NCC Boss Advises Public, Private Institutions To Go Digital; Encourages Book Reading

June 25, 2021

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, has called on private and public institutions to leverage Information and Communication Technology to digitise their hard copy knowledge materials to make them more efficiently accessible to their workforce and external stakeholders.

Professor Umar Danbatta, who made the call on June 23, when the Commission joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2021 Library Day with the theme: “Welcome to Your Library,” expressed dismay at the dwindling book-reading culture in Nigeria, calling for a positive change of attitude in the nation’s reading culture.

Speaking at the event, held at the NCC Head Office in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman said that while ICT has helped in digitizing a large number of hitherto hard-copy books available to people, efforts must be made to access these materials as well as other hard-copy books to read.

He said that this has become central because the knowledge economy being driven by ICT requires reading and intellectual development for further advancement.

Professor Umar Danbatta underscored the importance of the library as a great resource with a variety of stocks reflecting the multi-functional structure of the Commission, the significance of which cannot be over-emphasized in the activities of the Commission as well as in a knowledge economy.

“As a regulator of a dynamic telecommunications industry, the Commission gives pride of place to library resources to ensure that it is abreast of current information, regulatory trends and international best practice in carrying out its mandate.”

The NCC boss said that it is the first‘Library Day’ celebration holding since the establishment of the Commission’s library in 2003, noting that as an administrator and a Professor with many years of experience in the academia, he fully appreciates the role of a modern library in enabling research and new knowledge for organisational success.

He added that the NCC’s library was established to provide the necessary literature and knowledge materials to facilitate access to learning and dissemination of information.

“The NCC library is 18 years now and it is a cutting-edge repository of knowledge and information with over 1,000 technical books in hard and soft copies aside other materials serving both internal and external stakeholders.

“It is a reflection of who we are, where we are and the library stock is an indication of the diverse areas of specialisation, expertise and operations of the Commission.”

The Executive Vice Chairman said that various efforts have been made over the years to reposition the library to meet international standard, saying that remarkable improvements have been made in uplifting the standard of the library not only in stocking it with latest useful books but also in terms of automation for easier accessibility.

“The NCC has leveraged the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide the electronic section to enhance the library information system by migrating from analogue to digital, thereby enabling access to remote databases electronically. It is a learning resource that has varieties, currency, quality and content of stock.”

He emphasised the need to reinvigorate the passion for learning, which he said, will lead to new and better ways of doing things as well as better collaborations in carrying out assigned responsibilities.

Danbatta noted that the library is critical to realising his dream of sustaining the culture of the Nigerian Communications Commission as a respected learning organisation with best-in-class employees.

The Library Day celebration promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building and that everyone is welcome to use their services.

At the event, goodwill messages were received from the President, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Prof. Innocent Isa Ekoja, represented by the NLA’s National Secretary, Omoh Atesenokhai, and a representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Isaac Olubisi Ajibola.

The NLA is the national association of library and information professionals and the recognised group for librarians working in both private and public sectors in Nigeria.

We Recorded 40 Million Members In Recent Membership Revalidation – APC Leader

Editorial staff

June 25, 2021

Chairman of the National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC), Malam Mai Mala Buni has announced that over 40 million members were recorded in the recent membership revalidation across the country.

Speaking today, June 25, during a top level meeting of the party at the Presidential villa, Abuja, Mala Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe State, said: “the party is now more peaceful, orderly and accommodating than what we met on the ground. Although there was initial fear, the mobilisation and sensitization was able to allay the fears of members.

“We are currently witnessing high powered decamping to our party, including governors from the PDP.

The Yobe State governor said that an appeal committee was set up to hear all matters relating to the process so that no member gets disenfranchised.

“We have observed that youth and women constitute huge population of the voting group. We had a youth and women committee, and also people with disability.”

He said that a Contact and Strategy Team had been set up in every state to come up with an acceptable template that would ensure transparency, credibility and acceptability of the internal electoral processes.

Mala Buni said that the committee had instituted a process to review the party’s constitution and look into loopholes that usually fan conflict and litigations among members, with more than 500 memoranda already received.

The Chairman told the President and other party members that 14 party members had indicated their interest to contest for the Anambra State elections, assuring that the primary elections will be free, fair and transparent.

The Yobe State governor said huge legal fees were inherited, and the committee had worked with members to settle all the outstanding, after scaling them down, noting that payment for the APC National Secretariat had been completed.

“The party members have agreed to name the secretariat, Muhammadu Buhari House.”

The chairman thanked the President for his support and insight, adding that a National Conference for the Youths was organized recently as part of the bottom-up approach to strengthening the party and ensuring relevance of all stakeholders.

Responding, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed satisfaction that the committee had revived, energized and repositioned the APC for its national convention and future elections.

The President said that the fortunes of the party had been brightened by the re-organisation and reconciliation of members across the party, saying: “with the work done by the committee the party has bounced back to life.

“I have listened with great interest the remarkable job you have done so far,’’ he said. “We are all witnesses to the crisis that engulfed the party leading to litigations and presented a picture of selfishness and division.’’

President Buhari said that the party structure was disturbed by the conflicts that preceded and followed various elections, noting that the secretariat had been witnessing a beehive of peaceful activities after the reconciliation.

The President told members of the committee that they will continue to enjoy the support of all party stalwarts and members to complete their assignment with the actualisation of the convention and leave an “indelible footprint’’.

“We want to leave behind a legacy of transparency and fairness, which the party needs to survive.”

Some members of the APC who attended the meeting include, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, Progressives Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and Chairman of Northern Governors Forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong. Others are, Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el’Rufai, Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola and Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello.

BREAKING: Buhari Suspends UK Medical Trip

Greenbarge Reporters

June 25, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has shelved his planned medical trip to London.

He was originally scheduled to travel out today, June 25, for routine follow-up medical checkups.

However, the Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, said a new date would be announced soon for the trip.

A terse statement from him reads: “The medical follow-up visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United Kingdom earlier scheduled for today, Friday, June 25, 2021, has been postponed.”

We’ll Never Approve Frivolous Loans For The Executive – Senate President

Editorial staff

June 24, 2021

“What I want to assure Nigerians here is that we are not going to be frivolously supporting or approving frivolous loans for the executive arm of government.

“Whenever we have to approve any loan, we have to insist on the details of what projects will be funded by those by those loans.

“We would have to look at the conditions that are attached to the loans; they must be favourable conditions before we approve and we will be up to date with our oversight to ensure that what we have approved is directly deployed and on those projects that we have also approved for implementation.”

These were the words of the President of the Senate of Nigeria, Ahmed Lawal, when he spoke to newsmen today, June 24, at the Presidential villa in Abuja.

Senator Lawal stressed that the lawmakers would not take it lightly to just approve any loan, adding: “our options are really very limited as a country. First, we don’t have the necessary revenues. Nigeria is poor, we shouldn’t deceive ourselves.

“Nigeria is not rich, given the circumstances we live in, given the challenges we have; our resources are so low, our revenues are so low and therefore the option of not doing anything, just to sit because we have no money, we shouldn’t go for infrastructure development. It is not even an option worthy of consideration. You cannot keep the economy stagnant.

“Two, you cannot, in my view and judgement, tax Nigerians further for you to raise the money for infrastructure development. Other countries do that, but we have serious situation across the country, so you cannot put taxes on people.

“The other option is public private partnership. You need to create the environment to attract investors to come into our country because of the security challenges we face today. Not many investors would like to come to Nigeria, in fact, even those inside Nigeria may not like to invest properly in this sector of infrastructure development.

“So, the only option left is for us to borrow, borrow responsibly, utilise prudently and economically, and ensure that the projects are self-sustaining; that they can pay back the loans that Nigerian economy will benefit from the implementation of such infrastructure development.

“So, that is the only option we have and I believe that Nigerians will understand. Of course, it’s not desirable, it’s not something that we like too, no Nigerian would like to have, in fact, even an individual not like to be on loan, but when you must, then you have to, and I want to be very practical here that we do so with that feeling of ‘this is our country, we must move forward, we must provide the enabling environment for our economy to grow and Nigeria to develop’.”

The Senate President hoped President Buhari would always ensure that those people manning the side of the affairs today, the those ministers, special advisors, and so on and so forth, are doing exactly the same.

“When we approve loans, that they also, at their own level of the executive level, are able to be responsible because when we detect anything going wrong, we will not show any understanding, we will be stiff; will be rigid, just like I said yesterday in plenary, there are Chief Executives of MDA’s who have refused to appear before our Public Accounts Committee.

” I have given an advice to the Public Accounts Committee in the Senate, write to remind them, if they fail, give us a list of all of them. We will publish their names and will insist that they are brought to the National Assembly under a warrant of arrest.

“But we want something smooth, we want to have a relationship that is descent, that is cordial for the benefit of people of Nigeria.”

Our Plan To Engage Millions In Employment Not In Civil Service, Minister Explains

Editorial staff

June 24, 2021

The minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo has said that the plan by the Federal Government to engage millions of Nigerians in gainful employment is not necessarily in civil service.

He said that the assumption that the kind of employment the federal government wants to create is in civil service is wrong.

“That’s not the idea of employment. All about the world, employment in public services account for less than 1% of employment in the country. So it will be very short sighted of us as government; very myopic, very, like wrong game approach to think that we want to lift out of poverty and creates employment by opening up gaps in the civil service to employ people.”

Keyamo, who spoke to newsmen today, June 23, at the Presidential villa in Abuja, asked: “how many are we going to employ for the 33% that’s so high. The unemployment figures are indefensible. The 33% was compounded more by the COVID-19 scourge, the whole world is reeling.

“So we need to react more innovatively to create employment. And for us, we are working very hard to ensure that we skill up Nigerians.

“The way to approach on employment is to skill up the populace. That’s the way out to encourage the small, the macro small and medium scale entrepreneurs; support their businesses, ensure that people are self employed, skill them up. “That’s what the NPower is doing. In NPower whether you are graduate or not, go and learn a skill, so that you can be self employed and feed yourself. “Those are Employment we are creating those people who are skilling up.”

Outbreak Of Cholera Claims 7 Lives, Affects 91 In Abuja

Editorial staff

June 24, 2021

Outbreak of suspected cases of cholera has claimed the lives of seven victims, as it affected 91 residents of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Acting Secretary of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Dr. Mohammed Kawu made this known in Abuja at a news conference today, June 24.

Dr. Kawu explained that out of the 91 suspected cases, three were tested positive through the use of Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits.

The secretary, who said that the other affected area councils are Bwari and Gwagwalada, however, said that no death recorded in Gwagwalada and Bwari.

He said that from May 2021, FCT began to receive reports of sporadic cases of gastro-enteritis in some communities namely; Wassa Community Internally Displaced Persons Camps, Dei Dei, Zuba Community, Shenagun and Kubwa in three area councils.

Dr. Kawu said that the health secretariat through the department of public health had intensified surveillance in the communities and health facilities also directed the area councils to do the same.

He said that the secretariat had provided some Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits drugs and consumables in some of the health facilities with reported cases.

He said that the secretariat is in the process of distributing drugs and consumables to the remaining health facilities, including some key primary health facilities.

According to Dr. Kawu, community sensitisation on preventive measures is ongoing.

He enjoined the FCT residents to report any case of diarrheal to the nearest health facility or the department of public health.

The secretary also advised residents to ensure that all food are properly cleaned and well cooked before consumption.

Dr. Kawu also advised residents to ensure that wastes, especially faecal wastes are hygienically disposed.

Cholera is a severe faeco-oral gastro intestinal infection caused by the bacteria, vibro-cholerae, Sero-type 01 or O139.

Source: NAN.

We Have No Secessionist Agenda, Ijaw Leaders Assure Buhari

Editorial staff

June 24, 2021

The National leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) from Niger Delta region of Nigeria have assured President Muhammadu Buhari that they don’t have secessionist agenda.

They therefore affirmed their belief in a United Nigeria and support for the fight against insecurity by developing internal control mechanisms.

The Executive of the INC, led by Professor Benjamin Okaba, told Present Buhari, whom they visited today, June 24 at the Presidential villa in Abuja, that they are not and can’t be part of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“We reaffirm our strong faith in the ‘overall and mutual benefits of true federalism and resource control to the prosperity and stability of Nigeria.”

Professor Okaba appealed to the President to mandate the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to direct the relocation of the headquarters of all oil companies to their operational bases in Ijaw land and the Niger Delta region.

‘‘The excuse of insecurity is no longer tenable for it is common knowledge that nowhere in Nigeria is safer than the other. Secondly, the revamping of the major ports at Onne, Warri, Port Harcourt, Bonny will accelerate economic growth, reduce joblessness, youth criminality and contribute to national unity and stability.”

Responding, President Buhari advised the leadership of the association to use its influence to make sure that “we keep working together to keep this country a united, indivisible entity, so that we can tackle our problems together and overcome our challenges together.’’

The President addressed some demands of the association on several issues including environmental degradation, restructuring, creation of states, allocation of operational licenses for marginal fields to Ijaw people, inauguration of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others.

On the Hydrocarbon Remediation Project, President Buhari said he had directed the Federal Ministry of Environment to ensure that the remediation efforts in Ogoni are implemented with a high percentage of local content and inclusion of the surrounding communities.

The President said that the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, under the same ministry of Environment, is working to ensure that oil spills are reduced and new ones prevented while all relevant agencies of government have been directed to ensure that they enforce compliance by the International Oil Companies to international best practices.

On their call for immediate restructuring, the President noted that the National Assembly whose responsibility it is to ensure that the constitution responds to the call for a restructured Nigeria has already concluded regional consultations.

‘‘As soon as they finalise the process, necessary action would not be delayed on my part.”

On the creation of two additional states and more local government areas for the Ijaw people, the President said it is a legislative matter, which should naturally be handled by the National Assembly with concurrence at the state levels.

On the allocation of operational licenses for marginal fields to Ijaw people, the President said that while he completely agrees with the demand, the process of granting licenses is guided by laid down rules and regulations, most of which even favour local content and local contractors.

“I see no reason why they should not be granted such licenses if they qualify.’’

On NDDC, the President pledged that the Board would be inaugurated as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted.

“A contentious issue that has been a subject of discourse amongst the Ijaw people of recent has been the need for the Niger Delta Development Commission to live up to its billing by delivering the required succor to the people of the region.

‘‘Based on the mismanagement that had previously bedeviled the NDDC, a forensic audit was set up and the result is expected by the end of July, 2021.

‘‘I want to assure you that as soon as the forensic audit report is submitted and accepted, the NDDC Board will be inaugurated.

‘‘However, I would like to implore you that the Ijaw National Congress should play a more active role in making sure that the mismanagement that occurred in the past is not repeated.”

The President also assured the leadership of INC that the completion of the East-West Road remains top on his infrastructure agenda, adding that the occasional disturbances by youths in some communities along the route of construction work would require the close attention and guidance of leaders in the region.

‘‘Furthermore, we have made considerable progress with the construction of the Bonny to Port Harcourt Bridge.”

Igbo Businessmen Promise To Compensate Northern Traders For Losses Incurred From IPOB Attacks

Editorial staff

June 24, 2021

Igbo business people from the Southeast, led by a prominent politician cum business tycoon, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have called on northern traders in the region to provide them with an estimate of the losses incurred as a result of attacks by Biafran agitators in the South-East for possible compensation.

At a meeting involving Igbo leaders and Northern traders in the South-East, held in Owerri, Imo State, the Igbo businessmen pledged to do everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of the northerners living in their area.

They asked the northern traders to report all losses incurred due to the killings and destruction of property, adding that they will convene another conference in the North, and promised that everything will be fine within a short time.

Speaking during the meeting, Nwuanyanwu promised that they would ensure a return to normalcy.

“If they are honest Nigerians, we should help them (affected traders). As soon as we have people like you talking to them, we should help them,” he said.

Some Igbo activists expressed concern over the situation, saying that Igbo people have investments in various parts of northern Nigeria.
They said that there are at least 11 million Igbo people living in the northern Nigeria.

Speaking at the meeting, head of the Northern Livestock Dealers Association, Alhaji Yau Ali, said that members of the association attended the meeting because they wanted to take action on the killings of northerners in the south-east.

Members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) had recently launched attacks on government institutions, security forces and individuals, including northerners and their businesses.

Dangote Bags Cameroon’s Highest Honour Of Commander Of National Order Of Valour

Greenbarge Reporters

June 24, 2021

The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has received the highest civilian honour in Cameroon – the Commander of the National Order of Valour – from the President of the Republic, Paul Biya.

According to President Paul Biya, the honour was conferred on Dangote in recognition of his efforts in infrastructural development of Cameroon and Africa through his cement plants.

The President, at a conferment ceremony held at the Unity Palace, Yaoundé, expressed pride at Dangote’s various efforts to promote industrialisation across Africa through the building of cement plants in several African countries.

He noted that these plants have provided thousands of direct and indirect employment at their various locations, to boost the economies of their host countries, just like in Cameroon.

He urged the leading African investor to consider more investments in the manufacturing sector in Cameroon, explaining that there are numerous business opportunities in the country. He maintained that his government is focused on promoting a business-friendly environment to make the country more attractive and an investors’ destination.

In his response, Dangote thanked President Biya and the people of Cameroon for the great honour done to him in the award of the nation’s highest civilian honour.

He said that plans are underway to diversify the group’s investments in Cameroon, starting with energy.

“We have plans to expand our investment to other sectors beginning with oil and gas while our capacity in cement will be expanded.”

He commended the Cameroonian government for providing an enabling environment, which aided the successful completion of the Dangote Cement plant. He also expressed appreciation for the support provided by the President and cabinet in solving the challenges encountered in the construction of the plant.

“At the inception of our construction activities at the plant, we encountered several challenges, but the government stepped in and ensured that we overcame these initial problems. Also, the incentives by the Government to investors are encouraging. We feel very much at home here in Cameroon because of the business-friendly environment. If demand for cement increases, we will increase the capacity of the plant and make the country self-sufficient in cement production

We’re Determined To Pass Many Bills Before We Go On Summer Recess In July 15 – Senate President

Editorial staff

June 24, 2021

The President of the Senate of Nigeria, Ahmed Lawal has said that the National Assembly is set to pass many bills before it, including the amendment to the electoral Act, before the lawmakers proceed on the Annual Summer Recess in July this year.

The Senate President, who was answering reporters’ questions at the Presidential villa, Abuja today, June 24, confirmed that the National Assembly has several very important bills that are pending “and we are working around the clock.

“At the moment, we are dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s on the PIB; the Petrol Industry Bill, and by the grace of God, our committees, the joint committees, will finish their work on it by the end of the week, hopefully.

“The reports would be laid on Tuesday in both chambers. This is what we have planned and this is what we’re working towards.

“You also know that the President, the executive arm of government, had submitted a Supplementary Budget request. In the Senate. We have had the second reading yesterday and we have given the Appropriations Committee, particularly to deal with it with the relevant committees of Defense related and other security agencies related committees and of course, for COVID-19 vaccines that we have to procure. We need the Health Committee and, of course, the Primary Healthcare Committee as well to work on the Supplementary Budget request for Mr. President.

“We’re expecting report on this by Tuesday, by the grace of God and we may consider that report on Wednesday next week, so that we are able to pass the request because of the urgency and the need for us to hit the ground running. “We need to give so much attention to our security agencies because of the situation across the country and of course, the COVID-19 vaccines procurement is also an essential thing that we need to do.

“We also have some work to do on the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill. Our committee in the Senate and indeed, in the House, have worked jointly and we have very little to do really, to get the reports and consider in the two chambers. We expect that we will do that before we go on our annual summer recess, which comes up on the 15th of July, by the grace of God. So, before we go on summer recess, we should be able to pass the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill.

“We also have outstanding confirmation requests for National Commissioners of INEC. We will consider those confirmation requests from Mr. President before we go. We will also have the loan request from Mr. President. The loan request is to fund the 2021 Appropriation Act and of course, this is not a new request: it’s something that we had passed in the MTEF and it’s something that when we pass the budget 2021 we also passed that, so it’s only to give the necessary legislative approval for the administration to go further and collect the funds.”

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