Category: General

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has organised its first-ever cultural carnival in Akwa Ibom to promote national unity and its diverse cultures and traditions.

The State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Chinyere Ekwe, disclosed this on Saturday during the ceremony at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Vamp in Nsit Atai Local Government Area for the 2023 Batch ‘B’ stream II corps members.

Ekwe said that the reason behind the carnival was to promote the oneness of Nigeria and bring the corps members together.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the colourful cultural carnival display by various platoons showcased multiple ethnic groups

The coordinator said that the NYSC carnival coincided with the host community’s festival day, adding that it would avail the corp members an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the cultures of their host communities.

“NYSC scheme is a trailblazer in the promotion of the unity and integration of Nigeria and has been at the forefront of preserving our rich cultural heritage.

“Hence the introduction of the cultural carnival in the orientation course.

“Today’s event is also embellished with the Local Government Day Festival for the host communities to showcase their cultures.

“A clear understanding of the culture and traditions of the host communities where the corps members will be posted to serve is very important in ensuring a successful year.

“It is meant to remove prejudice, eliminate ignorance, and confirm at first hand the many similarities among Nigerians of all ethnic groups.

“My dear corps members, I wish to inform you that though our tradition may vary from one ethnic group to another, the operational norms and cultures are similar all over the state,” Ekwe said.

In her remarks, the Nsit Atai Local Government Council Chairman, Ms Emem Ibanga, commended NYSC for commencing the cultural carnival during the orientation course.

Ibanga said that the introduction of the cultural carnival for corps members would continue to promote national unity and integration among Nigerians from various ethnic backgrounds. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A university don, Prof. Michael Ikupolati, has tasked President Bola Tinubu not to listen to unnecessary criticism but focus on goals that will birth a new Nigeria.

Ikupolati, who is also the Provost, the University of America, said this in Abuja on Saturday at the convocation ceremony of the university in Nigeria.

While urging Nigerians to give the president the opportunity to settle down and find solutions to the challenges currently facing the country.

“The current president should be given some time to settle. What he has started to do now is what we call the foundational aspect of economic or national development.

“When you are building up your foundation, nobody can see the building, all you can see first is people labouring and that is exactly what is happening now.

“We can’t see the beauty of what he is doing but I can tell you that he is leading a foundation for the geometrical growth in the economic development of Nigeria if he does not derail and focus on the future,”he said .

According to him, any leader that holds yesterday too tight to his chest will not see tomorrow, but if you can focus on tomorrow and the goal and the general good of the people, will see the beautiful job .

“So I advise the president not to listen to unnecessary criticism but focus on the goals and look at Nigeria as one entity so that he can put things in place for the purpose of development.

“You can see that the country is destroyed for over 63 years, and to rebuild it cannot take 63 days, it is take some time.

” He must also make use of a good people, people that can deliver, people that have the ability to do and the willingness to do the work.

” We need leaders that have the willingness and the ability to perform and if you can just get them, we will be able to move forward.

“Pareto Principle says you only need 20 per cent of your resources to achieve 80 per cent of your goal, so he can identify 20 per cent of Nigerians with technocrats, he will be able to achieve the goal,” he added.

The President and Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Prince Gamaliel, said the America brought the institution to Nigeria to contribute to its manpower.

Gamaliel noted that there was need to give unparalleled education to Nigerians and not allowing students to rely on their certificates but ensure they possess the skills needed to transform their lives

“We are contributing something to Nigerian society and one of the most important things Nigeria needs is leadership. After independence, we left the education system in Nigeria in what I called indigenisation of education.

“We have now brought it back to take Nigeria forward. Every problem of Africa and Nigeria inclusive begins in the classroom because all the politicians come from the classrooms.

“If they are better equipped in the classrooms they would come out to be better leaders but if we have failed in the classroom what we see outside is the product we have from the classrooms.

“We must give unparalleled sound education and not just certificates but give them the experience that is needed for life. And that is why we are here to give people the skills,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Simeon Obida, the Chairman, Planning Committee of the Convocation Ceremony called on the government to make education compulsory, affordable and accessable to all Nigerians.

Obida also called on Nigerian leaders to give the educational institutions a facelift, especially in the area of research to enhance a learning and teaching activities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, has emphasised the importance of educating the younger generation about Namibia’s history.

During his address at the belated Heroes Day commemoration held at Ondangwa in the Oshana Region on Saturday, Kapofi said this knowledge would enable them to connect with, and value, the hard-fought freedom attained.

He stressed that it is crucial for the youth to understand that Namibia’s freedom was not obtained effortlessly but through immense hardships and numerous sacrifices made by countless individuals dedicated to the liberation cause.

‘Many of the elderly never enjoyed the days of their youth. A lot of people died during the struggle, disrupting many livelihoods and causing significant losses,’ Kapofi said.

He further emphasised that those who participated in or supported the liberation struggle did so with the sole purpose of ensuring Namibians could live in a free and peaceful nation. Kapofi urged Namibians to actively participate in preserving and safeguarding the hard-earned freedom.

During the same event, Oshana Governor Elia Irimari encouraged Namibians to honour and celebrate the lives of the remaining heroes and heroines while they are still alive. Irimari said it is their bravery that has allowed the country to savour the benefits of independence today.

Heroes’ Day is commemorated on 26 August to remember and honour the men and women who fought for Namibia’s liberation.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The body of a woman thought to have committed suicide was reportedly recovered from a riverbed in Windhoek on Friday.

The spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, confirmed on Saturday that the body was found in Cimbebasia. It is thought to be the body of a woman who went missing Tuesday.

‘It is suspected that she committed suicide,’ Shikwambi said.

A 37-year-old woman was reported missing on Tuesday and was last seen in Rocky Crest.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Daniel Kashikola, has called upon the community to honour and remember the sacrifices made by heroes and heroines in the struggle for Namibia’s liberation.

Kashikola emphasised the significance of commemorating those who gave their lives for the nation during an event held at the Ontananga Centre in the Olukonda Constituency on Friday.

The deputy minister said the purpose of the Heroes’ Day commemoration at Ontananga was to reflect on the history of the liberation struggle, the hardships endured during the war, and to acknowledge the progress made since Namibia achieved its independence in 1990. He stressed the importance of recognising both the fallen and living heroes who contributed to the freedom, independence, peace, and stability enjoyed by the country over the past 33 years.

“We want to remember those who made it possible for us to enjoy the freedom and independence we have today and for us to enjoy the peace and stability we are hailed for as a country,” Kashikola said.

He urged the community to take stock of the nation’s journey while commemorating heroes and heroines, and to actively collaborate with the government in its efforts to enhance and develop the country.

“As we pay tribute to our heroes, let us prioritise peace and attentively heed our leaders,” Kashikola said.

Addressing the concerns of the region, Phillemon Ndjabula, the Regional Councillor of Olukonda Constituency, highlighted the pressing issue of drought in the area. He said the constituency office has experienced a surge in requests for food assistance due to inadequate rainfall during the year. Ndjabula also noted the widespread unemployment and the challenges faced by many individuals in obtaining national documents.

Joseph Shongolo, a former freedom fighter, shared a brief account of the events of 26 August 1966, and encouraged the youth to embrace and celebrate Heroes’ Day. He emphasised that the youth are the future and should be well-informed about the nation’s history and its heroes and heroines.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Bethanie Village Council Chairperson Diederik Frederick has said the lack of administrators in key positions at the village council hinders the delivery of service to the inhabitants of the village.

In an interview with Nampa here on Wednesday, Frederick said for the past eight months or so, the village council had only one substantive appointee, making it difficult for the village council to function smoothly.

“We have council meetings and take resolutions, but such resolutions cannot be carried out because of the lack of administrators. Right now we only have one substantive appointee, Reginald Kennedy, who is the accountant and acting chief executive officer. He is the human resource manager, technical head and the list goes on, he wears all those hats and it is really difficult for us to carry out resolutions to the benefit of our people,” he stressed.

The village council has not had a CEO for three years since Hendrik Gaobaeb resigned.

According to Frederick interviews were held on three occasions but no candidate was successful.

“In the past we did interview people for some of these positions but candidates fall out at interview level. Even the interest of people applying here is very low, we do not have more than three applicants per position, other people also come and use this place as a stepping stone to higher grounds, that’s why we have no staff because people come, stay for a while and leave,” he said.

He further said council will continue to advertise the vacancies and will bring in the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to help search for candidates to fill the vacant positions.

“We have written a letter to the ||Kharas Regional Council so that we can have people seconded to help us, but we are still waiting for their response. Many people say Bethanie is too far. I think it’s best we get people from here but that becomes difficult as our people do not have the qualifications nor the skills,” Frederick said.

The chairperson also revealed that a finding by the Electricity Control Board in 2021 indicated that the village council is operating at a loss of 67 per cent in electricity due to their outdated and ageing system.

“Our system is very old, the finding said that when the electricity enters our grid, we are losing 67 per cent of the electricity. That affects revenue collection, we are paying NamPower 100 per cent while we are losing 67 per cent of what we receive,” he added.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency