News Agency of Nigeria
Jigawa Govt. commits to safe work environment
Metro

Jigawa Govt. commits to safe work environment

Workers
By Aisha Ahmed
Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has restated commitment to ensure safe and healthy work environment in the state.
He said this during a courtesy visit by the management team of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSIT), in Dutse.
The visit was part of activities to mark the 2025 World Day for Safety and Health.
The theme of the Day for 2025 is: “Revolutionising Health Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.”
It focused on the impact of digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on workers’ health and safety.
Represented by Muhammad Dagaceri, the state Head of Service, Namadi said that ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the citizens was critical to his administration’s 12-point agenda.
He said the state would partner the fund to bolster safety measures in work places.
Mr Fateh Abdulkadir, the Jigawa Branch Manager of the fund, said the day was established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), to promote awareness on the prevention of workplace accidents and diseases on a global scale.
He, therefore, sought for collaboration between the state and the fund, to enhance safety initiatives in the state.

Highlight of the event included a practical demonstration on effective fire incident management by the Federal Fire Service unit in the state.

The demonstration showcased best practices on operating fire extinguishers and blankets, aimed at equipping participants with skills to ensure safety in work places. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) 
Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali
ILO urges governments, employers, to use AI, digital technology for safer, healthier workplaces
Metro

ILO urges governments, employers, to use AI, digital technology for safer, healthier workplaces

By Joan Nwagwu

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called on governments, employers to harness technology including Artificial Intelligence, to create safer, healthier workplaces for workers across the globe.

Mr Gilbert Houngbo, the Director-General of ILO, said this in a message to mark the 2025 World Day for Safety and Health at Work, in Abuja.

Houngbo said this was imperative while ensuring that the innovation would protect workers’ rights and well-being.

“Every worker, everywhere, has the right to a safe and healthy working environment. This is a fundamental right.

“And yet millions of workers around the world continue to die or injured themselves or fall sick because of work.

“Many lose their lives trying to earn a living. We must change this.

“The use of technology for good can help us to make important strides. Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies can help transform the workplace into a safer and healthier space,” he said.

He said that robotics, automation could operate in hazardous environments and take on the dangerous tasks such as the operation of extreme temperatures, handling toxic materials, or navigating disaster zones.

He added that they could also ease physical strain, supporting caregivers in hospitals, assisting with heavy lifting in construction, and reducing repetitive work in factories.

He said that smart sensors and digital monitoring could detect risks before accidents happen by checking air quality tracking, fatigue or alerting to unsafe movement and behaviours.

“But innovation can also carry significant risks. The rise of worker surveillance and algorithm management can threaten workers’ rights, dignity, and well-being.

“New technologies can also introduce new risks that are not yet fully understood.

“We have a responsibility to understand safety and health risks that come with technological innovation. We have a responsibility to ensure that technology is used for good.

“That is why the digital transition must be human-centred. It must make workplace safer and healthier and more sustainable and inclusive.

“On this World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I call on governments, employers, workers and innovators to build a future of work that is not only smarter, but also safer and healthier,” he said.

Also, Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director to Nigeria told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Federal Government had taken bold step to ratify all the conventions that were related to occupational safety and health.

“We have also been collaborating with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to support the development of legislation, frameworks that will ensure that we are moving forward.

“We will ensure that we are translating the conventions into national policies and national frameworks,” she said.

Phala added that it was the responsibility of the employers and everyone to make sure that they provided the safety that all workers required to be productive and to be able to conduct their work safely. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

FG pledges support to Kwara in local production of medicines, vaccines
Health

FG pledges support to Kwara in local production of medicines, vaccines

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Federal Government says it will support the Kwara Government’s drive in local production of medicines and vaccines to address gaps in the healthcare sector.

The National Coordinator, Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Dr Abdu Mukhtar, stated this while speaking at the opening of the National and Regional Harmonisation Conferences 2025, in Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PVAC, launched as a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda in October 2023, is under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The conference had as its theme: “Contextualising the Presidential Initiative to Achieve Local Production of Medicines and Vaccines in Nigeria”.

Mukhtar, who was represented by Dr Olajide Adebola, National Conference Facilitator, emphasised that the FG was passionate about the access to essential medicines and vaccines.

He said that the government would support the Kwara Government in its efforts to localise the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

According to him, Kwara is strategically positioned in the North Central, while noting that the expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies will ensure expansion of Clinical Trial Centres.

Mukhtar said that such industry would create over 500,000 jobs.

He advised the Kwara Government to resuscitate its once vibrant cassava production industry in order for it to be utilised as agent in pharmaceutical drugs colouring.

In her welcome address, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, stated that Kwara has immense opportunities to become a hub for pharmaceutical industries.

She added that the state has a vibrant academic community, and a resilient healthcare workforce.

“There is a growing interest from private sector stakeholders eager to invest in local pharmaceutical production,” she said.

El-Imam, however, observed that the journey towards self-sufficiency in production of medicines and vaccines required concerted effort, and aligning national visions with regional realities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

NITDA inaugurates startup consultative forum, assures implementation of NSA
Science & Tech

NITDA inaugurates startup consultative forum, assures implementation of NSA

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated the Startup Consultative Forum (SCF), reaffirming its commitment to the inclusive implementation of the Nigerian Startup Act (NSA) enacted in 2022.

The SCF is designed to shape the future of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem by bringing together labelled startups, verified Entrepreneurship Support Organisations, angel investors, and venture capitalists.

Participants are expected to engage in strategic dialogue and drive innovation within the sector, in line with the provisions of the NSA.

NITDA’s Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, said the establishment of the forum signified the government’s dedication to placing innovation at the centre of national development.

Inuwa was represented by Mr Emmanuel Edet, Acting Director of the Regulation and Compliance Department.

He said, “The NSA of 2022 was never meant to be just another law on paper. It represents a new social compact, where startups are not merely participants but core architects of our economic future.

“This forum will ensure that policy does not merely catch up with innovation but evolves alongside it, progressively enhancing the digital economic future of our country.”

Inuwa noted that over the past eight months, NITDA had carried out a series of awareness campaigns across the country to lay the groundwork for the forum.

He stressed that NITDA was committed to a model of governance built on dialogue, data, and inclusion, rather than mere consultations after decisions had been made.

According to him, the digital economy has evolved from a supporting role to a strategic driver of job creation, global competitiveness, and youth empowerment.

“The forum will play a critical role in identifying regulatory roadblocks, shaping better investment pathways, mapping infrastructure gaps, and pinpointing real opportunities for partnerships across sectors.

“It will also serve as a radar to detect changes within the ecosystem and a compass to guide us through complexities with clarity and honesty,” he added.

Inuwa reiterated NITDA’s readiness to engage, listen, and respond with real-time outcomes to foster the growth of Nigeria’s startup ecosystem.

Mr Oladejo Olawunmi, Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions Department, who represented the D-G, said the forum would serve as a vital platform for collaboration, information exchange, policy dialogue, and strategic action among stakeholders.

“We remain committed to creating an environment where innovation can flourish,” Olawunmi said.

He urged participants to embrace their responsibility to translate ideas into tangible policies and impactful outcomes.

Ms Victoria Fabunmi, National Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), a NITDA subsidiary, highlighted the critical role startups play as drivers of employment, innovation, and solutions in any economy.

She pointed out that the SCF’s pillars of collaboration included funding and investment, policy regulation, innovation, and support for global competitiveness.

“The forum serves as a platform where these pillars can be strengthened, ensuring that the ecosystem functions cohesively.

“It is set up to solve challenges within the ecosystem by leveraging the NSA, with a feedback mechanism to ensure that discussions lead to implementation,” Fabunmi explained.

She pledged ONDI’s full support to SCF members and encouraged them to partner with the government in building a strong and resilient technology ecosystem.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NITDA serves as the secretariat for the implementation of the NSA, with the establishment of the SCF mandated under Section 12 of the Act.

The SCF provides a platform for sharing information about startups eligible for labelling, updates on available incentives, highlighting local capabilities, and nominating representatives to the National Startup Council, among other objectives.

Forum membership comprises labelled startups, venture capitalists, angel investors, incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, and two civil society organisations focused on advancing technology and innovation.

The Nigerian Startup Act, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on Oct. 19, 2022, aims to create a legal framework for startups in Nigeria.

It establishes the National Startup Council, fosters an enabling environment for tech-enabled businesses, and introduces mechanisms for the labelling and certification of eligible startups.

Certified startups are granted access to incentives, seed funding, regulatory support, and other benefits under the Act. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

Army to enhance capacity of troops to neutralise extant threats – COAS
Defence/Security

Army to enhance capacity of troops to neutralise extant threats – COAS

By Olaide Ayinde

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Olufemi Oluyede says the priorities of the Nigerian Army are to enhance the capacity of troops so as to neutralise extant threats to national security.

He stated this in Bauchi at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Combat Arms Training Week, co-hosted by the Nigerian Army Infantry and Armoured Corps.

Oluyede said the Nigerian Army would also continue to improve strategic communications, bridge gaps in the force’s assessment, sustain innovative leadership and harness the support of the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies.

“As we project into the future with optimism, our key priorities will be to enhance the capacity of our troops.

“This would be done by infusing the necessary capabilities into our training schedules to better prepare troops to adapt to fluid situations and place us in a more favourable position to neutralise extant threats to our national security.

“However, this can only be achieved by ensuring that troops are provided with timely logistics and adequate welfare.

“We’ll not relegate the importance of the support from stakeholders in the various geopolitical zones, or the importance of ministries, departments and agencies at the Federal and State levels of government,” he said.

The COAS reiterated that the Nigerian Army would continue to effectively mitigate the security challenges that tried to threaten the resolve or the peace and unity of Nigeria.

He affirmed that the force would continue to adopt new methods in line with international best practices to enhance and sustain its capabilities as its projects into the future while discharging its constitutional roles.

Oluyede explained that the training week was more than just a theoretical or doctrinal exercise but a forum to enhance the operational effectiveness of troops across all theatres, especially those in the North East and North West Zones.

“The lessons learned in the field and inter-corps collaborations which this training week provides will directly translate into more coordinated, and impactful outcomes in the field,” he said.

Also speaking, the Commander, Armoured Corps, Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, said that the theme of the training is Strengthening Combat Arms Cooperation in a Joint Environment: ‘A Prerequisite for Success in Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations’.

According to him, the week-long event served as a forum for discussing pertinent issues affecting combat arms operations and other issues affecting the Nigerian Army at large.

On his part, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, said the current security challenges facing the country ranging from terrorism, banditry, insurgency to communal unrest, needed a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches as well as multi-dimensional strategies.

Represented by his deputy, Mohammed acknowledged that the Nigerian Army, in response to tackling the security challenges, had deployed troops across nearly every state of the federation in aid of civil authorities.

Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the 211 DB Barracks, Comprehensive Service Centre as well as the inspection of refurbished tank transporters and tree planting exercise. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama

Ex-ANPP members laud Tinubu for putting Nigeria on path of prosperity
Politics

Ex-ANPP members laud Tinubu for putting Nigeria on path of prosperity

By Ikenna Osuoha

The Association of Former ANPP Members (AFAM) has commended President Bola Tinubu for putting Nigeria on the path of prosperity.

National Coordinator of the group, Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe, gave the commendation at a news conference in Abuja.

Ajumbe said that the defection of some political gladiators to APC was a testament to Tinubu’s excellence in service.

He urged members of the group to rally support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 for him to consolidate on his achievements.

“Tinubu is doing well, by my own assessment. The movement of some politicians into APC shows that he is working,” he said.

Ajumbe dismissed insinuations that Nigeria was drifting to one party state owing to the recent mass defections to the ruling party.

He, however, described the movement of politicians to APC and the inter-party endorsement of the president as the beauty of democracy.

The national coordinator, however, urged Tinubu to consider former ANPP members in allotment of political positions, especially the presidential slot after 2031.

Ajumbe, who described APC as a conglomeration of the defunct ANPP, CPC and ACN, said that CPC had produced Muhammadu Buhari as president while Tinubu is from ACN.

According to him, it is the turn of ANPP to produce the president by 2031. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

National Gallery embarks on major reforms of art collection
Culture & Tourism

National Gallery embarks on major reforms of art collection

By Joan Odafe

The National Gallery of Art (NGA) has embarked on strategic reforms, including the restoration, archiving, cataloguing and digitisation of the National Art Collection.

The Director-General of NGA, Mr Ahmed Sodangi, at a news conference in Lagos, said it was aimed at enhancing access to and preserve Nigeria’s artistic heritage.

Sodangi said the reforms, which were based on four focus pillars, included reviewing its enabling Act, and implementing internal reforms, such as rebranding the National Gallery.

Others are: driving the National Art Renaissance Programme to catalogue and digitally achieve artworks valued at billions of Naira.

The director-general noted that as custodians of the National Collection, members of staff of NGA would require continuous training to be abreast of global best practices.

“The Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy is more or less a new ministry but the creative industry and creative economy has been blossoming.

“It has had so much success, with very little interaction with the government.

“So as government, we have to look at ourselves and see how we can come up and not take control.

“But see how we can partner with the private sector, and the creatives that have built this undeniable industry to where it is today,” he said.

Sodangi noted that the National Collection was in storage in different states across Nigeria due to the lack of a national gallery.

“These artworks are meant to be displayed and are meant to be seen by the general public.

“To give spotlight to the National Collection, we’ve looked at the number of artworks we have, and the works that need serious and urgent attention, and what to do.

“And the only way we do that is to catalogue, have a digital database of the National Collection; that will be a starting point of what we hope to achieve,” he said.

He said the process of the ongoing National Art Renaissance would ensure cataloging, restoration, and valuation of the National Collection.

According to Sodangi, through collaborations with the Goethe-Institut Nigeria and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), the artworks are currently being assessed, digitally documented, and conservation work carried out on them.

The Director, Goethe-Institut Nigeria, Dr Nadine Siegert, said there were hundreds of masterpieces in the collection the world needed to see.

Siegert expressed happiness in the smoothness of the collaboration and the progress the project was making.

“I think we have already inventoried about 900 or so works.

“We have photographed about, I think, 400 works,” she said.

Siegert disclosed that two artworks, would be professionally restored, and ready to be showcased both locally and globally in July.

Also, the Associate Conservator of MOWAA, Yetunde Odediran, said the museum’s main focus was to ensure that the artworks were stabilised and brought to a level where they are able to be exhibited and displayed.

Odediran also said MOWAA would carry out trainings to ensure that the staff of the gallery had the skills of handling artworks without damage, particularly when moving them from one point to another.

“So, we share that knowledge, making sure that they have the right tools, the appropriate procedures, so that they’re able to carry out the project successfully,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Fathers’ team reduces polio vaccine resistance in Garko Ward
Health

Fathers’ team reduces polio vaccine resistance in Garko Ward

By Hajara Leman

The Fathers’ Rapid Response Team has played a key role in reducing polio vaccine resistance in Garko Ward of Akko Local Government Area (LGA), Gombe, lowering resistance from 70 to just 15 households, an official has confirmed.

Malam Mohammed Lawan, the Primary Healthcare Coordinator of Akko LGA, gave the update to newsmen at the headquarters in Kumo.

He explained that the Fathers’ Rapid Response Team was made up of respected community leaders and male influencers, tasked with engaging directly with resistant families to address their concerns.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gombe State Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), inaugurated the Polio Vaccination Campaign in the state on Thursday, April 24.

Lawan emphasised the critical role the Fathers’ Rapid Response Team had played in rebuilding community trust.

“We realised that resistance was rooted in feelings of neglect, especially regarding the lack of access to state government palliatives and long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets.

“By sending fathers to speak to other fathers, we were able to hear their grievances, correct misinformation, and encourage them to prioritise their children’s health,” he said.

Lawan described the reduction in resistance from 70 to 15 households as a significant achievement but noted that the goal was to reach zero resistance.

“Every child deserves protection,” he added, reaffirming their commitment to fully immunise all eligible children in Garko Ward.

Malam Umar Ahmed, Secretary of Akko Emirate Council and a member of the Fathers’ Response Team, lauded their culturally sensitive approach, which he said had significantly improved the vaccination rate in the area.

Malam Shuaibu Ahmed, a father of four, commended the government and international organisations like UNICEF for providing the polio vaccine free of charge.

He expressed confidence in the vaccine’s safety, highlighting that none of his children had experienced any issues following vaccination.

Ahmed encouraged other parents to vaccinate their children, stressing the importance of supporting vaccination campaigns for the well-being and future health of the community. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Media, tourism vital for ECOWAS unity, regional integration – Experts
Culture & Tourism

Media, tourism vital for ECOWAS unity, regional integration – Experts

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Experts have identified culture, media, sports, tourism, the entertainment and creative industries as vital tools to foster unity and drive regional integration of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

They said this during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) ECOWAS@50 regional integration event in Lagos.

An author, Mrs Aduke Gomez, emphasised the need for the Nigerian government to take the lead in driving economic integration through the media and creative industry.

She advocated investment opportunities tailored to support creativity as a business.

Gomez noted that it was important to see the entertainment and creative industry as a business and a soft power tool to be harnessed to drive regional integration.

“It is important to see the industry as a business that can be invested into with great returns.

“Also, women have been good economic drivers and the overlooking of women’s contribution to the economy must be stopped as we expend all efforts to drive intra-African trade,” she said.

A leadership development consultant, Ms Isioma Utomi, stressed the need to prepare the next generation – the youth, for the new levels of business in entertainment and tourism.

She stressed the need for speaking of other languages within the region to drive integration and enhance cooperation.

Utomi stated that technology must be leveraged to support conversations by ECOWAS member states.

She also advocated active efforts to support women businesses.

“Workplaces must be designed to help women progress and be seen at the top of the ladder as well to actively support transition for women.

“ECOWAS as a regional organisation must have more women in their leadership positions,” she said.

The Chairperson, Creative and Entertainment Group, LCCI, Dr Ngozi Omambala, stressed the need to start to attach financial numbers to the creative and entertainment industry.

Omambala noted that in 2024, Lagos generated $71.6 million in revenue from the “Detty December” festivities, primarily driven by tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors.

This development, she said, showed that the potential of the creative industry was huge.

“If we continue to showcase what we do to drive the economy, investments would certainly come through.

“Also, more women are coming up with different energies and concepts hence the role of women within the sector must be harnessed to support regional integration.

“It is important for ECOWAS to wake up and adapt with these changes.

“The only way we can speak to the youth is to speak the language they understand such as sports which can be a uniting factor in ECOWAS integration,” she said.

The President, LCCI, Mr Gabriel Idahosa, said the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presented opportunities that ECOWAS member states could not afford to miss.

Idahosa said by aligning with the AfCFTA, ECOWAS could unlock the potential of the African market, creating a seamless trading environment that benefits businesses across the region.

He stated that the journey towards a peaceful, secure, and prosperous ECOWAS sub-region was well underway in spite of the challenges.

He noted that in spite of the challenges, the opportunities were vast.

“Together, through continued cooperation, strategic investment, and shared commitment to peace and security, we can create a brighter future for all citizens of the ECOWAS region,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

CJN tasks judiciary on enforcement of power safety regulations
Judiciary

CJN tasks judiciary on enforcement of power safety regulations

By Constance Athekame

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has called on the judiciary to adopt a proactive stance in enforcing safety regulations within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Kekere-Ekun made the call while declaring open the 2025 National Seminar on Regulations in the Power Sector for Judicial Officers, in Abuja.

The workshop, which was organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), had the theme: “Navigating the Dynamics of Nigeria’s Evolving Electricity Sector”.

According to her, NERC’s latest reports on the power sector, revealed an alarming rate of 112 electricity-related deaths and 95 injuries in 2024 alone.

The CJN said that operators who failed to comply with safety regulations must be held accountable, while victims and their families must be accorded the justice they deserved.

“The safety of our citizens must never be treated as incidental. It is a legal and moral imperative.

“We are called upon to interpret legislation, oppose statutory and constitutional mandates, and ensure that justice is administered equitably in a rapidly changing sector.

“The role remains undiminished. Indeed, it grows more urgent as judicial interpretations increasingly serve as precedents that influence investor confidence, promote regulatory consistency, and protect consumer rights,” she said.

The CJN also emphasised the crucial role of the judiciary in ensuring that regulatory bodies such as the NERC operated within the bounds of the law.

According to her, NERC’s statutory responsibility includes the issuance of subsidiary legislation, the setting of rates, and adjudication of industry-related disputes.

“While these powers are necessary for efficient regulation, they must be exercised in a manner that is procedurally fair, transparent, and subject to judicial oversight.

“Accordingly, the courts must remain vigilant in their review of delegated legislation to guard against arbitrariness, protect the doctrine of legitimate expectation, and uphold public participation as a tenet of regulatory governance.

“In so doing, we give life to the rule of law and promote a legal environment conducive to sustainable development,” she said.

At the event, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said that the electricity sector remained a cornerstone of the nation’s socio-economic development, touching every facet of life.

According to Fagbemi, the electricity sector also provides the energy needed for industrialisation, innovation, and improved living standards.

“This is underscored by Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

“The electricity sector in Nigeria is undergoing significant evolution, marked by dynamic reforms, regulatory complexities, and a push for greater efficiency.

“However, as we strive to transform this sector, we face complex legal and regulatory challenges that demand deep understanding and collaboration.

“These changes demand not only legislative attention but also proactive judicial engagement to ensure fairness and accountability in navigating this transformation,” he said.

According to him, the Electricity Act, 2023 represents a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s power sector, introducing a dual regulatory framework that seeks to harmonise Federal and state governance in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

“The Federal Ministry of Justice is available to partner with you in enhancing the performance of your regulatory roles and expanding the frontiers of legal framework for the electricity industry.

“This seminar provides an invaluable platform for their lordships to deepen their understanding of the complexities of the electricity sector and the dual legal frameworks that govern it,” he said.

The Chairman of NERC, Mr Sanusi Garba, said that the power sector was critical as no nation had developed without sufficient electricity, hence the importance of the judiciary.

He was represented by the Vice Chairman, NERC, Mr Musiliu Oseni.

Garba said that the interaction was not to alter the cause of justice but to have an interaction and engagement with them in order to have some understanding of the technical nature of the sector.

He also said that the engagement was for the judicial officers to be able to make an informed decision and judgment in dealing with any case that might come before them.

“The past experience has shown that the judiciary can make or mar sector with respect to some previous judicial pronouncements, be it issuance of ex parte order or complete pronouncement of judicial decision.

“We have experienced a lot of issues that have shaped the development of this sector.

“An example of which is the critical case of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria case in 2015, which up to today we are still suffering the impact of the judicial pronouncement that was made as far back as a decade ago.

“A similar case is also a case of Toluwai, which was instituted in Lagos, which was in 2016 and the pronouncement was made by the court, which was based on an ex parte motion.

“And it took the Court of Appeal in 2019 to forfeit the judicial pronouncement that was made by the lower court.

“During that period, the commission was rendered ineffective. We all know that whether we like it or not, investments follow the path to recovery,” he said.

According to him, if investors are not confident of the judicial interpretation of the law, or probably they are afraid of what may become of their investments

“There is no way they will be willing to make investments that will be proper or enough for us to have sufficient progress that we all desire with respect to the improvement in performance of electricity in Nigeria.

“It is on this basis that we feel that it is important for us to continuously engage with the judiciary to ensure that sufficient understanding is made so that we all work together.

“For the success of this industry and for the success of Nigeria at large,” he said.

The chairman, however, appealed to the judicial officers that whatever discussion that would take place in the next three days should be done with an open mind.

“Nobody is there to sway your decision or your judicial interpretation of any law.

“It is just to interact with you, so that you can have sufficient understanding of the technical nature of this industry,” he said.

Earlier, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Salisu Garba, said the sector was experiencing rapid change, innovation, and increasing complexity.

Garba said that the seminar would provide a vital platform for constructive dialogue, shared insights, and chart a course towards a more sustainable and prosperous energy future.

“We are confident that this seminar will not only enhance your Lordships’ knowledge base but also foster a spirit of collaboration that will contribute to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s electricity sector,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

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