Jul 22, 2018

I feel at home in England, says Balogun


Leon Balogun
Super Eagles’ and new Brighton and Hove Albion defender, Leon Balogun has said he is at home following the reception he got on his arrival at the team’s training camp in the United Kingdom (UK), adding that he is eager to get to work ahead of the new season, AOIFootball.com reports.
The former Mainz O5 player, who was given an extended break due to Nigeria’s participation at the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Russia, told the club’s website that he hopes to adapt quickly and contribute his quota to the team’s development.
“It’s my first day and I’ve just finished. I was really warmly received and it’s a nice group. My first impressions were very positive, and I feel very comfortable within the group – they all made me feel welcome.
“The league starts very soon and between now and then it’s about getting up to speed with everyone else as soon as possible. Then I want to take it from there, but I’ll give everything I can to improve what this group already has and play the biggest role that I can for the team,” Balogun noted.

Assistant Technical Officer, Monitoring & Evaluation Needed


Assistant Technical Officer, Monitoring & Evaluation

FHI 360
-
Gamboru
Position Title: Assistant Technical Officer-Monitoring & Evaluation

Location: LGA Level

Supervisor: Technical Officer, M&E

Project Description:

Northeast Nigeria is currently facing a growing humanitarian crisis with a vast number of Internally Displaced Persons in need of emergency assistance. These IDPs are living among host communities, lacking access to livelihoods and resources, ultimately leading to unprecedented levels of malnutrition and food insecurity. FHI 360 has been working in Nigeria for over 30 years and is now expanding activities in Borno state to respond to the IDP crisis.

FHI 360 is expanding its expertise by responding to this humanitarian crisis through integrated WASH, Health and Protection interventions

Basic Function :

The Assistant Technical Officer-M&E will assist in monitoring and evaluating program activities at the assigned field site . Primary responsibilities include collecting information on project activities in each sector for proper documentation and reporting of activities.

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Assist the Technical Officer, M&E in correct implementation and use of monitoring and evaluation tools, and adherence to complete and timely reporting.
  • Conduct routine monitoring visits to field site, including collecting data on program activities and assist in the preparation of weekly reports.
  • Bring to the knowledge of the Technical Officer questions that need to be solved such as inconsistencies or missing data by the originators of the source data
  • Assist in conducting routine monitoring visits to sites, including the conduct of data quality assessments (DQAs) using official tools, assist in the preparation of monthly reports, and provide supportive supervision
  • Responsible for data entry of program inputs.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

    Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:
  • Knowledge and experience in project-level or state/national-level monitoring and evaluation system implementation .
  • Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues related to the communities.
  • Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff and recipients of assistance.
  • Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
  • High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English & Hausa communication.
  • Well-developed computer skills.


Qualifications and Requirements:


  • BS/BA in statistics, pharmacy, microbiology, monitoring and evaluation or in relevant degree with 1 - 3 years relevant experience in Monitoring and Evaluation or data management. 
  • Familiarity with Nigerian public health sector systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.
  • A sound understanding of humanitarian assistance programming is desirable.

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 - 4 days ago - original job

Nigeria Whip Mauritania 5-0, Qualify For 2019 U-20 AFCON


The Flying Eagles on Saturday affirmed their superiority over their Mauritanian counterparts by defeating them 5-0 to qualify 6-1 aggregate for the 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The match played at the Agege Stadium in Lagos Nigeria were emphatic in qualifying as they completely overwhelmed their opponents.
Nigeria were quick to take off from where they stopped a week ago in the first leg match of the fixture in Nouakchott which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Wasiu Alalade put them in front with a well-taken shot in the 15th minute and, after a flurry of missed chances, the national under-20 male football side doubled their lead.
This was through Nafizi Yahaya in the 33rd minute, who went on to complete his brace with a cool finish after being one-on-one with the visiting goalkeeper in first half added time.
Aniekeme Okon scored the fourth goal in the 67th minute while the fifth goal came in the 90th minute through Afeez Aremu.
Ikouwem Udoh, Flying Eagles captain, later attributed the victory to hardwork and the belief he and his teammates had in themselves that they could do the job.
“I thank God for the victory and I also thank my teammates for working hard and believing in our strength.
“We told ourselves today that, above all things, we must win and send the
Mauritanians out of the competition. Thank God we were able to achieve that,” he said.
Mauritania’s Junior Mourabitounes had in the qualifiers’ earlier rounds dismissed Guinea and Morocco, and the Flying Eagles now head to Niger Republic for the U-20 AFCON.
The final competition is scheduled for Feb. 2 to Feb. 17

APC, PDP in war of words over Saraki, Dogara, others


Senate President: no juicy offers
We’ll leave APC, says Baraje
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got yesterday a reply to its threat to boycott next year’s elections.
You are being hunted by your past, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole told the main opposition party.
The PDP fired back, saying APC was jittery over coalition between PDP and 38 others.
Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara and others are believed to be on their way to the PDP, but the APC is urging them to stay.
Also yesterday, Reformed APC chief Kawu Baraje said the group had decided to leave APC.
Oshiomhole said the PDP was being haunted by its past treatment of electoral contests as a do-or-die affair, adding that the APC will not be intimidated by any threat of the PDP or any other party as it was committed to the sustenance of democracy and the sanctity of one man, one vote.
The APC Chairman, who spoke when he received the report of the Osun State governorship primary from the chairman of the primary election panel and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, stressed that if the APC could defeat the PDP while it still held power in 2015, it can repeat the feat now that PDP is out of office and divided.
The former Labour leader described the move by the PDP as akin to that of “a rabbit jumping out of a hole in the afternoon because a hunter has come to put fire to smoke it out”.
He said: “Our message to PDP is clear. Your Excellency, you come from the opposition party in the past, I also come from an opposition party and we knew that we didn’t have a rigging machine. The only thing we had was instrument of persuasion, mobilisation, explaining to people, convincing people and aligning with them and understanding that democracy was with the people at the grassroots.
“But those who have lived on rigging machines, the one we call ward 16, they are based in Abuja and their only access is where electronics and papers exist. Those ones at old age they can’t possibly learn new tricks and they can’t master the dialogue of electioneering, which is why they got stuck in Ekiti and l am sure they would be flat in Osun.”
Reacting to the threat by the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, who said his party may quit the election over the manipulation of the electoral process, Oshiomhole said: “Let me also use this opportunity to comment on what l read about the PDP chairman. I heard threatening that they may boycott 2019 general elections. When a rabbit in the afternoon jumps out of its hole, not because the hunter has come to smoke it out and it is running, you will know that it has already seen its end.
“The truth is that we are not desperate; we have worked hard to defeat PDP while they were in power, when they had no faction, when all the founding fathers and founding mothers were in the same house.
“Nigerian people rejected them on account of 16 years of absolute missrule at the peak of our property as a nation. When oil sold for a $140 per barrel and we came in when oil price had dropped. If with all those huge revenue that accrued to them people complained of bad roads whether from the South to East from the North to the West, they have nothing new to offer to the Nigerian people.
“I think they are hunted by their own ghost and this is because they had perpetrated a do-or-die politics and they are on records that election matters are do-or-die affairs. One of their old men was recorded as saying that they perfected the language of rigging them out, ‘let them go to court’.
“Now rigging machines have been dismantled and their problem is how they can survive without it. The glue that held them together, which was cheap money from treasury, again that has been cut off and what they already have, like a typical village sheep, they may chewing it all day all night. Now after three and half years, it almost seems that they have finished all; they have taken and now they are worried.”
Also yesterday, APC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said in a statement: “After three years in the wilderness, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is understandably excited with possibility of hiding its irredeemably bad image under the heap of a new coalition.
“Like the vulture, PDP sees every altercation as a potential opportunity for a feast.  If PDP is not alleging wild conspiracies, they are threatening to boycott elections or announcing fake defections. What is clear with all these is that no matter how long a leopard lives, it cannot change its spots.
“What President Muhammadu Buhari and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of our Party are doing, persuading every aggrieved member not to leave the party, is what responsible and sensible party leaders would do. Party politics is a game of number. And that game is addition.
“If the PDP had the same presence of mind in 2015, perhaps the calamity that befell them would have been averted. We challenge the PDP to face Nigerians on their own merit in 2019 and stop shopping around for supporters.”
Speaking on the Osun primary, Oshiomhole said: “l am very excited that you did a fantastic job, because we decided to try a new method. We needed men and women of integrity, who cannot be compromised, who have the courage and can stand their ground on what they believe in.
“You can’t influence them, you can’t buy them, you can’t bend; you will either agree to stand by the truth or you fall out and l am glad that you have brought those qualities to bear and the result is that we have a panel which people could not question their integrity. So, l want to thank you for accepting this assignment.
We accept this report in line with the provisions of our constitution and we have set up in line with our rules an appeal panel because however clean a report appears to be members of our party who may be aggrieved either for the right reasons or for the wrong reasons, they have the right of appeal that our party constitution provides for. So, should there be, any of the aspirants who participated and who has reasons to question the outcome of the election they have the right to file an appeal and they will be heard tomorrow (Sunday). Tomorrow, because that is the last day up to 12 midnight by Monday, we are obliged by INEC rules to submit the name of our candidate and the appeal panel will be chaired by Distinguished Senator Obend Domingo, Dr. Aminu Hameed as secretary and Prof. Hamas Bakori as member. This three-member panel are against gentlemen of proven integrity whom we believe can listen to any appeal arising from exercise and scrutinize the procedures and the reports that have been given, hear people out and recommend to us their finding and after which we will submit the name as appropriate to INEC as provided for under our rules.
“Let me say that l am happy that from your observation, you believe that over 200, 000 APC members participated in selecting the candidate. What that simply means is that even without any additional efforts, we can be rest assured that those 200, 000 card carrying APC members that participated in full freedom chose the candidate, they would naturally proceed to campaign for them around their neighborhood.
“l understand that this number could have even be higher, but for the fact that those who have joined us recently, have not been formally registered and their names not included in our data bank.
“Now we are going to open up to ensure that all those thousands of people who have joined the party across the country enter our register. When we do that, you will find that if those number come out to nominate, they would proceed to ensure that the person wins. I think it is a very positive report…”
Saraki said last night that the speculations about juicy offers being  made to him and his associates as part of the on-going discussions with the Presidency and leadership of the APC are untrue.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said reports about promise of money or oil block and nomination tickets are simply reducing a major national issue involving many key actors to that of personal benefits and preferences.
“I believe at this point, it is important for me to make some clarifications, end speculations and make my position clear. It is important for Nigerians to know that the discussions that I and many others of like minds are having with the Presidency and the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) is not about me and what I want. It involves the future of our country and her democracy. It is about making things better for our people.
“Though there are many speculations being peddled in the media, let it be known these discussions are not about me. Whatever has happened to me in the past has passed. Now that God in his infinite mercy has vindicated me, I have moved on, believing that we have all learnt our lessons.
“As I said in my statement following the Supreme Court Judgement on July 6, I cannot hold any grudge against any individual. I have forgiven all those who played any role in my persecution and likewise, I have asked for forgiveness from all those that I wronged in the past. Our focus should now be about Nigeria. The major issue on the table for discussion is how to strengthen our democracy, rebuild our economy, stop the spate of insecurity, improve the conditions of living of our people and generally chart a course for the development of this great country.
“We will be insulting Nigerians if, as the 2019 elections draw nearer, our deliberations is about personal benefits or how to pay compensation for wrongs done to an individual,” Saraki said.

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Needed


Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Abt Associates
-
Abuja
Abt Associates - The International Health Division is committed to the improvement of health and healthcare delivery around the world. Serving both the public and private sectors, our efforts include health policy research and evaluation, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. Our impact is felt in policies that ensure healthcare access for women, children, and individuals with special needs, in strengthening health infrastructures, and HIV/AIDS solutions.
Opportunity
  • Abt Associates seeks a M&E Officer to support a family planning project under SHOPS Plus. SHOPS Plus is USAID’s flagship initiative in private sector health. The project seeks to harness the full potential of the private sector and catalyze public-private engagement to improve health outcomes in TB, family planning, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and other health areas. In Nigeria, SHOPS Plus will capacitate public and private providers to scale up family planning, especially Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) in FCT and Plateau States.
  • The M&E Officer will be responsible for the implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities for FP/LARC at the State level.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
  • Works closely with the RH/FP at the State to ensure that monitoring and evaluation activities are conducted appropriately in line with Project, Country and donor M&E needs.
  • Observe closely and monitor the Performance monitoring guide to ensure focus and appropriate deliverable of services
  • Ensure regular maintenance of applicable database/information system and upload of necessary information/data
  • Conduct of routine monitoring visits to project sites, including the conduct of data verification, and validation and data quality assessments (DQAs)
  • Prepare monthly M&E reports and share with the State Coordinator before the final submission to M&E director for further actions
  • Takes initiative in conducting brief and cost effective operational checks on the project to gauge outcomes/impacts and to use data/information to improve on project activities.
  • Run pertinent Analysis data for informed decision and assist in following up on implementation of recommendations by developing monthly tracking template.
  • Support and work with appropriate State implementing team to ensure adequate and efficient M&E component to guide operations during the development of competency-based training programs to meet the identified needs of the project
  • Support the State teams to monitor the effects of trainings through analyzing pre- and post-test results, course evaluation forms, and other analytic measurements and generate and submit appropriate reports promptly.
  • Work collaboratively with other technical staff and pertinent implementing partners at the state to ensure effective and timely program implementation
  • Participate in the development of strategy documents, work plans and reports.
  • Contribute to the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning system (especially in relation to health worker trainings)
  • Attend relevant meetings at state level and ensure effective linking, learning and sharing
  • Carry out any other tasks assigned by Technical Director, M&E Director or the CoP and attend to other duties as may be identified or assigned.
Preferred Skills / Prerequisites
  • A minimum qualification of University degree/HND in Statistics, Sciences or Social Sciences and a 3-5 years demonstrated knowledge and experience in M&E in the field is pertinent. A Relevant Post Graduate degree is an advantage
  • Extensive knowledge of the Nigerian public and private health sectors
  • Familiarity with different sociocultural and developmental issues related to RH/FP in Nigeria and the international community.
  • Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
  • Excellent time management skills and strong attention to detail
  • Excellent computer, management and organizational skills.
  • Ability to run standard statistical analysis and generate good report is needed
  • A proven team player.
  • Ability to anticipate and solve problems.
  • Ability to independently plan and execute complex tasks while addressing daily management details and remaining organized and focused on long-term deadlines and strategy.
  • Ability to anticipate and solve problems.
  • Ability to travel within the state at least 50% of the time.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • ( 3+ ) years of experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Jobberman - 2 days ago - original job

FG vows to prosecute airline agents for swindling stranded fans in Russia


Nigerian
The Federal Government has vowed to arrest and prosecute the airline travel agents who cancelled the return tickets of 230 Nigerian football fans stranded after the 2018 World Cup Tournament in Russia.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Russia, Prof. Steve Ugba said this in an online video statement made available by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Tope Elias-Fatile in Abuja on Sunday.
Ugba made government’s position known while addressing the stranded Nigerians in Moscow, Russia before their departure to Nigeria.
NAN reports that over 150 stranded Nigerian football fans besieged the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow on July 12, for assistance at the end of the 2018 World Cup tournament.
The fans had alleged that their return tickets were cancelled abruptly by airline agents, resulting to their being stranded in Russia without any hope of returning to Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on July 16, directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and his Aviation counterpart, Hadi Sirika, to evacuate the Nigerians to Abuja immediately.
Sequel to the directive, a chartered Ethiopian Airline had on July 20 conveyed the 155 stranded Nigerians back to Abuja.
The envoy in the 21 minutes video, expressed gratitude to the president for ensuring that the stranded fans returned safely to the country.
Ugba, who said that the Federal Government did not want the culprits to go free, urged the victims to produce any document they had to enable the government crackdown the agents.
“Give us any document that you have about the people who deceived you, or the people who scammed you, who did you 419 so that we can have them picked up and prosecuted in Nigeria.
“We do not want them to go free. So, give us any document you have that will tell us who these people are.
“We are waiting for them in Nigeria because the kind of behaviour that you exhibited here shows that you have character, shows that you have respect for yourselves, and shows that you have respect for Nigeria,” he said.
“It is not a crime for you to come and at the end of the show, you want to go back. It is not a crime.
“But it is a crime for the person who sold you tickets and then, the second leg of going back you do not have tickets anymore. So, it is not your fault.
“We want to hold those responsible for this terrible behaviour to account for their action so that next time, they will not do the same,” he said.
Ugba said that the nation was proud of the stranded fans to have made out time to cheer the Super Eagles in Russia.
He said that the behaviour of the fans and the Super Eagles had earned Nigeria lots of friends in Russia. (NAN)

Protest against face-mask in London

Hundreds of anti-mask activists have marched on London’s Hyde Park wearing plague doctor costumes to protest against compul...