By Aderogba George

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has reiterated calls for more slots for women in the governance, adding that such provisions must also be accommodated in the Constitution.

Tallen made the call at the opening of a two-day public hearing of the Senate committee on the review of the Constitution.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Anthonia Akpabio, the minister said that not much had been achieved to improve womens participation and gender equality in leadership.

She said that in spite of formal support for this position in the National Gender Policy of 2006 which recommends a 35 per cent benchmark, the government was yet to approve the recommendation.

The return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999 has not improved the level of inclusion of women at all levels as the proportion of women in both elective and appointive positions has remained low.

This is in spite of the 2006 National Gender Policy (NGP) and the various regional and international instruments that the government has signed on to.

Over the years, Nigerian women and other critical stakeholders have continued to mobilise and strategise to seek interpretations of the 1999 constitution as amended with the sole objective of getting legal backing for deliberate inclusive governance in Nigeria, she said.

She further said that Nigeria as a member of the international community had signed and ratified a number of international and regional human rights instruments, and was yet to respond to the directive.

Tallen mentioned those documented instruments which promote human rights as, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of 1966 and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 and CEDAW of 1979.

Others are the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 1981, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights 2003 and Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa 2004 among others.

She said that Section 12 of the 1999 constitution required the domestication of those treaties before they can be made to work in the country, adding that Nigeria was yet to domesticate any of such treaties that protect and promote womens rights.

She, therefore, called for the review of the 1999 Constitution, noting that the constitution was the most important document that directs the affairs of the government and the people.

She stressed that the Constitution processes and procedures should be inclusive and take cognisance of all expectations and concerns of all and also ensure people-centered legislation.

Tallen, however, called for a constitution that truly represents the yearnings and the preamble of the women and Nigerians at large.

According to her, a critical look at Nigerias electoral positions shows that they are male-dominated, in spite of the fact that the countrys constitution guarantees the right of every citizen to participate in politics.

She, particularly, called for the review of Sections 14(3), 14(4), 147(3), 171(5), 192(2), 208(4) and other sections of the Constitution to accommodate the rights of the women. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

The Presidency has described as unfair and distorted opinion the latest article on Nigeria published by the Foreign Affairs (Magazine) titled, The Giant of Africa is Failing.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made the condemnation in a statement in Abuja on Thursday while reacting to the article.

In a letter addressed to the publishers of the magazine, the presidential aide frowned at the way and manner facts were being bent to support distorted opinions.

The letter read in part: The latest article on Nigeria in Foreign Affairs titled The Giant of Africa is Failing is unfair both to a magazine with such an esteemed pedigree and to its readers.

Ambassador Campbell has been predicting the collapse of Nigeria for several years. He is of course entitled to his opinions, even where events consistently prove him wrong.

But facts should not be bent to support distorted opinions. Let me give you one example.

The authors write: At an April meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Buhari reportedly requested that the headquarters of the U.S. Africa Command be moved from Germany to Nigeria so that it would be closer to the fight against jihadi groups in the countrys north.

President Buhari did not request that AFRICOM move to Nigeria. The transcript of the call with Secretary Blinken is available on the State Departments own website.

Its not just a question of the invented addition of to Nigeria with regard to AFRICOM. It sums up a piece that attempts subtly but revealingly to shift facts to suit an argument.

According to Shehu, Nigeria faces multiple challenges, not least of which is the dissemination of fake news and prejudiced opinion.

He said: This is something we have come to expect from partisan blogs and politically motivated lobbies.

It is still a surprise, and a disappointment, to see them joined by Foreign Affairs. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Nigerians cannot judge the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on the countrys security situation would soon be brought to book.

He advised Nigerians and the media not to pay attention to those blackmailing the government and its appointees in the social media.

For example, a lot of educated young people aremisled to believe that SARS is an evil organisation within the police through the social media.

And today, we are having pockets of insecurity everywhere because the effects of SARS has really weakened the morale of the police, he said.

The APC scribe noted that while there were some bad eggs in the police, it must be understood that the Police has disciplinary system in place.

Akpanudoedehe stressed that there was need for the police to reorganise, restrategise and re -energise itself to defend Nigerians,not minding what mighthave happened in the past.

I want to use this medium to plead passionately to the new Inspector General of Police to get back the spirit of effective policing, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, says the country has achieved significant growth in-country value addition from less than five per cent in 2010 to 35 per cent in 2021.

Sylva, who disclosed this at a virtual African Local Content Round Table on Thursday, said that the feat was achieved through the implementation of local content policy.

We have set an ambitious target to achieve 70 per cent local content in the oil and gas sector by 2027.

Our success story in the oil and gas industry has led to a bold step to extend local content to other sectors of the Nigerian economy.

As a caring African country, we have also considered it necessary to amplify the benefits of local content to our fellow African countries and that is the essence of the African Local Content Roundtable, he said .

He noted that decades of hydrocarbon production in Africa had not translated to the desired economic growth on the continent, adding that over 15 African nations were still producing and exporting crude oil.

He said that the sad reality was that the people had not benefited maximally from the natural resource, either because the proceeds were not optimally managed, or failure to domesticate the core operations of the industry.

We must, therefore, use the opportunity of this RoundTable to initiate conversations around local content, share success stories, challenges and come up with policies that would deepen local participation and domiciliation in our respective countries.

One of the pathways for this desired collaboration and cross-country development is the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and I am pleased that we have a representative of AfCFTA in this forum.

Indeed, AfCFTA provides an opportunity to create a single market through the facilitation of free movement of goods, services and investment within the 54 member states of the continent, creating access to 1.2 billion customers, with a cumulative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over 3.4 trillion dollars.

It is imperative that African oil-producing countries and their companies cooperate closely in developing and sharing capacities and capabilities to optimise the hydrocarbon deposits and achieve economic growth and development, Sylva added.

He further noted that the establishment of the biggest FPSO integration yard in Lagos, Nigeria and so many other facilities could be used by other African countries.

The minister said that it made better business sense to partner with an Umbilicals producing plant in Angola, or a bolt manufacturing company in Niger Republic instead of going all the way to the United States and Norway for the same products.

We must take firm decisions and develop policies and projects that would position our industry competitively and sustain our economy under the emerging energy transition.

The Federal Government of Nigeria took firm steps in this regard very recently, funding two strategic energy projects in Nigeria.

A 10,000 tons per day methanol plant and 500 million standard cubic feet per day gas processing plant in Brass, Bayelsa State and the Ammonia and Fertilizer plant in Akwa Ibom State.

It is my expectation that the ALCR will become a signature event, leveraging on the wonderful foundations already built by APPO and rotating among all the African oil producing countries.

I look forward to actionable outcomes from this Roundtable and I earnestly hope it would contribute towards increased regional collaboration and development of Africas hydrocarbon industry, he said (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Fortune Abang

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government will continue to play its role to realise major innovation goals in Nigeria.

Osinbajo made this known in his address at the closing ceremony of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) programme on Thursday in Abuja.

Osinbajo was represented by Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology.

For too long, we have allowed our economy to depend on conditions driven by oil and we have seen that, that is not good for our economy.

Our nation is a great nation, we can do far better than what we are doing, we have abundance of natural resources and some of the most intelligent people in the world.

This is acknowledged everywhere, so there is no reason why our economy should not be based on knowledge that is innovation driven, he said.

The vice-president disclosed that since December 2020 i-FAIR Centre was opened and admitted its fellows, the federal government had always given support.

He noted that many of the start-ups were been matched by investments, urging all Nigerians to support the ongoing drive for innovation to achieve targets.

Osinbajo said: We want all Nigerians to know that if you have a dream government will support you.

To become a reality and such ideas will be transformed into a product or service useful to meet our needs as a nation to create more jobs.

We have the largest population in Africa and largest market concentration globally, if China with population of about 1.4 billion can give employment to its citizens, we should do it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-FAIR programme which started from on Dec. 1, 2020 to April, 2021 centered on on-line trainings.

The participants developed prototypes and business plans, while learning about intellectual property protection, marketing options, communication and pitching to potential investors, at the i-FAIR innovation labs and workshops.

High point of the ceremony was presentation of certificate to 21-graduates of the fellowships programme.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, says Nigeria has the capacity to produce SIM cards and Smart phones for the African continent.

The minister said this at an event organised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professional Forum on Thursday, in Abuja, at the partys national secretariat.

The event was organised by the forum for government appointees to give account of their stewardship in office to Nigerians.

Pantami, while speaking at the event, assured that henceforth, importation of SIM cards and other 60-70 per cent of items needed in the telecommunication sector would be produced locally.

According to him, Nigeria has the capacity to produce a minimum of 200 million SIM cards annually.

We came up with a policy that in the next two to three years, a minimum of 60 to 70 per cent of what we need in the telecommunications sector is going to be produced locally and we have started it.

When this administration came on board, even SIM cards were imported into Nigeria.

But, as it is today, the Federal Government has provided an enabling environment for the private sector to produce SIM cards, not only for our consumption, but for the entire African continent.

We have the capacity to produce a minimum of 200 million SIM cards annually and have provided an enabling environment for the private sector to start the production of smart phones.

Today in Nigeria, we are producing smart phones, the minister said.

Giving account of his stewardship, Pantami said strategies were being deployed by the sector, under his supervision, to support the three point agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government that include: security, anti corruption and economic development.

He added that the ministry was implementing over a dozen policies, to enable the digitalisation of Nigeria in line with global best practice.

Pantami said that as at March, 2021, the sector had successfully saved over N22.4 billion for the Federal government by executing its mandate in support of the anti-corruption drive of the Buhari administration.

He said this was achieved through the implementation of the Information Technology (IT) Projects clearance policy.

Under this policy, over 727 institutions have complied with over 323 projects cleared in accordance with laid down guidelines, the minister said.

Pantami cited the policy on virtual engagements for public institutions as providing the impetus to fighting corruption and reducing the cost of governance and promoting e-governance.

In the area of economic development, Pantami said that enabling policies enacted in the sector to support the digitalisation of the economy had empowered it to provide and enhance digital capacities among citizens.

He noted that the National Policy on Entrepreneurship and Start-ups and the Digital Literacy and skills pillar of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria had given impetus to the acquisition of digital skills and job creation in the sector.

The minister added that under the Digital Nigeria portal, over 210,000 citizens, including women, youths and the physically challenged, had been equipped with various digital skills for economic empowerment.

He noted that the sector had established over 300 ICT Centres, fully funded by the Federal Government across all states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On security, Pantami noted that though it was not a direct mandate of his ministry, it was a priority of government and the sectoral policies to aid security agencies in the discharge of their duties had been developed and implemented.

He cited the National Policy on SIM registration and the revised Policy on NIN/SIM linkage as a huge boost to the nations security.

This, he said, was especially so that it would no longer be business as usual for criminal elements who, hitherto, used stolen identities to perpetrate crime unhindered.

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The governor of Kogi, Mr Yahaya Bello, visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja on Thursday, pledging to sustain peace and security in Kogi and its environs.

Bello made the announcement while speaking with reporters after a closed-door meeting with Buhari.

The governor also lauded Buhari for his efforts in sustaining the unity of the country.

I use this opportunity to appreciate Mr President for what he has been doing for this country and for keeping us united.

I assured Mr President of our continued support in making sure that Kogi State being the gateway between the North and South continues to hold forth and ensure that the centre continues to hold.

Mr President is very pleased with our successes in Kogi State so far and has urged us to continue to do more.

Bello said that he would give a resounding response to those calling on him to run for president when the time comes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello has made remarkable strides in curbing insecurity in Kogi, a development that has earned him national and international applause. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Funmilayo Adeyemi
The Governing Board of the National Examinations Council (NECO), has approved the appointment of Mr Ebikibina Ogborodi as the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive of the council.

The approval is contained in a statement signed by Mr Azeez Sani, the councils Head of Information and Public Relations Division on Thursday in Abuja.

Ogborodis appointment followed the death of Prof. Godswill Obioma, NECOs Registrar on Monday after a brief illness.

Until his appointment, Ogborodi was the Director, Special Duties in the council.

Sani said that the governing board endorsed the appointment of the acting registrar at its emergency meeting on Wednesday.

He added that Ogborodi was appointed as he was the most senior director in the council, adding that all activities of the council would continue as earlier planned.

Ogborodi hails from Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

He obtained his first degree from University of Jos in 1986 and a masters degree in Learning Disability from the same university in 1999.

The acting registrar joined the service of NECO in 1999 and had served in different capacities.

He was also a former Acting Director, Examination Development Department, Acting Director, Office of the Registrar, Director, General Services and Director, Human Resource Management among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Esenvosa Izah

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) says it is committed to ecosystem restoration through its environmental management policy and practices that supports environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

CNLs Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Rick Kennedy made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in commemoration of the World Environment Day marked annually on June 5.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2021 World Environment Day is: Ecosystem Restoration.

Kennedy said that CNL had a company-wide Operational Excellence Management System (OEMS) in place.

According to him, the OEMS delivers industry-leading performance in process safety, personal safety and health, environment, reliability, and efficiency.

CNLs OEMS process lays the foundation for sound environmental management.

The identification, assessment and management of environmental risks runs through the entire project cycle from inception to operations and through decommissioning, he said.

The managing director also said the company recognised the importance of minimising its environmental footprints toward ensuring ecosystem restoration.

He said the company continually aimed to achieve world class environmental excellence by assessing, eliminating and mitigating potential risks, thereby effectively managing the footprints from its operations on the environment.

CNL is committed to environmental sustainability, including ecosystem restoration interventions where required as recently shown in a mangrove restoration project in one of CNLs operated fields.

The company continues to invest in best available technology for tracking and managing of its ecological footprint in its areas of operation, Kennedy said.

The CNLs chairman said also that the companys commitment to preserving the environment had left enduring landmarks in the landscape.

He said this included the companys partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) established in 1992 and the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC).

According to him, the 78-hectare facility, a center of excellence in environmental research and education, is reserved as a sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna of the Lekki Peninsula.

In 2005, CNL began supporting a yearly postgraduate research scholarship for PhD students in environment and conservation, instituted by the Nigeria Conservation Foundation.

CNL also partners with Lagos State Government and the NCF to sponsor an annual environmental awareness programme, tagged, Walk for Nature, an event held to create awareness and promote nature conservation and sustainable environmental management, he said.

In his remarks, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, the companys General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs said that for close to 60 years, CNL had remained an active agent of sustainable development and strong advocate of partnerships in support of the environment.

We will continue to partner with stakeholders in raising public awareness on the importance of environmental sustainability and ecosystem restoration, Brikinn said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) has appealed to its members nationwide not to take law into their hands following attacks by secessionists.

The President of the association, Alhaji Abbas Jamilu, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday.

Jamilu cautioned that no trader should take arms to revenge any attacks on members by criminals, but allow security operatives to do their work.

He said he had received disturbing reports on how some traders were attacked in the South-East and lost their products worth millions of naira.

The president urged members to be watchful and not to go places they would be vulnerable to attack.

I sympathise with our members whose businesses are affected with these disturbances and I urge them to be civil and allow law to take its course.

It is unfortunate that this is coming this period that the economy affected by COVID-19 pandemic is trying to pick up.

No nation can develop in the absence of peace, we must have have a peaceful Nigeria for our country to grow and progress, he said.

He recalled the recent attacks on a truckload of onions from the North to the South and destruction of another truckload of palm oil from the South to the North.

The MATAN president described both attacks and other unreported inxidents as deliberste provocative actions.

Jamilu therefore urged the Federal Government to take drastic action against secessionists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements to prevent such attacks from degenerating into a national catastrophe.

The federal government must intensify effort in resolving crises across the country with a view to have a secured and prosperous nation, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News