NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Judiciary

Insecurity: Malami urges collaboration between states, FG

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By Ebere Agozie

The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has called for collaboration between States and the Federal Government in terms of prosecution and other means of combatting insecurity.

Malami made the call in his opening remarks at the conference of Attorneys-General in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The fight against insecurity should not be left to the Federal Government especially for offences falling withing the jurisdiction of the States.

“The instant Conference should also afford us the opportunity to determine the milestone we have been able to cover on curbing Sexual and Gender Based Violence since our previous commitments were made in 2017.

”In our quest to implement reforms in the administration of justice, a critical determinant factor remains adequate funding for the judiciary which also entails compliance with the provisions of the Constitution on financial autonomy for the judiciary and State legislatures, as a mark of our true and holistic commitment to the ideals of democracy, good governance and the rule of law.

He noted that the conference with the theme `Enhancing Synergy Between the Federal and State Governments in the Administration of Justice in Nigeria” underpinned one of the major anchors of Nigeria’s democratic life.

“Our enviable positions as Chief Law Officers automatically confers on us the status of stakeholders in the administration of both civil and criminal justice in Nigeria.

“With this prestigious position also comes the onerous responsibility of ensuring that all institutions and officers of the state contribute their quota to ensuring that our legal system meets the expectations and desires of our citizens for the justice sector.

“In the discharge of our responsibilities as Chief Law Officers, we should always be guided by the abiding framework under the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, as enunciated under Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which covers every facet of governance and our national life’’.

He noted that the structure and system of governance of the Federation are not oblivious of the possibility of having genuine disputes and frictions among the federating units, national and sub-national governments.

“In spite of this, our shared values and common resources also make collaboration and mutual relationships absolutely necessary and fundamental.

“Therefore, this august body of Attorneys-General occupies a critical position in driving national unity and development.

“We need to underplay the culture of mutual mistrust between the Federal and State Governments, in order to promote and enhance a symbiotic relationship between the Federal and State Governments.

“Our agenda here is to examine some of the issues militating against the desired synergy in the administration of justice and proffer practical ways forward.

“While we presently have quite a number of such issues at different stages of judicial adjudication; it is not out of place if we jointly take a second look at these issues, with a view to achieving mutual resolution without prejudice to subsisting legal rights’’.

Malami said that synergy will sustain the brotherliness, bring professional calling to bear on governance and reduce tension or frictions.

“This will properly project the State and Federal Governments as partners and not competitors.

“I challenge us also to focus on identifying areas of peer review and synergy in our legal system in terms of legislations, policies, procedures, capacity building, funding structures or facilities, among others, which can either be replicated or improved upon by us all.

“We convened a National Summit on Justice in August 2017 to developed and adopted, as a formidable reform blueprint, after consultations with various stakeholders including the members of this Body, development partners and the Civil Society Organizations.

“The policy was designed to provide opportunities and platforms for strengthening collaboration, coordination, and consensus-building among the Justice Sector Institutions.

“The policy will enhance effective service delivery and promoting the rule of law and socio-economic development, without compromising the rights of the States; the doctrine of covering the field and the applicable boundaries of our federal system of government’’.

He solicited the support of states to key into the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which has now proceeded into its second phase; spanning from 2022 – 2026.

“There is no doubt that the support of the states is required for effective implementation and to increase the tempo of the war against corruption.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Defence/Security

NIS dismisses 4 personnel, demotes 14

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By Philomina Attah

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has dismissed four personnel and demoted 14 others for various offences.

A statement issued by the Spokesperson of the service, Mr Tony Akuneme on Tuesday in Abuja, said that those affected appeared before the Orderly Room Trial Committee of the Service.

According to him, four other personnel were discharged and acquitted, while two were redeployed to other locations.

He added that 11 personnel were issued warning letters, one was compulsorily retired, while 11 more are awaiting trial.

Akuneme explained that the action was taken to rid the service of bad eggs in furtherance of the Federal Government’s fight against corruption.

“The Controller General of Immigration is assuring the general public that there are no sacred cows in the NIS as all offenders shall be appropriately sanctioned.

“He is also urging members of public to be vigilant and support the service to deliver more on its mandate,” the spokesman added.

He urged the general public to always reach out to the NIS through +2348033074681, +2348021819988, Twitter: @nigimmigration and nis.pro@immigration.gov.ng. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdulluhi/Maharazu Ahmed

Agriculture

Empowering Bauchi farmers through Canada intervention

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Some beneficiaries at the recent Livelihoods and Nutritional Empowerment (LINE) Project Close-out and Lessons’ Dissemination event in Bauchi

 

A news analysis by Angela Atabo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Bauchi State, just like most states in northern Nigeria, has had its share of agricultural challenges.

Although farming is one of the mainstays of the state, it is no doubt accompanied with some challenges that sometimes discourage residents from taking to farming.

These challenges according to Ahonsi include inadequate farm inputs, poor agricultural yields, food insecurity, lack of awareness of healthy food diversity for nutritional balance, malnutrition among others.

However, some organisations such as Oxfam have taken the initiative to champion agriculture revolution in the state to complement the state government’s efforts towards boosting agriculture.

Dr Vincent Ahonsi, Country Director of Oxfam Nigeria, at a recent Livelihoods and Nutritional Empowerment (LINE) Project Close-out and Lessons’ Dissemination event affirmed that Bauchi farmers face several challenges in their trade.

The event was organised by Oxfam in collaboration with the Canadian Government in Abuja.

He said with this in mind ,the Canadian Government intervened by sponsoring a 10 million dollars Livelihood and Nutritional Empowerment (LINE) project implemented by Oxfam in six local government areas(LGAs) of Bauchi State.

According to him, the project agreement was signed between the Government of Canada and Oxfam on March 21st 2016, and the implementation was carried out in Bauchi State.

The project which has been running for six years has empowered 16,598 smallholder farmers in six LGAs of Tafawa Balewa, Alkaleri, Ningi, Darazo, Shira and Gamawa with dry season farming inputs including seedlings, fertilizers and herbicides.

“Oxfam is a world-wide development organization that mobilizes the power of the people against poverty.

“In Nigeria, we also work to influence policy change in favor of the poor and most vulnerable, promoting food security, and supporting small scale farmers to improve the livelihoods of men and women in rural areas.
“We focus on meeting vulnerable people’s needs, saving lives, sustaining increased incomes for the poorest and transforming attitudes about women’s roles and rights.

“Today we are gathered here to officially close out the Government of Canada funded, Oxfam-implemented Livelihoods & Nutritional Empowerment (LINE) reviewing the lessons learnt from the project implementation”, he said.

Ahonsi said the project trained farmers on climate-smart agriculture, engaged in financial inclusion, which is setting up village savings and loans, associations and cooperatives.

He said the project provided no fewer than 1400 boreholes as well as no fewer than 700 pumping machines to facilitate dry season farming in Bauchi state.

According to him, the project is a demonstration of a robust cooperation between the governments of Canada and Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Bauchi State Government and Oxfam.

Ahonsi therefore, said the LINE Project was implemented through local partnerships to purposely build the capacity of local stakeholders and NGOs, train small-scale farmers to improve their capacities and knowledge base; and strengthen other local value chain actors.

Ms Djifa Ahado, Head of Development Cooperation, High Commission of Canada to Nigeria, commended the project for empowering many farmers in rural areas in Bauchi State.

Ahado expressed satisfaction with the performance of the LINE project adding that it ended with very tangible results.

“In retrospect, this project was approved before Canada had launched its feminist international assistance policy. Yet all the project’s interventions were designed with women in mind, and were testing ways to reach gender equality in communities, within local government and at the state levels.

“This type of collaboration is key to the project implementation, but more importantly for the sustainability of results and impacts.

“In all projects we have here in Nigeria, this is the type of collaboration we are looking for in order to support self-reliance and continuously ensure the relevance of our projects for people, communities, local governments and states”, she said.

Mr Saleh Giade, the Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Budget and Planning, said that the LINE Project recorded huge successes in the selected six local government areas.

Giade said that there were plans to extend the lessons learnt from the project to other local governments in the state.

Some beneficiaries of the project expressed gratitude to Canadian government and its implementing partner, Oxfam, for the privilege they enjoyed.

One of the beneficiaries, Ms Fatima Aminu, said before participating in the project she could barely make ends meet.

She said the knowledge and empowerment she received she was able to engage in dry season farming through which she made some money.

She said Oxfam gave them a pumping machine for irrigation and her farm had more yield, unlike during the wet season farming.

“Oxfam gave us economic trees to plant which is another way of fighting desertification, we were given seeds which we have been replicating, and we were also linked to where we can buy fertilizer at a cheaper rate’’, she said.

Ms Hajaratu Pisagih, a partner in the Women Empowerment Initiative Bauchi state, said the project touched the lives of many women in the state.

Pisagih said prior to the project, many women were marginalised, however, the project made it possible for women to participate in decision-making and have farms.

She said this has increased productivity and brought a lot of economic resources to their families.

“We also introduced to a savings scheme where we save money, a woman who has never held N5000 of her own got about N300, 000 after the savings and it has put smiles on their families and the communities”, she said. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

Judiciary

Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022: The Big Hurdle Before Federal High Court Judges

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From right: Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; and Justice Binta Nyako of FHC during the opening ceremony of the 38th Annual FHC Judges” Conference in Abuja.
By Taiye Agbaje
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Tsoho, recently, said no fewer than 556 pre-election matters were pending before the court as the country prepared for the 2023 general elections.
According to Justice Tsoho, a total of 1,838 pre-election cases were filed in the court, out of which 1,285 cases have been disposed of, leaving a total of 556 cases pending.
It is a common knowledge that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Feb. 25 while the Governorship and the State Assembly polls would be conducted on March 11.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2022, was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on Feb. 25, 2022 at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the event which was witnessed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, President Buhari said in line with established tradition, he received inputs from relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government after careful and thorough reviews of the Bill and its implications to democratic processes in Nigeria.
He said, “It is gratifying to note that the current Bill comes with a great deal of improvement from the previous Electoral Bill 2021.
“There are salient and praiseworthy provisions that could positively revolutionise elections in Nigeria through the introduction of new technological innovations.”
“These innovations would guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens to vote and to do so effectively.”
President Buhari said the Bill would also improve and engender clarity, effectiveness and transparency of the election process, as well as reduce to the barest minimum incidences of acrimony arising from dissatisfied candidates and political parties.
According to him, these commendable efforts are in line with our policy to bequeath posterity and landmark legal framework that paves the way for credible and sound electoral process that we would all be proud of.
Although President Buhari expressed reservations about Section 84(12) of the Bill, which he said is in conflict with Section 40 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and sought its amendment, he, however, signed it into law.
The Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022, since that day became operational in Nigeria.
The president’s action drew commendations from civil society organisations, political parties, Nigerians, and members of international community.
But besides President Buhari’s observation on the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022, the Federal High Court (FHC) CJ, Justice Tsoho, recently too, expressed his reservations about some provisions in the Act.
The chief judge had made this known on Dec. 12, 2022, at a special court session to mark the commencement of the 2022/2023 Legal Year of the FHC in Abuja.
According to Tsoho, by virtue of Sections 29(5) and 84(14) of the Act, exclusive jurisdiction is foisted on the FHC in the hearing and determination of pre-election complaints in the country.
For the CJ, Sections 29(5) and 84(14) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022 had imposed additional jurisdiction on FHC judges.
“Linked to that jurisdiction is Section 285 (10) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which provides that such pre-election cases must be concluded within 180 days from the date of filing of the suit,” he said.
The CJ said the development was in addition to “the judges’ existing ‘high-volume’ dockets that present enormous challenges.”
Tsoho, who said that no support whatsoever was provided to address the increased responsibility, said FHC was not consulted by the National Assembly in the enactment of the Act.
His words: “It is necessary to place on record that the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2022 was enacted without any consultation with the court.
“This weighed heavily on the operations of the court.”
He said in response to this enormous time-bound responsibility, he constituted a Special Task Force of Judges for the swift disposal of pre-election matters, giving them four weeks to dispensed with these cases.
“The judges drafted into the task force were saddled with the mandate of completing all pre-election cases before they lapsed.
“In some instances, judges were drafted from their substantive bases to help in other judicial divisions that had a glut of these cases,” he said.
He commended the judges drafted into the special assignment for their resilience and sheer determination to deliver justice within time frame.
Justice Tsoho thanked the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, for approving an emergency fund to support the court in the assignment.
Tsoho though admitted that the new electoral law, which was enacted without their consultation, had disrupted the operation of the court, he, however, stressed that this would not alter their core fundamental values as a court: to rise to challenges and tackling them head on.
“This underpins our resolve to soar in the face of adversity,” he had said.
The CJ said with 76 judges across all its divisions nationwide, the court was understaffed and efforts were ongoing to recruit more judges.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, also said the sections which conferred jurisdiction exclusively on the FHC in pre-election matters had, no doubt, come with a lot of pressure on the already overloaded dockets of the judges.
“By the amendment to the Electoral Act, the lot has fallen on Your Lordships to interpret and apply the innovative and novel provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
“I am aware that already over 1000 pre-election matters have been filed before this court across the country which necessitated the establishment of a special task force of judges to swiftly
hear and determine all pre-election cases before it.
“It was reported that judges who are members of the task force will suspend all regular cases in their respective courts due to the urgency of the electoral cases which are time-bound,” he said.
Maikyau, who acknowledged the time constraints in dealing with pre-election matters by virtue of the limits set by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), said the suspension of the hearing of all regular cases before the judges who constitute the task force was of serious concern to the Bar.
According to him, for a court that deals with cases arising from serious commercial transactions which impact one way or the other on the economy of the nation, the suspension of the hearing of such matters comes with grave consequences on the economy and affects the confidence of investors.
The NBA president, therefore, faulted the decision of the National Assembly to limit the hearing and determination of pre-election cases to FHC “without regard for its infrastructural and manpower deficit.”
He said it was disheartening that cases that were earlier done by over 700 judges across the country had been limited to about 76 judges of FHC based on the new Electoral Act.
“To saddle this court with the responsibility hitherto undertaken by the Federal High Court, all State High Courts and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, using
the same number of personnel and infrastructure is to overstretch the court unnecessarily,” he had said.
Maikyau, who said that the development would take a great toll on the health of the FHC judges “who are at the moment poorly renumerated,” called on the legislature to reconsider an amendment to the Electoral Act, 2022.
He, therefore, advised the Federal Government to establish a special court that would deal mainly with electoral and other related matters.
He said the court should be of coordinate jurisdiction with the FHC, State High Court and High Court of the FCT.
Corroborating Maikyau’s submission, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) also called for the establishment of National Constitutional Court of Nigeria.
Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, who spoke on BOSAN’s behalf, said the court would handle all constitutional, political and election matters.
According to Awomolo, the Legal Year 2022/2023 is perhaps another one that has thrown up challenges in the country’s constitutional democratic struggle for all Nigerians.
He said since June 2022 when INEC opened the gate to activate political activities towards the general elections scheduled for February and March, the court had been under a very severe pressure and the judges and the entire administrative and court registrars had been extremely stretched.
“We are aware many of the judges of this court had to sacrifice their vacations, scheduled medical appointments and promised holidays with their families.
“We pray that your sacrifices be rewarded by God, who sees all things,” he had said.
But the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani, said the idea of the new law was to ensure a reform of the electoral laws
According to him, it was obvious that the new law was enacted to correct the challenges of the previous Act.
He said that was why the Act took pre-election matters away from the purview of the States’ High Courts because of allegations that some of these courts are easily influenced by their host state governments.
Musa-Rafsanjani, who spoke to NAN in a telephone chat, said besides, the courts were faced with delay in justice delivery.
“Some of the judgments they delivered come almost at the end of the tenure of the supposed loser or winner of the election.
“This is not also good because the person must have illegally enjoyed all the privileges as an elected person whether as governor, senator, etc,” he said.
He, therefore, agreed that to correct cases of conflicting judgments by one court or the other, it was good a particular court is given that responsibility.
“Otherwise, if we insist on going back to the statue quo, it will not augur well.
“Because if we want to continue in the way and manner some judges and courts are pronouncing judgments on elections, it will negatively affect the delivery of justice in Nigeria,” he said.
Musa-Rafsanjani, however, suggested that more competent and qualified judges should be recruited to ease the workload of FHC.
He also commended Justice Tsoho for setting up task force of judges to handle the pre-election cases.
He said this would go a long way to ensuring consistency and some levels of sanity in the way and manner judgements are giving.
“If there are tangible challenges, we can after the elections, begin to do electoral amendment to address some of the gaps we notice
“Therefore we must ensure that we do not frustrate 2023 elections. We must carry out these elections so that all those gaps that we noted can be addressed by the new assembly,” he said.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who said that the problems facing the court were surmountable, said he had no doubt that the judges were equal to the task.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, admitted that the development had evidently taken a toll on the court.
“It was gratifying to note that the leadership of the court had shown commitment and determination  to manage the situation optimally through the issuance of the Federal High Court Pre-Election Practice Directions 2022 and the constitution of a special task force of Hon. Judges to speedily hear and determine all pre-election before the FHC.
“I sincerely appreciate the peculiar constraints and challenges which our judges face in delivering  these mandates, especially with regards to lack of basic resources to facilitate optimal performance and improved renumeration regime.
“We cannot but appreciate the distinguished judges for their sacrifices and tireless efforts with regards to the administration of justice in Nigeria,” Malami had said.
He said the new electoral law was aimed at advancing the course of electoral jurisprudence and strengthening democratic practices, especially in entrancing internal party democracy.
The question is, with few weeks to the general elections, will the FHC judges do justice to the pending pre-election matters staring them in the face?
Like the late famous reggae musician, Bob Marley, sang, “Only time will tell.”(NAN)
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Edited by Sadiya Hamza
General News

Ibadan Poly reverse self, lifts suspension on Students’ Union

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Ibukun Emiola

The Management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan has reversed itself and lifted the suspension earlier placed on the institution’s Students’ Union Government.

This is contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Registrar, Mrs Modupe Fawale, in Ibadan on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institution had earlier suspended the Students’ Union Executives and its activities indefinitely, over alleged protest by students in the early hours of Monday.

Fawale said that the reversal of the suspension order earlier placed on the union was based on interventions in order to allow for further consultations.

“The management has decided not to use the big stick on the students, as they have also sheathed their swords.

“The management will be holding meetings with the leadership of the students to address their perceived grievances,” she said.

The registrar, however, said that the first semester examination, scheduled to commence on Jan. 9, remained postponed.

“A new date for the commencement of the examination will be announced to the students through appropriate channels,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Judiciary

Malami inaugurates Bar Council, cautions NBA against isolation of members

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By Ebere Agozie

The Minister of Justice, Abubarkar Malami, SAN. on Monday inaugurated the General Council of the Bar with a call on the leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) not to isolate members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Council inaugurated comprised all the Attorneys General of the  states, 20 members of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Attorney-General of the Federation who shall be the President of the Council as enunciated in the Section 1 (2)( a-c) of the Legal Practitioners Act 2004.

Malami said that the NBA serves as a vehicle for social conscience and therefore should not seek to isolate its members in government who are positioned to drive its success.

“We must work collectively to build an enviable legal profession that will be beneficial to us all, rejig it to change the current negative perception of the profession.

“The council should strive to overcome its inherent limitation to reinvent and reassert itself in the legal architecture of the country.

“This inauguration is an opportunity for all the constitutional heads of the legal profession and members of the Bar to meet and deliberate on pertinent issues affecting the legal profession, especially in view of current challenges and public perception of the profession’’.

He advised those inaugurated to continue to show commitment and dedication to the statutory duties of the Council, especially with regards to making and reviewing rules of professional conduct under Section 12(4) of the LPA.

“Together we must work to restore the confidence which the public hitherto reposed in members of the legal profession.

“This will only be possible if we as members demonstrate uncommon commitment and dedication to make a difference through our various inputs and services to the Council.

Responding,  the President of NBA, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN said that there was the absolute need to provide regulations that will guide the conduct of legal Practitioners towards the fight against corruption, money laundering, terrorism, economic crimes, and other criminal activities.

He said the profession maintained the privileges conferred on the it by the statutes, self-regulate it conduct as to make it accountable in the fight against the menaces that have bedeviled the nation.

Maikyau, therefore, urged all members to familiarise  themselves with the Legal Practitioner Acts, LPA and the Constitution of the Association which, he said remains the principal legal framework governing the operation of our Association’’. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Health

Mental Health Bill: Stakeholders commend Buhari

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By Justina Auta

Mr Chime Asonye, Founder, Nigerian Mental Health, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the National Mental Health Bill 2021, into law.

He, however, urged incoming administrations to prioritise and implement the National Mental Health Bill 2021, to boost the country’s healthcare system.

Asonye made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The Nigerian Mental Health is a network of leaders and organisations on mental health.

According to him, the bill is the first legislative reform adopted in the field since independence and a major milestone to improve support for psychosocial wellbeing.

“The mental health community came together to speak with one voice in support of the Bill.

“We now need Executive implementation, State Governments to domesticate this legislation, and those contesting for elected offices to make mental health a national priority,” he said.

The network also called on the government to enact other critical reforms for those with mental health conditions, such as decriminalising attempted suicide, which is currently a felony subject to a year in prison.

They also urged the National Assembly to ensure gazetted copies of the Bill are available to citizens, so they know their new legal rights.

Asonye quoted Prof. Gboyega Abikoye, the President of the National Association of Clinical Psychologists, whose organization submitted memoranda during legislative drafting as saying “past legislation was outdated and inhumane.”

“The previous regulatory regime was based on the regional Lunacy Act of 1958, a colonial holdover that needed to be replaced,”

Asonye noted that the regulation, assented to on Jan. 5, established human rights protections for those with mental health conditions, such as banning discrimination in housing, employment, medical and other social services.

”It also guarantees that those receiving treatments have the right to participate in formulating their medical plans and cannot have forced treatment, seclusion or other methods of restraint.

“And other common practices in mental health facilities without appropriate safeguards,” he said.

According to him, other provisions of the Bill include establishing a new Mental Health Fund, a Mental Health Department in the Federal Ministry of Health, and a Mental Health Assessment Committee to protect stakeholders.

Asonye further explained that the Bill also expanded community-based coverage and improve the care and management of those with mental health conditions.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Education

Tech education: Firm set to train, employ millions of Nigerians

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By Adeyemi Adeleye

Bullseye Digital Manpower, a technology-focused job placement and career management brand, says it is set to train and empower millions of Nigerians with in-demand digital technology competencies in 2023.

The Founder of the firm, Mr Lare Ayoola, in a statement by the organisation’s Head of Communications, Mr Damola Olofinlua, disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos.

Ayoola, an entrepreneur who doubles as Chairman of Tranter IT, said that the training and empowerment would cover software development, software quality assurance, UI/UX design, data science, and digital marketing within six or 12 months.

“Bullseye will empower enrolees with ample opportunities to gain hands-on experience during their programme, after which they would be placed in technology jobs with organisations across different industries in Nigeria and beyond.

“Already, the institution is set to admit the first stream of students into its software development programme,” Ayoola said.

According to him, in the coming weeks, other courses will be introduced in addition to the software development courses.

He said these “would also follow Bullseye’s robust curriculum which is guaranteed to set them on the right path to achieving their career goals and life ambitions”.

“With courses spanning 6 or 12 months and classes held on weekdays or only weekends, enrolees are spoilt for options based on their preference.

“Its flexible arrangement makes it a great choice for recent graduates of higher institutions, secondary school leavers with intermediate knowledge of their chosen field, professionals in the early years of their career or even those more advanced in their career, desirous of a switch to tech.

“Students also have the option of making one-off payment, in instalments, or access a friendly facility payable within 3 years after their post-graduation job placement when they would already be earning,” he said.

Ayoola said that, with Bullseye, recruiters would have a ready pool of trained and experienced talents to fill openings.

He added that well-meaning organisations like NGOs, international organisations, professional bodies and governments at all levels could also support the national quest towards capacity development, by sponsoring interested enrolees of their choice.

Ayoola said other training institutions could leverage Bullseye’s talent placement proposition to secure jobs for their trainees.

“Bullseye will address some of the major challenges in the technology and human capital management industries, including the high attribution rate of talent, the increasing lack of specialised skills in technology, and the rising global demand for local talent, among others,” Ayoola said.

According to him, the firm is celebrated for its provision of technology support staff to some of the foremost organisations across Nigeria for over a decade.

He said that in about a decade, Tranter IT had outsourced over 8000 tech talents to organisations across Nigeria.

The founder said that Bullseye Digital Manpower, the tech education, recruitment, and career support brand, would enhance the reskilling and upskilling of interested participants.

He said it would fill the widening talent gap in the technology ecosystem with proficient and experienced specialists and accelerate tech entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

“We have set up Bullseye Digital Manpower to empower enrolees with ample and practical opportunities to skill up in the most sellable aspects of technology services and solutions delivery.

“Not only would enrolees be trained in real-life environments by some of the most qualified tech tutors on the continent, they would also benefit from internships and job placements in leading companies during and after their programme,” Ayoola added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
AYO/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Politics

Elections : Action Alliance threatens to protest over exclusion of its candidates

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From Left:  Amb. Suleiman Abdulrasheed, National Secretary of Action Alliance; Mr Solomon-David Okaniguan, the Presidential Candidate of the party; National Chairman, Dr Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje; Alhaji Ibrahim Isa, Deputy National Chairman and the party’s National Woman Leader, Mrs Esther Esevohare, during a press briefing on Saturday in Abuja.

 

 

By Angela Atabo

Action Alliance (AA) on Saturday, threatened to stage a peaceful protest at the National Assembly over alleged exclusion of its candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s list for the 2023 general elections.

The National Chairman of AA, Dr Adekunle Omo-Aje, stated this at a news conference at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Omo-Aje said that INEC’s alleged failure to upload the names of all the candidates presented to it by his leadership in spite of various court orders against the recognition of the list of candidates submitted by the sacked national chairman of the party, Mr Kenneth Udeze, might jeopardise the forthcoming polls.

“We shall move to the National Assembly on a protest and, to submit our protest letter and to inform our lawmakers that, if the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, is not called to order, there will be negative consequential effects on the outcome of 2023 elections.

“We shall use all legal channels to ensure we get justice against any form of exclusion from presenting our candidates for elections, and every such election stands the chances of annulment by law,” he said.

Omo-Aje alleged that “Yakubu is covertly orchestrating a clandestine plan against the 2023 elections, and Action Alliance will not fold our arms and watch our nascent democracy rubbished and wounded.”

He said that Udeze was the party’s national chairman up to June 2019 before he was suspended and expelled.

Omo-Aje said he emerged the national chairman after a national elective convention conducted in February 2020 and monitored by INEC officials.

He said instead of Udeze to challenge his suspension and expulsion from the party internally and through the courts, he instituted several court cases urging the courts to declare him national chairman of the party but lost all.

According to him, in spite of fulfilling all INEC electoral guidelines and requirements according to the Nigerian constitution with the commission, the electoral umpire is “hell bent on excluding Action Alliance from the coming 2023 general elections.”

“It has gotten to the level for us in Action Alliance to come out in the open and make categorical statements loud and clear on the rooftop to the hearing of all concerned citizens of this country.

“This forms the crux of our press briefing, to draw the attention of the relevant authorities and the nation in particular about the miscarriage of justice in INEC, actively promoted by its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,” he said.

He also called on the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene in concertedly sanitising the legal profession by fishing out bad eggs among its membership.

“There is a clique of lawyers today on our streets that neither cares about the ethics of the bar nor give credence to professionalism.

“These lawyers sniff around for legal lacuna to exploit, not minding whether such constitute abuse of court processes or not.

“In the course of our ordeal, we have seen a lot of these tactical unprofessional practices where lawyers are engaged by persons to sue themselves as if they were truly sued in real terms, ” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at a national congress held by AA in Abuja, Mr Solomon-David Okanigbuan emerged the party’s presidential candidate, among others.

But retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former aide to late Gen. Sani Abacha, also won the presidential primary election conducted by the Udeze-led faction on June 9 in Abuja.

The electoral umpire had recognised all the candidates presented to it by the Udeze-led faction, despite court judgements declaring that Udeze was no longer a member of the party.

There is also an order directing INEC to accept and publish all the candidates sent to it by the Omo-Aje leadership of the AA.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Defence/Security

El-Rufai hails NAF for improved security in Kaduna

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

 

Gov Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has commended the heroic performance of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the restoration of relative peace in the state.

 

El-Rufai gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy visit to Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, at NAF Headquarters on Friday in Abuja.

 

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Wap Maigida, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

 

El-Rufai disclosed that there had been significant improvement in the security situation in the state in the last three months, adding that several terrorists’ commanders had been neutralised by the NAF while the remnants had relocated from the state.

 

“On behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna state, I came to thank the Chief of the Air Staff, Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force for the excellent work done and still being done in the state.

 

“The security situation in our state and environs has improved drastically. Please keep up the excellent work,” he said.

 

Responding, Amao thanked the governor for the visit as well as the support and cooperation the NAF had been receiving from the Government and people of the state in tackling the security challenges in the entire North West region.

 

He said that NAF would continue to do its best to make the country safe and secured in line with its constitutional responsibilities.

 

“We will continue to do our best until the entire country is safe. We have professional and experienced operational Commanders overseeing various operations across the country,” the CAS said.

 

The Air Chief said that the numerous successes the NAF had recorded so far in the fight against insurgency and terrorism was as a result of the overwhelming support of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.

 

He said the President had been providing the needed resources for the service to achieve its mandate.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Stanley Nwanosike/Maharazu Ahmed

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