Day: August 21, 2023

Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, has pledged to work assiduously in implementing the blueprint of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the water and sanitation sector.

Utsev said this at his inaugural address with the members of staff in company of the Minister of State, Alhaji Bello Goronyo in Abuja on Monday.

He said the critical role that water and sanitation sector played in any society cannot be over-emphasised.

Utsev said that Tinubu’s blueprint was to see that this was improved in line with the sustainable development goals.

According to him, his administration will work through shared value to end poverty and inequality in the sector.

The minister said that his team would settle quickly to work as the ministry was one of the core infrastructure ministry of government.

While commending the permanent secretary and the staffers for their time, resourcefulness, sacrifice and value-driven contributions to the ministry, Utsev urged them to keep up the good work.

The minister said: “To this end, we are committed to an open door policy to encourage team-based initiatives, regular interactions with the management and staffers as well as other critical partners in the days ahead.

“The Permanent Secretary shall work out details of the schedule, We are aware of some of the challenges which may have impeded the productivity of staff.

“Consequently, effort shall be made to address them head-on. Staff trainings, promotions and provision of essential working tools, equipment and facilities shall be our top priority.

“We expect our hardworking staff to reciprocate these gestures with renewed commitment to duty by prompt handling of official correspondence and assignments.”

Utsev said an early tour of facilities, ongoing projects and programmes would be done to give guidance and better understanding of the present situation and the way forward.

Earlier, Goronyo appreciated Tinubu’s choice of ministers, saying the team would work to ensure that hope is renewed for all Nigerians.

According to him, the role of water in all things that affect humans cannot be ignored, as it was the sustainer of life, productivity and improved well-being.

The minister of state said he would work in partnership with Utsev by bringing together their wealth of experience for the rapid development of the water and sanitation sector.

The Ministry’s permanent secretary, Dr Didi Walson-Jack, while welcoming both ministers, said their extensive experience and commitment to public service showed that they were invaluable assets that would advance its mandate.

She said the ministry was in the forefront of ensuring that Nigeria had sustainable water supply that met the cultural and socio-economic needs of all Nigerians.

Walson-Jack said: “We are at a critical point where the challenges and opportunities in the water and sanitation sector are ever-evolving, the issues of water scarcity, pollution, among others, require innovative solutions and collaborative effort.

“The water, sanitation and hygiene sector is critical to developing our country’s economy, health and environment, in line with the renewed hope agenda, we are working to ensure adequate and safe irrigation of farmlands”.

The permanent secretary pledged the support and cooperation of the entire staffera to collaborate on developing effective strategies, policies and programmes that would lead to a sustainable and prosperous future for all Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu inaugurated 45 new ministers into his cabinet on Monday with a charge for them to serve as federal officials rather than regional or sectional ones.

“You are not a minister of a particular state, colony, region, or ethnic nationality, you are a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘’It is an honour to be chosen to serve as a minister in the federal executive council, and such a high honour comes with tremendous responsibility,” he said.

Highlight of the event was the permanent secretary’s formal handing over of notes from May 30 to August 18, 2023 to both ministers.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Sen. Dave Umahi, the immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, said that the building and construction industry under his watch would prioritise the use of local content in the delivery of its works.

Umahi said this in Abuja on Monday while addressing Directors, Heads of Departments, and other staff members on his assumption of office as the Minister of Works.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Umahi is among the ministers inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as members of the Federal Cabinet.

Umahi, who came in the company of his wife and children, said local content was the way to go and that concrete was in abundance in the country.

“I will challenge our engineers on the issue of concrete technology even with the challenges of forex and petroleum prices and the abundance of limestone in our country.

“We will activate local content during our tenure in administration. I have indicated to see the contractors, meet with them and that will be after taking briefings from the heads of departments.

“I am not an office person, I am a field person. For some of you in that department, we will be inspecting the Lokoja-Benin, Lokoja-Abuja road,” Umahi said.

The minister added that under his watch, the bureaucratic tendencies of the ministry would change.

“We are going to make changes, which means that the bureaucratic tendency of our system will fall.

“Under my leadership, no file will stay for more than two hours. In two weeks, I will be in the field and I will settle down only when I have seen things.

“We will be touring the six geopolitical zones to see things for ourselves,” the minister said.

He added that he would also place priority on the welfare of staff but urged them to work with him to achieve the renewed hope that the Tinubu’s administration stood for.

Earlier in his welcome address to the minister, Director, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr Folorunsho Esan, representing the Permanent Secretary, Mr Mahmuda Mamman, congratulated Umahi and noted that they were professional colleagues.

Esan pledged the ministry’s total support to him in ensuring that he achieved his aim of building the nation’s infrastructure, and wished him a successful tenure.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Umahi was elected as the Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District in the 10th Senate.

Umahi was thereafter nominated by Tinubu for ministerial appointment.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari has reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring food security in Nigeria.

Kyari stated this when he assumed office with his Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, on Monday in Abuja.

He said that there is a big challenge to food security, adding however, that it is surmountable.

The minister said that he saw hope and commitment in President Bola Tinubu when he declared food emergency in the country, and made huge commitment to revive agriculture and secure the nation’s food.

“It’s a long road to where I am seated here, I think it started 27 years ago.

” I won’t bore you with history, all I can say is I am ready and I am willing to commit 100 per cent to the service of this nation.

” We all know the challenges that we face now. Hunger is one of the big problems that we have in this country.

” And when I say hunger, it also means food and there are challenges in production, and insecurity is one and flooding is another,” he said.

According to him, there are other issues but for me, and I think my colleagues and even state governors, the biggest hope we have is the political will driven by the President in his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

” l also see that hope and commitment in him when he declared the food emergency in the country.

” Out target is not only to secure food and feed the country but also to export food which we have the potentials to and it is just there ready to be tapped,” he said.

In his remarks, the minister of state said that the re-christianing of the ministry is not without a purpose.

” The President has already declared emergency on food security and I am sure when we get down to work, we will understand the import of our mission,” he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, said it was an added plus to have both Kyari and Abdullahi as ministers in the ministry.

” They have come with their wealth of experience to add value to this ministry.

“You will take us higher and higher.

” We are a crop of dedicated staff and we commit 100 per cent to all your policies and policy direction,” Umakhihe said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has said that Nigeria had the opportunity to compete with other countries digitally, not just other sectors.

Tijani, speaking with the Heads of Agencies and other stakeholders under the Ministry on Monday in Abuja, urged them to kick the ground running.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister assumed duty hours after his inauguration by President Bola Tinubu.

The minister, who took over from Prof. Isa Pantami, was among the 45 ministers sworn in by Tinubu.

He pledged to come up with policies and regulations that can protect Nigerians from devices that contradict some emerging technologies and transform the industry.

Tijani said: “This is at the same time that the policy opens up opportunities for more people to actually build us into prosperity.”

According to him, he would build on the gains recorded so far in the ministry through effective collaboration with key stakeholders in the industry.

The minister added: “I think it is always good to also take stock as well. You cannot improve what you do not know.

“It is impossible for us to move forward. If you do not assess what we have accomplished.

“The best way to make it effective is to use technology that connects our citizens to the services they want to use in a dignified way.

“Our goal is not to come up with policies from the public sector, whether it is from this ministry or not, that will put people in pain before they can access government services.”

Tijani also said that the ministry was open to collaboration with other countries, adding that there is no country that can become strong technically in isolation.

He said: “The minister can formulate policies and regulations but if we are not working closely with industry, the things we want to see will never be built to the point where prosperity can come to our nation.

“If we do not collaborate with countries all over the world, we are going to be limited by what is available at the minute in terms of knowledge.

“We are going to be partnering with the best organisations and institutions in the world.”

According to Tijani, part of the challenge is how to connect people to opportunities so that they can progress.

“This ministry is critical to unlocking opportunities for our people regardless of where they are.

“We are the face of the ministry which means we have to update and upgrade our skills.

“This is to ensure that we are connected to modern knowledge, but most importantly, ensure that there is dignity in everything,” he said.

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Galaxy Backbone (GBB), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) are among the agencies under the Ministry.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Army on Monday said it had rescued another Chibok girl, Mary Nkeki, 27, in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno.

Nkeki was abducted alongside over 200 students from the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, by Boko Haram insurgents in 2014.

The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi said this during the hand over of the girl to the Borno Ministry of Women Affairs, on Monday in Maiduguri.

He said that Nkeki with serial number 55 on the list of the abducted Chibok girls was rescued by troops of the 81 Task Force Battalion on Aug. 14 in Dikwa.

“While in captivity, she was forcefully married to one Adam, a Boko Haram terrorist fighter.

“Since her rescue, she has undergone thorough medical examination in our medical facility.

“Equally, she has been adequately resuscitated and would be handed over to Borno State Government for further administration,” he said.

Chibuisi assured the commitment of the military to contain security in north east and restore lasting peace in the region.

Speaking to newsmen on her experience since abduction in 2014, Nkeki said it was full of sufferings.

Nkeki said that she escaped with her husband in the night and picked up by a military patrol team.

According to her, she left behind two other Chibok girls.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Deputy Minister for Marginalised Communities, Royal /Ui/o/oo on Sunday night survived an accident after the official vehicle he was driving allegedly hit a truck trailer on the B8 road outside Grootfontein.

The Namibian Police Force’s Otjozondjupa Commander, Commissioner Heinrich Tjiveze, in an interview with Nampa on Monday said the minister sustained minor injuries and he was in a stable condition.

“The minister and his seven passengers were all admitted to the Grootfontein State Hospital shortly after the accident,” he said.

According to Tjiveze, the accident was reported at 23h00 on Sunday, approximately eight kilometres east of Grootfontein.

Both the truck and /Ui/o/oo’s vehicle were coming from the same direction, driving behind each other towards Grootfontein, the police commander added.

Police investigations in the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A leadership development training course for deputy commissioners from various directorates, regions and divisions of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), is currently underway in Swakopmund.

The five-day workshop, which is being conducted by experts from the Namibian Institute of Public Administration and Management (NIPAM), will cover topics such as understanding the role and importance of leadership in the police force; understanding group dynamics and resolving conflict within team settings.

It also aims to provide an understanding of the principles of crisis management and leading during emergencies as well as the impact of culture on performance and leadership.

At the opening of the workshop NamPol Deputy Inspector General (IG) Major General Anna-Marie Nainda, said by attending the workshop the members of the force are embarking on a path that will not only shape their own destinies but also leave a permanent mark on the future of leadership itself.

Nainda emphasised that leadership is not merely a title or a position but a profound responsibility to inspire, guide and uplift those who depend on the police.

“It requires unwavering dedication, a commitment to growth and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. This training course is not just a collection of lessons, it is a vessel where leaders are forged, tested, and refined to shine as beacons of inspiration in their respective fields,” she expressed.

The deputy IG urged the attendees to unite with the common goal of harnessing the power of effective leadership to drive progress and prosperity within the Namibian Police Force.

Nampol Commander in the Erongo Region, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona expressed that the officers’ presence at the workshop demonstrates the force members’ common commitment and vision towards the development of its human capital through capacity-building intervention.

Workshop facilitator Donald Hlahla said NIPAM is committed to providing excellent service to NamPol and the institution is prepared to arm the members with the necessary skills in discovering what type of leaders they are and how they can use those leadership skills for the benefit of the force.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Two men were on Saturday arrested at Farm Kenilworth in the Otjozondjupa Region, after being found in possession of protected game meat valued at N.dollars 22 000.

According to a crime report issued by the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) on Sunday, the two suspects, aged 34 and 48, were expected to appear in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

In a similar incident, a 46-year-old Namibian man was on Friday arrested after he allegedly hunted protected game valued at N.dollars 6 400 at Farm Asis in the Kombat area of the Otjozondjupa Region.

The report states that the suspect was arrested around 08h30 after he allegedly set traps near the water point and caught a duiker and porcupine, with a combined value of N.dollars 6 400.

The suspect was expected to appear in the Otjiwarongo Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

In a separate incident, a two-year-old boy died on Saturday after falling into a well and drowning at Kalimbeza in the Zambezi Region.

The deceased’s body was transported to the Katima Mulilo State mortuary for autopsy.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A group of disgruntled community members at Arandis have been camping in front of the town council since Sunday evening, in protest of land.

The group, the majority of whom are elderly and pregnant women, proceeded to petition the town council for the fourth time on Monday morning, expressing their disappointment and anger towards the council, which they say has failed to provide land and housing to low-income earners.

“We are tired of renting, and after numerous fruitless efforts through four petitions to the council, we had no choice but to camp out here despite the cold weather, because we want to express our seriousness about the land issue. We are no longer saving our money for a rainy day because we have been paying rent all our lives and we are afraid this will continue unless the issue is dealt with,” the group said.

They further expressed how they do not feel welcome in their own town due to the lack of urgency that their issue is being treated with.

“We are suffering in our own town, in our own country and are disregarded due to our social backgrounds and disrespected despite our age. We do not have privacy in our shacks as we are sharing small spaces with our children and grandchildren,” they stated.

They further requested the town council to write off the debts of senior citizens, saying there is no way they would ever be able to pay the debt off as most of them only depend on pensions, which is not sufficient.

The group further accused the council of nepotism and corruption when it comes to tender allocations and vacant positions, stressing that this continues to contribute to the high employment rate in the town.

It gave the council five days to respond to their queries, saying failure to do so will force them to walk to Windhoek where they will seek the audience of President Hage Geingob personally.

Arandis Town Council Chief Executive Officer Stanley Norris received the petition and acknowledged receipt of the previous petitions.

He informed the group that the council needs time to study the petition properly in order to give satisfactory responses to the group.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency