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Tag: Nigeria

  • Expect new reforms in Nigeria’s public service by 2017- Abah

    The Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr Joe Abah, says there will be new reforms in public service in 2017 that will adequately foster the country’s growth.

    Abah disclosed this in Abuja on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said the recent announcement by the National Economic Council chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo showed that the government was now willing to address some of the issues.

    According to him, the government is now willing to look seriously at the issue of rationalisation of agencies and parastatals, as we will finally have a go ahead with the work that we have designed.

    “We have a 10-year plan for reforms we’ve been following, however, as with every plan the sequence and prioritisation ranges with government emphasis.

    “And so for 2017 we will be focusing very heavily on making it easier to do business in Nigeria.

    “And that is why the bureau has commissioned a number of studies to look at the bottlenecks to service delivery and we are looking at those things that affect the ordinary Nigerian directly.

    “For instance, the processes for getting a passport, the processes for getting a driver’s licence, the process for getting a tax clearance and the process for seeing a doctor in a government hospital.

    “And the gap between when you retire and when you actually start to get your pension. We have instances where people have retired and for one year they haven’t got any pension.

    “So, these are some of the topical issues we will be looking at to see where the bottlenecks are and what we can do to ease the process.

    “We are also optimistic that our report on restructuring of the merged ministry will go to council very early in the new year, with a recommendation that we do the same for all the other ministries,’’ the director-general said.

    Abah also emphasised the need to break the communication gap between the government and the citizenry as it relates to how government works.

    He, however, said that the bureau would in January 2017 commission a policy paper essentially to address the gaps.

    “We are also concerned that the communication function of government doesn’t work as well as it should and this is not unique to this administration.

    “It’s been an ongoing problem for a very long time where government is simply not getting the message along to the citizens and citizens are not engaging with the government.

    “So we will be commissioning a policy paper in January essentially showing how the disconnection in communication is actually hurting the government.

    “And the need for a coordinated message that citizens can engage with and the opportunity for citizens to be put through the way that government works.

    “We’ve already spoken with the Ministry of Information about it and also spoken with one of the Special Assistants to the President on new media on how we can work together to address these issues,’’ he said.

    The director-general also noted that the rate of unemployment in the country was worrisome, adding that the bureau will be engaging with the youth ministry and stakeholders in line with this.

    Besides, he said that the bureau was working towards ensuring that there was coordinated approach to dealing with the problems of unemployment in Nigeria rather what it used to be.

    “We will be doing a study in March on youth unemployment because again there is a problem with coordination.

    “We have the Ministry of Youths and Sports doing something on youth unemployment, we have the Ministry of Women Affairs doing its own; we have the Ministry of Labour and Employment doing its own.

    “We also have the National Directorate of Employment, we have various people doing various things but there is no coordination.

    “So that is one thing we also want to look at.

    “Because the issue of youth unemployment is something that is at the very fore front of our consciousness and something we are really concerned about,’’ said Abah.

  • Xmas: Muslim group urges collaboration with Christians to promote peace

    Xmas: Muslim group urges collaboration with Christians to promote peace

    The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) has called for collaboration between Muslims and Christians to promote the nation’s peace and progress.

    The group made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by its National Coordinator, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim.

    “As Christians mark the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) felicitates with them and calls on them for sober-reflection on the State of the Nation.

    “While congratulating our Christian brethren on this occasion, we Muslims invite them to ‘Let us work Together’ for peace and progress of our beloved Nation – Nigeria.”

    This, the group added, could be done by avoiding religious intolerance, fanaticism and acrimony.

    “We should both pursue love, affection and spiritual devotion with practical example to justify our believe in God.

    “From the History, both Muslims and Christians have been our brothers-keepers for long.

    “The event of Abbysinnia (now Ethiopia) where a Christian King called Negus protected the early Muslims that migrated from Makkah remains uncontroversial.

    “Also the agreement of the Holy Prophet with the Christians and Jews in Madinah when Prophet Muhammad migrated to Madinah where he sworn to protect the Christians and Jews from any aggression, oppression or victimisation.

    “As well as the warm reception he gave to them in his Mosque in Madinah during in visit by a group of Christians – are sure evidences of our long-standing relationship which must be sustained.”

    It stated that the present economic situation brought about by corruption, lack of fear of God and materialism should be a matter of serious concern to all irrespective of the religious persuasion as the problem is that of both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria.

  • 7 ways to best enjoy Christmas in Nigeria

    Christmas marks the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ and in Nigeria and it is a moment that is highly cherished by Christians.

    For many families in Nigeria, Christmas is also an opportunity for family members, friends to reunite. Lots of family members come together during this period not just to celebrate Jesus but to also enjoy the merriment that comes with the season.

    Partying, wearing the best of clothes adorning homes and streets with colourful lights, exchanging gifts, heavy usage of firecrackers are among the predominant cultures common during Christmas celebration.

    To serve you options of how best you can enjoy Christmas this year, TNG highlights some important you can best enjoy the Christmas celebration in Nigeria.

    1. Christmas trees

    Christmas celebration wouldn’t be complete without the beautiful Christmas trees that are constructed in most sitting room and houses the tree is an integral part of charismas in Nigeria, often rounded by shiny tiny lights that also runs around the sitting room it remind us of the festival and helps us keep abreast of the season.

    1. Travel

    Christmas celebrations and travelling are brewing. This a period when people travel to their respective state to celebrate with their loved ones, and it is often a time for family reunion, a time to focus, and it is also a time to seek the face of God and make New Year resolutions.

    1. Choice of meal

    Christmas period is a time when lots of delicious and tasty home cooked meals are being prepared. The choice of Christmas meal in Nigeria includes jollof rice, fried rice, salad or coleslaw, turkey, chicken, other dishes may include pounded yam, vegetable soup, stew, cakes for dessert and assorted drinks.

    1. Firecrackers

    Although, a ban has been placed on the usage of firecrackers in Nigeria due to the security situation in different parts of the country, but most Children and adults in Nigeria still play with firecrackers (bangers) during the Christmas celebration. Some families also take their children dressed in new outfits to see Santa Claus popularly known as “father Christmas” to most Nigerian children.

    1. Christmas parties

    The main parties which come with the celebration are never held on the day of Christmas, as it is believed that the day of Christmas is a day where people are supposed to stay at home with their families, or they can go out to the park, mall and other funfair ground together as a family. Most Christmas parties are hosted by families and friends and these types of parties are held at home, at the beach, and clubs.

    1. Church Christmas carol/service

    Before the Christmas day, most churches hold their Christmas carol service and the Christmas hymns are being led by the church choir while the church congregation sings along. And on Christmas Morning, most families go to church to give thanks to God for yet another wonderful Christmas, and it is definitely going to be a Christmas to remember because this Christmas is on a Sunday.

    1. Christmas fashion

    Thinking of what colour of outfit to rock this Christmas? There are several colours which are traditionally associated with Christmas and they are Red, Green and Gold, so your ideal outfit should be chic, trendy, comfortable, polished and warm and you can play around with the Christmas colours.

     

  • Nigeria will thrive in 2017 – Jonathan

    Nigeria will thrive in 2017 – Jonathan

     

    Former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has said the country will thrive in 2017.

    Jonathan said this in a goodwill message to celebrate Christmas on his facebook page. He urged all Nigerians to “treasure our common brotherhood”.

    The message reads in part: “The essential message of Christmas is that Christ came to earth to live and die for the purpose of reconciling us to God.

    “Being recipients of such good tidings, should we not appreciate this divine sacrifice by being reconciled with each other during this Yuletide season and beyond?

    “My desire for Nigeria and Nigerians this Christmas is that we treasure our common brotherhood knowing that if God did not will it so, we would not have found ourselves as Nigerians.

    “To God be the glory, we have survived to this point and I am more than confident that we will go on to thrive in 2017 as we work together to build a Nigeria where anyone can become anything irrespective of his region, religion or tribe.

    “Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from my family and I to you and your family. May God bless Nigeria,” Jonathan said.

     

  • As you celebrate Christmas, remember Nigeria in your prayers, Buhari urges Christians

    President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigerians should use the Christmas period to pray for divine guidance for the country to overcome its current socio-economic challenges.

    The President, who made the call in Abuja on Saturday in his 2016 Christmas message to Nigerians, noted that “there is no better time than now in our nation’s history to pray for divine guidance to get over our current challenges.’’

    He said that the nation could have peace if all citizens learnt to tolerate and appreciate one another, respect constituted authority, and be each other’s brothers’ keepers.

    “As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, I believe that it is very appropriate for us to reflect on the love of God, aptly espoused in the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.

    “During his earthly sojourn, Jesus Christ repeatedly reminded his disciples and followers of peace that come in the midst of trials and tribulations on earth.

    “During this period, we should remember to offer special prayers to God for all our heroic citizens who paid the supreme price to restore peace and security in the North East and other flash points in the country,” he said.

    He also urged Nigerians to remember in their prayers, the security forces in the frontline, making sacrifices to rid the nation of terrorism and violence.

    President Buhari also enjoined the citizens not to forget the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), as well as those who had suffered untold hardship as a result of activities of insurgents and terrorists.

    The President reassured that his administration’s immediate priority was to alleviate the poverty of Nigerians by quickly stimulating the economy.

    “I assure Nigerians that our government is doing its best to make life easier for all.

    “Let us therefore, renew our hope in the God-ordained unity, progress and prosperity of our great nation.

    “I wish all travellers safe movements and a memorable holiday as we celebrate with our families and friends,” he said.

     

    NAN

  • ‘Strengthen community policing’, Nigeria Police begs state governments

    The Nigeria Police has called on state governments’ to help strengthen community policing.

    ACP Funso Ajao-Olarinoye, the Area Commander, Igbeba Police Area Command, Ijebu-Ode made the appeal on Saturday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

    The police boss, while highlighting the strength inherent in an efficient community police system, explained that collaboration enhanced the police in the discharge of their duties.

    Ajao-Olarinoye further said that the community police and vigilante unions had a head-start in intelligence gathering because of their close proximity to the people.

    “The essentials needed to liberate the state of crime lies with the people through the strengthening of community policing.

    “It has been established that the closer you are to the people, the higher your efficiency level in intelligence gathering, management and eventual discharge of justice.

    “There is as much the police can do aside the resources accrued to them but there is more to be achieved if the people are empowered to liberate themselves by law.

    “Police are trying their best but you need to understand that the people know their terrain better, vigilantes are indigenes and as such that has aided their impact,’’ he said.

    The police boss said that although there were many methods of eradicating crime, proactive community policing had been seen to help drastically.

    Ajao-Olarinoye also commended the Ogun government for its high premium on security by providing security agencies with the necessary support and logistics to fight crime.

    “The Ogun State government has given adequate support to security outfits in the state to be successful in the discharge of their duties.

    “The feedback in the fight against crime in the state has been positive as security personnel continue to intensify their efforts to rid the state of all atrocities,’’ he said.

    He also frowned against cultism and hooliganism, especially on the side of the youth, saying most cult members also doubled as armed robbers.

    Ajao-Olarinoye warned criminals that ceased to desist from crime insisting that the police were up to the task and assuring the public of security of lives and property.

  • Finland pledges continuous economic relations with Nigeria in 2017

    The Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Pirjo Suomela- Chowdhury, on Friday announced his government’s plans to increase trade and economic ties with Nigeria in 2017.

    Suomela-Chowdhury told newsmen on the sidelines of the celebration of Finland’s 99th Independence Day anniversary in Lagos that more Finnish companies were getting interested in Nigeria’s business environment.

    The Envoy, who expressed satisfaction at the current growing relations between Nigeria and Finland, said that there had so far been positive results in the trade and economic relations between the two countries.

    “We strongly believe that the New Year, 2017, would hold more promising opportunities for fostering more result-oriented trade and economic relations between our two countries.

    “We will, therefore, keep on promoting trade and economic relations with Nigeria in the new year and beyond.

    “We are already seeing the results in our countries’ trade and economic relations, so far.

    “Let me say that there is so much interest of Finnish companies and businesses to invest more in Nigeria in 2017 and in the years ahead”, she said.

    Suomela-Chowdhury said that the celebration of her country’s 99th Independence anniversary in Nigeria was another opportunity for strengthening relations between Nigeria and Finland.

    The Ambassador also said that the celebration of the anniversary in Nigeria had provided a new platform of interaction for members of the Nigerian-Finnish Association, as well as other Nigerians and the Finnish.

  • FG commits N550m for revitalization of 110 PHCs – Minister

    The Federal Government on Thursday said it has committed N550 million to renovate 110 primary healthcare facilities in the country as a pilot programme for the revitalization of Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) in Nigeria.

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made this known while briefing newsmen after inspecting the renovation of Kuchingoro PHC in Abuja.

    Adewole said that the revitalization of the PHCs was one of the key components of the Rapid Result Initiatives (RRI) of the government.

    He said the pilot phase comprised of 109 of the clinics across the country, stressing that we will pick one per senatorial district.

    He added that additional one centre was in Fuka village of Niger where Lassa fever case was first recorded in 2015.

    He said the government has spent N7 million on the renovation of PHC Kuchingoro in Gwarinpa Ward of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

    He added that the revitalisation of the PHCs is the cardinal agenda of the Buhari administration.

    “We want to bring the healthcare services to the door step of our people and the only way to do that is to deliver health through a network of functional PHCs.

    “We are working with the state governors and development partners to replicate it in 10,000 electoral wards in Nigeria during the second phase of the initiative.

    “When we have them working across the country we will be able to serve the majority of Nigerians and provide an improved access to healthcare services to them,’’ Adewole said.

    According to him, many of the ailments that take people to hospitals can be addressed at the PHCs, thereby decongesting the tertiary health facilities.

    He said it is a partnership between the ministry, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and General Electric.

    He said that general electric would supply the equipment such as radiotherapy machines, warmer and other accessories.

    “In addition to this, the ministry would ensure that each of the rehabilitated PHCs has a small laboratory for common investigations,’’ the minister said.

    Besides, the government would also ensure that the PHCs deliver immunisations and there is provision for living quarters for the midwife to provide 24-hour services, Adewole said.

    He said through this “we can save life and deliver essential care to reduce maternal mortality in the country’’.

  • ‘Refineries to work in full capacity by 2017’

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Tuesday, said it would rehabilitate the three local refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna to achieve optimal capacity utilization in 2017.

    In a statement signed by Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division (NNPC) in Abuja, the Chief Operating Officer, Refineries of the NNPC, Mr. Anibor Kragha, stated that the Corporation was determined to move away from the approach of quick fixes and undertake a comprehensive revamp of the plants.

    “The plan for next year is to get the comprehensive rehabilitation programme done. “The situation is like having three cars in your garage that have not been maintained for 15 to 20 years while you expect optimal performance from them.

    “Changing one fuel pump here, one compressor there is not helpful. What we are doing now is to step back and take a holistic approach and do a full rehabilitation of all the refineries.” he said

    He added that once the exercise was achieved, the refineries in due course would draw up a chart for routine Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) Programme as and when due.

    Kragha explained that though the plan was still on course, none of the projected co-location refineries would come on stream in 2017 based on existing timeline for assemblage of the plants.

    ‘’We are very close; we have done tests with some of the key marketers. We have achieved all the parameters, we just want to be 110 percent certain,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company, Mr. Mukhtar Maiha, said KRPC was working towards a target of 75 per cent capacity utilization in the New Year based on projected supply of one cargo of crude oil per month.

  • In Northern Nigeria, Igbos are attacked because they are industrious – Sultan

    In Northern Nigeria, Igbos are attacked because they are industrious – Sultan

    Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has disclosed that Igbos are subject to attacks in crisis periods because they are visible entrepreneurs located in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

    He spoke on Tuesday in Nsukka, during a civic reception organised in his honour by the Nsukka Socio-Cultural zone.

    Abubakar regretted that contemporary Nigerians had failed to build on the foundation laid by the country’s founding fathers.

    He said that there were more cohesion and integration between preceding generations than the new generation.

    The sultan attributed the seeming mistrust among Nigerians to misinformation and ignorance.

    “We have refused to come together as a nation due to ignorance and suspicion. “Our visit here is to strengthen relationships, having started my youthful life in Nsukka 39 years ago.

    “My coming here is at the right time, considering the loss of lives due to insecurity in parts of the country,” he said.

    Abubakar said that no Nigerian would aim at killing an Igbo man in any part of the country for whatever reason, adding that they were only targetted because of their hard work.
    “Nobody in the Northern part of the country has been aiming at an Igbo man to kill.

    “Miscreants target them because they are the most industrious and the people that move the economy.

    “That is why their shops and other businesses are mostly the target during unrests because the hoodlums are sure to find valuables in the shops,” he said.

    The Sultan said that he was overwhelmed at the love shown him by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and residents of the state.

    “As Nigerians we can be the best of families if we want to,” he said.

    Abubakar challenged governments at all levels to investigate how suspected herdsmen and other Nigerians acquire AK 47 and other arms and ammunitions.

    “They have always asked us how the herdsmen acquired these ammunitions, but I throw the question back to the politicians; find out how people acquire the guns.

    “Find out how the herdsmen that move with AK47 riffles acquire them,” he said.
    Abubakar said that Nigerians had the option to live as one united family, adding that such visits would continue to strengthen the ties between the peoples of the country.

    The Sultan, who is on a three day visit to Enugu State inaugurated road projects executed by the state government in Enugu and Nsukka.