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NDDC To Institute GEMS, Excellence Award For Women

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10 years ago

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The Niger Delta Develop
ment Commission (NDDC) says it has concluded arrangements to commence the Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) Programme, and to also institute the Queen Kambasa Awards for Excellence.
The acting Managing Director, NDDC, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, disclosed this Thursday at an event marking the International Women’s Day celebration  at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital.
Semenitari said, “GEMS aimed to encourage young girls in the region to embrace science and technology, as well as to provide quality manpower that will enable them participate in the predominant oil and gas sector of the region,while the Queen Kambasa recognizes and rewards achievement of Niger Delta women in different spheres,” and in doing so, inspire women to excel in whatever they do.”
She stressed the need for all people especially those with good conscience to support the campaign for equal opportunities to women as she described the present status quo as male –dominated.
The NDDC boss noted that the World Economic Forum had predicted in 2014 that it would take till 2095 to achieve global gender parity, but unfortunately last year’s estimation of the pursuit of the goal indicated frustrated snail pace and gender gap would not close entirely until 2133.
“That must change. Women cannot continue to be surprise package on the platform of historic and global achievements, their worth only recognised because they overcome hurdles, their roles in society restrained by prejudice, fear and to sub-plots,” she said.
While pledging for parity in the societal gender equation, she promised that women would be accorded fair attention in NDDC scheme of things because of their importance in the sustainable development of the region.
Highlight of the event was a stage play in commemoration of International Women’s Day with the title “Little Drops.”
The play which was written by a Niger Delta Playwright, Professor Ahmed Yerima, tells a story of the challenges and struggle of the Niger Delta and its hopeless frustration on the youths and women in the region.
Noting that it was as a result of the difficulties associated with oil exploration that the federal government established NDDC to bring sustainable development in the area.
She promised that under the present administration led by Muhammadu Buhari and its standard of probity, due process, proper application of funds, clarity of vision and engagement, NDDC would ensure greater synergy and accelerated growth in the region.

 

Chris Oluoh

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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18 hours ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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18 hours ago

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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18 hours ago

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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