Author: Patricia Amogu

Businessman rewards policeman who rejected N150m bribe with land
Businessman rewards policeman who rejected N150m bribe with land
Reward
By Patricia Amogu
Abuja ,June 30, 2024 (NAN) An Abuja-based businessman, Prince Chukwuemeka Okoye, has gifted Ibrahim Sini, a Superintendent of Police Ibrahim, a plot of land in Abuja for turning down a 150 million naira bribe allegedly offered to him by a defendant.
Okoye, who is the Managing Director/CEO of Vegas homes Ltd, said at a party he organised to honour the policeman that Sini’s rejection of the bribe was an act that helped him retain his most valuable assets – integrity and peace of mind – which he maintained are his core values in life.
Okoye, said Sini’s conduct remains exemplary and should inspire others and Nigerians to note that the Nigerian Police Force has men of integrity and good conduct and reminded citizens that indeed police is our friend.

He said, “SP Sini’s actions have not only brought honour to himself and the Nigeria Police Force but have also inspired countless others to stand firm against corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards.

“His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values.

“This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini but to demonstrate that society appreciates individuals of integrity and good conduct.
“We want to also show that the Nigerian Police Force has officers that are professional and who live above board; with the right incentives to engage in meaningful policing they can be worthy examples,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant, a Lagos-based businessman (names withheld) who was lleged to have offered the policeman the 150 million naira bribe had been arraigned at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Abuja in 2023
The Inspector General of Police, through his counsel, Mr Simon Lough (SAN) had brought the charge against the defendant on the allegation that he offered the policeman the said sum to suppress an investigation regarding a petition against him by an international oil firm operating in Nigeria.
The charge further indicated that the defendant made a partial payment of 50 million naira to a team of investigators led by one Ibrahim Ezekiel Sini, of the Federal Investigation Bureau.
Speaking at the party organised in his honour, Sini said he rejected the bribe in order to retain his most valuable assets – integrity and peace of mind.
According to him, the two elements are his core values in life.
“I am very happy to be here and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme.
“They have surpassed my imagination and have added more grease to my elbow.
“I remember when the incident happened, the person in question asked me, if I wanted to be rich?
“It was an opportunity for me to be rich. The bribe was offered to enable him to escape abroad and to influence me to write a favourable report about him after the investigation.
“I said to him that it depended on the kind of riches he was talking about because I would like to have riches that would make it difficult to lay my head down and sleep at night.
“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind, not just for myself but for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police Force and also for the country at large,” he said.
He called on the youth to stand for justice and integrity always no matter the circumstances.
He further advised young people in the country not to trade their integrity for anything immoral.
“Integrity counts. It is possible to be in the middle of a lot of challenges and the storms of life and still be upright.
“Nigeria is our country and Nigeria shall be great,” he added.
While presenting the title deeds of the land to Sini, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Mr Benneth Igweh said the policeman’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police.
“We are proud of you, I want to let you know that your conduct has brought pride to the Nigeria Police Force and I i will continue to look out for you and encourage you to be the best example for others to follow.
“We urge other members of the force to emulate SP Sini.
“His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values.
“This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini but to demonstrate that society appreciates individuals of integrity and good conduct,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
PAO/YEE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
June 30, 2024
Climate change: Group unveils Nigeria’s first carbon literacy programme

Carbon
By Patricia Amogu
Abuja, June 27, 2024 (NAN) Green Waka, a developmental and communication-based organisation, in collaboration with the UN – recognised Carbon Literacy Project, has unveiled Nigeria’s first carbon literacy programme to ensure smooth transition to net-zero emissions.
Mr Michael Bisong, Co-founder, Green Waka, who spoke at the event on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the carbon literacy training framework presented a platform to sensitise Nigerians and enable them to contribute to achieving a low-carbon economy fairly and inclusively.
Carbon Literacy (CL) is an awareness of the carbon dioxide costs and impacts on everyday activities as well as the ability and motivation to reduce emissions on an individual, community and organisational basis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project, which is already widely adopted across the UK and rapidly expanding internationally, will help lay the foundation for Nigeria’s just transition to net-zero emissions.
It will motivate people from all walks of life to devise and deliver their best climate action in order to ensure the nation’s future prosperity.
“This will also ensure that the benefits and burdens of the transition are shared equitably.
“The training will foster widespread low-carbon culture in Nigeria as it is doing in the 26 nations with more than 700 unique Accredited Carbon Literacy courses already being delivered,’’ Bisong said.
Phil Korbel, Co-founder and Director of Advocacy, the Carbon Literacy Project, who delivered a keynote address via a webinar, said that the training propelled everyone in their individual spaces to devise their best action in such a way as to make it do-able.
According to Korbel, carbon literacy is the renewable fuel for a just transition in Nigeria.
“The renewable power that will drive Nigeria towards a net zero future is that of its people.
“Urgent action on climate change is driven by facts agreed by the world’s scientists but this language sometimes needs ‘translating’ so that everyone becomes aware of its relevance to them, whoever and wherever they are,” he said.
Eche Asuzu, Coordinator, Climate Change Unit, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), while speaking on the topic “The Role of Civic Engagement in Accelerating Nigeria’s Just Transition, said that what “Green Waka was doing would greatly translate to action among individual work spaces.
“This is the real action on creating functional awareness in the workplace because we have established that the work place is at the heartbeat of climate change challenges because more than 90 per cent of climate change is emitted in the work place
“Yes, we need to transit and for us at the NLC; this must address the welfare of workers; we must ensure workers are free to express these issues around their work spaces.
“The questions of what will happen to the jobs? What trainings are workers going to be given? How will gaps in the workplace be filled?
“Workers must have some cover; we must create new jobs and create a just transition to achieve net-zero emissions in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Mr Osadebamwen Patrick, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council, presented the training certificates to the first two Nigerians and co-founders of Green Waka project in Nigeria, who were selected for training in the UK. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

PAO/CJ/
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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
June 27, 2024
Sao Tome and Principe Forum woos investors to explore business opportunities
Sao Tome and Principe Forum woos investors to explore business opportunities
Partnership
By Patricia Amogu
Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Sao Tome and Principe Forum said on Wednesday the country would work toward deepening relations with Nigeria by exploring business opportunities that would mobilise private sector players for national development.
The President of the forum, Dr Mike Ozumba, stated this in Abuja when he led members of the forum on a visit to the Ambassador of Sao Tome and Principe to Nigeria, Gjazaide Aguar.
Ozumba added that the purpose of the meeting was to deepen engagement with Nigerian investors and entrepreneurs and to encourage them to take advantage of the off-shore economic opportunities in Sao Tome and Principe.
He said that the visit would provide the forum with the chance to discuss mutually beneficial opportunities on offer at the Sao Tome and Principe Investment Summit to be held in February 2025.
He spoke of the forum’s commitment to providing access to critical information on trade and investment for decision-makers through the relationship with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“This partnership and development-centered relationship between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe is that it stands as a gateway to mutual economic and investment opportunities in the light of the AfCFTA possibilities.
“AfCFTA is an ambitious trade pact to form the world’s largest free trade area by creating a single market for goods and services across Africa and deepening efforts toward the economic integration of Africa,” the president of the forum said.
Speaking, Mr Chinedu Amadi, Director of the forum said the visit demonstrated the readiness of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in both countries to leverage the possibilities offered by AfCFTA.
This move, he explained, will lead to sustainable economic development in Africa, attract foreign investors, and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
“The beginning of trading under AfCFTA has put Africa on the global map as the largest integrated trading area in the world by allowing liberalisation of trade in goods, services, and talent without tariffs.
“This has laid bare fresh opportunities and possibilities with greater promises to fast-track industrialisation and value addition,’’ he said.
Responding, the Sao Tome and Principe ambassador in Nigeria praised the forum for the initiative and visit.
He described São Tomé and Principe as a choice destination for quality investment.
Aguar added that the partnership and efforts of the forum would go a long way in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting trade and investment between the two countries. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
PAO/DE/YEE
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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Emmanuel Yashim)
June 19, 2024
Eid-el Kabir: CSO felicitates Muslim faithful

Eid-el Kabir

By Patricia Amogu
Abuja, June 17, 2024 (NAN) The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria [NCSCN] celebrates with Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir.
They also called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to re-shape his cabinet.
The Council’s Executive Director, Blessing Akinlosotu, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday.
“The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) joins all muslim faithful in celebrating this special day and prays for peace, unity, and prosperity for all Nigerians.
“May this Eid bring joy, blessings, and happiness to you and your loved ones,” the statement said.
The council expressed concern over the worsening economic conditions faced by Nigerians, including rising inflation and unemployment.
“The group holds that the cabinet is failing to effectively address these issues and is, therefore, unable to alleviate the suffering of the people.
“The council believes that a new cabinet, consisting of experienced and competent individuals, is necessary to tackle the numerous challenges facing the country.
The statement further emphasised the need for accountability and transparency in governance while appealing to the Government to prioritise the welfare of the Nigerian people and ensure that their interests were adequately represented.
They also called on other civil society organisations, as well as grassroots movements and citizens, to lend their voices to the call for a good standard of living for the masses.
“Collective voices from various sectors of society is essential to bring about the necessary changes that can alay the struggles of the Nigerian people.
“This important Islamic festival is a time for reflection, sacrifice, and giving back to the community and we pray that Almighty Allah will continue to bless you with his benevolence and mercy,” the statement added. (NAN)
PAO/VIV
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Edited by Vivian Ihechu
June 17, 2024
EU consultant says AI, art can play significant roles in food security
EU consultant says AI, art can play significant roles in food security
Technology
By Patricia Amogu
Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Patricia Carvalho, a Policy Support Consultant of the European Union (EU) said science, technology in the form of Artificial Intelligence (AI), arts, and culture have significant roles to play in ensuring food security in Africa.
Carvalho said this via webinar in the course of a media briefing organised to unveil the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA Programme, an art-driven initiative aimed at creating opportunities for African artists to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to proffer solutions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA Programme is an initiative driven in Nigeria by the Gallery of Code, a research, development, and consulting agency.
The EU consultant said it would be intriguing to get to the core of what artists could achieve in promoting food security and access to clean water using science and technology tools such as AI.
“We believe that science, technology, arts, and culture can play a significant role in tackling socio-economic and ecological challenges that are science-related.
“Through host institutions like the Gallery of Code, using an already existing approach from the European continent, we are connecting local and international artists with regional stakeholders to boost synergy among continents.
“Currently, there are eight residencies going on in Africa under the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA programme.
“One of the residencies is in Nigeria. The second one is in Tanzania. The third one is in Senegal, and there are two in Ghana, among others.
“At the end of the projects, there will be a final event in Senegal to bring all the residency hosts together at a meeting point to connect.
“It is a short project but not a one-off collaboration, and I believe that lessons will be taken away from it and will be applied across continents,” she said.
She reaffirmed EU’s commitment to supporting the programme and praised the visual artist that the Gallery of Code is working with to design a yam barn.
Speaking at the briefing, Mr Oscar Ekponimo, the Managing Director of Gallery of Code, stated that the initiative is a dedicated version of STARTS for Africa, an EU-led intervention in Nigeria.
“STARTS was initiated in 2016 but now there is a dedicated version for Africa.
“This is the first phase and the first time this is coming up in Africa and a Nigerian has been selected from among 300 applicants.
“Jibril Baba, a visual artist, has just been awarded a grant to support his project – a smart technology (model) that will address food storage challenges, boost food production, and curb rising food insecurity gaps in Nigeria,” he said.
Ekponimo stated that the EU is pushing for innovations, with an artistic perspective because innovation is more practical and impactful when it is artistically driven.
“Our visual artist that has been selected is to implement a model yam barn that will use artificial intelligence to monitor the change in climate conditions and also check the air quality around the yams, as well as monitor the possibility of spoilage.
“This will automatically control food wastage and address food insecurity.
“This will be the first of its kind but the project is still at the take-off stage,
“We have just finished the reflection stage and going further to the actualisation stage.
“I am happy to say that there will be a final exhibition in Nigeria and our artist has also been selected to exhibit at a festival that will be held in Austria early in September,” he added.
Dr Femi Adeluyi, the National Co-ordinator, National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), a new initiative of the Federal Government, said the project “is in full alignment with what the President Bola Tinubu administration seeks to achieve by investing in the creative industry.
“This is a good model that could be enhanced and made elaborate.
“Today it’s yams we are focusing on. Tomorrow it could be another agricultural product, and we can leverage this one.
“We want opportunities where our artists can showcase their skills and our products abroad and then benefit from such investments.
“This can enhance our socio-economic strength, and it shows we have a lot of value that we can bring to the table,” he said.
Speaking on the initiative, Baba said the core of the project “is a prototype yam barn; a modular storage system where yams will be slotted into storage spaces and use sensors that can check the climate conditions, and air quality and equally shield the yams from too much sunlight.
“During our preliminary research we visited different states in the Northeastern part of the country and discovered that out of 1,500 yam tubers harvested, 600 are lost due to lack of a good storage system.”
According to him, the production of the yam barn can help reduce wastage due to spoilage while increasing productivity and strengthening the chances of ensuring food security in Nigeria. (NAN)
PAO/YEE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
June 13, 2024
Nigeria can become global talent pool, says NATEP boss
Nigeria can become global talent pool, says NATEP boss
Talent
By Patricia Amogu
Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Dr Femi Adeluyi, the National Coordinator, National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), says Nigeria could become a global talent pool because of the quality of talents and skills it exports.
Adeluyi said this when the Managing Director, Gallery of Code, Mr Oscar Ekponimo, led a delegation of experts alongside winner, STARTS4AFRICA in Nigeria to pay him a courtesy visit Tuesday in Abuja.
STARTS4AFRICA is an initiative that will allow artists to address regional challenges around food and water, digital mapping and speculative landscapes, culture, among other thematic areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NATEP was launched by the Federal Government in 2023 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to catalyse job creation by exporting local talents.
“Nigeria has a lot of niche export areas and one of our greatest exports is our talents.
“In the next couple of decades, Africa and Nigeria will become a talent hub because we are getting closer to becoming third largest continent in the world.
“What NATEP is focusing on is to not just jobs inside Nigeria but we are focusing on jobs that are outside the country.
“The idea is to create jobs that can bring in foreign exchange into Nigeria that can strengthen the economy thereby using NATEP to change the Nigerian narrative’’, he said.
He said that what virtual artist, Jibril Baba, was doing with the sponsorship from STARTS4AFRICA was a welcome development because it could help in strengthening food storage system in Nigeria.
“This is a really good model which can be enhanced and elaborated on.
“What Gallery of Code is doing with the STARTS4AFRICA programme is interesting, I also like the STARTS initiative’’, he said.
Ekponimo said the visit was meant to bring home one of the three winners from the STARTS4AFRICA challenge and seek inputs and areas of collaboration with NATEP.
According to him, the programme, a science, technology and arts-driven initiative, is a dedicated version of STARTS for Africa, an EU-led intervention with the Gallery of Code serving as the umbrella body for the initiative in Nigeria.
“This is the first phase and the first time this is coming up in Africa and a Nigerian has been selected from among 300 applicants.
“Jibril Baba, a visual artist, has just been awarded a grant that will support his project – a smart technology that will address food storage challenges and boost food production in Nigeria .
“We look forward to your mentorship and collaborations and we are open to push further discussions forward on the “niche areas’ that we can leverage on for future stakeholder collaborations.
“Jibril will be showcasing his final exhibition in Nigeria and also Austria. He was selected among the winners to exhibit at an Arts festival in Austria from Sept 4-Sept 8’’, he said. (NAN)
PAO/KUA
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Edited by Uche Anunne
June 12, 2024
EU, Gallery of Code unveil art-driven initiative for food security
EU, Gallery of Code unveil art-driven initiative for food security
Technology
By Patricia Amogu
Abuja, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The European Union (EU) Commission and the Gallery of Code, have unveiled the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA Programme, an art-driven initiative that will create opportunities for African artists to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to proffer solutions.
Mr Oscar Ekponimo, the Managing Director of Gallery of Code, a research, development, and consulting agency disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja.
According to him, the programme, a science, technology, and arts-driven initiative, is a dedicated version of STARTS for Africa, an EU-led intervention with the Gallery of Code serving as the umbrella body for the initiative in Nigeria.
“STARTS was initiated in 2016 but now there is a dedicated version for Africa.
“This is the first phase and the first time this is coming up in Africa and a Nigerian has been selected from among 300 applicants.
“Jibril Baba, a visual artist, has just been awarded a grant that will support his project – a smart technology (model) that will address food storage challenges and boost food production as well as curb rising food insecurity gaps in Nigeria .
“Prior to selection, every host institution was meant to come up with crafting a challenge and we were to focus on food and water in Nigeria.
Ekponimo stated that EU is pushing innovations, with an artistic perspective because innovation is more practical and impactful when it is artistically driven.
“Out of more than 300 applications from all over Africa, Jibril was selected and supported by the EU to implement a model yam barn that will use AI to check and monitor the change in climate conditions and also monitor the air quality around the yam, as well as monitor the product for spoilage.
“This will automatically control food wastage and address food insecurity.
“This will be the first of its kind but the project is still at the take-off stage,
“We have just finished the reflection stage and going further to the actualisation stage and I am happy to say that there will be a final exhibition in Nigeria and Jibrin has also been selected to exhibit an a festival that will hold in Austria from Sept. 4 to Sept 8.” he added.
Dr Femi Adeluyi, the National Co-ordinator, National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), a new initiate of the Federal Government, said the project “is in full alignment with what President Bola Tinubu wants to achieve by investing in talent (creative industry).
“This is a really good model which can be further enhanced and made elaborate.
“Today it’s yams we are focusing on; tomorrow it could be something else and we can leverage on this one.
“We want opportunities where our artists can showcase our skills and products abroad and then benefit from such investments.
“This can enhance our socio-economic strength and it shows we have a lot of value that we can bring to the table.
“This is something that will be adapted and expanded in other countries as well and it will enhance our cooperation with so many other countries who will want to replicate and adapt this initiative in their countries to curb food insecurity.
“We are looking forward to collaborating with Gallery of Code and our artist, Jibril on this great initiative.” he added.
Speaking on the initiative, the visual artist, a beneficiary of the S-T-ARTS4AFRICA grant, said the core of the project was inspired by “our traditional past models of how we used to cool water in gourds and looking into more technologically advanced methods of making them work better.
*It is a prototype yam barn, a modular storage system where the yams will be slotted in using an array of sensors that can check the climate conditions, air quality and equally shield the yams from too much sunlight .
“During our preliminary research we visited different states in the Northeastern part of the country and discovered that out of 1,500 yam tubers harvested, 600 are lost due to lack of a good storage system.”
According to him, the production of the yam barn can help reduce wastage due spoilage, hence increase productivity and strengthen the chances of ensuring food security in Nigeria significantly.
“During crisis, a storage system like this can be worthwhile,” he added.
Patricia Carvalho, EU R&I Project Manager and Consultant, said via webinar that it would be very intriguing to get to the core of what artists can achieve in promoting food security and availability of clean water using science and technology tools such as AI.
She applauded the initiative and re-affirmed support for the project. (NAN)
PAO/YEE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)
June 7, 2024