Newly inaugurated executive members of Ndigboamaka Progressives Markets Association (NPMA)

By Kingsley Okoye

Prof. Obiora Okonkwo of the University of Abuja has urged governments at all levels, especially Lagos State, to intensify support for traders, given their contributions to the growth of the economy.

Okonkwo made the call in Abuja on Thursday at a meeting with the new executives of Ndigboamaka Progressives Markets Association (NPMA).

NPMA is the umbrella body of Ibo Traders in Lagos , made up of 58 market groups across the state.

It has the mandate to facilitate trade for its members, improve volume of trade for further growth of the economy of Lagos and Nigeria in general.

Okonkwo, said the call became necessary given the high volume of trading activities and turn out by the traders and the impact to the economy of Lagos and Nigeria in general.

This people who are representing a turn over of trillions in this our economy, as simple as they might look, they can not be taken for granted.

This people here have millions of youths who are engaged over their mentorship in different markets in Lagos, they should be recognised, and that is going to be our objective.

So they need all the support to add more to grow their business because the bigger their business becomes, the more trillions of turnover they are turning in, the more customs duty, the more taxes to the nation.

A good number of them are moving from trading to manufacturing, to assembling and not Just buying and selling.

The association is a very important group to the life, future and economy of the nation because these people consist of about 60 to 70 per cent of Lagos economys Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Okonkwo, who is a professor of Business at the University of Abuja Business School, said the group has worked out a way to create mutual working relationship and understanding with government.

There is an improved relationship within my leadership; last year, there was a special event where they gave a special award to the Lagos governor based on association and collaboration on improved relationship.

And the governor for the first time appointed a member of the association into the Lagos State Market Advisory Council.

At that meeting, the governor received an open endorsement of the association for his second term in office.

Okonkwo, who is the National Grand Patron of the association, commended the association for the transparent and peaceful conduct of election of the new executives .

He urged them to consolidate on the peace amongst members of the association.

For the fact that they are organised and for the fact that they organised their election peacefully, is a manifestation of unity among them.

And we shall continue to work for peace, and consolidate on the unity and understanding,

They have been men of credibility and integrity, having successfully served in their various business, and that is what the society we have now needs and unfortunately it is a scarce commodity.

I am committed to working with everyone of you in whatever markets with pride, with joy to the glory of God, to attain the objectives of these associations for the benefit of members.

The new President of NPMA, Mr Chinedu Ukatu who is also a member of Lagos state Market Advisory Council, said the association was having a cordial relationship with the Lagos State Government.

According to him, the priority of the new executive is to intensify trade facilitation among members for the benefit of traders who consist of different races.

What we are concerned is about facilitating trade for all traders in Lagos by uniting the traders, the markets on issues like multiple taxation, and untimately further promote welfare of traders by collaborating with government and other well meaningful stakeholders. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

According to him, the dredging of the three rivers will check the perennial flooding in affected areas and ease difficulties faced such communities.

Yelwa disclosed this at the 2023 stakeholders meeting on flood mitigation and other related issues in Ilorin on Thursday.

He said it would be difficult for the Federal Government to handle without intervention from international donor agencies.

He said that the estimated cost for dredging of the rivers as at 1983 was 2 billion dollars, adding that the cost had gone up over 10 times.

The dredging of River Niger or Benue, as the case may be, has always been repeatedly suggested in all the places we have visited.

We have visited about five states including Kwara, almost all the states were asking for dredging.

In 1983, when the former President, Shehu Shagaris government asked for the cost of dredging of River Niger and Benue, a bill of billion was given.

You can imagine the scope now, even if the dollar had remained the same, the scope would have gone up 10 times. That is why it is difficult.

It is not what HYPPADEC nor the federal government can do without making recourse to international organisations for intervention and that is what we are working towards to mobilise international donor agencies for intervention, he said.

To mitigate the 2023 flood prediction by the Nigerian Metereological Agency (NIMET), Yelwa said the commission would embark on aforestration programme, where trees would be planted in five hectares of land in each of the five local government areas in Kwara North senatorial district.

Also speaking, one of the civil society organisations at the event, Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC), called for multi-sectoral approach towards mitigating flood in Kwara.

The foundations CEO, Mrs Christy Abayomi-Oluwole, said that Rapid Response team on flooding should be reviewed towards addressing challenges associated with flooding and their effects on dwellers of riverine areas.

The Kwara Commissioner for Environment, Mrs Remilekun Banigbe, who was represented by the Director of Ecological Services, Malam Ilyasu Yahaya, said the high risk of the imminent flooding predicted by NIMET could cause high rate of disease and displacement of people.

The state Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Segun Adeyemi, said the way we manage our environment pre-diposes us to flood.

He said the NOA would work in all local government areas to sensitise people on what is ahead of them.

The Kwara Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Salihu Abdullahi, said the rapid response team should be reviewed to involve necessary stakeholders that would look into different aspects of the flooding.

On his part, the Emir of Shonga, Dr Halliru Yahaya, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers at the meeting, called for the mapping of the flood prone areas to reduce the impact.

Yahaya also advised government agencies to enforce all environmental laws to ensure sanity in the communities.(NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

DD/Website

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has granted automatic employments in the Federal Civil Service to 65 former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Speaking at the NYSC 50th Anniversary Honours Award held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, the Nigerian leader also highlighted numerous achievements of the scheme since its establishment 50 years ago.

The president said out of the 65 recipients, 52 individuals received the Presidential Honours Awards, while the remaining 13 were physically challenged ex-Corps Members recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

In addition to the employment, Buhari also disclosed that both groups would be awarded scholarships to pursue their education up to the doctorate degree level at any university of their choice within the country.

He also announced a cash prize of N250,000.00 for each of the top award winners, N200,000.00 for other award recipients, including the physically challenged ex-Corps members under the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.

Consequently, the president issued a directive to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and the Minister of Education to ensure adherence to the employment offers and the granting of scholarships.

Buhari also used the occasion to pay tribute to corps members from the batches being honoured, who lost their lives under various circumstances while serving the nation.

But for their transitioning, some of them might have been here today as part of the honourees. May God grant their souls peaceful repose. They remain our heroes and heroines.

The nation shall continue to remember their sacrifices towards building a strong, indivisible and egalitarian entity, he said.

The president also sympathised with those sustained varying degrees of disability during the service year, acknowledging their significant sacrifices for the progress of the country and assuring them that the nation stands in solidarity with them.

Your labour shall not be in vain, he said.

He also congratulated the founding fathers, past and present managers of the NYSC on its Golden Jubilee, commending their enduring faith, which has maintained NYSC as a vital platform for mobilising the youth towards national unity and development.

Buhari praised all Nigerians who have answered the call for National Service in the past fifty years for their patriotic zeal and commitment to the NYSC mandate.

According to him, it has justified its establishment as an interventionist agency, with a core mandate to foster national unity across the country, thereby breaking down ethnic suspicions and divisions.

The multiplicity of marriages contracted over the years by Corps Members, cutting across the boundaries of ethnicity and religion in no small measure, justifies my assertion, he said.

Buhari also expressed his deep appreciation to retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the founding father of the scheme, who conceived the idea of the corps and brought it to fruition on May 22, 1973.

The NYSC has continued to afford successive batches of Corps Members as the veritable platform to make meaningful contributions, in the various spheres of our national life, he said.

The president specifically commended the corps members for their role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic by producing and distributing essential items such as face masks, hand sanitizers, liquid soap, and providing food and other relief materials to the needy people across the country.

He also applauded their discipline and neutrality when serving as adhoc personnel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including during the 2023 General Elections, which contributed to enhancing the credibility of the electoral system.

The president acknowledged their contributions to the successful implementation of Social Intervention Programme,s such as N-Power and the School Feeding program through beneficiary enumeration.

I hasten to state without equivocation that with the quality of youths such as these, the future of this country, which rests upon their shoulders, is guaranteed.

I give kudos to my dear diligent, patriotic and virile youths. You have done very well; and the Nation is very proud of you.

The success story of the fifty-year-old noble scheme will be incomplete without conspicuous mention of your outstanding contributions, he said.

While recognising the crucial role of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development program in diversifying the national economy towards a more production-oriented model, Buhari assured continued government support for youth initiatives.

He highlighted the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), with a budget of N75 billion, as an example of empowerment initiatives aimed at promoting youth-related activities and fostering a better Nigeria.

The president commended the NYSC Management for its efforts in revenue generation and encouraged them to sustain its commitment.

He also appreciated the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers implemented by the NYSC and recognised the support of the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, who donated a well-equipped ambulance for the operation of the NYSC Mobile Clinic.

Buhari called on individuals and corporate bodies to emulate this gesture to enhance access to quality healthcare, especially in rural communities.

On the need to reinvent the NYSC through the establishment of a Trust Fund, Buhari said he had been briefed adequately on the matter and commended the Management for the initiative.

He pledged his support for any genuine effort aimed at assisting the scheme in achieving its time-tested objectives.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, while commending the former corps members chosen for the presidential honour, said their sacrifices and commendable contributions, reflected the positive values they embodied during their service year.

By distinguishing yourselves among hundreds of thousands of Corps members, you embody the nations pride and serve as a source of inspiration for other young people in Nigeria.

Your strong sense of discipline, selflessness, dedication to work, exceptional community service, innovation, and leadership qualities enhance our hope for the countrys future.

I am confident that this award will motivate you to render even greater service to our homeland.

To the current corps members and other young individuals, it is my sincere hope that you will emulate these awardees by embracing higher ideals of patriotism.

In everything you do, always prioritise Nigeria and let it manifest through sacrifice and dedicated service to our beloved nation, he said.

Dare listed the N75 billion NYIF, the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES) and the National Young Farmers Scheme (NYFS) as enduring legacies of the Buhari administrations deep commitment to the well-being and development of the Nigerian youth.

He said the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development had actively pursued initiatives such as Digital Skills Acquisition, Employability, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership (DEEL), as well as the Work Experience Programme (WEP), among others for the benefit of the youths.

According to the minister, the progress achieved through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program of NYSC is being consolidated by the current management.

He urged corps members and other young people to participate in these programmes, which would enable them to become self-employed and contribute to the growth of the nations economy. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Troops of Multinational Joint Task Force

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of the Armed Forces have in the last two week neutralised scores of suspected terrorists.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly news conference on the operations of the armed forces.

The director also said that large cache of arms and ammunition in different theatres of operations were recovered.

Danmadami, said that both kinetic and non-kinetic operations were conducted in the various theatres of operations, with significant results recorded between May 4 and May 18.

In the North East, he said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai had sustained offensive against terrorist and other criminal elements through intense ground and air operations, which yielded tremendous successes.

He said the troops had during the period neutralised 26 suspected Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, as well as arrested 25 logistics suppliers, one spy and another suspected terrorist.

Danmadami said the troops also rescued one of the kidnapped Chibok School girls.

He, added that 511 suspected terrorists and members of their families comprising 99 adult male, 161 adult female and 251 children surrendered at different locations.

He said that the rescued Chibok School girl, Saratu Dauda was on serial 10 of the list of the abducted girls.

According to him, the surrendered claimed to have escaped the terrorists camp due to troops intensive offensive in the general area.

Also, a JAS fighter surrendered to troops at Damboa in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno, claiming that his motivation to surrender was due to military offensive in Sambisa forest area.

Consequently, within the weeks in review troops recovered 17 AK-47 rifles, one AK-49 rifle, eight SMGs, 15 grenades rifles, two pump action guns, one LMG, one Ma rifle, four AA guns.

Troops also recovered two AA barrel, 12 dane guns, 38 AK47 magazines, two double barrel guns, 3,896 rounds of .50 inch, 2,189 rounds of 12.7mm, 1,475 rounds of 9mm and 86 rounds of 12.7mm x 108API.

Also recovered are 183 rounds of shilka, 60 rounds of 40mm BGL, two rounds of 7.62mm x 39 B/SP, 34 cartons of sig pistol, 125 RPG bombs, 52 x 36 hand grenade, five SMK bombs, and 13 RPG tubes.

Eight 76mm bombs, 130 SMK grenade (tear gas) 13 x PG 42 grenade, and 247 rounds of 38mm SMK bombs, 15 RPG tail pin, 275 rounds of 7.62mm special, 163 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 440 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 364 rounds of 7.62 x 50mm NATO, were also recovered.

234 rounds of AK49 ammo, one G3 skeletal weapon, two AK47 working parts, two mortar bombs, two 60mm mortar tube, one shoulder grenade launcher, eight propeller charger (155 gun), among several Improvised Explosive Devices too were recovered, he said.

The director, defence media operations, further said that scores of suspected terrorists were also killed in an air bombardment by the air component, while many gun trucks were destroyed in the air strike.

In the North Central, Danmadami said that the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised two suspected terrorists and arrested 25 suspected criminals during the period.

In North West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, eliminated 12 suspected terrorists and arrested 26 suspected criminals as well as rescued 24 kidnapped civilians.

He added that the troops recovered different calibre of weapons and several military uniforms and accoutrements.

According to him, the air component bombarded suspected terrorists camps in Zamfara, saying the feedback revealed that several suspected terrorists were neutralised in the airstrike.

Furthermore, on May 10, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch conducted air interdiction operation at Sabon Birnin in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The operation was carried out following reports of sighting suspected terrorists on seven motorcycles fleeing North West of Sabon Birnin.

Accordingly, the targets was engaged, neutralising the suspects.

In another air operation, an air strike was conducted at Warari and Sambo in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, sequel to INTEL of terrorists activities at the locations.

Accordingly, the locations were attacked with bombs and rockets and the suspected terrorists neutralised, he said.

He assured Nigerians that there would be no hiding place for the terrorists who are fleeing from North East and North West. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Ladi Memorial Foundation (LMF) has trained and empowered students and youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)with sewing equipment as starter packs.

The Foundation donated 40 industrial sewing machines and other sewing equipment to schools in the FCT.

During the event on Wednesday, the Executive Director, LMF, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, said the idea of the programme was engaging stakeholders support for technical vocational education.

These, she said, were through the Incentivised Pilot School sewing championship Project 2023 (SSCP23).

According to him, the idea is to incentivise stakeholders across different sectors because education seemed to have been by-organised into different sectors and the industry is far from the school.

She said so we thought we could bring everybody together on the same page and as you could see here today, we did it, we got support from everybody.

What have we done today? We have equiped three schools with minimum sewing equipment that they need. We have also equiped five individuals from what you could see.

If you put all of that together, you have about 10 individuals so all together we have produced about 40 sewing equipment that is going to different schools and I think it is a good thing to be sustained.

The process is competitive but you could see everyone has to put in their best but for that best dress to come out soon after four hours, it shows the person has taste and competence and we are grateful for that, he said.

Like I said, about 15 individuals benefited but when you look at the fact that some schools, like the three schools that received the equipment, have over 1000 students each, it tells you that we have actually reached in real verifiable terms, more individual than 2000.

And it means that for these particular three schools and for these individual, the rippling effect is large, he said.

Osikoya however, said that the National Senior Secondary Education Commission had promised to give support for the project to become a national competition in 2024.

She said: we want to encourage that every other persons support them. FCT have also promised they will continue with this. That is promising.

