The Ministry of Labour and Employment has inaugurated a taskforce for the implementation of COVID-19 Protcols in the Ministry.
Performing the inauguration in his office, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Yerima Peter Tarfa, stated that the Ministerial Taskforce would ensure that people in the work place complied with the COVID-19 Protocol, aimed at curtailing the spread of the virus.
He said that as the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, had articulated and communicated the protocols on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in the country, the implementation required proper monitoring and comprehensive enforcement for effectiveness.
According to Tarfa, the information on the prevention of the spread of the virus needed to be passed down to different levels, and disseminated across the board, especially at the work place, stating that the Ministry’s Taskforce on the Implementation of COVID-19 Protocol was set up for that purpose.
He disclosed that the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) had directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to make certain that members of staff worked in a healthy environment, especially as all civil servants had resumed work.
Tarfa therefore charged the Taskforce “to ensure that the work environment in the Ministry is safe.”
The Permanent Secretary tasked the Ministerial Taskforce with the “enforcement of the Protocols of COVID-19 in all departments and also provide the modalities for staff to live with the new normal that the virus has presented.”
In her opening remarks, Director, Human Resources Management who doubled as the Chair of the Committee, Mrs Toyin Alade stated that Government had put in place protocols to ensure safety at work in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She noted that strict adherence to those protocols would serve to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Alade enjoined the Committee to abide by the guidelines from the OHCSF in providing the right advice to staff and putting the necessary measures in place.
Teraco Data Environments (Pty) Ltd., Africa’s largest interconnection hub and vendor-neutral data centre provider, today announced that construction has commenced on a new hyperscale data centre with 38 megawatts (MW) of critical power load in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. The facility, known as JB4, is scheduled for completion in Q1 2022 and as a stand-alone building, will be the largest data centre in Africa.
CEO of Teraco, Jan Hnizdo, said that the company is poised for significant growth as hyperscale requirements continue to expand as a result of increased demand for cloud services in Africa. “South Africa is strategically located at the tip of the African continent and as a result, is positioned as a technology and data centre hub for sub-Saharan Africa. This is further underpinned by growing undersea and terrestrial fibre connectivity to the rest of Africa. The continued increase of cloud adoption in Africa is also being enabled by investments in critical infrastructure, including hyperscale data centre facilities such as JB4. This will enable global cloud clients to service not only the South African market but reach the rest of the sub-Saharan African region as well.”
Hnizdo reaffirms that Teraco is committed to growing its capacity footprint across its core hubs, thereby ensuring that clients have the certainty and flexibility of expansion to take part in the digital transformation that is taking place across sub-Saharan Africa: “Teraco continues to invest significantly into the region’s ICT infrastructure and has built what is now Africa’s largest data centre platform. We take pride in our vendor-neutral offering, enabling open access to interconnection and world-class resilient data centre infrastructure for all our clients”.
The JB4 facility is Teraco’s seventh data centre development and is located in the heart of the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis. It is here that Teraco’s data centres already provide access to a wide choice of network service providers, peering at NAPAfrica, regional IXP’s, content delivery networks and cloud provider on-ramps. Hnizdo says that this expansion is aimed at further supporting sub-Saharan enterprises with advancing their digital transformation strategies, as well as enabling global cloud providers to expand their footprints —spurring innovation.
JB4 is the latest expansion to Teraco’s growing data centre platform and takes critical power load capacity at Teraco facilities to over 110MW, which includes the Isando Campus JB1/JB3 (39MW), Bredell JB2 (13MW), Rondebosch Cape Town CT1 (3MW), Brackenfell Cape Town CT2 (18MW) and Durban (1MW).
Organisations working to accelerate their digital transformation utilise Teraco to dynamically scale their IT infrastructure, adopt hybrid multi-cloud architectures and interconnect with strategic business partners within the Platform Teraco ecosystem of over 600 global and local clients.
Key Facts
· JB4 will be the largest single site data centre on the African continent, comprising 50000sqm of building structure serviced by 80MW of utility power supply.
· Strategically located in Ekurhuleni, East of Johannesburg, alongside the R21 business corridor, the facility will have multiple fibre paths to the Teraco Isando Campus connectivity hub (JB1 and JB3) located some 20 kilometres away.
· JB4 will be built in two phases set across 6 hectares of land.
· JB4 – Phase I includes 8x 1000sqm halls with 19MW of critical power load.
· JB4 – Completed will include 16x 1000sqm halls with 38MW of critical power load.
· JB4 is a significant addition to South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa’s data centre footprint.
· The new data centre development is being built in line with global hyperscale requirements as well as international compliance standards and will augment the existing portfolio of ISO9001, ISO27001, PCI-DSS and ISAE3402 certified data centre facilities.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has granted approval for two mobile network operators (MNOs), MTN Nigeria and 9Mobile, to carry out a trial on the workability of embedded Subscriber Identification Modules (e-SIM) Service in Nigeria. The trial, approved to run for a period of one year, will involve testing 5,000 e-SIMs by the two networks, subject to compliance with a number of regulatory conditions.
These conditions include full compliance by the MNOs with the Registration of Telecoms Subscribers Regulations 2011; the Mobile Number Portability Regulations and Business Rules 2015; Guidelines on SIM Replacement 2017; and non-degradation of the Quality of Service (QoS) experience by users of e-SIMs.
According to Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the primary objective of the e-SIM trial is to assess the technical performance of the e-SIM on telecoms service providers’ network towards eventual rollout, if satisfactory.
An e-SIM is a small chip that is embedded on a mobile phone or smart devices. It is designed for convenience, flexibility and simplicity. The e-SIM makes it easier for subscribers to choose a pre-paid plan provider and switch between network operators. The information on the e-SIM is rewritable by operators and the identification information can be updated over time.
According to the EVC, the e-SIMs is a technology that will eliminate the need for physical SIM card slots on mobile devices in the near future, adding that the trial is in line with the Commission’s forward-looking regulatory approach to ensure Nigeria’s telecoms ecosystem is in tandem with global best practices.
– Gov. Uzodimma is a prosperity sharer, says Hon. Noble A. Atulegwu
Merry galore in Imo State as Governor Hope Uzodimma graduated 305 Imo women drawn from across Imo State, whom the state trained on Spices Production through the Imo State Ministry of Entrepreneurship & Skills Acquisition. A Ministry created to better the lives of Imo people in skill acquisition and entrepreneurship.
It was a sight to behold at the Imo State Secretariat complex, off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, Imo State, where the Commissioner piloting the affairs of the new but wave-making Ministry, Hon. Noble A. Atulegwu, whom after carrying out this life changing training, organised a remarkable grand-finale.
It was also a true fulfillment of words by the Governor when the trained 305 Imo women were given startup capital today, to venture into production of food spices aimed at making them productive and self-reliant which will propel addition in the food chain of Imo State and equally trigger a boost in the State’s economy.
During the training, the trainers from National Directorate of Employment (NDE) took time to guide the participants to become knowledgeable of various local and foreign food spices and how to produce, preserve and package them for marketing.
According to Hon. Noble A. Atulegwu, with this, Gov. Hope Uzodimma has once again shown to Imo people that he is committed to uplifting their lives and improving the standard of living of Imolites.
In his words; “the impacts which Gov. Uzodimma is making in the lives of Imo people have surely convinced the good people of Imo State that the creation of Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition was a display of visionary leadership by the Governor.”
Also, the beneficiaries of the training didn’t fail to thank their Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and his wife, Her Excellency Barr. Chioma Uzodimma for their kindness and love towards them through the programme.
The Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs & Vulnerable Groups, Mrs Nkechinyere Ugwu whose presence in the grand-finale added more glamour to the epoch event assured Imo women that the Governor’s wife is committed to protecting their interest and welfare. Hon. Simon Ebegbulem (Imo State Commissioner for Commerce & Industry) was also present at the grand-finale.
Phase II of project to start next year, says GovernorLagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, rolled out a major infrastructural overhaul in the Epe Division of the State, flagging off the reconstruction of Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway 40 years after.
The Governor flagged off the first phase of the road project on Sunday at a ceremony held at the Pan African University in Eleko, Ibeju Lekki area. The first phase, which will be completed in 20 months, will cover 18.75 kilometres, stretching from Eleko to T-Junction in Epe.The residents, who heaved a sigh of relief, thronged the ceremony where Sanwo-Olu formally kick started the project.
The road was constructed in 1981 as a single carriageway, but underwent an upgrade to a two-lane carriageway in 2006. Its condition, however, became deplorable as a result of population growth and increased vehicular traffic.Sanwo-Olu’s intervention would see the entire stretch from Eleko to Epe dualised on rigid pavement, with three lanes on each side. A lane on each side will be dedicated as toll weighbridges only for heavy-duty vehicles.
The Governor, while declaring the project open, said the ceremony symbolised his administration’s revolutionary efforts at making life better for Lagos citizens and improving the ease of doing business in the State.He said the Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor was strategically important to the State’s economic prosperity, stressing that the completion of the project would further strengthen his administration’s commitment to inclusive development.
The Governor vowed that no part of Lagos would be left behind in his Government’s quest for transformational projects.
He said: “We recognise the importance of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway Road to the economic prosperity of Lagos and its citizens. We are aware of the agitation and concerns of people about this strategic infrastructure. This is why we initially declared a state of emergency on the road and put in place temporary measures last year November.
“Today, I am delighted to be at the historic flag-off of the rehabilitation and upgrading of this 40-year-old Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway. This effort will culminate in a three-lane dual carriageway reinforced concrete pavement road with a dedicated lane in each direction for trucks and a rigid pavement to accommodate the envisaged axle loadings expected to ply the road when it is completed.
“When completed, this road will complement the new network of roads in Epe and ease transportation of goods and services through Epe to other neighboring states. This will, in turn, lead to improved socio-economic activities in the Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Corridor.”
Sanwo-Olu said the contract for the second phase of the project, which will cover 26.7 kilometres from Abraham Adesanya Roundabout to Eleko Junction, will be awarded before the completion of the first phase.The project, he said, sent a “strong signal” about his administration’s desire to overhaul our state’s entire infrastructure, especially those that have exceeded their design lifespan.In the coming weeks, the Governor said more infrastructure projects would be unveiled, pointing out that he remained resolute to restoring the State to the path of economic growth despite the negative impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Lagos’ economic fortunes.
He said: “In line with our resolve, we will continue to initiate and execute people-oriented projects that fulfill the need and aspirations of the average Lagosian.
With our shared vision and resources at our disposal, it is time to redouble our efforts while looking towards the future with confidence as we rebuild Lagos together.“We stand to accomplish more when we have a common ground and purpose.
I urge all residents to sustain their unwavering faith in our administration as we partner to honor our State’s legacy of excellence, courage, and great resilience.”Sanwo-Olu urged residents of the area to take ownership of the project and support the contractor for timely completion. He also urged the youths in the area to take advantage of the construction work to improve their skills.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, said the ceremony indicated another effort being made by the Sanwo-Olu administration in improving residents’ standard, noting the investment in infrastructure would support business and promote economic development.
She said: “Residents and road users along this axis have clamoured for a solution to the suffocating nature of the perennial traffic gridlock along the Lekki-Epe Expressway especially at the Ajah Junction. This Project will help to resolve the gridlock at Ajah/Ado-Badore Roundabout and environs while ensuring the Lagos bound traffic is effectively channeled.”
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olujimi Hotonu, said the State Government settled for the rigid pavement option for durability and longer life span of about 40 years.When completed, the road will connect several communities, including Eleko, Onosa, Alatishe, Aiyeteju, Ajaganagbe, Oko Orisa, ilasan, Lekki, Ibeju Lekki and Epe.
The successful operation to free the American citizen kidnapped in in Niger republic and taken to Nigeria has shown the level of diplomatic and bilateral cooperation between the nations in getting rid of terrorism and banditry in Sub Saharan Africa. The US special forces mounted an operation in Nigeria to free an American citizen who had been kidnapped by armed men few days ago. Forces including Navy SEALs rescued 27-year-old Philip Walton, who had been abducted on Tuesday from his home in neighboring southern Niger.
Speaking via diplomatic channels as posted by the United States Embassy, the United States Presidency said “Last night, at my direction, the United States military conducted a successful operation to rescue an American hostage in Nigeria, kidnapped just 96 hours earlier. United States Special Forces executed a daring nighttime operation to rescue their fellow American with exceptional skill, precision, and bravery. No United States Service Members were harmed. The former hostage is currently in good health and has been reunited with his family.”
He added” Securing the freedom of Americans held in captivity abroad has been a top national security priority of my Administration. Since the beginning of my Administration, we have rescued over 55 hostages and detainees in more than 24 countries. Today’s operation should serve as a stark warning to terrorists and criminal thugs who mistakenly believe they can kidnap Americans with impunity.”
Walton was kidnapped by six men armed with AK-47 assault rifles who arrived on motorcycles at his home in southern Niger’s Massalata village early last week. They (kidnappers) demanded money and searched the family’s home before leaving with Walton. His wife, young daughter and brother were left behind.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described the recent attack on The Nation Newspaper and Television Continental (TVC), during the EndSARS protest in Lagos, as an attack on free speech and democracy.
The Minister made the assertion in Lagos on Saturday when he visited the two media organizations in Lagos to commiserate with their management and staff over the attack.
He said the action of the arsonists was a premeditated attempt to silence the voice of reason and stifle press freedom.
“We believe that the attack on the Nation is not just an attack on the Vintage Press, it’s an attack on the free press, it’s an attack on democracy, because there can be no virile and robust democracy without a free media.
“Therefore, an attack on the Nation or any media house is a direct attack on freedom of speech and also democracy and, honestly, we believe that there is no justification whatsoever for the attack,” Alhaji Mohammed said.
He however expressed his delight that a few days after the attack, the two media houses bounced back, a development which he described as a sign of the commitment and sheer determination by the organization’s management and staff to continue to promote democracy in the country.
“The fact that within a few days you were able to return to the stand and on air, I think it’s a big blow to the attackers, who thought they could shut out the light of press freedom,” the Minister said.
He strongly and unreservedly condemned the attack on the media houses, saying the attempt by the arsonists to stifle press freedom has failed woefully.
Alhaji Mohammed, who expressed sadness at the extent of damage to the corporate headquarter buildings and other properties of the two media houses, said there was every reason to thank God that no life was lost in the attack.
The Minister assured that the Federal Government will continue to support responsible journalism and wished the two media organizations a quick rebound in terms of properties, equipment and revenue losses.
The Chairman of The Nation Newspaper, Mr. Wale Edun, and the Managing Director of TVC, Mr. Andrew Hanlon, conducted the Minister round the premises of the two media organizations, respectively.
The Minister was accompanied on the visit by the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mansur Liman; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Buki Ponle; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Mr. Francis Nwosu; Registrar/CEO of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo and the Acting Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba.
Segun Adeyemi Special Assistant To The President (Media) Office of The Minister of Information and Culture
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has told the House Committee on Telecommunications how the telecoms agency contributed to the revenue drive of the Federal Government by generating and remitting N344.71 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in the last five years.
Danbatta stated this while briefing the Committee members, led by their Chairman, Hon. (Prince) Akeem Adeyemi, during a legislative oversight function on the Commission in Abuja on Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
The EVC, who attributed the successes of the Commission in the last five years to the harmonious relationship between the Commission and the National Assembly, said such relationship, the diligent oversight by the lawmakers and necessary legislative support have brought forth a lot of dividends for the industry.
“Through the support of the lawmakers, especially the House of Representatives Committee on Telecommunications, which the NCC leadership has worked with in the last five years, the Commission has been able to generate and remit N344.71 billion to Federal Government Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) from spectrum fees and operating surplus,” he said.
Danbatta stated that telecoms sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased from 8.5 percent in 2015 to 14.30 percent as of the second quarter of 2020. In financial value, the 14.30 per cent translates to N2.272 trillion in Q2. He also said that telecoms investment grew from around $38 billion in 2015 to over $70 billion currently.
Speaking further, Danbatta said the NCC is promoting financial inclusion by encouraging the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to actively participate in providing financial services towards actualising FG’s 80 per cent financial inclusion target by 2020.
According to him, through the collaboration of critical stakeholders as the National Assembly, the NCC has been able to increase broadband penetration from 6 percent in 2015 to 45.43 per cent as of September, 2020 while basic active internet subscription grew from 90 million to 143.7 million.
“Between 2015 and September, 2020, active voice subscription has increased from 151 million to 205.25 percent million with a teledensity standing at 107.53 percent as at end of September, 2020. We are also empowering and protecting the consumers and ensuring we are able to sanitise the industry of improperly-registered Subscriber identification Module (SIM) cards through our impartial regulatory approach,” Danbatta said.
To continue to collaboratively advance the development of the industry, Danbatta listed key areas of collaboration with the House Committee, going forward. These, according to the EVC, include speedy passage of the Commission’s budget, enhancing mutual working relationship and knowledge transfer sessions/capacity building for Committee members for better understanding of the workings of the Commission and the industry.
Meanwhile, Hon. Adeyemi, in his address, said the over sight function was in line with relevant sections of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution, as amended, which empowers the House to carry out its role of checks and balances on the executive arm of government under which the NCC, as a Federal agency, falls.
The committee commended the leadership of the Commission for its transparency in ensuring remittances to CRF of the Federal Government, considering the current revenue drive of the government.
The committee urged the NCC to sustain its current template of ensuring effective regulation of the telecoms sector in a manner that would be more mutually beneficial to the industry players, the consumers of the telecoms services and to the Nigerian government.
. . . To Deliver Badagry Modern Jetty Terminal In 10 Months
The Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Arc. Kabiru Ahmed, has restated the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to exploring the potentials along the Badagry Waterways for the development of the ancient town and bridging the distance between Badagry and other cities in the State.
Arc. Ahmed, who stated this on Friday during the official flag-off ceremony for construction of a modern Jetty terminal at the Marina in Badagry, assured residents that the project will not be abandoned and promised that the Jetty will be completed and commissioned by the third quarter of Year 2021.
He explained that the new jetty has been strategically positioned to increase commerce in Badagry and its environs and, therefore, translate into job opportunities and infrastructure development.
Maintaining that the jetty will facilitate faster outreach and enhance the movement of goods between Badagry and Lagos, Abdullahi said “for instance, the route from Lagos to this location took just an hour on the waterways compared to the same journey on the road which will take few hours. Also, with this project, the movement of people and goods will be faster and easier”.
The Commissioner implored the indigenes of Badagry to take ownership of the project, noting that it will open up the historic town to the world and promising that its people will continue to experience meaningful development in the years ahead.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu stated that the terminal, when completed, will enhance the development of tourism within and around Badagry, just as he urged the Project Contractor to deliver on schedule.
While expressing hope that the construction of the jetty will create employment opportunities for Badagry youths, he promised to continually use his position to support development of the ancient town and ensure that the community gets its fair share of infrastructure.
The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Waterfront, Mr. Ibraheem Layode, allayed the fears of some local boat operators regarding the new Jetty Terminal, explaining that the project is not meant to send them out of business.
Layode, however, advised the local boat operators to ensure that their activities are regulated and carried out in line with the laid down provisions of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
The residents of the community expressed their appreciation to the Lagos State Government and pleaded for a speedy completion of the project and other ongoing infrastructural development within and around Badagry.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa expressed optimism that the Electoral Bill will be signed by President Muhammadu Buhari this time — and said that the refusal to sign it before the 2019 general elections was political.
Governor Okowa said this at a Town Hall meeting with representatives of #ENDSARS, civil society groups, students, social groups, community youth leaders and other stakeholders in the Delta North Senatorial District.
“We need to re-work our electoral processes. In 2019, the electoral amendment wasn’t signed because of politics. I am sure that it will be signed this time. Hence, as young people, you must get organized so that you too can be a part of the governance process,” he stated.
