By Lizzy Okoji

Gambian Lawmaker, Hon. Fatmata Njai says the ECOWAS Parliament can achieve 30 per cent representation of women in parliament only if it rejects nominations from countries not meeting the criteria.

Njai expressed this thought while speaking with journalists duringthe Fifth Legislatures Delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament holding in Monrovia with the theme, Empowerment of Womenin the ECOWAS Region.

Njai said it was pertinent to note that some countries lacked female representation in the Conference of Bureau in the ECOWAS Parliament, a trend whichshesaid was in disregard of the ECOWAS Rules of Procedures.

The Rules of Procedures mentioned that each member country should have a female representation at the Conference of Bureau.

Each country has three members in the Conference of Bureau, so, each country can at least have one female member which will be thirty per cent representation.

I think if we are to preach something, we should be seen acting what we preach.

We can ask countries to send 30 per cent and we must enforce that as well.

But if countries say that they do not have 30 per cent, what is stopping them from having 30 per cent?

It is not that they do not have females in these countries. They have them and they have competent women as well, but why are they not winning elections?

I think that is the question, Njai said.

The Gambian lawmaker urged countries in the sub-region to create a level-playing field for all genders in order to be able to address the question of why women are not winning elections.

When I first joined the ECOWAS Parliament, we were 25 women in number. We have lost some of the women and Ithink now we are 18 in number which is something that should be addressed.

Why are women losing elections, and why are countries not sending the 30 per cent as stipulated and is required from them by ECOWAS.

I think thatif countries send a list that is short of 30 per cent, the ECOWAS should reject that list, Njai added.

She urged women not to just sit down, fold their arms, and wait until they were given the ball to play.

We should actually demand it or grab it ourselves. So, I dont see that as a problem. I see us women being our own enemies because like somebody mentioned, if a woman wants to run for office, it is the same women that would refuse to vote for them, and for us being in the majority why should that happen?

We should vote for our fellow women and be at the table where the men are.

I implore my female counterparts not to give up. It might be difficult but it is not impossible, That is what I always say. the Gambian lawmaker said.

Source: NAN News

By Auwalu Birninkudu

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), says it will hold a Youth Summit in Bauchi State to x-ray issues affecting the youth in the state.

Alhaji Nuru Kobi, NOA Director in the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the summit will hold on April 20, with over 1,300 youths as participants.

The director explained that 300 youths would be physically present during the summit while the rest will join the discussion through the webner link of the agency.

He explained that the event was part of NOAs community engagement, to identify challenges affecting the youths and expose them to opportunities provided by government to enhance their status.

Kobi said some of the issues to be addressed during the summit include youth marginalisation in governance, poverty, unemployment and corruption as well as youth inclusion in politics.

The NOA director said the participants would be drawn from the 20 local government areas and 323 electoral wards of Bauchi state.

We would educate the youth to know and appreciate government efforts on their plight, he added.

According to him, the participants would be sensitised on government policies like the Social Investment Programmes andexposed to national values and ethics, migration, entrepreneurship, and policy making and governance.

We will strictly abide by the COVID-19 protocols during the summit, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Britains Queen Elizabeth has stepped in to settle a problem over what senior royals should wear to her husbands funeral, because of concerns about whether Prince Harry and Prince Andrew should wear military uniforms.

Prince Philip died at age 99 last week and his funeral will be held at Windsor Castle on Saturday.

Traditionally at such formal occasions, members of the royal family wear military uniforms, often reflecting honourary titles they hold.

However, according to British newspapers, there have been debates behind the scenes over what the queens son Andrew and grandson Harry should wear.

Harry, 36, the Duke of Sussex, quit all his royal duties and lost all his military patronages in January after moving to Los Angeles with wife Meghan and son Archie, but wanted to wear the dress uniform he wore for his wedding day.

Andrew, 61, the Duke of York, stepped away from official engagements because of his ill-judged association with the late disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Papers reported that he wished to attend the funeral in the uniform of admiral, a honourary rank he was awarded to mark his 60th birthday but he deferred until his return to public life.

Compounding the issue was the fact that the two royals were the only ones to have seen active service, Harry in Afghanistan and Andrew in the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the reports but according to the Daily Mail, the 94-year-old queen had now decided all royals should wear mourning suits to avoid any embarrassment. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rotimi Ijikanmi
The Federal Government has blamed the media and some unpatriotic Nigerians for the choice of Ghana over Nigeria for the citing of Twitter continental headquarters.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed in an interview on Thursday in Abuja, said the development would serve as a lesson for Nigerians to be patriotic in managing the image of the country

Mohammed said Nigeria with about 25 million twitter users against Ghanas eight million users, it was a natural expectation that Nigeria would have been the choice by Twitter to locate its headquarters for the continent.

The reasons cited by Twitter for citing the headquarters in Accra, Ghana is that Accra is a champion of democracy and there is rule of law in the country, among other reasons

This is what you get when you de-market your country.

The media is more to blame for this which most times exaggerate the challenges in the country.

At no time was this worse than during the EndSARS protest when Nigerian journalists both traditional and new media were trying to outdo themselves in painting Nigeria as a hell where nobody should live.

When they all conspired to vilify not just the government but the people of Nigeria, he said.

The minister said he was pleased with the U.S. report which vindicated the Nigerian government that no single live was lost at the Lekki Toll Gate as opposed to what the majority of the media reported.

We are not saying that you should not criticise the country but be fair and patriotic.

When you destroy your own house, where are you going to live?

You can imagine the kind of job opportunities that citing that headquarters in Nigeria would have generated, the kind of visibility it would have given Nigeria but we destroyed it, he said.

Mohammed said it is what the insiders say about their country that the outsider will use to judge and condemn the country.

He said the development would serve as a lesson for people to be patriotic and manage the image of the country better.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the U.S. -based social media company, Twitter on Monday announced Accra, Ghana as its choice for the location of its headquarters for Africa.

Twitter Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey had made the announcement via his twitter handle. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), on Thursday, disclosed the suspension of ETO (Electronic Call-up for trucks) ticket for cargoes bound for the AP Moller Terminal (APMT) in Apapa.

The is contained in a series of tweets on the official twitter page of the NPA.

Following a dispute with the management of AP Moller Terminals at the Lagos Ports Complex, Apapa, members of the Maritime Workers Union have today, April 15, disrupted operations at the terminal.

While the NPA is working toward resolving the dispute between the two parties, APMT will not be able to receive or exit cargoes for the next 24 hours.

The authority hereby urges stakeholders to please take note, as ETO tickets will not be issued to APMT bound cargoes, the tweets read.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on April 15 shut down AP Moller Terminal (APMT) in Apapa.

According to the President General of MWUN, Mr Adewale Adeyanju, the grounding of activities at the terminal is due to expiration of the one week plus notice given to the management of the terminal to adhere to the laws of the land. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

A member House of Representative, Dr Haruna Mshelia (Hawul/Askira Uba Federal Constituency), has listed negative culture, religion and illiteracy as the greatest impediments to women empowerment.

Mshelia, who is also a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, stated this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday on the sideline of the ongoing ECOWAS Parliament de-localised meeting in Monrovia, Liberia.

Mshelia said women have the capacity and all it takes to lead but the three factors of negative cultural practices, religion and under education have suppressed them.

The lawmaker however called for the implementation of affirmative actions to put women at a level playing ground with men, thus guaranteeing their empowerment.

Gender issues are things that affect the region generally, every country is affected and like I said, there is no man on earth that does not like women.

Unfortunately because of our cultural and religious practices the womenfolk have found themselves on the short side of the stake.

Because the cultural and religious factors have favoured men, men are dominant in every sector of the society, politically and economically.

If we have to redress it, we need to look at these negative culture and influences of religion that suppresses the women.

We should say it as it is and come up with laws, action plans that will help the women come closer.

As far as intelligent and capacity to lead is concerned, there is no difference between men and women but all I am saying is, let us create a level playing ground.

Again, once women are educated it is synonymous with being empowered because they can go for any job; they can drive and start learning skills, he said.

He said that if women were given a level playing ground over a period of time, all these things will be resolved.

Mshelia also suggested a quota or affirmative action be made justiciable so that if the women do not get their rightful positions, political seats, they can go to court to claim it.

He called for the abolition of some negative practices against women like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage and lack of right to inheritance and lands.

The lawmaker advised women to support each other, alleging that women are enemies of themselves as they tend to support the male counterparts over their own gender during elections.

Source: NAN News

By Constance Athekame

The Minister of Power, Mr Sale Mamman, has apologised to Nigerians over the current power outages experienced across many parts of the country.

Mr Aaron Airtimas, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Power, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Mamman said that he regretted this unfortunate situation and offered his sincere apology to all affected Nigerians on the inconveniences the power shortages were causing them.

He assured Nigerians that the ministry through the appropriate agencies was working assiduously to rectify the technical and gas problems affecting the plants.

Mamman said that the ministry of power was not unaware of the current power outages affecting some parts of the country.

The problem is caused by the breakdown of some of the National Integrated Power Plants supplying electricity to the national grid.

The plants are namely, Sapele, Afam,Olonrunsogo, Omotosho, Ibom, Egbin, Alaoji and Ihovbor.

The Jebba Power Plant was shut down for annual maintenance, he said.

According to him, seven other integrated power plants, namely Geregu, Sepele, Omotosho, Gbarain, Omuku, Paras and Alaoji are experiencing gas constraints, while the Shiroro plant had water management problems.

The minister further promised that the national grid would be restored to its previous distribution peak of about 5,600MW of electricity achieved early this year.

This he said was to relieve Nigerians from the current harsh climatic conditions and restore full economic activities. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Leonard Okachie

The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme has urged the mass media to assist in sensitising the public on the causes, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB).

The Director of the programme, Mrs Itohowo Uko,made the request on Wednesday in Umuahia during a virtual seminar organised for journalists in Abia and Enugu.

She said that tuberculosis kills more people than Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, adding that the media had a lot of roles to play toward its reduction.

She said more than 18 persons die of tuberculosis per hour in Nigeria, accordingto World Health Organisation (WHO) report.

Quoting the report, she also said that 157,000 persons died of tuberculosis in Nigeria in 2019.

Uko said that the inability of TB patients to access medication during the Coronavirus lockdown worsened the spread of the disease in the country.

She identified symptoms of tuberculosis as fever, loss of weight and protracted cough.
Uko said that tuberculosis is curable contrary to misinformation, urging people with persistent cough that had lasted for two weeks to go for a test.

She said that with early diagnosis, tuberculosis could be cured within six months, adding that its treatment is free at designated hospitals in the country.

She however urged TB patients to endeavour to complete the treatment cycle of six months to avoid its relapse.

According to her, some patients usually discontinued with medicationafter two weeks of treatment, which gave them temporary relief .

She dismissed the notion that TB could be contracted through sharing of plates, cups, cutlery or projected through witchcraft.

The diseases is only airborne, she said.

A resource person at the event, Mr Eze Eze, said it was important for journalists to focus more on human angle stories, while reporting about tuberculosis.

Eze said that the media constiuted a significant force in helping people make informed decisions about their health.

Another resource person, Dr Charles Ugwuanyi, said that the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic worsened the plight of TB patients, as they could not access treatment during the lockdown.

He explained that TB and Coronaviruspandemic share similar symptoms but advised patients to go for early diagnosis so as to establish their particular case.

Ugwuanyi, however, said that while Coronavirus was associated with dry cough, TBs cough produces sputum.

He cautioned against stigmatigation of TB patients, regretting that there is a significant reduction in people with cough seeking treatment for TB for fear of being considered Coronavirus patients.

In a remark, Dr Okorie Onuka, Abia Focal Person for TB, reiterated the importance of media support for the fight against TB, saying that it is curable. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Funmilola Gboteku

The Lagos State Government, in partnership with Mo Abudu Organisation have given awards of recognition to some female personalities in the Nigerian film industry.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said in a statement in Lagos on Wednesday that the awards were given through the Eko Culture Series.

She said that the female gender in the industry had over the years excelled in areas that were initially dominated by their male counterparts.

Akinbile-Yussuf said the female personalities and TV Stars needed recognition for their contributions to the development of the countrys film and creative industry.

The commissioner said the acting, producing and directing capacity of female artistes, among others was commendable.

She said the recognition accorded to them was a lofty idea, adding that the celebration of stakeholders in the creative industry, like other professional bodies, would serve as a source of encouragement.

It is on record that Nigerias media and entertainment industry Nollywood is currently the second-largest film producer in the world in terms of the number of movies.

The feat is not just in terms of number of movies alone but more importantly how the personalities involved in these delectable stories have been able to change our society for the better and also exposed several societal ills, Akinbile-Yussuf said.

She said the state government would ensure the development of the industry through capacity enhancement.

The commissioner explained that this administration was currently in partnership with two renowned creative firms to train young creative stars in different areas of film production toward attaining world-class professionalism.

She said the training would help them compete favourably with their contemporaries across the globe.

The commissioner urged the award recipients to make conscious efforts to impact the lives of younger ones by transferring their knowledge to the upcoming television and TV stars.

The Chief Executive Officer, Ebony Life Place, Mo Abudu said there was so much talent in Nigeria and so much to be celebrated in the creative sector apart from the successes already recorded in film-making and television presentation.

She said the support and ambience provided by the state government had made film making and production a worthwhile experience.

It is a fact that politics and entertainment are the two major things influencing the world now.

The political class has now realised how powerful the entertainment industry is in influencing decisions of the masses, Mo Abudu said.

According to her, the award ceremony, was organised to recognise the hard work and dedication of women in the Film and TV industry.

Mo Abudu, however, noted that the award recipients only represented a fraction of other women that would be recognised in future editions of the Eko Star Film and TV Awards.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 65 Film and TV stars were presented with various awards at the event, including an octogenarian television presenter and actress of repute, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett (OON), who was presented with a special award of A Lifetime Achievement Like No Other.

Also, veteran actress, Mrs Joke Silva was given a special recognition award of inspiring people, among others.

Eko Culture Series, an initiative of MO Abudu and Lagos State Government, is a blend of entertainment and tourism conceived as a platform for showcasing different unique features of Lagos and its rich cultural experiences.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Solomon Dalung, the immediate-past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, says Nigeria can host the African Games with the current facilities in Benin.

Dalung, who said this on the sidelines of the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin on Wednesday, said he was proud of Edo state government in providing the facilities.

First of all, I commend Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo for delivering on his promise of a successful festival, while I challenge other states to provide same facilities for their people.

Second, I am very proud of what I see here in Edo. The facilities here can be used to host any international event.

With the way I see this infrastructure, I am tempted to think that we no more have challenges of bidding for any international competition.

We can successfully host the African Games in Nigeria with an infrastructure like this.

I want to challenge other state governments to follow suit and put up good facilities, an infrastructure like these at least in every state capital, he said.

Dalung disclosed that he was in Benin on the personal invitation of Gov. Obaseki to witness the closing ceremony of the festival.

The 20th NSF, which began on April 2, ends on Wednesday.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will award winners of the next edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) a new trophy named Giant Eagle.

Chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Nebeolisa Anako, disclosed this Wednesday while handing over the festivals main trophy to Team Delta in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Team Delta emerged winners of the festivals 20th edition after 11 days of competition.

Anako who represented at the festivals closing ceremony Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said the new trophy was needed now.

