News Agency of Nigeria
General News

UNICEF, NGO train youth activists on elimination of Female Genital Mutilation

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By Olatunde Ajayi

Trailblazer Initiative Nigeria (TBI), a non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria has started training some youth activists to end rising cases of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day training was to strengthen the youth participation in policy advocacy.

The training also involves reporting on the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation(FGM), Gender Based Violence(GBV), violence against women and children as well as child marriage.

The Executive Director, TBI, Mr Dare Adaramoye, said that the pilot phase of the project, funded by UNICEF, would be implemented in three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State due to high prevalence of FGM in the selected locations.

According to him, the LGAs selected include Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North and Kajola LGAs of Oyo State.

Adaramoye, the UNICEF facilitator, said that the selected youths from the LGAs were identified during community mapping and because of their previous efforts in making changes in their localities.

He also said that the youth would be adequately trained on policy advocacy and reporting.

“FGM brings complications such as intense pain, excessive bleeding, urinary inconvenience, difficulties during menstruation, clitoral neuroma and difficulties during sexual intercourse and childbirth, among others.

“We noticed that the state has many policies on FGM and other GBV, kept on the shelves, while many people are not aware of as their rights.

“We are engaging youths from different communities because of the peculiarities of each community.

“So, the youths residing in these communities would be trained to advocate for the policy makers, traditional leaders, religious leaders and other decisions maker in their localities on issues that concern FGM and other forms of GBV.

“They will also be documenting stories of change because we need to monitor events and see the effectiveness of UNICEF programmes in the state.

“This is to bring it to the awareness of the public, for people to know the changes, challenges, the lessons learned and the way forward,” he said.

Adaramoye noted that the 10 youths activists were picked from the three LGAs; including one participant from state level for the pilot phase of the project with the aim of extension to other LGAs of the state in subsequent phases.

He urged people to always speak up and report whenever they noticed cases of FGM around them to build safer society for every girl child in the state.

Commenting, Mr Lateef Ariori, Director Child, Welfare Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social inclusion, said that FGM was still on rise in the state.

He attributed the rise to issues such as traditional and religious beliefs as well as monetary gains of local circumcisers who sees FGM as their daily business.

Ariori said that State Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with UNICEF and TBI, would continue to organise sensitisation programmes with relevant stakeholders such as legal practitioners, security agencies and religious bodies among others.

He urged the selected youth activists to put in their best to the project to achieve the set goal of thw society; with no cases of FGM and other forms of gender-based violence.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

General News

NERDC develops electoral education curriculum for schools

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By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) on Tuesday made a public presentation of the Electoral Education Curriculum and Teacher’s Guide for primary schools to strengthen the electoral process in Nigeria.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, NERDC, Prof. Ismail Junaidu said the aim was to strengthen the fabrics of the nation’s democracy for sustainable growth and development.

Junaidu said that since the return of democracy in 1999, citizens’ participation in elections and the electoral process has remained an issue of concern.

He also said that a known reason for this was the lack of adequate electoral knowledge.

“Hence, promoting democratic electoral culture and developing civic skills are therefore necessary for well-informed and responsible participation in elections and in the electoral process,” Junaidu said.

He said that this informed the initiative of the Council in collaboration with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) to develop the Electoral Education Curriculum for primary schools in Nigeria.

According to him, the curriculum, generally, is developed to expose the young learners to the rudiments of democracy and inculcate in them the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for active citizens’ participation in the democratic process.

“Specifically, the curriculum is designed to achieve five key objectives, which are; to equip learners with basic knowledge of the concept of democracy, role of elections in democracy and good governance.

“To develop consciousness of learners about their rights and obligation in electoral process; sensitise learners on the benefits of political participation to the stability of Nigeria.

“As well as prepare learners for active participation in the electoral process,” Junaidu said.

He said the choice of primary school learners was hinged on the core principle of using education as an instrument of socialisation for the young to assume adult roles for the good of the society.

“Thus, the teaching of electoral education at this level will ensure that when children reach voting age, they would have already understood the fundamentals of active participation in the political and electoral process,” Junaidu said.

He also emphasised that the electoral education curriculum was not another new subject in the school system.

Junaidu said that the curriculum contents have been infused into the National Values Curriculum where the contents would be taught as part of the civic education theme.

Similarly, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, while commending the management of NERDC for the initiative said the curriculum had become a dynamic process for sustainable national development.

Adamu, who was represented by Dr Claris Ujam, his Senior Assistant, (Technical) said “every time there are changes or developments happening around the world, the school curricula are affected”.

“Therefore, the inclusion of concepts and contents of electoral education under Civic Education is in line with the drive under the Ministry’s Education for Change: A Ministerial Strategic Plan (MSP).

“This is to enable the acquisition of citizenship values and skills through quality education.

“The electoral education curricular contents constitute a remarkable step to create positive change in the election landscape and political development,” he said.

On his part, the President, IFES, Anthony Banbury said its contribution to the project was to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process through effective teaching and learning of civic education in primary schools.

“To catching them young, the revised curriculum is a hallmark innovation that will introduce children and youth very early to the concept, processes, ethics, and values of democratic systems and governance.

“It will be essential for the young people’s orientation to initiate a shift from the existing norms.

“In the long term, it will increase civic participation and knowledge of democratic systems and values, as the children of today become the adults and the voters of tomorrow,” Banbury said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Razak Owolabi

General News

FG, stakeholders inspect national game facilities for official inauguration

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Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, the Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission 

By Okon Okon

The Federal Government in collaborate with the National Lottery Nigeria, and a private company on Tuesday in Abuja inspected facilities in readiness for official inauguration of Nigeria’s National Game.

Mr Lanre Gbajabiamila, the Director-General, National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), after the inspection, expressed satisfaction over the facilities on ground, saying “they are impressive”.

Gbajabiamila said that the standard had been set for the operations of lottery gaming in the country.

“These are the kinds of the setup that we see when we go on a visit abroad and I just hope they are going to maintain them because the facilities are very impressive and I am glad with what I have seen so far.”

He said Nigerians would benefit immensely from the game when officially launched as it would create more employment for Nigerians.

On addictive gambling by the juvenile in lottery operations in Nigeria, the D-G assured that the facilities would also serve as tools to checkmate the excessive involvement of the underaged being a digital online operation.

“I believe in the terms and conditions that NLRC takes on responsible gaming and underaged gaming and other concerns on addiction of gaming, I believe the company knows what to do as I earlier discussed with them.

“The fact that it is digital online operation, it will be easy for them tactically to identify those players who are becoming addictive in gaming. “

According to him, the model of operation will be different from every other games as it will add values to the national sports and economic development of the country.

Responding, Mr Layi Onafowokan, the Managing Director of National Lottery Nigeria, expressed delights over Gbajabiamila’s visit to inspect the facilities in readiness for the official inauguration of the game in Nigeria.

“His visit is to inspect our facilities in readiness in terms of going live on the operations of the national games and I am happy that he is pleased with what he met on ground.

“This shows our commitment into delivery on these national games to Nigerians. As you can see, our facilities, studio and everything is ready and that is the reason for his visit here today.”

According to Onafowokan, the games, which involve instant games, mega-naija-jackpot and other games to be unveiled on the official launching day, is looking at not just the regional level but also at the national level.

He said it also would help to alleviate a lot of tough times faced by many Nigerians.

“This is a mere facts that we come up with these national games to change people`s lives and we will bring that credibility to Nigerians who believe in us that we are here to change lives of Nigerians.

“What we are doing here today will be to the economic benefits of our country, to our community in general,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

 

 

 

 

 

 

General News

CSO tasks presidential candidates against use of youths for violence

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By Angela Atabo

Ready to Lead Africa, a civil society organisation said it would lead Presidential Candidates to commit against exploiting youths for violence ahead of the General Elections.

Mr Godbless Otubure, Founder, Ready to Lead Africa, made this known at a news conference, themed: “Youth-led Presidential Peace Accord and Unveiling of the National Youth Peace Symbol” in Abuja.

Otubure said that Ready to Lead Africa would host the youth-led peace accord in partnership with the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Connected Development (CODE) and Nigerian Youth Parliament.

He said the project, supported by the Open Society Foundations, is aimed at curbing potential election-related violence in the 2023 elections and also address youths on plans for a peaceful election.

He said that Ready to Lead Africa is set to lead millions of Nigerian youths to choose peace over electoral violence as it hosts Presidential Candidates on Feb. 2 at the International Conference Centre.

“We are familiar with the events of violence that surround the process of elections in Nigeria.

“Our mission is to contribute to national leadership and development of sustainable peace in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.

“The Youth Against Electoral Violence Accord (YAEVA) is a Ready to Lead Africa peace-building initiative, designed to bring youths into the promotion of peace during elections via signing of an accord by Candidates.

“Youths are used to being used for violence, but now we are the ones calling on candidates to say we are no longer going to fight for you, we are no longer going to fight ourselves because of you.”

Otubure said that the YAEVA had been signed before ahead of six governorship elections of Anambra, Ondo, Lagos, Edo, Ekiti and Osun states.

He said that it was a testament to the strong intent of Nigerian youths to eschew violence and the corresponding commitment of political leaders to participate in electoral processes without inciting or sponsoring violence.

“The YAEVA is similar to the peace accord initiated by Rev. Kukah, Gen. Gowon and Gen. Abdulsalami but the only difference is the fact that it is led by youths.

Mr Hamzat Lawal, Executive Officer, CODE, said that the fate and the outcome of the election is centred around young people.

Lawal said that for the very first time in the history of Nigeria, youths have decided that they would not condone electoral violence.

“Therefore, the young people across Nigeria should join us in advocating for this and any candidate that does not show up on Thursday to sign the peace accord means that candidate does not support Nigeria’s unity, progress and democratic dividends.

“Youths have signed up for peace, so we are calling on all the presidential candidates to show up and sign this accord and say no to electoral violence and stop using young people to perpetrate evil, we would not accept it.”

Mr Rafiu Lawal, Executive Director, Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, said that it was not only enough to get politicians to commit to not using youths for violence but also to hold them accountable to involve youths in national peace building and security.

Lawal said that there was the need to have politicians to commit to the youths agenda of Nigeria and to adopt the National Action Plan for peace and security to involve youths in governance, among others.

Mr Yusuf Dantalle, National Secretary of the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), commended the Ready to Lead Africa for the initiative.

Dantalle assured the group of IPAC’s commitment to building peace in the nation and for free, fair and credible elections.

He advised youths not to jump into politics starting from the national level but to grow through the process from the grassroots level.

He said that IPAC would continue to give the necessary support to all electoral stakeholders to ensure a credible poll. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

General News

FG unveils Road Map on Ageing

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By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) has launched its Strategic Roadmap on Ageing 2022 to 2032 and the National Plan Action on Ageing in Nigeria and Project Activities 2021 to 2025 respectively.
The Director-General of NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro said the occasion was a milestone for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the NSCC respectively.
According to her, it is also an undeniable date with legacy for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“This is because, it presents evidence of the administrations’ commitment to building inclusive and integrated resilient systems and institutions that can address the challenges of population ageing and cater for the needs of older persons and also explore opportunities.
“Population trend shows speedy increase in the population of older persons, in spite of Nigeria’s youthful population structure. Currently, more than 14.8 million persons of 60 years and above live in Nigeria (NBS NLSS 2019).
“Also, whereas the statutory mandates and corresponding policy goals of 70 per cent of MDAs are universal, and so assumed and reported inclusion of older persons, the institutional indicators showed only seven per cent inclusion of ageing and issues older persons, and most especially when it has to do with pension issues.
“The NSCC Act 2017 and the National Policy on Ageing 2021 provided the fundamental impetus to compel a shift; they provided the framework to address ageing and the challenges of older persons in a comprehensive holistic manner.
“We are here today to unveil the Strategic Roadmap on Ageing 2022-2032 and the National Plan of Action on Ageing and Project Activities being the operationalisation of the National Policy on Ageing,” Omokaro said.
According to the NSCC boss, by these documents, Nigeria takes an optimistic perception of ageing, viewed from lens of diversity of older persons and ageing.
She added that it also framed programmes and services that promote socially and economically active, secured and healthy ageing population.
Omokaro stressed that the project activities are admitted in the National Development Plan 2021to 2025 and the continuing action plan for the implementation of the 2030 SDGs.
“The National Plan of Action on Ageing supports an inclusive vision that addresses the demographic change that is comprehensive, grounded in evidence and based on human rights.
“It identifies the key strategic pathways to enhance quality of life and well being of older persons through programmes and partnerships and a sustainable coordinating framework.
“Similarly, the Plan on Ageing contains key actions for implementation and capacity enhancement and human resource development,” Omokaro said.
Omokaro appreciated Buhari, Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Save the Children International, UN, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), National Orientation Agency (NOA), MDAs and other partners for their supports and collaborations.
Meanwhile, Farouq, represented at the event by the Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs to Buhari, Alhaji Musa Mongunu, said the need to plan could not be over emphasized.
He added that planning provides the basis for laying a good foundation for success, stressing that the NSCC has started on a sound footing by providing an outline of steps designed with goals of the entire organisation.
“The documents will support the NSCC to achieve the desired coordination, collaboration, cooperations and communication in mainstreaming issues affecting older persons in Nigeria in all critical MDAs.
“As we deliver these two documents or plans into the hands of desk-officers in MDAs, we plead with you to create an inclusive environment for older persons who are particularly vulnerable to disability in old age due to disease susceptibility,” Farouq said.
Meanwhile, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Matthias Schmale, represented by Ms Ajouh Koffie, said every right has equal value, adding that “our rights do not diminish with age.
“This Strategic Roadmap on Ageing is a true recognition of this fact. We hope that this roadmap would ensure that older persons are given space and weight in their development agenda”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the events attracted officials from NDE, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, SMEDAN, NAPTIP, NOA, National Assembly, Save the Children International, Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, community and religious leaders and many others.
NAN also reports that while the Strategic Roadmap on Ageing has 74 pages, the National Plan of Action on Ageing has 156 pages.
High points of the event were the unveiling of the two documents and documentary on Strategic Roadmap to Transformation and Sight and Sounds of Senior-Led Indigenous Craft Empowerment Programme-NSCC Flagship respectively. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chidinma Agu/Vincent Obi
General News

Polls: Ex-VC urges Nigerians not to elect bad leaders

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The executives at the monthly “Mbari Series”, organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

 

By Bridget Ikyado

A former Vice Chancellor of two universities, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, says the choice of leaders Nigerians make in the forthcoming general elections will have a great impact on the future of the country.

Yaqub, a former Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja and  Sokoto State University, made the observation in a presentation at the monthly “Mbari Series”, organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

The event was held at the Writers Village at Mpape in Abuja, with the theme “The power of Choice”.

According to him, Nigerians need to get to the stage of using critical thinking to make sound electoral choices.

According to him, the choices Nigerians will make in the forthcoming elections will either exacerbate the current hardship or open new window of opportunities and development for the country.

Yaqub, therefore, said it was important for Nigerians to chose wisely, those who will run the affairs of the country in the next four years.

“The issue is not that the country has bad leaders, but that Nigerians have not gotten to the stage of using critical thinking to choose their leaders.

“Issues of voter apathy, vote buying and selling and other issues which Nigerians succumbed to, leaves us with wrong choices.

“This has caused a decay in the system and underdevelopment, and where these issues persist, we have an unstable economy, insecurity and untold hardship,” he added.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians to up their thought pattern, initiate their powers of choice and refuse to allow anyone to influence them.

“I spoke on the theme of the event and we looked at power in a conceptual and emperical level.

“As an individual, there are some processes that can’t be done alone except through team work, we also looked at power in a physical and spiritual aspect.

“For example if a leader exercise too much power to an extent, he becomes autocratic, while there are still powers through spiritual ways which may be negative or positive.”

Yaqub said whichever way Nigerians intended to use their powers and choices, they should consider its negative or positive impact on the society.

In her presentation, Amb. Lois Otse-Adams, National Treasurer, ANA, talked about parenting as the bedrock of the power of choice.

“Good parenting instills in young people the power to make positive choices that have good effect in the long run,” she added.

The President of ANA, Mr Camillus Ukah, said the Mbari series was a forum for ventilation of ideas and discussions for Nigerian intellectuals and writers.

“It is a place where people gather and exchange creative ideas.

“The Mbari series is a collection of different people from all walks of life and of knowledge, to come together and discuss and where ideas can be freely utilized,” Ukah said.

He also spoke on the impact of social media, saying it has helped to promote ideas, including writing.

The president said that the association had inaugurated a 12-member committee to galvanize people to patronise their activities.

“You can’t get knowledge until you are put face to face with knowledge. You can come here to learn.”

On the theme, Ukah said it was to make Nigerians understand the consequences of the choices they make during elections.

“Part of the problem we have is a dysfunctional educational system. Some people will pass through school without any appreciable knowledge or mental change.

“That is why someone can easily sell four years for N5, 000 during an election.

“We are conscious of the fact that we are focused on liberating the minds of Nigerians and the only thing that can do that is knowledge, which comes with interaction and experience,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

General News

Emir of Dutse, Sunusi is dead

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The Emir of Dutse in Jigawa, Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi II died at the age of 79.

Sunusi died on Tuesday after protracted illness at a hospital in Abuja.

The state Commissioner for Special Duties, Auwalu Daladi Sankara confirmed the death in a statement in Dutse.

He said that Gov. Muhammad Badaru Abubakar had condoled the family members and people of the state over the loss.

Abubakar described the late emir as a true leader and a respected figure in the community known for his wisdom, compassion and dedication to the wellbeing of his people.

The governor also recognised the emir’s contributions to the growth and development of Dutse and his positive impact on the community.

“The death of the emir has been met with sadness and mourning in the community and across the state,” the governor said.

Abubakar prayed Allah to comfort the bereaved family and loved ones during this difficult time, adding that his legacies would live on through the countless lives he touched.

Meanwhile, the Jigawa government announced that the funeral prayer of the late emir would hold on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Dutse Central Prayer Ground.

Born on Dec. 27, 1944, Sanusi was installed the 3rd Emir of Dutse in 1995 after the demise of his father Muhammad Sanusi. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

General News

Infrastructure: NNPC invests 1.9 trn in road construction via tax credit scheme

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Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, (1st R); Mr Muhammed Nami, Executive Chairman, FIRS, and Representative of NNPC GMD, Mr Mele Kyari at the meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it is investing N1.96 trillion  into road infrastructure development  via its tax credit scheme intervention.

The company made this known at a meeting with the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and other key stakeholders in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Mr Umar Ajiya, representative of the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, said the company was committed to funding the critical roads across the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NNPC in 2021 intervened in the first phase of the tax credit scheme with N621.24 billion to rehabilitate and increase the stock of major roads and highways.

“Clearly as you recall we have done phase 1 and funding has been steady, we are now committed to a second phase of N1.9 trillion and we are also committed to setting aside funds to fund the contractors including any necessary mobilisation that could be required.

“What is important for us is that our consultants will have   to validate the value for money and the quality of work that you’ve done on this roads.

“I think that our road users alluded to the fact that they have seen extensive quality work being done on the roads that have been assigned during phase 1.

“We want the same quality to be maintained because of execution of the roads under phase 2, and speaking of execution is very important, because the funds are available and therefore there should be no excuses,” Kyari said.

Also at the meeting, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Mr Muhammed Nami  called on the contractors not to be doubtful of their payments, assuring them that all their monies would be paid.

“I’m assuring you that we have existing and future tax capability based on the estimate received by the FIRS that will be able to provide you with enough funds as your payment are due and confirmed.

“The gains of phase 1 have been evaluated, some of the roads that we were speeding through were roads constructed over 40 years ago and to God be the glory through this executive orders they are now being fixed.

“There are generally benefits for paying taxes because globally civilisation is made possible through the taxes being paid.

“We continue to appeal to Nigerians and particularly the big tax payers to continue to trust this executive 007 so that they will continue to provide critical infrastructure that our country so dearly needed for our people to move goods and products from one location,” Nami said.

Giving a general overview of what had been achieved with the Phase I of the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme, Mr Kuti Adedamola, Director Highway, FMWH said the tax credit scheme had done a lot in the construction and rehabilitation of some major roads across the country.

Adedamola said part of the roads worked on are the dualisation of the Suleja-Minna road, dualisation of Jebba-Mokwa Bokani road. Also Junction road on Kwara and Niger state among others.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on his part said the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari had taken practical steps to increase the stock of infrastructure ‘without infrastructure you can’t grow the economy’.

Fashola said that when this administration came into power what was budgeted for infrastructure was N18 billion but that the present government increased this to N260 billion.

The Minister said even if the government had gone into borrowing to build the infrastructure it was  leaving behind a stock of assets in ports, railways, bridges and roads which had impacted positively on the prosperity and economy of the people.

He said the government had gone into other pragmatic models like private sector partnership, SUKUK funds and then the tax credit by the NNPC.

“The debts are building roads and bridges, of which the Lagos-Ibadan road and the Second Niger Bridge are part. And it shows a clear difference between two governments.

“There are 44 roads, many of them are contracted but not funded, but now  funding is place. There is sustainability for the completion of these roads even if this government is no longer there.”

Fashola, however, appealed to all communities  obstructing the right of way of government, insisting that government would not pay right of way to communities encroaching into the rights of way of the constructions.

Speaking also at the occasion, Mr Lucky Osesua, Chairman, the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) while commending the NNPC for its intervention called on government to pay urgent attention to some critical roads which he said are  in bad states.

The roads according to him, included Benin- Sapele, Okene Auchi-Okpela road, Obigbo-Aba, Ogoja- Itu road and failed sections of Mokwa-Makera-Tegina-Kaduna border in Niger state  adding that an enabling road would enhance the unions performance.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Isaac Aregbesola

General News

Church cautions politicians on utterances during campaigns

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Some members of Secretary General of CSN, on Tuesday in Abuja

By Bridget Ikyado

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN) has asked politicians and their agents to be civil and respectful in their utterances, while canvassing for votes ahead of the general elections.

The Secretary General of CSN, the Very Rev. Fr. Zacharia Samjumi, made call, while addressing newsmen at the 2023 Media Parley organised by the Church.

The Secretary General of CSN charged political parties to understand that elections “are not or die affairs”.

Samjumi said rather they should market their party’s agenda and candidate’s manifesto through issue-based campaigns and discipline of language.

“Some political parties campaigns are often characterised by the use of intemperate language, the issuance of threats, character assassination and the spread of misinformation.

“We have also observed that rather than marketing a party’s agenda and a candidate’s manifesto through value-based campaigns and discipline of language.

” Some political parties campaigns are often characterised by the use of intemperate language.

“Also the issuance of threats, character assassination and the spread of misinformation and outright falsehood about their opponents.

“We urge all Nigerians, especially politicians and their agents, to be civil, decent, and respectful in their utterances as they canvass for votes and debate the country’s future.

“The political parties and candidates should understand that elections are not a do-or-die affair and remember that no one is so good enough to lead another without his/her consent.

“The candidates should stick to their signed peace accord and call on their followers to shun violence and thuggery. Only a peaceful election can guarantee the peaceful Nigeria we desire to live in,” the Catholic Church said.

Samjumi told Nigerians that the election time was a very opportune moment that must be properly used.

He said better life awaits Nigerians if they did the right thing in this election.

“To this end, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria have released a Pastoral letter on the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria, focusing on the decorum and discipline required for the free, fair and credible conduct of these elections.

“In their document, the Bishops reminded all men and women of goodwill in Nigeria that democracy cannot thrive in any society where the rule of law is frequently breached.

“We, therefore, call on all Nigerians, irrespective of creed or tribe, who are of voting age and have registered, to fully participate in the electoral process.

“The process which includes registering, collecting their Permanent Voter Card (PVC), voting and protecting their votes to ensure they count,” he said.

He said it was only with the power of the ballot that Nigerians could engender the true progress needed in the country.

He urged Nigerians to desist from selling their votes; rather they should vote by their conscience and good judgment, ensuring that only candidates that would improve their lives were voted into power.

“Youths should reject being used as thugs, assassins and electoral violators.

“We call on the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to eliminate the obstacles of high transaction costs associated with collecting the PVCs all over the country.

“To guarantee a level field of participation for all voters, INEC has a huge burden to guarantee that BVAS will work on election day in all the 176,846 polling units across the country,

” As well as the efficient electronic transmission of results from the polling units.

“This will engender transparency and ensure trust in the electoral process.

“We are aware of allegations of manipulating the electoral register in different parts of Nigeria.

“We implore INEC to investigate these allegations diligently, and anyone implicated is brought to account in a timely fashion.

“Furthermore, it has been discovered that multiple registrations happened alongside willful and incorrect entries of voters’ information.

we implore the commission to ensure that the necessary due diligence is observed in the accurate documentation and cleaning up the voters’ register,” he said.

On the Judiciary, Samjumi called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to make an example of judges who abused or will abuse judicial powers in the course of this election cycle.

He disclosed that the first Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria for 2023 would
hold from Feb.11 6o Feb. 17, at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja, and it would focus on the theme: Citizens’ Participation in Good Governance in Nigeria.

Earlier, Fr Michael Umoh, the National Director of Social communications thanked all journalists for the the annual media parley.

He advised them to hold up to the ethnics of journalism as that was their own way of contributing to a positive society. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Grace Yussuf

 

General News

Stakeholders brainstorm on improving Nigeria’s energy transition plan

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By Constance Athekame

Stakeholders in the nation’s energy sector gathered in Abuja on Tuesday to brainstorm on ways of improving the energy transition plan, using green hydrogen to boost power supply.

 

It was organised by German Government, African Network for Solar Energy and Renewable Energy and Energy Sufficiency Association (REEEA) with a workshop on Nigerian Perspective of a Hydrogen Partnership with Germany.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that hydrogen if produced from renewable power sources is climate-friendly.

 

This is due to its ability to be transported over long distances and storable over long period of time.

 

 

Ms Gina Lagunes, Head, German–Nigeria Hydrogen Office said that German Government was dialoguing with Nigeria’s Government, the public and private sectors as well as academia to develop an enabling framework for hydrogen.

 

Lagunes said that one of the achievements of the German Government was that it was in the process of finalising a study on policy regulation framework for hydrogen in Nigeria that would include energy development.

 

 

 

“We are carrying out hydrogen potential for the country and we are working also on establishing a working group on development of national hydrogen strategy, ’’she said.

 

 

 

On his part, Prof. Daniel Egbe, President African Network for Solar Energy, said there was an existing partnership between Germany and Nigeria in green hydrogen area.

 

 

 

Egbe said that the workshop was also organised to seek the opinions of Nigerians as the German parliament directed.

 

 

 

“The opinion of the man in street is very important that is why we have people from different sector gathered together to brainstorm on the perspective of green hydrogen.

 

 

 

“We have stakeholders from civil society group, industry players, government to voice their opinion on Nigeria and German green hydrogen partnership,’’ he said.

 

 

 

According to him, the goal of the workshop is to equally develop recommendations for actions for international green hydrogen partnership.

 

 

 

“It aims to promote understanding of the perspectives of these potential hydrogen exporting countries by discussing and exchanging with stakeholders through an online survey and stakeholders workshops.

 

 

 

“If we have to interact or corporate, it should be a win-win situation for everyone on the street of Nigeria to voice their opinion on any aspect that concerns them,’’ he said.

 

 

 

On his part, Prof. Magnus Onuoha, National Vice Chairman, REEEA, described green hydrogen as an emerging technology important to serve as a critical component in Nigeria’s energy transition.

 

 

 

Onuoha said that the workshop was to build capacity and educate people on the partnership between Germany and Nigeria so as to bring about active participation.

 

 

 

According to him, the job opportunities in green hydrogen are huge and important that Nigeria keys in by providing enabling environment and right policies.

 

 

 

“When we are sure that the right policies are in place and an enabling environment to drive the policies by 2030, you will be amazed what the green hydrogen will be contributing into the Nigeria’s energy transition plan, ’’ he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Julius Toba-Jegede

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