By Tosin Kolade

The Odyssey Educational Foundation on Monday unveiled its 8th Technology Innovation challenge to encourage young girls’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.

Mrs Stella Uzochukwu-Dennis, Chapter Ambassador for Technovation in Nigeria, who spoke at the Technovation Regional Pitch event in Abuja, said it was an opportunity to empower young girls through technology and innovation.

According to her, Nigeria’s participation in Technovation has helped teams represent the country several times in California as finalists since 2006.

She said that the Technovation programme was a beacon of hope and opportunity for girls, equipping them with the skills and confidence to solve real-world problems using technology.

“The programme fosters a sense of empowerment and independence, teaching young innovators not just to code but to think critically, work collaboratively, and lead fearlessly.

“By participating, these girls are breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes, thereby paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future”.

Uzochukwu-Dennis also highlighted the crucial role of mentors in the Technovation programme, saying they provide guidance, share their knowledge and expertise, and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.

“The benefits of Technovation extend to the state and country as well, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This contributes to building a stronger, more resilient economy by encouraging local solutions to local problems, driving sustainable growth and development.

“It also positions Nigeria as a leader in the global tech industry, attracting investments and creating opportunities for youth”.

Uzochukwu-Dennis expressed profound disappointment over the lack of financial support from the government and agencies, in spite of the programme’s numerous benefits and immense potential.

She explained that no monetary aid or resources had been provided to support the programme, in spite of the countless hours of hard work, personal sacrifices, and support from international partners, and others.

The chapter ambassador said the winning team from this year’s programme would receive an all-expenses-paid trip to California.

She extended a heartfelt welcome to all attendees, noting that over 2,000 apps were submitted this year, with Nigeria having the highest number of quarterfinalists.

Mrs Vivien Kwande, CEO of LifeAid International Initiative, said the event was an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, dedication, and resilience of young technologists who have worked tirelessly to bring their innovative ideas to life.

Kwande said that participants have researched, designed, coded, tested, and refined their ideas, transforming visions into viable solutions with the potential to impact communities and the world at large.

She expressed her belief in the power of technology to drive change and the potential of youth to lead this transformation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event saw many schools participating in ICT innovation pitches.

NAN also reports that Technovation has improved the lives of over 270,000 women to participate in science and technology in 120 countries globally. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Nick Nicholas and Abiemwense Moru

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Disability Community in Nigeria has called for full implementation of disability laws in the country to ensure inclusiveness.
The community made the call at the National Disability Convening, organised by the Ford Foundation, in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) with the theme: ”Reflecting on Progress, Evaluating the Implementation of the Disability Act in Nigeria” on Monday in Abuja.

The Executive Secretary, NCPWD, Mr James Lalu,  said that the Disability Act was a product of a united struggle by the disability community in the country spanning over 19-years.
Lalu said that the commitment of President Bola Tinubu through increased in budgetary allocation to the NCPWD was the best thing to have happened to the disability community.
‘’We have never had it so good. We are here to deliberate on the implementation of the Act and for the commission to know where we have reached and to harmonise the unity going forward.
”When you look at the implementation of the Act, the commission is working in the area of accessibility. We have already produced the accessibility regulations.
”Our collaboration with Nasarawa State University on the establishment of Centre for Disability Studies will see us having degree programmes on Accessibility Engineering, Assisting Technology, Nigerian Sign Language and Disability Inclusive Development,” Lalu said.
He appreciated the Ford Foundation and other stakeholders for their contributions to the disability community.
Also, the Senior Programme Officer, Ford Foundation, Dr Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima, identified lack of data as a major challenge in dealing with disability community in Nigeria.
”I think lots of data available is not sufficiently disaggregated, and so we don’t have accurate numbers in terms of the proportion of our population that has experienced disability in the country.
”So part of the work we supported over this years is to look at the right indicators that will help institutions responsible to collect accurate data and hopefully lead to a point where there will be accurate disaggregated data,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Chike Okogwu, the Executive Director, Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE) advocated for more funding for PWDs through NCPWD.

‘’Without funding, the implementation of the Disability Act will not be done effectively.

”There should be a deliberate action good enough to make the commission work better. Please provide adequate funding for NCPWD, and that way, we can do more to support PWDs,” he said.

NAN reports that the event brought together personalities from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, disability community and other relevant stakeholders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Ali baba-Inuwa

By Aderogba George

True Foundation for Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has pledged to empower more vulnerable Nigerians nationwide, especially youths and women, with skills acquisition to enable them to become self-reliant.

The founder of the organisation, Ms. Onose-Brenda Ataga, made the promise while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

She spoke with NAN at the closing session of the foundation’s six-day vocational training for indigenous people of Byazhin Kubwa Zone 3, Abuja.

NAN reports that the participants were trained in baking, barbering, and makeup during the event, which started on May 13.

Ataga explained that the vision was to fundamentally change the narrative of unemployment and promote local economic production for the country’s benefit.

She expressed the foundation’s determination to equip indigenous people with easily learnable skills, enabling each family to fend for itself.

She noted that each training delegate would receive a business starter pack to immediately apply what they had learned.

Ataga promised that the Foundation would continue to contribute to youth and community development.

NAN reports that True Foundation for Africa is a non-profit organisation committed to empowering underserved youths and women-led families by providing free skills acquisition training.

Founded in 2010, it has reached out to over 4,000 families and conducted over 30 sessions of vocational training nationwide.

As part of its annual activities, True Foundation has commenced its 2024 free vocational training programme.

The first cohort of this programme began with the indigenous people of Byazhin, Kubwa Zone 3, Abuja.

The foundation has been delivering this programme to various communities in Nigeria for the past 13 years. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has become a force to reckon with among comity of nations in its 60 years of existence.

Abubakar communicated this at the Interdenominational Church Service as part of activities lineup for the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the NAF on Sunday in Abuja.

He was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (NAF) AVM Sayo Olatunde.

He said the NAF, which started from a very humble beginning, had become one of the top air forces on the African continent.

Abubakar reiterated the commitment of the service towards addressing the myriads of security challenges confronting the nation.

“We are doing everything possible to make sure that we resolve the insecurity challenges confronting the country as soon as possible and we are making great successes, remarkable achievements in that aspect.

“We are actually making progress just for some few things that prevented the impact of our successes for being seen and being felt by the country.

“I am sure those things should be resolved and then we begin to have peace in this country.

“In the area of operation, we are making remarkable successes and we are also making sure that we are doing a lot of things to enhance our operational efficiencies.

“Recently, we have this capability assessment that review what we need holistically to fight current official warfare so that we can make the best use of the resources available, the resources graciously given by the federal government.’’

The CAS said the NAF continued to make frantic efforts to improve on welfare of its personnel and the families of fallen heroes through several projects and initiatives.

He listed some of the welfare programmes to payment of monthly relief package for personnel on flight lieutenant and below to cushion the impact of the current economic situation in the country.

According to him, he has instituted an insurance that will cater for illness and accidents, in addition to what is obtainable from the Ministry of Defense level as part of efforts to cater for the welfare of personnel.

The air chief said the recruitment process had been sanitised to ensure that only the best were taken.

“We have made serious effort to make sure we enhance the process so that the people will recruit into the Nigerian air force will be people who are truly interested in job.

“And one of the steps we took was to train our recruitment officers to be able to determine those people, who are with drugs; who have ulterior motive for wanting to come to the service.

“From the process of screening we just started that 100 per cent of the efforts are just betrayed at Kaduna airport based communities.

“Another step we take to enhance the quality of personnel coming into the air force is to make sure we do screening, a computer screening test even before we call them for interview.

“When you apply, you do the screening; so that we know them in terms of quality of people.

“All these things we put in place to make sure that the process is fair, firm, and qualitative and we expect quality outputs,” he said.

The Chairman organising Committee, AVM Michael Ekwueme, called on Nigerians to pray for the service in its operational engagement and the success of the occasion.

“Let us continue to thank God and pray for the success of the event; foreign participants have started arriving; let us pray for the safety of those on their way” he said.

The Director, Chaplaincy (Protestant), NAF, Air Commodore Dogo Gani, said the church service was organised to thank God for protection and commit the future of NAF into God’s hand .

Gani said the NAF also solicited for prayers of the men of God to continue to pray for the service and charged all members of the armed forces to always look up to God in all their dealings.

According to him, his sermon is centered on the need for strategic partnership with God for greater success.

“First and foremost, we must know who we are in partnership with and above all look unto the Lord who is the author and finisher as well as the greater person that can give us victory over every human aid,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the service was attended by Principal Staff of Officers from NAF Headquarters, their spouses and other senior officers as well as airmen and airwomen. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Ismail Abdulaziz
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) as the Lead Arranger and Developer of Evergreen City, Nigeria’s green industrial zone.

Tinubu also approved the appointment of Chief Ajuri Ngelale as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman Project Evergreen, the supervisory technical working group, to oversee the pioneering endeavour.

This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Sunday in Abuja.

Ngelale said that this was in line with the President’s commitment to ensure industrial development that meets the demands of the present and the future.

He said that the terms of reference of the InfraCorp are selection of partners/consultants to undertake critical development activities, including project design, environmental impact assessments, feasibility studies, financial modelling, and market engagement.

It will be raising private funding for the development of the city and constituent projects; coordinating with partners, development institutions, and other providers of capital and technical assistance.

It will also be reporting to the Supervisory Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.

Dr Lazarus Angbazo, who is also a member of the Presidential Steering Committee, is the CEO of InfraCorp and holds a first-class Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

Angbazo has a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of Iowa, and a Doctorate degree in Corporate Finance from the New York University.

He was President and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric in Nigeria, where he doubled GE’s revenue.

He was also the CEO of General Electric Grid Solutions Africa and led GE’s regional operations between 2008 and 2012 as President and CEO, West, East & Central Africa.

Ngelale said that the president also approved the establishment of a 15-member Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, the supervisory technical working group, to oversee the pioneering endeavour.

He said that the committee is composed of the following members: Chief Ajuri Ngelale- Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action – Chairman; Lolade Abiola (UN SE4ALL) – Secretary.

The members are Lazarus Angbazo (CEO, InfraCorp), Salisu Dahiru (CEO, NCCC); Aminu Umar-Sadiq (CEO, NSIA), and Khalil Halilu (CEO, NASENI).

Other members are Abba Abubabkar Aliyu (CEO, REA); Fatima Shinkafi (CEO, SMDF); Uzoma Nwagba (CEO, CrediCorp); Bala Bello (Deputy Governor, CBN) and Teni Majekodunmi (NCCC).

The rest of the members are Nana Maidugu (NSIA); Michael Ivenso (NCCC); Suleiman Yusuf (Blue Camel Energy); and Chidi Ajaere (Jet EV).

The presidential spokesman said that Tinubu expected absolute dedication and professionalism to drive this critical project.

He said the members were given the clear objective of making Nigeria the leading manufacturing hub in Africa for renewable energy technologies, green solutions, and climate-adaptation technologies.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Priscilla Osaje

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has commended the Senate for urging President Bola Tinubu to convene a National Dialogue on Local Government Autonomy.

In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, ALGON’s Director-General, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, described the Senate’s call as a welcome development.

Ikpokpo noted the importance of this initiative, suggesting that it could significantly advance the cause of local government autonomy in Nigeria.

Ikpokpo said, “The National leadership of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, (ALGON) has hailed as most welcoming, the call by the Senate on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convene a National Dialogue on Local Government Autonomy.

“ALGON notes that the myriad of constitutional barriers, structural, and administrative challenges plaguing the nation has made a National Dialogue on Local Government Administration not only desirable, but urgently imperative in setting a sustainable and systemic agenda for even development of the nation.”

The director-general said the association requested the commitment of the Federal Government, National Assembly, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and other stakeholders toward sincere resolutions on issues of local government autonomy and community policing.

He highlighted additional issues such as security, primary education and healthcare, national integration, the role of traditional institutions, agricultural facilities, and other fundamental obstacles to the nation’s political, economic, and socio-political development.

He expressed confidence in the potential of the conference to reposition the nation on the path of rapid progress and development.

According to him, ALGON appeals against the dangers of reducing the event to a mere talk-shop, with its resolutions left unimplemented.

Ikpokpo reiterated the association’s readiness to partner with the Federal and State Governments, the National Assembly, and other institutions to ensure the successful convocation of the national dialogue. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

By Mark Longyen

A professor of law in the University of Jos, Friday Nwoke has expressed worry over the low level of enforcement of the decisions of the ECOWAS Court.

Nwoke, who is a former Vice President, ECOWAS Court of Justice made this known while speaking at the 2024 the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (CCJ) international conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the Court stated on Friday.

The theme of the conference is: “Enhancing the Role, Relevance and Effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the Strengthening of Synergies between the Court and National Stakeholders.

According to Nwoke, strengthening the CCJ’s enforcement mechanism is essential to maintaining its effectiveness and ensuring compliance in good faith by Member States.

Speaking on the sub-theme: “Enhancing the role, relevance of the ECOWAS Court through strengthened synergy with the national courts of Member States,” he said CCJ’s independence, boldness, and impartiality were key to its credibility.

Nwoke noted that while the Court enjoyed the respect of Member States, the continued non-compliance with its decisions could undermine and erode public confidence in the CCJ.

He also suggested the training of officials of national courts, as well as holding regular workshops and meetings to facilitate cooperation, adding that these will impact positively on compliance and the enforcement of CCJ’s judgements.

Nwoke noted that regular dialogue and cooperation between the Court and Member States’ national courts required exchange of information, case law and best practices to build mutual trust and respect.

He called on the ECOWAS Commission and political actors, such as the Council of Ministers and the Authority of Heads of State and Government, to be involved in the enforcement mechanism of decisions of the Court.

The jurist also urged Member States to enact legislation to recognize and enforce the judgments of the Court, as well as create a monitoring unit with responsibility for monitoring and supervising the enforcement.

Nwoke explained that the revised national legal frameworks should incorporate provisions that would not only recognize and enforce the Court’s decisions but also ensure that national courts have the necessary legal tools to enforce the judgments.

The former CCJ Vice President added that there should be a provision for an annual reporting of the level of enforcement of the judgements of the Court.

According to him, this triple approach would resolve the disconnect between the CCJ and the Member States’ national courts, as well as facilitate the enforcement mechanisms of the regional court’s decisions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 250 participants are attending the 2024 CCJ international conference conference.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza