From Abdullahi Abubakar, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the weekend held a strategic security meeting with the military, police and other security agencies in Kwara South.This was contained in a press release by Hon. Olayinka Fafoluyi, Senior Special Assistant, New Media to Kwara State Governor.

According to the release, “The meeting, convened by the Governor, was a swift follow-up to the reviewed reports submitted by various stakeholders, including that of a routine meeting of Kwara South Leaders convened by Dr. Johnson Adewumi.”Those present included the Irepodun Local Government Chairman, Hon. Abdulazeez Yakub; Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju; Prince Olanrewaju Shuaib (SOFAB); as well as senior officers of the police, army, and other security agencies in the state.A part of the press statement reads: “During the meeting, the Governor commended the Nigerian Army, police officers, local vigilantes, and community leaders for their collaboration, which is contributing to peace and safety across the state.””The strategic security meeting, which ended on a positive note, was part of the AbdulRazaq-led administration’s ongoing efforts to further strengthen security across the state,” Fafoluyi added.”Governor AbdulRazaq has remained committed to fortifying Kwara’s security architecture and ensuring the state remains inhospitable to non-state actors and criminal elements. The Governor, who has maintained constant touch with the security commanders and local vigilantes across the state, directed the sustained security lockdown of areas with signs of threats to ensure public safety,” added the statement.The Governor reassured the public that concerted efforts are being made, in coordination with the Office of the National Security Adviser, to keep the state safe at all times.The Chairman of the Nigerian Governor Forum (NGF) also urged maximum support and asked the people not to panic as security forces conduct their operations within the state.It would be recalled that, there was a spike in the activities of bandits in the southern senatorial district, of late, especially in Oke-Ode, and Babanla axes of Ifelodun local Government Area of the State. But the security forces, especially the Army, from the 22nd Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barrack, Ilorin, have come down hard on the criminals in an expedition that has restored normalcy in the areas. But it seems the Governor does not want to give the social malcontents any breathing space or an opportunity to allow the regroup and rearm, hence the strategic meeting.

From Jude Dangwam, Jos

The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has recorded a significant boost in its efforts to train and certify Nigerian artisans internationally, as City and Guilds of London (UK) has officially approved the ITF as a certified examination centre.The Director-General of the Industrial Training Funds(ITF), Dr.

Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun through the Head of Press and Public Relations of the Fund, Thomas Ngor made this known in a statement signed and made available to Newsmen at weekend in Jos the Plateau State capital. He noted that the development has positioned the ITF among six other centres across Nigeria that have received similar approvals as signed by the Chief Executive Officer of City and Guilds, Kirstie Donnelly.Dr. Ogun maintained that the approval also indicated that the ITF could conduct examinations for Level 2 Diploma in Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Technology and Maintenance Technology, Level 2 Diploma in House Keeping services, Food Preparation and Culinary Art, Foundation Certificate in Basic Electronic Engineering and Basic Plumbing.Others include Level 2 in ICT Systems and Principles, Level 3 ICT Systems and Principles, Level 2 Diploma in Bricklaying, Level 2 IVQ in IT Systems Support and Level 3 IVQ Advanced Diploma in IT Systems support.”The approval follows multiple visits by the examination body to ITF training facilities nationwide beginning in December 2023 soon after the inauguration of the incumbent Management in the Fund, culminating in a Train-the-Trainer workshop for 22 ITF officers who will be responsible for training trainees in the approved fields and supervising examinations.”The DG further explained the significance of the approval thus; ”this approval is significant as it will enable Nigerian Artisans to gain internationally recognised qualifications and potentially up opportunities for jobs worldwide, thereby positively impacting the poverty and unemployment situation in the country.”It also aligns with the ITF mission to set and evaluate Training Standards as well as provide need based Human Capital interventions in line with global best practices.“It is also especially crucial for the Skill-Up Artisans (SUPA), which is a programme implemented by the ITF for the Federal Government to train, retrain, certify and licence Nigerian artisans to international standards.“SUPA aims to enhance the employability of artisans both locally and internationally by providing access to internationally recognised certifications thereby fostering self-reliance”, noting that apart from City and Guilds, ITF is currently interacting with international certification bodies like Alberk QA and others for similar certification.Dr Ogun stressed that “we believe that if our efforts come to fruition, Nigeria will become a major exporter of skilled manpower alongside countries like India, China and Indonesia, which will in turn earn Nigeria foreign exchange. “Already, the ITF is in communication with some Embassies and foreign missions to determine their artisanal needs to accommodate them in training under the Skill-Up Artisans Programme,” he stated

By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Federal Government has paid the second tranche of the outstanding N35,000 wage award arrears to federal government workers.The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) disclosed this in a statement issued by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations at the weekend.

The OAGF said the Federal Government had earlier paid one month out of the initial five months outstanding arrears, adding that with the payment of the second tranche, there remains three tranches to exhaust the wage award arrears. According to the OAGF contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the Federal Government has not reneged on payment of the wage award arrears; stressing that the Federal Government will continue to pay the wage award in instalments of N35,000 per month until the outstanding arrears is exhausted.