Fake Aso Rock Official Arrested For Employment Scam 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have arrested a fake official of the State House in Abuja and other suspects for employment scam. Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the suspects were nabbed for alleged criminal conspiracy, false representation and employment scam. He identified the culprits as Augustine Enamegbai Umogboi, Eleojo Josephine Idakwo, Kingsley Onuh. While Umogboi claimed to be a former Aso Rock staff, Idakwo claimed to be a fake staff of the Ministry of Information in the Registry Unit, while Onuh was said to have concluded his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). “The suspects were arrested separately following investigation on petitions by various victims who were promised jobs as “Directors General” at the Ministry of Communication, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and other ministries,” the statement read. “Others are Omata Sunday and Eljayon Nigeria Limited, one of the companies whose bank account they were using to get money from their victims. Besides, they had different account numbers of different banks through which they were receiving the money amounting to N22,350,000:00k (Twenty Two million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only, from different victims. “Umogboi was arrested on June 16, 2024, Idakwo was arrested on April 30, 2024, while Onuh was arrested on April 3, 2024. Many victims narrated their bitter experiences in a series of petitions written to the EFCC.”

Nigeria, France Sign Pact To Support Young Entrepreneurs, Boost Employment

The Federal Government on Friday signed an agreement with France on the Digital and Creative Enterprise (I-DISE) programme aimed at promoting employment opportunities in Nigeria. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France, Catherine Colonnade signed the bilateral agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja on behalf of both countries. The agreement was also witnessed by Bosun Tijani the Minister of Communications who represented the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima. Tuggar said the I-DICE programme is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President and aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital technology and creative industry sectors. According to the minister, with a focus on job creation, the programme is set to significantly impact young Nigerians, by assisting them to create sustainable employment opportunities, develop high value-added industries and contribute to the development of the Nigerian economy. He said the programme would train two million young people, whilst encouraging them to structure their own ecosystem, through access to financing for the creation of innovative businesses and start-ups. Tuggar said the programme is being financed by the French Development Agency (AFD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) & the Bank of Industry (BOI). He said of the 600 million dollar value of I-DICE, the AFD is contributing 100 million euros (equivalent to $116 million). He added that the programme would also receive funding and support from the private sector and institutional investors adding that the Bank of Industry, as the Implementing Agency, will coordinate the day-to-day activities of the project. Colonnade thanked all the partners and co-financers including the l’Agence Française de Développement, bien sûr. She said the purpose of this ambitious programme is to support young entrepreneurs and innovators. She added that the programme will promote the employability of Nigerian youth, enable Nigeria to boost the capacities of its very promising digital technology and creative industries and help thousands of young Nigerian entrepreneurs to unleash their talents. “Those digital technology and creative industries have indeed enormous potential to create jobs and spur economic growth in Nigeria. “We are very pleased that the French Agency for Development is stepping into these sectors, enabling us to scale up significantly our actions through the I-DICE programme,’’ she said. According to her, the programme is expected to include nearly two million youth in the training sessions of which 40 per cent would be women. “The programme will create more than 65,000 start-ups, 150,000 direct jobs in the technology and creative industries sectors and approximately 1.3 million indirect jobs.’’ Speaking on behalf of the vice president, Tijani said Shettima champions youth development and the Nigerian government’s efforts to boost the employability of young people by focusing on promising careers in the digital, cultural and creative industries. “As part of our efforts to stimulate the growth of the Nigerian economy and mainstream the application of technology in critical sectors, we welcome the support of the French government as they collaborate with us to leapfrog technological advancements for the benefit of our startup ecosystem. “This funding from the AFD for the I-DICE programme is a testament to France’s historical commitment to the growth of startups which is evidenced by its position as a leading startup destination in Europe”.

Buni Approves Employment Of 158 Community Nurses In Yobe

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe has approved the employment of 158 community nursing graduates of the Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, Damaturu. This is contained in a statement by Buni’s Director-General Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, in Damaturu on Saturday. According to Mohammed, the nurses comprised of two sets of the college’s graduates. He said the governor had also approved the payment of N10,000 monthly allowances to 393 students of the state origin undergoing National Diploma and Basic Midwifery programmes at the college. The spokesman said 67 of the benefitting students were entitled to 11 months arrears of the allowance, while 326 new students of the college would soon start receiving the allowance. “Governor Buni urged the newly employed health personnel to be dedicated to serve the people better. “He charged them to key into the reform programme of the state government to provide efficient, accessible and affordable medical services to the people. “The Governor also called on the students to study hard to justify the government’s investment in them,” Mohammed said.