Hon Rukayat Shittu drum support for Minister of Women Affairs

_Calls for outcomes driven empowerment for women_

Full statement

Some moments ago, I came across a trending video online, in which the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barr Uju Kennedy Ohanenye was expressing her disapproval with endless hosting of workshops and conferences with huge budgets at the detriment of outcomes driven interventions.

According to the honourable minister, organizing workshops and seminars with huge budgets will not impact the people and she's determined to set a new priority.

As someone who has participated in several events of such nature, I have equally shared similar observation while talking in different panel sessions, calling attention of funding organizations to more impactful priority.

Records show that a significant amount of money is allocated for women empowerment especially by international organizations, but the focus is not on providing real empowerment for women, such as paying skills, practical training, education, or economic opportunities.

Instead, the funds are usually spent on hosting workshops and conferences, at the end of which no tangible impact is made on the livelihood of women.

Meanwhile, many women continue to struggle with poverty and lack access to resources that could improve their lives.

According to data by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), more than 65% of women in rural Nigeria live in poverty, more than 63% are with no higher education and more than 73% are unemployed.

These and many other issues are what programs aimed at empowering women should focus on, which would complement efforts of government across the country.

Workshops and conferences cannot become an end on their own, they should be a means to an end.

Workshops and conferences, while valuable for awareness, should indeed not overshadow the critical need for direct support that can uplift women from poverty, provide education, and create economic opportunities.

I therefore urge all Non Governmental Organizations and development partners to support the advocacy of the Minister of Women Affairs by channelling 80% of resources spent on workshops and conferences on practical empowerment of women, especially at the grassroots level to reduce poverty and increase enterprising capacity.

The Hon Minister’s approach may seem odd, but her advocacy is valid and it's essential to ensure that efforts to support women are effective, sustainable, and focused on making a real difference in their lives.

Hon. Rukayat Shittu
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/UdxGqSt5pD9HrR8w/?mibextid=oFDknk

Kwara preparing for the post otoge era, as group setup think tank to develop plan

_Appoints former commissioner as head_

A leading Pro-Democracy group, Kwara Must Change has setup a think tank to develop a policy document for the post otoge administration, which it describes as post otoge project (POP2027).

Kwara Must Change also appointed to head the POP2027 think tank, Dr Mopelola AbdulMalik Bashir, a former commissioner and prominent pro-democracy activist.

In a statement by the Convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group said that POP2027 think tank will develop a policy direction for the next administration to consolidate the gains of Kwara liberation, strengthen weaknesses identified in the current system, expand scope of governance coverage, enhance economic capacity of the state, sustain data based developmental approach, build more human capacity and rebuild political capacity.

According to Hamzat, Dr Mopelola led POP2027 think tank will not only produce a policy document, the committee will also develop an implementation framework, Monitoring and observation template as well as priority focus on the scale of preference.

"Kwara Must Change is planning for the future by making this significant effort to solidify and guide future direction in the post otoge era rather than be stuck in the Otoge movement's initial success".

Hamzat maintained that, the Otoge administration is a new start for Kwara state and the hope and expectations of the people is for every successive government to do better than the last.

Kwara Must Change is therefore committed to building a development based polity, where issues of governance and development is the driving force of our politics.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/ex-kwara-commissioner-leads-think-tank-on-future-politics/

STATE OF THE NATION: GBENGA HASHIM VISITS NEPU LEADER, FORMER MINISTER IN KANO

Wednesday 14 August, 2024, Kano, Nigeria

A former Presidential candidate and a prominent political chieftain from the Middle Belt region piloted the plane of his "State of the Nation" consultation to prominent politicians in the North West region.

Specifically, Wednesday, 14 August, he led a delegation and visited. Mr Hashim said on his Facebook official page "I visited with our leader in the Northern Progressive Group, Alhaji Sule Lamido, Former Foreign Affairs Minister, Former Governor Jigawa state."

Lamido, according to a statement developed and released by Mr Hashim's media department "was a protégé of our leader, Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, the Former Governor of Old Kano state, who is now late."

According to the former Presidential candidate "Alhaji Rimi and his friend, Chief Doushep Solomon Lar (Former Governor of Old Plateau state), provided leadership and inspiration for those of us in the Northern Progressive Movement in the struggle to end Military rule."

He added that "in that struggle, Alhaji Rimi and Alhaji Sule were held in custody just as yours truly was held in detention in 1989 under Solitary confinement."

"A fearless upholder of the Northern Element People’s Union (NEPU) political tradition. We met in Kano yesterday and discussed THE STATE OF THE NATION", he concluded.

Before the trip to Kano yesterday, Mr. Gbenga Hashim consulted with prominent politicians in the First and Second Republics in all the Six Geo-Political zones in the country.

https://www.famouspeople.com.ng/state-of-the-nation-gbenga-hashim-visits-nepu-leader-former-minister-in-kano.html

ElSudani:
At last, a right thinking citizen.

EyeCumInPeace:

So much attention and focus on protests instead of the main issue of hunger and suffering.
If they are so worried the protest will threaten the regime or lead to destruction, then Tinubu should do the needful.

The same mouth he used to say "Subsidy is Gone", he should use that same mouth to say "Subsidy is Back"

Very simple stuff.

Anyone who wants to protest for hunger will go to farm.

Nobody will give you food on the street

Right to protest sacrosanct, but plotting regime change illegal, says Gbenga Hashim

Former presidential candidate Gbenga Hashim argued that the right to protest by any group of Nigerians or individuals is an essential part of the citizens’ freedom of expression, as provided in Nigeria’s Constitution, as long as such rights are exercised peacefully and without infringing on the rights of others.

In a statement by his media office, Hashim maintained that there are legitimate grounds for Nigerians to protest the prevailing economic situation and myriad of challenges that are not currently being satisfactorily addressed.

He noted that Nigerians even protested robustly under military rule.

According to him: “What government needs to do is to address the issues with utmost sincerity it is time for an honest introspection.”

Hashim added: “However, any group of people allegedly plotting extra-constutional regime change under the cover of protest would be engaged in treason and where credible evidence exists would be answerable to law.

“We are a democracy one that some of us suffer dearly to establish. Though our democracy may be slow to produce positive results for our people, we must resist the temptation and seduction of unconstitutional change which in our immediate past has produced horrible out comes.”

“We are a democracy one that some of us suffer dearly to establish. Though our democracy may be slow to produce positive results for our people, we must resist the temptation and seduction of unconstitutional change which in our immediate past has produced horrible out comes.”

He maintained: “Let us work instead harder to make our democracy produce more positive results, adding that God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/right-to-protest-sacrosanct-but-plotting-regime-change-illegal-says-gbenga-hashim/

Nigeria's former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim condemns political violence in US election

_Says assassination attempt on Trump reminds us of the killing of JF Kennedy and attempt on Regan_

Monday, 15 July, 2024, Abuja, Nigeria

The unfortunate attempt on the life of former US President, Trump, over the weekend and Candidate of the Republican Party who narrowly escaped assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania, United States, has been condemned by a Former Presidential Candidate in Nigeria, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.

Trump was the previous president of the United States, losing his reelection bid to Joe Biden in 2020.

This was contained in a press statement released in Abuja today by his media team.

In the statement, the former Presidential candidate maintained that "he joined millions of people all over the world to thank God for the life of this enigmatic leader who has been preserved by Mercy of God."

According to him, "I also sympathize with the families of the victims of the shooting.

"The unfortunate incident, he added, is reminiscent of the assassination of J F Kennedy and attempted killing of President Ronald Regan, is a sad reminder that political violence remains a critical issue in one of the world's most advanced democracies, as it is a world wide phenomenon."

The former Presidential candidate maintained that "the assassination attempt is condemnable and every lover of democracy must work for unity and peace to remove the toxicity in the atmosphere that breeds this sort of barbaric act."

https://factualtimesng.com/us-election-gbenga-hashim-condemns-assassination-attempt-on-trump/

*20% of all petrol stations in Nigeria should be converted to CNG within 6 months- Abdulrazaq Hamzat*

The federal government of Nigeria has been urged to provide necessary technical and administrative leadership aswell as financial incentive to convert 20% of Petrol stations in Nigeria to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) within the next 6 months to 1 year.

The Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources is also urged to be more proactive and aggressive in its efforts to drive the adoption of CNG in the country.

This call was made by Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat at an ongoing CNG station in ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Mr Hamzat, who is a clean energy advocate and a peacebuilding professional said that the CNG adoption programme of the federal government has been too slow in execution to become an alternative energy source to petrol users in a short term.

While speaking to members of a leading Pro-Democracy group, Kwara Must Change at the ongoing CNG station in ilorin, Hamzat explained that the Federal Ministry of Petroleum launched a CNG adoption program in August 2023, but the initiative is not only too slow in implementation, it is also too small to accommodate the volume of demand in the country.

According to Hamzat, Ministry of Petroleum, through NNPC limited partnered with NIPCO Gas Limited, to establish CNG stations in the country.

"Although, Nipco is present in 22 states, but it currently operates just 15 autoCNG stations, with about 19 others coming up, 4 in Lagos" he said.

Hamzat explained that, NNPC's partnership with NIPCO will develop about 56 CNG stations across Nigeria, out of which 35 will be in Lagos state alone, adding that in the same Lagos, one other CNG station was developed with capacity to fill 600 trucks and buses per day.

Hamzat maintained that, these CNG stations are too insufficient, even as pilot, to 99accommodate the volume of demand that would come, even in its first few weeks of operations.

"The survey conducted by our research team shows that their is huge expectation from the public, beyond the plans of the federal government and this will create some setback in the subsequent advocacy for CNG adoption".

"Our research shows that one in every five Nigerians are willing to try CNG when it is available"

Hamzat therefore proposed that the federal should mandate all petrol stations to convert 20% of their facilities to CNG.

"What we would propose is for all petrol stations in the country to convert 20% of their stations to CNG in the next 6 months or 1 year for efficient coverage".

I think we are under estimating the quest for alternative fuel in Nigeria he said, noting that there's huge expectation for CNG beyond the plans of the government.

He concludes that, having such big ambition will force the government to adjust regulatory framework, fast track stakeholders engagement, invest more in equipment, logistics and distribution network to meet the projected demands of CNG.

End

https://thepridenews.com.ng/2024/06/04/20-of-all-petrol-stations-in-nigeria-should-be-converted-to-cng-within-6-months-abdulrazaq-hamzat/

Kwara State is also in the forefront, due to consistent efforts of the governments, over the years, but it can do more to expand electricity access and complete the task once and for all and move to other value chains of electricity, including energy equity and security,” Hamzat stated.

He urged the state government to make deliberate attempts to provide 100 per cent electricity access in the state within the next three years, to make Kwara State the first or one of the first three to achieve 100 per cent electricity access in the country.

Explaining to Arewa PUNCH the possibility of the task, Hamzat recalled that in November 1920, Vladimir Lenin, leader of the then Soviet Union (Russia) issued a slogan identifying electricity as the only remaining step in Russia’s development, thus making access to electricity a major target for the country and within the five years target, the entire Russian federation had electricity access.


“This therefore gave it the opportunity to concentrate on other aspects of power generation as part of its broad 10 year plan.

“Similarly, in 2015, China successfully connected all of its 1.4 billion population to electricity access,” he noted further.

The Kwara Must Change leader added that, in both Russia and China’s effort to ensure electricity access, three fundamentals were key – providing electricity access as part of the development plan, articulating the mission appropriately to all stakeholders, at all levels and making it the cornerstone of assessing progress and ensuring the right technology mix, especially at the rural areas.

“Achieving 100 per cent electricity access will open a new chapter in our quest for energy security and this will greatly help in attracting investment,” he stressed.

Speaking further, Hamzat said that while the group was aware that there were ongoing efforts by the state government to fully take advantage of the new electricity deregulation in the country, it urged the government to include 100 per cent electricity access within the next three years as part of its broad target in the Kwara State energy sector.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has reiterated its commitment to offering long-lasting solutions to the declining electricity supply, seeking synergy with the private independent power plant, Dapik Energy to formulate an electricity market policy that will enhance economic growth, foster the development of human capital and create the enabling environment for businesses and future investors in the state.

The state Commissioner for Energy, Engr. AbdulAzeez AbdulGaniy stated this on Friday during a proposal presentation by Dapik Energy at the Ministry’s Conference Hall.


AbdulGaniy said, “We are ready to partner with you because we want a Kwara with a sustainable power market that will enable investors to come in order to create more employment opportunities and improve human capital development.”

In their remarks, both the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Alhaji Hassan Taiye Afodun and the Director, Electrical Engineering, Engr. Anthony Ayodeji Alago, hailed the Chief Executive Officer, Dapik Energy, Mr. Dapo Adedoyin, for the innovative presentation which will enable Kwara State to achieve a sustainable energy market that will increase its revenue generation.

Earlier in his address, Adedoyin had remarked, “We want to develop Kwara State Electricity Market Policy, which will give us capabilities to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in the State through access to natural gas.

“This is in line with the 2023 Electricity Bill that was signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which gives the State the power to generate, transmit and distribute electricity for improved development,” Adedoyin added.

Therefore, he called for collaboration with the Federal Electrification Agency, Rural Electrification Agency, Distribution Companies and other stakeholders in the energy sector.


Tunde Oyekola

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Kwara projects 100% electricity supply

A Pro-Democracy group, Kwara Must Change has set an electricity access target which aims to make Kwara State the first in Nigeria to attain 100 per cent electricity access in the country.

The group noted that considering the ongoing efforts to make Kwara State capital a smart city, targeting 100 per cent electricity access for the state in the next three years will be an indication of its readiness for development and industrialisation.

In a statement by the Convener of Kwara Must Change, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group explained that there’s no state in Nigeria with 100 per cent electricity access, except Lagos which is less than 1 per cent away from the target.

According to Hamzat, Lagos State currently has the highest electricity access in the country with 99.3 per cent, adding that Kwara State is amongst the top three, with 90.6 per cent access.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/kwara-projects-100-electricity-supply/%3famp

Where is the remaining part of the video?

Why did you cut it off?

All this is not as important as the response from the other end.

The question is, why did you bring forth one side of the story without allowing us hear the response?

This is one of the problems in the media space.

We want to hike people, not inform them to make better judgement

*MayDay: NOUN students call for collaborative governance*

_Decree worsening state of affairs_

Press Release: Addressing the State of the Nation and Worker's Day Greetings

The Congress of National Open University of Nigeria (CoNS) extends warm greetings to all workers across the nation on this auspicious occasion of Worker's Day. As we celebrate the dedication and contributions of workers to our society, we also take stock of the prevailing challenges facing our nation.

The State of the Nation:

The CoNS notes with concern the myriad of challenges confronting our nation, ranging from economic uncertainties to social inequalities and governance deficiencies. The recent increase in DStv subscription fees, coupled with the persistent hike in school fees, exacerbates the financial burden on Nigerian families, particularly amidst the ongoing economic downturn.

Education:

Education remains a cornerstone of national development, yet access to quality education remains elusive for many Nigerians. The CoNS calls for urgent measures to address the disparities in education access and affordability, including the review of school fees policies and increased investment in public education infrastructure.

Food Scarcity:

The recent surge in food prices and scarcity further compounds the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians, threatening food security and exacerbating poverty levels. The CoNS urges government intervention to mitigate the impact of food scarcity through targeted agricultural policies and support for small-scale farmers.

Minimum Wage and Fuel Hike:

The CoNS reiterates its call for the implementation of a living wage for Nigerian workers, in line with international labor standards. Additionally, the recent hike in fuel prices exacerbates the financial strain on citizens and underscores the urgent need for sustainable energy policies and alternatives.

The Way Forward:

In light of these challenges, the Congress of National Open University of Nigeria advocates for:

1. Transparent and accountable governance: Government institutions must prioritize the welfare of citizens and demonstrate accountability in resource allocation and policy implementation.

2. Social justice and equity: Policies should be enacted to address the widening socio-economic inequalities and ensure equal access to opportunities for all Nigerians.

3. Stakeholder engagement and dialogue: Collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector is crucial in formulating holistic solutions to national challenges.

4. Empowerment and capacity building: Investments in education, skills development, and entrepreneurship are essential to empower Nigerian youth and drive sustainable economic growth.

As we commemorate Worker's Day and reflect on the state of our nation, let us remain united in our resolve to build a more prosperous and equitable Nigeria for all.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact: Consnationalexecutive@gmail.com

[Hon. KAREEM Shakiru. O]
[National President ]
Congress of National Open University of Nigeria
[Consnationalexecutive@gmail.com]

Unfortunate

Kwara Must Change

*Kwara Must Change set to rally youth groups to sustain progressive order in 2027*

_Says Otoge must produce a successor to be regarded as success_

A leading Pro-Democracy group, Kwara Must Change, which is one of the groups that champion the popular otoge political revolution in 2019 has initiated moves to sustain the newly installed progressive order in Kwara State come 2027.

Kwara Must Change, which had rallied over 70 youth groups in 2018 to rescue Kwara State from Saraki dynasty said that the mission to sustain the progressive order is a collective responsibility, noting that there's no success without successor.

In a statement by the Convener, Abdulrazaq Hamzat during a focused group discussion involving several youths across the 3 senatorial districts, Kwara Must Change said that the task of sustaining the gains of otoge should be treated with equal determination as the Otoge revolution itself, adding that only those who knows the value of the revolution will do whatever it takes to sustain it.

According to Hamzat, Kwara Must Change has been following public conversation about the direction the state should head in 2027 and we are pleased to say that we will not be spectators in the process.

Hamzat explained that, the youths of Kwara will determine the next direction of the state, just as they did in 2019 and we will be playing an active role in shaping the process.

"For us, we understand that there's no success without successor and Otoge must produce its own successor to be fully regarded as a successful struggle"

End

https://justeventonline.com/kwara-must-change-set-to-rally-youth-groups-to-sustain-progressive-order-in-2027/

Litmus:
International Aid focusing on displaced persons needs in areas of Africa civil strife, is an industry that survives on conflict ecosystem. They will feed unrest and civil strife in order to receive ever more national and international funding. Nigeria needs to monitor these organisations minutely or and better still , send them packing.

This maybe connected to the idp camp burning

PeacePro Urges FG To Probe Borno IDP’s Camps Fire, NGO’s

Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has called on the federal government of Nigeria to investigate the claim by several media outlets of an alleged Non Governmental Organization (NGO) recruiting and paying individuals to burn down Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in across North East Nigeria.

PeacePro also called on the federal government of Nigeria to put all international humanitarian NGOs operating in the country under close scrutiny.
PeacePro said that the news of an NGO recruiting and paying individuals and groups to commit act of terror in the most vulnerable place such as IDP camps is a scary development that should not be treated with kid gloves.

In a statement by the Executive Director of PeacePro, Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group said that in recent weeks, cases of fire outbreaks have been reported in some displaced persons camps in Borno State.

While it is assumed that these fire incidences are accidental, reports is now claiming otherwise.
According to Hamzat, a viral video circulating online shows a young man confessing to arson — deliberately causing fire outbreaks — in IDP camps and other areas in Borno State.

The unidentified suspect, apprehended by a vigilante group, alleged that he was sponsored on the burning mission by two non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

One of the suspected arsonists said he and his accomplices were paid N10,000 per fire, targeting Monguno, Gubio, and Maiduguri.

The suspect added that the alleged scheme began over a year ago.

PeacePro said that it followed the reaction of the Borno State government and that of the Nigeria Police and it believes that the federal government must wade into the matter to establish what is truly happening.

Hamzat explained that, Borno State government claimed that a suspect has admitted that he and his “co-conspirators” were “hired” by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) (names withheld) to set internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps on fire.

The announcement was made by the state’s commissioner for information and internal security, Professor Usman Tar.

The police on the other hand were not so vocal about their findings, calling to question the entire reaction to such a scary development.

PeacePro is therefore calling for a more proactive response to the development by the federal government.

Hamzat maintained that, the indictment of NGOs as contained in the statement of Borno State government is enough to declare a state of emergency on the operations of all humanitarian NGOs in the North East to truly ascertain what is happening because NGOs are supposed to be aid workers not terrorist suspects.

We are calling on the federal government to look into the matter and establish the truth of what is happening in North East, particularly on the allegation against NGOs sponsoring burning of IDP camps and put all international humanitarian NGOs operating in the country on close surveillance.

https://www.tvcnews.tv/2024/04/peacepro-urges-fg-to-probe-borno-idps-camps-fire-ngos/

*PeacePro alarmed over alleged NGOs sponsoring of terrorism against IDPs in North East*

Following reports by several media outlets of an alleged Non Governmental Organization (NGO) recruiting and paying individuals to burn down Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in across North East Nigeria, a peacebuilding think tank, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro has called on the federal government of Nigeria to investigate the claim aswell as put all international humanitarian NGOs operating in the country on close surveillance.

PeacePro said that the news of an NGO recruiting and paying individuals and groups to commit act of terror in the most vulnerable place such as idp camps is a scary development that should not be treated with soft hand.

In a statement by the Executive Director of PeacePro, Mr Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the group said that in recent weeks, cases of fire outbreaks have been reported in some displaced persons camps in Borno State.

"In March, three persons, including children were confirmed dead after a fire gutted an IDP camp at the Muna Alambari area of Borno".

"Another fire incident ravaged two IDP camps and a market, resulting in two deaths and N50 million in property damage." He said.

While it is assumed that these fire incidences are accidental, reports is now claiming otherwise.

According to Hamzat, a viral video circulating online shows a young man confessing to arson — deliberately causing fire outbreaks — in IDP camps and other areas in Borno State.

The unidentified suspect, apprehended by a vigilante group, alleged that he was sponsored on the burning mission by two non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

One of the suspected arsonists said he and his accomplices were paid N10,000 per fire, targeting Monguno, Gubio, and Maiduguri. The suspect added that the alleged scheme began over a year ago.

PeacePro said that it followed the reaction of the Borno State government and that of the Nigeria Police and it believes that the federal government must wade into the matter to establish what is truly happening.

Hamzat explained that, Borno State government claimed that a suspect has admitted that he and his “co-conspirators” were “hired” by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) (names withheld) to set internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps on fire.

The announcement was made by the state’s commissioner for information and internal security, Professor Usman Tar.

The police on the other hand were not so vocal about their findings, calling to question the entire reaction to such a scary development.

PeacePro is therefore calling for a more proactive response to the development by the federal government.

Hamzat maintained that, the indictment of NGOs as contained in the statement of Borno State government is enough to declare a state of emergency on the operations of all humanitarian NGOs in the North East to truly ascertain what is happening because NGOs are supposed to be aid workers not terrorist suspects.

We are calling on the federal government to look into the matter and establish the truth of what is happening in North East, particularly on the allegation against NGOs sponsoring burning of idp camps.