Inauguration of Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 3/2020 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Abuja

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Policy and Plans, Army, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, has charged senior officers of security agencies to strive to proffer knowledge based solution to the nations security challenges.

Adeosun made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the ceremony for participants of Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 3/2020 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC).

He said that the course was conceived and developed as part of the mandate of NARC to proffer research based study to the defence and security challenges facing the nation.

Adeosun said that human resource development was required to effectively achieve the broad mandates given to the centre, hence the need to broaden the study module of the centre.

He said that as strategic leaders, knowledge was crucial to their activities, urging them to strive to learn as no knowledge can be lost.

According to him, critical thinking and emotional intelligence packages have been included into the strategic management component of the course because of their importance to strategic leadership.

However, emphasis is not only on the academic aspect as other factors were considered given the peculiar target audience which is the entire security architecture of the country.

Thus, security which in itself has expanded beyond the old synthetic dimension to now cover all human endaevours is a major factor in this course.

The programme is therefore designed to examine security through other lenses rather than the pure kinetic engagements which most of the participants are used to.

Consequently, factors like food security, physical security and employment amongst others are given adequate attention.

This is not done in isolation but we always commence with theoretical examination of policy formulation, interpretation and management which is referred to as grand strategy in some quarters particularly the military, he said.

The Director-General, NARC, Maj.-Gen. Abdulwahab Garba (Rtd), said the course was essentially aimed at looking at security from another perspectives other than the usual kinetic angle.

Garba disclosed that the centre had made effort to get across to different parts of the world with a view to bridging the gaps in the security architecture of the nation.

He said the review of course 2 had led to increment in what was being undertaken in course 3, adding that senior officers from various services had been brought together to share knowledge.

Garba said the current course had 22 participants including five women from Nigeria Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence Intelligence Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigerian Customs Service among others.

According to him, the course 3 has five participants from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) as against one in the last course and for the first time, Nigerian Customs Service is participating.

These are practitioners in the defence and security architecture of Nigeria who are here to know themselves. It will go a long way in blocking the identified gaps in the defence and security of the country, he said.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says that Nigeria as an indivisible geo-political entity is more beneficial to its citizens than becoming units of nationalities.

Buhari gave the advice in a nationwide broadcast to mark the 60independence anniversary of Nigeria, Africas most populous nation.

According to him, Nigerians must collectively resolve to continue their journey beyond the recorded 60 years on the understanding that Nigeria as a geo-political entity will be more beneficial to every citizen.

We are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities, he asserted.

Buhari stated that citizens should continue to do the right things to promote unity and understanding among the diverse ethno-religious groups in the country, to achieve desired goals of nation building.

Fellow Nigerians, our history has shown that we are people that have the capacity to live peacefully with one another.

Fellow Nigerians, to achieve the great nation we desire, we need to solidify our strength, increase our commitment and encourage ourselves to do what is right and proper even when no one is watching.

Let us collectively resolve to continue our journey beyond the 60 years on the clear understanding that as a nation we are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities.

By the sufficient grace of God we shall come through current transient challenges.

The president also stressed the need for the country to begin a sincere process of national healing, saying that the current anniversary presented genuine opportunity to eliminate divisive tendencies among the people.

He advised citizens to always discard acts capable of dividing the nation or promoting primordial sentiments.

We need to begin sincere process of national healing and this anniversary presents a genuine opportunityto eliminate old and out-worn perceptions.

The stereotype of thinking of ourselves as coming from one part of the country before seeing ourselves as Nigerians is a key starting point to project us on the road to our deserved nations evolution and integration.

To start this healing process, we are already blessed with the most important asset any nation requires for such our people and this has manifested globally in the exploits of Nigerians in many fields.

It has been demonstrated time and time again that Nigerians in the diaspora frequently excel in science, technology, medicine, sports, arts and many other fields.

Similarly, the creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Nigerian at home has resulted to a global recognition of our endeavours.

The president expressed his optimism that Nigeria would achieve its set goals if citizens collectively pursued the nations aspirations together.

Im convinced that if we pursue our aspirations together we will be able to achieve whatever we desire, he added.

Buhari stressed that Nigerians, irrespective of their geo-political backgrounds must continue to show genuine commitment toward the survival of the country as a geo-political entity no matter the challenges facing the nation.

I chose the path of self-reflection because this is what I do on daily basis and I must confess that most times, I always felt the need for collective reflection.

I know that the foundation for a solid future which this administration is laying can only be sustainable if there is a collective commitment by Nigerians.

Nigeria is not a country for Mr President, any ruling or opposition party but a country for all of us and we must play our part, irrespective of the challenges we face to make this country what we desire.

To achieve this, we must focus our minds together as a people on ways of resolving the identified critical challenges that underline our present state.

According to him, these include evolving and sustaining a democratic culture that leaves power in the hands of the people:

Supporting the enthronement of rule of law, demanding accountability of elected representatives and contributing to good governance.

Increasing our commitment to peaceful co-existence in a peaceful, secure and united Nigeria;

Harnessing and optimizing our tremendous human and natural resources to attain our goal of being in the top 20 economies of the world and in the process;

Lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years and strengthening institutions to make them stronger in protecting national interests and imbibing tolerance in diversity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Old people

By Ikenna Osuoha

Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) has lamented the condition of many older persons in the country even as the country Marks 60 years of independence.

The President of the coalition, Sen. Eze Ajoku, while while congratulating the country on her 60th anniversary celebration in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the state of many senior citizens was disturbing.

Ajoku, who regretted the dearth of quality healthcare facilities targeted at older persons to assist them in the ageing process was not helping matters.

He said there are no healthcare facilities and policies targeted at older persons. Most community healthcare centres are not functioning.

There is no social security and incentives for them, that is why many people become nervous approaching the 60 years retirement age.

There is no plan for older persons who are suffering from non communicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and some of them who are suffering from dementia are being branded as witches and wizards.

So the older persons are not enjoying any form of sympathy or benefit from Nigerians and government.

The coalition leader, therefore, called for a comprehensive health plan for older persons, and urged Nigerian to rise to the responsibilities of giving the much needed care to older persons.

According to him, government should begin to give discount for drugs of older persons suffering from non communicable diseases.

Ajoku emphasised the imperatives of giving priority to older persons, noting that Nigerian leaders were dominantly older persons.

The poor, the needy, the frail looking older persons are appealing to the leaders who are also older persons to give priority attention to senior citizens, he appealed.

He also urged government to aggregate the data of older persons in the country, using community based system for adequate planning and administration.

He said you can get data of older persons in two weeks from communities through councillors who represent the areas.

Ajoku stressed that Nigeria at 60 had attained old age and therefore ought to rise to the aspirations of older persons in terms of healthcare and social security. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

Source: NAN News

CGI, Muhammad Babandede during inspection of passport ofice in Abuja

By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Government has approved implementation of the New Visa Policy (NVP) and New Visa Fees.

The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Mr Muhammad Babandede disclosed this in a statement by the Service Spokesman, Mr Sunday James on Thursday in Abuja.

Babandede said that the implementation of the new visa fees and Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2020 commenced on Thursday.

The service wishes to inform the general public and the international community of the new visa fees approved by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, which is based on the principles of reciprocity.

The service is inviting stakeholders, concerned authorities and individuals to visit the official website of the Service via for full details of the new visa fees for all countries and category of applicants, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government launched a New Visa Policy (NVP) on Feb. 4.

This was launched to boost the nations economy and allow travellers to visit Nigeria without visas and only commence the process of obtaining visa upon arrival into the country.

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

By Jessica Dogo
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has lifted the suspension on Spectrum Trading Guidelines (STG) 2018, pending the conclusion of ongoing review.

Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC Director, Public Affairs, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said that the decision followed deliberations by the NCC Board at its special meeting.

Adinde said that the board resolved that the suspension be lifted and that relevant stakeholders should continue to operate the STG while the revised STG was being finalised in consultation with the industry.

He said that NCC had on May 27, 2020, announced the suspension of STG 2018 for the Nigerian telecommunications industry and informed all licensed telecoms operators, prospective investors, industry stakeholders and the general public of the decision.

Adinde said the board took the decision in response to telecommunications global dynamics, as well as the efforts to optimally utilise and maximise the benefits of Spectrum as a scarce resource.

According to Adinde, Spectrum is a limited resource, which, when inefficiently utilised, greatly limits broadband coverage and speed.

The current Spectrum Trading Guidelines were developed in 2018 after industry-wide consultations.

This instrument allows that the Spectrum resource be traded on the Secondary Market through Transfer, Sharing or Leasing (TSL) upon satisfying stipulated regulatory conditions.

The Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2020, requires that these Guidelines be reviewed to ensure that unutilised Spectrum is fairly traded to facilitate rollout by other operators among others.

The guidelines will also help to address the need for ubiquitous broadband deployment to accelerate penetration and access in line with the economic Agenda of the Federal Government, he said.

Source: NAN News

NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

By Aderogba George
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it introduced e-registration to simplify the registration exercise for its customers.

NAFDACs Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

She also said the agency would embrace digitisation in carrying out its activities in order to reduce frequent human interaction.

Adeyeye noted that the reforms in the agency also involved the training of staff to meet the demands of various customers.

Part of the reforms, she added, is aimed at creating a disciplined workforce geared toward service delivery.

Our staff do so much work on daily basis.

We go through danger, including threat of kidnapping, and with all these, we have to have a disciplined workforce.

Our reform unit work round the clock, our staff have been trained, we are trying to look at the act regulating the agency and make sure we increase fines for those who violated our law.

National task force against counterfeit and unregulated products is resident in NAFDAC; there are also standby policemen who follow us during investigation.

We are mopping up the mess created in NAFDAC between 2011 and 2018, Adeyeye added.

She further said that the agency had decentralised power to zonal offices to allow for direct interaction with customers and promote the ease of doing business initiative.

Adeyeye stated that the agency is determined to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

She said that the agency had decentralised the food and simple cosmetics to the zones to allow for direct interaction with customers.

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

Five prisoners who have been of good behaviour while in detention, have earned parole from Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau, as Nigeria marks its 60th independence anniversary.

Lalong granted them pardon on Thursday at Government House, Jos, at a one-day discussion with community leaders to deepen peace in Plateau.

In the spirit of Nigerias Diamond celebrations and in exercise of the powers conferred on me under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic as amended and on the recommendation of the state advisory Council on the prerogative of mercy, I hereby grant pardon to the following convicted persons who were of good behavior in detention.

Governor Lalong proclaimed as follows

Obinna John, initially sentenced to death by hanging, having served eight years, his death sentence had been commutted to 21 years in Prison.

Lengka Kurji, earlier sentenced to 36 months imprisonment, having served two years and nine months, has been granted absolute pardon.

Buhari Abubakar, initially sentenced to four years imprisonment, having served two years and ten months, has been granted absolute pardon.

David Luka, initially sentenced to three years imprisonment, having served two years and 11 months, is hereby granted absolute pardon.

Yau Bala, initially sentenced to three years imprisonment, having served two years and eight months, has been granted absolute pardon.

He urged them to cease the opportunity of their freedom to chart a new course for themselves , while contributing to the progress of the country.

He said the discussion tagged Building Peaceful, Safer and Secure Communities in Plateau States calls for achieving a stable, peaceful and prosperous society, through cooperation of all stakeholders.

He said the meeting was also to explore ways which the state government can work with critical stakeholders, to entrench the ideals of sustainable peace.

Moving forward, the government will continue to work with you and other stakeholders, to mitigate violence through an inclusive and community-driven processes, devoid of ethno religious or political considerations, he said.

Lalong said one of the cardinal objectives of his administration is to ensure peace, security and good governance, saying the Plateau Peace Building Agency was established in 2016 to help in achieving it.

He expressed delight that peace in Plateau is being restored, as the number of visitors and investors have increased, adding that Max Air launched its Abuja to Jos flight on Monday, 29th September, as evidence of development of the State.

The governor reiterated his administrations commitment in protecting the lives and properties of Plateau people, saying no amount of black mail and desperation would deter them from the task.

He said arrests have been made over the killing of a traditional leader in Barkin-ladi Local Government, the killing of a Department of Security Services operative in Shendam Local Government, as well as the killing of five persons in Jos South Local Government.

In his keynote address, the Director for the Center of Conflict Management and Peace Studies, University of Jos, Prof. Danny McCain, said peace building required compromises from different groups in various Communities.

He said the process required time, energy, perseverance and forgiveness, saying those driving the process should not be easily discouraged.

Building community always involves compromise, forgiveness, and everybody must be involved because it needs patience, he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Plateau Council of Chiefs and Emirs, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, said that issues troubling the community must be addressed for Sustainable peace.

Other discussants at the meeting were Leaders of religious organisations, Civil Society Organisations and experts on conflict resolution.

Source: NAN News

SGF and COVID-19 PTF Chairman Mr Boss Mustapha

The Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19 disclosed said that since it inaugurated the International Travel Portal about four weeks ago, over 27,000 passengers have entered into the country through the Lagos and Abuja airports.

The Coordinator of the PTF on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, who spoke at an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) explained that it was a huge operation, with 18,000 coming through Lagos and just a little over 9,000 through Abuja.

Of the 27,000 plus passengers, 99.8 per cent had a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result. The majority, specifically 85 per cent, had no issues with payment on the portal. Of the 15 per cent who had issues, 12 per cent had their issues resolved on arrival.

It is correct to say that of the 27,000 the majority seamlessly went through the registration, entry, and re-testing process.

However, with an operation of this scope and scale, there are bound to be issues that will arise; this is an IT system. Its not perfect, we are humans, talk less of computers, he explained.

Aliyu said the Travel Portal was still relatively new.

We didnt try out the portal but we immediately implemented it because of the pressure for reopening the international airports. Without the travel portal, we would still be struggling to reopen airports safely, he said.

The coordinator said that the PTF have been working collaboratively with public and private sector partners to address the issues and challenges as they arise.

We are aware of a particular case of a traveller who had been charged multiple times for his PCR test on arrival to Nigeria from Sweden.

The online platform failed to record his payment for the re-test in Nigeria due to technical difficulties. As soon as the PTF was aware of his unfortunate experience, we immediately began investigating to resolve the issue. I am happy to state that the person has been refunded all the extra money he paid. In fact, he was paid the same evening we got that information, and the process is now being fine-tuned to prevent such occurrences, he stated.

Dr Aliyu said that the PTF do sympathised with the frustration travellers have to go through when the system malfunctions or when they experience these challenges.

Throughout the world nowadays, if you are travelling, you have to fill in additional information on IT systems belonging to countries, as a prerequisite for travelling.

Nigeria is no different, we need to move away from paper copies. We need to have electronic systems that would allow us to go back and check when things go wrong.

When people have positive results in-country, having arrived with a negative result or when they fill out a health questionnaire, we need to go back and check if they reported any symptoms when they arrived.

We cannot continue with paper copies, because it is very difficult to do so, with the number of passengers arriving into the country, Aliyu noted.

According to him, we get between 5,000 to 7,000 passengers coming into the country every day, when fully opened. The amount of paperwork is huge, and its impossible to be able to investigate and find out what goes wrong.

The Coordinator, however, urged returning travellers to please bear with the PTF and not hesitate to bring such issues directly to them.

He noted that the PTF was committed to improving the entry process, that was why they were are working with their partners, CACOVID, to implement a 24hr customer service hotline with the NCDC, as well as customer service representatives stationed at the airports.

He, however, noted in the interim, Nigerians should please continue to email them on if they were having issues.

We also ask the public to support us in our efforts to significantly flatten the curve of this virus in our country. One of these measures is the need for us to have a repeat test at day 7 upon returning to Nigeria.

The reason being that after having come into the country with a negative result, conducted up to five days before leaving your country of departure, you have less than a 10 per cent chance of being picked up if you are going to seroconvert. We have been proven right, he said.

The coordinator disclosed that of the 2,403 passengers who have been tested in Lagos, when they started the exercise, 80 tested positive after taking the re-test, meanwhile, they had a negative COVID PCR test before departure.

I can assure if we had tested them at the airport on arrival, we wouldnt have picked up a positive result. At most, we would have picked up half of them. Out of 2,400 passengers, pick 80. If we start running at full blast with 5,000 passengers every day, how many will you be missing, if you do not look for it?

If we had a system of enforcement or isolation, such that everyone coming into the country self-isolates effectively for two weeks, you do not need to do the test because we know you will not transmit to anybody else, he said.

Aliyu noted that but the government does not have the resources to check or enforce such. Therefore, the only option was to pick up people who were likely to become infectious fairly early on, which was around day 7 after arrival.

In resolving the technical difficulties, he said that for passengers facing issues with the portal, they should please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) under Help and Support, on the online portal: nitp.ncdc.gov.ng/onboarding/help/faq.

If you are debited for a failed payment or debited more than once, please follow the following steps: Contact your Bank providing transaction details (transaction date, amount, and transaction reference).

Your Bank will then log a request from the acquiring Bank (where applicable). If you have not been able to complete the payment online and did not receive a QR code before boarding: Visit saferports.com/my-traveller-record, to retrieve your QR code Access Report instantly.

You will be allowed to board the flight if you hold a valid COVID-19 negative PCR result. As a temporary measure, passengers will be required to pay for the repeat COVID-19 PCR test on arrival in Nigeria, he explained.

Aliyu, however, warned that passengers without a QR code may face longer delays on arrival in Nigeria before exiting the airport.

In the coming weeks, when we resolve issues with the QR codes, they will be mandatory. There will be penalties for those who do not upload their details on the system.

If you must correct the information already provided, then please emailwith the email subject: Correction of Travel Information, he stressed.

Speaking on Private Laboratory Testing, the coordinator pleaded with Nigerians to understand that the PTF was asking everyone to conduct two PCR tests, one before departure and another 7 days after arrival to Nigeria.

Please note the re-tests in Nigeria are being conducted by private labs found on the Travel Portal. Do not pay laboratories that are not registered in the Travel Portal.

As mentioned before, as many as 80 people have tested positive for COVID-19 seven days after arrival in Nigeria, despite testing negative in the country of departure.

These numbers are high because the virus can spread quickly and silently. This is why the PTF has made testing mandatory, he said.

Aliyu said that the cost of the COVID-19 PCR test had been raised repeatedly, reiterating that no government agency was receiving the funds.

The negotiation of the costs is between State governments and the private labs themselves. The charges range between N35, 600 for the Kano portal, which will be operationalised, and N50, 400 for Lagos.

We continue to urge private laboratories to fulfill the requirements to get on the payment portal, because as we do that, the cost will come down. We saw this in Abuja, as the cost fell from N42, 750 to N35, 900. In the future, it may be possible for us to have more rapid tests that are more cost-effective, he said.

According to him, the portal will be changing, the question will not be: where are you arriving, Lagos or Abuja? and will become: where will you be on day 7? and you will be able to choose your sample collection center based on that.

It is impossible to have sample collection centers in every city in the country, but we are already making significant progress. We have opened a lab in Kano and will be opening several sample collection centers across the country in the next few days so it will be easier for travellers.

Wherever you are, if you pay for a test on the portal, its the responsibility of the laboratory that you have paid to make sure that your sample is collected. You do not need to go back to Lagos or Abuja for your sample to be collected.

If there is no private laboratory in your state of final destination, the laboratory you have chosen for your test during registration will make arrangements to have your sample taken at a designated lab, he explained.

Dr Aliyu disclosed that the PTF and NCDC were urgently working with all states to create a mechanism for private testing.

Weve already approached 6 or 7 states that have private labs in their states. To see a list of accredited private laboratories, especially if you are travelling out of the country, visit the NCDC microsite covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/privatelabs, he said.

Aliyu noted that as is evident in many parts of the world, COVID-19 continues to pose a significant danger and challenge to all.

As the world begins to embrace the new normal following the resumption of travel and the repatriation process, we will continue to address new challenges as they arise. There will be some inconvenience, but we plead with the public to please bear with us as we continue to make this process more streamlined and easier to navigate, he added.

The coordinator stressed that the international travel portal was the innovation for controlling the spread of COVID-19.

Indeed as a country in Africa, were one of the few that have a functional travel portal, this makes travel possible and seamless for travellers. The Task Force, CACOVID, and other partners are working relentlessly to ensure that challenges are dealt with swiftly.

Hopefully, as we open up the customer support centers, it should be easier for passengers to reach out if they are having issues. The issues we have seen on the social media could have easily been resolved if they had reached out to the right person, he said.

Aliyu added that the PTF appreciates everyones patience, cooperation, and understanding as they resolve these technical issues and continue to facilitate international air travel safely.

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

As Nigerians celebrate the countrys 60independence anniversary on 0ct. 1, Netflix, the worlds leading Internet entertainment service provider, has announced plans to promote the Nigerian storytelling culture.

Ben Amadasun, Netflixs Director of Licensing and Co-productions in Africa said in a statement on Wednesday, that the entertainment outfit planned to do this by promoting Naija to the world story collection.

Amadasun said that the collection was a curated content collection that highlights Nigerian storytellers and talent who have elevated the countrys creative industry recognition around the world.

He said the collection, which can be found on the website, netflix.com/naijatotheworld will be available globally.

He added that the collection featured over 90 Nigerian films and series starring some of Nigerias most prolific talents both behind and in front of the camera.

The titles have been curated into various rows to make it easy for members to discover stories that suit whatever mood they are in.

These include critically-acclaimed Nigerian Films, Nollywood thrillers, romantic films, comedies, crime films and dramas.The Making of Nigeria, a new docu-series from Nigeria-based Quramo Productions, to be aired on Oct.1.

The seven-part docu-series will take Netflix members on a journey of Nigerias history from colonisation, its part in world history and its march to independence.

Another new title making its global premiere on the service on Oct. 2 is ltr from Mo Abudus EbonyLife studios.

It tells the story of a young female journalist who goes undercover as a prostitute to expose a human trafficking syndicate.

What she finds is a world of exploited women and ruthless violence.

ltr is directed by Kenneth Gyang and the cast of this crime drama includes Sharon Ooja, Omowunmi Dada, Omoni Oboli, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Wofai Fada and more, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Netflix is the worlds leading internet entertainment service with over 193 million paid memberships in over 190 countries. (NAN)

Source: NAN News