NEWS
Africa Digital Economy Summit Holds October 27
By David Torough, Abuja
The Africa Digital Economy Summit (AFRIDES) with the theme: “Digital Transformation for Sustainable Growth: Africa’s Path to a Connected Future” shall be held in Brazil from October 27 – 31 this year.
Convener and Co-chair G20/T20 AFRIDES, Kelvin Jiraji unveiled this during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
Jiraji explained that AFRIDES, is a strategic vision of the Group of 20 Industrialized Nations, G20 that recognizes the significance of inclusive digital transformation on national and sub-national economies as catalysts for economic growth.
He said that the submit will also appreciate the imperative of deepening synergy with critical Stakeholders worldwide to advance and enhance inclusive digital transformation which according to him has institutionalized the side event, as a critical corollary of its Agenda.
The G20 summit which holds annually on a rotational basis will be held in Brazil from 18th to 19th November 2024 on the theme: “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet”.
Jiraji reiterated that the gross expansion of the contours of technology and digital transformation has made it imperative to recognize the eco-‐systemic dimensions of the value chain of digital economy and the urgency to plug into its superstructures.
He said one of the priorities of the AFRIDES is to foster robust engagements, leverage collaboration and partnership with Heads of Government, Policymakers, FinTech Providers, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, and a broad range of Stakeholders and Key Industry Players across the globe.
According to him, the Summit will also provide the fertile ground for a broad spectrum of Stakeholders to work in concert towards maximizing the potentials and sustainability of Africa’s vital digital economy infrastructures; while at the same time, develop and strengthen existing and new opportunities for networking, promote industry awareness, advocacy and providing support for public and private sector national and sub national digital economy and transformation interventions.
On his part, Executive Director, Ashcraft Centre for Social Science Research, Dr. Alfred Chiakor who highlighted the importance of the summit stressed that it aligned with Africa’s institutional framework for achieving its Digital Economy Policy and Strategy as well as its implementation of the e-Government Master Plan.
Chaikor maintained that the summit is also particularly strategic for Africa’s e-governance and its ecosystem because Digital Economy resilience is the engine room for the implementation and articulation of economic as well as business policies and programs, both in the public and private domains, that will serve as the catalyst for building efficiencies and capabilities to deliver on critical aspects of economic transformation, development and national re-engineering.
In his remarks, member, Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Festus Nyiwon said that the choice of sub themes, topics and the quality of Resource persons invited to impact delivery is a reflection of the seriousness attached to the Summit.
Nyiwon stressed that top level FinTech Entrepreneurs, Digital Economy Policy Makers and Regulators as other strategic professionals are mobilized to critically add value to the digital economy discourse in Africa and beyond.
In her contribution, media partner, Juliana James expressed belief that she 4-Day Summit will also open up viable opportunities for the regeneration of the numerous economic and other viable investment opportunities that shall create wealth, provide job opportunities and stimulate development in Africa.
She maintained that the resolutions from this Summit shall no doubt inject fresh ideas and initiatives into the policy planning architecture to reinforce a systemized and collective framework in actualizing digital economy priority objectives
NEWS
Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation to UNGA
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)NEWS
NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
NEWS
NDDC Unveils Initiative to Enhance food Security in N’ Delta Programmes
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it is committed to advancing projects and programmes that enhance food security and sustainable growth in the region.Chief Monday Igbuya, the Delta representative on the NDDC Board, made this pledge in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt by the NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Igbuya spoke at the inauguration of a training and empowerment programme for women and youths in livestock and agro processing in Amukpe, Sapele area of Delta. He stated that the NDDC was prioritising livestock training in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.“NDDC is focussed on implementing programmes to ensure food security and agricultural growth in multi sectors, aiming to improve living standards.“It is our belief that for socio-economic development to take place, there is need to develop manpower in the agricultural sector,” he said.Igbuya expressed confidence that training farmers would enhance livestock production, create jobs, and alleviate poverty in the Niger Delta.Mrs Winifred Madume, NDDC Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that training farmers and entrepreneurs was essential for improving productivity and market access.“The commission has been promoting research and development through various institutions and providing farming techniques to beneficiaries,” she said.The Project Consultant, Dr Simon Akhaine, said that 200 women and youths had registered for the livestock and agro-business skill acquisition programme.According to him, the programme aims to equip them with the essential knowledge and skills for self-sufficiency in livestock farming, thereby boosting regional food security. (NAN)