NCC Boss Vows Commitment To Gender Equality In Information Technology Space

November 29, 2022

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta has vowed that the Commission is committed to ensuring balance in the representation of females in the information technology ecosystem.

The Executive Vice Chairman, who spoke recently through the Head, Digital Media Management of the Commission, Nafisa Usman Rugga, at the ICT Quiz competition for Girl’s in Senior Secondary Schools organized by Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIIT), said that there is an urgent need to equip the girl child with adequate knowledge, access and use of Information Technology programmes and services which will give them the needed skill to compete in the digital space.

Professor Danbatta said that the empowerment programme in commemoration of the International Girls in ICT day aligns with the Commission’s mandate of broadband penetration drive to women in rural and suburban areas for capacity building, employability, increased connectivity, and inclusion for gender equality throughout the Country.

He highlighted the Commission’s policies, projects and initiatives that show the importance of bridging gender disparity and ensuring that the Internet is a safe space for children. She laid emphasis on the Child Online Protection (COP) project of the Commission, which is aimed at educating children and their parents/caregivers on measures to safeguard themselves and their wards as they navigate cyberspace.

The CEO of NCC informed the audience of the Commission’s commitment to re-skilling the girl child and women by collaborating with stakeholders in the ICT sector to create programmes to encourage, empower and expose them to the vast opportunities present in the digital world.

The two-day event, which focused on creating awareness programmes for IT related services and products among women in the rural and suburban areas in Nigeria, targets special groups and students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The event ended with the presentation of gifts to the winners from the quiz competition conducted at the forum.

Abuja Court Jails Inspector General Of Police, Usman, For Contempt

Greenbarge Reporters

November 29, 2022

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the inspector-general of police (IGP) Usman Baba to three months in prison over disobeying a court order.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon have the judgment today, November 29, following a suit filed by a former police officer, Patrick Okoli.
Okoli claimed he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian Police Force.
Justice Olajuwon said that though the Police Service Commission recommended Okoli’s reinstatement into the Force, a decision that was affirmed by the court, but that the IGP refused to comply with the order made on October 21, 2011.
Baba was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to replace Mohammed Adamu who retired from the Nigeria Police Force in February 2021.
The court had also ordered the payment of N10 million to the applicant, being special and general damages for the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional denial of his rights and privileges as a senior officer of the Nigeria Police Force from 1993 till date.
“If at the end of the three months, the contemnor remains recalcitrant and still refuses to purge his contempt, he shall be committed for another period and until he purges his contempt,” the judge ruled.
Source: Quid.ng.

Nigerian Govt Closes In On Banks, Foreign NGOs, Others Financing Terrorism

Greenbarge Reporters

November 29, 2022

Some arrested suspected Boko haram members

Nigeria Federal government said it is closing in on some foreign Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), unnamed Banks financial technology firms, Point of Sale (POS) terminal operators, among others that have been financing terrorism and banditry in the country.

In the 2022 National Inherent Risk Assessment of Terrorism Financing in Nigeria report which assessed the level of terrorism financing risks in the country, did not name the affected NGOs but said that they are those operating in terror-prone areas and those engaged in humanitarian activities, service provision and faith-based activities.

It was established that there are constant interactions between the use of cash by terrorist actors and financial institutions, bureau de change, fintech firms and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions.

The assessment read in part: “The findings of this report indicate that TF in Nigeria is generally associated with the use of cash. This notwithstanding, field information flowing from law enforcement investigation as well as financial data have revealed constant interactions between the use of cash by terrorist actors and financial institutions, Bureau de Change, fintech firms and Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions.

“The use of bank accounts in the movement of TF funds has featured prominently in both intelligence and investigations related to TF.

“Financial data have also shown that the illegal currency exchangers comingle transactions in their personal accounts as well as entity accounts held and controlled by them with that of their BDC activities.”

Source: The Punch.

Nigerian Govt Gives Traveling Security Advice To Citizens Going To US, Europe

Editorial staff

November 28, 2022

A file view from a high vantage point along London’s main retail area Oxford Street, with public, shops and London buses | photo credit: Getty Images

The Nigeria Federal Government has issued a security advisory to Nigerians traveling to the United States of America and Europe.

It warned that they stand the risk of being robbed of their belongings in the U.S. and Europe, particularly in the streets of Oxford.

The advisory was contained in a statement today, November 28 by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who called on Nigerians travelling to those destinations to be more vigilant and careful at high-brow shops and streets of Oxford.

“It has come to the attention of the government that Nigerian travelers to the United States and some countries in Europe are having their belongings, especially, money and international passports, stolen at an increasingly high rate.

“The most recent victims of this are travelers to the UK, most of whom were dispossessed of their belongings at high brow shops, particularly in the high street of Oxford.

“We have, therefore, decided to advise Nigerians travelling to Europe and the United States to take extra precaution to avoid being dispossessed of their belongings.

“This is not your typical travel advisory. Issuing such is the prerogative of our embassies/high commissions as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is merely a piece of advice to Nigerians who may be visiting the affected parts of the world,” the minister said.

Source: Persecondnews

How To Make It In Life, UBA Chairman, Tony Elumelu, Opens Up On How He Made It

Editorial staff

November 28, 2022

The chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Elumelu has given details on how people can a success of their lives, using himself as an example of how he made it.

Tony Elumelu, who is a philanthropist, said that he is where he is today because of luck, saying: “luck is important but that doesn’t make it a substitute for hard work or labor.”

In a Twitter thread today, November 28, where he shared his two cents on the essential ingredients one needs to be successful in life, said: “hard work and passion are the two most important “ingredients for luck.

“I am where I am today because of luck. Let me be clear, luck is important, but it is not a substitute for hard work or labor. Luck is part of the cocktail that you need for success,” he wrote.

“There are two ingredients for luck – hard work and passion. The more work you put into something and the more passion you apply, the ‘luckier’ you find yourself.

“You have to work hard and be more passionate and committed about what you do to, to be successful and make your own luck.

“Hard work and passion are within your power and control, and you should apply them to earn your own luck and to help us foster a better and more prosperous world.”

Elumelu is a billionaire businessman, economist, and philanthropist. He chairs Heirs Holdings, and Transcorp, and is the founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

He was named on Time‘s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.

The entrepreneur got married to Awele Vivien, a medical doctor, in 1993. They have seven children together.

Why Previous Healthcare Reforms In Nigeria Failed – Vice President Osinbajo

Editorial staff

November 28, 2022

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has said that previous health care reforms in the country failed because there was no effective collaboration between the federal and state governments.

Professor Osinbajo acknowledged that attempts were made in the past, but that implementation has “either been incomplete, non-systemic or haphazard.”
The Vice President who spoke in Abuja today, November 28, at the opening of a two-day Presidential Health Reform Committee Retreat, said that there has been ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system, insisting that it must include collaboration among different levels of government and the private sector to ensure effective implementation of reforms that will cater for the needs of Nigerians in the 21st century.
“We must recognize that reforms can be complex. And the lessons learnt are there, no silver bullets and no perfect approaches.

“This is especially true in huge areas such as healthcare. Previous efforts must be taken into account,” he said, adding: “you may have several small and even local reforms going on at different times.”

The Vice President acknowledged the contributions of past administrations, saying however that reforming the health sector remains in the front burner of the Buhari’s administration.
He said that the ongoing efforts will ”chart out a health System that best meets the needs of Nigerians in the 21st century, with special emphasis on strengthening Primary Health Care, improving access to Health Insurance, and establishing a platform that enables the country to better respond to future pandemics.
“What is crucial is that we set the broad parameters and vision for the health care system we desire for our people, we adopt a flexible approach that enables us track and incorporate other reform initiatives.
“We ensure that we always have the right people around the table, that there is wide ranging consultation, and that all views are properly considered, that we keep our vision clear through the process and we develop a robust and viable implementation process.”
Osinbajo took a look at the lessons from the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing that “healthcare, especially public health emergencies cannot but have a multi-disciplinary, multi sector approach…. serious health reform must have the same multisectoral approach.”

Osun Lawmakers Head To Loggerhead With New Gov, Adeleke Over Re-Naming Of State, Others

Editorial staff

November 28, 2022

The Osun State House of Assembly is heading to loggerhead with Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was sworn-in yesterday, November 27, over the decision to, among others, rename the state from “State of Osun” to Osun State.

The Assembly argued that the anthem, crest and flag of the state was an enactment of a law assented to on December 18, 2012, and that no person can exact force to change it.

Adeleke, had, during his inauguration, reversed the name of the state from “State of Osun” to “Osun State” and also reversed its appellation from ‘The State of the Virtues’ to ‘The State of the Living Spring.”

Adeleke also reversed all appointments made by the immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, effective from July 7, 2022.

He also ordered that all government bank accounts be frozen, and that all actions of the Oyetola-led administration from July 17 will be revisited.

In a reaction to the governor’s decision, the House, through the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Moshood Kunle Akande, frowned at the governor’s action.

The statement read: “The State of Osun House of Assembly having reviewed the inaugural speech of the Governor and the activities of the inauguration hereby resolves as follows: “The usage of the State Anthem, Crest and Flag is an enactment of the law and as such, its usage is a matter of law and not choice.

“The enactment “State of Osun Anthem, Crest and Flag Law, 2012” assented to on December 18, 2012, contained in Schedule 1, II, III, IV and V, which carefully details every component of this law is not in ambiguity.

“Schedule I is the State Anthem, Schedule II has to do with the State Crest, and Schedule III is the symbolic significance of the elements in the Flag.

“Lastly, we are aware of a court judgment in effect.”

The lawmakers said that the state will continue to be described as the “State of Osun” and “Ipinle Omulabi” (State of the Virtuous).

New Osun Gov, Adeleke, Goes Gaga; Sacks 12,000 Worker, 3 Traditional Rulers, Others

Greenbarge Reporters

November 28, 2022

Barely 24 hours after he was sworn-in as the sixth Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke has sacked a total of 12,000 workers and ordered the dethronement of three monarchs.
The Governor announced the sack of the State’s Independent Electoral Commission’s Chairman, Segun Oladitan and his members.
The Governor also nullified the appointment of 30 Permanent Secretaries and suspended the chairman and members of Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC).
The affected monarchs include Akinrun of Ikinrun Oba Yinusa Akadiri; Aree of Ire Oba Ademola Oluponle and Owa of Igbajo, Oba Gboyega Famodun.
He also ordered the monarch to vacate the palace, asking security operatives to take over.
The purge is contained in a statement today, November 28, by the Chief Press Secretary to Adeleke, Malan Olawale Rasheed, indicating that the new Governor signed the Executives orders which covered chieftaincy matters, appointments issues, setting up of review panel, staff audit and employment matters.”
The statement reads in part: “All employments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after July 17th, 2022 be and are hereby nullified.
“Executive Order number five on Chieftaincy Affairs and appointment of traditional rulers. All appointments of traditional rulers made by Osun State Government after 17th July, 2022, are hereby ordered to be reviewed to ensure there was strict compliance with due process of chieftaincy declarations and native law, custom and tradition relating to such chieftaincies. In the case of Ikirun, Iree and Igbajo, to avoid further breakdown of law and order, the appointments of Akinrun of Ikinrun, Aree of Ire and Owa of Igbajo are hereby put on hold pending review. Subsequently, the palaces of Akinrun of Ikirun, Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo should remain unoccupied, while security agencies are hereby ordered to take charge.”
Recall that Adeleke’s predecessor, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola employed over 12,000 workers and appointed 30 permanent secretaries shortly before he handed over to Adeleke yesterday, November 27.
Another statement by the Secretary to Osun State Government, Tesleem Igbalaye, also announced the suspension of the chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), Segun Oladitan and its members.
Others are: Yusuf Oyeniran, Suibat Adubi, Prince Yinka Ajiboye, Abosede Omibeku, Dosu Gidigbi, and Wahab Adewoyin.
The statement noted that the suspension was sequel to several petitions bothering on financial impropriety, dereliction of duty, absenteeism and abuse of office against the said Chairman and members of the Commission.
Source: The Eagle online.

Qatar World Cup: Riot Breaks Out In Brussels As Morocco Beat Belgium

Greenbarge Reporters

November 28, 2022

The Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco, in Brussels, today, November 27, ended in violence as Morocco defeated Belgium 2-0 in the ongoing World Cup competition in Qatar.

Reports said that dozens of people were attacked while some fans smashed shop windows, threw fireworks, burnt vehicles, with police using water cannon and teargas after coming under attack from football supporters who brought havoc to the centre of Brussels.

It was said that even before the end of the match, “dozens of people, including some that wore hoodies, sought confrontation with the police, which compromised public safety,” Brussels police said in a statement.

A spokeswoman said some fans were armed with sticks and a journalist “was injured in the face by fireworks”.

About a hundred police officers were mobilised while residents were warned to avoid certain areas of the city centre. Metro stations were closed and streets blocked to limit the spread of the violence.

The Mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close tweeted: “I condemn in the strongest terms the incidents of this afternoon. The police have already firmly intervened. I therefore advise against fans coming to the city centre. The police are doing all they can to maintain public order.

“I have ordered the police to carry out arrests of the troublemakers.”

2023: You Can’t Win Presidency Based On Large Crowd, Primate Ayodele Tells Peter Obi

Greenbarge Reporters

November 28, 2022

The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has made clear to the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi cannot win the 2023 presidential election on the basis of large crowd he pulls at campaigns.

In a statement by his Media Aide, Oluwatosin Osho, the clergyman said: ‘’Obi should not work on the crowd alone. He should work on the election technicality.

“He doesn’t really need to work on reports but results. He should be more diplomatic and technical. He will understand what I am saying.

“If he wants to win, he must take his focus from the crowd and work seriously on the election technically.’’

Primate Ayodele said that there will be no run-off as being speculated, saying: “many things will still change before the election. Not all the crowd gathering will vote for them, they need to work extraordinarily.

“Let’s forget about run-off or inconclusive, the winner will win and the losers would win.”

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