By Philomina Attah

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya has reassured that the state of security in the country will see more improvement in the coming days.

Yahaya said this at the closing of the 2022 Chief of Army Staff Third Quarter Conference, on Friday in Abuja.

He urged all commanders to ensure prompt implementation of the decisions and directives issued during the conference as they relate with their commands.

The COAS challenged them to decisively and quickly defeat the adversaries in all theatres of operations given the improved support in terms of logistics and other key combat enablers at their disposal.

There is no doubt that with our efforts in collaboration with Sister Services and other security agencies, the state of security in the country will continue to improve in the days ahead.

I therefore urge all commanders to remain committed, more so that the 2023 electioneering would soon commence.

On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I wish to most respectfully reassure the people of our commitment to the defence of Nigeria.

We also remain grateful to the Commander-in-Chief for his unflinching support to the Nigerian Army, which has contributed immensely to the huge successes recorded against the enemies of the country.

I wish to inform the public that the Nigerian Army would continue to work closely with other security agencies to provide peaceful environment, he said.

Yahaya warned those fueling crises in various parts of the country to desist from their unpatriotic acts and retrace their steps.

He said the Nigerian army, within the ambit of rule of law, would continue to ensure that all peace-loving citizens go about their legitimate businesses and live their lives without fear or intimidation.

The COAS said the conference was in line with his resolve to maintain constant interaction with commanders in the field to collectively appreciate their efforts in the ongoing operations across the country.

He added that it was an opportunity to appraise all army activities and restrategise towards achieving the goal of discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

According to him, the conference also examined issues affecting professional conduct of personnel.

We equally reviewed training, operations and manpower matters as well as various projects embarked upon by the Nigerian army.

Therefore, in the last quarter of the year, I implore you all to lay emphasis on activities that would enable the Nigerian army to consolidate on the gains so far achieved.

I want to enjoin all formation and unit commanders on the need to be vigilant and aware of all situation through constant monitoring and ensuring proactive solution to situations.

Commanders are equally reminded on the need to emplace stringent measures to maintain efficient security of arms and ammunition.

The COAS emphasised that the army must remain apolitical and discharge its responsibilities within set standards throughout the electioneering period.

Additionally, the directive on the reviewed Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Operation Safe Conduct should be adhered to strictly by all during the electioneering period.

Thus, commanders must ensure that subordinates are educated on the guidelines provided in the document.

Commanders must also ensure the professional conduct of troops and resist any distraction and attempt by misguided elements to disrepute the image of the Nigerian Army.

All must remain professional and apolitical in conduct all through Op Safe Conduct, he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference, which started on Tuesday had in attendance Principal Staff Officers, Corps Commanders, General Officers Commanding, field commanders among other officers. (NAN) ()

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Maharazu Ahmed

Source: NAN News

An analysis by Rukayat Moisemhe, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The word Japa, which means to flee in Yoruba, is now trending in Nigeria, particularly for those that desire to leave for greener pasture abroad.

A report by the Africa Polling Institute in 2021 claimed that seven out of 10 Nigerians were willing to relocate to other countries for various reasons, with a good number of them recording success.

This was corroborated by Afrobarometer, a pan-African research institution, which revealed in a recent report that Nigeria was one of the top 13 Africa countries whose citizens emigrated for employment, study, security and other reasons.

About 5,405 Nigerian-trained doctors and nurses are reported to be working with the National Health Services (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK).

The figure, released by the British government, stated that Nigerian medics constituted 3.9 per cent of the 137,000 foreign staff of 202 nationalities working alongside British doctors and nurses.

It is doubtless that Nigerians who emigrate are highly qualified specialists with skills in engineering, medicine, education, law and information technology, among others.

Most of them are gainfully employed as doctors, nurses, lecturers, and IT professionals in the U.S., the UK, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and other countries.

However, others struggle to make ends meet with jobs such as cleaners, cab drivers, construction labourers, hair dressers, automobile repairers and retailers.

Experts believe that many Nigerians will yet emigrate unless proactive steps are taken to stem the gale of resignations by Nigerians from organisations across various sectors in the country, with its accompanying effects on the Nigerian economy and the livelihood of citizens.

For that to happen, public and private sector organisations and human resources practitioners must embrace some management dynamics, to retain the countrys best talents to add value to the country.

This was the high point of the Kaizen Academy Ltd.s Webinar Series with the theme: The Great Resignation; Passing Phase or Redefining Work Culture? Special Focus on Mitigating Impact, Business Continuity, and Maximising Employee Engagement, on Thursday.

The session was moderated by Mr Ayokunle Ayoko, a governance expert and Company Secretary, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc.

Already, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc has emerged as the first company in Nigeria to commence a four-day work week, from July 1, to upscale productivity through flexible operation and extended rest period for its staff.

Experts agree that the coronavirus pandemic has made employees to be more aware, and hence demand a work environment that supports work-life balance and mental health, engendering the push for remote work options.

Already, Lagos residents have complained about the man-hours spent on the roads to and fro the workplace due to traffic congestion from ongoing repairs, road constructions and the rainy season.

To maximise the output of those that are left behind, Mrs Oluwakemi Akinnubi, Pioneer, HR Springboard, U.S., tasked government and organisations to massively invest in technology to accommodate remote work system.

Akinnubi noted that the country needed to consider the official adoption of pay as you go salary structure like western countries to help employees take on several jobs and better their standard of living.

She stressed the need for employers to be more sympathetic towards employees predicaments and provide incentives to stop massresignations.

While the need for remote work cannot replace the social needs of seeing people around the workplace, companies and governments need to understand that theres a workplace disruption going on and quickly adopt measures to cater for employees.

Companies are realising quickly that the consumer is no longer king; employees are the new kings.

Already, organisations in the USA provide gym membership, creche services and other incentives as bargaining power for their staff.

Managers must continue to push certain pecks around to ensure that the welfare of the employees are in place so that everyone is happy and the workplace goes on as it should, she said.

Mr Seye Olurotimi, Founder, MSME Africa, noted that whatever affected the workforce and the economy, invariably distorted growth dynamics of any nation.

He said technology provided access to unlimited global opportunities, with many people leaving traditional workplaces for tech startups for flexibility and better control of their time.

People now understand the need for work-life balance, for more family time, lot more flexibility, which allows for remote work as long as it is productive, he said.

He noted that employees needed a lot more motivation, and advised companies to improve on welfare packages, conduct exit interviews, and create a room for regular feedback to identify what is wrong to stem the tide of mass resignations.

He also recommended giving employees equity as part of the remuneration in the business to make people feel like they own a part of the business.

Mrs Gbonju Akintola, Learning and Organisation Development Consultant, United Kingdom, House of Commons, stressed the need for the Nigerian work environment to become better to address the tide of the Great Resignation.

The country must achieve better working conditions, provide incentives to tackle inflation, address poverty, insecurity, and others, she said.

Mrs. Omobolanle Imafidon, HR Administrator, Focus Care Link, UK, stressed the need for better staff treatment, better working conditions that understood and accommodated the mental health of employees.

According to her, people are naturally drawn to where they are happier and supported better beyond what they get at work as salaries.

A worker identified to be claustrophobic, and you push that person into a cubicle to work saying thats what is obtainable and available; you definitely wont get the best of that person.

You must be sensitive to your employees needs, and adopt a hybrid mode of work seeing that even medical consultations can now hold over the phone, she said.

Mrs. Aramide Nwokediuko, Group Company Secretary, CFAO Nigeria, said responses of employers to those that wanted to leave their jobs could also reduce the tide.

She noted that the same situation happened between the 80s and 90s and jingles were aired to encourage people to stay behind to build the country.

The people yearn for a decent environment, power, access to better education and other opportunities for their children, and the ability to afford a standard way of life, she said.

Indeed, these are the reasons for Japa, and once they are addressed, experts believe that Nigerians would be more encouraged to stay and the economy would be better for it.

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Edited by Salif Atojoko

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

Some Religious clerics in the ECOWAS sub-region have identified dialogue and the establishment of an interfaith body in member states as crucial to strengthening religious tolerance in the sub-region.

The clerics made this known at the ongoing delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliaments joint Committee of Education, Science and Culture/Committee on Health/Committee on Telecommunications and Information Technology in Praia, Caper Verde.

These, they noted, could also be viable solutions to addressing religious extremism and conflicts in some member countries in the sub-region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting holding from Sept. 13 to Sept. 18 has the theme, Religious tolerance and harmony: Essential factors for development, peace, and stability in the ECOWAS region.

Prof. Usman Mohammed, a professor of International Relations at Kaduna State University, in a paper presentation spoke of the need for a collaborated efforts of the government, parliamentarians, and non-governmental organisations to ensure religious tolerance.

Using Ghana as a case study, Mohammed said the country had, for many decades, demonstrated the possibility of harmonious inter-religious co-existence through individual and communal efforts.

Ghana remains a rare model and evident justification that religious tolerance and harmony is a possibility and is capable of ensuring peace and stimulating development through decent and formable inter-faith dialogue.

This is because religious devotees in Ghana are more than those who claimed not to belong to any religion.

Such initiative to ensure peace and societal harmony can either be communal or individualistic.

Right from the past to the present, there have been deliberate and conscious individual and collaborative efforts to ensure and enhance religious tolerance, harmony, and calmness in Ghana, Mohammed said.

While appreciating the Nigerian government in its drive to find lasting solution to security challenges in the country, Mohammed emphasised the need for the government to redouble their efforts in engaging religious groups for dialogue.

Mohammed also urged Parliamentarians, to engaged their constituencies in regular dialogue on peaceful co-existence.

Imam Cisse Djiguiba, Spokesman for the Superior Council of Imams, Cote dIvoire, also urged member states to set up interfaith regional peace organisation to help in addressing religious extremism and conflicts in the sub-region.

According to Djiguiba, the establishment of regional interfaith organisations in member countries will help train religious leaders on their responsibility of promoting peace and harmony in the sub-region.

This is as the spokesman blamed religious crisis and intolerance in the West African sub-region on clerics who take religion as business.

He also noted the proliferation of religious leaders has helped produce bad eggs who are propagating wrong messages and thereby causing frictions among the citizens.

The sub-region needs to create a regional peace organisation with the support of ECOWAS to train religious leaders.

Since there are many religious leaders but very few true religious leaders.

Because some think that religion is a profession while being an imam is justification.

We know that there are schools to train priests and Imams, and so religion should not be business.

People who take religion as business are at the root of all the crisis that were facing in our sub-region and so we should train Imams and priests using the media in order to sensitise our people against religious extremism in places of worship, Djiguiba said.

The spokesman, who noted that the difference between the two major religions groups in the sub-region is 10 per cent, urged the ECOWAS leaders to see how they could foster greater unity with the 90 per cent similarities among the two major religions.

He also spoke of how his country has been able to overcome challenges that would ordinarily have snowballed into religious crises.

He noted that with the help of the inter-faith group, many walls have been broken in Cote dIvoire and the people are getting to understand each other. (NAN) ()

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Federal Government on Thursday inducted four outstanding female athletes into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame.

The Minister of Women Affairs,Mrs Pauline Tallen, disclosed this during the reception in honour of Nigerian female athletes in Abuja.

Those honoured are Tobi Amusan (World Record Holder 12.12 second 100 metres hurdles), Folashade Oluwafemiayo, (Gold medalists Womens Heavyweight Champion, para powerlifting).

Others are Ese Brume (Olympic World Champion African Champion in Long Jump) and Blessing Oborududu (Olympic Silver medalist, Commonwealth Games Champion in wrestling).

Tallen, while commending the athletes for their outstanding performance during the various international sporting competitions, said the induction was a way to immortalise Nigerian womens achievements globally.

Also speaking, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, described Nigerian women as exceptional and talented.

Whatever sphere they find themselves, Nigerian women are very committed, talented, determined and resilient in whatever they do.

We are very proud of you all and didnt expect anything less, the sky will be your limit as you continue to make us proud, she said.

On his part, Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youths and Sport, while commending the athletes, said the President had approved a Presidential Award for Competitive Excellency (PACE)

Dare said, the award was to recognise any athlete that represent Nigeria and achieve a remarkable level in sport.

About 27 athletes will be the first recipients of the Presidential award to appreciate our great sports men and women, he said.

He gave the assurance that the country place a lot of value on sports men and women and they would be rewarded and celebrated for showing up for the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Amusan was also conferred with a national honour, the Order of the Niger (OON) honour by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari thanked the athletes for the exciting moments they gave Nigerians during the two competitions.

I watched with millions of Nigerians those exciting moments when you all brought smiles to us and our homes by breaking world, national and games records, as well as achieving personal best in your careers.

Your outstanding performances in recent times are consistent with the determination of a nation always yearning for excellent performance. You all, members of Team Nigeria have ignited the spirit for victory in our nation but even more you have been victorious in major sporting championships and games.

I have followed keenly your achievements at the World Championships in Oregon U.S. and indeed your remarkable performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. And I am very pleased that you displayed at both the personal and group levels great sporting talents and delivered for your country great podium performances.

Members of the Team Nigeria will pocket N200 million for their efforts at the two championships.

At the 2022 World Athletics Championships that was held in Oregon, USA, she broke the World 100m Hurdles record to become the first Nigerian World Champion.

The 25-year-old athlete also broke the Game Record to win gold in the 100m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games and also the Meeting Record to successfully defend her Diamond League 100m Hurdles title.

Meanwhile, long jumper, Ese Brume, who won silver medal also at the World Athletics Championships and set a Game Record to win gold at the Commonwealth Games, was also conferred with a national honour.

Also conferred with a national honour is Oluwafemiayo.

She set new world records in the Womens 68 kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games to win gold at both events. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Glory Abuh-Adejoh
The National Industrial Court on Friday fixed Sept. 19 to deliver ruling on Federal Governments prayer asking the court to order the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its seven months strike.

The matter which was first mentioned on Monday was adjourned until Friday for further mention before Justice Polycarp Hamman.

When the matter came up, Mr J.U.K Igwe SAN informed the court that going by its directive on Monday that the claimant should file its process latest by Tuesday, that they had filed two processes.

He added that the first one was motion on notice dated and filed Monday for an interlocutory injunction.

Igwe further stated that the claimant also filed on the same date an affidavit of facts in support of the referral sent by the Minister of Labour and Employment.

He also averred that some questions were raised with a full complement of a written address.

He also submitted that the defendant had been served with proof of service before the court.

The counsel said that however, as at the time the court was sitting, he had not received any response from ASUU.

Igwe proceeded to urge the court to take the applications as it was ripe to be taken, stating that the matter is of national interest and urgent as million of students have been at home since Feb. 14.

Mr Femi Falana, SAN, counsel to ASUU in response acknowledged receiving process from the claimant and stated that they were already filing their reply in the courts registry.

Falana added that the Minister of Labour and Employment lacked the power to ask the court in his referral to order the defendant to go back to work.

He also informed the court that ASUU would be meeting stakeholders in the House of Representative on Sept. 20 to ensure that the matter is resolved.

Earlier Mr Ebuolu Adegoruwa SAN, counsel to Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), had raised the issue of joinder and consolidation of the suit, citing section 36 of the 1999 constitution to fair hearing.

He submitted that the court should invoke the cited section in SERAPs favour to be joined in the suit as a defendant and urged the court to take his application to that effect before entertaining any other application in the suit

Adegoruwa said relief 3 of their application is for stay of further proceeding for the court to determine whether or not they will be a party in the suit.

He added that the process had been served on the claimant on Thursday.

He proceeded to seek to withdraw an earlier filed process dated Monday and sought to replace it with the one served on Thursday.

Igwe in response objected to Adegoruwas application, stating that he was in receipt of the application he filed on Monday, that was served on them on Thursday by 5 p.m.

He also argued that it was the same application Adegoruwa was applying to withdraw.

He said he had not received any process dated Thursday as claimed by Adegoruwa.

Adegoruwa in response stated that there was proof of service of said application on the Attorney-General of the Federation on Thursday.

Falana said he was not objecting to Adegoruwas application seeking to be joined as a party in the suit and for the suit to be consolidated with the other one filed by SERAP as a claimant.

The court after listening to the submissions of counsel ruled that the application was not ripe to be taken as it was served at the Attorney- generals office on Thursday.

The court in addition stated that the application for interlocutory injunction will be taken first on Sept. 19 by 11am.

The judge therefore adjourned the matter until Sept. 19, for hearing .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Labour and Employment on behalf of the Federal Government had filed the matter before the court by way of referral to resolve the issue of the ongoing strike by ASUU.(NAN)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID),House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters and other stakeholders have warned against the impact of disinformation ahead of the 2023 general elections.

They gave the warning on Thursday at a dialogue with key election stakeholders which focused on Disinformation in Elections 2022 in Abuja.

The dialogue was organised by CJID and funded by the National Endowment Fund (NEF).

The Executive Director of CJID, Dr Tobi Oluwatola categorised information disorder into misinformation, disinformation and misinformation which had the capacity of causing harm in the society.

Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate said that electioneering umpires like the INEC were exposed to cyber attacks no matter how minimal.

Represented by Dr Chuba Keshi, he said that misinformation could be caused by laziness or mistakes by relevant media systems.

He advised that the election umpires should build on their technology systems to protect against attacks that could disrupt the processes.

Mr Dapo Olorunyomi, Chief Executive Officer of Premium Times, while conducting a training on Disinformation and Fact-checking in Elections, said the transition from analogue to digital form of media had affected information dissemination.

Olorunyomi advised that relevant stakeholders should follow standard guidelines of election like the African Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance.

He also suggested that the government should allocate sufficient funds to the NOA for political education to address disinformation.

The event was part of CJIDs effort, through its Media in National Elections (MiNE) and Fact-checking (DUBAWA) projects, to ensure the provision of accurate information to Nigerians before, during and after the 2023 elections.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

Sen. Kashim Shettima, Vice Presidential Candidate of the APC has described Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the partys presidential candidate as an excellent example of national cohesion.

Shettima made the assertion on Thursday in Ikoyi, Lagos while presenting a lecture at the Yoruba Tennis Club 96th Anniversary Celebration, with the topic: Social Club and the Search for National Cohesion.

He said that in recent times, Nigerians had witnessed increasingly alarming tendencies, towards a loss of belief in the idea of national cohesion.

According to him, nation building is a continuous work-in-progress, and all must always maintain optimism.

The vice presidential candidate said that it was against this backdrop that Tinubu emerged as the presidential candidate of the APC.

We are convinced that the general political situation in Nigeria needs the competencies of a detribalised and committed Nigerian, like Tinubu to re-ignite the requisite values that can help us rededicate ourselves and all Nigerians to collectively tackle the challenges of national cohesion.

In 2023, we need a Nigerian leader who has the humility and generosity of spirit of the likes of Gen. Yakubu Gowon. We need a leader who has commitment of a Muhammadu Buhari.

We need a leader who has the work ethic and broad mindedness of an Olusegun Obasanjo. We need a leader who has the situational pragmatism and understanding of the Nigeria security, the maradonic skill of an Ibrahim Babangida.

We need a leader with a vision and sense of responsibility and commitment and somebody who understands the national title of the nation like an Abdulsalami Abubakar and in our systemic circumstances, we need a leader with a dose of the hospitality of a Sani Abacha.

We need a leader with the intellectual acumen, with the action to catapult this nation to a higher pedestrian. We need a leader who is not bound by regional or religious sentiments.

We need a leader who has established such records of excellence and commitment to good governance. There is no one, with all due respect, that fits this than Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said.

Shettima said that the 2023 general elections were just a few months away and Nigerians have a choice to make, in the determination of their destiny.

He said that the Tinubu-Shettima ticket is dedicated to the building of that progressive and more united country, that would allow for harnessing the very best that the country can offer.

According to him, the Tinubu-Shettima candidacy will rekindle the spirit of patriotism and draw on all the positive lessons from the commendable history of the Yoruba Tennis Club.

We trust that we can count on your support in the days and months ahead and God willing when we assume power, we will ensure that stakeholder groups such as yours are constantly engaged in the continuous development of our nation building plans, he said.

In his address, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said that Tinubu remains the most qualified candidate with the capacity to lead Nigeria among all the presidential candidates contesting to succeed President Buhari come May 29, 2023.

Sanwo-Olu urged Nigerians to support the ticket in the 2023 presidential elections, as Tinubu and Shettima have the knowledge of the issues of the economy.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club, Chief Euzebio Damazio said that since inception, the club had housed eminent members of the society who had played significant roles in nation building and societal development.

Damazio said that the founding fathers of the acclaimed first indigenous social club in Nigeria built it on the ethos of unity, brotherhood and communal heritage.

Every single one of us has collectively nurtured and fostered this bond, which steadfastly extends to our spouses and family members. We have collectively preserved this great organisations culture of love, social excellence, and moral uprightness.

On a remarkable day like this, we are reminded about the very core of our togetherness and are collectively enjoined to celebrate the essence of our humanity, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF) has announced the appointment of Mr Andrew Onwudili as the new Acting AuGF.

This is according to a statement by Ema Oqua, Head of Press Unit of the OAuGF

Oqua said that Onwudili, a director in the OAuGF, and a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants (ANAN) replaced erstwhile AuGF, Adolphus Aghughu who retired from public service on Sept. 7.

She described the Acting AuGF as a thoroughbred, result-oriented public servant with over 30 years professional experience in audit.

He joined the federal civil service as a senior auditor and has progressed in his career to becoming Director of Audit, Extra-Ministerial Audit Department in the OAuGF before his appointment.

He attended many courses and in-service trainings locally and abroad which have broadened his professional horizon and refined his competence.

He has memberships of professional bodies like, Fellow, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, among others, she said.

Meanwhile, a letter from the Federal Civil Service Commission, dated Sept.
7, directed Onwudili, who is the most senior director, to oversee the office until the appointment of a substantive AuGF.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the OAuGF is saddled with the responsibility of auditing public accounts of the federation and of all offices and courts of the federation.

According to the Nigerian Constitution, the AuGF or any person authorised by him in that behalf shall have access to all the books, records, returns and other documents relating to those accounts.

This implies that the Constitution of Nigeria has given the OAuGF the authority to carry out audit of all income and expenditure of the Federal Government of Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has called on the National Assembly for the review of its Establishment Act, to ensure optimal performance and enhance its revenue generation.

Mr Buki Ponle, the Managing Director, NAN, made the call at day interactive session on 2022-2025 MTEF-FSP, organised by the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja on Thursday.

Ponle said that the agency had made name as the largest news content provider in Nigeria, over the years especially in the media space.

He said that underfunding and non review of its act were factors inhibiting its optimal operations especially in the area of revenue generation and general performance.

We are not initially made to generate revenue, but as time went by, this was added to us and so far, we have been performing optimally well.

But two things have been inhibiting our performance, first is underfunding and the second is non review of the act, establishing the agency.

Up till now, we cannot operate optimally and this has affected our performance in terms of collecting revenue and until that review is done, we may still be where we are in terms of revenue, but we strive to generate more fund, he said.

Ponle said that NAN has so far generated about N100 million as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He said that most of the agencys subscribers had been defaulting in paying for services, because they perceived it as a social services provider.

When we tried to review our tariff upward, many still complained, which led to holding up of the tariff increase, we are still operating on the old tariff, but by next year we will start with the new tariff with effect from Jan. 1, 2023, he said.

Ponle said the review of the act would give the agency the monopoly to control inflow of foreign news as well as enhance its operations among others.

With your support, we can do more,Ponle said.

Responding, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, a member of the committee pledged the commitment of the senate to ensure the review of the act.

Sen. Solomon Adeola, the Chairman of the Committee urged NAN management to redouble its efforts in generating more funds.

Adeola said the senate would work towards the review of the act to ensure the agencys optimal performance in news dissemination and revenue generation.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Saidu Adamu/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Source: NAN News

By Akeem Abas

Supporters of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, in Oyo State staged a Solidarity Walk to rally support for him in Ibadan on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the walk led by Isaac Kekemeke, the APC National Vice-Chairman (South-West) and the Oyo State APC Chairman, Isaac Omodewu, was tagged: Youths Walk for Asiwaju/Shettima.

The Oyo State Governorship Candidate, Sen. Teslim Folarin and the Oyo Central Senatorial Candidate, Yunus Akintunde, also joined other leaders in the walk.

NAN reports that the supporters who wore different T-shirts bearing the pictures of Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, marched from Oke-Ado to Dugbe and its environs.

Folarin, while speaking, thanked the people for their supports over the years, assuring them of a better rewarding future with the APC.

The governorship candidate urged them to believe in APC as the campaigns and general elections approach.

He pleaded with the people to support Tinubu based on his track records, antecedents, competence and being a trustworthy Yoruba man.

Kekemeke had earlier on Wednesday, described Tinubu as a true Yoruba son, who had never betrayed the race.

He rallied support for Tinubu, whom he said believes the Yoruba people could thrive exceedingly well in the Nigerian nation where there is justice, fairness and equity.

Meanwhile, organisers in their separate remarks, said the walk was aimed at sensitising the voters and to rally support for the APC candidates ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The walk was also attended by the House of Representatives Candidate for Ibadan South-East/North-East, Dapo Lam-Adeshina and Ibadan South-West II Assembly Candidate, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi.

Others were: House of Representatives Candidate for Ogbomoso North/South/Oriire, Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala and Rep. Akin Alabi (APC- Egbeda/Ona-Ara). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Olagoke Olatoye

Source: NAN News