Also at the function, the FCT Secretary for Education, Alhaji Sani El-Katuzu, commended the foundation for the initiative.

El-Katuzu assured the continuous support of the FCT minister, adding that the empowerment programme was a way of also curtailing idleness among youths.

He, however, urged youths to use the opportunity that had been given and ensure they participated in all tasks.

One of the beneficiaries, Susan Audu, appreciated the organisers for creating the empowerment programme, adding that she would use the equipment given and ensure she excelled in all.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that UNESCO, Ministry of Education among others, supported the event.

Awards and equipment were given to winners and other beneficiaries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

Mr Okwy Okeke Managing Director International Gaming and Entertainment limited (IGE) promoters of Mega Millions Naija.

By Kingsley Okoye

International Gaming and Entertainment Limited (IGE), promoters of Mega Millions Naija, says it is deploying more technology and meticulous record keeping to protect winners claims.

The Managing Director of IGR, Mr Okwy Okeke, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IGE is licensed by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission to operate a national lottery promotional scheme, Mega Millions Naija.

According to Okeke, the deployment of more technologies are additional measures to safe-guard wins in case players lose their tickets.

Our commitment to deploying technology to protect players from losing their winnings to store clerks, agents, or other forms of theft is second to none.

We are doing more to sustain the security of our platform, If players in Nigeria lose their physical ticket, they can rely on the platforms secure record-keeping system, which retains a digital copy of all tickets purchased.

Okeke said the technology had inbuilt features of eliminating the possibility of losing out on winnings due to misplaced or stolen tickets.

He said in the event of loosing tickets, players could readily access their records and pursue their claims accordingly.

This is complemented by electronic transmission of each tickets numbers to the email account or phone number of each player.

For this reason, the company verifies all email accounts and phone numbers for the purposes of protecting customers winnings by employing these proactive measures.

He assured subscribers that their participation in the lottery was not only convenient but also safeguarded against potentially fraudulent activities.

Okeke said that mega millions naija was committed to transparency and security, hence created a trustworthy environment for lottery enthusiasts to enjoy their gaming experience while having the assurance that their claims were protected.

The measures follow an incident where a 23-year-old liquour store clerk, Carly Nunes, was indicted on charges related to an alleged scheme to steal a million winning Mega Millions ticket in Lakeville, Massachusetts, USA.

At Savas Liquours, where Nunes served as a checkout counter clerk, a customer dropped his purchased lottery tickets, including the winning Mega Millions ticket, while leaving the store with his bag of chips.

Nunes, with a co-worker, tried to cash the ticket, he said.

To avoid such incidents in Nigeria, Okeke said mega millions naija lotteries, set up a platform where all players could secure their tickets via digital means.

He said the lottery prioritised player convenience, protection and also gave Nigerians the opportunity to access over 20 international lotteries across the world, such as the US Powerball, Eurojackpot, US MegaMIllions, EuroMillions, SuperEnalotto, and UK Lotto. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta
A report on the safety of girls and women shows that 95 per cent of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger and Nasarawa state communities are perpetrated by men and boys.

Ms Comfort Bello, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Talitha Cumi Foundation (TCF), made the assertion at the Flash Light Actions on Girls Safety (FLAGS) project midline dissemination meeting held in Abuja.

Bello said that the three-year FLAGS project is being funded by the UN Trust Fund and implemented by TCF to end GBV and support 750 marginalised schoolgirls between 10-19 years.

She explained that poverty, culture, lack of skills and parental care and neglect are some of the causes of GBV.

She added that on the midline assessment conducted in our FLAGS communities, the major cause of GBV as identified by the respondents is poverty.

About 71 per cent cases of GBV are due to poverty and 75 per cent of major perpetrators are men, 20 per cent are boys.

Therefore, basically 95 per cent are men and boys who are the major perpetrators of GBV in the country.

Bello explained that the survey also showed that most of the perpetrators of GBV were family members such as brothers, fathers and uncles.

We believe that if they are continually sensitised in the community, they will be able to protect the girls and GBV will reduce to minimal.

We also encourage skill acquisition training for girls to keep them busy and be empowered, as the respondents requested for more police stations in their communities, she said.

She also stressed the need for the establishment of police stations and swift judicial process to ensure arrest, investigation and prosecution of perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others.

Ms Tayo Erinle, the Executive Director, TCF, stressed the need for the establishment of shelter for the safety of GBV survivors.

She said it was important to empower women and girls with skills to enable them have psycho-social support.

Erinle decried the inadequate shelter to carter for the GBV survivors, especially for girls above 18 years, urging stakeholders to provide more for the safety of girls and women.

We need shelter, places where we can keep the survivors safe and rehabilitate them, while justice is taking its cause and government
can support in this regard.

If we are unable to take survivors out of where they are being abused, it will continue because of their level of vulnerability.

So, shelters are very important and as it is now, shelter is inadequate; we dont have enough, especially for people above 18 years.

People who have access to the fund and facilities should provide shelter, that is a great way to support the war against GBV.

She also revealed that slow judicial process stalled justice for GBV cases, increased the act and further affected the mental health of survivors.

The will of justice is very slow and can be very frustrating for the survivors and us.

This is because sometimes when you pass through the stages of gathering required evidence, getting the support from the health
and community level, FIDA, Police and ends up in the court and it is taking forever.

According to her, the issue has to be looked into so as not to make it appear as if nothing is being done.

She said that when people suffer GBV, the harm could be soothed or some comfort could come when they see justice, but not while these cases are ongoing.

Mrs Gloria Ekanem of Women Development Department, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, said every opportunity to talk about girls
safety was an opportunity to discuss the future of young Nigerian women.

Ekanem expressed regret that the issue of rape was still rampart, and urged girls to know how to protect yourselves and be armed
with the right education from the right people so that you will not be misled.

Also, Mrs Funmi Kolawole, the Gender Desk Officer, Nigeria Police said most of the cases reported are from villages,
communities and most of the perpetrators are relations that are supposed to take care of the survivors.

The number of people reporting GBV cases are more than how it used to be and the culture of silence has been broken
and we have a lot of reports now, Kolawole said.

Miss miracle, 12 year-old school dropout, said the FLAGS project exposed her to GBV preventive measures, how to seek
help, improve her self-esteem and menstrual health hygiene management. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Thompson Yamput/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News

L-R: Eivind Fjeldstad, Business Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja; Nabila Aguele, Special Adviser to Nigerias Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG); Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director, Policy Innovation Centre (PIC); Michael Ojo, Country Director, Global Alliance for Nutrition (GAIN Nigeria) and Oluwatobiloba Moody, Director, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) at the launch of the PICs Purple Book in AbujaTuesday

By Justina Auta
The Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), has unveiled its Purple Book, to promote gender equality and inclusion in Nigeria.
The book, tagged From Voices to Action, is a curation of policy and programme recommendations from the PICs maiden Gender and Inclusion Summit (GS-22) held in Abuja in 2022.
Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO, NESG, said the recommendations in the book aligned with best practices for delivering gender programmes to facilitate inclusion and diversity while connecting dots for an equitable society.
This book serves as a reference document that helps people reflect on the conversations at the summit and take actionable recommendations they can deliver gender-responsive programs in Government.
It would help stakeholders explore transformative ways to achieve gender equality and inclusion in Nigeria
As we know, there is still much to be done, and much responsibility lies upon us to create the inclusive society we all seek.
Fostering gender equality will require continuous collaboration between governments, private and public sectors, civil society organisations, and communities.
Also, recognizing and addressing the intersecting forms of discrimination and working towards creating a society where all individuals can enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and freedoms, regardless of their gender, he said.
Jaiyeola, while unveiling the 2023 theme of its next Gender and Inclusion Summit (GS-23) said it will enable stakeholders within Nigeria and Africa to gather, discuss and deliberate on important steps to take to facilitate gender-inclusive society.
Dr. Osasuyi Dirisu, Executive Director of the PIC, highlighted the need for gender and Inclusion summit, which serves as a platform to amplify stakeholders voices about Gender Equality and Inclusion.
Dirisu added that the Purple Book provides an opportunity for us all to move From Voices to Action by reflecting on approaches to improve the Gender Equality profile of Nigeria.
We translates voices to action by developing the purple book. It contains learnings from the summit as well as recommendations for policies, programs to improve.
We want to create an opportunity to start the conversation for people to take action and make those changes that will make difference in equity, social justice and inclusion in Nigeria, she said.

Mrs Maryam Uwais, Special Assistant to the President on Social Investments, noted the gender inequality, adding that the book would serve as reference material in addressing gender disparity and inclusion.
Theres a huge disparity in terms of gender balance, and its very important not just for females, but for the country to have this inclusion, because it is better everywhere.
The statistics show that when you have voices at the table, diverse voices, diverse perspectives, governance is better, she said.

Similarly, Dr Ejike Oji, Chairman, Technical Management Committee, Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), urged stakeholders to increase advocacies on GBV and maternal health.

CSOs and NGOs should know that when you talk about maternal health
is a broad range of issues, from cancer to gender based violence, to maternal health, to sexual violence so we need to increase our space of work.

And then were looking forward to the next meetings or the next nursing summits on gender inclusiveness, he said.
Other highlights of the events were the unveiling of the GS-23 theme and panel discussion on Womens health and the SDGs: Exploring Intersecting Priorities for 2030 and beyond. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Josephine Obute/Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Grace Alegba

The Federal Ministry of Works on Wednesday shut down the Apapa-bound lane of the beginning of Marine Bridge in Lagos, damaged by vandals, for safety of the public.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the site of the collapsed portion of the bridge reports that a team of engineers from Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Ltd. used crash barriers to barricade the damaged portion of the deck on pile bridge.

A deck on pile is a bridge that does not have piers.

NAN observed that while the firm, contractors handling, Eko and Marine Bridge projects, did that, a combined team of traffic regulatory agencies managed traffic around the diversion.
The Police also supported the team.

Mrs Olukorede Keisha, Assistant Director in charge of Federal Highways in Lagos State, upon arrival and re-evaluation of the infrastructure, ordered total shutdown of the portion.

Keisha told NAN that the service lane of the deck on pile bridge was damaged and caved in due to activities of vandals.

She said investigation revealed that the vandals had set fire underneath the bridge to gain access to iron rods and other steel components under the bridge to be able to cut them off.

She said because the steel components of the bridge had been removed and stolen by the vandals, it caved in.

She said thorough assessment revealed urgent need to close the bridge to avert risk to motorists and other road users.

On inspection, we discovered that the place was set on fire to expose the reinforcement for them to cut it off and that is what they have done.

And the concrete alone without the tension cannot cope with the pressure. It needs to be assisted with reinforcement. Once reinforcement is taken away, concrete alone cannot do the job, hence the collapse.

For overriding public safety, there is need to shut it down immediately.

We have looked at it, the contractor has critically assessed the situation. So, we are going back to the drawing board to evaluate it and look at the possible quick way to resolve it.

But meanwhile, we are going to close this and divert traffic to alternative routes, she said.

Keisha, who arrived the scene at about 3.03 p.m. with a team of engineers, engaged the head of the LASTMA and FRSC teams on an urgent traffic architecture for the closure and diversion of vehicles.

She told NAN that traffic would be diverted through Costain and the Lagos Island-bound portion of the Marine Bridge as alternative routes.

Placing of crash barriers on the bad portion.
Keisha appealed to road users to be patient as the Federal Government was doing everything humanly possible to quickly fix the damaged portion.

She said an urgent proposal was being prepared for immidiate dispatch to the ministrys headquarters in Abuja, assuring them that repairs would begin almost immediately.

She appealed to Lagos residents to take ownership of roads and other public infrastructure to protect them against vandalism.

She said the hardship caused by activities of vandals usually impacted negatively on all residents of the state, hence the need for vigilance to stop miscreants from damaging public infrastructure.

We have to take all public utilities as if it is ours, she said.

She said that the road caved in on Tuesday evening and the contractor was immidiately mobilised to site to begin investigation toward quick solutions.

NAN reports that the traffic regulatory agencies allowed vehicles that were already on the Carter Bridge to be evacuated through the earlier diversion created.

They then totally closed the approach of the Apapa-bound lane of the Marine Bridge located near Ijora Olopa, adjacent to the Lagos State Water Corporation. (NAN)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Oluwole Sogunle

Source: NAN News

Mr Joe Ohiani, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulator Commission (ICRC)

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Mr Joe Ohiani, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulator Commission (ICRC) has urged state governors to establish Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework to boost infrastructure development their states.

Ohiani, gave the advice at the ongoing induction programme for newly elected and returning governors organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in Abuja .

Discussing as a panelist in one of the sessions at the event, Ohiani, advised governors to embrace PPP as alternative vehicle to deliver services to the electorates and also to bridge infrastructural gaps in their states.

He said that presently, only 25 state of the federation had approved the legal framework for PPP in their states.

He said that PPP was not only imperative to close infrastructure gaps but also important for job creation and to boost economic growth both at the state and federal level.

PPP is a win-win for all the parties. A win for the government in provision of the projects and facilities, a win for the investor who has invested in the project and a win for his citizen who will use the project.

At federal government, we are happy to say that under this administration between 2015 to current period about 75 projects has been consummated under President Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria.

The net worth is 2.1 trillion Naira investments. That goes to show that PPP is an alternative source of investment at federal government and sub national government.

They dont need to have deep pocket in the face of dwelling revenue as regards to provide all the facilities that is required.

On that note, we encourage PPP as a vehicle for delivery of service for our people, he advised.

Ohiani said that as a governor coming into office with four years within which to deliver on his mandates, the adoption of PPP would be of great benefits to achieve that.

Ohiani said that by virtue of Section 11 of the ICRC Act, once a governor structure a PPP project in line with applicable law, no successive government would terminate such PPP arrangements without following due process

He said all that was needed to be done was to identify priority infrastructural projects that could be done within the four years, conduct feasibility study and invest on well structured PPP projects.

He said that there was also needs to allocate risk, carryout proper consultation, evaluate and monitor a project through the duration of the project.

Also discussing as a panelist at the session, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba enjoined governors yet to embrace and support free trade zone scheme to do so in order to attract investments into their states to generate employment opportunities.

Only 22 states in Nigeria subscribe to the free trade zone scheme. We need to do everything and act fast as if it is an emergency to create job for our youth.

I am also using this opportunity to ask those states that have not keyed into this scheme to please sign the approval. It is a very good way to attack investment into your state. It took Ekiti State just four weeks to get Mr President assent.

It is very interesting to know that of the 46 free trade zones that Lagos has 18, they understand the concept very well. No wonder so many investors are going there.

You can develop your free zones just as it is done in Ghana, Cte dIvoire. You can develop small free trade zone that can attract investors into your state.

Adesugba said that Lagos, Ogun, Borno and Delta are already having creative concepts with the scheme.

About 450million dollars is going to Ogun State very soon. So open the door of your state for the scheme.

He said Nigeria needed to do more in the area of free trade zone scheme to move fast just like China and Dubai.

China has 5,000 enterprises in free zones which transacted about billion shares.

In Nigeria, we are trying, we set up our free zones scheme before China in 1992

Right now the total investment in free trade zone is about 30 billion dollars. That means we still have a lot to do, (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News