Day: August 18, 2023

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sworn in 2,227 corps members in the 2023 Batch B Stream II deployed to Delta for national service.

Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori declared the three-week orientation course open at the swearing in ceremony held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Issele Uku.

Oborevwori represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Mr Solomon Funkekeme, congratulated the corps members on the successful completion of their academic pursuits which qualified them to be enlisted into the national service.

“You are the leaders of tomorrow. Leadership confers on you the mandate to articulate ideas and policies to achieve set goals and targets in the Nigerian socio-economic space.

“The brief period of your orientation and induction course should be seen as another significant period designed to instill some discipline and the spirit of nationalism and patriotism in you.

“The period is aimed at accelerating national development and unity through inculcation of the virtues of selflessness, humility, sacrifice and dedicated service to the nation,” he said.

He then assured them of his administration’s responsibility for their welfare, security and general well-being.

“In pursuance of our policy of embarking on a meaningful people-orientated government, I wish to assure you that my administration will always protect you and ensure that you are safe wherever you are.

“My wish is that this one year national service in Delta State should be the finest pages of your memoir,” he said.

Mr Olusegun Alao, the state Coordinator of NYSC, expressed gratitude to the state government for fulfilling its promises to the scheme in the state as regards providing enabling environment for corps members, among other promises.

“ I wish to bring again to the notice of His Excellency some of the problems still confronting the scheme, a combination of which affects the smooth implementation of our programmes.

He listed the needs of NYSC in Delta to include a central office/secretariat, construction and completion of perimeter fencing at the camp,” he said.

Alao said that a total of 2,227 corps members, comprising of 671 males and 1,556 females, were sworn in.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Calabar, on Friday emerged overall winner of the 82 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency competition 2023.

The five-day event which started on Monday was hosted by the 14 Brigade, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, Ohafia, Abia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was organised for officers to test their team spirit and combat readiness.

The GOC 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, presenting a trophy to 13 Brigade, the overall winner, while the Commander, 14 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Nsikak Edet watches closely behind.

Participants were drawn from all the formations under 82 Division, which comprises 13 Brigade Calabar, 14 Brigade Ohafia, 34 Artillery Brigade Owerri, 44 Engineering Battalion Enugu and 82 Division Garrison Enugu.

The soldiers participated in weapon handling, map reading, 10-km combat run, combat swimming and obstacle crossing which was the high point of the exercise during the closing ceremony.

The 13 Brigade won the first position with 460 points and the 14 Brigade clinched the second position with 410 points while 82 Division Garrison came third with 390 points.

Also, at the end of the thrilling competition, 34 Artillery Brigade got the fourth position with 390 points, while the fifth and last position was occupied by 44 Engineering Battalion with 350 points.

The 13 Brigade went home with five of the eight trophies, while 14 Brigade got two trophies during the grand finale that featured individual recognition of officers that excelled in various events.

82 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency competition 2023.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, commended the formations for their display of discipline and professionalism, team spirit and sportsmanship during the competition.

He said that the competition provided an avenue for members of the lower levels of the officer cadre to showcase their leadership skills, proficiency in weapon handling, regimentation, teamwork and others.

The GOC said that the Division would continue to strive in collaboration with other security agencies within its area of responsibility to secure lives and property in defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.

NAN reports that the grand finale was attended by heads of various security agencies, traditional rulers, soldiers’ wives and many others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

(This is the second and final part of a two-series feature with the first part published a few days ago)

A news analysis by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The animation industry in Nigeria is still small with a great potential to expand and employ a large number of people in different sections of film production.

However, there are a few challenges making it difficult to meet the needs of the market.

They are a lack of professional trainers and training centres; high cost of equipment; shortage of power supply; insufficient grants; and poor government regulation.

Dr Alireza Mohammadinigjeh, an Abuja-based producer, scriptwriter, and media consultant and producer of an animated film titled ‘Mina va Doustan’ is one of the best-animated movies in Iran.

He spoke on ways that Iran and Nigeria can expand cultural and artistic cooperation through animation.

According to him, Iran has nearly 20 years of professional experience in this industry. So it cannot compete with countries that have a hundred years of experience.

“In different countries, more short animated films and motion pictures are produced than feature films, and Iran is not very different from other countries in this branch of art.

“For instance, in the Middle East region, I don’t think we have a country that has the highest-grossing animated films and or has a huge production market.

“In general, Iran has several powerful animation studios in the world, which are far from other producers and companies that produce long animated movies with big budgets.

“For instance, they produce five animations a year, each of which cost more than 100 million dollars and is shown in five thousand movie theaters.

“Iran has a big difference with them in terms of production and market size and it makes money almost one-hundredth of them.

“If an animation in Iran is well advertised and supported, it might be able to have 50 movie theaters, a size that cannot be compared with animations on the international scene.

He added that Iran may have had impressive progress in terms of production size in recent years, but if this size or rate is not met with even minimal quality, it will lose that record as well.

For instance, Iran will make 10 motion pictures in a year, at least two of these should be successful and be well received, because if this does not happen, no one will start making animation.

Iran is one of the countries that have a real problem in terms of funding in the field of animation.

In this regard, either the government capital should enter the project or the private sector should spend a few billion for the business.

However, in spite of this cost, the work is not connected to the world market and everyone gets their hands on government capital, and then instead of an animation work being made to attract the audience, it becomes mostly a deal that is popular with directors.

Mohammadinigjeh says both Iran’s and Nigeria’s animation industries are facing huge challenges.

He identifies the challenges thus: “Firstly, the absence of quality studios with the necessary technical know-how.

“Secondly, lack of funding, and infrastructure. These include the cost of studio space, the high cost of buying high-end graphic computers, graphic tablets, rendering machines, insufficient power supply, payment of staff, etc.

“Inadequate policies and regulations by the necessary government bodies to help regulate the industry and put policies that will make it difficult to release uncensored content into public spaces.

“Thirdly, lack of collaboration. Embracing a more open way of collaboration that focuses on leveraging team strength rather than an individual’s strength is important in finishing projects successfully.

“These are the problems that plague the animation industry in the two countries.

“Both countries have enough young people. These young people are a good potential for the growth of this sector of the industry.

“The two countries are among the best in the world in terms of films and series. Nollywood is one of the biggest producers of movies and series, and Iran has won two Oscars and its cinema industry is very rich.

“However, both countries have not yet reached their potential in this industry.”

It should also be noted that in the new age of cinema and television, the use of animation has become a necessity, which has made its use mandatory.

The two countries have mutual grounds for cooperation in the field of animation.

Some areas of cooperation between the two countries include making joint films and series as that could lead to the expansion of cultural relations, including cultural diplomacy)

Holding festivals (every year, more than 50 television and film festivals are held in Nigeria in different states.

The experiences of this country in this sector are very valuable.

Attending Nigerian festivals and also inviting Nigerians to participate in Iranian festivals can act in the direction of cooperation and cultural dissemination).

Inviting experts from both countries (Iran and Nigeria have their own directors and style owners). As a result, inviting experts from both sides can cause analysis and pathology in different sectors, which results in the growth of the cultural sector, especially animation).

Holding specialised workshops (Nollywood’s experience in the international sector is very valuable, its presence and audience knowledge are very valuable.

By holding virtual or physical workshops, you can benefit from the experiences of the Nigerian side.

Their cooperation with world-renowned cinematographers has grown, and Iran can use these experiences in the form of workshops.

Iran also has a style in the world in terms of content. Nigerians can use Iran’s experiences.

Professorial and student exchange in the animation department. (the existence of many universities in the cinema department in different states and also different cultures in Nigeria has caused many students to graduate in this department every year).

There are also transit universities in this department in Iran.

The exchange of professors and students will definitely be very valuable and beneficial.

Using the capacity of writers of the two countries Using the animation capacity of the two countries to provide cinema products (film screening and home sector).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Starzs Marine and Engineering Ltd., Mr Greg Ogbeifun, has called on the Federal Government to review tax laws affecting the growth of shipping in the country.

Ogbeifun made the appeal at the inauguration of the National Executive Council of the Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyor (AMES) on Friday in Lagos.

Ogbeifun, also the chairman of the occasion, noted that addressing the tax laws would enable the country to establish global trading fleet.

He said that most countries that flew their flags in other countries had five years tax holiday grant and all sorts of taxes waived.

Ogbeifun noted that such initiatives should be embraced because shipping was a very expensive trade.

“The cost of ship is $18 million and the cost of importing it into Nigeria by Nigerians is about 14 per cent of the cost of the ship.

“Foreign owners are required to post one per cent customs bonds to bring their ship but Nigerians are required to pay 14 per cent.

“This makes a Nigerian who wants to be in this trade to be disadvantaged instantly and government needs to address this,” he said.

He urged AMES to set up a committee to check the current status of the recommendation on tax policy.

Ogbeifun said recommendations reached in the past for global trading fleet were not implemented due to lack of political will.

He also lauded the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy established by President Bola Tinubu, noting that stakeholders had agitated for it.

He said the minister should be given an opportunity to settle down, understudy the ministry to hit the ground running.

“I imagine that internal working between the ministry and that of transportation to decide which agency goes to where will be his first tackle.

“When that is established, the industry players will now have basis to put together ideas, we must not just jump into issues,” he said.

He said the association would set up a shipping line and bulk of that shipping line would be constituted by professionals, marine engineers, lawyers and many others.

“We will ensure it is a well put together entity with clear objectives. We are not going to be asking the government to give us anything but for them to understand that this exists, and will help push the industry forward.

“These are the issues affecting us and not making us to get the national line to take off.

There is work to do and this government is trying to reposition thing and find solutions, we as an association will be willing to give the needed help,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

National Bank of Angola (BNA) warns the public about the sale, on public roads, of adulterated printed copies of the Law on the General Regime of Financial Institutions.

This is the Law nr.14/21, of May 19, Law of the General Regime of Financial Institutions, which defines the guiding principles of the financial system.

The Law also regulates the process of establishment and the exercise of financial institutions, the exercise of the activity of supervision, corrective intervention, resolution, sanctions and dissolution and liquidation.

In a statement reached ANGOP, the Central Bank says that it took notice of the existence of tampered with copies of the referred Law on August 14, 2023, as part of the permanent monitoring of the financial markets.

The Central Bank considers that the non-conformities contained in the aforementioned copies distort the legislator’s thinking and lead to the inadequate application of the above Law.

National Bank of Angola urges its recipients to refrain from acquiring the Law on the General Regime of Financial Institutions and other financial legislation in inappropriate places

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

National Youth Council (NYC) ||Kharas regional coordinator, Brandy Lufuma has said the youth self-employment horticulture project at Keetmanshoop still has the potential to address unemployment and food security in the town once it expands.

Launched by Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero nearly three years ago, the project has been unable to increase its volume to address the issue of unemployment among the youth and food security.

The project is aimed at ensuring food security and increasing productivity, skills enhancement, and generating income for youth in peri-urban and rural areas, by testing cost-effective and scalable market-based solutions to strengthen micro-entrepreneurship opportunities.

In an interview with Nampa recently, Lufuma said currently cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, spring onions, red onion and chillies are planted in the garden and it is managed by four young volunteers.

According to her once expanded, the project could supply the inhabitants of Keetmanshoop and the region, however, the expansion is hindered by factors such as illegal harvesting by community members.

“This project will be successful if community members do not illegally harvest from our garden. When they see it’s green, they come at night and harvest, because they can see through the net,” she said.

Lufuma further noted that earlier this year when the group harvested their yield, they discovered that the soil in the garden was deteriorating. A decision was made to replace the soil, which involved removing the existing sand to expose it to sunlight for vitamin D replenishment.

“We also got new black bags and seeds from head office so we planted new plants and we implemented pest control measures,” said Lufuma.

Lufuma anticipates a harvest within the next month and said any profits generated from sales would directly benefit the volunteers. Even in scenarios where produce remains unsold, the yield would be distributed among the volunteers to promote self-sustainability.

The Ministry of Sport through its subsidiaries, the National Youth Service (NYS) and National Youth Council (NYC) availed N.dollars 1 million to set up greenhouses for horticultural production in all 14 regions.

NYS set up the greenhouse structure while NYC is responsible for the green scheme and overseeing the agricultural production.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Swapo Party Kunene regional leadership has concluded its district conferences to elect office bearers.

The conferences were held in all seven districts of Sesfontein, Pupa, Opuwo Rural, Outjo, Opuwo Urban, Khorixas and Kamanjab from 05 to 13 August and elected coordinators, treasurers, and district mobilisers.

Announcing the outcome of the conferences here Thursday, Swapo’s regional administrator Emily Ndjiluwa said the conferences took place as provided for by Article 43 (10) of the Swapo Party constitution and in accordance with Sections 23 and 26 of the party rules and procedures for the election of party office bearers and party representatives at legislature and government level.

Ndjiluwa said Kephas Itaratjike was elected as Sesfontein district coordinator, while Uaanatjo Kakuva will head the Opuwo Rural district and Steven Tjambiru will serve as the Epupa district coordinator.

Former Opuwo town councillor Willemia Nashihua was elected as coordinator for Opuwo Urban, while Outjo voted for Ellis Geriseb. Hanna Lewe will oversee the district of Kamanjab.

Paulina Haragaes (Sesfontein); Lilia Kakori Kandetu (Opuwo Rural); Victorino Simon (Opuwo Urban); Paladia Augustinho (Epupa); Stella!Ganes (Khorixas); Issai Katambo (Outjo); and Pinehas Hashonadali (Kamanjab) were appointed as mobilisers for their respective districts.

For the role of treasurer, Sesfontein chose Johannes Gawaseb, Opuwo Rural chose Kanjandere Kaee, and Koos Kakuva was chosen unopposed in Opuwo Urban. Immanuel Korukuve was chosen as treasurer of the Epupa district, while Laurence Kandundu will be in charge of Outjo’s district finances. In the Khorixas and Kamanjab districts, Emmanuel //Khamuseb and Bianca Nguaiko ran unopposed for treasurer, respectively.

Also speaking at the press briefing, Swapo’s Kunene regional coordinator Julius Kaujova noted that congresses and conferences are organs and instruments used by the party to examine and analyse successes and achievements for a given time and offer new methods for future delivery.

Kaujova, however, stated that the results of the party’s congresses have left the party more divided, with some members threatening to leave or leaving the party after losing at congresses.

He maintained that the party suffered in the previous elections because of some of its members’ inability to accept defeat at such conferences.

“The attitude of not accepting outcomes cost us dearly in the past and I hope we are not going to experience such attitudes now that we have successfully completed all seven district conferences,” noted Kaujova.

He furthermore urged party members to unite ahead of the elections next year, saying that opposition parties are joining forces and political efforts and strategies to overpower the ruling party, therefore, “we need to be vigilant and stand united more than ever before.”

The returning officers for the just-concluded exercises were Marius Sheya and Titus Rungondo.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Huawei Telecommunication Technologies on Friday launched the Seeds for the Future Programme at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Windhoek.

At the ceremony, Huawei’s Public Relations Manager Micheal Namoongo said 25 students in total will benefit from the online programme which takes place from 21 August to 28 August.

The students are from the International University of Management (IUM), University of Namibia (UNAM) and NUST.

“The students will obtain valuable cutting-edge ICT knowledge developed by Huawei’s headquarters and experience cross-cultural communication virtually,” he said.

Justina Mateus from NUST said she is honoured to have been chosen to participate.

“I believe it is a good opportunity to develop my knowledge in general, as well as my ICT skills,” Mateus said.

At the same event, NUST Vice Chancellor Professor Erold Naomab stated that the programme is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by NUST and Huawei a year ago.

He said it will expose students to the next level of their studies with the aid of ICT.

At the same event, Huawei Managing Director, Micheal Zhang, stated that the programme will offer rich experiences in learning with other countries and that hopefully next year, more than 25 students will benefit from the programme.

“We believe in you and by sharing expertise, we will be able to prepare you for the future as you play an important role for the future,” Zhang said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Concerns of rural electrification will be a thing of the past in some parts of the three villages of the Linyanti Constituency in Zambezi after two transformers were handed over to the villages by the Zambezi Regional Council on Thursday.

Officially handing over the transformers, Katima Mulilo Constituency Councillor Warden Simushi called on the communities to take care of the new infrastructure, and continue supporting and cooperating with their councillors, in order to bring desired development to their constituencies.

Simushi argued that a divided people cannot conquer anything until they unite and move forward together.

“Nobody will come from outside the region to come and develop your constituency and region, hence the need to unite and cooperate with the political leaders and plan together for the future of your children,” he said.

He further argued that communities should not burden their councillors with the constituency responsibilities but assist them wherever possible.

Welcoming the transformers, some of the communities expressed joy, calling for two more transformers so that the remaining villages can benefit as well.

Linyanti Constituency Councillor Iven Kabuga revealed that instead of dividing the allocated N.dollars 200 000 among the residents for income-generating projects, his office saw it fit to invest in a communal investment by buying transformers. The transformers’ funding comes from the Constituency Development Fund initiative under the regional council.

The regional council receives varying project proposals from constituencies – from projects such as rural electrification, projects supporting agriculture, rural water supply and livestock, to small business support and small market stalls.

This year’s allocation gave each of Zambezi’s eight constituencies N.dollars 200 000, and the Linyanti Constituency added an extra N.dollars 38 000 to purchase the two transformers.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Namibia and South Africa on Friday agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) geared towards the energy sector, for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

This was announced by Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, during a visit by his South African counterpart, Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa in Windhoek.

Alweendo said the MoU will focus on green hydrogen; oil and gas; and infrastructure related to energy.

“[With] South Africa as our neighbouring country, we have a lot of collaborations and energy is one of them. This visit is even important given the energy deficit that we have, not only in South Africa but definitely in the whole region. We all know that we don’t have enough energy, especially electricity,” he said.

Alweendo added that Namibia is not only buying electricity from South Africa, it equally shares infrastructure.

At the same occasion, Ramokgopa said the two countries’ relationship is symbiotic, as despite South Africa continuing to grapple with the pressing issue of load-shedding, they continue to provide electricity to Namibia.

“First for us is to resolve the most immediate problem that is confronting us as to the energy deficit in the country. We are making significant strides. The intensity of loading shedding, which is a really technical instrument that we deploy when demand far exceeds generation, the intensity is beginning to lessen,” he said.

He noted that there are opportunities that present themselves in the energy sector to build energy security for the region, including Namibia.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

South Africa’s minister of electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said on Friday that the fact that South Africa still provides electricity to Namibia is evidence of the close ties that exist between the two countries.

Ramokgopa told the media in Windhoek that his country still exports electricity to its northern neighbour despite South Africa experiencing an acute power crisis.

“Our relationship is a symbiotic one. The fact that we still continue to provide electricity to Namibia, even in the midst of electricity challenges, I think just confirmed the strength of the fraternal relationship we enjoy with Namibia,” he said.

Ramokgopa was appointed as South Africa’s first electricity minister earlier in March by President Cyril Ramaphosa in an effort to find a solution to the country’s record-breaking power crisis.

Following his talks with the Namibian minister of mines and energy, Tow Alweendo, Ramokgopa said they are making progress, despite regular load shedding.

“First for us is to resolve the immediate problem that is confronting us, which has to do with the energy deficit in the country. We are making significant strides. The intensity of load shedding is beginning to lessen, firstly as a result of the improvements that we are making on the generation side. We are registering significant improvements in the performance of the units that are giving us electricity in the country,” he said.

The minister noted that the private sector is also contributing to the generation capacity with renewable energy.

In addition, Ramokgopa said that his trip to Windhoek is part of the plan to engage with neighbouring countries to determine whether they have excess generating capacity that South Africa can buy.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency