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Tag: Code

  • CODE gets new leadership

    CODE gets new leadership

    *N400bn projects tracked in 13yrs – Lawal

    The Connected Development (CODE) has announced Hyeladzira Mshelia as the Acting Chief Executive Officer and Head of Office of the orgsanisation.

    She replaces the Founder and former chief executive, Hamzat Lawal, who is proceeding to the United Kingdom for a Chevening Scholarship program.

    The organisation also announced Mukhtar Halilu as the Secretary-General of Follow The Money International, with a mandate to expand the initiative.

    Lawal made the announcement at a press conference in Abuja where he reflected on CODE’s 13-year journey from a small grassroots campaign to an international movement now working across 12 African countries.

    He highlighted the impact of CODE’s flagship initiative, Follow The Money (FTM), which has tracked over N400 billion in government and donor funds, ensuring resources reached schools, health centers, and communities in need.

    The new acting CEO expressed gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to CODE’s vision.

    The Secretary-General of FTM stated that one of the new executives’ goals is to expand capacities across the world.

    He said that several states are still holding on to local council allocations despite a Supreme Court ruling mandating their full release.

    It would be recalled that on July 11, 2024, the apex court ruled that local councils must receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account, describing the long-standing practice of routing the funds through state governments as unconstitutional.

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    In response, the Federal Government constituted an inter-agency panel to oversee the implementation of the ruling and directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to open individual accounts for each of the 774 local councils to facilitate direct disbursements.

    Halilu said that the process remains largely unimplemented.

    He said many citizens were unaware of the funds released to their local councils, making it easier for state governments to continue diverting or withholding the allocations.

    Halilu said that the organisation had launched a Citizen Neighbourhood Watch campaign to educate residents on how much money is released to their councils and empower them to monitor the use of such funds.

    Lawal, recounted the organisation’s journey from the 2012 Save Bagega campaign to a continental movement known for holding governments accountable.

    He said: “We have worked in over 3,000 communities across Nigeria and 12 African countries, giving citizens the tools to hold their leaders accountable. We have tracked over N400 billion in budgeted funds, ensuring they translate into schools, hospitals, water, and critical infrastructure.

    “Our work has not been easy. We have faced resistance, intimidation, and the difficult terrain of advocating for accountability in a system that often thrives on opacity. But through it all, we have remained consistent and resilient, building trust with citizens, government, civil society, and international partners.”

  • CODE tracks N4bn projects in 2024

    CODE tracks N4bn projects in 2024

    A civil society, Connected Development (CODE) said it tracked projects worth over ₦4 billion in public spending, conducted rigorous audits and grassroots engagements in 20 Nigerian communities.

    Chief Executive of CODE, Hamzat Lawal disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja to unveil the 2024 Annual Report titled “The Year of Active Citizen.”

    Lawal said that with over 40 campaigns across 12 African countries, CODE hosted 57 town hall meetings, 40 community outreach events, and 30 specialised workshops empowering over 3,000 citizens in climate justice, education rights, and democratic accountability.

    He added that one of the year’s landmark achievements was the expansion of the Follow The Money initiative into Sierra Leone.

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    He said: “In 2024, we made giant strides mobilising citizens, confronting injustice, and demanding change.

    “Each campaign, each number, each community touched represents a story of progress and hope.”

    In Kano State, CODE’s Galvanising Mass Action Against Gender-Based Violence campaign recorded a legislative victory with the successful passage of the Child Protection Bill, now in implementation stages with special attention to underserved rural communities.

    He also said that the organisation’s education-focused advocacy, in partnership with the Malala Fund, led to the launch of the Girl-Child Education Project in Bauchi State confronting structural barriers to girls’ education and securing government commitments to increased education funding and teacher recruitment.

    He also said that CODE’s collaborations with USAID and the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) strengthened early literacy in Adamawa, Bauchi, and Sokoto, and introduced conditional cash transfers to encourage girls’ school attendance in 18 states.

    Lawal added that CODE’s data-rich analysis of 553 schools and 784 primary healthcare centers in 520 communities across 34 states paints a troubling picture of Nigeria’s public infrastructure.

    “Despite nearly ₦894 billion invested in education by state governments, challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, untrained teachers, and inadequate water and sanitation facilities persist,” he said.

    Lawal called on government agencies, civil society, and international partners to move beyond budgetary allocations and focus on execution, infrastructure, and community-based solutions.

    He stated: “We owe it to Nigeria’s future to transform billions of naira into real change into functional classrooms, safe toilets, trained teachers, and equal opportunities for every child.”

    He added: “We’re just getting started. The fight for justice, equity, and transparency continues and we invite every citizen to take an active role.”

  • CODE appoints Kunle Babs as chief consultant, global communications and advocacy

    CODE appoints Kunle Babs as chief consultant, global communications and advocacy

    Renowned civil society organissstion, Connected Development (CODE), has announced the appointment of Kunle Babs as its Chief Consultant, Global Communications and Advocacy.

    Babs is a seasoned Video Journalist, Multimedia Producer, and Strategic Communications Specialist with nearly 15 years of international experience. 

    He has worked with major global media platforms including Agence France Press (AFP), China Global Television Network (CGTN), France 24, Channel News Asia (CNA) Canada Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), DD India and Deutsche Welle (DW).

    Prior to his appointment, Babs has partnered with CODE in the past, training their staff on media engagement and storytelling during an annual retreat as a resource person. 

    He produced documentaries highlighting Follow The Money healthcare campaign, including the award-winning DW documentary “Fighting Eco-Corruption in Nigeria.”  

    He was also part of CODE’s international observation team during the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. 

    In his new role, Babs will lead CODE’s global communication strategies, oversee media relations, drive strategic advocacy campaigns, and strengthen the organization’s brand presence across Africa and beyond.

    Hamzat Lawal, Chief Executive of CODE, praised Kunle’s appointment: “We are thrilled to welcome Kunle to the team. His expertise in global communications and storytelling will play a vital role in scaling our impact. 

    “Kunle brings creativity, professionalism, and a deep understanding of development issues, which aligns perfectly with CODE’s vision.”

    Speaking on previous collaborations with Babs, Lawal added:

    “I have known and worked closely with Kunle for nearly a decade. His passion, commitment, and exceptional storytelling skills continue to inspire me. 

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    “I trust his craft completely and believe he will be instrumental in elevating CODE’s advocacy efforts to new heights.

    “Beyond his technical skills, Kunle understands the heart of our mission – giving voice to the marginalized. That makes all the difference,” Lawal said. 

    Babs holds a B.A. degree in English, a Post-graduate diploma in Filmmaking and Television Production, and is currently pursuing an MBA in Media Leadership at the University of Cumbria, U.K.

    Speaking on his appointment, he said, “I am honoured to join CODE and excited to contribute to its mission of empowering marginalized communities through advocacy and innovation. 

    “I look forward to working alongside the talented team at CODE to strengthen the organization’s impact and expand its influence globally.”

  • NCC: code to check cybercrimes coming

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to establish an Internet Industry Code of Practice for internet service providers (ISPs) to checkmate growing cybercrimes.

    Its Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Mr Ismail Adedigba, who spoke  at the 102nd Edition of the Consumer Outreach Programme (COP) held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan, added that the code will be a regulatory intervention that will not only help to secure the country’s cyberspace against imminent threats from cyber attackers but also address such issues as online child protection, privacy and data protection, objectionable content, among others.

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    With: Mitigating the Effects of Cybercrime: Roles of Telecoms Consumers as its theme, Adedigba said while regulatory intervention and other initiatives are  ongoing to “sanitise our internet space, telecoms consumers, the majority of whom now use internet-enabled and other smart devices, must play their role.”

     

  • New building code for energy use coming

    New building code for energy use coming

    The Federal Government is considering a new building code that will ensure energy conservation, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has said.

    Fashola who spoke at the 13th Distinguished Electrical and Electronics Engineers Annual Lecture (DEEEAL) in Lagos yesterday said the new code would promote usage of glass buildings to enable the use of day light, more windows and use of materials that will keep the building illuminated and cool.

    Fashola said the new building system becomes imperative because the nation’s power generation remained at the lowest ebb. Government’s decision on the new building code underscores the need for power consumers to adopt a more efficient ways of consumption, adding that his administration has formed another building code as a new guideline for electrical and construction engineers in the country.

    Fashola stated that the government is working on energy mix that will enable the country tap electricity from different sources because dependence on gas holds the country to ransom.

    He said: “Government will access any available source of energy in order to achieve not only affordable energy but also national energy security so that we are not dependent on one source of fuel. Our vulnerability to gas has been responsible for the developments we see today, so one of the things that the energy mix will do is not just taking power plants closer to fuel source but also help us to achieve national energy security.

  • Breast cancer gene code breakthrough

    •Scientists’ landmark discovery could mean new treatments – and death knell for the disease

    Breast cancer’s secrets have been cracked by scientists, who say they have a near-perfect picture of the genes that cause the disease.

    The landmark research paves the way for new and better treatments – as well as ways of preventing the disease ever occurring.

    In future, doctors could use ‘genetic x-rays’ to decide on the best drugs for individual patients.

    The researchers, from the renowned Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge, said their study, the biggest of its kind, marked a ‘very significant moment for the cancer research’.

    Despite great strides being made in breast cancer in recent years, breast cancer is still one of Britain’s biggest killers, claiming the lives of almost 1,000 women a month.

    And with almost 54,000 new cases a year, it is the country’s most common cancer.

    Breast cancer is caused by the DNA in the cells in a woman’s breast tissue gathering more and more mutations as she gets older. Eventually, the damage is too great for her body to contain, and a tumour forms.

    An international team of scientists spent seven years peering deep into the DNA of breast tissue samples from 560 patients from around the world.

    Most come from women, but a handful were from men.

    By capitalising on advances on technology, they were able to read each of the three billion letters that made up each person’s genetic code. This uncovered 93 genes, that if mutated, can cause breast tumours. Some had been discovered before, but with the new editions, this is expected to be a near definitive list.

    Sanger’s Director, Professor Sir Mike Stratton said: With our ability to sequence the whole genome of very large numbers of cancers, we’re essentially moving to a more or less complete list of these mutated cancer genes, so it’s a very significant moment for cancer research.’

    Crucially, each of these genetic errors is a weakness that could be exploited by new drugs. While some medicines, such as breast cancer ‘wonder drug’ Herceptin, are already matched to a woman’s DNA, doctors want to be able to give every woman customised treatment.

    Researcher Dr Serena Nik-Zainal said: “We’d like to be able to profile individual cancer genomes so that we can identify the treatment most likely to be successful for a woman or man diagnosed with breast cancer. This is a step closer to personalised healthcare for cancer.”

    Sir Mike added: “This is no longer speculation or hand-waving. This huge study…shows it is possible to sequence individual cancer genomes and this should lead to benefits for patients.”

    The research, published in the journal Nature and Nature Communications, could also shed light on what causes the mutations, and so causes cancer.

    The scientists identified 20 different patterns of mutation thought to have separate causes. One was left by the BRCA1 gene, which is carried by actress Angelina Jolie, and greatly increases a woman’s odds of breast cancer.

    But the origins of many of the other patterns remain a mystery. Working out what food, drink, habit or other factor triggers the changes could lead to new ways of preventing the disease.

    For instance, if a particular chemical is found to be sinister, women could be told to avoid it, in the same way as they are advised to quit smoking to cut their odds of lung cancer.

    Excitingly, the team was able to turn the vast amount of information into a ‘genetic x-ray’ – an easy to read report.

    This is vital if the vast amount of information generated by genetic analysis is to be of practical benefit to patients.

    The research has benefits beyond breast cancer, with the techniques easily adaptable to other types of cancer. However, the researchers cautioned that drugs based on today’s findings could take decades to develop and even then, they may not always work. They told the BBC: ‘Cancers are devious beasts and they work out ways of developing resistance to new therapeutics’, adding that they were ‘optimistic’, but it’s a tempered optimism.

    Dr Emma Smith, of Cancer Research UK, said: “This study brings us closer to getting a complete picture of the genetic changes at the heart of breast cancer.

    “Understanding these underlying processes has already led to more effective treatments for patients, so genetic studies on this scale could be an important stepping stone towards developing new drugs and boosting the number of people who survive cancer.”

    Vanessa Babbage, who has had surgery, chemotherapy and radio- therapy for the breast cancer, told the BBC: “It gives people hope because when people are affected by someone they love and they have breast cancer, they hope for a better future for the other women that are going to be affected.”

     

    • Source: dailymail.co.uk
  • FRC ignores CBN’s contributions to Corporate Governance Code

    FRC ignores CBN’s contributions to Corporate Governance Code

    The war between the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) is far from over. The apex bank complained at the weekend that the Council did not consider its recommendations on the ongoing review of the National Code of Corporate Governance.

    In a circular signed by CBN’s Director, Financial Policy & Regulations, Kelvin Amugo, titled: ‘Exposure Draft of the National Code of Corporate  Governance Issued by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria,’ he said most of the CBN’s input/observations, submitted during the public hearing which it considered critical to the smooth operation of the banking industry were not considered in the released drafts.

    The FRCN, after a public hearing held on June 30, last year, released drafts on the National Code of Corporate Governance, for Private, Public Sectors as well as Not-for Profit Organisations, on December 29, 2015.

    The CBN said it also observed that other significant contributions from a number of banks and other financial institutions on the private sector code, were not also considered by the FRCN. “We advise on the need to ensure that relevant inputs that would enhance the status of the codes, as well as facilitate the efficient and effective operation of the financial system are factored-in by the FRCN before the codes are finalised,” he said.

    The apex bank is, therefore, asking banks “to forward their input and/or concerns on the National Corporate Governance Codes to the Director, Financial Policy and Regulations Department by March 29, 2016 to enable us articulate a common position for the banking industry and to engage with the FRCN in respect thereof.”

    FRCN Executive Secretary, Jim Obazee, had during the hearing explained that modern society believes that the era of very weak and persuasive corporate governance codes is long gone due to stiff competing environment for foreign direct investment; of which binding regulation is a major factor being considered by investors and stakeholders, hence the need for new code.

    He said provisions have been made for the development and enforcement of a National Code of Corporate Governance in the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act No. 6, 2011.

    He said that Section 50 of the FRC Act, 2011 provides that the objectives of the Directorate of Corporate Governance shall be to develop principles and practices of corporate governance ; promote the highest standards of corporate governance; promote public awareness about corporate governance principles and practices; on behalf of Council, act as the national coordinating body responsible for all matters pertaining to corporate governance  and promote sound financial reporting and accountability based on true and fair financial statements duly audited by competent independent Auditors.

    Obazee said the Council shall enforce and approve enforcement of compliance with accounting, auditing, corporate governance and financial reporting standards in Nigeria.

  • NIOB, CORBON push for passage of Building Code

    The President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Mr. Tijani Shuaib, has decried the non-passage of the National Building Code (NBC) draft bill sent to the National Assembly (NASS), since 2006.

    “It is quite unfortunate, that since 2006 that the draft bill of the National Building Code (NBC) was sent by the Executive to the National Assembly (NASS), not much had been done by the body to pass the bill. This development has continued to be a source of concern for the seven professional bodies in the built environment,” he told The Nation.

    Shuaib, however, disclosed that the NIOB and the Council of Registered Builders of  Nigeria (CORBON) have commenced fresh moves to actualise the passage of the Bill. This, he said, involves impressing it on the relevant authorities and top government officials, the importance of the bill hence, the need for it to see the light of day.

    The NBC draft bill has undergone the second reading, and awaiting the third reading before being committed to the committee stage.

    Expressing optimism that the Senate would expedite action on the bill, Shuaib said the early passage of the NBC would help in sanitising the construction industry.For instance, it as it would serve as a document to regulate workings in the construction industry and also help to define the duties of all the seven professional bodies in the built environment to avoid the frequent conflict among them.

    The NIOB helmsman regretted that the country has witnessed several building collapse in the last two years, a development he attributes to greed on the part of most developers and the use of sub-standard and inferior building materials. Most developers, he further explained, in a bid to maximise profit choose to cut corners, hence jeopardising the lives of the ordinary people. For instance, where a developer is supposed to use one bag of cement to produce 35 blocks, he would rather use same to produce 60 blocks. This development, no doubt, would be detrimental to the finished product.

    Besides, Shuaib identified quackery in the sector to be in two folds – intra and extra quackery. Intra quackery, he explained, involves genuine professionals. For instance, if an architect whose job is to design a project goes ahead to supervise its construction after his drawing, even though he is not a trained builder. Likewise, he said, if a builder decides to evaluate the cost of a project when he is not a quantity surveyor, then he automatically becomes a quack because that is not his area of specialisation.

    On the other hand, the extra quackery involves a non-professional who engages in the building process without any form of certification by a recognised professional body. This, he noted, is the worst form of quackery that is bedeviling all the professional bodies.

    This development has led to the establishment of the Association of Presidents and Registrars of Built Environment Professionals (APRBEP), which tries to ensure compliance with guidelines for all the professional bodies in the built sector to avoid conflicts.

    Also, developers, Shuaib said, should engage the services of professionals. “We as an institute would continue to canvass the use of genuine professionals in supervising on-going projects. There is the need for developers to use genuine and standard building materials for construction and finally anybody found culpable should be severely sanctioned,” he said, adding that in the last two years, no builder has been involved in any of the collapsed building that were witnessed in the country.

  • Stakeholders differ on proposed corporate governance code

    The issue of propriety or otherwise of the proposed National Code of Corporate Governance was hotly debated yesterday with stakeholders picking it to pieces.

    The event was at the public hearing put together by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) for private and public sector entities in Lagos.

    The public forum had representatives of other regulatory agencies namely: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), shareholders’ associations, as well as some members of the private and public sector organisations, among others in attendance.

    Justifying the need for the new policy regime, the Chairman, FRC, Hajiya Maryam Ladi-Ibrahim, said the concept of corporate governance was an ideal aimed at protecting the overriding stakeholders in terms of investment and assets.

    She said: “As a matter of fact, the concept of good corporate governance is essential to the wellbeing of companies and their stakeholders. Until recently, corporate governance was not on the front burner in the public. Indeed, it was a phenomenally prominent in boardroom and academic environment.

    “However, recent events in some parts of the world including our country, have brought to the fore the need for sound corporate governance in modern society. This is the reason for the insight into the public sector and not-for-profit organisations hitherto not in the public purview.”

    The FRC boss, who confirmed that the Council received comments from 45 institutions including professional and regulatory bodies as well as relevant professionals, said the public hearing was expected to enhance discussions and acceptability of the document.

    The Chairman, Steering Committee, NCCG, Mr. Victor Odiase, said there was the need to move the country forward through the best practices that had been embraced round the globe.

    However, speakers after speakers sought for a restructuring of some of the grey areas of the draft National Code of Corporate Governance.

    In her presentation, Osaretin Oyewumi, a representative of the CBN, observed that: “There are existing, enabling and legal frameworks around corporate governance already. Specifically, for the CBN, you know there is the CBN Act. When you read that and read the FRC Act, that sounds like it is exclusive to all of corporate governance. The CBN Act already prescribes how many members of the board, how many directors you should have. So, take the enabling Act into consideration.”

  • DPR to implement gas transport code

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), yesterday in Lagos, said it will issue licenses to  shippers, agents, suppliers, and other operators whose roles are crucial to the implementation of the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC) soon.

    The code is a set of rules designed to guide the transportation  or movement of natural gas from producers  to users across the  value chain.

    Speaking at a stakeholders  forum  on the implementation of the Nigerian  Gas  Transportation  Network Code, the Director, DPR, George Osahon said  the code would stimulate gas investment, ensure transparency in the gas industry,  fair and non-discriminatory access to the gas industry, gas trading promotion among others.

    Osahon, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Director, Gas Monitoring and Regulation, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Entigha Ekaluo said the forum was organized to seek the inputs of stakeholders in the value chain on the issue of transporting gas to domestic users such as power firms, fertilizers, petrochemical companies among others that use natural gas as a major component in their production.

    He said DPR will implement the codes in three phases, stressing that the agency would do manual implementation in 2015, transits to auto implementation in 2016 and embark on full auto implementation in 2017.

    Osahon explained that funding and infrastructure are the two problems that are going to hamper the implementation of the code.