By Stanley Nwanosike

One of the flyover bridges across Enugu–Port Harcourt dual carriage expressway in Enugu has collapsed with no casualty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the bridge, which collapsed on Monday morning, is located at kilometer one section of the expressway which lies between the Naira Triangle and the New Artisan axis of Enugu metropolis.

NAN observed that the incident had forced motorists plying the expressway to divert to alternative routes within the metropolis to continue their journey.

Police operatives, officials of the Federal and Enugu State Ministries of Works, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FEMA) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were sighted within the area to access the situation and assist road users.

An eyewitness, who gave his name as John Nwokobia, said there was no casualty as artisans and street hawkers were yet to come out from their homes for the day’s activities when the incident happened.

The witness, however, noted that commuters on axis of are likely to encounter serious gridlock as a result of the collapsed bridge in coming days.

The police, Federal or state governments are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as at the time of this report. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Aderogba George

A UK-based Nigerian Engineer, Dr Oluseun Adediran, has lauded the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) for finding him worthy for the conferment of award of fellowship of the Society.

This is contained in a statement signed by Adediran and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Adediran is a professional mechanical engineer with vast knowledge in research and development, air and gas treatment, water and wastewater, oil and gas industry, petrochemical and refinery, conventional power and nuclear power.

He is a registered engineer with the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and a pioneer Chairman and Founder of the NSE Glasgow in  Scotland, UK.

The NSE Glasgow is a diaspora branch of the NSE, the umbrella organisation for the Engineering Profession in Nigeria.

Adediran said he is grateful for the recognition of his commitment to technology development and service to humanity around the world, including Nigeria.

“As a British citizen of Nigerian origin, this is a significant achievement and a milestone from Britain while contributing to the development and advancement of engineering in Nigeria.”

Adediran spoke about the major challenge facing the industry as deployment of Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) Capability to face the challenges posed by the on-going globalization of the world economy.

He said government should continue to scan industrial sectors, identify technological needs, while challenging Research and Development (R and D) institutions to undertake necessary R and D for diffusion of solutions to the end users.

According to him, this must be a deliberate policy to implement in Nigeria.

Adediran pledged to continue upholding the highest standards of professionalism and making a positive impact in the field of engineering in the UK, Nigeria and entire globe where support would be required.

He said that the Society has come a long way and has been improving the capacity and capability of members to ensure sanity and professionalism in the industry.

He congratulated other fellow awardees that include academicians, captains of industries and world leaders.

He called on them to always represent the NSE and allow the mission, ethics, vision, professionalism and values of the society to guide their endeavours in all they do.

“With the 142 of us joining hands with other fellows, it will go a long way to sanitise all aspects of engineering Nugeria and by extension to other countries in the world,” Adediran said.

He urged the NSE to keep up the good work of ensuring that the issue of building collapse and low quality of buildings and road constructions across the country is checked and minimised.

He expressed optimism that the personalities whom President Bola Tinubu appointed as Ministers have demonstrated his readiness to change the narrative of poor execution of projects.

Adediran called on governments at all levels and relevant stakeholders to always carry NSE along in the different aspects of engineering in their projects to bring about durability, quality and value for money”. (NAN)

Edited by Collins Yakubu-Hammer/Vincent Obi

By Thompson Yamput

Gov Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Monday pledged adequate support to Micro Small Enterprises (MSEs) towards wealth creation and economic growth of the state.

The governor gave the assurance during the distribution of Information Communications Technology (ICT) enhancement business toolkits to Micro Small Enterprises (MSEs) in the state at Government House Lokoja.

Represented by Mrs Folashade Arike-Ayoade, Secretary to the Government, Bello said the distribution was in fulfilment of the Kogi State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (KG-CARES) programme, Result Area 3, under the ICT enhancement grants.

According to him, the programme being anchored by Kogi Enterprise Development Agency (KEDA), is also aimed at supporting benefitting enterprises to embrace technology for business sustainability and economic development of the state.

He tasked the 100 beneficiary MSEs to make prudent and judicious use of the enhancement tools to boost their businesses and pathway for more incentives.

“From my understanding, 50,000 MSEs applied for the incentives but only 100 scaled through for this phase I but with time, more will be captured in the next phase, ” he said.

He said the government would set up a monitoring committee that would go round beneficiaries to ensure that all the enhancement tools were put to use as expected.

Earlier, KEDA Managing Director/CEO, Hajiya Rekiya Onaivo-Sanni, appreciated the commitment of  the governor to strategically reposition the MSE sector for improved productivity.

Onaivo-Sanni explained that the project was in tandem with the cardinal objectives of the current administration, and that it shall go round the MSEs in all the 21 LGAs of the state.

The MD cautioned the beneficiaries not to resell or give out the tools given to them, but keep their records for monitoring agencies from world Bank and state government in order not to loose their positions.

She advised all interested applicants to ensure that they strictly applied online, else they would not be considered nor benefit from the incentives.

“We are on 3.2 IBA and 3.3 IBA of the incentives in which N23 million has been disbursed to beneficiaries. Interested applicants can benefit from both sets (3.2IBA and 3.3 IBA), ” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the tools distributed include mobile tablets, printers, projectors, Personal Computers, Desktop, UPS, Point of Sale machines, Wi-Fi devices. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Olatunde Ajayi

An NGO, Human of Substance Empowerment Initiative (HOSEI), has awarded scholarships to no fewer than 100 indigent youths and victims of domestic violence in Ibadan.

The organisation, through its support mentorship unit, announced the names of the beneficiaries during its 10th anniversary in Ibadan on Sunday.

The HOSEI President, Ms Abiade Abiola, while presenting the scholarships, said that the current set of youths would be 10th to benefit from the initiative.

According to her, the new beneficiaries will be trained on photography, graphics designs, tailoring, baking, hair dressing and other skills of their choices free of charge.

“We have partnerships with standard organisations that teach our beneficiaries these skills.

“We also follow up the skill acquisition scheme with different mentorship and mentoring programmes.

“During the six months scholarship, they will be exposed to leadership skills through regular lectures, workshops, conferences and seminars,” she said.

Abiola said that the NGO had supported the first nine sets of beneficiaries with start-up kits and financial assistance after their graduation.

“We always watch their level of continuous seriousness and commitment and support as many as those who wish to further their education to tertiary institutions.

“We don’t want these youths, who are the future leaders of our nation, to succumb to the allure of prostitution and crime due to the economic situation of the country,” she said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Akinlolu Olujinmi, reiterated that a lot still needed to be done on youths’ mentorship in Nigeria.

Olujinmi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), noted that many youths, who were called leaders of tomorrow, had today dipped their hands in vices, such as cultism, drug abuse, inordinate ambition for wealth and all manners of evils.

He urged the parents and guardians to rise up to the challenges of nurturing worthy future leaders for the country.

“We must let them realise that there is dignity in labour and while we want to make them comfortable, we should do it in moderation.

“It is important for us to change our tactics of caring; we must be close to them, engage them always and let them know that money it is not everything that money does,” Olujinmi said.

One of the second set of beneficiaries, Mr Courage Afemije, said that his foundation and success in marketing industry began at HOSEI while he was given a scholarship to learn graphic design.

Another beneficiary, Esther Olaleye, said being a beneficiary of HOSEI to learn beads and jewelry making started a great journey in her life.

She stated that HOSEI also opened the door of scholarship for him to obtain tertiary education.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion also featured presentation of awards to the beneficiaries’ trainers and mentors.(NAN)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki and ‘Wale Sadeeq

By Joshua Olomu

An art exhibition tagged Nigeria 1914, which promises to communicate the story of Nigeria’s birth, history, milestones and icons, is set to debut on Oct. 1 in Abuja.

Mr Akin Laniyi, Project Director “Nigeria 1914″ , told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, in Abuja the exhibition was expected to showcase historical portraits, artifacts and paintings that chronicle the history of the nation from the 1914 amalgamation, through the 1960 independence.

”Presenting Nigeria’s Diverse Opportunities, Potential and Heritage on the Global Stage will hold from Oct. 1 to Oct. 14 at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja,” he said.

He said the project was part of events to commemorate Nigeria’s 63nd independence anniversary, adding it has received the endorsement and support of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and other relevant bodies.

“Nigeria 1914 exhibition is a government endorsed educational exhibition of pictures, portraits, artifacts and paintings based on Nigeria’s history, milestones, icons and culture from the 1914 amalgamation and through 1960 independence to more recent times.

“We felt that at a time like this, the country is in need of such a project because it will provoke our consciousness as a people to reflect on our great history and the much needed social order.

“It will hold for 14 days at the Jabi lake mall, starting on our independence day, and it is aimed at promoting our education, nationhood and good things about us as a richly diverse people.

“Each day of the exhibition will present Nigeria’s great potential and diverse opportunities state by state, institution by institution to a diverse audience, and three regional festivals will be celebrated at the event.

The project director added that it would present a trade fair showcasing the best of Nigeria’s endowments and diversity from different states of the country and an economic forum where delegates and dignitaries from diverse sectors of the economy would interact.

According to him, the exhibition will host the public and dignitaries from all walks of life, with the Minister of of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa as the Special Guest of honour.

Laniyi added that Nigerian artistes drawn from across the country would have their iconic pictures and paintings showcased at the exhibition.

“Members of the diplomatic community, top government functionaries, patriotic Nigerians drawn from both the public and private sectors and stakeholders in the creative industries will attend the exhibition,” he said.

He noted that since the project was geared towards promoting national unity and common history, it had earlier been staged around major cities in the country, including Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos.

He disclosed that plans were underway to take the exhibition on a global tour to Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Berlin, Sydney, New York and Beijing alongside the currently being produced Nigeria 1914 Movie.

“It is to present Nigeria, her people, opportunities and potential on the global stage through iconic pictures, paintings, artifacts and portraits.

“The Nigeria 1914 project will expose the majesty of unknown aspects of the Nigerian story and way of life that will resonate and touch hearts and consciences all over the world unforgettably.

He said the exhibition; trade fair and business forum would host guests from all background, including past and present leaders, inbound tourists, the diplomatic community, small and medium enterprises, the political class, and the general public. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

============

Edited by Deborah Coker/Sadiya Hamza

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating alleged fraudulent acquisition of OVH Energy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd is set to present its report to the House.

This is contained in a statement by the Chairman of the ad hoc Committee, Rep. Hassan Nalaraba, who spoke after the oversight function/facility tour of OVH Energy assets acquired by NNPCL in Lagos State.

Nalaraba assured Nigerians  that the committee’s report would reflect its findings and recommendations.

Some of the assets inspected by the committee according to him include: Storage facilities located at Apapa Terminal 1, Ikeja Aviation Terminal, Parking Store/Warehouse located in Apapa,

Others are the  ASPM Jetty at Admiralty Channel, among others.

He said some of the assets seen by the committee are: 6 million litre for AGO, 23 million litre storage for PMS, ATK, among others

He also listed storage Tanks, former OVH head office, 17 million litre Lubricant Blending Kettle located within the lubricant Plant, Jetty, among others.

He quoted Mr Dipo Makinde, who conducted members round the facilities as informing  informed them that NNPC retail had Drum Production Plant in Kaduna State.

Makinde reiterated the resolve towards gaining more from the value chain, with the expectation of growing dividends up to 80 per cent that would go into the Federation Account.

He assured members of the committee that NNPC retail is gradually drawing down on the usage of Oando brand.

He also assured the committee that necessary measures had been put in place to ensure safety of all the equipment within the plants.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
======

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Sarafina Christopher

The Rotary Club of Abuja Kubwa (RCAK), District 9125, has rehabilitated some potholes along the Gado Nasko road in Kubwa, Abuja.

The club also reconstructed a Police Traffic Post at the Aso Savings junction.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Aso Savings Junction, which was also rehabilitated, had been in a deplorable state for some time now.

The poor state of the junction was characterised with deep potholes thereby causing traffic as motorists tried to maneuver the bad spots.

The move by Rotary Club of Abuja Kubwa was in compliance with its responsibility to provide humanitarian services to communities in order to give them a sense of belonging.

Inaugurating the project, Rotarian Sagab Ahmed, the District Governor, 9125 commended the Club for fulfilling the corporate social responsibility of Rotary, which includes community development and peace building.

“This project is quite commendable, particularly looking at the community in which the project has been done, which is very useful to many people’s regular usage.”

According to him, as much as the government is doing a lot in community development, the local government also has a role to play in ensuring that these projects are carried out across board.

“The government cannot do everything on their own which is why humanitarian organisations such as the rotary had taken it upon itself to also contribute to humanity through these community projects.

“We also want to urge the local governments to be more actively involved in community development projects and the sustainability of these projects.”

Ahmed also urged the people of the area to own and maintain the projects as it would inspire the government, Rotary and humanitarian organisations to do more.

Also speaking, the President of RCAK, Emmanuel ABONTA said the execution of the project was strategic as there was the need for proper conduct by motorists and other road users.

According to him, it is very critical at this time and always for the security of human lives and property.

“Our country has continued to battle with incessant road crashes resulting from bad roads but more importantly from negligence on the part of motorists.

“There is, therefore, an urgent need to bring this disturbing trend to a record low.

“Rotary Club of Abuja Kubwa is contributing to this effort by renovating traffic control posts and potholes filling projects that promoted safety ethics for road users.

“The selected site for the project is unique and serves the above purpose perfectly considering the fact that Aso savings junction Kubwa remains one of the busiest inland transit ways in the community.

“We are convinced this project will contribute to educating road users and by extension help abate road accidents,” Abonta said.

In her remarks, the Assistant Governor of District 9125, Rotarian Jatto Bukola said that the rehabilitation of potholes, especially at the Aso Savings Junction would reduce traffic in the area.

“We believe that this project will reduce the traffic jams caused by potholes because the potholes not only cause traffic but also creates conflict among commuters due to congestion.

“It is very crucial to note that this is one of the duties of the rotary to see how we can serve humanity, regardless of religion and ethnicity.

“I really appreciate the effort that RCAK put together for this impactful project,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

By Philip Yatai

A university don, Mr Godwin Kwalbe, has advised government at all levels against cosmetic approach to addressing multidimensional poverty affecting a huge population of the country.

Kwalbe, a lecturer in the Department of History, Kaduna State University, gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that the palliative approach to addressing poverty made it look like the hardship occasioned by spiralling poverty in the country was seasonal.

He said that the fuel subsidy removal did not create hardship or poverty but only pushed citizens further down the poverty line.

The lecturer pointed out that more than half of the country’s population were structurally poor, with many people born into poverty and might continue to live in perpetual poverty.

He noted that the Federal Government had implemented several palliative programmes in its efforts to address poverty.

He identified some of the programmes as COVID-19 palliatives, economic stimulus packages like market moni, conditional cash transfer, public works programme, school feeding Programme and the current fuel subsidy palliatives.

He, however, said that the programmes, except for the conditional cash transfer programme, were designed only to cushion the effect of poverty and not to address poverty itself.

“In this context, the palliatives are merely serving as pain killers and as such, they are not addressing the causes of the pains,” he said.

He advised the federal, states and local governments to go back to the drawing board and come up with well-structured social welfare and social protection programmes.

He explained that social protection covered the range of policies and programmes needed to reduce the lifelong consequences of poverty and exclusion.

“Social protection, according to the international labour organisation, is a human right consisting of policies and programmes designed to reduce and prevent poverty and vulnerability throughout the life cycle.

“It includes benefits for children and families, maternity, unemployment, employment injury, sickness, old age, disability, survivors, as well as health protection.

“As such, the Nigerian social protection programmes should be humane, comprehensive, and continuous in line with global best practices and not the current sporadic model,” he said.

Kwalbe added that the social protection programmes should specifically target the unemployed, senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and other poor and vulnerable groups.

He added that senior citizens and PwDs in particular, should be placed on monthly allowances for life.

“It is absolutely below the African value system to have our aged parents, queue with youngsters and fight for pittance in the name of palliatives.

“The photos and videos of youths pushing old parents down during distribution of palliatives are embarrassing to our dear nation.

“The discourse about palliatives should not also be done in isolation of the salary package for civil servants.

“Based on our African culture, paying salary to an individual civil servant means paying for the upkeep of many members of the extended family.

“This is why the government cannot be insensitive to the calls for upward review of wages in lieu of the current national hardship,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman