Graduands of the multipurpose vocational skills training organised by IOM in collaboration with Nat Limited and Edojobs, to assist returned migrants

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Saturday graduated 62 youths, including 19 women on wood vocation under its community based reintegration programme in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was carried out under IOMs Nigeria: Promoting Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood for Returned Migrants and Unemployed youths through Community Based Reintegration programme.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, organised by IOM in Benin, the Deputy Director General, IOM, Mrs Ugochi Daniels, said out of the 62 graduands, 19 were females who graduated as carpenters.

Daniels said the project set up a multipurpose vocational skills training facility in collaboration with Nat Limited and Edojobs, to assist returned migrants within their community to have access to socio economic opportunities.

The importance of vocational training cannot be overstated, especially in Nigeria where unemployment among the young people is high

Vocational training provides practical skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to the workplace, making graduate of such programme highly employable and ultimately addressing the key drivers of irregular migration.

Edo state has a history of woodwork artistry and this training leveraged on that to promote a blend of learning the wood trade and exposing them to opportunities that are bound within the space.

I am particularly pleased to learn that of the 62 graduate today, 19 are females. In a fast changing world, it is important to ensure that we support women to attain economic independence, she said.

Daniels thanked the Swiss and Netherlands governments for their generous financial support towards the programme.

According to her, special thanks to the Edo Government for collaborating with IOM to successfully implement the project through Edojobs and the Benin Technical College.

She reiterated IOMs commitment to continue to support the government of Nigeria and particularly the Edo Government to provide adequate support to migration issues in the state.

Miss Osayomo Usuanlele, on behalf of the graduands, thanked IOM for the opportunity and promised to make good use of the knowledge learnt.

Highpoints of the event was the presentation of certificates and starter packs containing carpentry tools, including generating sets to all 62 carpenters. (NAN)(www nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Ebere Agozie

The Centre for Legal Rights Advancement (CLRA), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for the abolition of the practice of all forms of corporal punishment in the country.

The founder of CLRA, Prof Ben Angwe, made the call in a statement in Abuja to commemorate the 2023 International Day Against Corporal Punishment of Children.

The International Day against Corporal Punishment of Children is observed April 30 of every year.

Angwe noted that the practice of all forms of corporal punishment in Nigeria was a serious violation of Childs Rights Act 2003 and the International Convention on the Right of the Child, among other laws.

He said that relevant stakeholders should advocate the review of Section 295 of the Criminal Code, Section 55 of the Penal Code and other similar legislations that permit the use of force to correct children.

These sections undermine the the relevant provisions of the Childs Rights Act and other national laws, as well as related international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Corporal punishment is against the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

This ugly practice constitutes an obstacle to the realisation of the right of the child to health, development, safe environment and education.

Unfortunately, such acts are usually carried out by some parents, guardians, caregivers and teachers, in spite of legal provisions.

Angwe who is a former Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) regretted that Nigeria was not among the 65 countries out of about 199 that currently banned all forms of corporal punishment.

He commended the 36 states of the Federation for passing into Law the Violence Against Children Legislation and the majority of the states for adopting and passing into Law the Childs Rights Act in their various jurisdictions, even as he urged them to ensure their smooth implementation.

He called on government at all levels and other stakeholders to double their collaboration to end corporal punishment in its entirety.

I use this opportunity to condemn all forms of child rights violations including child trafficking, child labour and child abuse both at home and in school.

Instead of indulging in such despicable practices, all decisions involving children should be taken in their best interest as enunciated in the Childs Rights Act.

There is a need to comply with the relevant national, regional and international laws prohibiting harsh or degrading treatment, and desist from spanking, hitting, punching, kicking, confinement in small spaces and subjecting any child to a fixed posture for long periods.

Parents and other custodians of children should rather use verbal warning and make references to good moral conduct of persons of reputable character in the society, bearing in mind that an abused child is usually sad and could carry such a mood to adulthood with the attendant unpleasant consequences to the larger society.

He, equally, commended the banning of corporal punishment in Europe, most parts of East Asia, South America and Zambia, urging Nigeria and other affected countries to adopt best practices in Childs Rights Protection. (NAN)

========

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

The National Community Ethics and Value Environmental Compliance Corps, a non- governmental organisation (NGO), has called for the establishment of a national agency to revive respect of ethics and values among Nigerians.

Mr Musa Kelvin, the organisations FCT Commandant, made this call at the end of a training on Promotion of Integrity and Attitudinal Change among Nigerians in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, which had about 70 participants, were trained on being change agents in their various communities.

Kelvin said that there was need to re-awaken the consciousness of integrity, accountability, discipline and morality among Nigerians, which had been on a decline for so long.

According to him, it is important to have integrity police at the grassroot level to consistently monitor and correct every act of misdemeanor among Nigerians.

In line with bringing back the moral standards, we need agents who would inculcate it in people, remind and educate them about behavioural change.

The essence of this training is to keep these agents abreast of the current realities that have devoid our ethics and respect for values.

This is also in line with President Muhammadu Buharis vision of promoting ethical values among Nigerians, he said.

Kelvin called also on the legislatures and the presidency to look into the bill for the establishment of a National Agency for Ethics and Values Compliance, adding that it would be a good legacy they would be giving Nigerians at the end of their tenure.

It is necessary to bring back Nigerians to these moral values that we have lost and to also redeem our image to the outside world, he said.

He added that the organisation was already working with various government agencies to ensure behavioural change among Nigerians.

We are already working with the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Security agencies, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), among others.

At the FCT level for instance, we have approval of the Universal Basic Education Board to establish moral integrity clubs in schools to catch them young and inculcate in them respect for ethical values.

With NEMSA, we are working with the organisation to correct wrong electrical connection that leads to fire outbreak in markets and houses in various communities, among others, he said.

Speaking also, Mr Gana Yusuf, the organisations Commander-General, added that there was need for re-orientation on the importance of ethics and values of the Nigerian culture.

Yusuf, who spoke on the topic Ethical Steps to Undertake During Field Activities urged the participants to discharge their duties effectively, saying that they must be the change they want to see.

It is important for Nigerians to know that whatever we do today will return back to us, either good or bad.

So we expect Nigerians to embrace integrity and attitudinal change, because lack of respect for these had affected us for so long.

The participants should also endeavour to inculcate behavioural change by ensuring that they correct any deviation from ethical norms.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

Buses for the evacuation of Nigerian students in war-torn Sudan

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The Federal Government has explained that the sum of 1.2 million dollars allegedly spent in hiring buses for the evacuation of Nigerian students in Sudan was due to the dire need of the war situation.

This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Mrs Rhoda Iliya.

It was also signed by officials of the ministry of foreign affairs Ambassador Janet Olisa and Dr Sani Gwarzo of Humanitarian affairs ministry in Abuja on Saturday.

The outcry over the negotiated sum of 1.2 million dollars for the buses hired for the exercise, is uncalled for.

The amount in question was negotiated in a condition of war and where there are competing demands for same bus services by other countries also trying to evacuate their citizens.

The general public is hereby advised to discountenance the unverified information being circulated on the social media as some of them are either due to ignorance or sheer mischief, it said.

The statement also appealed for cooperation and understanding of all Nigerians in the ongoing efforts to ensure all Nigerians stranded in Sudan are returned home safely.

The first batch of 13 buses conveying six hundred and thirty seven (637) evacuees had arrived the identified safe borders at Aswan, Egypt.

The evacuees are undergoing necessary documentation and clearance before admission into the Egyptian territory for their eventual evacuation to Nigeria in the coming hours by the Nigerian Air Force and Air Peace airline, who have been on standby for the operations.

However, the movement of the second batch of 29 buses will commence on April 29 and the evacuees are advised to be at the designated locations with only one luggage.

It advised Nigerian students awaiting evacuation from Khartoum to cooperate with embassy officials for proper documentation while embarking on the buses to the designated locations.

This will go a long way in speeding up the process and avoiding unnecessary delays with documentation and clearance upon arrival at the Aswan, Egypt.

The government expressed commitment towards successful evacuation of all Nigerians stranded in Sudan before the expiration of the extended 72 hours ceasefire agreement.

We want to use this opportunity to extend our appreciation to friendly countries who have in one way or the other assisted in bringing succour to Nigerians fleeing the war in Sudan.

Particularly, Nigeria acknowledges the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for graciously assisting with the evacuation of eight Nigerians from Sudan to safety in its territory, from where they would be airlifted back to Nigeria, the statement added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

====================
Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Ismail AbdulAziz

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Jonah

The Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr Solomon Arase, has solicited the support of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) to promote harmonious working relationship between the commission and the media.

Arase said this on Friday in Abuja at an interactive session with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), in Abuja.

He said the commissions mandate include appointment, promotion, and discipline of all police officers except the Inspector-General of Police.

According to him, we are committed to collaborate with the media to ensure proper working relationship with the commission and in extension the police force.

He said that he had also held similar stakeholders meeting with relevant bodies to ensure a seamless working relationship with the commission.

Arase said that the commission had agreed that there was need for synergy between PSC, the police and the media to ensure a properly motivated friendly working atmosphere.

He said there would be constant training between police and the media for interface to ensure proper working relationship for the good of the country.

He said they were ready to change the negative narratives about the frosty relationship that had existed between the commission and the public, adding that the commission had been very silent in recent times.

Responding, the NUJ President, Isiguzo, congratulated the Arase on his appointment, adding that the union would work with the commission to ensure success.

The two leaders agreed to work together for the good of Police, the media and the nation at large. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Bolanle Lawal

An NGO, Balm In Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), has urged media professionals to promote girl-child education in Ekiti.

Its Executive Director, Ms Oluwatumininu Adedeji, made the plea on Saturday at one day Media Roundtable on Girl-Child Education in Ado-Ekiti.

Adedeji said the programme was aimed at engaging media professionals on the need to coordinate strategic communications in addressing poverty, promoting gender equality and
changing cultural beliefs and practices that limit the opportunities available to girl-child.

She said that the group was commissioned as a Consultant by the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Ekiti with the support of the World Bank to undertake a statewide research on the subject.

BIGIF is honoured to have the opportunity to engage with you at this event. We know that the media controls the society and is capable of changing human behaviours, living style and moral thoughts through positive messaging.

The socioeconomic factors and cultural norms affecting girl-child education in Nigeria are complex and intertwined.

To address these factors require a multi-faceted approach that involves addressing poverty, promoting gender equality and changing the cultural beliefs and practices that limit the opportunities available to girls.

Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of our adolescent girls and ultimately, in the future of our society, Adedeji said.

Commenting, Mrs Modupe Ajayi, representative of the Project Coordinator of AGILE, said the focus was to ensure the enrolment of adolescent girls in schools in the state.

Ajayi said further that the programme was also aimed at developing life skills that would help them to navigate adulthood.

Highlights of the event were interactive and break-out sessions with the aim of addressing the behavioural problems, among other factors that hinder girl-child education in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

Buhari receives Tinubu at Presidential Villa

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed doors with the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, and later offered Friday prayers at the State House Mosque, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja confirmed that the two leaders had a closed-door meeting at which they greeted one another on the Sallah occasion following the completion of the 30-day Ramadan fast.

According to Shehu, they privately discussed a host of issues of common concern to them.

The President-elect was accompanied to the State House by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and two Governors, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano and Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara.

The Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa was also in the entourage of the president-elect.

The presidential aide quoted President Buhari as bidding a farewell to the visitor, saying: Thank you for joining us in prayer. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Dorcas Jonah

Initiative for Citizens Rights, Accountability and Development, a CSO, has urged the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to investigate alleged illegal activities of Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi, Oyo State.

The CSO, in a petition on Friday, alleged that the activities of the institute violated the standards of NBTE.

Mr Luqman Hassan, Executive Director of the group, said that the polytechnic established satellite campuses, outreach and study centres, which had been banned by NBTE.

Hassan said that the institute was also running diploma programmes that had been banned by NBTE, hence putting students and parents at a disadvantage.

He said: Findings revealed that Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi flouts rules and laws guiding the establishment and management of academic institutions, especially polytechnics in Nigeria.

The Polytechnic does not concern itself with the approved standards in line with the National Minimum Standards of Education Act.

Neither does the school run in conformity with any laid down quality assurance mechanism of NBTE.

Hassan also alleged that the polytechnic currently did not have qualified lecturers, and that those engaged could take as much as 14 courses, on a meagre salary of N35,000.

This is against International Labour Standards and best practices, he said.

However, the Proprietor of the polytechnic, Dr Abdul Salami, who responded to the allegations in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said they were baseless.

Salami said that the petition was the handiwork of some aggrieved members of staff of the institute.

He said the polytechnic had followed all laid down rules and standards by appropriate bodies, adding that the institute had qualified lecturers, debunking all the allegations in the petition. (NAN)

======

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Temitope Ponle

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for African Governments to connect to Africas Diaspora for the sustainable development of the continent.

Buhari said this in his keynote address at the ongoing Global African Diaspora Symposium (GADS) which was held in Abuja on Thursday.

The president was represented by the Minister of Transportation, Mr Muazu Sambo.

The president said African governments needed to harness human and material resources of the Diaspora.

This, he said, would enable them to become forces to be reckoned with in regards to sustainable development of their homelands, regional bodies, and national governments.

He said this could be done through remittances, medical missions, educational visits, tourism, investments and enterprises, among others.

On this note, there have been foreign and national initiatives to harness the potentials of the African Diaspora in the development of the African continent.

The African Union, African governments have been making efforts towards mobilising the African diaspora for the social and economic development of African communities worldwide.

There have been statements by high level officials of several countries, calling for quote unquote, turning the brain drain into brain gain.

The African Union has designated the Diaspora as the sixth region and some African governments have established cabinet positions within the governments to mobilise the diaspora.

These are all laudable initiatives geared towards the economic growth of Africa by connection with the African diaspora.

Moreover, he said the objectives of the symposium would lead to outcomes that portrayed to the entire African Diaspora, a possible sense of belonging and homecoming, with an ease of entry or movement for the Diaspora into Africa.

Buhari also said it would be beneficial for an improved collaboration on Diaspora engagement between multilateral organisations.

Speaking, President, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, said building stronger connections between Africa and Diaspora globally was pertinent to the contribution of the Diaspora to global security, stability and development.

Touray said it would enable the Diaspora recognise that they are important actors in the integration and development of Africa.

For this reason, there is a need for continuous evaluation of the extant policies and regulations for enhanced Diaspora engagement.

I call on participants to this important conference to help us move from business as usual.

Concrete and actionable Diaspora strategy, both strategies that will serve both the members of the diaspora and Africa.

Also speaking, President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni said the theme of the symposium had a role to play in shaping Africas future.

Museveni was represented by Amb. Abbey Walusimbi, Senior Presidential Advisor on Diaspora Affairs, Uganda.

The Ugandan president said African Governments should work towards a more integrated and prosperous Africa to recognise the importance of the Diaspora community.

He said recognising their importance would encourage them to take an active role in the development of their different countries.

This is very critical to ensuring that Diaspora resources and expertise for the benefit of Africa and that the Diaspora community is engaged in our coordinated transformation agenda.

He also said the symposium provided the opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore innovative solutions for division and sustainable development in Africa.

Meanwhile, in his message, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo said economic integration was the single biggest force that could help African Union realise its economic ambitions outlined in Agenda 2063.

Akufo-Addo was represented by Amb. Sena Siaw-Boateng, Ambassador of Ghana to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Head of Mission to the European Union.

Integration, indeed, is championing the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement of which its secretariat is based in Accra.

This challenge demands commitment, patience, and clear sightedness, as well as the consistent support of our Diaspora. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

The Organised Labour have described the Federal Governments decision to suspend the removal of fuel subsidy as the best option.

Mr Benson Upah, Head of Information,Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said this to newsmen while reacting to the recent suspension of the subsidy removal by the Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that earlier, the National Economic Council (NEC) had planned for the removal of subsidy on petroleum product.

According to Upah, we are glad that they have begun to see the light and decided to do the right thing.

Because the path they wanted to toe on the detriment of the ordinary Nigerians would have set the country on fire.

There would have been instantaneous reaction. Of course, we would have been glad to coordinate those reactions.

But happily, they have beginning to see the light. Our advice would be that they should take a lesson from the document we gave them on the so-called fuel subsidy removal.

The answer cannot be far from domestic production, he said.

He said the decision would enable all the corruption building into the system to be minimised.

Upah, therefore, called on the Federal Government to fix the existing refineries or build new ones, instead of importing refined petroleum products.

Also, Mr Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, Trade Union Congress (TUC) on his part said that the Federal Governments decision to suspend fuel subsidy removal was a good move.

Though its coming late but the Federal governments decision to suspend the move to remove fuel subsidy has alluded to the fact that such harsh economic policy ought to have been a product of social dialogue which was not done.

We told Nigerians earlier on that the policy is ill-timed and is not acceptable. So it is good that the government has done a U-turn because the policy cannot be forced down our throat, he said.

Toro said that it was good that the government had to rethink its decision on the removal of fuel subsidy.

He also added that refurbishing the existing refineries and production of petroleum products in our country is in the best interest of the country because of the huge advantages.

First, it would create jobs, make the petroleum products available for consumption and probably reduce the price of the products. It will also guarantee foreign direct investment and make Nigeria a better of place.

We are confused that our refineries are not working and we have asked over time, why are the refineries not working.

So there is a strong need for a deliberate effort by the incoming government to ensure that our refineries work.

All the monies they claim goes to the process of deregulation can actually be utilised to make our refineries functiona,he said.

He added that the decision to revise that policy had further vindicated Nigerians as this was the right thing.

He however, charged the incoming government that the instrumentality of social dialogue should be leveraged upon on issues that affect the general project of Nigeria, adding that the voice and interest of Nigerians could be accommodated.

Policies should not just be drafted overnight and pushed through peoples throat. Nigeria belongs to all of us.

We are all critical stakeholders and must be part decision making and implementation body to ensuring that our country move forward, he said. (NAN)()

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Source: NAN News