Category: Featured

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

The Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, says the foundation of ‘Operation Safe Corridor’ in Gombe State has been portrayed as a worldwide model in battling rebellion on the planet.

The Acting Director of Defense Information, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, in statement on Thursday in Abuja said that Olonisakin revealed this when he received Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State in Abuja.

Olonisakin said the activity was a non-dynamic multi national and multi organization humanitarian activity being conducted in accordance with extant international human rights and humanitarian laws.

He included that it was an uncommon window to support willing and contrite Boko Haram psychological oppressors in the North East to give up and avoid demonstrations of brutality.

The military boss clarified that the pith of the “SAFE CORRIDOR” was to ground, deradicalise, restore and reintegrate apologetic extremists into society.

“I must say that this model has been replicated by many countries of the world and series of organisations and groups have come here to study that particular model, to know how we achieved it.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is committed to performing its constitutional role of providing peaceful and enabling environment in the country.

“It will continue to develop strategies to address challenges arising from its operations in the North East in order to wipe out the insurgents from our country,” he said.

Olonisakin commended the governor and people of Gombe state for providing the facility that housed the operations.

He further disclosed that the military, as a matter of deliberate policy, had carried out other initiatives such as provision of social services to host communities in operational theatre.

According to him, the Armed Forces is not only trying to win the war but to also win the peace.

He assured that the challenges associated with the operation facility and the NYSC Orientation Camp in the State would be addressed to ensure the sustenance of the programme.

Earlier, Yahaya commended the efforts of the armed forces in tackling security challenges through robust engagements and initiatives that had yielded positive results in combating insurgency and terrorism.

He added that he was at the Defence Headquarters to rob minds with the CDS on how to improve the security challenges in the state.

The governor expressed appreciation for the Operations Safe Corridor initiative and the provision of social services to the host communities.

He said that the proximity of Gombe to the theatre of Operations LAFIYA DOLE in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States had resulted to influx of internally displaced persons into the State.

Yahaya added that these displaced persons now reside permanently in the state, thereby resulting to infrastructure deficit.

By Abel Leonard Nzwanke/lafia

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, has expressed his administration’s poise to reform sports and youth development in the State.

The Governor, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development, Sports and NGOs’ Matters, Kwanta Yakubu, disclosed this recently at the 2019 5th National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State.

According to the SSA, “Governor Abdullahi Sule is highly committed to youth and sports development in Nasarawa State.

“Sports is a unifying factor and a terminator of youthful vices in the society. And His Excellency is poised to revamp sports and sporting activities in the State, which is why he inaugurated an 11-man Sports Reform Committee recently to change the narrative across the nooks and crannies of the State.

You could recall that the Governor Sule’s administration is less than four months old, and during the first Centenary Day Celebration, the Governor achieved tremendous breakthroughs in sports, one of which was the triumph of Nasarawa Amazons FC at the final of the 2019 Women’s Aiteo Cup in Kaduna.

Kwanta further said that Governor Sule has set up a working machinery to totally overhaul sports in the State.

“The sports overhaul will require organising Wards, Local Governments and Statewide programmes involving various sports with seasoned sports technocrats readily available to discover raw talents and nurture them.

“On sports facilities facelift, His Excellency is working tirelessly to rehabilitate old facilities, and construct new ones across the thirteen Council Areas of the State for general involvement, especially with premium being accorded to the construction of one new stadium in each of the two zones which are yet to have such sports facilities – Akwanga and Keffi.

“Currently, we are updating our facilities to meet global standards and where there is need for new ones to be constructed, we are equally working towards such.

“The Government has equally opened discussion with a firm based abroad to remodel the Sports Academy located in Akwanga and see how to use it as one of the budding grounds for grassroots talents discovery for the State and country at large, and once all these are set, we will then explore avenues to host the National Youth Games in the nearest future,” the SSA added.

Reacting to Team Nasarawa’s performance at the 2019 National Youth Games in Ilorin, Kwara State, the versatile Kwanta stated thus:

“As for the Youth Games here in Ilorin, as a young administration, we wanted to use this as a stepping stone to the level of totally overhauling the Sports subsector and place the state in the height of other successful Sports states in the country.

“Despite having limited time to prepare for this Youth Games, over ten(10) of our athletes were found to possess great sporting potentials by organisers of the Games, which is the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and have assured of taking it upon themselves to nurture these talents for global stardom.

“We are using this 2019 Youth Games as litmus test to prepare better and stronger for subsequent outings.

“While winning medals is very important at the Youth Games, participation and talents discovery to replace ageing ones are the most paramount reasons for staging the Youth Games.

“We are so proud of the coaches, the athletes, the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the entire Nasarawa State people for standing by Team Nasarawa and always representing the state at all levels of national discourse.

“We will not relent in further paying keen attention to talents discovered at the Games, and going back home, we will re-appraise our performance, see where we got it wrong, and come up with immediate solutions for podium height in the future.

“I want to implore everyone here that you should watch out for Team Nasarawa in subsequent events”, Kwanta assured.

The National Population Commission (NPoPC) says the implementation of the 2018 National Population Policy (NPP) would engender accelerated economic growth and prosperity to the country’s advantage.

Dr Ghajji Bello, the Director General of NPoPC made the assertion in his key note address to declare open a two- day workshop on National Population Policy in Abuja on Thursday.

Bello, who was represented by Mr Vincent Anyakora, DG procurement of the Commission said that implementing the policy would result to responsible parenthood in Nigeria.

“The policy, if implemented, will result in improved maternal health and that of the newborn children,” he said.

Bello said that government was responsible, accountable and central to providing individuals with adequate quality information to enable voluntary exercising of population policy.

He called for a synergy between implementing partners aimed at giving account of the achievement in their respective MDAs.

Also, Prof. Rhoda Mundi of the University of Abuja, in her lecture entitled: “The National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development” , said NPP was key to improved quality of life.

Mundi said that the population policy if implemented would achieve even urban and rural population distribution.

The university don explained that the policy would address the prevailing humanitarian emergencies and other emerging issues threatening peace and security and sustainable development of Nigeria.

According to her, the policy will moderate population increase by voluntary fertility regulation methods.

NAN reports that the two- day seminar on National Population Policy (NPP) was organised by the Population Technical Working Group (PTWG) at the instance of the National Population Commission (NPoPC).(NAN)

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha, has coordinated the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) to guarantee that all administration correspondence were directed through sites of different government establishments to upgrade administration conveyance.

Mustapha said this in Abuja on Thursday at the official launch of the 2019 evaluation and ranking of websites of Federal Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).

The SGF, represented by Dr Habiba Lawal, Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, said endeavors ought to be equipped towards conveying administrations to Nigerians in the most adequate and quick way to have the option to contend with the computerized world.

“I want to charge the bureau as a coordinating agency for reforms in Nigeria to ensure that it conducts studies from time to time on the level of receptivity, adoption and satisfaction of businesses and general public in respect to engaging government via the MDAs online services.

“Permit me at this juncture to commend the bureau and other members of the inter-ministerial task team as well as the 2018 jury for a successful conduct of the 2018 scorecard evaluation and ranking of websites of 70 MDAs,” Mustapha said.

According to the SGF, the evaluation and ranking process would go a long way in Identifying challenges and solutions to website operational activities of the MDAs and also the step will help us to play our part at individual MDAs level.

“It is my conviction that the objective of the exercise which is to ensure that MDAs websites conform to the best practice in delivering government services to citizens and businesses in a transparent, effective and efficient manner will not be lacking in commitment and cooperation necessary for this speedy attainment.

“Since the introduction of this project in 2018, we have noticed transformation in the functionalities of MDAs websites in addressing the key challenges the last evaluation elicited.

“Significant progress has been recorded in addition to noticeable paradigm shift in MDAs websites from being a mere presentation of information to becoming platform for digital government information services and resources.

“This is in tandem with the priority of the current administration to fight corruption, improve transparency and accountability through an open government.

“Continuous improvement in the accessibility of MDAs websites as a result of the evaluation will further promote the e-services initiatives as issuance processes for international passport, drivers’ license, registration of businesses, e-ticketing and many others,” Mustapha added.

The Director-General of BPSR, Mr Dasuki Arabi, said the 2019 evaluation was aimed at consolidating on what the bureau achieved in 2018 after the ranking of 70 MDAs.

Arabi said that over 200 websites would be ranked in this year’s evaluation as efforts had been made to ensure the removal of constraints in accessing information on most government websites.

He urged MDAs that had yet to reinvigorate their websites through an institutionalised mechanism (scorecard) to do that in the shortest time possible.

“As the lead reform agency in the country, our goal is to see reforms translate to tangible improvements in the lives of the citizens.

“This is why we are determined through our rebranding of public sector service initiative to commit MDAs to deliver to the citizens’ purposeful services and effectively manage government information.

“We are determined to see that government processes for government, citizens, and businesses are simplified through our partnership with Digital Bridge Institute, Galaxy Backbone, NITDA, NIRA and Federal Ministry of Communications.

”This is in up-scaling the capacity of the public service to use innovation and modern technology to deliver services to citizens.

“In line with the aspirations of National Strategy for Public Service Reform (NSPSR), we are collaborating with the government MDAs to push the e-government strategy forward,” Arabi said.

Mr Yusuf Kazaure, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Galaxy Backbone noted that the country would be left behind if it did not embrace digital reforms in its establishments.

This, he said was why his organisation was in the forefront of providing platform for government websites to thrive.

Kazaure said: “The website is the first interface means of communication that allows a deeper form of interaction between the citizenry and various MDAs that represent government.

“Nigeria does not know what it is losing until it goes digital.

“We are on the verge of losing relevance in most of the services we render because the new generation of Nigerians is purely digital natives.

“These are youngsters who cannot understand why they should stand by the road side to stop a taxi when they can ask their phone to bring an Uber taxi to their doorsteps.

“These are youngsters who cannot understand why they should queue up to get food delivered to them; so, they are used to getting services digitally.

“And until we are able to put the basic foundation in place as a government, then, the relevance of government in their lives will begin to diminish more and more.”

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) says it would gather its members over the alliance into agreeable social orders to empower them profit from Federal Government financing openings.

Alhaji Othman Ngelzarma, General Secretary of MACBAN gave the affirmation in an interview on Thursday in Abuja.

He said such activity would also help individuals to access assets from other financial institutions.

Ngelzarma clarified that through the activity, the affiliation could without much of a stretch, improve individuals’ abilities in their particular states and just as furnish them with chance to get to a ton of help.

The general secretary noticed that the affiliation, which was set up more than 30 years ago, had the orders of guaranteeing the prosperity of its individuals.

According to him, the affiliation have chosen currently to arrange themselves to what can bring harmony to Nigerians and furthermore help in improving the country’s economy for the advancement of the whole natives of the nation.

“Very soon, we will call for National Executive Council meeting where we will discuss the guidelines and the reason to embark on this initiative.

“All our members in the states will be organise into cooperatives and in doing this it can also help in checking the security situation of the country.

“If you organise them into cooperative societies, governors of each state will know the cooperative societies that exists under MACBAN.

“And through their leadership they can help complement the efforts of various governments in the areas of security, education, commerce among others.

“Henceforth, we have decided to concern ourselves with economic aspects of the pastoralists, what can be done to improve their social well-being and how we can organise and stimulate them toward helping Nigerian economy.

“Our focus now is to adopt measures as an occupational association, create awareness among our members to improve their lives.

“And how our members can be good citizens, organise to also fight crime among themselves in order to complement government’s effort in fighting crime and to ensure peaceful coexistence among divers communities in Nigeria,” Ngelzarma said.

Similarly, the general secretary said that the association would as well make it mandatory for its leadership at national level and state chairmen to acquire land and establish a mini local ranch with simple fence.

He said ranches would enable the pastoralists to keep few cows, inseminate them through artificial insemination so that their next breed would be the ones that could bring more output of meat and milk.

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

The Acting Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, has resumed office on Thursday.

In an announcement issued by Olawunmi Ogunmosunle, the Director, Information office of HCSF, said Yemi-Esan took over the responsibility at about 6.40 p.m. after she was received by the staff of the office.

As indicated by Ogunmosunle, Yemi–Esan in her comments recognized the diligent work and commitment to obligation of her antecedent and vowed to expand on Mrs Winifred Oyo–Ita’s accomplishments.

“There is no reinventing the will. I will only build on the sound foundation and structure which she has left behind because government is a continuum,” the statement quoted the new HoS saying.

The acting HCSF requested for continued collaboration and support given to the outgoing HCSF.

Ogunmosunle said Mrs Winifred Oyo–Ita, the active HCSF, in her giving over discourse, said her right around four years as the HCSF has been intriguing and exciting.

Oyo-Ita predented a 153-page giving over note with an annexure; implying the profundity of work in the workplace of the HCSF.

Oyo–Ita expressed gratitude toward President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing the chance to serve.

She said further that Oyo-Ita had recognized that legislature was a continuum and urged the approaching HCSF to expand on what she had done.

The taking over service was seen by Permanent Secretaries, Directors and other administration staff in the workplace of HCSF.

It would be recalled that the president had on Sept. 18, approved the appointment of Yemi-Esan as the Acting HCSF with immediate effect.

The advancement pursued the order given to Oyo-Ita to continue on an indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

By Jennifer Y Omiloli

On Thursday, the Federal High Court in Abuja fires back by convicting and ordering the winding up of Process and Industrial Development Limited and its Nigerian affiliate, P&ID Nigeria Limited, for charges of fraud and tax evasion in respect of the contract leading to the recent controversial judgment of a British court empowering the firm to seize about $9.6bn worth of Nigerian assets.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment also ordered the forfeiture of “the assets and properties” of the two firms to the Nigerian government.

The judge made the orders shortly after the two firms, through their representatives, pleaded guilty to the 11 counts instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

P&ID Limited incorporated in British Virgin Island was represented in the dock by its Commercial Director, while Mohammad Kuchazi, P&ID Nigeria Limited was represented by Adamu Usman, who is also an attorney.

Both men pleaded guilty on behalf of the companies to all the 11 counts read to them before the Justice on Thursday.

Kuchazi was represented by his lawyer, Dandison Akurunwua, while Usman represented himself.

They were accused of among others, fraudulently claiming to have acquired land from the Cross River State Government in 2010 for the gas supply project agreement which led to the $9.6bn judgment.

After the defendants pleaded guilty to the 11 counts, an EFCC investigator, Usman Babangida, was called to the witness box for review of facts which was not opposed by the defence.

Documents relating to the controversial 2010 gas supply contract and EFCC’s investigation activities were tendered and admitted by the judge as exhibits without objection from the defence.

The judge then went on to pronounce the two firms represented by the two men guilty.

Pleading for mercy, P&ID’s lawyer Akurunwua, urged the judge to consider “the forthrightness and candour” of P&ID by pleading guilty and not wasting the time of the court in the trial.