ISRAEL TO COMMENCE REGULAR DIRECT FLIGHTS WITH NIGERIA

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July 31, 2022

PRESS RELEASE
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Israel and Nigeria would soon commence regular direct flights. The Israeli Tourism Minister, Yoel Razvozov disclosed this recently in Jerusalem during a meeting with the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam who met with the Tourism Minister twice during his recent visit to Israel.
The Tourism Minister explained that the initial plan was to operate only charter flights between both countries, but the major focus now is to operationalize regular direct flights between the two countries.

Their meeting was primarily centred on mutually beneficial relationship between both countries which was hinged on how to operate regular flights by a Nigerian airline.
The Minister affirmed that Nigeria,s current population of 206 million stands the country at advantage position as the most populous black nation on the African continent.He added that christians constitute about 50 percent of the population of Nigeria, hence the country has a reasonable number of intending pilgrims she can boast of.
Mr Razvozor posited that the direct regular flights by a Nigerian airline to Israel would certainly galvanize intending pilgrims from Nigeria to fly often to the Holy Sites in Israel and even boost their financial strength.
However, he was not sure whether the regular direct flights would operate from Lagos, Nigeria,s commercial capital or from Abuja the official capital of Nigeria.He assured the NCPC boss that this would be sorted out as events unfolds.
The Israeli Tourism Minister commended the bold efforts of the NCPC boss at repositioning the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Israel through Pilgrimage.
He further commended him for finding time to visit Israel for the meeting.He added that the NCPC boss would be making history when the regular direct flight between Nigeria and Israel kicks off; being the current Executive Secretary of NCPC who played key role in its actualization.

Signed
Celestine Toruka
Head, Media and Public Relations
30th July, 2022.

MNDA/NDDC RETREAT: UMANA VOWS TO PUBLISH LIST OF NDDC PROJECTS BEFORE PAYMENT

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July 30, 2022

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PRESS RELEASE

Honourable Minister of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Umana Okon Umana, has promised to publish a list of completed and uncompleted projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission for public scrutiny, as part of efforts to pay contractors and usher in a new era of transparency and accountability.

The Minister was addressing newsmen at the end of a two-day top management retreat for the Ministry and the Commission held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Umana expressed the Ministry’s determination to prioritize high impact projects at the NDDC to improve living conditions of Niger Delta people, adding that only “projects that are of great importance to the various communities would be embarked upon due to available resources, for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region.”

He explained that the objective of the retreat was to harmonise activities and programmes of the two organisations, as well as “build a stronger collaboration that will improve performance, for the sustainable development of the region.”

He added: “The Ministry and the NDDC have also resolved to strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders, by consulting effectively with state governments and other critical stakeholders and partners in driving development in the region. We are determined to make sure that we build a common collaboration, not just between the Ministry and NDDC, but with other stakeholders, the IOC’s and all those who are critical to our success, in order to drive development in the region.”

Umana said that collaboration will involve effective consultation with various State Governments on project conception, execution and monitoring, “so that all stakeholders will be on the same page,” adding: “We have considered the issues impeding the performance of the two bodies and have come out with strategies to deal with identified problems that will alleviate poverty in the region.”

While expressing gratitude for the contributions and continuous efforts of the ministry and NDDC towards promoting the programmes, mandates and developmental goals of both organisation, he promised that positive impact would be achieved in the lives of the people of Niger Delta region within a short time.

The two-day retreat witnessed papers from the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folushade Yemi-Esan, who spoke on ““Federal Government Reforms Initiatives: The Role of MDAs”, and former Federal Permanent Secretary, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, who spoke on “Ministries and its Agencies Relationship: A Panacea for Infrastructural Development and a Prosperous Niger Delta Region.”

Other papers included “Prudent Use of Government Resourses” by Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, “A New Niger Delta: The Vision and Mandate of NDDC,” by the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Dr. Efiong Akwa, as well as an overview of the retreat presented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi.

Patricia Deworitshe

D (Press & PR)

July 29, 2022

API hosts content moderation summit in Nigeria.

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July 30, 2022

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The Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API) intelligence and policy platform has organized Nigeria’s First Content Moderation and Online Safety Summit. The hybrid event which held at The Envoy hotel in Abuja, saw a cross section of policy makers, tech giants, civil societies, and international legal and regulatory experts in the information technology ecosystem in conversation with an aim to proffer solutions to the ever growing influence of the internet on Nigerian citizens.

In attendance were the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Professor Isa Ali Pantami, representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), representatives of Big Tech companies including Meta Nigeria and Google Nigeria, as well as local and international attorneys, compliance regulators, digital activists, and heads of tech labs and startups.

The theme of the summit “The challenge for content moderation and the opportunity to improve online safety in Nigeria,” set the stage for an intersectional conversation among big tech companies including Meta Nigeria and Google Nigeria, as well as policy makers, civil societies, local and international lawyers and policy observers on content moderation.

Director of API, Kassim Sodangi stated in his remarks that the internet has changed the world in many advantageous ways, creating opportunities for young innovators like never before, yet has also brought up a plethora of bad actors who create and disseminate harmful content, harvest information of unsuspecting users for nefarious purposes, among other cybercrimes.

Sodangi opined that Nigeria is in the lead to create deeper and positive regulation in sub saharan Africa. He also said that the summit aims to establish a platform from which all stakeholders within the ecosystem can proffer solutions, examining extant laws and regulations, and assessing it’s relevance in today’s fast-paced information technology world.

Special guest of honor, Professor Pantami who was represented by the DG of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, noted that the world has evolved to include a new form of power, in his view, big tech companies exist as faceless non-state actors with undue influence over the citizens, and said that regulators are always playing the catch-up game because of non-transparency of tech platforms

“As regulators, we must not allow any system to have unaccountable power over the people; regular engagement where big tech is transparent about their activities, and use of citizens’ data will help us to create regulation that balances between keeping online content in check and protecting individual freedom of expression,” he said.

Delivering her key address remotely, Executive Director of Internet Sans Frontières (Internet Without Borders; IWB), Julie Owono, stated that multi-systemic collaboration is intrinsic to finding solutions to content moderation that address the harms the internet and social media may bring without infringing in freedom of expression. She said Nigeria can lead the way on governance of content moderation on the continent by implementing policies made to enforce transparency to the public and the government, thereby, making accountability a mainstay in content moderation.

Google’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Dawn Dimowo, and Meta’s Public Policy manager, Meg Chang, along with several other panelists,
appraised the regulatory landscape for content moderation and the limitations of extant law in the Nigerian Constitution, and discussed potentials for deeper collaboration to improve safety in Nigeria’s online space.

By Maymunah Zubair

RE: FEDERAL CHARACTER COMMISSION RECRUITMENT 2022/2023 APPLICATION FORM PORTAL

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July 27, 2022

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PRESS RELEASE

The attention of Federal Character Commission has been drawn to an advertisement trending on the Social media, asking applicants to submit application through a fictitious fake portal attributed to the commission.

The general public is hereby warned not to fall prey to this advertisement as the advertisement is not from the Commission and the Commission has no plans for any recruitment.

Signed:

Dr. Chuks Okoli,

Director, Public Affairs & Communication

For: Executive Chairman

Stop Impersonating Us – CAN tells politicians

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July 21, 2022

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CAN’s Press Statement

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has dissociated itself from the unveiling of the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima, saying those who were presented as church leaders are ‘unknown clerics’.
We are shocked, disappointed and worried about the desperation of some politicians who once claimed Christians do not matter in governance and politics who went to hire some unknown ‘bishops, pastors and priests’ to impersonate the leadership of CAN in their political meeting.
This is totally unacceptable, reprehensible, unprecedented and ungodly. If they are saying Christians have no electoral values why impersonating them in their meetings?
We are throwing their principals and sponsors into the court of conscience. These actions of theirs have shown who they are to the public and what they are capable of doing to us all.
We are asking political parties not to ignore religious sensibilities and sensibilities of the people especially in today’s Nigeria when Christians are becoming endangered species daily. Our quest is within the constitutional requirements and ignoring it is akin to trampling on the Constitution especially the Federal Character Act.
Thank You.
Signed
Barrister Joseph Bade Daramola,
CAN’s General Secretary
21 July, 2022

SOME OF EBIRA LOCAL LANGUAGE SPEAKING AND MEANING

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July 20, 2022

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ENYA ISOHU ANEBIRA (EBIRA MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS)

Agidibo – Slit Drum
Use – Metal Gong
Eze/Anuva – Pot Drum
Okokoro – Local Flute
Ugogonyi – Talking Drum
Okanga – Mambrane Drum
Ikakanchi – Trumpet
Ahihya – Gourd Rattle
Uhwere – Whistle
Ijabana – Tension Drum
Ichekene – Rattle
Izenyi – Small Bells
Okokoro Oyivo – Flute
Opanyi – Horn
Ireha – Big Local Bells

EACH MONTH IN EBIRA LANGUAGES (UHWEI)
WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION.

January – Etudaiye.
February – Oyioji.
March – Iruwa
April – Ireba
May – Orenyi
June – Ori
July – Ageva
August – Engwuome
September – Opisa
October – Okoruwa.
November – Ododo
December – Osinageri

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DAYS OF THE WEEK IN EBIRA LANGUAGES (EKUHI)
WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION.
Asinyima – Monday.
Asuvuri – Tuesday.
Ihiovi – Wednesday.
Asipita – Thursday.
Opotu – Friday.
Uhuotu – Saturday.
Amoto. – Sunday.

Please let us begin to teach our children, sisters, brothers, friends, acquaintances our language so that our great language, culture values, history and way of life will not go into complete extinct. Let’s keep our language alive.

2021 PILGRIMAGE: NCPC SCREENS INTENDING PILGRIMS IN ASABA

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July 20, 2022

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The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC has commenced the screening of intending pilgrims of Delta State for the 2021main/Easter 2022 Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.
The screening exercise commenced on 19th July, 2022 at the Anglican Bishop Court Asaba and would be rounded off on 21st July, 2022.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the screening exercise, the Head of Special Duties Department of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr Sunny Udeh enjoined the intending pilgrims to cooperate with the Commission,s officials by providing the relevant documents that would facilitate their screening process.
He further intimated them that they would be making history for being part of the Commission,s first ever joint Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan. He admonished them to maximize the opportunity given to them by conducting themselves decently if selected to go on the Pilgrimage journey to the Holy land.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Delta State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Most Rev. Cyril Odutemu thanked the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for his relentless efforts in advancing the cause of Christian Pilgrimage in the state.
He further commended the Governor for his consistency in the sponsorship of christians in Delta on Pilgrimage.

About 315 intending pilgrims of Delta State are expected to participate in the on going NCPC Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Jordan.
Celestine Toruka
Head Media and Public Relations
19th July, 2022
Asaba, Delta State.

Gov. Bello commiserates with Ali Ndume over his father’s demise

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July 20, 2022

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Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello has commiserated with Senator Ali Ndume over the demise of his father Alhaji Ali Buba Ndume, who passed away in the early hours of Tuesday and had since been buried according to Islamic rights.

The governor in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu noted that the late Alhaji Buba Ndume was an accomplished community leader, who served his people in his lifetime.

He noted that the death of a patriarch, although most painful, the senator and the entire family should take precedence in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life and raised children of impeccable character.

While the governor similarly extended his commiseration to the people of Borno South Senatorial district, he prayed for God to grant the late Patriarch eternal rest and grant those greatly hurt the fortitude to bear to loss.

PROF. TOM ADABA HONOURED 2021 DISTINGUISHED MEDIA AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

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July 16, 2022

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The Board & members of the Nigeria Media Merit Award this day, July 5, 2022, conferred on Prof Aaze Tom Adaba, OON KSJ, the Ohietohueyi of Ebiraland, an award titled… the 2021 Distinguished Media and National Leadership Award…

The award is in recognition of his professional and exemplary life dedicated to the promotion of Media Excellence and service to the Nation.

Though the ceremony took place in Lokoja, Kogi State in October 2021 but due to certain circumstances Prof Adaba was unavoidably absent.

The Board and members considered it necessary to present this award to him in the comfort of his home.

Therefore, the Chairman of the Board, Dr Haroun Al-Rashid Adamu and the Trustee Chief of Administration, Mr Samuel Yemi Akeju were on hand to make this presentation this July 05 2022. A visibly elicited Prof Adaba thanked the Board of NMMA for considering him worthy and for coming to honour him in presence of his loving wife and adorable daughters, Pastor Mrs Elizabeth Adaba-Gomwalk and Dr Josephine Inya Adaba-Ode in his home, adding that
he is glad to have been part of the NMMA from inception. He gave a brief history of the evolution of broadcasting industry in Nigeria and pledged to continue to do more within his capabilities, in mentoring the next generation of broadcasters, Prof concluded.

SADIYA UMAR FAROUQ WON’T BE DETERRED BY BELLY-ACHING DETRACTORS

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July 16, 2022

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The attention of the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has been drawn to a malicious and manifestly false report published by a fictitious group that call itself the “APC Initiative for Good Governance”.

The Bauchi based group in a statement signed by one Nasiru Cigari alleged that “Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq diverted Social Investment Programmes meant for the entire country to Bauchi State.
It also accused the Minister of “abandoning her office and relocating to Bauchi to push the political interest of her husband, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique (Rtd), who is contesting the 2023 governorship of Bauchi state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hon. Minister Umar Farouq wishes to categorically state herewith, that she will not be deterred by belly-aching detractors who will stop at nothing to derail the lofty Social Investment Programmes of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration whose declared agenda is to lift 100 million vulnerable Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.

Since the creation of the Ministry in August 2019, at least 20 million Nigerians have so far been empowered through various programmes and initiatives of the Ministry. This includes the
upskilling of 1,064,774 youths in the graduate and non graduate programmes under the N-Power scheme, of which the number of beneficiaries in Bauchi state ranked 11th out the 36 states and the FCT. The highest number of beneficiaries are from Benue, Delta, Enugu, FCT, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Osun, Oyo and Rivers states before Bauchi.

Under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, a total of 9.9 million children from primary 1 to 3 in 53,000 public schools nationwide are currently being fed one hot nutritious meal every school day, with Bauchi state being the 4th highest in terms of benefitting number of primary schools behind Kano, Benue and Kaduna states. In addition, Kano state has the highest number of children being fed, followed by Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Jigawa, Benue before Bauchi.

The Hon Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary, recently flagged off the Cash Grant for Vulnerable Groups on July 4, 2022 in Oshogbo, Osun state. The faceless group may wish to explain to it’s followers, why Hajiya Sadiya Farouq did not start the distribution of Cash to Vulnerable Groups in Bauchi State.

Sadiya Umar Farouq is a detribalized Nigerian politician, mother and wife, philanthropist and devout Muslim. She spreads love evenly to the poor and vulnerable regardless of their state of origin, tribe or religion.

Ordinarily, the Ministry would not have expended its time and energy or give credence to the malicious report by responding to this hopeless group of detractors, but for the sake of putting the records straight.

Sadiya Umar Farouq is a native of Zamfara state and married to a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique. By virtue of her marriage to an indigene of Bauchi state, the full rights of any Bauchi woman have been bestowed on her. Therefore, the unregistered and unknown APC Initiative for Good Governance group cannot stop her from reaping or sowing the seeds of development in her husband’s state to the extent of its rightful share from the Ministry she heads, neither can their mischievous falsehood prevent her from supporting the political interest of her husband.

At no time did Umar Farouq divert Social Investment Programmes meant for the 36 states and the FCT to Bauchi, nor did she ever abandon the responsibilities in her office to relocate to Bauchi. On the contrary, she has been working tirelessly and assiduously to ensure that no vulnerable Nigerian is left to go hungry, and to also lift them higher than where she met them.

The Hon. Minister immediately after flagging off the Cash Grant for Vulnerable Groups left for Saudi Arabia to perform her religious rites with permission from Mr. President, and is expected back in office this week.

We cannot help the APC Initiative for Good Governance if the group is terrified or intimidated by the profile and giant strides of an unperturbed Minister, whose primary focus is to deliver on her mandate in the Ministry.

While Sadiya Umar Farouq remains focused and committed to Mr. President’s vision of empowering Nigerians by rolling out one programme after the other to ensure inclusivity for the Nigerian Poor and Vulnerable, some idle minds and politically dislocated persons in Bauchi State, who have precious little or nothing to offer and are only out to needlessly breed trouble and generate discontent are harping wastefully on the Hon Minister.

The Poor and. Vulnerable, for whom the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has been created are excited with Sadiya Umar Farouq’s exemplary leadership. She is working hard to reduce poverty in the country, in line with Mr President’s Agenda of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of Poverty. The Minister, and indeed the whole Ministry, is unshaken by these elementary level stunts and will not relent in its momentum to effectively deliver innovative and impactful solutions to empower the poor and vulnerable in our country.

Honourable Minister, Ma, ride on! We are very proud of you!

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE
SA Media to the Hon Minister
15-07-2022