NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Economy/Business , Food Security

Bayelsa Govt to partner ITF in training, agricultural dev’t

180 total views today

By Shedrack Fran

The Bayelsa Government says it will collaborate with the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for a comprehensive agricultural policy that includes training, and promotion of self-reliance.

 

The Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo spoke on Wednesday when a delegation of ITF from the Bayelsa Area Office paid him a courtesy visit in Yenagoa.

 

Ewhrudjakpo noted that ITF’s mandate was in line with the state government’s determination to empower Bayelsa people with skills for economic growth.

 

Describing the visit as apt and timely, the Deputy Governor expressed optimism that both parties would benefit from the proposed collaboration.

 

He decried the situation whereby the ITF was not directly funded by the Federal Government and called for a change to enable the agency discharge its responsibility effectively.

 

Ewhrudjakpo said that given the challenges of inadequate resources facing Bayelsa, the government would not be able to completely fund the operations of ITF in the state.

 

“But, let me say that I’m not pleased with your funding arrangement. It is like a parent who gives birth and tells the child to fend for himself,’’ he said.

 

Earlier, the Bayelsa Area Manager of the ITF, Mrs Stella Titilola-Baiyere had stated that the delegation was in the deputy governor’s office to seek areas of partnership with the state government.

 

Titilola-Baiyere stated that the agency has the requisite personnel and expertise to train Bayelsa people in virtually every area of human endeavour.

 

She urged the state government to take advantage of the available opportunities to improve the lot of the people.

 

Titilola-Baiyere expressed optimism that the collaboration would translate to service delivery for the benefit of all the key stakeholders. (NAN)

Education

World Bank to construct 159 schools, renovate 69 others in Kaduna

194 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The World Bank, Adolescent Girls Initiative and Empowerment (AGILE), is to construct 90 Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), 69 Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) and renovate 69 others in Kaduna State.

AGILE Project Coordinator in the state, Mr Habibu Alhassan, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) In Kaduna on Wednesday.

Alhassan explained that the five-year project was designed to ensure that the girl child, aged 10 to 20 years was enrolled, retained, and supported to complete senior secondary school education.

He said that the construction of the new schools and the renovations of existing ones was to create additional learning space and make available spaces conducive and comfortable for the girl child to learn.

He added that the project would also provide a form of scholarship to support girls that were prevented from attending schools due to hawking and other commercial activities at home.

This, according to him, will enable the parents to allow such girls to enroll in school, remain in school, complete secondary school education, and become useful to their self, their family, and their community.

He also said that the project would equally empower the girl child with livelihood and life skills to enable her live well in the society.

He said that although the goal was to improve secondary education opportunities among girls, the boy child would equally benefit from the project.

“We are still at the preparatory stage. The Work Plan has been developed and undergoing review, while the Project Implementation Manual is being developed by the National Head Office.

“Project Appraisal and other relevant documents had also been developed.

“We have just finished going round the three Senatorial Zones of the state to get the buy-in of critical stakeholders and domesticate the National School-Based Management Committees Manual.

The project coordinator said that the state government has fulfilled all required conditions to participate in the project.

“One of the conditions was the state government’s commitment to recruit teachers that will teach in the newly constructed schools.

“You may be aware that the state government is currently concluding recruitment exercise of 7,600 qualified secondary school teachers, more than the about 2,000 teachers required by the AGILE project.

“The state government has also committed to paying any compensation that may arise due to expansion of school spaces and has also provided office space for the Project implementation Unit.

“Gov. Nasir el-Rufa’i has also allocated N47 million in the 2021 Budget to ensure smooth take-off of the project,” he added.

NAN reports that the 500 million dollar’s project (N190 billion at N380 to a dollar) will support access to secondary education and empowerment for adolescent girls in seven states namely Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, Borno, Plateau and Ekiti.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri had in 2020 explained that the AGILE project would use secondary school as a platform to empower girls through education, life skills, health, and education.

Chaudhuri added that other areas would include nutrition, reproductive health, gender-based violence awareness and prevention, negotiations skills, self-agency, and digital literacy skills.

“Specifically, the project will benefit about 6.7 million adolescents and 15.5 million direct project beneficiaries which will include families and communities in participating states.

“The project entails building more than 5,500 JSS and 3,300 classrooms for SSS, as well as improving 2,786 JSS and 1,914 SSS with safe, accessible, and inclusive infrastructure.

“About 340,000 girls will receive life skills training in safe spaces, which will help them navigate challenges in life. This will incorporate health and key information on climate change, safety, and gender-based violence awareness.

“To help girls thrive in the digital economy, 300,000 girls will receive digital literacy training and offer half a million girls from the poorest households’ financial incentives to support their retention and completion of secondary school,” he said. (NAN)

Foreign

UN secretary-general discusses peace in Yemen with Iranian FM

145 total views today
United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, discussed measures to restore peace in Yemen in a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry disclosed this on Twitter after the call, which was held late on Tuesday.“During the phone call, Guterres elaborated on the UN’s latest measures to end the #Yemen war, establish fair peace, and initiate political talks in the Arab country.

“He also called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue its strenuous efforts to help establish peace in Yemen,” the ministry said.Zarif, in turn, expressed Tehran’s support for the UN’s efforts to establish fair peace in Yemen, and underlined the necessity of ending the war, lifting the blockade, and delivering humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people.

Yemen has been struggling with an internal conflict between pro-Iranian Houthi movement and the government forces, which are headed by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and backed by the Saudi-led coalition of states. (Sputnik/NAN)

Economy/Business

Kaduna Govt to enlarge citizen’s input in 2022 budget – Official

113 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Kaduna State Government has begun preparations for the 2022 budget and promised to open more spaces for citizens to engage in the process.

Mr Idris Suleiman, Director Budget, Planning and Budget Commission stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Wednesday.

”Kaduna State has over the years been operating an open budget system for citizens to engage the process, make inputs and monitor its implementation, in line with Open Government Partnership,” he said.

He said that the 2022 budget would not be different, adding that the state would open the spaces further for a robust citizen’s engagement and ownership.

“We are currently working on the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and we hope to conclude by the second quarter, to determine the expected revenue that will inform the budget.

“The MTEF considers the global economic outlook: oil price in the international market, interest rate, inflation and other aggregate that will give us a clear picture of the economic situation globally.

“This global economic outlook will help us to come up with a realistic revenue that will inform the 2022 budget.

He said that the commission would engage Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other relevant stakeholders by April, so they could see what we have articulated in the MTEF document.

He said that engagement would enable the CSOs and stakeholders make necessary observations and inputs before the document would be finalised for use in developing a realistic budget.

“This will help us get a clearer picture of the global economic situation and provide a benchmark that is closer to reality for the budget to be implemented as planned.

“The revenue and expenditure defence will be conducted in the third quarter, while the budget will be passed and signed into law in the last quarter of 2021 as always.

“We have a timeline for each activity, and we will make sure that all the timelines are followed judiciously to achieve the set target,” the director said. (NAN)

Health

Rivers Govt. to build world class cancer treatment centre – Wike

130 total views today
By Precious Akutamadu
Gov. Nyesom Wike  of Rivers on Tuesday announced that his administration would build a world class treatment centre to cater to cancer and cardiovascular diseases in the state.
Wike disclosed this during the inauguration of the Rumuogba 1 and 2 flyovers, of the triple flyover project built by Julius Berger Nigeria in Port Harcourt.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Rivers  government had outlined its activities of commissioning the newly built flyovers, roads, government house hospital, and government house press centre from March 1 till 6.
Wike said  the state government would be signing another contract with Julius Berger to build a  cancer disease treatment centre in the state within 14 months.
He commended the people of Rumuogba community for their cooperation with Julius Berger during the building of the flyover.
Wike commended Julius Berger Nigeria for completing the triple flyovers which was signed to be completed under 16 months within 14 months, expecting the 4 th, 5th and 6th flyovers would be ready by August.
In his speech, former Governor of Kano State, Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso urged Wike to keep working and maintaining peace in the state.
Kwankwaso said that Wike had demonstrated nationalistic spirit by creating a conducive climate that promoted peace and unity among all residents in the state.
“I commend Wike for maintaining peace and order in the state, I have seen my people from our communities residing here, they testified that there has been peace among them and other communities in the state.
“This means that you are maintaining peace and order in the state, I encourage you to keep working, keep saying and doing the right thing to move the country forward.
“I  also congratulate you for the positive change you brought to the state; this flyover is the longest in Rivers and in this part of the country,”he said.
Kwankwaso commended Wike for using first class contractors like Julius Berger Nigeria in building quality facilities in the state.
He advised him to continue with the great work he was doing in education in the state.
Mr Elloka Tasie-Amadi, the Rivers Commissioner for Works, said that the Rumuogba flyover was the longest of the triple flyover projects conceived by the state governor.
“The Rumuogba flyover is 842.58m long from ramp to ramp, the transition area from 4 lanes to 8 lanes is 205.92m long.
“It has 8.3m wide service lanes on either side of the flyover, each measuring 1.24km with a combined total of 2.48km.
“The 20 single arm and 59 double arm streetlight poles are powered by a dedicated substation equipped with a  transformer and backup generator.
“This is the same power source for the traffic lights installed at intersections around the flyover,” Tasie-Amadi said. (NAN)
General News

