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VP SHETTIMA FLAGS OFF DIGITALIZATION OF STATE HOUSE WORKFLOW PROCESSES
VP SHETTIMA FLAGS OFF DIGITALIZATION OF STATE HOUSE WORKFLOW PROCESSES
Says initiative a testament to President Tinubu’s adherence to principle of leading by example
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, has said the flag-off of the training on digitalization of workflow processes in the State House is a fulfilment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to build an efficient workforce that is in tune with reality, leveraging technology.
The training, the Vice President added, is a compelling testament to the President’s steadfast adherence to the principle of leading by example.
Sen. Shettima was represented at the opening ceremony of the training programme for staff on the Digitalization of Workflow Processes in the State House by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia.
According to the Vice President, the goal of leveraging opportunities in machine learning and artificial intelligence to transform the entire public service “can’t be actualized unless those tasked with executing the tasks are in tune with reality”.
He explained: “At the inception of this administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu articulated his promise to implement digital initiatives across seven pivotal areas: innovation, entrepreneurship, service provision, outsourcing, technology manufacturing, e-commerce, and the digitalisation of public service, underpinned by broadband and blockchain technologies.
“This can’t be actualized unless those tasked with executing the tasks are in tune with reality, and so this is a compelling testament to Mr. President’s steadfast adherence to the principle of leading by example.”
The VP further observed that the overwhelming paper-based bureaucracy within the civil service infrastructure is at odds with the demands of the present era.
He continued: “It falls upon us to serve as the conduit to a system redefined by the frontiers of machine learning and artificial intelligence, a system that calls upon us to utilise our natural intelligence to its fullest extent, and a system that challenges us to compete to build an efficient workforce that reflects the dynamic realities of our time.”
“The status quo is no longer tenable; the world as we once knew it is undergoing a profound transformation. Like us, policymakers in other parts of the world are embracing digital technology as a catalyst for restructuring operational processes and streamlining decision-making.
“We are fortunate to have a President who has declared that Nigeria will never be behind schedule in adopting disruptive technologies to improve our service standards, optimise expenditure, and accelerate responsiveness to the needs of our foremost customers—the Nigerian people. This revolution begins with us”.
Sen. Shettima assured that the training will equip staff to understand “the need for the digitalization of government processes, the procedures for handling sensitive government information, and how to respond to Nigerians seeking information from the government.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards the training programme.
He said the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration highlights the President’s vision for the Nigerian workforce, which is to improve productivity in public service through deliberate digitalisation of the workforce and the entire operations.
“It is in line with this commitment that this training programme was approved by the President. The significance of starting this programme from the State House cannot be overemphasised as this is where the vision of the President is operationalised and transmitted to the larger Nigerian public service for greater productivity and improved service delivery,” he added.
The goal, according to the perm sec, is to commence the process and scale it across the civil service, believing that it will improve service delivery and overall productivity in the public service.
Also speaking, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, noted that information management is central to national security and governance.
He said, “We hope that three things will be brought under focus in this training- acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge for efficient innovation, processing, transmission, storage, preservation and retrieval of information and data.
“The objective here is simply the improvement of manual systems, a better sense of organisation, first-class delivery of service and adoption of everything information technology offers for civil servants,” he stated.
He urged participants to take the capacity building programme seriously and give it the desired attention it requires.
Also present at the event was the Director-General of the State Security Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, represented by the Director of Training and Staff Development.
VP SHETTIMA FLAGS OFF DIGITALIZATION OF STATE HOUSE WORKFLOW PROCESSES
ActionAid Alleges Government Paying Lip-service to Free First Nine Years of Schooling
…Demands Immediate Government Action to End Educational Exclusion of Poor Children
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has alleged that the government is only paying lip service to the avowed policy of free education to children in their first nine years of schooling, insisting that a massive number of children are still being denied their right due to inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and a lack of transparency in the use of public funds.
A statement on Monday by the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu demanded an immediate government action to end educational exclusion of poor children in the country.
The statement read: “ActionAid Nigeria vehemently disapproves the failure of the Nigerian government to provide quality education to children from poor backgrounds- one of its most vulnerable citizens. Despite the free education policy that was enacted to cater for children in their first nine years of schooling, a massive number of children are still being denied their right due to inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and a lack of transparency in the use of public funds. This is a shocking dereliction of duty.
“This obvious inaction by the government is a clear betrayal of the trust placed in them by the citizens. The inconsistent working relationship between federal and state governments has resulted in a catastrophic failure of coordination, prioritization, and curriculum development. This is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately.”
Mamedu added that: The outrageously high number of poorest children who are out of school is a direct consequence of the government’s appalling neglect of public services.”
Mamedu said: “According to the Nigerian Education Factsheet by UNICEF, about one fourth of the children of primary school completion age did not complete primary education. Moreover, there’s a staggering wealth-based disparity, as 97 per cent of children from the richest families complete primary school, compared to just 34 per cent from the poorest families.
“The gap widens in senior secondary school, where 90 per cent from wealthy families complete their education, versus a mere 16 per cent from poor families.”
He lamented that: “There are also significant ethnic disparities- children from Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Ibibio, and Edo backgrounds tend to have higher completion rates, while those from Fulani and Kanuri backgrounds face lower rates of educational attainment.”
He said he firmly believes that “Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that all children have access to quality education.”
He added that: “The current state of education in Nigeria is a crisis, and we assert that the government takes immediate action to address these issues and prioritize the future of our children.”
Mamedu said: “ActionAid strongly demands that the government: Implements the policy of free education for the first nine years of schooling effectively, without delay; Improves coordination and prioritization between federal and state governments, to ensure a unified approach to education; Increases transparency in the allocation and use of public funds for education, to ensure that resources are being used effectively; Allocates sufficient funds for infrastructure development and improving the school experience for children, to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.”
He said: “It’s time for the government to step up and fulfill its responsibility to provide a decent education for all, without excuses or exceptions.”
ActionAid Alleges Government Paying Lip-service to Free First Nine Years of Schooling
Six terrorists killed as army troops raid terrorists enclaves
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Operation Hadin Kai of the Nigerian Army have killed six fighters of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) during a raid of a “notorious enclave” in Goniri in Damboa LGA in Borno.
It was gathered that the feat was recorded when the troops of 81 Division Task Force Battalion stormed the terrorists enclave in collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force on May 9, 2024.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the The troops successfully cleared Wulma Mashi and Kodow and destroyed structures of the terrorists. The troops went further to clear Goniri and Kokotuma. Contact was made with the terrorists in a small market before Gorere market.
The troops gundown the six terrorists and destroyed all the structures in the area.
Six terrorists killed as army troops raid terrorists enclaves
FG Declares Wednesday Holiday to Mark Worker’s Day
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, 1st May, 2024 as a Public Holiday to commemorate this year’s Workers’ Day Celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, reiterated the need for excellence, efficiency and equity in all spheres of labour, re-affirming President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, productivity, and inclusivity in the workplace.
Tunji-Ojo, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako, said: “In alignment with this year’s theme, which focuses on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, I wish to state that the Federal Government remains steadfast in its resolve to prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens. Let me reaffirm Mr. President’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for work, where every worker can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development”.
The Minister, while acknowledging the contribution of workers, called for proactive measures to mitigate adverse effects of climate change through synergy in in the implementation of sustainable practices and policies that promote well-being in the workplace and in building a nation guided by the principles of integrity, diligence and compassion.
Tunji-Ojo also urged Nigerians to remain committed to the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as he wishes workers a happy celebration.
FG Declares Wednesday Holiday to Mark Worker’s Day
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