Category: General

The Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) has donated 50 sets of HP computer laptops to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD). Dr Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, made the donation during a courtesy visit by a delegation from NCC to the NCPWD headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. Maida, represented by Mr Tijani Munguno, a Deputy Director in the Commission, stated that the provision of the ICT equipment stemmed from NCC's belief that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) need these tools to thrive. He emphasised that the equipment would enhance the digital communication skills of PWDs, enabling them to compete effectively in the ICT market. He noted that this support would aid the commission in fulfilling its mandate and promoting inclusivity. Maida highlighted the importance of digital technology in today's world, stating that access to it is crucial for efficiency and quality output. He expressed hope that the laptops would have a significant impact on the disability co mmunity. Dr James Lalu, the Executive Secretary of NCPWD, expressed gratitude to the NCC delegation for their donation and support. He affirmed the commitment of NCPWD to collaborate with NCC in advancing the digital communication skills and knowledge of PWDs. Lalu also presented National Accessibility Manuals to the delegation, enabling NCC to familiarise themselves with accessibility standard guidelines in their various offices. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has reiterated its commitment to decongest correctional centers across the country in order to reduce pretrial detention. Mr Jubril Shittu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the center, said this during the 'Access to Justice Pro Bono Conference 2024' held on Wednesday in Abuja, this goal. Shittu highlighted that the purpose of the pro bono conference was to discuss strategies for alleviating congestion in correctional centers. 'So many issues that have to do with inmates languishing in detention has been raised, justice delayed is justice denied. 'When you have over 76,000 people in the custodial facilities across the country, and of which 70 per cent of these inmates are awaiting trial, it shows how effective the justice system needs to be. 'So what we are here to do really is to contribute in our own way, working together with the various law clinics, with the probono lawyers, with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), with the legal aid council to see how we can reduce these numbers. 'And we are supported by our donors to ensure that we are able to effectively deliver justice in a timely manner,' he said. Shittu said that the organisation was also addressing issues beyond pretrial detention such as alternative measures to justice challenges. He alleged that cases like the Nigerian cross-dresser Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison and many others needed to be revisited. Shittu, however, commended the efforts of the various justice sector stakeholders at the state levels, adding that the concurrent list was now also addressing the issues of congestion. 'The idea behind this is to ensure that on a regular basis, we are visiting these facilities to look at the state of these facilities. 'This is because, according to the Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019, there is the section 38, which specifically looks at some of these issues. 'And this is where we hope that through the work of the criminal justice monitoring committee, we are able to effectively ensure that people do not spend more time than they ought to in this facility, 'he said. Speaking, the Director General, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu Abubakar, said that every stakeholder in the justice system was concerned about the issues around criminal justice administration. Abubakar urged stakeholders to continue to work to ensure that the poor and indigent within the society could easily access justice when needed. 'In the Legal Aid Council, we were essentially established by the government to assist the poor and indigent persons to access justice. 'The issue of congestion in the correctional centres are probably factors of two fold; insufficient prisons and inefficiency of the remand system. 'That is why the correctional centres are overcrowded with inmates and we are working as a government institution to reduce the population, 'he said. Abubakar, however, noted that unfortunately, the more the centres were reduced in population, the more people got into the correctional c entres nationwide. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PPDC has over 195 pro bono lawyers and over 150 law clinicians drawn from at least six states, from universities and also from various groups . Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders on the prevention of HIV/AIDS on Tuesday called for increased domestic funding to accelerate prevention and end HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. They made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Nigeria HIV prevention cconferencewith the theme 'Accelerating HIV Prevention to end AIDS through Innovations and Community Engagement' organised by National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Abuja. Amobi Ogah, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control, stressed the need to reduce dependency on foreign aid and source for local funding to end HIV/AIDS in the country. Ogah disclosed that Nigeria needed an estimated eight billion dollars annually to sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS. He added that the national coverage of Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV is less than 50 per cent, leading to about 22,000 cases of MTCT of HIV every year in Nigeria. He stressed the need to re-evaluate, rethink, and re-strategise HIV prevention i ntervention programmes. He added that 'for NACA to achieve her mandate, we must all ensure increase of domestic funding, strengthen HIV interventions, mobilise community members for gender equality, social norms and care services. 'We must also increase funding for PMTCT of HIV, support people living with the virus, campaign against stigmatisation and discrimination of persons living with HIV/AIDS. 'Also, we need to ensure leadership action for these and key population communities among other interventions. 'NACA will also need to scale up its treatment centres, which is about 100. I think we should increase it to at least 300 by the end of 2024 to stem the tide and sustain the fight to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat. Dr Temitope Ilori, the Director-General of NACA, said that the theme of the conference underscores the importance of community involvement in shaping effective prevention strategies, while ensuring access to treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS. She said 'we must double our eff orts to prevent MTCT and strive for an AIDS-free generation by 2030, leveraging the advancements in health technology at our disposal. 'Prevention lies at the core of our public health interventions. Therefore, this conference serves as a platform to explore innovative approaches to empower communities, particularly those at higher risk, with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves from HIV infection. 'Stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to achieving our goals by 2030. 'We must educate and sensitise people about the harmful effects of stigma and discrimination against individuals living with HIV/AIDS. 'Our strategies must be inclusive, person-centred, and sensitive to the needs of adolescents, young people, key populations, and people living with the virus. 'We must also focus on community-based interventions while promoting local ownership and sustainability of our response efforts.' Dr Leo Zekeng, the UNAIDS Country Director, said: 'everyone must be involved. We need to find ou t at the state level how much is earmarked toward prevention, we need the political commitment. 'Investment in condoms has reduced and data remains a challenge. So, this is the time to invest in primary prevention, and chart a new course on reducing new infections in Nigeria.' Also, Dr Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, stressed the need to accelerate prevention of new infections, especially among vulnerable population and youths. 'My attention will be focused on how we keep our data right, ensuring that we have solid foundation for improved ownership and sustainability of the HIV response in Nigeria. 'I will be elated when the director-general of NACA talks to me on how we can facilitate an AIDS-free generation, where no child will be born HIV positive in Nigeria.' Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has reiterated its commitment to decongest correctional centers across the country in order to reduce pretrial detention. Mr Jubril Shittu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the center, said this during the 'Access to Justice Pro Bono Conference 2024' held on Wednesday in Abuja, this goal. Shittu highlighted that the purpose of the pro bono conference was to discuss strategies for alleviating congestion in correctional centers. 'So many issues that have to do with inmates languishing in detention has been raised, justice delayed is justice denied. 'When you have over 76,000 people in the custodial facilities across the country, and of which 70 per cent of these inmates are awaiting trial, it shows how effective the justice system needs to be. 'So what we are here to do really is to contribute in our own way, working together with the various law clinics, with the probono lawyers, with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), with the legal aid council to see how we can reduce these numbers. 'And we are supported by our donors to ensure that we are able to effectively deliver justice in a timely manner,' he said. Shittu said that the organisation was also addressing issues beyond pretrial detention such as alternative measures to justice challenges. He alleged that cases like the Nigerian cross-dresser Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison and many others needed to be revisited. Shittu, however, commended the efforts of the various justice sector stakeholders at the state levels, adding that the concurrent list was now also addressing the issues of congestion. 'The idea behind this is to ensure that on a regular basis, we are visiting these facilities to look at the state of these facilities. 'This is because, according to the Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019, there is the section 38, which specifically looks at some of these issues. 'And this is where we hope that through the work of the criminal justice monitoring committee, we are able to effectively ensure that people do not spend more time than they ought to in this facility, 'he said. Speaking, the Director General, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Aliyu Abubakar, said that every stakeholder in the justice system was concerned about the issues around criminal justice administration. Abubakar urged stakeholders to continue to work to ensure that the poor and indigent within the society could easily access justice when needed. 'In the Legal Aid Council, we were essentially established by the government to assist the poor and indigent persons to access justice. 'The issue of congestion in the correctional centres are probably factors of two fold; insufficient prisons and inefficiency of the remand system. 'That is why the correctional centres are overcrowded with inmates and we are working as a government institution to reduce the population, 'he said. Abubakar, however, noted that unfortunately, the more the centres were reduced in population, the more people got into the correctional c entres nationwide. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PPDC has over 195 pro bono lawyers and over 150 law clinicians drawn from at least six states, from universities and also from various groups . Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Ambassador of Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Mr KIM Pankyu, has promised to explore avenues of assisting Nigeria to tackle the security challenge in the country. He said this at a media parley in Abuja. Pankyu. The envoy who had just spent about 50 days in Nigeria, pledged to work toward expanding the partnership between the two countries for mutual benefits. He said that Korea had at different times offered capacity building programmes for the Nigerian military and other security agencies toward enhancing their capabilities. 'I intend to expand this kind of opportunities for Nigeria. I believe that counter-terrorism courses and training programmes are useful for Nigerian military officers. 'We will also explore ways to have Nigerian Government to keep itself with proper hardwares. The Korean navy has donated a patrol ship which will arrive Lagos in few months. I will explore ways to expand this kind of assistance. 'I will also explore ways to deepen the security cooperation to assist the country ad dress insecurity. I will do that by using my expertise in military and security affairs which saw me through in my 40 years in the Korea navy. 'On this, I will also like to focus on promoting corporation on maritime security, because, securing maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea will essentially benefit many countries, including Korea. 'In addition, I will like to expand Korean support of capacity building for Nigerian Military and security Officers,'Pankyu said. He said that Nigeria remained a strong Korean partner in Africa, adding that the two countries can do more together. He lauded the Federal Government for introducing reforms toward improving the business environment in the country. 'I will explain these changes to Korean companies and encourage them to venture into Nigeria and make investments. 'I will facilitate a people to people exchange between Nigeria and Korea because I believe that culture has the power to connect people and improve understanding among them,' he said. He commended t he Korean Culture Centre in Nigeria for playing significant roles in introducing Korean Culture to Nigerians, promising to provide opportunities to Nigerians to experience the Korean content. Pankyu also promised to explore avenues of increasing study slots for Nigerians wishing to study in the Republic of Korea. He said that the Korean Government had provided numerous support toward food self-sufficiency in Africa through various projects like the K-Rice Belt Initiative to enhance high yield and food security on the continent. 'We have signed Memorandum of Understanding with 10 African Countries to promote K-Rice Belt Projects. Nigeria's joining this project is being discussed and when it is realised, it will surely contribute to its agriculture sector,' he said. The Envoy said that the Korea-Africa Summit slated for June in Seoul, Korea, would help solidify the relationship between Korea and Africa and also Korea and Nigeria. 'The inaugural Korea-Africa Summit is expected to be the largest internationa l gathering. This reflect Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol's commitment to fostering mutually, beneficial, sustainable and strategic partnership with Africa. 'This also marks significant steps in Korea's comprehensive strategy to engage deeply with the global South, reflecting our commitment to global inclusiveness and corporation. 'During the Summit, we will host many side events, and provide opportunities for Nigeria and Korea to explore ways to expand their bilateral economic and cultural exchange between government and private sector. 'I'm positive and believe that the coming Summit will set a new milestone in the relationship between Korea and Africa,'Pankyu said. He said that Korean people were largely Super Eagles fans, as they enjoyed their superlative performance in international tournaments. 'The Korean people know Wole Soyinka, the literary Icon and they know the role of Nigeria in peace keeping in Africa,' he said. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Vice President Kashim Shettima says revamping engineering education is crucial to national development. The Vice President stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAEng) 2024 Public Forum, with the theme: 'Engineering Education'', in Abuja. Shettima, represented by Dr Sadiq Wanka, his Special Adviser on Power Infrastructure, said empirical evidence had demonstrated the strong interlink between engineering capacity and economic development. 'In Nigeria today, we find ourselves in a global economy, underpinned by digital technologies, and in a world, faced with the reality of climate change. 'We also find ourselves facing rapid urbanisation in the country, as estimates suggest that by 2050, 70 per cent of the Nigerian population would be living in cities. 'Given the nature and scale of the challenges ahead, the strength of our engineering capacity is inextricably linked to our economic and social progress,' he said. Shettima however, said the good news was that Nigeria is i mmensely blessed with a young population and resources, among others, to drive the process, in line with President Bola Tinubu's agenda. He said it was therefore critical for the government to continue to work with professional bodies like NAEng, to ensure that the quantity and quality of engineers meet the moment and match national needs. He also called for the need to promote inclusivity, by ensuring the advancement of women in the engineering profession. The Vice President said, doing so would address historical and cultural biases that had limited girls and women from choosing engineering courses. The President of NAEng, Prof. Azikiwe Onwualu said, if Nigeria gets engineering and technology right, all other sectors will be taken care of. Onwualu said the successful development of the various sectors depended on the availability of engineering and technological ideas, tools, processes, facilities, equipment, and skills, required to build facilities, machinery and maintain them. 'Education and trainin g of engineers, technologists, technicians, artisans that drive the economy should therefore receive special attention as that will ensure Nigeria has the right personnel to drive the fourth industrial revolution. 'The state of Engineering Education in Nigeria is definitely not good. Many scholars and practitioners, especially people from the productive sector of the economy have identified many challenges. 'The challenges include the theoretical nature of the teaching and learning for engineering graduates, inadequate laboratories and workshops, poorly executed industrial training, poor curriculum, and high unemployment rate for engineers and so on', he said. Onwualu said the forum would provide major inputs for policy formulation, policy adjustment and more importantly policy implementation guidelines for the relevant MDAs involved in engineering education. The Speaker, House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Inuwa Garba Chairman House Committee on Science and Engineering, commended NAE ng for its unwavering commitment to advancing the field of engineering in Nigeria. 'As representatives of the People, the House of Representatives is committed to supporting initiatives that promote the advancement of engineering and technological innovation in our nation. 'Together, let us work hands in gloves to harness the power of engineering for the betterment of our society and the Prosperity of future generations,' he said. The Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, represented by Mr Jeremiah Adejoh, Assistant Director in the ministry, said there was a need to enhance the quality of engineering curriculum in Nigeria. Audu said the standard of teaching and learning facilities needed to be improved, adding that there was also a need to foster greater collaboration between academia, industry, and government for greater achievement. Source: News Agency of Nigeria