By Kamal Tayo Oropo

Some policy experts and stakeholders have called for policy cohesion across Africa for successful implementation of multilateral policy decisions.

They spoke on Wednesday during one of the plenaries at the 2023 Conference on Land Policy in Africa (CLPA), holding in Addis Ababa.

The CLPA, fifth in the series, is organised by the tripartite consortium consisting of the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The 2023 edition has the theme, ‘Year of AfCFTA: Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation’.

Dr Medhat El-Helepi (ECA), chaired the plenary with the sub-theme: ‘Land Governance, Regional Integration and Intra-Africa Trade: Opportunities and Challenges’.

Panelists at the plenary included Dr Stephen Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade, ECA; Mr Tsotetsi Makong, Head of Capacity Building and Technical Assistance, AfCFTA Secretariat and Ms Eileen Wakesho, Director, Community Land Protection at Namati, Kenya.

The event also attracted various stakeholders, including traditional leaders, Civil Society Organisations, and policy decision makers.

Makong expressed worries over reluctance of some participants to openly discuss some matters, pleading ‘no go areas of domestic affairs’.

He, however, noted that the issues of land were within the limit of domestic regulations, adding that tenure land security was the solution that would allow intra African investment that is still low in Africa.

Makong pointed out that the success of the investment protocol under the AfCFTA would depend on countries’ domestic law that should be in line with the AfCFTA.

“There are guidelines on land reforms that need to be turned into regulations within the domestic systems.

“Policy coherence has to be at the heart of what we do. This can be achieved by engaging everyone including women and youth at the grassroots level.

“Also, you cannot be talking of AfCFTA as of it is just about Ministers of Trade, Economy or Investment. The idea is a totality of the entire governance structure. This is very important,” he said.

Speakers also noted that an inclusive land governance was one of the key pillars to enhance Africa’s drive to improving intra-African trade, food security, and sustainable food systems.

They said inclusive governance system would allow stakeholders to create transparency, subsidiarity, inclusiveness, prior informed participation and social acceptance by affected communities in land-based initiatives beyond their borders. (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Franca Ofili

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday in Abuja trained journalists on first aid, with the aim of strengthening their capacity to address pre-hospital injuries.

The Communication Coordinator of ICRC, Mr Qusai Alazroni, said that the training was necessary to enable them save lives, prevent injuries from getting worse and promote quick recovery.

Alazroni said that first aid is an important aspect of journalists’ work as such it will enable them address issues in emergency situations.

He said emergency care vary from small cases to more serious ones, “this is why we train journalists on first aid to enable them address emergencies they might face during assignments.”

The coordinator, therefore, advised journalists to utilise what they learnt during the training, recalling that“
ICRC had been in Nigeria since 2010, providing humanitarian support to people affected by armed conflicts
and violence, especially in the North East.

“Working in these volatile environments, ICRC understands the crucial role played by the media in providing key information, as well as the safety challenges linked to reporting during conflict times.

“Some journalists end up getting wounded, and in worst scenarios, get killed.

“To address some of these fatalities, the ICRC, together with the Nigeria Red Cross Society, trained journalist on first aid to strengthen the capacity in addressing pre-hospital injuries.”

According to him, ICRC is a neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian organisation that protects the dignity of people affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

One of the participants, Mr Nathaniel Shaibu, said the knowledge was apt as he would utilise it to assist humanity.

Shaibu said “we are grateful for the training; as journalists, we don’t get this kind of training on how to protect ourselves.

“With this knowledge, I know what to do for myself or for a casualty in case of an emergency.”

Another participant, Fauziyah Mohammed, said her experience at the ICRC training was great.

She said “I enjoyed every minute of the training; I learnt a lot, and would like to applaud ICRC.

“At least now I know for sure, if I am confronted with a casualty of any kind, I will be able to
administer some kind of aid.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Femi Ogunshola

The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has taken action against staff involved in ticket racketeering, including terminations and demotions.

Mr. Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of NRC, shared this information during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Finance.

He mentioned that the corporation is collaborating with security agencies to combat the issue.

Rep. James Faleke, the chairman of the committee, expressed worry over the meager N345 million revenue remitted by the corporation in 2023, prompting discussions about the need for self-funding to cover operations and remit surpluses to the government.

“Our concern is that if we expect so much revenue from NRC and we aren’t getting it, then there is a problem.

“I think we should take the decision that the railway should be self-funded to take care of its operations and remit to the government the surplus,” he said. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ali Baba Inuwa

By Angela Atabo

Wikimedia Foundation, an NGO, has advocated inclusive education system that would ease teaching and learning for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to make them realise their potential in the society.

Ms Obiageli Ezeilo, Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Education and a Kiwix Ambassador, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ezeilo said this informed the collaboration with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) to promote the environment of inclusivity for PWDs.

“The Foundation believes in inclusion in education, and knowledge sharing among others.

“The Foundation will teach them how to use the platform to tell their stories. We will organise a series of trainings for them like digital literacy, volunteerism and so on.

“This is because the Persons With Disabilities believe that there is a misrepresentation of what disability is, so they need to educate people on disability issues and perspective’’, she said.

Ezeilo said one of the purposes of the collaboration with JONAPWD was to increase the visibility of the activities of Persons With Disabilities. JONAPWD is the umbrella organisation for PWDs.

“We will work together to amplify the voice of Persons with Disabilities, try to know their challenges, what they are doing and give them a platform that they can share their stories.

“We are from the Wikimedia Foundation; we are trying to document activities of those in the minority like Persons with Disabilities to carry them along on the platform because’’, Ezeilo said.

According to Ezeilo, Wiki for Minorities is a subsidiary of the Wikimedia Foundation projected towards minorities or those perceived to be minorities, thereby bridging the gap of inequality.

She said Wiki for Minorities Project was also aimed at creating an impactful awareness and giving a global presence to minorities in our societies.

According to Ezeilo, Wiki for Minorities is an initiative for the protection of cultural rights, preservation and dissemination of expressions of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of cultural minorities like PWDs.

She, therefore, said that the collaboration between Wiki for Minorities and JONAPWD would help to improve the ideologies, vision and mission of the two organisations in the open space.

According to Ms Elizabeth Sani, a JONAPWD staffer, it works towards achieving a society where equality, social justice, and equal rights of Persons with Disabilities are guaranteed.

She said that the vision of JONAPWD, which is mostly driven through projects, advocacy, and partnerships with relevant stakeholders, remained mostly under-reported. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, says the ministry will consider the re-establishment of a National Shipping Line through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Oyetola said this at the maiden stakeholders roundtable engagement on Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy on Tuesday in Lagos.

He said this was borne out of the ministry’s desire to capture a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter market.

“This initiative is not to impede the growth of local players but to provide an avenue for them to create and extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance and repairs.

“This will enable our local businesses to better leverage the Carbotage Act, which gives Nigerians the exclusive right to control locally generated seaborne trade,” he said.

Oyetola who admitted that he was aware of the sector’s vast unique challenges, assured his commitment to turn around the sector.

“Our ministry though new, is not resting on its oars and has continued to foster inter-agency collaborations and implement initiatives to promote port efficiency, cargo shipment, maritime security and tap into the resources of the seabed.

“The stakeholders’ engagement will be the first in its series since it is important that we normalise this harmonious synergy and work together to ensure that our industry is safe, reliable and sustainable.

“It will also bring together players in the sector to discuss and chart a roadmap/direction that will advance the industry’s potential, promote sustainable blue economy investments and ensure global competitiveness within the sector,” he said.

Oyetola said the roundtable would harvest ideas to form a roadmap and policy directions in areas such as blue governance; transforming port operations; enhancing port infrastructure; and promoting blue economy investments.

“This roadmap is designed in a way to enable our ministry fulfil its mission of formulating and implementing policies, programmes and initiatives that will facilitate the development of an inclusive Marine and Blue Economy Ecosystem.

“This ecosystem will be driven by an operating environment that meets global best standards as well as fulfil its vision of positioning Nigeria as a premier maritime nation,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, said the event was designed to showcase the policy direction of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Ajani added that it was organsied to share the blueprint of operations of the new ministry to the stakeholders.

She noted that the event would develop the much-needed synergy between the private and the public sectors.

According to Ajani, the maritime sector is a major source of revenue earnings for the country, an enabler of trade and a key engine of economic growth and sustainable development.

“Nigeria is blessed with so much aqua and so has an extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) making it a natural hub for shipping and international trade for most landlocked neighbouring nations in West and Central African region.

“Our maritime industry is also blessed with many experts including indigenous ship owners, terminal operators, freight forwarders, shipping lines, barge operators, maritime lawyers, stevedoring companies, and others who have paid huge sacrifices,” she said.

Ajani said the engagement would enable the stakeholders to present their challenges and jointly brainstorm on the solutions.

“This is with a view to charting a roadmap for a maritime industry that is sustainable technological advanced and innovative. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidinma Agu/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun represented by the SSG Tokunbo Talabi, the Chief of UNICEF, Lagos Office Celine Lafoucriere,
and the Akarigbo of Remo land Oba Babatunde Ajayi during the inauguration of the oxygen plant in Sagamu

By Yetunde Fatungase

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated a Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen plant to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plant was built by UNICEF with the support of IHS Towers and other partners.

It is to help with the production and supply of oxygen in the treatment of pneumonia and other ailments.

Speaking while handing over the plant, the Chief of UNICEF, Lagos Office, Ms Celine Lafoucriere, said the development remains a milestone for the people of Ogun.

”This is in particular for newborns and pregnant women suffering from pneumonia and other hypoxemia disorders.

“Their fundamental right to life is about to take a positive turn with the handover of this oxygen plant close to need,” she said.

The UNICEF official added that oxygen is not only critical to improving health outcomes but also reducing mortality rates occasioned by pneumonia by 35 per cent.

“Oxygen is life and a life-saving medical gas used for treating respiratory illnesses and supporting various healthcare provisions such as emergency obstetric care, surgery, and anesthesia.

“It is critical to improving health outcomes and reducing mortality due to pneumonia by 35 percent, yet seldom available and often expensive.

“With limited access to supplemental oxygen, the line between life and death is blurred for critically-ill patients with pneumonia and severe COVID-19 symptoms,” she said.

Lafoucriere congratulated the state government for being a beneficiary of the oxygen gas plant.

Gov. Dapo Abiodun, who commissioned the plant, described it as a life-saving project and recalled the unfortunate incidents of preventable deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak where patients could not access oxygen.

Abiodun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi, thanked the donors and promised that the plant would be put to use judiciously.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, in her remarks, said the plant can produce 300 litres per minute, and assured that it would never run out of gas.

Coker said the state government was already planning to establish one oxygen plant each in Ota and Ijebu-Ode, and three in Abeokuta.

She added that the Federal Government would monitor all the oxygen plants, including that of Ogun.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the institution, Mrs Oluwabunmi Fatungase, had thanked Gov. Abiodun for the realisation of the oxygen gas plant project.

She noted that it aligned with the visionary goals of the governor to transform healthcare delivery in the state.

Fatungase added that the establishment of the plant was a strategic move in recognising the indispensable role of oxygen in medical settings for resuscitation and inhalation therapy.

“Given our hospital’s reputation for conducting both minor and major surgeries, the integration of a self-reliant oxygen plant within our facilities becomes not just a necessity but a crucial asset,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Olawale Alabi

Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musa Musawa, says the sector is set to expand the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 100 billion dollars by the year 2030.
Musawa stated this at the Art, Culture and Creative Economy Roundtable, tagged ‘A Creative Industry Intervention’, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The event was supported by the Office of the Vice President, Trembly, Providus Bank, Leadway Assurance Plc and other relevant stakeholders.
According to the minister, since she assumed office some months ago, she and her dedicated team have been working relentlessly on a multitude of initiatives across various work streams.
The Minister explains that their collective aim is singular, bold and to position Nigeria as the world’s culture, creativity and entertainment capital of the world.
“We have since moved beyond mere interventions; we are now on a trajectory of transformation and acceleration in every facet of our creative sector.
“The creative industries are the heartbeat of the new economy, serving as an engine of economic growth, a catalyst of change, and a generator of employment opportunities.
“We are uniquely positioned in this great nation, endowed with an abundance of human capital and boundless possibilities.
“Our transformation team has delved deep into the very fabric of this sector, understanding its dynamics, sizing up the opportunities it presents, and benchmarking against model countries and sectors.
“We have engaged extensively with many of you in this room, the driving forces behind our creative industries.
“Our objective is to contribute ten per cent to the Nation’s GDP expanding sectorial GDP to a remarkable $100 billion by the year 2030,” Musawa stressed.
She explained that the ministry was ready to share its vision for the creative sector, a vision that many have had a glimpsed in the summary of the ministry’s strategic blueprint published last month.
Musawa further explained that the vision of the new ministry is built upon five key pillars, including ‘Policy, Legislative, Regulatory and Intellectual Property Reforms’, ‘Cultural’ and ‘Economy’ plans.
“Others are ‘Private Sector Engagement’ and ‘Destination 2030, Nigeria Everywhere’, which created a brand that will unite us across all initiatives as both our overall strategic direction and our soft power initiative.
“Destination 2030, Nigeria Everywhere will promote our culture and showcase our creators to the world, establishing Nigeria as the leading global hub for arts, culture and creativity.
“We believe that Nigeria’s cultural influence should transcend borders, and we are committed to making it a reality.
“As we embark on this transformative journey together, let us remember that each one of you, with your creativity and passion, is an indispensable part of this narrative.
“Our collective efforts will not only make Nigeria the world’s creative capital but also enrich the lives of our people and inspire generations to come,” Musawa said.
The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital Creative Economy, Mr Fegho Umunubo, said Musawa has articulated a vibrant road map for the creative sector that would impact on all regions of the country.
“It is my hope that together with industry players, we will achieve a one billion dollar economy by 2030. The creative economy is gradually becoming the new oil.
“We are hopeful the achievements of the players in this industry would help reposition the image of this great country,” Umunubo said.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of Trembly, Mr Lawrence Ogungbe, said Nigeria’s creative industry is the most vibrant eco system in the world, adding that the world is yet to embrace all we have.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Providus Bank, Mr Walter Akpani, suggested that the $100 billion mark should be increased to $200 billion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Simon Lalong; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu; officials from the office of the Vice President, industry players and other stakeholders from the art and culture industry. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Naomi Sharang

In a significant stride toward strengthening Nigeria’s fight against corruption, the European Union (EU) has pledged €30 million over the next five years.

The commitment was announced by Ms. Samuela Isopi, EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, during the formal launch of Phase II of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) in Abuja.

The RoLAC initiative, set to unfold at the federal level and in five states—Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, and Lagos—reflects the EU’s multifaceted approach.

Addressing corruption, reducing gender-based violence, and promoting human rights and inclusivity are at the core of this comprehensive program.

Acknowledging the achievements of RoLAC’s first phase, Isopi emphasised the establishment and reinforcement of policies and processes.

Notable successes include heightened inter-agency cooperation in the battle against corruption and the creation of synergies between government and civil society organisations.

The second phase, spanning five years, will concentrate on criminal justice, prison reform, and curbing sexual and gender-based violence.

Isopi stressed that the pivotal challenge in Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts lies in effective enforcement.

Danladi Plang, Head of the Programme at Nigeria International IDEA, highlighted that RoLAC Phase II aims to consolidate rule of law and anti-corruption reforms.

While lauding the EU’s commitment, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, emphasised the alignment of RoLAC Phase II with the National Development Plan 2021-2025.

Representatives from Kano State, the only state yet to domesticate the VAPP Act, showcased the programme’s focus on enhancing the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, expressed commendation for RoLAC’s impactful interface and quality nation-building initiatives.

He was represented by Mrs Victoria Ojogbane, the Director of Planning Research, and Statistics at the Ministry.

He said it marked a pivotal step in bridging gaps in criminal justice and administrative reform, promising to enhance systems and structures within Nigeria’s justice sector.

The EU’s generous pledge and strategic collaboration signal a renewed vigor in the shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and eradicating corruption in Nigeria. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ali Baba Inuwa