News
FG Offers Amnesty to Insurgents
The Federal Government yesterday offered amnesty to Boko Haram members, who lay down their arms.
Boni Haruna, minister of Youth Development, said at a youth programme titled: “A day with young leaders of Nigeria”, to mark Democracy Day in Abuja that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved amnesty for the sect members who renounce violence. President Jonathan and his wife Patience attended the event.
He said: “A series of integration programmes have been lined up for the members of the sect who would surrender their arms and embrace peace. Let me use this opportunity on behalf of the Federal Government, to call on the members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace the government’s gesture and key into the amnesty programme.”
The late former President Umaru Yar’Adua, who Jonathan succeeded, granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants in exchange for dropping their arms.
On the youth restiveness in the Niger Delta, Haruna said the government introduced a development programme which gave the youths an opportunity to have a meaningful life.
According to him, over 30,000 youths have benefited from the amnesty programme which he recalled followed a bitter national security experience.
The beneficiaries of the amnesty have transformed from militants to wealth creators, employers and skilled citizens.
During an interactive session with the youths, President Jonathan said terrorism cannot succeed in any community without support from the local people.
Calling on those respected by the insurgents to join hands with the government to encourage them to lay down their arms, the President said the military alone could not stop terrorism.
He said: “Terror succeeds with local support. It will be difficult for terror to thrive where people reject it. It is a major challenge to all of us.
“Military alone cannot stop terror or any radicalism. Terrorists have people they respect, they have community, traditional and opinion leaders they respect. All of us can deradicalise them.”
“We will through persuasive activities encourage people to shun violence.”
To ensure that youths are reorientated and not misled, he said his government is working out modalities for reintroducing moral education in schools.
Youths, he said, were already leading because they decide who rules at all levels of government through their large population, which he said is about 60 per cent of the total electorate in any election.
Stressing that his administration would continue to encourage youngsters, he said they were no longer leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today.
The President added that his government was working hard to redistribute wealth in the country, which he said had not been even.
One of the emphasis of the government is to encourage self-employment, he said.
On the youths request for a youthful person to be Minister of Youth Development, the President replied: “The best person to take care of a child may not necessarily be a child.”
According to him, the younger generation needs to tap from the experiences of older ones.
Jonathan harped on the need for parties to give women more opportunities in elective positions.
President Jonathan also said $40m venture capital funds had been set aside to help local entrepreneurs access funds to develop their businesses in the country.
He said part of the fund amounting to $25 million is currently domiciled with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development while another $15million is with the Ministry of Communication Technology for the promotion of ICT related businesses.
He said: “So, we are creating platforms for young people to access grants more than just loans”
There were motivational talks at the occasion by the youngest African billionaire and Chief Executive Officer, Mara Foundation, Mr. Ashish Takker, and the Co-Founder of Jumia Nigera, Tunde Kehinde.
There was also a presentation of a book on the third anniversary of the President’s transformation agenda, a video documentary of the third anniversary of the transformation agenda and the launching of Youth Entrepreneurial Mentorship and Empowerment Scheme.
Others in attendance were Vice President Namadi Sambo and Chief Justice of Nigeria Maryam Mukhtar, former Head of Interim National Government Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and former Chief of General Staff Gen
CWG Plc has announced a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering value to shareholders. Following a thorough review of the company’s financial performance and outlook, the Board of Directors has approved a substantial increase of 400per cent in dividend payout to shareholders.
This decision reflects CWG’s confidence in its financial stability, growth trajectory, and ability to generate sustainable returns. By enhancing the dividend payout, CWG aims to reward shareholders for their continued trust and support while reaffirming its commitment to creating long-term value.
Mr. Philip Obioha, Chairman of the Board of Directors at CWG Plc, said, “The decision to approve a 400% increase in dividend payout underscores our confidence in CWG’s performance and outlook. We are dedicated to delivering value to our shareholders and believe that this significant dividend increase is a testament to our commitment to shareholder value creation.”
This increase in dividend payout aligns with CWG’s strategic objectives to prioritize shareholder interests and maintain strong financial discipline. The Board remains committed to prudent financial management and sustainable growth, ensuring that CWG continues to be a reliable investment for shareholders.
As CWG continues to execute its growth strategy and expand its presence in the market, the Board anticipates that the increased dividend payout will further strengthen investor confidence and support CWG’s vision for the future.
CommunicationsWeek Media Limited, a certified global ICT company with over two million online subscribers, is delighted and proud to announce Prof. Yakub Aliyu, as the keynote speaker at Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture series 2024.
Aliyu, will be speaking on the theme: Artificial Intelligence (AI): The Good, The Complex and The Anticipated”, this leans heavily on the fact that AI changing our lives– we just need to know where to look today.
This year’s rebranded Africa’s Beacon of ICT Merit and Leadership Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series is slated for Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.
The event is the most prestigious annual event that brings together captains of industry in both technology and financial worlds.
According to Ken Nwogbo, CEO, Communication Week Media Ltd, organisers of the ABoICT Distinguished Lecture/Awards Series, “the choice of Prof. Yakub Aliyu is deliberate because of his exceptional career in Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.
He added that, AI is considered to have the potential to instigate a fourth industrial revolution,1 and is dramatically changing people’s patterns of interaction and economic activities.
“The traditional factors of production and physical capital and labour may no longer promote substantial economic growth. It is generally believed that AI will be one of the most important factors determining future economic growth,” he said.
A professor of microelectronics and a scholar-practitioner in artificial intelligence and deep machine learning for industrial applications and high-speed application processors. His research interests include Multimodal AI models for high-efficiency industrial robot applications and Human AI interactions.
He also has adjunct academic professorships at five African, USA, and UK universities. Holds a BS in Applied Physics Electronics from Karlsruhe and A Bello Universities in Germany and Nigeria, an MBA in International Business Management from the University of London, an MSEE (Master of Engineering, Electronics), and a Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Wales.
Prof. Aliyu is the global quality director for Bourns Inc., Riverside, California, USA, an electronics system, and components manufacturer. I oversee quality functions in 21 factories worldwide.
He has also held quality and operational management leadership positions at National Semiconductors, Bell Labs-Lucent Technology, Texas Instrument, Global Foundries, and Roper Technologies USA.
Authored and coauthored over 30 Advanced Technology United States-issued patents in High-Speed Application Processors and Contributed to over 40 international impact Journals, chapters, and conferences; FASI, SMIEEE USA, MIEE UK, M. Inst pf Physics Chartered Phys and C Eng UK.
Past lecturers included Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, then executive vice chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC); Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, former Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Dr. Jean Luc Fort, CEO at OR System France and a specialist in Counterparty Risk; and Professor Chris Nwagboso, Chairman, Knowledge Factory International, United Kingdom.
Others are: Uche Orji, managing director/chief executive officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); Biodu Omoniyi, Managing Director/CEO, VDT Communications; Ayotunde Coker, Managing Director, Rack Centre Limited; Peter Adedayo Arogundade, managing director and chief executive officer, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited; Dr. Adewale Obadare, chief visionary officer, Digital Encode and John Obaro, CEO and founder of Systemspecs; Prof. Isa Pantanmi, minister of Communications and Digital Economy; Dr. Seyi Akindeind, co-founder, Digital Encode; Dr Krishnan Ranganath, Regional Director, Africa Data Centres.
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.
Participants at the event
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.
CBN Stops 4 Fintechs from Onboarding New Customers
Bamgbose, BON Boss Faults FCCPC’sDdecision to Review DStv, GOtv Rates
Tribunal Restrains Multichoice from Implementing DStv, GOtv Price Hike
Banks Lose N2.09Bn to Frauds in Q4 2023 – FITC
LG Electronics Brings the Rhythm to Nigeria with K-POP Fiesta
See Full List of Fake Loan Apps Blacklisted By CBN
CBN Sacks another 50 Staff, 117 Disengaged in 20 Days
AfDB, AGF Partner on Female Entrepreneurs’ Access to Finance
Nigeria Plans AI Strategy Workshop for National Development
IMF says Rising Cyber Threats Pose Serious Concerns for Financial Stability
News2 days agoProf. Aliyu, AI Practitioner to Keynote ABoICT 2024
Telecom2 days agoTariff Hike Threat: NCC Urges Telcos to Reduce Operating Cost
Telecom2 days agoThe NCC, Telcos and the Tariff Discourse
Broadcasting2 days agoWhy Multichoice Hiked Subscriptions for DStv and GOtv Packages- FCCPC
E-Financial2 days agoNigerians Trust Bitcoin for Financial Security than Sanks – Report
Telecom2 days agoWale Owoeye Shines among Nigeria’s Top 50 Digital Economy Leaders
E-Business2 days agoPaga Hits N14tri Transactions Value in 15 Years
Uncategorized2 days agoDufil Prima Foods Brings Relief to Indigent Families in Abeokuta