By Isaac Aregbesola

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has taken into custody one Hassan Ahmad in possession of N2 million cash allegedly meant for a politician in Gombe.

The ICPC Spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, who said this in a statement in Abuja, added that the cash was in both old and new notes

She said that the suspect was arrested on Friday by the Troops of 33 Artillery Brigade Operation Safe Conduct deployed to Alkaleri in Bauchi State and handed over to the Bauchi State Office of the anti-graft agency.

”Ahmad was in possession of N900,000 cash in new naira notes and N1.1 million in old naira notes and the funds were being conveyed in a tinted black Hilux vehicle with registration number JMA 85 AZ.

”The funds, which were packed in a “Ghana Must Go” bag, comprise six bundles of N1000 new notes of N600,000; six bundles of N500 new notes of N300,000, and old two hundred naira notes of N1.1 million.”

According to her, the suspect has confessed that the funds were being moved to Gombe State for a politician.

She said that further investigation by the Commission was ongoing over the case. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

By Justina Auta

The Brief Academy, a digital learning hub, in collaboration with the Pulte Institute for Global Development and the Khalil Halilu (KSH) Foundation trained young women on the importance of financial independence.

The groups also launched the FEM-Money in Abuja on Thursday.

FEM-Money is a hybrid workshop assembled to assist young women entrepreneurs to create sustainable enterprises with practical financial management and social impacts.

Ms Farida Yahya, the Founder of the digital learning hub, said the aim of The Brief Academy is to develop and support female-owned startups on financial independence.

She said “our goal is to sensitise and educate more young women on the importance of financial independence and the skills required toward building a scalable business with impact in their immediate community.

“All of the workshop courses are uniquely designed to equip the budding entrepreneurs with practical steps and skills needed en route financial independence.”

Yahya added that FEM-Money workshop was set up to accommodate entrepreneurs from far and wide, with expert tutors to broaden participants’ perspectives on potential investment portfolios.

Khalil Halilu, the Founder of KSH Foundation, described  business as a game of numbers, emphasising its social impact and the need to track and record profits.

He said “creating a business with a positive social impact is as important as creating a business in itself. With the country’s population spilling over 200 million and 70 to 80 per cent living below the poverty line.

“Starting a business play the role of helping one to secure financial well-being, families and of certain members of the local community, thus lowering social decadence and increasing economic growth,” he explained.

Ms Wamide Animashaun, a resource person who spoke on financial literacy, said “the country is at a stage where small businesses can get a lot of enablers that will help women in particular to access loan.”

She urged young entrepreneurs to get interest free loans to grow their businesses, stressing the importance of being financially self reliant.

She added that “if you feel you are not earning enough from a present job, you can upskill and try to develop yourself.”

Miss Florence Godwin, a participant and founder of a culinary school, commended the organisers of the workshop, saying she had learnt a lot.

She said “my take home basically is that I should not be afraid of taking loans; before now, I have been afraid to do this, although the money I used to start my business was a loan but interest free.”

Similarly, Miss Ezewanyi Oluwatoyin, another participant and a graphic designer, also commended the organisers, adding that she had learnt the difference between savings and investment.

According to her, savings are meant for emergencies, while investment look into the line of asset.

She said “I learnt how to create a budget, the 50-30-20 rule as investment should be more and spending less.”

FEM-Money is supported by the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, a programme of the U.S.
Department of State, funded by the U.S. Government, administered by International Research and Exchanges Board.

Pulte Institute for Global Development is an integral part of the Keough School of Global Affairs that works to address global
poverty and inequality through policy, practice and partnership. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Lucy Ogalue

The Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA), in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Wangari Mathai Institute, have reiterated the importance of improving food security in Africa.

Prof. Patrick Verkooijen, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GCA, in a statement issued on the AfDB website, called for urgent financial support to put Africa on the path of food sovereignty.

Verkooijen spoke at a three-day regional forum on the future of resilient food systems in Africa organised by the GCA and AfDB.

The forum urged the Future of Resilient Food Systems in Africa – AAAP Digital Solutions for a Changing Climate provided through training for stakeholders across Eastern Africa.

The training strengthened their capacity to design and implement solutions to improve food security and climate resilience.

It was also meant to facilitate knowledge sharing among farmers on scaling up the use of Digital Climate-informed Advisory Services (DCAS).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DCAS are tools and platforms that integrate climate information into agricultural decision-making.

Globally, more than 300 million small-scale farmers have limited or no access to DCAS because service provision is still fragmented, unsustainable beyond project cycles, and not reaching the last mile.

According to Verkooijen, Africa needs urgent support to scale up the implementation of adaptation solutions.

“Through the African Adaptation Acceleration Programme (AAAP), we are rolling out a 350 million dollar project to build resilience for food and nutrition security in the horn of Africa.

“This is toward mobilising new digital climate technology for market information, insurance products, and financial services that can and must be tailored to smallholder farmers’ needs,” he said.

The AfDB’s East Africa Regional Director-General, Nnenna Nwabufo, represented by Dr Pascal Sanginga, the Regional Sector Manager for Agriculture and Agro-Industries, said the forum was timely.

“The AAAP is already contributing to closing Africa’s adaptation gap by supporting African countries to make a transformational shift in their development pathways.

“It is putting climate adaptation and resilience at the centre of their policies, programmes, and institutions.

“There is no doubt that AAAP will be a strong component of the country’s Food and Agricultural Delivery Compacts.

“As it will accelerate the transformation of Africa’s food systems and build a more resilient Africa,” Nwabufo said.

Prof. Stephen Gitahi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, said 70 per cent of the population in Eastern Africa live in rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

Gitahi encouraged the trainers to simplify the modules to remove the fear of technology and accelerate adaptation for rural farmers.

“We acknowledge that gaps exist on climate adaptation in the rural communities, and those can be smartly bridged with the use of digital smart agriculture and climate innovations,” he said.

The forum brought together stakeholders and participants from Djibouti, Eritrea, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Mauritius, Tanzania, Seychelles, Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Kenya. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

By Lucy Ogalue

About 100 Nigerian girls aged between 12 and 25 are participating in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), coding camp in Niamey.

A statement issued on the UNECA’s website said the training was part of its “Young African Women Connected Coding Camp” initiative.

UNECA said that the training aim was to promote access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) and provide them with good foundation for long-term success in their employment, business creation or further education, and build important partnerships.

Mr Hassane Baraze, Minister of Post and New Information Technologies of Niger, said it was imperative to strengthen vocational training, especially in young girls.

Baraze, who chaired the training, said that it was also important to operationalise the skills required to drive creativity and innovation in the girls.

“Technology skills can lift women from poverty by providing them middle and higher-level jobs.

“It is a stepping stone for high-potential women to higher levels and also reduces the gender gap between men and women,” he said.

The Director of the UNECA Sub-Regional Office for West Africa, Ms Ngone Diop said that in Niger, 70 per cent of the population does not have access to the Internet.

According to Diop, this segment of the population excluded from internet use comprises women, young people and the elderly.

She said, “More than ever, Africa must accelerate digital transformation initiatives by strengthening youth participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM) activities.

The UNECA’s Director of Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Jean-Paul Adam, said since the launch of this initiative in 2019, ECA had trained more than 20,000 young women and girls.

Adam said that the UNECA had undertaken 239 innovative projects and given 49 awards for the best prototypes designed to solve the socio-economic challenges across the continent.

“This Nigerian girls’ coding camp covers technical areas such as animation, gaming and web development, robotics and the Internet of Things, and 3D printing.

“It also includes generic cognitive processes such as project development, design thinking, and the role of women in STEAM.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the UNECA training is being held in collaboration with the Government of Niger and UN-WOMEN.

The seventh edition of the coding training for young girls in Africa, which commenced on Feb. 20, is scheduled to end on March 1 in Niamey, Niger.

NAN reports that the Minister of Women’s Promotion and Child Protection, Ms Allahoury Zourkaleini, Minister of National Education, Mr Ibrahim Natatou and members of the Parliament were among several guests that attended the programme. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Constance Imasuen/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Mr Malik Ghulam, 5thRight) and the Chief Executive of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) (4th Right)

By Maureen Okon

The Government of Pakistan has promised to accelerate export diversification and more trade inclusion to achieve the country’s trade relations in a short term.

Mr Malik Ghulam, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Commerce said this at the opening ceremony and the cutting of the ribbon at the 2nd Edition of the Engineering and Healthcare Show (EHCS) on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports from Lahore, Punjab that the event was scheduled to hold from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25, and it was organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan.

Ghulam said that the exhibition was an important initiative to bring together businessmen from non-traditional markets like Africa, Asia and Central Asian Regions under one roof to explore and open up new frontiers for enhancing trade.

He added that focus of international trade was shifting towards diversification, adding that, Pakistan was following the global trade scenario and diversifying its global trade in terms of products and markets.

“Our vision is to double the trade of Pakistan in the next few years. Together we need to exchange more manufactured and engineering goods, have more knowledge transfer and create more value.

“We need to accelerate export diversification and product sophistication and make our trade more inclusive.

“This will enable us to shift from an over dependence on commodities to higher value-added products and services.

“It will also build resilience to movements in demand and help in fetching better prices, furthermore, this is the fastest path to economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction,’’ he said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr Muhammad Motiwala, Chief Executive of TDAP said it was a great moment for Pakistan with over 180 companies at the second exhibition in Lahore.

He added that the initiative of the government of Pakistan to open its doors to global business would also give participants the opportunity to know the people of the country and change their negative perception.

“We are open to the world for both business and friendship, and also with this great initiative, I think the sky is the limit to the great potentials this expo will bring to us all,’’ Motiwala said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

U.S. President Joe Biden encourages all Nigerians, irrespective of  religion, region, or ethnicity, to vote, exercise their fundamental freedom and make their voices heard at the 2023 General Elections

According to him, the U.S. supports a peaceful and transparent election process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria, of which elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy.

Biden in a statement issued by United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria, Public Affairs Section, on Thursday, emphasised that all Nigerians deserved this chance to choose their future freely and fairly.

“I commend yesterday’s peace accord in Nigeria, signed by the political parties and candidates running in Nigeria’s presidential election on Feb. 25.

“By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, and to support a peaceful transition of power.

“Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future – freely and fairly.

“While the United States does not support any single candidate or party, we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria.

“ On election day, I encourage all Nigerians – no matter their religion, region, or ethnicity – to exercise this fundamental freedom and make their voices heard – including young voters, many of whom may be heading to the ballot box for the first time.’’

According to the statement, the U.S. stands with the Nigerian people as they chart a path toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future.

“I appreciate President Buhari’s firm commitment that the will of the people will be respected.

“And in the coming days, I encourage voters to remain peaceful and patient as their ballots are tallied, and urge the political parties and candidates to live up to their pledge,’’ Biden is quoted as saying. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

The Director General, Committee on Youths Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) with the Representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other CYMS members

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Committee on Youths Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS) says it has commenced training on tracking vote buying in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to ensure free and fair elections.

The Director General, CYMS, Mr Obinna Nwaka, said this at the 2023 pre-election conference and capacity building for observers on Thursday, in Abuja.

Nwaka said CYMS’s policing volunteers were also working in synergy with security agencies on enforcement in the field, which he said would be followed with an official report to the EFCC for prosecution of individuals or candidates involved in vote buying.

He said CYMS was ready to track any one who engaged in vote buying as the group knew how to get them, saying such would not be tolerated in the forthcoming elections.

He reaffirmed CYMS’s support for the EFCC in the fight against corruption, and that youths were also joining force with the commission to say no to vote-buying to avoid trading the future of the Youth.

He added that 93,469,008 registered voters were ready to cast their votes in the forthcoming elections, adding that Lagos had the highest total registered voters of 7,060,195 and Ekiti with the lowest figure of 987,667.

“Looking at the demographic, age group and occupational registered voters of total 93, 469,008, the youth between ages (18-34) is 39.65 per cent with 37,060,399, while the ages between 35-49 is 35.75 per cent with 33,413,591.

“Comparing to the present status quo of youths gives us the total number 70,473,990, which is equivalent to 75.40 per cent votes of young people from the entire registered number of voters,” he said.

The CYMS DG commended the young people for their involvement in voters’ awareness programme, resilience in participation and PVC registration.

He urged them to use the same energy to cast their votes in the forthcoming election,.

He said it was obvious young people would no longer be taken for granted, especially in democratic engagement as youths had become the true heroes of democracy.

He said the collective strength of youths made them the determinants of elections, and also the instrument of carrying out unpatriotic and undemocratic activities by the politicians, especially vote buying, violence and thuggery.

“We have been charged and are determined to be used only as the instrument of positive socio-economic development of our nation.

“In this regard, we are saying no to vote-buying to avoid international embarrassment, especially now the international community and foreign observers are on stand by watching.

“We commend the presidential candidates for signing the peace accord; we wish to state categorically that we align ourselves with it.

“We call for integration of vote-buying into next process with the participation of EFCC to assist in reawakening the consciousness of office of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria since vote-buying forms major reason for bad governance,” he said.

Nwaka commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and political parties for their preparedness ahead of the election, while being optimistic that the elections shall take place as scheduled.

Speaking, representative of the EFCC, in charge of Public Relations, Mrs Aisha Mohammed, said the commission had been engaging in enlightenment programme on no to vote-buying.

Mohammed said vote-buying was an economic crime adding that awareness started with the youth who were the future of the nation.

“We have released phone lines to all the 36 states including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to monitor.

“We are already out collaborating with all CSOs. I am happy our collaboration with CYMS is yielding positive results.

“We are calling on the people to vote conscience and vote right. Do the right thing and say no to vote-buying and selling,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Salif Atojoko