The President, Africa First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), Aisha Buhari of Nigeria, on Wednesday visited the site of the ongoing construction of the new Permanent Secretariat of the Misson in Abuja.
The first lady, who was accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, expressed happiness with the progress of work done so far.
Mrs Buhari commended the construction firm handling the construction of the project for working assiduously to deliver the project within the timeframe.
”I thank the Almighty Allah for giving me the opportunity to construct the Secretariat of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission during my tenure as the first lady of Nigeria which will be inaugurated in few weeks time.”
While commending the contribution of the federal government towards the execution of the project, the first lady expressed the need for the minister of women affairs to expedite action towards the release of funds donated by the Nigerian government to ensure the completion of the project.
”I will like to thank the Nigerian government for their intervention. We also understood that some funds amounting to N500 million was allegedly received by the Honourable Minister of women affairs on behalf of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission.
”We therefore appeal to her to immediately credit the account of the peace Misson for us to adequate compilation, auditing and handing over process” she said.
The first lady therefore expressed gratitude to other stakeholders for their contributions towards the successful construction of the new Permanent Secretariat.
On her part, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, commended the courage and tenancy of the first lady in delivering the multi-million naira project.
Ahmed expressed optimism that the project will add value to the efforts of African women in peace building across the continent.
”We are very pleased with the progress of work that has been done here. This project started a year ago and it is within the time frame and is going to be commissioned very soon.
“And it is really a credit to our First Lady, that this project has been pushed so fast, and the quality of work here is very much.
”It is good that Nigeria is actually showing leadership and we see this mission as our own and it’s a representation of peace in Africa,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).
INEC on Wednesday in Abuja presented Certificates of Return to National Assembly members-elect of the April 18 supplementary elections.
Some of the lawmakers-elect commended INEC for a job well done and described their successes as victory for democracy.
Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa (APC), member-elect for Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State, described his victory as exceptional.
Doguwa said he had gone through a lot of elections since 1992, but that of 2023 was exceptional.
“We went through a lot of predicaments; name calling and a lot of unusual things; but putting all things together, I want to say that we are grateful.
“I am grateful to our people who once again gave me the mandate to continue to represent them in the business of legislation at the National Assembly,’’ he said.
Doguwa said that he believed INEC secured a pass mark in the 2023 general elections, but still has a lot of areas to improve upon.
“Pass mark in the sense that it was transparent enough and very prompt. Within 30 days it was able to organise the supplementary elections.
“In areas where there were some challenges, they did not result from institutional inadequacies, but through manipulation by one or two persons.
“Where you have a mistake committed, whether deliberately or otherwise by an individual, that should not be extended to the institution.
“I want to say without any fear of contradiction that INEC under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is doing well,’’ he said.
On his view about the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, Doguwa said that as a loyal member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) he would wait for the decision of the party.
Chief Billy Osawaru (APC), member-elect, Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency in Edo, described his election as free, fair and credible.
Osawaru promised to deliver dividends of democracy to his constituency.
“The people deserve to enjoy the dividends of democracy which I am bringing on board. Those are not just promises; I will do everything within my ability to make sure my people enjoy everything that is due to them.
“Before now, we have a representative who did very well. I am going to take a cue from him and I am still going to try as much as possible to bring in my own expertise,’’ he said.
Bashir Gorau (PDP) member-elect, Gada-Goronyo federal constituency, Sokoto, described his victory as a tough battle against a ranking lawmaker who had been in the House for 16 years.
The 33-year-old member-elect promised to contribute to enactment of laws that would boost youth development.
“I am just 33 years old. We have a lot of passion for young people across the country. As an activist, I travel across Nigeria and I know virtually the problems of the Nigerian youth.
“We are going to work to ensure that things get better for Nigerian youths,’’ Gorau said.
Ibrahim Idris, (APC) Senator-elect, Zamfara Central Senatorial District, said though there were challenges, he appreciated God and his people for the victory.
Idris expressed determination to use his mandate judiciously to deliver the dividends of democracy to his constituency and to Nigeria.
Muhammad Shehu (NNPP), member-elect, Fagge Federal Constituency, Kano State, described his victory as a long journey.
Shehu pledged to contribute to the enactment of laws that would enhance Nigeria’s development.
Sulaiman Gumi, (PDP) member-elect, Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency, Zamfara, said INEC should be commended in spite of perceived gaps in the 2023 general elections.
“There are a lot of gaps here and there, but I think overall, INEC did well. It should learn from mistakes made at the 2023 elections and correct them in the future,’’ he said.
Gumi said those arrested for electoral violence and malpractices should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng
By Lucy Ogalue and Ikenna Uwadileke, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Counterfeiting, the act of imitating, making illegal copies, or making something look like the original, usually goes with the intent to steal, destroy, deceive or even replace the original.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reveals that African countries are target destinations for counterfeit goods such as pharmaceuticals, foods and beverages.
Unfortunately, the ultimate victims of counterfeiting are the consumers, who receive poor-quality goods and are exposed to health and safety dangers.
In spite of the potential economic benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA), there have been concerns by some stakeholders that it could lead to an increased rate of counterfeiting and dumping of substandard products.
No doubt, counterfeit products endanger health as consumers even death when they ingest fake food, drinks or drugs, or use counterfeit cosmetics.
Apart from the health and safety risks, industries worldwide also lose a lot to counterfeiters.
Products Authentication Mark (PAM) labels of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Those losses, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, not only affect the producers of genuine items but also involve social costs.
The World Customers Organisation believes that counterfeiting drains an estimated amount of 600 billion euros annually from the global economy.
To put it to proper perspective, this is equivalent to the loss of about five to seven per cent of trade in brand–name goods worldwide.
In addition, it is estimated that around 2.5 million jobs are lost due to counterfeiting across G20 economics alone.
This leads to a loss of tax revenue to governments, income loss to local manufacturers and loss of jobs in the employment that would have otherwise been generated.
It is estimated that trade in counterfeit goods is now worth more than five per cent of world trade.
Experts say that governments also incur large costs in destroying and prosecuting defaulters.
For instance, the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) says the country loses N918 trillion ($3 billion) annually to the activities of pirates.
As of April 2022, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said that Nigeria has a 15 per cent of drug prevalence.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) estimates that about 75 per cent of auto spare parts in the country are fake.
Experts attribute the increasing wave of counterfeiting to advanced technology, increased international trade, emerging markets and an increased share of products that are attractive to imitate.
However, they say that concerted efforts are critical in combating the distribution of counterfeit goods in Nigeria.
Dr Abdulrasheed Yerima, National President, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), said such efforts are necessary to protect the society, economy and environment from the threats counterfeiting poses.
A consumer, Mr Fidelis Edeh, believes that due to the damages caused by substandard products, consumers must join in the fight against counterfeit products by consciously rejecting them.
“If counterfeiters must face stiff penalties, consumers must report illicit products/dealers to SON,” Edeh said.
According to Ms Annabel Nkeruem, a public health analyst, consumers have a role to play in destroying counterfeit products and bringing their merchants to book.
As a regulatory body in charge of ensuring the maintenance of standards in local and imported products, SON said it is demonstrating capacity in combating counterfeiting, fake and substandard products.
One of the ways through which the organisation is fighting the menace is by initiating the Products Authentication Mark (PAM).
According to Mr Tersoo Orgudwem, Director Product Certification, SON, the organisation introduced the SON Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP) to ensure that all imported products are of acceptable quality.
Orgudwem said for the international community not to assume Nigeria is creating a trade barrier; SON also introduced MANCAP for the locally manufactured goods in Nigeria.
“The world has become a global village, and Nigeria is part of that village, and we cannot run away from it, so we have introduced measures, particularly for imported goods.
“This ensures that Nigeria does not become a dumping ground for any other country. So, if they want to trade with us, they should give us what they can use in their country.
