Day: June 14, 2024

Afreximbank and First Bank of Nigeria(FBN) have signed a 200 million dollar facility agreement for financing the needs of FBN's numerous clients. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the signing took place at the ongoing 31st Afreximbank Annual Meetings (AAM2024) in Nassau, The Bahamas, on Friday. The meetings are being monitored by the NAN. The facility will finance the needs of FBN's numerous clients engaged in oil and gas and energy, manufacturing, telecommunications and associated infrastructure projects. The parties who signed the agreement included Olusegun Alebiosu, Acting CEO, FBN, Awani Kanayo, Executive Vice-President, Intra-African Trade Bank (IATB), Afreximbank, and Viswanathan Shankar, CEO, Gateway Partners on behalf of African Credit Opportunity Fund. The 31 AAM2024 is being held in Nassau, The Bahamas, from June 12 to June 15, with the theme: 'Owning our Destiny: Economic Prosperity on the Platform of Global Africa'', NAN reports. The AAM is taking place alongside the 3rd editio n of the AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum (ACTIF2024). Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Delta Command, has deployed 654 personnel including regular and special marshals to various locations in the state to ensure safety during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Mr Muftau Irekeola, Sector Commander, FRSC, said this on Friday in Asaba while addressing personnel of the command in preparation for the Eid-el-Kabir special patrol. Irekeola said that a total of 654 personnel, 19 operational vehicle, one ambulance, one power bike, and others would be deployed in the state. The sector commander, however, said that the command was partnering with private tow truck owners, saying that the command's tow truck was not in good condition. 'If it is more than 30 tons truck, we will call FRSC Onitsha command for towing because Onitsha is less than four kilometers away from Asaba,' he said. He urged motorist to drive with caution, and pay attention to other road users. 'During rainy season, the grip of their tyres on the road is reduced because of the rain, they need to spe ed less, in fact they are supposed to go on a reasonable speed. 'Even the passengers should not board overloaded vehicle, they should talk to the driver and if he is not listening they should drop at the next available bus stop. 'They can alert any FRSC officials or security agency on the road,' he said. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The 30th General Assembly of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) would converge on Abuja to advance the cause of standardisation across the continent. Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), said this at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos to give details of the forthcoming ARSO trade exhibition. Okeke said that manufacturers, producers and vendors across the commanding heights of the economy across the continent would go through the rudiments of standardisation excellence. The SON director-general said that the exhibition and general assembly would catalyse transformation, propelling Nigeria and the entire Africa toward a future of sustainable growth and prosperity. He said that the trade exhibition would strategically present innovations to a diverse audience of industry experts, policymakers and potential investors by highlighting the quality, diversity and competitiveness of Nigerian goods and services. According to him, top tier manufacturers, including the Dangote Group, Innoson Motors, AIG Rite Foods Ltd., Nasco Foods, Ajinomoto and others in the fast-moving consumer goods segments, allied sectors, and small businesses, have keyed into the programme. He said that the events would take place from June 17 to June 22, at the Abuja Continental Hotel. 'Besides, it will offer a firsthand experience of the vibrant Nigerian market, with an array of local manufacturers and producers slated to participate. 'The exhibition promises to be a catalyst for economic growth, both for domestic stakeholders and international visitors. 'From traditional crafts to cutting-edge technologies, the exhibition will showcase the breadth and depth of Nigeria's economic landscape, providing valuable insights into emerging trends and investment opportunities. 'Of course, it offers a chance to gain exposure to international markets, as the general assembly attracts delegates from across Africa and beyond, opening doors for export opportunities. 'By showcasing the best of Nigerian innovations and enterprises, the exhibition will underscore the importance of standardisation in driving economic development and fostering regional integration,' he said. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The French Embassy in Nigeria, through its Cooperation and Cultural Department, has launched a plastic waste management project to be executed in 13 Nigerian universities. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Sebastien Bede, Science and Higher Education Attache, stated this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja. According to him, the project, under the French Embassy Fund(FEF), is worth pound 753,000 and is focused on developing innovative and adaptive ideas for reducing plastic waste and enhancing campus sustainable practices. He said a steering committee has been set up involving , participating universities, representatives of the National Universities Commission, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, and the Ministry of Environment. Bede said the benefiting universities include the Alex Ekwueme Federal University; Bayero University, Kano, Nile University of Nigeria, Covenant University; Babcock University and the University of Jos. Others he said , include Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Yaba College of Technology, University of Calabar, University of Nigeria Nsukka and the University of Delta. 'Plastic waste is a pressing global issue and through this project, we aim to reduce the plastic footprint on Nigerian campuses. 'It will also inspire a new generation of environmental stewards who can champion the cause for a plastic-free world starting with their immediate communities. 'I also see the opportunity that we organise a study tour in Nigerian universities, French universities, business schools, and engineering schools, to discuss cooperation. 'Whether it is for plastic recycling or any other areas of cooperation, we are willing to open the cooperation to more universities in Nigeria. 'A key component of this project is sustainability and that is why I said that we have also co-designed a business model for these microplants, and total amount for this project is pound 753,000,' he said. Bede added that t he components of the project for deployment within the next 18 months include delivering two micro plants co-designed by and for two universities, research initiatives in innovative solutions for sustainable development. He added that circular economy, qualitative value chain, gender inclusivity, and entrepreneurship to support the research projects, and an exchange programme between Nigerian and French researchers were also parts of the project's components. In her remark, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, said the project is not just about money but about value delivery, especially through students. 'I think it is with the young ones we can find that and we have to ask them, we have to test whatever hypothesis we have, and that you can only do on the campus in the university, so it's a lot of work. 'We have already started it at the University of Lagos and we do know that students will do it, but not every student is doing it. 'Right now, with what we already do, we ma ke about a million from waste but it is ploughed back, and we still have a lot of waste to get rid of. 'So working with the French government and the other French universities, we will be able to up our game, improve the technology, and we're looking at technology that's robust that we can use . 'We looking forward to the micro plans because it is going to make what we do more efficient, we already have things to help with sorting but it is not enough,' she said. Also, Prof Dilli Dogo, Vice Chancellor,Nile University of Nigeria, said about 70 per cent of the component of waste generated in Nigeria is food waste or recyclable organic waste. Dogo, who was represented by Prof Abdulhameed Mambo, Dean Faculty of Environmental Science, said recyclable waste comprises vapour, metals, as well as plastic which is about 30 per cent. 'If you look at that 30 per cent again, around 10 per cent is made of plastic, and this is what you see outside campuses. 'But studies carried out in Nigeria found close to 60 per cen t of the waste component on campus, while the food component and the other components are quite low,' he said. The FEF-funded project is an initiative of the French government as part of the global dynamic to fight against plastic pollution(nannews.ng) Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A Consultant Haematologist, Prof. Adedoye Dosunmu, has canvased the need for more Nigerians to cultivate the habit of voluntary blood donation to save lives and enhance access to readily available safe blood. Dosunmu made the call at a lecture organised by the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to commemorate '2024 World Blood Donor Day' on Friday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Blood Donor Day is celebrated annually on June 14, to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products to save lives. The programme has the theme: Celebrating 20 Years of Giving: Thank You Blood Donors. Dosunmu, a Guest Speaker at the event, spoke on the significance of the day, calling for more advocacy in Nigeria as most people doid not understand the need for regular blood donation. According to him, there is an urgent need to orientate Nigerians on the importance of blood donation, especially as voluntary givers, as it s aves more lives if blood can easily be accessed by the health institution and patients when needed. Highlighting the benefits of voluntary blood donation, Dosunmu said that it reduced the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke, depression and elongates life. The haematologist explained that regular blood donors had the opportunity of having regular medical checkup, which predisposed the individual to a healthier lifestyle. He said that an individual could donate blood in three months intervals, which translated to donating blood up to three or four times per year. 'The World Health Organisation explains that blood is an important resource, both for planned treatment and urgent interventions. 'Blood can help patients suffering from life-threatening conditions live longer and with a higher quality of life and supports complex medical and surgical procedures. 'It is also vital for treating the wounded during emergencies of all kinds (natural disasters, accidents, armed conflicts, etc.) and h as an essential, life-saving role in maternal and perinatal care. 'Hence, the need for more people to voluntarily donate blood to not only save lives but also help to enhance access to safe and readily available blood,' he said. Prof. Titi Adeyemo, a Consultant Haematologist from the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, LUTH, said that regular blood donors stood the chance of living five years extra than people who were not regular blood donor. Adeyemo explained that blood donation kept the bone marrow active, which in turn kept the individual younger. She decried that Nigeria still heavily relied on family replacement donor, where relatives were forced to donate blood. Adeyemo, therefore, urged people not to wait for an emergency before they start donating blood. 'So, what we have decided to do this year is to also invite secondary school students so that we start identifying and building them young to be regular future blood donors. 'As soon as they are 18 years of age, let them register with any nearby blood transfusion service and start maintaining healthy lifestyles, be committed to regular blood donation and be saving lives. 'It is very safe for people between 18 and 65 years of age to donate blood three or four times a year. 'Blood donation keeps the bone marrow active and once the bone marrow is active, it keeps the individual younger. 'And some evidence have shown that regular blood donors live five years extra than people who were not regular blood donor; because their bone marrow is continually renewed,' she said. The Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said the day aimed to sensitise people on the importance of having safe blood and blood products in the blood bank to assist health institutions save lives. Represented by the Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, LUTH, Dr Babawale Bello, Adeyemo said the hospital partnered with a lot of organisations, communities and the society at large to encourage voluntary blood donation. According to him, for every bl ood donated, a life would have been saved and blood donation creates room for an individual to be tested for physical fitness. A regular Blood Donor, Mr Olumide Omoge, said it gave him joy to save lives through blood donation. According to him, donating blood keeps me fit and my body becomes rejuvenated. NAN reports that secondary school students from different schools across Lagos State were present at the lecture. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders say technological innovation, substantial investments, and effective policy frameworks are critical to securing Africa's sustainable energy future. The stakeholders spoke at the Africa Gas Innovation Summit (AGIS) 2024, held in Abuja on Thursday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the summit's theme is 'Igniting the Future: Driving Sustainability in Africa's Energy Landscape through Gas Technology and Innovation'. Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, said technology and innovation played a pivotal role in reshaping Africa's energy sector. Mr Olalekan Ogunleye, the Executive Vice-President Gas, Power and New Energy, NNPC Ltd, represented Kyari. 'There is no doubt that technology and innovation remain key levers for growth and development, as can be seen in the drastic transformation of our industry,' Kyari said. He elaborated on NNPC's strategic focus on research and technological advancements, underscoring the establishment of a dedicated entity for rese arch, technology, and innovation (RTI). He said; 'the NNPC's initiatives have led to significant progress, particularly in seismic mapping and multivariate analysis for evaluating source rock potential. 'Indeed, today, the RTI is the hub of the NNPC due to the great emphasis on research and innovation. 'I am urging the participants to embrace the challenge of providing customised solutions aligned with the priorities of the African energy sector.'' Kyari expressed NNPC's commitment to leveraging gas technology and innovation to enhance sustainability in Africa's energy landscape. 'NNPC is pleased and proud to have this veritable summit join it in its quest to ignite the future and increase sustainability in Africa's energy landscape,' he said. Similarly, Madam Amina Benkhadra, the Director-General of Morocco's National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), said there was an urgent need for major investments and innovative technologies to address Africa's escalating energy demands. 'To unlock Africa 's energy future, we must develop major infrastructure projects and mobilise international investments. 'And the continent has strong potential in driving sustainable growth through gas and renewable energy.' According to Benkhadra, Africa will require over 100 billion dollars annually in the power sector by 2030, with total investments reaching up to' three trillion dollars by 2050 to satisfy its increasing electricity demand. The ONHYM director-general said gas remained the backbone of the global energy transition. She recalled the African Atlantic Project, a strategic gas pipeline initiative that Morocco and Nigeria inaugurated as a key effort towards enhancing energy security and economic integration across West Africa. Benkhadra then restated the importance of cooperation on the continent to ensure sustainability in Africa's energy landscape. 'We must develop specific cooperation between African countries and other stakeholders worldwide. 'There is a need for deeper regional cooperation and public -private partnerships to drive investment on the continent. 'Morocco is committed to strengthening energy partnerships across Africa. We are dedicated to increasing and reinforcing our specific cooperation with all the African Sub-Saharan countries, especially in West Africa,' Benkhadra said. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Nicholas Ella, said effective policy frameworks and capacity building were crucial in fostering a thriving African gas sector. 'Our policies must be forward-looking, adaptable, and inclusive. They should address the unique challenges and opportunities of the African context. 'Such policies are essential for promoting transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of benefits within the gas sector,'' he said. According to the minister, there is a need for a skilled and knowledgeable workforce in the sector. 'Capacity building must be at the forefront of our agenda. This involves investing in edu cation and training programmes, promoting technical and vocational education, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development. 'The role of entrepreneurship and innovation is also underscored, with a call for support for entrepreneurs developing sustainable business models within the gas sector. 'By aligning our policies with global sustainability goals, we can position Africa as a leader in the global transition to a low-carbon economy,' Ekpo said. The minister lauded the Africa Gas Innovation Summit 2024 as a significant milestone in the journey towards a sustainable energy future.b ' By embracing gas technology and innovation, shaping effective policy frameworks, unlocking financing avenues, nurturing capacity building, and cultivating entrepreneurship, we can ignite the future and drive sustainability in Africa's energy landscape.'' The Summit Chairman, Olalekan Ogunleye, said technology and innovation were key to exploring the resources that would enable Africa to transit ion to gas. He said: 'let us key to this, not just for economic or global trends but for our community and development. 'So our quest should be supported, and we (NNPC and Nigeria) will support every effort Africa makes to ensure we explore this resource. 'Innovation and technology require huge funding, but we can source this by embarking on a short-mid-long term plan. 'And I am optimistic that this summit will provide an opportunity to synergies on how we can explore these resources, and I hope we find direction to this at the end of the day.'' NAN reports that the two-day summit was attended by government officials, partners, and key stakeholders in the energy sector on the continent. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have continued to decry the increasing hike in transport fares. According to the residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, the hike in transport fares has also led to the high cost of commodities and services. The residents said that as a result of this development, their finances could no longer cater for their other needs such as electricity and water bills, health and especially feeding among others. NAN recalls that since the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal government on May 29, 2023, transport fares have increased astronomically. This had also led to fewer commercial vehicles plying the roads. They urged the Federal Government to intervene by providing buses that were highly subsidised, saying this would go a long way in cushioning the effect of the high transport fares. Miss Aisha Bajini, a corps member, said it had become difficult for her to get to her place of primary assignment due to the high tra nsport fare. 'It has not been easy for me to go to work since we started experiencing high transport fares. 'To worsen the situation, anytime I come out, I spend most of my time on the road looking for vehicles, because before the vehicle gets to where I am it is already filled with passengers. She said the situation had affected her so much that she paid twice the transport fare to get to work when she eventually found a vehicle. 'This has now made me trekking halfway from home to reduce the transport fare, and I end up being exhausted by the time I get to my place of work,'' she said. Miss Princess Uye, a private sector worker, said that with the high transportation fare, it was costing her more to get to the office. According to her, I used to pay N300 to N400 from Nyanya to Julius Berger Junction but now I am paying N700 in a day. Where are we going in this country? Miss Treasure Umar, a civil servant and many others also corroborated what Bajini and Uye said. 'If it is not that it is boring to st ay at home, I would have stopped going to work because I am not gaining anything at the end of the month. 'I am just making money to spend on transport and not for anything else that can help me move forward in life.' Umar, who appealed to the government to intervene, said the situation was becoming unbearable for the younger generation who had finished their education without tangible means of livelihood. 'Last Tuesday, I had to trek home after I came down at my bus stop which is far away from my house because the money I had on me was spent on just transport and I had nothing left. 'Is this how we are going to survive in Nigeria, is this how we are going to fight poverty in the country if the little we have cannot sustain us?' Similarly, Mr Petter Edache, said he now pays N900 from Dei-Dei to Berger as against N200 he used to pay. Edache said commercial motorcyclists operating within his area were now charging between N200 and N300 to different destinations as against N100. He pleaded that the situat ion be addressed as it was not easy for both government and private sector workers let alone Nigerians who were not working. Mr Shuaybu Bulama, a commercial driver, attributed the high cost of transport to the removal of subsidy. 'Fuel is now very expensive, we have no other choice but to increase transport fares,'' he said. (NAN Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Troops of the Nigerian Army on Thursday neutralised six terrorists, recovering a substantial cache of arms in a counter-terrorism operation at Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State. A statement by the army posted on its official X Handle said the operation targeted identified terrorists hideouts in the Birnin Gwari general area. 'It is part of a special clearance mission aimed at restoring peace and security in the state. 'The troops conducted thorough clearance across Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi, and Kampanin Doka villages. 'The troops made initial contact with the terrorists in Saulawa, where two terrorists were immediately neutralised with recovery of a Baofeng Radio and a motorbike. 'The mission continued with further combat engagements in Farin Ruwa, where the troops neutralised additional four terrorists. 'The gallant troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, one FN rifle magazine, 22 rounds of 7 .62mm (NATO) ammunition, 51 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and another motorbike. 'The successful clearance operation underscores the army's commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring safety and security of citizens in Kaduna State and other troubled spots,' it said. Source: News Agency of Nigeria