Category: Northern Reports

The Head of the European Union (EU) delegation to Nigeria Ambassador Samuela Isopi, has called on Nigerian researchers and innovators to submit proposals for the EU’s €100 billion research fund.

Isopi said Nigerian researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs are now eligible to benefit from the EU programme, Horizon Europe-Africa Initiative.

The initiative is the EU’s research and innovation framework programme running from 2021-2027, with close to a 100 billion EUR budget for ambitious research and innovation programmes in the world.

She said the programme which is in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is to support Nigerian researchers and innovators to enhance cooperation with their European counterparts.

Isopi stated this in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the technology and Innovation Expo 2022 with the theme, “Sustaining National Economic Growth through Science, Technology and Innovation.”

Delegation of the European Union is working hand in hand with the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to support the Nigerian researchers and innovators and enhance cooperation with their European counterparts.

“Indeed, Nigerian researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs are now eligible to submit proposals for funding under the EU programme Horizon Europe — Africa Initiative.

“Horizon Europe is the EU’s research and innovation framework programme running from 2021-2027. With close to a 100 billion EUR budget, it is the most ambitious research and innovation programme in the world.

“Together with the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Ogbonnaya Onu, I had the privilege to launch this programme in Nigeria in November last year, and I hope to see many of today’s participants submit successful proposals.”

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Expo said the administration will continue to support the FMSTI annual Expo in order to promote research, development and the global competitiveness of the country.

He added: “I would like to urge all Researchers, Inventors and Innovators in the country to leverage on this commitment of my administration to showcase their potentials and talents to the world through innovations that are capable of being commercialised for the transformation of our economy in a sustainable manner.”

Onu added that the 2022 Revised National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (NSTIP) and Science, Technology and Innovation Television (STI tv@NG) which were both launched at the expo will be to the benefit of the country.

He said: “2022 Revised NSTIP is a document which I believe will not only serve as a principal document for the full diversification of the Nigerian economy and be a lasting legacy to both present and future generations of Nigerians for the promotion of a knowledge economy. The STI television will be used for extensive advocacy to inculcate Science, Technology and Innovation as part of our everyday life in the country.”

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Muhammad Dattijo, has declared his intention to succeed Governor Nasir El-Rufai in 2023.

Dattijo said this yesterday in a Facebook post.

He wrote: “This post is to inform you of my intention to commence a consultation process towards a run for the Kaduna governorship seat in the 2023 general elections.

Commending the state governor for allowing him to serve in his government, the former Chief of Staff said: “Over the past seven years, I have had the opportunity to work with Governor Nasir El-Rufai in his efforts to transform our dear state.

“As even his harshest critics will accept, the period from 2015 to date is the most historic development our state has witnessed since its creation.”

With a front seat in government, first, as Commissioner, later as Chief of Staff, and again as Commissioner; I have had the privilege to contribute to the debate and to understudy the thinking behind every policy intervention and decision of the APC government.

“I am confident of my ability to sustain all that has been achieved so far and continue to Move Kaduna Forward,” he said.

He further said: “As a development practitioner, I’m conscious of the danger of retrogression and the need to ensure that the gains we’ve made as a State are not reversed under whatever circumstances. I am therefore putting myself forward based on the need to ensure the continuity of excellent performance we’ve witnessed in the past seven years.”

The Kaduna State Government has commenced the payment of N1.2 billion as death benefits and gratuity to families of deceased and retired civil servants.

The amount is for state and local government workers who have retired or died while in service.

At the official distribution of the cheques to families of the deceased civil servants at the Kaduna State Government House, the Executive Secretary of State Pension Bureau, Prof. Salamatu Isah, said N1, 035,000,000 will be allocated for the payment of the retirees and families of the deceased in the 23 local government areas.

The Executive Secretary further explained that the amount will be the 14th payment schedule under the local government gratuity for retirees and next-of-kin of deceased beneficiaries.

She, however, debunked rumours that seven local government areas have paid all their outstanding gratuities and death benefits under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

The Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, who handed over the cheques to relatives of the deceased civil servants, said apart from the payment of death benefits and gratuity, the government has also initiated some programmes and policies that are geared towards improving the welfare of civil servants in the state.

Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have continued to count their losses as a result of the power blackouts in most parts of the Territory.

While some parts of the Territory have power supplied to them for some hours, some areas have not had light for five consecutive days.

The poor power supply or total blackouts in some parts of the Territory had lingered for more than a month.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) had attributed the poor supply of electricity to its franchise areas to low power generation from the national grid.

Mr Donald Etim, the AEDC Chief Marketing Officer, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on March 4.

He said: “The AEDC wishes to inform our customers in Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa and the FCT that the current low and unstable supply of electricity to homes and businesses is as a result of low power generated to the national grid.

“In recent weeks, the level of power generated and served to the national grid for onward delivery to customers has been abysmally low.”

The development had led to load shedding in the affected areas.

Electricity consumers residing in Lugbe, Kuje, Area 10, Central Area, Kubwa told reporters in Abuja yesterday that the poor power supply had affected their sources of income as well as their health.

Miss Esohe Omohe, a fashion designer said that in the past two months, power situation had worsenedin the FCT which has affected her business.

Omohe said the fuel scarcity had worsened the situation.

Mr Joseph Okiri, a dry cleaner said poor electricity supply had equally affected his business.

Okiri appealed to the government and management of AEDC to urgently address the electricity situation.

Mr Jude Omokhua, a barbing saloon owner in Kuje, said lack of stable electricity supply had always been his major challenge.

The Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu had at a ministerial briefing said the erratic power supply being experienced nationwide was caused by the low water levels in the hydropower stations.

According to him, with the reduction in water levels at the hydropower stations during the dry season, there is the need for the additional load to be taken up by gas plants.

He said the government is doing everything to ensure an optimum supply of gas to ensure quick restoration of power.

The minister, who spoke on various power initiatives by the ministry, including the Presidential Power Initiative being driven by Siemens, maintained that the issue of the right of way was stalling power projects.

Elder statesman and former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has appealed to Plateau residents to co-exist peacefully in order to stimulate development.

Gowon made the appeal while unveiling the redesigned oldest golf course in Nigeria, Rayfield 1913 on Saturday in Jos.

He said that Plateau people and Nigerians should explore all necessary measures in the pursuit of peace while respecting the sanctity of life at all times.

Gowon expressed sadness on the determination of a few criminal-minded people and groups’ resolutions to terrorise the country.

While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel for their gallant efforts in dealing with criminals across the country, he urged Nigerians to support security agencies through the exposure of their activities.

Lalong thanked Gowon for honouring the state to unveil the redesigned Rayfield Golf Course, saying its historic significance must be cherished and economic potential in sports harnessed.

Lalong said his efforts to foster peace and expose criminal activities and crisis merchants had helped in building the confidence of people to visit the state.

Gowon and Lalong later performed symbolic shots to commemorate the event.

Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari has advised aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to sheath their swords and work for the party’s victory in the upcoming local government poll on April 11.

Masari gave the advice while addressing party faithful at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House yesterday, ahead of the council poll. He noted that the unity of the APC is non-negotiable.

He said: “Those aggrieved as a result of the recent local government primaries should sheath their swords and work for the APC to win the April 11 local government elections.

“It is better for my enemy in APC to win an election than for someone outside the party to win. So, all aggrieved members should be patient and tolerant. Those who succeeded should be accommodating. It has to be all-inclusive in order for it to succeed.”

He urged the leadership of the party to begin the process of reaching out to aggrieved members of the party and assist the party’s candidates across the 34 local government areas of the state to win the forthcoming council poll.

While addressing reporters shortly after the meeting, the state APC Deputy Chairman Bala Abu Musawa, debunked the claims in some quarters that the party has imposed some candidates in some local government areas.

He said the party will present APC flags to all its flag-bearers on March 30 in the Kankia Local Government Area of the state and commence state-wide rallies ahead of the local government election.

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, at the weekend, attributed the challenges facing the country to the faulty foundation laid by the colonial masters.

Speaking as a guest speaker at the launch of the N250 million Dr Abdullahi Ganduje Lecture Theatre and Award, at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the governor lamented that the faulty foundation laid by the colonial masters was done to actualise their personal interests, instead of Nigeria’s development.

Ganduje, who received the Most Distinguished Alumni Award of the university, said the colonial rule divided Nigeria into North and South without concern for the peculiarities of the two regions.

He said the division was without concern for the difference in land tenure systems, local government administration, education and judicial systems.

The governor noted that Nigeria’s challenges should be a matter of concern to its citizenry, adding that there was a need to reflect on the journey so far so as to leave a better legacy for the future.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said decaying infrastructure was one of the major challenges facing the institution.

He hailed Ganduje for donating the theatre hall, which, according to him, would aid students’ learning.

Adebowale, on behalf of the Governing Council, workers and management of the institution, thanked the governor for his gesture.

Dignitaries at the event included the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, Senator Gbenga Kaka, UI Alumni President Prof. Elsie Adewoye, politicians, families and friends, among others.

Residents of Kano State are living in fear because of the dust storm that has enveloped the state.

Many are worried that the dust storm may continue to wreak havoc for days or even weeks since there is no rain or “precipitation” in sight to “wash” the dust out of the atmosphere.

“Continuous inhalation of dust, embedded with iron oxides, in hot dry weather damages nose and throat mucosa, which may lead to bacterial infection,” Ahmed, a doctor told this reporter yesterday.

Ahmed, who encouraged the use of face masks, added that the meteorological phenomenon may cause some diseases, including meningitis to residents, and if not treated, may result in death.

Our correspondent in Kano reports that while some residents are being affected by eye problems, others are experiencing coughs as a result of the dust.

Some accidents have been recorded because of poor visibility caused by atmospheric dust. Motorists were seen putting on the headlights of their vehicles at noontime to avoid crashes. Air transport is also likely to be affected, it was learnt.

Solar installation engineers also said yesterday that the heavy dust can affect the output of solar power plants that depend on solar radiation since the solar collectors have to be kept dust-free to prevent particles from blocking incoming radiation.

According to experts, two factors are responsible for the dust emissions, The Nation learnt.

According to meteorologists, the northeastern strong winds are lifting large amounts of dust particles and sand from the Sahara Desert and from the bare, dry soils of the Northern region into the atmosphere.

A weather expert, who spoke to The Nation in confidence, explained that the winds are raising the dust particles to higher levels of the troposphere by “turbulent mixing and convective updrafts.”