By Salisu Sani-Idris
The Nigerian Youth Compact on COVID-19 (NYCC) has partnered the Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce to boost access to finance from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for over 10 million youths in the country.

National Chairman of the youth compact, Malam Gambo Haruna, made the disclosure during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the training of 10 million youths, on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MoU was signed between the Youth Compact and the Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce with a view to facilitate access to the CBN Loan Entrepreneurship Training and Certification.

Haruna expressed optimism that the partnership would boost access to finance for over 10 million Nigerian youths to establish functional enterprises and create over 30 million jobs in the next two years.

According to him, a delegation of the Nigerian youth will be meeting with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria within the next seven days, to develop modalities to get the project going.

Haruna explained that the partnership was strategic and timely, considering the urgency for economic recovery created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the proposed partnership would complement efforts of the government to save the economy.

The youth leader expressed hope that the partnership would stimulate MSMEs growth beyond the CVID-19 pandemic, create millions of jobs and contribute to non-oil revenue in the country.

Haruna said that over 50 per cent of the 200 million Nigerian population was made up of young people.

According to him, every year, over 1.8 million young people graduate from tertiary institutions.

He, however, said only 30 per cent would find some kind of employment, thereby leaving over 1.2 million graduates without jobs.

Compound that in a generation and you have over 10 million youth unemployed, which is bigger than the population of Demark and Finland combined.

These are people with creative energies and aspirations to impact humanity positively.

It is sad, however, that these aspirations are often cut short due to a myriad of problems from the cradle to adulthood.

The Nigeria youth unemployment rate is projected to trend around 44 per cent in 2021.

The youth situation is worsened by the looming global recession as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic that has infected over 10 million people globally.

Haruna advised government to put deliberate measures to reverse the ugly trends and cushion the impact of COVID-19 on the Nigerian youth, whose fate already hangs in the balance.

He said the N50 billion Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) set up by CBN to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 was laudable.

Feedback from the field, however, shows that a critical mass of youth-led enterprises have not been able to access the facility due to set conditions, he said.

The youth leader advised the government to create a special fund that would serve the needs of her burgeoning youth population.

These needs are unique in all ramifications. There is no questioning the fact that these intervention measures have to be coordinated and driven by the organised private sector to achieve the desired impact.

We are at the threshold of history and the situation beckons on us to act. Surely, posterity will judge the actions we take today to build a more economically viable Nigeria, he said.

Source: NAN News

N40bn probe: Reps Cttee summons Akpabio, NDDC MD, others

By EricJames Ochigbo

Source: NAN News

Tokyo 2020 Games

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee announced that all the venues intended for the Games in 2021 have been secured and the sports competition schedule confirmed.

A statement on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website said that the decision was taken at the IOC virtual session held on Friday.

This marks a significant step for the organisers, with only one year to go until the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 open on July 23, 2021.

As preparations continue to advance, these decisions highlight the progress made amidst the current unprecedented circumstances, with strong unity amongst all stakeholders driving the planning and delivery of next years Games.

This was emphasised by the Organising Committees President, Yoshiro Mori, and its CEO, Toshiro Muto.

In their report to the IOC Session, they confirmed that all 43 competition venues, the Olympic Village, and the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre would be used for the Olympic Games in 2021,the statement read.

It however noted that the Tokyo organisers also announced that the competition schedule will remain the same, with some minor timing adjustments for operational reasons.

The Olympic Village is the beating heart of the Olympic Games, while the venues are its soul.

I am delighted that the Village and the venues have been confirmed for next year, this means that the athletes will have this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Athletes from all around the world will live together under one roof in the Olympic Village, sharing meals together, celebrating together, discussing together and forming these unique Olympic communities.

That Tokyo 2020 has been able to achieve this and confirm the competition schedule despite the extraordinary circumstances is testament to the work of the Joint Steering Committee led by John Coates and Yoshiro Mori, the statement quoted IOC President Thomas Bach as saying.

Bach was quoted further as saying that with only one year to go, a mammoth task still lies ahead of the committee.

With our Japanese partners and friends, we agree that we have to adapt the planning of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to the requirements of the global crisis, while maintaining the unique spirit and message that defines our mission.

We are working to optimise the operations and services without touching on sports and athletes. In this way we can, together with the Organising Committee, turn these postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 into an unprecedented celebration of unity and solidarity of humankind, making them a symbol of resilience and hope. Showing that we are stronger together, Bach said.

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

House of Representative Committee on Health says plans are on to give financial benefits to families of healthcare workers who died at the frontline of COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Yusuf Tanko-Sununu, Chairman of the Committee, disclosed this when the committee paid a courtesy visit to the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, (MHWUN), in Abuja in Friday.

Tanko-Sununu said that the National Assembly was still reviewing the manner of the compensation that should be made available to the affected families.

According to him, we are not unmindful of our health workers in the frontline who paid the ultimate price. This is why we are working out a plan to compensate their families.

A committee has been set up. We will call for a public hearing where the strategy and method to be used in disbursing the compensations will be agreed on.

The families of the deceased will be located and we must ensure that we reach out to them.

He noted that the House of Representative under the leadership of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, had set up a committee to interface and intervene in all pending issues concerning the payment and welfare of health workers.

Tanko-Sununu, however, urged the aggrieved workers who were threatening to down tools over governments unfair treatment to consider the million of lives such an action could put at risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the health system and we are in a situation where the haves and have-nots are situated in the same place and so no one travels.

We must, therefore, ensure that our health infrastructure is improved.

We are here also to thank the health workers for not embarking on strike and for interfacing when the FCT chapter threatens to embark on strike.

There is need for a health care system that average Nigerians can be proud of. Every person is important under this government.

Without the services of lower cadre, the higher professional cannot carry out their job.

We must manage our differences to ensure we understand ourself and move the country forward. We must come together to rescue this nation, he said.

He, however, added that the committees primary responsibility was not only to ensure all demands of health workers in the country were met, but to also promote harmony in the sector.

Our aim is to ensure there is no disharmony anymore in the health sector.

We are reaching out to major stakeholders and negotiating their demands to ensure health workers continue with their work with no hitches or grievances, he said.

Mr Josiah Biobelemoye, MHWUN National President, commended the lawmakers for the visit, while urging the legislative and executive arms of government to prioritise the needs and demands of healthcare workers.

Biobelemoye said that the delay in the payment of deferred and adjusted salaries of health workers was a ticking time bomb.

He, however, commended the efforts and concerns of the National Assembly in the welfare of healthcare workers including the steps being taken to back the consolidated revenue provision of one per cent by law.

Biobelemoye called for increased funding of the health sector and budgetary provision to fund the salary adjustments.

We are doing so much and our people are showing so much understanding within this period because its COVID-19 period, but you can not expect people to be patient all through for ever.

Government said there is no money but they are planning to pay private school teachers who are not even under the employment of government.

We are in the fore front contending with the situation.

How will you then explain to us that government does not have the money to pay our deferred salaries of April and May 2018, and the withheld salaries in FMC Owerri, JUTH, LUTH and others? How will you convince us?

We are not against government trying to help out private schools, but if you are helping the private schools, why cant you help us?

Is it justifiable to keep the salaries of those who are in the war front?

Biobelemoye appealed to the executive to quickly address the issues to avoid industrial action.

Source: NAN News

Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile,

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the remains of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the Services first female combat helicopter pilot, who died on Tuesday, will be buried on July 23 at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the late Arotile would be buried with full military honours.

Daramola said the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had received some members of the Federal Executive Council as well as members of the National Assembly who visited him at NAF Headquarters at various times on Thursday.

He said they came to condole with him over the unfortunate demise of the young NAF pilot.

Among them were the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen as well as the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The joint delegation from the upper and lower houses of the National Assembly, comprising 20 members, was led by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Sen. Bala Ibn-NaAllah, and the Chairman House Committee on the Air Force, Shehu Koko, he said.

He said Tallen, during the visit, said she received the news of the death of Flying Officer Arotile with great shock from which, she said, would be difficult for her to recover.

She, however, noted that the death of the young pilot would not be in vain as she would forever be remembered for her gallantry and contributions towards ensuring a secured Nigeria.

The minister prayed that God would comfort the entire NAF family and grant the departed officers soul eternal rest.

While conveying his condolences, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, prayed that God would grant Flying Officer Arotiles soul peaceful repose and her family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Sen. Ibn-NaAllah said that the Senate Committee on Air Force and the Senate as a whole lacked the words to express how painful her death was to them.

He said they were, however, consoled that there was no greater honour than when one died while in service to ones Nation.

He described the late Arotile as a dedicated and goal-oriented young woman who lived an exemplary life that was worthy of emulation by other young Nigerians.

Ibn-NaAllah said that the Nigerian Senate shared in the pain of the Service as well as that of the Arotile family.

He urged the NAF to continue to give opportunities to many young Nigerian girls to realise their dreams of serving their country as pilots in the NAF.

The Chairman House Committee on the Air Force, Koko, on his part, recalled the day Flying Officer Arotile was winged as the first female combat helicopter pilot in the NAF.

He noted that they at the House of Representatives were extremely pained by her passing, but had taken solace in the fact that she had left a lasting legacy.

In his response during the visits, the CAS expressed his appreciation to the esteemed dignitaries as well as all Nigerians for their overwhelming show of support to the NAF over the passing of Flying Officer Arotile.

He siad that the NAF would never forget her, not only because she was the first female combat helicopter pilot in the Service, but also because of her legacy as a very intelligent, highly committed and extremely patriotic officer who excelled in virtually every endeavour.

Abubakar recalled how, while on basic helicopter course in South Africa, she was selected, because of her excellent performance, to undergo a more advanced flying course on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy before returning to finish the basic course along with her other colleagues in South Africa.

The CAS said she was commitment to excellence on the job.

This was what gave us confidence to assign her to introduce the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to the President, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the induction ceremony at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Feb.6, which she did excellently, he said

Abubakar said Arotile had left her mark on the sands of time which, he said, proved that when it comes to displaying excellence and adding value to the society, age or gender should not be barriers.

He said that her contributions through combat missions conducted along with her colleagues in the fight against armed banditry and other criminal activities in the country would also never be forgotten.

The air chief said that the NAF would, therefore, continue to give equal opportunities to female officers in terms of training.

He said that a total of 11 female student pilots were currently undergoing flying training both within and outside Nigeria.

Abubakar said that the Service would continue to be consoled by the legacy she left behind.

He assured that the NAF, in honour of her memory as well as those who had paid the supreme price before her, would continue to work assiduously to ensure success in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other security threats for the overall peace and prosperity of a united Nigeria.

Daramola said a condolence visit to the Arotile Family in Lokoja by a high-powered delegation comprised of the CAS, Minister of Women Affairs as well as the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Air Force, had been scheduled to hold on a date before the burial.

Source: NAN News

Kidnapped victims rescued by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE has rescued about 34 kidnapped victims, apprehended suspected kidnappers and recovered cache of arms and ammunition in Benue.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Enenche said that the success was recorded following a credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnap syndicate operating in Igbom village in Nenzev council ward of Logo Local Government Area.

He said that the troops of Sector 2 and 4 carried out a raid operation on a suspected kidnappers den at Tomayin village in Logo on July 16, killing their ring leaders.

According to him, the troops engaged the criminal elements in hot pursuit leading to the killing of one Zwa Ikyegh identified as the ring leader and others escaped with various degrees of gun shots wounds.

The successful encounter led to the rescue of 32 kidnapped victims some of whom have been in captivity for over a month.

All the rescued kidnapped victims have been reunited with their families in different communities in Logo Local Government Area.

Troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, 6 locally made rifle, one locally made pistol and a magazine.

