NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

ACSRG advocates stronger FGM laws, enforcement in Africa

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By Philip Yatai

The African Civil Society Reference Group Inc (ACSRG), has called for the strengthening and full enforcement of anti- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) laws in Africa.

The group made the call in a statement signed by a member of its Board of Directors, Mr John Ede, to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM.

In the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, that group said that the move would close legal loopholes and hold perpetrators accountable.

It added that the legal frameworks should be complemented by comprehensive awareness campaigns that respect cultural heritage, while safeguarding the rights of girls.

The group pointed out that FGM was deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and social traditions, with no medical or health benefits – only lifelong consequences.

ACSRG said that the practice leads to severe health complications, including infections, chronic pain, childbirth complications, psychological trauma, and even death.

It added that beyond the physical harm, FGM entrenches gender inequality, limits educational and economic opportunities for women and girls, and violates international conventions on human rights.

“While progress has been made in many countries, over 200 million girls and women have already undergone FGM, and 4.3 million more are at risk in 2024 alone.

“Without urgent intervention, this number could rise to 4.6 million annually by 2030, making the elimination of FGM an urgent global priority,” the statement said.

ACSRG reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the global action to end the harmful practice of FGM, describing it as a “grave human rights violation.”

It stressed that the practice deprives millions of women and girls of their dignity, bodily autonomy, and the right to a life free from violence.

The group also called for the promotion of community-led advocacy and dialogue to drive sustainable change within affected communities.

It urges traditional and religious leaders, parents, and young people to champion positive cultural shifts that protect girls and promote alternative rites of passage that uphold dignity and tradition without harm.

ACSRG equally called for increased investments in education and awareness creation on the dangers of FGM in schools, healthcare centres, and communities.

According to the organisation, girls, families, and local leaders need access to culturally sensitive and evidence-based information that challenges myths and promotes gender equality.

“There is also the need to provide comprehensive support for survivors. Women and girls who have experienced FGM must receive medical, psychological, legal, and economic support to recover and rebuild their lives.

“Healthcare systems must be equipped to provide specialised treatment for FGM survivors, ensuring access to quality reproductive and mental health services.”

The group also advocated for stronger regional and global collaboration among African nations and international bodies.

This, it said, would coordinate anti-FGM efforts, share best practices, and increase funding for grassroots organisations leading the fight against FGM.

On zero tolerance and a future free from FGM, ACSRG noted that ending FGM was not just an African or women’s issue, but a global human rights imperative.

According to the group, achieving zero FGM requires bold leadership, sustained advocacy, and collective action at every level of society.

“Therefore, ACSRG, a leading platform addressing issues affecting women and children across Africa, stands in solidarity with survivors, activists, policymakers, and communities working tirelessly to eliminate FGM.

“We must continue to amplify voices, push for stronger policies, and create a world where every girl grows up free from harm, with the right to control her own body, future, and destiny.” (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

UNFPA highlights roles in reproductive health in Africa

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By Folasade Akpan

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) plays crucial role in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in West and Central Africa.

 

The fund also addresses key challenges such as maternal mortality, unmet family planning needs, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and vulnerabilities of women and girls in humanitarian crises.

 

Alian Akpadji, the UNFPA Resident Representative for West and Central Africa, who represented Sennen Hounton, the fund’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said these during a news conference on the sidelines of the 5th Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri.

 

He said the region had continued to grapple with many reproductive health issues amid fragile health systems, making UNFPA’s interventions vital for sustainable development and human rights.

 

He outlined key focus areas of UNFPA’s work, emphasising commitment to reducing maternal mortality.

 

He highlighted efforts to expand access to quality maternal healthcare by strengthening antenatal, childbirth, and postnatal services, as well as supporting Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) to address life-threatening pregnancy and delivery complications.

 

He further noted that “UNFPA is training midwives, nurses and healthcare workers to improve skilled birth attendance, particularly in underserved communities, while advocating Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to ensure every woman has access to life-saving maternal health services..”

 

He underscored the importance of family planning and reproductive health, stressing that UNFPA provides modern contraceptive methods and counselling to prevent unintended pregnancies and empower women to make informed choices.

 

The regional director added that strengthening supply chains ensures uninterrupted access to contraceptives and essential reproductive health commodities.

 

He emphasised UNFPA’s role in advocating youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health education to address early pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

 

According to him, the fund implements GBV prevention and response programmes, including safe spaces, psychological support, and legal assistance for survivors.

 

“UNFPA is working with governments and communities to end child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and other harmful traditional practices,” he added.

 

The UNFPA official further said that efforts are being made to strengthen law enforcement and justice systems to hold perpetrators of GBV accountable.

 

He highlighted the organisation’s commitment to adolescent and youth reproductive health needs, strengthening healthcare systems and humanitarian response.

 

He said “UNFPA is enhancing the capacity of national health systems to deliver quality Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, even in fragile settings.

 

“The agency provides lifesaving reproductive health services in humanitarian crises, including safe childbirth kits, emergency contraception, and post-rape care.

 

“Mobile health clinics have been deployed to reach displaced populations and communities in remote areas, while gender-responsive policies are being advocated to prioritise women’s and girls’ needs in humanitarian and post-conflict recovery efforts.”

 

On gender equality and women’s empowerment, he stressed the need to support women’s economic empowerment by linking reproductive health services with education, vocational training, and financial literacy programmes.

 

He explained that UNFPA collaborates with faith-based and traditional leaders to shift social norms and promote gender equality, while campaigning for gender-responsive policies that ensure women’s voices are included in decision-making at all levels.

 

On the use of data and innovation for better health outcomes, Akpadji revealed that UNFPA conducts demographic surveys to inform policies on health, education, and economic planning.

 

He noted that digital health solutions and mobile platforms are being used to provide reproductive health information and services, while strengthening Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) to ensures every birth is recorded, facilitating access to healthcare and social services.

 

Reflecting on UNFPA’s impact in West and Central Africa, he said that through partnerships with governments, civil society, youth groups, and international organisations, the agency has contributed to increased contraceptive prevalence rates and a reduced unmet need for family planning.

 

He noted that lower maternal mortality rates had been achieved in several countries through improved access to quality maternal health services.

 

He emphasised that awareness and advocacy against GBV led to stronger legal protections for women and girls, while more inclusive policies for youth and adolescents ensured greater access to reproductive health education and services.

 

He reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to ensuring vulnerable and displaced persons received the support they needed for a healthier and more empowered future.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Nigeria major source for human trafficking in Africa – Minister

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By Justina Auta

Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, says Nigeria is one of the main source, transit and destination for human trafficking in Africa.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated this at the 2025 annual academic summit organised by the University of Abuja Faculty of Social Sciences, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The theme of the summit is, “Illegal Migration and girl-child trafficking in 21st century Nigeria: Changing the mindset through quality and functional university education.”

She said poverty and economic hardship, lack of education and skills, cultural and gender norms, and weak law enforcement, amongst others were factors that contributed to illegal migration and trafficking in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is one of the main source, transit, and destination countries for human trafficking in Africa.

“According to the Global Slavery Index (2023), Nigeria ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of trafficked persons.

“An estimated 1.4 million Nigerians are victims of modern slavery, with women and girls making up the majority.

“Over 60 per cent of Nigerians attempting to migrate irregularly are women and girls, many of whom are trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.

“Reports indicate that over 50,000 Nigerian women are trapped in forced prostitution across Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain.

“The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 80 per cent of Nigerian women who arrive in Europe through irregular routes are potential trafficking victims.

“The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that Nigeria accounts for nearly 50 per cent of all human trafficking cases in West Africa,” she said.

She said the figures underscored the urgent need for policy, awareness, and systemic interventions to combat the menace of human trafficking and illegal migration.

The minister, therefore, stressed the need to improve access to education to break the cycle of trafficking and illegal migration.

” It remains the most powerful tool in equipping young girls with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed choices about their futures.

“Quality and functional university education must go beyond theory and be practical, relevant, and empowering.

” Our institutions must be intentional in preparing students – particularly young women for economic independence through.

She, therefore,urged universities and higher institutions to integrate human trafficking awareness and migration literacy into their curricula.

She also called on students, youth organisations, religious and traditional leaders, as well as CSOs to champion peer education and advocacy.

The minister reiterated government commitment towards advancing initiatives that promote education, skills development, and economic empowerment to prevent vulnerable girls from falling into the hands of traffickers.

She added that the ministry was working towards strengthening legal frameworks to review and enhance protection laws for women and children.

“The fight against illegal migration and girl-child trafficking is a fight for the soul of our nation.

” If we fail to act decisively, we risk losing an entire generation of young women to exploitation, violence, and despair,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Sierra Leonean news agency boss urges public health sovereignty promotion

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By Mark Longyen

The Managing Director of the Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA), Mrs Lolo Thompson-Oguamah, has urged African news agencies to leverage their platforms to achieve public health sovereignty in their countries.

 

She stated this on Wednesday in Rabat, the Moroccan capital, at the 8th General Assembly of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA), with the theme: “Health Sovereignty in Africa”.

 

Thompson-Oguamah, Sierra Leone’s Media Lead in Risk Communication and Social Mobilisation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ebola Virus Emergency Preparedness Plan, underscored the important role of the media in safeguarding health sovereignty.

 

According to her, health sovereignty is not just about providing resources but also about empowering people with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions for their well-being.

 

She said that her experiences during the pandemics served as clear testimonies to the indispensable role of the media in strengthening health systems, shaping public narratives, and saving lives.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities across Africa, not only in healthcare systems but also in our information ecosystems.

 

“In Sierra Leone, the dual crises of Ebola and COVID-19 highlighted the urgent need for sovereign health systems tailored to our unique challenges.

 

“Weak health infrastructure, compounded by misinformation and disinformation, magnified the impact of the two health crises, resulting in unnecessary loss of lives and a slower recovery process,” she said.

 

Thompson-Oguamah noted that the pandemics highlighted the fact that many people in Sierra Leone died because of insufficient information, stressing that the media’s role in helping to close the glaring gaps cannot be overemphasised.

 

The SLENA boss also emphasised that timely, accurate, and culturally sensitive communication form the cornerstone of crisis management.

 

“The media’s role extends beyond information dissemination. We are catalysts for public understanding, trust, and action.

 

“By embracing this responsibility, we can help build a future where every African enjoys the dignity of informed health decisions.

 

“Health sovereignty begins with information sovereignty. By empowering our people with accurate, reliable information, we enable them to take ownership of their health and futures,” she said.

 

Thompson-Oguamah further noted that health sovereignty requires a multi-faceted approach to succeed.

 

This, she said, required investing in specialised training skilled journalists capable of interpreting epidemiological data and navigating ethical reporting dimensions.

 

She also urged the African news agencies to leverage digital platforms to amplify accurate information and combat disinformation because they offer unparalleled opportunities.

 

“Social media campaigns, mobile outreach programmes, and visual aids are instrumental in our efforts,” she said.

 

She urged them to engage in gender-inclusive communication by mainstreaming gender into all their programmes and harness women’s leadership that would foster resilience and improve outcomes.

 

The SLENA MD added that partnerships among the media and health sectors as well as community leaders are critical to achieving public health sovereignty.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Malam Ali M. Ali, is among the African News Agencies’ chiefs attending the General Assembly.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

ACCI to establish university to bridge skills gap in Africa

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By Lucy Ogalue

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has announced plans to establish a Continental University aimed at addressing the skills gap across Africa.

The President of ACCI, Dr Emeka Obegolu, said this at the chamber’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja.

According to Obegolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the proposed university, known as the ACCI Continental University, will provide hybrid online and full-time education.

He said the institution would operate as a truly pan-African university, offering training in five major languages including English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, and Swahili.

According to the ACCI boss, the diverse languages will serve the diverse regions of the continent.

“We are engaging with the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) to secure approval for the university.

“The facilities are already in place, and we are consulting with international education specialists to design a comprehensive curriculum, particularly for the language components,” Obegolu said.

He said that the university would focus on equipping students with practical and technical skills tailored to meet the demands of the labour market.

The ACCI president restated the need to address the mismatch between university graduates’ qualifications and the skills required by industries.

“It is no longer enough to graduate with degrees in political science or sociology without the necessary foundational skills.

“Many of these graduates end up in unrelated fields, such as banking, without adequate preparation,” he said.

The ACCI president added that the university would support businesses by providing trained personnel in high-demand fields such as carpentry, medicine, and other vocational areas.

Obegolu also emphasised that the university would bridge the gap in skilled manpower across the continent, ensuring businesses had access to a workforce tailored to their specific needs.

On the timeline for the university’s launch, he said it would depend on the NUC’s approval.

“We are ready on our part, but the timeline is subject to the NUC’s decision. Once we secure their approval, we will announce a definitive schedule.

“I am calling on the media to support the initiative by promoting its vision and objectives, which aligns with fostering economic growth and reducing unemployment across Africa,” he said.

According to Obegolu, the year 2024 has been challenging for many businesses as they continued to stay afloat without sinking.

“The Chamba is a sub-component of Nigeria, so businesses have not had it easy for 2024, but again, there are pointers that 2025 may be better.

“If we are able, as a country, to deal with the stability of our national currency, the Naira , it will help businesses to plan ahead.

“The challenge we faced in 2024 is the inability of businesses to plan because without knowing what the exchange rate will be, it is difficult for businesses to plan.

“So what they resorted to was more of gambling, and some won, some lost. So businesses thrived, some businesses also suffered and shut down,” Obegolu said.

On projections for 2025, Obegolu said the ACCl would focus on advocating for the development of the Idu Industrial District, as it had the potential to support employment in the country.

According to him, the hub will support industrialisation and the economy of the Federal Capital Territory.

Obegolu therefore reiterated the importance for state governments to set up a minimum of one or two industrial districts with dedicated power, infrastructure, and everything needed for businesses to thrive.

On the increased inflation rate, Obegolu said instability rather than rate increase was the challenge, thus the importance of regulating the Naira to enable businesses to plan.

On the increased inflation rate, Obegolu said the major challenge was the instability of the naira, thus the importance of regulating the naira to enable businesses to plan.

While commending the Chamber for the strides achieved over the years, its First Deputy President, Prof Adesoji Adesugba, reiterated the importance of collaboration among members.

Adesugba said, “We can only be stronger as an organisation when we work together.”

Also, the ACCI Second Deputy president, Dr Aliyu Hong, commended the vision, courage, and boldness of the chamber’s president.

“We have a formidable president who is thinking for tomorrow and not today. That is why we have been able to achieve the things we have achieved today.

“I want to urge members to take advantage of the initiatives we have at the chamber as they provide basic solutions to most of the problems we face as a business,” he said.

The President, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Mr David Etim, urged the government to include the private sector in its projects as it was a major way of growing the economy. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Strengthen agriculture value chains, Chambas tells ECOWAS

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By Mufutau Ojo

Renowned diplomat, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, says the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) must recommit to strengthening regional agriculture value chains.

 

Chambas made the call at the 66th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS summit of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja on Sunday.

 

He said strengthening agriculture value chains would help create the much-needed economic opportunity for farmers and economic operators.

 

Chambas, who is the Chairman of the Taskforce on the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), said this would also reduce regional food security challenges.

 

He expressed optimism that the region would be able achieve a more resilient and sustainable agriculture sector.

 

Chambas further said the delays in addressing the challenges hindering the free movement of persons and goods were not unique to any particular region of Africa.

 

He described ECOWAS as a regional leader in terms of freedom of movement of its people.

 

Chambas said dysfunctions resulting from misapplication of ETLS protocols were partly due to weak institutional capacity of National Committees for the Recognition of Community Origin.

 

He identified the lack of knowledge of the protocols by economic actors as another challenge.

 

” Trade and development move along with people who trade, and West Africa is not an exception for what unites us is not just economic ties, but also social and cultural ones.

 

” As such, we need to continue to focus on improving the economic conditions of our people and to promote our regional integration in order to help increase our intra-Africa exchanges in all relevant areas.

 

” West Africa is a region where, for centuries, our people have moved about freely, engaging in commerce and building traditional bonds and historic relationships.

 

” This is a moment to work to build a borderless Africa, not the moment to step backward,” he said.

 

Chambas also said free movement of people, goods and services across the continent must be made a priority in order to boost development and shared prosperity.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

ASRIC urges African scientists to lay foundations for new scientific era

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By Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Chairman of the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC), Prof.  Sammy Chumbow, has urged African scientists to lay foundations for a new science and technology era using innovation and research.

Chumbow made the call on Friday in his closing remarks at the 7th ASRIC Congress in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

He said the transition into a scientific era as Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2024 has ended and Africa was set to adopt the policy strategy of STISA 2024.

Chumbow said, “The strategy aims to guide the continent’s STI development over the next decade.

“Therefore, African scientists should harness the power of science, technology, and innovation to drive economic growth, sustainable development, and global competitiveness.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that STISA-2024 is the first of the ten-year incremental phasing strategies to respond to demands for STI in different sectors.

They include:  Agriculture, energy, environment, health and security, among others.

STISA-2034 will build on the successes of its predecessor, STISA-2024, and address emerging challenges and opportunities in Africa’s STI landscape.

STISA-2034 was validated by the African stakeholders in STI in November 2024 and will be endorsed at the AU Summit in February 2025.

The chairman stated that this development marked a significant milestone in Africa’s quest to harness the power of science which should be tapped into by African scientists.

Chumbow added that the strategy would reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of African countries, which should foster a united approach by African scientists to STI development on the continent.

He also called on the council’s Bureau to study the objectives and mandates of ASRIC guidelines so as to sharpen their focus on initiatives that produce continental and regional STI development.

Chumbow urged the bureau’s members not to lose touch with research institutions and university officials and to adopt the principles of focal point so as to make a difference in their fields.

The Executive Director, African Union Scientific and Technical Research Commission (AUSTRC) and ASRIC, Dr Ahmed Hamdy, in his closing remarks, said entering another transition period marks a major shift in innovations.

“Coming forward from where we are where the changes are so obvious, entering a period of major transition globally. We are facing several challenges spanning from climate change, emerging diseases among others.

“Let us as scientists look at each of these challenges separately to have a better understanding of how best we can tackle them using STI,’’ he said.

Hamdy said that the challenges of global change required a transition not only in society but also in the scientific community which scientists should rise up to.

“Global change poses unprecedented challenges to scientific and policy communities, a kind that cannot be tackled using existing conceptual frameworks and methods.

“They are likely to change how we live and relate with each other and scientists should rise to the occasion,’’ he said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

ASRIC chair urges members to commit 1% GDP to research, dev’t

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Tolu Aiyegbusi

The Chairman of African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC), Prof. Sammy Chumbow, has called on governments of African member states to commit 1 per cent of their nations’ GDP to fund research and development.

Chumbow, the President of Cameroon Academy of Sciences, made the call on Wednesday in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in an acceptance speech after emerging as the chairman of ASRIC, making him the third elected chairman of the council.

The newly elected ASRIC chair stated that African leaders ought to devote more resources and funds to the development of Science, Technology and Innovation in their countries.

NAN reports that Chumbow, a national of Cameroun, contested with representatives from Senegal and Zimbabwe and he emerged as chairman of ASRIC with 15 votes from 22 voting member countries.

He said that science and technology policies, which would improve research and innovation across the continent, called for cooperation among scientists in the continent.

Chumbow promised to work with the team of ASRIC Assistant Chairs to ensure African countries invest in capacity building.

He called for improvements in the area of innovation policy development and promotion of regional innovation policy.

Chumbow also pledged to use his office to follow through with implementing the policy document of STISA-2024 and address the aspirations identified under the Agenda 2063.

Emphasising the need for increased funding for Research and Development (R&D), he added that funding  for R&D was geared towards long-term success in any economy.

“The reality of insufficient funding has never been more apparent than during the recent Coronavirus Pandemic.

“African countries must increase their spending on STI to at least 1% of their national budgets to achieve success that can place Africa on the global map,’’ the chairman said.

Chumbow also stressed the need for capacity building for researchers and potential innovators in the continent.

According to him, increased investment in Science, Engineering and Entrepreneurship skills training would improve R&D outputs.

He said, “Capacity building would address low science infrastructure in African countries and ensure progress in the area of STI in Africa.”

Prof. Ekanem Braide, the outgoing President of the Nigerian Academy of Sciences (NAS) also recommended approaching NGO’s, funding agencies dedicated to funding both public and private R&D to improve ASRIC’s activities.

She stated that funding played a key role in the implementation of ASRIC innovative activities.

“At the regional level, we need to approach and dialogue with African regional bodies, NGO’s, INGO’s to also invest in developing regional innovation strategies.

“This is so ASRIC can pursue and achieve its mandates and implement its flagship projects such as the impactful hepatitis project and other projects,” she said.

NAN reports that the winners of the first, second, third and fourth Vice Chairs of ASRIC were: Prof. Vasey Mwaja, Prof. Francis Agyeni, Dr Thabile Ndolovu and Prof. Khaled Ghedira, respectively. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Former lawmaker urges consistency in climate policy implementation

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By Joseph Edeh

Former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Oniugbo, has urged African nations to be consistent in the implementation of policies aimed at mitigating the impact of climate change.

The climate change advocate, who participated in the just-concluded CoP29, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that many African countries were trying to enact Climate Change Acts, to guide them in policy directives.

“More importantly, there must be consistency in policy pronunciation and implementation. To avoid policy somersault there must be a framework to guide its implementation,“ he said.

He said that African nations went to the CoP29, to negotiate for a good deal and not to beg for money.

The former lawmaker said to have access to money from the international bodies, it was important to follow due process and stringent conditions.

Onuigbo said that the 54 African nations contribute only three per cent to climate change, but they bore the brunt of climate change.

“Africans are on the disadvantage side, we are not supposed to be bearing the devastation coming from climate change.

“Climate change is human activities like pushing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This has been done by developed countries who have been using coal and fossil fuel over the years,“ he said.

He said that Africa and other developing nations at CoP29 demanded the developed world to contribute 1.23 trillion dollars per annum to tackle the issues of climate change.

“After a long negotiation what was approved was 1billion dollars per annum and to now work to attain the 1.23 trillion over a period of time,“ he said.

On the part of Nigeria, he said President Bola Tinubu was working assiduously to mitigate the impact of climate change on Nigeria.

“Tinubu had clearly said that Nigeria will use climate change to attract investments to the country

“He also said that the developed world must bring money to the activities of climate change,“ he said.

Onuigbo said that to achieve that he had attended several meetings in Dubai on the issue of tripling renewables and activities of the carbon market.

He said the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) policy of the current government was a far-reaching action to tackle climate change impact on the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onuigbo sponsored the Climate Act in the 9th National Assembly. It provides the legal and administrative framework for Nigeria’s climate change policies and actions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

GOMYCODE, Doballi partner to facilitate job placement for Africa’s tech talent 

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By Angela Atabo

GOMYCODE, a leading technology education provider in Africa and the Middle East, has partnered with Doballi, to facilitate the absorption of Africa’s pool of tech talent into global workplaces.

The partnership with Doballi, a Dubai-based innovative tech talent recruitment platform, comes amid a growing demand by global enterprises for African tech talent, but without a unified curriculum or standardised training across the continent.

Mr Yahya Bouhlel, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of GOMYCODE stated this in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.

Bouhlel added that the lack of standardised training of tech talent has resulted in the process of hiring African tech talent as a “hit or miss”; and the gap keeps widening.

He said that GOMYCODE has trained over 40,000 individuals with in-demand tech skills in over 30 cities across Africa and the Middle East, where it operates.

The measure, the CEO said, was part of the organisation’s mission to accelerate Africa’s transition to the digital economy and increase GDP per capita.

According to him, the partnership with Doballi will facilitate securing a place in global enterprises for the pool of African tech talent seeking remote job opportunities.

He explained that the partnership with Doballi was in line with the company’s mission to empower individuals with the tech skills they need to succeed in the digital economy.

“Partnering with Doballi allows us to directly connect our talented graduates with global job opportunities, further enhancing the value of a GOMYCODE education.

“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to providing our students with a direct pathway to fulfilling and impactful careers.

“This partnership with Doballi is a significant step forward for the African tech talent ecosystem,” the CEO said.

He added that GOMYCODE and Doballi were fostering economic growth and showcasing the incredible potential of African talent on the world stage.

This, he said, was being done by providing a platform for global companies to access and hire rigorously vetted African tech professionals easily.

“We believe this will inspire more young Africans to pursue careers in technology and contribute to the continent’s digital transformation,” he said.

Bouhlel said that Doballi, a company of AfroVision Technologies Ltd, has built a formidable bridge between global business owners and vetted African tech talent by digitising technical assessments.

He added that the development has brought the best African tech talent into Doballi with agility and flexibility and made it easy for global enterprises to hire them.

“With this innovative solution, Doballi provides borderless access to rigorously tested and expertly vetted African tech talent ready to work across all time zones, ensuring employers hire the best talent with the right skill sets and the talent they can trust.

“Doballi will provide this platform for the job-ready African tech talent graduating from GOMYCODE’s tech program and for millions of African tech talents seeking remote job opportunities.

“To ensure that these talents remain relevant in the workplace, Doballi will also offer monthly webinars on tech trends, masterclasses, and various upskilling courses, especially on using Generative Artificial Intelligence, particularly Large Language Models across many sectors,” he said.

On his part, Doballi founder, Mr Osita Oparaugo, expressed excitement over the collaboration with GOMYCODE for its curriculum, which translates into the level of talent that graduates from the company’s centres across Africa.

“I can assure you that GOMYOCDE has designed an industry-driven curriculum that can be benchmarked against the best in the world, and we are ready to present their graduates to the world.

“We are open to collaborations and partnerships that help us achieve our vision of connecting global enterprises with rigorously tested and expertly vetted African tech talents.

“We are also ready to work across all time zones in line with our mission to support Africa in creating sustained growth, driving transformation, and contributing to critical global solutions with her unique assets, a young and dynamic workforce,” Oparaugo said. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai

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