Humanitarian Affairs Minister Engages 3000 Stream 2 Independent Monitors For NSIP

By Ere-ebi Agedah

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq has flagged off the On-Boarding of 3000 Stream 2 Independent Monitors. 

During the flag-off held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja, the Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo mni, MPOM, explained that Monitors were one of the most important components of the National Social Investment Programmes.

She said that the Ministry lays special emphasis on ensuring that its programmes are closely monitored. 

“Today’s programme marks the beginning of the national training and onboarding of additional 3000 men and women who  will serve as Stream 2 monitors. They will be given the prerequisite training and receive engagement letters and tablets as working tools for monitoring the programme.

“The NSIP Independent Monitors are responsible for monitoring the NSIP Programmes in their communities, schools, households and market clusters with  focus of ensuring that the Primary Objectives of the NSIPs are achieved.

“We have monitors in every Local Government where the NSIP is being implemented. Through the Social Investment Management Information System (SIMIS) application, our Stream 1 monitors have uploaded over 220,000 reports to date on the application,  giving us good visibility on  the programmes in the communities. 

“The incoming Stream 2 Independent Monitors are expected to continue using the same platform to report their activities from the field”.

The Minister charged the beneficiaries to work closely with the state NSIP teams and avoid any form intimidation of the beneficiaries.

“Monitoring at the State requires that the Independent Monitors work hand in hand with the state NSIP teams. They are also required to work closely with the beneficiaries. No intimidation of beneficiaries by an Independent Monitor will be accepted by the Ministry. Any Independent Monitor found intimidating or harassing a beneficiary will be taken off the programme”, Umar Farouq warned.

Earlier in a welcome address, Dr Umar Bindir of the Office of the Honorable Minister stated that the Social Investment Programmes  have lifted many people out of poverty while tackling youth challenges through N-Power and its affiliated programs like N-Build and N-Skills.

While explaining the processes and objectives for Social Investment Programmes Monitoring,  the Special Adviser to the President and Team Lead, Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Fatiya Askederin Musah said that the training will define roles and responsibilities for NSIP Monitors as well as teach the reporting skills and timelines using the monitoring device.

“We monitor to have visibility in all the states, to collect data and determine areas of improvement and also document lessons learnt. Without monitoring and evaluation, we will not be able to measure the benefits or demerits of the NSIPs, hence the need to ensure accurate evaluation of all government’s poverty alleviation programmes”.

There were goodwill messages from  the Chairman, Focal Persons Forum Nasir Abdulkadir and a representative of a Non-governmental Organization, Save the Children.

In attendance were also Directors of  the Ministry including Alhaji Ali Grema who represented the Permanent Secretary, Team Leads, Focal Persons from Katsina, Nasarawa, Osun and Rivers states as well as NGOs and representatives of Civil Society Groups.

Democracy Day: Leaders Must Be Servants - Diri

...Urges Nigerians To Prioritise PVC Collection

As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said that the essence of democracy would be lost if leaders fail to be servants to the people.

Senator Diri made the remark on Sunday while speaking at a non-denominational Democracy Day service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor charged those occupying elective and appointive offices to see themselves as servants while the people that gave them the mandate as their masters to whom they are accountable.

A press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that elected or appointed officials should regard such positions of authority as a privilege and a platform to better the lot of the people.

His words: “Today being Democracy Day, we should all be reminded to continue to give service to our people. If you have been elected or appointed into key government offices and positions, you should note that It is only but a privilege.

"In all our actions, we should know that those who have given us the mandate to serve them are our masters and we are their servants. If you make yourselves a demi-god, you are only deceiving yourselves." 

Commenting on the recent attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, Senator Diri again condoled with the government and people of the state over the incident.

He said Bayelsa in solidarity with the government of Ondo State has declared that there would be no Democracy Day celebration. 

Describing Bayelsa as a relatively peaceful state, Governor Diri said the state’s security architecture is being repositioned with the signing of the Bayelsa State Community Safety Corps Law to complement the efforts of the various security agencies in the state.

According to him, over 5,000 youths will be engaged by the Corps headed by Brig-Gen. Eric Angaye (Retd) and trained in all aspects of security to curb criminal activities.

He explained that the state-owned complementary security outfits - Bayelsa Vigilante and Bayelsa Volunteers - have been incorporated into the Corps and their personnel would also be trained to make them more effective.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the service, Senator Diri called on all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the youths, to get their permanent voter cards to be able to participate in the process of electing leaders.

“Nigerians should be ready with their PVCs. The current leadership has visited this country with hunger, poverty, dwindling economy and above all the wanton destruction of lives and property.

“The people of this country are the only ones that have the solution to all of these. I call on them to free themselves from the current bondage because the PVC is more powerful than the AK-47. The PVC is everything.”

In his sermon, the guest minister and chairman of the state chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rev. Tam-Seth Eyedoude, said democracy was not in the hands of any single man, court or diviners but rather in the hands of the people.

Rev. Eyedoude noted that peace cannot reign without justice just as democracy could not exist without respect for the people’s culture.

Senator Diri read the first lesson of the service from the book of Psalms 142 vs 1-8.

Intercessory prayers were also offered for the 2023 general election, the Bayelsa state government and the federal government.

Dignitaries at the service include wife of the governor, Justice Patience Diri, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, father of the governor, Pa Michael Diri, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, national and state lawmakers, service commanders, religious and traditional leaders among others.

How the UK Dion Group of Companies began - Micheal

The UK Dion Group of Companies was founded in 2017  by Mr. Micheal Diongoli, an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who is passionate about Africa’s economic development. 

One of the leading financial experts in Africa, championing entrepreneurship development across the continent.

The group’s long-term investment in empowering African entrepreneurs is characterised by Micheal Diongoli’s philosophy of African entrepreneurship, which brings Africa’s private sector to the fore and projects entrepreneurship as the catalyst for the much needed social and economic development of the continent.

In 2021, the UK Dion Group under the audacious leadership of Micheal Diongoli consolidated its various subsidiaries and initiatives and made investing in Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders a top priority. This is considered by many as a laudable decision and has endeared the UK Dion group to the hearts of most aspiring and emerging business leaders in Africa. 

The group further provides a structured, robust, and multifaceted support to entrepreneurs around Africa through various Entrepreneurship Programmes. 

They continue to nurture the growing numbers of business leaders, whose success stories serve as inspiration and encouragement to other upcoming entrepreneurs. 

Mr. Diongoli demonstrate the effectiveness of his views and strategy in using enterprise development as a tool for sustainable development in Nigeria and across the African continent; as he continues to expand his reach in shaping tomorrow’s business leaders and building an impactful pan-African entrepreneurial ecosystem.

His vision is to be west Africa’s leading most distinctive servicing and solutions hub that adds value to all stakeholders.

To this end, his mission is to build trust and ensure value addition and wealth creation for his clients. 

The admirable GMD Micheal U. Diongoli’ is customer centric and focuses on ensuring the stability and growth of all stake holders.

He is one of the pioneers of creating an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes African entrepreneurship. 

The main philosophy behind the UK-Dion Group consolidation is based on the founder Mr. Micheal Ukiye Diongoli’s desire to empower a generation of successful ‘for-profit’ entrepreneurs who would drive the African economic and social transformation. 

His guiding principles are derived from an inclusive economic philosophy of African capitalism, which suggests that long-term, dynamic African-led private sector investments in key sectors of the economy will drive economic and social development. 

He believes that encouraging and building viable businesses from young Africans is the key to economic stability. 

Mr. Diongoli has a large heart and is committed to mentoring a next generation of African bootstrappers.

Young people should detest poverty, pursue success dedicatedly with every opportunity - Micheal

Starting off as a young man I had my fair share of rejections, I was rejected a couple times so many but my fear for poverty or do I say detest for poverty kept me driving. I resolved never to quit but rather push harder until I get results.

This was the tale of Micheal Diongoli in an exclusive interview in Lagos State, the capital for excellence.

Mr Micheal emphasized that while growing up he saw how many homes suffered from hunger due to poverty and how children were forced to hock and sell

so that their parents could make ends meet, this triggered the desire live above poverty line from quite a young age. 

He always wished to be wealthy from that young age. But like he says, if wishes were horses beggars would ride. So wishing was not enough, but was a good standpoint.

He said 'I am what I am today because poverty is stinks and I detest it with a passion; hence my commitment to succeed and help many others out of poverty.

According to him poverty is a choice and success is also choice, of these two choices, the one you embrace determines your motivation, aspiration and commitment.

He advised young people to detest poverty and pursue success dedicatedly with every opportunity they get. 

He also advised that to earn and leave above poverty lines, it is expedient that people learn new 21st century relevant skills as God always rewards hard work.

Niger Delta contractors urge FG, IOCs to release funds to NDDC for payment of completed projects

By Emmanuel Obisue 

A coalition of the Niger Delta contractors has beckoned on the Federal Government of Nigeria, and International Oil Company, IOC's, in the Niger Delta region to release monies owed to the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to fast-track their outstanding payments for projects executed in the region.

President of the Contractors Association of the NDDC, Mr Sylvester Tonye had recently applauded the  Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa, for his Goodwill and hard work in ensuring that the contractors are all happy and fully paid for work done in the region.

"I do also want to use this medium to thank Mr Akwa for his immense efforts in trying to bring the people of the Niger Delta region together, promoting oneness, peace and forestalling disunity amongst themselves," he said.

Responding to the plight of the contractors, Mr Tonye had pushed the blame on the IOCs, positing that the entities owe the NDDC over $4bn. 

He said the affirmation of the immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio that the NDDC is on life support, has been confirmed, because monies coming into the Commission is not enough to pay contractors for work done.

The contractors also pleaded with the Muhammadu Buhari-led Presidency to intervene in the matter between the IOCs and NDDC to enable Mr Akwa to carry out his duties effectively and pay contractors.  

To this end, they also stressed that the leaders of the region should eliminate selfish interests and join hands together with the Interim Administrator to develop the region and deviate from fighting over who has brought who on board or who has not.

While making a passionate call on the elders and stakeholders in the region, Mr Tonye also implored the youths of the region to remain calm and allow for the development of the region for the overall betterment for all.

Dickson Condemns Massacre Of Innocent Worshippers At OWO

By Ere-ebi Agedah

The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has condemned in strong terms the massacre of harmless worshippers at Owo, Ondo State.

The former Bayelsa Governor described the act as animalistic, barbaric, reprehensible, extremely callous and unthinkable.

Senator Dickson said that the barbaric act perpetrated by the savage criminals was one unimaginable evil targeted at the core of values of humanity.

The senator who made the comment in a statement on Tuesday said that the gruesome act was a violent assault which can sear the conscience of the nation if not immediately addressed.

He called on the Federal Government to ensure that all measures are put in place to track down those responsible for the unacceptable, abominable act.

The Senator said that it is only when when the cruel criminals with no value for human life are dealt with and justice seen to have been done according to the law that Nigerians will have a likeness of reassurance.

He also call for support for the security agents who are toiling day and night to restore order in troubled areas not to relent in their patriotic sacrifices of the peace of the nation.

The Senator urged Nigerians irrespective of religion, region and ethnicity to unite against those perpetrating acts capable of being misinterpreted with dire consequences.

He said that what happened was a mind boggling crime perpetrated by sick minds adding that rather than reading sectional meanings, Nigerians should put up a concerted action against them.

He condoled with the families of victims, the Catholic Church, ondo State Government, the Olowo of Owo and prayed to God to give the family the fortitude to bear this loss

Meet Our Man Crush Monday: Mr. Michael Ukiye Diongoli

Mr. Michael U. Diongoli is a serial businessman and financial management expert. He is the Group Managing Director of UK-DION GROUP. 

A group of companies postured to add value in the financial, real estate and entertainment industries, as it’s their mantra ‘we simply add value’. 

The group is operational in key states of Nigeria, including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Abuja with multiple offices in some of these states. 

UK Dion group has the vision to be West Africa’s leading, most distinctive servicing and solutions hub that adds value to all stakeholders. 

Deploying timely global compliant strategies, under the esteemed leadership of Mr. Michael Diongoli, the conglomerate is fast fulfilling this vision.

Interestingly this multi-million dollar group with a mission to build trust, ensure value addition and wealth creation for clients; had started as the brain child of Mr. Michael Diongoli, and was lunched right in his sitting room with a startup capital of just about three thousand naira only. 

Through this phase of humble beginning, Mr. Michael Diongoli had his focus on the goal and was quite certain that in deploying the right skill-sets, competence and commitment the global picture in his head would soon be his reality. 

He holds the philosophy true that it is okay to start small but not to remain small, in his words “You can start locally but think globally and much more develop global compliant competences and expertise”.

In line with his values Mr. Michael Diongoli had not only hoped for a large scale business but prepared and positioned himself to operate an international scale business; as he systematically acquired certifications that support and oxygenate his global visions. 

He is a B.Sc. holder in Business Management, and has a Master’s Degree in International Business and Management, from the prestigious University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. 

Furthermore, in consolidating his expertise, the astute businessman worked as a financial adviser with Lowell Financials in the U.K. and later became a mortgage adviser with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) then a financial adviser with Barclays Bank and NatWest Bank all in the U.K. 

Mr. M. Diongoli is an experienced, certified financial advisor and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA) he is also a Fellow, Institute of Management Specialists (FIMS) with over 10 years working experience in the finance industry.

He has developed a wide range of competences, viable ideas and exceptional management skills in finance and investments. 

This has allowed him to enjoy in-depth knowledge of the economic and financial situation in the country and across the African Continent. 

Michael Diongoli has an affable nature which has enabled him build a lasting relationship with clients over the years. 

He is a man of international repute. 

This scholarly business guru ‘Mr. Michael Ukiye Diongoli’ with undeniable results is our man crush Mondy.