By Mateen Badru

Alpha Global, a Non-Governmental Organisation, has advocated for best practices in early childhood education and development.

The Founder, Caroline Popoola, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

Popoola highlighted the significance of leadership in childcare setting and the different qualities a childcare leader should possess.

She said the group was passionate about promoting early childhood education successes with focus on effective leadership and management, and urged educators and practitioners worldwide not to settle for less.

Popoola, also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alpha Childcare and Alpha Chains Limited, stressed the need for value and ethical-driven leadership

“Alpha Global is set out to unlock the power of early childhood education, explore practical strategies for success and create a strong foundation for children’s learning and development.

“It is a leading organisation in early childhood education, providing innovative solutions, resources, and support to educators and practitioners worldwide.

“With a strong emphasis on effective leadership and management, Alpha Global aims to promote the success and well-being of children in their early years,” she said.

Popoola said the group had webinars which highlighted its commitment in providing innovative solutions, resources, and support to educators and practitioners worldwide.

She said the group had an upcoming conference on July 8 in Nigeria, and for the first time in Ghana.

According to her, the conference will bring together experts in the field of early childhood education to further explore best practices, exchange ideas and enhance the quality of early childhood education in Africa and beyond. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chidi Opara/Oluwole Sogunle

By Deji Abdulwahab

Amb. Hassan Tukur, the Patron of the Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative, has called on Nigerians to be hard working and dedicated towards nation’s building, saying these attributes pay and can never go unnoticed.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Programme Manager, Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative, Malam Abdulkadir Lawal.

Lawal stated that Tukur gave the advice when he was awarded a honorary doctorate degree by the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Oyo State.

According to him, Tukur, who is also the former Principal Secretary to President Goodluck Jonathan, expressed his high regard for the award, which he described as unique.

“For all of us at the Unveiling and Rebranding Nigeria Initiative, this is a milestone. This award speaks volumes as it highlights my hard working and dedication towards nation building.

“These pay and can never go unnoticed. I am indeed honoured and grateful. It is my prayers that this begins our thrives, marking great achievements,” Tukur quoted as saying.

He noted that he once aspired to become a lecturer, but eventually ventured into diplomacy.

“This change was largely influenced by the elimination of my mentor and lecturer, Dr Bala Muhammed on July 10, 1981 in Kano; a traumatising event that altered his view on academic-centred careers.

“Therefore, receiving an award in the academic world is a unique feat for him,” Tukur said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The National Commission for Refugees, migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) said that 4000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would be enrolled into the just launched Transitional Learning Centre.

The Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim disclosed this while launching the Transitional Learning Center on Thursday in Abuja.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said that the initiative was part of the ongoing intervention under its ‘Project Educate All’.

She said the Commission had engaged 54 instructors from the IDP hosting communities to serve as facilitators.

“We are pleased to announce that 4,000 learners between the ages of five and 18 will benefit from this phase of our programme in eight IDP camps located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nassarawa State.

“These camps include New Kuchingoro, Takuchara, Karamajiji, Wassa, Waru, New Karshi, Malaysian Garden, and Yimutu, with 700 pupils already enrolled.

“Furthermore, to ensure the success of this initiative, we have engaged 54 instructors from the IDP hosting communities to serve as facilitators, ” she said.

According to her, this engagement has not only provided much- needed employment in this communities but also allowed us to prioritize the localisation of our interventions and promote the sustainability of the programme.

She acknowledged that education played a fundamental role in promoting peaceful coexistence, adding that lack of it during displacement could have severe social and economic consequences for both displaced and host communities.

She further explained that having access to education during crisis was imperative with over 52 per cent of the 69 million displaced individuals globally under 18.

She noted that displacement crises were increasingly protracted and often affect the time a child took to grow, develop, and prepare for adult life.

“Despite significant improvements in enrolment access to education over the last ten years, most children living in conflict-affected contexts are often left behind.

“We must not forget that education is a fundamental human right, and the right to quality education should not stop because of conflict and displacement.

“Children must be able to go to school, learn in a safe environment, and be given a chance to develop their full potential, whether they live in an IDP camp, a makeshift settlement, a town, or are still on the move.

“It is important to stress that education is a right enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of Children and a collective responsibility of all stakeholders,” she added.

She said the Commission regarded education as an essential foundation for individual, social, and economic development and a pillar for equality, respect, tolerance, and dignity.

According to her, basic education and vocational skills development are priority areas of our integrated approach towards ensuring durable solutions.

“Therefore, since 2021, the Commission has scaled up technical and financial provisions in education in emergencies and protracted crises.

“In line with the Commission’s camp exit strategy and delivering durable solutions to persons of concern (POCs), with strong consideration for host communities, the Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (Areai).

“This is to support the implementation and facilitate access to accelerated and informal educational opportunities for IDP, refugee, and migrant children.

“This is through a comprehensive multi-layered approach that matches learning and academic skills with psycho-social support and life skills training,” she said.

She said the main objective was to promote social integration or re-integration into formal education in camps and host communities.

She further explained that the Transitional Learning Center was an outcome of this very robust collaboration.

“The learning center is more than just a school. It is a place where children can regain a sense of normalcy and stability in their lives.

“It is also a place where these children will make friends, learn new skills, and dream of a brighter future and build their foundation needed to succeed in life.

“Given the human-centred design nature of our interventions as a key fundamental of our Strategic Roadmap, it is important to note that aside from members of the IDP community, host community members are also playing a critical role in co-leading the implementation process of the Transition Learning Centers.

“Bi-monthly workshops for key stakeholders are deployed as part of quality control measures.”

Sulaima-Ibrahim also said that workshops are also hosted at the Centre that focus on training local stakeholders and women groups on peacekeeping, self-awareness, basic hygiene education, and prevention of violence against children, including gender-based violence (GBV) and disabilities.

“In addition to providing comprehensive education, the Commission is committed to promoting sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention of children in displacement,” she added. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Ekemini Ladejobi

By Simon Akoje

Financial experts have urged the incoming administration to embark on reforms that will enhance the country’s business climate to spur economic growth and tackle rising unemployment.

The experts spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

Dr Uju Ogubunka, a former Executive Secretary, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, said the incoming government should embrace economic policies that would improve the business operating environment for corporates to create more jobs.

Ogubunka added that the incoming government should upon inauguration immediately address the uncertainties in the economy to tackle unemployment.

“More efforts should be made in addressing the structural challenges impeding inflow of foreign direct investment into our shores.

“Issues relating to insecurity must be reduced to the barest minimum so as to enhance investor confidence in the economy,” he said.

He added that the incoming government should invest in key infrastructure that would create more employment opportunities.

“Investing more funds to fix the electricity challenges is crucial to industrialising the economy.

“This will make the youth to be innovative and begin to create job opportunities in every sector of the economy,” Ogubunka said.

Also speaking, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, Head of Department of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, said the government could tackle unemployment through supporting local production and not importation.

“Enhancing local production with the right fiscal and monetary policies, is crucial to boost the economy,” Tella said.

This, he said, would boost businesses that would lead to more employment opportunities for the teeming youth.

Tella added that the Federal Government should address the rising unemployment by subsidising electricity cost for the productive sector.

“Subsidising electricity cost and raw materials for production is key to growing the economy.

“More businesses will begin to emerge and the teeming youth would be gainfully employed and become professionals,” Tella said.

Mr Nerus Ekezie, former Director National Association of Small and Medium Enterprise, said the incoming government should tackle unemployment by investing more in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Ekezie added that regular dialogues between the government and the various stakeholders in the SME sector was crucial for their expansion.

“The dialogue should not only include the stakeholders in production but also the service units so as to be considered in government interventions,” he said.

Ekezie said the incoming government could boost the sector by granting tax holidays and foreign exchange for SMEs to enhance their businesses and create employment opportunities.

“Such interventions will spur growth in the SMEs sector and more youths could be employed because of their expansion to new frontiers,” Ekezie said.

NAN reports that KPMG, a multinational consulting firm, in a recent released report tagged ‘KPMG Global Economy Outlook, H1 2023,’ noted that the Nigerian unemployment rate had increased to 37.7 per cent in 2022.

The report further said that the figure would rise to 40.6 per cent due to the continuing inflow of job seekers.

It said unemployment would continue to be a challenge due to the slower-than-required economic growth and the inability of the economy to absorb the four to five million new entrants into the Nigerian job market every year.

The report also said that in 2024, the unemployment rate would grow to 43 per cent, while inflation rate would accelerate to 20.3 per cent in 2023 and 20.0 per cent in 2024. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Navy (NN) says the release of Motor Tanker (MT) Heroic Idun, arrested and prosecuted for criminal offences, would be subject to fulfilment of the plea bargain agreement with the Federal Government.

The Director of Information, NN, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Ayo-Vaughan said the Naval Headquarters had on Aug. 19, 2022, announced the arrest of the vessel by the Equatorial Guinean Navy.

He recalled that the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) had entered the Nigerian Maritime Environment (NME) on Aug. 7, 2022 and headed for Akpo Field without any authorisation or clearance.

He said the MT Heroic Idun, with IMO number 9858058, was registered in Marshall Island and had an overall length of 336-metres, 60 metres breadth (nearly the size of 3 football fields) and a carrying capacity of 3 million barrels.

According to him,  the vessel’s Captain, having duly responded to Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) GONGOLA, later failed to comply with the Navy ship’s order to proceed to Bonny Anchorage to await her NNPCL papers but rather altered her course southward and proceeded at top speed towards the Nigeria/Sao Tome Joint Development Zone.

It also reported her encounter with NNS GONGOLA to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) as a pirate attack, but this was later refuted by IMB because it was not.

“Fortunately, MT Heroic Idun was tracked by the Nigerian Navy’s state of the art Maritime Domain Awareness system and the ship was eventually arrested by the Equatorial Guinean authorities based on a formal request by the Nigerian Navy under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct.

“The vessel was afterwards transferred back to Nigeria on Nov. 12, 2022.

“For the brazen act of defiance to constituted authority as exhibited by the vessel as well as the false pirate attack alarm she raised, including the attempt to load crude oil without relevant approval, the NN approached the Attorney General of the Federation/ Minister of Justice and the ship and crew were charged to court at a Federal High Court Port Harcourt on Jan. 10.

Naval spokesman said it was clear that the vessel’s presence in NME on Aug. 7, 2022 was not just suspicious but with apparent intent to commit a grave crime against the nation.

He said the vessel and her 26 foreign crew pleaded guilty and elected voluntarily to enter into a plea bargain agreement with the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as make restitution to the government.

According to him, the plea bargain was in the interest of justice, the public and for public policy interest.

He added that the owners of the vessel made the plea agreement after due consultations in line with Section 270 (5) (a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

“Upon the acceptance of the plea bargain, both parties agreed to the fulfilment of the conditions before any release will be made.

“Accordingly, after the conviction and sentencing by the court in line with the agreed terms, MT Heroic Idun and its owners are to pay fines to the Federal Government and make an apology to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in print and electronic media as well as Llyod’s list.

“On its part, the Federal Government agreed not to further criminally prosecute and/or investigate the vessel, her owners, charterers or her crew in the matter of her crime against the state.

“Gleaning from the foregoing therefore, the release of MT Heroic Idun is subject to the fulfilment of all aforementioned conditions of the plea bargain to the satisfaction of the Federal High Court.

“The online reports and stories of the release of the vessel are thus false, mischievous and misleading.

“The Nigerian Navy assures Nigerians that in accordance with its statutory responsibilities and drawing strength from the strategic directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the Service will sustain a posture of zero tolerance to crude oil theft and other criminal activities in NME.

“The Navy shall continue to work in synergy with other maritime stakeholders, navies of the Gulf of Guinea states and strategic partners of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria derives maximum benefit from its natural resources in the maritime area.

“No form of campaign of calumny or malicious online publications will distract the Navy from her unwavering commitment to the dutiful fulfilment of her constitutional mandate,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Rukayat Moisemhe

MKH Group has announced the name change of one of its subsidiaries, MKH Investment Ltd., to MKH Properties Ltd., effective May 1.

Dr Hammed Muibi, the Chief Executive Officer, MKH Properties Ltd., confirmed the name change in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Muibi said the change of name would not alter the company’s financials, legalities and related documentations.

“Effective May 1, 2023, MKH Investment Limited will be renamed MKH Properties Limited.

“This change of our company’s name will allow us to present ourselves as Nigeria’s most innovative and trusted real estate and property solutions company.

“Our commitment will remain our highest priority for our customers and partners across West Africa,” he said.

Also, Mr Olukunle Idowu, MKH Group Managing Director, said the company would streamline its focus on providing customers and prospects with ideal exposure to the company’s operation and value proposition.

“We look forward to rolling out our rebranded collateral, including our product catalogues, presentations and several others.

“Our email addresses and corporate website address will be updated to reflect our new company name.

“We thank you for your continued support and trust in the brand,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Emmanuel Afonne

Mrs Aqueen Ibeto, Chairperson Ohanaeze Ndigbo, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, has described the choice of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as a blessing to the entire Igbo race.

Ibeto stated this in a congratulatory message, signed on Thursday by the Media Consultant, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK/Northern Ireland, Ms Asa Blessing-Chijekwu, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Her message comes just days after Iwuanyanwu was unanimously endorsed as the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide during a meeting in Enugu on Sunday of the “Ohanaeze Imeobi”, the highest decision making of the group.

“Time has come for Igbo sons and daughters at home and abroad to come together to chat the way forward through the new Ohanaeze helmsman, in a united Nigeria,” Ibeto said.

Iwuanyanwu was chosen as the new President-General of Ohanaeze and presented to Gov. Hope Uzodinma early last month following the death of Prof. George Obiozor in late December 2022.

The National Executive Council of the group had directed the people of Imo to find a credible replacement for Obiozor based on doctrine of necessity.

Ibeto, therefore, described Iwuanyanwu as a man with many parts, noting that his political tact and sagacity were testament to the quality of leadership he would inject into Ohanaeze.

“We urge you sir, to focus on collaborating with the diaspora arm of Ohanaeze Worldwide to see how we can forge a common front for the good and future of our children.

“By the grace of God, your wealth of experience will be brought to bear in the discharge of your duties as we chart a course for a successful future for every Igbo man in UK.

“This appointment is coming at a critical time in the history of our country and Igbo people after the concluded 2023 general election where an Igbo man, Mr Peter Obi, made a significant impact through Labour Party.

“We therefore congratulate you believing that with your capacity and political sagacity over the years, you will bring your wealth of experience to bear,” Blessing-Chijekwu quoted Ibeto as saying.

It would be recalled that Iwuanyanwu held many public offices, including Board Chairman, Federal Road Maintenance Agency; Board Chairman, Nigerian Investment Promotion and founding Chairman, Raw Materials Research and Development Council of Nigeria.

Other positions he held include Chairman, National Productivity Merit Award; Chairman, Nigerian Sports Development Council; Founding Chairman, Nigerian National Lottery; Chairman, National Orthopedic Hospital Igbobi, Lagos; Pro-Chancellor, University of Calabar, Cross River State.

Iwuanyanwu founded over 20 limited liability companies including Hardel & Enic Construction Ltd; Champion Newspapers; Oriental Airlines and Oriental Shipping Lines Ltd. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vincent Obi

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government on Wednesday expressed its commitment to repositioning the Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), through effective transformation, to improve productivity across the country.

The Director-General of the MCO, Mr Simon Nkom, made the commitment at a Review for Development (R4D) Retreat, in Abuja.

Nkom said the essence of the retreat was to chart ways to reposition the entire mining cadastre to meet up with recent challenges being faced by the office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MCO innuagurated a new Online Mining Cadastre System based on GAF’s eMC+ framework, in November 2022.

The new system will connect the six newly-established zonal offices in six geopolitical zones with the headquarters in Abuja and ensure efficient and transparent management of the mining sector in Nigeria.

Nkom said through this system, investors would be provided with possibility to submit applications, adding that the system would enable the investors to track the processing.

“The essence of the retreat is for us to do a review on how to adapt on the new EMC+ system.

“We have to discuss on how we can move forward to be able to achieve the best in the next years to come.

“Knowing where we are coming from, we have to work hard to ensure we get what we are looking for, to be able to achieve our objectives.

“In view of that, there’s a need for the staff to be retreated to make the work better.

“With the help of Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Service (DSS) and Indepence Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Nkom said there had been a code of conduct to ensure that at the end of the day, the government and other relevant stakeholders would be figured out.

He said that the concept of the retreat was the process of the new technology.

According to him, if the people do not re-orient themselves, then they are going to have a problem in terms of the process and in terms of the new technology.

“For the first time in the history of the mining cadastre, this event has been the first retreat.

“So, there is a need for re-organising and putting in the key things to play a big role in the mining cadastre in terms of adding value,” he said.

The director-general said that the main aim and objective of the system was to migrate it to an onlined system in a good time.

He said that with the system, anybody can have access to submit an application from any where in the world.

He said that number of people submitting their applications were increasing and going toward perfection.

“So, the system has been made easy for people to submit their applications online.

“There has been about 40 per cent total increase of submitted applications online so far from day to day at different hours which is the essence of the system.

“Offices have been made where people who have challenges with submitting any type of application can be enlightened on how to go about it, especially when it comes to visas applications.

“Looking at the system, one can say that the mining system is a legal activity and the mandate is insurance,” he said.

Nkom said the office has a department of protectorate, which was in charge of illegal activities and it has a mines surveillance unit made up of security agents.

He said that the system continue to issue licences in the fastest possible way within the stipulated time in order to eradicate the illegal mining activity.

The Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Bawa Abdulrasheed, said that corruption was probably the most important factor affecting service delivery in Nigeria today.

Bawa said that the Federal Government over the years has introduced several policies and laws to tackle the problem of corruption in the public sector.

“Sectors like the Economic and Financial Crimes Act 2004 and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, as well as the service delivery initiative.

“The commision has severally advocated that to prevent corruption is cheaper and less time consuming than to fight corruption.

“It is hereby, imperative for every public officer to ensure the implementation of laws and policies are strictly complied with, while transparency and accountability must be brought into action to promote excellent service delivery in organisations.

“Therefore, it is necessary to make full use of the system (eMC+), which has the potential to create environment free of corruption.

“The system increases the ease of conducting business by reducing number of human contact and increase the effectiveness transparency and accountability.”

Abdulrasheed, however, urged the staff to effectively carry out their duties, to promote a corrupt free environment to enable achieve it’s mandates.

Also, the Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bola Owasanoye, said that integrity and good work ethic have great benefit in the delivery of service.

Owasanoye advised public servants as well as other stakeholders to cultivate the attitude of integrity and good conduct for effective service delivery. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Joan Nwagwu

The authority of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has honoured the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, with the Pillar of Public Relations Award.

A statement by Mr Stanley Ogadigbo, Public Relations Officer, NIPR, on Thursday, said the ceremony took place at the Assembly Hall of the University on Tuesday in Keffi.

Ogadigbo stated that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, presented the award to Sirajo and said that the NIPR president bagged the award, based on his contributions to the growth and development of Public Relations in the country.

“The University Management is proud of your sterling antecedents as a prime Public Relations professional and particularly for your support towards the growth of the public relations programme in the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM),” Ogadigbo reported Mohammed as saying.

Mohammed noted that the award ceremony was part of activities marking the University’s 2023 International Conference on Communication and Development in Africa.

Sirajo received the award in company of the Council Member representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ike Neliaku.

Responding, the NIPR boss attributed most of his achievements in the profession to his passion for professionalism and excellence.

He noted that such recognition could only serve as a morale booster to do more for the institute and the country.

The NIPR boss was decorated at the well-attended event along with other eminent Nigerians and international scholars, with the Ag. Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe as Visitor to the University.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) who was represented by Mr Isa Wasa Francis, was the Special Guest of Honour. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman