Category: Metro

 

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By Jacinta Nwachukwu

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have called for a review of the Amended Cybercrime Act, allegedly being used to harass and gag journalists

The duo made the call on Thursday in Abuja, at the PPDC media convening tagged, “Exploring Critical Issues and Fostering Collaborations in the Media Landscape”.

The Centre and NUJ called on the Federal Government to engage stakeholders for discourse on the amended Act in order to forestall the recurrent harassment of Journalists and the restrictions from doing their statutory job.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, PPDC, Jubril Shittu, underscored the relevance of journalists in the protection of rights of common citizens, dissemination of information and as government watchdog.

Represented by Lucy Abagi, PPDC Director of partnership and Innovation, Shittu said the journalists should be protected and unhindered in the discharge of their duties.

“Journalists are on the field daily and they are the first people to get hold of information, and it is in our place to protect the media.

“If there are laws inhibiting press freedom, fighting against the voice of the media which is the voice of the common man, such must be addressed.

“The example of such law is the Cybercrime Act which imposes as much as N7 million fine on any publication capable of breaching the nation’s peace.

“However, there are no clauses to what can be published that can constitute the breach the nation’s peace.

“My appeal is that government should take a step to look at this Cybercrime Act.

“Of course, it is needed, but then, it must not be used to stop the media from doing their job,” the PPDC boss said

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  PPDC is a non-governmental organisation concerned with transparent and accountable government and increased citizens’ participation in governance.

Similarly,   the NUJ Chairman, FCT Correspondents Chapel, Jide Oyekunle, said the cybercrime Act has been a tool in the hands of the security operatives against journalists.

Oyekunle said that the amended Act is very porous, hence, the security personnel are now using it to hunt journalists and suppress press freedom.

He explained that the cyber crime amended Act did not specify the type of publications that can breach public peace and break down law and order in the country.

“If you look at the cybercrime Act it is very cancerous to the democratic rights of Nigerians. It has become a tool in the hands of security agents,” he reiterated.

According to him, media is one of the pillars of democracy and as a result should not be gagged in any way.(NAN)(www.nanews.ng)

JIN/ROT

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Council

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN)The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education (SSUCOEN), has called on the Federal Government to address infractions in the constituted governing councils of tertiary institutions, before their inauguration.

The President of SSUCOEN, Danladi Msheliza made the call in a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Education and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

A copy of the letter was made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

Msheliza observed that, in the list of the constituted councils released by the federal government, there were omissions and wrong inclusions of schools while some colleges were listed as universities.

“We observed that some Colleges which are all listed in the First Schedule of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023, are omitted from the composition of the list of Councils.

“As such, no Governing Council was constituted for any of them, even in the recently published list of Councils,” he said.

He listed the colleges as, Federal College of Education (FCE), Technical, Ekiadolor, Edo state, FCE, Odugbo, Benue state and FCE Jama’are, Bauchi State.

Other are FCE Isu, Ebonyi State and FCE Gidan Madi, Sokoto State.

SSUCOEN president added that there were appointment of governing councils for some FCEs not listed in the FCE Act, 2023, as they were yet to take off with members of staff or students.

He expressed dismay that FCEs that had been in existence with members of staff and students in their campuses, we’re not captured in the list of governing councils.

“In the same vein, we also observed that some FCEs (FCE Kano, FCE Zaria and Alvan Ikoku, FCE Owerri), whose names were, in the past, changed to Universities of Education were listed as Universities.

“Pro Chancellors/Chairmen and members of Councils were constituted for them.

“These FCEs are by mere official pronouncement without any law establishing them, and are not known to the law, as Universities.

“It should be noted that the above-mentioned Federal Colleges of Education are currently listed in the First Schedule of the FCEs Act, 2023.

“Therefore, one wonders how they would be regarded as Universities when there is no law establishing them as Universities,” he said.

On membership of councils, he noted that the FCEs Act provided for a Chairman and four members, for each College, out of which, one shall be a female.

He, however, said that from the list released, some Colleges have all male nominees, without a female nominee, which was in contravention of the Act.

“Unfortunately, we are aware that the Governing Councils may be billed for inauguration soon.

“However, we strongly stand on our earlier advise that the observed anomalies be corrected before the inauguration.

“Or better still, the inauguration be put on hold while the observed anomalies are corrected within the shortest time possible,” he said.

He assured that the union’s intentions and concerns were in the best interest of the colleges of education subsector and of industrial harmony.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

FAK/ROT

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Olayinka Abdul becomes first female GM of LSMTL

Appointment

By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has announced the appointment of Mrs Olayinka Abdul as the first female General Manager of the agency.

According to the Head of Public Affairs Officer of  LSMTL, Mrs Salehu-Badejo Abimbola, the appointment is contained in a letter from Gov. Babajide  Sanwo-Olu and released by the Office of the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro.

The public affairs officer said that  Abdul had her first meeting with LSMTL staff on Wednesday during which she gave assurance of her  commitment to the agency’s progress.

She also said that Abdul emphasised the importance of a strong work ethic and dedication to duty.

“If we are deliberate in putting smiles on the faces of subordinates for progress,using reward for hard work, it stimulates dedicated service delivery.

“Thus, let us be keen in setting a legacy that is honest, staunched and progressive in helping people unbundle themselves for optimal performance,” the official quoted Abdul as saying.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Abdul joined Lagos State Government service  in 2000 as a Senior Engineer at the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC).

She eventually  became the Head of Civil/Structures at the LSDPC.

In June 2019, she was redeployed to the Lagos State Public Works Corporation where she served as the Director of Civil Engineering. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
LED/IGO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

NECA

By Esenvosa Izah
Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says it is preparing a platform for ensuring an opportunity for government to interact with organised businesses for rewarding economic reforms.

NECA Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos,

According to him, the organisation will hold  Employers’ Summit, expected to drive conversations surrounding the private sector and economic development.

He said that the third edition “is apt as it is coming at a time of new reforms.

“The summit is not basically to interrogate those reforms, but to deepen or share the nexus between the reforms and private sector.

“Also, it is on how government can actually leverage the agility of the private sector to navigate through these reforms and achieve the desired outcomes.

“This is a fundamental summit, which time has come to play a major role in the context of the growth of the private sector, economy, and competitiveness of businesses”.

Also, the Chairman of the Summit, Mr Olumuyiwa Adebayo, said that some of the goals of the summit would include fostering dialogue.

“In supporting government, it means we need to support them in policies, call it to order when we need to do so and this is always through advocacy.

“We believe that sharing innovative practices is key between the private sector and government officials.

“This is because whatever policy we have is only going to be implemented by the private sector as the case may be because it is the engine room for any economy around the world,” he observed.

In her remarks, the Co-Chairman, Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, said that there must be effective communication and collaboration between the government and private sector for development.

“We want to work together to develop strategies that will really drive economic growth.

“Through this summit, we need to reinforce our role as private sector as the engine of national development.

“We believe that the outcome from this engagement as we have done in other years will be driven through the government, but we will continue the conversation.

“Thi is the beginning of a dialogue; this is what the summit is,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 Nigeria Employers’ Summit would be held between June 25 and June  26 in Abuja.

The theme of the summit is, “Economic Renaissance: Harnessing Government Reforms and Private Sector Agility “.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
EEI/KAY
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Edited by Kayode Olaitan

Verification

By Okon Okon

Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), said the recent physical verification exercise by her.office, exposed workers living abroad but still earning salaries from the service.

Yemi-Esan revealed this during a chat with media executives on Wednesday in Abuja, being part of activities to mark 2024 Civil Service Week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the theme for 2024 celebration is ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa’.

The HoCSF said many of the civil servants, who were caught up in their games, had to resign their appointments, following their failure to carry out the physical verification exercise.

According to her, the verification exercise was one of the measures by her office, to check corrupt practices, run a smooth civil service and reposition the sector.

“Recently, there was a circular that went out to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that, they should do a physical headcount in their MDAs.

“That means, everybody on the nominal roll, that is receiving salaries, should appear physically and the names of those who did not show up for the exercise should be forwarded.

“In the circular, I cautioned that Permanent Secretaries and CEOs that give wrong information will be held liable if anything is discovered outside of the information that was given,” she said.

The HOCSF added that the decision by the government was that, after the exercise, they would stop the salaries of those, in one way or the other, had left the service without proper documentation, but still earning renumeration.

“From what I saw, the number of people that have gone out of the country and are still earning salaries, is more in the parastatals than in the core ministries.

“I actually called one of the heads of the agencies and queried why there is such a number of people earning salaries and are not on their desks.

“I asked how the agency come about such a huge number of the purported workers,” she said

Yemi-Esan said the reply she got was that some of the civil servants even returned from the UK for the verification exercise.

Yemi-Esan said: “The Head of that agency told me that he discovered that, a week after the verification exercise,  some of them rushed from the UK to the country, with the intention to do their own verification

“He said they came to him saying,  aah! Oga, we are around; we heard they did verification.

“The agency head, asked them to come back in two weeks time for their verification; knowing fully well that  nobody working in the UK, will be able to have such luxury of time,” she said.

The HOCSF said from the incident narrated to her, most of the affected workers had to resign their appointments because they knew that the game was over.

She decried the situation, where civil servants who did not have official permission to be out of their office, would travel out of the country for years, and still earning salaries.

Yemi-Esan added that such development was unacceptable, when there were millions of Nigerians waiting to be employed.

She also used the opportunity of the event, to appreciate media partners whom she described as “backbone for the successful reforms carried out” by her office since her assumption of duty.(NAN) (www.nanews.ng)

MZM/ROT

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Development

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Vice-President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to driving economic revival and development in the North East region of the country.

Shettima stated this while laying the foundation for the new headquarters building of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in Maiduguri.

A statement on the ceremony was made available to newsmen on Wednesday by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the spokesperson of the Vice-President.

The Vice-President, in the statement, stressed that the only way to reclaim and shape the narrative of the North-East region was to bring everyone together.

According to him, the event was a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s promise, an assurance of his commitment, and a reminder of the importance of the region to the nation.

Shettima noted that it was a deep honour for him to be present to witness the commencement of a legacy of service that would outlast all those in attendance.

” NEDC is a product of the people, and it shall serve the interests of the nation. It is this foundational principle that guides the NEDC.

” This institution, therefore, embodies our collective resolve to transform the narrative of this region—from one marred by despair and devastation to one defined by renewal and triumph.

“Today is a demonstration of our promise, an assurance of our commitment, and a reminder of what this sub-region means to the nation,” he said.

He explained that the foundation-laying ceremony was a step towards fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise to prioritise initiatives that safeguard the interests of the North East region.

“This promise is not merely a political commitment but a moral obligation to the people who have endured so much and deserve nothing less than a future defined by peace, stability, and prosperity.”

Shettima stressed that the new head office surpasses mere infrastructure, embodying the strength of the nation’s collective will to rebuild, restore, and overcome the challenges that have hindered the region’s progress.

“This head office shall symbolise the strength of our shared aspirations as a people with shared objectives. As we lay this foundation, we do so with a vision of a North-East that is vibrant, resilient, and forward-looking.

“We do so imagining our contributions to building a nation where every child has access to quality education; healthcare is accessible to all; infrastructure supports thriving economies, and peace and security are the bedrock of daily life.”

The Vice-President also inspected progress on the first phase of construction on the 27km Jere Bowl Road Network in Mafa/Jere local government area, just as he also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the project.

The projects, Shettima noted, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the development and prosperity of Borno State.

“This project symbolises our dedication to improving the lives of our people, enhancing security, and fostering economic growth.

” It is a testament to our unwavering resolve to build a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of their location, has the opportunity to thrive.

” A robust road network accelerates the process of urbanization,” he said.

Shettima added: “As rural areas become more accessible, we will witness the development of new urban centers, leading to better access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.

“Each road we construct supports security, commerce, and agriculture. They enhance the standard of living for our people.

” Without a reliable network of roads, we cannot fulfil our promises to the people, nor can we sustain our democracy. The full participation of remote communities in our nation’s development depends on a dependable road network”.

The Vice-President further stated that the economic agenda of President Tinubu was rooted in supporting each state of the federation in achieving its objectives and fulfilling our promises to the nation.

“Borno State holds a pivotal role in our nation’s economy and will always remain a top priority in our efforts to stabilise and promote unity and peace across the nation,” he added

Earlier, Gov. Muhammad Inuwa of Gombe, who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, praised the Vice President for mobilising support for the smooth operations of the NEDC.

“We are very proud of what you are doing as our leader in the North East by ensuring the smooth take-off of this project as well as enhancing the operations of the NEDC,” Governor Yahaya stated.

He called on Governors and other stakeholders from the North East states to work towards achieving the goals of the NEDC.

He, however, lamented the devastating effect of the Boko Haram insurgency, which he said took the North East zone 50 years backwards.

“We therefore need to work hard to recover the lost grounds, and with Vice President Shettima’s motivation and support, we can achieve that,” he added.

The Deputy Governor of Borno, Usman Kadafur, applauded the good work so far done by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in the six states of the region.

“The effort of the NEDC is adjudged a quite successful story and it is the pride of the various state governments across the North East region,” he said

The Chairman, Governing Board of NEDC, retired Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa, said the laying of the foundation for the construction of a befitting headquarters has opened a new chapter in the history of the commission and symbolizes growth.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Mohammed Alkali said the event was a milestone in the history of NEDC and the entire North East region.

He noted that the master plan for the North East is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

He further sought for cooperation and synergy among stakeholders in order to realise its objectives. (NAN)

SSI/ROT

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Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Tribute

By Uchenna Eletuo

Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Clerics and other Nigerians on Wednesday paid tribute to Bishop Margaret Bolanle Odeleke, General Overseer of the Power Pentecostal Church, on her 50 years of  gospel evangelism and 74th birthday anniversary.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Archbishop Stephen Adegbite, and Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of the Kingsway International Christian Church were among the clerics that felicitated  Odeleke.

The celebration took place  at the Power Pentecostal Church Headquarters at Cele, Okota, Lagos State.

They described Odeleke as a  woman of virtues, who should be emulated.

Adegbite described her as a light  that illuminated its surroundings.

According to him, the celebrator has remained a role model to many.

He said that Odeleke had a character that endeared her to all who encountered her.

“As a preacher, her message and disposition have been uncontroversial.

“Fifty years on pulpit and 74 years of age are eloquent testimonies,” he said.

Ashimolowo said that the celebrator started preaching when women preachers were rare.

He said that he had known her for the past 45 years.

According to Ashimolowo, Odeleke lost her mother  when she was two years old but she confronted her challenges and remained steadfast.

“Bishop Odeleke’s standing in the ministry is that of a groomer of people; many ministers of the gospel can trace their inspiration to her.

“She is a role model for the youth,” Ashimolowo said.

He charged the youth to be steadfast in Jesus Christ in spite of any challenges. (NAN)

EUC/IGO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola