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Tag: Nigeria News

  • NCC seizes 28 containers of pirated works – Official

    NCC seizes 28 containers of pirated works – Official

    The Nigerian Copyright Commission ( NCC ), says 28 shipping containers comprising pirated books and audio-visual works were confiscated from 2011 to the first quarter of 2017.

    Mr. Afam Ezekude, the Director General of the NCC, said this during the signing of signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCC and the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ), on collaborative anti-piracy operations at the nation’s ports and borders, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Mr Hameed Ali, Comptroller General of NCS signed on behalf of the service.

    Ezekude who lauded the NSC’s role in the seizure, said that the NCS remained its crucial ally in the commission’s anti-piracy drive.

    “This MoU is a step in the right direction as it has formally set in motion synergised efforts between us in our fight against piracy.

    “Movements of pirated works at border points through the air, sea and land, will henceforth be checked effectively.

    “This development has further reiterated our zero-tolerance stand against any means through which pirated works enter the Nigeria market,” he said.

    In his remark, the CG of NCS, Hameed Ali, said that since the organisations were involved in enforcement of government policies, there was need for them to work closely for effective delivery on their mandates.

    He therefore urged NCC to provide relevant expertise training on copyrights to officers of the NCS for them to be more effective in their hunt for pirated creative work at ports and borders.

    “We have realized that we need each other to work more effectively, and this MoU will help in achieving that goal.

    “However, there is need for relevant training for our officers so that they can identify pirated products from the original ones at the ports”, he said.

    The MoU which is for three years is subject to renewal thereafter.

    According to the chief executives, the MoU is to formalise and strengthen the inter-agency collaboration between the two organisations, and to explore further ways to collectively curb importation of pirated works into the country.

    NAN

  • FUNAAB VC supports calls for economic diversification via agriculture

    FUNAAB VC supports calls for economic diversification via agriculture

    Prof. Felix Salako, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta ( FUNAAB ), has voiced support for the growing calls for the diversification of the nation’s economy through agriculture.

    Salako expressed the support in a statement signed by Dr Linda Onwuka, Head of Directorate of Public Relations of the university, which was given on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The statement said that Salako spoke at the opening of the facilitation and communication skills training programme for agricultural extension agents on the university campus.

    It said the vice-chancellor described agriculture as a sustainable tool for national development and urged trainees, who were receiving training under the Agricultural Development Programmes ( ADPs ) of states, to be change catalysts.

    “The young people I see here today are the new generation of extension officers; they will be catalysts in efforts to push the nation forward, using agriculture as an alternative to crude oil export.

    “It is dawning on everybody that we are running into trouble with oil. What may even make oil more useless is the fact that people are already thinking of alternative sources of energy, even for running cars.

    “So, this training could not have come at a better time than now,” the statement quoted Salako as saying.

    It said that the vice-chancellor expressed the readiness of the university to collaborate with other bodies to strengthen the skills of agricultural workers, particularly extension services agents.

    “We are ready to strengthen the skills of extension agents, using participatory and adult-learning methodology, to enhance timely and sustained supply of cassava root by small and medium scale farmers.

    “We are confident that the completion of the course will make the participants better and help in building their capacity to facilitate effective facilitation and communication with farmers.

    “As extension officers, you need to step up your roles in contributing to the development of our nation. You need to develop good relationship with farmers and subsequently use these skills to connect yourself.

    “One thing that has come to the fore these days is that farmers do not trust agriculturists anymore. You must be ready to convince the farmer to even listen to you.

    “So, you need a lot of efforts to be able to convince farmers about innovations,’’ Salako was quoted as saying.

    The statement said that Salako stressed that the training was apt, while the approach to engage both extension agents of the state ADPs and procurement executives of cassava-processing factories would definitely achieve the desired results.

    Also, Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Country Manager of Cassava: Adding Value for Africa II (CAVA II), said in the statement that the inconsistency in the supply of raw materials was a major and critical factor affecting the survival of large scale industries.

    Sanni, who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) Designate of FUNAAB, reportedly said that sourcing cassava raw materials required a lot of effort.

    “We are aware that you have different locations where you source for raw materials but at present, there are some issues we have itemised in the last two years.

    “The major problem is that the farmers themselves have informed us that some of the extension officers or procurement officers are delaying their payments.

    “This is attitudinal and that’s why we decided to bring in a consultant that will interact with you on facilitation, communication and sustainable engagements,’’ the statement quoted Sanni as saying.

    NAN

  • Wizkid, Mary Njoku, 3 others for Future Awards

    Wizkid, Mary Njoku, 3 others for Future Awards

    Ayo “ Wizkid ’’ Balogun, Mary Njoku, Amaka Osakwe and Iyin Aboyeji are nominees for “The Future Awards Africa, the continent’s highly-coveted “Young Person of the Year’’ Award, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

    The award, at which Silas Adekunle, Chief Executive Officer of Reach Robotics will be recognised, has the theme, “Nigeria’s New Tribe’’, and will hold on Dec. 9 at the Federal Place Hotel, Lagos.

    Bukunyi Olateru-Olagbegi, Chairman, Central Working Committee, The Future Awards Africa ( TFAA ), said it was to celebrate and accelerate innovation among Nigerians aged 18 to 31.

    She said that the TFAA acknowledges inspiring young people making a difference through social enterprise, social good and creativity.

    Olateru-Olagbegi noted that the award was presented in conjunction with The Future Project which has a mandate to build and empower citizens across Africa, through inclusive enterprise and active citizenship.

    TFAA is regarded as the “Nobel Prize for Young Africans’’, and the “most important youth awards’’ by Forbes.

    It has produced over 150 winners and over 1,550 nominees since its first edition in 2006.

    Olateru-Olagbegi, anlaysing how the nominees emerged, said that arguably, Nigeria’s most influential artiste this year, Wizkid released one of the biggest albums of the year, “Sounds from the other Side’’.

    “He recorded ‘One Dance’ with Canadian superstar, Drake and also signed a major publishing deal with international music giant, Sony RCA records, while grabbing three awards at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards and a Grammy nomination.

    On Mary Remmy Njoku, an actress and movie producer, she said that she was also the Chief Executive Officer of ROK Studios.

    “Launching her production company in 2013 with 25,000 dollars seed money, it has consistently grown — producing television series and films on a platform that has successfully launched two cable channels in Europe and Africa.’’

    Amaka Osakwe, the creator of Africa-focused fashion label, Maki Oh, has established a reputation as one of the leading designers on the continent.

    Her outfits are worn by international superstars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kerry Washington and the former U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama.

    With the launch of Andela, Iyin Aboyeji committed himself to the task of nation building through personal innovation.

    He left the highly successful tech incubator to start Flutterwave, the tech startup has become a global sensation and winning the Fintech Award at the 2017 Apps Africa digital innovation awards.

    Another nominee, Silas Adekunle, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Reach Robotics, a company developing the world’s first gaming robots.

    Silas, in partnership with the University of West England, Bristol, managed the Prince’s Trust “Robotics in schools’’ programme in Bristol.

    He led a team of engineering students into schools to develop the interest of young students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) through robotics.

    Expatiating on the award, Bukola Adebakin, Team Lead of TFAA, said the focus on Human Capital Development was informed by its value proposition: Africa’s growth needs a generation of young people who are gainfully employed and able to demand and secure better leadership.

    She said that TFAA’s projects include “Aiki.ng’’, an employability portal presented with Microsoft; “Nigeria Symposium for Young & Emerging Leaders’’, “StartupsAfrica’’, “Intern4Jobs’’, “YMonitor.org presented with National Endowment for Democracy (NED)’’ and “The Future Enterprise Support Scheme’’.

    Adebakin disclosed that The Future Project was founded by the Chude Jideonwo and Adebola Williams, and supervised by a Global Board of Advisors drawn from Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

    NAN

  • Police to deploy 15, 000 personnel to monitor A ‘Ibom council poll

    Police to deploy 15, 000 personnel to monitor A ‘Ibom council poll

    The Police Command in Akwa Ibom said on Wednesday that it would deploy 15, 000 personnel to monitor the Saturday local government council election in the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, disclosed this in Uyo while briefing newsmen on the command’s preparedness for the Dec. 1 poll.

    Elkana said that the command had mapped out strategies to ensure a free, fair and violence-free exercise.

    He explained that at least two policemen would be in charge of each polling unit to ensure a hitch-free election process.

    He said that conventional policemen without arms would be at the inner circle of the polling units while the armed ones would be at the outer circle to respond to distress calls.

    “We are deploying 15, 000 policemen for the Saturday election; every polling unit will have a minimum of two police personnel.

    “Depending on the total number of registered voters, some polling units will have larger numbers of police personnel,” Elkana said.

    The command’s spokesman said special attention would be given to conflict-prone areas such Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun Local Government Areas which had experienced serial killings in recent times.

    According to him, there will be heavy presence of security personnel in the two local government areas and other security flash points so as to nib violence in the bud.

    He said police helicopters would be deployed for aerial surveillance, adding that marine police, in collaboration with the Nigeria Navy, would take care of the coastal areas.

    Elkana warned politicians, especially political officeholders, not to go to the polling units with their armed details during the exercise.

    He stressed that all politicians must drop their armed details at a very far distance to the polling units before entering the voting arena.

    He also warned policemen attached to this group of people to behave professionally, during and after the election, stressing that any officer found wanting would be trialed and dismissed accordingly.

    He said, “The police will not tolerate any armed detail violating this order. They are policemen and they should know that professionally, they cannot follow their principals to the polling units with arms.”

    The police public relations officer also advised parents to monitor their children and wards, especially those ones that may likely be used by politicians as thugs.

    According to him, the law enforcement agents were fully prepared to handle all political thugs during and after the elections.

    “Anyone, who thinks he has firearms and wants to come out as political thugs should get the warning clear.

    “The police had ordered that anyone coming to the poling units with arms should be shot at sight. If you are armed, you are no longer a civilian,” he warned.

    He assured the residents that the police had also prepared for post-election activities, adding that adequate strategies had been put in place, to forestall any post-elections violence as was experienced in 2011.

    Akwa Ibom residents will go to poll to elect 31 local government chairmen and 329 councilors.

    NAN

  • Army rescues 212 captives, capture one Boko Haram commander

    Army rescues 212 captives, capture one Boko Haram commander

    The Army on Tuesday rescued another 212 persons held hostage by the terrorists after they cleared remnants of insurgents from some villages in the northern fringes of the Sambisa forest.

    They also captured one Boko Haram commander, “Ameer” of Chawa, Amman Judee and neutralised four terrorists, according to a statement by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations on Tuesday.

    Usman said the captured terrorists leader was undergoing interrogation, while the rescued persons were being documented and underaged children among them administered oral polio vaccines.

    Earlier in the week, troops rescued 30 persons held hostage by the terrorists during clearance operations in eight villages at Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

    NAN

  • NGO donates health equipment to 216 facilities in Bauchi State

    NGO donates health equipment to 216 facilities in Bauchi State

    Plan International, an International Non Governmental organisation ( NGO ), has donated maternal, neonatal and child health equipment and consumables worth N124 million to 261 health facilities across Bauchi State.

    The Country Director of the NGO, Dr Hussaini Audu, stated this on Wednesday at a news conference in Bauchi after handing over the equipment to the Bauchi State Government representative in Dass Local Government Area.

    He said the gesture was aimed at improving maternal and child health, adding that the NGO would continue to partner with government at various levels in that direction.

    He added that “Plan International is working on a four-and-half year project in 216 health facilities in Bauchi State.

    “These equipment are worth N124 million, to be distributed to 216 healthcare facilities.

    “The equipment include delivery kits, family planning kits, examination lights, infants and adults weighing scale, hand gloves and mattresses.”

    Earlier, the Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr Christopher Thornley, had expressed satisfaction over operations of healthcare facilities in the state.

    He said the Canadian Government had been working in the state in the past 15 years due to cordial relationship and enabling working environment provided by the state government.

    He commended the state government “for improving healthcare for women and children.”

    The wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar, who received
    the equipment on behalf of the state government, thanked the organisation for the gesture.

    She noted that the present administration in the state has five points agenda on health which has direct bearing to women and children.

    Abubakar, who also handed over the equipment to Dr Mohammed Dayyabu, the Director, Research, Planning and Statistics, Bauchi State Ministry of Health,called for judicious use.

    Plan International has been working in Bauchi State to assist health facilities with the needed equipment to work with, especially in women and children health centres.

    NAN

  • NBTE wants FG to establish more technical colleges to boost technical skills

    NBTE wants FG to establish more technical colleges to boost technical skills

    Dr Mas’udu Kazaure, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education ( NBTE ) has called on the Federal Government to establish more technical colleges across the country.

    Kazaure told newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday, that the country was supposed to have at least one technical college in each of the 774 Local Government Areas.

    He said the measure was necessary in order to check Nigeria’s skilled labour deficit.

    “Based on the nation policy on education, we are supposed to have 774 technical colleges across the country, but we only have 110; 17 federal colleges, 90 state colleges and three owned by private.

    “This means that we still have deficit of 664 technical colleges that needs to be established.

    “We need to establish more technical and technological institutions to improve access to technical education and boost our technical, innovative and inventive skills that will meet our industrial needs, “he said.

    According to him, there was also the need to focus on building skills for key economic sectors that will support the country’s socio-economic transformation for sustainable development.

    Kazaure said that the board has 523 technical institutions under its purview comprising 112 polytechnics, 35 colleges of agriculture, 29 colleges of health sciences, and 26 specialised institutions.

    Others are 138 innovation enterprises institutions, 110 technical colleges, and 73 vocational enterprise institutions.

    He identified some challenges affecting the technical education system to include delay in the review of Federal Polytechnic Act, in release of funds and nonpayment of salaries in many state’s polytechnics.

    “There is also security challenges resulting from non release of enough funds to settle the out-source services, shortfall of personnel allocation to polytechnics and responsibility allowances.” he added.

    NAN

  • Chinese, African parties meet to promote unity

    Chinese, African parties meet to promote unity

    The Communist Party of China ( CPC ) on Wednesday held a seminar with African political parties to explore the mission and role of parties in building a China-Africa community with a shared future.

    Song Tao, director of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the opening ceremony of the seminar, which was held ahead of an upcoming dialogue between the CPC and other political parties from across the globe.

    Song briefed the attendees on the new thoughts and development strategies decided at the 19th CPC National Congress, including the concept of building a community with a shared future of mankind.

    Song said in the process of exploring paths towards modernisation, China and Africa shall further deepen communication of ideas, draw on each other’s strengths, and continuously promote the development of their respective undertakings.

    He said that acknowledging that political parties exert great influence in the development of countries and their engagement with other countries.

    Song said that the CPC is willing to maintain close relations with African political parties and join efforts to build a China-Africa community with a shared future.

    Over 60 representatives of political parties from some 20 African countries are attending the seminar.

    NAN

  • U.S. threatens action against S. Sudan if it does not end violence

    U.S. threatens action against S. Sudan if it does not end violence

    The U.S. threatened to take further action against the South Sudan government if it does not end violence and allow United Nation ( UN ) peacekeepers to do their job.

    A month after U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley visited South Sudan and met with President Salva Kiir in the capital Juba, she told the Security Council: “Words are no longer sufficient.”

    “The U.S. is prepared to pursue additional measures against the government – or any party, for that matter – if they do not act to end the violence and ease the suffering in South Sudan,” said Haley, who was the most senior member of President Donald Trump’s administration to visit South Sudan.

    The Trump administration imposed sanctions in September on two senior South Sudanese officials and the former army chief for their role in the civil war and attacks against civilians.

    However, any U.S. push for the UN Security Council to take further action against South Sudan is likely to be resisted by veto power Russia.

    The council sanctioned several senior South Sudanese officials on both sides of the conflict in 2015, but a U.S. bid to impose an arms embargo in December 2016 failed.

    “It is counterproductive to impose targeted sanctions, counterproductive to impose an arms embargo, such measures will not help to break this deadlock and will only further exacerbate the crisis,” Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Petr Iliichev.

    South Sudan spiraled into civil war in late 2013, two years after gaining independence from Sudan, and a third of the 12 million population has fled their homes.

    The conflict was sparked by a feud between Kiir, a Dinka, and his former deputy Riek Machar, a Nuer, who is being held in South Africa.

    A fragile peace deal in South Sudan broke down last year and East African bloc IGAD has been trying to revive it.

    “We view as unjust the ongoing attempts to place all blame for the persistent unabated violence on Juba alone, it has done its role, now the opposition must reciprocate,” Iliichev said.

    UN sanctions monitors reported earlier this month that inspite of the catastrophic conditions across South Sudan, armed forces, groups and militias, particularly those affiliated with Kiir and Vice President Taban Gai, continued to “actively impede both humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.”

    Reuters/NAN

  • Gov. Bello redeploys commissioners

    Gov. Bello redeploys commissioners

    The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has redeployed some of his commissioners.

    Some of the affected commissioners include affected, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya who is to move from environment to education, science and technology. She replaces Dr Sunday Tolorunleke, who has been moved to ministry of commerce and industry.

    Others are: Arome Adoji, from Sports and Youth Development to Culture and Tourism. He is to replace, Mohammed Awwal who is to deploy to the transport ministry.

    The decision taken yesterday at the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Lokoja and presided over by the governor, is to take effect from January 1, 2018.

    By the powers vested in me as the Executive Governor of Kogi State, I hereby announce a redeployment of Cabinet as follows:

    MRS. ROSEMARY OSIKOYA is redeployed as COMMISSIONER from The Kogi State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to the Kogi State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. She replaces MR. JACOB TOLORUNLEKE.

    JACOB TOLORUNLEKE is redeployed as COMMISSIONER from the Kogi State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to the Kogi State Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He replaces ALHAJI SANUSI USMAN YAHAYA.

    ALHAJI SANUSI USMAN YAHAYA is redeployed as COMMISSIONER from the Kogi State Ministry of Commerce and Industry to the Kogi State Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources. He replaces MRS. ROSEMARY OSIKOYA.

    GABRIEL AROME ADOJI is redeployed as COMMISSIONER from the Kogi State Ministry of Youths and Sports to the Kogi State Ministry of Culture and Tourism. He replaces ALHAJI MOHAMMED AWWAL.

    ALHAJI MOHAMMED AWWAL is redeployed as COMMISSIONER from the Kogi State Ministry of Culture and Tourism to the Kogi State Ministry of Transport. He replaces PRINCE SANI OGU SALISU.

    PRINCE SANI OGU SALISU is redeployed as COMMISSIONER from the Kogi State Ministry of Transport to the Kogi State Ministry of Youths and Sports. He replaces MR. GABRIEL AROME ADOJI.

    A new Kogi State LANDS AND HOUSING SERVICES BUREAU headed by a Director-General (to be appointed in due course) is hereby created out of the current Kogi State Ministry of Works, Lands, Housing and Urban Development.

    The former Kogi State Ministry of Works, Lands, Housing and Urban Development is hereby renamed the KOGI STATE MINISTRY OF WORKS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT with ENGR. SADIQ ABDULMUMINI still COMMISSIONER.

    All changes become effective on the 1st day of January, 2018.

    Redeployed officials are to brief their replacements fully in writing and conduct formal handover on or before close of work on the effective date.

    The Secretary to the Kogi State Government is to formalise appropriate records without delay.

    After about 18 months in office, all Cabinet members must know where they stand in terms of productivity. This Administration requires excellence at all times. Mere good performance can never be good enough, and some have even fallen below that.

    Those who have not added significant value to Kogites through their offices MUST start now to post superlative results. In the next 90 days, if they are still average, they will leave me no choice but to find those who will keep pace with our governance aspirations.