Buhari commission’s NSCDC command, staff college

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

President Muhammadu

Buhari, on Friday, commissioned the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps’ Command and Staff College, Jos, Plateau State and inaugurated 500 Course 1 participants, nominated from various commands and formations of the Corps across the nation.

The President who was ably represented by the former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), GCFR, commended the CG and the Corps for its steady growth and urged full compliance with the demands of the training program.

“I encourage all participants to ensure they maximise the opportunity afforded them by the training and ensure they exhibit high level of discipline during the course and in the discharge of their duties.

“The command and staff college will provide you with the knowledge and opportunity you need to progress in your career.

“It will make you more disciplined, professional, and proactive on the job and your service to the nation” the President said.

Speaking during the inauguration of the course 1 participants, the Governor of Plateau State, RT. Hon. Barr Simon Lalong, said that the Corps’ contribution to peace building in the state informed his decision to construct and donate the command and Staff College to the corps.

The Governor expressed optimism that the Command course will further enhance effective performance of duties and improve the regimental orientation of personnel of the Corps.

“I am optimistic that the training meant for the participants will further emboldened them to contribute their quota in a professional manner that will bring about peace in the state and the country,” Lalong said.

The Commandant General (CG), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, appreciates President Muhammadu Buhari, for providing the enabling environment for the Corps to thrive.

“I thank Mr president for the provision of logistics support and for believing in the existence of the service as a full fledged paramilitary agency of the Federal Government.

“The Corps has been working in tandem with your vision of providing security for citizens and protecting critical national assets and infrastructure and we will sustain this feat without disappointing you,” CG said.

Dr Audi appreciated the Executive Governor of Plateau State for constructing and donating the NSCDC’ Command and Staff College as part of his legacy projects.

He assured him that the Corps remained joyfully committed to the provision of safety and security of lives and property of the good people of Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.

The CG urged the pioneer participants of the career progression development course

FG unveils gender, environmental reporting framework for extractive industries

The Federal Government on Tuesday launched Gender and Environmental Reporting Frameworks in Extractive Industries to meet Nigeria’s reporting obligation to the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed unveiled the frameworks in Abuja during her visit to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) permanent office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the frameworks were developed by NEITI in line with global EITI requirements and standards to resolve lingering issues and enhance reporting in areas of gender and environment in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

She said the frameworks would help in resolving lingering negative impact of oil, gas and mineral exploration in host communities, and reduce widening gender disparity in extractive industries.

The minister, who served as NEITI’s Executive Secretary before being appointed in 2015 as a member of the cabinet, lauded NEITI’s management’s achievements, adding that the frameworks represented another milestone recorded by NEITI.

She commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment towards strengthening Nigeria’s EITI as evident in the government’s prioritisation of NEITI in allocating resources to enable the agency execute its role in the industry.

“From its initial mandate to disclose extractive output and revenue, to data mainstreaming, contracts and beneficial ownership disclosure and currently, gender and environmental reporting and energy transition, I have been part of the process,” she said.

Ahmed appealed to the incoming administration to strengthen anti-corruption agencies and reform-minded institutions like NEITI in its economic policy agenda considering the agency’s unique national and international mandates.

“Through its regular oil, gas and mining audits, publications of timely policy papers, NEITI is well-positioned to guide and shape government policies in the energy sector and contribute to robust economic and public finance management in Nigeria,’..

Earlier, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi,

Chairman, National Stakeholders’ Working Group (The Board) of NEITI), said the frameworks would guide stakeholders to disclose data and information on environment payments in extractive industry.

He said it would guide stakeholders on impacts, monitoring and management as well as information disclosure on gender parity, participation and employment in the industry.

“I assure our stakeholders and all Nigerians that NEITI’s board under my leadership is strongly committed to the issues of environmental and gender justice in our oil, gas and mining sector. And will continue to provide strategic direction to NEITI’s secretariat,” he said.

IDr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary, NEITI,

ProHealth stakeholders must be adequately rewarded for investment, Chairman re-assures

By Albert Akota

The Board Chairman of the proHealth HMO limited ,Gabriel Okonwa has vowed to do everything possible within his reach to ensure stakeholders are rewarded adequately for smooth running of the company as well as meeting its laid down aims and objectives.

The Chairman who disclosed this yesterday during its 13th annual meeting in Abuja, said he would galvanized all performances center of the company to meet its target.

According to him, the year under review was one of mixed fortunes for the Company; Profit before Tax (PBT) increased from Thirty Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand and Fourteen Naira (N30, 426, 014) to Forty Million, One Hundred and Twenty-Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Forty-One Naira (N40, 125, 341), representing a thirtytwo percent (32%) increment. But the Company’s revenue in the area of its core business decreased by one percent (1%) from Nine Hundred and SixtyTwo Million and Five Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N962, 005, 710) to Nine Hundred and Fifty-two Million, Four Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety-Two Naira (N952, 419, 192).

He noted that, other sources of income decreased by five percent (5%) from Sixteen Million, Six Hundred and Two Thousand and Twenty-Eight Naira (N16, 602. 028) to Fifteen Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Two Naira (N15, 754,952).

“The total revenue accruable to the Company reduced from Nine Hundred and SeventyEight Million, Six Hundred and Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight Naira (N978, 607, 738) to Nine Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand, One Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira (N968, 174, 149), representing a one percent (1%) decrease.”

However, he said there was a marginal increase in the total assets from Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Five Hundred and Twenty-Six