Month: June 2024

The Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has pledged to promote Nigeria’s diverse heritage in a bid to sustain the culture of the people.

This is contained in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Sub-National Engagement and Partnership, Mr Abiola Abdulkareem, in Abuja on Thursday.

The minister’s promise was made at the 2024 Emirate Durbar in Ilorin and other parts of the country after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Abdulkareem quoted Musawa as saying that her commitment underscored the ministry’s dedication to fostering critical partnerships at both the national and grassroots levels to celebrate and elevate the country’s diverse heritage.

‘I will continue to support and partner players both at the national and grassroot levels to fashion our new ways to promote and celebrate the beauty of our diverse heritage,’ she said.

Musawa emphasised the importance of the Emirate Durbar, not only as a cultural event but as a vital symbol of Nigeria’s historical and social uni
ty.

She said that the durbar, renowned for its vibrant display of horse-riding regalia, traditional music, and dance, served as a powerful reminder of the nation’s rich and diverse cultural history.

‘The Emirate Durbar in Ilorin is a cornerstone of our cultural heritage.

‘Our ministry is committed to ensuring that such events receive the recognition and support they deserve.

‘We believe that by partnering with local and national stakeholders, we can create new avenues to showcase the beauty of our traditions and bring them to the forefront of national consciousness,’ she said.

Musawa said that the pledge was part of a broader initiative by the ministry to integrate cultural heritage into the national development agenda.

According to her, by supporting traditional events like the emirate durbar, the ministry aims to foster unity, national pride, and cultural awareness among Nigerians.

She said that the initiative would boost the local economy by attracting tourism and providing opportunities for local a
rtisans and performers.

Musawa highlighted the ministry’s strategic plan to collaborate with state governments, traditional leaders, and cultural organisations to create sustainable frameworks for cultural preservation and promotion.

According to her, the plan includes capacity-building programmes, financial support for cultural events, and the development of cultural infrastructure across the country.

‘Promoting our cultural heritage is not just about preserving the past; it’s about creating a vibrant future where our traditions can thrive and inspire future generations.

‘The Emirate Durbar is a testament to our rich cultural diversity, and we are committed to making it a landmark event on both the national and international stage,’ Musawa added.

She promised to promote cultural celebrations in Nigeria, where the beauty and diversity of the nation’s heritage will be honored and cherished.

She stated that through these efforts, the ministry would position itself as a strong player in the cultural sector
, dedicated to nurturing and promoting Nigeria’s rich heritage.

She added that the commitment would not only help to celebrate the past but also paved way for a culturally-enriched future in the country.

She commended the organisers for a great job and the wonderful hospitality experienced at the event.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A coalition of human rights groups and the Human Rights Advocacy Crusaders (HRAC) have urged the Police and other security agents in Rivers to maintain neutrality and impartiality in the ongoing local government crisis.

Pastor Jerry Nicholas, the group spokesperson, on Thursday in Abuja said that taking sides could escalate the crisis.

He added that it could lead to further violence and clashes between supporters of different parties, resulting in deaths and destruction of property.

According to Nicholas, the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen and other officials is a constitutional matter, hence security agents should help to maintain the peace in the state.

‘The law is clear: the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No 5 of 2018 provide for a 3-year tenure for local government chairmen, with a possibility of a second term,’ he said.

He urged the security agents to prevent violence and maintain peace while allowing the democratic process to unfol
d, and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.

Nicholas urged the former chairmen and others who are still eligible to seek re-election into the councils whenever elections are scheduled by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

He reiterated that security agents must remained neutral and not take sides with any party.

It would be recalled that after the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen, vice and councillors, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara ordered heads of administration in the 23 local government areas to take over the administration of the local government areas

He subsequently swore in caretaker chairpersons in accordance with the law.

However, some local government chairmen have insisted on holding on to their offices.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Some residents of Nsukka, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have lamented the high cost of eggs, making it beyond their reach.

The residents expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Nsukka while reacting to the present market price of a crate of egg that goes for N5,000.

Mrs Stella Nduka, a housewife said for some time now her children have not been able to eat egg because of its high cost.

‘The present situation where one egg sells for N200 and a crate of egg sells at N5,000 is worrisome.

‘Before, I usually used egg to cook noodles for my children but now I can’t afford it because of its high cost.

‘My customer in Ogige Market Nsukka says the fault is not from the sellers as they sell according to how they buy from the poultry farms.

‘My customer says presently he buys a crate at N4,500 from the poultry farms and sells a crate at N5,000,’she said.

Mr Jude Ugwuoke, who has a fast food joint at Aku Road, Nsukka decried the high cost o
f egg, which he said had adversely affected his business.

‘Before, I used to prepare one packet of noodles with two eggs for my customers at N1,200 but because of the high cost of eggs it is now N1,500.

‘I am losing many customers because my customers are complaining that the N1,500 is too much as only few now patronise me.

‘Government should intervene before my business closes, by January this year, the cost of an egg crate was between N2000 and N2,200, ‘ he said.

Mrs Juliet Onah, who sells eggs together with other food items in Ogige market Nsukka food section, said the sellers should not be blamed on the present hike on egg price as they sell according to how they bought the commodity .

‘I buy eggs from poultry farms, I bought these eggs on Tuesday this week and I bought a crate at the price of N4,500 and resold at N5,000.

‘You can see my gain is only N500 in spite of the transport I paid to go buy the eggs.

‘In January this year, we sold an egg crate at N2,000 while the retailers sold one egg at N1
00. I don’t understand the type of inflation in this country,’ she said.

Mr Ernest Ugwu a poultry farmer attributed the high price of eggs to the high prices of chicken feeds.

Ugwu said that the only thing that would bring down the price of eggs was for the government to subsidise the ingredients used in producing feed.

‘If a poultry farmer buys feed at a high price to grow the chickens that lay the eggs, he/she will sell the eggs to cover the production cost as well as make a little gain that will enable him/her to remain in business.

‘No businessman or woman in the world will like to record losses rather than to make profit so as to remain in business, ‘ Ugwu said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A former Director of the National Orientation Agency(NOA) in Ekiti State, Mr Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, has advised local government chairmen to initiate and execute projects that would promote community development.

Oguntoyinbo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Oye-Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the state.

He noted that some local government chairmen in the state were not living to expectations of the residents in providing the dividends of democracy.

Oguntoyinbo, also a former Chairman of Oye Local Government, described local government as the bedrock of democracy.

He said it is also the closest government to the people where developmental projects must be carried out to complement the state government.

He urged the chairmen to work harder in their various local governments to complement the good work of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

According to him, the governor has been working tirelessly to fulfil his electoral promises, and need the support of the c
hairmen for the people to enjoy dividends of democracy.

‘I enjoin the local government chairmen to initiate and execute developmental projects to promote development in their communities.

‘The chairmen must interact with the community people, share ideas with them on their needs and initiate projects that will meet their needs.

‘They should also initiate good projects and ideas that can attract the approval of the governor to release funds,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), says it has concluded its 120-day Regulatory Reform Accelerator Action Plan, which will significantly improve Nigeria’s business environment.

The Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Jumoke Oduwole, said the reforms concentrated on eight key indicators, including reviewing and updating service level agreements.

Oduwole said others are transparency reforms, efficiency reforms, entry and exit (Airport) reforms, port operations reforms, national single window project facilitation, agro-export reforms, and manufacturing for export reforms.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is a 90-day programme, which started on Feb. 20 and terminated on May 20.

NAN also reports that the Vice President and Chair of PEBEC, Kashim Shettima, granted a 30-day extension period to enable Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) to intensify their reform efforts.

According to Oduwole, this is due to the sub-optimal p
erformance of Ministries, MDAs and the sluggish completion of reform.

The extension period ends at midnight on June 19.

‘These reforms operationalise earlier codified provisions in the Business Facilitation Act 2022 and directly impact the productivity and competitiveness of Nigeria’s economy.

‘With the success of this final sprint, vice-president Shettima is set to host the inaugural PEBEC Townhall Meeting on June 28.

‘This is where the results of the Accelerator and deepening the PEBEC’s regulatory reform mandate will be discussed.’

She said the successful implementation of these reforms marks a significant step towards making Nigeria a more business-friendly environment.

According to Oduwole, the event will bring together PEBEC Members, heads of over 50 federal government agencies and their reform teams, representatives of the organised private sector, and other stakeholders.

‘PEBEC was established in July 2016 to oversee interventions to enhance Nigeria’s business climate. The council is crucial to
President Bola Tinubu’s 8-point renewed hope agenda,’ she said.

She said the third cohort of the council, inaugurated in November 2023, comprises 24 members from various levels and arms of government.

Oduwole said with these reforms, PEBEC aims to elevate Nigeria’s global business rankings, attract foreign investments, and drive sustainable economic growth.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders at the ongoing 30th General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation have called for standardisation in promoting sustainable development, innovation, and export-oriented manufacturing across Africa.

The stakeholders said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing 30th General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO).

According to them, such measure will facilitate trade in the African region.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme is ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century, Building a Quality Culture: One Market, One Standard.’

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Anite, said a symbiotic relationship existed between education, sustainable development, industrialisation, and trade in the 21st century.

The minister was represented by her Permanent Secretary, Nura Rimi.

According to Anite, the ministry considers these essential for economic efficiency, trade facilitation, and tackling developmental c
hallenges.

She said standardisation was a strategic pillar for governments, stakeholders, and the standardisation community.

‘The theme points out the need to equip the African youth with relevant skills and SMEs with innovative tendencies needed for the 21st Africa’s Industrial Development and Integration Agenda.

‘As provided under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), it is necessary to create awareness of the role of standardisation in sustainable development to catch up with the rest of the world.

‘Standards shape our everyday lives, drive economic efficiency, facilitate trade and are the fulcrum for tackling the challenges of moving towards a more sustainable and resilient development model,’ she said.

The minister called for enhanced synergy and collaboration among African nations and ARSO member states to implement the AfCFTA agreement effectively.

She reiterated the Nigerian government’s goal to rejuvenate the economy through innovative strategies in alignment with President Bola Tin
ubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with standardisation playing a key role.

She urged delegates to leverage on the platform to foster greater political commitment and strategic partnership to effectively implement AfCFTA and the African Union’s 2024 Year of Education.

Earlier, the Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, said it was important to address the enormous challenges hindering progress on the continent.

Okeke called for concerted efforts to equip African youth with the cognitive skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and succeed in an increasingly complex global landscape.

‘Standardisation is not merely about setting guidelines; it is about fostering a quality culture that permeates every aspect of our lives.

‘Stakeholders must re-commit and work collaboratively to address challenges such as out-of-school children and learning poverty rates.

‘Our task is daunting yet achievable with concerted efforts and innovative approaches through the application of available
technologies,’ he said.

Mr Zubairu Abdullahi, representing the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, said the ministry would introduce standardisation courses in its curriculum.

According to him, this is a way of ensuring the standard of products and will also help raise consumer awareness in the country through education.

Meanwhile, the President of ARSO, Prof. Alexander Dodoo, called on African countries to use trade standards and collaborate to change the narrative for Africa.

‘We have to create African solutions for African problems. If not, quality education will be meaningless.

‘Our biggest challenge is our jobs; our youths are going across borders in the new slave trade because we have not created meaningful jobs for them.

‘We owe it to ourselves as leaders to confront the African reality and forge a way for progress,’ he said.

NAN reports that the event was attended by government officials and key stakeholders in the sector on the continent.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria