By Hogan Bassey

Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) Advisory Board has congratulated Luminate, a CSO, for collaborating with it toward raising funding for the success empowering Nigerian youth.

A statement by Maimuna Sani, NYFF’s Head of Communications and Community Engagement, indicated that the collaboration is aimed at focusing attention on a shared commitment to empowering the Nigerian youth.

Sani added that the cooperation is to catalyse impactful transformation for the long-term developmental of the country.

She said that the youth fund project set in motion in 2021, “is a five-year initiative funded by the MacArthur Foundation and Ford Foundation, and implemented by LEAP Africa, a non-profit organisation committed to inspiring, empowering and equipping a new cadre of African leaders.

According to her, the project is dedicated to nurturing youth leadership and activism in Nigeria by fostering outcomes-driven policy engagements and inclusive resourcing for medium and long-term national development.

“The NYFF embodies the collective determination to invest in the potential of Nigerian youth. By facilitating policy engagements and providing a platform for their voices and ideas to thrive, NYFF continues to pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive Nigeria,’’ she said in the statement.

Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, who spoke further on the project, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Luminate Group as a funding partner for the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund.

“Their commitment to join this fund underscores the power of collective action in engendering citizen-led participation in good governance and nation building.

“This partnership will amplify the project’s local and grassroots impact and create a lasting positive change in Nigeria at all levels.”

LEAP’s Director of Programmes in Africa, Amabelle Nwakanma, said Luminate’s experience in supporting social change initiatives would be invaluable to NYFF.

She said, “This collaboration will enable us to expand our reach and engagement efforts, ensuring that youth voices not only resonate but also drive tangible changes in our nation’s long-term development plans.”

Luminate’s contribution to NYFF funding pool is expected to enhance the fund’s capacity to drive sustainable and inclusive development initiatives.

She stated that the partnership is also expected to further advance the youth fund’s outreach and engagement across its areas of coverage and ensure that the youth not only speak with one voice, but are heard and carried along in the country’s long-term development plans.

Vice President Africa of Luminate, Toyin Akinniyi, said that the organisation as a supporter of efforts at creating just and fair societies, “is proud to co-fund the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund alongside the Ford Foundation and MacArthur Foundation.

“The active participation of young Africans in civic and political processes is critical to ensuring more representative and inclusive governance.

“The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund will continue to play a huge role in facilitating young people’s active participation and engagement in the development of policies and strategies that will shape Nigeria’s future, and that is why we are supporting this.”

Speaking earlier, Chinenye Uwanaka, the Co-chair of NYFF Advisory Board, expressed the group’s happiness to have Luminate join in the project, saying: “their vision and values strongly align with ours, and they have a history of supporting youth-led organisations.

“I really look forward to working with them to increase meaningful civic and political participation in Nigeria, and help create an environment where independent media thrives, especially in the challenging times we live in as a nation.”

The Luminate’s involvement solidifies NYFF’s foundation of collaboration, innovation, and resilience. Together with LEAP Africa, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Ford Foundation, Luminate becomes an integral part of this transformative journey that places the youth at the forefront of nation-building.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Felicia Imohimi

The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), says it is partnering with 3DATX Africa, a US based organisation on vehicular emission testing.

Dr Yakubu Baba, Registrar of EHCON stated this at a media dialogue on de-carbonisation control measure on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the partnership would ensure an emission free society and safeguard the health of the populace.

Baba said the essence of the vehicular testing a technological device provided by 3DATX was to protect the health of humans.

According to him, the objective of the vehicular testing technology was to reduce emission to the barest minimum to mitigate the effect of climate change.

He said the project been piloted in Abuja has so far tested no fewer than 100 vehicles at no cost.

“This is a very important instrument and Nigeria is the first to start benefiting in the whole of Africa.

“The beauty of the technology is after identifying the problem the company, and council will also come up with a solution base to make all the Nigerian vehicles emission-free.

“This will enable the country meet global standard on emission free vehicles.

“We need to collaborate so that we can be able to face the issue of climate change squarely, because we have seen the effect.

“ We also want to make Nigeria to benefit from the incentive that is within the UN framework,” he said.

He described the vehicular testing technology as significant in the history of environmental health in the country.

Baba said EHCON had agreement with the company in four areas which included research and development.

“Another segment of our agreement with the company is to develop the capacity of our practitioners which are over 40,000 across the country so that the state government will follow suit.

“The last segment of our relationship is where we can be able to create advocacy to Nigerians on the importance of ensuring that they make their vehicle available for assessment and inspection through this technology, ” he said.

Earlier, Matthew Suleiman, General Manager, 3DATX Corporation identified the device as highly sophisticated for measuring emission gases coming out from vehicle.

He explained that it can be used on generator and has temperature adjustment that processes the gas.

“The whole system is controlled while it is connected to the laptop, so we have software that will show us real time the emissions coming out from the car.

“We are measuring particles, carbonmonoxide, sulphur among others coming out from the vehicle depending on the configuration of the devices, ” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The National Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN), an independent youth-centric group, has called for urgent action by the Federal Government to address the prevailing insecurity in the country.
This is contained in a statement by the National Speaker of NYAN, Rt. Hon. Usman Bashir Shagari on Friday in Abuja.
He underscored the Assembly’s unwavering commitment to fostering a secured Nigeria for all citizens.
“The recent abduction of schoolgirls in Zamfara has brought renewed anguish and discontent among Nigerians.
“The NYAN stands united with the families affected by this heinous act and we urge immediate action from the government to ensure the safe return of these innocent girls.
“We express our utmost disappointment with the current outcome and call on the government to take swift and decisive measures to secure their release.
“However, in spite of our disappointment, we remain resolute in our commitment to constructive engagement with the government and respective parties.
NYAN has been actively engaging with CSOs and youth groups on various platforms to facilitate discussions, propose solutions, and advocate for stronger security measures,” Shagari said.
According to him, collaborations and consultations are crucial in addressing the multifaceted challenges our nation faces.
“Furthermore, we urge the government to prioritise safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
“We call for increased investment in security infrastructure, enhanced intelligence gathering, and the prompt reformation of the security agencies to ensure their effectiveness and accountability.
“NYAN lends its voice to millions of concerned Nigerian citizens who yearn for a secure and prosperous Nation.
“We implore the government to take immediate and decisive action to restore peace to our communities and safeguard the lives and future of our citizens,” Shagari said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Sadiya Hamza

By Veronica Dariya

Justice Mohammed Madugu of the FCT High Court, siting in Bwari has ordered that one Cecil Osakwe, a defendant in a case of alleged criminal intimidation be arraigned before the court.

Madugu ordered that Osakwe should be arraigned in the court on Nov. 6.

The judge gave the order in his ruling on Friday, following a motion for preliminary objection filed earlier by Osakwe’s Counsel, Mr Victor Giwa, asking the court to disregard the suit before it, based on an earlier judgment in another court.

Madugu, however, said that the earlier case with suit no: FCT/C/2435/2021, whose judgment was delivered by Justice Usman Othman in an FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja was distinctively different from the one before him.

While noting that the parties involved in the matter were not the same and that the issues raised were also not the same, the judge explained that one was a civil case and the other, a criminal case.

“The defendant here is charged with potential criminal liability for a separate alleged offence, based on inquiries of police investigation, which includes intimidation, threat to life, harassment and fraud.

“The court is guided by principles of law. Civil and criminal matters are different. Civil matters do not automatically exonerate an individual from a potential criminal charge.

“I must emphasise, the judgement in a civil case with suit no: FCT/CV/2435/2021, does not absolve Mr Cecil Osakwe from a potential criminal activity.

“It is in the interest of justice that the defendant determines his innocence with respect to the claimant’s charge.’’

According to Madugu, the defendant is to be arraigned and plea charges filed against him.

“The arraignment is to provide the prosecution an opportunity, to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt while the defendant stands in defence.”

The judge while refusing the defence notice of preliminary objection also adjourned the matter until Nov. 6 for arraignment of the suspect.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant, Cecil Osakwe, a property developer, was charged with fraud and criminal intimidation of one Ms Asabe Waziri.

In the charge, with number CR/244/2022, dated June 9, 2022 and filed on June 14, 2022, Osakwe was accused of Advanced Fee Fraud, punishable under Section 3(1) of the Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Osakwe was accused of threatening Waziri with injury, and intent to cause her harm and even death.

The act was allegedly, to cause Waziri to stop requesting her receipt of payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarter at Abeh Signature Apartments in Maitama Abuja.

Maitama is a cozy suburb of Abuja.

The charge read: “That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Ltd., sometime in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court obtained by false pretence and with intent to defraud, the sum of N130,000,000 00.

“The sum is payment for the purchase of a two-bedroom flat with a maid’s quarter at Abeh Signature Apartment, located at No. 1, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja from one Ms Asabe Waziri.

“You failed to deliver the property and you did not refund her money.

“You thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 3 (1), and punishable under same Section of the Advance Fee Fraud, Cap. Ab, LFN, 2004.

“That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Limited, sometime in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court threatened Ms Asabe Waziri with injury to her person and reputation.

“This you did with intent to cause harm and even death in order to cause her to stop requesting legitimately from you her receipt for payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarter at Abeh Signature Apartment, 1, Mekong Close, Abuja from you and the deeds of assignment thereof.

“You thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 396 (2) and punishable under Section 397(a) of the Penal Code Law (Cap. 89).”

NAN also reports that the matter was re-assigned to Justice Mohammed Madugu after the defendant failed on three occasions, to appear before Justice Mohammed Idris of the FCT High Court, sitting in Jabi for arraignment.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Victor Giwa, had earlier, argued that the subject-matter before the court by the prosecuting counsel had previously been decided and settled by another court in a suit file: FCT/HC /CV/2435/ 2021 on March 17, 2022.

In a preliminary objection, Giwa submitted that the court should decline the prosecutor’s application to re-litigate the matter and dismiss it for lack of jurisdiction.

He argued that an appeal was already ongoing on the earlier judgment and that hearing the matter would only mean “a breach of Section 287(3) of the Constitution and a serious professional misconduct against any counsel to represent”.

Giwa also asked the court to charge the prosecuting counsel N100, 000 for re-litigating the matter, adding that the move was not only an abuse of the court but also intended to extort the defendant. (NAN)

Edited By Silas Nwoha

By Deborah Coker

The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has inaugurated a 23-member National Planning Committee to begin preparations for the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration (AFRDc).

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Friday, by Mr Hope Attari, Acting Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Defence.

Badaru while inaugurating the committee charged them to put in their best contribution to the event.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which holds annually on Jan. 15, is set aside to celebrate the fallen heroes and veterans who sacrifice much to the nation.

He said that the Federal Government remains grateful to the fallen heroes who laid their lives to guarantee the corporate existence of the country.

He therefore urged members to come up with laudable initiatives and events to celebrate the patriotism displayed by the nation’s fallen heroes.

According to him, Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an annual event marked on the Jan. 15 to commemorate the nation’s departed compatriots as well as to honour our living veterans.

“They have given their lives for the peace and security of our dear nation and are therefore worthy of being celebrated as a mark of appreciation.

“The events are specifically organised to honour and celebrate those that have laid down their lives in the defence of our territorial integrity and promotion of global peace”.

NAN also reports that members of the national planning committee were drawn from various ministries, departments and agencies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Ibukun Emiola

The University of Ibadan has set a target to train 10,000 new researchers and students on the use of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) geospatial tools.

Mr Ahmed  Olanrewaju, Principal Systems Analyst, Management Information System Unit, University of Ibadan, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday.

Olanrewaju said the plan was to explore the benefits of adopting ESRI technology to enable students and research communities have more access to spatial technological tools for research.

According to him, it is also to help in utilising its efficient data repository for information archiving Technology.

Olanrewaju said that since the University of Ibadan received the technology grant from the ESRI in 2014, it had utilised it to optimise research and enhance teaching.

“The university has radically migrated from traditional data collection and analysis processes to dynamic technology-driven research processes,’’ he said.

According to him, the benefit of adopting ESRI technology is enormous because UI students and research communities now have access to spatial technological tools for research and it utilises its efficient data repository for information archiving.

“This means that people who want to build on previous research; once they have the necessary approval, can access the required data sets and add to the knowledge pool.

“This is a very big one for the university as there would be no need to duplicate effort and time will not be wasted generating previously captured information,” he said.

He further stated that even non-science-based faculties of education and others have been adopting the use of technology for location-based data collection and analysis.

Olanrewaju stated that the university had been able to increase the number of students and researchers who now use location-based digital surveys compared to what was obtained in the past.

He said a major step taken by the university was to innovatively remove the problems students face in accessing software licenses.

Olanrewaju added that technology support services were now provided for those who had technical issues during working hours.

“For the first time, simultaneously, research in multiple locations is now coordinated, and data is collected and archived seamlessly. Through the use of this technology, researchers now have the capacity to even collect location-specific audio data.”

“Another major progress recorded is that Artificial Intelligence (AI) student programmers now use ESRI tools with their python knowledge to access special geo-spatial-data-sets for machine learning,” Olanrewaju said.

According to him, the university has set a target of training 10,000 new researchers and students to adopt the use of the ESRI geospatial tools. Presently, about 5,000 are using the technology, an improvement from 3,800 users in the last year.

He said the institution had been working on a project that will collect data sets from the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

“At the end of the day, over 15,000 records will be accessed from respondents, which will be the first large-scale data collection in UI using ESRI tools,” he said.

Olanrewaju also said there was a need to enact policies for the adoption of location based technology research in Nigeria; for instance, researchers must collect and work with precise location-based data.

“Once students signup for research work, the University of Ibadan can now provide technology tools and platforms for use just as is obtainable in other universities around the world.

“Also, the university can do many things within the same ecosystem to harmonise research and provide access for use by government, industries, and stakeholders for the development of the country.

“Universities do not have to be maintaining several software to run their e-learning. ESRI technology is capable of supporting multidimensional e-learning for the tertiary institutions,” he said.

Some of the students who spoke on the use of the technology, Abiodun Awokoya from the Faculty of Arts, Thomas Adesina and Oluwadamilare Akindipe said that it had contributed immensely to their research work because ArcGIS has lots of tools and an easy user interface coupled with lots of documentation and an active community for support. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Dangote Group has reaffirmed commitment to environmental sustainability with enunciation of seven key pillars that underpin its operations.

The pillars are institutional, social, economic, financial, environmental, operational and cultural sustainability.

The company reaffirmed the commitment at an environmental journalism workshop in Lagos with the theme: “Reporting the Environment for Sustainability”.

Mr James Adenuga, Acting Group Head, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) & Sustainability at Dangote Group, said that the seven key pillars centred on people, planet and profit, to mitigate climate change.

Adenuga represented by Mr Adeyemi Adun, Group Environment and Sustainability Specialist at Dangote Industries Ltd., spoke on the topic: “Reporting the Environment for Sustainability’’.

He said the group would remain committed to building a socially responsible and impactful business that would serve all stakeholders.

Adenuga described sustainability as development that would meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future.

He said the group invested funds in environmental research yearly to drive its decision making.

He added that the group partnered the UN for training on sustainability and climate change advocacy.

“The issue of sustainability should start from the home and should not be for governments and companies only, to solve global environmental problems one after the other,” Adenuga said.

Mr Aliu Akoshile, Executive Director at Climate Africa Media Initiative & Centre (CAMIC), called on journalists to take reporting of the environment seriously because `it is binds everyone together’.

“If the environment is not conducive, there won’t be development; journalists have a lot to do in order to report fairly,” Akoshile said.

Akoshile spoke on the topic: “Journalism and Climate Change.”

He hoped that the training would encourage journalists to appreciate efforts of corporate organisations such as Dangote Group toward achieving environmental sustainability in Nigeria.

Akoshile also urged journalists to do investigative reports to address some environmental issues.

He hoped that the training would enable journalists to pay adequate attention to their environments and climate.

Akoshile urged that companies should be assessed by their contributions to the society.

He listed challenges of climate change reporting as scientific complexity and communication, limited resources and newsroom constraints, skepticism, denial and disinformation, among others.

Akoshile urged journalists to seek partnerships with non-governmental organisations and corporations in climate reporting, as well as engage local communities and indigenous voices.

He said that environmental journalism required critical thinking and interrogation of issues, adding that journalists should hold governments accountable.

A research analyst at Africa Check, Mr Allwell Okpi, urged journalists to give attention to fact-checking to avoid misinformation.

Okpi said that journalists must identify the original source of information and verify the content before publishing.

He urged journalists to be factual about names, titles, places, quotes and video clips in their stories to avoid misinformation.

“Bloggers seek online traffic, everyone who creates and shapes information has agenda,” he said.

Okpi warned journalists to avoid relying on transferred information in news reporting.

“Once there is transfer of information, there would be distortion, and journalists must avoid that,” he said.

He said that journalists must get their sources and experts to explain jargons for easy understanding.

Okpi spoke on “Fact Check and Investigative Journalism.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 60 journalists participated in the training organised by Dangote Group in partnership with CAMIC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

By Joan Nwagwu

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving N25,000 wage award as palliative for federal pensioners in the country.

Mr Godwin Abumisi, National President of NUP, said this in an address to mark the 2023 Pensioners and Older Persons Day on Thursday in Abuja.

The theme for the celebration is, “Subsidy Removal and its Negative Effects on the Lives of the Pensioners/Older Persons’’.

According to Abumisi, the union is grateful to the Federal Government for its commitment towards the welfare of the pensioners by graciously approving N25,000 wage award to them.

“We trust that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs who is entrusted with the responsibility of handling the payment would expedite action on it.

“This is without further delay to assuage the pains and sufferings of the pensioners and the older persons.’’

He appealed to government to extend the payment of the wage award from three to six months as was done for other regular workers.

The NUP national president said that for any approved palliative to get to its members across board, government agencies should handle the disbursement.

Abumisi said that such agencies must have accurate database records containing the account details of all pensioners for easy access and delivery such as PTAD, PENCOM, among others.

“We consider the above channels as effective, seamless means of getting across to our members with any form of palliative,” he said.

He said NUP members were being faced with lingering challenges that needed immediate solutions.

The challenges,  he said, included the non-harmonisation of pension and omission of 2015 pension review.

He said listed other challenges as the nonpayment of arrears of pension increment of 15 and 33 per cent, and the consequential adjustment of 2007, 2010 and 2019, respectively.

Abumisi said that another challenge was the non release of the timely monthly accrued rights to the contributory pensioners which exposed them to untold hardship.

According to him, the total accumulated accrued rights stand at about N140 billion.

“We hereby call on the Federal Government for its timely intervention to save the souls of this category of pensioners from untimely death,” he said.

He also appealed to the president to expedite action on the payment of the outstanding balance of N33 billion to Nigeria Airways workers.

Abumisi described the theme of the event as apt and in tandem with the prevailing economic hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo