By Sarafina Christopher

Nigeria and the U.S. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the preservation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Adamawa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MoU which was signed on Thursday in Abuja is for the implementation of the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) Grant for the protection of Sukur Cultural Heritage site in Adamawa.

According to the U.S. Chargé d’ Affaires, David Greene, the project aims to improve the conservation of the cultural heritage of the Sukur Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site, through documentation, conservation activities, and improvement of infrastructure.

Greene noted that the United States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs awarded the grant to the Nigerian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites in Nigeria (ICOMOS-Nigeria).

“This grant will support ICOMOS-Nigeria and its local partners to help preserve Sukur cultural heritage through infrastructure enhancements, revival of threatened traditional crafts, as well as documentation and preservation.

The Chargé d’ Affaires applauded Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to the conservation, protection, and preservation of the country’s cultural heritage.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy expressed gratitude to the U.S. government for its continuous efforts and support toward the preservation of cultural heritage sites  in Nigeria and the 2-year conservation and preservation work in the Sukur Cultural Landscape.

She added that the work also involved the conservation of the tangible and intangible heritage of Sukur Cultural Landscape, enhancing community capacity, strengthening local, national, and international links and networks for conserving the site’s Outstanding Universal Values.

“We are aware that the Sukur cultural site is under imminent threat of insurgency and immediate danger imposed by global climate change.

“It is in this perilous setting that the USA, ICOMOS and the other partners are venturing, bringing their message of hope and support.

“I thus deemed it imperative to be here today to express the gratitude of the Nigerian government and people to join in with other lovers of nature, heritage and culture in showing our deep appreciation to this laudable effort,” she said.

​NAN reports that the project is being anchored by ICOMOS and the NCMM under the coordination of Terry Little of Ahmadu Bello University, the American University of Nigeria, Yola and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Other contributors are the Washington State University, University of Calgary, and Factum Foundation from the United Kingdom. (NAN) (www.nannews.com.ng)

Edited by Yinusa Ishola/Emmanuel Yashim

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The U.S. State of Geogia has honoured the Consul General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Amb. Amina Smaila, for “efficient and unselfish dedication to public service to the state”.

The North American Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House of Representatives of the State of Georgia presented the honour to Smaila on Thursday on the floor of the house.

The house, in resolution 647, obtained from the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta, stated that Smaila had diligently and conscientiously devoted her time, talents and energy toward the betterment of the state.

The resolution, signed by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, William Reily, spelt out the exceptional diplomatic skills of the Nigerian envoy.

“A distinguished Nigerian diplomat with more than two decades of exceptional service in the Nigerian Foreign Service, she currently oversees 16 southeastern states as well as Puerto Rico.

“Throughout her impressive career in public administration and policy development, she served in senior roles such as Minister at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York and acting Director of Policy Division under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Her outstanding service has earned her numerous honours, including delivering the commencement speech at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, and receiving the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta.’’

According to the lawmakers, the Nigerian diplomat has given inspiration to many through her high ideals, morals, and deep concern for fellow citizens.

The representatives noted that Smaila had served with honour and distinction, and her vision and unyielding commitment to excellence had set the standard for public service.

“It’s abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognised,’’ they noted.

Mrs Miriam Udeozo, Consul, Consulate of Nigeria, Atlanta, however, spoke on the extraordinary qualities of Smaila that won her the honour by the State of Georgia and other honours.

Udeozo said the Consul General had won Phoenix Award by Andre Dickens, Mayor of the City of Atlanta, which was in recognition of her diplomatic work in reinforcing the ties between Nigeria and the United State.

According to her, the envoy has won Courageous Women Award by Courageous Women in Action, Atlanta, Georgia.

Under her leadership, Udeozo said the President of the City Council of Atlanta and all the State of Georgia, recognised Oct. 1 as the Independence Day of Nigeria in Georgia.

They also made “proclamation declaring May 25 as Nigeria’s Day for Art and Culture in the State of Georgia.

“This pronouncement came at the heels of the exhibition titled “Nigeria Speaks”, which attracted Atlanta, the entire United States and the world, to a navel cultural extravaganza, projecting Nigeria and African art in all of its diversity and beauty,’’ she said. (NAN)

CIA/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Yahaya Isah

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), has solicited the support of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in creating security awareness toward a successful war against crime.

Its National Chairman, Alhaji Magaji Ibrahim, made the appeal when he led other officials of the committee on a courtesy visit to the Managing Director (MD) of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali, on Thursday in Abuja.

Magaji said that the delegation was in NAN to register its presence and solicit the support of NAN to enable it reach out to the members of the public effectively.

“We are doing a lot; we were established in 1984 and we are in all the 36 states of the federation. We are in all the nooks and crannies of the country and the FCT.

“We are doing a lot to support and complement the efforts of the Federal Government. Three months ago, through one of our pillars of support, we identified 17 children of Police officers that died in active service.

“As usual, we went ahead and sought for scholarships for them to the university level. When we got this, we worked with the wife of the Inspector-General of Police to help us to search for deserving families.

“Women know better when it comes to these issues; she did justice to it by picking from the 17 zones we have in the country. We used her office to pick one person from each zone.

“We are equally working with the youth and women to sensitise them against all social vices. We are working with children to catch them young, and support the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) family.

“We are equally assisting their children through the NPF school by providing them with textbooks and other necessary tools.“

He said that the committee decided to work with the NPF because, through its findings, it came to realise that majority of Police personnel some Nigerians were condemning, were actually the best in the world.

“In any international programme that involves them, they usually lead. So, it pains us when people condemn them because, to us, they are the most discipline organisation.

“We believe and stand by this any time anywhere,” he added.

He commended the personnel of the NPF for rejecting a bribe from a kidnapper in Kaduna State and went ahead to arrest him with his gang.

“Recently, a Police officer in Lagos State also rejected N4 million bribe from a drug baron and arrested her. Also, in Taraba, a Police officer rejected N8.5 million bribe.”

Magaji, however, called for support for the nation’s security outfits, saying that much would be achieved if Nigerians worked together to rid the nation of criminals.

He also solicited for NAN support to give the PCRC good coverage in its forthcoming 40th anniversary celebration which, he said, would commence from the grassroots.

In his response, Ali said that NAN, the biggest news content provider on the continent of Africa, started business in 1976 and would soon celebrate its 50 years anniversary.

“We will be 50 years and, in this whole of 50 years, we have been able to open offices in 11 foreign countries.

“At a time, we had offices in Moscow, in the U.S., and the only news agency resident in the UN. We are the only one from West Africa. One of the three from the continent of Africa.

“We have offices in Johannesburg, in CoteD’Ivoire, Ethiopia, and in some other African countries. We have offices in the entirety of Nigeria, in 36 states.

“We also have some zonal offices. We are the only content provider with district correspondents in the rural areas.

“So, you could not have had a better partner to seek support to celebrate your 40 years anniversary. We will freely give you the support without even asking.

“All we need is notice and we will be there to give you whatever the publicity you require,“ Ali said.

He added that the NPF had been doing a commendable job over the years, given the challenges in other parts of the country.

“If you look at it dispassionately, notwithstanding its shortcomings, it is, comparatively speaking, about the least corrupt on the continent of Africa.

“I know this because, in the course of my over 30 years in the news media, all my life has been in the newsroom.

“I was a crime and judicial editor in Thisday newspaper, I have interfaced with the Police; I have seen the Police working round the clock.

“Our policemen work hard. So, when I see Nigerians deriding the Nigeria Police, it shows we have no idea how they operate.

“If you just go to South Africa and see the extent of the rot in the Police system there, then you will come back and hail the Nigeria Police.”

The MD acknowledged the fact that the PCRC and NAN were in the business of promoting the good image of the country, being on same page.

“That is why we see the cup as half full and not half empty. It means we are on the side of positivity.

“The NPF is doing a tremendous job given the challenges it face. The PCRC, on the other hand, is equally doing a tremendous and commendable job.

Ali urged the PCRC members to keep up the good work and congratulated them for what they had been doing, especially the offer of scholarships to the children of the fallen heroes.

“Most times, people are apprehensive of sacrificing their lives and limbs for fear of what will become of their children. Your efforts will go a long way to take off the fear in people.

“I particularly like the zoning formular in the selection of those to benefit from the scholarship. I like the spread. I congratulate you on this ,” Ali added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

By Abiodun Azi

Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), through The Third-Party Advocacy Campaign (TPAC), has called for legislative agenda to address food system challenges in the country.

The CSO made the call in Lagos on Thursday during the opening of its two-day Legislative Retreat on Food Fortification, Workforce Nutrition, and Food Systems Transformation in Nigeria.

Mr Auwal Ibrahim Musa, Executive Director, CISLAC, said that the discussions at the retreat aimed to identify concrete policy recommendations for actionable steps.

Musa called on the participants to leverage the collective ideas presented to shape a legislative agenda that will address the root causes of food system challenges and poor compliance with food fortification policies.

He added that it would also address workforce nutrition and deliver tangible improvements for all Nigerians.

“There is an urgent need to promote bio-fortification of staple crops like cassava and orange sweet potato with essential vitamins to address deficiencies directly in the food itself.

“Ensuring fortified staples remain culturally acceptable and affordable for low-income populations is crucial as well as requiring sensitivity to taste, price, and traditional food preparation methods.

“Effective quality control systems are needed to ensure consistent nutrient content and consumer safety, and these often require infrastructure and technical expertise ,that promotes adoption of climate-smart technologies, improved seeds, and sustainable practices to enhance productivity and resilience,”he said

According to him, large portion of food production and distribution occurs through informal markets, posing challenges in terms of regulation, food safety, and data collection.

“Women play a key role in agricultural production, processing, and marketing, requiring specific interventions to address their needs and empower them economically,” he added.

Musa appealed to members of the legislature to help, through their oversight and appropriation powers; facilitate the establishment of local premix (fortified blend) production facilities.

He also appealed to them to ensure their affordability and accessibility to food manufacturers.

On his part, Mr Muhammed Murtala, Senior Programme Officer, CISLAC, said that TPAC objectives of the intervention was to advocate budgetary allocation and fund releases for relevant government agencies to ensure efficient monitoring of food fortification by producers.

Murtala said that part of the intervention was to increase compliance to food fortification policy by food producers through improved legislative oversight and supervision of relevant agencies of government ,among others.

He said that expected outcomes would increase compliance to food fortification policy by food producers, improve legislative oversight on relevant agencies of government implementing food fortification policy ,among others.

He said that TPAC, through the advocacy efforts, sought to contribute toward reduction in malnutrition and macronutrients deficiency,thereby contributing to the realisation of  “1dollar economy” by 2026 in Nigeria.

Contributing, Mrs Regina Akume, Chairman, House Committee on Food and Drug Administration and Control, said there was need for food security through nutritional fortification action in order to improve the overall health and economic wellbeing of the Nigerian workforce.

Akume said the development of a robust legislative framework and policy on nutrition fortification of staple foods with essential micronutrients would give the advocacy for food fortification, workforce nutrition and food system transformation a legislative and legal backing.

She said that this would strengthen and ensure institutional and systemic compliance within the three concepts of food fortification, workforce nutrition and sustainable food system in the food industry. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Buhari Bolaji

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has presented laptops, cash, and certificates to 26 young female fish farmers to improve the viability of agricultural value chain in Kano state.

Mahmoud presented the items on Thursday in Kano, at the closing ceremony of a 5-day empowerment programme for women and youths in modern agriculture in North-West.

She commended the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Abuja, for the initiative to build female entrepreneurs in the agricultural value chain.

