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Experts Carpet ICT Draft Policy

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Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology
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Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology, weekend may have unwittingly got more than she bargained at the public presentation of the new national information communication technology (ICT) policy draft as several stakeholders and IT professionals carpeted the document for not being far reaching enough, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek can report. The minister had opened the session by declaring that KPIs (key performance indicators) and time lags were deliberately left out of the document as these would grow along in the line of development. The session was convened as a town hall meeting to access public views on the document which had been displayed online for interested groups/persons to submit memoranda. Several persons had chosen the window of opportunity to send in their presentation. But the town hall meeting was another session aimed physically feeling the pulse of the ICT community to the document. Several individuals opened up with frank talks on key omissions in the draft policy. Mrs. Florence Seriki, managing director and chief executive officer, Omatek Computers, the document as failing to meet stakeholders’ expectations in terms of growing an ICT based institution for onward manufacturing, especially through small and medium enterprises schemes. “No ICT document will be such flourishing if it fails to recognize the importance of manufacturing revolving round ICT, diversification of manufacturing. An ICT based institution may not be fruitful without manufacturing, particularly at SMEs level,” said Seriki. Seriki who also represented the information technology association of Nigeria (ITAN) at the meeting reasoned that the documents failure to have imprints on local content could not be brushed aside. “The need for a concerted effort to ensure local content, or locally based manufacturing blueprint cannot be over emphasized. As it is the draft policy is in short of this aspect economic development, especially as we are targeting national Vision 20:2020 goal,” she enthused. Dr. Vincent Asor, chairman, education and manpower service, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) lamented that implementing the policy as it is portends the collapse of other regulatory bodies. He advised the committee to engage circumspect means that will prevent legal tussle springing up during the implementation stage. Dr. Asor called for more emphasis on computer and broadband penetrations, internet governance and other outsourcing mechanism. “Nigeria Computer Society had produced a policy document for ICT sector in Nigeria. There is a need for us to look at the policy and other existing ones to encourage the academia, investors and outsourcing,” said Asor. Deolu Ogunbanjo, president of the National Association of Telecom Subscribers (NATCOM), pointed out that the ministry should tread with caution as the draft policy could run foul of existing legal instruments. He cited session 23 of the Nigeria Communications Act 2003 which reads in part that during the formulation, determination and monitoring of the general policy for the communications sector in Nigeria, the “Minister shall amongst others, ensure the utilisation of the sector as a platform for the economic and social development of Nigeria; 24. –(1) Prior to the formulation or review of the general policy for the Nigerian communications sector, the Minister shall cause the Commission on his behalf to first carry out a public consultative process on the proposed policy formulation or modification. (2) in formulating and determining the policy or amendments thereto, the Minister and the Council shall take into consideration the findings of the consultative process under subsection (1) of this section.” Ogunbanjo, who queried the essence of the gathering, added that the new draft policy should include consumers’ protection, in terms of improved quality of service, security of investments and lasting solutions to multiple-taxation that has placed firms in tight corners. In her closing, Mrs. Johnson noted that despite the divergent opinions, some of which were very vocal and critical of the document, it was a worthwhile meeting. She noted that the ministry would go back with the positives and do necessary amends. She however sharply disagreed with some expressed opinions that the ministry thread cautiously to avoid pitfalls. “The forum is to receive additional inputs from you (the stakeholders) and the end result is to have ICT policy thrust that will shape the functionality in the country. However, we are in a hurry, especially in having an ICT Ministry in a country that wants to develop. The world is not waiting for us to do catch-up. We have to hurry and catch-up with nations that have left us behind,” said Johnson. The ministry is to convene another stakeholder’s forum in six months for an appraisal on the progress made since the March session.


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EFCC: Accusations Against Our Chairman Are Baseless and Misleading

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strongly denied allegations of lack of integrity and transparency directed at its chairman, Ola Olukoyede, by columnist Steve Osuji.

In a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC. the commission described the claims as “worrisome and unjustifiable,” particularly criticizing the personal attacks on Olukoyede.

“More worrisome was his attack on Olukoyede for no justifiable reason. Allegations of lack of transparency, accountability and integrity deficit are wild and clearly off the mark,” Oyewale said.

He questioned the basis for the allegations and defended Olukoyede’s leadership since taking office.

“The question is: in what way has Olukoyede fallen short? Is it by insisting that the right things should always be done? By moving the nation’s anti-graft war forward radically and unprecedentedly?

“By bringing forth a preventive framework to tackle corruption and reaping bountiful gains for the nation?

“By recovering the globally-acclaimed 753 duplexes and other apartments, which are proceeds of fraudulent dealings for the nation?

“By launching the EFCC into a global map of accomplished anti-graft agencies? By handling 50,000 case files in one year?

“By embarking on a courageous internal cleansing system and other progressive initiatives to deepen and strengthen the anti-corruption fight?

“It is cowardly and uncharitable for any columnist to hide under vague and opaque cover to splash mud on Ola Olukoyede, arguably one of the finest breed of anti-graft czars around the world.”

Olukoyede, through the statement, reaffirmed that the EFCC has consistently submitted its annual reports to the National Assembly as required by law.

“Equally preposterous are claims of re-looting of assets by officers of the Commission. For the purpose of clarification, the Commission does not recover monetary assets into its covers and the non-monetary assets that are recovered are disposed of following clear pronouncements by court and proceeds paid into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account account in the Central Bank in line with provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.

“The EFCC does not operate in secrecy. All its operations are regularly communicated to the public, including public auction of assets. To deliberately cast the Commission in the mould of fraudulent engagements or criminality is not only mischievous but also untenable,” the statement concluded.


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IHS Nigeria, UNICEF Donate Oxygen Plant to Bridge Health Gap in River State

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IHS Nigeria and its implementing partner, the United Nations Child Education Fund (UNICEF) has expressed satisfaction that the Oxygen Plant recently donated to Rivers State is helping to bridge the health Gap in the state and its environs.

This observation was made recently when officials from IHS Nigeria and UNICEF, carried out a project inspection visit to the plant located at the General Hospital in Eleme, Rivers State.

During the handing over of the oxygen plant to the Rivers State Government in 2024, the facility was reported to have a production capacity of 123 oxygen cylinders and 720,000 litres of oxygen every 24 hours.

The plant was built under a Public-Private Partnership involving UNICEF, the Canadian Government, IHS Nigeria, in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Health through the State Hospital Management Board.

Speaking during the visit to the facility yesterday, the Director of Sustainability at IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, noted that the oxygen plant has saved lives and is helping to bridge health gaps in the eight other states where similar plants are located.

She further explained that the visit reflects the organisation’s commitment “not only to create opportunities for impact but to also continue supporting the healthcare industry by carrying out such interventions that directly impact individuals and saves lives. This plant is one of the nine oxygen plants we have built across the federation,” she said.

“We are particularly excited that it is helping to bridge health gaps—not just in Rivers State and its environs, but in all the states where the plants are currently located.”

Oguntuga informed that in terms of sustainability “we focus our intervention sustainability on four pillars; ethics and governance, education and economic growth, environment and climate change and finally, people and communities”.

She added that “the visit to the Rivers State oxygen plant is to have an assessment of how well the plant is functioning, the impact it is currently making and to generally understand how the operation is going”.

On his part, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Port Harcourt, Dr Anslem Audu, stated that the plant has been very functional and useful to the people of Rivers State. According to him, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of patients needed oxygen and oxygen was not available. So many children will come down with pneumonia and it will become an emergency, they will need oxygen, but oxygen is not available in the hospital. But with this plant now available no child will die because of lack of oxygen in the hospital. The era of lack of oxygen is no longer there.

Audu added that “You can practically visit any of the hospitals in Port Harcourt and find out that they have oxygen and the product is from this plant all thanks to IHS Nigeria, the Canadian Government and UNICEF”.

The UNICEF field officer, who confirmed that the plant is functioning optimally, said it is producing enough oxygen for the state’s needs.

In his words, “The partnership between these three organizations and the Ministry of Health in Rivers State has really worked, and we are reaping the benefits of the partnership.

He urged the implementing partners, especially the government, to also invest in the sustainability of the facility by providing a source of electricity for the plant to be more functional.

Earlier, the Medical Director Eleme General Hospital, Dr Leechi-Okere Clarabelle, noted that since the day of the unveiling, the plant has been functioning very well. Commenting on impact he noted that “We’ve had success stories whereby oxygen is distributed to public hospitals in the state, including the two teaching hospitals in the state and then we have also extended distribution to some private hospitals within the state.

“We have two hubs that serve as storage and distribution points because of the location of the plant. We produce here and store somewhere in Port Harcourt so that people who come from a far distance can get oxygen from these hubs.

 


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JAMB Accuses Student of Securing Admission through Identity Fraud

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Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has accused a 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidate of manipulating his identity and engaging in online blackmail.

JAMB Accuses Student of Securing Admission through Identity Fraud

Fabian Benjamin, head of public affairs, JAMB, issued a statement on the matter on Thursday.

He said one Chinedu Okeke, currently a 400-level Medicine and Surgery student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), gained admission in 2021 while claiming to be from Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos state.

JAMB said Okeke’s national identification number (NIN) records from 2021 confirm his Lagos origin.

The board stated it does not alter candidate information provided through NIN.

The board, however, said the 400-level student, who is facing potential challenges for incorrect credentials, is now claiming that it retrieved the wrong details for him from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in 2021.

“[This] is unequivocally false, aimed at fabricating a defence for his case,” Benjamin said.

“The evidence suggests that Chinedu altered his records as filled in 2021 before registering for the 2025 UTME, a fact confirmed by even his advocates.”

The board questioned why a 400-level medical student would seek to study mechanical engineering in 2025, especially with “inconsistencies in his claims.”

JAMB alleged that Okeke “took advantage” of Lagos state’s quota in 2021, thereby obstructing the admission opportunities for other deserving candidates from the state.

It added that he then “attempted to manipulate his details with the NIMC” to unjustly claim representation from Anambra state in 2025.

The board criticised “online advocates” for “actively reaching out to Chinedu’s parents to extract emotional narratives rather than factual clarifications, neglecting to seek information directly from the university.”

JAMB affirmed its commitment to maintaining accurate records and preventing candidates from exploiting loopholes.

It warned that if UNN confirms any inconsistencies, it would notify the Medical and Dental Council to consider delisting Okeke.

“When a nation trivialises illegalities, it breeds a future fraught with potential criminality,” Benjamin’s statement concluded.


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