While briefing the journalists immediately after the Federal Executive Council Meeting, the Minister of Information, Mr. Laraban Maku said that prior to the commencement of the meeting, some YouWIN beneficiaries who had visited the Presidential Villa were introduced as well as the products they had developed through the Federal Government-sponsored Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWIN) scheme. Many of the beneficiaries of the scheme, who were graduates of various disciplines including law and engineering, had turned entrepreneurs producing goods and services and employing labour.
Some of the products produced and exhibited included moringa tea, livestock feeds and palm oil, among others. After an interactive session with the Group, the President cut a cake made entirely from cassava flour.
Maku said that the president in his remarks commended the CME/MF for the effective coordination of the YouWIN scheme and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for the Ministry's efforts in promoting micro, small and medium-scale enterprises, especially among the youth. He expressed optimism that more jobs would be created through the scheme and sought to know the extent of progress made in the commencement of the second Batch of the scheme involving only women.
Maku said the President tabled a memorandum before the Council to seek approval for the provision of 17,000 Smart Card Readers for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said in its desire to ensure free, fair and credible elections, the INEC would procure, customize and configure 17,000 Smart Card Readers (SCR) that would be deployed during elections for voter's authentication. The SCR would be used to verify the rightful owner of the Voter's Card presented for identification during elections.
That in order to show the commitment of this administration to free, fair and credible election in the country, Council approved the procurement of 17,000 Smart Card Readers, in favour of Messrs Zinox Technologies Limited at the rate of N27,000.00 each, in the sum of N459,000,000.00 only with a completion of 36 months.
Maku said the Defence Minister brought a note to apprise Council of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Military Cooperation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The MoU was signed on Thursday 7th March 2013 in London by the 2 Ministers of State for Defence of Nigeria and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice did the final vetting; while the President approved the signing of the MoU.
Further mutual cooperation between the Armed Forces of the 2 countries would contribute to the strengthening of peace and security in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
Maku said the Minister of Foreign Affairs brought a note to apprise Council of the state visit by the President between 6th and 7th May, 2013 to the Republic of South Africa.
He said the main outcome of the state visit was the signing of 9 MoUs.
While in South Africa, the President addressed the joint sitting of the South African Parliament and also participated at the Business Forum. The President had an interactive meeting with members of the Nigeria community.
The 9 agreements signed and other existing agreements would be implemented through existing mechanisms of the Bi-National Commission between the 2 countries established for that purpose and which was being monitored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He further told reporters that the Minister of Mines & Steel Development brought a note to apprise council of the outcome of the 6th Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Global Conference and the International Mining for Development held between 20th and 24th May, 2013 at Sydney, Australia.
The Conference, according to Maku, was also a forum for member countries to expose and market achievements, seek partnerships, collaboration and share opportunities for support to sustain achievements and challenges.
That Nigeria used the forum to emphasize the Federal Government's commitment to the implementation of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in the management and development of its extractive sector.
Nigeria won the "Best Extractive Industry Transparency Implementing Country Award" instituted by the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative for going beyond the EITI minimum standard.
Maku said the Minister of Mines and Steel Development also attended the International Mining for Development Conference which normally precede the EITI Conference, held on 21st and 22nd May 2013.
Maku said the Minister of Youth Development briefed the Council on the progress and challenges of his ministry in the year 2012.
The Council noted all the briefings.
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Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria