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(FLOWERBUDNEWS) Stakeholders on migration reporting have underscored the need for creation of a better platform to ensure effective coverage and implementation of the national policy on migration issues.

They expressed this concern at the ongoing two days capacity building workshop for media agencies on migration reportage, organised by Civil Society network on Migration and Development in Abuja.

They said that there was indeed an urgent need to put in more effort to report issues of migration correctly and enhance scope of migration reportage networks.

Prof. Anthony Kanu of Tansian University, Umunya in Anambra State, said that government had been doing a lot “when it comes to migration”.

Kanu noted that government was partnering with international organisations for migration in the area of assistance to return and reintegrate migrants.

According to him, the government of Nigeria has entered into numerous migration-related bilateral and multilateral relationships with countries and organisations.

“And government has produced a policy is which not just for Nigerians in Diaspora, but policies that will help other nationals who are in Nigeria in protecting their fundamental human right based on international standard.

“The government has also done a lot in the area of developing platforms that will help Nigerians who will like to work abroad to follow through due process in migrating to other parts of the world,’’ he said.

Similarly, the Chief of Mission, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Mr Frantz Celestin said that migrants, whether of regular or irregular status should be accorded their fundamental human rights.

Represented by Dr Adebanke Ogun, Programme Assistant, Data and Policy, IOM, Celestin said that the capacity building workshop would equip the media practitioners with requisite knowledge to give proper narrative on migration governance.

Also speaking, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Sen. Basheeru Mohammed said that with the media the Commission would achieve the goal of changing the negative migration narratives.

Represented by Mr Charles Anaelo, Coordinator, Technical Working Group of the Commission, Mohammed said that this issue was of  global importance.

According to him, public opinion which is molded by the media most of the time determine the policies, actions and implementation of everything about migration.

“And it is our hope that we will continue to engage you not just as an outside body but as members of Technical Working Group.

“We want to integrate you so that you will form a very big pillar on the issues of migration management, because without you we cannot achieve it. You are the one that will take it to the grassroots.

The participants also appreciated the organisers of the workshop, saying that the programmes were very educative.

The participants at the training of media practitioners included representatives of key media outfits (electronic, print, social media) from within and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. (NAN)

Dr Adesola Adeduntan, Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, on Wednesday urged banks to make strategic partnerships with the financial technology sector to make banking easier for customers.

Adeduntan said this in Lagos during the bank’s Fintech Summit 3.0 with the theme, “Integrate: Banking +Tech = Solving Real Problems.”

He noted that the bank would continue to leverage on technology to enhance financial inclusion in the country.

“As a bank, we need to start thinking on how we can use Fintech to satisfy and deliver good standard of customer experience.

“We also need to brainstorm on how to harness the various opportunities the digital channels bring to us, hence the need for strategic partnerships with the Fintech sector.

“Our ability to leverage and disrupt innovation is what has kept us going,” he said.

Adeduntan noted that as part of their effort to strengthen financial technology, the bank had about 35,000 Firstmonie mobile agents to make banking easier for customers.

He said that technology had given the opportunity to leapfrog in Nigeria, urging banks and citizens to put it to good use.

Also speaking, Mr Victor Asemota, Founder, Swifta Systems and Services, urged banks to use technology to provide secure and intelligent solutions to solve real problems for customers.

Asemota said that until banks began to understand what their customers want, they would not move forward in terms of innovation.

“Banks should be doing more of lending money to its customers rather than payment.

“Banks need to look at what their customers do and need in order to provide services that would solve their problems,” Asemota said.

He said that institutions would grow with the right people who are committed to efficient service delivery.

President Muhammadu Buhari is Mamman Daura’s Nephew although Daura is two and half years older than the president. The nephew-uncle relationship is described as extremely close and date back to childhood years.

Mamman Daura, who is considered to be even more powerful than Nigeria leader, has been playing a significant role through all the life of Buhari

According to Paden, Buhari’s biographer, Daura became life-long inspiration and confidant to the president

It’s no wonder that now with 73 years of close relations Buhari chooses Daura to be as close to him as possible

Malam Mamman Daura is a younger brother to General Muhammadu Buhari’s father, so he is an uncle to General Buhari. They are related by the bond of the blood. And that relationship is always very strong, particularly when they understand themselves with mutual respect.

Now that Buhari is in power as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the relationship is said to have even taken another dimension.

When Buhari overthrew Shagari in 1983, Daura was one of the few people Buhari trusted enough to give principal advisory roles. By the late 1980s, he had succeeded Ibrahim Dasuki as the head of the African International Bank.

He later also served as chairman of the board of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and if there is anyone who Buhari always listened to and confided in over the years, it is Mamman Daura but many are now complaining that the relationship is getting too close for comfort and will affect all the policies of the Buhari administration which is already struggling to cope with economic and security challenges.

In the photos below, when Katsina APC delegates went to pay Buhari courtesy visit as President-Elect, Daura was visibly by his side. He has never left, see photos below:

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An industrialist and later editor and managing director of New Nigeria newspaper (one of the most influential publications in Nigeria at a point), Mamman Daura has been described as ‘intensely engaging, extremely intelligent and brilliant‘. However, not everyone agree with that description. Daura lives in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa or else he is off to his Kaduna residence.

Daura is close and influential to the president. He seems to have been given a free hand to operate as he likes and determine who gets what as far as the presidency is concerned.

(FLOWERBUDNEWS) On October 15, “Digital Explorers” programme was officially launched in Vilnius,
Lithuania. It started with the first batch of 15 thoroughly selected young Nigerian
ICT specialists, who will spend the next year in 7 Lithuanian perfect-match ICT
companies. Aiming to connect Nigeria and Lithuania for cooperation in
information and communication technologies (ICT), “Digital Explorers”
programme facilitates career advancement journeys of Nigerian ICT talents, at
the same time, giving Lithuanian companies a chance to familiarize with business
development opportunities in Africa and peculiarities of attracting international
talents.
”Digital Explorers,” financed by the European Commission Directorate General for Migration
and Home Affairs, is one of the projects at the forefront of a new push by the European
Union (EU) to include private sector in fostering sustainable economic growth and
highlighting the untapped potential of young ICT talents in Africa. The programme also
answers recent calls from EU institutions to empower the private sector for positively shaping
Africa-Europe cooperation.
“The fourth industrial revolution and digitalization are already changing our lives whether
here in Lithuania, or in Nigeria. Until 2025 nearly a quarter of the global GDP will be created
by digital economy or digitalized sectors of the traditional economy. Big data, fintech,
artificial intelligence and other technologies could become central to the transformation of
public services and enable businesses to reach new markets. To make it a reality, first of all,
we need committed leadership. “Digital Explorers” programme, from my point of view, is
important precisely because of this. It brings together public, nonprofit and private
organizations from Lithuania and Nigeria and looks for innovative ways for exploiting the
potential of digitalization. I am sure that this unexpected connection between Nigeria and
Lithuania will create added value for all parties involved,” – said Mr. Elijus ?ivilis,
Vice-minister of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, at the launch event in
Vilnius.
Motivated by global outlook and prospects for business development
The idea to foster ICT cooperation with the biggest African market Nigeria was born after
Lithuanian Africa research and consultancy center “AfriKo” and public agency “Enterprise
Lithuania” established a solid partnership with a Nigerian tech park “Ventures Platform.”
After other organisations joined the initiative, the concept for “Digital Explorers” was
developed and EU financing via the International Centre for Migration Policy Development
(ICMPD) secured

“Digital Explorers” is not limited to attraction of ICT specialists – companies are invited to
participate in business missions to Nigeria, to meet potential partners, and to participate in
hackathons and other initiatives helping to get familiar with Nigerian and other African
markets. For instance, next year, in the course of the programme, participants from Nigeria
and ICT specialists from Lithuania will be invited to attend an international hackathon
dedicated to innovative fintech solutions.
In total, 7 Lithuanian companies have stepped on-board with “Digital Explorers”:
„TeleSoftas“, “Beyond Analysis,” „Ruptela“, „NRD Systems,“ “TransUnion” „iTo” and „Syno
International.“
The Chief Executive Officer at “Syno International” Jokke Nurminen notes that “Digital
Explorers” programme is attractive for its international outlook and assistance in overcoming
bureaucratic hurdles: “We are an international company providing Consumer Data as a
Service (CDaaS) to help data-driven organisations make better business decisions, tailored to
businesses around the globe. We have offices in London, Helsinki, Singapore, Hanoi, Tokyo,
Seoul, Stockholm, Warsaw and Vilnius; thus, it is important for us to have team members,
who could understand and adapt to varying demands of clients globally. In addition, by
joining “Digital Explorers” we are able to expand international competences at our Vilnius
headquarters with less bureaucratic hassle: programme consortium has taken care of
employment procedures and logistics, they will also stand next to us throughout the rest of
the year,” – notes Mr. Nurminen.
Reacting to the new strategy of the European Union, which highlights the importance of
private sector involvement in reshaping EU-Africa partnership, General Director at “Enterprise
Lithuania” Mrs. Daina Klepon? believes Lithuania has a lot to offer, since a common digital
vision will open new markets for Lithuanian ICT companies.
“This partnership is important for Lithuanian businesses in two regards – strong bonds
between markets are being built and a lot of room is offered for ICT business development.
African markets are not yet saturated; therefore, Lithuanian ICT companies could provide a
number of services, already successfully tried out in other countries. Lithuanian expertise is
widely sought in digitalizing public services, securing critical cyber infrastructure, developing
mobile products or e-commerce platforms. Exports of ICT services were essential in recent
fast-paced growth of the Lithuanian ICT sector and it is obvious that European market is
becoming too small for exploiting all of Lithuanian ICT sector’s potential,” – says Mrs.
Klepon?.
African ICT Talents in the Spotlight
“Digital Explorers” programme also echoes the most recent priorities of EU – Africa digital
partnership. In reaction to suggestions for a new strategy for sustainable investment and job
creation in Africa, put forward by the EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, in

December 2018, a new joint EU-Africa Union Digital Economy Task Force started its work.
Bringing together representatives from different sectors and organizations, in a half-year’s
time it drafted a joint vision on how digital technology could become the backbone in
redrawing Europe-Africa partnership. These changes in EU political agenda are also relevant
for European ICT companies faced with a window of opportunity for discovering African
markets and attracting young and motivated ICT specialists to their teams.
In the last 20 years, Africa has experienced a fast-paced growth of internet penetration,
reaching from 2,1% in 2005 to 24,4% in 2018. So-called “mobile economy” is also booming
and made for 6,7% of the continent’s GDP in 2016, equal to 153 billion USD. These
impressive numbers are especially relevant for millions of young people entering African
labour markets every year. Africa remains the world’s youngest continent with a median age
of 19,4 years. In the light of forecasts for continued ICT growth, joint EU-African Union Task
Force calls on private ICT companies to make the best out of business opportunities in Africa
and in turn help the creation of new jobs on the continent.
By investing in young African ICT specialists, building partnerships with local companies and
start-ups, European companies would not only contribute to sustainable economic growth,
but would also better situate themselves vis-a-vis global powers and businesses already
active in the continent for the past 10-15 years. Bankole Oluwafemi, founder and editor at
one of the biggest African tech websites TechCabal.com, agrees with this point of view.
According to him, “Digital Explorers” programme gives young Nigerian ICT specialists a
chance to challenge themselves in an international environment, working with complex
projects and in a short amount of time gaining a lot of valuable experience – without the
involvement of the private sector it would be simply impossible. “On the other hand, already
for some years Africa has been known as the most dynamic tech region in the world,
continuing to grow at a fast pace. Both international corporations and great powers of today
have been investing in African talent, including the U.S., Germany, China and Japan. A good
example of this is the recently opened Microsoft competence center in Lagos, by 2023
foreseen to employ 500 developers to work with virtual reality and artificial intelligence
products. I am sure that “Digital Explorers” will help Lithuania and its ICT companies to
discover Nigerian talents already acknowledged on an international level,” – says Mr.
Oluwafemi.
In 2019-2020, “Digital Explorers” programme is implemented by a well-equipped consortium
including Nigerian tech park “Ventures Platform,” public agency “Enterprise Lithuania,” policy
and research non-profit “AfriKo,” ICT trainers “CodeAcademy,” and mobility experts
“Diversity Development Group.”
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union,
contracted by ICMPD through the Mobility Partnership Facility. The contents of this document
are the sole responsibility of Vš? Versli Lietuva (Enterprise Lithuania) and can under no

circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and the one of
ICMPD.
More information
Seun Ogunlana, Communications Lead at “Digital Explorers”
Tel. 08090935483; seun@venturesplatform.com
Jolita Mažeikien?, Communications Lead at “Enterprise Lithuania”
Tel. +370 686 58356; j.mazeikiene@verslilietuva.lt
Žilvinas Švedkauskas, Communications Lead at Research and Consultancy Center “AfriKo”
Tel. +370 625 17291, z.svedkauskas@gmail.com

(FLOWERBUDNEWS) Chief Edward Onoja, Chief of Staff to Gov. Yahaya Bello, has resigned his position less than one month to the Kogi governorship election.

Onoja resigned to enable him emerge as running mate to the governor who is seeking reelection on the platform All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folashade Arike who named former Director General (Protocol), Abdulkareem Jamiu as the new Chief of Staff to the governor.

Dr Gabriel Ottah had been appointed to replace Jamiu as new DG Protocol.

Onojo emerged as running mate to Gov. Bello as a result of the rift between the governor and his deputy, Elder Simon Achuba who is currently facing impeachment proceedings.

The letter reads;

“Consequent upon the resignation of the former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State, Chief Edward Onoja, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has approved the appointment of former Director General (Protocol), Pharm. Abdulkareem Jamiu as Chief of Staff to Excellency.

(flowerbudnews) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its global growth forecast for 2019 to 3 per cent in the newly-released World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, down 0.2 percentage point from its estimation in July, reported Xinhua news agency.

Noting that this is the slowest pace since the global financial crisis, IMF chief economist Gita Gopinath wrote in a blog post that “growth continues to be weakened by rising trade barriers and increasing geopolitical tensions.”

“Growth is also being weighed down by country-specific factors in several emerging market economies, and structural forces such as low productivity growth and ageing demographics in advanced economies,” Gopinath said.

Advanced economies continue to slow towards their long-term potential, with growth downgraded to 1.7 per cent this year, compared to 2.3 per cent in 2018, the report showed. Growth in emerging market and developing economies has also been revised down to 3.9 per cent for 2019, compared to 4.5 per cent last year.

The October WEO report also revised down global growth projection for 2020 to 3.4 per cent, down 0.1 percentage point from the estimation in July. Previously, the July WEO report already lowered growth forecasts for 2019 and 2020, each down 0.1 percentage point from the estimation in April.