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The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu is set to detail the Agency’s plans and strategies for rural electrification in Nigeria using homegrown technologies.

Olusegun Ayeoyenikan,
Director of Information,
NASENI, in a press release on 30/11/2023 disclosed that the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, though officially opened today, 30th November 2023, also known as Conference of the Parties (COP28), holding at the Expo City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) will see Mr. Halilu on December 3rd, 2023, to deliver opening remarks and also participate at a panel session titled ‘Advancing Sustainable Rural Electrification through Homegrown Technologies’

The COP28 also referred to as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) will hold from November 30 to December 12, 2023, and is intended for governments to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.

The event will be graced by Presidents and Heads of State, government officials, business leaders, investors, development partners, civil society organizations, academics and media.

Halilu, NASENI’s EVC/CEO during the panel session, to be moderated by Al Amin Idris, CEO of Interface Africa, will speak alongside Gunther Beger, Managing Director of the Directorate for SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation, UNIDO; Gov Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor of Niger State, Nigeria; and Miklós Veszprémi, Climate & Sustainability Expert Consultant at Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

The NASENI boss is expected to discuss the roles which NASENI currently is playing, back home, to promote development and adoption of homegrown technologies for rural electrification in Nigeria as well as other initiatives undertaken to advance sustainable rural electrification in the country.

Mr. Halilu since assumption of office in September 2023 has made sustainable rural electrification via renewable energies one of his key priorities, having embarked on partnership commitments with government agencies and companies such as Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) to ensure rural communities are provided with affordable renewable energy solutions and also homes. This is being accomplished through provision of fund toward research and development, facilitating technology transfer, and support for commercialization of innovative solutions.

In September, NASENI and REA agreed to work together to deploy NASENI solar resources and other renewable energy technologies to increase electricity supply to Nigeria’s rural areas. Also in November, the Family Homes Funds Limited signed an MoU with the Agency to promote modern and sustainable building designs for affordable housing across Nigeria. According to NASENI’s EVC during the MoU signing event with FHFL, he said “the Agency will contribute toward reducing the cost of building materials so that Nigerians can build, own homes and to deploy affordable solar energy solutions”

Family Homes Funds Ltd is a limited liability company owned by the federal government of Nigeria and represented by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

  *More About NASENI*
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) was established in 1992 by the Federal Government of Nigeria with the mandate specifically in the area of capital goods research, production, and reverse engineering.

NASENI broad areas of operation covers: Engineering Materials, Industrial and Analytical Chemical Materials, Scientific Equipment and components, Engineering Equipment, Engineering Designs and Standardization, Power Equipment, Electrical Electronics and Engineering Materials development, etc. NASENI operates mainly through her Development Institutes, each of the Institutes has a unique mandate of Engineering Infrastructural development and production systems. At present, there are Ten (10) functional Development Institutes and ten emerging Institutes spread across Nigeria.

The Agency has undertaken several initiatives to advance sustainable rural electrification in Nigeria, including establishing the Rural Electrification Innovation Hub, providing grants to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), developing renewable energy solutions, and collaboration with international partners to share best practices.

NASENI’s intervention in the energy sector of Nigeria economy also includes establishment of pioneering projects like local manufacturing of Solar panels in Nigeria (being First of its kind since 2011). NASENI Solar Energy Limited located at Karshi, FCT Abuja is wholly involved in production of solar panels, batteries and other appliances. The Agency has local capacity for design and manufacturing of Small Hydro Power (SHP) turbines and installation. It is also involved in the design locally and production of Pole Mounted Transformers and wind turbines, etc., all of which will boost the power situation in the country especially in rural areas. NASENI also produces energy saving bulbs through one of its Institutes-Electronic Development Institute (ELDI) Awka, Anambra State.

By Emmanuel Daudu

The leadership of the OHANEZE ND’IGBO in the Federal Capital Territory  Abuja has decried the mercantile activities of Officers of the Nigeria Police Force on South East roads and lamented the hardship the people of the area go through while undertaking journeys across the zone.

According to Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations in a press release he signed on Thursday, November 30th 2023, a delegation of the Igbo ethnic group visited the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase CFR, retired  Inspector General of Police in his Office, today, Thursday November 30th 2023 where they complained of the high level extortion by Police men and the  indiscriminate road blocks that has become unpleasant between the citizens and the Police.

They called for  dismantling of the fee paying road blocks in the zone especially with the coming  heavy traffic expected during the Christmas and new year period in the South Zone.

Dr. Arase who promised to take  up the matter with the Inspector General of Police also used the occasion to plead with the leadership of OHANEZE to stop the incessant killings of Policemen in the zone.

According to Arase, ” the killings of Police Officers in the South East is becoming worrisome. They are killing them everyday  and they  should let the killers know that the Police is not there enemy. They have not done anything wrong. The Force have lost quite a number of serving Officers in the South East.

“We are your friends, stop making Police wives widows,  they are your sisters” he noted.

Dr. Arase said the problem of the South East is that of identity  crisis adding that ” we have resolved the perceived marginalisation of the zone in the Police representation in the country.

The leader of the Delegation, Elder (Bar) Onwu Arua, Presudent OHANEZE ND’IGBO  FCT Chapter said the Organization was concerned  about the lack of interest of the Igbos in the current ongoing recruitment exercise for Constables into the Police Force.

Elder Araua however called for a more elaborate  plan in Police Recruitment  apparatus  to redress the disadvantages of South  East in the Nigeria Police structure.

Maryam Aminu

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim has praised the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, (AGILE) project in the seven pioneer states of the federation aimed at improving the education opportunities of the adolescent girls.

The project is aimed at ensuring that all adolescent girls across the country have access to quality secondary school education and benefit from enhanced learning, digital literacy, and life skills.

Speaking at the inauguration of the National Project steering committee which took place in Abuja recently, the Minister noted that the project would not only succeed but thrive to leave a lasting impact on the lives of the adolescent girls.

“The collective expertise will ensure that this initiative will not only succeed but thrive, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the adolescent girls we aim to empower.” She said.

The Minister, praised the World Bank for its support, adding that the project marks a significant milestone in the collective commitment to the development and empowerment of adolescent girls across the nation.

Dr. Bio Ibrahim noted that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration desires that the project goes beyond the current participating states of Bornu, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Plateau and the approval for an additional financing of US$ 700 million by the Federal Executive Council has paved the way for the expansion of the project to more states.

She added that the expansion of the project will ensure that its positive impact reaches even more communities which demonstrates the unwavering dedication to inclusivity and equitable opportunities for the youth.

Dr. Ibrahim, as a member of the steering committee, assured that the members would form a formidable team that would be dedicated to providing strategic guidance and oversight to the implementation of the AGILE project in the participating states.

The Minister called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the success of the project for the good of the nation.

In her words, “Let us join hands in ensuring the success of the AGILE project, working collaboratively to uplift the lives of our youth and build a brighter and more empowered future for our nation.”

World bank Country Director to Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, in his goodwill message, appreciated the success of the project and assured of his organisation’s continuous support.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman inaugurated the National Project Steering Committee and charged members to execute the project diligently so as to deliver success.

Mamman added that the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project is a World Bank assisted project of the Federal Ministry of Education geared at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls aged between 10 and 20.

Maryam Aminu

Across Africa, the lack of good primary healthcare facilities is evident in most communities, especially remote ones. Disease outbreaks, high mortality, and the rise in non-communicable diseases are affecting the booming population of the various societies of the continents.

Declaring it’s commitment to take concrete steps to improve health equity across sectors and geographies and to help build a resilient and inclusive global economy that drives value for all, the Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed it’s commitment to adopt initiatives of 2023 Africa Center for Disease Control Youth pre- conference to achieve practical improvements in public health in the country

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim made this known while delivering her keynote address at the occasion held in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, recently.

In a statement by the Head, Press & Public Relations Unit, Maryam Umar Yusuf, the Minister assured members that resolutions from the conference will be adopted in Nigeria in collaboration with Nigerian Center of Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health.

“This is an initiative we also commit to adopt in Nigeria in collaboration with Nigeria CDC and the Federal Ministry of Health.” She said.

The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference (YPC 2023), with the theme “Youth Leadership for a safer and healthier Africa,” is actualising this to forge innovative solutions for health security through initiatives

According to the organisers, the overall goal of the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference is to advance and institutionalise the
strategic engagement between Africa CDC and young people by providing a space for young people to critically reflect on the current state of public health in Africa, to share perspectives on the role of young people in public health, and exchange prospects and innovative solutions to enhance meaningful youth engagement in this area.

From records, the African continent with at least 65% of the population under the age of 30 has the world’s largest demography of young people.

Africa has an opportunity for the growth of the youth, but only when these new generations are fully empowered to realize their best potential. It is very important that young people are included in decision-making and given appropriate opportunities to work and innovate.
Youth innovation and participation in health systems are vital to building a safer and healthier Africa.

Maryam Aminu

Across Africa, the lack of good primary healthcare facilities is evident in most communities, especially remote ones. Disease outbreaks, high mortality, and the rise in non-communicable diseases are affecting the booming population of the various societies of the continents.

Declaring it’s commitment to take concrete steps to improve health equity across sectors and geographies and to help build a resilient and inclusive global economy that drives value for all, the Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed it’s commitment to adopt initiatives of 2023 Africa Center for Disease Control Youth pre- conference to achieve practical improvements in public health in the country

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim made this known while delivering her keynote address at the occasion held in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, recently.

In a statement by the Head, Press & Public Relations Unit, Maryam Umar Yusuf, the Minister assured members that resolutions from the conference will be adopted in Nigeria in collaboration with Nigerian Center of Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health.

“This is an initiative we also commit to adopt in Nigeria in collaboration with Nigeria CDC and the Federal Ministry of Health.” She said.

The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference (YPC 2023), with the theme “Youth Leadership for a safer and healthier Africa,” is actualising this to forge innovative solutions for health security through initiatives

According to the organisers, the overall goal of the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference is to advance and institutionalise the
strategic engagement between Africa CDC and young people by providing a space for young people to critically reflect on the current state of public health in Africa, to share perspectives on the role of young people in public health, and exchange prospects and innovative solutions to enhance meaningful youth engagement in this area.

From records, the African continent with at least 65% of the population under the age of 30 has the world’s largest demography of young people.

Africa has an opportunity for the growth of the youth, but only when these new generations are fully empowered to realize their best potential. It is very important that young people are included in decision-making and given appropriate opportunities to work and innovate.
Youth innovation and participation in health systems are vital to building a safer and healthier Africa.

Maryam Aminu

Across Africa, the lack of good primary healthcare facilities is evident in most communities, especially remote ones. Disease outbreaks, high mortality, and the rise in non-communicable diseases are affecting the booming population of the various societies of the continents.

Declaring it’s commitment to take concrete steps to improve health equity across sectors and geographies and to help build a resilient and inclusive global economy that drives value for all, the Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed it’s commitment to adopt initiatives of 2023 Africa Center for Disease Control Youth pre- conference to achieve practical improvements in public health in the country

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim made this known while delivering her keynote address at the occasion held in Lusaka, capital of Zambia, recently.

In a statement by the Head, Press & Public Relations Unit, Maryam Umar Yusuf, the Minister assured members that resolutions from the conference will be adopted in Nigeria in collaboration with Nigerian Center of Disease Control and the Federal Ministry of Health.

“This is an initiative we also commit to adopt in Nigeria in collaboration with Nigeria CDC and the Federal Ministry of Health.” She said.

The Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference (YPC 2023), with the theme “Youth Leadership for a safer and healthier Africa,” is actualising this to forge innovative solutions for health security through initiatives

According to the organisers, the overall goal of the Africa CDC Youth Pre-Conference is to advance and institutionalise the
strategic engagement between Africa CDC and young people by providing a space for young people to critically reflect on the current state of public health in Africa, to share perspectives on the role of young people in public health, and exchange prospects and innovative solutions to enhance meaningful youth engagement in this area.

From records, the African continent with at least 65% of the population under the age of 30 has the world’s largest demography of young people.

Africa has an opportunity for the growth of the youth, but only when these new generations are fully empowered to realize their best potential. It is very important that young people are included in decision-making and given appropriate opportunities to work and innovate.
Youth innovation and participation in health systems are vital to building a safer and healthier Africa.

Maryam Aminu

Climate change is one global challenge of the 21st century. The continent is worst affected by the negative impacts of global warming and climate change. There is no doubt that the negative impacts of extreme weather events due to climate change has continued to increase in the African continent

The extent of devastation and destruction of lives and property, as well as loss of livelihoods were unprecedented

In recognition of this, The UN Information Centre for Nigeria and the World Meteorological Organisation on Monday 27th November, 2023 organised a one-day Media sensitization on climate change and COP28 in Abuja.

The workshop aimed to enhance media practitioners’ skills and knowledge on effective reporting of environmental and climate change issues, thereby fostering greater and improved climate change related coverage.
Speaking at the workshop, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Representatives for North, Central and West Africa, Bernard Edward Gomez said Media plays a critical role in communicating weather and climate information. Hence the need to build the capacity of journalists

Gomez added that the impacts of climate change are no longer distant threats.

“The impacts of climate change are no longer distant threats; they are unfolding before our very eyes, affecting every corner of the globe and Nigeria is not an exception. We are witnessing unprecedented heavy rainfall events leading to devastating floods, and rising sea levels threatening coastal communities.”

“These impacts are not just environmental; they are profoundly social, economic, and political, exacerbating existing inequalities and threatening the stability of nations”, said WMO representative.

Restating the role of journalism in addressing climate change, he said: “As the Fourth Estate of the realm, journalists have a critical responsibility to inform the public about the realities of climate change. By shedding light on the complex issues surrounding climate change, journalists empower individuals, communities, and policymakers to make informed decisions and to act.”

Speaking also, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Matthias Schmale said 2023 is on track to be the hottest year on record.

Schmale highlighted the severe impact of climate change in Nigeria, referencing last year’s staggering statistics of flooding-related casualties and destruction.

Schmale emphasized the responsibility of the media to report facts, explain the science, and outline the consequences of climate change for Nigerians.

“As journalists, you will have noticed the continuous stream of headlines about record-breaking temperatures this year. The hottest ever July, August, September, and October were all in 2023.

“In July, for four days in a row, the planet reached its hottest day ever recorded. According to preliminary estimates, another record was set just ten days ago on November 17th when the global average surface temperature was more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time. 2023 is on track to be the hottest year on record!

“In the North, desertification is causing the loss of arable land in 15 states. In the Middle Belt, gully erosion and flooding are forcing people from their ancestral homes. In the South, seasonal and flash flooding are destroying lives and livelihoods.

On his part the Director General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Prof. Mansur Bako Matazu, restated the role of the media in ensurung that people receive accurate, timely, and relevant weather and climate information, which helps communities make climate-informed decisions and take appropriate actions to protect themselves and their property.

Matazu highlighted the vulnerability of third-world countries contributing minimally to global emissions.

He stressed the need for localized solutions based on local evidence of climate change.