Page 233 – NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Army to enhance capacity of troops to neutralise extant threats – COAS

348 total views today

By Olaide Ayinde

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Olufemi Oluyede says the priorities of the Nigerian Army are to enhance the capacity of troops so as to neutralise extant threats to national security.

He stated this in Bauchi at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Combat Arms Training Week, co-hosted by the Nigerian Army Infantry and Armoured Corps.

Oluyede said the Nigerian Army would also continue to improve strategic communications, bridge gaps in the force’s assessment, sustain innovative leadership and harness the support of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies.

“As we project into the future with optimism, our key priorities will be to enhance the capacity of our troops.

“This would be done by infusing the necessary capabilities into our training schedules to better prepare troops to adapt to fluid situations and place us in a more favourable position to neutralise extant threats to our national security.

“However, this can only be achieved by ensuring that troops are provided with timely logistics and adequate welfare.

“We’ll not relegate the importance of the support from stakeholders in the various geopolitical zones, or the importance of ministries, departments and agencies at the Federal and State levels of government,” he said.

The COAS reiterated that the Nigerian Army would continue to effectively mitigate the security challenges that tried to threaten the resolve or the peace and unity of Nigeria.

He affirmed that the force would continue to adopt new methods in line with international best practices to enhance and sustain its capabilities as its projects into the future while discharging its constitutional roles.

Oluyede explained that the training week was more than just a theoretical or doctrinal exercise but a forum to enhance the operational effectiveness of troops across all theatres, especially those in the North East and North West Zones.

“The lessons learned in the field and inter-corps collaborations which this training week provides will directly translate into more coordinated, and impactful outcomes in the field,” he said.

Also speaking, the Commander, Armoured Corps, Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, said that the theme of the training is Strengthening Combat Arms Cooperation in a Joint Environment: ‘A Prerequisite for Success in Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations’.

According to him, the week-long event served as a forum for discussing pertinent issues affecting combat arms operations and other issues affecting the Nigerian Army at large.

On his part, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, said the current security challenges facing the country ranging from terrorism, banditry, insurgency to communal unrest, needed a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches as well as multi-dimensional strategies.

Represented by his deputy, Mohammed acknowledged that the Nigerian Army, in response to tackling the security challenges, had deployed troops across nearly every state of the federation in aid of civil authorities.

Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the 211 DB Barracks, Comprehensive Service Centre as well as the inspection of refurbished tank transporters and tree planting exercise. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

Ex-ANPP members laud Tinubu for putting Nigeria on path of prosperity

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Politics

Ex-ANPP members laud Tinubu for putting Nigeria on path of prosperity

260 total views today

By Ikenna Osuoha

The Association of Former ANPP Members (AFAM) has commended President Bola Tinubu for putting Nigeria on the path of prosperity.

National Coordinator of the group, Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe, gave the commendation at a news conference in Abuja.

Ajumbe said that the defection of some political gladiators to APC was a testament to Tinubu’s excellence in service.

He urged members of the group to rally support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 for him to consolidate on his achievements.

“Tinubu is doing well, by my own assessment. The movement of some politicians into APC shows that he is working,” he said.

Ajumbe dismissed insinuations that Nigeria was drifting to one party state owing to the recent mass defections to the ruling party.

He, however, described the movement of politicians to APC and the inter-party endorsement of the president as the beauty of democracy.

The national coordinator, however, urged Tinubu to consider former ANPP members in allotment of political positions, especially the presidential slot after 2031.

Ajumbe, who described APC as a conglomeration of the defunct ANPP, CPC and ACN, said that CPC had produced Muhammadu Buhari as president while Tinubu is from ACN.

According to him, it is the turn of ANPP to produce the president by 2031. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

National Gallery embarks on major reforms of art collection

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Culture & Tourism

National Gallery embarks on major reforms of art collection

363 total views today

By Joan Odafe

The National Gallery of Art (NGA) has embarked on strategic reforms, including the restoration, archiving, cataloguing and digitisation of the National Art Collection.

The Director-General of NGA, Mr Ahmed Sodangi, at a news conference in Lagos, said it was aimed at enhancing access to and preserve Nigeria’s artistic heritage.

Sodangi said the reforms, which were based on four focus pillars, included reviewing its enabling Act, and implementing internal reforms, such as rebranding the National Gallery.

Others are: driving the National Art Renaissance Programme to catalogue and digitally achieve artworks valued at billions of Naira.

The director-general noted that as custodians of the National Collection, members of staff of NGA would require continuous training to be abreast of global best practices.

“The Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy is more or less a new ministry but the creative industry and creative economy has been blossoming.

“It has had so much success, with very little interaction with the government.

“So as government, we have to look at ourselves and see how we can come up and not take control.

“But see how we can partner with the private sector, and the creatives that have built this undeniable industry to where it is today,” he said.

Sodangi noted that the National Collection was in storage in different states across Nigeria due to the lack of a national gallery.

“These artworks are meant to be displayed and are meant to be seen by the general public.

“To give spotlight to the National Collection, we’ve looked at the number of artworks we have, and the works that need serious and urgent attention, and what to do.

“And the only way we do that is to catalogue, have a digital database of the National Collection; that will be a starting point of what we hope to achieve,” he said.

He said the process of the ongoing National Art Renaissance would ensure cataloging, restoration, and valuation of the National Collection.

According to Sodangi, through collaborations with the Goethe-Institut Nigeria and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), the artworks are currently being assessed, digitally documented, and conservation work carried out on them.

The Director, Goethe-Institut Nigeria, Dr Nadine Siegert, said there were hundreds of masterpieces in the collection the world needed to see.

Siegert expressed happiness in the smoothness of the collaboration and the progress the project was making.

“I think we have already inventoried about 900 or so works.

“We have photographed about, I think, 400 works,” she said.

Siegert disclosed that two artworks, would be professionally restored, and ready to be showcased both locally and globally in July.

Also, the Associate Conservator of MOWAA, Yetunde Odediran, said the museum’s main focus was to ensure that the artworks were stabilised and brought to a level where they are able to be exhibited and displayed.

Odediran also said MOWAA would carry out trainings to ensure that the staff of the gallery had the skills of handling artworks without damage, particularly when moving them from one point to another.

“So, we share that knowledge, making sure that they have the right tools, the appropriate procedures, so that they’re able to carry out the project successfully,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Fathers’ team reduces polio vaccine resistance in Garko Ward

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Health

Fathers’ team reduces polio vaccine resistance in Garko Ward

243 total views today

By Hajara Leman

The Fathers’ Rapid Response Team has played a key role in reducing polio vaccine resistance in Garko Ward of Akko Local Government Area (LGA), Gombe, lowering resistance from 70 to just 15 households, an official has confirmed.

Malam Mohammed Lawan, the Primary Healthcare Coordinator of Akko LGA, gave the update to newsmen at the headquarters in Kumo.

He explained that the Fathers’ Rapid Response Team was made up of respected community leaders and male influencers, tasked with engaging directly with resistant families to address their concerns.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), inaugurated the Polio Vaccination Campaign in the state on Thursday, April 24.

Lawan emphasised the critical role the Fathers’ Rapid Response Team had played in rebuilding community trust.

“We realised that resistance was rooted in feelings of neglect, especially regarding the lack of access to state government palliatives and long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets.

“By sending fathers to speak to other fathers, we were able to hear their grievances, correct misinformation, and encourage them to prioritise their children’s health,” he said.

Lawan described the reduction in resistance from 70 to 15 households as a significant achievement but noted that the goal was to reach zero resistance.

“Every child deserves protection,” he added, reaffirming their commitment to fully immunise all eligible children in Garko Ward.

Malam Umar Ahmed, Secretary of Akko Emirate Council and a member of the Fathers’ Response Team, lauded their culturally sensitive approach, which he said had significantly improved the vaccination rate in the area.

Malam Shuaibu Ahmed, a father of four, commended the government and international organisations like UNICEF for providing the polio vaccine free of charge.

He expressed confidence in the vaccine’s safety, highlighting that none of his children had experienced any issues following vaccination.

Ahmed encouraged other parents to vaccinate their children, stressing the importance of supporting vaccination campaigns for the well-being and future health of the community. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Media, tourism vital for ECOWAS unity, regional integration – Experts

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Culture & Tourism

Media, tourism vital for ECOWAS unity, regional integration – Experts

415 total views today

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Experts have identified culture, media, sports, tourism, the entertainment and creative industries as vital tools to foster unity and drive regional integration of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

They said this during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) ECOWAS@50 regional integration event in Lagos.

An author, Mrs Aduke Gomez, emphasised the need for the Nigerian government to take the lead in driving economic integration through the media and creative industry.

She advocated investment opportunities tailored to support creativity as a business.

Gomez noted that it was important to see the entertainment and creative industry as a business and a soft power tool to be harnessed to drive regional integration.

“It is important to see the industry as a business that can be invested into with great returns.

“Also, women have been good economic drivers and the overlooking of women’s contribution to the economy must be stopped as we expend all efforts to drive intra-African trade,” she said.

A leadership development consultant, Ms Isioma Utomi, stressed the need to prepare the next generation – the youth, for the new levels of business in entertainment and tourism.

She stressed the need for speaking of other languages within the region to drive integration and enhance cooperation.

Utomi stated that technology must be leveraged to support conversations by ECOWAS member states.

She also advocated active efforts to support women businesses.

“Workplaces must be designed to help women progress and be seen at the top of the ladder as well to actively support transition for women.

“ECOWAS as a regional organisation must have more women in their leadership positions,” she said.

The Chairperson, Creative and Entertainment Group, LCCI, Dr Ngozi Omambala, stressed the need to start to attach financial numbers to the creative and entertainment industry.

Omambala noted that in 2024, Lagos generated $71.6 million in revenue from the “Detty December” festivities, primarily driven by tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors.

This development, she said, showed that the potential of the creative industry was huge.

“If we continue to showcase what we do to drive the economy, investments would certainly come through.

“Also, more women are coming up with different energies and concepts hence the role of women within the sector must be harnessed to support regional integration.

“It is important for ECOWAS to wake up and adapt with these changes.

“The only way we can speak to the youth is to speak the language they understand such as sports which can be a uniting factor in ECOWAS integration,” she said.

The President, LCCI, Mr Gabriel Idahosa, said the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presented opportunities that ECOWAS member states could not afford to miss.

Idahosa said by aligning with the AfCFTA, ECOWAS could unlock the potential of the African market, creating a seamless trading environment that benefits businesses across the region.

He stated that the journey towards a peaceful, secure, and prosperous ECOWAS sub-region was well underway in spite of the challenges.

He noted that in spite of the challenges, the opportunities were vast.

“Together, through continued cooperation, strategic investment, and shared commitment to peace and security, we can create a brighter future for all citizens of the ECOWAS region,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Judiciary

CJN tasks judiciary on enforcement of power safety regulations

282 total views today

By Constance Athekame

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on the judiciary to adopt a proactive stance in enforcing safety regulations within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Kekere-Ekun made the call while declaring open the 2025 National Seminar on Regulations in the Power Sector for Judicial Officers, in Abuja.

The workshop, which was organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), had the theme: “Navigating the Dynamics of Nigeria’s Evolving Electricity Sector”.

According to her, NERC’s latest reports on the power sector, revealed an alarming rate of 112 electricity-related deaths and 95 injuries in 2024 alone.

The CJN said that operators who failed to comply with safety regulations must be held accountable, while victims and their families must be accorded the justice they deserved.

“The safety of our citizens must never be treated as incidental. It is a legal and moral imperative.

“We are called upon to interpret legislation, oppose statutory and constitutional mandates, and ensure that justice is administered equitably in a rapidly changing sector.

“The role remains undiminished. Indeed, it grows more urgent as judicial interpretations increasingly serve as precedents that influence investor confidence, promote regulatory consistency, and protect consumer rights,” she said.

The CJN also emphasised the crucial role of the judiciary in ensuring that regulatory bodies such as the NERC operated within the bounds of the law.

According to her, NERC’s statutory responsibility includes the issuance of subsidiary legislation, the setting of rates, and adjudication of industry-related disputes.

“While these powers are necessary for efficient regulation, they must be exercised in a manner that is procedurally fair, transparent, and subject to judicial oversight.

“Accordingly, the courts must remain vigilant in their review of delegated legislation to guard against arbitrariness, protect the doctrine of legitimate expectation, and uphold public participation as a tenet of regulatory governance.

“In so doing, we give life to the rule of law and promote a legal environment conducive to sustainable development,” she said.

At the event, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said that the electricity sector remained a cornerstone of the nation’s socio-economic development, touching every facet of life.

According to Fagbemi, the electricity sector also provides the energy needed for industrialisation, innovation, and improved living standards.

“This is underscored by Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

“The electricity sector in Nigeria is undergoing significant evolution, marked by dynamic reforms, regulatory complexities, and a push for greater efficiency.

“However, as we strive to transform this sector, we face complex legal and regulatory challenges that demand deep understanding and collaboration.

“These changes demand not only legislative attention but also proactive judicial engagement to ensure fairness and accountability in navigating this transformation,” he said.

According to him, the Electricity Act, 2023 represents a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s power sector, introducing a dual regulatory framework that seeks to harmonise Federal and state governance in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

“The Federal Ministry of Justice is available to partner with you in enhancing the performance of your regulatory roles and expanding the frontiers of legal framework for the electricity industry.

“This seminar provides an invaluable platform for their lordships to deepen their understanding of the complexities of the electricity sector and the dual legal frameworks that govern it,” he said.

The Chairman of NERC, Mr Sanusi Garba, said that the power sector was critical as no nation had developed without sufficient electricity, hence the importance of the judiciary.

He was represented by the Vice Chairman, NERC, Mr Musiliu Oseni.

Garba said that the interaction was not to alter the cause of justice but to have an interaction and engagement with them in order to have some understanding of the technical nature of the sector.

He also said that the engagement was for the judicial officers to be able to make an informed decision and judgment in dealing with any case that might come before them.

“The past experience has shown that the judiciary can make or mar sector with respect to some previous judicial pronouncements, be it issuance of ex parte order or complete pronouncement of judicial decision.

“We have experienced a lot of issues that have shaped the development of this sector.

“An example of which is the critical case of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria case in 2015, which up to today we are still suffering the impact of the judicial pronouncement that was made as far back as a decade ago.

“A similar case is also a case of Toluwai, which was instituted in Lagos, which was in 2016 and the pronouncement was made by the court, which was based on an ex parte motion.

“And it took the Court of Appeal in 2019 to forfeit the judicial pronouncement that was made by the lower court.

“During that period, the commission was rendered ineffective. We all know that whether we like it or not, investments follow the path to recovery,” he said.

According to him, if investors are not confident of the judicial interpretation of the law, or probably they are afraid of what may become of their investments

“There is no way they will be willing to make investments that will be proper or enough for us to have sufficient progress that we all desire with respect to the improvement in performance of electricity in Nigeria.

“It is on this basis that we feel that it is important for us to continuously engage with the judiciary to ensure that sufficient understanding is made so that we all work together.

“For the success of this industry and for the success of Nigeria at large,” he said.

The chairman, however, appealed to the judicial officers that whatever discussion that would take place in the next three days should be done with an open mind.

“Nobody is there to sway your decision or your judicial interpretation of any law.

“It is just to interact with you, so that you can have sufficient understanding of the technical nature of this industry,” he said.

Earlier, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Salisu Garba, said the sector was experiencing rapid change, innovation, and increasing complexity.

Garba said that the seminar would provide a vital platform for constructive dialogue, shared insights, and chart a course towards a more sustainable and prosperous energy future.

“We are confident that this seminar will not only enhance your Lordships’ knowledge base but also foster a spirit of collaboration that will contribute to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s electricity sector,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

REA signs grants with 9 companies to expand energy access

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Metro

REA signs grants with 9 companies to expand energy access

281 total views today

By Constance Athekame

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has signed grant agreements with nine renewable energy companies to provide electricity access to 17.5 million Nigerians.

The companies are: Privida Power Limited, Baobab Plus, Salpha Energy, Asolar, NTA-StarTimes, A4&T Power Solutions, Sunking Greenlight Planet, Bboxx, and D.Light.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this marks the first signing under the World Bank-funded Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES) project, following its official launch in 2024.

“This initiative also contributes to the broader Mission 300, a global effort to deliver energy access to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, as Nigeria advances toward achieving universal electricity access,” REA said.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the Managing Director of REA, Abba Aliyu, said the project aimed to electrify 17.5 million Nigerians by deploying 1,350 mini-grids.

He explained that the interconnected mini-grids being deployed were intended to enhance the reliability of electricity supply to Band D and E customers, while also expanding access to underserved communities.

Aliyu said the project’s implementation was divided into two components:

“Deployment of mini-grids (both isolated and interconnected), and deployment of solar home systems.

He stated that 198 sites had already been submitted under the project, projecting an estimated 340,000 new connections and the addition of 47 megawatts of clean, reliable electricity to the national grid.

“The 11 sites we are signing with Privida Power Limited alone will add over 2.5 megawatts of reliable energy, resulting in an additional 11,000 connections,” he said.

“Meanwhile, eight companies will deploy 1.6 million solar home systems across rural areas.”

According to him, this effort demonstrates REA’s commitment to scaling up access to electricity and tackling the challenges in Nigeria’s power sector.

He noted that the government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was aggressively addressing the nation’s electricity challenges.

“The issue of 18 million Nigerians without access to electricity will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to interventions like DARES and other REA projects,” Aliyu added.

“Today’s signing is not just a contract; it is a commitment to communities long underserved by conventional infrastructure.”

Also speaking, Mr Olufemi Akinyelure, Head of the Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP), emphasised the broader impact of the initiative.

“Every connection made under DARES represents a doorway to education, healthcare, commerce, and inclusion,” he said.

“The over 11,027 new connections to be delivered under this project symbolise lives transformed, futures energised, and a Nigeria that leaves no one behind.”

He noted that partnerships like these served as a blueprint for achieving Nigeria’s national energy access goals.

Akinyelure explained that DARES, a key initiative under NEP, was structured to catalyse the off-grid energy market through targeted grant support for mini-grid and standalone solar projects.

“These renewable energy solutions are crucial for providing reliable and affordable electricity to off-grid communities, unlocking their potential for social and economic advancement,” he said.

Under the Performance-Based Grant sub-component for isolated mini-grids, Privida Power Limited secured a grant to deploy solar mini-grids across 11 communities in Kogi, providing over 11,027 new connections.

In addition, the eight other companies under the Standalone Solar Systems (SAS) component signed agreements to roll out Tier 1 and Tier 2 plug-and-play solar solutions for households and MSMEs to expand energy access across rural Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the companies, Mr William Akalume, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Privida Power Limited, expressed commitment to the project.

“We are committed to the success of this project and appreciate the REA for the impactful work they are doing to improve the lives of Nigerians,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

CIPMN set to transform examination process with AI technology

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Economy/Business

CIPMN set to transform examination process with AI technology

220 total views today

By Deborah Ifeanyi/Lucy Ogalue

The Chartered Institute of Project Management of Nigeria (CIPMN) says it is set to transform its examination process through partnership with a U.S.-based firm, Simplify IQ.

Mr Henry Mbadiwe, Registrar-General of CIPMN, announced this in Abuja at a news conference during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company.

Mbadiwe said that the initiative, which involved integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the examination and marking processes, would enhance the integrity and efficiency of assessments as part of the institute’s digital transformation drive.

“What this means is that we eliminate the risk of examination questions being leaked before examinations are written.

“We also cut out biases in the marking process. Our human resources will focus on generating new ideas, while AI will handle the logistics of exam creation,” he said.

He said that the innovation would improve the quality of assessments and the standard of project management training in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Mr Sam Obi, Founder of Simplify IQ, said that the partnership would introduce an AI-driven system to automate the entire examination and marking process for CIPMN certifications.

“The entire certification examination process will be automated end-to-end, drastically reducing opportunities for cheating.

“Our platform ensures standardisation, maintains integrity, and positions CIPMN at the forefront of innovation,” he said.

Obi said that CIPMN’s move to digitise its examination processes was part of a broader effort to modernise all its operations.

“CIPMN has been working on a wider initiative to digitise all its processes, from file movement, approvals, member registration, payments to overall member management,” he said.

He said that full implementation of the technology would begin in June. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Philip Daniel Yatai
Apr, Tue, 2025

Education

FCT-UBEB promoting entrepreneurship in basic education for self-reliance

441 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) says it is entrenching innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in basic education to promote self-reliance.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, Director, Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, FCT-UBEB, stated this in Abuja on Monday, at a two-day training of FCT teachers on innovation and entrepreneurship education.

Wenegieme, who represented the acting chairman of the board, Dr Dr. Alhassan Sule at the event, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that the move was for children to drive solutions to societal problems.

She said that the innovation and entrepreneurship education was critical to achieving President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

“FCT UBEB is building the capacity of our children to make them self-reliant such that a child that finished primary and junior secondary school should be able to do something for him or herself.

“We don’t want a situation where children will graduate from school and become redundant, after obtaining a certificate in basic education, a child should be able to fend for himself,” she said.

She said that initiative focuses on relevant vocational and entrepreneurial skills such as welding and fabrication, fashion design, plumbing, brick laying, electrical fittings, and hair styling among others.

According to the director, acquiring such skills will not only enable the children to be self-reliant, but also employ and train others.

She explained that the two-day training would equip the teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills on how to entrench innovation and entrepreneurship among pupils and students.

Wenegieme said that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, was doing everything possible to transform primary and secondary education in the FCT with focus on functional skills for national development.

Her counterpart at the FCT Education Secretariat, Mr kolawale Olobashola, said that the goal was to implant entrepreneurship education in the heart of school students.

Olobashola, the Director, Science, Technology and Innovation, added that with entrepreneurial skills, no FCT child would be a nuisance on the street. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

World Intellectual Property Day: NCC reaffirms support for music industry

Magdalene Ukuedojor
Apr, Tue, 2025

Entertainment

World Intellectual Property Day: NCC reaffirms support for music industry

351 total views today

By Precious Akutamadu

The Director General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Dr John Asein, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the music industry, emphasising the importance of intellectual property protection for its growth.

Asein made the remark during a sensitisation programme to commemorate the 2025 World Intellectual Day, tagged “Celebrating the Power of Music and Intellectual Property” in Port Harcourt, on Monday.

The Director General, represented by Mr Abdul Babatunde, the NCC Director, Port Harcourt Directorate, noted that the Nigerian music had gained global recognition, with musicians achieving international grands and success.

He urged commercial music users to obtain proper licenses from right owners or regulatory commission that represented and fought for the protection and rights of the music industries in the country.

Asein added that the commission had plans to launch a campaign against piracy, as well as safeguarding creators’ rights.

He said that the NCC would foster a friendly environment, supporting Nigerian musicians’ dreams and talents.

In his remarks, Mr Moses Mabadeje, the Governor of Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Rivers Chapter, commended the Nigerian Copyright Commission for its efforts in promoting the music industry.

Mabadeje, however, lamented that the sector was still lacking sufficient government support.

He stated that the music industry had grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry, attributing it to the internet and social media space globally.

He noted that the industry’s growth had created opportunities for musicians, employers and other stakeholders.

Mabadeje urged the Federal Government to tap into the music industry, partner with PMAN and NCC in providing funds and infrastructure to support musicians and take young talented Nigerians out of the streets.

He emphasised that this would not only benefit the industry but also the government in creating more jobs for employment, boosting tourism and Nigerian’s economic growth.

The Rivers PMAN Governor called for partnership with NCC to educate its members on copyright laws and anti-piracy infringements, to ensure that musicians benefit from their intellectual property.

Also, Prof. Ibiere Ken-Maduako of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, emphasised the significance of intellectual property protection for creators, including musicians and writers.

Maduako, who is also the Head of Department, Mass Communication, and the Chairman of the Occasion, noted that many writers were unaware that their rights could be protected.

She stated that the event had provided an opportunity for awareness creation, encouraging Nigerians to protect their intellectual property through the NCC.

Maduako highlighted the therapeutic benefits of music and poetry to human soul, saying they could positively impact people’s psychological makeup.

The professor expressed delight in seeing professionals from different fields come together to discuss ways of protecting their intellectual property.

She also commended the organisers for giving students a platform to showcase their reading skills.

Maduako added that the event provided valuable tips on reading and would help students improve their skills.

Highlight of the event was a music performance by Nwafor Sunday, a music student of the University of Port Harcourt, Mr KS De flow bottler. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Jane-Frances Oraka