Solid Minerals Will Be Nigeria’s Biggest Revenue Earner –Alake
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Oladele Alake, has said the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ensuring that the solid mineral sector becomes the biggest revenue generation hub of the country. He said for the present administration to achieve its vision of economic rejuvenation, all hands must be on deck. Alake said, “We have recognised the fortunes of the oil sector, and we are determined to ensure that the solid minerals sector is the Noah’s ark that would take us out of the deluge of economic challenges that Nigeria currently faces.” Speaking during the 22 Annual General Meeting and International Conference of The Nigerian Society of Mining Engineers in Kaduna, Minister Alake enjoined all the stakeholders to be patriotic, saying that the president is determined to take the nation out of the wood. Alake stated that the seven point agenda of the present administration is geared towards promoting the public private company that will galvanise financial and physical access of government in the sector. “It is now that our country needs patriotic and scientific contributions more than any other time, where all hands must be on deck to realise the vision of the Tinubu led administration, aiming at making solid minerals the biggest revenue generation hub among all sectors in the economic structure of Nigeria. “I wish to enjoin your society to be seen and heard in this historic process of rejuvenation and resurgence of the sector that will mature hitherto; our doors are open to ideas and proposals, and we shall re-evaluate all of them and shall reflect with our professional alacrity,” the minister said. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Society of Engineers said that Public Private Partnership (PPP) concession will make the private sector concessionaire responsible for full delivery of specified production and infrastructure services. “Government should intensify efforts in providing an enabling environment to attract investors into the mining sector for PPP agreement especially as it concerns fully explored strategic mineral deposits,” the Society advised. In its communiqué issued at the end of the AGM, the society tasked the federal government on Public Private Partnership, while also urging government and private investors to ensure due diligence before consummating any form of agreement. According to the communiqué, “the government should make deliberate efforts in implementing established roadmaps to fast- track the development of the minerals industry.” In the communiqué jointly signed by the President and Secretary General of the Society, Eng. Benson Jatau and Engineer Tony Ojile, enjoined the government to embrace PPP in its bids for industrial development in order to attract private expertise for service delivery enhancement. The duo however, called on the ministry of solid minerals development to as a matter of urgency resolve the challenge of state interference with the ministry statutory regulatory functions, as otherwise will erode the authority of the minister and also has the tendency of driving away private mining investors.
World Food Day: HOMEF Calls For Ban On Nigeria’s GMOs
As Nigeria joins the rest of the World to mark the 2023 World Food Day, the Executive Director Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nnimmo Bassey, has called on the Federal Government to remove all Genetically Modified Foods from the country’s shelves. World Food Day is an essential international observance held every year to raise awareness about food security and hunger while promoting action to ensure everyone has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food. Bassey in a statement on Sunday, said one big challenge the country is faced with protecting its food, including water, from the new wave of colonialism that is systematically taking hold of food systems across the globe. According to him, the transnational corporations leverage the current food crises to advance an atrocious agenda to gain control over the world’s food systems. “GMOs are being pushed into our food system without stringent government regulations. People do not know the implications of growing or eating GM foods because the population is not given information on the risks related to the technology. “In Nigeria, approvals for importing GMOs are granted without adequate public notice and proper and independent health and environmental impact assessments. It is improper for our farmers to be given seeds to grow without telling them what they are planting or what eventually will end up on the consumer’s plate.” HOMEF states that marking World Food Day should encourage people, organizations, and governments to unravel the root of hunger and malnutrition, address food injustice, and abuse of farmers’ rights. The day is a reminder of the avoidable fate of millions worldwide who suffer from hunger despite abundant natural and human resources. Bassey, noted that modern agricultural biotechnology directly undermines our pursuit of food sovereignty, posing a threat to our dignity and our fundamental right to refuse foods laden with uncertain health consequences and an agriculture system that stresses our ecosystems. He further charged Nigerians to be intentional about what is on their plates. “We must not fail as individuals to ensure that what goes into our stomachs is safe. We must demand accountability from regulatory agencies to ensure that food products approved for import are wholesome, meet the dietary requirements of the people, and support the local economy.” HOMEF’s Director of Programme, Joyce Brown, echoed that agroecology can feed the world, cool the planet, and help local farmers adapt to climate change impacts. “Governments worldwide who want to address food insecurity and take meaningful climate action must invest in agroecology – the foundation for a positive transformation of food systems. Agroecology ensures optimum water and other resources use, revives soils and the ability to hold in carbon, uses renewable energy, and promotes shorter food supply chains while making healthy and nutritionally diverse food available to all”. Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje, the Deputy Director of Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria, noted, “Food is a central and integral part of any society, and it creates a connection between our beliefs, ethnicity, and cultural heritage. Food is not just a part of culture; it defines culture. What we eat and how we eat provides much information about specific cultures. Food, water, and soil are all interconnected and are not commodities. They are a sacred, life-affirming, and central composite of every existing society”. Orovwuje stressed that food and producers must be treated with respect and dignity. She called for policies that celebrate the smallholder farmers who produce over 70% of the food consumed globally. “We need deep-rooted changes in how agriculture is practiced and how the food system is organised and regulated. We need to wean our food system from corporate control and concentration and keep seeds in the hands of small-scale farmers.”
FG To GenCos, DisCos: No More Excuses Over Poor Power Supply
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has warned electricity generating and distribution companies over the poor distribution of electricity to Nigerians stressing that the government will no longer listen to their excuses. Adelabu, who made this known to Discos and generating companies during a meeting Saturday in Abuja, said the meeting was to find a lasting solution to the issues surrounding power distribution. According to a statement signed by the Minister’s Special Adviser, Strategic Communication and Media Relations Bolaji Tunji, Adelabu said: “We called this meeting to learn from you and the only way to salvage a bad situation is to understand the real issues on the ground. “Power is one of the most important things we need to energize the economy in terms of achieving the desired economic growth and Industrial development. ”The President has identified the power sector as a major driver of economic growth; therefore no excuse will be entertained for non-performance.” The minister also said that the meeting will become regular to create a stable and accessible environment that will enable discussions surrounding the generating, transmitting, and distribution value chain of electricity to be reviewed and decisions reached. He added that this development will make an impact in the power sector within two to three years.
Nigeria’s Underperforming In Oil, Gas Sector Due To Insecurity – Lokpobiri
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr Heineken Lokpobiri, has said that the challenge of insecurity in the Niger Delta was responsible for the underperformance of the petroleum sector. The Minister, who said this in a meeting with the Abuja Chapter of the Energy Correspondent Association Friday in Abuja, added that it was also affecting Nigeria’s oil production output. While noting that the issue was making it difficult for the country to meet its OPEC production quota, Lokpobiri said the government was working to address the drawback. He was hopeful that by the end of 2023, the country would increase its oil production to about 2 million barrels per day. Due to massive crude oil theft and pipeline vandalisation, Nigeria’s oil production presently hovers between 1.3-1.4 million barrels per day. “My sole agenda is to increase production. Once we increase production we will get more revenue for the country. You know Nigeria is still more dependent on oil. “Though the non-oil sector is also supporting the economy, a substantial part of our forex comes from oil. “The reason why we are underperforming is because of insecurity and we are gradually tackling those problems. “So, my ambition is to see how I can lead the sector to increase production so that we can get more revenue to deal with the fund and strategic rationale projects in the country. “I get the reports from relevant authorities. Today, we are doing about 1.4 million barrels of crude. So, we are steadily increasing but our target is to see how we can get to two million barrels,” he said. Lokpobiri urged the industry players to join hands together to find a permanent solution to the issue. He said the federal government was discussing with International Oil Companies and local producers to find a lasting solution to the insecurity challenge. He said the engagement was already yielding positive results. “We have identified where the problem is, and where we are getting the shortfall and we are already engaging them within the next few weeks, we will be able to give you how far we have gone in that direction. In an earlier remark, President of the association, Mr Victor Nnodim, assured the minister of the association’s readiness to partner with him as he sought to fulfill his agenda of ramping up crude oil production and delivering a better petroleum industry for the country. “We will support you to achieve your mandate,” he said.
93 Unexploded Bombs Discovered In Lagos Cantonment
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the recovery of a total of ninety-three unexploded ordnance, or bombs, at the Ikeja Military Cantonment located in Lagos. This significant discovery was made during the ongoing military operation known as ‘Exercise Clean Sweep,’ as announced in an official statement released on Thursday. The operation, which commenced on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, was initiated with the primary objective of decontaminating the area that had been the epicentre of a devastating bomb explosion back in 2002. The recovered ordnance varies in terms of their calibre and characteristics, according to the report from the Army. Colonel Abdulrazaq Kazeem, the Director of the Directorate of Explosives Search and Disposal and the Coordinator of Exercise Clean Sweep, provided an update during his first briefing. He confirmed the retrieval of a total of ninety-three unexploded ordnance from the site up to this point. Despite prior efforts to clear and dispose of explosives at the site, remnants of unexploded ordnance have continued to be discovered within and around the vicinity of the bomb blast. This persistent presence poses a significant threat to the safety and security of the Cantonment’s residents and the surrounding environment. Colonel Kazeem emphasized strict safety measures in handling these explosives, stating, “The moment we reach the maximum limits of explosives within our holding area, such ordinances will be moved to the range. If we get to the explosive limits today, I will move to the range today. We wouldn’t exceed a kilogram above the explosive limits because it is measured in kilograms. At 93, we have not yet reached the limits.” The Safety Officer, Lt. Col. Oluseyi Oladapo Bamikole, reassured that adequate safety measures had been put in place to protect personnel involved in the recovery efforts. These measures include demarcations and trained personnel to identify unexploded ordnance before recovery from the site, ensuring the safety of both military personnel and the local community.
NDIC Boss Urges ICAN To Integrate Deposit Insurance System Courses
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Bello Hassan, has called upon the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to incorporate courses on the Deposit Insurance System (DIS) into its educational programs and modules. Mr. Hassan made the call during a courtesy visit by the Governing Council Members of ICAN, led by the President of the Institute, Mr. Innocent Iweka Okwosa, to the Corporation’s Management in Abuja. Director, Communication & Public Affairs Department, Bashir A. Nuhu, in a statement Thursday in Abuja, quoted Mr. Hassan saying that including DIS courses within ICAN’s training programmes would enhance the understanding of DIS not only within the banking sector but also among professional accountants. He described it as critical to bridging the knowledge gap on the mandate and achievements of DIS, its critical role in protecting depositors and its contribution to financial system stability. He added that it would also address misconceptions of the benefits and limitations of the deposit insurance system. Mr. Hassan further stressed the significance of public awareness in maximizing the impact and reach of the deposit insurance system throughout the general public and the financial sector as a whole. He stated that given the novel nature of the scheme in Nigeria and globally, collaboration with ICAN and other stakeholders had become imperative to strengthen the effectiveness of the Corporation’s operations to fully implement its mandate. Mr. Bello Hassan congratulated Mr. Okwosa on his assumption of office as the 59th ICAN President. He encouraged him to ensure that chartered accountants uphold the Institute’s values of accuracy and integrity in all aspects of their work. He also reassured the Institute of the Corporation’s unwavering support and partnership in furthering the practice of accounting in the country. He also extended condolences to the Institute on the recent passing of the first chartered accountant in Nigeria, Mr. Akintola Williams who left a legacy of excellence and professionalism that has paved the way for the growth of the profession in Nigeria. Mr. Hassan commended ICAN’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance for professional misconduct, asserting that this stance would continue to provide confidence to the Corporation and other stakeholders in relying on the work of accountants in fulfilling their mandates. In response, Mr. Innocent Iweka Okwosa praised the NDIC MD for his exemplary leadership and the professionalism he has instilled in the Corporation’s operations. He noted that under Mr. Hassan’s leadership, the Corporation has made substantial contributions to ensuring the safety and stability of the Nation’s financial system, a crucial element for the growth and prosperity of the Nigerian economy. The collaboration between NDIC and ICAN holds the promise of strengthening the knowledge base among accountants and financial professionals while fostering the growth and stability of Nigeria’s financial sector.
Yuguda Tasks Private Sector On Infrastructure Funding
Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Lamido Yuguda has tasked the private sector to rise up to the challenge of sourcing long term financing from the capital market that would fund the provision of infrastructure in the West African Sub region. Yuguda stated this at a pre-event press briefing on the forthcoming West Africa Capital Market Conference scheduled to hold in Lagos October 25-26 with the theme ‘Infrastructural deficit and sustainable financing in an integrated West Africa Capital Market’. According to Yuguda, “Infrastructure deficit refers to a situation where there is insufficient infrastructure relative to the needs of the population. Availability of infrastructure, such as power, telecommunications, roads, rail, schools, hospitals, shopping malls, hotels etc. is crucial to raising the living standards of the people”. He disclosed that in many countries, the responsibility for the provision of infrastructure has been steadily moving away from government to the private sector owing to increasing demand and reduced ability of the government to fund infrastructure alone, adding that the need to tackle the infrastructure deficit in the sub-region as well as embrace principles of sustainable finance to promote economic development are some of the issues to be discussed as the conference. The conference is being jointly organised by the West Africa Securities Regulators Association (WASRA) comprising the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Ghana, and Autorite de Marche’s Financiers or AMF-UMOA, in collaboration with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West Africa Capital Market Integration Council (WACMIC), and the West African Monetary Institute (WAMI) are jointly organizing the 3rd biennial West Africa Capital Market Conference (WACMaC) 2023. The SEC boss said, “This deficit also poses a significant challenge to the region’s sustainable development. To address this gap, there is a growing need to adopt innovative financing mechanisms, and sustainable financing options to mobilize the desired funds to meet the region’s critical infrastructure needs, foster economic growth, and achieve sustainable development goals. “The Conference will bring together a distinguished array of experts, regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders who will share their insights, experiences, and strategies to proffer solutions to the region’s massive infrastructure deficit. The WACMaC 2023 provides a unique platform to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and forge partnerships that will help shape the future of our capital markets. The DG added that this year’s conference is particularly significant, as over 300 stakeholders will converge at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos from October 25-26, 2023 to hold discussions around the general theme with a view to contributing significantly to infrastructural development in Nigeria.
Kayode Ajulo, Falana’s Wife, Funmi, Okoroma 55 Others Get SAN Ranks
Human rights activist and constitutional lawyer, Doctor Olukayode Abraham Ajulo and 57 others were on Thursday, elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee LPPC). The committee headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, after several hours of deliberation confirmed the appointment of the new SAN, which comprised of 57 legal practitioners and one from the academic. A statement by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court / Secretary of the LPPC, Hajo Sarki-Bello, said that the new SANs were appointed as a result of their excellence in the law profession and in the adherence to the Code of Ethics of the profession. The statement said that the LPPC meeting considered four different petitions against some of the applicants and dismissed them for lacking in merit. It further stated that the new senior advocates would on Monday November 27, be inaugurated by the CJN at the Supreme Court complex. Apart from Ajulo, others include, Felix Ota Offia, Lawrence Bankole Falade, Kingsley Obamogie, Folasade Alli, Abiola Isiaq Oyebanji, Bomo Olakunle Agbebi, Daniel Uruakpa, and Oseloka Godwin Osuigwe. Others are Babatunde Adeoye, Babaseyi Joseph, Emmanuel Moses Enoidem, Kehinde Olufemi Aina, Nghozi Oleh, Aaron Chile Okoroma, Ibrahim Angulu and Olayiwola Afolabi among others.
Igbo Group Knocks Peter Obi’s Remarks on Tinubu’s Certificate Case
The Omalegwuoku Progressive Initiative, an Igbo socio-political group, has criticized Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for his recent comments about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The group called on Obi to refrain from making divisive remarks and challenging President Tinubu to reveal his personal details. During a news briefing in Abuja, Ambassador Ginika Tor, the Global President of the group and a Commissioner with the Federal Character Commission (FCC), expressed her disappointment. She argued that the President should focus on leading the country towards progress and development rather than engaging in discussions about his background. Tor stated, “It is an insult to Nigeria as a nation for you to call out our president… to say he is from this state, from this country, from this region, from this locality? Does he owe us that? What the President owes us now is to take us to our destination of choice.” She expressed her disappointment in Peter Obi, whom she had respected and referred to as her brother. Tor urged Obi to avoid divisive statements and consider the potential consequences of his actions on the future of the Igbo people. “We are telling our brother, Obi, to calm down. If God wanted you to be there, He would have made you the President. He did not. There are many distractions around this President. Are you not bothered with the issues around the world?”
98% Children With Diphtheria Not Immunised – Minister
The Coordinating Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has said that 98 per cent of unvaccinated children were infected with diphtheria in 19 states. The Minister, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made the disclosure at the Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee on Primary Health Care Service Delivery (NTLC) Quarterly Review Meeting on Wednesday in Abuja. The meeting was organised by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). The NTLC meeting is a platform for the NPHCDA and its partners to engage traditional leaders on their roles and responsibilities toward improving primary healthcare delivery in their communities. The minister called for the implementation of a rapid vaccination campaign. He said that the 19 states must come together to save the lives of vulnerable children. Pate said that the ministry and other stakeholders had come together to aggressively tackle the diphtheria challenge that had persisted for months. He said that efforts were being made to ensure that the challenge would not linger. “The key focus of these collaborative efforts is to improve local governance and enhance delivery of essential services. “This involves including all relevant stakeholders in the conversation, not just the Federal Government. “Leaders at all levels, including your highnesses and representatives from the private sector, are actively working together to address the pressing diphtheria issue that affects our people,” he said. The minister said that a major milestone was the upcoming launch of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Nigeria later in October. “This vaccine not only aims to prevent cervical cancer in the years to come, but also emphasises the importance of engaging our royal fathers and strengthening the health system to ensure efficient delivery of vaccines. “It acknowledges that different population segments require different approaches with childhood vaccination programmes catering for younger age groups, and COVID-19 vaccinations targeting adults,” he said. He said that technical experts involved in the efforts had reassured the country of the safety and effectiveness of the HPV vaccine. “Their expertise and responses to various questions have instilled confidence in recommending its utilisation to protect our girls and prevent future health complications,” he said. He said that the collaborative approach taken by state governments and other stakeholders set an example not only within the sub-region but also for all in the wider space. “The unity and evidence-based decision-making exhibited by all members involved in this venture highlight the commitment to address health challenges and protect the well-being of all Nigerians. “This united front signifies a significant step forward in addressing the ongoing health challenge and paves the way for a more coordinated and effective response. “With the combined efforts of state governments, other stakeholders and technical experts, there is optimism that this collaborative approach will yield positive outcomes and bring about much-needed solutions to improve public health,” he said. He expressed gratitude to traditional leaders across the country for longstanding support of public health initiatives. Pate praised their unwavering commitment to the well-being of the people and credited them with the successful fight against wild poliovirus in Nigeria. He said that Nigeria’s remarkable progress in polio eradication had far-reaching implications. “The fact that we don’t have children paralysed by wild poliovirus now is thanks to your leadership and the commitment of more than 100,000 traditional leaders,” he said. The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, appealed to Nigerians to live in peace for the unity of the country.