The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen OFR, KSG has reiterated her commitment and that of her Ministry to the care and welfare of families of fallen military men. “My Ministry fully committed to supporting the Nigerian Legion to cater for widows and children of fallen military men”, she said.
Tallen was speaking when Nigeria Legion Emblem Committee towards the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, 2022 came to decorate her and other principal officers of her Ministry with the emblem of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, coming up on the 15th of January, 2022.
The decoration took place at the Honourable Minister, the Permanent Secretary and Directors took place today, 13th December, 2021 at the 5th Floor Conference Room of the Honourable Minister at the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.
In his earlier remarks, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Legion, retired Group Captain Kayode Abe expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister for her generous support for the Legion over the years.
According to the Legionnaire, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR had directed all Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government and private organizations to show respect for the demised officers and men of the armed forces and support their widows and families because their supreme sacrifice was to keep Nigeria together as a country.
The Women Affairs Minister disclosed that Nigeria Legion is very dear to her heart as she fully appreciates they sacrifices being made to take care of the dependants of the fallen heroes. She declared further: “I don’t joke with issues of widows either.” She pledged to always have the widows of the fallen soldiers in mind in all the palliatives being given by her Ministry” including the upcoming one this December.”
The Minister reminded her audience to note that part of the mandate of her Ministry is to cater for widows and children.
By Ewaoche Ameh (Senior Information Officer)
Signed. Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press & Public Relations.
On behalf of the President Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency MuhammaduBuhari GCFR, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Nigeria, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, MCPN is pleased to welcome the President of the Republic of CoteD’Ivoire, His Excellency AlassaneQuattara to the 60th extraordinary session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority Heads of State, holding in the nation’s capital Abuja.
As Nigeria stands tall and proud to play host to leaders in
the sub region, it is with utmost sense of duty that the Honourable Minister
chaperones His Excellency at this epoch-making session of ECOWAS on behalf of
the Federal Government as assigned by the President.
In the same vein, the Honourable Minister on behalf of the
President and the entire people of Nigeria, extends our sincere congratulations
to the President and people of CoteD’Ivoire on the historic building of its new
Chancellery in Nigeria’s capital. This will in no small measure, strengthen
diplomatic relations between the two countries and the sub- region at large.
In discharging this national
assignment as His Excellency’s official chaperone, Professor Pantami
will be supported by the Honourable Minister of Power EngrAbubakarAliyu, and accompanied by the
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Digital
Economy Mr BitrusBakoNabasu, mni and
the Director General of the National
Information Technology Development Agency. (NITDA) Malam KashifuInuwaAbdullahi,
CCIE
The Honourable Minister,
on behalf of Mr President, and
indeed, all Nigerians, wishes His
Excellency a most successful session.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission NCPC, Rev. Yakubu Pam met with the State Pilgrimage Leaders and Managers, comprising the State Chairmen and Secretaries of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards and FCT recently in Abuja, to chart a new course for the 2021 general pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan and Rome. The Executive Secretary who recently visited the State of Israel met with Israeli Minister of Tourism as well as the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria. He informed the State Pilgrimage Stakeholders that the meeting was very fruitful as it centered on the forth coming 2021 pilgrimage exercise to Israel and the issue of COVID 19 protocols.
The NCPC helmsman said the Israeli Minister of Tourism was very eager to receive the Nigerian Pilgrims as soon as possible but with a caveat that the intending pilgrims from Nigeria would have to receive the first and second dozes of the COVID 19 vaccine. He added that Nigerian Pilgrims would also be subjected to 5-6 hour isolation until the result of the PCR test is released. He explained that the Israeli authority had agreed to look into the possibility of procuring a 3 months group visa for Nigeria Pilgrims that would cover the pilgrimage period as against the 2 weeks visa policy. Rev. Yakubu Pam also stressed that Nigerians visiting Israel for pilgrimage should be treated with respect and dignity like other countries. The NCPC Chief Executive also informed the Pilgrimage Leaders that the Israeli authorities were favorably disposed to commence direct flight from Nigeria to Tel-Aviv during pilgrimage, promising that the activation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the State of Israel was discussed. He hinted that Israel as a nation is taking the fight against the spread of COVID 19 seriously, hence it had shut its doors on 29th November, 2021 to prevent entry into Israel by foreigners, the ban according to him, “Is to prevent the spread of COVID 19 Omicron virus discovered in South Africa recently.
The NCPC boss further informed that the Commission would embark on the State of Readiness visit to Israel and Jordan from 10th -17th January, 2022 to ascertain the level of preparedness by the host country and also to inspect facilities at the Holy Sites and Hotels. The Executive Secretary expressed his desire to commence full sensitization visit to State Governors in order to canvass for support and sponsorship of intending Pilgrims for 2021 pilgrimage exercise. It was unanimously agreed by the NCPC and the State Pilgrimage Leaders that the 2021 General Pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan and Rome would commence in February, 2022. Most of the pilgrimage Leaders who spoke during the meeting commended the Executive Secretary of the positive outcome of his meeting with the Israeli authorities and promised to go back and commence strong advocacy and sensitization on the need for intending pilgrims to be fully vaccinated with the COVID 19 Vaccine. It is instructive to state that the meeting was held with strict compliance to the COVID 19 protocols and members who could not attend participated and contributed virtually.
The Honourable Minister of Women Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, OFR, KSG has decried gender-based-violence describing the phenomenon as “a major barrier to children development, growth, survival and access to education” stating that it “has negative effects on the growth and development of children physically, socially, emotionally, and psychologically”.
The Minister made this observation during an interactive programme with children which is part of activities for the 2021 edition of 16 Days of Activism on Ending Violence Against Women and Children, especially girls. The is a global campaign against gender-based violence that runs from 25th November to 10th December every year.
The 16-Days Activism is used as a strategy by individuals, institutions and organizations around the world to call for action towards the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls as well as amplify the voices of survivors of violence who are clamoring for their rights and fighting for justice.
The 2021 edition has a theme: “Orange the World: End Violence Against Women now!” which emphasizes the need to end violence against women and girls urgently.
The theme focuses on stopping gender-based violence and believing there will be survivors, when the nation and persons adopt comprehensive strategies to address the root causes, change harmful practices and social norms, and empower women and girls. “Girls”, Dame Tallen observed, “are vulnerable to child marriage, female genital mutilation and other forms of abuse and maltreatment”, and urging that “there is the urgent need for stakeholders to prioritize ending child marriage and promote Girl Child Education.”
The interaction with children took place today, Monday, 29th November, 2021 at the Ministry’s Headquarter’ premises where selected school children in the Federal Capital Territory were brought in to amplify the messages urging action against gender-based-violence.
“It is on the premise that GBV affects the growth and development of children physically, socially, emotionally, and psychologically that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs is creating awareness on gender-based violence towards addressing the impact on children and supporting the girl child development, empowerment while ensuring to make their voices heard as drivers for change.”
Many eminent persons spoke at the event to buttress the points emphasized by the Honourable Minister at the occasion with calls for ensuring faster judicial process of rape cases and lots of advice for the children on how best to preserve their chastity and protect themselves when they are confronted with challenges of GBV.
Dame Tallen disclosed telephone contacts to be used when issues of GBV arise: toll-free line for reporting cases of violence against women and children including gender-based violence via tel. no 08031230651 and that of Ceceyara Foundation is 0800-800-8001. “I call on you all to utilize these services in reporting cases.”
Additional to the toll-free line for reporting GBV, Tallen also asked her audience to embrace the hand gesture of “I NEED HELP” which she demonstrated by folding the thumb underneath a straightened and then made to a sign of beckoning urging that “I will like you all to learn this hand gesture from the video as it could save lives. I implore you all be brave and speak up.”
Signed. Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press & Public Relations.
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam has been commended for approving staff capacity training programme for all staff of the Commission across board. The Director , Special Duties of the Commission, Sir Peter Okhuleigbe gave the commendation on 25th November,2021 in Lagos in his welcome remarks at the ongoing 2021 NCPC General Staff Training, in Maryland, Lagos . His words,” you are all welcome, we give God Almighty all the glory for making it possible for us to be part of this noble course””. He further stated , ” we thank our dear Executive Secretary, Rev Yakubu Pam for approving this all important and encompassing training” Sir Okhuleigbe admonished the participants not to take the opportunity provided by the Executive Secretary for the training for granted. He urged them to take maximum benefit and advantage of the training to enhance their various job roles in their various Departments and Units. He was sanguined that at the end of the training programme, staff would be better equipped than they were before, while stressing the need for value for money. The Director further enjoined the staff to ensure that the vision and mission of NCPC were achieved through commitment and quality service delivery. It would be recalled that since the assumption of office of the current Executive Secretary in July last year, he had ensured that the welfare of staff are not compromised . This year,s training programme for all the staff of the Commission is the second in the series of staff training under his watch as the third substantive Chief Executive of the Commission. The 2021 General staff training programme has as its theme, “Corporate Leadership And People Management Skills Training”. The training programme commenced on 8th November, 2021 and would run through 10th December. NCPC Media and Public Relations.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam has said that, Christmas Carol unites and build Christian Faith . He made this known while playing host to the Organizing Committee of the 2021 Service of Nine Lessons & Christmas Carol in his office in Abuja on 25th November,2021. Rev.Pam said “beyond the crisis faced in the country,there can be unity amongst Christians.” He commended his guests for promoting the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord. In his words, “I commend the Service of Nine lessons for promoting the spirit of the new born baby Jesus Christ our Saviour”.
The NCPC Boss intimated that the Service of Nine lessons & Christmas Carlos is not only building our faith as Christians but also uniting the country. He further opined that, “this is the time to unite the country and he affirmed that he is 100% interested in whatever unites the country”. He assured that the Commission would strive to ensure the success of the programme as NCPC stands for uniting the body of Christ through pilgrimage. The NCPC Helmsman disclosed that NCPC is the only Christian faith based agency under the Presidency that is saddled with the responsibility of conducting and regulating pilgrimage activities in the country. He informed that the Commission had commenced preparation for the 2021 pilgrimage exercise to Israel and the kingdom of Jordan. Earlier, the Executive Director News Voice of Nigeria, Ahaziah Suleiman who led the delegation thanked the Executive Secretary for receiving them. In his words , “we are happy to be here”. Mr.Suleiman informed that the Service of Nine Lessons and Christmas carols is an annual activity by three federal government owned organizations, Radio Nigeria, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Voice of Nigeria (VON) who organize and bring Christians together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He explained that Christmas Carol is for the spiritual upliftment of Christian faithful in the country,he added that , through song ministration many souls would be won for Christ. NCPC MEDIA AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
To
further underscore the role of data of various kind as the ‘new oil’ in our
emerging digital economy, the Director General, National Information Technology
Development Agency, (NITDA) Mallam Kashifu Inuwa has said; “It has become imperative
for stakeholders and regulatory agencies to engage in effective management of
environmental data and information management due to the rapid increase of
environmental impact assessment that has made data become more valuable during
decision making”.
Mallam
Inuwa, who was represented at the 15th National Stakeholder Forum of
the National Environment Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency NESREA,
by Barrister Emmanuel Edet, NITDA’s Head of Legal Unit, made this assertion
while delivering the goodwill message on his behalf on the theme
“Environmental Data and Information Management: A key to Environmental
Governance in Nigeria.
Mallam
Inuwa noted that by looking at levels of pollutants, emissions, and other
wastes that are being discharged, government and relevant stakeholders in the
environmental protection sector can evaluate how to remain environmentally
compliant, become more efficient, and save money, resources and manpower by
making informed decisions through the use data.
While
commending the convening of stakeholders’ forum at this period as very apt and
timely, the NITDA boss expressed that adequate consideration to the importance
of environmental data and effective information management in providing
solutions to environmental challenges would encourage and promote data
accuracy.
“The
availability, ease, and speed of collecting environmental data have
significantly accelerated in this information age due to the widespread use of
digital technologies that has enhanced easy access to direct observation of
various environmental data, which is now increasing within consumers’ reach,”
Inuwa said.
He
disclosed that robust environmental governance requires the participation of
stakeholders, provision of fair legal frameworks, and transparency in
decision-making processes, as well as the enforcement of policies following due
rules and regulations. He
also appreciated the management of NESREA for its consistency in involving stakeholders in making decisions
that concerns the nation.
In his welcome remarks, the NESREA’s Director
General, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, noted that the Agency had initiated the gradual
implementation of its data and information management through the recent
automation of its processes namely; the Compliance Monitoring Information
Systems, (NECMIS), which is dedicated to ensuring that compliance records
generated over the years are organised to produce useful environmental
governance and the NESREA Permit, Audit and Management, (NESPAM), which is
intended to aid the generation, collation, analysis, storage and retrieval of
data for compliance monitoring and enforcement programs.
He urged all the participants to
synergize their efforts towards achieving the expected outcomes of this year’s
forum. The event witnessed various environmental enthusiasts and stakeholders
from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, (MDAs) of Government, consultants, corporate
organisations, the academia and civil society groups.
The Hon. Minister of State Environment,
Hon. Sharon O. Ikeazor Esq presented the keynote address while the opening
remark was delivered by the former Minister of State for Environment and Emir
of Nasarawa, HRH Alh Ibrahim Usman Jibril, who was the special guest of honour at
the event.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, OFR, KSG who has been on medical vacation following a treatment offshore in Italy arrived the Ministry’s headquarters to a tumultuous special welcome-back reception by the Management and Staff led by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, FNSE, on Monday, 22nd November, 2021.
The reception organized at a very short notice by the Director, Human Resources Management, Mrs. Funke Osunkoya and the Staff Union, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) who sought the permission of the Permanent Secretary for the short event was to demonstrate affection of Management and Staff for Dame Tallen, “to show her that her leadership of the Ministry at this time, is very well appreciated” as the few speakers at the short reception surmised.
Even though notice to the rest of the staff was short, it was very easy to quickly mobilize them even as they were supposed to be coming back to work on Monday morning because of the high regard which majority, if not all, the Staff of the Ministry have for their consummate political head and great advocate of issues that affect the Nigerian women, children and the vulnerable persons.
The Permanent Secretary, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, FNSE told the staff that it is delightful news that Dame Tallen survived the special surgery to restore her health at her mature age and even when she has to lay-off work for a long while afterwards.
He expressed gratitude to God for bringing the Honourable Minister back to her bubbling and energetic self and to see the Ministry running and gaining momentum which he attributed to “the dynamic leadership provided for the Ministry by Dame Tallen.”
Adebiyi reeled out a list of progresses recorded during the Honourable Minister’s brief absence, notable amongst which are that the Ministry engaged with the Development Partners of the Ministry at a retreat in Lagos from 11th to 22nd October, on how best to achieve coordination with the various interventions on women, children and the vulnerable persons in Nigeria; that the Ministry has been engaging repeatedly with Development Partners to plan for a successful 2021 edition of the 16-Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which will run from Thursday, 25th November, through to 10th of December, 2021;
The Permanent Secretary further apprised the Minister that 14 Staff were promoted to different levels in the Management Cadre in the recently released promotion results in the Federal Civil Service; that the Ministry observed the various International Days which fell due as set aside for commemoration by the United Nations, such as the International Day of the Child; International Day for Girl-Child; that the Ministry was also represented in the Women Development Advocacy Meetings in Rwanda and Coite D’ Ivoire.
Engr. Adebiyi further apprised the returning Honourable Minister that various capacity building programmes for Staff done in conjunction with some Development Partners of the Ministry were being carried out for Staff in batches as he disclosed that some Staff are still at training in the Ministry’s Conference Room even as the special reception was on-going.
The Permanent Secretary added that the women empowerment materials and equipment which the Honourable Minister ordered for, have been moved to the various States across the Geo-political Zones of the Country as directed, ready for distribution just as the Ministry defended her Budget proposal for the 2022 Fiscal Year at the Senate.
The Chairman, ASCSN, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Chapter, Adekunle Balogun Ashir who spoke on behalf of the Staff expressed gratitude to God for restoring the health of the Minister which he said, he loves to affectionately called “Mother”.
Dame Pauline Tallen who has been wearing an arm-sling and having to endure some little discomforts disclosed to the delight and applause of her Ministry’s Management and Staff that she is getting back to full recovery and joy-filled to be returning to their warm embrace.
The Minister expressed delight at seeing them working very hard at the mandates of the Ministry in full cooperation with the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Adebiyi whom she specially commended for his inspiring leadership for the Directors and staff even while she was away.
Dame Tallen showered blessings of prayers on her staff in a return appreciation for the love shown her and for the special reception. Highlight of the reception event was the cutting of the cake which was moderated by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mr. Olujimi Oyetomi.
Signed. Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Press & Public Relations.
In recognition of the significant role of
traditional institutions as custodians of cultural values in the country,the
staff of the National Traditional Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria
NTCRN were selected among the recent beneficiaries of NITDA’S capacity building
on e- government.
The Director General, National Information
Technology Development Agency NITDA, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE,said,“the
exercise is being carried out with a view to ensuring successful implementation
of the e-Government Master Planas well as inculcating the use of Information
Technology in all government activities.”
Kashifu who was represented by the Director,InformationTechnologyand
Infrastructure Solutions of the Agency,Dr Usman Gambo Abdullahi, noted that the
training was aimed at ensuring application of Technology in running government
businesses especially in the Post COVID-19 era.
With this engagement of traditional institutions
in the country, the impactof the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy
NDEPS had recorded yet another breakthrough in it’s quest to ensurea Digital
Nigeria.
This feat was attained when the Federal Ministry
of Communications and Digital Economy, through the National Information
Technology Development AgencyNITDA, resolved to strengthen the policy by
engaging the administrators of traditional institutions in the country with digitaltechnology
as a platform for stimulating growth.
While highlighting the National Digital Economy
Policy and Strategy Policy’s components,the Director General explained that
NITDA has a Strategic Road Map which it has been implementing.He added that in
line with the National e-Government Master Plan for the country,a strategy to
have institutional framework was designed to implement the NDEPS.
“As engine room for the implementation of
government policies and programs,building the capabilities of government
officials to deliver on your mandates should be a priority to any government”,
he added.
He argued that as the apex body saddled with IT
development and regulations, our ability to deliver on the Federal government
Digital Economy mandate is our primary focus. “We recognize the fact that
building your capabilities as traditional institution should be among our top
priority.”
While further highlighting the benefits of the
training to the staff of National Council for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria
NTCRN,the Director General of NITDA described the role of Traditional
institutions as critical to sustenance of any meaningful development in view of
their closeness to the people at the grassroots.
“What the government is doing is to provide
services to the people,and the best way to doing thatis through the full
engagement of traditional rulers,” he alluded.
He said the Participants, during the training,
will be exposed to understanding how virtual platforms works and how to create
Teams and Channelsas well as how to set up Video Conferencing amongst many
others.
Mallam Kashifu also hinted thatthe training will
save participants from the vulnerabilities of onlineplatforms as Nigeria is
fast approaching the full attainment of Digital Economy,where the country must
be on the Cyber Space with its associated myriads of challenges.
Declaring the training workshop open, Etsu
Nupeand Chairman Coordinating Committee National Council for Traditional Rulers
in Nigeria, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar CFR, commended the Ministry of Communicationsand
Digital Economy under the able leadership of Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami
for his resilience and commitment towards making Nigeria a digitally dependent
country.
Alhaji Abubakar noted that the giant strides
recorded in the sectordemonstrates that the country will soon join the league
of top economies of the world.
The Director, National Traditional Council for
Traditional Rulers in Nigeria, Kasim Yawa, express gratitude to the management
of NITDA for acquitting them with rudiments of ICT and benefits derivable from
digital economy.
As part of activities to mark 10th anniversary, CyberAfrica, a Pan-African Information and Communications Technology magazine has instituted a ‘Pan-African Digital Economy Award’, which is targeted at celebrating digital innovations across all sectors on the countinent.
Disclosing this in a short statement in Abuja, the Managing Editor of CyberAfrica magazine, tv and online Mr. Hillary Damisah, said the novel award, which is schedule to hold 19 December 2021 at the prestigious orientalist hotel Lekki lagos , will have categories covering the entire sectors that make up the Information and Communications Technology ecosystem.
“While we want to mark CyberAfrica Magazine @10, we also want to celebrate the huge digital transformation that has taken place across Africa, where virtually every sector of the economy is being driven by digital tools,” he said.
According to him, the essence of the ‘Pan-African Digital Award’ is to celebrate the digital transformation across africa and Africans. The award categories are cyber security, egovernance, startups, innovation, policy , infrastructure, finance and administration. The award he said will parade the best persons and organizations that are transforming africa.
The CyberAfrica Magazine is published by the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), a non for profit and non-governmental organization with focus for promoting cyber responsibility through advocacy, training and innovation. According to the executive director of Cecad Mojisola Alabi, cyber africa is AFRICAs first magazine to focus on cyber issues a decade ago and the event is a two in one show. First the forum called cyber africa forum with a theme building a new africa with digital knowledge, skills and innovation. According to Moji the forum will discuss infrastructure, security, policy and governance. This is in addition to the Cyber africa digital economy award.
