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  • Modern biotechnology regulators need training – NBMA D-G

    Modern biotechnology regulators need training – NBMA D-G

    Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency ( NBMA ), says the training of regulators of modern biotechnology is necessary to enable Nigeria to benefit maximally from biotechnology applications.

    Ebegba said this in Abuja on Tuesday while declaring open the four-day training, organised for the workforce of the agency in collaboration with M and A Global Projects, a biotechnology consulting firm.

    He stressed that the evolving nature of the technology had made it imperative to train and retrain workers who oversaw the regulation of biotechnology products in the country.

    “The training is part of the Federal Government’s strategic efforts to build the capacity of staff to ensure effective regulation of modern biotechnology in the country,’’ he said.

    Ebegba said that the agency was not established by the Federal Government to stop Genetically Modified Organisms ( GMOs ) or promote it, adding that its mandate was to ensure that GMOs were safe for human health and the environment.

    “Biosafety is very crucial to our national economic efforts, as it will bring about more agricultural yields for food sufficiency and profits for Nigerian farmers.

    “The issue of biosafety has been on the front burner, to the point that some people are opposed to it, to the extent that even the permits granted by the agency last year have been criticised by many environmentalists.’’

    Ebegba said that although some environmentalists had taken NBMA to court, the agency would not be deterred in its efforts to fulfil its mandate.

    He, however, underscored the need to expose the agency’s staff to the extant regulations on biotechnology so that Nigeria would not be a dumping ground for unsafe GMO products.

    “Our key responsibility is to serve as an unbiased umpire to ensure that the practice of modern biotechnology is safe for the people, while boosting the economy,’’ he added.

    Also speaking, Chinyere Nzeduru, the Director of Environmental Biosafety and General Release, NBMA, said that the workshop was meant to equip the staff with the relevant skills that would facilitate their efforts to discharge their duties effectively.

    “This agency is a very sensitive one, as issues of modern biotechnology are very technical and require people who are up-to-date and knowledgeable to carry out biotechnology regulations in the country; hence the constant training of staff,’’ she said.

    The theme of the workshop is: “Capacity Building for Effective Biosafety Management in Nigeria’’.

    NAN

  • Alleged N11bn fraud: Shema ‘s trial to begin Feb.13

    Alleged N11bn fraud: Shema ‘s trial to begin Feb.13

    A Katsina State High Court has fixed Feb 13, 2018, for mention of the case filed by Economic and Financial Crime Commission ( EFCC ) against ex-governor Ibrahim Shema, alleged to have misappropriated N11 billion state fund.

    Shema had challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court to hear the case but lost at the Court of Appeal in Kaduna.

    The ex-governor is now at the Supreme Court, which has fixed Nov. 8, to hear his appeal on the verdict by the appellate court.

    During the proceedings at the state High Court on Tuesday in Katsina, the defence counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), prayed the court to adjourn the case, pending the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on jurisdiction.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Mr Earnest Obunadike objected to the request by  the defence, urging the court to proceed with the trial.

    The judge, Justice Ibrahim Maikaita-Bako, who adjourned the case to Feb. 13, 2018, for mention, however, said the court might fix an earlier date, if the Supreme Court delivers its verdict before the adjourned date.

    NAN reports that the Katsina State Government had petitioned the EFCC accusing Shema of misappropriating about N11 billion during his tenure.

    NAN

  • Katsina invests N200m in rice, cotton production

    Katsina invests N200m in rice, cotton production

    The Katsina State Government says it has invested N200 million in rice and cotton production under the Anchor Borrowers Programme in the state.

    Dr Abba Abdullahi, the Special Adviser to Gov. Aminu Masari on Agriculture, disclosed this in Katsina on Tuesday, at the opening of a town hall meeting on the programme.

    The town hall meeting was organised by the state government in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ), the co-sponsor of anchor borrowers programme.

    “We have rice and cotton farmers that collected the CBN loan under the anchor borrowers programme to boost rice and cotton production and the programme needed supervision.

    “We used the funds to supervise and inspect all the rice and cotton farms in the 34 local government areas of the state.

    “The Katsina state government also purchased over 35 motorcycles for extension workers to visit rice and cotton farmers with the aim of offering pieces of advice to them,” he said.

    Abdullahi said that part of the fund was used for the repair of 15 vehicles for officers involved in supervising the extension workers.

    Earlier, Alhaji Shehu Musawa, the Managing Director, State Agricultural and Rural Development Project (KATARDA), said the stakeholders’ meeting was to review how the programme fared during the rainy season.

    “Anchor borrowers programme has achieved the desired goal in the state as it has boosted rice and cotton production.

    “We are expecting bumper harvest of cotton and rice in the state,” Abdullahi said.

    In his contribution, Keystone Bank’s representative, Malam Ahmed Musa, said that the bank would continue to support agricultural programmes in the state.

    NAN

  • Shehu Idris college of health science and technology to award degree soon – Bello

    Shehu Idris college of health science and technology to award degree soon – Bello

    Shehu Idris College of Health Science and Technology, Makarfi, will soon become a degree-awarding institution, a lawmaker said on Tuesday.

    Alhaji Bello Sani-Gimi, a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria.

    According to him, the state government is collaborating with some Egyptian firms to upgrade facilities and standard of the college to a degree awarding institution.

    He said the Egyptians had wanted to establish a university of technology but were asked by Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’i to use facilities in the college for the project.

    Bello Sani-Gimi, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, said the firms had inspected facilities at the college and expressed satisfaction with what they saw.

    “They are coming back so that we can sign a Memorandum of Understanding and continue from there; as I am talking to you they are not yet back, but we are still waiting for them.

    “However, as member representing the area, I will bring the issue to the floor of the house, so that we can legislate on it and give the governor the legislative backing for him to go ahead with the upgrading of the school, so that even if those investors from Egypt fail to come back, he can search for others.

    “Hopefully ‘Insha-Allah’, we will see to the actualisation of converting that college to a university,” Bello said.

    The lawmaker urged his constituents to support the present administration to enable it effectively deliver the dividends of democracy.

    NAN

  • NEMA seeks approval of hazard allowances for workers

    NEMA seeks approval of hazard allowances for workers

    The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) has reached some agreements with its workers including the introduction of a life assurance policy for its employees.

    The agency is also expected to seek approval from the Federal Government for the payment of hazard allowances.

    The acceptance of the agreements  led  to the suspension of a nationwide strike  by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria( ACSN ).

    The Federal Ministry of Labour had on Friday brokered peace between NEMA management led by its Director-General, Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria( ACSN).

    The agreements are as follows: “An Implementation Committee comprising the ASCN, NEMA Management to be chaired by the Director, Finance and Account ( DFA),  Federal Ministry of  Labour was constituted to facilitate the verification and commence payment of staff claims by  October 24. 

    “It was agreed that the management should work with the ASCN to conclude the process of acquiring life assurance policy for the staff within one week.

    “It was also agreed that the management should come up with a compensation package for the families of the deceased staff in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules ( PSR).

    “That a training Schedule using existing template should be drawn to accommodate all the staff and the training needs of all the departments within two weeks. An implementation committee comprising Director, Human Resources, Director, Special Duties and a representative of the union is to be constituted to monitor and report the level of compliance.

    On the fate of some redeployed staff, the two parties agreed that “the management should issue the letters recalling the two unit executives by 20th October, 2017.”

    Regarding hazard allowances for NEMA workers, the management explained that it was seeking approval from the Federal Government for the payment.

    The agreement added: “The meeting noted that the management has already initiated the process and the DG was advised to fast-track the process with the relevant government agencies.”

    Both parties also resolved not yo victimize workers who participated in the strike action.

    Other issues to be addressed are proper placement if staff, voluntary redeployment and promotion.

    The agreement said: “The meeting agreed that the affected individuals should apply for redeployment in line with the Public Service Rules ( PSR ).”

    The meeting was informed that the list had been submitted to the Committee set up to look into the issue. Management was therefore advised to speed up the implementation process holistically across board.

    “The Association was requested to submit all promotion-relayed issues to the management within two weeks.

    “The meeting agreed that no member of the association shall be victimized or involved in any vindictive/punitive posting as a result of this industrial action.”

  • HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART TWO]

    HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART TWO]

    In pretence, he would gloat with his shoulders raised high in the presence of his goons. However, deep within him was the ensnared little man in manacles and chains of addictions; crying for help. The heaps of adulations from his friends were millstones and burdens weighing heavy on his soul. He felt lost, empty, finished and dry.

    Fast forward into the seminar hall where she is conveniently seated with other participants and of course, the charmer – “Mr Femi”.

    Femi, on the other hand just could not help himself because the innocent-looking, gregarious, and adorable Amarachi had caught his fancy. His mind was so busy with thoughts and plots to win her heart that he unconsciously voiced the words – “I must get her!”. The person seated next to him quickly turned to Femi’s direction and shook is head…he must have muttered – “i am so sorry for you”. Femi quickly comported himself and at least pretended to be listening to the facilitator.

    Read also: HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [PART ONE]

    Now Femi hasn’t always been a serial womaniser, in fact, he was a well brought up and cultured young man from a well-to-do family. He was an only son amongst three female siblings who were always in the boarding school. His early childhood was not so different from an average child that lives in Lagos. He played on the streets under the sun and in the rain, enjoyed comic books and videos games, displayed some caricature Jackie Chan moves after watching one of the classic movies, and hated to have his bath twice daily; he did what boys his age would normally do.

    However, his days of innocence were coming to an end rather too early at the age of 11 when his entrepreneur dad and banker mom decided to employ Edidiong as a house help. As part of her chores, she was responsible for tending to Femi – from feeding, bathing, down to bringing him from school daily. Femi hardly saw his parents even on weekends. They are usually out of the house before he’s astir in the morning and arrived very late at night when he’s already asleep. He’s always in the company and tutelage of the housemaid who cared less about him, save for her monthly emolument.

    One very unfortunate day, the unexpected happened to Femi. “Femi come here”, Edidiong said with her airy-low voice. She took him to her room, turned the key twice in a clockwise direction to lock the door, and closed the window blinds.

    Read also: HEARTS…a story of love, heartbreak and life [CONCLUDING PART]

    Femi stood transfixed in the centre of the room not having the slightest idea or premonition of what was about to go down. Aunty Edidiong, he said. What are you doing? Why are you locking the door and windows? She walked slowly towards him, drew him close to herself and said “let me show you something!” That was the beginning of the end of the affable and morally cultured Femi. She abused him sexually and threatened to take his life should he report the incident to anyone, especially his parents.

    Edidiong stayed with his family as their housemaid for another seven years. These years were a gestation period into sexual addiction and inordinate foray for Femi. His mind and body had been re-engineered, reconditioned and tampered with by the housemaid so much so that his profligacy and womanising tendencies had reached astronomical proportions before he was 18 years old.

    Now Femi is 29, every night he reminisces about his life – the scores of relationships he had been in, the hearts he had broken and other “touching” stories better left untold. He sheds tears sometimes because he knows that he could be a better man and live a better life instead of the bestial adventure that reeks from his being.

    Femi is the happening guy, the man of the moment, the ladies man, the “oshomo one” of Nigeria etc. These are some of the alias and praise names his friends would usually heap upon him. In pretence, he would gloat with his shoulders raised high in the presence of his cohorts. However, deep within him was the ensnared little man in manacles and chains of addictions; crying for help. The heaps of adulations from his friends were literally millstones and burdens weighing heavy on his soul. He felt lost, empty, finished, and dry.

    Now the program was over and Amarachi had packed her seminar materials and was heading for the bus stop when Femi quickly drove his Mercedes-Benz C-Class beside her, wind down his side window and offered to give her a lift. Please milady, can i give you a ride?

    Watch out for the concluding part…

    By Moses Emorinken

    Email: brandphase@yahoo.com

    Twitter: @memorinken

    Instagram: @memorinken

  • UNILAG: Emeritus professor urges incoming VC to build on Bello’s achievements

    UNILAG: Emeritus professor urges incoming VC to build on Bello’s achievements

    Emeritus Professor, Nimi Briggs, the Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, on Monday appealed that whoever succeeds Prof. Rahamon Bello as Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Lagos ( UNILAG ) should build on his achievements.

    Briggs spoke at the Public Presentation of the Book, “Walking the Vision,’’ in honour of Bello, whose tenure ends in November.

    “Bello’s successor must be silent on his mistakes and that of the past VCs, concentrate on how to build on the good work they have started and let posterity judge.

    “Bello has done excellently well; he is human and cannot solve all the problems of UNILAG,’’ the Emeritus professor, who was the book reviewer, said.

    He described Bello as a remarkable man deserving of a national honor, s and said the book is a reliable account written by those who worked closely with the VC.

    Prof. Jerry Gana, a former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the institution, also lauded the contributions of Bello to the development of the university.

    Gana, represented by Dr Isuwa Dogo, CEO, Kishima Nigeria Limited, said Bello had piloted the institution toward achieving the vision of the founding fathers of the institution.

    Also, Dr Bolanle Babalankin, the current Pro-Chancellor of the institution, said the book was written for inspiration and guidance in University governance and for life well spent.

    In his response, Prof. Bello, thanked God and dedicated the book to all the Council members who worked with him.

    According to him, the council members gave the enabling environment for him to work and achieve what was recorded in the book.

    Prof. Bello resumed office as UNILAG VC in November 2012.

    NAN

  • NEMA DG appeals to NASS to amend agency’s act

    NEMA DG appeals to NASS to amend agency’s act

    Mr Mustapha Maihaja, Director General, National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ), has appealed to the National Assembly to pass the bill seeking to amend the act establishing the Agency.

    He made the appeal in a statement signed by Mr Sani Datti, Head of Media and Public Relations, NEMA, on Monday in Abuja.

    Maihaja said that he was appealing for the amendment on the agency’s act in order to improve on the working conditions of the staff and enhance effective disaster management in the country.

    He was said to have made the appeal at the National Assembly when he led the management of the agency to the House of Representatives’ Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in Abuja.

    Maihaja told the committee that the misunderstanding between the management and union had been resolved, saying that it was not the wish of the management to allow such matters to degenerate into strike action.

    The director-general added that some of the issues in the disputes could be properly handled with the amendment to the NEMA establishment Act.

    He appreciated the concerns of the Committee members and thanked the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige for intervening in resolving the issues.

    Datti said that the meeting was at the instance of the committee, which had invited the NEMA management and its staff union leaders to resolve the recent industrial disputes that resulted in a one day strike by the staff on Thursday.

    NAN

  • 264m children worldwide are not in school – UNESCO

    264m children worldwide are not in school – UNESCO

    Some 264 million school-age children and young people worldwide were not in education in 2015, the United Nations culture and education agency UNESCO said on Tuesday.

    The agency, in a progress report on the UN’s development goals for education, said that after a decline in the early 2000s, out-of-school rates have started to stagnate.

    “Worldwide, there was a completion rate of 83 per cent for primary education, falling to 45 per cent for upper secondary schooling,’’ the agency said.

    The agency meanwhile quoted household survey data from 128 countries for the 2010 to 2015 period.

    There were 40 countries where fewer than one in four young people had completed secondary education, but only 14 where no less than 90 per cent had done so.

    UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, however, called for more government accountability.

    The report noted that while 82 per cent of national constitutions mention a right to education, only 55 per cent of countries make that right enforceable in the courts.

    “Governments are the primary duty bearers for the right to education, yet this right is not justifiable or capable of being the basis for a court case in almost half of countries, and the primary course of action for those with a complaint is lost,’’ Bokova wrote.

    While calling for accountability at all levels, the report said accountability measures for schools needed to be flexible and carefully designed.

    “Schools may adjust to performance-based accountability systems in negative ways, gaming the system and avoiding sanctions to the exclusion of longer-term reforms,’’ the agency warned.

    NAN

  • SMEDAN to select 108 schools for entrepreneurship programme – D-G

    SMEDAN to select 108 schools for entrepreneurship programme – D-G

    The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency ( SMEDAN ) on Monday said 50 students from 108 schools across Nigeria would be selected for the National School Entrepreneurship Programme ( N-SEP ).

    The SMEDAN Director-General, Alhaji Dikko Radda, disclosed this in Katsina at the opening ceremony of the training of both primary and secondary school teachers on the programme.

    Radda, represented by Mr Suleiman Tanimu, a SMEDAN Deputy Director, said the programme was being organised by the agency in collaboration with Students for Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship ( SAGE ), U.S.

    He said that the schools targeted for the pilot phase of the programme with the theme: “Mind Shift Entrepreneurship’’ are from Katsina, Bauchi, Kwara, Ondo, Ebonyi and Cross Rivers States.

    “Eighteen schools will be selected from each state, nine primary and nine secondary schools.

    “Among these nine schools, seven will be public schools, while the remaining two will be private.

    “Fifty students are expected to benefit from the programme from each school,’’ the SMEDAN director-general said.

    He said that the programme was aimed at providing access to functional entrepreneurship among students to eliminate unemployment among youths in the country.

    “We want to involve students at lower levels so that after graduation, they will not only become self-reliant but employers of labour.

    “Primary school pupils and secondary schools students are our targets, we want to catch them young,’’ Radda said.

    The director-general disclosed that the students would be taught how to set up businesses of their own after which they would come up with an idea to develop a business of their choice.

    He said that there would be a national competition, where the best students would be selected to represent the country at an international competition.

    The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Halimatu Idris said that the state government had spent a lot of money on skills acquisition programmes to make youths self-reliant.

    The commissioner, who was represented by Alhaji Tanimu Zubairu, urged participants to pay attention on the programmme and prepare to teach others what they learned.

    NAN