NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
FG offers free train service nationwide
General News

FG offers free train service nationwide

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By Salif Atojoko

The Federal Government on Monday said it would offer free train service to all Nigerians from Dec. 20 up until Jan. 5, 2025.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said this while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

Idris said the free train service was consistent with President Tinubu’s desire to cushion the effect of high transportation costs for the most vulnerable Nigerians.

“Recall that this also happened in the last Christmas period and the Sallah period, and Mr President has also approved that this year, from Dec. 20 to Jan. 5, there will be free transport service nationwide,” he said.

The Minister also said FEC approved a proposal by President Tinubu to rename the University of Abuja to honour Gen. Yakubu Gowon.

“The University of Abuja will now be known as Yakubu Gowon University. Of course, the processing will have to go to the National Assembly, for all legislation in that direction.

“But FEC has taken that decision to write to the National Assembly to change the name of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University, in honour of the former head of state and elder statesman,” said Idris.

He also said the Council commended President Tinubu for his stewardship for the past 18 months and also reiterated the commitment of its members and support for his programmes and leadership.

He stated that the FEC would proceed on recess from Dec. 18 to Jan. 6, 2025. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

2m women benefit from 5m SWEDD project —ECOWAS VP
Foreign

2m women benefit from $365m SWEDD project —ECOWAS VP

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By Mark Longyen

Vice-President of ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, says about two million West/Central African women and girls have benefited from Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Empowerment Demographic Dividend plus (SWEDD) project in 10 years.

Tchintchibidja made this known while officially inaugurating a new phase of the project tagged: SWEDD+ on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that SWEDD is a World Bank-sponsored project aimed at promoting inter-regional, inter-institutional cooperation and collaboration for empowering West and Central African women and girls.

According to her, the SWEDD project, funded with 365 million dollars by the World Bank, has transformed the lives of women and girls in five countries in its initial phase.

The ECOWAS VP listed the beneficiary countries to include Burkina Faso, Chad, The Gambia, Senegal, and Togo, cutting across West African (ECOWAS) and Central African (ECCAS) subregions.

She described the project as a significant milestone in the collective efforts to unlock the full potential of women and girls in the subregion.

“This groundbreaking initiative SWEDD+ project is building on the success of the previous phases of the project in the Sahel, which are known to have transformed the lives of about two million women and girls in the last decade.

“Women and girls are the backbone of our societies, and for that reason their empowerment is crucial to achieving sustainable development, economic growth, and social progress.

“The demographic dividend offers a unique opportunity for our region to harness the energy, the creativity, and the capabilities of our young people, particularly women.

“By investing in their education, health, and economic empowerment, we can create a virtuous cycle of growth, prosperity, and social cohesion,” Tchintchibidja said.

These, she said, included gender-transformative interventions; the strengthening of health services; as well as policy advocacy and institutional strengthening.

“Women and girls of Sub-Saharan Africa, this project is for you. It is a recognition of your struggles, your resilience, and your aspirations.

“We believe in your potential to drive change, to innovate, and to lead,” she added.

NAN reports that the initiative, which is also supported by the UN Fund for Population Activities, offers a unique opportunity for ECOWAS and the bloc’s leaders to harness the energy, creativity, and capabilities of women and girls.

This entails investing in their education, health, and economic empowerment, with a view to creating a virtuous cycle of growth, prosperity, and social cohesion.

The event was graced by Prof. Fatou Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs; Mrs Fatima Acyl, representing the Minister of Finance, Economy and Planning of Chad; Dr Sennen Hounton, Director, UN Population Fund Regional Office, West and Central Africa.

Others are Ms Eleonora Cavagnero, Project Team Leader, World Bank; Dr Melchior Aissi, Director General, West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and representatives of the Ministers of Health and Social Affairs of Nigeria, Togo and Senegal, among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Education, key to solving societal challenges- Cleric
Religious

Education, key to solving societal challenges- Cleric

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) League of Imams, Sheikh Tajudeen Adigun, has emphasised that education is key to addressing numerous societal challenges.

He made this statement during the fifth Qur’anic graduation ceremony of the Nurul Yaqeen Islamic Foundation, which held on Saturday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 24 graduates from the foundation completed the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, comprising 13 females and 11 males.

According to Sheikh Adigun, no nation can achieve meaningful development without education.

“We must encourage our younger generation to pursue both Qur’anic and Western education so that they can contribute to the development of Nigeria,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of adhering to the teachings of the Qur’an, describing it as the solution to many of the formidable challenges facing humanity.

Adigun noted that Islam places a high value on the pursuit of knowledge, adding that Nigeria is in urgent need of more intellectuals.

“In my lecture, I placed significant emphasis on the importance of education. Islamic education is essential for achieving success in this life and the hereafter.

“This is why the first verses revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) centred on the subject of education.

“Allah also states that those who are knowledgeable cannot be compared to those who are ignorant,” Adigun explained.

Earlier, the Director of the Foundation, Imam Yahya Al-Yolawi, expressed his joy at the success of the 24 Qur’an reciters, describing their graduation as a lifelong achievement for him.

“This has been my ambition and my passion. Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, ‘The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.’

“This is our life’s mission, and since 2018, we have consistently recorded success, graduating students and receiving appreciation from parents for our efforts.

“I consider this a memorable milestone. This is the fifth Qur’anic graduation,” Al-Yolawi said.

NAN reports that the event was attended by parents, guardians, and clerics from the six Area Councils of the FCT. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

NPPAN, UNIDO attract €300m investment into Nigeria’s oil palm sector
Agriculture

NPPAN, UNIDO attract €300m investment into Nigeria’s oil palm sector

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By Felicia Imohimi

The National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) says its collaboration with UN Industrial Development Office (UNIDO) will attract 300 million Euro investment in oil palm sector, especially in palm wine production.

Mr Alphonsus Inyang, National President of NPPAN, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Inyang said such investment would focus on palm wine production and packaging for export, palm trunk processing into building materials and furniture, replanting of old plantations and palm oil milling.

The NPPAN boss said that a delegation of investors from Germany, Italy, France, Belgium and Malaysia recently visited Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Lagos States to explore investment in the oil palm sector.

He said the delegation made commitment to invest the said amount in Cross River, Akwa Ibom between 2024 and 2026.

“The commitment is in palm wine production and packaging, utilisation of palm trunk for furniture,replanting of old plantations and  installation of mills of up to 30,000 hectares.

“The palm wine business alone is to create over 100,000 new businesses for tappers while the trunk business will create over 200,000 jobs in the two states”.

He said that two processing factories were to engage at no fewer than 100,000 palm wine tappers and train them on the latest technology.

According to him, the tappers will be enabled to tap their wines and sell to them in the factory, process and bottle them for export.

Inyang explained that the investors would use the palm trunk to produce building materials for European and American markets.

He said that most of the buildings and furniture in those climes were constructed or made from the spent palm trunks.

“We have companies who intended buying palm oil mills effluents, the waste and the sludge.

“They want to buy them from any mill and use such to produce industrial products like biogas and export them to Europe and America and even for the local markets, ” Inyang said.

He said that the palm trunk would provide jobs and engage over 100,000 people.

Inyang said that the beauty of the collaboration was that Malaysian company would engage in the replanting of the plantations that would be depleted.

Acording to him, the company will replant hybrid seeds that that have the capacity of yielding over 40 tonnes of palm frond bunches per hectare.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Chijioke Okoronkwo

FG’s policies, reforms will impact populace in 2025 – ICSAN
General News

FG’s policies, reforms will impact populace in 2025 – ICSAN

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) says the populace will begin to feel the impact of the Federal Government’s different sectoral reforms to boost and revamp the economy in 2025.

ICSAN president, Mrs Funmi Ekundayo, made the assertion at the institute’s media parley on Thursday in Lagos.

Ekundayo stated that the different sectoral reforms which required gestational period would begin to gain a lot of traction in 2025.

She urged citizens to continue to be resilient for a positive horizon and a more prosperous Nigeria where the different reforms would have taken shape.

“Government has been doing a whole lot with regards to reforms but the room that is largest in this world is the room for improvement.

“We must improve the narrative as regards the country’s macroeconomic indicators and government must address inflation figures and continue with the right reforms in place to stabilise the economy.

“In a bid to diversify away from oil export, government must do better in the area of mechanised agriculture and provide the necessary support such as power and other essential infrastructure for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and manufacturing.

“We must develop the country’s human capital, spur innovation and ensure productivity is on the high side to create new economic growth opportunities,” she said.

The ICSAN president also urged government to address the cost of governance, ensuring it is at the barest minimum, to encourage the citizens to make the sacrifices required of them.

She added that government must expend more efforts to encourage digitalisation, while engendering policy sustainability.

“There is no environment with higher yields than Nigeria, but policy summersaults have been observed to affect investors interests.

“If we have a sustainable policy regime, investors will troop in and the economy will flourish better,” she said.

Addressing the new minimum wage increment, Ekundayo said the development was expected to significantly improve the purchasing power of Nigerians, particularly civil servants.

She noted that while the increment would help improve quality of life, standard of living, boost economic growth and increase productivity, it had the potential to inflate the economy.

Speaking on the institute’s achievements in the last one year, the ICSAN president said the institute had been able to record some remarkable milestones, forging partnership with various stakeholders.

She added that ICSAN had increased its penetration into the public sector to further entrench good public governance in the sector.

“We also unveiled our master’s in governance programme, signed several Memorandums of Understanding, got over 300 new members, collaborated with several state governments and began our penetration in the northern part of the country,” she said.

Ekundayo revealed that the institute’s old secretariat had been demolished, the award of contract signed off and work would soon begin.

She called for support in achieving the projected ICSAN tower, while the institute continued to partner with relevant stakeholders, provide value to members and make its contributions to national development.

She lauded the media for its worthy partnership in propagating the ethos of good corporate governance and pledged that the relationship would be deepened in the coming years. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NCAA grants operator certificate to UZMA aviation services
Aviation

NCAA grants operator certificate to UZMA aviation services

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By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to UZMA Aviation Services Limited, authorising the commencement of commercial flight operations.

The certificate was presented on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Chris Najomo, the Acting D-G of NCAA, commended UZMA Aviation Services for meeting all regulatory requirements and standards during the application process.

He urged the airline to prioritise safety, security, efficiency, and excellence in its operations.

In response, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, Chairman of UZMA Aviation Services Limited, expressed gratitude to the NCAA for its support and guidance throughout the certification process.

“We appreciate the trust the NCAA has placed in us by granting the AOC.

“We recognise the significance of this responsibility and are committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance,” Abubakar said.

He emphasised the airline’s commitment to adopting best practices, ensuring safety and reliability in all aspects of its operations.

He also highlighted the importance of security, assuring that advanced measures would be implemented to protect passengers and staff.

Abubakar added that the airline’s IT systems would feature robust safeguards to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity.

“Our safety policy is the cornerstone of our operations. We are dedicated to exceeding safety standards, ensuring every passenger travels with confidence and peace of mind.

“Your safety is our mission, and we work to make it a reality every day,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

ECOWAS must leverage private sector potentials for economic integration —Touray
Foreign

ECOWAS must leverage private sector potentials for economic integration —Touray

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By Mark Longyen

President of the ECOWAS Commission Dr Omar Touray has urged member states to leverage the vast potentials of West Africa’s private sector toward subregional economic integration and development.

Touray made the plea at the 93rd Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Council of Ministers on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that local private sector actors needed the support of both ECOWAS and individual member states because they have an important role in achieving the bloc’s economic integration efforts.

The commission’s president explained that the goal was to mobilise, develop and retain regional capital within the ECOWAS subregion for the overall good of all.

“The role of our private sector in providing the necessary resources for our Institutions, removing non-tariff barriers, implementing regionally agreed policies and commitments is vital to our success.

“Our local private sector actors also have an important role, and they need the support of both the regional institutions and governments to exploit the vast potentials in our community.

“We must give our local private sector actors the right of first refusal in any investment opportunity in our community.

“We should harness the resources of our businessmen and women to succeed,” he said.

Touray also said that, over the years, ECOWAS had been consistent in its determination to deepen regional integration process by deploying multifaceted strategies to achieve it, and pledged to continue doing so.

According to him, such efforts include regional energy development, regional air transport development, regional regulation on roaming on public mobile communications networks, among others within the ECOWAS space.

He said that ECOWAS had made progress in the merger of the West Africa Gas Pipeline Extension Project with the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project.

This, he said, follows the adoption of an Intergovernmental Agreement for the African Atlantic Gas pipeline by the Ministers in charge of Energy and Hydrocarbons.

“This regional integrative project aims to build a gas pipeline linking Nigeria to Morocco, feeding ECOWAS member states and Mauritania with future extension to Europe.

“It is an infrastructure of 6,800 km long, including 5,100 km offshore, with a transport capacity of 30 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year.

“In addition, a framework document for the establishment of an ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Facility has been finalised by the ministers,” he said.

The ECOWAS President further disclosed that progress had been made in implementing the regulation on roaming of public mobile communications networks within the ECOWAS space.

“The ECOWAS Roaming is now live in at least six member states since its adoption in December 2017 by this Council,” he said.

Touray also said a regional strategy for harmonising air transport charges, fees and taxes and a supplementary act relating to a common policy on aviation charges, taxes and fees was underway.

He said that the commission had also revived its regional cooperation and integration programme in the water sector which dates to 2001.

Touray further said that the commission had inaugurated a regional self sufficiency in rice production, otherwise called the “Rice Offensive” project, in 2014.

“To attain regional self-sufficiency in rice, it would require the local production of 33 million tonnes of milled rice to meet a planned consumption target by 2035.

“This will also require a financial investment of 15 to 19 billion dollars of capital expenditures (CAPEX) towards improving storage facilities, milling initiatives and enhancing mechanisation in paddy production.

This council has a critical role in the realisation of the many objectives we set for our region. Let me conclude by pleading with the council to redouble its support to ECOWAS institutions,” Touray added.

Also speaking, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar,

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Council of Ministers, said the meeting reaffirmed their dedication to regional cooperation, driven by a shared vision of an integrated and prosperous West Africa.

While noting that ECOWAS was currently at a pivotal point in its existence, Tuggar said the council recognised the significant responsibilities they were tasked with, and the collective efforts required to succeed.

“The region faces multifaceted challenges that can only be overcome through enhanced cooperation and a deeper common understanding among our Member States,” Tuggar said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)


Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Army chief charges junior officers to be enterprising, resourceful
Defence/Security

Army chief charges junior officers to be enterprising, resourceful

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By Sani Idris

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged students of the Junior Course 98 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to be enterprising, diligent and resourceful.

Oluyede gave the charge while addressing the students at their regimental dinner night on Wednesday in Jaji, Kaduna State.

According to him, possessing the attributes will enable them build successfully on their career and personal lives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dinner night is one of the major events lined up for the graduation of the students on Friday.

Oluyede said the objective of the college was to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of selected officers to prepare them for staff and command appointments.

He said the officers in the last 23 weeks had learnt some vital concepts like counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, estimate process and manoeuvring approach to warfare and peace support operations.

“It is also gratifying that you learnt the rudiments of time management, perseverance, determination, team spirit, staff work, self confidence and most importantly, discipline while on this course.

“Your leadership, dedication and ability to inspire and guide your teams are essential to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and excellence.

”As junior leaders, you must be able to inspire confidence in subordinates and not lead through intimidation or be overtly coercive.

“Your impact significantly contributes to the overall plan and objectives at the operational and strategic levels,“ he said.

The army chief congratulated the students on the successful completion of their course

NAN reports that prizes were given to students who distinguished themselves (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mufutau Ojo

FRSC disclaims ‘Peace Ambassador’ number plates
Defence/Security

FRSC disclaims ‘Peace Ambassador’ number plates

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By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has distanced itself from any partnership with the Wazobia Conflict Resolution and Peace Initiative (WACORPAI) on the issuance of “Peace Ambassador” number plates.

The disclaimer is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide.

Ogungbemide said that the disclaimer was also part of the FRSC’s efforts to clarify its stance on use of unauthorised number plates.

He described WACORPAI’s claim of a partnership as entirely false.

Ogungbemide said Federal Government number plates were reserved strictly for official use by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

According to him, official number plates are not issued to individuals or private organisations as they are exclusively for government business.

“The public is to be aware that the announcement issued by WACORPAI informing its members of an existing partnership with the FRSC is outrightly baseless and false.

“This is because Federal Government number plates are only issued to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, not individuals irrespective of their affiliations,” Ogungbemide said.

He urged the public to desist from patronising producers of fake and illegal number plates.

“Members of the association who are presently using the number plates should take them off to avoid arrest while those intending to purchase same are equally advised to discontinue, ” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mufutau Ojo

University of Plymouth, NWRI partner to advance climate-smart agriculture
Agriculture , Food Security

University of Plymouth, NWRI partner to advance climate-smart agriculture

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By Tosin Kolade

The University of Plymouth in the UK and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) in Kaduna, have announced a new partnership to advance research on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) in Nigeria and Ghana.

The announcement was made at the Soil Health for Productivity and Climate Resilience Workshop in Abuja on Thursday.

Prof. William Blake, the Director of the Sustainable Earth Institute at the University of Plymouth, stressed the importance of international collaboration toward tackling global challenges such as food security and climate change.

He said “this partnership underscores the growing importance of cross-border cooperation to address critical issues like sustainable land management and water resources.

“By focusing on Climate-Smart Agriculture, we aim to boost agricultural productivity, while adapting to and mitigating the effects of climate change.”

According to him, the workshop focuses on strategies to improve soil health and adopt sustainable water management practices to boost agricultural productivity and enhance climate resilience.

Blake also stressed the importance of research that supports CSA at both small and large scales, from farm to river basin, ensuring sustainability across different levels.

He added that “this collaboration is particularly important for West Africa, where shared climate challenges demand locally-adaptable solutions.

“Our goal is to develop solutions that address food security while also building resilience to climate change.”

Prof. Kevin Jones, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the Plymouth University, emphasised the institution’s long-standing commitment to addressing global challenges through practical research.

Jones noted the university’s focus on environmental sustainability, particularly in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and its ongoing work in marine and maritime sectors.

He also emphasised the importance of scientific and technological advances in ensuring sustainable agriculture for the future.

This, he said, include focusing on soil health, ensuring productive crops and knowledge sharing to tackle environmental issues globally.

Jones also identified Nigeria as key partner in these efforts, pointing out the potential for UK-Nigeria collaboration to produce innovative solutions with global applications.

He said “global partnerships are crucial for the future. The challenges we face today are global in nature, and we need to bring together the best expertise from around the world to ensure the planet’s future is in good hands.”

Dr Omogbemi Yaya, the Director of the Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management at NWRI, explained that the partnership is supported by the UNESCO-affiliated Regional Centre for Integrated Rural Business Management.

He said the collaboration would focus on shared priorities, including rural business management, capacity building and sustainable development, with emphasis on research and teaching.

He added that “this strategic partnership between NWRI and the University of Plymouth will leverage the strength of both institutions in water resources and academic research.

“Our goal is to collaborate on research that addresses key challenges faced by rural communities.

“The partnership reflects the institute’s commitment to global collaborations and supports the university’s mission to influence sustainable development.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop brought together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to discuss strategies toward
tackling food security and climate resilience in West Africa.

The partnership is funded with £30,000 under the Innovate UK Scoping Project for Climate-Smart Agriculture Partnerships: UK-Brazil-Africa.

The National Water Resources Institute, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, was established in 1979.

It is tasked with training and retraining water engineers, technologists and technicians in the water resources sector. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)


Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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