By Philip Yatai

By Philip Yatai

By Amina Ahmed

The Nigeria COVID-19 Action, Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), says it has disbursed N625 billion to the 36 states since inception of the programme.

The National Coordinator, NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, stated this during the peer learning and experience sharing exercise, on Thursday in Bauchi.

NG-CARES is being implemented by the Federal Government in collaboration with the World Bank and the 36 state governments, to mitigate the negative social and economic impacts occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It also aimed at addressing other shocks through the provision of grants and basic social infrastructure services to poor and vulnerable communities.

Obaje described NG-CARES as one of the most successful World Bank’s intervention assisting more than 5.3 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

He said the programme had been restructured to accommodate victims of flood and other related shocks.

Mrs Elizabeth Egharebwa, Chairman, Federal CARES Technical Committee, said the programme had been working with communities and agencies to alleviate burdens of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians in the last three years.

She was represented by Adamu Gizos, Director Special Duties and Projects, Federal Ministry of Labour.

Egharebwa, who is also the Director, Economic Growth, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said that: ”while we are proud of what we have accomplished thus far, we know there is still much work to be done.

”That is why this peer learning event is so critical. By convening diverse perspectives and experiences, we can collectively identify solutions to the complex challenges we face.”

Also speaking, Mr AbdulAzeez Olorunshola, represtative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said the exercise was designed to encourage sustainable collaboration between the states.

This, he said, would ensure better understanding for effective peer learning methods among the states
Gov. Bala Mohammed, lauded the NG-CARES over its food security, small businesses and social intervention programmes.

Represented by Prof. Simon Yalams, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mohammed said the intervention encouraged application of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in the provision of infrastructure and basic services to the people.

He urged the people to protect and ensure effective utilisation of the facilities provided in their communities for sustainable social and economic development in the country.

“The peer learning and experience sharing exercise is coming at a time when the phase one cycle of the programme is about to terminate.

”This will therefore provide an avenue for participants to articulate and consolidate all the strategies, techniques and skills applied and used in the implementation of the programme in the country.

”The lessons learnt would serve as a guide in the conception of development of future programmes, especially the 2.0 whose concept and framework has almost been developed,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali

By Yahaya Isah/Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) has sought for partnership with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the effective coverage of its activities in its quest to deliver on its mandate.

The Executive Secretary of the fund, Mr Tosin Adeyanju, made the request when he led the management team on a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of NAN, on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the mandate of NLTF is to intervene on good causes such as education, sports, water, disaster management, as well as vulnerable Nigerians.

“We have intervened in several causes in over 365 projects by impacting lives across the country.

“Since I came on board, we have continued the drive to make sure that we intervene in critical sectors of the country, and support the “renewed hope agenda” of President Bola Tinubu.

“Therefore, we need the cooperation of NAN to drive home all our interventions and activities across the country,” he said.

Adeyanju said that there was practically no alternative to NAN in terms of coverage and publicity, because of the agency’s reach and presence globally.

“So, we deemed it necessary to be here to partner with you on areas that have to do with good courses,’’ he said.

He further said that with such collaboration, people would feel the positive impact of what the government had done so far and still doing.

While noting the significance of information, Adeyanju said that a lot had been done by Tinubu that was under reported, hence the need to partner with NAN for adequate reportage.

He expressed confidence that the partnership would go a long way to impact positively on the activities of NLTF.

Responding, the Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali M. Ali, said that NAN prides itself as the biggest news content provider on the continent of Africa.

“We have over 500 reporters spread across the country, and beyond. We have offices in some selected African countries, and even in Europe.

“Right now, we are the only resident news agency or wire service from the West African coast in the UN.

“We also have offices in South Africa, Abidjan, Addis Abba, and some other places.

“So, with a work force like this, we welcome the partnership. Your people and my people will sit down and discuss how we can partner for better,’’ Ali said.

The NAN boss also highlighted other services rendered by the agency with the recent being the introduction of Hausa News portal while that of Yoruba and Igbo would follow shortly.

“For instance, we have started the news portal in Hausa language, being one of the three major languages in Nigeria; so the next will be Yoruba and Igbo languages in that order,” he said.

Ali explained that all these efforts were geared toward ensuring that activities of the Federal Government were properly covered.

“Your request for partnership is a welcome development, and we wish you a successful tenure in office,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

By Angela Atabo

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), has inaugurated the Sector Skills Council for Engineering (SSC4E) to  bridge engineering gaps and enhance workforce skills in Nigeria.

Ms Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, inaugurated the council at the 32nd COREN Engineering Family Forum in Abuja.

Arogundade, represented by Prof Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), said that with the inauguration, the SSC4E had joined 19 others in the Nigerian skills ecosystem.

“The SSCs under the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) are industry-led and are assigned the responsibility to identify the skill gaps in our industries.

“They are to develop occupational standards, ensure quality assurance and issue certification for those skills through the awarding body.

“The Chair of the Sector Skill Council for Engineering has been accepted graciously by the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE),  while COREN is the Awarding Body.

“The SSC shall promote the Nigerian Skills Qualification (NSQ), which has nine levels as approved by the National Council on Skills,” he said.

Arogundade said that the greatest challenge facing the SSC4E was repositioning the pyramid of the cadres of engineering.

“That is why we are today importing skilled artisans from Benin and Togo in the construction industry, Chinese artisans in railway expansion, Indian technicians and artisans in the celebrated Dangote refinery.

“If care is not taken, history will repeat itself when it comes to the Mambilla Power Project, and the Trans African Gas Pipeline to deliver Nigerian Natural Gas to Europe,” she  said.

She urged  the SSC4E to also  engage the informal sector and formalise the training.

She added that Nigeria’s economy is 75 per cent informal and thus can not be ignored.

“Panteka in Kaduna, Ariaria shoe market in Aba, Computer Village in Ikeja, Kofar Ruwa Market in Kano, Apo Mechanic Village in Abuja, the road-side welders all over the country are typical examples.

“They are individually offering massive training to youths informally.

“By engaging them, we can standardise the training, offer them NSQ certification, train the Master Craftsmen as Quality Assurance Assessors, and eventually COREN could licence those with NSQ to operate.

“These licensed artisans can be deployed into national infrastructure projects instead of importing labour from ECOWAS or Asia, “she said.

Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, President and Chairman of the Council, said that the key roles and responsibilities of the SSC4E was provided for in the National Skills Qualification Framework approved by the Federal Executive Council.

He said that these included  identifying skill development needs and cataloguing skill  ,addressing the skills gap and promoting the development of a highly skilled and competent workforce.

He said SSC4E is expected to develop occupational standards in the trade areas levels one to five covering the different engineering trades/services/consulting/repairs and maintenance, ventoring, fabrication.

Abubakar said that SSC4E would  facilitate the development of industry-driven training programmes and  develop a comprehensive plan to upskill and train the teeming artisans in the engineering endeavours.

He reiterated COREN’s commitment to working with the SSC4E to facilitate the development of a comprehensive training and certification program.

This, he said, would  address the specific needs of engineering artisans in the relevant sectors of the economy.

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called for a formidable alliance among key players in governance to wriggle Nigerians out of poverty and enhance the quality of lives of all citizens.

Shettima spoke on Wednesday during the 144th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He also emphasised the need for those in the business of governance to collaborate to create an environment where every Nigerians have the opportunity to thrive.

Shettima, however, acknowledged that Nigerians are in urgent need of quick and impactful measures, which President Bola Tinubu was solving through the implementations of long-term solutions.

“Our commitment to alleviating poverty and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians will never materialize if we do not align with one another.

” We must strive to create an environment where every Nigerian has the opportunity to thrive.

“This includes not only addressing immediate needs but also building sustainable systems that empower our citizens to become self-reliant and prosperous.”

He commended the efforts of development partners, particularly the co-chairman of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr Bill Gates.

He also applauded the Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who were at the NEC meeting.

He described Dangote and Gates as “two distinguished individuals whose commitment to Nigeria’s progress is unparalleled”.

He said that the two have invested enormous resources into the welfare of Nigerians, spanning critical areas such as health, nutrition, agriculture, and education.

” Their philanthropy is not seasonal but a steadfast commitment that continues to shape our nation’s future.

” We did not survive the lowest points of our journey as a nation by the proactivity of the government alone; we did so because we remained partners in rain and sunshine.

“So, permit me to once again extend the nation’s deepest gratitude to our guests, whose empathy has always shone through whenever they are needed.

” Mr Gates, in particular, has been a steadfast friend of Nigeria, contributing immensely to our nation’s inclusive economic growth and the well-being of our people in both tumult and tranquility.

” The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has recently approved a significant investment—the Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA).

” This initiative, championed by my office and hosted by the Lagos Business School in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group, sets out to revolutionize our cassava industry, an essential pillar of our economy and food security.”

Shettima described sub-nationals in the federation as stakeholders in redefining the future of Nigeria.

” We are gathered here because none of us can fulfill the goals of guaranteeing the survival of our people in isolation.

” Whether by expanding access to quality education, improving healthcare, or offering skills training and job opportunities, it is clear that each one of us has the power to influence policy and decisions at various levels.

” Our success relies on recognizing the socio-economic threats that have pulled us down the development index and, more importantly, on our resolve to walk the talk.”

Shettima expressed delight with the efforts and reforms made so far by state governors to boost agriculture.

” However, we must not overlook the state of nutrition in our nation, which has led to stunting and other health challenges.

” This is a crisis that demands our unified attention and action. The future of this nation hinges on the health and well-being of our children,” he added.

On his part, Mr Gates reiterated his bet on the incredible potential of Nigerians, noting that “Nigeria’s economic leaders have done some difficult, but necessary things, like unifying the exchange rate.

“The next great hurdle is raising revenue. I understand this is a politically sensitive area where Nigerians are struggling. Incomes have fallen.

” Prices have soared. And like in many other countries, people are protesting.”

He described Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda as ambitious.

Gate, however, said the Nigerian leader has assembled a cabinet ready to meet the challenge, adding that “with limited resources, putting the funds to the best possible use is key”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Accountant General of the Federation provided the council with an update on the Excess Crude Account.

According to him, the account currently stands at $473,754.57, the Natural Resources Fund has a balance of N3,451,078,538.57, and the Stabilisation Account holds N33,875,398,389.75. (https://www.nannews.ng)(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz