By Joan Nwagwu

Nigeria has again called for the full democratisation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), to ensure full, equal and democratic participation of the member states in its governance.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, made the appeal in a statement by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director Press and Public Relations in the ministry on Sunday in Abuja.

Ngige made the appeal while presenting a comprehensive report on democratisation of ILO governance during a virtual meeting of the Tripartite Working Group of the ILO Governing Board.

He noted that the long history of democratisation of the ILO featured in the amendment of its constitution in 1986.

He said that there was need for the subsequent call for the ratification of the amendment instrument.

He, however, regretted that the amendments were yet to take effect after more than three decades, since they were initiated.

He added that this was due to reservations by some member states against its ratification.

The minister noted that the Centenary Declaration in 2019 provided another opportunity to revisit the democratisation.

He said that this led to the setting up of a Tripartite Working Group co-chaired by Nigeria and Switzerland.

My delegation commends the Working Group and the cooperation of members for successfully guiding focus discussion and dialogue on its mandate.

The identification and deliberation of major impediments to the ratification by some member states in the constitution is both instructive and commendable.

The outcome of the discussion which enjoyed majority support culminated in the submission of the conference resolution for recommendation to the 109th session of the ILC for adoption.

The unrelenting push for the ratification of the amendments will send a clear signal about our collective resolve to walk the talk in building an inclusive world class assembly for all member states,nhe said.

Ngige also called for the extension of the life span of the Tripartite Working Group to enable it fully achieve its objectives.

He added that Nigeria is optimistic that the expected threshold for entering into force of the instrument of ratification will be achieved with an extension for another 12 months.

The minister also said that Nigeria was happy that six additional countries have adopted the ratification since the centenary declaration in 2019.

We acknowledge the Republic of Moldova, Spain and Somalia for joining the list.

We strongly appeal to the remaining nine countries including members of the chief industrial importance to make our centenary aspiration a reality by registering their ratification,he said.

Ngige expressed Nigerias willingness to cooperate and support member states who have challenges in ratifying the instrument.

He also expressed confidence that the group would make significant progress in getting more members ratify the amendments before the oncoming 343 session of the ILO governing body in November.

We encourage the office to continue its promotional campaign for ratification of the instrument by member states, he added.

It would be recalled that Nigeria had taken the lead in the push for the full democratisation of the ILO during the 331 session of the Governing Board in November 2017.

Africa Ministers also came up with a single agenda of total elimination of the vestiges of colonialism in ILO and nominated Sen. Ngige to lead the charge during the session. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and its teeming members in congratulating Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his 69th birthday.

In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday, Buhari also shared the joyous occasion with the former two-term Governor of Lagos State, whose acumen and influence continue to resonate round the country and beyond.

The president rejoiced with the patriot and statesman on the 12th colloquium,an intellectual gathering to commemorate his birthday.

He noted that the colloquium had over the years turned into a veritable opportunity for discussing topical national issues, and harnessing ideas that would move the nation forward.

The president described the theme of the 12th Bola Tinubu Colloquium,Our Common Bond, Our Common Wealth: Imperative of National Cohesion for Growth and Prosperity, as timely.

He believed the choice of further highlighting loyalty to the country and the shared vision that will bring harmony and well-being to everyone is most timely, clearly reflecting Sen. Tinubus patriotism and benevolence.

According to the president, the former Lagos State governor has inspired many leaders and continues to nurture talents for the benefit of the country.

He also acknowledged Tinubus role in the stability of the APC, and advocating good governance.

The president also felicitated with family, friends and political associates of the astute politician, praying that God will grant him longer life, good health and more wisdom. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

Sen. Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, has restated the need for all Nigerians to strengthen the bond of unity among them to ensure prosperity of the country.

Tinubu stated this on Sunday in Kano when he visited the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero.

The former Lagos State Governor said that Nigerians should exude tolerance and deep understanding to sustain the countrys unity.

He said the nation was at a critical stage of its history, adding that unity and understanding were required for it to move forward.

Lagos and Kano States are known for their cosmopolitan and tolerant nature, this is the way to go.

My visit today isa clear testimony that people can work together to make positive change possible regardless of tribe and religion, , he said.

Earlier, Ado-Bayero stated that Tinubus choice of Kano to celebrate his birthday was a testimony of his love and quest for a united country.

The emir pledged to work towards promoting and strengthening Nigerias unity and development.

As Nigerians, we need to play our roles to keep the nation together, we have to make Nigeria great.

Political leaders have tremendous roles to play, as traditional rulers, they have our support, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ariwodola Idowu

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has congratulated the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, on the occasion of his 69birthday.

Fayemi, in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday by his ChiefPress Secretary, Yinka Iyebode, described Tinubuas leader of leaders.

The governor said that the former Lagos governor was a distinguished Nigerian and courageous, reliable, dependable and passionate leader.

Fayemi, who is the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), also described Tinubu as a statesman, with an uncommon political sagacity and generousity.

According to him, the two qualities have made the APC leader to stand out as one of the leading lights of progressive politics in the country.

Asiwaju Tinubus ability to identify, nurture and engage talents is unequalled. His life has been a testimony of human capital development in an unrelenting struggle for a better life for people.

He is not only an accomplished politician; he is a statesman par excellence, a dogged fighter and strong voice in the fight against military dictatorship and enthronement of democratic rule in the country.

We can only wish him many more useful and productive years in service to humanity.

I, on behalf of my wife, Bisi, the government and good people of Ekiti, celebrate our dear Asiwaju Tinubu on his birthday and pray that God rewards his labour of love with long life in good health and unspeakable joy, Fayemi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Federal Government has dispelled the possibility of any fake COVID-19 vaccines being administered or sold by unauthorised institution in the country.

This is contained in a circular signed by Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, the Director, Department of Hospital Service, Federal Ministry of Health, on behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire in Abuja.

The circular followed a letter from the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 regarding the arrest of about 3,000 doses of fake COVID-19 vaccines destined for Africa from China.

The minister, who acknowledged receipt of the PTF letter, however, stated that I am, therefore, to bring this to your notice and dispel any possibility of COVID-19 vaccines being available for sale or being administered by any unauthorised institution.

To prevent the importation of fake vaccines, kindly note that the Nigeria Customs Service has designated the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as the only Point of Entry (PoE) for imported COVID-19 vaccines.

He then called the attention of chief medical directors and medical directors of federal tertiary health institutions to the fake COVID-19 vaccines destined for Africa, noting that it had been arrested in China.

Meanwhile, competent sources in the ministry confirmed the information to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

One of the sources said: the ministry issued a circular to inform the medical directors of federal hospitals about the fake vaccines.

It is just to let them (medical directors) know that fake COVID-19 vaccines are on the way to Africa but is not in Nigeria.

Nigeria is not even taking vaccines from China, so there is no way fake vaccines can get into the country because it is only the Federal Government that is authorised to import COVID-19 vaccines for now. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Patience Aliyu/John Amieyeofori
The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) is adding value to the countrys civil service through training of civil servants and other capacity development initiatives.

The Director General of the college, Mrs Cecelia Gayya, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Gayya said that the college had conducted many training programmes at both the national and international levels.

She recalled that some staff of the Gambian government as well as those of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation among others had been trained at the college.

Gayya also said the college had trained more than 400 staff of NPA in the last three years while it had been conducting promotion exercises for staff of NIMASA in the last four years.

She added that customer satisfaction had been evident through the repeated patronage recorded.

Gayya further said the college had been involved in the mandatory manpower training organised by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation for about four years for staff on Grade Levels between eight and 13.

NAN reports that ASCON located in Topo, Badagry, was established in 1973 by the Federal Government as a management development institution.

Source: NAN News

By Ariwodola Idowu

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has urged the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), to improve the mechanism for school monitoring and evaluation of projects.

He said this would promote quality education in the country.

The governor made the statement when the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, led other members on a courtesy visit to him on Saturday in Ado Ekiti.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee, as part of its oversight functions, was in the state to inspect basic schools and ensure that funds released by the Federal Government for execution of projects were judiciously utilised.

The governor also informed the committee on the need for the Federal Government to suspend counterpart funding as part of the basic requirements for states to access Federal Governments UBEC funding.

Fayemi lamented that the backlogs of funds domiciled in the UBEC account was a function of the inability of some states to raise counterpart funds to access it.

He added that the process, if successful, would enable states to take more accelerated actions that would substantially improve the condition of schools and the quality of learning received by scholars.

Fayemi said: It is necessary to step down counterpart funding in order for states to access the money that is just sitting there and the president has agreed with us.

That would enable states to take more accelerated actions on schools but it will now be more of a programme for results arrangement rather than counterpart funding arrangement.

I know how important this Committee is. I want to plead with you to really continue to impress it on the UBEC and the FME to pay more attention to the quality of education and to the monitoring and evaluation exercise.

He stressed the need to get school environment safe and secure, noting that it was the responsibility of government to ensure that the security of schools went beyond the traditional measure of installing perimeter fencing.

He said schools would need to adopt more effective measures that would guarantee safety of student, particularly at a time the country was faced with security challenges.

The governor, as requested by the committee, promised to lend his voice to campaign against out-of-school children.

He explained how his administration in two years had been able to improve students enrollment in both basic and secondary schools through free and compulsory education and the enactment of the Child Rights Act.

The Act prohibits school age children from being on the street during school hours, without genuine reasons.

Earlier in his remarks, Ihonvbere said the committee was in Ekiti as part of its constitutional responsibility to assess the extent to which states have utilised the Federal Government UBEC grants.

He commended the Fayemi administration for injecting passion and commitment to repositioning and refocusing basic education in the state, as against what it was during the previous administration.

He said: Giving that we are very conversant with the distorted legacy inherited by the governor in the area of basic education, we are satisfied that there is passion, there is commitment, there is focus, there is burning desire to protect our children and ensure they get the best in basic education. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Uchenna Ugwu

Some residents of Abakaliki have called for the promotion and awareness of theatre arts.

They made the call on Saturday in Abakaliki in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the occasion of the World Theatre Day.

NAN reports that the day is observed every March 27 to raise the importance of theatre arts, how the practitioners play important roles in the field of entertainment and how they mirror the ills of society.

Theatre is anartconcerned almost exclusively with live performances in which the actions are precisely planned to create a coherent and significant sense ofdrama.

It uses live performers such as actors and actresses to present experience of a real and imagined event before a live audience.

Mr Michael Ade, an enthusiast and a resident, said that there was need for governments and institutions to see the value of theatre to the society.

Ade said that theatre art has been one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Nigeria.

He said called on theatre arts professionals to harness young talents in the nations education sector.

Awareness of this dramatic art needs to be promoted to harness the potential of young people who are interested in theatre arts, Ade said.

Mrs Sylvia Ikele, another enthusiast, told NAN that if theatre art was strengthened young people with talents would be recognised.

Institutions and professionals in the theatre field need to help promote this art for lovers of theatre and for development, Ikele said.

Mr Kingsley Nwapor, a resident, called for the reawakening of arts and culture sector, for its value and economic growth. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Georgina Adegbie

Amina Daura, the Head of Womens Football Unit at Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says her goal is to develop women football from grassroots level to the elite national level.

Amina told newsmen on Saturday in Abuja that she has a lot of programmes lined up to develop women football in the country.

Women have not been given more attention in football. We need to do more for the women football sector, because we are the world.

We have many plans for women football, and what I really want to do is to go to the grassroots development level and I want to start from grassroots level to the elite.

Daura urged the media to support and help in propagating women football.

Women footballers have not been given attention. The media does not give much attention to the women.

I have watched a lot of what we have on the television channels, and I have never seen any of the female matches being shown as they should be.

The work is not just that of me or the NFF alone. So, I also need the media help to promote women grassroots development programmes

My ideas have always been from grassroots to elite level and I will just like to expand.

I will work hard to change the image of women football in Nigeria, she said.

Daura who spoke on the sidelines of the match between WACO Academy Queens and Yes Diamond Queens said a lot was still needed to raise the women game.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was organised by the Women Football Unit of NFF to celebrate the 2021 Womens International Day.

The theme of the event was I choose to challenge gender inequality in football.

Why we did this now is to show how important the Womens Day is to us as women.

On March 27, we have to do something no matter how little it is, she said.

NAN reports that WACO Academy Queens of Abuja defeated Yes Diamond Queens FC of Kuje 3-0 in the novelty match.

It was played at the FIFA Goal Project pitch of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Zainab Oyekan

Mr Gideon Dandam, Coordinator, Fadama Project in Plateau, says the State Government will kick-start the COVID-19 economic stimulus programme for farmers in April.

Dandam said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Sunday that the programme would be implemented under the COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus (Nigeria CARES).

He said that although the programme was still at the preparatory stage, efforts would be made to ensure that it kicked off in April.

The coordinator said that the essence of the programme was to cushion the effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 on farmers in the state.

COVID-19 came with myriads of devastating effects on the people, this gesture is aimed at addressing these challenges.

The Federal Government understood the challenges, this is part of the steps to revamp the economy and put food back on the table for Nigerians, he said.

Dandam further said that the programme would target the most vulnerable farmers in the state, saying, we need them to return to their farms.

The package will support them in the areas of production, processing, acquiring of assets and tackling market challenges.

We shall give them inputs such as land and seeds, the crops we are considering are rice, potatoes and vegetables.

As a State, we have comparative advantage for vegetables and potatoes; these crops can be grown all year round, he said.

He said that the programme would also support vulnerable livestock and fish farm owners in the state.(NAN)

Source: NAN News