Category: News

By Joyce Babayeju

The Chinese government has promised to deepen its economic and trade relations with Nigeria in line with the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

Mr Wang Yingqi, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Nigeria, disclosed this at the opening of the 3rd Belt and Road China-Nigeria Economic and Trade Forum, held at the International Conference in Abuja on Thursday.

His words, “This forum represents a critical platform to strengthen our partnership, address challenges and explore new opportunities. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, which draws inspiration from the ancient Silk Road aimed at enhancing connectivity through infrastructure, trade, financial and people-to-people cooperation. Inject new impetus to the global economy, create new opportunities for global development and build a new platform for international economic cooperation.

“Over the past decade, Belt and Road cooperation between Nigeria and China has resulted in the construction of landmark projects including railways, ports, power stations and communication backbone networks have been completed in succession and remarkable achievements have been made in free trade zone areas.

“This forum signifies our shared commitment to strengthen trade, investment and cooperation across various sectors. China is committed to further collaborating with Nigeria to achieve concrete results in China-Ngeria, China-Africa belt and road cooperation.

“China is dedicated to supporting Nigeria in achieving industrialization and agricultural modernization. China supports Nigeria in its pursuit of a modernization path and is prepared to strengthen exchange at all levels to advance high-quality practical cooperation.”

Also speaking, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, said China’s Belt and Road Initiative has brought tremendous opportunities for economic development, infrastructural enhancement and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China.

The speaker, represented by Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu, Chairman of the House Committee on Nigeria-China relations, said the House of Representatives is committed to strengthening the bilateral and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and China through the instrumentality of appropriate law-making.

Organized by the China General Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria (CGCCN), the Trade Forum signalled the commencement of a two-day trade fair and exhibition, where Chinese firms and their Nigerian counterparts will engage in trade and economic exchanges.

In 2013, President Xi Jinping unveiled the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development strategy to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations.

The initiative is the largest infrastructure and investment project in history, covering more than 150 countries, with China spending over $4 trillion on infrastructural investments as of 2023.

Through the BRI, China has made its mark worldwide by funding over 2,900 projects in roads, railways, bridges, hospitals, schools and airports in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, thus promoting trade and economic development of member countries.

Some BRI projects in Nigeria include Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan rail projects, Abuja Metro Light Rail, Lekki Deep Seaport, Lagos Blue Rail, Terminal expansion of federal airports, Zungeru Hydro Power Dam, upgrading of the Abuja–Keffi-Makurdi road project among others.

By Joy Osaji

NDE at forefront to address country’s unemployment, says Lagos Chamber of Commerce

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has called on top managers at the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to buckle up for the task to combat unemployment in the country to the bare minimum.

The Minister said the Nigerian government has vowed to address the pressing issue of unemployment, particularly among young people, with a renewed emphasis on the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

This commitment was made by the Minister at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair, with this year’s theme: “Connecting Businesses, Creating Value” where she addressed trainees and beneficiaries of NDE.

Onyejeocha in a statement by her Special Adviser on Media, Emameh Gabriel, emphasised the NDE’s crucial role in tackling unemployment through the agency’s efforts in providing skills training and entrepreneurship opportunities for young Nigerians.

She highlighted the government’s plan to launch a roadmap in the coming weeks aimed at removing over 80% of unemployed youth from the streets.

She said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is deeply concerned about the rising unemployment rate and has given a clear mandate to address this challenge effectively.

The Minister assured Nigerians that the government is committed to working tirelessly to create a more inclusive economy where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

She said: “I am not exaggerating. I have seen the heart of the president. I have seen the team he has assembled and I have seen their hearts and commitments. I have also seen the attitude of all his appointees. I want Nigerians to give us few time and there will a big turnaround.

She noted that though the country is going through unavoidable hard times, with time its fortune would be turned around for good.

“We do not have any reason to fail. We must work hard to change the narrative. We are coming up with policies and strategies that will remove 80 percent of unemployed people from the street.

Onyejeocha promised that going forward, all trainees of the NDE must be empowered with reasonable starter pack that will take them off the street completely.

She called on managers at NDE to focus on combating unemployment without compromise, adding that “the president, my principal is really concerned about unemployment in the country.

She said: “I am not going to engage in an empowerment programme that after training, you give the beneficiaries N50,000 or N20,000. Because when you do that, you are simply telling them to just eat their lunch and go to bed.

“When you train people, you train them because you want to change their lives for good. You train people because you are passionate and you want them to leave the street and lift them from poverty level. You don’t train people for political purpose.

“We must do what is right, in that way, you are connecting businesses and adding value.

“When I found myself in an environment where you have to oversee the National Directorate of Employment, I and said to myself, God you know why I am here. I know it’s your purpose for me to serve on what I am have passion for- providing jobs and empowering people, a thing I have been doing through my foundation in the last decades”.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) echoed the government’s call for increased efforts to combat unemployment and poverty. LCCI President/Chairman of Council, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, expressed concern about the high poverty rate in the country, with over 63% of Nigerians living below the poverty line.

He urged the NDE to continue its impactful work in skills development and entrepreneurship training to empower young Nigerians and contribute to economic growth.

“The NDE has demonstrated its effectiveness in addressing unemployment, particularly through its skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training programs. From 2015 to 2022, the NDE’s extended special public works program successfully engaged and incentivized over 760,520 participants. Additionally, the agency has harnessed the gains of agriculture value chains to create additional 74,939 jobs in the last two years”, said Olawale-Cole

On his part, highlighting the achievements recorded by the NDE, the National Director, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo, said the they have been able to harnessed the gains of agriculture value chains under various agricultural schemes to create additional 74,939 jobs in the last two years.

He said the trade fair exhibitions remain platforms upon which business owners connect, gain exposure and unhindered access to the business world and enhance the value of their products and services.

By Milcah Tanimu

In a recent development, President Bola Tinubu has given his nod to the appointment of Mohammed Isa as his Senior Special Assistant on Disability Matters. The announcement was made on Thursday by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, at the State House in Abuja.

Ngelale highlighted that this appointment aligns with Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring the comprehensive inclusion of every segment of society under the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

Mohammed Isa, a Public Administration graduate with honors from the University of Maiduguri, furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s in Public Administration from the same institution in 2017.

The President has charged Isa with the responsibility of proactively creating opportunities for inclusion by integrating Persons With Disabilities (PWD) requirements and perspectives into the policies and programs of all Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Additionally, Isa is expected to collaborate with sub-national authorities to foster a national consensus on PWD-friendly policies and environmental conditions, working in tandem with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).

The Oyo State government has said it would work with Education Secretaries, and Heads of Sections in all local governments towards shutting down substandard primary schools in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and technology, Prof. Soliu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, in a meeting with basic education stakeholders on Wednesday said “mushroom” schools would not be allowed to operate in Oyo State.

Speaking in Ibadan, he said the Ministry and OYOSUBEB will work closely with relevant stakeholders to tighten the noose on operators of mushroom Primary schools.

He charged the Education Secretaries, Heads of Sections in the 33 Local Government areas of the state to get set, as the meeting was part of steps and institutional preparations towards the crackdown.

Prof. Soliu Abdulwaheed, who expressed dissatisfaction with the report he gathered on the field, during a recent inspection, identified ways to forestall some basic errors in the basic education sub-sector.

He called for unwavering commitment by all stakeholders, charging them to be part of the moving train, to better the lots of children in the basic education sub-sector.

The Commissioner also admonished relevant stakeholders, to step up their game in the proper supervision of schools under their watch.

“Let us commit ourselves to the betterment of our public schools, as this will ultimately impact the lives and future of the students under our care”, he admonished.

The Commissioner also said that the Oyo State government under the supervision of Governor Seyi Makinde is making moves to address infrastructural decay in primary schools.

He noted that the Governor had given the Ministry a matching order to identify schools with urgent need of infrastructural overhaul.

“The Oyo State government is doing everything possible to bring every child of school age on board. However, we must not compromise our commitment for quality and standard education in the state”.

Speaking on the lingering issue of recruitment of primary school teachers, the Education commissioner said, “We are aware that teachers are retiring, and the staff strength in our primary schools are reducing. I assure you that, by God’s grace, we will recruit more teachers in the basic education sector by February 2024,” he said.

The Commissioner stressed that standard in education must not dwindle, and appealed to education Secretaries and private schools’ owners to take the issue of standard in schools seriously.

Speaking earlier, the Coordinating Director, OYOSUBEB, Mrs. Olaide Ladipo said the board is committed to the betterment of public primary schools.

She noted that the recent inspection of the Commissioner for Education, along with the management team of OYOSUBEB brought forth the areas where schools fall short, and where urgent attention is needed.

Represented by the Director, Administration and Supply, Mr. David Isola, the Coordinating Director, said the meeting serves as a pivotal platform to address the challenges.

In his response, on behalf of his colleagues, the Education Secretary, Ido Local government, Mr. Bukola Adigun, assured the State government of their dedication to improve education in the state.

The meeting was attended by Education Secretaries from 33 local government areas.

It also had in attendance Heads of Sections in the 33 local governments from Standard and Quality Assurance; Schools Services; Planning Research and Statistics among others.

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Journalists have been charged to
ensure factual accuracy of electoral reports, particularly by setting aside personal biases and avoid presenting opinions as facts.

Journalists were also charged to make it a professional and ethical duty to enhance the integrity of electoral information by not only avoiding but also countering disinformation, misinformation and hate speech.

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of a two – day training on fact-checking workshops for journalists from Kogi, Bayelsa ad Imo States ahead the off-cycle governorship elections in the three States on November 11, 2023, organised by the International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria supported by the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP).

The objective of the workshop held at Hawthorn Suites & Hotels, Abuja.
was to strengthen national capacities to prevent and mitigate the threats of disinformation, misinformation and hate speech to the integrity of electoral information and democracy.

According to the communique signed by Stella Nwofia, the Programme Manager International Press Centre (IPC) enjoined Journalists to accept the obligation of setting a public-interest agenda for the governorship elections in the three states.

Journalists were also told to embrace the fact-checking methods and digital tools and to imbibe the art of questioning as a valuable skill necessary for being detectives of disinformation and misinformation.

“Uphold accountability journalism at elections by making key electoral stakeholders such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the political parties, the candidates and the law enforcement and security agencies accountable to the public.”

“Take all professional steps to resolve conflict and assist with conflict management since violent conflicts are threats to elections and democracy.”

The communique charged journalists to sensitise citizens on IPC’s iVerify platform being a useful technology-driven system to combat electoral information disorder.

“Share the knowledge and skills gained from the workshop with other colleagues so that collectively they can provide reliable electoral information for the citizens.”, the communique added.