By Dorcas Jonah

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has urged stakeholders in the technology industry to mainstream women into the sector for gender equality.

The National President of NCWS, Hajiya Lami Lau, said this in a statement on Tuesday in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).

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

Lau said that the United Nations observance of the IWD recognises and celebrates the women and girls who were championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.

She said that bringing women and other marginalised groups into technology results in more creative solutions and had greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality.

”The non inclusion of women comes with massive costs and according to the UN Women 2022 Snap Short Report, women’s exclusion from the digital world had reduced one trillion dollars from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade.

“This loss will grow to $1.5 trillion by 2025 if no action is taken to mainstream women in digital world,,” she said.

Lau said that to change this situation will require tackling the problem of online violence, which according to the reports, 38 per cent of women had personally experienced.

The national president stressed the need for digital education that could increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement in the sector.

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

Lau said that the celebration of the IWD 2023 would explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities.

This, she said, would also highlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ginika Okoye

Commercial banks in some satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had yet to start cash payment, leaving customers stranded and frustrated in spite of the Supreme Court ruling.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who monitored banks in Nyanya, Mararaba and Karu in Abuja on Tuesday, reports that none of the banks have started paying customers over the counter or via Automated Teller Machines (ATM).

NAN reports that the apex court had on Friday nullified the ban on use of the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes saying the notes still remained legal tender until Dec. 31.

NAN reports that the gates to the banks’ are still being manned by security officials who barely permit the numerous customers with complaints to go into the banking hall in turns.

Some of the customers who spoke with NAN said the current development in banks was frustrating.

A customer seen at Zenith Bank, Mr Isa Abdullahi, said: “I have been here since 10 a.m. and this is 3 p.m. to complain about some failed transactions but I was refused entry.

“The crowd here is discouraging. They are not even listening to anybody here.

“Some people said that after the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the Naira will be released everywhere but that is not the case.

“We are suffering so much in this country. You will have money but you cannot access your money,” he said.

Also, Mrs Angel Abiodun, another customer at the First Bank, Karu road described the situation as annoying.

“I am helpless. I came to my bank to complain about my expired ATM car and also to collect some cash but I was not allowed in.

“If I knew that the situation will turn like this, I wouldn’t have deposited all my money in the bank even when they told us to take our old notes to the bank.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should do something and save us from this mess,” she said.
Also, some PoS operators also confirmed to NAN that the new Naira notes were still scarce.

A POS operator, Gami Johnson, said: “I wonder what is happening. We are yet to see the old or new Naira”.

NAN reports that the CBN is yet to respond to the apex court judgment on the old notes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, says it will be important for the future of the country that Nigerians do not let their differences divide them.

According to her, legally established process for resolving challenges to the election should be allowed to take its course

In an Op-ED titled: “The Elections of February 25”, Leonard said that the people of Nigeria demonstrated their dedication to democracy on Feb. 25.

However, that there were many angry and frustrated Nigerians just as there were many celebrating victories they believed were hard-fought and well-earned.

“In the coming days, it will be important for the future of this country that Nigerians not let their differences divide them.

“And that the legally established process for resolving challenges to the election be allowed to take its course.

“We commend Mr Obi and Mr Abubakar for their recent statements committing to take this path, and Mr Tinubu, who INEC declared the president-elect under Nigeria’s electoral framework, for acknowledging their right to do so.

“The United States is no stranger to election-related controversy and conflict.

“ As much as it can be unsatisfying to end an electoral process in a courtroom, in a constitutional democracy bound by the rule of law, that is where electoral conflicts may appropriately conclude. ‘’

She said it  was clear that the electoral process as a whole on Feb. 25 failed to meet Nigerians’ expectations.

“As I said numerous times prior to the elections, Nigeria has accomplished much in just the two-plus decades since the return to democracy, and a gradual improvement in the quality of its elections in that time constitutes one of those accomplishments.

“We recognise that Nigerians want that positive trend to continue, including through the use of new technology intended to make the process of reporting results more transparent.

“We, thus, reiterate our call on INEC to address promptly the challenges that can be resolved ahead of the March 11 gubernatorial elections.

“And to undertake a broader review of the problems that transpired during the last elections and what can be done to fix them.

“In all cases, INEC should share with the Nigerian public information about the actions it is taking.’’

She highlighted some of the remarkable results from the  past election that showed how Nigeria’s political landscape was indisputably changing.

“In more than half of the states – 20 – the winning candidate represented a different party than that of the incumbent governor.

“ Twelve of these states are led by APC governors.  For the first time, four presidential candidates won at least one state, and the top three each won 12 states based on these initial results.

“ In the National Assembly elections, even with results still incomplete, we already know that changes are afoot.

“Seven sitting governors lost in their attempts to win election to the Assembly; the Labor Party has won at least seven seats in the Senate; the NNPP has won at least 11 seats in the House of Representatives.’’

She said that the Nigerian people had made clear their desire for responsive and inclusive governance, and that the U.S. strongly supported the ability to express that desire.

“The United States and Nigeria are the two largest presidential democracies in the world, and longtime partners.

“As Nigeria goes through these next weeks and months, we stand with you,’’ the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng.

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Sylvester Thompson

Prof. Olalekan Akinbo, Expert Supervisor at Centre for Excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) says STI hold key solutions to curbing poverty and economic development challenges.

Akinbo spoke on the role of STI to national development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

“STI have been central in the progress and development of virtually all the nations of the world, contributing immensely to all sectors of the economy.

“STI are intimately connected with development because they have a historical record of bringing advances that have led to healthier, longer, wealthier and more productive lives.

“They are key ingredients to solutions to the most serious poverty alleviation and economic development challenges that we currently face and are likely to face in the future,’’ he said.

According to him, STI has been central in the progress made till date in the fight against poverty and in stimulating economic growth.

Akinbo said that advances in STI were in many ways the ultimate global for good public use, adding, ”because once discovered, their benefits could be extended to additional users at little or no marginal costs.”

He said in most basic and critical areas of human needs, STI have made significant progress till date, and that they hold the best prospects for continued progress, particularly in respect to agriculture, health, energy among others.

Underscoring STI’s role in agriculture, the NEPAD Expert said advances in STI had facilitated higher yields, greater efficiency and nutritional content in the world’s food supply.

He added: “Food production, however, must double in the coming decades to meet rising demand and challenges entailed in inter alia improving resistance to drought, pests, salinity and temperature extremes.”

Akinbo also mentioned raising the nutritional content and reducing post-harvest losses all in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

“At the same time, the regulatory challenges of assuring safety in food production and consumption will increase exponentially,’’ he said.

Accordingly, he said that although the necessary technology for increasing agricultural output was available in many developing countries including Nigeria, certain requisites were to be met.

Akinbo said these requisites were the will to advance economically, opportunity and organisation to use technology, elimination of political, social and economic obstacles to development, among others.

Explaining further, he said in the area of food security, advances in STI provided the foundation for the green revolution, and also allowed food prices to remain at historical lows for the past decades.

He stated that improved knowledge of plant biology and breeding techniques led to better seeds and cultivation practices that drastically increased yields.

In the area of economic growth and rural development, Akinbo said STI were tragically important.

He said for many years, policy makers had suspected a close link between economic growth and productive investment in STI, and that now mounting evidence supported this.

He said firstly, since the industrial revolution, developed countries have had the most STI capacity and have been the ones to grow fastest.

“From 1870 to the present, scientifically and technologically advanced countries have become increasingly wealthy, and their rates of growth have not diminished over the years.

“Second, returns to rural development have been shown to be consistently positive and high in countries where science and technology were properly established,’’ Akinbo said.

He added that in such cases, there was always a correlation between innovation and growth. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Ibrahim Kado

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) on Monday commenced a five-day training for 1,235 graduates under the NDE-Enterprise and Finance Counseling Clinic (NDE-efcc).

Malam Abubakar Fikpo, Director General, NDE, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the training in Yola.

Fikpo, represented by Mr Nuhu Bello, Acting Adamawa State Coordinator, said the training was simultaneously taking place in Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto and Taraba states.

“In all, a total of 1,235 participants have been selected from 18 states at the rate of 65 participants per state.

“The concept of the NDE-efcc was borne out of the desire to provide opportunity for business persons facing challenges to obtain solutions through experience sharing with other businessmen.

“Or through counseling sessions with the established business persons that are part of the facilitators of the training,” he said.

According to him, the clinic also seeks to guide them in solid business management.

He called on the participants to take advantage of the opportunity before them to succeed in life, as there were several persons without white collar jobs.

Ms Chikodi Ike, Head, Small Scale Enterprise, NDE Abuja said, the training developed as part of the effort of the NDE to equip unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions.

Ike, represented by Ms Aishatu Aliyu, Enterprise Development Officer (EDO) of the scheme, said that the training would enhance their capacity to succeed in the chosen businesses.

Mrs Na’amar Jonnah, HOD Small Scale Enterprise, NDE Adamawa, congratulated the beneficiaries and advised them to actively participate throughout the training to acquired business skills.

She encouraged them to also be entrepreneurs and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state and county at large.

Mr Bello Ishaq, who spoke on behalf of the participants, appreciated the Federal Government for the opportunity, and gave assurance that they would do their best and be employers of labour in their communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants were also counseled on the dangers of drug abuse by NDLEA. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Idris Abdulrahman

By Wandoo Sombo/Edith Nwapi

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Court of Appeal to vary the ex parte order made in favour of Labour Party and the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), with regards to inspection of materials used for the presidential election.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the appellate court had on March 3, granted leave to Atiku Abubakar of the PPD and Mr Peter Obi of Labour Party to inspect election materials used by INEC to conduct the Feb. 25 presidential election.

The court granted the duo permission following two separate ex parte applications filed by Atiku and Obi, who came second and third respectively in the presidential election won by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the application filed by the commission and sighted by NAN, the commission is asking the court to vary the order to allow it to reconfigure its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the March 11 governorship and state houses of assembly elections.

NAN reports that it is the sole prayer in the application of the electoral umpire filed at the court.

No date has however, been fixed for hearing of the application.

A credible source in the commission had told NAN that the application became necessary following an order restraining it from tampering with the information embedded in the BVAS machines until due inspection was conducted and Certified True Copies of them were issued.

Speaking off camera, the source said that the commission would require sufficient time to reconfigure the BVAS needed to conduct the election that would take place in the 36 states of the federation excluding the FCT.

According to the source, considering the number of BVAS required to conduct the election across the states, INEC needs to reconfigure the BVAS used for the Feb. 25 elections and deploy them to polling units for the March 11 elections.

The source said that the technical team of the commission had to be deployed on time to start the reconfiguration of the devices, which had to be done one by one.

The source said the order was pertinent as not getting it could result to a postponement of the Saturday governorship and state houses of assembly elections. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Lucy Ogalue

An economist, Hannah Ryder, has urged the next World Bank president to focus on infrastructure in its support to the African continent.

According to the economist and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Development Reimagined Firm, infrastructure is crucial to the growth and development of the continent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United States has nominated an Indian-American business executive Ajaypal Banga to be the next president of the World Bank.

This makes his appointment by the Bank’s board certain as this makes the development finance community optimistic for indications of his agenda.

According to Ryder, the nominee of the world Bank has never worked in an Multilateral Development Bank (MDB), or ran any before.

She therefore advised him to take a cue from the development oriented and impactful initiatives of the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina.

“Since Banga has never worked in an MDB, I have one piece of advice for him. Before he decides on his approach, he should speak to Adesina, AfDB president.

“For instance, over the 2019-20 fiscal year (mostly before the COVID-19 pandemic), the world Bank disbursed 14.5 billion dollars to Africa.

“But only a small proportion of this went to building new infrastructure.

“In comparison, the AfDB disbursed 5.1 billion dollars, the vast majority of which went to infrastructure. This was the right thing to do, infrastructure is crucial,” she said.

According to the expert, the continent, in spite of its size still lacks the logistical and energy infrastructure it needs to be able to trade efficiently.

Ryder said Africa also lacked the necessary infrastructure to manufacture pharmaceuticals on the scale that China and India does to ensure their health sovereignty.

“The continent exports more fertiliser than it imports in spite its need to improve the quality of food production.

“This is partly because the existing logistical infrastructure, which the world Bank provides small loans to rehabilitate, is mostly oriented to trade outside Africa.

“It will be crucial for Banga to understand how the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB), AfDB and other regional MDBs deliver better finance for their regions in times of crisis.”

On what the AfDB president might tell Banga, the expert said the bank was obliged to rely less on country teams.

According to her, AfDB staff unlike the World bank, are more diverse, with different theories about development, and its board structure is more recipient-dominated.

Ryder restated that learning from regional banks like AfDB would ensure the possibility and feasibility for greater contribution to growing the African continent. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

By Emmanuel Afonne

Oil mogul, Tein Jack-Rich, has congratulated Sen. Bola Tinubu, the President-elect and vice-president elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, over their victory at the 2023 presidential polls.

Jack-Rich, a frontline aspirant during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary that produced Tinubu as the party’s flag bearer, said this in a congratulatory message on Saturday in Abuja.

The philanthropist who is the Deputy Director of the Council’s Fundraising Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), described Tinubu’s victory as well deserved.

”I write on behalf of my wife, Mrs Elizabeth Jack-Rich, members of the PCC from Rivers State, and the entire APC family in the state, to felicitate with you and the Vice President-elect over your victory.

“It is a well-deserved victory and it was a keenly contested presidential election,” he said.

Jack-Rich also the President/Founder of Belemaoil Producing Ltd., said that Tinubu and Shettima presidency would usher in a new dawn for the country and promote inclusivity in governance for national good.

He expressed optimism that Tinubu would preside over a peaceful and prosperous country given his enviable track record of hard work, devotion and dedication to duties.

Jack-Rich, however, called for the cooperation and support of all Nigerians, including candidates that contested the presidential election, to join hands with him to build an egalitarian country that would work for all and sundry.

According to him, now is the time to build bridges for the good of the country and not plot to tear it apart. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma