The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Ogun SSG congratulates Otedola matriarch on YABATECH award

    Ogun SSG congratulates Otedola matriarch on YABATECH award

    • By Halimah Balogun

    The Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Joseph Olatokunbo Talabi, has congratulated the matriarch of the Otedola Dynasty, Lady Christine Doja Otedola on the award of fellowship conferred on her by the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos during the 35th convocation of the institution.

    Talabi said he was delighted to know that one of the daughters of Oru-Ijebu in Ogun state and former First Lady of Lagos state, was honoured for her contributions to the institution.

    He Mrs Otedola as an epitome of womanhood, a source of inspiration, and a pillar of support to many especially the women folks and the youth adding that the former Lagos State First Lady’s enthusiasm for women, youth, and humanitarianism played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s growth and development.

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    He said: “She’s not just a golden mother, she’s a dedicated and compassionate leader whose positive influence has touched numerous lives throughout her distinguished private public services career. She’s an advocate for social justice, a philanthropist, and a champion for those who often go unheard.

    “On behalf of my family, the people of Oru-Ijebu, and the entire Ogun State, I congratulate our amiable mother on her conferment of Fellowship award by YABATECH. We are so proud of you.

    “It’s our prayer that the good Lord will grant you exclusive sound health and wisdom to continue what you are known for in your community, state, and the nation at large.”

  • Saudi announces 300 per cent increase ininstalled renewables

    Saudi announces 300 per cent increase ininstalled renewables

    Saudi Arabia has announced 300 percent increase in installed renewables and 43.9 million trees planted since launch of Saudi Green Initiative (SGI).

    The third edition of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum took place yesterday in conjunction with the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), providing a multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue to advance climate action.

    The Saudi Green Initiative was launched by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021.

    It is a whole-of-society initiative to oversee and unite the Kingdom’s efforts to combat climate change, drive sustainable innovation and accelerate the green transition.

    At the SGI Forum, Saudi officials focused on the steadfast progress towards the Kingdom’s aim to reach net zero by 2060, highlighting the nation’s contribution to global climate goals through the implementation of over 80 public and private sector initiatives representing an investment of over US$ 188 billion (SAR 705 billion), for a greener future for all.

    Saudi Arabia is on track to achieve its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 278 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2030.

    The Kingdom aims to achieve an optimal energy mix for electricity production by having gas and renewable energy at approximately 50% each by 2030.

    When achieved, this will displace approximately one million barrels of liquid fuel currently used.

    Since 2022, an additional 2,100 MW of renewable energy has been connected to the grid, bringing the total capacity of installed renewable energy to 2,800 MW (2.8 GW), generating energy equivalent to powering over 520,000 homes.

    This marks a 300 per cent increase in installed capacity, demonstrating the pace at which Saudi Arabia is accelerating its energy transition.

    By the end of 2023, the production capacity of renewable energy projects under construction in Saudi Arabia will exceed 8 GW, with an additional 13 GW of renewable energy capacity in various stages of development across multiple projects.

    Saudi Arabia’s efforts to transform its domestic power mix also involve several projects to reduce reliance on liquid fuel and replace it with gas to produce energy.

    As of December 2023, four high-efficiency gas-fired power plants with a total capacity of approximately 5,600 MW started operation.

    The Kingdom is also building highly efficient plants equipped with carbon capture and storage technologies, with a total capacity of approximately 8.4 GW.

    As part of its ongoing investment into future-proof fuels, Saudi Arabia is progressing development on the US$ 8.4 billion green hydrogen plant in NEOM, which is set to be the world’s largest.

    Several bilateral agreements have been signed with international counterparts throughout 2023, with the aim of producing and exporting clean and green hydrogen.

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    Since the launch of SGI, 43.9 million trees and shrubs have been planted and 94,000 hectares of degraded land—equivalent to over 146,000 football fields—have been rehabilitated across the Kingdom, contributing to the target to grow 10 billion trees in Saudi Arabia over the coming decades.

    Over 40 initiatives are already underway, directly supporting progress towards the interim target of planting 600+ million trees and rehabilitating 8 million hectares of land by 2030.

    In October 2023, the two-year feasibility study for how to achieve maximal vegetation cover in Saudi Arabia was presented, following 1,150+ field surveys in collaboration with over 50 renowned experts.

    Strategic afforestation and land rehabilitation efforts will now be implemented across multiple sites, ranging from mangroves to inland marshes, mountain forests, rangelands, national parks, and valleys.

    The roadmap to 10 billion trees will be implemented in two phases. The first phase (2024-2030), will focus on the environmental domain, taking a nature-based approach.

    From 2030 onwards, phase two will scale up efforts to a fully comprehensive approach with the greatest level of human intervention and implementation of learnings from phase one.

    Saudi Arabia’s efforts to restore natural environments across the Kingdom will help create jobs in numerous sectors, while helping combat desertification and sand encroachment, reducing the impact of dust storms and improving quality of life for residents.

    City centers across the country are also set to benefit from reduced temperatures and improved air quality resulting from increased tree canopy cover.

  • ‘Oil and gas sector witness influx of foreign welders’

    ‘Oil and gas sector witness influx of foreign welders’

    The Federal Government said the oil and gas sector is witnessing an influx of foreign personnel.

    The government which vowed to pay special attention to the sector said the emphasis on international certification has marginalized local welding professionals, depriving them of opportunities to contribute their expertise.

    Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said despite having over one million welders, Nigeria still loses an estimated $10 billion annually in revenue by importing welders with international certification, displacing local service suppliers due to the lack of acceptable accreditation.

    He said this yesterday in Abuja at the launch of the National Policy on Welding and Welding-Related Fields and presentation of its Strategy Implementation Action plan.

    He said: “It is concerning that the lack of internationally recognized certification of industry practitioners has prevented our indigenous welding sector, which should be making a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s economy, from exploiting myriads of opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas industry and exporting them to an influx of foreign welding personnel.

    “The global welding market emphasizes international certification of its service suppliers, there is little room for our local welding professionals to showcase their talents and potential unless we consciously and progressively certify existing capacities and regulate the practice. Consequently, we have introduced the National Policy on Welding and Welding Related Fields to address this issue and promote the use of local welding personnel in critical economic sectors.

    “Despite having over one million welders, Nigeria still loses an estimated $10 billion annually in revenue by importing welders with international certification, displacing our local service suppliers due to the lack of acceptable accreditation. Research has shown that welders’ contribution to all fabricated products exceeds 70 per cent, with most welder-wage components unwittingly exported.

    Read Also: Eziada Folashade Balogun: Why I dumped oil and gas for fashion

    “The influx of foreign welding personnel, particularly in the oil and gas industry, demands special attention. The emphasis on international certification has marginalized local welding professionals, depriving them of opportunities to contribute their expertise. The recent approval of the National Policy on Welding and Welding-Related Fields is a crucial step towards addressing this issue by promoting the utilization of local welding personnel in critical sectors of the economy.”

    Board Secretary, Nigerian Institute of Welding, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the policy when implemented, will provide the right platform for the development of technology, SME, informal Sector, human Capacity, infrastructure across all Sectors, equipment manufacturing and quality control improvements.

    He said there is no doubt that proper implementation of this policy will save Nigeria over 10 billion United States Dollars lost annually due to capital flight arising from the importation of various cadres of welding personnel into the country for some unjustifiable reasons.

  • ‘SDP’s fake videos, senseless concoctions of delusional losers’

    ‘SDP’s fake videos, senseless concoctions of delusional losers’

    The Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has lambasted the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its Governorship candidate over “a concocted rigging video”, released to divert the attention of the public away from the conversation around their not being able to file a petition against the outcome of the November 11 election within the stipulated time frame.

    The APC said the concocted videos reflects the level of intelligence of those it described as the “delusional mob of ethnocentric bigots” around the SDP candidate, adding that these archaic strategies had always given birth to failure.

    Director, Media and Publicity/Spokesperson for the Council, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement yesterday, asked the public to disregard the senseless concoction, noting that the SDP and its thugs put up an autocratic gangsterism against democracy in Kogi East during the election apart from the blood that was allegedly spilled in the build up to the poll.

    According to him, the release of the concocted video on a day the SDP is battling with the determination of the people to make them do the right thing “is a road-side strategy to divert the people’s attention from the heavy cloud of controversy on their inability to file their petition within the constitutionally approved period.”

    “The November 11 Governorship Poll remains one of the most peaceful and credible in the political history of Kogi State. The flashes of killings and thuggery by the SDP gun men was not enough to blight the defining moment of our democratic history as a people,” he maintained.

    Fanwo blamed the security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Police for the lawlessness being allegedly displayed by the SDP, saying, “The State Director of the DSS and the Commissioner of Police in charge of Kogi State Command seem to have licensed the violence and illegality of the SDP.

    “Releasing and circulating concocted videos to discredit a credible election and stir insurrection is a clear sin against the laws of the land. But the two security chiefs have put us in no doubt that they are in Kogi to defend the illegalities of the SDP.”

    Read Also: Police issue 24-hr ultimatum to SDP campaign council spokesman in Kogi

    He stressed that the APC would continue to follow the saga of inconsistencies surrounding the SDP’s purported petition and ensure that the right thing is done.

     “When the citizens rise to defend their rights, democracy is enriched. It is unfortunate. The antinomianism of the SDP should be a thing of concern for all Kogites,” he added.

    The APC Campaign Council said, “The danger of having the SDP go scot free with their disregard for the rule of law is dangerous as it may spark a major breakdown of law and order. We must be deliberate on the need to avoid disregard for constitutionalism.

    “We urge the general public to disregard the concocted video and ask SDP to explain how they got those ballot papers. They have questions to answer. Our party has won a free, fair and credible election and the mandate of the people can only be renewed in 2027.”

  • Tinubu’ll deploy experience for Nigeria’s progress, says Bello

    Tinubu’ll deploy experience for Nigeria’s progress, says Bello

    The former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Bello has described the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as the most experienced the country has ever had.

    In a telephone chat with The Nation from Abuja, the one-time Kogi State Acting Governor asserted that President Tinubu was elected at a time when Nigeria was already experiencing socio-politic difficulties.

    On the just-concluded off-season governorship election in Kogi, he stated that the emergence of Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman as the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard bearer and his eventual victory at the polls remains acceptable, even as he called on all to join hands with him in the overall interest of the state.

    He said: “Ododo was an accepted candidate to me and my political followers across the state. Those who are against his emergence and victory at the polls should take the interest of the stability, peace and progress of the state into consideration.

    “Having presided over the legislative arm of government and briefly had a stint as Acting Governor of Kogi State in the past, there are many who, in most cases, listen to my wise counsel on the choice of direction in terms of election in our state.

    “Those who are not happy about the outcome of his victory may have reasons for feeling so. This is natural, but they should be reminded that the people and the state come first and that the Constitution provides for steps to be taken if any citizen, association or group feels unsatisfied with any matter that may arise as a result of our daily activities.

    “Violence doesn’t solve problems, but compounds it and could also cause permanent damage to our already fragile situation in Kogi State.”

    Read Also: Tinubu taking bold decisions to change Nigeria’s economic fortune, says Shettima

    He enjoined Nigerians to rally around the present administration, saying improvement was already being felt in critical areas of our economy.

    His words: “President Tinubu was elected when our country was almost in a socio-economic and political comatose. Our circumstance was such that almost every part of our country was battling one peculiar or unique crisis or the other, coupled with the intentionally anti-people naira redesign policy and the fuel subsidy crisis.

    “All these were booby traps set against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. However, there are signs of recovery and greatness ahead.

    “At least for the first time in our political history, we have two experienced individuals President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima, who have both executive and legislative backgrounds as president and vice-president respectively. I have absolute trust in their capacity and capabilities because they know the purpose of governance, which is crucial.

    “I appeal to Mr President to consider the Northcentral zone in terms of appointments into strategic positions for fair representation.”

  • Assembly to implement employee compensation scheme

    Assembly to implement employee compensation scheme

    The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong has pledged to implement the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS) in the state.

    The Speaker gave the assurance while receiving the Management of NSITF in Uyo, the state capital.

    He assured that the legislature would cooperate with the executive to ensure the implementation of the ECS.

    He promised to further discuss with the Governor, Umo Eno, on the application of the Scheme for the benefit of all Akwa Ibom people.

    A statement by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, NSITF, Nwachukwu Godson, the speaker applauded NSITF for upholding the ECS.

    Read Also: Nasarawa Assembly elects majority leader, two other principal officers

    Regional Manager of the Port Harcourt Region of the NSITF, Goeffrey Otokito who led the delegation on behalf of the Managing Director, thanked the Speaker for the audience, asserting that the ECS was created to lift the lots of the Nigerian workers.

    Otokito had earlier led the NSITF team, which included the Uyo Branch Manager, Azuka Umejei to the Akwa Ibom State Head of Service, Effiong Essien to consolidate discussions on the ECS.

    The head of service informed the delegation that a committee headed by his office was set up by the State Government on the ECS, saying that the report had been forwarded to the governor.

    He additionally pledged to press on with the implementation of the scheme as the benefit was huge to elude workers in Akwa Ibom State.

  • Mutfwang clears four months salaries

    Mutfwang clears four months salaries

    The Plateau state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said his administration has cleared the backlog of four months’ salary inherited from the previous government.

    Mufwang made this known during a four-day Retreat of Labour leaders and Government officials.

    He explained that the welfare of civil servants is paramount; hence, the need to clear the backlog of inherited salaries which spanned over four months.

    “We are up-to-date with payment of workers’ salaries and also have approved the payment of the 90 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and 75 per cent hazard allowance.

    “Similarly, we have approved the payment of 75 per cent Hazard Allowance to other health workers i.e. the Joint Health Workers Union (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives. Additionally, efforts are underway to address longstanding issues like gratuities, death benefits, and pension arrears as the last payment of gratuity was done in 1985,” he said.

    Read Also: No shaking, we will triumph, Mutfwang assures Plateau

    He declared the time is now for mutual benefit, industrial harmony, worker welfare, training, prompt payment of salaries, and promotions. With God’s grace and your cooperation, we shall achieve these goals seamlessly.

    He urged civil servants to engage in governance, in order to foster a partnership that transforms our state positively. Dialogue and negotiations remain key, and my commitment to attending to your needs is unwavering.

    Head of Service, Rauta Dakok, urged the labour leaders and civil servants to appreciate Governor Mutfwang for the kind gestures extended to them.

  • Elders wade into Alia, APC rift

    Elders wade into Alia, APC rift

    Elders of Benue All Progress Congress (APC) led by Senator Ahmed Ebute have waded into the seemingly frosty relations between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Benue State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The 23 APC Local Government Chairmen in the state after a meeting issued a communiqué and accused Governor Alia of not carrying the party along in the affairs of the state.

    The APC chairmen also distance themselves from the composition of the caretaker chairman of the 23 Local Government areas.

    The APC chairmen further stated that the Governor Alia doesn’t answer phone calls and not responding to text messages.

    They also alleged that the governor ignored members of APC, and appointed members of opposition party, who worked against APC at the polls as chairmen of Local Government councils.

    Read Also: Senator Morro must apologise over comment on Benue LG administration – Gov Alia

    But on Monday, Benue APC elders led by Senator Ebute have intervened and called on all parties to reframe from making further comment on the crisis to allow for a peace resolution.

    Senator Ebute, while reading out a communiqué, after the APC elders meeting , held in Government House Makurdi, expressed concern that an issue which could have resolved amicably by party hierarchy was allowed to degenerate by used  of social media is not the best way to solve political crisis .

    The former Senate President, alongside , the former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),  Chief Barnabas Gemade,  Senator Joseph Akaagerger and Gen. Lawrence Onoja called on all the political actors to shield their sword for a peaceful solution.

    Chief Gemade dismissed social media reports that he held a zoom meeting with Senator Iyorchia Ayu, David Mark and Gabriel Suswam to woo Governor Alia into joining PDP.

  • Cash transfer office investigates ‘non-payment’ of 10,000

    Cash transfer office investigates ‘non-payment’ of 10,000

    The Zamfara unit of the National Cash Transfer Programme says it has started investigation into alleged non-payment of more than 10,000 cash transfer beneficiaries in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state.

    More than 10,000 beneficiaries from 17 communities in the local government area staged a protest on Thursday over alleged non-payment of their benefits since their enrolment in 2018.

    The Training and Communication Officer of the unit, Mr Nasir Ja’afar told newsmen in Gusau yesterday that the matter had already been channeled to the National Cash Transfer Office, Abuja.

    He said: “We are aware of the uproar coming from communities in Tsafe Local Government Area over non-payment of the benefits.

    Read Also: Pensioners are to benefit from Conditional Cash Transfer

    “I am appealing to affected beneficiaries and communities to be patient as the issue has already been channelled to the National Cash Transfer Office, Abuja. A total of 130,000 poor and vulnerable households were enrolled into the National Cash Transfer Programme in Zamfara in a pilot scheme.  The pilot scheme covered Anka, Bungudu, Birnin-Magaji, Kaura-Namoda, Tsafe and Talata-Mafara local government areas.”

    The National Cash Transfer Programme is one of the social safety net programmes of the Federal Government.

    The programme, conceived as part of Federal Government’s larger growth and social inclusion strategies to address key social concerns, began in September 2016.

    It is a component of the National Social Safety Nets Project supported by the World Bank to provide financial support for targeted poor and vulnerable households.

  • ‘Bandits have taken over a number of schools in Katsina’

    ‘Bandits have taken over a number of schools in Katsina’

    The Katsina State Governor, Malam Umar Dikko Radda, has declared that quite a number of schools in the state have been taken over by the activities of bandits in their area.

    Radda who made this known in his address at the 7th and 8th combined convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA), Katsina State.

    He said his administration will remain unrelenting in decimating the terrorists in the state

    He said: “There is no education without security. Many of our frontline Local Government Areas have had their schools closed due to banditry and in some cases, schools have become dens for bandits.

    “This is why we established the Katsina State Community Watch Corps to fight insecurity and create a foundation for our youth to learn and thrive.

    Read Also: Igboho to security agencies: step up efforts against killer herders

    “My administration has made out-of-school children a main priority and we will continue to work with all partners to reduce the numbers.

    “We will also work with religious schools to provide academic tools for students in a bid to prepare them for the world ahead.

    “All the actions we have embarked upon as government are designed to lay the foundation for a brighter future for the people of Katsina.

    “In addition to education, we have focused on agriculture, health and social care, MSMES, and internally generated revenue.”