Delta have now won for keeps the present trophy, and the new trophy will be called Giant Eagle, while the second-placed team will win the Medium Trophy and the third-places team the Eaglet Trophy.

NAN reports that Delta emerged winners of Edo 2020 NSF with a total of 384 medals, comprising 158 gold, 116 silver and 110 bronze.

They were closely followed by the hosts Edo, with a total of 341 medals made up of 129 gold, 104 silver and 108 bronze.

Bayelsa came a distant third to make this years festival an all South-South affair, with 56 gold, 55 silver and 58 bronze medals for a total of 169.

In his remarksduring the closing ceremony, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) chairman for Edo 2020, Philip Shaibu, commended the participants and organisers for the festivals success.

He particularly commended the immediate-past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, for being the brain behind Edo winning the hosting right in 2018.

Shaibu noted that with the peaceful atmosphere the festival was conducted peace has returned to the country.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olanrewaju Akojede

A Nigerian in the Diaspora has donated brand new trumpets to the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) to solvethe dearth of the musical instruments in the club.

Taking delivery of the instruments on Wednesday at the clubs secretariat on Funso Williams Avenue in Surlere, Lagos, Rev. Samuel Ikpea, the National Chairman, said the gift came after his appeal tothe donor.

I discussed with one of our members in the Diaspora on Monday, April 12, and I complained about the need for Trumpets in the club as a matter of urgency.

Surprisingly, I got a call from a delivery guy today who said he had a package for the club; and when he got here, behold, it was six brand new trumpets from him.

On this note I want the house to say words of prayer for him and two of my wonderful members in the U.S. who have been supportive of this club before now.

God bless you all my wonderful brothers, Ikpea said.

Some of the members, who reacted to the gesture, prayed that God in His infinite mercy pour blessings upon the donor and other Diaspora Nigerians who had been assisting the club.

The Public Relations Officer, Dominic Ehimare, said: I feel very elated with this gesture from a member in the Diaspora.

This is an eloquent testimony of our belief in the leadership of Rev. Ikpea and his current executive.

Thank you very much. I can assure you that we will deliver and shine like the northern star in the discharge of our duties as patriotic citizens of Nigeria. Thank you for your donations.

Another wrote on the clubs Whatsapp platform, NFSC Global, that this is certainly the Lords doing and it can only be marvelous in our eyes.

Thank you our able chairman for a good job and, more importantly, that member for his spontaneous response to such a clarion call.

May God in his infinite mercy continue to replenish your pocket and you will never lack anything good in your life. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

After emerging champions of the 20National Sports Festival (NSF) in Edo, Delta is the next host of the 21NSF.

Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development made the announcement at the closing ceremony of the festival in Benin on Wednesday.

Dare, who was represented by Nebeolisa Anako, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry said the state emerged top after the selection process.

After a rigorous exercise, from last year 2020 where six states expressed interests to host the NSF.

The Big Heart, Delta State came top. The next NSF will be held in 2022 in Delta State, he said.

Meanwhile, Delta defended their title as champions of Edo 2020 with 384 medals. A total of 158 gold, 116 silver and 110 bronze.

Edo emerged second with 341 medals; 129 gold, 104 silver and 108 bronze while Bayelsa grabbed 169 medals: 56 gold, 55 silver and 58 bronze. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olayinka Olawale

Lagos State Government says it will inaugurate a five-Year Agricultural Development Roadmap in line with its THEMES developmental agenda on April 22.

Announcing the programme for the inauguration on Wednesday in Lagos, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya said that the roadmap would help the state to achieve its goal of making Lagos a 21st-century economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that THEMES is an acronym for Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology.

According to Olusanya, the roadmap is focused on the development of agricultural value-chain, where the state has comparative advantages to ensure the attainment of food security.

The agricultural development roadmap was conceived by the Ministry of Agriculture as a direct outcome of the present administrations developmental agenda, particularly the 4th pillar, which is making Lagos State a 21st Century Economy.

This is by ensuring that the agricultural sector plays the role of ensuring sustainable food security.

Its focus is on the development of agricultural value chains where the state has comparative advantages over other states to ensure self-sufficiency in food production moves.

Under the scheme, the state is envisioned to move from 18 per cent to 40 per cent in food production in the next five years.

She said that the scheme would also enable the state to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as it relates to the agriculture sector.

Olusanya said that the roadmap highlights intervention areas by the ministry to boost agricultural productivity at the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors relating to the seven value-chain.

She added that the roadmap also highlighted the need for the state government to collaborate with private investors and relevant authorities to improve the environment through proper waste management.

The commissioner noted that the policy focus at the inception of the ministry was on the direct production of agricultural produce.

Over the years, the policy thrust changed from direct production to provision of a conducive environment for private sector investment, NAN quotes the commissioner as saying.

In adopting the five-year strategy, it is our belief that it will boost food production and drastically reduce post-harvest losses.

This will, in turn, encourage private sector investments that will trigger agricultural transformation in the southwestern states.

This following the examples of countries like Kenya, Malawi and China among others that have, within a 10-year period, made a significant reduction in the poverty level through agricultural development, Olusanya said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sylvester Thompson

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), on Wednesday said that the recently released and commercialised Pod Borer Resistant (PBR) cowpeas would get to Nigerian farmers this planting season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PBR cowpeas were released by the Federal Government to facilitate high yield of the crop in many parts of the country and enhance food security.

Mustapha, disclosed this in Abuja during a media event for the presentation of awards won by media men at the 2020 OFAB Media Awards.

He noted that agricultural biotechnology in Nigeria was developing fast and in collaboration with other research institutes, Biotech (Bt) cotton and Bt cowpea were released.

This stage of commercialisation requires active involvement of the media to ensure that farmers get value for their money.

A national stewardship committee to monitor the PBR cowpea has been inaugurated.

I encourage you to work closely with the committee and inform Nigerians about what is happening with the PBR cowpea, he said.

The NABDA DG also said that it was the duty of the media to monitor all the stages and channels through which the PBR cowpea seeds reached the farmers.

According to him, this is to ensure that there is no compromise or sharp practice that will deny farmers the maximum benefits the technology offers.

At NABDA, the promotion, coordination and deployment of cutting-edge biotechnology research and development, processes, awareness creation and products for the socio-economic wellbeing of the nation is our priority.

He called on science correspondents to desist from fake news and focus on the factual ones that could promote biotechnology for national development.

Meanwhile, Dr Rose Gidado, Deputy Director at NABDA and Country Coordinator of Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), has sought the partnership and support of science correspondents to promote and enhance factual information about biotechnology.

We need you more than ever because of the commercialisation of Bt cotton and Bt cowpea.

Similarly, Dr Francis Nwankwo, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) Product and Stewardship Manager, also expressed appreciation for the inputs and valuable work of science reporters.

The event saw the presentation of awards to Pretty Onyejiaku of AIT, for best in television category, Africa, Mrs Rabi Momoh, FRCN, second in radio category, Africa, and Vincent Yusuf, second in print category, Africa. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan was on Wednesday conferred with honourary fellowship award of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors.

Lawan, who trained in Land Surveying at the Ahmadu Bello Universit, Zaria and in Remote Sensing and GIS at Cranfield University in United Kingdom, after the award pledged his support for the growth of the profession.

A statement by Mr Ola Awoniyi, his Special Adviser on Media indicates that Lawan, while speaking at the 2021 Fellow Investiture of the body gave assurance to do his best reposition it.

Once you enter into the world of politics, it is all engaging, maybe very all consuming.

You sometimes forget what other callings you have had, but this particular award of fellowship has brought me back to track.

I feel that this is a very genuine award because from today on, I will be thinking more and more like a surveyor, and I want to assure you that I will represent this institution with the respect, dignity and all those traits that our institution of surveyors is known for.

You have a worthy representative in the National Assembly. I may not be the only Surveyor in the National Assembly but I want to assure you that I will do my best for this institution to reposition itself.

Surveyors play very important, critical and crucial roles in national development but in most cases, they are hardly given the prominence that they deserve. I think we have to change that narrative.

So we should take advantage of having some of us in the Legislature. Where this institution feels it requires or it needs some legislations to enhance its performance, you have, no doubt, there is a destination.

That destination will be those of us who are Surveyors and our very Distinguished colleagues who are our friends who will always be there to support this kind of very worthy course for national development, Lawan said.

He used the opportunity to assure Nigerians that the government is working round the clock to address current security challenges in the country.

We experience a lot of insecurity but government is not resting. Government is not sleeping. Government is working hard and all agencies of government are working hard.

Every country at one point of development or another experiences some challenges. But the difference is countries that want to achieve greatness always try to conquer. We are going to surmount our challenges by the Grace of God, Lawan said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A PDP governorship aspirant in Anambra, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, on Wednesday called for innovative approaches to boost the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Okwenna in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja said that the state must change approaches to boost its IGR and enhance development.

He said that there should be an improvement in the state IGR, especially now that allocation from the Federal Government was reducing.

Our allocation from federation accounts keeps reducing because oil is dwindling; unfortunately we depend on what comes in to run the state.

This will make us debtor state, which we are already. If we dont get innovative approaches to boost our IGR system and expand the net, we cant get results anywhere.

That is why my economic and growth plan is comprehensively integrated to grow Anambra State, create wealth, bring stability, improve the living standard of our people.

This will also promote entrepreneurship and bring peaceful discipline, he said.

Okewnna, who expressed confidence of getting PDP ticket, said he had a clear manifesto and innovative plan to change the narratives of Anambra.

We cant continue to do things the same way in Anambra, if we do so, we will be getting the same results.

We must make innovations that will move us to the next level, we have to build a new height that will make the state to emerge victorious again, he said.

Okewnna, who said that the state election was important for PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections, said that if he gets PDP tickets, victory was sure for the party. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Temitope Ponle

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have increased efforts in tackling corruption and bribery among businesses in Africa.

This was the outcome of the joint OECD/AfDB virtual roundtable tagged Corporate Anti-corruption Compliance in Africa: Practices, Challenges and the Way Forward held on Wednesday.

Mr Patrick Moulette, Head of the Anti-Corruption Division, Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, OECD, said it was important to intensify efforts to combat corruption and incorporate integrity while preparing for economic recovery.

Moulette noted that in spite of Africa becoming a globalised market, the high perception of corruption continued to undermine investors confidence and business environment.

He said that the OECD had a convention against corruption, worldwide, which included 44 state participants.

The only African country that has ratified this convention is South Africa. The Convention still assists non-member countries.

OECD has developed standards to promote corporate integrity and in compliance with anti-corruption legislation.

He also said the joint OECD/AfDB initiative for combating corruption in Africa included about 21 continental economies aimed at promoting equitable competition in businesses.

He added that the initiative also encouraged compliance with international best practices against corruption, for integrity and for accountability.

Moulette said that the meeting would take stock of the level of compliance, how corruption had been combated and measures in place by local and international businesses in Africa.

He noted that attention would be on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the risks regarding integrity and anti-corruption practices.

The crisis has highlighted new challenges regarding anti-bribery combat and we have seen how compliance and prevention mechanisms have been challenged by new unexpected events.

Also, Mrs Paula Santos Da Costa, Acting Director, Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption, AfDB Group, said the pandemic had redefined production methods in the business world.

This led to increased digitisation which led to a new type of fraud and corruption.

The responses to these new challenges led to innovative solutions and cooperation in knowledge of societies, legal environments and new technology.

Santos Da Costa noted that the banks partnership with OECD launched a joint initiative to support African governments in their efforts to combat corruption, improve integrity and business cooperation.

Over the years, the initiative has mobilised enterprises and African decision makers and offered technical support to the private sector to improve integrity standards and accountability for businesses.

The integrity of our business partners is of pivotal importance.

The bank must make sure that its resources given to its partners must be properly used for the contribution of economic development and social progress of member countries by promoting development in public and private sectors.

She stressed the importance of enhancing the responsibility, transparency and management of businesses to reduce fraud, corruption and protect the African business environment.

She added that the bank supported African countries with reinforcing their legal systems, procurement processes, and improvement of knowledge competencies.

She said that the bank also provided technical support to companies to improve their governance systems and make them eligible for the banks financing.

The AfDB representative noted that the bank had a bureau in place to check corrupt practices among its partners or persons.

In case of fraud or corruption suspected with companies or persons, the Bureau of Integrity and Anti-Corruption of the bank initiates investigation of allegations.

If those allegations are founded, such entities or persons will be barred from any project or activity financed by the bank.

The meeting aimed to review the actions taken by African companies to promote effective corporate compliance programmes, emphasising challenges, successes, and lessons learnt. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Debt Management Office (DMO) says its published debt stock for the country is not for the Federal Government alone.

The Director-General of DMO, Mrs Patience Oniha, on her twitter handle on Wednesday said that the debt stock included those of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She explained that the increased level of borrowings by the Federal Government since 2015 was occasioned by the decline in revenue generation.

She added that the level of borrowings, which had been on the decline since 2018 had to increase again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

First, it is useful to state that the Public Debt figures published by the DMO are the Debt Stock of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 36 states and the FCT.

That is, the Debt is not only that of the Federal Government, state governments and the FCT have all been borrowing.

At the Federal level, the increased level of borrowing since 2015 was due to the collapse in revenues from crude oil.

The level of new borrowing started trending downwards from 2018 up to the first 2020 Appropriation Act.

Unfortunately, the adverse impact of COVID-19 on revenues and increased spending, have resulted in higher levels of borrowing, she said.

She added that the DMO was using the Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA) and the Medium Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) to manage the public debt to ensure sustainability.

She said the DMO wouldensure that Nigerias public debt was sustainable and that borrowing was done at the lowest possible cost.

She added that growth in revenues remained a key focus of fiscal authorities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the total Public Debt as at Dec. 31, 2020 as released by the DMO is N32.915 trillion. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Hilary Akalugwu

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed Tuesdays attack on Ogboro-Eke-Abugu Village, Ibagwa-Ani in Nsukka Local Government Area of the state by gunmen.

The commands Public Relations Officer, Mr Daniel Ndukwe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on

Wednesday that the gunmen killed one James Ugwu during the attack.

Ndukwe said that the assailants also attacked Ugwus wife andanother person before fleeing the area.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, had directed full-scale investigations to uncover the masterminds of the attack and also bring them to book.

He pleads with the people of the community to remain calm and assist the police in their investigation.

He also urged them to avoid doing anything capable of causing a breach of public peace, Ndukwe said.
Narrating the incident, an eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the gunmen, who were four in number, stormed the village around 9 pm.

It said the bandits shot Ugwu dead in his house and also shot his wife on the leg and another person in the stomach, while escaping.

The sound of gunshots and cries by members of Ugwus familyattracted neighbours and other villagers.

But before the natives could get to the scene, the gunmen had escaped into the bush, the eye witness further said.

A lawmaker from the area, Dr Emma Ugwuerua, representing Nsukka-West constituency in the state House of Assembly, expressed regrets over the incident.

Yes, there was an attack by unknown gunmen in Ibagwa-Ani on Tuesday night.

I cant give more details because we are already in a meeting over the issue, Ugwuerua said.

The Nsukka Police Area Commander, Mr Hassan Yahaya, said he had already visited the scene of the attack.

I have beefed up security in the affected village by deploying enough policemen in the area to douse fear and panic among residents, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News