The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Monday received the report of the Review Committee of the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON), with a pledge to immediately kick-start the process of making the regulatory body a reality.
The 29-member committee, comprising members of the various Guilds and Associations in the Nigerian film industry as well as representatives of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) and National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), was inaugurated on April 12, this year, to enable Nollywood, as the film industry is called, set up a self-regulatory structure.
Speaking after he was handed the reviewed document by the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the Minister thanked the committee members for a job well done.
“Let me sincerely thank the members of the committee for their hard work over the past several months. In particular, I commend their selfless service. I sincerely hope that their sacrifice and hard work will yield fruits by leading to the establishment of MOPICON.
“We will critically look at the reviewed draft document, which you have handed over to us, and we will immediately kick-start the process of making MOPICON a reality for the benefit of the movie industry,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed used the opportunity of the report’s submission to clear the air on the controversy that followed the inauguration of the review committee on 12 April 2016, saying the government has no hidden agenda and will not be part of anything that will stifle the growth of the burgeoning industry
“I have followed the debate that ensued among the stakeholders in the aftermath of the inauguration of the Review Committee. Some argued that the government has no business in helping Nollywood to set up a self-regulatory structure, while others are of the contrary opinion.
Let me re-state what I said at the inauguration of this committee on April 12th 2016, that in line with our overall responsibility for the nation’s information, culture and tourism policies, our role in helping to set up MOPICON is simply to enable Nollywood to play meaningful roles in national development.
“Again, one of the ways we think we can tackle frontally the many challenges militating against professional and career fulfillment in the movie industry is to have a central body we can always refer to in decisions aimed at improving and modernizing the motion picture industry.
“Also, government’s interest in the setting up of MOPICON is driven by the fact that we at the supervising ministry need to work with a formidable representative group that is empanelled to lobby for the growth, development and welfare of the industry and its practitioners as well as make for a better organized and more visible and vibrant Nollywood industry,” he said.
In her remarks, Ms Anyim-Osigwe said members of the committee were unanimous in their decision to support the establishment of MOPICON.
“What we come to understand and appreciate is that a council of some sorts is required in order to make this industry work. How this council will operate, we have advised,” she said.
She said in drafting the report, they have taken into consideration all shades of opinions from the stakeholders in the industry who offered their input on the setting up of MOPICON.
“In this document, we have taken cognizance all the guilds and associations and we have also taken into cognizance all the uproar in the media about the MOPICON and what it stands for and the misconception of what it is,” the committee Chairperson said.
The report submitted to the Minister contained the Review Act, Code of Ethics Review and the Report of the Committee’s Proceedings.
Tag: minister
-
MOPICON: Committee submits review document to Minister
-
Our embassies national embarrassment, says Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyema, has described Nigerian embassies as a national embarrassment.The Minister painted a gloomy picture of the embassies while defending the N14.6 billion virement request his ministry made to the National Assembly.He told the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation that the virement should be approved to bail out the embassies.“Most of you should be aware because you have visited some of the embassies. The situation is a national embarrassment. The situation is bad, it is horrible and should be addressed. School fees are not paid. In some cases electric bills are not paid. It is actually a national embarrassment,” the minister stated.A member of the committee added that he visited France recently to learn that the local staff were being owed salaries for eight months.The committee wanted the minister to confirm that if approved, the virement would address the problems of the embassies.Onyema said that the fund would go a long way in addressing the problems of the embassies.He requested that the budget of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be denominated in dollar to prevent the issue of fluctuation of the Naira.The Budget and National Office objected to the request saying that such denomination of the budget in dollar would create problem for budgeting process.Onyema was also asked what his ministry does with the money embassies make from visa application and others.The minister said that the money is usually remitted to the consolidated revenue fund of the country. -
Minister appeals to lecturers to shelve action
Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to rescind its decision to embark on a nationwide warning strike.
Ngige, in a statement last night, said the union should give the President Muhammadu Buhari administration an opportunity to discuss contending issues arising from the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) it reached with the past administration.
The minister said: “The claims of nationwide consultations by ASUU cannot be true as the Ministry of Labour and Employment, which is the chief conciliator of industrial relations disputes, is yet to receive a direct petition from ASUU against the Federal Government, who is the jurisdictional employer.”
The statement signed by the ministry’s Deputy Director (Press), Samuel Olowokere, emphasised the need for proper re-negotiation of the agreement, which ASUU reached with the previous administrations through a clear channel of social dialogue, starting with its immediate employer, the Ministry of Education, and the Labour Ministry.
It explained that in view of the prevailing circumstances, the issuance of warning strike by ASUU was unconstitutional as the body was yet to exhaust the conflict resolution mechanisms clearly mapped out in the labour laws.
The minister appealed to ASUU to give the present administration the opportunity to address its grievances, which stemmed from the inactions of the past administration. -
Minister: enabling environment panacea for economic growth
Minister of State, Industry, Trade & Investment Aisha Abubakar has stressed that establishment of conducive operating environment is a panacea to economic growth.
She said government has acknowledged the role of local and foreign investment in lifting the economy out of doldrums and was channeling efforts to ensure ease of doing business.
The Minister, who was at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Investment Conference themed: “Positioning the Nigeria Economy for Diversification and Sustainable Growth”, said government has embarked on the review of limiting factors, including incentives and tariff, stunted growth of the small and medium scale enterprises, cementing infrastructural gaps and creating economic free zones among others.
Mrs. Abubakar said: “Under the current administration, it behooves on us to come together and articulate pragmatic strategies that will arrest the obstacles that hinder developmental efforts. The administration has continued with the Nigerian Industrial Revolution plan as a strategy to drive the economy.”
She appealed to private sector players on periodical engagements to attune themselves to initiatives of government on the ease of doing business.
The minister observed that contributions from the private sector were not only necessary, but were imperative to assist government with policies to create an enabling environment to promote sustainable growth and economic development in Nigeria.
Speaking on policy environment for private sector-led market, Director International & Bilateral Relations, EU Mr. John Clarke advised the country to key into the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) pact to successfully drive the government’s diversification campaign.
-
Minister warns on risky lifestyles to curb stroke
Health Minister Prof. Isaac Adewole has expressed concern about the high rate of stroke in the country.
He linked tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, drug abuse, increased patronage of fast food outlets and sedentary lifestyles leading to obesity for the alarming increase of the ailment.
The minister, who was represented by the ministry’s Chief Epediomologist, Dr. Sani Gwarzo, gave this warning in Abuja at the weekend at the Fifth Nigeria Stroke Assembly as part of activities to commemorate the 2016 World Stroke Day.
Adewole noted that such unhealthy behaviour predisposes one to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and stroke, adding that the disease contributes significantly to adult morbidity and mortality as well as imposing a heavy socio-economic burden on individuals, societies and the health system.
He stressed that stroke affects the highly productive population, aggravating poverty and amplifying social inequality.
The minister said the estimated mortality from stroke in Nigeria was 40-50 per cent within the first three months of diagnostics.
Adewole noted that a facility-based study showed that 39 per cent of those who survived stroke after three months died within 12 months and 12 per cent developed severe disability.
He reaffirmed that it was in recognition of the nature, magnitude and severity of NCDs, including stroke and challenges posed by these diseases that the ministry established the NCDs control programme in 1989.
The ministry, he said, had been able to carry out some strategic programmes to mitigate the adverse effects of the major NCDs, including stroke.
Assuring that government will continue to show commitment to the management of stroke and NCDs, he said there was need to synergise efforts in reducing stroke and improve the management and care for people with stroke.
He, however, urged development partners, private sector, pharmaceutical industries, civil society organisations, media, traditional, religious and opinion leaders to collaborate for the successful prevention and management of stroke and other NCDs.
-
Minister bemoans domestic violence
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has expressed dismay over the high prevalence of domestic violence in the Federal Capital Territory, saying such unfortunate incidents should have no place in the nation’s capital.
The minister made this known when the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) led by the Regional Vice President for Africa, Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu paid him a visit.
Bello who stated that the FCT has one of the highest incidences of domestic violence in the country according to available data, said the FCT Administration has been using its Social Development Secretariat, the Office of the Vice President as well as some of the NGOs around to bring the issue to the fore so that people can understand its ills to the society.
He said, “We realised that based on the available data, the FCT appears to be among those states where the prevalence was quite high. So, we have been using our Social Development Secretariat and the Office of the Vice President and some of the NGOs around to try to see how we can discuss more about it with the intention of reducing such bizarre situation.”
Bello called on FIDA to help reach out to the grassroots through discussions and advocacy visits to enlighten them on the dangers of domestic violence.
The Minister also harped on the need for out of court resolution of land disputes in the Federal Capital Territory, saying residents should be encouraged to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to save money and time.
He said, “As much as possible, we will like you to encourage people to look at alternative ways of resolving land disputes because at the end of the day, everybody wins and the city wins more, because development is accelerated.”
The Minister added, “For us as a city, any plot of land allocated and not developed does not add value to us because any development you do, there is a chain of multiplier effect within the society and the economy, because you will generate employment and create business transactions. At the end of the day, a family stays in a home or an office is created.”
Bello further called for a change of attitude towards traffic laws in Abuja; wondering why anybody of sane mind would want to drive against the traffic in the FCT for instance, stressing, “that is simply dangerous to the person driving as well as to other citizens, and we would like FIDA to communicate these to the people”.
The minister expressed delight over the upcoming African Regional Conference of FIDA in Abuja, saying, the FCT Administration will give all necessary backing to ensure a successful continental event.
He noted that it is always a thing of joy for Abuja to host events of such magnitude for the very prospect of showcasing the beauty and potentials of the Territory to the wider world.
”We always feel very proud in Abuja to host international events of the type you are preparing to hold, because it’s an opportunity for us to showcase the city to the wider world and to be able to interact with people from other nations, so that at least we try to see areas we can benefit from. I know that this particular conference is going to host your members from across the African continent and that also makes it more interesting, because you are bringing people that are nearer to us,” the Minister emphasised.
The FIDA Regional Vice President for Africa, Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu who was supported by the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee, Victoria Fumilayo-Awomolo (SAN) said they were in FCTA to solicit for the support of the Administration to host this continental conference.
Fumilayo-Awomolo lauded the minister for the uncommon achievements of his Administration despite the economic hardship the country is passing through; saying that the minister has been able to change the trend of events in the territory.
-
Biafra clamour illegal, says minister
•Igbo leaders: respect Igbo, release Kanu
Those clamouring for a Republic of Biafra are doing so without the mandate of Igbo people. Besides, they are carrying out an illegal activity, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama said at the weekend
He advised the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to adopt laid down constitutional and diplomatic processes in their demand, rather than engaging in an illegal approach.
He said though it was their fundamental right to clamour for Biafra, “they should be rational and not emotional in going about it”.
Onyeama said there is a democratic structure in Nigeria and there exist the Senate and the House of Representatives “and only your representatives in the National Assembly can raise the issue of referendum regarding the sovereign state of Biafra”.
Besides, he posited that those leading the agitation “are not speaking for Ndigbo, as they do not have the mandate of the Igbo race to do so.” He urged them to embrace dialogue rather than violence.
The minister spoke with reporters in Enugu after a stakeholders/caucus meeting of the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Onyeama urged those spearheading the breakaway project to critically look at the rules governing secession.
He called on Nigerians, particularly those from Southeast to keep supporting the Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government, stressing that the administration had the capacity to tackle the challenges facing the nation.
According to him, the administration is set to address the present economic recession.
The convener of the meeting and Enugu State chairman of the APC, Dr. Ben Nwoye, assured the national leadership of the APC that the state chapter was highly committed to wresting power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State in 2019.
He said political structures were being oiled and strengthened at all levels in the state and called on true democrats and progressives to embrace the party so as to enthrone a better Enugu state in the next political dispensation.
Nwoye urged Nigerians to exercise some patience with the Federal Government, as it makes frantic efforts towards stabilising the economy, damaged by the past PDP led administration.
At the meeting were Special Adviser to President Buhari on Judiciary Reforms Mrs Juliet Ibekaku, Ambassador-designate Major General Chris Eze, (rtd) and members of the state Working Committee, among others.
Also at the weekend, Igbo leaders called for the restructuring of the country to give Igbo nation a sense of belonging.
According to him, Ndigbo have made some of the biggest sacrifices and contributions for the development modern Nigeria and should be given a pride of place to operate freely as equal citizens without discrimination.
The Igbo leaders also called for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and others, saying what they are agitating for did not constitute threat to the peace.
Speaking after a three-day 2016 World Igbo Summit held at the Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, the leaders condemned the destructive activities of Fulani herdsmen and urged governors and the lawmakers in Igbo states to enact laws prohibiting open grazing in Igbo land.
They made their position known in a communiqué issued at the end of the summit.
They urged Ndigbo to take full responsibility for the rebuilding of Igbo economy and development.
The communiqué, which was signed by Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Col. Joe Achuzie, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chief Francis Ojih, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prof George Obiozor, Dr Greg Ike Ibe, Iyom Josephine and Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, called on Southeast governors to form a Joint Commission for the development of their areas.
The communiqué, which was read by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, resolved that “since Biafran agitators are no threat to national security, the Federal Government should promptly release Nnamdi Kanu and all other prisoners of conscience in line with the rule of law”.
“Ndigbo have made the biggest sacrifice and contributions to the building of the modern Nigeria and insist that henceforth will work for a nation where the Igbo are allowed to live and operate as equal citizens without any discrimination, bias or intimidation.”
“That the 1999 Constitution should be repealed and a new one enacted that will recognise the inalienable right of each constituent group to self-determination and Regional autonomy as enshrined in the 1960 Independence Constitution and 1963 Republican Constitution”.
“Ndigbo hereby resolve to take full responsibility for the rebuilding of the Igbo economy and development of Ala-Igbo and hereby shall adopt the digital economy as the organising paradigm and implementation framework for the sustainable development of Alaigbo.”
“That in line with the recent resolution of the Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly, the National Assembly and State Assemblies should legislate the prohibition of nomadic grazing by herdsmen and the establishment of grazing reserves and ranches with public funds. We therefore call on the National Assembly to oppose the grazing bill in both chambers”.
“That in view of the threat by the Fulani herdsmen which constitute present and imminent danger to peace and security in Igboland, the Igbo Governors and the States Assemblies should immediately legislate against any form of open grazing in Igbo land”.
“The South East Governors should establish a Joint Commission for development of Ala-Igbo and be supportive of good Igbo initiatives”.
“That Igbo Political leadership (elected and appointed) must act in the best interest of Ndiigbo and be prepared to be held accountable by the people for all their actions and inactions”.
“That the principles of Igbo Social Justice–Akulue uno, Eziokwubundu, Onyeaghana-nwaneya, Igwebuike, Ezi-afaka-ego, Egbe-bere-ugo-bere, Ako n’uche, nwanyi-bu-ife, ntorobia bu-Ike Obodo would be fully applied in our interactions among Ndiigbo and our neighbours”.
“That the contributions of the NdiIgbo in the Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia etc, to the achievement of our vision and committed to sharing their aspirations and challenges, is recognized and we encourage them to think home and invest at home”.
-
Fed Govt to acquire two more satellites at $550m, says minister
The Federal Government said at the weekend that negotiations have reached an advanced stage to procure two additional satellites for the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) at the cost of $550 million.
Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu said the Federal Government’s team would secure funding for the satellites through a non-interest facility from a consortium of Chinese financial institutions.
He said the procurement of SAT2 and SAT3 was necessary, considering the fact that Nigeria was losing billions of dollars every year because it had only one satellite in the orbit.
He likened the situation to a car travelling from Abuja to Lagos without an extra tyre, describing the risk involved as enormous.
“Nigerian companies and government agencies are patronising foreign satellite firms as a result of this risk for the safety of their data and security of other services provided by them, thereby exporting jobs to other countries at the detriment of Nigerians,” the minister said.
The minister spoke while presenting a three-page communique issued at the end of a weeklong Fourth Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications held at Arewa House, Kaduna.
He told reporters that the council recommended that “stakeholders, including state governments, should henceforth purchase satellite bandwidth requirements from NIGCOMSAT Ltd only”.
The minister said the council received a total of 76 memoranda, of which 65 were considered while it endorsed the Nigeria ICT Roadmap 2016-2019 as well as the National ICT Strategic Plan 2016-2024 for implementation.
Shittu added that the council recommended the adoption and implementation of the e-Governance Masterplan and the creation of states computer emergency response teams as measures to mitigate cyber security threats.
His words: “The council encouraged members from the states to adopt the implementation of the digital jobs initiative in their respective domains as a means of leveraging the opportunities for alternative income presented to Nigerian youths across the country.
“It recommends creation of innovative hubs and ICT centres to accelerate the diversification of the Nigerian economy.
“It encouraged federal, states and local governments to set up digital centres as a means of promoting ICT capacity-building and recommended digital literacy as a minimum requirement for employment and promotion in the public service and for implantation to be done in phases.”
The minister noted that other issues considered by the councils were that it advised government at all levels to digitise their records and adopt only Nigeria software in the process.
It further recommended that federal and state governments henceforth comply with the provision of the guidelines for Nigerian content in ICT.
He said states should establish their State Information Technology Development Agency (SITDA).
The minister added that the implementation of CCTV projects on security on highways should also be used for traffic management.
-
Minister: ‘We are recalibrating efforts to end polio’
The Federal Government has re-strategised and doubled efforts to end polio, Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole has said.
He spoke at a meeting with Rotary leaders at Rotary International World headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, United States where they discussed the government’s response to the recent polio outbreaks in Borno State.
He said the government was determined to rid the country of polio, adding that it was worrisome that the new cases of polio has put back Nigeria on the list of countries where the disease is endemic.
“The new cases devastated us. Even one case is unacceptable. It’s very unfortunate we are in this position, but we are recalibrating our efforts to end this disease, we consider this situation a national emergency.” Adewole said.
He said Nigeria, with the help of Rotary and its polio partners, has begun a large-scale immunisation to reach 60 million children by December adding that Rotary has released $8.5 million to support the response in high-risk areas and parts of the Lake Chad Basin.
Adewole said neighbouring countries, including Cameroun, Central African Republic, Chad, and Niger, were also coordinating vaccinations to protect their polio-free status.
To checkmate the resurgence of polio, he said Nigeria in collaboration with the countries in the Lake Chad Basin, was conducting a “ringed fence” immunisation along the countries’ borders to protect children from the polio virus.
“We can’t do this alone, working with the other countries is crucial to the overall polio eradication in Africa.” he added.
Adewole affirmed that it would take sustained efforts for Nigeria to be removed from the list again. He said that government has allocated significant resources for the emergency response on polio.
“Polio eradication is about national pride and honour, we will not let our citizens or the world down,” Adewole concluded.
-
Minister to police: remove roadblocks
To reduce traffic bottlenecks in Abuja metropolis, the police have been urged to remove the remaining road barricades around some of its formations in the Federal Capital City since the security situation has tremendously improved.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, gave this charge in his office when the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, AIG Salisu Abdullahi Mohammed Fagge paid him a courtesy call as part of his familiarization tour of FCT Police Command.
The Minister said that other members of the security community in the FCT have since taken measures to remove or to reduce their road barricades and therefore the police should do the needful to further improve vehicular movement.
Bello urged the police and other security agencies in the Territory to take the knotty issue of traffic indiscipline more seriously; stressing that Abuja must remain the pacesetter in the country since it is the only city that is a product of law in Nigeria.
He also urged the police high command to direct the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to as a matter of priority stop the activities of commercial motorcyclists and scavengers in their areas of jurisdictions; in addition to restricting the movement of Keke Napep to the estates.
The Minister said that this responsibility should not be left to the Task Force alone, as it is equally the primary responsibility of the Police to fight crime in whatever form.
“One of my greatest concerns in running the city and the Territory is traffic indiscipline by motorists, the use of motorcycles (okada) within the city and the use of the tricycle popularly called Keke Napep in unapproved areas,” the Minister emphasised.
He said, “My appeal to you is to direct all your DPOs, since every area is under somebody. Direct them that motorcycles and keke Napep are not allowed within so and so areas of Abuja. We also have these scavengers. They are not allowed by our laws.”
Bello also directed the security agents to closely monitor activities in uncompleted buildings to ensure that only the security guard employed by the owner is staying in such places.
While asking the police to encourage community policing in the Territory, the Minister noted that monitoring of uncompleted buildings would go a long way to assist in always nipping in the bud any criminal activity at its embryo stage.
Malam Bello thus, called for deployment of more Police personnel into the Federal Capital Territory to ensure that Abuja, which is the window in which the world sees Nigeria, is better policed.
His words: “More people move into the Federal Capital Territory on a daily basis and some hardly go back, therefore we need more police personnel to man the city”.
He promised to continue to support all the security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory to perform their statutory duties as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I want to use this medium to thank the Police Force most sincerely for the support that we have always enjoyed. There is no doubt that policing in the FCT is something that is very important by virtue of Abuja being the seat of government of the federation and where we host the President and the diplomatic community”, he added.
Speaking earlier, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, AIG Salisu Abdullahi Mohammed Fagge said that he was deployed to the zone last month and from the briefs he has been receiving the FCT Police Command has been doing very well.
He assured that the Police would be proactive in their approach to the policing of the citizenry and appreciated the support the FCT police command has been receiving from the FCT Administration.
The Nigeria Police Force zone 7 comprises the Federal Capital Territory, Niger and Kaduna states.