According to Orgudwem, the consumer is fully involved in enforcing quality by scanning the PAM or sending a short message (SMS) to verify the product’s status before purchasing a product.
According to him, PAM is designed such that the product has a stamp on it and consumers have the QR code either on their smartphones or there is a number on the stamp on the product.
“If you don’t have an Android phone or an IOS phone, you can send the number of the product on the stamp to a toll-free code 281.
“And within five seconds, they will return a message telling you that the product is certified by SON and is good for use”, he said.
According to Orgudwem, Nigeria makes up about 20 per cent of Africa’s population, estimated at 220 million, making it a target market for both genuine and fake products.
Addressing the challenge posed by counterfeit products is a difficult task and an economist, Margaret Attah, says all relevant bodies should partner to ensure that the battle is won.
According to Attah, tackling counterfeit products successfully will massive benefit the economy because it will stimulate the growth of industries, attract investment and reduce unemployment.
While some stakeholders commend SON for initiating PAM to mitigate substandard products, others urge the government to ensure the prosecution of offenders.
The Director-General of SON, Farouk Salim, said the organisation was working with the National Assembly to amend its Act to make for more successful prosecution of counterfeiters.
“We are already working with NASS to amend the existing Act to increase the penalties such as jail terms for defaulters,” he said. (NANFeatures)
**If used please credit the writers and News Agency of Nigeria.
The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has confirmed the death of two persons and rescue of four individuals at a collapsed wall in Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.
The Director-General of FEMA, Dr Abbas Idriss, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Idriss said: “Around between 10 a.m to 11 a.m., we received a distress call that there was a building collapse beside the United Bank for Africa Bank (UBA) at Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II.
“We quickly activated our rescue team to go there and on getting there they saw it was a wall that fell on artisans working around the area. So far six people were removed from the rabbles and two have died while four are in the hospital at the moment.
“It is a building under construction and they have eaten into the building next to them because it is not their building that fell it is the neighbour’s building that felt on them.”
The director-general said that theagency had been sensitising FCT residents on the need to abide by building approvals and the Abuja Master Plan.
He called on stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of granting building approvals in the FCT, like the Department of Development Control, Department of Engineering Services and other agencies, to ensure that they give proper approval and monitored constructions in all locations.
“That is the only way to guard against the situation because the approval supposed to be in phases as you give approval in phase one, when they do according to specification you now give them approval for the second phase that is how it should be.
“But if you give a blanket approval to just go and start the building they can build with whatever material they can. However, in this case like I said earlier, we are not talking about usage of inferior materials.
“It is because they extended their building and eating into the neighbourhood structure, which eventually collapsed on the artisans,” said the FEMA chief executive. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
An Abuja based Islamic cleric, Malam Yahya Al-Yolawi, has advised Muslims to give Zakat-al-Fitr only to the poor and needy in the society.
Al-Yolawi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
NAN reports that Zakat-al-Fitr, or the zakat of breaking the fast of Ramadan, is a special obligatory alms paid by all Muslims at the end of the month of Ramadan regardless of age or gender.
The cleric said that Prophet Muhammad enjoined the payment of one Sa’a of dates or one Sa’a of barley as Zakat al-Fitr on every Muslim, young and old, male and female, free and slave.
He said that the purpose of Zakat al-Fitr was to purify the one who has fasted from any type of indecent act or speech he might have committed while fasting.
Al-Yolawi also said that Zakat-al-Fitr helps the poor and the needy, adding that the material of the zakat can be either barley, wheat, rice, corn or similar items considered as basic foods for people residing in a particular place or society.
” Zakat al-Fitr has to be paid by the end of ramadan either one or two days before Eid or the day of Eid before the Eid prayer.
” However, If one pays zakat al-Fitr before the eid salat, it is considered an accepted zakat, if he pays it after the Salat, it is considered an ordinary charity.”
Al-Yolawi encouraged all Muslims to take their wives and children to the eid prayer area, saying that Prophet Muhammad used to take his wives and daughters to the Eids ground. (NAN)
The Jewish Community and the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, on Tuesday in Abuja distributed food items to 500 Muslims and Christians women in the spirit of Easter and the month of Ramadan.
