By Justina Auta

The African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly has advocated for implementing policies and investing in technology to enhance global competitiveness and sustainable economic growth in Africa.

Stephen Benjoel, Chairperson of the assembly, made this call at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja to commemorate the 2024 African Union Day celebration with the theme “Educating an African Fit for the 21st Century.”

Benjoel noted the importance of the African Union Agenda 2063, aimed at achieving inclusive and sustainable development across Africa.

“We recognise that Africa’s biggest challenge has been the implementation of policies. To address this, we are working diligently with various governments and stakeholders.

“Our approach includes data gathering, providing awards and honors, securing strategic funding through international and regional partners, and escalating critical issues to ensure progress.

“Our goal is not just to be diplomats but to dignify Africa and elevate our continent to new heights,” he said.

He also announced that the assembly would confer the investiture of Ambassadors on July 24-25 to align the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current government with the African Union Agenda 2063.

“We believe that through total literacy and education, we can empower Africans to compete globally and achieve our collective goals,” he added.

Dr Mustapha Adeolu, Director General of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy, emphasised the need for Nigeria to reduce its reliance on minerals and invest more in technology to keep pace with developed nations.

“There is a need for us to bring in technology. Our universities should start offering courses that provide better education for future Africans, such as artificial intelligence, data mining, and data thinking.

“These courses can shape Africa and take us to where we want to be by 2063. Our universities should add value to students so they stop graduating as job seekers and become job creators,” he said.

Joseph Ibeh, Clerk of the Assembly, highlighted that Nigeria has capable and smart human capital that can transform the continent’s challenges into sustainable economic growth.

“That is why we are striving to get it right. Our youths are derailing because we adopt things that are not African, and we try to become them.

“Africans need to understand the importance of educating themselves for the 21st century to meet the goals and aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063,” he said.

Ms. Amarachikwu Tecula-Orakwe, Head of Communication and Public Relations at the African School of Diplomacy & International Affairs, said the awardees would serve as ambassadors of the assembly.

“The idea is to confer ambassadorial titles on individuals based on their achievements in various industries. They will join us in driving the AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Halima Sheji

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The Federal Government says no fewer than 37,000 jobs will be created in the geriatric (aged) care industry, being set up by the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSSC).

The Director General of the Centre, Dr Emem Omokaro disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the one year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.

Omokaro said in the past one year of Tinubu-led administration, the NSCC had been able to build a system of caregiving to older people as a skill in the fields of health and social care.

“What we have before now, is that older persons are left to anybody that is available in the family, it does not matter whether the person knows anything about older age care and multi morbidity.

“But, what we have done in this one year is that we work closely with National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), as a regulatory body for technical education to design a course in caregiving, which will now be a skill and will be integrated into the Nigerian skills qualification framework.

“That means, Geriatric Social Care now, is a sector skill which means that carers of older people must be trained and certified ,” she said.

Omokaro said, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, a document has been developed by the NSCC to bring sanity into the field of geriatric social care.

According to her, when the scheme is fully rolled out, no fewer than 1000 geriatric care givers would be trained and engaged in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Omokaro noted that most Nigerians who left the shores of the country were working in the care industry abroad without prerequisite training at home.

Besides, she said that within the Nigeria skills framework, there is a demand that necessitated the set up of a geriatric social care sector.

Omokaro disclosed that NSSC has set up a 23-member private sector led Council made up of all relevant stakeholders in the field of geriatric social care to address the employment needs in the sector

“Apart from the council, we have identified and approved training providers, with multi disciplinary capacity because issues of care criss-cross sociology, psychology gerontology medical therapies, community therapy and physical therapy.

“So, we have identified 22 states and federal government teaching hospitals that have geriatric units or centres for this purpose,” she said

Omokaro added that the training has five levels of certification including the basic care level for Senior Secondary School leavers and levels 3 to 5 which has been integrated into the Federal Civil Service Cadre for Employment.

She said, besides the employment generation, the scheme would bring dignity, security, happiness and joy to the older people that in their retirement life, they have certified care and are not forgotten. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lamorde according to a family source died around 3.00am local time in Cairo, Egypt, three days after undergoing a surgery.

His remains are expected to be flown back to the country for burial.

He was born on Dec. 20, 1962, in Mubi, Adamawa state, and attended Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology in 1984.

He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1986 and retired as a deputy inspector-general

Lamorde was the pioneer director of operations of the anti-graft agency when it was created in 2003.

He was acting chairman of the commission in January 2008, a position he held until Waziri was appointed chairperson and confirmed by the senate in June 2008.

Lamorde returned to the EFCC in 2010 as director of operations, replacing Stephen Otitoju.

Lamode was appointed in an acting capacity as chairman of the anti-graft agency on Nov. 23, 2011 following the removal of Farida Waziri by then President Goodluck Jonathan.

He was made third substantive chairman of the agency on Feb. 15, 2012, a position he held until Nov. 9, 2015, when former President Muhammadu Buhari replaced him with Ibrahim Magu. (NAN)(wwwnannews.ng)

By Mufutau Ojo
Olumide Braithwaite, the only son of  late elder statesman and legal luminary, Tunji Braithwaite, has survived a ghastly auto accident in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident, which occurred on Thursday near the CBN headquarters, involved a buillion van and a Hilux pickup truck.

Braithwaite, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and strong member of the party’s media team during the presidential campaign, was said to have lost consciousness at the scene of the accident.

NAN reports that emergency services responded promptly and took Braithwaite to the Garki Hospital where he was revived and now responding to treatment.

The family, in a statement on Sunday, confirmed that Braithwaite was now in a stable condition and responding to treatment.

It said Braithwaite was receiving the best possible care, adding that the medical team had expressed optimism about his recovery.

“Mr Olumide Braithwaite and his family are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and well wishes from friends, colleagues and the public.

“They request privacy during this time as he focuses on his recovery. Further updates will be provided as necessary,” the statement said.(NAN)
Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Ismail Abdulaziz