🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
NITDA to adopt corps members' tech solutions across government agencies
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA plans to promote and support the integration of technology solutions developed by National Youth Service Corps NYSC members into Ministries, Departments, and Agencies MDAs. This initiative aims to foster innovation and create employment opportunities. NITDA's Director-General, Kashifu Abdullahi, announced this at the inauguration of the agency's Innovation Space and the showcase of solutions from its Idea2Impact programme in Abuja. Abdullahi stated that NITDA would begin using one of these solutions internally and would encourage corps members to establish companies and market their products to other MDAs. The event featured live demonstrations of two functional solutions developed by Challenge 1.0 teams, marking a step in NITDA's efforts to build an innovation ecosystem and bring ideas to market. Abdullahi highlighted that the initiative equips young Nigerians, especially corps members, with practical skills to address real-world problems, noting that millions enter the labor market annually. He emphasized the need for young people to create visibility for career progression. Some corps members have already developed internal AI tools for NITDA. The agency receives about 700 corps members yearly, nearly double its workforce, and uses this opportunity for training, promoting lifelong learning, and supporting them in developing viable products or securing employment. The new Innovation Space will serve as a hub for c
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Air Peace and Etihad Airways have signed an interline agreement to enhance connectivity across Nigeria and West and Central Africa. This partnership will allow passengers to access more destinations with a single ticket. The agreement opens 20 destinations across Nigeria, West, and Central Africa to Etihad Airways’ passengers, while Air Peace customers will be able to connect to Abu Dhabi via Etihad’s Lagos and Accra services once they commence. Etihad passengers can travel beyond Lagos and Accra to Air Peace’s domestic and regional destinations, including Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Benin City, Owerri, Warri, Asaba, Abidjan, Dakar, Banjul, Freetown, Monrovia, Conakry, Bamako, Douala, and Libreville. This collaboration supports Etihad’s African expansion, which includes a planned daily service between Abu Dhabi and Lagos. Arik De, Chief Commercial and Revenue Officer of Etihad Airways, stated that Nigeria is central to their long-term ambitions in Africa. Nowel Ngala, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Peace, highlighted that the agreement extends their goal of opening doors for Nigerian and West African travelers. Combined journeys will be bookable on both airlines’ platforms once the agreement takes effect. This marks another international partnership for Air Peace, following agreements with Turkish Airlines and Emirates, as it continues to expand its global reach and aims to position Lagos as a major regional aviation hub.
The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA have initiated discussions to enhance cooperation in supporting victims of aircraft accidents and their families. This move aims to align Nigeria's emergency response framework with international aviation standards. The discussions, held in Abuja, involved the National Family Assistance Committee, coordinated by the NSIB, and NCAA officials. Both agencies focused on improving institutional coordination, building capacity, and implementing Family Assistance programs within Nigeria's aviation sector. Funke Arowojobe, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, stated that the engagement with the NCAA sought to strengthen collaboration on aviation disaster victim and family assistance. Discussions covered the objectives of the Family Assistance Programme, the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO policy on assistance to aircraft accident victims and their families, and the roles of both NSIB and NCAA. Michael Achimugu, NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the need for continuous training and retraining of personnel. Both agencies identified practical areas for collaboration, including joint capacity-building programs, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder sensitization, to establish clearer institutional procedures for supporting families affected by aviation accidents.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC has started a nationwide operation to remove alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and polyethylene terephthalate PET bottles under 200 milliliters. This action aligns with the Federal Government's ban on the production, importation, distribution, sale, and use of such alcoholic drinks. NAFDAC stated on X that enforcement is occurring across all six geopolitical zones, following the closure of non-compliant manufacturing facilities. The agency's enforcement teams are targeting markets, motor parks, retail outlets, bars, and other distribution channels to seize banned products. NAFDAC has warned all stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, and retailers, to surrender any remaining stock of these products, emphasizing that continued possession or sale is illegal and will lead to seizure, sanctions, and prosecution. The public is urged to support this effort by avoiding banned alcoholic beverages and reporting offenders to NAFDAC.