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  • World MSME Day: Experts urge N/Delta govts to embrace infotech

    Panelists at the 4th Niger Delta MSME Summit/Bootcamp in Port Harcourt, Rivers
    Panelists at the 4th Niger Delta MSME Summit/Bootcamp in Port Harcourt, Rivers

    Infotech

    By Precious Akutamadu

    Port Harcourt, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Industry experts have urged state governments in the Niger Delta region to embrace the global growing trend of digital economy, and set aside funding to support the growth and sustainability of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    The call was part of resolutions reached at the end of the 4th Niger Delta MSME Summit/Bootcamp in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    Dr Martins Fregene, Director of Agriculture, African Development Bank (AfDB), said in a communique of the summit that young MSME owners must pursue skills on financial management.

    Fregene said that many lending banks hesitate in giving loans to MSME owners based on a number of issues, including lack of clear tax record.

    “Some of these banks are willing to lend money to MSMEs but they are afraid that they may not pay back,” he said.

    Amb. Joe Keshi, Director-General of the BRACED Commission, comprising South-South States, decried the lack of government presence and support for platforms such as the Niger Delta MSME Summit, established to build a culture of entrepreneurship among young people.

    Keshi who was at the event as a Special Guest at the 2024 World MSME Day, said sooner or later, people would depend on businesses as the government would not be employing people anymore.

    While reeling out recommendations to grow MSMEs in Nigeria, Otuya Okecha, CEO of Fibresol Nigeria Limited, urged state governments and intervention agencies to create tech hubs to address digital illiteracy among MSME owners.

    “Over 60 per cent of the Niger Delta population are young people; state governments must embrace Digital Stack Models to gather data of citizens.”

    Moses Siasia, Chairman, Heritage Times, regretted that in spite of being the main economic mainstay of Nigeria, a lot was not happening in the Niger Delta region to empower young people.

    “This is a purely private-sector initiative. We have done this for the past four years and have seen the impact; we will continue.

    “Over the years, politicians have nourished young people in the Niger Delta region with failed promises.

    “Leaders must deliberately create an atmosphere to give the young people hope and a voice, but we will no longer wait for the government.

    “This initiative shall be sustained with the few strategic partners that have encouraged us over the years and we must begin to create opportunities for young people,” Siasia said.

    He commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Bank of Industry (BOI) and others partners for their consistent support to the Niger Delta MSME Summit over the years.

    Gerald So-George, Coordinator, Niger Delta Young Professionals (NDYP), the organisers of the summit, noted that the initiative had empowered over 2,604 individuals with personal grants.

    “People also benefitted from the 2020 COVID-19 Fund, NCDMB loans and CBN Agric Loan Scheme.

    “Approximately 1,820 businesses have benefited, creating a cumulative total of about 8,319 direct and indirect jobs.

    “This underscores the significant impact of our collective efforts and the potential for even greater achievements.”

    Summy Francis, President, Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E.), urged young entrepreneurs at the summit to always strive to grow in business, noting that failure to adapt would amount to failure to grow.

    “We are in times of innovation and technology. While you are busy complaining that Nigeria is hard, do you know how many people are making money?

    “Entrepreneurs are the ones to work hard to increase the value of the naira for the dollar to drop,” he added.

    The 2024 Niger Delta MSME Summit/Bootcamp with the theme: “Building a Culture of Entrepreneurship and Self-reliance Beyond Oil”, had over 1,000 participants across the Niger Delta region.

    The summit also had strategic panel sessions where panelists shared ideas on how to raise funds for their businesses and how partnerships can push the growth of agriculture. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    PA/EMAF
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    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • NTI Director urges staff to acquire entrepreneurial skills

    NTI Director urges staff to acquire entrepreneurial skills
    Skills
    By Aisha Gambo
    Kaduna, June 28, 2024 ( NAN) Prof. Musa Maitafsir, the Director and Chief Executive of the National Teachers’ Institute(NTI), Kaduna, has called on the staff of the Institute to acquire entrepreneurial skills, as a way of augmenting their incomes and supporting themselves.
    Maitafsir, who was represented by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Hajiya Fatima Abbas-Jega, made the call on Friday at  the ‘Second NTI Teacher Acculturation’ public lecture organised by the Department of Academic Services.
    He said,  “Together, let’s explore how this holistic approach can propel our nation towards greater prosperity and sustainable development.”
    Maitafsir called on the staff to embrace the opportunity and explore its innovative approaches that will have a way for a more secure and prosperous future for them.
    He said the public lecture stood as a testament to the commitment in fostering an educational environment that goes beyond textbooks and traditional methodologies.
    The NTI chief executive described the theme of the public lecture: “Agriculture as a more Productive and Profitable Retirement Plan,” as having significant implications for the future of  education and the well-being of staff.
    Maitafsir added, “Inculcating our civil servants with entrepreneurial skills is not just only a necessity, but strategically imperative for national growth and sustainability.”
    He said the public lecture was about nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit among the staff of the Institute and students as well as the general public, so as to enable them to instill valuable skills in the learners they guide and mentor.
    In his first presentation on ‘Civil Service Reforms,’ the Guest Speaker, Zubairu Abdullahi, said the service has been the most stable arm of government since the colonial period.
    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that Abdullahi is the Director, Special Duties, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education.
    He highlighted  some key reforms in the service, stating that  the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu was centred on 23 deliverables, which he said NTI under Maitafsir has already queued in, especially in areas of innovation and technology.
    Abdullahi emphasised on capacity building, performance management function as well as IPPIS human resource component and innovation, among other pillars of the reforms.
    He said, “By developing standard operating procedures to track performance of staff, everybody must contribute.”
    Specifically on innovation, the director charged the staff to think outside the box, stating further, ”life is easy if technology is embraced.”
    On prioritising staff welfare as part of the pillars of the reforms, the guest speaker said there was the need for good staff welfare, which will enhance performance.
    He, however, said loyalty was key and therefore called on the staff to support the present administration of Maitafsir.
    In his second paper, ” Agriculture as a more productive and profitable retirement plan,” which is the fulcrum of the public lecture, Abdullahi vividly depicted the economic importance of agriculture in the life of a civil servant.
    He discussed the crop farming component as well as  animal breeding, highlighting the values, modern practices and cultivation of various food crop species that were suitable and profitable in Nigeria.
    The Director, Academic Services Department, Dr Oyedeji Omobola, appreciated what she described as the exceptional leadership of Maitafsir, under whom the Institute has advanced its mission of elevating the standard of teacher education and professional development.
    She acknowledged that NTI was getting to its peak, extolling the unwavering commitment of Maitaafsr to innovation, excellence and the empowerment of educators.
    Omobola said that this has transformed NTI into a beacon of knowledge and growth, appreciating the other management staff for their contribution to the success of the public lecture. ( NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AMG/
    ============

  • Kano to plant 3 million trees to secure environment, beautify state

    Kano to plant 3 million trees to secure environment, beautify state

    Trees

    By Muhammad Nur Tijani

    Kano, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Kano State Government through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has unveiled plans to plant three million trees to address climate change and environmental degradation in the state.

    Speaking during a news conference in Kano on Friday, Dr Dahiru Hashim, coordinator, ACReSAL project, emphasised the critical need to address climate change and environmental degradation in the region.

    The project coordinator explained that the programme would beautify the state and secure its environment.

    He said the initiative, tagged “Three Million Trees Planting (3MTP)”, driven by ACReSAL projects, aimed to address climate change, environmental degradation, and deforestation in the region.

    “Gov. Abba Kabir- Yusuf, a strong advocate for environmental sustainability, emphasised the vital role of trees in maintaining ecological balance.

    “The programme will involve avenue planting, afforestation projects, and shelter belt establishment, engaging community organisations, NGOs, and civil society groups. Training sessions will ensure effective tree planting and maintenance,” he said.

    According to him, legislative measures are also being developed to prevent indiscriminate tree felling and enforce penalties for violations, ensuring the long-term survival of the newly planted trees.

    “Early efforts under the initiative include the planting of 5,000 seedlings along key roads such as State Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, and BUK Road.

    “The programme also plans to plant an additional two million trees through afforestation projects and the establishment of new shelterbelts to combat desertification and promote food security,” Hashim added.

    He said a safe environment was key to the continued survival of humanity, adding that the need to preserve the environment was non-negotiable.

    The project coordinator called on residents to participate in this historic initiative, contributing to a greener, more resilient state. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
    MNT//GOM/FAA
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    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Folasade Adeniran

  • Court remands farmer for allegedly raping 65-year-old woman

    Court remands farmer for allegedly raping 65-year-old woman

     

     

    Remand
    by Funmilayo Okunade
    Ado-Ekiti, June 28, 2024(NAN) An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on Friday, ordered that a 45-year-old farmer, Abajigbin Gbenga, who allegedly raped a 65-year-old woman, be remanded in a correctional centre, pending legal advice.

    The police charged Gbenga with rape.

    The Chief Magistrate, Dolamu Babalogbon, who did not take the plea of Gbenga, ordered the police to return the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Ekiti for legal advice.

    Babalogbon adjourned the case until July 31 for mention.

    Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Insp Sodiq Adeniyi, told the court that Gbenga committed the offence sometime in April 2024 at Ipole Iloro- Ekiti.

    Adeniyi alleged that the victim told the suspect to help her fumigate her farm.

    ”When the suspect got to the farm, he called the victim to bring the chemical to the site. On getting to the farm, he raped her, the prosecutor said

    The offence, he, said, contravened the provisions of Section 265(2) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    FOA/GOM/SH

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    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Sadiya Hamza

  • Adamawa govt. receives 1,207 metric tons of grains from FG

    Grains
    By Talatu Maiwada
    Yola, June 28, (NAN) Adamawa Government, on Friday, received 1,207 metric tons of grains from National Strategic Reserve for distribution among schools and vulnerable groups in the state.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commodities include: 462 metric tons of maize, 199.5 metric tons of millet and 546 metric tons of sorghum.
    Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs Zubaida Umar, who handed over the items to the state government in Yola, said the gesture was aimed at mitigating the adverse economic challenges in the country.
    The NEMA director-general, represented by NEMA Zonal Director, North-East, Mr Yakubu Suleiman, said that the items would be distributed equally to all the 21 local government areas in the state.
    NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu had directed that 20 per cent of the food items allotted to each local government be given to religious organisations, Jama’atu Nasril Islam and Christian Association of Nigeria and three per cent to boarding schools the council areas.
    Earlier, the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, appreciated the president for the support, while also commending NEMA for safe and timely delivery of the food items.
    Farauta promised that the commodities would be distributed equally and that they would be judiciously used by the state.
    Executive Secretary, Post Primary Schools Management Board, Mr Samuel Wagereng, who received the items on behalf of the benefiting schools, appreciated the Federal Government for the laudable initiative.
    According to him, the food items will go a long way in feeding students in boarding schools across the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    TIM/GOM/WAS
    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam and ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Association seeks interventions for school owners, teachers, others

    Association seeks interventions for school owners, teachers, others

    Interventions
    By Joan Odafe
    Lagos, June 28, 2024 (NAN) A group, under the aegis of Platform of Educators and Private School Owners (PEPSO), has called for concerted efforts in bridging gaps to help educational professionals achieve their goals and visions.

    PEPSO National President, Dr Comfort Otegbeye, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of an event organised by the group on Friday in Lagos.

    The event, with theme,  ‘Strategic Meeting and Stakeholders Engagement’, was organised to emphasise the needs of members and proffer solutions.

    Otegbeye said that school owners and teachers bore a lot of challenges that needed to be addressed.

    Otegbeye, also the Proprietress of El-Bethel Schools, said that PEPSO was determined to address these challenges through engagements with relevant stakeholders, including agencies and the association’s members.

    She said PEPSO had diverse mix of members, categorised into school owners, teachers, professional tutors, consultants and corporate, that would help meet their needs.

    “Aside from the camaraderie, the association will also be a force for our members; we have to stand for them, fight for their cause.

    “Our learners also stand to benefit because of various programmes we have for them.

    “We’re going to have a boot camp for students; we’re going to have functional education, which involves vocational and creative,” she said.

    Earlier, Otegbeye urged the participants to guard against factors that could lead to the association failing.

    She said the factors included ineffective communication and engagement, resistance to change and innovation, lack of diversity and inclusivity and failure to deliver value to members.

     

    Also, Mr Mufutau Lawal, President, PEPSO, Lagos, said the association would intervene in most of the challenges school stakeholders experience through positive engagements .

    He said private schools in the state were plagued with many challenges including too many regulators, multiple taxations and various levies introduced that bear on their operations.

    Lawal, who is also the Proprietor, Tendertouch Intellectuals Schools, said the association had already initiated engagement with relevant agencies that would help ameliorate the challenges of school owners.

    “We’re trying to see how technology can be deployed to schools, in terms of training teachers on the use of modern technology to aid in teaching.

    “We’re setting up a centre among our schools, in each of the local government areas, where they’ll be facilities to be used in the training of teachers so they can implement them in their classrooms,” he said.

    Speaking on multiple platforms for school owners, Mrs Ajoke Adeyemi, a member of the Board of Trustees, said proprietors were free to join as many associations as they wished.

    Adeyemi, Proprietress of The Foresight International School, said PEPSO was unique because it prioritised the needs and development of other school stakeholders, particularly teachers and students.

    In his remarks, Mr Muyideen Dorego, District Head, Apapa Town Planning Office, urged proprietors to ensure that their school buildings had the proper permit to avoid issues with the state government.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    JOJO/FAA
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    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

     

  • Housewife remanded for alleged self kidnap

    Housewife remanded for alleged self-kidnap

    Remand

    By Joy Akinsanya

    Abeokuta, June 28, 2024 (NAN) An Abeokuta Magistrates Court on Friday remanded a 32-year-woman Rahmat Abdulateef for allegedly arranging kidnap for herself with the purpose of extracting money from her husband.

    The defendant, whose plea was not taken by the court, was arraigned on a one- count charge of self-kidnapping.

    The Police counsel, Insp Adekunle Opayemi told the court that the defendant committed the offence on June 20 at about 2:42p.m. at Elite road in Abeokuta.

    According to the counsel, the defendant arranged for herself to be kidnapped in order to extort money from her husband, Mr Ogunbummi Lateef.

    Opayemi said that the offence committed contravened section 27 of the Prohibition of forcible occupation of landed properties, armed robbery, kidnapping cultism and other anti-violence and related offence laws of Ogun 2016.

    The Magistrate, Mrs O.O Odumosun ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison for 60 days pending legal advice from the department of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

    She, however, adjourned the case until Sept.19 for mention.(NAN)(nannews.ng)

    IOJ/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • UNFPA trains staff of Borno College of Nursing on GBV, SRH response in emergencies

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    UNFPA trains staff of Borno College of Nursing on GBV, SRH response in emergencies

    Training
    By Aminu Garko
    Kano, June 28, 2024 ( NAN) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has trained 30 staff of Borno College of Nursing and Midwifery on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) response in emergency situations.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training, held in Kano, was to enhance the capacity of faculty staff to provide effective services in crisis-affected areas.
    UNFPA’s Humanitarian Coordinator, Chris Sabun Macauley, emphasised the importance of targeting college personnel to impart knowledge to students.
    He explained that the training would enhance healthcare service delivery in the northeast region, which has been affected by crisis for over 15 years.
    “The training aims to achieve zero maternal death, zero GBV and address unmet reproductive health needs,” the coordinator said.
    The Provost of the college, Rukayya Shettima, commended UNFPA for the training, saying the knowledge gained is of immense benefit to staff and students of the college.
    She added that beneficiaries of the training would share their experiences with colleagues and students to achieve the set objectives.( NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AAG/HA
    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • Digital supply-chain will enhance small scale farming in Nigeria- NITDA

    Digital supply-chain will enhance small scale farming in Nigeria- NITDA

    Farming

    By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

    Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said that advanced technologies have the capacity to revolutionise agricultural practices and improve food security in the country.

    Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, said this at the launch of the survey on the digitisation of supply-chain in small scale Nigerian Farms project on Friday in Abuja.

    The launch of the survey was organised by AGROVESTO, an Agritech startup and a beneficiary of the iHatch Incubation Programme by NITDA in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

    It is aimed at enabling smallholder farmers in Nigeria to thrive, increase their income, and expand their market opportunities, thereby creating wealth and prosperity for the country.

    Inuwa was represented by Mr Salisu Kaka, Director of Digital Economy Department.

    He said that Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain were some of the technologies capable of transforming farming systems.

    “Agriculture employs a significant number of Nigerians and accounted for 25.18 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023.

    “This was  through crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing, with crop production taking the largest share.

    “This shows that digitising the supply-chain for small scale farms offers a transformative solution to the challenges of food security in the country,” he said.

    He explained that small scale farmers were the backbone of crop production in Nigeria, but they faced numerous challenges.

    These included limited access to technology, high production costs, limited finance, among other challenges.

    According to him, these issues hinder their productivity and economic potential.

    Inuwa said that supply-chain optimisation would ensure that small scale farmers met the increasing consumer demands, enhanced food quality and safety, as well as promote sustainable practices.

    “This can be achieved through the adoption of technologies such as AI, which can handle time-demanding tasks using machine learning and predictive modeling.

    “The IoT can monitor crops and generate real-time data to inform automation and best practices, while block chain can provide end-to-end traceability in supply-chains with shareable data.

    “The IoT can also build consumer trust and even make it easier to isolate and manage disease outbreaks in crops,” Inuwa said.

    He said NITDA has been actively supporting the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector with initiatives like the National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA), which engaged 965 farmers in integrating technology into agriculture.

    Inuwa said that the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, 2024–2027, highlighted the focus on promoting technology in agriculture to boost food security.

    It also increased the sector’s GDP contribution, drives economic diversification and create jobs.

    Mr Bayo Adewoye, Co-Founder of AGROVESTO, said that 63.5 per cent of small scale farmers earned between N20, 000 and N100, 000 monthly during the sales season.

    He said that 63 per cent take their products to the open market to sell.

    Adewoye added that the project had been designed to address the challenges, and was expected to improve farmers’ income by connecting farmers to wider markets.

    “Efficient supply-chains by digitising agricultural value chains can reduce post-harvest losses and improve the flow of goods, benefiting farmers and markets.”

    He said the initiative would enhance digital literacy, empower farmers with digital skills to enable them to leverage technology to access information and expand their market reach.

    “We will rollout digitisation of access to the market which entails the design and integration of a tailored digital platform for market access,“he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng )

    NIU/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh

     

  • Death penalty: Supreme Court discharges Army Sergeant

    Death penalty: Supreme Court discharges Army Sergeant

     

    Discharge
    By Ebere Agozie

    Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Supreme Court on Friday discharged and acquitted a Nigerian Army Sergeant, Akawu Bala from death sentence imposed on him by the General Court Martial of the Nigerian Army.

    Justice Helen Ogunwumiju while delivering judgment in an appeal filled at the Supreme Court on March 16, 2017 by Bala, discharged him from the death penalty.

    Respite came the way of the embattled army sergeant when the five-man panel of justices unanimously discharged him after spending 12 years in Kaduna Correctional Centre waiting for ratification of the death sentence passed on him.

    The Apex Court rejected the arguments of the army’s lawyer and thereafter ordered the immediate release of the convict from the correctional centre where he had been on remand since 2012.

    Ogunwumiju agreed with Reuben Atabo, SAN, counsel to Bala that the Court of Appeal ought to have discharged the accused person having voided his trial and declared it a nullity.

    She subsequently invoked section 193 of the Armed Forces Act 2014 and set the convict free adding that the ordinary meaning of section 193 of the Armed Forces Act 2014 is that the accused person can no longer stand another trial.

    Bala was accused by the Nigerian Army of shooting one Isa Mohammed on Dec. 9, 2012 when he was attached to African Petroleum Station at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna with AK47 gun.

    The victim of the gunshot was said to have died on December 10, 2012 at Saint Gerald’s Catholic Hospital in Kaduna.

    Following his indictment, he was put on trial on murder charge punishable under section 106 of the Armed Forces Act 2014 before the General Court Martial on 2-count charge.

    He was found guilty of murder and subsequently sentenced to death by hanging.

    However, on Feb. 17, 2017, his appeal against the death penalty was upheld by the Court of Appeal, Kaduna division, on the ground that the charge sheet upon which he was tried and convicted was not signed by a General Commanding Officer as required by law.

    Justice Obietonbara Kalo who read the Court of Appeal’s lead judgment declared the process of the trial and conviction of the Sergeant as a nullity but however refused to discharge him from the nullified trial, prompting further appeal to Supreme Court.

    Bala’s lead Counsel, Atabo, had argued on behalf of the convict that having declared the trial of his client, a nullity, the Court of Appeal ought to have made a consequential order to discharge the accused person from the flawed trial.

    He drew the attention of the apex court to section 193 of the Armed Forces Act 2014 which prohibited retrial of any military personnel after his trial has been voided and set aside.

    The Nigerian Army through its lead counsel, Isaac Udoka vehemently objected to the arguments of the defense appellant and prayed that the apex court should order the retrial of the convict in the interest of justice.

    Bala had in his defense claimed that he fired gun shot at Isa Mohammed and one other person when they were walking towards him in the dark at the African Petroleum Station.

    He equally claimed that his order on them to go back was rebuffed prompting him to fire at them before they could capture him.

    The convict claimed that he fired the gun at the two men because it was during the peak of Boko Haram activities in Kaduna that they were walking towards him in the dark. (NAN)

    EPA/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

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