By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja admonished the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to avoid being used for partisan politics or to settle personal disputes.

The President, who gave the warning at the unveiling of EFCCs Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Manuals, at the State House, urged the Commission to focus on serving the nation and entrenching good governance.

He advised leaders and all operatives of the commission to resist the temptation of being influenced by political actors for personal gains.

I must advise the leadership and operatives of this Commission to resist the temptation of being used for partisan politics or be dragged into personal disputes.

Your job is to serve the nation in its efforts to entrench good governance, he said.

The president commended the leadership of EFCC for securing 2,220 convictions within one year and recovering over N152billion and million.

I am glad to note that the war against corruption, which is one of the cardinal objectives of this administration, is being strengthened.

This is being done through the institutionalisation of operational procedures particularly as they form the building blocks of transparency and accountability in administration and public expenditure, he said.

Buhari commended EFCC chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, for efforts to further institutionalise the commission by developing 26 Standard Operating Procedures and 25 Policies and Manuals for the Departments, Units and Staff of the Commission.

He also appreciated the support of the Board, management and staff of the commission.

The President called on other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), especially law enforcement agencies, to also ensure the standardisation of their processes within the extant laws and regulations.

I need not underscore the importance of todays occasion but let me remind you that the stakes are high but national expectations are higher.

Therefore, we must continue to strive and deal decisively with matters in accordance with the rule of law, Buhari said.

He said government would continue to accord all necessary support to MDAs in order to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives already commenced in actualising the vision of a corruption-free society.

Let me conclude by saying that the fight against economic and financial crimes in Nigeria is a collective responsibility of all Nigerians if we are to make meaningful progress as a nation.

I invite you all to fight corruption in all its ramifications and join us to entrench good governance values and integrity within all our systems.

As I have often said, If we do not kill corruption, corruption will kill us as a nation, he said.

According to the President, the development of the standards demonstrates the commitment of this administration to the fight against corruption and the acceptance of transparency and willingness to be subjected to scrutiny.

This is a confirmation of national efforts against graft.

I understand from your remarks, Mr chairman, that these are the first collection of policy documents ever developed in the eighteen years of the Commissions existence.

These are indeed remarkable achievements and are very commendable, he said.

The President assured of a rules-based system in government business and the provision of the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

You may recall ladies and gentlemen, that since we came into power in 2015, we have consistently demonstrated the necessary political will to fight corruption.

We have ensured the operational independence of the anti-graft agencies, strengthened the legal framework, empowered the regulatory agencies and provided adequate funding to support the fight against corruption, he said.

The chairman of EFCC earlier said the agency was undergoing various phases of reforms, including the production of the manual, to reposition it for the task of fighting financial crimes in the country.

The chairman thanked Buhari and the National Assembly for the confidence reposed on his ability and competence to take over the leadership of the organisation.

Bawa said departments had been reorganised and upgraded, including intelligence gathering, training and the academic institutions, to meet the demands of the job.

He said that a software had been developed for operations, and a mobile app, The Evil Eye, deployed for ease of reporting economic and financial crimes.

He said the EFCC already had a five-year (2021-2025) strategic plan with clear and measurable targets, based on five objectives.

According to him, the objectives include improving public engagement to fight crimes, systems and processes for prevention, intelligence gathering, prosecution and law enforcement.

I will lead an agency that will be the pride of our country, Nigeria, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has reassured of successful conduct of Saturdays National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

Buni, also Chairman, APC Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this shortly after an inspection visit to the convention venue in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Press and Public Affairs to Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, Dr Makut Macham on Friday in Jos.

Macham said that Buni lauded the convention venue/site committee headed by Lalong on the preparations made so far.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations made so far, especially the venue, and all arrangements put in place for the convenience and safety of all delegates during the convention.

He said the progress made by the committee was a demonstration of the unity and zeal among members of the APC, toward a successful convention that would ensure a solid future for the party.

He also commended the commitment and synergy among various committees, for the success of the convention, he said.

Responding, Lalong assured that all facilities required to ensure smooth conduct of the Convention have been put in place.

He advised all delegates to adhere to all guidelines especially the seating arrangements at the venue, to ensure a hitch free convention.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC) says there is over 1.6 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) available for nationwide distribution.

Malam Mele Kyari, NNPC Group Managing Director, made this known at the official unveiling of the Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) in Abuja.

Kyari who was represented by Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, said NNPC as of today has 1.6 billion litres of PMS which is about 27 days sufficiency.

This is to assure Nigerians again that there is adequate supply of PMS and it is getting to all nooks and crannies of the country. We will continue to ensure that we facilitate the availability of PMS.

I appreciate all Nigerians for all the patience and cooperation as we get back to normalcy in terms of petroleum products distribution in the country.

After the challenge we had in January and the global environment for energy got worsened with the crisis in Ukraine and Russia, NNPC will do its best to alleviate the plight of Nigerians, he said.

He noted said that the company had been working with relevant stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to put palliatives and continue to ensure that there was free flow of PMS in all areas of the country.

We are working with the authority, we are working with the Nigerian Association of Transport Owners and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), now we are going to work with ADITOP to ensure we create normalcy to the situation, he said.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, called on stakeholders in the industry to make petroleum products available for citizens.

Sylva who was represented by Mr Famous Asiegbu, Director Human Resources in the ministry, said the ministry would continue to offer the association the needed support.

Alhaji Lawan Dan-Zaki, President, ADITOP, said that the Petroleum Industry Act if implemented properly and selflessly, could serve as a standard for national resource management.

Nigeria has a wealth of natural resources with petroleum playing a major role in the economy.

Unfortunately, in the Nigerian economy, the distribution of petroleum products is plagued by complex issues resulting in product outages, inflated costs, and disagreements over the products pump price, Dan-Zaki said.

He said that ADITOP was poised toward working with all the key players in the industry to tackle the challenges.

In his goodwill message, Mr Chinedu Okoronkwo, President Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said that the unveiling of the association was a new road map for the oil and gas industry.

Okoronkwo decried that prior to the coming up of ADITOP marketers had no association that could aggregate the activities of truck ownership.

We are in a season that we are losing members because those not in the business have hijacked our business.

With the collaboration with ADITOP, there will be no more strike where people will lock NNPC depot. All these excesses would be checked, Okoronkwo said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ginika Okoye

United Capital Plc, a financial services group, says its board of directors has approved a total dividend of N9 billion for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2021.

A statement issued by the companys Chairman, Mr Chika Mordi on Friday in Abuja, said the dividend which translated to N1.50 for every 50k share was an increase of 114 per cent when compared with 70k paid in 2020.

He said that in spite of the macroeconomic pressure, the companys total revenue was up by 40 per cent year-on-year to N18.07 billion from N12.87 billion achieved in 2020.

Operating profit before tax grew to N12.12 billion in 2021, up by 53 per cent from N7.95 billion in 2020.

While profit before tax was up by 50 per cent to N11.92 billion signifying solid growth in the overall profitability of the Group.

In addition, the total assets of the Group rose by 104 per cent year-on-year to N453.60 billion by December 2021.

This was driven by significant growth in managed funds while shareholders funds was up by 25 per cent to N30.55 billion largely due to the significant growth in profit after tax, he said.

Commenting on the groups performance, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Ashade, said the company would focus on the transformation agenda.

He maintained this would be done by deepening value propositions to key market segments and exploit new market opportunities in 2022 business year.

Our stakeholders can be assured of our commitment to keep delivering an exceptional result, Ashade said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has hosted the founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the get-together was to show Buharis appreciation to the critical stakeholders for their continued support, understanding and cooperation to his administration.

It was also meant to show appreciation to the founding fathers for keeping faith with the goals and ideals of the ruling party for national salvation.

The engagement was also in furtherance of genuine efforts by the Buhari administration aimed at ensuring a rancour free and successful National Convention of the party, slated for March26.

Others in attendance included the first Interim Chairman of Party, Chief Bisi Akande, Dr Ogbomnaya Onu, Rochas Okorocha, Ibrahim Shekarau and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

Others are Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Aminu Masari of Katsina, and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

The Chairman, Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party, Mai Mala Buni, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also attended the dinner.

NAN reports that no official statement was issued on the outcome of interactive dinner as at the time of filing this report.

Buhari had earlier met with APC governors, national chairmanship aspirants of the party as well as the partys leadership at the National Assembly during which issues relating to the APC National Convention were discussed. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it recorded more than 40 cases of human trafficking in Anambra in one year.

Mrs Judith-Chukwu Ibadin, the Commander of NAPTIP in the state, disclosed this at the opening of a three-day Stakeholders Sensitisation Forum organised by Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM- Nigeria) on Wednesday in Awka.

The project is supported by the Network of Civil Society organization against Child trafficking, abuse and labour (NACTAL), Anambra Chapter and funded by the European Union, the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP).

Ibadin said that majority of the cases handled by the agency included child sexual exploitation and sale of human beings.

We have recorded and handled over 40 heart-touching cases of human trafficking in Anambra in the last one year and it bothers more on women and children.

Children are being sold like commodities in the state which is why we hear cases of missing children. This is so disturbing.

It is not a fight for NAPTIP alone. We are calling for partnership with the state government, organisations and stakeholders to eradicate the menace in our society, she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Lilian Ezenwa, National Vice President, NACTAL, described trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants as a crime against humanity and should be eradicated in the country.

The focus has always been in the South-South, especially Edo but South-East is becoming a time bomb that cannot be ignored. In January, 13 young men en-route Libya were arrested in Kano and 11 of them were from the south-East.

Cases of baby sales and baby factory are becoming rampant in the south-East. So, government needs to partner with stakeholders to curb these problems, she said

In his address, Mr Joseph Sanwo, Senior Project Officer, A-TIPSOM- Nigeria/FIIAPP, said the organisations were supporting the government in Nigeria to reduce trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants and increase awareness in the country.

I am happy that the people of Anambra have accepted that there is a challenge of human trafficking in the state. So, we need to gather all the support to nip this menace in the bud.

It is okay to travel outside the country, but I advise that you travel right, he said.

