Day: May 15, 2024

The Joint Task Force, North East Operation, Hadin Kai, has inaugurated a solar-powered borehole facility at the Nigeria Police Camp, 333 Artillery Regiment Barracks, Njimtilo, Maiduguri.

Speaking during the inauguration, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, the Theatre Commander, said the project was a welfare initiative of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

Shuaibu said that the water project would be of immense service to the soldiers, their families and other security agencies.

‘By this project, we have prioritised the welfare of our personnel, the idea is to ensure the availability of potable water in Njimtilo camp.

‘The facility will ease the water need of soldiers and other security agencies within the environment, it’s one of the non-kinetic measures used by the Army,’ he said.

The theatre commander thanked the COAS for ensuring that the well-being of troops was given utmost priority.

Also speaking, the Police Coordinator, Brig.-Gen. O.O Yakubu, said the occasion marked a significant m
ilestone at the Special Forces Mobile Police Camp, Njimtilo.

Yakubu said the was project implemented to complement government’s efforts in resolving the water challenge in the camp and its environs.

‘Water is a fundamental human need, it is essential for life and well-being, this is what informed this project.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker and Azubuike Okeh

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Hon. Stanley Olajide (PDP Oyo State), a member of the House of Representatives, has issued a caution to parents regarding the excessive use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) by their children.

Olajide, representing Ibadan Northwest/Southwest Constituency, delivered the advice during the 4th stakeholders dialogue on ‘Child Protection’ organised by the Hope for Second Chance Foundation (HOSEC), an NGO.

The event, themed ‘Safeguarding Our Future: Nurturing Safe Digital Spaces for Nigerian Child,’ aimed to address concerns surrounding child safety in the digital age.

Olajide emphasised the importance of implementing proper controls when allowing children to use ICT devices, noting the potential risks associated with unrestricted access to the digital space.

He warned that without appropriate measures in place, the rapid expansion of the digital landscape could pose more harm than good to children.

Olajide revealed that legislative efforts are underway to regulate the use of ICT, underscoring the
need for parents to fulfill their responsibilities in guiding their children’s technology usage.

He urged parents to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their children’s well-being amidst the evolving digital landscape.

‘People are using the children through the cyberspace to perpetrate crime. There are organ harvesters on the internet, they are everywhere now.

‘Parents must stop indulging their children in ICT use, but if you must do so, put the right control in place.

‘Technology as a tool is more powerful than the friends we keep, we must be cautious.’

The lawmaker also advised children to be contented with whatever their parents gave them, saying ‘some parents are really struggling for their children.’

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Mrs Ibukunoluwa Otesile, the Executive Director, HOSEC, said that the safety of the digital space is the responsibility of all and sundry.

She lamented that if Nigerians are not careful with the use of technology, the countr
y may have corrupt children.

‘We must all lend our voice to this call, that is the whole essence of this event, all voices must be amplified, the digital space must be safe for children, ‘ she said.

On his part, Prof. Adebusuyi Adeniran, the Head of Sociology and Information Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, emphasised the need to control the cyberspace.

He said that ‘the problem can be better addressed through primary socialisation, as parents must think of the message they are passing to their children with the use of ICT.

‘There is no way ICT use can be stopped in Nigeria, but we can have control over it on children.

‘We must make internet align with the country’s cultural practices. The Church, Mosque and school cannot train our children for us, the onus is on us to do it ourselves,’ Olajide said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

No fewer than 435,000 rural residents across four Local Government Areas (LGAs) are benefitting from the World Bank-supported Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme in Imo state.

The 700 million dollars programme is underway in seven states of Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau.

The General Manager, Imo State Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (ISTOWA), Mr Chibuzo Ezigbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing Stakeholders Forum of the SURWASH programme in Abuja on Thursday.

Ezigbo said this was also made possible with the commitment and provision of N600 million by the State Government to kickstart the programme in four local government areas.

They are; Oguta, Mbaitoli, Oru East and Ideato south local government areas.

According to him, the programme which is in its first phase has brought relief to the benefiting communities as all stakeholders have been carried along in the processes.

The general manager said
that the ISTOWA had also established the Water Consumers’ Association in the benefiting local governments to ensure that ownership of these facilities was maintained and sustained.

‘The SURWASH programme has really brought relief to the people of Imo state, currently; we are working in four LGAs of Oguta, Mbaitoli, Oru East and Ideato South.

‘We are still intervening in other local government areas, his Excellency has graciously approved the release of N600 million for the implementation of this programme’.

The general manager said initiatives such as baseline surveys, stakeholder engagement, water reticulation to households, and provision of toilets for schools and health centres were underway.

He added that strategies to prevent waterborne diseases include construction of toilets in health centres and public areas, establishing piped water networks for domestic use and ensuring clean drinking water access particularly for vulnerable populations.

This, he said was made possible through the use of the Na
tional social register to verify those most in need.

Ezigbo projected that the benefiting local governments would be Open Defecation Free by 2025, urging local governments to take ownership of infrastructure to ensure sustainability, curb vandalism, and maximise community benefits.

NAN reports that SURWASH will provide six million people with basic drinking water services and 1.4 million people access to improved sanitation services.

The programme will deliver improved water sanitation and hygiene services to 2,000 schools and health care facilities and assist 500 Communities to achieve open defecation free status. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Tags: Imo, WASH

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Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government on Wednesday inaugurated three critical gas infrastructure projects in Imo and Delta to drive the country’s gas sector.

President Bola Tinubu, while inaugurating the projects virtually, expressed delight and congratulated Nigerians for the achievements recorded within months of his administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president inaugurated the ANOH-OB3 CTMS gas pipeline and ANOH gas processing plant in Assa, Ohaji/Egbema in Imo State.

Tinubu also inaugurated the expansion of the AHL gas processing plant 2 gas project in Kwale in Delta.

The projects are being undertaken by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and partners in line with Tinubu’s commitment to leverage gas to grow the economy.

According to the NNPC Ltd., the projects will add 500MMscf/d gas production capacity to the country and also increase the available gas pipeline network by 23.3 kilometres

Tinubu said: ‘this inauguration is highly significant to our country as
it demonstrates the administration’s concerted efforts to accelerate the development of critical gas infrastructures.

‘It is also geared at significantly enhancing the supply of energy to boost industrial growth and create employment opportunities.

‘Also, the projects are fully in line with the decade of gas initiative, and the Federal Government’s quest to grow value from the Nation’s abundant gas assets.

‘While concurrently eliminating gas flaring and accelerating industrialisation,’ he said.

The president said approximately 500MMscf of gas in aggregate would be supplied to the domestic market from these two Gas Processing Plants, which represented more than 25 per cent incremental growth in gas supply.

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Tinubu said: ‘in practical terms, this is more gas to the power sector, gas-based industries and other critical segments of the economy.

‘I, therefore, commend the strategic vision of the NNPC Ltd. and its partners Sterling Oil Exploratio
n and Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) and Seplat Energy Plc for this laudable and value-adding projects.’

The President, while reiterating the desire of his administration to diversify from petrol and diesel, said significant progress had also been recorded in incentivising gas development through Presidential Executive Orders.

He assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to step up its coordination of other landmark projects and initiatives that would ensure the earliest realisation of gas-fueled prosperity in Nigeria.

Similarly, the president assured investors in the energy space that his government would not relent in facilitating the ease of doing business.

He said that the theme of the commissioning – ‘from Gas to Prosperity; Renewed Hope’, must be adopted by all gas sector participants and would-be investors.

‘As a clarion call to ramp up efforts to accelerate investment and developments of projects in the gas sector on a win-win basis.’

The president commended the effort
s of NNPC Ltd., alongside SEEPCO and Seplat Energy on the business partnership while congratulating Nigerians on the successful implementation of the three projects

‘I want to reiterate the Federal Government’s resolve to continue to provide support in deepening domestic gas utilisation.

‘To increase national power generation capacity, revitalise industries and create multiple job opportunities for economic growth.

‘I have the singular honour to inaugurate the expansion of the projects in line with this administration’s resolve to provide energy for Nigerians.

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‘I urge NNPC ltd. as our national energy company of choice to continue its relentless efforts and record more successes in the energy sector for the benefit of all Nigerians,’ he said.

Earlier, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Mele Kyari, re-assured of the company’s commitment to maintain energy security by continuing to execute more strategic gas projects for the benefit of Nigerian
s.

‘The three infrastructure projects will enable additional gas processing capacity and also increase the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), thereby reducing the dependency on importation.

‘Also, the projects are fully in line with the Federal Government’s quest to derive value from the Nation’s gas assets while eliminating gas flaring and moving towards environmentally friendly energy sources.

‘Nigeria is endowed with significant natural gas resources of over 209TCF of proven gas reserves, with the potential to grow to over 600TCF.

‘As a commercial enterprise, these milestone projects present an opportunity to monetise our abundant natural gas resources, by expanding access to energy to support economic growth, industrialisation, and job creation,’ he said.

While reiterating efforts of the corporation to drive the sector, Kyari said NNPC was deploying CNG delivery installations in its retail stations across the country.

He then, appreciated the support of its various stakeholders in ensuring ach
ievement of these projects.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, reiterated that the projects would enhance domestic gas availability, boost power generation and hasten industrialisation in Nigeria.

He said the administration’s effort in keeping with the climate control accord would move the nation towards achieving green energy sufficiency by 2060.

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He commended the president for his futuristic leadership and encouragement which had helped in achieving the projects being inaugurated.

NAN reports that the event was attended by senior government officials, partners and stakeholders in the sector.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), National Executive Council (NEC) on Tuesday called on the Federal and State Governments to address all outstanding issues with the union.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, President, ASUU said this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the ASUU-NEC meeting held at Obefemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife between May 11 to May 12.

Osodeke said that the union had rejected all the ongoing illegalities and flagrant violation of university autonomy in public universities as a result of non-reinstatement and reconstitution of governing councils.

He said that NEC observed with dismay the continued erosion of autonomy of public universities, contrary to the provisions of the Universities Miscellaneous Act (1993, 2012).

He said, ‘The dissolution of Governing Councils by the present administration has paved way for all manner of illegalities in the Nigerian University System.

‘University administrations now place advertisements for the appointment of Vice-Chancellor with
out authorisation from the appropriate quarters – the Governing Councils.

‘Outgoing Vice-Chancellors, working in cahoots with the Federal and State Ministries of Education, are illegally running the universities on daily basis.

‘They routinely usurp the powers of governing councils to recruit and discipline staff as well as manage university finances in manners bereft of transparency and accountability.’

He said that for the past 11 months universities were being run without a governing council which had given room to all sorts of illegalities in the universities system.

Osodeke said the union undertook a dispassionate and comprehensive review of the status of its engagements with Federal and State Governments on how to reposition Nigeria’s public universities for global reckoning and competitiveness.

The president also said that the meeting took a critical look at the worsening living and working conditions in universities and the nation at large.

‘The meeting received alarming reports on the failed pr
omises of the Federal and State governments towards addressing the lingering issues that forced the union to embark on the nationwide strike of February-October 2022.

‘As our union has consistently stated, salary awards are no substitutes for a negotiated agreement.

‘Each negotiated Agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and ASUU is a comprehensive package that captures not the just salary component.

‘But also a gamut of requirements for benchmarking a competitive university system designed for addressing the developmental challenges of Nigeria.

‘ASUU’s demand for negotiated salary and other conditions of service is anchored on the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Convention No. 98 which underscores the principle of collective bargaining.

‘The last FGN/ASUU Agreement was in 2009. Consequent upon the union’s advocacy spanning almost one decade, our union went into the renegotiation with the FGN as in 2017,’ he said.

Osodeke said that NEC shall reconvene after two weeks from the date
of the NEC meeting to review the situation and take a decisive action to address the issues.

On the issue of the indefinite strike in university of Abuja, he said they were fully in support of the action.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Bank of Industry (BOI) has introduced the Rural Area Programme on Investment and Development (RAPID), which aims to empower youth and women-led businesses in underserved regions.

RAPID is to provide capital and opportunities to rural communities, in addressing challenges like rural-urban migration.

The Managing Director of BOI, Dr Olasupo Olusi, during the launch in Lagos on Tuesday, said that RAPID was designed to foster economic inclusion by providing rural dwellers with equitable access to capital.

Olusi stated that this access to capital was crucial to enhance commercial and economic activities as well as address the inadequacies in existing intervention programmes, primarily favoured urban areas.

He said that the initiative offered substantial financial support, with potential funding of up to 10 million naira per project.

He added that RAPID targeted existing small businesses seeking expansion capacity and new startups with a focus on youth and women-owned businesses.

According to him, the ter
ms include a three-year repayment plan with a six-month moratorium at a concessionary interest rate of five per cent.

‘As a pilot launch, it is limited to 10 beneficiaries per state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) totalling 370 beneficiaries.

‘The grant component is developed to incentivise good repayment and businesses with significant social impact in employment generation for women and youth.

‘To ensure the programme’s accessibility, applications can be submitted via a dedicated online portal or physically at any BOI district office nationwide starting May 15,’ he said.

The Executive Director of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, BOI, Mr Omar Shekarau, said that RAPID, covers all 36 states and the FCT.

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According to him, it will focus on sectors like agriculture, textiles, garment manufacturing, leather goods, and food processing and preservation.

He said this comprehensive coverage would ensure that the benefits of economic
growth were felt across the country, transforming rural areas into burgeoning economic hubs.

Shekarau added that beyond financial support, capacity building was a critical component of the initiative.

He said by empowering entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge and skills, RAPID aimed to ensure sustainable development and long-term self-sufficiency for rural businesses.

‘As RAPID rolls out, the BOI anticipates significant improvements in job creation, financial inclusion, and economic diversification, which are expected to contribute to national prosperity and stem the tide of migration from rural areas to cities.

‘The programme not only represents a significant investment in Nigeria’s rural economies but also serves as a model for future initiatives.

This aims to achieve inclusive growth and sustainable development across West Africa,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria