Day: June 12, 2024

The Wassa Amenfi Central District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Western Region has led a tree planting exercise in more than 20 basic and senior high schools within the district.

The theme for the 2024 edition is: ‘Growing for a Greener Tomorrow.’

Mr Anthony Kelvin Amoo, the Wassa Amenfi Central District Director of the NCCE, speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview, said the exercise was also part of the Commission’s Citizenship Week celebration to educate the students to adopt positive attitudes towards the growth and development of the country.

He said one of the NCCE’s mandates was to ensure citizens’ participation in nation building, thus, the tree planting exercise was to inculcate a sense of civic responsibility in the students towards protecting the environment for national development.

‘The simple act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, health
ier communities, and endless natural beauty for a better tomorrow,’ he said.

Mr Amoo advised the students to ensure they nurtured the trees to grow and provide serene learning environment for improved academic performance.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Nigerian Young Professional Forum (NYPF) has put forward a series of detailed recommendations for the National Youth Policy to pave the way for a more prosperous and inclusive future for Nigerian youth.

The forum in a communique issued after its meeting and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, noted the crucial role a comprehensive policy reform can play in shaping a brighter future reform were call to action for lasting positive change.

The proposed changes were carefully reviewed by some NYPF executive members, Chairperson Zaliha Lawal, Barrister Mayor Ndukaku, Dr Ekemini Udo and Media Consultant, Ere-ebi Agedah Imisi.

The forum stated that the policy recommendations have been forwarded to the Ministry of Youth as the recommendations include

‘Education and Talent Development, STEM Education Enhancement and Early STEM Education’.

Others recommendations were for Health and Well-being as well as Ensuring Participation and Inclusiveness.

Highlighting the critical role of educat
ion and skills, the NYPF suggested a multipronged approach involving vocational training and education, aimed at elevating the status of vocational education to eliminate existing stigmas.

The forum said that the approach would increase the number of highly skilled workers, transforming Nigeria from a consumer-driven nation to a manufacturing hub and innovation-led economy.

‘It will tackle youth unemployment by fostering entrepreneurship and providing incentives for businesses that hire young people.

‘It will emulate successful aspects of the Chinese economic model to build a robust manufacturing sector.’

For the STEM Education Enhancement, it said it would position Nigeria as a global leader in innovation and technology through scholarships and Incentives.

See also Democracy Day: CSO salutes Tinubu, Wike

‘Early STEM education will encourage activities at secondary school levels and foster early interest and proficiency in STEM subjects to develop essential skills and passion from a young age.

‘It will
also help implement successful strategies from China and Singapore to build a strong STEM foundation, while the health and Well-being emphasises the importance of health and well-being among young Nigerians, proposing.

‘It will enhance Physical and Mental Health and address the rising rates of drug and substance abuse among the youth.

‘It will enhance access to comprehensive healthcare services to ensure a supportive environment for overall well-being.

‘To ensure participation and inclusiveness, governments must promote participation, inclusiveness, and equitable opportunities for all youth.

‘Furthermore, the National Youth Policy should guide leaders to consciously address barriers to meaningful youth engagement in civil and political affairs,’

This, the forum said would also enhance opportunities for the constructive involvement of all youth in community and social development, political processes and governance.

The NYPF is a leading organisation dedicated to empowering young professionals across Nig
eria through advocacy, policy recommendations, and capacity-building initiatives.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A socio-political group, the Plateau Patriotic Front, has cautioned against call for the intervention of the National Assembly in the affairs of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

The group gave the warning on Tuesday, in Abuja in a statement by its Chairman, Mr Mani Imman.

He said the call for the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene in the affairs of the Plateau State House of Assembly was an invitation to stoke violence and disrupt governance in the state.

Imman said those calling for the intervention of NASS as lover of crisis.

He said that the development at the floor of the House of Representatives had come to the group’s notice as reported in the media that a motion was raised during Plenary.

‘The motion has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to intervene in the crisis surrounding the swearing-in of new members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

‘We view this alarm as an attempt to stoke problems and disrupt governance and the peaceful atmosphere under the guise
of crisis in the State House of Assembly,’ he said.

He said those behind the call had been quoted as saying, ‘The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly has refused to swear in all the new members.’

Imman said those behind the call had accused the speaker of demanding that they submit letters of resignation with accompanying court affidavits as a condition for swearing-in.

He said that instead of calling for the National Assembly’s intervention in the matter it should be resolved to avoid crisis in the state.

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‘Failure to address the delays and biases in the swearing-in of the new members poses a threat to security in the state and undermines the principles of justice, fairness, and democracy.

‘The Court of Appeal, hearing appeals arising from judgments of the Plateau State Election Tribunal made decisions that resulted in the nullification of Certificates of Return of 16 sitting members of the State Assembly.

‘The court has ordered the issuance of new Certificates of Return to the new members by the Independent National Electoral Commission,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

As Nigeria marks Democracy Day, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says its demand for the new National Minimum Wage remains N250,000.

The Acting President of NLC, Mr Adewale Adeyanju, said this in a statement, while reacting to President Bola Tinubu Democracy Day speech on Wednesday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government had offered N62, 000 as the new national minimum wage, at the end of the tripartite committee meeting, involving the Organised Private Sector (OPS) .

According to him, the union appreciates the President’s commitment to those fine democratic ideals which allowed the work of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee to proceed unhindered despite some hiccups.

‘Our demand still remains N250,000 only and we have not been given any compelling reasons to change this position which we consider a great concession by Nigerian workers during the tripartite negotiation process.

‘We are, therefore, surprised at the submission of Mr President
over a supposed agreement.

‘We believe that he may have been misled into believing that there was an agreement with the NLC and TUC.

‘There was none and it is important that we let the President, Nigerians and other national stakeholders understand this immediately to avoid a mix up in the ongoing conversation around the national minimum wage,’ he said.

Adeyanju also noted that the union had not seen a copy of the document submitted to Mr President and it would not accept any doctored document.

He, however, reaffirmed the union’s belief that the president on whose table the Tripartite Committee’s report presently resides would prepare an Executive Bill which content would reflect the true demand of Nigerian workers.

‘We think that this is an opportunity for him to demonstrate his love for Nigerian workers and masses.

‘That is by shunning the pieces of advice that may be coming from those whose intentions are continuously focused on hurting the poor and struggling workers of Nigeria.

‘Mr President shoul
d not allow these individuals and groups to sabotage his promise of lifting Nigerian workers out of poverty,’ he said.

According to him, the president’s advisers obviously did not tell him the truth that the leaders of the trade unions were intimidated and harassed.

‘It is, therefore, important that Mr President understands that we were threatened severally by his operatives perhaps without his consent.

‘Series of media propaganda calculated to intimidate and harass us were, and, are still being waged against the trade unions by senior officials of this government.

‘Fully armed soldiers surrounded us while we were in a negotiation with the government,’ he alleged.

He added the NLC remained assured that the president’s democratic credentials will come to the fore in favour of Nigerian workers and masses.

He also noted that NLC never agreed on a five-year duration of the minimum wage Act though acknowledged that the president mentioned five years or less.

According to Adeyanju, the union also agreed that
inflation should be pegged at a level for certain amount to be agreed as minimum wage. This is to bring clarity to what the report should contain.

‘Once again, we reiterate that it will be extremely difficult for Nigerian workers to accept any national minimum wage figure that approximates to a starvation wage.

‘We cannot be working and yet remain in abject poverty.

‘We seek justice, equity and fairness for all Nigerians and this we hope would also drive the actions of Mr. President who promised a Living Wage to Nigerian workers.

‘This is an opportunity to show that he listens to Nigerians as he promised,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dayo Israel, the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged Nigerian leaders to pay attention to the youth, as the future leaders of the country.

Israel made the call in Abuja, at the youth programme organised by the Federal Government, as part of activities to mark the 25th Democracy Day Anniversary.

The theme of the programme is: ’25 years of Enduring Democracy: Prospects for the Future’.

He described Nigerian youths as resilient, noting that in spite of the difficulties they were experiencing in fulfilling their future aspirations, they were still excelling in their various endeavors.

He said that the future of Nigeria’s democracy lies in the hands of the youth, who must be engaged in governance.

‘The future of our democracy is in our hands (youths), and so the leaders of today must be conscious of the attention they give our generation.

‘It is important to know that the Nigerian youths are ripe and ready for leadership, however we have to ensure, it is not by guns,’ he s
aid.

According to him, Nigerian youths have demonstrated a level of decorum by not using guns to force themselves into leadership, as seen in some other African countries.

He, however, said that leaders should not be complacent about the situation, but should be driven to providing enabling environment for youths participation in all their activities.

Also speaking at the event, Abdulmumuni Abiola, the son of the late MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 elections, said it was an honor for the date to be marked as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

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He said that even at a young age, he knew his father was determined to make a difference in Nigeria, as he regarded the country as his special place.

In his presentation on the Prospects of the Future, a political consultant, Mr Samuel Martins, said that youth must be patriotic and be advocates of value reorientation to man the leadership of Nigeria.

Source: News Agency of Niger
ia

A political economist, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, says Nigeria must re-align its education curriculum in line with the rapidly-evolving global landscape.

Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, also said that increasing importance of technology, science, entrepreneurship and teacher training in driving economic growth and innovation had also made the realignment compelling.

He spoke at the Fifth Arthur Mbanefo Lecture in Lagos on Tuesday.

The lecture was organised by the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC), University of Lagos.

It had the theme: ‘Education and National Development: Meeting Nigeria’s Challenge in the 21st Century’.

The lecture was part of activities to celebrate the 94th birthday anniversary of Chief Arthur Mbanefo, the donor of the centre.

According to Moghalu, Nigeria is urgently in need of educational policy that can enhance human capital development and bolster its standing within the global community.

Moghalu, also the President of the Institute fo
r Governance and Economic Transformation, said the realignment must prioritise access and quality education by emphasising literacy, skills and national values.

According to Moghalu, the strength or failure of any nation depends on the strength of its education system.

He added that education remained the only pathway to development.

‘This is the foundational truth. We must prioritise our education by allocating 70 per cent of the curriculum to technology, science, entrepreneurship and teacher training.

‘Nigeria can better equip its youth with the skills and knowledge needed to compete in the 21st Century economy, foster entrepreneurship and improve the quality of education across board.

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‘I also recommend that ethics becomes a compulsory subject in the education curriculum in Nigeria at both primary (in a simplified and elementary form) and secondary schools in a more comprehensive form.

‘This will help to achieve the educational objective of creat
ing good and responsible citizens,’ he said.

Moghalu also said that there was the need to shift the pedagogical practices of the Nigerian classroom from one that emphasised rote memorisation to a more intellectual engagement, creative thinking and experiential learning.

He said that it was imperative to foster a connection between the academia and industry to improve the socio-economic impact of education.

According to him, tertiary students require exposure to real-world challenges which their education is designed to help them to address.

‘A well-educated populace not only enhances personal fulfillment, but also addresses local challenges, elevates societal well-being and fosters social cohesion.

‘However, the current Nigerian education landscape grapples with many challenges, undermining the nation’s human capital potential.

‘As of 2020, Nigeria’s human capital index, as assessed by the World Bank, stood at 0.36, positioning it 168th out of 173 countries.

‘This is a marginal improvement from 0.34 in
2018, where it ranked 152nd out of 157 nations surveyed,’ he said.

The political economist said that the sluggish growth underscored the persistent obstacles hindering effective education of Nigeria’s populace.

‘For Nigeria to play a significant role on the global stage in the years ahead, it must effectively develop and deploy its human capital to propel national advancement.

‘Given its central role as the primary purveyor of human capital development, the education sector assumes heightened significance in Nigeria’s developmental agenda,’ he said.

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According to him, understanding the intricacies of Nigeria’s educational challenges is vital for devising effective solutions.

He listed the challenges to include hindrances to access to quality education, erosion of education quality and inadequate financing.

‘Investing in education, training, research and development. and supportive policies can help develop a skilled workforce equipped to drive in
novation and create value, while also providing adequate monitoring and evaluation.

‘ The National Education Policy suffers from implementation challenges. Innovative policy reforms are sometimes crippled at the implementation stages due to factors such as lack of adequate human capacity, inadequate funding, and corruption,’ he said.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Folasade Ogunshola, lauded Mbanefo, a former Pro-Chancellor of the university, for demonstrating love for advancement of education through support for the centre.

According to her, AMDRC which began full operations in 2018, is a digital research hub where students and relevant stakeholders can have access to digital resource learning to advance research and post-graduate studies.

She said that the centre had brought to fruition, Mbanefo’s dream.

The vice-chancellor said that the annual lecture series had since become the flagship event of the centre.

‘The university of Lagos has been in the forefront of Artificial Intel
ligence and digital learning.

‘We have over 23 research centres and four innovation and technology hubs,’ she said.

In his remarks, Mbanefo, who turned 94 on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction at the operations of the centre.

He urged the Federal Government to seek appropriate ways to encourage members of the academia.

‘There is the need to recognise the role that members of the academia play in nation building,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged organised labour and the Federal Government to respect human rights in their face off over a new minimum wage for workers.

Both parties are yet to agree on a new minimum wage with labour insisting on N250,000 while the federal government has offered to pay N62, 000.

The Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, said in Abuja on Monday during a Dialogue Session on Exploring Remedies for Human Rights Abuses that on no account should the face-off lead to human rights violation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, organised by PLAC, is in partnership with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

He said the course of negations and even in the face of an industrial action respect for the human rights should be uppermost in the minds of the leaders of both parties.

‘There is a struggle about minimum wage, whether labour is getting government to pay about N200, 000 to the least person or not. ‘I
t’s going to be a turmoil and we must all prepare because it will come with challenges of human rights abuses.

‘The struggle for human rights is an important struggle to entrench democracy. We have several instances today where people are detained without been tried”, he said.

He urged security agencies to see human rights activists and CSOs as partners in progress rather than as detractors.

‘It is important to understand that our work as human rights activists is we can use the agencies and NGOs we represent to advance the cause of human rights to better the conditions of living in the country,’ he said.

See also Edun to chair South-West public hearing on minimum wage

Mr Simon Musa, who represented the Ministry of Police Affairs, said the police working to ensure that human rights violation by police personnel did not go unpunished.

He spoke as a panellist on `Assess to Recourse for Victims of Human Rights Violation`.

‘Any member of the public who feels that a police personnel has violated his or her
right can approach us. We have handled so many of those cases and come out with results,’ he said.

Also, Mr Okoro Obioha, who represented National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said the commission was ready to provide assistance to those whose rights had been abused.

‘If a person’s right is violated and you go to the police, if the state is not able to prosecute and the victim gets access to justice, the state is seen as the violator.

‘If a matter comes to us for instance, and it has to do with criminal prosecutions.

‘And the commission does not have power to prosecute, we ensure that such victim gets the needed service from the relevant agencies of government,’ he said.

Mr Maurice Chukwu, of Amnesty International, said in many instance, some state security agency do not want to collaborate with the CSOs on matters of human rights abuse.

‘The bottom line is that 90 per cent of the human rights abuses that we document are caused by the security agencies and the government and we ask them to be accountab
le’, Chukwu said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Assembly members, Benue caucus has described President Bola Tinubu as one of the country’s living heroes of democracy and an exemplary leader committed to democratic values

Rep. Philip Agbese, spokesperson of the group praised Tinubu’s efforts in promoting economic growth, good governance and social justice, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday to mark Democracy Day.

He said the president’s dedication to the nation’s progress is a testament to his statesmanship and vision.

He also commended the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, for his crucial role in supporting the president’s agenda and ensuring effective implementation of policies.

‘On this auspicious occasion of Democracy Day, the Benue caucus in the national assembly salutes and celebrates Tinubu, a shining exemplar of democratic values and a champion of the Nigerian people.

‘We are honoured to extol the virtues of the president, who has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the grow
th and development of our beloved country, Nigeria’, he said.

He said that Tinubu’s leadership and vision had rekindled hope and inspired a new generation of Nigerians to embrace democracy as a way of life.

‘We also commend the SGF for his love and dedication to the people of Benue and Nigeria at large.

‘His selfless service and contributions to our nation’s progress are duly acknowledged and appreciated.

‘We pledge our continued support, loyalty and collaboration with this administration to ensure the realisation of our shared vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria’, he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Madam Ophelia Mensah Hayford, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), today called on Ghanaians to support marine conservation efforts to ensure food security.

Ghanaians, she explained, could do so by providing support to groups and projects that saved marine life, preserved marine environments, and advanced environmentally friendly fishing methods.

Such actions would preserve biodiversity, ensure ecosystem services, maintain food security, regulate climate, and preserve cultural heritage, all of which were essential for the health of the planet and the well-being of both current and future generations.

The Minister of MESTI was speaking at the World Oceans Day (WOD) Celebration in Ghana, under the theme, ‘Awaken New Depth.’

The United Nations General Assembly designated June 8, as the WOD to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean and promote public awareness on the importance of the ocean for all life forms on earth and actions for a sustainable oc
eans management.

Madam Hayford said Ghana adopted the same theme with the focus on exploring deeper understanding and collaboration among various stakeholders to significantly address the challenges facing the oceans and renew its commitments to attain positive ocean health.

She said the ocean played a vital role in the planet’s health and well-being, covering 70 per cent of the planet and 97 per cent of earth’s water, and is vital for human life, providing food, shelter, livelihoods, and medicines.

The Minister said it also mitigated climate change, absorbing 30 per cent of carbon emissions and 90 per cent of heat generated by rising emissions, adding that its estimated contribution to the global economy was USD 2.5 trillion annually.

She said the ocean was enormous, and that we depended entirely on it, but had only explored about 10 per cent, with limited knowledge about its health and the greater implications and ramifications of human activities on the oceans which were still largely unknown.

Madam H
ayford said ocean pollution, overfishing, illegal fishing and piracy, coastal erosion, lack of education and awareness, limited infrastructure, funds, and enforcement, and Climate change and ocean acidification were some notable threats faced by the Ocean.

She said the ocean’s relationship with humans needed a shift to awaken new depths and focus on research, conservation, and sustainable practices.

‘Collaboration between governments, scientific, regulatory, and non-governmental organisations is therefore necessary to restore its balance and vitality,’ she added.

The Minister said globally, there were noteworthy efforts across various initiatives to ‘Awaken New Depth’ to advance sustainability and ocean conservation, which included the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14, among others.

She noted there was the need to adequately conduct ocean awareness campaigns through events, social media, and stories to raise public awareness about ocean conservation and human activities’ impact on marine ecosystems.

‘We must also adequately implement eco-friendly innovations, encourage sustainable tourism, inspire individual action, support policy change, celebrate and support ocean champions,’ she added.

The Minister for MESTI called on all and sundry to unite in exploring new depths towards managing, protecting, and sustaining the ocean health towards achieving a bluer, safer, and better ocean lifestyle.

Mr Ransford Sekyi, Deputy Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency, said the oceans, with their vast blue expanse and diverse marine life were important to the existence on earth as it provided vast benefits to billions of people and supported a wealth of biodiversity.

He said though the ocean was incredibly huge, and the complete reliance was on it for livelihoods, we had only investigated about 10 per cent, thus very little was known about it in totality.

‘The impacts or effects of anthropogenic actions still remain a concern and it’s well known that the ocean is in grave danger.’

‘As we come together
to mark this important day, let us reflect on and commit to a shared responsibility of safeguarding and conserving these invaluable resources for current and future generations,’ he added.

Source: Ghana News Agency