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EFCC, NOUN to Review MOU for Enhanced Collaboration
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), have reached an agreement to re-strategise and come up with a more mutually-beneficial Memorandum of Understanding ((MoU), to strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes as well as other acts of corruption.
This development came recently in Abuja when the Vice Chancellor of the NOUN, Prof Olufemi Peters led a delegation of his management team to the headquarters of the EFCC on a courtesy visit.
Prof Peters explained that the NOUN had a long-standing relationship with the EFCC and the visit was meant to bolster the existing relationship between the two agencies.
He stated further that since the signing of the MOU in 2021, the two agencies have been able to build synergy on cyber security and forensic studies.
In his words, “Since our initial agreement, the synergy between our institutions has strengthened and our collective efforts have significantly contributed to building capacity in the areas of recognising and combating cyber threats in Nigeria.
“Our two institutions, having become aware of complementary features inherent in the execution of our mandates, signed an MOU to build synergy on cyber security and forensic studies. Since our initial agreement, the synergy between our institutions has strengthened and our collective efforts have significantly contributed to building capacity in recognising and combating cyber threats in Nigeria.”
He recalled the joint International workshop organised by ACTEL in collaboration with the International Information Development Agency, the African Centre of Excellence in Mathematics Computer Sciences and Applications and the EFCC.
In addition, he noted the Digital Footprint organized by NOUN in June 2023 which featured five of EFCC staff in active participation.
“We are proud to note for the records that an EFCC staff member, Mr. Kennedy Ketebu was among the first four students to bag a PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence from our University.
“This staff also benefitted from a Digital Science Support Fund that enabled him to showcase his research work at the World Bank’s office in Washington, USA, in October 2022.
“Our partnership is indeed yielding results. Over the past two years, we have witnessed other notable achievements such as joint seminars, workshops, supervision of Masters and PhD programmes in artificial intelligence, cyber security and management information systems”, he said.
He pressed for enhanced collaboration and renewal of the MoU with the EFCC to allow for internship opportunities, technology-based services, research, capacity building, supervision and facilitations and public awareness campaigns.
“As was before, we hope that the MOU will be managed through collaborative efforts and activities and projects will be jointly developed and implemented.
“I’m confident that renewal of the MOU will further solidify our partnership and lead to even greater achievements. Together, we will continue to make significant strides in enhancing cyber security, preventing financial crimes and contributing to the overall development of our great country”, he pointed out.
He appreciated the dedication and commitment of the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede since he assumed office and charged him to continue to do the good work he was doing.
Responding, Olukoyede appreciated the visit of the delegation and thanked them for the extension of the hand of fellowship and comradeship to the EFCC.
He assured that the Commission was ever ready to continue the relationship between the two agencies.
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He harped on the need for public awareness to the ills of corruption and “the best way to create public awareness is through educational services which NOUN is providing”. He commended NOUN management for the distance learning opportunities Nigerians are getting through the institution.
The EFCC boss also charged the institution to develop a curriculum on anti-corruption studies to build in their students requisite skills and knowledge against corrupt practices.
He assured the VC and his team that the EFCC would review and renew the MoU with the institution for stronger and more fruitful collaboration.
“We are ready to collaborate with you and strengthen the relationship. We are not just going to renew the MOU, we are going to review it to allow for fresh inputs to be put into it”, he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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