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UNICAF has officially announced its 2016 Scholarship programmes with focus on Africa. The programmes are targeted at students that are domiciled in Africa with interests in starting and/or continuing their Education.
According to UNICAF’s International Development Manager, Mr Savva Constantinou, the Scholarship programmes are operated and sponsored by UNICAF, in partnership with internationally recognized institutions in USA, UK and f EU, to offer various Master Degree programmes.
The Institution is aiming at providing access to high quality Education to individuals in Africa who have an interest in furthering their education, but may not have been able to achieve this due to the cost implications or other family and work commitments which prohibit them to travel abroad. It provides them with the opportunity for distance learning toward various post graduate degrees.
“We are on the mission to totally liberate the access to quality higher education to Africans. We believe that Africans deserve the full education, and the best of it.
“With our already secured partnerships with some of the best institutions across the globe, today, we can offer many Africans access to quality education in these institutions at the possible minimal cost. We will also continue to establish various partnerships and collaborations with various institutions to give more Africans wider range of choices.
“Our scholarship programmes for now are mainly for Master Degrees, and soon, we should start offering programmes for First Degree, to enable more Africans to participate in the programmes.
“Upon successful completion of a specific programme, students receive the degree from the awarding institution which is identical to the degree issued by the home campus students and has the same rights.
“We are happy that many Africans are already benefiting from these programmes, and we will encourage more eligible Africans to participate,” Constantinou noted.
The institution offers scholarship programmes for distance learning studies toward MBA, MA Education, MSc Business Phycology and other Master Degree programmes. Interested students can run these programmes while they pursue other career ambitions. They also enjoy programme flexibility to suit their personal lifestyle and operations.
The scholarship programme, no doubt is already helping many Africans and can help more Africans achieve their dreams to further their studies and acquire a career upgrade
Nigeria on Tuesday join the rest of the world to celebrate the Safer Internet Day (SID) 2016, following the increasing importance of the Internet to everyone especially children and youth, for whom schoolwork, online gaming, and social networking are among the most popular activities.
Since 2004, Safer Internet Day has been celebrated on the second day of the second week of the second month of the year, with this year’s theme being ‘Play your part for a better internet’.
SID 2016 seeks to show young internet users the significant role they also have in ensuring a better cyberspace, promote safer and more responsible use of online technologies, now including mobile Internet.
Safer Internet Day was born in Europe and has grown rapidly and spreading to over 100 countries worldwide, with thousands of people involved in events to promote safer Internet use.
Having observed the SID for the past three years, Google Nigeria, partnered the National Film and Videos Censors Board (NFVCB) and Home Vida, to organise an interactive programme for Nigerian students, managing to reach out to over 600 learners, teachers and parents.
According to Titi Akinsanmi, Google’s Policy & Government Relations Manager, the aim of the event is to reach out to young Internet users (target group of 10 to 18 years old) and share information with them on how they can enjoy the multiple benefits offered by the medium of the Internet, while at the same time, staying safe from harm and exposure to age-inappropriate content.
“A Safer Internet Day is undoubtedly good for everyone. We all use the internet, so it is important for government, the organised private sector and civil societies to continue to collaborate to develop and promote strong policies aimed at improving the safety of users while on the web.
Responding to questions from Journalists, Mr Terry Odey, National Film and Video Censorship Board (NFVCB), Southwest Zonal Coordinator, implored the general public to help the board by reporting any video with inappropriate contents.
His words: “We are trying to stop videos with illicit contents from being sold in the country but there are limitations. Even if we have 1000 members of staff, they can’t all be at the same place, at the same time. Just before leaving the office, I received about two calls, complaining about the sort of content in a video.”
As part of events commemorating the day, Google announced the launch of the Web Rangers program in Nigeria. The program which currently runs in 10 countries provides workshops which aim to train young people to become ‘online safety ambassadors’ who will help raise awareness of online safety with their peers and in their schools.
“We will be working with the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and HomeVida, to train over 10,000 Nigerian students via the Web Rangers face-to-face training sessions and via the newly launched online portal at www.saferinternet.org.ng” said Akinsanmi.
Google also announced the launch of its Security Checkup tool which gives Google account owners a quick way to control their security settings, manage recovery phone numbers and control what devices are connected to their accounts.
Google account owners who complete the Security Checkup by February 11th will get 2GB of extra Google Drive storage.
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The Association for Credible Leadership in Nigeria (ACLN) has expressed support for the ongoing anti-graft campaign led by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
The association also salutes the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for unraveling the level of involvement of some notable individuals in the arms deal, which has somewhat incapacitated the Nigerian military from properly prosecuting the Boko Haram terrorism in North-Eastern Nigeria.
ACLN expressed their support in a statement, commending the EFCC for being able to expose the corruption in Nigeria, especially among senior citizens without fear or favour. “This shows to us that the government is on the right cause against corruption,” the group said.
The statement reads; “this is also a confirmation that the current administration empowers institutions and not individuals unlike past administration in the country.
“It is rather sad for the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Dasuki Sambo (rtd.), who should be leading the battle against Boko Haram insurgents to be found leading the team of corrupt politicians who cared less about an average citizen. What sort of advice was he rendering the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
“The implications of what Dasuki did include portraying Nigeria and her citizens in a bad light of terrorism before the international community, killing of several innocent souls, as well as squandering national funds which is largely average citizen’s tax money.
“No doubt, considering the state of infrastructures in the country, the diverted US$2 billion dollars (N13 billion) would have helped to an extent in advancing the course of building Nigeria.
“The ACLN condemn the wicked act of Col. Dasuki as well as Chief Raymond Dokpesi of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and others involved in the arms deal who are yet to be exposed.
“We believe like many other logical persons will agree that such callous act is responsible for the further escalation of the war against terrorism in the Country.”
According to the association, the Nigerian Army, who have tried in terms of manpower despite losing gallant war men to such a petty battle, would have been in control of the battle and secure Nigeria’s territories if they were better equipped.
“Similarly, the death of these soldiers who were not given adequate weapon to withstand the firepower of the Sect, the killings and kidnapping of innocent and vulnerable citizens (women and kids), who would not have experience such if adequate funding have been made available to the army, all call for justice,” the group added.
The ACLN urge the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to allow the rule of law prevail as everyone indicted in the deal must be made to face the full weight of the law and ensure that all looted funds are recovered.
“At this stage of the revelations of the arms deal, the United Nations’ judicial organ, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and all other relevant international authorities may need to step in, to ensure that judgement is not manipulated in Nigeria.
“We are saying this because despite the magnitude of the effect of the deal and the caliber of persons involved, the Federal High Court sitting at Maitama, Abuja granted bail to Dasuki, the former Executive Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC), Aminu Baba-Kusa and three others, to the tune of N250 million each, while all accused persons have suddenly developed strange health issues for which they are attempting to flee the country.
“What we are saying is that if justice must be done, such penalty is too meager for an offence that has not only claimed the lives of thousands of Nigerians, Niger, Cameroon and Chad have also suffered casualties.
“The ACLN consider this as a shame on the past administrations for painting such a wicked picture of leadership for the younger generation of Nigerians. Thus, if judgement is not properly melted out, there are chances of today’s youths treading the same path in few years time.
“We therefore call on the National Assembly to work with President Buhari in overhauling the Nigerian law, if the fight against corrupt practices must be won in the country,” the association noted.
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The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday said if the 2016 Budget is going to be realistic and successful, emphasis should be on the non oil and independent revenue generating sources.
The Senate President said this while answering questions from Senate Correspondents after commissioning the newly upgraded and refurbished Senate Press Centre at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Saraki said that the eighth Senate will focus attention on the revenue generating areas and to ensure that all leakages are blocked.
Speaking in a statement signed by Sanni Onogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Saraki stated that though the 2016 budget proposal is ambitious but it can be achieved if all that is necessary to make it work is put in place.
When asked if the 2016 budget is implementable in view of the dwindling price of crude oil at the international market, Saraki said: “I think this is one of the reasons why we are having the MDAs defend their proposals before the Committees to be able to test some of the scenarios and some of the assumptions, particularly on the revenue side. if you look at the revenue, out of about N3.8trillion, N3trillion is coming from non-oil and independent revenue.
“The success of the budget, in my own view is less on the benchmark. It is more on those two items – non-oil revenue and independent revenue – and that is why we directed our Committee on Finance and other relevant Committees to really scrutinize the revenue side.
“Even the Senate leadership intends to also engage with the ministries as well to really check those two lines, because that is really where the questions come on whether it is achievable. Before we put our signature to it, we need to be sure that those funds are there.
“I believe they are ambitious but it is a good sign, because it begins to make us less dependent on oil. Because if N830billion is coming from oil revenue and it is only 23%.
So, even if the price of oil goes down or up, we are not really so much vulnerable than that of the time oil revenue was accounting for 70 of our revenue. From that point of view, I believe that once we can do that, it is achievable,” he said.
The Senate President also advised the executive to put a proper plan in place for implementing the budget now that the National Assembly is working to pass it in record time.
He said the National Assembly would soon amend the Public Procurement Act to facilitate quick implementation of the budget.
“But also talking about being achievable or implementable, already, some of the things we are going to look at and which we are going to advise the executive on is that while we are working on the budget now, they too should also start making a plan on how to implement the budget because what tends to happen is that even after we have passed a budget, the administration or its bureaucracy sometimes makes the budget difficult to be realisable.
“And two areas: one is looking at the procurement process and it is very likely that we will need to come out with an amendment bill as regards to certain areas of the procurement law. That is something that we are likely to come out with very soon. People are looking at that now to see again how we can assist the executive to see that the budget is implementable,” he said.
On the need for transparency and openness in the National Assembly budget, Saraki said: “On the issue of National Assembly, I think I’ve kept on repeating this many times. If you remember, even during the time the leadership was constituted, one of the issues that came forward was that we will have an open and transparent Eight Senate and I still want to be held to that.
“Also during this process, of course, National Assembly budget too will also be debated and by the time the final document is out, I can assure you that we are going to move away from the time of one line item for the National Assembly to a National Assembly where there will be a break down according to different sections of the institution.”
While commenting on the remodeled and refurbished Senate Press Centre, Saraki said the 8th Senate is poised to leave a good legacy behind in all aspects of the National Assembly.
He said: “It (upgraded Senate Press Centre) signifies a commitment that we all see that in the Eight Senate, we will ensure that every aspect, we are poised to do things differently. We will try and improve on what we met and I hope by the time we finish our tenure, we would have left the Senate better than we met it.”
Earlier, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the Press Centre was refurbished to create a befitting working environment for journalists reporting the activities of the Senate.
Abdullahi said: “What we have done here with your magnanimous support, we have turned this place around so that when we come here to speak to Nigerians about the Senate, let Nigerians see that the environment we are doing it is befitting of that institution.”
In his response, Vice Chairman of the Senate Press Corps, Shagari Sumbo thanked the leadership of the Senate for improving on the Senate Press Centre and making it more conducive for the Correspondents to carry out their assignments.
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The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attacks on 30 January, 2016 attributed to Boko Haram in Dalori village in north eastern Nigeria.
The insurgents’ inhuman attack resulted in a large number of deaths and casualties.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deep condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of those killed and injured by these heinous acts, as well as to the people and the Government of Nigeria.
The members of the Security Council commended the efforts of the region, including through the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), to effectively combat Boko Haram and encourage further progress in this regard.
The Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations, constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.
They stressed that those responsible for these terrorist attacks should be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever and whenever, and by whomsoever committed.
They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
The Nigerian Writers Awards (NWA) is set to hold its 2016 edition of awards for writers in Nigeria.
The event, scheduled to hold on the 6th of February 2016 at Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island Lagos, is a project set to reward excellence, create a synergy between budding and established writers in Nigeria.
The award considers nominations from writers who have proven their worth and commitment in writing for activities in the following period under review: January 2014- May 2015.
Entries were received from individuals, private sectors, civil society or government and will be rewarded based on the categories.
Business writer of the year, Political writer, Entertainment writer, News writer, Feature writer, Blog writer, Health writer, Sports writer, Script writer, Song writer (RnB, Pop, Indigenous), Poetry writer (Written, Spoken words), Campus writer, Indigenous writer (Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Pidgin), Fiction writer, Non-fiction writer, Faith-based writer, Motivational writer, Romance writer, Child/teenage writer, Diaspora Writer, Young writer of the year,Writer of the year.
There was thorough screening on nominees, the evaluation was based on the criteria; Originality, Creativity, and Impact.
The Award Jury is composed of individuals of high moral stature with demonstrated commitment to the ideals of the Nation and who have distinguished themselves in their respective writing fields and covers virtually all category of writing.
NWA is a yearly event and the first-of-its-kind of awards for all writers of different genres in Nigeria to come together and celebrate their successes over the year.
It is also a platform to recognize and commend those who have done well in different fields of writing and have contributed to the uplift of the society.
[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hief Daniel Chuks Ogbonnaya is president and founder of Bohus Biotech AB, a Swedish biotechnology company. With a long history of developing and manufacturing hyaluronic acid raw material and products through the use of research, Ogbonnaya who has developed a wide range of pharmaceutical products used across five continents in eye surgeries, as well as anti-aging formula amongst others, spoke with David Lawal about his new eye clinic in Nigeria and factors responsible for the increase in blindness among children.
Your company Bohus Biotech was established in Sweden in 1992, tell us about it.
Before I founded Bohus Biotech in Sweden, I worked in a big company called Phamarcia. It was the biggest pharmaceutical and bio-technology company in that country and it was founded in Sweden in 1911. The company merged with the American pharmaceutical company, Upjohn in 1995. At that time, I was on Research and Development Session. Already, I was involved in a process whereby we will help sell the technology and eye products to Nigeria. But then, the idea did not materialise for one reason or the other – most likely, political. Later on, around 1999 or 1998, I was called by a friend from Germany, Professor Cock, who told me he had contacts in Nigeria and that the ruling party at the time, under President Obasanjo, wanted to do something for the grassroots. Naturally, we were very happy. Another Nigerian in Germany, one Prof. Anyanwu was also involved in that project. We met and they gave us the contact in Northern Nigeria, but unfortunately, the whole thing, as usual, ended in the sand.
Why, if I may ask?
To be honest with you, I don’t know. All of a sudden, the money was just not there. It was a lot of gigantic plans. The plans were perfect to get the doctors from Sweden and Germany. We were to be flying them around the country to help treat eye problems and give them medications, which was fantastic. As at that time, the population of cataracts sufferers was at 2.5 million. You can imagine, I am talking of 1999. Can one imagine where we are today, if there is any statistics on it. So after the failure of the project, I realised that somebody must do something. I started planning to maybe start from small scale; but at least to show to the people that we can do it.
So now, 24 years after, you have finally established an eye clinic in Nigeria. What brought you home this time?
I have been working on this for the past 5 years. We were trying to put up the complete eye clinic for cataracts operation and correcting eye defects, but the cost of putting up such project really caused the delay.
Also, at a time, the Rotary Club in my town in Abia State was involved. They wanted to help but when I explained the cost implications amounting to about N3million, they pulled out because it was too high for them. Meanwhile, the clinic has always been my dream; to help people to see and not go blind. Then I concluded on my own to go ahead with it. Finally, the dream came through on the 6th of January, 2016. We were able to inaugurate the eye clinic, GOK Eye Centre in a town called Uzuakoli in Abia State.
Talking about an eye clinic, why Abia State and not somewhere in the North, where eye diseases are predominant?
I was born and raised in Abia State and that is the place I know best. That is where I got the idea from that, okay this is a problem in this part of the world. Besides, I have not travelled a lot in Nigeria. I usually come into Lagos and then to my home town.
Before GOK Eye Centre in Abia, how else has Bohus Biotech impacted Nigerians?
We established the daughter company here in Nigeria in 2010 and that is in Lagos. By then, we had two employees working with our help from Sweden to distribute our products nationwide; today we have about 15 covering 50% of the country. Meanwhile, the goal is to cover the whole of Nigeria and supply them with the products which will be used for treating eye diseases.
What is your disposition to the need for political involvement before any major project can be implemented?
I do not believe in political involvements because politics complicate things.
Are you speaking from experience?
Yes. Take for instance the project I just spoke about that was to take place under Obasanjo, that was a political involvement. The idea was that the PDP wanted to show the grassroots that they could do things for them.
What’s your opinion on the increasing rate of eye problem among children?
I think a lot of things are involved. Firstly, the environment in which we are living. This includes the weather; the sun, then the food we eat. Some diseases can be linked with diet. And these days, Nigerians are moving away from our local delicacies. Now, we want to copy the Europeans. You see people eating all sorted of imported foodstuffs. Of course, that really contributes to the increase of eye problems in this country.
What habits do you think Nigerians engage in that can trigger eye problems?
From the scientific point of view, there are claims that the Ozone layers are becoming thinner and thinner, and the more it gets thinner, the more it affects the eye. For example, in Australia, you have to make use of a Sun shade. Also, you have to swim with your clothes on. You don’t go around with bare body. Another thing I observe in this country is that people shave their hair? The hair is protective to you. God gave us to use to protect the skull from the heat of the Sun, but now everybody is shaving. The implication is that tomorrow they would suffer one diseases or the other and they will say it is my neighbour that wants to kill me, not knowing that they are the ones killing themselves. I mean, when you are talking of temperature of between 30 and 35C, the ground must be really cooking. So why should anyone be shaving their hair? It’s not good.
Also, we should wear clothes that reflect the Sun and not the ones that absolve the Sun. It is very important. That’s something I usually forget as part of the factors contributing to it when you asked me. Also, watching the television.
Watching television or closeness to the electronic set?
I mean watching television, it does not matter the proximity. What matters is how long you stay watching it. Then exposure to computer screen. You can see that if you are on the computer for a long time, after a while you start blinking more, that’s because the eye is tired.
Painfully more and more kids are exposed to computer games, television and computer…
Ooh yes, you see more kids carrying Tablets, iPads, playing with it and then the parents are happy for giving the kids something, not knowing they are destroying them. Anyway, there is nothing wrong with those things but we should limit their usage and over-dependence on them. You can say okay, you watch television from this time to that time; not leave the kids to themselves.
How do you think the use of preservatives affect us as a people?
Of course, it does affect us. Any chemical that you pump into the body, it does not matter where, has a side effect. If you look at our eye-drop, it is preservative-free. Because we do not know what happens if you have preservatives in the eye-drop and somebody puts it in the eye in this part of the world and then is exposed to the heat. What could be the reactions?
Sadly, you have not been to the North at all…
Not for many years now. Before I left for Europe, I used to live in Kano, so I know very much about the North. I was in Jos, Plateau State; Zaria in Kaduna State, but I haven’t been there for some time now.
A lot of things have changed
Of course. It is my goal one of these days to travel up north, just to see what Kano looks like. It will definitely happen. In fact, I have not been to Abuja recently.
Besides Abia State where you recently inaugurated the clinic, where else do you wish to move to next?
Like I said earlier, I think somewhere in the North will be okay.
Will it take almost same time as the first clinic?
No, it won’t because from what we have done, we may get some hands to help us facilitate our building of subsequent clinics all over the nation.
Finally, what’s your advice to Nigerians on how to manage their eyes? What kind food would you recommend?
We should go back to nature. Meaning we eat those food stuffs that are our local foods. There are some fruits that are good for the eyes. Vegetable like okra is very good for the eye because it contains those elements that are good for the eyes. Then vegetables like pumpkin leaves have been tested to be good for the eyes. Finally, eat a lot of fruits; pawpaw, mango, oranges are very healthy both for the body and the eyes.
Consumersng has announced Ondo State, GTBank, Jumia, Etisalat among 16 other corporate entities/governmental bodies listed as the 20 Consumer Brands of the year.
Consumersng is an online platform advocating for a more consumer-centric ambience in Nigeria and to promote a fair play between businesses.
The winners in the different categories are, E-governance- Ondo’s smartcart (Kaadi Igbe Ayo); Bank of the year- GTBank; Beauty and Cosmetics (Innovations)- Natures Gentle Touch; Real estate site of the year: Lamudi’; Social Enterprise (Impact)- BudgiT; Corporate Finance- Dunn Loren Merrifield; Job creation- Jobberman; Transport (innovation)- Easy Taxi.
Others are, Online retailer- Jumia; Health service- Flying Doctors Nigeria; Telecoms- Etisalat; Foods/drinks related services- Hellofood; Logistics – Konga Express; New Media (Innovations)- Iroko TV; Printing (Innovation of the year), Printivo; Hospitality/Tourism (Innovations)- Jovago; Education Site of the year- Passng; Car Search site of the year – Carmudi Online payment platform- Interswitch; Agriculture- Nobex Tech.
Speaking about the awards, Head, Communications, Consumersng, Funsho Williams-A, said that the idea is initiated in recognition of brands who are best adopting high tech/digital initiatives in easing the burden of service delivery which is otherwise encountered between manufacturers and consumers.
She added: “We commend the dynamic disposition of the 20 winning brands towards the businesses they do, and assure that we will do all in our capacity to position them as models for others to emulate in a country where consumer rights appreciation/people-centered plans are continually on the decline.
“While this award might not mirror the impressive financial gains of service providers, it is our pride that the idea is based on consumer’s merit and it reflects the reality of services valued.
“Activities which entails a voting process, which was opened to consumers online for a week, as well as recommendations from other notable industry watchers were all put into consideration in deciding the winning brands of the day in the 20 categories.”
The senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Wednesday acknowledged that he received a letter from former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday after plenary.
According to the Senate President, the former President in his letter, called the attention of the National Assembly to some issues.
Saraki made this known in a statement on his website saying: “I want to assure President Obasanjo that the leadership and membership of the 8th Senate are committed to good governance, transparency, accountability, due process and responsiveness to the economic reality of our nation.
“It is for this reason that the legislative chamber has introduced bold and progressive reforms in the management of the finances of the National Assembly.
“This is of even greater importance during a tough fiscal period for our country.
“Like I said during my closing address at the plenary after our debate on the 2016 Budget, the Senate must lead by example in terms of our own funding, budgets and accountability – showing, beyond doubt, value for money.
“I have canvassed that we must lay bare the budget of the Senate, nay the National Assembly and its affiliated institutions.
“I equally canvassed the need to strengthen the capacity of the legislative institution to carry our effective oversight of the executive arm so that we can ensure the budget leads to the realization of the policy objectives of the Buhari Administration.
“Again, let me reiterate my position in the speech I made this morning on the need for us to work towards blocking all areas of revenue leakages while also strengthening the anti-corruption agencies so that the little resources that are now available will serve the interest of the overwhelming majority.”
He then promised to reply to the letter by Obasanjo acknowledging him as ‘a father of the nation that we all hold in high esteem’.
“I intend to reply the letter and outline the actions the Senate is taking to address his concerns.
“In conclusion, I appreciate President Obasanjo for his consistent role in always reminding those of us in government about our responsibilities to the general public and offering timely advise where necessary.