Meet  New SMEDAN DG Charles Odii

Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointment of Charles Odii as the Director General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

SMEDAN was established to promote and facilitate the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria.

Who is Charles Odii


Charles Odii, 35, is a highly respected entrepreneur and advocate for small businesses. He describes himself as someone on a mission to empower entrepreneurs and startups in Africa to create jobs, drive economic growth, and build a better future for all.

He has over a decade’s experience in senior management roles in the technology and business development sectors. He has a proven track record of success in leading and growing teams, developing and executing strategies, and building partnerships.


Academic Background


In 2009, Charles Odii earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from Covenant University. He then pursued Project Management Certification (Prince 2, Foundation and Practitioner) in 2011, at the same university.
He also has a Master’s Degree in Marketing and Communications and a PhD in Media and Communications from Pan Atlantic University in Lagos, Nigeria.

Work Experience


In his most recent role as Country Manager at Elephant Healthcare, United Kingdom (Sept 2021 – Sept 2023), he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s operations in Nigeria. Prior to that, he was the Senior Vice President, Marketing at Softcom (Sept 2020 – Sept 2021) and Executive Director at SME100Africa (July 2014 – Sep 2020).

He was the Chief Operating Officer at The Future Project (December 2013 – July 2014), Projects Team Lead, Bilateral Data & Communications (April 2012 – October 2013) and started out as Account Manager, Dimension Data (NTT Group) (December 2009 – April 2012)

Small Business Initiatives


Mr. Odii has for over the past decade exuded a unrivalled passion for the development of small and medium businesses in Nigeria. It is in this spirt and enthusiasm that he has founded several initiatives to promote the cause of small and medium scale enterprises. Some of these initiatives include:
100talks (Radio/Tv/Magazine )- A media organization set up to tell the stories of young entrepreneurs impacting their communities
International women’s day summit – The summit is now in its 8th year, and it features a pitch competition and digital marketing training for women.

Nigeria’s Youth entrepreneurship leadership Program a.k.a 25 under 25. Now in its 8th year, every year, we go around Nigeria looking for young people under the age of 25 who are doing amazing things and contributing to socio- economic development in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Small Business Summit – a yearly event that brings together government, academia, SMEs, and the private sector to discuss the challenges and opportunities of doing business in Nigeria.
100ClubAfrica -A teenage entrepreneur club, teaching young Nigeria about the importance of starting early

Awards

Charles was listed as one of the top 100 innovative entrepreneurs in Nigeria, according to YTech 100. He has been selected for the United States Young African Leaders Initiative twice (2017, 2018), as both a leader and a mentor.

In 2019, he was named on the Forbes’ list of 30 under 30. He has also won the Future Awards Africa Prize in advocacy for his work promoting small businesses.


Fellowship


Charles Odii is a Fellow of the United States International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). He is also a founding member and the first Chair of the SME100Africa Global Youth Council. He is a member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the Nigerian Small Business Council.

He is also an advisor to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.
As the new Director General of SMEDAN, Mr. Odii is expected to use his skills and experience to help the agency achieve its mandate of promoting and facilitating the development of MSMEs in Nigeria.

He is expected to focus on the following areas: Improving access to finance and markets for MSMEs, providing training and support to MSMEs, advocating for policies and reforms that support MSMEs,
Overall, Mr. Odii is expected to play a key role in helping MSMEs in Nigeria to grow and succeed and create millions of jobs. He has the skills, experience, and passion to make a real difference.
Mr. Charles Odii’s experience as a social entrepreneur will be valuable in this new role. He is expected to bring a fresh perspective and innovative solutions to challenges of the SME community.

The SMEDAN DG resumed office on Monday 16th October 2023, he was received by the former DG, Dr. Tunde Fasanya.

New NCC Boss, Maida Commits to President Tinubu’s Vision on Digital Economy

By Emmanuel Daudu

The new Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, has said he would align the Commission’s regulatory focus to achieve the promises of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to advance the nation’s digital transformation agenda.

 
Signed:

Reuben Muoka, Director, Public Affairs on Tuesday, in a press release said, Maida, who spoke to the Senior Management team of the Commission at the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja Tuesday, said there is a need to ensure that the NCC strategically focuses on ensuring all Nigerians have access to affordable and reliable broadband services. Part of this is to ensure “effective broadband infrastructure diffusion across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

The new telecom regulator paid tributes to former chief executives of the Commission for their laudable role in building a resilient telecoms industry. Dr Maida said the pursuit of improved quality of service on the networks will be one of his priorities, as well as supporting the vision of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy.

“Considering the fact that many people are going more digital and virtual in everything they do, the telecom infrastructure is now under much stress. President Tinubu’s vision emphasises the need to build more robust broadband connectivity that will not only facilitate seamless digital transactions but also serve as the bedrock for e-governance and other socio-economic initiatives,” he said.

“As such, we would align with this aspiration to increase broadband penetration to 70 per cent and to cover 90 per cent of the population by 2025. Therefore, we need to build a reliable telecom industry with impressive quality of service (QoS) indicators with quality of experience (QoE) as our watchword and ultimate goal. This also requires us to address a number of issues such as the Right of Way (RoW) challenge, ensuring security of our telecom infrastructure, among others. Efforts must be made to significantly improve service delivery by ensuring the NCC is performance-driven,” he said.

“Mr President has a very clear agenda from which all of us are going to take our direction. The two major areas are job creation and enabling the digital economy. Where we are going in a nutshell is; everything that we do in this Commission has to align directly with the Strategic Plan of the Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani and ultimately to the Renewed Hope agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We would not deviate from that.

“We would not entertain anything that deviates from this direction because my key performance indicators (KPIs) are fed into the Minister’s KPIs and the President KPIs come from the electorate that put him into power. The Hon. Minister has said clearly that he is ready to build a robust digital infrastructure and empower three million Nigerians digitally and we have to do our best to support him in this regard,” Maida said.

He stated further that, in the Strategic Plan of the Minister, there was a plan to empower three million Nigerians in digital skills and entrepreneurship, adding that this will require the Commission to support Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) as a digital training institution, to be well positioned in driving the government’s agenda on youth empowerment.

The EVC also emphasised the importance of effective spectrum management and utilisation in supporting the envisioned digital connectivity agenda, which is critical to service deployment to the generality of Nigerians and businesses in the country. 

Maida, while appreciating his predecessors and the entire staff of the Commission for the laudable role being played in digital transformation of all sectors by stimulating the deployment of baseline telecom infrastructure, however, called on the staff of the Commission to join his leadership with a sense of purpose as a team towards advancing the actualisation of the President’s Renewed Hope agenda, which, he said, recognises a thriving digital economy in achieving sustainable development and quality of life for all citizens. 

ECOWAS Gathers Chiefs of Naval Staff for 3rd Subcommittee Meeting on Maritime Security

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has organized the 3rd Meeting of the ECOWAS Sub-Committee of the Chiefs of Naval Staff across the region, which on Sunday 15th to 16, October 2023, in Lome, Togo.

According to a media summary signed and made available to journalists by Mr. Kouadio Serge, the Programme Officer IT and Communication, ECOWAS, said, the high profile event is aimed at reviewing and assessing the operations and functionality of the ECOWAS Maritime Centres, with the objective of strengthening maritime operations and combating illicit maritime activities in the region.

“The primary purpose of this meeting is to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Maritime Centres, which will provide valuable insights for improving maritime operations and effectively dealing with illicit maritime activities in the ECOWAS region. Participants in this significant gathering include representatives from the ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Maritime Centres, Chiefs of Naval Staff from Member States, and their respective Heads of Operations”.

During his opening speech, the Chief of Staff of the Togolese National Navy, Frigate Captain Atatoum Babaté, expressed that by organizing the meeting in Lome, ECOWAS have shown its commitment to effective maritime governance and its desire to ensure peace, security, and prosperity in the West African sub-region.

He also emphasized that member states have strengthened their individual and collective efforts in addressing threats related to maritime security, and stressed the importance of remaining united in combating maritime insecurity.

Also speaking, the Permanent Representative of ECOWAS in Togo, His Excellency, Barros Bacar BANJAI, on behalf of Ambassador Fatau Musa, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, commended the Member States for their contributions towards equipping the maritime security centers. He highlighted that significant progress has been made in reducing maritime attacks, with a decline from 68 attacks in 2018 to 50 in 2019, and further decreasing to 18 in 2021 and 15 in 2022. He attributed the positive trend to the cooperation and coordination among Member States and the international community.

Minister of Maritime Economy, Fisheries, and Coastal Protection, Honorable Kokou Edem TENGUY, underscored the importance of maritime security due to the significant flow of goods and equipment passing through the sea. While this contributes to economic development, it also poses risks of illicit activities linked to maritime insecurity. He assured that Togo, as the host country, remains committed to participating in the ECOWAS maritime strategy and the fight against maritime piracy and illicit activities through the establishment of multinational maritime centers.

The Multinational Maritime Coordination Centres (MMCCs) play a crucial role in the ECOWAS maritime security architecture. These centres, along with the Regional Centre for Maritime Security in West Africa (CRESMAO) in Côte d’Ivoire, have significantly enhanced maritime security in the region and have led to a decrease in piracy and theft incidents at sea.
In parallel to the Chiefs of Naval Staff meeting, the 7th International Symposium of the Gulf of Guinea is scheduled to take place in Lome, Togo from October 18 to 19, 2023. This simultaneous gathering will provide a platform to discuss broader issues related to the Gulf of Guinea, including its challenges and potential solutions.
The ultimate goal of the Sub-Committee of Chiefs of Staff of the ECOWAS Navy meeting is to have a fruitful and productive session that will result in the preparation of a comprehensive report to be submitted to ECOWAS management.

NPOWER: FG Set To Commence Payment of 9months backlogs to Beneficiaries

By Emmanuel Daudu

According to a statement signed by Hon. Jamaluddeen Kabir
National Communication Manager, NSIPA
On Monday, the Federal Government has said that it is ready to commence payment of backlogs to Npower beneficiaries who are on the programme.

This was made known by the Npower National Programme Manager Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo.

Egbuwalo mentioned this during a meeting with some Npower Beneficaries at his office in Abuja, adding that the main purpose for the temporary suspension of the programme was to address all matters directly affecting beneficiaries with keen focus on the issues of delayed payments of stipends.

He added that, as a result of the temporary suspension of the programme for thorough restructuring and forensic audit, funds have been recovered from the existing payment service providers and plans have been put in place by the programme to commence disbursement of the 9 months outstanding stipends to beneficiaries from November, 2023. Payments will be carried out in installment, he noted.

While assuring all beneficiaries of complete transparency and accountability, Egbuwalo stated that in line with the new agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Npower programme will be continued as Renewed Hope Job Creation Programme (RHJCP) under the supervision of the Honourable Minister, Dr Betta Edu, which will be expanded to target 5 million beneficiaries in 5 years where 1 million youths will be absorbed each year under the graduate and non-graduate stream.

Responding, Sani Garba, a beneficiary from Yobe State who was present at the meeting noted that their concerns was mainly regarding the delayed 9 months stipends, adding that a national protest had initially been planned by different clusters of Npower beneficiaries due to inadequate information.

“Sir, as you have clearly explained the current situation of payment to us with outmost transparency, myself and other cluster of beneficiaries represented here are assuring you that we have clearly understood your position and taken your assurances, there is no need for any protest” Garba mentioned.

While encouraging all beneficiaries to keep calm as they patiently expect their payments, the cluster of beneficiaries expressed their joy over the assurances given to them for a better implementation of the programme which will ensure that no beneficiary is left behind in the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government.

UAE, Other Global Initiatives partners, set to Reduce Multi-Dimensional poverty

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed readiness to partner with the federal government in tackling humanitarian and poverty challenges in Nigeria.It commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s efforts so far in that direction.

According to Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair (ANIPR) Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, to Honourable Minister, MHAPA, UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al Shamsi, made this known when he led a team from the embassy and Noor  Dubai Foundation to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in Abuja.

The Envoy who described  the relationship between his country and Nigeria as symbiotic, said; “Nigeria remains a strong ally of UAE and we would continue to partner with Nigeria in key areas like humanitarian aid, job creation, Nutrition, health care development and poverty alleviation”

Responding, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, applauded the government and people of the United Arab Emirates for their timely interventions in critical sectors in Nigeria. The Minister specifically thanked the Ambassador and his team for taking steps to support Nigeria in many ways. She noted that the President has a great plan to eradicate Poverty under his 8 point agenda and has begun full implementation as such it is important that the identify areas to collaborate for the good of Nigerians

Also Speaking, the CEO of  Noor Dubai Foundation, Dr Manal Taryam, said the Foundation has been on humanitarian-related interventions including an eye treatment program which commenced with Katsina State while lagos and Abuja will soon be launched. She said the Dubai foundation has over several areas, which directly links to the ministry’s mandate and will be happy to support.

Present at the meeting was the SSA to the President on Community Engagement SW Hon Moremi ojodu and the SSA on school feeding Hon Yetunde. Amongst others.

2023 Police Recruitment Exercise Commences as Youth Urged To Take Vantage 

…Arase promises credible, fair, equitable and merit driven exercise, calls on Nigerian  Youths to take advantage and serve their fatherland

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Police Service Commission in conjunction  with the Nigeria Police Force has commenced the 2023 Recruitment exercise. The Recruitment is for qualified  and interested Nigerians for appointment  into the Force as Constables (Recruits) General duty and Specialists (artisans) (Recruits).

Interested Nigerians are invited to log into  Recruitment portal  http://www.policerecruitment.gov.ng for
details of the exercise.

The portal opened today, Sunday, October 15th and will close on November 26th 2023.

According to a press release signed by Ikechukwu Ani
Head Press and Public Relations on Sunday, October 15th 2023, the
Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police has promised a credible, fair, equitable and merit driven exercise in line with the Commission’s rules and guidelines for recruitment.

Dr. Arase called on Nigerian Youths to take advantage of the recruitment exercise and contribute to the service of their fatherland adding that the Commission will continue to ensure that it gives the nation a Police Force it will always  be proud of.

Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo Polls: CLEEN Calls for Vigilance

One of the Best non governmental organization promoting public safety, security and accessible justice
Election Security, CLEEN Foundation has called for security alertness and corporation ahead of the Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa Off-Cycle Elections.

According to a statement signed by the Executive Director, Gad Peter, recently, the November 11th off-cycle elections, there are fears of potential violence surrounding the electoral process in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States which are considered to be volatile. “As the scheduled off-cycle elections in these States draw near, the CLEEN Foundation wishes to address the concerns and challenges surrounding election security in these States.

“As an organization, we are deeply committed to upholding democratic principles and ensuring the safety and integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria. There is a risk of weaponization of social media, drugs, small arms and light weapons, separatist groups, militias and voter suppression as drivers of conflict, misinformation and instability as has been clearly shown in the political antecedents of these states. We have seen tribal context playing out already in Kogi as all 3 candidates from the leading political parties are representing the 3 major ethnic groups in the State.

“The upcoming off-cycle elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States represent a significant opportunity for the citizens of these states to exercise their democratic rights and choose their representatives. However, we acknowledge that the elections also come with certain security challenges that require the collective efforts of all stakeholders involved, including political parties, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and the electorate.

“Flashpoints: In Imo State, places like Orlu, Orsu, Oru-East, Ohaji-Egbema, Ngor-Okpala, Ehime-Mbano, Isiala-Mbano, Okigwe, Njaba, Mbaitolu, Oguta, Onuimo are Local Government Areas that the Nigeria police and other security agencies should pay attention to.

“In Kogi State, special attention should be given to Kogi Central, Kogi West, Ofu, Olamaboro, Omala, Dekina, Ajaokuta, Okene, Adavi, Okehi and Ijumu. Indicators have thrown up these locations.

“While in Bayelsa State, the traditional locations of Brass, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Nembe, Southern Ijaw, Sagbama, Ogbia require strategic attention.

“We are particularly concerned about the following election security threats:

“Violence and Intimidation: Instances of election-related violence and intimidation have been reported in the past. We strongly condemn any acts of violence, threats, or harassment aimed at disrupting the electoral process and intimidating voters.
Voter Suppression: Efforts to suppress voter turnout or manipulate the electoral process to undermine the fundamental principles of democracy. We call on all parties involved to ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot freely and without fear.
Security Preparedness: The security agencies in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States must be adequately prepared and equipped to maintain law and order during and after the elections. Timely and effective response to security incidents is crucial to ensuring a peaceful voting process.
Hate Speech and Incitement: Hate speech, incitement, and the dissemination of false information can exacerbate tensions during the electoral period. We urge all political actors and citizens to refrain from using hate speech and promote responsible communication.
In light of these challenges, the CLEEN Foundation calls for the following:

“Security Alerts: The Nigeria Police alongside all security agencies should put together adequate security infrastructure in volatile LGAs ahead of the elections as a measure to prevent, contain and deter any form of violence that might play out.
Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security: INEC should activate and institutionalize its Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to enhance pre, during and post-election electoral security in these states. This will encourage civic engagement and voter registration to increase citizen involvement in the electoral process.
Election Stakeholders’ Collaborative Efforts: We encourage all relevant stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, electoral bodies and civil society organizations in these states, to collaborate closely and share information to mitigate security risks. Security agencies should implement proactive measures to identify and address potential security threats, such as monitoring and addressing the activities of political thugs.
Civil Society and Media Vigilance: Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. We commend the efforts of community watch groups and encourage their active participation in safeguarding the electoral process. We implore the IGP to ensure that security agencies act professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law. Provide them with adequate training on election security and human rights.
Peaceful Conduct: Political parties and their supporters are reminded of the importance of peaceful conduct before, during, and after the elections. We call for strict adherence to the principles of non-violence as enshrined in the Electoral Act. Government must ensure that security agencies act professionally, impartially, and in accordance with the law. Provide them with adequate training on election security and human rights.
Respect for the Rule of Law: We remind all actors of the importance of respecting the rule of law and the independence of the electoral institutions responsible for conducting the elections. We encourage political parties to conduct issue-based campaigns, refrain from hate speech and incitement, abide by the INEC code of conduct for political parties and adhere to campaign finance regulations.
In conclusion, CLEEN Foundation remains committed to supporting the electoral process in Nigeria and ensuring that the citizens of Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa States can exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful and secure environment. We call on all stakeholders to prioritize the safety and integrity of the electoral process and work together to address election security threats effectively.”

Pictorial: NiMet Boss honoured with Presidential award 

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms ( BPSR) in the Presidency last night at a dinner honoured the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) with the prestigious Nigeria GovTech Award in the category of BEST FEDERAL MDA IN DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS.

In the same vein the Director General / CEO of the NiMet, Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu also received the Distinguished  GovTech TRAILBLAZER’S Award for the exemplary leadership he demonstrated in advancing GovTech initiatives and digital governance within NiMet in line with the Federal Government digital transformation  in the Public sector.

lia: Laying foundation for bountiful harvest in Benue by Bridget Ikyado

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When on May 29, 2023 Reverend Fr Hyacinth Alia took the oath of office as the Executive Governor of Benue State, he vowed to run a robust administration that would massively transform the state, ensure equity and development.

He also vowed to provide a well secured environment for people to pursue their means of livelihood and attract investments for employment in all sectors.

On this note, the Governor came into office with a clear 7-Point Agenda. These covered security, agriculture and rural development; commerce and industry; human apital and social development; infrastructure, environment, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and political and economic development.

“You were waiting for Hope. Renewed Hope. And I want to assure you, Benue: Hope is here!,” he told the people at his inauguration.

One hundred days after, the administration is making significant progress in transforming Benue State, and many observers have thumped up the steady progress the administration has made so far.

The Governor has not only embarked on projects to meet the infrastructure needs of the state, but also set up machinery to reform the civil service, tackle insecurity, and support people displaced by years of conflicts.

The actions of the governor indicate a season of renewed hope for Benue which, under previous administrations, was left with bastardised governance structure, collapsed economy, decayed infrastructure and a disillusioned civil service.

The first action Governor Alia took after assuming duty was to freeze all government bank accounts, to enable the administration determine the true financial status of the state.

He blocked financial loopholes and used Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to pay salaries, wages and gratuities, without recourse to loans. It was a complete departure from the past practice when the previous administration borrowed money to pay salaries.

The governor has also commenced massive rehabilitation of the state secretariat and the Assembly complex to provide a conducive atmosphere for workers and lawmakers to operate.

The Governor has brought sanity to the civil service by weeding out ghost workers from the payroll, saving over N1.2 billion hitherto siphoned monthly from the state treasury. This has enabled the government to pay workers unfailingly, on the 25th of every month.

This has become a great relief to workers and enhance their productivity.

It is pertinent to state that civil servants and pensioners in the state had endured years of non-payment of salaries and wages poor to his administration.

In line with his pledge, the Governor has since commenced the construction of affordable houses for low-income earners. A total 100 housing units are being constructed in Makurdi to boost access to affordable houses for low-income earners.

Within the first 100 days in office, Alia has also begun the training and empowerment of 5,000 women to raise their skills to strengthening the local economy, take families out of poverty and create generational wealth and self-sufficiency.

Similarly, the administration has selected 10,000 Benue youths to receive six months free training on ICT to enable them function optimally in the digital world and become dependent on their digital skills for survival.

Following the removal of fuel subsidy and the attendant hardship on the people, the administration has efficiently utilised the Two Billion Naira it received from the Federal Government to provide palliatives.

Out of the amount, quite a chunk of market women are to receive N50,000 each to enhance their businesses.

It will also be used to pay the examination fees for final year secondary school students in public schools sitting for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council (NECO) examination.

This gesture will no doubt reduce the financial burden on parents, and encourage the students to pursue their studies without distraction.

Similarly, the governor has ordered the procurement of 100 buses for Benue Links, the state owned transport company, to provide affordable transportation to the public. The government has also purchased and distributed rice to indigent households across the state.

On infrastructure, the administration has commenced rehabilitation of 16 roads in the state and reactivated street lights in Makurdi to enhance security.

In the area of agriculture, the government had ensured prompt distribution of assorted subsidised fertilizer to farmers, to ensure bountiful harvest and reduce farming cost.

He also ordered the removal of illegal checkpoints which have been contributing to price hikes in markets.

One of the major problems he inherited from the previous administration was the the huge number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were neglected in spite of their pitiable condition.

The first step taken by the governor was to enhance access to emergency and health care for the IDPs through the provision of food, nutritional supplements, and improved access to portable water and sanitation services.

Governor Hyacinth Alia has already put in place framework for the resettlement, reintegration and rehabilitation of the IDPs, to rebuild their lives and contribute to economic and political development of the state. The programme will be driven with the support of donor agencies.

The institution of Benue State International Cooperation and Development Coordinating Unit will ensure deployment of resources and expertise in a timely, efficient and accountable manner to fast track the transformation of the state.

The Alia administration has lived up to its billing as it pursues looters of government property, leading to the recovery of vehicles, tens of hectares of land and numerous landed property from officials of the immediate past administration.

All these and more are the foundation for Benue’s growth and transformation laid by the Fovernor and on which his administration has been pursuing its renewed hope agenda.

So far, the Governor’s able lieutenants are more emboldened by his openness and commitment to service and have been contributing to the transformation agenda.

Certainly, the first 100 days of the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia have sowed infinite seeds for the state to reap. With patience, the harvest will be bountiful.

Ends

Bridget Tikyaa Ikyado is the Principal Special Assistant
Media &Publicity/Strategic Communications, to the Executive Governor of Benue State.

ECOWAS Commission holds a 4-Day Workshop on EU Pillar Assessment in Lagos

By Emmanuel Daudu

Taking Stock of Progress in the EU Pillar Assessment Process, the ECOWAS Commission holds a 4-Day Workshop in Lagos-Nigeria. The workshop which started on October 10th and is expected to end on the 13th, of October 2023 is aimed at presenting results and progress, as well as providing updates on the status of activities related to the EU pillar assessment.

According to a summary signed and made available to journalists by Mr. Kouadio Serge, Programme Officer IT and Communication, ECOWAS on Wednesday, the workshop is organized with the technical support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

According to him, the meeting is a continuation of the previous workshop held in July 2023, which focused on the certification process of the EU pillar. During that workshop, a common roadmap was developed to monitor progress towards achieving the goals.

In his opening speech, Mr. Jérôme BOA, Director of External Relations of the ECOWAS Commission, emphasized the need for GIZ to expedite the process and effectively support ECOWAS in validating the EU pillar.

He acknowledged the significance of the workshop in the EU pillar assessment process and urged all pillar champions to fulfill their assigned roles to achieve the desired objectives.

Mr. Molokwu AZIKIWE, Director, Budget & Treasury of the ECOWAS Commission, commended the progress made thus far by GIZ and ECOWAS EU pillar champions.

He emphasized the urgency and importance of completing the tasks necessary for the assessment of the pillars and wished all participants a productive working session.

Mr. Franck-Emery Mongbe, representing GIZ, expressed gratitude to ECOWAS for organizing the workshop and assured continued support from GIZ to ensure the success of the process.

He also commended the ECOWAS leaders and Pillar Champions for their commitment and the progress made to date.

Mr. Ahmadou BALDE, Director, Financial Reporting & Grants of the ECOWAS Commission, noted that the workshop offers an opportunity to assess the situation and clarify responsibilities and roles in order to expedite the ongoing process.

He emphasized the importance of the process for the ECOWAS Commission.

The results of the workshop will be presented to ECOWAS management, collectively outlining the progress made in the pillar certification process and the steps needed for the final assessment of the EU pillar.