U.S. Awards Micro-Grants to Support Children

By Tope Musowo

Lagos—The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria on Friday announced a N2.9 million micro-grant to 50 women caregivers to support the economic wellbeing of their families, particularly the vulnerable children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in five local communities in Apapa local government area of Lagos.

Under the U.S. Ambassador’s PEPFAR Small Grants Program, a local non-governmental organization, Blissful Life for Women and Children, will provide training to the beneficiaries of the micro-grants in the areas of business and vocational skills and trade mentorship, and will receive trade articles and supplies.

Ten older orphans and vulnerable children whose parents are living with HIV will also benefit from the training. Blissful Life for Women and Children is one of 27 local organizations that have received funding under the U.S. Ambassador’s PEPFAR Small Grants Program in fiscal year 2017.

At an event held in Lagos and attended by senior local government officials, health, and community leaders, Acting U.S. Consul General Will Steuer said, “The people and government of the United States continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria and Nigerian families in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic."  

“Today’s event highlights the importance of supporting families, especially children who are affected by HIV/AIDS through programs that not only support treatment for the infected, but also to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of families affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as the PEPFAR Small Grants Program seeks to do.”

Beneficiaries of the various training programs are expected to empower themselves and their families by building small businesses that will create more reliable income flows and improve their standard of living.

The U.S.-Nigeria partnership on HIV/AIDS began in 2004 through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  From 2004 to 2016, United States support for HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support programs in Nigeria has totaled more than 4.3 billion U.S. dollars in support of the Nigeria HIV/AIDS response.

GREATER HOPE LIES AHEAD FOR OUR CHILDREN- AMBODE’S WIFE

By Tope Musowo
As Lagos joined the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s edition of the International Day of the African Child, wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode at the weekend expressed optimism that there was greater hope ahead for the Nigerian Child.

Mrs. Ambode, who spoke at the celebration of the 2017 International Day of the African Child, organized by the African Women Lawyers’ Association in Alausa, Ikeja, said that though there were subsisting challenges facing the children in some areas, there were sufficient reasons to believe in the realization of the 2030 continental agenda for sustainable development of the African child.

She said that since the annual celebration of the day began in 1991, marginal successes had been recorded in overall improvement of circumstances around the children across Africa, noting however, that the Lagos State Government was working hard to remove all impediments in the way of their happiness and fulfillment.

According to her, “The theme of this year’s celebration: ‘Accelerating Protection, Empowerment And Equal Opportunity For Children In Africa By 2030’, gives the needed reassurance, that our country is at work on the great agenda, to take the children to where they ought to be.

“Lagos State has continued to open employment opportunities for children through education and sports. Inter-school sports competitions have been re-introduced among primary and secondary schools. This is intended to catch them young for sporting glory, and expose them to global opportunities for fame, wealth and fulfillment”, she stressed.

The Governor’s wife, who listed other child-friendly achievements of the State Government to include the passage of the Child Right Law, family courts and inter-school sports competition promised that the Government would do more to get fulfillment for children in the state.

She commended the African Women Lawyers’ Association for their efforts and called on forward-looking bodies and NGOs, to partner the State Government to improve the welfare of children.

Corroborating her, the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funmilola Odunlami, said the historic event must serve as a constant reminder of the duty parents owe their children.

The Governor said that his administration remains committed to helping children get fulfillment in an environment free of neglect, abuse and violent exploitation.

He said, “We have invested huge resources in the provision and upgrading of infrastructure in our schools to create a conducive learning environment. We believe that quality education is the most powerful tool for empowerment and creation of equal opportunities in a competitive and knowledge-driven 21st century.

“This historic event must serve as a constant reminder of the duty we owe our children to guarantee them, a better future in an increasingly competitive and knowledge-driven global system. This celebration therefore provides us the opportunity to restate our commitment to the protection of our children and also provide them all the opportunities that they require to release their full potentials”.

The Governor assured that the welfare and protection of children in the state would continue to be a priority.

Speakers at the event, Mr. Shina Sofola (SAN) and Miss. Chetanna Amaza, urged children to boldly voice out any ills committed against them while urging them to be diligent and hardworking to achieve success.

June 16 every year is observed as the International Day of the African Child, to raise awareness on the plight of children in Africa.

Why Nigeria’s digital switchover is slow – NBC

By Tope Musowo,Lagos

The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC yesterday explained during a press conference why in Lagos that paucity of fund remained a major reason why the digital swith over process has been slow.

The Director-General of NBC, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, who disclosed that the President was committed to ensuring the process becomes successful in Nigeria, hinted that the Federal Government approved N10 billion for the project in September 2016.

Targets 12 states by year end, Delta seeks expedite action on the process
Today, countries, especially those in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region are expected to switch from analogue to digital broadcasting, as mandated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), but Nigeria like others missed the deadline.

Nigeria has, however, planned to switchover regionally after failing twice (2012 and 2015) to migrate nationally.The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the agency in charge of the entire process of switching over, at a press conference in Lagos, yesterday, explained the slowness of activities around the entire processes on the part of Nigeria.

The Director-General of NBC, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, who disclosed that the President was committed to ensuring the process becomes successful in Nigeria, hinted that the Federal Government approved N10 billion for the project in September 2016, the fund, which he said had been used judiciously. He explained that upon his assumption office in May last year, he discovered that the process at the beginning was dogged by a host of controversies.

According to him, Set-Top-Box (STB) manufacturers had committed resources to the importation of 850, 000 STBs from China, but because the EFCC had seized funds from the NBC, under the ancient regime at the commission, it could not meet the commitment, which totaled $26 million.
  
He revealed that in the midst of all these challenges, NBC was resolute in carrying out the DSO in Abuja. The NBC DG further said the commission appointed The Outsource Company (TOC), as the call center managers for the switchover, starting from Abuja.

Going forward, Kawu, who was silent about how much and time it will require Nigeria to fully transit from analogue to digital transmission, explained that the commission hoped to have switched over by December 2017 in 12 states.
  
He however informed that there won’t be any interference from neighbouring countries, and in respect of a specific switchover date, the countries of the ECOWAS sub-region would re-assess the issue, given that all member countries have not met the deadline.

Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, has urged NBC to expedite action on the DSO over programme in the television broadcast industry.
Ukah, gave the charge when the Benin Zonal Director of the NBC, Dr. Tony Anigala, paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday.

Ukah, who thanked the Commission for including the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS) among stations to be in the first phase of the switch over, said it will give the government broadcast media the platform to reach a wider audience.

LAGOS ARRESTS NOTORIOUS LAND GRABBING KINGPIN

Efforts by the Lagos State Government to curb the activities of land grabbers popularly known as Omo onile received a massive boost on Thursday as the Special Task Force on Land Grabbing set by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode arrested one Kamorudeen Lamina alias Sir K Oluwo, a notorious Omo onile kingpin, who has been terrorising the people of the State especially residents of Ikorodu.

The Omo Onile Kingpin who was arrested on Thursday by men of the Special Taskforce on Land Grabbing, who had been on his trail for a very long time, fell into the waiting hands of the Taskforce when he was tricked out of his hiding in a well-orchestrated operation carried out in the Alausa area of the State.

Chairman of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbing, Mr. Jide Bakare said his office had received tons of petitions written by innocent residents who have been deprived of their legitimate investment in landed property by the unscrupulous gang of Lamina who had been a torn in the flesh of his victims.

Bakare, in a statement, said that the arrest of Sir K Oluwo by his team was a clear indication of the commitment of the Ambode-led administration to ensure that the lives and property of residents across the State was secured and protected under the law.

He said the State Government had made its zero tolerance stance against land grabbing offences very clear, just as he assured that every legimate investment made in the State would be protected by the Government.

The Chairman, further assured residents that information given by them against the nefarious activities of land grabbers will be treated with utmost confidence.

According to him, the State Government would immediately begin the prosecution of the arrested Omo Onile Kingpin, to serve as a deterrent to others that no one is above the law in Lagos State.

While warning those in the act to steer clear of Lagos, Bakare also said that the Task Force would intensify efforts to make the State unbearable for their nefarious activities.

It would be recalled that earlier this year, at the commissioning of the new office of the Special Taskforce on Land Grabbing, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem promised to go after any godfather aiding and abetting the criminal activities of the Omo Oniles in the State, saying “no matter who you are and your Status, we will come after you and prosecute you”.

AMBODE PRESENTS N924.7M CHEQUES TO 1,438 BENEFICIARIES

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday presented cheques totaling N924.7 million to 1, 438 beneficiaries of the Employment Trust Fund (ETF) scheme initiated by his administration to provide entrepreneurs, artisans, traders and others with capital to boost their businesses thereby reducing unemployment and increasing wealth among the people.

So far, about 4, 000 businesses have benefited a total of N3.5billion from the scheme, while the target of the State Government is to support about 100,000 micro, small and medium enterprises and create at least 300, 000 direct and 600, 000 indirect jobs by 2019 through the initiative.  

Governor Ambode had in January presented cheques totaling about N1billion to 705 beneficiaries who were selected after scaling through a transparent screening process. 

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at De Blue Roof, LTV 8 in Ikeja, Governor Ambode expressed delight that the government was on course to meet the objectives of the initiative, adding that it was also encouraging that the previous beneficiaries have started repaying their loans, thereby expanding their businesses and creating jobs.

Governor Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Dr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, made particular reference to one of the earlier beneficiaries simply identified as Jand2Gidi, saying that it was a thing of joy that they have started contributing to the growth of Lagos economy.

“One of the success stories of this programme which I am very proud of is the achievement of one of the first set of beneficiaries, a company called Jand2Gidi, run by two young women.

“Today, they have invested their loan in buying motorcycles for their delivery men, and hired people to operate those motorcycles. Not only are they repaying their loan, they have also created at least 10 direct jobs for Lagos residents, thereby increasing the economic activity across the State. We eagerly expect to celebrate many more success stories like this,” the Governor said.

The Governor, who commended the ETF Board for the good work done so far, equally charged them to increase the pace of work and ensure that by the end of 2017, at least 20,000 businesses would have benefited from the loan program, just as he expressed optimism that the overall target of the scheme would be met by 2019.

While congratulating the new 1,438 beneficiaries, the Governor charged them and other potential beneficiaries to emulate those who are repaying their loans, thereby ensuring the success of the program

He said: “It is only when you pay your loans back, and grow your businesses, that we can truly celebrate the success of this program. Your success is our success, and together we will grow Lagos State’s economy and create jobs for our residents.

“This initiative is another example of taxpayers’ money working for the people. I cannot thank enough all taxpaying citizens for providing the resources from which the State Government contributes N6.25billion tranches annually to the N25billion Employment Trust Fund.”

Besides, Governor Ambode urged other existing businesses or people desirous of starting one to take advantage of the scheme, assuring that the process of assessing and selecting beneficiaries would continue to be transparent and meet globally acceptable standards.

In her opening remarks, Chairman, Board of ETF, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru said the presentation ceremony was another milestone by Governor Ambode’s administration, saying that the vision of the Governor in setting up the Fund, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria, and his unwavering commitment to its success deserved commendation.

Omoigui-Okauru also revealed a partnership between the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to improve technical and vocational training in the State.

Under the programme, she said the LSETF will contribute Naira equivalent of $3million, while UNDP will contribute $1million and the funding will be used to train eligible Lagos residents in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, hospitality and entertainment, while successful trainees will be placed in jobs at the completion of the programme.

Responding on behalf of beneficiaries, Mr O.A Goriola of November 16 Nig Ltd, commended the State Government for the initiative and pledged that the funds would be judiciously utilized.

STOP CHILD LABOUR, AMBODE’S WIFE WARNS

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has called on mothers and guardians to stop child labour and pay more attention to the welfare of their children and wards.

She made the remarks over the weekend while interacting with newsmen at Ikeja, on the celebration of the 2017 World Day Against Child Labour.

Mrs. Ambode said that child labour is a crime against humanity as it keeps the child away from all benefits of childhood, which is about the happiest and most memorable period in the life of a human-being.

According to her, the non-eradication of the illegal act interferes with the child’s right to basic education, making them vulnerable and a social liability on the country.

She said, “Child labour refers to the employment of children in any work that deprives children of the joy of childhood; interferes with their ability to attend regular schools, which is mentally, physically, socially and morally dangerous and harmful to the society. This practice is considered exploitative”.

“Every child should enjoy childhood when they must live in the love and care of their parents. However, this illegal act of child labour forces the child to live like an adult. It causes untold emotional pains for the child and leads to unhealthy and unbalanced development of the mind, as well as social and intellectual backwardness”.

Speaking further, Bolanle noted that healthy children were the future and power-house of any country, stressing that engaging in child labour amounted to spoiling and destroying the future of the children and the country.

Bolanle recalled that Lagos state walked tall as the first state in the federation to pass the Child’s Rights Law providing the platform to enforce the rights of the child.

She enjoined mothers and guidance to always extend love to their children and wards, ensure school enrolment for them and ensure that they grow with good memories of childhood.

June 12, every year is set aside as World Day Against Child Labour, to raise awareness on the plight of child labourers across the world.

https://www.britishcouncil.org.ng/jobs

https://www.britishcouncil.org.ng/jobs

Boko Haram slit vilagers' throat

Boko Haram have slit the throats of four Nigerian villagers in revenge for the arrest of a senior member of the jihadist group as reported by the residents.


According to the villagers,ten gunmen on motorbikes stormed the northeastern Cameroonian border village of Hambagda near Gwoza, once the capital of Boko Haram’s self-announced “caliphate”, last night before kidnapping six people and killing four others.

“They asked people to assemble but everyone started running towards the bush,” said local resident Usman Buba.

“They seized six people in the confusion and slaughtered four while two managed to escape.”

The attack came a day after soldiers arrested Boko Haram commander Adamu Rugurugu during a village raid.

Buba said the jihadists who attacked Hambagda on Thursday afternoon decided to slit their victims’ throats instead of shooting them to avoid attracting the attention of troops stationed in Gwoza, two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.

“The attack was evidently in reprisal for the arrest of a Boko Haram kingpin who has been terrorising the village,” Buba said.

Another resident, Dahiru Alkali, confirmed his account, adding that villagers had complained to soldiers of incessant attacks by Rugurugu and his men.

Boko Haram seized Gwoza recently and made it their headquarters at a time when they were seizing swathes of northeast Nigeria in their bid to form a hardline Islamist state.

Nigerian troops retook the town in March 2015 but Boko Haram have continued to raid nearby villages from their hideouts in the mountains along the border with Cameroon, despite the government’s insistence that calm has been restored to the area.

In April, Boko Haram kidnapped 13 women who were picking fruit near Hambagda, while a month earlier its fighters abducted 18 girls from the nearby village of Pulka.

Large areas around Lake Chad and the Cameroon border remain inaccessible in an ongoing insurgency that has killed at least 20,000 since 2009.

WOMEN ISSUES MY PRIORITY- AMBODE’S WIFE

WOMEN ISSUES MY PRIORITY- AMBODE’S WIFE

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Thursday reiterated that the State Government would not relent in its efforts at improving the fortunes of women in the state regardless of their social, political or religious affiliations.

Mrs. Ambode, who spoke at the 2017 WAPA Connect Conference, organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) and held in Oregun, Ikeja, said that economic empowerment of women was crucial to poverty alleviation and domestic harmony, adding that there must be continuous interventions to address issues affecting women.

Mrs. Ambode noted that the conference theme, “Fostering Domestic Harmony Through Multi Perspective Analysis & Graphic Display Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century”, was in line with current realities.

She said the State Government believed that women must galvanize all efforts towards accelerating economic empowerment, stressing that all hands must be on deck, and steps taken towards achieving gender equality and inclusive governance.

According to her, “Lagos State Government believes that we must galvanize all efforts towards accelerating economic empowerment of women, and all hands must be on deck, as we take steps towards gender equality and inclusive governance”.

“The State Government has embarked on different initiatives to ensure financial independence for women, which is critical to taking charge of their own lives”, she stressed.

She disclosed further that, the state government through the ministry of Wealth Creation, had set up Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), to promote entrepreneurial activities powered by young persons, adding the first phase of funds disbursement has been implemented.

The Governor’s wife urged participants to pay attention, as information that would be provided at the conference, would greatly assist women to take steps, and speak out towards eliminating domestic violence and gender-based discrimination in the society.

Earlier in her welcome address, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Lola Akande, said the conference was meant to project the evil effects of domestic violence on women and children, as well as teach the women strategies for safeguarding themselves and getting help in event of an occurrence.

According to her, “Research has shown that witnessing family violence in childhood is associated with a greater likelihood that sons and daughters will be either perpetrators on victims of violence. These findings reinforce the message that violence is a learned behavior and the inter-generational transmission of violence is an injurious cost to society, the economy and our moral fabric”.

She said the ministry had taken critical steps and made interventions towards ending gender-based violence, including organizing enlightenment programmes, marital dispute mediations, assistance to and rehabilitation of battered women and empowerment, among others.

State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who also spoke through his deputy, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Adebule, listed the various steps taken by his administration to stamp out gender-based violence in the state.

Among those in attendance at the event include prominent women politicians, entrepreneurs and top public servants in the State.

PREROGATIVE OF MERCY: LAGOS RELEASE 18 INMATES

PREROGATIVE OF MERCY: LAGOS RELEASE 18 INMATES

The Lagos State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy on Thursday handed over an order to the Nigerian Prisons Service for the immediate release of 18 inmates serving life sentences at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

The order was handed over to the Service through the State’s Controller of Prisons, Mr Olatunbosun Ladipo.

The 18 inmates, who included 15 male and 3 females serving life sentences for various offences, and having spent more than 30 years in incarceration, were recommended for immediate release by the Council on compassionate grounds.

The inmates were ordered to be released having been found to have fulfilled the very stringent conditions for their freedom.

Speaking at the small handing over ceremony held at the hall of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Chairman of the Council, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, applauded the benevolence of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode in assenting to exercise the prerogative in favour of the recommended inmates.

Oyewo, who was represented by Mrs Bolatunmi Animashaun advised the pardoned inmates to turn a new leaf when eventually they are reunited with their families into the larger society, adding that they must steer clear of every temptation that could make them a repeat offender and jeopardize the once in a lifetime opportunity.

Also speaking, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem encouraged other inmates still serving in the Prison to be of good behaviour and exhibit conducts that could qualify them to benefit from such order.

Kazeem, who was represented by Director of Legislative Drafting in the State’s Ministry of Justice, Mrs Yejide Kolawole advised the inmates to improve themselves, as the application of other inmates eligible for State pardon were still under consideration.

The pardoned inmates were very jubilant and thankful to the Governor for his benevolence in giving them the opportunity of a second chance at living a purposeful life.

They also pledged to be of good behaviour, and to be law abiding citizens as they return back to the larger society.

In his response, the State Controller of Prisons commended Governor Ambode for his efforts at ensuring the wellbeing of inmates in the State Prisons through the regular assistance.

U.S. Embassy Honors Nigerian TechWomen

U.S. Embassy Honors Nigerian TechWomen

“Nigerian women are highly talented like the American women in the movie Hidden Figures,” Ambassador W. Stuart Symington said, prior to screening of the movie at Genesis Cinemas, in Abuja on Tuesday, in honor of Nigerian TechWomen.  Hidden Figures details the story of three female African-American mathematicians employed by NASA in the 1960s.  Working as human computers but denied recognition or promotion, they would go on to play crucial roles in the American space program. 

“It is an amazing story of women who found something that they love, and before there were computers and the Internet, these women made it possible to put the human race in outer space.  You too, can reach for the skies,” the U.S. Ambassador said, introducing Carolyn Seaman and Damilola Anwo-Ade, two of five Nigerian women selected to participate in the 2017 TechWomen exchange program.  Carolyn Seaman is using technology to empower girls through her Girls Voices Initiative, while Damilola Anwo-Ade is mentoring the next generation of coders, including young women, through her initiative CodeIT.  Olamide Ayeni-Babjide, Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, and Petra Nnamani, though not present at the event, will also participate in the program.

“We are committed to building the capacity of women to innovate and make positive contributions to their communities through science, technology, and mathematics,” Ambassador Symington remarked.

TechWomen is a U.S. initiative empowering and connecting the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.  The program will bring together 100 women leaders in technology fields for a five-week professional mentorship and exchange program at leading technology companies in California’s Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. 

In March this year, the U.S. Embassy screened the movie CodeGirl, an American documentary film that featured the story of five Nigerian girls who won the Technovation Challenge in 2015.