By Olayinka Olawale

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) on Friday held its National Executive Council meeting in Lagos to discuss the Paris club refund and other critical issues affecting the association.

In his welcome address, Mr Alabi David, ALGONs President and Chairman, Bariga Local Government, said that the NEC was to take critical decisions on the report of the committee assigned to look into the issues.

According to him, those issues are the comprehensive primary health care centres built in local governments, and the intriguing legal matters particularly the pectoral of cases that confronts the association.

The committee for breast cancer case transaction will also have to present its findings and recommendations in the course of todays deliberation.

The status of the ALGON American hospital is also part of what we have to discuss today.

The issue that is also in the kitty that we also want to discuss is the Paris club refund and also our income from our investment infrastructure bank.

Among what we also have to discuss is the transition programme, he said.

The president charged members of the association to demonstrate affable astute disposition and the need to eschew violence, bitterness and bigotry in the country.

David said that the daunting task ahead required collective responsibility and cooperation to further intensity efforts in clamping down all manner of social vices which indeed had monumental consequences in our various communities.

You are welcome to this important meeting, the very first holding after the 2023 general elections

Significantly as it were in many ways and in spite of the precarious impliction and presumptuous instability occasion by the just concluded elections.

Let me retreat my special appreciation to you all in your obligation to ensure predictability and peaceful coexistence In our various communities within the grandiose of loving our neighbors as ourselves.

With nostalgic thought, however, I am not unmindful of our colleagues who had emotionally invested their time and resources in quest to strife to higher grounds in public service.

They were unfortunate in this by the unexpected circumstances of the elections.

On the other hand, I seize this opportunity with the utmost humility to convey my warm felicitation to our colleagues who were victorious by the will of God and the propensity to drive their thoughts for the betterment of Nigeria.

Hearty congratulations to those my colleagues that triumphed, he said.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Gidado Abdusalam, ALGON Chairman, Adamawa, said the meeting was to strategise and give reports on various states as well as discuss the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

According to him, the association is seeking very good working relation with all state governments in the incoming dispensation.

It is a routine activity as chief executive or security officer of our various local governments, we have an obligation to meet time to time to review issues.

Most especially the elections that was just held, there were some issues in some other states and the transiting programmes that are transiting to another government.

Hence we see the reason to come together and strategise and give report of our various state and local government.

We are always determined to make impact in our peoples lives as local government chairmen, grassroots mobilisers and grassroots politicians, in making good efforts particularly in terms of security and welfare, he said.

Also, Mr Isah Taifeeq, ALGON Chairman, Kogi, said that members of the association were at the meeting to discuss and dialogue on how to bring good dividends to the people.

He added that the association would maintain the perfect relationship with state governments and the incoming administration.

Speaking on local government autonomy, he said that with the coming of the president- elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, Nigerians should expect very good governance.

Tinubu is a democratic, Nigerians should be expecting good governance from the president-elect, he said.

He commended the ALGON president for his leadership style while assuring him of continuous support.

ALGON has never had it so good, like this present regime, this is the best president this association has ever had.

He is a fantastic leader. We are giving him all the necessary support, Taifeeq said.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Source: NAN News

Chief Osita Chidoka and family members during the burial of their mother, Deaconess Nneka Chidoka in Obosi, Idemili Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra

By Chimezie Anaso

Former Nigeria President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, led dignitaries who joined Chief Osita Chidoka to bury his late mother, Deaconess Nneka Chidoka in Obosi, Idemili Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra on Friday.

Late Nneka died on April 3 in her Obosi home at the age of 75 years after a protracted battle with cancer.

Others who joined the Chidokas for the funeral were; Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, Senators Mike Ajaegbo and Anyim Pius Anyim and Uche Ekwunife.

In his homily, Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba, Primate of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, reading from Rev. 21: 1-8, said the bereaved family should take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived a good life and gone to be with her maker.

Ndukuba, represented by Most Revd. Dr Ali Lamido, Dean Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion who celebrated the funeral service at St. Andrews Church, Obosi, said death was an inevitable end, as man would not live forever.

He said Christians did not need to fear death as God would come in due time to take away every burden of their lives and wipe away their tears.

Any life that is not lived with service to God, Church and humanity is a wasted life.

Mama served God and served the church, this is the kind of death people should strive to die, dying in the Lord Jesus Christ, he said.

The Primate prayed God to comfort the Chidoka family, especially their 96 years old patriarch, Ogbueshi Ben Chidoka, and charged them not to let the good legacies of their mother to die.

In a remark, Soludo commiserated with the family, the people of Obosi and Anambra in general for the death, which he described as painful but a celebration of life.

He welcomed visitors who came to Anambra for the condolence and commended the Anglican Diocese on the Niger for adhering to Anambra law on burial brochure by producing a standard funeral programme.

He urged youths to shun criminality and contribute positively to the growth of Anambra as no known criminal had been able to shoot his way up to 75 years of age.

In his message of appreciation, Osita, ex-minister of Aviation, said their deceased mother battled cancer for 15 years because she had a positive attitude.

He said the family of Chidoka was setting up the Nneka Chidoka Outreach as a mark of respect and in memory of their mother.

He said the Outreach would screen, treat and conduct surgeries on women with cancer free of charge.

Our mother meant everything to us, she is our refuge, she fought for us and defended us.

We want to tell people that cancer is not a death sentence, it is preventable, curable and need not kill any woman.

We are importing HPV vaccine for treatment of cancer patients, he said.

Osita who took time to recognise those who came to commiserate with them, said they would continue to contribute to the Anglican Church and the society.

Others were; Mrs Josephine Anenih, Chief Obiora Okonkwo, Managing Director of United Nigeria Airways, who was represented Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Tony Nwoye, a Senator-elect among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

Hajj 2023: NAHCON and Service Compact with Allahs Guests

A news analysis by Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In a few days, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) will start the transportation of Nigerian intending pilgrims to the Holy lands of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia for the performance of the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, mandatory on all adult Muslims with sound mind and financial capacity to perform, at least once in a lifetime.

No doubt, the services to be performed by NAHCON are both spiritual and temporal in the sense that it must abide by the Constitution of the country as well as meet the criteria of the faith. It is, however, a yearly spiritual programme carried out over the decades, except for the two years interruption because of the COVID-19 pandemic that gripped the world between 2020 to 2022.

The task before NAHCON is fulfilling the service agreement the Federal Government has with Nigerians as succinctly articulated in the SERVICOM charter, whether within or outside the country. SERVICOM is an acronym for Service Compact with all Nigerians. It was established in 2004 as the outcome of a Three-day Special Presidential Retreat on Service Delivery.

The most outstanding responsibilities of SERVICOM is to provide quality service to the people, set out the entitlement of the citizens, ensure good leadership, educate the citizens (customers) on their rights and to empower public officers to be alert to their responsibilities in providing improved, efficient, timely and transparent services.

However, educating the citizens (customers) to their rights is part of the various challenges encountered in the course of carrying out these responsibilities. Education is a way of reducing the communication gaps likely to lead to misunderstanding and friction during the course of providing services by government agencies directly or indirectly involved with citizens.

The NAHCON, over time has been a beneficiary of the religious aspects that does not allow for pilgrims to make unnecessary complaints or show contempt towards the efforts made by its personnel in handling pilgrims affairs, before, during and even after the pilgrimage. This does not, however, foreclose the fact that proper enlightenment must not be jeopardised on the altar of complacency.

It is noteworthy that the NAHCON has always had a robust media team in each of its yearly operations. The team has the mandate to liaise between the pilgrims and NAHCON officials. This had largely led to enhancing understanding between them before, during and after the exercise.

A large percentage of the challenges of Hajj can be attributed to flight schedules, take off time and returning dates, as well as feeding and accommodation arrangements in Madinah, Makkah and Mina. These duties are shared responsibilities between NAHCON and respective State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards.

The Hajj media team has been able to handle these challenges by taking to task relevant authorities on their responsibilities. This should be maintained by the team during the 2023 pilgrimage. The media should at all times serve as the watchdog of the society, and all hands must be on deck to ensure that the NAHCON media team plays this role effectively and efficiently. Nothing should be spared on this.

The 2023 Hajj operations must not be an exception to the rules. The tradition of having a robust media team in the exercise would continue to ensure that pilgrims have effective channels of communication between them and Hajj officials at both states and federal levels.

The media and government officials must therefore ensure that the guests of Allah are properly taken care of by those charged to provide services to them, and which the pilgrims have paid for. This should be done unreservedly to not only attain the boundless grace of Allah, but also satisfactorily deliver the service compact Government has with the pilgrims. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

**If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

DD/Website

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Nigerians under the aegis of Nationals in Diaspora Mentoring Corps (NIDMECORP) have urged the incoming administrations, both at the federal and state levels, to give Diasporans appointments.

The President of the group, Mr Alistair Soyode, in a statement he issued on Friday blamed the exclusion of Diasporans from key positions, boards and constituted authorities as one of the reasons for Nigerias slow path to development.

According to Soyode, appointing Diaspora Nigerians in Ministries, Departments Agencies (MDAs) and parastatal agencies would strengthen governance and leadership in the country.

He said that Nigerians in the diaspora played major roles in the 2023 elections in the country and described it as a first among many which significantly stood for justice, fairness and equity.

With more than 20 billion dollars remittances yearly, they are not just an economic powerhouse but contributors to the wellbeing of the citizens, he said.

He urged the various incoming governments to see the call as a policy direction that would strengthen the country using the best of its citizens outside the country.

We are very excited that the Diaspora community has one of the best brains not just for the benefits of Nigeria but of their host nations, adopted or country of birth whilst still having a major affiliation to Nigerias development and growth, economically, professionally and otherwise.

The yearly remittance contributions to families and projects or supporting and sponsoring programmes created the Nigeria we have today.

Having them in policies and government programmes will help boost knowledge, skills and increase the GDP as well as local resources for the affected areas.

Examples of Nigerians doing well can be seen at the recently acclaimed successful coronation of King Charles, where the security arrangements and schedules were led by DC Ade Adelekan, among others.

The Diaspora Nigerians have shown total commitment to Nigerias development which also brings to the table the yearly Diaspora Day event in July where Nigerians from all over the world come home to discuss, deliberate and find ways to empower millions.

The government at all levels must be more proactive to utilise such events to secure the willing partners into all boards, ministries and parastatal agencies.

It is by showing the political will that others will be partners freely and joyfully extend hands of business and professional skills.

President Muhammadu Buhari approved and put in placed the Nigeria In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and I pray the incoming government will provide the needed structures, resources and policies for its full implementation and execution.

This commission can deliver more with the needed resources and it is Nigeria as a nation that will gain from her services, international reach and global partners of our Nigerians in the Diaspora which shows the principles of participatory democracy as experienced outside the country, Soyode said.

He said that it would amount to a positive leadership and political inclusion to have each ministry, agency, commission and parastatal agency with at least one Nigerian in Diaspora on in the board.

According to him, diasporans appreciate such gestures and policies.

Soyode also said that the inclusiveness of Diaspora Nigerians would be a departure from lack of future planning and fear of diaspora leadership into a new era of global Nigeria dominance with skills and experiences, making Nigeria the choice destination of economic growth.

We urge local government chairmen, state governors and the incoming president to extend appointments to diasporans without delay.

The whole nation has about 1500 commissioners and ministers not taking into account the other MDAs while there are more than 15 million diasporans and surely they will contribute immensely to speed the developments on all aspects of the nation.

NIDMECORP, on behalf of Nigerians in Diaspora, positively demands justice, fairness and equitable representation for the benefits of Nigerias fast development.

We reiterate and call for this inclusiveness and full invitations to the best of our brains to come home on a three, six or nine months to one-year sabbatical working leave for Nigeria.

Few of our best are now positioned in globally recognised institutions, companies and organisations, Soyode said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kingsley Kubeyinje

Source: NAN News

Members of the Alia Alliance Women Wing in Abuja

By Bridget Ikyado

The Women Wing of the Alia Alliance, World Wide, a foremost support group for the Benue Governor-elect, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, has drummed support for partnership for sustainable development of the state.

The group, led by Grace Iorlaha, made the decision at a meeting of the group in Abuja.

They promised to support the incoming APC administration in Benue, to boost the growth and development of the state.

The leader said the group intended to partner with the state government in creating, executing and promoting government plans and projects via the media.

It will also support programmes, especially those focused on women, youth empowerment, health and gender as well as suggest ways to curb maternal mortality .

Iorlaha said those were very critical projects that would enhance the development as a state and the nation at large.

We are setting a target specifically for ourselves, because women constitute a larger number of the society and contribute a whole lot to the society.

As far as we are concerned, whatever we can do to promote the women, children and youth in the society would have a positive effect to the society and state at large.

Empowering the youth will help curb juvenile delinquency and other ills in the society, just as insecurity will be minimised.

These will give us quick wins. Thats our goal and vision. Thats what we set out to achieve and we know we can do it together, she said.

The women, however, appealed to the incoming administration to consider a handful of women for appointments, especially from the group as they were capable and willing to work and bring the desired change and development the state needed.

The group felicitated with the governor-elect for appointing two women from the group, Bridget Ikyado (Venue Committee) and Susan Abu (Refreshment, Feeding, Protocol Committee) as members of the Sub Committees of the Governor-elects inauguration ceremony.

In a welcome Remark, the Alia Alliance Secretary General, Mr. Kelvin Dzeremo, thanked the leader for convening the meeting.

He commended all those present and urged everyone to keep the Alia Alliances guiding principle of all for one and one for all in mind.

He appealed for robust support from the women which would further enhance the states development.

He encouraged the women to sustain the impressive show he witnessed, even as he promised that great things awaited them as they tried to take Benue to greater heights.

Various contributions for the states development were made by the women who were present at the meeting.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Mrs Grace Yussuf, a Deputy Editor in Chief with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has shared her experiences in the profession to encourage younger female journalists finding it difficult to cope.

Yussuf shared the experiences in her book titled The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith which was launched on Tuesday in Abuja.

She explained that the decision to write the book came out of her desire to document her experiences as a female journalist and a practicing Christian.

I believe that it will not only be a good reading for many but will also go a long way to encouraging younger female journalists, who may be finding difficulty to cope especially if they had to hold on to their faith and values.

It is my intention too, that this book will serve as a story of resilience, hard work, moral rectitude, a journey of faith and adherence to Christian virtues even in the practice of an utterly socially-relevant profession as journalism.

I say this because there is this general belief that journalists are unserious and frivolous. This puts women in a precarious position as it makes them more vulnerable than their male counterparts, she said.

Mr Joe Bankole, a Media Consultant, while reviewing the book, said that Yussuf having spent her life as a working journalist from 1992 to 2023 shared her 31 years of tutelage, frustrations, disappointments, sweet memories and all-round victory.

According to Bankole, the combination of the above-listed situations made her a success in the course of this interesting journey something to savour.

Journalism is not a profession I deliberately went into, however, I found myself in it after a few years in the private sector and I grew to learn, embrace and love it. I can safely say it paid off .

That was a quote from the introduction to the book. That sums up her incursion into the profession and the conclusion of her experience, he explained.

He, therefore, recommended the book to all lovers of a disciplined life and one dedicated to the praise of God Almighty.

On her part, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, the Executive Director, Women Aid Collective (WACOL) said that Yussuf balanced her role as a mother and journalist.

I recall her contributions not only in the economic industry but also in female and gender in Nigeria. I enjoin all of us to support this wonderful woman, who has made herself outstanding.

And as the topic suggests The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith when I picked up her book; I saw a woman, who, regardless of stereotype in the industry, she was able to balance the role of a mother and her vocation as a journalist, she said.

Ezeilo, was represented by Mrs Ijeoma Ezeude, Head, Department of Legal Unit, WACOL.

Similarly, Mr Femi Adeshina, Special Assistant to the President on Media commended the author for the initiative.

This book is the odyssey of a courageous woman, who came out victorious after navigating the world of journalism in Nigeria and beyond after 31 years, he said.

Adeshina was represented by Ms Patience Tilleygyado, Assistant Director, Information, State House, Abuja.

Mrs Grace Yussuf is a Nigerian female journalist with a career at the News Agency of Nigeria.

She is a committed Christian, widely travelled, happily married with children. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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Source: NAN News

Mr Umar Yakubu, Executive Director, CeFTIW

By Emmanuel Afonne

Mr Umar Yakubu, the Executive-Director, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CeFTiW), has called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to raise the bar in the fight against corruption to save the economy from collapse.

Yakubu made the call in Abuja on Thursday at a workshop/presentation of the Transparency and Integrity Index methodology handbook on anti-corruption.

He said the handbook was expected to promote transparency, develop strong preventive mechanisms against corruption.

Yakubu added that the handbook would assist public institutions to improve their performance across the various indicators used for ensuring compliance to public regulations.

The Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) methodology, therefore, employs a six parameter indices to benchmark the performances of MDAs toward good governance in certain critical areas.

They are website integrity, fiscal transparency, open procurement and contracting, budget implementation, inclusion and citizens engagement, as well as human resources, he said.

Yakubu noted that the purpose of the programme was to draw the attention of government at federal, state and local level, of the criteria set out to promote transparency in governance across five major thematic areas.

When we started in 2021, the highest score was 32. 9 out of 100 marks but in 2022, the Development Bank of Nigeria scored 52, so if you can get 20 percentage increase within one year, I think it is a good development.

But, a lot of other agencies are not doing so well but with this kind of engagement, we expect them to improve.

What we assess is the availability of the information on the website, and we are collaborating with other CSOs on anti corruption to ensure that the information being put out is actually true.

The impact of this workshop on the economy is the prevention of corruption, because we have enough institution combating corruption and we can prevent it before it happens which is a lot cheaper.

Prosecuting corruption is not cheap and most of the time, it is difficult to get the assess to recovery, so the whole message is about prevention of corruption which cascades into good governance, Yakubu said.

Mr Dasuki Arabi, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), in his assessment of MDAs said that they would continue to work with CeFTiW to deepen transparency and accountability across public institution.

Arabi said the workshop was aimed at acquainting participants with the requirements necessary for them to discharge their duties creditably, as well as ensure the principles of accountability and transparency in their respective organisations.

The Bureau drew her inspiration to partner with the CeFTIW on the Transparency and Integrity Index (TII), based on her strategic role as a driver of Public Service Reforms across MDAs.

Public Financial Management of the National Strategy for Public Service Reforms seeks to achieve strategic, efficient and effective mobilisation, allocation and use of public resources as well as ensure fiscal discipline, transparency, integrity and accountability through timely reporting.

This position is also reinforced by the BPSR role as a member of various Inter Ministerial Anti-Corruption Agencies, and the underlying objective of driving public engagement in line with its statutory role in the implementation of this objective.

It is also informed in the quest to put in place machineries and institutional arrangements aimed at providing a common vision and long-term agenda to position the country among major player in the global economy in year 2050

This workshop/presentation of Transparency and Integrity Methodology Index Handbook is coming at the backdrop that during the 2022 Transparency and Integrity Index, it was evident that most Public Institutions were yet to be versatile with the parameters used for ranking.

This is owing to low level of awareness and compliance levels in the parameters used for ranking amongst MDAs, Arabi said.

Amb. Angela Nworgu, BoT Chairman, CeFTiW, said that transparency must be embraced as an essential principle of good governance.

Nworgu noted that transparency was an important tool with which citizens use to hold government accountable, promote trust in government, and foster a thriving ground for integrity.

The TII serves as a powerful tool to promote transparency, monitor public sector expenditure, and strengthen the integrity mechanisms of public institutions.

And through this assessment, we hope to make a long-lasting impact in fostering a culture of openness and accountability within the public sector, Nworgu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has dispatched assorted food items to the Nigerian Embassy in Sudan to cater for stranded Nigerians waiting to be evacuated to Nigeria from Sudan.

This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the agency, Mr Manzo Ezikiel on Thursday in Abuja.

Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of the agency, explained that the food items are meant to cater for the Nigerian citizens who are awaiting evacuation.

The items consist of 100 bags of rice, 50 bags of beans, 10 cartons of seasoning, 50 cartons of spaghetti and 5 bags of iodized salt.

He said that the items had since been transported to Port Sudan via a TARCO aircraft which brought 123 stranded Nigerians to Abuja at about 12:25 p.m.

This brings a total number of 2,246 stranded Nigerians evacuated to the country from the war-ravaged country.

According to him the evacuation exercise is still in progress as efforts are being made to engage more Nigerian airlines to strengthen the process of transporting more Nigerians willing to come back home. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Kayode Olaitan

Source: NAN News

L-R: President, MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, DG, NESREA, Dr Eugene Itua, CEO, Natural Eco Capital and MAN DG, Dr Segun Ajayi-Kadir

By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has expressed readiness to support green manufacturing to ameliorate the negative impacts of their production activities on the environment.

Otunba Francis Meshioye, President, MAN, said this at the maiden edition of MAN Strategic Dialogue Session on Environment and Green Manufacturing in partnership with Natural Eco Capital on Thursday in Lagos.

Meshioye, describing green manufacturing as the current global phenomenon said MAN was committed to guiding its members to make significant progress in this regard.

To achieve this, he said, that the association in January created the Environment and Green Manufacturing Unit with the responsibility of stirring awareness among MAN members on climate change issues and Environmental Management System.

He said the unit in providing members with strategies and necessary information needed to drive environmental sustainability was set to collaborate with relevant institutions and international agencies in achieving its mandates.

This novel unit amongst other things would guide and encourage seamless transition of members manufacturing processes through the assistance of relevant agencies and organisations to an eco-friendlier production environment.

This can be achieved through the utilisation of leading technologies and practices on the environment and create mechanisms for sustainable development.

It will be supporting and facilitating the adaptation of clean and renewable energy by manufacturers while encouraging them to build and develop capacity in environment and green manufacturing, he said.

In his keynote address, the Director-General, National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, noted that air quality had become a major concern in many parts of the world.

This, Jauro said, led to the need for growing awareness to address air pollution and its impact on public health and the environment.

He said that Nigeria, like many other countries, was already experiencing the impacts of climate change such as increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and more frequent and severe extreme weather events (floods and droughts).

Jauro, however, said that Nigeria had since taken steps to implement climate mitigation and adaptation measures, including the development of renewable energy sources and sustainable land-use practices.

Since the ratification of the Paris Agreement, Nigeria has been very forthcoming in turning ambitions into implementable policies and aligning its environmental regulatory regime with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

There is the need to prioritise the implementation and enforcement of environmental regulations, as well as the development of policies and incentives to promote a low-carbon economy.

Industries switching to cleaner technologies and transitioning to low-emission development are indispensable for achieving sustainable economic growth through pathways that yield reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other social, economic, and environmental benefits, he said.

Dr Eugene Itua, the Chief Executive Officer, Natural Eco Capital, said that the adoption of sustainable manufacturing was with enormous benefits and could engender competitiveness and a more resilient economy.

Itua noted that there was a spectrum of efforts to be made toward sustainable manufacturing such as the use of renewable materials, modification of production processes, and use of reusable, biodegradable products.

Industries must change their manufacturing process to minimise waste, conserve raw materials, and capture and reuse waste materials.

We must also utilise new technologies involves incorporating more environmentally responsible technologies and equipment into your production process, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Aregbesola

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola says state governments will now be feeding and accommodating inmates in their states.

He said this followed the recent consultational amendment which placed Correctional Services on the concurrent list.

Aregbesola gave the insight while speaking at a two-day High-Level Conference on Decongestion and Corrections Management, on Thursday in Abuja.

This simply means that states are now empowered to establish their own Correctional Services and facilities.

States which do not have correctional facilities would have to pay the Federal Government for the feeding and accommodation of their inmates, the minister said.

According to him, this is a huge relief to the Federal Government which used to shoulder the burden of accommodating and feeding inmates.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in 2023, the Federal Government had earmarked N22.44 billion to feed inmates across 244 correctional facilities in the country.

The minister lamented that the huge amount was draining the coppers of the Federal Government.

These facilities are being run by the Federal Government. It should be noted that the criminal justice system of Nigeria makes provision for state and federal offences.

However, until the amendment of the Constitution, only the Federal Government was in charge of custodial centres.

With the amendment of the Constitution, states are now empowered to build correctional centres and facilities to house offenders who are convicted and sentenced for committing state offences.

Where states are unable to build custodial centres, it is believed that they can suggest ways to collaborate with the Federal Government in feeding and housing these state offenders, he added.

Aregbesola said that the conference had brought to the fore, applicable laws to aid the reform of correctional services, including custodial and non-custodial measures .

He said that Section 12 (4-12) of the NCoS Act, gave the Service the powers to reject inmates when custodial centres are full.

By the provision of the Act, the Controller-General, NCoS, is mandated to inform the head of the judiciary of when the custodial centres have exceeded their capacity.

This is necessary, so that more offenders are not sent to the centres to serve their sentence. Where his information is not heeded, he is mandated to reject new inmates.

It is hoped that the above measure will curb the dumping tendencies leading to overcrowding of the custodial centres.

This will be by encouraging the payment of fines for simple offences, non-custodial sentencing and also building and construction of new correctional facilities, the minister said.

The Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa said that the sad cases of jail breaks had claimed the lives of of officers and inmates, and escape of prisoners.

Nababa said that the trend, posed a grave threat to the sovereignty and prosperity of the country.

However, we are not resting on our oars to ensure that we stem the tide.

We have stepped-up security in and around our Custodial Centres by fortification of access controls.

We have increased the capacity of our Armed Squad Personnel through specialized training and deployment of high caliber weapons.

We have up scaled our use of technology for security, with the improvement of the Correctional Information Management System for inmates biometric capturing to cover more formations.

In like manner, a Situation Room has been established at the National Headquarters to enable real-time monitoring of Custodial Centres in phases.

Similarly, we have continued to improve collaboration with sister security agencies at strategic, tactical and operational levels, Nababa said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News