FGMANDATES THE PROVISION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE CERTIFICATES, AS IT PROJECT CLEARANCE SAVES OVER N24 BILLION IN 2021

March 10, 2022

PRESS STATEMENT

The Federal Executive Council approved the Implementation of Strategies for the Enhancement of the Quality of Government Digital Technology Projects and Services during its meeting on the 9^th of March, 2022. This followed the presentation of a memo by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

The approval will enable the implementation of strategies for the enforcement of the Information Technology (IT) Project Clearance by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in accordance with the NITDA Act (2007), and under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

The implementation of the IT Project Clearance process is in alignment with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria, as well as the Nigeria Government Interoperability Framework and Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture, among others. Furthermore, it provides many benefits for the country, including the following:

IT projects are not unduly duplicated;
the technology being implemented is up to date;
ensuring that there is an indigenous capacity for after-sales-service to sustain the project beyond its initial deployment;
supporting the integration of IT systems and services by Federal Public Institutions to save cost, reduce corruption, promote shared services, enable interoperability and improve efficiency;

ensuring that the technology and services procured are suitable for the country from the point of view of security and the environment, among others; and
the projects promote indigenous content, with preference being given to indigenous companies where capacity, product or service exists.

The implementation of the IT Projects Clearance process has already recorded tremendous success. For example, in 2021, there was unprecedented total of 280 new applications for clearance, of which 258 projects were successfully cleared and a total savings of ₦24,403,266,842.86, estimated at 343.2% increase in savings compared to 2020. Furthermore, there was also a significant increase in the use of the IT Clearance Portal in the year 2021- a total of 248 new users from 52 Federal Public Institutions (FPIs) were registered on the portal.

The approval of Council will further enhance the benefits of the IT Clearance process. Council’s approval also mandates FPIs to obtain a Quality Assurance certificate from the NITDA Regulatory Instruments Enforcement Team for any project that is up to N1,000,000,000 (one billion naira).

As part of the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the Ministry will continue to position Nigeria to take advantage of emerging technologies in order to transform Nigeria into a sustainable and secure digital economy.

Dr Femi Adeluyi
Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the
Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy
9^thMarch, 2022

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡’𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗬: 𝗬𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗬𝗔 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗢 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡, 𝗦𝗔𝗬𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗡𝗢𝗡-𝗡𝗘𝗚𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘, 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗧𝗢 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡’𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦

Social Plus Africa

March 9, 2022

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has joined leaders across the globe to celebrate the 2022 International Women’s Day, noting that the inclusion of women in governance should be prioritised at local and international levels.

In a commemoration message issued by Mohammed Onogwu, his Chief Press Secretary, Governor Bello admonished women to keep breaking stereotypes and biases, which is in line with the theme of this year’s celebration.

‘The African woman, especially in Nigeria, is a profile in courage. In spite of widespread and often systemic disinclusion which they face everywhere on the continent, they have excelled nevertheless’, he said.

The Kogi State helmsman further insisted that ‘women continue to excel in every role possible and are undeniably the pillars of our society and custodians of our way of life’.

He urged leaders to do more for women inclusion than currently obtains. ”We cannot ask the women to fight harder for their rights because all the advantages lie with the men who control almost all of society’s resources. Policy has to come to their aid.’

He said governments must deliberately incorporate women into the highest echelons of leadership and governance, narrating how he has lived up to his words by reserving appreciable percentages of appointive and elective offices to women in Kogi State.

‘What we have done in Kogi to champion affirmative action and gender inclusivity is there for all to see. “Our administration has driven the 35% SDGs affirmative action threshold through the roof. The number of women in my government and their roles is unprecedented, starting from the Secretary to the Government, the Head of Service of the State, Vice Chancellor of the university and at least 2 other heads of tertiary institutions in the state, elected female vice chairpersons for all the 21 local government areas, speakers of all the 21 local government councils, many heads of agencies, departments and parastatals and so on.’

He noted that beyond appointments, his government was also committed to putting women first in empowerment and intervention in the areas in which they dominate, especially agriculture and micro to small enterprises.

The Governor who noted that he is the current ‘He-for-She’ Ambassador of Nigerian women and the Most Gender Sensitive Governor in Nigeria promised to use his present and future roles to do even more for the women.

By: Maymunah Zubair

𝗚𝗢𝗩 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗬𝗘𝗠𝗜 𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗕𝗔𝗝𝗢 @ 𝟲𝟱

Social Plus Africa

March 8, 2022

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has felicitated with the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN (GCON) as he turns 65 on Tuesday.

Bello in a birthday message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, on Monday evening, described Osinbajo as a colossus who has contributed immensely to the country’s development over the years.

He said Vice President Osinbajo has proven himself as a loyal and dedicated deputy to President Muhammadu Buhari since the inception of the APC-led government in 2015.

According to Governor Bello, the Vice President has been pivotal to the successes and giant strides of the Buhari administration, especially in the aspects of the social investment programmes and economic growth initiatives of the government, amongst many others.

“Your selfless service to humanity and the nation at large as well as the many achievements you have recorded in both personal and public life, are some of the reasons we cannot but celebrate you on this occasion of your birthday, Your Excellency”, he said.

The governor, while expressing gratitude to God for adding another year to the Vice President, prayed to God to grant him many more years in sound health to enable him to contribute to the overall development of the country.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo was born 8 March,1957.

NCPC FLAGS OFF SCREENING EXERCISE FOR THE FIRST BACTH OF INTENDING PILGRIMS TO ROME

Social Plus Africa

March 8, 2022

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has flagged off screening exercise for the first batch of intending Adamawa pilgrims to Rome. The NCPC boss performed the official flag off on 7th March, 2022 at the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board in Yola.
Rev Pam in his address appreciated the Executive Governor of Adamawa State,His Excellency Ahmadu Fintiri for his dynamic leadership, especially with regard to the way and manner he handles religious matters in the state and his timely intervention in resolving issues of the Intending Adamawa pilgrims to Rome. He described him as a reconciliator and humble leader. He further described Adamawa State as a unique state where christians and Muslims are united.
The NCPC Chief Executive explained that NCPC took over the pilgrimage process from the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board because” that is the right thing to do,” he said. He added,” I am here to put everything together to make sure that things are done properly’.
The NCPC helmsman hinted that this would be the first time the Commission would be traveling to Israel and Jordan as a combined pilgrimage destination for the 2021 Main/ 2022 Easter pilgrimage, while the other pilgrimage destination would be Rome and Israel.
The NCPC boss stressed that the NCPC enabling Act empowers it to coordinate and superintend the activities of Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Sites around the world, hence the Commission collaborates with some relevant Federal Agencies in order to achieve its statutory mandate .
He cautioned the Intending pilgrims to shun the tendency of absconding in Rome as the Commission seriously frowns at it. His words,” if there is anything we fear about this journey is abscondment”.
The NCPC Scribe disclosed that the intending pilgrims of Adamawa State to Rome would be airlifted directly from Yola International Airport.
Earlier in his welcome address,the Chairman of the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Bishop Peter Bartimawus said that today marks the revalidation of the screening exercise for intending Adamawa pilgrims to Rome. He said it would be the desire of everyone that the screening process by NCPC would take them to the Holy Land.
He appealed to the Intending pilgrims to be law abiding.
The Chairman further commended the Executive Governor of Adamawa State for his kind gesture in sponsoring the Intending pilgrims to Rome.
About 105 intending pilgrims of Adamawa State would be embarking on this first batch pilgrimage trip to Rome .
Signed
Celestine Toruka
Head Media and Public Relations
7th March, 2022.

NCPC BOSS COMMENDS GOV FINTIRI FOR INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP

Social Plus Africa

March 8, 2022

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam has commended the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Ahmadu Fintiri for his inclusive leadership. He gave this commendation on 7th March,2022 during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Chief Crowther Seth in his office in Jimeta, Yola.His words,” I commend His Excellency and yourself for the good team work and balance of leadership’.
He affirmed that the Commission would remain grateful to Adamawa State for helping in advancing the cause of Christian pilgrimage in the state over the years. He further lauded Governor Fintiri for promoting the activities of religion in the state, stating that all the activities and programmes of the Commission are hinged on prayers , hence it is expected that the pilgrimage trip to Rome would afford the intending pilgrims the opportunity to pray for the well being of the state and peace in Nigeria.

Rev Pam informed the Deputy Governor that he was in the state with some of his Management staff to flag off the first batch of intending pilgrims of the state to Rome.
He urged him to extend his profound gratitude to the Executive Governor of Adamawa State who was on official assignment outside the state.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Chief Crowther Seth said he was overwhelmed with joy for what is happening in the state, for the taking over of the pilgrimage process by the Nigeria Christian Pligrim Commission. His words,” thank God for answering our prayers”.
He explained that the issue of religion is very sensitive which made the Governor to dispatch a high powered delegation to the NCPC Corporate headquarters in Abuja with a view to finding a lasting solution to the issues of Christian pilgrimage as it affects the Rome pilgrimage.
He reiterated that when they were sworn in as a government , the Governor approved their participation in the 2019 pilgrimage to Israel because he believes in the efficacy of prayers and does not joke with religious matters.
He thanked the NCPC boss for finding time to flag off the screening exercise in Yola. He equally commended Governor Fintiri for ensuring that christians in Adamawa State participate in pilgrimage.

Signed
Celestine Toruka
Head Media and Public Relations
7th March, 2022.

NATIONAL SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME NOW N100 PER PLATE

Social Plus Africa

March 8, 2022

Humanitarian Ministry To build 60 Model School Kitchens

Di Federal Gofment don increase di National Home Grown School Feeding Programme food cost from N70 to N100 a plate per child.
Na di Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq announce am for di Commemoration of di 7th Africa School Feeding Day wey hold for Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Tuesday.

Umar Farouq thank President Muhammadu Buhari well-well for the increment, she tok say di thing come at di right time wey everybody wey dey involved dey rush to make sure say all public primary school students 1-3 dey enrolled for di programme.

“I wan take dis opportunity to hail His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, for dis approval wey Federal Gofment of Nigeria do for increment of di daily cost of feeding from N70 to N100 per meal per pikin, tis increase also follow come with close marking and control of everybody wey dey involve for di project. Na di right time be dis, because now we dey hustle to make sure say our children no go left behind for di process, especially after di big wahala wey di COVID-19 global pandemic cause to the stability of millions of country pipul for Nigeria.

“That na why for 2020, as part of di effort wey gofment make to reduce the pressure of di pandemic, di Ministry come provide dry foodstuff to some students dem house for Lagos and Ogun States, as well as FCT. All of dem dey in line with our mission and mandate to make sure say all Nigerians wey dey in need dey heard, seen and included.”

The Minister follow tok say bocku-bocku programe don dey to make sure say everything go run smoothly and effectively.

“Currently we dey work on some framework for di program, and we go also roll out some structures on quality assurance, plus including new concept of School Kitchen for 60 model schools around di country. Dis School Kitchens go serve as ogbonge model, training and skills building centre for cooks and other vendors of di programme”.

Di minister tok say dem dey make arrangements to provide two free meals for Children wey no dey school from the NHGSFP scheme through another programme wey dem dey call Alternate School Programme (ASP).

She thank di Nutrition Society of Nigeria and di National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for deir support and all wetin dem do to make sure say the food and the pipul wey dey cook am pass all the quality standard. She come mention say di Ministry dey also work closely with di World Food Programme (WFP), wey dey provide other type of support to di NHGSFP.

Di National Coordinator, National Social Investment Programmes Dr Umar Bindir also tok say dis School Feeding Programme wey dem introduce for 2016 don really impact school children well-well, say school enrolment and attendance don increase, and na because of improvement in di nutrition and health status of student wey benefit from di program.

Di program get a total of 9,881,773 million children for over 53,000 schools, of which 4.1 million pupils dey verified and captured for di NHGSFP Database, all dis dey in line with di effort wey di Ministry dey do to create database of beneficiaries wey dey verified across all im programmes and interventions

Other Oga-madam wey tok for di commemoration of di Africa School Feeding Day include di National Cordinator and Chief Executive Officer at New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD Nigeria Princess Gloria Akobundu, di Representative of Nassarawa state Governor, NEPAD Nutrition and Food Systems Project Manager Kefilwe Rhoba Moalisi and other stakeholders.

Di theme for dis year edition of di Africa Day of School Feeding na ‘Nutrition and human capital development in Africa through increased investment in home grown school feeding’.

Saleh Farouq Gagarawa
External Media Aid
1-03-2022
For

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE
SA MEDIA
01-03-2022

NIGERIA’s AUTOMATIVE COUNCIL SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH DIGITAL ECONOMY SECTOR

Social Plus Africa

March 8, 2022

PRESS STATEMENT

The Director General National Automative Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu MFR, has called on the digital economy sector for support and partnership in its efforts to develop and sustain the automotive industry in Nigeria. He made the call during a working visit to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami today, Monday7th March 2022.

Jelani Aliyu in his detailed presentation to the Minister, disclosed that the automative industry with the right support was capable of producing four hundred thousand vehicles annually. He commended the federal government’s efforts in restoring the industry to its lost glory and boosting indigenous production through the institution of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP). “The NAIDP has five elements which include; Investment promotion, infrastructural development, improvement of standards, skills development and market development. We believe that building a partnership with the digital economy sector based on these initiatives will engender the need support for the industry to thrive. The vehicles manufactured and assembled in Nigeria are very tech-driven and it is only natural to seek your support as the driver of the digital economy in the country”. He emphasised that the resuscitation of the Nigerian automative industry will create jobs, encourage innovation and build indigenous capacity among others.

In his response, Professor Pantami while commending the Director General for exhibiting skillful leadership, conveyed his sector’s willingness to partner with the industry. He reiterated his advocacy for skills over mere paper qualifications citing Jelani Aliyu as an excellent example of the value of proven skills. “We are more than willing to collaborate with the industry and it is exciting to note that your presentation is in alignment with at least four of the the pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), particularly in the area of software development and digital design. The sector has an important role to play in supporting your parastatal so that we will jointly create many more jobs for our citizens and support our economy”.

The Minister remarked that one of the major challenges facing the nation is importation and this cannot be sustained. “We must therefore heed Mr President’s call to produce what we consume and consume what we produce. We also need to create awareness among the populace to take pride in our indigenous products and patronise them”

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of various models of locally manufactured, tech-driven, battery and gas powered vehicle to the Minister.

Uwa Suleiman
Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister
of Communications and Digital Economy
7th March 2022

UMAR FAROUQ RECEIVES DUSUSU GENDER MINISTER AWARD -Pledge to continue to dey support women to be change makers

Social Plus Africa

March 4, 2022

Di Hon Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq don collect di 2021 DUSUSU Gender Minister Award.

For di ceremony wey dem do for Sheraton Hotel Abuja on Tuesday, di Minister show appreciate to Di organisers, DUSUSU Foundation (Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up) say dem consider her for di award wey dem design for Gender Ministers. She promise say she go always dey uplift women so day dem go be change makers for society.

“Dis Gender Minister Award wey una give me so fit dey surprising as per I be di Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. But if you reason am well-well, come reason all di programmes wey my ministry don do, you go see say we don make obvious effort to make sure say we dey considerate of gender issues, and to ensure say women get chance to be change makers for deir immediate community and even beyond.

“ My work for di Ministry dey focused on di pipul wey dey suffer for Nigeria, and we no dey look regions, religious, ethnic and tribal lines. We dey for all Nigerians. And no be lie say di group wey dey most affected by poverty and disaster na women and children, so our mission na to empower dis pipul through many different programs and initiatives.”

Di minister tok say most of di pipul wey benefit from di Conditional Cash Transfer, Cash Transfer for Rural Women, di N-Power Scheme, Government Enterprise Empowerment Scheme and di National Home Grown School Feeding Programme were women in addition to di upcoming Alternate School Progrsmme.

“The Alternate School Programme dey in line with di thing wey DUSUSU dey pursue, wey be to create alternate global education for girls all over di world in way wey go fit benefit dem.

“I wan thank una, the DUSUSU team for una commitment to una work, to dey push for key issues wey dey affect women and girls to dey solved, no be small thing. I commend una effort to bring change come we society.

For her remarks, di CEO of DUSUSU Foundation Ms Zuriel Oduwole tok say di minister merit di award because of her humanitarian role in Nigeria and her contribution to women, girl and children development.

“We dey very happy say since the awards start 8 years ago, na di first time wey dis award cross from gender alone to Humanitarian leadership.

“Congratulations dis Oga-madam of change, di first ministerial position for her country wey don she capacity and wey understand di scope of Humanitarian Affairs, come get deep support for girls’ education and deir welfare.”

For him welcome address, di Permanent Secretary of di Ministry, Mr Bashir Nura Alkali appreciate di co-Founder of DUSUSU Award, Zuriel Oduwole for deir recognition and selection of di Honourable Minister for di award.

“Dis DUSUSU Award wey una give di Minister today don show say all di effort wey she dey put to make sure say di President vision to lift 100 million Nigerians comot from poverty in 10 years time fit dey achieved by active work of women”.

Plenty ogbonge oga-madam dem including di Minister of State Education, Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, Barrister Hanatu Munsawa, wey be staff of di office of di Minister and di Ministry, plus including Directors of the Ministry, friends and well- wishers wey attend also give goodwill messages for di program.

NNEKA IKEM ANIBEZE
SA MEDIA
01-03-2022

COMOT DI STRANDED NIGERIANS IN UKRAINE

Social Plus Africa

March 4, 2022

PRESS STATEMENT

Di Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq don confam say di Federal Gofment dey work around di clock to ensure di safe return of Nigerian students and other citizens wey dey stuck for di war wey dey hapun for Ukraine.

Inside di Press Statement from di Ministry, di Minister tok say Mr. President don approve sharp-sharp to comot di Nigerian Citizens from di conflict areas and e don direct di Ministry to work with all relevant agencies to make sure say dem run am sharp-sharp. Di Minister come tok say agencies wey dey under di Ministry including di National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), di National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and di Nataional Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) don dey directed to gather together to work with di Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make sure say di movement dey smooth. Di National Emergency Management Agency na im dey lead di evacuation process while di Ministry dey join hand to coordinate and give dem di necessary support.

She tell parents say make dem remain calm, as di Federal Gofment dey try all im possible best to make sure say Nigerians go return safe and sound as soon as possible. She confam say three flights dey comot from Abuja to Romania, Hungary and Poland for dis purpose on Wednesday 2nd March, 2022, and say dem go arrange other flights as di situation dey progress. She address all Nigerians for Ukraine to dey guided by all dis notice wey di Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs go dey release regularly at all times.

Rhoda Ishaku Iliya
Deputy Director Information
2nd March, 2022

NCPC BOSS COMMENDS BIBLE SOCIETY OF NIGERIA FOR TRANSLATION OF GOD’S WORDS

Social Plus Africa

March 4, 2022

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has commended the leadership of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), for their effort in translating God’s words in different Nigerian Languages.

He gave this commendation in his office at the NCPC Corporate headquarters in Abuja on the 3rd March, 2022 while receiving a delegation of the Bible Society of Nigeria, Abuja and Nassarawa area office.

The Executive Secretary lauded the Bible Society of Nigeria for ensuring that copies of Bibles are distributed in different Nigeria Languages. In his words, “I respect the Bible Society of Nigeria so much for devoting time to increase copies of the Bible in different Nigerian Languages.”

He also commended the Theological Institutions in Nigeria who he said, “are the scholars always there to ensure these Bibles when distributed are interpreted and understood in the communities. The NCPC Boss assured them of his maximum support in their programs and activities.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Bishop. Dr. David Asoore, who is the Chairman of the Abuja and Nassarawa area office of the Bible Society of Nigeria, said they were in the Commission to identify with the Executive Secretary and to pray with him that God Almighty endows him with the wisdom to achieve his set targets and goals in NCPC.

Bishop Asoore expressed the Associations’ desire to partner with the Commission in ensuring that each pilgrim gets a copy of the Holy Bible while on pilgrimage.

He further intimated the Executive Secretary of the functions of the BSN which he stated as, “to translate the word of God into different Nigerian Languages” he added, “so far the BSN has translated the Bible into 26 Nigerian Languages and has 11 projects on going and the Association recorded its highest distribution of about 14,000 copies of the Bible last year and plans to do more this year.”

Kande Ibrahim (Mrs.)
Information Officer I
Media and Public Relations Unit
NCPC

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