The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Saturday graduated 62 youths, including 19 women on wood vocation under its community based reintegration programme in Edo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was carried out under IOM’s Nigeria: Promoting Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood for Returned Migrants and Unemployed youths through Community Based Reintegration programme.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, organised by IOM in Benin, the Deputy Director General, IOM, Mrs Ugochi Daniels, said out of the 62 graduands, 19 were females who graduated as carpenters.
Daniels said the project set up a multipurpose vocational skills training facility in collaboration with Nat Limited and Edojobs, to assist returned migrants within their community to have access to socio economic opportunities.
“The importance of vocational training cannot be overstated, especially in Nigeria where unemployment among the young people is high
“Vocational training provides practical skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to the workplace, making graduate of such programme highly employable and ultimately addressing the key drivers of irregular migration.
“Edo state has a history of woodwork artistry and this training leveraged on that to promote a blend of learning the wood trade and exposing them to opportunities that are bound within the space.
“I am particularly pleased to learn that of the 62 graduate today, 19 are females. In a fast changing world, it is important to ensure that we support women to attain economic independence,” she said.
Daniels thanked the Swiss and Netherlands governments for their generous financial support towards the programme.
According to her, special thanks to the Edo Government for collaborating with IOM to successfully implement the project through Edojobs and the Benin Technical College.
She reiterated IOM’s commitment to continue to support the government of Nigeria and particularly the Edo Government to provide adequate support to migration issues in the state.
Miss Osayomo Usuanlele, on behalf of the graduands, thanked IOM for the opportunity and promised to make good use of the knowledge learnt.
Highpoints of the event was the presentation of certificates and starter packs containing carpentry tools, including generating sets to all 62 carpenters. (NAN)(www nannews.ng)
Cross section of media professionals at one day Media Roundtable on Girl-Child Education in Ado-Ekiti.[NAN-PHOTO]
By Bolanle Lawal
An NGO, Balm In Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), has urged media professionals to promote girl-child education in Ekiti.
Its Executive Director, Ms Oluwatumininu Adedeji, made the plea on Saturday at one day Media Roundtable on Girl-Child Education in Ado-Ekiti.
Adedeji said the programme was aimed at engaging media professionals on the need to coordinate strategic communications in addressing poverty, promoting gender equality and
changing cultural beliefs and practices that limit the opportunities available to girl-child.
She said that the group was commissioned as a Consultant by the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), Ekiti with the support of the World Bank to undertake a statewide research on the subject.
“BIGIF is honoured to have the opportunity to engage with you at this event. We know that the media controls the society and is capable of changing human behaviours, living style and moral thoughts through positive messaging.
“The socioeconomic factors and cultural norms affecting girl-child education in Nigeria are complex and intertwined.
“To address these factors require a multi-faceted approach that involves addressing poverty, promoting gender equality and changing the cultural beliefs and practices that limit the opportunities available to girls.
“Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of our adolescent girls and ultimately, in the future of our society,” Adedeji said.
Commenting, Mrs Modupe Ajayi, representative of the Project Coordinator of AGILE, said the focus was to ensure the enrolment of adolescent girls in schools in the state.
Ajayi said further that the programme was also aimed at developing life skills that would help them to navigate adulthood.
Highlights of the event were interactive and break-out sessions with the aim of addressing the behavioural problems, among other factors that hinder girl-child education in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr Solomon Arase, NUJ National president, Comrade Chris Isiguzo and some members of the commission and the union.
By Dorcas Jonah
The Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Mr Solomon Arase, has solicited the support of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) to promote harmonious working relationship between the commission and the media.
Arase said this on Friday in Abuja at an interactive session with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), in Abuja.
He said the commission’s mandate include appointment, promotion, and discipline of all police officers except the Inspector-General of Police.
According to him, we are committed to collaborate with the media to ensure proper working relationship with the commission and in extension the police force.
He said that he had also held similar stakeholders meeting with relevant bodies to ensure a seamless working relationship with the commission.
Arase said that the commission had agreed that there was need for synergy between PSC, the police and the media to ensure a properly motivated friendly working atmosphere.
He said there would be constant training between police and the media for interface to ensure proper working relationship for the good of the country.
He said they were ready to change the negative narratives about the frosty relationship that had existed between the commission and the public, adding that the commission had been very silent in recent times.
He said that the commission had noticed that the faulty recruitment process of the Police was responsible for some of the misconducts of personnel in Nigeria.
Arase also said that the commission aimed to continue its pally with relevant stakeholders to seek ways of improving policing in Nigeria.
“If you are going to police the system very well, you need the cooperation of the public,” Arase said.
He stressed that there must be zero tolerance to misconduct by personnel and that punitive measures had been put in place to discourage wrong doings.
He noted that some Police personnel have had to go because of their bad behavior.
Responding, the NUJ President, Isiguzo, congratulated the Arase on his appointment, adding that the union would work with the commission to ensure success.
“What you’ve done today is clearly in your character. During your time as Inspector -General of Police, you carried the media along and this afternoon, you have re-emphasise your love for the media.
“We will give you all the support needed to succeed. One of the things we must take out of this meeting is a commitment to the training and retraining of police personnel,” Isiguzo said.
He said that there was the need to create a platform for police and journalists to interface and get to know each other as both were doing the same job for the betterment of the country.
He appealed to the government through the PSC Chairman not to deprive the media of its representation as according to him, there are rumors that plans are underway to remove the media representative from the commission.
The two leaders agreed to work together for the good of Police, the media and the nation at large. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Federal Government on Friday said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF C-130H) plane and Airpeace plane have been cleared to fly Egyptian airspace for the evacuation of Nigerians stranded in Sudan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this followed the outbreak of war between the Sudanese armed forces and para-military Rapid Support Forces.
The government confirmed this in a joint press statement issued to newsmen by the Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Janet Olisa, and that of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Sani Gwarzo in Abuja.
”The NAF C-130H is scheduled to leave Abuja on April 28, 2023, to commence the airlift of the stranded students.
” Similarly, arrangements have been concluded to airlift all Nigerians that have already escaped on their own to safety in countries neighbouring Sudan.
”However, forty buses have been secured in Sudan to convey the students and other Nigerians from Khartoum to Aswan border in Egypt.
”Which is one of the identified safe reception borders, as at time of this statement, first batch of buses had already departed Khartoum,” the statement said.
The federal government however said the initial hitches during transportation of stranded Nigerian students from Khartoum where bus drivers stopped and dropped the students in the desert over non-payment transport fees have been resolved.
”Some Nigerian students who found their way to the Ethiopian border were allowed entry into Ethiopia, following the interventions of some Nigerian leaders.
”The students are in safe condition. Similarly, another group of Nigerians assisted by government of United Arab Emirate have arrived Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and arrangement are been made to return them back home,” it assured.
The government said it has already convened a Situation Room to monitor the evacuation exercise.
It stated that the situation room is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
President Muhammadu Buhari has met behind closed doors with the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, and later offered Friday prayers at the State House Mosque, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
A statement by Malam Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja confirmed that the two leaders had a closed-door meeting at which they greeted one another on the Sallah occasion following the completion of the 30-day Ramadan fast.
According to Shehu, they privately discussed a host of issues of common concern to them.
The President-elect was accompanied to the State House by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and two Governors, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano and Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara.
The Majority Leader of House of Representatives, Alhassan Doguwa was also in the entourage of the president-elect.
The presidential aide quoted President Buhari as bidding a farewell to the visitor, saying: “Thank you for joining us in prayer”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on Friday inaugurated a new office and a migration health assessment clinic (MHAC) in Benin, Edo, to respond to returnees with medical conditions.
Inaugurating the office, the Deputy Director General, IOM, Mrs Ugochi Daniels, said the clinic was the third in the country after Abuja and Lagos.
Daniels said that opening of the third migration health assessment center in Benin was significant, adding that it reflected IOM’s relationship with the state government over the years.
“As we all know, Edo remains the heart of migration in Nigeria. It is, therefore, no-brainer for us to establish a center in a community where migration have driven development.
“A center in Edo means we are closer to our clients based in the south-south and southeast, while offering the much needed support for our returnees with medical conditions.
“It is our hope that the center will lead us into a new programming areas to complement the vision of the state government,” she said.
According to her, “I congratulate the IOM Nigeria, especially the Benin sub-office and the migration health unit on the commissioning of a new office and the migration health assessment clinic.
Daniels pledged the commitment of IOM to continue to support the state governments and the Nigeria government in ensuring migration was done and achieved in an orderly, safe and humane approach.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Lead Head, IOM Benin sub-office, Wintana Tarekegn, said IOM started operation in Benin in 2017 and operated from the Migrants Resource Center (MRC), at the Federal Secretariat premises.
“Subsequently, the office relocated to a central location within Benin in 2018 to create a better accessibility for returnees and partners working in the field of migration,” she said.
Tarekegn said the office had established strong collaboration with the state government and non-governmental organisations.
According to Terekegn, IOM in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has supported the voluntary return of 30,000 and reintegration over 17,000 Nigeria migrants stranded in Libya, Niger and other countries from 2017 to date.
“With Edo and Delta accounting for the highest number of returnees, it necessitated the establishment of the Benin sub-office,” she added.
In his remarks, the Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said that through the state taskforce and the assistance of IOM, the menace of irregular migration and human trafficking has significantly reduce.
Obaseki said “We are delighted that IOM was expanding its operational base in the state by opening this new office and upgrading its facilities.
“And we believe that this will enhance their capacity to support programmes aimed at tackling this problem and challenges. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vincent Obi
Initiative for Citizens’ Rights, Accountability and Development, a CSO, has urged the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to investigate alleged illegal activities of Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi, Oyo State.
The CSO, in a petition on Friday, alleged that the activities of the institute violated the standards of NBTE.
Mr Luqman Hassan, Executive Director of the group, said that the polytechnic established satellite campuses, outreach and study centres, which had been banned by NBTE.
Hassan said that the institute was also running diploma programmes that had been banned by NBTE, hence putting students and parents at a disadvantage.
He said: “Findings revealed that Novelty Polytechnic, Kishi flouts rules and laws guiding the establishment and management of academic institutions, especially polytechnics in Nigeria.
“The Polytechnic does not concern itself with the approved standards in line with the National Minimum Standards of Education Act.
‘“Neither does the school run in conformity with any laid down quality assurance mechanism of NBTE.”
Hassan also alleged that the polytechnic currently did not have qualified lecturers, and that those engaged could take as much as 14 courses, on a meagre salary of N35,000.
“This is against International Labour Standards and best practices,” he said.
However, the Proprietor of the polytechnic, Dr Abdul Salami, who responded to the allegations in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said they were baseless.
Salami said that the petition was the handiwork of some aggrieved members of staff of the institute.
He said the polytechnic had followed all laid down rules and standards by appropriate bodies, adding that the institute had qualified lecturers, debunking all the allegations in the petition. (NAN)
Abuja, April 28, 2023 (NAN) Nigeria and Italy have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening criminal justice and rule of law in combating terrorism across the globe.
This commitment was demonstrated when the two countries co-chaired the seventh Plenary Meeting of the Global Counterterrorism Forum’s (GCTF) Criminal Justice and Rule of Law (CJ-ROL) Working Group in St Julian’s, Malta.
This is contained in a statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Friday in Abuja.
The Coordinator, National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC), retired Rear Adm. Yaminu Musa, said the administration of criminal justice terrorism-related cases could neither be efficient nor effective if the rights of those concerned were not protected.
Musa, who represented Nigeria at the event, said the effect of lack of protection for witnesses had resulted in the striking out of cases by the courts involving heinous crimes because witnesses often refuse to testify due to the absence of a system designed to cater to their protection.
He said that Nigeria had on May 23, 2022, signed the Witness Protection and Management Act into law to specifically address that challenge.
According to him, Nigeria first co-chaired the CJ-ROL Working Group with Switzerland in 2018 and developed the Abuja Recommendations on Collection, Use and Sharing of Evidence for Purposes of Criminal Prosecution of Terror Suspects.
He said the recommendation was endorsed at the 2018 GCTF Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly.
“It also co-organised the First Expert Meeting of the Working Group for the development of a set of recommendations on Rule of Law-Based Administrative Measures in the Counterterrorism Context held at The Hague, The Netherlands,” he said.
The NCTC coordinator said the CJ-ROL working group had since inception, accomplished a lot through the development of recommendations and good practice memoranda, such as the Rabat Memorandum on good practices for effective ccounterterrorismpractice in the criminal justice sector.
He added that the working group’s Hague Memorandum on Good Practices for the Judiciary in Adjudicating Terrorism Offense had also been compiled to assist judges to more effectively adjudicate cases that involve terrorism.
“It will also assist them in respecting the rights of all parties involved in the cases, in particular the rights to a fair trial for the accused, and the protection of victims and witnesses.
“We intend to build on the accomplishments of this important working group and further the knowledge and good practice to support the effective dispensation of effective criminal justice, rule of law and human right-based responses to terrorism,” he said.
Musa said the meeting, which was the first under the new working group co-chairs, focused on the presentation of priority areas highlighted in the group’s work plan for the period of 2022-2024.
“The meeting will guide the activities of the group as it offered an opportunity for members to discuss collaboration and synergies with other GCTF working groups and initiatives.
“The CJ-ROL Working Group of the GCTF focuses on the critical role played by the criminal justice sector in combating terrorism and demonstrates the GCTF’s commitment to supporting rule-of-law-based and human rights-compliant approaches.
“The GCTF Criminal Justice and Rule of Law Working Group, co-chaired by Italy and Nigeria, is dedicated to supporting the development of effective criminal justice systems within a rule of law framework and fully respecting human rights.
“It aims to ensure that persons who plan, perpetrate or support terrorist acts are brought to justice,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Federal Government through the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), has established the agriculture and mineral resources International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certification laboratory in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly established lab is aimed at analyzing agro and mineral resources produced in accordance with international standards for exportation.
Mr Obassi Ettu, Deputy Director, Engineering Design, Development and Technical Assistant to the Director-General of the council, said the laboratory will curb the short-changing of exporters by other investors.
Ettu, who took newsmen on a tour of the newly constructed facility, added that it was part of the achievements of Prof. Hussain Ibrahim, the Director-General of the council.
He said the laboratory was part of RMRDC’s response to the nation’s requirements for quality infrastructure.
“Exporters can short-change themselves by exporting their materials raw, what you need is value addition and it can be done by knowing what is inside the raw materials.
“It is done when the laboratory provides you with a characterisation of what is contained in the raw materials and with it the raw materials’ value rises.
“For instance, lead zinc exporters who sell raw zinc are given anything because they need money.
“But after analysing the lead zinc, you would find silver, copper, lead and zinc leading to the value of the material.
“This would be listed out in the ISO certificate and an added value in the market”, he said.
Dr. Fortune Alabi, Assistant Director and Head, Pharmaceutical Materials Division, said the laboratory was ISO certified, hence whatever result it presented was accepted worldwide as a well certified analysis. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Mr Micheal Ohiani, Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), says the Federal Government remains committed to infrastructure development in Nigeria through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
Ohiani said this at the 1st Quarter 2023 Public-Private Partnership Consultative Forum (3PUCF) and the Inauguration of State House PPP-Unit in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was hosted by the State House.
According to Ohiani, since the last 3PUCF meeting held in December 2022, the Federal Government has achieved more successes and milestones in major sectors to achieve a PPP economy.
The director-general said the 1st quarter meeting was scheduled for March 2, 2023, but had to be postponed due to the general elections.
Ohiani, who gave a summary of the PPP projects recorded since the last meeting, said there were more projects at the inception stage waiting to commence development.
He said: “We have over 200 projects at different stages of the development and procurement phases.
“In addition to over 40 projects at the implementation phase, I believe that together, we can do even more in the year, “he added.
He listed out some projects the commission had issued Outline Business Case (OBC) Compliance Certificates to include the development of Ports of Ondo Multipurpose Deep-Sea Port and the Benin Port Project in Edo State.
Ohiani said others included the Expansion and Development of Snake Island and the Lagos Multipurpose Sea Port project of the Federal Ministry of Transportation.
“The Burutu Port Complex Phases 1, 2, and 3 projects had the OBC Compliance Certificate revalidated,”Ohiani said
He revealed that in the PPP Procurement Phase, the following had been accomplished, with the issuance of Full Business Case(FBC) Compliance Certificates.
“Revalidation of the FBC Compliance Certificate for Establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company (ALC) of the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
“The Refurbishment, Operation and Management of the water system at Tin Can Port, Tin Can Island by Nigeria Ports Authority.
“These give a total of 153 OBC Compliance Certificates and 75 FBC Compliance Certificates issued by the Commission to date, which is a record on its own”.
Ohiani also listed out some projects that had received the Federal Executive Council’s approvals to enable them achieve Commercial Close.
He said the projects included the Central Offshore Waste Reception Facility (OWREF) Concession and Eastern Offshore Waste Reception Facility (OWREF) Concession.
The director-general said others were the e-custom project of the Federal Ministry of Finance and the National Fire Detection and Alarm System project of the Federal Fire Service under the Ministry of Interior.
“Development of Cassava Bio Ethanol Value Chain project of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
“The design, construction and financing of a Mixed Development Comprising Residential Houses, Hotels, Recreational Facilities and Office Blocks for Commercial Purposes Under a PPP arrangement of the FRCN.”
Members of State House PPP Unit being inaugurated by the Permanent Secretary? State House and DG ICRC
The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, in his address, commended the ICRC for creating a roadmap to handle projects and programmes on infrastructure development through PPP.
“I share the spirit that 10 years from now because we have placed our fingers in the right places and we have planned, execution is guaranteed to be delivered.”
Umar gave his assurances that the state house would work closely with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) for the greater good of the country, adding we should seek ways of using technology to attract viable projects.
He disclosed that the state house in consultation with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, identified and tentatively screened three of its projects for possible consideration of final cases of PPP.
“They include the State House Wildlife Sanctuary and Citizen’s Park, State House Medical Centre, and State House Lagos Facility and we have trained our staff to prepare for this” he said.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), and Chairman of the meeting, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, called on more (MDAs) to create PPP departments.
Yemi-Esan, represented by Mrs Agalasi Ehigie, Director, Infrastructure Management Department, Office of the HCSF, said the ICRC was doing a lot to ensure the infrastructure needs of the country were met.
NAN reports that the forum, which was inaugurated 10 years ago at the State House, provides a platform for PPP departments in MDAs and stakeholders to share ideas, success stories, and challenges on their PPP projects to drive economic growth in Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Vivian Ihechu
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