Month: September 2023

The Education Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed satisfaction with the more than 85 per cent resumption of secondary school students for the new academic year in the FCT.

The acting Secretary of the secretariat, Malam Abdulrazeq Leremoh, stated this in Abuja on Monday, while briefing journalists after monitoring students and teachers’ resumption in some schools within the city.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the schools visited included Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, Model Senior and Juniors Secondary Schools all in Maitama and Women Education Centre, Wuse.

Others are Christabel Schools, Wuye, a non-state school and Local Education Authority Primary School, Jahi Express, Abuja Municipal Council, FCT.

Leramoh said that monitoring the schools was part of the secretariat’s ritual at the beginning of every term to monitor students’ resumption and teachers’ preparedness.

He added that the visit would also enable the secretariat to address any issue that requires urgent attention.

“We are satisfied with the turnout of students and teachers’ level of preparedness as the new term begins.

“In most schools visited, we recorded more than 85 per cent of students ‘ attendance. This is excellent for us,’ he said.

He said that, so far, there was no issue in all the schools visited, adding that the secretariat would await reports from all schools, detailing their critical needs.

He said that all schools would be supported based on needs, including recruitment of teachers where needed as part regular support to schools to enable them deliver quality education.

While at LEA Primary School, Jahi, the acting secretary commended Venture Furniture Nigerian Ltd, for rehabilitating a classroom and a toilet facilities in the school.

He urged other organisations to work with the government to improve the quality of teaching and learning in public schools in the FCT.

Also, the Director, Department of Quality Assurance, Dr Favour Edem-Nse, assured parents of regular school monitoring to ensure adherence to minimum standards.

One of the students, Abiakam David of Government Science Secondary School, Pyakasa, said that his target for the term was to be the best student in his class.

David also said that he would study hard to make his parents and teachers proud. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has inaugurated the Power Outage Reporting System (PORS) application app, to make complaints resolution process easier and faster by Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

Inaugurating the app in Abuja on Monday, Mr Sanusi Garba, Chairman of NERC, described it as an online initiative by the commission to assist customers report complaints to DisCos.

Garba said the development would help consumers to fast-track the process of reporting power outages to DisCos and improve electricity supply in Nigeria.

“This is part of our efforts at leveraging on technology to address complaints on power outage and ensure quick resolution by DisCos and NERC.

“Progress has been made on the app, the commission decided to start the process with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

“Very soon, there will be a national rollout of the app to all electricity distribution companies,”he said.

In a remark, Hajia Aisha Mahmud, Commissioner, Consumer Affairs, NERC said that the application would be integrated into the systems of the various Discos.

Mahmud said that NERC would still continue to carry out its oversight function to monitor the app to ensure it works properly.

She said that NERC have a lot of initiatives to put in place to protect consumers, adding that PORS was an additional way to ensure they get value for their money.

“The app was introduced to ensure that electricity consumers get the best service and get value for their money from the DisCos and to also ensure they are well protected.

“The app can be downloaded through Google Play or Apple Store,”she said.

Mr Christopher Ezeafulukwe, Managing Director, AEDC commended NERC for the initiative, adding that the app would assist DisCos to interact more with consumers.

Ezeafulukwe said the feedback from the consumers to the DisCo was the raw materials needed to provide the services required.

”The app is a product of collaboration; it implies going to be a win win for all of us.

”This will help gather more data base to serve our customers,”he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has urged the Federal Government to resuscitate its four oil refineries and make them operational.

Mr Peters Adeyemi, the General Secretary of NASU, made the call on Monday during an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of the 2023 Quadrennial Delegates Conference/Election in Ilorin, Kwara.

The programme consist of Universities and Inter-University Centres Trade Group Council, held at the University of Ilorin (Unilorin)

Adeyemi appealed that Nigerian oil refineries must start working to ensure that the country produced what the citizens consumed.

He urged the government to investigate all monies committed to refineries repairs in the country and ensure adequate security to prevent the smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to neighbouring countries.

The NASU general secretary decried the treatment of members by the government, saying “we are yet to receive their outstanding salaries during the strike actions we were forced into”.

He added that the issue of Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system (IPPIS) has created crisis in salaries of members, including delayed payment, haphazard payment, allowance omission and lack of payment.

Adeyemi explained that the conference was expected to deliberate on finding lasting solutions to issues such as the hardship associated with the removal of subsidy and setting agenda for the next four years.

Prof. Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of Unilorin, said that tertiary education was going through turbulent times.

Egbewole, who was represented by Prof. Olubunmi Omotesho, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the university, stated that NASU had become a crucial component of universities and Inter-University union.

He called on the unions to collaborate and work together to move the education system forward, saying that no country can develop without addressing problem confronting its education.

He urged the union to therefore, deliberate on challenges of access to education and autonomy of universities.

“Financial issues, curriculum and ‘Japa syndrome’ must be addressed. A lot of staff are leaving the country and it is becoming difficult to replace them.

“The state of the tertiary education in Nigeria is tied to the state of the economy. No country can make progress without developing the state of its education,” he said.

Mrs Roseline Adebayo, the Chairperson, Kwara State Chapter of NASU, observed that the recent removal of subsidy on petrol amidst high inflation had resulted to increase in price of other commodities in the market.

According to her, the increase has eroded all gains of the New Minimum Wage approved by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“This precarious situation is a serious threat that could have truncated the delegates journeys and made the National Secretariat call for ratification of tenure elongation for all levels of officers serving our union in this critical time.

“Universities and Inter-Universities Trade Group is key to NASU operation and our leaders cannot treat matters concerning this trade group with kid glove,” she said.

Earlier in his welcome, Mr Suberu Ibrahim, the Unilorin Branch Chairman, commended members for their perseverance, diligence and sacrifice and also thanked them for the support giving to his executive.

He advised members to be more proactive and pragmatic in their approach to ensure that NASU realised its lofty goals and ideas without losing her long-sustained accomplishment and fame.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Lifeline International, an NGO, says access to timely and available crisis support services, could prevent suicides and save lives.

Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, the Continental Representative of the organisation, made this known in a statement to commemorate the 2023 World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) on Sunday in Lagos.

Sheikh expressed concerns that suicide remained a significant issue across the African continent, which is home to six of the ten countries with the highest suicide rates in the world.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WSPD is marked annually on Sept. 10 to raise awareness around the globe on the possibility of preventing suicides.

The theme of 2023 WSPD is: “Creating hope through action”.

He said that across Africa, insufficient public spending on mental health and suicide prevention was a major barrier to providing assistance to those in need.

He said effective suicide prevention could only take place through a whole-of-society approach that involves the government, civil society organisations and community leaders.

Sheikh said that mental health, including the risk of suicide, affects millions of people across Africa, adding that stigma and cultural misconceptions often compound these issues.

“But the tide is gradually turning as more and more countries recognize the urgent need to address these challenges and promote a more supportive, compassionate and evidence-based environment.

“In 2022, Kenya published its suicide prevention strategy – a landmark achievement and encouragingly, countries across the continent – including Ghana, Malawi and Nigeria – are set to follow this path.

“Tackling suicide and creating environments where individuals feel supported and comfortable enough to seek help requires reshaping attitudes.”, he said.

Sheikh said that LifeLine International and its members were committed to advocating for and supporting policy change, including in the most challenging environments where suicide remains a crime.

He said that talking about suicide, and providing better access to evidence-based interventions, would change the misconceptions and beliefs about suicide, and prevent tragic loss of lives across Africa.

“In Africa, attitudes towards suicide are deeply intertwined with cultural, traditional, and religious beliefs; we need to change these perceptions, address myths, and provide support to those in need.

“Our approach must align with our cultural values to create lasting impact.

“This day of commemoration marks an important opportunity to recognize the lifesaving work of LifeLine International’s six Members in Africa committed to ensuring robust suicide prevention and crisis support resources are available, with greater access and reduced barriers to help-seeking.

“The crisis lines operated on the continent by our members are often among the few support services available to individuals in distress”, Sheikh said.

LifeLine International is a global civil society organisation whose members work to prevent suicidal deaths.

They do this by reducing the stigma of suicide and increasing awareness and support for people in crisis worldwide through the delivery of crisis helplines.

NAN reports that the WHO said every year 703 000 people take their own life and there are many more people who attempt suicide.

The world health organisation also said suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind.

It said suicide does not just occur in high-income countries but is a global phenomenon in all regions of the world.

In fact, over 77 per cent of global suicides, t he WHO said occurred in low- and middle-income countries in 2019.

Suicide rates, the WHO said, are also high amongst vulnerable groups who experience discrimination, such as refugees and migrants; indigenous peoples; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex (LGBTI) persons; and prisoners.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

QNET, a direct selling E-commerce company says it has adopted a multifaceted approach to combat fraudulent and illegitimate practices linked to the direct selling industry in Nigeria.

Malou Caluza, the Deputy Chairperson for QNET, disclosed this during a roundtable in Malaysia with journalists from Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone.

She said that QNET also planned to tackle the issues of misconceptions about its wellness and fitness products in Africa, especially in Nigeria.

Caluza explained that at QNET, there was zero policy for any misrepresentation or unethical practices of Independent Representatives (IRs) promoting the business.

“We have a dedicated network compliance department that monitors our network of IRs.

“QNET provides comprehensive training programmes to equip IRs with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate ethically, avoid fraudulent practices and provide accurate information to potential customers.

“We have also joined forces with local law enforcement agencies to apprehend scammers misrepresenting our brand in Nigeria,” Caluza said.

She added that the company took the allegations of fraudulent practices very seriously, and would take strong action against anyone found to be misrepresenting QNET.

According to her, QNET’s main focus is to maintain a trustworthy and fraud-free environment for its business operations in Africa.

Caluza said that QNET had invested in comprehensive awareness campaigns to educate the public about the modus operandi of scammers and how to distinguish them from legitimate QNET’s independent representatives.

“QNET has adopted a multi-pronged approach to combat the issue through public education, adherence to strict guidelines, collaboration with authorities, monitoring systems, customer support and training initiatives,” she said.

She noted that these initiatives aimed at empowering individuals to make informed decisions and avoid falling victim to scams.

Caluza explained that by maintaining a strong moral compass, the company ensured that its representatives conducted business responsibly and transparently.

She, however, said that sometimes false allegations were made against some of the IRs, noting that several investigations are carried out before any IR is suspended or terminated.

Similarly, Biram Fall, the Regional General Manager for QNET’s Sub-Saharan Africa Operations, revealed that the company had invested heavily in the training and development of its independent representatives.

He said that the company had remained steadfast in its commitment to combat misrepresentation and empower individuals with the knowledge needed to distinguish legitimate opportunities from scams.

Also, the Chief Reputation and Transformation Officer for QNET, Trevor Kuna, said the company had implemented a robust monitoring systems to identify any suspicious activities or deviations from its policies.

According to him, regular audits are conducted to ensure compliance and to promptly identify and address any potential issues associated with scammers.

Ramya Chandrasekaran, Group Chief Communications Officer of the QI Group, said that customers could reach out to its support network to report any suspicious behavior and seek guidance on the legitimacy of transactions or representatives.

Also, Nikhil Patel, Chief Legal Officer, QNET, said that there were three types of scammers, the ones not associated with QNET, current IRs and former IRs.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Centre for Dry land Agriculture (CDA) of Bayero University, Kano says it plans to hold its fourth conference on dry land and food security from Sept. 12 to Sept. 14 in Kano.

Prof. Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, the Director, CDA, said this when he briefed newsmen in Kano on Monday.

“The biennial international conference on drylands is one of the programmes of the centre that provides a platform for disseminating research findings, networking and sharing experiences between scientist, practitioners and other stakeholders.

‘’The conference has the theme “Ecosystem Restoration and Natural Resources Management: Exploring Opportunities for Food Security in the Drylands” and “Improving Climate-Resilient Agriculture in West Africa: Leveraging the Success of the Regional Africa Centers of Excellence,’’ he said.

Mohammed-Jibrin said the theme aligned with the current United Nations Decade for Ecosystem Restoration to address development changes and food security.

“This year’s conference 100 papers would be presented and bring together scientists, farmers, policymakers, CSO and private sector from United States, China and Senegal among others to share knowledge and experiences.

‘’The stakeholders will address low agricultural productivity, climate change, high population pressure and unsustainable land use in West Africa and Central Africa.

“The CDA is a World Bank and AFD-supported Africa Centre of Excellence in dryland agriculture.

“The Centre works in collaboration with various stakeholders to support adaptation to the changing environment in Africa drylands through training, research and outreach” Mohammed-Jibrin said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria