Day: September 1, 2023

The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) is set to collaborate with an Information Communication Technology (ICT) company known as ‘Educatial’ to have a skilled, competent and responsible public service.

The Director-General of BPSR, Dr Ibrahim Arabi, on Friday in Abuja said the collaboration was a development to revolutionise the public service.

According to Arabi, the e-government master plan of the Federal Government has pre-empted Educatial’s initiative.

“The collaboration is solidified in the signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Bureau and Educatial.

“So our engagement, discussion and work with you are based on the tenants of e-government Master Plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“I stand before you with a great sense of optimism and purpose as we normalised our partnership through the signing of this MoU,” he said.

He said that the agency understood that a well-equipped and skilled work force was the backbone of every thriving nation.

“It is imperative to equip them with skills to exceed the ever overloading demands of the world.

“Educatial with it comprehensive solution encompassing hardware, software infrastructure, housing and support, share a vision for a more capable and competent public service.

“This partnership is not just about acquiring technology. It is about equipping our work force with the tools and skills necessary to excel on the global stage,” Arabi stressed.

He explained that the Bureau had clear expectations that `Educatial’ would deliver specialise courses that are tailored to unique means of the public servants.

Arabia stressed that the courses should serve as catalyst for enhancing public servants’ skills, competence and professionalism.

“It is our firm believe that investment in our work force will lead to improved quality of government services, greater efficiency and 0increase effectiveness in our citizens.

“We look onto you not only as an education resource, but as partner of a journey to transform and elevate the standard of public service of the country.

“Let us remember that signing of the MoU is not a mere formality. It is a commitment and an affirmation of our shared vision for a more skilled, competent and responsible public service,” Arabi said.

Speaking earlier, the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Educatial, Mr Fancis Muofunanya, said his company dedicated to revolutionising the education landscape in Nigeria and beyond.

“Our commitment to transformative learning has led us to develop a cutting-edge ‘EdTech SaaS Ecosystem’, tailored to meet the unique challenges of education in Nigeria and Africa.

“We come together with a shared purpose, to harness the power of education and technology to empower government employees and enhance their capabilities.

“We recognize the immense value of a skilled and efficient public workforce in shaping the nation’s trajectory. Our partnership will see the integration of Educatial’s advanced tools into the training programs for government employees.

“This integration will not only equip them with cutting-edge skills but also optimize their performance in service delivery,” Muofunanya said.

He explained that Educatial was committed to tailoring bespoke solutions that cater to the specific training and development needs of various government agencies.

He added that Educatial’s objective aligns seamlessly with the Bureau’s mission to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service through skill development.

“As we unite our expertise and resources, we have the potential to create a more responsive and adept public sector workforce, capable of steering Nigeria toward its rightful place of eminence on the global stage.

“As we embark on this journey of collaboration, innovation, and progress, let us remember that the transformation of our nation’s public service is not just a task but a collective responsibility.

“Together, we have the capacity to mould a public sector that is not only proficient but also visionary, a sector that leads by example and sets new standards of excellence,” Muofunanya said.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Mou was signed by Arabi, Muofunanya and the legal advisers from the Bureau and Educatial.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mrs Nafisat Muideen, the mother of a five-month-old baby killed by Alsatian dog at Hallelujah Estate, Osogbo, Osun on Wednesday, said there was no timely rescue during the attack.

Muideen, 28, narrated her ordeals while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria at her residence on Thursday in Osogbo.

The grieving mother explained that she was attacked at about 1.45p.m on her way to a pharmacy shop to buy drugs for her sick daughter.

She said that on her way to the pharmacy shop, she heard a sound from behind and immediately she turned back, the dog jumped on her and attacked the baby trapped in her back.

According to her, the dog pulled the baby from her back and while she was trying to save the baby, she was overpowered by the dog, “because the dog is huge.”

She said there was nobody around when she was being attacked and that by the time people came out to rescue her, the dog had killed the baby.

“My baby had catarrh earlier and I contracted it from her.

”I went out carrying my baby in the back to get drugs for myself and the baby.

“On my way out, I heard a sound from behind, by the time I turned round to check, a dog jumped from behind and attacked the baby.

“The people that came to my rescue managed to kill the dog, but by the time my baby was pulled out from under the dog, she was already dead,” she explained sobbing.

Muideen said that after the attack, she was taken to a nearby hospital before she was later taken to the police clinic, Oke-Fia, Osogbo, for treatment.

Also, the husband of the victim, Oyegbade Muideen, demanded for the identity of the owner of the dog.

Mr Adekola Timothy, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Osun command, confirmed the incident.

“Yes, the incident happened and the police are currently searching for the owner of the dog,” he said .

NAN learnt that the killer dog escaped from its cage, in an uncompleted building close to the victim’s house.

The owner of the uncompleted building was said to be unknown to residents of the area. (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The 14th Edition of the Technological Innovation Fair of the Telecommunications Institute (FITITEL 2023) starts on Thursday ( 7 Sept) in Luanda, aimed at expanding Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in various social group.

The three-day event will also enable the Telecommunications Institute (ITEL) students to show their skill by coming up with the entrepreneurial potential of the new startups generated from the projects to be exhibited.

The event, which is jointly sponsored by ITEL and the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Social Communication (MINTTICS), is expected to bring together more than 4,000 visitors, 80 exhibitors and 40 projects this year.

Also more than 20 speakers will participate in the Faire along with 10 companies, an equal number of start-up exhibitions.

FITITEL is an annual event organised by the Telecommunications Institute, which for over a decade has provided a platform for showcasing academic achievements.

Originally known as the “ITEL Fair”, the celebration evolved in 2010 into the ITEL Technological Innovation Fair, marking a turning point by being presented in Independence Square

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Oshakati Mayor, Leonard Hango, officially launched the new Oshakati Town Council logo on Friday.

The logo displays an Oshakati Broadcasting Tower and sun rising from the horizon, replacing old logo that carries a palm tree and hoes.

In his remarks, at the event, Hango said the new council logo captures the essence of the town, it’s vibrant energy, it’s unity in diversity and it’s forward looking ambition.

According to him, the colours, shapes and elements of the logo symbolize the various facets that make up the community.

“A community that stands together and embraces progress while cherishing its roots. The rebranding effort is more than just a change in appearance, a statement of commitment to growth and development,” he said.

Hango further noted that the new logo is a pledge to provide better services, improved infrastructure and high quality of life to the residents.

With the new logo, Hango said council embarks on a new chapter, one filled with promise, potential and endless opportunities.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The youth at Oshakati on Friday gathered at the town’s Independence Stadium to commemorate the annual International Youth Day.

The day started with a street parade from the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service (MSYNS) office to the Independence Stadium.

In a speech read on his behalf, Oshana Region Governor Elia Irimari, said as Africa, Namibia embraces the Agenda 2063, Africa’s blueprint to achieving inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

“We want the youth to champion, be in the forefront, and realise this vision so that in unison they can create a better future for the people.

Therefore, the government remains committed to empowering the youth, and integrating the youth within mainstream economy,” he said.

He further said a sustainable future is possible, and it is crucial to mobilise the young generation to forge a revitalised global partnership towards a common goal.

Speaking at the same occasion MSYNS Executive Director Erastus Haitengela said the International Youth Day offers a platform to honour the qualities of youth and the potential they hold towards developing Namibia and the world while acknowledging the challenges they face.

“Many young people contribute towards community development, protecting the environment and volunteering in various social projects,” he said.

He added that the MSYNS is playing its part by ensuring that the youth are included in socio-economic development by implementing the National Youth Policy.

The International Youth Day is held annually on 12 August, but the commemoration in Namibia was postponed, due to the busy schedule of the MSYNS.

This year’s commemoration was held under the theme ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World’.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

President Hage Geingob has extended a message of condolences to the wife, children and the entire family of former ambassador to Nordic countries, Hadino Hishongwa, who died on Friday at the age of 80.

Geingob, in a statement availed by the Presidency, here described the late Hishongwa as a leader who walked the difficult path of a freedom fighter and worked hard for the betterment of the Namibian people after independence.

“Through his exemplary deeds throughout his life, Ambassador Hishongwa personified selfless sacrifice towards the cause of Namibia’s independence. His life was filled with hard work in the pursuit of freedom, including on the diplomatic front where he fought tirelessly for Namibians to emerge victorious in their pursuit of their inalienable right to self-determination and self-rule”, he said.

Geingob further said Hishongwa made stellar contributions to the architecture of the liberation movement, SWAPO, the SWAPO Party Youth League, the work of the Constituent Assembly in 1989 and subsequently that of an independent Namibia, through the various roles he has served in the executive and diplomatic missions.

During this difficult time of bereavement, Namibia mourns a true son of the soil, a hero of the Namibian liberation struggle and one whose commitment to the development of the Namibian people shall not be forgotten by current and future generations, President Geingob added.

“On behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Namibia, I convey my heartfelt condolences to his wife Esther Litauleni Hishongwa, children and grandchildren.

Ambassador Hishongwa served as the Swapo Chief Representative to Nordic countries, West and East Africa, Swapo Organizer for Returning Exiles, for Youth and Elections and Foreign Secretary of the National Union of Namibian Workers.

He also served in the executive as Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport, Deputy Minister of Labour and Human Resources Development and has been a member of the National Assembly for 15 years. Following his retirement from public office, Ambassador Hishongwa went on to serve the community as Senior Headman of Omhedi District in the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority until his death.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency