National Directorate of Employment (NDE) logo

By Ifeoma Aka

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has embarked on registration of all unemployed people in Nigeria with a view to engaging them in productive ventures.

The Enugu State Coordinator of the agency, Mrs Ifeoma Ezekwe, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Enugu.

Ezekwe said that the exercise was being held across the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, Abuja.

She said that the registration was going on simultaneously across the 774 local government areas (LGAs) nationwide, adding that it was for all classes of unemployed; and with or without any educational qualifications.

According to her, the essence of the exercise is to capture all unemployed persons to help the country with proper planning, as well as engage them in profitable ventures with a view to curbing crime and boosting economic development.

The country cannot plan without data, data is very important in planning, and NDE since 1987, had been in the business of reducing the number of unemployed people, making them employers of labour and self-employed.

I was appointed the state coordinator in May 2022, and I am fortunate to serve under the current Director-General of NDE, Malam Nuhu Fikpo, whom I call employment generator.

I call him employment generator because since he came on board, we have never had a minute rest without activities and programmes, Aka said.

Ezekwe explained that NDE had four key programmes which included; vocational skills, small skills enterprises, rural empowerment and special public works.

She said that the state directorate just concluded training of women on bags and shoes making, so that as full time housewives, they could have a vocation and earn some money.

According to the NDE official, when the directorate trains people, they give stipends as transportation fare to enable them go for the trainings.

Aka, who however, said the NDE had faced challenges such as paucity of funds and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)s Naira re-design policy, expressed optimism that the directorate would be able to discharge its mandate.

Ezekwe called on the state government to assist the agency with vehicles that could be used to access the hard to reach LGAs in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Source: NAN News

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) says a total of 2,246 Nigerians have so far been evacuated from Sudan.

Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit of NiDCOM, Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated this on Friday in Abuja, while giving updates on the Federal Governments evacuation efforts since May 3.

He said on May 3, 94 evacuees, comprising 78 males and 16 females, boarded NAF C130 plane, while 274 boarded Air Peace plane from Aswan Airport, Egypt.

Balogun said on May 5, 130 Nigerians also boarded Tarco Airline, while on May 6, 131 evacuees boarded the same airline from Port Sudan, with 102 boarding the same airline from Port Sudan on Sunday.

He further said 410 Nigerians boarded Max Air and 322 Azman Air, both flights from Aswan Airport on Sunday.

Balogun said two flights from Tarco Airline evacuated 133 passengers, with seven children and nine infants, and 126 passengers, also with 12 children and 41 infants, from Port Sudan on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

He further stated that 123 Nigerians boarded Tarco Airline on Wednesday from Port Sudan, while 136 boarded the same airline on Thursday.

He, however, said that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was expected to give the details of the 264 passengers aboard Tarco Airline as well as the 128 and 136 evacuees in separate flights.

Meanwhile, the NiDCOM Chairman, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, received the Vice-Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, in her office in Abuja.

Ikechukwu expressed his universitys willingness to absorb some of the students recently evacuated from Sudan and give them concessions in the area of tuition.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the war that broke out in Sudan had disrupted the academic programmes of many Nigerian students, leading to their evacuation to the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi and Wale Sadeeq

Source: NAN News

Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, John Musunga, presenting Guinness World Records to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo

By Joy Odigie

Guinness Nigeria Plc says it is ready to collaborate with Edo Government for empowerment of women, as well as Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in schools.

Its Managing Director, John Musunga, made this known on Thursday in Benin, during a courtesy visit to Gov. Godwin Obaseki.

Musunga said that Guinness team in Benin would work with Edo Government on the partnership arrangement for the empowerment of women into its Plan W womens empowerment programme to create more jobs for Edo people.

You got the right team to address the issue of school TVET, park beautification and logistics. We can craft responses shortly as to what we can do in the medium and long term, he told Obaseki.

He said that doing business in Edo had been fairly stable, commending the Obaseki-led administration for its infrastructure development.

For the last six years, we have seen infrastructure development. You have lit up the streets and movement is much easier.

We did not have disruption in Benin during the election cycle; we were still able to produce and move our goods across the country.

Our business has been fairly stable in Benin and giving us the confidence to continue to invest here, Musunga said.

He also intimated the governor about the companys investment drives as well as corporate social responsibilities in the state.

We have put in about four million pounds and we will be commissioning our new water treatment plant. It will be ready for full commissioning in the next few weeks.

The plant treats about 80 per cent of all our effluent water and it is recycled back to a point where you can drink it.

However, we will only be using it in ancillary functions like cleaning.

We have the Water for Life programme and have given water to communities in Benin in the last 20 years. We are here to stay, the managing director said.

He, however, noted that the issue of forex was a challenge to the companys business investment plan in the country.

In his remarks, Obaseki said his administration was working round the clock to make the state conducive for investors to do business.

As a government, we are encouraging people to come and do business in the state. We are putting a transport hub together; we are building parks to organise transportation better, the governor said.

He said his administration was concerned about skills and capacity building, urging the Guinness Benin factory to adopt Western Boys High School as a TVET centre.

We are emphasising TVET and you have a school opposite your factory which we would like you to adopt.

We would like to build a TVET centre; we will like kids to go there, train kids who will one day work within your factory as senior engineers.

We are trying to make our city beautiful and attractive. We are building more parks and greening the city.

You have a park close to you; we can come up with a design so that you can adopt that space, Obaseki said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News

Rural Electrification Agency (REA) logo

By Constance Athekame

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has held its first investor matchmaking for the Solar Power Naija Programme to provide opportunity for potential investors to pitch their financial offerings to developers.

A statement from REA in Abuja on Thursday said the event was organised in collaboration with the Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Programme (PA-NPSP, USAID).

REA said that the event also provided a networking and matchmaking forum that brought together key investors and high-performing developers pre-evaluated by the Solar Power Naija team in the power sector.

The agency explained that the programme was launched as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) to achieve the roll out of five million new solar connections in off grid communities.

This programme is expected to generate an additional N7 billion increase in tax revenues per annum and 10 million dollars in annual import substitution.

The objectives of the programme are to expand energy access to 25 million individuals (five million new connections) through the provision of Solar Home Systems (SHS) or connection to a mini grid.

Increase local content in the off grid solar value chain and facilitate the growth of the local manufacturing and assembly industry and incentivise the creation of 250,000 new jobs in the energy sector, it said.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of REA, Mr Salihijo Ahmad, encouraged partnerships to boost energy access in communities.

As the implementing agency for Nigerias off-grid strategy, the REA has been working to support private developers by creating an enabling environment to facilitate investments in various ways, Ahmad stated.

He said that this partnership included access to data, policy support, grants, capacity development, stakeholder management and most importantly financing developers.

The Acting Deputy Missions Director, USAID Nigeria, Mr Stephan Menard, said: I encourage the private developers to take advantage in accessing financing towards improving the lives of Nigerians by delivering sustainable energy access.

On her part, the Head, Solar Power Naija Programme, Barbara Izilien, said that the match making event would build quick partnerships that could lead to new connections.

According to her, the partnership will further count towards the countrys target of electrifying a minimum of five million households, serving a minimum of 25 million Nigerians.

The Solar Power Naija Programme implemented through REA is actively working on catalysing access to financing for developers in the off-grid sector to achieve the programme targets, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya

By Ahmed Kaigama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Wednesday assured that the Nigerian Army has the capacity to contain insurgency and deal with other criminal elements in the country.

The COAS gave the assurance during combat training and exhibition of firing power, organised for Infantry and Armoured Corps personnel, on Wednesday in Bauchi.

Yahaya, was represented by Maj.- Gen. Suleiman Idris, Dean Faculty of Operation Research, Nigerian Army Heritage Centre, Abuja.

He said training of army personnel was significant to the efforts being made to restore peace in the country.

For the insurgents and other criminals, we assure you that the Nigerian Army is capable of containing them.

We will do everything possible as we are doing to contain and provide protection to loyal citizens of this great nation, the army chief added.

On the training, Yahaya said it was designed to enhance the professional techniques and build the synergy required in military operations.

This is important so as to continue to be the professional Nigerian army that can provide protection to loyal citizens of Nigeria, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the COAS inaugurated the Nigerian Amour Driving School, and the Circuit and Tank Maneuver Area.

He also opened an exhibition of combat equipments, including drones, tanks and military trucks. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abdul Hassan/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

Stakeholders at the Launch of the Enhancing National Capacities for Counter Violent Extremism, Anti-Piracy and Protection of Civilians Project in Abuja on Tuesday (9/4/23)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Federal Government with the support of UNDP on Tuesday, launched a project to enhance efforts in countering violent extremism and piracy, as well as enhancing civilian protection.

The Enhancing National Capacities for Counter-Violent Extremism, Anti-Piracy and Protection of Civilians project, is designed to be implemented in Nigeria, ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea.

The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, said the effort was to achieve more results, to ensure safety in the country and the subregion.

Agba, represented by Mrs Victoria Olulade, a Deputy Director in the ministry, said Federal Governments policies and investment in the Armed Forces and International community has helped in combatting the menace.

He however said there was an urgent desire to sharpen the capacities of security agencies on counter-terrorism and protection of civilians for more effective response and reduction in civilian casualties.

According to him, the project will build capacities, tactics and strategies of security agencies to combat extremism and terrorism.

This will go a long way to save lives, avert injuries, improve life expectancy and security, he added.

He said the project would also contribute to achieving Nigerias long-term goals on humanitarian sector growth, as enshrined in the National Development Plan 2021-2025 and Sustainable Development Goals.

The minister reaffirmed governments commitment to collaborate with relevant agencies to achieve the objective of the project in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, UNDP, Mr Matthew Alao, said the objective was to improve national capacities of ECOWAS and Gulf of Guinea countries to decrease the influence of violent extremists and pirates.

Alao said the project was also designed to improve protection of civilians in armed conflicts, given the challenges posed by the menace of violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.

According to him, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has been detrimental to economic prosperity and socio-economic wellbeing of governments and citizens of the affected countries.

UNDP and the Government of Japan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, MLAILPKC and the Nigerian Navy formulated this project.

It is to build and strengthen the capacities of key stakeholders in the targeted regions to curtail the negative impacts of violent extremism and piracy.

The project equally seeks to ensure that civilians caught up in armed conflict are secured and protected, he said.

Alao said that the Government of Japan had funded 15 projects in Nigeria since 2015 with over 27.58 million dollars.

He said the launch of the project represented the fourth in the series of anti- piracy and peace support operations projects jointly designed by UNDP, finance ministry and the Nigerian Navy.

Alao the implementation was being done by MLAILPKC since 2020, with funding support from the Government of Japan.

The continuous funding of development projects by Government of Japan and UNDP at the Centre is indicative of confidence and reliability reposed on the Centre by the International Partners since 2014, he added.

Alao recalled that the 2022 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report puts Nigeria in 8th position on the table of countries most impacted by terrorism, three places lower than 2021, with Burkina Faso and Mali occupying second and third positions.

He said the situation also reflected similar prevalence in piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, with 115 incidents recorded in 2022 and 132 in 2021.

The Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye, said that violent extremism has been driving violence in the society.

He said the project would promote protection of civilians caught in violent environments while trying to reduce violence.

The Japanese Defense Attache in Nigeria, Lt.-Col. Uchiumi Kazuaki, said Japan, in collaboration with MLAILPKC and UNDP, has been implementing projects related to counter-piracy in Nigeria.

Kazuaki said that available data had showed that the security of the Gulf of Guinea had been greatly enhanced by not only this project, but also the tremendous efforts of the Nigerian government.

He pledged that Japan would continue to contribute to the security of the Gulf of Guinea, including the provision of high- speed patrol boats to NIMASA.

He explained that the project focuses on counter-piracy, and strengthening the capacity of security authorities and officials to counter violent extremism and protect civilians in armed conflicts.

In short, the project will contribute to peace and stability in Nigeria and, by extension, throughout West Africa.

However, we are also aware that violent extremism has been growing throughout West Africa in recent years and that violent extremism is expanding beyond the Northeast.

Recently, military operations against terrorists have already resulted in civilian casualties and serious injuries and damage, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

By Gabriel Agbeja

Mr Femi Adesina , the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, has described Mrs Grace Yussuf, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief , News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as epitome of knowledge.

Adesina, who was represented by Mrs Patience Tilleygyado , Assistant Director, Information, State House said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the launching of a book authored by Yussuf.

He said Yussuf had displayed special skills in writing the book titled The Journalist, The Woman and Her Faith that really worthy of emulation.

The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle, said Yussuf was a journalist with difference in her reportage as a journalist.

Ponle, who was represented by Mr Mufutau Ojo , the Director of Special Duties in the Agency , said Yussuf was a celebrated Journalist as the presence of the crowd had proved it.

The managing director pledged to keep promoting such laudable initiative among members of NAN staff, adding that he would further celebrate NAN Journalist who excelled in their endeavours.

He advised young female journalists to take a lead from Yussuf and put down their experiences in writing.

Many have put in two to three decades in the profession. The new ones should learn from Grace Yussuf that have put in over three decades in the profession.

The book is interesting and exciting. I recommend it to others to buy to take cue from there, he said.

Prof. Joy Ezedo, Women Aid Collective (WACOL) said Yussuf had made herself outstanding among women through her personal efforts.

Ezedo , who was represented by Mrs Ijeoam Ezeude , WACO Head of Legal Unit, said the author was worthy emulated as she had balanced the roles of wife, mother and journalist.

Mr Joe Bankole, a Former Managing Editor, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who reviewed the book said it was a typical story of a typical professional in a typical Nigerian setting spared none from pains and comfort.

According to him, the book titled The Journalist, The Women and Her Faith is a Memoirs of a Nigerian Female Journalist.

Bankole said the uniqueness of the book reflected in the sincerity, passion and candour with which the author told the story.

It is a beautiful work of art that is good and pedagogical.

It provides the platform for an enduring litany or lessons for young professionals in the field, working journalists and Christian women who want to stick to their faith no matter challenges in any sphere of life.

I proudly recommended this book to all of a disciplined life, and one dedicated to the praise of God Almighty, he said.

Mrs Grace Yussuf, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), thanked everyone that came for the occasion.

She further thanked everyone that had helped her during service years and those she had leant from to attain the feat.

Yussuf said she had covered many beats, including , Economy and Industry beat for NAN and visited USA, Spain, Japan, South Africa, Gabon, Cameroon and Gambia to report events. (NAN)

FGA/IAA

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Federal Government says it has delivered 8,938 housing units across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and constructed 9,290 kilometres of roads nationwide.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this on Monday in Abuja while presenting the scorecard of his stewardship in the eight-year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The theme of the scorecard is Tour of Duty as HM of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: A Time and Economic Resource Report (2015-2023).

Fashola said the eight years of the Buhari-led administration was targeted at improving living conditions of Nigerians and drastic reduction of multidimensional poverty.

He said that upon his appointment as minister, part of his target was to improve human lives by venturing into the construction of long-neglected capital projects inherited from previous administrations.

When this administration came into being the budgetary allocation for the whole country was N18 billion but within the first year of office, the President was able to put this to N224 billion, today we have 13,000 roads under construction.

We have created 383,431 jobs, constructed 9,290.34 kilometres of roads, linear metre of lane marking 2,270,319 and number of road signs installed 254,690.

What this is doing in effect is that journey time are being reduced, improving human conditions and promoting prosperity.

On housing, we have 46 sites in 35 states with 6,068 housing units and 2,870 housing units in the FCT.

Fashola added that the ministry issued 1,262 building contracts, while 6,685 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) were signed from 2015 to March 2023.

According to him, the ministry generated a revenue of N13.09 billion within the period.

Fashola said the second Niger bridge, which had stayed untouched for about three decades by previous administrations, was one of the mega projects executed by the Buhari administration.

He added that another major project was the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which was given priority by the government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidinma Agu/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

New York City Mayor Eric Adams

By Cecilia Ologunagba

New York City Mayor Eric Adams will arrive in Nigeria on Sunday for a two-day visit as part of his tour to Africa.

Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in New York.

Egopija said the mayor would be attending the Nigeria Governors Forum meeting in Abuja during the visit.

He will be visiting the Minister of FCT to commence sister city relationship between the city of Abuja and New York, he said.

A sister city or a twin town relationship is a form of legal or social agreement between two geographically and politically distinct localities for the purpose of promoting cultural and commercial ties.

According to him, Eric Adams will also be paying courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and also meet with business community in the FCT.

NAN reports that Egopija had in January briefed Adams, at a meeting of African Consuls General, on areas of interest on the sister city relationship with New York.

We have started an engagement on the need to have the sister city relationship between the City of New York and the FCT.

We want a situation whereby the city of Abuja and New York are able to partner in area of education, fire service, medical support and other social services.

Also, cultural engagement, the mayor has taken due note of my suggestion and said, the city would be willing to collaborate with the mission, especially as it relates to our desire to promote the Seki dance.

The Seki dance troupe and America Tap dance, which have similarity: the origin of America Tap dance has been attributed to come from Niger Delta region of Nigeria, Egopija told NAN. (NAN) ()

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Veronica Dariya

Some residents of Bwari Area Council of the FCT on Monday said they stopped using kerosene as alternative means of cooking because of its persistent high cost.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said health hazard was also a major setback to the use of kerosene.

Miss Hannatu Baya, a student, said that kerosene was too expensive and out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians, adding that most times, the product was unavailable for people to buy.

According to her, struggling to get the product made her search for alternative means of cooking.

She said: I have a 5kg gas cylinder that takes me almost a month before refilling, and this is because I alternate with an electric cooker once theres power, it is better for me than a kerosene stove.

Baya also said that using the product became outdated to her at some point because of the availability of other alternate means.

Madam Charity Okonkwo, who sells charcoal and firewood told NAN correspondent that she once sold kerosene but stopped after the product became too expensive.

We used to go and queue at the filling station for days before the product was made available.

When it will finally come, we will fight; it was a struggle, yet, we will buy it at a high cost to sell at a higher cost too.

After a while, people started to use charcoal, which does not need much kerosene to light up, so the demand for the product from my customers dropped.

That was how I changed to selling charcoal and firewood and the patronage has been better, she said.

Okonkwo added that although, both firewood and charcoal were not as cheap as they used to be in the past, it remained an option to some residents in the local communities who cannot afford cooking gas or kerosene.

She also said that kerosene presently costs about N1,180 per litre at the filling stations and is being sold by retailers in the community from N1, 250 to N1,500 per litre.

Mrs Grace Ishaya, a housewife and mother of five, said that she stopped cooking with kerosene for over four years after one of her children accidentally inhaled the emissions from the cooking stove while sleeping.

I dont know if the kerosene was adulterated with something else, but the flames brought out so much black smoke that filled the kitchen and extended into other parts of the house.

I tried to regulate it but to no avail, until one of my children ran to tell me that they had been trying to wake their brother who was sleeping, to play football, but he was not responding.

My neighbors heard the chaos and came to help and one of them took us to the general hospital where they confirmed that my son had inhaled so much smoke in his system.

We thank God because at the end of the day, he was resuscitated.

Since then, I prefer to use cooking gas and charcoal, even though they both are expensive, we manage to buy according to our means, Ishaya said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News