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Don't force civil servants to take covid-19 vaccine, NLC tells FG -NigPilot

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has asked the federal government to persuade workers to take the COVID-19 vaccine, rather than force them. President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comr.Ayuba Wabba, disclosed this during a COVID-19 vaccination advisory for federal civil servants, Monday in Abuja. It could be recalled that on the 13th of October, 2021, the federal government announced that starting from the 1st of December, 2021, civil servants who do not show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 result will be barred from government offices. Speaking on the development, Wabba said he understands that some people prefer to maintain caution with vaccination, but said it would be “foolhardy” to place caution above scientific evidence. The NLC president encouraged civil servants to take the COVID-19 vaccine, noting that it has given the world a better chance of fighting the pandemic. “I understand some people prefer to view COVID-19 vaccination with caution. Yes, it is important to proceed on issues of public health with great caution. “Yet, it would be foolhardy to elevate caution above scientific evidence and facts from public health records. According to Wabba, "the truth is that despite being imperfect, the COVID-19 vaccine has given all of us a better chance of fighting the virus and staying alive. “I urge workers all over the world to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccines and keep themselves, their families and their colleagues at work safe and free from the morbid threats of the corona pandemic. “We urge the government and other employers of labour to make special arrangements for workers to access the vaccine at the workplace. “We urge that the tool of persuasion and conviction be used rather than force to get workers and the general populace to take the vaccine," he said. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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Don't force civil servants to take covid-19 vaccine, NLC tells FG -NigPilot

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has asked the federal government to persuade workers to take the COVID-19 vaccine, rather than force them. President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comr.Ayuba Wabba, disclosed this during a COVID-19 vaccination advisory for federal civil servants, Monday in Abuja. It could be recalled that on the 13th of October, 2021, the federal government announced that starting from the 1st of December, 2021, civil servants who do not show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 result will be barred from government offices. Speaking on the development, Wabba said he understands that some people prefer to maintain caution with vaccination, but said it would be “foolhardy” to place caution above scientific evidence. The NLC president encouraged civil servants to take the COVID-19 vaccine, noting that it has given the world a better chance of fighting the pandemic. “I understand some people prefer to view COVID-19 vaccination with caution. Yes, it is important to proceed on issues of public health with great caution. “Yet, it would be foolhardy to elevate caution above scientific evidence and facts from public health records. According to Wabba, "the truth is that despite being imperfect, the COVID-19 vaccine has given all of us a better chance of fighting the virus and staying alive. “I urge workers all over the world to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccines and keep themselves, their families and their colleagues at work safe and free from the morbid threats of the corona pandemic. “We urge the government and other employers of labour to make special arrangements for workers to access the vaccine at the workplace. “We urge that the tool of persuasion and conviction be used rather than force to get workers and the general populace to take the vaccine," he said. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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Envoy seeks stronger Nigeria- Luxembourg bilateral relations -NigPilot

Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium, Obinna Chiedu Onowu, has stressed the need to deepen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Luxembourg especially in the areas of trade, education, and health, among others. Ambassador Onowu, açcording to a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja, spoke after presenting his Letters of Credence to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Duke Henri. This was coming four months after he had presented similar letters to the Belgian King, His Royal Majesty Philippe. 1. In his remarks after the brief ceremony, the Grand Duke assured the envoy of his country’s support during his tour of duty. Just last month, Ambassador Onowu hosted members of Belgium Luxemburg Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, BLNCC at an event tagged “Ambassador meet and Greet” where he said Nigeria should be the destination of every investor as the largest economy in Africa. At the event, the envoy also revealed that the present administration had worked tirelessly to diversify the economy beyond oil by creating opportunities for investment in the non-oil sector especially in the areas of agriculture, ICT, health, manufacturing, construction, and other sectors with positive results. It would be recalled in July, Ambassador Onowu presented his Letter of Credence to Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. He also presented his Letter of Credence to the President of the European Council, Charles Michel early September. European Commission has involved itself in supporting the government of Nigeria to reduce poverty, through improving governance, expanding social equity, and maintaining economic growth over the years while the European Council defines the EU’s overall political direction and priorities. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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2021 Girl Child Day: Group advocates increased access to digital literacy for girls -NigPilot

The need to open more access to digital literacy for girls so that they can compete favorably with their male counterparts has been emphasized.

Empower Her 4 Africa, a gender-based not-for-profit organization, brought this to the fore Monday on the occasion of the 2021 International Day of the Girl Child. Speaking with journalists at the event, founder and Executive Director of Empower Her 4 Africa, Mrs. Charlene Makai Yusuf, asserted that there's no limit to the possibility of what girls can do with technology if given equal access like their male counterparts. Mrs. Yusuf said, "It is important to bridge the digital gender gap so that our girls can live their full potentials and be part of the unfolding new world order of digital compliance.

Also speaking, Consultant on girl child rights to Empower Her 4 Africa, Mrs. Abosede Oladayo, decried the poor rate of enrollment of girls in tech-related courses such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, STEM. As part of activities lined up to commemorate the day, the NGO staged a road walk procession in the city of Abuja to sensitize Nigerians and create awareness on the need to bridge the gender digital divide between boys and girls as well as the importance of digital literacy and skills in tech-related courses for the girl child. The group also organized a digital Training session for girls at Govt Junior secondary school Damagasa in Lokogoma Abuja. Empower Her 4 Africa in its usual practice, equally enrolled and paid school fees for ten adopted indigent girls at the school. Recall that October 11 of every year is designated as the International Day of the Girl Child by the United Nations, UN, to bring to fore issues and challenges faced by the girl child, that hinders her well-being and a better quality of life and how to proffer solutions to them. This year's theme: "Digital Generation. Our Generation." emphasizes the imperativeness of digital literacy and inclusivity for the Girl Child. According to experts, the Covid-19 pandemic has migrated the world from physical engagement to a virtual platform. The pandemic has also transformed the world into a digital village as school learnings,  business earnings, and social connecting are now being done via digital platforms. This has also transformed the future of work as existing jobs are being modified, and new ones are emerging at the frontiers of our economies, which require knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). But over 2.2 billion people below the age of 25 (mostly girls) still do not have access to the internet at home, meaning girls are most likely to be cut off. Also, the gender gap for global internet users grew from 11 percent in 2013 to 17 percent in 2019 while in the world’s least developed countries, it hovers around 43 percent. The implication of this is that girls are also less likely than boys to use and own devices, and gain access to tech-related skills and jobs. Experts believe addressing the inequity and exclusion that spans geographies and generations is vital as we seek to usher in a digital revolution for all, and with all. Empower Her 4 Africa, therefore, called on government and relevant authorities to increase access to digital education and devices for girls, while also demanding that all schools be equipped with functional state-of-the-art digital laboratories to boost access to digital literacy for girls.   FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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Nat. Chairmanship: I'm qualified to lead APC to rule Nigeria for 50 yrs - Sheriff -NigPilot

Former governor of  Borno State, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, has stated that if elected the national chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, he would guide the party to rule Nigeria for the next 50 years. The former governor, who declared his intention to run for the ruling party's top job while speaking with the APC press corps in Abuja over the weekend, said he had begun to consult and reach out to all leaders of his party including the youths, women, and different support groups to intimate them of his plan for the party. Sheriff submitted that APC needed a strong-willed politician with an experience like him to navigate the ship of the party to its desired destination. "You need a rugged captain, you don't need a captain that will capsize. A ship has to be navigated by a knowledgeable person who knows the water and I believe I can do that for our party if given the opportunity by party men and women who are the decision-makers," he said. On the rumored rift between him, his successor, Kashim Shettima and present Borno State governor, Zulum, Sheriff said he had no issues to grind with them and that he is in talks with them about his ambition. "I have no problem with any one of them. Maybe, it is just a perception. Everybody in Borno, including Shettima that you are talking about, I discussed with all of them about my ambition. I talk to them one on one. The Governor is the leader of the state, I have gone and discussed with His Excellency, Zulum about my ambition and aspiration. So, you don't go out without talking to your Homebase. In that respect, I have been talking to all of them. I'm carrying all of them along in my aspirations. Saying that we are not in talking terms is just perception, it's not correct. I have no problem with any of them," he averred. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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No to open grazing -NigPilot

AS hard as the President, Major General Muhammad Buhari (retd.), may press for open grazing in Nigeria, it will not just work. There is no law backing such a misadventure and no power will make open grazing allowed in Nigeria, especially in the southern part of the country. Open grazing is inimical to the development of the country; it is old-fashioned, unacceptable, and destroys people’s farmlands. Besides, it is unhealthy for the animals and the herders as well as promote acrimony, violent clashes, bloodshed, and deaths in our communities. It is said that some of our leaders in this 21st century are not thinking ahead for the best practice in managing our economy, unity, and progress of the peoples of Nigeria but are rather putting their selfish interest, ethnic and religious interests far and above the collective interest of all. Countries all over the world have left open grazing of animals to ranching because of the enormous advantage. We must as a people appreciate and embrace development, mainstream it with our values and customs. Nigeria is a country blessed with different ethnic groups, cultures, traditions, and religions that cannot be ignored for one moment. The leaders must realize that there are certain laws that can work in the core North but not in the South and Middle Belt. Open grazing will not be welcomed in the South and parts of the North if encouraged by the Presidency. Instead, it will only lead to ‘sorrows, tears, and blood.’ The experiences over the years have shown that open grazing triggered open conflicts between host communities and nomadic herders. A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae’s farmland was destroyed, the workers attacked and the old man abducted, threatened, and released after payment of ransom. Several farmers have abandoned farming for fear of attack from herders and bandits. This has led to the loss of employment and hunger in the land. The way out of this is to completely discourage open grazing and encourage ranching. The greater part of what led to the establishment of Amotekun, a South-West security outfit, and in other regions is the menace of the herders. We must consider every section of the country in all policies. This idea that there is a grazing route is a ruse. It is purely telling other regions and groups in Nigeria that they don’t matter. It is a provocation, nepotism at its height, and one wonders why the number one man in Nigeria is doing this. No group in Nigeria can be easily cowed. The country will be better organized to follow the route of development in our daily lives. The world is embracing modern technology in the way things are done, and Nigeria cannot be left behind. People cannot be roaming the streets, highways, and farmlands with their animals when there is a modern method that is universally acceptable. A majority of our people are against open grazing or any grazing routes. The demerits far outweigh the merits. It had in the past led to, and still leading to avoidable crashes and deaths, animal rustling. These are enough reasons to think of a better way out. There is nothing religious or sacrosanct about open grazing, it was just a way adopted in the dark ages. Now, there is a modern way of doing things that we must key into for peace and advancement. Insisting on open grazing is retrogressive and contradicts commonsense. The presidency should rather encourage the enactment of ranching laws to promote unity and a secured Nigeria. Already, we are witnessing food scarcity, an increase in prices of food items, and hunger due to farmers abandoning farming because of the incessant attacks by the herders. A human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, had accused the regime of President Buhari to have released some billions of naira to the people of Katsina State for ranching of their animals. This is to show that Mr. President realizes the importance and healthy conditions for ranching. Therefore, the same financial assistance should be advanced to other states of the country. By this singular action, Mr. President is further creating division in the country. The southern governors, a few months ago in Asaba, Delta State, agreed on a ban of open grazing, promising that it is irreversible and that it will be defended with vigor to the support of most of their people. The ban of open grazing by the governors, if properly managed by the central government, will end farmers' and herders' clashes. It will reduce kidnapping and sack bandits from the forests. Nigeria must migrate from open grazing to modern grazing where the herders acquire legitimate lands within the communities, keep their animals there, feed, and take proper care of the animals. This will help check insecurity. Commendably, the Northern Elders Forum and Miyetti Breeders Association have aligned to the idea of ranching. But the governors must also come up with laws and guidelines that will actively support ranching in their various states to show oneness of the country. Uzodinma Nwaogbe wrote in via uzodinne50@yahoo.com FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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Our demands! -NigPilot

... Yoruba Nation agitators protest at UN Headquarters, list six demands from FG ... Demand abolition of 1999 Constitution, suspension of 2023 general elections ... Want Miyyeti Allah declared as a terrorist organization among others ... Threaten “biggest march” on Sept 24 as Buhari addresses UN General Assembly AS President Muhammadu Buhari arrives in New York, the Headquarters of the United Nations preparatory to address the 76th UN General Assembly, the Yoruba Nation agitators and other self-determination groups have listed six demands from the federal government. Their demands came ahead of their plans to protest at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on President Buhari’s arrival. In a statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, the agitators threatened that the “biggest march” will hold on September 24, the day President Buhari is expected to address the United Nations, General Assembly. It would be recalled that the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina announced yesterday that Buhari had departed Nigeria for the United Nations General Assembly. In the statement, Adeleye listed the demands as the abolition of the 1999 Constitution and the suspension of further elections particularly the 2023 elections, conduct a referendum, end to Fulani genocide, end to Oligarchy, and declaration of Miyyeti Allah as a terrorist organization, among others. The statement quoted Chairman of NINAS, Professor Banji Akinloye as saying “Rather than listen to the yearnings and aspirations of our people, the Buhari-led federal government has consistently waged war against people who attempt to checkmate the menace of Miyyeti Allah in the name of grazing cows. “Our appeal to the Government, therefore, is to address the issues raised in the December 16, 2020, Constitution Force Majure declared by NINAS. This appeal is necessary so that Indigenous Nationalities in NINAS Territories can peacefully negotiate for what they want without further delay. “Our demand remains, the conduct of a referendum so that the Indigenous people of the South and Middle-Belt of Nigeria can lawfully and legally decide on their nationhood and sovereignty. We demand the immediate abolition of the imposed 1999 Constitution. “We demand an end to the genocide being perpetrated by Miyyetii Allah against our people. Miyyetii Allah is a Terrorist group and it should be declared such by the United Nations. The invasion of our land in the name of grazing is enough. What is happening in our Territories today is State-sponsored Terrorism and Land grab, not cow grazing. “We shall resume the March on 24th September, Opposite the United Nations Headquarters to tell President Muhammad Buhari to his face that his Miyyetii Allah people are the enemy number one of the people of South and middle belt of Nigeria, and they are the authentic Terrorists”, he added. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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Troops intercepts a drug syndicate in Kaduna -NigPilot

The troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) have intercepted a drug syndicate and recovered 248 blocks of substance suspected to be cannabis, estimated to be about 7.5 million naira. Military Information Officer, Major Ishaku Takwa in a statement explained that the substance was concealed in a Toyota Camry car with registration number Lagos, KJA 150 EG. "The suspects Ex-Corporal Essien Friday, 60-year-old retired Army personnel and 50-year-old Ibrahim Ali were arrested by the troops during stop and search operation along road Manchok – Jos in Kaura LGA of Kaduna state. "The suspects claimed that they were contracted to convey the illicit substance to Yola, Adamawa State from Ondo State. Other items recovered from the suspects include 18 wraps of Indian hemp ready for smoking, 2 smartphones, 3 travelling bags, one lighter and 2 wallets containing Five Hundred and Seventy Naira (N570) only," the statement further disclosed. Major Takwa also revealed that the suspects and items recovered have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Plateau State Command for further investigation. The Commander OPSH, Major General Ibrahim Ali has commended the troops for their vigilance doggedness towards preventing criminals from carrying out their heinous acts. Gen. Ali reiterated the determination of his command to flush out criminal elements on the Plateau and environs. He said OPSH will continue to collaborate with law abiding citizens to ensure crime free society and enjoin members of the public to continue to support security agencies with credible information on criminal activities. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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FG disburses N56 bn to 1 m MSME beneficiaries -NigPilot

Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam  Katagum has disclosed that says it has disbursed the sum of N56,842,780,000.00 to 1,079,323 beneficiaries across the 36 States across the federation. Katagum stated while flagging off the Guaranteed Off-Take Scheme, the last component of the MSME Survival Fund Scheme yesterday in Abuja. The ministers said over 85 percent of the targets have so far been reached, with the intention to complete the remaining percentage. According to him, “Under the Payroll Support Scheme, our initial target was to reach 500,000 beneficiaries. Our current standing is put at 459,334 successful beneficiaries across the 36 States and the FCT. Out of this number, we have recorded 43% female-owned businesses and 3% special needs. She “The Artisan and Transport Scheme had an initial target of 333,000 Artisan and Transport beneficiaries. We currently stand at 293,336 successful beneficiaries across the 36 States and the FCT. “The CAC Formalization Support Scheme set out to register 250,000 new businesses and I can report that to date, 244,162 small and growing enterprises have been successfully registered free of charge, across the 36 States and the FCT. “Also, the General MSME Grants Scheme had its initial target set at 100,000 MSMEs and we have successfully completed the provision of grants to a total of 82,491 till date, “she said. She said the success of the foremost schemes has necessitated the launch of the Guaranteed Off-Take Scheme in the Federal Government’s renewed efforts to kick-start the economy and drive the needed growth. The Minister said while the scheme targeted 100,000 beneficiaries, 50,032 MSMEs have been pre-qualified out of the 65,976 applications received during the registration phase of the scheme. She said the aim of the scheme is to increase the production capacity of the MSMEs while also boosting economic growth. “It is important to note that the purpose of GOS is to stimulate direct local production by enabling 100,000 MSMEs in the production sector with funds to produce ‘post-COVID lockdown’ off-take products. These products include: Face Masks; Hand sanitizers; Liquid Soap; Disinfectants and Processed Foods such as garri, palm oil, groundnut oil, and spices. We have successfully carried out a mapping of products produced in sufficient quantities in each state of the Federation and the FCT. “At the end of the off-take process, items procured will be handed over to the State Governments for onward distribution to Schools, Hospitals, NGO’s, as well as other public and private institutions each State Government may wish to consider as beneficiaries. She noted that the balance of funds from GOS will be re-purposed and applied to other tracks where there are high numbers of applicants on the waiting list. In his remarks, the MSME Survival Fund Project Coordinator, Tola Johnson said successful applicants will be required to complete the pre-production and pre-supply phase of the project, after which a mobilization fee will be paid to them. “The total value of each Grant is N100,000. Applicants who successfully return to the portal to complete their documentation will receive N30,000 fee to commence production of their selected item. Applicants’ have 14days to complete production and deliver to their selected Warehouse/Collection Point. “Applicants who successfully complete their documentation process will receive N30,000 as mobilization fee to produce and deliver items to their selected Warehouse/Collection Point. Upon successful delivery of items, the applicant will receive the balance of N70,000,” He said. It would be recalled that MSME Survival Fund Scheme which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on July 1, 2020, falls under the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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Super Tucano will help Nigeria tackle violent extremist - U.S. Africa Command -NigPilot

The United States Africa Command yesterday said that the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft inducted into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) inventory on Tuesday will assist Nigeria in their fight against violent extremist organizations, including the Islamic State West Africa Province. This even as it disclosed that the $500 million military hardware is the largest FMS program in sub-Saharan Africa. United States Africa Command in a statement on Tuesday evening further disclosed that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing $36.1M in infrastructure support to the A-29s’ home base, Kainji Air Base, including covered magazines and aircraft sunshades, a new airfield hot cargo pad, perimeter and security fencing, airfield lights, and various airfield apron, parking, hangar, and entry control point enhancements. The Command added that the Nigerian Air Force is one of its key partners that play a critical role in furthering regional security and stability. U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa commander, Gen. Jeff Harrigian, said that the “ceremony symbolizes the strength of our unique partnership and underscores the value of training and working together”. The Super Tucanos he noted was the impetus for the significant deepening of training and professional relationships, adding that “Precision targeting, air-to-ground integration, and human rights training are all included in the partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria”. The statement added that the joint structure of air-to-ground integration also supports Nigerian Army and Navy operations. “Nigeria purchased the A-29s through the Foreign Military Sales program, which follows the Department of Defense’s ‘Total Package Approach’ model and includes spare parts for several years of operation, contract logistics support, munitions, and a multi-year construction project to improve Kainji Air Base infrastructure. “The total sale is valued at almost $500 million, making it the largest FMS program in sub-Saharan Africa.  Harrigian and U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, spoke to the media about how this platform will help improve Nigerian Air Force capabilities, as well as increase training and integration opportunities between Nigerian and U.S. troops. The A-29 can perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision air-to-ground strikes, strengthening Nigeria’s ability to fight terrorism. According to the statement, “The A-29 is a prime tool to help Nigeria combat violent extremism and is vital to sustained deterrence. The total package deal—aircrew and maintainer training, precision-guided weapon delivery, and more—highlights our enduring partnership with the Nigerian Air Force and our commitment to enabling their successes where we can.  A total of 64 pilots and maintainers from the Nigerian Air Force trained to U.S. standards with the U.S. Air Force’s 81st Fighter Squadron at Moody Air Base in Georgia, USA. Training also emphasized the Law of Armed Conflict and civilian casualty mitigation, which are fundamental principles of the Nigerian military’s professional education and training. “As part of the program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing $36.1M in infrastructure support to the A-29s’ home base, Kainji Air Base, including a covered magazines and aircraft sunshades, a new airfield hot cargo pad, perimeter and security fencing, airfield lights, and various airfield apron, parking, hangar, and entry control point enhancements.  The infrastructure package also includes a flight annex wing building for simulator training as well as munitions assembly and storage and small arms storage. USACE has also stationed a project engineer at Kainji to provide ongoing maintenance and assistance. USACE previously detailed its support to Nigeria here. “The Super Tucano induction ceremony is the latest of multiple significant engagements between U.S. Africa Command, its components, and Nigerian counterparts. Other recent engagements include a visit by the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in August 2021 and U.S. Army Special Forces training with the Nigeria Navy Special Boat Service in July 2021”. The statement recalled that the U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command, visited Nigeria in February 2021, where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of Defense Magashi, and Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Leo Irabor.    FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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Benue Killings: PDP charges DSS to investigate Akume -NigPilot

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked the Department of State Services, DSS, to invite the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, former Governor of Benue state, Senator George Akume, for questioning over the escalated acts of terrorism and mass killings in Benue state. In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP also asked Akume to come clean on his alleged roles in the violence ravaging the state. In the same vein, the party is asking the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to immediately commence investigation into the alleged siphoning of billions of naira under Akume’s watch as governor, especially, given public apprehensions on the source of funds being used by terrorist elements to prosecute their assault on Benue state. The PDP explained that its position is predicated on heightened public anxiety over his recent attempt at rationalizing the killings and acts of violence in Benue, in his unwarranted attack on the governor of Benue state, Dr. Samuel Ortom. “This attack on Governor Ortom is an unpardonable assault on the generality of Benue people, particularly, the victims of the bloody attacks in the state.” The PDP described Senator Akume’s call for a state of emergency in Benue as thoughtless, reckless and absolutely reprehensible. The party noted that the call exposes Akume’s desperation to destabilize the state having become frustrated that despite the travails they face, the people of Benue had remained united and refused to break their ranks under Governor Ortom. “Indeed, such sinister calls can only come from an individual who is desperate to perpetuate and draw political capital from the bloodletting in the state, as a means to further subjugate and erode the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the Benue people.” The PDP called on Nigerians to note that despite the killings, bloodletting and wanton destruction of property, in which eminent citizens of the state have lost their lives, Senator Akume, a former governor of the state, elected Senator and now a minister of the Federal Republic, has never condemned the killings or sought any form of redress or succour for the people. “Instead, he is seeking ways to further subjugate the people and foist a siege mentality on them with his call for a state of emergency, at the time other leaders in the state and across Nigerians are seeking for solutions. “By his action, Senator Akume has spat on the graves of the victims of the killings as well as dealt a huge slap on the sensibilities of the Benue people and history will always remember him on this score. “Our party, standing with the people of Benue State, demands that Senator Akume should be made to come clean as his schemes have been further validated by his unwarranted vicious attack on Governor Ortom. “If Akume meant well for Benue state, he would have been on the side of Governor Ortom and the people of the state in asking President Muhammadu Buhari to address the pall of insecurity and put an end to the killings and acts of violence instead of seeking to further trample on the rights of the people. The PDP, however, charged Governor Ortom not to be deterred but remain focused in standing for his people at this critical time.   FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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Buhari, reappoints Rector, MAN Oron for another tenure -NigPilot

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja has approved the reappointment of Commodore Emmanuel Duja Effedua rtd, as the Rector of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, Oron, Akwa Ibom State for another term of final four years. In a statement signed by Mr. Eric Ojiekwe, Director press and public relations, ministry of transportation. Effedua, who was first appointed on November 17, 2017, as Rector of the academy will continue in office effective September 2, 2021. Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani rtd, has also been appointed as the new Board Chairman of the institution. He is to replace the former Board Chairman, Demola Seriki, who has been appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain. The new Board Chairman will also assume duty officially on September 2, 2021.   FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here!   Read the full article

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Experts put Nigeria's infrastructure gap at $3trn -NigPilot

Research experts have estimated Nigeria's infrastructure gap at $3 trillion, about six times the size of its annual Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Speaking during a virtual meeting on the institutionalization of R&D in Infrastructure Development thematic group of the TETFund Research and Development Standing Committee, RDSC, they stressed the importance of infrastructural development to economic growth. A lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof Muhammed Usman, in a presentation, said between 2009 and 2013, Nigeria invested a paltry $664 per capita per anum in infrastructure, representing 3 percent of its GDP, compared with an average investment of $3.060, or 5 percent of GDP in developed countries. Usman noted that this has widened the country's infrastructure gap and has been a major impediment to economic growth. He noted that this "poses a major funding challenge in the face of the current fiscal imbalances. Besides, the country is currently grappling with the hydra-headed problems of inflation (17.33%), unemployment (33.3%), and rising debt." "Infrastructural development plays a pivotal role in enhancing economic growth, improving living standards, reducing poverty, and contributing to environmental sustainability." He said with the rapid growth of the country's population, the demand for infrastructure is outpacing its supply, adding that the country's weak infrastructures were exposed in the wake of the global pandemic in 2020. Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG, Mr. Laoye Jaiyeola, who chaired the meeting, noted that infrastructure is a major hindrance to the country's competitive development. Jaiyeola said one of the challenges facing the private sector was infrastructure, adding that the country needs funds annually to finance infrastructure if it must get out of the rocks. "I have been involved in a lot of surveys that look at the competitiveness of nations, and each time we look at our ranking around where we are in the world competitiveness index of doing business, one thing that stands out is the poor level of our infrastructure and the extent to which it has hindered us from significant development locally. "So this thematic group comes in at a time when all of us are looking at how can we ensure that we do significant backward integration; how can we ensure that we make the environment very competitive enough that not only do we meet the needs of our people locally, but good enough for the outside market that we can export. "Nigeria has been a nation where we are still at a very primary level of industrialization; by this I mean we have an abundant resource of crude oil but we spend a significant amount of money importing fuel. "And so we can't use this crude oil to get all the assorted benefits we have yet we export our raw materials in terms of cocoa and yet bring back coffee and chocolate to the country. Or export our hides and skin, and yet bring back leather to the country," he said. Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of TETFund Prof Suleiman Bogoro, said the fund was reviewing a report of the draft executive bill on the establishment of the National Research and Development Foundation, NRDF, earlier received from the RDSC. Bogoro said he is in contact with the leadership of RDSC and other relevant stakeholders for the purpose of offering informed advice on the final document that will leave his desk, and proceed to the ministry of education, for it to be considered as a document worthy of being taken to the federal executive council. "I am excited, particularly listening to the cross-cutting issues. If there is an area that has cross-cutting imperatives, across the other sectors, is infrastructure. "I wonder if there is any aspect of the routine life around the economy, technology and in all human activities or livelihood in its entirety that does not require infrastructure. That underlines the importance of this subcommittee," he said. The TETFund boss commended the committee for traveling around the country to come up with "the information that reminds us of the gaps to, indeed, tell us what we need to do to close the gap between Nigeria and the more advanced nations." Speaking on TETFund's interventions, he said "We have raised our interest to the level of knowing the microscopic application of our funds that have an impact on the key areas of not just the Tertiary institutions. That we are directly funding but the ancillary partners, including research institutes, the industry, the larger picture of Nigeria in the biggest of context." Bogoro said for too long tertiary Institutions in the country operated as if they can survive alone, adding that the walls have to be collapsed to ensure that the institutions synergize and get assistance from those in the industry. He expressed gratitude to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, for proceeding to identify the institutionalisation of NRDF as part of its negotiations with the Federal Government. Speaking on the quality of TETFund projects, he said exactly five years ago, the Nigeria Society of Engineers picked TETFund as exemplary in terms of the quality of its projects. He disclosed that the Board of Trustees has decided that 90 percent of TETFund scholars will be in the sciences, adding however that TETFund will not suggest topics for the doctorial thesis of scholars abroad. In his remarks, the Chairman of RDSC, Prof Njidda Gadzama, who stressed the importance of infrastructure, said whatever is done in terms of development cannot be successful without infrastructure. Gadzama said if the country had sustained the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, intervention initiated during the military era, the country would have gone far in terms of its infrastructure.   FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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2023: Osinbajo for presidency's pro APC group storms Katsina government house -NigPilot

… Osinbajo Presidency come 2023 will bring down tension, facilitate unity, stability, accelerate further progress in the economy. AS the 2023 election draws nearer, more groups are emerging from the possible aspirants that would lead Nigeria's presidency, as they are busy marketing their candidate across the country. In the light of the above, a pro-APC group in all-region, with membership across a coalition of Nigerian Civil Societies Organization, NGO, traders, labour and democracy activists, as well as students, artisans along with serving and past Governors, current and former Senators as well as members of the House of Representatives and people from various who are staunch stakeholders in PCG and the Nigeria project, stormed Katsina State Government House Friday for consultation. Recalled, the group started awareness in the area of Good Governance in March 2019, with a collective resolve to promote APC, to ensure that the party again produced the next President come 2023. The group led by its National Coordinator, Ahmed Mohammed while delivering his address said they were in Katsina State to seek collaboration as well as advice from the Governor considering his wealth of experience politically. "Looking at the extent of developmental challenges that the Country is contending with, it is only wise for the party to choose a most qualified and most acceptable candidate to sustain and improve on the positive gains, achievements, and legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari produces Nigeria's. It is in view of this development that we at the PCG feel convinced that an Osinbajo Presidency comes 2023 will bring down tension, facilitate unity and stability as well as accelerate further progress in all sectors of the economy. "Therefore, we are here before you to seek your support, wise counsel and advice towards accelerating the possibilities of collective success. “Looking at his experience, capacity, above all, the need for our party, APC and Nigeria to ensure focused continuity in power, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will make a great leader fly our party and national flags very high eloquence, credibility and from within the system, we can extract elements to further enrich it and the nation at large; Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is very ably qualified to continue the policies and programmes of President Buhari, beyond 2023. “This is our conviction, and we firmly believe that collectively, all parts of the country should join us on this mission of fielding the best among us come 2023 for a greater Nigeria in line with the dreams of our founding fathers and the aspirations of our people. We want your Excellency to also note that while the Caretaker Committee of our party is currently preparing us towards having new National Executives that will produce credible candidates at all levels of election in 2023, we feel it is time to start consulting major stakeholders in the party in order to get it right in good time, and this is why we choose Kastina as a first point of the State visits. “ The group further states that they were exercising their civic responsibility as Nigerians and as APC members, noting that they are not sent by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, neither speaking for him. According to PCG National Coordinator, “No doubt, this has distinguished you as a leader who is conscious of his role in history and one who has passionately striven to ensure that the true dividends of democracy are bequeathed to the good and peace-loving people of Katsina. “ Responding, Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari said APC remains the party to beat come but however played dumped on the group's request. According to him, “I have listened, heard, and I noted. I think there is for all of us as members of APC, is to work towards APC winning the 2023 election. APC, there was never any political party from the time I have known political parties that have done as much as what APC has done despite security challenges from all parts of the country and most importantly, the Boko Haram insurgency of which when this government came in 2015, 27 local governments were family under Boko Haram. You cannot go to church or mosque in peace and vice versa. Life was very difficult. Everybody was so tensed because of the insecurity and today, we thank God. There is a tremendous improvement. We are not there yet, but we have made progress. “Some critics may say we have not made any sufficient progress but looking at history within a period of 6 years, I do believe, we have made history and within this 6 years, that is when we have the lowest revenue earning in the history of our democracy.” FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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At 30, Kogi is safest state with 2nd lowest crime rate – Governor Bello

Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello on Friday said his state remains the safest and peaceful in Nigeria. The governor, who stated this in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the creation of Kogi State, said his administration took the security, unity, peace and prosperity of the people seriously right from inception. "Today, our state is arguably the safest in the entire country, we are rated the second most peaceful and our crime rate is second lowest. We have a hugely diverse population that is nevertheless more united now than at any time in our history. "By aiming at targets we set in our New Direction Blueprint and allied governance roadmaps, we are crushing our goals in reduction of the Multidimensional Poverty Indices here in Kogi State while keeping pace with the five thematic areas we adopted from the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs," Governor Bello stated. Bello noted that the state has managed the triple mechanism of blocking loopholes/theft, eliminating wastage/loss and proper prioritisation of expenditure to make each Naira and Kobo we have earned go much further than anyone believed possible. He said, "In between the two terrible recessions mentioned above, the Covid-19 pandemic arrived like the grim reaper from the first quarter of 2020 and began to wreak havoc on mankind. It continues till today. This controversial phenomenon impaired governance around the world and by means of lockdowns and adverse restrictions which it engendered managed to frustrate service delivery to citizens around the world, Nigeria and Kogi State not exempted. "However, with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic, we proved to the world that with the help of God, support of the citizenry, leadership sincerity and a ton of political will it is possible for science and common sense as well as good governance and medicine to work together in the service of humanity." The governor explained that the state's position as a major transit hub in Nigeria makes it easily exposed to anything that fellow citizens carry along while travelling through, which in the past frequently included outbreaks of deadly diseases like Lassa and yellow fever. "Thus we became alarmed at how otherwise respected national public health institutions charged with protecting us tended to proceed on the certainty that no matter what we did here, Covid-19 would decimate us." On the major achievement in the state, he said Kogi has never adopted the awkward practice of flagging off projects with fanfare or commissioning them after completion with festivities with live TV crews that are so popular in our contemporary times, but silently complete and release to the use of the people hundreds of mini to major developments proportionately distributed across the 3 senatorial districts of our state. These projects, according to him, ranging from roads to bridges to rural water schemes to multi-community electrification projects to hundreds of primary, secondary and tertiary health and education facilities, amenities and consumables, to industries, factories and all manners of infrastructure and utilities to comprehensive civil service and pension reforms to tens of thousands of youth empowerment and job creation initiatives both homegrown and partnerships. "I have deliberately refused to go into the details of individual projects in this speech. Not even sector by sector. There is neither time nor need for that today. They are there on the ground for anyone to visit and verify. Many prominent journalists from leading networks and news-houses have come to investigate and they have gone on air with audio-visual evidence. "We are not expected to do more than that, but bearing in mind that we have a service compact with our people which includes Open Governance, we have further spent and continue to spend great resources to design and maintain a regularly updated platform where anyone can see our progress at the click of a button on their desktop or handheld device. Today and henceforth we simply refer every person genuinely or maliciously interested in our stewardship of Kogi State's resources to our e-Compendium at www.kogipedia.net for undeniable proof. We welcome efforts to disprove what we have uploaded," he added. The governor, who further said he was inspired by a mix of principles, which included an obstinate refusal to hand over the lives and livelihoods of his people to unsympathetic forces, vowed that he would continue to insist on doing his sworn duty to govern his people proactively and protect them to the best of our abilities and resources. He said, "We resisted unholy pressures and would not capitulate to the whims and caprices of 3rd parties, whoever they were, in response to the pandemic. We adopted sincere advisories from the regulatory bodies on Covid-19, some of which we modified to meet our localised circumstances and totally disregarded those that were inapplicable, politicised, commercialised or guaranteed to crumble our economic base without any guarantee of keeping the pandemic at bay. "We fought like wildcats to keep our people safe. Some would say I literally transformed into a White Lion and deployed teeth and fangs to do my sacred duty of protecting Kogi State. In my books, we did only what good conscience and the fear of God demanded of us. We were a vulnerable people faced with a deadly dilemma, in fact, a sentence of death, but by believing in our divine and physical resources, we refused to go quietly into that darkness." Bello further noted that at the end the strategies of the state completely deflected the ill-will and doomsday prophecies which were poured like invective on us from many quarters. He, therefore, said the state decided to celebrate the 30th anniversary, not only to document them for posterity but to remind those of who are alive now what daunting socio-economic and politico-cultural odds it has overcome on its journey to the future it desires. "We have successfully pulled ourselves a long way forward between 27th January 2015 when I first stepped into this Office, and today which also doubles as the 19th monthly anniversary of my second term." Adding, he said Kogi is fast becoming the default example of a truly democratised and free state where inclusive leadership and people-based governance models have become central and accessible to all. We understand clearly the demands of public office and have a standing resolve to put the interest of our people first in all we do as a government. Pointing at the most recent national records in the state, he Kogi has now the state with the second least number of children out of school among the 19 states of Northern Nigeria, least incidents of under-5 mortality in the entire country and the state with the most reduced domestic debt profile in the entire country while saying it has gone from 90% to 100% scores within the last two years in the States' Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability rankings. He, however, said the greatest challenge remains how to design and implement policies and programmes that would address the immediate needs of our predominantly young and fast-growing population while planning and projecting for their aspirations into the near and distant future. "For the records, we do confirm that a rising birth rate is the least contributor to the current renaissance cum population boost in Kogi State. We are not the most prolific state in human reproductive prowess, not even in northern Nigeria and our birth rate remains quite insignificant compared to other cities of similar size in the country." He further said his administration is keen on issues relating to gender and human rights protection. We have proven our mettle in this regard with awards and commendations from our friends in the UN, AU and other international and domestic development partners to prove our winning ways. "As of today Kogi State has achieved a minimum of 45% Affirmative Action for the Women as at today and increasing. There is a tangible reason why I am the Most Gender Sensitive Governor in Nigeria today and the He-For-She Ambassador of Nigerian Women." He concluded by saying that at 30, Kogi is becoming the emerging paradigm for Cooperation and Integration as a basis for citizens' co-existence instead of the previous divide and rule tactics that failed politicians and harmed citizens in our past. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The content of this Website is made available by the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Publisher. This Website seeks to facilitate the dissemination of informative, with engaging, and constructive news about events in Nigerian, Africa, and Globally as they happen. The "Distributor" of this Information are the Nigerian Pilot Newspaper and Nigerian Pilot Tv brands of Dom Communication, LLC. DISCLAIMER: FAKE NEWS PUBLICATION. This Website NigPilot collects information from several Independent Reporters and may contain unauthenticated and/or copyrighted materials the utilization of which has not generally been explicitly approved or authorized by the copyright proprietor. NigPilot with concern to increase in misleading social media publications, please report any Fake, False, or Misleading News to info@nigpilot.ng for immediate action. FAIR USE NOTICE. In accordance with THE LAW, the material on this Website is included for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond “fair use,” you must obtain permission from the copyright owner or Nigerian Pilot WEBMASTER. For Nigerian Pilot Newspaper Advert Rates Click Here! Read the full article

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FG spends N2trn on debt service in 6months - Budget Office -NigPilot

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