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BRGIE gave Igbos, others over N85m palliatives in five months – Simon Ekpa

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Ekpa

Simon Ekpa, the prime minister of Biafra Republic Government in Exile, says the government distributed over N85 million palliatives to Biafrans in Southeast, South-South regions of Nigeria from July to November 2023.

The Finland-based lawyer and separatist disclosed this on Friday in his statement regarding the impact of the BRGIE liberation movement.

He said the move was to boost Biafrans’ commitment to the actualization of the Biafra Referendum.

According to pictures and videos sighted by journalists, the palliative distribution of food items and cash occurred across Southeast locations from July to November 2023.

He expressed that the palliative was extended to the Hausa Community in Borno state to show that Biafra liberation is not about hatred for other tribes in Nigeria.

“From July 2023 to November 2023, the Biafra Prime Minister through the Biafra Republic Government in Exile and Biafra De Facto Government in the homeland has distributed palliatives worth over 85million naira to Biafrans both in the coastal and hinterland”.

“The Biafra government also shared a Palliative to the Hausa Community in Borno state, showing exemplary leadership that Hausas are not our problem and many are with us in the struggle. We want to make clear that we have supported the Hausa community in the North with palliative measures to show we have nothing against them”.

Recall that BRGIE, under the leadership of Mazi Ekpa, has been vociferous in the quest for the Biafra referendum.

Consequently, a weekly sit-at-home is observed in the Southeast to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra liberation.

In July, BRGIE observed a two-week sit-at-home across the southeast region.

“After two weeks of historic sit at home, The Biafra Government continue to touch the lives of Biafrans that Nigeria has destroyed; I chose the one to post”.

“From July 2023 to November 2023, the Biafra Prime Minister through the Biafra Republic Government in Exile and Biafra De Facto Government in the homeland has distributed palliatives worth over 85million naira to Biafrans both in the coastal and hinterland”.

“The Biafra government also shared a Palliative to the Hausa Community in Borno state, showing exemplary leadership that Hausas are not our problem and many are with us in the struggle. We want to make clear that we have supported the Hausa community in the North with palliative measures to show we have nothing against them”.

Invest in Nigeria’s ICT research, development- NCC Boss Maida tells Nokia

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NCC and finnish team

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has requested Nokia Networks to increase its investments in Research and Development (R&D) to support the growth of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigeria.

Maida spoke when a delegation from Nokia Networks of Finland led by the Deputy Minister, Under-Secretary of State for International Trade from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Jarno Syrjala, visited the Commission recently to explore further opportunities for mutually beneficial relationships.

He told the delegation that the Nigerian government is interested in harnessing Nokia’s capabilities through technology transfer to support Nigerian youths in technical skills.

The Nigerian government is targeting training three million youths in ICT skills to advance the country’s digital economy. “We are keen on getting the youths employed, as our Ministry is targeting three million youths for skills acquisition,” the EVC said.

Maida informed the Nokia contingent that the Commission places primacy in R&D as the bedrock of any knowledge economy and for the advancement of innovation.

He, therefore, urged Nokia and other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), to explore R&D opportunities to deepen local content development in Nigeria.

While congratulating Maida on his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s chief telecom regulator, Syrjala said the visit’s purpose was to explore collaboration areas to support Nigeria’s digital economy agenda.

Syrjala recalled Nokia’s continued partnership with communications service providers in Nigeria and cable and other operators to deliver critical network systems with high performance, reliability, and security.

He noted that Nokia already has an R&D centre in Nigeria and would target greater investment.

Quality services non-negotiable- NCC boss Maida tells telecom operators

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EVC NCC, Aminu Maida

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, has said that quality of service in the telecommunications sector is non-negotiable, as he called for industry collaboration to make this a reality.

Maida, who spoke in Lagos at an interactive session with chief executive officers on Thursday, assured of collaborations within the industry and commitment to transparency in the telecom ecosystem.

He told the industry chieftains to appreciate that they have a very important role to play in industry to consolidate on the achievements already recorded in the sector, which is an enabler of Nigeria’s digital economy.

Speaking as his confirmation as the substantive chief executive officer of the Commission was taking place at the Senate Chambers, Maida noted that the expectations of telecom consumers are very high.

“People actually expect telecom services to work. I don’t think they really appreciate what it takes to deliver these services.

“So, it has come to a stage where they just see telecom service as a utility like water and electricity. Like a social service, it needs to work. We need to really come together in the industry and deliver value to the customer,” he said.

He also spoke about compliance with industry regulations and standards.

“When it comes to compliance, this is an area where we are going to be placing a lot more focus, and things are going to be a lot more urgent. I am not going to be asking for compliance after the fact. That is going to be a very key area of focus for me.

“So, we owe it to ourselves to benchmark ourselves against the best, not against other sectors. We have to just take ourselves as setting the benchmark for every person else. So, let people compare and say we have to be as good as telecom,” he stated.

On broadband, Maida said the Commission has a very short time to do so much.

“A lot has been done with the Infrastructure Company (InfraCo) licensing. We just have to re-imagine, look at it again, and see whether that is the right approach and re-imagine how we approach it.

“We now need to start getting into the states, and perhaps we might need to sit down and see how we can do that differently. Again, we need to increase the investment on the broadband issue,” he said.

The new NCC boss said that he considered operating entities a crucial segment of the national telecom development, hence his desire to hear directly from industry CEOs about the issues, challenges, and opportunities.

“We also have to be clear that this is not just a conversation about you representing your shareholders. This is a conversation about Nigeria. This is a conversation about moving Nigeria forward.

“So, your shareholders are one part of your stakeholders, but Nigerians are also another critical, your most important stakeholders. So, this conversation will be about you having your shareholders, but you also have Nigerians to whom you will have to deliver services,” he said.

The CEOs, who expressed delight at the consultative approach of the EVC, promised to work closely in support of Maida’s mandate.

President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Tony Emoekpere, said the industry is reassured by Maida’s steps in convening the interactive session.

“We are encouraged that your first action is to meet with us here at this interactive session. What you have done to invite us here to hear what we have to say is the right step,” he said.

Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, commended the interactive session for providing a platform for discussing the issues in the industry. He said the approach of the new boss of the NCC is very promising.

Senate confirms Maida as EVC NCC

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EVC NCC, Aminu Maida

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Aminu Maida as the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC).

The development followed the presentation and adoption of a report of the Committee on Communication by the Chairman Sen. Bilbis Ikra(APC- Zamfara) at the Committee of the Whole on Thursday.

Presenting the report Ikra urged the Senate to consider the request of President Bola Tinubu for the confirmation of Maida for appointment as NCC Chairman.

He said the request was in accordance with Section 8 (1) of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Establishment Act, 2003.

According to the lawmaker the committee had screened Maida, saying that he passed all security clearance, possessed the requisite qualifications, professional experience, competence and regulatory capacity to further ensure success of the NCC.

He therefore urged the senate to approve the nomination.

Senate, thereafter confirmed the appointment of Aminu Maida, as Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC.

Nigerian Newssphere recalls that last month, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Maida as EVC of NCC.

GEOSON, Plateau Govt rally to unveil post-graduate GIS programme

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GEOSON

The Geoinformation Society of Nigeria, GEOSON and the Plateau State Government rally stakeholders to kickstart works on introducing graduate and post-graduate Geographic Information System (GIS) programmes in universities.

GEOSON President, Surv. Fitka Steve Bilshakka disclosed this in his remarks at the society’s Annual General Assembly (AGA) held in Jos on Monday.

Surv. Bilshakka explained that introducing the GIS programmes in universities includes setting up all relevant committees and statutory bodies prescribed by the constitution academic programmes: seminars and workshops.

He said training programmes include the organisation of short courses, mandatory continuous professional development, intensifying international collaborations, and membership drives.

He challenged participating stakeholders to rise to the occasion in the quest to place Nigeria on the global map of the geoinformation system, given that the world is becoming increasingly geoinformation driven.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our beloved guest. The generation and use of geoinformation is influencing every sector of life. Everyone generates geoinformation; everyone makes use of geo-information. The world now thinks and acts as geo-information.

“Once again, I thank you for being partners in progress in our mutual efforts and collective challenge and responsibility in moving our great society to a higher level of global inclusion and relevance throughout the geo-information community.

“As partakers in this conference, let us reflect on the challenges ahead of us as professionals in the geospatial data industry. It is recognition of our collective efforts and reaffirmation of our commitment that will lead to the progress of Nigeria,” he said.

He stressed that the theme of this year’s AGA, “Emerging Geo-information Tools and Techniques for Security and Management: Opportunities and Strategies for Nigeria”, was very apt, giving the myriad of security and other challenges, expressing the hope that the quality of papers and presenters would be able to provide the government with some solutions to the challenges.

Highlighting the progress made so far, the number one GEOSONist revealed that at present, on the membership drive and certification front, the society now boasts about 1200 fully registered and certificated members and is still counting on its website of www.geoson.ng.

At the state level, he said, “We have 26 functional state chapters right now but 23 Operational,” urging all those who have not registered to take advantage of the window and join before it is too late. According to him, the society’s activities have recently been boosted in the areas of publication in the International Journal of Geoinformation and Earth Sciences and international collaboration, among others.

In his speech, the host governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, affirmed the commitment of the state to the advancement of geo-information in the area, adding that his government, having recognised the pivotal role geo-information plays, was poised to upgrade the state’s Geo-Information information System agency to meet international standards.

He stressed the need for a seamless collaboration between the state and GEOSON.

“I am excited about the collaboration prospects between the Plateau State Government and the Geo-information Society of Nigeria. Together, we can explore avenues to harness geo-information for our state’s economic development. The potential is immense,” the governor said.

ECN, UNEP train stakeholders on energy performance standards Air Conditioner in Nigeria

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The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and various partners, has initiated a training programme aimed at equipping stakeholders in the sector with the necessary skills for enforcing energy performance standards for air conditioners in Nigeria.

Commencing on November 15, 2023, the one-day training workshop on air conditioner monitoring, verification and enforcement (MVE) is an integral part of the broader project, “Scaling-Up Energy-Efficient and Climate-Friendly Cooling in Nigeria” and it is taking place at the ECN headquarters in Abuja.
In his opening address, the director-general of ECN, Dr.

Mustapha Abdullahi elucidated that the project’s primary objective is to expedite the transition to energy-efficient air conditioners (ACs) with climate-friendly (low-GWP refrigerant) in residential, commercial and public buildings. This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s climate targets in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and aims to do so cost-effectively and sustainably.

Abdullahi outlined that one of the key project activities is providing training on monitoring, verification, and enforcement (MVE) to support the implementation of upcoming minimum energy performance standards (MEPS). This training is specifically designed for relevant enforcement and regulatory agencies of the government and vendors of such products.
“The main objectives of this training workshop are to build the capacity of relevant government institutions to enforce energy performance standards of air conditioning equipment effectively; to enhance their ability to carry out surveillance activities in the air conditioner sector to monitor compliance with these standards; to harness feedback from stakeholders and solicit their buy-in regarding the new energy performance standards proposed for air conditioner standards.”

He further elaborated that the workshop would include paper presentations covering various aspects of air conditioner market monitoring, verification, and evaluation in Nigeria. Topics will include but are not limited to, energy efficiency calculation for air conditioners, application of ISO 16358-1:2013 on seasonal energy performance, Product Registration System (PRS), and market surveillance for labelling and verification testing.

Highlighting the project’s relevance, Abdullahi emphasised the well-known and felt negative impact of climate change. He underscored the project’s importance in contributing to one of the NDC’s targets, aiming for a 2.5 per cent per year reduction in energy intensity through energy efficiency best practices across all sectors of the nation’s economy.

Abdullahi recalled that the Air Conditioner Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) were first approved in Nigeria in 2017 but were scarcely enforced for various reasons, including the lack of equipment for verification testing by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). With support from GIZ and the EU, this barrier has been addressed, and an air conditioner biometric testing facility has been procured for SON. The project also proposes a periodic review (every five years) of existing air conditioner MEPS to incorporate technological advancements.

The ECN boss affirmed that the outcomes of this training workshop would complement ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of government agencies concerned with market surveillance and the enforcement of air conditioner MEPS.

The targeted participants include the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency, the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Ozone Office, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Energy Commission of Nigeria and the NESP Team.

He urged all participants to view the training as an opportunity to contribute to implementing the revised NDC for a better environment.

Bayelsa, Kogi guber: Elections peaceful but marred with irregularities, malpractices-GEW NWTF

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NWTF

The Gender and Election Watch Room of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund said that Saturday’s off-cycle governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi states, were relatively peaceful but marred with pockets of irregularities and malpractices. 

The Chief Executive Officer of NWTF, Brenda Anugwom, disclosed this in its recent pre-election reports. 

Anugwom said NWTF deployed 100 accredited observers to monitor the polls. 

She noted that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, worked optimally across polling units in the two states except in some cases where it malfunctioned. 

According to her, voter turnout was relatively poor during the gubernatorial elections due to a lack of trust in the polls. 

NWTF observed that the conduct of women at the polls was impressive as they turned out early but in low numbers.

Anugwom added that the cases of vote-buying, voters’ intimidation, and denial of access to polling units marred both Bayelsa and Kogi states elections.

“This was reported across all Local Government Areas observed; for instance, in Imiringi Town hall PU 016, Ogbia Local Government Area voters were seen entering the town hall upon casting their votes to receive a monetary sum, Bassambiri Mein Polo Tiri, and Ward 10 PU 002 Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. In Ward 5 PU 002 Nembe Local Government Area, some culprits perpetrating vote buying were arrested”.

It stated the same observation in some areas in Kogi state: “For instance, in Imiringi Town hall PU 016, Ogbia Local Government Area voters were seen entering the town hall upon casting their votes to receive a monetary sum, Bassambiri Mein Polo Tiri, and Ward 10 PU 002 Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. In Ward 5 PU 002 Nembe Local Government Area, some culprits perpetrating vote buying were arrested.

Meanwhile, the group recommended that “The level of preparedness and conduct of polls by INEC should be consistent to ensure that there is continuous and significant improvement with regards to logistics and opening of polls; That INEC should invoke the spirit of the new Electoral Law against vote buyers and sellers by arresting and prosecuting offenders to improve the electoral system; That INEC continues to improve on its planning around accessibility for pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly and Persons with Disabilities”.

Newshpere recalls that INEC declared Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and Ahmed Usman-Ododo of the All Progressives Party winners of the Bayelsa and Kogi state elections. 

 

NLC, TUC give reason for suspending strike

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Barely 48 hours after, the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on Wednesday night suspended the ongoing strike.

The unions said the suspension comes on the heels of the intervention of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The National Deputy Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja after its meeting on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the meeting which commenced at a few minutes past 7 pm lasted for close to one hour during which various affiliates and state chapters reviewed the outcome of the meeting held between the leaders of the organised labour and Ribadu.

“The NEC of the NLC and the TUC have suspended the strike. We did this based on our trust for the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who gave us his words,” he said.

Newssphere reports that the labour leaders met with Ribadu alongside the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, at the Office of the NSA on Wednesday afternoon.

Recall that on Tuesday, the union had shut down the country over assault on Joe Ajaero, NLC president in Imo state.

Earlier, Ribadu said the thug who attacked Ajaero in Imo state has been arrested being one of the primary reason for the strike action.

Court Stops NLC, TUC from embarking on Nov 14 strike

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The National Industrial Court has restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and their affiliates from embarking on any form of strike or industrial action.

The two labour Unions were on Friday evening ordered to stop their planned nationwide strike action scheduled to commence on November 14.

President of the Court, Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, issued the restraining order following an ex-parte application to that effect brought before the Court by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Attorney General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice.

Justice Kanyip invoked sections 17 and 19 of the National Industrial Court Act to issue the restraining order against Labour.

The Federal Government and the AGF, through their lawyer, Tijani Gazali, had, in the ex-parte application, prayed to the Court to stop the planned strike action to stop untold hardships that would be inflicted on innocent law-abiding citizens and their businesses.

Gazali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Director of Civil Appeals in the Federal Ministry of Justice, while arguing the ex-parte application drew the attention of Justice Kanyip to a series of hardships suffered by Nigerians on Thursday alone when the labour unions blocked entrances to the main Airports in the country.

He pleaded that unless the planned strike action is stopped, there may be a likelihood of a breach of peace in the country.

The Judge, who was persuaded by the government’s arguments, said that it is within the power of the Court to intervene by way of a restraining order to ensure peace and tranquillity.

He proceeded to grant all the requests of the federal government as contained in the motion paper.

Besides, Justice Kanyip directed that the restraining order be pasted on the wall of the building at the last known address of the two defendants to draw their attention to the Court’s position.

The Judge also directed that the order, originating, and other processes be served by publication in two major national dailies.

Meanwhile, the case file has been transferred to Justice Olufunke Anuwe, who is said to be handling similar labour dispute-related matters.

Tinubu mourns death of Nigeria’s first female Major- General, Aderonke Kale

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Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has sympathized with the Kale family, the Nigerian Army, and the society of medical practitioners in Nigeria on the passing of Aderonke Kale (rtd), Nigeria’s first female Major-General.

Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity disclosed the condolence in a statement on Friday.

Recall that the late Kale, who passed away at 84 was the first female Commander of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps. She retired from the Nigerian Army in 1997.

The President described Major-General Kale as a pace-setter and her death as a painful loss to the country.

“Major-General Aderonke Kale was a pioneer in her field. She embodied the courage, professionalism, capacity, and resilience of the Nigerian woman. She thrived and conquered where many feared to tread. She was a towering figure; an inimitible role model,” the President said.

President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the late officer and encouraged her beloved family to take solace in the peerless legacy she left behind.

Major-General Kale was a recipient of many awards for her contributions to the field of medicine. She was also a philanthropist who positively impacted many lives.

 

 

 

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