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NiMet, NSE set to Deepen Collaboration

NiMet, NSE to Deepen Collaboration
While playing host to the national executives from the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Director-General/CEO of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, who was represented by the Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Dr. Mansir Aminu, has pledge to sustain the collaboration with the NSE.

The DG’s representative stated that the theme of the upcoming 2023 National Engineering conference which is Re-Engineering the Manufacturing sector for competitiveness and enhanced growth is in line with the goals, products and services of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, of which, the instrument calibration laboratory domiciled in the Regional Training Centre, Oshodi, Lagos, is one of such.

Dr. Mansir Aminu further added that NiMet as an organization and under the leadership of Professor Mansur Bako Matazu has devoted a chunk of the Agency’s resources to training and human capital development of its members of staff and the Engineering department is not an exception.

In his remark, while commending NiMet for the continued support to the society, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Engr. Tasiu Sa’ad Gidari-Wudil used the opportunity to intimate NiMet on the upcoming National Conference, while also stressing that the association under his leadership has kick-started the development of a Smart office project and training facility for Engineers. The centre according to him will enclose not just research and development unit but also a commercial unit where academia can conduct their research, as well as market the product and output of such research.

NiMet Tops On Ethics & Integrity Compliance

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had scored the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) 9th position in it’s Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).

In an advertorial, the anti corruption body listed NiMet as having attained 9th position in the overall ranking out of four hundred and four (404) Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) administered in 2023 with NiMet scoring 78 percent and 2nd position in the Presidency and Extra Ministerial category.

According to ICPC, the objective of administering the EICS is particularly to track ethical, integrity and compliance deficiencies in the MDAs, and proffer remedial actions for the management of the MDAs and the government as appropriate. For Ministries, Departments and Agencies’ effectiveness and responsiveness, the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the scorecard as configured are to identify some ethics and integrity standards that MDAs must comply with within the areas of Management, Performance, Service and Professional Conduct.

The primary goal of deploying the EICS, which started in 2016 with 20 MDAs, is to ensure MDAs understand the quality of their statutes and government policies and take into account their level of compliance with ethical and accountability standards for efficiency and service delivery.

The Commission however stressed that the deployment of EICS is vital to building good ethical structures in organisations and enjoined MDAs to integrate the compliance practices into their systems to reduce corruption in public offices.

The attainment of this new ranking not only places NiMet at a good stead of best practice but also as an Agency that executes government policies.

Akpabio receives Knocks from Labour unions over announcement of FERMA Board as Executive Board members

Joint unions in Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), have kicked against the announcement by Sen. Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, referring to some members of the agency’s board as executive board members.

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) made their position known in a letter addressed to Akpabio on Thursday and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

It will be recalled that Akpabio had on Wednesday announced the constitution of a new board for FERMA, but referred to some of the members as executive board members, as against the usual members of the board.

The letter, jointly signed by Mr Paul Onimisi, ASCSN Chairman and Mr Abdulmumin Idris, AUPCTRE Chairman, described the announcement by the senate president as discouraging and demoralising to the staff of the agency.

“The appointment of some members as executive board members to eventually take over the running of the departments is contrary to FERMA Act and detrimental to the career progression of the employees of the agency.

“It will not serve the agency any good in achieving its mandate.

“The appointment of some persons as executive board members is contrary to the provisions of Section 2(2) of the FERMA Act as amended and career progression within government agencies.

“It is counter productive and demoralising for career officers as the intention is for the executive board members to take over from career officers who are running departments.

“We urge you respectfully, distinguished Senate President, to confirm the appointment of members of the board in accordance with the Act that created the board.

“To do otherwise is to usher in a chain of events that will disrupt the structure of the Agency, derail its mandate and demoralise the workers,” the unions maintained.

The unions’ executives said the direct consequence of making some members of the board executive members to head departments was to derail the agency because workers would not support it.

The union leaders emphasised that particular adverse result of the contraption of making some board members executive board members was the creation of a board within a board.

They added that such would drive the agency in contra-direction in terms or its mandate.

“The agency and its members of staff are peacefully working towards the achievement of its mandate in their service to the nation.

“An urgent clarion call is hereby made for the immediate reversal of this illegality to forestall looming anarchy this contraption may cause,” the unions stated in the letter aimed at drawing President Bola Tinubu’s attention to the anomaly.

