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AANI Seeks Secure Environment For Nigeria’s Orange Economy

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), Amb. Emmanuel Obi Okafor, has called for a secure environment to unlock Nigeria’s Orange Economy.

Okafor made the call at the 5th Distinguished AANI Alumni Lecture at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau.

This is contained in a statement by AANI’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Ifeanyi Ngama, on Monday in Abuja.

The lecture was themed: “The Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Security as a Primary Enabler.”

Okafor said security was fundamental to entrepreneurship, innovation, investment and sustainable development, particularly within Nigeria’s growing creative economy.

He said the creative industries could generate jobs, stimulate economic growth, promote entrepreneurship and strengthen Nigeria’s global cultural influence.

He urged government to invest in skills, infrastructure, financing, digital connectivity and intellectual property protection to unlock the sector’s potential.

Okafor also called for a broader conception of national security encompassing economic opportunity, education, human capital development, social inclusion and protection of creative enterprises.

The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, described the lecture series as an enduring platform for evidence-based policy discourse and practical responses.

Omotayo said Nigeria’s creative talent and entrepreneurial energy could drive economic transformation if supported by appropriate institutional and security conditions.

“Ideas require institutions, innovation requires investment, entrepreneurship requires confidence, and confidence flourishes only where security prevails,” he said.

Omotayo described security as “the invisible infrastructure upon which economic transformation depends,” and called for coherent policies and effective institutions.

The keynote speaker, retired Rear Adm. Emmanuel Jaiyeola, described the Orange Economy as a promising pathway to inclusive and sustainable development.

Jaiyeola said creativity, culture, innovation and intellectual property could drive employment, economic diversification, youth empowerment and social inclusion.

He identified Nigeria’s youthful population, cultural diversity, creative talent and expanding digital ecosystem as strategic advantages in developing the sector.

Jaiyeola, however, identified inadequate infrastructure, limited finance, weak intellectual property protection, skills deficits, policy fragmentation and insecurity as major constraints.

Describing insecurity as “the most pervasive constraint,” he called for stronger collaboration among government, private sector, educational institutions and creative industry stakeholders.

He also advocated investment in digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship development, skills acquisition and intellectual property protection.

Contributing, Issa Aremu, Director-General, Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), highlighted the sector’s potential to generate employment.

Aremu advocated formalising the informal sector to improve security, regulation, access to finance, social protection and institutional support for entrepreneurs.

He called for stronger collaboration between creative industry stakeholders and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.

Aremu also urged greater protection of digital activities and creative assets, while encouraging stakeholders to explore relevant international frameworks.

He cautioned against viewing Nigeria’s security challenges solely through the prism of insecurity, urging recognition of progress by government and security agencies.

Prof. John Wade, mni, another contributor, called for an integrated approach involving institutions, skills, infrastructure, investment and security to develop Nigeria’s creative economy.

He stressed the need to move beyond policy formulation to effective implementation, coordination and measurable outcomes.

The lecture attracted policymakers, academics, security experts, development practitioners, AANI members and participants of Senior Executive Course 48.

Discussions focused on using the Orange Economy to create jobs, promote innovation, empower youths, diversify the economy and strengthen national security.

The lecture reaffirmed AANI and NIPSS’s commitment to evidence-based policy dialogue and practical recommendations for harnessing Nigeria’s creative potential. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

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NiMet predicts three-day thunderstorms, moderate rains across Nigeria from Monday

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy skies, thunderstorms and moderate rains across Nigeria from Monday to Wednesday.

In its weather outlook released in Abuja on Sunday, the agency predicted patches of clouds over the northern region throughout Monday morning.

It forecast thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains across most parts of the region later in the day.

NiMet said cloudy conditions would prevail over the North-Central region on Monday morning, with isolated thunderstorms and moderate rains expected later.

It listed the affected areas as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger and Plateau states.

“Cloudy atmosphere is anticipated over the entire North-Central region in the morning hours.

“Isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over most parts of FCT, Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Niger and Plateau States later in the day,” the agency said.

For the southern region, NiMet predicted cloudy skies with chances of light rains over parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

It added that intermittent moderate rains were expected over most parts of the region later on Monday.

For Tuesday, the agency forecast patches of clouds over the northern region, with morning thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa states.

It envisaged thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

NiMet also predicted cloudy conditions over the North-Central region, with prospects of morning thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Benue, Kogi, Plateau and Nasarawa states.

It forecast isolated thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains across the entire region later in the day.

For the South, NiMet anticipated cloudy conditions and light rains over parts of Ebonyi, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states.

“By the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Ekiti, Osun, Ogun and Ondo states. Others are Oyo, Edo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Lagos, Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states,” it said.

On Wednesday, NiMet predicted patches of clouds over the northern region, with morning thunderstorms and moderate rains over parts of Taraba, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.

It forecast thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

The agency predicted cloudy skies over the North-Central region, with prospects of thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Nasarawa and Plateau states.

“By the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over most parts of the region,” it said.

For the southern region, NiMet anticipated cloudy conditions with chances of intermittent light rains over parts of the South-East and coastal areas.

“By the afternoon and evening hours, intermittent moderate rains are expected over the entire region,” the agency said.

NiMet warned that strong winds might precede thunderstorms in affected areas.

It advised residents to fasten loose objects and take precautions against possible damage from strong winds.

The agency advised the public to avoid driving under heavy rain and disconnect electrical appliances from sockets during thunderstorms.

It urged residents to stay away from tall trees to avoid injuries from falling branches or broken trees.

NiMet advised airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports and flight documentation for effective operational planning.

It also urged residents to remain informed through regular weather updates from the agency. 

(NAN)

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EuroMatch NPFL: Enyimba Survive Kano Treats As Abia Warriors, Plateau United Shine On Matchday 6

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The EuroMatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Matchday 6 produced another competitive round of fixtures across the country, with 15 goals recorded in nine completed matches, while two fixtures ended in draws.

Sports247 reports that Abia Warriors produced one of the standout results of the matchday, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Bendel Insurance.

Ikoi Etta opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Emeka Obioma took centre stage, scoring twice in the 24th and 40th minutes to complete a comfortable home victory for the Abia-based side.

Ikorodu City also claimed an important 2-0 victory over Rangers International. Aderemi Adeoye put the hosts ahead after just eight minutes, while Ikechukwu Junior doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute.

Newly promoted Kun Khalifat secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Kwara United, with Igwe Igweuzo scoring the decisive goal in the 64th minute.

Kwara United were reduced to 10 men after Mighty Emmanuel was sent off during the final 30 minutes of the encounter.

Nasarawa United edged Niger Tornadoes 1-0, with Harrison Ebah scoring the only goal of the game in the 20th minute.

Warri Wolves also secured maximum points at home, defeating Shooting Stars 1-0. Othuke Egbo struck in the eighth minute to give the hosts an early lead that they successfully defended until the final whistle.

Katsina United came from behind to defeat Doma United 2-1 in another entertaining encounter. Luis Dadong converted from the penalty spot in the 12th minute to give Katsina United the lead, but Doma United responded through Sadiq Rilwan in the 33rd minute. Mukhtar Ismail eventually restored Katsina United’s advantage with the winning goal in the 75th minute.

Plateau United recorded a convincing 2-0 victory over Inter Lagos. Gideon Monday broke the deadlock in the 56th minute before Jibrin Ibrahim added the second goal 20 minutes later.

In Kano, Kano Pillars and Enyimba played out a goalless draw, with both sides settling for a point after 90 minutes.

The result came as a boost for Enyimba, who had endured a difficult start to the campaign and were searching for their first points after losing their opening four league matches.

Earlier, Sporting Lagos and Barau FC shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos. Joseph Atule gave Barau FC the lead from the penalty spot before Sodiq Ayoade equalised for Sporting Lagos in the second half.

With the conclusion of the Matchday 6 fixtures, the round recorded 15 goals across 10 matches, with two games ending in draws, as the battle for points continues to intensify across the NPFL.

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