Nigeria should emulate Jordan on Christians, Muslims’ peaceful co-existence – Yabo    

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‘Jordan has many historical Holy Sites for Christians, Muslims’

Honourable Farouk Malami Yabo is the Nigerian Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In this interview with ADOYI M. ABA in Amman, the Jordanian capital, he speaks on the choice of Jordan for the 2020 Christian pilgrimage; efforts being made by the embassy to control Nigerians living in or coming into Jordan; success stories of Nigerians resident in the country, and how Nigeria can emulate the peaceful co-existence of Jordanians in solving security challenges, among other issues.
 
 
 
Choice of Jordan for pilgrimage
 
 
We all know the challenges that Covid-19 has posed all over the world since early 2020. The role of the embassy and our mission outside Nigeria is to facilitate collaborations, operations on a reciprocal or symbiotic basis. So, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC) contacted the mission in Jordan sometime in April, a few weeks before I arrived in the country, confirming that they were unable to do any operations in Israel last year due to the Covid-19 restrictions and this year was also going to be the same. So, they asked the embassy to contact the authorities in Jordan. The authorities in Jordan received their request and actually obliged a lot of support. Over 60 NCPC officials, including chairmen and secretaries from various chapters, visited Jordan to verify things and confirmed that Jordan has historical Holy Sites for Christians and Muslims. It was a resolution that the board and their state chapters reached after visiting Jordan.
 
The next thing on the part of the embassy was to make sure that the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Tourism of Jordan granted approval. So, we followed up and that approval was granted. Another exciting thing that took place was the first flight. All officials of the Jordan tourism ministry were at the airport for support and it was incredibly great and we collectively considered it a major milestone. This is the first leg of the major religious stories of coming to Jordan and I will actually commend the pragmatic and forward thinking leadership of Rev. Yakubu Pam, the executive secretary of NCPC. He has been consistent. I am sure he has a lot of challenges, but I am also sure that with what has happened and what is happening, he has comprehensively been vindicated. 
 
Again, what encourages us is that Jordan has opened their doors wholeheartedly and has been supporting pilgrims from the first flight to the fifth flight, where we are right now. We are very proud of the way our fellow citizens have conducted themselves. We have not recorded any case of abscondment, which is highly remarkable. Also, Nigerians coming to Jordan usually undertake Covid-19 test at the airport. We have confirmed to Jordan that Nigeria is a country that follows rules and regulations. People travelling in and out of Nigeria must observe full Covid-19 protocols. I think that is why the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Nigeria is ranked No. 4 in terms of managing Covid-19, which is good for our nation. We did similar effort during the Ebola outbreak years back. We have always assured Jordan that our relationship has come a long way and this pilgrimage has fostered that even further. 
 
 
Assistance for NCPC
 
With the state-of-readiness visit conducted by NCPC officials, we got actively involved to make sure they were facilitated to visit all the Holy Sites for Christians and Muslims. The Baptism Site is here like so many other Sites; so, it is an excellent relationship. Before now, Jordan and Nigeria had always maintained a strong relationship. Our president visited in 2017 and 2019 and we have a strong cooperation on counter-terrorism through the Agabor Process. We also have the members of the National Institute for Policy for Strategic Studies (NIPSS) that visited and explored what Jordan is doing. Their theme for this year is Getting Things Done. They are quite pleased with what they have seen in Jordan. We also have senior military and Air Force officers, who also visited two weeks ago to forge further collaboration with Jordan. We are receiving a lot of Nigerians and we are very proud of the way Nigerians are conducting themselves and the way Jordan has been treating Nigerians are also quite commendable. 
 
Advice to pilgrims
 
It has been clearly mentioned by the board and the executive secretary of the NCPC that Jordan is not a replacement for Israel, but with what they have seen, with the Holy Sites they have discovered and with the peaceful coexistence and support we are all getting from the Jordanian authorities, we will make sure that even when Israel re-opens, Jordan will be imbedded in one of the options that will be explored.
 
 
On peaceful coexistence in Jordan
 
Muslims have the overwhelming majority here, up to 90 per cent, but they have existed peacefully with Christians for thousands of years. This is something we can borrow from Jordan. Another spectacular characteristic of Jordan is that they have been able to maintain peace and security despite the challenges of the neighbourhood where they live. They are surrounded by states with a penchant for hostilities. At one end, you have Syria, Iran, Palestine, and Lebanon, but they have been very receptive to refugees and the influx of refugees has been huge. They have been taking care of them and also maintaining their own internal security and that is the aspect that I mentioned about cooperation that Jordan and Nigeria have in the area of counter-terrorism. An excellent example is peaceful coexistence and tolerance, something that we have to deeply take further. 
 
This pilgrimage and the citizen diplomacy it has brought with it to a good number of Nigerians coming to Jordan, I think, will help the embassy to propagate how peaceful coexistence can be achieved even when you have a huge number of Muslims and a few number of Christians living together and they have exhibited this for centuries and that is what Nigeria is strictly lacking right now.
 
 
Admonition for service chiefs
 
Make no mistake about it; I have mentioned that there has been a very strong military cooperation between Nigeria and Jordan. I came here in April and did my presentation to His Majesty, King Abdullah II on the 9th of June. In one of the discussions we had, he harped on the strong military cooperation between Nigeria and Jordan. I think if we can deploy some of the strategies that Jordan has used in combating the threats of terrorism, which the federal government is doing very well, we should be able to surmount the current security challenges Nigeria is facing. However, we have to be excellent ambassadors of our country.
 
I always say that we over-amplify our internal issues unnecessarily to the glare of external attention. The nation and media should imbibe the spirit of promoting of positivity of their nations. That is why you are supposed to be active partners in the promotion of peace and development. Sometimes, I read newspapers here in Jordan and most of the negative stories are culled from the internet or local Nigerian papers or media houses. So, we have to find a way in re-defining our approach to our national image. It is very important. Every country has its challenges and nations with their media and the press always articulate what is good for their country. The good news is that Nigeria is an active democracy in the sense that we have freedom and that freedom has not been obstructed in any way as we still say whatever we like. However, in communicating with the rest of the world, we have to deploy some degree of responsibility in the way we sell our country. 
 
 
Nigerians in Jordan
 
We have a very good quality representation of Nigerians in Jordan. We have Nigerians working with international organisations at the top level here. We have someone who is the regional manager of UNICEF, head of risk management of the whole Middle East and North Africa. We have someone working with the International Red Cross, UNHR and so many of them. We have two pastors running their own churches. We also have an Imam of Nigerian descent who is a Jordanian and has been here in the last 75 years. He was actually born in Jerusalem in 1945, and has been in constant touch with the Nigerian embassy. We also have Jordanian investors who have major investments in Nigeria. We have a student community and Nigerians who are doing legitimate businesses in Jordan. We have less consular issues, to be honest. Our population is less than 500, and we have only four or five cases and the Embassy has been there to make sure that these people, regardless of being guilty or not, are given fair hearing. You can imagine other countries in other cities and the amount of consular cases.
So, we are really delighted with what we are seeing in Jordan. As a mission, we are here to make sure that Nigerians living in or coming to Jordan are treated with care, respect, and dignity. Part of the strategies I deployed when I arrived in April was to invite all the Nigerian communities that are living in Amman and outside Amman and met with them and through that we have been able to organise them. They have an interim leadership and Pastor Sam is the current interim leader of the Nigerian community. Dr. Ahmad is the interim leadership of the student community. In order to connect with Nigerians living here or coming here, I have been able to launch a mobile app for Nigerian embassy Jordan application on the day I did my presentation to His Majesty.  So, this mobile app can be accessed by those coming to Jordan or anybody who has anything to do with Jordan. 
 
In this mobile app, we have links to Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council, all that Nigeria has to offer to the rest of the world. In addition to that, we also have a distress call button which enables Nigeria to reach us at any time. The embassy has deployed a desk officer who is saddled with the responsibility of handling some of these queries as they come. We also have navigation features attached to the mobile app. So, wherever you are in Jordan, it will navigate you to where the embassy is. We have also been receiving Nigerians; I hosted dinner for the residents. The president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Samson Ayokunle, was on the first flight with senior special leaders from the Christian faith and they confirmed that Jordan has been very receptive to them. We believe that any nation that is receptive to people and pilgrims will continue to be blessed. We have to use the significance of this spiritual journey to collectively pray for our nation and its leaders. We have to pray for our nation so that we can collectively overcome our challenges. Nigeria will always be here; we have had worse challenges in the past, but I am positive that our nation and good leaders will take us to where we ought to be.
 

Be bold and take up ICT related roles, experts charge Nigerian women

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PRESS RELEASES

Nigerian women have been charged to equip themselves and take up roles and responsibilities in the country’s Information and Communications Technology both in government and private sector.

The experts, who gave the charge at the maiden edition of the Women Entrepreneurs & Executives in Tech Summit’ with the Theme: Future Tech Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs, also argued that women can only take up roles by participating in ICT skill training and retraining.

First to give the charge is the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Umar Danbatta. According to him, women should upskill themselves as it is critical to removing social and economic barriers.

“Women should be bold enough to take on entrepreneurship opportunities as well as a leadership position in other to play active roles in the evolving Digital Economy,” Danbatta, who represented by Olatokunbo Oyeleye, Director, New Media and Information Security at NCC said.

He noted that for women to get the empowerment needed to compete favorably among their global peers, they must invest in digital skills, stressing that digital literacy improves family incomes, trade and creates job opportunities for mothers. “Investing and supporting the younger generations digital development is critical, especially since females face disproportionate social impediment,” he added.

Also speaking at the Summit, the Google Nigeria Country Manager, Ms. Juliet Ehimuan, charged women to be inspired, think big and spot the opportunity, insisting that no sympathy and sentiments – Women should create value for them to be recognized.

“The point is becoming an entrepreneur is all about problem-solving. Women should not go into entrepreneurship if they are not ready to solve societal challenges,” she argued.

While charging established women entrepreneurs to take up mentorship roles and mentor at least 10 other women entrepreneurs in order to build a pool of tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria, the Google Nigeria Boss urged women to show up and be known, stressing that is the only way they can contribute to policies that can grow and change society.

She gave examples of several women in Nigeria and indeed across the world who are leveraging ICT skills to build businesses that are in turn making a lot of money and ultimately, contributing to the economy of their homes and countries.

The ‘Women Entrepreneurs & Executives in Tech Summit, which was organized by TechLife Media and Communications Limited and powered by TechLife with Ugo, was well-attended by several stakeholders from both the government and the private sector.

The Summit, according to the organiser was put together to brainstorm on the place of Nigerian women in the emerging world of technology and how they have fared in the recent time while expanding new ideas in ICT and Telecoms.

14 key recommendations from Women Entrepreneurs & Executives in Tech Summit

The maiden of the Women Entrepreneurs & Executives in Tech Summit was held yesterday at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, with key stakeholders and experts drawing up 14 key recommendations.

These recommendations, according to the experts will alter the perception that roles of Information and Communications Technology are majorly for men, adding when implemented by the government and private sector players, women’s ego will be boosted to take up ICT roles.

The Women Entrepreneurs & Executives in Tech Summit…. Touching a Woman Driven Tech Space, with the Theme: Future Tech Trends, Challenges and Opportunities for Women Entrepreneurs was organized by TechLife Media and Communications Limited and powered by TechLife with Ugo.

The essence of the Summit, according to the organiser is to brainstorm on the place of Nigerian women in the emerging world of technology and how they have fared in the recent time while expanding new ideas in ICT and Telecoms.

The Recommendations:

 Government needs to provide definite policy direction on digital agenda pursuit that carries women along.

 The banks (Bank of Industry) need to give more support to start-ups, especially women entrepreneurs. When funding is available, there should be a mechanism to communicate their availability to women and how to access them.

 Government and telecom regulators must identify gaps in capacity building for women. The establishment of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and Innovation Fund for universities should be a veritable platform to empower women in Nigeria.

 The government and the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy should identify initiatives to support women.

 Women should be encouraged to participate in ICT skill training. This will help them to appreciate the benefits of networking.

 Women should build their skillsets very often so that they can meet up with their male counterparts.

 Women are encouraged to build their personal and business brand so they can stand out. They should take risks and see challenges as part of life.

 They should also support themselves by going into partnership, even with their male counterparts.

 Spot the opportunity and be inspired…. Think Big X10 the idea and take action.

 No sympathy and sentiments – Women should create value for them to be recognized.

 Government needs to encourage capacity building in sciences by supporting female students and university lecturers majoring in technical courses through innovation funding.

 To build a pool of tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria, each established women entrepreneur must mentor at least 10 women entrepreneurs.

 Becoming and entrepreneur is all about problem-solving. Women should not go into entrepreneurship if they are not ready to solve societal challenges.

 Women must begin to take up roles and responsibilities in society. They should show up and be known. That is the only way they can contribute to policies that can grow and change society.

𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖/𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚; 𝗞𝗢𝗚𝗜 𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗖𝗢 𝗕𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗦𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗞𝗢𝗚𝗜 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘.

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By: Maymunah Zubair

The Chairman, State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), 𝗛𝗮𝗷𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝘇𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻, Kogi has called for support for the struggling women in mining and Artisanal Miners in Kogi State.

The charge was made today at the two-Day Public Hearing on the Bills to establish the Nigerian Mineral Development Corporation, Solid Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission, Institute of Bitumen Management and also a Bill to Repeal and Re-enact the Explosive Act of 1964.

The Chairman while speaking to the senators at the highlight of the hearing, made a passionate appeal on behalf of ill-equipped women and Artisanal Miners stating that Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining makes up 80 – 90% of all the Mining in Nigeria and therefore need all the support they can get, if the Nation is to check the loss of revenue through mining.

Reacting to the her appeal was 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗙𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗵𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗶 who wasted no time at directing the National President of Miners Association of Nigeria, 𝗔𝗹𝗵𝗮𝗷𝗶 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱 to take charge. He assured Hajiya Suleiman that due consideration will be given to women and registered Artisanal Miners when grants and government intervention funds are allocated.

Speaking further, the chairman expressed admiration of 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝗱𝗲𝘆𝗲𝗺𝗶 for his tremendous effort in promoting Kogi State among his colleagues at the Senate. She recognised his passion for developing the Solid Minerals sector in Kogi and Nigeria as a whole.

The Public Hearing came to an end wherein the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines and Steel Development And Metallurgy, 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗮𝗸𝘂𝗿𝗮 pledged to take all the points and suggestions raised by the public for into consideration and onward discussion at the Senate Plenary.

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Signed :
𝘏𝘢𝘮𝘻𝘢 𝘈. 𝘠𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘣,
Committee Media Rep

𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗙: 𝗞𝗢𝗚𝗜 𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗖𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗛𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦

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The Chairman of State Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee, MIREMCO, Kogi State Chapter, 𝗛𝗮𝗷𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝘇𝗮𝘃𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗻 has called for added inclusion of host communities on issues bordering on solid minerals and mining.

The call was made today at the two-day public hearing on several Bills and Motion on solid mineral development at the National Assembly. The hearing was hosted by 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗼 𝗔𝗹-𝗠𝗮𝗸𝘂𝗿𝗮, Chairman Senate committee on solid minerals, mines, steel development and metallurgy as well as other members of his committee. In attendance was the Senate President, 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗻, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development 𝗗𝗿. 𝗨𝗰𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗴𝗮𝗵, as well as other relevant stakeholders in the sector.

Hajiya Suleiman while speaking in support of the Solid Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission Establishment Bill 2021 sponsored by 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗬𝗮𝗾𝘂𝗯 𝗢𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶 representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, said that the commission when created, would be the perfect vehicle to reassess and reposition the importance of host communities in the sector. She opined that compensation and community development agreement, while inclusive, was barely enough to carry host communities along, and added that host communities be made shareholders in mining ventures in their communities, as this will greatly reduce conflicts and bring about harmonious relations between mining companies and host communities.

She further stated that various issues militating against cohesive and sustainable development of mineral producing areas like Kogi State, including the lack of definitive and decentralised data of minerals across the local governments of the country, would be better streamlined should the bill be passed.

The bill is one of many under appraisal including Nigerian Minerals Development Corporation Establishment Bill 2021, Management Establishment Bill 2021, Explosive Act 1964 Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2021 and the urgent need to investigate the loss of 9 billion dollars annually, due to illegal mining and smuggling of gold.

𝘈𝘣𝘶𝘫𝘢, 13𝘵𝘩 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳, 2021

By Maymunah Zubair

We Want to Leave a Lasting Legacy: Nasarawa State University, KEFFI (NSUK) -VC Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed

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Education is said to be the bedrock of any nations development, however the education sector in Nigeria has continued to decline over the years.

Today public schools are known for having dilapidated buildings and poor infrastructure, with unending strikes constantly ravaging tertiary institutions thereby keeping students out of schools longer than necessary.

Social Plus Africa crew interacted with The Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Professor Suleiman Bala Mohammed who says poor funding has been the bane of the Nigerian Education system.

According to the Vice Chancellor, paucity of funds to run programmes and execute projects that will set the institutions up to compete favourably with others in more developed countries is posing serious challenges to them.

He says financing formal education in Nigeria, especially tertiary institutions should be an issue of national concern in the face of economic melt down and world wide inflation.

He further stated that, for institutions to function well, welfare of accademic and non accademic staff should be of utmost concern to the government.

However, despite the poor funding for tertiary institutions in Nigeria, Professor Suleiman has continued to work tirelessly to revive and transform the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

Today under his leadership, dilapidated buildings on the campus have been rehabilitated, new sets of academic and none academic staff members have been employed, he has also strengthened staff/students relationship, building of a 1000 seater capacity hall, ongoing construction of the faculty of Engineering and Medicine, ongoing construction of senate building, he spearheaded the setting up of a standard studio for Mass communications department, but most importantly, he ensures that academic results are ready on time, and lots more.

He thanked the Tertiary Education Trust Fund TETFUND for their continuous support especially in area of infrastructure development

To him therefore, he has pledged his commitment to continue to work to leave a lasting legacy and build an institution that will compete globally.

Investment Economist, Omale Harps On Imperative Of Private Sector Investments As Panacea To Poverty And Devt

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A United Kingdom-based Nigerian Investment Economist, Dr Samson Agada Omale has identified a private sector led investments as sure way out of poverty and underdevelopment.

Omale made this revelation on Wednesday at Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, while interacting with some women activists, Team Exodus Women.

According to him, Kogi State is so endowed with huge potentials, that if properly harnessed, will discourage monthly cap-in-hand trip to Abuja for handout (monthly Allocation).

“Kogi don’t need federal allocation to develop. All that is needed is a leader with the right attitude, platforms and connections to attract both local and foreign investors into the state.

“Lokoja, the state capital is a huge tourist attraction that can fund the state budget and still have surplus funds. But it takes a leadership with the right exposure and character to deliver on these expectations.”

According to Dr Omale, Kogi State is supposed to be paying private sector wages and not minimum wages. He said when the people are properly motivated, there is no limit to what they can do!

The Investment Economist also identified woman as pillars of every sustainable development initiatives. “There is virtually nothing any government can do to alleviate poverty and accelerate development without, first, empowering women. Women are the anchor of social stability, when they are empowered, the family is empowered. Woman all over the world are proving their mettle, our state cannot be an exception,” he said.

He urged de-escalation of politicking and emphasise character and competence in leadership as the sure way to get a Kogi State of our dreams and aspiration.

Speaking on behalf of the Exodus women, Mrs Victoria Atulukwu, said, the 21st Women should be a potent force in social mobilisation and economic empowerment, urging a discard of archaic practice that subject women to the backroom of political discourse.

“Women Empowerment is a force idea, whose time has come. The women must be given the chance to take their pride of place in the formulation of government policies, because, in the final analysis, women are always at the receiving of wrong priorities of government.”

Women who took turn to air their view, re-echoed Victoria’s view of women empowermemt to contribute meaningfully to the society.

The familiarisation meeting, drew women from the 21 Local Governments of the confluence state.

CREDIT: THE SUMMIT

Medallion, PFS, Cloudflex, Infobip, Konn3ct and more MDAs sign up with CECAD for Worldwide Web Day Celebration

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The invaluable impact of the Worldwide Web to businesses, products and service delivery in today’s world can no longer be overemphasised. Little wonder as the preparations for this year’s global celebration for the Worldwide Web Day 2021 draws closer, more individuals, institutions and the Organised Private Sector have continously confirmed their partnership with the Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD), promoter and organisers of the event in Nigeria their endorsements and participation.

According to a statement by Dr Bayero Agabi, President of the leading internet safety, awareness and training organisation top stakeholders and major players within the web ecosystem have consistently signified their interest to be part of the event as CECAD unveils more partners for the event.

The 2021 edition of the event tagged ‘World Wide Web celebration’, Agabi says more partners in the private sector are signing up including
Medallion Communications, Precise Financial Systems, Cloudflex, Infobip, NCS, NITRA, ITPulse, CKN News, GTech News, Digivation Network on AIT and National Daily newspapers amongst others.

The veteran ICT broadcaster further revealed that numerous other MDAs have also signed up as a way to further foster the Federal government National Digital Economy Strategic master plan. Some of the agencies are; NITDA, NCC, Galaxy Backbone, IXPN , Digital Bridge Institute, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and more to make the event a grand one.

The event, scheduled to hold August 9th in Lagos is meant to discuss the impact of the internet, the opportunities of emerging digital technologies for business, raising constant awareness and exploring the strategies of safety on the web for individuals and businesses, infrastructure companies and innovators.

In his words
“We will be leveraging the opportunities the World Wide Web celebration presents and look at policies to grow the space and the Nigerian information society through creating a sustainable digital economy. The event provides a platform for sharing organizational vision and strategic plan to drive development and growth. Bayero an avid and passionate technology advocate noted that the objective of the World Wide Web celebration is also in line with the Federal government National Digital Economy Policy aimed at revolutionalising service delivery and improve productivity within the digital space,” he emphasized.

Agabi also disclosed that this is the first time in Nigeria a private organisation is rallying key players within the internet and digital innovation space to mark the Worldwide Web Day and to celebrate the impact of the internet, review its usage in terms of security, entrepreneurship and innovation. Thus, the pacesetting by CECAD to gather best brains in the industry and those using the internet for growth and innovation to deliberate on the success of the internet and the best yet to come. These sectors cut across entertainment, comedy, governance, business transaction, tourism and many more essentially with the covid19 pandemic.
The World Wide Web Day is a global celebration dedicated to web browsing, online activity that brings a wealth of knowledge to your fingertips. It is a chance to celebrate the way the internet has created an environment for collaboration and business growth while also taking a deeper look into its evolution over the past three decades since its invention by Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

According to Dr. Bayero, the Nigeria event celebration will chronicle the impact of the internet, best ways to use the internet for good and economic development, its impact in the media, business, governance, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The event is put together by CECAD and Cyber Africa magazine with support from top organisations.

NCPC HOLDS PRAYER CONGRESS AT MOUNT NEBO, JORDAN, PRAYS FOR NIGERIA, OTHERS.

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PRESS RELEASE

The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC held its maiden Prayer Congress on 29th July ,2020 at Mount Nebo, Jordan. The Prayer Congress was the first to be held in Jordan for the 2020 Pilgrimage exercise.


All the Nigerian Pilgrims currently in Jordan were on ground to grace the epoch making event.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam in his welcome address, expressed his profound gratitude to the Jordanian authority. He specially thanked them for the wonderful reception which was accorded to the NCPC delegation on arrival in Jordan. According to him,” this will forever be appreciated”.


He hinted that the Commission had discovered quite a number of Holy Sites in Jordan and would take the good news back home for a sustained relationship with Jordan.
The NCPC boss promised to leverage on this new relationship with Jordan in the area of Agriculture, tourism and ICT for the benefit of our youth.
Rev Pam further commended the Jordanian government for opening their doors to Nigerian Pilgrims at a “perilous time like this”.


He thanked the Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency, Amb.FarukYabo for making sure that the Pilgrims and members of the delegation are comfortable in Jordan.His words”,
thank you for making Jordan a home away from home”
The NCPC helmsman in his charge, affirmed that there would be peace in Nigeria after this Pilgrimage.He posited that peace and development without love , cannot guarantee peace in Nigeria.


Rev Pam who took his Bible lesson from the book of Psalms, chapter 23 verse one called on Christians to be still in the face of trouble so that the Lord who is a good Shepherd would see them through and deliver them from all their travails.
He admonished them to learn how to forgive one another as Christ would always forgive us.
The Chief Executive of NCPC later created four think tank groups from amongst the Pilgrims to provide advisory services and policy direction in the area of Agriculture, tourism,ICT , policy formulation and spirituality.


Speaking, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency, Amb. Faruk Yabo said he was excited for the opportunity to receive the Nigerian delegation to Jordan.
He stated that Jordan had been able to discover incredible Holy Sites which means that Pilgrims would have the opportunity to visit more Holy Sites in Jordan.
He appreciated the dynamic and pragmatic leadership of the NCPC boss for making sure that Jordan Pilgrimage became a reality.


He stressed that Jordan had been spectacular in achieving peace and unity as such “is an excellent example of peace and unity.”
He affirmed that there exist a strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Jordan.He further expatiated that Nigeria would continue to appreciate what Jordan had been doing in the area of counter terrorism and military cooperation.
Amb.Yabo was optimistic that the Christian Pilgrimage operation in Jordan would be sustained.
He intimated that the Nigerian Embassy under his leadership had developed a mobile application for Nigerians in Jordan to enhance effective information technology drive.
In his sermon,the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,His Eminence, Dr Samson Ayokunle preached on love as symbolised by Christ.
Reading from the book of Acts chapter17, Collosians 13 verse 14 and Romans chapter 12 verses 1 to 12.


He affirmed that the spiritual experience of the people cannot stop. He posited that without Jordan the Israelites would not have been able to reach the promised land.
Dr Ayokunle thanked the Ambassador for allowing himself to be used to be part of this historic moment. His words,” We thank you because you can read the minds of God and acted well,” He added,”the Ambassador also opened his full hands to receive Nigerian Pilgrims even when he belongs to another faith.”
He explained that because of this Pilgrimage experience in Jordan, Nigerians would know and appreciate Jordan better.
The N o 1 Christian leader in Nigeria further stressed that true love overcomes everything and we should be devoted to one another in love .
Prayers were offered for Nigeria, the state governors, pilgrims and Jordan.

Signed
Celestine Toruka
Head , Media and Public Relations NCPC
30th July,2021
Amman, Jordan

NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR TO JORDAN COMMENDS THE PROACTIVENESS OF THE NCPC BOSS, REV. PAM

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PRESS RELEASE

The Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Jordan, His Excellency, Amb. Faruk Yabo has commended the proactiveness and drive of the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam for his dynamism and initiative of actualizing the maiden pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Jordan.
He gave this commendation on 27th July,2021 in his official residence in Amman, Jordan during a dinner organised in honour of the members of the official delegation of the 2020 Pilgrimage to Jordan.
The Ambassador who was highly enthused with the visit said he was very grateful to Almighty God for allowing him and his team to witness this very milestone in the history of Nigeria and Jordan.
According to him,” it is the proactiveness of the Executive Secretary of NCPC that led to this milestone”. He explained that Jordan was deeply excited to receive the Nigerian Pilgrims and as such did not take it for granted.
He added that the entire Jordanian tourism sector came out with pomp and pageantry to receive the first ever Nigerian Christian pilgrims’ contingent and by extension the government of Jordan were excited and overwhelmed.
His Excellency further reaffirmed that Jordan” is a city that is receptive to Pilgrims”.
He hinted that Jordan as a country is sorounded by a lot of events which had placed her in high esteem in the comity of nations.
The No 1 citizen of Nigeria in Jordan further stated that Nigeria had a strong nexus with Jordan which explains why they are helping Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
He stressed that because of the robust bilateral relations between both nations, President Muhammadu Buhari undertook a state visit to the Kingdom of Jordan in 2017 and. 2019 respectively.
His Excellency formally welcomed the high profile delegation to the Nigerian House and pledged that him and his team would take adequate care of the Nigerian Pilgrims in a more dignify way.
He expressed confidence and optimism that the Christian Pilgrimage operation in Jordan would be sustained.
Responding,the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam described the appointment and posting of the Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan as divine. He affirmed that Amb.Yabo ” is the pride of Nigeria”.
He thanked him for the colourful and red carpet reception accorded the Nigerian delegation to Jordan.
In the words of the NCPC boss,” the future of His Excellency is very bright; I believe God has so much in store for you”.He added that his tenure in Jordan would be glorious.
Also, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN His Eminence Dr. Samson Ayokunle thanked the nation Jordan for allowing the Nigerian Pilgrims to come in at a time like this despite the ravaging effect of the COVID 19 pandemic on nations. His words,” thank God for Jordan that opened their border for us”.
He equally commended the proactiveness and creativeness of the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam.
The No 1Christian leader of Nigeria also thanked God for the life of the Ambassador as the right person whom the Lord had prepared at a time like this to give us a red carpet reception.
His Eminence affirmed that the Lord had used the Ambassador to bring ownership and oneness that Nigeria is one irrespective of our faith.His words, “we are very grateful to you for your large heart and openness”.
The CAN President prayed for the success of the Pilgrimage operations in Jordan,the well being of Nigeria and the Ambassador that God would lift him higher than where he is presently.
The NCPC delegation to the official residence of the Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Jordan comprised Archbishop John Praise, the Chaplain Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, CAN Assistant General Secretary as well as members of the NCPC board–Rev . Dr Emmanuel Ebomuche, Federal Commissioner, South East, Rev Dr Jida Musa, Federal Commissioner North East, Barr. Forgiven Amachree, Federal Commissioner South South, the Ex- Officio member representing the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the Director of Mobilisation NCPC, Chris Udegbunan and the NCPC Legal Adviser, Barr. Rev Garba Isibambi.


Signed
Celestine Toruka
Head, Media and Public Relations NCPC
28th July, 2021
Amman, Jordan.

NCPC SPECIAL FLAG OFF 2020 PILGRIMAGE TO THE KINGDOM OF JORDAN

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The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev Yakubu Pam have lauded the officials of the NCPC and the Federal Government for the successful planning and 2nd flag off ceremony of the 2020 Pilgrimage.

While speaking at the official flag off ceremony which was held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, Rev Pam urged pilgrims to be ambassadors of peace and development.

He charged pilgrims to pray for the peace and stability of the country as prayers he said is never too much for a Christian and God’s children.

The Executive Secretary of the NCPC was overjoyed after inspecting the aircraft which the pilgrims will board to the Holy land, he expressed gratitude to his staff and prayed God’s blessings on them and wished the pilgrims a safe travel and God’s guidance.

Also present at the the flag off ceremony, the representative of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who is the Permant Secretary, office of the SGF, Dr Mourice Nnamdi emphazied the need for prayers as he urged pilgrims to be law abiding and civil.

He urged them to see the pilgrimage as a means of strengthening their Christian faith and becoming better Christians and thus better citizens of the Country.
He further called on Christians to ensure that they take part in pilgrimage to the holy land, according to him, the experiences are spiritual and solidifies ones faith in Christ Jesus.

The theme of the 2020 2nd flag off ceremony of the main pilgrimage to Jordan is, PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT.

Highlights of the event includes, special praise and worship session by the NICPC choir, intercessory prayer, the official flag off /commissioning and inspection of aircraft, goodwill messages.

Pilgrims from Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Ekiti state and the FCT converged on Abuja as their take off point.

This is the 2nd pilgrimage exercise organized by the NCPC since the Corona Virus Pandemic.

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