effects on socio-economic development of the nation.

He observed that available data indicated that Nigeria was engulfed in an economic crisis, and thus needed a capable leadership to contain.

Agbaje said that the subsisting security architecture was potent and only needed the political will to drive the entire process.

According to him, as long as there is a dysfunctional economy with weak leadership, crime rate would continue to rise.

He added that to address the current economic quagmire, a mix of market and social policy was needed to move the country forward.

In his welcome address, the Vice President, Corporate Affairs of the bank, Diran Olojo, submitted that an informed media would aid nations growth and better the society.

Olojo charged reporters on responsible journalism for the good of the citizenry and image of the country. (NAN) ()

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

NCWS National President, Hajiya Lami Lau

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), has called on Muslims to sustain the teachings of the holy month of Ramadan in their daily dealings.

The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, to felicitate Muslims across the country.

Lau advised Muslims to reflect on the lessons of Ramadan through prayers for the peace and progress of the nation.

The holy month of Ramadan teaches kindness, forgiveness, and sacrifice. We must uphold these teachings and imbibe them as we live together in peace and harmony.

We must continue to seek Gods face more than ever. At this crucial time in our country, we should join voices and seek Gods intervention on issues currently challenging our existence as a nation.

We should also use the opportunity to pray for the president-elect and the new administration to lead the country in the right direction, she said.

According to her, we learnt so much during the Ramadan. The period is indeed a spiritual aspect of our life, which comes only once in a year.

Every true Muslim must have benefitted from this spiritual obligation, which we embarked on for 29 or 30 days abstaining from eating, drinking and fleshly desires.

All this is to impact the spiritual aspect of our life and if truly observed, every Muslim must have achieved many things from it.

What this means is that, as Muslims, our faith and fear of God have increased and we must do all possible to sustain it, she said.

Lau called on the incoming government to promote understanding and peaceful coexistence among the people irrespective of their political affiliations.

As a council, we are calling on the new government to appoint more women into decision making positions since a lot of women were disenfranchised at either the party level or at the polls.

This is necessary because the number of women in political positions have continued to drop and there is need to improve women participation so that the interest of women can be protected in governance, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=========
Edited by Joseph Edeh

Source: NAN News

Training for media and other stakeholders on SGBV

By Justina Auta

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has urged the National Assembly to fast-track the process of establishing Outdoor Advertisement and Signage as an agency to institutionalize its mode of operation.

The Vice President of NANS, Mr Victor Ezanagu, who made the call at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, said that the establishment of the agency by the National Assembly would free its operation from external interference.

He dismissed the call for the disbandment of the Federal Capital Territory Administrations Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), as such would return the FCT to the days of unkempt environment.

He said that DOAS served as platform of engaging young people who are fresh graduates and unemployed, knowing fully well that majority of the activities of the department revolve around intellectual contributions and ability of young people.

NANS has taken it upon itself to embark on a fact-finding mission to dissect the activities of FCTAs Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, thereby aiding our understanding on misconceptions and grievances from different quarters beyond what is reported on social media.

He called on mischievous people who are causing unrest within the FCT to put an end to their ugly acts, since the issue was before National Assembly for a thorough action as We crave for a speedy process in the betterment of Nigerian society.

It has come to our notice that issues revolving FCTA Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage and this has attracted the attention of every discerning Nigerian of which the students populace are not excluded.

It is on record that the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) is saddled with the responsibility to control, curb indecent activities and poor procedures and regulate adverts and signage practices in Abuja and its six Area Councils.

Aside from the professional practices of DOAS, it is pivotal to state that this initiative has helped in generating meaningful revenue in FCT since establishment and this has made the body a key source of generating funds for the government in the whole of Abuja.

The student leader, therefore, appealed to every warring parties to sheath swords and embrace peace in the interest of a greater Nigeria and betterment of all and sundry.

Ezanagu said that NANS had reliably gathered that all signage and billboard payments are made into the TSA through the REMITA platform, DOAS does not collect cash from clients.

Considering the benefits being enjoyed by Nigerians under DOAS, we perceive it is inhumane and maligning to call for this disbandment of such body, as such would return the FCTA to the days unkempt environment.

It will also lead to the proliferation and unprofessional activities of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage and further endangers an average Nigerian doing business by falling prey into hands of underworld agents. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Gov. Babajide-Sanwo-Olu of Lagos

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said it had paid over N50.7 billion to 13,928 retirees, from 2019 till date.

The Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs Ajibola Ponnle, made this known during the 100th Retirement Bond Certificate Presentation Ceremony, organised by the Lagos State Pensions Commission at Ikeja.

Ponnle, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishments and Training, Mr Olawale Musa, said that the payments were made to retirees in the mainstream, local government, State Universal Board, Teaching Service Commission and other state parastatals.

She also said that the state government had paid accrued pension rights of N5 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts of 1,768 retirees, alongside their monthly contributions.

According to her, the present administration has been consistent in the payment of pension obligations to its retirees, thereby, maintaining leading role in the administration of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

Ponnle said the Bond Certificates presentation ceremony was a testament to the state governments faithfulness in the performance of its obligations to retirees.

She said that the government was grateful for the diligence and commitment of the retirees while in active service.

Ponnle added that it was the recognition of the need to protect their retirement benefits that informed the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme.

She said that the present administration was currently working on some reforms, based on global best practices, to reduce post-retirement financial difficulties.

The commissioner said that the state government was committed to building an environment that remained safe and secure for all residents.

Ponnle also said that the state government would continue to raise the bar of governance to improve the livelihood of all residents. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==============
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Stakeholders at the Palladiums Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project, sponsored by USAID

By Justina Auta and Angela Atabo

Palladium Nigeria, an NGO, has tasked the media and critical stakeholders on the need to eliminate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders were trained in Abuja on Wednesday under Palladiums Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project, sponsored by USAID.

Other stakeholders trained were Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Business Member Organisations (BMOs) on reporting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and Child Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM).

Mr Eric Umoru, the Social Protection Adviser, Palladiums SCALE project, said the exercise aimed at encouraging more reportage, sensitisation and advocacies on policy reforms and implementation that would eliminate SGBV and CEFM cases.

Umoru said the exercise was necessitated due to the increasing cases of SGBV, child early and forced marriage, trafficking in persons and so many other forms of violence in the society.

These cases are increasing because of the spate of insecurity and poverty, which has increased the rate of abuse.

So we decided to organise this training for these critical stakeholders so that they are better aware of some of the dynamics of abuse and some of the antics that exploiters use in carrying out their
cases.

Following this improved learning, we expect participants to develop reports, media contents from a trauma informed perspective on the extent of damage, that SGBV causes on victims, he said.

Stressing the need for collaboration between key stakeholders, Umoru urged them to amplify their voices on improving policy implementation towards ending violence and harmful practices in Nigeria.

There are a lot of policies around SGBV and CFM that have not been implemented adequately.

So they need to, as active stakeholders in response, call out stakeholders to push for reforms and implementation as the case may be, he said.

Umoru also encouraged media organisations to highlight the drivers, indicators, effects and the long term effects of violence in their work.

They should be able to amplify the voices of survivors, where they are not able to speak, theyre able to call out irresponsive government attitudes and behaviour that is facilitating that.

We are localising the responses by working with local organisations, media practitioners and grassroots base structures that can help to amplify it.

So we continue to engage government for accountability and increased great response, he said.

Dr Maji Peterx, the Country Director, Equal Access International, described SGBV and CEFM as an endemic, hence the need to sensitise the public on its negative impacts in the psyche and societal structure.

Peterx, also a facilitator, said the workshop would raise consciousness around negativities in the society and create a system that was more appealing to younger people.

This is to raise awareness, reconscientise people to increase knowledge about the ills of SGBV, he said.

Ms Ene Oshaba, a gender advocate, said the training had further enlightened her on new ways of reporting SGBV, especially the need to understand issues and why people behave the way they do.

One need to be very conscious of the fact that our society is context based and that shapes our attitudes and behaviour.

As a journalist, I have a huge responsibility in changing the narratives with very impactful and issue based reporting on women and girls.

Amplifying the voices of women and girls is a key step to finding lasting solutions to their societal challenges, she said.

Mrs Maureen Okpe, a gender reporter, said: We discussed about conflict, which we always tie to negative outcome, but the training made me understand things differently as conflict in itself is neutral.

But the outcome which is determined by our response is what makes the difference.

During conflict our response is influenced by so many things by our experience, educational qualification, exposure and environment; these determines how we react to things, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===================
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

A cross section of teachers trained by Seplat Energy under its STEP in Benin

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Seplat Petroleum Development Company, a Nigerian independent oil and gas company, says it has graduated additional 271 teachers in Science Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics from its Seplat Teachers Empowerment Programme (STEP) in Edo and Delta.

It said further that a graduation and award ceremony was organised by Seplat in Benin on Wednesday for the beneficiaries of the 2022/2023 session of the STEP initiative.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 634 teachers and Chief Inspectors of Education (CIEs) had benefited from STEP empowerment since inception of the programme in 2020.

The Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Energy, Dr Chioma Nwachuku, said that the 271 beneficiaries comprised 260 teachers and 11 CIEs.

Nwachuku said that teachers in public and private secondary schools in the host states were opened to benefiting from the programme.

She noted that STEP had impacted on more than 25,000 students within the third year of the programme.

Over the years, Seplat Energy invested significantly in other educational Corporate Social Responsibility such as the PEARLS quiz competition to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals 4, which promotes education for all, she said.

The Managing Director, NNPC E

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Jewish Community and the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, on Tuesday in Abuja distributed food items to 500 Muslims and Christians women in the spirit of Easter and the month of Ramadan.

Speaking while coordinating the distribution of the food items, Mrs Habiba Ahmed, Director, Welfare and Endowment Foundation of Al-Habibiyyah, said the gesture was aimed at lessening the difficulties the poor and vulnerable suffer during the month of Ramadan.

We give aid to the less privileged. We collaborate with charitable organisations who deem it fit and necessary to partner with us.

We accept donations and We distribute Zakat in the Islamic months of Shaaban annually, and during Ramadan, we have what call the food bank. We share raw and cooked food daily.

On Monday, we shared over 2,400 packs of food to the needy and the less privileged. Similarly, on Sunday, we shared fairly used clothes, gas cookers, plates, bags and shoes, she said.

She called on all Muslims, especially the wealthy to redouble efforts in assisting the poor and less privileged in society to reduce poverty in the country.

Also speaking , Rafat Salami, a volunteer with the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic society reaffirmed that the society over the years distributed food items to the less-privileged in the Federal Capital Territory.

So those who want to give out charity always look for us.

The Jewish community of Nigeria looked for us, and they brought about 200 packs of food items that we are currently distributing, she said.

On her part, one of the beneficiaries, Franca Amana, said I received food items from them.

May God bless those donors. We are thankful. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Bags of rice

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) has called on the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, to sustain ongoing initiatives on food production for economic development.

The Director-General of RIPAN, Mr Andy Ekwelem, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference was Strategies for Deepening and Strengthening the Nigeria Rice Sub-Sector towards More Sustainable Development.

According to Ekwelem, RIPAN is an association of investors in integrated rice processing, formed as a direct response to the Federal Government of Nigerias deliberate initiative to grow local capacity in rice.

Members of the association and indeed other actors in the rice processing and milling sub-sector are presently key players and major contributors to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

Our processing and milling activities contribute several thousands of direct employments and millions of indirect employments to the various stakeholders in the rice value chain and other complementary sectors, he said.

He said that the rice industry was the single largest employer of labour in Nigeria, providing jobs for over 13 million people.

These include direct staff, casual worker, haulage service providers, agrochemical and input suppliers and of course millions of small holder rural farmers who are made up of majorly youths and women, he said.

According to him, the Nigeria rice industry has enjoyed considerable support from the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Before the current administration, Nigeria officially allowed imported rice into the country.

As at the last quarter of 2014, official rice import into Nigeria from Thailand was about 1.24 million tonnes of rice; by the end of 2015, these imports had dropped to about 644,131meric tonnes, and by the end of 2016, it dropped to 58,260 metric tonnes.

In 2017, the imports further dropped to 23,192 metric tonnes but by 2022, it dropped to an all-time minimal of 438MT.

The reason for the drops which to us at RIPAN is a very positive development is nothing more than Mr Presidents hard stand approach against food importation, he said.

He commended Buhari for his agricultural development initiatives that had boosted food production over the years.

Recall that President Buhari is a strong advocate of grow what you eat and eat what you can grow.

To ensure that he walked his talk, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), he launched various programmes that encouraged local production and processing of rice.

Programme such as the Anchor Borrowers Programme, the Paddy Aggregation Scheme, the Private Sector-Led Accelerated Agriculture Development Scheme and the Real Sector Support Facility (RSSF) were floated.

They where deliberate strategies that encouraged indigenous and foreign business concerns to invest massively in the rice value chain.

Today, Nigeria boasts of over 100 large-scale integrated rice processing facilities scattered across the country.

This is more than 700 per cent increase from the mere 13 integrated mills operating in the country between 2010 and 2014, he said.

He also commended Buhari for his various initiatives to encourage consumption of locally produced rice.

To ensure that product dumping and other forms of international trade malpractice do not affect the huge private-sector investments as well as the various programmes of government, the CBN placed restrictions on importation of food items including rice.

The apex bank did that by categorising them as not valid for foreign exchange from the CBNs Foreign Exchange Window.

To further protect and strengthen the industry, the administration introduced the Border Restriction Policy of 2020, he said.

He said that before the border restriction policy, there was a maddening proliferation of all manner of items and food stocks, even light arms and small weapons into Nigeria.

Fortunately, with the Border Restriction Policy of the Buhari administration, the menace was effectively stemmed between the period starting August 2020 and the end of 2021.

As a matter of fact, over 1.2 million metric tonnes of rice imported to Benin from India and Thailand between May 2019 and August 2019, became trapped in Benin.

This caused the imports of rice from India to Benin to drop from a monthly average of 75,000 metric tonnes between January and September 2019 to less than 2,000 metric tonnes in the last quarter of 2019.

Also, the volume of Thai rice imported to Benin Republic fell from a monthly average of 100,000MT to 5,000MT tons by November 2019.

The dividend of all these was that the demand for Nigerian home grown and locally processed rice increased quite immensely, causing an increase in both the production of paddy rice as well as rice processing facility, he said.

According to him, in 2020 during the COVID era, Nigerian farmers produced as much as 8.2 million metric tonnes of paddy rice and another 8.4 million tonnes in 2021.

At the time, all of the paddy produced were off taken by the rice processors/ millers who processed them and supplied good quality finished rice to Nigerians.

Even as the borders were closed and COVID Pandemic raged on, Nigeria did not suffer lack of food, particularly rice, he said.

He, however, said that the situation began to deteriorate again after the borders were reopened.

He called on the incoming Tinubus administration to emulate some of the laudable policies of the Buhari administration to boost food production.

The numbers in metric tonnes of paddy rice produced by Nigerian farmers began to decline after the borders were reopened in 2022.

Smuggling also commenced again in earnest, causing a drop in the volume of paddy offtake by the rice processors/millers.

Indeed, it is on record that upon the reopening of our borders, official rice import to Benin republic from Thailand rose from meagerly monthly average of 5,000 MT in 2019 to a monthly average of 26,861MT in 2022.

RIPAN hopes that the incoming administration will follow through some of the laudable policies of the current administration as well as design and launch new ones to further strengthen and sustain the Nigeria Rice Industry, Ekwelem said.

On prices, he said that Nigerian rice were most affordable, adding that the expensive rice were the imported ones which people wrongfully refer to as local rice.

No Nigerian rice costs more than N31,000 ex factory price, he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

NAN logo

By Maureen Okon

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday received a major boost in its operations with the signing of a working agreement with the Italian news agency, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA) in Abuja.

NAN reports that ANSA, the leading news agency in Italy, is a not-for-profit cooperative, founded in 1945 whose members and owners are 36 leading news organisations in the European country.

Its mission is the distribution of fair and objective news reports.

The Managing-Director (MD) of NAN, Mr Buki Ponle signed the agreement for NAN while the Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Mr Stefano De Leo signed fon behalf of ANSA at the NAN headquarters.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed virtually by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ANSA, Mr Stefano De Alessandri and the Nigerian Ambassador to Italy, Mr Mfawa Abam.

Speaking during the agreement signing ceremony, De Alessandri said the event was timely and was made possible through the efforts of both the NAN management and the Italian mission in Nigeria.

He said ANSA has a cooperative of 26 publishers of newspapers and magazines and the most important national and regional newspapers.

According to him, ANSA has correspondents in more than 50 countries around the world.

We are a traditional news agency that disseminates information via news wire, photo and video services.

We do not publish only in the Italian language in Italy but we publish on five international websites in English, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, and German.

I am very pleased to sign this agreement with NAN. Nigeria is the country with the largest population in Africa and is one of the most important countries in the continent of Africa.

Starting in 2022, we have been renewing our collaboration agreements with international news agencies and we are also opening new partnerships, he said.

Also speaking, the NAN MD said that the signing of the agreement was a milestone in the history of the largest news content provider in Nigeria.

He added that the news exchange agreement with ANSA marked another defining phase in NANs continuous engagement with like-minded institutions.

It is my hope and belief that this landmark event will signal the beginning of a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship.

With ANSAs presence in more than 81 cities across more than 50 countries in the world, and a production capacity of 3,500 news items daily, this partnership agreement will no doubt offer the diverse clientele of both wire agencies enriched content and plurality of reading and viewership experience.

Since my appointment as MD in Sept. 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari, we have put in place programmes and processes to boost the editorial and operational efficiency as well as to enhance the visibility of the agency.

From a six-zone structure, the agency now has 12 zonal offices in the country while it is set to reopen its foreign bureaux in Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, and Abidjan.

This is in addition to its New York Bureau currently covering North America, he said.

Responding, Nigerian Ambassador to Italy, Abam, commended the managements of both agencies for what he described as laudable agreement.

He said the event marked a milestone in Nigeria-Italy relations.

He expressed optimism that both agencies would take advantage of the new opportunities that abound in the media sector as both agencies enter into the historic era of the partnership.

I say this in acknowledgement of NANs reputation for media excellence and historic commitment that connotes international presence.

Likewise ANSA which has earned its pride of reporting fair and objective international news.

As the saying goes: no man is an island no matter how well-endowed.

In this era of globalisation and inter-dependence, cooperative partnership such as this with other institutions in the world is not an option but a necessity.

Thus, the signing of this agreement today demonstrates the importance of what our two countries attach to our relationship and our commitment to further strengthening it, he said.

On his part, the Italian ambassador to Nigeria described the agreement between ANSA and NAN as an important step in further proving both countries already existing relations.

He observed that the exchange of information and knowledge is key ex-specially when done with Nigeria, the giant of Africa and the most populous country in the continent.

This eventis the first positive sign of other events that we will highlight in the future such as the opening of the Italian Trade Agency in Lagos and hopefully, very soon, a direct flight between Nigeria and Italy. (NAN)

============
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Source: NAN News

Stakeholders of Inter-Governmental Affairs at the the stakeholderss conference on Tuesday in Abuja

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Federal Government says that plans are underway to establish a National Council of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs for sustainable national development.

Sen. George Akume, the Minister, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, said this at a three-day stakeholders conference on Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is Harnessing grassroots potentials for service delivery and for sustainable national development: The proper place of Local Government Administration and Inter- Governmental Relations.

Akume said that the national council if established would be the highest policy advisory body to the nation on issues of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

According to him, the absence of a critical structure or vehicle of mobilisation of stakeholders for prompt action has hindered the pace of the Ministry in discharging its activities.

This realisation has thus informed my decision to establish the National Council of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

The proposed council in its form, structure and function would resemble national councils of other ministries.

It is also pertinent to state that the need for this council was mentioned as far back as 2008, during the bi-annual conference of key functionaries of local government administration in Kaduna State, Akume said.

He said the gathering was to enrich the process that would eventually lead to the formal establishment of the national council.

Akume urged the participants to utilise their experiences, backgrounds and professions during the deliberations to ensure a convergence of ideas and the eventual seamless take off of the council.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ibiene Roberts, while thanking the participants, expressed hope that the discussions would help birth a successful national council.

As seasoned administration that we are, our key responsibility is to ensure that government institutions work optimally in service delivery in an efficient and effective manner.

I recognise you as the pillars and as such, integral part of the ministry. It is the resolve of the ministry to work with you to enable us achieve our deserving citizenry, Roberts said.

On his part, Sen. Yusuf Yusuf, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, said that there was need for proper sensitisation on the local government potentials at the grassroots.

Yusuf said that there were lots of potentials at the local government areas, saying that harnessing the potentials would enhance national development.

The potentials must be unlocked through proper sensitisation; government has to create proper avenue, and mobilisation of the grassroots is the key for national development, he added.

Similarly, Sen. Abba Moro, the Chairman of the Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, said the local government administration was the foundation of government worldwide.

Moro, while commending the ministry for the initiative, pledged to support the ministry in its activities, saying that local government autonomy was the bedrock for national development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

================
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News