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ICPC inaugurates NCC’s anti-graft unit
Nasiru Yusuf
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has inaugurated The Nigerian Communications Commission’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
Kano Focus reports that ACTU is the initiative of the ICPC, approved by the Federal Government as an in-house mechanism for corruption prevention within MDAs, in line with global best practices of building strong institutions and institutionalising good governance in the fight against corruption.
Speaking at the occasion the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Umar Danbatta pledged to continually maintain high ethical standards in all commission’s regulatory activities consistent with the Federal Government’s efforts to entrench the culture of accountability and transparency in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government.
Represented by the Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, Josephine Amuwa, Danbatta said that the ICPC itself has recently attested to the Commission’s high ethical standards and professionalism as evident in the 2020 ICPC Ethics and Compliance Scorecard (IECS) report, which placed NCC ahead of other agencies in ratings.
The EVC said the ICPC’s verdict also lends credence to the 2017 report of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR)-piloted Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) deployed in MDAs, where the NCC came off with a Platinum Level (Exceptional) award, a level 5 organization, the highest rating possible under the BPSR Assessment.
While noting that the NCC will continue to identify corruption-prone processes, practices and procedures within the system with a view to institutionalize compliant and corruption-free processes. Danbatta said the Commission’s efforts are focused on prevention through defined standard operating procedures and adherence to public service rules, circulars, guidelines, among others.
“The ACTU is a very important initiative of the government to combat corruption in MDAs and the Commission recognizes this fact as well as the role of ACTU in this regard,” he said, while urging the Commission’s ACTU members to continue to take their role seriously.
He also said that Management will accord the ACTU team all necessary support to deliver on its mandate of combating corruption through prevention, education and enforcement.
While inaugurating the NCC ACTU, the Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said the ACTU is expected to effectively carry out its assigned functions including conducting systems study and review of processes and procedures of the NCC with a view to making appropriate recommendations to block corruption loopholes.
According to him, the Unit is also required to conduct continuous sensitization of staff on and against the ills of corruption, implement code of ethics, conduct corruption risk assessment and preliminary investigations into complaints received amongst others.
Owasanoye further stated that ICPC recognises the contribution of NCC in regulating and creating an enabling environment that gives telecom consumers universal access to affordable and equitable service as well as your support to the nation’s economic growth.
“I also commend the efforts of the management of NCC in ensuring high compliance with ethical and integrity standards as seen from the result scored by NCC in the 2020 deployment of the Ethics and Compliance Scorecard (81.15%),” he added.
In his remarks, the Director, Human Capital and Administration and ACTU Chairman at NCC, Usman Malah, assured of the commitment of NCC ACTU members to be sincere, of good character, exhibit positive attributes and be dedicated in the discharge of their duties.
“We shall be fully prepared for the responsibilities of the Unit. We would be impartial, transparent and guided by relevant laws in discharging the mandate of the Unit. As a microcosm of the ICPC in the NCC, the Unit will continue to complement the laudable efforts of the ICPC in the fight against corruption in government and the country at large,” Malah said.
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Determined to support government effort in bolstering youth empowerment and fast-tracking economic development in Nigeria, the Dangote Cement Plc is set to deliver a multi-million naira Skills Development Centre in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Skills Centre was conceived by the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote and the government of Kogi State.
A statement from the Company’s Corporate Communications Department quoted Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, as affirming that the company is poised to deliver the project within the coming months.
He stated that the Skill Centre is part of a series of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives undertaken by the cement company.
The Plant Director indicated that numerous CSR programs are scheduled for implementation.
Engr. Nawabuddin stated that the Skill Centre will contribute to Nigeria’s industrialization efforts by facilitating the transfer of essential skills needed for the country’s industrial advancement.
He noted that the state-of-the-art facility will significantly generate skills and, in turn, create job opportunities for Nigerian youths, who will be the primary beneficiaries.
“Dangote Cement Plc is a socially responsible company, committed to implementing various developmental programs for our host communities. We have an active Community Development Agreement (CDA) in place, ensuring that we coexist in harmony,” he said.
He said development projects delivered to communities include the construction of Nigeria’s longest concrete road, spanning from Obajana to Kabba, worth several billion naira; the establishment of a multimillion-naira clinic in Iwaa; and the provision of essential amenities such as water, electricity, and hospitals.
“Additionally, we have implemented various empowerment schemes totaling billions of naira,” he added
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
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