By Fanen Ihyongo, Kano

To address rising youth unemployment in the country, particularly that of fresh graduates, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has proposed to partner tertiary institutions to foster entrepreneurship among youths by supporting them with start-up capital for their enterprises upon graduation.

CBN Governor Dr. Godwin Emefiele announced this at the 35th Conference of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), held at the auditorium of Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil. He was represented by the bank’s Director of Development Finance, Dr. Adebowale Olabimtan Idowu.

Emefiele said the proposed partnership would also provide a platform for building digital skills relevant to Nigeria’s developmental goals.

He said: “In furtherance of this objective, the CBN proposes to partner with tertiary institutions to create a paradigm shift among students of the institutions from the orientation of pursuit of white collar jobs to start up business as employers of labour across MSME sectors.

“The focus is to instill a culture of entrepreneurial development among the youth prior to graduation, by supporting them with start-up capital for their enterprises.

“This situation has contributed significantly to the rising youth unemployment across the country. To address this trend, there have been calls for a paradigm shift in our academic orientation of our graduating students from job seeking to job creation through entrepreneurship development.

“This re-orientation is also critical to the recovery efforts to address job losses, low productivity and weak growth impacts of post-COVID-19 pandemic on the productive sectors of the economy and the fallouts from the dwindling oil revenues accruable to the country.

“Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) portend great opportunities for addressing these gaps and accelerating the economic growth, leveraging on our vibrant youth populations.

“To this end, the CBN is developing a Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme (TIES) to re-orientate, train and finance entrepreneurship ideas among our graduates.

“The scheme is designed to support the development entrepreneurial mindsets and culture through the introduction of a platform that provides seamless access to affordable finance to graduates through innovative channels for participation.”

Appreciating the theme of the convention: ‘Pathways to Green Investing Creative Funding and Darq Technologies in Nigeria,’ the CBN Governor said an estimated 600,000 graduates enter the labour market annually seeking the “already thinned out white collar jobs.”

Emefiele announced that the scheme is targeted at graduates of tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics, monotechnic and colleges, and will be focused on achieving three themes: re-orienting graduates towards entrepreneurship, promoting entrepreneurship trainings and skills acquisition and facilitating access to finance for innovative business ideas.

He said CBN representatives would be visiting the tertiary institutions to harness ideas, discuss the implementation dynamics and share preliminary considerations of the proposed Scheme, CBN said.

To qualify for the scheme, it was learnt, the graduate must have a business idea or plan in writing. He must have been out of the university for a period of one month to maximum of five years. His or her certificate will serve as collateral for accessing loan facilities, CBN said.

By Moses Emorinken, Abuja

The Federal Government yesterday disclosed that by the end of September, the country should have received a cumulative of 41,282,770 vaccines through the COVAX facility and the African Union Commission.

It stated that 3,924,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca are expected by end of this month or early next month from the COVAX facility; 3,930,910 doses of Pfizer-Bio-NTech COVID-19 vaccine expected next month from the COVAX facility donated by the United States Government; and 3,577,860 doses of Pfizer-Bio-NTech COVID-19 vaccine expected in the third quarter from the COVAX facility.

Furthermore, 29,850,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson (Jassen) COVID-19 vaccine are expected by the end of September, which will arrive in batches from the African Union Commission.

It reiterated that AstraZeneca vaccines being utilised in country is effective against the Delta variant recently identified in the country.

It, therefore, urged Nigerians to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical interventions of handwashing with soap and flowing water, using sanitisers, proper wearing of face masks, and maintaining social distancing, especially as the festive season approaches.

Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Dr. Faisal Shuaib stated these during a joint news briefing of the agency, with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Abuja.

He said: “It is with the support of our mainstream media community that Nigeria has successfully vaccinated 3,938,945 eligible persons across 36 states and FCT, representing 98 per cent utilisation of the 4,024,000 doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine it received from COVAX facility in March 2021.

“This comprises 2,534,205 people, who have been vaccinated for the first dose, and 1,404,205, who have received their second dose of the vaccine.

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“In the course of this exercise, the country recorded 14,550 cases of mild/moderate Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI), with only 148 cases considered to be severe. However, we did not record any case of death associated with COVID-19 vaccination.

He added: “Researches have shown that the Delta variant has very minimal vaccine escape properties against the AstraZeneca vaccine. So, we are still in a good place in terms of effectiveness of the vaccine that will be used against the Delta variant.

“This, however, does not mean because we have taken in two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, it means we can go to town without our face masks or observe social distancing or hand hygiene. We still need those non-pharmaceutical measures to protect ourselves and loved ones.

“Rumours that vaccines were withdrawn from states because they were expiring are not correct. There is no vaccine that has expired in Nigeria. We still have enough headroom before vaccines expire.

“Some vaccines were withdrawn from some states because there were some that had a very large absorbing capacity and they wanted additional doses. Part of the reasons for our success in our vaccination program in Nigeria is the fact that we use data. So we looked at the absorption capacities across the states. With this, we were able to manage our stock balances to make sure that not only was their equity, but we also looked at the epidemiology of the virus. Because we know that Lagos State is the epicentre of the epidemic in Nigeria, we made sure that Lagos also got the highest quantity of vaccines.

“We already can see increasing cases in the country, especially in Lagos State. These are signs of an impending third wave. But whether we will go into a full-fledged third wave is wholly dependent on how we manage these initial signs; how we are able to observe the non-pharmaceutical interventions. Up until a few weeks ago, people went about their businesses feeling like covid-19 is gone despite what we saw in India.

“We are also approaching a period of festivity – the Eid-El-Kabir celebration. What the numbers are showing us is that we have to be very careful that we don’t go all out and mingle in crowds, and refuse to take those public health measures. If we do that, it means that we are welcoming a third wave. Similar situation occurred in India. Part of the reasons they witnessed a third wave was because of the festivities in India – a lot of travelling and crowding. We can learn from India.”

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

The University of Lagos Medical Centre has warned the university community to be safety compliant as it had seen increased cases of flu-like symptoms associated with COVID-19.

To this end, it has started offering only emergency services.

A statement by the centre on the UNILAG website noted that the increased cases align with Lagos State Government’s warning about the start of a potential third wave in the state.

The statement reads: “The University of Lagos community has also been affected by this potential third wave, with an increase in the number of patients presented to the University of Lagos Medical Centre with flu-like symptoms, which are similar to COVID-19.

“The Medical Centre hereby assures all members of the university community that all necessary actions in line with the Federal and Lagos State Government guidelines have been taken regarding this potential threat in our community.

“The Medical Centre will also return to providing emergency only services during this period, in order to protect all members of the community from potential infection within the facility. The Medical Centre Emergency Contact line: 09095879781 remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

The medical centre also warned the university community to apply COVID-19 protocols in all activities – including temperature checks, use of hand sanitisers, social distancing, and 50 per cent occupancy of closed spaces.

The Nation learnt of unconfirmed reports about some students and lecturers being infected with COVID-19 which allegedly led to a particular hall of resident being shut down and students told to evacuate by today.

By Linus Oota, Lafia

An oxygen plant (AirCo) with a capacity of 700 cubic metres daily production to save lives and meet the medical needs of Nigerians has been launched in Nasarawa State.

The plant was launched by Lifebank Nigeria, a health facility that delivers medical supplies to hospitals in Africa using technology and multi modal distribution platform.

Speaking while launching the plant yesterday in Orozo community of Karu LGA of Nasarawa State, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Mrs Temie Giwa- Tunbosun, said the initiative will address oxygen needs of of North Central.

“Lifebank believes that with AirCo, all the 29 million people in Nasarawa State and the other states in the north Central region will have a steady supply of oxygen to cater to critically ill patients in hospitals

“This product launch is in line with their commitment to saving a million lives across Africa”

“For us, that is why we built this plant, to be able to meet the demands that we have across our hospitals from tertiary centres to Primary Healthcare Centres where our people get access to health care,” she said.

She added for the oxygen to be assessed by a large number of people and medical establishments, Lifebank Nigeria decided to make the produced medical oxygen called ‘AirCo’ very affordable and available.

“Also we are going to be working with government, the private sector and international development agencies to make sure it is affordable for all,” she said.

Giwa-Tunbosun explained that the loss of a medical doctor in Kogi state due to lack of oxygen moved her to venture into finding solutions to inadequate medical oxygen across the country so as to prevent what happened to the late doctor.

Also speaking, Mr Effeson Hailemichael, CEO of Oxygen Hub, an investment firm focused on the medical sector said his company saw the potential of the initiative to solve the oxygen shortages in the country hence it’s investment in the oxygen plant.

“I know the struggle it takes to set up a business from scratch in many markets in Sub-Saharan Africa as an entrepreneur. So I am very proud to say that we are working with fantastic franchises and many more to come and really empowering them to solve this challenge of medical oxygen across the continent,” he said.

Hailemichael, who said another plant has already been launched in Nairobi, Kenya with another launching coming up in Ethiopia added that more oxygen plants will be needed in the coming years to meet the needs of Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Three plants does not even scratch the surface for the need of oxygen. Our goal is to quickly expand to a 100 medium scale oxygen generation plants across the continent but even that is still a scratch on the surface.

For Nigeria, we have ambitious plans for the country. We will like to get about thirty to forty plants within the country. We have something of these plans in the pipeline already and we are working towards them,” he said.

By Collins Nweze

Africa Prudential has demonstrated its digital capabilities, with the launch of “Aura by Transcorp Hotels”, an innovative commercial cloud-based product launched in the Nigerian market.

“Aura by Transcorp Hotels” is an online platform that curates accommodation, staycations, cuisines and memorable lifestyle experiences.

The platform was created for Transcorp Hotels, the hospitality subsidiary of Transcorp.  It was launched by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.

CEO of Transcorp Hotels,  Dupe Olusola, said “we recognise that technology is enabling a wave of innovation, amid greater adoption of digital solutions by consumers and businesses.  We are excited about the functionality of the Aura platform, created by the Africa Prudential team.  It is an important aspect of our diversification strategy, as we seek to create a hospitality ecosystem across Africa and offer greater value to consumers and our industry.”

The launch of Aura is the latest milestone in Africa Prudential digital technology strategy and builds on the successes of other cloud-based solutions created by the company.  CEO of Africa Prudential, Obong Idiong,  said “Aura is significant in our journey, as a digital technology company.  We have come a long way, since we launched our innovation lab three years ago.  This platform is the latest evidence of the capacity that we have built, and we look forward to delivering further innovative solutions, that will improve the business experience of consumers and corporates.”

Africa Prudential has created a series of other cloud-based solutions, including EasyCoop that enables traditional cooperatives easily provide member services online.  Other solutions include GreenPole, an enterprise register management software, and EasyMall, an online shopping platform.

Aura is an e-commerce platform that enables vendors to offer a range of hospitality services, while consumers are able to pay for the advertised services immediately on the same platform, in local currency.  It is available on the Google Play Store and Apple Store.

Africa Prudential Plc is a Registrar, Digital Technology and Investor Services firm, listed on the Nigeria stock exchange, offering digital technology solutions and services, share registration services, and e-commerce services.  The firm leverages technology to transform the service experience of businesses and consumers across its various business lines.

By Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti

Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola has declared that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government was prepared to tackle the imminent third wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

Aregbesola, who expressed worry over the recent surge in the cases of Covid-19 in Lagos and the Delta variant confirmed in the country, said Nigeria was on the verge of third wave of the pandemic.

He expressed the country’s readiness to tackle the imminent third wave, saying that the country was more determined ever than before to confront the pandemic in case of any resurgence.

The former Osun State Governor spoke at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti while delivering a lecture entitled: “Covid-19: ‘The Economy and Security”, to mark the institution’s Third  Annual Lecture of the Faculty of Arts of the institution.

Aregbesola said Nigeria had learnt a lot of lessons from the first outbreak of coronavirus pandemic and had prepared the country for future pandemics, adding that a lot of  strategies has been mapped out to tackle the likely third wave.

He acknowledged the pernicious effects of Covid-19 pandemic on various sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, aviation, tourism, hospitality industry as well as education, saying the consequent lockdown caused rise in joblessness and offered opportunities for the unemployed youths to venture into criminal activities.

He added that the situation could have been worse but for a series of economic actions and policies taken by the APC-led Federal Government, which injected over N1.1 trillion to revamp the economy.

He added that the government’s efforts also got a boost with over N42.3 billion expended  by coalition of private bodies to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and to reignite the economy back to its normal productive stature.

By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Department of State Security Service (DSS) on Monday tendered 40 items as exhibits at Ilorin High Court against suspected rapists and killers of 300-level student of University of Ilorin Olajide Blessing Omowumi at the resumed hearing of the case

A DSS operative Igwe Imo tendered a wooden toy gun as one of the items allegedly used by the suspects to commit the crimes.

The suspects were brought to court for alleged rape, murder and armed robbery.

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Other items tendered as exhibits included one blue Samsung phone with IMEI 352031/496383/6, one black lanovo phone, one golden Nokia phone with model number TA-1053, one mother board, one blue itel phone, one black Hp 15 laptop with model number 15-r002se, one black hp pro book 45ogi with serial number 2CE3481LIP, and two other laptops, as well as two hard drive (500gb).

The security service also presented three witnesses including a girlfriend of one of the accused persons.

The witness told the court that Akande Taiye called her with a phone number suspected to be that of the late Blessing Omowumi. She was tracked and invited by the DSS and this later led to the arrest of the accused person through her.

Presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Yusuf adjourned the case till June 13 for continuation of hearing.

To encourage law students of Baze University towards their journey as future lawyers, Managing Partner of Principle Legal Consult, Barr. Prada Uzodimma has urged the students to apply for her scholarship grant.

According to her, the Prada Uzodimma Law School scholarship grant is part of the corporate social responsibility of Principle Legal Consult.

She advised the law students of Baze University to apply for the scholarship grant and use it as a tool towards achieving their future goals of being called to the Nigerian Bar.

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Uzodimma also encouraged the students to put their foot forward in preparation for their final exams and stand out as an exemplary figure and role model to the law students.