General News - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Mar, Sat, 2023

Buhari attends UN Conference on Least Developed Countries in Qatar

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By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Saturday leave for the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LCDs) in Doha, the capital city of Qatar.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said this development followed an invitation by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The conference, which is from March 5 to 9, under the theme: “From Potential to Prosperity,” holds once in a decade.

It provides an opportunity to garner the support of the international community for accelerating sustainable development in the LDCs as well as assist them make progress towards achieving prosperity.

According to Shehu, while in Doha, Buhari will reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to support the most vulnerable countries to meet their development challenges.

The presidential aide revealed that the president would also highlight areas through which the Nigerian government had provided them with various forms of assistance over time.

”As most of these countries struggle to find sustainable solutions to challenges of poverty, adverse effects of climate change, food and energy crisis as well as high-debt burden among others, the Nigerian leader will vigorously reiterate the need for sustainable solutions for countries facing these severe challenges.”

The Summit will be attended by world leaders, the private sector, civil society and youth organisations.

It aims to share developmental ideas and mobilise political will, solidarity, action and solutions to transform the LDCs, by finding sustainable solutions to the challenges of poverty, food insecurity, hunger and weak or non-existent infrastructure.

The summit will also address the challenges of inadequate health facilities, climate change among others as they struggle to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The president’s delegation includes some ministers and top government officials who are expected to use the opportunity of the visit to sign some agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with the Qatari government.

The Nigerian leader is expected to return to the country on Monday. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Afonne Emmanuel
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

NIS inaugurates beach volleyball court in Imo

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By Victor Nwachukwu

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Imo Command, has inaugurated a beach volleyball court for use by its officers and men in the state.

The Controller of NIS in Imo, Mrs Nkechi Ezugwu, while inaugurating the project in Owerri on Friday, said that there are plans to also construct more sports facilities in the command.

Ezugwu thanked the Federal Comptroller of Works in Imo, Mr Dania Dennis for approving the site for the construction of the facility.

The controller who is also the Vice President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVF) promised to ensure its maintenance.

She urged officers of the command to make good use of the facility so as to keep fit for optimal performance.

” It is often said that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. It is against this backdrop that we decided to establish a standard court for officers and men.

“It is a known fact that sports has in no small measure taken people to places of prominence and affluence around the globe,“ she said.

In a remark, the President of NVF, Mr Musa Nimrod, urged the officers and men to utilise the court to keep fit for more effective performance of their duties.

He thanked the state government for its continued commitment to sports development in the state.

Nimrod pledged the federation’s readiness to partner the state for the development of volleyball.

Also speaking, the Chairperson, Association of Heads of Federal Establishments in Imo, Mrs Chisara Egwim-Chima, thanked Ezugwu for the initiative.

She urged members of staff of federal establishments using the secretariat to take advantage of the provision.

“Our jobs are majorly inactive and that is why we need regular exercise. With the provision of this Court, we can now keep fit and maximise our potentials “, she said.

Highlights of the event were the presentation of three balls and other volleyball equipment to Ezugwu by Nimrod, and novelty a match by Heartland beach volleyball team of Owerri.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo who was represented by his Chief of Protocol, Mr Bright Nwelue.

Others are the Imo Commissioner for Sports, Mr Emeka Okonkwo, represented by Mr Chinedu Umeh as well as Heads of military and paramilitary agencies in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Afonne Emmanuel
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

Low women participation in technology cost low income countries $1trn – Tallen

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By Justina Auta

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, says women’s exclusion from the digital world has reduced one trillion dollars from the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of low and middle income countries.

Tallen said at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, ahead of the commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD) that this occurred over the last decade.

The theme of this year’s edition is: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

According to her, bringing women and other marginalised groups into technology has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.

“The lack of women inclusion, by contrast, comes with massive costs and according to the UN Women 2022 Snap Short Report, women’s exclusion from the digital world.

“This has reduced one trillion dollars from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade.
“This loss will grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 without action.

“Reversing this trend according to the report will require tackling the problem of online violence, which 38 per cent of women had personally experienced,” she said.

The minister stressed the need for gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology and digital education that could increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement.

She also called for the adoption of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses by girls to address discrimination, gender bias and improve participation in all spheres.

“I therefore ask that, teachers and educational institutions be supported to consciously remove gender biases and stereotypes in our educational environments, textbooks and didactic materials.

“It starts with making women’s contributions to STEM visible, including through connecting young women and girls with STEM professionals and mentors,” she said.

Also, Mr Marthias Schumale, UN resident Coordinator, said they would enhance involvement of women and girls in technology to increase gender inclusion.

“We will continue to invest into technology. And as we do that, we will prioritise women and girls because collectively we can make the world of technology and innovation inclusive by working together,” he said.

Ms Uller Mueller, UNFPA Country Representative, harped on the role technology plays to expand networks, opportunities, and minds.

Mueller, represented by Ms Erika Goldson, UNFPA Deputy Representative, however, noted that technology was increasingly misused and weaponised, with women and girls disproportionately targeted.

“This can take the form of image-based abuse, sextortion, harassment, hate speech, cyberbullying and doxing.

“ Data tell us that 97 per cent of girls between 11 to16 years in Nigeria have experienced unwanted sexual approaches in chat rooms, social networking sites or emails.

“Over 7.89 per cent of this group have been sent sexual images or content, 57 per cent of women have had their videos or images online abused or misused,” she said.

She added that UNFPA was developing safety and ethics guidelines for practitioners designing technology for gender-based violence prevention and response.

Mueller said that technology companies are engaged to involve women in design processes from the outset.

“Technology is essential to advancing gender equality. When women and girls can access and use technology safely, they can amplify their voices and exercise their agency and autonomy.

“This is giving them a platform that can transform their future – and ours,” she said.

Also, Prof. Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said they would train 200 women on ICT and digital economy in March to reduce the gender gap in technology innovation.

Pantami was represented by Mrs Iklima Musa, Special Assistant to the minister on Strategy and Innovation.

Ms Kemisola Bolarinwa, President, Women in ICT Foundation, launched the prototype of a “Smart Bra Device” to detect abnormalities like cancer cells.

Bolarinwa also added that they invented a wrist watch and necklace to track movement, in a bid to curb insecurity, particularly kidnapping. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Isaac Aregbesola

Afonne Emmanuel
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

CSOs task INEC on challenges witnessed in Feb. 25 election

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By Angela Atabo

Connected Development (CODE)and its partners, have tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to address challenges experienced during the Feb. 25 election, ahead of the Governorship and Houses of Assembly Election.

Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive Officer, CODE, who spoke on behalf of the group said this when he presented the interim statement on the process and conduct the presidential and National Assembly elections in Abuja on Thursday.

Lawal said that the group deployed observers in polling units across the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs ) of the country as well as the Federal Capital Territory, saying that the findings raised concerns about the management of the election.

Lawal tasked INEC on swift deployment and early opening of polls, professional conduct of security personnel and INEC’s strict adherence to the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He said that the BVAS should be used for biometric accreditation and electronic transmission of results from polling unit as stipulated by the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC 2023 Election guidelines for the conduct of election.

“The Governorship and State Assembly election is yet another opportunity for INEC to redeem her image, and earn the trust and confidence of the electorates in our electoral process.

“More importantly, INEC should ensure transparency of the result management and collation process and make certain that polling unit results are uploaded timely on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IREV).

“The Uzabe election observation mission was focused on the election day’s process; focusing on the quality of the election, with the notion that if the process is right, the outcome will be right and accepted by all.

“Drawing from these observations, CODE and her partners conclude that the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly Election failed to meet the basic threshold of a credible election, as it failed short of Citizen’s expectations, INEC’s assurances, and benchmark of international election best practice,” Lawal said.

He said that the interim statement brought to light some of the discrepancies observed like delay in commencement of polls, low adherence to Electoral laws and slow or non upload of results among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ali Baba-Inuwa

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

IDPs: NEMA commends Saudi Relief Centre for food donations

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By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has appreciated the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) for its continuous donation to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.

He expressed the appreciation when he received a team from the KSrelief centre on Thursday in Abuja.

Ahmed, who commended the humanitarian agency for announcing its plans to provide further relief donations to the IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Kano State, lauded the centre for its past support to IDPs in Borno, Yobe and Zamfara.

He said that the gesture was an evidence of friendship and brotherhood between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The director-general assured that NEMA would continue to ensure proper distribution of the relief items meant for the target beneficiaries, especially those affected by disasters in the country.

He, however, appealed that the centre extended its support to the country, especially to those impacted by the 2022 flood disaster which ravaged many communities.

Also speaking, Hajiya Fatima Kasim, Director, Planning, Research and Forecasting in the Agency, said that a total of 7,750 households had been profiled to benefit from the lastest food donation from the centre.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the KSrelief team was led by Mr Basheer Saleem.

NAN reports that King Salman bin Abdulaziz established KSrelief in 2015.

The centre is in the framework of the Saudi’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of those in need worldwide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Sadiya Hamza

Ismail Abdulaziz
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

Flood: Gov. Bello inaugurates N779m HYPPADEC 160 housing units

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By Obinna Unaeze

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has inaugurated the N779million Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) 160 housing units for flood victims in the state.

Bello, at the event in Mokwa and Edati Local Government Areas of the state on Friday, said that the victims in Muregi and Ketso communities would be the beneficiaries of the scheme.

“The state government in conjunction with the local governments will setup a committee that will be saddled with the responsibility of relocating victims in the two communities as soon as this project is completed.

“Efforts like this will guarantee the safety of lives and properties in our communities.

“It is my hope that this project will be completed within the shortest possible time so that efforts will be made to relocate the flood victims in Muregi and Ketso,” he said.

He assured the people that the state government would provide access roads to the two communities to ease movement of goods and services in the areas.

The Governor said that the electrification project of the communities would soon be completed and inaugurated to boost socio-economic activities in the areas.

Similarly, Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, Managing Director, HYPPADEC said that, “each of this housing units is estimated at the cost of N4,870,161.14.

“Following intensive needs assessment and professional survey by HYPPADEC, the commission decided to construct 120 housing units in Muregi town of Mokwa local government area and 40 housing units in Ketso village of Edati local government area.”

Yelwa said that each of the housing unit has two bedrooms, one sitting room, one convenience, one kitchen and one veranda.

He said that each housing unit shall occupy half of the plot size allocated to it, while the remaining half shall be left for future expansions.

The Managing Director said that to ensure accessibility to the buildings and prevent flooding, the commission would construct access roads and earth drainages at the site.

He said that the entire project would be carried out using efficient and sustainable construction materials, under the supervision of the commission’s Directorate of Engineering and Technical Services.

He said that each of the housing unit would be occupied by persons that have been facing intermittent displacement as a result of floods and other ecological disasters.

Yelwa explained that the choice of Muregi and Ketso for the project was predicated on the fact that the communities have suffered frequent flooding since 2015.

He said that the project would be completed within three months as the contractor had been mobilised.

The Managing Director appreciated the state government, governing council and management of the commission for their support in realising the project.

Also, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the state council of traditional rulers, promised the support of the traditional institution to enable the project succeed.

Earlier, Alhaji Abdullahi Muregi, Chairman Mokwa local government area, commended the state government and HYPPADEC for the gesture.

Muregi appealed to the state government to find a way of settling the crisis ravaging Zakagi community in council to prevent the loss of lives and properties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the housing resettlement scheme would cover the six HYPPADEC states of Benue, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Plateau.

NAN also reports that the HYPPADEC was established by an Act of the National Assembly in 2010 to address ecological challenges from the operations of hydroelectric dams.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

N-SIP feats should outlive political dispensations–Osinbajo

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By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, says the Federal Government is proud of its accomplishments in the Social Investment Programme (SIP).

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu AKande, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the vice president was speaking when he received a delegation from the FCT People Living With Disabilities Community (FCT PWD) on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.

He expressed optimism that successive governments would build on the template already established by the present administration.

“We believe that as a matter of law, as a matter of policy, and our government must provide for those who have disability and who for some reason or the other, may not be able to work in ways that those who have no disability may be able to.

“It is not a favour, it is government policy and people must enjoy it as government policy, that is how things are done.

“We have tried our best to put in policies for the right things to be done government after government, so that it becomes normal for a government to do those things.

“I hope and pray that the next government will do the same thing.”

Osinbajo also referred to the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019, saying by policy and law, the entitlements of the PWDs are already in place.

According to him, the SIP is one of the biggest in Africa.

“We provided for young people who had no employment (N-Power); we provided Conditional Cash Transfer for the poorest Nigerians, although it was only 1 million, we were able to provide for. We provided TraderMoni, MarketMoni, for 2.4 million traders.

“Under the Homegrown School Feeding Programme, we were able to provide feeding for 9.5 million children every day. We are proud of the fact that we were able to provide these services to the people.”

The vice president also observed some of the challenges in implementation.

He said that some of the things were very difficult to do not because of money but it was difficult to find people of integrity who would deliver the projects in the same honesty.

The vice president commended members of the FCT PWD community for their perseverance and commitment to demanding for better welfare of members.

“We must see improvement in our part of the world, things are tied to individuals, it shouldn’t be, especially when it comes to matters that affect the dignity of our own people.

“We must continue to pursue this as entitlement for people with disability because of the law and policy of government. Let’s be hopeful that the coming months and years will be better and fruitful,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the spokesman of the group, Alhaji Muhammad Dantani, thanked the vice president for all that he had done directly and indirectly for the PWD Community in Nigeria and particularly in the FCT.

He described the vice president as the father of the fatherless, hope for the hopeless and voice to the voiceless.

The highlight of the meeting was the presentation of Certificate of Occupancy to the PWD Community in the FCT by the vice president.

The PWD Community in the FCT with about 5,000 persons currently reside at Karmajiji, Abuja.

They were resettled there over 25 years ago but the parcel of land is no longer adequate to accommodate the community.

A request for assistance from the vice president was sought in 2018 following which the Office worked with FCT authorities and got a larger parcel of land allocated to the community.

In another meeting held earlier with promoters of the ‘Reading Against Intolerance Initiative’, Osinbajo emphasised the need to keep supporting programmes that would imbibe the culture of tolerance among young Nigerians in schools.

According to him, the whole idea of national unity and national bonding is a deliberate action that should be undertaken by those in power at a particular point in time. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Afonne Emmanuel
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

Why we’ll be involved in politics — NLC president

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By Esenvosa Izah

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will continue to get involved in politics in order to bring matters surrounding the welfare of workers to the front burner of programmes and policies of government.

The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, made the assertion during courtesy visits to some labour unions in Lagos on Thursday.

The unions include National Union of Electricity Employees; National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, as well as Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.

Ajaero said that the labour movement owned the Labour Party (LP).

According to him, LP is a party that has the ideology of the working class movement with its charter of workers’ demands.

“We have an era that we are entering: era of politics, and we will not shy away.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress will be involved in politics; we are already involved in politics; NLC had a political party: the Labour Party (LP), and LP participated in the recent elections.

“Nigeria must exist before we practice our unionism; anybody, who emerges as the President of Nigeria will work with us, and the rights and privileges of the workers must be guaranteed.

“The current wage system, casualisation policy, and outsourcing are anti-worker; with such policies, we can’t be our brothers’ keepers,” he said.

The labour leader encouraged union members to show interest in politics, saying, “we have not been managing it by ourselves; we have been allowing people from outside to now answer LP”.

He urged members to continue enlightening workers in the country about the LP.

From Left: Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Adewale Adeyanju; NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero; President, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mr Martin Uzoegwu during a courtesy visit of NLC executives to NUEE secretariat on Thursday in Lagos

“That is what we are going to impose on them; even the ones that have emerged as senators or House of Representatives members, they must, as a necessity, meet with us and we will give them our programmes.

“That is the whole essence of thinking of LP in the first place; so that their actions, inactions, and utterances will reflect the affairs of the labour movement, and there should be no pretences about it.

“We are not saying that people cannot belong to any party of their choice, but we have a party where whatever we discuss here, we take it there as workers.

“Where, if we want new minimum wage, we take it to the people that represent us there; all these issues concern the workers, and we should no longer shy away from it,” Ajaero said.

In his remarks, the President, NUEE, Mr Martin Uzoegwu, said that the decision of the NLC president to undertake the courtesy visit could not have come at a better time.

Uzoegwu said: “Within a few days of your assumption of office as NLC president, your impact resonates across the nation through your unequivocal position on the ongoing Nigeria national elections, emphasising against subverting the will of the people; serious engagement of state governments who have denied workers their rights and the release of locked congress secretariat in a state, just to mention a few”. (NAN)

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Afonne Emmanuel
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

Nigeria beat Uganda to advance at Under-20 AFCON, pick World Cup ticket

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By Babatunde Ogunrinde

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria on Thursday in Ismailia beat Uganda 1-0 to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing FIFA Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

The Nigerian under-20 male national football team also in the process qualified for the 23rd FIFA Under-20 World Cup finals scheduled for Indonesia from May 20 to June 12.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the second quarter-final match of the 17th Under-20 AFCON, the Flying Eagles had to battle hard all throughout the game.

They were rewarded with an own goal scored by Ugandan midfielder Ibrahim Juma in the 30th minute of the game at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium.

Goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso, who captained in the absence of the suspended Daniel Bameyi, did well to keep his team in the game before and after the goal.

As early as in the 10th minute, he had to enact a reflex save to stop a bullet header from a corner-kick.

Both teams continued to frisk for opportunities, with Nigeria’s Ibrahim Muhammad and Haliru Sarki probing deep.

But they were undone mostly by inaccurate passes and poor ball-holding in the final quarter of the game.

However, Muhammad who scored one of the goals which sank Mozambique on the final day of Group A helped his team to get it right by the half hour.

He latched onto a long ball on the left flank from the defence, controlled well and fired, an effort which saw the ball hitting the near post behind the goalkeeper.

The ball’s return into the goal area saw it richochetting off defender Juma into his own net for the only goal of the match.

Muhammad should have made it two to give Nigeria a cruise only four minutes after the restart, but he put too much power behind his turn and shot.

On the hour mark and seven minutes after, Aniagboso, however, saved point-blank efforts to sustain Nigeria’s lead.

Also, in the 80th minute, Samson Lawal pushed the ball away from goal from a free-kick 22 yards away.

NAN reports that victory has now earned Nigeria a slot in Monday’s semi-finals as well as a ticket to Indonesia.

The Flying Eagles will take on the winners of the clash between Congo and Tunisia, scheduled for the Cairo International Stadium on Friday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Olawale Alabi

Olawunmi Ashafa
Mar, Fri, 2023

General News

NYSC coordinator tasks youth on national development, unity

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By Olatunde Ajayi

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Coordinator in Oyo State, Mr Abel Odoba, says the development and unity of Nigeria rests heavily on the youth of the country.

Odoba spoke on Thursday, in Ibadan, at the passing out ceremony of the 2022 Batch ‘A’ Stream II corps members.

He reminded the corps members that nation building remained the core mandate of the one-year mandatory national service they have undergone.

The coordinator commended them for their meaningful contributions to their host communities and their initiatives of executing various community-oriented projects and making positive impact.

Odoba charged them not to be deterred by the current situation of the country, but to take up leadership roles that would enhance the advancement of the nation.

“You must be disciplined and always exhibit such, because without discipline, you can’t be good leaders,” he said.

The coordinator also advised them to utilise the training they had received through NYSC to change the narratives of disunity among members of the diverse ethnic groups.
He implored them to make the unity of the country their priority and duty wherever they found themselves after their disengagement from service.

Odoba, while encouraging them on entrepreneurship and self actualisation, said that the world had become more entrepreneurial, making white collar jobs less attractive.

“NYSC places emphasis on self-reliance and wealth creation; I therefore urge the outgoing corps members to put into practice all they have learnt.

“They should explore all the facilities available to them for start-up capital from various financial institutions the NYSC is partnering with through the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme,” he said.

The coordinator advised the outgoing corps members to apply necessary acumen, right ideals and stay focused in their chosen career, business or other human endeavours.

Odoba said this was necessary to propel them to greater heights in the interest of the nation and themselves.

He enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the scheme, their families, and their various institutions of learning.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Local Government Inspector, Ibadan North, Mrs Kolade Comfort, said that most of the outgoing corps members performed excellently and deserved the Certification of National Service. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker/Oluwole Sogunle