By Olawunmi Ashafa

Similarly, the market capitalisation grew by 0.19 per cent to close at N25.218 trillion as against N25.17 trillion recorded the previous day.

Meyer recorded the highest price gain of 8.86 per cent to close at 86k per share, while Regal Insurance followed with a gain of 7.14 per cent to close at 30k per share.

FTN Cocoa rose by 6.45 per cent to close at 33k, per share, while Caverton appreciated by 5.56 per cent to close at N1.33, per share.

On the other hand, NPF Microfinance Bank led the losers chart with 9.64 per cent to close at N2.25, per share.

Learn Africa followed with a decline of 9.14 per cent to close at N1.69 per share, while Multiverse lost 8.70 per cent to close at 21k per share.

RTBriscoe declined by 6.67 per cent to close at 56k per share, while NASCO shed 5.43 per cent to close at N12.20 per share.

Source: NAN News

Philomina Attah

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), says its has received and investigating almost 100 petitions on recruitment scam from victim institutions and complicit individuals.

The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, revealed this at the policy dialogue on Entrenching Transparency in Public Service Recruitment Process in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the policy dialogue was organised by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), the research and training arm of ICPC.

The dialogue is aimed at producing a policy brief to guide the national response to the issue of curbing corruption and reducing the high level of irregularities in public service recruitment in Nigeria.

It is also meant assist government to get the right number and quality of public service workforce.

Owasanoye said that indiscriminate recruitment had continued to have negative impact on personnel budget leading to rise in personnel wage geometrically and almost doubling.

He said the personal wage bill had risen from N1.832 trillion

in 2015 to N3.494 trillion in 2022.

In actual fact, many Nigerians in both official and non-official quarters have expressed serious concerns over the growing patronage system in the public sector.

The timing of this policy dialogue can not have come at a better time than now.

This is because there is near consensus across our country and across all political divides that there is a lack of transparency in public service recruitment process across all tiers of government in our country.

This is regardless of which political party holds the reign of power in these three tiers of government (federal, state and local).

To underscore the corruption prevalent in the process, ICPC has received and is investigating almost 100 petitions on recruitment scam from innocent victims.

The situation festers due to lack of transparency, he said.

ICPC boss said the policy dialogues generally were meant to deliberate on issues that focus on more systemic and institutional improvements.

This, according to him, will be sustainable regardless of changes in political administration.

He added that the concomitant policy brief was meant to offer solutions that were practicable and directly relevant to the improvement of the subject matter of the policy.

Owasanoye said that the Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno had recently raised a serious concern that the recruitment into the security agencies (Nigerian Police and others) had been politicised.

He quoted Zulum as saying, governors, ministers and other top government functionaries have recruitment slots who are not interviewed, whether they are qualified for the job or not.

These people do not appear to us that the meritocratic tradition in the public service which to some degree, up to the SOS in our counting, is gradually disappearing and very few islands of recruitment integrity only remaining.

This is a matter of grave concern that needs to be critically, objectively and robustly discussed in this particular dialogue session, he said.

ICPC boss expressed hope that the policy dialogue made up of experienced, knowledgeable and diverse stakeholder groups across official and non-official divide, would take a more dispassionate look into the problem which was almost becoming endemic. (NAN)

(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Jessica Dogo

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has called on the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) to ensure data protection, privacy and confidentiality in the country.

Pantami made the call at the official launch of NDPB Logo, Website and Core values, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that data protection should not only be centred within the public sectors, but also across the private sector.

He said that data protection, privacy and confidentiality, were already mentioned in existing laws in various agencies of the county.

According to him, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2007, under Section 26, there is a form of data protection in which nobody is allowed to get access to NIMCs database without the approval of the commission.

In National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007, Section 6 under article J and K, there is a form of data protection under article A to come up with the legislation in the first place.

It is now in the process of being integrated into a full fledged legislation by the National Assembly.

Under the Nigerian Communications Commission Act 2003, there was no mention of data protection clearly.

The commission came up with two subsidiary legislations, in which operators are not allowed to get access or release certain informations without the consent of data subject.

National Health Act of 2014, there is a form of data protection and many more, he said.

Earlier, the National Commissioner, NDPB, Dr Vincent Olatunji, revealed that the mandate of data protection had a strategic roadmap that would provide the turning point in the countrys data privacy.

Olatunji urged stakeholders to give the bureau the needed support to achieve its mandate.

The Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Mr Adeleke Adewolu, in his goodwill message, congratulated NDPB and pledged support of the commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that data protection is a constitutional right founded in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

NAN also reports that NDPB is a new parastatal under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, established in line with global best practices.

Source: NAN News

By Douglas Okoro

Stakeholders in Izzi clan of Ebonyi have faulted the endorsement of Mr Francis Nwifiru, the Speaker, Ebonyi House of Assembly by traditional rulers in the area for the 2023 governorship position.

The position of the stakeholders is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abakaliki and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The statement was signed by 16 persons drawn from different segments of Izzi clan.

They are: Michael Udenwe, Godwin Nwode, Nick Ochigbo, Uchenna Nshii and Benjamin Nwoba.

The signatories also include: Joseph Nwovu, Abraham Chima, Henry Onyebuchi, Alex Oshim, Jerome Onyeka, Michael Egbedike and Reuben Nwankwo among others.

According to the statement, the alleged endorsement of the speaker by the traditional rulers is clear violation of the directive issued by critical stakeholders and leaders from Izzi clan urging them to stay away from partisan politics.

Gov. Dave Umahi had recently at a meeting with key stakeholders from Izzi clan requested them to nominate two aspirants from the All Progressives Congress (APC), to be chosen as standard bearer for the party in 2023 governorship election.

The stakeholders noted that at a meeting of Izzi stakeholders held at the house of Sen. Chris Nwankwo, on Sunday, April 3, that a decision was reached that traditional rulers from Izzi should stay out of politics and shun any call or plans to drag them into partisan politics.

The statement said that the decision was taken in order to absolve the royal fathers from needless distractions and to enhance their political neutrality as the politics of 2023 drew closer.

It further noted that involvement of the traditional rulers in active politics, in any form whatsoever, including endorsing aspirants for the forthcoming elections would distract them from their role as fathers and leaders of the various communities in Izzi.

The statement reads in part: The attention of stakeholders from Izzi clan of Ebonyi has been drawn to a purported statement issued by some traditional rulers of Izzi at a courtesy visit to the Director General of Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation (EBBC), Chief Timothy Nwachi.

The royal fathers had on Monday, April 4 during the visit endorsed the embattled Speaker of Ebonyi House of Assembly, Mr Francis Nwifuru for the position of governor.

The action of the selected traditional rulers was against the advice of these critical stakeholders not to involve themselves in partisan politics.

By endorsing one aspirant in a contest where many prominent Izzi sons in the platform of the APC are also vying for the same position goes against the ethics of their traditional functions, equity and fair play.

That the traditional rulers by their purported endorsement have created a situation capable of causing a breach of the peace in Izzi and Ebonyi in general, especially at this time of heightened security tension in the country.

That since Izzi stakeholders are still deliberating on the issue to make recommendations to the governor, it is not only wrong but calamitous for the traditional rulers to endorse an aspirant.

That we wish to remind the traditional rulers that their primary duties are to be the custodian of the culture and traditions of the people; carter for the welfare and progress of their people, adjudicate on disputes in their communities and to work to secure them.

That we call on the traditional rulers to recant and retract their statement and tender apology to the Izzi people publicly through the media.

That we call on right thinking and well-meaning Ebonyi indigenes to disregard the statement as it is only God and the generality of Ebonyi voters that can determine who becomes the next governor of Ebonyi in 2023.

The group urged the state government to call the traditional rulers to order and direct them not to be involved in politics.

They said that further interference might result to breach of peace among the Izzi people and Ebonyi in general.

NAN reports that Izzi is a clan in Ebonyi North zone, expected to produce the governor in 2023.

The clan has prominent men who have interest in the position, including Chief Elias Mbam, the current Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

In the PDP are: Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, one time Minister of State for Health and Chief Sylvester Ogbaga, serving House of Representatives member and many others who have made known their intention to run for the seat.

Izzi clan comprises Abakaliki, Izzi and Ebonyi local government areas. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Uwadileke

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, has given assurance of Federal Governments determination to tackle challenges facing the cotton industry.

The minister, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Ifedayo Sayo, said this was with a view to create jobs for unemployed youths.

Addressing a delegation of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) who visited him in Abuja, Adebayo said that the cotton industry had the capacity to transform Nigerias rural economy.

He added that it could revive the textile and garment industries by creating over two million jobs and improving internal revenue across the three tiers of government.

The minister said that it could reduce 4.0 billion dollars import bill incurred annually on textile and apparel, earn foreign exchange, and make Nigeria a global player in textile and apparel.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Nigeria was home to Africas largest textile industry with over 180 textile mills which employed close to over 450,000 people, Adebayo said.

He said that the industry contributed over 25 per cent of the workforce in the manufacturing sector.

Today, most of those factories have all stopped operations; textile factories are operating at below 20 per cent capacity with a workforce of less than 20,000 people.

I am happy to announce to you that Mr President is determined to change the narrative and rewrite the history of Nigerias struggling Cotton, Textile and Garment sector.

In 2019, the government flagged off the wet season cotton input distribution to 150,000 farmers in Katsina under the Anchor Borrowers Programme.

They are cultivating over 180,000 hectares of cotton that will feed our ginneries. Production is also ongoing across many states with more to come onboard in the next planting season, he said.

Earlier, President of NACOTAN, Mr Anibe Achimugu, appealed to the Federal Government to revamp the cotton industry to provide jobs for the Nigerian youth.

Achimugu said that if the sector was revived, it would not only help to take youths off the streets but also help to address restiveness, banditry, drug abuse and emigration issues.

He said that the industry is the second largest employer of labour in the country and deserves the attention of the Federal Government.

This will enable the industry to contribute its quota to the economic development of the country, Achimugu said.

He said that the prevailing global economic development called for a wider and more sustained approach to dealing with the challenges in the industry.

Achimugu urged the minister to prevail on the Bank of Industry/Leasing Company of Nigeria for special intervention for the cotton industry.

He also sought support of the minister for the payment of Nigerias assessment to the International Cotton Advisory Committee for the periods, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, which he said is 58,500 dollars. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday in Abuja advocated greater devolution of authority to local councils to enable them to perform optimally.

The minister made the call while addressing participants of Senior Executive Course 44, 2022 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, near Jos, who visited him on a study tour.

Participants on the study tour are researching into Strengthening Local Governance in Nigeria: Challenges, Options and Opportunities, a topic assigned to them by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The minister observed that local governments are critical to entrenching democracy and bringing about rapid development at the grassroots.

He expressed regrets that the third tier of government had remained inefficient and ineffective because of challenges, particularlythat of the lack of full autonomy.

There are issues and challenges that have over the years limited the capacity of local governments to execute their constitutionally assigned roles and responsibilities as a unit of administration with defined powers and authorities.

State governments have covertly abused the provision of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution which empowers them to make legislation for the functioning of local governments, he said.

The minister added that there is ambiguity in the powers conferred on the states by the 1999 Constitution to legislate on the organisation and structure of local governments.

Speaking on financial autonomy for local councils, the minister, a lawyer, noted that the 1999 Constitution provided for allocation of funds to local governments from the federation account, thus giving them financial autonomy.

He said in contrast, the same Constitution made provision for the establishment of theStates Joint Local Government Account through which local governments would receive their allocations.

He noted that many state governments took advantage of the joint account to deprive local governments of vital funds, and thus incapacitating them.

The minister also faulted the inconsistency in the tenure of elected local government council officials compared to what obtains at the state and federal levels.

In many cases, elections are not conducted and caretaker committees are allowed to function for periods even longer than the tenure of elected councils.

This is a setback and has created political instability for the councils to focus on the real task of governance, the minister said.

He added that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari encouraged and supported policy initiatives and legislative interventions aimed at strengthening local government system.

He said Executive Order 10 signed by the president was intended to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary, the legislature and local governments.

Mohammed said though the Executive Order was voided by the Supreme Court it had not diminished the commitment of the president to ensure a better structure for the third tier of government.

Responding, leader of the delegation, Dr Ibrahim Choji, thanked the minister for the presentation stating that it was one of the best outings of the team.

He said the ministers presentation would assist the team in writing its reports and recommendations to the president.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the highlights of the visit was the presentation of awards and plagues to some members of the group and to the minister. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Angela Atabo

The AIG-Imoukhuede Foundation on Tuesday said that it would offer 100 civil servants free training across Africa .

The Executive Vice-Chair of the foundation, Ofovwe AIG-Imoukhuede, made this known in a statement made known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to AIG-Imoukhuede, the applicants should be citizens on an African country working in the public sector with a minimum of seven years of active service and occupy a directorate level position.

We are pleased to announce the commencement of the selection process for the second class of the AIG Public Leaders Programme.

The application window opened on Jan. 27 and will close on April 7.

This year, we will be offering 100 civil servants across Africa a unique opportunity to undertake an executive training offered by the foundation in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, England.

The programme will be at no cost to all successful applicants as scholarships worth over 5,000 will be provided by the foundation, the statement said.

AIG-Imoukhuede said that the programme would be administered by a distinguished faculty of experts and teachers with classes hosted for five weeks and two weeks of in-person sessions in Abuja.

Details of the programme are contained in the public leaders programme brochure attached and applicants can visit http://aigimoukhuedefoundation.org/aigplp/ for more information.

Source: NAN News

By Folasade Akpan

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has inaugurated its Bakery, Water and Garment Factories and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) for North-Central.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects were inaugurated on Monday by the Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, at the Magaji Dan Yamusa NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

Sule commended the NYSC for the laudable achievement, adding that the ventures underscored the importance of not only acquiring a degree but also a skill.

So, I want to thank you for your vision, for redefining and reinvigorating the NYSC and for bringing back the life of this vision.

I want to assure you that by the grace of God we will not only patronise the products you are having here as a state, we will find ways to work together as a team because this is coming right on time.

I strongly believe that by the grace of God Nigeria will overcome, our leaders will continue to be blessed with the wisdom to overcome all the challenges that we have.

The Director-General of NYSC, Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, at the inauguration said that the execution of the projects was to reinvigorate the NYSC Ventures and SAED programme in line with the NYSC Act for greater impact.

According to him, both ventures are very important in light of the present prevailing economic realities.

SAED is geared towards empowering youth corps members for self-employment and wealth creation.

The NYSC ventures, comprising agro-based and other businesses are meant to play multiple purpose of providing part of our kit items and other essentials for the conduct of orientation course.

This is in addition to serving as sources of revenue and training grounds for youth corps members.

Our priority attention to the development of the ventures is particularly in line with the Federal Governments policies on food security and diversification of the economy through optimisation of the nations potentials in non-oll sectors.

While reeling out some of the organisations achievements through the NYSC ventures in other locations across the country, Ibrahim said that over N1 billion had been generated through these sources and was paid into the Federal Government coffers between 2020 and 2021.

He said that while the new bakery, garment and water factories were indicative of the organisations commitment to expanding its revenue generation platforms, they would also serve as additional training avenues for corps members to enroll for relevant vocational skills under the SAED programme.

He added that the complex was unique because it had the highest number of NYSC factories located in the same place.

The NYSC boss said that like similar ones established for the North East, North West and South West, it would provide youth corps members with access to effective post-camp training in different vocational skill areas.

We are already in talks with the Nasarawa State University on a proposed partnership whereby the Entrepreneurship Unit of the institution will use this facility to impart entrepreneurial skills on both the corps members and interested youths of Keffi community.

He urged the managers of the facilities to safeguard the equipment by ensuring high standard of maintenance at all times, adding that the NYSC management would provide all the necessary support for effective running and sustainability of the ventures.

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, former governor of the state and the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), said that the acquisition of skill was very critical.

This, he said, was because the government was not in a position to give employment to every corps member after graduation.

So, this type of initiative is most commendable and over and above the training skills we have to also train this young people on the know how, the approach of being self sufficient, he said.

The Director, Ventures Management of the NYSC, Mr Momoh Mohammed said that the garment factory was equipped with 100 industrial sewing machines and other machines needed for the production of high-quality kit items to be supplied for use by youth corps members.

He also said that the water factory had three water packaging lines for the production of sachet water as well as pet and dispenser bottle water.

In the bakery, we have installed modern oven and other equipment required for the production of health enriching bread.

It is instructive to note that products of our bakery and water factory will be supplied to orientation camps in line with our mandate and also sold to the general public. (NAN)

(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Diana Omueza

Action Alliance (AA) party has announced a 50 per cent discount for nomination forms for women, youth and People with Disabilities (PWDs) interested in contesting the 2023 general elections.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Kenneth Udeze, the National Chairman, to publicise the sale of Intent and Nomination forms to aspirants in the party.

Mr James Vernimbe, the partys National Secretary, made the statement available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

According to Udeze, the party is giving 50 per cent discount on the form for youths and women between 25 years and 35 years of age with verifiable birth certificates or evidence of age declaration.

Also PWD aspirants would only pay for the cost of intent form, while the nomination form would be obtained for free.

The intent form for Presidential aspirants is N5,000,000, while the nomination form is N10,000,000.

The form is sold for N2,000,000 and N4,000,000 for the partys Governorship aspirants; and for Senatorial aspirants, it is N1,000,000 and N2,000,000 respectively.

The House of Representatives go for N500,000 and N1,000,000, while State Houses of Assembly form is N100,000 and N400,000 respectively.

All payments are to be made at the partys national headquarters in Abuja and no refunds of money after payments.

Last day for the sales of both intents and nomination forms is May 15, while the last day for the submission of all completed forms is May 16, he said.

He said that the mode for the conduct of the partys primaries would be made known in due course.

He, however, said a special national convention would be held on June 3, for the presidential primaries when all qualified candidates would be issued certificates of return.

He said that the criterion for accreditation of delegates for all the party primaries and the national convention was via presentation of a valid party membership card.

The screening of state Houses of Assembly aspirants would be on May 17, and appeals made same day at the partys national headquarters.

Screening for National Assembly aspirants to hold May 18, and appeal to hold same day, while screening for all governorship and presidential aspirants would hold on May 19 at the partys headquarters.

The list of all successfully screened and qualified candidates with other accompanying documents would be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 30, as required, he said.

Udeze said that state Houses of Assembly primaries would hold across the country at the states constituencies headquarters on May 28.

He said primaries for the National Assembly would hold May 29, and May 30, at the house of representative federal constituencies and senatorial district headquarters.

He added that the governorship primaries would be held nationwide on May 31, at the states capitals.

He said that the partys National Think Tank Committee (NTTC) would converge to confirm the lists of all party candidates and make final submission to INEC on June 2.

According to him, only the partys presidential primaries will hold on June 3, at the national convention. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

DOM/KOLE/DCU

=============

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday joined Muslim faithful at the State House Mosque to mark the commencement of the Ramadan Tafsir, the interpretation and explanation of the Quran.

The exercise is in line with Islams guiding principles and the intense devotional activities marking the 30-day Ramadan period.

The president joined the Muslim Ummah to pray for justice, peace, prosperity and enhanced welfare of the whole humanity, stressing the need for deepening of forgiveness, mercy and kindness to the poor.

The Chief Imam of the State House Mosque, Sheikh Abdulwahab Sulaiman, who presided over the Tafsir, condemned terrorists who had taken the religion of Islam as a cover to kill and loot the property of fellow citizens.

He prayed to Allah to avert the activities of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers as well as the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unforeseen hardships it brought to the country and global community. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News