News
Sanwo-Olu celebrates Deputy, Hamzat at 58, describes him as committed partner
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sent warm greetings to his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as he marks his 58th birthday.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described Dr. Hamzat, who clocks 58 on Monday, September 19, as a worthy ambassador, committed public servant and partner in the ‘Greater Lagos’ agenda.
He said Dr. Hamzat is worth celebrating for his life of consistent commitment to public service in different capacities, especially his contributions to governance in Lagos State, formerly as a commissioner in various ministries and now as deputy governor of the state.
Sanwo-Olu added that Dr. Hamzat is a reliable, trustworthy and committed brother, friend, and partner, saying he is an epitome of dedication and selflessness, who has used his elevated positions in government to uplift the standards of life of the people he is serving.
He said the deputy governor to date remains one of the few Lagosians and Nigerian leaders, who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of Lagos with a high degree of honesty, dedication and professionalism.
Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed that the Almighty God will keep and prosper Dr. Hamzat and his family, and give him good health and wisdom to render more service to humanity, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
“On behalf of my family, Lagos State Government, and the good people of Lagos State, I wish my trustworthy, hardworking, dependable, supportive and committed brother, friend and partner in the ‘Greater Lagos’ agenda, Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos State, happy 58th birthday.
“Dr. Hamzat, a seasoned technocrat, administrator, politician and committed democrat, remains one of the most committed public servants and politicians in Lagos State in the present Fourth Republic and he has contributed immensely to the governance and political development of our dear Lagos State,” he said.
News
ECOWAS allocates $25m in 2024 to fight terrorism in Nigeria, others
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it allocated 25 million dollars in 2024 to fight terrorism in Nigeria, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Prof. Fatou Sarr, ECOWAS Commissioner, Human Development and Social Affairs, disclosed this during a news conference at the commission’s headquarters, on Friday in Abuja.
Sarr said that four million dollars of the amount was dedicated to humanitarian action to curb the devastating consequences of terrorism, and mitigate the fallout of natural disasters in the sub-region.
She noted that humanitarian actions were critical because of the multiple crises and displacements within the community, adding that such actions never stop even where the target country is under sanctions.
“In 2024, ECOWAS has released 9 million dollars for internally displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers, as well as for the communities that welcome them (i.e all 15 countries).
“ECOWAS has allocated one million dollars for stabilization in Nigeria, that is, victims of terrorism, displaced people, injured people, rehabilitation and strengthening community resilience.
“Out of a fund of 25 million dollars intended for the fight against terrorism in Nigeria, Burkina, Mali and Niger, ECOWAS has reserved 4 million dollars for humanitarian actions,” she said.
The commissioner said that in 2023 alone, ECOWAS provided support of over 12. 6 million dollars to four million out of the 8.5 million victims of violent conflicts and disasters across West Africa.
She said that the Republic of Guinea, while under sanctions in January, received 600,000 dollars, of which 100,000 was allocated to fire disaster, and 499,390 dollars for floods in the country.
Sarr said the commission also carried out programmes for the development and promotion of young people within the subregion under three key intervention areas, namely, volunteerism, sports and economic integration.
“Since 2014, ECOWAS has posted 217 volunteers to the following countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Burkina, Bénin.
“ECOWAS works to promote the spirit of volunteerism among young people to give them opportunity for professional development, enhance their civic engagement and foster conscience for community service,” she said.
Sarr identified sports as a crucial integration factor used by the ECOWAS to encourage the youths from all member countries and create in them a feeling oneness and belonging.
“ECOWAS also supports sports federations with 100,000 dollars each per year.
“In 2023, ECOWAS initiated cooperation with the Peoples Republic of China to support young people. Thus, 12 entrepreneurship projects for young people in the subregion received an award out of a total of 100 worldwide.
“For the ECOWAS Gender Centre, 1,720 excellence scholarships were distributed from 2010 to 2022 to young girls from disadvantaged families,” the commissioner said.
Sarr announced that an ECOWAS youth conference would hold from May 2024 to appraise the current situation, identify the changes and ruptures, which have led to some malaise in the subregion.
News
2024 UTME: Mixed experiences in Lagos CBT centres
The first day of the examination in Lagos report that technical hitches occurred at the Wisdom House, Yaya Abatan, Ogba, one of the Computer-Based Test centres, early in the day.
Some candidates claimed that the hitches led to some of them being logged out before the expected time.
One of the affected candidates, who gave her name as Precious, said she was scheduled for the first session.
She said that she got to the centre at 6:30 am, did her biometrics and went in for the examination.
According to her, a few minutes after commencement of the examination, there was power outage that led to the shut down of all the systems in the hall.
She said that it took about 45 minutes for the centre operators to rectify the challenge and even when they did, many of them could no longer log in.
“A lot of time was again spent by the centre owners battling to get the challenge resolved and eventually when they did, most of us could barely do only two subjects, while others could not attempt any before we were finally logged out, signaling the end of examination for the first session,” she said.
Confirming the issue, supervisor of the centre, Mrs Aisha Abdulbaqi, said no fewer than 50 candidates were affected by the development.
She cited land cable of the centre and the systems as the main issues.
“We are thinking of what to do about these candidates who are affected. I guess the only way out will be rescheduling them,” she said.
The centre administrator, who did not want his name in print, said the entire development came up abruptly.
He said that before now, the systems and all other backups had been in top shape.
“It was just a technical glitch, and when it occurred, we immediately rallied round to fix it and everything started working again”, he said.
NAN reports that the second session for the day that was supposed to begin by 9.00 a.m was postponed to 4.00p.m. in the same centre, because of another technical hitch.
“The examination for the second set has now been also postponed, because the technical officers from JAMB have been battling to push the examination to no avail.
“This is no longer a fault from the centre, rather a hitch from the side of owners of the examination.
“The candidates for the second and final session will have to wait and get another biometric verification done before the time,” the centre administrator told NAN.
At the Al-Miyzan CBT centre, Ikotun-Idimu, the same issue was also recorded, as candidates scheduled for the 7.00 a.m. examination were affected by technical hitches on the system.
The centre administrator told NAN that a complaint had been lodged at JAMB, to see how the issue could be resolved.
They noted that candidates affected would be sent emails of when they they might likely be rescheduled for the examination.
Mrs Ajike Ajibola, a business woman, whose daughter was posted to the centre, said that they left their home early so they could meet up with the 7.00 a.m examination.
“But my daughter told me she could not do any examination on entering the hall, because the system was not coming up.
“This is the second time of bringing my children to this center, it is always this same issue.
“JAMB officials must be aware of this situation and address it immediately, because my daughter must write her examination,”she said.
“Another parent, Mr Adeniyi Adesonkan, who said his son was affected, described the development as disappointing.
He said that the failure of technology during such critical events in the country was worrisome.
“My son had prepared rigorously for this examination but with this situation, he won’t be happy.
“JAMB officials should always monitor and supervise these centres before accrediting them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the examination began as scheduled in other centres visited, with record of few candidates coming in behind time and some others absent.
News
Ogun govt. begins enrolment of 80,000 beneficiaries for FG’s cash transfer
The Ogun government on Friday began the enrolment of over 80,000 beneficiaries for the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Conditional Cash Transfer (RH-CCT) across its 20 local Ggovernment areas.
The Programme Manager, Ogun State Cash Transfer Unit, Mrs Funmilayo Baker, disclosed this during an assessment and supervision of the exercise at Ipara Community, Remo North Local Government Area of the state.
Baker explained that the enrolment exercise was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to alleviating the current economic reforms in the country.
She expressed optimism that the financial assistance would make a significant impact on the life of beneficiaries and their households.
She disclosed that over 80,000 households would benefit from the exercise in 192 wards, 2,681 communities across the state.
She stressed that each beneficiary would receive a sum of N25,000 per circle for three payment circles.
“The state organising coordinating unit did the enumeration of the poor and vulnerable households; they sent the list into the national social register at the federal level.
“Then from the national social register, names were sent back to the State Cash Transfer Unit for us to capture and verify the names on the national social register.
“After the name was sent, we are now pasting the disclosure list for the beneficiaries to come check their names.
“Anyone that sees his or her name on the disclosure list will be captured and the data is sent back to the national for onward payment into their bank account.
“This is to cushion the effect of the ongoing economic reforms as mandated by the president,” she said.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Morenike Sofade and Mrs Fathia Ogunsola, appreciated the federal and state governments for fulfilling their promises to ease the suffering of the poor in the society.
-
Finance3 months ago
Court orders Sen. Victor Umeh to repay N136m bank debt to AMCON
-
Abuja Update2 months ago
UNDP, FG partnership needed to achieve inclusion, equity- Minister
-
Abuja Update4 weeks ago
Banks drive stock market performance with N147bn gain
-
Infotech3 weeks ago
World Backup Day: NITDA urges Nigerians to ensure backup of data
-
capital market2 years ago
Rt.briscoe, FBNH, Others halts negative performance of stock market
-
Health2 weeks ago
Immunisation: FG, GAVI seek synergy with Sokoto Govt.
-
Infotech1 week ago
Forex for Beginners: Unveiling the currency exchange and how to trade it
-
Submission Guidelines3 months ago
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: POETRY COLUMN-NND