Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Lions Club of District 404B4 has sought the support of Nigerians in donating to the cause of humanity to help the less privileged.
Its district governor, Mr Samson Abodunrin, made the appeal during the charter presentation, induction and fundraising of the club in Lagos.
“Donate to the cause of humanity. Any money donated is for the underprivileged individuals in the society.
“This morning you have had your breakfast, and probably lunch, while dinner is already waiting. But the question is, what about the children that haven’t eaten, and those in the hospital, and those that are homeless?
“We have children that go to school, and have no shoes or books.
“We don’t have millions or billions, but what we have is a golden heart to help the less privileged.
“I am challenging all our Lions and friends of lions to support us to help the needy,” he said.
Abodunrin said that the club had contributed immensely to the country, with several projects built across the nation’s hospitals.
“We have the cancer centre at the Ebute Metta Medical Centre, we also have some facilities across hospitals in Lagos, and also sponsored children on scholarships,” he said.
Dr Babatunde Ipaye, a former Commissioner for Health in Ogun, said he had benefited immensely from the club.
Ipaye, who chairman of the event, said he was a beneficiary of the club’s gesture when he was young.
“My school fees in 1986 was N286 and my parents couldn’t pay it. I was given a scholarship of N1,000 by this club then, and I want to thank you for the great work you are doing.
I want to say that your N1,000, N500 and so on went a long way,” he said.
Highlight of the event was the induction of 14 new members. (NAN)(WWW.NANNEWS.NG)
Ilorin, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Department of Criminology and Security Studies, University of Ilorin (Unilorin), has taken steps to equip its students with essential skills by introducing self-defence and combat training as a vocation.
Dr Adedeji Oyenuga, a Visiting Scholar in the institution’s Department of Criminology, disclosed this on Monday in Ilorin.
He spoke at the maiden edition of the combat training at the university’s sports complex.
Oyenuga who is an Associate Professor at the Lagos State University (LASU), however, said the training could not be immediately integrated into the curriculum due to the proposal’s lateness.
He explained that the university had recognised the importance of this initiative and decided to offer it as a vocational activity before incorporating it into the curriculum at a later date.
The don highlighted the significance of self-defence within the context of security studies.
“ I commend the university for thinking outside the box and swiftly approving the idea of practical combat training,” he said.
Oyenuga pointed out that the integration of self-defence and combat training into the curriculum reflected the university’s commitment to producing well-rounded graduates.
He said these would be those who are academically proficient and capable of ensuring personal safety and the security of others.
“This innovative approach aligns with the evolving landscape of Criminology and Security Studies, which demands a comprehensive understanding of practical self-defence techniques,” the don explained.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
FATY/CHOM/OLAL
A group picture of Port State Control officers at a training organised on Ethics And Integrity Leadership for port state control officers across 22 countries in West and Central Africa
Abuja MoU, MACN, train 22 countries on combating corruption at ports
Training
By Aisha Cole/Rukayat Adeyemi
Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Capt. Sunday Umoren, Secretary General of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for the West and Central African Region (Abuja MoU), has urged port officers to strengthen their capacity and combat corruption in the maritime sector.
Umoren made this call during a training on Ethics and Integrity Leadership for port state control officers from 22 countries in West and Central Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by the Abuja MoU in collaboration with the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) on Monday in Lagos.
According to him, addressing corruption starts with understanding the Abuja MoU’s key mandate to eliminate substandard ships.
He noted that substandard ships pose threats to human life, the marine environment, and the livelihoods of maritime stakeholders.
Umoren pointed out that unethical and corrupt practices exacerbate risks to maritime facilities and cargo, undermining the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) initiative for “safer seas and cleaner oceans.”
He categorised corrupt practices into three types which include accepting bribes, offering bribes, and failing to report known corruption.
He highlighted the IMO’s Code of Ethics, which sets the standards for ethical conduct among its staff, suggesting that similar standards should be applied by Port State Control Officers (PSCOs).
“The phrase “no more favourable treatment” which has been severally debated in some of the meetings of the IMO, may also hold good in the context of ethics and integrity.
“This is because gratuitous offers are usually aimed at favourable and skewed treatment,”he added.
He noted the need for PSCOs to maintain an attitude of innocence and purity in line with the Code of Good Conduct for PSCOs.
Recognising the crucial role of PSCOs, the Abuja MoU collaborated with MACN for this training, marking the first such collaboration with a regional MoU or flag state.
Mr. Vivek Menon, Associate Director for Global Operations and Industry Engagement at MACN, underscored the importance of implementing training to improve transparency and efficiency in port operations. He noted that corruption not only affects societies but also impacts trade volumes entering West and Central Africa.
The Consul General of Denmark, Mrs Jette Bjerrum, highlighted Denmark’s collaboration with the Abuja MoU to modernise the maritime sector through improvements in ethics and leadership.
She stressed that transparency and good ethics are essential for sector improvement.
Chairman of Abuja MoU, Mr Ebrimo Sillah, Gambia’s Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, called for collaboration and transparency to enhance the technical standards of shipping operations.
He emphasised the importance of understanding port operation mechanisms and maintaining maximum integrity.
Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, Vice Chairman of Abuja MoU and Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, urged port operators to adopt good ethical practices to improve trade facilitation.
He affirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering integrity in port operations.
Dr Dayo Mobereola, Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), represented by Mr Fatai Adeyemi, Executive Director of Operations at NIMASA, stated that PSCOs are the first line of defence in ports.
He emphasised that ethical conduct is crucial for fair and just decision-making in port state control activities.
Capt. Tajudeen Alao, President of the Master Mariners Association of Nigeria, urged shipping operators to enhance ethics and personnel training.
He stressed the importance of leveraging technology to stay relevant in the sector.
Dr Odunayo Ani, President of the Women in Shipping Trading Association (WISTA) and Head of Audit at NIMASA, highlighted the need to prioritise ethics and integrity in leadership.
She called for the integration of an ethical workforce in the maritime sector.
Mrs Rollens Macfoy, President of Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAfrica), Nigeria, commended the Abuja MoU for ensuring the implementation of ethical practices in ports.
She also appealed for more women to be included in training programmes to enhance professionalism and opportunities.
Mrs Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, Director General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NSC), advocated for the adoption of best practices in leadership at all levels to facilitate smoother shipping operations and trade. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), on Monday shared N1.143 trillion among the Federal Government, states and Local Government Councils (LGCs) for May.
The revenue was shared at the June meeting of the FAAC, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
According to a communiqué issued by the committee at the end of the meeting, the N1.143 trillion total revenue comprised statutory revenue of N157.183 billion, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N463.425 billion.
It also comprised Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N15.146 billion and Exchange Difference revenue of N507.456 billion.
It said that revenue of N2.324 trillion was available in the month of May.
” Total deduction for cost of collection is N76.647 billion, while total transfers, interventions, and refunds is N1.104 trillion.
“Gross statutory revenue of N1.223 trillion was received for the month of May 2024. This was lower than the sum of N1,233 trillion received in the month of April by N9.604 billion,” it said .
The communiqué said that
gross revenue of N497.665 billion was available from VAT in May, which was lower than the N500.920 billion available in April by N3.255 billion.
It confirmed that from the N1.143 trillion total revenue, the Federal Government received N365.813 billion, the state governments received N388.419 billion, and the LGCs received N282.476 billion.
It said that the sum of N106.502 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
On the N157.183 billion statutory revenue, the communiqué said that the Federal Government received N61.010 billion, the state governments received N30.945 billion, and the LGCs received N23.857 billion.
“The sum of N41.371 billion (13 per cent of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting states as derivation revenue.
“The Federal Government received N69.514 billion, the state governments received N231.713 billion, and the LGCs received N162.199 billion from the N463.425 billion VAT revenue.
“A total sum of N2.272 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N15.146 billion EMTL, the state governments received N7.573 billion, and the LGCs received N5.301 billion,” it said.
According to the communiqué, the
balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) is 473,754.57 dollars, (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Minimum Wage: Don’t violate human rights—PLAC tells FG, Labour
Collaboration
By Perpetua Onuegbu
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged organised labour and the Federal Government to respect human rights in their face off over a new minimum wage for workers.
Both parties are yet to agree on a new minimum wage with labour insisting on N250,000 while the federal government has offered to pay N62, 000.
The Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said in Abuja on Monday during a Dialogue Session on Exploring Remedies for Human Rights Abuses that on no account should the face-off lead to human rights violation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organised by PLAC, is in partnership with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
He said the course of negations and even in the face of an industrial action respect for the human rights should be uppermost in the minds of the leaders of both parties.
“There is a struggle about minimum wage, whether labour is getting government to pay about N200, 000 to the least person or not. “It’s going to be a turmoil and we must all prepare because it will come with challenges of human rights abuses.
“The struggle for human rights is an important struggle to entrench democracy. We have several instances today where people are detained without been tried’’, he said.
He urged security agencies to see human rights activists and CSOs as partners in progress rather than as detractors.
“It is important to understand that our work as human rights activists is we can use the agencies and NGOs we represent to advance the cause of human rights to better the conditions of living in the country,” he said.
Mr Simon Musa, who represented the Ministry of Police Affairs, said the police working to ensure that human rights violation by police personnel did not go unpunished.
He spoke as a panellist on `Assess to Recourse for Victims of Human Rights Violation`.
“Any member of the public who feels that a police personnel has violated his or her right can approach us. We have handled so many of those cases and come out with results,” he said.
Also, Mr Okoro Obioha, who represented National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said the commission was ready to provide assistance to those whose rights had been abused.
“If a person’s right is violated and you go to the police, if the state is not able to prosecute and the victim gets access to justice, the state is seen as the violator.
“If a matter comes to us for instance, and it has to do with criminal prosecutions.
“And the commission does not have power to prosecute, we ensure that such victim gets the needed service from the relevant agencies of government,” he said.
Mr Maurice Chukwu, of Amnesty International, said in many instance, some state security agency do not want to collaborate with the CSOs on matters of human rights abuse.
“The bottom line is that 90 per cent of the human rights abuses that we document are caused by the security agencies and the government and we ask them to be accountable”, Chukwu said.
Court remands security expert for establishing illegal govt agency
Suit
By Taiye Agbaje
Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, ordered the remand of Dr Adejare Adegbenro in Kuje Correctional Centre for establishing an illegal government agency.
Adegbenro was alleged to have established National Commission for the Coordination And Control Of Proliferation of Small Arms, Ammunitions And Light Weapons (NATCOM).
Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after he was arraigned by the Nigerian police on a six-count charge bordering on terrorism, advance fee fraud and cybercrimes.
Adegbenro pleaded not guilty to the counts and the prosecutor, D.S. Akor, prayed the court to remand him in a correctional facility pending the conclusion of the trial.
But the defendant’d lawyer, Chibuzor Ezike, told the court that a bail application had been filed on his client’s behalf.
The bail application was, however, not in the court file.
Justice Nwite, who adjourned the matter until June 24 to take the bail application, fixed July 18 for trial commencement.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/246/2024, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is tye complainant while Dr Adejare Rewane Nurudeen Adegbenro is the sole defendant.
In count one, Adegbenro and others at large were alleged to have, on or before April 17, at Government Secondary School, Tundun Wada, Wuse Zone 4, conspired to commit alleged terrorism.
:
They were alleged to have established an illegal organization known as National Commission for the Coordination And Control Of Proliferation Of Small Arms, Ammunitions And Light Weapons (NATCOM) without authorisation.
The act was said to be prejudicial to national security and being an offence punishable under Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
In count three, he and others now at large were alleged to have , on or before Dec. 4, 2023, with intent to deceive, unlawfully assumed the name, character, designation of a National Coordination Of the National Centre For Control Of Smail Arms And Light Weapons, specifically posing as a government agency dealing with the coordination and control of proliferation of small arms, ammunitions and light weapons.
The offence is contrary to Section 30 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
In count four, Adegbenro was alleged to have, on April 28, with intent to defraud did obtain funds from certain persons by falsely presenting himself as an authorised agent of the Nigerian Government.
He was alleged to have conducted staff recruitment in “the illegal National Commission For The Coordination And Control Of Proliferation Of Small Arms, Ammunitions And Light Weapons (NATCOM).”
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 1(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act, among other counts.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Some Nigerians on Monday called on the Tripartite Committee on the National Minimum Wage to reach an agreement fast to avoid resumption of labour strike.
They spoke in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
An activist, Mr Tunde Salman, said that the parties should avoid resumption of the strike in the interest of the masses.
He urged both governments and labour unions to be considerate in the offer and demand, respectively.
Salman is the Team Lead and Convener of Good Governance Team, a civil society organisation.
‘’I will implore all actors, especially the government side at the national, state and local government levels, to be honest and sincere in their engagements with trade union, ‘’ he said.
A media professional, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, also urged the governments and labour unions to find ways reach an agreement fast to avert further strike.
Otufodunrin, the Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, said that resuming the strike would be detrimental to the country as a whole.
‘’Another strike, like the last one, when even the national grid was switched off, is not good for the country.
‘’Things are really tough, but the government cannot agree to pay what it cannot pay, considering that, at present, some state governments are not paying the present minimum wage, ‘’ he said.
Another activist, Mr Omokhuale Ehi, said that the cost of living was high, and there was the need for a reasonable increase in the minimum wage.
Ehi is the Lagos State Chairman of Civil Liberty Organisation.
Ehi called for reduction in the cost of governance and improvement in the economy to make any minimum wage to be beneficial.
‘’As long as inflation remains uncontrolled, we keep refining most of our crude oil outside the country, tariffs keep increasing, local production is not encouraged, no minimum wage will be favourable.
‘’Also, as long as insecurity continues to truncate farming activities, inflation will always thrive and minimum wage will not be able to cushion it, ‘’ Ehi said.
Mrs Irene Oghenekaro, a dried fish seller at Oniru Market on Victoria Island, said that strikes brought pain to the people.
‘’I am not in support of strike; the parties should rather discuss in a way that will favour everyone, ‘’ she said.
Mr Rufus Ikeh, a beans seller at the same market, said that increasing the minimum wage was necessary to enable workers to cope with current economic realities.
‘’If workers earn well, they will buy goods from us.
‘’We want our economy to be better; the government should create favourable policies, ‘’Ikeh said.
NAN reports that the organised labour embarked on an indefinite strike on June 3 over inclusiveness of negotiations on a new minimum wage.
The organised labour, however, suspended the strike on June 4, for five days, following an intervention by the Federal Government, to enable further negotiations. (NAN)
EEI/IGO
=======
Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in collaboration with Sterling Bank Ltd., on Monday, unveiled five billion naira initiative-Databanc loan to address financial gaps for small businesses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative was launched in Lagos with the theme: “Building with Data: Promoting Economic Growth through Data Driven Insights.”
NAN reports that Databanc is a five billion single digit loan to engender easier access to funds by Nano, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( NMSMEs).
Mr Bunmi Kole-Dawodu, the Lagos State Manager, SMEDAN, said the funding tool would be geared towards providing local and tailored made support for business at the smallest levels.
Kole-Dawodu added that the funding tool would provide access to markets and all factors to drive entrepreneurship.
He said the initiative would aid Nigeria’s export potential and provide accurate data information about nano enterprises to drive their growth and sustainability.
Kole-Dawodu noted that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) had hitherto complained about not having easy access to financial interventions.
“Now this platform would provide accurate data on nano, micro and small businesses in Nigeria while facilitating the requisite business support for these businesses.
“It is important to have the support of business membership organisations to help encourage members to go on the platform and register to foster data driven insights,” he said.
Kole-Dawodu restated SMEDAN’s commitment to the development of small businesses across the country and urged SMEs to trust in the agency for all round support.
He pledged to collaborate with partners, stakeholders and business organisations to further advance the cause of small businesses in the country.
The Director General, SMEDAN, Mr Charles Odii, said that data was critical to the agency to help it make more informed economic decisions to build small businesses ecosystem.
Odii said the agency as the vanguard for livelihood enhancement would continue to bridge the gap between the government and small businesses.
“One thing we have observed is that businesses are not responding or taking advantage of the various interventions out there for them.
“Databanc as a platform would help build products’ knowledge about small businesses and it is very important for entrepreneurs to be aware of this to help grow their businesses,” he said.
Mrs Bolanle Tyson, Head, SME Products, Sterling Bank Ltd., said Databanc was a five billion single digit loan to engender easier access to funds by nano and micro businesses.
Tyson said the Databanc, a formalised portal to access funding without human interface for businesses with tax identification number, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, provided funding from N250,000 to N2,500,000 for one year.
She said that with the “SMEDAN Databanc Platform,” NMSMEs would be appropriately captured with unique identifiers for business data integrity.
“The platform has a unique promoter ID, unique business ID generated for each business owner with seamless onboarding experience to provide exclusive business development and support initiatives generated through SMEDAN.
“It makes it easier to track businesses and provide creative solutions to foster business growth and sustainability by unlocking businesses’ potential with the SMEDAN N5bn loan program for success,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ARM/JNC
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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
Lagos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) A Nigerian accountant turned chef, Edwin Akinsowon, is attempting to break a Guinness World Record (GWR) of 80 hours in grilling.
He is attempting to set a new record of 82 hours or more.
Akinsowon, an indigene of Ondo State, in a statement on Monday said that the activity would start from 1.00 a.m. on June 15 until he is able to break the record.
He noted that drawing from his diverse background and motivated by a deep-seated belief in achieving the extraordinary, he aimed to grill for over 82 hours, surpassing the current record of 80 hours.
According to him, the activity will take place beside Kayser Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“To break the record, I must grill for over 81 hours in a public area, adhering to specific guidelines set by Guinness World Records.
“I plan to grill for more than 82 hours, using only charcoal as modern grilling machines are not permitted.
“The event will be open to the public, and I’ll have a medical certificate to ensure the quality and safety of the food,” he said.
Akinsowon described himself as a passionate griller and aspiring world champion, with a background in accounting and a deep love for the culinary arts.
He said his journey from an arts student to a record-breaking hopeful was a story of perseverance and unwavering belief in the power of dreams.
On the inspiration behind this ambitious attempt, Akinsowon said, “Motivation is an inner drive that pushes you beyond expectations.
“I have always believed that nothing is impossible. Though I was an arts student in secondary school and later studied accounting in higher education, I found my true calling in the restaurant business.
“Learning to grill from my grandfather in Ondo town ignited my passion for barbecue.”
He noted that his attempt toward this record-breaking attempt began two years ago and had engaged an expert trainer in 2023 who dedicated a month to honing his grilling skills.
“From childhood, I envisioned myself as a world champion. Working in a restaurant solidified my dream of achieving greatness through grilling.
“However, the path has not been without challenges, financial constraints and a demanding work ethic have been significant hurdles, but my determination to succeed keeps me going.
“Managing rest breaks and staying active throughout the attempt will be crucial. Guinness allows only rest breaks, not sleeping time. I aim to remain active for the full four days,
“The Lagos state government is providing emergency services to ensure safety and all foods prepared will undergo government approval to maintain high standards.
“I solicit for private and public companies’ support, federal and state government support as I will be embarking on the journey.
“We are inviting everybody to come and experience greatness at the venue,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
Dutse, July 10, 2024 (NAN) The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has registered 768 businesses in Jigawa between 2001 to date.
The agency also destroyed expired, banned and unwholesome goods worth N36 million in the state.
Its Coordinator, Mr Ali Mshelia, said this on Monday in Dutse at a one-day sensitisation exercise for business owners in the state.
Mshelia said the 768 registered entities offered 3,840 job opportunities to the residents of the state.
According to him, the agency is ensuring that only safe, efficacious and wholesome regulated products are available to the people.
He, therefore, enjoined the businesses to support the agency in its drive towards ensuring the circulation of certified regulated products for human consumption.
Earlier, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, the Director, North-Eest zone of the agency, said the exercise is designed to build the capacity of businesses to produce quality and safe products.
“The agency decided to embark on a nationwide workshop to educate stakeholders on better ways to ensure that Nigerians enjoy better processed and persevered products.
“I want to emphasis the importance of adhering to regulatory standards. Your success is intertwined with the trust your customers place in your products.
“It is not only a legal requirement, but a moral obligation to prioritise the safety and well-being of those who consume, what you produce or sale,” Dayilim said.
She said the participants would be exposed to good retail, manufacturing, hygiene and operations practices as well as proper application of agrochemicals.
One of the participants, Mr Umar Babayaro from ATWAP, commended the gesture, adding that the skills learnt would sanitise the regulated business environment in the state.
The excise was attended by members of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP); National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Agrochemical Dealers, Micro, and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES), among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