Speaking on the theme “Sustainable Growth through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skill Development in Digital Economy”, the minister said that the programme was to promote education, skill acquisition, and gender empowerment.

“I see this programme as one of the outcomes of the numerous humanitarian services of promoting education, skills acquisition, women and youth empowerment through the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.

“I, therefore, commend the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development for taking this bold step that will enable farmers to use research data and adopt technology necessary to accelerate growth in the agricultural sector,” she said.

Mahmoud called on the centre to raise the bar for female entrepreneurs in the country through the agricultural value chain.

The Director-General of the Center, Dr Asabe Bashir, said that the programme was designed to expose young women to various ways ICT could help farmers, agricultural extension workers, and decision makers improve on their agricultural practice and methods.

Bashir, who was represented by the Assistant Director of the center, Mr Taslim Atoyebi, pointed out that agriculture employs over 75 per cent of the country’s workforce.

She said that the demand for agricultural produce kept increasing as the population swells.

She identified ICT as a vehicle that drives development in all sectors of the economy, including agriculture.

She said that the federal government’s quest to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty would be realised if farmers were empowered to contribute their quota to the economic growth and development of the country.

“We will continue to monitor your progress and support your growth all-year-round to create digital farmers in the North-West Zone of Nigeria.

“We conducted this training to expose you to the technological innovations in the agricultural sector,” Atoyebi said.

One of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Umma Waru, thanked the federal government for the training, and promised to make good use of the skills acquired. (NAN)

Edited by Chidi Opara/Philip Yatai

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Dr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), says there is need to support local content in the manufacturing of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Lalu spoke while receiving a delegation from CBM Global, an NGO, championing disability inclusion towards transforming the lives of PWDs living in poverty on Thursday in Abuja.

The delegation was led to the commission by the Interim Country Director of CBM Global Disability Inclusion, Anita Smeets.

He said that production of locally made assistive devices would provide relief to the disability community despite the rising inflation and economic downturn.

The executive secretary told the delegation that PWDs were facing serious hardship due to the current economic situation orchestrated by rising inflation in the country.

“It will surprise you to know that a Braille Machine which used to sell for N300,000  is now sold for N3,000,000 implying that only a few persons can afford it.

”In order to address some of this challenge, the commission has taken steps to meet with relevant authorities to revive the braille centres across the country.’’

According to him, the equipment is mostly imported from abroad, hence the need to support the local production of such equipment to ease the financial burden on PWDs.

He said that the commission had already partnered with some organisations for the production of assistive devices as local production would boost the nation’s GDP.

“The project is one that is capable of serving as a foreign exchange earner to boost the Nigerian economy” he said.

Earlier,  Smeets said the organisation’s mission was to have a one-on-one conversation with the commission being an agency of government responsible for disability matters in Nigeria.

Smeets commended the executive secretary for being proactive in advancing disability inclusion, especially the education, health and general wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities in the nation.

She pledged to work closely with the commission to ensure the protection of rights and privileges of persons with disabilities in line with their mandate.

On his part, the Executive Director, CBM Global, Mr Davis Bainbridge, expressed satisfaction with the commission’s mandate and promised to contribute to the cause of PWDs in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Fact-Check

By Victor Adeoti
The International Press Centre (IPC) has urged journalists to combat information disorder in the society through fact-check and freedom of information tools.

Mr Lanre Arogundade, the Executive Director of IPC, said this at a two-day capacity building on combating Information Disorder in Democratic Governance Reporting, Using Fact-Check and FOI Tools, in Akure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 40 journalists from different media houses were selected across the south-west states.

The training was organised by IPC in collaboration with EU-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGNll)

Arogundade said that the challenges of disinformation and misinformation by whatever form made fact-check imperative.

He said that social media enabled people to generate misinformation easily, spread it rapidly, do so anonymously and decentralised it.

Arogundade explained that misinformation as sharing of false information without knowing it amounted to false or despite suspicion, it could be false-rumours, insults or pranks.

He said disinformation was concoction of untrue news and the sharing of such news with the knowledge that they were false.

“Malinformation arises when an information that it is true is spread in a malicious manner with the objective of causing harm,” he said.

He said, “the danger of disinformation is that it could lead to spread of falsehood, leading to disbelief or not knowing what to believe, panic and anxiety, especially in moments of crisis, among others.

“Fact-check is verifying information in public domain by public officials, organisations, media and social media, fact-check is not a ricket science,” he said.

He said fact-check was a scrupulous analysis driven by one basic question – “how do we know that?” noting that fact-check is not a spell-check”

On the steps for fact-check, the IPC CEO, urged journalists to eliminate biases, diversifying and using multiple credible sources, distinguish between facts and opinion or between facts and fiction and also apply journalistic curiosity or common sense.

Arogundade, however, urged journalists to always ensure that they used the knowledge gained from the workshop to combat misinformation, disinformation and malinformation in the society.

Also, Mr Martins Oloja, Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief, Guardian Newspapers, urged journalists to always follow-up on stories to verify their credibility.
Oloja said journalists must always put government on their toes through verified and accurate reportage.

He urged participants to be more resourceful in addressing the challenges of good journalism.

Melody Akinjiyan, the IPC Project Officer, said that the role of the media in the rapid dissemination of information and shaping public opinion to ensure transparency in electoral systems, was important.

“The emergence of information disorder posed a grave threat to the very foundation of democratic governance, sowing seeds of doubt, division, and distrust.

“This training serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards a more informed, vigilant and resilient media landscape,” she said.

NAN reports that journalists in attendance were taught how to use fact-check tools such as Google reverse image, TinEye, meta data, flight aware, among others.(NAN)

Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Idris Abdulrahman

By Yahaya Isah

A leading real estate developing company in Africa, Aazik homes, says the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has helped in enhancing standardisation in the real estate industry, especially in Abuja.

The Chief Executive Officer, Aazik homes, Dr Frank Azikiwe, communicated this on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on challenges facing real estate developers across the country.

Azikiwe said the firm would commence the sale of luxury homes in River Park Estate and several other locations in Abuja by March.

“I know it is no longer news that Wike is one of the best hands President Bola Tinubu’s administration has at the moment; his passion and result oriented pursuit makes him topnotch as a minister.

“Assuredly, the president’s “Renewed Hope” agenda is actually witnessing results as it has to do within his scope of duty.’’

He stressed the need for rapid land approval and Federal Government’s assistance in area of funding, security, and the awareness of stakeholders to understand that the development was in the interest of the nation.

Azikiwe, while speaking on Aazik Homes, added that it was the leading real estate development and general construction company in Abuja and beyond.

“We are focused and driven on engineering the integration of automation and technology.

“Thereby, adding value innovation and optimum service to deliver functional properties into residential and commercial real estate using sustainable means.

“Our services cater for those who have a refined taste for the finer things in life and value opulence in its truest and purest form.

“We are a team of passionate professionals who are dedicated to creating exceptional properties that meet the unique needs of our clients.

“With years of experience in the industry, we have built a reputation for delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.”

According to him, the company specialised in all aspects of construction- from design and planning to execution and completion.

The chief executive officer added that the company’s focus was on creating sustainable, energy-efficient, and innovative properties that not only meet but exceed its clients’ expectations.

“We believe that collaboration and communication are the keys to success; and we work closely with our clients to ensure that their vision were realized; thank you for considering us for your next construction project.

“To be a leader in Africa’s real estate industry, fueled by the rigorousness of going the extra mile in satisfying the needs of our clients.

“We have won several awards internationally, Design and development awards, Ideal project design awards, 2007 and 2011, among others,” he said.

Azikiwe commended the president on his resilience to strengthen the nation’s economy in spite challenges inherited from the immediate past administration. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo