NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Education

How teachers can partake in blue economy, AFCFTA – Experts

46 total views today

 

By Chiazo Ogbolu

Some stakeholders in the maritime industry on Thursday implored teachers to take advantage of the benefits inherent in the blue economy and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA).

They made the call at a one-day free seminar tagged, “Overview of Blue Economy and AFCFTA, Advantages for Teachers” which was held in Lagos.

The experts said that learning about the blue economy could also provide opportunities for side businesses, apart from teaching.

The event organised by Ocean Ambassadors Foundation (OAF) was in commemoration of International Year of Education.

Dr Yinka Ayandele, former Permanent Secretary/Tutor General, Lagos State Ministry of Education, District 111, said that learning about the blue economy could give teachers their another source of living, particularly when they longer teach or no more in active service.

“We should be partakers of this space and so we need to decide where we want to key in and do the needful,” she said.

Mrs Julie Saka, Chief Operations Officer, Nigerian Shippers’Councill (NSC), said the continent needs human capital with better 21st century skills to achieve its goals.

She added that investing in better trained human capital e.g technical vocational education and skills development was critical to the success of AFCFTA.

“It is therefore important that the education sector plans should include economics and entrepreneurship components focused on the appropriate skills needed by enterprises,” she said.

Saka, while speaking on “AFCFTA – Opportunities for Teachers”, urged teachers to form union in West and Central Africa or Union of Teachers in Africa to help them look at the possibility of having unified teaching techniques.

Mrs Funmi Shelika, President AWFishnet Nigeria, advised teachers to know what interest them, research on it, discuss and get a mentor in the line.

Shelika, who spoke on entrepreneurial opportunities in fisheries and aquaculture resources, said that some policies in the country were not helping the fisheries and aquaculture space.

She, therefore, urged the government to look into such policies.

Also, Dr Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said opportunities in the blue economy were enormous.

Jamoh highlighted some of the opportunities to include; aquaculture, offshore energy, tourism, fisheries, ship building, seafaring, ship repair and maintenance services, among others.

The director-general, represented by the Director of Internal Audit at NIMASA, Mrs Olamide Odusanya, observed that one of the major threats in the sector was piracy.

He, however, noted that tge piracy had been reduced to the barest minimum since the launch of the Deep Blue Project by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.

The NIMASA boss encouraged teachers to stimulate young students’ interest in shipping and other ancillary services like insurance, maritime law, freight forwarding, among others.

Speaking on the benefits of the AfCFTA which opens the entire regional market, he opined that blue economy had similar objectives by expanding the ocean market and opportunities.

Dr Emmanuel Audu, Director, Lagos State Agricultural Training Institute, noted that many business opportunities in aquaculture abound for teachers to tap into, listing some as production of fingerlings, table-size fish, fish processing and others.

He noted that unfortunately the blue economy and the natural resources were being polluted and this leading to disasters.

“There is need to take radical steps to bring in more people into the value chain, and we should be conscious of the effect of our activities on the natural resources,” he said.

In his contribution, Mr Tarzan Balogun, Chairman, Tarzan Boats, encouraged the teachers on boat cruise on excursion for their students and assured them of the availability of his boat for the exercise.

Earlier, Mrs Violet Williams, President, OAF, noted that there should be a grassroot approach where the teachers would adopt the AFCFTA network.

William said that the common saying that “teachers rewards is in heaven” should not be accepted.

“That is why we have people to teach you about the business plan for blue economy and AFCFTA. There is untapped opportunities there, a non conventional opportunities for them to explore,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 72 teachers registered online for the seminar. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=============
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Health

Myths around blood donation wrong, outdated– Nurse

37 total views today

 

By Olanrewaju Akojede

The Chief Nursing Officer, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Mrs Fatimah Adebisi, on Tuesday said that the myths created around voluntary blood donation were wrong and outdated.

Adebisi made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive held in Lagos.

NAN reports that the voluntary blood donation, the 6th edition of the exercise, was convened by a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Timilehin Leukemia Foundation.

Adebisi also told NAN that given the population of Lagos State, there was a need to have more blood banks to cater for patients in need.

“Blood donors need to realise that the myths that have been created around voluntary blood donation are wrong unacceptable and outdated.

“Some of the myth that donors might get sick after donating or that, there may not be enough blood in the system after the exercise, are all wrong uninformed narratives.

“There are standard procedures before anyone can be allowed to donate blood. We have strict processes before the exercise; not that blood donation is stressful, but we want to know the status of the donor.

“`A healthy man will have enough blood to spare in the body and it will also help the donor to know his health status as well, and that is the reason for health check before the exercise.

“Blood donation is highly beneficial and recommendable for all, because aside of the fact that it saves the lives of many, the donor himself has a lot to gain than what he thinks he has lost,” she said.

Adebisi added that the state of the blood bank in relation to the needs of the state showed that the blood bank needed adequate supply to cater for any emergency or treatment of patients.

“The population of Lagos is always increasing with many people migrating daily. So we need to be conscious of our need medically as well. It is however true that more people are getting the right awareness now.

“The benefits of blood donation are many without any side effect; blood donation can lower harmful iron stores in the body and also lower the risk of heart attack.

“Blood donation can also help to reveal potential health problems, help the mental state, burn some calories, increase the production of new blood cells and gives joy,” she said.

The convener of the Valentine’s Day Blood Donation Drive and the Chief Executive Officer of Timilehin Leukemia Foundation, Mrs Oyedele, tasked the government to ensure that the problems in the health sector were fixed.

“Government needs to fix the problems in the health sector because it is critical to the wellness of the people. We need to take this sector seriously.

“The high influx of our medical personnel out of the country which is being tagged as medical brain drain is worrisome, infact the health sector itself is bleeding right now.
“The citizens who cannot afford the medical bills outside Nigeria will be the one to suffer for this problem, so we need to do something about it before it gets out of hand.

“We have seen some improvement in the appreciation for blood donation, but we need more of this at least we should have a blood bank in each of the Local Government Area in Lagos State,” she said.

 

NAN reports that no fewer than 60 people participated in the voluntary blood donation held at the Textile Labour House, Acme Road and Mechanic Village Ogba. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

========

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Vivian Ihechu

Health

COVID-19: Nigeria yet to meet 70% vaccination target – FG

34 total views today

 

By Abujah Racheal

The Federal Government says the country has only vaccinated 68 per cent of it’s COVID-19 eligible population.

The government in 2021, said it had invested much and was ready to vaccinate 70 per cent of its population before the end of 2022.

But as of Feb. 7, the country had only vaccinated 68 per cent of the COVID-19 eligible population.

Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA), said this on Thursday in Abuja.

He spoke at the First Quarter Review Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on PHC Delivery (NTLC).

Similarly, Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and also Chairman, PSC on COVID-19, had also in December 2021, said the country invested in enough vaccines to cover over 70 per cent of the country’s eligible population.

Mustapha said the vaccines were safe and efficacious, hence it was better and safer to be vaccinated against the virus.

In spite of that, Shuaib, at the current review meeting, commended the NTLC for their support for Primary Health Care services.

He reiterated that the fight against COVID-19 was not over until the country attained 70 per cent target coverage of vaccination.

He further said the country needed to look beyond reducing the numbers of circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus type 2 (cVDPV2) by over 90 per cent, to get down to zero, adding that the target for 2023 was not just reduction, but getting it to zero.

The NPHCDA further noted that to eradicate all forms of disease outbreaks, states and LGAs Community Leaders should improve their routine immunization.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, while appreciating the role of NTLC, said the gains that were made over the years in PHC service delivery, were largely attributed to the role of traditional leaders.

Ehanire said that routine immunisation was a standard service of PHCs and was free, safe, effective and available across the country.

“Parents and caregivers need to be mobilised to ensure that children received the vaccine according to Nigerian’s routine immunization schedule,” he said.

He said that the country had made steady progress in the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign, noting that over 66 million persons were vaccinated so far, bringing the reach to 68 per cent.

“ Although there is progress, there are still pockets of rejections and misconceptions about the vaccines.

“This only means that there are persons out there who are aware of how vaccines work, hence there’s a need for us to strengthen our sensitisation to our communities, to ensure everyone is vaccinated,” he said.

According to him, the coming administration needs to invest heavily in the primary health care system as 60 per cent of all ailments according to real estimates, can be handled at the primary care level.

The minister said a shift away from PHC was seen more to be the reason progress was not made due to a lack of enough attention and investment.

He further stressed the need to strengthen the country’s health system, while also urging the traditional leaders to recommit themselves to stopping the transmission of all forms of viruses, especially polio, which had been a major concern.

Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, said the NTLC would continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders and the NPHCDA.

The Sultan, who was represented by Alhaji Haliru Ndansua Yahaya, the Emir of Shonga, said the review meetings were important to exchange ideas and also provide an avenue to learn more.

According to him: “We await the reports from the just concluded 39th Expert Review Committee (ERC) meeting on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunization in Nigeria (ERC).

He said that NTLC would work with its recommendations on routine immunisation intensification and Polio outbreak response in the country.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of NTLC and Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, said the review meetings such as this were important to reflect on achievements and bottlenecks in the ongoing efforts to create demand for PHC services.

The objective of the meeting is to review the progress and the role played by traditional leaders in Primary Health Care Delivery at the grassroots. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Politics

2023 Budget: Lagos to spend 27.3% for modern infrastructure

35 total views today

 

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government says 27.3 per cent of its 2023 Budget, amounting to N482.86 billion will be expended to provide modern infrastructure to the residents.

The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Samuel Egube, made this known in Ikeja during a news conference on the analysis of the 2023 budget for the state.

Egube said the 2023 Budget, christened “Budget of Continuity’’’, was prepared to continue the good work of the present administration, especially in delivering reliable and sufficient infrastructure that met the needs of a 21st century city.

He said the state government was committed to ensuring that the dividend from its investments in Integrated Transport Infrastructure would be felt by the residents of the state.

According to him, the Integrated Transport Infrastructure will materialise into the birth of the functional light rail, Red-Blue System, the first of its kind by a sub-national government in Africa and the 37km Fourth Mainland Bridge.

“These will reduce commute time to millions of Lagosians, reduce congestion on the existing Carter, Eko, Third Mainland Bridges and Ikorodu Road, thus, increasing productivity, quality of life and improving the overall transportation system in the state,” he said.

Egube said that the infrastructure budget captured in the budget included the construction of the second phase of the blue line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, completion of eight stadia across the five IBILE divisions of Lagos State, to facilitate youth development, engagement and community sports.

The commissioner said that there would be continuous construction and rehabilitation of schools across the state to improve access to quality education.

He said the budget would ensure completion of the 130-bed New Massey ultra-modern and fit for purpose pediatric programmed and emergency General Hospital that would be the largest specialist children hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Others include the completion of the modern 280 beds General Hospital serving the people of Ojo and its environs, which is currently at 47 per cent completion and completion of the mental health facility in Ketu Ereyun in Epe Local Government.

“Also, completion of the Opebi Link bridge to Maryland that will improve significantly travel time and alternative route options in the axis, rehabilitation/upgrading of Phase II Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway Project from Eleko T-Junction – Abraham Adesanya, among others,” Egube said.

He said that “most of these projects were contractor funded, with structures that provided beneficial payment terms that gave the state upfront value (front loaded) ahead of payments; thereby increasing the sustainability benefits to the state.’’

Egube said that the state government had allocated 13 per cent of the budget for the provision of affordable and world-class education, healthcare and social services for its teeming populace, to make the system accessible and affordable.

He said that human capital continued to be an area of deep interest to the state, as a population that was healthy, skilled and inclusive could only convert the opportunities to value.

According to him, the state government intends to expand its effort in social interventions, with an investment of N9.6 billion, as against N8.3 billion recorded in Year 2022 Social Intervention & Humanitarian Programme that will serve as support for micro and small businesses.

“We will continue to procure training equipment, empowerment tools for graduates in skills and vocational centres across the state.

“The government has reiterated its stand in continuing to investment in provision of affordable homes for the people of Lagos, through its social housing programme by injecting N67.1 billion.

“Some of the social housing programme the budget targets include the completion of 444 units of building projects at Sangotedo Phase ll.

“Others are completion of 420 units of building projects at Ajara, Badagry Phase ll and the construction of 136 units of building projects at Ibeshe ll, among others,” he said.

He said that the government was committed towards the state’s five-year Agric road map, which had seen to the inauguration of the Imota Rice iills, to provide support to farmers and improve food systems.

He said that in addition to this, the state would invest N45.1 billion for food security, through Cattle Feedlot Project, Fish Processing Hub Programmes and Wholesale Produce Hub & Market.

He added that this would improve wholesomeness of food, reduction in food prices and optimisation of the agricultural sector.

Egube said that the N86 billion investments in Public Order and Safety Sector showed the state’s continuous commitment to ensuring that Lagos was safe for living, working and investment.

He said N12 billion had been earmarked for the Provision of Rescue and Emergency Operation Equipment for Disaster Management and provision had been made for surveillance and body cameras for security monitoring.

According to him, the 2023 Budget will invest in strengthening intelligence gathering/capacity building capabilities, together with improving the ease of doing business through the Smart-City project, the Lagos new Data Centre Project, Eko Excel Project, E-GIS and the Oracle Upgrade Project.

“The state approved Year 2023 Budget of N1.768 trillion which is made up of N1.020 trillion as capital expenditure and N748.097 billion as recurrent expenditure with debt charges inclusive, resulting in a capital to recurrent ratio of 58:42.

“The total revenue is estimated at N1.418 trillion, while deficit-funding requirement is N350.411 billion, which at 25 per cent of total revenue implies that the budget is strongly dependent on revenue,” he said.

The commissioner urged the residents and those that had business with the state to be tax conscious and fulfill their responsibilities as and when due. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Olawunmi Ashafa

 

Economy/Business

Tincan Customs command generates N574.3bn revenue in 2022

22 total views today

 

 

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tincan Island Port Command, has generated a revenue of N574.3 billion in 2022.

The Custom Area Controller (CAC), Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Olakunle Oloyede, disclosed this at a news conference on Friday in Lagos.

Oloyede said the figure represented an increase of N80.90 billion or 16.39 per cent when compared with N493.4 billion recorded in 2021.

“This feat can be attributed to the constant rejiging of the existing measures geared toward sustaining the command’s revenue profile.

“It is as well as utilisation of some disruptive strategic measures such as: periodic capacity building, reshuffling and redeployment of officers using the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis and implementation of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) valuation,” he said.

He noted that the command also ensured robust and continuous stakeholder engagements and collaborations with all sister government agencies and maritime associations.

“These led to timely intelligence sharing, utilisation and voluntary compliance to government’s extant laws by the trading public,” Oloyede said.

He added that the command increased surveillance on declarations made in order to sniff out improper declarations as well as offending items.

He pointed out that the system paid off with the command recording a total of 38 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.85 billion.

“These seizures comprise of 763kgs of Colarado (Cannabis Sativa) weighing 345.1kg with a street market value of N714.6 million only as given by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), 5 x 40 containers of used motor tyre (5,060 pieces).

“Also among seized items are: 1,150 bales of second hand clothings, 1,190 cartons of 20 per cartons of potassuem bromate and baking powder, 11,392 cartons of 1,200 per carton armcol injection chloroquine phosphate 322.5mg.5ml (IV and IM), 206,000 pieces of finished matchets.

“Also, 1,383 cartons of 50 rolls per carton of cigarettes, 650 cartons of 50 pieces per carton of new ladies shoes, 2,666 pieces in 36 pallets of new starter Ex-Premium Inverter Battery, 1,980 cartons of assorted non-alcoholic beverages and 1,048 cartons of tilda basmatic rice,” he said.

Oloyede listed others as 2,594 pieces of ammunition and 20 pieces of arms comprising of one pistol with 611090 (S/W) model JCP 40mm, one used Co2 air pistol with accessories cal 117(4.5m)BM, one marksman repeater pistol, six Mace pepper gun and 10 suspected arms of various types.

He said that the seizures when compared with the 2021 record of 27 seizures with a Debit Note of N607.27 only, shows an increase of 11 seizures and N1.24 billion.

He said that the increase in the DPV rate could be associated with increased surveillance and intensified anti-smuggling drive, high value of seized items and Naira depreciation that led to highe exchange rate on imported items.

“These prohibited items were seized and forfeited to the Federal Government in line with the provision of Sections 46 and 161 of the Customs & Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45 LFN 2004 and Absolute Prohibition List of CET 2022- 2026.

“The command pertinently acknowledges the prominent roles played by the Customs Intelligence Unit, Valuation Unit, Federal Operations Unit, CGC Strike Force as well as interventions of Sister Regulatory Agencies like the NDLEA, Standards Organisationof Nigeria SON, the Nigeria Police and others in ensuring these seizures and detentions were made.

“A total of 60 suspects were detained in 2022 and were granted administrative bail while the command has 8 cases pending in court,” he said.

Oloyede said the command recorded significant increase in the Free On Board (FOB) of exports in the period under review to the tune of $589,696,648 (N242,365,322,333.00) as against the $496,075,796 (N141,985,109,159.00) recorded in 2021.

He attributed the increase of 34.4 per cent on the FOB to high quality and value of exported commodities.

“However, the export report shows a decrease in tonnage of export from 1,723,986.8 in 2021 to 336,179.5 in 2022.

“The decrease in tonnage could be connected to current government fiscal policy which prohibited the export of wood and wood products as well as the global unrests with its concomitant economic challenges,” he said

He listed the commodities exported through the command to include: cocoa beans, insecticides, dried ginger, empty bottles, soya beans, cashew nuts, cigarettes, rubbers, cocoa butter, frozen shrimps, copper ingots, aluminium ingots, sesame seeds and other manufactured items.

“Cocoa beans was the highest exported commodity while the legend stout was the least exported commodity.

“The future of export in the command looks brighter as the command in line with the headquarter circular on Export Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) released a Port Order on the Command’s harmonised SOP for the seamless facilitation of Export Trade in strict compliance with Extant Laws and guidelines on Export,” he said.

He thanked all stakeholders and sister government agencies involved in the export chain with special commendation to the Nigeria Ports Authority for seamless collaboration in facilitating the clearance process of export-related cargo at the command. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=============
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Economy/Business

Anxiety as traders, others reject old Naira notes

14 total views today

 

 

Anxiety as traders, others reject old Naira notes

By Cecilia John

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed worry as traders and Point of Sale (PoS) operators are rejecting old Naira notes.

The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, said they were not happy over the development.

Ms Janet Aondo, a customer, who was spotted at Karu with the old N1,000 note, said she was frustrated.

Aondo said she came out to get snacks for her children to take to school but was told that she could only make payment with the new Naira note.

She said it was worrisome that people had begun to reject the old notes.

According to her, she expects that the rejection of old notes will begin from Jan.31, as announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Another customer, who pleaded anonymity, said she was turned down by a PoS agent when she went to deposit the old naira notes.

“The agent imputed the amount and recipient’s number but the moment I brought out old notes he said Madam we have stopped collecting old notes.

“I tried explaining to him that the deadline is Jan. 31, but he was adamant.

“I had to use other PoS and what I did was to wait till the transaction was successful before I brought out the money and luckily the agent collected it.

“As I speak with you, I am going to ransack my house for any of those old notes and make sure I spend all of them today.’’

NAN Correspondent, who went round some motor parks within the FCT discovered that while some drivers were still accepting old notes, others were rejecting them.

The NAN correspondent also inquired why people had started rejecting old notes when the deadline was still four days away.

Some respondents said they heard of long queues in banks and would not want to go through the rigours.

Mr Peter Akpan, a taxi driver, said although he was losing customers, he did not mind.

Meanwhile, long queues were seen in banking halls and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) within the FCT.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had fixed Jan. 31, as deadline for the return of old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes.

The governor also announced that the deadline was sacrosanct.

The development has continued to generate reactions from Nigerians as there have been calls for extension of the deadline.

The Senate and House of Representatives have also called for extension of the deadline. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
==========
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Ese E. Eniola Williams

 

 

 

Economy/Business

Private sector lauds Lagos deep seaport, rice mill

34 total views today

 

 

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have welcomed the inauguration of the Lekki Deep Seaport and Imota Rice Mill, Lagos.

They described the move as capable of leading to agricultural self-reliance and the actualisation of the country’s industrialisation agenda.

They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos while reacting to the inauguration of some projects in Lagos by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

NAN reports that the Imota Rice Mill, which has the capacity to produce 32-metric tonnes per hour, is the largest in Africa and third globally.

The rice mill is believed to have bright economic prospects due to huge consumption of rice in Nigeria.

Similarly, the 1.5 billion dollars Lekki deep seaport, a collaboration between government and private sector, is Nigeria’s largest seaport with a draught of 16.5 meters to accommodate very large vessels.

Dr Muda Yusuf, Founder, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), said the development was very advantageous to various sectors of the economy seeing that facilities agriculture and trade.

He said that the seaport which was built to accommodate larger vessels was technological driven in line with global developments and its positioning in Lagos as the commercial nerve of the country was strategic.

Yusuf added that the Imota rice mill inauguration was in line with the country’s commitment to self-reliance in food production.

“The development means that moving cargo would become cheaper because the size of the vessels means more items can be moved at once and so industrialists should be able to get better deals in terms of costs.

 

“The technology in cargo handling and other processes is very good for the maritime sector and would drive trade, a critical component of the economy.

“However, there are concerns about how to conveniently evacuate cargo via the Lekki-Epe expressway that is already congested; government would have to address it. This is to ensure so the suffering of road users does not become elevated.

“For the Imota Rice Mill, there’s need to source for adequate rice padding to optimally utilise the capacity of the plant.

“It is also advised that the plant should not be run as a government enterprise, but it should run as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement; managed by private sector to get the desired outcomes from the mill,” he said.

Dr Chinyere Almona, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said the projects would impact the economy due to its employment generation potentials.

Almona, however, stressed the need for proper implementation to ensure the projects delivers on its mandate to reap the economic benefits.

“There’s need to pay attention to all the other utilities and infrastructure such as good road network to and fro the area to make it a huge success.

“It is important that the right road infrastructure is in place as there’s already pressure on the road, particularly at the Lekki axis.

“These things are needed to enable the successful rollout of the projects to reduce pressure on the populace to ensure their standard of living do not drop,” she said.

Mr Segun Kuti-George, National Vice President, Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), described the projects as a step further in Nigeria’s quest for economic development.

According to him, the seaport and rice mill will boost international trade (import and export), boost industrialisation and further enhance food self-reliance.

“The rice mill will save billions of dollars in foreign exchange spent on rice importation alone and would generate more employment and create more wealth.

“I congratulate the government for achieving this milestone in our quest for industrial self-reliance,” he said.

Mr Sola Obadimu, Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), commended the projects, while describing them as useful economic milestones to aid domestic production.(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Sports

Doma United coach decries absence of VAR in NPFL

53 total views today

 

 

By Peter Uwumarogie

Akinade Onigbinde, the Technical Adviser of Doma United Football Club of Gombe, says the absence of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was not good.

Onigbinde particularly said it was very bad VAR was non-existent during his team’s match against Dakkada FC of Uyo on Sunday at the Pantami Township Stadium in Gombe.

“The absence of VAR affected the outcome of the match,” he lamented after the Match Day 3 fixture in the abridged 2022/2023 (NPFL) season.

The coach said his newly-promoted side would have had more goals recorded in their favour if VAR had been used during the match.

He therefore urged the NPFL’s Interim Management Committee (IMC), organisers of the league, to consider introducing VAR in the Nigerian top tier of domestic league.

“The goal that was not given to us was a good goal. Now is the time to call for VAR in our football too, because actually we had a goal there.

“After that, we had a clean handball situation against our opponents and it was supposed to be a good penalty kick.

“We were supposed to make use of the advantage because it passed through the line I saw the ball which is a goal,” the coach said.

He, however commended the improvement made by referees in terms of officiating matches in the NPFL.

“Nowadays, you can go to an away ground and win, which we have seen this season, and it is good for our football development.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Doma United beat Dakkada FC after an Ogwuche Emmanuel 59th minute goal.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Olawale Alabi

Politics

FRSC to issue certificate to drivers for election duties

40 total views today

 

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will conduct the certification of drivers and vehicles to be used for the forthcoming elections across the the country, an official said on Monday.

“The responsibility is in line with the Standard Operating Procedures of Election in Nigeria”, Mr Oga Ochi, the Sector Commander, FCT command, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

“We are already on board as far as this arrangement is concerned. So all the vehicles, whether they are engaged or temporarily used by INEC, will be fully certified by the FRSC.

“The checklist is already provided for every driver that is going to drive for the election.

“The driver must pass through that checklist and has to successfully pass the certification exercise before the driver can be used and the same thing with the vehicle.

“The vehicles must have met the standard that the checklist provided before they can be used for the election,” he said.

The FCT commander assured that the corps was fully prepared for any emergency before, during and after the elections.

“There are cases where people line up for election and collapsing as a result of the time they waited to cast their votes and things like that.

“We are going to deploy our ambulances to respond to such emergencies during the period.

“Our ambulances will be strategically located in the parts where we expect people to move en mass for voting in order to respond to any emergency.

“At the same time, our tow trucks will also be deployed to remove whatever obstruction that could be created during the period.

“This is to ensure that people move freely to their polling booths and all election materials are moved freely to their locations,” Ochi added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

General News

Miss Africa UN adopts SDGs goal 4 as pet project

30 total views today
By Femi Ogunshola
An American Nigerian, crowned Miss Africa United Nations, Queen Jodie Frank (JP), says she is adopting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 as her pet project during the period of her reign.
The Miss Africa UN Crowned Queen said this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
She said that the pet project was about ensuring lifelong earning opportunity for alongside gender equality.
The reigning Africa UN Queen said, the project would be taken to the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory with the aim of promoting the UN SDGs 4 of quality education.
The 26 years old beauty Queen, who was all full of joy when she was announced at the grand finale as the winner, promised to do her best to make sure she carried out her pet project smoothly.
This, according to her, is to ensure she supports the out-of-school children across the country, adding that she was determined to pursue the goal with vigour.
It would be recalled that out of 35 screened contestants for the Miss Africa United Nations Beauty Pageant, Frank made it to the grand finale and eventually won the prestigious Crown on Dec. 4, 2022.
Meanwhile, the SDG 4 is mainly to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Frank said everything within her means would be deployed to ensure the success of SDGs goal 4.
She called on the Minister of Education, Minister of Women Affairs and Development,  Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDCC) to
to support the project.
She also called on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Governors of the 36 states to rally support for her.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

You cannot copy content of this page

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email