The Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has condemned the killing of Nigerians in South Africa describing it as ‘humiliating and traumatizing’.
In a statement released, Akande-Sadipe called on the South African authorities at all levels to find lasting solution to the incessant killing of Nigerians.
She said, “Xenophobia must be put to an end because it is an excuse for mass premeditated murder. This must stop, not by violent retaliation but by reorientation.
“This is a misplaced aggression, a result of post-apartheid economic disparity, which should be addressed through social economic policies rather than the blame game against non-nationals”
“I urge the South African government to ensure that lives and properties of all are protected without any bias against foreigners and to avoid being complicit in the attacks. Africa needs to unite for the collective progress of the continent”. She further added.
While sympathizing with Nigerians living in South Africa, she promised that the house will collaborate with other relevant arms of government to ensure that a speedy diplomatic solution is achieved.
Mr David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged the winner of the just- concluded governorship primary in Bayelsa.
He scored 42,138 votes to defeat its closest rival, Mrs. Diseye Nsirim, who scored 1,533 votes.
Others are Heineken Lokpobiri, who scored 571 votes while Preye Aganaba scored 354 votes and Mr Amgbare scored 633 votes with Prof. Maureen Etebu scoring 564 votes.
The Chief Coalition Officer, Sen. Dangana Emmanuel, announced the result in Yenagoa.
He said the mode was direct primary as agreed by Bayelsa stakeholders and confirmed by the National Working Committee.
The Returning Officer for the Bayelsa APC Primaries is Gov. Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC adopted the direct primaries mode to select the candidate to fly its flag in the Nov. 16 governorship election in Bayelsa.(NAN)
When it comes to the culture of saving cash, women are better, a digital savings platform, CashBox, said on Tuesday in Lagos.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Aigbogun Sydney who spoke during an interaction with reporters in Lagos, on Tuesday, said women are more likely to save when they have cash.
He said form the over 10,000 users of the platform so far, women have the largest percentage of between 65 per cent and 70 per cent, adding that the youths are also not left behind as people between ages 16 and 40 made the list of users.
Sydney said the platform which is now available on Android was initially web-based, stressing that work is on to make it available of iOS too.
Speaking on the various savings option available of the platform, the financial technology (fintech) chief said there are three, which include lock saving, regular saving and instant saving.
According to him, with the lock savings, people lock their savings for 90 days and earn as much as 15per cent interest while the others attract between seven and 10 per cent interest.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal has urged youths to take advantage of the World Bank – assisted N200 million agro processing, productivity enhancement and livelihood improvement support (APPEALS) project to create jobs and ensure food and nutrition security.
He spoke at the screening of shortlisted applicants for the project in Lagos on Tuesday.
Lawal said agriculture and agribusiness have an invaluable and untapped potential to address youth unemployment.
According to him, Lagos has been involved in the last 20 years in several initiatives to accelerate youth employment in agriculture and agribusiness.
The main focus of the government, he explained, is to provide technical assistance, capacity development and knowledge exchange to youth enterprises by prioritising agricultural value chains.
He said integrating youth in agriculture and agribusiness is a key priority for the state government, adding that as such, the government is promoting youth employment and self-employment as part of the development momentum.
On APPEALS, he said the goal of the project is to increase productivity and improve processing and marketing of targeted value chains, which included rice, poultry and aquaculture for Lagos.
He explained that of 10,000 applications, 2000 people were shortlisted, including the physically challenged.
He assured that the beneficiaries will be supported to contribute to the restoration of agricultural livelihoods in the state.
The State Project Coordinator, Mrs. Oluranti Oviebo said the project is meant to improve food security and nutrition and increase the incomes of households.
According to her, the project is designed to promote poverty reduction amongst producers to enable inclusive economic growth and sustainable livelihoods development.
The National Programme Officer, Dr Salisu Garba said the APPEALS are implemented in six states of the federation.
Aside Lagos, others are Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Enugu and Cross Rivers states.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has clarified the redeployment of 12 management staff of its flagship upstream subsidiary, the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC).
It said it was aimed at repositioning the company to meet its production and reserve targets.
Its Chief Operating Officer, Upstream, Mr. Rowland Ewubare, said the reorganisation became imperative following the urgent need of the current management to grow the NPDC into a big time exploration and production player in the country.
Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu disclosed this in a statement yesterday.
Ewubare said for the NPDC to measure up to its peers, it needed a team of professionals that were fit-for-purpose and could deliver on project timelines and budgets.
House Speaker Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has said effective deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools in rural communities would help empower rural dwellers and stimulate increased economic activities in Africa.
He said by having access to adequate and right information, the poverty level in rural communities in Africa could greatly be reduced.
In a paper titled: ‘Enhancing Information Communication Technology (ICT) Use in Providing Life-Changing Solutions in Rural Communities’ at the ongoing 50th Regional Conference and the Annual General Meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Africa Region, in Zanzibar, Tanzania, Gbajabiamila, who led the Nigerian delegation to the conference, moved a motion for the commencement of proceedings and debate on the second day of the conference. He said policymakers must, through the policy-making and legislative process, ensure that opportunities created by technological advancements are available to the people.
“Everywhere, from Africa to Europe, Asia to the Americas, policymakers are still trying to figure out this brave new world. It often feels as if the moment we reach an understanding of one paradigm, it changes again to reveal new vistas, new challenges, and opportunities. We cannot, and we do not seek to halt the march of technological progress.
“In fact, we embrace it because we have seen how technology properly used can improve the circumstances of human life in every sector from education to health care, security, and commerce,” he said.
On how ICT could address poverty, he said: “It can play a major role in addressing rural poverty and improving the economic well-being of the people through access to adequate and right information.
“Rural communities in Nigeria and Africa as a whole are faced with the challenges of infrastructural deficit that would help stimulate development. This affects access to adequate and right information by the rural communities. The challenge is how to leverage the bountiful opportunities in the sector to improve service delivery in rural communities.”
He said the deployment of ICT in agriculture would increase efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of small-scale farms.
“The agricultural sector will be strengthened with the application of ICT as it opens up access to information. ICT increases the knowledge base and choices of farmers in terms of quality of soils, seedlings, management of drought and erosion as well as pest and disease control. It also provides farmers with useful and timely information on crops, animal husbandry, fertilizer and market prices. The corollary effect of all these is increased productivity and high income.
“The use of ICT in a dedicated manner within the education sector in the rural areas would help increase the literacy level of the rural population. There is a need to embark on an aggressive sensitisation drive to educate the rural communities on the importance of ICT,” he said.
He added that ICT could help connect rural areas to the outside world, which would make them enjoy access to information sharing for greater economic activities.
“The contact with the outside world would no doubt increase the volume of economic activities in the rural areas as the rural population becomes more aware of untapped opportunities and new ways of doing business. ICTs can increase access and mobilisation of financial assets, particularly through the instrumentality of mobile banking and mobile finance. This would ultimately increase general economic activities in rural communities.”
“The use of ICT to deliver healthcare will enable healthcare professionals and institutions to address the critical medical needs of rural communities. This will bring about improvement in the health of rural dwellers and their economic well-being,” he said.
Similarly, proper use of ICT, the Speaker said, would address rural-urban migration as well as make the rural populace politically active by sensitising and mobilising them on activities of the government.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) said it is simplifying trade procedures by harmonising the electronic business standards and the automation of information flow of goods and services along the supply chain.
It also said it is using the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UNCEFACT) to help businesses, trade and administrative organisations from countries at all levels of development to exchange products and services effectively.
Its Executive Director/CEO Olusegun Awolowo spoke during a roundtable meeting on the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation in Abuja.
Represented by the Director Product Development, William Ezeagu, he said the UN, CEFACT focuses on simplifying national and international transactions.
Awolowo said: “It will also enhance the processes, procedures and information flows by rendering them more efficient and streamlined, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the growth of global commerce.
“It is time to redefine our nation’s economy by accelerating its diversification agenda. This is the thrust of the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari which is economic diversification and inclusive growth.
“It is imperative to recognise and utilise all inter-linkages required for achieving the government economic mandate. We are committed to a collective national shared economic vision. This we can achieve through an articulated trade facilitation plan which involves the simplification of trade procedures.”
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has approved a $500 million facility to enable Nigerian manufacturers take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Its President & Chairman of Board of Directors, Prof. Benedict Oramah, made the announcement during the “2019 Manufacturers Annual Lecture/Presidential Luncheon” of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.
The lecture’s theme was: “Improving the Value Chain in the Manufacturing Sector for Competitiveness & Job Creation” was organised by MAN, and was part of its 3-day Made-in-Nigeria Products Exhibition, which ends today as well as its forthcoming AGM.
Oramah, who was Guest Lecturer at forum said the $500 million facility was aimed at providing financing to Nigerian manufacturers and companies engaged in intra-African trade under the AfCFTA, which implementation begins in 2020.
AfCFTA seeks to create a continental trade bloc of 1.2 billion people, with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $3 trillion.
The agreement also seeks to promote Africa’s regional integration and help increase intra-African trade by committing countries to liberalising services and trade and removing tariffs on 90 per cent of goods.
Apart from its inherent capacity to promote economic growth and development, reduce poverty in the partnering countries, the trade liberalisation deal was also expected to help expand and diversify trade and increase domestic and foreign investments.
Oramah in his presentation titled “From Commodities to a Global Manufacturing Hub: The Road Ahead for Nigeria,” said with AfCFTA coming into force, the benefits Nigeria will derive therein will depend on how prepared the country is, for instance, in participating actively in the negotiations such as the rule of origin.
He said other areas that should be addressed to allow Nigeria benefit include fixing the nation’s micro-economic policies and addressing issues of quality infrastructure, access to market and finance.
The Afreximbank chief, therefore, said the $500 million facility for manufacturers will help support and retool their operations with a view to improving their competitiveness in Africa and globally.
Earlier in his welcome address, MAN President Engr. Mansur Ahmed said the theme: “Improving the Value Chain in the Manufacturing Sector for Competitiveness and Job Creation,” was intended to direct manufacturers’ attention to the need for a robust manufacturing production agenda.
“It is our view that for Africa – and certainly Nigeria to achieve beneficial free trade, we must significantly improve the value-chain in our manufacturing sector. This is the most assured route to achieving competitiveness, enhancing job creation and lifting the vast majority of our people out of poverty,” he said.
Mansur also said MAN believes there is an urgent need for a comprehensive industrialisation strategy that incorporates and builds on all the impactful policies and initiatives President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has implemented over the past four years.
“We are of the view that Nigeria must put in place a comprehensive and robust strategy that seeks to address all critical constraints to economic growth and sustainable development, including the huge deficits in infrastructure especially energy and transport services,” he said.
Oyo State Government has directed that the 10,000 metric tonnes of silo project at Aawe in Oyo to be completed and delivered by the contractor, Rahvet International Limited, by January.
The contract had been a subject of litigation when the last administration revoked it.
The contractor claimed it was at 68% completion stage and the contractor headed for the law court to seek redress.
Commissioner for Agriculture Muyiwa Ojekunle explained that the present government met the project at the stage of incompletion and subject of litigation despite the disbursement of over 98% of total contract sum of by the immediate past administration and the work done till date was adjudged to be 67.8%.
He said the Governor Seyi Makinde administration entered into dialogue with all stakeholders to settle the issue amicably out of court as it was in the interest of the state to have value for the huge amount of money already expended on the project.
Ojekunle said: “The present administration met the contract at 68% completion and a lawsuit which we immediately entered into and settle amicably out of court. The result is what you are witnessing today.
“We have successfully resolved the issue and the contractor is back to site today as documents relating to the contract have been perfected and he is to complete it to avoid waste of scarce resources.”
The commissioner urged the contractor to reciprocate Makinde’s kind gesture by swinging into action as soon as fund is released to ensure the project is of good quality and completed and delivered within the shortest period stipulated.
Executive Chairman, Rahvet International Limited Dr. Mufutau Raheem appreciated Makinde for the opportunity given to his company to complete the project.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Tuesday his administration would soon be hiring trained teachers to strengthen quality education in its schools.
The governor said his administration would spare no effort to expand quality teaching to pupils in all state-owned schools.
The revelation came following the governor’s directive to the Ministry of Education to recruit trained teaching personnel and provide vital resources that would strengthen quality education across government’s schools.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at the inauguration of three key projects in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area (LCDA). The projects include the 110-bed Maternal and Child Centre (MCC), a 12-block classroom junior secondary school and a rehabilitated Primary Health Centre.
The state government built the Maternal Centre. Tabernacle of David, Lagos Province 46 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) financed the construction of the school and the upgrade of Primary Health Centre as part of the church’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Unveiling the school and the rehabilitated health centre, Sanwo-Olu said: “My administration is not going to walk away from its responsibility of catering for the educational needs of every child that is of school age. We will give our children the opportunity to attend quality schools that will not be too far away from them. This morning, I gave a directive to the Commissioner for Education that all schools owned by the state government be equipped with well-trained teachers that will help us to deliver quality training to our children in line with development agenda of my administration.
“The charge to the commissioner also involves the provision of basic resources that would strengthen our schools and empower them to deliver the desired results we envisage in education and manpower development.”
The governor said his administration would remain open to corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and religious institutions for partnership that would be beneficial to all residents of the state. He reiterated that the government under his leadership would not shirk its responsibility in providing necessary amenities to the citizens.
Sanwo-Olu hailed RCCG for the intervention, which he described as a “progressive doctrine” from a religious institution. The Governor urged other religious bodies to take a cue from the RCCG’s intervention, stressing that government would make greater impacts with collaborations.
The Assistant Pastor in charge of Province 46 of the RCCG, Kayode Pitan, noted that the decision to embark on the projects was in response to dearth of basic education and healthcare facilities in the area.
He added that the two projects gulped N180 million, noting that school, which has 12 blocks of classroom, was completed with N130 million; the church spent N50 million to rehabilitate and upgrade the services of the Primary Health Centre.
The opening of the Eti-Osa Maternal and Child Centre, the eighth of its kind in the state, was replete with fanfare, as residents trooped out of their residents to welcome the Governor and members of his cabinet to the occasion.
Sanwo-Olu said the provision of the secondary health facility in Eti-Osa axis would reduce pressure on the Lagos Island General Hospital and save expectant mothers living in Ajah axis of the pain to travel a long distance for antenatal and post-natal care.
Also on Tuesday, Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso said the most visible achievement of Sanwo-Olu administration in the first 100 days in office is the disappearance of heaps of garbage on major streets.
From left: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information, Mrs Bolanle Ogunmola; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Mr Wasiu Akewusola, during a news conference on Gov.Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s 100 Days in the office and beyond, in Lagos on Tuesday (3/9/19).
He spoke at a news conference to roll out activities to mark Sanwo-Olu’s first 100 days in office.
He expressed delight at the modest achievements so far recorded by the administration.
“The most visible impact of the course of action this administration has taken so far in respect of the environment is the disappearance of heaps of garbage on major streets and highways across the state,” the commissioner said.
He promised that government was going to be more scientific about dumpsites.
According to the commissioner, the first 100 days of any elected public official represents a significant milestone, adding: “For any visionary leader who wants to leave an indelible mark in the sands of time, the first 100 days in office are not only significant, but could be quite epochal. It sets the tone and course for any new government.
“What happens during this period is akin to what a builder does preparatory to the construction of a structure. Any slip at this stage could spell doom for the building.”
He assured Lagosians that the administration would keep expending on the implementation of its THEMES agenda and the Executive Order signed by the governor within hours of assuming office.
On assessment of his administration so far in office, he said: “We are leaving the assessment of performance in the last 100 days to the judgment of the good people of Lagos.”
