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  • Police nab 4 suspected kidnappers, rescue victims in Kaduna

     

  • Experts list ways to boost Nigeria’s natural gas production

    Gas
    By Rukayat Moisemhe
    Lagos, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Some experts have called for a well-articulated and sustainable programme to decentralise the power sector regulatory environment and incentivise investors to boost natural gas production in Nigeria.
    They said this at the American Business Council (ABC) Economic Update with theme: “Energising Nigeria: Navigating Challenges, Harnessing Opportunities,” on Thursday in Lagos.
    Prof. Barth Nnaji, the Chairman, Geometric Power Ltd., said for almost three decades, the world had been possessed with finding a solution to climate change, having identified fossil fuel as the main culprit to global warming.
    Nnaji noted that Nigeria had set a target of 2030 to achieve complete flare-out in its oil industry with various aspirations to pursue renewable energy options.
    Nnaji noted that, unfortunately, the non-availability of adequate gas for power and industrial processes would afflict all the initiatives, in spite of the country’s proven natural gas reserves of over 206 trillion cubic feet.
    He said that while government must be commended for exploring overseas markets for Nigeria’s natural gas for its benefit, they should bear in mind that ‘charity begins from home.’
    “It is not just local power producers that are currently bleeding owing to insufficient gas.
    “There is no sufficient liquified petroleum gas for our kitchens and people are now resorting to firewood and coal for cooking, thus worsening the environmental crisis,” he said.
    Nnaji, also former Minister of Power, stressed the need for a total overhaul of the transmission arm of power generation, saying that the current national grid is grossly inadequate for 200 million.
    “Nigeria needs over 100,000 MW to meet its energy needs and we currently have just 13,000MW of installed capacity from which we are only able to put less than 5,000 MW on the grid due to reasons primarily of gas and transmission constraints.
    “The Nigerian government at every level should employ already tested approaches to collaborate with competent private sector operators to quickly progress power availability to the level that matches our country’s sustainable economic growth desire,” he said.
    Mrs Margaret Olele, Chief Executive Officer, American Business Council, noted that the theme of the event was a critical conversation on how government and private sector can best move forward to energise the country.
    Olele noted that in spite of the economic reforms by the current administration and the implementation of the Petroleum Industrial Act, Nigeria was still unable to meet Organisations of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota.
    “Issues of theft, insecurity have impacted the country meeting its OPEC quota and it is important to address this because a major chunk of the country’s revenue is tied to the power, oil and gas sector.
    “The gas we have is still underutilised and power generation issues is impacting manufacturers and everybody in general so we are here to unload and shift your mindsets from the status quo to innovation and progression amidst the challenges,” she said.
    Mr Martins Arogie, Partner, Energy and Natural Resources Services, KPMG, said that Nigeria’s energy industry was considered one of the most inefficient in meeting the needs of its customers globally, in spite of the country’s enormous energy resources.
    Arogie noted that underutilisation of these resources was rampant and exacerbated by a chronic imbalance in the electricity and petroleum products markets.
    This situation, Arogie said, had threatened Nigeria’s energy security, harmed the economy, increased income inequality and energy poverty, weakened industrialisation processes, and the undermine efforts to achieve sustained economic growth.
    “In a market where demand far outstrips the current supply, Nigeria’s energy sector presents attractive investment opportunities within its various subsectors including oil and gas, electricity and renewables.
    “With an abundance of both renewable and non-renewable resources, Nigeria provides immense opportunities for sustainable solutions to address existing energy demand gap and contribute to government’s drive to improve the efficiency and contribution of the sector.
    “Therefore, it has become imperative for all the stakeholders to collaborate to address the challenges hampering the development of energy sector and unlock the vast opportunities that it holds for the country, Africa and the world,” he said.
    Mrs Eyono Fatayi-Williams, President, Women in Energy Network, noted that Nigeria, blessed with a lot of natural resources, has a 206 trillion feet of proven gas reserves, which means there’s so much that can be done to harness the country’s gas resources.
    Fatayi-Williams noted that the country had a lot of room for growth, particularly as gas has been recognised globally as the transition fuel in energy transition.
    “So, gas development is a good thing and gas development will help in closing the huge deficit we have seeing that what Nigeria produces and what it needs are at two different points apart.
    “But I think our message is the government declared a decade of gas and we are still in that decade and that decade of gas is supposed to be the big ticket, and we look forward to that happening.
    “I think the government can continue in that trajectory and we are bound to see positive changes and we look forward to when Nigeria can actually become a gas-powered economy in 2030,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    ARM/JNC
    =========
    Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

  • NDLEA boss says athletes can be winners without drugs 

    NDLEA boss says athletes can be winners without drugs  

     

    Drugs 

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 13, 2024(NAN) The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has tasked the country’s athletes to excel and be tournament winners drugs clean.

    The NDLEA Commander in Anambra, Mr Ogbonna Onyishi, said this when receiving executives of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter, in his office  on Thursday in Awka.

    He described drugs as any banned performance enhancing substance capable of derailing a persons ambition.

    Onyisi said that athletes should subject themselves to constant training and discipline in order to excel in their chosen sports.

    He advised budding athletes particularly to shun all performance enhancing substances, which could derail their ambitions of becoming world champions. 

    The commander said that the agency had adopted a two-prong approach of supply reduction and demand reduction to fight the drug war in Nigeria.

    He said that the NDLEA was working assiduously to bring every Nigerian to join in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

    “It is not drugs that make you what you are, it is the training, professionalism that makes you a star.

    “We will be willing to partner SWAN in sensitising the youth on the need for them to compete clean.

     

    “Youth love and engage in sports, so we need to partner in our campaign against drugs. 

     

    “Training and developing your skills is what makes you a star and not drugs. Doping is a crime, it can ruin one’s career,” he said.

     

    In a short remark, Chimezie Anaso, Chairman of SWAN, Anambra Chapter expressed the readiness of the association to work with NDLEA in the campaign against drugs in sports.

     

    Anaso called on NDLEA to promote sports as a veritable preventive and rehabilitation tool that youths could engage in.

     

    “Drugs are largely abused by youths and sports is for the youth.

    “While the NDLEA prevents drug abuse, SWAN promotes sports, so there is a symbiotic relationship that we can explore to achieve a drug free and healthy society,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    APC/AOS 

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    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

     

     

  • FCT residents laud NGO for food items, cash donation

    Hajiya Hadiza Umar, donating food and cash items to a beneficiary

     

    FCT residents laud NGO for food items, cash donation

    Items

    By Sylvester Thompson

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Residents of Nyanya community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended the Hajiya Hadiza Foundation for giving them food items, clothes and cash, for the Eid El –kabir celebration.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Comfort Ibiang, a widow, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said she was surprised at the gifts she received from the foundation.

    “I am surprised for a woman to do what she is doing. You can see we are all happy.

    “We are widows and less privileged and for her to come to our aid, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, I am so grateful,” Ibiang said.

    Ibiang, who appreciated the efforts of the founder of the foundation, called on the government and stakeholders to also assist them.

    Mr Iyke Vincent, another beneficiary, said he was highly impressed and excited by the opportunity the occasion offered him and other less privileged people of the community.

    “I never knew something like this can come up at a time like this considering the economic challenges of the nation and the situation of things.

    “People are really hungry and for somebody to come at a time like this and alleviate our burden, no matter how little, is commendable.

    “People in the Nyanya community are truly happy and we are celebrating her from the depths of our hearts,” Vincent said.

    Earlier, Amb. Hajiya Hadiza Umar, the founder told NAN that giving back to the society was what gave her joy.

    “Today is one of my happiest days because it’s what I love to do to put smiles on people’s faces,” she said.

    She explained that her foundation was non-profit, committed to making a positive impact and to inspire hope for all Nigeria widows, orphans, less privileged and vulnerable people.

    She said her vision was to create a society where women were empowered, children educated and persons with disabilities valued and everyone having equal opportunities to thrive.

    Hadiza said that the funding of what she was doing was purely from her purse as a business woman, with no international sponsorship or donations.

    On his part, Mr James Thomas, Chairman of Karu Local Government Area, said he was proud to offer support to the foundation with laudable objectives.

    He said the foundation did well considering the reality of things, where people found it difficult to feed.

    “The beneficiaries today shall never forget how the foundation has impacted their livelihood,” he said.

    The Chairman said he was happy that the people expressed joy and delight.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    SET/AMM
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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

     

  • Niger: Stakeholders brainstorm on farmer-friendly insurance policies

     

     

    Niger: Stakeholders brainstorm on farmer-friendly insurance policies

    By Rita Iliya

    Minna, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Stakeholders have come together to brainstorm on ways insurance firms can provide friendly insurance policies for farmers to avoid total losses after natural disasters.

    Dr Ken Ukaoha, President, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), said this during the NANTS/AGRA stakeholders workshop on “Enhancing Agricultural Resilience through Farmer-centric Insurance Products’, in Minna on Thursday.
    .
    The theme of the workshop was” Improving farmers’ Resilience and Upscaling Productivity, Incomes, and Livelihood in Rice, Maize, Soyabean, Cowpea and Vegetable Value Chain in Niger’.

    Ukaoha explained that the ongoing agricultural revolution by the Niger government necessitated the critical stakeholders to come together to brainstorm on how to protect the government and farmers’ investment.

    “Niger Governor has embarked on massive investments in agriculture with the cultivation of 10,000 hectares in each 25 local government areas.

    “Therefore, for the government and farmers to reap from their investments, they must be insured against natural disasters, this will also bring about food security.

    “The workshop will discuss why farmers are afraid to insure their crops and why insurance firms are afraid to insure farmers, all these issues will be reviewed and refined,” he said.

    In his remarks, Dr Mattew Ahmed, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Agriculture, described the workshop “as apt”, saying that the state government was investing about N50 billion in agriculture in the wet season.

    He said the workshop would sensitise the farmers on the importance of insurance in case of disasters like flood, droughts, fire and pests’ infestation of which only insurance can cover their losses.

    Ahmed disclosed that only 2 per cent of the farmers in Niger were insuring their crops and called on them  to key into the insurance policy.

    Similarly, Mr Godswill Agwuyi, representative of Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), said the organisation was working to improve the lives of smallholder farmers through access to credits and finance.

    Also, Malam Idris Abini, the Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Niger, disclosed that its members benefited N16 million from an insurance firm in 2018 and 2019.

    He promised to sensitise RIFAN members on the importance of insurance, its benefits and the need to key into it. (NAN) (www.nannews,ng)
    RIS/BRM

    ============

    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Tinubu congratulates Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on birthday 

    Congratulations

    By Salif Atojoko

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has extended his warm congratulations to Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, on her 70th birthday.

    Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, said in a statement on Thursday that the President rejoiced with the remarkable leader and her family on the momentous occasion.

    “The President extols the former Minister of Finance for her service to the nation and efforts towards building resilient institutions.

    “President Tinubu also commends the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation for being a worthy ambassador of Nigeria, exemplifying the grit, diligence, and brilliance that Nigerians are known for.

    “The President prays for many more years in good health for Dr. Okonjo-Iweala and her family,” the statement read. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    SA/ROT

    =======

    Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

     

  • Ex-Minister woos global investors says Nigeria’s creative industry, goldmine

    Investors

    By Angela Atabo

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) A former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has called on global investors to take advantage of the vast potentials in the Nigeria’s creative industry.

    The former minister made the call on Thursday in Germany, at a forum tagged “Giessen Meets The World” organised by the IHK Giessen-Friedberg Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

    A text of the former Minister’s presentation at the event was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in AAbuja.

    Mohammed described the nation’s creative sector as “goldmine” and “fast-growing”, stressing its impressive growth trajectory and significant contributions to the nation’s economy.

    According to him, besides huge employment creation, earnings, and entertainment, the creative industry is contributing immensely to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    Mohammed, who is the Managing Partner of Bruit Costaud, a policy advisory firm, noted that Nigeria’s creative sector spans 24 diverse segments, including fashion, music, film, literature, visual arts, among others.

    Citing a research from Jobberman, the former minister said the creative sector is Nigeria’s second-largest employer, with the potential to create an additional 2.7 million jobs by 2025.

    He elaborated on the sector’s expansive value chain, which according to him, encompassed production, distribution, and marketing, thereby supporting diverse employment opportunities.

    “The creative sector serves as a powerful engine for economic growth, contributing substantially to Nigeria’s GDP through the production and distribution of creative goods and services,” Mohammed said.

    He emphasised how the industry’s value chain created numerous job opportunities, ranging from artists and performers to technicians, marketers, and administrative personnel.

    Mohammed also spoke on the profound digital transformation within the industry as well as increasing prevalence of global collaborations and cross-cultural influences.

    “The rise of online platforms, streaming services, and digital distribution channels has democratised content creation and distribution.

    This is making Nollywood films, music, fashion shows, and art exhibitions accessible to a global audience.

    “International collaborations in music, film productions, and fashion events have also elevated the industry’s global standing and expanded the global footprint of Nigerian content,” he noted.

    Speaking further, the ex-minister cited state-of-the-art film studios, cutting-edge recording facilities, and digital art spaces as key developments that have enhanced production quality and fostered innovation.

    He identified Nigeria’s youthful demography, with about 70 per cent of the population being young people, as a driving force behind the industry’s growth.

    “The youth’s engagement with and consumption of creative content continue to drive the industry’s growth,” Mohammed said.

    He pointed out that the sector’s viability and rapid growth are evident by high sales records, such as the 2023 success of the film
    “The Tribe Called Judah,” which according to him, grossed over N1 billion in less than three months.

    Mohammed attributed this success to supportive government policies and reforms, including grants, tax incentives, and the establishment of creative hubs that encouraged entrepreneurship and investment.

    Highlighting the lucrative investment opportunities in the sector, Mohammed said, Public-Private Partnerships can address the industry’s infrastructure needs.

    “Nollywood, the world’s second-largest film industry by output, presents opportunities in film production, distribution, and infrastructure development.

    “With the globalisation of music consumption and digital platforms, the Nigerian music scene offers investment prospects in production, distribution, and live events.

    “The Nigerian fashion industry is ripe for investment in design, manufacturing, retail, and global export, especially with the growing international focus on African fashion,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    ATAB/ROT

    =========

    Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

  • Hajj: Medic assures adequate first-aid to pilgrims at Muna, Arfat

    First-aid

    By Muhammad Lawal
    Makkah, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Dr Garba Umar-Kangiwa, a member of the Kebbi medical team, on Thursday, assured the pilgrims of adequate first-aid at Muna, Arfat and Muzdalifah towards a successful Hajj exercise.
    He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    The medical expert assured that in case of any eventuality at Muna, Arfat and Mudzalifah, the team would be readily available to provide the necessary first-aid treatment and subsequently convey the patients with complicated illness to other hospitals.
    “As I am talking to you, we are working round the clock to see how we can assign a health expert to every tent for quick response, on the alternative, telephone numbers will be provided in every tent for easy access.
    “We want to ensure that every health worker is supplied with enough medicine for onward disbursement to the patients.
    “We must appreciate the Kebbi Pilgrims Board for procuring and supplying enough medicine for the treatment of not only Kebbi pilgrims but other states too do come by to be attended to.
    “We are happy that in this year’s Hajj, the pilgrims board has supplied enough medicine to ensure that pilgrims are well taken care of more than in previous years,” he said.
    Umar-Kangiwa advised the pilgrims not to overstretch themselves, especially that the proper Hajj exercise was due to commence by Thursday, 8th of Dhul-Hajj.
    “This will give the pilgrims the strength and ability to perform the Hajj with strength and vigour.
    “Those suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or any other diseases and his/her drugs have finished should kindly come and explain so that he/she can be reimbursed with similar medicine,” he advised.
    Umar-Kangiwa admonished asthmatic patients to be cautious of dusty environments during the Hajj exercise and always go along with their inhalers to avoid sudden attacks.
    He identified body pain due to stress, catarrh due to air conditioners, dislocation due to slippery toilets, heat weather, fever, dysentery and ulcer, among others, as some of the sicknesses mostly affecting the pilgrims.
    The expert said illnesses such as high blood pressure and diabetics were illnesses affecting the pilgrims right from their homes but some didn’t know that they were inflicted with the disease, until when they arrived in Saudi Arabia.
    He, however, recalled that three pilgrims from the state, two males and a female, had lost their lives not because of negligence on the side of the health workers.
    Umar-Kangiwa assured that the health personnel had done their best to rescue their lives but they had reached their destined periods. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    KLM/BRM
    =============
    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Court orders accelerated hearing in UniAbuja Governing Council crisis

    Court orders accelerated hearing in UniAbuja Governing Council crisis

    Order
    By Taiye Agbaje

    Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court in  Abuja on Thursday, ordered accelerated hearing in a suit filed against the Vice Chancellor (VC) of University of Abuja, Prof. Rasheed Na’Allah, over plan to inaugurate the newly elected Internal Governing Council Members of the institution.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order following a preliminary objection filed by Prof. Na’Allah, through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, SAN, against the plaintiffs’ originating summons.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plaintiffs; Prof. Saint Gbilekaa, Prof. Edmund Nwanna, Prof. Sunday Ejaro, Prof. Kasim Umar, Prof. Wesley Nafarnda and Dr Uju Patrick, had filed the motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/683/2024.

    The six aggrieved senior lecturers had sued the VC; President, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and National Universities Commission (NUC) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    In a motion ex-parte dated and filed June 5 through their lawyer, Maxwell Opara, they sought seven reliefs, which include an order of interim injunction directing all parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    They also sought an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant (VC) and others from conducting any inauguration of the newly elected internal council members of the university pending the determination of the motion on notice, among other reliefs.

    Justice Ekwo had, on June 7, ordered Na’Allah.to appear before it today to show cause why the planned inauguration should not be stopped.

    The judge gave the order, in a ruling, shortly after Opara, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect.

    When the matter was called, Opara informed the court that the matter was slated for Na’Allah to show cause.

    The lawyer told the court that he was served by Na’Allah’s counsel with the preliminary objection and a counter affidavit few minutes ago.

    “All the other processes are not ripe as we are concerned with the affidavit to show cause.

    “I will be asking the court to dismiss the 1st defendant’s affidavit to show cause because of their noncompliance with the rules.

    “The notice to show cause did not comply with the rules,” Opara said.

    Onoja, however, explained that Na’Allah was ordered to show cause within three days and in compliance with the order, they filed on June 11.

    The judge, however, said the processes were yet to be seen in the court file and Onoja passed them to the judge through the court clerk as directed.

    Opara indicated his interest to respond to the preliminary objection.

    He also said that since the VC “keeps changing the date of the event,” he would love to join other parties from the institution.

    The judge told him that if a decision is made against the VC, it is against the university.

    “The preliminary objection is before me and I cannot ignore it.

    “I make an order for accelerated hearing,” Justice Ekwo declared.

    He said he had looked at the grounds of the objection, and found out that he had to determine it first.

    The judge then adjourned the matter until June 20 for hearing.

    “On the date of hearing, the preliminary objection if any, will be taken together with the substantive matter and the processes of any party that is absent from court will be deemed as adopted.

    “If any party is responsible for the matter not be being heard, the learned counsel for the party will be personally penalised,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    TOA/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • 330,000 tonnes solid waste pose health risks to Gaza – UN agency

    330,000 tonnes of solid waste pose health risks to Gaza – UN agency
    Waste
    Gaza, June 13, 2024 (Xinhua/NAN) More than 330,000 tonnes of solid waste are piling up in and out of populated areas of the Gaza Strip, a UN relief agency said on  Thursday.
    Unimpeded humanitarian access and ceasefire are “crucial to restore humane living conditions,” the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on the social media platform X.
    It added that agency teams, through mental health services, have continued to provide psychological interventions to children in shelter centres through specialised activities such as psychological relief, relaxation and stimulation sessions, and purposeful games.
    Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has been waging a large-scale war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which has claimed the lives of more than 37,000 Palestinians and led to massive destruction of homes and infrastructure.
    It came after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel, which claimed the lives of more than 1,200 Israelis and took more than 250 hostages, according to the Israeli authorities. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannes.ng)
    UMD/YEE
    ========
    (Edited by Ummul Idris/Emmanuel Yashim)