Okowa reiterates commitment to infrastructure dev’t

126 total views today
By Edeki Igafe
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, on Tuesday said his administration would continue to embark on infrastructure development that would benefit people of the state.
Okowa made the remarks at the inauguration of the Ighogbadu Secondary School, in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
The governor said that the school building consists of 13 classrooms, with other learning facilities, would help the students in their studies.
“No amount invested in infrastructure development is too much for our people.
“We are going to remain focus through the next two years of my administration. We will not allow politics to distract us.
“Our goal is to continue to do the best for our people, and also to lay a solid foundation for the next administration to build upon,” Okowa said.
The governor said that more classrooms would be built in the community.
“The Commissioner for Education should liaise with the community to find a space to construct extra classrooms.
“We are prepared to increase the numbers of classrooms to enable our children to have a befitting place to learn.
“It is our duty to continue to provide the enabling environment for our people to study,”  the governor said.
While thanking the community for the peaceful coexistence, Okowa said that his administration would continue to partner the community  to deliver more of his campaign promises.
Also, Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa, who inaugurated the classrooms, thanked Okowa for his infrastructure drive in the state.
“There is a saying that if you do not want to build schools, be prepared to build prisons.
“Delta, rather than building prisons, has chosen to build schools,” Diri said at the ceremony.
In his remarks, Mr Patrick Ukah, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary School Education, said that the idea of building the school was conceived at a Town Hall meeting with the community in 2018.
Also, Dr Michael Tidi, immediate past Chairman of Warri South Local Government, assured the state government that the project would be maintained.
The Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom, Emmanuel Okumagba,  appealed for engagement of more professional teachers in the school. (NAN)
Defence/Security

Police establish 5 units to address banditry in Sokoto

125 total views today
By Habibu Harisu
Police have established additional five units to strengthen the security activities against banditry and other criminalities in Sokoto State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sakoto State command,  Mr Sanusi Abubakar, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday  in Sokoto.
Abubakar said that the units covered Eastern parts of the state comprising Gwadabawa, Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa and Wurno local government areas noting that the units were headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
He said that the command had on Monday launched ”Operation PUFF ADDER II”, an intensive excersise to provide adequate security in areas overwhelmed by the activities of bandits in the state.
According to  him, the  exercise is targeted at five local government areas and extends to neighbouring local government areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that on Monday 12 persons were killed by bandits while attempting to rescue an abductee at Illela Amarawa village in Illela local government of Sokoto State.
NAN reports that gunmen raided the area at around 2 a.m. and picked one Alhaji Rabi’u Amarawa, a popular businessman in the area at his residence.
It was said that members of his family alerted the vigilantes and other residents of the community who in turn mobilised and went after the bandits in a bid to rescue the abductee.
Abubakar confirmed the incident and said that members of the community had not informed security operatives before taking their decision and that was why there was heavy casualty.
The PPRO added that investigation was ongoing and assured that with redeployment of additional five police units that comprised armed policemen banditry would be halted. (NAN)
Business , Economy/Business

NSE market capitalisation drops N123bn on Nestle loss

149 total views today

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The nation’s bourse closed trading on Tuesday on a negative note, due to price depreciation posted by Nestle and other 25 stocks.

Consequently, the benchmark index declined by 233.81 or 0.59 per cent to 39,697.62 from 39,931.63 achieved on Monday.

Accordingly, the month-to-date and year-to-date losses increased to 0.30 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively.

Similarly, the overall market capitalisation which opened at N20.892 trillion dipped N123 billion to close at N20.769 trillion.

The market loss was driven by price depreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which were Nestle, Flour Mills, Ardova Plc, Lafarge Africa and Unilever.

Market sentiment was negative with 26 laggards against 18 gainers.

Mutual Benefits Assurance led the losers’ chart in percentage terms, losing by 10 per cent to close at 36k per share.

Ardova followed with 9.97 per cent to close at N16.25, while Champion Breweries shed by 9.69 per cent to close at N2.05 per share.

The Initiates lost 9.62 per cent to close at 47k, while Sterling Bank lost 8.75 per cent to close at N1.46 per share.

Conversely, Academy Press dominated the gainers’ chart in percentage terms, improving by 9.76 per cent to close at 45k per share.

PZ Cussons followed with 9.38 per cent to close at N5.25 per share.

Royal Exchange and Beta Glass Company rose by eight per cent each to close at 27k and N54 per share, respectively.

Regency Alliance Insurance chalked up 7.69 per cent to 28k per share.

Transactions in the shares of Zenith Bank topped the activity chart with 48.10 million shares valued at N1.24 billion.

United Capital followed with 20.24 million shares worth N121.97 million, while Mutual Benefits Assurance traded 19.44 million shares valued at N7.22 million.

Japaul Gold and Ventures sold 17.06 million shares valued at N10.48 million, while AXA Mansard Insurance transacted 8.97 million shares worth N9.38 million.

In all, the total volume of trades decreased by 59.1 per cent as investors bought and sold 222.57 million shares valued at N5.39 billion exchanged in 4,470 deals.

This was against a total of 543.99 million shares worth N1.89 billion achieved in 4,673 deals on Monday. (NAN)

Economy/Business

JED invests N800m to improve electricity in Benue

125 total views today
By Emmanuel Antswen
The Jos Electricity Distribution (JED) Company says the company is investing  about N800m to improve electricity in Benue.
Alhaji  Inuwa Babangida, Chairman, Board of Directors of the company,  disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi, when he paid a courtesy visit on Gov. Samuel Ortom in Makurdi.
He said JED was investing the sum on the land given to it by the state government and for the replacement of obsolete cables with galvanised steel towers to boost electricity supply in Benue.
He stated that the mass metering scheme to be executed in phases, had 28,000 meters to be distributed in Benue during the first phase.
The chairman said JED had budgeted resources to improve electricity supply in Benue and other states under its franchise, adding that the support of the Benue State Government was key to actualisation of the project.
In his remarks, Gov. Samuel Ortom urged  the company to ensure the metering of all customers in the state.
Ortom stated that electricity was vital role in wealth creation through provision of employment opportunities, adding that obsolete cables had been the bane of steady electricity supply in some parts of the state.
The governor urged the management of JED to also engage indigenous  personnel during recruitment to help provide  security for its facilities, with a pledge to partner with the company.
He commended the Makurdi branch manager of the company for his commitment and dedication to duty, even as he appealed for extension of the 33KVA line to the industrial layout to encourage production.(NAN)
Foreign

World leaders congratulate Gorbachev on 90th birthday

155 total views today

World leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on his 90th birthday on Tuesday.

“You rightly belong to those bright, unconventional people, extraordinary statesmen of our time, who have had a significant impact on the course of national and international history,” Putin wrote in a congratulatory letter to Gorbachev, published by the Kremlin.

Gorbachev’s “great professional and life experience” still allowed him to “actively participate in popular social and educational work” as well as “international humanitarian projects,” Putin wrote.

“Your commitment to freedom and your courage over the decades to make the tough, albeit necessary, decisions, have made the world a safer place,” Biden wrote in a letter released by Gorbachev’s staff.

The letter said that the agreed extension to the U.S.-Russian nuclear arms treaty START was proof that the two countries would continue Gorbechev’s “legacy.”

German Chancellor Merkel joined Putin and Biden in congratulating Gorbachev, who was one of the architects behind German reunification more than 30 years ago.

“I take your day of honour as an opportunity to thank you once more for your personal commitment for the peaceful overcoming of the Cold War and the completion of German unity,” Merkel wrote in a letter to the former leader.

“Your important contribution to a reunification in freedom remains as unforgotten in Germany as your constant personal engagement for friendly relations between our two countries,” Merkel said.

Gorbachev, the former secretary-general of the Communist party, is considered one of the greatest reformers of the 20th century.

He introduced policies that opened up the Soviet Union to the world and ultimately led to the collapse of the Communist regime and the end of the Cold War with the U.S.

Many Russians also say he is responsible for the ensuing downfall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Pro-democratic forces, however, see him as a symbol of freedom, as he has criticised repression under Putin and warned against falling back into a dictatorship.

Gorbachev also owns a political foundation and co-owns the Kremlin-critical newspaper Novaya Gazeta. (dpa/NAN)

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