The Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison (AHQ Gar), Maj.-Gen Koko Isoni, on Thursday inaugurated a General Court Martial to try 14 officers and nine soldiers alleged to have breached different provisions of the Armed Forces Act.
The court martial was convened at the Scorpion Officer’ Mess, Asokoro Abuja, pursuant to the powers conferred on him by Section 131 (2) (d) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 LFN, 2004 for the trial of Nigerian Army personnel alleged to have committed different offences.
The Garrison Commander in his inaugural speech assured the accused persons that justice would be done to all parties concerned by members of the court.
Isoni said that members of the court are men of integrity and high standing character who would bring to bear, their years of experience and service knowledge.
He named the Court President as Brig.-Gen. MO Eteng; while the udge Advocate is Maj. AD Roberts, adding that the duration of the sitting is 60 days
He urged them to eschew technicalities and do substantial justice to all.
He also advised all those appearing before the court to shun unnecessary delays that could prolong their trials, saying that justice delayed is not only justice denied, but not justice at all.
The commander said that the court is independent of his and challenged the court to carry out its responsibilities without fear or favour to anyone. (NAN) (www.nanews.ng).
The Quest International University (QIU), a private research-led institution in Perak, Malaysia, has advocated African-Asian partnership to foster the use of herbal medicine.
The Chief Operating Officer of QIU, Nicholas Goh, made the call during a tour of the institution with journalists from Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone on Thursday.
Goh said it was necessary for Africans and Asians to leverage emerging technologies to boost the use of herbal medicine.
He said medicinal therapies based on traditional herbs and plant products had long been practiced widely in Asia and Africa.
Goh noted that this vast experience in Asia/Africa over a wide range of products, diversity of applications and treatments could be shared by Asian and African countries.
He explained that Asian countries could offer and extend support to African countries as they had a comparative advantage in this field.
“For instance, most developing countries are short of research facilities, so it is essential for us to form partnerships to move ahead in that area.
“I believe developing countries should not live by western standards, but strive to enrich their nations by not depending on imported medicine,” Goh said.
He added that the production technology and marketing capacities in these countries needed to be more vigorously developed based on their knowledge and extensive use of traditional medicinal practices.
Goh explained that it was common knowledge that the safety of most herbal products was further compromised by inadequate labeling and proper measurements.
He noted it was essential to work on the standardisation of herbal medicine so that it could compete with modern medicine.
Speaking on commitment of the university, he said the main aim was to provide quality education while maintaining affordability, facilitated by a team of experienced educators from Malaysia and abroad.
According to him, Quest is also focused on producing well-rounded graduates equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed in a rapidly changing job market.
“Research and innovation form the backbone of QIU, with special research projects focusing on sustainable construction materials, technology innovations, health intervention, and food sustainability initiatives,” Goh said.
Goh stressed the importance of students gaining first-hand knowledge of groundbreaking research by working alongside dedicated educators.
The chief operating officer said the university also had a huge passion for social responsibility, with students actively participating in community service and volunteering for good causes.
Goh said the university’s student body comprised 10 per cent international students and 90 per cent of local students.
He added that QIU, which currently had close to 2,000 students from about 50 countries on its campus, offered 40 programmes and did not have any branch in any other country.
Goh emphasised that the university had not authorised any agent or anyone to collect money from applicants.
He warned against scammers exploiting prospective students and advised individuals to verify information through the university’s official website.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other representatives present at the tour included the University Relations Director, Pauline Lee; Senior Manager Digital Communications Department, Loghun Kumaran; the Registrar, Muhammad MG Omar; and Prof. Zita Mohd Fahmi, Vice-Chancellor of the University. (NAN)
Dr Mustapha Popoola, Executive Director/Global Impact Lead of Research for Impact and Knowledge Economy for Sustainable Development (RIKESD), says Nigeria can earn more than N10 trillion annually through a knowledge-based economy.
Popoola said this at the inauguration of the organisation on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the nation’s economy could be boosted by attracting Foreign Direct Investment ( FDI) through research funding into the country.
Popoola said that there was a need for government and private organisations, to invest in capacity building to enhance the development of knowledge- based economy
He said that there was no way to solve the nation’s economic problem without productivity.
”Until we have those things that we are producing either in knowledge-based or elsewhere.
”Once that happens across board it is not about categorization, everybody can sit down, you can see many innovations coming from various communities, the moment you have those little contributions, that is how to build the economy.”
According to him, what we are trying to do is to ensure that we harness all of that.
”In essence we are looking at a captivating knowledge-based economy that can contribute nothing less than N10 trillion to the economy per annum to our national income.
”The national budget today is about N20 trillion. We don’t know what the budget of the new government will be, that is without the knowledge-based economy.
”If we look at the digital economy and innovation alone it is very huge; assuming we now expand the whole knowledge economy, not only digital.
“We are talking about research in agriculture, in space, in the automotive industry, green economy, circular economy,
”We now aggregate that we are confident that N10 trillion naira will be got legally in Nigeria with the contribution of everybody in Nigeria in their little way, ” he said.
Dr Mustapha Popoola, Executive Director/Global Impact Lead of Research for Impact and Knowledge Economy for Sustainable Development (RIKESD)(3rd left) and other dignitaries at the official inauguration RIKESD on Tuesday in Abuja
He said that was the way the firm believed the economy should be disaggregated.
”That is why we are now coming up with this initiative to partner with government, industry, academia and funder.
”We want the funder to be interested in Nigeria, why they are running away is because when they fund they are not impactful,” he said.
The Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvänäinen harped on the need to make innovation a sustainable development
“Finland is a country of innovation; Finland is constantly ranked as one of the most innovative countries in Europe.
“So we know and fully appreciate what today is about making innovation in our sustainable development,” she said.
The former Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof Suleima Bogoro harped on the need for the country to invest in research to sustain its food security
According to him, one of the area’s one of the area’s president declared what are the causes of emergency? Security, national security and food security and that tells you the importance of food security.
”And unfortunately, the National insecurity has so badly affected food production and in fact has very sadly, retarded and destabilize the process of ensuring Nigeria gets food self-sufficiency, but more importantly, food security.
“For most nations, just talk about Finland now, with what Finland is today the economy of Finland that we see from the distance is largely agro based.
“And I think we have lessons to learn from that because look at all the manufacturing activities out there.
“Look at the products in our groceries, take a look, you will know that most of the raw materials are agro-based,” he said.
According to him, that is a message in just the case if you wonder why Nigeria will have the advantage in agriculture case as it were, the advantage is that our climate is convenient for tropical and temperate crops growth as well as the rearing of temperate and tropical animals.
“That is it because we have some of Nigeria’s region cold, cold enough to have temperate varieties of crops and, breeds of animals what that shows also, we stretch from the marine or the ocean to the desert belt.
“So we have all the advantages in that in that regard. Whatever types of crops we want to do, that maybe cross breeds, in most cases in the context of breeding now we encourage that we do the best for our indigenous breeds develop the environment for them nutritionally and all that best for them to compete with our temperate varieties of crops as well as the breeds of animals.
“So we have a challenge. Once a nation cannot feed itself, it is already a problem.
I still will never forget, I like to cite what happened to Soviet Union USSR of Soviet Union, I still remember was consequent to lack of bread on the table of the poor.
“Bread became too expensive for the poor, hunger was, therefore, the driving factor that led to the protests and balkanization disintegration of the Soviet Union.
“The center could not hold. This is a message for Nigeria,” he said(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Practitioners in Africa’s tourism, hospitality and travel industries on Wednesday urged African leaders to create favourable policies that could guarantee seamless travels within the region.
The practitioners said during the PYNE-NESG Africa conference that tourism in the continent was lagging behind, due to difficulties Africans experience in their quest to travel within the region.
They said it was time African leaders waded into the problem, proffered solutions and ensured that the continent developed its tourism industry optimally.
Alex Nwuba, President, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, said the penetration of tourism in Africa was less than five per cent when some other countries had occupied over 95 per cent.
Nwuba said Africa had not been able to yield the dividend of tourism due to problems like insecurity, expensive air and bus fares, lack of sufficient tourism budget, lack of tourism education, unsuitable policies and governance.
He advocated for a change in tourism policies and their implementation, so they would be capable of boosting movement of persons.
Nwuba said the AFCFTA dictates had focused so much on movement of goods with minimal attention on persons who invariably move the goods.
He urged Africans to cultivate the habit of travelling within the region to guide against capital flight, as they took conscious efforts to build African economy.
“Africa is at the centre of the world with the most beautiful nature, weather, beaches, deserts and all animals that do not exist anywhere in the world.
“We have all it takes to be world leaders in tourism but our policies must be looked into, we must make favourable policies that can guarantee seamless travels. Without free movement of persons, tourism cannot thrive.
“As Africans we must be hospitable, build trust within the African union. We must also learn from one another as well as collaborate to achieve greatness.
“Unless we open up the continent, domestic tourism will not work as well as intra-regional trade,” he said
Nwuba advocated culture shift in management of operational barriers to the development of tourism.
Also speaking, Julie Scott, President, SKAL International Council, urged African leaders to consider opening the skies within the region such that Africans would not have to get Visas to travel within the region.
Scott said Africans must learn to trust one another to make progress.
Malawi’s Tourism Minister, Vera Kamtukule, said “we are guiding our territories too much, it is an anomaly that must be corrected, AFCFTA will not work if we do not remove barriers, we need to look at value addition.
“Once new and favourable policies are made for seamless intra-Africa travels, the customs and immigration must be made to align with the policies.
“Tourism infrastructures must be harmonised across the continent, sustainability must be created. African leaders must be intentional about boosting domestic tourism.”
Earlier, Amaka Amatokwu-Ndekwu, founder and convener, PYNE Africa Tourism Convention, said the conference was necessary to harmonise suggested policies that could help achieve seamless travels within Africa.
Amatokwu-Ndekwu noted that it was worrisome to observe that Africa with huge tourism potential is still lagging behind.
She said all recommendation generated during the conference would be forwarded to all African leaders to act on.
She explained that this was the reason the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) was involved.
For Mrs Ngozi Ngoka, Thematic Lead, Tourism and Hospitality Industries Thematic Group (NESG), the outcome of the conference would be, to achieve profitable and sustainable tourism industry in Africa.
” We hope to increase tourism numbers in Africa through collaborations between countries and well defined synergy between tourism, culture, sports and the creative industries,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
By Adekunle Williams
The APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen under the leadership of Mr Tunde Doherty has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) hearing.
Prince Stephen Tella, General Secretary, APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.
NAN reports that the PEPT on Wednesday upheld the election of the President as the winner of the Feb. 25 Presidential Election.
The five-man panel of the Tribunal was led by Justice Haruna Tsammani.
This development followed petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; the Labour Party and its candidate, Peter Obi.
They were challenging the victory of Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 1.
Tella, said that CDC was pleased that the court had affirmed the will of the people and recognised Tinubu as the rightful leader of the nation.
He said: “This triumph stands as a testament to the resilience of our democracy and the strength of our institutions.
“We applaud the dedication of all parties involved in ensuring a fair and transparent judicial process.
“The court’s decision reflects the voice of the people who cast their votes in the spirit of democracy and justice.
“As we move forward, we are confident that President Tinubu’s leadership will continue to propel our nation towards greater progress and prosperity.”
Tella said that the party and CDC pledge their support and commitment to working together with the president and his administration for the betterment of the country.
He said this was a moment for unity, calling on all citizens including members of the CDC to join hands in the spirit of nation-building.
The general secretary said together they could overcome challenges, achieve their common goals, and build a brighter future for all Nigerians.
He prayed for the president that his tenure be marked by success, peace, and prosperity for the country. (NAN)
The Toastmasters (TM) International Club, a non-profit organisation, on Thursday underscored the need for leaders to always develop their leadership skills to achieve meaningful progress.
Nadine Mbikina, District-Director of TM Club, District 94, in charge of Southern and Western Africa, gave the advice in her address at the Division “E and U ” Town-hall in Abuja.
According to her, it has become important for leaders to place priority on investment in leadership development to advance Nigeria growth.
Mbikina said: “TM Club is a non-profit organisation, which helps our members to be better public speakers and inspiring leaders.
“As you know leadership is very important, all the competencies that you can gain in TM can build a strong leadership in our countries.
“TM can provide all those skills our young people need to be better leaders, particularly all the skills that can enable people to achieve successes.”
Panelists at the TM Club District 94 town-hall in Abuja. Photo by NAN
For his part, Kayode Yusuf, the Programmes Quality Director for District 94 of the TM Club, declared the readiness of the organisation to hold its district conference in 2024.
Yusuf said that it was an annual conference that would bring together TM from across 23 countries, to learn, have fun and network with other people.
He said: “Strategies have been put in place to ensure that we have a good conference in 2024; we are getting interest from our members across 23 countries.
“So, we are going to be seeing about 1, 000 people flocking into Abuja in 2024, for the conference.
“The conference is not just for TM alone, but people will get trained on leadership; there will be speech contest from all Area to Division levels.”
Yusuf furthfer said that some of the contestants would participate at the international convention scheduled to be held in California, in the U.S., in 2024.
High point of the event was panel discussion on marketing Toastmasters to non-Toastmasters and updates on District initiatives.
TM International Club with Division E and U, and Districts in Northern parts of Nigeria promotes improvement in public speaking, self-confidence, leadership and networking skills. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has urged Nigerians to continue to pray for an end to the security challenges in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Badaru made the call on Thursday in Abuja, when he received a delegation from Jigawa, led by the state Governor, Malam Umar Namadi.
He said that with the complexities of the security challenges and other aspects of national development, “one could only but ask for prayers to succeed”.
The defence minister, however, said that though the task before them was enormous, they were determined to surmount the challenges.
Badaru therefore canvassed for the support of all Nigerians, including their prayers, in order to entrench peace and stability in the country.
Earlier, the Jigawa governor who led traditional rulers, religious leaders, the business community and public office holders from the state, said that the visit was to congratulate the minister and assure him of their support at all times.
“It is not only to say congratulations, but also to pray for you. We know how you succeed as the governor of our state, we also pray for you to achieve same or even more in this new task as the Minister of Defence.”
Namadi reminded the minister that Nigerians have high expectations that he would priotise and deal with insecurity in the country, adding “once you can do this, it covers every aspect of the nation”.
“We are lucky that we are peaceful in Jigawa, but that does not mean that we don’t need your assistance, we also need your assistance as you help other states.” Namadi added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Vera Kamtukule, Malawi’s Minister of Tourism, on Wednesday called on Africans to drop their preference for western goods and take pride in their products.
Kamtukule made the call during the maiden PYNE-NESG Africa conference, with the theme “Tourism in Africa: Catalyst for accelerated economic empowerment”.
She said it was disheartening that Africans perceived western products as original while they jettisoned their products.
She noted that African products, culture and all must be deliberately upheld to pave way for economic growth in the region.
“It has become a problem that everything that is foreign becomes original to us, we need to be authentic. We must all stop dilluting the authenticity of Africanism.
“We need to celebrate who we are, how we look, how we cook our food, how we dress; we need to inculcate the culture of celebrating ourselves.
“This is the only way to maintain our identity and make progress just as we have been before colonisation,” she said.
The minister advised Africans to also desist from predatory marketing whereby certain African countries are stigmatised by some others.
She said this would only continue to create division which is not neccesary at this stage of African development.
“We must get rid of predatory marketing, we must stop condemning ourselves to make progress, we can collaborate, learn from one another to improve on all fronts,” she said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
Yobe State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing on two bills for to establish Yobe HISBA commission and related matters and Information Technology Development Agency.
Alhaji Chiroma Buba, the Speaker of the assembly disclosed this while declaring the public hearing open on Thursday in Damaturu.
He said both bills had undergone first and second readings and were committed to appropriate committees of the house for in-depth legislative scrutiny.
“It is in this regard that all stakeholders in the religious and information sectors were invited to submit their memoranda and inputs to enable the committees come up with people-oriented laws in line with international best practices,’’ he said.
Buba commended the executive arm of government for coming up with the two important bills.
“The Hisban Commission will, Insha’Allah sweep the state from all immoral acts and social vices.
“While the Information Technology Development Agency will afford our teeming youth with job opportunities,” he added.
Earlier, Mr Yakubu Suleiman, the Chairman House Committee on Justice, Judiciary and Religious Affairs, urged all participants to contribute immensely in order to make positive impacts on the provisions of the bills.
“Let me assure you all that the committees and indeed the entire house will study all inputs generated during this hearing with a view of incorporating them into the bills,” he assured. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Thursday sensitised the general public on the telecommunication frauds.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NCC did the sensitisation, tagged: “Shine Your Eye No Fall Mugu”.at Multipurpose hall in Bauchi metropolis.
Mr Umar Alkassim, Director Consumer Affairs of the Commission, said the sensitisation was to protect the public from fraudsters electronically.
He said that the sensitisation was also to promote initiatives such as to empower telecom consumers with knowledge for their protection within the telecom industry.
Alkassim, represented by Mr Banji Ojo, Head of Consumer Policy Development and Monitoring, said many people are ignorant of how losing their phones to fraudsters can lead to frauds of their bank accounts.
“These fraudsters do this by stealing victims’ identities, names, addresses, bank information, which they use in gaining access to their bank accounts.
“They also use the stolen identities to defraud other people and even apply for loans, leaving the victim with debts.
“The telecom industry evolves, there is a growing concern over the rising trend of fraud on telecom electronic fraud,” he said.
Alkassim said that the commission collaborates with critical stakeholders such as the CBN, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), EFCC, ICPC and other relevant age video in the fight against e-banking fraudsters.
On his part, Mr Adamu Gital, a Director in the Bauchi State Ministry of Cooperative and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Development commended the NCC for the initiative.
He said the initiative would help consumers to learn about protecting their financial transactions electronically.(NAN)
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