“In line with Mr President’s renewed hope agenda, it is our lawful demand that the appointees be confirmed as board members not executive board members.

”Any contrary action to the provisions of the FERMA (Establishment Act 2002) as amended will be resisted,” the joint unions threatened.

NiMet Alerts On Approaching Dust Haze And Deterioration Of Visibility

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet), has alerted the public on the possibility of deterioration in visibility as a result of observed dust haze propagated into the country from the source region.

According to a release from the Agency this afternoon signed by Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim
GM/ PR, November 1, 2023, “Winds over 10m and 925hPha are favourable for Dust-Haze propagations into the Northern parts of the country.
Stations in the source region, Niger (Goure, Zinder, Maine-Soroa, Diffa, N-Guigmi and 61091) reporting horizontal visibility between 800m and 6000m. The sources from Chad are expected to report poor horizontal visibility in the next 24hrs, based on available models” the alert reads.

Explaining further the statement revealed that due to strong winds, the dust in suspension is expected to propagate to some states in the northern part of the country, which will further reduce horizontal visibility especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Potiskum and Maiduguri in the next 24hours.

NiMet therefore advise members of the public to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension over the atmosphere. Individuals with respiratory ailments are advised to protect themselves as the current weather condition is not good for their health.

Airline operators are also advised to avail themselves of weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

NiMet will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates when necessary.

Canadian Govt Commits $18 Million To Hummanitarian Responses In Nigeria- High Commissioner

The Canadian Government has expressed readiness to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by supporting the humanitarian and poverty alleviation response in Nigeria.

According to a press release signed by Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR),
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA, on Tuesday, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jamie Christoff, made this known when he led his team to visit the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu at her office in Abuja.

Ambassador Christoff said the Canadian Government has committed to put in One Hundred and Fifty-Two Million Dollars as part of their assistance to the country for various programs. However, a small portion has been earmarked for humanitarian response.

He said some of the general funds will be spent in Nigeria to focus on vulnerable women and young girls across the country.

The ambassador lauded the establishment of the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund, saying it is a welcome development that will aid better coordination with the government at drivers seat. He noted that it would be of interest to the Canadian government.

“I am here with my team to register our support to the mandate of the President in his efforts to alleviate poverty and reduce humanitarian crises in Nigeria through your ministry” he said.

Responding, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, while commending the High Commissioner for finding time out of his busy schedule to visit her and kind words on President Tinubu’s Initiative, assured him of a mutual working relationship.

Edu informed the High Commissioner of the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to significantly tackle multi-dimensional poverty and humanitarian crises in Nigeria by 2030 in line with the SDG target.

She assured the visiting Envoy that the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund will be used to address emergency humanitarian responses and issues of poverty alleviation in Nigeria, saying its application will be in a transparent manner.

The minister asked the High Commissioner and all other Humanitarian Responders to re-evaluate their contributions to Nigeria and work towards providing durable solutions to ‘our country’.

She advocated for a radical change on approach of partners implementation, to enable the people who need help the most truly get it with less duplication and wastage.

Rivers Assembly: Jack-Rich appeals for calm

Mr Tein Jack-Rich, a former presidential aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for calm on the wake of Monday’s attack on the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Jack-Rich also called on the political gladiators in the state to sheath their swords and ensure that the crisis did not escalate to a stage that it could not be managed.

The House was set ablaze by suspected political thugs on Monday, following a threat by the lawmakers to commence impeachment proceedings against the Leader of the House, Edison Ehie, and Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

”At the early hours of Oct. 30, 2023, I received multiple calls and reports of an immense attack and the desecration of Rivers State House of Assembly, being the beacon of democracy.

”It is important to understand that keeping the temple of our democracy is a sacred oath we all took as political actors, irrespective of class.

”Therefore, any tendency to attack the legislature or hijack is not for anyone’s security, rather a display of political weakness,” the CEO of Belema Oil Producing Limited, said.

According to him, when the legislature comes under attack anywhere in the world, democracy is threatened.

”We cannot afford to sacrifice the peace of the democratic journey on the alter of fear of dictatorship or authoritarianism.

”My appeal is peace, and for Rivers State to be allowed to key into President Bola Tinubu’s administration at the federal level in order to take advantage of its economic master plan,” he said.

According to him, this will enable the state to fix its economic policies to attract private capital development, in order to provide jobs for the youths who are currently struggling with massive unemployment.

”We cannot afford the crisis brewing to snowball into a more chaotic situation, which is capable of excerzabating huge economic hardship in Rivers State,” Jack-Rich noted.

The Rivers-born philanthropist therefore, called for calm.

”Let all those involved sheath their swords, in the interest of peace and development of our dear Rivers State,” he said.

According to Jack-Rich, the onus was now on all patriotic sons and daughters of the state to put on the garb or civility and deploy dialogue in order to resolve any differences.

Defence Minister Commends Triumphant Cadets

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON, has commended the triumphant Cadets for winning many medals and trophies in the Sailing games held in China.

According to Henshaw Ogubike mnipr,
Director (Press and Public Relations), in a press release he signed today and made available to journalists disclosed that while commending the Cadets, Matawalle assured them of the Ministry’s support in future competition.

The Minister made the commendation and assurance for support when he received the Commandant of Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) and the Cadets for their outstanding performance in the sailing competition held in China in his office, in Ship House, Abuja.

Matawalle expressed his excitement for the trophies the cadets won, saying that their performance has put Nigeria on the international stage. He said: ” The trophy is not just for the Military but for the entire country.”

The Minister urged the cadets to win more trophies and promised to participate in their next sporting activities to motivate Nigerian teams.

Earlier, Maj Gen JO Ochai, the Commandant of Nigeria Defence Academy NDA said the trophies won by the Cadets will further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China explaining that the sailing competition was the first of its kind.

According to him the Cadets made history when they emerged as the only international athletes who competed against their China counterparts at the maiden edition.

The Commandant said that the Cadets won several medals at the week- long competition due to their physical fitness and special Military capabilities.

The highlight of the event was the handing over of the trophies by the NDA Commandant to the Hon. Minister.

FG to launch road map agenda for Marine & Blue Economy Sector

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Federal Government has indicated that plans are in motion to launch a road map for the Marine and Blue Economy Sector, acknowledging that charting a policy agenda for the sector is critical to transforming the sector into the best in class, regionally and internationally.

According to a report by Gift Osima ( Chief Information Officer) & Desmond Adyo (Senior Information Officer), Signed by
Olujimi Oyetomi
D (Press & Public Relations), the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stated this as a panel discussant at the 29th session of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), with the main theme: “Pathways to Sustainable Economic Transformation and Inclusion” acknowledged the timeliness of the summit noting and as well assuring that outcome of innovative ideas, deliberations and proffered suggestions will be considered with focus on developing Nigeria into a hub of maritime trade and ancillary services in Africa.

“Tonight’s session is the latest in our consultation with industry stakeholders, the maritime and the Blue Economy sector. We understand the critical role the maritime sector plays in enabling business in an import dependant economy, such as ours, it is imperative that we move more quickly towards improving the navigability of our waters, engage the draught of our ports, achieve 24 hours cargo clearance, and ensure adequate connectivity of our ports to hinterlands with efficient road and rail networks”, Oyetola pointed out.

“Challenges of the maritime sector are well known and documented, slow pace of legislative reforms and weak sector governance to infrastructure deficits, inefficient Port management, poor road network, multimodal facilities, the dominance of foreign shipping companies, non – competitiveness of our ports compared to our West African neighbours, port inefficiency and congestion and other malpractises.”

Projecting the Ministry’s directive in the next four years, the Minister stated that it is imperative that the Ministry having identified these inhibitors, works towards improving the navigability of our waters, engage the draught of our ports, achieve 24 hours cargo clearance, and ensure adequate connectivity of our ports to hinterlands with efficient road and rail network creation.We seek t Introduce new business models that can ultimately develop our capabilities and ensure the continual dredging of our inland waterways.

Speaking further, the Marine and Blue Economy Minister disclosed his resolve to get presidential endorsement of the use of scanners in port operations in the country. According to him, all over the world, seaports have gone digital, and digitalization is mainly used to drive efficiency and remove human contacts that are usually very slow and breed corruption.

“For Nigerian ports to take up it’s natural position as a maritime hub for countries in West and Central Africa, there must be an enforcement of strict digitalization of all Port operations in the country and an immediate rehabilitation of the Nigerian ports to bring about an upgrade of ports facilities and improvement to make room for our ports to become revolutionised and comparable with others in the adviced maritime nations”, Oyetola said.

In addition, he assured of plans to facilitate the evolution of private sector led maritime development zones for the core location of ancillary services,: such services, which he said are top on the government’s agenda.

“We are walking to streamline the number of government agencies operating at the ports, through the full implementation of the national single window initiative,” he add

Iyaloja Money scheme: Humanitarian Minister Begins Market Sensitization In FCT Community

….Reaches out to widows, poor and vulnerable in Ushafa, Other Villages

The genuine intention of President Bola Tinubu’s target to reach out to a minimum of fifty percent of poor and vulnerable individuals across Nigeria within the next twelve months has continued to gain momentum across the country.

Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Honourable Minister, MHAPA, on Friday disclosed that the effort to remove multi-dimensionally poor people out of poverty in Nigeria is being addressed through different programmes targeted at the Grassroot, in line with the president 8 point agenda.

Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, who is on the driver seat, saddled with the responsibility of renewing the hopes of Nigerias daily in their millions continue this stride in the federal capital territory communities.

Residents of Ushafa village in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and many other subrubs played host to the Minister Of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu,friday, as she engaged market women and petty traders ahead of the launch of the IYALOJA MONIE next month.

The program has the target of reaching out to at least 1.5 million Nigerians nationwide.

Excitement was, however, palpable in the air as the residents trooped out in their numbers to join the Minister, as she moved from one petty trader’s table to the other.

The Minister who left the opulence and glitz of Abuja city centre to reach out to the poor and vulnerable people in Ushafa was pleased with the opportunity to interact with those whom the interventions are meant for.

Newly christened “The Iyaloja Market Fund,” the non interest loan of N50,000 would be given to Phase 1 of market traders, selected from 109 markets across every Senetorial zone in Nigeria.

The process of sensitization and enrolment is ahead of the flag off next month.

Edu said President Tinubu truly means well for the country and had promised to remove Nigerians from multi-dimensional poverty and humanitarian crises. Presently, he is matching words with action.

She also used the occasion to deliver a message of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the residents on various social intervention programmes of President Tinubu’s administration, creating avenues for feedbacks where necessary.

Also, at a community engagement, attended by the community’s traditional rulers, youths, women, the aged, petty traders, and physically challenged persons, food, and nonfood items were distributed to poor and vulnerable households as part of her birthday celebrations.

She explained that the food and non-food items presented to them were in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Tinubu, which aims to reduce multi-dimensional poverty in Nigeria.

The Minister also used the visit to monitor the inclusion of older people in the community, who have been captured to be part of the ongoing Conditional Cash Transfer.
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Responding, Mabel Imeh Odiegwu, a tailor, Hassan Yakubu a petty trader, and Esther Isa, also a trader said they were taken aback by the presence of the Minister in the Community as such had never happened before there.

They expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the Renewed attention on the poor and vulnerable in the country, noting that with speed of implementation, a lot was going to change for the better in Nigeria.

We commend the minister who spent her birthday with us and educate us about the ‘Iyaloja monie’. “We are convinced that truly the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President is real and has touched us. “

Nigeria Defence Minister Visits Turkey On Bilateral Cooperation

By Emmanuel Daudu

In his drive to equip the Nigeria Armed Forces with high tech hardware and other Military equipments, the Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON mni, has paid a bilateral visit to Turkey to further discuss and explore how best Nigeria can partner with Turkey on the production of Military hardware and equipments.

According to Henshaw Ogubike mnipr, Director ( Press &PR), Badaru, accompanied by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Mashal Hassan Abubakar visited the Turkish Aerospace Industries in the capital city, Ankara to see things for himself.

He inspected various sections of the firm in charge of the manufacturing of modern military aircraft and other defence equipments.

Furthermore in the course of taking him round the facility, the CEO of the company, Engineer Temel Kotel informed the Minister that the industry was established in 1973 with the primary goal of manufacturing military aircraft, satellites, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

At the conclusion of the tour, the Hon Minister commended the company for its over five decades of successful ventures in the manufacturing of military facilities.

According to him , Nigeria would explore the possibility of partnering with Turkey in intelligence and information sharing for the mutual benefit of both countries in Defence cooperation.