By Precious Akutammadu

Mr Casmir Irekamba, President, Unemployed Youth Association of Nigeria (UYAN), has called on multinationals and corporate organisations to fully utilise funds meant for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards youth empowerment in Nigeria.

Irekamba disclosed this on Wednesday to newsmen during the National Executive Council meeting organised by the group in Port Harcourt.

The group president also tasked government agencies and parastatals on youth development, saying that full implementation of CSR towards youth would assist the vulnerable unemployed youths in the country.

Irekamba said that over the years Nigerian youth have been denied their rights to enjoy benefits accruing from CSR especially by companies operating in the country.

According to him, UYAN will follow-up and persuade companies operating in the country to be more committed in carrying out their corporate social responsibility as stipulated in the laws of the land.

“If these companies set aside at least 3 per cent of their annual income to channel youth empowerment and development, it will drastically reduce the youth unemployment in Nigeria.

“These companies should endeavour to reach out to the Unemployed Youth Association of Nigeria.

“We are aware of some companies who are already committed to it, others doing partially, and there are some that are not doing it at all.

“MTN and other telecom players are doing their best through scholarships, empowerment schemes and youth empowerment at the grassroots,” he said.

Irekamba blamed youth unemployment on some government regulating agencies who have failed in the process of monitoring and evaluating how these companies operate, stating that some officials benefit from the scheme, hence their silence.

“The issue of corporate social responsibility is compulsory for all companies operating in the country by law, and our leaders are aware of this, however, they are silent.

“Most of these companies have failed in this area, year in, year out; they don’t carry out their corporate social responsibility and those at the helm of affairs are doing nothing about it,” Irekamba stated.

The president of UYAN noted that time has come for Nigerian youths particularly the unemployed ones to come together and demand for their rights.

He noted that there was a need to declare a state of emergency on companies that have failed to carry out their corporate social responsibility over the years.

He, however, explained that UYAN was working tirelessly to create awareness on the youth to be patriotic, law-abiding and peaceful in their approach and activities.

“As part of the strategy, we are educating, creating awareness and public enlightenment programmes to sensitise the youth, more especially the unemployed through our structure in the 36 states in the country, and FCT.

“As unemployment remains high across the country and leading to migration to greener pastures popularly called “Japa”, it is highly imperative for the government to create wealth for youths through corporate social responsibility of companies,” he said.

Speaking on the current rate of unemployment and criminality among the youths, Irekamba said UYAN was out to ensure that the lives of the unemployed youth could be transformed and occupied positively to better the economy.

“UYAN will soon unveil initiatives that will help young people to achieve their career ambitions.

“This will be achieved by providing guidance, support, training and empowerment for them to have a competitive advantage to succeed in today’s work environment,” Irekamba said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Nathan Nwakamma

Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has assured the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the state for national service of a well packaged welfare programme.

Diri made the pledge on Wednesday, at the swearing-in ceremony for the 2024 Batch  A, Stream 1 corps members at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Boro Town, Bayelsa.

The governor was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Mrs Grace Alagoa.

While welcoming the corps members to Bayelsa, Diri reiterated government’s commitment to their security and welfare as well as continued support to the management of the scheme to achieve its objectives.

Diri commended the founders of NYSC and successive administrations for sustaining the scheme.

He described the scheme as the champion of national unity and integration, while expressed optimism that with the Youth Corps members, the labour of the heroes past shall not be in vain.

“I have always said that corps members are the hope of our nation as you represent the most educated, exposed and enlightened segment of youths in Nigeria.

“Other youths, including tertiary, secondary students as well as primary school pupils are looking up to you to provide quality leadership and mentorship that will transform Nigeria. You cannot afford to fail Nigeria,” he said.

He challenged them to emulate their predecessors who meritoriously served the nation in Bayelsa by effectively discharging their duties in various places of primary and secondary assignments.

The Bayelsa Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Charity Okpalifo, congratulated the governor on the recent successful swearing-in, to mark his second term in office.

According to her, the NYSC appreciates the governor, government and the good people of Bayelsa for the clear demonstration of support to the service corps in the state.

She said that the corps members were optimistic that the completion of the ongoing hostels construction would greatly address accommodation on the camp and increase the number of corps members that would be deployed to the state.

She advised the corps members to take the orientation course serious, adding that careful and deliberate programmes had been designed to adequately prepare and equip them for optimum performance during and after the service year.

“During the course of this exercise, you will undergo drills, physical training, leadership training, lectures on various topics of national importance, skills acquisition training, among others,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Blessing Ibegbu

The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) has inducted 68 fresh entrants trained at the Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State.

Its Registrar, Ibrahim Ahmed, who performed the induction and oath taking ceremony on Tuesday, lauded the resilience and doggedness of the inductees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the freshers were inducted at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the institution.

Ahmed congratulated the inductees for their hard work, determination and diligence that had paid off.

He described the oath-taking and induction as one of the key requirements prescribed by the PCN Establishment Act which must be fulfilled before freshers could be registered as pharmacists.

“As you take the oath today and become inducted members of the pharmacy profession, I urge you to maintain high ethical standards and leadership skills as prescribed by the PCN.

“You must endeavour to be worthy professionals and strive toward excellence.

“As pharmacists, you are expected to get yourself acquainted with the code of professional ethics.

“You must ensure strict compliance with the code of ethics and always remember that this is your guide to becoming a respectable member of this profession.

“After being registered, you would have equal opportunity to positively compete favourably with your colleagues.

“Always note, too, that there is no limitation to where each of you can get to, in life,” he added.

He said that they could practise in the industry, community, hospital, administration, research, ICT, journalism and governance.

“It means that you have a lot of opportunities ahead of you,” he said.

He urged them to identify mentors that would guide them through their areas of interest.

He cautioned them against unwholesome practices as the council would not accept such from them.

“Refrain from any act of misconduct as this will be treated with all seriousness.

“The PCN Act has procedures for sanctioning professional misconduct. Don’t be caught on the wrong side,” he said.

The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kuje Haruna, commended PCN for organising the induction and oath taking ceremony, and described the graduates as “well trained professionals”.

He regretted the little number of professionals available to Nigerians, noting that there was one pharmacist to 13,385 Nigerians.

“This is a far cry from the World Health Organisation (WHO), recommended ratio of one pharmacist to 2,000.

“Among the factors responsible for the ratio is inadequate manpower; Bingham University is delighted to fill this gap,” he said.

He congratulated the 68 graduates that had worked tirelessly to be counted among those worthy to partake in the event.

Haruna added that the graduates had accepted to work with the highest sense of professionalism and ethical standards, to provide quality pharmaceutical services.

“I urge you to adhere strictly to the oath and ethics of the profession because we have inculcated in you core values of Christian faith during your time here.

“I want you to stick to those core values and follow the rules of your profession; if you do this, there is no limit to how far you can go in life,” Haruna said.

He urged them to be good ambassadors of Bingham University, while being worthy ambassadors of Christ.

“Pharmacy is a noble profession with huge opportunities, but ensure that the medicines you dispense are genuine.

The guest speaker, Chamberlin Onuoha, emphasised the need to promote professionalism, especially in a sensitive field like medicine.

The Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prof. John Alfa, appreciated the invited guests for their time, teachings, advice and support.

He said that the dream of the institution was to make the faculty a centre of excellence for drug research and development, including phytomedicine, considered as low hanging fruits.

NAN reports that the ceremony featured a presentation of awards to the best students in different categories with winners receiving books and cash.

The best graduating student, Ezinne Kanu, delivered a valedictory speech on behalf of her colleagues where she thanked the lecturers for their efforts.

She advised fellow inductees to always remain optimistic in life. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Dorcas Jonah

A Human Rights activist, Mr Emmanuel Adeoye, has urged the Nigeria Police to arrest and prosecute an alleged gay leader, one Daniel Soetan, who has been declared wanted for promoting outlawed activity.

Adeoye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the Nigeria Police had earlier promised to make example with the gay leader of the group currently at large.

“The police made the promise in a mass arrests which occurred at a wedding venue in Warri, Delta, in August 2023 and it targeted lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community,” he said.

He said the Delta State Police Command in August 2023, paraded 67 gay suspects who were arrested during a midnight raid in a hotel in the state.

Adeoye said that they were allegedly conducting a gay wedding ceremony at a popular hotel on Refinery Road Ekpan in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

“Police said one of those at large was Daniel Soetan, popularly known as Ambassador Dan, alleged to be the leader of the group.

“Dan is said to be a bi-sexual as he is known to be married with children and running a community development, non-profit organisation called Goodwill Ambassadors of Nigeria.

“Dan is said to have gone into hiding after escaping from the wedding in Warri, Delta State in August but the police has reaffirmed its resolve to openly go after him and his likes.”

The Spokesperson of the Force headquarters, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had described gay and lesbians as criminal act punishable under the Nigerian law.

Nigeria’s anti-gay law, enacted in January 2014 by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, stipulates a 14-year prison term for anyone convicted of having sex with members of the same sex.

Adeoye urged the police to expedite action on the search for the suspect, to ensure his prosecution as a deterrent to others that would want to engage in LGBTQ. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris abdulrahman

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

In commemoration of the World International Day for Social Justice, Dr ChiChi Aniagolu, Regional Director, Ford Foundation West Africa, says the Day serves as a stark reminder that achieving fairness and equity is the bedrock of every society.

Aniagolu said this in a statement  made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

According to her, when social justice is compromised, the very fabric of society begins to unravel.

She said: “In developing countries and particularly in Africa, discussions around social justice often center around issues of poverty eradication, employment creation, access to health care, infrastructural development among others, and the need for good governance.

“In the conversations around good governance, the greater pressure is always on the executive and the legislature to ensure democracy and good governance, and to fight corruption.

“However, equally important in upholding social justice is the role of a robust judicial system due to its interpretative, dispute resolution, and enforcement role.

“Yet the judiciary in West Africa is plagued with a myriad of problems, including in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal.

“Prevalent challenges such as inadequate funding and and limited rural access to justice, political/governmental interference, and corruption, underscore the urgent need for proactive measures.”

Speaking on funding and its eminent challenges, Aniagolu said that the judiciary in many West African countries was burdened with poor remuneration, inadequate infrastructure, and an unequal distribution of resources to move the wheels of justice forward.

“Some countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal face significant disparities in the availability of legal professionals, with an average ratio of one lawyer to every 10,000 citizens.

“In the absence of adequate legal aid against a backdrop of high legal fees for a sub-region where over 30 per cent of the population live below the poverty line and long distances from communities to the courts.

“Also, rural populations and vulnerable groups in West Africa often face significant barriers to justice making it seem as though justice is on sale to the highest bidder.

“Social justice demands accessible and fair legal systems for all, yet these resource constraints paint a stark picture of limited access to judicial services for many citizens.

“As the third arm of government, the judiciary is not free from governmental influence and interference.

“However, it is important to note that the independence of the judiciary has improved across many West African countries since the onset of democratic rule in the 1990s.

‘Biased appointments of judges to the superior courts and unfair removal of sitting judges continue to happen,” she said.

She said that sometimes the judicial system is manipulated to usurp constitutional rule, stifle dissenting groups, and gag freedom of expression with political opponents, the media,and CSOs suffering this brunt.

“The sub-region recently witnessed how the Senegalese government used the judiciary to oppress political opponents and CSOs and to delay the electoral process.

“Nigeria grapples with a crippling backlog of criminal and civil cases, inadequate infrastructure, and endemic corruption and bribery.

“These issues create a system where justice is delayed and often denied, particularly for the poor and vulnerable.

“Deep-rooted challenges persist in Ghana, including limited access to legal aid, systemic bias within the courts, corruption, and concerns about judicial independence the country’s Chief Justice is appointed by the ruling government.

“These weaknesses within the judicial systems contribute to imbalances, inefficiencies, and erosion of public trust. Though these challenges are daunting, they are not insurmountable.

“What is required first is to reform the judiciary and encourage strong governmental leadership and commitment to effect those changes.

“Prioritising the development of legal infrastructure by investing in new courthouses, especially in rural areas and upgrading existing facilities, establishing mobile legal clinics.

“Also, leveraging technology for virtual consultations, legal aid hotlines, and community-based legal assistance programs to bring legal services closer to rural populations, can effectively address the challenges faced by those in remote areas.”

She urged CSOs and the media to continue to be vibrant, courageous and lead the fight against bribery and corruption, recalling a 2015 expose of alleged bribery and corruption by an investigative journalist in Ghana which led to the indictment of many judges and magistrates.

She said it was also crucial to boost investment in legal education to address the shortage of legal professionals in West Africa by expanding law schools, providing scholarships, and incentivising legal career pursuits, especially in underserved areas.

Acccording to her, citizens also have an important role to play as the judiciary is not only vital to guaranteeing equitable justice but also ensuring the rule of law and sustainable development.

“Businesses will not thrive and investors are unlikely to invest in societies where justice is compromised.

“And so, in an era of media pluralism, citizens must also be vocal and determined to hold the judiciary accountable through public support and applause when the judiciary does well and public naming and shaming when they err.

“This will energise and embolden the judiciary to resist governmental interference, deal with systemic corruption, and demand reforms to ensure fairness and equity in the judicial services to advance social justice.” (NAN)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The new Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) Mr Shehu Osidi, says he will run a transparent and open door policy.

He also solicited cooperation and team work from all members of staff of the bank, to achieve its mandate.

Osidi said this during his inaugural address at the occasion of the Handover of the Outgoing Executive Team to the incoming team of the bank on Monday in Abuja.

Osidi, who was a former staff of the bank, said his appointment was homecoming for him and a call to serve.

“For me, it is an onerous task that comes with loads of expectations as a former member of staff, who is expected to know all the challenges of the bank.

“I am not unaware of these expectations and it is a challenge I expect to tackle with all sense of responsibility with members of the new executive management team.

“I understand the importance of teamwork and cooperation in achieving our organisational goals, now, more than ever, as we navigate the complexities of our industry and strive to meet the evolving needs of our stakeholders.

“I am committed to running an open, transparent and accountable administration in an atmosphere where teamwork, innovation, professionalism, excellence and staff wellbeing shall thrive,” he said.

Osidi urged all staff of the bank to commit to rededicating themselves to serve the bank honestly and shun all negative attitudes.

In his remarks, Mr Madu Hamman, the outgoing Managing Director, thanked President Bola Tinubu for finding him and his team worthy to serve.

Hamman who had served the bank for 22 months, was appointed in April of 2022 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He congratulated the incoming management team for their appointment and urged them to think deep so as to satisfy the demand of the numerous contributors.

“I also plead with you not to dash the expectations of Nigerians. FMBN is an organisation that all Nigerians look up to for housing delivery, and for provision of affordable housing finances.

“So it’s an onerous responsibility because we all know that what trickles into the organisation as the source of the funds that we manage, is not enough to even cater for one per cent of the population.

“But everybody expects that FMBN should be able to deliver a home to them. Every contributor to the National Housing Fund (NHF) expects that they will get a house.”

Hamman advised the new executive team to look at external innovative ways of raising funds rather than depending on the deposits from NHF.

“I am immensely grateful for the support and cooperation of each and every one of you throughout my time in office here. I have witnessed firsthand, the incredible talent, reservoir of knowledge and resilience that defines impact.”

Speaking on some of the achievements during his tenure, Hamman said the bank was able to exceed N100 billion annual collection, adding that the bank should be categorised as a dividend paying institution.

Also speaking, Mrs Zubaida Umar, outgoing Executive Director of Finance who had served in the bank for 18 years, welcomed the new management and assured them of absolute commitment and dedication of the staff.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new managing director was until his appointment, the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Housing and Urban Development and had worked in the bank as a general manager. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Chioma Ugboma

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Federal Government and major cement manufacturers have pegged the price of 50kg bag of cement at between N7,000 and N8,000 depending on the location nationwide.

Sen. David Umahi made this known to newsmen after a protracted meeting with major cement manufacturers in the country on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Cement Manufacturers came to an agreement to sell a 50kg bag of cement at a retail price of between N7,000 and N8,000, depending on the location.

However, the manufacturers stated that the price drop from the current market price would depend on the fulfilment of certain government intervention to ameliorate critical challenges faced in the industry.

The meeting was against the backdrop of the astronomical increase in the price of the commodity to about N13,000 in several retail stores in the Federal Capital Territory, Enugu and other parts of the country.

The meeting, called by President Bola Tinubu, to find a lasting solution to the unreasonable increase, had Umahi lamenting that the price was abnormal and detrimental to economic prosperity sought after by the current administration.

Speaking, the minister said certain issues, including smuggling, bad roads, high energy costs, and the foreign exchange crisis, caused the high price but stressed that manufacturers have expressed their readiness to willingly bring down the prices.

He said, “The cement manufacturers and the government have noted that the present high cost of cement in the market is abnormal in some locations nationwide.

“Ideally, they noted that cement price and retail price to a consumer should not cost more than between N7,000 and N8,000 per 50 kg bag of cement.

“Therefore, the government and the cement manufacturers, which is Dangote Plc, BUA Plc and Lafarge Plc, have agreed to peg their cement price nationwide between N7,000 and N8,000 per 50 kg bag of cement, depending on the location.

“Which means that this price depends on the location. Going forward, the government advised manufacturers to set up a price monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with the prices that are set today.”

The meeting had in attendance the minister of works, Minister of Trade and Investment, Mrs Doris Uzoka-Anite, representatives of Dangote Plc, BUA Plc and Lafarge Plc. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi