By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has pledged to work with President Bola Tinubu to actualise his promise to ensure adequate women representation in his administration.

The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, made the pledged on Monday in Abuja while congratulating the President and Nigerians on the 2023 Democracy Day celebration.

Lau said that an all-inclusive government was crucial to nation building and transformation of the country, adding that increased participation of female technocrats in politics would reposition the country for greatness.

According to her, democracy has come a long way in Nigeria, “but women representation over time has continued to be a thing of discourse.

”The nation’s development will have been better if women were given adequate representation since the inception of democracy.

“Over the years, Nigeria has consistently ranked poorly on the global gender equality index, with failed gender bills, violence against women and girls, and poor economic participation.

“If more women are given the opportunity to serve in various government positions, they will bring hope back to the masses and the society will benefit.

“There cannot be any meaningful development without an all-inclusive government of women, youths and persons with disabilities,” she said.

Lau said that the council has full confidence in the President and the first lady, a patron of NCWS, on his 35 per cent promise of women inclusion in governance.

“We will sensitise the women, work with relevant agencies and the National Assembly on legislation that will promote female employment in all government offices, ministries and agencies as promised by the president,’’ she said. (NAN)

DE/ETS

By Angela Atabo

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), says democracy has brought many gains to Nigeria in spite of challenges.

The EU-SDGN said this in statement signed by its cohort members, on Monday in Abuja, to mark Democracy Day.

“The cohort noted that the country’s democracy, although not perfect and still growing with pockets of stormy and smooth sails, has brought with it many gains.”

The cohort which comprises 16 civil society groups, congratulated the government and people of Nigeria for the strides the country has made along democratic path since 1999.

“EU-SDGN pledges to continue to work assiduously towards strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and deepening the gains that come with it.

“The National Democracy Day serves to remind Nigerians of how far the country has come since June 12, 1993 and underlines the significant progress and achievements of democracy in the country.”

The cohort said some strides achieved included inclusivity and upholding principles of good governance, respect of human rights and rule of law, which are fundamental pillars of democracy globally.

The EU-SDGN cohort called on relevant stakeholders, including government, political parties, civil societies, and citizens, to continue upholding democratic principles and protecting democratic gains.

The cohort said these were critical condiments for fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development in Nigeria.

“Through funding by the European Union, the EU-SDGN has been working to reinforce democracy by providing support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Others are National Assembly, Judiciary, Political Parties, Media, Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and Civil Society Organisations.

According to the cohort, through EU’s interventions, the programme has provided technical assistance and capacity-building to strengthen democratic institutions, electoral processes, and civil society organizations.

It added that it also promoted transparency and accountability in government institutions, increasing citizens’ engagement for vibrant and participatory democracy.

The cohort include DAI Global, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Yiaga Africa, Kukah Centre, International Press Centre, Institute for Media and Society, ElectHER, and TAF Africa.

Others are Nigerian Women Trust Fund, National Peace Committee, SOS Children’s Villages, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa.

The rest include Justice, Development and Peace Commission, Justice Development and Peace Initiative, and Justice, Development and Peace Makers’ Centre. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Ms Ella Onyebe Onyebe during the solo art exhibits in Abuja

By Bridget Ikyado

An Abuja-based abstract artist, Ms Ella Onyebe has called on President Bola Tinubu to promote investment in art, to support unemployment.

Onyebe made the call in a interview with newsmen on the sideline of her 7th solo art exhibition titled “Big Idea” on Saturday in Abuja.

Onyebe who majors in painting women and children with 12 years experience said, art, if promoted could generate jobs and forex for the country.

She said art brings out the creativity in young people, help them express their power of imagination while generating revenue.

“Through art, we tell our stories as Africans and we preserve our culture and identity as well,” she added.

Onyebe however said lack of support had killed the potential of a lot of artists.

“Sometimes we get the positive side of it, most times it’s the negative but we are hoping to get to meet the best people who love art who are ready to put art out there.

“Now that we have a new government, we are hoping they give us the best so that we can send art out tot ur world because we cannot just stay in a place, we need to keep going out,” she said.

Onyebe called on all lovers of art to join forces with the government to bring Nigerian art to its rightful place in the world. (NAN)

Editedby Maharazu Ahmed

Rt. Rev’d Godwin Robinson,Bishop

By Okon Okon

Rt. Rev’d Godwin Robinson,Bishop Lafia Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has advocated President Bola Tinubu’s urgent intervene in critical sectors including education and security, to ensure his administration’s maximum impact on Nigerians.

Godwin made the call on Saturday, while delivering the Bishop’s Charge of the 3rd Session of the 8th Synod of the Diocese held at Mt. Zion Anglican Church Mararaba in Nasarawa State.

He urged Tinubu to use his experience to address issues which had threatened the wellbeing of Nigerians.

“The current estimate of Nigeria’s population stands at about 200 millions 69 per cent of this population is between the ages of 15 to 45 years.

“People in this age bracket are actively pursuing the acquisition of knowledge and skills for better productivity or better returns, but Nigeria education sector has failed to live up to its expectations.

“There are more than 10 million out of school children roaming the streets instead of receiving instructions”, he said.

According to him, infrastructure in many schools are in a bad shape while tertiary education is constantly disrupted by disputes between governments and workers.

“Now that lecturers are back in the classes, we pray and hope that there will be no need to go back to their trenches,” said.

Robinson partly blamed the security challenge in the country on the high rate of youth unemployment.

“It must be underscored that unemployment constitutes a security threat as an ‘idle mind is the devil’s workshop’.

“The government must priorise creating employment opportunities for its citizens. It is time to advance industrial revolution to move the economy from consumption to production.

“The teaming unemployed youths must be engaged in production activities,” he said.

The cleric called on both the public and private sectors to play their parts to develop the country industrially in order to tackle the unemployment challenges faced it faced with.

With the theme: `Arise and Shine’, taken from the book of Prophet Isaiah Chapter 60 verse 1, Godwin said the Church was optimistic that Nigeria will arise from its present challenges and shine. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Uche Anunne

By Adebola Adegoke

Mrs Mariam Lawani, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Greenhill Recycling Ltd., has underscored the need for Lagos residents to embrace the culture of sorting wastes for recycling to beat plastic pollution in the state.

Lawani said this on Saturday during a sensitisation and awareness exercise on recycling at Arena Shopping Complex, Oshodi Lagos.

The exercise was in commemoration of the 2023 World Environmental Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that June 5  of every year is set aside by the United Nations to celebrate World Environment Day.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Beat Plastic Pollution.”

NAN reports that volunteers went around the market to pick up plastics and sensitise community members on the importance of sorting and recycling waste to earn a living and ensure a clean environment.

The exercise was done in collaboration with Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA).

Lawani noted that the exercise aimed to encourage everyone to embrace the culture of recycling and adopt waste-to-wealth initiatives, saying, “waste is a currency”.

She said that plastic was not the problem but its indiscriminate disposal had led to pollution.

According to her, Lagos State generates over nine thousand tonnes of waste daily and about 20 per cent of it is plastics.

She, therefore, said it was crucial for the state government to continuously support initiatives aimed at encouraging recycling such as Greenhill Recycling, to address plastic pollution.

She, however, urged the government to do more on continuous sensitisation and awareness, to reach a wider audience rather than leave it to organisations alone.

“We are here to sensitise people on the need to sort and separate their waste and let them know that their wastes, especially plastic waste can be turned into resources.

“Apart from our volunteers today, we had encouraged members of the community within the market to bring their plastics and be rewarded with cash for it.

“So, people are going to be rewarded based on the weight of the plastics collected. We will be giving 50 to 70 Naira per kilogram.

“We hope that after our engagement today, more people will begin to embrace the culture of recycling,” she said.

Lawani added that the organisation also had initiatives aimed at providing opportunities where parents with out-of-school children can bring plastics in exchange for school fees or medical bills.

“We ensure that we have these engagements once every three months, either by organising street walks, clean up events, or when we have the opportunity to speak at events.

“The message we are passing across is that we can reduce plastic pollution by seeing these plastics as a resource through recycling,” she said.

Mr Ayobami Akinbulo, Head of Recycling, Central District, LAWMA, said that the government had made efforts and created initiatives over the years to reduce the effects of plastic pollution in the state.

He said that LAWMA, in 2020 launched the Lagos Recycling Initiative aimed at encouraging the culture of sorting their waste for recycling and making people aware of the economic benefits of waste.

“We made this initiative a smart initiative, by introducing an app ‘Pack Am App’, where people can download the app and request for pick up of their plastic waste or recyclables after being sorted.

“The stages of recycling involve sorting, collection, pre-processing, and processing. We have over 100 recyclable collectors, over 30 pre-processors, and over 15 processors.

“Greenhill serves as a collector and aggregator; they collect the plastics and give to those involved in pre-processing and processing the recyclables to valuables,” he said.

On the attitude of residents toward recycling, Akinbulo said that changing people’s mindset required continuous sensitisation and policies to strengthen the adoption or sorting and recycling of waste.

“People need to see plastics and other recyclables as a resource,” he said.

In the same vein, Mr Chinedu Onu, a representative of FBRA, urged residents to inculcate the habit of sorting their wastes from source and avoid littering the environment.

He said that FBRA was the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for the food and beverage sector, responsible for post-consumer waste.

Oni said that FBRA’s strategy to reduce plastic pollution was hinged on three major pillars.

The pillars, according to him, are the promotion of source segregation and collation of plastic; a policy drive that seeks to encourage recycling at rural and urban levels; and the strengthening of various stakeholders and major players in recycling.

He assured continued support of FBRA to partners and initiatives geared toward environmental sustainability such as Greenhill Recycling.

NAN reports that other activities at the event were games aimed at teaching resilience and teach sorting and separation from source.

Solar Lamps, packs of drinks, and cash were given to winners of the game, and those with the highest number of kilograms of plastic collected. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa