By Muhyideen Jimoh, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The beautiful cable-stayed Cocody Bridge, also known as Alassane Ouattara Bridge, is an architectural icon not just in the bustling Ivorian commercial capital of Abidjan, but in the West Africa sub-region.

The eye-catching structure to any visitor and residents alike is the first of its kind in Côte d’Ivoire, spanning 630 metres and over 100 meters high of the popular upscale Cocody district.

Inaugurated on Aug. 12, 2023, the bridge is part of the solution to the problem of urban mobility in Cote d’Ivoire’s economic capital.

Interestingly, all visitors and fans to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Abidjan centre will most certainly commute on the bridge to the Feliz Houphouet-Boigny stadium.

They will also need it for trips their respective hotels in the eye-brow Cocody area.

It was a scorching afternoon, just before one of the block buster knock out matches at the Iconic 33,000 Feliz Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in the heart of the city.

About noon on that match day, Ivorian fans draped in their national colours were trooping to the stadium amidst singing and blaring of their popular vuvuzelas.

As they gyrated this writer could hear some Nigerians just by the foot of the bridge arguing about insecurity back in their homeland.

Nigeria has not lacked fans’ support at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON). In fact, it is safe to say that the Super Eagles feel like playing away from home.

The large chunk of that fan base is Nigerians in the host country. You can call them members of Nigeria’s ever-expanding ‘japa’ family.

So, he decided to engage them, and could immediately feel their pain and frustration at the state of things back home.

Mr Felix Afolabi, a business man and CEO, Don Travels and Tour, Abidjan said he has been residing in Abidjan with his family for close to a decade, due to the enabling environment for his business.

He appealed to the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on insecurity, power and infrastructure in order to encourage Nigerians abroad return home.

“I think the major problems the present government need to tackle urgently are the issues of this naira depreciation, insecurity and infrastructure.

“Here in Cote d’Ivoire, the government has done a lot to boost infrastructure and tackle the issue of insecurity, you can see most of the streets have functional CCTV cameras for crime detection.

“These are some of the things we want back home, so that some of us can return home, we really need government to address the issue of kidnapping in Nigeria,” he said.

Chukwuebuka Eze, a Nigerian businessman who owns an electronics shop in Abidjan said the depreciation of the naira and high cost of logistics is really affecting business.

“Cote d’Ivoire is a nice and peaceful country, despite their challenges.

“At least you can see for yourself, the government here has done a lot in terms of provision of basic amenities, light is stable, the roads are good and there is security.

“Nigeria as giant of Africa need to do a lot more to make it’s citizen comfortable, we are blessed with human and natural resources, but there is still so much suffering back home.

“Our government need to do more to address our challenges such as insecurity and the power problem,” he said.

‘Japa’, a Yoruba word for ‘leave’ is one of the most used words in Nigeria at that moment as Nigerians seek greener pasture abroad. There priority destinations include Canada, UK, U.S., Germany and other European countries.

In Africa, the preferred destinations are South Africa, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana and some North Africa. Nigerians are among the most travelled communities in the world.

Already Nigeria is losing some of its best brains in medicine, nursing, academics to the `japa` syndrome.

There have been calls for the Federal Government to take actions to stop ‘japa’. A motion to stop the migration has been rejected by the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the Federal Government bicameral legislature.

In his motion for halting the migration, Hon. Philip Agbese (APC-Benue) said statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit indicated a mass relocation young Nigerians abroad.

“The recent reports by African Polling Institute indicate that 69% of young people would opt to relocate abroad if given the chance or if the opportunity presents itself.

“There is a 40% increase in the number of young Nigerians leaving the nation.

“This is compared to the number captured in 2019, as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs reported that international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 total 1.7million, which is a substantial increase from 990,000 in 2010“, he said.

But when put to voice vote by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, majority of the lawmakers voted against the motion.

“Some has said Nigerian youths who want to leave the country for developed nations cannot be restrained by the government.

“Youths can’t be restrained. It’s like a two-edged sword. Travelling overseas is about more exposure. We need more exposed people and when they get their exposure, they can come back.

“I believe we need people to leave, to get more experience.“Maybe when they come back. They will be the people that will be in the government and they will be able to replicate what they have seen over there“, a national daily quoted the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi as saying.

Whatever the gains of ‘japa’, many Nigerians argue that it is draining the country of its best brains. To minimize it, they urge the provision of the enabling environment for professionals in various sectors to excel.

They also advocate improvements in the welfare package of professionals and other Nigerians.

It is important that for those who want to migrate, government should provide them with a safe exit, devoid of extortion, exploitation and torture.

President, Nigerian community in Cote d’Ivoire, Chief Michael Emeka Onwuchelu, on his part says there is need for the federal government to address the issue of human trafficking and illegal migration.

Analyst say to contain ‘japa` the Nigeria’s government must address the high level of poverty, poor economic conditions and high rate of unemployment among others in Africa’s largest economy.

To halt the trend which has turned Nigeria to a training ground for human resources for richer nations, the federal government Prof. Chris Ogbechie says the government should develop well-articulated policies.

He said such policies should address the root causes of the syndrome, while mitigating the challenges associated with it.

Her spoke at the advice at the 16th Anthony Cardinal Okogie Foundation Lecture, in Lagos

“Such policies should also encourage them to return home and help with our development,” said Ogbechie who is a Professor of Strategic Management and the Dean at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University. (NANFeatures)

By Sumaila Ogbaje, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

From every indication, kidnapping is latest challenge facing security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory.

The surge in the activities of the criminals involved in kidnapping especially in and around Abuja heightened the existing fears among the residents and visitors to the territory in the last one month or thereabout.

It is no longer news that parts of the seat of power such as Bwari and even the city centre have recorded intermittent cases of kidnapping for couple weeks now.

The most prominent of the cases were the abduction of 19 persons from the Sagwari Estate Layout in Bwari Area Council, and the subsequent murder of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar who was abducted alongside her five siblings.

Al-Kadriyar was a 400-level student of Biological Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,

Among others killed by the kidnappers is a 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo which sparked debates as to the management of our national security with some calling for the heads to roll among the heads of security agencies.

Security agencies insist that contrary to believe among some FCT residents that the challenge has overwhelmed the agencies they are equal to the task and taking concrete measures to restore normalcy and punish perpetrators.

For instance, the Police Command in FCT on Jan. 21, announced that its Anti-Kidnapping Squad rescued the victims of a kidnap incident at Zuma 1, Bwari.

It said the operation, which freed the victims, who were taken hostage on Jan. 2 was carried out in collaboration with troops of the Nigerian Army.

The Command in a statement signed by SP Josephine Adeh, its spokesperson, said: “The operatives successfully rescued the Victims around Kajuru forest in Kaduna state at about 11:30 pm on Jan. 20.’’

Also on Jan. 18, Operatives of the Police Command in Kaduna State rescued one victim kidnapped in Abuja and arrested one of the suspected kidnappers.

During the operation, which took place in the early hours of Jan. 18, personnel of the Command recovered three pistols and a Hilux van belonging to the victim in the early hours of Jan. 18.

ASP Mansur Hassan, the spokesman of the Command, said the victim, Segun Akinyemi of Block 10, flat 2 FCDA Quarters, Area 3, Garki Abuja, was abducted around 5p.m. on Jan. 16 by while leaving his home.

According to Hassan, on Jan. 18, operatives attached to Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna, received a distress call about a kidnapping incident from Abuja, indicating the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna.

Their intervention led to the rescue of the victim and recovery of the items.

The military, though still battling with insurgency and banditry in different parts of the country, have also joined in the operation keep Abuja safe’.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, on Jan. 19, assured residents that the military were in partnership with other security agencies and stakeholders to haunt kidnap syndicates in FCT.

Buba said the troops had prioritised areas of kidnap incidents with increased ground and air surveillance.

He further said that technology had also been deployed to detect the hideouts and enclaves of kidnap gangs.

He said: “While troops probably do not have all the answers as at now, citizens should be rest assured that the armed forces are working relentlessly to address the hurtful situation.

“Additionally, troops are synergising with other security services and stakeholders to investigate and gather more intelligence on these kidnap gangs, particularly around the FCT.

“In the FCT and environs, some of the areas cleared include Kawu, Gaba, Dei-dei, Kubwa Hills, and Ushafa, Garam, Jibi, part of Zuma Rock in Niger State, and Gidan Dogo and Kuyeri/Kuyeri Hills in Kaduna State.

Buba also said the military had deployed its special forces to conduct targeted operations across the country as part of renewed response to tackle the menace of insurgency, kidnapping and other security threats.

The Air Force has not been left behind, having deployed its air firepower and sometimes providing aerial cover for land troops.

The air component of the special joint military taskforce “Operation Whirl Punch’’ neutralised a notorious terrorist and kidnap kingpin, “Janari’’ and several members of his syndicate on Saturday, according to spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet.

He said in Abuja on Sunday that Janari and his cohorts had been responsible for attacks and abductions within Kaduna State and on the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.

He stated that the airstrikes were authorised and executed after Janari and his gang were sighted at a location near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Gabkwet also said that reconnaissance trips showed that the gang was massing up for a likely attack or kidnapping of vulnerable civilians, hence the need to immediately attack the location.

“Intelligence report received after the strike revealed that Janari was indeed eliminated alongside several other terrorists and kidnappers.

“Similar air strikes were also carried out on Saturday on confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger with various degrees of success.

“Feedback after the strikes was also positive as it confirmed that the targets were neutralised and their mobility destroyed.

“Collaborative efforts by the NAF and other security agencies will continue across all locations suspected to be harbouring terrorists and kidnappers,’’ Gabkwet also said.

A security expert, Dr Abdullahi Jabi, attributed the rate of insecurity in the country to the prevailing economic hardship and unemployment among the youths.

Abdullahi said the economic situation was pushing more people into crime, urging government to do everything possible to improve the lives of Nigerians.

He also said that youth were increasingly becoming willing tools in the hands of criminals, who were brainwashing them into believing that criminality pays.

According to him, Federal Government must do everything possible to see how it can reduce the huge unemployment in the country and introduce more of social intervention schemes.

“Parents must also warn their wards seriously against being used particularly for kidnapping either as kidnappers or informants.

“There should be a resolution of the National Assembly and state assemblies to ensure that anybody suspected or anyone that is harbouring criminals should have their houses destroyed.

“Also, there should be no mercy for kidnappers, informants and terrorists. Those criminals should be given instant summary execution that will serve as deterrent to those who want to get involved.

“If these actions are not taken, we will continue to recycle this problem because the level of unemployment is unprecedented,’’ said Abdullahi who is also the Secretary-General, International Institute of Professional Security.

An expert in military studies, Dr Muhammed Abubakar, said that there was need to boost the capacity of ground troops, and maintain constant air and road patrols to effectively counter the activities of the criminals.

On the proposed installation of security surveillance systems by the federal government along Abuja- Kaduna expressway, the expert said the move could solve the problem of kidnappings on the axis.

To match words with actions, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, on Tuesday inaugurated an eighth-man committee for the provision and installation of security surveillance systems along Abuja-Kaduna highway and rail line.

However, the surveillance system will not achieve desired results if security agencies fail to respond swiftly to the intelligence they generate.

Security experts say one of the best ways of enhancing security is to develop synergy among security forces and the public.

It is incumbent on the government to explore ways of strengthening such a relationship. (NANFeatures)

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

How granite mining is exposing Kaduna community to health, economic challenges

By Mustapha Adamu Yauri, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Malam Ahmed Abubakar, like most residents of the Farakwai Community in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA), Kaduna State, received the granite mining companies in the community with euphoria.

Abubakar, popularly known as Babangida, said the people’s expectations were that the companies would augment the government’s effort in providing infrastructure and strengthen their economic growth, enhance job creation and environmental conservation.

He and others even formed a team which sensitised the community on the benefits associated with the activities of the mining companies in the area.

However, to their chagrin, the mining companies have not met these expectations; rather, they have brought misery, sickness and economic woes to the communities.

Findings by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that Farakwai community hosts Zeberced Quarry and Sun Shine Quarry. The two companies mine granite, known in Nigeria as gravel/chippings.

Investigations showed that the operations are carried out in unprofessional manner.

The mining activities pose public serious health risk, worsen poverty and hinder agriculture production due to the non-implementation and abuse of provisions of the Mining Act.

Abubakar said the dust from the quarry site, noise from blasts heavy duty trucks in the area have been one of the major public health challenges in the community.

“We have women who developed respiratory related infections allegedly as a result of constant inhaling the dust from the quarry activities and movement of heavy trucks to the sites.”

“I lost my first wife as result of complications from Asthma due to a challenge. Beside my wife, I know Malam Audu Mai-kaji, my neighbor, among other people who developed a complicated respiratory disease,” he said.

He also said tremor and noise from the sites also jeopardise the health condition of the elderly and aged in the area.

Corroborating, Malam Abdulkadir Mohammed, a farmer and a resident of Tudun Kaya area in Farakwai, blamed his asthmatic condition on persistent exposure to the dust emanating from the quarry activities.

He explained that his resides some few meters away from one of the quarry companies, alleging that constant inhaling of the dust from the quarry activities jeopardised his health, with multiplier effects on his family income.

“As a community, there is nothing we can do but to accept it as our own destiny from God and there is no support coming to me from the two quarry companies as I don’t have any link to them.”

“The companies cannot stop their activities because of people like me who are having this kind of respiratory challenges, hence my decision to resort to self-medication by using traditional medicine,’’ he said.

Assessing healthcare is even more challenging.

According to Mohammed, the security situation has forced the medical personnel at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to provide only skeletal services in the area, making it difficult for the affected communities to access health care services.

“Accessing health services through patent medicine vendors forced most households in the area to lose their little earnings from agriculture while others reverted to accessing healthcare services from traditional medicine,’’ he said.

Malam Ibrahim Abdullahi, another resident who was seen repairing cracks said the cracks were caused by tremor from rock blasting, adding that he was not compensated for the damage to his property.

He, however, said he was once paid N1, 500 by Sunshine Quarry Company to repair cracks on his property before the company stopped the gesture.

“You can see that most of the houses in Farakwai village have cracks as result of the tremor from blasts,’’ he said.

Abdullahi also said that one of the two companies supplies gravels for the reconstruction of Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway as well as for some road construction projects within Kaduna and Zaria axis.

According to him, at the peak of the supply for Kaduna-Kano expressway reconstruction, between 300 to 400 trucks would take gravels from the companies.

Malam Shuaibu Inuwa, a resident, said beside health challenges, the mining activity in the area negatively affects farming, reduce crops yield and reduce their earning from agriculture, a major economic activity in the area.

He said he had farmland where he initially produce maize near one of the quarry sites but the yield has drastically reduced from fifteen 100kg bags to less than seven bags over time.

Inuwa said he was forced to change from maize to onion farming and later to soya bean farming as he sought crops that would withstand the pollution from granites.

Dr Iliyasu Mohammed, Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria confirmed that dust from quarry sites affects plants growth and yields.

“Plants tap their nutrients from the soil, they tap chlorophyll and oxygen from sunlight to generate their nutrients; the dust from the sites contains some chemical elements which are toxic to the plants.

“ These toxic chemicals go airborne and contaminate soil and obstruct plants; and dust also settles on the leaves of the plants and truncates the photosynthesis cycle, delays plants development and yield.

He also said that some chemicals may be ingested through the food chain; adding that this has lots of implication for public health.

In spite of the complaints, Alhaji Hudu Ibrahim, Village Head of Tudun Kaya in Farakwai, commended Sunshine Quarry for constructing two mosques, a block of classroom and regular payments of electricity bills for the village.

The village head said the company has also supported the community with N500, 000 for the establishment of a WAEC examination centre in the area.

He said Tudun Kaya Area of Farakwai and Sun Shine Quarry signed a Community Development Agreement while Zeberced Quarry signed a similar agreement with Zagina area of Farakwai.

The agreement which expired in 2023 entailed the construction of mosques, blocks of classroom, boreholes and drainages for Tudun Kaya Area.

He said unfortunately, the agreement was not fully implemented as the construction of boreholes and drainages within the area were not done.

Ibrahim said in 2022 there was a case of falling rocks that damaged many farms near the quarry and the company paid affected farmers over one million naira as compensation for the damage which was shared among them.

Malam Zubairu Sani, a farmer and resident of Farakwai said farmers affected by the incident received between N100, 000 and N400, 000, in compensation depending on the size of the farm and the level of damage.

Dr Muhammadu Ali, Mineral Engineering Specialist, Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Engineering, Kaduna Polytechnic, said granite is composed of over 70 per cent silica, among other elements.

He added that the dust generated from the blasting has silicon also known as silica which is one of the most dangerous substances to inhale.

“By the time this substance accumulates in the lungs, it damages them after a series of coughing and vomiting blood,” Ali observed.

He said Nigeria’s mining laws stipulate that communities around mining sites should be resettled or the blasting should be controlled in such a manner that the dust will not be airborne.

He said the easiest way of controlling this dust was sprinkling of water while the crushing section should be covered in such a way that dust from the crushing would be absorbed into a special collection baggage, among other measures.

Similarly, Dr Jiya Eunice, Consultant Pulmonologist, National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Training Centre, Zaria said dust from the quarry sites gets into the respiratory system and causes health hazard to victims.

Eunice who is also the Chairman Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the Centre said the manifestation of the disease depends on the degree of the exposure.

“The chronic silicosis, which may be life threatening, could manifest long after between 10 years to 30 years; that is after the company might have finished its operations.

“Such patients may be complaining of dry cough, finding it difficult to breathe, it may also reach a point where the respiratory system fails, such patients subsequently be on oxygen.

“Sometimes it may develop into lung cancer where a chance of survival was very slim’’, she said.

Mr Mohammed Sani, Section 91 Engineer of Sunshine Quarry Farakwai said the company was doing its best to curtail the challenges at the host communities.

Regarding cracking of walls, he said the company listens to the individuals affected in addition to routine fact-finding visits to the host community.

He explained that the company has stopped the monetary compensation to the people whose houses cracked but now directly repairs such cracks.

Sani said the documentary evidence for payment of compensation, and other audio visuals for the direct repairs of cracks were submitted to the Federal Mines Environmental Officer, Kaduna office.

On the health hazard associated with the dust from the quarry site, Sani said there was no report of health hazard to the company from the community.

He said the hazard of silicosis to the community was not considered in the community development agreement and corporate social responsibilities of the company.

He, however, said it could be considered when the firm and the communities review the agreement.

Mr Isiyaku Ibrahim, Assistant Director at Federal Mines Environmental Officer, Kaduna State, denied the allegations by the community against the companies.

The Federal Mines Environmental Officer said Section 119 of the Nigerian Mines and Minerals Act 2007 provides for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Programme (EPRP).

While responding to the public health threat of silicosis to the host communities, Ibrahim said there was no river around the area as such members of the community could contract the disease.

“Though the dust from the two sites contains silicon, there is no water body or stream in the area; as such, once it rains the dust would wash away from the community.

“So, I don’t see how they will contract silicosis as a result of the quarry activities’’, he said.

Ibrahim said the Department ensured the companies conduct the EIA and spelled out the EPRP such as the environmental pollution.

“We also look at S. 116 of the Act which provides for the Community Development Agreement (CDA) and ensure that companies sit with communities and write the CDA for five years and ensure its implementation.

Prof Shehu Yaro, Department of Metallurgy and Material Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, ABU, Zaria contradicts the Federal Mines Environmental Officer and insists that silicosis is contracted through inhaling contaminated air, not through a river as the official claimed.

Yaro said the effect of blasting on the houses in the community is visible.

He reiterated the need for better implementation of the Mining Act which has provided adequate protection to both investors and host communities. (NANFeatures)

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

By Thompson Yamput, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

As former Kogi governor Yahaya Bello hands over to his successor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, analysts have continued to assess his stewardship in the eight years he led the North-Central state.

The posers are many. What will be his place in his history? What will he be remembered for? Is he a hero or a villain?

Bello, who was sworn in on Jan. 27, 2016 and served two terms, was favoured by providence to become governor following the passing of Prince Abubakar Audu, who won the off-cycle governorship election held in 2015.

He had contested for the All Peoples Congress (APC) ticket with Audu and lost to him. Audu went into the election and won but died just when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner.

That incident handed over the seat to Bello, then 40, thanks to his second position in the primary elections.

On assumption of office on Jan. 27, 2016, Bello met several uncompleted projects and opted to complete them and put them to use.

Among the uncompleted projects were the Ganaja Flyover Lokoja, Zone 8 – Paparanda Square Road (IBB Way), expansion of Kogi water project and Kogi Hotel.

He also met a lot of security challenges and is credited with effectively tackling them.

It is to his credit that many of such criminals got neutralised, some arrested, prosecuted and jailed, while others fled the state.

It is, thus, to his credit that Kogi, in spite of being bordered by nine states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is one of the most peaceful states in the country.

This feat earned him both national and international awards, including the “Governor Of The Year” award at the 2023 edition of Global Excellence Awards.The committee for that award described Bello as “an achiever.”

But, for many observers, Bello’s best moment was when Muhammadu Buhari, then President, inaugurated many projects he executed.

Among such projects were the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, the Ganaja flyover, and the General Hospitals in Gegu and Isanlu.

Others included the Referral Hospital, Okene, Lokoja, three GYB Model Secondary Schools, Zone 8 – Paparanda Square Road, Lokoja and Gegu-Beki General Hospital.

He also upgraded the General Hospital in Idah.

Bello also executed many road projects across the 21 Local Government Areas, and lighted many rural areas with electricity projects.

Analysts have also observed that one area that enjoyed the most attention was the education sector, especially with the establishment of Model Secondary Schools to upgrade the quality of early education.

It is also to Bello’s credit that Kogi has three State Universities – Kogi State University, (KSU), Kabba which he established in 2023 after establishing the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC), Osara in Okene.

The Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Ayingba, Dekina, had earlier been established by his predecessor, the late Audu.

With the establishment of KSU, which had its maiden matriculation on Jan. 15, Bello was able to ensure that each of the three senatorial districts of the state had a university.

Only Bello has that distinction in the country.

Another stride Bello will be remembered for, is the payment of N497 million registration fees for students writing the senior secondary school certificate examination organised by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).

On Jan. 23, 2024, Bello approved the payment of N115,000,000 to cover the cost of UTME organised by JAMB, for 15,033 students in public schools across the state.

The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wemmy Jones, who made the disclosure during a news briefing in Lokoja, said that the gesture is a further demonstration of Bello’s commitment to giving all Kogi children free access to education.

According to Jones, the action is a follow-up to the earlier payment of about N497 million to WAEC to ensure no student in Kogi public schools is made to pay a dime before writing any internal or external examination.

According to him, Bello’s vision is that no Kogi child should be deprived of the chance to be educated on account of poverty.

In December 2023, Bello achieved another feat when he presented 25 ambulances to all the local government areas and some tertiary institutions. He also presented fire fighting vans to the state’s Fire Service in Lokoja.

The gesture was part of efforts to further aid the smooth functioning of the state’s health sector and a quicker handling of emergencies.

On the same day, Bello also presented 40 SUVs and four Hilux vans to the state’s lawmakers and Judges to ease the execution of their mandates.

Analysts also credit Bello with sound economic policies and programmes that saw a 300 per cent rise in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Kogi.

Bello will also be remembered for creating a huge political space for women to thrive in the state after appointing most of them into various offices with.

He made it a cardinal policy by ensuring that all Vice Chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas were women.

His ADC was a woman throughout his eight years as governor.

To Dr Joseph Ikani of the Centre For Public Accountability, Abuja, Bello’s achievements will be the bench mark on which his predecessors and successors would be judged.

“Key projects such as the establishment of universities, the Ganaja flyover, several roads and electricity projects will always tell his story.

“Today, we can boast of a reference specialist hospital in Okene that has been adjudged the best in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“The Referral Hospital, Okene has world class facilities with qualified Doctors and Nurses.

“It is the only hospital that has a Citi Scan in the whole of Kogi and offers hope to Kogi people and the nine neighbouring States in the provision of basic healthcare delivery services.

“The ambulances he recently procured will help in the handling of emergencies within the shortest possible time towards an efficient health care delivery,” he said.

Bello has, indeed, made it clear that promoting a healthy populace was his major concern.

“We have made the health needs of our people top priority under our administration. This is the reason the 2024 budget is basically aimed at employment generation for health care providers and consolidation of the available infrastructure that has made us a reference in north-central Nigeria,” he said last year.

He also spoke on the judiciary.

“It is also our avowed determination to ensure that our judicial officers are provided with the needed means to make them deliver justice without fear or favour.”

“Over the years, we have witnessed some fire incidents that could have been averted but for want of the necessary equipment. It is our determination that henceforth, we will, with the provision of the fire service vehicles, fight fire incidences promptly and efficiently,” Bello had also said while inaugurating fire fighting equipment.

The Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Mr Umar Aliyu, has also spoken on Bello’s place in history.

“Bello will always be remembered for being a proven advocate of the well-being and welfare of the legislators.

“Under his watch, legislators have witnessed unprecedented support which improved their productivity.”

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Usman Zakari, also spoke on Bello’s place in contemporary Kogi.

“Following a baseline and needs assessment carried out in 2018, the administration of Governor Bello employed more than 3,000 health workers and improved the infrastructure in all health institutions.

“I see Bello as a game changer in the state’s health sector.

“He procured ambulances for all the Local Government areas. This gesture has provided the opportunity to prevent maternal deaths and to be able to transport patients for emergencies, for linkages and referrals,” he stated.

“One of the last projects Bello inaugurated at the tail end of his administration was Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child 110-Bed Hospital at Iruvichonomi community in Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi. Generations yet unborn will remember him for this,” he said.

For the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Ahmed Abubakar, Bello’s exceptional achievements have rejigged Kogi’s economy.

Abubakar, in a letter to Bello, said Kogi is more prosperous and transformed due to his (Bello’s) exceptional achievements.

Abubakar said: “It is a fact that your exceptional achievements rejigged Kogi’s economy. I wish to congratulate you on your notable strides since assuming office as governor.

“Your various infrastructural projects opened up the state as one of Nigeria’s main trade routes.

“You’re leaving Kogi more prosperous, developed and transformed as seen in your infrastructural projects such as the renovation of the Okene Reference hospital and the establishment of Omi Rice Farm.

“You have enhanced public services and facilities and have added value to agricultural production and rejigged Kogi’s economy.

“As your tenure winds down, I write to congratulate you and acknowledge the notable achievements of your administration during your two tenures as governor.

“During your time as governor, the various infrastructural projects you undertook significantly improved the state’s connectivity and accessibility as one of Nigeria’s main trade routes from the West and South to Northern parts of the country.

“The renovation of the Okene Reference hospital is a testament to your dedication to enhancing public services and facilities.

“Similarly, the establishment of Omi Rice Farm, one of the largest in Nigeria, is a clear demonstration of your administration’s commitment to adding value to agricultural production.”

Like Abubakar, many observers and analysts believe that Bello left indelible marks on the sands of Kogi and will always be remembered as the architect of its supersonic growth. (NAN features)

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

By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

By its Resolution A/77/327, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared Jan. 26 as the International Day of Clean Energy to serve as a call to raise awareness.

The UN also seeks to use the opportunity to mobilise action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a global intergovernmental agency established in 2009 to support countries in their energy transitions, was also founded on Jan. 26, 2009.

Among other things, IRENA serves as a platform for international cooperation and provides data and analyses on clean energy technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment.

According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the best time to adopt clean energy was yesterday and the next best time is today because adopting clean energy is fundamental to the fight against climate change.

“A large chunk of the greenhouse gases that blanket the Earth and trap the Sun’s heat are generated through energy production, by burning fossil fuels (oil, coal, and gas) to generate electricity and heat,” it said.

The UNEP also said the world needs to completely end its reliance on fossil fuels and invest in alternative sources of energy that are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable.

“Renewable energy sources – which are available in abundance all around us, provided by the sun, wind, water, waste, and heat from the Earth – are replenished by nature and emit little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants into the air.”

It is impossible to turn a blind eye to the threat of climate change, with devastating natural disasters in many parts of the world.

From deadly heat waves to fatal mudslides; unrelenting floods to raging wildfires, the world keeps experiencing extreme weather conditions that scientists say are climate change-related.

According to the UN, fossil fuels, coal, oil, and gas, are responsible for nearly 90 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Unfortunately, they still dominate global energy production.

Although significant progress is being made, renewable sources of energy, such as wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal, still only power about 29 per cent of electricity worldwide.

The Paris Agreement (or the Paris Accord), a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015, was signed by 195 countries to cover climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance.

However, those three components – mitigation, adaptation and finance – seem to be exclusively within the reach of wealthy nations who, ironically, are the biggest polluters.

For instance, a 2022 report by IRENA, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), indicted rich nations when it comes to just and inclusive transition to clean energy.

The report showed that Africa has significantly been left out of the energy transition, as only 2 per cent of global investments in renewable energy in the last two decades were made in Africa.

According to the report, less than 3 per cent of global renewables jobs are in Africa.

“In Sub-Saharan Africa, electrification rate was static at 46 per cent in 2019 with 906 million people still lacking access to clean cooking fuels and technologies.”

This damning revelation is despite Africa’s huge resource potential in wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal energy.

Speaking on “Harnessing Africa’s renewable energy potential” at the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) in 2023, AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, underlined Africa’s tremendous potential in energy which remains untapped.

“Africa has an almost unlimited potential of solar capacity (11 TW); abundant hydro (350 GW), out of which only 5-6 per cent is being harvested; wind (110 GW), of which only 2 per cent is being used; and geothermal energy sources (15 GW).

“This is not acceptable. We must make sure we achieve universal energy access, optimising and maximising the potential that Africa has, including natural gas, which is a great part of the energy mix,” he said.

Climate advocates say the impact of climate change on developing countries, especially in Africa, is an indication that the support, funding and awareness required for adaptation needs have been inadequate.

IRENA said COP28, held in Dubai provided a unique opportunity to take stock of the global solutions for limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees and to advance a positive, action-orientated energy agenda.

The conference agreed to triple renewable energy capacity globally and double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

However, some stakeholders warn that if a just and inclusive transition to clean energy is not prioritised, regions that pollute less but are in more danger would have to make other economic choices.

On this year’s International Day of Clean Energy, the world is reminded that with six years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, 600 million people in Africa still lack access to electricity.

Also, about 970 million people in the continent lack access to clean cooking, with about 300,000 women dying every year trying to cook a meal.

As French President Emmanuel Macron said at the ACS, “No country should have to choose between fighting poverty and protecting the planet.” (NANFeatures)

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

By Lucy Ogalue, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Africa is home to enormous mineral, human and material resources. Huge deposits of gold, oil and natural gas, copper, zinc uranium, timber among others resources dot the landscape of the continent.

Unfortunately, these resources have not translated to the desired industrial transformation, wealth generation and economic empowerment.

“Africa is at the bottom of the global value chain with its share of global manufacturing at around only 1.9 percent.

“African economies still rely too heavily on raw commodities; between 2011-2013 manufactured goods made up only 18.5 percent of exports, while 62 percent of total imports were manufactured goods, a commercial imbalance that drains wealth away from the continent,“ says an African Development Bank Group report.

Industrialisation is the process of transforming the economy of a nation or region from a focus on agriculture to a reliance on manufacturing on a wide scale.

According to economists, industrialisation leads to economic transformation, increased productivity, improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, improved livelihoods, increased employment rate, high income and poverty reduction.

With huge unemployment rate but massive youth population, industrialisation process should therefore be at the forefront of Africa’s development initiatives.

“More than one in four young people in Africa – around 72 million – are not in employment, education or training“, according International Labour Organisation.

How does Africa take advantage of its young and growing population to push industrial growth and development?

Ethiopian president, Ms Sahle-Work Zewde, says that effective governance and political will remain key to an industrialised Africa.

According to the Ethiopian president, an industrialised Africa is not a luxury but critical for economic growth on the continent.

“Political will is at the heart of what we do, and policies must incorporate updated tools. Political frameworks should emphasise principles that promote improved productivity and competitiveness.

“There is the need to change Africa’s industrialisation narrative through inclusive and sustainable industrial development, ensuring none is left behind.

“Therefore, government institutions and structures must ensure that public policies, strategies, and national plans are gender-sensitive,” she told her audience at the African Economic Conference in November.

Mr Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), says there was need for sustainable industrialisation, inclusive development, and structural transformation in the continent.

He said this was not possible without good policies and their effective implementation.

“We envision a prosperous Africa with sustainable development that maximises opportunities for income growth, local employment, poverty reduction, and social development.

“Industrialisation is the key to sustained growth and transformation, providing jobs, skills acquisition, innovation, and formal employment, especially for women and youth.

“Effective governance and development planning are crucial for industrialisation and structural transformation,” he said at the conference.

Gatete said that as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement target year (2030) approaches, member states must review progress and identify the remaining tasks.

“At the heart of our efforts to rescue and fulfil our commitment to Africa lies in our call for accelerated industrialisation for sustainable and inclusive development“, he told Africa’s economic eggheads.

Prof. Kevin Urama, Chief Economist and Vice-President, African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, reiterated that African governments should have the political will to leverage the vast opportunities available on the continent.

Urama said the pace of sustainable industrialisation and structural transformation in Africa had been slower than required to lift Africans out of poverty.

“We need to demonstrate strong political will to promote industrialisation and maintain a stable and predictable macro-economic policy environment that facilitates ease of entry, exit, and safety of capital.

“We should develop and consistently implement a strategic industrial policy encouraging local production, consumption, and domestic/regional value chain development.

“We must develop and implement a national education and skill development strategy fully embedded in the National Industrial Policy and Development Plan“, he said.

According to him, to succeed, African countries must think differently, adopt, and implement transformative policy actions that accelerate endogenous manufacturing capacity and encourage consultation of locally manufactured products”, he said.

Industrialisation in modern era requires long term planning, and as in the case of Africa with mass land mass and different governments and varying economies, inclusive economic integration that guarantees equity.

According to Director, Macro Economic Policy Division, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Adams Elhiraika, therefore needs to integrate to create regional value chains that support industrialisation.

“Now is the time for African policymakers and economists to move beyond orthodox, mainstream economics theories that used to tell us that we cannot integrate.

“Theories that say we cannot industrialise or finance our development and that we need aid for trade. We cannot continue to receive aid to produce primary commodities we export for processing elsewhere,” he said.

A Professor of Economics at the University of Ibadan, Olawale Ogunkola, called for policies and strategies that foster efficient industrialisation in Africa, such as Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

“Mass production is required to meet market demands, and this will not be profitable if trade costs are not reduced through infrastructure development.

“The case for infrastructure development is critical for regional value chains. If we do not address trade costs, making a profit will not be possible” he said.

Similarly, Grace Nshemeirwe, the Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Private Sector Federation, emphasised the need for national governments to address trade barriers and obstacles to financing businesses.

“Harmonising trade policies across the region is vital to facilitate trade and enable African countries to compete effectively.

“Access to finance and capacity building cannot be overemphasised; we must also do more in product standardisation and packaging in Africa”, he said.

Dr Hauwa Ibrahim, Department of Economics, Nassarawa State University, Nigeria, said Africa stood at the crossroads of opportunities and challenges.

“The demographic population is vital and should be considered because Africa has many young people; what they are learning now should matter to us.

“We need to recognise the role of technology and ensure it is applied at all levels.

“We cannot take out the role of education in defining technology because we do not want to industrialise and have to invest elsewhere, away from the continent, in certain labour forces.

“Therefore, while we invest in technology, we must also invest in the education of young people so they can help drive the technology,” she advanced.

Prof. Fiona Tregenna, University of Johannesburg and Chair of the Industrial Development, National Research Foundation (NRF) South Africa, said transformative industrialisation was crucial and would pave the way for the continent’s advancement.

While acknowledging some progress, she said several challenges that hindered efficient and effective industrialisation on the continent persisted, adding that: `getting the Africa we want is not business as usual`

Mr Ibrahim Sall, former Minister of Planning, Senegal, said engagement with various stakeholders would engender the continent’s sustainable industrial development.

“We need a flexible, agile, high-impact industrialisation that is robust. We need to implement industrial policies; there is no policy that cannot be selective.

“Otherwise, we will be sprinkling without impacting or wasting capital. Therefore, there must be a selective national champion.

“How do we build with major stakeholders? What matters most is to look at selectivity and information and inform the states to understand that policies are not made on the ground.

“The engagement of states is key, and they must pay attention to the industrial sector,” Sall said.

According to him, selective criteria are critical in achieving the goal.

“The vertical policy of African nations focuses on processing raw materials, and we also have horizontal and selective policies.

“This involves all actions: sustainability, infrastructure, human capital, and technology; with this, states do not need to be flexible but focus on sustainability,” he said.

Perhaps the position of African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, more succintly points path to success.

“The door to poverty is from the export of raw materials; the highway to wealth is industrialisation. To industrialise, Africa must solve its major challenges’’, he said.

The choice between industrialisation and its attendant economic and social benefits; and poverty through corruption and wasteful spending is there for African leaders to make. (NANFeatures)

By Aderonke Ojo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Coaching is a process that aims to improve performance. Some sports psychologists argue that irrespective of what the coach imparts on the athlete, the biggest obstacle to success is internal (the individual athlete) rather than external.

They say that as a coach, there would be time would be led by the person being coached. However, there may also be times when you are the expert, and imparting information and knowledge.

Coaching also includes making decisions about when a particular activity is safe for the athlete and why.

Though coaching may mean different things to different people, generally it is all about helping individuals to solve their own problems and improve their own performances.

There is no sport this has manifested more than football, a national sport and unifying factor for the nation.

Over the years, many coaches at different cadres of national football team have been fired due to the perception that they have failed in their coaching roles.

While some are sacked weeks before major tournaments, others are relieved of their jobs at the end of such tournaments such as Africa Nations Cup (AFCON).

This calls for the grooming of coaches of international standards who will create a national identity and philosophy in any sport as obtainable in football power house nations such as Brasil, Argentina, Spain, Italy and Germany.

No wonder the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh-owan described coaching as a critical aspect of sports development that should have more attention if the country is to return to its sporting best.

“There must be a conscious plan for the progress and development of our coaches because the quality of our teams in different sports is largely going to be a function of the quality of coaching.

“The sports sector is a very dynamic one with the teams increasingly and ever changing, so you need to be up to date with our coaching.

“ Pledging readiness to work with relevant stakeholders to beam focus on the coaching sector with a view to raising the standard in line with international best practices.

“Attention will be given to the coaching aspect of our sports developments. Now we pay more attention to the athletes themselves than to those who produce these athletes, those who bring out the best of this athlete.

“So it is important we re-direct our focus,” he said.

To do that requires enormous fund and the minister is banking on partnership between both the public and private sectors.

One of the approaches, he said, is the National Institute for Sports (NIS), exploring ways to partner with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in the areas of training and research.

One area coaching is very crucial is at the talent hunt level and this should occur at the grassroots.

Conscious of this, the minister said efforts would be geared towards improving the skills of grassroots coaches and revamp sports facilities at the grassroots.

He also assured that sports events at the grassroots would be well funded through collaborative model between public and private sectors.

Sports Coaches Association of Nigeria, President Gabriel Opuana, canvassed proper training of coaches to serve as the catalyst for Nigeria’s resurgence in sports.

“It is difficult to think of the future of sports in Nigeria without the active participation of qualified coaches.

“This will be done in such a way that their dignity and integrity is acknowledged and guaranteed through access to quality education, jobs, sports amenities and facilities,” he said.

He called on the minister to immediately set up a proactive committee to raise funds through the private sector for the development of sports since government alone cannot do it.

Afolabi Olanrewaju, a sports affairs analyst, said that proper training of coaches would enhance their capacity to identify and nurture talents.

“There should deliberate plans to bring in sports veterans sports into coaching. This will not only give them a sense of belonging but also give them a sense of belonging.

“Our desire to go back to the grassroots to scout for talents can be achieved by regularly organising various coaching and sporting activities at that level,” he said.

Olanrewaju also said that coaches development should be seen as a process with the ultimate end of building their ability engineer high performance as well as to coach at all levels.

“It is extremely important for the coaches and managers to keep data of every athletes and update same on regular interval. This is the heart of any sports development program,” said the coaches association head.

Similarly, Adaeze Adam said that one empowered the coach has the potential to change the lives of hundreds of young athletes.

“I urge our athletes who have passed age of playing to key into coaching instead of looking for offers where there is none.

“I have been saying it time without number that athletes should always try to make sure they hit the peak of their careers before the age of 30 years.

“Subsequently if they unfortunately pick up injuries that will force them into early retirement they can become coaches,” Adam said.

Just like in many aspects of human endeavour nowadays, technology has played a crucial role in revolutionalising coaching and Praise Ayodele, a sports enthusiast says Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in this transformation.

He said coaches could get some decision right through data analysis as captured using various technologies, including video clips and chips.

Temitope Solomon, another sports enthusiast agrees, particularly in the area of training methodology.

“Sports managers and club administrators, and school sports organisers need to ensure that their coaches have the correct and up to date training methodology.

“They must equip them with the skill to in adapt to new technologies and sports software tools.

“There should be consolidation of existing knowledge, a structured curriculum, innovative drills, reporting structure and assessments tools, and technological innovation that can create impact on coaches,” said Solomon.

According to him, to enhance the skills of coaches in the country, all stakeholders who share the same vision and goals should be involved. (NANFeatures)