OLUWAKEMI AREOLA, DRIVES YOUTH EMPOWERMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Vivacity Development, under the visionary leadership of Oluwakemi Areola, a steadfast advocate for youth empowerment, reaffirms its strategic commitment to fostering the growth and potential of young individuals within the green economy. Simultaneously, the organization harnesses Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Research and Development (R&D), aiming to catalyze innovation and sustainability.

In a world where environmental consciousness is paramount, Oluwakemi Areola, as the Founder and CEO, recognizes the pivotal role of youth in shaping a sustainable future. By placing a strong emphasis on capacity development, the organization aims to equip young people with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the evolving landscape of the green economy.

Key Initiatives:

1. Green Economy Training Programs: Vivacity Development is launching specialized training programs concentrated on the green economy. These initiatives will cover crucial areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation, empowering young individuals to contribute to a greener world.

2. ICT Integration for R&D: Embracing the transformative power of technology, Vivacity Development incorporates cutting-edge ICT for Research and Development. This approach aims to foster innovation in sustainable practices, environmental conservation, and eco-friendly solutions.

3. Collaborations with Industry Leaders: Oluwakemi Areola spearheads collaborations with industry leaders in the green economy and ICT sectors. These partnerships offer young participants real-world insights, mentorship, and opportunities to engage in impactful projects.

4. Youth-Led Initiatives: Vivacity Development actively encourages youth-led initiatives by providing a platform for young innovators to showcase their ideas. The organization believes in the potential of the younger generation to drive positive change and, through mentorship and support, aims to amplify their impact.

Oluwakemi expresses enthusiasm about the initiative: _"At Vivacity Development, we believe in the power of youth to shape a sustainable future. By investing in their capacity development and leveraging ICT for R&D, we are fostering a generation of environmentally conscious and innovative leaders. Our commitment to the green economy goes hand-in-hand with our dedication to utilizing technology for research and development. Together, these initiatives empower young individuals to be at the forefront of positive change."_

Vivacity Development invites stakeholders, partners, and the public to join in supporting these initiatives and contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future. The first event for 2024 will be held at the University on Abuja on the 22nd February 2024.

The goal of this project, under Oluwakemi Areola's leadership, is to inspire and catalyze transformative actions that promote sustainable development, enhance workforce readiness for the digital age, and accelerate the transition to a green economy. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting best practices, and facilitating capacity building, they seek to create tangible impacts contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous future.

About Vivacity Development:

Vivacity Development is an Abuja-based organization dedicated to empowering youth through capacity development programs. With a focused approach on the green economy and leveraging ICT for R&D, Vivacity Development aims to create a sustainable and innovative future for the younger generation.

VIVACITY DEVELOPMENT SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS AT COP28 WITH CEO KEMI AREOLA AS HOST

Dubai, UAE — Vivacity Development is thrilled to announce its participation in the United Nations Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28) with a compelling side event hosted by the esteemed CEO, Kemi Areola. The event, scheduled for Monday, December 04, 2023, from 4-6 pm at Expo City, Dubai, UAE (Safe Zone), will focus on "Climate Change Awareness - Nigeria's Action Plan."

Event Overview:

As the world unites to address the pressing issue of climate change, Vivacity Development is proud to contribute with a thought-provoking side event, featuring Kemi Areola as the host. The event aims to raise awareness about climate change, with a specific focus on Nigeria's comprehensive action plan.

Key Details:

- Date: Monday, December 04, 2023

- Time: 4-6 pm

- Location: Expo City, Dubai, UAE (Blue Zone)

Main Topic:

The main theme of the side event revolves around "Climate Change Awareness - Nigeria's Action Plan." This pivotal discussion will illuminate Nigeria's determined efforts in combating climate change, underscoring the importance of global collaboration.

Subtopics:

1. Human Health as It Affects Women and Young People:

Exploring the impact of climate change on the health of women and young people, this subtopic emphasizes the need for targeted strategies and interventions.

2. Adaptation and Resilience Strategies:

Delving into the adaptation and resilience strategies implemented by Nigeria, this subtopic will showcase successful initiatives and lessons learned.

3. Encouraging Individual Action:

Focusing on inspiring and empowering individuals to take action against climate change, this subtopic underscores the role of individual choices and behaviors in creating a sustainable future.

Contact Information:

For further details about the event and participation, please contact:

@Vivacitydevt 

Email: info@vivacitypr.com

www.vivacitydevelopment.org

Vivacity Development's side event at COP28UAE is poised to be a dynamic platform for fostering meaningful discussions on climate change. 

YOUTH AND TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTS UNVEILED BY OLUWAKEMI IN ITV INTERVIEW

Yesterday, CEO Vivacity Engr Oluwakemi Areola had the pleasure of engaging in a dynamic conversation on tech and youth-related matters during this morning's show on Independent Television. The discussion delved into the intersection of technology and the youth demographic, exploring topics that resonate with the current landscape of innovation and societal dynamics.

They explored the role of technology in shaping the experiences of young individuals, discussing how it influences their education, career choices, and overall lifestyles. The conversation highlighted the impact of digital advancements on a wide range of learning methodologies and the importance of empowering the youth with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly evolving world.

Additionally, they delved into the challenges faced by the youth in navigating various landscapes, addressing issues such as government engagement, financing, and the need for responsible and ethical communication.stratergies. The discussion aimed to not only acknowledge the opportunities that Nigeria presents but also to foster a deeper understanding of the potential bottlenecks and ways to navigate them successfully.

Throughout the show, Engr Oluwakemi  proffered  potential solutions in various fields, providing her personal perspectives on the evolving relationship between governments and the youth demographic. 

She said 

"By fostering an open dialogue, we aim to bridge the gap between generations, encouraging a mutual understanding of the transformative power of communications and its benefits for the future.'

The viewers had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the tech-driven world and its impact on the aspirations and challenges faced by the youth. 

She also highlighted that 

"As Nigeria continues to navigate the ever-changing landscape of technology and society, these discussions serve as a crucial platform for fostering awareness, understanding, and collaboration among all generations.'

NATIONAL THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT: MINISTER COMMENDS PRESIDENT BUHARI ON COMMITMENT TO CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUTH

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for renewing his commitment to providing opportunities for the Nigerian Youth. He described the President's call for investment in projects that will directly benefit young people as visionary and timely.

The Minister made this known on Sunday July 12th, during his brief remarks at the event to handover the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, to the Central Bank Nigerian (CBN) and the Bankers Committee for its redevelopment into the Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre.


"Today’s event is another giant step towards strengthening President  Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to create opportunities for our teeming Youth. For me, this project fits perfectly into his challenge to me to seek out and collaborate with willing partners to keep the Nigerian Youth busy.  The potentials of this four component New National Theatre is massive in job creation for our Youth, talent discovery and development, revenue generation and as an innovation and technology hub.

"With the pandemic still biting hard at our nation and the world at large, this project is a much needed shot in the arm to vaccinate our Youth against the multi-headed challenges of unemployment, criminality and the negative impressions forced on them by the very few unscrupulous individuals, who have chosen a life of crime on the international scale."


The event was attended by the Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele; and the Chairman of the Bankers Committee, Mr. Herbert Wigwe.


Mr. Dare thanked the Bankers Committee for their will to invest in the Youth, saying it was worth the risk. He added that the creative industry in Nigeria which is fueled by the energy and imagination of the Youth, is a lucrative venture.

"It is now commonplace to hear music produced by our Youth in shopping malls of Dubai, New York, London, and Moscow amongst other great cities of the world," he said. "In terms of downloads, Nigerian artistes like WizKid and Davido are punching at a global level. From the Royal Albert Hall to 02 Centre in London, to virtually all African capitals, sold out audiences in some cases exceeding 35,000 people have paid premium prices to see these amazing home-grown Nigerian products perform. The value chain they lubricate - from legal specialists, logistics, video/graphic artists, fashion, broadcast engineering and much more - are extensive."


The National Theatre property and the entire land was officially handed over by Alhaji Lai Mohammed since the establishment is under his ministry, which is in a partnership with the Lagos State Government, the Bankers’ Committee and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on the project. The project, which is to be completed in 18 - 22 months, would convert the National Theatre to a creative village, with four other pillars, including a pillar for the film industry; one for the music industry, one for fashion and another one for Information Technology.

"One strand that binds the millennial generation is their love for the creative arts and entertainment. These are the lifeblood of the new millennial economy," Mr. Dare said. "Despite the crowded global market, Nigerian Youth have excelled with their music permeating every corner of the globe. They are etching the Nigerian brand in the consciousness of their generational peers, as a country that can produce the very best. For each of the examples given, there are millions amongst our Youth with talents, innovative ideas and skills, who are unable to access much needed technology and credit. They all need their country’s support. That support pipeline is born today.


"The Nigerian Youth represents a critical component in propelling the world towards attaining the sustainable development goals."

PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE DENIES LINKING KANO MASS DEATHS TO COVID-19

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has debunked media reports attributing the mass deaths in Kano to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its National Coordinator, Dr. Nasiru Sani Gwarzo, had reportedly been quoted as saying the majority of the bereavements recorded so far in the state were traceable to the novel coronavirus.

The denial came as the Governor Abdulahi Ganduje administration directed managements of public and private hospitals to reopen clinical services to non-COVID 19 patients in the state.

During a press briefing yesterday in Kano, Gwarzo insisted that he was misquoted, adding that he could not have pronounced the cause of an incident of that magnitude through the media when the mandate rests solely on the shoulders of the state government.

The incidents had attracted global attention, with no fewer than 600 bodies believed to have been buried in seven days.

The strange deaths had cut short best brains in the state, including professors, business moguls, captains of industry and several unsung heroes in the society.

The state government had insisted that the unprecedented fatalities were unconnected to underlying ailments, including diabetes, hypertension, malaria and pneumonia.

But Ganduje, who regretted the sending away of other classes of patients by the medical facilities, pointed out that such practice could worsen the situation on ground.

He said fears of contracting the deadly virus and shortage of personal protective equipment (PPEs) that informed the shutting down of the hospitals in the first instance had been addressed.

The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, had on Monday implored the state government to facilitate the reopening of the health facilities to avert a total paralysis.

Meanwhile, three weeks after being admitted at the Kano isolation, three patients that initially tested positive for COVID-19, have been given a clean bill of health.

The state task force coordinator, Dr. Tijani Hussain, made the information available to reporters yesterday in the ancient city.

Besides, the PTF has mobilised 3300 informants to conduct a house-to-house search for suspected coronavirus cases in the state.

Its chairman, Boss Mustapha, made the disclosure yesterday when he appeared before members of the House of Representatives probing the mysterious deaths in the North West state.

He further unveiled plans by the body to establish state-of-the-art intensive care units and treatment centres in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), restated government’s resolve to upgrade molecular laboratory facilities nationwide and ensure that a COVID-19 test centre was available in every state through utilisation of the existing GeneXpert machines.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

LAGOS ORDERS MARKETS TO OPEN ON SELECTIVE DATES OVER COVID-19

The Lagos State Government has issued new guidelines for the reopening of markets and shopping malls in the state as part of efforts to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s announcement of the gradual easing of the lockdown in Lagos from Monday.

The state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed, who disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Alausa, Ikeja, reiterated that all markets and stores in the various local councils/local council development areas across the metropolis would be allowed to open from 9:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. on selected days.

He emphasised that everyone attending these markets and stores would be mandated to observe precautionary measures such as physical distancing and high levels of personal and respiratory hygiene.

In a statement yesterday, Ahmed declared that malls would also be allowed to open with the proviso that stores will maintain a 60 per cent occupancy capacity at any point in time, while also ensuring that a two-metre physical distancing is maintained between a shopper and the next person in the store.

The commissioner maintained that food handlers must also wear face-masks and hand-gloves in markets at all times, directing that shop owners must provide hand sanitisers and wash hands with soap and running water at all entry points, conduct temperature checks on customers and ensure that nobody is exempted from the process.

Ahmed disclosed that stakeholders at a meeting attended by the Iyaloja/President, General Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and other major market leaders in the state, unanimously agreed that effective from Monday, May 4, 2020, food sellers and other ware traders should operate on alternate days in all markets across the state, saying: “In essence, those trading in other items and wares apart from food will only be allowed to trade on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while all food and farm produce sellers will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.”

Meanwhile, in readiness for the 2020 rains, which is expected to commence soon and its attendant floods, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and its key stakeholders from relevant industries, have kick-started the flood preparedness plans.

In a statement, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Okey-Osanyintolu, said to generate adequate and effective mitigation plans against flooding this year with its prediction of high rainfalls, LASEMA had further employed technology to determine the land area of the local councils at high risk of flood.

Okey-Osanyintolu further stated that Lagos State’s re-activeness against flooding was predicated on the agency’s hazard vulnerability analysis, which empirical results determined its vulnerability to flooding in most parts of the state while the vulnerability risk assessment of flood on every part of the state, as a fundamental process in mitigating against flood disaster, helped the agency to provide accurate early warning.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

PEOPLE THAT STUDY ABROAD ARE USUALLY RATED ABOVE THOSE THAT STUDIED IN NIGERIA’S INDIGENOUS INSTITUTIONS. (MRS. KEMI AREOLA, SA TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF YOUTH AND SPORT DEVELOPMENT)

5th March, 2020
Abuja.
At the event, Open Ukrainian Education Education Days “Study in Ukraine 2020” held at the NAF conference centre, Abuja on 5th March,2020 was graced with presence of delegates from Embassy of Ukraine in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria Ministry of Education, Ukrainian State Center for International Education of Ministry of Education and Science of Ukriane, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nigeria, Director of Nigerian-Ukranian Trade House “Newsvit” and partners – Intergraid company in the quest to ease the process of Nigerians interested in studying in Ukraine. Introductory and welcome remark were addressed by Tetyana Mayboroda, Sumy State University Ukraine.

Nigeria population is very youth heavy that will become more relevant in the next 10 to 20years. The quest to build a better Nigeria has gone beyond mere low level of education, youths need to be equipped with solid quality education to compete in the labour market. The rate at which Nigerian students relocate abroad to study has continually been on the increase, every year has witnessed a significant rise in the numbers of students migrating abroad for education; despite the huge costs of financing such moves. The rate at which Nigerian students relocate abroad to study has continually been on the increase due to quality standard of education in developed countries.

Charge d’Affairs of Ukraine to Nigeria Serhii Yushkevych in his words said: “One of the cheapest countries to study in developed countries is Ukraine, you can have a degree with 2000 to 4500 dollars”. Recently, there have been an increase in the population of Nigerians interested in studying in Ukraine. “Ukranian Education Foundation” was purposely set up incase they face any challenges in Ukraine such as combating attacks on Nigeria students and guaranteed safety.

Kemi Areola, Special Assistant ICT And Corporate Relations to The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare: “It has also been observed that employers of labour in Nigeria tend to prefer people who studied abroad, especially in countries with great quality of education. We are not saying that Nigerians quality of education is below par but that we have a fair bit to learn from countries that have educational systems in place for a good number of years longer than Nigeria has. Such people that study abroad are usually rated above those that studied in Nigeria’s indigenous institutions.”

She ended her speech by imploring every youth to consider studying at least a part of their course in abroad.
Studying in Ukraine is subject to scholarship programme to support qualified students financially.  For the purpose of studying in home comfort, their universities offers various online courses says 2nd Secretary Ukrainian Embassy in NIgeria - Bodgan Soltys.

The conference was closed by the signing of Memorandum between Olena Nedryhailo (official representative of UCCI in Nigeria) and Agenla Adamu (partners – Intergraid company) for the creation of Charity organization “Ukranian Education Foundation”.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: DOLAPO OSINBAJO, ROTIMI AMAECHI TO GRACE VIVACIOUS BALL 4.0 IN SUPPORT OF GIRL CHILD, HOLDS MARCH 8

To commemorate the international women’s day as well as lend a voice to the plight of the girl child in Nigeria, an exclusive event tagged Vivacious Ball 4.0 is set to hold on Sunday, March 8 at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotels, Victoria Island, in Lagos.

“One major issue affecting the girl child today is lack of education. When it comes female genital mutilation, equal opportunities, domestic violence and sexual rights, it all boils down to lack of education. Hence, my team and I are identifying a girl child from each school in different communities who is under privileged to ensure she gets an education to university level and this we hope to sustain”, she added.

The event which will witness advocates, supporters, individuals and organisations is aimed at fostering support for girl child causes in Nigeria beyond. According to the host, Special Assistant on ICT & Corporate Relations to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, CEO/Public Relations Consultant – Vivacity Public Relations, Oluwakemi Areola, the event is designed to foster sustainable support and empowerment for the girl child and related causes.

Expected in attendance are wife of the vice president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, former governor of Jigawa state, Ibrahim Saminu, CEO, KCN holdings limited, Ken Nwaelena, Turaki. Others Include first Ladies from various states, high ranking women in government and business.

Areola, a passionate crusader and advocate for the girl child, who recently turned 40, also launched her Simply Vivacious outfit, specialised in Ankara jackets, male and female underwears.

FG TO SPEND N2.7TR ON INFRASTRUCTURE

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said the Federal Government will be spending over N2.7 trillion on critical infrastructure across the country.
Osinbajo disclosed this yesterday while unveiling a 2.5kilometer flyover named after Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata at Fagge Council Area of Kano State.

The Vice President, who restated President Muhammadu Buhari’s renewed commitment to engender growth in the country’s infrastructure architecture, commended Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his foresight.Earlier, Ganduje said his administration approved N500m to mobilise the contractor back to site after the project was abandoned at 25 percent completion by the immediate past government.

Ganduje pledged to sustain development plan of Kano City to compete with mega cities in Africa and across the world.Osinbajo also commissioned an interchange underpass along the Kofa-Ruwa-Katsina road, named after Alhaji Tijjani Hashim and laid foundation of Sheikh Karibullah Nasiru Kabara flyover in the Kofar Mata area of the city centre.He also stressed the need to domesticate security architecture and engage communities in the management of their own safety.

Insisting that agitations for community policing in the country was indisputable, he declared that the best security strategy to overcome crimes and criminality was local participation in security of lives and property.The Vice President’s position may have been informed by the decision South West governors to form their regional security outfit named “Amotekun,” which now attracts divergent views from different segments of the country.

On poverty reduction, Osinbajo explained that the Federal Government has promised to bring 10 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.“And I must confirm to you that this government is committed to actualising it and that was why it launched its social investment programme (SIP).

“Again, we are now feeding 9.5 million children daily in public schools across the country. Government also gave out N2m loan to traders.Earlier, he visited Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, at his palace where he commended the monarch for keeping peace in his Kingdom.Speaking, Sanusi commended the Vice President for recognising Kano as one of the peaceful states in the country and urged Osinbajo to consider the state as his second home.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

NIGERIANS MAY PAY MORE FOR DATA, VOICE CALLS IN SOME STATES

Telecom companies acting under the aegis of Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said they may have no choice but increase tariffs for voice calls and data over the decision of 14 state governments to increase the cost of right of way (RoW) for telecommunication infrastructure.

Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria warned that the regime of discriminatory tariff regime may become inevitable as they operate under different conditions in some states.

Gbenga Adebayo, the chairman, lamented that some states have seen the telecoms sector as a cash cow that should be milked, adding that they come with very spurious taxes, charges, and levies.

But this threat is coming hours after Isa Pantami, minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said he has written to state governors to comply with the national economic council’s (NEC) resolution on the Right of Way.

The states which hiked the levy are Lagos, Kano, Anambra, Ondo, Cross River, Kogi, Osun, Kaduna, Enugu, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Imo, Kebbi, and Gombe.

The RoW charge is the levy paid to state governments for laying of optic fibre on state roads.

At present, the cost of RoW on federal roads is N142 per linear metre.

The 14 states, however, increased RoW fees from between N300-N500 per linear metre to between N3,000-N6,000 per linear metre.

The new management of the Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) increased RoW fee from N500 per linear meter to N5,000 per linear metre.

A single telecom operator needs RoW covering thousands of kilometres.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

WE WILL MAKE LEARNING ATTRACTIVE THROUGH DIGITISATION, SAYS SANWO-OLU

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday said that learning would be digitised at primary and junior schools in the state to make learning attractive.
More than 2,000 teachers from all the 57 local councils are currently undergoing a two-week intensive training being held under the state government’s Eko Excel Initiative. The programme is a key component of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s education blueprint seeking to deploy technology to fundamentally transform the basic education template, thereby improving the outcome of teaching and learning.

The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and its technical partner, Bridge International Academies, had already trained 2,400 primary school teachers in the first tranche of the capacity building programme.

Sanwo-Olu, who stated this when he made a surprise visit to CMS School’s Complex in Bariga for an assessment of the on-going capacity-building programme for all public primary school teachers across the state, said the training was necessary to incorporate the primary school teachers into the reforms being introduced to improve on education at the foundation level and enhance the quality of education in the state.

The governor said his government had concluded plans to digitise curriculum of basic schools, noting that modern techniques were being employed to maximise learning in all public-owned primary schools.

He said that the teachers needed the training to enable them to use gadgets being introduced by the government to achieve and measure academic growth in primary schools.

He said: “We are changing the mode of instruction in our primary schools and we are employing technology to achieve this. By this, we are creating a situation where schools will be attractive to children, irrespective of social background. We believe the first effort to shape their future is to make them look forward to going to school every day in their formative years. When we properly prepare them at that cognitive stage, we have carved a good future for them.

“Delivering these instructions is critical. This is why we introduced this intensive training to boost the capacity of our teachers to deliver and support these children at this critical stage.”

We believe teachers are the first point of contact between the children and their future. The six hours spent with teachers can go a long way in shaping what the pupils will become tomorrow.”


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

AFTER MISSILE LAUNCH IRAN SAYS IT RESPECTS IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY

Iran said Wednesday it respects Iraq’s territorial integrity, after firing missiles at Iraqi bases housing US troops.

The early Wednesday strike led Iraq to say it would summon the Iranian ambassador.

In a letter to the United Nations Security Council and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said his country has full respect for “the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Iraq.”

There were no American or Iraqi military casualties in the strikes.

“The operation was precise and targeted military objectives thus leaving no collateral damage to civilians and civilian assets in the area,” the diplomat said in a letter released by the Iranian mission.

Iran “recalls its dedication to the maintenance of international peace and security and stresses that it does not seek escalation or war,” he said.

Iraq’s foreign ministry said Wednesday it would call in the Iranian ambassador because of the missile attack, which it called a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Iraq had already summoned the US ambassador after the US drone strike last Friday that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad airport.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

TRUMP SAYS IRAN ‘STANDING DOWN’ AFTER MISSILE STRIKES

President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran appeared to be “standing down” after missile strikes against Iraqi bases that caused no US casualties, indicating there would be no immediate new military response.

In a televised address to the nation from the White House, Trump emphasized that there were “no Americans harmed” in the salvo of missiles aimed at two bases.

While he promised to immediately impose “punishing” new economic sanctions against Iran, Trump welcomed signs that Iran “appears to be standing down” in the tit-for-tat confrontation, signaling that the United States did not plan a new military riposte.

Trump closed his remarks by addressing Iranians directly, saying that he was “ready to embrace peace with all who seek it.”

However, the US president, facing both an impeachment trial in Congress and a tough reelection in November, touted his decision to order the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani last Friday — the operation that prompted Tehran’s missile strike.

Soleimani, a national hero in Iran, was “the world’s top terrorist” and “should have been terminated long ago,” Trump said.

Although Trump ended his remarks with the call for peace, he opened by stating bluntly that he would never allow Iran to procure a nuclear weapon.

He then urged European allies and other world powers to follow America’s lead in abandoning a teetering international agreement on managing the country’s nuclear ambitions.

Missiles blast bases
Iran’s missiles targeted the sprawling Ain al-Asad airbase in western Iraq and a base in Arbil, both housing American and other foreign troops deployed in a US-led coalition fighting the remnants of the Islamic State jihadist group.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the missiles a “slap in the face” for the United States and indicated that more was to come.

“An important incident has happened. The question of revenge is another issue,” Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on state television.

The office of Iraq’s premier said it had received “an official verbal message” from Iran informing it that a missile attack on US forces was imminent.

“Iraq rejects any violation of its sovereignty and attacks on its territory,” the statement said, without specifically condemning the missile strikes.

Iraqi President Barham Saleh denounced the attack and said it rejected attempts to turn Iraq into a “battlefield for warring sides”.

Iraq’s military said it sustained no casualties in 22 missile strikes, most of them hitting Ain Al-Asad.

Fire, then restraint
The brazenness of the strike was highly unusual for Iran, which has tended to disguise attacks on US interests or troops through its use of proxy Shiite forces.

“Ballistic missiles openly launched from Iran onto American targets is a new phase,” said Phillip Smyth, an expert on Shiite militias.

But as the dust settled, it appeared that Iran’s strike — coming soon after the burial of Soleimani at a funeral in front of vast crowds — might have been more symbolic than anything.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps warned any US counter-attack would be met with an even “more crushing response” and threatened to strike Israel and America’s “allied governments.”

However, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif seemed to indicate that Iran was satisfied for now.

“Iran took and concluded proportionate measures in self-defense,” Zarif said on Twitter.

Condemnation
The strikes sparked worldwide condemnation, including from NATO, Germany, France and the UK.

France said its forces deployed in Iraq sustained no casualties while the UK was concerned about “reports” of victims as British troops are stationed there. The Norwegian military said coalition troops were warned of the attack in advance through intelligence channels.

The apparent deescalation did not remove pressure from approximately 5,200 US troops stationed across Iraq, where Iran has close links to powerful armed Shiite militias.

And Iranian allies in the country said they still intend to take revenge for Friday’s US attack in which top Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was killed alongside Soleimani.

Muhandis was the deputy head of Iraq’s Hashed al-Shaabi, a military network incorporated into the Iraqi state whose factions are backed by Tehran.

Paramilitary chief Qais al-Khazali — blacklisted as a “terrorist” by the US — said his side’s response to the United States ” will be no less than the size of the Iranian response.”

The Iraqi parliament has called for expulsion of US troops in the wake of the operation last week and there was embarrassing confusion at the Pentagon over the US response.

Overflights suspended
Separately, a Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737 crashed just outside Tehran after taking off bound for Kiev, killing all 176 people on board.

There was no immediate suggestion of any link with the Iranian strikes but carriers including Air France, Royal Dutch Airlines and Lufthansa announced they were suspending flying though Iranian and Iraqi airspace as a precaution.

The US aviation regulator banned civil flights over Iraq, Iran and the Gulf, citing the potential for “misidentification” of aircraft.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

WORLD BANK PUTS NIGERIA’S GROWTH AT 2.1 PER CENT IN 2020

The World Bank Group, yesterday, raised Nigeria’s growth expectations in 2020 to 2.1 per cent, describing it as an “edge up”, a development that confirms the country’s continued stay in sluggish economic path for another calendar year.

It also warned that the macroeconomic framework is characterised by multiple exchange rates, foreign exchange restrictions, high persistent inflation, and a central bank targeting manifold objectives that are not conducive to confidence.

Meanwhile, the global economic growth is also forecast to edge up to 2.5 per cent in 2020, as investment and trade gradually recover from last year’s significant weakness, but downward risks persist.

The World Bank’s “January 2020 Global Economic Prospects”, however noted that growth among advanced economies as a group is anticipated to slip to 1.4 per cent in 2020, in part due to continued softness in manufacturing.

onomies as a group is anticipated to slip to 1.4 per cent in 2020, in part due to continued softness in manufacturing.


On the other hand, growth in emerging market and developing economies is expected to accelerate this year to 4.1 per cent, though not broad-based, but improved performance of a small group of large economies, some of which are emerging from a period of substantial weakness.

The global institution noted that in Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa- the three largest economies in the region, growth was subdued in 2019, remaining well below historical averages and contracting for a fifth consecutive year on a per capita basis.

Beyond the large economies, growth also deteriorated in several industrial commodity exporters in 2019, as weaker prices and softer demand dampened activity in extractives sectors, such as in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Namibia.

The World Bank Group Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions, Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, said: “With growth in emerging and developing economies likely to remain slow, policymakers should seize the opportunity to undertake structural reforms that boost broad-based growth, which is essential to poverty reduction.

“Steps to improve the business climate, the rule of law, debt management, and productivity can help achieve sustained growth.”

The bank’s Prospects Group Director, Ayhan Kose, added: “Low global interest rates provide only a precarious protection against financial crises. The history of past waves of debt accumulation shows that these waves tend to have unhappy endings.

“In a fragile global environment, policy improvements are critical to minimize the risks associated with the current debt wave.”

Regional growth is expected to pick up to 2.9 per cent in 2020, assuming investor confidence improves in some large economies, energy bottlenecks ease, a pickup in oil production contributes to recovery in oil exporters and robust growth continues among agricultural commodity exporters.

The forecast is weaker than previously expected reflecting softer demand from key trading partners, lower commodity prices, and adverse domestic developments in several countries.

A sharper-than-expected deceleration in major trading partners such as China, the Euro Area, or the United States, would substantially lower export revenues and investment.

A faster-than-expected slowdown in China would cause a sharp fall in commodity prices and, given Sub-Saharan Africa’s heavy reliance on extractive sectors for export and fiscal revenues, weigh heavily on regional activity.

A broad-based rise in government debt has led to sharp increases in interest burdens, crowding out noninterest expenditure and raising concerns about debt sustainability.

Insecurity, conflicts, and insurgencies— particularly in the Sahel—would weigh on economic activity and food security in several economies. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent as the climate changes, posing a significant downside risk to activity due to the disproportionate role played by agriculture in many economies in the region.

Still, about a third of emerging market and developing economies are projected to decelerate this year due to weaker-than-expected exports and investment.

U.S. growth is forecast to slow to 1.8 per cent this year, reflecting the negative impact of earlier tariff increases and elevated uncertainty. Euro Area growth is projected to slip to a downwardly revised 1 per cent in 2020 amid weak industrial activity.

Downside risks to the global outlook predominate, and their materialization could slow growth substantially. These risks include a re-escalation of trade tensions and trade policy uncertainty, a sharper-than expected downturn in major economies, and financial turmoil in emerging market and developing economies.

Even if the recovery in emerging and developing economy growth takes place as expected, per capita growth would remain well below long-term averages and well below levels necessary to achieve poverty alleviation goals.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

NORTHERN ELDERS STILL BEHIND TINUBU FOR 2023 PRESIDENCY, SAYS GROUP

Disciples Of Jagaban (DOJ) has maintained that Northern elders are still in support of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, to emerge as the next president.

Addressing a joint press conference in Kaduna yesterday, the national coordinator of DOJ, Abdulhakeem Adegoke, and the national youth leader, Haruna Adaraushe, described the former Lagos State governor as the bridge between the north and the south and the reason Nigeria still remains as a country.

Reminded that his call for Tinubu’s presidency bid was coming at a time some northern elders were clamouring for the north to retain power beyond 2023, Alawuje said: “We know those who are elders in the north, and there must be opposition. If Asiwaju (Tinubu) is coming out without opposition, it is not politics. Are the opposition (elements) representing the interest of the north or doing it for their own selfish interest? That is an important question we need to ask.

“We need a competent and charismatic leader, which is Asiwaju. He contributed immensely to the success of APC. President Buhari had tried severally to led the country, but to no avail until Asiwaju’s support in 2015.”

Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) has commended Northern elder statesman, Mallam Isa Funtua, for his support for a president of Igbo extraction in 2023.

In a statement in Abakaliki, the national president of OYC, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, urged southeast governors to emulate Governor Dave Umahi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declare openly their political alliance with Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) government, as one of them would be favoured as Buhari’s successor.

This followed Umahi’s comment that although he was a card-carrying member of PDP, he would always align with Buhari.

OYC, therefore, urged Umahi to officially join the APC.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide lauds the chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum (SEGF) and Ebonyi State governor for his bold stance of being 100 APC per cent inwardly, irrespective of being a card-carrying member of PDP.

“Other southeast governors should emulate Umahi and declare openly their political alliance with Buhari’s APC government, as one of them is favoured and predicated to be Buhari’s successor in 2023, and Igbo youths are solidly behind them.

“The Northern elder statesman, Mallam Isa Funtua’s statement on Igbo presidency project 2023 is a good signal that the Igbo are designed by fate, destined by God and favoured by Nigerians, irrespective of tribe and religion, to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023,” OYC stated.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

BUHARI WILL NOT PICK HIS SUCCESSOR, PRESIDENCY SAYS

More than 24 hours after one of his well-known allies asked him to pick his possible successor, an aide of President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Nigerian leader is not interested in doing so.

“The president will not pick a successor if you know him,” Buhari’s media adviser Femi Adesina said on Channels on Monday night.

“He is not somebody like that. But yes he will be interested in the process and he has said that he will ensure that there will be a free, fair and credible process and nobody will come to use money and resources to bamboozle his way to the leadership of the country, it will not happen.”

The pastor of Latter Rain Assembly Tunde Bakare Sunday told Buhari to be decisive in choosing a member of his party that will succeed him in 2023.

Bakare was Buhari’s running mate in the 2011 presidential election as the candidates of the Congress for Progressive Change.

Although he is not known to be a card-carrying member of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Change, Bakare is believed to interested in becoming the president of Africa’s largest economy.

He told News Agency of Nigeria last March that he would like to succeed Buhari in 2023.

“I am going to throw my hat into the fray. I am just waiting for President Buhari to finish his tenure (in 2023). We cannot continue this way because we have something to offer this country, and we will by the grace of God,’’ he said.

Bakare made a similar statement during a sermon in February 2018. In that sermon, he categorically predicted that would succeed Buhari as Nigerian president.

“I am saying it to you this morning, in the scheme of things, as far as Nigerian politics is concerned, President Muhammadu Buhari is number 15 and yours sincerely is number 16,” he said in a video that only went viral more than a year after it was recorded.

The video has since been pulled down from the YouTube channel that first published it, a check by The Guardian on Monday night showed.

However, Buhari’s spokesman said his boss will be interested in handing over not to persons who may loot the country.

“The president will ensure that Nigeria is in safe hands, there is no point having worked from 2015 to 2023, having made gains, advances and then hand Nigeria over to looters once again or to allow looters use stolen funds to seize power,” Adesina said.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

EL-RUFAI ORDERS CLOSURE OF GAS RETAIL SHOPS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS

Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has ordered the closure of all gas refill stations located within residential areas in the state.
The governor, who gave the order on Monday appealed to residents to report such gas outlets to government for immediate action.

News Agency of (NAN) reports that El-Rufai who visited scene of Saturday’s gas explosion at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna said the gas refill stations should relocate to industrial layouts.

“It is most unfortunate that this incident has happened. It is further proof and evidence that this is high risk activity that should not be allowed to be located in residential areas.

“We will relocate them, we will give them land in industrial areas where adequate precautions to prevent things like this will be put in place.

“But for now, we have to get all these gas refilling plants within the metropolis and towns relocated. We are mapping all of them. For now they are shut down,” he stressed.

The governor advised residents to report anyone found refilling gas within residential areas.

“You should report to Kaduna Environmental Protection Agency (KASUPDA) so that measures can be taken to chase them out.

“While the person might be doing it for money, but you will be the victims. So report to KASUPDA or KEPA or write directly to me. It is my duty to ensure that everyone is safe,“ he said.

He noted that gas refilling is a high risk activity that should be undertaken only in industrial layouts where all the safety measure can be put in place.

“In residential areas like this, it is not acceptable to have this kind of facility, we have already given directives that all such outlet should be shut down,” he stressed.

The governor paid condolence visit to the family of Prof. Simon Mallam, erstwhile Chairman of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission who died in the incident and also visited victims of the gas explosion receiving treatment at St Gerald hospital, Kaduna.He prayed for the souls of those who died and quick recovery of those in hospitals.


SOURCE: GUARDIAN

FG TO ESTABLISH COMMUNITY MUSEUMS TO BOOST TOURISM – LAI MOHAMMED

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish community museums as part of efforts to ensure that local communities benefit from tourism.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the plan on Thursday at the ongoing 4th World UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture in Kyoto, Japan.

A statement on the event was made available to newsmen in Abuja by Mr Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture

”In Nigeria, we observed that tourists stay in big cities when they visit.

‘They visit the museums in the cities where objects gotten from different parts, including the rural areas, are displayed but they hardly go to the rural areas.

”To encourage tourists to visit the rural areas where money spent is quickly reflected in the local economy, we are trying to establish community museums,” the minister said.

According to Mohammed, the government will, in particular, encourage the establishment of palace museums.

”Parts of ancient residencies of traditional rulers and important chiefs are being turned to museums.

‘Thus, we are not limiting museums to big cities. Money spent by tourists while visiting these rustic places stays longer in these areas.

“Lamido Adamawa now has the Fombina Palace museum, just like the Emir of Potiskum has palace museum,” he said.

The Minister said the government, through high-level representation, training of festival managers and the provision of enabling environment, is supporting and promoting festivals and cultural tourism all over the country.

He said the programme would ultimately ensure that local communities benefitted.

The minister said that a national calendar of festivals would soon be unveiled to assist tourists who are coming to Nigeria in planning their visits.

He said that Nigeria has continued to leverage on the areas in which it enjoys a comparative advantage, citing music, movies and fashion as some of such areas.

Mohammed served as one of the panellists at the Ministerial Segment of the conference, dedicated to discussing and exchanging policies and government models impacting the future of cultural tourism.



SOURCE: GUARDIAN

SENATE REACTS TO SOWORE’S ARREST, COURT INVASION BY SSS

Nigerian Senate on Thursday ordered its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate Friday’s invasion of a federal high court and re-arrest Omoyele Sowore by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS).

Opeyemi Bamidele representing Ekiti Central and also serves as the chairman of the committee raised the matter during plenary on Thursday.

Bamidele said the invasion and the dramatic re-arrest of Sowore have generated widespread controversies.

“The leaders and members of the judiciary are particularly concerned about this happening because they believe that the courtroom is meant to be a sanctuary,” Bamidele said.

“But for us as a Senate, we cannot begin to take a position or analyse issues based on conclusions without facts.

“Yet, much as we cannot just jump into conclusions, we cannot pretend not to know that Nigerians are concerned about this development,” he said.

Bamidele prayed that as elected representatives of the people, the Senate mandates its committee on National Security and Intelligence to interface with the relevant security agencies and investigate the matter and report back to this Senate.

But Senate President Ahmad Lawan  said the matter be investigated by the Judiciary committee. The committee is expected to submit its report in one week.

The lawmakers reaction comes almost a week after the incident.

Sowore was arrested alongside another activist, Olawale Bakare, on August 3 for planning a protest to call for good governance.

They were charged with treasonable felony, fraud and cyber-stalking President Muhammadu Buhari.

The court granted the duo bail twice but the SSS refused to release them until last Thursday – when the secret police was also fined.

However, less than 24 hours later, the SSS invaded the federal high court Sowore was standing the trail in attempt to allegedly re-arrest him.

Sowore’s lawyer Femi Falana told AFP on Friday that his client escaped being picked up by DSS in the court premises. He said he “personally drove him” to DSS office on Friday “to avoid violence”.

The controversial re-arrest added to growing concerns about Nigeria’s democracy and press freedom which critics say is under pressure.



SOURCE: GUARDIAN

SANWO-OLU DECRIES INCREASING CASES OF SEXUAL, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OTHERS

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised to wield “the big stick” on perpetrators of rape, domestic violence and child abuse in the state.

He added that the state would support the police and the judiciary to ensure the crime is brought to the barest.

The governor gave the warning yesterday in his address to Lagosians after the “Walk To Commit and Act” rally organised by Lagos State Government through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) of the Ministry of Justice to further drive home his message against the menace.

Sanwo-Olu, who said the government was commemorating the day in line with United Nations (UN) declaration against gender-based violence, added that the state would work hard with its police command and all relevant agencies to bring the crime to a zero point.

He emphatically warned that no offender would go unpunished, saying that rape, domestic violence and child abuse are crimes and must be treated as such.

He said: “Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Justice and other arms of the government, deem it fit that we need to have this walk to further confirm and to indicate our full support for advocacy around the talk of child abuse, the advocacy around rape, against women and girls, the talk around domestic violence, sexual violence and all other vices that are around abuse of children.

“Our government by this walk confirms that we are totally against it, we stand against everything about this issue and we are going to ensure that we have zero-tolerance against it.

“It is a crime against humanity. When you are caught in the act of sexual violence, child abuse, domestic violence, you will be made to pay dearly for your crime. So, we are using this advocacy to warn and to tell people to desist because the full arm of law will be brought to bear on anybody or institution found wanting in any form.”

He, however, encouraged victims of these acts to open up to necessary authorities, noting that the government will take up such issues.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN