By Adeyemi Adeleye

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Loveth Ugwu/Vivian Emoni

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Adeyemi Adeleye

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

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

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

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

All parties are equal before the law.

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

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

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

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

In politics we talk about capacity.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

By Naomi Sharang

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(www.nannews.ng)

NNL/JTJ

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Nathan Nwakamma

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has called for the implementation of the Niger Delta Stabilisation Programme (NDSP) to curb resurgence of militancy and guarantee lasting peace in the region.

The Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Retired Col. Milland Dikio, described the NDSP as a proactive vehicle designed to keep youngsters between 12 to 18 years old away from armed struggle, militancy and other violent crimes.

Dikio, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Nneotaobase Egbe, spoke when he visited the palace of HRM Felix Mujakperou, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom in Delta.

He said the Federal Government should consider the NDSP as a smart and cost effective measure to ensure uninterrupted development of the Niger Delta and to safeguard the future of its young people.

On the motive of NDSP, Dikio said, We want to create what we call the Niger Delta Stabilisation Programme because the current programme is only focused on the rehabilitation of the 30,000 registered ex-agitators who responded to the declaration of amnesty.

However, it does not address the causative factors or motivations for successive generational waves of militancy in the region since the 1960s.

So the question is, as we are drawing down on this amnesty, could we also keep an eye on the younger generation and give them a new orientation in response to the socio-economic issues in the region?

Yes; we can focus on ages 12-18 because those who are 12 now will be 22 in 10 years, and those who are 18 now will be 28. This was the age bracket of most of the ex-militants.

If you are treating an ailment, you must also take measures to prevent more from developing. The NDSP is designed to give our youngsters a better view of life in order to dry up the pipeline that leads to deviant behavior and militancy.

Dikio, who lauded the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, who is also the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, solicited his support and other stakeholders from the region to actualise the plan.

He also used the occasion to highlight the gains of the novel Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) scheme aimed at changing the current economic fortunes of people of the Niger Delta through those captured by the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

He said, The mantra has been about oil and gas but there are so many things that need attention such as palm produce and the development of the blue economy which are potentially capable of creating a more diversified Niger Delta economy.

Even in our training programme, we are shifting minds. During the recent graduation of 349 delegates at Bradama International Steel Works in Ondo State, the overall best student said he is very happy that in seven months he already has a job as opposed to his mates who went to the university. There is a lot we can do to change the dynamics he explained.

The statement quoted Mujakperuo as saying in his remarks that Dikio had shown that something good could come out of the amnesty programme and commended him for his achievements so far.

He urged him to forgive his detractors and critics and continue to silence them with his performance while drawing from his military career.

He also called for more support for him from all stakeholders to stabilise the Niger Delta region. (NAN) (www.nanneews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Patanm,i has inaugurated 44 members of the governing boards of three parastatals under the ministry.

The parastatals include National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

We have inaugurated 44 governing board members, 17 for NIMC with ex-officials members including those appointed by Mr President and others.

For NITDA, we have 19 including the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer who serves as the secretary and members of the board and NIPOST has 8 members .

We do hope you will continue to display maturity,he said.

Pantami said the responsibilities of the newly inaugurated governing board members were to oversight and oversee the activities of the parastatals as well cascade the national policies developed by the supervising ministry.

You should try your best within the responsibilities that have been assigned to you by the various enabling Acts establishing this parastatals, other government policies and directives that may come up from time to time.

More than 90 per cent of them appointed today were reappointed as a result of our recommendations, as well as due to their display of maturity in the way and manner they interact with the parastatals, he said.

Pantami said there had been some complaints from other ministries where board members had misunderstandings with the management, while completely neglecting their responsibilities.

We must ensure that we should respect constitutional authority in whatever we do. and the boards have no power as regards to awarding contracts and Minister has no power when it comes to awarding contracts as an independent status.
We are part of the board and the management and we are not part of the the tenders board, he warned.

To be fair to all of you. I am so much grateful in the way and manner you try to display maturity of yourself operate within the ambit of the laws and government policies and hope you improve in the second tenure, Pantami said.

He said the responsibilities of the Boards were already outlined in most of the laws establishing this institutions like NIPOST Acts of 1992, NITDA of 2007 and NIMC of 2007.

Pantami charged the new appointees to be more responsible in the discharge of their duties and would not tolerate any form of insubordination by any of the three parastatals.

The sector had recorded tremendous achievements in NIMC which was established in 2007.

We formally took over the supervision in October 2020, the data base we inherited was 32 million, but today it became over 87 million, within two years.

We increased the database with more than 45 million with more than 45 million, he said.

The Chairman of governing oard of NIMC, Prof. Usman El-Nafaty, who spoke on behalf of the newly appointed governing members promised to perform their functions optimally. (NAN)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says football remains the number one sport in Nigeria and a national asset.

According to the president, his administration will resist any attempt to undermine its development.

Buhari stated this when he received the 10-year Football Development Masterplan submitted by the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Tuesday in Abuja.

While describing football as our passion and a major tool for unity, the president affirmed that:

It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard the sport, which has brought Nigeria many laurels, and treat it as a national asset.

Indeed, just as I expect and demand a higher standard of patriotism, responsibility and commitment from those charged with the administration of our football.

Buhari also urged all stakeholders to work together constructively and patriotically.

We have seen attempts to disrespect and undermine the institutions supervising our sports.

We have seen attempts to subjugate national interest for narrow interest or disrespect the laws of Nigeria. Nigeria will not take lightly any attempt to inflict injury on its football fortunes,;; he added.

The president used the occasion to spell out his expectations from the two-volume report.

He directed the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to commence its implementation in phases.

He said this should be carried out within the fine lines of relevant sections of the Nigerian laws on sports development and the statutes of the world soccer governing body, FIFA.

This government is interested in developing a football culture that will accommodate global best practices.

This will also help the nation to lay a solid foundation for domestic football and to put in place professionally and efficiently run leagues.

It will also help in entrenching a consistent and stable football calendar and create a value chain which will boost the sports ecosystem, Buhari said.

He said that achieving this will guarantee desired progress in continental and international competitions.

The president said: I know that a lot of work went into putting this 10-Year Masterplan together.

I received regular briefings on the work being done and I am happy that our goal has been achieved.

The Nigerian leader expressed delight that the Masterplan enjoyed the inputs of a wide range of stakeholders in football.

I am equally happy that the Nigeria Football 10-Year Masterplan (2022-2032) identified 15 Key Areas of challenge.

It has also provided practical recommendations to address these fundamental problems that have bedeviled football development in the country.

The implementation of the short term and medium term plans should commence.

I believe this will signal a positive turning point for our football and a major step forward in our bid to create a conducive environment for its sustainability, viability and profitability.

The Nigeria Football Federation, the body charged with the development of our football is directed to own and commence the implementation of this master plan under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

The president, who reviewed the state of the round leather game in the country, expressed concern that in the past years, football development had gradually stunted due to the neglect of the core orientation of football administration.

He described the governance structure around Nigerias domestic league as weak, adding that standards are conveniently compromised.

He, however, expressed delight that these issues and many more have been addressed in the Document.

The president, therefore, urged the NFF to salvage the domestic league at all levels, saying:

Nigerias football development must return to the path of focus on grassroots and youth development and an overall good governance structure around every level of its development. Nigeria now expects results, he urged.

On the forthcoming NFF executive election, Buhari reiterated his earlier communication to the body on the need for a more equitable and democratic representation in the Congress of the NFF.

According to him, this will ensure that critical stakeholders are not shut out and the most capable and competent men and women are elected to run the affairs of the Federation.

This government has demonstrated political will. It will match it up with making the right laws and investments and work with critical stakeholders.

I thank FIFA for its support and commitment to the development of Nigerian football which has been longstanding.

I trust it will partner with Nigeria in its effort to improve the fundamentals of its football development, he said.

In his remarks, the Sports Minister announced that the Buhari administration had disbursed over N15 billion to NFF through budgetary appropriations and Presidential interventions in the last seven years.

He commended the president for the attention given to football development in the country and laying a solid foundation for the growth of the game.

The minister described the 10-year Masterplan, which took the Ibrahim Galadima -led 16-member Committee six months to prepare, as a world class document.

He said the prescriptions set forth in the Football Masterplan, if followed through with the needed will and determination, would set Nigerias football on a very sure footing and position it amongst the best in the world.

He added that the implementation of the Plan would resolve most issues around the status of the domestication of Nigerian laws, NFF Statutes in line with FIFA Statutes and create room for harmonious relationships in the football value chain of this country.

Dare said: The Masterplan is envisioned to encapsulate functional strategies that would outlast the current administration and firmly place Nigerian football on the path to sustainable growth and development.

Mr President, with your approval, this document will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval and future funding.

So that the implementation of the short, medium and long term plans can commence as part of the legacies of this administration.

Thereafter, this document will be handed over to our football administrators, that is the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, who shall be expected to implement key elements of these reports in stages.

Dare pledged that the ministry would monitor the faithful implementation of the Masterplan.

This, according to him, will ensure that attention is paid to the business opportunities along the value chain, governance structure, standardisation, and prioritisation of the welfare of footballers, education and awareness.

Focus will be on building capacity for sustainable, strategic youth development programmes, efficient club administration, and positive stakeholder engagement.

These would include Referees, Players Union, Coaches Associations, supporters, investors, local and international partnerships and collaborations, he said.

Dare also told the president that one of the most important aspects of the Committees work is the legal regime around football in Nigeria.

He added that the Masterplan made some far reaching recommendations on laws and statutes governing the administration of football.

Dare added that subject to the final decision of the NFF Congress, the Masterplan made recommendations for the expansion of the constituents for the NFF Elective Congress and Executive Board to 111 and 16 respectively, in order to meet new realities and needs.

Galadima, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), noted that re-engineering the legal framework will put to rest the legality of NFF.

He said the Masterplan also recommended improving the tactical depth of coaches through utilising the core mandate of National Institute of Sports and pragmatic sports programmes.

It also recommended regulating the operations of academies and grassroots based programmes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Constance Imasuen

An Energy expert, Mr Imamudeen Talba, has called for the review and harmonisation of the renewable energy as well as energy efficiency policies in the country.

Talba, who is also the Chairman, Steering Committee, Renewable Energy and Energy Sufficiency Associations-Alliance (REEA-A), made the call at a 3-day workshop on the Review and Harmonisation of Renewable Energy and Energy Policies in Nigeria.

Talba said that there were policies of mismatches, adding different policies were being driven by different people and institutions and in that context, there is no synergy.

The policies are so uncoordinated that everybody is doing his own, if you are looking for data, you can hardly see them, because there is nobody to harmonise the data store where you can get it.

Every government institution, when you look at their budget, you see everybody going about renewable energy.

Everybody going about solar project, so there is the need to come together to have a coordinated framework so that somebody will be identified as a leader in that aspect, he said.

Talba said that that there was the need to have an institution that would be held accountable for whatever investment the government was making in respect of renewable energy.

According to him, the kind of framework on ground was so disintegrated as different institutions were going about renewable energy and there was no coordination.

So, at the end of the day, there is nothing to show, because there is no target or specific goal and nothing had been achieved, but money had been spent.

So, the alliance decided that there is a need to bring everybody together, so that we can identify what we need because we we have a common goal.

Our common goal is that the government must better the lives of Nigerians, he said.

On his part, Mr Alli Abubakar, Director, Renewable Energy and Rural Power Access, Ministry of Power, said that the workshop was put together to brainstorm on ways to harmonise all policies in the renewable energy and energy sufficiency.

The director was represented by Mr Emeafu Ebere, an official of the Ministry of Power.

Abubakar said that the decisions reached at the workshop on the harmonisation would assist government to deliver optimally on the promises of providing clean and efficient energy to all Nigerians. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News