News Agency of Nigeria
Nigerian Army seeks stronger ties with judiciary to fight terrorism
Defence/Security

Nigerian Army seeks stronger ties with judiciary to fight terrorism

319 total views today

By Mustapha Yauri

Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has appealed for improved collaboration between the military, judiciary and other key stakeholders to curb terrorism and dismantle terrorist networks.

Oluyede said this in Zaria on Tuesday at the 2025 Training Workshop organised by the Nigerian Army School of Legal Services Zaria, Kaduna State.

The theme of the workshop is: “The Menace of Terrorism: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Fighting Terrorism in Nigeria.”

Oluyede was represented by Maj.-Gen. Ahmadu-Bello Mohammed, Commandant, Depot Nigeria Army, Zaria.

He said the complexity and adaptability of terrorist threats demand a holistic and collaborative approach, hence the need for improved cooperation among all stakeholders.

“It is only through robust cooperation, information sharing and respect for the rule of law that we can effectively dismantle terrorist networks and address the root causes of extremism,’’ he said.

Oluyede said the workshop which brought together mid-career and junior officers from different formations was to acquaint the participants with legal requirements needed to fight terrorism.

He said the business of the workshop was to deliberate on terrorism which remained a significant threat to the peace, stability and development of Nigeria.

Maj.-Gen. A. Ndalolo, Chief of Training (Army), represented by Col. B. Garba, Commandant, Army School of Physical Training, said the workshop would benefit participants in endangering pro-activism between the legal officers and commanders.

“As legal officers, our role is not only to ensure that justice is served but also to advise commanders, safeguard human rights and facilitate policies that are both effective and just.

“This has continued to enable compliance with the national and international laws, including the international humanitarian law and human rights standard during military operation, investigations and prosecutions,’’ Ndalolo said.

Also, Lt.-Col. Henrietta Longpoe, Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Legal Services, Zaria, said the exercise would enhance the capacity of the participants on critical aspects of the law.

She said the theme of the workshop was selected to stimulate intellectual discourse towards addressing current and emerging legal issues.

According to Longpoe, the fight against terrorism cannot be won by the military alone, stressing that it demands a whole society approach to combating it.

“Therefore, the workshop attempts to explain what terrorism means with a view to understanding and prosecuting it,’’ she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

Nigeria, EU chart path for sustainable cocoa trade
Agriculture

Nigeria, EU chart path for sustainable cocoa trade

321 total views today

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s Cocoa Industry have pledged to accelerate efforts to meet the European Union’s December 2025 deadline for compliance with its deforestation-free regulation (EUDR).

This, according to them, is with a view to safeguard the nation’s cocoa exports and strengthen sustainable agricultural practices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders made the pledge at a Roundtable on EUDR Compliance, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential villa, in Abuja.

The roundtable was convened by the Office of the Vice-President in partnership with EU representatives, cocoa-producing states, and private sector stakeholders.

It explored financing options, institutional coordination, and technology-driven solutions to ensure that Nigeria’s cocoa remains competitive in global markets and to protect the nation’s forests.

Speaking at the event, Dr Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, described cocoa as a strategic lever in Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.

He revealed that cocoa exports surged by 606 per cent in the last quarter of 2024, rising from N171 billion in the previous year to N1.2 trillion, accounting for 29 per cent of agricultural exports and 5.6 per cent of total non-oil exports.

“Cocoa is no longer just a commodity. It is a vital contributor to our economic transformation and a driver of our green economy agenda,” Uzoma said.

He said that the EUDR compliance, which requires proof of deforestation-free supply chains, aligns with Nigeria’s climate goals and opens opportunities for traceability innovations, climate-smart farming, and local processing.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said Nigeria has the capacity to meet the EU’s standards since many exporters are already compliant.

Represented by Deputy Director of Cocoa, Ajayi Olutobaba, the minister emphasised the need for a harmonised national traceability and sustainability system managed by a government agency to ensure data sovereignty and ease of verification.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, said the compliance push was both a challenge and a transformative opportunity for Africa’s fourth-largest cocoa exporter.

With the EU accounting for over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s cocoa exports, she stressed that meeting EUDR requirements is an economic, environmental, and developmental imperative.

“Compliance is not optional. It is about Nigeria first, ensuring our land is used sustainably, supporting our farmers and investors, and hitting our one trillion dollar economy target under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.

The Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Zissimos Vergos, emphasised the need for the repositioning of Nigeria as a global competitor in the cocoa sector.

“The conclusion of this meeting is that the National Cocoa Board should go out there to bring a trophy to Nigeria from repositioning Nigeria as a global competitor in the cocoa sector.”

Also, Dr Taiwo Osho, Sustainability Manager at Tulip Cocoa Processes L.td., called for urgent action to clearly demarcate protected areas to prevent farming in restricted zones.

He said confusion over boundaries, low productivity, and access to farmland remained a pressing challenge in spite of the renewed interest in cocoa production (www.nannews.ng) (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Stakeholders call for gender-inclusive leadership in Africa
Entertainment

Stakeholders call for gender-inclusive leadership in Africa

298 total views today

 

By oshua Olomu

Leadership experts, Women rights advocates and other stakeholders have called for gender-inclusive  governance across Africa , emphasising the importance of equal representation and opportunities for all genders in leadership roles.

They made the call at a town hall meeting organised by Women Community in Africa (WCA), a coalition of civil society groups that advocates for egalitarian society and  addresses social issues, on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event brought women together to brainstorm on advocacy and actions towards empowering women for leadership roles in all walks of life.

The event, with the theme, “Empowered to Lead: Changing Attitudes Towards Female Leadership”, is a build-up to the 2025 WCA summit scheduled to be held in Rwanda later in the year.

According to stakeholders, there is a need to address the leadership challenges women face through actionable solutions for the African continent to experience even development.

Mr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi,  Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, said  some African  countries  have recorded significant milestones in electing female Presidents and Prime Ministers who are successful leaders in their countries.

The Mandate Secretary, who was represented by Dr Zainab Buba-Marwa, said  that more needed to be done for gender-inclusive leadership to reflect at all levels.

“Decades of feminist’s uprising and advocacy gradually brought a near-balanced perception that women are true change agents, when it comes to leadership.

“Today, African women’s representation in leadership roles has significantly increased, but it remains a nightmare that the constitutional 35 per cent Affirmative Action for women is yet to be achieved.

“In essence, much more needs to be done to help women build leadership capacity, assume more leadership roles, and prove to the world that women are reliable leadership assets that our society needs now.

“African women need to redouble efforts to remove all stumbling blocks that prevent women from excelling in Leadership.

“This could come in the form of career choice, participating in politics, skills acquisition, gender equality advocacy, capacity building and influencing policy formulation in favour of women’s rights.

“At the end of this town hall meeting, it is believed that the Nigerian delegation to the upcoming  WCA Summit in Rwanda, would be more equipped.

“They will be more  prepared to join fellow women across Africa, to advance cross-cultural discourse on an inclusive approach to issues of Women and Leadership in the African continent,” she said.

Dr Bukola Olatunde, Deputy President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), said the marginalisation of women in leadership roles across the continent was largely caused by age-long traditions and cultural practices.

She, therefore,  urged that the trend could  be curbed at the family level, adding that parents should treat children equally irrespective of their genders.

“I  think  it will be very good if we can take it to our homes  and stop giving the  boys the impression that they are not superior to the girls.

“Raise your children in such a way that every child will know that it is very important that everyone has a voice no matter your gender”, she said.

Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice President (North Central), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) urged women to unite and form a common front to assume elective leadership roles.

“Let’s start preparing from the grassroots at the ward level, and be  registered to vote.

“Also when you have many women vying for a position, we must ensure that the  best woman for the position  emerges”, she said.

Earlier, Dr Adetoun Dally, Global President of WCA, said the need to influence patriarchal attitudes  towards leadership in  society was urgent now more than ever before.

“A few African countries have come to realise that the unique perspective to issues that concern women and children can only be provided by women due to our inherent nurturing abilities.

“Namibia and Ghana have welcomed women in political leadership while Rwanda stands in a class of its own with about 63 per cent  of women in Political leadership positions being examples to the rest of Africa.

“We are gathered here to lend our voices to on-going conversations, to amplify, magnify and engage stakeholders and policy makers to create an enabling environment, challenge gender biases.

“We want to foster a shift in attitudes for women to ascend leadership positions in its entirety” she said.

In her closing remark, Dr Khadijah Abdullahi-Iya, Founder of WCA, said the body was a movement for the voices of women that have decided to come together for a better society.

“We must challenge barriers that hold us back, as our mission has always been to facilitate a process to legislate appropriate laws to inspire and empower children and women in Africa”, she said.

NAN reports that members of the Diplomatic community from within and outside the continent presented their goodwill messages at the event, including representatives of Rwanda, Pakistan and Belgium embassies in Nigeria.

Highpoint of the event was  a debate by Secondary School students on whether “Women Quota Should Be Made Compulsory in African Politics or Not.”(NAN)

Edited by Esenvosa Izah/Joseph Edeh

Stakeholders urge NASS to align constitution review with democratic practices
Judiciary

Stakeholders urge NASS to align constitution review with democratic practices

213 total views today

By Ebere Agozie

Stakeholders in the judicial sector have urged members of the National Assembly to ensure the proposed constitution review aligns with democratic best practices.

 

They gave the charge at a one-day Webinar Series No. 14 of the Rule of Law Foundation organised to address the Problems of Modern Day Nigeria through Constitutional Amendment.

 

The event was to commemorate the 45 years anniversary of call to the Nigerian bar and 30 years of conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on JB Daudu.

 

Daudu in his paper, which he averred as his `Input as it Relates to the Ongoing Process Of Constitutional Amendment’, said that the review must also ensure historical lessons and the urgent need for public trust in Nigeria’s legal system.

 

“If the Nigerian elite are to be honest to themselves, they will readily agree that the reason for bad governance and corruption in Nigeria is not the nature of the constitution in view.

 

`It is the attitude of the leaders and those at the helm of authority to the basic principles of governance.

 

“I have always believed that a constitution is not what determines how a country is run. It is the honesty, the decency, the God-fearingness of the leaders that will determine it.”

 

He added that any constitution can be applied equitably and fairly unless personal interest comes into play.

 

Daudu said that if a constitution is not properly applied, it would not bring about the much needed justice and peace in the society.

 

The governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, said that it is imperative to stress the importance of constitutional amendment.

 

Ododo was represented by Muiz Abdullahi, SAN, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state.

 

He added that the amendment in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized as some of the provisions of the constitution are no longer in tune with international best practices.

 

“Amendment of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is therefore crucial for the following reasons.

 

“To promote the rule of law by strengthening the independence of the judiciary, enhancing the protection of human rights and access to justice.

 

“To strengthen federalism in Nigeria, state governments should be made more independent by proper devolution of powers. More power should be devolved to state governments for rapid development across the country.’’

 

The governor urged that the federal and state governments should be allowed to legislate on issues that border on mining and others.

 

Ododo said that this would address provisions in the constitution that are capable of causing confusion or multiple interpretations.

 

“For example, who legislates on items not contained in either the exclusive or concurrent legislative list.

 

“We have to bring the constitution at par with changing times in order to align same with international best practices.

 

“It should ensure that the constitution is a reflection of the aspiration as well as the needs of the citizens of the country for an efficient promotion of good governance and national development’’.

 

He, thereafter, congratulated Daudu for the milestone of celebrating greatness, success and outstanding impact in the legal provision in Nigeria and beyond. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Stakeholders divided over establishment of malaria eradication agency
Health

Stakeholders divided over establishment of malaria eradication agency

231 total views today

 

By Naomi Sharang

Critical stakeholders in the health sector in Abuja expressed divergent views on the move by the Senate to establish the National Agency for Malaria Eradication.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the disagreements among the stakeholders came to the fore during a public hearing on the bill seeking for the establishment of the agency, as sponsored by Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta).

NAN also reports that the public hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).

Chief State Counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Imarha Reuben, while kicking against the bill, argued that creating such an agency would lead to duplication of already existing ones.

Reuben also said that it would run contrary to the implementation of Orosanye’s report.

“The Federal Ministry of Justice is against the National Agency for Malaria Eradication (Establishment) Bill 2025 SB 172 to avoid duplication of functions of existing similar agencies, in line with implementation of the Orosanye report,” he said.

The Chairman, Malaria Technical Working Group in Nigeria, Dr Kolawole Maxwell, also expressed his opposition to the proposed agency.

Maxwell said that rather than establishing an eradication agency, governments at all levels should come up with concerted efforts at ensuring total elimination of malaria.

“We recommend that the current eradication target should be changed to elimination.

“We are also suggesting that the malaria programme should be housed within a coordinated government structure to avoid fragmentation and for easy coordination.

“If malaria is taken out as an agency, it leads to another fragmentation of the health sector,” he said.

On his part, Mr Fraden Bitrus, Director Post-Marketing Surveillance at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), called for the strengthening of efforts toward eradicating the disease without involving creation of a new agency.

However, the President of the Environmental Health Officers Association, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, Ismaila Dankogi, supported the establishment of the agency.

According to him, the proposed agency will help the country to change its approach of dealing with malaria from curative to preventive.

Also, the Executive Director of Community Vision Initiative, Dr Chioma Amajoh, strongly supported the move for establishment of the agency.

Amajoh said that the agency would serve as a required springboard for coordinated action against malaria.

She appealed to the committee to allow the proposal to see the light of the day, arguing that clinical case management of malaria in Nigeria over decades had failed to tame the scourge.

In his remarks at the commencement of the public hearing, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said it was time to move from seasonal campaigns to institutionalised eradication, backed by law, science and accountability.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Ipalibo Banigo (PDP- Rivers), thanked all the stakeholders for their inputs into the proposed legislation, assuring them of objective considerations of all the submissions.

“I assure you that this committee will consider all views objectively and transparently.

“And we remain committed to delivering legislation and oversight outcomes that prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians,” Banigo said.

NAN reports that another bill and a motion for public hearing included: “The Federal Oil and Gas Hospital, Benikuru, Delta (Establishment) Bill, 2025 sponsored by Sen. Joel-Onowakpo  Thomas (Delta).

Another was a motion on the “Urgent Need to Investigate and Halt the Continuous Unwholesome Practices of Chemical Ripening of Fruits Among Fruit Sellers in Nigeria”, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Ani (Ebonyi). (NAN)

Edited by Augusta Uchediunor/’Wale Sadeeq

ANRiN project exceeds target, delivers 6m services, tasks stakeholders on sustainability
Health

ANRiN project exceeds target, delivers 6m services, tasks stakeholders on sustainability

412 total views today

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

The Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, has rolled out its achievements in improving the health and well-being of children under five, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women in Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first phase of the ANRiN project would end on 30th June 2025, while the second phase, 2.0, would begin on July 1st, 2025.

The ANRiN 2.0, which has three components, would entail; basic package of nutrition services, convergence with food systems and
data-driven multi sectoral coordination and accountability.

Delivering a presentation at a four-day sustainability workshop in Kano, the Project Manager of the ANRiN project in Kaduna, Dr Zainab Muhammad-Idris, said over the course of it first phase, the project delivered a total of 6,267,880 services, exceeding its target of 5,784,983.

Muhammad-Idris said that the services provided by the project included vitamin ‘A’ supplementation, deworming, micronutrient powder distribution, and counseling on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices.

She added that the project provided contraception services, including Short-Term Methods (STM) and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), to adolescent girls.

Muhammad-Idris said a total of 146,897 adolescent girls received child spacing and family planning services, with 23,578 opting for LARC and 123,319 choosing STM.

At facility level, the project manager said that the project trained 60 Master Trainers, 120 Secondary Health Facility workers, and 510 Primary Health Care workers on various aspects of healthcare delivery.

She added that over 300,000 pregnant women were reached with MIYCN counseling, iron and folic acid supplementation, and intermittent preventive treatment for malaria.

Muhammad-Idris said the project established and strengthened 23 Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) across the state, which serve as a platform for communities to provide feedback on the project’s services.

Speaking further, she recalled that the ANRiN project also provided emergency support to the Tudun Biri community (Drone attack victims) with food items, livestock, seedlings, agricultural inputs, among others.

The Chairman, Kaduna State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN), Bashir Muhammad,stated that the project’s achievements demonstrated the impact of collaborative efforts in improving the health and well-being of children, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women in Kaduna State.

Muhammad stated that such collaborative approach would be crucial in ensuring that the benefits of the project were felt for years to come, and that the health and nutrition needs of the state’s most vulnerable populations continue to be met.

He, therefore, said it was imperative that the stakeholders continue to work together to ensure that the gains were sustained for the betterment of the state and nation in general.

Muhammad restated the SCFN’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve nutrition outcomes in Kaduna State, emphasising the committee’s role in coordinating efforts to address malnutrition.

The State Nutrition Officer (SNO), Ramatu Haruna, lamented that malnutrition was a major public health issue in the state contributing to over 50 per cent of under-five deaths.

Haruna was represented by Jibril Isah, the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the State Primary Health Care Board.

He said that key MIYCN indicators revealed critical gaps with only 13 per cent of newborns receiving timely breastfeeding.

She explained that 41.1 per cent of infants were exclusively breastfed, and 12.3 per cent of children aged six to 23 months met proper feeding standards.

Haruna said that the state had 1,063 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), 31 Secondary Health Care Facilities, with 162 offering Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) services and 560 delivering MIYCN interventions.

Similarly, she said that one tertiary hospital and 31 secondary facilities served as Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) stabilisation centers, supported by community-based Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) services in all the 23 LGAs to strengthen capacity.

The SNO also said that 585 health workers from 162 PHCs had been trained on IMAM, alongside 1,620 community volunteers who have established 14,580 support groups statewide.

Earlier, Nutrition Specialist for ANRiN project in Kaduna, Hauwa Usman, said the workshop, which strategically brought stakeholders from various MDAs, was to review the achievements and lessons learned.

She added that the meeting was to strengthen capacity for sustainability planning and encourage multi-sectoral collaboration

NAN reports that ANRiN is a state-led and World Bank-funded performance-based project which aims to increase the utilisation of quality, cost-effective nutrition services for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under five years of age.

Primarily, the project focuses on increasing access to and utilising a community-based Basic Package of Nutrition Services (BNPS) according to established targets to reduce malnutrition in Nigeria.

The programme is currently being implemented in 12 high malnutrition burden states in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

PDP stakeholders, leaders reaffirm Anyawu as substantive National Secretary
Politics

PDP stakeholders, leaders reaffirm Anyawu as substantive National Secretary

314 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’ Eminent Stakeholders and Concerned Leaders have reaffirmed Sen. Sam Anyawu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of the party.

The stakeholders made the reaffirmation in a communique in Abuja on Monday, after a closed-door meeting to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis affecting the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders and the concerned leaders were drawn from the various states of the federation.

Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who read the communique said that Anyawu’s reaffirmation followed the resolutions of the stakeholders, in line with the Judgment of the Supreme Court.

Wike explained that the meeting was organised to review the state of affairs of the party and the need to reinforce internal democracy, equity and justice within the ranks of the party.

He said that the stakeholders resolved that the seemingly intractable crisis in the party was as a result of the inexplicable refusal of a few to adhere to the party’s constitution.

He particularly referred to Section 36(1) (a) (b) and (c); Sections 47(3)(5) and 48(1)(i) and the definitive Supreme Court Judgment regarding the position of the office of the national secretary of the party.

The minister expressed the stakeholders’ worry that the party was on an inevitable path to self- annihilation.

This, he said, was only feasible, if urgent steps were not taken to rein in the desperate, divisive and selfish tendencies that brought the party to its knees in the lead up to the 2023 election.

He added that the divisive tendencies, unfortunately, have found expression in the conduct of certain interests within the ranks of the party both at National Executive Committee (NEC), National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees levels.

The minister added that to finally arrest the inexorable drift towards extinction in the party, the PDP must, without further delay, respect the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“We, therefore, unequivocally reaffirm Sen. Sam Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of our great party.

“In line with the provisions of our party constitution, only the National Secretary, Anyanwu, can issue notices of meeting of the National Convention, NEC, National Caucus and the NWC.

“To this end, all notices not issued by him and actions founded on them, including correspondences to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

“Furthermore, it is clear from the constitution that only the National Convention, properly and duly constituted can remove Anyanwu as the national secretary, arising from his status as a member of the NEC of the party.

“We, therefore, demand that the acting National Chairman and the National Secretary jointly issue a notice to INEC with an attached agenda for the NEC meeting of the party, being the only pathway to abide by extant laws.

Wike reiterated the stakeholders’ commitment to the great party and urged all members to uphold the rule of law and respect constitutional mandate.

He also called on members of the party to resist all manoeuvres aimed at destabilising the party and support the efforts of the National Reconciliation Committee headed by Sen. Bukola Saraki.

The minister further said the stakeholders had resolved that the party must make an unequivocal pronouncement, zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 elections.

“This is in the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party constitution, after the unbroken years of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the north,” Wike said.

NAN reports that some of the stakeholders at the meeting included former Gov. Ifeanyi Uguanyi of Enugu, former Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue and former Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia.

Also at the meeting were the National Secretary of the PDP, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and former Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Philip Aduda.

Former federal and state lawmakers and some zonal and state party executives among others equally attended the meeting. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Stakeholders urge digitisation of justice system
Judiciary

Stakeholders urge digitisation of justice system

463 total views today

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Some stakeholders in Nigeria’s judiciary have emphasised the urgent need to digitise the legal and judicial sector to address long-standing inefficiencies hampering effective justice delivery.

Speaking at the 2025 Justice Innovation and Technology (JIT) Summit on Tuesday in Abuja, Mrs Lucy Abagi, CEO of the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), highlighted the persistent reliance on manual court processes.

She noted that the summit aimed to promote automation for timely and efficient justice.

Abagi said PPDC, with international backing, piloted the Justice Initiative in Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Plateau states, using speech-to-text devices to enhance case management.

She added that more than 80 per cent of Nigerian courts still operated manually, and the initiative was designed to eliminate this.

“The Judic AI software, developed by young Nigerian tech graduates, has already been deployed in 16 courtrooms.

“Judges no longer need to write long-hand; instead, they get instant transcriptions, which also lightens the administrative burden,” she said.

She added that the technology could help reduce Nigeria’s backlog of awaiting trial inmates, currently estimated at around 80,000.

Bemshima Peter, CEO of Devon Technologies Ltd., also spoke at the summit, stressing the need for technological adoption in a sector that had trailed behind others.

He described Judic AI as a smart transcription and case management solution, already operational in 16 courts.

In spite of challenges like diverse accents and dialects affecting speech recognition, Peter said the company was working on multilingual capabilities for seamless communication.

National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Afam Osigwe, urged judges to become computer literate and advocated for the integration of virtual hearings to reduce delays and unnecessary physical appearances in court.

“Courts should offer virtual hearing facilities to all parties, not just expect litigants to make personal arrangements,” Osigwe said, calling the refusal of some courts to adopt such systems “unacceptable.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Devon Technologies, a legal tech firm, is working to reshape Africa’s justice systems through digital transformation and accessibility. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Nigeria Customs explains 4% FOB levy suspension
Economy/Business

Nigeria Customs explains 4% FOB levy suspension

693 total views today

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

The Kano/Jigawa Customs Area Command held a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday to explain the four per cent Free On Board (FOB) collection and its suspension.

 

Customs Area Comptroller, Dalhatu Abubakar, said that the new revenue law benefits all stakeholders, including exporters, importers, and customs agents.

 

He explained that the FOB collection had been temporarily suspended due to the termination of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) contract with service providers.

 

Abubakar assured that the NCS would resume direct collection of the four per cent FOB once the suspension is lifted.

 

“The FOB collection suspension is due to the termination of our contract with service providers.

 

“We are engaging stakeholders during this period to raise awareness about the levy’s importance,” Abubakar said.

 

The Comptroller noted that the suspension aligns with the NCS’s efforts to transition to direct levy collection by the service.

 

He added that the suspension period would enable the NCS to educate stakeholders on the necessity of the four per cent FOB, legally backed by Section 18 (1) of the NCS Act (2023).

 

“Our aim today is to discuss the ongoing FOB suspension.

 

“This engagement is ongoing, and we will invite you again in the coming weeks to further explain the levy’s purpose and significance,” Abubakar stated.

 

The Comptroller explained that the four per cent FOB, also known as the Financial Customs Service Operation (FCSO), is essential for NCS operations and stakeholder interactions.

 

According to Abubakar, the levy is legally mandated and vital for smooth customs operations.

 

Stakeholders at the meeting were educated on the benefits and legal basis of the FOB, while some expressed concerns about the additional financial burden. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

NOA, stakeholders engage on security, tax reform bills
General News

NOA, stakeholders engage on security, tax reform bills

454 total views today

 

By Rita Iliya

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Niger has engaged stakeholders to discuss the nationwide sensitisation on security, tax reform bills and get-rich-quick syndrome.

 

The Director General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the meeting was a nationwide sensitisation campaign on five critical issues affecting the nation’s well-being, unity, and development.

 

Issa-Onilu was represented at the meeting on Monday by Mrs Onuoha Uchenna, Assistant Director, Finance and Account of the agency.

 

He said that the campaign focused on World HIV/AIDS day, security awareness, discouraging get-rich-quick syndrome, world human rights day, and tax reform bills.

 

“The challenges before us require collective action and active participation from all Nigerians,” he said.

 

He said the government had intensified efforts to provide free and accessible HIV testing and counselling services nationwide as well as ensure antiretroviral treatment was available and accessible to people living with HIV/AIDS.

 

He added that government has also partnered with local and international organisations to combat stigma and discrimination.

 

On security awareness, Issa-Onilu said the government was strengthening security architecture through better equipment, training, and increased funding for security agencies.

 

He also emphasised the need for citizens to reject shortcuts to wealth and embrace integrity, hard work, and opportunities provided through government initiatives.

 

The NOA boss further explained that the government was implementing reforms to make the tax system fairer and less burdensome for citizens.

 

He called on stakeholders, including traditional leaders, religious institutions, civil society organisations, and educational institutions to amplify the messages and extend their reach.

 

In his welcome address, Malam Yahaya Gbongbo, the state Director of NOA, said the agency launched the campaign on Nov. 6 in Niger to make people understand that security was everyone’s business.

 

He noted that NOA’s mandate was to communicate government programmes and policies to the people, adding that the agency was committed to doing that especially at the grassroots.

 

In his remarks, Mr Eze Pampas, Eze Ndigbo of Minna and Chairman, Resident Community Traditional Leaders Association in Niger, lauded NOA for its sensitisation programmes aimed at promoting national development and unity.

 

He attributed the prevalence of get-rich-quick syndrome among Nigerians especially the youths to injustice, corruption, and unemployment in the country.

 

Also Malam Bala Musa, Deputy Director in NOA in Niger, said the issue of tax reform bills has been a contentious issue and urged Nigerians to study the bill and understand its benefits.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email