Day: June 24, 2023

The Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has attained the Washington Accord Provisional Signatory Status which increases Nigeria’s global engineering ranking translating into economic and technological boom for the nation.

The President of COREN, Prof. Sadiq Abubakar, gave the insight at a media briefing on Thursday in Lagos.

The event which held at the University of Lagos, Akoka, was to explain COREN’S Washington Accord (WA) Provisional Signatory attainment and its benefits to COREN Registered Engineers.

Abubakar said the signing of COREN took place on June 14, 2023 at the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) meetings in Taiwan and made Nigeria the second African member after South Africa. “COREN was admitted to become a Provisional Signatory of the Washington Accord on June 14, 2023, making Nigeria the 2nd African member of the Accord,” he said.

He enumerated the benefits saying quality, productivity and mobility of Nigerian engineers would be improved upon and the engineering qualification internationalised without threat of brain drain.

He listed other benefits to COREN-registered engineers to include, technology transfer, improved foreign exchange, improved engineering education quality in Nigerian universities.

He added that it would also help engineering graduates “meet the demands of the industry both in – country and abroad.

The president said similar arrangements were being pursued by COREN under the Sydney and Dublin Accords for Nigerian Technologists and Technicians to capture the artisans.

“Entry into these Accords would create great opportunities for Nigerian Engineering Professionals,” he said.

Abubakar said the new dawn to the engineering industry would enable it to bring all stakeholders together to harness the gains of existing laws in the country that recognises COREN registered engineers.

This, he noted, would help them take the lead in the local content policy including handling of government contracts and taming quackery.

While fielding questions from journalists, he assured that measures were in place to ensure that Nigerian engineers exported abroad as expatriates returned to use the skills at home.

He said an agreement had been reached with South Africa to allow Nigeria handle exportation of all West African expatriates and also sign a jurisdiction agreement.

He explained that the jurisdiction would spell out how to export COREN certified engineers from other parts of the continent.

Earlier, he gave detailed history of previous efforts and statutory steps taken since 2018 and obligations met by COREN in the six geo political zones to meet requirements for acceptance.

He also reeled out global partnerships, memberships and certifications that culminated in the reality of finally being accepted into the WA.

The president commended the professional guidance of the nominators from the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) that led to the signing of COREN into the Washington Accord (WA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, WA signed in 1989, under the International Engineering Alliance, is an international multilateral agreement between bodies responsible for accreditation or recognition of tertiary-level engineering qualifications within their jurisdictions who have chosen to work collectively to assist the mobility of professional engineers.

There are currently 21 countries in the Washington Accord, including UK, U.S., Germany, Canada, Japan, China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Taiwan, Singapore, Hongkong, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Switzerland, South-Africa, among others.

The signatories of WA are committed to the development and recognition of good practice in engineering education.

The activities of the Accord’s signatories are intended to assist the growth of globalization of mutual recognition of engineering qualifications.

The Washington Accord is specifically focused on academic programmes which deal with the practice of engineering at the professional level.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has reiterated its commitment to improve the lives of widows in Nigeria by supporting and raising more awareness about their plights.

Dr Jumai Ahmadu, Founder of the foundation, said this at an event to commemorate the 2023 International Widows Days and the 20th anniversary of the foundation, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Widows Days is celebrated annually on June 23 and the day aims to raise awareness about the challenging circumstances faced by widows.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”.

Ahmadu said that the foundation remained resolute in supporting vulnerable women and widows, who most often suffer several forms of abuses, resulting into poverty.

She said it was important to raise awareness on the plights of widows who face all sorts of injustices, ranging from discrimination, cultural, political and social segregation.

“Surely, widows deserve more from us, corporate organisations, the international community and the governments.

“Through our work at the Helpline Foundation for the Needy, we have so far committed 20 years to empowering the less privileged.

“We continue to empower widows by providing them access to skills and acquisition training, non-profit loans and economic opportunities.

“We are of the firm conviction that by leveraging innovation and technology, we will not only uplift the widows but also bridge the gender gap, thus creating a much more inclusive society for widows, women and girls,” she said.

Ahmadu added that it is necessary to rebuild the lives of widows in the country, help them regain their confidence and break free from the cycle of poverty.

“Do not forget that every positive action we take, no matter how small, has the power to create a positive change in the lives of widows and vulnerable women,” she added.

NAN reports that the event featured the launch of the book, titled “Rise from the Ashes” and the premier of the documentary, “Ajadu”, with both telling the stories of the plights of widows.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Obadiah Nkom, Director-General, Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), has encouraged Nigerian youths to engage in mining and agricultural activities to enhance mineral resources and reduce unemployment.

Nkom said this on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that engaging in business activities with the mining cadastre was a huge advantage and opportunity to developing and improving abundance of minerals located across the country.

According to him, the mining cadastre is making sure that it encourages people to get licences to enhance mining activities.

He said: “The youths should look into agriculture and mining activities.

“We have a department of Artisanal and small licence businesses which helps people with licence capital.

“The essence is for the youths to start up or fund their businesses.”

According to him, with the help of the department, the youths could be able to start up or improve in their businesses that align with the field.

The director-general said that Right of First Refusal (ROFR), allows people to work within designated areas under licence with big companies.

He explained that the ROFR was a contractual right giving its holder the option to transact with the other contracting party before others can.

Nkom said that the ROFR assured that the holders would not lose their rights to an asset if others express interest.

“A licence owner of a particular company has a first right and a say of whatever happens in the business, it is now left for the party to come to a negotiation.

“Beneficial ownership means there are some people that can be directors in a company, there are some that are not directors but they are beneficial owners of that company,” he said.

He also said that the office was collaborating with relevant stakeholders both national and international to ensure that the sector achieves its goals and mandates.

He said that the MCO was working with extracting industries in Canada, Australia, America among others.

“We are also collaborating with the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) as well, and we participate in international activities to meet up with the world,” Nkom said.

The D-G said that the MCO always looks for alternative to overcome any issues confronting the office, irrespective of the challenges.

“There is no office that does not face challenges, but in our own case, we always find a way to overcome any issues that surrounds the office, , irrespective of the challenges.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Centre for Ethical Rebirth Among Nigerian Youths (CERANY), a Civil Society Organisation, has decried the neglect of non-state actors, also known as stakeholders, in the 2021-2025 National Control Master Plan against drug abuse.

Mr Chuks Akamadu, President of the CSO, revealed this position at a news conference in Abuja on Friday to commemorate the 2023 International Day against drug abuse, celebrated annually on June 26.

He said that for a remarkable progress to be made in the war against drug abuse, non-state actors should be mainstreamed in the control plan, and should be given a particular role to play in the process of the fight.

He called on the government to see

non-state actors as partners in progress that would contribute meaningfully in the process of winning the war against drug abuse in the country.

Akamadu called on President Bola Tinubu to commission a review of the report of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA).

He said that when non-state actors are mainstreamed into the war against drug abuse, they will be able to identify gaps in the whole process, and find solutions altogether.

The President of CERANY further urged the Federal Government to seek active collaboration of other tiers of government, particularly the judiciary, to pave the way for early dispensation of justice in drug related cases.

“If we have the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) manning the enforcement wing of the battle, times demand that we also have another agency to deal with public enlightenment, advocacy and sensitisation.

“This, in our view, would be a most functional way of commemorating this year’s International Day against drug abuse and Illicit trafficking.

“I urge us to prevent our youths, by all means possible, from experimenting with drugs. It is cheaper to prevent than to treat, and the cost of care is even much more prohibitive,” he stressed.

The NDLEA Chairman, Retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, who was represented by Mr Chidi Ndukwu, Deputy Commander, Narcotics, gave a summary of the progress made by the NDLEA between Jan. 2021 and May 2023.

Marwa said that, over the period under review, the agency had made 31,675 arrests, 6,252,924kg seizures, 5,147 convictions, 852,142 hecteres of farmland destroyed and had counselled and rehabilitated 23,725 persons respectively.

A Retired Pilot, Capt. Paul Nwachukwu, urged the NDLEA to carry civil society organisations, like CERANY, along in championing the campaign against drug abuse.

He suggested that the NDLEA alone may not be able to handle the deluge of drug cases in the country.

Mr Ojobo Tochukwu, Director of Welfare, National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee, FCT Chapter, called on NDLEA to set up a special committee against drug abuse.

He said that the committee would be responsible for going round the street to monitor the prevalence of drug use among the youth, and will come back with a feedback.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among those who were at the news conference was a former Nigerian High Commissioner to Singapore, Amb. Timloh Nkem.

NAN also reports that the theme for the 2023 International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking is “People First: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The United States Institute of Peace (USIP),Nigeria has sought partnership with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution(IPCR), for sustainable peace building across Nigeria.

Dr Chris Kwaja, Interim USIP Country Director Nigeria,said this when he led a team on a visit to the Director-General of IPCR on Friday in Abuja.

Kwaja said that the visit was with the hope to building a partnership on the basis of shared understanding and knowledge on peace building in make Nigeria a more peaceful place.

“The visit by USIP Nigeria, which I led is to first congratulate the D-G of IPCR over his appointment as somebody who is a professional in the area of peace building.

“We feel it is a welcome development for such an individual who has a sound knowledge of the peace building landscape, this is with a view to boosing the peace landscape.

“What we see right now is that the management of diversity is one important issue that should define leadership in Nigeria at this critical point in our history.

“The IPCR as an institution of the Federal Government is well positioned to do that and it should be supported, from our perspective as USIP.

”We believe that such kind of strategic partnership and support is something that we can work with,”he said

Kwaja said that there were other actors and partners within the peace building space that USIP would be engaging to ensure that IPCR was given the maximum support that it deserved.

He said that the visit was also an opportunity to give insight into USIP’s work which included work with facilitators , men and women within Nigeria supported by USIP.

According to Kwaja, this is to to respond to more localised conflict at the community level.

This, he said, was because USIP believed that when actors at the community level were supported with training and other skills required for mediation and dialogue.

He said: ”Then a community of people who would be able to manage differences in a non violent way would be built.”

Kwaja said that the second pillar of USIP’s work was with the working group on peace building and governance made up of eminent citizens in the country.

Kwaja said USIP supports the group’s work in the area of policy advocacy and engagement at the strategic leadership level .

He said that the third pillar of USIP’s work has to do with support to state-level peace building institutions .

Kwaja said that so far, the institute had worked with Plateau and Kaduna States among others, to respond to some of the needs of the states on issues around conflict management and peace building.

He said: “We also believe that knowledge production is one of the central pillars of public policy and USIP has been quit active in this and launched the State of Peace in Nigeria Report.

“The report basically seeks to understand and draw attention and show how communities have been able to respond to some of the peace building needs.

”This is something that needs to be appreciated and taken note of by government, international partners and stakeholders.”

Dr Joseph Ochugwu, Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), reiterated his commitment to partner with USIP for lasting peace in across Nigeria.

Ochogwu stressed the importance of working together to entrench using non-kinetic approaches to tackle the various root causes of conflicts in the country.

He assured that his institute’s doors were open for strategic and sustainable collaboration with USIP on any matter relating to peace building and conflict resolution to help Nigeria surmount her present challenges.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Agricultural Commodities Project 2023 has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint professional practitioners to manage the agricultural sector to achieve national food security.

The group of experts, comprising of over 70 agricultural commodities associations, made the call during a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Alhaji Ali Baba, President, Pastoral and Livestock Feeds Association, said appointing experts from the association to manage the sector would assist in utilising agriculture for national development.

“As representatives of association comprising farmers, producers, traders and other stakeholders involved in the agricultural value chain, we recognise the significant role that agriculture plays in the development of our nation.

“With the recent strides made by the Nigerian government to prioritise agriculture and achieve self-sufficiency in food production, we believe that involving key players from the Commodities Association in decision making processes will enhance the growth and success of the sector,” he said.

Baba said ensuring representatives from the association to manage the sector would foster partnership between the government and the grassroots, as well as transformation in the sector.

“We stand ready to support, work and collaborate with the government in its efforts to achieve food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and propel the agricultural sector towards sustained growth and development.

“Because food security is national security and we are confident that with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, no farmer will be left behind,” he said.

Mr John Adekoredo, the Country Director, LAWPA Nigeria, said as leaders and representatives of various agriculture commodities groups, they understand their challenges and appropriate ways to address them.

“We who understand the territory can advocate for our farmers; we have been putting our resources, our technical knowhow, connect outside the country to bring value addition in agriculture value chain.

“In recent times, policies of government are been taken without taking into cognisance people who feed the country.

“We as commodities presidents, who are voice to Nigerian farmers are saying let our farmers breathe and we can only do that when we who understand their plights are the ones in the helms of affairs holding these offices.”

Contributing, Alhaji Iliyasu Bulama, the President, National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN), said appointing members of the commodities project would aide in resolving farmers and herders clashes.

“If this is put into consideration, there will be no fighting between herders and farmers and then insecurity and banditary will be stopped.

“Because by the time you manage the herders, you put them in places where they will exercise modern farming in terms of ranches, criminality will reduce,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Sadiq Hassan-Arivi, a Security Expert, said appointing relevant stakeholders in the sector would address insecurity, boost agricultural productivity and generate revenue for the country.

“In terms of security, the present government has said that one of the new service chiefs objective and order is to make sure the farm is safe for the farmers to work.

“Issue of farmers/herders clashes and banditry will be a thing of the past.

“Also, the farmers should support the government and make sure that you are part of the agenda.

“There is no way you can talk about agriculture without the farmers and that is why the government is taking it very serious,” he said.

Mr Retson Tedheke, the President, Nigeria Farmers Group and Cooperative Society (NFGCS), highlighted that investment and capable management of the agriculture sector would create job opportunities, food, economy and cultural security.

Tedheke said: “It is an appeal to the government to put people who know how to do the job in positions to get the job done.

“Our appeal to the President, we must get outside that realm that those managing on behalf of farmers are not farmers.”

Source: News Agency of Nigeria