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Nigeria’s Head of Service Partners with Foundation On Leadership Programme

Aisha John-Mark
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The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, in partnership with the AIG-Imoukhuede Foundation, has organised a two-day Senior Leaders’ Programme for all Federal Permanent Secretaries and Permanent Secretaries-Designate.

The training is part of the relentless efforts of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan to provide the requisite leadership skills for the Service.

The Director Press, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Ahmed Mohammed in a statement said the training is also expected to provide the needed force to propel and reposition the Federal Civil Service as an initiator and a major driver of policies, projects and programmes of the Federal Government.

According to him, the training Programme is being facilitated by Resource Persons from the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, London, the United Kingdom in collaboration with faithful partnerships with the World Bank, the United Kingdom for International Development under its Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn, PERL, Programme and the European Union via its Support for Federal Government Reforms Programme, amongst others.

It is expected that at the end of the 2-day Training Sessions, transformative coaching that combines deep expertise with analytical thinking and practical skills will be delivered to the Chief Administrative and Accounting Heads of the various MDAs to address real-life policy challenges toward ensuring service delivery and good governance for the teaming Nigerian population.

 

Nigerian Researches Soon To Be Commercialised – TETFund

Aisha John-Mark
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The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has said that academic research from Nigerians will soon be translated into commercial purposes for the benefit of all.

The Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, said this during a tour to Innov8 Hub for the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) Prototype Development Bootcamp in Abuja.

The Innov8 Hub is a creative space where ideas are conceptualised and transformed into development.

At the Innov8 Hub, aspiring inventors, researchers and academics are trained and developed to navigate through the Nigerian innovation and invention ecosystems.

Echono further stated that the hub serves as an opportunity to make a difference in the life of people as well as transform the fortune of the country both intellectually and materially.

According to him, of all the gifts God has given mankind; it is the intellect that will make the most impact, hence the need to invest in researchers.

“A lot of what is happening in this hub is agriculture and Nigeria has a comparative advantage in agriculture.

“With dedication, commitment and the right policies, we can be able to move into that agricultural space to help our people.

“At the Fund, we are doing a lot of intervention in the innovation space this year. We want to replicate the hub in our tertiary institutions.”

 

Institute trains soil scientists on innovations to improve agriculture

Kamila Bello
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The Nigerian Institute of Soil Science (NISS), has trained Registered Soil Scientists in South East zone on innovations geared towards helping farmers in the area to improve productivity.

Prof. Charles Asadu, Coordinator, NISS South East Zone, said this at a one-day conference in Nsukka, that the training workshop is entitled “Capacity Building for Registered Soil Scientist on New Innovations and Advances in Soil Science.”

The training was organised by the institute as part of efforts to improve agriculture in the country.

He said, that in the changing world, soil scientists could not be left out because farmers depend on them to improve their productive capacity and efficiency.

“Today, the participants have been trained on the use of machine learning to predict soil properties and optimize agricultural productivity. and the creation of new organic amendments from sustainable plant source, using eco-friendly agricultural technology and how mycorrhizal fungi can improve soil health and plant productivity.”

The coordinator said, that participants who are registered soil scientists were expected to use the knowledge gained in the workshop to train farmers and extension agents in their areas.

“One of the objectives of NISS is to assist the Federal Government in achieving food security,” he said.

Asadu, highlighting activities of the institute in Southeast zone, noted that farmers and extension agents in the area have benefited immensely in NISS’ many training workshops.

Prof. Peter Ezeaku, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), speaking on the use of machine learning to predict soil properties, said the aim was to optimise agricultural productivity.

Ezeaku noted that most common parameters that affect machine learning performance could help to select the optimal strategy for a particular research task in soil study.

“The comparative influence on the machine learning techniques and their parameters showed that they can increase or decrease the overall soil analysis accuracy.

“Machine learning technologies are making significant impacts in agriculture, so any country that is desirous of improving its agriculture will be unwise to ignore it,” Ezeaku said.

Speaking on creation of Eco-friendly Agricultural Technology, Dr Innocent Onyekwere, Assistant Director, Farming System Research Programme, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia, advised farmers to use organic amendments for crop production.

He said that the first step in organic amendment (manure) was to establish nutrient requirement for the growth and yield of such crop and followed by laboratory analysis of the organic amendments and soil that the crop will grow on, after which the quantity to be applied will be determined before application.

“These steps will give excellent results for sustainable soil fertility and enhanced crop yield if followed adequately.”

The Assistant Director listed some of the benefits of organic amendments to include; free of methane, plants disease causing pathogens, act as buffer against drought and flood, among others.

Onyekwere said that Eco-friendly Agricultural Technology could be referred to as clean technology that uses green renewable energy to convert plant residues to organic amendments at zero carbon emission.

“Eco-friendly agricultural technology can help preserve the environment through energy efficiency and reduction of harmful waste.

“Recycling, renewing and reusing bio-degradable content waste such as plant-based materials to decomposed and convert organic amendments are example of Eco-friendly agricultural technology,” he said.

Some of the participant commended NISS for organising the workshop that have equipped them with the knowledge on how to apply new agricultural innovations in their area.

Participants promised that they would use the knowledge gained from the workshop to train farmers and extension agents in their areas.

They said this would justify the aim of NISS in organising the workshop and enable them to contribute their own quote towards achieving food security in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

INEC Suspends Collation of Supplementary Election in Adamawa

Aisha John-Mark
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The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of the Adamawa State Supplementary election.

The Commission announced on Sunday via its Twitter handle.

The Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Hudu Ari had earlier declared Senator Aisha Dahiru as the winner of the election under controversial circumstances.

Meanwhile, INEC spokesman, Festus Okoye overruled him and ordered the suspension of the collation.

 

 

Nigerian Army Commissions Projects At Military Cantonment Uyo

Aisha John-Mark
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General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Olufemi Oluyede has commissioned several infrastructural developmental projects at Mbiokporo Military Cantonment, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria.

The projects which were constructed by the 2 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General ASM Wase, include the construction of the Quarter Guard Complex which comprises of Duty Officer’s office, Quarter Guard Sergent’s Room, Male Soldiers Room, 2 Holding Cells, Female Soldiers Room, Arms Store, Laundry and Shower/Toilets 2 each for male and female soldiers.

Others were the Military Police (MP) Duty Room comprising of an MP Duty Office, an Orderly Room, 2 Officers Holding Cells, 10 Soldiers’ Holding Cells and 3 Washrooms/Toilets each.

He also constructed the Brigade’s Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM)’s Office Complex which comprised of RSM Office, a Regimental Police (RP)’s Office, a Tailoring Shed, Barbing Salon,  2 Stores and 2 Toilets/Washrooms each.

Similarly, the Brigade’s Sickbay, Water supply system and Worship Centres were also constructed freshly. The works include Consulting Room, Male Ward, Female Ward, Paediatric Ward and the Pharmacy.

 

 

Divergent Trade Patterns Limit FDIs in Africa – IMF

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja
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The International Monetary Fund says the recent slowdown witnessed in Foreign Direct Investment, especially in developing countries can be linked to the divergent trade patterns among countries, with flows increasingly concentrated among geopolitically aligned countries, particularly in strategic sectors.

It said the new development would affect emerging markets and developing economies given their reliance on FDI from geopolitically distant countries.

In its ‘World Economic Outlook: A Rocky Recovery report, the Washington-based lender said rising geopolitical tensions such as Brexit, trade tensions between the United States and China, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine posed a challenge to international relations and could lead to a policy-driven reversal of global economic integration.

According to the IMF, foreign direct investment is cross-border investment through which foreign investors establish a stable and long-lasting influence over domestic enterprises.

According to reports a decrease in FDI has been particularly visible, with global FDI declining from 3.3 percent of GDP in the 2000s to 1.3 per cent between 2018 and 2022

Foreign inflows into Nigeria have fallen drastically over the years with inflows falling by 77.79 percent from $23.99bn in 2019 to $5.33bn in 2022.

The IMF report partly read, “the recent slowdown in FDI has been characterized by divergent patterns across host countries, with flows increasingly concentrated among geopolitically aligned countries, particularly in strategic sectors. Several emerging markets and developing economies are highly vulnerable to FDI relocation, given their reliance on FDI from geopolitically distant countries.

 

 

 

 

 

Punch/Hauwa Abu

Nigerian Army Commissions Intervention Projects In Edo Community

Aisha John-Mark
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The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has commissioned special intervention projects in Utoka Secondary School at Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State in Southern Nigeria, executed in honour of Major General Felix Omoigui, the Chief of Defence Simulation.

General Yahaya called on the management of Utoka Secondary School to ensure diligent maintenance of the remodelled Block of classrooms, newly constructed Science Laboratory and Borehole executed in the school.


The COAS who was represented by the Commandant Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport stated that the Nigerian Army pays very close attention to the Non-Kinetic lines of Operation. This is to ensure that the Nigerian Army has a good and cordial relationship with the civil populace and the host communities where the military operations are conducted.

He pointed out that the cordial relationship necessitated the conception of remodelling a Block of classrooms and constructing a well-equipped Science Laboratory at the Utoka community to win the hearts and minds of the host community.

The Commissioner for Education Edo State, Mrs Joan Osa Oviawe represented by the Board Secretary Senior Secondary Education Board Mr Osawe Osagie appreciated the Nigerian Army for honouring  Major General Felix  Omoigui, a son of the Community by remodelling and constructing a new Science Laboratory for Utoka Secondary School.

She assured the School that more Science teachers would be posted to man the newly constructed Science Laboratory.

Also speaking Major General Felix Omoigui stated that the School was in a dilapidated state at the time of his intervention. He said that the Army Chief’s intervention quickened the early completion of the project. He, therefore, thanked the COAS for his magnanimity and for honouring him with the project.

Highpoint of the occasion included the unveiling of the commissioning plaque, the cutting of the commissioning tape, the presentation of souvenirs and the cultural display.

 

 

 

G7 ministers agree to expedite renewable energy development

Zainab Sa'id
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The Group of Seven (G7) rich nations have agreed to speed up renewable energy development and move towards a quicker phase-out of fossil fuels.

Their position is contained in a  communique issued at the end of two days of meetings on climate, energy and environmental policy in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo on Sunday.

The ministers also set big new targets for solar power and offshore wind capacity as renewable fuel sources and energy security have taken on a new urgency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

But they stopped short of endorsing a 2030 deadline for phasing out of coal that Canada and some other members had pushed for, and left the door open for continued investment in gas, saying that sector could help address potential energy shortfalls.

“Initially people thought that climate action and action on energy security potentially were in conflict. But discussions which we had and which are reflected in the communique are that they actually work together,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s minister of natural resources.

Renewable energies

In their communique, the members pledged to collectively increase offshore wind capacity by 150 gigawatts by 2030 and solar capacity to more than 1 terawatt.

“We will drastically increase electricity generated by renewable energies,” they said.

They agreed to accelerate the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels” – the burning of fossil fuels without using technology to capture the resulting C02 emissions – to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050 at the latest.

Also Read: G7 ministers pledge to stop financing coal based power

On coal, the countries agreed to prioritise “concrete and timely steps” towards accelerating the phase-out of “domestic, unabated coal power generation”, as a part of a commitment last year to achieve at least a “predominantly” decarbonised power sector by 2035.

Canada was clear that unabated coal-fired power should be phased out by 2030, and Ottawa, Britain and some other G7 members committed to that date, Canada’s Wilkinson told reporters.

“Others are still trying to figure out how they could get there within their relevant timeframe – it was a good conversation and everybody is committed to doing and we are trying to find ways to some who are more coal-dependent than others to find technical pathways how to do that.” Wilkinson said.

Host country Japan, which depends on imports for nearly all its energy needs, wants to keep liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transition fuel for at least 10 to 15 years.

The G7 members said investment in the gas sector can be appropriate to address potential market shortfalls provoked by the crisis in Ukraine, if implemented in a manner consistent with climate objectives.

They targeted 2040 for reducing additional plastic pollution to zero, bringing the target forward by a decade.

 

Zainab Sa’id

Gunmen kill 7 in Mexico resort

Zainab Sa'id
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Armed men stormed a resort in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato on Saturday killing seven people, including a child.

Social media footage showed the aftermath of the attack in a palm-studded resort in the small town of Cortazar, about 65 km (40 miles) south of the Guanajuato city.

Cortazar’s local security department said it was not clear who was behind the shooting that killed the seven-year-old, three men and three women. It added that one person was seriously injured in the La Palma resort.

Video taken soon after the attack showed shocked adults and children walking past piles of dead bodies near a swimming pool.

“After the attack, (the attackers) fled, but not before causing damage to the resort store and taking the security cameras and the monitor,” Cortazar’s security department said in a statement.

The region is increasingly plagued by drug cartel violence. In recent years rival drug cartels have been waging brutal battles to control territory and trafficking routes through the state.

 

Zainab Sa’id

Rebels kill 9 soldiers in Indonesia

Zainab Sa'id
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Separatist rebels in Indonesia’s Papua region have killed nine army personnel after Jakarta did not respond to a request for negotiations.

“We asked the Indonesian and New Zealand governments to free the hostages through peaceful negotiations,” rebel spokesperson Sebby Sambom said in a recorded message on Sunday.

“But the Indonesian military and police attacked civilians on March 23. Because of that the TPNPB troops had said they would take revenge and it had already started,” Sambom said, adding that fighting was continuing on Sunday.

A military spokesperson in Papua, Herman Taryaman, confirmed the Saturday attack but could not confirm the number of soldiers killed as communications were cut due to bad weather.

Herman denied the allegation of a March attack on civilians, saying the security forces were protecting civilians who were chased away by the rebels.

“Efforts to provide assistance and evacuation are still being carried out,” Herman said, while asking for prayers for army personnel who are searching for the captured Susi Air pilot, Phillip Mehrtens.

Also Read: Indonesia Sends Warship to Monitor Chinese Coast Guard Vessel

The West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) abducted a New Zealand pilot in February. The group initially demanded Jakarta recognise the area’s independence but this month said they were prepared to drop that demand and were seeking dialogue.

A low-level battle for independence from Indonesia continued for decades in the remote and resource-rich Papua region, with the conflict between armed rebels and security forces intensifying significantly in recent years, analysts say.

Tension has simmered since a controversial 1969 vote supervised by the United Nations that saw the former Dutch territory bought under Indonesian control.

 

Zainab Sa’id

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