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Nutrition: MeCAM Coordinator Urges CSOs to Optimize ICT Tools
Mr. Remmy Nweke, National Coordinator of the Media Centre Against Child Malnutrition (MeCAM Nigeria), has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to optimize the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools in communicating nutrition in the country.
Speaking at the first quarterly capacity building of the Lagos State chapter of the Civil Society on Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) hosted by the Communication Team, Mr. Nweke said that optimizing ICT tools in this era has become imperative.
Nweke who dwelt on “Overview of Communicating Nutrition & Social Media Best Practices in Nigeria” described communication as an act of conveying meanings from one entity or group to another through the use of mutually understood signs, symbols, and semiotic rules.
Stressing that the main steps inherent to all communication are the formation of communicative motivation or reason, message composition and encoding.
“Any message conveyed but not understood has not be fully optimized for service delivery,” he said.
In addition, Nweke said that CSOs must ensure their communication for nutrition must be structured to be impact on the receipts and their immediate communities.
Also, Nweke, who is the Editor-in-chief of ITREALMS Media pointed out that communication must be impactful and this could be achieved by way of exchanging right and accurate information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium, such as Television (TV) and nowadays the Internet which are also effective tools for communication.
Nowadays, he noted that communications is a means of sending or receiving information, such as via phone lines or computers which are largely via satellite communications because they are transmitted technically.
“Primary communications cuts across verbal, non-verbal and written, and nowadays involves coding and decoding, thereby paving the way for social media tools for communications,” he said.
The ITREALMS Media boss counselled CSOs at the event held at CeliaPenny Foundational Hall, Ikeja-Lagos, to always apply some best practices in 21st century in their communications strategies.
Some of these best practices, Nweke outlined to include the use of simple language and always re-checking of the content to be published.
“Graphic content is a great ally for better interaction, and develop original, quality and useful content,” he advised.
CSOs, he said, must investigate the hours when their contacts and followers connect most and are utmost active in order to optimize their communications and messages.
“Use the appropriate social networks for each content. Each network has its own personality,” he declared.
Earlier, the chapter coordinator of CS-SUNN, Dr. Modupe Akinyinka underscored the importance of the capacity building for members to boost their engagement with stakeholders especially in Lagos despite its malnutrition records in order to continuously reduce the impact of lack of nutrition and associated social ills.
Reminding participants that the vision of CS-SUNN is to have a country where every citizen has food and is nutrition secured.
The Communications Team of the chapter led by Remmy Nweke includes Mrs Julie Ekong, Mr. Sam Akinyode and Mr. Lanre Olotu.
National Orientation Agency (NOA) has revealed that an investigation by its Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMO) uncovered unethical practices by some tertiary institutions, in collaboration with certain banks, that are depriving students of their rightful access to the Federal Government Student Loan Fund.
Paul Odenyi, deputy director of Communications and Media, in a statement Sunday, disclosed that several universities and financial institutions have been found engaging in fraudulent activities that prevent students from receiving the loans allocated to them.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, director general, NOA, shared these troubling findings following a high-level meeting with Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, managing director, Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), over the weekend.
According to NOA, preliminary reports led to an urgent intervention from NELFUND after it was discovered that some university officials had deliberately withheld critical details about student loan disbursements.
Further feedback from NOA confirmed that certain institutions, in collusion with banks, have intentionally delayed payments to approved applicants for dubious financial gain.
Additionally, some universities do not acknowledge the disbursements made by NELFUND to students.
Sawyerr confirmed that certain institutions have withheld information about loan payments issued in students’ names while still demanding tuition fees from them.
He warned that NELFUND is ready to take legal action against institutions found guilty of engaging in fraudulent practices.
He stated, “Recent findings by NELFUND have shown that some institutions have received student loan disbursements directly into their accounts yet neglect to inform the affected students or record the payments in their financial records, leading to unnecessary confusion.
“Withholding critical financial information from students is not only unethical but also a breach of the principles on which NELFUND was founded.
“We are prepared to take legal action against any institution engaged in such deceptive practices.”
The investigation revealed that in some instances, universities continued to demand full tuition payments from students, despite having already received the loan funds intended to cover those fees.
According to the NOA, this constitutes a gross violation of student rights and a betrayal of public trust.
Issa-Onilu, therefore, issued a strong warning to the institutions and collaborating financial institutions, demanding an immediate end to these actions.
He also directed all NOA state directorates to intensify feedback collection from students nationwide to aid the Federal Government in identifying and penalising the erring parties.
The NOA emphasised its commitment to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that students benefit fully from the government’s intervention in education financing.
The statement added that the investigation remains ongoing, and further actions are expected in the coming weeks.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a remarkable $6.83 billion balance of payments surplus for 2024, marking a decisive turnaround from deficits of $3.34 billion in 2023 and $3.32 billion in 2022.
This achievement reflects the impact of sweeping macroeconomic reforms, stronger trade dynamics, and renewed investor confidence in the nation’s economic direction.
Speaking at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, highlighted the CBN’s commitment to addressing economic challenges and fostering productivity, particularly for SMEs.
She emphasized the importance of robust financial systems, foreign exchange stability, and collaboration between monetary and fiscal authorities in achieving industrial development and global recognition.
The President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo, commended the CBN’s efforts but expressed concerns over the recent hike in interest rates, cautioning that it could hinder access to credit for businesses.
This surplus signals a positive trajectory for Nigeria’s economy, benefiting investors, businesses, and citizens alike.
News
Senate Committee Partners with Kuda Bank to Tackle Compliance Crisis as Nigeria Loses ₦3.4 Trillion
Over ₦3.4 trillion in financial infractions were uncovered across federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in 2021, according to the Auditor General’s report — a staggering figure that highlights Nigeria’s deepening compliance crisis and the urgent need for stronger oversight in public institutions.
In response, the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance is hosting a high-level workshop to address the root causes of weak oversight and institutional gaps. The two-day event, with the theme ‘Consolidating Strategies for Strengthening Legislative Compliance by MDAs’, will take place on April 15 and 16, 2025 at NAF Suites, Abuja, bringing together lawmakers, regulators, and over two hundred representatives from federal MDAs.
Kuda Microfinance Bank is co-sponsoring the workshop as part of its commitment to supporting responsible innovation, governance, and regulatory alignment in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
Rasaq Kadri, Kuda’s Head of Compliance, will deliver a keynote address on the second day of the event, highlighting the efforts of Nigeria’s fintechs to promote inclusion and financial literacy without compromising on compliance best practices.
“When public funds go unaccounted for, it doesn’t just damage government credibility, it affects the entire financial ecosystem, including fintechs,” said Kadri. “We can’t build trust-driven products in a trust-deficient environment. Every time compliance is treated as a box-ticking exercise, we miss the chance to build something that lasts. Fintechs have the tools and perspective to support better governance, but more importantly, we have a responsibility to be part of the solution.”
As a sponsor, Kuda will take the workshop to engage directly with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s regulatory and public service ecosystem.
Plenary sessions will be chaired by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and the Honourable Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. Conversations will focus on closing compliance gaps, strengthening institutional transparency, and promoting cross-sector collaboration.
The Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance Workshop is a unique platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative action.
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