NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
NNPC Foundation plants 500 tree seedlings to mitigate climate change
Environment

NNPC Foundation plants 500 tree seedlings to mitigate climate change

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By Amina Ahmed

The NNPC Foundation has planted 500 tree seedlings as part of campaign to preserve the environment and mitigate climate change in the country.

The Managin Director of the Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said this during a tree planting campaign on Wednesday at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Nasarawa in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of the state.

She said the exercise was part of activities to mark the 2024 World Environment Day, to reclaim degraded lands, conserve the environment and biodiversity.

The Day is being observed annually on June 5, to raise awareness about environmental issues and foster action for sustainable development.

The theme of the Day is: “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”.

Represented by Mohammed Hashim-Bawa, Manager, Environment of the foundation, Arukwe said the intervention focused at empowering students, who are members of the environmental clubs to become champions of environmental preservation.

An officials of the NNPC Foundation planting tree seedlings in Azare, Bauchi State

She said tree planting was central to its engagement focussing on practical activities to ensure that students participate actively in tree planting, to instill sense of responsibility and ownership towards environmental conservation.

The manager said the foundation is geared towards supporting environmental sustainability through impactful activities such as reforestation, conservation, and education.

“This year’s theme underscores the critical need to address land degradation, combat desertification, and enhance resilience to drought for present and future generations.

“This year, we extended our campaign to all geo political zones across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Sustainability in tree planting ensures long term benefits. The NNPC Foundation is committed to continuous monitoring of these plants at all localities to restore degraded lands, build resilience against drought and improve livelihoods,” Arukwe said.

She, therefore, urged Nigerians to support the foundation in its drive to restore Nigeria’s landscapes and build a greener and more resilient future.

The District Head of Azare, Alhaji Magaji Duhuwa, lauded the gesture, adding that it would improve afforestation and control desertification in the state.

Students planting tree seedlings at the GGSS, Azare, Bauchi

Duhuwa said the community leaders would educate their people to the importance of tree planting to preserve the environment.

He enjoined youths and women, especially housewives to plant trees and engage in horticulture to conserve the environment and mitigate climate change.

Also, Mr Abdullahi Alka, the Principal of the school, commended the gesture, adding that it would provide green environment and enhance beautification of the school premises.

He said the management would ensure effective monitoring to nurture to maturity the 70 tree seedlings planted in the school.

Some of the students, Aisha Isa and Mohammed Dahiru-Umar, said the exercise had exposed them to the importance of tree planting in building resilience against drought and enhancing environmental sustainability.

Cultural dance by students of GGSS, Azare during the 2024 World Environment Day

They promised to step down the knowledge learnt to their peers in their respective communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event featured sensitisation, quiz, cultural dance and tree planting sessions.

The NNPC Foundation, incorporated in February 2023, focused at promoting environmental sustainability, enhancing access to quality education and healthcare services as well as new energy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

NNPC foundation reiterates commitment to restoring Nigeria’s landscape, greener future
Environment , Oil & Gas

NNPC foundation reiterates commitment to restoring Nigeria’s landscape, greener future

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By Lucy Ogalue

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation Ltd., has reiterated its commitment to restore Nigeria’s landscape and build a greener future for all citizens.

The Foundation’s Managing Director, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said this at the planting of trees at the Junior Secondary School, Hajj Camp, Gwagwalada.

Arukwe, represented by Dr Bala David, the Executive Director, Programme Development, NNPC Foundation, said the importance of tree planting could not be overemphasised.

“We are here to mark World Environment Day, which is celebrated every June 5, and we have come to celebrate it with the pupils of Junior Secondary School, Hajj Camp, Gwagwalada.

“We had a session with the students on the Foundation and what we do. We are mandated to operate in the environment, health and education areas.

“So, being the world’s environmental day, we came here to be able to plant trees that will eventually restore the environment,” she said.

The principal of the school, Hajia Hauwa Aliyu, said collective climate action was needed to protect our environment.

“This day aims at encouraging communities to take action towards protecting their environment.

“As our climate changes and its impact continues to affect us, we must continue to find sustainable ways to protect it for future generations,” she said.

The principal, while commending the group for their efforts in restoring the school’s environment, said she was surprised by the team’s presence.

“I feel great that the NNPC Foundation remembered my school and is here to celebrate this remarkable day with us.

“When I was called yesterday, I did not believe it was real until I saw you here. I am very happy, and the students are equally very happy.

“Your presence today has taught me and the whole school a lot of things that we did not know about the environment and the need for it to be restored,” she said.

The principal then expressed the school’s commitment to ensure that the trees planted were cared for for the benefit of the students and Nigerians.

“I have a team of agricultural science teachers on ground, and I have given them the mandate to ensure the sustainability of this project.

“And I assure you that they will do their best to take care of the trees being planted today,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Abe Ajayi, the Vice-President, Association of Flower and Nursery Practitioners Abuja, said tree planting was important because it sustained life.

“Some of these trees have economic and health benefits. So it is key that we plant trees.”

He advised against cutting down trees, saying it was better to trim them instead of cutting them and distorting nature.

A student, Etuka Smile, expressed pleasure at the idea of planting trees in her school.

“I feel great about what is happening here because I want the environment to be clean. “I want to advise those cutting down trees to stop, as it is affecting our climate and living standard.

Another student, Sanusi Alamin, said, ”I am very happy that we got to celebrate World Environmental Day in our school today.”

“There are some areas I know without a single tree where one can have shade, and I wish this kind of exercise would reach such places.

“So that the people will understand the advantages of planting trees, what it signifies and be inspired to plant trees for the good of our environment.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

World environment day: FG inaugurates climate justice ambassadors
Environment

World environment day: FG inaugurates climate justice ambassadors

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By Felicia Imohimi

The Federal Government has inaugurated Climate Justice Youth Ambassadors (CJYA) as part of activities to commemorate the World Environment day.

CJYA is an initiative of Oxfam Nigeria geared towards promotion of sustainable environment.

The Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal while inaugurating the ambassadors on Wednesday in Abuja, lauded Oxfam for mobilising youth to be vanguard of  environmental protection.

He said that the constitution of the  ambassadors was a great progress in the nation’s efforts to ensure environmental sustainability.

Lawal said that environmental protection was not the responsibility of the Federal Government and States alone,  but for all and sundry.

“We need to continue to propagate the issue of climate justice from big cities like Kano, Lagos Port Harcourt among others who are major polluters of the environment.

“We in the ministry are on it and we need to fight for climate justice at all levels.

“l assure Oxfam that the ministry will continue to support and provide all that is required to achieve climate justice across board to ensure sustainable environment for our future generations,”he said

Kenneth Akpan, Climate Justice Project Coordinator, Oxfam Nigeria said the organisation through the African Activist for Climate Justice (AACI) Project, has deepened its engagements towards ending poverty.

Schools that participated in the quiz competition.

Akpan said the vulnerable populace includes women, youths and persons with disability in the face of climate reality and injustice.

He said the climate justice  ambassadors was borne out of the AACI project to tap into the strength,  and capacity of  youths as solution bearers to the country’s climate challenges.

According to him, it is also to support the government as foot soldiers to deepen and carry out governments drive to solve the global climate crises at the grassroot, local, states, national among others.

“The mission is to see how Nigerian youths can become global leaders and reference point to the global climate crisis starting from home.

“We have encouraged them to take charge as climate activists,  leaders of tomorrow in climate space.

“Among these ambassadors are youth that are converting plastic into interlocking tiles, youth that are taking care of Jabi Lake by removing water hyacinth and recycling it and others.

”They have come up with climate gain that children can play and improve their knowledge on climate action, “he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Environment Day is commemorated annually on June 5 with the theme ”Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience”.

Event to mark the day was a quiz competition by Government Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) Wuse, Maitama and Jabi.

JSS Jabi emerged winner, JSS Wuse came second while Maitama came third. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

ICPC urges synergy to instill discipline, moral values in schools
Defence/Security

ICPC urges synergy to instill discipline, moral values in schools

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By Isaac Aregbesola

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), says there is need to instill discipline and moral values in schools to tackle the menace of corruption in the society.

Dr Musa Aliyu, Chairman, ICPC, made the call on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation session with schools’ anti-corruption clubs stakeholders within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Aliyu was represented by Mr Clifford Oparaodu, Secretary, ICPC.

The event organised in conjunction with the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) is themed “Enhancing Stakeholders’ Engagement in School Anti-corruption Initiatives.”

Aliyu expressed concern that the rate at which corruption had crept into the fabric of the nation was alarming and must not be left unchecked.

“There is no doubt that the cankerworm of corruption has crept into every nook and cranny of our daily lives including our basic educational institutions where the foundation for becoming a loyal citizen is being laid.

“From the physical to the social infrastructure we’ve witnessed evidences of corrupt practices within our classrooms and the overall educational system.

“From parents to teachers to students and other stakeholders this menace has gradually crept in to this very crucial segment that if left unchecked the future certainly becomes bleak.’’

He explained that the commission had introduced Schools Anti-Corruption Clubs Initiative in its bid to help instill discipline, integrity and sound moral values at the basic and post basic educational institutions.

“As critical stakeholders and custodians of this very noble initiative the Schools Anti-Corruption Clubs, it becomes imperative to scrutinise our strategies and appraise our performance in a bid to raise the bar and tackle this menace to a standstill.”

While commending the efforts of all stakeholders in driving the noble initiative to the fore, he said that there was still room for improvement.

He urged them to dedicate more time for Anti-Corruption Clubs in their schools wherein Club Advisers and ICPC officers would properly educate students on the ills of corruption and how to tame it in their school environment and beyond.

According to him, it is pertinent for principals, supervisors, and directors of relevant ministries/boards or regulatory bodies to work together and not dissipate energies too wide.

He urged the stakeholders to synergise in sustaining  behavioural change drive among the young ones.

“All anti-corruption and integrity issues in our domain should be handled under the umbrella of a single Schools Anti-Corruption Club to avoid duplication and/or multiplicity of function,” he said.

The Executive Secretary Universal Basic Education, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, stressed the importance of all stakeholders to dedicate more time to educate the students on the ills of corruption and how to tame it in school’s environment and beyond.

“There is need to rejuvenate the teaching the moral value in the society; when we are all growing up, we were part of the community, and community was responsible for ensuring that community members behave responsibly,” he said.

Secretary Secondary Education Board FCT, Mohammed Ladan, also noted that corruption had eaten deep into the fabric of the nation; hence a major obstacle to growth and development as a country.

According to him, corruption has penetrated into the Socio – economic and political system in such areas as cheating, embezzlement, Favoritism, bribery, sexual exploitation and nepotism etc.

“It is worthy of note that corruption impedes the role of the education sector in supporting personal development; therefore, as it is said in our local parlance–let us kill corruption or corruption will kill us.

“The time has come for all of us especially the heads of schools and the club patrons and patronesses to join hands together to stop it.

“We must employ all necessary machinery and eschew all forms of corrupt tendencies as we take responsibility and strive to serve as role models of anti – corruption and integrity in all facets of our lives as we live above board,” he said.

Other stakeholders, who spoke at the event, included representatives of Step up Nigeria Oluwaferanmi Iyanda, who urged the parents to join forces with teachers in instilling discipline in students.

Iyanda said that collective effort was required to build future leaders and restore the eroded value system in the society.

Also, Peace Ozegbe from Connected Development (CODE), urged more sensitisation programmes on fighting against corruption in the grassroots.(NAN)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

ECOWAS harmonising framework, policy for standby force – Commissioner
Foreign

ECOWAS harmonising framework, policy for standby force – Commissioner

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By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it is working towards harmonising framework and policy documents for the management of logistics for its Standby Force (ESF).

The Standby Force constitutes the use of force as a last resort if diplomacy fails.

Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, made this known at a four-day workshop to review the documents, in Kano on Tuesday.

Musah, who was represented by Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, Director Peacekeeping and Regional Security, said that the documents spelled out the logistics requirements by the Troop Contributing Countries, ECOWAS, and other partners.

He explained that the workshop was organised to review and harmonise the documents to address emerging contemporary security challenges.

He recalled that the Commission had earlier recruited a consultant in 2019 to develop the policy and guiding documents for the management of ECOWAS Logistics Depots (ELDs).

He explained that the ESF logistics concept was created in 2005 to provide a platform for the coordination of all key logistics support and procedures for the ECOWAS Standby Force.

According to him, both documents were reviewed during internal expert workshops and are now ready for an independent expert validation.

“The documents are expected to be rich enough to address contemporary challenges and in tune with international best practices.”

The commissioner further said that the logistics concept also provided a conceptual understanding of sustained operations, considering that the dynamics of the contemporary security environment and peace support in the region had continued to evolve.

This, he said, underscores the need to adapt the original ESF logistics concept to accommodate emerging realities.

He added that to deploy the ESF efficiently, when necessary, ECOWAS had established a Multidimensional Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone, and a Humanitarian Logistics Depot in Senou, Mali.

Earlier, Dr. Sani Adamu, acting Head of ECOWAS Peace Support Operations, decried the challenges of peace keeping operations over the years.

He said that it was for this reason that ECOWAS decided to put in place an effective framework to enhance the ESF’s deployment capacity.

Adamu said that the overall objective of the workshop was to review and harmonise the policies in line with UN and AU standards of procedures.

He said that the participants would review the logistics concept, existing statutes, policies, and other strategic instruments relating to ESF’s objectives as an instrument for conflict prevention and management.

“It was also organised to update, harmonise, and finalise the policies on ECOWAS logistics bases, in line with AU and UN principles.

“It was also to review and adopt a standard organogram for the ELD, among others,” he explained.

A participant, Mr Francis Babatunde, said the two documents, if reviewed, would enhance the deployment capacity of ESF for strategic roles towards a formidable regional security framework. (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen and Philip Yatai

World Environment Day: NNPC Foundation seeks to mitigate desertification, degradation
Environment , Oil & Gas

World Environment Day: NNPC Foundation seeks to mitigate desertification, degradation

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By Emmanuella Anokam

The NNPC Foundation Ltd. says it is focused on mitigating land erosion, desertification and drought by re-vegetating the environment through aggressive tree planting campaigns.

Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, the Managing Director, NNPC Foundation Ltd., said this at the 2024 World Environment Day (WED) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WED is celebrated globally every June 5.

The theme for 2024: “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience.”

Arukwe who described the environment as being intricate noted that it must be preserved by creating a balance in the ecosystem.

Arukwe, represented by Mr Aminu Muazu, Executive Director, Programme Management, NNPC Foundation, said environmental degradation could be mitigated through partnership with relevant government agencies.

According to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, about 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, directly affecting half of the global population, threatening economies and means of livelihood.

The convention also said that drought increased by 29 per cent since the year 2000 and if persistent, may effect over three quarters of the global population by 2050.

Nigeria, according to the United Nations, has the highest deforestation rate in the world, with an estimated 3.7 per cent of its forest lost every year.

She said that 15 out of the 35 states, predominantly in the northern part of the country, are affected by desertification.
Arukwe added that 63.3s per cent of the country’s entire land mass suffer desert encroachment.

She said land mass vegetation, farmlands agro-economies and other means of livelihood in the country were fast being overtaken by the twin challenge of desertification and drought.

Based on this, she said part of its efforts at the NNPC Foundation, was to mitigate land erosion, desertification and drought by re-vegetating the environment, through aggressive tree planting campaigns.

“I extend to you compliments from the NNPC Ltd. management and its Group Chief Executive Officer, Malam Mele Kyari, who is passionate about executing positive and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the country.

“As a recently transited privately company, NNPC Ltd. is positioned to align with global best practice in the energy industry and is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals.

“The NNPC Foundation was established as the social arm of NNPC Ltd. to be the connect between the stakeholders who are the over 200 million Nigerians and the company, through execution of impactful and sustainable CSR initiatives/projects.

“One of the key focus areas of NNPC Foundation is to undertake impactful initiatives on environment and in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day; we have lined up strategic programmes.

“These include tree planting campaigns in schools, sponsorship of quizzes/competitions to celebrate the day, presentations to school children and other events all targeted to sensitising the citizenry on environmental preservation,” she said.

She said our existence with that of our environment was interwoven and we were mutually bound to our environment and must be careful not to hurt it through our activities.

She listed such activities as tree cutting, indiscriminate timber logging business, bush burning and others, adding that by so doing, we tend to hurt our own very existence.

Arukwe called for collective affirmative action of responsibility for the survival of our immediate environment and in essence, bring about positive spiral effects of our action to the global habitat.

“It is most pertinent that we intentionally work toward sustaining the balance in our ecosystem, by keeping our planet replenished with its natural forms and maintain its equilibrium,” she said.

NAN reports that the highlights of the event were environmental preservation sensitisation, enlightenment programmes and ceremonial tree planting at some schools in the Federal Capital Territory. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

ECOWAS disability inclusion action plan inching towards vision 2050 realisation —Commissioner
General News

ECOWAS disability inclusion action plan inching towards vision 2050 realisation —Commissioner

248 total views today

R-L: Prof. Fatou Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development; Mr Abel Enitan, Permanent Secretary and Acting Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; and Mr Mohammed Isa, Senior Special Assistant to President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, at the event on Wednesday in Abuja

By Mark Longyen

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says adopting a subregional disability inclusion action plan will be a step towards realizing its “ECOWAS of the Peoples” Vision 2050.

Prof. Fatou Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner, Human Development and Social Affairs, stated this at a meeting to adopt the bloc’s action plan on the social inclusion of people living with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was the maiden edition of the West African ministers in charge of PWDs.

“With the adoption of this action plan on the inclusion of people with disabilities, a further step is taken in the realisation of Vision 2050, towards the ECOWAS of the peoples.

“Currently, we are implementing a pilot project which covers two ECOWAS member states which are Togo and Nigeria.

“This program will provide assistive devices to children with disabilities and is expected in the future, to cover all member states.

“This is an invaluable opportunity, not to reaffirm our commitment to the provisions of Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Convention and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Sustainable Development Goals and the vision of ECOWAS 2050,” Sarr said.

The commissioner explained that the 2022-2030 action plan covered three main priority areas aimed at to further strengthening disability inclusion in ECOWAS and its member states.

“The three priority areas, which include activities, verifiable results and timeline, are improving disability inclusion across all aspects of the work of the ECOWAS Commission.

“Also, improvement of the legal and policy environment for the inclusion of people with disabilities and strengthened regional partnerships for increased resource mobilisation for the inclusion of people with disabilities.

“Knowing that persons with disability are vulnerable and living in most cases in precariousness, the ECOWAS Commission has intensified its collaboration with the national and regional associations of persons with disabilities and organised various awareness forums for PWDs,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Abel Enitan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, lauded ECOWAS for the move to adopt the action plan.

Enitan, who is also the Acting Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, called for the establishment of an ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs.

According to him, Nigeria has demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People With Disabilities (CRPD), which was ratified in 2007.

“In order to make ECOWAS an all-inclusive region for persons with disabilities in member states, Nigeria is calling for the establishment of the ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs (EADA).

“This is to integrate regional disability policies and strategies for rehabilitation and equal opportunity in the community, as well as provide a mechanism to protect, promote, support and respect the actions of people with disabilities.

“This affirmative action must be viewed through the prism of human diversity, while ensuring that individuals with disabilities have as many opportunities as possible to participate in all levels of decision-making in ECOWA, so that no one is left behind,” he said.

Mr Mohammed Isa, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, also lauded ECOWAS for the initiative, stressing that the President had directed the implementation of the action plan.

“In line with this mandate, my office has initiated the Beyond Disability Project to help drive the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan.

“The project is aimed to promote inclusivity and accessibility for Persons with Disabilities in Niger,” Isa said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Health

Experts task administrative professionals on enhanced productivity

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Dignitaries at the 2024 Administrative Professionals’ Day at Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos on Wednesday
Dignitaries at the 2024 Administrative Professionals’ Day at Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, Lagos on Wednesday

Lilian U. Okoro

A Professor of Human Resources Management, Foluso Jayeoba, has urged administrative professionals to focus on cooperation and collaboration rather than competition to enhance their productivity and service delivery.

Jayeoba of the Department of Industrial Relations and Human Resources, Lagos State University, Ojo, gave the advice at a lecture organised by the Administrative Department, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, on Wednesday in Lagos.

The lecture was organised to mark the ‘2024 Administrative Professionals’ Day’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is: “System Thinking for Effective Organisational Performance”.

Jayeoba, also the keynote speaker at the programme, said that administrative professionals should work together to be able to deliver largely toward achieving the goal of the organisation.

According to him, more achievements will be made when work are done collectively rather than individuals, stressing that workers should focus on system thinking by working toward the overall goals and objectives of their organisations.

He explained that every part of the organisation was as important as the other, saying it was important to understand the need for interaction between all the parts of an organisation if the set goals would be actualised.

He identified the benefits of system thinking to include enhanced productivity, improved decision making and enhanced problem solving, amongst others.

“The perception of system thinking as implied in the theme, entails that people should work together to deliver effectively to the clients and equally meet the purpose of the organisation.

“No individual is bigger than the organization. So, if the workers cooperate and collaborate, there will be room for increased productivity.

“If workers should have that perception of system thinking, works become easy and people will have the right attitude toward work and there won’t be competition but rather cooperation,” Jayeoba said.

Prof. Akin Osibogun of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, said that the roles of administrators were critical to the implementation of policies and overall management of an organisation.

Osibogun, also Chairman of the programme, said that administrators were the custodian of rules and regulations of an organisation, saying that without them, effective management in an organisation might be jeopardised.

“Administration department is the pillar of an organisation. I am excited that administrative professionals of the hospital are developing this skill.

“Be mindful that it’s a journey that requires continuous development through skills acquisitions, trainings and learning. There are bound to be challenges on the way but I pay that God will see you through,” Osibogun said.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, urged the administrative professionals to continually develop and update themselves with the new developments in the profession for effective performance.

According to him, the administrative professionals should be more devoted to their jobs, while upholding the ethics of the profession.

Owoeye, who congratulated the administrative professionals for their self-developments and organising the programme, said it was a wake-up call for other various departments in the hospital.

“Personal development is key; ensure you continually update and develop yourselves with the developments in the profession as well as the ethics.

“I congratulate the administrative department for coming up to develop themselves and organise this programme.

“It is like encouraging other various departments in the hospital to follow suit,” Owoeye said.

Earlier, the Director of Administration of the hospital, Dr Adeyinka Antwi, called on administrative professionals to develop work culture/ethics to enhance their performance and productivity.

Antwi said that workers’ attitude to work needed to improve in terms of the hour, way and methods devoted to the work so that the productivity would improve.

According to him, workers’ inputs must be equal to the outputs but some workers wanted to be paid even without doing work.

“Basically, work ethics and culture need to improve; the way we do our work, the hours we give to the work, must improve so that our performance can also improve.

“So that at the end of it all, you can now boldly make a demand for your organisation to compensate you accordingly.

“Unfortunately, some people want to be paid even when they did not work.

“As a nation, the first thing to do is to ensure we have a good work culture so that we raise the productivity level of the country.

“And as we raise the productivity and we are well; then we can tell the government to give us more for what we are doing and also bring to task those in governance if they are not doing what we expect them to do,” Antwi said.

Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

NBRRI designs, fabricates 13 software, machines
General News

NBRRI designs, fabricates 13 software, machines

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By Angela Atabo

The Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) says it designed and fabricated no fewer than 13 machines and software using the reverse engineering process in 2023.

Prof. Samson Duna, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NBRRI, made this known on Wednesday at the Presentation of 2023 NBRRI scorecard to stakeholders in Abuja.

Reverse engineering, known as backwards engineering, is the process through which one attempts to understand through deductive reasoning how a previously made device, process, system or software accomplishes a task.

The process is specific to the object on which it is being performed. All reverse engineering processes consist of three basic steps namely, information extraction, modelling and review.

According to Duna NBRRI is mandated to conduct integrated and applied research and development activities into the varied aspects of the construction industry.

He said that several significant achievements were recorded in the last few years.

These achievements were in the areas of new innovations, upgrading some existing NBRRI innovations, evolving and embarking on new projects, embarking on aggressive outreach/extension programs, administration activities among others.

“The machines are: design and construction of a mini excavator, design and fabrication of interlocking sandcrete block-making machine and design and fabrication of particleboard rotary dryer.

“Others are design and fabrication of NBRRI concrete mixer, development of heavy-duty hydraulic forklift machine for building application and design and construction of earth compactor and asphalt cutting machine.

“There is also evaluating the viability of silica sand in Nasarawa and Benue states for the production of glass for construction industries and the application of intelligent sensors to monitor concrete hardening.

“We also designed demonstration project to develop modular toilets based on polymer-based composite material, including development and application of an intelligent traffic control system’’, he said.

Duna said that the NBRRI Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and building automation solution were also designed to enhance energy efficiency.

He added that Real Time Locators (RTLs) was designed to enhance the safety of workers on construction sites in the event of building collapse in Nigeria with the implementation of real-time locators.

He said that NBRRI also got two patent certificates giving the institute the authority or license to invent.

Duna said these were: the NBRRI Semi-Automated Interlocking Block Making Machine (Diesel Driven) and the NBRRI Semi-Automated Interlocking Block Making Machine (Electric Driven).

One of the main functions of the patent system, according to him, is to foster technological innovation by providing an incentive for research and development.

He said the patent system also helps in disseminating technical information and promote technology transfer as well as protect inventions that, useful and offer a significant improvement over what already exists.

The D-G said that NBRRI also carried various capacity programmes and developed a curriculum for artisans in the construction industry.

“NBRRI developed a robust, practical and relevant competency based curriculum for the training of artisans in 10 selected trades in the construction industry.

“These are: Masonry, carpentry, electrical installation, plumbing and fittings, floor finishes, Iron bending, painting and decoration and draughting.

“Others are: Concrete and reinforcement, health and safety,’’ he said.

Duna said that NBRRI carried out over 15 innovation, research and development projects in 2023.

He said one of the mandates of NBRRI is to conduct research into Local building and construction materials to determine the most effective and economic methods for their utilisation.

He said in line with that mandate NBRRI developed new ways of using available local materials in building, road and fabrication.

These included the production of asphalt from natural sand and bitumen, use of bamboo as reinforcement, the development of Rubberised Asphalt Mat (RAM), design and fabrication of an automatic wall plastering machine.

Duna said many opportunities abound in NBRI and urged Nigerians to leverage the institution’s milestone in works and housing sectors.

He said that poor funding, poor patronage of NBRRI products and preference for use of conventional building materials instead of NBRRI’s innovation were as some of the challenges faced by the institute.

He therefore, called on the Federal to increase funding for the institute as well produce policies that would compel patronage of its innovation as ways of strengthening its operations. (NAN)(www.nannews.com)

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Edited by Uche Anunne

Lagbaja inaugurates NAOWA multipurpose complex in Abuja
Defence/Security

Lagbaja inaugurates NAOWA multipurpose complex in Abuja

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The President, Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Maria Lagbaja, on Wednesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art multipurpose complex built by the Army Headquarters (AHQ) Garrison Chapter, Mambilla Barracks, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the complex which serves as the Secretariat for the NAOWA AHQ Garrison chapter comprises offices, a conference hall, and a vocational training centre.

The edifice was named after the NAOWA President, the wife of Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, as Maria Lagbaja Skills Acquisition Centre.

Lagbaja, in her remarks, said that the complex marked another significant milestone in the advancement of NAOWA.

She said it was also a testament of hard work, dedication and in line with her vision of unwavering commitment to unity and service for the betterment of humanity.

She said the facility would provide the much needed conducive environment, for meetings and gatherings of NAOWA members under the AHQ Garrison.

Lagbaja appreciated the Commander, AHQ Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Koko Isoni, the chapter coordinator and members for their consistent support to the association.

She called on NAOWA members to come up with innovative projects and initiatives that would contribute positively to the growth and development of the association.

The Commander, AHQ Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Isoni, commended NAOWA for the centre and for their commitment to the growth and wellbeing of the widows of fallen heroes, youths and the vulnerable in the Balak community.

He urged them to continue to collaborate with other relevant non-governmental organisations to further develop and enhance capacity building in the barracks and surrounding communities.

“It is our hope and desire that this centre will fulfil the purpose for which it has been established.

“In the light of the above, I wish to reiterate that the AHQ garrison will continue to support the activities and programmes of this noble association that has continued to make us proud, both nationally and internationally,” he said.

The Coordinator of Chapter, Mrs Pearl Isoni, said that the complex was possible because of hard work and the unwavering commitment to the betterment of the barracks community.

She said the centre, as a hub for innovation and creativity, would foster growth, unity, connections, and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.

“More importantly, this building will act as a catalyst for positive change, providing resources, support and inspiration to all who walk through this door.

“As we stand on the threshold of this new chapter, let us carry forward the spirit of unity, collaboration, and determination that brought us to this moment.

“In commissioning this centre, we are not just opening a door, we are opening endless possibilities for the future of the youths and women, who come here to learn skills to better their lives and our barrack community,” Isoni said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chidi Opara and Abiemwense Moru

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