By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has urged participants of Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) to develop ideas and Knowledge-based solutions that could help in surmounting the nations security challenges.

Yahaya made the call during the inauguration of AWCN Course 6/2022 on Friday in Abuja.

He said the war course was a critical learning curve in military career, adding that the knowledge acquired on the course would determine how well the officers could contribute to the ongoing and future operations.

You must therefore learn to think out of the box not forgetting that contemporary security challenges of the 21st century submit only to knowledge based and specialized efforts.

Hence seize this opportunity to hone your skills accordingly and endeavour to be creative with novel ideas on how best to surmount our challenges.

This is indeed my expectation of you all and that of your Services, Ministries, Agencies and Departments, he said.

The Army chief commended the resilience, dedication, commitment and doggedness of the troops deployed in various trouble spots across the country, adding that the sacrifices of the troops had continued to yields successes.

These successes, according to him, are results of the renewed focus and determination of the armed forces to operate jointly in restoring peace and ensuring security of lives and property in Nigeria.

Yahaya commended the college for its capacity as the premier institution of learning in the Nigerian army and fast becoming a destination of choice for armed forces of several countries in Africa and beyond.

He said that AWCN had since inception in 2017, successfully played its primary role of grooming operational level military officers and a select few from relevant Ministries, Department and Agencies in Nigeria for the onerous task of conflict management and defence.

According to him, the college has shown a defining character in its training and research activities as seen in the sterling performances of its alumni.

The former Chief of Defence Staff, retired Gen. Alexander Ogomudia, in his lecture titled, Military Leadership in a Joint Environment, said that military leadership entailed commanding, motivating and directing others to accomplish desired goals.

Ogomudia said that military leadership was an act that could be learnt in the same way as other endeavours while outlining attributes of a military leader.

He also said that operational commanders must know their men and look out for their welfare as well as ensuring that their task was clearly understood.

Train your men as a team because you must prepare for the battle as well make sound and timely decisions, have a sense of responsibility and employ command capabilities to achieve responsibility.

Successful military leaders must possess enduring personal competence and courage to achieve the responsibility in a complex operational environment, he said.

Ogomudia also urged strategic military leaders to discourage rivalry and jealousy among the various components of the joint operations so as to achieve the desired goals.

The Commandant, Army War College Nigeria, Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, said the college was established to bridge the knowledge gap between the tactical and strategic levels of leadership in the Nigerian army.

Alabi said the current security environment in the country gave impetus for the need to train professional level leaders to enhance their effectiveness in meeting the operational needs of the military.

He said the college had successfully conducted five war courses since inception, adding that the course 6/2022 was designed to equip participants with the requisite ability to provide answers to problems at operational level.

According to him, participants must know that the task before them on the course is enormous and the stakes are high.

I encourage you to exert yourselves cognitively and think outside the box to add value to the solutions being sought to the many problems which we have been confronted with at operational level, he said.

Alabi said his vision for the college was to institutionalise the college as a centre of excellence through enhancement of robust academic programmes, partnership and collaboration, infrastructure and staff welfare.

He assured that the college under his command would ensure effective delivery of course content, attainment of full structural and academic capacity and contribution to army operational capacity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AWCN Course 6/2022 has 73 participants comprising of 58 army officers, two officers each from the Nigerian Navy and Air Force, five from four allied countries of Gambia, Liberia, Congo Brazzaville and Rwanda.

There are also six participants, one each from the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Customs Service, Immigration, Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo/Lizzy Okoji

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Friday called on media practitioners to set the agenda ahead of 2023 General Elections and continue to put politicians on their toes forgood leadership.

Bello made the call at the Second Annual GYB Seminar for Nigerias Political and Crime Correspondents in Abuja.

He said that the category of media practitioners were chosen to engage in the awareness campaign because nomeaningful development would be made without partnering with the media.

The governor said that the nation was in a very critical period because she was at the threshold of either getting on the right trackorreturningback to where she was in the past.

He said that this was what necessitated the seminar to continue to educate, sensitise and evaluate the electoral environmental situation and give proper reportage.

No government or country can succeed without the media, however good the government may be, if the media does not carry out fair and just reportage we wont make any headway.

All we are asking is to ensure that we have a society that is free of crimes, criminality, and it isgood for all Nigerians.

So, continue to put us on our toes at all times but be fair in your reportage , we are in political season, a transition system and we crave for good leadership.

How you set the narrative, how you set the agenda will depend on the kind of leadership you will get at the end of the day.

I know surely that myself and several others may have thrown our hats in the ring.

So, weneed you to be fair to each and every one of us ,and to Nigerians to be able to select those who will lead the country after Muhammadu Buhari for another four to eight years and beyond, he said.

Bello urged the media to report situations with wisdom and not be sensational, adding that although Nigeria was faced with some challenges, there were other countries that werefacing even more challenges.

He also urged the media to curb fake news and misinformation to stall harm .

So please, I crave your indulgence, let us continue to be patriotic, Nigeriais the only country we have with good leadership , Nigeria will be the best country .

However, you are the ones who is going to set the tone and the agenda for us to have that kind of leadership becauseyou are a critical stakeholder.

We need you to partner with us in this journey ahead in order that we have the kind of leadership we deserve, he said

The Commissioner for Information, Kogi , Kingsley Fanwo, in his remarks said that Bello pledged to make the event an annual one to equip media practitioners with requisite skillsfor national development .

Fanwo said that this years edition was aimed at setting the agenda for the 2023 Elections, adding that it was the responsibility of the Nigerian media to do that ahead of the elections.

This is in terms of whatwill bethe talking points as we approach 2023, what are the issues that are challenging our nationhood ,what are the demons we need to defeat for Nigeria to remain one even after the elections?

These and others, shall be discussed extensively during the course of the seminar, he said

The President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),Mr Chris Isiguzo, commended Bello for the initiative, adding that the annual GYB seminar for the nations politics and crime reporters and editors was apt.

As we match into the 2023 Elections, two issues will occupy the frontline, politics and insecurity that is why it becomes highly imperative to gather this crop of professionals to build their capacity.

This is because the kind of language and reports put together will substantially shape the discussions we have as we move towards 2023 .

With this, you are eliminatingpoison for Nigerias political landscape by bringing all of us together for this two days seminar .

Also speaking, Mallam Mustapha Isa, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, thanked Bello for sustaining the seminar.

Isa said that Bellos choice of the seminar Setting Agenda for 2023 given the challenge the country was facing.

He said that Bellos achievement had shown that he had what to offer, adding that it is a season of promises ,so if you are a sitting politician and you what to rule, you have to show how you have done in your present capacity.

So, instead of coming to promise us, we want Nigerians to know your precedents and what to offer ,and if you cannot answer these questions ,you will lose the opportunity, he said (NAN)(nannews.ng)

ATAB/LIZ/IAA

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo /Lizzy Okoji
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi says he will nominate the first female vice president if emerged the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 General Elections.

Bello, who said this at the Second Annual GYB Seminar for Nigerias Political and Crime Correspondents in Abuja, said he would give consideration to women if given approval to choose his running mate.

The governor said that he was committed to running an inclusive government carrying women, youths and Persons With Disabilities along as he did in Kogi, ensuring that no one was left behind.

If given the opportunity, if my political party will give me the opportunity and free hand to choose who will run with me, come 2023, surely I will not leave the constituency of my mother, which is women.

I assure you that if ever I will be given that opportunity, I will wish to have the first female vice president from 2023, he said

Bello said that his administration, if given the mandate to lead Nigeria, would focus on empowerment and capacity building to foster the smooth running of the Nigerian economy.

He said that his administration as governor of Kogi raised 2,000 millionaires, stressing that if elected president, he would lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

In my presidential declaration speech, I promised that I would build on what Mr President promised of ensuring that nothing less than 100 million Nigerians are pulled out of poverty by the year 2030.

The question will be, what have you done in Kogi State, how many millionaires have you made?

I will tell you that within the limit of our resources, coupled with various challenges and demands on our resources we have been able to make nothing less than 2,000 millionaires in Kogi State, within this short period.

Our government created an enabling environment that if you have N1 million you should be able to turn it around and multiply it.

He said that his achievement so far would make him win the partys ticket irrespective of the method adopted by the party to select the candidate.

According to him, his party will still produce the next president of Nigeria, APC is very strategic.

Forget about zoning or no zoning; it is about who is a leader and will put the party together.

The party knows the body language of the nation. APC knows the clamour for a young President who will build on the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The party knows who will turn the fortunes of this country around.

If consensus is going to be the option, so be it. Whether its direct or indirect primary, Yahaya Bello is the man to beat.

We must jettison sentiments, it is time to bridge the religious gap and cement the relationship, he said.

Bello said that he was the man that would champion a new Nigeria where sentiments would no longer matter.

We want to make sure that the language you speak, your religion and where you come from does not matter again in our presidency, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwafunke Ishola

Action Health Incorporated (AHI), through its Girls Voices programme, has trained 1,200 in-school adolescent girls on equality issues, girls rights and adolescent health and wellbeing in Lagos.

Co-Founder of AHI, Uwemedimo Esiet, disclosed this during the closing of leadership and mentoring sessions with students of Wesley Girls Junior Secondary School, on Friday in Lagos.

Esiet noted that AHI, with the support of CUMMINS, had assisted in training girl-leaders to advance their advocacy through activities that would improve equity and equality issues, girls rights, adolescent health and wellbeing of Lagos girls.

He said that the girl-leaders had led a mentoring and leadership forum for eight weeks for students in Wesley Girls Junior Secondary School.

According to him, the forum serves as a platform to influence the girls on life skills and social networks as well as menstrual hygiene management.

Esiet noted that the skills acquired had enhanced the girls self-awareness, negotiation, goal-setting, decision-making and leadership capacity.

Some of the girls are eager to start implementing what they had learnt. Some even want to create girls clubs in their churches, mosques and schools.

The platform has exposed the capacity of the girls to become leaders and change agents in their respective communities, he said.

According to him, positive outcomes have been achieved from the projects, assuring that the influence of the girls on their peers will lead to a transformed society.

Also, Principal of the school, Mrs Olaitan Fasuyi, commended AHI and CUMMINS for the support given to the students.

Fasuyi expressed optimism that the students would begin to manifest the skills they had acquired for the transformation of the society. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has reiterated the need for more investment in teachers, both in time and financial resources, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

UNICEFs Education Manager, Mrs Manar Ahmed, said this during a presentation on: Scaling Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in Nigeria, in Kano on Friday.

The event, which is a two-day Media Dialogue on SDGs, was aimed at promoting, protecting, advocating and collaborating with stakeholders for the realisation of children rights in the country.

Ahmed said that tackling teachers training was not enough but also ensuring action plans for improving teaching and learning under the right environment.

According to her, Nigeria is not lacking the right policy but the countrys staggering learning crisis is one of the lowest globally.

In sub Saharan Africa, 87 per cent of children are in learning poverty as they do not have basic literacy by age 10.

Goal four of the SDGs is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education that promote lifelong learning and all children by age 10 must know how to read and solve numeracy.

It is not that Nigeria lacks the right policy but Nigeria is facing staggering crisis with learning outcomes being one of the lowest.

So,70 per cent of the children in school are not achieving basic foundational skills, she said.

She added that 27 per cent of teaching staff in Nigeria were unqualified as qualified teachers were in short supply.

She said there was the need to learn to read in order to read to learn to achieve the SDGs by 2030.

We need to do more in structural approach of learning, community engagement in ensuring accountability.

Structural approach is best for training of teachers, so on-the-job training as well as creating the right environment is important, she said.

She, therefore, commended the country for her role in making huge change since 2017 when the national assessment of learning outcomes was carried out.

She said more needed to be done to achieve the 17 goals of the SDGs by 2030 as government allocation to education must be increased.

Also, Dr Uche Anunne, Editorial Training Coordinator, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that strong institutions were required to ensure the quality of teachers in the country.

Anunne said that most SDGs had impact on the child rights, saying that all hands must be on deck to get things right by 2030.

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emiefele and Mr Temitope Ogunsemo, the founder of Krystal Digital Solutions L.td., have been listed in the Forbes Africa Undiscovered Series for Nigeria.

This is contained in a Forbes Report on Nigeria made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

The report said the undiscovered series was part of an exclusive list of Nigerians who have been crucial in rebuilding and contributing to the Nigerian growth story at this time.

It explained that each year, Forbes Africa looks for resilient game-changers, self-starters, innovators, entrepreneurs, and disruptors who have been leading ideas and industries while purposefully contributing to nation-building and positively impacting the lives around them.

The report also said that the 2022 list was a selection of Nigerias brightest achievers spanning real estate, oil and gas, corporate leaders, technology innovators, business people, media professionals, policy shapers, and advocates.

Alongside Ogunsemo, public and private sector leaders from business technology, education, the arts, and health sectors were also listed.

Some of these names include Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cosgrove; Umar Abdullahi, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola; GMD/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Ebenezer Onyeagwu; amongst others.

Ogunsemo was recognised in the field of information technology for his tenacious leadership and remarkable contribution to Nigerias educational sector with the MySkool Portal app.

Ogunsemo has over the years shown his undiluted commitment to making the dreams of vulnerable persons a reality through access to quality education, empowerment, and mentoring.

Krystal Digital is empowering Nigerias population of over 200 million people, providing them with the resources, education, training, and access they need to succeed.

Speaking on making the coveted list, Ogunsemo said, Im very honoured to have been listed on the Forbes Africa Undiscovered Series.

Its a big win for not just me but for the amazing team at Krystal Digital Solutions Limited.

Its been a turbulent year for businesses and startups but through it all, we have trudged on with passion and grit. And this award has proved that although it has not been easy, it was worth it. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

UN food agency on Friday said World food prices jumped nearly 13 per cent in March to a new record high as the war in Ukraine caused turmoil in markets for staple grains and edible oils.

The Food and Agriculture Organisations (FAO) food price index, which tracks the most globally traded food commodities, averaged 159.3 points in March versus an upwardly revised 141.4 for February.

The February figure was previously put at 140.7, which was a record at the time.

Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of wheat, corn, barley and sunflower oil via the Black Sea, and Moscows six-week-old invasion of its neighbour has stalled Ukrainian exports.

FAO last month said food and feed prices could rise by up to 20 per cent as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, raising the risk of increased malnutrition.

It said the agencys cereal price index climbed 17 per cent in March to a record level while its vegetable oil index surged 23%, also registering its highest reading yet.

Disruption to supplies of crops from the Black Sea region has exacerbated price rises in food commodities, which were already running at 10-year highs in the FAOs index before the war in Ukraine due to global harvest issues.

Sugar and dairy prices also rose sharply in March, the FAO said.

In separate cereal supply and demand estimates on Friday, the FAO cut its projection of world wheat production this year to 784 million tonnes, from 790 million in March, as it factored in the possibility that at least 20 per cent of Ukraines winter crop area would not be harvested.

The revised global wheat output estimate was nonetheless 1 per cent above the previous years level, it said.

The agency lowered its projection of global cereals trade in the 2021/22 marketing year as increased exports from Argentina, India, the European Union and the United States were expected to only offset some of the disruption to Black Sea exports.

Total cereal trade in 2021/22 was revised down by 14.6 million tonnes from the previous monthly outlook to 469 million tonnes, now 2 per cent below the 2020/21 level.

FAO added that the projected world cereal stocks at the end of 2021/22 were revised up by 15 million tonnes to nearly 851 million tonnes, mainly because of expectations that export disruption will lead to bigger stockpiles in Ukraine and Russia.

Source: NAN News

By Bosede Olufunmi

The Federal Government said on Thursday that it has so far completed 2,465 housing units across the country under the National Housing Programme.

The acting Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Chukwunwike Uzo, made the disclosure in Kano at the commissioning of 76 housing units contributed under the programme at Gama-Kwari, off Jaba-Panisau Road, Fagge, in Kano.

According to him, For the benefit of Nigerians on this initiative, over 1,200 building contractors have been engaged under phases I, II and III of the programme since inception in 2016.

He said that during this period, the ministry had undertaken the construction of over 6,000 housing units in 45 sites, out of which 2,465 units have been completed in 35 states and the FCT, he said.

Uzo further said that over 14,500 and 50,140 direct and indirect jobs respectively have been created during the period under review.

He said that the houses constructed comprised of one bedroom, two and three bedroom semi-detached bungalows.

The philosophy behind the National Housing Programme, is the provision of pilot scheme that is affordable, accessible and acceptable as contained in the national housing policy.

In his remarks, the Director, Public Building and Housing in the ministry, Mr Solomon Labafilo, commended Kano State government for its support in providing lands for the projects.

Labafilo said that the houses were allocated to Nigerians on first come, first served bases through a ministry portal.

While we welcome those who can afford to pay outright, it is not a condition for eligibility and we have offered flexible payments options like mortgages and rents to own, which we encourage applicants to pursue, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says African countries must be deliberate in fostering the culture of inclusion.

He has advised them to have the same approach in the enthronement of equal rights and justice in the continent.

Jonathan said these on Thursday while delivering a keynote address titled Building an Inclusive Society for the Next Generation in Abuja.

He delivered the address at the first year memorial and launching of Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation (ICCEF).

Jonathan said that democracy is a political philosophy that offers the broadest platform for inclusive participation.

According to him, it is anchored on the essential virtue of human liberty which encompasses political, economic and social rights.

He said that those rights were the premise upon which democracys promise of peace, equality and justice as well its capacity to improve the welfare and social condition of the citizens, were framed.

Jonathan said that democracy becomes meaningful when citizens are happy and saved from political and social threats like hunger, poverty, discrimination and persecution.

There is no gainsaying the fact that attainment of basic human needs and fulfilment of democratic promises of peace and security and the flourishing of human rights are the basic background upon which democracy grows.

One major ingredient to building an inclusive society is to ensure that we strengthen our institutions and be deliberate about the enforcement of economic rights in a way and manner that guarantees peace and social security of citizens.

The empowerment of citizens in this regard will raise an army of conscious, patriotic and active citizens who can overcome the temptation of vote trading and other corrupt practises in our electoral system.

We must therefore adopt measures that will completely eliminate the ugly incidence of merchandisation of the electoral process, he said.

To achieve that in a sustainable manner, Jonathan said that a strong social contract needed to be established between the government and the governed.

This is as a means of guaranteeing the basic social economic rights of decent existence such as healthcare, education, housing and transportation.

He also said there was need to build institutions that were accountable to the people; as well enable the people to add measurable value to society.

Jonathan said that the people should be able to draw strength and growth from the value they help create.

The former president said that the 21st century provided unprecedented opportunities and threats for inclusive development.

He said that the key to being able to maximize the opportunities and mitigating the threats was an empowered citizenry.

The ex-president said that to empower the citizens sustainably was to arm them with necessary skills to be relevant in todays world.

Jonathan said there was also need to manage the society for the future generation, starting from home.

He said that any governance structure or leadership model that does not incorporate the management of society to protect the interest of the future generation would lead the society to a dead end.

On politics and nation-building, Jonathan said there was need for Africans to change their political behaviour and culture.

He said that the kind of politics being played in most African countries was such that would not help the quest for growth and development.

The ex-president advised Nigerian politicians and leaders in general to act in a manner that would inspire hope and patriotism in the country.

Jonathan also advised them to encourage younger generations to believe in the Nigeria project and put the country first in all that they do.

We must conduct ourselves in a way that will encourage youth and children to have confidence in their leaders and be convinced that Nigeria belongs to them.

That way, they will consolidate their stake in their country, believing that their country will protect them just like a father in the family unit will protect the interest of his children.

There should be a deliberate mentoring plan and schemes that would ensure transition of power and values from one generation to the next.

He said that a society that could not provide basic needs for its citizens could hardly inspire in them the kind of patriotism and zeal that would motivate the people to invest every ounce of their energy towards building their nation.

Jonathan commended the organisers of the event for the laudable initiative.

He described Chukwuma as a great man, a compatriot who served Nigeria, Africa and the entire humanity with relentless passion and commitment.

Jonathan said that Chukwuma dedicated over three decades of his life to causes that promote social justice, security, democracy, good governance and the general good of humanity.

Whether as a human rights activist, social critic or boardroom executive, Innocent remained consistent to his creed.

His was a passion for justice, transparency and peace as the defining element of a good society.

They are the virtues he went ahead to display and exemplify in his everyday life.

I am glad that CCEF is being launched today to drive his vision for a just and inclusive society where citizens, especially the young and women, could thrive economically and politically, without let or hindrance. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Hijrah Council of Nigeria has admonished Nigerian traders to be just in their dealings with fellow Nigerians by making sure they do not inflate prices of goods and services.

The appeal is contained in a communique signed by Prof. Badamas Yusuf, the National President of the council, after a meeting, on Thursday in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara.

The communique also stated that the meeting discussed and agreed on several positive issues that would benefit Muslims.

Sheikh Muyideen Salman, the Chief Imam and Spokesman of Offa Community, called for unity and solidarity among Muslims of the world, while imploring them to find areas of differences and resolved them amicably.

According to him, the only way to show the beauty of Islam is for the Muslims to work in unity and solidarity.

Muslims, all over the world, should know that our religion is a peaceful religion; it is a beautiful one.

So, whatever dispositions we would be portraying to the outside world, the beauty of Islam should be the foremost thing we will be portraying to them.

Let them see the beauty of Islam in us, so that others would be moved to practice it, he said.

Salman urged the faithful against discrimination and bigotry, adding that there is need to manage the areas of differences among Muslims in order to solve misconceptions and misunderstandings.

He said that differences could be resolved amicably, while reminding that Islam is the religion that is fully garnished with understanding.

The cleric also appealed to influential Muslims to assist Islam with whatever Allah has blessed them, saying that the rich should spend their money for Allahs cause.

He also advised contestants in the upcoming 2023 general elections to be God-fearing in their campaign and not resort to do-or-die race.

Besides, he warned the candidates and political parties against turning their followers into ruffians and miscreants all in the name of getting power.

Salman also admonished them not to bastardise the lives of Nigerian youths in order to meet their own goals. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has received the report on New Revenue Formula from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the report was presented to the president by the leadership of RMAFC, led by Mr Elias Mbam.

Receiving the report, Buhari said he would await the final outcome of the constitutional review process before presenting the report of the review of the vertical revenue allocation formula to the National Assembly as a Bill for enactment.

Ordinarily, I would have gone ahead to table this report before the National Assembly as a Bill for enactment.

However, since the review of the vertical revenue allocation formula is a function of the roles and responsibilities of the different tiers of government, I will await the final outcome of the constitutional review process, especially as some of the proposed amendments would have a bearing on the recommendations contained herein, he said.

The president listed some of the proposed amendments in the report as follows:

Establishing local government as a tier of government and the associated abrogation of the state/local government account; moving airports; fingerprints, identification and criminal records from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list;

Empowering the RMAFC to enforce compliance with remittance of accruals into and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account as well as streamlining the procedure for reviewing the revenue allocation formula.

Buhari assured members of the commission that the Federal Government would immediately subject the report to its internal review and approval processes, while awaiting finalisation of the efforts by the National Assembly.

According to the president, this strategy, rather than issuing an Executive Modification order, as was done in 1992, is more in line with entrenching democratic tenets.

He commended the RMAFC for a job painstakingly done, pledging his unwavering commitment and support to them in carrying out their constitutional mandates.

He also thanked Nigerians, especially the State and Local Governments, for making their inputs through the broad stakeholder engagement processes that produced the report.

I am aware that the present revenue allocation formula has not been reviewed since the last exercise carried out in 1992.

Considering the changing dynamics of our political-economy, such as Privatisation, Deregulation, funding arrangement of Primary Education, Primary Health Care and the growing clamour for decentralisation, among others, it is necessary that we take another look at our Revenue Sharing Formula, especially the vertical aspects that relate to the tiers of government.

This becomes more compelling as we need to reduce our infrastructural deficit, make more resources available for tackling insecurity, confront climate change and its associated global warming and make life more meaningful for our rapid growing population, he said.

According to the president, as an advocate for grassroots development, he has always remained committed to ensuring that all tiers of government are treated fairly, equally and justly in the sharing of national resources.

I want to let you all know that I have keenly followed most of the discussions held in the geo-political consultative process and one thing that struck me clearly was the agreement that a review of our vertical revenue formula cannot and should not be an emotional or sentimental discussion and it cannot be done arbitrarily.

All over the world, revenue and resource allocation have always been a function of the level of responsibilities attached to the different components or tiers of government.

I am, therefore, happy to note that the discussions were held along these lines and rested squarely on roles and responsibilities as spelt out in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

However, I also note that in reaching the final decisions at most of these engagements, not much emphasis was placed on the fact that the Second Schedule of the Nigerian constitution contains 68 items on the Exclusive Legislative List and the remaining 30 items on the Concurrent List requiring both the Federal and State Governments to address.

Buhari, therefore, declared that for the nation to have a lasting review of the present revenue allocation formula, there must first be an agreement on the responsibilities to be carried out by all the tiers of government.

According to him, the proposal seeks a 3.33% reduction in the current Federal Government allocation and on the other hand an increase of 3.07% and .44% for the States and Local Governments.

He added that with regards to the Special Funds, the report by the RMAFC proposed an increase of .2% for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a decrease of .38% for Development of Natural Resources.

The president recounted that the federal government also made its input into the process of reviewing the vertical revenue allocation formula based on existing constitutional provisions for roles and responsibilities for the different tiers of government.

We must note the increasing visibility in Sub-national level responsibilities due to weaknesses at that level, for example: Primary Health Care; Basic Primary Education; Levels of insecurity; and increased remittances to State and Local Governments through the Value Added Tax sharing formula, where the Federal Government has only 15% and the States and Local Government share 50% and 35% respectively, he said.

In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said the RMAFC followed due process in undertaking the exercise, and sought the opinion of the federal government before finalising the report.

While giving a synopsis of the report, Mustapha said that it was in four volumes, including a summary in the main report.

Volume 1 contains the various memoranda submitted by the Federal and State Governments as well as the FCT.

Volume 2 details the presentation from the academia, civil society, professional bodies, traditional rulers, individuals, as well as women and youth councils.

To complete the inclusiveness of the stakeholder participatory processes adopted, Volume 3 is a research that captures the body of knowledge that supported the review.

Volume 4 is a further distillation of submissions by the State and Local Governments as well as NGOs and Area Councils of the FCT, he said.

Also speaking, Mbam said the leading philosophy behind the proposed review was guided by the need for distributive justice, equity and fairness as enshrined in relevant Sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He said that the principles took into cognisance the indivisibility of the country, public opinion and weighted constitutional responsibilities and functions of the three levels of government.

He announced that the proposed vertical revenue allocation formula advised 45.17 per cent for the federal government, 29.79 per cent for state governments and 21.04 per cent for the local governments.

Under Special Funds, he said, the Report by the Commission recommended 1.0 per cent for Ecology, 0.5 per cent for Stabilisation, 1.3 per cent for Development of Natural Resources and 1.2 per cent for the FCT.

In arriving at the new vertical revenue allocation formula, Mbam told the president the commission had wide consultation with major stakeholders, public hearing in all the geo-political zones and administered questionnaires.

He said the commission also studied some other federations with similar fiscal arrangements like Nigeria to draw useful lessons from their experiences.

He revealed that the commission also visited all the 36 states and the FCT, the 774 local government areas to sensitise and obtain inputs from stakeholders.

He added that literature reviews were conducted on revenue allocation formula in Nigeria dating back to pre-independence period while the commission received memoranda from the public sectors, individuals and private institutions across the country.

While explaining the major reasons for the exercise, Mbam stated that since the last review was conducted in 1992, 29 years ago, the political structure of the country had changed with the creation of six additional states in 1996, which brought the number of states to 36.

Correspondingly, he said, the number of local government councils also increased from 589 to 774.

There have been considerable changes arising from the policy reforms that altered the relative share of responsibilities of the various tiers of government such as deregulation, privatisation and the lingering controversies over funding of primary education, primary healthcare, he said.

The chairman noted that while Section 32(b), Part 1 of Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowered the commission to review from time to time the revenue allocation formulae.

Mbam added that inadequate and decaying infrastructure, as well as heightened widespread internal security challenges across the country also necessitated the exercise, among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mujidat Oyewole

The Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin on Thursday sentenced three persons charged for offences bordering on cybercrime.

The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction.

The convicts are Umar Olanrewaju also known as Sugar Baby, Hassan Olaitan, auto repairer, and one Tope Ayodele.

The presiding Judge, Justice Muhammed Sani, agreed with the submission of the prosecuting counsels that the commission had established a prima facie case against the defendants.

The court, thereafter, pronounced them guilty and sentenced Olanrewaju and Olaitain to six months imprisonment with option of fine of N100,000 each.

He also ordered the convicts to forfeit their iPhone 7 which they used to perpetrate their various crimes and the sum of money benefited from the act to the Federal Government.

The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.

Following their guilty pleas, Sesan Ola and Andrew Akoja, who prosecuted the cases on behalf of the EFCC, reviewed the facts of the cases.

In a related development, Justice Mahmud AbdulGafar of the State High Court, also sentenced Tope Ayodele to three months imprisonment for offences bordering on cybercrime.

The three months should be observed at the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Centre, which should be suspended.

The judge ordered that one itel phone which the convict used to perpetrate the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Peter Uwumarogie

Mr Mohammed Ahmed, the General Manager, Gombe State Environmental Protection Agency (GOSEPA), has assured cleaners that no worker would be sacked in spite of signing a new contract with another contractor.

Ahmed gave the assurance while fielding questions from journalists in Gombe on Thursday, following a protest over alleged replacement of casual workers that clean drains and streets in the metropolis.

The GOSEPA boss said it was regrettable that the protest was caused by misinformation, and assured that no worker would be sacked in spite of the new contract.

He said the state government was concerned about the wellbeing and welfare of the casual workers, hence, any decision would be to their best interest.

He said that after the contract with the private environmental vendor, INEX Cleaners, expired, the government decided to advertise to get other companies because of the huge money being expended on INEX.

Five companies submitted quotations following the advertisement, and the state government signed a new contract with two different environmental vendors based on their favourable financial quotations.

The government carried out investigation which shows that Gombe government is paying higher than most states to clean its environment.

According to the contract signed by the previous administration, the state pays INEX N930, 000 to clean one kilometre (km), while other states pay N465, 000 per km,, he said.

The general manger explained that the casual workers were paid N12,000 each per km and 10 workers were engaged per km which amounted to N120,000 out of the N930, 000 the state government was paying the company.

He said that the state government signed a new contract with the vendor that quoted N450, 000 per km on the condition that all previous workers would be retained and their salaries raised to N15,000.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the casual workers with INEX cleaners came out to protest their alleged disengagement and replacement.

The workers who protested in front of Government House chanted solidarity songs and begged Gov. Inuwa Yahaya to wade into the matter with a view to assuring them of their job security.

Some of the protesters told NAN that some persons in GOSEPA wanted to disobey the governors directive which asked the new contractor to retain them, saying; and we know the governor is not against us. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Defence, on Thursday, concluded cross-examination of the second prosecution witness in the trial of a musician, Azeez Fashola (a.k.a Naira Marley) facing cybercrime charges.

The second prosecution witness, Mr Augustine Anosike, is a forensic analyst, who began evidence in 2021.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendant.

Fashola, who sang the popular song: Am I a yahoo boy, was arraigned on May 20, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty.

The court granted him bail in the sum of two million naira, with two sureties in like sum.

On Thursday, defence concluded cross-examination of the second prosecution witness, who ended evidence on Oct. 27, 2021.

During the cross-examination, defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), asked the witness what he understood by to authorise a text or WhatsApp message.

In response, the witness told the court that in his opinion, authorship referred to the producer or maker of the text.

On whether he confirms if the messages extracted from Fasholas phone were products of human activities, he said, I cannot tell because I am not in possession of the gadgets that transferred the messages.

According to him, since the gadgets used for sending and receiving messages belonged to a human, that human is supposed to know how the messages emerged.

Defence counsel also asked the witness if he indicated in his report that the name Azeez Fashola was the sender of any of the messages.

The witness attempted to state that the defendant had other names saved in his phone, but defence counsel asked him to answer the question directly.

In response, the witness replied, I cannot remember.

When defence counsel asked that Exhibit F be shown to the witness as it contained details of his analysis which he had told the court was material to the case, the witness replied My lord, I am not sure.

Defence counsel then said, My lord, we are not comfortable with the reply: I am not sure.

Ojo again reminded the witness that he had told the court that everything contained in Exhibit F was deemed relevant, adding that his reply before the court showed an attempt to be evasive.

Later, the witness replied: In my report, I did not indicate such, but the general principle is that the owner of a phone is the sender of a message except he gave the phone to another person.

Following his response, defence suggested to the witness that in Exhibit F, his extraction did not show the number of people who had used the phone other than the owner.

The witness replied, Yes.

The witness also testified that ownership of a phone was not the same thing as usage of that phone.

He, however, told the court that he was not sure if a SIM card number could be shared or used by different persons.

When asked if from Exhibit A, there was any indication that the suspect had other names, the witness replied, There is no column for other names; it is not indicated.

On whether his analysis on Exhibit F showed or linked the messages to fall within Nigerias territory, the witness replied:The configuration of a phone depends on whether the location can be detected.

If GPS is on, it can be detected, but if GPS is not enabled, then only the owner has knowledge of where he is sending or receving messages from.

Defence then said to the witness, I suggest to you that it is the sender of the messages in this case that can know the truth or otherwise of this case,

The witness replied, Yes, my lord.

The court has adjourned the case until June 1 for re-examination of the witness and continuation of trial.

According to the EFCC, the defendant committed the offences on different dates between Nov. 26, 2018, and Dec.11, 2018, as well as on May 10, 2019.

The commission alleged that Fashola and his accomplices conspired to use different Access Bank ATM cards to defraud their victims.

It alleged that the defendant used a bank credit card issued to another person, in a bid to obtain fraudulent financial gains.

The EFCC also said that the defendant possessed counterfeit credit cards belonging to different people, with intent to defraud which amounted to theft.

The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 1 23 (1) (b), 27 (1) and 33(9) of Cyber Crime (Prohibition) Prevention Act, 2015. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Abdul Hassan

Alhaji Musa Saidu, a chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) says the North must support Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to become Nigerias president in 2023, as a payback for his numerous support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Saidu, also the National Coordinator, Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Coexistence in Southern Nigeria (AIPCSN), said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

He also lend his support to the clamour for power shift from the North to South in 2023.

The issue of power shift started during the military regime, there was a general agreement for power shift from North to South and that was how former President Olusegun Obasanjo emerged as the president in 1999.

Late President Umaru YarAdua who succeeded Obasanjo spent only two years and few months in office and former President Goodluck Jonathan who was the Vice President replaced him.

I think so many things happened afterwards which led to the killing of zoning in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

So in PDP there is no zoning arrangement currently, that means anybody from any part of the country can contest, but in APC if the power must shift it must go to South West and to Tinubu, he said.

He added: But President Muhammadu Buhari came on board on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) without any zoning arrangement.

Buhari got massive support from the North and the South West especially from political bigwigs like Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the former Lagos state governor and a National Leader of the APC.

The South East outrightly rejected the arrangement, they didnt support the APC because they had nothing to do with the party.

The South South too failed to support the APC, leaving only the North and the South West, the scenario repeated itself in 2015 and Tinubu also played a prominent role in APCs victory at the poll.

Saidu, also a human rights activist, said that the ACF met after the election and recognised the contributions of Tinubu towards Buharis reelection.

After the election, the ACF which am a member after accessing the situation agreed to payback the South West and Tinubu in particular in future elections.

In fact it was agreed that Tinubu should be supported after Buhari to win the APC ticket and succeed him in office in 2023.

It was agreed that Tinubu be supported in line with the Northern tradition of paying back those supported us in our hours of need, he said.

Saidu expressed optimism that the APC would win the 2023 Presidential Poll with the former governor of Lagos State as its candidate.

If actually we are having power shift in 2023 then it should go to South West and Tinubu because he has demonstrated love for the North.

In fact Tinubu has the best credential to fly the APC ticket in 2023, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representatives has directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to suspend the implementation of the Hajj Saving Scheme.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Aminu Ashiru-Mani (APC-Katsina) at the plenary on Thursday in Abuja.

The house mandated its Committee on Pilgrims Affairs to investigate the Hajj saving scheme.

It also mandated the committee to review the entire agreement between NAHCON and JAIZ Bank, its partner on the scheme, and report back within two weeks.

Ashiru-Mani had said that the scheme was established in 2006 for intending Muslim pilgrims to save toward performing the Hajj.

According to him, within two years of NAHCONs partnership with JAIZ Bank to assist intending pilgrims to save under the scheme, the customer base has hit over 4000 with no billion naira savings in the account.

He alleged lack of transparency and accountability in the savings scheme.

According to him, if the development is not tackled,it will lead to corruption in the system and disregard for the extant law.

The Deputy Speaker of the house, Ahmed Wase, in his contribution, explained that for more than two years, intending pilgrims had been contributing to the scheme, but unable to perform the Hajj due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

He further alleged that against the act establishing the commission, it was dipping its hand into the fund. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to liaise with the Ghanaian Government to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries to prevent the maltreatment of Nigerians entering Ghana.

This is contained in the recommendations of the Senate after it considered a report by the Joint Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary); Primary Health and Communicable Diseases; and Foreign Affairs at plenary on Wednesday.

The report was based on a Motion for the Urgent Need to Conduct Investigation on the Allegation of Fake COVID-19 Test Results Being Used to Defraud Nigerians in Ghana, and the Obtainment of Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Cards.

The Chairman of the Joint Committee, Sen. Yahaya Oloriegbe, presented the report to the Senate.

In his presentation, he recalled that the investigation was necessitated by allegations that the Ghanaian authorities diagnosed Nigerians who travelled to their country of testing positive for COVID-19 even after testing negative in Nigeria.

He said it was alleged further that Nigerian travellers to the country were committed to isolation for two weeks at N70,000 equivalent daily, an amount running into millions of naira.

According to him, investigations revealed that Nigerians were possibly exploited at the Ghana International Airport going by explanations by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19.

He said Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Chairman of Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, told the investigative panel earlier, that Ghana conducted Rapid-Ag testing on arrival at the airport.

This, he said, had less sensitivity and specificity compared to the PCR test done in Nigeria.

For this reason, it is expected that the Rapid-Ag Test will correctly classify Positive PCR tests but may fail to correctly classify all negative PCR test results.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would need to establish and report back whether the reported case is an isolated event or systemic error or a fraud, Oloriegbe said.

On the allegations of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards and test results, he said that the SGF had stated that for the purpose of international (outbound) travels, COVID-19 PCR tests were conducted by accredited laboratories.

He added that this was verifiable on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) platform through a QR Code.

The Joint Committee Chairman disclosed that the NCDC verification portal which hosts all validated PCR tests for outbound passengers, would be made visible to airlines so that certification can be done for airline staff.

Oloriegbe further said that the PSC utilised the services of security operatives to deal with passengers who blatantly refused to comply with travel protocols for both in-bound and out-bound passengers.

He, however, decriedthat in spite of those measures, some high-ranking officials or those connected sometimes threatened the staff on duty and found a way to escape.

Sen. Oloriegbe said that the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, which appeared before the panel, sought the support of the National Assembly.

He said that the intention was to ensure that all high-profile persons who failed to comply with existing protocols were prosecuted, accordingly.

The Senate, in its resolutions, therefore, urged the Federal Ministry of Health and the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) to develop an exit protocol for all outbound passengers.

According to the Senate, this will enable the authentication of the vaccination cards and also ensure that for PCR tests certificates are conducted at the airport.

It also called on the Health Ministry through its Port Health Services Department to link PCR results platforms with the airline platforms to ensure effective coordination and detection of any fake PCR test result.

The Senate also urged the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to liaise with the Ghanaian Government to strengthen bilateral relations that would prevent a re-occurrence of any ill-treatment of Nigerians entering Ghana.

The federal lawmakers also urged the Presidential Committee on COVID-19 to continuously update its travel protocol as the epidemiology of the disease changed and to also promptly brief Nigerians on the changes.

Source: NAN News

By Clara Egbogota

The Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for a national emergency on road transport to address incessant road crashes and prevent commuters from avoidable deaths in the country.

Okowa said this on Wednesday at the 2021 Road Marshal Assistant Drivers Basic Course Passing Out Parade (POP) held at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshal Inspectorate Training School, Owa-Alero, Delta.

He said his administration was proud to have made contributions to road safety and called for a national emergency to reduce road crashes in the country.

Okowa said that latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed a decline in the number of road accidents in the second quarter of 2021.

He, however, said that the number of road crashes on our roads was still a matter of serious concern.

According to the NBS, road accidents fell marginally from 3,301 in the first quarter of 2021 to 3,185 in the second quarter, representing a decrease of 3.51 percent.

The report also indicated that commercial vehicles accounted for 64.92 per cent of the total vehicles involved.

From all indications, speed violation, wrongful overtaking, and dangerous overtaking are some of the major causes of road accidents in the country.

It is my considered view that the issue of road safety should be treated as a national emergency. There are just too many people dying from avoidable road accidents.

I believe that as a first step to drastically reduce the number of accidents on our roads, public enlightenment is crucial.

I dare say that most drivers on our roads, commercial and private, are not conversant with road signs and safe driving habits.

It is going to take more than sanctions to curb the indiscipline and recklessness on our roads and our approach should be proactive, he said.

Okowa said using handphones while driving, failure to observe road signs/streetlights, poorly maintained vehicles, speeding, and driving while intoxicated were some of the bad habits among drivers that causes road crashes.

The FRSC must, as a matter of exigency, educate Nigerians continually and continuously on the meaning of road signs, the importance of observing them, and the need for them to regularly service and maintain their vehicles.

For it to be effective, the enlightenment campaign should not be done on ad-hoc basis; it should be part and parcel of the daily activities of the agency.

This is the only way to ensure that our people imbibe the culture of safe driving and nobody who has not been properly taught, tested, and found worthy of driving should be entrusted with a Driving Licence.

The process for obtaining one must be strict and rigorous, and enforced without fear or favour, Okowa said.

He congratulated the first set of Corps Marshals trained in the facility.

Exactly 11 months today, this Marshal Inspectorate training school was commissioned by the Vice-President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

It is a thing of joy for me that in less than a year, we are already reaping the fruits of this investment by the state government in partnership with the FRSC, Okowa added.

Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, applauded Gov. Okowa for providing the training school and other support services.

According to him, the school has helped the FRSC in the training of its professionals.

The school has produced 600 drivers that would be deployed across the country to assist in stimulating operational efficiency.

Drivers were given six months regimental training which will go a long way in reducing carnage on the nations highways, Oyeyemi said.

He added that the training would enable the drivers become instructors. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The shipping arm of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), Nigeria Ship Management Ltd. (NSML), on Wednesday said that only Nigerian seafarers pay tax globally.

The Fleet Manager, NSML, Capt. Hambali Yusuf, made this known at an annual conference organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) in Lagos.

The conference was themed, NLNG Vessels Movement and Challenges.

Yusuf noted that seafarers in India were exempted from tax payment unlike their counterparts in Nigeria.

He lamented that Nigeria was losing many seafarers to foreigners due to the tax issue.

In India, if you are not in the country for seven months, you wont pay any tax.

But in Nigeria, if you are not around for a whole year, you are still going to pay tax and you know the tax is graded depending on ones level.

And so, a seafarer that sees where to go and be paid without tax deduction will gladly move to that place, he said

He stressed the need for advocacy with the government for the issue to be sorted out for economic growth and development.

Yusuf added that seafarers pensions were deducted in dollars in Nigeria but paid back to them in naira.

Speaking on dry dock, Yusuf explained that the facilities in the country could not handle the companys size of ships.

Our ships are 283 metres length and 45 metres in width and there is no place in Nigeria now that can accommodate that size of ship.

We would have loved to dry dock in Nigeria because it will be easier for us than to move hundreds of nautical miles away. This will also cost us some money, he said.

He noted that to ensure that the sector and the nation attract investment, there was a need to declare Nigeria as a maritime nation and in doing so, government should give waivers.

Mr Henry Agbodjan, Human Resources Manger, NSML, said that Nigeria needed to be on the International Maritime Organisation whitelist for seafarers certificates to be acceptable.

According to him, to ensure that such happens, there should be a deliberate effort by government through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to address the issue.

Mr Abdulkadir Ahmed, Managing Director, NSML, said that the NSML crew (officers and ratings) were trained up to international standards.

Ahmed said that the ratings were 100 per cent Nigerians while the NSML operates a multicultural fleet of officers comprising Nigerians, Britons, Croatians, Malaysians, Indians, Filipinos.

The NSML is, unarguably, the largest employer of qualified seafarers in Nigeria with over 700 shipboard personnel (officers and ratings) on its books, he said.

He listed some of the challenges faced as stringent global maritime regulations, emerging global maritime technology trends, piracy and security challenges at the Gulf of Guinea, the future of maritime skill sets and others.

Ahmed tasked the media on timely dissemination of accurate, factual and appropriate information.

Earlier, Mr Eugene Agha, President of SCAN, said that gas is not only the future of global energy exploration and usage but also Nigerias huge source of revenue and employment.

Agha noted that the changing trends in the global energy sector demanded a corresponding improvement and updating of the knowledge and skills of the media practitioners.

This will help them to continually avail stakeholders of the opportunities and risks inherent in this sector, which can attract more enabling legislation to reposition the sector.

It will also tackle challenges and pull healthier competition and more gains, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Federal Government says it has concluded plans to give interest-free loan to 98,000 beneficiaries of its Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) 2.0 nationwide.

Sadiya Umar-Farouq, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development disclosed this in a statement by Nneka Anibeze, her Special Assistant on Media in Abuja on Wednesday.

Umar-Farouq said that this decision was reached following the finalverification ofPhase 1 applicants, who qualified and were selected to benefit from small loans ranging from N50,000 to N300,000.

She further said that all the beneficiaries of GEEP 2.0 would receive congratulatory and sensitisation text messages in the coming days informing them of their qualification.

According to Umar-Farouq, the money given to the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme is a loan and not a grant and must be repaid within nine months.

The GEEP 2.0 is a loan scheme designed by the Federal Government to provide financial inclusion and give credit access to the poor and vulnerable individuals including persons with disabilities.

It also covers persons at the bottom of the economic pyramid, who are engaged in small scale commercial activities under its three flagship schemes.

These three flagship schemes are MarketMoni, TraderMoni and FarmerMoni.

Tradermoni targets uplifting under-privileged and marginalised youths aged between 18 and 40 years in Nigeria by providing them with loans of N50,000.

MarketMoni targets under-privileged and marginalised women aged between 18 and 55 years like widows, divorcees among other vulnerable groups and they get interest-free loans of N50,000 payable within six to nine months.

While FarmerMoni is for Nigerian farmers aged between 18 and 55 years in rural areas that operate in the agricultural space, she explained.

The minister said that these farmers were provided withloans of N300,000 for farm inputs, adding that the scheme had 12 months including three months moratorium and nine months repayment period.

All qualified beneficiaries will soon receive their disbursement alerts. We wish to remind all qualified beneficiaries that this is a loan payable without interest.

It is not a grant or a government windfall. It is a soft interest-free loan that must be paid back within nine months, she said.

Umar-Farouq said that the Ministry was planning a roll out of the programme nationwide after which an enumeration exercise to capture beneficiaries bio-data would take place.(NAN)

Source: NAN News