Kakaki

Embrace ICT for your own good, Edo Deputy speaker urges assembly staff

The Edo state Deputy speaker Maria Edekor on Wednesday called on members of the Edo State House of Assembly Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to upskill their knowledge in Information Communication Technology (ICT) so as to expand their capabilities.

Edekor, who  made the call when members of the association visited her at the assembly complex in Benin, said being ICT compliant would  make them more proficient in their duties and improve quality of government services.

She noted that governor Godwin Obaseki had digitalised the state public and  civil service adding that the state had moved away from analog to digital economy and e-governance.

Edekor said “this is the 21st century and every staff working in the  ministry and in the judiciary are ICT compliant.

“ICT has helped  workers in the ministry to automate government services that previously required bureaucratic hassles.

“I am very saddened to see that the staff working in the Edo state house of assembly  operates an analog system. You have been left behind.

“I have asked my colleagues how an analog system can perform an oversight function over a digital system.

“If you are in Edo state, you will know that your counterpart in the ministry and Judiciary have been upskilled and their lives have been transformed.

“I wonder how someone will get to a director here and do not even know how to operate  computer or a laptop.

“If you were to be transferred to the ministry or other agency of government in this state, you cannot fit in because you have been left behind technically,” she said

Edekor further stated that as a former commissioner in the ministry of Social development and Gender issues, she  reformed the ministry by training and retraining of all staff in ICT.

She explained that she had worked in different capacities as a lecturer, commissioner and heads of different bodies such as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) adding that she knew how effective service delivery could be, using ICT.

“Many of my staff then that we trained, some of them have gotten job with international organization because of the digital skills they acquired while working in Edo state.

“People are always afraid of change and the changes are  for your own good.  Do not be afraid that you might lose your job with the reform that is coming.

“Nobody lost their job in the ministry where the digital reforms started. I am able to function in different capacities because of the experiences I have gathered in ICT over the years.

According to her, the EdoBEST programme in the state is a testimony of how digitalised system can enhance productivity and performance. Edo teachers can comfortably compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world using ICT.

“So be prepared to develop yourselves. If you do not change, you will be left behind.Whether government buys laptop for you or not, try and buy one and learn how to use it, it will help you a lot,” she added.

The deputy Speaker noted that she would be working with the Speaker and other members of the house to design a road map and strategic work plan for the assembly.

“By the special grace of God, I am going to work with you people and I will begin to advocate seriously for your upskilling by training you to become ICT compliant.

“I want to be remembered for a positive change in people’s lives. I want to see that the human beings that come my way are better than the way I met them.

“I am very happy to have you in my office, my doors are opened for conversations and ideas of how we can do things differently”.

Earlier, the chairman of PASAN,  Haruna Farouk said the staff would appreciate the deputy Speaker, if all she had said would be carried out to enhance their performance.

Farouk said “from all you have said, we can see that you have the welfare of staff at heart. We will gladly make ourselves available for the ICT training so that we are not left behind.

Wikimedia Foundation, a free online encyclopaedia, on Saturday issued certificates to 39 successful teachers in Anambra who participated in the one month training on the use of Wikipedia website for digital education.

The one month training took place at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS) Onitsha.

Presenting the certificates, the free online encyclopaedia lead facilitator, Mrs Obiageli Ezeilo, said that the training focused mostly on reading Wikipedia in the classroom for junior and senior secondary school teachers and students.

The facilitator said that 50 teachers participated in the training but 39 were successful adding that teachers who were not successful still have the opportunity to reapply for training.

Ezeilo attributed their failure to so many factors that included, absence from classes, lateness, lack of seriousness to learning, among others.

She said that the aim was geared towards teaching teachers on how to access and improve their media and information literary skills in the classroom.

She explained that the programme was a free online training designed for teachers to learn how to integrate Wikipedia as a learning tool in the classroom.

The facilitator stressed the need for them to master Wikipedia website to improve their Information and Communications’ Technology (ICT) skills.

“Wikipedia is a reliable tool for teaching, as it assists in research ability, ICT compliance, digital compliance, assists in this 21st century teachers,” she said.

Earlier, Dr Perpetua Osuchukwu, a resource person in Wikipedia, explained that the training at DMGS was a pilot project.

She said that it would soon be spread to other zones with a view to making the teachers to be Wikipedia digital friendly for easy access on website information.

Osuchukwu noted that those teachers who did not make it still have opportunity to reapply and commence training in the various zones of Wikipedia centers.

Also, a computer science teacher in Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Mr Ayo Abiodun, commended the organisers of the programme, adding that he would put all the knowledge and skills acquired during the training in use.

A Catholic Priest, Very. Rev.
Fr. Andrew Obinyan, on Saturday admonished traders of Evbareke motor spare market in Benin to get close to God and pray without ceasing even as they go about their daily businesses.

Rev. Fr. Obinyan gave the admonishment as a guest Minister during the 2023 mid year prayers and thanksgiving service organised by the spare parts traders in Benin

The mammoth crowd of traders shut down their shops and businesses for some hours to receive the priest in the market.

In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Obinyan urged the traders to put their faith in God and never relent in prayers.

Taking his scriptures from Daniel 10: 12, the Priest told the congregation that many prayers went unanswered because of some demonic altars which were responsible for the delay of some blessings.

Speaking on the impact of the programme, Fr. Obinyan said” these men and women will now begin to enjoy not only what they have sweated and laboured for, they will begin to enjoy things that grace will freely bestow on them

“As a Priest, I am the people’s representative. We live with them, we live for them and feel for them. That is why we work, pray and identify with the people especially those masses who are struggling to earn a living.

” We go to them and give them hope and renew their hope in God,” he said.

The traders who were overwhelmed by the presence and ministration of the priest, expressed their appreciation to him for finding time to honour their invitation.

They noted that Rev.Fr. Obinyan had always demonstrated his uncommon love for the people.

Speaking on behalf of the traders, Mr. Raphael Ugochukwu, Coordinator, Edo State Christian Market Fellowship, Evbareke chapter, described Rev. Fr. Obinyan as a Father to all, sent by God to deliver people from demonic and satanic strongholds.

Ugochukwu emphasized that the programme was meant to appreciate God for the lives of the traders and their customers.

“Some of the traders are presently facing some challenges hence we invited the priest to pray and release God’s blessings upon us.

“We felt the presence of the holy spirit and witnessed several miracles during the ministration. Yokes and curses have been broken today,” he said.

Highpoint of the event were prayers offered by the Priest for healing, deliverance and blessings for the traders and their families.

Wikimedia Foundation, a free online encyclopaedia on Thursday trained 63 teachers on reading Wikipedia in the classroom for junior and senior secondary school teachers in Onitsha, Anambra.

Mrs Obiageli Ezeilo, the Lead Facilitator for the Wikimedia education team said that the aim was geared toward teaching teachers to be digital competent and improve their media and information literary skills in classroom.

Ezeilo said that the three days programme was a free online training designed for teachers to learn how to integrate Wikipedia as a learning tool in the classroom.

According to her, this will educate the teachers on how to access information, evaluate and use these information effectively in teaching and learning.

“If they are able to learn it very well, it will improve the students Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills,” she said.

The lead facilitator urged teachers to start using Wikipedia saying, ”it is a reliable tools for teaching, it will help them in their research ability, ICT compliance, digital compliance and help them equip as 21th century teachers”.

In her contributions, Dr Perpetual Osuchukwu, a resource person in Wikipedia said that learning had taken place between them and the teachers.

According to her, the teachers are responding well to the assignment given to them.

Osuchukwu said that they look forward to collaborate with the state government in expanding the process to other parts of the state and sustaining it for a long period of time.

Also, a computer science teacher in Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Mr Ayo Abiodun, said that the training was a welcome development.

Abiodun said that the programme would make teaching and learning easier for teachers and students.

A pressure group under the aegis of
Afemai Vanguard and the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu are entangled in political crisis over the alleged non nomination of commissioner nominees from the three Etsako local government area of the state.

Afemai Vanguard had in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Benin City, few hours after the state governor, Godwin Obaseki on sworn-in 15 new commissioners, accused the deputy governor of the brain behind the non nomination of commissioners from the three local governments.

The three Etsako local governments are Etsako West with headquarters in Auchi, Etsako Centeal, headquarters in Fugar and Etsako East, Agenebode.

The state signed by, Harrison Igbafe Convener, Afemai Vanguard
alleged that the commissioner slots for the three local councils were not filled because the Deputy Governor of the State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, did not attend meetings.

Harrison alleged that the meeting was called to reach a consensus on the list of commissioners from the affected area.

According to him, meetings were called and the Deputy Governor, Shaibu, did not attend. It is not known what the reasons are but his absence was what resulted in the area not having commissioners.

“We expect that the meetings will be held and commissioners would eventually be appointed into the cabinet from the three Etsako Local Government Areas”,he said.

It is also gathered that commissioner has not been appointed in Egor Local Government Area because the leaders from the locality have not been unable to reach a consensus on a candidate.

A sources alleged that leaders of the local government are yet to harmonise and agree on a nominee.

He, however, optimistic that a commissioner will be appointed as soon as things are ironed out among the leaders.

Commenting on the allegation, the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu denied any knowledge of a meeting nor boycotting any.

Shaibu who spoke through Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa asked if meetings were called
before submission of names of commissioners?

“There is no meeting they called that he was not there and you don’t need to call meeting before you know who to represent you in the three local government as leader of Edo north in PDP.

“I am not aware that the deputy governor boycotting any meeting. If somebody on the tour of Edo North trying to reconcile aggrieved party members, do you call that boycotting meeting.

“He know those who are qualified and fit to be commissioner so he doesn’t need to attend meeting to decide that”, he stated.

Musa, who, however, assured that Etsako East, Etsako Central and Etsako West local governments will surely get their commissioner added that they are doing it in batches and their own will come.

Dr Muhammad Dasuki, the National Muffassir of Ilorin Central Mosque on Sunday in Ilorin admonished Muslims to remember their deceased through prayers and good deeds on their behalf.

Dasuki made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sidelines of Annual Quranic Awards and Prize giving ceremony in remembrance of late Dr Abdul-Hameed Shuaib-Agaka who died in 2022.

The cleric who is also a lecturer at the Department of Religion, History and Heritage Studies of the Kwara State University, Malate explained that the children of Late Agaka decided to honour the memory of their father through good actions.

He noted that the programme which was funded by Alhaji Yushau Abdul-Hamid Agaka, the CEO of PRnigeria includes promotion of Holy Quranic and Hadith knowlege among 65 students from 20 Islamic institutions in Ilorin.

Dasuki said students were required to compete on different categories on the knowledge of the Holy Quran and the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW).

He pointed out that for each categories, three outstanding best students were given prizes and monetary awards.

Speaking on importance of remembrance of deceased in Islam, the cleric said Almighty Allah has enjoined Muslims to remember the dead through various practices, including dua.

“Dua is the act of supplicating or asking Allah for something, and it is a powerful way to show our love and respect for those who have passed away.

“Muslims believe that the deceased continue to exist in another realm and that they can benefit from our prayers and good deeds.

“As such, it is important to honor the dead and remember them in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.

Speaking also, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib-Agaka, the CEO of PRnigeria and eldest son of the late Dr Agaka, noted that the programme is part of the Imam Agaka Foundation.

Shuaib-Agaka who was represented by Malam Aliyu Shuaib, also the son of late Dr Agaka described their late father as a selfless individual who dedicated his life in the service of Islam and humanity.

He added that their father’s passion is philantopic and spreading of Islamic knowledge within and outside the shores of Ilorin.

Shuaib-Agaka noted that over N1 million was expended towards propagating and promoting youths passion towards understanding and memorisation of the Holy Quran and Hadiths.

Malam Mubarak Usman, the overall best student in the competition from Darul-Ulum School of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Ilorin enjoined youth to dedicate their lives positively through memorisation of the Holy Quran.

He expressed happiness on being the best students from all the categories, adding that the awards given to him will gear him to do and excel more in life.

The Management of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) pavilion, Edo, on Sunday said that the museum has been designed to connect global audience of Nigerians and other African communities through art, dialogue and education.

The Director, MOWAA pavilion, Ore Disu, made this known during a press conference to mark the end of a 3-day MOWAA open day celebration which began on June 1 in Benin

The Open Day event was held at the site of the Pavilion with emphasis placed on archaeology and providing a glimpse of what it looks like in practice.

The three-day event provided informative tours of the Pavilion centre and educated visitors on the benefits it would offer the city in terms of investment, jobs and educational opportunities.

Speaking further, Disu noted that MOWAA would be a world-class collections facility that would house a center of excellence for archeological science, conservation and museum practice in west Africa.

She added that development of the pavilion was already underway, with completion scheduled for early 2024.

“When complete, the Pavilion will host state-of-the-art storage facilities, and the best equipped labs for conservation, digital production, archaeology and applied material science in West Africa.

“The educational facility will also provide year-round professional training, internships and outreach activities to sustainably grow relevant skills for heritage and creative economies.

“This Open Day is a platform to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of archaeology in preserving our cultural legacy and share some of our exciting new discoveries,” Disu said.

Disu explained that MOWAA pavilion would be a space for learning, connection and reconnection between the sophistication of our shared past and be home for scholars, artisans and museum practitioners.

According to her, MOWAA partnerships and programmes will breathe new energy into local scholarships and connect Africa’s rich heritage to its thriving contemporary arts scene.

On his part, Phillip Ihenacho, the Director, MOWAA Trust, said”we have decided to update our brand identity to emphasize our focus.

“So going forward we will use the Museum of West African Art, Edo (MOWAA). Instead of the former Edo Museum for West Africa Arts( EMOWAA)

“This signifies a new chapter for our organization. We have already been approached by organisations in West Africa about potential collaborations.

” In future, we hope to establish other centres of creativity and learning across Nigeria and beyond to grow our global presence,” Ihenacho said.

Senator Mathew Urhoghide, representing Edo South Senatorial District, on Wednesday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This was contained in a letter to the acting chairman of the party made available to newsmen in Benin.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Account in the letter, said that the decision was due to the irreconcilable differences and squabbles within the PDP at the national and in Edo.

“I write to formally inform you and entire member of the PDP that I am resigning my membership of the party, effective immediately.

“My decision arose out of the negative political energy emanating at the moment from the irreconcilable differences and squabbles within the PDP at the national level and especially in my dear state.

“These squabble have spiked to the level that have made it impossible for someone who is a confirmed democrat to function and grow as I envisage in my political journey.

“This letter is fulfilling the promise I made to the leader of the PDP that I will consult and inform formally when and if I decided to step out of the PDP.

“I am grateful to the party which yielded me the opportunity to achieve the mission of serving as a two-term Senator .

“Which afforded me the opportunity to express my self and in a way that I have been able to affect my senatorial district,” he said.

Urhoghide noted that the opportunity has helped him to build lasting friendship within the national and state party hierarchy and at the Senate.

According to him, These friendship I shall draw on going forward, and above all imbibed in me knowledge and experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else.

Urhighide, however, solicited for prayer as he took the bold step in the belief that it was the purpose of the almighty God in his interference in the affairs of men.

Ilorin – Prof Gbolagade Adesiji, of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development of the University of Ilorin has advised Nigerian farmers to to use entrepreneurial skills to diversify farm operations and explore new revenue streams.

Adesiji made the advise in his paper presentation while delivering the 234th Inaugural Lecture of the University entitled: ” Workers Together, Workers to Gather and Workers to Get There”.

The don who teaches in the Faculty of Agriculture of the University observed that farmers and entrepreneurship are closely linked as farmers can benefit from entrepreneurial skills and mind set to start new business and generate additional income.

According to him, farmers can utilise value-added processing of f produce, creating agri-tourism opportunities or starting a farm-to-table restaurant.

“By diversifying their businesses, farmers can reduce thier reliance on a single source of income and better manage risk.

Adesiji explained that collaboration among farmers, extension agents and researchers has the potential to transform the lives of rural people.

He submitted that rural communities can overcome challenges such as market accessibility, productivity, enhancement and sustainable agricultural practices by collaborating with various actors to develop creative solutions.

The expert observed that effective collaborations among these actors require mutual trust, effective communication and shared commitment to achieving common goals.

He recommended special fund to support small holder farmer, adding that this will help the country to achieve sustainable agriculture and food security.

“Extension agencies should ensure that services provided to the local farmers are relevant to thier needs and responsive to local conditions,” he said.

He also advise the government to establish clear policies and regulations that support the effective delivery of extension services.

The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) on Wednesday trained about 30 Extension agents from Edo and Ondo states on climate-smart oil Palm production guide.

The five days pilot training organised by NIFOR in collaboration with IDH Foundation in Benin, began on Monday, May 22 and ended on Friday, May 26.

Declaring the training opened, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, said the training was part of efforts by the federal government to return Nigeria to its rightful place as the hub of oil Palm production in Africa.

Abubakar, represented by a Director in the ministry, Chukwuemeka Ukattah, said the training on climate-smart guide would help farmers to improve their yield in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

” The essence of the training is to take the climate-smart agricultural practices to the farmers and NIFOR has worked so hard to come up with climate-smart manual.

” Climate is changing and so we need to move away from our conventional way of production to climate-smart Oil Palm production.

“”This training is to help the farmers adopt these best practices to increase productivity and limit the emissions of green house gases when producing oil Palm.

According to him, the federal government is supporting NIFOR in this regard because they complement the efforts of the federal government.

Abubakar, however, commended the effort of IDH Foundation and other development partners for developing the climate-smart manual to grow the oil Palm industry.

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Dr Celestine Ikuenobe, welcome participants to NIFOR.

Ikuenobe said a training manual have been developed by NIFOR in collaboration with IDH Foundation and would be distributed to the extension agents who would train farmers in Edo and Ondo states.

He noted that the training guide was designed to provide technical information on improved environmentally friendly production practice in the oil Palm industry.

“The training guide is a resource materials for trainers and extension agents working directly with farmers.

” Often times, we wonder why Indonesians and the Malaysians have over taken us in oil Palm production. It is because we sometimes don’t adopt best practices.

” So understanding this and many other challenges, we decided to harmonised different ideas using scientist to come up with this climate- smart manual for all extension agents,” he said.

According to him, the first oil Palm production technology is the quality of seeds. We have had these seeds here in NIFOR for many years but farmers still decide to patronize those by the roadside.

Also speaking, Dr Chris Okafor, the team lead, IDH Oil Palm Development Programme, said the production of the manual took a lot of efforts and time of different scientist in the oil Palm value chain.

Okafor said” when we came into the oil Palm sector, we discovered that there was no training guide.

“So we supported NIFOR financially with other partners to develop a climate smart Oil Palm production guide for farmers,” he said.

The Director of Extension Services, NIFOR, Mr Segun Solomon urged the extension agents to take advantage of the training to enhance their technical skills.

“What we are going to be doing in the next five days, is to train these extension agents from Edo and Ondo in this pilot phase on how to use the guide itself properly,” he said.

According to him, the objective of the guide may not be achieved if the extension agents were not properly trained.