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Health

Group, Liverpool school partner on obstetric training for doctors

By Aderogba George

Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have entered into partnership to strengthen obstetric skills of resident doctors in Nigeria.

Mrs Adanna Maduka, Director, Policy, Partnerships and Grants, WBFA, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday.

She said that the partnership was aimed at improving the capacity of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) to deliver the advanced obstetrics and surgical skills training to resident doctors.

The project, she said, would establish two centres of excellence in northern and southern Nigeria where the training would be delivered.

“The Emergency Obstetrics and Quality of Care (EmOC&QoC) Unit of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is proud to announce its collaboration with WBFA in an effort to enhance emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) in Nigeria.

“This project is funded through the Global Health Workforce Programme, which is funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

“It is managed by Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) for the benefit of the UK and partner country health sectors.

“The partnership is aimed at bolstering the capacity of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN) to deliver the Advanced Obstetrics and Surgical Skills training to resident doctors.

“The project will establish two centres of excellence in northern and southern Nigeria where the training course will be delivered,” she said.

She quoted the principal investigator of the project and lead of the LSTM’s EmOC&QoC Unit, Prof. Charles Ameh, as saying the unit has extensive experience in delivering maternal and newborn health capacity.

She said that the unit has the capacity to strengthening interventions in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, adding that the project offers them the opportunity to further expand impact in Nigeria.

This, she said, would give the organisation opportunity to further tackle high maternal and newborn deaths by training local doctors in life-saving skills, for the care of pregnant women and their newborn babies.

The statement also quoted Mrs Toyin Saraki, Founder/President of WBFA expressing her organisation’s commitment to the project.

She stated that WBFA is honoured to partner LSTM and THET in the endeavour, adding that improve access to quality EmONC services in Nigeria.

Saraki said that through the collaboration, her organisation aimed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to save lives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 30 lead faculty members have so far be trained to train others at the center of excellence in Lagos.

The initiative marks a milestone in LSTM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare systems in Nigeria and beyond. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Politics

NILDS to partner Abuja Varsity to expand its programmes

By EricJames Ochigbo

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) says it plans to partner with the University of Abuja to expand its academic programmes.

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General, NILDS, said this at the orientation programme for the 2024 NILDS/University of Benin (UNIBEN) post graduate students in Abuja on Monday.

“This will showcase NILDS as indeed the citadel of learning, character moulding and intellectualism,” he said.

Represented by a consultant of the institute, Dr Kabir Ahmed, Sulaiman said that the orientation was to acquaint the students with the rules and regulations guiding the operation of the institute.

He said that the institute placed great premium on high moral and ethical standards saying that there was no short-cut to success and students must always play by the rules.

Sulaiman said that the institute would soon commence a Masters Degree Programme in Governace in collaboration with some renowned educational institutions.

“I am pleased to inform you all that as part of our efforts in ensuring that we strengthen our post graduate programmes, a master’s degree programme in Governance will soon commence in the Institute.

“This is a collaborative tripartite agreement between the NILDS, University of Benin (UNIBEN) and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

“Also, the Open Distance Learning (ODL) Programme in professional certificate courses in diverse areas will soon commence.

“I am equally pleased to inform you all that there is also a collaboration between NILDS and the Federal University Lokoja for doctoral programmes in Election and Party Politics, Parliamentary Administration, Legislative Studies, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Leadership and Strategic Studies, and Social Works,” he said.

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Ali Baba-Inuwa

Agriculture

NDE trains 1,850 youths on agricultural technology

By Talatu Maiwada

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has commenced the training of 1850 youths across the country under its 2024 Sustainable Agricultural Development Training Scheme (SADTS).

Mallam Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo, Director General NDE, disclosed this at the inaugural ceremony of 50 beneficiaries from Adamawa for the 2024 SADTS on Thursday, in Yola.

Represented by Mrs Pwa-Amgulma Josia, Head of Human Resources NDE, Adamawa, Nuhu-Fikpo said the programme was geared towards creating employment opportunities for Nigerians in the agricultural sector.

He said the scheme under the Rural Empowerment Promotion (REP) Department aimed at promoting modern agriculture as business for citizens, was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

“We are here to flag-off the training of 1850 participants under the 2024 SADTS, the prospective participants are drawn from the local government and senatorial districts of the 36 states of the federation and FCT.

“The aim of the training is to create employment for the rural communities through training on modern innovative agricultural technology.

“Others are, to expose unemployed youths to the potential in exotic vegetable crops and livestock production farming business, improve livelihood of the rural people and reduce rural-urban migration.

Nuhu-Fikpo encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity and acquire the needed skills that would enable them set up their agribusiness and succeed as agripreneurs.

Ms Beatrice Oruoyehu, Deputy Director Rural Empowerment Promotion (REP) Dept, said the scheme was in line with the presidential priority to reform the economy and boost agriculture in achieving food security.

Represented by Mallam Farouk Farouk, REP Department NDE, Oruoyehu stated that the three months agricultural business training duration would be in two phases, which includes;

“Two weeks experiment training (theory) in crop and livestock production along its value chain and ten weeks practical field adaptive training at NDE Agricultural Training Center(ASTC) or states with alternative centres,” she said.

Oruoyehu urged trainees to be diligent saying only participants who successfully completes the training would be considered for facilities to establish their choice agricbusinesses.

Zinant Ahmed, an ex-beneficiary of the 2022 SADTS and an agriprenuer in livestock production, said the training she acquired helped her grow her business and has created jobs for people in her community .

Gadafi Adamu, a prospective trainee for 2024 SADTS, appreciated NDE for the opportunity, saying the skills would boost his knowledege and enable him succeed as a farmer and a job creator. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Politics

NGOs train female politicians on leadership positions

By Aderogba George

The Gender Strategy Advancement Initiative and SheForum Africa, Non-Governmental Organisations, on Wednesday, trained young female politicians on how to attain leadership positions in the country.

The NGOs said this on Wednesday at a round table discussion titled “The Godmother’s mentorship series” in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the round table discussion is aimed at building the capacity of women to contest for leadership positions in 2027 general elections.

The Founder, SheForum Africa, Mrs Inimfon Etuk, said that there was no point waiting until 2027 before the female folks could start galvanising themselves for the realisation of gender equality in the country’s political arena.

Etuk said her organisation had realised  that no group could do it alone in building Nigeria to the desire of many.

“No one person, no one organisation can do it alone; we all know there are a lot of target right now globally, there is the United Nations 2030 target for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Part of the SDG goals is gender equality, there is also goal which talks about partnership, our target in Nigeria is geared towards the achievement of democratic dispensation by 2027.

“We are getting ready for the election, there is so much that has happened within the light of our politics in Nigeria. We don’t need to wait until the year of election before we need to start gearing up for it.

“We want to influence who emerge as candidates of political parties, the advocacy that is on the table right now is that we are targeting the political parties.

“We want political parties to fill female candidates for the 2027 general elections, we want to leverage on the strength of numbers of women and young people in Nigeria,” she said.

Sen. Biodun Olujimi, who called for a backup of the legislation for the realisation of gender equality in Nigeria, added that the only way was to achieve such aim.

Olujimi recalled that Sierra Leone was able to back such idea with legislation before it could have 50/50 equal gender representation in its parliament.

Olujimi also mentioned Senegal as having 42/58 per cent inclusivity of both gender in its parliament, adding that there was need to encourage younger people to fill the political space in Nigeria.

Mrs Toyin Saraki, Founder, Well-being Foundation Africa, emphasised the need for knowledge transformation into young female Nigerians, adding that that was the reason why some of them were invited to the programme.

“We are invited here basically to this roundtable to begin to talk about knowledge transformation, especially in the different generational ways. Some of us have become experts to meet with the younger experts.

“We are putting together modalities by which we expose them, to also spring up and learn from each other, so that by the time the next election takes place in Nigeria, we would have exposed more people who wish to take up leadership positions.

“We must understand investment in the education of our children, it is one of the process of development of a child, we must begin to grow children in the right way before they grow to become adult,” she said.

Mrs Adaora Sydney-Jack, Executive Director, Gender Strategy Advocacy International, said the Godmother Mentorship Series was all about closing the gap for leadership especially for young women in Nigeria.

Sydney-Jack emphasised the need to change the narrative in order to have more women in political positions in the country.

Ene Obi, Former Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, said, “the time is now for Nigeria to shun the issue of god-fatherism in politics and allow more women to participate in it.

“The capacity building is an inter-generational mentorship initiative aimed at nurturing more women into leadership positions in the country.

“Few women are in the leadership positions in the country, and this is so abysmal for a country like Nigeria known as the giant of Africa, and we are suppose to serve as example to others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Environment

FG trains 40 hygiene promoters on safe water, sanitation practices

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has commenced training of 40 hygiene promoters on safe water and sanitation practices in rural communities.

During the event in Abuja on Thursday, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, the Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the ministry, highlighted the necessity of the ongoing training to shape the hygiene landscape of the nation.

Ugoh underscored the workshop’s significance beyond professional development, stressing its role in safeguarding the well-being and health of every citizen.

She emphasised the importance of collaboration and networking among stakeholders to maximise impact, fostering synergies to address hygiene-related challenges effectively.

Expressing gratitude for the diverse representation and shared commitment to improving public health outcomes, Ugoh acknowledged the participants’ dedication to collaborative efforts.

She noted the importance of collective action in addressing hygiene-related challenges and building healthier, resilient communities.

She added that “throughout the training, participants will delve into various aspects of hygiene promotion, including personal hygiene practices, sanitation methods, waste management and community engagement.

“These topics play critical roles in disease prevention, promoting good health and fostering clean and sustainable environment for all.”

Mrs Ayaba Kogbara, the Desk Officer for Hygiene Promotion in the ministry, said that the training was to address identified challenges related to poor sanitation.

According to her, it marks a positive step toward improving hygiene standards and public health in rural areas.

She added that participants, drawn from members of the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS) and FCT rural water supply and sanitation agencies, underwent training on methods to enhance their capacity to impart knowledge to others.

This, she said, was aimed at using effective approaches to promote hygiene during validation and other activities in the communities.

She said “we discovered during our validation assessments that many communities still practice unsafe hygiene habits and we are committed to rectifying them.’’

Kogbara reiterated the ministry’s dedication to promoting hygiene in communities, particularly through the involvement of NTGS members.

She also pledged Federal Government’s commitment to continue educating people on proper hand-washing, ending open defecation, safe water management, among other initiatives.

Earlier, Mrs Betty Ukaegbu, a training Facilitator, emphasised the importance of promoting hygiene in communities, citing the pressing need to equip participants with necessary skills to advocate for hygiene practices in their respective fields.

According to her, the workshop focused on multifaceted approach of community-led total sanitation, recognising key stages such as pre-triggering, awareness creation, and action planning.

She underscored the need for vigilance in addressing hygiene issues in communities, even after initial agreement and action planning, urging participants to actively promote proper hygiene practices.

“NTGS members, whether in the field, during validation processes, or within office settings, are encouraged to actively promote proper hygiene practices.

“These include educating individuals on correct techniques for hand-washing, defecation and water management, while stressing the importance of clean and safe toilet facilities.”

Ukaegbu highlighted the significance of water safety techniques from point of collection, transportation, to consumption, suggesting methods such as boiling water for drinking purposes in areas without improved water sources.

She noted the significant responsibility of NTGS members in promoting hygiene awareness across various institutions, as Nigeria strives to achieve its goal of becoming open defecation-free and sustaining this achievement by 2030.

Mr Ishaku Abbas, a WASH Consultant, provided insights into key issues in the water and sanitation sector, saying “hygiene promotion empowers individuals to take proactive measures to prevent diseases.’’(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)


Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

General News

NDE distributes starter packs to 42 entrepreneurs in Adamawa

By Talatu Maiwada

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has distributed starter packs to 42 beneficiaries to help them establish their individual businesses in Adamawa.

Malam Nuhu Fikpo, the Director-General of NDE, made this known at the end of a three-month life skills and business training on Monday, in Yola.

Represented by Malam Nuhu Bello, Acting State Coordinator NDE, Fikpo said the training was organised under  the Community Based Trianing Scheme(CBTS).

He said the scheme was designed to train and empower unemployed persons in rural communities that would in turn train others.

Fikpo underscored the importance of skill acquisation and youth empowerment in rural communities, saying such would help towards poverty eradication and national security.

“The beneficiaries were recruited across the 21 local governments in Adamawa and trained in various trades in their respective communities for three months according to NDE modalities.

“We adopted a process called open apprenticeship skill, where a beneficiary is allowed to chose a skill of their choice, then attached to a master trainer to be trained in theory and practicals.

“The various skills provided lnclude; wood work (capentary), welding and metal fabrication, shoe and leather work, fashion design and computer appreciation”, he listed.

Fikpo noted that the support of soft loans and starter packs for each beneficiary was to enable them utilise the knowledge acquired effectively to become job creators rather than job seekers.

Also speaking, Dr Hassan Abdulkarim, Asistant Chief Training Officer of NDE, congratulated the beneficiaries for embracing the opportunity and staying focused on the three months’ programme.

“Empowerment encompasses three components which includes; training, financial support and business training and you all have been empowered with all these skills through CBTS.

“I encourage you all to take up the challenge, launch your businesses and support those around you as this is a priority area of the present administration towards poverty eradication”, Abdulkarim said.

Mohammed Isa, a beneficiary of metal fabrication from Mubi North, expressed appreciation towards NDE, saying the training has helped him actualise his dreams of becoming a welder and self-reliant. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) main gate
General News

NIPSS DG advocates value chain training for young geo-scientists in mining

By Martha Agas

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) is advocating for value chain training for young geo-scientists in the mining sector to enhance their skills.

The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, made the call during the pre-conference panel discussion at the 59th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE) of the Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) in Jos on Monday.

Omotayo, who chaired the panel discussion, urged both public and private sector operators to mobilise resources to train the younger generation to enable them access global opportunities.

He described training as crucial for all sectors to remain relevant, stay abreast of new technology, and foster innovation.

The DG expressed NIPSS readiness to organise capacity building initiatives aimed at formulating policies to advance the mining sector.

Speaking also, Mr Muktar Zanna, the Executive Director of Frontier Exploration at the National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), said that Nigeria has 37.1 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves as at the beginning of 2023.

Zanna stated this in a paper he presented entitled “Increasing Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Reserves through Increased Exploration in the Inland Basins, Ultra Deep Waters and Infill Exploration in the Mature Niger Delta.

He said that Nigeria has 202 trillion cubic feet of gas which are reserves from the Tertiary Niger Delta.

“Our national aspiration is to increase the reserve to 40 billion barrels of oil and 250 cubic feet of gas.

“The practical way to increase the national reserves base is through increased hydrocarbon exploration,” he said.

He said that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has made a provision of 30 per cent of profit oil and gas to be dedicated for Frontier Exploration Fund.

According to him, NNPC Ltd. through its subsidiary, EnServ, is implementing the Frontier Basins exploration activities subject to approval by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference with the theme “Emerging Global Perspectives, Trends and Sustainable Development of Minerals and Energy Resources which started on March 17 will end on March 22. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

General News

NDE empowers 148 youths in Adamawa through MEES training

By Talatu Maiwada

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has successfully trained and empowered 148 unemployed youths in Adamawa under its Micro-Enterprise Enchantment Scheme (MEES).

Mallam Abubakar Nuhu-Fikpo, the Director-General of NDE, shared this achievement during the closing of the five-day training programme of MEES under the NDE Small Scale Enterprise (SSE) Department in Yola on Friday.

Represented by Mallam Nuhu Bello, Acting State Coordinator of NDE, Nuhu-Fikpo emphasised the significance of initiatives addressing youth unemployment, highlighting the role of NDE in creating jobs through skill acquisition and empowerment programmes for over three decades.

He underscored the importance of job creation and empowerment in strengthening national security, emphasising that a high rate of employment contributes to reducing social vices.

“NDE was established over three decades ago with a mandate to create jobs for Nigerians through skill acquisition, training and empowerment programmes to reduce the high rate of unemployment in the country.

“When jobs are created and citizens empowered, the security of the nation is being strengthened, because with a high rate of employment social vices are bound to be on the rise”.

Mrs Na-Amar Jonah, Head of Department (SSE), noted that the 148 beneficiaries, including males, females, and persons with disabilities, were selected across the state to promote gender balance and inclusivity.

The training, she said covered various skills such as souvenir bag making, confectionaries (cakes, doughnuts, chin-chin), and included cash disbursement to 98 beneficiaries.

“Cash disbursement targets those with small-scale businesses looking to expand and individuals lacking funds to start their own businesses”.

Jonah encouraged beneficiaries to utilise the acquired skills and resources effectively for personal and societal improvement.

Miss Esther John, a programme beneficiary, expressed gratitude for the initiative and pledged to use the acquired skills to start businesses and empower others.

The MEES programme aims to impart skills, expand small businesses, and enable beneficiaries to earn a living while becoming employers of labor, thereby contributing to economic growth. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Joseph Edeh

Metro

UNESCO REF commends POWA on agricultural training of women

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The President of UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF), Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, has commended Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, President of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), for the agricultural training of women.

Ladigbolu expressed his appreciation during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

He highlighted that, in celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), POWA, in collaboration with UNESCO REF, has been working to enhance the economic value of Nigerian women.

Ladigbolu mentioned that both organisations facilitated training for police Command wives, AIG’s, and DIG’s wives across the federation on the Hydroponic Agriculture program in the United States as part of the 2024 IWD festivities.

“This aligns with the core policy of President Tinubu’s administration to ensure ample food production for the nation, fostering wealth creation, and generating employment opportunities through agricultural value addition.

“It is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to establish agricultural hubs across Nigeria,” he explained.

Ladigbolu emphasised that the POWA state chairpersons undergoing the training will establish a robust and permanent structure to achieve the president’s agricultural goals.

This effort, he added is also instrumental in contributing to the United Nations Goal 2 by 2030, which focuses on food security.

He noted that it would promote indigenous farming systems, boost productivity through incentives and linkages, and stimulate the development of the value chain at both cottage and industrial levels. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

DG NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, presenting certificate to the Leader, Yaba Local Council Development Authority, Mr Solomon Gbimiga
General News

NILDS D-G wants capacity building for LG workers

By Ericjames Ochigbo

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has called for capacity training of local government officers, ahead of the proposed autonomy for the third tier.

Sulaiman said this on Thursday at the closing of a 3-day workshop on “Legislative Processes and Innovative Policy Strategy” in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that such trainings were important to enhance and accelerate development at the base line of government.

“This training workshop is apt and timely, considering the ongoing conversation on local government autonomy.

“Therefore, the need to enhance capacity of the officials at the local government level cannot be over emphasised.

“This is because the officials are expected to be in-charge of policy initiatives, resource allocation, citizens’ mobilisation, peace and conflict resolution among other critical roles.

“In order to achieve sustainable development at all levels of government, there is need for majority of Nigerians who live at the third tier of government to benefit from dividends of democracy at grassroots level,” he said.

He said that NILDS was at the forefront of developing the country’s local councils human resource capacities.

Sulaiman said that there were increasing calls for decentralisation, participatory governance and bottom-top approach to policy formulation and implementation to deepening Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

He said that the practice of democratic governance at the grassroots was key to sustaining the democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

He said that NILDS was positioned to equip stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities at the local government councils level.

He pledged the institute’s commitment to further extend its reach to the grassroots for the majority of Nigerians domiciled at the local councils level to hence democracy and deepened in Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Leader, Yaba Local Council Development Authority, Mr Solomon Gbimiga commended NILDS for the workshop.

He recommended such workshop for all councilors after every election cycle to enable them function properly. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Josephine Obute/Ali Baba-Inuwa