Day: May 8, 2024

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Rwanda Policy serves as deterrence for illegal migrants – UK envoy


Dr Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria says his country’s Rwanda Policy is intended to serve as discouragement to illegal migrants seeking asylum in the European country.

Montgomery said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He explained that the UK Parliament had agreed in a bill passed into law to partner with Rwanda in handling illegal migrants to the UK and deporting them to Rwanda.

According to him, the Rwanda Policy is a way of sending signal to illegal migrants that even if they are able to find their way to the UK through the wrong channel, they would still not succeed in remaining in the UK.

He said that the migrants would be housed, looked after, and if they have genuine asylum concerns, their cases would be assessed and processed.

He however said that the agreement with Rwanda still had to be legally ratified, and to go through its own processes. But I believe that it will be ratified as an international treaty.

‘It is really important t
o stress that this is about illegal migration to the UK. It is about people who are often exploited by criminal gangs to take what is an awfully terribly perilous journey.

‘That is crossing the English channel in tiny boats run by criminal gangs, with the promise of getting them into the UK. This is really tragic because many people die while crossing’.

The envoy also said it was premature to say whether or not Nigerians were part of the policy at the current stage of the implementation plan.

He noted that it would not be appropriate to talk about individual cases or to talk about operational planning.

He gave an assurance that some safeguards have been put in place to check the entire process.

‘We have been working directly with relevant authorities to ensure that there is a decent standard of housing for the people that will be deported.

‘They will have access to whatever level of education they need from primary to tertiary and vocational education.

‘They will have the right to work in Rwanda. They
are economic migrants, but there will be some people who may have legitimate asylum claims.

‘We have been working with the Rwandan judiciary and their bar association to ensure that the migrants have ‘caseworkers’ and legal representation to go through due process,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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NLC rejects CBN’s cybersecurity levy


The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the recent directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of 0.5 (0.005) per cent Cybersecurity Levy on electronic transfers.

Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President stated the NLC position in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ajaero was reacting to a recent circular issued by the CBN, mandating banks and payment service operators to effect the deductions, effective in two weeks.

The CBN has said that the move, ‘ostensibly aimed at bolstering cybersecurity measures, threatens to exacerbate the financial strain already faced by the populace’.

Ajaero said the NLC vehemently condemned the directives and therefore called for immediate stoppage and reversal of the policy.

According to him, this levy, to be implemented by deduction at the transaction origination, is yet another burden on the shoulders of hardworking Nigerians.

‘The Nigeria Labour Congress recognises the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age.

‘However, imposing such a levy on electronic transact
ions, without due consideration for its implications on workers and the vulnerable segments of society, is unjustifiable.

‘This levy stands as another tax too much for Nigerians, burdening them with additional financial responsibilities.

‘We see in this levy as another gang up by the ruling elite to continue its extortion and exploitation of hapless and helpless workers and the masses,’he said.

He noted that while the CBN had exempted interbank transfers and loans transactions from the levy, the broader impact on everyday transactions would not be overlooked.

He added that such deductions directly affect the disposable income of workers and further diminish the purchasing power of the common citizen.

The NLC president also noted that domestic manufacturers and other businesses were already shuttering as a result of the stifling socio-economic environment.

He added that, yet, instead of creating a business-friendly environment to encourage greater investments in the economy, the opposite seems to be what
is being practised.

Ajaero, therefore, called on the Federal Government to reconsider the directives and prioritise policies that alleviate the financial burdens of Nigerians.

‘We urge a collaborative approach between the government, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to develop sustainable cybersecurity measures that do not unduly burden the populace.

‘We reiterate our commitment to championing the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers and masses,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Fidelity, others distribute food palliatives to families in Keffi


Fidelity Bank Plc in partnership with Abbasid Charity Foundation and Sen. Wadada Ahmed have distributed food palliatives to no fewer than 1,000 families in Keffi, Nasarawa state.

Distributing the food items on Wednesday, Ms Victoria Abuka, the Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility, Fidelity Bank said the gesture was to cushion the effects of the high cost of food items.

She added that the gesture was part of the bank’s initiative known as, ”Fidelity Food Bank’.

Abuka said the initiative which commenced in April, 2003, was aimed at contributing to food security in the country.

She said that since the inauguration of the initiative, over 100,000 food packs had been distributed across the country.

‘One of the major problem in the country now is food. People are hungry and it is difficult to pursue dreams and aspirations.

‘That is why Fidelity Bank, as a socially responsible organisation, started the initiative for food distribution to families in dare need of food.

‘We have visited over 100 communit
ies across the country,’ she said.

Abuka said the bank was working with 19 partners who identified communities to benefit from the initiative.

Hajia Hauwa Abbas, the Founder of Abbasid Foundation, said the food drive started when she was chosen as the bank’s food bank ambassador in the North.

She listed some of the beneficiary states to include Jigawa, Zamfara, Zaria, Kebbi, Bauchi, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

‘I am very pleased with Fidelity Bank because as much as they are collecting money from us, they are giving us back, especially women.

Sen. Ahmed Wadada, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District, said he partnered with the Fidelity Bank’s drive to provide food for his people.

Wadada, represented by his wife Zainab, said the move was in continuation of his philanthropic gesture to his constituents especially orphans and widows.

‘We are here today to give back to our people and considering the hardship in the country, this is the little that we can do.

‘I appeal to well-mea
ning Nigerians to try and collaborate to see how we can help the people that do not have some of the opportunities that we have,’ he said.

Mrs Susan Nyikwagh, a recipient of the food pack, commended the bank and other partners for the gesture.

‘I am so happy for receiving this gift in a time like this when things are not easy.

‘The bank and their partners are wonderful,’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the food pack contained one kilogramme of rice, garri and packs of indomie.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Senate urges completion of Wudil-Gaya-Dutse Dual Carriageway


The Senate has mandated its Committee on Works to interact with the Minister of Works, toward the completion of the Wudil-Gaya-Dutse Dual Carriageway on Kano Maiduguri Expressway.

This followed the adoption of a motion on Urgent Need to Expedite Completion of Wudil-Gaya-Duste Dual Carriageway on Kano Maiduguri Road by Sen. Kawu Suleiman (NNPP – Kano) at Tuesday’s plenary.

Presenting the motion, Suleiman said the expressway was a critical artery for transporting people and agricultural goods in the northern corridor.

He said contract for the construction of the road was awarded by the Federal Government 17 years ago, by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He said that successive administrations had failed to complete the road.

‘Also notes that in 2018, the former president Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s commitment to improving road transportation led to the award of so many road contracts to restore many dilapidated roads in the country.

‘Among these projects was the renewed
contract for the dualisation of the Kano – Maiduguri road.

‘Aware that a major transportation upgrade is on the horizon, a brand new two-lane highway will be built, along with improvements to the existing road.

‘To tackle this ambitious project, it has been divided into five manageable sections.

‘The first section focuses on the Kano – Wudil – Shuwarin road, while subsequent sections cover progressively connect Shuarin to Azare, Azare to Potiskum, Potiskum to Maiduguri, and finally, Maiduguri to Benishek,’ Sumaila said.

He said one of the sections was the most extensive, spanning roughly 202.73 kilometres.

He said as an international route linking Nigeria to Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, the Kano – Maiduguri Road facilitated cross-border trade.

‘The Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Nigeria Lld., was awarded the contract for section one of the road, but despite initial work, the project appears to be behind schedule.

‘Worried that the unfinished section between Wudil and Gaya in Kano State is particu
larly dangerous.

‘One lane of the planned dual carriageway is complete, forcing drivers to navigate a single lane in both directions, this significantly increases the risk of accidents,’ he said.

He expressed worry that the unfinished section from Wudil to Gaya in Kano State posed grave danger to commuters.

He said the only one lane completed on a planned two-lane road, forced vehicles traveling in both directions to navigate a single lane.

‘This is a recipe for disaster, and immediate action is required to finish construction and ensure driver safety,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Reps query oil coys over environmental degradation in Niger Delta


The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Environment, Petroleum Resources Upstream, Petroleum Resources Downstream and Climate Change has queried oil producing companies operating in the Niger Delta over environmental degradation in the region.

Rep. Pondi Gbabojor, the Chairman of the joint Committee, said this in Abuja on Wednesday at the public hearing on Environmental Damage within the oil-producing communities.

He said that the oil-producing communities had experienced environmental degradation and socio-economic marginalisation following decades of oil exploration and exploitation.

‘The abundant natural resources should have been a source of prosperity and development; rather, the host communities have suffered pollution and land degradation.

‘They also suffer from loss of biodiversity, and deterioration of traditional livelihoods that are inestimable and irreparable,’ he said.

He said that in spite of laws and regulations enacted to safeguard the environment and the established regulatory ag
encies, the environmental damages in oil-producing communities had persisted.

He said the committees would identify erring organisations and hold those responsible accountable.

‘Our environment is not just the backdrop of human action but the very essence of life and our sustenance,’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 40 companies were invited to the hearing, but only 35 honored the invitation, including the Ministry of Environment, Dubi Oil Company, Nigerian Agip Oil Limited

Others were Starling Oil Exploration, Mobil Producing Nigeria Ltd. Resources Exploration and Production Ltd, First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company among others.

The oil companies however requested that the committees visited all the affected states that had experienced environmental degradation, especially the Ogoni Land.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Less than 7% of women hold elective, appointive positions in Nigeria – NILDS


The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), says less than seven per cent of women have been represented in elective and appointive positions in Nigeria since 1999.

The institute said that the development was worrisome in spite of the 35 per cent affirmative action.

The NILDS Director-General, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, said this in Abuja on Wednesday at a Train the Trainer Workshop for NILDS Staff on Gender Mainstreaming.

The workshop was facilitated by the UN Women in partnership with NILDS.

He said the workshop was designed to equip staff of the Institute with necessary tools and competencies to mainstream gender into policies, programs, and budgeting.

According to him, the workshop is expected to train NILDS Staff to improve the institutional capacity in gender policy analysis, equip them with knowledge on gender mainstreaming principles and methodologies.

This, he said, would help integrate gender perspectives into NILDS policies, programs, and activities and result in more
inclusive and gender-responsive initiatives.

‘It is indeed worrisome that despite the extant legal framework that recommends 35 per cent affirmative action of women participation, available data reveals that on the average, women participation and representation in governance since the advent of democratic rule in 1999 is less than seven per cent.’

The DG said the challenge facing all advocates of gender inclusivity in politics today was the wide gap between shared values reflected in the national and international policies and practices.

‘Despite concerted efforts made by government, NGOs, donor agencies and international partners towards ensuring increased participation and representation of women in politics and governance, there remains a continuous decline in women’s representation and participation in politics and governance.

‘I am optimistic that NILDS is strategically positioned in ensuring that women secure wider participation in governance by guiding policy makers to be able to make informed and
evidence-based policies to enhance gender participation in governance in Nigeria.’

Suleiman, however, said that there was the need to upscale the staff skills and competencies to effectively achieve the objective.

He commended NILDS partner, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), for also considering it a priority and a point of collaboration to put the workshop together despite limited resources.

‘Let me also seize this opportunity to once again reaffirm our commitment to our partnership and our collective drive to strengthen the legislature and other democratic institutions in Nigeria.

‘Women and men have different needs and living conditions and circumstances, including unequal access to and control over power, resources, human rights and institutions, including the justice system.

‘The situations of women and men also differ according to country, region, age, ethnic or social origin, or other factors.

‘The aim of gender mainstreaming is to take into ac
count these differences when designing, implementing and evaluating policies, programmes and projects, so that they benefit both women and men and do not increase inequality but enhance gender equality.

‘Gender mainstreaming aims to solve sometimes hidden- gender inequalities; it is therefore a tool for achieving gender equality.’

Suleiman, a former minister of National Planning, said the Institute had been a frontline vanguard in advocating for gender mainstreaming on all fronts of political, social and economic policies and legislations.

According to him, the fight for gender equality is not only an individual matter, but requires determination and commitment of decision-makers, state institutions in creating policies for reconciliation of different roles men and women play in the society.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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