By Felicia Imohimi

Stakeholders in agriculture and financial institutions  have pledged commitment to strengthen financial management of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) projects  in  West and Central Africa (WCA).

They made the pledge in a communiqué issued on Friday in Abuja at the end of a three-day Regional Training Workshop on Financial Management for IFAD-funded projects.

The participants included Coordinators, Finance Managers, Accountants, Internal and external Auditors from Supreme Audit Institutions, as well as ministries experts drawn from Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

The 130 participants at the workshop were drawn from five Anglophone countries from WCA.

They pledged their commitment to implement the financial management best practices, and tools shared during the workshop to enhance project efficiency, reporting and value for money.

The communiqué noted that the training was to support the effective implementation of major financial management, and fiduciary reforms for the projects.

“These reforms aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of projects for greater impact on the livelihood of small-scale farmers, women, young people and other vulnerable groups living in rural areas.

“The primary aim of the training workshop was to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders with a view to improving the quality of financial management of IFAD-financed projects and programmes,’’it said.

Mr Radu Damianov, IFAD WCA Senior Regional Financial Management Department (FMD) Officer appreciated the active participation of all stakeholders, describing it as critical for achieving the workshop objectives.

Daminanov said that the FMD in partnership with the Regional and Country offices would provide continuous technical advice to participants to accelerate the implementation of the financial reforms.

Dr Ernest Umakhihe, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development lauded IFAD for the workshop.

He said that it would contribute to scaling up the impact of projects funded by IFAD, and government on agriculture and food system transformation.

Umakhihe was represented by Mr Bukar Musa, Director Projects Coordinating Unit.

He urged all participants to continue to collaborate and network within and across West and Central Africa countries, for continued exchange of knowledge and best practices.

“I solicit the support of IFAD to pursue this south-south cooperation in financial management,’’ he said.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of certificates to the 130 participants. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=======

(Edited by Joseph Edeh)

By Ibukun Emiola

Oyo State Government has approved immediate release of a car loan for primary school teachers across all zones in the state.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Ibadan by the Coordinating Director, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Jacob Dairo.

According to him, the loan is coming as a palliative to the teachers.

He said that the loan, which was to be disbursed in tranches, is to cushion the effects of the economic crisis in the nation on the teachers.

According to him, the loan scheme was approved by the state Gov. Seyi Makinde, who has instructed that there should be no favouritism.

The coordinating director advised the beneficiaries to use the loan for the intended purpose.

The facility which is to be granted by financial institutions is to be redeemed within 40 months, he said.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed, has expressed readiness to work with all stakeholders in the education sector.

The commissioner gave the assurance when he paid a visit to the Directorate of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, on Thursday.

Abdulwaheed said that the state government would, in due course, recruit more teachers into the basic education sub-sector.

He added that the government would ensure training of staff for all-round success, according to Dairo. (NAN).

Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Ijeoma Popoola

By Naomi Sharang

President Bola Tinubu has tasked Nigerian politicians and traditional rulers on sustaining nation’s unity.

He made this known in Abuja on Thursday at the public presentation of the book “Brutally Frank,” an autobiography of elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book has 28 chapters with 688 pages.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, Tinubu said that traditional rulers and politicians had a stake in the country.

The President, therefore, called on all hands to be on deck to realise a great nation.

He further said that there was the need for all to manage Nigeria’s diversity for the unity of the country.

“We are greater when we are introduced as Nigerians than when we are introduced on the basis of ethnicity.

“This country is structurally complex and structurally difficult but can never be difficult to manage.

“Our plurality, our diverse cultures, languages, religion, constitute the source of our strength.”

“Since we came in, we have demonstrated enough for the management of this diversity through appointment of persons, citizens into key, strategic positions.’’

The President, who noted that the country was going through a difficult phase, assured Nigerians that a new nation would soon be birthed.

“These pains are the pains of birth, birth of a new nation. We know the removal of fuel subsidy has created some pains and that is why palliatives are being put in place.

“We can endure this for a moment; what we are going through today is for a better tomorrow. Nations are great because citizens have hope that tomorrow will be better than today,” he added.

The President further described Clark as a great man, an extraordinary citizen, whose name “is a household name throughout the country.

“Clark is a part of the Nigerian legion, the Iroko of the South-South and the Eagle of the nation.”

Also speaking, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retired), chairman of the occasion, said the presence of dignitaries at the occasion was deserving to a man such as Clark.

“It is deserving that at his ripe age of 96 years, the Nigerian nation could gather in this befitting manner to honour him and pay deserving respects to his towering legacy of national service.

“My relationship with the Clark family, unknown to many, has been enduring over the years and has been expressed in deep bonds of friendship and mutual respect.

“The period in which Nigeria emerged from its most challenging political turmoil was one that needed great dexterity and empathy in the arduous task of reconciliation, rehabilitation, reintegration, reconstruction and rebuilding our bonds of oneness.”

While recalling the days of how Clark was chosen as Federal Commissioner, Gowon said that, “there was no better Nigerian for the job of Information Minister at that time.

“That was when we needed to show our warmness and empathy for one another as a people.

“The need to fill in the void created by Chief Anthony Enahoro’s exit was what gave Clark the job of Minister in the government which I headed.

“He became my confidant and the voice of the government, fearlessly defending the government and projecting its image. I found comfort in discussing government and other issues with Clark.”

Also, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the book as a good political-history book that most Nigerians would want to read from the front page to the back page.

“It will be useful to our young people,” Jonathan said.

Jonathan said that Clark was a person whose vision was “for Nigeria; for the security of this country and for the unity of this country.

“Clark is one of those few Nigerians that his name should be written in letters of gold in our political-history book.”

Similarly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the author of the book was a true elder statesman and a phenomenal patriot.

“Clark has remained “Brutally Frank” in his submissions over the years. I am therefore, not surprised that his autobiography is titled “Brutally Frank.”

“I have no doubt that the wisdom and perspectives shared in this great book, will offer us a chance to reflect on the journey we’ve undertaken as a society and to glean valuable lessons that can guide our future endeavours.”

In his vote of thanks, the author of the book, Clark called for the restructuring of Nigeria.

The event had in attendance traditional rulers, including the Ooni  of Ife; Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Amanayabo of Twon-Brass; Alfred Ditte-Spiff, the Emir of Kano; Aminu Ado Bayero, serving and former governors and serving and non-serving senators.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen/Sadiya Hamza

By Nabilu Balarabe

Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has approved the payment of N667 million to 475 pensioners across the 17 local government areas of the state.

The approval is contained in a statement by Buni’s Director-General Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Friday.

He said the approval followed a screening and verification of the pensioners by a committee earlier constituted by the state government.

“The committee has verified a total of 475 beneficiaries and hereby attached lists of beneficiaries and summary according to local government areas for both living and deceased pensioners,” Mohammed said.

He assured that the state government would settle all outstanding pensions owed retired workers in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
========
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Young Moms Support Initiative, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), has trained no fewer than 500 women in different skills to enable them become self-reliant and contribute to national development.

The Founder, Executive Director of the NGO, Dr Vivian Sonny-Nsirim said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the training was for three days.

Sonny-Nsirim, who is also the Ugochinyere I of Igbo land and Madubia of Uke Kingdom, said that the women were trained in baking, beverages, cereals and custard making among others.

She explained that their target was for the women have strong means of livelihood through which they can raise the economic status of their families.

“The actual goal was to bring out the potential in women, to seize their economic opportunities by learning how to boost their productivity and maximise income.

“The organisation came up with the idea of training the women on various skills to enable them become financially stable, as joblessness was a major cause of insecurity in the country.

“Women have good potentials for greatness but they need a little push.

“We want to ensure that women especially widows, single mothers and young girls who dropped from schools, have a viable source of livelihood,” Sonny-Nsirim said.

According to her, the organisation believes it is important to help women acquire skills so that they would not consider anti social behaviours or crime as option for their daily survival.

Sonny-Nsirim lamented that most of the women, including widows, were passing through a lot of challenges, hence the need for such economic impact training.

She appealed to Federal and State governments and individuals to partner with the organisation to train more women in the society.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Transformation Opportunities Providers (TOP) Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), on Thursday distributed palliatives to the vulnerable at Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home/School in Lagos State.

The palliatives included food items like bags of rice, cartons of noodles, beverages, oil, sanitaries, among others.

Mr Jide Ologun, the Vice President of the TOP foundation, who gifted the items, said that the gesture was in response to the challenging economic situation in Nigeria.

Ologun explained that the efforts were also in support of government’s efforts aimed at ameliorating the sufferings of the vulnerable in the society, following the recent fuel subsidy removal.

“The Foundation is set up to care for the needy, advocate for good governance and embarks on youth empowerment. We have five Trustees in the diaspora.

“What we have done today is to come and extend our hand of fellowship to Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home here in Nigeria.

“For us, we sat down to extend palliatives to the vulnerable but then, there are those beneath the line of vulnerable and here is one of those places.

“We have gone round this Home and there are persons here who are over 70 years, bedridden and still wearing diapers.

“There are those who need 24/7 attention. We have seen the great work that is being done here to help the real vulnerable people,” Ologun, a legal practitioner said.

According to him, the Foundation has not only come to present items for the vulnerable but also intended to create awareness for greater support for those who are truly vulnerable in the society.

Ologun also lauded the efforts of the Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Dr Ibijoke.

He said that their support “might not be enough except all public-spirited people come together to help the vulnerable.

“You make a living from what you earn, you make a life from what you give,” Ologun quoted Wilson Churchill, a former British Prime Minister, as saying.

Ologun explained that the Foundation had used the opportunity of the visit to the Home to get familiarised with some of the needs of the people there.

“We are calling on the government to reach out to the needs of the people while it strives to revive the economy of the country and put the country back on the channel of prosperity and creating common good,” he said.

He said that Section 14 sub-section 2 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution stated that security and welfare of the people shall be the primary responsibility of the government.

Ologun said that the Foundation’s Trustees in the diaspora were passionate about supporting the national vision of enhancing citizens’ fortunes.

The legal practitioner, who expressed delight in the humanitarian services being provided by the school, said that TOP would not relent in putting smiles on the faces of the vulnerable.

He listed the TOP Foundation Trustees in Diaspora as: Mrs Margaret Gbenro (Maryland,USA); Mrs Temilade Lawal (London); Mr Kayode Adeyemo (Maryland, USA); Adeboye Ayo (Texas, USA); and himself in Nigeria.

He stressed that they were all committed to giving back to the society.

According to him, the Foundation’s previous projects included renovation of a Community Town Hall, Community Medical Center in Giwa Oke Aro, Ogun State, and the provision of palliatives during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Ologun added that the Foundation was also involved in youth and leadership empowerment, alongside skills acquisition interventions in Banku town, Ogun.

Speaking, Mrs Abosede Oyeniran, Principal, Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment/School, who appreciated the Foundation, said that children in the school had different health conditions including Dawn Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and others.

“Majority of the children in this school are abandoned by their parents. What these children need is love and acceptance in the society.

“We want to say that gone are the days these children will be locked inside; let them come outside and know that they belong to the society.

“They are human beings. If they cannot cope academically, they can cope in other areas and skills so that they won’t depend on others,” the care giver said.

According to her, the school has different departments including shoe making and leather works, tailoring, painting and others.

She lauded the Lagos State Government for support, and said that the school needed medical personnel like nurses and physiotherapists.

“Most of the children are on beds 24 hours. They cannot make use of their hands, we feed them and staff must be with them for 24 hours to do a lot of things for them.

“The children eat a lot because they are on medication and these medications are very expensive.

“We appreciate our father, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and mother, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
What we need is support. We cannot do it alone; Lagos State Government cannot do it alone.

“Though we have been receiving support from different NGOS, Churches, Mosques and individuals, we need more like Oliver Twist,” Oyeniran said.

Miss Toma Onu, a cerebral palsy patient, who had been in the home since 1991, applauded the Foundation for remembering them, prayed God to continue to raise TOP Foundation up.

Onu, who uses her legs to paint and do everything, advised special people to look beyond their disability, accept and love themselves. (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen/Isaac Aregbesola

By Felicia Imohimi

An International NGO, Women Environmental Programme (WEP) has called on the support of the government, donor agencies and other CSO’s to develop entrepreneurial skills for women and youths in rural communities on ICT.

Dr Priscilla Achakpa, Founder/Global Lead WEP made the appeal at the Unveiling of WEP office building and halls on Thursday in Abuja.

She said that the development of such ICT skills would enable them monitor their farms and uplift them from current poverty level.

Achakpa said: “We are looking for partners to build entrepreneurial skills to support our young people and women from the rural communities so that at the end of the day we will be able to uplift them from that poverty level.

“So, we need our partners support on ICT in agricultural development because food is life and if you do not have food is a challenge.”

Achakpa said WEP was committed to expanding its scope and impact of her work with particular interest to grow, saying, “our skills building, entrepreneurship initiatives to upskill women in the key areas of ICT and agriculture.”

According to her, the programme also avail them start up support and continued technical and all round guidance to enable them thrive in business.

Achakpa said the organisation was trying all it could to build the skills and businesses of rural women to avoid remaining dependants on the society but rather independent and continue to expand with the proceed they get.

“This way, we believe can contribute to ending poverty and the variegated associated challenges which are manifesting in the growing insecurity, violent extremism and mass irregular migration episodes.

“For us to achieve these, we need further financial and other forms of support.

”Most of the businesses in the counyry are folding up because of insecurity challenges but this is attributed to the impact of climate change and poverty level.

“So, unless we go to the grassroot and continue to empower the communities and look at the ways we can address the impact of climate change we still have a long way to go.

“Let us look at adaptation, let us look at ways to address the impact of climate change and empower the communities, ” she said.

Achakpa said the edifice which comprise of multipurpose training facility and office complex was built from the Hapag-Llyod, Albert Ballin Award for Global Action she received in May 2022 in Hamburg, Germany.

She said the award which included a monetary prize of 50,000 euros was given to individuals or institutions whose innovative actions demonstrate how to assume social, cultural, and political responsibility for
our world.

“Instead of using the money to buy clothes, golds and other material things that will fade away I opted to reinvest the monies in my goal of constructing a multipurpose training facility and office
complex.

” The facility and complex will provide services to women-led and grassroots organisations, academicians, researchers, and students who might use them for varied activities.

“WEP, on the other hand, will continue to provide training and empowerment programmes to grassroots women’s organisations and other stakeholders.

“This is in order to improve livelihood
programmes and quality of life in a world where women’s and youth’s lives are positively transformed,”Achakpa said.

Vishal Bundhun, Area Managing Director of Hapag-Lloyd, West and Central Africa said the building speaks volumes, not merely in terms of architectural grandeur, but in the language of empowerment, sustainability, and change.

Bundhun said the structure, crafted with passion and dedication by WEP led Achakpa, embodies the very values that Hapag-Lloyd holds close to its heart.

The award, according to him, embodies Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to fostering networking, advocating for the marginalized, and promoting global initiatives that contribute to a more interconnected and compassionate world.

He said that Achakpa’s remarkable achievement in winning the award and her subsequent accomplishment in constructing the ‘transformative building’ underscore the alignment of her efforts with the spirit of progress and positive change that the organisation hold dearly.

Bundhun said the building stands as a testament to the progress that could be achieved when purpose-driven individuals and organisations unite.

He further identified it as a testament to the potential within each and everyone to make a difference, irrespective of backgrounds or fields of endeavour.

Bundhun said that the centre stood as a testament to shared belief in gender equality, empowerment, and sustainability.

“We are gathered here to celebrate a remarkable achievement – a testament to the power of determination, vision, and the unyielding commitment to make a positive impact on our world.

“We unveil not just a building but a symbol of transformation and empowerment, a beacon that will guide us towards a brighter future.

“This magnificent complex, constructed by the WEP under the visionary leadership of Achakpa, resonates with the principles that Hapag-Lloyd holds dear: responsibility, innovation, and global action.

”The Albert Ballin Award, won by Achakpa in 2022, stands as a beacon of recognition to her exemplify the profound impact of innovative actions in assuming social, cultural, and political responsibility for our world,” he said.

He said that Albert Ballin was a risk-taker who was willing to challenge his colleagues, competitors, and domestic politics in order to build a successful shipping company.

Bundhun said: “He was a pioneer of globalisation and innovation, embodied the spirit of crossing borders, fostering connections, and paving the way for progress.

“In honour of his legacy, we established the Albert Ballin Award for Global Action, recognizing those whose innovative actions inspire positive change on a global scale, “he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===============
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Tosin Kolade 

The Executive Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Mr Dayo Aiyetan, has called for the creation of verification units in all newsrooms, to prevent misinformation and disinformation in Nigeria’s public space.

Aiyetan made this call at the ongoing Investigative Journalism Training for Journalists Reporting in Suppressive Environment in Abuja on Wednesday.

The workshop, which was organised by Global Rights Nigeria, with support from Heinrich Boll Foundation, has the theme, ‘Navigating the Ethics of Journalism in Strengthening Civic Freedom’.

According to him, media organisations have the responsibility to hold people to account in accordance with the constitution, saying it must be done ethically.

He said it was only through good journalism that conflicts would be reduced, saying journalists must do things correctly, not forgetting the public and national interests.

The executive director noted that agendas and biases could change at anytime, adding that evidence- based reporting would go a long way toward improving information ecosystem through source verification.

“Research is key in all things concerning journalism, and you must source map your story, reporting conflicts effectively would help to hold back more tension that may occur from fake news and propaganda.

“Conflict sensitive reporting will help to puncture misconceptions and this can be done through ethics, accountability and social responsibility”.

Aiyetan said the media had the right to request for information using the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, saying it provides public access to relevant information and curbs corruption in the system.

He added that the FOI Act also allowed public officials to respond to information requests, protects them, saying media houses and not the reporters should lead the requests.

Earlier, Mr Musikilu Mojeed, Editor in Chief, Premium Times, who spoke on Journalism Ethics, noted that fake news and ethical violations should not be allowed in the profession.

Mojeed said journalism standards were global, calling for accountability, objectivity, transparency, fairness and public accountability in all media reportage.

He said the media ought to seek all sides on issues before publishing, saying editorial independence, privilege and non-disclosure should be respected and in protecting news sources at all times.

“Journalists must work with decency and think about unity, do not throw the nation into chaos from your reporting, personal conduct also matters at all times”.

The editor in chief also spoke about news verification, saying documents provided evidence and authenticity to one’s report, saying verification must be done always.

He added that they could be sourced from state government websites, government budgets, company records, noting that genuineness of a document was in its authenticity and authority.

He however urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists to fight for the rights of its members for improved welfare, health insurance, pension, calling on journalists to be ethical and adhere to code of conduct at all times.

Mr Edosa Oviawe, Global Rights Nigeria Program Manager, said the civic space could be improved by allowing citizens have freedom to express themselves without fear or suppression.

Oviawe said Nigeria’s civic space was shrinking with evidence of media censorship, Twitter bans, suppression of political and social views, harassments, saying democratic values encouraged citizen’s’ participation in all areas.

“A civic space is an environment where the people expresses their thoughts, participate in decision making and engage in peaceful activities to promote the wellbeing of the society.

“There is a rapid regression of the Nigerian civic space over the years which is as a result of different factors.

“Broadly speaking, civic space restrictions have measurable impacts on sustainable development goals, reducing the ability of nations to tackle poverty and hunger and reach marginalised groups”.

He said there was need for building strong democratic structures and fostering vibrant spaces for all Nigerians and the civil societies to participate effectively.

The program manager said tackling the challenges around the shrinking civic space would require deliberate and collective action by multiple stakeholders to ensure the protection of fundamental rights and freedom of Nigerians. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi