NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Kabir, other surveyors inaugurate World Geospatial Information Home in China
Foreign

Kabir, other surveyors inaugurate World Geospatial Information Home in China

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Ambassador Mohammed Kabir, former Registrar of the Surveyors Council of Nigeria, on Friday joined his colleagues to cut the tape to inaugurate the World Geospatial Information Home (WGIH), in Deqing, China.

The WGIH was inaugurated under the auspices of the United Nations Global Geospatial Knowledge and Innovation Centre (UNGGKIC), also in Deqing, China.

A statement from the WGIH indicated that the Home was built to promote global cooperation and partnership in the geospatial industry.

It also promotes collaboration in universal research and innovation and engages in the dissemination of geospatial information for the benefit of the global community.

Together with the inauguration of the Home, the International Volunteer Service Federation for Global Geospatial Information Management (GGIM), was also launched.

It is expected to augment the attainment of the objectives of establishing the WGIH.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the event was jointly organised by Geospatial Industry Development Centre of Huzhou Moganshan High-Tech zone, and Deqing Association for Geospatial Information Professionals.

More than 60 participants from the field of surveying, mapping and geospatial information from various countries attended the activity.

Among the countries are Nigeria, China, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia and UK.

Others are Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran and Bolivia.

Keynote speeches were delivered by Prof. Guefei Jing, Deputy Director, Regional Centre of Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and Pacific.

Malam Kabir, who is also the Chairperson of the International Federation of Surveyors-Africa Regional Network, and Ambassador of African Union Agenda 2063, also delivered a keynote address.

Dr Nicholas Hamm, Associate Professor of Geospatial Data Science at the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China, also delivered a keynote address.

The speeches focused on cross-regional cooperation in spatio-temporal biodata as well as AU agenda 2063.

Other areas included China-Africa geospatial information cooperation as well as spatial data science education.

The statement enjoined professionals in the surveying sector to join the International Volunteer Service so as to contribute their quota to global peace and prosperity through the GGIM. (NAN)

Edited by Polycarp Auta

FG inaugurates River Basin boards, urges innovation, accountability
Environment

FG inaugurates River Basin boards, urges innovation, accountability

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By Akpan Glory

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has inaugurated the newly appointed Governing Boards and Executive Management Teams of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs).

Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja on Friday, Utsev congratulated the appointees and emphasised their role in supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged the appointees to prioritise performance, integrity, and innovation by setting clear strategic directions and fostering collaborative, respectful relationships with executive management to achieve results.

The minister emphasised the importance of ethical leadership, adherence to regulations, and a thorough understanding of the River Basin Act and Water Resources Master Plan.

He stressed that effective management of water resources and the expansion of irrigated farming are key to achieving national food security.

“Appointees have been urged to fully understand the ethical rules and regulations guiding public office in order to promote integrity, accountability, and respect in their conduct.

“They are also expected to familiarise themselves with the River Basin Act, the Water Resources Master Plan, and relevant policies to help shape strategic direction and introduce innovative ideas that will transform the sector.

“Furthermore, the Federal Government emphasised the need for a strong commitment to expanding irrigated agriculture across all River Basin Development Authorities, with the goal of supporting all-season farming and enhancing national food production”.

The Minister with the newly appointed Board Chairmen of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities

Utsev also highlighted ongoing initiatives, such as the partial commercialisation of RBDAs and youth empowerment programmes, aimed at boosting food production, creating jobs, and reducing poverty.

He encouraged the new leadership to explore alternative funding sources and public-private partnerships to enhance financial sustainability.

“As a strategic extension of the ministry, you must uphold high standards to deliver on national priorities. Synergy, innovation, and commitment will be crucial to your success,” the minister said.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, described the induction retreat organised for the board members as crucial in repositioning the sector for national development.

Pheelangwah congratulated the appointees and stressed the need for strategic leadership, collaboration, and financial discipline to achieve core mandates in food security, irrigation, clean water access, and rural development.

The Minister with the newly appointed MDs of River Basin Development Authorities .

He noted that the retreat would foster synergy and deepen governance understanding, urging participants to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

Abubakar Malam, Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, responded on behalf of all 12 River Basin Managing Directors and management teams.

He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for their appointments as key actors in the nation’s food security and rural development efforts.

Malam also praised Utsev for his leadership and acknowledged the support of the ministry’s permanent secretary and directors.

He reaffirmed the river basins’ commitment to promoting food security, rural development, and economic empowerment in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the agencies’ collective role in grassroots transformation through agriculture, infrastructure, and poverty reduction will strengthen the sector.

Malam assured stakeholders that the river basins would work collaboratively to fulfil their mandates and justify the confidence placed in them. (NAN)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

Youth council inaugurates new executives in 5 states
General News

Youth council inaugurates new executives in 5 states

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Ikuru Lizzy

The National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN) says it has inaugurated its newly elected executives to pilot its affairs for four years in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Osun, Kano and Kaduna states.

Mr Sokubo Sara-Igbe, President of the council, in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt, charged the new executives on transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

He noted that the election and inauguration which held in Port Harcourt was aimed at promoting peace, cohesion and youth development in member States.

Sara-Igbe also tasked the newly elected executives to bring their wealth of experience to bear by positively impacting the youths through innovative programmes.

Describing NYCN as a non-political organisation, Sara-Igbe urged the new executives to collaborate with the government and private individuals.

He noted that such collaboration would help them develop programmes for impactful youth empowerment.

”The NYCN is not a political platform, it is a non- partisan organisation, you must not make any political endorsements using this platform.

”You must not allow yourselves to be used by politicians to act against the constitution of the council as perpetrators are liable to termination.

”As national leaders, we will continue to support and work with the government at all levels by ensuring that the interest of the Nigerian youth is protected,” he said.

Sara-Igbe, however, said that the council would continue to strive towards promoting youth inclusion in governance in order to engender peace and curb restiveness.

Those inaugurated are Ambrose Okpo (Rivers), Akinbode Oluwasegun (Osun), Muhammed Sule (Kano), Umar Abubakar (Kaduna) and Uduak Reuben (Akwa Ibom).(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

UniAbuja unveils 500-seat lecture hall, college building
Education

UniAbuja unveils 500-seat lecture hall, college building

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By Uche Bibilari

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has inaugurated a 500-capacity lecture theatre and a new building for the College of Health Sciences to provide a conducive environment for learning and work.

Speaking at the event on Thursday in Abuja, the Vice-Chancellor of UniAbuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, stated that the project would enhance productivity and create an effective learning atmosphere for students of the college.

Maikudi stated that the 500-capacity lecture theatre was a project funded under the 2014 NEEDS Assessment initiative.

She also noted that the newly constructed college building, along with its external infrastructure and landscaping, was part of the 2021 TetFund annual intervention projects.

The vice-chancellor urged the provost of the college to ensure the proper maintenance of the facilities on behalf of the university.

Addressing the issue of re-accreditation, Maikudi revealed that the Ministry of Health had directed all colleges of medicine to double their student quotas.

She added that the college would need to seek re-accreditation to confirm adequate staffing and resources to meet the increased capacity.

“We are not just aiming to double the quota; we want to exceed that target.

“As the only federal university in the FCT, we have a high demand from prospective students, but with our current small quota, we cannot accommodate many applicants.

“Increasing our capacity will allow us to admit more students”.

The Provost of the College of Health Sciences, UniAbuja, Prof. Titus Ibekwe, praised the university’s efforts to attract support from external donors, emphasising that the government alone could not meet all funding needs.

Prof. Ibekwe expressed the college’s gratitude for the vice-chancellor’s initiatives and assured her of the college’s commitment to advancing the university’s objectives.

He also noted that the college is preparing for re-accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

“The official carrying capacity by the Medical and Dental Council for medical students is 75 slots, but we have over 3000 that applied for medicine here.

“The Federal Government has given instruction that the capacity be doubled which means if we are able to do that it will be 150.

“We are working towards ensuring that when the councilcomese, it will see facilities good enough for up to 250 students,” Ibekwe explained.

The event concluded with the formal handover of keys to the newly constructed building by the vice-chancellor to the provost of the College of Health Sciences. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

FCTA begins post-development audit of  buildings in FCT
Metro

FCTA begins post-development audit of  buildings in FCT

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By Philip Yatai/Angela Atabo

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has begun a post-development audit of buildings in the FCT.

Chief Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), made this known while inaugurating a Ministerial Committee on Post-Development Audit of Buildings in the FCT.

Obuah explained while inaugurating the committee in Abuja on Thursday that the Abuja Master Plan, developed in 1979 provides the roadmap for the orderly development of the nation’s capital city, Abuja.

According to him, the overarching goal is to build one of the most prestigious and modernist cities in the world.

He pointed out that over the years, the FCTA has been able to develop many phases of the city, districts and neighbourhoods.

“We have equally been able to develop critical infrastructures that provide circulatory road systems, metro lines and stations, sewer lines and drainages, among others.

“Today the city can boast of many iconic landmark developments such as the National Mosque, the National Christian Center, the National Assembly Complex, and the Supreme Court Complex.

“Others are the World Trade Centre, Abuja – the tallest building in the city with 22 floors, the CBN Complex, and many other iconic buildings of international repute and reference points for tourists.

“All these attests to the fact that our city has come to stay; our city has developed substantially from Phase 1 through Phase 3 while the other phases are equally being developed.

“Nonetheless, it becomes imperative too, that at this juncture of the city’s development, we take a cursory look at our journey in terms of what we have so far developed, the trend and chart a more robust course for the city’s development,” he said.

He said that it was on these grounds that the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike approved the constitution of the committee to audit the post- development of the city’s buildings.

He said that the committee, which would be chaired by Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, would be expected to provide accurate records of all development permits issued.

This, he said, would reduce the cases of unapproved development, illegal conversion of land use, and land grabbing.

He added that the committee would also provide data on the consumption of the city’s utilities and services such as water, electricity and connectivity to sewer lines.

This, according to him, will expose illegal connections to the facilities which is denying the government its due revenues.

“The committee will also provide data for accurate taxation and enhanced revenue generation by bringing all buildings and properties to the FCT Internal Revenue Tax Net.

“This will generate billions of Naira for the FCT Administration.

“Another task for the committee is the provision of data on research on city planning, development and management.

“Some of the buildings will be subjected to integrity tests to reduce cases of building collapse and hazards,” he said.

The coordinator said that members of the committee were drawn from all the departments in the FCTA and expected to conclude the tasks in six months.

He assured the committee members of the FCT Minister’s commitment to providing the necessary logistics to ensure the success of the exercise.

Speaking on behalf of the committee members, Galadima noted the need for the FCTA to document all activities, in terms of structures, services, and facilities.

He said that the committee would deliver on its mandate as expected. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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