International men's day Celebrations.

International Men's Day (IMD) is celebrated annually on November 19th. The purpose of IMD is:

1. To honour the contributions and achievements of men.

2. To raise awareness about men's health, well-being, and social issues.

3. To promote positive male role models and masculinity.

Some themes and activities associated with IMD include:

Themes:

1. Men's mental health

2. Men's physical health

3. Fatherhood and family

4. Male role models and mentorship

5. Gender equality and inclusivity

Activities:

1. Charity events and fundraisers

2. Health screenings and check-ups

3. Panel discussions and workshops

4. Awards ceremonies for outstanding men

5. Community service projects

Ways to celebrate IMD:

1. Appreciate the men in your life.

2. Support men's health initiatives.

3. Engage in conversations about masculinity and gender equality.

4. Recognize male achievements and contributions.

5. Participate in IMD events and activities.

Some countries also observe additional days to recognize men, such as:

1. Father's Day (varies by country)

2. Son's Day (September 28th)

3. Boy's Day (May 5th in some Asian cultures)

Let's celebrate the positive impact men have on our lives and society!

Eagles to Keep Feet on Gas Pedal in Final AFCON Qualifying.

Super Eagles' interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has stated that his players will approach the match against Rwanda with professionalism.

Eguavoen’s side have already secured qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco.

The Eagles will host the Amavubi in their last qualifying game at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo today.

Despite the inconsequential nature of the game, the gaffer declared the Eagles will go for maximum points.

The game will kick-off at 5pm Nigeria time.

Top African Teams Gear Up to Women's AFCON 2024 Draw.

Super Falcon's group opponents will emerge  this Friday 22 November, when the draw for the Women Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON 2024 comes up in Morocco.

Continental football governing body CAF explained that the draw will hold at the Mohammed VI Technical Centre in Sale, Morocco. 

The event which will start at 20h00 local time (19h00 GMT) will be broadcast live on major broadcast channels across Africa and internationally, as well as, on CAF’s digital streaming platform, CAF TV.

The draw will determine the fate of 13 qualified top African teams with Nigeria's Super Falcons eager to reclaim the title after finishing 4th in the last edition also in Morocco.

To qualify for the upcoming tournament, Nigeria beat Cape Verde 7-1 on aggregate to land the the ticket.

The 13th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will take place from 5 to 26 July 2025 in Morocco.

South Africa are the current champions of the competition having won it on Moroccan soil in 2022.

UNICEF surpasses 7.5million target, trains 9million youths on skill acquisition

 "The future of any nation lies in the hands of its children and youth". To achieve this, there is the need to provide skills, opportunities, and a platform for engagement.

So says the United Nation's Children's Fund, UNICEF, Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, at the heal of the Generation Unlimited Nigeria (GenU 9JA), Public-Private-Youth-Partnership (PPYP) annual Steering Committee, which took place at the Airtel Headquarters in Lagos.

The essence was to celebrate three years of groundbreaking achievements and set ambitious targets for the future.

Cristian said, " we are not only changing individual lives but also shaping a brighter future for Nigeria."

INDTN Seeks Functional Infrastructure to aid asset integrity.

 Institute Non-Destructive Testing Nigeria, (INDTN), has said that Functional infrastructure is crucial for the optimum performance of industrial plants, manufacturing and for the provision of services that support the entire
the spectrum of economic activities and well-being for effective governance.
President of INDTN, Dr Adegbite Micheal, stated this at the Second National Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Non-Destructive Testing Nigeria (INDTN) in Lagos.
Dr Adegbite said INDTN is a “Learning
A community” that is “Solution Driven” would continue to improve the quality and constantly seek ways of ensuring asset integrity.
Speaking on the theme of the event “The Role of Non-Destructive Testing in Preserving
and Optimizing Critical National Assets and Infrastructures, the President noted that, " Nigeria is bewildered by a vast infrastructure deficit which is crucial for sustainable industrial growth and economic development".
This, according to him, was exacerbated by the frequent failures and collapse of the few existing assets, which are mostly aged and have contributed immensely to industrial growth and socio-economic relevance among the League of Nations.
Dr Adegbite stated "It is important to deliberate on issues and challenges eroding productivity,
performance efficiency, and nationhood, " workable solutions and bankable ideas and innovations are necessary as part of the communique ".    

 "Simple solutions that could be easily incorporated into existing
technical systems and structures are also anticipated, these will enhance the availability and reliability of infrastructure and improve safety and productivity," Adegbite noted.

"It is important to note that, the INDTN was admitted into the World Organization for Non-destructive Testing and the International Committee for Non-destructive Testing (ICNDT) in 2021."
"In collaboration with
the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) and with the support of other stakeholders, the “Guidelines for Qualification of Industrial Radiographers in Nigeria” have been prepared and will be ready
for implementation very soon."
Dr Adegbite pointed out that the Ministry of Labour and Employment, through the Directorate of Factories, had engaged the Institute (INDTN) in the formulation and implementation of “Regulation 21 of
the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Regulations, 2018” and “Regulations 35 of the Lifting and Allied Work
(Safety) Regulations, 2018”. 
While commending the members for their support for the success of the conference, the President urged the participants to explore the careers and enterprises in the inspection industry and non-destructive testing space for their benefit.
Director of Factories of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Adogu Lauretta represented by the Head of Factories, Lagos State Office Engineer Ajayi Sunday said, the current leadership led by President Bola Tinubu is passionate about revitalizing the economy by creating opportunities for improving national critical assets, and researching various sectors of the economy. 
Mrs Lauretta stated that" the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has taken steps in 2018 to develop the boiler and pressure vessel regulations which had controlled the practice on installation and testing of boilers, pressure vessels and other thermionic.
"Practitioners in Non-destructive testing are protected from exposures to unsafe conditions and hazards that are capable of causing large scale accidents, injuries, disasters and deaths."
The Director of Factories urged stakeholders to actively participate in the advocacy for the role of Non - non-destructive Testing in preserving and optimizing the use of national critical assets and infrastructure and contributing to the development of the nation's economy.
Mrs Lauretta added that by working together, they can ensure a safe environment for Nigerians to work, prevent workplace accidents and illnesses as well as promote a culture of safety and sound health at work. 
By Sherifat Oyediran,Lagos.

We Are Satisfied with Progress at the FIRS—House Committee on Finance.

The House of Representatives Committee on Finance says, it is pleased the level of progress made by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), promising not to withhold any support needed by the agency.

The Committee members, who were on oversight visit, held a meeting with FIRS management at the Revenue House in Abuja, on Tuesday, and also toured the agency’s permanent headquarters in the Central Business District currently under construction.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, said the Chairman of the Committee, James Faleke, who addressed newsmen after the tour, expressed satisfaction at the transformation in FIRS under the Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and the increased tax revenue, pledging continued support of the Committee for the initiatives of the agency.

“For us, we can only commend the staff and Management of FIRS and of course the contractors for a job well done. "We have seen the quality work being done. They have designed it very well and when we asked them questions, they answered. We are satisfied. We say kudos to FIRS." 

The statement said and i quote, “We first went to the temporary building where the FIRS is using now and of course we met the Directors and everybody. Why we have taken time to come on oversight is to allow the Chairman to fully settle and we have seen the evidence that he has fully settled ". Adedeji

According to him, " His work is very smooth. We could see on the faces of that staff that they are also happy with what the Chairman is doing. We decided to come to the proposed permanent site ".

We have seen the progress so far. Like the architect said, the project began in 2011 and it will be completed next year.

“We expect that when that is done and the Nigerian Revenue Service bill is passed, it will be launched in this building and we expect more revenue to come to Nigeria.

On whether the Committee is encouraged to continue to support FIRS, Faleke said, “We have always supported FIRS. Our committee is the main committee. If we withdraw our support, there will be a collapse of the system. It isn’t about being encouraged; it is about us doing our job, to do what is right.”

The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Zacch Adedeji thanked the Committee for their visit and support, stating that FIRS will continue to cooperate with the lawmakers to move Nigeria forward.

Lt. Gen Lagbaja's death a collosal lose- GOC 81 Division.

General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Farouk Minjiyawa has described  the death of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja as  a colossal loss to the Nigerian Army and the nation at large. 

Maj. Gen. Farouk Minjiyawa stated this when a group called, " Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security Agencies " paid him a courtesy visit in  his office in Lagos. 

Describing late COAS as a visionary leader, Maj. Gen. Minjiyawa noted that the legacy of the deceased officer would  linger in the memory of Army personnel in particular and the Nigerian Armed Forces in general, through his giant strides and accomplishments . 

He stated that late Lt. Gen. Lagbaja was a great leader who dedicated his service to the army and the nation at large.

While appreciating the group for the visit, he said, “ Lt. Gen Lagbaja was a great leader with great vision, he  dedicated his service to the Nigerian Army and the nation at large. 

He was a transformational figure who served with diligence, his effort will never be forgotten for his meritorious service to the nation.

He served his time with diligence but his effort will never be forgotten, as we pray for the repose of his soul and the family he left behind. "We  will continue with the legacy he left behind". Minjiyawa

Convener of the group, Ambassador Mary Abayomi- Fatile, who led the group could not hold back her tears as she went emotional.

She described Lt. Gen. Lagbaja as an astute professional with who had keen interest in human capacity building and development. 

" His transformational work could be seen around Army barracks in terms of infrastructure and welfare. - Fatile

" The late former COAS  drove the vision, gave advice and directions on what propelled the establishment of the advocacy group. She added 

She explained that the essence of the advocacy group was to collaborate with the armed forces, project their good works and make Nigerians aware of the sacrifices they take to safeguard the country.

She said, several town hall meetings have been held in different parts of the country, where the citizenry were made to understand that, the fight against insurgency and other enemies of the state was not for the Military and other security agencies alone , but for everybody". 

Fatile added,” Members of the advocacy group entail professionals in the media industry, film actors, ex-national footballers and the Nigeria National Supporter's Club”

AMB Mary Abayomi Fatile prayed that, God  grant the Wife Children and family members the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.