NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Features

Improving justice administration through remote court proceedings

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By Itohan Abara-Laserian,
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Businesses and other societal activities globally have continued to embrace a digitally-enabled ecosystem to stay afloat.

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 registered strongly the need to embrace technology in all facets of life.

This gave rise to virtual court hearing in Nigeria, which has evolved into a more sophisticated approach known hybrid hearing – a combination of physical court hearing and virtual/remote court sitting.

Virtual court hearing can be done via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Skype and Video Conferencing, among other apps.

At its 91st meeting in April 2020, the Nigerian Judicial Council had constituted a committee to revise guidelines for court sittings. The guidelines included virtual court hearing.

The guidelines entitled: “National Judicial Council COVID-19 Policy Report: Guidelines for Court Sittings and Related Matters in the COVID-19 Period’’, had aimed at protecting judges and others against the pandemic.

Analysts are convinced that much can be achieved by leveraging technology for robust virtual court hearing.

They, however, believe that sustaining remote hearing will require relevant skill development by lawyers and judicial officers and workers.

A Delta-based lawyer and researcher, Prof. Teddy Idiabeta, argues that lawyers and judicial officers must upgrade their skills and invest in understanding the intricacies of remote hearing, for success.

Idiabeta, the Founder of Prof Teddy Idiabeta Law Consult, is convinced that the gains of virtual hearing are enormous.

“Hybrid hearing is here to stay. It was first virtual hearing but it has evolved to what we now refer to as hybrid hearing.

“There are three types – the court-ordered, the party-initiated, and the lawyer-initiated virtual hearing.

“The challenge, however, is that while some judges and lawyers are open to the technology of virtual hearing, some are not, because they are not tech savvy.

“Lawyers need to get training on virtual cross-examination. It is easier to tell if a witness in a virtual or hybrid witness box is telling a lie than when they are in a physical witness box, and it a quick way to dispense justice.

“You will know if a witness is reading out of a script in a virtual hearing, and virtual court hearing is mostly common in the high and magistrates’ courts,’’ he explains.

The professor, however, notes that virtual hearing is still not feasible in the Supreme Court.

“As lawyers, we have to be deliberate, we have to take initiatives and embrace this trend; some of us run away when we hear that a witness is not in the country.

“International clients are ready to pay for technology-related services, it is a money spinner.

“The benefits are enormous, it is an opportunity to promote the rule of law and become an international lawyer.”

Idiabeta emphasises that lawyers need to change their mindsets to succeed in the technology space.

Another lawyer, Mr Joseph Ikhai, is optimistic that virtual hearing is the way to go to increase transparency in the justice system.

He, however, notes that poor power supply, poor internet connection and disruptions in communication pose challenges.

A public commentator, Mr Jude Ugba, notes that in spite of the challenges, an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court has successfully conducted a virtual hearing while an Ikeja Special Offences Court virtually cross-examined a pathologist.

Mr Gabriel Tinka, Managing Partner, First Eden Solicitors, is of the opinion that virtual court hearing has given law a modern face.

“It has given relevance. Law has to keep up with time and events in order not to lose its relevance, thereby leaving the society lawless and ungovernable.

“The adoption of this virtual hearing has made law relevant in the face of a changing world, thereby curbing anarchy and arbitrariness.

“Virtual hearing also enhances security of all parties – the judge, lawyers, litigants and the public,’’ he says.

He regrets that some lawyers and others have died in accidents or kidnapped on their way to the courts.

“Many people have lost their lives in the bid to meet up with court physical sittings.

“This can be prevented when we embrace virtual hearing process,” he argues.

Tinka also believes that virtual hearing process is convenient.

“I cannot over-emphasise the convenience of this process. It saves time and energy.

“Litigants and their lawyers can only come online when it is their scheduled time of hearing, instead of sitting aimlessly at the courtroom waiting for their cases to be called.

“Justice is quickly dispensed using the virtual hearing process. We all know that an average case in Nigeria can take some years before judgment is eventually given.

“This virtual process has relieved witnesses outside of jurisdiction the stress of travelling just to attend a court sitting.”

He expresses optimism of improvement in Nigeria’s jurisprudence based on the evolving approach.

Analysts are hopeful that virtual hearing will receive a boost in Nigeria in 2023 through adequate preparation by judicial officers and workers, lawyers, litigants and the general society.

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

*** If used, please, credit the writer and agency***

Politics

Elections: Yiaga Africa pledges to promote electoral integrity through technology

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By Angela Atabo

Yiaga Africa ,a civil society organisation, has pledged to promote the intergrity of the 2023 General Election, through its Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT).

Executive Director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said this at the Yiaga Africa Watching The Vote (WTV) Media Roundtable on the 2023 Presidential Election and Deployment of PVT, in Abuja on Thursday.

Itodo said  that the aim of the round table was for Yiaga Africa to reel out its intervention for the elction and to keep journalists abreast with its programmes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PVT was an election day observation methodology that leveraged on statistics and technology for the observation of the process of voting, counting and tallying of results.

The process involved the deployment of citizen observers to randomly sampled polling units to collect data on the conduct of the elections and official polling units results.

Itodo said that with the results assembled from the sampled polling units, a citizen observer group could release projected estimates and verify the accuracy of results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He said tha PVT allowed Yiaga Africa WTV to present an accurate and comprehensive assessment of the election day processes.

He said that Yiaga Africa would deploy 3014 statutory and 774 LGAs as well as 48 mobile citizen observers to a representative random sample of 1507 polling units across the 36 states and the FCT.

“For us at Yiaga Africa, when we think about the upcoming 2023 general elections there are a few things that actually come to mind because our vision is a people driven democratic and developed Africa.

“We see that there is a decline in the level of public participation not just in elections but in governance.

“However, there is also the added need to protect the integrity of elections because one of the reasons why people don’t show up at elections, is a lack of trust and faith in the electoral process.

“So we have seen, based on our work and engagement, that there is a need to protect election integrity because if we protect election integrity people will believe that their vote will count in elections,” he said.

Itodo said that although the electoral process had witnessed growth in the use of technology deployment,there was need to create a balance so as to avoid marginalisation .

He said that was why Yiaga Africa thought it was important to frame strategic objectives to align and respond to the technology trend.

He said that the organisation was poised to achieving four objectives in the 2023 election.

Itodo said that the first objective had to  do with providing citizens with a repository of accurate, simplified and concise information on the electoral process to improve turnout.

He said that the second was to limit election manipulation through Yiaga Africa’s trends analysis as well as strategic observation.

He said that the third was to protect the integrity of the 2023 elections through data driven election observation and the fourth was to provide technical support to marginalised groups.

Itodo called for the extension of the PVC collection to enable eligible voters get their cards.

Speaking,the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chris Isiguzo,commended Yiaga Africa for the initiative adding that it showed a sense of commitment to ensuring a credible election.

“This is a very crucial election that has the capacity to make or mar the corporate existence of our beloved country, but we believe that by the time we go through this democratic process that we are going to emerge even stronger as a country,” he said.

Isiguzo said the media remained highly strategic in the electoral process and urged them not to encourage the dissemination of fake news, misinformation and disinformation.

He also advised journalists not to allow political actors take advantage of them and to also not pander to their whims at any time.

”We must therefore via our reportage ensure that we promote development journalism,” he said.

Also speaking,Ms Ladi Bala, the National President of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said journalists had critical roles to play in the electoral process as Nigeria election is a project that should be placed above any other issues.

Bala said the 2023 general election would define the future of Nigeria, saying that as critical stakeholders, journalists should play their role well in an unbiased way. (NAN)(nannews.ng)

Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

General News

Sanwo-Olu promises increased salary for waste managers

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From left, Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; National President, Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Dr David Oriyomi; Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Ibrahim Odumboni; Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State during the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) Mega Rally for Tinubu & Sanwo-Olu at Mobolaji Johnson Arena Onikan Lagos on Thursday 

 

 

 

 

By Fabian Ekeruche/Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has promised to increase salaries and allowances of members of  staff of the Lagos State Waste Managers, particularly the street sweepers.

Sanwo-Olu made the promise in Lagos on Thursday, during the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) Mega Rally to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu and his  reelection bid.

He said  his administration remained committed to the welfare of those that were ensuring cleaner city and secured environment.

According to him, the support by waste managers becomes imperative as Tinubu is the brain behind the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) which many states in Nigeria have replicated.

He said the election of Tinubu at the federal level would raise the bar of more commitment to the environment and enable economic growth through the sector.

The governor urged everyone to vote immensely for APC candidates throughout the country to galvanise development across levels.

Deputy Gov. Obafemi Hamzat, appreciated the waste managers for their support, urging them to vote for Tinubu, as he had track records.

Hamzat also called on the waste managers to vote wisely and ensure they picked up their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)  ahead of the February general elections.

In his goodwill message, the Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr Ibrahim Odumboni, said  the rally was an opportunity for the waste managers to appreciate Tinubu.

Odumboni said that what had become AWAMN today had its foundation solidly laid by the APC presidential candidate many years ago.

He said that since one good turn deserved another, it was only worthwhile that the association mobilised its personnel in hundreds and thousands for APC’s victory in February elections.

”Today, we cannot effectively discuss waste management in Lagos state without mentioning PSP and AWAMN. Since a stream will not forget its source, we use this opportunity to thank our Jagaban for the legacy of a lasting waste management structure for Lagos state.

”Very importantly, I commend AWAMN, its executive and the teeming PSP personnel in attendance here, demonstrating a massive show of support for our leader’s presidential ambition, and the reelection bid of our performing governor  and hisdeputy.

”I must specifically note that, while this mobilisation is very encouraging, we must equally translate the massive support to electoral votes on election day. This is the only way to truly appreciate and help actualise the worthy ambitions of our leader, as well as our governor.

”If all of us here today can cast our ballots for the tickets of Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat; and for other APC candidates, you know what that means in number.

”Therefore, let us actualise their ambitions by actually voting. For those who are yet to collect their PVCs, the opportunity is still open. Ensure you collect yours to ensure victory for our leader, our governor and other APC candidates,” he said.

In his welcome address, the AWAMN President, Dr David Oriyomi, said that in 1999 when Tinubu became the governor of Lagos state, he inherited a state which was overcome with waste, and was labeled one of the dirtest in the world.

Oriyomi said that Tinubu had the option of bringing a foreign company to manage the waste in Lagos, but chose to empower the people with his famous quotes – ”If our people cannot clear their cities, what can they do?”.

He said that Tinubu nurtured and empowered the waste managers through the small-medium business model, and successive governments had built the solid foundation.

According to him, Lagos was transformed and received numerous accolades as one of the cleanest states in Nigeria and Africa.

”When our livelihood came under attack and 350 businesses were faced with the risk of bankruptcy, Asiwaju came to our rescue by speaking out for us and hereby, securing our livelihood.

”Today, the small business model established by Asiwaju has been replicated in over nine states in Nigeria and other West African countries.

”It is for this reason, we as an association is fully and wholly committed to voting and campaigning for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria.

”To our amiable governor, we recall that we were the first organisation that endorsed his candidature in 2018. We are pleased that he has proven us right by the great work that he has done in the state and for the environment,” he said.

The AWAMN president also said the people would recall that Tinubu inherited heap of waste across the state, and started by declaring a state of emergency and backed it up with action, leaving Lagos better than what he inherited.

”Now, under his leadership, waste is seen as  resources and we are humble to be his foot soldiers to making circular economy a reality. We are committed to a Greater Lagos Rising!,” he said.

The waste managers’ boss promised that the members would embark on a door-to-door campaign, as they had the reach to every nook and cranny of the state they operated in.

He pledged to secure 10 million votes for the association’s grand patron, Tinubu and Shettima and also two million votes for Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat.

Also, the APC Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, Mr Cornelius Ojelabi, urged the waste managers to vote massively for Tinubu for laying the foundation for a solid Lagos.

”Vote for him to become president. Collect your PVCs, tell others to go and collect their PVCs so that we can vote for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu,” Ojelabi said.

Dignataries who attended the rally included Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tunji Bello; Mr Joe Igbokwe, the Special Adviser on  Drainage and Water Resources to Sanwo-Olu and the Ogun Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ola Oresanya. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Chioma Ugboma

Judiciary

Court stops Lagos A-G, others from forcefully taking over market

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By Adenike Ayodele

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday restrained the Office of Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Kosofe Local Government from forcefully taking over the Alaba Section of Mile 12 Market.

Justice Latifat Oluyemi gave the interim  injunction pending determination of an application before the court.

Other respondents in the suit  number ID/6464GCMW/2022, include Ikosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area, Dr Chris Onyekachi, Total Value Integrated Services Ltd. and Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

 

The application was initiated by Incorporated Trustees of Orirere Community Leaders and Traders Association, Yeye Precious Modupe Ojo, Alhaji Akinwale Jimoh and Babatunde Adetula.

The claimants sued for themselves and on behalf of the traders from the Alaba Section of Mile 12 Market.

Justice Latifat Oluyemi restrained the respondents, their agents, servants, privies and any other person from demolishing or forcefully taking over the section pending  determination of the motion on notice.

The suit was brought under Order 42 Rules 1 and 4 and Order 43 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, and other provisions.

The claimants’ counsel, Mr M.G. Quadri, alleged that he was refused entry and chased out by Princess Samiat Abolanle-Bada, the Chairman of the Ikosi-Isheri LCDA at a mediation meeting held on Dec. 19, 2022, which  he said, all parties attended.

Quadri had alleged that  the respondents continued with demolition of the said section of the market on Dec. 18, 2022, in spite of service of court processes and prior agreement by parties concerned.

He said that the agreement which took place at the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, on  Dec. 17 2022, was  to stay active until the Dec. 19, 2022 meeting.

“On Dec. 19, the second meeting was held. All parties who attended the previous meeting also attended this one.

 

“The respondents orally promised the applicants to begin some sort of resolution process and stop further destruction of the market.

 

“Despite the promises given, destruction of properties and assault on helpless traders by heavily armed thugs have not stopped.  It only increased exponentially.

 

“From the time the motion on notice was filed, up until now, more parts of the Alaba Section of the Mile 12 Market have been destroyed.

 

“Traders have been forced away from their shops, and thugs have been patrolling the area, assaulting anyone that comes close,” the counsel had submitted.

 

The judge  adjourned the case until Jan. 19 for further hearing. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

 

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

Science & Tech

Cranium introduces local content digital health app

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 From left, Consultant, Mr Doyin Talabi; Co-founder Cranium Integrated Solution Ltd, Mr Kunle Adesida and Chairman, Supervising Board, Cranium Integrated Solution Ltd., Mr Tokunbo Smith

 

By Stellamaris Ashinze

Cranium Integrated Solutions Ltd. has  introduced a local content digital health app to ease the stress of patient healthcare delivery in the country.

Mr  Kunle  Adesida, an Engineer and Co-founder of Cranium  Integrated Solutions Ltd., said  at a news conference in Lagos that the all encompassing  local content  digital health app  would address the health needs even to the rural areas.

Adesida said the adoption of digital health was low globally but proper sensitisation of the benefits would  ease  the challenge of healtcare delivery.

He said that even with the issue of  low internet penetration at the digitally under- served areas, Cranium would deliver health  with its mobile clinics to be introduced  soon.

According  to him, it  is a  local content, because it is 100 per cent customisable  to the desire and requirements of the nation’s health facilities.

“The COVID-19  pandemic heightened the need for digitalisation, again, many people started seeing the need to go into this particular area, we have been in this area since 2005.

‘’It took us so many years to put this product together because we needed to ensure that we put in the real case scenario on ground and that is why it is local content.

“Cranium has different levels of health facilities across Nigeria, primary health care centres,  private hospitals, secondary and tertiary institutions,” he said.

Adesida said that  so much effort was put on the field to ensure the entire patient workflow in any hospital and that was why they had an edge over others.

The co-founder  said that with the app, a patient’s vitals could be monitored from the comfort  of their homes.

He said the local content had also made it very possible for hospitals to customise to their desires and helped them have full access privileges to the database.

According  to him, Cranium is leveraging  blockchain and Artificial Intelligence  that enables patients access health care and data in  any locations or hospital the patient  walks  into.

The co-founder  emphasised  that there was need to talk to stakeholders  and decision makers on digitisation  of hospitals because very soon,  hospitals operating manually  would go into extinction.

According to him, digitisation  of hospital  processes would also improve health  care because patients would access  healthcare from the comfort of their  homes.

Also speaking, Mr Tokunbo Smith, Chairman, Supervising Board,  Cranium  Integrated Solution, said that the firm was also particular  about securing the data of patients.

Smith said that for the security  patients data,  there was the data protection regulation which Cranium  strictly  adhered to because  its compliance remains key in every industry.

According  to him, that is  why the firm has the data protection regulation and the European General Data Protection Regulation.

He said:  “When talking about health, we are talking about sensitive data, data that should not be seen by anybody. So the advantage of using software is that it is efficient and secure.”

Mr Doyin Talabi,  a Consultant , lauded the mobile app,  saying that it would deliver swift health  care to more that half of the nation’s population.

Talabi said that according  to Nigeria  Communication Commission, there were  about 150 subscribers, so as such,  more than half of the population would have access to safe and secure health care delivery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cranium is a limited liability company  that has designed a  local content  digital health  solution that serves the need of people, granted patent right by the Nigeria  Communication Commission  and Licensed  by  the Federal Government. (NAN)

 

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Politics

PVC Collection: Ahead deadline, LG chairmen, party chieftains intensify sensitisation

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By Adepote Arowojobe

As the deadline for collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) nears, more local government chairmen and political party executives in Lagos are mobilising residents to pick up their cards.

INEC fixed Dec. 12, 2022 till Jan. 22, 2023 for PVC collection in all its 774 local government offices nationwide daily, including Saturdays and Sundays.

The exercise moved to the 8,809 registration areas and wards from Friday, Jan. 6, where it can be collected until Jan. 15.

After Jan. 15, the exercise will revert to the local government offices of the commission until Jan. 22.

Council chairmen and party chieftains in Ikorodu area of Lagos State told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that sensitisation of residents on collection was being given the urgency it deserved.

The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Mr Wasiu Adesina, said that the council took a proactive step by appointing committees saddled with the responsibility of mobilising electorate from different areas to collect their PVCs at their wards.

Adesina said he directed the committees to also go from house-to-house informing people on the need to collect their cards at the nearest centres, to  exercise their franchise.

“On our part, we have appointed committees that will strategise and sensitise people on the importance of getting their PVCs.

“They will also ensure smooth and seamless movement of our people by providing vehicles that will convey them to different wards to collect their PVCs,” Adesina said.

The Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman, Ms Motuntayo Gbadebo-Alogba, said the council was also playing its part.

“The council considers elections as a civic responsibility of citizens and helping them to get their PVCs would be a step in helping them to carry out their civic responbilities.

“More specifically, the council under my leadership has been carrying out series of enlightenment campaigns and stakeholder engagements.

“This is not starting with the PVC collection, we also did lots of sensitisation for people to register and it is natural to follow up now to ensure all those who registered last year go to collect their PVCs.

“Only yesterday, I met with the leadership of various ethnic nationalities resident in Ijede LCDA and prompted them towards sensitising their people to pick up their PVCs.

“The PVC is not useful if left with Independent Electoral Commission(INEC); citizens must endeavour to go pick it and be ready to vote,” she said.

The chairman of Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, Mr Sesan Daini, said, “We are working with Community Development Committee, Commity Development Associations, Clubs, Societies, religious bodies, traditional institutions and non indigenes groups”.

He said that they were working with them to sensitise people on the importance of PVC collection so they could perform their civic rights.

Also, the APC LGA Chairman, Alhaji Waheed Animashaun, reiterated that the ward executives were mandated to sensitise residents who newly moved into particular areas or who did not know their wards.

The LGA Chairman of PDP,  Mr Olanrewaju Oshin, said the party had also sensitised residents of Ikorodu on collection of their PVCs in preparation for the forthcoming general elections.

“I think they have done well by bringing the collection centres nearer to people to ensure more people participate in the forthcoming general elections,” he said.

One of INEC senior officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said they conducted sensitisation programme on PVC collection and came closer to people for easy access.

According to her, the challenges being experienced are faded temporary slips and overcrowding in collection centres.

NAN reports that INEC had on Jan. 6 moved distribution of PVCs to the 11 wards in Ikorodu to enable residents to get them at their doorsteps.

NAN correspondent in Ikorodu reports that the exercise, in areas monitored, had impressive turnout.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Oluwole Sogunle

Economy/Business

Apapa customs breaks revenue record, rakes in N1.02trn

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Stakeholders at the customs media conference

 

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, on Thursday said it generated N1.02 trillion in 2022.

The customs area controller, Comptroller Malanta Yusuf, said this at a news conference in Lagos.

Yusuf said the amount was unprecedented in the history of revenue generation by the command, and that the value recorded in 2022 was 16.07 per cent higher than the N870.38 million collected in 2021.

He said the feat was achieved despite setbacks in the clearance value chain such as fluctuation in the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar.

“This feat was made possible because of the resilience of our officers and men in blocking revenue leakages and ensuring that all unpaid declarations and unitilised Pre-Arrival Assessment Report had been traced and accounted to the Federal Government coffers,” he said.

As regards anti-smuggling, he said 157 containers with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N14.4 billion were seized as against 102 containers with DPV of N31.8 billion seized in the year 2021.

“Our record shows that fake and prohibited drugs without necessary National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) certification and Tramadol topped the list of seizures made last year.

“Other items seized include codeine syrup, foreign parboiled rice, vegetable oil, processed/unprocessed wood, used clothings and others,”he said.

The Apapa customs boss noted that 60 suspects were arrested in connection with some of the seizures and were at various stages of investigation and prosecution by other agencies of government.

He reiterated that the command would remain a no-go area for any form of illegalities and warned perpetrators that the command was resolute and would expose their activities and bring them to book.

Yusuf said in line with the federal government diversification of the economy to non-oil export, the command recorded a total of 68.5 million dollars Free on Board (FOB) value, equivalent to N28.2 billion of non-oil commodities.

He said a total of 6.4 million metric tonnes were exported through Apapa in the year under review.

He listed the items to include steel bars; agricultural produce such as hibiscus, sesame seeds, cocoa, cashew nuts, ginger, soya beans and mineral products.

He pointed out that collaboration with other agencies of government had greatly enhanced the productivity of the service and pledged to continue to build on the synergy to ensure that recalcitrant criminals were dealt with decisively.

He added that the command had promoted a culture of regular stakeholders’ engagement and would continue to sensitive them on the need to comply with extant trade guidelines for faster and cheaper cargo clearance.

“I want to commend our compliant traders who do sincere declaration, pay accurate duty and obey extant import and export guidelines without violating the prohibition lists,” he said.

He appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali and his management team for the support and encouragement they given to the command, and pledged that the command would surpass the 2022 collections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

Politics

LP appoints zonal coordinators for Obi-Datti campaign

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Mr Adewole Egbodofo, South-West Coordinator, Special Duties, Obi-Datti Campaign
By Adekunle Williams
The Labour Party (LP) on Monday released a list of nominated Zonal Coordinators for contacts, mobilisation and grassroots engagement for the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council.
The party’s National Chief Mobiliser, Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council (LPPCC),  Mr Olawale Okunniyi, made this known in Lagos.
Okunniyi said the appointment was in continuation of strengthening its campaign machinery for the forthcoming General Elections.
He said the party appointed three zonal coordinators for Grassroots Mobilisation; Contacts and Mobilisation; and Special Duties for the six geo-political zones of the country.
The official said the directorate had appointed Mr Adewole Egbodofo as the Zonal Coordinator, Special Duties in charge of the South-West Zone.
“Mr Adewole Egbodofo was born to Mr Simeon Egbodofo, an accomplished teacher, popularly known as ‘Baba Fonen (Phonetics) from Ode Ajagba and Mrs Janet Egbodofo.
“Adewole Egbodofo had both his primary and secondary school education in Okitipupa before proceeding to the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State.
“He also attended the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, for training on Banking and Finance respectively, “he added.
Okunniyi said Egbodofo had over 20 years of cognate experience in Finance and Banking, having worked in First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Providus Bank Plc and other financial institutions.
He said Egbodofo was passionate about the need for the overthrow of those he described as members of the ‘Ruiners Generation’, who had looted the country into a coma.
The official said Egbodofo was also an internationally-acclaimed advocate of Ballot Box Revolution. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
General News

New Year: Oba Elegushi’s wife hosts children, cautions against social vices

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By Taiye Olayemi

No fewer than 200 children within Ikate Kingdom in Lagos State and its environs were on Sunday hosted to a New Year party by the Quality and Selfless Empowerment (QSE) Foundation.

The foundation is an initiative of Sekinat Elegushi, wife of Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual New Year party is one of her humanitarian programmes for residents in the community, particularly the indigent.

 

In her remarks, Elegushi advised the children to be focused, disciplined and shun all forms of social vices, to make their parents and the country proud.

“Also, as you resume school tomorrow, I urge you to study very hard so as to become great personalities in life, make your parents and the country proud,” she said.

Elegushi thanked God on behalf of the children for keeping them alive and healthy to witness another year.

She thanked her husband, who is also chairman of the foundation, for his support and for  spending time with the children.

She equally thanked the International Women Society (IWS) for their partnership and collaboration.

NAN reports that the children who had quality time of entertainment, amusement and merriment, were given different items including school bags; writing materials; lunch boxes; water bottles; snacks and toys.

Highlight of the programme was a return ticket to Ghana won by one of the children who won a dance competition. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Education

GetBundi founder advocates digital skills learning across Africa in 2023

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GetBundi founder and CEO, Osita Oparaugo

By Taiye Olayemi

Mr Osita Oparaugo, founder and Chief Executive Officer of GetBundi, an educational technology platform, has urged African leaders to prioritise digital skills education in 2023 so as to build the right workforce to drive the continent’s development.

Oparaugo made the call while interacting with journalists in Lagos.

He warned that the lack of a digitally-skilled workforce would hurt Africa’s economic development “if not addressed immediately”.

He declared that acquiring digital skills was “a must for anyone in the 21st century, especially in Africa”.

To buttress his point, the GetBundi founder cited a study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, which found that 230 million jobs across Africa would require some level of digital skills by 2030.

“That translates to a potential for 650 million training opportunities and an estimated $130 billion market,” he explained.

According to him, preliminary findings of another research on Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria and Rwanda markets by IFC and the World Bank (through the Digital Development Programme Trust Fund) showed that by 2030, some level of digital skills would be required for 50-55 percent of jobs in Kenya.

“The research equally showed that digital skills will be required for 35-45 per cent of jobs in Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Rwanda, and 20-25 percent in Mozambique,” he added.

He said that only countries with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and digital skills-enabled citizenry could achieve meaningful development in the present world.

He cited Singapore and China’s flourishing economies as examples of what nations could turn into if they became scientifically and technologically advanced.

“What China and Singapore have achieved in less than 50 years, Africa can also attain using STEM education and Science Technology Innovation (STI) skills acquisition “especially when one considers the abundance of human capital and the resilient nature of Africans, especially the youths.”

He said it was to promote digital skills learning across Africa that GetBundi, an educational technology platform designed to deliver high quality, engaging and accessible STEM courses and STI skills, was launched in Lagos, in June 2022.

“Recently, in December 2022, we decided to run some of our GetBundi digital skills courses in Pidgin English to make them more accessible to more Africans.

According to him, using that popular language followed a result of studies by the World Bank, UNESCO and others which showed that using a language of instruction closest to the people matters a lot, especially for learning foundational skills.

He said that the education technology platform had a vision to up-skill, through its STEM and digital skills centre, 10 million Africans by 2032 and beyond in order to create an inclusive sustainable development driven by technology. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

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