By Abiodun Lawal

No fewer than 286 officers of the Nigerian Army are taking part in the 2023 Captain to Major practical examination, to test the proficiency of officer for higher responsibilities.

Addressing candidates and officers in Abeokuta on Sunday, the Commander Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Kevin Aligbe, said officers would be assessed accordingly during the examination.

Aligbe added that the candidates would be assessed in the areas of mental and physical fitness, communications, logical reasoning among others.

He urged them to approach the examination with all sincerity of purpose, saying that cheating and other examination malpractices would not be allowed.

He said that the examination remained necessary, especially in the face of the current security challenges facing the country.

He explained that the current global security challenges, especially terrorism and insurgency had continued to be of great concerns to relevant authorities and no stone would be left unturn to combat the challenge frontally.

He noted that the examination would be based on global challenge of terrorism and insurgency, effective communication, logical reasoning, map reading among others.

Aligbe added that to be qualified and promoted from the current rank of Captain to Major ,officers must score 50 per cent in all subjects and 60 per cent overall aggregate .

“This practical promotion examination from Captain to Major for these 286 officers across the country and beyond is to evaluate their proficiency for higher responsibilities, manpower development, especially in counter terrorism and insurgency,” he said.

Earlier, the General Officer Commanding , 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen Muhammed Usman,
explained that the relevance of the examination towards building capacity for junior leadership to achieve national security objectives could not be over-emphasised.

He noted that the examination was meant to broaden the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of various aspects of military operations with emphasis on Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations.

“We are all aware that the aim of this examination is to evaluate the proficiency of this category of officers and develop their junior leadership capabilities for higher responsibilities in the Nigerian Army.

“I would like to state that your performance in the examination is a key determinant of progress in your career and it is important you all put in seriousness and determination to excel,” he said.

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris has appealed to Google for a safe cyberspace to enhance peace and unity in the country.

The Minister who made the call when a delegation from Google West Africa led by its Director, Mr Olumide Balogun paid him a visit on Thursday in Abuja.

“It is very important to find a critical balance between the negative and positive aspects of cyberspace. I think the role is on your side because you are the one that has the switch button to switch on and off.

“It is not in the interest of the government to gag the press or deny people freedom of expression. I can tell you that the president is not interested in stifling any press flow of information, but once information becomes dangerous, it can now become a problem for us, tear us apart and create confusion for us as a country.

“We know that information dissemination is critical to the survival of any country. I think it is important for us to have free press, a platform where people can express themselves freely.

“I think that once people communicate or put out information, it reduces tension and the menace of fake news. That freedom comes with responsibility,” the Minister said.

He said Google has an enormous responsibility to ensure that the freedom people have in cyberspace does not also translate to an avenue for anarchy for Nigerians.

“We want to stay united and in peace; and sometimes if you feel that the knife in the kitchen would be more negative and dangerous, you sometimes need to take it out and use what is available.

“We don’t want to get to that level.  It is a twin problem, but how you as Google navigate that is important for us,” Idris said.

Speaking earlier, Balogun said that Google in the last three years has trained over 3,500 journalists to use different tools for news verification, including digital tools to manage misinformation.

“We have the Google News integration team that helps news organisations across the world, including Nigeria through what is called “Google Innovation Challenge” to innovate and introduce new innovations to news organizations.

“One of the innovations that we funded, called ‘full fact’ is an AI technology that helps in fact-checking”.

The Google team pledged to support the Ministry by training staff on online skills. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to improve on innovation, local content and job creation to boost the country’s economy.

The minister made the called when he visited the Council on a familiarisation tour on Friday in Abuja.

According to the minister, the visit is a continuation of his tour to all agencies under his ministry with a view to helping and enhancing their operations.

He noted that the ARCON Act had been fully taken care of by the government, saying that the council was fully covered legally.

The minister explained that ARCON had the pivotal responsibility of regulating advertising practices and ensuring that practitioners adhered to the highest standard.

According to him, advertising is not only business but a way of engaging the nation, promoting its cultures and values to reflect its diversity.

“ It also provide direct and indirect jobs for our people, especially on local content.

“This is because, whatever we do, we have to see that jobs for our youths are protected and the economy also goes with that.

“I am committed to closely working with ARCON to promote innovation, because it is the key to remain relevant, especially in this age and time. I am happy with the innovation I am already seeing here.”

He urged the council to continue to evolve, saying ” If you stay in one place, then you become obsolete and everyone will forget about you.

” Our collective goal is to ensure that every sector in Nigeria, not only meet the international standard, but also serve as a catalyst for national development.

“ I encourage you to promote local content which you have mentioned earlier,” Idris said.

The minister said it was regrettable that so many jobs were being lost to other countries, adding that, ” in spite of our rich capacity which is the pride of Africa, we are still losing jobs to other countries.”

He said that Nigeria would not afford to continue to have unnecessary capital flight out of the country when its population was growing, with so many capable young people looking out for jobs.

According to him, if these jobs are allowed to leave this country then it will be a disaster for us in the future.

The minister encouraged ARCON to engage with its stakeholders, saying “the more you engage with them in the country, the better for us.

“It is better that we all come together and be on same page”.

He stressed that the issue of reorientation, national rebirth and reinstatement of Nigeria’s core values would not be realised by only one agency, thus, “there is need for all hands to be on deck.

“President Bola Tinubu is very keen to ensuring that Nigeria claims its value, so as to take our rightful place in the committee of nation once again.

“The Federal Government is here, and I am going to work with you very closely to see that this sector is grown.

“We cannot afford a situation where all the jobs that are meant for Nigerians are taken out of this country.

“ We have every potential. It is important that Nigerians play a key part in the affairs of Nigeria, and advertising should not be an exception to that,” Idris stressed.

Earlier, the Director-General of ARCON, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, brought the minister up to speed on the council’s issues, reforms and benefits.

He listed the issues to include use of local content, branding Nigeria project, advertising contribution to the economy, audience measurement for broadcast, measurement for other media and digital space regulations.

Others included, advertising offence tribunal, national advertising conference, issues with Facebook and Google, regulatory frame work and many others.

Fadolapo said some of the benefits included media house stability and rates review which had also eradicated industry’s debt.

The ARCON boss pleaded with the minister to inaugurate its governing council and help to reconsider the plan to remove the Council from the country’s budget.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that so far on the tour, the minister has visited, Nigerian Television Authority, National Broadcasting Corporation, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Voice of Nigeria and NAN.

NAN also reports that the minister will on Oct. 17, visits the National Orientation Agency and Nigerian Press Council, in continuation of his working visits(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Isaac Aregbesola

By Philip Yatai

Nigeria has deposited its instrument of ratification for the African Union (AU) Convention on cross-border cooperation.

Mr Adamu Adaji, Director-General, National Boundary Commission made this known in a statement signed by the commission’s Head of Information Unit, Mrs Efe Ovuakporie in Abuja on Thursday.

Adaji said that the instrument was deposited at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, adding that Nigeria had earlier signed the convention on Jan. 29, 2017.

“With this deposition, Nigeria has become the 9th country to have ratified and deposited the Niamey Convention at the African Union Commission Headquarters.

“Aside Nigeria, Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Togo have already deposited their instruments of ratification at the AU Headquarters.

He explained that the convention, otherwise known as the Niamey Convention, has a strong commitment by member states towards the promotion of cross-border cooperation for sustainable development of the African continent.

According to him, the convention is aimed at ushering in a regime of peaceful resolution of border disputes between member states.

“It also intended to promote peace and stability through the prevention of conflicts, the integration of the continent and the deepening of unity amongst member states.

“It equally provides an opportunity to share intelligence amongst member states.”

The DG recalled that Nigeria played a pivotal role in the conceptualisation of the African Union Border Programme.

He added that the country was equally strategic to the process that produced the convention during the conference of African ministers in charge of borders on May 29, 2012, in Niamey, Niger Republic.

He argued that the convention would no doubt pave the way for cross-border cooperations at the local, sub-regional and regional levels.

He added that it would equally ensure effective and integrated border management to promote growth, socio-economic and political integration of the continent.

Adaji urged all other member states that were yet to ratify and deposit the convention to expedite actions and deposit theirs.

He said that the convention was expected to come into force as soon as 15 more countries make their deposition.

The director general said that the Head of the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ambassador Aminu Nasiru has lauded the commitment of Nigeria in promoting cross-border cooperation.

He added that the Ambassador also commended Nigeria for strengthening peaceful co-existence and good neighbourliness across territorial borders.

The DG, who led the delegation, said he was received by Amba. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace, and Security of the African Union Commission.

He said that Adeoye equally commended the Nigerian government for its continued leadership position and determination in the promotion of peace and security in the African continent.

He added that the Ambassador agreed that Nigeria’s deposition would serve as a motivation to fast track other countries to take the necessary steps and deposit theirs,” he said.

NAN reports that the convention, also called the Niamey Convention, promotes positive relations between neighbouring States.

When it comes to peace and security, borders are a priority.

The African Union Border Programme aims for structural prevention of conflicts.

Nigeria signed the convention in 2017 as part of the side line events at the ongoing 28th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

The Niamey Convention, which was adopted in 2014, is to promote Cross Border Corporation at local, sub-regional and regional levels with the aim of ensuring peaceful resolution of border disputes.

It is also to ensure efficient and effective border management.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris says, the Federal Government will support the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to attain digital advancement and stay ahead of the curve to propagate government information with credibility.

Idris stated this during his working visit to the Agency’s Headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that NAN was Nigeria’s preeminent vendor of news content and conveying Nigerian news to the world.

The minister said his coming to NAN reminded him of the critical role that the agency had played and continued to play in the projection of the country ‘s values and national identity at home and abroad.

He pledged to work with the agency to strengthen its activities,adding that its vision entails commitment to excellence, technological advancement and continued dedication to the principle of journalism.

Idris said, “I know that modernisation is key to your operations here and to the operations of every platform.

“So, we will be paying attention to the modernisation process that is happening across the world and within the industry.

“On your part, continue to fulfil your role in conveying and providing high quality and timely news to traditional, electronic, and digital media in Nigeria and across the world.

“Also, you have the responsibility to help the country propagate the ideas and achievements of President Bola Tinubu and his administration as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“What I have observed from my familiarisation visits so far is that technological advancement and modernisation are a necessity in journalism.  Modernisation and innovation are going to be the key areas of my work.”

According to Idris, the ministry will bring all public media institutions under it, especially NAN, not just up to date, but to ensure that they stay ahead of the curve.

The minister charged the management and members of staff of NAN to continue to push themselves to evolve so as to remain relevant in the ever-changing time in the industry.

He reiterated that it was important for NAN staffers to evolve especially in journalism to stay ahead of time.

Idris said, “I want to thank all the hardworking staff of NAN for what they are doing.

“We assure you that we will prioritise your welfare within the resources available so that you can continue to fulfill your mandate.”

Speaking earlier, the Director overseeing the Office of the Managing Director, Mr Abdulhadi Khalil, said that NAN felt particularly thrilled when the minister recently said that he would tell Nigerians the truth and nothing but the truth.

“Our joy stemmed from the fact that your strong philosophy is in sync with the NAN’s philosophy: ‘Tell Nigerians the truth at all times.

“Since NAN was established in 1976 and it started operations in 1978, it has remained focused on serving Nigerians and indeed the whole world, through searching for and publishing the whole truth and only that.

“Currently, we have about 2,500 clients and serve them through our diverse services that include text general news features, photos, video and audio news, SMS news, PR wire news and many other services.

“To handle these services effectively, we have offices in all the states and district offices in most senatorial districts. We also have 12 zones with two in each of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones,” he said.

Khalil stated that NAN also had many foreign offices, adding, “but with the dearth of funds, only the New York office is currently functional.

He added, “With the advent of social media, there has arisen a huge challenge to NAN to do even more, since its monopoly of being first with the news is under threat.

“The challenge means that we have to scout for more modern equipment so as to compete favorably in the ever-competitive media space.

“Added to this is the need to train our personnel to handle this new equipment and use them optimally for the benefit of the country.

“We have prepared a document to the Honourable Minister which contains all these requirements.

“We shall be happy if the honorable Minister is able to go through it as we shall soon start knocking your door with concerns.”

NAN reports that the minister was conducted round the facilities in the agency by Khalil, accompanied by other management staff. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris has called on Nigerians to imbibe value reorientation and patriotism to enhance unity and progress of the country.

Idris made the call when he visited Voice of Nigeria’s (VON) Headquarter on a working visit on Wednesday in Abuja.

The minister said, “It was not for nothing that President Bola Tinubu renamed the Ministry to Information and National Orientation,” adding that the National Orientation had given the ministry a new mandate.

“With that, the ministry has a new mandate which is to tell Nigerians that we need to now recover and dedicate ourselves to a nation that we all desire.

“You will agree with me that value orientation and patriotism among Nigerians is at its lowest.

“The President is passionate about rebranding Nigeria and the rebranding needs value reorientation. So the mandate is to ensure there is value reorientation.

“National Orientation is at the heart of the ministry and we need to start with the platforms under the ministry.

“I also think our diversity should be used positively for progress and development, ” the minister said.

According to Idris, the availability of honest and credible information is the bedrock of any united and peaceful society.

He explained that over the years, trust and confidence of the people had gradually eroded, especially for leaders and those in government.

“We have reached a level where Nigerians don’t believe in what their leaders tell them. So, the starting point for me is to restore that confidence,  especially in government communication.

“And that can be achieved once you are honest, truthful, and patriotic in the cause for a better Nigeria.

“There is always a difference between a cup that is half empty and one that is half full. Let the cup always be half full in this country and once we imbibe that attitude, that will be the beginning of our unity and national rebirth.

“We need to believe in the country that we have.  You can travel from Lagos to Maiduguri without an immigration officer asking you for your passport unlike if you were in another man’s country,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Director-General of VON, Mr Osita Okechukwu, described the minister as a square peg in a square hole, adding that he came with a clean card.

“When he addressed Nigerians recently,  he said as Minister of Information and National Orientation, he would tell Nigerians the truth.  And transparency is the hallmark of democracy.

“We took off 62 years ago as an external radio of NBC, but have transformed into different nomenclature.  We have 17 offices in 17 states, but our transmitters in Lagos and Abuja have aged.

“We are trying to source energy-saving transmitters for which funds have been approved already. Our studio was also put in place by the corporate service CBN.

“We are trying to run on two platforms –  Short Wave and Virtual Radio – to have a presence in all parts of the world,” Okechukwu said.

According to the VON boss, the agency’s Establishment Act does not permit it to advertise.

“Therefore, minister, you have to be of help to us because we have some setbacks.

“We cherish the way you’ve handled government information so far. We are happy with you.

“All countries in the world have a fault line; anytime we are going off track, please let us know, because you are now the guardian.

“You are capable and have demonstrated that capacity,” Okechukwu said. (NAN)

By Philip Yatai

The Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has honoured four retired directors for their service to humanity and contribution to the development of the secretariat.

The directors, who retired after 35 years of public service were showered with gifts and accolades by staff of the secretariat.

The retirees are: Mrs Justina Pawa, the immediate past acting Secretary of the secretariat and Director, Administration and Finance; and Mr Aliyu Nahuche who retired as the Director, Planning Research and Statistics.

Others are: Mrs Grace Awe, who retired as the Director of Arts and culture and retired Director of Tourism, Mrs Marie Ochuonu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organised by the staff of the SDS, was also to officially welcome the newly inaugurated Mandate Secretary of the Secretariat, Mr Ibrahim Masari.

Masari said at the event in Abuja on Wednesday, that the retirees have spent the last 35 years of their lives in rendering quality services to residents of FCT.

According to him, the success of any administration depends largely on the commitment of its workers which can only be achieved through teamwork.

He called on the workers to continue to work for a better FCT Administration through quality service delivery for the good of all.

He appealed for their full support with a view to achieve the mandate of the secretariat.

The mandate secretary also solicited the commitment of the staff to deliver quality social services in line with the renewed hop agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“The success of any administration depends on the positive contributions of the workers.

“I, therefore, urge all the staff to continue to do their best.

“Let us do things that will speak well of the secretariat, especially in providing social services to the residents across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

“For the retired directors, I want to say you have done the secretariat well,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has closed two private schools for operating below minimum standard in the FCT.

The affected schools are Erudite Bright Kids at Kagini and Jane’s Angela School in Abuja Municipal Area Council

The schools were closed during an operation to close all substandard schools operating in the FCT.

The Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Danlami Hayyo, who led the team in Abuja, explained that the measure was to ensure quality of teaching and learning in FCT schools.

Hayyo said that the move was in line with the mandate of the Department of Quality Assurance charged with the core responsibility of proper accreditation of schools, monitoring and inspection.

This, according to him, is to ensure quality educational services, compliance to the requirements for the establishment of schools and enforcement of minimum standards as stipulated in the operational guidelines for Schools.

“In a normal situation, no school should be allowed to operate in the FCT without due registration, payment of dues and obtaining the necessary requirements.

“The secretariat through the Department of Quality Assurance is determined to sanitise the system for a better teaching and learning process.

“We will also intensify its efforts to ensure FCT schools compete favorably in the global education space,” he said.

He called on the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to enlighten their members on minimum standards and the need to key into FCT Administration educational policies.

Hayyo, also called for robust partnership of the private sector in the delivery of quality educational services to the teeming residents of the FCT.

The mandate secretary also frowned at the attitude of some school proprietors who denied evaluators and inspectors from accessing school premises.

On her part, the Director, Department of Quality Assurance, Dr Favour Nse-Edem, explained that the sealed schools failed to satisfy the conditions of establishment of regular schools.

Nse-Edem added that there were no records of their existence and has been operating for years, adding that the closure was key to maintaining standards in schools.

She said that the department would continue to ensure that both public and private schools operate within expected standards.

She added that all schools must operate in line with minimum requirements, duly accredited, registered and adhere to operational guidelines.

The director said that the closure exercise was with the approval of the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike.

She explained that the department had created awareness through public announcements in various media organisations on the need to comply with operational guidelines to provide quality educational services.

The director said that the announcement served as a warning signal to defaulting and substandard schools operating in an unconducive environment.

“There are other schools operating in an environment that predisposes students to health hazards and those operating in faulty physical structure among others.

“The department has continued to advise the schools owners on what is expected of them but have continued to ignore such professional advice of quality assurance evaluators,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Halima Sheji

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has ordered the demolition of a scavengers’ colony along the road corridor cutting across Mabushi, Jahi and Kado Districts.

Wike gave the order in Abuja on Tuesday, when he visited the area, officially known as ‘Road N12’ in Mabushi District of the FCT.

He described the colony, located behind the Minister’s Quarters in Mabushi District, as a “threat” to the security of the city.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the area had been taken over by scavengers popularly known as ‘Baban Bola’, including mechanics and furniture makers.

The minister, who was accompanied by a combined team of security personnel and senior officials of FCT Administration, added that efforts would be heightened to rid the city of criminal elements.

He said that such dens of criminals would not be allowed in the FCT.

He said that the colony was also encouraged by the thick canopy of cashew trees planted by the indigenous people of the FCT for speculative purposes.

Wike warned against planting such trees in areas where the government had mapped out for development.

According to him, the government will not pay compensation for the trees.

Wike ordered the Development Control Department and the Federal Capital Development Authority to clear the entire area and take a scope of the road for preliminary works.

“You should not compensate them. This is a hideout of criminals, and the communities should stop planting trees in the area.

“When they see that the government intends to develop the road, they come and plant crops for the government to pay compensation. We are not going to do any compensation.

“The Development Control must clear this area, chase out all these criminals.

“These are the kind of things you see that people commit crimes and then before you know it, they run down here for cover and people will be saying oh, FCT is not safe.

“It is not a question of giving them notice. There is no notice. You must chase them out now and clear the entire area,” he said.

The minister assured the residents of FCT that the government would do everything possible to reduce the level of crime.

Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Coordinator, Federal Capital Territory City Management Task Team, assured the minister that the area would be cleared of all structures and send the criminals packing.

Galadima, who is also the Director, Department of Development Control, said that the area was proposed for a transit road network that transverses the city across districts.

He said that scavengers had however turned the area into a colony, harbouring all kinds of criminals.

“With the security challenges across the country, illegal activities of this nature will not be allowed to continue.

“That is why we are not giving consideration to compensation; we have to secure the place.

“After the clearing the area, FCDA will move in immediately, nobody will come in and settle again,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani