Nigerian Youth Congress Ekiti State Chapter Congratulates Members on Local Government Election Victory.

Nigerian Youth Congress Ekiti State Chapter Congratulates Members on Local Government Election Victory.                                                           By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi 

In a triumphant announcement, the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) Ekiti State Chapter congratulated three of its members for emerging victorious in the recently concluded local government elections in the State.

In Pic: Hon Adekunle Sikiru Omo-Imam Councillor Elect Igede Ward B.

Abolarin Oluwafemi, known as ABFEM, secured the position of Councillor-elect in Ijero Local Government, while Adekunle Sikiru Omo-Imam, the NYC State Media 2, emerged as the Councillor in Igede Ward B. Additionally, Amb Olumide Damilola, who served as the Oye Local Government Coordinator, clinched the councillorship position in Itapa/Osin Ward, Ifeloju LCDA.

In Pic: Hon Abolarin Oluwafemi councillors-elect in Ijero LG.

Aare Adedara Temitope Moses, the chairman of the movement, expressed his delight, describing the three councillors-elect as dedicated, hardworking, reliable, and trustworthy individuals. He believes they are poised to make significant contributions to the development of their respective constituencies.

In Pic: Amb Olumide Damilola Councillor-elect Itapa /Osin Ward, Ifeloju LCDA.

Addressing the press in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Aare Temitope Moses advised the councillors-elect to align with the state government's agenda and work towards uplifting Ekiti State. He emphasized the importance of fulfilling campaign promises made to their constituents and assured them of the continuous support and guidance from the Nigerian Youth Congress.

In Pic: The NYC chairman Ekiti state Aare Adedara Temitope Moses

"We charge you all to represent your constituencies to the best of your ability and pass through the office, not the office to pass through," Aare Temitope Moses stated. He further urged them to leverage the knowledge gained under his leadership and assured them of the NYC's readiness to provide quality advice and support when needed.

The Nigerian Youth Congress looks forward to witnessing the positive impact these elected representatives will bring to their communities as they embark on this new phase of public service.

Ekiti State Champion Girl, Flourish Ajibola, Safely Arrives in Kampala for Global Event.

Ekiti State Champion Girl, Flourish Ajibola, Safely Arrives in Kampala for Global Event.

By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi. 

In a momentous development, the Ekiti State Champion Girl, proudly representing Nigeria and graciously sponsored by Ekiti State Governor, H.E Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has landed safely in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. This marks the commencement of preparations for the upcoming global event, where Flourish Ajibola is set to showcase her exceptional skills and talents.

Flourish Ajibola, accompanied by her dedicated teacher, expresses deep gratitude for the opportunity to partake in this prestigious international competition.

The journey to Kampala is a realization of dreams, thanks to the unwavering support and sponsorship provided by Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

Miss Flourish Ajibola and her school Proprietor, Elder Oluwafemi, had earlier commended the state government’s efforts in the education system during a courtesy visitation hosted by Gov Oyebanji, where Governor Oyebanji assured support for Champions National Spelling Bee, Flourish Ajibola.

Governor Oyebanji's commitment to nurturing talent and empowering the youth is exemplified through initiatives like sponsoring Flourish Ajibola, enabling her to represent Nigeria on the global stage. The governor's support extends beyond just financial backing; it is a testament to the belief in the potential and capabilities of the young talents within Ekiti State.

As Flourish Ajibola embarks on this exciting journey, she carries not only the hopes of Ekiti State but also the pride of the entire nation. The upcoming event in Kampala provides a platform for her to showcase her skills, compete with the best, and make her mark on the global stage.

The people of Ekiti State express their heartfelt gratitude to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his visionary leadership and unwavering support for youth development and talent promotion. Flourish Ajibola's participation in this global event is a testament to the governor's commitment to fostering excellence and creating opportunities for the youth to thrive.

As Flourish Ajibola begins her preparations in Kampala, the entire nation wishes her the very best. May she shine brightly and make Ekiti State and Nigeria proud on the global stage.

FRC denies permitting NSCDC to use independent audit firms.

FRC denies permitting NSCDC to use independent audit firms.

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) yesterday denied that it insisted the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have its annual financial and audited reports prepared by independent accounting and audit firms.

FRC Chairman Victor Muruako said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and was responding to reports that the NSCDC claimed it had such liberty.

The agency chairman was queried about the situation at the NSCDC since government agencies usually have workers posted to them from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AcGF) and that of the Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF).

Committee member, Oluwole Oke, had questioned the rationale behind FRC’s insistence on financial statements prepared by independent accounting and audit firms, considering the cost of hiring such professional services, when there were competent in-house workers to do the job.

But Muruako said there was no such condition operational at the commission.

The RFC chairman said the agency would accept financial and audit statements from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), if they were prepared by relevant in-house workers, as contained in the Act setting up the commission.

He said: “As chairman of the FRC, I’m not aware of the commission insisting on independent accounting and audit firms preparing the financial statements of MDAs before they could be acted upon by the commission.

“The FRC does not operate outside the Act setting it up, which is specific about the preparation of financial documents and reports.”

Committee Chairman James Faleke advised the NSCDC to review its licensing and yearly renewal fees upwards for Private Guard Companies (PGCs) to increase its revenue generation capacity, as revenue was needed to implement the 2024 budget.

NSCDC’s Deputy Commandant-General Nwinyi Nwokuche said there were about 1,300 PGCs registered in the country with 400 of them in Lagos alone.

Faleke called for a full register of PGCs operating in the country, their full addresses, amounts paid as licence and renewal fees over the years, to give the committee proper insights into their operations.

Nigeria records N1.888tr trade surplus in Q2, says NBS.

Nigeria records N1.888tr trade surplus in Q2, says NBS.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said Nigeria recorded trade surplus of N1.888 trillion in the second quarter of this year (Q2 2023).

According to its document, tagged: Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics (Q3 2023), the total trade in the period under review was N18.804 trillion.

The report noted that the country exported goods valued at N10.346 trillion while it imported goods worth N8.457 trillion.

NBS said: “Total trade in the third quarter of 2023 stood at N18,804.29 billion. Exports were valued at N10,346.60 billion while total imports stood at N8,457.68 billion.” 

The document explained that the total exports increased by 60.78 per cent, compared to the amount recorded in the second quarter of 2023 (N6.435.13 trillion), as well as by 74.36 per cent, compared to the corresponding quarter in 2022 (N5.934.15 trillion). 

According to NBS, total imports increased by 47.70 per cent, compared to the value recorded in the second quarter of 2023 (N5,726.25 billion) and by 33.33 per cent, when compared to the value recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2022 (N6,343.53 billion).

Food security most critical part of President’s Eight-Point Agenda, says minister.

Food security most critical part of President’s Eight-Point Agenda, says minister.

The Federal Government has said food security is the most critical part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Eight-Point Agenda because of its numerous benefits.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, stated this in his office when he addressed reporters covering the Senate yesterday in Abuja.

Abdullahi urged fellow Nigerians to plant “something” to enable the country attain food security.

The minister expressed dissatisfaction that about 50 million of the 80 million hectares of arable land in the country remained uncultivated.

According to him, in the Eight-Point Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, food security is the most critical because of multifaceted benefits derivable from it.

Abdullahi noted that food security would enable Nigerians to fight the war against corruption.

The minister stressed that “some people take to corrupt ways of life as a result of hunger, just as some others take to crime as a result of poverty, which in itself can be substantially addressed by food security”.

He added: “When you secure their stomachs, the tendency for an average Nigerian to resort to corruption or outright crime and criminality would be reduced. Nigerians need to key into the policy by planting something wherever they live.

“Government is also determined to get substantial part of the uncultivated hectares of land in the country cultivated.

“As it is presently, out of 70 to 80 million hectares of arable land in the country, only 34 million hectares are cultivated, meaning that there is more than enough uncultivated arable land for government and Nigerians to explore for farming and, by extension, ensure food security in the country.”

COP28: Children demand action in climate change.

 COP28: Children demand action in climate change.

Nigerian kids have joined their voices by demanding for action in the fight against climate change.COP28: Children demand action in climate change

 The children reminded the Federal Government and governments at the subnational over the multiple effect of climate change.

 They called on governments as well as global leaders to allocate more budget for climate activities to provide more sustainable solutions and resilient future.

The children, while speaking at a COP 28 Simulation event on Climate Change organised by an international non-governmental organisation, Save the Children International (SCI), stressed the need for governments to set aside funds that will help tackle the current challenges.

World leaders are presently meeting in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates to deliberate on climate change.

 A member of the Kaduna State Children Parliament, Nana Kabir, called on government at all levels to educate citizens on the need to build houses in highlands to avoid flooding.

She expressed worry that floods, in recent times, swept communities within the riverine areas, saying there should be more advocacies to save lives.

Also, a member of the Benue Children Parliament, Shamiga Rita urged governments to create opportunities and green jobs in the country.

 She also called for the need to address the challenges of people displaced by floods.

 Also, Osina Kaghini-nse, from Cross River Children Parliament, urged governments to create alternative for fossil fuel.

 He harped on the need to discourage deforestation in the country.

 The Director of Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media, Save the Children International (SCI), Nigeria, Amanuel Mamo, said the impact of climate change on society would increase.

 He said: “As a result, in the coming years, droughts are expected to intensify, rainfall variability is projected to increase, extreme weather events will persist, new human and livestock diseases are projected to increase, new conflicts over the decreasing resources will increase and more people will be displaced by the rising oceans, floods, wildfire, drought and expanding deserts and the like. That is what we generally referred to as effects of ‘climate change.’ All concerned parties need to take an urgent action before it is too late.

“Climate crisis is the biggest challenge of our time. It is a grave threat to children and their rights. ‘Child rights’ might not even survive a global climate catastrophe. We have created a huge environmental debt to our children and the future generation. Children have contributed the least to the climate crisis, and yet we know that they are paying the highest price.

  “While children share many of the same rights as adults, their violations due to climate change are experienced with greater severity due to their physiological and psychological vulnerabilities.”

 He added that children have a number of specific rights, such as the right to childhood, to primary education and to protection – all of which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

 “As a part of Save the Children’s flagship campaign initiative, Generation Hope, that focuses on addressing key climate change drivers, particularly for children facing acute inequality and discrimination, we are happy to be able to organise Children’s National COP28 Simulation.

“The simulation is a unique initiative designed to amplify the voices, choices and perspectives of children in climate discussions leading up to COP28 (Conference of Parties 28), World Climate Summit. As you may already know, COP28 is an important international conference where countries convene to discuss and negotiate actions for combating climate change, building upon commitments and progress being made from the previous COP meetings.

Therefore, the ‘Children Climate Ambassadors Forum’ and the ‘Climate Action Assembly,’ that will take place today and tomorrow respectively, is organised with an aim to enable children have their say in the decision-making process of an issue that affect them. It serves as a vital platform for collaboration, policy enhancement, and innovation in our collective efforts to address climate challenges in Nigeria and the world.”

Tinubu is taking bold decisions to change Nigeria’s economic fortune – Shettima.

Tinubu is taking bold decisions to change Nigeria’s economic fortune – Shettima.

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday, December 4, explained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been consistent in making bold and courageous decisions because it is determined to change Nigeria’s economic fortune, in the long run.

He stated this when he received the management of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) led by the Commandant, Alhaji Ayodele Adeleke, at the State House in Abuja, assuring that the Tinubu administration is determined to bequeath a country that is firmly on the path of prosperity.

According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima noted that this is the reason behind the administration’s determination to ensure youth empowerment and human capital development.

The NISS delegation was at the Presidential Villa to present to the Vice President the report of a study conducted by 86 participants in the institute’s Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 16band with the theme, ‘Globalisation and Regional Economic Integration: Implications for Sustainable Development in Africa’.

Speaking during the presentation of the report, the VP commended the faculty and members of the EIMC 16 for their efforts, noting that the recommendations of the study align with the perspectives of the Tinubu administration, especially the “advocacy for investing in ICT and infrastructure development.”

Settima pointed out that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Tinubu, has so far taken bold and courageous decisions that would, in the long run, impact positively on the economy.

On the theme of the EIMC 16 research study, the VP said: “It is very apt, especially given the circumstances we have found ourselves in on the African continent. We are challenged from all angles – cyber-terrorism, human and drug trafficking, money laundering, transnational extremism and banditry, and the challenges of climate change.”

On the need to diversify the economy away from Oil, VP Shettima noted that in the next 20 to 30 years, oil may not be as valuable as it is today.

He stated: “Our only luck and happiness is that we are largely a gas nation. But our most important resource is our human capital which we need to harness. We have to invest in education. I believe that with the right infrastructure and qualitative leadership, we can transform this nation.”

The Vice President further noted that with the right leadership at all levels of governance, the country’s growing population can be harnessed and positively deployed to transform the economy.

He stated: “Let us create jobs, engage the youths; let us invest in their education. All these challenges of terrorism and banditry will be contained but the fundamental question is the quality of leadership.”

EIMC is designed to provide strategic-level security/intelligence officers, as well as top-level management, with the requisite skills to handle their positions and contribute positively to the implementation of national security policies and national development.

The participants for EIMC 16 were drawn from 35 agencies in Nigeria and four other African countries of Chad, The Gambia, Niger and Rwanda.

Earlier in his speech, the commandant of the institute, Alhaji Ayodele S. Adeleke, thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to excellence and a sense of responsibility since he assumed office.

He stated: “The EIMC is a flagship programme of the institute, among other courses, aimed at impacting the requisite knowledge to participants to equip them with leadership skills to be able to address the dynamics of national and global security challenges in their respective countries as well as to foster inter-agency synergy and international cooperation.”

The Commandant called on African economies to invest in ICT infrastructure as a key driver for economic growth while investing in research and development.