By Temitope Ponle

The Federal Government said Diaspora home remittances in 2022 stood at US$ 21.9 billion through official channels.

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said this at the 17th annual National Diaspora Day (NDD), 2023, at the Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

The theme of the day was: “Consolidating Diaspora Engagement for National Development”.

Tinubu was represented by Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, his Chief of Staff.

The president said Nigerians were excelling globally and contributing immensely to the country’s development through their resources, talents, skills and global exposure.

“In 2022, our Diaspora home remittances through official channels stood at US$ 21.9 billion, over four times the value of our Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“The Nigerians in the Diaspora are also actively investing in healthcare, agriculture, education, information and communication technology, housing and real estate, sports, transportation, oil and gas and other sectors.

“This I must say is commendable and in our enlightened self-interest as only Nigerians both at home and abroad can develop Nigeria.”

He also estimated Nigerians in the Diaspora at over 17 million and reiterated that the government held the Diaspora in high esteem and worked hard to uplift engagements with them.

He said parts of the engagement included the passage of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) (Establishment) Act in 2017, and its take off in 2019, and the approval and adoption of the National Diaspora Policy in 2021.

Tinubu also described the day as special owing to the new initiatives by NiDCOM to celebrate contributions of the Diaspora champions with the introduction of the maiden edition of the National Diaspora Merit Awards.

He said the initiative would serve as a morale booster for the Diaspora community and also encourage Diaspora engagement and participation for national development.

The president also commended the commission for its dynamic engagements with the Diaspora community, especially with laudable programmes for Nigerians in Diaspora to invest at home.

“I believe in the years to come, these programmes will impact tremendously on our economy by catalysing our developmental efforts.

“May I therefore encourage you to key into these programmes for our mutual benefits.

“May I also let you know that this new democratically-elected government is a Diaspora friendly one, which will provide an enabling platform for effective policies for the Diaspora with the view to galvanising support for the new administration and concretising our democracy, setting a good example for other African countries to emulate.”

He assured that the government would address some of the challenges the commission faced to make it more effective with the Diaspora for national development.

In her welcome address, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, NiDCOM, said the theme of the day was a summary of the entire mandate of NiDCOM.

Dabiri-Erewa said the mandate was to engage and harness the talents, skills, resources and global exposure of Nigerians in the Diaspora for national development.

“Our interactions with the Diaspora community during this year’s National Diaspora Day celebrations therefore are expected to mobilise the Diaspora to key into some of the programmes of the government and to chart improved and better ways on how to achieve the positive results for national development within the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the government.”

The chairman urged the federal government for a review of the Act setting up NiDCOM to streamline its activities by setting up a sustaining funding mechanism for the commission’s activities.

She encouraged the government to support and conclude the setting up of the Nigeria Diaspora Investment Fund (NDIF) as an investment window for the Diaspora, and the setting up of a Diaspora Intervention Fund for emergencies involving the Diaspora.

In his opening remarks, Amb. Adamu Lamuwa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, applauded the Nigerians in the Diaspora for their contributions in Nigeria.

Lamuwa was represented by Amb. Samson Itegboje of the ministry.

The permanent secretary commended NiDCOM for its efforts and promised to work hand-in-hand with the commission for better Diaspora relations.

Highlights of the day included a cultural performance by the National Council for Arts and Culture, a musical interlude performed by Christiana Igbokwe, granddaughter of the late Nigerian musician, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, a saxophone played by OreOfe Sax, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

By Taiye Olayemi

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has appointed Mr Andrew Okungbowa, a travel journalist, as his new Chief Press Secretary.

This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie.

According to SSG, Okungbowa’s appointment takes immediate effect.

Okungbowa, a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Benin, also holds a Masters Degree  in English from the University of Lagos.

He was a former president of the Association Travel and Tourism writers of Nigeria ( ANJET) and weekend editor with the Daily Telegraph newspapers in Lagos.

Well travelled Okungbowa was, at a point in his career, a staff of  the Guardian Newspapers.

He had helped in stabilising the Association of Tour Operators of Nigeria (NATOP) as its Executive Secretary.

Before his appointment, Okungbowa was Special Adviser, Inter-government Relations to the President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr Nkereweum Onung. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Deji Abdulwahab

By Florence Onuegbu

Inq Group, a Pan-African edge technology provider, has developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) product to boost the efficiency of the energy market in Nigeria.

The Chairman, Inq Group, Mr Andile Ngcaba, said this at a news briefing on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ngcaba said the AI solution would be integrated into the distribution network of energy distribution companies (DisCos) for real-time analysis of energy flow and tracking of energy leakages.

According to him, the firm operates in 10 countries across the emerging markets.

He said the company’s goal in Nigeria was clearly to use AI to make energy generation, transmission and distribution more efficient.

Ngcaba said that in each of the 10 countries it operated, the company focused on providing specific solution, using AI, hence, focusing on the energy sector in Nigeria.

According to him, Inq has the capability that will help Nigeria grow and move from the level it is in information technology to a much higher level.

“Inq has one singular capability that no one can compete with us in Africa, in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

“Artificial Intelligence is a knowledge and skill that every country, every company, every individual, every good business requires.

“We have locally built the continent’s leading intellectual property in Artificial Intelligence. Our products aren’t plug-ins to another man’s technology.

“We will lead the continent’s adoption of AI and bring it to real-life cases in agriculture, energy, and digital recognition.

“Inq possesses the knowledge, the intellectual property in the field of artificial intelligence, and we are bringing AI in Nigeria, in order to make sure that Nigeria must participate in the AI that is taking place in the world,” he said.

Ngcaba said that Inq Group had operated in Nigeria for about four years and had provided enterprise-level cloud, connectivity, and IoT solutions for businesses in the country.

Also speaking, Mr Valentine Chime, the Managing Director, Inq Nigeria, said that electricity in Nigeria was powered by DisCos, who collect monies from end users to pay the companies transmitting and generating electricity.

Chime said that the DisCos had struggled to remain profitable, due to the lack of proper analytics to track the distribution and detect mass leakages.

”This is where we come in. We are already in talks with the government for adoption,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Abigael Joshua

The Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) has warned tobacco companies in the country that it would push for  sanction if they fail to indicate the new anti-smoking warnings on their products.

Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi, the chairman of the alliance said this on Monday in Abuja at a news conference on the implementation of graphic health warnings on tobacco products.

“The current approved warning by the Federal Ministry of Health shows a graphic image of a tobacco user with mouth cancer, with the text warning ‘smoking causes mouth cancer’.

“The profit-centered tobacco industry is foot dragging to weaken this policy.

“This is because it knows that graphic health warnings reduce the number of people who start smoking, just as it encourages current smokers to quit.

“We thereby urge the Federal Ministry of Health, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, (SON) Nigeria Customs Service to ensure that the new health warnings are implemented,” Oluwafemi said.

He said regulation is is contained in Article 11 of the World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and in our local laws.

“Section 20 of the National Tobacco Control Act, (NTC Act)2015 Nigeria requires manufacturers, importers, and distributors of tobacco products to ensure that their products carry full coloured graphic health warnings.

“This should cover 50 per cent of the principal display area.

“Similarly, that the approved graphic photo must clearly show the health implications of tobacco use and exposure,” he said.

The chairman said the law anticipated that the shock value of the warnings would begin to wane after two years, saying this is why the warnings are required to be rotated every two year.

“Section 20 (3) of the NTC Act stipulates that graphic health warnings must be changed after an initial period no later than 24 months to new graphic warnings and messages prescribed by the Federal Ministry of Health.

“The first set of warnings, a contrast image of healthy lungs and diseased lungs of a smoker was issued on June 23, 2021, and expired on June 22, 2023.

“It is now one month since the warnings expired, and as an alliance we alerted our members in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Ebonyi, Kano and Lagos states to monitor compliance with the second phase of the warnings,” he said.

The chairman said that it was unfortunate that findings showed that compliance was at zero per cent.

Oluwafemi said that tobacco use is a major public health concern and is a major leading death cause in the world.

“It is responsible for more than eight million deaths each year and if current tread continues death rate is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.

“In Nigeria there is a growing concern about the use of tobacco, especially the use of shisha, and several products entering our country particularly amongst the youths.

“The introduction of graphic health warnings on tobacco products is an effective way to reduce tobacco use and its associated harms.

“Several studies have shown that graphic health warnings are more effective than text only warnings,”he said.

Oluwafemi said that graphic health warnings are important “because we have some illiterates who cannot read or right in English language but can view pictures.”

Mrs Hilda Ochefu, a member of Campaign for Tobacco-free kids, said that everybody is at risk of second hand smoke generated from tobacco smokers.

“The tobacco fight is about our country and our children. We want to make sure that our children are protected while also protecting ourselves.

“We call on SON, ministry of health and the Consumer Protection Council to wade into the issue of non-compliance by tobacco companies because it is of multi-sectorial concern,” Ochefu appealed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NTCA is a network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs), and several professionals.

It is concerned with human rights, public health, cancer, and tobacco control with a view to ensuring qualitative health; sustainable human development; and good governance for all Nigerians. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Uche Anunne

“And promoting greater private sector investment  through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to unlock innovations for housing delivery and attract institutional investors in housing value chains.

By Naomi Sharang

The President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima would unveil two books on leadership and communication in commemoration of the 60th birthday anniversary of Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.

This is contained in a statement released by Bamidele’s Media Office in Abuja on Sunday, indicating that the event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 25.

The statement added that the two- term senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District (APC) who personally wrote the books in two volumes would clock 60 on July 29.

According to the statement the books are titled: “Leadership Through Communication” (Volumes 1 & 2).

“This is in his erudite efforts to dissect the social, political and economic events which gave birth to the current Fourth Republic in retrospect to independence era.

“Among other things, the first volume of the book comes in 406 pages and 14 chapters.

“It addresses how to actualise development at grassroots through information and strategy, advocating rights of the poor in the society, ending want in the midst of plenty and maintaining integrity in public office.

“This volume also talks about Lagos Mega City and global economic meltdown, government and media relations in Lagos.

“This is where the Senate Leader cut his teeth in politics under the able tutorship of President Bola Tinubu then as Governor of Lagos.

“It is on record that Bamidele served in various capacities which include two-term commissioner, Special Adviser and Special Assistant in government of Lagos.

“Lagos is proudly regarded as one of the largest economies on the continent and the commercial nerve entre of Nigeria.”

“In a foreword written by Prof. Adeyemi Isumonah of Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan; he said “Bamidele’s book is an overview of major processes of leadership and development with a pointed message for major stakeholders in society”.

The statement further indicates that the second volume of the book highlights issues around Nigeria’s democracy, terrorism and security challenges, the place of law and order.

It also highlights restoring public confidence in the justice system, road to self-awareness for the Nigerian youth and the anti-graft fight of Buhari’s administration are given robust engagements.

The statement added that, “On terrorism, Bamidele recommends that “It is important for the security services to review the existing security architecture that privileges protection for persons with power to the exclusion of the majority of the people.”

It also said that the foreword to the 2nd volume with 305 pages and 10 chapters was written by Nigeria’s foremost playright and pace-setting arts journalist, Ben Tomoluju, who described the book as “… predominantly the testament of a rights crusader.”

According to the statement, the book presentation scheduled to take place at the Yar’adua Center, Abuja is one of the series of events lined up for the birthday anniversary.

It said that Prof. Toyin Ogundipe, the former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos would be Guest Lecturer.

Also, governors of Ekiti and Lagos Biodun Oyebanji and Babajide Sanwo-Olu respectively would co-host the event, while the Senate President Godswill Akpabio is the Chief Host.(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

By Victor Okoye

Chidi Momah has been crowned champion of the 2023 Captain’s Inaugural tournament at the IBB International Golf and Country Club (IBBIGCC), Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, which began on Tuesday, ended on Saturday with a dinner and presentation of prizes to deserved winners in the various categories.

Momah emerged the overall winner of the event after playing off handicap 18 with a gross score of 84 and overall best nett score of 66.

A very elated Momah told NAN that he played good golf even though it was kind unexpected because he had not been playing well of late.

“So, to play the best golf, I have played in a while and won this tournament is very special.

“I played with two very nice people and we had a good rapport in my route. The weather was very nice which is important.

“My tee-shots, shots on the green and my potting was very good and everything came together.

“Even when I had an initial problem on some holes, I made up for it on other holes. So, it went well and I was very pleased with myself,” he said.

Former Nigeria number one ranked golfer Andrew Odoh won the prize in the professional category after he played 75 gross.

He was closely followed by IBB resident pro Andrew Dominic who played 76 gross to beat his challenger on countback and settle for the runner up prize in the category.

“Whenever you win, it’s a positive feeling that you always get. So, I am very happy that I won the event because it could have gone any other way.

“I feel like it’s one of those ones I just managed to nick off because I played really badly from the start.

“But luckily for me, al ot of the guys were also struggling but the best guy will always come up tops.

“No matter how tough the course is, there is always going to be a winner and I am happy I won,” an excited Odoh told NAN.

Mohammed Suleiman emerged winner of the best gross men after playing off handicap 3 with a gross score of 75.

He was closely followed by Abang Ogah, who played off handicap 2 with a gross score of 81, to finish as runner-up.

Saadu Baloni who played off handicap 4 with a gross score of 82, settled for the 1st runner up position.

In the men’s division 1 category for handicap 0 to 10, Oladipo Sanya was adjudged the winner after playing off handicap 9 with a gross score of 79 and 70 nett.

Ashir Tarfa finished as runner up in the category, playing off handicap 9 with a gross score of 84 and 75 nett.

The IBBIGCC Captain, Banjo Obaleye, settled for the 1st runner up position in the category after he played off handicap 10 with a gross score of 85 and 75 nett.

In the ladies division 1 category for handicap 0 to 18, Past Lady Captain Grace Ihonvbere, emerged winner after playing off handicap 12, with a gross score of 84 and 72 nett.

The IBBIGCC Captain, Obaleye told NAN that despite the heavy down experienced at the closing ceremony, he was grateful to God for the good weather experienced throughout the week-long tournament.

“Everybody was able to complete the tournament without any hitches. Even at the award presentation, despite the weather, we managed to wrap up what was an outstanding tournament.

“Golf is a game for everybody. It is not as elitist as people look at it and not a game for the “big pockets” as many people erroneously believe it is.

“It is a game everyone can participate in. It is game of contest and one that shows who you truly are. It’s even a game you can use to tame your emotional imbalances,” he said.

He also thanked the members of the Organising Committee and the Chairman, Chris Jemitola as well as all the sponsors for their hardwork and support towards a successful tournament.

No fewer than 400 golfers and 100 tennis players from across the country took part in the week-long tournament organised to officially usher in Obaleye as the 26th captain of the prestigious golf club. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

PTAD@ 10: Keeping Nigeria pensioners happy and alive

By Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) administration under the old pension offices faced overwhelming challenges that include accumulation of a number of negative incidents and inactions on the part of the old pension offices that resulted in the absence of a comprehensive database of pensioners, reports of ghost beneficiaries, allegations of pervasive fraud, administrative bottlenecks in accessing pension services, poor funding of pension liabilities, as well as poor delivery of service to pensioners.

For many years, these challenges led to huge losses in government funds and ultimately denied many pensioners their pension benefits for decades. For some unfortunate pensioners, the pursuit of the payment of their entitlements cost them their lives.

These were the scenario that Nigerian pensioners faced before the establishment of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) in August 2013 in compliance with the Pension Reform Act (PRA) of 2004, which was repealed and re-enacted in the PRA 2014.

At a South-East stakeholders engagement forum held in Awka for Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo states, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Dr Chioma Ejikeme, said that the event was periodically organised to meet and interact with pensioners and other Stakeholders in all the geopolitical zones of the country.

‘’At the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, we are aware of the importance of carrying our pensioners and stakeholders along in what we do; and this is why we organize this kind of forum to interact with you, keep you updated on our activities as well as our future plans, and most importantly, get your feedback.

‘’PTAD’s determination to change the narrative as far as pension administration under the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) in Nigeria is concerned is irrevocable. It is pertinent to note that PTAD has intentionally and consistently been working on achieving positive and sustainable change in the DBS Pension management for the almost 10 years of its operation. It is worthy to mention that PTAD would be 10 by August of 2023,’’ she said.

Analysts have said that the processes and controls that have been put in place since the establishment of PTAD have contributed immensely to the change being witnessed today in the management of the Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

‘’Our journey from field verifications, mobile verifications, to putting together a solid database of pensioners, benefit computation, ensuring the regular payment of monthly pensions and paying long overdue pension arrears to pensioners, has been a progressive one filled with creativity, dedication, commitment, persistence and resulting in milestone achievements. It is not yet a perfect situation, but PTAD is committed to continuing to make giant strides.’’

In the last 12 months, PTAD has engaged in some major initiatives to improve on the overall welfare of Nigerian pensioners.

Complete payment of arrears arising as a result of the consequential adjustment to pensions as a result of the increase in minimum wage of April 2019 to the four operational departments in the Directorate.

Complete liquidation of the 126 months outstanding liabilities due to ex-workers of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation Complete payment of the 219 months of inherited liabilities to Ex-workers of New Nigeria Newspaper Limited

Complete payment of the 100 months of inherited liabilities to Ex-workers of NICON Insurance Complete payment of the 96 months of inherited liabilities to Ex-workers of Delta Steel Company (DSC)

Implemented the 9.7% increment to Ex-PHCN workers with attendant arrears paid.

Payment of a total of 48 months of the 84 months inherited arrears owed NITEL/MTEL pensioners, leaving a balance of 36 months for complete liquidation. With these payments, we are glad to inform you that PTAD has completely liquidated the inherited unfunded liabilities of all the Defunct/Privatized Agencies handed over to PTAD in 2017, with the exception of NITEL/MTEL with a balance of 36 months, which we are fully committed to liquidating.

‘’Recently, we also commissioned a Mechanized filing system, put in place to safely store pensioners’ physical verification and departmental files. Apart from securing and archiving these documents, this device will make it faster and easier to recall pensioners’ files to reconcile and resolve any complaint.

‘’You may recall that on the 12^th of October 2021, PTAD launched the “I AM Alive” Confirmation Solution and successfully completed the Pilot Phase where we tested the application on 50,000 randomly-selected pensioners from the four (4) Operational Departments and the six (6) Geo-political zones. Following the success of the Pilot Phase, on the 14th of April 2023, PTAD fully rolled out the solution for the use of our Pensioners.

However, to ensure an efficient and effective delivery, and prevent a heavy flow of traffic on the website, we have staggered the use of the Confirmation Solution according to departments as follows:

Similarly, PTAD has provided a six-month grace period for each department and their pensioners to complete their “I Am Alive” Confirmation (IAAC) Solution and trained Pension Desk Officers from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies for pensioners retired from organisations, as well as the various Representatives of Pension Unions on the use of this application, this is in order to assist pensioners who are unable to carry out the confirmation on their own.

So far, three operational departments, namely: Police Pension Department, Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Department, and the Civil Service Pension Department have commenced their Confirmation process, and the reports have been encouraging.

‘’On this note, may I commend the Pension Union Executives who have disseminated information about the I Am Alive Confirmation Solution to their members and have provided assistance to those who need help with confirming their aliveness.

‘’However, more needs to be done and we plead that you help us spread this message to all the nooks and crannies of the Zone and beyond. No pensioner who is alive should be left out of this very critical and important exercise that would determine a pensioner’s eligibility to continue to receive pension.

‘’As part of our resolve to ensure that no eligible pensioner is left out, PTAD wishes to inform all our pensioners in the United States of America, Canada and the United Kingdom, that a Survey is being carried out by the Directorate to ascertain the number of pensioners we have in these countries and their various locations within the countries.

‘’We have a good number of unverified pensioners in these locations. The information gathered during the survey will enable us plan accordingly for Diaspora verification. I therefore enjoin you to inform your members who are living in these countries to visit the PTAD website and take part in the survey. It is very important. They should log on to our website – www.ptad.gov.ng to access the link for the survey.

‘’Furthermore, as we did with the Civil Service Pensioners, PTAD is currently carrying out the re-computation exercise on thousands of files in the Parastatals Pension Department, with a view to resolving their deluge of complaints.

We have held meetings with representatives of Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPAN), The Electricity Sector Retiree Welfare Association (ESREWA), and Concerned Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) pensioners to inform them of the outcome of the Back-End Computation Project carried out for the defunct PHCN pensioners under PTAD.

‘’At the end of the meetings, all the parties agreed that the implementation of the outcome should take effect from June 2023 payroll, which we have done. Some of you may have noticed an increase or a decrease in your pension, which means you were either being overpaid or underpaid, and the Computation project has placed your pension where it rightfully belongs.’’

The project is ongoing and representatives have been informed of the Back-End Computation Project for the Power, and Transport Sectors that it will be implemented this July 2023.

The PTAD boss also expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, given his well-known and commendable antecedents in pension matters, would continue to make pension payment a first-line charge, albeit unwritten, adding that ‘’this we have already started witnessing with the continued prompt payment of monthly pensions to our esteemed pensioners. We cannot afford to go back to the time when the DBS pensioners were owed months of pension arrears and their needs pushed to the back-burner’’.

She also used the stakeholders’ forum to warn pensioners against patronizing pension fraudsters.

‘’They seem to have kicked off their activities again as we are beginning to get reports of pensioners being called by people pretending to be PTAD Staff and soliciting funds from pensioners to enable their entitlements be paid.

‘’No staff of PTAD will call or send any message to you requesting for payment or ask you to call a certain phone number before your arrears or gratuity will be paid. Once you get such messages, you should know that PTAD did not send them and will never do so. Kindly share this important information with your members so they do not fall victim to these fraudsters.’’

The introduction of the ‘I Am Alive’ confirmation solution is another platform that would enable pensioners in the Defined Benefits Scheme to access the full potential of the PTAD services wherever they are and eliminate the challenges faced in the process of getting their pension entitlements.

***If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)