According to a 2020 meta-analysis, infertility affects 49.91 per cent of couples in Africa, with West Africa contributing 41.57 per cent of this figure.

By Abiemwense Moru, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Earlier this year as the rainy season approached the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in its weather forecast, as it has done in recent years, warned of impending flooding.

As forewarned, the rain is here so is the flood. The consequences, though not as massive as two seasons ago, is huge.

Mrs Aishatu Abu’s eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at the ruins that used to be her home. It has been submerged in the murky waters of the overflowing river.

The floods had come without warning, sweeping away her livelihood, her memories and her sense of security. She is not alone. The victims across the country are many.

Thousands of Nigerians, such as Abu, have been affected by the recent flood season with their lives turned upside down by the raging waters.

The floods spotlight the urgent need for effective disaster risk management in Nigeria.

Mrs Zubaida Umar, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), urges a comprehensive action plan to address disaster risks in Nigeria.

He advocated a more comprehensive action plan for disaster risk management in Nigeria considering new and emerging hazards associated with it.

Umar spoke at a recent Expert Workshop on Early Warning For All, National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategic and Action Plan 2023-2030 in Abuja.

He said Nigeria faced severe vulnerabilities due to poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change.

Umar said that the Sahel region, where Nigeria is located, is prone to various disasters, including floods, landslides, droughts, and conflicts.

“A review of NEMA’s existing plans has indicated an urgent need for a more comprehensive action plan for disaster risk management in Nigeria, considering new and emerging hazards.

“This is to align with the Sendai Framework and African Programme of Action (PoA) to increase disaster resilience and drive sustainable development.

“The current escalations of conflicts, banditry, annual floods, and extreme weather events have triggered the desire to develop this DRR Strategy and Action Plan for Nigeria,” she said.

One of the agencies at the centre of disaster mitigation, NiMet, is worried that many Nigerians do not heed to early warnings serious hence enormity of damage usually cost by flood and other disasters.

Prof. Charles Anosike, Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, spoke in Abuja, at a three-day Expert Workshop on Early Warning For All, National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategic and Action Plan 2023-2030.

“Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can strike at any moment, leaving devastating impacts on communities and livelihoods. Early warning systems are the first line of defence against disasters.

“They provide critical seconds, minutes, or hours for people to seek safety, evacuate, or take necessary precautions.

“However, an early warning is only effective if it reaches all those at risk. In Nigeria, we face various hazards, from floods to landslides, droughts, and conflicts.

“The impact of these disasters can be catastrophic, but we can mitigate them through proactive and inclusive approaches.

“That’s why we must prioritise early warning for all. We need to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location, language, or socioeconomic status, receives timely and accurate warnings,” Anosike said.

Anosike said that to achieve this, Nigeria should invest in robust early warning systems that leveraged technology and community networks and strengthen emergency response capabilities.

He stressed the need to conduct regulatory and public awareness campaigns, foster collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, and support disaster risk reduction education in schools and communities.

Anosike called on all stakeholders working on disaster management and prevention to cooperate for better results.

“By working together, we can build a culture of resilience and reduce the risk of disasters in Nigeria. Let us commit to protecting our people, our communities, and our nation,” he said.

As the country seeks to build resilience against disasters, it must prioritise the needs of affected communities and escalate investment in disaster-related areas.

By investing in robust early warning systems, conducting regulatory and public awareness campaigns, and fostering collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities, Nigeria can reduce the risk of disasters and protect its citizens from their aftermath.

Anambra is one of the flood-prone states in the country and Dr Nonye Soludo, the governor’s wife wants residents of previously flood-hit communities to always take proactive measures during rainy season by moving to higher grounds.

Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Awka North, and Ogbaru are among the high flood risk areas.

She urged community leaders, churches, and well-meaning individuals to assist residents who may be affected by the flood.

In Niger State, the management of North South Power Company Limited (NSPCL) has sensitised communities around the Shiroro Hydro-Electric Power Plant to desist from water-based activities.

Mr Olubunmi Peters, the Vice Chairman, North South Power Company Limited (NSPCL) identified poor maintenance of drainage system as part of the causes of flooding.

He, therefore, emphasised the need for government to start intensive desilting of drains and flood channels as well as intensify climate information services, especially to farmers.

As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of disaster risk management, it is clear that a comprehensive action plan is needed to address the challenge.

By working together, government agencies, NGOs, and local communities can build a culture of resilience and reduce the risk of disasters in the country.

Already, the Federal Government said it is taking the bull by the horn by supporting states in their efforts to manage flood disaster.

According to Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said in Birnin Kebbi that federal government would provide three billion naira to states to mitigate the impact of flood.

While this year’s rainy season is in its twilight it is important that more measures are taken to apply the lessons learnt this year in preparing for flooding and other disasters next season. (NANFeatures)

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

By Emmanuel Oloniruha, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Edo, with more than 4 million people, ancient traditions, artifacts and landmarks, remains a vital hub for Nigeria’s cultural heritage, economic growth and political dynamics.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo, at present, has 2,629,025 million registered voters, out of which 2,249,780 million have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to participate in the Saturday governorship election.

Nonetheless, stakeholders have continued to express concerns over the refusal by Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) to sign the Peace Accord organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC).

The NPC was set up in 2014 by former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and other prominent Nigerians, including traditional rulers, bishops and civil society leaders prior to the 2015 general elections.

The key objectives of NPC are to promote peaceful elections, reduce electoral violence, encourage respect for election results, foster non-violent resolution of disputes and enhance national unity and stability.

Political analysts believe that the peace accord, though moral and not legal, relatively contributed to peaceful conduct of 2015 and 2019 general elections, the Edo 2020 governorship election, among others.

They say it also encouraged peaceful resolution of disputes and respect for election results in the country.

In December 2018, the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was not present at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, to sign the peace accord for 2019 general election.

Abubakar, who said that he did not receive the invitation for the programme, went to the Kukah Centre in Abuja to sign the pact on the following day.

In the case of Edo 2024, 17 out of the 18 political parties, including the APC, Labour Party, Accord, Peoples Redemption Party, signed the peace pact on Sept. 12 in Benin City.

Unlike what was witnessed in Dec., 2018, PDP leaders and its Candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, boycotted the ceremony over the party’s demands on INEC and the Police ahead of the election.

The party had earlier demanded the redeployment of the Edo Commissioner of Police, Nemo Edwin-Iwo, and INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Dr Anugbum Onuoha.

The PDP also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of its members in Edo, alleged to have been arbitrarily arrested and detained by police.

The PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, said that the party would not sign the Peace Accord until its conditions were met.

Damagum alleged that the duo were partisan and working for the APC; hence credible election could not be guaranteed in the state under their supervision.

“Nobody is running away from his responsibility; rather we are pointing to Nigerians that there is something cooking by the APC-led administration, under the watch of police who are being paid with tax payers money.

Damagum, however, said that the PDP would participate in the election.

“We will come out in mass and we will defend our votes,’’ he said.

Equally, the PDP Chairman in Edo, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, accused the REC and CP of having links with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Aziegbemi said that the REC in Edo was Wike’s cousin, who served as a Special Adviser on Lands to Wike when he was Rivers Governor.

“Everyone in Nigeria knows the antecedents of Wike and his conduct during elections in Rivers.

“So, we will not close our eyes and watch him deploy the same tactic in Edo.

“The current Edo CP is also a close associate of Wike; we believe he would not act in the best interest of Edo people nor even in the spirit and letters of the Electoral Act,” Aziegbemi said.

Meanwhile, both INEC and the Police have rejected PDP’s demands, stating that the claims by the party were baseless.

Nemi-Iwo dismissed allegations linking his deployment to the state to the influence of Wike, nothing that his deployment to Edo was a routine administrative procedure within the Police Force.

“It is laughable to suggest that the deployment was influenced by the FCT Minister; I don’t have any personal or professional ties with Wike.”

Nemi-Iwo added that as a CP,  he was not an electoral umpire.

“As such, I cannot determine the outcome of an election as more senior officers, including two DIGs, AIGs, CPs and other senior officers have been deployed to supervise the conduct of Edo election,’’ he said.

Equally, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egnetokun, reacting to the alleged arbitrary arrest of PDP members in Edo, described it as baseless, saying the police were only determined to unravel the killers of a police officer in the state.

“If you hold the opinion that the I-G is partisan for going after the killer of the policeman, I think you will remain with that opinion forever,” Egbetokun said.

Also rejecting the PDP demand, INEC advised the party to focus on the election process and not on the REC or other officials of the commission.

The Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said that the conduct of the election and result collation activity would take place in the open and accredited party agents would witness every step.

“In the same manner, polling unit results will be declared by the respective Presiding Officers (POs) after the voting, ballot sorting and counting processes, in the presence of accredited party agents and other stakeholders.

“The PO will also take a picture of the PU result in each polling unit with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and upload same to the INEC Result Viewing portal.

“Thereafter, the various collation stages will be undertaken before the declaration of the final result at the State Collation Centre in Benin-City,’’ he said.

Oyekanmi assured all the political parties, registered voters and other stakeholders that the commission would not give preference to any political party or candidate over the other.

While some stakeholders have touted the development in Edo as a recipe for violence, others have dismissed it, describing it as a non-issue.

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) said the development in Edo would likely impact the Saturday governorship election in several ways.

The coalition aligned itself with the demand of immediate removal of the REC and the appointment of neutral officials to oversee the election.

To the political group, the credibility of the election process depends on ensuring a level playing field, impartial state actors, and transparency.

Its National Secretary, Chief Peter Ameh, said that the development in Edo would erode trust in the electoral process, leading to voter apathy and disillusionment.

Ameh said it would create an uneven playing field, where one candidate may receive preferential treatment, thereby compromising the fairness of the election.

“Finally, it will undermine the legitimacy of the election outcome, leading to disputes and potentially destabilising the state,’’ he said.

On its part, the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) rejected the narrative and projected PDP’s action as a recipe for violence.

The Executive Director of PAACA, Mr Ezenwa Nwagwu, described it as partisan tactic and an attempt to create an atmosphere of fear, discourage voters from exercising their democratic rights and shift attention from the real issues.

Nwagwu advised voters in Edo to remain confident in the electoral system and not be intimidated by those seeking to suppress turnout.

He said that while the peace accord served as a useful tool for promoting peaceful elections, it was not a substitute for legal processes that guide elections, or the responsibility of security agencies to maintain peace during election.

“Regardless of whether a political party signs the peace accord or not, the duty of the police to enforce the law remains paramount,’’ he said.

The National Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, called on stakeholders in the off-cycle election to work together to create an environment conducive to credible elections.

“I urge all stakeholders to adhere to the principles of democracy, respect the rights of others and prioritise the interests of the Edo people and Nigeria in general,” he said.

Observers say it behooves INEC and police to keep to their oaths of neutrality in the Saturday election.

They hold that all stakeholders, especially political actors, must remember that the peace in Edo, a historic state, is critical to national peace and cohesion.(NANFeatures)

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

By Oboh Linus, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Climate change issue is now at the centre of global politics. In the last decades, it has shaped public discourses as global leaders strive to chisel out policies that would birth a sustainable climate.

Nigeria, like many countries, has many policies on climate change, which are geared toward mitigating its impacts on humanity and the ecosystem respectively.

This is in addition to the Climate Change Act which was sponsored by then Rep. Sam Onuigbo and signed into law by former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

The law serves as Nigeria’s legal blueprint for a sustainable climate.
The initiative for the conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas engines is another Federal Government effort to promote a pollution-free environment.

However, in spite of these efforts, Africa’s largest economy is still facing huge climate problems.
This is largely due to inadequate political will to fully implement its policies and climate-friendly initiatives.

Sadly, the failure to effectively implement climate policies has worsened Nigeria’s ranking among countries that are seriously taking climate action.

Nigeria placed Nigeria 158 out of 182 countries on climate vulnerability as of 2023, according to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Index.

Analysts say fighting climate change goes beyond talking and formulation of policies. They say it needs shared commitment from the leaders, citizens and right budgetary provisions for sustainable implementation.

They said that Nigeria had a fair share of environmental and ecological challenges like flooding, erratic rainfall patterns, erosion, heat waves, air pollution, poor energy, and deforestation that left visible scars on its citizenry.

They alleged that some political leaders in the past had treated climate change issues with levity as ecological funds set aside by governments toward addressing environmental and climate emergencies are often misappropriated.

Climate Analysts attribute the lack of political will to effectively implement climate policies and action plans to the failure of electorates over the years to use their voting powers to elect climate-friendly politicians.

They further say there is the need for registered voters in Nigeria to realign themselves toward voting for climate if they want to achieve a sustainable environment.

In light of this, they argue that to hold political leaders accountable for their climate inactions, voters should change the narrative by giving their mandates to candidates with climate-friendly dispositions.

Dr David Michael, Executive Director, Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation, said voting for climate matters, especially in Nigeria where the political will for climate actions is conspicuously lacking.

He described climate change as a global issue impacting the globe, socio-economic, food security and security, noting that it directly links to social issues currently ravaging Nigeria.

He said that climate change was already impacting food security in the country and making the citizenry vulnerable due to delayed rainfall and long dry spells.

“Voting for climate change matters because when you vote for climate and environmental friendly politicians they will come out with the right policies.

“They will come with the right budgetary provisions to ensure that we build climate resilience in Nigeria.

“This will enable us to overcome some of the impacts of climate change and some of the social and economic impacts of climate change we are facing today.

“When you vote a climate denial into office the chances are that he will be silent about climate change. And you can imagine the impacts that we already experienced,” he emphasised.

He stressed the need for states to domesticate climate change policies of the federal government and work toward their implementation.

“Fighting climate change is not by talking, is not just having policies, it requires resources – right budgetary provisions and implementation.

“The hunger protest that ended not long ago, although a lot of people will read political meaning to it, if there was no hunger there would be no basis for people to take political advantage of the situation.

“So, we need those politicians who will help guide the light for the nation to build climate resilience and we can only achieve that when we vote for the right candidates,” he said.

As Edo and Ondo governorship elections approach, he enjoined the registered voters to do themselves good by voting for those candidates who would come out publicly to declare and state their climate action plans.

“Climate change is impacting Edo and Ondo states greatly, both states witness floods annually.

“Climate change will impact democracy that clearly shows when the INEC office in Edo State was flooded earlier this year and a lot of election materials were destroyed.

“In Ondo state, the Aiyetoro community is experiencing sea level rise; the community has lost a large chunk of its lands to water. The people of Ondo must and should demand climate action by voting for the right candidate.

“Voters should demand climate action plans when going around for campaigning because it is an issue that directly impacts their lives and livelihoods, they have the power to speak with their vote and they should vote right,” he advised.

Dr Mohammed Kabiru Dahiru, Senior Lecturer, Federal University, Lafia, posited that climate change was the bane of environmental sustainability, adding that without addressing it no meaningful development could be achieved.

Dahiru, a climate change expert, who is also the acting Head of Geography Department said climate change had far-reaching implications for the survival and well-being of humanity.

He said it was appropriate to vote for politicians who were conscious of climate change challenges.

According to him, this will ensure they provide opportunities to contribute either through legislation or policy implementation towards reducing its impacts on citizens.

He emphasised the need to educate the public and encourage them to vote for the candidates who have interest and good intentions toward climate action.

“Climate change is human-induced to a large extent. Since it is a human-induced problem it needs humans to work towards ensuring that the problem is alleviated,” he said.

Envoh Okolo, Coordinator, Nasarawa State Network on Environment Climate Justice, says voting for climate is long overdue in Nigeria, considering the level of climate change impacts on the environment and its socio-economic effects on livelihoods.

He said Nigerians were facing food shortages due to the impacts of climate change as manifested in long dry spells, flooding and environmental degradation.

“The reason is because of the lack of political will to implement policies and action plans to mitigate the impact of climate change; this is evident in inflation and hunger being experienced in several states,” he said.

Okolo advised the Edo and Ondo electorate to scrutinise candidates’ manifestos before deciding whom to vote for in their upcoming elections.

“Climate change has not affected voting patterns in Nigeria therefore it is high time the citizens began to have the consciousness toward voting for climate,” he said.

Mr Jonathan Joshua, a climate change advocate and National President, Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN) said climate change being a global phenomenon had enormously impacted both agriculture and security.

He said voting for climate-friendly politicians would amount to voting for environmental sustainability, food security and commitment to bringing interventions toward reducing its impacts.

Joshua enjoined the voters in Nigeria, particularly in Edo and Ondo to take decisive actions by voting for candidates that would implement climate change policies.

“If they must be voted for they must have plans for interventions in line with climate policies; that will help the farmers and the vulnerable communities to deal with climate change.

”So the voters must take a decisive decision; any candidate that is not going to implement climate change policies in their administration should not be given a chance to be voted for,” he advised. (NANFeatures)

By Abujah Racheal, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has long struggled with a critical healthcare challenge—dependence on imported vaccines. Huge population comes with the need to meet huge vaccine needs.

Among the vaccine-preventable diseases are polio, cholera, diphtheria, Human papillomavirus, influenza, yellow fever, tetanus, among others.

“Nigeria’s vaccine imports are expected to surge. By 2028, the nation’s vaccine imports are forecasted to reach about $84 million, a significant rise from $66 million in 2023.

This increase represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7 per cent’’, says ReportLinker which tracks statistics in various sectors.

In recent years there have been efforts to ramp up and reverse the dependence on imported vaccines.

This move is seen not just as an economic necessity, but as a strategic pillar for Nigeria’s healthcare independence. It is also a measure of preparedness for national health security.

Mr Bill Gates, the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, expressed skepticism about Nigeria’s capacity for local vaccine production.

Gates highlighted regulatory challenges and economic scale as major obstacles, suggesting that local entrepreneurs might find more immediate benefits in producing other health products.

“Vaccines are probably not the first thing they would choose to do because of the regulatory complexity and the scale economics.

“There are many other things in the health sector that should probably be higher on the list to ensure availability and cost are improved by local entrepreneurs,” he said.

Gates’ comments sparked debate, as they seemed to counter the ongoing efforts by Nigerian and African leaders to establish a strong local vaccine manufacturing base.

However, the road to self-sufficiency is fraught with challenges—historical, infrastructural, and financial—that the nation must overcome to realise this goal.

Nigeria was once a leader in vaccine production in Africa. From the 1940s until the early 1990s, the Federal Vaccine Production Laboratory (FVPL) in Yaba, Lagos State, supplied a range of vaccines, including those for smallpox, yellow fever, and rabies.

However, by the mid-1990s, production ceased due to neglect and underfunding forcing the country to rely on imports to meet its vaccination needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the vulnerabilities of this system with vaccine shortages and delays affecting millions.

Vaccine shortages, particularly in rural areas, have resulted in preventable deaths.

Mrs Mairo Saidu, a resident of the Waru community in the FCT, recounted how her daughter died from measles because there were no vaccines available in their local clinic.

“If vaccines were made in the country, maybe my daughter would still be alive,” Saidu said.

Attention has come from the right quarters to encourage local vaccine production though it has come short.

“We realised during COVID-19 how critical it is to produce vaccines locally. Relying on other nations in times of crisis is simply not sustainable,” said Dr Ngozi Jack, a public health expert.

Recognising the urgency, Nigeria’s government, in partnership with the private sector, is working to resurrect local vaccine production.

In 2005, Biovaccines Nigeria Limited (BVNL) was formed as a joint venture between the Nigerian government and May & Baker Nigeria Plc.

It was tasked with reviving vaccine manufacturing in the country. However, in 2007 the incoming government headed by President Umaru Yar’ardua, dissolved the management board of the BVNL, of which it was a minority shareholder.

It was not until 2017 that BVNL was resuscitated with plans to produce key vaccines for routine immunisation of Nigeria’s teeming and increasing cohorts of newborns.

In spite of these efforts, Nigeria continues to import its vaccines, with local production facing numerous hurdles.

Lack of state-of-the-art technology impedes vaccine production. For instance, building a modern vaccine manufacturing facility costs between 100 to 500 million dollars, depending on capacity and technology.

“The regulatory landscape is complex; there’s still a lot of capacity building required,” said Dr Solomon Chollom, a virologist.

Chollom urged Nigeria’s regulatory body, NAFDAC, to harmonise the processes with global standards to streamline vaccine approval and quality control.

While policies exist to support local manufacturing, stakeholders report their inadequate implementation due to a lack of political will, poor government commitment and insufficient resources.

A survey by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN) in 2022 indicated that over 70 per cent of local manufacturers struggled with securing funds.

Nigeria has a growing GDP but relies heavily on imports for vaccines and pharmaceuticals, while countries like Senegal and South Africa are producing some vaccines for local consumption.

The National Development Plan (2021-2025), recognises manufacturing, including pharmaceuticals, as key to economic diversification.

Furthermore, the Economic Sustainability Plan created in 2020 aims to promote local manufacturing and reduce foreign dependence.

In partnership with international organisations Nigeria is also making strides to adopt modern vaccine production technologies.

The WHO mRNA Technology Transfer Hub has selected Nigeria as one of six African countries to benefit from cutting-edge mRNA technology, which is expected to boost local vaccine production capabilities.

Moreover, the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation (APTF) and Nigeria’s National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) have formed a strategic alliance to strengthen local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing capacity.

The consequences of Nigeria’s dependence on imported vaccines are felt most acutely by ordinary citizens.

Stories like hers underscore the urgency of accelerating local production to avoid such tragic outcomes.

While these efforts have been applauded, some experts remain skeptical. Dr Suleima Mainasara, a Public Health expert argued that the progress has been slow.

“Regulatory hurdles, inadequate funding, and the high cost of setting up manufacturing facilities have been significant barriers, Mainasara said.

Similarly, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, a renowned virologist, underscored that investment, though crucial, was only part of the puzzle.

“Local capacity-building, strengthening of regulatory frameworks, and sustained political will are equally important,” he said.

Tomori cautions that while funding is critical, consistency and commitment from all stakeholders are even more crucial to achieving long-term success.

The path ahead is long, but with the right partnerships and political will, Nigeria’s dream of vaccine self-sufficiency could finally become a reality.

“Most crucial for success, is the need for all the implementers and operators of the national plan to produce vaccines locally to work together subsuming self-interest under national interest,” he said.

The journey to vaccine self-sufficiency is not a sprint but a marathon. Experts agree that it would take sustained efforts over the next decade to build the infrastructure and human capacity required.

However, if successful, Nigeria could not only meet its own needs but also become a key supplier of vaccines to the rest of Africa, positioning itself as a regional health leader.

Nigeria’s Presidential Initiative on Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains (PVAC), is aimed at boosting private sector involvement in the vaccine and pharmaceutical industries.

By fostering local and international market demand, the PVAC initiative can help ensure the sustainability of vaccine manufacturing and attract critical investments.

Moreover, the initiative would enable Nigeria to access funds from the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) further enhancing its production capabilities.

Vaccine experts say Nigeria’s government must prioritise investment in vaccine production, distribution, and delivery to ensure pandemic preparedness and universal health coverage.

Strengthening regulatory frameworks, health systems, and supply chain management will be critical in ensuring that the country meets its goal of vaccine self-sufficiency.

The road to self-sufficiency would require addressing key challenges such as financing, infrastructure and policy implementation.

However, with consistent political will and investment in the right areas, Nigeria can reduce its reliance on imported vaccines and become a leader in vaccine production for Africans. (NANFeatures)

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

Why Nigerians should explore Compressed Natural Gas

By Ismail Abdulaziz, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

At the inception of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the vexatious issue of fuel subsidy regime was ended to address the huge infrastructure development gap created by the use of funds to power the subsidy.

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, amounting to 30 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, falls short of the international benchmark of 70 per cent set by the World Bank.

Nigeria spent more than N400 billion monthly to subsidise petroleum imports before the inauguration of President Tinubu, according to Mele Kyari, head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL).

These are funds that would, otherwise be used to check infrastructure decay and shortfall in the country.

“The fuel subsidy is gone. The subsidy can no longer justify its ever-increasing costs in the wake of drying resources.

“We shall instead re-channel the funds into better investment in public infrastructure, education, health care and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions.

“This is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements,” Tinubu said in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023.

Nigerian were left with a choice of finding alternatives to subsidy funding that has been recognised by leading Presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party in the 2023 general election.

The choice offered by the Tinubu administration was the use of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in vehicles, especially the commercial vehicles that constitute over 80 per cent of petrol users in the country.

At the inauguration of 30 hybrid CNG-powered buses with the capacity to transport 3,000 passengers recently, Tinubu said the use of natural gas to power the nation’s transportation industry would reduce transportation costs.

He said it would also enhance productivity, and save the nation trillions of Naira spent on the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

”If we can enhance our energy competitiveness and bring about transformative changes like this, we will definitely be able to achieve the prosperity that we are working hard to accomplish for our people.

“These CNG buses are promising and will enhance our transportation system before the inauguration of President Tinubu.

“Countries like India have mandated CNG for all commercial vehicles since 2004. In Nigeria, commercial vehicles make up about 80 percent of our petroleum demand, costing us trillions of naira every month.

”The solution is here. We have it. We will work on it. We promise you, definitely, things will get better. Prosperity will be achieved”, Tinubu said.

Energy experts say Nigerians need to take advantage of the CNG-powered vehicles to ameliorate the huge financial implications occasioned by high cost of petrol and it attendant increase in prices of goods and services.

“CNG is an important and feasible gaseous fuel that is relatively very cheap, environmentally friendly, safe to handle, and has abundant available energy resources.

“By considering the availability and infrastructure facility, CNG seems to be a prominent alternative fuel for diesel engine applications’’, says  Ashok Nanthagopal in a study on Eco Friendly Biofuels for CI Engine Applications published in Natural Gas (Second Edition).

According to him, earlier reports showed that CNG fuel could stand well below conventional fuel for the consideration of performance aspects.

Olalere Odusote, former commissioner for energy to the Lagos state government said the CNG powere-vehicles are worth embracing.

“By embracing CNG, we can enhance energy security, create jobs, and propel Nigeria towards a brighter future for all its citizens”, the media recently quoted him as saying.

Experts say that CNG use is gaining acceptance worldwide because of its environmental and economic benefits; it is a clean-burning fuel that produces lower emissions than traditional gasoline or diesel, and it can also be less expensive to use.

Some of the known advantages of CNG use include lower emission, energy savings, energy security, and longer engine life.

The disadvantages include limited range, limited fueling infrastructure, high upfront costs and safety concerns.

The concern of Nigerians centres on the disadvantages of the CNG use and the availability of conversation service.

The government, has responded to this concern through the Presidential CNG Initiative, established as a component of the palliative intervention of the administration to cushion the hardships of the fuel subsidy removal can allay the fears of users.

Another energy expert, Mr Taiwo Adewole said that the introduction of CNG)vehicles into Nigveria’’s transport industry would help fight pollution.

“CNG powered vehicles and generators will help fight pollution from fossil fuel that an average Nigeria uses on a daily basis. The government also needs to work on adequate power supply’’, he told a local energy medium.

Retired Air Vice Marshal Akugbe Iyamu, former Acting Director-General, National Emergency Mangement Agency.

“There is simply no way to turn back on delivering CNG for all Nigerians. It is the right thing to do’’ Iyamu said.

Mele Kyari the Group Chief Executive Office of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has also thrown his weight behind the CNG initiative.

“Is it late? Yes,, but we will make progress, we will cover the gap in order to ensure that the volatility we see with Premium Motor Spirit does not apply to gas’’, said Kyari.

This is possible through making accessible and assessable the process of conversion and continuing encouragement of its use among both the commercial and private car owners in the country.

Those in the transport industry, however, say the decision to use CNG for vehicles depends on individual needs and preferences, as well as the availability of refueling infrastructure in the country. (NANFeature)

**If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)