Gov Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Tuesday approved the grading and upgrading of 300 traditional stools in Kogi

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the approval was part of the outcome of the Executive Council meeting held at the Lugard House in Lokoja on Tuesday.

Bello, who presided over the meeting, said the grading and upgrading of the stools became imperative in view of the important roles the traditional rulers played in enhancing peaceful coexistence amongst citizens.

The governor, in a statement  by his media aide, Onogwu Muhammed, upgraded Akinrin of Ekinrin from none-class to 1st class, Ohireba of Ebiraland from non-class to 1st class and Obaje Otalu-Atabaka from 2nd class to first class.

“The grading and upgrading of the 300 traditional stools in Kogi is part of our decisions at today’s executive council meeting, ” he said.

The council also approved a Bill for a Law to establish the Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, KOSOPADEC.

Also approved was a Bill for a Law to establish the Kogi State Meat Hygiene and Inspection for the safety of lives of residents of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Ismail Abdulaziz

President Bola Tinubu has urged the Muslims to use the period of Eid-el-Maulud celebration for deep introspection and fervent prayers for the country.

The President made the call in a statement on Tuesday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, in Abuja.

The President, while congratulating Muslims in Nigeria and beyond on this year’s Eid-el-Maulud celebration, urged them to live by the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“Adherents should make deliberate efforts to adhere to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

“There are great lessons of devotion, perseverance, tolerance, humility and selflessness that we can all learn from the life of the Prophet,” the President said.

Tinubu urged religious leaders to use the period to pray for the country and to admonish their followers to take the appropriate lessons from Prophet Muhammad’s life in their commitment to the country.

“Nigeria has arrived at an important juncture.

“While the government is taking all necessary measures to make the country secure and economically viable, we need the full support of the citizenry in the form of patriotism, patience, and prayers.

“The light is certainly bright at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

The President also urged Muslims celebrating the Maulud festival to extend their hand of fellowship to the needy and vulnerable in the spirit of the season while praying for the country and her leaders at all levels.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maulud, also known as Eid-el-Maulud Nabiy, is the Islamic observation of the day when the Prophet Muhammad was born.

It is commemorated in Rabi’ al-Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar and Muslims commemorate this day by sending blessings to Prophet Muhammad with recitations of praises and blessings. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Hogan Bassey

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, has urged the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) to avail itself with the documents of Nigeria Agenda 2050.

A statement by Chinem Pressley, Media Consultant to the minister, indicated that Bagudu gave the advice when ICAN officials paid him a courtesy call in Abuja.

The minister also urged the institute to align itself with the country’s national development plan so that provisions made could be included in training programmes and other activities of the institute for greater achievement.

Bagudu said the ministry had a clear mandate to cooperate with all groups to seek their help in interrogating what the ministry did so that it could do better.

According to him, one element of the mandate is a periodic assessment of the skills gap in the country; which to an extent, showed the relevance of ICAN, as the institute had the responsibility of ensuring that accountants possessed the required skills to practice in Nigeria.

He added that ICAN has a prominent role to play in supporting the government in terms of building consensus for greater mileage.

Earlier, the President of ICAN, Mr Innocent Okwuosa noted that the institute has consistently provided a professional viewpoint on various government economic policies and the prospects of such policies.

He also said that it was ready to work closely with the government to redefine national values, set economic priorities, and resource utilisation strategies with the aim of lifting Nigerians out of poverty.

Okwuosa drew the attention of the minister to the two initiatives of the institute that had impacted significantly, in shaping fiscal policy in Nigeria, namely: The ICAN Budget Symposium and the Mid-Year Economic Discourse.

He highlighted the significant impact of previous symposia and economic discourses, which have resulted in notable fiscal policy changes in the country.

The ICAN president explained that his delegation was at the ministry to appeal to the minister to declare their upcoming budget symposium open, and for him to appoint a contact person within the ministry to be the liaison officer on the budget symposium and economic discourse.

He added that the visit was to make the minister see reasons why its members should be considered for appointments into the boards of ministries, departments, and agencies under the ministry.

He said doing so would help the present administration deliver on its Renewed Hope Initiative.

The ICAN president expressed keen interest in entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ministry to enable the institute to offer technical assistance to enhance the nation’s budgeting process.

He added that the visit was to extend an invitation to the minister to the 53rd Annual Accountant’s Conference with the theme, ‘Nigeria: Imparatives for Inclusive Development, which will be held from Oct. 9 to 13, 2023 in Abuja. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

======

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

President Bola Tinubu has approved payment for the procurement of 12 attack helicopters for the Nigerian Army.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, made this known at the opening of the maiden Nigerian Army Aviation Seminar, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters would operationalise the Nigerian army aviation unit, which was set up to improve ground troops’ agility, responsiveness, and efficacy during operations.

The COAS added that it would also contribute to the overall operational success of joint and coalition troops.

Lagbaja explained that the army aviation was generally separate from a nation’s dedicated air force, but usually equipped with helicopters and light support fixed-wing aircraft.

He appreciated the president for buying into the aspiration of the Nigerian army to have an equipped aviation unit, which would  support ground troops as they focus on tactical and operational engagements.

According to him, the experiences of nations like the United States, Pakistan, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda are instructive in this area.

“The army aviation arms of these countries have shown effectiveness in countering contemporary security threats and providing vital support to ground forces.

“In view of the need to realize this, and in its bid to appropriately respond to contemporary and emerging security threats, the Nigerian Army resuscitated its aviation aspiration in 2014.

“I am happy to inform this gathering that the Nigerian army is willing to learn from the army aviation journeys of the countries mentioned earlier.

“Our willingness to learn from them is to adapt their best practices to suit our unique operational environment and avoid their mistakes.

“I can proudly report that since 2014, the Nigerian Army has made commendable progress in training pilots, aircraft engineers, technicians, and other ground support crew,” he said.

The COAS said that the army had submitted the aviation outfit to the Nigerian Air Force for proper mentoring.

On the seminar, Lagbaja said it was to discuss likely challenges the unit may face and proffer innovative solutions.

“Therefore, this seminar is a platform for us to deliberate on critical issues and share invaluable insights regarding the future of the Nigerian army aviation, even before that future comes upon us.

“Ideas generated from our deliberations are expected to help strengthen the capabilities through capacity building, infrastructure development and guide further acquisition of cutting-edge platforms and technologies,” he added.

The Acting Coordinator, Nigerian Army Aviation, Brig.-Gen. Musa Alkali, said the unit would play pivotal role in bolstering ground operations and addressing the current security challenges confronting the nation.

Alkali said the reestablishment of army aviation was a decisive step towards enhancing operational reach and effectiveness in countering contemporary threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty and national security.

He added that the seminar was significant to the continuous efforts to operationalise the aviation unit. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Martha Agas
Plateau Government says it will shore up efforts to check the increasing  trend of child trafficking in the state.

The Plateau Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Musa Ashoms, said this at a press briefing at the end of the state executive council meeting presided by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang on Tuesday in Jos.

Ashoms said that the commitment was sequel to reports that described Plateau as a ‘point of source for domestic servitude’.

He said that the council resolved to strengthen relevant government agencies to perform their constitutional duties of checking the menace.

“There was a documentary in Ebonyi which stated that 40 per cent of those who were trafficked these days are from Plateau.

“We are putting in mechanisms to check all of these issues to stop this trend.

“ So, we are going to do a lot of sensitisation, we are going to meet gatekeepers, village heads, kings, and then community leaders and religious bodies.

“So that this menace will be nipped in the bud,” he said.

Ashoms said that the council also deliberated on the influx of commercial motorcyclists into Jos and Bukuru metropolis in spite of the ban on their activities as part of security measures.

“There is a law banning it, so we cannot afford in our own time to continue to have this.

“And, again on tricycles, the law is still intact, that they start at 6am and close at 6pm.

“So, there is going to be enforcement very soon,” he said.

According to him, the council also appraised their efforts on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people aimed at strengthening its modalities.

Ashoms said that the council had set up a committee to review the nomenclatures of matched ministries to ensure they reflect modern trends and issues.

He further explained that some ministries such as that of agriculture would be unbundled in to ministries of Plant and livestock.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
==============

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ruth Oketunde

Mrs Shola Adeleke, Incoming President, Rotary Club of Abuja Asokoro Diamond, has said that the club would continue to provide selfless services to humanity and vulnerable people in communities.

She said this at her investiture ceremony as the 9th President of the club in Abuja.

Adeleke said that Rotary International was committed to providing for the less privileged in the society, as such it would not relent in making positive impacts in the lives of the unreached.

According  to her, the purpose of Rotary is to create hope for the society and the world at large as we are always striving to execute purposeful and impactful projects.

“These projects cuts across our seven area of focus which include basic education and literacy, economic and community development, peace and conflict resolution, water and sanitation.

“Other areas are disease prevention and control, maternal and child health and support for environment in both host and adapted communities.

“We are all aware that this great task and the challenges in doing all these are great but the potential for meeting them exists in us, hence, success is attainable.

“I want to charge my fellow Rotarians to brace up and strive to truly create hope for the down trodden and the less privileged around them.

“As volunteers, we have chosen to put our resources, time and talent together to serve humanity and I also seek support, committment and unrelenting selfless service so that our club will not be left behind,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Adeleke Stephen, immediate Past President of the club, urged the newly inaugurated President to work in synergy with other Rotarians to serve humanity more.

He also called on the members of the club to provide support to the incoming President as they focused on providing more valuable services to the less privileged.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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

Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Sadiya Hamza

By Grace Alegba

The Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMechE) on Monday said it was adopting measures to correct poor maintenance culture and assets decay affecting the nation’s development.

NIMechE Lagos Chapter Chairman, Mr Abdulganiyu Tiamiyu, made the statement at a news conference in Lagos to announce the association’s Engineering Week.

He said that several national and state assets were wasting and the trend must stop.

Tiamiyu said the Engineering Week lecture with the theme “The Role of Mechanical Engineering in National Assets Maintenance and Management” was chosen to address the situation.

“It is a major problem in Nigeria that we don’t have maintenance culture. There are so many national assets, state assets that belong to government and invariably belong to me and you that are being wasted, and these are the assets that are revenue generating.

“So, we are looking at this as a major factor that if when addressed can have a positive impact on the development of our nation,” he said.

The chairman said senior members of the association and top engineering experts had been carefully chosen to x-ray and proffer solutions to the issues during the lecture on Tuesday.

Tiamiyu said that after the press conference, the association would embark on Technical/Courtesy visit to Nigeria Railway Corporation Yard in Ebute Metta.

He said government had made recent efforts towards revamping the nation’s railway sector, hence the visit for the association to have first hand knowledge on operations and maintenance.

“Our plan is to visit the facility and see how they have been taking care of their facilities and machinery to ensure that these assets are well maintained and well managed for our national use,” he said.

Tiamiyu said poor maintenance culture had been the bane of the nation’s development, adding that, the lecture would also address issues of wasting public buildings and other infrastructure in Lagos and Nigeria.

He said that during the public lecture on Tuesday, oil and gas experts would also tackle issues of infrastructure decay causing importation of petroleum products.

He said that the association, also on Tuesday, would be showcasing agricultural invention of one of its members, Mr AbdulWahab Ogunbiyi.

He said that the machine was invented for mechanised agriculture beneficial to the nation, hence the need to showcase the technology to attract industries for commercialisation of the machine.

He said that finals of the Young Engineers Essay Competition, with prizes and awards for winners,would also hold on the same day.

The NIMechE boss said Thursday was reserved for Elders’ Round Table and the Annual General Meeting.

He reeled out achievements of his administration, including capacity development for all cadres of mechanical engineering and welfare programmes for members. (NAN)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

By Salisu Sani-Idris

President Bola Tinubu has restated his administration’s commitment to promoting ease of trade for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across Africa.

Tinubu gave the assurance during the Africa International Trade Exhibition (AITE) 2023’s Business, Trade, and Investment Summit on the sideline of the 78th edition of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Mr Tunde MacAlabi, the Chairman, Organising Committee for the Business, Trade and Investment Summit component of the exhibition programme, made this known in a statement on Monday.

The summit was organised by Mr MacAlabi; Prof. Tai Balofin, President of Nigerian Progressive Professionals and Ms Khuraira Musa, Chief Executive Officer of K-Pro Consulting of New York.

Represented by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, Tinubu assured investors that the Federal Government would take the necessary steps to ensure the ease of trade in the country.

Earlier, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, urged both foreign and local investors to take advantage of Nigeria’s huge population, traffic, and thriving aviation market, to invest in the sector.

Mr Keyamo pointed out that world-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities would be a good area for investors to consider first.

According to him, there are not many MRO facilities in West Africa, a situation that makes domestic airline operators ferry their aircraft, only to queue overseas for two months or more for their aircraft maintenance.

Also, Ms Musa, who is the author of The Audacity of an African Girl and President of the Arewa Development Support Initiative (ADSI), said the purpose of the event was to woo investors to invest in Nigeria.

” We want to have industries in Nigeria to process and manufacture our raw materials in the country to give job opportunities to our youths and women.

” To continue allowing our raw materials to be exported and paid next to nothing for it will continue to keep our people in poverty.

” We want Nigeria to change the way they have been doing business. We are confident that the outcomes of this gathering will have a lasting impact on the economic landscape, not only in Nigeria but also across the globe.”

In attendance were the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmud, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, wife of Osun governor Titiola Adeleke, the Nigerian High Commissioner to Canada, Amb. Adeyinka Asekun, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman