Month: October 2023

The West African Power Pool, (WAPP) on Monday said it would soon commence “day-ahead electricity trading” in the regional market.

Mrs Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), made this known in a statement in Abuja.

According to Mbah, the day-ahead energy market is a system that allows transactions for the buying and selling of electrical power one day prior to the delivery day.

Mbah said the decision was reached at the WAPP 59th Executive Board Meeting at Calavi, Cotonou, Benin Republic over the weekend.

“With the completion of the construction and equipping of the WAPP Information and Coordination Centre (ICC), the organisation is finalising arrangements to commence day-ahead electricity trading in the regional market,” she said.

The Managing Director of TCN, Mr Sule Abdullaziz, during the meeting, said the document for activation of the next phase of the market was undergoing the process of approval at the ECOWAS Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA).

Abdulaziz said in preparation for the new phase of the electricity market in West Africa, operators were currently undergoing training on the working of live trading system, to ensure that once approval was granted, the transition would be seamless.

He said with support from the World Bank, the organisation would recruit 11 new engineers to boost the capacity of the information and coordination centre.

“The study for the restructuring of the secretariat, in fulfilment of legal requirements for an independent system and market operator, has kicked off.

“ The collective actions of members will determine what the market turns out to be, as “building and equipping of infrastructure alone does not guarantee the success of the market.

“ Equally important is the behaviour of the market participants. The advent of the market requires discipline and competence in operations and management as well as in financial reporting”.

On the new WAPP secretariat, scheduled for inauguration in November, he said “this would be a unique occasion for pool to announce itself to the world at large.

”Let us make maximum use of this opportunity to not only inform the global audience about what WAPP is doing, but also the tremendous opportunities that our sector offers to private investors,” he said.

Earlier, in his address, the Secretary General of the organisation, Mr Siengui Ki, commended member utilities who paid their contributions to WAPP in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and regional security crisis.

He urged those who had yet to pay to do so.

Ki said that the agenda for the 59th session was for the board to among others, look into the status of contribution by member utilities and the budget of WAPP secretariat.

It will also “review the consolidated 2022 financial statement, validate programme of activities and 2024 budget as well as the WAPP business plan for 2024-2027, ” he said.

On his part, Mr Kabiru Adamu, Chairman, Strategic Planning and Environmental Committee of WAPP, presented the pool’s business plan for the next four years to the Executive Board for consideration and adoption.

Adamu is also the General Manager, System Planning, TCN.

The 59th session witnessed the admission of two new heads of utilities – the Director-General of SONABEL, Mr Sulieman Ouedraogo and Mr Gabriel Degbegni, new Managing Director of Beninese Electric Power Company (SBEE).

They are to serve as members of the WAPP Board.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Kaduna says its fully committed to ensuring that Nigerian teachers perform their duties in line with extant international standards.

Its Director and Chief Executive, Prof. Musa Garba-Maitafsir, gave the assurance in an Interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

Garba-Maitafsir, who is also the Chairman of the Institute’s Academic Board, said that it was preparing to commence a Teacher Training Internship Programme aimed at improving the quality of teachers in the country.

Clarifying more on the programme, the director said that it would serve as a bridge-builder for all those who want to be certified as qualified teachers by the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

“ If lawyers have to go to law school, medical students have to go through internship, pharmacy students, etc, all have to go through a period of additional knowledge, then why do we leave out teachers?” he asked.

According to Garba-Maitafsir, the teachers are the ones that guide everyone from primary school till graduation.

” If the Institute is to consolidate its position as the largest single teacher training Institute in Sub-Saharan Africa, then it has to develop new innovations and evolve with emerging global trends in education delivery.”

He lamented the low enrollment into NTI programmes in the country, expressing the necessity for the Institute to devise new ways to adapt to the changing times.

“ The world has become more advanced and what was obtainable 40 years ago when the Institute was set up has changed drastically,” Garba-Maitafsir said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The University of Calabar (UniCal) has honoured an undergraduate, Daniel Aiguokhian, who is seeking to break world record in fiction and non-fiction writing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 27-year-old Philosophy student wrote 19 books, eight fiction and 11 non-fiction works for eight days non-stop, in his bid to get his name engraved in the Guiness Book of World Record.

The university community led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Florence Obi, on Monday night organised a reception in honour of Aiguokhian to encourage him in his quest to earn global recognition.

Obi extolled the intellectual sagacity of Aiguokhian, who was able to write for 188 hours.

”This is a feat that people will need to work very hard to break; as an institution, we will make sure the world hears about this.

“I have sent a message to the Minister of Education, the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education about this feat.

“In recent times, UniCal has been in the news for negative reasons, but today, we want the world to know that this is an institution of intellectual giants,” she said.

The vice chancellor urged other students to think positively and use their intellectual acumen to promote the image of the university.

In his remark, Mr Odum-Ijom Ukam, Commissioner for Youth and Skill Development in Cross River, said Aiguokhian would serve as a consultant to the ministry, to train young people on creative writing skills under the state government entrepreneurship programme.

Responding, Aiguokhian said he was motivated to go into the arduous task because he wanted Nigerian and African writers to be celebrated for their efforts.

“It is not just about the record, but the ability to use your record to impact lives and make the society a better place for all mankind.

“While I appreciate everyone that supported me, I call on young people not to give up on their dreams, but should gather knowledge and look at the bigger picture while shrugging off limitations,” he said.

Aiguokhian said after eight days of sleepless days and nights, he was elated that the university has recognised his efforts and was ready to support his quest for global recognition.

“The major challenge was the lack of sleep because for 24 hours each day, I was entitled to only one hour 30 minutes break, which is not enough for a normal human,” he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Prof. Adelani Tijani, a Professor of Nursing Science at the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), has pleaded with nurses to stay and to continue with other healthcare workers to provide adequate healthcare services in the country.

Tijani made the call in Ilorin while speaking at the 6th Professional Induction and Admission Ceremony for the 75 new nurses produced by the nation’s most sought after ivory tower.

The don observed that Nigeria is greener than other countries, while admonishing them not to ‘Japa’ outside the country.

The professor spoke on the topic: “The New Entrants in Nursing and the Integration of Technology into Patient Care: Expectations, Challenges and Opportunities”.

Tijani, who is the Head, Department of Nursing Science at FUOYE, described a nurse as a person authorised by a regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN to practice.

He explained that a professional nurse provide, promote, prevent, restore and rehabilitate care to individuals, families and communities independently and in collaboration with other members of the health team.

He reminded them that as the new entrants into the profession they “are expected to care for your patients with passion, make use of available technology to render good quality care”.

Tijani also urged the new nurses to try to avoid anything that can tarnish their names, institution, the nursing profession and Nigeria as a whole.

He said: “Time immemorial, nurses have been going overseas for work, but presently the rate at which nurses take up jobs in high income countries has increased exponentially.

“As a matter of fact, I know some of you actually embraced this profession due to ‘Japa’ mentality in you, and no one will be surprised if you japa immediately after your years of internship and NYSC”.

Tijani observed that despite the challenges being faced, there are many opportunities awaiting them in the country and the need to “Japa” may not be necessary.

“There are lots of opportunities for you as modern day nurses. Presently, it seems as if the world is at its knee to receive nurses.

“Note that there are enough spaces for you all in Nigeria labour market. Also, there are many agencies – both local and international – looking for your service,” said the don.

Prof. Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the Unilorin, said that he was very pleased to celebrate the new group of highly trained individuals who are fit for both national and international functioning.

The vice chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Omotosho, said it is a great achievement to produce another group of highly trained graduating nurses.

According to him, the university has commenced postgraduate studies in six areas of nursing, including Maternal and Child Health, Medical Surgical Nursing, and Community/Public Nursing.

Others, he said, include Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Midwifery and Nursing Education/Management, all at M. Sc. level.

He explained that plans are at advanced stages to commence the Ph.D Nursing programmes as early as the next intake of Postgraduate admission of the university.

Egbewole, however, challenged the Department of Nursing Science to work on other innovative ideas and research-based collaborations that would confirm the “better by far status of the university”.

The Provost, College of Health Sciences, Unilorin. Prof. Biodun Alabi, had earlier said that the gathering was a celebration of a remarkable group of individuals who have dedicated themselves to outstanding success in the profession.

Alabi observed that the graduands belong to one of the oldest professions on earth; a profession of all seasons and times; ageless and age-long; a profession that cares for humans.

“From the beginning to the end of life. Keep this unique privilege sacrosanct and avoid messing up yourself with infamous and shameful actions and decisions.

“Be careful in your practice; be discreet and articulate in your judgment and avoid negligence and error. By the grace of God, you will not go to jail for practicing nursing,” he charged.

Alabi congratulated them for successful conclusion of their journey through nursing school, acknowledging that they have demonstrated academic excellence and also qualities that make exceptional nurses, including empathy, resilience and commitment to serving others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Justice Ibironke Harrison of a Lagos High Court on Monday sentenced to death, a police officer, Darambi Vandi, who shot dead a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Bolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.

Vandi, was on Jan. 16, arraigned by Lagos State Government on a count charge of murder.

Lagos State Government, which prosecuted the case, had said that Vandi shot dead pregnant Raheem on Dec. 25, 2022, at Ajah Roundabout on Lekki- Expressway.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square remanded the defendant after his arraignment and granted accelerated hearing of the case.

While delivering judgment, Harrison said that non of the eyewitness actually saw the defendant pull the trigger.

She, however, held that circumstantial evidence was overwhelming to prove that Vandi murdered Raheem.

According to the judge, a defendant can be convicted when circumstantial evidence is overwhelming.

The judge said, “The question in the mind of the court is: Did the prosecution provide any additional evidence?

“The court finds that the ammunition of the other officers who were on patrol with the defendant remained intact but two of the defendant’s ammunition were missing.”

Harrison said that the defendant had alleged that the shortfall in his ammunition was because it was counted in his absence.

The judge also noted that Vandi testified that the bullet tendered in court was not his, saying, however, that Vandi constituted himself as a ballistician pathologist without tendering a certificate to that effect.

She, therefore, dismissed the evidence.

“The court finds that the forensic expert and the medical doctor’s evidence confirm the circumstantial evidence that the defendant had the opportunity to shoot the victim and that the victim was shot and died from the gunshot.

“Every eyewitness heard the loud noise and passers-by shouted in Yoruba Language (oti pa eyan) meaning: you have killed someone,” she said.

Harrison held that the prosecution proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt that it was the convict who shot the gun that killed the deceased.

“The death of the deceased was instantaneous. There is no other explanation, it was the gunshot that shattered the side glass and pierced the victim’s chest.

“It was the defendant who had an AK-47 riffle whose ammunition was missing after the armourer counted it,” she held.

She also held that the defendant did not say that he pointed the gun to force or scare people in the vehicle to obey order and park the vehicle.

She added that the defendant did not say that the shooting was accidental which would have earned him a smaller sentence of manslaughter.

“Therefore, the defendant is found guilty of the one count charge and sentenced to death by hanging until he dies,” she held.

The prosecution called 11 witnesses, including eight police officers during the trial.

The first prosecution witness Insp. Mattew Ameh, had on Jan. 16, testified that the defendant, Insp Ebimine Fiyegha and himself were sent to Ajah Under Bridge on a stop-and-search operation.

He testified that a Toyota car with no number plate was flagged down by Fiyegha, but it did not stop.

The witness said that he also flagged the car to stop but it did not.

He said that the next thing he heard was a gunshot.

