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The National Universities Commission (NUC), says it will leverage foreign investors’ transnational-education initiative to enhance enrollment, bridge the gap on demand and supply for

higher education in Nigeria.

Dr. Chris Maiyaki, Acting Executive Secretary, NUC, stated this on Monday at the maiden Annual General Meeting of the International Studies Alumni Association, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, on Monday.

Maiyaki said the commission was confronted with a huge gap between demand and supply, adding that about two million prospective students seek administration into Nigerian universities annually.

According to him, the 274 nation’s universities put together can only accommodate between 500,000 and 700,000 applicants; adding that, ‘by this scenario, a huge chunk of the applicants are left unaccounted for.

‘As a matter of policy, the NUC consummated a transnational-education initiative where foreign investors would come into the country and open branch campuses and undertake training arrangements
, open teaching institutions among other several arrangements.’

The initiative, he said, would be under strict adherence to the regulatory provisions of the NUC.

While reflecting on the AGM, Maiyaki said: ‘At a moment like this, we need to look back to our alma-mater towards harnessing its potentials.’

He added that alumni were potential sources of support all over the world and commended the interim committee of the International Studies Alumni Association for its ability to galvanise resources for the AGM.

Maiyaki urged the Departmental Alumni and general body of ABU Alumni Association to tap on their huge resources, networks and groups’ dynamics to bear in moving forward the frontier of knowledge starting with ABU.

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Earlier, Alhaji Muntari Kaita, the Interim Chairman of the Association said the association consist of seasoned diplomats, academicians, specialised diplomatic journalists and other professionals.

Kaita said the aim of the associatio
n was to encourage relationships between the university community and the association.

‘Our members are determined to create synergy of giving back to our great alma-mater in order to motivate the lecturers and students to aspire for greater heights.

‘In doing so, the association has donated hundreds of books and other literary works to the Department of Political Science and International Studies Library,” Kaita said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured paper presentation entitled ‘ECOWAS and challenges of regional integration in Africa’ by Prof. Abdullahi Shehu.

New executive members of the association were also elected at the event.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Col. Anorph Akaubong, Director of Training, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPC), Accra, Ghana, has called for collaborative strategies to confront violent extremism and terrorism within the ECOWAS subregion.

He stated this at the third training for defence and security sector actors on violent extremism and terrorism, organised by KAIPTC in collaboration with German, Nigerian governments and ECOWAS, on Monday in Abuja.

Akaubong reminded participants that their coming from diverse backgrounds and fields within the security sector meant that they were united to engage, learn, and deliberate on violent extremism and terrorism.

He said the event was a capacity building mechanism, which would reshape their understanding, broaden their perspectives, and forge a positive impact within the context of Nigeria and ECOWAS subregion.

‘The very complexities of the country’s current situation, as well as its resonance within our coastal states, present us with an unprecedented opportunity – a
n opportunity to squarely confront the issue of Violent Extremism and Terrorism.

‘The interconnected nature of these challenges underscores the urgency for our concerted efforts, collaboration, and innovative thinking.

‘The collaborative potency of our diverse expertise is the cornerstone for sculpting solutions that transcend geographical divides and pave the way for tangible transformation in our societies.

‘I implore each participant to bring forth their unique perspectives and insights on the subject, for it is through this tapestry of thought that we will embark on a journey of exploration and discovery,’ he said.

Declaring the training open, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said that the event was particularly important due to the dynamic shifts in strategies on violent extremism and terrorism.

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According to him, violent extremism and terrorism, particularly in the Sahel, is spreading to
the coastal regions of West Africa, and the situation will require multifaceted efforts to counter the threat.

Musa, represented by Brig.-Gen. Olurotimi Adejoro, noted that confronting the prevailing threat of violent extremism and terrorism in West Africa necessitated bringing together a large number of actors to chart the way forward.

‘We’re also aware that insights in the 2024 Global Tourism Index show how the rate of violent extremism has climbed in the Sahel and in the West African subregion in particular.

‘It is therefore not a course that is being done just for the purpose of running a course. It is a serious threat we are confronting now and we are likely to confront in the future.

‘Therefore, I implore each participant to bring forth their unique perspectives and insights on the subject so that we can use our diversity of ideas and experience to bring about worthwhile solutions,’ he said.

One of the participants, Patience Dakop, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the Force Headquar
ters, said she was elated to be nominated for the course.

According to her, it will help to broaden my knowledge of violent extremism and terrorism, West Africa’s security challenges generally, and how to tackle them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five-day capacity building course attracted no fewer than 40 security operatives from across Nigeria’s various security segments.

It aims to engage them in learning and deliberation on critical subjects such as violent extremism and terrorism, in order to equip them with the knowledge and solutions needed to address these threats.

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NAN reports that KAIPTC is one of the three designated ECOWAS Training Centres of Excellence, and a premier institution dedicated to advancing peace and security across Africa.

It is globally recognised for its commitment to providing cutting-edge training, research, and education tailored to the complex challenges of peace and security on the cont
inent.

The Centre plays a pivotal role in building the capacity of military, police, and civilian personnel, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage effectively in peace and security efforts in Africa and beyond.

KAIPTC’s mission is rooted in the vision of fostering stability on the continent by enhancing the operational effectiveness of key international and regional actors.

These actors include the AU, ECOWAS, and various national and international peacekeeping forces, which rely on its expertise to address pressing security challenges.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Francis Bobai, former Special Assistant to special duties minister Joseph Jisalo, when he was Abuja Municipal Area Council’s Chairman, has declared interest in the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency seat.

The seat became vacant following the demise of Mr Adams Ekene in July.

Ekene had won the election on the ticket of the Labour Party (LP), flooring PDP’s Yakubu Barde that occupied the seat for 20 years.

Ekene, widely believed to have achieved much within the one year that he served, died after a brief sickness.

Bobai, who is seeking the ticket of late Ekene’s party, the LP, to take his place, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Monday, that he had a big advantage over his rivals both in, and outside the LP.

‘I believe I am the viable candidate. I can deliver.

‘We worked closely with Ekene, so, when we lost him, some youth and elders’ groups pleaded with me to contest the seat so as to sustain his many legacies. We shared our dreams of service to the nation together.’

Bobai, a former
teacher, Real Estate dealer and philanthropist, said he had given a lot in the area of sports, support to religious bodies and care for the youths and elderly.

He identified the concerns of the constituents to include lack of development and insecurity.

He said that his focus is the empowerment of the youths to make them self-reliant, take them off the streets and make them assets to the society.

‘I have been empowering many youths and even empowered 100 women to start off businesses that are flourishing.

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‘I am doing this on my own. I intend to do much more if elected to serve the people,’ he said.

Bobai said that the LP had a wide acceptance because the people had tried both the APC and PDP and were disappointed year after year.

‘The Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency seat, for instance, has been occupied by Yakubu Barde of the PDP for 20, but the people did not see any impact.

‘But, in his few months at the National Assembly, Ekene did so much
and that is what is helping us as a party.’

He listed Ekene’s projects to include solar light projects, school construction and the provision of electricity transformers to the constituents.

‘So, generally, the people empathise with the LP for such massive loss and want to vote whoever the party presents,’ he said.

He said that some of his rivals for the LP ticket were being sponsored by opponents to ensure the right candidate did not pick up the ticket.

‘Apparently, they want to weaken the LP and destroy the opposition, but we won’t allow that,’ he said.

He cautioned the APC against seeking to use money to buy votes and influence officials, declaring that the youths would resist that.

‘The youths know these antics and are ready to protect votes the way they did for Ekene.

‘The factors that worked for Ekene will favour me even more.

‘The APC and PDP, no one likes them. They could try to use underhand tactics, but those games are already known and shall be stiffly resisted,’ he said.

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Bobai emphasised the need to empower the youths to make them self-reliant, take them off the streets and make them assets to the society.

‘Only the LP can do that. We do not want another political party to come and destroy the scorecard and legacies we are building for the people and society,’ he said.

He also stressed the need to support the LP to complete Ekene’s tenure ‘especially when it has been widely acknowledged that he performed excellently’.

The aspirant listed five areas he said would be his focus, with the completion of projects Ekene started as the prime agenda.

Other areas included youth empowerment and support for the aged, especially with a monthly stipend for food and medicine.

He also promised to support the farming population with fertiliser and provide micro scheme loans for the women.

Bobai said he would partner with the Kaduna State Government to provide security, especially for vulnerable persons that had become victims o
f attacks.

He expressed confidence that he would pick the LP ticket and win the secondary election in view of his general acceptance in the community where he was born 45 years ago.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Francis Bobai, an aspirant to the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency seat, has said that the leadership feud in the Labour Party (LP), is a family issue that would soon be resolved.

Bobai, former Special Assistant to Mr Joseph Jissalo, special duties and inter-governmental affairs minister, expressed the optimism in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Kaduna.

NAN reports that the party has been embroiled in a crisis that has torn it into various factions.

At a recent meeting in Umuahia, the party set up a 29-member caretaker committee with former finance minister Nenadi Usman as Chairperson.

The 29-member committee has been rejected by a group in the party that feels that officials of the party at all levels still have subsisting tenures.

But Bobai, who is seeking the party’s ticket to contest the House of Representatives seat that became vacant with the death of Adams Ekene, told NAN that the feud would soon be resolved.

‘The party is working toward uniting all contendi
ng interests; we all should see the need for one strong, cohesive and indivisible force.

‘We should all realise that we are better together and that we need each other to form a strong force capable of winning elections which is the sole goal of a political party.

‘The party has factions, but its members in all the factions know that we cannot win any election if we are divided.

‘We all know that a house divided against itself is bound to fail. We do not want to fail,’ he said.

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The aspirant described the LP as ‘the most popular political party in the country’.

‘LP is well loved by all Nigerians. Having tested the two other political parties – PDP and APC – Nigerians generally see the LP as the only group with the zeal and integrity to make a difference.

‘It is this popularity that our political rivals are jittery over and that is why they are doing everything to infiltrate our ranks and cause confusion from within,’ he said.

He sa
id that the LP would surely retain the House of Representatives seat that became vacant with the demise of Ekene.

‘The PDP had held that seat for 24 years with nothing to show for it.

‘Nigerians decided to try the APC both at the state and federal government levels, but they all realised that both political parties had nothing.

‘That was the thrust of Ekene’s campaign and that was what gave him victory.

‘What I want is the opportunity to continue Ekene’s legacies. I want to continue where he stopped.

‘From my interactions with the voters, they empathise with the LP. They are filled with anguish over the loss of the brilliant lawmaker from the LP stable.

‘So, they have vowed to replace Ekene with another LP candidate.

‘That is why I am in the race. It is all about sustaining and consolidating on the LP legacies to the people.

‘And that is why I want the LP to fight together and win together.

‘We need this unity more than ever before.

‘Nigerians love and trust us. We cannot afford to let them down.

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‘We must fight together and win together,’ he declared.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, will today outline the government’s plans to address the burden of the emerging non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pandemic.

‘The NCDs, otherwise known as diseases of lifestyle, have emerged as a major global health challenge, affecting millions of individuals globally, and are among the leading causes of death in South Africa today,’ the Department of Health said.

Diabetes, according to the department, remained the second leading underlying cause of death in 2020 at 6.6% of all deaths, following COVID-19 which was first detected the same year and became the leading cause of death.

Meanwhile, a new report released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) described rising NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory conditions, and cancers as a looming health crisis which requires urgent attention.

Today, Phaahla will outline the response plan during a roundtable discussion on the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) – a co
llaboration between national research funding agencies in Canada, China, India, South Africa, and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

‘The initiative aims to develop linked international intervention cohorts that will implement and test approaches to prevent overweight and obesity in children and risk factors for NCDs and improve early childhood development (ECD),’ said the department ahead of Monday’s roundtable.

The event will be attended by amongst others, experts from the South African Medical Research

Council, academic institutions of higher learning and representatives from the High Commission of Canada in South Africa and the WHO.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Collaboration and partnerships are key in addressing the negative impacts from the illegal snaring of wildlife.

This was among the takeaways from the inaugural two-day national Snare Mitigation Symposium in Pretoria, which was attended by leading experts in wildlife crime, government officials and representatives of numerous stakeholders across the sector to examine the multi-faceted aspects of the snaring crisis.

The meeting of 140 delegates delved into the impacts, drivers and solutions to this increasing threat to wildlife and the economy.

This is according to a joint statement issued on Monday by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks).

The statements said snaring is motivated by complex socio-economic and cultural drivers.

The symposium explored snaring from a myriad of angles and viewpoints.

‘Information
gained through the symposium highlighted that animals are snared largely for personal or commercial use and is occurring at unsustainable rates across all provinces and in diverse landscapes.

‘Sadly, many species including leopard, lion, hyena and other predators are killed as by-catch in snares originally set for bushmeat,’ said the statement.

A key takeaway from the symposium is that there is a need for less ‘fortress’ mentality and more community and sustainable use interaction among stakeholders towards achieving positive outcomes for this threat to wildlife.

‘Communities living with wildlife, and those linked to snaring, need to form an integral part of the solutions being proposed, and to be undertaken, to address snaring.

‘No solution will be credible without the involvement of the relevant community voices in co-development of solutions. Solutions need to be diverse, purposely inclusive and tailored to, and by, the people living in the affected areas. Technological advances were showcased at the s
ymposium to improve snare detection and data collection,’ the statement said on Monday.

Among the key decisions adopted as outcomes of the symposium included further research on the drivers and alternative livelihood solutions, more cohesive legislation to address snaring and other wildlife crimes, more centralised reporting and monitoring to ascertain the extent of the problem and creating a greater understanding of the impact of snaring not only on biodiversity, but also on the economy and well-being of communities.

‘Looking to the future, greater teamwork and communication between State, private sector and civil society will be cultivated to find sustainable long-term solutions for both people and wildlife,’ the statement said.

Source: South African Government News Agency