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PTF Seeks Reactivation of FCT COVID-19 Task Force

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has appealed to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello to reactivate COVID-19 Protocols Enforcement Task Team to stop its violation in the territory.

National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, gave the advice during an Emergency FCT Covid-19 Stakeholders Review Meeting held in Abuja.

The meeting was necessitated by the increase in numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the territory.

Aliyu also emphasised the need for aggressive enforcement of covid-19 guidelines that would come with clear penalties.

He insisted that mass gathering should be restricted to not more than 50 persons preparably outdoors and there must be wearing of facemasks.

He noted that PTF only recommended that restaurants should be allow to operates outdoors, however, lamented that all restaurants have opened indoors.

” This has to be enforce, they can provide takeaways otherwise they should close for the Christmas period because it is an area that attracts people for mass gathering.

” Our aimed is to stop the super spider event over the next six weeks.

” My recommendation is that all the sites that are currently serving as attractive points for mass gathering should be close for the next six weeks to takeout the Christmas rise in case.

” There should be inspection team going round Abuja to monitor and ensure compliance. 

” Any business premises or markets found accepting people without wearing of facemasks and allow people to mix anyhow those premise should be close.

” The same apply to shopping centres, the same applies to motor parks and other commercial premises,” Aliyu said.

Earlier, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello noted that the objective of the meeting was to review the COVID-19 saga, particularly in the light of the second wave of covid-19 which heat the FCT two weeks ago.

Bello, who decried non adherence to all COVID-19 precautionary measures and protocols in the FCT, assured that there would be massive enforcement.

” Because that is the only way we can ensure that lives are saved and protected.

” We all have to appreciate that COVID-19 is here, it has come back with vengeance.

” It is killing people and that reality is something that we all leaders both religious, traditional and government officials have to go back to our various communities and send this message.

” We know that there is fatigue everybody is tired of COVID-19 but the reality is that it is here.

” We all need to have our internal motivation and strength to be able to really take a very good leap to make sure that we jointly fight the second wave of covid-19 pandemic,” Bello said.

On his part, Senator Philip Aduda representing FCT, commended the FCT Minister for conveying the stakeholders meeting for them to know that the second wave of covid-19 was serious.

The lawmaker urged FCT residents to adhere strictly to all Covid-19 precautionary guidelines such as wearing of facemasks, observing physical distancing and regular washing of hands.

” There must be reorientation and we must talk to the people for them to know that the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic is serious.

” People should go back to their facemasks and go back to what happened in March this year, so that this Christmas we can enjoy it, be happy and celebrate with our loved ones,” Aduda .

Metro

FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to her, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.
Tunji-Ojo urged Christians and all Nigerians to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.
The minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promoted values of love, forgiveness and compassion which were essential for social cohesion and harmony.
He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they were capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development of Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.Tunji-Ojo further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.This, he said, was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.He wished Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration.The minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu’s administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.

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Wike Woos Indian Investors to Abuja

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The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought for huge investments from Indian investors, as part of strategies to fast tract the development of the capital territory, Abuja.

Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser companies among others.

“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja.

“You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.

The minister said that it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria, have an unhostile environment to enable them perform their assignments.

Earlier, Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.

The Ambassador explained that India began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before the country became independent in 1958, when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.

He said that there were over 155 Indian companies in Nigeria, with more than 27 billion dollars of investments in various manufacturing areas.

He said that companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals among others in every sector.

According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.

“So that is the level of engagement that we have, including wonderful political relationships.

“Culturally, we also have excellent cooperation. We have been having various groups from Nigeria going to India to participate in different exhibitions and cultural activities.

“We are very happy with all the facilities that are being extended to our Embassy.

“We are more than happy about it and would like to continue the relationship”. (NAN)

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British Council Partners NUC on Development of Varsity Curriculum 

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The British Council has partnered with the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the development of curriculum in tertiary institutions.

Mr Chikodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes, British Council, at a workshop on Enhancing Curriculum and Pedagogical Approaches in Nigerian Universities, in Abuja on Monday, said the partnership was necessary to be in tune with global trend.

He said that there was need to change from traditional approach of teaching and learning to digital literacy in solving problems.

“NUC has since introduced the CCMAS which emphasised the cultivation of critical thinking, digital literacy, problem solving and enterpreneurial skill among graduates and this is imperative for our educational institutions to adopt accordingly.

 

“We must acknowledge the hurdles that lies ahead the traditional approach to teaching and learning which has long been entrenched in our university system and are not easily overturn.

“To change this will require a concerted efforts from each of us to challenge the status quo,” he said.

Also, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, called for collaborative efforts in initiating continuous curriculum reform in Nigerian universities.

He emphasised the need for continuous curriculum reform in Nigerian universities to enable them adapt in a fast-changing world.

He also said that initiating such reforms usually come with challenges, noting that sometimes  the actualisation of the curriculum renewal is not fully realised due to the challenges of implementation.

“Continuous curriculum reform has been considered a necessary measure to assist schools respond to a fast-changing world.

“Initiating such reforms is not without challenges as, sometimes, the actualisation of the curriculum renewal is not fully realised due to the challenges of implementation.

“It is gratifying to note that this workshop is coming on the heels of the implementation of the recently-developed Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) in line with the Commission’s enabling laws.

“The new CCMAS is a product of sustained stakeholder interactions and engagement over the years. This involved a blend of academic experts, government (represented by NUC), professional bodies, and the private sector represented by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG).

“In order to enrich the draft documents, copies of each discipline were forwarded to all critical stakeholders including the relevant academic units in Nigerian Universities, the private sector, professional bodies and the academies for their comments and input,” he said.

Maiyaki said these inputs, along with the curriculum of programmes obtained from some foreign and renowned universities, served as major working materials for the various panels constituted for that purpose.

“Innovative courses such as Venture Creation, Entrepreneurship (programme Specific) and innovation, among others were incorporated into the general studies courses to enhance the employability skills of graduates,”  he said.

Maiyaki added that the new curriculum unbundles the Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and the Bachelor of Architecture Programmes, while establishing some emerging specialisations in these fields, in line with global practices.

He, however, stated that this was not a one-time process as there would be curriculum development and review to be at pace with current global trends. (NAN)

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