Month: June 2024

Some migration stakeholders have underscored the need for positive collaboration among actors to enhance migration governance and management in Nigeria.

They expressed this view during a two-day Technical Working Group (TWG), workshop on Migration and Development, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), said the aim of the meeting was to update the TWG on the progress of the National Migration Policy review.

Ahmed explained that the goal was to initiate and ensure a unified and effective National Migration Policy review.

‘This means bringing together all relevant stakeholders, aligning our efforts, and working collaboratively towards a comprehensive and forward-looking policy.

‘We therefore seek your valuable input, feedback, and recommendations.

‘By engaging with the United Nations Network on Migration country team and drawing from your collective expertise, we aim to create a well-inform
ed and inclusive review process,’ he said.

Earlier, Ms Paola Pace, Deputy Head of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in Nigeria, said that the purpose of the TWG meeting was to advance the critical review of Nigeria’s National Migration Policy (NMP).

Pace said that the gathering represented a significant step towards enhancing migration governance and management in the country.

She said it also underscored the importance of adaptive and inclusive policy frameworks in addressing the complex dynamics of migration.

The deputy head of mission reiterated the IOM’s commitment to continue providing technical support.

‘By ensuring that our policies and actions address present-day challenges and opportunities, we can create a future where migration is safe, orderly, and beneficial,’ she added.

Also, the German Ambassador, Annett Gunther said that Germany was committed to safe, orderly and regular migration.

Gunther, said that a review of the National Migration Policy was proof of commitmen
t of the Nigerian government to capture new realities arising from the implementation of the policy in the last eight years.

The British High Commissioner, Mr Richard Montgomery, thanked all the partners for working tirelessly to combat people-trafficking and smuggling.

Montgomery said that as migratory routes continued to diversify and expand, it would not slow down any time soon.

He said that stakeholders’ joint efforts to support safe and regular migration and bring those who seek to profit illegally to task, make a difference.

‘My team and I welcome continued partnership and we look forward to continuing to see the results of much hard work and strategy as a result of this workshop,’ Montgomery said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, says the Federal Government, under the watch of President Bola Tinubu will make police hospitals the best in the country.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said this on Thursday in Abuja, during an assessment tour of infrastructure and welfare facilities of police hospitals, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

‘From the tour, what I see is drive for excellence and dedication to duty among personnel of the police hospitals we visited.

‘I can assure them that under the present administration of President Bola Tinubu, help will come and we will make police hospitals the best in Nigeria,’she said.

The minister described the tour as a key component of the Renewed Hope Police Agenda, under the current Federal Government administration.

The minister commended the personnel for their dedication and resilience in the face of challenging circumstances.

‘Our government recognises the critical role that quality healthcare plays in the well-being of both ou
r serving and retired officers.

‘We are committed to enhancing the quality of these facilities to ensure they meet the highest standards of care.

‘This will be done by upgrading equipment, improving infrastructure and providing the necessary resources to support healthcare professionals in their noble work,’she said.

In her remark, the Managing Director of MD Abubakar Police Hospital in Dei-Dei, Dr Ruth Okunbo, thanked the minister for the visit.

Okunbo, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the hospital had been useful in the advancement of healthcare delivery, for both families of police officers in the barrack and neighboring communities.

She called for the intervention of the minister in the correction of the leaking roof of the hospital and provision of an ambulance for emergency cases in the hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister, during the tour, visited MD Abubakar Police Hospital, Dei-Dei, Police Hospital, Area 1, Police Hospital, Utako and Mohammadu Buhari Pol
ice Hospital, Area 11.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Management of NNPC Foundation Ltd/Gte. says it has planted 70 economic trees in the premises of Federal Government Girls College, Benin, in commemoration of the 2024 World Environment Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that this year’s celebration has its theme as ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’.

Speaking during the tree planting ceremony on Wednesday, the Managing Director, NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said that the foundation’s mission was to support environmental sustainability through impactful initiative such as reforestation, conservation and education.

Represented by Mrs Goodnews Willie, Deputy Manager, Education and Health care Programmes, Arukwe said that NNPC Ltd. was passionate about executing positive and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes in the country.

‘The World Environment Day is a global platform to raise awareness about environmental issues and foster action for sustainable development.

‘As a recently transited
private company, NNPC Ltd. is positioned to align with global best practice in the energy industry and is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

NNPC Foundation tree planting campaign at the FGGC, Benin

‘NNPC Foundation was established as the social arm of NNPC Ltd. to be the connect between the stakeholders, who are the more than 200 million Nigerians, and the company, through the execution of impactful CSR initiatives.

‘One of the key focus areas of NNPC Foundation is to undertake impactful initiatives on Environment, and in commemoration of the World Environment Day.

‘We have lined up strategic programmes such as tree planting campaigns in schools and quizzes competitions to sensitise the citizenry to the need for environmental preservation.

‘According to the UN Convention, more than 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded and is directly impacting half of the global population, and threatening economies, ‘ She said.

She, therefore, called for the collective affirmative action to
take responsibility for the survival of immediate environment that would bring about positive spiral effects to the global habitat.

Officials of NNPC Foundation planting tree seedlings at the Federal Government Girls College, Benin

Earlier, Mrs Aghedo Osariemen, Principal of Federal Government Girls College, Benin, commended the management of NNPC Ltd/Gte. Foundation for chosing the school as one of its locations for the trees planting campaign initiative.

The highpoint of the event was a panel session by the students who discussed the important of trees planting in the society.

The students also engaged in drama presentation as well as cultural display depicting the cultural heritage of Edo, Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leo, said that the relationship between Nigeria and Italy is based on mutual respect and cooperation.

The envoy disclosed this during the 78th Italian National Day celebration, also known as the Festa della Repubblica, marking the abolishment of the monarch system and establishment of a republic in 1947.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Thursday that the celebration commenced a day earlier with an art exhibition of the Yoruba cultural heritage by a renowned Italian artist called Luigi Ballarin.

De Leo said that the day is significant for both Nigeria and Italy, and a symbol of friendship.

The envoy added that ‘this year marks the Italian G7 Presidency with the commitment to strengthen ties with Africa and Nigeria specifically.

‘The aim is to strengthen the bridge that makes us grow together through cooperation, development and equal partnership.

‘Italy offers a model of cooperation and development that bears the name of a great Italian, Enrico Mat
tel, the founder of ENI, known in Nigeria as Agip and NAOC, with a historic presence in Nigeria.

‘Over the years, we have witnessed the growth of cultural exchanges, trade partnerships, and investments between the two countries.

‘We have worked together and will continue to address common challenges such as terrorism, migration and climate change.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The NNPC Foundation has planted 500 tree seedlings as part of campaign to preserve the environment and mitigate climate change in the country.

The Managin Director of the Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said this during a tree planting campaign on Wednesday at Government Girls’ Secondary School, Nasarawa in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of the state.

She said the exercise was part of activities to mark the 2024 World Environment Day, to reclaim degraded lands, conserve the environment and biodiversity.

The Day is being observed annually on June 5, to raise awareness about environmental issues and foster action for sustainable development.

The theme of the Day is: ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’.

Represented by Mohammed Hashim-Bawa, Manager, Environment of the foundation, Arukwe said the intervention focused at empowering students, who are members of the environmental clubs to become champions of environmental preservation.

An officials of the NNPC Foundation planting
tree seedlings in Azare, Bauchi State

She said tree planting was central to its engagement focussing on practical activities to ensure that students participate actively in tree planting, to instill sense of responsibility and ownership towards environmental conservation.

The manager said the foundation is geared towards supporting environmental sustainability through impactful activities such as reforestation, conservation, and education.

‘This year’s theme underscores the critical need to address land degradation, combat desertification, and enhance resilience to drought for present and future generations.

‘This year, we extended our campaign to all geo political zones across Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

‘Sustainability in tree planting ensures long term benefits. The NNPC Foundation is committed to continuous monitoring of these plants at all localities to restore degraded lands, build resilience against drought and improve livelihoods,’ Arukwe said.

She, therefore, urged N
igerians to support the foundation in its drive to restore Nigeria’s landscapes and build a greener and more resilient future.

The District Head of Azare, Alhaji Magaji Duhuwa, lauded the gesture, adding that it would improve afforestation and control desertification in the state.

Students planting tree seedlings at the GGSS, Azare, Bauchi

Duhuwa said the community leaders would educate their people to the importance of tree planting to preserve the environment.

He enjoined youths and women, especially housewives to plant trees and engage in horticulture to conserve the environment and mitigate climate change.

Also, Mr Abdullahi Alka, the Principal of the school, commended the gesture, adding that it would provide green environment and enhance beautification of the school premises.

He said the management would ensure effective monitoring to nurture to maturity the 70 tree seedlings planted in the school.

Some of the students, Aisha Isa and Mohammed Dahiru-Umar, said the exercise had exposed them to the
importance of tree planting in building resilience against drought and enhancing environmental sustainability.

Cultural dance by students of GGSS, Azare during the 2024 World Environment Day

They promised to step down the knowledge learnt to their peers in their respective communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event featured sensitisation, quiz, cultural dance and tree planting sessions.

The NNPC Foundation, incorporated in February 2023, focused at promoting environmental sustainability, enhancing access to quality education and healthcare services as well as new energy.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Fast-rising gospel artiste, Bidemi Olaoba, has joined Grace and Truth Nation (GNT) Nation, a record label co-founded by Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa and his wife, gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

Uzochikwa, GNT Nation President, in a statement said the gospel singer’s arrival marks a significant milestone in the record’s commitment to advance the gospel of Christ through the transformative power of gospel music.

‘We are thrilled to announce that Bidemi Olaoba, a celebrated and anointed gospel artiste, has officially joined the GNT family.

‘Known for his unwavering dedication to the promotion of God’s kingdom, Bidemi Olaoba embodies the spirit and mission of GNT: raising the flag of Jesus Christ across the world.

‘Bidemi Olaoba is a name synonymous with spiritual fervor and musical excellence. His powerful voice, dynamic stage presence, and profound lyrical depth have captivated audiences and inspired countless souls.

‘With a ministry deeply rooted in grace ,Bidemi has committed his talents to glorifying God and s
preading the message of hope, love, and salvation through his music,’ he said.

Also, Olaoba said: ‘Our mission to spread the Kingdom work globally has reached new heights.

‘I am excited to announce the unveiling of my new projects with the Great GNT family. God is about to manifest powerfully. Stay tuned and get ready!’

The sensational singer who recently held ‘In His Presence’ concert at the University of Lagos is a prophetic worship and praise Minister.

The artiste recently sparked buzz on social media when he said he can never perform in a white garment church during a live TV show.

According to him, the reason he will never accept performing in any white garment church is because of the use of candles, perfumes, and some other spiritual materials during prayers and services.

He, however, apologised, stating that he believes in the universality of the gospel and expressed regret for any misunderstanding caused by his previous remarks.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria