Day: June 22, 2024

The Africa Business Ventures and Investment Group says it will assist Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and others access funding to address climate change and infrastructure deficit in Africa.

The Chairman of the Board, Mr Moses Owharo, made this known at the inaugural Washington DC edition of the African Infrastructure, Climate Change and Investment Summit (AICIS) and Exhibition held via zoom, on Friday.

The Summit with the theme ‘Fastening Collaboration with United States of America in Fostering Climate Resilient, Economic and Infrastructure, and Industrialisation in Africa’ was organised by the Group.

Those in collaboration with the Group include Office of Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), and the private sector.

Owharo, who is also a Harvard Business School Alumni, said the forum usually organised international conferences and Summit where policy makers, government and private sectors come together to look at challenging issues.

‘We have had pro
grammes in Ghana, Russia and other countries.

‘This one holding is in the Washington DC, USA and due to some challenges; we are doing it in both Nigeria and U.S. via zoom.

‘The objective is to set up a fund for Africa. That fund will assist organisations and even governments across Africa. This is because government cannot do it alone.

‘Where there are gaps, we want to close the gaps. So we will set up those funds that practitioners, NGOs, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs), local governments and countries in Africa will participate.

‘We will not do it alone, we will work with UN, American Government, Nigerian Government and other countries in Africa.

‘This is to ensure that our deprived NGOs, CSOs SMEs and citizens of African can have resources that can be used to be actively involved in climate change actions and area of economy development,’ Owharo said.

On the area of Mining, he said that a lot of small scales Miners in Africa did not have capital to involve in active mining.

According to him
, lack of capital usually push them into illegal mining that lead to collapse of mining site and death of Miners

He stressed that mining was a good venture but they needed training, capacity building and initial seed funding.

‘There is need to open a portal or data base for them.

‘That is one of the things that we are doing, especially with SMEs that are into commodity.

‘We want to help them package and showcase their commodity to the international community which will increase their revenue.

‘We also want to help them source for funding from funding agencies across the world,’ he said.

Owharo further explained that the group also had partners in health infrastructure that would want to donate medical equipment to institutions that could deliver quality health care services to their community.

He also said that the group was in collaboration with Ministries of Trade and Investment, Foreign Affairs, Environment and SGF, Climate Change Council and many others.

Owharo added that the group would expand an
d solidify its relationships with both international and local partners.

Meanwhile, Prof. Chris Schrage from the University of Northern Iowa, said that Africa needed to address the issue of mismanagement.

Schrage, who said that some African countries have unique transportation and educational system, added that climate change campaign should start from the schools.

She said that this was necessary to enable the young one get educated on dangers of climate change and how to address it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the Summit, Dr Brima Deen and other experts on infrastructure, climate change and business investments from Washington DC and Abuja in Nigeria made impactful presentations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Lara Kudayisi, a relationship expert and therapist, has advised individuals undergoing any form of trauma to speak up and seek help.

Kudayisi, Founder of Lara Kudayisi International, gave the advice at a news conference ahead of the maiden edition of ‘Finding Love After Trauma Fiesta’ (FLAT), on Friday in Lagos.

According to her, keeping quiet while going through trauma can be risky.

She said to encourage the culture of speaking up promptly, ‘Finding Love After Trauma Fiesta’ would be hosted to help traumatised individuals in the society to recover.

Kudayisi said the programme was targeted at singles, married and divorced individuals who are trying to recover from one form of trauma or the other.

She said the programme slated to hold on June 29, at Muson Centre in Lagos, would be an avenue to address sensitive issues, particularly marital and relationship trauma.

According to her, certified relationship therapists will be engaged during the fiesta to offer professional help.

She said that the fiesta wo
uld feature panel sessions where individuals who had healed from traumatised relationships share their experiences for others to learn and recover as well.

She said that the programme would also provide an avenue for people to understand the essence of maintaining sound mental health in relationships.

‘FLAT is meant to bring traumatised individuals to their safe spaces. We are looking at the singles, married and the divorced for this maiden edition.

‘From this programme, people will get to learn effective communication techniques to enhance their connections with others.

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‘People will also learn strategies for navigating challenges and conflicts in a healthy and constructive way as well as gain inspiration from real-life success stories.

‘We will have Omowunmi Akinnifesi; Sandra Eze; Morayo and Femi Afolabi-Brown; Chiamaka Obuekwe; Oladotun Ojuolape and many others speak on the panel.

‘This is going to be a celebration of love, learning and connection for al
l; we want to debunk the narrative that being single means going into prostitution, ‘ she said.

Speaking on the entertainment segment of the fiesta, Teddy Don-Momoh, co-founder of Lara Kudayisi International, said the programme would not only feature healing and therapy sessions.

Don-Momoh said there would also be comedy session, musical performances, dance session, games and networking session.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Chief of Army staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has commended the wives of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their support to their husbands and the humanitarian services rendered to the society.

Lagbaja gave the commendation at the First Anniversary celebration of his wife, Maria Lagbaja, as the 21st President of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), on Saturday in Abuja.

The theme of the celebration is ‘Journey So Far: Next Level’.

According to Lagbaja, it is said that behind every successful man, there is a good woman, saying the adage rings true for them in the Nigerian Army, where their women have been the bedrock of their successes, providing unwavering support and strength.

He said his wife and NAOWA president had been leading the wives of army personnel and had been doing so much in support of him in the last one year, adding that he had always been away to units and formations across the country.

According to him, his travel log as of Friday revealed that h
e had been in the air for about 40 hours and on the road, travelling around formations and units of the Nigerian army for about 200 hours.

‘In my travels, I have met with strong, industrious, and supportive NAOWA and NASWA members who have undoubtedly supported their spouses.

‘Many of our women have evolved into strong decision-makers running the home front effectively while the spouses are in the frontlines, on courses, and even lost in the rhythm of our busy peacetime rear units.

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‘I must confess that NAOWA has been hugely instrumental to the NA’s successes this past year.

‘I thank my dear wife, the President of NAOWA, for her leadership and inspiration.

‘We have come together today to celebrate my wife’s one year of purposeful and impactful leadership of NAOWA and mentoring of NASWA.

‘The transformation the association has witnessed in one year of her leadership is truly remarkable,’ he said.

Lagbaja expressed confidence that NOAWA
under his wife’s leadership would continue to undertake impactful projects in the second year of her administration.

He challenged the association to expand its activities in close concert with the Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association (NASWA) to accommodate wider participation on the barracks women.

He assured NAOWA of Army Headquarters’ support to achieve more going forward, having realised the enormous benefits of both NAOWA and NASWA.

The President of NAOWA, Mrs Lagbaja, in her remarks, thanked members, for their constant support and cooperation, which enabled the association to achieve its goals within the past year.

She said the event provided an avenue for them to to reflect on the remarkable journey they had undertaken together, and to plan a progressive course for the future.

According to her, it is a moment to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of every NAOWA member, whose unwavering support has been the backbone of my success.

Mrs Lagbaja said that the association had embarked on num
erous outreaches, programmes, and initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of its members, uplifting the barracks communities, and supporting the humanitarian efforts of the Nigerian army.

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‘I have also commissioned several projects initiated by some NAOWA Chairpersons which effectively demonstrates that NAOWA presiding members at all levels have fully embraced and keyed into my vision of ‘Sustaining Legacies Through Unwavering Commitment to Unity and Service for the Betterment of Humanity.’

‘This vision remains unconditional, and I am committed to ensuring that NAOWA continues to uphold a great reputation in the public eye.

‘I am also dedicated to sustaining our association’s legacies by upgrading and improving upon our assets and institutions.

‘I therefore urge you all to sustain these efforts,’ she added.

NAOWA President said that key projects, such as the modernised NAOWA National Secretariat, remodeled events centre,
guest house, and a recreational park would soon be inaugurated.

These projects, according to her, are a testament to their collective efforts in creating lasting and meaningful impact within our communities.

‘Today’s celebration is not just a reflection of our achievements but also a platform to inspire us to greater heights.

‘Together, we shall continue to build on this foundation, driven by our shared vision of unity, service, and empowerment, in line with my vision,’ she added.

A special highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of her ‘Next Level Transformative Initiative’ for all NAOWA members.

The initiative, according to her, aims to further empower and uplift NAOWA members, providing new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

She said the project was also a demonstration of her commitment to the continuous improvement of NAOWA and the betterment of their community.

Mrs Lagbaja thanked the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for providing them the needed support and directions as well as
her husband for his unwavering support to the association.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja Catholic Archdiocese, says silence in the face of social injustice is a crime against the gospel of Christ and the nation.

He stated this in Abuja at the inauguration of the Catholic Social Teaching (CST), programme for Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), and agencies of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports event also witnessed the graduation ceremony of the trainers of CST programme.

Onaiyekan said, beyond evangelism, the Church must inculcate communication on justice and peace, all encapsulated in its social teachings.

He said the belief was the reason why the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria continually urged the government to fulfil its responsibilities and address the people’s needs.

He explained that CST provided a moral compass for living, functioning, and flourishing in society, making it central to evangelisation.

The Cardinal congratulated the graduands, urged them to view CST as essential
for service and challenged them to deploy their knowledge to spreading the gospel.

According to the Cardinal, the CST is meant to empower both priests and laypeople to know their rights and speak against injustices in society.

Speaking, Rev. Fr. Uche Obodoechina, the Director, Dept. of Church and Society, said the programme was designed to equip the staffers of the Bishops’ agencies with comprehensive knowledge on CST.

‘This initiative has been made possible by the wisdom of the Bishops Conference, ensuring that the teaching and learning of CST by the staff of the bishops’ agencies takes place at the secretariat.

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‘The next stage is to go into action. We will divide the staffers here into various classes and assign them to teachers.

Over the next two weeks, we will conduct the programmes every Friday until they graduate,’ he said.

Obodoechina, the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), also em
phasised the significance of social teachings.

He reiterated the commitment to continue the CST education programme, fostering a deeper understanding of social justice and the Church’s role in society.

‘We are creating a ripple effect of knowledge and awareness that will extend far beyond the secretariat, impacting communities and society at large,’ he added..

In his keynote address, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, the Vice Chancellor of Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja, emphasized that everyone, regardless of status, has something to contribute to society.

He noted that CST, a hidden treasure of the Church, will address various social concerns, including politics, healthcare, climate change, education, and social inequalities.

Ichoku expressed satisfaction with Veritas University’s collaboration with CRS and CBCN to spread the message.

In a valedictory speech, Mr Joe Nkamuke, who spoke on behalf of the graduands, assured of their commitment to spreading the CST knowledge they have gained.

‘We promise to open t
he Pandora’s box for others to see,’ he said.

He expressed gratitude to the programme’s organisers and reaffirmed their dedication to promoting CST principles in society.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), says Nigeria has the best civil service in the world.

Yemi-Esan stated this on Saturday in Abuja during a sporting event organised for workers as part of activities to mark the 2024 Civil Service Week.

According to her, Nigerian civil servants are hard working, intelligent, adding that, ‘they can look after their own health for greater productivity in the course of discharging their duties.

‘You know I am always proud of civil and public servants because Nigeria has the best civil service in the world and I can say that confidently anywhere’.

She expressed satisfaction with high turnout of the civil servants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies at the events.

‘I recall three or four years ago, we only used to have a handful of civil servants and today, the numbers that are here have increased tremendously.

‘Thank you for a very good turnout today, you know this sporting activities, you don’t have to take it for gran
ted because if we are not healthy, we can’t give the country the best that we have.

‘And please this exercise is very important for us to be productive and to give our very best, our body system must be healthy enough.

‘Apart from today’s sporting exercise, always ensure to visit our wellness centre to exercise yourself. I am sure a lot of civil servants don’t even know where the centre is. Some people are taking advantage of the centre, some are not,’ she said.

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Yemi-Esan said the government invested a lot of resources at the wellness centre towards ensuring healthy civil servants with sound mind to offer their best.

Also speaking, Minister of Sport Development, Mr John Enoh, lauded Yemi-Esan for sustaing the initiative since assuming office, especially during the annual Civil Service Week.

According to Enoh, the required results are always achievable with the an active administrator put in place whether elective or appointive office, a
dding that the HoS has made a remarkable legacy in the sector.

‘When you have an active administrator in an office, whether the officer is elected, appointed, you would see the required results.

‘In the course of my journey here this morning , I was just reflecting and I imagined the great initiative that started these programmes on physical fitness, the programme on exercises for the public servants.

‘And I think that the head of service has done a great job for everyone who is here, and I will like to commend her for such initiative.

‘And I thank the Head of Service for succeeding this tradition looking at the kind of excitement that I find, it appears that there are some of you that wish that this took place everyday just to keep you physically fit,’ Enoh said.

The initiative, she said, was an added advantage to keep civil servants alert mentally for productivity, stressing that, ‘its sustainability is very necessary and vital’.

Earlier, Dr Deborah Bako, Permanent Secretary, Service Policy and Strate
gies Office (SPSO) office of HOCSF, said the inclusion of sport activities as part of events to mark civil service week was imperative to acquire mental ability.

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Also, Mr Aliyu Tajudeen, Sport Manager, Ministry of Education, said that involving civil servants in sporting activities was highly recommended to promote productivity.

Highlights of the include athletics like running, football, aerobatics, cycling among others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Experts in organic agriculture have called for more concerted efforts by stakeholders for Nigeria and other West Africa countries to access enormous opportunities in organic agricultural produce and products.

They made the call in Abuja, at a two-day conference with the theme: ‘Development of a Harmonized Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) standard for West Africa.’

Jude Obi, President of the Association of Organic Agriculture Practitioners of Nigeria, said the West Africa region must access its quotas from the inestimable amount of money available for organic agriculture globally.

Obi said that development of organic agriculture could comfortably address the challenge of food security and increase foreign exchange earnings, stifling the economy in the region.

He expressed concern that the African continent and West Africa were yet to scratch the surface of their own quota in organic agriculture trade.

‘Now, the West Africa organic agriculture landscape is evolving, clearly evolving, but the opportunit
y is massive.

‘The amount of money available for organic agriculture in the world is inestimable. And for us in Africa and West Africa, we are not even scratching it.

‘So, this is an effort to expand the horizon, make trade easy, make people interested in organic agriculture, increase production which is very important and earn the much needed foreign exchange.

‘Which is one of the things that are stifling the economy of West Africa and by extension Africa.

‘It is clear that both the African continent and West Africa; they are not scratching the surface. They are not scratching the surface of their own quota in organic agriculture trade,’ he said.

Obi said the essence of the conference was to ensure that organic agriculture get rooted in the region to address the challenge of food security and earn more foreign exchange in the region.

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‘We are gathered here importantly because organic agriculture is gaining traction in West Africa, Africa and the
world. And it is not organic if it does not have guidance, if it does not have traceability.

‘So, traceability is very important in organic agriculture. We are here to establish protocol for traceability in organic agriculture in West Africa.

‘If we are able to achieve this, then there will be easy trade within the sub-region.

‘This traceability we are talking about, we call it participatory guarantee scheme. It is the lower level of traceability simply because we have two levels of traceability.

‘The first one is a third party. The second one is the participatory guarantee scheme. This participatory guarantee scheme is designed for farmers.

‘Third party is expensive and organic agriculture prepares itself to bring in everybody.

‘So, participatory guarantee scheme is a process through which a small farmer that doesn’t have a large quantity of money to go through a third party can still establish their traceability, have standard, have certification and be able to trade just like every other person.

`An
d most importantly, have premium prices because the target is premium price. So, we have gathered here to establish a protocol for a participatory guarantee scheme for the West African region,’ he said.

Oyewole Gbadamosi, Coordinator of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative in West Africa, in his submission said that organic agriculture would enhance global trade, promotion of exports, and exportation of material among others in the region.

According to him, the conference was planned to facilitate the development of a regional standard for organic agriculture in the West African states.

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‘It is aimed to create a short supply chain for product movements across the member states and we are gathered here to do exactly that,’ he said.

He said that the conference would among others address the issue of verification in terms of the quality of things that are produced organically.

‘We have had many products labeled organic and which
are not. I have also had different regulations which have not been followed particularly in some West African states, where we do have regulations on organic agriculture.

‘So this particular workshop is to provide the working documents for certification and reference label for organic products and to serve as a value addition for the organic product and to increase the credibility of the products while moving across the region.

‘We are expecting that this can be a giant stride for the development of organic agriculture in the region, while working hard to see that we are able to even leverage on some of the other important things that this particular initiative brings.’

Dr. Kofi Emanuel, Programme Officer of Rural Development and Land Government at the ECOWAS Commission, Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, said development of organic agriculture would address the challenge of food security in the region.

Emmanuel, who is also the Chairman of the Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative, Secre
tariat in West Africa, stressed the need for harmonisation of standards across member states.

‘I cannot say that there is no standard. There are standards in the member states. People are producing organic products but for free trade across our member states.

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‘We need to harmonize these standards. That is why we are doing this now. We are working.

‘You know, our agriculture, if you compare our practice to other countries as in other continents, we can say that we are seeing the area of Ecological Organic Agriculture because we use less of our fertilizers.

‘The chemical fertilizers are very less. We are about 18 to 24 kilograms per hectare. Even compared to those of Asia who are 300 kilograms, more than 320 kilograms per hectare.

‘Our agriculture is still ecological and organic. It feeds its population. So we need to have the label, we need the standard for it,’ he said.

He equally harped on the need for access to technology,
sharing of information, research and develop capacity of our farmers for the development of the sector.

‘So, the capacity building issue is very important for our farmers and our organization. We need certification. It’s very important.

‘If you go to the market, your products are not certified. If you didn’t have a label on your products, it cannot make visibility of that. So it’s very important to do all these processes,’ he said.

He agreed that organic agriculture might not be able to feed the entire population in the region but can contribute significantly in feeding them.

‘Organic agriculture can contribute to feed this population; can contribute to produce and taking into account our soil health.

‘But we cannot feed all our population through only organic agriculture. We need to manage, taking into account the necessity to preserve the fertility of our soil and to tackle all the challenges we have to face,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria