By Gregg Mmadukolam

The Ghenerhocia Foreign Language Academy Gwarinpa, on Saturday partnered with the Chinese Cultural centre in Abuja for easy understanding of a Chinese language, called Mandarin.

Ms Akpore Oghenemarho, a Chinese teacher, said during the launch of the book “Mandarin Chinise” in Abuja that her love for the Chinese language inspired her to establish the Academy which started to train Nigerians on Mandarin, in April 2022.

According to her, Mandarin language will assist Nigerians and other foreigners to learn the language, especially when dealing with the Chinese business community.

“I also  wrote a book titled `Mandarin Chinese’  which was launched on Saturday; now there are over two billion Chinese who speak the language.

“I was, however,  inspired to write the book because many Nigerians conduct businesses with Chinese and there are  over 218 Chinese firms in Nigeria,” she said.

She further said that the Academy had trained over 60 Nigerians and foreigners since it started with its graduates doing very well in their careers.

Mr Lui Ping, Deputy Director China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, said the new book, ‘Mandarin Chinese’ is an introductory book for learning Chinese.

‘‘The book is very helpful for our Chinese-learning beginners to understand and speak Mandarin well.

Liu described the new book as an achievement to not only the author’s learning but also to the learning and teaching of Chinese.

He added that it would also foster cultural exchange and friendship between China and Nigeria.

‘‘I hope this new book will help more Chinese learners get the easy way to teach, learn and use Chinese very well,’’ he said.

The Deputy Director extolled the virtues of Oghenemarho, saying that she studied Chinese for six years, and was enthusiastic about the cultural exchanges between China and Nigeria.

Earlier, the book reviewer, Mrs Blessing Ikenna, said that the book was quite encompassing, covering a variety of things like how to greet, how to count numbers, colours and different places in Chinese language, among others.

She advised that the learners of Chinese language in Nigeria, including foreigners, should buy the book because it would enable them to understand the language seamlessly.

Fang Fang, a Chinese and a teacher at the Chinese Cultural centre in Abuja, explained that Mandarin is the language of government and education spoken by the majority of Chinese Mainland and Taiwan.

The chairman of the launch, Mr Samson Eyekosi, commended Oghenemarho for her work, adding that the book would strengthen the ties between China and Nigeria.

Eyekosi added that understanding of the Chinese language, especially Mandarin, would enhance Nigerians doing business with Chinese and also improve the nation’s economic development.

The chairman of the book launch also noted that Chinese, being the most populous country in the world, learning of Mandarin by Nigerians would engender commerce and good cordial relationships between Nigeria and China.

The event was graced by many Nigerians and Chinese, while the Alheri dancing group entertained the audience. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

By Salisu Sani-Idris

President Bola Tinubu has implored public servants to live up to expectation by upholding public trust where they must all be accountable to the citizens.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call on Saturday at the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS) ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He restated his administration’s determination to creating an environment where merit was rewarded, and where every public servant felt valued and motivated to give their best.

Tinubu urged them to always be guided by the fact that the nation’s public institutions were not personal enterprises, and that, as public servants, they were employees of the Nigerian people.

He said the event was not just about the awards ceremony, but about embedding a culture of recognition and reward in the ethos of the country’s public service.

Tinubu noted that some loopholes were still being exploited by those saddled with the nation’s trust in spite of the institutional measures put in place to prevent any form of irregularities in the public service.

“More than ever, our public service must live up to its expectation as a public trust where every official must account to the people, and ours is to create an ecosystem where they not only stand out but stand apart from those who sabotage us.

“Even though we have set in place institutional measures to forestall any form of dysfunction in our public service, there are still cracks often exploited by those given the trust of the nation.

“But what we must never get tired of doing is reminding ourselves that our public institutions are not personal enterprises and, for that, each of us is an employee of the Nigerian citizen,” he said.

While underlining the significance of the Nigeria Excellence Awards in Public Service (NEAPS), a private sector initiative in partnership with the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Tinubu gave the initiative his full support.

He said that it was strategic to inspire the bulk of the nation’s workforce to set benchmarks and create a ripple effect of positive change throughout our society.

According to him, reward and recognition are the very markers of every thriving institution, and indeed, nation.

He noted that the essence of any successful entity, whether a private enterprise or public institution, was in its ability to honour those who work to uphold its values and drive its progress.

“Our labour force remains the ultimate reflection of our principles, as practised by men and women who rise every day with a commitment to building a better future for all citizens.

“We, therefore, owe these silent architects of our national progress more than just a debt of gratitude.”

The President, who showered praises on Nigerian public servants, maintained that their place must be remembered in order to motivate them to inspire others and make clear “that excellence is not an orphan”.

Tinubu said NEAPS also played a crucial role of introducing more role models to a nation in search of mentors and to tell the awardees that, “we see them, and the excellence with which they have served the nation”.

“The 44 persons we are here to honour set in motion a chain of actions to build a culture of hard work and commitment to noble principles in our public service.

“We must also strive to make sure that the values that have set them apart are deeply ingrained in our culture.

“There’s no better way to water this forest of high performance, integrity, and accountability than our collective refusal to underplay the efforts of those who labour day in and day out to hold our nation together.”

Earlier, Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said NEAPS, a private sector-driven initiative, recognised and rewarded innovation, purposeful leadership and hardwork by exceptional individuals and organisations in the country’s public service across all levels of government and the private sector.

He explained that the process of selecting the honourees was based on empirical facts and figures that were verifiable.

The SGF gave the assurance that efforts would be made to ensure the initiative was maintained as a regular feature in order to motivate and encourage excellence in the country’s public service.

He urged recipients of the awards not to relent in their efforts toward making Nigeria a more prosperous and progressive country.

Among the 44 persons who clinched the NEAPS were retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Peace Building award) and President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio (Parliamentary Excellence award).

Others are: the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas (Parliamentary Excellence award); and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila (Leadership and Administration award).

Also, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, bagged the Administrator par Excellence award.

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State was also recognised, and among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Salif Atojoko

The Federal Government says it will drag the Daily Trust Newspapers to the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) over its publication on the Samoa agreement.

Mr Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, who gave this hint on Saturday in Abuja, said that government would also approach the court over the report he described as “fake and mischievous.”

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the information minister spoke at a press conference to react to the report believed to have the potential to spark up religious and social tensions in the country.

NAN also reports that Idris addressed the press along with his budget and planning counterpart, Malam Atiku Bagudu.

In the report, the medium had claimed that the Federal Government had signed an agreement with clauses requiring Nigeria to endorse the rights of Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex(LGBTQI+) people.

It also said that Nigeria would collect 150 billion dollars for endorsing the deal.

The said agreement, generally referred to as the Samoa agreement, was signed at the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States(OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, on June 28.

Details of the agreement indicated that the partnership is between the European Union and its member states on one hand, and members of OACPCS on the other.

Negotiations on the agreement began in 2018 and was signed on Nov. 15, 2018 by all 27 EU member-states and 47 of the 79 OACPS states.

The African Regional Protocol on the matter consists of two parts – framework for cooperation and areas of cooperation that include inclusive and sustainable economic growth, environmental and human rights protection, among others.

Reacting to the medium’s report on the matter, the minister described it as gross falsehood.

He said it followed a pattern that Daily Trust had become used to since the Bola Tinubu administration came on board.

While noting that Tinubu had maintained a good relationship with the media in line with his philosophy as an avowed democrat, he said it was “disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the government.”

“We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.

“While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media’s normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.

“The insidious and inciting publications by the Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar.

“On many occasions, we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the mischievous publications leaves us with no option.

“In the aftermath of the coup in Niger Republic, Daily Trust championed a jaundiced narrative that the Federal Government was driving the country into a war and twisted it with regional sentiment to cause disaffection.

“The same newspaper gave a banner headline to a baseless accusation that the Government was working on siting foreign military bases in the country.

” Neither Daily Trust nor originators of that imaginative allegation provided any shred of evidence.

“Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way.

“In all those instances, all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant.

“We, however, did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could decend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQI.

“We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed.

“Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.

“The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for khutba (sermons), by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story, thereby raising tempers,” he said.

He said, however, that government would continue to toe the path of civility by restraining itself from seeking self-help or adopting draconian measures.

“While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are, however, toeing the path of civility and the rule of law,” he said.

The minister said that the Federal Government would drag the medium to the NPAN Ombudsman “on this irresponsible reporting.”

In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law, he added.

Idris restated government’s friendly policy toward ethical media and free speech, but warned that it would not accept fake news and disinformation that could injure the peace of the nation and hurt national security.(NAN)
(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

By Sunday John

The Federal Government has sought the cooperation of Cross River, Ebonyi, Kogi, Benue and Nasarawa state governments to fast track construction of a superhighway linking the states with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Sen. David Umahi, Minister of Works, stated this during a meeting with the state governors, on Saturday in Lafia, Nasarawa.

He said the superhighway, initiated under the Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructure project, goes beyond road construction, describing it as an investment that would serve as a catalyst to revive Nigeria’s economy.

Umahi listed the 700 kilometre Lagos-Ondo-Edo-Delta-Bayelsa-Rivers-Akwa Ibom-Cross Rivers; Sokoto-Kebbi-Niger-Kwara-Oyo-Ogun-Badagry, and Cross Rivers-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Apo routes as the legacy projects of the Bola Tinubu’s administration.

According to him, these projects will bring significant benefits, particularly to the states involved.

“I urge you to support Mr President, who still has several years to deliver these projects. We believe that within the remaining years, these three legacy projects will be completed,” he said.

The minister said the road projects would be constructed of reinforced concrete, capable of lasting up to 50 years before requiring maintenance.

“Each section will consist of six lanes, with integrated train tracks and solar streetlights,” he said, adding that the Sokoto-Badagry route alone would feature 53 dams.

He said the Federal Executive Council (FEC), had directed the prioritisation of long-standing federal government projects across the country for completion.

In their seperate remarks, stakeholders and governors of the affected states lauded President Tinubu for the initiative.

Gov. Abdullahi Sule, who chairs the North-Central Governors’ Forum, pledged support to facilitate successful execution of the project.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dianabasi Effiong

Samoa
Abuja, July 6, 2024(NAN) The Federal Government has dismissed a newspaper report claiming that the Samoa partnership agreement signed June 28 has endorsed the rights of Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer(LGBTQ), people in Nigeria.

It also rejected the claims that Nigeria would receive 150 billion dollars for entering into the deal.

Mr Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and planning, made the clarification at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the minister, along with his information and national orientation counterpart Mohammed Idris, had called the conference to react to a report by the Daily Trust Newspapers.

NAN also reports that in the report, the medium claimed that the Federal Government signed an agreement with clauses requiring Nigeria to endorse the rights of LGBTQI people.

It further said that the populous African nation would pocket 150 billion dollars for endorsing the deal.

The report has sparked off social, religious and cultural tension with the allegations becoming the topics for most sermons in Mosques and Churches.

The minister recalled that the agreement, generally referred to as the Samoa agreement, was signed at the Organisation of Africa, Caribbean and Pacific States(OACPS), Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, on June 28.

Details of the agreement indicated that the partnership is between the European Union and its member-states on one hand, and members of OACPCS on the other.

Negotiations on the agreement began in 2018 and it was signed on Nov. 15, 2018 by all 27 EU member-states and 47 of the 79 OACPS states.

The African Regional Protocol on the deal consists of two parts – framework for cooperation, and areas of cooperation that include sustainable economic growth, environment and human rights protection, among others.

Reacting to the medium’s report on the matter, Bagudu said that there was no iota of truth in it.

He said that there was nowhere in the document where 150 billion dollars was mentioned.

He also said that the agreement made no reference to LGBTQ or the rights of people involved in such activities.

He declared that President Bola Tinubu was a proud Nigerian and would never sign any document that could hurt its laws and constitution.

He said that the agreement was seeking to foster cooperation between EU’s 27 members and OACPC with 79 nations.

“The partnership is about trade agreements, human rights and environmental promotion,” he said.

He said Nigeria signed after extensive reviews and consultations by the interministerial committee convened by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that of
justice.

He said Nigeria had made it clear that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be null and void, and that is, thus, what government has to say on the issue of same-sex marriage.

“There is an existing law against that since 2014.

“It is necessary to assure Nigerians that Tinubu’s administration, being a rule-based government, will not enter into any international agreement that will be detrimental to the interest of the country and its citizens,” he said.

He pointed out that Nigeria had entered into many other agreements most of which had benefited the country in the areas of water, sanitation, education, agriculture, among others.

According to him, the Samoa agreement is focused on economic development, security, environment, migration, mobility and climate change.

Other areas included investment opportunities, sustainable development and mutually beneficial cooperations, among others.

He said that no article supported rights of LGBTQ, declaring that everything signed was in tandem with Nigeria’s laws.

“President Tinubu is non-apologetic about his respects for our diversities and wouldn’t want to do anything that will hurt anyone.

“President Tinubu did not authorise any agreement that can undermine our constitution or laws.

“We did not sign anything that has a clause that challenges our laws.

“We are always conscious of our sovereignty; we respect our two religions,” he declared.

He urged the media to be truthful and patriotic in the handling of reports so as to protect national interest.

Bagudu reminded the media that development partners were also sensitive to media reports.

“Let us not ridicule ourselves and scare international investors. Nigerians should be allowed to know the truth,” he said.

He reminded the media that there were hardworking Nigerians helping the nation to secure foreign investments, support and cooperation.

“We should not undermine their efforts and discourage them from putting in their best for the nation,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
PAT/ETS

Sir Keir Starmer

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu on Friday congratulated Sir Keir Starmer the leader of the Labour Party, on the victory of his party in the United Kingdom general elections.

Starmer, emerged winner of the UK general elections and is set to become the next prime minister of the country.

Rishi Sunak, the outgoing Conservative Prime Minister who has already conceded defeat, said he would step down as leader of the Conservative Party before tendering his resignation letter to the King.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, in a statement, said as a former leader of the opposition in Nigeria, Tinubu noted the determination and courage demonstrated by Starmer throughout his years in the opposition and as the leader of the Labour Party.

“The President states that the party’s ability to reform, mobilise, and position itself for victory after 14 years clearly affirms the leadership qualities of Sir Starmer.

“President Tinubu also congratulates the citizens and the government of the United Kingdom, describing the Kingdom as an abiding model of democracy and Nigeria’s long-standing partner,” said the statement.

The President said he looked forward to deepening relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom in mutual areas of interest in strengthening democratic institutions, as well as in building a safer and more prosperous future for the people of both countries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Labour Party secured a landslide victory in the UK election to end 14 years of Conservative rule.

“We did it!” Starmer said in his victory speech. “Change begins now.”

(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

======

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), mandating it to strengthen the economy.

He also inaugurated the Economic Stabilisation Programme to ensure food security, improved power supply, enhanced social welfare and healthcare, increased energy production, and overall economic transformation.

Speaking during the inaugural of the 31-member Council at the Council Chambers in Abuja, Tinubu, who chairs the Council, underscored the need for innovative solutions to the country’s economic challenges.

He noted the importance of public-private partnerships in driving economic reforms.

“We have the challenge of energy security in Nigeria. We need to work together to improve our oil and gas sector, and we must also increase electricity generation and distribution throughout the country.

“We are determined to do that with your cooperation, collaboration, and recommendations.

“As a nation, it is so shameful that we are still generating 4.5GW of electricity.

“We must increase our oil production to 2 million barrels per day within the next few months and we are determined to remove all entry barriers to investments in the energy sector while enhancing competitiveness.’

He announced measures, which would run concurrently with the National Construction and Household Support Programme, to stabilise the economy, enhance job creation, and foster economic security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the measures under the Economic Stabilisation Programme include Energy Security, which includes power, oil and gas, aims to increase on-grid electricity to be delivered to homes and businesses from about 4.5 gigawatts to 6 gigawatts in six months.

It also aims at increasing oil production to two million barrels per day within the next 12 months; and remove barriers to entry for investments into the sector to enhance competitiveness.

The programme includes Agriculture and Food Security, which aims at increase staple crops grown by small-holder farmers from 127 million metric tonnes in 2023 to 135 million metric tonnes this year.

It will bolster production by partnering larger-scale commercial farmers and support qualified farmers with satellite imagery for land use planning, crop rotation, and monitoring of agricultural expansion.

Another aspect of the plan is Health and Social Welfare under which the Federal Government hopes to make essential medicines available at lower cost for 80-90 million Nigerians.

It will also expand healthcare insurance coverage for one million vulnerable people via a Vulnerable Group Fund in collaboration with state governments.

It will redeploy 20,000 healthcare workers to provide services to 10-12 million patients in areas where they are most urgently needed and power up 4,800 primary healthcare centres (PHCs), second tier, and third tier hospitals using renewable energy sources.

Under the Economic Stabilisation Programme, Tinubu said some fiscal measures had been introduced to improve access to finance for the housing sector, MSMEs, and the manufacturing sector are.

The measures include support for new and existing youth-owned enterprises across all 36 states of the Federation, creating 7,400 MSMEs within the next 6-12 months.

There is also MSME support, a N650 billion facility that will provide lower-cost short-term facilities to youth-owned businesses, manufacturers and MSMEs across various industries; food processing, pharmaceutical, agriculture, and wholesale and retail trade.

“This financing will be based on their current and future receivables, company rating, and market demand for products.

“A Manufacturing Stabilisation Fund will rejuvenate up to two hundred and fifty companies and deliver lower cost (9.0 per cent -11.0 per cent) long-term facilities to large, medium-scale, and light manufacturers that produce finished goods for domestic and export markets.

“Sub-national Matching Fund: A Grow Nigeria Development Fund consisting of a single-digit interest rate loan portfolio with the Bank of Industry and a matching fund agreement with sub-national governments to grow MSMEs,” said the President.

He stated that the Bank of Industry’s Rural Development Programme would be expanded to support rural economies by developing 300 new MSMEs for each state, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, resulting in 11,100 new rural-based MSMEs across the Federation.

“Mortgage Finance Acceleration Facility: A facility that delivers affordable housing for all segments impacted by the cost-of-living challenge.

“This will support the construction of an additional 25,000 housing units.

“These fiscal measures will improve access to finance for MSMEs and, in the process, create 4.7 million direct and indirect jobs over a six to 12-month period,” said Tinubu.

Emphasising the significance of the task ahead, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who is the Vice-Chairman of the Council, stated that President Tinubu was committed to proffering solutions to the nation’s economic challenges and not apportioning blame.

“I want to emphasise that when there is a will, there is always a way, and the President does not believe in apportioning blame. He believes in preparing solutions,” Shettima said.

Mr Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, made a presentation on the highlights of the Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan earlier submitted to the President.

The plan details economic issues to be resolved in 2024 by sub-committees in the key sectors of agriculture and food security, energy (oil, gas, power), health and social welfare, and business support.

Other members of the council include the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, twelve ministers, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Members from the Organised Private sector include: Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr Tony Elumelu, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, Ms Amina Maina, Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Dr Funke Opeke, Dr Doyin Salami among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

President Bola Tinubu

Malam Ali M. Ali

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali M. Ali, says the agency has done well in the last eight months under his leadership.

Ali made this known during an interactive session with members of staff of the agency on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, there is need to look back and see how far the agency had gone under his eight-month-old leadership.

“AI has taken over journalism and NAN Management is not resting on its oars. It is conscious of technology driven strategies. That is why we always preach about working smart.

“Also, that is why we organised an editorial management retreat in Kaduna early this year. The retreat opened our eyes to issues like secondment, leave of absence and study leave.

“When we took charge eight months ago, we decided to take actions on the issue of secondment, because, it was negatively affecting staff strength of editorial department,” he said.

Ali added: “We have also taken steps to expand the scope of the agency in form of restructuring, so that members of staff can advance and reach the zenith of their career.

“Also, there has been a remarkable improvement in the editorial department. We now publish good and quality stories.

“We are utilising the scarce resources optimally. We have brought in working tools, furniture, paid data allowance to editors and controllers, and those that wrote features articles,” he said

The NAN boss further explained that working smart required data and the agency would continue to provide that within the limited resources.

“I can see efforts of rededication by staff members, including those in the multimedia unit. We took a small step, but a giant lift’’.

Ali said the agency had protected its sites and portal to ensure security in the cyber space.

He encouraged all reporters to be innovative and bring in businesses into the agency to boost its revenue generation.

He also said some NAN offices were undergoing renovation and more would follow.

Regarding the social media, Ali said, before the last eight months, NAN did not have a Tiktok account, adding, “but today, the agency’s social media handles are thriving in the right direction.

“We have decided to bring back some policies to help staff members that are bereaved or getting married. We are trying to restructure the agency; it is work in progress.

“We have also channeled our resources to green energy and that is why the newsroom has power 24/7.

“We have also entered into several partnerships for the good of the agency,” he said

Ali said that a power generating set, meant for the office of the MD, was deployed to service the Lagos office, adding that it was regrettable that the Lagos office lost over N20 million worth of cable to vandals.

He stressed that the agency was facing some challenges, adding that management would look into them.

He tasked the Lagos Directorate to leverage on the private sector in the state, to rake in more revenue for the agency.

On capacity building, Ali said the agency is waiting for funds to embark on series of trainings to build the capacity of members of staff.

“The last eight months has been amazing. I love this family. All of us have been supportive. Our focus should not be personal, rather, on the job.

“Let us work together; I have seen great harmony, in spite of communication gap, let’s try to bridge the gap,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Special Duties, Mr Mufutau Ojo called on Zonal Controllers to live up to their responsibility to improve productivity.

Also, the Head of Administration and Human Resources of the Agency, Malam Abdulhadi Kaliel, said he was confident that before the end of 2024, NAN would get the approval to restructure the agency.

Members of staff across the country commended Ali for the good initiative he has brought to the agency in the last eight months. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

CMY/OIF/ROT

============
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Ismail Abdulaziz
Nigeria is partnering with UK, Germany and the World Economic Forum towards the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s plans for a green industrial development of the country.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ngelale said that the meeting with the leadership of the UK-Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNAIF) centred on enabling a private sector-led, public sector-enabled programme.

“We (also) hosted a virtual discussion with the Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Center for Nature and Climate, Ms Gim Huay.

“We agreed to actionable next steps that will ensure greater collaboration with international investors and DFIs in accordance with our green industrial roadmap.

“On Wednesday evening, we hosted a fruitful session with a delegation from the German Embassy led by its Head of Climate Negotiations, Ambassador Johannes Lehne.

“Specific steps toward deepening collaboration on hydrogen and wind energy development were agreed upon with a follow-up next week,” he said.

NAN reports that in May, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a committee to oversee the Green Economic Initiative, known as the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and Green Economic Solutions.

Tinubu also approved the appointment of Chief Ajuri Ngelale as Special Envoy on Climate Action and will retain his role as the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.

The committee was part of a strategic move of the President to ensure the advancement of his administration’s climate and green economic initiatives.

The committee is to coordinate and oversee all the policies and programmes on climate action and green economic development.

NAN reports that the UKNIAF is a technical assistance programme (2019 – 2025) that aims to transform Nigeria’s capacity to plan, finance, deliver and maintain climate-smart. critical infrastructure.

It aims to achieve transformation through technical support in two component areas: Power and Infrastructure Finance.

NAN reports that the key counterparts are the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies; selected state governments; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Nigeria (FCDO); the wider development and development finance institution groups.(NAN)
edited by Sadiya Hamza