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Shettima Says Innovation Key to Putting Nigeria in Rightful Position on World Map

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Shettima Says Innovation Key to Putting Nigeria in Rightful Position on World Map

By: Michael Mike

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that innovation is essential to attainment of Nigeria’s dream of becoming one of the top countries in the world, urging Nigerians to bring up innovative ideas and actions to advance the ongoing transformation agenda in the country.

Speaking at the third i-FAIR cohorts graduation ceremony of the nine-month mentorship programme for budding innovators and entrepreneurs on Thursday in Abuja, the Vice President implored Nigerians to support the Israel-Nigeria Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) initiative to advance the transformation agenda in the country.

Shettima who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs in the Office of the Vice-President, Mr Tope Fasua, commendded the graduands for boosting the Nigerian population efforts to achieve the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

He said: “We live in a kinetically dynamic and digital world, where we are seeing today’s reality and tomorrow’s innovation by power of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet and others.

“We commend the Innov8Hub for what it has been doing so far amongst our youth and the innovative at heart.

“We have seen numerous innovative display, many of which have been commercialized and are having impact on Nigeria and beyond.

“We believe this is merely the beginning, I appeal to all and sundry to show maximal support to the idea behind the hub, as it is indeed transformative.

“Our very survival in a fast paced world depends on it.”

The Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria Michael Freeman, on his part, said the programme comprised twelve components spanning health, climate change, and agriculture, and embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience.

“I-FAIR was established by the Israeli embassy in collaboration with the Nigerian government; this initiative epitomizes the collaboration and innovation pivotal to the Israel-Nigeria relationship.

“President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda resonates deeply with the ethos of the i-FAIR programme in championing empowerment, growth, and prosperity for Nigeria.

“This is with a focus on nurturing the talents of our youth, this programme aligns seamlessly with President Tinubu’s vision of propelling Nigeria towards excellence, notably in digital economy where job creation is paramount.”

He attributed success so far achieved to invaluable partnership by the embassy with TetFund, Air Peace and Zell Innov8 and other collaborators, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in shaping the transformative journey.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi, Director, Economic, Trade and Investment at the ministry, traced the success of the programme to the partnership between Israel and Nigeria.

Tuggar said, “This is evidence of innovation. We have no doubt this government and the administration standout as the most innovative government Nigeria ever had.

“It is pertinent to mention that the idea of I-FAIR is predicated on the need to overcome domestic challenges with innovative made in-Nigeria solutions tailored around inspiring Nigeria to become a start-up nation.”

Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said it was important to prioritise transformation agenda to achieve meaningful growth.

He said:We must prioritise the complete deployment of fibre active network which Nigeria must achieve in the next two-three years and we have backing of the President.

“Also, for AI, every developed country in the world is freaking out about development in AI. For the reality, they do not have the workforce to power it.

“If we do not take advantage of being part of the AI, even if it is just to provide the workforce, we are wasting time.

“In the two to three years, AI will prompt how you think and what you do. AI will prompt development,” he said.

Shettima Says Innovation Key to Putting Nigeria in Rightful Position on World Map

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Concrete casters say Yahaya’s support boosting youths employment in Gombe

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Concrete casters say Yahaya’s support boosting youths employment in Gombe

Concrete casters on Gombe State under the auspices of Gombe Concrete Casting Multi-purpose Cooperative Society Ltd has commended Gov Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State for providing an environment conducive for their businesses to thrive.

Malam Dahiru Abdullahi, chairman of the association in the state gave the commendation in Gombe on Saturday while inaugurating the distribution of food items and clothing materials to over 3, 250 members of the association for this year’s Ramadan.
Abdullahi said that his members were now able to provide employment for youths because of the good business policies initiated by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.

He said that Yahaya had supported its members through project awards which he said had created jobs for countless youths in the state while reducing crime rate too.
“Some of our members have been awarded contracts which have made them busy while employing more youths; this has helped in gainfully engaging the youths while distracting them from crime and drug abuse.
“This is why we are commending our Governor for the supports and we are assuring him that we will keep supporting the government to empower more youths with jobs,” he said.
He urged the governor to continue to support his association with more contracts so that more youths could be gainfully engaged.
Abdullahi while speaking on the food items distributed said the gesture was to support its members during this year’s Ramadan and Salah celebration.
Abdullahi who is marking his one year in office as chairman, said the items were to help beneficiaries observe the fasting seamlessly.

Abdullahi said that the beneficiaries who are the vulnerable members of his association needed to be supported following the economic hardship impacting on some of his members.

He said that over 500 small bags of rice, millet would be distributed while some fabrics would be given to members for Sallah celebrations.

He said two concrete mixers and two motorcycles would also be given to assist its members.

He said that the items being distributed were worth N7.1 million.

According to him, he has also within his one year in office supported orphans, housewives, youths and other residents with different items worth N9.65 million.

On his part, Mr Adamu Inuwa Pantami, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Gombe State
who was represented by his Personal Assistant, Malam Mohammed Baba-Adamu, commended Abdullahi for empowering his members while urging other associations to take their cue from what the association is doing.

Pantami said he was happy with the association for its efforts at empowering members which he said was in line with the agenda of Gov Yahaya.

He said that the chairman had been engaging in consultation with critical stakeholders before taking decisions and “that’s why he is getting things right.”

Concrete casters say Yahaya’s support boosting youths employment in Gombe

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Guterres To VP Shettima: Nigeria Must Lead Africa’s Charge For New Global Order

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Guterres To VP Shettima: Nigeria Must Lead Africa’s Charge For New Global Order

By: Our Reporter

Backs nation’s UNSC bid, applauds President Tinubu’s reforms, regional security role

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has asked Nigeria to spearhead Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.

Guterres praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions despite facing its own security challenges.

The UN Chief made the remarks on Friday during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Speaking during the talks, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism place it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.

“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” Guterres said.

The UN Secretary-General and the Vice President discussed key developments in Nigeria, as well as the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.

Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.

The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration in advancing global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.

In his remarks, Vice President Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in promoting global peace, saying Africa has benefitted immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.

“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” VP Shettima said.

The Vice President also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.

He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across the African continent.

Guterres To VP Shettima: Nigeria Must Lead Africa’s Charge For New Global Order

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CAIDOV Urges DSS to Arrest El-Rufai Over Alleged Admission of Tapping NSA’s Calls

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CAIDOV Urges DSS to Arrest El-Rufai Over Alleged Admission of Tapping NSA’s Calls

By: Michael Mike

The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to urgently investigate and arrest former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over what it described as a confession to tapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Executive Director, Gbenga Soloki, the group said the alleged action by El-Rufai raises serious national security concerns and must not be treated lightly by security agencies.

CAIDOV insisted that security operatives should “move swiftly to trap him even if Nigeria will divide,” stressing that no individual is above the law regardless of political status or influence.

According to the group, El-Rufai has “succeeded in putting himself into trouble” and should be made to face the consequences of his alleged actions. It accused the former governor of displaying what it called an “alarming level of arrogance,” warning that personal disagreements with top security officials should not lead to actions that could undermine national security.

The group further claimed that the alleged development has “exposed whatever may have been planned underneath,” urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of the matter.

As of the time of filing this report, El-Rufai had not publicly responded to the allegations, while the DSS has yet to issue an official statement on CAIDOV’s demand.

The call adds to growing political tensions surrounding recent exchanges involving key political actors and security institutions.

CAIDOV Urges DSS to Arrest El-Rufai Over Alleged Admission of Tapping NSA’s Calls

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