News Agency of Nigeria
Ile-Ife history deeper than what is available in academic institutions — Ooni
General News

Ile-Ife history deeper than what is available in academic institutions — Ooni

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By Dorcas Elusogbon

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, has said that the history of the ancient city of Ile-Ife is deeper than what is available in academic institutions.

Ooni disclosed this on Saturday during the press conference on the theme: “International Conference on Ile-Ife and Yoruba Civilisation: The Nexus between Tradition and Modernity”, held at his palace in Ile-Ife.

He lauded the organisers of the event saying that it would pave the way for proper documentation of Ile-Ife history.

“As the 51st Ooni of Ife, in the third dynasty of Ife, i noted that there are so many facts that were not written down about the nexus of tradition and modality.

“Our oral tradition has not been adequately written down, so many facts and figures were distorted from the original history of Kaaro-o-o-jiire.

“For me to build the legacy for the entire Kaaro-o-o-jiire race, that is known as Yoruba people, we are discovering every day that our history is deeper than what we have in various academic institutions,” OOni said.

He commended the team led by Prof. Siyan Oyefeso, as very passionate and fantastic people working together to put history in the right perspective.

The royal father revealed that Ghanians had traced their lineage to Aga-Ako in Ile-Ife and that Euthopians are sons and daughters of Oramiya in Okerewe, Eredumi ruling house in Ife till date.

‘Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania categorically told me when i travelled to their countries that they migrated from Ile-Ife and they are sons and daughters of the source, while all these cannot be found in any archive.

“We are leading the team globally, nobody has documented the three dynasties, only the last dynasty, Ife Akanlubebe, which am the 51st Ooni, was documented to a large extent.

“But the two, Ife Oodaye and Ife Ooyelagbo, some professors talked briefly on them, but during this internatioanl conference, the duo will be deeply rooted.

“Their rulers, supernatural beings that form these dynasties like: the Luwos, the Agbaakos., the Oromos, Oranmiyans, all over the continents of Africans, the Bantoos, the Baribas will be dealth with,” Ooni added.

Oba Ogunwusi tasked the indigenes to support the conveners of the conference in order to properly document the history of their race.

“If we fail to do it this time around, nobody will do it for us, we cannot be waiting for any western country to continue with wrong documentation,” he said.

Earlier, Oyefeso, a Lecturer at the Department of History, International Studies, Osun State University, said the conference is an international academic gathering that needs the royal blessing of Ooni.

Oyefeso said that apart from royal the blessing, the conference would deepen the body of literature on Ile-Ife and Yoruba civilisation.

He stated facts would be established that Ile-Ife is not just the cradle of Yoruba race, but a place where Yoruba identity was formed.

“Right from the Oduduwa revolution to the three phases of Ile-Ife history, Ife Oodaye, Ife Oyelagbo and Ife Akanlubebe has not been put in right perspective.

“We want to ensure that Nigerians are aware that before the 51st dynasty, there had been three phases and its the third phase that his royal majesty is now the 51st Ooni of Ife.

“So when people talk about the history of Ile-Ife, they talk about it in generic terms, we want to draw that distinction,” the convener said.

“The main purpose of the conference is to invite body of scholars at the international, national, state and local levels to reexamine the existing literature.

“And to come out with a new original and unsearched evidence which might have been unresearched. A number of experts in Yoruba history, archeology would be part of the conference.

“Eminent scholars overseas and Nigeria that would partake in the conference are:Prof. Cordelia Osasona, Professor of Architecture,OAU;Prof. Oyeronke Olademo, Professor of Coparative Religious Studies of the Unilorin.

Others include: Prof. Akin Ogundiran, Professor of Africana Studies, Anthropology & History of the Northwestern University, United States of America and the 18th President of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists among others.

“In less than eight years of Oba Ogunwusi on the throne, there are a lot of changes in the architectural and infrastructural landscape in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife within the 60 years of establishment.

“Ile-Ife is now the home of tourism and hospitality, it is a great destination of today, Ooni is a proprietor of Ojaja University, Eyenkorin, Ilorin, Kwara.

“He established hospitality industry in the leading city of Nigeria today like: Ife Grand Resort, Ojaja Arena, Ojaja Cinema, Adire Odua hub, Ojaja More in Ife, Ede, Ibadan, Akure, Lagos among other cities,” Oyefeso expressed.

The historian said that Oba Ogunwusi had impacted greatly on Yoruba history and culture, encouraging archeologists and historians to partner by coming together to deepen their understanding, not just on the history of Ile-Ife but of the entire Yoruba race.

He said that the academic conference would hold between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12 at Ojaja Arena, Ife Grand Resort, Km 4, Ife-Ibadan Expressway, Ile-Ife.

“The Ooni has positioned Ile-Ife as a leading light in the making of modern Nigeria, embarked on several local and foreign trips to tie the loose ends and reestablish the cultural significance of the Yoruba race.

“Ooni is passionate about the preservation and restoration of the ancient city of Ile-Ife, since ascension to the throne,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria {NAN} reports that the conference would basically be on documenting the history of Ile-Ife in terms of culture, archeology, history, tourism, hospitality and international networking. {NAN}

 

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Tendering fresh evidence at Supreme Court is herculean task–Erokoro, SAN
Judiciary

Tendering fresh evidence at Supreme Court is herculean task–Erokoro, SAN

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Tendering fresh evidence at Supreme Court is herculean task–Erokoro, SAN

By Taiye Agbaje
A legal luminary, Mr Paul Erokoro, SAN, says tendering additional evidence at the Supreme Court is an uphill task that requires a great deal of effort.

According to him, the rules admitting fresh evidence at the Supreme Court are very stringent.

Erokoro made the remark on Sunday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the type of evidence that can be admitted at the Supreme Court.

He said the general rule is that additional evidence is not encouraged at the apex court.

“The general rules is that additional evidence at the Supreme Court or any Court of Appeal is not encouraged at all, but that doesn’t mean that it is totally forbidden.

“However, the rules for admitting it are very stringent.

“The first is that such evidence is going to be extremely material to the resolution of the issues in the case. That’s one of the hurdles to be crossed.

“The second hurdle is that such evidence could not have been procured during the trial at the trial court by reasonable diligence.

“So it is either the evidence was not available at the time of the trial or it could not, by any kind of due diligence or any reasonable effort, be made available.

“For evidence to be admissible at the Supreme Court or in any Court of Appeal, it has to, at a very minimum, satisfied those two conditions,” he said.

On whether there are provisions in the constitution allowing a party to tender additional evidence at the apex court, the senior lawyer said: “Most of these rules are case laws and the Evidence Act does not specifically make these provisions.”

He stressed that it is only backed by the rules of the court.

“In the case of election petition, the constitution requires that the proceeding be concluded within 180 days at the election tribunal which, in the case of the presidential election, is the Court of Appeal.

“So the Court of Appeal which may have power to admit additional evidence cannot have any jurisdiction if the jurisdiction of the trial court has expired.

“For instance, if a Court of Appeal has within six months to hear and conclude a presidential election matter and the six months have expired, even if the Supreme Court wanted to admit an additional evidence, it doesn’t seem to me that it would be able to admit such evidence after the expiration of the six months,” he said.

According to him, if such evidence becomes available, it is very likely that it cannot be admitted on appeal.

“This is because it may not meet the jurisdictional requirement which is that a court which has jurisdiction to do it, will it have done it at this time.

“And if the period available for the trial court has expired, there is nothing the Appeal Court, in this case, the Supreme Court, can do,” he said.

Erokoro said that the Supreme Court or any appellate court in the country had 60 days within which to hear and conclude election matters.

He said even though the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear the appeal, it would have jurisdiction only in relation to the appeal.

“The fact that the Supreme Court has only two months within which to hear the appeal will not revive the jurisdiction of the trial court,” he added.

On whether there is a period within which a Supreme Court can admit additional evidence, Erokoro said: “Except when it is dealing with matters that have come before it under its original jurisdiction, the Supreme Court doesn’t, generally, admit evidence.

“It is an appeal court and its function is to see whether the matter was properly tried at the trial court, and not to admit additional evidence.

“It’s just that there are few exceptions to the rules regards that and those exceptions, I have already explained to you.

“But outside that, the Supreme Court, generally, doesn’t like to admit additional evidence because it is not fair to the trial court which did not hear that.

“Two, you will not give the other party the chance to, maybe, gather evidence that could have contradicted that one.

“So that is why the rules are very strict and that’s why you don’t see it happening all the time.”

He said though the move could succeed, he described it as “an uphill task.”
When asked about grounds that an already decided case can be reviewed at the Supreme Court, he said though the grounds are not determined by law, there are rules of trial that are universal in Nigeria.

“One of them is whether due process was followed, admissible evidence rejected or inadmissible evidence admitted, if trial court failed to act fairly to both sides, if the lower court made mistake as regard the law to be applied, etc.

“So there are so many possibilities that the grounds of appeal can be built around,” he said.

Erokoro said though it was reported in the media that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate in the Feb. 25 poll, planned to file new evidence at the apex court, it was still in the realm of speculation.

“This is actually within the realm of speculation because I have not seen the evidence beyond what the press has reported and I don’t know whether those who issued the documents are prepared to come to court, otherwise, there is a risk of what is called, ‘documentary hearsay,’” he said.

NAN reports Abubakar on Friday sought the leave of the Supreme Court to bring in fresh additional evidence to prove that President Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the presidential election.

The documents Atiku sought to tender are Tinubu’s academic records, which were handed over to him by Chicago State University (CSU) on Oct. 2.

The 32-page documents were released to the former Vice President on the orders of Judge Nancy Maldonado of the District Court of Illinois, Eastern Division, Illinois, U.S. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

edited by Sadiya Hamza

Nigeria can’t be surviving on debt @ 63- Deputy Speaker
Economy/Business , General News

Nigeria can’t be surviving on debt @ 63- Deputy Speaker

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By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has expressed concern about Nigeria’s reliance on debt at 63 years of Independence anniversary.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ dialogue on the implementation of Section 45 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, on Saturday in Lagos, Kalu said the nation needs to be self-sufficient and independent instead of relying on loans.

Kalu, represented by Mr Nalaraba Abubakar, Chairman, House Committee on Loans and Debt Management, said previous governments sustained budgets through loans but an approach he considered not sustainable.

He also said that the compliance of the provisions of Section 45 of the FRA remains crucial to the banks and other financial institutions before lending to any government of the federation.

“Lending by banks and financial institutions is contravention to the FRA 2007 is unlawful,” the lawmaker said.

Kalu said it was imperative for banks and financial institutions to comply with the provisions outlined in Section 45 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act before they lend to the government.

He noted that it was essential to consider the authorised borrowing limit specified in the appropriation Act and adhere to the extant provisions of Section 45.

The deputy speaker expressed his disappointment that state governments were borrowing for consumption rather than focusing on long-term capital expenditure for production purposes.

According to him, the trend worsens the country’s inflation and inhibits economic growth.

Kalu urged state governments to explore their own potentials and enhance local production to increase internally generated revenue instead of relying solely on the Federal Government.

“We encourage states to stop depending on federal government and boost their local production, thereby increasing internally generated revenue.

“I commend FRC in its responsibility of keeping up with promoting a transparent and accountable government fiscal management framework for Nigeria,” the deputy speaker said.

He, however, expressed disappointment that the authorities in charge of monitoring inflow of grants into the country had no proper record of the grants.

“These grants do not just pass through the thin air, but by processes, which the commercial banks are involved in.

“It is important for commercial banks to liaise with the government by making disclosure on the inflow of the grants,” he said.

According to him, accumulation of those aids and grants are crippling the economy, which has become unbearable.

Kalu confirmed that the 10th Assembly was prepared to introduce legislation that would bring transparency to the processes of grants entering the country.

He said it also plans to enact a law compelling commercial banks to disclose the sources of grants, their beneficiaries, and who holds custody of the funds.

He noted that these measures aim to provide greater oversight and accountability in the management of grants in the country.

The lawmaker said: “We have billions of dollars coming into Nigeria as grants, but cannot pin point where the grants are going into in the economy.

“So, it’s important that the commercial work together with the government to rebuild the country, because a bouyant economy would also contribute in the activities of the banks too.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

25 states pass Fiscal Responsibility Law – Governors’ Forum
General News

25 states pass Fiscal Responsibility Law – Governors’ Forum

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By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) says not less than 25 states in the country have passed the Fiscal Responsibility Law.

It also said that 30 state have passed the Debt Management law.

The Director-General, NGF, Mr Asishana Okauru, said this while delivering a goodwill message at the Fiscal Responsibility Commission’s ( FRCs) Stakeholders Dialogue on Implementation of Section 45 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) in Lagos.

Okauru, represented by Mr Olanrewaju Ajogbasile, Senior Programme Manager, NGF, said that states were also domesticating core principles of the FRA, regarding fiscal planning and management.

He revealed that 15 states recorded an average monthly debt service that was less than 40 per cent of gross Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for 2021 financial year and total debt stock at the end of December 2021.

According to him, although section 45 of the FRA is the premise of the deliberation, all sections of the Act or state’s FRL’s, are reinforcing of each other in terms of delivering fiscal sustainability across the tiers of government.

“Unfortunately, certain flexibilities and a weak consequence system, renders full compliance a choice.

“Likewise, fiscal planning has largely remained unrealistic due to paucity of requisite data, low Own Source Revenue (OSR), increase in permanent and development expenditures.

“As well as the susceptibility to volatiles in FAAC, crude oil, inflation rate and exchange rate parameters, among others,” he said.

According to him, the NGF Secretariat will continue to advocate as good practice the tenets and provision of the Act through its engagements, initiatives and discourse around fiscal transparency, accountability and sustainability.

In a keynote address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr George Akume, said that the dialogue was organised to promote the need for subnational to borrow through the right channels and for the right reasons.

Akume, represented by Dr David Eze, Assistant Director, Finance and Account, OSGF, stated that the commission must adhere to laid down rules that ensure that government officials at all levels do not abuse the process of borrowing.

He noted that governments across the world grow faster and better through very good and strong institutions, rules and regulations, hence the implementation of the FRA 2007 is worthwhile.

The SGF stated that there was the need to urgently address some of the excesses and infractions of the FRA 2007, particularly with the banks.

Akume also demanded for adequate machineries to effectively control and properly manage public resources, as public debt lowers the future generation’s well-being.

He expressed worry that the private sector may be discouraged from investing in the states, if the government needs to service debt and also provide a satisfactory environment for investment in infrastructure.

“Although, it is believed that the efficiency and equity benefit of borrowing by subnational government outweighs associated macroeconomic risk, factors such as lack of institutional capacity.

“Also, quest to control subnational government impulse in running excessive deficit and the need to take their fiscal excesses in the area of borrowing cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

According to him, systemic subnational insolvency may impede the growth of the capital market, deter fiscal space for infrastructure investment, threaten financial stability and core public services.

Akume said that might create pressure on the Federal Government to provide financial assistance to ensure a continued provision of essential public services.

The SGF insisted that a disciplined borrowing processes was needed to avoid the potential long term consequences of subnational borrowings of fiscal sustainability and macroeconomic stability.

He stated that FRA 2007 was enacted to ensure the coordination of the national economy policy between various tiers of government.

The SGF expressed that the ACT also enables the monitoring of agencies that were off budget, but whose activities had significant impact on fiscal policies.

He lauded FRC for organising the meeting at a time when the Nigeria economy is faced with key challenges.

Akume said that the country needed to develop strategy on how to structurally reform the economy, move labour and economic resources from low productivity to high productivity sector.

“The dialogue is justified, as the government is damning to get things right from the beginning to avoid mistakes that have dragged the nation into huge domestic and foreign debt.

“Accordingly, this particular direction is to ensure that the nation follows the laid down rules and regulations, in order to ensure prudence, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and also to depart from such practices that have left so much debt for successive government,”: he said.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman, FRC, Mr Victor Muruako, said that banks and financial institutions in the country must ensure that their lending practices consistently comply with provisions of the FRA.

Muruako, a lawyer, said that to eliminate ambiguity, Section 45(1) of the FRA, all banks and financial institutions shall request and obtain Proof of Compliance with the provision of the Act before lending to any government in the federation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stateholders at the dialogue included: representatives of NGF, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Chief Compliance (NIDC) Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Chief Legal Officers and Chief Executive Officers of banks, among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Lagdo Dam: Expect flood in 9 states – NEMA alerts Nigerians
General News

Lagdo Dam: Expect flood in 9 states – NEMA alerts Nigerians

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By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted Nigerians to expect flood in nine states as Cameroon began the release of water from its Lagdo Dam.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the states are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa.

Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director General, NEMA, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja when he briefed newsmen on the release of water from the dam.

He said that the nine affected states which had communities along the banks of River Benue may be affected by the water release, which is expected to last till the end of October.

Ahmed said that the recent release had led to the displacement of communities and could lead to further destruction of crops and other infrastructure.

“NEMA has been alerted on sudden increased inundation of riverine communities and farmlands along the banks of River Niger in Adamawa, Taraba and Benue states in the past 48 hours.

“The sudden situation is attributed to the rapid release of water from Lagdo fam in the Republic of Cameroon and has resulted in the displacement of several inhabitants of the affected communities.

“Furthermore, crops, lands and valuable infrastructure are at risk of getting washed away by the flood waters.

“Situation reports from Adamawa State confirmed the upsurge of flood waters along the flood plains of River Benue.

“The situation is expected to be replicated in downstream states of Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa as the River Benue joins River Niger and flows to the Atlantic Ocean through the Niger Delta,” he said.

The director general also cautioned states and local government areas along the River Niger and Benue Basins to immediately activate their emergency response plans to avert potential damage and losses that could arise due to the flooding of communities.

Ahmed added that, so far, 159,157 persons had been affected by this year’s flooding, as 28 persons had lost their lives and 48,168 individuals displaced in 13 states across the country.

He, however, added that the agency would continue to provide further updates as it received more situation reports from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as well as frontline states’ emergency management agencies.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==============
Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Fiscal Responsibility Commission cautions banks on non-compliance to Act
Banking

Fiscal Responsibility Commission cautions banks on non-compliance to Act

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By Rukayat Adeyemi

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) on Saturday highlighted the risks associated with banks lending in a manner that contravenes the Section 45 of its Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Its Executive Chairman, Mr Victor Muruako, who spoke at a one-day stakeholders dialogue in Lagos, said such manner could also have severe consequences for banks and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

The dialogue was on implementing Section 45 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission began discussions with banks and financial institutions in the country to ensure that their lending practices consistently comply with provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act(FRA).

Muruako emphasised that although borrowing by the government and public institutions is a tool for development, lending by banks and financial institutions in violation of the provision is unlawful.

Despite the simplicity and clarity of the Act’s language, he pointed out that banks often approve and disburse loans to subnational governments without fully adhering to the provisions of the FRA.

Muruako said: “Not once in the commission’s verification exercises, has it confirmed that a Proof of Compliance With Provision of the FRA was specifically requested for and obtained by a bank or financial institution before lending to any government.

“Also, only one, out of a recent sample of 13 loans to governments across the country, had an associated ‘Cost-Benefit Analysis’, detailing the economic and social benefits of the purpose to which the intended borrowing is to be applied.

The FRA chairman said there lawsuits in courts across the country, challenging the propriety of some bank loans to governments and public institutions, based on provisions of the FRA 2007.

Muruako said: “The unsavory effect of this non-compliance, may spread well beyond the individual banks to the inside macroeconomic space.

“Since the commission has responsibility toward macroeconomic stability, we thought it necessary to hold this stakeholders dialogue to get the perspectives of banks and also stem the tide before it’s too late.

“I urge the banks and other financial institutions to support the bold macroeconomic reform initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“By being intentional in helping to reduce the risk of macroeconomic instability through ensuring that their lending practice consistently comply with provisions of the FRA.”

Muruako appreciated the leadership of Access bank for their support in organising the event and stakeholders in the financial industry for their cooperation with FRA.

In his remark, Mr Felix Obiamalu, a lawyer, advised the FRC to work toward engaging the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and carry them along to ease the implementation of the provision.

Obiamalu, also Associate Director, Legal and Sanctions, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit,
stated that the FRA should also be empowered to enforce compliance to the FRA.

This, he noted, could be done by enabling laws to sanction and penalise defaulters of the Act.

In his presentation, Prof. Uche Uwaleke of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, also harped on the need to curb borrowings from government at all levels.

He said this had become more for consumption, rather than for capital projects.

Uwaleke noted that government borrowings over the years had been on the rise, as the country currently has over N87 trillion public debt.

According to him, this is causing strain on government balance sheet and stifling the nation’s development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders at the dialogue included: representatives of NGF, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Chief Compliance Officers, Chief Risk Officers, Chief Legal Officers and Chief Executive Officers of banks, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

SMEDAN empowers women farmers cooperative societies in Oyo
Agriculture

SMEDAN empowers women farmers cooperative societies in Oyo

286 total views today

 

 

 

 

By Olatunde Ajayi

 

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has conducted training and empowerment programmes for selected women-owned farmers’ cooperative societies in Oyo State.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the primary objective of this initiative is to enhance the productivity and export potential of these farmers in the manufacturing and processing sectors within the state.

 

The Director-General, SMEDAN, Dr Olawale Fasanya, at the closing ceremony of the capacity building for the Women in Self-Employment Programme (WISE-P), in Ibadan, said the training was to enhance the production of high-quality foods.

 

Fasanya, who was represented by SMEDAN Deputy Director, Special Duties, Mr Tunde Oloyede, said that the programme included entrepreneurship and enterprise training, with a specific focus on Hazard and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and delivery of empowerment equipments.

 

According to him, the training package, designed to enhance the beneficiaries’ capacity, will not produce quality products that only meet the standards of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) but other international market requirements.

 

“This capacity building will also create a financial enablement for women cooperatives and their businesses on the needed sound footing for impact – in terms of pride, profit, and diversification.

 

“The objectives of this programme, therefore, include to encourage more women cooperatives to embrace processing and manufacturing food related products as a viable business option and to encourage the diversification of the economy away from crude oil into non-oil exports,” he said.

 

Also, Mr Ademola Ojo, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives in Oyo State, urged the beneficiaries to leverage the skills acquired during the training to expand and effectively manage their vocational enterprises.

 

Ojo said this would help them to focus on wealth creation and employment generation within the cooperative societies.

He noted that it would contribute positively to the nation’s economy and improve the standard of living for citizens.

 

“I wish to add that the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, will continue to provide an enabling environment for private enterprises to thrive in the state,” he said.

 

In his lecture, Dr James Marsh, a food safety consultant from HAACP Academy Nigeria (HAN), charged the participants to be mindful of food hygiene, food fraud, food terrorism, bioterrorism and food sabotage in their operations.

 

He urged the participants to always imbibe and practice food safety so that they could favourably compete with producers in the international community.

 

“Majority of ailments that people have is as a result of what they eat.

“Life expectancy rate in Nigeria is not an encouraging figure, we need to focus more on preventive medicine through food safety.

“Government also need to do more on food sensitisation,” he said.

 

One of the beneficiaries from Agricultural Exporting Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Dr Oluwatomisin Olatunji, said that the training had exposed the participants to food safety system that would ensure that Nigeria products are accepted both locally and internationally.

Another beneficiary from Olorunsogo Oba-Agbe Mechanised Farmers’ Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Mrs Damilola Bukola, urged government to ensure strict compliance with food industry regulations.

She said this would help to improve standard of food coming out of Nigeria to international community.

 

NAN reports that the two selected cooperatives were empowered with dehydrator for drying food products, slicing machine, power miller for milling dried products and automatic sealing machine for sealing finished products. (NAN)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Steel minister expresses confidence on Ejeh of Ankpa’s reign
General News

Steel minister expresses confidence on Ejeh of Ankpa’s reign

429 total views today

By Thompson Yamput

The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar-Audu, on Saturday expressed confidence that the reign of the new Ejeh of Ankpa, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed-Yakubu, will bring about peaceful coexistence and development in Ankpa local government Area (LGA) of Kogi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister made the remark in Ankpa at the official presentation of the Staff of Office to Ahmed-Yakubu as the fourth Ejeh of Ankpa by Gov. Yahaya Bello.

Abubakar-Audu said: “I am very confident that with your educational background, wealth of experience in the public and private sectors, and in business development, you will, beyond your traditional and religious roles, attract great investments to the great Ankpa Kingdom, Kogi and Nigeria as a whole.”.

“The Ejeh of Ankpa is not novel to the throne. As one who was born into royalty and watched your father and grand father rule his people in peace, unity and prosperity, you would rule to exceed the accomplishments of your ancestors.

“It is a prayer that every child becomes greater than his father, and so, I wish the Ejeh of Ankpa success, and many years of greatness and accomplishments on the throne.

“My relationship with His Royal Highness dates back to the times of our fathers, who shared the same value of fostering the unity, growth and development of the Igala Kingdom.

“We remain grateful to God Almighty, that today, we are alive to preserve the legacies of our fathers in the Igala Kingdom, Kogi State and our dear country, Nigeria,” Abubakar-Audu said.

The Minister, who extended his warm wishes to the traditional ruler,
described the Ejeh as one who was capable of ruling his people in a peaceful and united way to bring notable development and prosperity to Ankpa, Igala Kingdom and the country at large.

He added: “I join the people of Ankpa, Kogi State, and millions of Nigerians to congratulate His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmed-Yakubu, on the official presentation of Staff of Office to him as the fourth Ejeh of Ankpa.

“As he sits on the throne of his anscestors. I pray that Almighty Allah will guide and direct him to lead his people in peace, unity, love and harmony that will bring notable development and prosperity to Ankpa, the entire Igala Kingdom and Kogi State.

“I also thank the Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for his respect to the sacred stool of the Ejeh of Ankpa and for ensuring that the right person wears the crown.

“i thank the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bar. Salami Ozigi, for ensuring the success of the event,” Abubakar-Audu added.

He urged the people of Ankpa to live peacefully and united under the reign of his Royal Highness, irrespective of their religious and political affiliation.

The Honorable Minister attended the event alongside Gov. Yahaya Bello, the Kogi State APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, His Royal Majesty Attah of Igala, Matthew Opaluwa, Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and His Royal Highness Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

Also present at the event were the Governor of Kastina State, Dikko Umar Radda and the former Governor of Katsina, Ibrahim Shema, amongst others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Employment: Church tasks government, stakeholders on entrepreneurship
General News

Employment: Church tasks government, stakeholders on entrepreneurship

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By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Catholic Brothers United of St Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, has urged government and other relevant agencies to embark on strategic plans to make entrepreneurship an engine of employment generation.

The Chairman, Organising Committee of the church annual lecture series, Mr Gabriel Akhumegie, made the call in a statement in Abuja.

Akhumegie said that one of the ways to boost employment was to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of the citizens.

He said that in the light of the above, the church was set to hold its Annual Lecture series with the theme, ” The topic of the lecture Is, “Entrepreneurship drive: Tool for mitigating unemployment for National growth.”

He said that the choice of the topic of the event slated for Oct. 22, in the church premises, was hinged on the fact that, for a country to grow and develop, employment plays a key role.

“It is believed that one of the ways to boost employment is to encourage the entrepreneural spirit of the citizens.

“So, government and other relevant agencies should embark on strategic plans to make entrepreneurship an engine of employment generation.”

He said that Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State would be the Chief Guest of Honour of the day, while the former Managing Director of Eco Bank Plc, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan, would be the Chairman of the occasion.

Akhumegie added that three seasoned and experienced technocrats would be discussing the topic, with Rev. Fr. George Ehusani, the Director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, as the moderator.

He listed the three discussants to include Mr Nelson Akerele, the Chief Executive Director of Royal Exchange Prudential Life Assurance Plc.

Others are Dr Mrs Omotayo Omotosho, former Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Commission ( NTDC); Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, Partner, Apis Partner LLP & former Chairman, Renmoney MFB L.td.

Also expected in attendance according to him, is Sen. Emmanuel Agboti as the Father of the day.

According to him, Dame Emmanuella Fashola, wife of former governor of Lagos State, who also is a Patroness of Catholic Brothers United (CBU) would be the Mother of the day.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

16,620 girls to benefit from AGILE project in Bauchi State – Official
Education

16,620 girls to benefit from AGILE project in Bauchi State – Official

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By Rabiu Sani-Ali

No fewer than 16,620 adolescent girls will benefit from a viable education support under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, (AGILE) project in Bauchi State.

The Project Coordinator, Dr Jamila Mohammed-Dahiru, said this during a breakfast meeting with heads of media organisations in Bauchi on Saturday.

AGILE is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Education with support from the World Bank, designed to improve basic and post-basic education opportunities for adolescent girls.

Children in Nigeria, especially girls are being faced with challenges preventing them from accessing and completing secondary education due to socio-cultural, financial constraints, and infrastructural deficits.

The project seeks to tackle the challenges and improve education opportunities in 18 participating states, to make education more appealing to adolescent girls, parents, and communities.

The AGILE project consists of three main components which include Creating Safe and Accessible Learning Spaces, Fostering an Enabling Environment for Girls, Project Management and System Strengthening.

Mohammed-Dahiru said that Bauchi government had submitted its proposed Work Plan to the national coordinating unit and contributed N150 million as counterpart fund to facilitate successful implementation of the project in the state.

She said the state’s Project Unit had identified 120 schools and 30 non-formal schools for participation through a community driven approach to ensure sustainability of the project.

The project, she said, would be implemented based on a 60/40 per cent ratio for girls and boys in basic and post-basic schools across 20 local government areas of the state.

The Project Coordinator said the state planned to construct new classrooms to expand 60 schools and rehabilitate dilapidated ones in 60 other schools.

The schools, she said, would be provided with facilities such as furniture, learning materials and information technology facilities to make them functional, safe, inclusive, and more conducive to teaching and learning.

On Fostering an Enabling Environment for Girls, she said, the objective was to promote behavioural change which acts as a barrier to girls’ education through sensitisation and advocacy campaigns to promote girls’ education and empowerment.

“It also aimed at enhancing digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills development, to empower girls to enable them to be useful as they transit to adulthood.

“We have a Conditional Cash Transfer programme to provide financial incentives to the poorest households, to address barriers to girls’ enrollment, retention and completion of school.

“Each of the beneficiaries will receive N5,000 for the junior schools and N10,000 for those in senior schools per term, respectively,” she said.

“While the Management and System Strengthening component of the project seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity of federal and state governments to support girls’ education and empowerment.

“We also have a Teacher Professional Development programme and planned to review curriculum as well as the School Based Management Committees (SBMCs),” she said.

According to her, the state government will recruit additional 3,000 teachers to ensure effective management of the schools.

She added that teachers and members of the School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) would be trained to fast track effective monitoring and supervision for successful implementation of the project.

She, therefore, sought the support of the media in creating awareness in the communities to mobilise participation in the project. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

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