Author: The Nation

• As Nigeria targets 30GW electricity by 2030

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam, 40MW Hydropower Station and Associated 132KV Switchyard, Transmission Line and Distribution Substation (Phase I) Project, at Kashimbila Dam site in Taraba State.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Buhari performed the inauguration in a virtual ceremony in Abuja.

The President underscored importance of the project, highlighting its role in his administration’s commitment to achieving 30GW of electricity  by 2030.

Read Also : Buhari opens N700m TETFund projects in Oko Poly

Buhari, inviting Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, to unveil the project, said implementation and completion of the projects align with his  policies to alleviate poverty, create jobs, enhance healthcare, and improve standard of living.

“The Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in Taraba State, with storage capacity of 500million cubic metres, was conceived principally to checkmate the threat of the imminent collapse of the structurally weak and poisonous Lake Nyos, located at the line of volcanic activities in Cameroun Republic, which collapse could result in flooding and affecting millions of lives and properties.

‘‘Even though the Dam was meant to serve as a buffer to contain possible discharge of water of Lake Nyos, the engineering design maximized the benefits of the Kashimbila ecosystem by incorporating a 40MW Hydropower Station, 60,000 cubic metre per day Water Supply Scheme, 2,000 hectares of Irrigation System, an airstrip, fishing activities and tourism potentials,’’ he said.

According to the President, the Phase I of the Power Evacuation Component of the Project includes the 132KV Switchyard, four substations at Takum, Wukari, Rafin Kada, Donga, and the rehabilitation of the existing 132KV Yandev substation.

It also involves the installation of a 245km, 132KV Double Circuits line from Kashimbila to Takum, Wukari, Yandev, as well as a 45km, 33kv Double Circuits line from Wukari to Donga through Rafin Kada, he added. 

‘‘I understand that the Water Supply component that is intended to service Takum and environs has reached about 65% progress, while the engineering design for the 2000 Hectare Irrigation Scheme has been fully completed, and physical works will commence in due course,’’ he said.

The President assured Nigerians that other projects aimed at boosting electricity supply, such as the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant in Gombe State and the 700MW Zungeru Hydropower Plant in Niger State, are also ready for commissioning.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Federal Ministry of Power for their efforts in delivering the Kashimbila Project, expressing his anticipation for increased collaboration among various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in infrastructure development.

The President also praised the host communities and the individuals affected by the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam Project for their cooperation, understanding, and support during the implementation of this significant undertaking.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday swore in eight permanent secretaries, saying his government will recognise civil servants as real engine of growth to implement policies.

Sanwo-Olu promised the people purposeful governance and urged them to do the right thing and work for tax payers. He admonished the appointees to bring their knowledge to bear for more development projects for residents.

Sanwo-Olu enjoined the secretaries to be alive to their responsibilities to ensure THEMES was actualised.

Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Waterfront and Infrastructure, Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi, promised to work with the administration to ensure a Greater Lagos.

The permanent secretaries are Adewuyi Adewale (Office of State Auditor-General) (to be ratified by House of Assembly); Adebowale Bashir (Tutor-General, Education District I); Mrs. Patunola-Ajayi Olayinka (Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development); Mrs. Yusuf Shareefah Adejoke (Tutor-General, Education District VI) and Amuni Mustapha (Tutor-General, Education District V).

Others are Mrs. Olushekun Olayide (Office of Local Government Establishments and Training); Obadina Akinbode (Local Government Service Commission) and Mrs. Akanbi Ganiat (Office of the Chief of Staff).

President Muhammadu Buhari has opened six N700 million projects at Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.

The projects were part of intervention of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). They include Multipurpose Hall, ICT Main Building, School of Renewable Energy Building, Agricultural Technology Engineering Building and Chemical Engineering Laboratory.

Buhari, represented by Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah, urged the polytechnic to use the facilities for students educational and vocational development.

He said: “My administration’s support for intervention of TETFund, including upward review of Education Tax from two to 2.5 per cent, has contributed to success stories the fund and beneficiary institutions have recorded.

“It is on record that through support of the Federal Government, TETFund has performed exceptionally in providing infrastructure, support for academic staff training and development, book publication, ICT, research and development, among others.”

The Rector, Franscisca Nwafulugo, hailed National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for support to the institution, saying “the institution has become almost 100 per cent accreditation compliant. The school has mounted new programmes, such as Chemical Engineering and Viticulture, approved by NBTE,” she said.

Nwafulugo, however, raised alarm over rampaging gully erosion threatening lives and infrastructure . She lamented that the 1.23km road built three years ago had been washed away by erosion, and called for intervention.

Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has lauded Hajia Aisha Buhari, on completion and inauguration of headquarters of African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), in Abuja.

He noted the inauguration “is a clear demonstration of the resilience, commitment and dedication of the First Lady and her team towards ensuring peace and security in Nigeria and Africa “.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Jackson Udom, quoted the former Senate Minority leader as saying: “Let me congratulate our First Lady on this uncommon feat and achievement…

“Your commitment to peace in Africa by collaborating with other African countries is commendable, because in the absence of peace, strifes take the centre stage and in such avoidable situations, our women and youths are always at the receiving end of those conflicts.

“I thank you and your team for also setting up a research unit in the secretariat for the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge in the area of security and peace, apart from providing  conducive office facilities and accommodation for the staff. Without peace there can be no meaningful development in the world and that is why I commend you and your team for putting national peace and security on the front burner of our national enterprise,” the statement said.

Embattled National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, yesterday said he has resumed office after filing a motion of stay of at Appeal Court.

With the appeal, Abure said he and three party officials earlier restrained by Abuja High Court from parading as officials had resumed office.

Abure, who spoke during a news conference in Abuja, noted the FCT High Court ceases to have jurisdiction over a suit praying for a restraining order over him.

He said suspended Deputy National Chairman (South), Lamidi Apapa, who assumed the position of acting chairman, failed in his attempt to create a faction in the party.

Acting on forgery allegations, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, in April, restrained Abure from parading as national chairman of the Labour Party.

The court also restrained three officers with Abure.

Justice Hamza Muazu, also ordered that the originating processes of the court be served on the officials – Abure, National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim; National Treasurer, Oluchi Opara; and National Organising Secretary, Clement Ojukwu.

Richard Montgomery has resumed as British high commissioner in Nigeria.

Montgomery yesterday presented his letter of credence to President Muhammadu Buhari at State House in Abuja.

He takes over from Catriona Laing, who concluded her four years tenure in the country.

A statement by the commission said Montgomery was  executive director at World Bank Group from 2018 to 2022 in Washington DC, U.S..

Prior to this, Montgomery held senior positions in the Department of International Development (DFID). These included director for Asia, Caribbean & Overseas Territories Division, Country Director for Pakistan, and Country Director in Nigeria, 2009 to 2013.

Montgomery was one time the Deputy Director for Corporate Human Resources and Deputy Head in DFID’s Top Management Group. Earlier in his career, he did postings in British High Commissions in Zambia, Bangladesh and India.

He is married to Naheed and together they have two children. He and his wife are looking forward to their second stay in Nigeria.

Montgomery on his second coming to Nigeria, said: “It’s great to be back in Nigeria. I look forward to working with the people of this great country, including those in government, in the private sector and in civil society, to do all I can to help build a more prosperous Nigeria and strengthen the partnership between our countries.”

Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) yesterday put the cost of dredging Rivers Niger, Benue and Kaduna at $20 billion.

HPPADEC Managing Director, Abubakar Yelwa, said Federal Government cannot handle the dredging  without help from foreign donors.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting on flood mitigation in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, the commission’s said the cost as at 1983 was $2 billion, adding it went up over 10 times.

Yelwa, responding to suggestions from participants , said the funding was beyond the commission and Federal Government.

“The dredging has always been suggested everywhere. We visited about five states, including Kwara, almost all asked for the dredging.

“In 1983 when former Shehu Shagari government asked for the cost, a bill of $2 billion was given, the scope would have gone up 10 times.

“It is not what HYPPADEC can fund, and not even the Federal Government without international intervention”.

To mitigate floods, Yelwa said the commission would embark on aforestration, adding trees would be planted in five hectares in each of the five councils in Kwara North, designated as flood- prone.

• CAN: Cleric was a unifying force • ‘He told truth to public officeholders’
• He was a fearless activist in pursuit of common good, says Obasanjo

From Jide Orintunsin, Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja and Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

The President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the late Dr Sunday Mbang, as ‘a man of great faith’.

Mbang, a former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, died Wednesday in his home, according to a statement by his family.

Tinubu, in a condolence message by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, celebrated Mbang’s virtues, saying ‘the deceased’s was a formidable man of faith who worked tirelessly to promote peace, harmony, religious tolerance and national unity during his earthly sojourn’.

“I received the news with sadness but we are thankful to God for a life well spent in the service to God and humanity. Dr Mbang fought for truth, justice, fairness and for the welfare of the people of Nigeria under a draconian military dictatorship even at great risks to his own life.

“He was a man of great faith who gave his all to make the world and his country better than he met it. He lived a fruitful and blessed life and passed on peacefully at 86. We will remember his devotion and commitment to promoting the Christian faith in Nigeria as Head of the Methodist Church, as Prelate Emeritus and as President of CAN.

“We mourn the exit of a giant among the clergy and a rare patriot. May God keep his family, loved ones, the Methodist Church of Nigeria, and the Christian community. May Dr Mbang find rest in heaven.”

Bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), Rev. Oluyinka Akande, has extolled Mbang’s, saying the deceased served his maker with everything in him.

Akande said: “He was fearless, always ready to tell people the truth, most especially people in power. The church and the country will greatly miss him.”

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) described the late Mbang as a great leader and a unifying force in the Christian community.

A statement by the CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, reds: “CAN is saddened to hear of the passing of His Eminence, who was a former CAN president and played a crucial role as the pioneer co-chair of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

“The late Emeritus Prelate was a great leader and a unifying force in the Christian community, and his contributions to the growth and development of the Church in Nigeria will always be remembered.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the late Mbang as ‘a deeply pious man, a true critic and fearless activist in pursuit of the common good for the society’.

A statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, reads: “His death is a colossal loss to me personally. I didn’t know he would soon leave us and depart to the great beyond as he was looking relatively well when last I visited him in Uyo on May 2.

“I know Mbang as a fearless soldier of Christ, winning souls for the Kingdom and despite having had a sprinkle of disagreements based on principles along the way, we often ended up agreeing to agree, and this has strengthened our friendship and brotherliness in Christ and enhanced my personal respect for him and what he stood for. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has celebrated former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Aliyu Gusau on his 80th birthday.

 Gen. Gusau was also National Security Adviser and Minister of Defence in the administrations of former Presidents Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

 Tinubu praised the retired general for his many years of service to Nigeria as a soldier and statesman, and for making a respectable name for himself in global security circles.

 He said: “I rejoice with Gen. Gusau on his 80th birthday today. To attain this age takes a special grace of Allah, and we are most thankful to him for his benevolence.

 “Gen. Gusau has been a distinguished Nigerian who served our country meritoriously as a soldier, statesman and politician. I join his family, friends, military colleagues to wish an officer and gentleman a happy birthday and many more years in good health.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has granted automatic employments in the Federal Civil Service to 65 former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

 At the NYSC 50th Anniversary Honours Award held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the president also highlighted numerous achievements of the scheme since its establishment 50 years ago.

 Of the 65 awardees, 52 received the Presidential Honours Awards, while the remaining 13 were physically challenged ex-Corps Members recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

 In addition to the employment, Both groups would be awarded scholarships to pursue their education up to doctorate degree level at any university of their choice within the country.

 He also announced a cash prize of N250,000 for each of the top award winners, N200,000 for other award recipients, including the physically-challenged ex-Corps members under the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.

 Consequently, the president issued a directive to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Civil Service Commission, and the Minister of Education to ensure adherence to the employment offers and the granting of scholarships.

 President Buhari also paid tributes to those who died while serving the nation.

 “But for their transitioning, some of them might have been here today as part of the honourees. May God grant their souls peaceful repose. They remain our heroes and heroines. The nation shall continue to remember their sacrifices towards building a strong, indivisible and egalitarian entity,” he added.