FG supports indigenous curriculum-based learning app ▷ StudyMate

FG declares support for indigenous curriculum-based learning app 

- The federal government thas commended the ingenuity demonstrated in the launch of a new curriculum-based e-learning software

- The e-learning software is based on the government-approved curriculum and an alternative to the textbooks used in secondary schools

- A mobile version of the e-learning software has also been launched

The federal government through the Nigerian Education Research and Development Council (NERDC) has commended the ingenuity demonstrated in the launch of a new curriculum-based e-learning software, Studymate.

NERDC executive secretary Professor Ismail Junaidu gave the commendation at the official unveiling of StudyMate in Abuja on Thursday, November 28.

StudyMate is an e-learning software that is based on the NERDC curriculum and is a perfect alternative to the textbooks used in secondary schools.

Represented by Dr Eleri Nnanna Otu-Eleri, Junaidu said that the NERDC had monitored the entire process of developing the software and thus acknowledges the quality of the software for learning in schools.

He said that Information Communication Technology (ICT) was changing the way things are done around the world and it was now changing even the way we learn.

He stressed that companies with such innovation deserve great commendation for their contribution to improving the education sector.

He reminded the audience that the NERDC is charged with the responsibility to develop, review and enrich curriculum at all levels of education in Nigeria; undertake, regulate and promote book development, and local authorship.

The executive secretary noted that the boundless nature of ICT has made it possible for teaching and learning to happen almost anywhere and anytime.

“This application is like somebody is teaching you. Another thing that is so interesting about what they have done is that they did not go outside the approved national curriculum.

“This thing should go viral, it is offline so it does not require internet. It would aid teaching and learning, it would facilitate and help NERDC implement the national curriculum,” he said.

Meanwhile, a mobile version of StudyMate has also been launched.

In a related development, members of the House of Representatives recently directed the ministry of education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to abolish the payment of acceptance fees into tertiary institutions in the country.

The directive followed the adoption of a motion brought by the lawmaker representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte federal constituency of Imo state, Chinedu Martins, at plenary.

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Court declares FG’s deportation of Cameroonian separatist leader illegal

Court declares FG’s deportation of Cameroonian separatist leader illegal

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, declared the arrest, detention and deportation of Cameroonian separatist leader, Dr Egbe Ogork, by the Federal Government in 2018, as illegal.

The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, held that the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, acted unconstitutionally when it deported the Applicant who is one of the separatist leaders in Southern Cameroon, without a court order.

Aside from declaring the arrest, detention and deportation of the Applicant null and void, the court awarded a cost of N5million as general and aggravated damages against the NSA and the Attorney General of the Federation, who were cited as Respondents in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/271/2019.

The Applicant who is married to a Nigerian and a Professor of Engineering at the Bayero University Kano had in a suit he filed through his lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, challenged his arrest and deportation, insisting that it amounted to gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

In a supporting affidavit that was deposed to by Mr Marshal Abubakar, the Applicant said he was billed to attend a meeting at Nera Hotels in Abuja on January 7, 2018, when he was apprehended and subsequently deported to Cameroon on Friday, January 26, 2018, by the NSA without an order of the court.
The Applicant told the court that he is a Nigerian citizen by naturalization, Cameroonian by birth and has been lecturing at the Bayero University for over two decades.

Consequently, among other reliefs, he prayed the court for: “A declaration that the arrest and detention of the Applicant from January 7, 2018, till Friday January 26, 2018, without being charged to court for a known offence is Illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the Applicant’s fundamental rights to personal liberty, dignity of person and fair hearing as enshrined in sections 34, 35 and 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I999 (as amended) and Articles 5, 6 and 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples‘ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“A Declaration that the detention of the Applicant from January 7, 2018 till Friday January 26, 2018, by the 1st Respondent without granting him access to his family, lawyers, medical doctors, is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates the Applicant’s fundamental rights to private and family life, legal representative and health as enshrined in Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I999 (as amended) and Article 16 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (CAP A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

An order directing the Respondents to bring the Applicant back to Nigeria forthwith, as well as an order directing the Respondents to pay N1billion as general and aggravated damages for his illegal detention from Nigeria.
More so, the Applicant, through his lawyer prayed the court to restore his permanent residence status in Nigeria.
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House of Reps approves VAT increase

House of Reps approves VAT increase

Members of the House of Representatives have approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to increase value added tax (VAT) from 5 percent to 7.5 percent.

The lower legislative chamber approved the request on Thursday, November 28, 2019, during plenary session.

The rep members approved the request barely a week after the senate passed the bill on VAT increment.

The finance bill seeks to amend six tax provisions, including that of the Customs and Excise Tariff Act.

After laying the 2020 Appropriation Bill before the National Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari had sent the bill to both the Senate and the House to approve the increment through the amendment in October 2019.

Earlier in November, the House of Representatives had criticised the plans by the Federal Government to increase VAT.

The lawmakers argued that the proposed increase will create more problems for the masses.

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Buhari writes Senate, wants AGF able to authorise companies registration

Buhari writes Senate, wants AGF able to authorise companies registration

…We’ll get the details later, Senate

By Henry Umoru

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in a letter written to the Senate wants it to consider implementing the Companies and Allied Act (CAMA) which allows the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to approve the registration of companies.

In the letter, Buhari quoted section 26(5) of the extant Companies and Allied Matters Act (amended) which allows for such authority.
“Pursuant to Section 58 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby forward the Companies and Allied Matters Bill, 2019 for consideration and passage into law.” The letter reads.

It continues: “The Senate may wish to note that, in this Bill, Section 26(5) of the extant Companies and Allied Matters Act has been amended to: Preserve the powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation to approve the registration of Companies Limited by Guarantee: and Reflect the Ease of Doing Business principles in Executive Order No. 1 of 2017 on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment.”

The letter, which was dated November 26, 2019, was read on the floor by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, during plenary.
In a related development, President Buhari, in another letter requested for the approval of 2016- 2018  External Borrowing by the Federal Government.

According to the President, the loan would be used to execute key infrastructural projects across the country.
President Buhari, in the letter, said the Eighth National Assembly approved only a part of the External Borrowing request forwarded to it in September 2016.

The President Buhari is representing the request for $ 30 billion external loans for the projects between 2016 and 2018 against the backdrop that it was rejected in the 8th Senate.
President Buhari had asked for an external loan of $29.96 billion to execute key infrastructural projects across the country between 2016 and 2018.

According to him, the rejection then stalled the Federal Government’s implementation of critical projects spanning across the mining, power, health, agricultural, water and educational sectors.

The letter reads: “Pursuant to Section 21 and 27 of the Debt Management Office (Establishment) Act, I hereby request for Resolutions of the Senate to approve the Federal Government’s 2016 – 2018 External Borrowing plan, as well as relevant projects under this plan.

“Specifically, the Senate is invited to note that: While I had transmitted the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan to the Eighth National Assembly in September 2016, this plan was not approved in its entirety by the Legislature, only the Federal Government’s Emergency projects for the North East, (Four (4) States’ projects and one (1) China Exam Bank Assisted Railway Modernisation Projects for Lagos – Ibadan Segment) we’re approved, out of a total of thirty-nine (39) projects.
 
“The Outstanding projects in the plan that were not approved by the Legislature are, nevertheless, critical to the delivery of the Government’s policies and programmes relating to power, mining, roads, agriculture, health, water and educational sectors.

“These outstanding projects are well advanced in terms of their preparation, consistent with the 2016 Debt Sustainability Analysis undertaken by the Debt Management Office and were approved by the Federal Executive Council in August 2016 under the 2016 – 2018 External Borrowing Plan.
“Accordingly, I have attached, for your kind consideration, relevant information from the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning the specific outstanding projects under the 2016 – 2018 External Borrowing plan for which legislative approval is currently sought.

“I have also directed the Minister to make herself available to provide any additional information or clarification which you may require to facilitate prompt approval of the outstanding projects under this plan.

Meanwhile, the Acting Chairman of Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasarawa South when asked if the Senate has got the details of the request, he simply pleaded for patience and the Senate will get it.

Recall that the 8th Senate under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki had in November 2016 rejected the request when the President wrote the Senate, seeking for approval of the loan.
The Saraki led Senate threw out the request on the grounds that the letter that conveyed the message was not accompanied by a borrowing plan.

The 8th Senate did not even discuss the request as it died immediately it was mentioned as an executive communication by the then Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume.
Vanguard News Nigeria.

Lyon appoints Jonathan loyalists into APC transition committee ▷ Nigeria news

- Rumours that Dr Goodluck Jonathan have interests in the incoming Bayelsa state government seems to have been validated

- The former Nigerian leader's loyalists are listed in the transition committee of the incoming administration

- The 59-man committee is headed by a former deputy- governor of the state, Rt Hon Werinipre Seibarugu

Bayelsa governor-elect, Chief David Lyon has appointed loyalists of former President Goodluck Jonathan into the All Progressive Congress (APC) transition committee to prepare the take-off of the new government in February 2020.

The 59-man committee is headed by a former deputy- governor of the state, Rt Hon Werinipre Seibarugu.

Governor Seriake Dickson had earlier set up his administration transition committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Kemela Okara and which has all serving commissioners as members.

Daily Sun reports that the 59-member transition committee has a former Head of Service in the state, Chief Obegha Julius Oworibo as secretary.

The committee also has as members a mixture of former governorship aspirants, loyalists of former Jonathan, elders of the party, party executives and federal lawmakers.

Some of the prominent names on the list include three former governorship aspirants namely Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, Prof Ongoebi Maureen Etebu and CP Dieseye Poweigha(rtd).

Known loyalists of Jonathan who made the list include, Rt Hon Claudius Enegesi, Engr Mike Ogiasa and Chief Moses Otazi.

Also on the list are the alternate director-general of the David Lyon campaign organization, Prof Seiyefa Brisibe and the junior brother to incumbent Bayelsa state deputy- governor, Hon Gabriel John Jonah.

Meanwhile, the presidency has described as “false and irresponsible’’ media reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan was blackmailed to support the APC in the just concluded Bayelsa state governorship elections.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, November 25, presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, expressed shock that such a story could be considered believable.

“Our media really must learn to verify whatever they publish. And people who make wild allegations during interviews should be made to produce the facts backing their claims by editors.

“A newspaper can be sued for granting space to people who belch false allegations against individuals with no proof,’’ Shehu said.

https://www.legit.ng/1279899-lyon-appoints-jonathan-loyalists-apc-transition-committee.html

Buhari : We’ve Saved N16.8bn from IT Projects Regulation

We’ve Saved N16.8bn from IT Projects Regulation — Buhari

… Orders Seamless Implementation of E-Government Master Plan

By Emmanuel Elebeke & Glory Odizuru

President Mohammadu Buhari says the administration has saved N16.8 billion from government-funded ICT projects in one year.
President Buhari disclosed this on Thursday while declaring open the e-Nigeria 2019 Conference on the Nigerian Digital Economy holding in Abuja.
President Buhari disclosed this on Thursday while declaring open the e-Nigeria 2019 Conference on the Nigerian Digital Economy holding in Abuja.

According to him, the savings followed his directive at the e-Nigeria 2018 conference, where he directed that all government-funded ICT projects must be reviewed and cleared by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The idea he said is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government procurement processes.

President Buhari, who acknowledged the contribution of ICT to the economic growth noted that digitisation of key activities in public services, such as the use of the Bank Verification Number (BVN), Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has enabled us to save cost and fight corruption.

He, however, warned that we must remain mindful of its threats while we savour the numerous benefits.
‘‘I am informed that through this directive, the government has saved over 16.8 billion Naira.  I want to encourage the Ministry and NITDA to sustain this tempo. Our recent introduction of the Nigerian E-government Masterplan will further consolidate our successes to date and increase interoperability among the different Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.

‘‘A key requirement of the E-government Masterplan is for all government institutions to create a Digital Transformation Technical Working Group that will work with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to ensure seamless and coordinated implementation of projects, programs and policies.
‘‘The Nigerian e-Government Interoperability Framework, the Enterprise Architecture and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation are in place and all Ministries, Departments and Agencies are expected to comply with these policies. I have therefore directed the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to develop training and sensitization programs that will be rolled out across all key MDAs with immediate effect to ensure seamless implementation of the Masterplan.

President Buhari, who emphasized the importance of ICT to economic building said the sector contributed 13.85% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria in the second quarter  of 2019, a performance he said indicates  the importance and potential of the ICT sector to our job creation and economic diversification agenda
Globally, the Digital Economy is expanding at a very fast pace.

 In just a few years, this platform has transitioned from being a luxury to an absolute necessity. It is in recognition of this fact that we decided to re-designate the Federal Ministry of Communications as the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy with a mandate to develop and implement a harmonized and well-coordinated digital economy policy and strategy for Nigeria.

‘‘The second-quarter report by the National Bureau of Statistics for 2019 showed that the Information and Communications Technology sector contributed an impressive 13.85% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria.  This clearly shows the importance and potential of the ICT sector to our job creation and economic diversification agenda
‘‘Already, Nigerian ICT startups are leaving their mark on the global stage. For example, at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), a Nigerian Artificial Intelligence solution provider, Chiniki Guards, took first place, beating 750 contestants from 73 countries. We shall continue to encourage and support such digital entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for local and global challenges.

‘‘Of course, as we celebrate the successes and explore the opportunities in this sector, we must remain mindful of its threats. We all know how the use of unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards by terrorists is a key national security threat.’’
On the use of improperly registered Sim cards, he encouraged all Nigerians to ensure that their phones are properly registered, stating that his priority is to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians.

‘‘I am informed that over 9.2 million SIM cards have either been normalized, blocked or deactivated in less than 40 days due to improper registration. We encourage all Nigerians to ensure that their phones are properly registered. As a Government, our priority is to protect the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
‘‘You will all recall that at e-Nigeria 2018 conference, we directed that all government-funded ICT projects must be reviewed and cleared by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).  Our goal was to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government procurement processes,’’ he stated.
Vanguard