The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Details of Hajj

    Details of Hajj

    Monologue

    This is the season of Hajj. It comes up in the month of Dhul Hijjah every year.

                    Hajj means an aspiration towards a higher pedestal in spirituality. It is, divinely, a pillar of Islam made obligatory for Muslims who can afford it once in a lifetime. Hajj is not a mere tourism. Thus, the visa issued to Muslims who perform Hajj, annually, is that of pilgrimage and not of tourism. Whilst pilgrimage is a spiritual exercise, tourism is a pleasurable journey.

    Preamble

    The similitude of Hajj in the life of a Muslim is like that of pregnancy in the womb of an expectant mother. The experience may vary from one woman to another, as the foetus in the womb undergoes various stages before reaching the stage of delivery. By the time the child is finally delivered, the mother feels a relief of her life while the child assumes a tabula rasa (clean slate) that makes it absolutely innocent.

    Spiritually, a pilgrim is like a newly born baby, if he strictly performs Hajj as prescribed by Allah. But if he returns into the world of vanity after Hajj, he automatically becomes like a person in snow-white attire who finds his way into a palm oil market. Unless he spiritually guides his loins, he may immediately become a tainted person both in body and in soul.

    The Rigours of Hajj

    Pilgrims going on Hajj must be prepared to go through series of rigours both spiritually and physically. The rigour of getting the money to perform Hajj; getting the travelling documents including visa; taking care of the home front before embarking on the Holy journey; boarding the plane with a sense of high risk; going through the security check at the embarkation point as well as the disembarkation point in Saudi Arabia;  performing the Tawaf and Sa’y; moving from Makkah to Mina on the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah and, to Arafah, on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, and back to Mina via Muzdalifah on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah; throwing the pebbles at the Jamrat in Mina on the three or four days known as Ayamu-t-Tashrik; performing Tawaful Ifadah at the Sanctuary in Makkah after the first day of throwing pebbles; performing the farewell circumambulation otherwise known as Tawaful Wida’I; all in the midst of millions of people can be too much to forget so soon  after Hajj.

    Admonition

    Whoever is not bothered by the money spent on Hajj should at least be bothered by the various stages of the rigour involved including that of visiting Madinah. To lose all these to the forces of Satan after Hajj is like losing one’s travelling passport after obtaining visa. The prayer of every genuine pilgrim is to retain the validity of Hajj forever.

    Conditions for Hajj Performance

    Performance of pilgrimage must be based on genuine intention and high spiritual standard. An intending pilgrim must have attained puberty. He must have been an ardent practitioner of the first four pillars of Islam: (Salat, Zakah, and Sawm) all of which are fervently based on faith (Iman). Hajj without these pre-requisites is like a tree without roots.

    Money is a major pre-requisite for Hajj but it is not absolute.

    Hajj, the last pillar of Islam shows very vividly, the similitude of what mankind will experience on the Day of Judgment. Looking at the unique way in which pilgrims dress for Hajj and how they assemble at Arafat, leaving their luggage behind in Makkah, one will realize how ephemeral this world is.

    Purpose of Hajj

    The various stages of preparation through which pilgrims pass before arriving at Arafat are symbolic of our peregrinations in life as human beings. Like the Day of Judgment, Arafat is the climax of Hajj performance. Anybody who misses Arafat misses Hajj. But Arafat is not by physical appearance alone. It takes a combination of factors to participate effectively in that great assembly which serves as the climax of Hajj.

    For Hajj to serve its spiritual purpose in the life of a pilgrim, certain steps must be taken before leaving home. They are as follows:

    Fine-tuning the first four pillars of Islam very sincerely; making the intention to perform Hajj; Ensuring the security of the way; Providing for the family and dependants at home; Paying all the outstanding debts including fulfillment of promises; Ascertaining the condition of health; Assuming a mood of humility like that of a servant approaching his master and Readiness to endure hardship and to tolerate fellow pilgrims’ abnormalities.

    Intention

    Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once said: “Actions shall be judged according to intentions. Whoever embarks on a spiritual journey for the sake of Allah will be adjudged on that basis. And, whoever bases his/her intention for pilgrimage on marriage or material gains, should not expect any reward beyond that for which his/her intention is based”.

    The steps to follow in the performance of Hajj are as follows:

     Al-Miqat which is the specified place for the wearing of Ihram dress. There are five of such places in all. Tawaf which means circumambulation of the Ka’bah. The very first to be performed by pilgrims on entering Makkah is Tawaful Qudum. It is performed before a pilgrim settles down in any residence. Tawaful Qudum is an obligatory Sunnah from which only residents of Makkah among pilgrims are exempted.

    Residence in Makkah or Madinah

    Most Nigerian pilgrims often seek their accommodations in Makkah or Madinah close to the Haram. This is to enable them walk to and from the Haram conveniently at the time of any Salat. To minimize pilgrims’ regular occurrence of missing their ways, they are provided with hand bands which bear the addresses of their residences. Pilgrims are therefore advised to wear such bands at all times to enable them show it to either the Hajj guides or policemen whenever they miss their road. It is also important for pilgrims to always be with the identity cards provided for them by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) or private agents. This is to enable them to be identified in case of sickness, accident or even death.

     Movement to Mina

    Pilgrims must be ready to undergo some rigours in the process of moving to Mina from Makkah. The rigour, which normally affects all pilgrims, is engendered by limited time available for millions of pilgrims who must move to that spiritual camp before the sunset on the day preceding Arafah day.

     The Day of Arafah

    At the Plain of Arafat, pilgrims are advised to stay under their tents and concentrate on the spiritual activities. They must reach Arafat by mid-day when Salatu-d-Dhuhr and ‘Asr should be observed combined. Anybody who is not at Arafat by mid-day is considered not to have taken part in the assembly and therefore missed Hajj. Immediately after observing the combined Salatu-d-Dhuhr and ‘Asr, the Imam who led the two Salat is expected to give a sermon. Listening to such sermon is as compulsory as giving it.

    The great assembly of Arafat terminates shortly before sunset (Maghrib) and the pilgrims return to Mina via Muzdalifah.

     Muzdalifah Transit

    At Muzdalifah, pilgrims are expected to halt their journey to observe Maghrib and ‘Ishai combined. They are also expected to pass the night there and observe the Salat-s-Subh the following morning before proceeding to Mina. Muzdalifah is adjacent to Mina and is therefore a walking distance.

     Jamrat

    Stoning the symbolic devils (Rajmu Jamrat) begins a day after Arafat and continues for the next three or four days that the pilgrims are supposed to spend at Mina. This exercise is obligatory and without it, Hajj is incomplete. There are three points at which stones are to be thrown. Seven pebbles are to be thrown at each point on every one of the three or four days to be spent in Mina.

    While going for the pebble-throwing exercise, pilgrims are advised to take their pebbles along with them. Except for the first day when seven pebbles are supposed to be thrown at only one spot, pilgrims are required to throw twenty one pebbles each day, seven of those pebbles are to be thrown at the each of the three spots provided while they remain in Mina.

    Picking such pebbles at the point of throwing them is forbidden. All pebbles must have been picked before leaving the tent for the ‘Jamrat’ or on each day.

     Majzarah (Abattoir)

    Slaughtering of sacrificial animals is done at the abattoir in Mina. Pilgrims do not need to bother themselves by going to the abattoir for the purpose of carrying out this compulsory obligation. They can simply buy the guaranteed ticket sold by designated Saudi agents. The ticket is the evidence that one has performed that duty. The slaughtering is done on behalves of the pilgrims by some authorised artisans who are paid by the Saudi Hajj authorities from the money which the pilgrims had paid for those animals. The animals to be slaughtered at Jamrat range from rams to camels. A pilgrim should slaughter one ram or more while seven pilgrims may combine to slaughter one camel or five of them may jointly slaughter one cow.

     Tawaful Ifadah

    For pilgrims who can afford to go to Makkah from Mina, after throwing the first seven pebbles, it is good to perform Tawaf-ul-Ifadah. For those who cannot, the exercise can be deferred till the end of Tashrik, when they are supposed to finally leave Mina for Makkah

    The only reason for any pilgrim to go to Makkah from Mina during the camping period is to perform Tawaf-ul-Ifadah. No pilgrim should break camping rule by going to Makkah without performing Tawaf-ul- Ifadah. And, after performing Tawaful Ifadah, no pilgrim should remain in Makkah or elsewhere without returning to Mina before sunset.

    Tawaful Wida’i

    With the completion of the camping days in Mina and the performance of Tawaful Ifadah on arrival of all the pilgrims in Makkah, Hajj has been completed except for Tawaf Wida’i  otherwise called farewell Tawaf. That Tawaf is also compulsory.

    It is then left for pilgrims to decide whether or not to go to Madinah, if he had not gone before. Going to Madinah is not compulsory as it will be spiritually odd for any pilgrim to choose not to visit the Prophet’s Mosque.

    Conclusion

    Throughout the Hajj exercise, what should be uppermost in the mind of a pilgrim is the spiritual benefit. On arriving home finally, pilgrims are not expected to start organizing parties in celebration of a successful Hajj performance as ignorantly done by some Nigerians. Maintaining Hajj is a necessity for those who know the value of doing that. Whoever is privileged to perform Hajj once in his/her life, should forever be grateful to Allah as no one is sure of getting another chance.

    For those going on Hajj this year, the Message says HAJJAN MABRURA!

  • Companion lifts 160 with N30m Zakat proceeds

    Companion lifts 160 with N30m Zakat proceeds

    The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, has disbursed N30 million Zakat proceeds to 160 beneficiaries across the country.

    The Lagos district of the organisation held a disbursement on Sunday at Secretariat Mosque Hall, Ikeja, GRA, Ikeja where no fewer than 90 less privileged benefitted.

    Some of the beneficiaries were awarded business grants worth N500,000 each while others received several items that fulfilled their needs which include a deep freezer, pepper grinding machine, flour grinding machine and personal computers (laptops) among others.

    Similar event which held between between 10th to 18th of June, 2023 across the remaining four districts of the organisation saw two beneficiaries get business grants of N500,000 each.

    At other districts; 23 beneficiaries received their Zakat at the Kwara district, 22 received in Abuja district, 10 received in Cross River district and six in Oyo district.

    The Amir, Lagos district of the organisation, Alhaji AbdulKabir Baruwa, said  Zakat being the third pillar of Islam, must be embraced by all and without it, the practice of the religion will be deficient.

    He said the N30 million received and disbursed as Zakat this year is a shortfall from the amount received last year.

    Alhaji Baruwa attributed the shortfall to the situation in the country”.

    Director of ClearPath Islamic Centre, Lekki, Ustadh AbdulKabir Nasir Al-Asfar, mentioned that the spate of social vices has worsened due to endemic poverty, saying that people could not afford the basic needs of life such as food, clothing and shelter.

    He added that ignorance is the major factor to the collection of Zakat in Nigeria. Other factors he mentioned include lack of coordination and trust.

    The beneficiaries extolled the organisation for putting smiles in their faces.

    Olawuyi Mutahiru, who received a business grant, said the fund will assist his business which involves getting flour for people who bake or use it for snacks.

    He added that the process of securing Zakat is easier when compared to securing loans from commercial banks which will still come with interest.

    Another beneficiary, Muminat Awolola, lauded the organisers for awarding her a chest freezer.

  • ITF pledges to empower youths

    ITF pledges to empower youths

    The International Training Fund (ITF) has reaffirmed its commitment to escalate the provision of skills to youths to compete globally.

    Worried over the level of the youth who are migrating for greener pastures abroad, ITF said Nigeria must make the best use of them to generate the much-needed foreign exchange.

    He called on the Federal Government and stakeholders to join hands to bridge the skill gap.

    Speaking during the inauguration of ITF Ikeja Area Office in Lagos,  the Director- General, ITF, Sir Joseph Ntung Ari,  said the office was constructed to  boosts skills provision, particularly to the youth.

    “We are lucky that the young population forms the larger part of the population unlike other parts of the world, but when this young population is not put to positive use, we will be sitting on a time bomb. Time has come for all of us to put our resources together as a team to be able to equip our young population with the needed skills for employability and entrepreneurship,” he said.

    According to him, over 500,000 young men and women had been empowered with employability skills over the past five years.

    His words: “Our administration was ushered into office in September 2016, but as at 2021, we were able to equip over 500,000 young men and women with the requisite skills and the numbers are going up by the year. The ITF is one institution that is very concerned about monitoring its trainees to see how they are faring.”

     He said this was part of the  efforts of ITF not only to expand access for more Nigerians to acquire technical skills by providing the enabling infrastructure, but also to enhance efficient and effective delivery of its services in line with its mandate.

    Ari said when he assumed office, many of these facilities that had either been inaugurated or about were abandoned, in some cases, for several decades, adding that the management set about finding ways to complete the abandoned structures for reasons aforementioned.

    “Our determination to expand  infrastructure was informed by the fact that Nigerians have become increasingly aware of the importance of skills acquisition as a pathway to sustainable internally generated revenue are on-going and nearing completion,” he stressed.

    He noted that the plan of the ITF management is to train and send trainees for internship at the recently purchased Jossy Royale Hotel in Jos being remodelled, stressing that the aim is to increase the number of Nigerians with requisite skills.

    He urged  Nigerians, especially government agencies and others to collaborate with ITF to equip Nigerians with requisite skills.

  • TUC cautions against sale of refineries

    TUC cautions against sale of refineries

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has vowed to resist the sale of the refineries to friends and cronies of political appointees or civil servants.

    It warned the Federal Government to beware of speculators in the new step to collapse the foreign exchange rate to a single window.

    Speaking with reporters in Geneva, Switzerland, at the 111th International Labour Conference (ILC),  TUC President Festus Osifo said Nigeria would not have faced foreign exchange problems, if the four refineries were working optimally.

    He insisted that it was high time the new government put the local refineries to work to generate sufficient forex for the nation.

    Osifo said the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), where he doubles as the president, was not totally against removal of subsidy, provided the refineries were made to work.

     “Our advocacy is that the refineries should work and government should go the way of the NLNG, where the government will have less shares of 49 per cent and the investors 51 per cent, instead of selling it to their friends and cronies,” he said.

    Osifo, who said there was a plan by the organised labour to visit the refineries, vowed that TUC would not allow the government to dispose of the refineries anyhow.

    “We are going to resist the government selling refineries to their friends and cronies, but will support the NLNG model. It is the way to go,” he insisted.

    Commending President Bola  Tinubu for taking the steps on the unification of forex rates, he urged him not to allow speculators to determine the exchange rates.

    Osifo noted that the steps taken by government would in no small measure assist in fixing the battered economy.

    “We have been advocating against the issue of multiple exchange rates, because it’s actually killing our economy. In the last eight years, it is a single item that has affected our monetary and fiscal policy as a country. It has affected us on all ends,” he said.

    Osifo advocated that, for it to succeed, there should be some fundamentals while unifying to checkmate speculators from having a field day.

    He said if by unifying on a single day, the exchange rate of naira to dollar jumped to N750 in the bank, then it was necessary for the government to set some machinery in motion, else in a few days, speculators would hijack it and push it to N900.

    He said it would not have been an issue if Nigeria was producing locally.

    “No country in the world allows its currency to be left anyhow. Government must not allow speculators to determine what the exchange rate will be. If government doesn’t have a rein over it, speculators will take advantage of it,” he said.

    The TUC president, lamenting that the multiple exchange rate made millionaire overnight, insisted that the single window should be allowed to succeed by keeping speculators at bay.

    Osifo said: “There’s no country that develops overnight. The way our currency has been managed over the years is appalling. No country develops like that, where people do money tripping and take advantage of our system.

    “We are against a situation where people make so much money overnight. We are against a situation where people make N300 to N400 gain on a dollar by crossing to another window and become a billionaire overnight. It is not acceptable”.

  • ‘Workers push for people-oriented policies’

    ‘Workers push for people-oriented policies’

    The National President, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, in this interview with TOBA AGBOOLA, speaks on what the new administration should do to better the lot of workers.

    What are your expectations from the government

    The good thing is that this administration is transiting from the same party with the last one. So, it’s a continuation of the same government.

    What is fundamental is what the government is ready to offer in terms of security, employment creation, energy, and transportation.

    We call for a policy that will better the lives of Nigerians. There is the need for the government to diversify. It should look into the productive and manufacturing sector. That will bring a lot of foreign exchange.The government should deviate from external borrowing because the way it is is that Nigeria has been mortgaged. It will take a leader that understands the dynamics of the economy to take us out of this.

    President Bola Tinubu should look at how he could negotiate the loans, just like former President Olusegun Obasanjo did. He should look at workers’ welfare and put it on the front burner. He should consider a living wage. There is this argument that increase in workers’ salary will bring inflation. This is wrong. Don’t forget that other sectors are enjoying wage increment. Don’t forget that workers go to the same market with those who are super rich or earning higher.

    The government should be concerned about employment. It should reactivate the manufacturing industry because it will create employment.

    Tinubu should recruit  the right people for the positions. The administration should pay attention to the recruitment process. He should appoint those  who have the technical know how. That is the basic way of getting Nigeria out of the quagmire.

    He should be careful about the  International Monetary Fund (IMF). Any policy or agreement that does not mean well for Nigerians should be  set aside because we have suffered since the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). You cannot force us to devalue our currency. Every economy is operated on the basis of the culture of the people. There are some things that don’t go in line with our culture. For instance, Nigeria has a peculiar culture of cash. By the time the Cashless Policy was introduced, the economy was almost crumbled because we have not put in place the structure that will enable it to work. In our culture, we like seeing cash. What makes people happy in Nigeria is when they see cash. The government should also look at education, transportation, and energy, among others.

    What is your assessment of past administrations ?

    Let me start with the good side. When the last government came into power, we had what we called economic meltdown. In many states, the government was unable to pay salaries. And it came up with  a bailout fund strategy. That solved the problem to some extent and there was stability, most especially, in the area of sacking workers. We later experienced COVID-19. The government allowed some set of workers to stay at home and they were not sacked and they were still paid. The last government did well in those areas. It also provided the N30,000 minimum wage.

    Now, let us assess the social economic challenges. The government failed to curb inflation because it paid more attention to borrowing. But little attention was paid to production and manufacturing sector. The reason is that even the agriculture sector that would have saved the situation could not because many of our farmers could not go to their farms because of insecurity. So, the economy was bastardised and the workers whose take-home was still N30,000 were the worst hit. And a lot of other policies also had negative effects.

    Workers for the past eight years didn’t enjoy. Although at the end of the last government, we had a little relief in terms of 40 per cent peculiar allowance, which other sectors are also enjoying, people misunderstood it as wage rise. Mind you, inflation is not determined by salary increase. It is determined by those factors that the government should address.

    The government should look at the fiscal policy. It should put in the right people, not necessarily someone who has worked in the bank. The right person should be appointed as the Governor of Central Bank. It’s not everyone who work in the bank that can create wealth.

    For instance, Emefiele would have crumbled the economy. You are introducing new currencies and, at the same time, saying cashless, whereas if the old and the new work together, there wouldn’t be problem.

    But because you had an agenda targeted at politicians, the economy should crumble?

    What is your take on external borrowing?

    The unique thing about it is that Tinubu has understudied the situation and he knows that we are indebted. He knows what is on ground. There are two key areas  he needs to look into: Finance and  Central Bank. That is what helped the Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration. He appointed the right minister; that was Dr. Okonjo-Iweala. She was able to negotiate for debt relief. So, we need a minister with an international network. We need a Central Bank governor that understands the dynamics of fiscal policy. You don’t need a governor of Central Bank who will customise what is workable somewhere else and bring it here. It cannot work. Because our culture is different. We are not ripe for cashless policy in Nigeria.

    Some state governments are owing salaries. How do we solve this problem?

    The behaviour of those governors who have refused to pay the N30,000 minimum wage can be described as man’s inhumanity to man. They are worse than Boko Haram.Their family is enjoying local and international trips, medications, etc, yet they refused to pay an amount as small as N30,000. What is the difference between you and Boko Haram that can kill and destroy?

    You saw what happened in Abia State the other time. When you find yourself in the Government House, you should know that you are there to serve the people. If you like build bridges like former Rivers State Governor Nyesome Wike, you are not doing it with your money. So, you cannot be boasting over that. So, they are enemies of the workers and God will not forgive them.

    What is your reaction to the Oronsaye’s report

    Any attempt by the government to revisit that report will be counter-productive. Those agencies were established by law and it must be repealed, if you want to do away with them. So, it has to go back to the National Assembly for it to be repealed. Painfully, the National Assembly is busy creating laws that will create more agencies. So, who is fooling whom? The government should look at it holistically and not focus on the civil service alone.

    They also need to look at the legislature, especially their allowances. All those things that they said would go to their constituencies, don’t get there. That is why we are also pushing for gratuity. If the legislature can be made a part-time job, the killings for power will be reduced. Until we make political office less attractive, we will continue to suffer. The cost of governance should be reduced.

     What is the way out?

    The fastest way to get out is through production. The production sector must work and  agriculture must be taken serious. We should reduce frivolities. The cost of governance must be reduced. The last administration tried, but a lot of people surrounding him did not allow it to work. That is the reason  we want Tinubu to recruit based on capacity.

  • Empowering tech entrepreneurs, start-ups is Linda’s forte

    Empowering tech entrepreneurs, start-ups is Linda’s forte

    Blockchain Entrepreneur Linda Obi is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), AfriHealth Limited, a technology-driven healthcare solutions provider, aimed at ensuring easy access to quality and affordable healthcare in Africa. Driven by her passion for innovation, the opportunity to make an impact, and the desire to be part of an ever-evolving and exciting field, she shares the intriguing story of how she has been empowering several start-ups including women entrepreneurs in e-commerce, agriculture, and blockchain technology to achieve scale with DANIEL ESSIET.

    The Nigerian tech sector has been remarkable, showcasing a vibrant and rapidly growing ecosystem that is driving innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and contributing to the country’s economic development.

     The country is already well-positioned to capitalise on advancements in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics.

    While these technologies, admittedly, have the potential to revolutionise various industries, creating new markets and job opportunities, and boosting the country’s global competitiveness, one of those helping Nigerians, particularly tech start-ups, entrepreneurs and investors stay ahead of the curve is Blockchain Entrepreneur/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AfriHealth Limited, Linda Obi.

    Linda, who is a transformative CEO and thought leader with over 15 years of diverse experience, has helped scale start-ups in sectors such as Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), retail, agri-tech, e-commerce, and blockchain technology across emerging regions in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

    Yet, the amazon in Africa’s burgeoning tech space is not slowing down. The 2011 Bachelor’s degree holder in International Business, from Western Michigan University, is still roaring to go, spurred by her belief that there is still immense untapped potential waiting to be explored.

    “While we have already witnessed the emergence of numerous impressive tech firms with innovative solutions in Nigeria and across Africa, I believe that there is still immense untapped potential waiting to be explored. The continent’s burgeoning tech ecosystem, coupled with its unique challenges and opportunities, creates an ideal environment for fostering further innovation and entrepreneurship,” she said.

    While noting that Nigeria has witnessed a glimpse of the brightest tech firms with innovative solutions, Linda insisted that “the rapid growth of connectivity, mobile technology adoption, and a young, dynamic population are catalysts for more groundbreaking tech firms to emerge in the future.”

    Moreover, African entrepreneurs, she said, in a tone that exuded so much confidence, possess a deep understanding of local contexts and are well-positioned to develop tailored solutions that cater to the specific needs of their communities.

    Linda, who also earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Administration, Management and Operations, expressed optimism that by investing in education, digital infrastructure, and a supportive regulatory environment, African countries (Nigeria inclusive) can create a favorable ecosystem that encourages the growth of even more innovative tech firms.

    “The brightest days for Africa’s technology landscape are yet to come, and as the continent continues to evolve and adapt to emerging technologies, we can expect to see more groundbreaking solutions that will positively impact the lives of millions of people, both within Africa and beyond,” the 2021 Diploma of Education holder in Blockchain and Digital Currency, from University of Cape Town, told The Nation.

    Interestingly, Linda’s optimism and positive outlook for the tech industry are drawn from her game-changing exploits so far. For instance, at AfriHealth Limited, where she leads its dynamic team as CEO, with a mandate to create impactful, meaningful, and sustainable solutions that will revolutionise the industry and improve access for all, she has leveraging technology-enabled solutions to improve and democratise access to quality healthcare and ensure patient safety.

    For instance, under her charge, AfriHealth recently unveiled a cutting-edge medical app called Rigour+, to help transform the African healthcare landscape by addressing critical challenges and providing convenience to citizens.The serialisation technology, Rigour+ for manufacturers was aimed at revolutionising the drug manufacturing and distribution industry in Nigeria and beyond.

    The innovative solution was designed to address the pressing problem of drug counterfeiting, which, according to experts, costs the global pharmaceutical industry an estimated $200 billion yearly.

    So, by implementing track and trace capabilities and proper serialisation, Rigour+ for manufacturers helps manufacturers and importers comply with regulatory requirements and improve the safety and quality of pharmaceutical products.

    The technology includes geo-fencing solutions and location recall, which enable manufacturers to track products at every stage of the supply chain and recall products quickly and efficiently in the event of a problem.

    The app’s scanning technology empowers users to make informed choices, ensuring they purchase only genuine products. This feature can significantly reduce the risk of adverse health effects and save lives by detecting fake or substandard medications.

    “We believe this app has the potential to radically transform healthcare access for Nigerians, making it more accessible, convenient, and reliable than ever before,” Linda said, adding: “Rigour+ is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play Store.”

    AfriHealth, The Nation learnt, envisioned Rigour+ as the catalyst for transforming healthcare access across Nigeria and the broader African continent. With the solution, patients can securely book video consultations with doctors, control video settings during calls, obtain prescriptions based on doctor consultations and store medical records electronically for easy access.

    That’s not all. Patients “can also order medications directly through the app, complete payments securely, and receive deliveries at their preferred address. They can also use the app’s scanning feature to verify product integrity, detect counterfeit drugs. And returns and refunds are available when necessary.

    Linda also said with the technology, patients can also request an ambulance during emergencies with just a few taps, adding that these features are accessible through a user-friendly interface that prioritised convenience and accessibility.

    Beyond implementing cutting edge ideas to create both mobile and web based apps that provide real time healthcare solutions, AfriHealth, in Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, partners with pharmacies, hospitals, Health Management Organisations (HMOs), diagnostic centres, and ambulatory services.

    The essence of such partnerships is to guarantee services and products specialised for meeting health needs, while fostering trust between healthcare service providers and consumers. “We firmly believe that technology should empower traditional health institutions to reach the unreached while enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare processes,” Linda emphasised.

    A staunch believer in gender equality and women empowerment, Linda, by her  admission, has supported over 1,000 women in tech, and in the process, unlocking growth and innovation for all. She has never hidden her resolve to help increase women’s and girls’ participation in digital technology.

    For instance, Linda said one campaign that particularly stands out to her for its portrayal of women and female empowerment, both in Nigeria and globally, is the ‘Girls in ICT Day’ initiative, which focused on inspiring and empowering young women to explore careers in the technology sector, challenging stereotypes, and breaking down barriers to entry.

    ‘Girls in ICT Day’- marked yearly on the fourth Thursday in April, by the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU), highlights the need to promote technology career opportunities for girls and women in ICT, the world’s fastest growing sector.

    It was aimed at stressing the importance of girls in ICT and encouraging more girls and young women to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

    The last edition of ‘Girls in ICT Day’, according to Linda, not only showcased the achievements and contributions of women in technology, but also provided workshops, mentorship, and opportunities for young women to develop essential skills, increase their confidence, and connect with like-minded individuals.

    “The campaign’s emphasis on promoting gender diversity and inclusivity in the tech sector resonated with people worldwide, as it acknowledged the importance of empowering women to unlock their full potential and contribute to the development of innovative solutions,” she said.

    Linda justified her commitment to women’s and girls’ empowerment thus: “Increasing women’s and girls’ participation in digital technology is crucial for economic growth, global sustainability, and fostering a diverse and inclusive tech industry. Empowering them with digital skills and opportunities leads to innovations that address a broader range of needs, benefiting society.

    “Digital technology also plays a key role in tackling sustainability challenges like climate change and poverty. Prioritising education and skill development, creating supportive environments, and promoting gender equality will help unlock women’s and girls’ full potential, driving positive change and creating a more just, prosperous, and sustainable world for all.”

    Effortlessly beautiful, hardworking and focused, with a calm disposition that belies her visibility and strong grip on a largely male-dominated tech industry, Linda tells whoever cares to listen that the tech space provides her with an ideal platform to apply her analytical and critical thinking skills to develop innovative solutions that could genuinely make a difference in people’s lives. 

    “My motivation to enter the tech space stemmed from a deep curiosity about how technology could impact and improve our daily lives. I was always fascinated by the rapid advancements in technology and the potential for innovation to address pressing global challenges. This passion led me to explore and learn more about the industry, and I soon realised the incredible opportunities it offered for personal and professional growth,” she said.

    Apart from Linda’s innate desire to solve problems and create meaningful solutions, the burgeoning tech amazon said the collaborative and dynamic nature of the tech industry attracted her. “It presented a chance for me to work with diverse teams, learn from others, and constantly challenge myself to grow and evolve.

    “Ultimately, my motivation to enter the tech space was fueled by a combination of passion for innovation, the opportunity to make an impact, and the desire to be part of an ever-evolving and exciting field. And my rise in the industry was fueled by a passion for learning, building strong connections, facing challenges head-on, and collaborating with others.”

    Narrating her career journey so far, Linda said: “My journey in the tech industry has been a blend of learning, networking, and embracing challenges. I’ve always been curious and eager to learn, so I constantly sought new skills and stayed updated on industry trends. Networking played a huge role, as I connected with like-minded people who shared insights and opportunities.

    “Taking on challenges helped me grow and showcase my value, while focusing on problem-solving allowed me to create innovative solutions. Mentorship from experienced professionals gave me invaluable guidance, and teamwork was essential for achieving shared goals.”

    Linda’s exploits are not without challenges though. “Throughout my career as a modern-day woman, venture builder, and mother, I have faced numerous personal sacrifices in pursuit of my dreams and ambitions. Balancing the demands of a thriving career with the responsibilities of motherhood has been a challenging yet rewarding journey,” she said.

    The tech expert revealed that one of the key sacrifices she has made was the time she has had to spend away from her family, missing out on some of the precious moments and milestones in her children’s lives. “I’ve had to make difficult choices in prioritising work commitments over personal events, which has, at times, taken a toll on my relationships with loved ones,” she said.

    Also, she said she has had to sacrifice personal leisure and self-care time, pushing herself to work long hours and dedicating her energy to building successful ventures. “This has often meant less time for hobbies, relaxation, and maintaining a strong social circle outside of my professional network,” Linda said.

    She, however, said such sacrifices have taught her the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the power of grace under pressure. Her words: “I am proud of the career I have built and the positive impact I have made on the lives of others through my work.”  

  • Polio, others: Framework for effective immunisation underway, says Fed Govt

    Polio, others: Framework for effective immunisation underway, says Fed Govt

    • Shettima lauds Gates, Dangote

    The federal and state governments are to establish a transparent process and structure to reverse the categorisation of Nigeria by “conspiracy theorists” as one of the countries with the highest number of non-immunised infants. 

    Vice President Kashim Shettima dropped the hint at a meeting with some state governors, Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation Co-Founder Bill Gates and Dangote Foundation Chairman Aliko Dangote in Abuja yesterday.

    “The Federal Government and our respective state governments are going to set in place a transparent process and structure to undo the reality of the country as one with one of the highest proportions of non-immunised infants in the world over the last decade,” he said.

    Read Also : JUST IN: Shettima meets NGF, Gates, Dangote

    Shettima also stated that centred on healthcare delivery in Nigeria, that the variant polio virus in the country had declined by 84 per cent between 2021 and 2022.

    According to him, Nigeria had less than 200 cases as of last year, saying that the government was countering the “conspiracy theorists” by ensuring every Nigerian child had access to quality primary healthcare.

    He said: “We are gathered here today because we do not wish to fail to respond to the deaths brought to us by a virus and we can guarantee such a picture easily if the occupants of this room can promise to work with President Bola Tinubu and invest in this grand vision of a healthy nation.

    “If we were not united in fighting the wild poliovirus, we would not have defeated it in 2016. This is why we are committed to eradicating the variant poliovirus before the end of this year and ensuring that every Nigerian child is covered in our routine immunisation campaigns.

    “But, to achieve this, we must identify the threats ahead of us; it is not yet Uhuru; it is not yet time to celebrate.”

    Shettima also said that vaccine coverage in the country had improved from 33 per cent in 2016 to 57 per cent in 2021.

    The vice president lauded the states that achieved high category immunisation coverage which is between 60 and 80 per cent of the target demographics have expanded from 12 to 21 states in five years.

    He said: “We are well aware of the setbacks and what we must do to build a healthier nation. The growing integrity of the data collected by our field workers, some of whom lost their lives or were injured in the line of duty has facilitated investments in our healthcare delivery system.

    “I witnessed the sacrifices made by our field workers who dedicated their lives to promoting routine immunisation firsthand when I was the governor of Borno State.

    “Our generous guests here, our friends and allies; have stood with us even in the midst of conflict to ensure that children in partially accessible settlements were not forgotten.”

    Shettima applauded the governments of Borno, Zamfara and Sokoto states for their passionate efforts at addressing the core challenges.

    According to him, the virus is largely restricted to three states – Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi.

    He further said: “I am quite glad that two of the governors are here with us; and they have shown that commitment, zeal, and passion of frontally addressing our challenges.

    “So, this gathering is not only a celebration of our progressive synergy to end vaccine-preventable diseases and poverty; it is also a triumph over disinformation and scepticism that have plagued the campaign to build a healthier nation.

    “We are not only fighting diseases but also countering the conspiracy theories of those committed to hijacking our interventions, our inspirations.

    “I want to assure that the government recognises the pivotal role you have played in our collective role to offer our nation medical and nutritional support at no cost to them.”

    He said the government would not slow down until it delivered on its promise to eradicate the polio virus by the end of this year.

    The vice president reiterated the government’s commitment to building a robust framework to ease access to vaccines and palliatives.

    Dangote said his foundation had been partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for several years.

    The business mogul added that the partnership had been to support efforts at eradicating polio and improving routine immunisation, nutrition and primary healthcare.

    He said: “Since Bill’s visit in 2018, we have supported government’s efforts on human capital development. We genuinely believe that the National Economic Council (NEC) and the decisions that you will make together over the next four years will determine whether Nigeria has strong economic growth, keeps its citizens healthy and contribute to achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    “To achieve all that, as you begin to think about what topics to prioritise at the NEC and the Nigerian Governors Forum, I will like to call on all of you to put human capital development on top of your list.”

    Mr. Gates said his foundation plans to commit $7 billion to Africa in the next four years.

    He said that the fund was to support routine immunisation in Nigeria and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in Northern Nigeria.

    Some governors, led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, lauded the interventions of the two foundations in Nigeria’s healthcare, education, agriculture and human capital development.

    They expressed their readiness to further collaborate with the Foundations in the coming years.

    Other NGF members in attendance were  Bala Mohammed( Bauchi), Umar Radda (Katsina), Dauda Lawal  (Zamfara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Ahmad Aliyu  (Sokoto), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Umar Namadi (Jigawa).

  • Search for Titanic: five explorers died in ‘catastrophic implosion’

    Search for Titanic: five explorers died in ‘catastrophic implosion’

    The United States(US) Coast Guard announced yesterday that it believed the five passengers who disappeared while attempting to explore the Titanic shipwreck were likely lost due to a “catastrophic implosion” of their vessel.

     Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Mauger announced at a press conference that   five major pieces of debris had been found on the seafloor about 1,600 feet from the site of the Titanic, a finding “consistent with the catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber.” Mauger said they then notified the families and offered their condolences.

    Shortly before Mauger’s comments, the company running the expedition, OceanGate, said that the five passengers “have sadly been lost.”

    “These men were true explorers who shared a distinct spirit of adventure, and a deep passion for exploring and protecting the world’s oceans,” read the statement. “Our hearts are with these five souls and every member of their families during this tragic time.”

    Read Also : Head of Titanic submarine search gives verdict on ‘banging’ noises detected with sonar

    The grim announcement came four days after a 21-foot tourist submersible named the Titan was reported missing approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod, triggering a massive search to find the vessel before its occupants ran out of oxygen.

    The Titan had been projected to run out of its 96-hour supply of breathable air on Thursday morning. And because the door was bolted from the outside, those inside would not have been able to open it on their own even if they were able to reach the surface. 

    Asked about the possibility of recovering remains, Mauger called the conditions “unforgiving” and said there weren’t prospects for doing so at this time.

  • Fed Govt seeks UK’s support in fight against insecurity

    Fed Govt seeks UK’s support in fight against insecurity

    The Federal Government yesterday sought the support of the British government in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes and conflicts.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, made the appeal when he received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery.

    Akume also called for support in agriculture and infrastructural development.

    He said: “We want to make a difference in the lives of our people. We are not after money, we are after infrastructure, food security, and energy.

    “We believe with your support we should go further than this. We also have nine mandate areas.”

    After congratulating the High Commissioner on his new posting, Akume called on the British Government to “assist the Federal Government to curb Boko Haram insurgency, banditry and farmers-herders clashes as they did during Nigeria’s civil war”.

    The SGF stressed the need to partner in the education and health sectors.

    Montgomery said the administration’s reform initiatives were welcome and pledged to consolidate the bilateral relationship.

  • We’ve removed obstacles to growth, Tinubu tells investors

    We’ve removed obstacles to growth, Tinubu tells investors

    • President promises more investment-friendly reforms
    • Nigeria seeks UK’s support in war against insecurity

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday began concerted moves to attract foreign investors.

    He rekindled their confidence in Nigeria’s vast economic potential and opportunities, saying that his administration has removed obstacles to growth.

    Tinubu spoke in Paris, the capital of France, where he had joined other world leaders for the two-day New Global Financing Pact Summit.

    The president, who promised to embark on more reforms, said power, infrastructural development, agriculture, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are areas where businessmen expect significant improvement.

    In Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, sought the support of the United Kingdom in the war against insecurity.

    It is the president’s first trip abroad since his inauguration on May 29.

    Urging investors across the world to take advantage of the trade and investment opportunities in Nigeria, Tinubu assured them that the ongoing reforms will be sustained.

    He said economic reforms, which had started with the removal of petrol subsidy and streamlining of exchange rates, were targeted at a more competitive economy, strong enough to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, President Tinubu spoke while receiving the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim), Prof. Benedict Oramah, and President of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud–Basso, on the sidelines of the summit.

    He said: “We are ready for business, prepared to welcome investments.”

    The President assured the delegation of AfreximBank Executives that the Federal Government will continue to stimulate the economy with policies that support investments in areas of Nigeria’s competitive advantage, particularly agriculture.

    Tinubu said: “We need reforms for national survival.

    “We must stimulate recovery for the growth and prosperity of our people, which will not be far away. 

    “Nigeria is ready for global business and our reform is total. Nigeria is blessed with human and material resources.”

    Tinubu said his administration will pay attention to the development of infrastructure, health, energy and agriculture.

    The President of AfreximBank commended President Tinubu for the bold steps in removing the fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate, assuring him of the full support of the financial and development institution in the ongoing reforms.

    Oramah said the bank was already building the first African Specialist Hospital in Abuja, and Energy Bank, pledging to inject more money into the economy to further build the confidence of investors.

    President Tinubu told the EBRD president: “We are challenged in terms of reforms, and we have taken the largest elephant out of the room with the removal of fuel subsidy. 

    “Multiple exchange rates are equally gone. We are determined to open up the economy for business. Consider us a stakeholder in the bank.’’

    He said Nigeria’s economy was too large and potent to be ignored, adding: “Ignoring Nigeria will be a peril to the universe.’’

    Renaud-Basso said it would be a mistake for the bank not to invest in Nigeria, after considering six potential economies for investment.

    She explained that the focus would be on the private sector, especially SMEs.

    The President also joined world leaders on the consensus for redesigning the global financial architecture, which will favour poverty reduction, debt restructuring or cancellation, and more consideration for vulnerable countries affected by climate change and COVID-19.

    The President, who arrived at the venue of the event, Palais Brongniart, at 8.59 am (local time), for the opening ceremony of the summit was received by the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna.

    Welcoming the world leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron said the summit would focus on drawing up a new financial order that will scale up finances and support developing countries for energy transition and poverty reduction while respecting the sovereignty of each nation.

    The French President noted that African countries had been at the receiving end of the major global challenges, with debt hangovers that hamper growth and development.

    Macron said: “Covid-19 pandemic brought lots of difficulties and now we are faced with the war in Ukraine that has been draining resources that should be channelled into human development.”

    Macron told the leaders from 50 countries, multilateral institutions and the private sector that justice and fairness must be considered in redesigning the new world financial architecture, with more focus on the most vulnerable.

    He listed four elements for consideration by the leaders, starting with an acknowledgement that poverty reduction would require collective efforts, with a more diverse and comprehensive framework.

    He stressed: “We must admit that no country can succeed alone in reducing poverty and protecting the planet.”

    Macron said the framework should be relevant to each country, and subregional roles included, with clear responsibilities and benefits, while multilateral institutions like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank must be re-engineered to be more people and solution-driven.

    The French President said the private sector should be carried along in the new pact that seeks to harmonise growth, as they control most of the financial instruments that need to be liquified for more even development, especially in health, education and food security.

    On behalf of the African countries, the President of Niger Republic, Mohammed Bazoum, said the new pact must be “urgent” and “essential” to Africa, adding that the framework should be “just” and “robust” in reflecting the reality of developing countries as partners.

    Bazoum said the challenges of impoverishment and desertification had stimulated unrest in most countries, thereby affecting peace and stability in sub-regions and the continent.

    He said: “In Africa, we need support for infrastructure, health, food security and education.”

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the summit would need political will for the implementation of its resolutions.

    He said many countries were still struggling from the effects of Covid-19 and climate change, adding that the war in Ukraine had heightened suffering.

    Guterres said some African countries had been unable to service their debts, with indications that generations might be affected.

    “African countries,” Guterres said, “were not properly captured in the global order.”

    He said the new global financial pact must address fragmentations and frustrations, and foster a change that encourages debt relief, suspension of repayments, change of business models and more commitment from development banks, with guarantees.

    The UN scribe said leaders must look beyond reforms and accept the need for transformation.

    Climate activist, Vanessa Nakate, from Uganda, who called for a moment of silence for the helpless and hopeless across the world, said broken promises cost the lives of many in developing nations.

    The Presidents and leaders of multilateral institutions and the private sector at the Summit went into syndicate sessions to discuss the new financial architecture.

    Reforms non-negotiable, says Adesina

     President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina said financial institutions are critical to global financial stability.

    He spoke on Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and the role of the multilateral network of institutions and helping vulnerable countries.

    He emphasised that to solve the numerous challenges across the world today, there is a need for immense political support.

    Adesina spoke alongside Edouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of Rwanda; Kaiser Saïed, President of the Tunisian Republic; Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad; Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The session was moderated by First Deputy Prime Minister of Spain, Nadia Calvino.

    Adesina said: “If you are going to solve the problem that we face today, we need great political support for the reforms that are going to be needed.

    “We also need financial institutions. We need the global financial architecture to work much better, all the way from IMF, fiscal stability, and multilateral development banks that have the knowledge, skills, experience and the instrument to drive investment in water, sanitation, agriculture, energy and all of that. How we work as a system is very important.”

    Adesina added: “In the whole issue of debt treatment and debt resolution, sometimes, I feel it is like a patient that goes to a doctor and the doctor keeps saying come back tomorrow, keep making it more complicated and by the time the patient is supposed to be treated, he is dead, it becomes a post-mortem kind of a thing.

    “If you check the case of Africa, like in the 90s, it was such a protracted process. It was not transparent. We had a lost African decade in that period. It is a great thing to have a common framework.

    “Another point is the multiplicity of the creditors we have today. In 2000, Africa’s debt, 52 per cent of it was held by bilateral creditors; today it is 25 per cent. 

    “In 2000, we only had 17 per cent of the total debt held by the commercial creditors, today it is 43. So today, that landscape has changed tremendously.

    “We do need to have a more coordinated approach. I commend all the efforts going into the G20 common framework, and your support for them, but I do think we need to improve the speed things get done.

    “I’m not a fan of natural resource bank loans in Africa because they are not transparent, and in most cases, a lot of corruption.

    “We have about almost $60 billion of debt that is backed by oil, gas, metals, and blue economy. 

    “I think we should end all types of natural resource bank loans. They are not in the interest of those countries.”

    Adesina stressed the need for more resources to cope with climate change, conflict, rising inflation, and debts.

    He said: “When we were facing COVID-19, Africa got support which helped many African countries to deal with the challenges. 

    “We’ve several more challenges, we’ve COVID-19, climate change, conflict issues, rising inflation, debts, and all of these. We need more resources than ever before.”

    Tinubu: It’s no longer business as usual

    President Tinubu said Nigeria and other African countries were committed to the challenges of climate change, poverty, and sustainable development.

    Tinubu contributed to a session, titled: “Ensuring more reliable, comparable information and data.”

    Other panellists included: David Craig, Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD); Mark Carney, Co-Chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ); Mary Schapiro, Vice-Chair of Global Public Policy at Bloomberg; Sabine Mauderer, Vice-Chair of the Network for Greening the Financial System; and United Nations Special Envoy, Catherine Mckenna

    Ambassador Adamu Ahmed, who represented Tinubu at the session, said: “President Tinubu is committed to climate and sustainability development. We’ve also seen the level of attendance of other African countries and their heads of state at the highest level, which clearly indicates that Africa is on board on this journey.

    “A few years ago, the issue of climate was on the table of most African countries. There is this belief that it (climate change) is just a Western agenda and that Africa has more pressing issues.

    “But, in the past years, the narratives have started changing, largely because of many reasons, especially with the climatic factors affecting the countries.

    “Last year, many African countries were faced with unprecedented flooding. It affected lives and livelihood, leading to destruction and death. We also have issues of deforestation and desertification.

    “It is no longer a matter of debate, it is now a matter of reality. We’ve moved beyond debate to accept that sustainable development is on the table.

    “We believe we’re more pressing social issues in Africa. The argument has been that world leaders should elevate social issues just like environmental issues. 

    “I must commend President Macron who has brought the issue of poverty to the table. This summit is about climate, people and diversity.

    “The severe financial and economic crisis that African countries found themselves in after COVID-19 is all over. 

    “There are economic difficulties, and we’ve all realised that public resources would no longer solve the problem. We need to track private capital and for us to track the capital, we need to compete with other countries around the world.

    “It is no longer business as usual for African countries; we now need to join the discourse. We need to compete with the rest of the world. We welcome the idea of President Macron to develop Net-Zero Data Public Utility (NZDPU) because we feel it is an open free repository which will greatly help African countries.

    “The message from the African continent is that we are on board, we want to join the international community. We are now seeing movement from mere commitment to concrete transition plans.

    “For example, in Nigeria, we enacted the Climate Change Act in 2021 which enables us to establish the Climate Change Council in which the president is the head. 

    “It enables us to establish a climate change fund and National Action Plan on climate change which reels our road map to the net zero targets. 

    “We put our target to 2060 because we are aware of the enormous challenges we are confronting. We have tried to form regional partnerships as African countries.”