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  • Women still largely excluded from diplomacy — UN Women

    Women still largely excluded from diplomacy — UN Women

    Diplomacy

    By Busayo Onijala

    Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) In spite progress, women are still largely excluded from positions of power and diplomacy, with the highest levels of influence and decision-making still predominantly occupied by men, says UN Women data.

    A new UN Women data on gender parity across leadership positions showed that globally, women’s underrepresentation in decision-making remained a stark reality.

    The new data was published by UN Women in commemoration of the International Day for Women in Diplomacy, marked on June 24.

    In 2022, the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), by consensus, declared the June 24 as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy to recognise and celebrate the ways in which women are making a difference in the field of diplomacy.

    In a statement, UN Women said male dominance in diplomacy and foreign affairs extended to the Permanent Missions to the UN, where women remained underrepresented as Permanent Representatives.

    “As of May 2024, women held 25 percent of Permanent Representative posts in New York, 35 percent in Geneva, and 33.5 per cent in Vienna. 

    UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous, was quoted in the statement to have said the UN Agency’s work was guided by the belief that when women lead, the world is better for all people and the planet.

    According to Bahous, as many countries head to the polls this year, women must be put first, at the pinnacle of power, where and when it matters the most. 

    “Women’s equal participation in governance and leadership is key to improving lives for all.

    “Electing and appointing women in leadership positions signals strong political will for gender equality and demonstrates a collective commitment to tackling the challenges the world faces today,” she said.

    It was also noted in the statement that as of January 1 2024, only 23 percent of ministerial positions were held by women, and in 141 countries, women made up less than a third of cabinet ministers.

    “UN Women continues to work to ensure women lead and thrive in shaping and driving positive change, including through occupying the most senior positions of power,” the statement read. (NAN)

    OMB/EAL

    Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

  • NGO trains Kaduna communities on conflict sensitivity, peace building

     

    Conflict
    By Amen Gajira

    Kafanchan (Kaduna) June 24, 2024 (NAN) Global Peace Development (GPD), an NGO has trained members of Dangoma and Goska communities in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State on conflict sensitivity and peace building.

     

    Mr Ebruke Esike, Executive Director of GPD, while speaking at the training on Monday in Kafanchan, said it was organised with support from International Alert.

    He said that the training was to build the capacity of community leaders and torch bearers to manage and resolve conflicts.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that relations between the two communities have been strained in recent times.

     

    Esike said that conflict as a natural phenomenon was inevitable and should never result in violence.

     

    “Conflict is inevitable and happens because of the way we perceive things, but ought not to result in violence.

     

    “So, today we will look at the conflict tree, the conflict mapping, the stakeholder analysis and the problem solution tree amongst others,” he said.

     

    He said that the training was crucial and would ensure mitigation and prevention of conflicts in the two communities.

     

    NAN reports that the community members were trained on types, causes and prevention of conflict as well as dialogue and reconciliation amongst others.

     

    The NGO also brokered a peace deal between the two communities after a dialogue at the event, with the peace agreement to be signed at a later date.

     

    Some of the participants –  Amina Musa and Dahilo Yakubu, commended the organisers for the workshop, and pledged to cascade the training to others.

     

    They said that a number of Kaduna communities were increasingly realising the need for peace and to sheath their swords. (NAN)

     

    AMEN/CEO/IU

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    Edited by Chidi Opara / Isaac Ukpoju

     

  • Court remands 2 for allegedly selling unregistered body spray

    Spray

    By Sandra Umeh
    Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday, remanded two men, Friday Chieze and Kingsley Nnam in a correctional facility for allegedly selling unregistered body spray.

    Chieze and Nnam are being prosecuted by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, charged with selling of unregistered body spray.

    The Prosecutor, Mrs Ngozi Emma-Afoke, said that Chieze operated with a business name, Friday Fragrance Business, while Nnam traded under the name, NIFAKO Global Resources Enterprise.

    She said that the defendants committed the offence on Jan. 18, at the Ojo Trade Fair Complex in Lagos.

    Emma-Afoke said that Chieze and Nnam sold unregistered cosmetics products known as Riggs Body Spray.

    She said that the unregistered products contained substances likely to cause injury to the health and safety of unsuspecting users.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 1(1), 1(4) and 6 of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration) Act 2004.

    The defendants, pleaded not guilty to the charge

    The Defence Counsel, Mr Kingsley Onyemaechi, prayed the court to grant the defendants bail.

    Justice Yellin Bogoro ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility.

    Bogoro adjourned the matter until July 1, for ruling on the bail application.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    UNS/AZU
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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • Group urges Plateau residents to adhere to ban on road blockage

    Group urges Plateau residents to adhere to ban on road blockage

    Road

    By Monday Ijeh

    Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) A Socio-Political Group, Plateau Patriotic Front has called on Plateau residents to adhere to an Executive Order by the state government, banning the blockage of road during religious activities in the state.

    A statement by the Chairman of the Group, Mr Mani Imman on Monday in Abuja commended the state government for the Executive Order.

    He said the order would go a long way in showcasing Jos, the state capital as a decent and law abiding place to live and do businesses.

    According to him, the implementation of the order will also allow free movement of vehicles on the highways, especially with the innovations in the transport system conceived by the current state government administration.

    He said that the order was a step in the right direction to sanitise the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

    Imman urged residents to support the efforts of the government to lift Jos and other parts of the state to its deserved place in the comity of developed cities.

    ”We commend the government’s efforts in bringing sanity to the environment. We urge citizens to support the efforts and not see them as targeting any group or person.

    ”We are calling on citizens to refrain from antagonising the government, especially when policies and efforts are geared at development and the common good for all,” he said. (NAN)

    IMC/AMM

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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • World Bank urges Philippines to invest in children’s early years 

    World Bank urges Philippines to invest in children’s early years
    Children
    Manila, June 24, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN)  Increasing investment in children’s early development will improve the well-being of all Filipinos and strengthen the country’s economic potential, according to a World Bank report released on Monday.
    The report describes the impoppppllpppppppppprtance of health, nutrition, education, and social protection during the first decade of life, stressing the need to invest in these areas to boost human capital in the country.
    The Philippines, with a relatively young population, can harness its demographic dividend with adequate investment in human capital, said Ndiame Diop, World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.
    However, according to the World Bank’s Human Capital Index (HCI), the Philippines struggles in this regard.
    The HCI measures the contribution of health and education to the productivity of the next generation of workers.
    Because of underinvestment in those key areas, Filipino children born today are projected to be only about half as productive when they reach adulthood as they could be.
    The report finds several factors contributing to the productivity gap, including limited and unequal access to education and health services.
    It recommends targeted capacity building, budget support, and an equitable incentive mechanism for the country’s local government units, which play a critical role in service delivery to boost human capital.  (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    UMD/EAL
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    Edited by Ummul Idris/Ekemini Ladejobi

  • Crude oil, fuel laden vessels to berth in Apapa, Tincan ports

    Vessels
    By Aisha Cole
    Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than five vessels laden with crude and diesel fuel will berth in Apapa and Tincan ports in Lagos, a daily publication the Nigerian Ports Authority, has indicated.

    The publication —  Shipping Position — obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday, also indicated that the vessels would come with containers of different products.

    The publication stated that three other vessels were waiting to berth with bulk urea, crude oil and diesel at Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos.

    It further said that two other vessels were also waiting to discharge containers and diesel at same Lekki Deep Sea Ports and SPM terminals in Lagos.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    AIC/DCO/AWA
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    Edited by Deborah Coker/Olawunmi Ashafa

  • NBMA says TELA Maize safe for consumption 

    Safety
    By Abigael Joshua
    Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA),  has assured Nigerians of their safety in the consumption of TELA Maize.
    Mrs Gloria Ogbaki, Head Information and Public Relations, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
    She said that the agency’s attention had been drawn to concerns being raised by Nigerians following the approval and launch of TELA maize in the country.
    “NBMA wishes to state that the safety and health of Nigerians are of topmost importance, we will not compromise on this.
    “We take into serious cognisance the concerns of Nigerians because maize is a staple crop which is of great importance to the country.
    “NBMA is committed to ensuring transparency, safety and unbiased decision-making concerning genetically modified organisms,” she said.
    Ogbaki said that the agency conducted a proper risk assessment and analysis of TELA maize to ensure that it was safe for human consumption.
    She said that the risk assessment for TELA maize was thoroughly conducted by experts and scientists from the academia and other relevant agencies.
    The NBMA information officer said that experts from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standard Organisation of Nigeria and Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service were part of the certification process.
    She further listed the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, National Agricultural Seed Council and some university research centres as part of the process.
    “They worked with our internal review process, and confirmed that TELA maize meets safety standards.
    “We urge Nigerians to remain calm and trust in the rigorous evaluation process. TELA maize has been approved based on scientific evidence, its benefits to farmers are significant,” she said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AIJ/AZU
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    Edited by Azubuike Okeh

  • Cholera: Intensify environmental surveillance – FG tells states, LGAs 

     

    Cholera

    By Felicia Imohimi
    Abuja, June 23, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government has urged states and local governments to scale-up environmental health surveillance in places where food and drinks are sold nationwide.

    These places include markets, garages, schools, restaurants, stadia, religious and sporting events venues.

    Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, gave the directive in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    Salako emphasised that the measures would help avert further spread and transmission of cholera, as well as aid in the prevention and control of the disease.

    He also urged all Commissioners for Environment and the Local Government Chairpersons to support environmental health officers across the country to step up sanitation and hygiene activities through enhanced community-led total sanitation.

    According to him, it is also to strengthen collaboration with the health authorities and other stakeholders in line with the one health approach of the federal government.

    The minister said that arrangements had been made to support most affected states with chlorine solution or tablets, water and food testing resources to avert further transmission across the country.

    Salako noted that recent situation report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicated a total number of 1,159 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 30 States.

    He identified the most affected states contributing 90 per cent of the total cases to include Bayelsa, Lagos, Zamfara, Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta and Katsina

    “The ministry has been actively involved through the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) in activities to curtail further transmission of the deadly disease.

    “The ministry has been involved through water and food testing to identified sources of infection, environmental sanitation campaigns and household water chlorination,” he said.

    The minister identified cholera as a poor sanitation and hygiene driven disease and an acute diarrhoea infection caused by ingestion of unwholesome food or water contaminated with the bacterium vibrio cholerae.

    Salako said that the disease remained a global threat to public health, affecting both children and adults and could lead to death if untreated promptly.

    He further identified it as an extremely virulent disease that takes the period of 12 hours and five days for its symptoms to manifest.

    “The common early symptoms are frequent watery stool that is usually milky white in colour, nausea and vomiting.

    “Cholera outbreak is a seasonal public health event in Nigeria, occurring annually mostly during the rainy season and often in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene practices.

    “Extreme climate events like flooding are also contributing in multiple ways to drive the outbreak of the disease.

    “The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the global resurgence of cases of cholera classifying the current outbreak as “grade three public health emergency”, requiring maximal WHO system wide response.

    “Nigeria is one of the 14 countries in Africa where the resurgence is being experienced,” he said.

    The minister urged the populace to be more vigilant and to imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices at home and in their workplace.

    He further tasked all and sundry on preventive measures such as keeping their environment clean always and disposing of waste properly at designated places.

    “Ensure the use of clean and safe water. Water from suspicious sources should be well boiled or treated by adding one pack of chlorine solution to 100 parts.

    “Avoid locally prepared drinks like kunu, zobo, fura da nono, koko, fruit juice among others except it is certain that the preparation was done in a hygienic and safe manner.

    “Wash hands regularly with soap under running water, especially after using the toilet, cleaning a child who has gone to the toilet, before preparing food, before and after eating, and after playing with animals, ” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    FUA/DCO/MNA
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    Edited by Deborah Coker/Maureen Atuonwu

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Examining effects of workers’ strike on Nigeria’s economy

    Examining effects of workers’ strike on Nigeria’s economy

     

    By Kadiri Abdulrahman, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

    On June 3, the two major labour unions in Nigeria, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) called out other affiliate unions on an indefinite strike.

    This was due to break down in negotiations for a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers between the unions and the Federal Government to cushion effect of the present economic realities occasioned by certain government policies.

    The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, had announced that the strike followed failed negotiations between the government and organised labour.

    Labour unions all over the world use strike as the most overt expression of industrial conflict, but it has far-reaching implications on the economy.

    Experts are of the opinion that though industrial conflict is inevitable, strike can be avoided with good industrial relations.

    During the last industrial action which, was suspended after three days, the national electricity grid was shut down, plunging the entire nation in darkness, while airline operations were disrupted across the nation.

    Strike actions are a recurring feature in Nigeria, frequently used as a means of civil resistance and public expression.

    These strikes have been accompanied by adverse economic consequences, including work stoppages, surging inflation rates, and sluggish overall economic growth.

    According to a financial analyst, Aminu Abdulkadri, associated financial burdens are substantial, encompassing costs related to lost workdays, stalled infrastructure projects, and delayed service delivery, often amounting to huge financial losses.

    “Rising inflation erodes consumer purchasing power leading to a contraction in aggregate demand as households and businesses grapple with reduced disposable income.

    “The added pressure of a strike action can only worsen situation,” he said.

    An economist, Peter Ogunmefu, said that the consistent spectre of strikes could deter foreign investment and erode investor confidence.

    According to him, it can affect Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), contribute to capital flight, and negatively affect foreign exchange earnings.

    “Cultivating a more stable industrial relations is important for attracting investment, fostering sustainable economic growth and improving the overall economic well-being of Nigeria’s populace,” he said.

    The Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, said that strikes usually constrained productivity.

    “This means that we will not be able to run the hours of production that we used to run and this will lead to reduced capacity utilisation.

    “During the period when we are not able to meet our production target, it means that the product that will be available for us to sell will be much lower and we are going to have a reduction in the number of manpower.

    “It will lead to government’s reduced revenue and the trickle-down effect of that is that what a well-functional manufacturing process would have delivered to the economy will be lost,’’ he said.

    Also, the National Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, Segun Kuti-George, said that strikes by the labour unions would usually put economic activities at a standstill, adding that every strike has consequences.

    Kuti-George said that micro, small and medium enterprises being private usually do not go on strike.

    “But if the people that serve them like the raw material suppliers, logistics people and all that are on strike, then certainly it is going to affect them,” he said.

    An economist, Olorunfemi Idris, said that strikes could lead to reduced production, lost revenue, increased costs, damaged reputation, and social unrest, ultimately resulting in significant economic losses.

    According to him, the impact of strikes on the economy cannot be overstated.

    “A strike by oil workers for example, can lead to a decrease in oil production, resulting in lost government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

    “This can have a ripple effect on other industries and ultimately negatively impact the overall economy,” he said.

    Idris said that the cost of a one-day strike in Nigeria can be as high as 100 million dollars.

    He cited a study by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), which estimated that the 2018 strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) cost the economy 1.5 billion dollars.

    “Strikes can also have long-term effects, such as declined investment and productivity in key sectors like oil, which can further worsen the economic impact,” he said.

    As the nation comes to terms with the realities of the negative economic impact of industrial actions, Nigerians are urging the government, the labour unions and other stakeholders to prioritise dialogue and negotiation to avoid strikes and mitigate their effects on the economy.

    Experts in key sectors of the economy have also cautioned that the nation risk losing N50 billion daily to strikes.

    They said that apart from compounding the nation’s economic problems, strikes would create fear and send wrong signals to foreign investors. (NANFeatures)

    ***** If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

     

     

  • FUPRE-CSD gets NUC’s approval for PG programmes

    FUPRE-CSD gets NUC’s approval for PG programmes
    Approval
    By Mercy Neme – 08034745723
    Asaba, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Federal University of Petroleum Resources-Center for Sustainable Development (FUPRE-CSD) says the National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved professional post-graduate programmes for the university.
    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen by Dr Emeka Elemike, Director, Center for Sustainable Development, on Monday in Asaba.
    ”The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), proudly announces the official approval and commencement of professional post graduate programmes at the Center for Sustainable Development.
    ”This significant milestone, approved by the university management and endorsed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, marks a pivotal step in FUPRE’s commitment to advancing sustainable practices and education.
    ”The Center for Sustainable Development is set to offer a suite of professional post-graduate programmes designed to equip students and professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive sustainable initiatives in various sectors, ” the statement said.
    It said that the approved programmes include: post-graduate diploma (PGD) in Sustainability Practices, Masters in Sustainable Development, and Masters in Community Development.
    Others are Masters in Energy Transition and Sustainability, Masters in  Project Management and  Doctor of Sustainable Development.
    ”We are excited to receive this approval, which underscores the university’s dedication to fostering sustainable development through education and practical engagement.
    “These programmes are meticulously designed to address the pressing needs of our society and to prepare our graduates for impactful careers in sustainability.
    ”The FUPRE-Center for Sustainable Development aims to be a leading hub for research, training, and implementation of sustainable practices.
    ”The center overtly intends to integrate advanced curricula with real-world applications. The Center also aspires to contribute significantly to local, national, and global sustainability goals,” Elemike said.
    The statement said that FUPRE was dedicated to producing world-class graduates equipped to excel in the petroleum and energy sectors.
    It also added that the institution focuses on research, innovation, and sustainability, striving to make a significant impact both locally and globally. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    MOA/AOS
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    Edited by Bayo Sekoni