By Ruth Oketunde

Data-Lead Africa, a consulting firm,  has trained 20 deaf children on various digital skills in the FCT.

The organisation said this at the graduation ceremony for the participants of its Summer Boot Camp tagged Digits and Signs for Deaf Kids, in Abuja.

Ms Ojone Akor, Programs Manager and DEI Coordinator, Data-Lead Africa, said the four the  week-long boot camp focused on improving the digital skills of the children.

She said the training focused on creating change in the deaf community by introducing the participants to cross-cutting issues around inclusion and social initiatives.

She said that the training focused on improving the IT skills, knowledge of mathematics as well as programming skills of the children to equip them for the future.

“When we started, we noticed that some of them struggled with things like greater than and less than, two-digits addition, they also had no experience using computer, but we have been able to educate them on these things.

“I am very much excited about the fact that we have been able to empower the deaf kids through digits and signs programme on the use of mathematics and computer in this digital age.

“For the digit and signs programme, this is our pilot programme as we wanted to see how we will reach out to deaf kids and how we will be able to empower them and catch them young.

“So we partnered with the Abuja School for the Deaf and we got the participants to come in for the training, so subsequently, we will be organising more programmes like this and increase the number of participants to be able to reach out to as many as possible,” she said.

Akor said that the organisation would be deploying some of its trainers to follow-up with the children and mentor them for the next six months, in a bid to improve their academic performance.

“We are in a digital age and everything is driven by data and everything you are doing is driven by IT and information, so being able empower them while they are young is a thing of joy to us.

“We have modern aid tools used for analysis, programming among others, so bringing these children into this type of training gives them an edge among their peers,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Bamidele Olaitan, the Assistant Head Teacher of Abuja School for the Deaf, appreciated the organisation for the training, adding that the new skills learnt would place them aper with their peers in other climes.

“Engaging the children during this holiday is a kudos to the organisers and I know that what they have learnt today will be meaningful to their future.

“This is not about learning it alone, they can as well practice it, especially the less privileged among them loves any thing that has to do with skill acquisition.

“I believe that what this organisation have done for them will not be the end of it, we will want to have more partnership with them so that they can train more students during their long vacation,” he said.

Miss Gami Nanring, a participant who spoke through an interpreter, appreciated the organisers for the training, adding that her desire is to work as a computer technologist in the future.

“I always want to learn new things, all I need is to do more training and learn more things about computer and I know I can develop better.

“We were taught PowerPoint, Microsoft word and many more things, they made it more easy to understand and comprehend,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ibironke Ariyo

Ex-Canadian Secretary of State and Minister of Immigration and Citizenship, Mr Weiner Gerry, on Wednesday advocated for partnership between Nigeria and Canada in the areas of food security and economic sustainability.

Gerry said in a virtual engagement with members of the Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM) that the two areas were key to ending irregular migration.

He spoke ahead of the body’s fourth Global Migration summit slated for Oct. 2 to Oct. 14 in Toronto, Canada.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit would be focusing on Climate Change, Human Mobility and Sustainable Investment.

Gerry, also the Executive Director, Global Relations Partnership and Customers Satisfaction, Canada Startup Visa, said that the challenges confronting human mobility in recent times could be traced to the imbalance in global economic progression.

He said that the imbalance included widening poverty net between the rich and poor countries.

Gerry added that he was willing to facilitate partnership between Nigeria and Canadian companies to conduct thorough research on the Agro food sector in Nigeria and other African countries, to understand specific challenges and opportunities and identify potential partners.

According to him, Africa has enormous potentials that could be fine-tuned to enhance the standard of living of her people.

“Canada is one of the countries with food surplus while half of Africa goes to sleep hungry every night.

“We have 10 per cent of the world’s freshwater supply but half of Africans may be drinking contaminated water. What a world without conscience,” he lamented.

He x-rayed some tough economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu geared towards Nigeria’s economic recovery.

He said there was a need for Canada and other top economies to back Nigeria with a structured positive economic blueprint that would impact on Africa.

According to him, if a roadmap on Agro-food production and technologies from Canada could be adopted by the Nigerian government, the project could be funded by international development organisations.

“This also includes impact investors, with grants to support the initiatives that will encourage Canadian investors to explore opportunities in Agro food startups in Africa to foster self-sufficiency.

“This is to empower local communities to independently operate and maintain the technologies especially in Nigeria.

“These will lead to collaborations with Canadian companies willing to share their technologies and expertise, facilitate knowledge exchange and technology transfer by organising workshops, webinars, and training sessions.

“This will be to ensure that the technologies being transferred are adapted to suit the local agricultural and environmental conditions in Nigeria and in many African nations,” he said.

NAN reports that the JIFORM is an international media network founded in 2019 with over 300 journalists and other volunteers focusing on issues of migration across continents.

The fourth JIFORM summit would be hosted by Abedorc Productions, Toronto. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited Dorcas Jonah/Maharazu Ahmed

By Ruth Oketunde

The African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, has empowered no fewer than 100 women and youths on poultry farming in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Marcel Anyatonwu, Communication Officer, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ms Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria said the three-day capacity building workshop was organised under the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP).

Akobundu, who was represented by Mr Zacchaeus Akerejola, Director, Programmes Development and Implementation Department, said the programme aimed at increasing poultry products in the country and enable the participants to be economically empowered.

She said that the overall objective of the programme is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which focuses on national food security, improved employment opportunities among others.

According to her, the workshop provided the participants with knowledge on essential building and equipment, incubation of eggs, hatchery management, principles for successful production, breeds and breeding, brooding of chicks and management techniques.

She urged the participants to put to use all they were taught during the training for both personal and national good.

Dr Onotu Yahaya, a lecturer at Auchi Polytechnic and a resource person at the training, said the country imports 13.8 million tons of chicken annually because of its inability to meet its poultry food demands.

Onotu, who appreciated AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria for the empowerment programme, added that importation of poultry products had so far contributed to the high rate of unemployment in the country, depletion of foreign reserve among others.

He said the said that aside the nutritional value of chicken, every part of it including its feathers are useful as they can be used for the production of dashboard and furniture.

The highpoint of the workshop was the presentation of starter packs to the participants, which include; birds, feeds, drinkers, feeders and a comprehensive training manual on poultry farming.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, has called for the inclusion of youth in governance to enhance and sustain political and economy growth of the country.

The emir, who was represented by the “San Turakin Kano”, Alhaji Kabir Bayero, made the call during a ceremony to mark the 2023 International Youth Day in Abuja.

The event with the theme “Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development: Unlocking Potentials, Driving Changes” was organised by the Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP).

It was supported by the Federal Ministry of Education, UN, German Embassy, Connected Development, NYCN, TCN, SDGs and Standard Food Bank Initiative.

Other sponsors include the International Alert, EU, Leap Africa, Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, Nigerian-German Center for Migration and Development, PeacefulSky Travels and Tours, Bridge Synergy, and many others.

The emir of Kano thanked Nigerian youths for their contribution and commitment to nation-building and the continued push and demand for good governance and development of the country.

“The Youths are the future of our nation and essential to civilisation.

“We must bring them on board and secure their interest in a peaceful way. We should also show and prove to them that we believe in them.

“We should pave the way for them to become the leaders of tomorrow and support them in achieving their goals and growth towards becoming better leaders.

“May I express my profound admiration of the work of the Speaker, Hon. Azeezat Yishawu and the entire members of the MYP for organising this event. May Allah increase your knowledge and wisdom in servicing our nation,” he said.

Similarly, the keynote speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Parliament, Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala advised youths to see themselves as the leaders of today.

”The future is far, the youths should see what they can do and prepare tomorrow for those coming behind them.

“I want to urge the youths to unite and instigate positive change that will enhance political and economy development of the country.

“For example, if the youth can unite and demand for absolute Local Government Area (LGA) Autonomy in the country, it will be achieve, because we have three tiers of government that are suppose to be independent.

“Some of us are hurting from the End SARS issue, but from there we can build something; we can fight for autonomy of LGA and our community.

“When we come together in our different states, LGAs and Social Media, we can achieve it, ” Alao-Akala stressed.

He explained that the world is changing at an unprecedented pace, adding that challenges and opportunities intertwined in a way that demand innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions.

According to him, effective governance ensures that resources are allocated wisely, policies are drawn and inspiration of the people are addressed.

“In essence, it is about translating the dreams of the nation into realities, and the youths understand the dreams better, because, they represent the dreams of today and are architect of tomorrow.

“The Nigerian youths have potentials to bring innovative and perspective ideas that can lead to meaningful change; involving the youths in governance is not a choice, is a necessity,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the NYP, Ms Azeezat Yishawu appreciated all the partners that supported the programme, special guests, panelists and participants that were in attendance.

She also pledged the commitment of the NYP to the growth a development of the country.

Yishawa added that the NYP would work on the recommendations at the event and ensure that they are adopted as the resolutions of the Parliament and further forwarded to the concerned MDAs and stakeholders.

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker of the NYP, Mr Samuel Aye said the International Youth Day Celebration resolved around distinctive theme that spotlight various facets of youth development and growth.

According to him, the gay holds the objectives of creating awareness and amplifying the achievements of young people across the world, and also create solutions to a wide range of challenges that confront young people.

NAN reports that the parliament as part of its activities to commemorate the day had earlier organised a Video Challenge competition that brought together over 200 video entries of young people on “the Nigeria They Want”.

Mr Seyi Tinubu, son of the president, who is the special guest of honor presented cheques to the winners of the #NigeriaWeWant Video Challenge competition.

Winners of the Video Challenge went home with cash prizes of one million naira, N650, 000 and N600,000 respectively.

NAN also reports that the event brought together youths and other relevant stakeholders from all works of life. (NAN)

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Edited by Obinna Unaeze/Sadiya Hamza

By Ruth Oketunde

Some parents in Kubwa, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory, have called on the federal and state governments to develop bicycle lanes on roads for students who have bicycles to ride to schools and other places safe.

They made the call at the second edition of a 10-kilometre cycling competition organised for students Abuja.

The competition tagged “Bikers Race: Cycling is Fun”, was organised by Apexdotcom in collaboration with Dynamic Women on Point.

Mrs Marian Oluwapidan, a parent and one of the organisers of the competition, said that the competition would encourage children to take themselves to school or go on errands.

She explained that the competition would also build confidence, stamina and a better mental capabilities of the students.

“With this fuel subsidy removal, they will not need school bus, with their bicycles, they can actually ride to school.

“When they get to school they can park their bicycles and when they are done, they take their bikes and go back home.

“This will reduce the stress on the parents trying to pay for school bus or trying to pay for commercial motorcycles, but once they have a proper bicycle, they can ride to school,” she said.

Another parent and one of the organisers, Mrs Gloria Eloho-Uduokhia, observed that the initiative was to enhance the wellbeing and physical fitness of the students.

“The economic situation in the country is something else as fuel price is on the high side.

“We organised this competition so that the students prefer to ride their bikes to schools.

“With this, we are also calling on the government to create lanes on the roads for students to be able to ride their bicycles safely,” she said.

Master Dominion Caleb, who emerged over all winner of the competition, appreciated the group for coming up with the competition.

“It was a good experience and I want to thank God for making me come first,” he said.

At the end of the competition, prizes were given to the winners and runner-up participants in each category.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

By Jessica Dogo

The Chairman, Interfaith Coalition Conference, Mr Daniel Kadzai has urged President Bola Tinubu not to be distracted by a section of people kicking against some of his ministerial appointments.

Kadzai in a statement, on Friday in Abuja stated this in reaction to comments by some clerics attacking Tinubu on the recent appointed ministers.

He urged Nigerians to uphold the principle of unity knowing that the country belongs to all its citizens, regardless of religious, ethnic, or political affiliations.

Kadzai said that unity and cooperation among all regions were crucial to the nation’s progress and development.

“I want to congratulate Nigerians for having a government that is introducing dialogue in the process of selection and appointments.

“It shows that the South South has not been forgotten. I was so surprised that during the campaigns some people imputed issues of religious sentiment in the polity.

“Nigeria is recognised as a secular state. I do not see people coming out to protest against appointment, election and recruitment on the basis of religion or attacking people on the basis of ethnicity.

“I see 21st century Nigerians as looking for the progress of this nation. We should be able to come together because disaster, if occurred, will not spare an Igbo man, Hausa man or Yoruba man.

“Some people are castigating Mr President for appointing the Minister of FCT from Rivers State. This man is a Nigerian. God forbid that we have this mentality in this 21st century,” Kadzai said.

He urged Nigerians to stop talking about religion in governance, rather on how to salvage the nation and how the newly appointed ministers should serve Nigerians.

“Are we talking about religion or how to salvage the nation? The ministers should serve Nigerians.

“They are there to serve Nigerians. Not to enrich themselves. Not for their States, Local Governments or tribes.

“As a leader, you don’t come out to speak anyhow, ” he said.

Kadzai commended Tinubu and urged him to continue with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” for all Nigerians and build ties with North-Central, Northeast and Southeast.

He added: “Mr President, we note with delight your unprecedented efforts in bringing all factions of the people from diverse parts of Nigeria together irrespective of tribe and religious affiliations for the progress of our nation.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani