Monday 30 November 2020

Population commission, NOA sensitises Zaria residents on birth registration



Registration


By Aisha Gambo


The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) on Monday began a community dialogue in Zaria Local Government Area (LGAs), Kaduna on the importance of birth registration.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the community dialogue was supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Kaduna state government.


Yusuf Muhammed-Balarabe, UNICEF focal person, NOA Kaduna, stated that the community dialogue was aimed at reorienting communities on an improved birth registration and also to register children aged zero to five.




He noted that the agency would support the National Population Commission in ensuring that 18,000 children were registered in 30 local communities of Jema’a, Kaduna South and Zaria LGAs.


He urged participants to bring their children for registration and pass the information learned to their family and friends who were not able to make it for the community dialogue.


Earlier, Nasir Muhammad-Shafi’i, assistant comptroller NPC, Zaria, said that “we are here to sensitise people to register their children aged zero to five and get them a birth certificate’’.


According to him, the birth certificate issued by NPC was the only birth certificate recognised constitutionally and would help the government in getting accurate data on the number of births.


“Zaria has 10 wards where parents are being sensitised on the importance of acquiring a birth certificate from the NPC’’, he said.


Similarly, Aminu Alhassan, NOA community mobilisation officer at Zaria, stated that 10 communities in the local government would be reached and children who were not registered due to COVID-19 lockdown would be registered.



He mentioned that the ten communities to be reached were; Kwarbai,Gyallesu, Dakace, Bizara Tudun wada,Unguwar alkali, Kaura,Unguwan juma, Tukur-Tukur A and B with 11 registration centres.


Umar Lawal a community member said that many were not aware of the birth registration done by NPC but with the coming of NOA, people are now aware and would register their children.


Another community member Aisha Shitu, said she had assumed that the birth certificate given in hospitals after birth was sufficient adding that she had now realised the need to register her children with the NPC.


“By the grace of God, I will come along with my two children to get them registered’’, she said.


NAN reports that the exercise would last for 10 days.


Edited by Sani Idris Abdulrahman




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Friday 27 November 2020

Kaduna Govt, AGRA, others holds 4th quarter sector coordination meeting for improving agriculture

 



By Sani Idris


 The Kaduna State ministry of Agriculture, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and other relevant agricultural stakeholders had held a 4th quarter sector coordination meeting on Thursday in Kaduna to improve agriculture and strengthen capacity of stakeholders towards achieving food security in Kaduna state.


The  Kaduna State Commissioner for agriculture, Hajiya Halima Lawal, said  the essence of the meeting was to brief the agricultural stakeholders with the Kaduna State quarterly progress. 


She added that meeting was to ensure the State's agricultural system is moving forward as the common agenda with multiple stakeholders and range of activities that translates to food security in the state. 


She also said that the meeting was to enhance good governance, increased food production, livelihood improvement and 

capacity building of agricultural stakeholders. 


"Let me reiterate that globally,  2020 has been challenging especially with the COVID-19 pandemic and other social and economic challenges which further necessitated a collective approach to deliver on our mandate", Lawal said. 


She thanked AGRA and its implementing partners, Synergos and other relevant agricultural stakeholders for their support in moving the agricultural sector in the state forward.


Also speaking, the Country Director of Synergos, Mr Victor Adejoh, said the meeting was part of their support to the Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture in strengthening capacity to implement projects funded by AGRA.


He urged the stakeholders to critically look at challenges   which would inform the government and private sector on ways to improving them. 


Adejoh noted that the 4th quarter meeting was to strengthen the relationship between the government, farmers, and critical stakeholders in the Agric sector.


“This engagement is meant to help government deliver on the policies that have been developed and also to continue to create enabling environment for the private sector to continue to grow their sectors” Adejoh said.


He lauded the government for the effort in improving agriculture, ensuring food security and it’s open governance policies to ensure farmers had access to inputs and improved practices.


Dr. Esther Ibrahim of AGRA, in her remarks, said In Kaduna State they were working to strengthen the state ministry of agriculture and forestry in the area of capacity building, planning, budgeting, accountability, monitoring and Evaluation.


She explained that the aim was  to put together all the agriculture activities happening in the state to enhance productivity and ensure food security in the state.


She urged the ministry to consolidate, put the findings after the meeting  together to be able to inform the government on plans and how they could fund and make the agriculture sector better.


One of the stakeholder, Mr Emmanuel Bonet of Aid Foundation, in his findings said continuous rethinking and re-prioritization of agriculture in

the state by increasing its budgetary provision would enable quick and enhance robust development in the agricultural sector. 



Bonet lamented the absence of  robust advocacy strategy to the

Executive and Legislature, poor funding, Insufficient social media (communications) strategy on highlighting activities in the sector and absence of accountability mechanism which were Impediments to the development of the agricultural sector in the state. 



He however recommended that development of  robust advocacy plan to the exco and

legislature, Increased 

interventions budgetary provision for strategic interventions and creating  sub-website on the government website for

the sector would help breach the gaps responsible for hitches in the sector. 


"Developing communication strategy with emphasis on social media, setting up an accountability mechanism for the sector and developing of quarterly score card would also go along way in enhancing productivity and the desired outcome towards achieving food security in the state ", Bonet said. 



The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that in attendance of the were research institutes, farmers associations, civil society organisations among others.(NAN)


Edited by Christopher Emmanuel 


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Thursday 19 November 2020

German Technical Advisory Group constructs 0.53km road at Peace Keeping Centre

 



By Sani Idris

The German Technical Advisory Group (GTAG), has constructed a 0.53 kilometre road project within the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peace Keeping Centre (MLAILPKC) Jaji, Kaduna.

The GTAG representative, Lt-Col. Nes Glieman, at the handing over of the road project to MLAILPKC on Wednesday, said the project was part of a Nigeria-Germany partnership aimed, at enhancing infrastructural development of the Nigerian Army.

Glieman added that the project was also part of the collaboration between the two countries to enhance equipment and technical support to the Nigerian military, to further improve its operational efficiency.

“GTAD has spent over 20 million euros on projects for the Nigerian army and this road project is our last project for 2020, we have stayed and worked for four years, we look forward to future engagements”, Glieman said.

Earlier, in his speech, the commandant of the MLAILPKC, Maj-Gen. James Ataguba, said adequate infrastructure was one of the prerequisites for the Centre to attain United Nations Training Recognition (TR) and accreditation of courses.

He added that the road project, completed within a three-week span, leads from the main gate to other parts of the Centre and had transformed the looks of the institution.

“This could not have come at a better time as it would contribute immensely to the necessary infrastructural requirement in attaining further TR and accreditation of the Centre’s courses.

“This will also facilitate the Centre’s quest to attain its rightful place among the comity of Centres of Excellence”, Ataguba said.

He noted that the intervention of the Chief of Army Staff, and partners of the Centre, had also contributed to the facelift given to the Centre based on the vision of the COAS, to ensure projects embarked upon were directed at providing a conducive working and training environment for staff and participants of MLAILPKC.

He noted that the GTAG had also contributed immensely to the facelift the Centre with the provision to the Centre Mobile Medical Care Units and Mobile Trauma Care Units, while also helping the Centre to build capacity on them.

“The numerous contributions of the GTAG, also included the redesigning and remodeling of the Centre’s MRS and also equipping it with state-of-the-art medical equipment, to make it a world class facility.

“Believing that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, the GTAG also constructed a rotunda befitting of the Centre for the relaxation of both staff and participants of the Centre”, Ataguba said.

He thanked the GTAG for their laudable contributions and assured the Group and the German government that their contributions would be put to judicious use and maintained.

He also appreciated the COAS for his untiring efforts at meeting the various needs of the Centre, under his initiatives of transforming  the Army.

“The COAS’ intervention has given the Centre the wherewithal to seek relevant support and sponsorship from the international peacekeeping community”, Ataguba said. (NAN)

=======

Edited by Mouktar Adamu


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Saturday 14 November 2020

CDS inuagurates ICT, sports facilities at Armed Forces college

 


Inuaguration


By Mohammed Tijjani


The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, on Friday inuagurated an Information Communication Technology (ICT) server room at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, provided to improve training and research in the college.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that the CDS also inuagurate a central TV system, sport complex, gym, swimming pool and accommodation in the Officers Mess.


Olonisakin pointed out that the facilities were provided to enhance the welfare of staff and students as well as quality instruction to students.


He said that the projects were testament to increasing recognition of the importance of quality living and working environment in boosting the morale of personnel.


“The completion of these projects will thus improve the learning experience and facilitate training towards producing well rounded personnel for the Armed forces.


“The newly installed IT infrastructure will significantly improve research effort in the college and also expose staff and students to the array of information available online in line with best global practices.


“Similarly, the completion of the sports complex, swimming pool and gymnasium will enable staff, students and other residents of the Cantonment to exercise regularly to keep fit with attendant positive impact on their physical and mental well-being and productivity.


“The new officers mess accommodation extension will enhance efforts towards provision of quality transit accommodation in Jaji,” he said.


Olonisakin called for innovative and realistic approach to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities and other infrastructures in the institution.


He said that the College has been playing a pivotal role in the actualization of the collective vision of the military in the training of personnel to effectively respond to all operational commitments.


He maintained that over the years, the reach of the college in training personnel from selected ministries, departments and agencies, as well as officers from sister and other friendly countries have presented the need for a conducive environment for learning.


“One of the ways to achieve this is through the provision of requisite infrastructure for learning and well being for both staff and students.”


Olonisakin commended the college leadership for the initiative and quality of work which according to him, attests to their integrity and commitment towards providing a conducive working environment.


Earlier, the Commandant of the college, AVM Abubakar Liman explained that since its inception in 1976, the AFCSC has progressively grown through the efforts of past leaderships and staff to what it is today.


He said the aim of the infrastructural boost is to enhance the quality of training in the college.


Liman said in the months ahead, the college will work with appropriate authorities to re-align its activities towards ensuring that the training outputs meet the ever changing operational realities.


NAN report that the Chief of Defence Staff was accompanied by serving and retired senior military officers.



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Location: Jaji, Nigeria

Tuesday 10 November 2020

National Security Adviser trains stakeholders on violent extremism prevention

By Mohammed Tijjani


 The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Monday commenced a 3-day training of stakeholders on the prevention of violent extremism in the country.

The training, which opened in Kaduna, is being attended by 37 participants drawn from police training institutions, the media, Nigeria Correctional Service, Civil Defence, DSS, NDLEA and National Human Right Commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants are expected to focus on human rights law and practice in the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE).

The ONSA said that the training was in line with its mandate to build the capacity of its partners in responding to the threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

The participants are expected to review the PVE human rights sensitive training manual and strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and security agencies in respecting human rights, to prevent violent extremism.

The workshop would also enhance the capacity of participants to adapt the manual in their various training institutions, as well as mainstream and institutionalise the PVE Human Rights Sensitive training manual.

It would also focus on different aspects of human rights including human rights and prevention of PVE in crime investigation, arrest and detention.

Others include, “Human rights and the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in Use of Force and Firearms in Law Enforcement.

“Human Rights, women’s right and the PVE in Law enforcement; Human rights and the PVE in the Treatment of Juveniles.

“Human Rights and the PVE in Investigating police violations and overview of violent extremism and the prevention.”

NAN reports that the training is being supported by the United Nations Development Programme.


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Thursday 5 November 2020

NSCD Commandant-General calls for more cooperation to prevent conflicts

 Workshop


By Mohammed Tijjani/ Sani Idris



The Commandant-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCD), Abdullahi Mohammadu, has called for sincere cooperation between security agencies and civil populace to prevent conflicts in the country.


Mohammadu made the call in Kaduna on Wednesday at a 2-day workshop organized by the NSCDC and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) and conflict prevention for communities and security providers.


The training workshop was also in collaboration with the Kaduna State Peace Commission, funded by the Norwegian Government.


Mohammadu who was represented by Assistant Commandant General Zone B, Danladi Mugadi, also urged communities to fish out crisis merchants in their midst for appropriate punishment.


He said it was important to have sincere cooperation to “bridge the torn fabric of trust between security agencies and the civilian population”.


The NSCDC chief also called for greater synergy between security agencies to ensure successful prevention of conflicts.


“We must change our attitudes to work and collaborate more instead of fighting for supremacy and survival.


“We must see ourselves as a complete system where the action of one component affects the other towards goals attainment.


“In peace and conflicts resolution, no single organization is superior to others as both have some jurisdictional powers, in effect, no single organization can do it alone.”


The official appealed for effective collaboration between peace institutions and other stakeholders to encourage community networking system and family policing strategy.


“Law enforcement agencies and peace initiative

institutions should be adequately funded and

strengthened by government to provide the much

needed intelligence and responses, instead of relying

on foreign and international donor Agencies”, he added.


The Commandant-General disclosed that the NSCDC has been working to engender support from the population to ensure effective policing at the grassroots.


“Furthermore, the Corps as a grass root security agency

with a mandate to settle disputes from willing members

of the public is committed to “walking the talk” in terms of encouraging Early Warning through intelligence

gathering and public engagements.


“We are intensifying efforts as we evolve a human centric policing strategy,” ‘he added.


According to him, conflicts are flourishing because of the inability of the society to bring the merchants of destruction to book.


He also identified the absence of good governance, mistrust, inter-communal violence and organized crime, as precursors of conflicts which must be tackled through collective action.


Earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Ms Pricilla Ankut, said the workshop was a  precursor to the formal launching of the Conflict Early Warning Early Response System (CEWERS), the commission had developed with the support of the UNDP.


According to her, the workshop was designed to build the capacity of relevant stakeholders in peacemaking,

peace-building, conflict mitigation and prevention.


“Over the years, the Kaduna State Peace Commission (KAPECOM) has organized similar and other capacity building workshops to empower peace workers in undertaking peace works, mediation and negotiation across the state.”


She noted that early warning and response to potential conflicts makes mitigation easier and more effective in

limiting conflicts.


Ankut thanked the UNDP, the Norwegian government and the NSCD for the collaboration.


“With development partners such as the UNDP, the design and operationalization of the CEWERS that will assist in achieving this preventive objective has given us a flip for which we are grateful”, she said.


Also, the Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security Unit of UNDP, Matthew Alao, said the training was critical, as there would be no development without peace in any society.


Alao who was represented by Elia Von-Rotz, said the training was important as it sought to advance an integrated approach to conflict prevention, through early identification and reporting of conflict situations.


“It is a known fact that conflict is inevitable in every society, in our daily interactions, conflicts are bound to happen, however, if they turn violent, outcomes are always destructive, thereby hindering national development.”


He noted that the UNDP had worked with Kaduna State Government and provided support for the establishment of the peace commission and the ICT-based Early Warning and Early response system.


“The essence of this collaboration is to deepen the peace process which is a core aspect of the SDG 16, to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,” Alao added.


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