The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a new activity that promises to enhance the ability of Nigeria’s civil society and business membership organizations (CSOs and BMOs) to influence policies and reforms across the most critical service sectors.

The five-year, $32.9 million Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) activity strengthens the financial, management, and advocacy capacity of CSOs and BMOs to create a more accountable and democratic Nigeria with more efficient public service delivery. 

At a launch ceremony attended by a wide variety of governmental and private sector advocates for good governance, USAID Acting Mission Director Katie Donohoe said that Nigerian civil society has the potential to support transformational change in Nigeria.   

“This investment underscores the depth of the U.S. commitment to strengthen CSO advocacy in Nigeria,” Ms. Donohoe said. “Civic action has achieved significant global impacts in recent years.  People here and around the world are expressing their wish for a stronger, better functioning democracy.”   

Built on the framework of the earlier USAID Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement activity, Palladium Group serves as the implementer for SCALE in partnership with strong local organizations such as the Policy and Legislative Advocacy Center, Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development, and Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organizations.

“This activity aligns with the government’s commitment for a more accountable and responsive government to the citizens of our great nation, Nigeria,” said Minister of Women Affairs Sen. Pauline Tallen, who pledged the government’s support for the activity.  “SCALE could not have come at a better time — when citizens are looking to us to consolidate on the change we promised.”

SCALE helps CSOs and BMOs exercise their rights to advocate for economic opportunities that lead to better lives by influencing policy reform in critical sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation, governance, agriculture, and extractive industries.  Special attention will be paid to the prevention of child marriage, trafficking in persons, and gender-based violence.  

By improving the civil policy and regulatory environment at the local level, SCALE enhances collaborative advocacy in areas that will improve the quality of life for Nigerians, especially women, youth, people living with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.

For additional information, please contact: abujadoc@usaid.gov

By U.S. Mission Nigeria

Two directors of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Bako Wakil and

Oluwatoyin Asaju have been conferred with the Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (FNIEEE).

Wakil, is the Director, Technical Standards and Network Integrity, while Asaju is the current Director, Spectrum Administration Department at the Commission. Wakil and Asaju both certified engineers, received the Fellowship Award at the 8th Fellowship Conferment and Awards/Dinner of the Institute, held on Saturday, March 27, 2021 in Abuja.

Wakil holds a Master of Science degree in Information System Engineering, South Bank University, London, (1997) and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, University of Maiduguri (1989). He is a Microsoft-Certified Professional (MCP), Member, Nigerian Society of Engineers (MNSE); Member, Institute of Incorporated Engineers (MIIE) and a COREN-registered engineer.

As a professionally experienced and certified engineer with vast expertise in diverse areas of engineering, Wakil has participated in a number of ITU conferences such as World Radio Communications Conference (WRC)-03, WRC-07, World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA-12), ITU Telecom World 2011 and also participated in a number of ITU Study Groups (SG) meetings.

In the same vein, Engr. Asaju holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering (1985), Master of Business Administration (1998) and Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science (2004) all from the prestigious University of Ilorin. A beneficiary of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) postgraduate scholarship programme, Engineer Asaju earned a Master’s Degree in Telecommunications Regulation and Policy (MRP) with distinction from the University of West Indies in 2007.

As an experienced Engineer and Administrator, Asaju has participated in many local and international conferences where he has made significant contributions in diverse areas of engineering.  He is a member of several professional bodies of international repute, including the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Fellow; Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE); Member, Nigerian Institution of ICT Engineers (NIICTE); Member, Nigerian Institute of ICT Engineers (NIICTE) and Member, Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), amongst others. 

Meanwhile, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has added his voice to those of colleagues, friends, professional associates and well-wishers of the awardees to felicitate with the duo on the new engineering fellowship status.

Danbatta said the awards are in recognition of the valuable and selfless service to the society and their widely acknowledged authority in the field of engineering describing the two directors as professionals who have made remarkable contributions to the regulatory achievements of the Commission.

The EVC said: “I facilitate with Engr. Wakil and Engr. Asaju on the engineering fellowship. As a Fellow of the Institute, I understand that it takes competence, dedication, and integrity in service to bag any engineering Fellowship. These awards have again demonstrated that the awardees are of outstanding character and have excelled in the field of Engineering.” he said

“On behalf of the Board and Management of the Commission, we rejoice with our Directors; we are proud of their achievements and we wish them the best as they continue to excel in their service to the Commission and the engineering profession in Nigeria,” Danbatta said.

Wakil and Asaju joined the services of the Commission in 2005 and have moved through the ranks, serving in different capacities before their current positions as Directors Technical Standards & Network Integrity Departments and Director, Spectrum Administrations respectively.

The NIEEE, established in 1984 as a group of COREN registered electrical engineers, strives to promote professional competence and excellence among members through innovative contributions and development of sustainable solutions to challenging engineering problems by deploying efficient technologies and systems for the benefit of mankind.

Within the time he has been in office, Governor Mai Mala Buni, has so far, achieved so much, with meagre resources. Yobe state is now going through a multi sectoral transformation; that is changing agriculture, education, youths empowerment, infrastructure and agriculture.

Governor Mala Buni began his term in office with a declaration of ‘emergency’ in the education sector. This was aimed at improving the standard of education in the state, boosting schools enrollment, as well as providing the educational infrastructure that will move Yobe state forward educationally. Rightly, emphasis was placed on giving the people of Yobe state better educational foundation; by revamping primary and secondary school education across the state. Strategically, the state embarked on the construction of model schools in the major towns of the state; Buni Yadi, Damaturu, Gashua, Potiskum and Nguru. Each school has 30 classrooms and computer centres. These schools were aimed at decongesting classrooms and encouraging schools enrollment. At the end, these schools will also address the number out-of-school children and ensure that no child is left out of school. Governor Buni’s emphasis on education is already making impact with improvement in the overall performance of Yobe state in WAEC/NECO. In the area of tertiary education Gov. Mai Mala Buni has been supporting the state owned tertiary institutions; to be centres of academic excellence, and to produce adequate, trained and qualified manpower to serve the state and beyond. As part of the drive to develop human resources hundreds of national and international scholarships have been awarded in key areas of technology, healthcare, engineering and agriculture.

To boost business and encourage entrepreneurship Governor Mai Mala Buni is undertaking construction of modern markets in; Buni Yadi, Damaturu, Potiskum, Gashu’a and Nguru. In the near future, more towns will benefit from such project. Apart from shops, the markets will have abattoir, parking lots, roads and security outposts. These facilities, apart from easing business will also create an environment that can attract businesses and investment to these towns. As Governor Buni recently said while laying the foundation of Potiskum modern market, “Government of Yobe State is building markets to create the environment for people thrive in business.”

The state owned industries are now back to life. The resuscitated Yobe Polythene and woven sacks industry in Damaturu is now producing over 7500 sacks daily. Yobe flour mills Potiskum is now the largest producer of mills in state. State owned Sahel Aluminum company in Potiskum is now empowered and it is operating at full capacity. Yobe State Fertilizer Blending Company is currently being resuscitated, with expansion that will enable it operate in full capacity. The reasons why Governor Mai Mala Buni is reviving state-owned companies is – to create jobs and give incentives for investment in Yobe state.

Township road and concrete drainage have been completed; in Damagum, Fune LGA, in Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA, in Malammatari of Damaturu, in Jajimaji, Karasuwa LGA in Babban gida, Tarmuwa LGA. Similar projects are currently going on in other towns, including Potiskum and Geidam; which were recently flagged off. Governor Buni rounded up this year, with a project; Gujba—Ngalda road. While flagging off the construction of the road, Governor Buni pointed out that; “The project is a very strategic road. The Gujba-Ngalda road, is part of our recovery drive to rebuild our communities, promote economic activities and to reclaim means of livelihood to our people”. Roads and concrete drainages are part of the urban and rural development plan of Governor Mai Mala Buni. In the area of housing, Yobe state is building 3,600 houses across the state. The housing projects, which are in phases, are sited in 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

Yobe state is also upgrading dozens of health care centres and combating some into general hospitals. Hundreds of healthcare centres have been built and equipped across Yobe state. The Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency is already changing the face of financing healthcare – to end out-of-pocket healthcare expanses and ensure that all; in the formal and informal sector people can afford healthcare. It is also targeting the provision of free healthcare access and services to poor and the vulnerable, including Pregnant women, children under five, those aged above 85 years, the physically challenged, poorest of the poor and orphans.

Development projects are currently ongoing across Yobe state. The priority of Governor Mai Mala Buni is to develop urban and rural areas, provide quality basic education and make Yobe state economically viable. All the projects are aimed at making Yobe state competitive. Despite lean resources and the economic realities of Nigeria and globally, Governor Mai Mala Buni was able to do more with less – and is doing more to move Yobe state forward.

Isa Sanusi

Ahead of a Special Day being held today, March 25, 2021 at the ongoing 32nd Enugu International Trade Fair, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has engaged consumers on two phone-in radio programmes to educate them on various telecom service-related issues while inviting them to participate at the special NCC event.

The Commission staff featured on two radio stations Coal City FM 92.9 and Dreams FM 92.5 both in Enugu to sensitise critical stakeholders and the listening public on the activities billed for the NCC Day on March 25, 2021.

Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, who represented the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, maximized the radio programme to also invite telecom consumers across the South Eastern geopolitical zone to the NCC pavilion to take advantage of the Commission’s presence at the fair to be educated on telecom issues.

Other management staff of the Commission, who participated in the radio programmes included the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen and the Enugu Zonal Controller of NCC, Ogbonnaya Ugama.

President Muhammadu Buhari proceeds to London, the United Kingdom, Tuesday March 30, 2021, for a routine medical check-up.

The President meets with Security Chiefs first in the morning, after which he embarks on the journey.

He is due back in the country during the second week of April, 2021.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President

Lagos State Government, through the State Treasury Office, has trained 1,000 Finance and Accounts Officers to acquaint them with the provisions of the Finance Act of 2020 as amended.

The Finance Bill which was assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari after it was passed by both arms of the National Assembly is expected to come into force in the Y2021 calendar year.

The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, made the disclosure during a recent virtual training programme, saying that the training became necessary in order to keep the Accountants, who are directly involved in the payments and receipts of government expenditures, up-to-date with the application of the new Act to government transactions.

According to him, training the officers on the provisions of the new law will help in identifying some grey areas in the law and how some of its peculiarities could best be handled by the accountants.

Olowo said, “It should be noted that like every new law, the Finance Act, 2020, is likely to come with its challenges and opportunities for businesses and individuals. Therefore, Finance and Accounts officers are advised to seek professional guidance in order to understand how the Finance Act will impact their operations going forward and any new compliance obligations to be discharged or benefits to be enjoyed”.

Also speaking at the training, the State’s Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office (STO), Dr. Abiodun Muritala, stated that the need to keep the accountants abreast of new trends in the profession made the State Government engage the services of ADRAC Professional Services Limited for the training.

“It is a two-day online training on the Finance Act 2020 aimed at improving the knowledge and skills of all the Finance Officers in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the State”, the Accountant-General added.

He expressed hope that the training would help raise the necessary awareness required to defray public expenditure, support a sustainable increase in public revenue and ensure that tax law provisions are consistent with the National tax policy objectives of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Dr. Muritala highlighted some key provisions in the Finance Act of 2020 to include Capital Gains Tax Act, Companies Income Tax Act, Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Act, Personal Income Tax Act, Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act and Customs & Excise Tariff (Consolidation) Act.

Others are Value Added Tax Act, Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act, Public Procurement Act, Companies and Allied Matters Act, Nigerian Export Processing Zone Act and Oil and Gas Export Processing Free Zone Act.

LASG

ForAGreaterLagos

…says Oyo keen on increasing agricultural outputs

*’Oyo one of six states for agro-processing zones project’

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, said that the state would soon fix at least 200 kilometres of rural roads through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

The governor said that his administration was committed to improving agricultural outputs of the state so that it could take its pride of place and take many unemployed youths out of the streets.

He stated these while receiving the delegates of the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor informed the team, which will equally embark on a trip to the state’s agro-processing project, that through RAAMP, the administration would fix no fewer than 200 kilometres rural roads in 2021.

He said: “We are excited about this programme, because the four pillars, which this administration is standing upon are education, health, expansion of our economy and security. And in expanding our economy, we are looking towards where we have a comparative advantage and that is agriculture.

“We are keen to take our space in terms of agricultural outputs. So, this could not have come at a better time for us and, as an administration, because we want to take many of our unemployed youths off the streets, we know agriculture and agribusiness is the way to go.”

Governor Makinde commended the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) for the commitment to fixing over 200 kilometres of rural roads in the state.

He added that the special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project will also have the support of the government of the state at the topmost level.

“Let me use this opportunity to also thank a partner, IFAD. They are involved in the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project. Though we are about to kick off on that one, but this year we are fixing over 200 kilometres of rural roads.

“When Dr. Debo Akande told me of this visit, I had to cancel all other schedules to meet with you to show the importance we attach to the SAPZ programme. “So, you can expect support and attention from the topmost level of the government of Oyo State,” the governor added.

Earlier, the team lead of the African Development Bank, Dr. Chucks Ezedinma, said the Bank is currently in the country to undertake what it calls the Special Agro- Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs).

He said the programme is designed for six states and that Oyo State is one of the beneficiary states.

He said: “I bring you greetings from our president, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina. The bank is currently in the country to undertake what we call the appraisal of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, which is the lead African strategic programme of the bank.

“Currently, the project is designed as a programme that will be done in six states and Oyo State happened to be one of the six states that we are going to be starting with.

“We are looking at designing the programme in a way that will be transformational, youth-oriented, gender-oriented, environment-sustainable and ensuring that we also put into cognisance the issue of climate change.”

Signed

Taiwo Adisa

Chief Press Secretary to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde

As the information and communication technology (ICT) ecosystem is becoming more evolving and competitive in the world, Nigeria inclusive, the need to have robust indigenous players to be in the ICT turf has become imminent and imperative for many countries. In Nigeria, a lot of indigenous IT firms have literary taken the “bull by the horn” in order put the country in the ICT map. These organisations have evolved over time from the nascent IT firms to regional powerhouse they have become as of today. Churning and deploying world-class solutions to Nigerian and regional corporate space. One of these IT firms making tremendous strides in the ecosystem is ZetaWeb Nigeria. Industry watchers have described ZetaWeb Limited impact in the IT space as impressive and worthy of emulation for other IT firms.
Delivering Highest Quality of Service, Premium Speeds, High Levels of Security, Reliability, Unrivalled Customer-focused Support and Cost Effectiveness. ZetaWeb has of today evolved from an internet service provider (ISP) to a 360 degrees ICT firms offering a bouquet of services such as Business Solutions, Contact Centre Solutions, Cloud Services, Bespoke software development and more importantly, IT security and business agility service that ensures continuity.

Speaking of the evolution of ZetaWeb, Chris Obasi, the MD/CEO of ZetaWeb said “Our unique selling point is that we listen to our customers before designing the desired product that meets their specific needs; as we know that the world is evolving and it is no more one product fits all.”

Zeta-Web Nigeria Limited is also bringing to the fore, enhanced solutions around Virtualization and IT Security Solutions for enterprises as well as IT/Cyber Security trainings for IT administrators and regular users that utilise enterprise systems. Aside all these, they are positioning their Cloud infrastructure (both private and public) as well as digital transformation as the best-fit for the Nigerian market.
He added that Zeta-Web Limited is a company set up specifically to bridge the gap between quality solutions and services as well guaranteeing business success. Having started as an ISP about 7 years ago, today the company has diversified to other areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) such as Data Centre Services, Data Centre Virtualisation, Network Virtualisation, SDWAN, IT & Cybersecurity trainings, Broadband deployment, Business Solutions, Contact Centres and many more.
Speaking on the need to have ZetaWeb as business partner, Muyiwa Esomojumi, the Manager Marketing and Corporate Communications at Zeta-Web Nigeria Limited opined that “Our mission is to effectively facilitate diverse methods of empowerment and professionally based performance deliverables through product uniqueness that meet our customers’ needs. We are positioned to provide all-inclusive ICT solutions to our diverse customer base. To be the preferred ICT solutions provider creating value for our customers through innovative and reliable enterprise solutions across Africa.”

In a post covid workspace, the need to have robust customer center is one of the critical things that ensures that organisations are competitive. ZetaWeb Limited understand the cost implication of building individual customer centres for various organisation and how these centres distract organisations from focusing on their core service. Having this in mind, ZetaWeb Limited introduced the ZETA CUSTOMER CENTER solution.

With various models of contact centre solutions such as On Premises model which deploy sustainable and unmatched Contact Centre Solution at the facility in line with the organisation’s unique requirements and providing them with the right technical support. They also have the off-site model which is when the contact centre solutions and agents are located outside the clients’ premises and seated at the provider’s site. The company pays for the number of agents and / or & also the channels to be used.

In line with the current realities which is the Cloud. ZetaWeb has Cloud Based Contact Centre Solution. With the Cloud Based Solution, organisations can run their Contact Centre from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. The solution can be deployed rapidly while eliminating the need for complex on-site infrastructure. Giving organization best of both world, there is ZetaWeb Hybrid Contact Centre Solution. This model allows for the provider and client to integrate the on-premise to the cloud-based systems seamlessly thereby enabling client switch between both modules seamlessly. This increases business agility and saves cost. Then finally, they have TeleMarketing Solutions. Telemarketing also known as Telesales is another form of call centre where agents are trained to sell a product, conduct market research or survey through continuous client engagement.

With robust and global acclaimed brands such as Microsoft, Cisco, Kapersky and a host of others as partners, Zeta-Web Nigeria Limited (ZNL) is an ICT firm with significant expertise in crafting and deploying technology solutions in Nigeria and across Africa.

“By leading the market from our customers’ perspective, we provide a balance between Reliable, Fast and Efficient Internet connections with Value-add services on a Cost-Effective platform. Our wide range of services includes VSAT, FiberSat, Wireless (POP), IP & Infrastructure Solutions, Cloud Services, Data Storage and Disaster Recovery amongst others. We use the most advanced technology to design, deploy and manage the services at our clients’ end”,Chris concluded.

t

EUR 10,000 grant for technology-driven finalists to grow their business

The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) is calling on all game-changing justice startups that want to grow their social impact and business to participate in this year’s HiiL Innovating Justice Challenge.

Successful applicants will earn a place in the prestigious international HiiL Justice Accelerator programme, along with EUR 10,000 in funding and a package of tailored local support.

The programme is searching for promising startups and social enterprises who are solving a pressing justice problem in a way that is high impact and sustainable.  Themba Mahleka, co-head of the HiiL Innovation Hub Southern Africa, says that the numerous social and economic challenges of the past year have made tackling inequality and injustice in all its forms more urgent than ever before. “Through the HiiL Innovating Justice Challenge, we are looking for the best social entrepreneurs from Southern Africa that aspire for everybody to have access to justice at work, at home, in the neighbourhood and in business,” he says.

The annual challenge attracts top innovations that have a proven solution with increasing annual revenue and impact, have a scalable business model, are on their way to financial sustainability and are led by a strong team with experienced founders. Applications from both for-profit and non-profit organisations are welcomed.

“We are especially interested in startups that work on what we’ve identified as potential ‘game-changers’. Interested applicants are encouraged to find out more about that on the HiiL website here,” adds Mahleka. The programme will once again look for sustainable innovations that empower people by creating better:

• working conditions with their employer
• separation terms with their spouse
• protection against theft, fraud and violence
• arrangements about noise, damages and property access with their neighbour
• housing maintenance and rent conditions with their landlord
• agreements on ownership, registration and use of land
• ways to reduce corruption
• contracts, fraud protection and compliance for their small business

The HiiL Innovating Justice Challenge will accept applications for its prestigious Accelerator Programme until 30 April 2021 via www.hiil.org/innovating-justice-challenge.

Successful applicants who proceed to the four-month Justice Accelerator programme will, in addition to receiving €10,000 non-equity seed funding, have the opportunity to present to an international jury and compete for additional cash prizes at the annual HiiL Innovating Justice Forum. 

Previous startups supported by HiiL in Southern Africa include LUMA Law, a chatbot for legal information founded by Grace Gichanga. “Every year I am surprised and blown away by the people I see taking part in the HiiL Justice Accelerator,” Gichanga says, “Everyone has a different approach to solving problems, and the opportunities to learn and collaborate are extraordinary. We have become a much stronger organisation as a result of the programme.”

The HiiL Hub Southern Africa is proud to be supported by the Dutch National Postcode Lottery.