Vandi, in his defence, told the court that he had never come across the bullet shown in the court as the weapon used to murder Raheem.

He said that the bullet was not the same ammunition in his rifle on the day of the incident.

NAN reports that the prosecution closed its case on Feb. 25.

On Feb. 28, Vandi, through his counsel, Mr Gbenro Gbadamosi, filed an application, praying the court to quash the charge against him.

Gbadamosi argued that evidence of the prosecution witnesses were inconsistent and did not link Vandi to the murder.

On April 3, the court, however, dismissed the no-case submission.

Harrison held that prosecution established sufficient oral and documentary evidence linking Vandi to the crime, which required explanation from him.

Harrison added that evidence by Vandi would shed light on what happened.

Vandi gave evidence and closed his case on May 31.

His counsel had told the court that Vandi was the sole defence witness.

On July 13, the parties adopted their written addresses, and the court reserved judgment until Oct. 9.

Murder contravenes Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Dr Tony Bello, a food scientist, has urged the Federal Government to tap into the expertise of food technocrats among Nigerian diaspora to enhance the growth of the country’s consumer packaged food sub-sector.

Bello, who is the Chairman of Shine Bridge Global, a U.S.-based food technology company, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

Bello said the government should reverse the brain drain phenomenon by actively involving skilled diaspora professionals in the food industry.

“Engagement of the diaspora community and private sector, not the politically inclined diaspora, but professionals with proven track records in their respective fields, especially in the food industry, will set the tone for this administration.

“During my 30 years of working for companies like PepsiCo Frito Lay, the Kellogg Company, the Heinz Frozen Foods, I came across a number of smarter Nigerians than myself, who have done great things in the food industry.

“It is high time we bring these people back. Let us reverse the brain drain to become the brain game. If this administration can focus on that, I tell you, we will be up to something,” he noted.

Bello recommended that the government should prioritise research and development innovation, utilising established food science and technologies to transform staple foods into fast-moving consumer products.

The expert said this approach, would help provide ample energy, nutrition, and micronutrients necessary for health and wellness.

According to him, Nigeria has the potential to capitalise on its processed cassava market to generate approximately 10 billion dollars in revenue if properly exploited.

He said: “We are talking about an opportunity to grow the African processed cassava market in the tune of 10 billion dollars in revenue. This is the projection for gluten free consumer packaged goods.

“Today, that market is roughly six billion dollars and is expected to grow at 9.5 per cent or 10 per cent compounded annual growth rate.

“Well, the fiscal and monetary policy has to enable private sector engagements. Then, we would grow the processed cassava sector in Nigeria in the form of, let us say, with High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF).

“HQCF, in bakery applications for export, is a 10-billion dollar opportunity. For us at Shine Bridge Global, we have kick started this industrialisation in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole,” Bello said.

Bello also mentioned his intention to secure 3,000 metric tonnes of HQCF through collaboration with a Madagascan company interested in investing in Nigeria’s cassava sub-sector for export purposes.

Citing the success of the U.S. potato chips market, Bello said Nigeria has the capability to transform cassava flour into instant tapioca flakes.

“The market is waiting on the food manufacturing industry, they are waiting and we have been able to demonstrate the concept of transforming cassava flour into instant tapioca flakes.

“Tapioca flakes opens up the opportunity to apply our humble cassava flour in a diversity of consumer packaged foods, such as baby foods earlier indicated, baked goods and bakery mixes.

“This is not to mention our ‘fufu’ mixes, I tell you the best fufu you you will ever eat is what we have done with tapioca flour. I can not wait for it to hit the Nigerian markets,” he said.

The food scientist identified infrastructure, financing, youth engagement, and the availability of raw materials as key challenges to agricultural growth in Nigeria.

Bello, therefore, called on the federal government to revitalise and rejuvenate the commercial agriculture sector.

He emphasised the importance of a mindset shift, urging policymakers to view agriculture as a viable business opportunity rather than merely a means to alleviate poverty.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria