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Author: Emmanuel Mogbede

  • Group applauds Tinubu’s creative steps to boost digital economy

    Group applauds Tinubu’s creative steps to boost digital economy
    Tinubu
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 30,2024(NAN) The Democratic Front (TDF) has described the 3 million Technical Talent (3MTT) and Project 774 initiatives of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration as the strategic plan to achieve the two million digital jobs milestone.

    The TDF said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, jointly signed by Chairman, Chief Wale Adedayo and its Secretary, Malam Danjuma Muhammad.

    The group expressed optimism that the projects, which were the administration’s goal for 2025, were bound to pave the way for a new generation of skilled workforce versed in digital technology.

    “The programme would make the President’s vision of creating two million digital jobs by 2015 to be easily achieved.

    “Alongside the training of the three million talents is the grand initiative to connect all 774 council areas in the country with the Internet in the unfolding plans.

    “The programme will help to drive the country’s digital economy agenda successfully,” the group explained.

    It stated that the Tinubu-led administration had taken a creative step to achieve one of  its campaign promises to create two million digital jobs by 2025.

    The statement added that the training of three million technical talents for the nation’s digital economy was a clear measure that would guarantee the vision.

    “It is one initiative that had never been seen in the country, in spite its immense human capital resources.

    “It is bound to further position the country to challenge India as a net exporter of talents in the technological world.

    “We also see the commencement of Project 774 which seeks to link all Local Government secretariats with Internet conectivityas a spirited effort by the administration.

    “To galvanise the pursuit of advanced education and creativity among young Nigerians across the country for the benefit of the nation’s economy,” the group said.

    It said the move was a deliberate effort to open the windows of opportunities that would enhance rural dwellers’ inclusivity in efforts to realise Nigeria’s projected one trillion dollar economy in a few years.

    This, it said, was similar to the economic method and policy which currently made India an exporter of 55 per cent of the world’s ICT talents.

    The statement added that in a world where global demand for ICT skills in professional causes stood at 85 per cent, it could not, but to commend the President.

    This, it said, was especially for embarking on the task of building a fortress of economic future for Nigeria by harnessing the technical talents of three million youths.

    The TDF said the administration was also ensuring uninterrupted internet network connectivity to all the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.

    “This is in addition to revealing the extent to which President Tinubu is prepared to go in dealing headlong with our national inadequacies.

    “His action on 3MTT and Project 774 underscores the depth of his acknowledgement of the potentials of Nigerian youths and the need to harness their potential for economic growth and development.

    “This initiative is worthy of commendation,” the group added.

    It commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani for driving the twin projects to a successful commencement.

    The group called on the minister to remain steadfast and sustain the tempo and focus with which he had managed the project thus far.

    It assured the people that the minister’s footprint would remain indelible in the history of advancement in Nigeria’s Digital Economy drive.

    The group urged Nigerian youths, especially the beneficiaries to see the 3MTT project as a lifetime opportunity.

    It added that they should see the project as a unique gesture from the government to secure a greater future for themselves, in the ever-competitive and dynamic global tech market.

    “It is our view that the youth should make a success of the 3MTT project by lending their moral and political support to Tinubu’s administration.

    “This will make for a smooth funding and management of the project a  guarantee,”it said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    EEM/YI/YGA
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    Edited by Yahaya Isah/Gabriel Yough

  • AU says Nigeria exceptional in implementing School Feeding Programme

    AU says Nigeria exceptional in implementing School Feeding Programme

    Feeding

    By Emmanuel Mogbede

    Abuja, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The African Union (AU), says no fewer than 65.4 million children in 51 countries now benefit from School Feeding in Africa, with Nigeria standing out in implementation of the programme.

    Ms Kefilwe Moalosi, Project Manager for Nutrition and Food Safety, Africa Union Development Agency-New partnership for African development (AUDA-NEPAD), said this in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.

    Moalosi, who spoke during a school feeding stakeholders’ strategic meeting, themed: “Encouraging State Driven Implementation and Best Practices for School Feeding Towards Local Agricultural Value Chain, Community Engagement and Economic Development”, called on other African countries to emulate Nigeria.

    She specifically called on Africa’s leadership to follow Nigeria’s example in transitioning the school feeding programme from a Federal Government-led initiative to states governments’ project.

    “Recent disruptions to African economies add traction to the movement and the need to think local, especially in a continent where farming remains a top source of income and jobs, particularly for women.

    “By working together, we can leverage on our collective expertise and resources to develop comprehensive programmes that address the multifaceted needs of our children,” she said.

    The project manager e explained that from nutrition and health, to education and economic empowerment, funding for school meal programmes coming directly from governments could vary widely.

    She noted that though investing in home-grown school feeding programmes was not without its challenges; its rewards far outweighed the costs.

    Moalosi reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to the well-being of African children, and the prosperity of its communities, saying in unity, a brighter future for generations to come could be built.

    “We will only reach our goal to zero hunger if we all walk together, we have to run together towards our goal,” she stressed.

    She thanked the Nigerian Government for collaborating with AUDA-NEPAD, to domesticate the continental school feeding guidelines through the engagement of school feeding implementers, especially at the community level, to contribute to the food and nutrition security outcomes.

    Moalosi expressed optimism that state driven implementation and best practices for school feeding, could significantly enhance investments and promote local agricultural value chain.

    She noted that it would also promote community engagement and economic development in school feeding programmes in Nigeria.

    “School feeding programmes play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition, improving children’s health and educational outcomes.

    “Promoting local agriculture and Investing in home-grown school feeding programmes is not merely expenditure; it is an investment in our collective future.

    “By leveraging on the resources and capabilities of the state actors, we have the opportunity to transform the lives of millions of children across our nations.

    “However, by providing daily meals sourced from local farmers and producers, we ensure that our children receive the essential nutrients they need to thrive both in schools and beyond,” Moalosi said.

    According to her, data compiled by the AU in 2019, indicates that the figure drawn from 51 countries represents a massive increase from 38.4 million in 2013.

    She said the development should not be seen as surprising since African leaders, through the Assembly of Heads of States and Government in 2016, acknowledged the contribution of School Feeding to human resources.

    She said they had also recognised capital development in Africa, and endorsed the Home- Grown School Feeding to be commemorated annually on March 1.

    Moalosi added that the statistics also indicated that only 27 per cent of children in sub-Saharan Africa accessed a school meal, which was affecting learning outcomes.

    She, however, expressed delight that the programme was at least benefitting more than 65 million children in 51 African countries, representing 84 per cent funded by domestic budgets. (NAN)

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    Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

  • APC Women Leader wants NWC to restore sanity to Benue chapter

    Ms Nancy Torher, Benue APC Women Leader, briefing newsmen in Abuja
    APC
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 27, 2024(NAN)Ms Nancy Torher, All Progressives Congress (APC), Women Leader in Benue, has appealed to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), to help restore sanity to her state chapter.
    Torher made the appeal in Abuja when she led Women Leaders in Benue’s 23 Local Governments and three Senatorial Zones, on a protest to the party’s national secretariat.
    Torher, while speaking with newsmen after submitting a petition to the party’s national leadership, said that there was a need for it to address issues of impostors.
    “This has become necessary because suspended officials of the party in Benue, are still parading themselves as officials.
    “It is particularly unfortunate that some of the party’s national executives are associating with such impostors in spite of their suspension from the party.”
    She accused the APC National Women Leader, Dr Mary Idele, of associating with an impostor who parades herself as Benue APC women leader.
    This, Torher said, is a violation of the decision of the party’s NWC which suspended the Austin Agada-led Benue APC executive.
    “The APC national women leader, as a member of its NWC, is aware of this decision and suspension and she is expected to adhere to it,” she said.
    She said it was shocking to see the party’s national woman leader violating the NWC’s decision by inviting an impostor to an event “as Benue APC Women Leader”.
    She added that Idele had also been recognising one Benjamin Omakolo as the state’s chairman.
    “Allowing this breach of order to proceed will further deepen the APC’s  intra-party crisis in Benue and could lead to the collapse of the party’s structure.
    “It is critical for the party’s leadership to intervene in the matter by drawing the attention of Idele to the abnormality and ensuring that she aligns with its decision,” Torher declared.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
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  • Reopening of Lagos-Kano Railway Line, major rebound for Nigeria’s Economy – Group 

    Economy
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 18,2024 (NAN)The Democratic Front (TDF), a pro-democracy group, has described the repair and reopening of the Lagos-Kano railway line for freight operations as a major boost for the economy.
    The TDF said this in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Danjuma Mohammed and Secretary, Wale Adedayo on Tuesday in Abuja.
    It said the start of service on the railway line was the culmination of silent work by the President Bola Tinubu administration to get things done with minimum fuss.
    “We laud and celebrate  completion of repair works and reopening of the long-abandoned  Lagos-Kano railway line by the administration of President Tinubu.
    “Our joy and excitement can only be understood within the context of the  memorable contributions of the 1,132km railway line to the economic, social, political and cultural development of Nigeria.
    “For the avoidance of doubt, the iconic railway line was the bedrock of Nigeria’s cash crop exports to the outside world under.
    “The colonial administrations from 1898 to decades after the country’s independence in October 1960,” the statement recalled.
    It noted that aside from the Rivers Niger and Benue which were natural pivots in the making of Nigeria’s geo-political circumstances, the Lagos-Kano Railway Line was a major connector for trade.
    It said it was also the major connector for political, economic, and socio cultural relationships between the South and the Northern parts of the country.
    The TDF said it was,  however, sad that succeeding administrations neglected such a critical transport infrastructure and abandoned it to years of decay.
    This, it said, was especially at the advent of crude oil as the mainstay of the country’s economy, to the detriment of the nation’s socio-economic advancement.
    “The abandonment of the Lagos-Kano railway line, which stems from refusal of successive administrations to invest adequately in railway transportation.
    “Until former President Muhammadu Buhari came onboard, was the beginning of the decline of Nigeria’s economy of the 1970s.
    “Happily though, President Tinubu has taken a bold step to reverse the declining situation by rehabilitating the Lagos-Kano railway line, among other infrastructural projects, to boost food supply and revive the ailing economy.
    “We are convinced that the resumption of transport operations on the Lagos-Kano railway route, will bring back the lost glory of socio-cultural interactions and integrations among the diverse ethnic groups of Nigeria,” it said.
    It said the development would also drastically reduce the rising  cost of food prices, and help resuscitate all dead or epileptic economic activities in markets and communities along the rail route.
    It added that the accomplishment of such an infrastructural feat resonated with the wisdom behind  Tinubu’s decision to present a national budget of overwhelming capital expenditure component in the 2024 appropriation Act.
    It said this major achievement by Tinubu reinforced its position that he needed time, support and stability in the polity to put Nigeria in her pride of place among the comity of great nations of the world.
    The TDF, therefore, urged the organised labour to see reasons with the Tinubu-led administration on the minimum wage crisis.
    “We also strongly appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to accept the  Federal Government’s offer of a N62,000  minimum wage.
    “And also desist from any further action capable of heating up or destabilising the polity. As a responsible organisation, we are not averse to the need for a wage increase for Nigerian workers.
    “But It is our opinion that wages should be increased only as an incentive for efficiency, effectiveness and upward productivity, not as a factor for mitigating the effects of inflation in the country.
    “This is because the trajectory of wage increases in Nigeria, from the salary award of the Udoji Commission of 1974 till date.
    “Shows that wage and salary increases intrinsically amplify multi-dimensional inflation in the economy,”TDF added.
    It charged the organised labour to see itself as partners in the Federal Government’s quest to expand the economic base of the country through massive investments in infrastructure.
    NAN reports that the the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway is a 1,343km standard gauge railway.
    The rail will connect the Atlantic Ocean port city of Lagos to Kano, near the border with Niger, passi through Abuja.
    The railway replaces the Cape gauge Western Line built by the British in 1896–1927, which has a lower design capacity .(NAN)
    EEM/CHOM/SH
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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Sadiya Hamza
    08061261081
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  • Democracy: APC assures better days ahead for Nigerians 

    Democracy: APC assures better days ahead for Nigerians
    APC
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) says the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is on course, with better days ahead for Nigerians.
    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, while congratulating Nigerians on the occasion of 2024 Democracy Day.
    “We remember and celebrate our illustrious patriots whose conviction and sacrifices bequeathed to us the democracy that we celebrate today.
    “Following protracted military rule, civilian democracy was restored to our dear nation in 1999, and has now endured for 25 years, uninterrupted.
    “With strident hope for a future of democratic consolidation and prosperity for our people, all Nigerians must take pride in this remarkable achievement,” Morka said.
    He said that embedded in the idea of political democracy, was the intrinsic and instrumental value of the sovereign power that it bestowed on citizens to choose who governed them.
    Morka said that it also granted citizens the power to hold those they elected into political offices accountable, through periodic elections and other constitutionally enshrined mechanisms.
    “However, like with every human device and agency, democracy is not without its imperfections and challenges; our country has had its fair share of setbacks, pain and disappointments.
    “These are inevitable and inescapable by-products of democratic construction, but importantly, it has set us irreversibly on course, to build a strong, vibrant and resilient nation.
    “Democracy provides us the opportunity of essential freedom to harness our finest human and material resources, under the participatory authority of our people, for beneficial and sustainable governance,” he said.
    Morka described President Tinubu as a veteran advocate, a defender of democracy and an exemplary progressive and visionary leader, whose contributions to the enthronement of democracy and nation building were simply monumental.
    He said that in just over one year in office, the Tinubu-led administration had made impressive gains, revamping infrastructure to support the massive expansion of the Nigerian economy.
    Morka said that the administration had also implemented multi-sector reforms to remove age-long debilitating policy distortions and contradictions in the economy.
    He said that the administration had tackled insecurity, revitalised the country’s security architecture and channeled resources to important social investments.
    Morka said that it also focused on poverty alleviation initiatives and initiated constructive engagements with relevant stakeholders, aimed at achieving better wages and living standards for citizens.
    “Tinubu’s bold target of building a $1 trillion economy for Nigeria in a few short years received amplified validation by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
    “With its recent forecast that Nigeria’s economy would be nearly $2 trillion by 2029, there can be no better indication that the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ is right on course, and that our best days are ahead.
    “Being a clear-sighted democrat, President Tinubu is fully conscious of the existential challenges confronting our good people,
    particularly, the unintended economic hardship of necessary policies that he has enacted to reset our economy for sustainable growth and development,” the APC spokesman said.
    He said that Tinubu, like others before him, could have taken the easy and convenient road, doing more of the same, while the nation’s economic challenges persisted.
    Morka said that demonstrating courage, Tinubu decided to walk the difficult path and tackle those challenges at their roots.
    “He remains steadfast and committed to delivering a better, safer, stronger and more prosperous country; while taking deliberate and necessary measures to mitigate transient reform attendant hardships,” he said.
    Morka thanked Nigerians for their unwavering support for the Tinubu-led administration and the APC.
    He expressed confidence that the democracy being celebrated would usher in an era of economic freedom and secure a brighter future for Nigerians. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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    Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Oluwole Sogunle

  • June 12: Kingibe says fairness, justice critical for equitable society

    June 12: Kingibe says fairness, justice critical for equitable society
    Democracy
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 12,2024(NAN)Amb. Babagana Kingibe, a a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has said that fairness and justice in governance at all levels is critical to an equatable society and equal opportunities for all.
    Kingibe who was Chief MKO Abiola’s running mate in the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election on the then Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform said this at a dinner on Tuesday in Abuja.
    The dinner which was organised by the Ministry of Youth Development to celebrate Nigeria’s 25 years of uninterrupted democracy.
    The lecture was titled:”25 Years of Enduring Democracy: Prospects for the Future”.
    Kingibe recalled that in his days, fairness and justice made it possible for children of the less privileged to obtain scholarships to study with children of the rich in same schools and excelled.
    He noted that something however, went wrong when two generations back jettisoned the idea that all was entitled to equal opportunities and started looking after their own rather than opening up space for everybody.
    “It was not an issue of godfatherism in my time: I was 36 years of age,when I became a career Ambassador, 40 when I became a Permanent Secretary and 48 when I was leading the SDP.
    “The first thing youths of today should fight for is justice, fairness and equal opportunities,” Kingibe  said.
    He stressed the need for mentorship if the younger generation must take over the country’s leadership from the older generation.
    He noted that mentoring was lacking in the country’s political space as most youths struggle by themselves to find their ways to the top.
    He said it was unfortunate that most of the older generation didn’t know when it was time to give way for the younger generation.
    “We lost this mentorship, perhaps because we, my generation, decided to sit around government, we didn’t know when it is time to leave.
    “I am very surprised, even now, the number of sectogenerians, near octogenarians who are working around with their CVs looking for political appointments, and I just shake my heads.
    “It is time for us to rest, let us imitate nature, look at trees, when they come to the end of their lives, they drop seeds and fall to give way for the seeds to grow.
    “We should imitate nature and know when to leave the stage,” the 78 years old Kingibe said.
    He said the older generation barely understood today’s world because of the advanced changing technological world which they may not be conversant with.
    He, however, expressed satisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s administration for giving youths opportunities in his government.
    He said contrary to belief in some quarters, Nigerian youths had the energy and were ready to take over leadership, saying their time was now.
    “Your time is now, do not allow any older person to patronise you by saying you are the leaders of tomorrow. See yourselves as leaders of now, ” he said.
    He noted that like Tinubu, some older persons had the interest of youths at heart.
    “President Tinubu is not a young man, but he has behaved as if he is one of you who got into office.He looked out for you and for your interest.
    “And has given you representation and has digitalised governance , not analogue.
    “Many may not understand some of the ideas he has and the direction he is going, but if you look ahead, you will see the destination he is in a going to.
    “And by GOD’S grace, we will get there, so when you see an elder doing something to help,rally round him and support him and you will be surprised how much sooner we will get there” Kingibe said.
    He said there was however need to review the Constitution to make it easy for youths to acquire political power.
    He charged youths in government and positions of authority to always work and think for others to make them relevant to the society.
    He further changed Nigerians to  work to grow the country’s democracy to maturity and make it better, saying there was no better system.
    He noted that the lack of national coalition was one of the things pulling the country backwards, saying we must begin to see ourselves as one to change the narrative.
    “Ones we begin to treat each other as brothers and as one people occupying this geopolitical space called Nigeria, we will get to the point when we think of our present and future as one,” Kingibe said.(NAN)
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza
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  • Group appeals to workers to support FG’s sustainable wage

    Group appeals to workers to support FG’s sustainable wage
    Wage
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 12,2024 (NAN)The Concerned Nigerian Patriots (CNP), has appealed to Nigerian workers to support what the Federal Government and the private sector employers determined to be realistic and sustainable wages.
    Alhaji Alfa Mohammed, CNP, a political pressure group Chairman, made the call at a news conference  in Abuja, while reacting to the current face-off between the Federal Government and the organised labour, on Tuesday
    He said that the news conference was to address pressing issue that threatens the nation’s economic stability and democratic integrity.
    He said calling the country’s workforce to embark on strike by the organised labour was not the way to address the country’s challenges.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
    reports that while the Federal Government had proposed #62,000 as a new minimum wage, the organised labour is proposing #250,000.
    Mohammed called on Nigerians to support and pray for the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s efforts to achieve its lofty goals for the county.
    “We call on Nigerians to reject unrealistic wage demands and support what the government and private sector employers determined to be realistic and sustainable wages,”he said.
    He also called on the citizens to oppose disruptive strikes and insist on dialogue between the Federal Government and the labour unions, and reject strike actions aimed at destabilising the government.
    To address the situation, Muhammed recommended the immediate introduction of policies to reduce inflation, particularly in food, transportation, medical, agriculture, and energy sectors.
    He also called for the provision of credit schemes for PMS-CNG conversion and CNG vehicle hire purchase and funding for mechanised farming projects across all states, with a commodity board to manage excess produce.
    He advocated the use of intensified technology to address security challenges and exclusive use of locally assembled or manufactured vehicles for government officials.
    “We appeal to Nigerians to support and pray for the Tinubu-led administration’s efforts to achieve its lofty goals for the county.
    “The recent demands for an unrealistic minimum wage by the coalition of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Labour Party (LP) pose a significant risk of plunging Nigeria into another recession.
    ”And,  exacerbating the economic challenges that President Tinubu’s administration has been diligently working to overcome.
    “This coalition’s agenda appears to be a deliberate attempt to provoke public unrest and destabilise the government.
    “By advocating for a wage increase that is not financially viable, they risk inciting chaos and anarchy, which could undermine our hard-earned democracy,” Mohammed explained.
    He recalled that the coalition’s insistence on a minimum wage initially set at ₦605,000, then ₦494,000, and now ₦250,000, was part of a broader strategy to force government into adopting an economically unfeasible policy.
    He said such a wage hike would likely lead to severe inflation, increased unemployment, decreased productivity, and greater economic hardship.
    Mohammed, therefore, urged Nigerians, especially the diligent workforce, to see through the veil.
    He said it was the responsibility of every citizen to support and pray for the success of the Tinubu-led government, not to undermine it

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the organised labour has vowed to reject  ₦62,000 or ₦100,000 minimum wage proposal for Nigerian workers by the Federal Government.

    The Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Chris Onyeka, described such a proposal as a “starvation wage”.

    Onyeka insisted that labour won’t accept the latest government’s offer of ₦62,000, saying that its latest demand as the living wage for an average Nigerian worker remains ₦250,000.

    “Our position is very clear. We have never considered accepting ₦62,000 or any other wage that we know is below what we know can take Nigerian workers home. We will not negotiate a starvation wage.

    “We have never contemplated ₦100,000, let alone ₦62,000. We are still at ₦250,000, that is where we are, and that is what we considered enough concession to the government and the other social partners in this particular situation.

    “ We are not just driven by frivolities but the realities of the marketplace, realities of things we buy every day: a bag of rice, yam, garri, and all of that.”(NAN)

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    Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

  • Tinubu is rebooting education sector with creative initiatives, says group

    Tinubu is rebooting education sector with creative initiatives, says group
    Education
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 10,2024(NAN)President Bola Tinubu is rebooting the country’s education sector with creative Initiatives that will introduce a fresh breath of air to the sector.
    This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), Mr Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary, Mr Dapo Okubanjo in Abuja.
    The goup said Tinubu’s initiatives in the education sector could be likened to building blocks for a progressive and modern education system.
    “The education sector is one that the President Tinubu’s administration had since inception been quietly reviving for utmost efficiency in the last one year.
    “Even the perennial agitation of tertiary institution’s work force have been on the decline, resulting to peace on campuses, calls for strikes are also dying down,the group said.
    It attributed the development to Federal Government’s decision to remove universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform.
    It noted that the IPPIS since its introduction in 2006, had been a source of acrimony between university unions and various administrations.
    “But what may end up cementing Tinubu’s place in history in this sector, is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF) which started only a few days ago.
    “But has received well over 60,000 applications from students of Federal Government institutions,” it said.
    It explained that Tinubu had delayed the take off of the interest-free student loan scheme to ensure it also covered students who may be more interested in skills acquisition than university education
    It said the ultimate intention of the move was to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for Nigerian students and youths.
    The group added that the goal was to ensure that indigent students do not drop out of school due to financial constraints.
    “As for funding, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, made its highest ever disbursement of N643.4bn to tertiary institutions since inception on President Tinubu’s watch.
    “With Colleges of Education getting a minimum of N1.3bn while individual polytechnics and universities received N1.6billion and N1.9billion respectively.
    “This quantum of funds improves teaching, research, and overall development of our tertiary institutions, staff beneficiaries are able to partake in conferences locally and internationally.
    “It is also used to fund the writing of textbooks and also cater for payments of honorarium to supervisors in education related programmes,” the group said.
    It added that the fund therefore, had a major impact on the development of tertiary institutions, staff, and students.
    It noted that the Tinubu administration was also looking at addressing issues of out-of-school children and the need to boost secondary education.
    The TSMG said like Tinubu, it considered the situation of out-of-school children unacceptable, noting that the president had approved system-wide policies to reduce the number of school-age children roaming the streets.
    It noted that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was recently in Bauchi where he launched a multi-year Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP).
    It said the programme was to pave the way for the overhaul school infrastructure and the facilitation of modernised curricula and an integrated virtual learning technology.
    “The initiative is a major policy drive to bridge the gaping educational divide in the country, with the North-East region as the starting point.
    “We also know that 10,000 teachers and educators have been trained in preparation for the establishment and launch of 37 smart schools, one in each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” it said.
    It added that a National Education Repository and Data Bank was also in the works for the purpose of collecting, collating, and warehousing all education records from 1932 through a dedicated website.
    It said there was already an approval from President Tinubu for a comprehensive national census of schools, teachers, and students in the country.
    This, the TSMG said, was to address the lack of co-ordinated data critical for effective educational sector planning.
    It expressed optimism that such data bank and census if in place, would go a long way to enhancing decision making and policy formulation.
    This, it added was especially because data collated would aid evidence based planning and help identify areas where improvement was required.(NAN)
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Business start-ups: 120 youths get N500,000 FG grant each

     

    Grants

     

    By Emmanuel Mogbede

     

    Abuja, June, 8, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government, through the Unlock Training Programme for unemployed youths, has given N500,000 grant each, to 120 persons to start-up their businesses.

    Ms Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, who announced this on Saturday in Abuja, said that the grants were given to those that presented the best business proposals.

     

    She spoke at the official closing of the Unlock Training Programme and the award of grants and Solar Kiosks, as well as certificates of completion to deserving participants.

     

    Arogundade explained that the programme was the outcome of a six-week campaign initiated by her office, during which Nigerian youths were asked to record and submit a one-minute video on their current technical, vocational and entrepreneurship skills.

     

    She said that the youths were also asked to drop a video of what their plans were, for the future on such skills and how they wanted government to assist them achieve their goals.

     

    Arogundade said the purpose of the programme was to boost the potentials of youths for economic development.

     

    “At the end of that campaign, we trained about 10,000 participants in a 10-day intensive training session on how to write and execute business plans.

     

    “During the programme, both online and physical participants were trained on the components of a good business plan, including executive summary and business overview.

     

    “We also trained them on marketing strategies, pricing, money and risks management, among others.

    “After the course, participants were asked to write and submit business plans.

    “Today, we are giving out N500,000 grants each to 120 winners with the best business plans,” she said.

    She added that her office was also giving out honourary awards to 80 persons seen to be doing well in their technical, vocational and entrepreneurship skills, but needed support to upscale their businesses.

     

    She, therefore, expressed optimism that the grants would serve as incentive for progress in their businesses going forward.

     

    “We will like to also say that this is one of our many programmes in supporting skills and enterprise and we intend to continue to do so in our office.

     

    “So, if you are not a winner today, please continue to apply to participate in our future programmes,” the presidential aide said.

     

    She expressed appreciation to all the ministers and other stakeholders, who in one way or the other, encouraged technical, vocational and entrepreneurship education across Nigeria.

     

    Arogundade congratulated the participants for their successful completion of the programmes and the honourary winners for their dedication to the development of technical and vocational skills in the country.

     

    “We have no doubt that you learnt very valuable lessons on how to conduct businesses henceforth and, to that extent, we celebrate you today; you are all winners,” she said.

    NAN reports that Providus Bank was also on ground to issue incorporation certificates and credit the winners with their N500,000 grants.

     

    Four solar kiosks designed for hair dressing, catering and food vending and for general purposes, were also given to some of the winners to support their business growth.

     

    The kiosks were also equipped with sockets for phone charging and spaces for POS and other businesses.

     

    Arogundade said the kiosks were among the job creation projects designed as part of contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Tinubu’s administration.

     

    Speaking at the event, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, congratulated Arogundade for the programme, and  appealed to winners of the grants and other facilities to effectively utilise them.

     

    He also encouraged youths to embrace skills acquisition, saying that it was the way to go to make ends meet.

     

    Some of the winners, who spoke to NAN, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, saying the initiative was a life saver.

     

    “We thank the President for this great opportunity and for giving hope to our youths, it shows that with him, there is indeed hope for youths in the country,” Ms Oluwaseun Kekere-ekun, one of them, said.

     

    Kekere-ekun, who was one of the resources persons, said the programme was a fantastic opportunity to ignite the entrepreneurial skills of youths in the country.

     

    She advised that in going into businesses, youths should start small, dream big, stay consistent and remain focused.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    EEM/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Political appointments to be determined by member’s electronic registration -Ganduje

    Political appointments to be determined by member’s electronic registration – Ganduje

    Registration

    By Emmanuel Mogbede

    Abuja, June 6, 2024 (NAN) Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, says membership electronic registration will henceforth, serve as a basis of reference for political appointments at any level in the party.

    Ganduje said this while declaring open the party’s E-membership registration train-the-trainer workshop on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He also said that evidence of electronic membership registration would  determine if a member could contest any political position on the party’s platform.

    He added that Nigerians willing to officially register as members of APC were expected to provide their biometric data, which must tally with the details captured in their National Identity Number (NIN).

    “Today, we are gathered here by the grace of GOD in fulfillment and accomplishment of our promise to start the process of digitalising the membership of our party.

    “This is an attempt to have graphic idea of the total members of our party, their geographical spread and demographic divisions.

    “This process will not only drive the planning, decision-making and projection process.

    “But will serve as basis of reference for any member of our party seeking appointment at any level or desiring to contest an election,” Ganduje said.

    He said the APP and portal on which the prospective trainees from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja were expected to use would soon be reactivated.

    This, he said, was to enable existing and new members to register online as members of the party from any part of the world.

    “Each person is expected to provide his or her biometric data which must tally with the details captured in the NIN.

    “By so doing, any member whose name appears on the digital register shall be deemed to be true and faithful members of our great party,” the APC national chairman explained.

    He appealed to the Ministers Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy and that of Science and Technology who were stakeholders on the project to provide the party with technical assistance to enable it achieve its objectives.

    He appealed to the trainees to ensure they learnt from the programme so they could go back to their respective states and impart knowledge to those who would be engaged in the exercise.

    “I must say this exercise is very important and dear to us, therefore we must strive to succeed,” Ganduje said, adding that the resource persons and consultants were carefully selected for the exercise.

    According to him, the resource persons and consultants are prominent personalities who have the ability and capacity to provide theoretical and technological knowledge for the exercise.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to the ideals of the APC to set new standards and benchmarks in the nation’s democratic sphere and ensure the sustenance and continuation of its government at all levels.

    Ganduje particularly thanked Mr Emma Eneukwu, Chairman of the APC E-Membership Registration Committee and his members for putting the programme together to foster the party’s technological advancement.

    Dr Bosun Tijjani, Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy in his remarks, appreciated Ganduje for coming up with the initiative, noting that it portrayed the APC as truly progressives and forward thinking political party.

    Also speaking, Dr Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science and Technology, said with the initiative, the APC was setting a new standard for political participation in the country.

    He commended Ganduje’s leadership style and for introducing a visionary approach to the party, saying embracing technology, science and innovation would help drive the party’s operations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Ganduje on assumption of office on Aug. 5, 2023 as APC National Chairman, promised to initiate new programmes and policies for the party’s development.

    He said his desire was to further strengthen the APC and enhance its status as a truly grassroots progressives political party.

    He specifically promised to revive the party’s offices at the ward, local government and state levels to ensure its functionality throughout the year without necessarily waiting until during campaigns or elections.

    He also promised to establish the Progressives Institute to facilitate training of party members, promote the ideal of good governance and institutionalise progressive ideology.(NAN)