As Nigeria prepares to conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census from 29th March to 2nd April 2023, the country’s National Population Commission says it has commenced the training of functionaries for the exercise in thirty-six states and the nation’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT

In a statement issued to Journalists, the Director Public Affairs Department of the Commission, Isiaka Yahaya explained that; “The training which is in being organized in stages started with the training of Census Specialized Workforce, CSW and facilitators who will in turn train enumerators, supervisors, field coordinators, data quality assistants and data quality managers. The training includes self-learning study, online training with monitored simulated hands-on and in-person classroom and hands-on training.”

“The functionaries are to be trained on census forms, census applications, data capturing process, interpersonal communication, and basic troubleshooting of Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI), other topics of focus during the training include dispute resolution and basic use of excel.”

He stressed that the Commission would ensure that the data collected are of high quality, the Commission has recruited and trained Data Quality Managers and Data Quality Assistants on the deployment of maps, data validation and monitoring of the census dashboard.

The Director Public Affairs Department added that the “Total number of functionaries to be trained and deployed for the 2023 Census is 786,741 consisting of 623,797 enumerators, 125,944 supervisors, 24,001 Data Quality Assistants, 12,000 Field Coordinators, 1,000 Data Quality Managers, 1639 Training Centre Administrators and 59,000 LGA level facilitators.”

PIAK

An Operations Monitoring Team Led by the Chief of Doctrine, Training and Doctrine Command  (TRADOC), Major General Henry Wesley has visited Guards Brigade troops operating to strengthen synergy among security agencies

This is in collaboration with other sister security agencies at the Forward Operations Base, Kwali Area Council along Abuja lokoja express road.

The team’s visit is aimed at assessing the progress recorded in the area of security within the  Federal Capital and its environs ahead as the 2023 general elections draw closer.

According to a statement by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Captain Geoffrey Abakpa, it is also part of the Army Headquarters assessment visit to ascertain progress and achievement recorded by the Guards Brigade in the war against bandits and criminality within the Federal Capital Territory and its environs,

Addressing the various heads of security agencies participating in the ongoing exercise, which was flagged off earlier in October 2022, at the Operations Base, Major General Wesley noted that, Exercise Enduring Peace has no doubt recorded huge success due to the collective cooperation and synergy existing among the various agencies participating in the joint operations.

He commended the Brigade for being very proactive in addressing the perceived security threats around some enclaves by nipping them in the bud through aggressive joint operations

Major General Wesley stated further that the troop of the Brigade alone could not have achieved so much without the support of other stakeholders stressing that the synergy existing among the various agencies must continue to bring about the desired Enduring Peace to the country as a whole.

The team leader assured the Brigade of Army Headquarters of continuous support adding that the operation is in furtherance of the COAS Vision  which is to have “A professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions  In a joint environment In defence of Nigeria.”

The Brigade Acting Chief of Staff, and Commanding Officer 176 Guards Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Olumide Akingbesote while briefing the team said the Brigade has also continued to engage in confidence-building projects as part of the Non-Kinetic phase which has yielded positive results.

He assured the team of his commitment towards improving the existing good relationship between the stakeholders and the locals which he inherited upon assumption of command recently.

PIAK

The Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander UNISFA, Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, has commended the selfless service and exemplary act of professionalism exhibited by 2 officers of the Nigerian Air Force who recently completed their tour of duty as Staff Officers and United Nations Military Observers.

He described Wing Commander Uche Agha and Squadron Leader Olakitan Fatokun, United Nations Military Observer as officers who gave selfless service to humanity and represent the symbol of military professionalism associated with the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Military.

The Force Commander stated that their exemplary service has shown why Nigeria will continue to be relevant in United Nations Peacekeeping efforts.

He praised the commitment of the Nigerian Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and Principal Staff Officers of the various Services in their efforts towards repositioning Nigeria back to UN Peacekeeping Operations.

The Acting Head of Mission presented the UNISFA Plaque and Gold Coin for Peace to the 2 deserving officers, stating that the Gold Coin is meant for only those who impacted positively to mandate implementation and served meritoriously.

Others recognized were, Colonel Elie Bukuru of Burundi, the Force Chief of Staff and Wing Commander Bizeki Madzadzure the Chief U-4 from Zimbabwe.

PIAK

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo says part of Nigeria’s goals in pursuing a just energy transition agenda is seeking, among other issues, adequate Climate Finance, especially through the African Carbon Market Initiative, ACMI.

He spoke on Monday while receiving a delegation from the US-based Rocky Mountain Institute, an international think-tank involved with the issue of the energy transition for the last 40 years.

Prof. Osinbajo had earlier in the day virtually participated in a progress meeting of the international African Carbon Market Initiative Steering Committee where the progress of the plans on broadening the market in Nigeria and Africa had been reviewed.

He said the Nigerian government would be working on issues of Climate Finance, specific projects that will advance the 2060 Net-Zero target of Nigeria and exploring the possibility of electric vehicles in the country.

“We will be considering the decommissioning of generators, development of cooking stoves, think through options such as electric cars; is it the right time? What about charging stations? These are some of the things we have to start thinking about.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Rocky Mountain Institute, Mr Jon Creyts, expressed readiness to partner with Nigeria on the Federal Government’s Energy Transition Plan since this was a commitment that is shared by the institute as well.

“We share the commitment with Nigeria to get to Net-Zero in 2060 and build a prosperous economy in the process,” Creyts noted, while explaining that the institute had worked on similar issues with China, India, Indonesia and altogether 62 countries around the world.

At the meeting of the ACMI, the Steering Committee noted that it plans to attain $1 billion in total commitments by buyers before COP28 later this year.

Besides the Vice President, the members of the ACMI include former President of Colombia, Ivan Duque Marquez; representatives of the United Nations, Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, (GEAPP) among others.

PIAK