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Nigeria, UNICEF collaborate to address poverty issues
Nigeria, UNICEF collaborate to address poverty issues
By: Our Reporter
The government of Nigeria, in collaboration with UNICEF and partners, emphasized the critical need for a strengthened social protection system to address the pressing issues of poverty.
This was one of the one of the key issues discussed at the 3rd edition of the Social Protection Cross-Learning Summit yesterday in Abuja.
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, faces significant challenges in human capital development and deprivations in health, education, nutrition, water, hygiene, sanitation, and child protection. This situation underscores the urgency for comprehensive and effective social protection strategies.
In response to these challenges, the Government of Nigeria introduced a cash transfer program, providing 25,000 Naira over a three-month period to poor and vulnerable households. This initiative aims to alleviate immediate economic pressures and mitigate the socio-economic impact of recent economic reforms.
“Our goal is to create a comprehensive support network that addresses the multifaceted needs of children and families, ultimately leading to improved outcomes in health, education, and overall well-being. We must work together to bridge gaps and strengthen coordination,” said Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, emphasizing the importance of integrated social protection systems.
Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, stated on behalf of the Social Protection Development Partners Group, “Social protection is crucial in realizing the rights of every child. Child-sensitive social protection is key to ensuring that every child reaches their full potential. We commend the government for its significant strides in the development of several programs and a single registry. However, there is a need to ensure stronger linkages between social protection and essential social services with a focus on health, education, and nutrition.”
A statement from UNICEF said that despite advancements, social protection coverage remains low, with only 7 percent of children covered. Coordination mechanisms are weak, leading to fragmentation and inefficiency.
Therefore, the summit aims to generate actionable insights and foster collaboration among key players to enhance coverage, coordination, and financing of social protection interventions.
In specific, the objectives of the summit include:
Raise Awareness: Highlight how social protection can mitigate poverty, enhance economic stability, and promote inclusive growth through social assistance (cash transfers), social security (health insurance), and labor market regulation.
Improve Delivery and Coordination: Propose measures to improve delivery and coordination mechanisms for effective coverage and impact of social protection programs.
Commitment to Financing: Elicit commitments from government bodies, international organizations, and private sector stakeholders on financing social protection initiatives through innovative financing mechanisms.
The Government of Nigeria, UNICEF, and partners reaffirmed their commitment to advancing social protection aligned with essential services for comprehensive support. A communiqué was signed to introduce the Universal Child Benefit and increase public spending on social protection by 2 percent, aiming to reduce multidimensional poverty and promote equitable development.
Nigeria, UNICEF collaborate to address poverty issues
NNPC Ltd Declares State Of Emergency On Crude Oil Production
- Calls For Collaboration To Reduce Production Cost
By: Olufemi O. Soneye
In a move towards increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production and growing its reserves, NNPC Ltd has declared a state of emergency on production in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari, disclosed this in a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 23rd edition of the Nigeria Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOG Energy Week) in Abuja, on Tuesday.
“We have decided to stop the debate. We have declared war on the challenges affecting our crude oil production. War means war. We have the right tools. We know what to fight. We know what we have to do at the level of assets. We have engaged our partners, and we will work together to improve the situation,” the GCEO declared.
According to him, a detailed analysis of assets revealed that Nigeria can conveniently produce two million barrels of crude oil per day without deploying new rigs, but the major impediment to achieving that remains the inability of players to act in a timely manner.
He said the “war” will help NNPC Ltd. and its partners to speedily clear all identified obstacles to effective and efficient production such as delays in procurement processes, which have become a challenge in the industry.
On medium to long-term measures aimed at boosting and sustaining production, Kyari said NNPC Ltd. would replace all the old crude oil pipelines built over four decades ago and also introduce a rig sharing programme with its partners to ensure that production rigs stay in the country for between four and five years which is the standard practice in most climes.
He called on all players in the industry to collaborate towards reducing the cost of production and boosting production to target levels.
He expressed the Company’s commitment to investing in critical midstream gas infrastructure such as the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipelines to boost domestic gas production and supply for power generation, industrial development and economic prosperity of the country.
On Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Kyari observed that NNPC Ltd. has since keyed into the Presidential CNG drive, adding that in conjunction with partners such as NIPCO Gas, NNPC Ltd. has built a number of CNG stations, 12 of which will be commissioned on Thursday in Lagos and Abuja.
The opening ceremony of the NOG Energy Week also saw goodwill messages and keynotes presented by the Secretary General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al Ghais; Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Engr. Mohamed Hamel; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Ms. Olu Verheijen as well as the Chairman, Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa.
NNPC Ltd. is the Principal Sponsor of 2024 NOG Energy Week Conference & Exhibition which has as its theme “showcasing opportunities, driving investment and meeting energy demand.”
NNPC Ltd Declares State Of Emergency On Crude Oil Production
Hajiya Ya’ana Gambo Mustapha Umar El-kanemi was laid to rest in Maiduguri
By: Our Reporter
The Acting Governor of Borno State,H.E Hon Umar Usman Kadafur led the entire Borno State Cabinet members to the funeral prayers of wife to late Shehu of Borno H.R.H Mustapha Umar El-kanemi who died yesterday after a protracted illness.
The funeral prayers took place at Mairari Shehu’s palace,Maiduguri.
The funeral was performed by the Imam Idaini of Borno Imam Shettima Mamman Shettima Sale.
The acting Governor was accompanied by the APC State Chairman Hon.Bello Ayuba,Secretary to state government Hon.Bukar Tijjani,Acting Head of Service,Hon.Commissioners,deputy chief of staff,Special Advisers,Senior Special Assistant,Special Assistants,permanent secretaries.
Others are Senator Bakaka Bashir Garbai,Alhaji Abubakar Umara Zulum,District heads,traditional title holders,Politicians among Others.
The acting Governor and his entourage prayed for the reposed soul of the deceased for almighty Allah to grant her jannah,amin.
Hajiya Ya’ana Gambo Mustapha Umar El-kanemi was laid to rest in Maiduguri
NUJ Borno State Council Offers Condolences to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff
By: Our Reporter
The leadership of the NUJ Borno State Council, led by Vice Chairman Comrade Abdulkarim Haruna, Secretary of the Council, Financial Secretary, and Ex-officio 11, paid a condolence visit this evening to former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, following the passing of his mother, Late Hajjiya Aisa Galadima Modu Sheriff.
Joining the delegation were leadership and members of the Correspondent’s chapel, Unimaid, Federal Information, and BRTV chapels, along with the Chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
The NUJ team presented a condolence letter to the bereaved family on behalf of all working journalists in the state. They offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased and for the bereaved family to find the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss.
NUJ Borno State Council Offers Condolences to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff
NNPC Ltd Declares State Of Emergency On Crude Oil Production
Hajiya Ya’ana Gambo Mustapha Umar El-kanemi was laid to rest in Maiduguri
EU is Playing Active Role in Nigeria’s Renewable Energy- Isopi
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