Binance deepens crypto education with meetups across Southern Nigeria

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September 2, 2022

Binance, the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider in its efforts to increase crypto literacy in southern Nigeria hosted community meetups across three cities in the region in the month of August 2022.

Besides, the blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure providers see this as an avenue to show that education and community are integral to driving crypto adoption for Nigerians and Africans as a whole.

From August 20 to 24, 2022 (Saturday to Thursday), Binance hosted the southern meetups in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, and the Delta States, respectively.

During the meetups, the company held lectures, questions and answers (Q&A) sessions, and engaging activities for attendees with keen interests in blockchain technology.

Power Sector: Nigeria’s power generation peaks to record high of 5,000MW

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Henry Williams

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September 2, 2022

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Nigeria’s power generation peaked at 5,043.4MW on Thursday, 1st September 2022, a significant improvement from the peak of 4,664.1MW recorded on Wednesday, 31st August 2022. This is the highest daily generation recorded, based on data tracked by Nairametrics from March 2022.

On the flip side, the lowest generation on Thursday was 3,298.48MW, in contrast to 3,450.7MW recorded in the previous day. This is according to information from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

Meanwhile, total energy generated on Thursday stood at 102,875.3MWh, representing a 1.1% decline when compared to the 104,018.08MWh generated in the previous day. Also, energy supplied to customers dropped by 1.1% to 101,630.01MWh on Thursday, from 102,751.99MW sent out on Wednesday.

FG issues certificates, sales permit to fertilizer dealers, bars others

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Henry Williams

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September 2, 2022

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The Federal Government on Thursday presented certificates of registration and sales permit to authorised fertiliser dealers across Nigeria.

This is as non-licensed operators will not be allowed to produce, blend, import, market or distributes fertilizers in the country.

This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by Information Officer 1, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Modupe Olatunji, in Abuja.

Nigeria Unveils Master Plan To Stabilise North-East Region

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Henry Williams

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September 2, 2022

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A strategic Master plan for the recovery, stabilisation and long term socioeconomic development of the North-Eastern region of Nigeria, has been unveiled and validated.

The ten year Master plan is built on eleven pillars which comprises the key sectors needed for the steady return and sustainable development of the region.

Unveiling the Master plan, in Abuja Nigeria, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha said over thirty-one trillion naira is needed to implement the projects.

The SGF said there’s need for all Stakeholders in the Public and Private Sectors, Development Partners, especially Donors, to garner resources and invest optimally in the richly endowed, but least-exploited North-East Region.

Nigeria Officially Bans The Use Of White Models In Advertising

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faith Jegede

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September 2, 2022

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Nigeria has officially become the first country to ban the use of white models in advertising. In a statement published on social media by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, the country announced that its Advertising Regulatory Council Of Nigeria (ARCON) was banning the use of all foreign models and voice-over artists on Nigerian media.

While some social media users expressed dissatisfaction at the decision, others expressed their approval of a move that they praised as a small win and a long overdue measure.

In its statement announcing the ban, ARCON explained that the measure is in line with the government policy of developing local talent, inclusive economic growth and the need to take necessary steps and actions aimed at growing the Nigerian advertising industry.

The ban will come into effect from October 1.

“All advertisements, advertising and marketing communications materials are to make use of only Nigerian model and voice-over artist,” the agency said in its statement. Existing advertising material using non-Nigerian models and voice-over actors will be allowed to run out their terms but it won’t be renewed after that.

LASG Set System Designed To Sharpen Next Generational Leaders

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 1, 2022

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The Lagos State Government (LASG) says the education system in the state is designed to sharpen the next generation of leaders to make them come out better and more enhanced.

Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, made the assertion on Wednesday at the just concluded Lagos State Education Summit 2022 organised by the state’s Ministry of Education.

The summit, with the theme: “Creating a Sustainable Fit-for-Purpose Education Model”, was held at Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island.

He noted that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had a programme whereby children who had left school were brought back to school.

“So many things have been done in our education system. We have primary school students who are coding, which is extremely good and also engaging them already in critical thinking.

“In Lagos state, it’s not all about statistics but about practicality of what we are doing; we are also engaging the students in the tools for the future.

“So, I think ‘ Creating a Sustainable Fit-For-Purpose Education Model’ is a good thing and what needs to come out of this summit for me is what are next steps for us to take,” he added.

According to him, the state has created libraries, turned two Colleges of Education to Universities of Science & Technology and University of Education and they also have 12 Progressive Schools, Technical Schools and Vocational Schools.

“In two or three years time, what do we need to do again? How do we raise the bar? What do we do to make sure that education continues to progress?.

“ I have heard people talk about curriculum review and the rest. Fantastic; but, we must understand that we also do one exam called WAEC. How are shaping curriculum across the whole of West Africa?.

“So, it’s important to frame our curriculum changes within the context of West Africa whereby our students sit for the exams which is not just Lagoscentric,” he added.

Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said that the development of any nation depended on the policy of education provided for the citizens.

Olatunji-Bello said that advanced countries including U.S. UK, China, Finland and others were able to achieve development plans over the years because of the kind of education provided for its citizens.

She described the policies in the advanced countries as purposeful and fit for national aspiration, saying, “this summit is critical to the successful realiasation of T.H.E.M.E.S Educational goal of Mr Governor.

“The theme and sub-theme of the summit are interwoven in order to create a sustainable field for education that cooperates with the achievement with the 30 years Lagos development plan.

“It is impressive that the education T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the Governor is prioritised, and we are hopeful and confident that this will be at the conclusion of this summit.

“The Lagos 30 years development plan targeted to make Africa the most model city, a buoyant economy, a financial core, that is safe, secure, functional and productive will only be achieved by young men and women with required knowledge and capacity.

“People who can think with clarity and solve complex problems. Fortunately,these are the students we train in our primary, secondary and tertiary Institutions.

“And that is why we must leave no stone unturned to ensure that the education will provide and fetch for them the future we desire,” she added.

The LASU V.C therefore charged stakeholders to work in synergy with the state government and the ministry of education to ensure that the 21 century technology are entrenched in the educational system.

According to her, thank God we have a visionary governor who has learned about the pace of technology in today’s educational advancement and invest in massive investment in technology driven learning space.

“It is now left for us, administrator’s, policy makers and teachers to channel our available resources towards ensuring that our curriculum meets current demands of the future society and our methodology relevant and result oriented.

“That our technology become extreme in extinction of our pedagogy and that we shall up skill to such a level when we can successfully interact with latest Innovation being put in place,” she added.

Olatunji-Bello was represented by the LASU Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration Prof. Adenike Boyo.

Also, speaking Folasade Adefisayo applauded Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the successful Lagos State Education Summit 2022.

Adefisayo urged participants to leverage technology in order to secure quality higher education and implore effective strategy for the implementation of the Fit-For-Purpose Education Model’.

The summit had plenary session with Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State; Amb. Marjaana Sall, Finnish Ambassador for Education and Tunde Adekola, Senior Education Specialist, World Bank, Nigeria.

Others included Solape Hammond, Special Adviser on the Sustainable Development Goal and Investment to Gov. Sanwo-Olu and Femi Ogunsanya, Chairperson, the Conference of Private Schools in Lagos State.

The panelists called on stakeholders, particularly teachers, to be committed, passionate, courageous and seek to develop self towards the attainment of Fit-For-Purpose; Education Model’.

They also urged authorities to make resources available and tasked them to deliver results.

“Most importantly, there should be proper accountability as part of checks and balances both in the private and public sector,” they advised.

Kwara Govt Pays Another Batch of Pre-2019 SUBEB, LGAs N11bn Arrears

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 1, 2022

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Kwara State Government has paid another 15% of one month of the huge salary arrears of SUBEB teachers, pensioners and local government workers it inherited in 2019 from the past administration.

The decision to gradually offset the N11BN was agreed to by local government authorities at the request of union leaders at the allocation committee meeting of Monday August 29, 2022.

The payment of the 15% of the arrears came after the allocation committee approved funding for 100% August salary, while the balance goes into offsetting the loans earlier obtained from the state government to pay 100% salary for all categories of workers in the previous months of 2022 when federal allocation/revenue dropped drastically.

The current administration paid 15% (N308m) of the arrears in January 2020 and another 20% (N359m) in December 2021 when allocation improved.

Depending on the size of the allocation, monthly salary payment and other statutory obligations at the local government level (including SUBEB) continue to gulp between 85 and 100% of revenues of the councils, especially after the minimum wage was implemented.

The government assured the concerned workers and the unions of its commitment to pay them this deserving entitlement.

However, the only alternative to phased payment of these humongous arrears is a new borrowing which would further plunge the state into more debt.

The government commended the workers and their unions for their exemplary patriotism, patience and understanding.

Jonathan Reveals How His Govt Resolved 4- Months ASUU Strike In Pne night

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 1, 2022

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Former Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan has narrated how his government resolved a lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in one night.

Jonathan, who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during a conference to mark the 70th birthday of the Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Hassan Kukah, recalled how his administration tried to tackle one such industrial action.

“The society we are managing is quite complex. Yes, I was the president and I tried my best. Now, we are talking about ASUU strike. During my time too, ASUU had four months of strike. Different committees were meeting but nothing was working. I said ‘How can our children stay out of school for four good months?” Jonathan said at the event.

“So, I had to call a meeting of all the leadership of ASUU. I presided over the meeting with my vice president. The Attorney General was there. I said that that night we must solve the problem. The Attorney General was there; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation was there; the ministers of education were there; the labour ministers were there; the finance ministers and everybody that had to do with it [strike].

“And I thought that my being there would help us to do things quickly. But we spent the whole night. We finished like 5:30 am and the strike was called off. So, there were issues,” Jonathan said.

The former Bayelsa governor, who extolled Bishop Kukah, said clergymen must speak against bad leadership in society.

Jonathan also spoke about the country’s democracy, asking Nigerians to protect it from derailing into fascism. According to him, democracy remains the best bet to manage the nation’s diversity.

The event had in attendance top dignitaries including the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu; governors; former ministers among others.

SUBEB Begins Pedagogical Training for 1,500 Teachers, Headteachers In Edo

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 1, 2022

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No fewer than 1,446 Secondary School teachers, headteachers and principals across Edo, have begun a pedagogical training ahead of the 20222023 academic session.

The training, organised by the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), is taking place in Benin, with the aimed to effectively close the teacher gap in the junior secondary school system by at least 95 per cent.

Executive Chairman, Edo SUBEB, Ozavize Salami, said the event would also usher 31,963 additional Edo children into a structured methodology of learning through its EdoBEST programme.

He said “as part of the reform, a total of 365 EdoSTAR fellows – teacher volunteers – are also undergoing a 10-day intensive training which will enable participants to deliver impactful lessons to children, using the EdoBEST pedagogy.

According to Salami, who spoke at the opening of the training session on Thursday, the workshop for the teachers, headteachers and principals is a landmark achievement for the board, saying that it is a major step to extend the education reforms of Gov. Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

Salami said all 306 junior secondary schools in the state were now fully incorporated in the technology-based teaching and learning techniques in line with the ongoing disarticulation process of basic education from Secondary Schools.

“Government is the largest provider of basic education service in the state and we are optimistic that our deliberate investment in teachers, through our professional development programmes.

He said this would lead to improvements in the learning outcomes of students in urban, rural and even hard-to-reach areas.

“The mandate is to sustain the gains made so far under the reforms in the basic education sector; we hope to progress with our EdoBEST programme such that it stands as a legacy for the people of Edo even after this administration is long gone.

“Gov. Godwin Obaseki is also committed to closing teacher gaps, especially through the EdoSTAR fellowship programme where 3,000 persons have been employed to fill teaching positions in primary and junior secondary schools across the state.

“These fellows will benefit from the new minimum wage announced by the governor recently,” said the SUBEB boss.

Responding to questions on non-payment of stipends to the EdoSTAR fellows, the chairman affirmed that no fewer than 80 per cent of the fellows had been fully paid their entitlements while others would receive theirs in the coming days.

“In the face of growing calls for prioritisation of teacher professional development across Nigeria, Edo state has been at the forefront of upskilling teachers.

“In the first two quarters of 2022 alone, 2,602 teachers, school leaders, Learning and Development Officers (LDOs) and Quality Assurance Officers (QAO) have been retrained to enable them to deliver on their jobs as educators and managers.

“At the ongoing training, new school and classroom management techniques, modern teaching practices, anti-gender-based violence and child protection strategies as well as other important emerging best practices in school administration are being taught.

“Additionally, sessions are tailored to provide support to teachers in other facets of teaching ranging from interpretation of the curriculum, to understanding the needs of pupils, with a view to motivating them to succeed.

“Because of the strategic role teachers play in the basic education ecosystem, Gov. Obaseki is prioritising teacher professional development as a vehicle for accelerating learning, ” she said.

Electoral Body Publishes Final List of Presidential Candidates, Others Sept 20

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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September 1, 2022

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The final list of Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates for the 2023 general election will be released on September 20, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed.

The Commission explained that the publication of the list of candidates for the national election is in compliance with section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

It said the final list for governorship and House of Assembly elections will be published on October 4.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the disclosure at an event organised in collaboration with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) on ‘Conducting Election in Volatile Security Environment, in Abuja.

He noted that preparations for the 2023 general election will enter critical stages this month.

Yakubu stated further the engagement has become necessary because of the volatile security situation in some parts of the country and its implications on the forthcoming elections.

According to him: “Activities towards the 2023 General Election will enter the critical stages this month. In the next 19 days i.e. on 20th September 2022, the Commission will publish the final list of candidates for national elections (Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives) as provided in Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by the Commission.

“This will be followed on 4th October 2022 by the publication of the final list of candidates for State elections (Governorship and State Houses of Assembly).

“Campaign in public by political parties will officially commence on 28th September 2022 as provided by Sec. 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022x As campaigns commence, we appeal to all political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns. This is the best way to complement our efforts to ensure transparent elections in which only the votes cast by citizens determine the winner’.

He continued: “I have no doubt in my mind that today’s meeting meets the twin tests of relevance and timeliness. The meeting is relevant because of the volatile security situation in some parts of the country and its implications on the forthcoming elections.

“It is timely because the election is fast approaching but there is still time to address the security concerns ahead of the election. Most appropriately, I believe that arising from the shared experience of participants at this meeting, specific recommendations will be made to further enrich our understanding of the security issues in the forthcoming election, the various dimensions of the challenges and, most importantly, possible measures to respond to them to ensure that elections peacefully hold nationwide as required by law.

“The Commission welcomes this initiative and as Co-Chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), there is no doubt that the security agencies also welcome ideas and citizens’ support towards peaceful elections. After all, only recently the office of the Inspector General of Police organised a nationwide capacity-building for police personnel on election security.

“The Police was not only motivated by the same concern of ensuring a secure environment for the election but also enhancing the professionalism of police personnel on election duty”.