Day: September 2, 2023

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has urged the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa, to revisit some key film industry’s policies

that have the capabilities of enhancing the sector.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its Director, Public Affairs, Mr Brian Etuk.

Etuk said that the Managing Director of NFC, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, gave the advice while presenting a catalogue of film festival to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ms Hannatu Musawa in Abuja.

Maduekwe noted that the policies would help in sustaining the sector’s contributions to content creation, effective film distribution and exhibition.

He added that the minster should also revisit training and capacity building, as well as the establishment of the National Film Development Fund (NFDF).

Maduekwe said the corporation had achieved 10-year hosting partnership with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in 2021 through a Memorandum of Understanding which designated Abuja as the official host city.

According to him, it is natural for Abuja to be named the official host city for the film festival in line with best global practices. For instance, the cities of Cannes, Toronto, Durban and others.

The NFC chief said that the film industry challenges that had slowed down the development process and growth rate of the sector, particularly the laws, including the NFC Act of 1979 that needed to be reviewed.

“This has never undergone any single amendment in the last 44 years, and other legal framework for the Motion Picture Practitioners Council (MOPICON)”, he said.

“The National Film Institute (NFI), Jos has continued to provide training and capacity building for Nigeria in film and television production, including entrepreneurial skills acquisition for youths across the geopolitical zones of the country.

“This is achieved through its Mobile Audiovisual Training Platform, aside the Master Degree Programme in Film Culture and Archiving Studies.

“The progress at the National Film Video and Sound Archive (NFVSA), recently designated the national repository for audio-visual heritage was also brought into focus,” he said.

Responding, the minister commended the NFC for its various achievements in spite of its obsolete law.

She acknowledged the critical role the film industry played and had continued to play in the growth and development of the nation’s economy.

The minister assured NFC that the government was determined to ensure an effective and efficient film industry.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, on Friday, visited the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ( NSCIA) and solicited for prayers and support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Friday in Abuja.

The CDS said he visited the Islamic clerics to convey good tidings from the armed forces to the entire Muslim Ummahs and to profoundly thank the Islamic leaders for their relentless prayers towards the military and the nation in general.

He said the country was currently passing through some challenges and assured that the country would continue to grow, remain better and surely be safe.

Musa added that the armed forces was highly united and committed to the civil authority as well as protection of democracy in Nigeria.

The National President of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar 111, consoled the CDS on the recent loss of Military personnel in a plane crash in Niger.

The Sultan, who was represented by Haroun Eze said that the NSCIA had always prayed for the military in its fight against insurgency and terrorism.

He also called for a peaceful resolution to the political situation in our neighboring Niger Republic.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Abuja, Sept. 2, 2023 (NAN) A Non-Governmental Organisation, Universal Peace Federation (UPF), has trained primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on peace and character moulding of schools’ children.

Its Sub-Regional Director, West Africa, Rev. George Ogurie, stated this at the closing ceremony of Teachers Training Workshop on Peace and Character in Abuja.

Ogurie explained that 20 teachers from 20 pilot basic schools were trained on UPF’s peace and character education in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Board.

According to him, the goal is to save pupils and students from moral decadence.

He said that UPF, a global network of individuals and organisations dedicated to building a world of peace, trained the teachers to implement peace and character education in schools.

He said that the measure became necessary following deterioration in moral, social, and educational values in the country, especially among youths.

He added that the teachers were expected to step down the training to their colleagues and school management.

“They will educate school children on peace and sound character development towards good behaviour for lasting peace,” he said.

One of the dignitaries at the event, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), commended UPF for the initiative, describing it as “critical” to building a morally sound society.

According to him, the entire country will be transformed positively through the initiative and put the country on the right track towards sustainable development.

“I am confident that the problem of insecurity will soon be over since we have started to get it right from the cradle.

“Character is the bottom line of everything; the character of people, especially the younger ones, as they come up needs to be groomed.”

Mrs Chibi Habila, one of the trained teachers from public Primary School Dafara, Kuje, said that the training was very impactful.

Habila noted that children no longer respect their elders among other negative attitudes.

“We have achieved so many things that we are going to take to the children in our various schools.

“This will help significantly in reshaping their character in line with acceptable norms in our society towards building a better and peaceful country,” she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Members of the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) have called on the Lagos State Government to address the infrastructure deficit in their community.

The Chairman of IDU, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, made the call when he led newly inaugurated executive committee members of the union on a courtesy visit to Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, in his palace at Iga Idunganran.

Kazeem, a former Attorney-General of Lagos State, said that Isale Eko was in dire need of attention as its roads were collapsing due to poor drainage, flooding and poor sanitation.

Kazeem while acknowledging Akiolu for his leadership, also sought his support for the union’s programmes on education, urban regeneration, culture and health.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IDU was established in 1939 to secure a better future for sons and daughters of Isale-Eko origin.

Responding, Akiolu advised the union to work closely with the state and local governments as well as other stakeholders to address the poor sanitary conditions in the Isale Eko community.

Akiolu, also Permanent Chairman of the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, emphasised the significance of improving the environment.

“I fear of an epidemic of the level experienced in 1918, if the issue of the environment is not addressed.

“I urge the newly inaugurated executives to use their position for the promotion of its goals and objectives only and not extraneous issues,” Akiolu said.

Akiolu directed the IDU to be the umbrella body for all the various indigenous groups in the community so that they could speak with one voice.

He paid tribute to the exemplary work of a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation and President of the International Court of Justice, late Prof. Taslim Olawale.

“Olawale pioneered the union’s scholarship fund in 1972, which supported the indigenous people of Lagos and guarantees a befitting status for them socially, intellectually and politically.

“I pray for the new executives and urge them to discharge their duties in fear of God and work actively for the people,” Akiolu said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has threatened to revoke the licences of oil operators or settlors who failed to remit the three per cent statutory fees to oil communities before September ending.

The NUPRC management on Friday said its attention had been drawn to the agitation by host communities in the oil and gas producing areas of the Niger Delta region over the delay by industry settlors/operators in remitting the statutory fees.

A statement signed by the Commission’s Chief Executive, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, said the three per cent remittance was governed by Section 235 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

The relevant section states that failure by any holder of a licence to comply with its obligations under this Chapter, may be grounds for revocation of the applicable licence.

“Therefore, defaulting operators (settlors) under PIA 2021 (section 235) are advised to do the needful by fulfilling their obligations and remitting the outstanding arrears without further delay.

“As the commission might be compelled by emerging circumstances to fully apply the law under section 235 of PIA 2021.

“Notice is hereby served that in a situation where defaults are not remedied by the end of September 2023, the Commission would have no option but to revoke the licence of the defaulting settler/operator,” said the statement.

The commission said it understood the sentiments of the host communities, especially as the PIA had suspended and replaced existing provisions with a new Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF).

The old provisions are; Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The Commission said it was fully aware of the implications of the development if allowed to fester.

It said the agitation might frustrate the Commission’s efforts at up-scaling the drive for higher foreign exchange and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.

Incidentally, it said it was also capable of truncating efforts at stabilising the value of the Naira, attaining the much-desired rebound in the national economy and improving the country’s macro-economic status.

“The statutory provision of the PIA regarding the annual contribution of operators in the industry, under Section 240 (2) of the PIA, 2021, is very clear.

“And it states: Each settlor, where applicable through the operator, shall make an annual contribution to the applicable host communities development trust fund.

“It should be an amount equal to three per cent of its actual annual operating expenditure of the preceding financial year in the upstream petroleum operations affecting the host communities for which the applicable HCDT fund was established.

“Given the implications of allowing continued default on sustained peaceful operations and the eventual effect on national oil and gas output.

“The Commission will be minded to activate its regulatory powers in line with PIA’s provisions as stated above, to bring defaulting recalcitrant settlors into compliance,” said the statement.

The NUPRC management said it recently passed the Host Community Regulation and organised a sensitisation programme, emphasising the responsibility of settlors under the PIA, 2021, but those concerned had neglected this, thereby stoking avoidable agitations.

“The settlors are, therefore, required to perform their obligation to commence remittance of the statutory three per cent contribution,” it added.

It stated that remittance of the statutory contribution, which should have served as succour to the host communities, had sadly become a source of pain to the lawful beneficiaries.

This, it said, had given impetus to actions that might affect smooth upstream operations within affected host communities, a situation that could have been addressed through routine social inclusion.

It further said although the ultimate regulatory sanction, as enshrined in Section 238 of the PIA, was the revocation of assets, but it had been careful in applying it.

It said this was to avoid compounding the already low level of investment and divestment rate and further impact negatively on production levels and revenue.

It said, rather, it chose to draw a balance and be strategic in implementing the provisions of the law.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The South-East Women Professionals based in Anambra have lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces and other sister agencies for their efforts in improving security situation in the zone.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the President of the group, Mrs Ijeoma Okafor and Secretary, Princess Ada Udi and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

The group attributed the feat to the efforts of the Armed Forces and the unwavering commitment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.

The group said: “The CDS is fully committed to the restoration of peace nationwide especially in the South-East region.”

The statement appreciated the significant improvement recorded as business activities which were initially grounded in the zone were gradually bouncing back.

The group also solicited the cooperation and understanding of the residents to the security agencies for lasting peace and stability in the zone.

“We cannot but commend the Armed Forces under its present leadership for the improvement on the security situation in the South-East zone.

“The zone have been turned into a war zone by criminals who were trying to traumatise the peace loving people of the zone.

“The ongoing clearance operations by troops of the AFN are a welcome development as life is gradually returning to normal.

“We, therefore, urge the residents to support and work with the military toward restoring peace and stability in the area,” the group added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Douala Cameroon (CNA) Africa is currently witnessing several crises that have hit the continent, leaving especially less developed countries at the mercy of fate. Food security, climate change, human security challenges, unstable economies, sometimes spearheaded by longevity in power, military coups among others, have left many in desolation. Efforts made through the IMF, World Bank, AfDB, and other donors, occasionally do not reach the final beneficiaries either because those in charge have embezzled funds or the implementing teams do not know the priority of the receiving communities.

This is the reason why Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Associations, and other rights groups are demanding their inclusion in every development project because they are close to the people and know their exact problems.

Against this backdrop, African Civil Society Organizations will join their counterparts for brainstorming during the 4th Finance in Common Summit, FiCS, in Cartagena, Colombia between September 4-6, 2023. They are converging on Cartagena with a strong message- Public Development Banks must see them as development partners if they want to ensure that their projects and policies achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

In West Africa, the Network of National NGO Platforms, REPAOC, has been fighting for rights and amelioration of living conditions of communities, especially those marginalized. But activities of the nearly 1000 NGOs are often met with challenges ranging from administrative, financial, and natural causes.

The Regional Coordinator of REPOAC, Julien Comlan Agbessi, said they are not only faced with the challenge of limited access to Public Development Banks’ projects but also the long arm of the government, “There are many factors such as institutional, with the restriction of the civic space by the government. For some time now, human rights NGOs who play an advocacy role for the amelioration of human rights, are wrongly accused by the state which uses every means to reduce their visibility,” Comlan noted.

Many of such human rights NGOs fall victim and are either banned or have their activities restricted because the governments see them as opposition parties in disguise, “… that is restrictive measures, they follow them up and at times they accuse them of being an opposition party and they sometimes ask who do these NGOs work for? what are their sources of income? Why are they monitoring us?…the governments have forgotten that these NGOs work to give them proposals for the amelioration of governance in every sector,” the REPAOC representative said, noting that their existence in the 15 ECOWAS countries is to accompany the governments and not competitors, “When we talk of human rights, it touches many aspects of the society, such as social, economy, environment, religion, politics, and different aspects…NGOS are here to call the attention of government on the gaps and limitations of governance and if this is absent, it could lead to frustration of the population because there is nobody to explain to them these issues.” He told Cameroon News Agency in an interview.

The situation of REPAOC members

The political will to resolve issues in West Africa is lacking and this has a consequence on social coherence. Unemployment has become huge in West Africa leading to massive exodus from villages to cities and to the West for greener pastures, Julien Comlan lamented. “We have a problem of Immigration, with these, we see the consequences of the dangers of the seas where our youths lose their lives, are treated inhumanely, among others…when NGOs denounce these, the state is supposed to pay attention to all of them and act, but they do nothing about it.” Comlan lamented.

Also, the COVID-19 pandemic caused huge damage to the developmental projects initiated earlier. The financial crisis and the effects of climate change have also caused extreme climatic conditions, having consequences on human activities, and the security situation in the Sahel caused by the Libyan crisis in 2011 that penetrated into other West African countries. Comlan noted that this has been one of the major issues affecting their activities.

Collaboration with Public Development Banks, PDB

Asked whether they have had a collaboration with PDB, the Regional Coordinator of REPOAC said, “We have engaged in dialogue with the banks, it is now that we are into talks with them. We appreciate the paradigm shift in the financing of NGOs with the Finance in Common Summit that wants to see that, NGOs and CSOs are partners in the implementation of development projects with PDB and private sectors…it is important to let the PDB understand that they have a category of partners that they have forgotten and these are the NGOs, who have this operational proximity with the communities…it is these NGOs who understand the wants and needs of the communities…”

Julien Comlan said that if the PDB works with them, they will achieve durable development “We will not embezzle their money, we do not embezzle, neither resources nor objectives…they should sign partnerships with us and compare our input with the projects they financed before” He assured.

Corruption is a vice to eliminate

Governments are traditional partners to NGOs in Africa, but communities continue to suffer despite having massive resources because of a lack of patriotism, corruption, and embezzlement among other malpractices. The Civil Society leader thinks that corruption must be eliminated if projects must see the light of day “Africans are hardworking people, it suffices just to give them the means to work and organize them, at our level, we will reinforce their capacities…poverty has persisted because any resources that comes up, they are kept in private pockets,”

Amid this, Comlan thinks that the 4th FiC Summit in Colombia will produce positive feedback on their existence- and within five years, he believes that the outcome will be enormous.

Source: Cameroon News Agency