NEWS
100 Youths Begin NCDMB/ITF Vocational Training
Hundred Nigerian youths have commenced training in the vocational skills programme sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and facilitated by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
The training covers eight skills areas, and they include Information and Communication Technology; Electrical/Electronic Technology; Industrial Automation and Mechatronics; Instrumentation and Process Control; Mechanical Services and Maintenance; Mobile Phone Repairs and Troubleshooting; Residential Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Maintenance and Building Technology.
The programme would last for six months, and it is the second time the Board is collaborating with the ITF for the training of Nigerian youths. The first edition was concluded in 2021 and 254 youths were trained and equipped with tools and resources that should enable them to start their own enterprises.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote spoke at the kick-off ceremony in Abuja on Monday and expressed delight that many participants from the first programme have started their own businesses, and some got formal employment to support the economy. The high level of success motivated the need to carry out the second batch of the training, he said.
Represented by the General Manager Capacity Building Division, Dr. Ama Ikuru, the Executive Secretary explained that the design of the training is to ensure that beneficiaries end up as successful artisans, entrepreneurs, and employers of labour, which is why emphasis will be placed on entrepreneurship and practical skills. “With our 60:20:20 training policy, we insist that at least 60 percent of our beneficiaries will have a clear line of sight to gainful employment and or are equipped to start their own businesses,” he added.
The beneficiaries were selected from the Board’s NOGIC-JQS platform, with representation from different zones of the country. Selection exercises were also organised for the trainees, involving tests and oral interviews in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Wabote stated that human capacity development is one of the key mandates of the Board and each year the agency trains over 2000 Nigerians in various skill areas, either through direct intervention or through the project-based training executed by contractors and operating companies.
He revealed that “over 3000 Nigerians benefitted from the Board’s sponsored or facilitated training programmes in 2021, and a higher number is expected in 2022 to cushion the effect of COVID 19 and the challenges being faced in the wider economy.” He added that the objective is that Nigeria will have adequate and competent human capacity to run the economy and achieve a high level of domiciliation and domestication of activities in key industries, including the oil and gas industry.
He confirmed that the Board’s human capacity training programmes have been aligned with the rapid advancement of technologies and the digitalization in the oil and gas industry and the Board will increase the number of training programmes in digital science, analytics, and digital coding.
He listed other areas of the Board’s capacity building interventions to include the renovation and upgrade of some technical and vocational education training schools (TVETS) across the country, with modern industrial equipment and strengthening engineering departments in selected tertiary institutions to ensure that their graduates are trained ready for the challenges of the modern industry.
In her remarks, the Director-General of ITF, Sir Joseph Ari commended NCDMB for its commitment to the empowerment of Nigerians and for collaborating with the institution. He submitted that “this kind of synergy is vital to actualize our respective mandates and effectively address most of the problems confronting the country, especially unemployment and poverty and their effects on national life.”
Represented by the Head Corporate Planning, Mrs. Yinka Shodunke, the Director-General suggested that Nigerians who are equipped with requisite skills will be better disposed to take advantage of numerous policies designed by the Federal Government to boost the economy and improve the standard of living of the citizens.
In line with the recommendations of the Osun State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Governor Ademola Adeleke has extended mercy to 53 convicts serving various terms within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
According to Spokesperson to the State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, this was contained in a letter of commutation dated December 24th, 2024 and which has since been received and acknowledged by the relevant prison authorities read as follows:
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“WHEREAS: the inmates whose names are set out in the schedule to this order have been convicted to various terms of imprisonment to wit.
(i) Simple offences and have served substantial portions of the sentences,
(ii) Convicts sentenced to death” (having spent a minimum of 10 years in custody.)
“AND WHEREAS: following the recommendation made to me by the state advisory council on the prerogative of mercy that I should exercise my power in relation to the said inmates in order to mark the 2024 Christmas celebration.
“AND WHEREAS: in the case of the 30 (thirty) inmates convicted of simple offences, I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to remit and forgive the remainder of the said sentences in whole.
“AND WHEREAS: I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to grant outright pardon to 12 (Twelve) inmates convicted of simple offences.
“4 (Four) Convicts have their sentences commuted from death to outright pardon. AND WHEREAS: I have decided in accordance with the said recommendation to commute the sentences as follows;
“1 (One) convict has his sentence commuted from death to 15 (Fifteen) years imprisonment.
“6 (Six) Convicts have their sentences commuted from death to outright release.
“Now know ye therefore that, I Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria, in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a), (c) and (d) of subsection (i) of section 212 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended), I am pleased to extend my grace and mercy unto the said inmates.
“My will and pleasure thereof, is that you commute the death, life and years of imprisonment as indicated herewith in the schedule”
Those in the schedule are as follows:
CONVICTS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT PARDON (SIMPLE OFFENCES)
- OLABOMIJI NURUDEEN
- MUSTAPHA ISAH
- OLALEKAN ABDULLAHI
- AYOMIDE OLOJEDE
- AKEEM RAPHAEL
- ADEYEMI ABIODUN
- OLADIPUPO SEGUN
- OMISAKIN SUNDAY
- ADEMOLA ADIO
- TUNDE OLAPADE
- LATE CHIEF WOLE OLA RUFUS OJO
- OMOLOYE OLAJIDE OLAYEMI
CONVICTS RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT RELEASE (SIMPLE OFFENCES)
- OLUBO SUNDAY
- ISAH UMAR BIODUN
- FAWAS KAREEM
- OMIRIN TEMITAYO
- OLARENWAJU AYOMIDE
- DARE SUNDAY
- OLADAPO TUNDE
- GANIYU SAHEED
- ADEWUMI SODIQ
- ADEBAYO ADEOYE KEHINDE
- LASIS KAZEEM
- DAUDA OJO (59 YEARS)
- ISMAILA RAJI
- OSENI MICHEAL
- AJAYI KOREDE
- ABIONA NURUDEEN
- OSHI SAMUEL
- SHEU YUSUF OLATUNJI
- OJO AANU
- MUSTAPHA KEHINDE
- LASIS ABEEB
- ALEXANDRA IORLAHA
- OJO TAIWO
- AZEEZ MUJEEB
- AKINYEMI DAVID
- ADEOSUN ADEKUNLE
- OLAOBAJU SAMUEL
- ADURA ADEFEMI
- PAUL BASIL
- KUNLE DAVID
CONVICT RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT PARDON FOR GOOD CONDUCT (CAPITAL OFFENCES) – 4 (FOUR)
- SUNDAY MORAKINYO
- SEGUN OLOWOOKERE
- TUNDE OLAPADE
- DEMOLA ODEYEMI
CONVICT RECOMMENDED FOR OUTRIGHT RELEASE ON HEALTH GROUND, (CAPITAL OFFENCES) –
1 OLUWAFEMI FAGBEMI
2 BEWAJI SUNDAY
- AMEHIN GEORGE
- AYOMIDE ARULOGUN
- TAIWO OLUWATOBI STEPHEN
- ABUBAKAR ABDULAZEEZ
CONVICT RECOMMENDED TO BE COMMUTED FROM DEATH TO 15 YEARS IMPRISONMENT HAVING SPENT AT LEAST 10 YEARS IN CUSTODY
- OJEKUNLE TIMOTHY
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has approved a new policy allowing visa-free entry to Ghana for all African nationals, fulfilling a promise he made earlier this year.
The initiative is expected to be implemented before the end of his term on January 6, 2025.
With this move, Ghana will join Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin as one of the few African nations offering unrestricted visa-free access to all African passport holders.
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The policy is seen as a significant step toward promoting free movement across the continent, enhancing trade, and deepening economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
President Akufo-Addo announced the policy during his keynote address at the 2024 Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD) held in Accra.
Speaking under the theme “Developing Prosperity in Africa: Produce, Add Value, and Trade,” he highlighted the challenges Africans face when traveling within the continent.
“Many of you had to acquire a visa to attend this event,” he said, emphasizing the barriers to intra-African mobility.
He described the visa-free policy as a solution to these challenges and a critical step toward achieving the goals of the AfCFTA.
“The free movement of people is essential for stimulating intra-African trade and fostering collaboration across borders,” Akufo-Addo added, noting that the policy aligns with Ghana’s broader vision of promoting economic growth through integration.
The visa-free initiative is expected to enhance Ghana’s standing in the region, making it easier for African nationals to travel, trade, and collaborate.
By eliminating visa requirements, Ghana aims to position itself as a leader in continental integration, creating opportunities for deeper economic ties with other African nations.
The policy also underscores Ghana’s commitment to the AfCFTA, which seeks to establish a unified market for goods and services across Africa.
Officials believe this move will attract businesses and encourage cross-border trade, ultimately boosting the continent’s economy.
The Ghanaian government has begun taking steps to implement the policy, with full rollout expected before the end of Akufo-Addo’s presidency.
Officials are updating immigration procedures to accommodate the new framework and ensure a smooth transition.
President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the initiative during his address.
“We are taking concrete steps to ensure that this policy becomes a reality this year,” he stated, signaling that the groundwork for implementation is already underway.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians of the federal government’s dedication to national security, economic transformation, and welfare of the citizens.
This was detailed in a Christmas message on Wednesday afternoon in Abuja under the signature of the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
According to the Vice President, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unwavering in its focus on these critical areas, as the country looks forward to the dawn of a new year.
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He said, “In these times of economic transformation, I want to assure you that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration remains steadfast in its commitment to improving the lives of all Nigerians.”
Vice President Shettima particularly urged the citizens to imbibe the virtues of national unity during the yuletide season.
“Nigeria’s diversity remains our greatest strength. Let us avail ourselves of the time provided by the holiday season to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that unite us across all faiths and regions,” he said.
Senator Shettima assured Nigerians of the continued vigilance of the nation’s security forces, noting that “our brave security personnel will continue to work round the clock during this festive period to keep us safe.”
He said enhanced security measures have been put in place to protect the citizens during the holiday period.
“The relevant agencies have been mobilized to ensure your safety and comfort on all major routes,” he stated, urging travelers to remain vigilant.
VP Shettima expressed optimism about the nation’s trajectory in the coming year, saying, “I am filled with hope and optimism about Nigeria’s future. Together, we will build a more prosperous and united nation.
“To our young people, you are the backbone of our nation. The Renewed Hope administration is implementing various initiatives to create opportunities for you to thrive and contribute to Nigeria’s development,” he added.
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