Conduct of Ekiti LG Poll Improving, Deputy Gov Praises SIEC.

Conduct of Ekiti LG Poll Improving, Deputy Gov Praises SIEC.                                                                      .......Lauds impressive turnout of voters.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has commended the State Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC) for bringing radical and remarkable  development to the conduct of the 2023 Local Government Election in the State.

Mrs Afuye said the large turnout of voters and violence-free atmosphere that marked the conduct of the local government election today, were loud testimonies that there was tremendous  improvement on that of 2021 poll.

The Deputy Governor gave the observations while voting at unit 003, Atiba/Aafin Ward, in Ikere Ekiti,  in today's local government poll in Ekiti State.

Mrs Afuye, who cast her vote around 9.32am,  said the local government election was more competitive at the party's  primary, because of financial independence being savoured by the council under Governor Biodun Oyebanji's administration.

She applauded the voters in Ikere Local Government Area and across the state, for demonstrating confidence and trust in the electoral process, by their impressive participation in the LG poll.

"The election has so far  been peaceful and violence-free. And you could see how people are  trooping out and queue to cast their  votes. We are witnessing a remarkable improvement in our local government election.

"I know that today's election shall be a success because all the stakeholders are ready to comply with the rules". 

She commended the Justice Cornelius Akintayo-led SIEC for bringing transparency and openness to the electoral process at the third tier of government.

"Going by what we have seen and information across the state, the process has been adjudged peaceful and transparent. 

"The SIEC officials and observers  were on ground in time and that further propelled the voters to come out to cast their votes for their preferred candidates. This is highly commendable. 

"The atmosphere was serene and voters were not being coersed to vote for a particular candidate. They are given the freedom to vote for candidates of their choices; that is the beauty of democracy.

"With all these, those who will  emerge in today's election will know that they will be there to serve the people, so that our people can become more interested to participate in elections, especially the local government poll".

Mrs Afuye praised the security agencies for their remarkable roles in the election, exuding confidence that the poll shall be a success.

NSE seeks involvement in revamping Ajaokuta Steel.

NSE seeks involvement in revamping Ajaokuta Steel.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers has urged the federal government to focus on simplifying regulatory processes, providing incentives for innovation, and infrastructural upgrades, and ensuring consistency to foster an enabling environment for manufacturing growth.

This was as it identified infrastructural limitations, limited access to funds, technology, innovation, skill gaps, policy inconsistencies, regulatory hurdles, and global market dynamics as seven challenges inhibiting the growth of the sector.

The society in a communique arrived at the following discussions and symposium held during the just concluded National Engineering Conference, Exhibition, and Annual General Meeting, also observed the challenges associated with accessing funding that includes high interest rates, stringent collateral, administrative bottlenecks, multiple taxes, instability in foreign exchange, as factors, among others that hinder growth and investment.

Reading the communique on Friday in Abuja, the President of the society, Tasiu Wudil, highlighted the need to reduce the gross deficit in skilled labour to meet the demands of re-engineering the manufacturing sector, promoting competitiveness, and enhancing economic growth.

He lamented that the existing policy framework affects the re-engineering of the manufacturing sector to enhance inclusive growth and competitiveness and called for a proper review.

Wudil said, “Nigerian manufacturing sector faces challenges including infrastructural limitations, limited access to funds, technology, innovation and skill gaps, policy inconsistencies, regulatory hurdles, and global market dynamics.

“The conference observed the significance of human capital development to achieve sustainable growth and development in any economy. It also noted the gross deficit in skilled labour to meet the demands of re-engineering the manufacturing sector, promoting competitiveness, and enhancing economic growth.”

Wudil, while acknowledging recent efforts of the government to rehabilitate the Ajaokuta Iron and Steel Complex, called for the involvement of the engineering body to accelerate the reactivation, rehabilitation, and modernisation to drive the much-needed industrialisation of the country

Fed govt targets 96-hour timeline for passport issuance.

Fed govt targets 96-hour timeline for passport issuance.

The Federal Government yesterday unveiled technologically driven reforms for international passport issuance for its citizens by setting  a  96 hours  processing timeline ,   insisting that the production of the travel document should not be seen as a privilege, but a fundamental right of its nationals.

Besides the revolutionary timeline, the government said, it will effective February 2024 start the implementation of Electronic Gates at the Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu international airports to facilitate the entrance of Nigerians into the country without submitting themselves to clearance  relying only on Advanced Passenger Information for their pre- profiling as it is practiced in other countries.

But, the government put a caveat : ” only  persons of interest ” –  will have to go through the route of bio-metric checking and counter processing.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo disclosed this during the handing over and grand opening of the Remodeled Clearance Area of the E-  Arival Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA), Lagos.

The Minister said working with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, the government will spare no effort to scale up technology in assisting Nigerians get their travel documents with ease , saying the era of backlog of passports at Nigeria Immigration Services (NIS), offices is now a thing of the past.

He said effective this month, the only reason Nigerians may have to visit NIS Passport Offices is to undergo bio- metric fingerprints.

Ojo said the Tinubu administration is not resting on its oars to ensure Nigerians get a fair deal, in the way and manner they are treated trying to get their travel document.

He said women, who desire to effect a  change of their names on account of marriage;  do not need henceforth to travel thousands of kilometres and subject themselves to avoidable hassles going  to Abuja to achieve such an objective.

The minister said as part of the reforms in the Renewed Hope Agenda Of the Tinubu administration, such Nigerians will henceforth only make an application and submit supporting  documents , which will be investigated by personnel of NIS and approval sent to the nearest Immigration office for them to collect their international passport.

While lauding the efforts of the NIS in deepening partnership to achieve the improved airport facilitation equipment, Ojo said the Tinubu administration will continue to extend its hands to the private sector to assist in the development/ improvement of infrastructure that will improve travel experience and put Nigeria in the league of global players.

Significantly, the Minister urged Immigration personnel to be alive to their responsibilities, urging them to go beyond issuance of travel documents and visas to consolidate efforts to protect the nation’s borders.

As the lead agency in charge of border management and security , Ojo urged NIS personnel to ramp up efforts in tackling porous borders.

Speaking at the Zone A Headquarters of the NIS, in Ikeja GRA, where he commissioned the Remodeled Gate/Guard House and other facilities, the minister lauded personnel of the Service who have equipped him with knowledge to discharge his duties.

Ojo praised the personnel for their gallantry in discharging their border management responsibilities.

He expressed the gratitude of the Federal Government to private sector players, who have assisted with facilities, saying the government will continue to deepen such ties in the spirit of collaboration for national development.

He charged NIS personnel not to lower the bar in the task to foster improved internal security , which he said remains central to the government as it positions Nigeria to take its rightful place in the global arena.

He charged the NIS to pursue an aggressive maintenance policy of the assets / critical infrastructure placed in its hands, urging them to treat them with affection.

 The Minister of Interior challenged the Service to put in place a mechanism to address the lack of uniformity in the clothing used as uniforms.

Inability to address the challenge, he said could encourage impersonation , while urging NIS personnel as image makers at the country’s numerous borders to treat Nigerians and foreigners with respect.

While commending the efforts of partners that assisted in improving infrastructure at the Lagos Airport and Zone A Headquarters, newly confirmed Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI)  of NIS, Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju said collaboration will improve efficiency in service delivery.

Coordinator of Zone A Headquarters , Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACG), Wale Sadiq urged the CGI to provide  operational facilities, including vehicles for the unit.

He enumerated the strides thus far achieved in the Zone A Headquarters, to  include  regular human capacity development programmes.

On her part, Comptroller of Murtala Muhammed Airport,  Adeola Adesokan said the remodeled facility at the Lagos Airport will not only elevate the entire travel experience , by improving efficiency, bringing about faster processing time and seamless clearance, it will eliminate long queues for arriving passengers

She said : ” We now have dedicated clearance counters for persons with reduced mobility, senior citizens, members of the diplomatic corp.

FG inaugurates committee to probe NDE programmes.

FG inaugurates committee to probe NDE programmes.

The federal government has set up a committee to investigate programmes carried out by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Speaking at the Inauguration of the committee, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated that the committee was tasked with the responsibility of investigating the current programmes of NDE between January till date to meet with President Bola Tinubu’s expectation for job creation.

In a statement by her special adviser (media), Emameh Gabriel, the minister explained that any employment programme that does not change the status of the employee, economically, was not employment.

According to her, an employee is supposed to add value and have a target.

She said the National Directorate Employment (NDE) is a federal government agency that is responsible for the implementation of employment programmes and policies and is also charged with the responsibility to provide a variety of services to job seekers, including vocational training, job placement, and entrepreneurship development.

The minister urged members of the committee to interact with the beneficiaries of the NDE programmes to know their needs and scope.

She also charged the committee to come out with a report on the present state of NDE, which will be used to improve the effectiveness of the Directorate’s programmes.

The Committee has one week to submit its report.

Members of the Committee are Chris Amadi, Director, Policy, Research and Analysis – Chairman; Isaac Okehi, Director, Finance and Accounts – Secretary and others.

The minister also expressed her appreciation to the President for his commitment to job creation.

Bauchi to eliminate HIV/AIDS before 2030

Bauchi to eliminate HIV/AIDS before 2030.

The Bauchi State Government has said that it will eliminate the HIV/AIDS scourge in the state before the global 2030 target.

Mr Sani Dambam, the Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), said this in Bauchi during the commemoration of the 2023 World AIDS Day on Friday.

WHO has set 2030 for the elimination of HIV in the world and the global strategies to achieve the feat hinged on the success of three target areas.

The target areas include identifying 95 per cent of the estimated number of people living with HIV through robust HIV testing services, enrolling 95 per cent of those tested positive on treatment and ensuring that 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral load suppression.

Dambam further said that the 2019 National AIDS Impact Indicator Survey showed that Bauchi had 0.4 per cent with an estimated current population of about eight million people.

According to him, the state currently is supposed to have an estimated numbet of 32,000 people living with HIV/AIDS.

He said that 31,252 of the number had been identified, representing 98 per cent coverage.

“Likewise, 30,141 of those who knew their HIV positive status are on treatment, representing 96 per cent coverage.

“However, the state was only able to achieve 93 per cent coverage by having 28,268 of the 30,141 on Anti-Retroviral Therapy that achieved Viral Load Suppression.

“Gladly, the state has gone so far in achieving a significant percentage that signifies hope of eliminating HIV because we have attained the 98 per cent, 96 per cent and 93 per cent achievements, respectively.

“This is encouraging news that Bauchi State has achieved two of the three targets and is close to achieving the last target even much earlier than 2030.

“It is also gratifying to inform you that significant advancement has been made in the development of HIV vaccine and long-acting ART of one to three monthly injection, which will hasten the elimination of HIV,” Dambam said.

The BACATMA boss further said that there were 31 Comprehensive HIV Treatment sites and 883 Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission sites in the state.

He attributed the successes recorded in the agency as a result of the concerted efforts of the state government, stakeholders and political will of Gov. Bala Mohammed.

In an opening remark, the Bauchi Commissioner for Health, Dr Adamu Sabo, lauded BACATMA for contributing immensely towards the elimination of AIDS and other diseases in the state.

The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Ali Babayo, said the the State Government would continue to give the agency the necessary support and enabling environment to operate.

(NAN)

Ebonyi gov considers politician as state varsity VC.

Ebonyi gov considers politician as state varsity VC.

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, has vowed to appoint a politician as the next vice chancellor of the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, a two-term Deputy Governor of the state, is in his final stint as the university’s VC.

Nwifuru made the declaration on Friday during the inauguration of projects funded by the Tertiary Education Fund at the university.

The governor said that Ogbu’s outstanding achievements in office could not have been attained if he had not passed through politics.

“We need someone with the political will and academic structure for the position as people must not show their strength by making noise.

“When we would be appointing the next VC, it will be from the political angle as the university belongs to all of us.

“A vice chancellor who is a politician can relate with us well and understand the political and administrative aspects to effectively manage the university,” he said.

The governor urged professors seeking to be appointed for the position to cease and concentrate on their academic works.

“I thank my predecessor who appointed Ogbu as the VC as he has ensured that the university progresses beyond bounds,” he said.

He thanked the TET-fund for instituting the projects which include an Information Communication Technology, library and faculty of education complexes.

The Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for allowing him inaugurate the projects on his behalf.

“It is important to appreciate Tinubu’s commitment to develop education in the country since assuming office as the country’s president,” he said.

He noted that, in recognition of TETfund’s role in the development of public tertiary education and funding interventions, the president approved an upward review of the education tax.

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, said the three projects were executed under the 2011–15 (merged) annual and 2016–19 (merged) annual interventions.

Echono, represented by Buhari Mikailu, said that the projects costs N1.5billion and were executed in line with TETFund guidlines,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, thanked TETFund for instituting the projects and pledged that they would be judiciously utilised.

NAN

Exploring Derinkuyu: Turkey's Extraordinary Underground City.

Exploring Derinkuyu: Turkey's Extraordinary Underground City.                                              Unveiled By Comr Olamide Akinwumi.

Derinkuyu, also known as Elengubu, stands as an extraordinary multi-level underground city near the modern town of Derinkuyu in Nevşehir Province, Turkey. Delving to a depth of approximately 85 meters (280 feet), this ancient marvel is expansive enough to have housed up to 20,000 people, along with their livestock and food stores. It proudly holds the title of being the largest excavated underground city in Turkey, forming part of several subterranean complexes scattered throughout Cappadocia.

The uniqueness of Derinkuyu lies in its ability to be sealed from the inside, thanks to massive rolling stone doors that can isolate each floor independently. Housing a population of 20,000, this underground refuge boasts amenities found in similar complexes across Cappadocia, including wine and oil presses, stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, and chapels. Of particular interest is a spacious room on the second floor, featuring a barrel-vaulted ceiling, believed to have functioned as a religious school.

A series of vertical staircases starting between the third and fourth levels leads to a church on the lowest (fifth) level. The grand 55-meter (180 feet) ventilation shaft, resembling a well, served both the villagers above and those in hiding, providing water in times of inaccessibility to the outside world.

Derinkuyu's origin traces back to the 8th–7th centuries BC when caves were initially carved into the soft volcanic rock by the Phrygians. Over time, as the Phrygian language waned, replaced by Greek, Christian inhabitants expanded these caverns into intricate multiple-level structures, adding chapels and Greek inscriptions.

By the Byzantine era, Derinkuyu became a fully-formed city, offering refuge during the Arab–Byzantine wars (780–1180 AD). Intriguingly, it was connected to another underground city, Kaymakli, through an extensive network of 8–9 kilometers of tunnels. Even during the Mongolian incursions of the 14th century, these cities continued to be sanctuaries.

In the 20th century, as the region fell to the Ottomans, the underground cities became refuges for the Christian natives against Turkish Muslim rulers. In 1923, with the population exchange between Greece and Turkey, the Christian inhabitants were expelled, and the tunnels were abandoned.

Rediscovered in 1963, Derinkuyu opened its doors to visitors in 1969, allowing exploration of about half of the underground city by 2016.

Derinkuyu, with its troglodyte population, became crucial during the 7th century's Arab raids on the Byzantine Empire. As the Byzantines regained control between the 7th and 11th centuries, the troglodytes emerged, creating churches carved into rock faces, solidifying Cappadocia's fame.

In the 1920s, the Christian population's expulsion led to the abandonment of the tunnels, now silent witnesses to a rich history. Today, Derinkuyu stands as a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of its ancient inhabitants, offering a captivating journey through layers of time.

Comr Olamide Akinwumi unravels the layers of history hidden beneath Derinkuyu's surface, offering a glimpse into the ingenious architecture and cultural significance of this subterranean wonder.