Day: May 20, 2024

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the Abuja Light Rail is ready for commercial operations.

Wike, who stated this after he inspected the project, in Abuja on Monday, added that 15 million dollars, translating to more than N10 billion was expended on the rehabilitation project.

He assured FCT residents that the light rail, also known as the Abuja Metro Line, would be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu for commercial operations on May 27.

‘Thank God Almighty that we are good to go. We are ready and you can see the facilities have been installed.

‘We are happy; very very happy, and we thank God the promise President Tinubu made has been kept.

He said that Tinubu had promised to deliver the metro line to Nigerians within one year in office, adding that as a foot soldier, he has no excuse but to ensure that the promise became a reality.

He said that the operationalisation of the metro line was a testimony of the reality of Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

The minister
said that the project was delivered because of the overwhelming support of President Tinubu.

‘We are doing well because Mr President has given us every necessary support. Assuming we are not getting the support from him, this would not have been a reality today,’ he said.

He, however, identified facilities that were omitted during the design of the project, particular air conditioning in the passengers waiting room and elevator.

He said: ‘We are happy with the project. It is just that we identify one or two things that were omitted during the design.

‘But we believe that during the full operations of the train, some of the things will be taken into consideration.

‘Particularly, I believe that as a standard metro line, where the passengers will be waiting before boarding the trains, there should be air conditioners.

‘I also thought that some of the stations should have had an elevator for those who are very old and those who may not have the strength to walk or climb the staircase.

‘Apart from that, I t
hink we are happy with the work that has been done and we believe Nigerians will be happy, particularly the residents of FCT.’

He pointed out that the absence of the air conditioning and the elevator would not prevent the full operation of the metro line but make the passengers more comfortable.

The minister also said that access roads have also been constructed to link communities to the train stations.

According to him, without the access roads to the train station, there will be no need for the metro line, otherwise, how will the people from the various communities access the stations?

NAN reports that the project was originally designed to find concrete solution to transportation challenges – heavy traffic and hold-up in the FCT and its environs.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Managing Director, Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr Akintunde Sawyerr says students in federal tertiary institutions would first be considered in the roll out of the scheme.

Sawyerr disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, at a news conference on pre-application sensitisation on the loan scheme.

He said that the Fund would roll out its obligations to federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education which had completed and uploaded their students’ data on their dashboard.

Sawyerr stressed that uploading of students’ data on the Fund’s dashboard by their schools was the only means through which the students would be eligible to apply for the loan.

He said NELFUND had partnered with the institutions for seamless upload of the students’ data and the loan would be paid 100 per cent to the beneficiaries through their institutions.

Sawyerr called on federal tertiary institutions, yet to upload details of their students to do so.

‘The loan application will be opened on May 24. We are startin
g with the federal tertiary institutions, but the loan will, eventually, be rolled out to state institutions too,” he said.

Sawyerr added that the beneficiaries would be made to pay the loan, two years after completion of their National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), on condition that the individual had secured employment.

According to him, the repayment is expected to be made by the beneficiaries regardless, of where they get their job after their NYSC.

Speaking on what becomes of the scheme in cases of death, mental and physical illness of the beneficiaries, he said the fund is looking at an insurance model that will address bad loans.

He also noted that the NELFund establishment Act has made case for debt forgiveness.

‘The first thing we are doing is to try to make sure that we have adequate information about the application for the loan, as much as possible.

‘We need to know that those who applied for the loan are bonafide Nigerian citizens and they are of good standing and we have various ways to know
that.

‘We are working with security agencies to ensure the people who are applying for this loan are not people who may want to defraud the system.

‘We will also follow up on the beneficiaries each year they apply and ensure we are in constant communication with them.

‘We are looking at an insurance model to ensure loans that are bad, are handled. This will help to protect tax-payers money,’ he said.

He urged students to apply by logging into its portal through www.nelf.gov.ng and create an account using their existing credentials.

Sawyerr said the students would also be required to document their information such as their JAMB admission letter, NIN and BVN.

He listed other required information to include, personal details, academic information, and financial needs.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The German Government is into partnership with Nigeria to combat climate change and related issues in the country, the Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Annett Gunther, says.

Gunther made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

She added that the perennial floods in parts of Nigeria is a global challenge, aggravated by the climate change phenomenon.

She noted that all hands must be on deck to tackle the root causes of climate issues, adding that decarbonisation, and zero emissions would help to solve the problem not only in Nigeria but globally.

The ambassador added that Nigeria has an ambitious goal in its energy transition plan, developed under the previous administration to ensure zero emission until 2060, adding that if properly implemented, it can be impactful.

She said that ‘in our cooperation talks, we are interested in how to help

Nigeria to achieve that goal.

‘We therefore have opened a hydrogen diplomacy office called German-Nigerian hydrogen diplomacy of
fice where experts organise meetings, conferences, discussions and bring together stakeholders in the area of renewable energies and particularly on hydrogen.

‘Even though gas is currently the primary source of energy and power, we have to chart the way forward. We need to have these discussions to reach our climate goals earlier or as soon as possible.”

The envoy explained that weather had become unpredictable and difficult for agriculture to thrive.

‘In our development cooperation, we have programmes to support farmers in developing drought resilient crops.

‘We are also aware that the effect of climate change reduces the sources of income for people, as well as durable land for farming.”

Gunther further disclosed that plans were underway to address the issue of shrinking resources, as the German Government work toward mediating conflicts between communities.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Presidency and Media Foundation, an NGO, say they are partnering Leadway Assurance to support journalists facing health and financial challenges.

A statement issued by the president of the foundation, Mr Femi Oyewale, on Monday in Abuja said that Media Foundation was the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE).

‘Media work is hazardous. We take the highest form of risks.

‘ We are on the road even in the middle of the night, ensuring that governments and institutions’ actions are anchored in truth for the overall benefit of citizens and taxpayers.

‘The risks we embrace daily take a toll on our health and when most of us are either deceased or down with ailments, nobody cares for us.

‘These are part of the reasons we set up this foundation, to provide hope for colleagues in the face of hopelessness,’ he said.

Oyewale said the support extended to the beneficiaries was small given the large number of journalists on the foundation’s list who had truly pathet
ic cases and needed support.

‘We are not going to rest on our oars, we have a long list of journalists and families of late journalists who need help.

‘ Some of the cases are really pathetic and we are committed to this noble cause. This is just the first phase,’ Oyewale said.

He said the move by NASRE Media Foundation, Leadway Assurance, and Ms Moremi Ojudu of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagements, South West, was to wipe away tears from the eyes of victims.

Oyewale said Leadway Assurance, the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagements and the foundation provided cash and grains to selected beneficiaries in the first phase.

He said that the four recipients in the first phase of the initiative included Mr Omodele Adigun, a former Deputy Business Editor at The Sun Newspapers and Mrs Esther Peter Thomas, wife of the late renowned entertainment editor and publicist at former Mo’Hits Records.

Others, Oyewale said, were Mrs Qudus Adewole,
widow of the late Qudus Adewole, publisher of Ebony Media and the family of late Foluso Samuel who worked with Encomium Magazine.

He assured the recipients of continued support within the limit of available resources.

The NASRE president called on public as well as private institutions and individuals to partner with the organisation in assisting journalists facing challenges.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has sent condolences to the families of four construction workers who died during the tragic Ballito wall collapse on Saturday.

Five construction workers were trapped when a wall collapsed at the Ballito construction site in Zen Drive, Durban, and claimed the lives of four workers.

One construction worker survived and is recovering in hospital.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, expressed her sadness at the incident, which she described as ‘yet another tragedy in the built environment and construction sector’, following the multi-storey building collapse in George, Western Cape, which to date has claimed the lives of 33 people.

‘It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I extend my deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the four construction workers who tragically lost their lives when a wall collapsed at a construction site on Zen Drive in Ballito on Saturday. This devastating incident has cast a shadow of grief over our com
munity, and we mourn alongside those who are suffering this unimaginable loss,’ Dube-Ncube said.

READ | George building collapse: Rescue and recovery operation concluded

Dube-Ncube said while awaiting the results of the police investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident, the provincial government is committed to ensuring that the families affected receive the support and assistance they need.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of the deceased during this incredibly difficult time. We also wish to extend our support to the one worker who survived this tragic event and is currently recovering from the ordeal.

‘The bravery and dedication of the search and rescue teams, who worked tirelessly to rescue the workers, do not go unnoticed and are deeply appreciated,’ Dube-Ncube said.

The Premier also emphasised the safety and well-being of the workers as a priority, adding that government will work diligently to prevent such tragedies in the future.

‘In this time of sorrow, let
us come together as a community to support those who have lost their loved ones and to honour the memory of those who perished. Their hard work and dedication will not be forgotten. May their respective souls rest in peace,’ Dube-Ncube said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) has commenced the screening of 600 candidates for its 2024/2025 overseas postgraduate scholarship programme for Nigerians in the South-South region.

The General Manager, Projects, Mrs Ifeoma Nwokike, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Nwokike said that the interview was ongoing simultaneously across the six geopolitical zones.

‘Port Harcourt is the centre for the 600 candidates that were selected from the South-South zone.

‘The annual overseas postgraduate scholarship is a well thought-out programme intended to bridge the skill gap in the oil and gas industry.

‘The scheme has been used over the years to train the best of Nigerians. PTDF scholars are known everywhere in the world,’ she said.

Nwokike said that for candidates from the South-South region, the 2024/2025 edition would give priority attention to engineering, geosciences, environmental sciences among others.

She further said that availability of fund would be key in determining
the number of candidates for the scholarship award.

‘Our mandate is capacity building in the oil and gas industry and we have been mandated to train Nigerians in the different skills and vocations in the oil and gas industry.

‘We use this scheme to train Nigerians in top universities abroad so that they can come back and contribute to the oil and gas industry in the identified skills gap,’ she said.

In his remarks, Mr Ere Iyalla, the Team Lead, Overseas Scholarship Interview Programme, Port Harcourt Centre, said the interview was for both Masters Degree and Ph.D candidates.

Iyalla listed some of the criteria for the scholarships to include good O’Level result, research proposal, membership of professional body, statement of purpose and its relevance to industrial needs.

Also speaking, one of the candidates, Mr Nwaobasi Caleb, said he applied for a Maters Degree programme in Civil Engineering at the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Caleb expressed his belief in the transparency of the selection pro
cess, saying, ‘I believe the process is fair and transparent’.

He pledged his resolve to take the programme seriously if given the opportunity.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria