Day: June 10, 2023

Lagos State Government on Friday urged the state residents to embrace natural gas for cleaner energy, mass job creation, boost in commerce and quantum leap in the economy.

Dr Omobolaji Gaji, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, made the call at a stakeholders’ engagement on Victoria Island, Lagos State.

Gaji was represented by Dr Olasunkami Sojinu, Director of EIA, Office of Environmental Services of the ministry.

The meeting, which took place at the Iru Victoria Island Local Council Development Area Hall on Muri-Okunola Street, was streamed live on Facebook.

It was on the “Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the Proposed Natural Gas Distribution Pipelines Project Across Four Local Governments in Lagos State”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 71km gas pipeline is proposed to begin at Marina and terminate at Epe.

Gaji said that Gaslink Nig. Ltd. was encouraging local consumption of gas; hence, its expansion through the project.

He said although the pipeline laying project was a private sector initiative, the state government was involved because of EIA to be able to raise awareness for delivery of sustainable infrastructure.

Gaji said that the ministry collaborated with Gaslink in hosting the meeting to ensure that all stakeholders were carried along, to address concerns and to get support for the project.

He said the project was in line with the state government’s vision for use of gas, adding that the EIA was necessary in line with laid down laws and procedures.

The permanent secretary said that, in the long run, the project would be beneficial to all Lagos residents; thus, the need for proper EIA to remove any threats to humans and the environment.

He advised the residents to make necessary contributions toward having a resilient and sustainable gas project.

“This project is going to enhance economic activities in Lagos State, it is going to create jobs and it is going to accelerate development and boost commerce for the people of Lagos,” he said.

Mrs Yetunde Tella, Project Manager, Gaslink Nig. Ltd., in her presentation, explained how the gas pipe would run through Lagos-Island, Eti-Ona, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe local governments.

She demonstrated how the 71km gas pipeline would take off at Marina and terminate at a proposed airport area at Epe.

Tella said that natural gas was different and safer, adding that it was lighter than air, less flammable and convenient, and not toxic.

She said that the gas was safe to pass through underground pipelines.

She added that safety measures were included in the project from design to construction and operations stages to avert danger, in line with statutory provisions.

Mr Uche Okpata, Head of Engineering, Gaslink Nig. Ltd., explained the standard depth requirements the firm was adopting in burying pipes to ensure public safety.

He said that there was no need for the residents to nurse fear about the laying of the gas pipe.

According to the engineer, the firm has pipelines crisscrossing several Lagos industries for over 20 years and has not recorded any explosions.

Mr John Okoro, the company’s Head of Environmental Health, Safety and Quality, explained how gas transportion pressure was controlled underground for safety considerations.

“Eighty per cent of industries in Lagos depends on our gas,” he said.

The Secretary of Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents Association, Alhaji Abdulateef Muse, said that cooking gas had various attributes that caused fear of fire outbreak in the minds of people.

He thanked the organisers for the meeting but appealed for further community engagements for more sensitisation to douse the fear.

Some other stakeholders also raised concerns which were addressed.

Earlier, Mr Lasisi Adedoyin, Director, EIA Unit, Environmental Assessment Department, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, listed the communities through which the pipe would pass through.

He urged the residents to visit their respective local governments to study the draft of the EIA and make observations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) remains the only government-sanctioned body charged with the responsibility of checkmating the proliferation of illicit arms in Nigeria.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) made this known in a statement by the Director, Strategic Communications and Information, NCCSALW, Group Capt. Pius Okwuego, on Friday in Abuja.

Okwuego warned that any infringement on the duties of the centre by any persons, group or organisation would attract legal sanctions.

He said the NCCSALW had continued to work diligently with all arms-bearing security agencies, relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies, international partners and credible Civil Society Organisations to stem the tide of illegal arms proliferation.

According to him, there is a steadfast commitment to the mandate and mission of promoting peace and security in the nation.

He called for support of all Nigerians, the media and other stakeholders in furthering the mission of the centre to build a safer Nigeria.

NCCSALW acknowledges the overwhelming challenges posed by the proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in Nigeria.

“As the legally recognised government institution charged with the responsibility to stem the proliferation of illicit SALW, it remains committed to promoting an illicit arms-free society.

“Regrettably, it has been observed that unauthorised outfits have sprung-up; deceitfully presenting themselves as the focal organisations for the control of illicit small arms and light weapons, creating false impressions of legitimacy and authority.

“These unauthorised bodies risk exacerbating the security issues they purport to address, adding unnecessarily, to the complex task of SALW control.

“Their activities potentially result in confusion and lack of credibility leading to administrative and legal disputes which may hinder the NCCSALW to effectively carry-out its mandate.

“This would further complicate the efforts to control the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, potentially leading to ineffective implementation of policies and strategies,” he said.

Okwuego added that the potential for reputational harm to the NCCSALW was further heightened, given the controversy and public disagreement surrounding the unauthorised outfits.

He said that even though NCCSALW operates legally, the confusion might cast a shadow over its work and thus entrenching trust deficit with stakeholders.

According to him, it is pertinent to remind all stakeholders of the enormity of this mandate and the necessity of operating within legal boundaries.

He urged the media to exercise due diligence and uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics to prevent the projection of unlawful organisations.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu support on advocacy for a female inclusion in the National Assembly leadership elections.

The Executive Director of AAF, Mabel Ade, made the appeal in a letter titled “urgent call for support in promoting female inclusion in Nigerian leadership roles’’ made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

Ade in the letter copied to all governors and elected-members of National Assembly called for an unopposed female candidacy of at least the position of deputy speaker of the House Representatives.

She said that AAF, a non-profit organisation devoted to advancing gender equality in Nigeria, was deeply concerned about the persistent under-representation of women in key leadership roles in the country.

Ade described the situation as not only a setback for gender equality but also a significant loss for the nation’s development and dignity.

“Nigeria has a female population of about 49 per cent, yet only 3.6 per cent of seats in parliament are held by women.

“This is far below the 35 per cent affirmative action recommended by the National Gender Policy in 2006 and the global average of 25.5 per cent.

“Nigeria also ranks 139 out of 156 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index, indicating a wide disparity between men and women in various aspects of life.’’

Ade said that the effects were evident in the myriad of challenges that women face in the society, such as maternal and child mortality, poverty, gender-based violence, and food insecurity.

She said that the issues were often neglected or poorly addressed by policies and programmes that were largely designed and implemented by men, without adequate participation of women.

This, according to Ade, undermines the rights and well-being of women and girls, as well as the overall progress and prosperity in the country.

“In light of the upcoming elections for the Speaker/Deputy Speaker positions in the National Assembly, we at AAF are championing the cause for female inclusion.

“We believe that having more women in leadership positions will enhance the quality and diversity of decision-making, promote gender-responsive governance, and inspire more women and girls to aspire for leadership roles.

“We are therefore calling for an unopposed candidacy of a woman as Deputy Speaker, if not Speaker, as a minimum step towards achieving gender parity in politics,’’ she said.

Ade said that the foundation understood that its efforts alone were not enough to bring about the desired change.

“We need your advocacy and support as a respected leader and a champion of women’s rights.

“We kindly urge you to use your influence to lobby other influential individuals to support a female candidacy in the upcoming election. ‘’

Ade also called on the president’s support in advocating for competent women and young people to be appointed into positions by federal and state governments.

“This is necessary to make up for the gross underrepresentation of women in elective positions and to ensure that women’s voices and perspectives are adequately reflected in policy-making and implementation.‘’

She said that the foundation was confident that with the president’s support, significant strides would be made towards achieving gender equality in Nigeria.

This according to her will help in restoring the nation’s dignity on the global stage, and improving the lives of Nigerian women and children.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan says the short video of students clad in white and half naked that went viral was not ritual activities as being rumoured.

The Registrar of the institution, Mrs Modupe Fawale, made the clarification in a statement in Ibadan on Saturday.

The trending video circulating on social media showed, where some students in white, were sacrificing and feasting on ritual in broad daylight on the campus.

Fawale, however, explained that the said video was the performance of students from the Art and Design department during their 2023 departmental week

”The scene on the video is to educate, orientate and discourage the minds of the youth, especially students, not to engage in money ritual and other social vices.

“Not that the act was real within the campus as it has been rumoured.”

She, however, said that the management had called the attention of all students’ associations to the need to register and ensure that their activities are approved by the students affairs who have the mandate to monitor the kind of programmes to be embarked on.

“The students union should also through their platforms sensitize students’ associations and clubs to project the good image of the institution,” Fawale said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) has donated receptacles to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, Kano and Rivers states, to commemorate the 2023 World Environment Day, celebrated globally on June 5.

Dr Tony Okpanachi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, DBN, said this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2023 World Environment Day was observed under the #BeatPasticPolution campaign, with the theme: “Solution to Plastic Pollution”.

The campaign is geared toward redoubling actions to reduce plastic pollution and its impact on the environment.

Okpanachi stated that the donation was in furtherance to the bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability and a net zero ecosystem.

He said the receptacles were presented by the management of DBN to the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) as well as Kano and Rivers State Ministry of Environment respectively.

“The Director, AEPB, Mr Osilama Braimah, took delivery of the donated receptacles at the board’s Headquarters, located at the Central Business District, behind Defence College, Abuja.

“While in Lagos, Managing Director /CEO, LAWMA, Mr Ibrahim Odumboni, received receptacles at the agency’s Ijora Olopa headquarters.

“The Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Environment, Mr Aliyu Garo, received the receptacles at the Ministry Headquarters, State Secretariat, Kano.

“While the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Environment, Pastor Emmanuel Feneimeka, took delivery of the receptacles at the ministry’s State Secretariat, Port Harcourt,” he said.

According to him, DBN staff also visited some select schools across the country to interact and train students on recycling and other responsible behaviours toward the environment.

Okpanachi said DBN actively celebrates World Environment every year and that it has become a permanent event in its corporate calendar.

He noted that the event is a deliberate way the bank demonstrates its commitment to greening the earth and trying to improve current negative effects of environmental degradation.

He said that the year’s theme for the event resonates strongly within the bank and had deliberately put in place measures to address its carbon footprint.

The DBN boss stated that the bank started recycling activities within its offices across Abuja and Lagos in 2020.

He said that DBN also focuses on recycling PET bottles, cartons and paper waste to imbibe a culture of a safe environment on its workers.

“Our goal is to gradually reduce our use of plastics over the next three to five years. An ambitious goal we have set for ourselves, and had already put in place a Net Zero plan to demonstrate our commitment.

“We also recognise that just as we are taking deliberate steps internally, we must do the same for our immediate environments.

“This year’s theme enables us to demonstrate our commitment to this goal of waste reduction by donating these plastic receptacles.

“The receptacles were donated to states where data and research have shown are serious and passionate about recycling and waste management,” he said.

Okpanachi expressed DBN’s delight in complementing the unwavering efforts of the FCT, Lagos, Kano and Rivers state governments at waste management.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Head of State, João Lourenço, congratulated Friday in Luanda the people of Guinea Bissau for the orderly and democratic manner of the legislative elections held on Sunday, 4 November, with the victory of the party coalition Inclusive Alliance Platform (PAI) – Terra Ranka.

In a message addressed to his counterpart from Guinea-Bissau, Umaru Sissokó Embaló, and to the Guinean people, the Angolan statesman highlights the fact that the Guinean people have been able, in conditions of great openness, transparency and stability, to freely choose the PAI-Terra Ranka coalition in the legislative elections.

In his dual capacity as President of the Republic of Angola and as president pro tempore of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP), João Lourenço highlights the orderly, exemplary and democratic manner in which the legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau took place.

“I am convinced that Guinea-Bissau will be able to overcome the great challenge it faces, in order to build the bases on which the unity of all the living forces of the nation will be based, and that it will be up to them, in a true climate of national unity, to drive the development of your country”, reads the President’s message.

The Angolan statesman also expressed the hope that the two countries can explore their common potentials in order to conceive a bilateral cooperation based on concrete initiatives that promote the prosperity and well-being of the peoples of the two countries.

The PAI – Terra Ranka party coalition, led by Domingos Simões Pereira, who is president of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cabo Verde (PAIGC), won the legislative elections in Guinea-Bissau with an absolute majority, winning 54 of the 102 seats.

The results also show that the Movement for Democratic Change (Madem-G15), led by Braima Camará, won 29 MPs, while the Social Renewal Party (PRS), led by Alberto Nambeia, won 12 and the Guinean Workers Party (PTG), led by Botche Candé, won six MPs in its electoral debut

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)

Namibia’s long-distance runners Alina Armas and Rainhold Tomas won the 10 kilometres (km) run of the women and men categories at the One Economy Foundation #BreakFree Fun Day held here on Saturday.

The fun day was held at the Independence Stadium with the foundation focusing on educating the Namibian youth on mental health and gender-based violence through different sporting activities and motivational speaking.

In the 10km run in the women’s category, Armas overcame Lavinia Haitope to win the gold, while the last podium place went to Beata Jeremia.

To be crowned champion at the maiden edition of the One Economy Foundation #BeFree Fun Day, Armas clocked 35.38 seconds in the 10km run while Haitope was a minute behind with a time of 36.40 seconds. Jeremia ran a time of 38.23 seconds.

In the men’s category, Tomas clocked a time of 31.27 seconds, while Jeremia Shaliaxwe was just seconds behind with a time of 31.40 seconds, and Simon Nakale chased after with a time of 31.45 seconds.

In an interview with Nampa after the race, Armas said she enjoyed the race despite it being done for fun.

“The race was good. The route just had one hill at State House, which was a bit of a challenge to climb,” she said, adding that the early morning run was a challenge as it was too cold for the body to react the way she would have wanted.

Shaliaxwe also told this agency that the early morning run did not help athletes to clock their best times, but he had fun competing in the event.

“I hope in the future this race can be run when the sun is a bit out because it was too cold today and made it difficult for us to run as planned,” Shaliaxwe said.

One Economy Foundation Communications Officer, Ileni Hitula said the #BreakFree fun day is aimed at helping Namibians deal with their emotions.

“This event can be done again, but that will depend on how the public receives this first event. We are donor funded, and the success of this event can then motivate us to look for more funds. We hope that today will be the beginning of a much bigger intervention,” Hitula said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The mass funeral and final send-off of the 16 family members who died of what is suspected to have been poisonous porridge, took place at Kayova Cemetery in the Kavango East Region on Saturday.

The final journey of the deceased whose incident sent shockwaves throughout the entire country, particularly the two Kavango regions, started with a church service at 08h00 at the Shishungho family residence where several tents were erected.

Namibians from all walks of life came out in numbers to attend one of the biggest and symbolic mass funerals the region has ever seen.

It was indeed a sombre moment for the community of Kayova, Ndiyona Constituency, the regions and the entire country.

Officials who could be seen in attendance draped in black attire were, Defence Minister Frans Kapofi, the Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa, President of the Popular Democratic Movement McHenry Venaani, and the Deputy Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Faustina Caley.

Other officials in attendance were Deputy Minister of Industrialisation and Trade Verna Sinimbo, Governors of the two Kavango regions Bonifatius Wakudumo and Sirkka Ausiku as well as regional councillors.

After the church service at the Shishungho family residence, mourners departed in a procession to the Kayova Cemetery where the official programme of the burial got underway.

At the mass grave site, the caskets of the bodies were lined up with their names placed on black plaques in front of each casket to differentiate them.

As the caskets were being lowered into the conjoined grave, families of the deceased sobbed uncontrollably.

Delivering the speech on behalf of Government, Kapofi said he was assigned by Cabinet to represent Government in the process of bereavement.

He said Government received the news of 16 people suspected of dying from food poisoning with a heavy heart, adding that the tragic incident could have been from a lack of food.

“As leaders we should learn from this tragic event. We should be on the ground so that when something similar happens, we notify the nearest Government institutions. Government will not hesitate to render assistance in a situation that is dire,” Kapofi said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) is requesting for the presentation of three dormant political parties since the 2014 elections, before 30 June 2023.

A media release issued on Friday by ECN said the parties, the Democratic Coalition of Namibia (DCN), Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN) and Namibia Democratic Movement for Change (DMC) have not been participating in any elections since 2014, though still registered with the ECN.

“The commission hereby requests the authorised representatives of these political parties or any member with vested interest in these political parties to contact ECN before 30 June 2023,” it said.

It noted that ECN has the right to cancel any registration of a political party if it at any time after registration fails to participate in and promote elections as contemplated in section 135 of the Electoral Act.

“ECN provides every citizen of Namibia a right to establish and join a political party or organisation of his/her choice. Political parties must be able to participate in and promote elections as per the principles provided for in the Electoral Act of 2014,” the statement said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency