Day: October 18, 2023

The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja assured Nigerians of her commitment to tackle climate change challenges in the country.

Dr Ishaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment gave the assurance at the 7th annual conference and annual general meeting of the Association for Environmental Impact Assessment of Nigeria (AEIAN).

The minister who was represented by Dr Abbas Suleiman, a Director in the Ministry of Environment said that the ministry is committed to harmonising humans with the environment.

“It is imperative to consistently tackle recurrent challenges such as climate change, deforestation, desert encroachment, loss of biodiversity, flood and erosion, environmental pollution amongst others to sustain an affordable and conducive existence for human kind.

“Our mission is also to ensure environmental protection, natural resources conservation and sustainable development.

“The mandate of the ministry of environment is to secure a quality environment conducive for health and well-being of the citizens,” Salako explained.

He added that the Ministry seeks to promote sustainable use of natural resources, restore and maintain the ecosystem ecological processes and preserve biodiversity.

The Minister commended members of the association for their enthusiasm towards sustaining the environment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the conference is:” Impact Assessment: Climate Resilience, Financing and Environmental Sustainability”.

At the occasion, Sen. Yunus Akintunde, Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment assured the association of the senate’s commitment to its efforts to ensure sustainable environment.

“Environment is life and life is about environment, the Senate or the National Assembly will be readily available to assist this association with whatever legislation required to move the association forward,” Akintunde assured.

A keynote speaker, Dr Eugene Itua, CEO Natural Eco Capital urged Nigerians to become more resilient on the effects of climate change in the country.

“We need the money for climate finance, so how do we get the money. Whatever resources we can, let us mobilise to deal with climate change,” Itua said.

Prof. Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, the President of the AEIAN said that climate change is a global issue that needs to be deliberated upon to proffer solutions.

Mrs Chinyere Igwegbe Publicity Secretary for AEIAN expressed optimism that the conference would tackle environment and climate issues. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Winners have emerged at the Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) National Competition 2023, held in Partnership with FirstBank Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the overall winner of the competition is the Sustainable Future Advocate Company, from Kosofe Secondary School, Lagos.

The winner produced Plantain Briquettes

Royal Incorporated from Alaba Lawson Royal College, Ogun, emerged first runner up. They developed an Eco Jeans Bag.

K.C. Integrated Services from Kano Capital Girls Secondary School, Kano State, emerged second runner up, developed KC oil for contraceptives.

Speaking at the event, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, emphasised that the initiative aims at empowering secondary school students to build fulfilling careers and be financially conscious from a young age.

She said that the competition would help young people gain the tools and knowledge needed to make effective, informed financial management decisions and achieve long-term financial independence.

“Through the initiative and First Bank’s partnership with JAN, over one million young Nigerians have been impacted as we have continued to strategically drive sustainability practises through the innovation and participation of students in the JA Company programme.

“FirstBank’s sponsorship of the JAN National Company of the Year competition (and by extension, the Africa Company of the Year- ACOY) enters its 13th year today and we are extremely excited by the success we have achieved over the past years.

“FirstBank remains committed to fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in children and young adults thereby enhancing their creativity, wealth creation and management skills and ultimately, nurturing the kindness culture and corporate responsibility and sustainability involvements,’’ she said.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Mrs Folusho Gbadamosi, said, “ We are deeply honoured to collaborate with First Bank Nigeria, a consistent supporter in nurturing and shaping the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative skills of these young minds.

“It’s been nine years of partnering with us for the implementation of the National Company of the Year competition and we look forward to more years of partnership.

“Year after year, the National Company of the Year competition has nurtured and developed young, innovative leaders equipped with a passion for entrepreneurship and excellence in a global economy.’’(NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Africa Mini-Grid Developers Association (AMDA) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote and accelerate mini-grid development in Nigeria.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, Mr Salihijo Ahmad, Managing Director of REA said that the MoU would focus on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and better coordination of the sector, amongst other initiatives.

Ahmad said that Nigeria had one of the largest mini-grid markets in Africa, with over 100 mini-grids currently in operation primarily through the implementation of data-driven programmes and initiatives of the REA.

He, however, said, due to the energy access gap in the country, there was still a significant need for more decentralised energy interventions to bridge the energy deficit and catalyze socio-economic growth.

”Particularly in rural underserved, and underserved communities hard hit with energy poverty.

”As part of the REA’s vision and strategic roadmap, the agency has, over the years expanded its partnership portfolio, while collaborating with forward-leaning stakeholders across the off-grid energy value chain,” Ahmad said.

According to him, with the pivotal role and sustained impact of AMDA in Africa’s renewable energy space, the partnership is a significant step for the mini-grid sector in the country.

He said that the partnership underscored a shared commitment to research, data-driven decision-making, and the establishment of robust industry standards.

”This strategic approach is pivotal in ensuring the sustainable, secure, and optimal operation of mini-grid systems, thereby contributing to the overall energy landscape in Nigeria.

”With a partnership now sealed through an MoU, the REA and AMDA will collaborate on a non-exclusive basis to further advance access to sustainable electricity for Nigeria and other African countries.

”Through mini-grids and decentralized utilities and ultimately achieve universal access to energy by the year 2030.

”While improving data-driven decision-making and industry knowledge in the off-grid space,” Ahmad said.

The REA MD said the MoU was targeted at promoting sustainable energy access for unserved and underserved communities through private sector development and financing.

He said that the MoU would ultimately enhance policies/regulations and rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies.

Ahmad said, “We are excited to partner with AMDA to further improve the development of mini-grids in Nigeria while deepening the impact of Rural Electrification solutions for socio-economic growth.

“The MoU would further aid the accelerated deployment of mini-grids and provide clean, sustainable, and affordable electricity to more Nigerians.”

On his part, Mr Olamide Niyi-Afuye, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AMDA, stressed the association’s dedication to collaborate with REA in nurturing the mini-grid sector in the country.

Niyi-Afuye said that mini-grids had the potential to transform the lives of millions of Nigerians, adding that the partnership was a step in the right direction.

”AMDA is committed to working with all stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the mini-grid sector to scale and achieve sustainability.

“A timely and impact-focused collaboration, the REA-AMDA MoU signifies a significant milestone in the development of mini-grids across Nigeria.

”It equally exemplifies the unified efforts between the public and private sectors, working in lockstep towards the common goal of providing clean, reliable, safe, and affordable electricity for all,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Office of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have agreed to partner to strengthen operations towards peace and development in the Niger Delta.

The strategic partnership was agreed when the acting Comptroller-General of the NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, hosted the PAP Interim Administrator, retired Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, at the Customs Headquarters, Abuja.

Adeniyi, who described Ndiomu’s visit as timely, said that it would further enhance the peace building efforts of the two institutions in the Niger Delta, and open up other vistas of opportunities.

He added that the NCS would benefit from PAP’s resourcefulness in terms of information sharing.

While commending Ndiomu on his achievements since he took up the PAP top job, Adeniyi expressed optimism that both agencies would work more closely to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

In his remarks, Ndiomu said that the visit was part of his ongoing strategic and far-reaching efforts to create linkages between the PAP and other relevant institutions.

This, he said, was to create windows of opportunities for ex-agitators to secure viable and sustainable means of livelihoods.

Ndiomu further restated his commitment to make the PAP more successful, while appealing to the Customs boss to enrol ex-agitators with degrees into the service.

The PAP Interim Administrator lauded Adeniyi for his strides in the NCS and assured that his administration would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to sustain peace in the Niger Delta. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed support for a call of a state of emergency in the education sector.

Speaking at the National Conference on the Learning Crisis in Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman, NGF, Gov. Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara said resources must be provided for sustainable and promising education.

The conference, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund, has the theme: “Scaling Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in Nigeria.”

Represented by the Vice Chairman of NGF, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Abdulrahman said education is in crisis and a state of emergency should be declared in the sector.

He stressed the need to remove all barriers such as gender, poverty, location, disabilities, language and ethnicity, that could hinder children from accessing foundational literacy and numeracy.

“We must follow UNESCO standard for education system that is progressive and sustainable, Governors at the various states must commit above 15 per cent above of our budget to education.

“I support the call for state of emergency but it must be backed by actions, the resources must be provided and we must look at issues that have mitigated against achieving that sustainable growth.

“It is one thing to declare a state of emergency but it’s another thing to put all the resources and elements that will allow us to achieve it.

“So I support putting the resources in place to allow us move fast at it. Our education is in crisis and a state of emergency should be declared in all the sector. We need solid roadmap and I believe it is a collective involvement,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said learning crisis had been a challenge the education sector is faced with which needs urgent solution.

“The consequences of learning crisis are far-reaching and profound as we risk widening the already significant education gap, perpetuating a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, diseases and stifling innovation and progress.

“Education is the cornerstone of societal progress and individual empowerment, yet the challenges we currently confront demand our immediate attention, dedication, and action.

“In recent years, Nigeria has been grappling with a severe learning crisis that hinders our youth from achieving their fullest potential.

“A significant portion of our school-aged population, especially those in underserved communities, face barriers to access quality

education.

“The factors contributing to this crisis are multifaceted and include inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortage, unequal

distribution of resources, outdated curricula, and socio-economic disparities,” he said.

Sununu said the country must rise to protect the potential and aspiration of the youths, saying they are the greatest asset and hope for a prosperous future.

He expressed the political will of President Bola Tinubu to raise education budgetary allocation from 8 per cent to 25 per cent in the next few years.

He said the gesture would be a major breakthrough in addressing the

learning crisis issues.

In the same vein, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said the conference was from outcomes of UN General Assembly in September where countries were urged to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Munduate said this is to regain ground lost during the COVID-19 pandemic that saw unprecedented school closures globally.

“For Nigeria, convening a conference on the learning crisis is opportune as government defines its priorities for the education sector in the new Ministerial Strategic Plan (MSP).

“Just as Nigeria has galvanised significant support around the out-of-school problem, so too must it give attention to the learning crisis that is in fact fueling the out-of-school problem in Nigeria.

“Three out of four children in basic education in Nigeria cannot read with meaning or solve simple maths problems.

“When children fail to learn to read in the early years, they fail to read to learn in the subsequent years. Failure to learn begins to alienate children from the curriculum and their peers.

“This contributes to the staggering drop out rates each year between the first and last year of primary school,” she said.

She, therefore, called for serious attention to the learning crisis saying learning is not just important for education outcomes, it is key to finding a higher paying job, for achieving better health outcomes and for navigating community and social life.

Also, the Chief Education, UNICEF Nigeria, Saadha Panday-Soobrayan, said the learning crisis in Nigeria begins in early childhood education, saying only half of the children are developmentally on track in early childhood.

She said that learning gaps persist across the life course and most severe in the north part of the country.

According to her, by the end of grade nine, only 74 per cent of pupils demonstrate foundational literacy and 69 pee cent foundational numeracy.

She, therefore, said that all hands must be on deck to finding a lasting solution to the country’s learning crisis. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology,Wudil, has decried the dissolution of the institution’s governing council by Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.

This is contained in a statement issued by the chapter’s Chairperson, Dr.Aliyu Ahmad and Secretary, Dr.Mudassir Nasir, in Kano on Wednesday,

The union described as “inappropriate,” the dissolution of the council which was effected by the Gov. Yusuf, on May 29.

The union said it was dismayed over the continuous running of the institution, formerly known as Kano State University of Science and Technology, without a governing council, as a result of the dissolution.

It said the development was in breach and disregard of the provisions of the Kano State University of Science and Technology (Amendment) Law of 2017.

The union therefore called on the governor to, as a matter of urgency reconstitute the council “in order to avoid paralysing the university system.”

It also urged the state government to settle the outstanding entitlements of staff of the university.( NAN) ( www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Conservator-General, National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni, says the Federal Government will take over 10 new parks between November and December 2023.

Goni disclosed this while receiving the nine commissioners from the 10 new national parks on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the parks could be handed over to the Federal Government between November and December; so that by 2024, they would be included the national budget.

“At the moment, the approved national parks are being gazetted by the Federal Ministry of Justice.

“With the gazetting, it means they have now become full-fledged national parks; we are waiting for the parks to be handed over by the respective state governors to the Federal Government as national parks.’’

The conservator-general said that the reason for the meeting was to update the stakeholders on the progress made so far on the handing and taking over of the 10 new national parks by the Federal Government.

“We have held two stakeholders meetings before this time where we discussed the presidential proclamation and the concurrence of the National Assembly.

“Most of the states have told us that they have acquired office accommodations, administrative offices and accommodations for the officers of the parks for the smooth take off of the 10 new parks in their respective states.

“And they have also assured us of the corporation of the communities where these parks are domiciled,” he said.

Goni said that people of the communities had expressed their willingness to support the smooth take off of the parks.

He expressed optimism that the gesture would develop their areas and provide employment opportunities.

Goni listed other benefits to the host communities as security, mitigation of climate change and regeneration would take place to truncate rural migration.

Responding on behalf of the new be commissioners, Dr Nura Kazaure, Commissioner for Environment Jigawa State lauded the Federal Government’s gesture.

“I think this is a very great milestone achievement as long as conservation of wildlife is concerned in the whole of the country.

“It is pertinent to conserve these game reserves because; Jigawa is one of the states that have borders with Niger Republic and so we are faced with desert encroachment.

“It plays a significant role as a barrier in breaking the advancement of deserts towards Jigawa and Bauchi; the communities are going to benefit a lot of things.”

He expressed optimism that all the areas where the parks were situated would experience transformation.

The commissioner said that the state had the challenge of illegal felling of trees and encroachment of the forest.

“We can easily tackle this with the corporation of the community, traditional rulers, religious leaders and the youths around,” he said.

He expressed optimism that there would be a seamless handing over between the state and the Federal Government. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria