Day: September 14, 2024

Alhaji Sani Zorro, a former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has appealed to the media to lead the efforts in rebuilding Maiduguri after the city’s devastation by flood.

Zorro made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.

He said this was imperative given the critical importance of the media in mobilising support from corporate organisations and wealthy individuals in times of need.

Zorro, a former Chairman of the House Committee on IDPs, Migrants, Refugees and FG Initiative on the North East Zone, described the flood’s impact as ‘unfortunate.’

He expressed sadness over the incident caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam, noting this had affected more than 239,000 people.

Describing the disaster as the worst in over 30 years, he said it had caused untold trauma to residents of Maiduguri.

Zorro underscored the severity of the disaster, noting that 40 per cent of farmlands in Maiduguri had been submerged and thereby exacerbating food insecurity
.

He stressed the need for the media to highlight the victims’ plight in order to facilitate relief and rehabilitation for them.

The former lawmaker also urged all stakeholders to unite in providing necessary support to alleviate the sufferings of victims.

Zorro further emphasised the urgent need to promptly provide victims with shelter, food and non-food items, educational materials,WASH facilities and drugs.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has tasked the newly confirmed Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCG) and Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACG) on mentoring the service’s personnel.

Adeniyi made the call during the investiture of the officers at the service headquarters on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCS’s Board, during its 60th regular meeting on Tuesday, confirmed the appointment of two DCGs and five ACGs to join the management team.

The appointments were made in response to the statutory retirement of senior officers and are fully aligned with the Federal Character Policy, as outlined in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The C-G said that the newly decorated officers have shown competence, diligence, and commitment in the discharge of their duties and other responsibilities assigned to them.

According to Adeniyi, the qualities demonstrate their exceptional ability to mentor younger officers in the ser
vice.

‘So there is going to be a rich depth of people that can give you (NCS personnel) inspiration for what you do.

‘They will provide mentorship and guidance for the younger generation of officers that are coming.

‘We are in a period when we should begin to identify, nurture, and cultivate those that will form the future leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service, and we must therefore put our emphasis on merit,’ he said.

He urged the newly promoted officers not to relent in their efforts to perform their constitutional duties, as their new positions come with higher obligations and responsibilities.

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He expressed confidence that, due to their pedigrees and selection on merit, they will effectively carry out the critical roles of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and the suppression of smuggling.

‘It is expected that they will justify the confidence that we have reposed in them.

‘Therefore, the virtues of commitment, of dedication, of discipline, and,
most importantly, exemplary conduct, are expected from all of you.

‘I want you to continue to use merit or to depend on merit to drive your operations,’ he said.

The C-G thanked the spouses of the officers for their support in enabling the officers to accomplish great feats in the service.

He urged them to offer more support and understanding, as the new responsibilities would require greater commitment.

Responding on behalf of the newly decorated officers, DCG Olaniyi Alajogun assured the C-G of their commitment to duties.

He acknowledged the CGs fairness and equity in the various appointments, particularly adhering to seniority and reflecting federal character.

NAN reports that the senior officers decorated were Olaniyi Alajogun, DCG in charge of Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection; and Kikelomo Adeola, DCG to head the new Information Communication Technology Modernisation unit.

Timi Bomodi, ACG to oversee Enforcement Investigation and Inspection; Babatunde Makinde, ACG in charge of Human Reso
urces and Development.

Others are Odaudu Salefu, ACG, in charge of Doctrine and Coordination at the Training and Doctrine Command, and Isah Umar, ACG, in charge of Headquarters.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government has assured the public that the Alau Dam in Borno did not collapse during recent flooding, attributing the overflow to climate change and excessive rainfall.

Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, extended the government’s condolences to the people of Borno State during a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

The minister noted that earlier this year, a flood risk warning identified 31 states, including Borno, as high-risk areas.

He said a team of technical experts from the ministry, various agencies, and the Chad Basin Development Authority were currently assessing the damage and working on solutions.

Utsev warned residents about the risks of contaminated water and the potential for waterborne diseases.

He also warned the increasing threat of river flooding along the Niger and Benue rivers, urging all regions to stay vigilant and take proactive measures.

He mentioned the President’s approval of N108 billion for flood prevention across the 36 states, based
on recommendations from the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster Prevention.

Utsev urged state governments and stakeholders to follow early warning systems and implement preventive actions to reduce future flooding.

The minister pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting affected communities, saying technical teams were assessing dams nationwide and planning upgrades.

‘Government officials confirmed that climate change has intensified rainfall, leading to excess water that many dams are struggling to manage.

‘When this administration began, we immediately initiated studies and designs for the rehabilitation of existing dams, including Alau.

‘The dam didn’t collapse, but it struggled to handle the excess water from nearby tributaries, causing overflow into surrounding areas’.

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He added that long-term solutions were underway, with budgetary allocations for 2024 and 2025 specifically targeting dam
rehabilitation.

‘As temperatures rise, we expect increased rainfall, leading to higher water volumes in our rivers and channels.

‘Proactive measures are crucial to preventing future escalations,’Utsev said.

Alhaji Bello Goronyo, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, urged the media to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive issues.

He stressed that misinformation and disinformation posed a threat to the nation, and urged greater collaboration to enhance the well-being of citizens

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many residents of Maiduguri, Borno State, have been displaced by flooding caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam.

The flood had submerged residential areas, roads, and bridges, making parts of the city inaccessible.

Maiduguri is experiencing its worst flooding in 30 years, with homes underwater, schools closed, and businesses paralysed, as residents evacuate with their belongings.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has attributed the rising cost of housing accommodation in FCT to market forces.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday when he visited Zeberced Limited Quarry, Kubwa-Abuja on Saturday, to see what the company was doing.

While responding to questions from journalists on what the FCT Administration was doing to address high rent for accommodation in Abuja, the minister noted that everything has increased in cost.

According to him, no government legislates on rents for houses, but market forces.

Wike said, ‘You are aware that everything has actually increased. The man who built the houses didn’t build that he will not make profit at the end of the day.

‘I don’t agree with people always complaining about rent increases. There are increases in everything today. So, rent should not be singled out.

‘You want us to make a law and say that a 2-bedroom flat should not be more than N50,000 or N100,000 for example. I don’t think that will encourage in
vestors.

‘We are not running a socialist or communist system; we are running a capitalist economy, and these are determined by market forces.’

The minister however added that the government could come in with some regulations, saying, ‘but cannot totally take over the housing processes.’

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Africa is home to 30 per cent of the world`s minerals reserves. When fully harnessed, these resources can play a critical role in the continent`s development story and in the ongoing energy transition.

For instance, gold is a major component of Ghana’s economy. As Africa’s largest producer, it contributes 40 per cent of Ghana’s total export earnings. Ghana was ranked sixth in the world in gold production in 2023.

Nigeria is the largest producer of oil in Africa and ranked among the world’s top 15. The sector accounts for 95 per cent of Nigeria’s export earnings and more than 80 per cent of Federal Government revenue.

Zimbabwe has the second largest platinum deposit and high grade chromium ores in the world. Its mining sector contributes to about 12 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and 80 per cent of national exports.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the world’s leading producer of cobalt, a critical mineral for the energy transition.

It accounts for more than 70 per cent of globa
l cobalt production, while Mozambique is one of the largest producers of graphite.

Africa is blessed with abundant mineral resources, but their impact on development is not commensurate with the continent`s mineral`s wealth. Many of its countries remain at the bottom of the poverty line, analysts say.

Many African leaders say the continent has been ripped off its wealth, with investors pricing its resources below its value at international markets, mostly due to the lack of value addition policies.

To chart a new course for the continent’s economic development and industrialisation, they resolved to change the narrative through collective efforts.

One of which was the establishment of the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) at the 2024 Investing in Africa Indaba, held in South Africa.

The group, comprising African ministers of Solid Minerals and Mining, aims to help the region advance its mining sector, particularly by ensuring it maximises the benefits of its mineral resources.

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The group, chaired by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, is also charged with advocating for the formulation of policies on value addition for its minerals, and ensuring maximum beneficiation from their vast mineral resources.

The leaders say it will no longer be business as usual, with minerals being carted away from the region without value addition, as this is essential for developing their local economies in diverse ways.

They agreed that concrete plans for value addition of its minerals must be presented before granting approval for applications of mining licenses to prospective investors, a commitment they vowed to uphold.

Building on these efforts, the 2024 African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit(AFNIS), with the theme `Natural Resources for Economic Development` held recently in Abuja was tailored to further drive the process of value addition in Africa.

Alake said that the summit represents a significant
milestone in Africa`s collective journey towards harnessing its vast natural resources for sustainable economic development.

It also aimed to send a clear message to the world that Africa will no longer be exploited to the detriment of its development.

The minister emphasised that AFNIS 2024 is a convergence of visionaries, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders, all united by a shared commitment to unlocking the full potential of the continent’s natural wealth.

He described the summit as a platform pivotal, not only to the discourse it fosters, but for the actionable insights and strategic partnerships it will undoubtedly yield.

This is particularly in exploring how Africa’s abundant resources can be leveraged upon to drive economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

The minister said that AFNIS 2024 provides a unique opportunity to forge partnerships and attract investments that will drive the development of Africa’s Natural Resources.

‘We are committed to creating a bu
siness-friendly environment that encourages Foreign Direct Investment and fosters mutually beneficial collaborations.

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‘ By leveraging global expertise, technology, and capital, we can transform our Natural Resources into a catalyst for Sustainable Development.

‘ Innovation is a key driver of growth in the Natural Resources Ecosystem therefore we will continue to embrace technological advancements that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and promote sustainable practices,’ he said.

According to the minister, the journey to transform Africa’s natural resources into a catalyst for sustainable development and inclusive growth is filled with opportunities and challenges, but with unity, determination, and innovation, it is feasible.

Prof. Kelvin Urama, the Chief Economist and Vice President, African Development Bank Group (ADB), underscored the critical role of value addition.

‘Continued reliance on commodity exports with little value addition leaves
the continent with limited return, and even poorer.

‘The real price of commodity exports have been declining over time, and lack of value addition and beneficiation exports jobs, tax revenues, and growth and has high carbon-footprint.

‘So, the more a country exports unprocessed natural resources (commodities), the poorer the country becomes. This is because markets pay for value creation,’ he said.

Many experts say the challenge facing Africa is not the presence of mineral resources but the ability to harness them in a sustainable manner to the benefit of all.

Urama, therefore, calls the urgent need for deep reflection on how mineral resources can be harnessed to drive more inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.

According to him, investing in value addition to critical and rare earth minerals, for instance, offers a significant opportunity to mobilise additional domestic resources, complement tax revenues, and support the much-needed natural resource-based industrialisation of Africa.

He recom
mended that countries develop their own natural resource action plans, focusing on value chain development and natural resources-backed industrialisation.

He also said that African countries should build or mobilise homegrown human and institutional capacity for the successful implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of their policies.

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‘It is important for African countries to properly account for its natural resources including both stocks and flows, and advocate for tools to account for these in the National Systems of Accounts,’ he said .

Malawian Minister of Mining, Monica Chang’anamuno, said the summit was timely and beneficial for the region, with countries committing to safeguard their minerals at both national and continental levels.

Echoing the sentiments of many other ministers and stakeholders at the summit, she said it was an ideal platform for building partnerships that will advance Africa` economy through value addition and t
he implementation of policies supporting sustainable development.

Further gains, she said, included knowledge sharing and collaboration aimed at creating job opportunities across the continent.

The Secretary-General of AMSG, Moses Engadu welcomed the `Africa for Africans Initiative, whose Memorandum of Understanding has been signed.

Engadu explained that the initiative would leverage both public and private partnerships, supported by technology to drive the process.

He said the partnership aims to provide both government and technical support to ensure its projects deliver the intended value to their target audience, while also emphasising that Africans have the capacity to tackle their own challenges.

Engadu said at the meeting that plans are under way to establish an Africa Minerals Development Fund (AMDF), modeled after Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF).

He said that the fund will be structured to assist local miners access the required funds across the continent with a view to develop
ing the sector.

Analysts say the vision of accelerated development in the region through effective use of its mineral resources will no longer be a mirage with concerted efforts and political will by its leaders.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Olympic champion Valarie Allman of the United States won gold while Chinese athlete Feng Bin took silver in women’s discus at the Wanda Diamond League Final held in Brussels, Belgium on Saturday.

Feng took the lead with 67.08m after the second round before Allman overtook the leading position with 68.47m in round three, which remained the best to the end. Feng finished second with a 67.49m throw in the final round.

Pole vault superstar Mondo Duplantis, who set a world record of 6.25m to win Olympic gold in Paris and then refreshed it to 6.26m in Silesia last month, raised the meeting record to a minimum.

Opening with 5.62m and after no one else managed to vault over 5.92m successfully, Duplantis raised the bar to 6.11m and sailed cleanly to secure yet another Diamond trophy, raising the meeting record one centimeter higher than he set last year.

Matthew Denny, the Paris Olympic bronze medalist, clinched the title of men’s discus throw by sending his discus to 69.96m, adding two centimeters to the meeting
record set by Imrich Bugar in 1984.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency