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Student loan suspended for weeks, not indefinitely — FG 

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FG postpones students loan launch indefinitely

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Sonny Echono has assured that the launch of the student loan scheme has only been postponed for a couple of weeks and not indefinitely.

He said this at the TETFUND headquarters in Abuja when the governor of Kwara state paid him a courtesy visit.

Echono said the delay in the launch is only to make sure that there are no complications in the proper implementation of the scheme and to ensure that the scheme is up to standard.

Echono’s clarification followed the announcement by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyer that the launch of the scheme had been suspended indefinitely.

Sawyer in an interview with Arise news channel said the loan scheme was postponed due to some corrections that were being made around the launch.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit to a specific date. We are sort of waiting to ensure that all the stakeholders are aligned to make sure that nobody is blindsided, then we can actually roll this out in a meaningful, comprehensive, wholesome and sustainable way,” he said.

However, speaking in Abuja, Echono said, “The loan has not been postponed indefinitely, there’s just a little housekeeping that needs to be done, the president has arrangements in place for the launch.

“We are discussing a matter of days, maximum weeks for it to take off. The president is very committed to this, and I can assure you that this is going to be done in the best way.

“We don’t want to hurriedly launch the programme, and there are objections, and it isn’t sustained.

“We’re making sure that the loan can accommodate as many that need it. Even for people with skills, it’s going to be a game changer. We’re working hand in hand with JAMB, we know when admissions will commence, so we are not far behind.

“In the next couple of weeks, the scheme will take off, and it will accommodate everyone, even students of vocational studies.”

Speaking also on the issues of insecurity in tertiary institutions, the EVS also said the Federal Government is working tirelessly to tackle all issues of insecurity, and all security problems will soon be a thing of the past.

Speaking, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, the governor of Kwara State, applauded TETFund for its intervention funds to universities in the state.

“In Kwara, we have the best university library in West Africa, with an amazing structure, this is all thanks to TETFund.”

In June 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed a bill to start a Students Loan Fund that would give interest-free loans to Nigerians for higher education.

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, proposed the bill and it was supposed to start between September and October 2023.

Meanwhile, Tinubu said the programme would begin in January 2024, after missing the October deadline.

In January, Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, said at a meeting that preparations for the programme were finished. This included making the Student Loan Scheme website and planning how to start the programme.

Also, Tinubu told leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students that the programme would start once they added more features, like vocational studies.

Reps summon Dangote, Abdulsamad, others over soaring cement prices

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Reps summon Dangote, Abdulsamad, others over soaring cement prices

The House of Representatives is set to invite top manufacturers Aliko Dangote, Rabiu Abdulsamad, among others, to appear before them for deliberation on ways out of the hardship arising from the high cost of the product.

The House resolution was a sequel to the adoption of a motion titled “Arbitrary increase in the price of cement by manufacturers of cement in Nigeria,” moved by a member representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State, Mr Gaza Gbefwi, during plenary on Wednesday and a member representing Shomolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye.

Leading the debate at a session presided over by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, Gbefwi argued that cement manufacturers have increased the price of their products by up to 50 per cent leading to sharp hikes in building blocks, the cost of building, and consequently, the price of rent across the country.

According to him, it is ironic that while the raw materials for the manufacturing of cement, including lime, silica, alumina, iron oxide, and gypsum, are all sourced locally and not affected by exchange rate volatility, the price of cement continues to rise almost every week.

Gbefwi also noted that the factors of production and elements of the cement production flow chart “Are sourced locally and have not changed significantly year-on-year,” stressing that “Cement manufacturers are capitalizing on exchange volatility to arbitrarily increase the price of the product, whose cost of production has not changed significantly since last year.”

According to him, a small but powerful “cement cabal” is unconscionably inflicting hardship on Nigerians “as the prices of rent and associated services have increased.

In his contribution, member representing Kanke/Pankshin/Kanam Federal Constituency, Plateau State, Yusuf Gagdi wondered why Nigerians are being subjected to untold hardship by cement manufacturers, adding that “Nigeria cements are a big market for Niger Republic, Cameroon and other neighbouring countries.”

He said, “Why should Nigerians continue to suffer from incessant increases in the price of cement? We have a duty to rise up and defend the common man. I think it is important we invite the manufacturers to tell this house what is going on because we can’t continue like this.”

On his part, the Deputy Minority Whip of the House, George Ozodinobi, called for the mass importation of cement into the country to force down the price.

The lawmaker who represents Njikoka/Dunukofia/Anaocha Federal Constituency, Anambra State, said, “Let us open the floodgate of importation of cement into the country. This will bring down the price of the product.”

Ozodinobi also recalled that when cement importation was the norm, the price was stable and affordable.

“When the man from Nnewi and Chairman of the Ibeto Group, Cletus Ibeto, was given the opportunity to bring in cement into the country, the price came down drastically but he was frustrated out of the system,” he lamented.

However, the duo of Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) and Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos) called for caution, arguing that a number of factors come into play in determining the price of a product.

According to Jimi, “It is either the frequent increment is caused by production cost or something else. Let us invite the manufacturers to meet with the relevant committees.”

Similarly, Soli urged the lawmakers to remember that Nigeria has become a net exporter of cement to other African countries and as such, manufacturers should be supported to hold on to their market lead.

“Let us understand the place of cost of production. These people bought these companies and turned them around. In most cases, they provide their own power. Let us not be complacent when we are talking about issues concerning the national economy. Let us support these people because they can withdraw their investments,” he stated.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House summoned the manufacturers to appear before it in the next sectoral debate, just as it mandated its Committees on Solid Minerals Development, Commerce, Industry, and Special Duties to investigate the arbitrary increase in the price of cement by manufacturers in the country and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Bill to establish Ogun construction institute scales second reading

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Bill to establish Ogun construction institute scales second reading

A bill seeking the establishment of the National Institute of Construction Institute, Itele, Ogun State, passed Second Reading on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Titled “A bill for an act to establish the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Itele, Ogun State and for Related Matters” seeks to provide a legal framework for the establishment and administration of the institute.

Sponsored by the member representing Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency, Ogun State, Joseph Adegbesan, the bill seeks among others to provide facilities and encourage research to aid Nigeria’s development in areas of construction, technology and management.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Adegbesan noted that the proposed legislation is borne out of the need to “Provide for courses and to provide full-time courses of instruction and training in Construction Technology, Engineering Technology, Applied Sciences, Management Sciences and other fields of study for the residents of Itele, Ogun State and for Nigerians in general.”

The All Progressives Congress lawmaker while noting that when established, the institute would develop the technological skills of Nigerians, also added that the institute would be administered in conformity with international best practice.

Made up of seven parts sub-divided into 25 clauses, the proposed legislation comprises establishment provisions, functions and powers of the institute and its governing council, staff of the institute, discipline of staff members and students of the institute, among others.

Adegbesan further argued in favour of the proposed technology institute, saying, “This move is geared towards providing technical know-how in the field of construction, engineering, and management to boost the level of our technological manpower.”

NAF seeks Reps’ permission to import aviation fuel

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NAF seeks Reps' permission to import aviation fuel

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has decried the high costs of fuel prices as well as the introduction of surcharges.

According to him, the cost of Jet A-1 was about N1,200 per litre as against the N360 per litre the service budgeted for.

Abubakar described this as one of the issues affecting the effectiveness of the service.

The According reports that Jet A-1 is a kerosene-type fuel compatible with most jet aircraft, both civil and military, helicopter turbine engines, turboprops and compression-ignition piston engines.

Abubakar spoke during the visit by members of the House of Representative Committee on Air Force, led by the Chairman, Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, to the NAF Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM. Edward Gabkwet, Abubakar pleaded with the National Assembly to permit the Air Force to import Jet A-1 fuel to sustain ongoing air operations.

The statement partly read, “The CAS also used the opportunity of the visit to reel out some pressing challenges militating against NAF’s effectiveness, one of which is the astronomic rise in fuel prices and the introduction of surcharges.

“Currently, the situation is worsening, as the cost of Jet A-1 fluctuates at almost #1,200 per litre as against the budgeted #360 per litre. We are soliciting that the NAF be permitted to independently commence the importation of Jet A-1 fuel to sustain our ongoing air operations.”

Abubakar also requested the establishment of air operations command and control infrastructure among others.

“Other challenges enumerated by the CAS include the need to enhance NAF’s tactical airlift capability to support both land and maritime forces in various theatres of operations as well as disaster relief efforts in remote areas, the need for an air operations command and control infrastructure as well as the need for an enhanced Air Defence and Airspace Surveillance capabilities, among others,” the statement added.

