Dele Alake - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Muhyideen Jimoh
Apr, Tue, 2025

Alake commends Abuja varsity for pioneering Africa’s first gemology dept

235 total views today

By Martha Agas

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has commended the establishment of Africa’s first Gemology and Gemstones Department at the Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.

Alake described the new department as a significant milestone in developing a formal curriculum for the sector, emphasising its role as a vital hub of knowledge for professionals in the gemstone and jewelry-making value chain.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Tuesday in Abuja, he highlighted the initiative’ s importance in repositioning the gemstone sector and mining industry at large.

“The initiative will strengthen Nigeria’s mining industry by cultivating a new generation of experts equipped to drive sectoral growth,” he said.

He pledged support for the initiative stating that it aligned with his strategic vision for enhanced capacity building within Nigeria’s mining sector.

The minister also expressed his commitment to support the department’ s request for affiliation with the Gemological Institute of Nigeria, and encouraged other institutions to emulate Yakubu Gowon University’s by incorporating mining-focused courses.

According to the minister, the government is also working toward establishing full-fledged universities dedicated to mining.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a delegation from the department, led by Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, had earlier visited the minister in in Abuja to seek support in securing formal affiliation between the university and the Gemological Institute of Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews)

Edited by Gabriel Yough

U.S. tariffs may be blessing in disguise for Africa— Alake

Muhyideen Jimoh
Apr, Mon, 2025

Economy/Business

U.S. tariffs may be blessing in disguise for Africa— Alake

332 total views today

By Martha Agas

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has said that the prevailing barrage of tariffs imposed by the United States may be a blessing in disguise for African countries.

Alake stated this during the Fireside Chat session on Foreign Direct Investment, titled ‘The Alchemy of Foreign Direct Investment: Turning Policies into Prosperity for Emerging Global Markets in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, on Sunday in Abuja, the minister’s remarks were part of his contribution to the discourse on the impact of the tariffs on Africa’s economic climate.

Tomori said the event was part of the the 14th edition of the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that US President Donald Trump recently announced new tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners.

“The barrage of tariffs imposed carries wide-ranging implications for the global economy, U.S. trade relationships, and developing nations, including those in Africa,” he said.

The media aide also noted that Alake called on African countries to adopt an introspective approach by looking inward and adjusting their domestic policies to focus more on intra-African trade, with less dependence on external forces.

Tomori noted that the minister stressed the need need for African countries to organise economic imperatives to ensure a balance of trade and strengthen intra African trade among countries.

The minister highlighted the persistent challenge faced by African countries, where rare mineral resources were exported without any value addition.

According to him, the old ‘pit-to-port’ model, where resources are extracted and sent out of the continent can no longer be allowed to continue.

“Interested investors, who wish to come into Africa are welcome to set up their factories in the continent, add value to our mineral resources and create jobs here, rather than just shipping our wealth out of our shores”, he stated.

The minister said that his stance on protecting Africa’s mineral wealth has been adopted by many African countries, particularly mineral-producing nations, where he served as the pioneering chairman of the African Minerals Strategic Group (AMSG).

He reaffirmed that Nigeria’s policy on mineral sector development remained strictly focused on value addition and boosting the local economy through job creation.

NAN reports that the Annual AIM, was aimed at promoting international investment, support sustainable economic growth, encourage innovation, and foster partnerships between investors, governments, and businesses.

The AIM also serves as a platform for discussing investment trends in sectors such as digital economy, future finance, and sustainable development.

The 14th edition held from April 7 to 9 is with the theme ‘Mapping the Future of Global Investment: The New Wave of a Globalised Investment Landscape – Towards a New Balanced World Structure’.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Gabriel Yough

Mining: Nigeria must move beyond extraction to unlock potential —Alake

Muhyideen Jimoh
Nov, Wed, 2024

Economy/Business

Mining: Nigeria must move beyond extraction to unlock potential —Alake

467 total views today

By Martha Agas

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, has said that Nigeria must move beyond extraction in mining to reap the gains of the sector.

Alake stated this at a press conference to kick-start activities of the ninth edition of the Annual Nigeria Mining Week on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that even though Nigeria was blessed with 44 minerals and possesses the critical minerals needed for energy transition, it must move beyond extraction to yield its full potential.

“We are focused on establishing systems and structures that allow Nigerians to benefit directly from our resources.

“Through local value addition, processing and beneficiation, our aim is to transform Nigeria’s wealth into industrial and economic power, generating jobs and supporting local businesses in ways that ripple through our economy.

“Lithium processing plants have been inaugurated in Nasarawa State, and plans are under way to unveil more processing plants on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Value addition is gaining traction and momentum because of the determination of the government to reposition the solid minerals sector to contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product,” he added.

He said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was determined to implement its value addition policy by ensuring that mineral resources do not leave the shores of the country in their raw form.

According to him, the government is positioning Nigeria as a formidable player in the global mineral value chain, driven by a commitment to retain the wealth generated within the communities.

He added that the administration was also prioritising security of mineral resources through addressing illegal mining using both persuasive and coercive measures.

Alake stated that the mining week provides a unique opportunity to bring together investors, experts and government leaders from around the world to foster partnerships.

The minister explained that the move was aimed at driving innovation, financing and policy evolution, adding that the event was aimed at addressing both current challenges and future opportunities in Nigeria’s mining sector.

He said the event, with the theme “From the Inside Out: Building the Mining Sector to be the Cornerstone of the Economy”, was a demonstration of collective commitment by stakeholders to create an improved mining industry.

He said the vision was an industry that underpins national prosperity, supports sustainable growth and drives industrialisation.

The President of the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Dele Ayanleke, described the mining week as a platform for the assessment of industry progress, setting future agenda and showcasing emerging technologies and methodologies.

Ayanleke, who was represented by the National Financial Secretary, Tope Adebanjo, thanked their partners, Pricewaterhouse Coppers (PwC) Nigeria and the Vuka, for their continuous support toward the development of the mining sector.

Speaking, Partner and Forensics Leader at PwC, Habeeb Jaiyeola, said that the mining week was designed to showcase the achievements of the mining sector to the international community and local mining investors.

Jaiyeola said that critical topics would be discussed to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to compete favourably in the global mining sector, especially with the paradigm shift to cleaner energy sources.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that the week is being organised by MAN and is hosted by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Peter Amine