By Justina Auta

Actionaid Nigeria, a social justice organisation, has reviewed its strategy and engaged the media in alleviating at least five million Nigerians out of poverty.

Its Country Director, Mr Andrew Mamedu, said this at a media engagement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mamedu noted the high poverty rates in the country, adding that the deployment of new strategies through collaboration with the media, communities and government would eradicate poverty and redistribution of wealth in the country.

“For us, the media is not just a tool, but partners in progress to achieve the five million people we want to contribute to take out of poverty.

“We will take five million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years. That is one of the mandates we are doing now.

“We are in the process of reviewing our current strategy and we are looking at plans, strategies and processes on how to achieve that.

“Is it achievable? Yes, China, India, in one swift way got about a hundred and three hundred million persons out of poverty in one year.

” They did that by investing in education, infrastructure, and small-scale businesses,” he said.

Mamedu reiterated their commitment in promoting social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication through partnership with the government and other stakeholders to make an impact in the lives of citizens.

“The contribution of actionaid in ensuring transparency and holding the government accountable and ensuring that our resources are adequate and well utilised to benefit the people.

“Our bias is towards those living in poverty and the marginalised,” he said.

According to him, even though the organisation has specific programmes for women, men and boys were also not left out in some of its programmes.

“For us to achieve these lofty ideas that we have put in place, we have specific targets for women, children or young persons on unemployment, economy, humanitarian and others,” Mamedu said.

He, therefore, urged the media and other stakeholders to support the organisation to achieve its mandates.

“We will be providing some training, support for your organisation, proposals specifically targeting media organisations on what we can do towards poverty eradication in Nigeria,” he said.

Also, Mr Shagari Sumner, a senior media practitioner representing Arise TV, urged the organisation to factor some challenges affecting media operations, while relating with them.

Sumner also encouraged Actionaid to sustain its relationship with the media towards achieving its aim for the overall benefits of the citizens.

NAN reports that various media organisations from the print, television, radio, online and others were represented to strengthen partnership towards eradicating poverty, ensuring social justice and gender equality. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Bashir Rabe

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government said on Wednesday that it would end food wastage in the state by 2024.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State made this known in Ikeja, during the swearing-in of the new cabinet members of 37 commissioners and special advisers.

Sanwo-Olu said that ending food wastage and ensuring food security for the residents of the state was one of the focus agenda of his second term administration.

He said that the government would establish the Lagos Food Security and Central Logistics Park in Ketu-Ereyun, near Epe, by 2024.

“Food security for our people is another critical focus area for us this term. As we all know, Lagos ”imports” most of the food that we consume.

“Due to the lack of appropriate storage facilities, up to 40 per cent of the agriculture products either cultivated in Lagos or imported from other states end up wasted.

“We are poised to end this monumental waste when the Lagos Food Security and Central Logistics Park is completed in Ketu-Ereyun, near Epe, by 2024.

“This will cut down, if not eliminate scarcity of perishable food, improve access for processing and packaging, and ensure the application of quality standards.

“Above all, it will facilitate higher revenue for our teeming farming population,” the governor said.

He said that over the past 100 Days since the administration began its second term, a lot more had happened, as the government announced the renaming of its Governance Agenda to T.H.E.M.E.S+.

According to him, the renaming of T.H.E.M.E.S to T.H.E.M.E.S+, is in recognition of the necessity of incorporating Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth Development into all government’s programmes.

Sanwo-Olu said that the government would focus on building a better and more equitable society, as no one and no sector would be left behind in the journey to building a Greater Lagos.

He said that beyond the broad T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda, the second term would focus on building and completing enduring legacy projects in transportation, health and agriculture that would open up more economic and developmental opportunities for residents of the state.

The governor said that already, in just the first 100 days, the state had witnessed the commencement of operations of the Blue Line Rail Service.

“What a joy it has been for me and I am sure for millions of our people, to watch as Lagos finally joined the list of cities around the world with a modern and functional metro rail system.

“The journey to make this happen was long and tough but we proved ourselves to be more durable and tougher.

“The smiles on the faces of commuters already using the Blue Line will soon be replicated along the Agbado to Marina corridor, where we are putting finishing touches to the completion of the Red Line Rail Service.

“This route will encompass 13 Stations in iconic parts of Lagos like Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute Meta and Ebute Ero.

“Still on Rail, we shall commence the extension of the Blue Line from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko. This will expand coverage of the service to millions more of our people,” he said.

According to him, when completed and fully operational, the extended Blue Line and the Red Line will jointly serve over one and half million commuters daily.

He said that as many experts had stated, the benefits of this to the economy would be massive and more importantly, the improvement in the quality of life of the people would be palpable.

Sanwo-Olu said that the giant strides being made with the rail would be complemented by the efforts on road infrastructure, as the government would focus on completing Phase 1 of the 4th Mainland Bridge.

He said that the 4th Mainland Bridge, which would link Ikorodu, Epe and Ibeju-Lekki axes of the state, would further open up the Eastern corridor of Lagos and catalyse economic growth and development for the millions of residents living and working in that area.

“Alongside the 4th Mainland Bridge is the Omu Creek Project. This will link the Lekki-Epe Expressway (the redevelopment of which is almost completed) to the Ito Omu area of Lagos.

“When completed, expect the rise of new towns that will help to decongest our metropolis, create massive job opportunities for the indigenous people of the area and facilitate private investments in multiple sectors.

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, a Greater Lagos is coming to Ito Omu,” Sanwo-Olu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

By Justina Auta

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) have called on the government and stakeholders, to prioritise disability inclusion as a strategy to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

They made the call at a one-day consultation on mid-term review of disability inclusion in the implementation of SDGs organised by an NGO, Sightsavers Nigeria, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Dr Abdullahi Usman, National President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), called for bridging disability gaps and promoting good governance to address them.

“It is important to note that building an inclusive society goes beyond preparing PWDs for the workspace or providing them with skills.

“We are appealing to all relevant stakeholders both in public and private sector to accelerate action on the SDGs and ensure inclusion for PWDs.

“We all have equal rights to education, employment opportunities and health care, and the rights to have a say in the decisions that affect our lives,” he said.

He said Nigeria has an estimate of over 30 million PWDs, who are marginalised on the grounds of gender, poverty, age or other factors.

Mrs Esther Bature, Sightsavers Country Advocacy Coordinator, said the forum was for PWDs members in Nigeria to review mid-term implementation of the disability inclusion in the SDGs.

Bature explained that the upcoming SDG summit, as part of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) scheduled for Sept.18 and 19 was an opportunity for the voices of PWDs in Nigeria to be heard.

He said that their voices would be heard in the implementation of all inclusive SDGs.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for the voices of PWDs to be heard in the highest echelon.

“So we work with the JONAPWD to mobilise their members across the geopolitical zones, across disability clusters to come together and hold a consultation about the SDG implementation at the grassroots.

“This is to ensure that recommendations made to our government so that when they go to the SDG Summit, they will make commitments that are inclusive.”

According to her, Sightsavers has collaborated with the Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the President on SDG (OSSAP-SDGS), in shadow reporting for the Voluntary National Review (VNR).

Dr Zakariya Mohammed, Deputy Director, OSSAP-SDGs, said the meeting was crucial toward ensuring inclusion in the implementation of the SDGs for PWDs. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/ Joseph Edeh

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is in collaboration talks with the Customs Service of neighbouring Republic of Benin to improve trade relations between both countries.

The Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja, at a two-day working visit of the Director-General of Customs, Republic of Benin, Alain Hinkati, to Nigeria.

Adeniyi said that Hinkati’s visit was in furtherance of ongoing efforts to enhance customs administration, trade facilitation and regional cooperation.

According to him, the visit marks a significant milestone in our journey to strengthen collaboration, eliminate barriers and promote legitimate trade within the West African region.

“It is with profound gratitude that I recall our previous visit to our esteemed counterparts in Benin, where fruitful discussions and resolutions were made; forging a path towards more efficient and effective customs practices.

“Today, I am honoured to highlight some of the remarkable progress we have made since that visit, as well as the commitment to further solidify these gains.

“On promotion of ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, the
relevant department within the NCS has been entrusted with the task of reviewing the current impediments to the scheme to chart practical ways forward.

“Our objective remains steadfast; to stimulate economic growth, foster regional integration and nurture prosperity among our nations,” he said.

The Acting CG said that, in collaboration with the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police, the NCS had undertaken substantial measures to reduce barriers along trade corridors.

He said that by addressing those challenges, the NCS was fostering a more conducive environment for legitimate trade to flourish.

“We are currently in the final stages of integrating our IT systems with the
Federal Road Safety to curb illegal entry of vehicles.

“This integration will enhance our ability to monitor and regulate cross-border vehicle movements more effectively,” he said.

Adeniyi said that initiatives have also been launched to harmonise the list of products prohibited in Nigeria.

According to him, this step not only promotes consistency but also facilitates smoother trade relations with our partners.

He added that the NCS was swiftly progressing toward Nigeria’s integration into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), joining hands with other West African nations.

“This interconnected system promises to further streamline our transit operations and improve regional trade dynamics”.

He said the accomplishments were a testament to the dedication in collaboration with regional partners, adding, however, that the journey was far from complete.

“The challenges we face require our continued commitment and resolve to overcome them. As we solidify these gains, we must also look ahead with a sense of urgency,” Adeniyi said.

The visiting D-G Customs of the Republic of Benin, Alain Hikanti, had earlier commended the NCS for its efforts at forging the collaboration.

Hinkati said that his visit to Nigeria had provided the opportunity to deepen the different issues that were raised in June when Adeniyi paid a similar visit to the Republic of Benin.

“We have decided to explore the benefits of the opportunities of our mutual advantages.

“We are working towards having a Nigeria clearing ground Republic of Benin to make importation of goods through our borders more seamless,” he said.

Also present at the event were the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Olukayode Olugbenga, and the Ambassador of Republic of Benin to Nigeria, Marcelline Adjovi-Yekpe. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday departed Nigeria to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G77+China Leaders’ Summit in Havana, Cuba, holding from Sept. 15 to 17.

The Director of Information, Office of the Vice President, Mr Olusola Abiola, in a statement, said Shettima would join other world leaders, including the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Gutteres, at the Summit.

He said the summit would deliberate on development issues facing members, mostly from the global south.

“The summit will equally explore proactive ways of addressing challenges facing the development of the member-states leveraging science, technology and innovation to enhance socio-economic growth.

“Also, Shettima will, on the sidelines of the Summit, hold bilateral meetings with other world leaders to promote Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in line with the economic development diplomacy of the President Bola Tinubu administration.”

Abiola said that the Havana Summit would be hosted by the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, in his capacity as Chairman of the G77.

The theme of the summit is “Current Development Challenges: The Role of Science, Technology and Innovation.”

He recalled that Nigeria was a founding member of the G77 group established in 1964 by 77 developing countries.

“The group, a coalition of 134 developing countries with 80 per cent of world population, aims to promote its members’ collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations,” he added.

He said Shettima would be accompanied by agriculture and rural development minister Abubakar Kyari, his innovation, science and technology counterpart, Uche Nnaji, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Adamu Lamuwa.(NAN)

Edited by Ephraims Sheyin