NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
“Power Up”: Stakeholders call for environmental justice in Ogoniland
Environment

“Power Up”: Stakeholders call for environmental justice in Ogoniland

201 total views today

By Abigael Joshua

Stakeholders in Abuja on Friday called on the Federal Government to fast track environmental justice in Ogoniland to alleviate the plight of the people of the area.

Mr Michael David the Executive Secretary of Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP) made the call at a photo exhibition on Ogoniland, a programme tagged: “Power Up for Climate Solutions.”

David who is also a co-convener of the “Power Up” project decried the environmental degradation as a result of oil spills and extraction in the Niger Delta.

“We need to call on the attention of world leaders on the most polluted places of the world, the people of Ogoni are Nigerians and their children will inherit a land that is highly polluted and this calls for alarm.

“There is urgent need for serious action. Despite the intervention by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) the issues of pollution in Ogoniland is still there.

“And so we are saying  that as we head to COP28, we need to begin the phase out of fossil fuels, it is not doing us any good. We know the country depends so much on fossil fuels for our revenue,” the co-convener said.

He said the the dependence on fossil fuels is to the detriment of Nigeria’s environment and urged the Federal Government to look for clean alternatives.

“International standards must be maintained in the exploration of crude oil in Nigeria so that this environmental degradation and constant oil spills
and all the issues surrounding fossil fuels in Nigeria must be taken care of.

“Power up Day of Action is a day set aside to look into issues of climate change as we head to COP28 in Dubai, UAE,” David said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme “Power Up” which is a global event slated for Nov. 3 to Nov. 5 with the theme “Power up Ogoni” showcased various categories of oil spills in the Niger Delta in a photo exhibition.

Earlier, Mrs Stella Amanie, Executive Director, Society for Women and Youth Affairs Ogoni decried the level of environmental injustice in Ogoni and called on the government for immediate intervention.

“We demand for an immediate and comprehensive health audit of the entire people of Ogoni as well as the speedy clean up and the restoration of the Ogoni environment.

“Over decades, crude oil and gas extracted from our region accounts for an overwhelming per centage of Nigeria’s revenues,” Amanie said.

Akintunde Akinmolayan, Project Coordinator, Global Power Day of Action Nigeria said that the 2023 Global Power Day of Action focused on Ogoniland where there has been decades of environmental degradation due to oil exploration with low response to tackle it.

“All over the world fossil fuels has only been of benefit to the few. Ogoniland is one of the worst oil polluted regions in the world and the constant pollution are on the rise as the years goes by,” Akinmolayan said.

Terrence Jeiyor, Co-project Coordinator Global Power Day of Action said that climate challenges are ravaging the world.

“There is the need for our government to put an end to the use of fossil fuels and redirect people to using solar energy to power millions of homes all over the world,” Jeiyor said.

Tokoni Ngeribika, an indigene of Okrika Local Government Area which is a neighboring town to Ogoniland frowned at the activities of oil exploration in the area.

“Okirika community is the community which is the host for the oil companies where the products are being off loaded.

“Our greatest occupation in the area is fishing but has now been distorted by oil pollution,” Ngeribika lamented. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh/Razak Owolabi

Climate Change: NGO tasks African leaders on effective renewable energy transition 
Environment , Solutions Journalism

Climate Change: NGO tasks African leaders on effective renewable energy transition 

394 total views today
By Muhyideen Jimoh
 

An international environmental organisation, 350.Org,  has called on African leaders to show more commitment to phasing out fossil fuels, while channeling resources to the development of the renewable energy sector.

Ms Rukiya Khamis, Regional Organizer, 350Africa.org, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), ahead of the launch of the “Power Up” for climate solutions initiative.

“We are calling on (African) governments and financial institutions to power up the continent safely by channeling finances to people-centered renewable energy, committing to phasing out fossil fuels, and for the fossil fuel industry to pay up for its role in the climate crisis.’’

Khamis said the heavy reliance on fossil fuels to generate energy had contributed to a lot of environmental and social problems, especially in Africa.

She stressed the need for Africa to look inward and fast-track the development of its vast renewable energy potentials, especially wind and solar.

“As we experience escalating climate impacts, to which the African continent is the most vulnerable, we are hopeful that a livable future is possible.

“Africa has an abundance of renewable energy potential that presents a unique opportunity for the continent to drive the global renewable energy revolution and foster an equitable transition away from fossil fuels,’’ she said.

The environmental activist said that as part of efforts to demand a clean, peaceful and equitable future for Africans, the NGO was leading a global month-long campaign ‘Power Up’ initiative.

She said the campaign was meant to put pressure on governments to change the narrative.

“Starting from Nov. 3, we will be calling on governments to get their act together and reclaim the excessive profits of the fossil fuels industry.

“Whether it is through taxes, ending subsidies, or stopping investments in new fossil fuel projects, they need to use this money to supercharge a global renewable energy revolution—one that is fair and shares resources equally.’’

According to her, the NGO is working closely with local groups and communities to raise awareness on the need for community-centered renewable projects, so as to evolve a clean/sustainable environment.

“The rapid heating of our planet is no accident; it is a crime perpetrated by a greedy few (Oil companies).

“For years, they have blocked climate action; all to protect their absurd wealth.

“It is time to break free from the chains of coal, oil, and gas and make the polluters pay for the urgent transformation we desperately need.

“We are taking to the streets not just in anger but with a burning hope in our hearts. We know there’s a better future, and we are determined to build it.

“People all over the world are already leading the charge towards a clean, just, and renewable world.

“Wind and solar power are smashing records year after year and getting cheaper by the day; we have got the tools and technology to make this transition a reality; what is missing is the  political will,” she said.

In Nigeria, the NGO has slated series of ‘Power Up’ activities to take place in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ogoni land in the Niger Delta to raise awareness on oil spills, environmental degradation and need for shift to renewable energy.

350. Org is a leading civil society organisation with sustained advocacy to end fossil fuels exploration in Africa and have a just shift to renewable energy.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

NGO tasks FG on routine maintenance of public infrastructure
General News

NGO tasks FG on routine maintenance of public infrastructure

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By Muhyideen Jimoh
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Maintenance  and Protection of Infrastructure Initiative (MPII) has called on the Federal Government to ensure routine maintenance and protection of public infrastructure across the country.
MPII Executive Director, Mr Olusegun Aremu,  made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  in Abuja.
Aremu said that if government gives priority to the maintenance of public infrastructure, the nation can derive maximum value from it.
“Protecting our public property and infrastructure is a task that must be taken  seriously if we must enter the league of truly developing or developed countries.
“Our orientation must change, we need marathon attitudinal change in this country to make the desired impact,” he said.
Aremu, who is also MPII President called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) at  state and Local Government levels to step up campaigns on the need for Nigerians to protect public infrastructure.
“It is the duty of all of us to report to the appropriate quarters destructions of any of our public properties and where such property are being defaced or going bad.
“It s our responsibility as patriotic Nigerians to report to the appropriate authorities,” he said.
The MPII boss commended the federal government and relevant agencies for the proactive repairs on the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
He emphasised the need to fast track the repairs, while scaling up repairs and maintenance of all other strategic roads and infrastructure in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
Climate Change Act and future of Nigeria’s environment
Features

Climate Change Act and future of Nigeria’s environment

313 total views today

By Uche Anunne, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

This is as the global community has come to terms with the reality of the impact of the climate change on humanity and the environment.

Thus climate change is one of the dominant topics globally among world leaders, environment scholars and activists.

The Antarctica, at the rate of 150 billion tons per annum is melting at a rate never seen in human history. Wild fires are rampant in parts of U.S while the erosions have worsened in the southern Nigeria.

In the northern region desertification moving like a whirlwind, the heat wave in Europe and parts of Asia to flooding in India now seem normal.

Lake Chad, said to be the size of El Salvador, Israel, or Massachusetts has shrunk from 25,000km2 to 2,500km2.

Grasslands are disappearing. These and many more leave no one in doubt that the climate is fighting back after millions of years of abuse by humans.

Through industrialisation, reckless use of eco-unfriendly energies, felling of trees and bush burning, mankind actions have continued to threaten the environment.

As global populations grow and demands for energy increases, the pressure on environment escalates.

Almost on the brink of global environment disaster, world leaders have decided to push back against actions responsible for climate change.

In some cases these efforts are preventive measures such as sensitisation campaigns, while in others, they are restorative as seen in the reforestation of deforested parts of the world.

World leaders have also entered into agreements, protocols and conventions to demonstrate how serious they are to save the planet earth.

Some of them include 1997 The Kyoto Protocol which seeks to reduce carbondioxide emissions and the presence of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

It is predicated on the fact that industrialised nations needed to lessen the amount of their CO2 emissions.

In 2015 The Paris Climate Agreement replaced the Kyoto Protocol and includes commitments from all major Green House Gases (GHG)-emitting countries, to reduce their climate-altering pollution.

Others are Bonn Convention, the Vienna Convention, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Until recently, Nigeria has not done enough to domesticate these conventions as several attempts to pass the necessary bills in the National Assembly did not yield dividends.

Even when one of the bills was successfully passed by the lawmakers, the then President, Goodluck Jonathan did not apend the presidential assent.

However, in the 8th National Assembly, Rep. Sam Onuigbo, then the Chairman of House Committee on Climate Change in the House of Representatives reintroduced the bill.

Through his resilience, networking and lobbying, the bill was eventually passed by the 9th National Assembly. On Nov. 18 2021 President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Climate Change Bill into Climate Change Act (2021).

Nigeria’s Climate Change Bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Sam Onuigbo, chairman of the Climate Change Committee of the House of Representatives and chair of the Climate Parliament group in Nigeria, was signed into law by President Buhari on Nov. 18 2021.

“It was important that we take action to tackle the impact of climate change in our society. The global community is moving in that direction and Nigeria cannot afford otherwise.

“Growing up in the village I used to know six springs and as I am talking to you now five of them have dried up.

“This is an existential problem that if not challenged now will create more complex problems in the future’’, said Onuigbo on what inspired him to take up the Climate Change Bill challenge.

While expressing hopes that the inter-ministerial nature of the National Climate Change Council will deliver on the mandate given its inter-ministerial nature, Onuigbo called for urgent shift from fossil to renewable energy.

“This battle started in the 6th Assembly till the 8th Assembly when I came into the picture. Fortunately after much intrigues we got the job done and President Muhammadu Buhari finally signed into law.

“I am positive that the Council, given its composition and leadership will deliver on this important national assignment’’, he Onuigbo told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Act’s primary aim is to develop and implement mechanisms that will foster low carbon emission and develop a sustainable environment in the country.

The Act, which is now referred to in many quarters as ‘Sam Onuigbo Climate Change Act’ establishes the National Council on Climate Change.

The Council is under the chairmanship of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is vested with the powers to develop policies and make decisions on all matters concerning climate change in Nigeria.

It outlines the climate change obligations of the MDAs, public entities, and private entities such as adherence to adhere to the annual carbon emission reduction targets, in accordance with the Action Plan and carbon budgets.

The ‘Sam Onuigbo’ Climate Change Act further stipulates that MDAs, among other things, must establish a climate change desk for ensuring integration of climate change activities into their core mandate.

The Act also stipulates that any individual, private or public entity whose actions negatively affects efforts towards mitigation and the adaptation measures commits an offence and is liable to a penalty as will be determined by the Council.

The climate change efforts resonate with other activists and environment experts.

A scholar and environment activist, Prof. Ubom Bassey says effective implementation of the Act is key to the future of Nigeria’s environmental resources.

Bassey is of the department of Science and Environmental Education, University of Abuja.

He commended the tenacity of Onuigbo in pushing through the Bill and called on the Council to ensure its smooth implementation.

Similarly, delivering the 14th Inaugural Lecture of Osun State University, the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Research, Innovation and Partnerships, Prof. Anthony Kola-Olusanya, said it was time for collective efforts to address climate change.

“Our unsustainable economic production practices and development activities continue to cause global anxiety, particularly regarding how far the planet can absorb its continued abuse.

“Sustainable development is a societal challenge, not simply an environmental one – improvements in education and healthcare are, therefore, required to achieve higher income and better environmental decisions”, he said. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria.

UTA moves to strengthen Nigeria, Libya cooperation
Foreign , Health

UTA moves to strengthen Nigeria, Libya cooperation

293 total views today

By Franca Ofili

The United Towns Agency ( UTA), an international humanitarian organisation affiliated to United Nations has taken a decisive step toward strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals between Nigeria and Libya.

 

 

Ms Eya Essif, Secretary General of UTA said this in Abuja during a media briefing.

 

She said that UTA has taken a decisive step to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals between the two countries.

 

Essif, also the UN Consultant in Economic and Social Council said the organisation would ensure that every human being has the right to all the basic necessities of life.

 

She said that the organisation was encouraging the support of the less endowed nations by the more endowed nations and encourage peaceful relations amongst communities.

 

“UTA is a United Nations accredited NGO established in 1982 with its presence in more than 110 counties.

 

“The NGO is unique because it enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC),” Essif said.

 

According to her, she was in the country to advance party in respect of the visit of ministerial team from Libya due to arrive Nigeria second week of November.

 

She said the UTA headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and its country office in Nigeria were leading the Libyan Minister of African Affairs, Ambassador Issa Majid-Mansour and his ministerial delegation on an economic-diplomatic visit to strengthen existing bilateral trade relations between the two countries.

 

Speaking, Alhaji Usman Nga-Kupi, the Sapeyi of Garki commended the organisation for chosing Nigeria.

 

Nga-Kupi said that the traditional rulers would collaborate with the NGO to ensure that the objectives of the organisation would be achieved.

 

” We will collaborate with other African countries to achieve whatever objectives is tabled,” he said.

 

Nga-Kupi advised them to create more awareness on the objectives of the organisation in order to carry the citizens along.

 

Also, Dr Abubakar Jimoh, a member of Board of Trustees said that the organisation in the country was a holistic moment for Nigeria.

 

Jimoh said that for the past one year, the country has been working on the issue of UTA.

 

According to him, so much has been done with the traditional ruler to ensure the objectives of the organisation will be achieved.

 

He appealed to the organisation to help address the issue of illegal emigration.

 

Jimoh said, “Nigeria is affected with the issue of illegal emigration and many of them died on they way.

 

“This should be addressed as such act has affected the country.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

DTAC to strengthen soft-power diplomacy in promoting Nigeria’s interest – DG
Foreign

DTAC to strengthen soft-power diplomacy in promoting Nigeria’s interest – DG

142 total views today

By Maureen Okon

Dr Yusuf Yakub, the new Director-General, Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC), says he will focus on strengthening soft-power diplomacy in promoting Nigeria’s interest.

Yakubu said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Nkem Anyata-Lafia, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Yakub said he would work with NiDCOM to strengthen collaboration in areas of common interest beneficial to Nigeria.

He explained that the DTAC was in the business of promoting the nation’s bilateral and multilateral ties across the globe through the deployment of technical aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

He added that DTAC aimed to widen its scope of coverage through the use of soft-power diplomacy, which remains the way to go in a world where instruments of coercion were no longer needed to wield influence.

The DG said that the visit to NiDCOM was to share his vision for synergy and collaboration to strengthen the mandates of both agencies in deepening relations with the global community.

He said that the collaboration was important because every deployed volunteer from DTAC is automatically a member of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Yakub urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to work with Nigerian Missions to serve as the greatest marketers of the Nigerian dream, “as against the present situation where the Diasporans hardly see the Missions as home abroad”.

“I also propose the establishment of a Desk Office manned by NiDCOM officers, who will ensure a smooth and seamless liaison between the Missions and the Diasporans in the bid to fully involve them in driving foreign direct investments for Nigeria,” he added.

Responding, the NiDCOM Chairman said she was optimistic that collaboration with DTAC would be in the best interest of the nation.

Dabiri-Erewa urged the DG to deploy his experience as a former Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, to advance Nigeria’s interest across the globe. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Only two States solution will end Israel-Palestine conflict – Envoy
Foreign

Only two States solution will end Israel-Palestine conflict – Envoy

120 total views today

By Maureen Okon

The Ambassador to the State of Palestine in Nigeria, Mr Abdullah Shawesh, on Wednesday called on the international community to mediate for a two state solution to end the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the envoy made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Shawesh said that since the invasion of Gaza by Israeli forces, more than 2.2 million civilians have been pushed into an unbearable situation.

The Palestinian Ambassador called on the international community to find lasting resolution to the dispute by going into its root causes.

“We condemn in strong terms the root causes of the disputes but we will not condemn the symptoms of the disputes.
“Over 1, 600 people have been jailed since Oct. 7 in the Gaza region.

“We as Palestinian have one voice and we are calling for a ceasefire on both sides, also hostage from both should be released and sent back to their homes.”

Shawesh added that the number of Palestinians killed as of Nov. 1, has exceeded 8, 700 in Gaza and 114 in the occupied West Bank, while 73 per cent of them are children, women and the elderly.

“The total number of those injured in Gaza are over 20, 000, while in the West Bank is 2,000, and the missing people in Gaza under the rubbles are around 1,500,” Shawesh said.

He added that 116 health and rescue workers have also been killed since the conflict started, and more than 100 injured.

The envoy also said 25 aambulances have been put out of service, and 25 others require urgent maintenance.

“One third of the hospitals, and 46 out of 73 of the primary health care centres in Gaza are out of service due to direct attacks or lack of fuel.

“All the hospitals are under daily threats and they were requested to be evacuated many times.

“We have thousands of kidney failure, cancer and other chronic diseases patients who are in critical conditions, many of them will lose their lives due to the lack of necessary medicines,” the envoy lamented.

Shawesh urged the United Nations and other international organisations to investigate both sides in the conflict by giving fair hearing to all. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

Osimhen deserves best African Footballer crown, FCT FA Chairman says
Sports

Osimhen deserves best African Footballer crown, FCT FA Chairman says

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By Victor Okoye

Mouktar Mohammed, the Chairman, FCT Football Association has said that Victor Osimhen deserves to win the African Player of the Year award 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osimhen was among 30 players listed for the top prize; CAF African Player of the Year 2023 announced by CAF on Wednesday.

The Awards Gala is scheduled for Dec. 11 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Mohammed told NAN that Osimhen had worked really hard in the year under review to earn his place in both Africa and the world football top rankings.

NAN also reports that Osimhen made history for Nigeria and Africa as he finished in an impressive eight position in the 2023 Men’s Ballon d’Or rankings on Monday.

He became the first Nigerian to be nominated and finished in the top 10 in the male category in 24 years.

Sunday Oliseh and Kanu Nwankwo were nominated for the 1998 and 1999 Ballon d’Or awards but did not finish in the top 20.

With his eight-place finish, the goal-scoring machine sets the record as the highest-ranked Nigerian player at the Ballon d’Or and also the highest-ranked African player at this year’s edition.

“I think he has done enough to win the Africa Player of the Year Award. He deserves it, especially after finishing 8th on the Ballon d’Or list.

“Osimhen was in fine form in the 2022/2023 season, as his 25 league goals helped Italian football royalty Napoli to their first Seria A title in 33 years.

“He pipped Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao to clinch the Best Striker in Serie A gong.

“Osimhen scored five times in six games for Napoli as they reached the quarterfinal stages of the UEFA Champions League,” he said.

He said that Osimhen was also instrumental in the Super Eagles sealing a ticket for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Mohammed said that his league goals helped him become the first African to top the Serie A scorers’ chart, and break George Weah’s record for the most goals scored by an African in the Italian league.

The football administrator said however that even though Osimhen was good enough to win the CAF Men’s award, there were other factors that could count against him.

He said that emotions were sometimes involved with the African awards, so one might never know, adding that there have been big surprises in the past.

“The World Cup tournament is seen as the biggest platform and Nigeria couldn’t qualify for the showpiece in Qatar.

“Osimhen’s greatest challenge may likely come from Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi who won a title with his club and went all the way to the World Cup semi-finals with his country, which is massive.

“Then there is also Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez who won the treble with Manchester City, including the English Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

“You also have to consider the sharp regional divide and vested interest. The Anglophone and Francophone dichotomy has always been in existence, so that is another factor from the political angle.

“But having said that, I still strongly believe that what Osimhen has achieved is incredible and he deserves to win it,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

We’ll create conditions for genuine investments; frustrate criminal adventures- Tinubu
Economy/Business , General News

We’ll create conditions for genuine investments; frustrate criminal adventures- Tinubu

156 total views today

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

President Bola Tinubu has assured genuine businesses intending to invest in Nigeria that his government was determined to create the conducive atmosphere for genuine businesses to thrive.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, said this on Tuesday in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the 2nd edition of the Africa Natural Resources and Energy Summit (AFNIS).

He warmed that the government would no longer tolerate criminal adventures and their criminal collaborators.

According to him, the government will do everything possible to lower the risks of investment by overcoming the temptation to interfere in the legitimate business operation of duly licenced miners.

“Dear investors, we are determined to create the conducive conditions for genuine businessmen.

“We welcome you and shall do everything possible to assist law-abiding businesses to operate in our country.

“However, we shall no longer tolerate criminal adventures and their local collaborators who exploit our socio-economic – environment to sabotage our nation, in the guise of bringing business.

“Those caught will face the full wrath of our laws, ‘” he said.

The president said that the said that the AFNIS event was also an opportunity to discuss new ideas and display new technologies.

” Our country does not Intend to “re-invent the wheel”.

“We hope to leverage on the advancement of technology so that our solid minerals can catch up with the world,” he said.

He called on geologists, , and all other professionals in the field, to put on their thinking caps, and establish Nigeria as an intellectual, professional and industrial hub in solid mineral exploitation, manufacture and export in Africa.

Also speaking, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake said that Nigeria has witnessed the transformative potential of the solid minerals sector.

Alake expressed government’s renewed commitment to effectively harness the resources for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“In Nigeria, we have witnessed the transformative potential of our solid minerals sector and the vast opportunities that lie within it.

“We are committed to harnessing these resources effectively, efficiently and sustainably to drive economic growth and create prosperity for our citizens.

” Our efforts in this direction have already yielded positive results, with increased exploration, investment, and responsible mining practices taking center stage,” Alake said.

According to him, the global energy landscape is also undergoing a profound transformation.

He said that the imperative of combating climate change was steering us towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources driving our industrial activities towards less carbon footprints.

“We must embrace this transition, seizing the opportunities it presents for innovation, job creation, and a healthier planet.

“Nigeria, with its vast energy potential, is poised to play a pivotal role in this journey.

“We must work collaboratively to diversify our energy sources, promote renewable energy, and implement energy efficiency measures,” hesaid (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Investment in solid minerals will boost FX inflow, job creation – Minister
Economy/Business

Investment in solid minerals will boost FX inflow, job creation – Minister

136 total views today

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, says the Federal Government will enforce the processing of industrial raw materials locally to boost foreign exchange inflow and enhance job creation.

Addressing the 2nd edition of the Africa Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit on Tuesday in Abuja, Audu said some pathways had been suggested that transition metals could be produced locally with requisite value addition.

He said such pathways included enforcing the processing of raw materials locally.

“Government will provide an environment conducive to investments in minerals processing plants across the country.

“This will ensure FOREX proliferation and creation of jobs for skilled and unskilled workers in the mining sector.

“We must improve promotional activities for specific minerals; we must build on several on-going initiatives to grow Nigeria’s mining sector.

“Local and global promotion needs to be intensified on lithium, gold, limestone, among others to attract investments into the sector,’’ he said.

The minister said the government would also invest in exploration of bankable data for mining.

“Government will encourage investments in the determination of large volumes and deposits of transition metals.

“We need to secure the mining environment; ensuring a secure environment through enhanced security initiatives remains one of the matters that require urgent attention.

“We need to establish host communities mineral development fund.

“This will address the challenges investors usually encounter with local communities on ownership of mineral deposits,’’ he said.

Audu noted that Nigeria’s journey in the mining sector had been both transformative and evolutionary.

According to him, as Nigeria stands at the cusp of a new era, the pursuit of value addition becomes paramount, particularly in the realm of transition metals.

“The demand for these metals, crucial in the development of green technologies, has surged globally.

“Africa’s potential to meet this demand is vast, yet largely untapped.

“The key lies not only in extracting these metals, but in harnessing our capabilities to produce and refine them locally.

“Doing so is an opportunity to foster economic growth, create jobs, and also maintain control over our resource value chain.

“By investing in domestic refining and production capabilities, we are adding value and also paving the way for sustainable development,’’’ the minister stressed.

He said collaboration between the Federal Government and sub-national governments, industry stakeholders, and investors was necessary to build a robust infrastructure, promote innovation, and instigate supportive policies that encouraged local value addition.

“Furthermore, it calls for a commitment to sustainability, incorporating responsible mining practices, and embracing environmentally-friendly production techniques to mitigate any adverse impact on the ecosystem.

“As the minister of steel development, I stand committed to supporting initiatives that foster the local production of transition metals.

“We are committed to a sustainable future that demands innovation and transformation in steel production, ensuring that our advancements align with global environmental standards,’’ Audu said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

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