Abubakar, however, expressed concern with the spate of abductions in the country lately.

The Air Chief blamed the increasing rate of crimes across the country on the lack of jobs and the high cost of living in the country.

He said, “While terrorists’ activities in the Northeast and Northwest Nigeria have declined, we have in recent times witnessed an escalation in the rate and frequency of kidnappings and hostage-taking by these same criminals in the region. The recent coordinated spade of kidnappings of over 200 school children in Kaduna, 15 students in Sokoto and several others in Borno States are clear pointers to this fact.

“In the southeast and south-south region, the threats posed by secessionists and oil thieves, though on the decline, have also been a source of concern. These situations have been exacerbated as more Nigerians slip into poverty, occasioned by lack of jobs amid high cost of living, causing some to turn to crime.”

Despite these challenges, the CAS noted the NAF has continued to embark on a wide range of intensive air operations, including Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance, Air Interdiction and Armed Reconnaissance across operational theatres in the country, with varying degrees of success.

FCE Zamfara lecturers begin strike, seek provost removal

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FCE Zamfara lecturers begin strike, seek provost removal

The Academic Staff of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau in Zamfara State has embarked on an indefinite strike, calling on the immediate removal of the Provost of the College, Mrs Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim.

In a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday and signed by the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of the College, Dr Abdullahi Muhammad, the lecturers said the Provost was not qualified for the position and must resign before they could return to their work.

The statement added that members of the union would not work under a provost who has been declared unqualified and unsuitable by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The statement read in part, “The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) FCET Gusau chapter held its congress meeting on 12th March 2024”.

“The union members have resolved to suspend all academic and administrative activities until the Federal Ministry of Education’s directive over the vexed appointment of Dr (Mrs.) Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim as the substantive provost of Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau is implemented.

“That is she should resign and hand over to the most senior academic staff in the college.

“Dr. (Mrs.) Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim took an appointment as the substantive provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau on the 14th of August 2023.

“On her assumption as the substantive Provost of the college, the attention of the union (COEASU) was drawn to the petition against her by a human rights group (Equity Alliance) demanding for cancellation of her appointment as substantive provost of the college on the ground of misrepresentation of a forged document.

“The union was aware just before the provost assumed duty that she was not qualified ab initio the local chapter of the union and she was directed by the national body to wait for the verdict of the Federal Ministry of Education on the matter.

“Furthermore, the implication of the allegation is that it is a gross violation of section 2.8 of the revised condition of service (2015) of the federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria and the requirements in the advertisement placed on the position of the provost.

“Therefore, our members will not be able to work under a provost who has been declared unqualified and unsuitable by the Federal Ministry of Education.

“The decision was taken in good faith to protect the integrity of the college as a teacher training institution which is guided by the rule of law.”

 Infinix Elevates Sound with Renewed JBL Partnership

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 Infinix Elevates Sound with Renewed JBL Partnership

Infinix today announces its renewed collaboration with HARMAN’s world class audio and technology brand, JBL. The Infinix team has partnered closely with renowned audio experts at HARMAN  to revolutionize the sound experience in the NOTE 40 series with Sound by JBL. This partnership has led to the integration of redesigned dual speakers, meticulously crafted to deliver unparalleled audio quality. By leveraging JBL’s expertise in acoustic design, advanced audio processing algorithms, and cutting-edge driver unit technology, the NOTE 40 series with Sound by JBL promises an exceptional auditory experience like never before.

“The positive reception of the collaboration between the InfinixNOTE 30 series and JBL underscores the importance of sound quality in user experience. With the NOTE 40 series, we have focused on optimizing speaker structure and components, integrating advanced Sound by JBL technology on top of powerful hardware to ensure users enjoy a more immersive and superior audio experience.” – WeiqiNie,Product Director at Infinix.

“The JBL brand is committed to providing the most comprehensive sound experience, which aligns perfectly with Infinix’s vision. We continue to deepen our collaboration on the NOTE series, exploring new technologies to deliver better sound quality to consumers worldwide under Sound by JBL.” –  Roumu Hu, Vice President and General Manager, HARMAN Embedded Audio.

Integrated with JBL Audio Brilliance

The dual speakers in the NOTE 40 series have been professionally tuned by JBL, ensuring a 360° symmetrical sound that is both uniform and immersive. This redesign marks a significant enhancement over the previous generation, providing users with a more captivating audio experience. Furthermore, the incorporation of high-resilience silicone diaphragms and optimized cavity sizes has resulted in a remarkable 58% increase in bass performance, delivering deeper and richer bass effects. With a five-magnet sound unit, the NOTE 40 series sets a new standard for high-fidelity audio, offering users a superior experience across music, videos, and gaming.

Availability

The NOTE 40 series with Sound by JBL will be globally launched on March 18th.

About Infinix:

Infinix Mobility is a rapidly emerging technology brand that designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of smart devices worldwide under the Infinix brand, which was founded in 2013. Targeting today’s youth with first in class technology, Infinix creates trendy, powerful and attainably priced smart devices that bring the latest technology on the market to users around the world at a time when they need it at a price that they want it.

About HARMAN Embedded Audio

HARMAN Embedded Audio, a specialized consumer business unit within HARMAN International, is a full-service audio and voice technology provider that embeds proprietary hardware and software systems into partner products. To elevate the audio and voice performance of every partner product, HARMAN Embedded Audio combines an expert team of sales, operations, engineering, and development professionals to create true product differentiation and winning business solutions with Sound by JBL, Sound by Harman Kardon, or Sound by Infinity co-branding opportunities. HARMAN Embedded Audio works with leading global brands to provide tuning expertise for audio and voice integration in a variety of industries including consumer electronics, enterprise, fitness, Internet of Things (IoT), safety/security, healthcare and recreation. In 2017, HARMAN became a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. All third-party trademarks referenced by HARMAN remain the property of their respective owners. For more information, visit Embedded.Harman.com.

Nigeria ranked Africa’s second happiest country amid hardship

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Nigeria ranked Africa’s second happiest country amid hardship

Nigeria has been ranked the second country in Africa with the best mental well-being, edging Zimbabwe, while Tanzania secured the highest point.

This was revealed in the Global Mind Project’s fourth annual ‘Mental State of the World’ report of March 2024, conducted by Sapien Labs, which equally suggests a global decrease in mental well-being since the onset of the pandemic.

The report comes as Nigeria battles economic hardship flagged by the high cost of living, amongst others, as a result of the removal of subsidy on petrol and the unification of the exchange rate windows by President Bola Tinubu in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.

Sapien Labs aggregated reactions from the north of 500,000 people assembled all through the year across 71 nations, covering 9 geographic areas including Africa

The report utilizes six-layered scores, including temperament and standpoint, social self, drive and inspiration, versatility and strength, cognizance, and brain-body connection. Don’t miss the top 10 mental health rank of African countries

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Lagos seeks investment in entertainment, tourism

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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday called for collaboration among stakeholders for new ideas and strategies that will lead to the full realisation of the socio-economic potentials of the gaming, entertainment and tourism industry in Africa.

He also said despite the positive indices and its Gross Domestic Product growth, Lagos still needs investment in the entertainment and tourism sector.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Wednesday at the ongoing Africa Gaming Expo Lagos 2024 at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He explained that his administration has re-calibrated the thrust of tourism through the development of a Tourism Master Plan and Tourism Policy designed to make the sector not only a huge revenue earner but also a model for economic regeneration as seen in cities such as Zanzibar, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

He said part of his administration’s commitment and renewed determination in line with the THEMES+ economic agenda is to leverage the potentialities of the gaming, entertainment and tourism sectors.

The governor said the initiatives aimed at increasing Lagos share of the African gaming market to at least 30 percent and solidifying the status of State as a key player in the gaming industry, largely being propelled through the Public-Private Partnership model.

Sanwo-Olu said the overall objective of the historic gathering of stakeholders and operators, Game Developers, Investment Bankers, Venture Capitalists, Government Gaming Regulators, and other Gaming Stakeholders across the globe is to discuss and examine the Regulatory Frameworks, Emerging Trends, Challenges, Opportunities, and Prospects in the Africa Gaming Market and the gaming value chain.

The governor believed that the Africa Gaming Expo would also provide a unique opportunity to review the present industry practices against global best standards and chart a new course for the future of the Gaming Market in Africa, which is currently estimated at $7.8 billion.

“For us in Lagos State, as an emerging smart city, the sub-theme of the Expo – ‘Entertainment, Gaming and Tourism: A Nexus for Economic Growth’ would appear more germane as it speaks to the integral part of the state’s economic agenda and priorities.

“Lagos is indeed well-known for its commercial and political grandeur. It is regarded as the commercial and entertainment capital of Africa and has remained committed to the development of the nation’s tourism sector through entertainment and cultural export across various entities like movie, music, fashion and recently gaming, to mention but few.

“No doubt, we are indeed in the right place. Convening the African Gaming Expo in Lagos could not have come at a better time as it portends to strategically reinforce the State Government’s Development Agenda as encapsulated in T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, specifically the sixth pillar – Entertainment and Tourism.

“Today, Lagos State is one of the top 10 fastest growing cities in the World, ranks 6th in GDP in Africa and contributes over 25 percent of the GDP in Nigeria. However, Lagos State still needs more support in terms of investment in the Entertainment and Tourism sector.

“The state has one of the best protocols for ease of doing business. This expo would provide our partners insight into the investment opportunities waiting to be explored in our Entertainment, Gaming and Tourism industry in the State,” the governor was quoted to have said in a statement by his spokesperson, Gboyega Akosile.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Mr. Bashir Are, commended Sanwo-Olu’s administration for its unwavering commitment to revolutionise the gaming industry through effective regulation, by leveraging modern technological innovation and global best practices.

He said the Africa Gaming Expo was to exchange ideas and share valuable insights that would change the face of gaming while harmonising the standard and regulations in Africa.

In his welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Gaming Expo Limited, Dr. Charles Ekundayo, said “The aim of organising the Expo is rooted in promoting the Africa Gaming Market while fostering collaboration among industry professionals and addressing the challenges faced in the industry.”

The 2024 Africa Gaming Expo attracts over 35 speakers in the industry and hundreds of delegates from different countries in Africa and outside of the continent.

Anambra vows to punish officials who brutalised man in viral video

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Anambra vows to punish officials who brutalised man in viral video

The Anambra State Government has vowed to punish the erring operatives of the Special Anambra Anti-Touting Squad who brutalised a man who has been identified as one Wilfred Ezike, a.k.a Mgbilimgba, in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Tuesday.

A group of people said to be members of SASA had allegedly beaten him to a coma over an unknown offence.

The said officials videoed their victim while hitting his legs and ankles with a pestle and posted the video on social media.

The video, however, made the rounds on social media on Tuesday, showing the men hitting the man with a short pestle while questioning him over a yet-to-be-known matter.

The operative repeatedly hit the victim with the pestle while his colleagues were making the video, as the victim was rolling on the ground, helplessly crying and begging them to allow him to explain.

In the video, while the victim tried to explain to them that his wife was pregnant and that he didn’t want to die without seeing his child, the anti-tout operatives told him that they wanted him dead, adding that they had not come there to joke with him.

The video attracted wide condemnations across the state, and the general public wondered why the Anti-tout operatives should subject someone to such inhumane treatment instead of handing him over to the police for appropriate investigation and possible prosecution.

But reacting to the development on Wednesday in a statement, the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chikodi Anarah, said, “We are investigating the matter and will punish the erring SASA operatives.”

The statement read, “I have been alerted to a viral video on the arrest and manhandling of one Wilfred Ezike, also known as Mgbiligba by SASA operatives. I really feel bad that an incident of that nature took place. I have felt bad all through the day since somebody posted the video to me.

“It is true that some people are unrepentantly committed to various criminalities on the basis of which innocent citizens remain in miserable conditions running their legitimate day-to-day life, but we must handle human beings according to prescriptions of the law, no matter their offence.

“Our government is law-abiding, and that is why we must fish out the SASA operatives involved in the incident under reference and punish them accordingly.

“It is also true that we are resolute to stamp out ‘Agberos’, but that must happen within the confines of the laws of the land. Interestingly, people have been commenting and reacting. This shows life in an organised democracy.

“Some of them allege various levels of atrocities committed by Wilfred Ezike for which he ought to have been more severely manhandled and brought to book, while counter-narratives insist that he should not be manhandled at all. For me, and the government of Anambra State, nothing justifies brutality, and that is why we will punish the erring operatives.

“According to records published in various platforms, Wilfred Ezike had been in and out of prison custody for the alleged murder of innocent people while with his boys, extorting money from them. He is said to be a major kingpin of touts in whose hands people have gone through hell.

“We were informed that there was widespread jubilation among Onitsha traders and ‘keke’ operators when they heard about his arrest. They alleged that he was dreaded, but that (if true) does not imply that SASA should not follow the law in dealing with him.

“Other comments are that SASA operatives may have been enraged because, according to them, he wrote a petition against them falsely alleging that they killed somebody along Niger Street, Onitsha.

“SASA was further quoted as saying that he did that to commence his effort to cripple its job so as to continue his unholy business. A police investigation is said to support SASA’s position that the petition was unfounded.

“General comments have also expressed opinions that Wilfred had been prominent in fighting previous administrations to a standstill in their effort to curb the State of touts and their activities.”

The According had reported that the Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, inaugurated the state Anti-touts Squad in 2023 to tackle the increasing spate of touting in the state.

EU empowers 273 Nigerian CSOs in five years

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EU empowers 273 Nigerian CSOs in five years

The European Union through its Agents for Citizen-driven Transformation Programme, has in the past five years empowered no fewer than 273 Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria with capacity-building to strengthen their operations.

The ACT Programme funded by the EU and implemented by the British Council in 10 states was designed to strengthen the capacity of CSOs and to make them more impactful.

The ACT National Programme Manager, Mr. Damilare Babalola, who disclosed this on Tuesday, said the five-year programme, implemented in selected states; Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Enugu,, Kano, Lagos, Plateau, Rivers, and Sokoto as well as the FCT, worked with CSOs to enable them to be more credible and effective drivers of change for suitable development in Nigeria.

Speaking at the closure of the programme in Lagos on Tuesday, Babalola said the EU-ACT programme which began in 2019, addressed major issues that affected the effectiveness and impact of the civil society sector in Nigeria, especially in the area of provision of an enabling regulatory environment for them to operate.

He said, “The objective of the programme is to support the capacity development of CSOs to become more credible and transparent agents of sustainable development in Nigeria.

“That was what the programme was set out to achieve and we focused on two specific result areas.

“The first was to provide capacity-building skills which we call capacity development support for CSOs.

“The other was to look at the regulatory environment for CSOs and facilitate strategic coordination between CSOs and other strategic stakeholders to come together and enable appropriate legislations and regulations at two levels.”

Babalola noted that the programme achieved its set objectives by empowering CSOs on how to comply with legal regulations of the country and also how they can self-regulate their system and sanitise that environment.

“In terms of numbers, we have worked with 273 CSOs across the board. 233 in the area of capacity development support have been reached and an additional 40 NGOs have been supported to coordinate and improve the regulatory environment of the CSOs across the board both in Abuja and the respective states that we are working in.

“We have provided more than 150-capacity- development training to over 200 CSOs. That is quite huge in terms of numbers.

“Our expectation was just to reach about 200 CSOs but overall, we have reached over 270 CSOs.

“Beyond that, we supported government agencies and organisations that have a role to play in enhancing CSOs’ regulatory environment”, the ACT National Programme Manager said.

In his remarks, ACT Lagos State Focal Person, Mr. Adeshola Afariogun, stressed the need for CSOs to partner with the government, adding that they had been trained on how to engage with the government effectively.

“In Lagos, we have 21 partners which include 13 NGOs, two networks, and six community-based organisations. In terms of performance, they have moved from 30 percent to 70 percent.

“For example, there were some of the CSOs that were never registered by any agency before now. All of them are now registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

“Through the EU-ACT ACT programme, many CSOs are doing well with their registration and regulatory provisions.”, Afariogun said.

Speaking on behalf of the CSOs, the founder of the Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organisations, Yemisi Ransome Kuti, said,” This is one of the most impactful programmes that has been designed by the international donor community.

“”In the past, the donors wanted us to go on the agenda that was relevant to their communities. They kind of ignored those working on local issues that were pertinent and peculiar to the citizens.

“One of the defects in the past was that they were ready to give you funding but did not want to fund your infrastructure, staffing, and equipment. They expect you to go and look for money somewhere to exist.

“So, I am happy to say that the EU-ACT programme is a paradigm shift in the thinking of the global community to identify the real actors, the real CSOs and government agencies that have track records that have proven that they are committed to their communities and have benefitted their target audience and citizens.”

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