Young female Nigerian tech innovators

By Justina Auta

The UN Women on Thursday showcased various technological innovations by young women and men that advanced gender equality and womens empowerment in Nigeria.

Ms Beatrice Eyong, UN women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the event was part of activities to mark the International Womens month, with a theme, DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality, in Abuja.

Eyong noted the wide gender gap in employment and education in the technological sector in Nigeria, with women making up only 22 per cent of the total engineering and technology university graduates annually.

This is due to gender stereotypes and social norms that still categories jobs in these sectors as mens jobs, which inhibits women from applying to study and demonstrate interest in such subjects.

It also prevents companies from hiring qualified women for these roles.

According to her, the showcase will demonstrate young women and men in Nigeria digital and innovative solutions to a variety of issues across a number of sectors in the society.

Also speaking, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of the National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said the organisation through its several policies and strategies had trained over 200,000 young people on ICT to bridge gender divide.

We trained no fewer than 222,000 Young people in ICT and we believe that we have a growing population, vibrant entrepreneurial and expanding tech eco-system, which if we leverage can provide an opportunity for us to achieve Gender Equality and women empowerment.

Similarly, Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, stressed the need for women and young girls to leverage on technological innovations to improve their lives and bridge the gender disparity in all sectors.

Tallen, represented by Mrs Funke Oladipo, Director, Women Development also highlighted the need to empower women and girls on digital skills, access to technology and support women-led businesses.

Also, Mrs Ola Williams, Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria said the organisation had partnered with the Federal Government to skill five million youths through the ministry of Communication and Digital Economy to improve on technological innovations.

Williams said these would improve access to jobs, right tools and resources, as well as markets for their business.

Because the world has become a global village, any technology developed today can actually be accessed by anyone in the world.

So that is why beyond just providing skilling mentoring, we are also providing means to employability, she said.

Other highlights of the events include exhibition of technological innovations by young women and men on gender issues, tech-apps, amongst others.

Ms Edeh Catherine-Chinyere,a legal practioner and a hearing impaired person, developed an app, Voice of Disability Initiative an audio translator app that coverts audio to text for persons with heading impairment.

Also, Ms Fatima Haliru-Yahaya, Honor of Haven, e-platform was developed to support women and girls in reporting incidents of sexual and gender based violence.

Also, the UN women launched an app, Buy-from women digital platform to link women farmers and entrepreneurs to markets, information and finance. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Bola Tinubu

By Sumaila Ogbaje

A Chieftain of the ruling APC, Mr Austin Oleho, says the victory of Bola Tinubu and Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia will change the economic landscape of the country and promote rapid economic growth.

Oleho said this in his congratulatory message to the President-elect Bola Tinubu and Benue State Governor-elect, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia on their victory at the polls.

He also congratulated the Vice President-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, as well as the Benue State Deputy Governor-elect, Dr Sam Ode.

Oleho, who was a major contender in the race for the Benue South Senatorial race under the APC, expressed confidence that Tinubu would waste no time in uniting the nation while giving everyone a sense of belonging.

He described Bola Tinubu as a dogged fighter and democrat who left footprint on the sands of time owing to his antecedents.

The APC chieftain expressed hope that Nigeria would finally see the light at the end of the tunnel as the economic realities being faced by the citizens would become history.

He called on aggrieved parties to close ranks and work with the incoming administration so that the dividends of democracy would be evenly distributed.

Oleho, while extolling the virtues of the Benue State Governor-elect, Alia, noted that when the righteous are on the throne, the people rejoice.

He expressed confidence that Alia had the requisite capacity to lead the state out of the present quagmire into an era of rapid economic growth by harnessing the states enormous potentials for meaningful development.

He advised the party hierarchy to consolidate on the victory, by carrying everyone along while rewarding those who have contributed immensely to the growth success of the party. (NAN) (

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Idris Abdulrahman

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Source: NAN News

The Nigerian Mining and Geoscience Society (NMGS) says Nigeria has the capacity to become an attractive destination and mining hub of the world.

Mr Charles Alabo, the President of NMGS, made the assertion on Friday in Ilorin during a news conference organised as part of the 58th Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the society.

He also observed that if properly handled, the mining sector can sustain the economy of Nigeria without depending on oil.

There is need for the government to support individuals and entrepreneurs who are interested in the mining sector.

There is no mineral resources from any part of the world you cannot get in this country. The government can strengthen the industry and also get their shares, he said.

Alabo therefore urged the federal and state governments to do more in curbing illegal mining, adding that some indigenous people support foreigners who come to scavenge the land.

He emphasised on the need for sanity in the sector, if the country can utilise the resources effectively.

On the conference, the MNGS president explained that the week-long forum would create the needed awareness, inform the public and provide the cutting edge knowledge economy to drive the extractive sector of the nation.

He added that the theme of the event is entitled: Development of Nigerian Earth Resources: Current Realities, which is apt because of the great potential the sector holds for Nigeria to diversify the economy towards sustainable development.

Alabo observed that Kwara has become a city that presents ambience of modernity in network of roads, functional airport, flourishing private and public universities that run Geoscience and mining programmes.

He congratulated Gov. AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq over his re-election and wished him a fruitful tenure. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

Sunday Dare and President Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the medal-winning efforts of several Nigerian athletes and their counterparts in other sports, saying that their dedication and commitment is awe-inspiring.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidents spokesman in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said the president stated this when he received the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

Dare had recently received Special Recognition Award for Contributions to Sports Development in Nigeria and the Africa Region from President Mohammed Solih of Maldives.

Speaking after receiving the trophy from the Minister, the president thanked him for the honour to the country.

He recounted the exploits of Nigerias national football team, Super Eagles, at national and international stages, noting he still hasnt forgotten Nigerias absence at the Qatar World Cup 2022.

While commending Dares enormous contribution to sports development, the president expressed delight that he had been recognized and applauded outside the shores of the country.

Buhari noted that under Dare, Nigerias sports sector had developed from recreation to business.

He added that with revamping of infrastructure, laurels had been harvested at international events by our athletes while harmony and unity of purpose had prevailed in several sporting associations.

The president also applauded the Ministers commitment, dedication and service to the nation in a sector that brings young and old together, as well as athletes and fans.

He extended his best wishes to the Sports Minister, urging him to continue to give his best for God and country.

In his remarks, the minister thanked the president for his tireless support towards sports matters in the country.

He cited the generous and timely funding from the government to all sporting organisations and their many local and international engagements.

Dare described the recent donation of N200 million to Team Nigeria at the last Commonwealth Games as deeply inspiring. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

Mr Jude Nnadozie

By Fortune Abang

Toastmasters (TM) International Club, a non-profit organisation, has underscored the need for adequate investment in skills development, particularly for women, to achieve meaningful growth in Nigeria.

Mr Jude Nnadozie, President, Hatlab TM Club, District 94, Division E, Area 30, Abuja, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

He spoke against the backdrop of the Clubs bi-monthly meeting, with the theme: The leading edge, in commemoration of the 2023 International Womens Day (IWD).

Nnadozie said, When you join platforms like TM, you will meet other people and develop your skills which is important. So, the things we learn are enormous.

This is why we have special meetings where we celebrate great women. By our theme, we put spotlight on things women who succeeded in their chosen career have done to succeed.

Today, we brought together lots of distinguished women on the platform of TM, because they have been there for a while and conquered many grounds we look forward to conquer in life.

Not just women and girls, but generally on what people can do to succeed in various endeavors.

In her general evaluation, Mrs Stella George, Division E Director of Toastmasters International, urged people to always participate in meetings to imbibe modern skills which could enable them tackle modern challenges.

The division director quoted Mahatma Ghandi, saying: The best way to gain yourself is to lose yourself to serving other people to reiterate the importance of leadership.

According to her, Toastmasters International is a place people could build noble character and become more productive.

Here you learn about emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication skills, quick thinking, and the ability to organise a group of people.

You need to build capacity and support others; this is what makes the world go round because you never get tired doing what you love while serving humanity, she said.

High point of the event was recitation of Resilience as key word of the day and panel discussion on gender equity being moderated by Udanga Jarigbe, a Toastmaster.

The discussion by Distinguished Toastmasters Stella George (Division Director), Toju Cole, Soji Salu, Alhassan Mohammed and Titi Ojo, stressed the need for people to understand and be dedicated to core values to achieve success in their career.

The event also featured general evaluation, introduction of table topics by Mr Ifeanyi Nwoko, Vice President of Hatlab Toastmasters Club, and cutting of cake to commemorate the IWD.

NAN reports that TM International Club promotes improvement in public speaking, self-confidence, leadership and networking skills. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne/Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

State House Clinic

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-designation of the State House Clinic back to Medical Centre.

The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar made this known after a pre-commissioning inspection of the new Presidential (VIP) Wing of the State House Medical Centre by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

Mustapha was accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed and Minister of State Finance, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba.

Umar said: In March 2019, the President had given approval that the State House Medical Centre, Asokoro, which was facing challenges with funding, deterioration of infrastructure and equipment, be scaled down to a Clinic until the challenges were addressed.

Now with improvement in the problem areas and the addition of the new VIP Wing with state-of-the-art facilities, we can no longer operate as a Clinic. It is now to operate as State House Medical Centre.

According to him, all is set for the inauguration of the new world class facility by the President to add to the growing number of completed and commissioned legacy projects of this Administration.

Umar added that the calibration, testing of equipment and training of medical personnel are ongoing, and the presidency is determined to ensure that the Centre remains fully operational and well maintained after inauguration.

Addressing State House correspondents, Mustapha described the newly built VIP wing as money well spent.

He further expressed his excitement and fulfilment that the project was completed within a year as envisaged and will be commissioned after equipping under a year and a half.

The minister of Finance also expressed delight that the project was delivered dead-on-time, and on budget, recounting that funding for the edifice was provided on time in the 2022 appropriation.

The facility here is world class and we are looking forward to the inauguration very soon.

I have volunteered myself as one of the people that will come for medical here on test run to testify that what we have here is comparable to the best around the world, she jocularly said.

The ground-breaking ceremony at the VIP wing was performed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Nov. 1, 2021 and work began by Julius Berger Nigeria, the construction company that built the Presidential Villa.

The VIP Wing, which is a specialised/Intensive Care Centre dedicated for the exclusive use of the President, Vice President and other VIPs, spans over a total of 2,485m2 floor area on a suspended floor with a basement. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Abigael Joshua.

Volunteer groups from civil society organisations have urged the Nigerian government to reactivate policies on water to curb pollution.

They jointly gave the urge in Abuja during a campaign to mark the World Water Day 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet) led a team from the African Activists for Climate on a clean up of the Jabi Lake Park.

CSDevNet National Network Coordinator, Mr Abu Steve, called on government to use the opportunity of the World Water Day celebration to reinforce the policies on waterways.

Steve said that if Nigeria must conserve biodiversity and manage her water very well, the issue of plastic wastes must be taken seriously.

Should in case these policies are lying dormant, it is time to reactivate them to make them guide us.

It is time to sensitise the people on how to reuse, recycle some of these plastics instead of dumping them anyhow.

We have life under water, that this source of pollution of plastic wastes are dangerous to, he said.

Steve said the World Water Day 2023 is an important day and called on the government to take action on water related issues in the country.

We call on these companies that produce plastic to enforce a law on how to take back the wastes from the society.

We are also calling on the public to change their lifestyles of littering the environment with plastics and other wastes, he said.

Mr Femi Olubiyo, a volunteer from CSDevNet said that their main objective at the Jabi Lake Park was to create awareness and sensitise the public on how to keep water clean to be healthy for humans and animals.

In safeguarding our environment, everyone has a role to play, we cant just leave it for the government alone.

When we fail to take care of our water, it threatens sustainable development, biodiversity and peoples access to good water and sanitation, Olubiyo warned.

Ms Bilkisu Aliyu, a volunteer decried the lack of waste bins around the Abuja metropolis and called on stakeholders in charge of waste collection to introduce them.

Aliyu urged the management of Jabi Lake Park to ensure that there are sanitation security officers within the lake, to checkmate the dumping of plastics and other wastes within the park.

Mr Paul Sambo, who is also a volunteer in the clean up exercise decried the level of indiscriminate dumping of plastics in the water bodies.

NAN report that the World Water Day 2023 is celebrated with the theme: Accelerating Change.

NAN further reports that the World Water Day is held annually on March 22, since 1993.

The day celebrates water and raises awareness of the two billion people living without access to safe water.

The World Water Day is about accelerating change to solve the water and sanitation crisis. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Lagos State Government has advised secondary school students to come up with innovations to address water, sanitation and hygiene issues.

The Managing Director, Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), Mr Muminu Badmus, made the call on Wednesday at the Grand Finale and Maiden Annual Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Essay Competition.

The event, which was part of activities to mark World Water Day, was organised by the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) in collaboration with LWC and held at Victoria Island.

It had over 80 schools and representatives from six education districts in Lagos in attendance.

Badmus commended participants in the essay competition, saying the students must go beyond classroom knowledge to providing solutions.

The managing director said analytical skills would help the students to become game changers and pledged continuous support for the essay competition.

He urged secondary school students to keep participating in the competition to boost their knowledge, exposure and get important research skills to become solution providers.

Badmus cited example of Ansar-udeen Grammar School, ADGS Surulere which invented a water Filtration and Purification system a few years ago, which won them the Nigerian Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

He said that the winners went on to represent Nigeria later that year in Sweden and were commended for their innovation.

By asking the right questions, you can develop analytical skills and Investigate effects by digging deep into their causes.

When you know the cause of a problem, the solution would easily fall on our laps, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Miss Chioma Joseph, SS2 student of Keke Senior High School, Ifako Ijaye, clinched the overall best position in the senior category.

Vetland Senior Grammar Schools Olaoluwa Olaniyn came second while Oyewole Egunjobi of Ayangburen Senior High School and Josephine Hunpe of Lagos State Senior Model College, Kankon Badagry both came third place.

In the Junior Secondary category, Miss Chisom Ezeanya, Lagos State Junior Model College Ojo came first; Esther Ajileye, Eva Adelaja Junior Girls Secondary School came second while Blessing Nwabueze of District Junior College Agege, came third.

NAN reports that winners were given laptops and other educational gift items while some schools also received cash donations.

The National Chairman, NIMechE, Dr Funmilade Akingbagbohun, said over 80 schools from six education districts participated in the essay writing on topics related to water, sanitation and hygiene.

Akingbagbohun said the competition was organised to address a lacuna in the space of water sanitation and hygiene in Nigeria and engineering is about problem solving.

She thanked the Lagos State Water Corporation for supporting the programme, and commended all the six education districts that participated.

The chairman said 20 out of 80 schools qualified for the grand finale, with seven emerging as winners.

She said all hands must be on deck for effective collaboration towards achieving a clean environment.

The Chairman said everyone had a role to play in ensuring improved water and sanitation facilities, to promote hand washing and prevent diseases.

Akingbagbohun said that every aspect of life required water.

She said the use of polluted drinking water and poor sanitary conditions in Nigeria had increased water-borne diseases including diarrhea and cholera.

The chairman gave statistics on the consequences of poor sanitation and water and the need to target the youth as game changers to provide solutions.

The guest speaker, Ms Cherish Jefferson, said the problems of water required multi-sectoral solution because its impact affected every sector and segment of life.

Jefferson, a 500 level student of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Lagos, called for collective action, saying SDG 6 was the most important which must be pursued to solve societal problems.

She said SDG 6 stated that everyone should have safely managed water, good hygiene and sanitation and focused on ending open defecation by 2030.

Jefferson called for deliberate efforts towards conserving water to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Simple action like turning off a tap is important, she said.

She also called for recycling of water, volunteering to support community-led initiatives for change and increased awareness campaigns.

Dr Adetola Salau, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on STEM Education said 1,000 children die daily from bad water, sanitation and hygiene, hence the need for creative ways for water conservation.

Salau promised to join the Lagos Water Corporation in the partnership, while urging the students to create prototypes on ideas they have toward solving problems in their communities.

She enumerated various aspects of engineering the students could explore while reeling out examples of teenagers providing solutions in some countries.

Other speakers, including the representative of the United Nations and the Commissioner for the Environment, explained measures and solutions being provided for flooding, and how STEM education was aiding creativity.

They enumerated challenges of COVID-19, hand washing, scarcity of drinking water, poor sanitation, among others.(NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

President-elect Bola Tinubu

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has travelled out for lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, as well to marshal out his transition programme, ahead of the May 29 inauguration.

Mr Tunde Rahman, his Media Aide said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, adding that the President-elect left the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos enroute to Europe on Tuesday night.

The President-elect decided to take a break after the hectic campaign and election season to rest in Paris and London.

Preparatory to going to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) and the Ramadan fasting that begins Thursday.

While away, the President-elect will also use the opportunity to plan his transition programme, Rahman said.

He cautioned media organisations against publishing rumours, fake news and unsubstantiated claims, urging them to always seek clarifications from the Tinubus media office before publishing.

Rahman said the President-elect had directed that all his senior aides and campaign staff to go for a short rest. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Benson Iziama/ Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

FEC meeting

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved 984. 7 million dollars for the procurement of maintenance equipment for the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

FEC also approved N5billion for the provision of accommodation to staff of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami disclosed these when they briefed State House correspondents at the end of the weekly council meeting.

The meet was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to Sambo, the NRC equipment are specifically meant for the Kano-Maradi rail line connecting Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.

He said: A memorandum presented by the Ministry was on behalf of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

The memorandum sought councils consideration and approval for the award of contract for the procurement of rolling stock operation and maintenance equipment for Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line that is currently under construction.

The contract was awarded to a company that is also the contractor handling the railway project in the sum of 984,722,302.05 dollars inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a completion period of four years.

He also disclosed that the council approved over N510 million for the supply of customised Fire Service Vehicles for the Nigerian Ports Authority.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation also presented a memo to the council on behalf of two of its agencies.

The first agency was the Nigerian Ports Authority which sought to provide for the award of contract for the construction.

And supply of four customised Fire Service search and rescue vans for extrication of accident victims for Rivers Ports, Port Harcourt, Lagos Port Complex, Tin Can Island Port and Marina Headquarters all in Lagos.

The Council considered the memorandum and approved the award of the contract as recommended and reviewed by the Bureau of Public Procurement in the sum of N510, 934,600 million inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a completion period of nine months, he said.

On his part, the Minister of Justice said the Council approved N5 billion for the construction of residential accommodation for officers and men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to the minister, this has become necessary because to further secure the lives and property of personnel of the agency, who have been making tremendous success in the fight against drug cartels and barons.

He said: As you are aware, there has been renewed and sustained onslaught by the NDLEA against drug cartels and barons. Within the three quarters of 2023, about 18, 940 arrests were affected by the NDLEA and indeed drugs worth an estimated value of over N40 billion were confiscated.

The successes that were recorded unfortunately translated to unprecedented threats and attacks on personnel; the officers, men and other ranks of the agency.

Thus, the need has arisen for the Nigerian government to consider the possibility of taking security measures that will now provide the desired protection to officers and men of the NDLEA.

He further revealed that the council gave approval for the construction of two categories of barracks totalling 192 flats.

Accordingly, two contracts were awarded to two different contractors. The first one is for the construction of barracks comprising a total 92 units of three bedroom semi-detached flats for Narcotics Superintendents and Narcotics Assistant Superintendents at the cost of N2, 267, 785, 450.83.

The second contract was in the sum of N2, 889, 480, 320. 55 for the construction of barracks comprising a total 100 units of two and three bedroom semi-detached flats for Narcotics Superintendents and Narcotics Agents, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News