Day: September 5, 2024

Some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have breathed a sigh of relief following the roll out of anti-bullying initiative by an NGO, Equality Development and Research Centre (EDR Centre).

The initiative, inaugurated at Durumi IDPs Camp in Area 1, Abuja, on Thursday, was to combat bullying and promote a culture of inclusion and respect for one another.

The goal of the initiative, according to the NGO, is to equip IDPs with anti-bullying skills and provide a safe and inclusive environment for all children.

The IDPs, who described the initiative as ‘life changing’, acknowledged the high incidents of bullying in the camp.

According to them, the anti-bullying initiative will usher a new lease of life for displaced persons in IDP camps.

One of them, Mr Isah Jonah, confessed that he never knew that making fun of persons with disabilities was bullying until now.

Jonah, who promised to desist from such acts, thanked the centre for educating him on the negative effects of
bullying people.

Similarly, Miss Martina Haruna said she had been a victim of gossip, adding that the situation was affecting her ability to mingle well with fellow IDPs.

‘I am happy that EDR Centre has come to do something about bullying, and many of us will learn not to gossip or laugh at people’s mistakes or misfortune.

‘So far, I have learnt how to love and show concern to other people’s problems and offer my help, instead of mocking or laughing at them,’ she said.

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Also, Mr Saleh Ahmed, another IDP, who said he fights over little things, noted that the training has changed his perspective towards relating with other people in the camp.

Ahmed said: ‘I have learnt that there is no need to be wicked and treat people very badly.

‘I have experienced things in life that makes me always want to fight over little things, but not anymore; thanks to EDR Centre.

‘This is life-changing for me.’

The Coordinator of the camp, Mr Idris
Halilu expressed optimism that the initiative would significantly reduce bullying in IDPs camp.

Halilu, who is also the Spokesman of Abuja IDPs camps, described bullying as ‘pervasive’, adding that the intervention was apt, following the long-lasting impact of bullying on children.

‘The cases of bullying is a daily affair in IDP camps, leaving the victims traumatised, destabilised, disorganised, and stigmatised.

‘I am excited today that the EDR Centre has taken steps to stem the tide of bullying among internally displaced persons,’ he said.

Earlier, the founder of EDR Centre, Ms Marsha Nwanne, explained that the anti-bullying initiative was in line with the NGO’s commitment to creating safe environments for all children.

Nwanne said that the initiative was designed to provide IDPs with the needed tools to recognise and combat bullying.

This, according to her, will promote a culture of inclusion, respect and make a difference in the lives of IDPs.

She added that the centre has established a Help Desk at
the camp, to offer support and resolve bullying complaints.

She expressed the centre’s commitment to addressing bullying in both schools and workplaces, through a comprehensive and holistic approach.

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‘The programme at the Durumi IDPs camp was motivated by the need to extend the spotlight beyond schools with elite parents to include environments where vulnerable and less privileged children were often overlooked.

‘This effort underscores the centre’s commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments for all children, regardless of their background.

‘I am glad that the youths have learnt that spreading malicious gossip, even isolating people on a regular basis is bullying, and they now understand that there is nothing cool about being the bully.

‘So right now nobody wants to be associated with bullying and this is a programme that we will push across the 36 states in collaboration with the National Human Rights,’ she said

S
ource: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has been urged to review the country’s gender policy to ensure its provisions are effectively and fairly applied.

Prof. Iyabode Nwabueze, a Professor of English Language, made the call on Thursday, while delivering the 27th Inaugural Lecture of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja, with the topic, ‘The woman is first human’.

Nwabueze said that the review would encourage a socialisation process to ensure that children are trained to see one another as equal, no matter their gender.

‘My projection for gender studies has always been that the woman can,’ she said.

Nwabueze called on the government to create a level playing ground for women to excel.

‘It is always easy for us to see ability in women that are our sisters, cousins and even mothers, but it is difficult to see it in other women, as we only see them as women and thus not human beings first.

‘Even though I had always felt that the woman is not properly treated and linguistically abused, but from experience,
I also know that she does not lack what it takes to achieve results, if given all that she needs as a person to succeed in whatever endeavours she undertakes.

‘This enables us to use language that indicates they are human beings when we address them, talk about and with them.

‘Taking it to the general world (and our female partners) around us will help move the world forward,’ she added.

According to Nwabueze, appointing officials in terms of their ability rather than sex will earn them respect and also drive the country into economic prosperity.

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She noted that communication filled with mutual respect would create self-assertive women which in turn would help solve most of the economic, social and security challenges in the country.

‘That the human brain is not gendered indicates that she is first and foremost a human being and this should be our focus.

‘If we will not treat the women in our immediate families as parents, then we should
look only for abilities in all women we come across.

‘The issue of concession for the woman is to me an insult to her person; as such, concessional positioning for the woman will never allow her to actualise her dream.

‘Facing the reality of the need for her to be actualised is the way to help her get all the support she needs.’

She called for a level playing ground where men and women can compete for opportunities, noting that the United Nations (UN) 35 per cent affirmative action for women was not what the women folk needed to exhibit their talent.

The academic also blamed religion for some of the difficulty women face in realising their dream.

‘The likes of late Prof. Dora Akunyili, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Centre; former Director at the World Bank, Dr Oby Ezekwesili etc, did not need the UN affirmation to be world figures.

‘According to Karl Marx, ‘Religion is the opium of the masses’. Religion has caused a lot of havoc on women.

‘She has become self-effacing;
she has been relegated to the second position and much more.

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‘She has chosen to be trampled upon in the name of satisfying religious obligations. While she is confined to the second row in the church, she is not worthy to pray along with men in the mosque.

‘So, to free herself and take her place in religion, probably it is only in the African Traditional Religion she may have hope,’ Nwabueze said.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, described Nwabueze as a dogged professor who had contributed so much to the development of the university.

Peters who was represented by Prof. Godwin Akper, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology Innovation and Research, NOUN, said Nwabueze had become a name to reckon with in the Faculty of Art of the institution.

‘Our inaugural lecture is supposed to be for 45 minutes no matter the dissertation you write but because the woman is the first human, we kept quiet and allow
ed her to present her lecture with enough time.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has launched a mobile app and National Crash Reporting Information System (NACRIS) to address road traffic crashes and other road safety-related issues across the country.

Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), speaking at the launch on Thursday in Abuja, described the achievement as a milestone in the annals of the FRSC.

He stated that the digital transformation of the corps’ operational activities aimed to improve administration and deliver on its mandate.

According to him, the mobile app and NACRIS will raise awareness and sensitise drivers and passengers to potential causative factors of road traffic crashes.

‘The launch is a testimony to the FRSC Corps Marshal’s commitment to fulfilling his promises and implementing policies aimed at creating a safer motoring environment.

‘Data on road traffic crashes reveals that between January and December 2023, 5,081 Nigerians lost their lives, and 31,874 were injured.

‘Furthermore, between
January and July 2024, 2,776 persons were killed, and 16,309 injured due to road traffic crashes.

The SGF commended the FRSC Management for aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda aimed at digital transformation and economic growth.

‘The Federal Government is committed to ensuring the projects are sustained through adequate support for the benefit of Nigerians’.

FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, stated that the FRSC had been active in formulating and implementing policies aimed at improving road safety administration.

‘The launching of the FRSC Mobile App and NACRIS is a deliberate effort to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda.

See also We’ll ensure 5% reduction in road traffic deaths – FRSC

‘The FRSC Mobile App is a software application that can be used on smartphones to alert the public on sensitive road safety issues.

‘The NACRIS is designed to promote a multi-sectoral approach to crash reporting and data storage,” he said.

Chairman, House Committee on FRSC, Rep. Abiodun Ade
sida, commended the Corps Marshal for his visionary leadership and the SGF for the support.

He stated that the modern platform provided real-time traffic updates, accident alerts, and road conditions, empowering users with essential information for safer driving.

The event was attended by relevant stakeholders, including the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali, and Mr Isaac Parashina, the Kenya High Commissioner to Nigeria.

Others are, Malam Nuhu Bamalli, the Emir of Zazzau, acting President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Alhaji. Issa Ore, Mohammed Bulama, the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), among others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has distributed agricultural inputs as grants, to 9,170 beneficiaries, under the FCT Fadama CARES programme, within one year of President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, disclosed this while inaugurating the distribution of the grant to the fourth batch of 6,020 beneficiaries in Gwagwalada on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the inputs distributed included fertilisers, seeds, agrochemicals, sprayers and personal protective equipment for crop farmers.

Also distributed were day old chicks and feeds to poultry farmers; juvenile fish and feeds for fish farmers; goats for livestock farmers and grinding machines for women agriculture products processors.

Mahmoud explained that 3,150 farmers had benefited in the third phase in December 2023, to support dry season farming, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 9,170 in one year.

This, according to her, represents a 216 per cent achievement w
hen compared with the disbursement of the grant to 4,233 beneficiaries in about two years, prior to Tinubu administration.

She said that the FCT Fadama CARES programme, under the Work Bank-supported Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), was designed to increase food security and safe functioning of the food supply chain in the FCT.

‘The programme is deliberately designed to support the recovery of livelihood activities of poor and vulnerable persons engaged in agricultural value chains, with special consideration to women and unemployed youths.

‘Its implementation will be anchored on the World Bank community driven development approach for deployment of programme investments at the community level,’ she said.

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The minister described the programme as a significant indicator of the unflinching commitment of President Tinubu, towards ensuring sustainable food production through his administration’s Renewed
Hope Agenda.

She added that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration, had committed significant resources towards ensuring sustainable agriculture production in line with the vision of Tinubu.

This, according to her, is a panacea for poverty reduction and improvement of livelihoods for poor and vulnerable agricultural households in the FCT, through the FCT Fadama CARES programme.

‘This, indeed, is a clear indication of our administration’s commitment towards ensuring sustainable agricultural production for the attainment of food and nutritional security, poverty reduction and improved livelihoods.’

Mahmoud also disclosed that the FCTA Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat was leveraging the Fadama CARES programme to provide starter packs to 94 trainees of FCT – Leventis Foundation School of Agriculture, Yaba, for years 2022 and 2023.

‘This is part of the youth empowerment component of the Fadama CARES programme, to enable the trainees to put into practice what they studied in schoo
l,’ she explained.

Some of the agricultural inputs distributed to FCT farmers under the Fadama CARES programme in Gwagwalada on Thursday.

On his part, Mr Lawan Geidam, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, explained that the 6,020 beneficiaries, under the fourth batch, were selected from 82 farming community associations across the six area councils of the FCT.

Geidam identified the inputs disbursed within the year as 12,436 bags of NPK and 6218 bags of Urea fertiliser, 18,654 litres of agro chemicals, and 43,526 kg of assorted seeds, under Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI) 2.1.

Other inputs, he said, included 55,400 day old chicks, 7,756 bags of poultry feed, 81,800 juvenile (catfish) fish and 2,045 bags of fish feed.

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He further identified the inputs disbursed under DLI 2.3, as 3690 goats, 3,212 sets of farm assets, such as sprayers, personal protective equipment, and water pumps and acce
ssories.

Others, according to him, are 1006 grinding machines and 22 units of 2MT/hour multipurpose threshers, while water and sanitation facilities have been provided in 10 wet markets across the six area councils.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), has inaugurated the Sector Skills Council for Engineering (SSC4E) to bridge engineering gaps and enhance workforce skills in Nigeria.

Ms Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, inaugurated the council at the 32nd COREN Engineering Family Forum in Abuja.

Arogundade, represented by Prof Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), said that with the inauguration, the SSC4E had joined 19 others in the Nigerian skills ecosystem.

‘The SSCs under the Nigerian Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) are industry-led and are assigned the responsibility to identify the skill gaps in our industries.

‘They are to develop occupational standards, ensure quality assurance and issue certification for those skills through the awarding body.

‘The Chair of the Sector Skill Council for Engineering has been accepted graciously by the Nigerian Acad
emy of Engineering (NAE), while COREN is the Awarding Body.

‘The SSC shall promote the Nigerian Skills Qualification (NSQ), which has nine levels as approved by the National Council on Skills,’ he said.

Arogundade said that the greatest challenge facing the SSC4E was repositioning the pyramid of the cadres of engineering.

‘That is why we are today importing skilled artisans from Benin and Togo in the construction industry, Chinese artisans in railway expansion, Indian technicians and artisans in the celebrated Dangote refinery.

‘If care is not taken, history will repeat itself when it comes to the Mambilla Power Project, and the Trans African Gas Pipeline to deliver Nigerian Natural Gas to Europe,’ she said.

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She urged the SSC4E to also engage the informal sector and formalise the training.

She added that Nigeria’s economy is 75 per cent informal and thus can not be ignored.

‘Panteka in Kaduna, Ariaria shoe market in Aba, Computer Village in
Ikeja, Kofar Ruwa Market in Kano, Apo Mechanic Village in Abuja, the road-side welders all over the country are typical examples.

‘They are individually offering massive training to youths informally.

‘By engaging them, we can standardise the training, offer them NSQ certification, train the Master Craftsmen as Quality Assurance Assessors, and eventually COREN could licence those with NSQ to operate.

‘These licensed artisans can be deployed into national infrastructure projects instead of importing labour from ECOWAS or Asia, ‘she said.

Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, President and Chairman of the Council, said that the key roles and responsibilities of the SSC4E was provided for in the National Skills Qualification Framework approved by the Federal Executive Council.

He said that these included identifying skill development needs and cataloguing skill ,addressing the skills gap and promoting the development of a highly skilled and competent workforce.

He said SSC4E is expected to develop occupational standards i
n the trade areas levels one to five covering the different engineering trades/services/consulting/repairs and maintenance, ventoring, fabrication.

Abubakar said that SSC4E would facilitate the development of industry-driven training programmes and develop a comprehensive plan to upskill and train the teeming artisans in the engineering endeavours.

He reiterated COREN’s commitment to working with the SSC4E to facilitate the development of a comprehensive training and certification program.

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This, he said, would address the specific needs of engineering artisans in the relevant sectors of the economy.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu says Africa holds vast opportunities for investments, growth and development with its vibrant population, productive economy and natural resources.

The President made the remark at a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier, Li Qiang, on Wednesday in Beijing.

Tinubu noted that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) had played a key role in advancing partnership between Africa and China for mutual development and prosperity, said Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s spokesman, in a statement.

‘The African spirit for FOCAC is based upon mutual respect and partnership that promotes development, happiness, peace, and stability for our people.

‘We are in this journey together. We believe that we share common interests, which are investments and development.

‘For me, as a Nigerian and as Chairman of ECOWAS, I am happy that the strategic partnership being promoted is acceptable to both sides and this is the way to go,’ he said.

President Tinubu also called for a strategic focus on areas o
f collaboration that would ensure the relationship remained mutually beneficial.

‘Africa is a huge opportunity for economic development. As great people, we are willing to partner for progress and development.

‘What is most important will be the focus of FOCAC in areas on which we can collaborate to make the relationship mutually beneficial to all of us,’ Tinubu stated.

The President, who is in Beijing for the ninth FOCAC, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception extended to him and his delegation by the Chinese government.

‘I thank you for receiving us warmly. I am happy, in spite of the jetlag; we were well received and we are ready to move the ball,’ the President concluded.

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The Premier said China was ready to work with Nigeria to deliver on the mutual understanding reached by President Xi Jinping and President Tinubu under the recently established comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Source:
News Agency of Nigeria