Month: June 2024

The Nigeria Business and Disability Network (NBDN) says it plans to launch an app designed to connect People With Disabilities (PWD) with potential employers.

Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Chairperson of NBDN and Head of Sustainability at Access Corporation, unveiled this initiative during the NBDN 2024 Annual Diversity and Inclusion Conference held on Wednesday in Lagos.

The conference, hosted by Access Bank, centered around the theme, ‘Disability Inclusion in Corporate Sustainability’.

It aimed to address the challenges faced by PWDs in accessing employment opportunities.

Victor-Laniyan emphasised the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space for PWDs, stating that the app would alleviate the hardships and discrimination they often encounter during job searches.

‘The app will serve as a platform for PWDs to access job opportunities and receive guidance on CV writing and other necessary skills,’ she explained.

She further highlighted that the app would enable employers to post job vacancies and se
arch for potential candidates, facilitating a seamless connection between PWDs and employers.

While the launch date of the app is pending due to ongoing partnerships, Victor-Laniyan reassured attendees of NBDN’s commitment to advocating the rights of PWDs despite challenges in data collection.

In her opening speech, Victor-Laniyan underscored the need for increased employment opportunities for PWDs and urged corporates to integrate them into suitable roles based on qualifications.

The conference featured panel discussions and keynote addresses from industry experts, including Dr James Lalu from the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Ms Adenike Oyetunde from the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA).

Others were Dr Toyin Adeyemi from Save the Children International, and Dr Joy Shuaibu from Sightsavers Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Mohammed Ali said on Monday the agency would ‘adopt the military style of pulling out its retirees’ from service.

Ali said this during the send-off party organised for the agency’s immediate past Head of Politics Desk Mr Inuwa Ali, after 35 years of service.

Military pulling-out parades, also known as farewell parades, are held at the instance of retiring senior officers who have served the nation meritoriously.

According to the managing director, the military-style pull-out ceremony will be significant because it will indicate that their contributions and service of more than 30 years have been recognised and acknowledged.

‘I think we will now adopt the military style of pulling out its retirees because they have contributed enormously.

‘This style of celebrating our retirees in the newsroom will have to change and we will now have to pull them out like it is done for generals in the military,’ he said.

Ali reiterated his commitment to leve
raging technology to deliver the agency’s mandate by building a workforce that is in tune with technology and digitally savvy.

‘Recently we made some changes in the editorial department – at least in the multimedia unit – because we want to reposition the agency such that it can face the impending challenge of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

‘Now the shape of the newsroom in the digital or AI era is quite scary and unless we wake up to that reality and equip ourselves with the right knowledge and tools, we will be left behind.

‘We are determined to collectively confront and understand the threat of job losses because, with AI, you won’t need many people in your operations,’ he said.

He congratulated Inuwa on his retirement, describing him as a close friend, a selfless and generous man, and fun to be with.

In his speech, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, NAN’s Editor-In-Chief (EIC), said Inuwa was not only an effective staff member but also one of those persons a leader could rely on for their support.

Sheyin said Inuw
a always made everyone around him in the newsroom feel at ease and laugh even when the situation was tense.

‘He seemed to know many things happening in many parts of the country and would tell stories using the happenings and make everybody around him laugh,” he said.

The EIC described Inuwa as one of the staff members always willing to do their best and sacrifice for the agency, advising editorial staff to continue to offer their best services.

The agency’s Director of Administration, Mr Abdulkadir Khaliel, also congratulated Inuwa on his retirement and prayed to God to grant him a brighter future in his retirement life.

Also speaking, the agency’s Director of Special Duties, Mr Mufutau OJo, described Inuwa as an effective media manager who offered his subordinates effective leadership and trained them to become better reporters without having to bully them.

He urged other leaders in the agency to emulate Inuwa’s leadership style.

‘One thing we have learned about him is that you can be an effective me
dia manager without being a bully.

‘He is a type that has been doing a lot, even without being noticed,” he said.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief (DEIC) and Head of NAN Abuja Newsroom, My Kayode Olaitan, described Inuwa as a friendly and calm person with whom he had worked over many years.

‘One thing I know about him is that he is a very calm person who will never reject a request from you,” Olaitan said.

Another DEIC, Hajia Hadiza Aliyu, the Head of the Health and Gender Desk, described herself as a member of ‘Inuwa’s tea-drinking club”.

She said that Inuwa was retiring even when he still had so much to offer the agency and the nation.

She said Inuwa would be remembered for his sense of humour in the newsroom and for sharing tea with his colleagues.

Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Mrs Ese Eniola-Williams, also extolled the good qualities of Ali, describing him as a generous person always willing to share good things with his colleagues.

Another Assistant Editor-in-Chief, Gregory Mmadukolam, urged NAN managemen
t to find a way to re-engage Inuwa even after retirement for his wealth of experience and skills.

A politics correspondent, Emmanuel Oloniruha, described Inuwa as hardworking, jovial, and open-hearted.

‘Inuwa is a man who does not hide his feelings when you fail to carry out instructions.

‘However, the moment you let him see reason and apologise, he let go,” Oloniruha said.

He prayed to God to grant him a fulfilled life in retirement.

Another reporter, Angela Atabo, described Inuwa as a good boss always willing to assist reporters with their reports regardless of the time of the day.

‘As my desk head, I learned a lot from him, especially how to cover civil society organisations.

‘He will be greatly missed. I wish him all the best in life,” she said.

Responding to the encomiums poured out upon him, the retiree, thanked his colleagues for the outpouring of love and for celebrating him.

‘I started my career in the Lagos office of the agency on the sports beat and met colleagues who became like brothe
rs to me.

‘I have travelled to more than 10 countries across the world in the course of my job. I covered three Africa Nations Cup tournaments.

‘I have been to South Africa, Spain, the U.S., and Sydney, among others, covering sports.

‘I am proud to have worked in NAN.

‘All the experiences helped to shape my life and made me who I am today, and I am fulfilled because I am leaving NAN today feeling like a two-star general,” he said

According to Inuwa, journalists give their all in their jobs, yet what they are paid is not commensurate with what they put in for the sake of society.

He called for the implementation of a decent media salary structure acceptable to Nigerian journalists.

‘We are getting so much less. Nigerian journalists are suffering and I think it is time now for the NUJ to champion this cause, for them to have a better salary scale in this country.

‘That is the motivation. We have offered so much to Nigeria. We deserve so much from Nigeria too,” he added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeri
a

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Mohammed Ndarani, has commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the evaluation standards for the assessment of his ministers.

Ndarani said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday while reacting to the recent event of presentation of ministerial scorecards demanded by President Bola Tinubu.

He urged strict adherence to them for the good of their ministries, and also for the people of Nigeria as a whole.

‘It is only proper that to whom much is entrusted, much is expected, which means that these assessments would in addition keep political appointees on their toes.

‘Article 19[1]2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides a guide for the assessment of ministers and other federal appointees.

‘The assessment will help the public to also track the performances of these minsters and know when and how to hold them accountable”.

He recalled that Tinubu had instructed 47 ministers to present their performance scorecar
ds ahead of his administration’s one-year in office.

Ndarani also commended Tinubu for mandating no fewer than 140 officials to track and assess the performance of all federal ministries, departments, and agencies ahead of the first assessment exercise.

He noted that although some ministers might have embarked on extensive media hype with little to show in real achievement, much might not have be heard of others, who may have performed well.

‘Sometimes, it is not the people that you hear of who are the performers in this country, so, nobody can evaluate any minister other than members of the public,” he stated.

‘They are the ones who would have felt the impact of the ministers’ actions, or the lack thereof”.

He equally urged the president to consider Section 14[1], 2[a] [c] of the constitution to serve as the foundation during the next ministers’ assessments.

‘Section 14[1], 2[a] [c] of the 1999 Constitution says, ‘(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Con
stitution derives all its powers and authority; (c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in it.

‘In the light of the above, it is desirable that citizens’ opinion and assessment is considered, in order to get an accurate rating of the ministers.

‘There should be modalities for the assessments, key performance indicators and the reporting mechanisms made available for the public to participate in the exercise”.

He said that while a few ministers have performed well, others are still learning on the job.

Ndarani suggested that allowing only ministers to evaluate their own performance undermines the objectivity of the assessment as a minister cannot be the judge in his own case.

‘We know that sometimes highly placed public officers operate under serious constraints with several factors in play, which revolve around a paucity of funds.

‘Nonetheless, the ministers alone cannot be left to make their own assessments, as this would negate the principle of ‘Nemo judex in causa su
a’, which simply says that one cannot be a judge in his own cause.

‘A scorecard where only the ministers assess themselves and score themselves might be a watered-down exercise which could raise questions as to the objectivity of the assessment.

‘There should be an avenue, a mechanism or a survey put in place where people can vote or voice their opinions on the performances of ministers, or public officers, generally.

‘Nigerians should be given a voice in the ministers’ assessments since this will improve the outcomes, and bring them into compliance with global best practices.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

At the foot of the destroyed bridge is a monument which reads: ‘We remember you who died at this bridge that we may live. Rest In Peace (24th Dec. 1969).’

The bridge is on the Achingalli-Udo-Na-Obizi-Umunwanwa-Ubakala road. It connects parts of Imo and Abia. It took a hit during the Nigeria civil war and for 55 years has been in ruins.

While the construction of second Niger Bridge has huge headlines over the decades, the hardship suffered by the commuters on the Achingalli-Udo-Na-Obizi-Umunwanwa-Ubakala road has gone unreported.

Therefore, no government has taken any practical step to restore the road and reconstruct the damaged bridge.

The closest the people of the area have used 21-kilometre road was in June 2020, when the Federal Executive Council of then President Muhammadu Buhari awarded contract of N11.540 billion for its reconstruction.

The contract included construction of 120 metres bridge close to the destroyed facility across the Imo River in Imo. Since, then nothing concrete has been done.

H
owever, since the inception of the President BolaTinubu’s administration, so much work has been done at the site and the people of the area are excited at the prospects of using the road again.

They also look forward to the contribution that the road would make in their socio-economic lives.

Eze Azubuine Obizie, the traditional ruler of Obizi in Ezinihite Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo, expressed happiness over the level of work done so far.

‘We are pleased that the job is going on; we owe much gratitude to the then Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who saw the need to give the road and the bridge back.

‘We are only praying and urging the government to continue so that the dividend of that project will be realised,’ he said.

Eze Obizie also expressed gratitude to Mr Amanze Uchegbulam, an indigene of Obizi for his efforts towards rehabilitating the road.

Obizie observed that he and his counterpart from the neighbouring Umunwanwa in Abia, had in 2017 wrote a letter to Fashola on the need to re
build the road.

Also, Eze Stephen Ihuoma, the traditional ruler of Umunwanwa, in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia, thanked Tinubu for carrying on with the project that was initiated by Buhari-led administration.

He said a site visit by Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, was an indication of the president’s desire to complete the project.

According to Ihuoma when completed the road will make travel from Umuahia to Owerri easier.

However, the traditional ruler expressed concern over the slow pace of work at the Umunwanwa axis, and urged the government to put more effort.

He said: ‘The tarred section in Umunwanwa is not up to half kilometre and my people are suffering it because from the spot where they stopped work to the bridge head is bad.

‘Without the intervention of the communities about three years ago that road would have been a different thing all together.

‘My people are united in ensuring that the project is completed but I am appealing to the Federal Government to let my people feel th
e tarred portion of the road’, he told NAN.

Meanwhile, Mr Dennis Orji the consultant for the project and a former Director, Federal Ministry of Works, said erosion at Umunwanwa posed a major challenge to the project.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Works was considering an augmentation to be able to tackle the challenge.

As for the completion period, he said that it was difficult to determine when the project would be completed considering various potential challenges, including weather.

The consultant said that Imo and Abia belong to the rainforest and as a result not much would be achieved starting from May because of heavy rain.

He affirmed that the bridge construction was still going saying ‘we at the piling stage and once the bridge is done we will focus on the road.’

‘But there is a remarkable progress and the Federal Government is trying because the road is being funded through Skukuk.

‘Of course, governance is a continuum and luckily they are of All Progressives Congress party.

‘I think i
f there must be progress there must be continuity, otherwise there will be so many abandoned projects.’

Ongoing construction of a new bridge at Imo River

Also, Eze Stephen Ihuoma, the Traditional Ruler of Umunwanwa, in Umuahia South Local Government Area, Abia, thanked Tinubu for carrying on with the project that was initiated by Buhari-led administration.

He said that the visit to the project site by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, was a clear indication of the president’s interest to see that the road was completed.

According to Eze Ihuoma, the road when completed will make travel from Umuahia to Owerri very simple and will ease trade between Imo and Abia.

However, the traditional ruler expressed concern over the slow pace of work at the Umunwanwa axis, and urged the government to put more effort.

He said: ‘The tarred section in Umunwanwa is not up to half kilometre and my people are suffering it heavily because from the spot they stopped work to the bridge head the road is bad.

‘Without the inte
rvention of the communities about three years ago that road would have been a different thing all together.

‘My people are united in ensuring that the project is completed but I’m appealing to the Federal Government to let my people feel the tarred portion of the road.’

Meanwhile, the Consultant, Mr Dennis Orji, a former Director at the Federal Ministry of Works, admitted that the serious erosion problem at Umunwanwa was one of the challenges to the project.

He said that the Federal Ministry of Works was considering an augmentation to be able to tackle the challenge.

As for the completion period, he said that it was difficult to determine when contracts and projects would be completed in Nigeria considering the problems of funding and weather.

The consultant said that Imo and Abia belong to the rainforest and as a result not much would be achieved starting from this month(May).

He affirmed that the bridge construction was still going saying ‘we at the piling stage and once the bridge is done we will foc
us on the road.’

Orji continued; ‘But there is a remarkable progress and the Federal Government is trying because the road is being funded through Skukuk.

‘Of course, governance is a continum and luckily they are of All Progressives Congress party.

‘I think if there must be progress there must be continuity, otherwise there will be so many abandoned projects.’

Completed section of the road at Achingali

Rep. Emeka Chinedu, Member representing Ahiazu /Mbaise Ezinihite Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, expressed happiness for the progress on the road.

He also thanked Tinubu for his efforts in sustaining the road as well as Fashola for his critical role in the award of the contract.

Chinedu recalled that the road was approved by 9th Assembly but was not funded in the budget.

He said that he and Chief Sam Onuigbo, former member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives also met Fashola to facilitate the project.

The lawmaker, who is
the Chairman, House Committee on the Federal Character Territory, equally commended the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, for his commitment in ensuring that the road was completed.

‘If you go on inspection there you will see the level of progress recorded.

‘That road is so significant to Imo and Abia because it is a link road between the two neighbouring states.

‘If it is completed there is going to be heavy trade relationship between the two states and that will bring a lot of economic benefits to the people,’ he said.

Corroborating him, the ex-lawmaker, Onuigbo, said the completion of the bridge and the road would go a long way in enhancing the economic fortunes of the people.

Onuigbo, who represents South-East on the Board of the North-East Development Commission, said that it was important road that Tinubu administration was executing the project as part of his Renewed Hope agenda.

He said the government should be commended for taking up the project even when Tinubu did not get win South-East stat
es in the 2023 general elections.

‘Another reason for the commendation is that the bridge being reconstructed was one of the bridges destroyed during the 1967-1970 civil war.

‘Therefore, continuing with this project without abandoning it is a sign that President Tinubu is focused on the overall development of Nigeria.

‘I must also commend the minister, Umahi for visiting the site and working tirelessly to see that the project see the light of the day.’

Interestingly, Mr Amanze Uchegbulam, former First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation also heaped praises on Tinubu and Fashola.

He said that he would eternally remain grateful to Fashola, whom he described as his friend and teammate at Eagle Club Surulere, for granting his request.

‘I really thank the Federal Government because our people have suffered for over 50 years from 1969-2019, when nobody cared for us.

‘My people are so happy for this project and they wanted to give me an award but I refused to take it.

‘I told them that I would not
take any award until the road was completed and we drive on it,’ said Uchegbulam, a former Vice President of Confederation of Africa Football Appeal Committee.

A commercial motorcyclist, Mr Izuchulwu Ukuwa, who plies the road is excited that the project would completed soon and urged the government to step up its effort.

Ukuwa, the Youth Leader of Umuoke in Umunwanwa, said that the road was very significant because it links some states including Imo, Abia, Enugu.

‘Our people are known for agriculture, especially cassava farming. If this road is completed it will help us in transporting our farm produce to the market.

‘I’m very happy that the government has remembered us and I pray that it try its best to complete the project,’ he said.

A commercial bus driver, Mr Valentine Chukwu, a native of Umuawada Onicha Mbaise, commended the government for committing to the project, especially the bridge.

‘When I was younger, it was plank that was used to cover up that bridge.

We were always scared whenever my fat
her carried me and my siblings through it on his motorcycle to take us in our primary school.

‘So the fact that the government is now constructing the bridge gives me joy. When the road is completed it will help our people in their daily businesses,’ Chukwu said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage (TCNMW), says it will hold its 8th meeting on June 4 to continue negotiations.

Mr Ekpo Nta, member and Secretary of the committee said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to Nta, I respectfully invite you to attend the 8th meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage.

‘The meeting is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Area 11, Abuja at 10.00 a.m. prompt,” he said.

He said that he minutes of the 7th meeting, the draft agenda for the 8th meeting, and the Zoom Link for virtual attendance will be forwarded in due course.

Nta called on the chairman of the committee, members and observers to take note.

It would be recalled that Organised Labour at the 7th TCNMW meeting had expressed disappointment that no governor was present at the last meeting.

Labour had also complained that ministers were absent except the minister of State for Labour and Employment who also doubles as a conciliator.

Labour s
aid that there was none present on the side of the government with appropriate authority to commit them to any outcome.

Meanwhile, labour has begun an indefinite nationwide strike following the Federal Government’s failure to meet their demand on the new minimum wage.

It would be recall that the Federal government was offering N60, 000 as the new national minimum wage for workers in the country while Labour is demanding for N470, 000.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Army on Monday handed over eight students of Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Kogi State, who were rescued on Sunday, to Gov. Ahmed Ododo, at Army Headquarters Abuja.

The handing over was conducted by the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Emekah, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

Emekah said the troops of the Nigerian Army in synergy with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, successfully rescued the abducted students who were taken hostage by terrorists.

He said the rescue operation took place in a dense forest near Oro Ago Village in Kwara following an intense clearance mission.

He added that the operation was still ongoing to apprehended the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.

In his remarks, Gov. Ahmed Ododo thanked God Almighty for making it possible for the rescue of the students, adding that it was a mixed feeling for him as two of the 31 abducted students
were murdered.

Ododo said that 29 of the students were successfully rescued while appreciating the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and the military for the fight against insecurity in the country.

He also thanked the National Security Adviser (NSA) for making the country’s security apparatus more effective, efficient and technology driven.

‘At this level, I have come to realise that the Nigerian army has all it takes to stamp out kidnapping, banditry and all forms of criminal activities from our land.

‘Because the level of synergy, the level of understanding, collaboration and coordination carried out by them professionally is highly commendable and I sincerely appreciate you and your men.

‘I want to promise that Kogi State will always be there to partner with you and we are ever ready to answer your call at any point in time and fighting crimes and criminality in our land.

‘We have all it takes in terms of equipment and we will continue to collaborate and synergise with your agencies to make sure our
land is free of all these criminalities,’ he said.

Ododo assured the student that the government would continue to support them to ensure that they succeed in their aspiration and educational pursuits.

According to him, Kogi is a state that is well known to be well blessed with mineral deposits and that deposit must work for the state.

He said the criminals had now known that Kogi was not a safe heaven for them, assuring that no criminal that entered the state would be spared.

The governor commended the army for its efforts and display of professionalism in carrying out the rescue operation.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria