Day: July 15, 2024

WINDHOEK: Namibia and South Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the World Hydrogen Summit in May 2024, to explore the feasibility of creating a green hydrogen corridor.

This agreement signals the start of an ambitious research to construct a cross-border green hydrogen pipeline, which has the potential to alter southern Africa’s energy environment.

On Friday, Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo announced that the project involves key entities such as the Western Cape Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Wesgro), the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (NCEDA), the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme (NGH2P), Gasunie Waterstof Holding B.V., and Climate Fund Managers (CFM) NL B.V.

The MoU is effective following a kick-off meeting on 09 July 2024 in Cape Town.

Alweendo said the study, with a budget of N.dollars 4.9 billion (Euro 250 000), will look into various aspects of the project encompassing technological, commercial, financial, le
gal, environmental, socioeconomic, and operational factors.

‘The study will guarantee compliance with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) requirements, and aims to foster a shared vision of a sustainable and interconnected energy future by combining the expertise of all involved parties.’

Alweendo said the initial focus will be on the pipeline portion connecting Lderitz, Namibia, and the Northern Cape, South Africa.

This first phase is critical for laying the groundwork for future expansions, which include extending the pipeline to the Western Cape of South Africa and the Erongo Region of Namibia, a growing hub for green hydrogen projects, he said.

‘If successful, this pipeline could be the first intra-country hydrogen backbone in Africa, cementing the way for the trade of more complex products in southern Africa. This is a key step we are taking as we look to unleash the full potential of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area and realise the ideals of Agenda 2063; the Africa We Want,’ he said.

Green Hydrogen Commissioner James Mnyupe on his part said that as this bold project unfolds, it holds the promise of not only advancing green hydrogen technology but also significantly contributing to the sustainable development and industrialisation of the region.

The successful realisation of this pipeline will mark a pivotal milestone in Africa’s journey towards a green and prosperous future, he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Dr Haruna Musa, MD/CEO of Jaiz Bank PLC, says the bank is looking forward to Nigeria becoming the centre of Islamic banking in Africa.

Musa disclosed this at a send-off ceremony of the retired Board/Advisory Committee of Experts (ACE) members of the bank in Abuja.

According to him, being the pioneer of non-interest banking, the bank has changed the narrative of banking operations in the country.

‘The biggest achievement recorded so far in the Bank is the introduction of new banking-system that enables the people to have alternatives in banking operations.

‘Before now, it was a conventional banking system, but now with an alternative banking, people can go to conventional and non-interest banking.

‘This is an achievement we are very proud of and we are very grateful, and we thank God for giving us this opportunity to see this take off.

‘All the while we want to be in that position and I believe that in the nearest future this will be the situation.

‘This is because it is the fast growing banking system
that can offer you credit without interest,’ he said.

Dr Umar Abdulmutalab, the former Chairman, JAIZ Bank, expressed appreciation to the pioneers of the bank for the height so far attained.

‘It is our bank. I have never felt more at home anywhere else. As for the pioneers, we ask God to bless them.

‘I will tell the goodness of Jaiz bank to others as a non-profit bank,’ he said.

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For his part, Dr Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman, Nigerian Stock Exchange, commended the bank for making deviation from the past, saying judging by the history of JAIZ bank and where it is today, it had been a success story.

‘All over the world, this type of financing and non-interest banking is the type of banking that usually takes three to four years, before you can break in not to mention making profit.

‘When we set up this institution we went round and got people that invested with N1000, N2000 and luckily this bank started its profit in the second year.

‘So, it has done so well. One of the suggestions I gave at today’s occasion is the issue of the fintech.

‘The era of the brick-and-mortar banking is gone forever. Very few people go to the banking hall today to do banking.

‘So, I have told Jaiz and I am using this opportunity to say that Jaiz did not have an option than to embrace the issue of the fintech,’ Kwairanga said.

He described fintech as the earn thing all over the world, adding so far Jaiz was doing well.

He said JAIZ became the first bank to beat the minimum recapitalisation imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the country.

‘As at today I stand here to be corrected, Jaiz is the first bank to have beat-up the minimum recapatilisation deadline imposed on banks by the CBN today.

‘We have banks sourcing funds, but today Jaiz already met up that minimum recapatilisation.

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‘This has shown the type of leadership focus and vision the institution got at the beginning,’ he said.

t
he bank is set to achieve a lot through its operations of a non-interest banking system in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony featured awards to deserving retired Board members and former Board members including Alhaji Ahmed Hassan, Malam Falalu Bello, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Alhaji Mukhtar Danladi and Malam Muhamad Sani.

Others include Alhaji Musbau Bashir, Alhaji Ibrahim Maude and Alhaji Aminu Dantata among others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

WINDHOEK: The Republic of Namibia has assumed the Chairmanship of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Summit, Council of Ministers and Commission, effective 15 July 2024.

The leadership transition marks the beginning of Namibia’s one-year term, which will conclude on 14 July 2025.

Namibia’s assumption of the chairmanship comes at a crucial time for SACU, as the region continues to navigate various economic and trade challenges. The new leadership is expected to steer the union’s efforts in promoting economic integration, enhancing trade relations, and addressing regional economic issues.

SACU Executive Secretary, Thabo David Khasipe said on Monday in Windhoek that Namibia is taking over from the Kingdom of Lesotho, which held the SACU Chair from 15 July 2023 to 14 July 2024.

He announced that Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia, will succeed Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, as Chairperson of the SACU Summit.

‘The Republic of Namibia will assume t
he role of Chairperson of the SACU Council of Ministers, SACU Commission, Senior Trade and Finance Officials, Heads of Customs, Commissioners General, as well as the Technical Committees and various Technical Experts responsible for implementing the SACU Strategic Plan, taking over from the Kingdom of Lesotho,’ he said.

The Republic of South Africa will assume the Chairmanship of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, taking over from the Republic of Namibia, he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

A Nigerian student, Cherish Daniel-Markson, has been honoured by University of Warwick, United Kingdom, for exceptional performance in three-year BA (Hons) Law with Social Sciences degree.

This is stated in a congratulatory letter by Margaret O’Brien, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the university’s school of law, issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

The institution management acknowledged her outstanding result, having scored the highest marks ‘on the most demanding of all courses’.

‘Cherish has been awarded First Prize for her three-year BA (Hons) Law with Social Sciences degree in the University of Warwick.

‘She scored the highest mark of all students, achieved a Second Class; Higher Division Degree with an overall average of 67.3%. and have been awarded the sum of £250 as price money.

‘This was the highest mark of all students on this most demanding course, a record of your prize-winner status will be added to your HEAR transcript,’ it added.

According to the letter, C
herish has always been an outstanding student from Nigeria where she had her primary and secondary education.

‘Three years ago when Cherish was a student of Bridge House College, Ikoyi in Lagos, she was awarded the Top in World Award in Law and High Achievement in Sociology by Cambridge International.

‘Cherish bagged the prestigious award for her outstanding achievement in her Advanced Subsidiary Level Examination – November 2020/2021 series.

‘She achieved all A-stars (A*) in nine of her IGCSE subjects; (English, Mathematics, Biology, Geography, Literature, Business Studies, Economics, History, and ICT).

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‘With Cherish’s level of commitment and intellect, there is no doubt that she will go on to do great things in her post-university life,’ it added.

The international qualification is recognised globally by the world’s best universities and employers as giving students a wide range of options in their education and career.

Simi
larly, Mrs Foluke AbdulRazaq, Bridge House College founder, while commending Cherish, described her as an ‘outstanding ambassador’ of the school for achieving extraordinary success, charged her not to relent in her pursuit of excellence.

‘We are proud of Cherish outstanding academic achievement at Warwick University.

‘She is a great ambassador of our school and we will continue to cheer her to greater success, we are proud to have nurtured her at Bridge House College,’ she added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Health officials from Kavango West and Kavango East, along with their counterparts from Cuando Cubango in Angola, gathered at Rundu on Monday for a three-day meeting to discuss strategies for strengthening cross-border collaboration to effectively control infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV-AIDS.

The meeting, which will end on Wednesday, aims to share cross-border best practices and experiences, and identify key challenges to propose solutions, said Maria Mpasi, a health programme officer from Kavango West.

‘We are also going to review the status of the implementation of recommendations made by both countries during the cross-border meeting last year in Angola. We will draft a joint plan for 2024/25 for further collaboration to strengthen cross-border surveillance and communication.’

Chairperson of the Kavango West Regional Council, Joseph Sivaku, said points of entry play a vital role in containing the spread of infectious diseases.

‘Many of our entry points do not have the necessa
ry tools for screening travellers or patients or have holding or quarantine rooms for this purpose,’ he said. Thus, he added, it is the duty of both governments to ensure that entry points are equipped with the necessary tools and infrastructure.

Sivaku stated that the statistics of confirmed malaria cases in the Kavango West Region during the period of June 2023 to June 2024 stand at 1,352. Of these, 470 are Angolan.

The Chairperson called on the participants to deliberate on key issues and come up with tangible recommendations that will transform the recommendations into workable action points.

The meeting will discuss issues such as the epidemiological situation in both countries, border security, causes of cross-border violations, and the risk of illegal migration of people to infection-contaminated areas.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

President Bola Tinubu’s horse named ‘Renewed Hope’ has won the Hope Renewed 1st Year Anniversary Horse Racing Derby that ended on Saturday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four-day epochal sports that opened on Thursday was organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN).

NAN also reports that Tinubu’s winning horse emerged victorious in the ‘Division 1 ThoroughBreed’, 10 furlongs or 2,000 metres race.

The horse won a car, a cup and N100,000 prize.

The second position under the division was clinched by a horse named ‘Sarauinya’ and it got N1million.

A horse christened: ‘Holiday Parade’ emerged 3rd clinching N700,000 prize.

Also, the fourth position under the division was clinched by a horse called: ‘Nawal’with a N500,000 prize.

The closing ceremony was graced by the Life Patron of the federation and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.

The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Ilyasu Bashar was represented by the Sarkin Borgun Ka’oje, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani-Anaje, Ohinoyi of Ebi
raland among others.

The event was successfully coordinated by the President of the federation, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida,the ‘Sarkin Dawakin Nupe.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria