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2022 Summit: Lalu task religious, traditional rulers on leadership position for PWDs

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The National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPWD), has tasked religious and traditional rulers in Nigeria for adequate representation and inclusion of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in traditional and religious organizations.

The Commission, emphasized on the needs for PWDs to be recognised as clergy men and Incorporated in cabinets of traditional institutions to boost disability inclusion.

The Executive Secretary of the
Commission, James David Lalu, made the demand in Abuja on Wednesday, during the National Summit on ”Disability Inclusion for Religious and Traditional Rulers” in Nigeria.

Responding to the demand, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the head of the Nigerian National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who assured his commitment to work with the commission until all their needs are met, pledged to facilitate the implementation of the PWDs policies to federal level.

Also speaking at the event, is the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Daniel okoh, who
assured the approval of positions for PWDs in religious organisation, also appealed to State governments to enforce laws that would bring an end to stigma and discrimination against persons with special needs.

On her part, the country advocacy coordinator for Sight Savers, Esther Bature, urged the traditional and religious leaders to support in advocating to the various levels of government in the country to implement the disability law.

Bature, explained that “the demands for the leadership position in religious and traditional organisation would help reach a wider audience and people will be more accepting because it’s coming from their rulers. And also this is the time for us to shift from the charity model to the human rights model in addressing issues around disability inclusion.”

The National Summit which is the second in the series by the Commission on fostering Disability Inclusion, was declared open by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who was represented by the State House Chaplain, senior special assistant to the president, Pastor Joseph Oluseyi Malomo.

Some of the dignitary in attendance is the
the former CAN president and former Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, both emphasized the need for an all inclusive Society.

NCPWD which oversees the affairs of over 30 million PWDs in the country was established in 2020 by President Mohammadu Buhari, under the supervision of the ministry of Humanitarian,Disaster Management and Social Development, with the mandate to enhance inclusiveness of PWDs to enable them contribute their quota to national development.

NCC:Airtel emerge as qualified bidder for 3.5GHz spectrum auction

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A telecommunications giant, Airtel Nigeria, has emerged as the qualified bidder for the  3.5Ghz spectrum auction being overseen by Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

This is following the failure of the other participant in the proposed auction to pay the Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) as stipulated in the Information Memorandum (IM) issued by NCC.

Recall that the Commission had stated in the Information Memorandum that applicants are to forward their Intention to Bid into the designated account on/before 5pm on the 5th of December 2022.

Airtel Networks Limited (Airtel) and Standard Network & Connections Limited (Standard Network) are the only two companies who expressed interest in the auction of the 3.5GHz Spectrum band.

In a press statement, the Commission noted that, “only Airtel paid the Intention to Bid Deposit (IBD) as stipulated in the Information Memorandum (IM) whereas, Standard Network sent an email appeal for the deadline to be extended by twelve (12) working days which was not acceptable in view of the auction timetable.

“Having met all the provision in the IM, Airtel has, therefore, emerged as the sole Bidder.
“Consequently, there shall be no further bidding and the Commission will proceed to the Assignment Stage in line with the published Information Memorandum guiding the licensing process,” the Commission emphasized.

The Reserve Price for the spectrum has however been fixed at Two Hundred and Seventy-Three Million and Six Hundred Thousand United States Dollars only (US$273,600,000.00) or its equivalent in Naira at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rates at the time of the auction.

Telecom policies enhancing digital access, media and knowledge production- Danbatta

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The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has said that diligent implementation of various telecommunications policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks has continued to enhance the nation’s capacity to deepen citizens’ access to digital resources, transform media and knowledge production and positively impacting Nigeria’s economic and social progress.

Danbatta stated this in a keynote address delivered at a two-day International Conference of the Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON), which ended at the weekend. The Conference, the second by the Association, was attended by numerous leading scholars from media and mass communication, as well as from tangential academic disciplines.
Speaking on the theme: “Influence of Communication Policies on Digital Revolution in Nigeria”, Danbatta, who was represented by NCC’s Director, Research and Development, Ismail Adedigba, stated that communication policies are essentially blueprints and strategies, marked by plans for the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in a way that nudges people to harness opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) through the embrace of digital culture across sectors by individual, businesses and institutions.

He explained that, through diligent implementation of telecommunication policies, which have triggered digital revolution, the media and entire field of mass communication have been impacted through innovations that have revolutionised production and consumption of mass communication contents, and that make communication easily accessible, more affordable and exchanges faster.
Danbatta, while tracing the trajectory of growth in the telecoms industry from 1960 till date, said the past decades have witnessed formulation of various policies and laws for developing the industry but remarkable growth in the sector started after the sector’s liberalization in 2001.
He said through diligent implementation of policies, vision plans and strategic regulatory frameworks by the NCC, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the industry, there is increased access to digital services and the media industry is being shaped in terms of patterns of information dissemination through multiple platforms while digital revolution has revealed a new vista of research areas for scholars in the field of mass communication.
“Today, the active telecom subscribers have grown significantly to 212.2 million from about 400,000 aggregate telephone lines in the country as of 2000, on the eve of liberalisation. This represents a teledensity of 111 per cent.

Basic Internet subscriptions grew from zero ground to 152.7 million now, while broadband subscriptions stand at over 86 million, representing a 45.09 per cent penetration as of July 2022.
“The industry has also become a major contributor to our national economy with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry contributing 18.94 per cent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as of the second quarter of 2022, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). From this, the telecommunications sector alone contributed 15 per cent to GDP.
“The ICT contribution to GDP is, by far, the second largest contributor to the national economy aside from the agriculture sector. From less than $500 million investment in 2001, the investment profile in the nation’s telecommunications sector has also surpassed $70 billion. The telecommunication sector has also created direct and indirect jobs for millions of Nigerians to date,” Danbatta said in his keynote speech.

Danbatta expressed hope that just as the liberalisation policies have worked quantifiably for Nigeria’s progress, yielding exponential results, the Commission is committed to the implementation of the various extant economic recovery plans, digital economy policies, the national broadband plan as well as strategic management plans which have been streamlined in NCC Strategic Vision Plans.
The EVC promised that the NCC will continue to ensure more quantum leap and retain its current leadership role in the telecommunications space to lead Nigeria into the next level of development. “To achieve this, the NCC will continue to strengthen collaboration with the media professionals and communication research-focused bodies such as AMCRON, towards creating an environment where stakeholders can leverage digital infrastructure to achieve greater efficiency in what they do,” he said.

Chairman, Governing Council of AMRCON, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye; President of AMCRON, Prof. Eserinune Mojaye; and AMCRON Secretary-General, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, among other participants, commended the NCC for the role it is playing in putting Nigeria on the global map of digital economy and culture. They particularly thanked NCC for its consistent, impacting collaboration with scholars, researchers, and the entrepreneurship of knowledge production.

Int’l Day of PWDs: New officers appointed to Steer representation of disability community

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As part of effort to commemorate the international Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPs), the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability in Nigeria (JONAPWD) has elected into offices delegates that will pilot the affairs of the association for the 2022/2023 at the national level.

Speaking on the outcome of the election with journalist, Chairman of JONAPWD Electoral Committee Comrade, Dahiru Gambo, noted that the electoral process was smooth and credible with the election of 6 zonal coordinators, office of the President and Secretary and 10 other offices of the organization.

According to Gambo, some of the offices are still vacant due to the absence of delegates for the position.

He insisted that although Mohammed Abdullahi emerged as New president of the association, the elections remains inconclusive and will be completed at and earlier date at the discretion of the New National President.

Also, Susan Kelechi Nwoma, a Delegate representing  Lagos stated noted that it is imperatives to choose leaders that will advocates for the rights of PWDs in Nigeria under the Umbrella body of JONAPWD as 27 million Nigerians are people  with disabilities.

Nwoma added that the International Day for Persons with Disabilities is a day set aside to promotee the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development,

She said the day will equally raise awareness on the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life, reinforcee the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, and ultimately afford them the opportunity to participate fully, equally and effectively in the society without barriers.

Huawei names Computer Lab after Danbatta, district head commends him

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L-R: Director, Human Capital and Administration, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Usman Malah; Director, Public Relations, Huawei, Lola Fafore; Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Prof. Garba Danbatta and the District Head of Makoda, Kano State, Alhaji Labaran Abdullahi, during the commissioning of computer lab constrcutted by Huawie and named after Danbatta in Kano recently

A computer lab, constructed by Huawei Technologies and commissioned at the weekend to serve the community of Koguna Town of Makoda Local Government of Kano State, has been named “Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta Computer Lab”.

Director, Public Relations of Huawei Nigeria, Lola Fafore, said at the commissioning, which was witnessed by the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, and the District Head of Makoda, Alhaji Labaran Abdullahi, that the project was among the company’s contribution to Nigeria as part of its corporate social responsibility. Fafore assured that Huawei will continue to promote digital inclusion, primarily through the provision of access to technology.

“Huawei has been operating in Nigeria for over 22 years now and we can say that Nigeria is a great country filled with many great talents and potential. We love the Nigerian people and are happy to always give back through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives such as this,”

“Huawei is therefore constantly making more effort in terms of connectivity, applications, and skills transfer to promote digital inclusion for all. This is in line with Huawei’s mission to bring digital services to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected intelligent world. As part of our contribution to this great nation, we believe in making technology accessible to all. Technology should not be for the few, but for everyone,” she said.

In appreciation of naming the centre after him and donating to the community, Danbatta commended Huawei Nigeria Limited. He also thanked the company for the central role it has played in the development of the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

“This computer laboratory was built through a huge donation by Huawei. And Huawei is a household name in Nigeria. They provide and manage services for major telecommunications companies in Nigeria. They are dominant in that sector. I can’t imagine the state of telecoms in Nigeria without the invaluable role that Huawei is playing in the country,” Danbatta said.

Traditional ruler of Makoda who doubles as Barayan Bichi, poured encomiums on the donors and the NCC boss, whose philanthropic disposition attracted the gesture to the community.

He said Danabatta has been making invaluable contributions to the development of our communities, the state, and the nation at large. The community leader stated that Danbatta has implemented many philanthropic and people-oriented projects in his Danbatta community in addition to his strides in driving the development of ICT adoption and usage, through numerous initiatives as the country’s Chief Telecoms Regulator.

Those who attended the commissioning ceremony include, the Vice Chairman of Makoda Local Government, Alhaji Yusif Bala, the Director of Human Capital and Administration of NCC, Barrister Usman Malah, the Chief of Staff to the EVC, Malam Hafiz Shehu, and the Controller, NCC Zonal Office in Kano, Malam Shuaibu Swade among others.

Burning of INEC Offices: Controversy over cost of reproducing PVC, as lawmaker claims N170,000 per one

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A member of the House of Representatives, Olanrewaju Ibrahim from Ekiti State, on Wednesday claimed it will take N170,000 to reproduce one PVC amidst the attacks on offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Ibrahim, while moving a motion to investigate the attacks on INEC facilities, claimed that over 65,000 PVCs got burnt in the attack on INEC office at Abeokuta South Local in Ogun State.

He stated that INEC lost other assets in the attack. He warned that the attacks are coordinated to make 2023 election impossible.

“on 10 November 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State, was set ablaze by hoodlums with not less than 65000 uncollected PVCs razed down by the fire;

“In 2019, a Single PVC was estimated to cost about N170, 000. 00 which may cost more for the Commission to produce,” he said.

The claim was however countered by Aisha Dukku, the Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Matters. She said the cost of production is less than N1,000 per PVC.

But Ms Dukku was unable to provide answers on the exact cost. A motion was subsequently moved to strike out the N170,000 per PVC.

The motion was moved and taken by the House.

To investigate the attacks, the House set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the attacks. The committee is headed by Taiwo Oluga from Osun State.

The lawmakers directed that the committee should submit its report to the House within 3weeks.

Again, NCC warns against use of counterfeit, non-type approved phones

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has cautioned consumers against the patronage and use of devices that have not been typed approved and counterfeit devices, strongly warning that such devices negatively affect the quality of experience while leaving their users vulnerable to losses and other discomforts.

The warning came following the Commission’s enforcement activities in Kano where it arrested representatives of three companies responsible for the sale of counterfeit as well as non-type-approved devices and has handed them over to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for investigation and further necessary action.

The enforcement team arrested Yahaya Ado of Gezawa Communications Limited for selling counterfeit Gionee devices and not being able to show any evidence of authorization granted to the company by the Commission.  Messrs Nura Ahmed of Saleh Latest Venture and Rufai Nuhu of Al Mansoor Communications were also arrested because they were not licenced to engage in the sales and installation of terminal equipment and were unable to show any evidence of authorization from the Commission in that connection.

The NCC’s Head of Enforcement, Mallam Salisu Abdu, who led the team, expressed concerns at how the GSM Market on Beirut Street, Kano, was awash with counterfeit and non-type approved phones. Abdu bemoaned the fact that many of the vendors were not licensed by the Commission to provide such communication service they rendered.

The Commission is determined to carry out post-enforcement checks to ensure that the sale of counterfeit devices is stopped. The NCC will collaborate with market associations to ensure that appropriate licences are obtained by vendors and assist in apprehending the major dealers and suppliers of counterfeit devices.

The non-type-approved phones found during the enforcement include Gionee branded phones with model numbers G800, and L990; H-Mobile phones with model numbers it5606+, H351; FoxKong with model numbers F30, F300; and KGTEL phones with model numbers K2160 and KG1100.

Why it’s suicidal to resume Abuja-Kaduna train services now, HURIWA tackles FG

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Prominent civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Wednesday, tackled the Federal Government over its planned resumption of train services along the Abuja-Kaduna route, saying it is suicidal to contemplate such resumption without first ensuring foolproof security for the passengers.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement, said the government must first arrest the perpetrators of the March 28, 2022 terrorist attack where scores of passengers were kidnapped and others numbering over four dozens killed/maimed by marauders who bombed a moving train and opened fire on harmless passengers. These terrorists that bombed the Kaduna bound train also took away hostages they kept for 6 Months and were frequently video recorded by these terro masterminds receiving caning and other kinds of physical tortures. The Terrorists negotiator arrested by DSS and accused sensationally of aiding and abetting the train terror attack was dragged to court but suddenly the case was dropped by the Department of State Services for reasons not made known to the public unlike when the DSS embarked on massive media trial of the said arrested train terrorists negotiator Tukur Mamu.

The group also faulted the requirement reeled out of late by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) that passengers on the route must register their phone numbers and National Identification Number (NIN) at the point of ticket purchase.

According to HURIWA, bandits and terrorists with registered phone numbers and valid NINs have continued that kidnap-for-ransom business while the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami and his team have failed to track any of these criminals using their NINs.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, earlier in November, said the Abuja-Kaduna train services will resume later in the month but on Sunday, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, extended the resumption date for Abuja-Kaduna rail services and did not give a specific date for the resumption.

He claimed that the government had introduced a new system of purchasing tickets, which he said was the beginning of security checks.

Commenting, HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “Resuming the Abuja-Kaduna train services along the volatile forests of the North-West without tight technology-driven security is suicidal. Beyond the use of NIN which has failed in tracking bandits and kidnappers, the Federal Government should come up with sure-proof means of identifying passengers onboard. Also there was a botched Information technology driven security architecture project for Railways which the former minister of Transportation Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi reportedly tendered before the Federal Executive Council for approval but which was thrown out due to infighting within the corridors-of-power because the security of the poor masses is none of the concerns of those at the top echelons of government today who mostly use private aircraft to travel.

“HURIWA is yet befuddled on how NIN will stop terrorists from emerging from the bush and ambushing travellers like they did in March. Where are the anti-bomb devices attached to the trains on that route? What of special security or patrol covering the route? What about drone or aerial surveillance to monitor the movement of the trains along the route each time in operation? Where are the blades installed around train coaches to slice would-be attackers? Where are the electric shocks? Without any of these done, government will successfully expose innocent citizens to avoidable risks. In fact, one just wonder whether this government thinks at all!

“The Muhammadu Buhari regime must first arrest those terrorists who derailed the train to Kaduna, killed many and took hostages for over five months before being allegedly paid to free them. The victims must get justice before all the jejune talks of resumption of train services along the route.

“This government is insensitive to begin to talk about resumption of train services when insecurity is still overwhelming and government has no backup plan to provide foolproof security for the passengers.”

 

Budget Padding: Why we inserted N1.7 trillion projects in MDAs budget— Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed

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Budget Padding: Why we inserted N1.7 trillion projects in MDAs budget— Finance Minister

…Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq must appear for questioning- Reps insist

By Ogaga Ariemu

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed on Tuesday disclosed that N1.7 trillion projects were inserted in the budget of 14 ministries, department and agencies.

Ahmed stated this in reaction to allegations of budget padding against her ministry.

Recall that some agencies had during budget defence sessions in the Senate claimed that projects worth billions were inserted in the budget without their consent.

While appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation on Tuesday, the Minister clarified that it was not budget padding, rather those projects are to be financed by loans.

She explained that in the past, loans are not included in the budget, however, for transparency, the federal government now include loans in the budget.

“These loans were previously not fully captured in the FGN budget; only the provisions for counterpart funds & debt service were included in the FGN budget.

“To improve transparency and the comprehensiveness of the FGN budget, consistent with global best practice, we decided to fully capture these project tied loans in the FGN budget,” she said.

She explained that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has N206 billion in their budget which is funded by the World Bank for National Safety Nets Project.

Ahmed added that N195 billion sources from different multilateral agencies is also domiciled in the budget of the Ministry of Power.

Some of the projects include; Zungeru HydroElectric Power Project funded by Export-Import Bank of China, Power Sector Recovery Operation (PSRO) funded by World Bank and others.

Following her explanation, the Committee resolved that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouk must appear before it for clarification.

NCC committed to gender equality in information technology space

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The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta, has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring there is a balance in the representation of females in the information technology  (IT) ecosystem.

The EVC, speaking 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 there was 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.

Danbatta further stated 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.

The EVC also 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 further 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.

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