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  • Cleric urges opportune Muslims to perform Hajj

  • FRSC Corps Marshal seeks stiffer penalties for traffic offenders

    The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) during the induction of the Chief Justice of the Federation, (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola

     

    FRSC Corps Marshal seeks stiffer penalties for traffic offenders

    Induction
    By Ibironke Ariyo
    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Malam Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has called on Chief the Justice of the Federation, (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola to strengthen existing laws with stiffer punishment for traffic offenders.

    Mohammed made the call during the induction of the CJN as Honourary Special Marshal on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Mohammed said that there was need for harsh penalties that would deter road users from violating established regulations.

    This, he said was because the Corps was propelled by a great deal of passion and commitment to the safety of lives and properties on Nigerian roads.

    The FRSC boss appreciated the CJN for piloting the affairs of the Judiciary in a manner that upholds the standards of the rule of law.

    He said that honorary special Marshals were given to citizens of impeccable character who have distinguished themselves in service to the nation.

    “I am exited you joined the league of distinguished Nigerians who volunteered to join the services of entrenching safety on Nigerian roads as Honorary Special Marshal.

    “We need you to strengthen existing laws with stiffer punishment that will deter road users from violating established regulations,’’ he said.

    The Corps Marshal said that there was no doubt that the capacity, competence and administrative prowess of the CJN would in no little degree enhance and solidify the existing relationship between the Corps and Judiciary.

    Speaking after the investiture, Ariwoola said that the recognition was not a personal honour but a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all road users across the country.

    “I am reminded of the profound responsibility that comes with this title.

    “The Special Marshal arm of the FRSC plays a pivotal role in the society. Our mandate is multifaceted and crucial to road safety fabric,’’ he said.

    In her welcome remark during the investiture, the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensen congratulated the Chief Justice for accepting the huge responsibility.

    She expressed confidence in his ability to contribute to the eradication of road traffic crashes in Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Corps Marshal, conducted the investiture in company of the President, Court of Appeal in the Supreme Court. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ICA/OIF/SH

    ===========
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sadiya Hamza

     

  • IDEAS equipping Nigerian youths with digital skills – Beneficiaries

    Project

    By Philip Yatai

    Suleja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Some beneficiaries of the World Bank-supported Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) say the project is equipping Nigerian youths with digital skills to tap from the nation’s digital economy.

    The beneficiaries stated this on Tuesday during their graduation, inauguration of internship programme and unveiling of Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd in Suleja.

    The beneficiaries were among the 460 youths trained on digital marketing, data analytics and cyber security by Ubelle Neo Cloud Technologies Consortium under the IDEAS project.

    One of them, Khadijat Abubakar, a data analytics trainee, described the digital training as one of the best she had ever attended and thanked the organisers for the opportunity.

    Abubakar said that the training had equipped her with the necessary skills to tap from the huge opportunities that the digital economy provides.

    “I now know how to clean, filter, sort and verify data among other data analytics skills.

    “I am looking forward to a very bright future with my digital skills and hoping to become one of the best data analysts in the country by God’s grace,” she said.

    Similarly, Lateefat Abdulrazak, another data analytics trainee, said she had always wanted to become a data analyst but did not have the opportunity until now.

    Abdulrazak said: “The IDEAS programme has provided me with the needed opportunity to achieve my long-time ambition of becoming a data analyst.

    “I will now use my new acquired skills to solve real life programmes in the digital economy space. I am very grateful to the World Bank, Ubelle Nig. Ltd and New Cloud for the opportunity.”

    Another beneficiary, Mr Olarin Shadrack, said that the training has equipped him with a digital marketing skill to be able to explore opportunities in the nation’s digital economy.

    “I learned a lot about digital marketing and now in the comfort of my home and my little space, I can market my products and other people’s products in the digital space using digital devices.

    “I am into agro-farming and other businesses. With my digital marketing skill, I can easily advertise myself online, showcase my talent and make money,” he said.

    Cross section of some of the beneficiaries of digital training during their graduation and unveiling of Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd in Suleja on Tuesday.

    Earlier, Dr Ali Onoja, the Project Leader of Ubelle Neo Cloud Technologies Consortium, explained that the 460 beneficiaries were selected from more than 900 applicants.

    Onoja said that the beneficiaries went through rigorous digital skills development from December 2023 and were equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in the digital age.

    He explained that the Ubelle Nig. Ltd and Neo Cloud Technologies Consortium were among the 14 private sector organisations selected as grantees of the Innovation Grant Funding (IGF) under the IDEAS project.

    According to him, the aim was to equip eligible youths, especially women, the disabled, and the vulnerable, with digital skills and certification.

    He said that the digital marketing and digital entrepreneurship skills would enhance the capacity of the Nigerian skills development system to produce relevant skills for the formal and informal sectors.

    “However, learning alone is not enough. To turn their skills into successful ventures, they need resources, support, and opportunities, and this is where Fabsi Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd comes in.

    “We understand that starting or expanding a business requires more than just knowledge; it requires capital, mentorship, and a network of like-minded individuals.

    “Fabsi Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. is designed to provide the graduates and other interested members of the public with these essential resources,” he said.

    Also, IGF Consultant, Mr Ndem Ndiyo, National Project Implementation Unit, Federal Ministry of Education, said that the IDEAS project was an ambitious and transformative initiative designed to enhance the quality and relevance of skills development in Nigeria.

    Ndiyo described the project as one of the successful Public Private Partnership in the education sector in Nigeria, designed to leverage resources in the private sector for digital training.

    He added that the beneficiaries would be certified in line with the National Skills Qualification Framework, to become employable, self-employed and employers of labour.

    “They will go through an internship programme where they will be engaged by the digital industry to put their skills to use after which we will look at job placement for them.

    “This in the long run will enable them to impact the nation’s digital economy,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    FDY/ADA

    Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

  • Leprosy mission says 2,500 new cases discovered annually

    Leprosy mission says 2,500 new cases discovered annually

     

    Leprosy

     

    By Diana Omueza

     

    Abuja, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN) has disclosed that nearly 2, 500 new cases of leprosy are discovered annually in Nigeria.

     

    Dr Sunday Udo, the National Director of the mission in Nigeria, said this at its Open Minds Project close-out meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

     

    The Open Minds project is a 4 year mental health project initiative focused on young people affected by leprosy and Neglected Tropical Diseases.

     

    The project was implemented in FCT, Kebbi, and Sokoto States, respectively.

     

    Udo said that for over 10 years, the mission had found and equally treated thousands of leprosy cases in the country; however, 90 per cent of the Nigerian population remained protected from the disease.

     

    “ TLM works in about 30 countries across the world, including Nigeria, and every year, we find approximately 2,500 new people that have leprosy in this country.

     

    “We work in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and in partnership with the National Leprosy Control Programme that we support.

     

    “Over the last 10 years, we have found thousands of cases and treated equally that large number, but the interesting thing is that there is a large backlog of those who have already developed disabilities.

     

    “They run into hundreds of thousands of people, and what we do is to support them with care after cure,“ he said.

     

    Udo said that the mission had raised awareness on the impact of leprosy on the mental health of affected persons and the need to end stigma and discrimination.

     

    He said that the mission had also provided those with disabilities from leprosy with disabilities services and complication management from the disease across different referral centres.

     

    The TLMN country leader also said that the mission was supporting affected persons with livelihood, stating that due to stigma, many of those affected had lost their sources of livelihoods and needed such supports.

     

    He sensitised Nigerians that leprosy was not a death sentence, adding that it was a bacterial infection that was curable, just like tuberculosis, which was curable with the right treatment and medication.

     

    According to him, tuberculosis and leprosy are curable, and there are antibiotics that we give and once you take the medications within six to twelve months you will be fine.

     

    He advised the public to eat well and avoid crowded areas, boost their immunity, and maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to be healthy and remain immune to all kinds of diseases, including leprosy and other bacterial infections.

     

    Udo urged the Federal Government to continue to support the mission and the national leprosy programmes and technical working group to live up to its mandates.

     

    Ms Heather Saranne, Programme Officer, TLM Great Britain, lauded the leprosy mission in Nigeria for its valuable impact in the lives of those affected in the country.

     

    Saranne said that the Nigerian team was so valuable globally, and the British TLM would continue to work with the mission to carry out programmes that would directly improve the lives of affected persons.

     

    “We have been in communication with the team at the leprosy mission in Nigerian because we can’t do this work without them, and because they do all the hard work.

     

    “We have reviewed their performance against achievement and towards the target and the budget, we have done project visits with partners, we have met with projects clients to hear about the things that have gone well.

     

    “We will work together to adopt any of those projects activities accordingly, we also act as the liaison between the project and the relief that will be reporting along with the team here in Nigeria.

     

    “The relationship that we have with the leprosy mission in Nigeria is so valuable that we can’t put into words,“ she said.

     

    Saranne said that based on the testament of the impact on affected persons, there was a need to sensitise the public on mental health issues caused by leprosy stigma and discrimination.

     

    She said that the mission in Britain was more focused on the physical aspect of leprosy and had improved its supported health services through the establishment of hospitals and carrying out of surgical operations.

     

    This she said was also in the plan of the TLM in Britain to incorporate mental health and wellbeing into a lot of its new projects in Nigeria that would be funded by TLM Great Britain.

     

    “Its in our new strategy, and we are not only funding new projects, we are also funding research into the most effective ways to support people with their mental health.

     

    “The new project we have that started here in Nigeria last year will continue for three years as a follow up to our open minds project to help people that can’t help themselves with their mental health,“ she said.

     

    Mr Shehu Auta, Kebbi State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme Manager, appreciated the leprosy mission Nigeria for its support to the Kebbi state government.

     

    “This is the first leprosy mission that is supporting my state with the tuberculosis and leprosy activities in the state, and they have included Non-Neglected Disease in our programme.

     

    “With the coming of this new programme mental health in leprosy, now we can teach leprosy patient after treating them with socio-economic rehabilitation.

     

    “One aspect of life that we didn’t realise was mental health issue but when the leprosy mission came with the mental health programme, we now recognise that people affected by leprosy are suffering from depression and anxiety,“ he said.

     

    Auta said that the programme would help to control anxiety and depression amongst people living with leprosy and other neglected diseases.

     

    He called the federal government to take ownership of the leprosy programme and to expand the programme for the benefit of affected persons across all the local governments within and outside the state.

     

    Auta urged the government to be responsible and involved in the formulation of infectious disease programmes and projects, partake in executions and implementation. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    DOM/EAL

    =====

    Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Rivers Govt. faults fake court ruling affirming 27 lawmakers as PDP members

    Rivers Govt. faults fake court ruling affirming 27 lawmakers as PDP members

    Ruling

    By Desmond Ejibas

    Port Harcourt, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Rivers Government has clarified that the state High Court did not declare that 27 state lawmakers are still members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Mr Dagogo Iboroma, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, presented the certified true copy of the court judgment during a news conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and 26 other lawmakers announced their defection to the All Progressive Party (APC) in December but later denied it.

    The Rivers government later took the lawmakers to court seeking an order to prevent them from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) and the PDP.

    Iboroma clarified that the trending report about court ruling in favour of the 27 assemblymen was false and intended to mislead the public.

    He confirmed that the court indeed struck out the case due to a lack of merit.

    “The reports in social, print and electronic media was a misrepresentation of the judgement of the High Court of Rivers state in suite number DHC/20/CS/2024.

    “Our position on the case has been confirmed and vindicated by the certified true copy of the court containing the legally binding pronouncement of the court.

    “In this case, the court dismissed the case citing a lack of jurisdiction and merit, while joining the PDP as the fourth defendant,” Iboroma read the judgement to the hearing of journalists.

    The attorney-general described the circulated report as fake news that intended to tarnish the court’s reputation and causing confusion and misinformation among the public.

    “The court did not rule that Amaewhule remained speaker of the RSHA, neither did it declare the other 26 former lawmakers as members of the RSHA and the PDP.

    “Whatever finding of fact that is not included in the court order is an obiter dicta, which has no binding force.

    “Therefore, I urge the media to desist from interpreting court judgements without reading them first and seeking legal advice before publication,” he cautioned. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    DES/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • Incessant Constitution Amendment is ridiculous – former governor warns

     

    Discrimination

    By Alex Enebeli

    Enugu, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, has cautioned against incessant amendments of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria saying that such act defaces its original character.

    Chime made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacting to  the 25th Democracy Day Celebration on Tuesday in Enugu.

    He said that the constitution should be a sacred document and not something that could be amended anyhow.

    “Since 25 years of democracy, how many times have they amended Nigeria constitution, making it so ridiculous. The more amendment they make, the more problem they create. Let’s take the constitution seriously.

    “I remember when we came in, governorship election cases used to terminate at the Court of Appeal but now it gets to Supreme Court because of amendments,” he said.

    Chime however, advised the federal government and the National Assembly to be careful with the manner and way they amended the country’s constitution, noting that they had completely defaced the original character of the constitution.

    The former governor, who is also a constitutional lawyer, also decried how Nigerians including its governments were segregating one another on the grounds of their state of origin, religion and sex.

    According to him, this is unconstitutional and the constitution does not allow it because we are one Nigeria.

    “Someone would fill a form and would be asked to fill his or her state of origin when he or she is a Nigerian.

    “It is sad that when we talk about South-East and referring to Igbos, Southwest, Yorubas and North, Hausas. Zones were created for administrative purposes.

    “It shouldn’t be so. May God bless Nigeria for reversing back to our old National Anthem that sees us as brothers.

    “We are barred by the constitution from discriminating against any Nigerian on certain grounds, including where the person is from, circumstances of birth, religion, sex and others.

    “But unfortunately, the governments are championing this discrimination by asking people their places of origin instead of where their states of resident.

    ”Nigerians should be able to decide where they want to settle and adopt as their homes, Allow us to be adopted as Nigerians, not Igbo Hausa, Yoruba or Ijaw.

    ”All these divide Nigeria. This is why we still have the clamour for creation of states and autonomous communities,” he said.

    He explained that the zones were created for administrative purposes, stressing that it had nothing to do with where one was born or who someone’s father was.

    “The National Assembly should make a law criminalizing violation of these provisions with stiff punishments,” he said.

    He explained that those rights were provided for by the constitution but were not made justiciable, meaning that one could not go to court to challenge any government or individual based on it.

    According to him, the barriers should be removed and make those rights justiciable as well as court delving into such matters.

    “All these shouldn’t play any role in governance and government should be interested to where citizens were born or their place of residence while the federal character system should base on where one stays.

    On security, Chime called for the removal of roadblocks by security agencies especially the military, on the nation’s highways and wondered what they were doing blocking the roads.

    “How can government be building roads and the next thing you see security men blocking it with bags of sands. If you remove these people from the road, we will have peace without roadblocks.

    “I can’t remember when any kidnapper is being arrested at check point but on the contrary we have heard of people trying to pay ransome beside check points,” he said.

    He, however, called for the introduction of city and highway patrol vehicles, arguing that with it, kidnappers would disappear from Nigeria roads.

    On the clamour for State Police, the former governor said that it would not work because states could not afford it.

    ”State governments should work with the police and provide resources for them. We don’t wait for the Federal Government to provide everything to sustain them.

    “Under the law, the Commissioner of Police reports to the governor who is the Chief Security Officer of the state. As a governor, if you are having issues with the police commissioner, you call for a change with genuine reasons,”.

    On democracy day, the former governor said that June 12 was the appropriate date to celebrate the day pointing out that not all states were inaugurated on May 29.

    Chime congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians on the celebration of uninterrupted 25 years democracy and urged the citizenry to support the president on his people oriented programmes and policies.

    “We are one Nigeria. Nigeria we hail thee,” Chime concluded. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    AAE/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

  • CSOs advocate revival, integration of western education into Tsangaya system 

    CSOs advocate revival, integration of western education into Tsangaya system

    Education
    By Funmilayo Adeyemi

    Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have come together to advocate the revival and integration of western education into the Tsangaya system.

    The organisations, at the Unveiling of Training Manuals on Gender Responsive Education Sector Planning and Tsangaya Reformation, in Abuja on Tuesday, said the integration would tackle out-of-school challenges.

    The County Director, Plan International, Charles Usie, said that reforming the Tsangaya was critical toward the reduction of out-of-school children in the country.

    Use, represented by Helen, Idiong, Director Programme Quality and Influencing, Plan International, said there was need to give the Tsangaya students numeracy and literacy education to complement their Quranic education.

    “Tsangaya system has been in existence for years when we have children coming into a religion setting and they are given some form of skills educational training.

    “Over the years,the context has been somehow changed and the children in this sector are usually on the streets as they don’t have the educational qualification required to help them in the current content that we live.

    “The idea is to see how we as CSOs advocate to the owners and implementers of this Tsangaya education system to see how to transform it without losing the religious value,” he said.

    Also, Mr Duke Ogbureke, National Moderator, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), called for adequate investment in Tsangaya education.

    Ogbureke said that not training the children will have a multi-sectoral effect on the Nigerian polity.

    According to him, the children must be trained in some level of education to understand the implications of having very many children that they cannot cater for, leading to population growth.

    Meanwhile, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Dr Jabir Maihula, emphasised the need for collective efforts to address the insecurity challenge in the northern states.

    Maihula explained that if 50 per cent of the insecurity issues were tackled, the number of out-of-school children would be reduced.

    He noted that children from refugees camps, who were displaced as a result of insecurity in their domain, contributed to the high number of out-of-school, explaining tha this must be addressed headlong.

    In a keynote address, Dr Murtala Mohammed Executive Director, System Strategy and Policy Lab., said addressing the challenge of out-of-school required stakeholders collaboration.

    According to Mohammed, the country is having conflicting figures of the number and coming together to get accurate data of the out-of-school in the country would go a long way in addressing the menace.

    He also urged state governors to be deeply committed to addressing the issue of out-of-school children by putting in place strategic plan and having the plan in their budget.

    “We need to work collectively to solve our problems. We need to know the exact number, the struggling we are having is that we have no idea of the number.

    “We must address the issue of disjointed statistics before we come up with policy recommendations that will clearly address the challenges,” Mohammed said.

    He called for the integration of Tsangaya Education Management Information System into the existing education management information system.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tsangaya system is one of the legacies of former President Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2014, to take care of ‘almajiri’ system of acquiring Qur’anic knowledge.

    The Tsangaya centres were, however, abandoned shortly after the former president was defeated in the 2015 polls. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FAK/ORO
    ========
    Edited by Razak Owolabi

  • Rwanda: UN war crimes tribunals account for 253 people indicted

    Rwanda: UN war crimes tribunals account for 253 people indicted

    Crimes

    By Cecilia Ologunagba

    New York, June 11, 2024 (NAN) All of the 253 people indicted by the UN tribunals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed decades ago in Rwanda and the Former Yugoslavia, have now been accounted for.

    Judge Graciela Santana, President and Prosecutor with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), said this while briefing the Security Council on Tuesday.

    She briefed the ambassadors on progress made over the past two years as it moved closer towards wrapping up for good.

    The Mechanism was established by the Council to continue essential functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which closed in December 2015, and another for the former Yugoslavia, ICTY, which concluded two years later.

    “The work of the Mechanism and its predecessors has contributed to justice on two continents, produced an extensive body of international criminal jurisprudence, and created an important reservoir of lessons learned for future courts,” Santana, the IRMCT President, said, underlining the need to safeguard this legacy.

    She said that focus had been on providing the Council with timeline projections for completion of all activities, and options for the transfer of those that remained.

    A framework document was submitted in April.

    Furthermore, budgetary requirements have fallen by more than a quarter, the field office in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, will close in September, and just under half of all posts will be eliminated by December.

    “Having now transitioned to our purely residual functions, we have reduced in size and streamlined operations, but remain determined to conclude the final stages of the mandate you have entrusted to us,” she said.

    Gotti Santana noted that important work remained to be done, which would require significant resources.

    “The Mechanism remains mandated to supervise the enforcement of sentences, with 41 convicted persons currently serving their sentences in 12 states and another seven persons under our jurisdiction.

    “In the near term, it is expected that the work related to this function will increase, as more prisoners reach the threshold for consideration for early release,” she said.

    Another mandated task involves managing, preserving and facilitating access to the Mechanism’s archives and those of the two former tribunals.

    “This function is closely connected with one of my key priorities, namely to consolidate the rich legacy of these courts, which can serve as a powerful resource for combatting denial and revisionism,” she said.

    IRMCT Prosecutor Serge Brammertz said the fact that all 253 persons indicted by the tribunals are now accounted for “is an important demonstration of the international community’s determination to secure justice for atrocity crimes,” though adding that more justice is still needed.

    Over the past two years, the Prosecutor’s Office has received 629 requests for assistance from UN Member States, providing support to some 219 national case files.

    While Rwanda and the countries of the former Yugoslavia are key partners, the Office has also met with prosecutors from Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, Belgium, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere.

    “Our national colleagues know that there are persons who committed genocide living in their countries with impunity, some in plain sight. And they know that every single case is about victims and survivors who are still waiting for justice to be done,” he said.

    Today, bringing perpetrators to justice was now the responsibility of national courts, he said, and while countries had achieved significant results, more accountability was urgently needed.

    “Rwandan authorities are still seeking to bring to justice more than 1,000 fugitive génocidaires. Likewise, prosecutors in the former Yugoslavia still have thousands of suspected war criminals to investigate and prosecute.

    “Domestic authorities in third-party Member States, particularly in Europe and North America, are also prosecuting these cases under ‘no safe haven’ policies,” he said.

    Brammertz insisted that “continuing this work is essential – for the victims and survivors, of course, and for Member States, who have made accountability a priority at the national level, to secure the rule of law and promote reconciliation.”  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    CIA/COF

    ==========

    Edited by Christiana Fadare

  • ICANN80: .NG domain names surpass 225,500

    ICANN80: .NG domain names surpass 225,500

    .ng

    By Stellamaris Ashinze

    Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) on Tuesday said that the domain names of the .ng registry had increased to 225,533 from 222,820 recorded earlier in the year.

    This was made known at the ongoing Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Policy Forum (ICANN80), in Kigali, Rwanda.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NiRA is the registry for .ng Internet Domain Names and maintains the database of names registered in the .ng country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD).

    Mrs Busayo Balogun, Head of Corporate Services, NiRA, said in her presentation at the Country Code Names Supporting Organisation (ccNSO) session, that the association had launched a dashboard for real time updates on .ng domain name registrations.

    Balogun said that the .ng domain name had continued to gain popularity in usage for websites and email addresses.

    According to her, the dashboard shows the .ng domains has increased to 225,533 from 222,820 reported earlier in the year.

    She said that through its 3Rs – Registry, Registrar, Registrant – model of operation, NiRA contracted more than 100 registrars to provide registration services to the public.

    “An end user selects a registrar to provide the registration service, and that registrar registers the domain chosen by the user.

    ‘’NiRA does not register users directly, this model has really helped us to maintain decorum,’’ she said.

    Earlier, the president, NiRA, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, reiterated NiRA’s commitment to driving .ng domain adoption and advancing Nigeria’s digital landscape.

    “This growing trend underscores the domain’s significance and its role in establishing a strong digital identity for businesses and individuals alike.

    “Additionally, we are currently conducting the .ng brand survey [https://form.jotform.com/niraworks/ng-brand-survey-2024] to gauge the awareness and adoption levels of the .ng domain among internet users in Nigeria.

    “I encourage everyone to participate in this survey and share their valuable insights,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    SKA/COF

    ==========

    Edited by Christiana Fadare

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Sanwo-Olu calls for collaboration against substance abuse

    Sanwo-Olu calls for collaboration against substance abuse

    L-R: Dr Segun Oke, Assistant Commander General, Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Danilo Campisi, Deputy Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Mrs. Omoleye Alake, Wife of the Hon. Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology; Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chairman, MTN Foundation; Mr. Mobolaji Ogundele, Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos State; Abubakar Liman Wali, Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command, at the MTN Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) Stakeholder Conference in Lagos.

    Abuse

    By Stellamaris Ashinze

    Lagos, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday called for collaboration by stakeholders against substance and drug abuse.

    The governor made the call at the MTN  Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (MTN ASAP) stakeholders’ conference in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the programme is to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with the theme: “Evidence is Clear, Invest in Prevention”.

    The governor was represented by the Commissioner of Youths and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende.

    Sanwo-Olu in his address said that stakeholders should pledge to work together, innovate continuously and remain steadfast in the nation to break  the cycle of drug abuse.

    He said that together all could transform the lives of the youth, ensuring that they grew in an environment that nurtured their dreams and aspiration.

    According to him, today’s conference  is a testament to the power of collaboration  by sharing insights and best practices that can be developed for a more effective solution and to amplify their word.

    ‘’As we continue on this international  day against drug abuse and illicit  trafficking, let us remember that  collective effort will shape the future of our nation, each one of us has a role to play in creating a drug-free society.

    ‘’The fight against drug abuse is not one that can be fought by government alone. It requires concerted efforts by all sectors of the society – parents, educators, healthcare professionals, community leaders, private sector and yourself sitting in this room.

    ‘’The MTN Foundation leadership in this endeavour exemplifies the type of Corporate Social Responsibility that is essential for meaningful change.

    “This conference will be a catalyst for renewed energy and collaboration in our fight, our collective fight, our unified fight against drug abuse,’’ he said.

    Sanwo-Olu commended MTN Nigeria,  which through its MTN Foundation and collaboration with stakeholders aimed at reducing the rate of first-time substance abusers among young Nigerians aged between 10 years and 25 years.

    According to him, the intervention hinges on awareness creation, information dissemination, stakeholders’ engagement and empowerment.

    ‘’I thank you for keeping a step in our administration to ensure that our goal of building a greater Lagos is realised. Today we stand united to confront this menace that threatens the very essence of our society,” he said.

    The governor noted that the approach by Lagos State was multidimensional; first, being emphasising education, awareness and integrating comprehensive drug education programmes in  schools and community centres.

    According to him, there is the need to inform youths about the dangers of drug abuse and empowerment.

    He said that secondly was strengthening the health and rehabilitation centres, investing in rehabilitation centres and trained professionals on supports and treatment to those affected.

    Sanwo-Olu said that thirdly was  fostering the culture of support and inclusivity through community  engagement and youth empowerment  initiatives.

    He urged the creation of an environment where young people could thrive, fight pressure and build resilience against substance abuse.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said that MTN ASAP had been on for five years, adding that every nation had come out to tackle  its citizens’ attitude to drug abuse in its own way.

    Adelusi-Adeluyi said that the foundation had been at the forefront of addressing  the issue from time to time, and in spite of the efforts being made, the problem still persisted.

    He said that the challenge was to ensure that the environment did not drive people back to drug.

    “I am pleased on behalf of the foundation to support the programme and appreciate the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for consistently being with us,’’ the chairman said.

    The Chairman, NDLEA, Col. Buba Marwa, in his goodwill message, appreciated the MTN Foundation’s efforts in the fight against drug abuse, saying he was particularly happy about the partnership.

    Marwa was represented by Dr Segun Oke, Assistant Commander-General, Narcotics, NDLEA.

    The Deputy Country Representative, UNODC, Mr Damilo Campisi, in his address, said that Nigeria must invest heavily in prevention of drug abuse. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    SKA/COF

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    Edited by Christiana Fadare