News
Confusion Trails Draft Postal Bill
The draft law that will give legal backing to the National Postal Policy is entangled in web of claims and counter charges that may frustrate early passage of the all important law that will rejig the postal industry, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations can now reveal.
Opinions are varied as to what has actually become of this important document fuelling speculations that some interests are out to frustrate the draft law.
The idea of the National Postal Policy was muted in 2005 and since then the document has gone back and forth the operators, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), National Assembly and Nigeria Postal Service (Nipost) which also doubles as the apex regulator of the industry.
Operators are accused of not sending back their inputs to the draft laws, BPE under Mrs. Irene Chigbue, its immediate past director general is said to be in hurry to conclude the privatization of Nipost, while the National Assembly is pointing fingers on the ministry of information for the delay.
Elsewhere, the federal government appears reluctant to un-bundle Nipost believing that the national carrier can still play nationalistic role like its counterparts in the world.
Toyin Olufade, president of the Association of Nigeria Courier Operators (Anco) said that the initial delay was because stakeholders were not taken along in the scheme of things including the labour.
Labour now included as well as harmonization of some grey areas, Olufade said that most of his association’s members have returned their own inputs to the BPE.
BPE however said that as soon as all the inputs are received that it will expedite action on the document.
Joe Chigbo Anichebe, head, public affairs, BPE, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that “if you we get their inputs, it will take us about two weeks to go through and pass it to the Federal Executive Council for approval”
The draft policy will be approved by the Federal Executive Council while the draft law will be passed by the National Assembly to give legal backing to draft National Postal Policy.
Senator Sylvester Anyanwu, chairman, Senate committee on communications however told Nigeria Communications that the National Assembly was eagerly awaiting the return of the document and promised to accelerate the passage of the bill.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
- News2 days ago
60 Hearty Cheers to Chioma Ekeh, Africa’s Leading Unusual Female Tech
- Telecom2 days ago
ALTON, ATCON Urge FG to Address Telecoms Industry Challenges
- News2 days ago
9mobile Partners Microsoft to Host Impactful Training Session for Journalists
- Telecom2 days ago
Qualcomm Shortlists Startups for Qualcomm Make in Africa 2024 and Awards 2023 Wireless Reach Social Impact Fund
- News2 days ago
Academic Technologists Propose N350,000 Minimum Wage
- E-Business3 days ago
Dexude Secures Funding to Revolutionize Education in Nigeria, Beyond
- E-Financial2 days ago
Confusion as CBN Deletes, Reinstates Tweet Calling Crypto-Related Directive Fake
- E-Business2 days ago
Hydrogen Hosts Catalyst Workshop, Highlights Resilient Business Models for Fintech Startups