NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Politics

Yiaga Africa advocates legal timelines for testing new electoral technologies

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By Angela Atabo

 

Yiaga Africa, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has recommended legal timelines for testing new electoral technologies in Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.

 

The CSO made this suggestion in Abuja on Wednesday in its post-election statement signed by Dr Aisha Abdullahi, the Board Chair, and Mr Samson Itodo, the Executive Director, Yiaga Africa.

 

According to the group, the testing timeline will equip the commission more to use its adopted technology effectively during election.

 

It said that for the Feb. 25 presidential election, Yiaga Africa employed the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology.

 

The CSO explained said that the organisation deployed 3,014 observers in pairs to a representative random sample of 1,507 polling units, 822 mobile observers in all 774 local government areas (LGAs), 36 states and the FCT.

 

“This deployment strategy enabled Yiaga Africa to provide timely and accurate information on the election day process commencing from the set-up, voter accreditation, voting, counting and to independently assess the official results of the presidential election as announced by INEC.

“This statement is based on reports from 1,454 to 1,507 (97 per cent ) sampled polling units in Nigeria.

 

“The PVT statistical analysis was based on the number of registered voters and not on the number of PVCs collected.”

 

It said that Yiaga Africa’s findings on the election included: late arrival of INEC officials at the polling unit, challenges with locating polling units and insufficient election materials.

 

The organisation listed others as functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), uploading and transmission of results, among others.

 

“Yiaga Africa expressed concerns about the delay in uploading polling unit results for the presidential election on the INEC Election Results Viewing Portal (IReV).

 

“Undoubtedly, the delay in uploading the polling unit-level results cast doubts on the credibility of the results management process resulting in broken public trust in electoral technology.

 

“Yiaga Africa notes that the delayed upload of the results on the IReV is a flagrant disregard of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines, and it failed to meet citizens’ expectations.”

 

It said that Yiaga Africa also condemned the cases of violence and disruption of the voting and results collation process by thugs and hoodlums, especially the violence targeted at National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and INEC staff.

 

The group said that the creation of additional polling units was a positive and long-needed step by INEC, however the implementation failed to address overcrowding.

 

As a result, there were polling units with fewer than 10 registered voters and others with over 10,000. Some voters who were migrated to new polling units experienced difficulties locating their respective polling units.”

 

Yiaga Africa also recommended a comprehensive audit and investigation to unravel the factors that led to the delay in the upload of election results on the online portal as critical.

 

It said that persons found complicit in sabotaging the critical aspect of the election should be sanctioned.

 

The CSO also advised INEC to provide clarifications on its interpretation of key aspects of the legal framework on issues like results collation and transmission process.

 

It said that there should also be clarity on the threshold for determining the winner in an election and the commission’s power to review election results declared under duress or in contravention of the Electoral Act, INEC Guidelines and Manual.

 

Besides, Yiaga Africa urged INEC to sustain the uploads of polling unit results form EC 8A on its IReV portal. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General News

Oba Elegushi hails Police, others for violence-free election

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Oba Saheed Elegushi while performing his civic rights in Lagos on Saturday.

 

By Aisha Cole/Mateen Badru
Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom in Lagos State has commended the Police and other security agencies for ensuring peace and orderliness during the general election at Ikate-Elegushi area of the state on Saturday.
Elegushi said this while briefing newsmen after exercising his civic responsibility at Polling Unit 008 within the Ikate-Elegushi Palace in Lagos.
“Everything is going on well, I have been out earlier to exercise my own civic rights as a citizen of Nigeria. I voted for the candidate of my choice and I am back to my palace now.
“I was just visited by the Army Commander and the Police. They told me about the incident and the issue had been settled. I am not aware if any arrest was made,” he said.
He, however, decried the transferring of voters from their polling units to another without proper verification by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I have one question to ask INEC. How can someone just go to your website, make a transfer and upload an address to vote without verifying it.
“We see lots of strange faces that don’t live in this vicinity coming here to vote. We can’t accept that because it’s a fraud.
“Definitely after the election, we have to take it up because it is not right. To see a lot of strange faces that they don’t even live within this local government and they are voting here.
“When you do a transfer, you must be able to verify the address,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that there had been fracas at some polling units outside the palace, where some voters claimed they were not allowed to vote.
NAN also reports that security operatives were on ground, following an allegation of destruction of voting materials at some polling units around the area.
Elegushi, however, said that the Army Commander had subsequently paid him a visit and that the situation had been put under control.
NAN also observed that normalcy had immediately returned to the polling units outside the palace after which security operatives with armoured personnel carrier patrolled the area. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
Politics

Group appeals to technocrats to lead Nigeria’s politics

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Some participants at a two hour interactive session organised by the Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat Independent Campaign Council (ICC), Professional Women Directorate, Thursday in Lagos.

By Yemi Adeleye/Grace Alegba

The Directorate of Professional Women, Independent Campaign Council (ICC) of the APC Presidential Candidate Committee, Lagos State, on Thursday said technocrats were indispensable and should ensure credible elections.

Mr Tayo Ayinde, Director General, Tinubu/Shettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat Independent Campaign Council (ICC), said this in Ikeja at a two-hour interactive session with 50 professional bodies.

The programme was organised by the TinubuShettima and Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat Independent Campaign Council (ICC), Professional Women Directorate.

Ayinde said before the first and second Republics, Nigeria’s founding fathers and nationalists like Late Herbert Macaulay, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Tafawa Balewa , Sir Anthony Enahoro were technocrats.

He said the vacuum left by the experts gave room for charlatans in politics and appealed to technocrats to take back their place through active participation and leading campaign against voter apathy.

Ayinde, who is the Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was represented at the meeting by Mr Tayo Orekoya, Director Lagos West 1, ICC.

He said the theme of the event, “Involvement of Professionals in Election and Electioneering Process” was apt.

Ayinde said that professionals, by their training, skills, exposure and expertise, were “positioned to play indispensable roles in the promotion of democratic ethos and furtherance of the democratic process”.

He said the Lagos State Government recognised their importance and had always engaged them positively.

Ayinde cited APC Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu as an example of first class technocrat and political master strategist who had never lost an election.

“He populated his cabinet as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 with professionals otherwise known as technocrats,” he said.

He commended female professionals for creditable performance, adding that, over 40 per cent of the ICC Directorate was headed by Women Professionals as Directors.

Ayinde listed achieving female technocrats in APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) leading national campaigns, including Dr Betty Edu, National Women Leader, Mrs Alike Dabiri-Erewa and Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.

He urged technocrats to massively vote and seek votes for Sen. Bola Tinubu as President and Sanwo-Olu as governor of Lagos State.

Earlier, while making her opening speech, Director, TinubuShettima/Sanwo-OluHamzat, ICC, Dr Atinuke Owolabi, said professionals should stop being passive and sensitise more people towards making right choices in the forthcoming elections.

Owolabi, an award winning engineer, thanked ICC elders for the opportunity to showcase 50 professional bodies in Lagos who now have a platform beyond elections to interface between government and the grassroots.

She said the directorate’s goal was to ensure all eligible voters participate and are educated on basic voting processes, how to locate polling units and other important information on accurate voting procedures.

She also urged Nigerians to vote APC at all levels, particularly its Presidential Candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for renewed hope and a Greater Lagos that is rising.

“Our target in Lagos State is to get five million votes. This we can achieve, this we will achieve.
“It only takes us working together,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Politics

Election: Tinubu has capacity to salvage Nigeria – Group

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By Olatunde Ajayi

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) Elite Group has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, has the capacity to salvage Nigeria.

The group made this known at the Special Youth Sensitisation and Election Awareness Programme tagged: Tinubu 2023: The Push to the Finish Line,” organised on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Speaking at the event, Mr Wale Oladiti, the leader of the group, said that the group believed that right policies for economic development could only be achieved when the most qualified candidate emerged as Nigeria’s president.

Oladiti noted that Nigeria needed a person with credentials, capabilities and experience, especially at this critical moment to bring the required social reform and development to the country.

He added that the track record of Tinubu as a former governor of Lagos State showed that he would bring the much-needed positive change, especially in the area of job creation for the youth.

“Imagine if we have the kind of progress we witnessed in Lagos State during the regime of Sen. Bola Tinubu in many states, that means there will be massive job opportunities for the youth.

“We want youths to vote according to their conscience by checking the track record of all the presidential contestants.

“We are not tribalistic, as a youth group, we are not supporting Tinubu based on tribe or religion but purely on his capabilities,” he said.

One of the guest panelists, Mr Laide Oduyemi, a business development expert, said that the manifesto of Tinubu had clearly showed that there would be reduction in overreliance on imported goods.

This, according to Oduyemi, will bring massive job opportunities for the youth.

“When we cut down importation and increase local production, many of our youths will get good jobs, reduce brain drain and boost our revenue as a nation,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Afeez Bolaji, the former Deputy National Youth Leader, APC, said that the programme sought to sensitise the youth to the need to vote for leaders that would salvage the nation’ economy, security, agriculture, education and other sectors.

Commenting, Mr Lanre Oyegbola, the special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on Housing, added that the manifesto of Tinubu had clearly shown that he had good plans for the youth.

“We can clearly feel the good spirits he has for the youth from the push and mentorship he has offered in the past, helping many youths to reach the top and fulfill their destinies,” he noted.

Another member of the panel, Mrs Mercy Adelabu, said that the move by the APC presidential candidate to ensure active participation of women in governance and policy formulation was commendable.

Adelabu noted that statistics had shown that women always perform creditably when given the chance to make input in policy formulation and governance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation programme featured panel session, voter education and awareness campaign, among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Environment

Ecology office condemns delayed dredging of Lagos channels

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By Mercy Omoike

The Ecology Project Office (EPO) has condemned the delayed dredging and channelisation of the Tejuosho/ Canal railway projects in Lagos State.

The Permanent Secretary of the EPO, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, expressed dissatisfaction over the delayed progress of the project on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the EPO under the auspices of Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) was on a site inspection of project interventions.

The dredging of the Tejuosho/Canal Railway is part of the efforts of the EPO on flood control and soil erosion prevention during the rainy season.

“This is the essence of the physical on-the-site inspection to be engaged by the ecological project office.

“As you can observe, the progress of this project is slow; we have already summoned the contractor to the office to explain to us the reason for this delay.

“The quality of the work is poor and as you can observe, looking at the situation alone everything is unkempt nothing is even going on here.

“When the contractor comes to the office, we will sit down with him and have proper discussion on the way forward to keep this project going.

“This delay has definitely slowed down our intervention efforts to prevent flooding across the country because this project should have been completed by now.

“This project should have been done even before the rain starts, we are already in February and maybe before March the rains will begin and further slow down the project.

So, much time has been wasted,” Ibrahim said.

He, however, disclosed that appropriate sanctions would be meted out on the contractors for the delay in the execution of the project.

“This is a project that was awarded two years or three years ago and they were supposed to have completed it within a year.

“Now, it is more than three years and the level of completion is not even up to 25 per cent.

“This is an eye opener for us and we will intensify our efforts in inspecting and monitoring interventions being sponsored by the Ecology Project Office across the country.

“I think because they observed that we were coming for inspection, they were able to upscale some of the work but that is not what should have been done.

“This drainage channelling is meant to ameliorate flooding incidents across this area, especially in Tejuosho, Bode Thomas and the Surulere axis.

“There will definitely be sanctions on the contractors for the delay and the small slow progress of this project,” Ibrahim said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Environment

Ecology office inspects ongoing sewage pipeline system at LUTH

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By Mercy Omoike

The Ecological Project Office (EPO) on Wednesday commended the progress recorded at the ongoing construction of a six-kilometre sewage pipeline system at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government sponsored project under the auspices of the Ecological Project Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) is almost near completion.

Speaking at the on site inspection of the project, Malam Shehu Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, commended the project progress and expressed optimism that it would amelioration the sewage problems at the teaching hospital.

“Anybody that has gone round this facility will really appreciate what the Federal Government is doing in communities.

“This project is something we are very proud of, and you can also see the quality of job that is ongoing here. We are looking forward for the project to ameliorate the problems that exist here.

“So far, the progress of the project at LUTH is commendable and in the next two to three weeks, we look forward to its inauguration,” Ibrahim said.

He also promised that more ecological project interventions would be approved as the need arises with availability of funds.

“Well, as I always say, the Ecological Project Office is one office that the public has confidence in because it’s an office that anybody has an access to.

“You just make your request and we will come in to see what we can do. Presently, we have so many requests, over 3,000 in our data bank to take care of.

“However, our major challenge is fund, what we have and the level of intervention will depend on the fund available to us,” Ibrahim said.

In his response, the Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, applauded the efforts of government in coming to the rescue of the hospital’s community with the sewage project intervention.

“As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we want to thank the Federal Government for our sewage pipeline system for both the Lagos University Hospital and the College of Medicine.

“The sewage system in LUTH has been in existence for over 50 years. And inevitably, they became overworked.

“In fact, what we have here is the old sewage treatment plant, it broke down and we are barely coping by simply doing some chemical treatment of sewage.

“LUTH houses over 10,000 people, its a whole village on its own and we just chemically treat the sewage before we discharge it into the canal.

“When discharged it constitutes some environmental hazards. So, we had to approach the Ecological Fund at the Presidency. The reception we got there was amazing, we did not need to know anybody.

“You can see what they have done, over six kilometres of sewage pipeline have been replaced. And we are getting a brand new sewage treatment plant.

“As a community, we are very happy, it’s a happy day for us and for communities that live downstream to us, they will not be exposed to any hazards again.

“So, I must use this opportunity, therefore, to thank Mr President, the Secretary General of the Federation, the Permanent Secretary and everybody that made this possible,” Bode said.

The contractors of the project, Emeka Udokporo of Flab Engineering Services Ltd., said that the project would be delivered as soon as possible.

“The project is almost 100 per cent completed, we are almost at the end of the project.

“Once the treatment plan comes, within the next two to three weeks we will be ready to set up and train those to operate it,” Udokporo said. (NAN) (www.nannewa.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Business

Speedy implementation of movement critical to AfCFTA success- Zimbabwean tycoon

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Mr Ken Sharpe, CEO, WestProp, Zimbabwe

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Speedy implementation of free movement of persons, goods and services is critical in benefiting from opportunities in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), says Mr Ken Sharpe, a Zimbabwean business mogul.

Sharpe, also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), West Property, Zimbabwe, made the assertion during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

NAN reports that AfCFTA goal is to encourage trade, commerce and address the continent’s developmental challenges.

Sharpe said that the call was pertinent to reflect the true power of the continent and for accelerated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

He, however, noted that five years into ratification of the AfCFTA, Africans were yet to benefit from the agreement due to several reasons.

“The are several reasons but the most important and pressing one is freedom of movement.

“You see Dubai was built because the visionary Sheik saw that creating the world’s largest airport and airlines would bring capital and investment to his country proves the point.

“We can’t fly directly between most African countries and visas are still required between many of our countries, thus restricting people moving affordably and easily.

“If people can’t have freedom of movement, then never mind moving goods because with all the trade tariffs and barriers that block trade, it is no wonder we are standing still.

“The message is for our leaders to wake up and make it happen like yesterday, for our future depends on it,” he said.

Sharpe also advocated the need for players in the real estate space to leverage technology to provide services that allow real time information relating to properties to address housing deficits in Africa.

According to him, Africans lived in a century where carbon oils is absolute, while the new fuel is data.

To this end, the real estate mogul said data and services could be tailor-made to provide services such as tracking and reducing electricity consumption, home automation and other offerings.

“Also, a possible solution to the housing deficit could be to create a shared stay app, like a shared ride where rooms unoccupied in homes could be rented out.

“Office vacancies can be converted to residential. However, data is needed to match the supply and demand needs, especially for low income earners,” he said.

He added that green and innovative solutions in the housing segment were critical to preserve the planet and have a sustainable climate.

“For example, at WestProp, we are already working with alternative energy solutions by using solar, gas and grey water.

“Smart homes allow electronically controlled valves and switches that allow you to turn your electricity and even water off to your geyser, control light switches and access and alarm control all from the touch of a button on your cell phone,” he said.

He urged upcoming entrepreneurs to focus on their core business, product or service and not spread too thin or be distracted to engender sustainability and success on the long run.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

 

Politics

Diaspora group reaches out to 100m Nigerians digitally to vote Tinubu

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The deputy director-general in the middle with members of the BTSO UK

By Abiodun Lawal

A group, Bola Tinubu Support Organisation in the United Kingdom (BTSO UK), says it will reach out to at least 100 million people digitally to vote enmass for the APC presidential candidate, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Feb. 25.

The group , led by one of its Executive members, Mr Anthony Aboaba, stated this while meeting with the Deputy Director-General, APC Campaign Council in Ogun, Mr Abiodun Sanyaolu, in Abeokuta on Monday.

Aboaba, who said that the gesture would be achieved between now and the election, noted  that It would ensure landslide victory for APC at the polls.

Aboaba said that BTSO UK came into being in 2019 under the leadership of Ade Adeshina and coordinated by Sunday Soyinka, with professionals from all walks of life who believed in Nigeria’s emancipation.

Aboaba  said that the belief and trust in Tinubu was based on his track records and leadership prowess, vision, action, identification and his ability to always put round pegs in round holes.

He added that the group remained a movement and self-funded by committed members of its executive and had embarked on different projects to support Tinubu.

”Bulk SMS campaign to promote BTSO UK in Nigeria. Anthem to promote the candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The anthem is entitled “He will make you leaders of men. if you follow him.”

”Sponsorship of grassroots movement. We provided electronic equipment, laptop, mobile phones for officers to aid their daily operational activities. We also fund logistics to propagate our support Tinubu in the Southwest of Nigeria.

”We produced merchandise t-shirts , baseball caps to campaign for Asiwaju. The regalia has the inscription: Bola Tinubu In-It To Win It.

”We hope that this gesture will solidify the recognition of BTSO UK as a strong support group for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Campaign Committee (PCC) Headquarters,” he said.

 

Aboaba added that BTSO UK had established structure of governance in the United Kingdom, with men and women saddled with responsibilities of offices to actualise its objectives to support Tinubu to become the president.

”BTSO UK has presence in the cyberspace and social media,” he said.

In his response, Sanyaolu, who commended the organisation for their unflinching support to the APC presidential candidate, said that Tinubu remains the best man for the job, considering his wealth of experience.

The deputy director-general explained that it was only Tinubu that had visited all the 36 states of the federation for campaign, saying it was a sign that he was never tribalistic.

”Tinubu is not tribalistic. He is blessed with knowledge and experience. His own style of governance is to improve the socioeconomic development of the country.

”Tinubu is not unknown to the people, he has done it before in Lagos state and he will do it again and again. He has the ability to identify good heads and he will surely succeed as Nigeria’s president,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the event was the presentation of souvenirs  to the deputy director-general by the group.(NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Agriculture

FAO, UNIDO present report on coconut development to LASG

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By Olayinka Olawale

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on Friday presented a 300-page report on coconut value chain analysis to the Lagos State Government.

Mr Suleiman Abubakar, Assistant Food and Agriculture Organisation representative to Nigeria, presented the report to the Lagos State Government on behalf of the FAO-UN and UNIDO.

He said the importance of the report was to create coconut on planting awareness  to ensure its sufficiency in Nigeria, create more jobs while increasing the state’s GDP.

Mr Fred Kafeero, FAO-UN Country Representative to Nigeria, said the report would form the basis for investment in the coconut value chain by both public and private sector.

He said the report would help to foster the upgrading strategy for the development of the proposal in the state.

Kafeero was represented by Mr AlHassan Cisse, Head, North East Emergency Operations.

According to him, the official presentation of the Coconut Value Chain Analysis report today marks the beginning of a second phase partnership with Lagos state.

“This will ensure sustainable food security, improved livelihood, economic development in terms of revenue generation, improving the standard of living and local economy of Lagos people through employment and wealth creation opportunities.

“It will improve the overall environmental impact in mitigating against climate change and global warming.

“This is such a big progress that we should all celebrate about since the main objective is to make the coconut value chain in the state more feasible and cost effective.

“With assurance of optimum return of the government’s investment,” he said.

The FAO country representative commended the state government for promoting agriculture and coconut development in addition, make Nigeria among the top 10 coconut producing countries in the world by 2030.

“On behalf of FAO, I will like to once again commend the Lagos state for its efforts in promoting agriculture and specifically developing the coconut value chain to create employment opportunities for the teeming youth’s population.

“I want to reiterate that FAO will continue to strengthening its partnership with the Lagos state government in the development of programmes, building of capacities and facilitation of policies on all matters relating to food security and nutrition.

Receiving the report on behalf of the Lagos state government, Ms Abisola Olusanya, State Commissioner for Agriculture said government was doing a lot in promoting coconut value chain in the state.

Olusanya promised speedy implementation of the report.

She said the report was aimed at ensuring coconut contribute maximally to making Lagos a 21st century economy by creating more employment and more wealth for Lagos.

The commissioner said that the implementation of coconut upgrading strategy as contained in the document would attract more than twenty times the present public and private investments into value chain.

“The creation of close to 500,000 employment opportunities and supporting their livelihood, contribute significantly to fighting the effects of climate change by curbing phenomenon such as coastal erosion among others in the next five years.

She, however, urged LASCODA to develop a five-year plan for the smooth implementation of the report.

In his remarks, Mr Dapo Olakulehin, the General Manager, Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA), said the report would help in the area of production, processing and commercialisation of coconut.

Olakulehin said a survey tagged Coconut Value Chain Analysis (VCA) designed an effective action plan that identified the necessary public and private investments, technical assistance, and policy implications for sustainable coconut value chain development.

“The cost of the survey was jointly borne by the LASG 75 per cent and FAO/UNIDO 25 per cent.

“FAO jointly implemented the coconut value chain analysis and design, with the UNIDO under the FAO-UNIDO jointly managed Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA), previously known as 3ADI+.

“Consequently, the 289-page coconut value chain analysis has been completed, and an upgrading strategy developed for the development of the coconut value chain in Lagos State,” he said.

The programme was attended by Dr Olurotimi Fashola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rice Value Chain, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, SA Parastatal Monitoring Office and Mrs Tokunbo Emokpae, Permanent Secretary ministry of Agriculture.

Others include Ibrahim Obajomo, PS Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Emmanuel Olajide, Director of Budget, Dr Osuyi Otu, UNIDO Programme Officer (Nigeria) and Mrs Adeola Akinrinlola, Programme Officer, FAO Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

General News

International Women Society empowers 1,500 widows

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Celebration of the 2023 Widows Feast (WINYEF) in Lagos
By Taiye Olayemi

 

The International Women Society (IWS) through its Widows Trust Fund says it has empowered no fewer than 1,500 widows since its inception.

Mrs Banke Adeola, Chairperson, IWS,  disclosed this durung the 2023 Widows Feast and commemoration of the 24th year anniversary of the Society, in Lagos.
Adeola said that the organisation had not only invested in empowering widows, but had also supported widows in their emotional and psychological lives through various platforms.
“IWS Nigeria is at the forefront of sustainable development for widows in Nigeria, for over two decades, over 1,500 widows have been empowered.
“Over the last two decades, the Widows Trust Fund has been providing support and empowerment to widows all over Nigeria, offering them a path to sustainability and helping them reclaim their lives.
“To date, IWS has been able to provide financial assistance to over 1,500 widows in need.
“We have also established partnerships with several local businesses to provide job training and employment opportunities for widows.
“Over the years, the fund has provided not just financial support, but also emotional and psychological support, helping widows to heal and to rebuild their lives,” she said.
Adeola noted that the organisation had been able to raise awareness about the struggles faced by widows through various community events and campaigns.
She said going forward, serious attention would be focused on ‘sustainability for widows’.
According to her, this will not only be providing immediate assistance but also creating long-term solutions that will empower widows to become self-sufficient.
Adeola explained that in Nigeria, widowhood most times comes with maltreatment, discrimination, and stigmatisation, also, traditions and neo-patriarchy present challenges to Nigerian women.
She said, “some traditions bar women from inheriting land and property, widows are forced to drink the water used to wash their husband’s corpse. This is in the belief that it will kill them if they are guilty of causing his death, or make to declare their innocence before a local deity.
“They may be forced to shave their hair, It is the most gruesome experience anyone could face.
“As widows move through their own experiences of grief, loss, or trauma after the death of a spouse, they may also face economic insecurity, discrimination, stigmatization, and harmful traditional practices.
“The stigma or outright rejection a woman who has lost her husband can face often leaves her abandoned.
“Superstition causes other women to believe they may lose their husbands if they associate with a widow, while some men fear they, too, will die.
“With all of this in mind, IWS established a Widows Trust Fund 24 years ago, long before the United Nations ratified the  International Widows Day,” she said.
Adeola appreciated every individual who had supported and donated to the course of the widows
“We understand that sustainable development is a continuous process, and we are committed to working tirelessly to ensure that widows have the resources and support they need to lead fulfilling lives.
“I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the supporters, donors, and volunteers of the Widows Trust Fund.
“Your generosity and compassion have made a profound difference in the lives of so many, let us continue to work together, to create a world where every widow can live with dignity, hope, and a sustainable future,” she said.
Mrs Hope Nwakwesi, a widow and founder of Almanah Hope Foundation, who delivered a paper on “Sustainablity for Widows”, disclosed that a bill seeking widows rights had passed the requisite readings and awaiting the next level on being signed into law.
She added that the bill would ensure that the maligned group would have respite from harmful widowhood traditional practices.
(NAN) (nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
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