The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Lagos makes case for environmental sustainability 

    Lagos makes case for environmental sustainability 

    Lagos State government has urged relevant stakeholders to complement its tree planting initiative, to ensure a greener, sustainable city. 

    Permanent Secretary (Office of Environmental Services) in the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Omobolaji Gaji, spoke at the annual tree planting day to commemorate the 2023 Tree Planting Day, with the theme ‘Let’s Green our City’, organised by the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK).

    The Tree Planting Day is celebrated every July 14.

    Gani, represented by the Director of Conservation & Ecology, Mrs. Tolulope Adeyo, said: “We must encourage citizens to become active participants in this endeavour. Planting trees in our own backyards, creating rooftop gardens, or even participating in community gardening projects can make a significant difference. 

    “In addition to individual efforts, we must collaborate with local businesses, educational institutions and community organisations. But this, we can develop innovative solutions, share resources and create a collective impact that will transform our city into an oasis of green.”

    Read Also: Nigeria launches sustainability reporting standards for companies

    The permanent secretary said government would invest in research and development to identify the most effective and sustainable green initiatives, adding that efforts would be intensified to ensure a coordinated approach to greening the entire metropolis. 

    “We will engage and educate our citizens, empowering them to take ownership of their environment and become active participants in the greening process. As we ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach to greening our state, we will leverage the parks and gardens under our purview among other spaces across the state,” he added.

    General Manager of LASPARK, Mrs. Adetoun Popoola, noted that this year’s theme presents another opportunity to further sensitise relevant stakeholders on the importance of tree planting and the implication of removing trees without authorisation. 

    She added: “LASPARK has been at the forefront of efforts to attain environmental sustainability. We established an Urban Forest Park to bring residents close to nature, 

    instituted Green Clubs in schools, and engaged in periodic sensitisation on greener Lagos, among several others.

    “The target this year is to plant at least 4,000 trees between July and October, which is the planting season. So, we will be distributing free ornamental and economic tree seedlings to local government areas, private organisations, NGOs and other interested individuals and volunteers, to encourage the culture of tree planting.”

    Popoola noted that to celebrate the 2023 Tree Planting Day, 60 trees were planted simultaneously at the JJT Park in Alausa and International Airport Road set back. 1,470 seedlings were given to local government areas, making a total of 1,530 seedlings planted for this year.

  • ‘Killer palm oil, honey in circulation at Imo markets’ 

    ‘Killer palm oil, honey in circulation at Imo markets’ 

    A chemist and fellow of the Chemical Society of Nigeria (CSN), Dr. Sam Okore, has expressed concern about the rate at which chemicalised and adulterated palm oil and honey flood markets across Imo State. 

    Okore, who spoke to The Nation in Owerri yesterday, said his friend and a retired Army General died recently due to chemicalised and adulterated palm oil and honey. 

    He said the incident, which resulted from a strange disease, was later traced to food poison caused by adulterated and chemicalised palm oil that contained a chemical called ‘Uhie’ by the indigenes. 

    “I lost my friend, a retired General in the Army, recently. He died after consuming the palm oil. He started vomiting and laboratory tests confirmed that he died of food poison. 

    “Most of the palm oil we buy at the local markets are highly adulterated and heavily chemicalised. They add chemicalised white oil and add local ‘Uhie’ or red colouring, which is not pharmaceutical colouring ingredients, to increase the yield and now push it into the market for people to buy it and when they use it to add to the food, it has no taste, after which it brings discomfort, stomach pains, sore throat, kidney failure and several body problems that can result in heart failure.” 

    Read Also: Coping with fluctuating palm oil prices

    He advised the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) to look into “these adulterated products being distributed by marketers.” 

    He also disclosed that there is a killer honey in the market that is mixed with Galmali 20. 

    The chemist and former lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede said he had witnessed where the chemicalised honey was being harvested in the village where they sprayed the bees with Gamoli20, to scare them away before they started harvesting the honey from the beehives and by then the honey and beehive would have absorbed the chemical.

    He advised those involved “in this illegal act to desist because one day, their relatives may become victims. So, the government should step in because when we talk of insecurity, food consumption should be considered, not only gunmen.”

  • $50m power plant in Lagos to drive economic growth

    $50m power plant in Lagos to drive economic growth

    Elektron Energy Development Strategies Limited (Elektron Energy), an energy infrastructure company that acquires, develops and owns energy infrastructure projects in West Africa, has partnered with Eko Electricity Distribution PLC (EKEDP) to construct 30-megawatts (MW) embedded natural gas-fired power plant worth $50 million in Lagos.

    The Independent Power Plant (IPP) project will supply uninterrupted electricity through dedicated 33kV and 11kV distribution networks exclusively to identified customers within the Victoria Island franchise area of Lagos State.

    Regarded as the first of its kind because a natural gas IPP will be directly embedded into the DisCo’s distribution network for supply to identified end-user customers, the project has the potential to eradicate up to 1000 diesel generators within its coverage area, drastically reducing emissions and promoting a greener environment. 

    Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony held on Victoria Island, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through his representative, Olusola Shasore, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said: “We understand that reliable steady power builds commerce, commerce builds capital and capital brings industrialisation and industrialisation brings employment to our youths, which is our area of interest. 

    “We are available to whoever is interested in bringing power to the state because we have to do everything we really need to do for Lagos to have power as the economic hub of the country. We are in very interesting times with the New Electricity Act and it can be very good times for us if we are very collaborative. We believe it is the private sector that will drive this achievement for us.” 

    The CEO of Elektron Energy, Mr. Tola Talabi, acknowledged the presence of dignitaries like Tariye Gbadegesin, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited, the co-equity sponsors of the embedded IPP; the Board and Management of Elektron Energy, including the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Jide Onakoya; the Board and Management of Eko DisCo; the Debt Providers: FBN Quest, Bank of Industry (BOI), Infra Credit; and the technical partners, Wartsila. 

     He said: “We are excited about this project because we believe it will mark a significant turning point in the Nigerian power sector. It will be the first time an embedded power plant will be built in partnership with a distribution company. We expect to and we look forward to inaugurating this project in 18 months’ time.” 

    Talabi added that the journey to the project started eight years ago and it was proof of the removal of the regulatory and legislative roadblocks that existed years ago, labelling the project a major milestone and turning point in the Nigerian power sector. 

    Principal and Chief Financial Officer of Elektron Energy, Deen Solebo, said the project would cost $50 million, with a construction timeline of 18 months in addition to the potential to eradicate up to 1000 diesel generators within its coverage area.

    Read Also: Embedded power plant as new driver for uninterrupted power

     ”VI Power is meant to be a 30-megawatt power plant that we will build on this site and it will serve maximum-demand customers who are commercial off-takers that have intense electricity needs fundamentally. We signed a power purchase agreement with Eko Disco last year and a connection agreement which allows us to jointly manage with Eko Disco the distribution network in the Victoria Island power area and also to help regulate the billing and revenue collection from the customers,” he said.

    Solebo said the site of the power project belongs to Eko Disco, adding that the partnership with the Disco is quite extensive.

    He said:  “It effectively allows us to fulfil one of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC)’s policies of encouraging embedded generation power in the country. This is the first of its kind that has seen daylight in this country and we hope this can be an example of how you roll them forward.” 

    Solebo said the project had two phases: a distribution aspect that involved more than five dedicated feeder networks, which allowed power to be taken directly to the customers and the building of the Independent Power Plant (IPP) itself.  

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment Limited, the co-equity sponsors of the embedded IPP, Tariye Gbadegesin, thanked the Board of Elektron Energy for releasing the initial capital, while commending Eko Disco for their foresight on the project. 

     Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Lagos, Elektron started as an energy trading outfit and morphed into an energy infrastructure platform company engaged in developing and operating prime energy infrastructure projects in West Africa, with a key focus in its home market, Nigeria. Elektron also considers strategic opportunities in complementary energy ventures that leverage the company’s expertise and relationships to yield outsize returns. 

    Elektron’s business model is based on a staged development plan to create value by combining its indigenous knowledge and execution capabilities in consultations with strategic, technical, regulatory and financing players.   

    The firm has devised comprehensive strategic roadmaps across the power, oil and gas infrastructure verticals; leading to a near-term project bank of four viable projects representing approximately $150 million of total assets. Elektron also owns Alausa Power Limited (“ALPL”), a special purpose vehicle that operates a leading 10.6MW IPP in Lagos State.

  • Subsidy palliative: Commission urges equal opportunity for PwDs

    Subsidy palliative: Commission urges equal opportunity for PwDs

    The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Mr. James Lalu, has called for a slot for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the Palliative Committee on Subsidy Removal.

    Lalu, who made the request while addressing reporters yesterday Abuja, noted that being in the committee would ensure that PwDs are properly captured among the beneficiaries.

    The executive secretary urged the Federal Government to prioritise PwDs in the implementation of the palliatives due to their vulnerability.

    He said the commission was in full support of the fuel subsidy removal and praised the government for taking steps to cushion the effect, particularly on the poor and the vulnerable.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s removal of subsidy shocked oil cartel – Ardo

    “We have already submitted our request to the government and I am confident it will be given due consideration.

    “I am happy that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) is handling our request.

    “Our desire is to see the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the management of this palliative.

    “This will ensure that our members across the country are properly captured,” Lalu said.

    According to him, the cost of transportation has increased and so are the needs of the disability community.

    He expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration would secure a brighter future for PwDs across the country.

  • Firm reaffirms commitment to sustainable practices

    Firm reaffirms commitment to sustainable practices

    GREE Electric Appliances, a global provider of innovative heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions, has reiterated its commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and superior comfort. 

    The firm stated this during the Mega Clima Exhibition in Lagos, during the unveiling of its latest advancements in air conditioning technology.

    The exhibition enabled industry professionals, decision-makers, and technology enthusiasts to exchange knowledge, explore emerging trends, and discover state-of-the-art products and solutions. The showcased models featured cutting-edge advancements in energy efficiency, air quality, and smart connectivity.

    Chairman Choice International Group, owners of GREE Air Conditioners in Nigeria, Chief Diana Chen,  expressed enthusiasm about participating in the exhibition  and emphasised its significance as a platform that brings together industry leaders and stakeholders. 

    He stated that the exhibition provided an opportunity to demonstrate GREE’s commitment to revolutionising the air conditioning industry through groundbreaking technology, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices. The company looks forward to engaging with visitors, exchanging knowledge, and showcasing their latest innovations.

    Read Also: Bays Planet foundation launches campaign for sustainable menstrual health

    Visitors at the GREE booth had the chance to experience the advanced features of the company’s flagship products, including GREE GMV6, Free Match, U-Match, Floor Ceiling Unit, GMVX, GMV5 Slim, General Static Pressure Duct Type Indoor Unit, 360 degrees Air Discharge Cassette Indoor Unit, High Efficiency Water-cooled Screw Chiller, Variable Speed Air-cooled Screw Chiller, DC Inverter Rooftop Packaged Air Conditioners, Air handling unit, Fairy Inverter Series, G-Tech, Kimbe II Series and other range of Residential Air Conditioners.

    GREE’s innovative air conditioning solutions integrate advanced engineering, sustainable design, and user-centric features, resulting in exceptional efficiency and enhanced environmental responsibility. The exhibition attendees were treated to a diverse range of products tailored to meet the unique needs of residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

    Apart from the comprehensive product showcase, GREE Nigeria also provided informative presentations by its team of industry experts. These presentations offered valuable insights into the latest advancements in air conditioning technology, their impact on energy efficiency and sustainability, and included a question-and-answer segment with exciting prizes for winners.

    With a commitment to technological advancement, environmental responsibility, and customer satisfaction, GREE has established itself as a trusted worldwide brand. GREE Nigeria continues to push the boundaries of air conditioning technology, offering a comprehensive range of products that meet the diverse needs of customers in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

  • Zulum allocates site as FCE Gwoza takes-off soon

    Zulum allocates site as FCE Gwoza takes-off soon

    Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum has approved the use of a Government Secondary School as a temporary site for the take-off of the new Federal College of Education (FCE) in Gwoza.

    The site is at Vile, a community in Gwoza town, Headquarters of Gwoza Local Government Area.

    The new school is the first of its kind, a Federal Government College of Education, in Borno since the state was established in 1976. Most of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) each have a federal University, federal polytechnic and federal college of education. Borno had been without a federal polytechnic and federal college of education until they were established by the Buhari administration.

    Read Also: Zulum appoints chair for Internal Revenue

    Zulum, who had facilitated take off of a Federal Polytechnic site in Monguno, did the same for the Federal College of Education in Vile.

    The governor during his trip to Gwoza on Saturday directed the rehabilitation of the GSS Vile to serve as a temporary site.

  • Ganduje to Yusuf: stop complaining, initiate palliatives

    Ganduje to Yusuf: stop complaining, initiate palliatives

    The immediate past administration of Dr. Umar Ganduje in Kano State has challenged the Abba Kabir Yusuf-led New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) administration to stop picking holes in the Federal Government’s subsidy removal palliative plans.

    Instead, the former Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs in the administration, Malam Muhammad Garba, yesterday, in a statement asked the new administration in the state to initiate and evolve a plan that would alleviate the suffering of the masses in the state.

    Graba responded to the NNPP’s faulting of the palliative plan, which it later retracted following a backlash from the public.

    He said instead of studying what the palliative plan is about, the state government criticised the plan only for them to withdraw the statement.

    Garba pointed out that while some states have set up committees that would provide an interim solution to the situation and others like Imo State have jacked up the minimum wage to N40, 000 as an immediate interim measure, the NNPP government in Kano has not made any efforts.

     According to him, “In 2017 while negotiation were on between the Federal Government and the Labour Union on the N30, 000 minimum wage, the administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje went ahead and negotiated N36, 000 minimum wage and thereby became one of the first state government to approve minimum wage above that of the Federal Government.”

    The former Commissioner noted that lack of understanding of what governance really is had been responsible for the inconsistencies and unguarded statements from senior officials of the NNPP government in Kano.

    Read Also: Anti-graft commission invites Ganduje over #dollargate

    Garba noted that a similar scenario had played out when the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Dr. Baffa Bichi, gave reason for the demolition of the iconic Kano roundabout which he claimed carried a huge Christian cross which he said was against Islamic ideology.

    “Unfortunately, after an outrage, the SSG appeared on national television to embarrassingly deny making the statement, which also further eroded his credibility and that of the state government,” the statement added.

    He said instead of making a careful study of what is on the ground, the government engaged in vengeance and adopted an anti-people policy that has worsened the economic condition of the state.

    Citing policy inconsistency of the new administration, Garba recalled that after stopping the salaries of suspended civil servants employed by the immediate past administration as well as demotion of hundreds of teachers, the NNPP government, despite its promise, has failed to set up the committee that would look into their case.

    The former commissioner, therefore, called on the NNPP government to approach governance with ease and stop making statements capable of jeopardising the peace and development of the state.

  • Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa launch subsidised fertiliser

    Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa launch subsidised fertiliser

    As farmers begin cropping, Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa state governments have approved 50 per cent subsidy on fertiliser prices to ease access to the commodity.

    A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the three states showed that the sale of the commodity had begun.

    The NPK brand of fertiliser is being sold for between N15,000 and N19,000 as against the former price of N27,000.

    In Jigawa, the government procured 6,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for sale.

    The Chairman, Fertiliser Distribution Committee, Senator Mustapha Makama, said  Governor Umar Namadi would inaugurate fertiliser distribution today.

    He said the commodity had been distributed to the designated sale outlets to make it accessible to the farmers across the 27 local government areas of the state.

    “The NPK brand of fertiliser would be sold at N16,000 per bag.

    “The gesture is to make fertiliser affordable and accessible to the farmers, especially those who could not afford it due to financial constraint.

    “The committee’s role is crucial in facilitating the timely distribution of subsidised fertiliser which will help cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

    The state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, on June 19, inaugurated the sale of the subsidised fertiliser to the farmers across the state.

    Yahaya said the state government expended over N2.8 billion on procurement of the commodity.

    NAN checks at the Gombe Main market showed that prices of the commodity varied depending on its quality.

    A 25 kilogramme bag of the NPK-15-15-15 was sold between N24,000 and N27,000 while NPK 20-10-10 sold between N14,000 and N28,000

    A 50kg bag of Urea brand of fertiliser is sold at between N21,000 and N25,000.

    A cross section of the farmers lauded the ward-to-ward fertiliser distribution model adopted by the government.

    They described the gesture as “commendable”, adding that it would enhance access to the commodity and encourage productivity.

    A rice grower in Nafada, Musa Alhaji, said the gesture assisted farmers by cutting down cost of production.

    Read Also: Bago enlists EFCC, ICPC, Police to oversee fertiliser sale

    This, he said, would enable them to save more money, source for other inputs and increase their production output.

    “Some farmers bought the subsidised fertilisers which saved them between N5,000 and N9,000 per bag, depending on its quality.

    “So for every 10 bags of subsidised fertiliser, a farmer could save between N50,000 and N90,000; this is good no matter how small.

    Another farmer, Ibrahim Danladi, said that he had benefited from the similar gesture in the previous seasons.

    Danladi urged the state government to expand the scope of farmer support services to mobilise participation in the programme.

    For Yusuf Abba and Hannatu Bitrus, the gesture has enhanced farmers’ access to the commodity.

    Bitrus, however, urged women cooperative societies to ensure that their members benefitted from subsequent fertiliser distribution exercises.

    Some farmers in Bauchi have also lauded the state government for making fertilisers accessible in the state.

    A farmer, Rilwanu Bala, said the government achieved a tremendous feat in making the commodity accessible and affordable to the farmers.

    The gesture, he said, would encourage farmers to increase their production output.

    “Fertiliser is now available and affordable to the farmers. We anticipate bumper harvest,” he said.

    Another farmer, Ja’afaru Dauda, laude Mohammed for providing the commodity on loan to the workers.

    “The action will encourage more civil servants to go into agriculture, enhance food security and wealth creation in the state,” he said.

  • Kebbi okays payment of scholarship

    Kebbi okays payment of scholarship

    The Kebbi State Government has approved the payment of registration fees for 2023/2024 academic session for verified indigenes studying in Usman Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS).

    Alhaji Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, stated this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi yesterday.

    Idris quoted the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Tafida, as saying that the approval was part of efforts to improve the standard of education in the state.

    The SSG did not disclose the total amount and number of beneficiaries.

    Read Also: Soludo awards scholarship to Anambra student with highest UTME score

    “In his efforts to improve the standard of education, the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, has graciously approved the payment of registration fees for the 2023/2024 academic session.

    “The approval is for all verified Kebbi State indigenes studying in Usman Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS),” the statement read in part. He said that the approval was to encourage the students to get sound education and to ease difficulties faced by parents.”

    “The present administration is determined to fulfil all its campaign promises, most especially in education, agriculture, health, infrastructure and youth empowerment,” he assured.

    The government advised all students studying at UDUS to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard towards achieving the purpose of being in school.

  • Unilever Nigeria partners UNICEF to reach three million youths

    Unilever Nigeria partners UNICEF to reach three million youths

    Unilever Nigeria and UNICEF have unveiled Future-X Campus Ambassadors Programme (FUCAP) in Lagos, to reach three million youths and provide skills to 700,000, aged 16 to 24, by 2026.

    The programme, according to them, is in line with Unilever’s commitment to empower 10 million by 2030 and supports UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited Nigeria initiative, which aims to assist 20 million youths into the workforce by 2030 through digital skills development and workforce readiness programmes.

    The FUCAP initiative was launched on UNICEF’s Yoma and U-Report Platforms, a youth-centred platform, to ensure extensive reach of young people in universities and other institutions.

    Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria, Tim Kleinebenne, said: “FUCAP is targeted at students in universities and polytechnics. This is part of our commitment to helping young people in Nigeria reach their full potential and contribute to development of Nigeria.”

    Read Also: Ademola bows out of Unilever

    “UNICEF is happy to partner Unilever Nigeria on this initiative focusing on developing critical 21st-century skills for young people. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this programme will have on youths in helping them succeed in the workplace and contribute to growth of their communities,” UNICEF Nigeria Representative, Cristian Munduate, said.

    Present at the event were People Parther and FUCAP Project Lead at Unilever Nigeria, Zainab Ajadi; Chief of Lagos Field Office at UNICEF Nigeria, Celine Lafoucriere; Human Resource Director at Unilever West Africa, Ola Ehinmoro; Partnerships Specialist at UNICEF Nigeria, Ochuko Ege; Head of Communications & Corporate Affairs at Unilever Nigeria, Godfrey Adejumoh; as well as Communications Officer at UNICEF Nigeria, Blessing Ejiofor.

    Ehinmoro said: “…We will engage 100,000 students through hybrid campus seminars to provide students with information about the skills they need in the workplace and opportunities to network with employers and other young people…” he added.