The Chairman, International Law Association (ILA), Arbitration Committee, Tolu Aderemi, has said that Nigeria can only attain its true potentials where its well-meaning citizens put self last and place the country first.
He emphsized that government alone cannot lift Nigeria out of the abyss it has found itself and therefore, citizenry’s joint effort is required.
Aderemi stated this on his Instagram page on Sunday night after being conferred with an honorary doctorate degree from Prowess University, Delaware, USA.
Aderemi, who is also the Director/Partner of Perchstone & Graeys Consulting, UK also wrote, “A great honour to be recognized by the Prowess University with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Law (Honoris Causa).
Aderemi, who spoke on behalf of the other honorees, thanked the Senate of the Prowess University for the honor done to them. According to him, the recognition is a testament to their modest impact in society.
The national Under 19 cricket ‘s male and female teams will on July 31 begin their campaign for their respective World Cup tickets according to the Nigeria Cricket Federation(NCF).
General Manager of NCF, Emeka Igwilo, said the boys’ team is billed for Tanzania this week as they eye one of the two tickets at stake at the Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, African Qualifier Division 2.
“Our performance at this stage in 2019 gave us the first World Cup Ticket and hence this stage has always put us in the spotlight since then. We are banking on the experience of the coaching staff and hard work to scale the next stage,” he said.
Igwilo said the board has re-appointed Daniel Gim as coach of the Men’s U19 team, adding he will build on his experience to deliver results for the country.
“The team has been camping for weeks, and we are hoping this will count for the team for their tournaments that run from July 31st to August 14th Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,” Igwilo added.
Their female counterpart, the U19 Women’s Team, who are parading about eight members of the national female team, is scheduled for a one-level World Cup Qualifier in Kigali, Rwanda from August 19th to 31st .
Igwilo said apart from a new technical team handling the teenagers, the teams parade some experienced players- who helped the country secure the African Games Silver medal in Accra, Ghana, raises hope of performing well during the event.
He added that the players in the two teams were products of different developmental programs across the country which speaks to the effort of the coaches and developmental officers driving cricket at the grassroots.
“These youngsters represent the future of the game in Nigeria. The board prioritizes grassroots engagement across the country and we know that if the game must our progress investment in the pockets of developmental activities that produced them, along with facility development and continuous up-skilling our staff must continue,” he said.
The Senior Men’s national team also just completed a bilateral encounter with Kenya where they feature in five T20 games and Two 50 overs. They lost 3-2 in the T20 series and lost all 50-over encounters.
“The Nigerian teams have been busy shaping up for the quarters ahead. And we are happy at the lessons we are picking up and the adjustments they are opening us to.” He said.
The Senior men’s national team will feature in a Division 2 World Cup Qualifier to be hosted in the country later in November.
Ahead of planned protests by some Nigerians over what they describe as economic hardship, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), Dr. James Odedeji, has said there is no better time to advocate peace in Nigeria than now.
Speaking during a meeting with reporters in Lagos, ahead of the Apostles of Peace Society International (AOPI) 2024 Annual Peace Award & Investiture with the theme: ‘Peace in Nigeria,’ which is scheduled to be held on Thursday by 11 am at the Archbishop Vinning Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja, Lagos, Odedeji hoped the lecture would bring peace to Nigeria and address issues concerning the planned protests.
Noting that AOP has been promoting peace since its inception, he said it is not a coincidence that the theme of AOPI 2024 is: ‘Peace in Nigeria’, adding that the problem of food scarcity and removal of petrol subsidy had not happened when the theme of the programme was picked.
“This is to show there is a hand of God upon this society. It is not accidental that we are discussing peace in Nigeria at this time.”
Prominent Nigerians, including former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande; Group CEO, Blue Star Group, Chief (Sir) Obi Okafor; CEO of Aero Contractor Ltd, Captain Ado Sanusi; third Primate of Church of Nigeria, Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye; former Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce, Nigeria, Dr. Olusegun Oshunkeye; wife of the late Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Gladys Fawehinmi and others will be honoured at the event.
Vice President, Operations, Green Energy and Biofuels, Ms Lillian Aremu has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the wealth creation opportunities offered by the global green industry, which is estimated to be worth $10 trillion. It is projected that the industry will generate 395 million jobs by the year 2030.
She said the organisation founded in 2011 is working with individuals and organisations to help the world shift to net-zero carbon emissions could be worth $10.3 trillion to the global economy by 2050.
She stated that the environmental and economic effects of climate change are increasingly evident nationwide, adding that failure to take decisive steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions could lead to devastating and irreversible outcomes.
To this end, she highlighted the importance of private and public sector collaboration to achieve the net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050—the net-zero vision.
She highlighted the potential for Nigeria to lead the way in renewable energy solutions, citing the country’s ample solar and clean cooking resources that could lead to a significant boost in gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.
She also pointed out the growing opportunities for entrepreneurs interested in the renewable energy sector.
She elaborated on how companies within the energy efficiency industry offer a range of products and services, including lighting solutions, smart building technologies, and streamlined industrial processes.
She detailed how businesses operating in the energy efficiency sector offer various products and services, such as lighting systems, smart buildings, and efficient industrial processes.
She described how enterprises in the energy efficiency field can deliver products and services such as lighting systems, smart buildings, and optimized industrial processes.
Ms. Lilian Aremu, also a Co-Founder of Kike Technologies, mentioned that Green Energy United (GEU), a subsidiary of SMEFUNDS, is currently raising global green ambassadors to distribute the award-winning innovative KIKE Biofuels, Stoves, and Solar power solutions to commercial and residential markets across Africa.
She stated that GEU is establishing a substantial network of individuals whose collaborative actions will help to make a remarkable impact on the quantity of carbon and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Her words: “If you have goals and dreams, membership in the Green Energy United can help you make those dreams come true. GEU has reached over 1 million customers in 17 countries through its thousands of ambassadors (distributors) in the last 10 years.”
She explained that GEU is the Africa’s first Carbon trading platform that removes the barriers towidespread and adoption of renewable energies, clean technologies and wealth creation, patterned after the United Nations Paris agreement Carbon finance mechanism.
She pointed out the vast untapped energy market in Africa, where 30 million individuals still cook using kerosene or firewood.
According to her, the goals for GEU this year include raising 500,000 green ambassadors and 5000 green millionaires, distributing $150 million in commission, and unveiling a blueprint for the ECOWAS Fuel station to biofuels networks.
Others are to reach three million customers, conclude the framework for green bank exchange, launch the GreenBank network Licensing, GreenBank Carbon Exchange and commence the LSE, NASDAQ and Luxembourg initial public offering (IPO).
According to her, GEU serves as a platform for members to exchange knowledge, skills, technologies, and policies. This, she maintained, will aid members in understanding demand-and-supply dynamics across different markets, running capacity-building programs, and providing technical support.
He said: “In terms of volume of trade I have the numbers of 2023 $190 million as I said, these figures do not live up to the economic potential of both countries.
“In short, this is why we’re trying to focus and to live up to our potential as the biggest countries in the continent.”
He added: “Today, Egypt and other African countries strive to address challenges that are not less enormous than those they encountered during the struggle for independence.
“These challenges include the need to invest in human capital, energy transition, and infrastructure development, bolster economic growth and create jobs, combat terrorism and extremism, and empower youth and women.
“In this connection, Egypt and Nigeria have been redefining their longstanding and historic ties.
“Our peoples and governments are tapping into their enormous economic and cultural potentials as we envisage the next chapter of our solid partnership. From security, and countering-terrorism, to energy, communications, digital transformation, trade, and infrastructure, to agriculture, health care, and modern education, our two countries are proceeding with determination on the path to forge a modern and forward-looking partnership anchored in our common values and shared objectives.
“Against this backdrop, we are gearing up – together with our Nigerian colleagues – to hold the third round of our bilateral political consultations in Abuja during the last quarter of this year. We also look forward to the upcoming meeting of the Egypt-Nigeria Business Council in Lagos next September, which will help connect the business communities of our two countries, providing them with the opportunity to explore possible ways and means to enhance our bilateral trade and investment relations.”
Nigeria and South Africa have expressed concerns over ongoing crisis in Sudan.
Both countries also called for ceasefire among the warring parties.
They called on the international community to take urgent concrete and practical steps that will facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan in an inclusive manner.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Maitama and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa Ronaldo Lamola made the call in a joint press statement.
The Ministers, according to a statement by the media aide to Tuggar, Alkasim Abdulkadir, met on the sidelines of the African Union Executive Council in Accra.
The statement reads in part: “The two Ministers reaffirmed the existing strong historical bilateral relations and bonds of friendship and solidarity between South Africa and Nigeria and committed to redouble their efforts to expand and deepen cooperation in between the two countries in various sectors. In this regard, the Ministers undertook to finalise preparations for the upcoming session of the Bi-National commission, which is scheduled to take place in South Africa.
“The Ministers further exchanged views on regional and continental matters including peace and security on the African continent. In particular, the two countries expressed grave concern at the on-going conflict in Sudan which has resulted in the loss of innocent civilian lives, exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, displaced millions of people, affecting women and children, and led to the total destruction of critical infrastructure.
“The Ministers reiterated a call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the conflict and the commencement of a process to expedite access to humanitarian assistance.
“To this end, both nations call on the international community to take urgent concrete and practical steps that will facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan in an inclusive manner.”
Minimum wages are the minimum amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay wage earners for the work performed during a given period. It is set by law or a government authority to ensure that workers receive a basic standard of living and to prevent exploitation.
The specific amount of the minimum wage can vary significantly between countries and regions, and it can also be adjusted periodically to account for factors such as inflation and changes in the cost of living.
In January 2024, the Federal Government inaugurated a 37-member tripartite committee to review the National Minimum Wage.
However, yesterday, July 18, President Bola Tinubu approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for Nigerian workers and pledged to review the national minimum wage law every three years.
Nigeria has reviewed its national minimum wage a total of four times after its initial establishment in 1981. The significant changes occurred in the following years:
The first national minimum wage in Nigeria was established at N125 per month in 1981 by Ex-President Shehu Shagari.
This introduction was influenced by the advocacy of the Nigerian Labour Congress, which sought improved worker welfare during that period.
In 2000, the minimum wage was increased during ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, to N5,500.
In 2011, it was raised during ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime from N7,500 to N18,000.
In 2019, the minimum wage was further increased during the regime of former president, Muhammadu Buhari, from N18,000 to N30,000 per month.
Most recently, in July 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 and promised to review the minimum wage law every three years moving forward.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a cash reward of 5, 000 dollars, 3,000 dollars and 2,000 dollars respectively for gold, silver and bronze medalists at the fast-approaching Paris 2024 Olympics.
Minister of Sports Development , Senator John Enoh made the announcement yesterday during a media parley in Abuja.
“Any Team Nigeria athlete that wins a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics will earn $5,000.00, Winning a silver medal will earn the athlete $3,000 and a bronze medal feat will be given $2,000.00. We are determined to encourage Nigerian Athletes “ Senator Enoh said.
Team Nigeria will be making her 18th appearance at the Olympics and will be represented by 87 athletes.
Meanwhile, Senator Enoh, has stated that his aspiration is for Team Nigeria to surpass the country’s best Olympic performance, achieved in 1996 at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris .
“Just like it was with the African Games in Accra, Ghana, I will spell out from A-Z, the entitlements for our athletes. My aspiration is for the nation to surpass our previous record from our best Olympic Games performance in 1996,” said Senator Enoh. “We’ve been working on this goal through our preparations, arrangements, and performance team working with athletes in Germany. I am getting reports on the progress every day.”
The minister added that his open and engaging leadership style is aimed at making athletes feel appreciated and valued by the country. “We want to get our athletes to feel appreciated and wanted by our country,” he stated.
Senator Enoh also highlighted the financial support allocated for the athletes, including the entire ₦100 million donation from the Federal House of Representatives.
“The entire ₦100 million donation from the Federal House of Reps will entirely go to the athletes,” he confirmed.
In addition to this, athletes will receive local camping allowance, foreign training grants, foreign training camp allowances, Olympic Games allowances, and winning bonuses.
Nigeria’s two weightlifters to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Rafiatu Lawal and Joy Ogbonne Eze, remain confident of podium finishing despite facing the rest of the world at the quadrennial event for the first time, writes TUNDE LIADI…
Team Nigeria women’s weightlifters, Rafiatu Lawal and Joy Ogbonne Eze, have both assured of putting out their very best in their maiden appearance at the Olympic Games as the Paris 2024 gets underway next week in France.
Both weightlifters are eager to join the list of Olympians who have won Olympic Games medals in the past for Nigeria. Nigeria has won only two medals in weightlifting since the start of her participation in the four year competition in Helsinki, Finland in 1952.
Ruth Ogbeifo won Nigeria’s first ever weightlifting medal in the year 2000 at Sydney, Australia, a silver medal in the 75kg while Mariam Usman, a four time African Champion bagged the second medal for Nigeria, a bronze medal in the +75kg at the 2008 Games in Beijing, China.
Lawal who has ruled Africa and Commonwealth Games in successive competitions booked a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France in the 59kg while Eze is also through to the Olympics in the 71kg having also dominated Africa in her weight class.
Lawal lifted a combined total lift of 227kg, with a snatch of 101kg as well as 126kg in Clean and Jerk in the 2024 IWF World Championship in Thailand set a new African record in the women’s 59kg and also picked her Olympics ticket.
The Commonwealth Games Champion told NationSport that she’s thrilled to be on the plane to Germany to continue with the rest of her build up to the Olympics and that she promised to put all distractions aside and be fully focused on the assignment at hand.
Lawal said she’s happy to travel on training tours having trained for over two months in Nigeria, adding that the trip would boost her performance at the Olympics.
The Having conquered at the African Games, Senior Weightlifting Championships and Commonwealth Games, the African Champion believes she can be one of the most successful weightlifters come out of Africa if she can add an Olympic medal to her haul.
“I am super excited to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; I have never felt this happy in my life since I started competing. It is also a thing of joy to set another African record en route to the Olympic Games,” Lawal told NationSport.
“I had previously said that the most important thing to compete well at this level was proper funding and adequate preparations. I can boldly say that I have had the best of build-up in Nigeria. We were in camp courtesy of our hardworking President, Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) Dr Ibrahim Abdul for over close to two months before the Ministry of Sports took over the athletes preparations.
“I am delighted to be on the training tour in Germany and this will help me to hit form before the start of the Olympic Games.
“My motivating factor is from my childhood. I have always had it in mind that I want to become one of the most successful sports personalities in Africa when I grow up. I am happy the coast is becoming clearer.
She applauded Oyo State Governor, Eng. Seyi Makinde, for his constant support while calling on those administering sports in the country to give maximum attention to many medal producing sports including weightlifting since a weightlifter can win as much as three medals in a weight class.
The African Games triple gold medallist continued: “I want to thank the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde for his efforts in transforming sports in the state. He has focused on other sports and is trying his best to give us a sense of belonging.
“We need more recognition and support from the Nigerian Government. President Bola Tinubu needs to give 100% attention to other sports, which always dominate medals when it comes to competition time.”
Lawal applauded the relentless spirit of the President of NWF, Dr. Abdul for ensuring she attended all the Olympic Qualifiers from where she got her ticket.
She said: “My message to the weightlifting family: I appreciate everyone that supports me in one way or another, especially the President of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Dr Ibrahim Abdul.
“At the beginning of the Olympic qualification, he said he will try all his possible best to make sure weightlifting qualifies for the Paris Olympic Games because we did not feature at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. In most cases, the President funds our various International Championships with the support of other board members. I want to thank them all for ensuring my dream becomes a reality.”
Lawal set a Games record of 206kg from her snatch and clean and jerk lifts at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the women’s 59kg weightlifting. She has already conquered the continent by picking 59kg gold at the 2019 African Games in Morocco, the 2021 African Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent and 2023 African Games in Ghana.
Speaking in the same vein, Eze who will be competing in the women’s 71kg category, affirmed that making a lasting impression in Paris remains her dreams, adding she never doubted her ability after remarkably booking her ticket to the quadrennial competition.
“I was short of words when I got the information that I have picked a ticket to the Olympic Games. It will be my debut at the Olympics and I want to make the most of it,” Eze said in an interview. “I have been putting so much work and efforts at training sessions and I hope to continue with that until the start of the Olympics.
“ I am grateful to the hard working NWF President, Dr Ibrahim Abdul and his board members, for the efforts to open camp for us immediately we qualified for the Olympic Games. We trained for like two months before the Ministry of Sports took over last month.
“The opportunity to go to Germany for a close camping exercise is a good gesture that will enable me to perform at optimum at the Olympic Games. I promised to give my best as I strive to represent my fatherland.
The 20-year-old is a two-time gold medallist at the African Games in 2019 and 2023 in Morocco and Ghana and she also won the gold medal in the women’s 64 kg event at the 2021 African Weightlifting Championships in Nairobi, Kenya among other numerous accolades.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul exuded confidence that the two weightlifters would give a good account of themselves in Paris at the Olympic Games and he called on Nigerians to pray for their successful stint at the Olympic Games.
He said the NWF with additional support from the Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), have provided the enabling environment for the weightlifters to thrive in Paris, France and that he expects both lifters to give their very best at their various events.
“The Olympic Games are already upon us and we are very hopeful that our athletes will not disappoint us in Paris. We have given them a good preparation despite some hiccups we faced especially in the area of funding and support from corporate and private bodies,” Dr. Abdul said.” Our lifters trained for over two months on the bills of the NWF before the Ministry of Sports and the NOC took charge and we very confident that the training tour in Germany will help prepare them for the challenge at hand at the Olympic Games.
The minister highlighted the key areas of discussion as Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the Bi-National Commission (BNC), and the Commercial Investment Dialogue (CID).
The two countries emphasized on the importance of diversifying Nigeria’s exports, promoting innovation, and creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
The minister gave this assurance during a meeting with United States delegation led by Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, Mr Arun Venkataraman in Abuja, with a focus on enhancing bilateral trade and investment relations between Nigeria and the United States.
According to the minister, “The two countries share a relationship built on a foundation of mutual respect, shared value and commitment to open trade and economic collaboration. Nigeria’s vast economic potential includes a large market and abundant natural resources. Initiatives like the National Talent Export Program position Nigeria as an export hub for talent outsourcing.
“We are committed to deepening our partnership in trade and investment. This includes promoting non-oil exports to the USA under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and creating an environment where businesses can flourish.”
Mr. Venkataraman expressed the US government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic reforms and addressing challenges faced by US companies in Nigeria, stating that their work to deepen business ties and build a strategic commercial partnership underscores their commitment to further enhancing these ties, fostering economic growth, and creating opportunities that benefit people across both countries.
Again, the US delegation showed keen interest in Nigeria’s economic reforms and expressed their readiness to support initiatives that promote trade and investment. In Venkataraman words, “We know that the United States and Nigeria recognize the immense potential of our economic cooperation, but now it is time to take that potential and make it a reality. We are not here to talk; we are here to take action.”
Both parties agreed on the need for regular dialogue and collaboration to address trade disparities, foster investment, and promote innovation. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria-USA trade and investment relations.
