The French Development Agency under the UIMM Project in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies (ANED) has indicated its readiness to assist Kaduna Electric in training of its staff in skills acquisition.
The Project Manager of the UIMM Project, Agathe Gondinet at a meeting with the management of Kaduna Electric at the Company’s Headquarters in Kaduna, said that this is in line with the Agency’s mandate to help Electricity distribution companies across Nigeria to develop skilled manpower.
“To achieve this, we have embarked on tour of all the eleven DISCOs, starting with Kaduna Electric, in order to know their training needs and partner with them to design and implement training plans that will be useful in addressing their human development needs.”
She said that the aim of the project is to support the Human Resources Managers in all the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in Nigeria so that they will be strengthened and empowered through Train-the-trainer sessions, to design training programs and curricula for their respective companies.
Ms Gondinet said that the two-year project, which has already started,would be developing strategic partnership with both government and private owned training institutes like the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) by providing them with both the infrastructure and information on the training needs of the entire sector so that they can adapt their curriculum to meet the current needs of the DISCOs.
She said that some of the areas in which the downstream sector will benefit will include: change management, bridging the gap between the legacy staff and the newly recruited, appraisal method and access to a digital platform that will serve as a resource center to share ideas on best practices among several others.
In his contribution, the ANED Project Coordinator, Mr. Rotimi Adebari was hopeful that the outcome of the Needs Analysis currently being carried out in all the DISCOs with Kaduna Electric being first in the series would motivate employees and facilitate attitudinal change that will improve industry efficiency. He added that ANED as the umbrella body is committed to creating best practices that would bring about an industry standard.
According to him, ANED is in the process to identify institutes with the capacity in terms of infrastructure and suitable facilitators who will help the industry grow in collaboration with the UIMM Project partners.
The Chief Operating Officer of Kaduna Electric, Mr. Major Bhaskar, thanked the team for the visit and commended them for choosing Kaduna Electric first. He assured them of the company’s readiness to be part of the project. [myad]
On February 8, 2017 I tweeted about joining the NLC on their walk for good governance. I was really not too surprised at the kinds of responses I got from fellow frustrated Nigerians: My people just dey query me as per how somebody like me go come gum body with NLC “Fake” people like that.
For starters, let me make this clear; If the devil like make him hold rally, I go appear to use that platform to send my message to my fellow frustrated Naijas. Until I posted a tweet about marching with NLC in Lagos, I didn’t realize how most nigerians had lost respect/trust for the union. In fact one of the feedbacks I received blaming the compromised NLC for the death of a family member really evoked some strange feelings in me.
The Late Dr. Oghenetega Umukoro battled diabetes for 20 years. His condition, however, became particularly difficult in 2014 because he was an employee of a state in this country owing workers 6 months Salary. He had been solely dependent on various degrees of loans to not just manage the sickness but also manage his family -A Beautiful family of three boys and a girl. He lost his wife Elizabeth in 2011 due to childbirth complications. His miserable life of Sickness; Struggling to pay Tuition fees for his children’s education, poor feeding and debilitating cost of general upkeep for the family, led to further complications medically and he died a few months ago. His Corpse has been in the Mortuary for well over 4 months now, his children are all alone and have no idea what the future holds. The brief story of late Dr. Oghenetega Umukoro of Blessed Memory is the story of the Nigerian Public and Private Sector Worker and Workforce.
It’s on record that President Buhari first gave a N350billion Salary Stimulus pack for 27 State Government. The first in the History of this Country and was continually giving further bailouts and Support to every state of the Federation totalling over four bailouts and budget support. Recently every State of the Federation got on the Average of between N10bbillion-14.5Billion from the Paris Club Debt Refunds and it is on record that President Muhammadu Buhari Impressed it on State Governors to do the Right thing because he is constitutionally handicap to enforce Financial Fiscal Discipline at the State Level. If the President can understand the Suffering of the people in the Ghetto and as a result of his desire to cushion the suffering of the workers provide Bailouts totally about N3 Trillion Since 2015 under two years what has Organized Labour down to support the President? I No See Anything oh! And sadly, most Governors squandered the Bailout and did not pay the workers that the funds were meant for while Labour Siddon dey Look like mumu.
NLC/TUC and organised Labour Leaders have been silent, complacent and I believe mago magoly benefitted from those bailout that was dedicated to the suffering ordinary civil servants. They did not and could not mobilize to fight the roguish governors and for the workers because the suffering of the labour force had become abstract to the leadership of Labour. Organized Labour has become an enemy of the Nigerian people.
From the National Health Insurance Scheme; To various Housing Scheme of Government; To Programmes for the reduction in Pregnancy and Childbirth related Deaths, The Leadership of Organized Labour in Nigeria has been ineffective and compromised in the Battles for Workers’ Rights. They are Insensitive and have play no noticeable and viable role in the monitoring and investigation of the Frauds of Government and Governance on behalf of the Nigerian People in the National Assembly; The Judiciary; Failing MDAs; State and Local Governments. NLC and TUC were in this country and practically endorsed the last decade of Audacious mismanagement and Mindless Insane Looting of our Treasury; I Just Dey Vex!. They were silent, incoherent, indiscipline, selfish, greedy and destructive, to say the least. NLC and TUC have been at the forefront of the Corruption of the Nigerian Workforce and the destruction of the moral values of the Nigerian Workforce. The leadership of organized labour have come to symbolize what has been wrong with our collective being in this country. Oh! how I wish the Labour Leadership of old can be resurrected.
I was the one who use to mobilised lagos state in those days for NLC under the leadership of the character called Adams Oshiomole. That one had a habit of calling off strikes, doing different James Bond on Naijas. I backed out when I discovered him way no be my way.
What I got from people’s negative responses to this rally is that the NLC and TUC are alone in their battle against the President. And this is purportedly so because the NLC were silent when Nigerians were buying PMS at over N200/litre when it was officially N86.50/Litre; they are silent as the cost of living sky rockets every blessed day, they are silent when workers are not paid salaries for months in different states, and are not as engaging when the suffering people needs them the most. State governors owe workers up to 12months salary. I swear, Na God go punish all the bad people amongst us after the masses deal with them very soon.
The NLC and TUC Leadership have continually Ignored the Criminality and Looting by the National Assembly over the Past Decade. The Hypocrisy of Organized Labour Leadership is blatantly open for all Nigerians to see. They have been fighting the wrong battles under the guise of fighting for the people, forgetting that a battle for the people must be owned by the people. I may have marched with them, but their ways are not my ways. I dey hope say dem go change and begin answer their true calling or else, fellow frustrated Nigerians will occupy their headquarters until sanity is restored again.
The former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cursed those who quoted him saying that he did not visit President Muhammadu Buhari in London. In a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, the APC Chieftain said that the report about his denial of the visit is the handiwork of mischief- makers. “I felt we should not dignify that with a response. That report beggars belief. Asiwaju Tinubu and Baba Akande were in London. The reason they travelled to the United Kingdom was to see President Buhari. And they visited him last Thursday and held discussions with him at the Abuja House in London. After the visit, the President, as a mark of respect, saw off his guests to the door. Pictures were taken during and after the visit and released to the media by The Presidency. These pictures were international headlines. “How can anybody in his or her right senses be saying there was no such visit? It’s simply crazy! I can’t just get it.” [myad]
The minister of health, Professor Isaac Adewole has said that incessant strikes by medical personnel have overshadowed the finest brains in the nation’s health sector.
The minister, who spoke at a meeting with management staff of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) in Ile-Ife, emphasized that most Nigerians are unaware of the capacities of the hospitals in the country to perform wonders, adding that all they are aware of are the unpleasant happenings such as incessant strikes.
“We undersell ourselves,” he said, adding: “we have some of the finest brains you can find.”
Professor Adewole called on staff of Federal Teaching Hospitals and Centers across the country to market their strengths, capabilities and accomplishments in order to showcase the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to providing quality healthcare to the people.
He pledged to work with the Chief Medical Director to project the hospital, adding that the Federal Government is working with Sterling Bank to document the capabilities of Federal Centers so that Nigerians would know what they have and can do.
Briefing the Minister earlier, the Chief Medical Director of the Center, Professor Adetiloye said that the hospital has been able to handle several cases, which Nigerians ordinarily go abroad to attend to.
He said that the hospital has expertise for renal transplants and has trained many other hospitals on renal care.
“We have provided over 600 laparascopy surgeries, we have successfully separated Siamese twins and performed 14 open heart surgeries; in this facility we conduct total hip and knee replacement surgeries among others.”
The Minister who was on an inspection visit to the facility, also commissioned a 50-bed Maternity Center and a Pharmacy Complex completed by the institution. [myad]
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has announced that the federal government has concluded plan to train about 2000 women from the four local governments of Ogoni land in Niger Delta region, in different skills that will enable them to be financially independent.
The acting President that the training is one of the steps taken by the government as part of the government’s behavioral change strategy, saying: “these skills include Snail Farming, Palm Oil Processing, Green Housing, Fishing – Shrimps, Agriculture Extension, and Pottery.
“These skills were chosen from among the many that were suggested by a committee of representatives of Ogoniland who met back in August / September to agree on the first steps for the Project.
“In parallel with the planning and procurement of the services for training there will be a community based sensitization program in each LGA to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the clean-up and its mandate.”
Osinbajo, who spoke today at an interactive session with stakeholders in Rivers State, said that the measure wouldl serve as an entry point to reinforce the change in service delivery that no longer ‘shares money’ but delivers results in the lives of the Ogoni people and lays the foundation for a clean-up that is sustainable and provides the standards for the whole of the Niger Delta.
The text of the acting President’s speech at the session is reproduced here:
I am especially pleased to be here in Rivers State, the treasure base of the Nation.
I am here as an emissary of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari who after the visit of leadership of The PAN DELTA FORUM in November 2016, decided that we must undertake visits to engage with the leadership and people of our oil producing communities, to hear them, to seek to better understand their problems and concerns first hand and to offer to these communities in the Niger Delta, a new vision and a new compact.
I have a strong personal affinity for the Niger Delta having served my NYSC in the former Bendel State, now Edo and Delta, which are very much an integral part of this zone.
National service was a time of great memories as it provided an insight into the potentials, opportunities and the challenges that people in this part of the country face on a daily basis. It was the time that I realised that given the resources of the area there was a lot that could be done in a deliberate and determined manner to improve the lives of the Niger Delta people. The experience also provided a rude awakening to the dangers that the exploitation of oil and gas resources posed to the environment and livelihoods of the people of the region.
The experience that I am describing was almost 38 years ago. It is therefore extremely discomfiting to know that we are still confronted with the very same situation. An unedifying lack of development and access to basic amenities in the abundance of plenty. A situation typified by continued environmental degradation and a disturbing lack of opportunities for those who can no longer carry out traditional occupations like fishing and farming.
What we now have is an unhappy cycle of discontent sometimes expressed by a resort to violence and vandalism and drawing in response a strengthening of security arrangements and a gamut of palliative measures. This vicious cycle cannot continue as it builds needless tensions and frayed nerves. We just have to take meaningful steps to bring about permanent peace and prosperity to the Niger Delta.
Rivers State is unarguably our oil and gas capital hosting as it does many of our onshore oil and gas fields, two of our domestic refineries, the Nigerian LNG plant, the Oil and Gas Free Zone at Onne amongst other things. It has of course hosted several oil companies and associated firms just as it is home to the international airport intended to serve this part of the country as well as the second largest port outside Lagos.
It is of course also home to the Ogoni people who symbolise in many eyes, domestically and internationally, the previous neglect of the Niger Delta and the environmental damage that has been done to the area as we have exploited oil and gas to grow the rest of the economy. This is indeed why the Buhari Administration prioritised the ‘Ogoni Clean-up’ and with working with the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and other partners to undertake this important task.
Let me briefly update you on the progress made on that project in the time since the Presidential flag off in 2016.
The Federal Ministry of Environment has set about establishing the governance framework with strong systems and controls that are required to carry the Project through its 25 year life cycle.
A key component of that infrastructure is a robust governance structure, comprising mainly a Governing Council, a Board of Trustees and a Project Coordination Office (PCO). The Governing Council and Board of Trustees were inaugurated by the President on 4 August 2016 and have since had 2 meetings.
The parameters outlined in the UNEP Report within which the Program must operate was approved by the Federal Executive Council before being officially gazetted on the 12th December 2016.
On 12th January 2017, the Governing Council approved the appointment of Dr. Marvin Dekil, an indigene of Ogoniland, as the Project Coordinator after an international competitive process that saw applications received from other well qualified candidates from around the world.
The Project office will be staffed by an initial 30 staff from both federal and state levels. Additional contracted experts from outside the system will be supported by Project Management Consultants, Monitoring & Evaluation Consultants and Communication Company.
The clean-up project is to be funded by SPDC with an initial $1bn disbursed at $200m per annum over 5 years. A $10m takeoff grant has been provided.
Following the flag off, a Technical Committee was set up in the Ministry, and has been working on the project-related activities that must be addressed immediately. Some of these projects in preparation include;
Provision of clean drinking water to the impacted communities.
Conducting a health impact assessment study being planned, in order to begin to better understand the level of the human health issues referred to in your letter.
Demonstration of remediation technology, which will allow for the testing of the different approaches that are being proffered from around the world, and to ensure that only the best is ultimately applied.
Groundbreaking for the construction of an integrated contaminated soil management centre which will be critical to the clean-up process.
Groundbreaking for the construction of a Centre of Excellence. &
Training
These are the activities that the UNEP Report recommended for start-up.
On 16th February, the Governing Council will be performing a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of an integrated Contaminated Soil Management Centre, provided for in the UNEP Report. On the same day, the project for demonstrating technologies for the clean-up, will be launched at selected sites in the four local government areas of Ogoniland.
An important part of the planned work is skills and livelihood training, which will be essential in ensuring the long term sustainability of the result of the clean-up.
As part of our behavioral change strategy, we plan to train about 2000 women from the four local governments in different skills that will enable them to be financially independent. These skills include Snail Farming, Palm Oil Processing, Green Housing, Fishing – Shrimps, Agriculture Extension, and Pottery.
These skills were chosen from among the many that were suggested by a committee of representatives of Ogoniland who met back in August / September to agree on the first steps for the Project. In parallel with the planning and procurement of the services for training there will be a community based sensitization program in each LGA to ensure all stakeholders are aware of the clean-up and its mandate.
It will serve as an entry point to reinforce the change in service delivery that no longer ‘shares money’ but delivers results in the lives of the Ogoni people and lays the foundation for a clean-up that is sustainable and provides the standards for the whole of the Niger Delta.
All the steps we have taken so far have been in a consultative process, involving representatives of government, civil society, international organizations, international oil companies and local communities. Indeed, representatives of the Ogoni communities are present on the Governing Council and the Board of Trustees and have been involved in the decision-making process.
The next six months will be critical to starting a long journey to realizing the fruits of a struggle that has cost many lives and loss of the ecosystem.
Of course, Ogoniland is just one, though important part of the Niger Delta. Environmental remediation is essential across the entire region in order to restore healthy living conditions, enable other productive activities to take-off or resume and improve the quality of lives in general.
This would of course require that we do not worsen the situation by acts which would further worsen the environmental damage that has already occurred.
It is now clear that Niger Delta needs a new vision. But not just a new vision but a fresh commitment and a renewed spirit by all stakeholders including the states, federal agencies and oil- bearing communities.
Let me lay this out for clarity:
The Federal Government will begin a partnership with the oil producing states, local governments, oil companies, private sector, and civil society organizations for the rapid development of these communities. An oil communities intervention meeting is to work out what can be done in the short to medium term and the long term possibilities. There is no way that this new vision will be aborted because it does not depend for execution on the Federal government alone. Every stakeholder has a part to play.
Oil exploitation by itself cannot suffice to assure our people of decent jobs and a decent income.
We must make our oil producing communities hubs for petro-chemical industries, small and large. We must make these communities hubs for refining and related activities.
The Ministry of Petroleum in collaboration with the oil companies is working on several initiatives for host communities including working with illegal refiners in oil bearing communities to participate in modular refineries to be established. There is no doubt that thermal power stations should be stationed here, it makes sense, the gas deposits are here.
The biggest benefit we can obtain is to attract more investment to the region. But investments have a choice. They will go where they find an enabling environment especially security. It is up to us as government and people to assure the necessary enabling circumstances for investment.
I must commend the oil producing communities for maintaining peace in their various communities. You have set the stage for progress.
I had stated at the start of my tours that there was no reason why the infrastructure in the Niger Delta should not look and feel like Dubai. This is a point that I continue to stress. However, we must admit to ourselves that damage to pipelines and export facilities are also damage to infrastructure.
Such damage also affects gas supply and if we are unable to generate electricity, all our demands for electrification may come to nought since there will be nothing to distribute.
One thing that this government is determined to do is to change Nigeria from being a country that merely exports crude oil to ensuring that other parts of the economy contribute their own share while at the same time ensuring that we add value to our oil and gas resources.
This is why we will be ensuring that our refineries are up and running while also encouraging the establishment of co-located refineries. Our petrochemical industries and fertiliser plants will similarly be boosted.
The intention of course is to create jobs and opportunities for small and medium scale enterprises along the value chain. However, people can only work and businesses thrive in an environment of peace.
This is why the Federal Government on its part is committed to continued implementation of the Amnesty Programme and to ensuring that its social investment interventions impact on lives in the Niger Delta. It was indeed a matter of some pleasure to find out that young graduates in Rivers State took advantage of the N-Power programme to the extent that this State has the second single largest number of participants in the scheme.
Your Excellencies and the good people of Rivers State, the future is here. There is no time to waste. We must all re-commit to working together to making the Niger Delta a vibrant and dynamic economic zone.
On its part, the Federal Government will use its forthcoming Economic Recovery and Growth Plan to restore growth, diversify the economy and promote social inclusion. We intend to do so through dedicated spending on capital and by paying particular attention to ensuring supply of power and petroleum products in addition to using small businesses to drive our push for industrialization.
As you have challenged the Federal Government to action, I challenge the State and communities too, to play their part faithfully. If we do, we will change the trajectory of the history of neglect and attain the glorious manifest destiny of the people of this State.
Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih has cursed those who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and pitch tent with the All Progressives Congress (APC) after they have benefited from the party. Anenih who spoke when he received in audience in his Abuja residence, the Professor Jerry Gana-led Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs Committee, said: “it is very shameful that people would do that (dump the party), particularly those who had benefitted so much from the PDP.” The former chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees who received the Jerry Gana Committee report during the visit stressed: “I believe in consistency. I joined party politics in 1978 and since then, I have never left any party that I joined for another.” He accused the party leaders of promoting their selfish interests, adding: “PDP is where it is today because of selfishness on the part of its leaders, vast majority of who want to be either presidential candidate or national chairman of the party.” Anenih insisted that carpet crossing is not the best way for the defectors to reward a party that offered them its platform to actualize their aspirations. Anenih, who recently announced his decision to retire from active politics, asked the PDP leaders not to be embarrassed if they see him embark on visits to either President Muhammadu Buhari or Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in order to meet minds on issues of national interest. The former BoT chairman restated his position, which he made last year at the public presentation of his book, that he would no longer be available for night political meetings but would not be hesitant to offer advice to the PDP if the party leaders decide to tap from his wealth of experience. He wished the party well in its current effort to reorganize itself, saying: “PDP has a chance to bounce back.” He said he is happy that the former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan whom he advised a long time ago to help strengthen the party but was reluctant to do so, has now expressed readiness to take up the challenge. He advised party leaders to support Jonathan in the task of reorganizing and strengthening the party. Anenih also underscored the necessity for state governors on the platform of the party to support the party with funding, no matter how minimal. He tasked the party and its leaders to work harmoniously towards organizing a credible national convention, saying: “I want the PDP to be strong and united.” Anenih stressed the importance of peace and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, and called on all well-meaning Nigerians, regardless of party affiliations, to pray for the good health of President Buhari so that he can quickly return to drive the process of taking the nation out economic recession. Earlier, Professor Gana said that the committee report would help to “effectively revive, re-energise and remobilize the party.” The committee is made up of former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, Senator Ibrahim Idah, Professor Rufai Alkali, Dr Bawa Kasali, Senator Stella Omu, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, former Imo State governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, Engineer Jide Adeniyi, Hon. Shehu Gabam, Hon Auwal Tukur and Hon. Margareth Itcheen. [myad]
Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari is convening a high level meeting of first Ladies of West African states to adopt a strategy that will allow them to provide adequate social and economic support to women and children refugees in the Lake Chad Basin. This came to light after a technical session of the African First Ladies, convened to marshal the strategy in Sokoto today, Monday 2017. Mrs. Aisha Buhari had initiated discussions on the issue with the First Lady of Niger, Dr. Malika Issoufou Mahamadou at the sidelines of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly, last year. Mrs. Buhari and Dr. Mahamadou were concerned with the spate of fleeing populations and refugees moving within and across national borders in search of safety and settled life, especially in the Lake Chad Basin. It has been described as conflict-prone, with UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) reporting 3.8 million people facing severe food insecurity and going hungry, as at July 2016. Key among the areas of interest are the establishment of a coordinating mechanism in the region, distribution of relief materials, provision of psychosocial support to the victims and empowerment of women and girls. There is also the issue of advocacy to expose the full magnitude of the humanitarian crisis in the region. Heading Nigeria’s Technical team at the Sokoto meeting, Senior Special Assistant to the President in the Office of the Wife of the President, Dr. Hajo Sani said the High-Level meeting has been fixed for 28th February in Abuja and will attract the First Ladies of Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali, as well as Development, Voluntary and Civil Society Organizations. On her part, the Head of the Nigerienne delegation, Dr. Mrs. Hadari Zeinabou, Senior Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, said the purpose of the meeting is to enable the First Ladies to complement the efforts of their spouses in the area of improving the health and well-being of the less privileged in the Lake Chad Basin region. The meeting will last till Tuesday. [myad]
The Nigerian Federal Government has kick-started free school feeding with the release of funds for one meal a day to more than one million primary school pupils across seven States in the country. According to the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President in the Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, who gave a media update on the Social Investment Programme of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, a total sum of N844, 360, 550 has so far been released for the commencement of the programme in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Zamfara as at the end of last week. He said however that not all the states to which funds have been released, under the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, have actually started the implementation as at press time. “In the States of Anambra, Enugu, Osun, Ogun, and Oyo, the feeding has actually started, while it is expected to start this week in the two other states of Ebonyi and Zamfara, that have been funded already. “That means, the Buhari Presidency’s Homegrown School Feeding Programme would be feeding this week a total of 1, 043, 205 pupils in those seven states. “Equally, a total number of 11,775 cooks have now been employed to prepare the meals in those states already, while local farmers in the states are also the one producing the food prepared and served. “Of all the States, Anambra, which was the first state to receive FG funding late last year has now received three full funding tranches covering 30 school days, totaling N188, 769,000. The State has a total of 937 cooks and feeding 96,489 pupils. “In Ebonyi, FG have also released a total of N115, 218, 600, while 1466 cooks have been engaged and 164, 598 pupils are to be fed. “Also in Enugu State, FG have released N67,244, 800 to feed 96, 064 pupils and 1128 cooks engaged. “In Ogun State, FG have released N119, 648, 900 to feed 170, 927 pupils and engaged 1381 cooks, while in Osun a total of N92, 425, 400 have been released to feed 142, 193 pupils with 2688 cooks engaged. “For Oyo State, a total of N72, 288, 300 have been released by the FG to feed 103, 269 pupils, engaging 1437 cooks, while in Zamfara FG have released a total sum of N188, 765, 500 to feed 269, 665 pupils and engaged 2, 738 cooks.” [myad]
Police have charged nine people to court for alleged vandalisation of power supply infrastructure in Saminaka Local Government of Kaduna State. The Head of Corporate Communications of Kaduna Electric, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, in a statement, said: “the nine suspected vandals and their four motor vehicles were recently apprehended by the police in Saminaka while perpetrating their nefarious activities and have since been transferred to Kaduna”. He said that three of the suspects have been arraigned before the Magistrate Court 1, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna for vandalizing power supply equipment worth millions of naira belonging to Kaduna Electric. The remaining six suspects were arraigned before magistrate court 16, also in Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna for vandalizing power supply installation of the Niger Delta Power Holding company of Nigeria, the operator of the National Integrated Power Projects. He lamented the recent increase in the cases of vandalism of power supply assets belonging to the Company which according to him is “telling negatively on the efforts of the Company to provide steady and qualitative power supply.” He appealed to the public to be more vigilant and raise alarm, especially when strangers are seen around power supply facilities at odd hours. [myad]
The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) is one out of the numerous government agencies which until recently, has been bogged down by unfavourable external interference. This was against the background of the ongoing debate over restructuring, which is a critical factor that must never be ignored and which is central to all other dynamics is leadership reform. As a matter of fact, there appears to be a national and global consensus amongst analysts, critics, scholars and ordinary Nigerians that the greatest problem confronting the country is lack of visionary and effective leadership. Even some critics, who, in their wisdom, would rather prefer to blame the system for Nigeria’s woes, have also come to accept the reality that the system cannot purge itself without the right leadership; in essence, the system requires good leadership to function properly. Over the years, many agencies of government have suffered untold leadership weaknesses, manipulations and deficiencies caused largely by unhealthy politicisation and undue interference in the system. Merits, specialisation and robust internal leadership succession plan and quality have been sacrificed for extraneous considerations influenced largely by political expediency to suit the interest of politicians. Tourism, to be sure, is a big business and a global venture that is very dynamic in nature. But, unfortunately, Nigeria with huge potentials to lead Africa as the first destination of choice in tourism, is yet to explore the abundance of opportunities available in this money-spinning sector to the advantage of the country. For far too long, the previous leaderships in NTDC have adopted a superficial approach to driving this very important sector for personal fame. In some instances, the name of the head became more popular than the agency itself for sheer political expediency. While the global tourism sector has moved some steps forward, exploring all the potentials in sustainable tourism, Nigeria is still grappling with the elementary. This sad development must be reversed through the hands of talented and skilled technocrat who craves institutional rather personal glory. The task before the current Acting Director General of NTDC, Mrs Mariel Rae-Omoh, who is a technocrat and an insider, is to carry out a holistic reform of the agency and the tourism sector as a whole in line with global demands and international best practices. As a reputable professional of many years, there is no better time to get good value and the best out of tourism than now, notwithstanding some years of wasted fortunes. She must be courageous and daring in coming up with far-reaching reforms that will open up the sector as a viable alternative for creating jobs and generating millions of dollars in earnings. These reforms should include liaising with the Legislature to fashion out amendments in the Act establishing the corporation that will compel appointing authorities to source for the leadership of the corporation from within as a first option of ensuring continuity and consistency; and, where there is none that meets the criteria set out by law; a global search could be made for a Nigerian with such qualifications. According to Jack Welch, “No company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it.” Emergency or ad-hoc leadership influenced by political consideration will never be helpful in the long run; we have to get serious as a nation to get the best out of every sector. Tourism is fast expanding and growing globally. Ours cannot be different. While Rae-Omoh, is looking for an alternative funding to grow the industry by setting up a committee to work with the Institute for Tourism Practitioners (ITP) in order to facilitate the corporation’s access to the United Nations Tourism Intervention Funds (UNIF), she should also consider keying into the Made in Nigeria drive of the President of the Senate and adapt some critical component where the agency could function effectively. For instance, NTDC could partner that office to make some tourists sites in Nigeria a marketing centre for made in Nigeria products. No doubt, the Senate President will be much willing to work with the NTDC on this noble project. In addition, the NTDC could also work with the Trade and Investment Ministry to stage international trade fairs in some tourists’ sites in the country. All this will not only drive traffic to these centers, it will also help to generate more money and increase global attention. The corporation can get some private sector players to participate in both the marketing options and the trade fair initiatives by providing some strategic supports and funding. Another critical area for Mrs. Rae-Omo to focus on is sustainable tourism. There is a likelihood that the UN-Fund may want to know the extent to which Nigeria has succeeded in addressing the threat of climate change to tourism. It is a modern reality and present danger that climate change is threatening the business of tourism globally and Nigeria is not an exception. Consequently, some well-throughout interventions are necessary to mitigate negative environmental and weather conditions that could come from climate change, so as not to discourage willing and interested tourists. This is another opportunity for NTDC to partner environmentalists, climate change campaigners and numerous global organisations working in this critical area to preserve nature and tourism in Nigeria. “Tourism can be the key for implementing many global solutions for challenges such as climate change, poverty reduction, waste reduction, preserving eco-systems and moving the world to a more sustainable planet,” said Dr. David Randle, a global expert in sustainable tourism. With an estimated 11.5 per cent of the world Gross Domestic Products (GDP), tourism is the largest industry in the world, according to U.N. World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). It employs 12.5 per cent of the world’s work force. The task before Rae-Omoh, therefore, is to ensure that Nigeria adequately profits from tourism in line with this global expansion. The government also should give her all the necessary support to reform the NTDC and reposition Nigerian tourism for the global market.
Atoye is the Executive Director, Adopt a Goal for Development Initiative. [myad]
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