The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the 2024 CANEX Deal Room, a platform designed to connect creatives with financiers and investors. This initiative aims to support the development and growth of the creative and cultural industries in Africa and the diaspora.
 
Through the CANEX Deal Room, Afreximbank will provide entrepreneurs in the creative sector with the opportunity to present bankable projects and opportunities to financiers and investors. The bank and its sister financial institutions will consider debt and equity financing for transactions in segments such as film and television, music, franchising, fashion, and infrastructure for the creative industry.

This announcement comes ahead of CANEX WKND 2024, Africa's largest gathering of creative industry professionals, taking place from October 16-19, 2024, in Algiers, Algeria. The event will build on the success of previous editions, including CANEX at IATF2023 in Cairo, which brought together delegates from across the continent representing various creative sectors. 

To be eligible for the CANEX Deal Room, applicants must meet specific criteria, including being Africa-based enterprises with at least 25% African ownership, having an operating history of at least 3 years, and employing at least 50% African talent. Proposals must be submitted by October 1, 2024, to be considered. Late submissions will be disqualified.
Registration for CANEX WKND 2024 is free and now open. For more information and to submit your proposal, visit https://wknd.canex.africa/
CANEX WKND 2024 is hosted by Afreximbank, in partnership with the African Union Commission, the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, and the Government of Algeria. The event will build on the success of previous editions, including CANEX at IATF2023 in Cairo, which brought together delegates from across the continent representing various creative sectors.

By Blessing Bature

A fast growing Pharmaceutical industry, Shodan Pharmaceuticals has introduced Sitfine toilet seat sanitizer, a product designed to ensure hygiene and safety in the Nigerian public and private restrooms.

The Chairman, Shodan Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Seun Tola Shosanya, made this known in a press briefing on Monday, that his organisation is passionate about contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy by championing locally-made products.

He said despite the numerous challenges involved in producing in Nigeria, the organization remain dedicated to supporting local industries and reducing dependency on imports.

According to him, Shodan Pharmaceuticals Ltd. was established in 2023 with a clear vision to provide quality healthcare products to the masses, and has since been committed to improving the health and well-being of Nigerians by offering innovative and effective products that meet the highest standards of quality and safety.

Expressing confidence on the product Shosanya said Sit Fine is clinically tested and approved by NAFDAC as toilet seat sanitizer spray in the form of a quick-drying aerosol that protects against 99.99% of germs on the toilet seats.

Also, Mr Daniel Okeoma, Vice President of Excid Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd said, "using a toilet seat sanitizer spray like Sitfine is an effective way to maintain personal hygiene and protect yourself from germs and bacteria when using restrooms, adding that the product gives maximum protection against germs and bacteria, neutralizes every bad smell and odour in the restroom and gives it a better fragrance".

He informed that under the leadership of our esteemed chairman, Mr. Seun Tola Shosanya, Shodan Pharmaceuticals is poised for growth. We are driven by a desire to innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of our community.

Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Set to Take Place in Algiers


By Blessing Bature


The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced that the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX 2024), a premier event showcasing Africa's vibrant creative and cultural industries will be held in Algiers, Algeria, from October 16-19, 2024.

Building on the success of previous editions, the four-day event offers a unique platform for creatives from across the continent and beyond, to showcase their work, network with industry leaders, and explore business opportunities, including exhibitions, roundtable discussions, masterclasses, live performances, gastronomy showcases, music, dance, poetry, and other artistic expressions.

Launched in 2020, Afreximbank has committed a $1 billion facility for Creative and Cultural Industries, and has deployed specialized products for financing some CCI sectors, including the Film Financing Development Facility and the Music Development Facility. The bank has also identified key gaps in creative production value chains and created interventions to bridge these gaps, with a focus on access to markets.

According to the organisers, this year's event promises to be an exciting gathering of creatives, investors, and industry professionals from across the continent and the world over.

“CANEX WKND 2024 will feature an exhibition and market, roundtable discussions, masterclasses, live performances, and networking opportunities. The event is open to industry professionals, individuals, corporate investors, and governance bodies. It provides a unique platform for creatives to showcase their work, connect with industry leaders, and explore business and investment opportunities”, a statement issued on Friday said.

CANEX 2024 is part of Afreximbank's Creative Africa Nexus program, aimed at supporting the development of Africa's creative and cultural industries. The program’s objectives include increasing Africa's share of global cultural trade flows, deploying specialized financial products, facilitating technical capacity programs, and advocating for harmonized regulatory reform.

Since October 2021, 80 Luxury African brands have benefited from Afreximbank's access to market initiative, CANEX Presents Africa. The bank has also engaged in trade and export development initiatives, showcasing Africa's creative economies through the biennial CANEX WKND and CANEX at IATF (Intra-African Trade Fair).

CANEX WKND 2024 will further develop conversations and provide even more business-to-business and business-to-government opportunities. The event will be held under the theme "One People, United in Culture, Creating for the World."

Organizers say registration for CANEX WKND 2024 can be done online https://wknd.canex.africa/newfront
to be part of the creative revolution in Africa!


“No one should miss this opportunity to be part of the creative revolution in Africa! They should simply register for CANEX WKND 2024 and join us in Algiers for an unforgettable experience celebrating the continent's artistic spirit.” the statement concluded.

By Isaac Isaiah

The newly elected executives of the IBB International Golf and Country Club are set to unveil the rest of their plans for the one year tenure which started in April
as they host the Captains’ inaugural golf tournament, from Aug. 23 to Aug. 25.

The tournament, which commenced on Friday, Aug. 23, is expected to host over 200 members of the club and other golfers to felicitate with the new executives as part of the club's tradition.

The captain of the club, Ibrahim Babayo, said that the present executives were elected in April, but it was part of the clubs tradition to host a captain's inaugural golf tournament to usher them into the club officially.

According to him, even as newly elected, they have already started their various projects , and the major ones were the maintenance of the course and zero tolerance for waste.

The Lady Captain; Dame Julie Donli OON also said the tournament was going to be a unique one and invited everyone to come felicitate and have fun with them.

Speaking with the competition secretary, IBB international golf and country club, Ashir Tarfa; said the tournament is divided into three categories, with each category playing on a separate day.

He said the tournament will offer every participant the chance to amplify their performance, each category playing on their designated day, with both men and ladies competing in their respective categories.

Tarfa stated, "On Friday, we have the higher handicap men and ladies. They have their tournament first while it will be followed by the lower handicap players who are the more experienced players coming to the course on Saturday."

According to him, Category Three played on Friday, featuring men, ladies with handicap of 19 and above, veterans, and super veterans, a total of 172 players featuring.

Category Two will play on Saturday featuring men and women with handicap of 11-18, as well as professional members, expecting approximately 130 players.

While Sunday, Category One will wrap up the tournament, featuring players with a handicap of 0-10, including executives, guests, the captain, lady captain, and sponsors, with total players around 60-80 . The schedule is designed to conclude early on the final day, he said.

“Every activity will attract a range of prizes and trophies that will be presented to those who did well. It is always an exciting period for us here. Golfers look forward to this tournament and the trophies and prizes at stake".

Other players interviewed like Mrs Bose Onwiegbu, South West zonal representative of Nigeria golfer federation, also a member of IBB International Golf and Country Club said, "we're thrilled to be a part of it.

According to her, "Despite the rain, we had a great time playing with some skilled golfers. Although they didn't let us take the lead, it was still enjoyable.

She encouraged those hesitant to join golfers, that golf is a game for all ages. Unlike football, it's a recreational activity that keeps you fit and healthy. "I'm a grandmother of three, and you wouldn't know I'm a golfer just by the way i look.

She noted that Golf is a game of friendship and love. The more you play, the more you think, and the more friendships you make on the fairway. It's a win-win situation.

"This is a three-day event, and I'm excited to be a part of it, saying she believed that everyone who played is already a winner. We win in different ways - through good health, new friendships, and personal achievements. If I happen to win a trophy, that's just an added bonus. I'll give God all the glory for that".

Mrs Juliet Umolu; Comp Sec 2, Ladies Golf Section, said as a golfer, she's always eager to swing and play. Today's experience was fantastic, The course was wet, but we persevered and had a great time.

The 3 day tournament will climax on Sunday the 25th of August with the official ceremonial tee off in the morning by 7.30am and the closing ceremony/prize presentation by 5pm and every one is invited to come celebrate and have fun.

Announcer
Media & Publicity Committee
For 2024/25 IBB Captains's Inaugural Tournament

By Uche Onyeali


Umuonyeoziri Kindred in Umuagwu, Ogbor-Ihitteafoukwu Autonomous Community in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State has expressed grief over the death of one of their illustrious elders, Mr Cornelius Onwuka.
Mr Onwuka, popularly known as Uturu, passed away on March 18, aged 70.

An astute businessman and resilient transporter, Onwuka was second to the eldest head of Umuonyeoziri Kindred before his death.

Expressing sadness over his death, a prominent leader of the kindred, Nze Aloysius Nnorom (Why Worry) noted that the deceased left the the kindred when his fatherly guidance was needed the most.

Nze Nnorom, however, acknowledged that no creature questions the will of the Almighty over anybody's sojourn on earth.

"Well, Dee Bom Boy (Mr Onwuka) did his best in guiding this family aright and God Almighty decided to take him away at this time when we needed him the most. We cannot question his decisions, as he is the giver and taker of life. He knows when it is due for any creature to return home to him.

"However, all we can do is to pray for De Bom Boy to find joy in the bosom of the Lord, while we, the ones he left behind, continue to build from where he left us," Nnorom said.
Speaking, first son of the deceased, Mr Uchenna Onwuka noted that his father played his role perfectly as a businessman to give his children the right training in life.

"My father never slacked in giving us all we needed to keep his family and legacy going.

"Uturu was never found wanting as long as family leadership and upbringing is concerned. We will continue celebrating him as a role model in every aspect," he said.

The remains of the late Onwuka, who is survived by his wife, Grace, and seven children, will be buried on August 22 and 23, according to the burial arrangements announced by his family.

Otobonf Gabriel

Former Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture and President, World Craft Council (Africa Region) who doubled as the President of Nigeria golf federation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has commended the ladies golf section of IBB international Golf and country Club, Abuja for being unique, taking initiatives and bringing innovations into the golfing community.
Otunba made the commendation at the 2024/2025 ladies golf section committee (LGS ) retreat, saying the retreat is unique and promised to give his full support to the ladies golf section in order for them to succeed during their tenure.
He said only when Nigerians go abroad, they have this kind of opportunity to go for a retreat for playing golf, but today, it is happening.
"So for me, it's a new beginning for us, I commend the organizers, and I hope this won't be the end," he said.
Speaking, the Lady Captain Of IBB international Golf and country Club, Dame Julie Donli said the retreat is organised to offer a relaxed environment for the committee members, saying it is an venue for teams to discuss business strategies, set goals, and plan for the future.
According to her, the essence of the golf retreat is to combine enjoyable and challenging activity with opportunities for connection, growth, and relaxation, this is done to celebrate milestones, reward achievements, or mark special occasions to foster a sense of camaraderie and shared experience among participants.
"So it's a very important segment of our one year tenure. That's just basically why we're here to learn to be better versions of ourselves, to learn to interact with members of my team and members of the golf club generally. There are skills that are very difficult to imbibe as human beings, but with constant continuous learning. We hope to improve our ability to interact with one another ability to lead a team. "
She noted that after the training, her mindset towards certain things has changed. "I would be able to lead a better team, and I would be able to communicate more effectively with my team members.
In an interview with the resource persons for the lady golf section retreat, Doctor OluyeMisi Omotosho said sports environment especially golf, is a highly intensive environment that needs a lot of energy and motivation, and the ability to self regulate is very key for leadership, saying the ladies here are all members of the committee for the ladies golf section, and in this third year, they decided to come up with a lot of innovative and creative ideas which they will need to drive the ladies golfers communities.
She explained that the training was about emotional intelligence and leadership in a sports context.
In the same vein, Christy Eliojo Adejo pass lady Captain Of IBB international Golf who was also one of the resources person commended the initiative by the lady captain and her team for doing beautifully well.
While commending the initiative as laudable, she said her administration has created a history through this capacity building retreat, which was a nonevent in the history of IBB Ladies Golf section, adding that the retreat was not only educative but it provided an opportunity to learn how best to affect the community which we operate as golfers.

By Blessing Bature

The Ladies Golf Section of IBB international Golf and country has engaged over 134 children in the game of golf from age 3 to 18 to introduce beginners to golf, sharpen the golfing skills of the intermediate and advanced players so they can compete among themselves and get the champion for the year in the various categories.

Vice lady captain of IBB Golf and country Club, Aima Momoh who was the chairperson of the children’s clinic disclosed this in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the 16th Children's Golf Development Clinic stating that the program is a yearly program with participants between ages 3 to 18 years.

She informed that every year, the vice lady captain for that tenure chairs the children's golf development clinic and inspite of the heavy rains the program was still a successful one, the children were wonderful , interacted well had fun and learnt a lot.


According to her, a total of 134 children participated in the clinic comprising of beginners , intermediate and advance categories .they are trained in order of their strength and it also helps those who plan to compete at the junior open coming up on the 15th of August prepare themselves because children from all over Nigeria will participate in that competition.
"So we have some of our children who have come to brush up their skills that will participate in that competition and we have those who can pick up that challenge from them to also compete in the junior open".
Speaking, Lady Captain of IBB Intl Golf and Country Club, Dame Julie Donli emphasised the need to encourage children to embrace the game of golf at an early age for their all personal development.
Donli said the clinic is an annual event organised to brush up children's skills in golf
She hinted, "Golf is a great way to get kids excited about being outdoors interacting with other children and nurturing mental, emotional, and social skills that will prepare them for life. This sport, according to her, provides a safe environment for kids to be physically active while still challenging them and helping them grow.
According to her, golf promotes overall physical fitness by providing fun, low-impact, and gentle exercise for kids of all ages. It also encourages children to spend more time enjoying the fresh natural air and sunshine, fostering better physical health.
"We have 134 participants coming to take part in the exercise of the childrens golf development clinic, which is a yearly program. Their experiences have been very good, they've learnt how to play bunker shots, putting,basic skills of golfing and they have some advanced in the game because they have been playing for quite a while and some of them are also beginners, if you’d like your child to try other sports or physical activities in the future, golf will prepare them for success. This gentle, non-contact sport will help kids get used to movement, rules, and equipment management." She called on parents and gaudians, to encourage their children to partake in golfing sport.
Also speaking, Dr James Agbonhese the vice captain of IBB international golf and country club representing the captain of the club, Mr Ibrahim Babayo, said the ladies section of IBB golf and country club have over the years maintained a tradition of helping our children to learn the basics of golf and this is done during the holidays as it is an opportunity to catch them young and put the passion in them for the game of golf.
"They have done so well in the recent past, this year is exceptional because of the number of children that are participating, they have done well, the children and the ladies section in particular".
The chairman BOT, a retired general, legal practitioner, and golf guru, former minister of information and culture, Ibrahim Batamale Haruna, in his speech said Golf is one of the games recruited to building character, accountability and responsibilities in children and it is good to start them young so they can develop their skills and prowess in game, hopefully they can rise to the highest standard of professionalism in golf and earn a living from it.
Also, Secretary of the Ladies golf section, Aniekan Samuel Akpan said, "We have tried to identify the talent, we have also tried to identify those who have interest in the game of golf which is quite a large number surprisingly basically we are going to follow up with them as well as their parents and guardians. We also try to make the learning process easy for them by giving them golf related prizes to encourage them to come out and participate more. Most of the children here today came as a result of our follow-up of last year. So we will not relent in our efforts to continue following up with all our kids

By Blessing Otobong-Gabriel

Lady Captain of IBB Intl Golf and Country Club, Abuja, Dame Julie Okah has emphasised the need to encourage children to embrace the golf sport for their all-around personal development.

Okah said this yesterday in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the 16th Children's Golf Development Clinic. The clinic is an annual event organised to brush up children's skills in the golfing game, she said that Golf is a great way to get kids excited about being outside and nurturing mental, emotional, and social skills that will prepare them for life. This sport, according to her, provides a safe environment for kids to be physically active while still challenging them and helping them grow.

She noted that golf promotes overall physical fitness by providing fun, low-impact, and gentle exercise for kids of all ages. It also encourages children to spend more time in the fresh air and sunshine, fostering better physical health.

"We have 134 students coming to take part in the exercise of the children golf development clinic, which is a yearly program. Their experiences have been very good, they've learnt how to sport, they've learnt how to play bunka shot, learnt basic skills of golfing and they have some advanced in the game because they have been playing for quite a while and some of them are also beginners, if you’d like your child to try other sports or physical activities in the future, golf will prepare them for success. This gentle, non-contact sport will help kids get used to movement, rules, and equipment management." She called on parents, gaudians, to encourage their children to partake in golfing sport.

Also speaking, Dr James Agbohesi the vice captain of IBB international golf and country club representing the captain of the club, Mr Ibrahim Babayo, said the ladies section of IBB golf and country club have over the years maintained a tradition of helping our children to learn the basics of golf and this is done during the holidays as it is an opportunity to catch them young and put the passion in them for the game of golf.

"They have done so well for the recent past, this year is exceptional because of the number of children that are participating, they have done well, the children and the ladies section in particular".

The chairman BOT, a retired general, legal practitioner, and golf guru, former minister of information and culture, Ibrahim Batamale Haruna, in his speech said Golf is one of the games recruited to building character, accountability and responsibilities in children and it is good to start them young so they can develop their skills and prowess in game, hopefully they can rise to the highest standard of professionalism in golf and earn a living from it.

Also, Secretary of the Ladies golf section, Aniekan Samuel Akpan said, "We have tried to identify the talent, we have also tried to identify those who have interest in the game of golf which is quite a large number surprisingly basically we are going to follow up with them as well as their parents and guardians. We also try to make the learning process easy for them by giving them golf related prizes to encourage them to come out and participate more. Most of the children here today came as a result of our follow-up of last year. So we will not relent in our efforts to continue following up with all our kids

Childrens day: Chairman Hilltop Global Oil And Gas Pledges Support To IBB International Golf Club

By Blessing Bature

The Chairman who doubled as the Chief Executive officer of hilltop global oil and gas solutions international Ltd, Dr Charles Osasuwa has Pledged commitment to support IBB international golf and country club ladies golf session

Osasuwa announced his support for the event when he received the executive committee members of the club led by the lady captain, Julie Okah Donli, in his office in Abuja to be the father of the day for the junior open coming up shortly at the IBB International and Golf and Country Club starting 15th August to the 19th of August 2024.

He pledged readiness to support the team and promised to join the golfers due to passion he has for table tennis which can be shifted to golf

According to him, "I want to join the golfers because of the energy, the enthusiasm and the fact that they want to make a different, saying golf is a global game, anywhere you are in the world you can always connect. for me that's very important part of it and having meet with them today, they will build an interest even though I play tennis. I am one of the best in the country when it comes to playing tennis. So let's see if I can engage in the game of golf, he said.

Speaking on his passion for tennis, he said, he drawn his passion when he went for a medical check up and was told that he was fine but need to do exercise, knowing he is not a gym person so he decided to buy a table tennis and started playing.

"If you do your research, you will know I sponsor table tennis tournament yearly in this country, the next time I'm looking at is to do it within west Africa where player will come from different Africa Nation, in Benin. I have really invested in table tennis".

Also, Lady Captain, IBB international golf and country club ladies golf session said "We have to come to our father, to inform him of the children golf day coming up and to solicit support from him.

Lady Captain was accompanied on the courtesy call by some executive members of the club, the competition Secretary, Ememe Thompson among others.

"I thought it was right for us to come and pay and invite him as the father of the day for the junior open coming up shortly at the IBB International Golf and Country Club starting 15th August to the 19th of August 2024.

"He has graciously agreed to come and do the ceremonial tea for us be the father of the day for that event, and I also came to brief him on other events that are upcoming throughout my one year tenure as Lady captain of the club and the visit came out very positive as expected, and we're very happy. My team and I are here, and we're very happy with the result of the meeting".

The Children's Clinic is taken off with about 120 children. It's going to be followed by the junior open the reason why we're here is that on 15 to 19 August, we're expecting about 150 children from all over Nigeria, from ages eight to 16 to participate in the event it's usually a very interesting one for them because they get to meet one another from all over the states and compete, to win the cup, she informed.

Competition Secretary of the club, Ememe Thompson noted that the club do championship programme every year. But this year we are going to look forward to something better than last year because every year people look forward for something better than the previous year. So we are looking forward to something positive and better this year.

By Blessing Bature

The President, Rotary Club of Gwagwalada FCT, a member of Rotary Leadership Institute of Nigeria, Rotarian Musa Dala Mamman has Pledged commitment to pay a special and deliberate attention to the menace of Mental health disorders in Nigeria.
Mamman made the commitment as he takes over the leadership of the Club from his predecessor, Rotarian Ayodele Kehinde Steven, in a flamboyant handover ceremony held at their club meeting venue in Gwagwalada over the weekend.

The magic of Rotary President informed that this is as a result of Rotary International past president Gordon of Rotary year 2023/2024 charge to all Rotaroans to create hope all over the world but as a magic of Rotary President, we are going to be magical rellying on hope as tonic of life saying the club will continue to embark on mental health awareness and campaigns, organizing workshops and talks on drugs abuse and all forms of addiction, girl child molestation, rape, sex and unwanted pregnancy in among teens and school age girls.

He also Pledged to prioritising maternal and child care by going door to door, polio vaccination and polio plus to children within the vaccination ages and recommended dosages using all 37 community health care centers in Gwagwalada as stimulators and distribute early pregnancy care kits primary health care centers in Gwagwalada.

Rotarian Mamman informed that he will also focus on economic and community development, by supporting the teaming undergraduates of the University of Abuja on survival techniques, taking advantages of ample opportunities in both local and export agro-productions and businesses whereby encouraging the students to embark and engage in profitable agricultural businesses.

He also highlighted other projects of focus like basic education and literacy, peace and conflict prevention and resolution, water sanitation and hygiene, disease prevention and treatment, and environmental sustainability.

He solicited the support of other Rotarians while assuring to make good use of best talents available and working with the district governor and others in order to successfully complete the projects.
Speaking, immediate past President, Rotarian Ayodele Steven PHF said as he hand over to his successor, the magic President who stood by him all the way, "the evidence of our good standing as a club with Rotary International and our District are the awards, we can now proud ourselves as multiple Rotary International and District award winning Club, and of course, we added Rotaract Club of Abuja municipal commendation award to the list, when you do good work in Rotary, you are commended and recognized".

He charged Rotarians and magic friends that their commitment, syringes, resources, compassion and unwavering commitment lies in their collective efforts.
The supervising Assistant Governor of Rotary club FCT for the Rotary year 2024/25, Rtn. Laz Apir encouraged the president elect to cover the gaps where the immediate past President could not achieve and because the immediate past President was very passionate about the President and because of his exemplary service to the group, the magic President holds him that duty, respect and recognition to sit to it to ensure he provides water and fulfill that projects by filling the gaps so that the clubs will stand tall.

Mr Lawlence Odidi, a civil servant, a business man, a partial philanthropist and a Rotarian said he was multivated to be a philanthropist because is innate and because of his environment, saying growing up, He was nobody and even as nobody he gives little he has that makes him passionate about giving.

He promised as Rotarian to support the club with little resources he has.

Blessing Bature

Rotary Club of Abuja, Aso-Golf, has donated school bags to 380 and awarded scholarship to 111 indigent pupils of the Science Model Primary School, Garki ,11, Abuja.

The President of Rotary Club of Abuja Aso-Golf, Mr Clement Chinaka disclosed this during the club’s outreach with the theme` `Create Hope in the World’ ’in Abuja.

Chinaka said the projects is as part of the club’s contribution to address the out-of-school menace, saying rotary is a worldwide humanitarian organisation with the ideals of impacting on the immediate need of communities.

He informed that the ideals was to help humanity, to make impact where it's most needed. "That's why we are here to lead.

According to him, "our investigative team came to inquire and discovered that some students could not pay sundry fees, as such they were not going to continue with their studies and probably would be stopped from writing their exams, so we have to intervened and paid their school fees to about 111 students, and also donated school bags to them because we know that times are hard and parents are struggling.

"So this is our way of reaching out to the children, by necessary implication to assist their families, that's why the club had to step in for the children so they could continue schooling because education is the bedrock.

He encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians to help indigent children, saying that whatever anyone can do to impact the next person positively, please we urge that it be done,"he said

Also speaking, President Nominee of Rotary Club of Abuja Aso-Golf, Mr Ehi uwaifo said the club was impacting the community through Water Sanitation and Hygiene programme, WASH.

"We sponsor projects in water, health, hygiene, children health, education,among others. This is because education is the leveller, it is the only way that the son of a rich man and that of a poor man can bridge the gap in development.

"This is just one of the projects that the club has earmarked to execute over a period."

He added that,"We have looked at the sanitation of the Model science primary school and discovered that there are issues, both the boys and girls are using the same toilet. So it is the next step of our intervention to separate them and make it more hygienic.

Responding, Head Teacher, Garki Model Science Primary School, Mr Kashimu Karshi commended the club for their intervention.

Karshi said that the intervention was apt and it would go a long way to support their education.

"I am very glad particularly because this project happened in my school in FCT about 160 schools within the municipality, yet the club decided to choose LEA Garki.

"On behalf of the school authority, we are happy indeed for the programme. May God continue to bless you in abundance."

Some of the beneficiaries of the intervention thanked Rotary Club of Abuja Aso-Golf for the kind gestures.

A 12 years old Primary six pupil, Miss Azizzat Mustapha said that the scholarship given to her would help her to graduate without stress.

"Thank you for helping us to pay our school fees because our parents cannot pay again and we were almost trow out for not paying our fees. This will help us further our education, “she said.

Another pupil, Mr Sani Rabiu, said thanked the Rotary club for their kind gesture by providing bag and school fees for them.

By Blessing Bature


A non governmental organisation, Handel pro-bono link and empowerment foundation has said that treating people in prison with justice and fairness will always has a ripple effect that can helps us to build safer and fairer communities, and promised to assist ex-convict in their quest to reintegrate into society, by helping them to secure free legal services, jobs access, skills, education, and other necessities for them.

The founder of the foundation, Barr Christy Oboh said this during a seminar organized by the foundation with the theme "Enhancing Collaboration for Quick Access to justice in decongestion of Correctional services (centres) in Nigeria". to discuss issues that concerns inmates, justice, security so as to see how they can profer solutions to their challenges.

Oboh said where an ex-offender does not have access to a good reintegration plan, the tendency of reoffending in the face of the challenges of rejection by family and friends, stigmatisation and no means of livelihood and lack of shelter, there is every tendency for re-offending, and this must not be overlooked if we must secure a safe society for all.

According to her, discharged prisoners just like any other Nigerians have the potential of contributing to the socio-political and economic growth of the country but such is dependent on the quality and success of their reintegration process, adding that its disheartening to see government parastatals stating in job application form asking if you're an ex-convict and of course if your answer is yes, you will be denied of that job, this shouldn't be do, she said.

She advocated for a just and fair prison system that treats people with consistency, impartiality and respect, a place where conflict is resolved and people have the opportunity to turn their lives around and recognises that punishment is imposed by the courts, and not by the prison, she reiterated the commitment of the foundation to volunteer in assisting indigent inmates who can not afford the services of lawyers because it's their constitutional rights to have lawyers represent them in court even if they don't have the money to pay for such services.

According to her, Handel pro-bono link and empowerment foundation is a non governmental organisation formed by young lawyers to assist the indigent inmates in the Correctional centres or detention who can not afford to pay for their own legal fee even when the need the legal services to give them justice that they deserves.

In his key note address, the General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Mr. Adesina Adegbite, pointed out causes of decongestion in Correctional centres as delayed justice by the courts, perpetuated by judges, illegal arrests perpetuated by the police, inability of Correctional services indigent inmates to afford services of legal representative and many more reasons.

He suggested ways to decongest the centres by calling on courts to speed up the justice process, counselling the police against illegal arrests and praised the efforts of HANDEL offering Pro-bono services to indigent inmates. He contended that all the effort enumerated could go a long way to decongest the prisons.

Speaking, Alfa Mohammed Esq, Vice President, HPLEF said Handel PROBONO-LINKS has come a long way in the course of providing free legal services to indigent members of the society, especially the inmates in the correctional facilities within its catchment area, Kuje correctional center.

Regrettably, lack of funding has been our major constraints. Going from one court to the other on daily basis requires a lot of funding, and we don't have funders yet.

Therefore, provision of government grants to the NGO will help a lot.

Similarly, admitting the NGO as partners by stakeholder Ministerial, Departmental and Agencies like the offices of Inspector General of the police, the Attorney General of the Federation and the FCT respectfully, as well as the Minister of Interior, amongst others would make our job easier.

NDE-FCT Flags off Post-SADTs , Small Stock Goat Production Training


BY BLESSING BATURE, ABUJA


The National Directorate of Employment( NDE-FCT) has flagged off post - sustainable agricultural development training scheme, Post-SADTs and Small stock goat production training as part of its strategic resettlement scheme to reduce the rate of unemployment and cushion the impacts of poverty in the country.

The Director General of the NDE Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo represented by Mrs Harris Okolie said the resettlement scheme will not only cushion the impacts of poverty in the land but is also capable of transforming the lives of the participants if they are diligent and serious minded, and charged participants to be serious with the training so as to grab this life transforming skills to better their lives.

Also speaking, the state coordinator, NDE-FCT, Mr. Noble Chimereze charged participants not to jeopardize the opportunity or take the training for granted, adding that millions of Nigerians are looking for such opportunity to better their lives.

Earlier, the head of department, REP of the NDE- FCT Mr. Chukwuma Jinawa said the training was a resettlement based training targeted at training and empowering men and women who will in turn train others to become economically independent through agro based business opportunities.

According to him, 50 participants are to be trained on small stock goat production using the revolving model empowerment and upon successful completion of the training, N150,000 will be given to each of the participants as start up pack. While another 50 will be trained under the Post- sustainable agricultural development training scheme, and will be empowered with N100,000 each as start up pack at the end of the training,

Adding that aside the startup packs all participants will be supported with N2,000 each for their transportation on monthly basis as the training last.

Jinawa advised the participants to maintain diligence while the training lasts, adding that the directorate would provide support mainly to serious trainees after the completion of their training.

In her remark, Comfort Olubodu, one of the participants, appreciated the federal government for its show of concern to the plight of youths. She assured that the training would go a long way in cushioning the hardship in the society.

NDE-FCT Trains Youths On POP Installation, CCTV Others

By Blessing Bature, Abuja


As part of the avowed commitments of the federal government of Nigeria to bring 100million Nigerians out of poverty, the National Directorate of Employment NDE-FCT has engaged not fewer than 30 unemployed youths on various skills under the Environmental Beautification Training Scheme.

The Director General of the NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo who was ably represented by the NDE-FCT state coordinator, Mr. Noble Chimereze said during the orientation program for the 30 participants that NDE has remained passionate about reducing poverty in the land through profitable skill engagement, that will turn fortunes of participants from job seekers to job providers.

Fikpo charged participants to be business minded, submit themselves to be trained by the Master trainers on their choice of skills so as to better their and that of the people around them.

Also speaking, the HOD Special Public works Department of the NDE- FCT, Sani Barau Nadappo, said the Environmental Beautification Training Scheme is a very robust scheme ranges from; satellite installation, CCTV Cameras installation, projection, POP making and installation, adding that the participants will be sent to various competent organizations that will train them within a period of 3months.

Nadappo said that participants will be given N2,000 each, every months to support their transportation and upon completion of the three months training, NDE is going to empower participants with start up packs that will enable them to be economic independent and contribute their quota to the economic development of the nation.

Appreciating the NDE, one of the participants John Chobo thanked the NDE management for giving them the opportunity to be part of the training, saying the training will go a long way to improving their livelihood.

Be gender-responsive in your reportage, NGO tasks Nigerian journalists



The Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI), a non-profit organisation, has called on Nigerian journalists to take decisive commitment by being gender-responsive in their reportage.

Ms Adaora Onyechere, Executive Director, GSAI, made the call at a two-day capacity building workshop for reporters and editors of various media organisations on Thursday in Abuja.

The event has its theme as “Media Independence to Promote Women’s Economic Inclusion and Gender Accountability in Governance”.

The event also has the support of MacArthur Foundation and the Wole Soyinka Center for Investigative Journalism.

Onyechere said the event, which is a ‘train the trainees’ workshop aimed at pushing for policies that affect women to be implemented and ensuring that the government were held accountable to gender issues.

“This training is put together to get the media to ask the right questions when it comes to gender inclusion and under this matter, we just launched our baseline report.

“Which revealed that statistics of women from 1999 till date, in governance, in politics and the way government has tailored their gender budget has totally been null and void.

“For a population that has over 49.2 per cent of women in population, being disenfranchised not only during politics and also in the economy, it is a serious problem.

“And there is a need for evaluating and looking at what government has done about that so far, which has become very important,” she said.

The executive director also added that the 35 per cent affirmative action must be taken seriously by government at all levels by ensuring that women are given appointive positions.

Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, Convener, Say No Campaign, said laws coming from the legislative chambers should be gender-driven and implementation must be adhered with.

“For appointive positions, there must be discretions. At that point, you have to be balanced and there should be no discrimination.

“Gender issues does not end with women alone, it is about boys, girls, women and men in a lens that ensures that everything is equitable and just.

“We are going to have conversations with political parties, to create more seats in parliaments.

“For instance, there should be certain seats that should be given to persons living with disabilities, women and marginalised groups,” he said.

A participant at the workshop, Ms Diana Omueza, a correspondent with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) appreciated the group for the training, adding that it had exposed her to be gender-sensitive in her reportage.

She called on her colleagues in the media to be responsible in their reportage, as they have the greatest responsibility to give marginalized groups a voice.

Another participant, Mr Emmanuel Ehijene, a reporter with Plus TV Africa, said the training had made him to understand the plights of the marginalised and he has learnt how to approach gender-based issues as he carries out his duties.

Group Calls On Party Delegates To Be Prudent, Eschew Personal Temptations


Blessing Bature, Abuja

The Grassroot Mobilisation Initiative for Good Governance at a situation assessment meeting held in Abuja on Monday called on party delegates to be prudent with candidates selection and eschew personal temptations and place the nation's interest and the future of our children above every other consideration.

The Chairman, Board Of Trustees, Mr. Joseph Yobo disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja that delegates must avoid costly adventures that would end up producing incompetent and inept political leaders who will continue to exploit the people, thereby thriving on emotional-driven courses, sowing seed of communal discord, causing divisions and leaving the people more insecured and impoverished.

Yobo noted that the rising level of desperation particularly for the various parties presidential tickets was highlighted that the usual desperate efforts being exerted by politicians to gain the support of their party delegates by every means and tactics, including compromise through financial seduction is at an alarming high.

According to him, With the emerging trends in the country that are pregnant with complications and unforeseen consequences, it has become imperative to call the attention of all the various party delegates as to whom responsibility would ultimately lie if democracy and the future of Nigerian children become endangered.

He said, this is important and urgent as already, the presidential nominating contests in the two major parties: the ruling All Progrossives Congress (APC) and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are causing apprehension to the extent that they may not vote competent nominees who are credible and efficiently ready to govern or even represent the interests of majority of the parties' supporters.

"We are thus compelled by decent patriotism and love of country and fellow citizenship to act quickly to call the attention of delegates in all the parties to the need for caution, extra prudence and vigilance in the discharge of the solemn responsibility of selecting credible candidates to be presented to the Nigerian voters".

Also Speaking, The National Coordinator, Samaila Musa, It is important to point out here that the fate of the entire country and future of democracy is solely dependent on the manner in which the party delegates discharge the candidate selection role entrusted in them.

"As they go about discharging this trust, they must bear in mind that Nigerian voters would at the end of the day be left with no option than to be bound to the limited space for choice among the only alternatives presented for them irrespective of their credibility and merit or the lack of same".

"Their actions should particularly be guided by the reality that the peoples trust in the government is at a historical low. Often times elections may not deliver the kind of political leaders the people need. Yet, governance in a democracy is still considered the preferred system which is why primary elections by political parties must place sufficient emphasis on evaluating nominees with an eye toward competence at governing and strong vision for the Nation's future".

"We caution the delegates to bear in mind that every action(s), they take today, will not go unnoticed and in the fullness of time, they will be called to account for the consequences of their commission or omission".

Int'l Family Day: FG Empower 30 Women With 25,000 Grant


Blessing Bature, Abuja

To mark the international family day, Federal government has empower thirty families with the sum of twenty five thousand naira (25,000) as a gant to improve their well-being.

The Honourable minister of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq who disclosed this on Thursday on the celebration of international day of families, theme "Families and Urbanization".

The Minister who was ably represented by the Director of Humanitarian, Alh Ali Grema said as part of this year celebration, the Ministry has identified and selected Thirty (30) families to be empowered with the sum of Twenty Five Thousand Naira (N25,000,00) only as Grant to improve their wellbeing that one of the problem families experience is the problem of financial constraints as most of them solely depend on social grants to provide for their basic needs.

Farouq said one of the major challenges facing families is the problem of domestic violence, especially gender based violence, adding that we need to address the violence within our families and be good role models for our children.

She noted in order to mark the families day, the ministry of humanitarian affairs initiated various programs and activities towards uplifting the living standards and well-being of the families.

According to her, communities must promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. People with disabilities form part of families and communities and they have a right to be heard, to be understood and to evolve like everyone else. The marginalisation of people with disabilities limits their potential to contribute to society.

The minister re-emphasise the need for families and communities to support and protect people with disabilities, adding people with disabilities are members of families who are mostly neglected in terms of care and understanding. These family members sometimes are ostracised by their siblings such that they end up living in absolute poverty due to lack of socio-economic support.

She called on all sectors of society to work with the ministry in a quest to build strong families. These efforts must start with programmes to strengthen families by protecting vulnerable members of society such as children, women, Persons with disabilities and older persons.

Also, Chairman house committee on poverty Alleviation, RT, Dr Abdullahi Balarabe Salame who was represented by hon Mohammed Bawa said the committee has in the past 3 years built a very cordial relationship with the ministry and has supported all its programmes particularly those that were designed to address poverty at all levels and through legislative intervention.

He said the Committee has always ensured that funds were appropriated to drive these programmes, the house will continue to strengthen the synergy and support policies Buhari's of President Muhammadu and programmes administration as it addresses poverty and families values.

The permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development Dr Nasir Sani Gwarzo who was represented by Director of planning research and statistics of the ministry Mr Raf Obi called for all hands to be on deck to ensure that families are protected.

Humanitarian Ministry Partner NDLEA To Tackle Substance Abuse


Blessing Akpakpan, Abuja


The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is collaborating with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA to tackle substance and drug abuse in the country.

At a Psychosocial Support and Integration of Victims of Drug and Substance Abuse held at NDLEA Rehabilitation Facility in Gudu, Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq said that the objective of the collaboration is to free the society from the scourge of drugs and substance abuse which has caused untold misery to individuals and families.

SA media to the minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze said in a statement that the Minister who was represented by the Director Humanitarian Affairs Department, Alhaji Ali Grema stated that the federal government is determined to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of a free drug society.

“This meeting is part of our commitment to deal with the menace and issues surrounding drug abuse and provide an avenue for the expression of collaborative commitment of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development with the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency to combat the problem in all its forms.

“As a Ministry charged with the responsibility of Social Development, we want to begin a process of focusing on the socio- economic challenges faced by the clients of illicit drugs and substance abuse, not only in Abuja but throughout the federation”.

The Minister called on youths in particular to refrain from abusing drugs and other harmful substances as they are injurious to health with potentials of destroying their future.
Umar Farouq noted that the most effective tool to combat drug use is to strengthen prevention programmes and treatment for victims.

“In view of this, the Ministry will provide National Social Investment Programme opportunities for victims under rehabilitation by the NDLEA. Clients will undergo training in their various choice skills and will be equipped with starter packs for easy integration into the society”.

Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA Brig. Gen. Mohaammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) OFR who was represented by the Agency’s Secretary, Barrister Shedrack Haruna described the programme as laudable and the first of its kind.

“The use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine as well as prescription medications exert tremendous toll on the individual, families and the society. Substance abuse affects the physical, social and psychological levels of the user and family members.
“Findings from the National Drug Use Survey (2018) conducted by UNODC reviewed that 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 years had used psychoactive substances in the past year for non- medical purposes. More worrisome is that out of this figure, about 370,000 Nigerians have drug use disorder and in every 4 drug users in Nigeria, 1 is a woman.

“Globally, there is a shift in drug policy which sees drug as a public health issue. Therefore, reducing the demand for drugs depends to a large extent on the successful treatment and reintegration of people who use drugs”.

The Chairman congratulated the clients for being the first beneficiaries of the Social Investment Programmes and charged them to be good ambassadors.

He also thanked the ministry for providing starter packs to equip the clients with skills to facilitate their rehabilitation and reintegration to their families and society.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs donated 20 Tablets, 5 industrial Gas Cookers, 5 industrial frying pans and spoons for the rehabilitation of the clients.

At the occasion also was Dr Ngozi Madubuike Director Drug Demand Reduction NDLEA, John Yakubu, Director General Services Department, Tokumbo Rufai Director Human Resource Management and Sule Chogudo Director Social Development.

Nadia Muhammed -Soso, Head Special Duties, Sarah Ogah, Executive Director The Amina Agbo Foundation TAAF, Nsikak Okon Team Lead N-Power, Barrister Zainab Halim, actress Jumoke Odetola and other dignitaries spoke at the event.

APC Screening Panel Disqualifies Kogi Lawmaker Zacharias Over Alleged Certificate Scandal



The All Progressives Congress, (APC) Screening Panel has Disqualifies Kogi Lawmaker, David Idris Zacharias Over Alleged Certificate Forgery and Scandal.


The screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disqualified David Idris Zacharias, a member representing Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela Ofu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from re-contesting in the party’s primary

Nairaland gathered that the lawmaker was disqualified following a petition that he used forged certificates and different names at different times.

We gathered that the lawmaker was disqualified following a petition that he used forged certificates and different names at different times.

2023: FG To Enrol Refugees, IDP Returns Children In Primary Schools


Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja


The Federal commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and internally displaced persons has yesterday pledges federal government commitment to ensure the enrollment of all school age refugees, IDP and returnees children to primary school by 2023 and to provide equal opportunities for secondary and tertiary Education.

The Commissioner, NCFRMI, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim made this known on Tuesday during the implementation of the global Compact on refugees (GCR) in Nigeria.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that Nigeria will strengthen the protection environment by ensuring the integrity of the asylum system in line with international legal instruments and freedom of movement for Refugees, IDP and returnees; maintaining it's open-door policy; and promoting legal pathways to durable solutions.

She said, we will ensure all durable solutions for refugees and IDP are effective available and accessible, in consultation with affected populations and host Communities, with particular attention to children, youth, women, the elderly, persons with disa, and other vulnerable groups, adding that Nigeria will reinforce national, state and local capacity to ensure the sustainability of returns local integration.

She Reiterates it's commitment to pursuing regional approaches to addressing force displacement, including through enhance information exchange on security and population movements.

To personalized the pledges, the NCFRMI, the FMHADMSD and the UNHCR have produced roadmap, which will serve as a guide to the implementation of the pledges with appropriate coordination structures and mechanism for follow up, the roadmap lays out concrete next steps and priorities, identifies operational entry points and defines indicator for measuring short and longer term progress in areas such as health, Education, water, sanitation, jobs and livelihood, energy, infrastructure, solutions and protection capacity, she said.

UNHCR Representative to Nigeria, Chansa Kapaya said Nigeria's achievements to show solidarity with displaced persons and affected host communities predates the formal adoption of the global Compact on refugees in 2018, Today, Nigeria has in place a favorable protection environment for refugees and has made progress in terms of localizing and operationalizing the GCR, starting from favourable asylum policy and provision to refugees, IDP and Returnees to affected host communities.

In the same vain, the House of Representatives, committee on IDPs and Refugees, Muhammad Umar Jega commended the UNHCR for all their efforts to fulfil the pledges, adding that their Continued support, collaboration and synergy will help to bring maximum result.

Refugees Commission Reiterates Commitment To Deliver Mandate


Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja

The Federal Commissioner of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has said that the Commission is committed to deliver on its mandate and put the country on the global map of addressing issues on Refugees and Migrants.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Sampson Ikemitang, the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Commission on Sunday in Abuja.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim who assumed duty at the Commission about five months ago said agents of darkness and unpatriotic personalities have strategised to destroy the good works that the commission was doing.

According to her, President Munammadu Buhari and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq were not wrong to have moved her to the Commission be that they wanted the best for the Commission, because, the goals and objectives of the Commission are bigger than the ambition of any individual.

She said, "When I assumed office about five months ago, I promised to work in peace, harmony, equity and justice to achieve the mandate of the Commission as a team and as individuals, saying don't forget that whatever I am doing in the Commission now is a complementation of the former head of the Commission, because, he had done a lot concerning 2021 budget, contracts and expenditures before I took over.

"However, I want to affirmed and inform the world that, the commission is now.poised to deliver on its mandate and put Nigeria on the global map of refugees and Migrants.

"We are currently motivating our staff and making efforts to train them and build their capacity in addressing issues of IDPs, Refugees, Migrants and other Persons of Concern. We are focus and on course to deliver on our mandate," she stressed.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained that people who were hell bent on assassinating her character with fictitious allegations and publications should embrace truth and stop the spread of falsehood.

"Evidence silence falsehood. NCFRMI is open for audit. I am just five months old on this position. We have a lot to do to deliver on our mandate and we shall not allow agents of distraction and unpatriotic elements to bring us down.

" We are determined to move the Commission forward to the promise land, where President Buhari, Sadiya Umar Farouq and the UN would be proud of.

"I love all my staff and would never intimidate anyone, because love, peace and unity is all we profess at the Commission. This has helped in bringing the staff closer to deliver on the Commission's mandate.

" The Commission respects the procurement Act and would never act contrary to it. I am operating an open door policy. I allow all staff to come to me and contribute ideas on how to move the Commission forward," she said.

She stressed that the Commission is doing a lot in term of healthcare and welfare for refugees and IDPs.

However, she emphasised that in 2022, the Commission would ensure that Refugees Migrants and IDPs were carried along frequently in the area of health, social relevance and skill acquisition to enhance their livelihood.

"I called.on all well meaning Nigerians to disregard any malicious story or reports against me and the Commission, because, the Commission is on course to greatness and it is bigger than personal interest of person (s) who do not wished it well".

NSCC begins drafting of 10 year strategic document for ageing




The National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) has started drafting of work plans for a-10 year strategic plan development to enhance the lives of senior citizens in all parts of the country.

Dr Emem Omokaro, the Director-General of the Centre disclosed this at a five-day National writing workshop on Monday in Abuja.

Omokaro said the journey started with an inception meeting when all the stakeholders came together, defined a roadmap and made inputs on planned activities, pledging to follow through and develop a 10-year strategy.

“So far, it has been fruitful, rising from the inception meeting and with plan of activities. We collected materials that will enable us to develop and set a contextual framework, which is also a process that we have carry through.

“Also, we were determined and we set deadline for the northern zonal consultation with stakeholders. It was a fruitful consultation with eight categories from the representatives of 19 states in the Northernn Zone plus the FCT.

“We went to Lagos and had 17 states represented. We also had the NSCC Private Sector Roundtable where we harvested so much ideas.The inputs have been harmonised.

“Now, we want to critically look at these inputs and all leading us to now proceed the drafting workshop. At the end we are going to have a document that is legitimate, national and everybody will hear their voices in it,” Omokaro said.

Dr Joy Ufere-Isikima, Technical Officer for Healthy, Age and CAH from WHO office in Abuja, said the organisation had been in the process, starting from the development of the multi-stakeholders ageing policies.

“For WHO, I always say that we have a mandate when it comes to ageing to ensure we improve healthy aging across the whole world by giving a voice to ensure they are participants and interventions that is for for them, reach them wherever they are and the religion they belong to.

“We have come a long way and we are winning. I am so excited to see that we are walking the talk and that multi stakeholders are involved. We are part of it and will.comtimie to be part of it.

“We are supporting this process. It is not about developing a beautiful document as usual, but to make sure we implement them to the last.

“Also, we will take stock of what is implemented, what we have done well and where we can go back to make it better,” Ufere-Isikima.

Similarly, Mr Saheed Mustapha, the Senior Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Save the Children International said the Technical Working Group (TWG) had already been inaugurated.

“The TWG is the committee that is supposed to drive the development of strategy. The strategy belongs to NSCC primarily, but belongs to Nigeria as a whole.

“That is the reason why we deliberately decided that we need to have an approach that is participatory and will ensure that all critical stakeholders are able to contribute to developing a robust strategy.

” Ageing is a cross cuttingg issue; no one organisation can adequately address the issues of ageing. There are different dimensions to the challenges that the senior ctizens face.

“There are issues around health, livelihood, income, security and all the different domains that we have been seeing since we started this conversation,” Mistapha said.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that after the draft of the document, it would be validated by Civil Society Oganisations and expanded stakeholders, before passing it to the board of the centre and other processes.

It is believe that when implemented, the plan will go a long way to positively impact on all senior citizens across the 774 local government councils across the federation. (NAN)

NSIP: FG Trains 350 mobile Money Agents In North West


Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja


The Federal government has begun training of 350 agents for Mobile Money Transactions in the North West zone of the country.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq who flagged off the training programme on Monday at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano State said that the youth empowerment event is specially designed to address youth restiveness, generate gainful employment and create wealth nationwide.

SA media Nneka Ikem Anibeze said In a statement that Farouq added that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration has paid more attention towards alleviating poverty amongst the vulnerable in the country, adding that In the last 5 years, over 12 million households have benefitted from NSIP interventions. In view of the life-changing experience of beneficiaries of NSIP, President Buhari has graciously approved the expansion of the programme in all the clusters mainly to ensure that more lives are lifted out of poverty.

“The Mobile Money Agents’ Programme was introduced in 2020 to sustain the social inclusion agenda of President Buhari’s Administration. It is consistent with the President’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.

“The programme is designed to empower unemployed youths and develop their competence to operate as registered mobile money agents. This training will enable these beneficiaries to meet the minimum technical and business requirements for becoming mobile money agents and enhance their entrepreneurial competence to successfully start and manage mobile money businesses”.

Earlier, the state Focal Person Baba Aminu Zubair stated in his goodwill message, that Kano state has mostly benefited from federal government’s Social Investment Programmes and 11 schools currently have STEM Centres with 214 students as beneficiaries while 154,000 poor and vulnerable from 15 Local government councils received Conditional Cash Transfer.

He thanked the Federal government and the minister for the training of 60 Mobile Money Agents in the state while enumerating Kano state’s gains from government’s Social Investment Programmes, Kano state has 10 National Home Grown School Feeding Program aggregators, 12,258 cooks and vendors and 1,225,804 pupils receiving one nutritious meal each, under the school feeding program.

“We had 18,000 beneficiaries under N-Power Batches A& B and 13,000 under Batch C as well as 296 Independent Monitors, saying “Under GEEP 1.0, 250,000 beneficiaries in Kano state received interest-free loans while registration for GEEP 2.0 is ongoing while 88,400 rural women also benefited from government’s N20,000 one-off grant”.

After the five- day training , the beneficiaries will be formally registered with the Shared Agency Network Expansion Facility (SANEF) as Mobile Money Agents and will be provided with start-up Kits including a Point-of-Sale (POS) Machine, Fingerprint Scanner, chairs, tables and umbrellas and a token of N20,000.00.

A total of 1,850 youths selected from the 36 States and the FCT will be trained in payments through the network of agents providing financial-related services under other components of NSIP with 350 of them from the North West states namely Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa,, Zamfara.

School Feeding: FG handover 150,000 Feeding Utensils To Jigawa State

Blessing Bature, Abuja

The federal government through the Federal ministry of humanitarian affairs Disaster Management and social development has handed over about 150,000 Utensils for Beneficiaries of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Program to Jigawa state government.

The minister of humanitarian affairs, Disaster Management and social development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq who was ably represented by the Permanent secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali made this known during the handing over of the utensils to Jigawa State Government yesterday that this program at its core is designed to address poverty in all its forms and is a collaboration between the federal government and States where the federal government is responsible for the release of funds, guidelines, policies, and monitoring, while the states carry out the day-to-day implementation including procurement of food items, selection of cooks and vendors who prepare, cook and serve the meals for the pupils.

Farouq stated that the benefits of this program and its impact on the lives and livelihood of individuals, groups and communities is clear, evident and  undeniable. While addressing cross cutting issues of Hunger, Malnutrition and Poverty, we have thus far recorded over 9 million pupils on the program being fed by  over 100,000 Cooks across the Nation. In Jigawa State alone, feeding is taking place in 2,180 primary schools, involving 490,874 pupils, 5,267 cooks in 27 LGA across the state.

"We are here today to hand over about 150,000 feeding utensils to the Jigawa State Government for the use of the benefitting pupils Of the National Home-Grown School Feeding Program. This is in addition to the over 500’000 feeding utensils the FG provided to the Jigawa State School Feeding Program in 2018.

"We are pleased to note that we have also commenced deployment of interventions  within the National Home-Grown School Feeding Program that will address the identified gaps including a Nationwide enumeration exercise across the Nation with the objective of verifying the existing data, upgrading the quality of data, and updating our records to accommodate the scaling up of the program with an  additional 5 million beneficiaries as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
 
She said additionally an operational review is underway, fully supported by experts and technical partners to ensure sure that this program succeeds in its objectives and capitalizes on gains and benefits such as women empowerment, supporting the education of the girl child, creating employment, and improving intergovernmental collaboration. 

She said, the ministry has deployed an extensive, layered and technology-supported  monitoring system that will give real time information of how the program is being implemented and the areas that need urgent intervention and correction, adding that this intervention today, is only one out of the several strategic plans of our Ministry that seeks to ensure that the target pupils have the best experience of hygiene and safety during their consumption of these  free meals.

Minister assured that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development will continue to improve service delivery on all its social interventions  and our leadership  role on the National Home-Grown school feeding program. I wish to sincerely thank HE the Executive Governor of Jigawa State for his support to this programme at all times. I wish to also commend our NSIP focal person and programme manager for their diligence in ensuring the prominence of the state under th8s programme.

The Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Muhammad Basaru Abubakar who was ably represented by the deputy governor Mal Umar Namadi appreciated the honorable minister for her hardwork and courage, "we say a very big thank you to Mr president, we the Jigawa people will never forget all these efforts of Mr President for the market, Traders moni, N-Power, and school feeding Programme it is a very big support for the Jigawa state people.

"We can not thank Mr President enough and minister for what they have been doing to us but we also ask for more because we know Baba and the Minister have that act of supporting the poor and Vulnerables, he said.

NPower Batch A, B: FG Commence Payment Of Outstanding Allowance

Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja



The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has commenced the payment of outstanding allowances of batch A and B of the 2016 and 2018 N-Power volunteers nationwide.

According to a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja Friday by the Permanent Secretary, Bashir Nura Alkali, N150,000.00 each will be paid to 9,066 volunteers, representing 5 months allowances, while the allowances 4,955 volunteers will be withheld, pending conclusion of further investigation.

The statement reads: “Following the payment system challenges faced by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, which has been overcome, the Ministry has commenced the final payment of the arrears on the few outstanding allowances of Batches A and B N Power volunteers.

The accounts of these 14,021 volunteers were flagged in March 2020 by the Federal Government payment system, the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), for various reasons including but not limited to: beneficiaries having multiple accounts, beneficiaries account receiving other payments such as salaries and allowances from multiple Federal Government Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) on permanent employment or for participating in other schemes. These acts violate the regulations guiding the N-Power volunteer programme and could amount to gross misconduct and corruption.

"The Ministry carried out detailed investigation in collaboration with relevant government MDAs and so far the accounts of 9,066 volunteers were cleared for final payment. Based on this reality, the 5 months allowance arrears of these volunteers, totaling N150,000.00 each, is currently being paid. The allowances of the remaining 4,955 is withheld pending conclusion of further investigation. Where clear violations of the agreements are established, such violators will be subjected to appropriate sanctions as stipulated by the law.

"Contrary to some insinuations in the public domain, this process is a clear demonstration of the Ministry’s resolve to address this unfortunate incidence in a transparent manner for accountability and to forestall its future occurrence. As it has consistently maintained, the investigation caried out by the Ministry is in the best interest of the Country and has the major goal of institutionalizing the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) and ensuring its efficient management in line with Mr President’s resolve to ensure transparency and accountability in its implementation at all times.

"The Ministry regrets the delays experienced in concluding this process, but assures the public that transparency and accountability cannot be compromised in all its activities."

GEEP: A Look At the Impact of the Relief Loans on Beneficiaries


The Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics said in 2020 that 40% or 83 million Nigerians live in poverty. Although Nigeria’s poverty profile for 2021 has not yet been released, it is estimated that the number of poor people will increase to 90 million, or 45% of the population in 2022 Blessing Bature-Akpakpan seeks to explicate the efforts of President Buhari led-administration at addressing the challenges of credit and financial inclusion for over 37 million Nigerians at the base of the pyramid who are involved in active commercial activity but have never had the opportunity to access loans.

In the last four years, GEEP has so far provided incremental loans of between N10,000 and N300,000 to about 2.3 million beneficiaries who are traders, artisans, enterprising youth, agricultural workers and other micro-service providers; under it's flagship Programmes tradermoni, marketmoni and farmermoni.

The Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) is an initiative by the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide financial inclusion and access to micro-credit for Nigerians at the bottom of the economic pyramid. It aims at providing capital to beneficiaries in an easily accessible way to grow their business and on-board these beneficiaries into the formal financial system through bank accounts, mobile wallets, and formal identities.

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development in April 2020 activated the GEEP infrastructure for the purpose of providing urgent micro loans to petty traders and artisans nationwide to cushion the economic hardships of COVID-19. Recall that GEEP is the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, one of the social intervention programmes, comprising TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni, and executed by the Bank of Industry. GEEP is a completely digitised programme where all eligible traders are captured into a database, verified via phone and facial recognition technology, and receive disbursements in mobile wallets.

The Programme was designed to give access to credit for poor and vulnerable people who are at the bottom of the economic pyramid this includes persons living with disability , the target beneficiaries will be people who are already engaged in business enterprises such as traders, artisans, enterprises (MSMEs) in furtherance of poverty eradication, Empowerment generation, growth and development of MSMEs throughout the federal republic of Nigeria.

These urgent micro loans are reaching 1,000,000 petty traders and artisans nationwide. Small and micro enterprises at the bottom of the economic pyramid have been hit hardest by lockdown restrictions. These micro loans are to cushion the income losses experienced during the lockdown.
All 1,000,000 traders benefitting from new GEEP loans nationwide, as well as all existing beneficiaries have a 3-month moratorium on their loans, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

GEEP simply means Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program. It is a program introduced by the Buhari-led administration as part of the government’s mission to provide financial power to all qualified citizens of the country. Since the introduction of the program in 2016, many Nigerians have benefited from it and more are still expected to enjoy this financial aid later in the year.

A number of beneficiaries shared their relief at getting these loans, just at a time when they weren’t sure how to restart their various businesses, due to a loss of income over the past months.

Sharing his testimony on GEEP, Segun Ogungbero who is an artisan in Ogbomosho said he couldn’t access a micro-credit interest-free loan before GEEP that can boost his carpentry business but the arrival of GEEP however has enabled him an ordinary Nigerian artisan access to such facilities for the growth of his small business.

Also, Haruna Mohamed a farmer in Kano State couldn’t access credit facilities that can enable him purchase fertilizers and seedling for his farm and Chinyere a mother of three in Aba, couldn’t access loans that will help her acquire more textile products for her clothing business and appreciated president Buhari for coming up with this initiatives to cater for the needs of the Vulnerables.

For the past five (5) years, the GEEP programme has been able to target, and deliver credit to over 2.3 million people under the MSMEs demographic using Biometrics, Bank Verification Number (BVN) as digital collateral, mobile data capture and mobile wallets.

It was indeed a sight to behold when in 2019, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo traversed markets across the country personally handing out loans to traders.

However, with poverty alleviation programmes as well as social development programmes now under the purview of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, the Ministry in the past two years of its existence, have effectively taken over and streamlined these programmes.

In line with President Buhari administration’s revolutionary mission of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years.

The Ministry has thus come up with GEEP 2.0, as a revamped and restructured version of the programme, GEEP 2.0 effectively expands its scope while unbundling the constituency of under-privileged and most vulnerable people by targeting particular segments.

Under GEEP 2.0 TraderMoni will give special attention to empowering under-privileged and marginalized youths who lack access to education, orphans, the disabled and abandoned out-of-school children, FarmerMoni will now promote agro-entrepreneurship by supporting farmers engaged in crop cultivation, livestock, poultry and fisheries while MarketMoni will empower marginalized women such as widows, divorcees, women in the Internally Displaced Camps, women who are bread-winners of their families and other women with entrepreneurial skills.

During the official launch of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP 2.0), the Minister of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq said GEEP programme is a veritable tool designed to end poverty which targets the unbanked poor and vulnerable but skilled population that have always been left out on credit delivery programmes and is directed at providing soft and affordable loans to finance their businesses.

"Essentially, GEEP 2.0 is a continuation of the Buhari administration’s laudable empowerment drive committed to the upliftment of oppressed Nigerians we hope the programme will engender job creation, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment as well as enrich entrepreneurial skills acquisition amongst vulnerable groups.

Consequently upon taking up the reins of affairs over 6-years ago, President Muhammadu Buhari showed purposeful leadership and his empowerment drive by catering to this segment of the society, when in 2016 the Government Enterprise & Empowerment Programme (GEEP) was established under the National Social Investments Programmes (NSIP).

Farouq said so far over 12 million households has benefited from National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs) and President Buhari has given gracious approval to the expansion and provide loans to an additional 1,000,000 beneficiaries, with emphasis to targeting small holder farmers in the year 2020/2021 across the country that the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP 2.0).

GEEP 2.0 is well coordinated and has an implementation model that accommodates representation at the Federal, State and Local Government levels. Part of the new strategies include an increase in the loan portfollo of TraderMon/ and Market Moni loans from N10,000.00 to N50,000.00, while the FarmerMoni is now N300,000 along with the provision of value chain and creation of digitat marketplace (E-platform) for beneficiaries to sell their products.
The minister said the GEEP currently remain the main driving force behind the poverty reduction in Nigeria and appreciate His Excellency, the Vice-President of federal Republic of Nigeria, whose office commenced the implementation of the NSIP. Without that solid foundation, we are able to transit to the current levels of implementation smoothly.

She called on all Nigerians who are specially targeted by the NSIP and indeed the GEEP to please take advantage of all that the programme offers so that the vision of Mr. President of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 2030 will unfailingly be accomplished.

NSIPs impacted Over 12m households, targets additional 1m beneficiaries - FG

Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja

The federal government of Nigeria has disclosed that over 12 million households has benefited from National Social Investment Programmes (NSIPs) and President Buhari has given gracious approval to the expansion and provide loans to an additional 1,000,000 beneficiaries, with emphasis to targeting small holder farmers in the year 2020/2021 across the country.

Minister of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development made this known during the official launch of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Program (GEEP 2.0) that GEEP programme is a veritable tool designed to end poverty which targets the unbanked poor and vulnerable but skilled population that have always been left out on credit delivery programmes and is directed at providing soft and affordable loans to finance their businesses.

Farouq said, "GEEP 2.0 is well coordinated and has an implementation model that accommodates representation at the Federal, State and Local Government levels. Part of the new strategies include an increase in the loan portfollo of TraderMon/ and Market Moni loans from N10,000.00 to N50,000.00, while the FarmerMoni is now N300,000 along with the provision of value chain and creation of digitat marketplace (E-platform) for beneficiaries to sell their products.

The minister said the GEEP currently remain the main driving force behind the poverty reduction in Nigeria and appreciate His Excellency, the Vice-President of federal Republic of Nigeria, whose office commenced the implementation of the NSIP. Without that solid foundation, we are able to transit to the current levels of implementation smoothly.

She called on all Nigerians who are specially targeted by the NSIP and indeed the GEEP to please take advantage of all that the programme offers so that the vision of Mr. President of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 2030 will unfailingly be accomplished. 

The Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo passed a vote of confidence on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Development and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq on effective implementation of GEEP.

The Vice President who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said: “The GEEP is a baby of the presidency handed over to Madam Humanitarian to nurture and I have been asked to let you know that you have the full backings of their Excellences and the full confidence that you are up to the task of reaching out to the majority of the poor people in our country and alleviating their conditions.

“For many of us who live in the cities may not know the great impacts this programme is having on our people, many are in the villages whose annual income are not up to N10,000. So reaching out to them and extending a hand of fellowship is a major contribution to reducing poverty in our country. The focus is on the poor, if we don’t provide for them, inclusiveness would have failed in our bid to take them away from poverty.

“By reducing poverty, we are reducing diseases, we are banishing banditry, we would have succeeded in taking millions of our youths out of the reach of recruiters of terrorism; we would have attacked ignorance, we would have reduced mortality we would have unleashed the creativity of our people, as well as their enterprise which Nigerians are known for all over the world, Prof Osinbajo said.

On his part, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SSGF), Boss Mustapha who disclosed that over N400 billion is being spent annually on the implementation of NSIPs, applauded the role being played by the Ministry towards emancipating Nigerian youths, women and vulnerable groups across the country.

FG Commits 400 billion To NSIP Annually- Boss Mustafa

Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja

The secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), Boss Mustafa has said that the federal government Committed Over 400 billion naira to National social investment Programme annually that the youth form greatest beneficiaries of this programme especially NPower and the entirety of NSIP.

Boss Mustafa made this known during the official launched of the government enterprise Empowerment Programme that this administration commits on a yearly basis over 400 billion naira to this people oriented initiatives, adding that this clearly attest to the commitment of the president that has never been witnessed before in this country.

Boss Mustafa who was ably represented by the minister of Youths and Spots development, hon Sunday Dare said federal government NSIP stands tall amongst the people's programme of President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. The NPower programme is the single largest programme in sub-saharan african today and many more.

"We have a president who is readily committed to the eradication of poverty as a way to accelerate Nigeria's development. At the core of Mr. President's initiative are the people. The people oreiented presidency. The initiative and policies also caters for various sectors of the society, the youth, women, vulnerable and others.

In the same vain, minister of Humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, appreciate His Excellency, the President for the confidence and support on me and my team to effectively implement the National Social Investment Programme NSIP.

Farouq said, "the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) consists of poverty reduction intervention clusters approved by the Federal Government in 2016 and in 2019 the programme was transferred to the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development for institutionalisation, supervision and coordination. The NSIP clusters, includes; the NPOWER, the GEEP, the CCT and the NHGSFP, which collectively have so far impacted over 12 million households since inception and the numbers are growing.

The minister said that GEEP programme is a veritable tool designed to end poverty in many ways. In other words, GEEP targets the unbanked poor and vulnerable but skilled population that have always been left out on credit delivery programmes and is directed at providing soft and affordable loans to finance their businesses. The GEEP is innovatively targeted and delivered under three unique products. The TraderMoni for marginalized youth, The MarketMoni targets vulnerable women, and the FarmerMoni specifically focuses on rural farmers.

"The NSIP and by extension, the GEEP currently remain the main driving force behind the poverty reduction in Nigeria. Let me specially appreciate His Excellency, the Vice-President of pederal Republic of Nigeria, whose office commenced the implementation of the NSIP. Without that solid foundation, we are able to transit to the current levels of implementation smoothly. To my colleagues, the Honourable Ministers here present and all the stakeholders both local and international Organizations who have partnered with the Ministry and have directly or indirectly contributed towards the successful implementation of the NSIP, | say thank you so much for your support and encouragement. 

She called on all Nigerians who are specially targeted by the NSIP and indeed the GEEP to please take advantage of all that the programme offers so that the vision of Mr. President of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 2030 will unfailingly be accomplished. 

The Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo who was ably represented by senator Baba Femi Ojudu, SA to the president on political matters applaud the humanitarian minister for the sleepless night, hardwork and the perseverance for forging a head for the major plan of fighting poverty.

The Vice President said the focus of GEEP is to provide inclusiveness by reducing poverty and providing for the unemployed youths in Nigeria.

International Youth Day: Group urges FG To Reposition Youths


Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja


As the world celebrate 2021 International Youth Day, Project Rescue Nigeria Foundation has called called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to Reposition the youths in order to understand and appreciate the fact that they are leaders of tomorrow and know the better way to move the country forward.

The Convener and National Coordinator, Mr Irem Nnaemeka made the call in his address of welcome an event to Mark the Day on Thursday in Abuja.

Nnaemeka stressed that there was need to include support mechanism that ensure youth continue to amplify efforts collectively and individually to restore the planet and protect life.

He added, " the topic for the 2021 International youth day ” youth, politics, peace and security ” was germane considering the fact that Nigeria is facing the worse of insecurity scenario in her chequered history as regional and ethnic secessionist and irredentists rare their heads in violent clamour for self determination.

He maintained that there’s need for renaissance and reawakening of the flames of patriotism in our youths and the blaze of love for one another, adding that instead of being antagonistic, we should be organized, articulated to build a durable pact that will hold the leaders accountable and most importantly be politically involved in all strata of democratic governance to build the Nigeria that will all dream of.

Also speaking Amb. Obuesi Philip, the National Director of Community Agenda for Peace said that youths are important stakeholders in the national development and if Nigeria must grow youth must be actively involved not just as supporters but as actors in the Nigerian project.

We must refuse to be used by corrupt politicians to perpetuate evil or for their selfish gain, we must channel our energy on positve engagements, contribute to economic development, involve in the political space and rescue Nigeria from this nightmare that we found ourselves to where we will all be proud of.

International Youth Day: Foundation Resonate On Onerous Task Of Nation Building

By Blessing Bature- Akpakpan

As the world is celebrating the International youth day, a youth based organization, Project Rescue Nigeria Foundation has charged Nigerian youths on the onerous tasks of rescuing country from the precipice of insecurity, political instability, economic strangulation, unemployment, religious bigotry and other abnormalities that is bedevilling the nation.

The Convener and National Coordinator Project Rescue Nigeria Foundation, Comrade Irem Raphael Nnaemeka made the call yesterday in Abuja during the breakfast dialogue organized by the group in commemoration of the International youth day, saying that Nigeria is at the cross road in all fronts; economically, politically, socially and security wise and the youths must rise up to the occasion in changing the narrative, get involve and retrieve Nigeria from the claws of the old brigade, he said.

Nnaemeka said the topic for the 2021 International youth day " youth, politics, peace and security " was germane considering the fact that Nigeria is facing the worse of insecurity scenario in her chequered history as regional and ethnic secessionist and irredentists rare their heads in violent clamour for self determination.
He maintained that there's need for renaissance and reawakening of the flames of patriotism in our youths and the blaze of love for one another, adding that instead of being antagonistic, we should be organized, articulated to build a durable pact that will hold the leaders accountable and most importantly be politically involved in all strata of democratic governance to build the Nigeria that will all dream of.

Also speaking Amb. Obuesi Philip, the National Director of Community Agenda for Peace said that youths are important stakeholders in the national development and if Nigeria must grow youth must be actively involved not just as supporters but as actors in the Nigerian project.

We must refuse to be used by corrupt politicians to perpetuate evil or for their selfish gain, we must channel our energy on positve engagements, contribute to economic development, involve in the political space and rescue Nigeria from this nightmare that we found ourselves to where we will all be proud of.

FG Commences National Multidimensional Poverty Index Survey
 
Blessing Bature-Akpakpan, Abuja


The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has announced the official kickoff of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Survey.

The humanitarian affairs minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq made the announcement during the MPI Survey virtual launched on Tuesday.

The SA media Nneka Ikem Anibeze said in a statement that the minister said on the occasion, that Nigeria has joined many countries that have moved towards improving the efficiency of their decision-making processes through the evidence generated by MPI.

“The consensus around the use of the MPI emerges from different approaches and global agreements, including the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs), which has been replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to cover the multiple aspects of deprivation at the core of poverty and their inter-linkages.
 
“It is therefore an honour to join other strong voices to highlight the importance of multi-stakeholder engagements on poverty eradication, zero hunger, quality education, climate action and inclusion, all of which are central to the evidence generated by the MPI”.
 
Farouq noted that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has successfully empowered more than 10 million people out of extreme poverty through the many initiatives of Government, including the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), GEEP, Npower, NHGSFP and many more.

“This aspiration takes into cognizance the country’s current estimated population of about 200 million people, as well as the need for better evidence for programming.
 
She said “the ministry therefore, stands ready to collaborate with different government agencies, donor organisations and private investors to shape policies and drive real impact in the use of MPI data to foster government accountability to citizens through improved multi-sectoral interventions targeted at the root of deprivations.

“In addition, the ministry will collaborate closely with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to conduct regular multidimensional poverty measurements alongside monetary measures at both national and sub-national levels to ascertain the true poverty status of Nigeria and use the findings to shape policy and programming”.

The Ministry will partner with private sector actors using the special purpose vehicle of Social Investments to create a National and State poverty map/tracker which will help provide progress towards poverty reduction goals and will also collaborate with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning using MPI data to improve budget allocations by sector and State in order to target individuals, communities and areas needing dire attention.

The minister thanked the World Bank Group, UNDP, OPHI, UNICEF, the High Commission of Canada, and other bilateral and multi-lateral bodies for their support towards eradicating extreme poverty by 2030.