Speaking while coordinating the distribution of the food items, Mrs Habiba Ahmed, Director, Welfare and Endowment Foundation of Al-Habibiyyah, said the gesture was aimed at lessening the difficulties the poor and vulnerable suffer during the month of Ramadan.
” We give aid to the less privileged. We collaborate with charitable organisations who deem it fit and necessary to partner with us.
“We accept donations and We distribute Zakat in the Islamic months of Sha’aban annually, and during Ramadan, we have what call the food bank. We share raw and cooked food daily.
“On Monday, we shared over 2,400 packs of food to the needy and the less privileged. Similarly, on Sunday, we shared fairly used clothes, gas cookers, plates, bags and shoes,” she said.
She called on all Muslims, especially the wealthy to redouble efforts in assisting the poor and less privileged in society to reduce poverty in the country.
Also speaking , Rafat Salami, a volunteer with the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic society reaffirmed that the society over the years distributed food items to the less-privileged in the Federal Capital Territory.
” So those who want to give out charity always look for us.
“The Jewish community of Nigeria looked for us, and they brought about 200 packs of food items that we are currently distributing, “ she said.
On her part, one of the beneficiaries, Franca Amana, said “I received food items from them.
”May God bless those donors. We are thankful.” (NAN)
No fewer than 3,298 inmates across the custodial centres in Nigeria are on death row, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has revealed.
Its Public Relations Officer, Mr Abubakar Umar, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, however said that the term ‘condemned criminal’ had been abrogated.
With the emergence of the NCoS Act 2019 which made the prisons correctional centres, the term ‘condemned criminal’ was abrogated as it is stigmatising, he explained.
He said that the service preferred to use a more friendly term of ‘Inmates on Death Row (IDR)’.
He pointed out that death sentences were not always carried out immediately they were imposed.
“There are often long periods of uncertainty for the convicted while their cases are being appealed at higher levels.
“Inmates awaiting execution live on what we call death row; some offenders have been executed more than 15 years after their convictions.
“They were basically awaiting the hangman’s noose in our custodial centres after being found guilty of capital offences.
“We have quite a number of them; as at today, we have a total of 3,298 inmates on death row. They constitute about 4.5 per cent of the total of number inmates in our various custodial centres nationwide,” he disclosed.
Umar said that some IDRs had been in custody for many years, adding that some had been there since they were arrested up to when they were tried and sentenced.
According to him, many of them committed capital offences like culpable homicide, armed robbery, terrorism, among others.
“The good thing is that we engage all of them in activities that will reform and modify their behaviours.
“The goal is to make them better citizens of the nation.
“We also make them undergo personal development programmes like anger management, civic education as well as entrepreneurship.
“Some of them, who do well and show some glimpse of hard work, industry and discipline, are recommended for clemency to the relevant authorities,” he said.
The spokesman said that many IDRs had been executed in the past before the proliferation of the activities of human rights groups and organisations.
“Currently, there is somewhat a kind of moratorium on execution of offenders.
“Before the moratorium on execution of IDRs became widespread, executions of IDRs were being carried out as and at when due.
“But with the rising activities of human rights groups, many governments shy away from signing the death warrants of these offenders.
“Though it is still in practice, it is not common as it used to be. The last execution of IDRs was carried out in 2016 in Edo.
“We encourage state governors, who shy away from signing the death warrants, to commute them into other sanctions.
“This will ensure that the toga of death is removed from them. It will also help us to properly manage them smoothly,” he said. (NAN)
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) says it is expanding its operation in news exchange as the agency signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoS) with Italian news agency, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA), in Abuja.
ANSA, the leading news agency in Italy, is a not-for-profit cooperative, founded in 1945 whose members and owners are 36 leading news organisations in the European country.
Its mission is the distribution of fair and objective news reports.
The Managing-Director of NAN, Mr Buki Ponle, signed the agreement for NAN while the Ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, Mr Stefano De Leo, signed on behalf of ANSA at the NAN headquarters.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed virtually by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ANSA, Mr Stefano De Alessandri, and the Nigerian Ambassador to Italy, Mr Mfawa Abam.
Also, at the signing ceremony, De Alessandri said that ANSA is a private news agency 100 per cent private, adding that they specifically are a cooperative of 26 publishers of newspapers, magazines and the most important national and regional newspapers.
He added that ANSA has more than 500 employees, two third of them are journalists, also with correspondents in more than 50 countries around the world.
“We do not publish only in Italian language, our websites publishes news in English, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and German.
“We are at the same time a traditional news agency providing news wire, photo and videos services on a bit to bit, we are trusted and respected in Italy.
“Currently, we have agreements with more than 70 international partners all across Europe, South America, Asia and Africa,” he said.
According to him, the objective of this agreement is the exchange of our respective news wires with the possibility to use up to 50 news items per day of the partner agency for editorial production.
“I am very please to be here today to sign this agreement with NAN, which is the first country by population in Africa and one of the most important in the continent.
“Starting from 2022 we are renewing our collaboration agreements with international news agencies and we also open new partnership,” he said.
The CEO added that the agreement would enable both agencies to exchange videos, saying this partnership will allow us to improve our coverage of event in Nigeria.
“Thus, improve our information offer for the large Nigerian community living in Italy with more than 120 thousand citizens in 2022, and is one of the largest foreign population we have in Italy.
“Also, it will allow our colleague and partner NAN to offer more news on Italy in Nigeria, hopefully bringing our countries even closer and enlarging the cooperation between our two countries.
“Moreover, by way of this agreement we will be able to provide access to our news feed to our respective Embassies, meaning that we will give our news feed to the Nigerian Embassy in Rome and NAN will do the same with our embassy in Nigeria.
Responding, Ponle said that the agreement was a step in the right direction as it would unveil great possibilities of news exchange between both agencies.
The managing director described NAN as the country’s largest content provider and national purveyor of information, with 36 state offices and 26 district offices.
Ponle added that NAN has Nigeria as its focus and Africa as the centerpiece of its reportage.
“Today’s signing of news exchange agreement with ANSA marks another defining phase in our continued engagements with like minded institutions.
“It is my hope and belief that this landmark event will signal the beginning of a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship.
“To leverage on its octopoidal reach, NAN also has news exchange partnerships with leading international wire agencies such as Rueters of United Kingdom, Deutsch Presse-Agentur of Germany, Xinhua of China and Sputnik of Russia.
“Other are Yonhap (South Korea), Asian News International (India), Anadolu (Turkey) and Bulgaria News Agency (Bulgaria).
“This is just a chip of the global experiences we are bringing into the partnership agreement with ANSA, aimed at fostering a new and positive order in global reportage,” he said.
Also speaking, Mbam said that the signing agreement demonstrates the importance of what Nigeria and Italy attached to their existing relations and commitment in strengthening it.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria welcome’s this development and the close collaboration which will enhance the quality of news delivery and lead to further initiatives that will add value to the development of both agencies in years to come.
“Therefore, I will like to assure the readiness of the Nigerian Embassy in Italy to provide all necessary support for the successful implementation of this agreement,” he said.
The Italian ambassador said that the agreement would strengthen the already existing relationship between Nigeria and Italy.
He added that the exchange of information and knowledge was key with Nigeria as the giant of Africa.
“Today is an important day because as the African saying goes thus, “that if you want to go far go alone.
“But if you want to go distance and far you have to go together, and having ANSA and NAN working together is the right step in the right direction,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Chairmen of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in 36 states and FCT have reaffirmed their support and commitment to the President of the association, Dr Musa Maitakobi.
The Chairman, Kwara State Chapter of the association and its National Principal Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abdurrahman Olanikijipa made this known in a statement on behalf of the 36 states chairmen, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Olanikijipa also said that the RTEAN Chairmen pledge their total loyalty to Maitakobi’s leadership in his effort to carryout positive reform in the transport sector and tackle all forms of thuggery and touting in the motor parks,
Olanikijipa congratulated Maitakobi on his re-election at the 10th RTEAN National Delegate Conference held in Abuja and assured him of their total commitment.
He recalled that RTEAN delegates from 36 states and FCT converged on Abuja recently and unanimously passed vote of confidence and re-elected Maitakobi and 45 others members of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC).
” We are satisfied with the leadership style of Maitakobi which he embrace all and sundry irrespective of religion, tribes, gender and recorded a lots of success in the organisation like providing Headquarters of RTEAN within two years of assumption to office.
” Maitakobi also launched Traveller’s Insurance Scheme and Traveller’s cashless Application knows as Karrygo to enable passengers pay Transport fares inline with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy.
” Under leadership of Maitakobi RTEAN has successfully launched RTEAN Marshall that contributed immensely to sanity and good conduct in all its Motor parks across the nation, in addition to tackled transportation of illegal and harmful items in the motor parks.”
He recalled that on Aug. 18, 2022 RTEAN Marshall intercepted eight guns billed to delivery to Kano at Zuba Motor Park and immediately reported the matter to Zuba police station.
” These are the achievements of RTEAN under Maitakobi from October, 2022 which Industrial Court of Nigeria ruled that he was the authentic National President of RTEAN.” (NAN)
The Federal Government said the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG CARES) Programme had impacted over two million poor and vulnerable beneficiaries in the 36 States and the FCT.
The Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, made the disclosure at a news briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the impact was part of efforts to achieve the core objectives of the Economic Sustainability Plan created by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agba also stated that the results of the first round of assessment of NG-CARES implementation showed that the states and the FCT were improving on their strides to alleviate poverty.
” This is a testament to the success of the programme so far.
”You will recall that to ensure a seamless implementation of the programme and noting the challenge of paucity of funds by the states and the FCT, the Federal Government provided an initial advance of N35.3 billion to all the 36 states and the FCT in March 2022.
“This was with a plan to recover the one-off advance during reimbursement.
“Within one year of giving out the advance, many states were able to achieve appreciable results.
“This informed the Federal Government’s approval to release earned reimbursement to the states and the FCT based on their outstanding performance,” he said.
Agba assured that Buhari’s administration would strive to deliver development to the poor, vulnerable and the underserved before handing over to the next administration.
“As you may be aware, the Federal Government sought and obtained a 750 million USD credit facility from the World Bank to support the 36 states and the FCT in the implementation of the NG-CARES Programme.
“The purpose of the support is to mitigate the economic and social shocks faced by poor and vulnerable Nigerians as a result of the lockdown during the COVID-19 crisis.
“The credit is on-lent to the 36 states and the FCT with each state allocated 20 million dollars ex-ante and the FCT 15 million dollars.
” It is a multi-sectoral programme designed to provide immediate emergency relief across various sectors to vulnerable and poor Nigerians, smallholder farmers and Small and Medium Enterprises that were adversely affected by the pandemic,” the minister said.
Agba further said that based on results earned by the 36 states and the FCT, the Federal Government on April 13, disbursed N45.3 billion to 29 states and the FCT.
He said that Zamfara emerged the best performing state after the round of assessment and therefore, received the highest amount of N5.2 billion from the total disbursed sum of N45.3 billion.
Agba, however, said that out of the 36 states and the FCT that were participating in the NG-CARES programme, seven states were unable to repay the advance, while only Imo did not earn any result in the first round.
” For the purpose of clarification, let it be noted that if a state does not receive a reimbursement during the current round, it is still eligible for reimbursement during subsequent rounds.
” In order to qualify, states must adhere to set guidelines outlined in the programmes’ Financing Agreement, Funds Release Policy and Independent Verification Agent Protocol,” Agba said.
The minister added that going forward, there would be more assessments and any eligible state or the FCT that met the criteria would be reimbursed accordingly (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Bashir Rabe Mani
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