News Agency of Nigeria
FG allocates 50% intervention initiative to boost women businesses
Business , General News

FG allocates 50% intervention initiative to boost women businesses

By Lucy Ogalue

The Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mr Olawale Fasanya, has reiterated Federal Government’s desire to boost women owned businesses in the country.

Fasanya said this at the opening of “Meet With the CEO” in collaboration with International Labour Organisation (ILO), in Abuja on Wednesday.

The director-general said in order to ensure this, SMEDAN had established a gender desk and had reserved 50 per cent of its intervention programmes for women.

Fasanya said that the objective of the event was to broaden and deepen the capacity of the MSME operators on regulatory issues.

He said it would enable the agency initiate need-based programmes that would enhance MSMEs competitiveness in the global market.

He quoted the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) saying that 40 per cent of businesses in the country were female-led and that they contributed significantly to economic growth and job creation in the country.

“These businesses led by visionary women entrepreneurs are emerging as pivotal drivers of Nigeria’s economic resurgence.

“And they are contributing significantly to the nation’s development across divers sectors,” he added.

According to Fasanya, female-led businesses has continued to show resilience and high level optimism in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and economic downturn.

He said: “Considering the impacts, female-led businesses continue to make progress in spite the challenges they face.

“The government and ecosystem players takes a more intentional approach to supporting the demographic segment for greater impact.

“Female-led businesses produces ripple benefits that triggers employment generation, poverty reduction and wealth creation.”

The director-general, therefore urged the participants to interact with each other and with government officials, ask questions and network on ways to forge ahead.

He commended the ILO, their Co-host, for the unwavering support towards the promotion of equal human right, social justice and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, Founder, Celina Unogwu Visioning Academy (CUVA), Celina Unogwu, reiterated the importance of having a balanced work life as a woman entrepreneur.

According to Unogwu, work life balance refers to the intersection of work and personal life, when there is equilibrium or balance between a personal life and a professional life.

While stating the importance for entrepreneurs to be focused at their goal, she urged the participants to work hard and believe in their dream.

She said: “Work hard, keep dreaming and bring it to life”. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Disability Inclusion, critical strategy to meet SDGs
General News

Disability Inclusion, critical strategy to meet SDGs

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

Voter Education: Group embarks on tour of 203 wards in Ondo
General News , Politics

Voter Education: Group embarks on tour of 203 wards in Ondo

By Segun Giwa

A socio-political group, Ondo State Conscience Movement (OCM) has said it would tour the 203 wards in the state to stimulate participation and voter education in the state.

The Chairman of the Group, Mr Shalom Olaseni, said in a statement on Wednesday that the tour would be a deciding factor in voters’ participation in the next electoral season.

Olaseni highlighted the urgency and importance of engaging with citizens across the length and breadth of the state, adding that the outcome of the 2023 general election could discourage the people from voting in future elections.

“We are thrilled to announce our ambitious and unprecedented initiative, a Wards Tour of all 203 Wards in Ondo State.

“An educated voter is a powerful person, and our tour will include comprehensive voter education programmes, seminars and workshops to equip citizens,” he said.

Olaseni said that the group would go the extent of sensitising voters on the nature of demands, standards, and expectations that could serve as reliable indices for choosing a candidate, with the knowledge of critical evaluation.

“This monumental effort is aimed at sensitising our people, galvanising popular participation, and carrying out extensive voter education, ahead of the upcoming local elections in our great state.

“As we stand at the precipice of yet another crucial electoral season, we recognise the urgency and importance of engaging with our fellow citizens across the length and breadth of Ondo State.

“Our goal is to empower every Ondo resident with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions when casting their votes.

”We are committed to promoting active civic engagement.

“Through our tour, we aim to inspire and encourage increased participation in the electoral process, from voter registration to election day turnout.

”We want every eligible voter to exercise his or her right to vote,” he said.

Olaseni said that during the ward tour, the group would employ a grassroots approach in passing their message, by engaging with local communities, leaders, and stakeholders in each of the 203 wards. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by John Amieyeofori and Emmanuel Afonne

Nigeria’s higher education landscape in need of total overhaul- Minister
Education , General News

Nigeria’s higher education landscape in need of total overhaul- Minister

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman has called for the total overhauling of the higher education system to put the universities and other tertiary institutions at par with others around the globe.

Mamman made this known while declaring open the 8th edition of the “Libsense” Open Science Symposium in Abuja on Wednesday with the theme:” Advancing Open Science and Collaboration:The role of Stakeholders”.

The event is organised by the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) in partnership with the West and Central African Research Education Network (WACREN) and other partners.

Represented by the Director of University Education in the ministry, Mrs Rakiya Ilyasu, the minister said the ministry is committed to fostering the role of science through partnership from shared knowledge.

“Higher education is an education designed to produce manpower for the social, economic and technological development of the country.

“It is however, unfortunate that our higher education sub-sector is plagued with many challenges such as inadequate funding, corruption, inadequate infrastructural facilities, shortage of academic staff, strike actions, brain-drain, poor research, weak governance and insecurity, among others.

“You will agree with me that, the higher education landscape in Nigeria requires a total overhaul so that it can effectively put Nigeria universities and other levels of tertiary institutions at par with others around the globe,”he said.


The minister added that president Bola Tinubu is aware of the enormity of challenges of Nigeria’s higher education and fully prepared to confront them headlong.

He said in addressing this information the president decision to improve the education budget to 25 per cent with the right policies in place.

“We need to understand that before we can harness our human resources, we need to be sure of what we need to do to fill in the gaps that have, over the years, inexplicably pulled us back.

“We need to know the extent at which we have met contemporary demands of tertiary education globally and if it is not sufficient, how to address them.

“I passionately appeal to the roadmap committee of the Vice-Chancellor of Nigerian Universities to provide the committee with quality memorandum of how our education sub-sector can be competitive in all ramification,” he added.

Also, the Secretary General, CVCNU, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, said there was need to explore innovative ways on the scientific future of the country.

Represented by the Vice-Chancellor, Kaduna State University, Prof. Abdullahi Musa, said the conference was apt as it would help uncover innovative ways toward research development as well as foster collaboration to new opportunities.

In the same vein, the Chief Strategy Officer, WACREN, Omo Oaiya, said that the symposium would be if immense benefit to the Nigeria academy space as it would increasing the visibility of research in the education sector.

“Nigeria can benefit from this open science in the production of research by the different groups. This will create conversation towards resolving problems associated with research programmes.

” Stakeholders will come up with the kind of roadmap that will describe the work to deliver the goals in terms of producing community driven infrastructure.

“Though, the government need to help but also community can do a little bit more with the support of WACREN.

“It will further improve efforts of stakeholders to take all of the ideas to campus level connecting with their communities and campus level,” he said.

NAN reports that the national symposium is aimed at increasing open science awareness among primary stakeholders in the country, ranging from university leaders, librarians and Directors of ICT.

Nigeria, however, has two member networks of WACREN – the Nigerian Research and Education Networks (NGREN) and Eko Konnect Research and Education Initiative. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Institute pledges support for FG’s loan recovery from farmers
Agriculture , General News

Institute pledges support for FG’s loan recovery from farmers

By Mustapha Yauri

The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Wednesday pledged to support the Federal Government in the recovery of Anchor Borrowers loans granted to farmers.

IAR’s Executive Director, Prof. Mohammad Ishiyaku, assured of the support as he toured its Tela Maize Farmers Field at Kakangi in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He appealed to stakeholders and beneficiaries of the loan scheme to support President Bola Tinubu’s drive on the recovery of the loans.

“It is a legal and economic matter; there is nothing that legitimises refusal to repay a loan taken.

“Nigerians should rally behind the president to ensure that money provided by government to improve food security is not mismanaged by few Nigerians.

“I am one of those Nigerians who believe in whatever it will take to recover these funds and put them back into appropriate use,’’ Ishiyaku said.

He decried the attitude of those condemning government’s loan recovery drive and called for a re-evaluation of the approach to the loan recovery processes.

Ishiyaku noted that if farmers formed the habit of not repaying loans, they would be depriving people interested in starting agriculture business access to funds.

He said his visit to the field was to extend the appreciation of the institute to the farmers on behalf of scientists and technologists of the institute.

He expressed excitement that IAR’s TELA maize was being embraced by farmers and translated into economic development for the country.

Earlier, the principal investigator of TELA Maize Project, Prof. Rabiu Adamu, said the trial was part of the requirements for the release of new seed varieties.

He added that the trial was an on-farm exercise, a farmer-managed trial on four different maize hybrids for test and evaluation.

Adamu said IAR was demonstrating the Tela maize fields in more than 15 locations.

He added that the result gathered by farmers’ reference would guide the institute on the eventual release of the variety preferred by farmers.

Responding, Alhaji Kabiru Salihu, Chairman, Maize Farmers Association, Kaduna State chapter commended IAR for developing Tela Maize and other improved maize varieties.

Salihu observed that improved seeds and better agronomic practices introduced by IAR had increased farmers’ yields and enhanced their earnings. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Alli Hakeem

Gates Foundation seeks urgent action on SDGs target
Health , General News

Gates Foundation seeks urgent action on SDGs target

By Justina Auta

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has called for urgent action in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets, especially in reducing maternal and child mortality.

The foundation made the call in a statement on Wednesday, signed by the co-Chairs, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gate, after its seventh annual Goalkeepers Report.

The report said the world has collectively fallen short at the halfway point in achieving the United Nations SDGs.

It said that innovation and investment could fuel progress, particularly in ending global epidemic of maternal and child mortality.

The foundation highlighted new data that showed the potential of scaling up global access to seven innovations and practices that could address the leading causes of maternal and newborn deaths.

“By making new innovations accessible to those who need them most, two million additional lives can be saved by 2030 and 6.4 million lives by 2040.

“That’s two million families spared an unimaginable heartbreak and two million more people who can shape and enrich our world,’’ the reports said.

It noted that since 2016, progress in reducing global maternal mortality has stalled, adding that death rates in some countries, including the U.S have risen steadily.

” Though deaths of children under five have continued to decline since the mid-2010s, the first month of a newborn’s life continues to be the most dangerous, accounting for almost half of all under five deaths today.

“An estimated 74 per cent of child deaths happen during a baby’s first year,’’ it said.

In respective essays, French Gates and Gates acknowledged the global efforts between 2000 and 2015 that significantly improved the health of mothers and babies but pointed out that progress had stalled since COVID-19 pandemic.

They explained how the discovery of revolutionary information about maternal and child health in the last 10 years led to low-cost and easy-to implement innovations and practices.

According to them, these revolutionary information can prevent and treat deadly childbirth complications such as postpartum hemorrhaging, infections and maternal anemia.

They, therefore, called for immediate action to help put the world back on track to achieve the global goal of cutting the maternal mortality rate to less than 70 out of 100,000 births and newborn mortality to12 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.

“As is so often the case in global health, innovations aren’t making their way to the people who need them most like women in low-income countries.

“As well as black and indigenous women in high-income countries like the U.S, who are dying at three times the rate of white women. That needs to change.

“We have seen over and over again that when countries actually prioritise and invest in women’s heath, they unleash a powerful engine for progress that can reduce poverty, advance gender equality and build resilient economies.

“Over the past decade, the field of child health has advanced faster and farther than I thought I’d see in my lifetime.

“If our delivery can keep pace with our learning; if researchers can continue developing new innovations and skilled health workers can get them to every mother and child who needs them; then more babies will survive those crucial first days,’’ they said.

The report suggested life-saving innovations and practices that could be delivered by midwives and birth attendants in communities, such as interventions capable of reducing hemorrhage, probiotics and multiple micronutrient supplements for infants and babies.

Others are a new one-time infusion of IV iron for women that replenishes iron, antenatal corticosteroids, Azithromycin and AI-enabled portable ultrasound that empowers nurses and midwives to monitor high-risk pregnancies. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Maharazu Ahmed

Nigeria, Benin Republic collaborating to strengthen trade relations – NCS
General News

Nigeria, Benin Republic collaborating to strengthen trade relations – NCS

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

Shettima to represent Tinubu at G77 summit in Cuba
General News

Shettima to represent Tinubu at G77 summit in Cuba

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

Lagos-Kano narrow gauge freight operations begins December — Minister
General News

Lagos-Kano narrow gauge freight operations begins December — Minister

By Aisha Cole
The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Alkali, has said that the freight wagon haulage on the narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano will begin in the next three months.
Alkali made the disclosure during his visit to Kajola Wagon Assembly Plant in Ogun, on Tuesday.
He said the railway corporation was using standard gauge to carry cargo from Lagos to Ibadan. but will begin the operation from Apapa to Kano in three months time.
Alkali said that the Federal Government had already fixed the narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano, and will now get some locomotives and wagons to take containers from Apapa and move them to Kano
“Once we evacuate containers from Lagos, we will use the narrow gauge to move them to Kano,” Alkali said.
After visiting some of the railway facilities, the Minister directed the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, to look into the cleanliness of the coaches, to enhance patronage on railways.
Okhiria, on his part, said that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, being the port regulator, and the former Minister of Transportation set up a ministerial committee headed by the the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation to look into freight charges.
He said the purpose of the committee was to ensure smooth operation of freight rail.
“The impact on NRC is that the terminals are charging 60,000 per containers for moving the container to the wagon freight, which is still higher than the movement on trucks, and the Shippers’ Council is working on that.
”The terminal charges are high because of the double handling; presently, moving cargo by rail is more expensive than road but is faster.
“We are looking to see how we can do it, we have minimum operational cost, and we don’t need to go and borrow money to buy diesel, that is why we are starting the freight rail movement of cargo handling now,” Okhiria said.
He said that NRC had begun the freight rail movement from the port pending when they receive order from the Minister to reduce charges.
Okhiria said that NRC was operating the rail freight with the narrow gauge before now, but stopped due to security issues.
He said the corporation would use a month to repair all the vandalised tracks on the narrow gauge, adding that the management would assemble all  the wagons and service them before putting them on track.
Okhira said that NRC had about 120 narrow gauge wagons, as the Federal Government had been proactive and the corporation had placed order through the China Civil Engineering Construction Company. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Editing by Oluwole Sogunle
Immigration Clears 60,000 Passport backlogs in four days – FG
Defence/Security , General News

Immigration Clears 60,000 Passport backlogs in four days – FG

By Yahaya Isah

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has confirmed the clearance of about 60,000 passport backlog in four days out of over 200,000 pending passport applications.

This is consequent upon the directives given to the immigration service by the minister to ensure clearance of all pending passport applications within two weeks.

Tunji-Ojo made this known when the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Alao Babatunde, Tunji-Ojo said he would clean up the passport crisis in the country.

“When we came on board, the passport crisis was an embarrassment to the country and we said there is no way it can continue.

“As at this morning, I can tell you that about 60,000 passport backlogs have been cleared specifically, 59,906.

“On Sept. 6, when I gave the 2-week ultimatum, we had over 200,000 backlogs. However, we have recorded tremendous progress, and I still maintain my words, those backlogs must be cleared.”

The humanitarian affairs minister had earlier said that the visit was informed by the need for the two ministries to collaborate in reducing human trafficking.


The minister added that the collaboration would also include other related challenges such as the poor welfare for veterans, underemployment and poverty reduction.

Edu said that the interior ministry was in the best position to solve issues of human trafficking as it plays supervisory role on the Nigeria Immigration Service.

Responding, Tunji-Ojo said that the ministry welcomes such initiative as it was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

He recalled that the President had directed ministers to see partnership as agent of his agenda, as such the interior  ministry was fully prepared for any meaningful collaboration.

The minister assured Edu of his support, adding that her initiative was germain and commendable, especially at this crucial time in the history of the country.

“There is a lot of work to be done and we cannot work in silos as the President has directed.

“We are not just working on humanitarian endeavours such as human trafficking, NIS must help us change the story completely,” he added.

Tunji-Ojo assured that they would work together to find thoughtful and progressive solutions to human trafficking and other issues raised by the humanitarian affairs minister.

“We may only have to expand it to include the welfare of inmates in our correctional centres as they are Nigerians as well.

“Let’s see how they can benefit from your welfare packages. Of course, there is a lot we can achieve together,” he added. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

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