Others include 22 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 2 cartridges, 2 motorcycles and some Charms and the hideout has been equally destroyed, he said.

Enenche said the troops also responded to a distress call on another kidnapping incident at Austoma in Mbanema Council ward of Ukum Local Government Area.

He said that the troops promptly mobilised to the scene leading to the arrest of two suspects.

The suspects are Mr Sealemun and Orduem both of whom are linked to late Terugwa Igbagwa Aka Orjondu.

He added that the troops recovered one motorcycle which the kidnappers were using for their heinous crimes.

According to him, the suspects are currently undergoing investigation after which they will be handed over to the Nigeria Police for further necessary action.

Troops have continued to dominate the area with patrols and ambushes while normalcy has since been restored in the general area, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NYSC

By Habibu Harisu

Mr Philip Enaberue, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Coordinator in Sokoto State, has urged the state government to disinfect the orientation camp preparatory to future orientation exercise as it was used as Coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine point.

Enaberue, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Friday, commended the state government for its prompt actions in curtailing the prevalence of Coronavirus pandemic in the state.

He said that only one of the 2019 Batch B Stream II corps members that passed out on Thursday was sanctioned with extension of service because of the offence he committed.

According to him, no fewer than 859 corps members passed out in a low-key exercise, adding that the sanction given to the corps member would serve as a deterrent to others.

Enaberue also disclosed that two corps members were shortlisted for the State NYSCs award; three for the Chairmans award, while two others were billed to receive the prestigious Sultan of Sokotos award.

He said that commendation letters would also be issued to deserving corps members, while the awards were designed to appreciate outstanding performance during the service year.

The coordinator urged the outgoing corps members to utilise the skills acquired during the vocational training at the orientation camp and the service year.

Try to be good ambassadors of this country and your families; you should ensure that you associate with people of good character.

The vocational training you were exposed to during your orientation programme is enough to make you excel without wandering about in the saturated labour market,he said.

He also said that the passing out ceremony was low-key because of the COVID-19, while all activities were in line with the safety measures to curtail the spread of the virus.

The coordinator said that NYSC officials were deployed to local government areas to issue certificates to corps members, while some received theirs at the state secretariat according to a batch of 30 persons at a time. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) ended negative on Friday with turnover and key market indices dropping by 22.61 per cent and 0.17 per cent, respectively.

Speficially, a total of 160.50 million shares worth N1.47 billion were traded in 2,997 deals.

This was against 207.40 million valued at N1.70 billion in 3,323 deals on Thursday.

Custodian and Allied Investment emerged investors delight, accounting for 14.05 million shares worth N67.46 million.

Japaul came second, accounting for 12.22 million shares valued at N2.71 million, while Nigerian Breweries sold 11.66 million shares worth N349.61 million.

Mutual Benefit transacted 11.54 million shares valued at N2.33 million, while FBN Holdings exchanged 11.33 million shares worth N56.49 million.

Also, the market capitalisation of listed equities dipped N22 billion or 0.17 per cent to close at N12.669 trillion from N12.691 trillion reported on Thursday.

In the same vein, the All-Share Index which opened at 24,330.06 shed 42.40 points or 0.17 per cent to close at 24,287.66.

Nigeria Breweries topped the losers chart, dropping by 70k to close at N30 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank trailed with a loss of 50k to close at N21.50, while Dangote Sugar lost 20k to close at N12 per share.

NEM Insurance dropped 6k to close at N2, while United Bank for Africa was down by 5k to close at N6.15 per share.

On the other hand, Ardova led the gainers table, gaining 90k to close at N12.55 per share.

Glaxosmithkline followed with a gain of 40k to close at N4.75, while Oando appreciated by 8k to close at N2.31per share.

NAHCO gained 8k to close at N2.06, while Caverton improved by 7k to close at N1.90 per share.

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Federal Government on Friday solicited the collaboration of Government of India to produce vaccine against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said this in Abuja at the handling over ceremony of medicines donated by Indian Government to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to aid the fight against COVID-19.

Ehanire told the envoys that the partnership on vaccine production would help to address the need of the country and that of the ECOWAS sub region.

An area of interest I will like to stress is vaccine production; we are also a vaccine production aspiring country.

Nigeria is presently in a joint venture with a private company on exploring vaccine production to meet the need of the country.

We will like to collaborate with you, with the advance science in India to address the vaccine needs in Nigeria and in the ECOWAS sub region,the minister said.

He told his guests that he just attended meeting of the ECOWAS Ministers of Health, which discussed ways to address the vaccine needs of the sub region.

According to him, it is the aspiration of the world to develop vaccine against COVID-19.

Nigeria will be interested if there is a way to connect our scientists to join your scientists to produce vaccine against COVID-19.

He, however, thanked the India government for the donation, saying the items would help to serve the country better.

I am delighted to receive these items donated by the government of India to the government and people of Nigeria.

This is particularly touching, because COVID-19 affects all countries. You have your own problem, just as we have our own problems.

In spite of that, you have been able to find the resources and attention to be able to remember Nigeria to make your donation to us.

In the past, we have had information from you on management protocol and technical advice on COVID-19,the minister said.

Ehanire said that Nigeria have had long interaction with India on almost all areas, from defence to science, research and education, particularly.

Perhaps, the most cognate of the connection between our countries is pharmaceutical; India is the hub of pharmaceutical productivity and all aspiring will look toward India in that respect.

We look forward to collaborate with you in that area as well,the minister said.

In his remarks, Mr Abhay Thakur, the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, said as part of Indias ongoing collaboration with African countries to combat COVID-19 pandemic, had decided to donate some items to Nigeria.

Government of India today donated 7-tonnes of consignment of essentials medicines, including hydroxycholoroquine and medicine including antibiotics to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The consignment has been sent to Nigeria in line with commitment made in the conversation between the Indian Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Foreign of Affairs of Nigeria.

This donation underscores the special and unique ties between India and Nigeria, he said.

According to him, India and Nigeria enjoy longstanding, multifaceted and friendly relations.

India is a close developmental partner of Nigeria, and remains committed to build capacity and contribute toward the health and welfare of the people of Nigeria, including in combating and overcoming COVID-19 challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that highlight of the ceremony was the acceptance of 586 cartoons of the medicines by the Ehanire from Thakur.

Source: NAN News

Google on Friday highlighted 10 other usefulness of Google Search engine aside from the normal search for obtaining information.

Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google Communication Officer, West Africa, said that millions of people made use of Google Search to get answers and information every day.

He noted that yet a lot were not harnessing the full power of Google.

Kola-Ogunlade said that Google Searchs Web, Image, Video, News, Maps and More tabs could help ensure one got the kind of results needed.

He said beyond simple queries, there were a lot more one could achieve with Google Search.

Acording to him, the 10 useful things that Google Search could do include search jobs, search lyrics, weather update, stop watch, recipes for meals, about calories, just for fun, among others.

By searching for jobs near me or specifically for the job position you seek, you can find options that you are interested in and apply for them.

Google offers a quick and easy way to find your next job ,whether it is full-time, part-time or an internship.

Search for lyrics to your favourite songs by typing, song name plus lyrics in the search bar, you get the lyrics displayed at the top of the search results page.

This is useful for fans, music lovers, during karaoke, or for a chorister who wishes to learn how to sing a song, he said in the statement.

According to him, to get weather updates for any city on any day simply search weather plus city name, and the day you are interested in and you get the current forecast.

He said that this was particularly useful for travellers and when planning for a choice of clothing for an outing.

Kola-Ogunlade said that Google Search provided a personal time keeper that helps measure the speed of an activity.

He added that you could get recipes for meals to beef up your cooking skills by searching for the recipe for any meal you can imagine on Google.

He added that other usefulness of Google Search includes getting real time games scores, search by voice and search health condition.

Source: NAN News