The Nation Newspaper

Tag: summit

  • Summit recommends Commission to stop farmers/herders clashes

    A Federal Peace and Conflict Resolution Commission to address the prevalent farmers-herders crises should be set up, stakeholders said yesterday in Abuja.

    It was at the two-day summit, organised by The Nation and Television Continental (TVC). It attracted major stakeholders, including lawmakers, religious leaders, breeders, farmers, traditional rulers, academics, state governments, security agencies, members of the diplomatic community and notable leaders of thought.

    On the final day yesterday Emir of Kano Muhhammad Sanusi 11 urged the various levels of government to make budgetary provision for the maintenance of grazing reserves and stock routes.

    Represented by Prof Isa Hashim, the Jarman Kano, Emir Sanusi said:  “The three levels of government should provide enough funds through our budgets for the maintenance of our stock. This is what will help us to have an enduring peace in our country. The entire nation needs peace.”

    Dr. Saleh Umale of the Kaduna State Peace Commission described the farmers-herders crises as long foretold.

    He identified the improvement of the livelihoods of Nigeria’s rural communities as key to the search for peace.

    “We need to embrace peace. We are facing crises in the land and we have allowed our minds to be polluted in different communities. We do not have Fulani land like others. We need to support our rural communities. We have to develop in line with other societies.

    “The Nigerian pastoral sector is in crisis. Nigerians in rural areas especially at the northern part of the country are the ones facing the crisis.

    The communique urged the government to strengthen security so that farmers and herders would feel safe.

    It also prescribed that grazing reserves should be embraced, beginning with consenting states.

    The communiqué, which was read by Dr. Kayode Samuel,  said: “Two of Nigeria’s leading media organisations – The Nation and Television Continental (TVC) jointly convened a two-day National Summit on Conflict Resolution at the Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja on 8-9 October 2018.

    “The Summit was conceived as an open forum to promote frank exchange of ideas on burning issues of national and international concern, with particular regard to the herdsmen-farmers clashes across the country, with a view to seeking workable and enduring solutions.

    “Government should set up a Federal Peace and Conflict Resolution Commission.

    “There is a need to strengthen security arrangements to make both farmers and herders feel safe and to isolate the criminal elements.

    “There is a need to resuscitate and massively fund the various river basin authorities especially in the north to enable growth of grass for animal grazing to minimize nomadic mobility across the country.

    “Conflict mediation and peace building mechanisms must be put in place and avenues for constant dialogue between farmers and herders should be promoted.

    “There is a need to embrace Climate Smart Agriculture that sustains both crop farming and animal breeding could provide a way out of the present crisis.

    “The proposal for grazing reserves should be embraced, beginning with consenting states while the old bonds that encouraged cooperation need to be built upon.

    “A comprehensive approach to addressing the environmental factors that drive herders southwards must be explored.

    According to the communiqué, three discussants of the keynote address, Prof. Biodun Adeloye, Prof. N.A. Gworgwor and Dr. Eustace Iyayi also offered their perspectives. “They spoke of the need to modify nomadism to the advantage of the practitioners and counseled that the nomad needs to combine tilling with nomadism by producing crops like maize on which to nurture their herd.” Other specific recommendations include:

    The communiqué added: “Governments should draw up implementation timelines for whatever suggestions are proffered for a more harmonious farmers-herders relationship.

    • Laws to protect the environment should be enacted and effectively implemented for the benefit of all stakeholders.
    • Massive education that emphasizes the value of combining crop farming with animal husbandry.
    • Need to transform grazing reserves into ranches building on models that already exist worldwide

  • Summit holds in Abuja July 14 

    The  Airport Business Summit and Expo for Africa (ABSE) will hold in Abuja  on July 14.

    Its organiser, Mr Fortune Idu, the event billed for Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, with the theme “Repositioning the airport business to sustain air transport growth” , will draw participants and exhibitors from across the world.

    The three-day conference, Idu said, is aimed at promoting air transport.

    The expo, he said, provides a window for players to  share their  thoughts  on challenges in the airport sub-sector.

    Idu said: “The deliberation at the summit is centred on helping operators, investors and the airport business community to find a common ground to prosper. The summit provides a veritable platform for reviewing airport development policies, programmes and projects.”

    The summit is expected to attract over 200 delegates from all industries.

    According to Idu, ABSE 2018 will also host an agro logistics seminar to unveil the opportunities for using air transport to facilitate both local and international agro based export covering perishable good and processed agro products.

    The seminar will feature presentations from officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN),Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc; Skyways Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL);  N Ethiopian Airlines; Arik Air Nigeria Export Promoting Council (NEPC), National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFADAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    He said the summit would cover subjects, such as processes, procedures, packages, containerisation, standards, market  and  technologies available for enhancing agro export at the airport and possible further development opportunities.

    Idu said the forum is important for the airport sub-sector to plan  and close the gap that may hinder successful and seamless air agro export regime.

    He said: “Papers will be presented at the summit by heads of aviation industries to give insight to the future investment opportunities in Africa’s airports domain and to enable them position ahead of the development.’’

  • Summit lauds AfDB chief’s investment drive

    The convener of London Africa Summit, Mr. Frederick Apeji, has commended African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for announcing a new initiative tagged: Africa Investment Forum (AIF) earlier this month in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Apeji made this commendation in an Online Media Briefing (OMB) with country representatives of the summit in DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

    The yearly London Africa Summit is an international business event that seeks to promote the rapid industrialisation and modernisation of the sub-national entities across Sub-Saharan Africa. The inaugural edition is slated for London, United Kingdom between August 6 and 7.

    According to him, the much awaited transformation of the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa must not be left only to the national governments; but a significant role must be played by the hundreds of provincial governments that make up these countries.

    “We must take a cue from the 50 American states, and begin to open up a wider space for Africa’s provincial governments to unleash their energy to drive continental economic growth,” Apeji said.

    Adesina was in Johannesburg on May 8 to announce South Africa as the host country of the inaugural Africa Investment Forum (AIF) slated for between November 7 and 9.

    AfDB’s African Economic Outlook 2018 indicates that the continent’s infrastructure requirements amount to between $130 and $170 billion a year. To address these challenges, the AfDB is championing the AIF as a platform to actively engage the private sector and to facilitate projects that have the capacity to transform the continent. AIF is designed to enhance private-sector cooperation and drive investment in sectors of strategic interest within Africa.

    Adesina said AIF will provide an open platform to organise efforts among multi-lateral institutions, governments and private sector to improve a pipeline of projects capable of transforming the continent.

    According to him, AIF will harmonise processes among the bank and its partners, reduce intermediation costs, improve quality of project information and documentation, and increase action-oriented engagements between African governments and the private sector.

  • Marine engineers, surveyors hold summit

    The Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), in partnership with the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), will hold its  second Maritime Technical Summit in Lagos.

    The event, according to its organisers will hold on May 22, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.

    NSC Executive Secretary Mr Hassan Bello said his agency was partnering the association to promote the industry.

    Bello, who acknowledged the importance of the summit, said he was particularly impressed by the theme: “Ship Operations in Nigeria Policy, Technical, Financial Challenges and Prospects”, hence, his willingness to ensure the Council’s active participation.

    He assured stakeholders that the government’s vision for a national fleet in shipping was not only on course, but stronger with the support of the Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), which is providing a more efficient foundation for the vision takeoff.

    It would be recalled that the first Summit, which held on April 21, 2016, resulted in the setting up of two ministerial committees on Nigerian fleet development and  NIMASA’s Technical reform.

    The Group’s President, Charles Uwadia, said the Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi will be the chief host at the event, urging the stakeholders in the maritime in the industry to attend and chat a new direction for the sector.

  • African interior designers hold summit

    Interior designers will converge online to participate in a digital summit organised by Pan African Interior design (PAIDS). The 8-day summit which is the first of its kind will be hosted by award-winning Lagos Interiors designers, Lara Lape Cameron-Cole and Osaru Alile of Eterior Spaces. The immersive summit has over 35 registered Interior designers and teaching professionals participating in virtual summit.

    Expected at the summit are one of New York’s favourite interior designers, Michael Adams, highly sought-after interior designer, Titi Ogufere, Reni Folawiyo, founder of luxury concept store Alara, Horace Pan, and many more talented designers. The PAID Virtual Summit is excited about using technology to not only empower thousands of aspiring interior designers but also enrich experienced design profes-sionals.

    With a wide range of discussions and tours planned, The PAID virtual summit will allow for all the benefits of a physical summit by creating avenues for Live Q&As and private networking groups where participants can take their discussions further.

     

     

     

  • NBA Criminal Justice Summit gets new date

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Criminal Justice Reform Conference will hold from April 24 to 26 at the Asaba Convention Centre in Delta State.

    The earlier date in March has been cancelled.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is expected to deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony on April 25.

    The theme is: Criminal justice in Nigeria: The journey so far.

    The is designed to fashion a definitive roadmap for Nigeria’s troubled  criminal justice sector.

    Aside from goodwill messages from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen; Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the opening ceremony will also witness speeches by Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro.

    NBA President Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) and the  NBA Criminal Justice Reform Committee Chairman Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor (SAN) will also speak.

    A statement by the Head of Publicity Sub-committee, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, said the plenary session on Unlocking the innovations of criminal justice legislation would herald the technical sessions.

    It will be chaired by former NBA President Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), with Justice Ishaq Bello of the High Court of FCT as the lead speaker.

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu will present a paper on: Prosecution and punishment of electoral offences in Nigeria.

    The session will be charged by the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi.

    Asiwaju Solomon Awomolo (SAN), Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) will discuss the paper.

    Former Delta State Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) will speak on: Arrest, remand and awaiting trial syndrome in criminal justice: Fixing the jigsaw to end prison congestion.

    Panelists include the Controller-General of Prisons, Mr. Ja’afaru Ahmed; Inspector-General of Police Mr. Ibrahim Idris; Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mrs. Joy Bob-manuel and veteran prison reform advocate and Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh. Justice Umukoro will chair the session.

  • DAWN, BOI, Nustream to host Southwest e-commerce summit

    The Southwest regional think tank for government policies, the Development Agenda for Western Agenda (DAWN) Commission, has concluded plan with other partners to organise the maiden Southwest e-commerce and Expo 2018 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from March 26 to 28.

    The expo, which aims at introducing a new culture of electronic business transactions in the region, is a partnership between the DAWN Commission, Bank of Industry (BOI) and Nustream Conference and Culture Centre.

    It is said to be in tandem with the mission of the commission, especially on economic competitiveness, social and human development.

    The expo, with the theme: The Future Started Yesterday and We’re Already Late, will hold at the Nustream Conference and Culture Centre in Ibadan, the organisers said.

    Addressing reporters to herald the summit, the Acting Director General of DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye, noted that the internet connectivity and powerful online tools had resulted in a new commerce arena, called e-commerce.

    The commission’s chief stressed that “e-commerce offers many advantages to companies and customers”.

    The media briefing at the commission’s Cocoa House headquarters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was attended by a BOI representative, Pacquedis Irabor; Nustream Conference and Culture Centre and IBridge Hub Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Francis Madojenu and e-entrepreneurial consultant, Ladi Thompson.

     

     

  • Summit discusses future of education amid ICT gap

    Summit discusses future of education amid ICT gap

    Panelists at the maiden Edustart Summit, organised by the Covenant University (CU) in Ota Ogun State, have said a global revolution in education  is imminent and unavoidable. But, the challenge of where Nigeria will stand once the revolution crystalises still remains.

    The summit also revealed the kind of teaching style that would be in vogue in addition to students’ approaches to learning, amid upsurge in modern teaching gadgets.

    The panel discussion was led by CU Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, Dr Steven Oluwatobi.

    Imole Oluyomi, the co-founder Passng.com, an ICT consulting firm, warned undergraduates, who hide under the guise of group work assignment to perpetrate laziness, to desist.

    According to him, what makes young graduates marketable and appealing to would-be employers is not only what they studied, but the total learning experience in and out of school. They include team spirit, good working relationship, flexibility, internship, and ability to inspire others towards achieving goals.

    He said:“I recall as an undergraduate, whenever we were given a group work assignment, some of those in my group would just push everything to me and would not contribute anything. In the end I would be the one doing it all and presenting on behalf of others. Unknowingly to me, I was building myself gradually and see where I found myself today.”

    Femi Iromini, the Country Manager of Lead360, a firm which partners universities in Africa to prepare students for the job opportunities after graduation, said his experience showed that graduates of nowadays are less passionate in pursuing careers in courses they studied. Rather, they are flexible in learning new experience, especially those ones that are ICT-driven.

    This, he added, called for a new orientation and partnership between universities and industries in which the former designs new curriculum, which could be experimented for undergraduates on internship programmes, while experts from the latter are brought into universities to share their experiences with students.

    Co-Founder Yardaversity, Oludare Akinlaja,  said education is experiencing disruptions, courtesy of a revolution in classroom technology, which is now making learning look more like fun than the age long lecturer-teacher classroom structure.

    He urged schools and institutions to create a classroom environment that makes learning fun from basic to tertiary levels.

    “We need to demystify learning from the old teacher or lecturer/student style by making it more appealing through introduction of games. From my experience, I have discovered that students across board, are losing interest in spending hours in the classroom listening to a lecturer. They also have ideas they want to put those ideas forward. Therefore, learning has to be flexible and more interactive.”

    Former Director, Corona Schools Trust Council, Mrs Folashade   Adefisayo, bemoaned the curriculum, which she said has lost rhythm with modern day realities.

    ”Our curriculum is simply ridiculous. It needs to address content and skills,” she said.

    Adefisayo, who is also a board member Teach for Nigeria, said while the nation’s curriculum must be tailored like its British counterpart, where learners acquires basic knowledge that can make them whatever dream to be.

    With the ongoing revolution in ICT, Adefisayo wondered where a country like Nigeria stands amid her socio-economic and religious upheavals, as well as government’s seeming indifference to education, particularly at the basic level.

    Presenting to the summit a study which he was part of, former executive secretary National Universities Commission, Prof Peter Okebukola, noted that within the next decade, there would be a surge in the use of hand phones and tabs, which would also aid plagiarism by students, overloaded curriculum, as well as students with weaker values and characters.

    Others include: slight improvements in teaching facilities; governments’ inability to pay teachers; increase in compromised public examinations and the Nigerian society demanding more from the school system.

  • OGTAN’s summit for April 16

    OGTAN’s summit for April 16

    The maiden edition of Nigeria’s Education Summit of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN)  will hold on April 16.

    The event with the theme “Sustaining Nigerian Content through quality edument prospects” is geared towards fulfilling one of OGTAN’s key objectives – bridging the gap between Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and the  oil and gas industry.

    The one-day conference will be chaired by Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), a former  Head of State, under whom the Indigenisation Decree was signed in 1969.

    The conference is to explore ways by which the gap between the tertiary institutions and the oil industry can be closed, particulary in research and development, thereby ensuring that graduates are employable.

    OGTAN President Dr. Muyiwa Afe, said the summit will bring together major stakeholders in the education sector and the oil and gas to discuss their experiences  to chart a way forward.

    Key speakers include the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, Minister of Energy, Ghana, members of the National Assembly,vice chancellors, National Universities Commission (NUC); National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and some  commissioners for education.

    OGTAN said it hoped to cut joint venture spending of scarce cash call by domiciling some training in-country, and drive growth and development.

  • Falana, Omatseye for NANS leadership summit

    Falana, Omatseye for NANS leadership summit

    Frontline rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) and Chairman of The Nation Editorial Board Sam Omatseye will deliver keynote speeches at the leadership summit organised by the Ogun State axis of Joint Campus Committee (JCC) – an arm of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    The event with the theme: ”Good Governance and Nation Building: The Role of the Youth”, will hold today at DLK Event Centre in Leme, Abeokuta.

    A statement by the JCC Chairman Olawale Balogun said the summit would create a platform for students and youth groups to engage in discussion on how good governance could be entrenched.