By Leo Zwanke, Lafia

CleanTop Services Ltd, an integrated farm owned by former Nasarawa State governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu, has flagged off a six-month vocational skills acquisition programme for 200 trainees in Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The flag-off ceremony, held at Sa’abhi International Hotel and Resort, Karu, Nasarawa State on Thursday is being implemented under the IDEAS-TVET Cohort 3 programme of the World Bank and Federal Government of Nigeria.

The programme is being delivered in collaboration with CleanTop Services Ltd, which serves as the Training Service Provider (TSP) for the initiative.

The six-month training is designed to equip the beneficiaries with practical skills in fisheries and aquaculture, while successful participants are expected to obtain a National Skill Qualification (NSQ) recognised and awarded by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Speaking on the programme, the Training Programme Manager (TPM), Mr Vincent Yoko, said the initiative was aimed at providing beneficiaries with relevant vocational skills that could improve their capacity for self-employment and participation in the aquaculture value chain.

Yoko explained that the training would combine vocational skills acquisition with practical knowledge required to operate and manage fisheries and aquaculture enterprises.

He said the programme was part of efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education and training by giving participants skills that could be applied beyond the classroom.

According to him, the involvement of the World Bank, Federal Government and IDEAS-TVET would provide the beneficiaries with an opportunity to acquire skills and a recognised qualification alongside practical experience.

He urged the 200 trainees to take the training seriously, describing their participation as an opportunity to acquire skills that could serve as a foundation for sustainable livelihoods.

One of the beneficiaries, Joe Amadu Sireh, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the programme, saying the training would expose beneficiaries to practical knowledge in fisheries and aquaculture.

Sireh said the opportunity was particularly important because of the increasing need for young people and other Nigerians to acquire vocational skills that could translate into productive economic activities.

Another beneficiary, Oziohu Felix, also welcomed the programme, saying the six-month training would provide participants with an opportunity to develop practical competence in a specialised area.

Felix said the participants were looking forward to gaining hands-on experience and making effective use of the skills acquired during the training.

The beneficiaries said the recognition of the training through the National Skill Qualification would further give participants a formal qualification that could support their future career and enterprise development.

The organisers said the six-month training would expose participants to various aspects of Fisheries and Aquaculture, with emphasis on practical vocational competence.

The programme is being implemented under the IDEAS-TVET framework, with CleanTop Services Ltd serving as the Training Service Provider for the cohort.
At the end of the training, participants who meet the requirements are expected to receive the National Skill Qualification, providing them with a formally recognised vocational qualification in the field.

As Hon. Abubakar Bichi marks his 45th birthday, tributes have poured in from colleagues and associates across the country. Among them, Hon. Prince Henry Okojie has extended warm wishes, describing Bichi as a leader of uncommon integrity and vision whose stewardship of the House Appropriation Committee has left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s legislative process.In his message, Hon. Okojie praised Bichi’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparent governance, noting that his leadership has helped to strengthen accountability in the nation’s budgeting system. “Hon. Abubakar Bichi has shown remarkable dedication to the service of Nigeria. His work in guiding the appropriation process reflects discipline, foresight, and a deep sense of patriotism,” Okojie said.He highlighted Bichi’s ability to balance national priorities with the pressing needs of citizens, ensuring that resources are directed toward projects that improve lives. “His leadership has been instrumental in aligning fiscal policies with the aspirations of our people, and his contributions continue to inspire confidence in the National Assembly,” Okojie added.Beyond his official duties, Okojie commended Bichi’s personal qualities — humility, wisdom, and a commitment to the common good. “Hon. Bichi is a colleague whose values and character stand out. He embodies the qualities of a true statesman, combining youthful energy with seasoned experience,” he remarked.As Bichi celebrates his 45th birthday, Okojie prayed for long life, good health, and greater accomplishments. “This milestone is not just a celebration of years but of impact. May you be blessed with renewed strength and fulfillment as you continue to serve our great nation,” he concluded.The celebration of Hon. Abubakar Bichi at 45 has drawn tributes from across political and social circles, underscoring his growing influence as a legislator and his reputation as a man deeply committed to Nigeria’s progress.

***say insurance sector witnessing positive revolution

A parliamentary group and civil society organisation on Thursday applauded the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, for what it described as the transparent implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act, 2025, saying the insurance sector is witnessing a positive revolution under the new law.

Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja, the Parliamentary Support Network said NIIRA 2025, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had moved from legislation to implementation through recapitalisation, stronger policyholder protection and renewed enforcement of compulsory insurance.

In a statement signed by Amb. Muhammad Abdulrazaq and Comr. Adams Umoren, the group said: “We also recognise the role being played by the Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission, Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, in the implementation of the reforms.

“The Parliamentary Support Network therefore considers his industry experience relevant to the task before NAICOM at a time when the sector is undergoing significant regulatory and structural change,” it added.

The group said Mr Omosehin brings more than three decades of experience spanning underwriting, risk management, corporate restructuring and insurance administration, including service as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Old Mutual Nigeria Life Assurance Company Limited and as Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association before his appointment in 2024.

It commended President Tinubu and the National Assembly for enacting the Act, which repealed and consolidated earlier insurance laws and introduced stronger provisions on capital, risk-based supervision, corporate governance, consumer protection and regulatory enforcement.

“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for their roles in the passage and enactment of NIIRA 2025,” the network said.

“NIIRA provides a unified legal framework while giving the regulator greater capacity to respond to emerging risks. It also provides for stronger protection of policyholders, including the establishment of the Insurance Policyholders Protection Fund,” the statement continued.

On early gains, the network cited NAICOM’s August 2026 announcement that a twelve-month recapitalisation exercise had been completed, describing it as a major step toward a stronger and more resilient industry.

It also noted the commencement of the Insurance Policyholders Protection Fund and the October 2025 inauguration of a joint committee with the Federal Road Safety Corps to enforce compulsory third-party motor insurance.

The group said the Commission had further engaged government institutions and private-sector stakeholders on products for the maritime, petroleum and agricultural sectors, developments it said showed that the reform was taking practical effect.

“Since the commencement of NIIRA, there have been visible steps towards putting its provisions into effect,” the network said.

“NAICOM announced in August 2026 that the twelve-month exercise had been successfully completed, describing it as a major step towards building a stronger, more resilient and adequately capitalised insurance industry.

“These developments indicate that NIIRA is moving from legislation to implementation,” it added.

The network acknowledged that new capital requirements place heavy demands on operators and that disagreements over fees, compliance and interpretation are inevitable, but insisted that no company should be above regulation and no regulator above scrutiny.

It said disputes should be settled through evidence, due process and institutional accountability rather than media campaigns.

It expressed concern over the cases of NICON Insurance Plc and Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation, both under liquidation after failing to meet minimum capital requirements, and over their petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleging irregularities in the recapitalisation process.

NAICOM has rejected the claims and said supplying information requested by the EFCC does not amount to indictment.

“No company should be above regulation. At the same time, no regulator should be above scrutiny. The appropriate response to disagreement is evidence, due process and institutional accountability,” the group said.

“We believe the allegations should be subjected to proper investigation and due process rather than trial by media.

“However, petitions to law-enforcement agencies must not become a mechanism for frustrating the implementation of a law duly enacted by the National Assembly and assented to by the President,” it stated.

In its recommendations, the network urged all operators to comply with NIIRA 2025, called on NAICOM to continue applying the law transparently and without discrimination, and asked the EFCC to examine any properly lodged allegations independently.

It said policyholder protection must remain central and that the industry cannot return to the practices the Act was enacted to end.

The group urged stakeholders to support the lawful implementation of the reform under the leadership of the Commissioner.

“NAICOM should continue to apply the law transparently, consistently and without discrimination. Regulatory decisions should be supported by clear documentation and communicated appropriately to affected stakeholders,” the network said.

“We urge all stakeholders, including the leadership of NAICOM under Commissioner for Insurance Mr Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, to remain focused on the implementation of the law, protection of policyholders and strengthening of the Nigerian insurance industry.

“With institutional discipline and respect for the law, the Nigerian insurance industry can emerge stronger, more resilient and better positioned to serve the Nigerian economy,” it concluded.