In her remarks, Ms Eucharia Onyemaobi, State Coordinator (NACTAL), lamented the increasing rate of baby factories, baby sales and egg sales in Anambra.

Onyemaobi said the forum was aimed at brainstorming ways to take the fight against human trafficking to the community level where potential victims reside.

The perpetrators of human trafficking have continued to change their trends and patterns to stay upgraded in the crime. We need to increase public awareness, she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Hussaaina Yakubu

Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Aisha Dikko,says the state government is committed to the speedy dispensation of justice following the recent enactment of the States Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

The commissioner spoke on Thursday in Kaduna at a one-day seminar and retreat with the theme, Kaduna State Administration of Criminal Justice Law Monitoring Committee:The journey so far.

Dikko explained that the Law was enacted to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions and speedy dispensation of justice.

According to her, the law seeks to protect the society from crime, as well as protect the rights of suspects, defendants and victims.

Dikko also highlighted what both the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee and the Ministry of Justice had been doing to ensure compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

She said the committee, in collaboration with the ministry and in consultation with the judiciary, had instituted a plea bargain committee, with a manual to guide parties seeking to explore plea bargain approach in settlement of matters.

The Attorney-General argued that plea bargain was necessitated by the need to conclude criminal proceedings in little or no time, with all parties going home as winners, having been able to come to a consensus.

This in turn saves the time of the court, decongests its docket and decongests the custodial centres, thus saving tax payers monies and saving the state the time and cost of prosecution.

It also gives the victim, an almost certain compensation, and the defendant, the opportunity to purge his or herself of an offence, she added.

The commissioner also said that the committee and the ministry had fashioned out a sentencing guideline aimed at aiding the court in deciding appropriate sentences to pass on defendants upon conclusion of criminal proceedings.
(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has reiterated his commitment to tackling the challenge of accommodation and other infrastructures across the Nigerian Army Barracks.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement said that Yahaya gave the assurance while inaugurating projects within 81 Division Nigerian Army in Lagos on Thursday.

The COAS said that the Nigerian army had sustained effort towards boosting troops morale and well-being through provision of conducive working and living conditions.

He also pledged to continue to provide intervention projects in the areas of barracks renovation and construction, procurement of new platforms and rehabilitation of hospitals for effective medical care.

Yahaya also assured troops that army headquarters would continue to upgrade weapon systems and equip its training institutions to effectively actualise his vision.

He said his vision was to have a professional Nigerian army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.

The army chief also reiterated the commitment of the army to tackle contemporary and emerging security challenges in the country.

He, however, charged all personnel to continuously strive to protect the citizenry and critical assets within their respective areas of responsibility.

You must be selfless in the conduct of operations to bring succour to those in despair as you discharge your constitutional responsibilities to the nation, he said.

The COAS urged the officers and men to justify the resources expended to improve their well-being by remaining committed professionally and ensuring maintenance of infrastructure in their Barracks.

He expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous support to the Nigerian army which had made the improvement of personnel welfare possible.

He also commended the General Officer Commanding 81 Division and Corps Commanders, for providing necessary oversight on the projects during construction.

The newly-inaugurated projects include Transit Accommodation for Finance and the Supply and Transport Corps, Students Hostel for Ordinance School and three newly-built official residences for Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSM) of the Division.

Others are Army Engineers and Signals Corps, accommodation for the Commander and Deputy Commander of Command Finance Office at Apapa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State on Thursday said that no fewer than 1,096,355 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) printed prior to the 2019 general elections were still yet to be collected in the state.

The new INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, disclosed this at his maiden stakeholders meeting with party leaders, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders on Thursday in Lagos.

Let me also inform you that some Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) of those that registered prior to the 2019 General Election are still available at all the 20 LGAs for collection by those who are supposed to have done so.

It is important to point out that a total of 5,626,537 PVCs were collected by their owners before the 2019 General Election out of 6,728,394 PVCs received in the state leaving a balance of 1,101,557.

Out of the remaining ones, 5,202 had so far been collected since the beginning of the CVR exercise last year.

A total of 1,096,355 PVCs are yet to be collected as we speak.

I want to use this opportunity to urge all those that are yet to collect their PVCs to go to the INEC offices in the LGAs where they registered to do so.

All PVCs issued by INEC are valid to be used to vote in all elections conducted by INEC including the 2023 General Election, Agbaje said.

The REC said that the level of participation of eligible residents of the state since the beginning of the CVR , both online and physical capturing exercise, was very low compared to other states in the country with lesser populations.

According to him, those who have registered online without completing the physical capturing exercise will not be eligible for PVCs and cannot vote in 2023.

He said that the third quarter of the CVR had been concluded and the printing of the register generated during the third quarter was at an advanced stage , and would be on display between March 26 and April 1, for claims and objections.

Agbaje said that the fourth quarter CVR would take place between April 11 and June 30.

So far, a total of 112,127 eligible citizens have completed their registration as of March 21 in Lagos State since the beginning of the CVR in 2021, the INEC REC said.

He said that prior to the expansion of Voter Access to Polling Units across the Federation by the Commission in 2021, Lagos State had 8,464 Polling Units, but the Polling Units had increased to 13,325 after the exercise.

The commissioner urged party leaders and the media in the state to assist INEC in educating the voters to register or transfer their registration to the new polling units in the ongoing CVR so as not to defeat the purpose of creating them.

Agbaje urged political parties to always adhere strictly to their respective parties constitutions, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in all their affairs, particularly byensuring internal party democracy during the upcoming primaries.

The REC noted that the major challenges facing the commission were the win-at-all-cost attitudes of some politicians and voter apathy.

In his remarks, Mr Olusegun Mobolaji, the Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Lagos State said that the council was ready to work with INEC in all its activities ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Also, Prince Ifagbemi Awamaridi, the Lagos State Chairman of Labour Party (LP), said that all stakeholders were demanding from INEC were integrity and transparency, saying that people would not complain if elections were free and fair.

Mr Richard Benson, the Lagos State Vice-Chairman of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Publicity Secretary, IPAC, called on INEC to do more on awareness campaigns and opportunity for people living with disability. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has disclosed the 12th Edition of Zuma Film Festival, scheduled to hold in Abuja from April 2 to 9, 2022 has been shifted to between May 1 and May 7.

The Director, Public Affairs of NFC, Mr Brian Etuk, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Etuk explained the shift in date became necessary to achieve a successful and impact driven international film festival having recently designated Abuja as the official Host City of the festival, in line with best global practices.

He said that the collaborative partnership between the NFC and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to jointly host the festival had provided the opportunity for increase in domestic, foreign investors and stakeholders participation and attendance.

He said that the festival bouquet had equally been up scaled in content, scope and design to achieve its desired objectives.

According to him, the NFC, FCTA and its partners regret any inconvenience caused by the shift in date.

He assured that all related activities prior to new date of May 1 to 7, for the festival, themed Show the Money, with the International Conference Centre, and Nicon Luxury Hotels, Abuja as event venues, would be communicated accordingly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the FCTA permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola, in November 2021, said the administration in partnership with NFC would hold the Zuma Film Festival in April.

Adesola, who made the disclosure while signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the NFC, said the administration accommodated the hosting of the festival in its 2022 budget. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says a total of 47,975 terrorists and their families have so far surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East from September 2021 to date.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said this while giving an update on military operations between March 10 and March 24, on Thursday in Abuja.

Onyeuko said the achievement of the military within the period included killing of 17 terrorists, arrest of 35, recovery of 34 AK47, five dane guns and nine locally made guns.

He said the troops also recovered 270 rustled cows, three motor cycles and 13 bicycles used by the terrorists for movement.

According to him, while 7,000 Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists from different locations surrendered, troops also rescued 27 civilians in the last two weeks.

The surrendered terrorists have been profiled, while rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action, he said.

In Operation Hadarin Daji, Onyeuko said the Air Component carried out air interdiction on March 14 at Unguwar Adam village in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing more than 27 bandits.

He said the air raid was sequel to an intelligence report about the gathering of more than 50 terrorists for meeting their key commanders and leaders.

He added that one Malam Sule, a brother to notorious bandit, Lalbi Ginshima, was among those killed in the air raid, which according to him is a major setback for the group.

The Defence spokesman said scores of terrorists were also killed in another air interdiction carried out at a terrorist enclave at Magaba in Kaduna State, adding that those fleeing were trailed and mopped up by ground troops.

He said troops also neutralised eight bandits, arrested seven, rescued 56 victims and recovered arms and other equipment in other operations during the period.

In Operation Safe Haven, Onyeuko said the troops recovered several stolen railway sleepers, three trucks, one J5 bus, two AK47 rifles with extra magazines during operations within their area of responsibility.

He said the troops also rescued three civilian victims, neutralised two bandits and apprehended 19 others, who he said were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.

In Operation Whirl Stroke, Onyeuko said that troops eliminated no fewer than 10 bandits, arrested five, recovered vehicles and different types of weapons during the period.

According to him, troops have continued to carry out operations against terrorists, bandits and other enemies of the state and have remained committed to all operational engagements.

While the security situation in some locations remained peaceful and calm, some other areas recorded some incidents within the period, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

The management of Katsina United Football Club has unveiled Usman Abdallah as the clubs new Technical Adviser.

The unveiling was performed on Wednesday in Katsina by the Club Chairman, Abdulsamad Badamasi, alongside some of the clubs officials.

Badamasi explained that the new Technical Adviser has signed a 21-month contract, effective from March 23, 2022 to December 22, 2023.

This signing of a new technical adviser is aimed at rebranding the team, to enable it return to form for more success in the ongoing 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), he said.

Abdallah, while speaking during the ceremony, thanked the clubs management for giving him the chance to serve and contribute towards the development of football game in the state.

I assure you of doing my best to transform the club and enhance the performance of the players, he said.

The former coach of Enyimba International FC of Aba however appealed to the club management to give him all the needed support to enable him succeed.

While giving a brief on Abdallah during the unveiling, clubs spokesperson, Nasir Gide, said the coach was born on July 16 of 1974 at Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State.

He has previously served as Chief/Head Coach of Enyimba, Technical Adviser at Junior Kano Pillars, FC Toulon France, FC Sete France, FC Frontignan France, Ballene FC France and Jollilad FC of Singapore, among other clubs.

Abdallah has won the NPFL title in 2019, and was CAF Confederation Cup semi-finalist in 2018 and a runner-up in the Bangladesh Premier League as Coach/Player.

Similarly, he has gained experience at different clubs both here in Nigeria and abroad, Gide said.
L
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Katsina United FC management recently dispensed with the services of Azeez Audu as the clubs Technical Adviser. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Wednesday rolls out 1,000 technology-driven GAC-branded automobiles, codenamed LAG RIDE.

Sanwo-Olu said during the rollout ceremony held at Lagos House Ikeja, that the LAG RIDE was a ride hailing taxi initiative, being operated on a lease-to-own basis.

The initiative is a partnership between Lagos State-owned IBILE Holding Ltd. and CIG Motors Company with the objective to provide clean and reliable means of taxi movement across the metropolis at affordable cost.

Operators are required to pay about N1.9 million down payment, of which the sum covers the 20 per cent equity of the cost of vehicle, registration and insurance.

Each car being used in the scheme comes with technology-enabled security features that monitor every journey undertaken.

He said that the state had moved another step forward in its drive to develop an efficient transportation model in tune with modernity and comfort.

The governor said that the aim was not to run existing hailing ride operators out of the business, but to offer safer alternative and clear the roads of rickety cars being used for taxi business.

He said that the scheme would provide opportunities to the operators to become owners of the vehicles within three to four years period.

According to him, the need for better, dignifying and more rewarding means of transportation and livelihood for unemployed and underemployed population necessitate the new Lagos State Taxi Scheme.

Under this arrangement, a beneficiary will be provided a brand-new car which will become the drivers property after completion of the payment of the vehicles subsidised cost, he said.

Sanwo-Olu said that to improve riders and passengers security, a full security gadget, including a 360 dashboard camera, that would give 24-hour audio-visual feeds to the control centre, had been pre-installed on each car deployed for the scheme.

He added that each car came with a physical panic button that could be used by anyone on board, in case of assault or emergency.

The governor said that the panic button was also on the mobile application and was connected to the Control and Command Centre.

He said that the automobile assembly plant being set up in Lagos another component of the partnership between CIG Motors and the state government stood at 60 per cent completion, with anticipated start of operations expected by September.

The Commissioners for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladehinde, said that the scheme was another milestone achievement by the state government.

Oladeinde said that to make the rides affordable, the technology on which the scheme was operated had made ride-sharing possible for passengers, who would agree to share ride and share transit costs.

The Chairman of CIG Motors, Nigeria, Mrs Diana Chang, said that the roadmap for the urbanisation of the transportation system in Lagos started in Nov. 2019, when the Gov. Sanwo-Olu and members of his cabinet visited the Republic of China for bilateral partnership.

Chang said that the unveiling of the LAG RIDE was the glorious end of the partnership sealed with Chinese investors.

We are using this partnership to promote a Greater Lagos where opportunities abound for citizens of the state, while creating a win-win model for all stakeholders, she said.

The Managing Director of IBILE Holding, Mr Abiodun Amokomowo, said that over 5,700 drivers had downloaded the drivers mobile apps as at Tuesday, out of which 1,786 drivers submitted applications.

Amokomowo said that registration and enrolment fee had been accepted from 359 drivers, while others were awaiting screening.

As part of the process each operator will go through for the safety and security of life and effective operations of the scheme.

We will conduct full verification of applicants Lagos State Drivers Institute (LASDRI) ID cards, medical history, background check and verification of NIN and Lagos resident registration numbers, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, on Wednesday inaugurated Prosthetics and Orthotics workshop at the 44 Nigerian Army Refence Hospital, Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was built by German Government for the production of artificial limbs through the German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG).

The minister, who was represented by Dr Olajide Jonhson, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, commended the German government for its support to Nigerias war against insurgency.

He recalled that the GTAG, a bilateral programme between Nigeria and Germany, had established a rehabilitation clinic and handed it over to Nigerian government in 2019.

Within the short time of its operation and for the fact that the clinic is the only one of its kind with state-of -the-art medical equipment in Nigeria, it attracted an overwhelming patronage across the country, he said.

Magashi said the GTAG initiated the expansion of the clinic to accommodate the prosthetic workshop to cater for the large turnout of patients.

I, therefore, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, express our profound gratitude to the German government for these laudable projects.

The Federal Government and particularly members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain grateful for your diverse support in supplying of medical equipment and provision of technical expertise through GTAG,

He pledged to ensure effective utilisation of the for the benefit of all Nigerians and humanity in general.

I wish to also reassure you of our utmost desire to sustain this very important collaboration between our armed forces, Magashi said.

Earlier, the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Birgitt Ory, said the handover of the clinic and workshop was an important step in the relationship between the two countries.

The ambassador was represented by Lt-Col. Jens Gliemann of the German Technical Advisory Group.

According to her, the GTAG equipment aid programme is for selected countries in Africa, including Nigeria, to improve the operational capability of their armed forces.

In Nigeria, the German government has invested around 20 million euros over the past five years as part of the equipment aid programme.

Of this, around 2.8 million euros went to the rehabilitation center project in the 44 reference hospital Kaduna.

She recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari made the request for the establishment of the centre in 2015 during the G7 Summit in Germany.

The President had a very friendly and fruitful exchange of views with our former Chancellor Angela Merkel on bilateral relations, international security and measures to be taken against challenges in the region.

The ambassador outlined several projects that were discussed in the German Parliament, some of which have been included in the equipment aid programme.

Ory said a training programme for Nigerian prosthetic technicians was initiated in 2020 at one of the largest manufacturers of artificial limbs in the world, the German company OTTOBOCK.

They have received one year of training and have been certified by international standards; in September 2022, Nigeria will have three certified technicians, she said.

The ambassador expressed delight that Nigeria has already started to produce prostheses.

The first five patients have already received their new limbs and, in cooperation with the rehabilitation clinic, they will quickly learn to master their lives with this new medical aid.

There is no denying that the partnership approach is beginning to bear fruit.

We, the Federal Republic of Germany, will further intensify this cooperation in the coming years and will closely support our Nigerian partner, Ory said.

The Acting Commander, Medical Corps, Nigerian Army, Col. Idris Solebo, said the establishment of the workshop for production of artificial limbs for soldiers and civilians was very important.

This local production of world class artificial limbs will facilitate our efforts at rehabilitation of combat amputees, thereby boosting the morale of the fighting force, Solebo said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The German Agency for International Corporation (GIZ) is collaborating with the Lagos State Government to promote circular economy by boosting the activities of Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, Mr Bankole Oloruntoba said that the strategic collaboration was to proffer innovative solutions to the various challenges facing Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oloruntoba made the assertion at the circular Lagos Challenge Grand Finale, held on Wednesday in Lagos.

A circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.

NAN reports that the Circular project was launched by the Lagos State government with the support of the GIZ.

Oloruntoba said about 1,000 applications were received in January from individuals who wanted to take part in the innovation challenge before being reduced to 12 after two stages of screening.

The CEO added that the dynamism of Lagos also contributed to the fact that the innovation challenge is holding in Lagos, adding that whatever innovation carried out would serve as a model to other states.

The will and passion to demonstrate innovation led to the journey that brought us here. The aim is to create dynamic growth economy in Lagos.

We welcome you all and thank you for being here, working with us to find an alternative in solving problems in Lagos. he said.

Mrs Toyin Odutola, an Assistant Director who represented the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Tunji Bello, said the state government would continue supporting innovative ideas.

Lagos State Government is interested in circularity of the state. We want to make sure all our recyclables are recycled and wastes effectively managed.

We implore anyone with innovative ideas to share with the state government which is always ready to make the environment more habitable. she said.

Jennifer Seydel, representative of GIZ Nigeria said the Circular Lagos Challenge seeks to grow the market for circular economy businesses in ways that benefit producers, consumers, and communities across Lagos.

She said circular businesses are also expected to reap the monetary benefits, stimulate local economic growth and create meaningful job opportunities.

NAN gathered that Circular Lagos is organized as bottom up initiative, which focuses on experimenting with small-scale projects with a view to learn from practice.

It also aimed at building institutional capabilities and develop an engaged and committed network of Circular Economy professionals in Lagos.

For the challenge, circular businesses submitted innovative solutions that can fundamentally change the way people design, change and use the things they need.

The winners of the most promising innovation undergo an incubation programme where they receive educational input and introduced to circular economy tools such as entrepreneurship, finance and policy.

Their application is developed to pilotable prototypes of solutions.

The challenge is guided by Circular market leaders that have urgent business needs and an interest to support entrepreneurs from ideation to project implementation.

The sponsors include BASF Sweepsmart, Coca-Cola

The Federal Government on Wednesday in Abuja said that it would invest more in meteorological services for accurate, timely and reliable weather prediction.

Prof. Mansur Matazu, Director-General, Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet), said this at the 2022 World Meteorological Day, organised by the Agency.

According to him, such efforts will reposition NiMet and its products and services to further influence society positively.

Matazu said that the agency had decided to improve on infrastructure and creatively disseminate weather forecast to as many Nigerians as possible.

He said: NiMet is the organisation saddled with the responsibility of advising the government and people of Nigeria on every aspect of meteorology, including the socio-economic impacts of climate and weather.

That is why we join the rest of the world to celebrate this years atmosphere and our role in protecting it.

This day connects NiMet with sister agencies across the globe by bringing to fore activities of agencies like ours and the WMO that coordinates all activities among the Members States, he said. (NAN

Source: NAN News

By Diana Omueza

The Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), has advised the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to partner with the Federal Civil Service Commission in its recruitment, to ensure that it inclusive, open and transparent.

Mr David Anyaele, the Executive Director of the group gave the advice in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Anyaele said that it was imperative for the commission to partner with the FCSC to ensure that no individual was left behind on the ground of disabilities.

The partnership is imperative to ensure that any recruitment by the commission is open, transparent and no qualified person is schemed out of the opportunity on the grounds of disabilities.

CCD is calling on the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with Federal Civil Service Commission and the Federal Character Commission to apply appropriate policy to ensure that no section of the country dominates the commission.

The NCPWDs should pursue approval for the recruitment of an all-inclusive member of staff to enhance its capacity and capabilities to discharge their mandate and mission.

It is imperative for the commission to collaborate with the federal civil service commission to ensure that every recruitment exercise is open, transparent and no qualified person with a disability is schemed out of the opportunity on the grounds of disability.

This is important because applicants with disabilities are painfully discriminated by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA) to the extent that citizens with disabilities have been picketing MDAs with a demand to offer them employment.

As such an agency that focuses on disability matters must ensure that qualified persons with disabilities have a greater majority in the staffing of the commission, he said.

Anyaele said that the advice was also based on the lopsided composition of the staff of the commission in which out of about 61 members staff, 48 were persons without disabilities, while only 13 were persons with disabilities and others were volunteers.

This disability unfriendly composition of the staff of the commission is unacceptable for an agency that is vested with the responsibilities for the education, health care, and the protection and promotion of the social, economic, and civil rights of citizens with disabilities in Nigeria.

We are mindful of the endemic politics of recruitment in the public service in Nigeria, whereby politicians, ministers, national assembly members, governors down to councilors use their proximity to the ruling party to gain employment.

The NCPWDs should be free from recruitment of none professionals as the commission is a specialist government agency that requires competent staff to deliver on its mandate, he said.

Anyaele said that many career professionals were within the disability community and suitable for employment and should first be considered in any recruitment by the commission.

He called on disability activists across the country to ensure that discrimination and other harmful practices against PWDs were brought to end in all spheres and across the country.

Anyaele also reiterated the commitment of CCD to continue to monitor trends in the polity to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities were protected against discrimination and other harmful practices. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Ahead of the 2023 general election, a group of indigenes of Zamfara on Tuesday purchased the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship nomination and expression of interest forms for Malam Abubakar Gusau.

The group, Zamfara Rescue Initiative, comprised people of diverse backgrounds cutting across party lines, including top business leaders, youth leaders, Zamfara indigenes abroad, friends and well-wishers of the people of Zamfara.

The groups Coordinator, Mr Musa Bello, while presenting the forms to Gusau in Abuja, said that the dire condition of the state motivated the patriotic citizens to rally round with the sole aim of rescuing the state from underdevelopment.

Bello said that the initiative believed that the only way to re-engineer Zamfara was by identifying and supporting a credible candidate to run as governor, regardless of political affiliation.

He said that after a painstaking process that involved considering several prospective candidates, they settled for Gusau to run as governor of the state in the 2023 on the platform of the PDP.

Bello said: In giving effect to this resolution, the initiative sought for contributions from its members and raised funds to purchase the forms from the PDP National Secretariat earlier today.

There is no gainsaying that since its creation in 1996, Zamfara has fallen short of all expectations owing to lack of meaningful progress, largely due to a deeply entrenched leadership deficit.

Indeed, the vision of Zamfaras founding fathers has been destroyed beyond comprehension. Prior to its creation, Zamfara was one of the top three commercial centres in the North.

Indeed, there were textile industries, cotton ginneries, confectionaries factories, oil mills, etc, that provided employment to our teeming youth population.

Unfortunately, all of these have now become historical artefacts, with the states economy virtually grinding to a halt, resulting in unprecedented levels of poverty and deprivation across the society.

In addition to this, even more critical aspects of development have been negatively affected by the lack of leadership.

Bello added that the insecurity pervading the state through the activities of armed bandits had brought untold misery to Zamafara people, denying them peace and livelihood through farming.

The poor infrastructure across our schools that have neither qualified teachers nor teaching facilities is also worrisome.

The health sector is also grappling with lack of a conducive environment, trained personnel and drugs to serve the population. The litany of woes is endless, but we at the Zamfara Initiative have not lost hope in our state.

We believe that with the support of other patriotic citizens, Gusau is the right person to lead the transformation of Zamfara in 2023, he said.

According to the group leader, Gusau is not just a pioneer member of the PDP from 1998 to date, but a man who possessed the required experience and skills to develop the state.

He said that Gusau had impacted on many, over an illustrious carreer spanning the public and private sector.

He served in the Ministries of Transport, Education and Health, as Personal and Special Assistants to two Honourable Ministers from Zamfara state.

He also served in a top position at the Nigerian Maritime Authority. As the Zamfara State SURE-P Co-ordinator, and ensured the empowerment of our youth.

During a stint in the private sector, he served as the Regional Manager of V-Mobile Networks. His struggle for people emancipation began since his university days where he served as President of the Students Union Government.

These, among other qualities, make him a unique candidate and a rallying point for the Zamfara Rescue Initiative, he asserted.

Receiving the forms, Gusau commended members of the initiative, describing their gesture as a challenge and clarion call to service.

Gusau, who said he only got the invitation for the presentation two days ago, however said that he was going to continue with his wider consultations with stakeholders before making his final decision on whether to contest or decline.

He expressed confidence that the PDP would reclaim the governorship seat in 2023.

The PDP in Zamfara has always had the strength and the power to win elections, but what has been absent and lacking is deliberate strategic efforts to win.

In 1999 PDP won elections, unfortunately due to other reasons, which we all know, the efforts of some of us who were part of, were thwarted, he recalled.

Gasau said that the party would adopt a winning approach this time around, including the use of campaign of substance and engagement of critical stakeholders.

He advised people of the state to ensure that a credible candidate emerged as the state governor in 2023 to address the problems facing the state.

It is high time the people of Zamfara began to vote credible people into various offices. It is high time we ignored all those ballot stuffing, ballot buying and face developmental projects.

Zamfara is, in fact, at the zero level of development at the moment, Gusau said.

Many of the initiative members who spoke at the event expressed their support for Gusau, stating that he has what it takes to develop the state.

One of the leaders of the initiative, Malam Sanusi Gumi, said members of the group collectively made the decision in response to the approval of stakeholders, believing that if Gusau emerged as governor he will change the narrative of the state for the better.

He is someone who has the popularity, capability and at the civil service he rose up to the level of a Director.

He is a manager of resources who is well connected to people at the grassroots and recognises the problems facing the state, Gumi added.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Sylvester Thompson

The National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) says it is considering developing a database of indigenous technologies to address issues relating to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country.

Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma, Director-General, NACETEM, disclosed this at a sensitisation workshop on survey and development of data on indigenous technologies aimed at addressing SGDs in Owerri, on Wednesday.

Okwuoma said that a database to this effect would make it easy for practitioners to know about knowledge available locally and how to maximize such to achieve the goals.

He noted that the agency had, previously beamed its searchlight on indigenous technologies by conducting research on bronze casting, pottery making, leather tanning, among others.

He said for Nigeria to compete in an era of globalisation, there was an urgent need to identify areas and build on them by the application of scientific methods.

In fact, it has been argued that indigenous knowledge and technologies present excellent possibilities in this regard, he said.

The NACETEM director-general said that similar workshops held in the past revealed the potential of indigenous technologies for the growth of the nations economy.

Ukwuoma said they were in Imo to harness the avalanche of indigenous technologies present in the eastern parts of the country.

Harnessing all that we have without leaving any part of the country unexplored, so as to take full advantage of the abundant indigenous technologies in Nigeria is considered highly critical, he said.

Ukwuoma described indigenous knowledge as the unique knowledge confined to a particular culture or society.

He said such knowledge is generated and transmitted by communities, over time, in an effort to cope with their own socio-economic environments.

As a people, we cannot afford to lose sight of knowledge that is indigenous to us, so as to remain relevant in the scheme of things globally, he said.

He said, By knowing what was available, it would be easy to know how best to deploy them in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as economic growth, zero hunger and quality education, among others.

Dr Tosin Lievbare, Assistant Chief Research Officer of NACETEM, also made a presentation on, Survey and development of data on indigenous technologies that address the goals.

Lievbare said that Nigeria has diverse indigenous knowledge systems that had been transferred over a long period of time and are still in use in spite of the advent of modern knowledge systems.

He mentioned these to include, agriculture and agricultural tools and practices, aluminum fabrication, drum making, agro-processing machineries, bronze artifacts, local fabric weaving, and iron smelting, among others.

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported 29 states in tackling environmental projects across the country, through the Global Environmental Facilities and Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).

The GEF-SGP National Coordinator, Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday

Olubamise said that the organisation supported over 170 projects in about 200 communities in the beneficiary states.

She said that the environmental challenges addressed by the organisation include climate change, land degradation, chemicals and international waters.

As a strong development partner, from 2009 till date, the GEF/SGP implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has continued to support community environmental initiatives.

The support is focused mainly in remote communities through Civil Society Organisations. The UNDP GEF/SGP is the only development support agency that has reached more remote communities in Nigeria.

The organisation has supported over 170 community projects in over 200 communities in 29 states and tackles

The national coordinator said that the organisation had also intervened on protection and restoration of over 800,000 to one million hectares of land respectively, with over 800,000 direct beneficiaries.

She noted that the GEF/SGP had impacted on some specific projects which include development of community seed bank to conserve indigenous plants species.

She said that the organisation had trained over 2,000 teachers and students as climate change champions in 70 government schools in the FCT.

Olubamise said that the organisation also protected some endangered monkeys scattered in Akwa Ibom and supported over 25 community forest management projects in Cross River.

According to her, the organisation promotes leaf used in the wrapping of food, restore biodiversity and reduce plastic pollution in Osun as well as

Others are establishment of orchards; enhancing traditional knowledge of species; nurseries and tree planting, training of over 20 community forest scouts for forest management among others, he said.

The national coordinator added that most of the environmental initiatives had attracted national and international attention, adding that over 17 awards have been recorded so far.

She said that one of the awards was the UNDP Equator Award, which honoured local and indigenous groups that were charting a path toward sustainable development.

Source: NAN News