National News
UN Calls on Schoolgirls to Take up Careers in STEM
UN Calls on Schoolgirls to Take up Careers in STEM
By: Michael Mike
The Director of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Abuja, Ronald Kayanja, has advised girls and young women to aspire and acquire skills for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), insisting that these should not been seen as exclusive professions for male only.
Kayanja, gave the advice to schoolgirls at the 2023 International Girls in ICT Day, organised by UNIC in collaboration with Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.Tec) and Tek Experts on Tuesday at the UN House, Abuja.
Kayanja, who was represented by UNIC National Information Officer, Oluseyi Soremekun, said: “You must change the gender-based stereotypes that society has ascribed to certain professions and careers, especially those in STEM. You can only do this if you aspire and work hard in your studies and develop passion for ICT.”
He recalled that the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) had estimated a skills shortfall of over two million jobs in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector within the next five years, and he therefore charged all schoolgirls and young women to acquire ICT skills to be well-placed for a successful career in the sector.
He further explained that UNIC and partners were working together to inspire and encourage girls to pursue a future in ICTs and to empower them by ensuring they have the necessary skills, confidence and support to achieve their goals.
Country Director of Tek Experts, Mr Gbolahan Olusanya, allayed the fears of the schoolsgirls about STEM and ICT, disclosing that his organisation had trained 500 girls who are all doing well in the sector.
He assured that: “There is nothing to be afraid of in acquiring ICT skills. You can do it. It is not as complicated as you think it is.”
Keynote Speaker and Founder/ CEO of NextWear Tech Hub, Mrs Kemisola Bolarinwa charged the school girls to always remember that they are the future of ICT, while acknowledging that: “We have the power to shape the future, to create new possibilities, and to transform the world through technology.”
She identified four important digital skills students should learn. These were Digital Literacy; Cybersecurity; Coding and Programming: and Digital Communication. She noted that: “By acquiring these skills, we can become more successful in our academic, personal, and professional lives.”
Bolarinwa emphasized and urged the participants to embrace the digital age and take advantage of the opportunities it offered.
Assistant Director of Bilateral and International Relations at the FCT Secondary Education Board (SEB), Mary Ajibola, disclosed that the management of SEB was unrelenting in promoting and encouraging girls to pursue their studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
She thanked the UN Information Centre and their partners for organising the event and extending invitation to three of the schools in FCT to participate.
Ninety girls from four Secondary Schools and the W.Tec ‘Make Her Space Girls’ attended the event. The schools were Model Secondary School, Maitama; Government Secondary School, Garki; Government Secondary School, Wuse and Premiere Academy Lugbe.
The International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated every 4th Thursday of April and the theme for this year’s observance is “Digital Skills for Life”.
UN Calls on Schoolgirls to Take up Careers in STEM
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police in Ogun have arrested a mobile policeman and several security guards for alleged conspiracy, burglary and theft from a warehouse belonging to H.K Printing & Packaging Limited, Agbara.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Aug. 9 at about 11:00 p.m., when a truck drove into the company premises and proceeded to the warehouse, allegedly aided by security operatives on duty.
According to the sources, Insp. Ibrahim James, attached to PMF 16 Abeokuta, was captured on CCTV moving around and allegedly leading the operation.
Another officer, Insp. Olabamipe Olaiya, posted to the same beat, was said to be absent from duty at the time.
The company’s security guards and the implicated police personnel allegedly conspired with others still at large to break into the warehouse and cart away goods whose total value is yet to be ascertained.
Police detectives led by CSP Phillips Abayomi, Acting ACP, Agbara Division, visited the scene and arrested the mobile policeman along with the private security guards on duty during the incident.
The suspects are being interrogated, while efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing accomplices and recover the stolen items.
Police arrest MOPOL, security guards over warehouse burglary in Ogun
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nasarawa State Police Command says it is searching for a herbalist, simply identified as Alfa, over alleged involvement in a ritual killing and attempted murder in Mararaba.
It was gathered that the case was reported by one Jamilu Abubakar, a vigilante member.
Abubakar allegedly accompanied two young men to Alfa’s residence on Aug. 12 to seek spiritual assistance purportedly to make more money through internet fraud.
“It was gathered that Alfa prepared a concoction and meat for the victims to eat. Shortly after consuming the meal, both developed severe stomach pain and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Mararaba.
“Sadly, one of the victims, Ani Sunday, aged 21, was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty, while the second, Tosin Akurunor, is responding to treatment,” said the sources.
He said Abubakar had been arrested for his role in taking the victims to the herbalist, while the main suspect, Alfa, was at large.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alfa and conclude investigations, he added.
Police launch manhunt for herbalist over alleged ritual killing in Nasarawa
National News
Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG
Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG
By: Michael Mike
The Director General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor has affirmed that investments in the circular economy value chain have the potential to increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Barikor made this statement recently during a meeting with the management of a plastic packaging recycling (rPET) company, Sonnex in Lagos.
He assured the team that the Nigerian government prioritizes circular economy, noting that the draft National Environmental (Plastic Waste Control) Regulations soon to be gazetted is one of the efforts to strengthen the legal framework for circular economy implementation in Nigeria.
He said: “Circular Economy falls under the Presidential priorities for the Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Minister is very keen on the success. Apart from tackling the problem of waste, green jobs have been created .
“The pellets and flakes you produce and export also generate foreign exchange. The Plastic Waste Control Regulations are awaiting official gazette and once gazetted, we would have connected the dots of the framework to implement circular economy in the plastic sector. We are deeply committed to ensuring the success of Circular Economy.”
Earlier, the Managing Director, Anil Mohinani intimated the NESREA boss on the process for the production of recycled PET bottles (rPET), whilst also highlighting the challenges faced by investors in the sector .
He listed some of the setbacks to include lack of a legal instrument to compel manufacturers in the food and beverage sector to embrace food-grade rPET, unfriendly policies by some foreign companies, and insufficient awareness .
“Europe and America create barriers to protect their international recycling business. There is unfair competition. In some countries such as Kenya, there is encouragement to invest in rPET recycling because there is a regulation in place,” he added.
Investments in circular economy have the potential to increase forex earnings- NESREA DG
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