By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Wilson Atumeyi, Founder, Water with Development (WaterWide), a non-profit organisation, has bagged the 2020 Africa Youth Awards.

Atumeyi, who is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advocate, was selected among 10 nominees including men and women across different African countries, as the winner in the Advocate of the Year category.

With strong representation from South Africa and Ghana on the nominees list, the award also featured 18 Nigerians, 14 Kenyans and 9 Ugandan and Tanzanian nominees,

The awards shortlisted nominees comprised of 45 females, 65 males and 18 Organisations.

The Award ceremony which was held virtually, had no fewer than 129 young Africans and organisations nominated for the 2020 Pan African Awards Scheme.

The award is aimed at honouring young Africans who are championing the development of the continent in diverse fields.

In a statement on Saturday, Atumeyi explained that the awards scheme was inspired by the lack of recognition for young Africans who have selflessly dedicated their lives to making sure the future of Africa was guaranteed.

He added that “the award brings together like-minded young people who are passionate about the development and progress of Africa.

“The advocate of the year category is designated to award a young African who has adopted legal means to represent the voice of the marginalised in their community.

“They must exhibit courage, leadership and passion in championing their causes which must bring change to their community,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atumeyi’s WaterWide, is an organisation that tracks government spending for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for improved access to safe water in rural communities.

Atumeyi, through his organisation has provided access to safe water in communities in Nigeria and provided hand hygiene materials for over 430 households to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

He has also trained no fewer than 1,000 Nigerians on budget analysis and project tracking for water, sanitation and hygiene. (NAN)

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Chiedu Ebie, on his 50th birth anniversary on Saturday.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika on Saturday in Asaba, thanked Ebie for his outstanding contributions to governance in the state.

He said that Ebie’s contributions had remained commendable as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, and now, SSG.

He said that the SSG, an astute lawyer, had brought to bear in the governance of the state, his experience from his distinguished career in the private sector as an entrepreneur and oil and gas executive.

The governor urged him to sustain his contributions to state and humanity by enunciating more ideas and strategies that would lead to the efficiency and effectiveness of governance and sustainable development of the state.

He also acknowledged Ebie’s sound knowledge of governance with his core competence in strong leadership and execution skills.

According to him, Ebie has brought his wealth of experience to bear by providing leadership towards the attainment of the Stronger Delta Agenda of our administration.

“Over the years, your sound and unblemished leadership style as an industry player has endeared you to many people in Delta and Nigerians.

“As Secretary to State Government, you have exhibited absolute knowledge of your core responsibilities with your robust coordination of government in the state.

“We appreciate your role in the revamping of schools sports through the Zenith Bank Delta Principal’s and Headmaster’s Cup under your tenure as Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate you, my dear brother and friend, Mr Chiedu Ebie, on the occasion of your 50th birth anniversary.

“As you turn 50, your family and indeed, political and business associates and admirers, have cause to be grateful to Almighty God for having granted you a life of wonderful milestones”.

By David Adeoye

The Oyo State Government has warned purveyors of fake news to leave the state or risk sanctions.

Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Seyi Makinde, said this in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday.

The statement was a reaction to some online publications speculating that the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) was burgled last week.

The state government however described the report as fake news, stressing that there was no iota of truth to the claim in the story.

It admonished newsmen to always seek clarifications from relevant authorities to avoid the allure of fake news.

“Checks with all arms of security at the secretariat confirmed that the story was fake, unfounded and indeed an outright lie.

“Indeed, the original publisher of the story, Mega Icon, was so mischievous that he didn’t crosscheck the purported story with any government official.

“He only added a line debunking the story after an official of the SSG had questioned the veracity of the fake report.

“He had claimed to an official of the government that he had to publish the fake news because he was once shunned by officials of the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Surprisingly, Sahara Reporters lapped up the fake news, an indication that the integrity of the media houses is at stake.

“The story not only failed the simplest tests that newsmen worth their onion subject news stories to, it raised all the red flags of fake news, as it claimed that no arrest had been made without stating which police station the alleged burglary was reported to and by whom.

“The fake news had also gone ahead to state that imaginary valuables were carted away without stating what and what was stolen.

“Sadly, the purveyors of the fake news have also let down their readers by not being able to provide further details days after publishing the initial lie,” the statement read in part.

The state government further advised information carriers to always ensure professionalism in the discharge of their duties, stressing that responsible and ethical journalism espouses truth and the sanctity of facts above fiction.

It threatened that anyone who deliberately publishes fake and concocted report would be made to face the wrath of the law.

“There are constitutional stipulations that guide against publication of falsehood.

“We find it appalling that a media house worth its name would publish a story that has no basis and is not in any way close to reality.

“In fact, we can no longer doubt the fact that the purveyors of this fake news are out to blackmail the government in an attempt to rubbish the initiatives of the administration in the security sector.

“We want to, however, state categorically that the state will ensure no offender goes unpunished, as there are constitutional provisions against the publication of falsehood by the press despite the fundamental freedom of expression,” it emphasised.

The statement said the administration can no longer condone the excesses of mischief makers. (NAN)

South Africa’s Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel on Friday urged manufacturers and farmers in the country to prepare themselves for opportunities in export markets following the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

AfCFTA came into effect on Friday.

Patel, while believing the agreement could lead to more employment opportunities, said it could also help manufacturers in South Africa to expand to new markets available in West, Central and East Africa.

“Trade with the rest of the continent is a critical source of output and jobs growth. African countries recognise that industrialisation is critical to the development of the continent,” he said.

Patel said the agreement could potentially transform business in Africa though its impact will not be immediate.

“The new agreement that comes into effect today will take some time to be fully operational but has the potential to be transformative for Africa, breaking our dependence on a neo-colonial pattern of trade that characterised trade,” he said.

He also said this was a chance to build advanced economies and innovative businesses.

“It will take dedication and disciplined implementation over the next few years to fully realise the benefits,” he added.

The free trade agreement, launched in March 2018 in the Rwandan capital city Kigali, has so far gathered 54 African Union member signatories.

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa said the African free trade accord has the potential to boost the level of intra-Africa trade by more than 52 per cent by the year 2022. (Xinhua/NAN)

By Justina Aura

National Council for Women Development (NCWD) has promised to improve collaboration with Nigerian and international partners to enlarge interventions targeted at improving the status of women.

The council’s Director General, Mrs Mary Ekpere-Eta, made the pledge in a New Year message on Friday in Abuja.

She recalled the unprecedented events in the country in 2020 such as the #EndSars protests and the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown which impacted negatively on the economy of families, with women and children being the worst hit.

She said that the centre would continue to advocate for the safety, welfare and prosperity of women and girls by scaling-up its empowerment programmes and outreach to vulnerable women and female Internally Displaced Persons with life-changing skills.

Ekpere-Eta stated that “2021 will equally see the centre improving collaboration with Nigerian and international partners to enlarge interventions targeted at improving the status of women in the country.”

The NCWD boss, therefore, encouraged women to renew their optimism about life and position themselves for the opportunities the year would present.

She added that women in the formal and informal sectors should also be open to learning new skills, as 2020 had shown the importance of individuals and organisations being dynamic and ready to adapt. (NAN)

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) says it has concluded plans to roll out no fewer than 90,870 meters to customers in its franchise areas of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti in the first quarter of 2021.

Mr Tayo Adekule, the BEDC head of Public Affairs, told newsmen in Benin on Friday that the meters were allocated to BEDC by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Adekule noted that the meters would be distributed under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP), starting from Edo.

He said that the metering would cover four BEDC franchise states on selected distribution transformers covering 90,870 customers over a period of six months.

He explained that Edo would get 40,995, Delta 22,247, Ondo19,453 while Ekiti would get  8,294 of the total number of meters allocated to BEDC

“The meters will be distributed through the BEDC Meter Asset Provider (MAP) for its franchise areas,” he said.

According to Adekule, metering under this scheme is free and customers will not have to pay.

He, however, said that all premises have to be enumerated and shall be certified by electricity inspector before installation of the meters.

“Customers who have collected tellers for meters under the MAP and have not paid shall not pay any amount to acquire a meter.

“Any amount paid to the account of MAP shall be refunded in 21 days subject to customers providing the account details for refund.

“Twenty per cent of the meters are three phases while 80 per cent are single phase.

“Customers in Band A, which include those with minimum of 20 hours supply; Band B, minimum of 16 hours; and Band C, minimum of 12 hours of power supply, will benefit from the metering during the exercise.

“Band D with minimum of 8 hours and Band E with minimum of 6 hours of power supply will benefit from the metering in the second quarter of 2021,” he added.

Speaking on the court case between BEDC and Civil Society Organisations in Edo, Adekule said the lawyers of both parties had resolved to settle out of court. (NAN)

By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) on Friday call on Nigerians to continue praying for peace, unity and stability of the country.

Mrs Laraba Shoda, the National President, NCWS, made the call in her New Year message to Nigerians on Friday in Abuja.

Shoda said the call was imperative to foster unity and address security challenges in the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As our nation enter 2021, I want us all to pray for peace and stability in our country.

“We should remain fervent in prayers for the peace of the nation and learn to speak positive things about the nation for good things to begin to happen.

“Let’s pray for a better year in 2021. Let’s hand over Nigeria to God to reposition in accordance with His Will and Glory,’’ she said.

Shoda also said that Nigerians, especially women, should pray in their homes for divine intervention on the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and the world at large.

The president noted that women and children were believed to have a special place in the heart of God, therefore, we should continue to pray for God’s mercy over the pandemic.

“There is no doubt that these are trying times in our nation and I am optimistic that it will pass by God’s grace.

“The insecurity situation and the global pandemic have posed serious challenges to the nation and the world at large, especially as it affects health, religion, wellbeing of Nigerians and the socio-economic development of the country.

“I also call on Nigerians to take responsibility at this critical time, adhering to the precautionary measures, protocols , and guidelines released by various strata of government to prevent community spread of the virus as we celebrate the New Year,” she said

Shoda called on Nigerians to have faith in God, support one another and cooperate with government to contain the spread of the disease in the country. (NAN)