Month: April 2024

The Risk Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON), has conferred its Fellowship on Mrs Florence Wenegieme, the Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fellowship was conferred on Wenegieme during the 2024 National Risk Reduction Conference on Friday in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the President of RIMSON, Mr Gus Wiggle, said that the fellowship was approved by the Board of Trustees and the Executive Management of the society.

Wiggle, who is also the Chairman of Governing Board of RIMSON, explained that the honour was in recognition of Wenegieme’s integrity, professionalism and contributions to risk management.

He explained that the director was also recognised for her support to RIMSON over the years.

‘This is a distinguished membership category of honour reserved for those who are embodiments of value, reformation, innovation and progress.

‘As a fellow, RIMSON hopes to benefit from your
wealth of experience and goodwill, support for the society’s leadership strategies and implementation of the continuous professional development programme.

‘We will continue to hold you in esteem as a worthy Ambassador of RIMSON and of risk management,’ he said.

Responding, Wenegieme thanked RIMSON for recognising her efforts and the steps taken by FEMA to reduce risks and keep residents of FCT safe from avoidable disasters.

She equally thanked FEMA for giving her the opportunity to serve and contribute her quota toward risk management in the FCT.

‘I also thanked my Search and Rescue family for being there for FEMA while implementing action plans designed to reduce disaster risk for a safer and happy FCT.

‘We will continue to work to ensure a safer and risk-free society,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Director-General (DG), Nigeria Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Dr Yusuf Yakub, on Friday urged anti-graft agencies to enhance awareness on the dangers of corruption on national development.

The DG made the call in Abuja at the end of a two-day sensitisation workshop on corruption, organised by the NTAC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit.

The workshop was held in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

He said that if more awareness was created among public servants, the menace of corruption would be greatly reduced.

‘The best way to fight corruption is with what we are doing here.

‘Most of the corruption cases being investigated would not have taken place if citizens, most especially public servants, are properly enlightened and taught the dos and don’ts frequently.

‘So, I want to commend ICPC for introducing ACTU in all government agencies, and I must say the ACTU unit in NTAC is doing well.

‘Every year they come up with a complete schedule
for the year, they have programmes every month,’ he added.

Yakub pledged to continue supporting the anti-corruption unit ‘so that our staff members can get all the necessary information to see that we do not go against both the public and financial rules’.

He expressed confidence that if such interaction continue on regular basis, ‘ICPC will have no job to do, because corruption will be killed from the roots.”

Also, Mr Olusegun Adigun, Acting Director, System Study and Review, ICPC, said that the workshop was part of efforts to raise awareness among civil servants to the ills of corruption and how to avoid it.

‘We all know the issue of corruption in the country, so in the last two days, lectures have been delivered on various aspect of anti-corruption in order to bring to fore the effects of corruption on the system and the nation.

‘Even before now, we have been engaging them on sensitisation and enlightenment activities; we have a desk officer that relates with them on quarterly basis.

‘A day or two f
or the workshop is not the days that are important, it is the attitude that is important, and that’s what we are preaching to Nigerians, that we need to change our attitude.

‘Nigeria is a blessed country, if we can change our attitude and support government in the fight against corruption, Nigeria will be a better place for all,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and its joint venture partner in OML 85, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (First E and P), have commenced oil production from the asset.

Production from the asset, also known as Madu Field, which is located in shallow waters offshore Bayelsa and operated by First E and P is expected to be at an average of 20,000 barrels per day.

In a statement on Friday in Abuja, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Malam Mele Kyari, described the commencement of oil production at the Madu Field as a significant milestone.

Kyari said the achievement was a testament to the commitment of President Bola Tinubu administration’s to optimise production from the nation’s oil and gas assets through the provision of enabling environment for existing and prospective investors.

He said it would contribute to the larger goal of meeting the production required to drive revenue growth and boost the nation’s economy.

Kyari, who commended s
takeholders for their support, also explained that the addition of 20,000 barrels per day by an indigenous oil player signalled the commitment of stakeholders to achieving economic development for Nigeria.

It will be recalled that the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the development of the Madu Field and a sister field, Anyala, was taken by the NNPC Ltd/First E and P JV in 2018.

Production from the Madu Field would be processed at the JV’s Abigail-Joseph Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Unit, which has a crude oil storage capacity of up to 800,000bbls.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, a Social Behavioural Specialist from UNICEF’s Lagos Field Office, has advised the youth to embrace digital technology to maintain global relevance.

Aderonke-Akinola gave the advice during the town-gown interaction at Covenant University on Friday in Ota, Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ota, in collaboration with UNICEF.

The theme of the event is, ‘Strategic Communication for Behaviour Changes in the Digital Age’.

She emphasised the importance of leveraging digital innovation to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced world.

‘We are moving toward a stage where machines would begin to replace human beings.

‘How prepared are the youth to stay relevant as the world keeps moving at a fast space because technology and innovation drive the world?’ she queried.

Akinola-Akinwole also explained the need for youth to acquire diverse digital experiences and knowledge to navigate t
he evolving technological landscape effectively.

She stressed that leaving behind over 60 per cent of the population, comprising youths, would hinder the country’s development.

Aderonke-Akinola said that the essence of the interaction was to create a relationship between the industry and the academia world.

Akinola-Akinwole urged young people to not only adapt to change but also actively drive positive transformation in their communities.

According to her, the interaction between UNICEF and Covenant University aims to enhance students’ practical knowledge and experiences.

This, she explained, would help to boost collaboration between academia and industry for holistic development.

She said that knowledge acquired by the students from the institution would not only be theories but more practical.

In her welcome remark, Dr Stella Aririguzoh, Head of Mass Communication Department, commended the UNICEF specialist for lecture delivered to the students.

Aririguzoh said that the lecture had taught them that
communication could be used to change behaviours depending on the approach.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has called for a cultural and spiritual reawakening of its people following the conclusion of the Amaseikumor Festival in Gbaramatu, Delta.

Prof. Benjamin Okaba, President, INC, made the call on Saturday in a communique assessing and dissecting the activities showcased at the five-day festival.

Okaba called on the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism to support and popularise the Amaseikumor festival.

He stated that ljaw culture remained a strong identity of the people and as such would be promoted for its uniqueness and civilisation.

According to him, the INC uses this period of Amaseikumor to call for cultural and spiritual reawakening of the Ijaw people to the common cause and showing ijaw wealth to the world.

‘Tourism, besides natural resources is a major foreign exchange earner around the world.

‘Not only in petroleum, which is a fleeting resource but also in the arts, tradition, culture and hospitality of Ijaw people.

‘Countries l
ike Brazil, Egypt, Israel and others survive very well on income from tourism.

‘Gbaramatu is rich in culture, just as it is rich in oil; the investment possibilities and potentials in culture is open to investors both in the public and private sectors.’

Okaba added that cultural festivals bring people together and foster unity.

‘By celebrating our cultural heritage, it is easy to break stereotypes, promote social cohesion, encourage dialogue and boost local economies.

‘The 2024 Amaseikumor festival featured songs, dance and drama all through the five days of commemoration and this festival has contributed to building a more inclusive and harmonious society.

‘The festival was an acknowledgement of man as an embodiment of body, soul and spirit which was re-enacted in dance and song to commemorate the spiritual roots of the Gbaramatu people.

‘It was truly an observance filled with spiritual and physical joy. The great hospitality of the Gbaramatu community was on display, as invited guests came from far an
d near and were all thoroughly enthralled.

‘The ambience all through the event was that of peace and tranquility. No single incidence of violence, not even simple affrays which are common in such large social gatherings.

‘This confirms ljaws as very peaceful people, contrary to some revisionist public commentators and quasi-intellectuals who like to label them as violent people. ljaws are free spirited and peace loving people’, he said.

The INC president further felicitated warmly and congratulated the kingdom on the successful celebration of the annual festival.

‘It was five days of world class cultural display and theatre showcasing Ijaw civilisation and tradition at its very finest,’ he added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Cameroon on Transboundary Ecosystems Conservation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MoU, signed on Friday in Abuja, is on cooperation framework on Transboundary Ecosystems Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forestry and Wildlife Resources.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said the bilateral agreement demonstrated the importance of cooperation in tackling global challenges.

He said the event was also was of great significance as it underscored the commitment of the present administration to collaborate with Cameroon in managing and conserving shared natural resources.

Lawal said that Nigeria and Cameroon not only shared common border but also common vision on the best approach towards the protection and conservation of natural resources.

‘Apart from the global phenomenon of climate change and environmental challenges, social factors including over-populatio
n, poverty, food insecurity has continued to immerse these resources to the brink of extinction

‘While this is going on, transboundary criminality such as illegal logging, poaching and wildlife trafficking have further aggravated the trend.

‘It seem to have vindicated the reverberating but appalling warning revealed in the landmark Inter-Governmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), 2019 Global Assessment Report,’ he said.

The minister said that the 2019 Global Assessment Report said that about one million species were threatened with extinction, and many within decades.

He said the agreement symbolised a milestone and provided a platform for the establishment of a joint transboundary management framework.

Lawal said the agreement would facilitate cooperation and coordination between two countries on matters relating to the conservation and sustainable use of our natural resources.

‘This framework will be instrumental in ensuring the effective conservation and sust
ainable management of our forests and wildlife resources, which are critical to our ecosystem services, livelihoods, and sustainable development.

The minister assured that Nigeria would not fail in playing its part in ensuring successful implementation of the agreement.

‘We must continue to engage in constructive dialogue, and remain steadfast in ensuring that our natural resources are sustainably managed and conserved for the benefit of present and future generations,’ he said.

In an address, the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Cameroon, Mr Jules DoretNdongo, said it was an hounour to witness signing of the Transboundary agreement between his country and Nigeria.

He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for agreeing to host the long awaited bilateral partnership.

DoretNdongo urged all stakeholders to be more committed to the implementation of the agreement.

In a Goodwill message, the Country representative, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Dr Oliver Stolpe, congratulated the governm
ents of Nigeria and Cameroon on milestone achievement of the signing of the MoU.

‘This signals the importance that both countries have given to wildlife and forest crime and collaboration and cooperation to combat these crimes.

‘UNODC pledges its support to the implementation of the cooperation agreement and in the efforts to combat crimes that affect the environment in general,’ he said.

Stolpe was represented by Mrs Folusho Adelekan, Wildlife Team Lead, UNODC.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria