By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria is now more ready to take its rightful place in the global business environment.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

The president stated this when he played host to a delegation consisting of the global leadership of an oil and gas transnational giant, ExxonMobil, in New York.

According to Tinubu, Nigeria is no longer settling for crumbs and leftovers on the investment agenda of the world’s most prolific energy conglomerates.

Tinubu said that following an illustrious private sector career as a professional accountant in the oil and gas industry, he has proven his capacity to take difficult decisions as President.

He added that he was best prepared to solve problems and crush all bottlenecks standing in the way of new and large-scale capital flowing into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

“The knotty issues require direct supervision on my part. Despite many contending obligations, I will sit down and oversee the process of removing these encumbrances to job and wealth creation for the Nigerian people.

‘’We know the industry. We grew up in it. We are positioned to solve the problems, and we are pragmatic, and we will solve the problem,” the President said.

ExxonMobil President of Global Upstream Operations, Liam Mallon, assured Tinubu of his new and personal commitment to the country.

He added that he was well placed to reciprocate the President’s efforts with new investment as he pledged new production of nearly 40,000bpd in its Nigerian operations in phase one of a new investment push.

“What you told us was that your team would collaborate with us, and that has proven true. We have made significant progress since we last met.

‘’We are growing our production, and we are working hard on expanding in the deep water production. We appreciate your efforts, and we will respond in kind,’’ the ExxonMobil President stated. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Rita Iliya
Niger Government on Tuesday says plans were underway to commence construction of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp.

Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said this at the 2023 Corps Employers Workshop with the theme: “Improving Corps Members Welfare and Enhancing Corps Stakeholders Relationship in the Post Golden Jubilee Era.”

Usman, represented by Alhaji Habibu Abdulkadir, Permanent Secretary, Economy Affairs, said that Gov. Umaru Bago was committed to revamping the NYSC permanent orientation camp to provide conductive accommodation.

“As representative of the SSG, I was involved in a meeting toward redesigning and development of the NYSC camp, which will be a desired destination for every youth corp member in Nigeria,” he said.

He commended the scheme for organising the workshop aimed at improving the welfare of corps members and ensuring their well-being.

In her remarks, Mrs Abiodu Olubukola, Acting Director of NYSC, North Central Area Office, said the workshop was a platform to exchange ideas on how to improve service delivery from the scheme and corps employers.

Olubukola, represented by Mrs Chinwe Nwachukwu, Deputy Director with NYSC, urged participants to pay attention to resource persons and contribute meaningfully in order to gain better insight to resolving their challenges.

Also speaking, Mrs Abdulwahab Alidat, NYSC Coordinator in Niger, said the workshop was to review issues that would enhance relationship between corps members, corps employers, other stakeholders and the scheme.

“We are here to proffer solutions to some of the problems and challenges we are facing in respect of this relationship, we want to air our views and want feedbacks from our corps employers,” she said.

She appealed to corps employers to improve corps members’ welfare, their security and mentor them as youths.

The coordinator appreciated the governor’s effort to make the orientation camp one of the best in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the workshop was presentation of awards to outstanding corps employers and distinguished personalities such as chairmen of Mokwa, Bosso, IBB Specialist Hospital and the governor. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Isaac Ukpoju

By Patricia Amogu

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) on Monday spoke of its readiness to explore new avenues for partnerships that would attract investment toward the development of the sector.

The Executive Secretary of the association, Miss Bilky Gambo said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Gambo, who is the new executive secretary of the association, said the organisation would reposition itself to enable it to work closely and effectively with partners and relevant stakeholders to amplify advocacy and expand its horizon for the success of its mandate.

“We will also explore new avenues for partnership and engagement with industry experts.

“We will be advocates for policies that would provide tax incentives that will spur investment in renewable and clean energy projects,” she said.

“While I am still in the early stages of settling into this role, I intend to bring my wealth of experience in administration and corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, and management to bear on achieving REAN’s mission.

“I intend to build on the strong foundation laid by my predecessor to pursue our strategic goals,” she added.

According to her, the association will focus attention on innovativeness and sustainability and drive initiatives toward accelerating renewable energy adoption in Nigeria.

“Government support is crucial and essential for our success. We will work closely with government agencies to develop policies that support renewable energy development.

“We will work collaboratively so that specific policies will be developed so much that in the next five years, REAN will become a leading force in renewable energy advocacy and innovation. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Fortune Abang

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have called for a holistic approach to protecting migrants rights.

The organisations made the call on Monday at the opening ceremony of a two-day training on human rights and migration, organised by the UN in Nigeria for staff of the NHRC in Abuja.

The training titled: “PROMIS-Protection of Migrants’’ is meant to strengthen capacities of West African states, develop human rights-based responses to smuggling of migrants and combat rights violations.

The Executive-Secretary of NHRC, Mr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), described the PROMIS – Protection of Migrants project as apt in efforts to tackle issues related to violation of the rights of migrants.

Ojukwu said the training would provide NHRC personnel with understanding of international human rights frameworks, treaties and regional instruments relevant to human rights at international borders.

According to him, the need to adopt a human rights-based approach to migration management has been underscored by the multiple thematic and sectoral interests that converge in migration management.

“In our world today, migrants face dehumanising conditions, illegal arrests and prolonged detention, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, life threatening conditions on land and sea.

“As we focus on irregular migration and smuggling across our borders, it is important we do not lose sight of trafficking within Nigeria becoming an epidemic.

“As human rights advocates and frontline defenders, staff of the National Human Rights stand on a strong legal and institutional footing to tackle this present and emerging styles of human rights violations.

“I want to pledge that this training programme we are receiving today under the auspices of PROMIS and the OHCHR shall be extended to all our state offices in due course as migration is all encompassing.

“We will continue to work with our partners within and outside the government to strengthen policies, and practices that impact on human rights of migrants, victims of trafficking and smuggling of migrants.’’

The executive-secretary decried social, economic and political vulnerabilities such as poverty, inequalities, conflicts, and human insecurity to be major triggers to irregular migration, trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

He said the NHRC Amendment Act of 2010 vested the commission with wide ranging powers to monitor human rights, conduct investigations on violations, embark upon public interest litigations, conduct research and produce Guidelines and Advisories.

Speaking at the event, Adwoa Kufuor-Owusu, Senior Human Rights Adviser, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that migration related issues had affected countless lives of individuals and communities.

She said that though migration could transform societies, economies and individual lives, its challenges could lead to violations of human rights of migrants if not properly managed and safeguarded.

According to her, to manage and safeguard vulnerabilities that might arise in the context of migration, various legal and institutional frameworks were established both at international, regional and national levels.

“We gather not only to deepen understanding of these issues, but to reaffirm our commitment to core human rights principles of dignity, equality and non-discrimination for everyone everywhere, regardless of migratory status.

“It is my sincere hope that over the two-day training you will seize the opportunity to strengthen your capacity to apply various international and national human rights frameworks to migrants, especially at international borders.

“I equally hope the discussions in this training will allow for reflections on synergies between the NHRC and other stakeholders, for effective promotion and protection of migrants in Nigeria,’ she said.

She reiterated the UN’s commitment to collaborate with the NHRC to support Nigeria and enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of migrants, especially migrants in vulnerable situations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was put together under the auspices of the joint initiative by the UN Human Rights Office and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

A total of 25-NHRC staff across field offices from Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Katsina, Borno and Taraba attended the training. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Halima Sheji

By Aderogba George

Prof Christopher Imumolen, candidate of the Accord Party in the 2023 Presidential election, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing youths into his government.

Imumolen gave the commendation at the occasion of his 40th birthday celebration on Monday night in Abuja.

He said that President Tinubu had done beyond the expectation of many Nigerians by appointing 85 to 90 per cent of youths into his administration.

According to him, the quest for a prosperous and developed nation can only be possible through youth involvement in all strata of leadership .

He lamented that Nigerian youths were tired of being used and dumped by political leaders and not being meaningfully involved in nation building.

He, therefore, commended the President for changing the narrative, adding that the appointment of youths by this administration had encouraged youths across the country to become genuinely interested in the affairs of their country.

“I love the appointments made by the President, if that is what we can achieve, then there is hope for the country.

“The youths are the ones that have the technical and digital knowledge to solve the country’s problems.

“The youths are the ones that have the strength to deliver our country from its many challenges.

“Those who fought for Nigeria’s independence did so when they were young, the man that moved the motion for independent was 19 years old when he took that step.

“Youth inclusion in governance is part of what we stand for as a party, and during the last election, I was the only youth in that race.

“Forget about what the speculations were then, what I was driving at is for the youth to be included in governance,” he said.

Imumolen added that those who were criticising president Tinubu’s appointments should understand he appointed those he trusted.

He added that “there must be some special people one must trust in every system of government.”

He also called on those who are still aggrieved as a result of the last Presidential election to join hands with the President to build a better nation we all desire, adding that there is no perfect situation all over the world.

The Accord Party presidential candidate also called on well-meaning Nigerians to provide support for those who are less privileged in society.

“We must begin to show love to one another, celebrate ourselves while we are alive and not when we are dead.

Also, his Vice Presidential candidate, Mr Bala-Bello Maru, thanked God on behalf of the celebrant, saying that he had touched many lives.

Maru said that Imumolen is a man with talent, a trail blazer who had identified with many in the country’s education sector, adding that he had given access to many youth who do not have resources to study.

He said that the celebrant had brought creativity in the country’s political struggle, while praying to God for him to realise his potential. (NAN)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Grace Alegba

The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha on Monday assured road users that the Dorman Long Flyover at Jibowu Bus Stop was structurally okay and safe for use.

Kesha. in a statement, urged the public to disregard a social media video insinuating that a section of the bridge connecting Ikorodu Road to Western Avenue (Jibowu-Ojuelegba) was in critical condition requiring urgent attention.

She said that in response to the allegations, she led her team of engineers on physical assessment of the bridge to ascertain the claim, but discovered that the flyover was okay.

The controller said it was discovered that the section on which there was speculation was in good condition, as the bridge bearings at that location and all other sections were observed to be structurally sound.

She explained that “only a negligible portion of the parapet wall was found to be damaged and this does not affect the structural stability of the bridge”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that parapet walls are the side concrete barriers usually painted green and white or black and white to prevent vehicles from falling off bridges.

“To this end, we wish to inform the general public that the Dorman-long bridge is in good condition and fit for use.

“Thus, the general public should put their mind at rest and continue to enjoy the use of the bridge with peace of mind,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle