News Agency of Nigeria
Arab-Africa committee commits .5bn to food security programme
Economy/Business , Food Security , Health

Arab-Africa committee commits $1.5bn to food security programme

231 total views today

 

By Vivian Ihechu

As part of efforts to address the immediate food security requirements of member countries, the Executive Committee of the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Programme, a multi-donor, Inter-regional programme, has unveiled a US$1.5 billion Food Security Programme.

The hybrid unveiling took place at the headquarters of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in Cairo on July 6.

The programme has the specific focus to ensure the resources for a consistent and reliable supply of essential food commodities for the Arab and African regions amidst the ongoing global food security crisis.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the crisis is a critical challenge facing the world and continues to be a top priority on the international development agenda.

By emphasising its special interest in the food sector, AATB aims to leverage its expertise, resources, and partnerships to implement targeted engagements that address the specific challenges faced by member countries.

The Food Security Programme is developed around the four pillars of the AATB Programme, namely Trade, Investment, Insurance, and Infrastructure.

In addition, the programme incorporates a fifth element, which is capacity development and technical assistance, serving as a cross-cutting theme and an enabling factor.

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), commended the  AATB, which he chairs the executive committee.

He said that the committee is committed to supporting production across Africa as the continent was lagging behind.

According to him, Africa needs to deal with the very difficult challenges that it is facing because of food prices that are afflicting many parts of the world.

He said: “The global food security situation has been worsened recently. First, by the lockdowns, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused difficulties, all across Africa.

“Then Ukraine crisis compounded the problem by restricting access to grains that used to come from the Black Sea area, and also the fertilisers that were normally used to support production across Africa.

“ So, a continent that was lagging behind in terms of the fertiliser now found itself where production in many places could not take place because of lack of access to fertiliser.

“We recognise that in some parts of Africa, there are production going on and in fact, excess supply, but quite a large part of the continent, especially in the eastern and southern Africa area, shortages remain.’’

Oramah noted that of recent, the climate crisis had also become a big challenge to the continent, especially those living in the Sahel area, East Africa.

“And so, we’ve seen droughts and seen extreme weather, flooding, and so on, impacting production of food in those areas.

“It is estimated by different groups that more than 50 million Africans might be facing starvation because of lack of access to food.

“ It is on account of this that the Arab Africa Trade Bridges considered the matter.

“And as we have done in the past, especially during the COVID -19 pandemic, when we launched the collaborative trade pandemic response facility, decided that as a  programme, we should also look at how to support the continent.

“It is on that basis that the AATB and partners came together and put up a $1.5 billion facility for food security in Africa.

“As an African bank, committed to supporting the continent, I am very proud of this partnership and most thank our partners”.

Mr Hani Sonbol, Secretary General,  AATB, commended the initiative and said that committee recognised its importance for human well-being, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and interconnected development.

Sonbol, also CEO of ITFC,  noted that through the programme and associated initiatives, AATB aimed to contribute to achieving the SDGs and promoting inclusive economic development among member countries.

NAN also reports that the Food Security Programme is a key focus of AATB, reflecting its commitment to addressing the evolving priorities of member countries in crucial sectors such as health and food security for sustainable development.

By prioritising the food sector, AATB recognises its importance for human well-being, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and interconnected development.

The  AATB Programme is a multi-donor, multi-country, and multi-organisations programme supported by the Afreximbank, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Islamic Development Bank, and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

Other supporters are the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of  Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), The Islamic Corporation for The Development of The Private Sector (ICD), and The OPEC Fund for International Development.

The programme aims to promote and increase trade and investment flows between African and Arab OIC Member Countries; provide and support trade finance and export credit insurance and enhance existing capacity-building tools relating to trade.

The programme specifically focuses on supporting the key sectors of the health industry including pharmaceuticals; agriculture and related industries including textiles; infrastructure and transport; and petrochemicals, construction material, and technology. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

 

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Lagos seeks FG support in development of critical projects
Politics

Lagos seeks FG support in development of critical projects

163 total views today

 

 

 

Projects
By Oluwatope Lawanson

Lagos, July 7, 2023 (NAN) The Lagos State Government seeks the support of the Federal Government in the development of critical projects and infrastructure in the state.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the appeal when the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 45, Year 2023, of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) made a  courtesy visit to Alausa, on Friday.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, noted that the support from the federal government was essential for the state to effectively execute major projects.

According to him, most of the major projects undertaken by the state are beyond what a state can execute without the federal government’s support.

“One of such projects is the rail project which is currently executed by the state and this requires funding by the Federal Government.

“Lagos is the only sub-sovereign in the world that is funding rail line projects on its balance sheet by itself.

“We cannot have a population that is growing like this and we don’t have a rail, there will always be congestion.

“The rail is key and its financial implication is huge, hence the call for support,” he said.

Highlighting some of the infrastructural efforts put in place by the state government, Sanwo-Olu stated that some electric buses were recently purchased.

He said: “Another important project is the Imota Rice Mill, which processes 32 tons of rice per hour and this requires more land.

“In order to meet up with the required supply of rice to the rice mill, we partnered with Kebbi, Niger, Kano, Ogun and some other states in the South South.

“If we can continue to do this interaction, there is no reason for Nigeria to import rice.”

“In spite of all these, the population of Lagos is another challenge, as Lagos only occupies a small portion of the entire land mass of the country, whereas, the state accommodates 11 per cent of the nation’s population.”

He said that the  narratives must be pushed to the public and ensure that citizens understood that they must “grow what they eat and eat what they grow”.

Sanwo-Olu said that the institute’s visit to the state was essential, adding that the sub-sovereignty in the country could make changes in the lives of the people in the state.

Prof. Ayo Omotayo, Director-General, NIPPS, said the visit was to learn and understand how the three variables, namely: industrialisation, energy, security and climate, were being applied in the development of the state.

He said it was also to also collate data that would help in compiling a detailed report on the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Passenger traffic: How aviation fared in Nigeria in Q1 — NCAA
Aviation

Passenger traffic: How aviation fared in Nigeria in Q1 — NCAA

299 total views today

 

By Oladele Eniola

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed that 2,791,591 passengers passed through the nation’s domestic airports in the first quarter of 2023.

This was disclosed in an executive summary released by the NCAA and sighted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

It indicates that, of the 2,791,591 passengers,  1,391,560 were inbound and 1,400,031 outbound.

Also, the summary indicated a passenger traffic of 870,776 on international airlines operations in the first quarter of the year.

The breakdown showed that while an inbound passenger traffic of 375,700 was recorded, outbound traffic was 495,076 on the international routes.

In the first quarter, 25 foreign airlines operated 3,073 flights on the international routes, while 11 domestic airlines operated 182,88 flights on domestic routes..

Also, 1,193 complaints were received from passengers by the NCAA, on delayed flights on international routes, with 24 complaints of cancellations and six of air returns.

On the domestic flights, 101,028 flights were delayed within the first three months, with 284  cancelled and 28 cases of air returns

The report indicates that 499 flights were delayed on foreign flights in January, with Air Peace topping the list with 53, followed by Asky with 45, Qatar Airways, 41 and British Airways, 33, amongst others.

In February, delayed flights were 325, with AWA recording 30, Ethiopian Airlines 33, Kenya Airways 11; while in March, 369 flights were delayed, with Qatar Airways recording 32, United Airline had 1 and Air Peace recorded 64.

There were seven cancelled flights in January, 13 in February and four in March.

A total number of 25 Air/ramp return flights were recorded in the first quarter of the year.

Missing baggage were 9,087,  and number of those found was 7,942 on international flights, while 31 were found on the domestic flights.

During the period under review,  NCAA received 27 complaints from the international operations and 45 on the domestic flights.

Nine cases were resolved on international flights, while 22 were resolved on domestic flights. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle
AHF tasks NCC on digital sexuality, health education
Health , Science & Tech

AHF tasks NCC on digital sexuality, health education

256 total views today

 

By Justina Auta

The AIDS HealthCare Foundation (AHF), an international NGO, has tasked the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on access to age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and health interventions through digital empowerment for youths.

Dr Echey Ijezie, the Country Programme Director, AHF Nigeria, spoke on Friday during a visit to the NCC Digital Economy Department in Abuja on Friday.

The visit came as the world commemorated the 2023 International Day of the African Child (IDAC),  which had the theme: “Switched Up CSE Access Through Digital Empowerment’’.

The visit was to look at how the eight pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy (NDEP) would address the challenges of young people in supporting a digital environment sensitive to age appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

“Youths are empowered with the appropriate knowledge, skills of assertiveness and understanding for them to feel the perils and all issues that they might arise as they grow older in the society.

“Comprehensive sexuality education is important as long as it is age appropriate and comprehensive to empower the youths and make them understand what the facts are and live fulfilled lives that is risk free.

“This is the main advocacy and we are looking at different platforms to disseminate these informations that it will form parts of conversation, education for the youths to be enlightened.

“Many of them need to be informed about some of these things that they hear, see and because they have access to different devices and sources of information, so it is important to educate them so make informed decisions.

“If information is hidden from the youths and they find it from other means, which may be wrong. So we are trying to make sure that the information given to them is appropriate, correct and useful,’’ he said.

Mr Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF Nigeria, highlighted the need to equip youths with appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive and health rights.

He said: “AHF emphasises the importance of equipping them with knowledge and skills to navigate online actions safely, understand their rights and make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

“We call on African communities to support age-appropriate CSE, empowering young individuals to make informed choices and contribute to national development.

“Comprehensive sexuality education covers critical areas including abstinence, gender equality, human rights, gender based violence, sexual reproductive health, ensuring young people have the knowledge to protect themselves and their wellbeing,” he said.

Aborisade said the NDEP provide a platform for the commission to support the wellbeing of young people which allow unfettered access to age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

He noted that in spite global and national technology shifts, Nigeria did not have a national data on the state of digital literacy, which has implications for education, empowerment and health information, among others.

He, therefore, called for the development of a national curriculum and programmes for digital literacy skills, youths friendly digital health intervention, and emergency communication centres, youth friendly toll-free health line to improve access to age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

Responding, MS Olatokunboh Oyeleye, the Head of Digital Economy Department, NCC, urged the organisation and other stakeholders to contribute towards incorporating the required digital training in the curriculum for the different levels of education.

“We focus on online safety aspect of it and if you go through the website, you will see a lot that speaks on online safety for children.

“We want to collaborate and contribute to our sector and you should also bear in mind that when it comes to collaboration, we are a regulator.

“Look at your collaboration and how specifically does it impact on the industry and what role do you expect regulators to play that we are not playing and how do you want us to play more in those areas,” she said.

Similarly, Mr Hamisu Yahaya, an official of the NCC, assured the AHF that they would consider their suggestions and articulate it to the management for consideration. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Law Enforcement Agencies not debt collectors – Legal Practitioners
Judiciary

Law Enforcement Agencies not debt collectors – Legal Practitioners

371 total views today

By Ebere Agozie

Some Abuja- based Legal Practitioners have warned that Law Enforcement Agencies should not turn to debt collectors.

The Legal Practitioners gave the warning at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

The press briefing was aimed at addressing vital issues across various sectors of the country as it affects government policies, the rule of law as well as the economic stability of the nation.

Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi alleged that the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is deviating from its core mandate.

“The commission is beginning to give priority to matters bordering on contracts and commercial transaction as the commission is now deployed for debt recovery and ancillary matters.

“The position of the law is very clear. EFCC, ICPC, Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies are not debt recovery agencies.

“The commission of Financial Crimes in Nigeria pursuant to Section 6(b) of the EFCC Act (Supra) does not extend to the investigation and/or resolution of disputes arising or resulting from simple contracts or civil transactions as in this case.

“Accordingly, we urge the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to desist from intermeddling in civil and contractual disputes between parties.”

Mr Ganiyu Bello, on his part, frowned at what he termed as double taxation, adding that taxation must take into cognizance the hallowed characteristics of being fair and transparent.

“One of the fundamental issues that raised the hope of investors, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and business owners in this present administration was the principle against double taxation which was contained in the inaugural speech of the President on May 29.

“Sadly, as enthusiastic as this may appear, the extant laws in Nigeria has subjected citizens to various double taxation policies which is one of the many reasons why economic instability persists in the country.

“For instance, the trite position of the law is that owners of business names duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission is not under a legal duty to pay tax over the business name; rather such a person is expected to pay Personal Income Tax pursuant to Section 2 of CITA.

“Unfortunately, it is now a compelling practice for Business names to separately obtain Tax Identification Number (TIN) which consequently expose them to payments of tax while the proprietors of such business names equally pay Personal Income Tax resulting in double taxation.

They also called for law reforms and amendments for effective justice delivery in the country.

Mr Henry Kelechukwu said that another fundamental issue that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency is the massive overhaul or amendments of Nigerian laws by the National Assembly.

“It is not in contention that there have been numerous contradictions and irreconcilable differences in our extant laws, part of which are now responsible for abuse of office by public office holders.

“This serves as a clog on the rule of justice for citizens, particularly against errant public officers and offices.

“For instance, the position of the law and unarguable tradition in the public sector is that a public or civil servant is expected to retire from active service after 35 years in service or upon attaining the age of 60 years.

“However, the new Police Act, 2020 under Section 7 (6) provides that a person who is appointed as the Inspector General of Police shall hold office for a term of 4 years.

“The question that now begs for an answer is what happens in a situation where an officer of 59 years old is appointed as the IGP, would he retire at the age of 60 or would he hold office till the age of 63 when his tenure will expire?

He noted that sadly, the nation has witnessed an occasion where an IGP held on to the provision of Section 7 (6) to hold the office of IGP beyond the age limit stipulated for a public officer.

“Another statute which begs for the urgent intervention of the National Assembly is with regards to the provision of the Sheriff and Civil Processes Act particularly as it affects some sections of the Act.

“For instance, Section 84 of Sheriff and Civil Processes Act makes it mandatory for a judgment creditor to obtain the consent of Attorney General before enforcing judgment particularly monetary judgment, against the government or any of its agencies.

“This provisions has proven to be a hindrance to the rule of justice as many litigants and victims of tyrannical system and conducts of errant officers have not been able to enjoy the fruit of their judgment to achieve satisfactory compensation against the government and its agencies for abuse and violation of human right.

“This has equally encouraged constant violations of human rights as officers are not made to pay for their unruly attitude,” he said.

They, therefore, called on the National Assembly to, as matter of urgency, take a critical appraisal and review of laws with the aim of carrying out a massive amendments that will meet the contemporary challenges of the nation and her citizens. (NAN)

Edited by Vincent Obi

USIP strengthens partnership with Kaduna Govt on peace building
General News

USIP strengthens partnership with Kaduna Govt on peace building

174 total views today

By Angela Atabo

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has reiterated its commitment to strengthen partnership with the Kaduna State Government on peace building.

The Acting Country Director of the institute, Dr Chris Kwaja, made the promise in Kaduna on Thursday, during a meeting with Mr Atiku Sankey, Special Adviser to Gov. Uba Sani on Peacebuilding.

Kwaja said that the USIP has been working with the Kaduna State Peace Commission to strengthen the state’s peace building efforts.

He explained that the visit, was to introduce the institute and its peace building initiatives in the state since 2016 to the new administration.

“We are here to congratulate the new government in Kaduna State and understand the focus of the government on peacebuilding.

“This will enable USIP to determine how to support the peace building process with a view to achieve lasting peace in the state.

“USIP has trained and supported six peace facilitators in Kaduna, through its Network of Nigerian Facilitators project.

“The facilitators were expected to organise dialogues in their various communities that will help address conflicts by promoting peace,” he said.

Kwaja added that USIP would continue to partner with the Kaduna State Peace Commission and extend the peace building platform to other peace builders across the state and the country.

He said that USIP Country Office has concluded plans to bring stakeholders together within the month, to appraise its peace building efforts and to roll out future plans.

Responding, Sankey thanked Kwaja and USIP for the sustained support to promote peace in Kaduna state.

He said that the Sani-led administration was committed to uniting the people as against the current divide along ethnic and religious lines.

“The current government is already doing this through inclusive governance while jettisoning divisive politics which is the key driver of hate, intolerance, and violent confrontations,” he said.

Sankey reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Sani-led government to heal the pains of the people and reconcile them to live in peace and harmony with one another. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Philip Yatai

Olotu assumes duty as 20th Commandant of NDC
Defence/Security

Olotu assumes duty as 20th Commandant of NDC

173 total views today

 

By Monday Ijeh

Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu has assumed duty as the 20th Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC) with a pledge to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, Rear Adm, Murtala Bashir.

Olotu, at an event to mark the signing of the handover and takeover note on Thursday in Abuja said he would toe the lines of his predecessor.

He said his administration would focus on the development of academic programme of the college, infrastructure and staff welfare.

“I have listened very attentively to the remarks by the immediate past commandant and for every word he said, it was as if I was the one making the remarks.

“We are two people of very like minds because in his remark, he talked about the academic programme of the college which in my mind is the main essence of the college.

“He talked about infrastructural development of the college which of course is very important to the academic programme of the college.

“He talked about the welfare of personnel which is key because without it, there will be no motivation for the work force.

“So in the same vein, I intend to toe the same line because we have gone round all the college facilities and spent time to deliberate on ongoing programme,” he said.

Olotu called for support and cooperation from members of the college, which he said were necessary for him to succeed.

He pledged to run an open door policy and carry every member of staff  along in the running of the college.

Earlier, the immediate past commandant, commended members of the college for the support and cooperation offered to him during his administration.

Bashir said the focus of his administration upon assumption of office in January, 2022 was in the area of curriculum, infrastructure and welfare of staff.

“For the curriculum, I felt we needed to inject some things to make it more responsive to current and emerging issues globally.”

He said his administration was able to embed Masters programme in the 11 months duration of the Higher Strategic Course.

“As it is now, the participants will spend 11 months and get their masters degree without going to University of Ibadan or Nigeria Defence Academy.

“The only challenge left in this direction is that participants still go back to the institutions for their convocation.

“So going forward, it is important for the college to restructure the centre in liaison with the National Universities Commission to upgrade the institution to a full fledged university.

“`By doing that, we will be able to domicile the master degree completely in the college by having the participant have their convocation in the college instead going to other institutions,” he said.

He called on the new commandant to step up efforts to make the college a full ffledged niversity for the Masters Programme. (NAN)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

AHF tasks NCC on digital sexuality, health education
Health

AHF tasks NCC on digital sexuality, health education

187 total views today

By Justina Auta

The AIDS HealthCare Foundation (AHF), an international NGO, has tasked the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) on access to age-approporiate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and health interventions through digital empowerment for youths.

AHF gave the task on Friday during a visit to the NCC Digital Economy Department in Abuja in commemoration of the 2023 International Day of the African Child (IDAC), with a theme: “Switched Up CSE Access through digital empowerment’’.

Dr Echey Ijezie, the Country Programme Director, AHF Nigeria, said the visit was to look at how the eight pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy (NDEP) would address the challenges of young people in supporting a digital environment that is sensitive to age appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

“Youths are empowered with the appropriate knowledge, skills of assertiveness and understanding for them to feel the perils and all issues that they might arise as they grow older in the society.

“Comprehensive sexuality education is important as long as it is age appropriate and comprehensive to empower the youths and make them understand what the facts are and live fulfilled lives that is risk free.

“This is the main advocacy and we are looking at different platforms to disseminate these informations that it will form parts of conversation, education for the youths to be enlightened.

“Many of them need to be informed about some of these things that they hear, see and because they have access to different devices and sources of information, so it is important to educate them so make informed decisions.

“If information is hidden from the youths and they find it from other means, which may be wrong. So we are trying to make sure that the information given to them is appropriate, correct and useful,’’ he said.

Mr Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, highlighted the need to equip youths with appropriate knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive and health rights.

He said: “AHF emphasises the importance of equipping them with knowledge and skills to navigate online actions safely, understand their rights and make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

“We call on African communities to support age-appropriate CSE, empowering young individuals to make informed choices and contribute to national development.

“Comprehensive sexuality education covers critical areas including abstinence, gender equality, human rights, gender based violence, sexual reproductive health, ensuring young people have the knowledge to protect themselves and their wellbeing,” he said.

Aborisade said the NDEP provide a platform for the commission to support the wellbeing of young people which allow unfettered access to age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

He noted that despite the global and national technology shifts, Nigeria does not have a national data on the state of digital literacy, which has implications for education, empowerment and health information, among others.

He therefore called for the development of a national curriculum and programmes for digital literacy skills, youths friendly digital health intervention, and emergency communication centres, youth friendly toll-free health line to improve access to age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education.

Responding, MS Olatokunboh Oyeleye, the Head of Digital Economy Department, NCC, urged the organisation and other stakeholders to contribute towards incorporating the required digital training in the curriculum for the different levels of education.

“We focus on online safety aspect of it and if you go through the website, you will see a lot that speaks on online safety for children.

“We want to collaborate and contribute to our sector and you should also bear in mind that when it comes to collaboration, we are a regulator.

“Look at your collaboration and how specifically does it impact on the industry and what role do you expect regulators to play that we are not playing and how do you want us to play more in those areas,” she said.

Similarly, Mr Hamisu Yahaya, an official of the NCC, assured the AHF that they would consider their suggestions and articulate it to the management for consideration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that students from Victory of God International Academy, Apo, and Chinakwe Internationl School, Dakibiyu, Jabi, featured at the IDAC event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NUC charges African universities on skills to address unemployment
Education

NUC charges African universities on skills to address unemployment

172 total views today

 

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The National Universities Commission (NUC), has called on African universities to recognise the value of forging partnerships with institutions worldwide to provide students with skills needed for employment.

The Acting Executive Secretary, NUC, Mr Chris Maiyaki, gave the advice at the 3rd Annual Conference of the Forum for Innovation in African Universities (FIAU) in Abuja on Friday.

The conference has the theme: “Strengthening Africa’s Higher Education in a Post COVID-19 world.”

Maiyaki said that embracing international collaborations would enable universities to tap into a wealth of expertise, resources, and opportunities for their students and faculties.

While noting that there is a challenge of resource constraint faced by universities across Africa, he said that to address the situation, the institutions require strategic partnerships.

“Collaboration with governments, private sector entities, philanthropic organisations, and international development agencies is crucial in pooling resources, sharing expertise, and creating sustainable funding models,” he said.

He added that the commission had championed the development of guidelines for the implementation of Transnational Education (TNE) in Nigeria for the purpose of partnering with other institutions abroad.

“TNE presents a wide range of opportunities such as increasing access to higher education for our youth and promoting strategic alliances between countries and regions.

“These partnerships must, however, be built on mutual respect, shared objectives, and a commitment to nurturing talent and promoting global citizenship,” he said.

Maiyaki stressed the need to integrate technology into the delivery of university education to ensure its resilience in a Post-COVID-19 world.

He said this would help in harnessing the power of innovation and also make the institutions to foster sustainable university-industry partnerships that transcend traditional boundaries.

“These partnerships will allow us to align our curricula with the evolving needs of the job market, creating graduates who are not only well-versed in theory but also possess the practical skills demanded by employers.

“Furthermore, collaboration with industries will enable our universities to conduct impactful research that addresses real-world challenges that continue to impact mankind, so as to secure tangible socio-economic development,” he added.

He called on university academia to ensure collective responsibility to address the challenges before it and forge a path towards a stronger and more resilient future for higher education in Africa.

He said to ensure that graduates of the continent are fully equipped with the required skills and knowledge to succeed in the 21st Century, there is a need to constantly strive to improve and update educational programmes in consonance with the realities of global best practices.

He said that higher education must shift to offer every student opportunities for the continuous refinement of the skills needed for employment in a competitive world.

“One of such innovative steps is taken recently by the NUC as part of its efforts to reposition the Nigerian University System for excellence and global competitiveness.

” This initiative was the launch of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for the 17 disciplines in the Nigerian University System, with emphasis on the acquisition of 21st Century employability and entrepreneurial skills.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr David Adejo, said there was a great prospect for African universities to make progress in the Post-COVID-19 era.

Adejo said that Africa is fortunate because predictions about the severity of the pandemic in the continent did come true.

He, however, said the continent had not been able to properly deal with the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, saying forum for Innovation in African Universities (FIAU), in 2019 was a direct response to the adverse effects of the pandemic on the educational sector in Africa.

He commended FIAU for encouraging knowledge exchange and working closely with regional and global partners to pool resources to support African universities, adding that it is what the continent needs to enable it overcome its challenges.

Meanwhile, the FIAU co-Founder, Prof. Pascal Anosike, in a remark, said that African universities had made remarkable progress in the areas of curriculum review and private sector investment, but more still needed to be done in widening access and improving employability rate.

Anosike called for the use of modern technology to support students’ learning, adding that his organisation would strengthen the capacity of African universities to tackle these challenges. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

NVMA wants FG to establish Ministry of veterinary medicine
Agriculture , Health

NVMA wants FG to establish Ministry of veterinary medicine

281 total views today

By Felicia Imohimi

Dr Ifeanyi Ogbu, Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), FCT Chapter has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to establish Federal Ministry of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health.

Ogbu made the call on the sideline of the workshop on Animal (Diseases) Control Act 2022 in Abuja.

The workshop was organised by the Division of Veterinary Epidemiology Department of Veterinary Services, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

He said that the creation of the ministry would ensure speedy control of diseases transmitted from animals to human beings.

According to him, the ministry can generate revenue for the government and create job opportunities for number of veterinary doctors graduating from numerous universities across the country.

“President Tinubu should consider making veterinary medicine a separate ministry in Nigeria, we know that he has the capacity to do it and he has started properly and started well.

“Creation of such ministry will be very useful for the country because it will now be a separate ministry that will be generating revenue for the government, create massive job opportunities for numerous veterinarians graduating from veterinary schools.

“It will enable speedy control of zonotic diseases that affect man. It will be a huge benefit for West Africa if Nigeria has Federal Ministry of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health,” he said.

Ogbu in his presentation on `Strategic Engagement of Private sector Practitioners in the Application and Enforcement of Animal Diseases Control Act’, said there was huge task in the information content of the Act.

He said there were also challenges in its possible implementation of the Act.

Ogbu said the Act also contained the role of the veterinary profession in the prevention, treatment and control of animal diseases for the overall public health.

He said the Act empowered private veterinarian practitioners in importation, exportation, surveillance, notification, animal identification, and animal farm registration.

He it also provided for monitoring and control, biosecurity, animal welfare, bees, live animal market, aquatic among others.

“Animal Diseases Control Act is a holistic guide on the role of the veterinarians in enforcement of animal related laws of the Federal Republic.

“Both the private and public veterinarians will find their strategic role to play here in safeguarding the public health through animal disease prevention and control.

“I observe that the task before vets are enormous as every nook and craning of the country needs to be monitored for compliance,” Ogbu said.

Similarly, Dr ldris Ademoh, Head, Veterinary Epidemiology Department of Veterinary Services, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, said the role of private service providers were enormous in the sector.

Ademoh said there was need for collaboration between veterinarians in private and public in the area of animal information dissemination, diseases among others.

“By law we in the public service set the standard and professionals in private sector reach out and we need a lot of feedback from them for the system to work well.

“For instance we have very few veterinary clinics in FCT. But you can imagine number of private veterinary clinics we have within FCT, now they are treating animals getting information about diseases.

“We need those information from them, it is when we have such information we can now encapsulate them into whatever policy we are rolling out.

“Without that understanding whatever you are dishing out is definitely not a reflection of what the situation is,” he said.

Ademoh said the aim of the workshop was to remind the professional of the existence of the law and aspects that were amended.

He said: “We want to see the new things that are there and how we can now define role for each component so that we can deliver the content of the Act.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Ekemini Ladejobi

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