Tag: FG

The Federal Government has given approval to the National Commission for Colleges Education (NCCE) to allow the Dual Mode of concurrently running degree and Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) programmes in colleges of education.

Executive Secretary of NCCE, Prof Paulinus Chijioke disclosed this during the 2024 National Teachers’ Day celebration organised by the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COASU).

The executive secretary explained that the development was aimed at improving access to teacher education, arresting low enrolment, and ensuring quality production of professional teachers in the country.

 Chijioke also emphasised the need to continue to elevate the status of the teaching profession, ensuring that it attracted the brightest and most passionate individuals.

President of COEASU, Dr Smart Olugbeko commended President Bola Tinubu for assenting to the Colleges of Education Establishment Act which granted the colleges of education system autonomy to award degrees in teacher education concurrently with the previous NCE.

He said: “In line with the implications of the dual mandate, we have continually charged all members of our union to refocus towards higher academic attainments, professional excellence, and productivity.

“Let me put it on record that pursuant to the degree awarding status, our Union initiated an upward review in the criteria for career progression for College of Education lecturers with a view to ensuring that the qualifications and research output requisite for rank attainment in Colleges of Education match global standards and justify the highly anticipated institution of professorial cadre.

“We are ready for this and we urge the Federal Government to without further delay see to the implementation.”

Meanwhile, COEASU has awarded N3.5 million to six exceptional students, each from one of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Additionally, the union conferred legacy awards on distinguished educators, including the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Alhaji Abdulmalik Mahmood, former deputy governor of Bauchi State, and other notable recipients.

The awards were presented to the recipients at the COEASU 2024 International Teachers’ Day celebration and awards for the best students with the theme “Valuing Teachers’ Voices Towards Repositioning Teacher Education in Nigeria.”

President of COEASU Olugbeko, said the award was initiated to promote academic excellence.

He said: “Our Union has instituted a scholarship for the best student in the College of Education system in Nigeria. Through a transparent, objective, and externally coordinated process of examinations, we determined the best students in colleges of education within each zone, as well as the overall best among them.”

He also called on government agencies, private organisations, awardees, and individuals of goodwill towards educational development to contribute to these prizes for the students.

The list of awardees included Nwachukwu Chioma Ruth, best student in the North-Central zone from Nasarawa State College of Education, Akwanga; Musa Abdullahi Musa, best student in the North-East zone from Aminu Saleh College of Education, Azare, Bauchi; and Nusaiba Awwal Barau, best student in the North-West zone from Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, Kano State.

Others are Nwoha Johnson Obinna, best student in the South-East zone from Benjamin Uwajomogu State College of Education, Ihite Uboma, Imo State; Ezeanofu Chisom Miracle, best student in the South-South zone from Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba, Delta; and Latona Mubarak, best student in the South-West zone and overall best student in Nigeria from Federal College of Education, Iwo, Osun State.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu, who presented the awards to the students, reiterated the federal government’s commitment to improving teachers’ welfare.

He said that, in addition to the COEASU awards, the Federal Government will also grant scholarships to the students. 

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He directed that their data be submitted to the Federal Scholarship Board while urging people to see teaching as a profession, not just an activity.

He commended the cooperation the Ministry has received from the two unions, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and COEASU.

The former Registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, who was the guest speaker, urged the government to offer attractive remuneration packages to teachers and provide regular training, workshops, and conferences.

He emphasised the need to engage teachers, unions, and communities in decision-making processes while advocating for investment in modern classrooms, technology, and educational resources.

Ajiboye recommended increased funding for education infrastructure and the development of a comprehensive teacher training programme, while also advocating for the launch of a nationwide teaching recruitment campaign.

No Nigerian has been affected in Lebanon, following escalation of hostility between the Israeli Defence Forces and Hezbollah, The Nation learnt .

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Saturday, said the Nigerian Embassy in Lebanon has been actively working to protect its nationals.

Besides, the statement by the Ministry’s Spokesperson,   Ambassador Eche Abu-Obe, also confirmed that the government has set up machinery for emergency evacuation of Nigerians in Lebanon.

The statement reads:”Further to the deteriorating situation in Lebanon over the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the Federal Government has commenced preparation for evacuation of Nigerians in Lebanon back to Nigeria. The Government of Nigeria has taken measures to ensure the protection and safety of Nigerian nationals in the country. 

“The Embassy of Nigeria in Lebanon issued regular advisories to the community with safety instructions and in August 2024 advised Nigerian nationals to strongly consider voluntary evacuation while the options of commercial flights remained available. Nigerian nationals in the South of Lebanon have also been evacuated to Beirut and other safer areas in collaboration with the leadership of the Nigerian community. It is pertinent to mention that no Nigerian life has been lost since the beginning of the conflict. 

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to reassure Nigerians that the Federal Government is engaging with relevant stakeholders and remains committed to the protection and safety of Nigerian nationals, as Government is making preparations to evacuate them back home.”

Already, no fewer than 200,000 people have fled Lebanon into neighbouring Syria “as a result of Israeli air strikes,” according to the UN.

An update from UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said these include both Lebanese citizens and Syrians living in Lebanon. 

Figures from the Lebanese government put the total higher at 300,000.

BBC also reported that an Israeli air strike hit near the main border crossing point between the two countries, effectively cutting off vehicle access.

Israel’s military claimed it hit Hezbollah targets near the Masnaa crossing, and earlier claimed the group was using it to smuggle weapons into Lebanon.

People continued to make the journey across the border on foot, with pictures showing families clambering over rubble to leave the country.

The federal government on Monday, September 30, released N122 billion to six promoters for different gas projects in the country.

The  government through the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF)signed agreements with the companies namely: Asiko Energy Holdings Limited AEHL), FEMADEC Energy Limited,  Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC), Nail Oil and Gas Limited, Rolling Energy Limited, and Topline Limited.

Speaking after the signing ceremony in Abuja,, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo said the government is committing the N122 billion through the MDGIF to assist in the deployment of gas across Nigeria.

His words: “We needed to hear you speak to Nigerians because today the federal government through MDGIF is committing 122 billion Naira into the hands of the six investors, to help in the dissemination of gas to all sectors of the country.”

He said the release of N122billiom will not be the last as the Fund is screening another set of investors for gas development.

Ekpo described gas as a cleaner energy needed to save the environment.

He said the benefitting investors were the first to sign agreements for the projects since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA)

He urged the companies to live up to the expectations of the agreements they signed.

The minister said, “For those who did not make up the first six, we will make up the second one. But go home and put your records in and of course, this is the first since the passing of the PIA 2021. This is the first signing. And we expect you to live up to expectations.”

The three types of agreements were Joint Operating Agreements, Equity Contribution Agreements, and Joint Venture Account Agreements.

Meanwhile, the MDGIF Executive Director, Mr Oluwole Adama said the PIA established the fund intending to increase the domestic consumption of natural gas in Nigeria.

He said the “projects which are financed partly by these project promoters seated across, encouraging private investment through risk-sharing by participating initially in selective high-risk projects.”

He added that agreements were also about equity investment that encouraged investment in midstream, downstream, and gas infrastructure.

The pacts, according to him, were designed to reduce, gas flare.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, says the Federal Government has procured 12 aircrafts for Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in the last one year.

Abubakar stated this at the Air War Course 10/2024 graduation ceremony of the Air Force War College Nigeria, on Friday in Makurdi.

He said the federal  government deployed the newly acquired platforms to the Service between September 2023 and September 2024, adding that the NAF was expecting to take delivery of more platforms in the coming months.

“In line with the Federal Government’s resolve to adequately equip the Nigerian Air Force for the safe conduct of training and agile airpower employment to meet the nation’s security challenges, it is indeed gladdening to note that, between the last Air War Course graduation in September last year and today, we have taken delivery of 12 new platforms.

“These include fout Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft; two King Air 360 light transport aircraft, 4 x  T-129 ATAK helicopters and 2 x Agusta Westland 109 Trekker.

“Moving forward, the NAF is poised to take delivery of 24 x M-346 fighter aircraft6 and 10 additional Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from Italy.

“Others are 3 x CASA 295 transport aircraft from Spain and 12 x AH-1Z Vipper helicopters from the United States,” he said

According to Abubakar, the Service in snergy with other sister agencies has the capacity to confront diverse security challenges in the country.

“To this end, while we augment our airpower measures and approaches, we will promote seamless interoperability of equipment and joint force employment by the services.

“Therefore, I expect you all to cooperate with other services and security agencies because this is crucial to meet the high expectations of Nigerians on us, to restore peace and security and ensure a safe and prosperous nation,” he said.

The air chief tasked the graduates to remain relentless in the pursuit of knowledge, true to the core values of integrity, selflessness service and excellence.

He lauded President Bola Tinubu for his continued support to the Service, adding that, “we are determined to restore peace in the country”.

Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Abubakar, said the nation was currently facing multifaceted security challenges which threatened peace, unity and prosperity.

Represented by Dr Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abubakar enjoind the Armed Forces to provide innovative and proactive methods to combat security challenges in the country.

“As we gather here today, our nation faces multifaceted security challenges which threaten our peace, unity, and prospentty. Therefore, we need innovative and proactive methods to combat the rise of these violent non-state actors, asymmetric warfare, and complex security threats.

“The Nigerian Air Force has been at the forefront in addressing these challenges, and your training at this esteemed institution has equipped you with the necessary skills to contribute to this effort.” he said

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The Commandant of the College, AVM Adebayo Kehinde said that 26 participants graduated after a nine months study programme.

Kehinde said the graduates comprised 17 representatives of the NAF, two each from the Nigeria Navy and Nigerian Army, two from the National Defence College, one from the Ghana Air Force and two from the Cameroon Air Force, respectively.

According to Kahinde, the next round course billed to begin in January 2025, will have representatives from five additional countries.

Highlight of the event featured presentation of certificates to the graduates by the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Abubakar.

(NAN)

The Committee on Consequential Adjustment in Salaries Arising from the National Minimum Wage Act, 2024, has reached an agreement on the consequential salary adjustments for public sector employees. 

The Committee, formed a week ago, has finalised the terms of the new salary structure, a crucial step toward the full implementation of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024.

The agreement specifies the following percentage increases in salary adjustments across different grade levels under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), which applies to federal ministries, extra-ministerial offices, and agencies: CONPSS 01-06: 80.81% to 64.73% increase; CONPSS 07-14: 45.59% to 19.35% increase and CONPSS 15-17: 14.35% to 4.41% increase.

These adjustments mark a critical shift in the salary structure, designed to alleviate the financial challenges faced by federal employees, especially amid the ongoing economic strains following the rise in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices.

In addition to the adjustments under CONPSS, the Committee has tasked the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) with developing salary templates for other consolidated salary structures across the federal workforce. 

This decision aims to ensure a consistent and equitable salary review for all public service employees affected by the new minimum wage law.

The Committee agreed that the effective date for the implementation of the new salary adjustments is July 29, 2024.

Moreover, it was resolved that the wage award granted under NSIWC Circular SWC.94T33, issued on October 19, 2023, should continue to be paid until July 28, 2024. 

This decision ensures that federal workers receive continued financial support during the transitional period before the new adjustments come into effect.

Recognizing the impact of the recent hike in PMS prices on federal workers, the Committee called on the Federal Government to introduce measures aimed at alleviating the resulting financial burden. 

Among the suggested measures are tax waivers and other financial incentives, which would provide much-needed relief to employees facing increased living costs.

The Committee also emphasized the need for the NSIWC, in collaboration with other key stakeholders, to commence monitoring of the implementation of the salary adjustments in line with the provisions of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Read Also: FG takes delivery of NLG-converted NRC locomotive

The Committee, chaired by Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), comprises 16 members—eight representing the Federal Government and eight from the Trade Union side. 

The Committee held four comprehensive meetings where they reviewed presentations from both the Federal Government and Trade Union representatives.

During its deliberations, the Committee examined the economic situation and the federal government’s capacity to fund and sustain the salary adjustments. 

Consideration was also given to the potential impact of these adjustments on other employers and sectors of the economy. 

The final agreement reflects a balanced approach aimed at addressing workers’ welfare while ensuring the government can meet its financial obligations.

 The federal government on Thursday, September 19, took delivery of the converted Nigeria Railway Corporation’s (NRC) locomotive which runs on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and diesel.

The retrofitted locomotive is a Public-Private Partnership project with De-Sadel Consortium.

Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali made the disclosure during the final test run of the retrofitted locomotive from the Idu Train Terminal to the Kubwa Train Station in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Alkali said: “To God be the glory; the locomotive is successfully retrofitted. It is using LNG 70 percent and diesel 30 percent.

“The retrofit will enable the engines to work on a dual-fuel system with the locomotive running on 70 percent gas and 30 percent diesel.

“The idea is that by the time you use LNG 70 percent, the cost of running the locomotive will drastically reduce.

“There was a presidential directive that all ministries, departments and agencies to transit from petroleum and diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and LNG”.

He said that the desire of President Bola Tinubu by the conversion from diesel to gas was to bring down the cost of transportation in the country.

“Transportation is the gateway of the nation’s economy. By the time the cost of transportation is low, obviously inflation will drop”, he said.

On the partnership with De-Sadel, Alkali said that the ministry has been engaging with investors to boost the lot of the ministry.

“Immediately when I took over as the minster of transportation, the ministry was open to investors.

“De-Sadel approached the ministry that they are going to retrofit all our locomotives for 70 percent LNG and 30 percent diesel.

“Today, the locomotive is successfully retrofitted. We are riding on the locomotive”.

He further said that the idea of retrofitting was to unbundle the Nigerian Railway Corporation adding that already, the National Assembly has started the process of unbundling the NRC Act through repeal and reenactment.

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“This is so that we allow private investors to come and invest in all our rail corridors”.

The Chief Executive Officer, De-Sadel Consortium, Samuel Uko, said “We will sustain the project,  All the Nigerian Railway Corporation locomotives will be converted to run on LNG.

He said NRC and his company have a 20-years agreement in place.

“Running the locomotives with LNG will reduce inflation in the country because, with LNG, we can crash the price of transportation by 50 percent.”

The Federal Government  through the Department of Weights and Measures under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, has launched a national monitoring operation in an attempt to safeguard consumers from goods with fraudulent measurements.

The agency was set up to make sure that establishments weigh and measure goods precisely so that Nigerian customers wouldn’t be undercharged for weights and dimensions that they pay for.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in Ijora and Olam Agri in Iganmu were visited by the department on Wednesday as part of a routine surveillance exercise in Lagos State.

Adesuyi Olajide, the department’s director and a fellow of the Security Institute, and Mrs. Cordelis Nwachukwu, the state zonal coordinator, oversaw the inspection, which produced positive results for both organizations’ adherence to legal requirements.

According to Olajide, the operation, which got underway in Abuja, is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which aims to shield Nigerians from being taken advantage of by manufacturers and dealers who use erroneous measurements.

He said: “The government wants to make sure that Nigerians get value for their money, especially during this escalating price of materials. If you’re buying 10 litres, the government wants to ensure you get exactly 10 litres.

“The government is concerned about the protection of consumers so that nobody can shortchange them. The government does not want any sector of the economy to shortchange consumers. This is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

“Another reason for this surveillance is regulatory compliance. We inspect unannounced to check what they are doing and ensure they comply with the regulations in place. This surveillance covers all states of the federation. We started in Abuja last week. This week we are in Lagos, and after this, we will visit Ogun State.”

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 Nwachukwu underscored that the department would keep stepping up its efforts to make sure customers aren’t taken advantage of or undervalued through unfair and misleading measures.

“Anywhere you see weights, instruments, or equipment for measuring transactions, we are there. The Abuja office visits us for inspection to ensure that we do what we are meant to do and for checks and balances.

“We inspect hotels such as the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja. They purchase items from people, and their laundry services also use measurements. We checked the weight they used.

“We inspect fish markets and filling stations where products are sold by measurement. We ensure they are not using their scales and equipment to cheat Nigerians. We are ensuring fairness in trade,” she stated.

The Nigerian government announced major energy sector reforms designed to address the energy needs of 100 million people at the inaugural US-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue.

The reforms include five new presidential directives aimed at reducing the cost and time required to contract gas projects, alongside the launch of a $550 million upstream gas project to strengthen the country’s gas industry.

Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Verheijen, unveiled the initiatives during a luncheon hosted by the U.S. State Department.

The Dialogue, initiated in June 2023, is focused on fostering U.S.-Nigeria cooperation to advance shared goals of energy security and climate action.

According to a statement issued by Morenike Adewunmi, the contact person, Stakeholder Management, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, the forum offers a platform for government officials and private sector leaders from both countries to collaborate on pressing energy challenges.

Verheijen said: “Nigeria’s energy reforms are centred on creating a robust regulatory framework to attract investment, particularly in gas production for power generation, transportation, and clean cooking. The goal is to close the energy access gap for 100 million Nigerians who still lack reliable power. This dialogue allows us to align with partners and ensure targeted collaboration with tangible outcomes.”

Key reforms introduced since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took office in June 2023 include measures to enhance the gas-to-power value chain, improve cash flow in electricity distribution, and reduce carbon emissions from gas production.

Verheijen noted that five new presidential directives have been issued to streamline contracting for gas projects, cutting both costs and time, adding that these reforms aim to unlock up to $2.5 billion in oil and gas investments.

In addition to regulatory changes, a $550 million upstream gas project has been launched, which is expected to produce 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

Verheijen expressed optimism about Nigeria’s energy future, particularly the role of gas as a transition fuel in meeting climate goals.

“We see resilient demand for gas through the energy transition. It’s an available, cost-effective backup to renewables and cuts emissions by half,” she said.

Read Also: FG trains auto technicians on petrol to CNG vehicle conversion in Ekiti

Geoffrey R. Pyatt, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources, underscored the importance of the dialogue in advancing shared objectives.

“Together, we’re strengthening energy security, decarbonization, and economic growth,” Pyatt remarked.

The Nigerian delegation, led by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo, included key officials from the energy sector, while the U.S. delegation featured representatives from USAID, the Department of Energy, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

The event also marked the launch of the Clean Energy Alliance of Nigeria (CLEAN), a U.S.-backed initiative designed to promote investment in Nigeria’s clean energy sector.