Month: July 2023

Posted on

Nigerian army will restore peace, stability to Kaduna – Lagbaja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the Nigerian Army will do whatever it takes to restore peace and security to Kaduna State and the entire country.

Lagbaja gave the assurance on Tuesday when Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, paid him a courtesy visit in Army Headquarter, Abuja.

The COAS, who thanked the people of Kaduna State for sustaining cordial relationship and good understanding with the Nigerian army, said the governor’s visit was timely.

He said the visit had afforded the army leadership the opportunity of a feedback on what was happening in Kaduna.

According to him, the visit will help the army to know the desire of the people, and do more to entrench peace and stability in their communities.

According to him, Kaduna holds a special place in the heart of military men, especially officers of the Nigerian army.

“We all know that several military establishments, critical ones for that matter, are located in Kaduna.

“The establishments are Nigerian Defence Academy, the Defence Industries Corporations of Nigeria, the Premier 1 Division; Armed Forces Command and Staff College,” COAS said.

According to him, others are the Infantry Power Center and the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, among others, are located in Kaduna.

“Besides, for an average army officer, we have a sentimental attachment to Kaduna because in the course of our career in the army, we must award at least one or more course of duty in Kaduna.

“When we work to entrench peace and stability in Kaduna and the communities around, we are not doing it only for the people of Kaduna states.

“we are doing it also because military men will be beneficiaries of the peace and stability that we will bring to our community.

“So, we see you as a strong and very dependable ally and I want to thank you for the support that the Nigerian army formations and units domiciled in Kaduna have been receiving from the people of Kaduna State,” he said.

Lagbaja said that the acknowledgement of the people on the return of peace and stability to Kaduna was an example of how the military could work with the people to bring about desired peace, and a perfect example of what could be done.

He said the achievements that were recorded could not have been possible without the support of the government and the people.

He therefore commended the people for their cooperation and support.

“Your Excellence, this is an opportunity to appeal to you that you kindly extend the same support to the new GOC and even our formations and units that spread all across Kaduna State.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is doing a lot to entrench peace and stability in the state and we want to appeal to you that you assist us to mobilise other critical stakeholders in the society.

“The security threats in southern Kaduna is complex considering there is a mix of the farmer-herder crisis and ethnic animosity and other variables.

“It is when there is a perfect balance of the people, the government and the military can bring peace and stability to our community.

“So, I want to appeal to you that you assist us to rally the critical stakeholders, traditional rulers, opinion leaders, the clergy and other critical stakeholders within the society to come to the aid of the military.”

Lagbaja added that this could further entrench the peace and stability in Kaduna State.

“During my media chat, I expressed my desire and goal to have a society where people can wake up by 0200 hours and go about their lawful businesses.

“And I believe it is possible especially in Kaduna state, with what was achieved within the short spell that I was the GOC 1 division,” he said.

Earlier, Gov. Uba Sani, described the appointment of Lagbaja as army chief as well deserved, and commended the efforts of the Nigerian army at restoring peace and stability to Kaduna state.

Sani said that the activities of Lagbaja as GOC of 1 Division gave him confidence that the president made the right choice in appointing him.

He said that peace had largely returned to the southern part of Kaduna where the COAS personally led the battle against banditry and terrorism as GOC.

According to the governor, Lagbaja’s effort and intervention with his men have really helped Kaduna state as well as Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

He urged the COAS to scale up the effort, assuring that the state government would continue to give the Nigerian army and the military in general, all the needed support to succeed.

“We will try as much as possible also to continue to sensitise our people to work closely with the army and other security agencies, because we believe security is the responsibility of everybody within the society.

“Before coming here, I had series of meetings with traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, women group and even non-governmental organisations.

“I have no doubt in my mind that we will continue to cooperate with all the relevant security agencies in our state to ensure that they work without any problem,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Posted on

Defence policy implementation critical to security, well-being of Nigeria – Perm Sec

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, says the implementation of Nigeria’s defence policy is critical to the security and well-being of the country.

A statement on Tuesday by Mrs Victoria Agba-Attah, Director Press and Public Relations, in the ministry, said Kana made the remarks at the National Defence College, Abuja.

Kana delivered lecture on the topic “Defence Policy Implementation in Nigeria”, for participants of Course 31 of the College.

“Defence policy implementation is very critical to our national security as it plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our citizens, as well as the integrity of our nation,” he said.

He said one of the most important functions of the federal government was to provide the framework for managing the nation’s security architecture and protecting citizens.

The permanent secretary, however, said stakeholders must synergise to ensure that the policy works.

“The implementation of defence policy is a complex and multifaceted task that requires the coordination and cooperation of various stakeholders, both within and outside the military establishment,” he added.

He said Nigeria, like many other nations, has been faced with several security challenges, such as terrorism, insurgency, communal conflicts, organised crimes, violent extremism, among others.

He said these challenges could be tackled through comprehensive and integrated approach that involves formulating and implementing appropriate defence policies.

Kana said that the Nigerian government had developed various defence policies which had been instrumental to the relative peace and security in the country.

The permanent secretary assured the participants that the ministry was committed to ensuring that defence policies were effectively implemented for the benefit of all Nigerians.

According to him, the future direction of Nigeria’s defence policy will be to prioritise counterterrorism and counter-insurgency, regional cooperation, and maritime security.

Other priorities, he said, should be on cyber security, modernisation and technological advancements for security agencies, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and civil-military relations.

In his remarks, Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral O.M. Olotu commended the permanent secretary for doing justice to the topic.

He said that his thoughts on the defence policy of Nigeria would give brighter direction to the nation’s defence sector.

Olotu added that the lecture would be of great benefit to the 113 participants of Course 31, in the discharge of their duties. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Posted on

Post-election hardship: UK firm offers Nigerian organisations strategic solutions

As Nigerian business leaders are grappling with post – election economic hardship, a UK firm, TEXEM UK has predicted prosperity for the country if strategic steps are taken by Nigerians.

According to a statement on TEXEM’s website, www.texem.co.uk,

in today’s rapidly changing business landscape, where uncertainties are the norm, the need for strategic leaders who can steer their organisations to success has never been more critical.

The statement by TEXEM’s Director Special Projects, Caroline Lucas asserts that business leaders must develop winning strategies that not only enrich their businesses but also provide a competitive advantage in turbulent climates.

Recognising this urgent need, TEXEM UK is presenting its customised executive development programme, “Winning in Turbulent Times,” designed to equip strategic executives with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and thrive in an ever-evolving business environment.

TEXEM UK’s “Winning in Turbulent Times” programme will take place from July 12 to July 13 at the prestigious WheatBaker Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“Organisations operate in a dynamic and challenging context characterized by policy changes, transitions, disruptions, foreign exchange fluctuations, increasing government revenue, and ambiguity.

“Amidst these complexities lie both opportunities and existential threats.

“It is during such challenging times that strategic leaders can truly shine by turning challenges into opportunities,” Lucas stated.

The programme aims to empower executives with the ability to harness these opportunities, providing them with the tools and strategies needed to drive their organisations to the top even in the face of adversity.

Leading the programme is the esteemed Prof. Rodria Laline, a renowned expert and thought leader in strategic leadership.

Laline’s impressive track record includes developing the intellectual property used in the chip on every ATM card, serving as an advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and founding the Harvard Maximise Your Board programme.

She is a founding director of Intrabond Capital, she has delivered sessions at IESE and IMD.

With her wealth of experience and expertise, Laline is uniquely positioned to guide participants through the intricacies of strategic leadership in turbulent times.

TEXEM UK’s programmes stands out due to its proven and time-tested methodology that consistently inspires impactful change.

Through a combination of group and individual activities, peer-to-peer learning, games, observation practice, and self-reflection, participants can engage in a dynamic and enjoyable learning environment.

This approach ensures that the knowledge and skills gained during the programme are not only retained but also readily applicable in real-world scenarios.

The core focus of the programme lies in enabling participants to better inspire the strategic deployment of limited resources.

“In times of uncertainty, effectively utilizing resources becomes paramount.

“By challenging assumptions and acquiring fresh insights, executives and their organisations can develop valuable, rare, and difficult-to-imitate resources.

“They will also gain critical coordination capabilities, ultimately providing a defining edge to outperform rivals sustainably,” the Director said.

The statement provided testimonials from Nigerian delegates who have attended different TEXEM’s programmes in the past.

“It has been an insightful experience, thought provoking. I have learnt new ways of doing things, especially in leadership and ADR and reaching an agreement in negotiation,” said Bolanle Oniyangi, Coordinating Secretary Tax Appeal Tribunal.

“Th? programm? is an ?xc?ll?nt on?, it’s a world-class Institut?, looking at th? quality of mat?rials, th? quality of th? Facilitators, I think it’s a world-class programm?, it could b? anywh?r? in th? world, and it’s a good standard,” said Glory Id?h?n, H?ad of E-Training, C.B.N.

“Th? cont?nt of th? programm? has b??n rich and ?ducativ?, r?fr?shing, ?nlight?ning and thought-provoking. I ?njoy?d this programm?, and I am looking forward to anoth?r programm?,” Andy Uw?j?yan, Managing Dir?ctor A&J Construction Company Ltd. remarked.

“It’s a very insightful and worthy programm? on L?ad?rship and Ex?cutiv? Management. It has op?n?d my ?y?s to und?rstanding that you also hav? to b? an ?ff?ctiv? follow?r to b? an ?ff?ctiv? l?ad?r.

“I n??d to surround mys?lf with p?opl? b?tt?r than m? and l?arn from th?m,” Hak??m Muriokunola, Lagos Stat? H?ad of S?rvic?, said.

“TEXEM, is a good platform for advancing leadership training, and I would recommend TEXEM for any organisations or institutions that are, desirous for improving their workforce in leadership and strategic policy making,” Prof. Olatunde Atusanya. Hon. Commissioner of the Tax Appeal Tribunal said. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Posted on

NOG Conference: UNIDO, Shell, TotalEnergies endorse clean energy investments

Stakeholders at the Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition have called for an equitable energy mix to enhance transition in consideration of Green Hydrogen investment and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Technology.

The stakeholders made this known during a panel session tagged “ Candid Conversation: Defining the Journey to Equitable Energy Mix for Nigeria’’ at the on-going NOG Energy Week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2023 Energy Week, which is the 22nd edition of the annual event, has as theme: “Powering Nigeria’s Sustainable Energy Future”.

NAN reports that CCS technology has been considered as an important methodology to reduce Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions and as key to help in tackling global warming.

The global demand for Green Hydrogen, which is a cleaner and alternative low carbon energy, is anticipated to increase by 700 per cent by 2050.

The session however explored cleaner energy options that can be utilised by the manufacturing sector in meeting Nigeria’s energy supply needs and steps to unlock investment opportunities for alternative energy sources.

Speaking, Abimbola Wycliffe, Head of Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Nigeria of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) said from the UN perspective, energy transition was seen as an opportunity for industrialisation not a task.

Wycliffe said Nigeria could make the energy transition to work by embracing technologies such as CCS and utilisation.

“If the UN has been pushing the narratives of energy sustainability and low carbon emission future, why can’t we then push for top leadership in the sector to toll the light in achieving decarbonisation?

“It cannot be overemphasised that energy transition for a period of 15 to 20 years is inevitable. This is our reality but we can make it work by embracing the technologies such as carbon capture, storage and utilisation.

“If we do not start to talk about hydrogen, there will not be an opportunity to key into the technology when it is scaling in other climes.

“It is very good for Nigeria to embrace the narratives around Hydrogen because the more we scale renewables the more viable green hydrogen will be for us in our energy mix,’’ she said.

She urged the International and Indigenous Oil Companies to adopt or have a discussion with UNIDO, which had some key programmes targeted at accelerating clean tech, addressing energy transmission as well as empowering youths.

She said though there was an energy transition plan, Nigeria needed to articulate a narrative in terms of strategies for attracting and retaining green funding to see maturation towards a new world of low emission, industrialisation and empowerment.

“We gather to discuss oil, gas and economy but how to balance the industry is missing in the conversation.

There is a need to start to align our visions for energy and industrialisation and integration plans on how to advance.

“The incorporation of clean innovation technology is the responsibility of everyone now and has become the focus for UNIDO, especially getting women and youths involved,’’ she said.

She said democratising the knowledge on renewables by removing the barriers to knowledge sharing and technological transfer was one of the things UNIDO had been driving in and across Africa.

She said it also focused on improving global access to components and raw materials because energy transition would be powered by long duration energy storage hence battery solutions were paramount.

“It will be good for a forum like this to discuss how to expand and diversify our manufacturing capacity not only for export but also for internal consumption and domestic utilisation because we have the minerals.

“We have to level the playing ground for renewable energies technology by reforming our domestic policies.

The Electricity Act of 2023 has excited a whole lot of people working in the sustainable energy space.

“We are hoping that the implementation of the act will deliver on our carbon future,’’ she said.

She further underscored the need to shift energy subsidies from fossil fuel to renewables especially now that there were no more subsidies on petroleum products.

Also speaking, Mr Johnbosco Uche, Energy Transition Business Opportunity Manager of Shell Nigeria said it could be difficult to get to absolute zero emission while decarbonising the upstream due to flaring which it had tackled in its new projects.

“Therefore, he said carbon offset in reducing carbon emission became credible especially nature-based solutions which could take about 15 to 20 years and any country that would like to use such a solution in future should start now.

“The same comes into CCS technology as well, for an average carbon capture storage and utilisation project, it takes about five to seven years from conception to execution.

“Therefore, should we in Nigeria wait till we are ready? We have to prepare ahead of time and CCS is one of the technologies we have to deploy to decarbonise.

“It is evolving, and capital intensive,’’ he said.

Uche explained that there was a CCS pilot project running in Nigeria being funded by the World Bank which started through the office of the former Vice President, adding that they had been collaborating with the industry.

He said before the end of 2023, they would be able to turn out a report on the project.

He said the total emission in Nigeria currently stood at 275 metric tonnes Co2, adding that the contribution for oil and gas was less than 20 per cent.

He said the project would cover industries including cement, fertilisers and petrochemical industries as well as refineries.

He thereby urged the government to support the evolving initiatives of the National Climate Change Council in view of energy transition.

Also, Mr Dabo Alabo, General Manager of Crude Oil and Gas Commercial in TotalEnergies EP Nigeria said the company had always been supporting Nigeria’s economic growth and development and issues bothering climate change, efficient energy mix and low emission.

Alabo said, TotalEnergies being a company committed to delivering energy with less emission, was ready to support the country in the journey towards decarbonising the oil and gas industry.

He said it was committed to CCS technology and nature based solutions, adding that TotalEnergies was always focused on finding solutions that matched the content.

“A lot of our research today on CCS is focused on reservoirs, using them to test the technology and continue to develop and innovate,’’ he said.

He said one of the advantages of Decade of Gas was being able to grow our consumption of natural gas domestically from one Pound Cubic Feet (PCF) to two PCF per day.

“TotalEnegies is committed to helping the direction the country will take in ensuring efficient gas supply and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

“We have laudable projects expected to come out in 2026 and 2027 targeted at producing up to 500 million scoff gas into the supply,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Posted on

Pregnant mothers urged to seek health services

Executive Director in the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Ben Nangombe has urged pregnant women to seek health services during their pregnancies to ensure healthy births.

Nangombe who was speaking at the handover of the emergency Maternity Shelter at the Otjimbingwe Clinic on Tuesday noted that a delay in seeking medical assistance is a major contributing factor to most maternal deaths.

The facility was donated by Lepidico Chemicals Namibia, a lithium processing company based in Karibib.

“For the longest time, this facility was without enough space for emergency deliveries and resuscitation of new-borns before referring to the Usakos District Hospital, which is about 60 kilometres away,” Nangombe revealed.

“Transporting patients for emergency deliveries from here to Usakos is challenging with high risk of deliveries happening on the way, sometimes at night with potential complications such as bleeding, retained placenta, birth asphyxia and infections.”

Nangombe noted that the Otjimbingwe clinic is the second busiest in the area, therefore the facility will go a long way in contributing significantly to the reduction of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the area and country at large.

He further expressed gratitude towards Lepidico Chemicals Namibia for partnering with the ministry in ensuring the community is supported through the best health services.

The N.dollars 700 000 facility contains a delivery bed with an examination lamp, two patient monitoring beds, a sluice and a toilet as well as a wheelchair.

It is connected to the clinic building to facilitate easy movement of staff and supplies.

Erongo Governor Neville Andre Itope at the same event stressed that the initiative will go a long way to support the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, and inspired other stakeholders and private companies to do the same in their communities.

“Knowing that the majority of our people depend on Government health services when they are unwell, many mothers’ and babies’ lives will be made better through this facility,” he stated.

Lepidico LTD Managing Director Joe Walsh noted that their collaboration with the MoHSS and the community is only the beginning of the company’s way of showing appreciation for its operations in the area, adding they intend on strengthening the relations as time goes on.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Posted on

LPM councillors sworn in as MPs

Landless People’s Movement (LPM) Constituency councillors Anseline Beukes and Willem Labuschagne from the ||Kharas region were on Tuesday sworn in as Members of Parliament (MPs).

A media statement availed by the National Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the swearing-in of the two councillors by Chief Justice, Peter Shivute.

The swearing-in ceremony comes after former MP Beukes and former Keetmanshoop Rural constituency Councillor, Gerrit Witbooi, were elected as members of the ||Kharas Regional Council’s Management Committee on 09 April 2021.

‘In terms of Section 18 [4] of the Regional Councils Act, a member of a regional council who is elected as a member of the management committee of the regional council, under this section is not eligible for election as a member of the National Council under Section 26, the statement explained.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency