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Rabi'u Sani Ali
Nov, Fri, 2024

Tinubu pledges funding, infrastructure support for tertiary education

272 total views today

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to provide the enabling environment for productivity in tertiary institutions through funding and infrastructure support.

Tinubu made the promise on Thursday at the 36th Convocation Ceremonies of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) in Lagos.

A total of 8,139 students set of the 2022/2023, graduated at the occasion.

Tinubu was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmed.

The President charged Yabatech management to do more to encourage impactful education that would bring about sustainable development.

“The college’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial skills among students has greatly enhanced our nation’s capacity for innovation and self-reliance,” he said.

The President advised the graduands to build on the strong foundation of the college and leverage acquired skills for professional growth and impacts.

According to him, the skills gained at Yabatech are not just tools for personal advancement, but also instruments for national growth and transformation.

“You are equipped to not only succeed but lead and inspire, making meaningful contributions across various domains, including science, technology, commerce, environmental design, art, agriculture and entrepreneurship,” he added.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas, said that a bill to eradicate dichotomy between HND and B.sc holders was underway.

He said that there must be equal opportunity for all.

Abbas said, `’We all know what the country will gain by promoting vocational and technical education, this country needs people with skills to raise the nation’s profile technologically.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony also featured conferment of Honorary Fellowship of Yabatech to Abass, who was represented by Mr Fuad Laguda, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Tertiary Institutions.

In her remarks, Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, who was also conferred with the honorary fellowship, announced a N50 million endowment fund for the college, to support the best graduating female student.

According to her, Nigeria needs to support education of the girl-child and remove barriers on her path.

“When I was in the Senate, my focus was on how to make life better and easier for our young ones, they are our future,” she said.

The First Lady was represented by Mr Wahab Alawiye-King, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs and Strategy (Office of the First Lady).

The Rector of Yabatech, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, described the ceremony as a testament to hard work, resilience and vision.

He charged the graduands to be curious, bold and be ethical.

“As you step out into a world that is rapidly changing, realise that it is a world driven by technology, innovation and insatiable hunger for progress.

“The world is not waiting for you, it is challenging you.

“Remember, success in the 21st Century is not just about knowledge, it is about adaptability and vision.

“Technology will evolve, industry will transform and the problems of today will give way to challenges of tomorrow,” he added.

The rector said that 316 of the students graduated with distinction; 2, 381 with upper credit, 3,939 with lower credit, and 1,503 with pass.

Prof. Funso Afolabi, the Chairman of Governing Council of Yabatech, lauded the management of the college for achievements recorded so far.

Afolabi charged the graduands to make maximum use of skills, knowledge and values gained from the institution.

NAN reports that Mr Adeoye Samsudeen of the Yabatech’s School of Electrical Engineering got the college’s Award for the Overall Best Student at Higher Natiomal Diploma level, while Dhikrullahi Ishola of the School of Civil Engineering got the Overall Best Student Award at National Diploma level for the 2022/2023 set. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

isaac aregbesola
Nov, Thu, 2024

Defence/Security

FG promises justice for victims of terrorism

229 total views today

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensure that victims of terrorism get justice.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, gave the assurance at the launch of the Model Legal Provisions (MLP) for Victims of Terrorism, at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), on Wednesday in Abuja.

The minister was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Babadoko.

He said the event marked a significant step forward in the collective efforts to address the needs and rights of victims and survivors of terrorism.

According to him, Nigeria has been at the forefront of the global fight against terrorism.

“We have witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of terrorist attacks, which not only claim lives but also leave lasting scars on individuals, families, and communities.

“As Government, we recognise the importance of addressing the needs of victims, as the scourge of terrorism has cast a long shadow over the nation, leaving behind a trail of suffering, loss, and trauma.

“It is therefore imperative that we not only combat terrorism but also provide comprehensive support to its victims.

“As the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, I am committed to ensuring that the rights of victims are upheld and that justice is served,’’ he said.

Fagbemi said the government had taken significant strides in recent years to enhance its counterterrorism efforts like the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, with its provisions for the Victim Support Trust Fund.

According to him, Section 91 of the Act establishes the Victim Support Trust Fund, which aims to provide financial assistance and other forms of support to victims of terrorism.

He added that Section 92 of the Act made provision for establishing the Trust Fund Committee for the purpose of administering the fund.

He gave assurance of his office’s commitment, as the custodian of the law, to ensuring the effective implementation of those provisions and the Model Legal Provisions.

“Today, we gather to launch a technical assistance project aimed at implementing Model Legal Provisions for Victims of Terrorism.

“We are confident that this technical assistance project will play a pivotal role in building the capacity of our legal and judicial institutions to effectively apply these provisions.

“By adopting and implementing these provisions, we will ensure that victims receive the necessary support, compensation, and rehabilitation they need to rebuild their lives,’’ he added.

The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, said that Nigeria had borne witness to the extreme consequences of terrorism since 2009, with women, children, and youth disproportionately affected over the years.

Laka said that children had been abducted and forcibly trained to fight, young girls used in suicide missions and exploited as sex slaves, and survivors left with deep scars of trauma and stigmatisation.

According to him, these tragic events have shattered families and left entire communities grappling with fear, loss, and a deep sense of insecurity.

“Beyond the immediate victims, the ripple effects are felt in the displacement of populations, the disruption of education, and the breakdown of social cohesion.

“Against this backdrop, today’s launch of the MLP Project to support the needs and protect the rights of victims and survivors of terrorism marks a significant step forward,’’ he said.

Laka said the project was aimed at building Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute terrorist offences, while ensuring robust support for victims. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Wed, 2024

Gender , Health

Menopause: FCTA rallies support for women to promote households’ stability, happiness

210 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Women Affairs Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has begun mobilising support for women, experiencing menopause for households’ stability and general wellbeing of families.

The Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said that the move was part of the secretariat’s efforts to promote emotional stability in households.

Benjamins-Laniyi spoke on the topic “We Factor”, at a one-day Menopause Awareness programme in Abuja on Wednesday, organised by the secretariat for couples in the FCT.

She explained that the We-Factor embodies the essence of community, support, and shared experiences, particularly during menopause.

She described menopause as the stage in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently, and she can no longer get pregnant.

The mandate secretary said that for some women, the menopausal transition could bring various symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, joint and muscle discomfort, and pain during sex.

Other symptoms, she said, may include moodiness and irritability, forgetfulness, difficultly concentrating, or a combination of all the signs.

According to her, a woman’s emotional instability will affect the husband, the family and if not handled well, will affect family finances and happiness.

“The woman’s emotional state may affect the overall wellbeing of the family, but a happy woman will translate to a happy home.”

She stressed the need for collective support for women experiencing menopause, particularly from men to maintain their emotional stability needed to ensure a happy household.

She said that menopause, often perceived as a solitary journey and a transition that women face independently but doesn’t have to be so.

According to her, happy people are healthy people, and healthy people create wealth and create a strong economy.

“We have come with a message of advocacy, the advocacy of caring, sharing, collective responsibility.

“Let us support our women, care for them and support them to first care for themselves before extending the same to the rest of the family.

“This is because women find it very easy to kind of keep deferring their own self-care in the name of caring for the family and caring for the community.

“So, you have to make sure that as her husband, you help her to care for herself.”

The acting Director, Women Development Department in the secretariat, Mrs Aina Sani, said that the awareness creation was organised because of the effect of menopause on women, homes and workplaces.

“Menopause is affecting women in their offices and homes in the way they do things, and that is why we want people to be aware and support women during this period.

“We also invited their spouses to know how to assist women during this stage in their lives and know what to do to support their wives during this period,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Fri, 2024

Metro

FEMD enlists NASRDA support to deploy technology in disaster management

320 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has solicited the support of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), to deploy technology in disaster management.

Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, acting Director-General (D-G) of the department, made the call when he visited the D-G of the agency, Dr Matthew Adepoju, in Abuja on Thursday.

Mohammed said that the goal of the partnership was to strengthen the department’s emergency response.

He explained that NARSDA’s capacities in satellite imagery, geospatial analysis and communication technology offer vital tools that can enhance FEMD disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

He expressed confidence for a robust disaster management system if NARSDA’s advanced space- based data was integrated with FEMD.

According to him, the move will enable proactive risk reduction, real time disaster monitoring and efficient resource allocation.

“By leveraging NASRDA’s advanced satellite technology, geo-spatial tools and communication systems, FEMD will significantly improve its disaster preparedness, early warning capabilities and response effectiveness.

“Such synergy will ensure a more resilient and responsive disaster management framework for the FCT.

Responding, Adepoju acknowledged that the partnership would significantly improve the use of technology in disaster response and management in the territory.

He noted the agency’s capacity in early warning, capacity building and geographic information system.

He pledged to work with the FEMD team to set up a geo-spatial database to be managed by Geographic Information System (GIS).

He suggested the establishment of a task-team to look at areas of mutual benefits, develop an action plan and timeline to make the partnership a reality.

Speaking on the recent earth tremor in some parts of the FCT, Adepoju disclosed that NASRDA had already prepared an early warning mechanism to measure the magnitude of the tremor.

He called for the establishment of more seismic stations, particularly in FCT, adding that the agency would meet the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Minister of FCT on the issue. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Fri, 2024

Agriculture

Stakeholders seek FG’s support for agroecology in Nigeria

425 total views today

By Eric James Ochigbo

Some stakeholders in the agricultural sector have called for the Federal Government’s support for agroecology to enhance production of healthier food and to ensure environmental sustainability in Nigeria.

The stakeholders made the call on Thursday in Abuja, at the second regional workshop on agroecology organised by Bread for the World (Brot für die Welt) a German development organisation.

The workshop is titled” Advancing Agroecology in Nigeria: Building Pathways for Sustainable Agriculture.”

In the keynote address, Mrs Joyce Brown, Programme Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) explained that agroecology as a practice, includes different farming methods like mixed cropping, crop rotation, cover-cropping among others.

According to her, agroecology increases biodiversity, reduces need for chemical inputs and ensures increased productivity while enhancing Nigeria’s food system resilience.

Brown said that strict application of the principles of agroecology would also protect the environment as it is in line with nature.

She explained that agroecology focuses on building soil health through appropriate farming practices including agroforestry and use of organic fertilisers.

Brown said that adoption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) does not have any advantage over agroecology but rather poses more health and environmental risks.

NAN reports that a GMO is a plant, animal or microorganism that has had their genetic material modified in a way that does not occur naturally through a process called genetic engineering.

Brown said that GMOs have implications from biodiversity loss as a result of intensive chemical use, loss of indigenous seed varieties, health and cultural implications as well as labelling issues.

According to Brown, agroecology on the other hand strengthens local economies, ensures rural development, energy and water efficiency, environmental conservation and increased food productivity.

Stakeholders at the event recommended that the Federal Government should develop and implement an agroecology policy built on practical solutions and successes.

They also highlighted the need to integrate agroecology into national agricultural plans, and develop appropriate institutions to drive organic and agroecological farming in Nigeria.

The stakeholders further called for more training for farmers, extension workers, and policymakers as well as establishment

of farmer field schools and demo plots for peer learning.

In his remarks, Prof. Olugbenga Adeoluwa of the Department of Soil Resource Management, University of Ibadan, said that agroecology is not averse to new technology.

He, however, said that just like guns and bombs, not all technologies are safe for human and environmental consumption.

“Many people that are supporting GMOs do not understand the underlying agenda which is business, control and monopoly.

“We should understand this and not be fooled,” he said.

Also, Mr Andrew Kwasari, President of Sa’l’anwaraTumal Consultaire Limites (SCI) an agro firm, stated that there was a need to have in-depth research and conversations around improved seeds. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru