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Police Commission Dismiss 3 Senior Officers, Reduces Ranks Of 4 Others

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of three senior Police Officers over cases of serious misconduct.

According to Ikechukwu Ani, Head, of Press and Public Relations, in a press release, he signed on Friday, 21st July 2023,
the Commission also approved the reduction in the ranks of five others found wanting in the conduct of their official duties.

The decisions were some of the highlights of the Commission’s 21st Plenary Meeting which came to an end on Thursday, July 20th 2023 at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja and chaired by Commission Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police.

The dismissed Police Officers were two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
One Chief Superintendent of Police, (CSP) one Superintendent (SP), one Deputy Superintendent (DSP) and two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) were reduced in ranks for misconduct.
Fourteen Officers got the punishment of severe reprimand, six, reprimand and seven others, letters of warning.

The Commission also reinstated six dismissed Officers who got favourable court judgements or a review of their cases.

The Comission had earlier on Wednesday, July 18th approved the appointment of two Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Mathew Akinyosola who retired on July 1 this year and Slyverster Abiodun Alabi whose tenure started on the same July 1 2023 and now representing the South West in the Police Management Team.
The Commission had also approved the promotion of the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Oladunmoye Adejobi to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The Commission approved the promotion of 14,052 Inspectors of Police who attended the last Departmental Selection Board promotion interview to the next rank of Assistant Superintendents of Police (Unconfirmed).
Some of the new ASP 1, are Fransica Njoku, Ebonyi State Command, Benjamin Justina, Rivers State Command, Nnamdi Nwoba, Abia State Command, Joseph Arinze, Zonal CID, Zone 9 Headquarters Umuahia, Mohammed Lawal and Adamu Hassan.
ASP Edo Stephen Ameh of FCT Command and ASP Abubakar Musa also of FCT Command were two of the 9,016 unconfirmed ASPs that were confirmed by the Plenary.

Commission Chairman said the Commission will continue to hold Police Officers accountable for their conducts/misconduct and will ensure that pending disciplinary matters will receive the Commission’s urgent attention at all times so that Officers are not unduly stagnated.
He pledged to continue to give inspiring leadership that will attract commensurate commitment and dedication to duty by the Officers.

ECOWAS News: OCWAR-T project trains on Interactions during crime, conflict, and instability

Within the framework of the Organized Crime: West African Response to Trafficking (OCWAR-T) project, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), has organized a seminar of two days in Abidjan including a capacity building workshop on July 19 and a workshop on options for the sustainability of the West African Organized Crime Research Network (WARNOC) on July 20, 2023.

The objectives of the meetings are on one hand to strengthen the capacities of WARNOC members on the intersection between crime, conflicts, and instability, and on the other hand to further explore options to sustain and ensure the full functioning of the network and its operation beyond the OCWAR-T project.

Representing GIZ, Ms Abigail Gyimah, recalled that civil society and non-state actors are at the center of formal and localized responses to organized criminal activities in West Africa.

She further added that the establishment of WARNOC under the OCWAR-T project is a part and parcel of a regional strategy to work with non-governmental organizations and civil society to ensure an efficient and multi-pronged response to organized crime in the region.

Dr. Ndubuisi Christian Ani, Senior Researcher, and Project Coordinator at ISS, indicated that WARNOC members add significant value to national and regional solutions by promoting analysis and responses to organized crime in West Africa.

During these two days of seminars, recommendations, and strategies were made by the participants in order to ensure the continuity and sustainability of this network and it’s activities.

WARNOC remains a growing network with vast opportunities to contribute to organised crime responses in West Africa.

Recalling that WARNOC was established under the OCWAR-T project which is a programme of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), co-financed by the European Union and the government of the Federal Republic from Germany and coordinated by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

NAF To Receive Additional Platforms To Boost Counter-terrorism Operations

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar has disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expecting 51 additional platforms to boost counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations in the country. The CAS stated this while addressing officers and men during his maiden operational tour of NAF units in Makurdi, Benue State.

According to Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, in a press release signed on 21 July 2023,
the CAS noted that acquisition of additional platforms would bolster training, air power employment and projection. The platforms being expected, according to the CAS, include 2 Agusta 109 Trekker Multi-role helicopters, 2 Beechcraft King Air 360, 3 Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft and 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters. Other pending acquisitions include 2 CASA -295 medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft. All these acquisitions, according to the CAS, demonstrates the Federal Government’s deep commitment to equipping the NAF for the safe conduct of training and agile airpower employment to meet the Nation’s security challenges.

Speaking further, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar stated that the NAF would continue to enhance cooperation and jointness as part of a whole-of-nation approach to quickly resolving the security challenges bedeviling the country. “While the NAF augments its airpower measures and approaches, it will also continue to promote seamless interoperability of equipment and joint force employment by the various services.” He therefore enjoined the personnel to cooperate with other services and security agencies to meet the high expectations of Nigerians on the Armed Forces as well as restore peace and security and ensure a safe and prosperous Nation. Air Vice Marshal Abubakar went on to note that though the successes so far recorded were largely due to the renewed cooperation and jointness between the Services and other security agencies, it must be enhanced and sustained.

The CAS also assured the personnel of his commitment to proactively address maintenance and logistics support for all NAF fleet to ensure it surpasses the current average serviceability of over 78 per cent. On training, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar stated that overseas and local training will henceforth be deliberate and targeted to address deficiencies in needed skills and capabilities, just as selection for such courses will be purely merit-based to ensure that only the most qualified are selected to give the NAF value for money.

On welfare, the CAS noted that under his watch, problems of poor electricity and water supply as well as dilapidated accommodation and road infrastructure on all NAF Bases would be given the utmost priority they deserve to ensure personnel and their families live comfortably. While assuring them of prompt payment of all entitlements, he also promised to look into the issue of uniforms and other accoutrements. The CAS also called on the need for the personnel to remain disciplined, diligent and responsible in their conduct in and out of uniforms.

NASENI, AFIT Strengthen Ties On AAVDI, Made-in- Nigeria Helicopter

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of, the National Agency for Science and Engineering (NASENI) Dr. Bashir Gwandu has called for stronger collaboration with the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Kaduna, Kaduna State for the smooth take-off of the permanent site of Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute (AAVDI), an Institute under NASENI.

According to Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, the Director of Information & Protocol, NASENI in a press release made available to journalists on 20/7/2023, stated that the institute is located within AFIT Complex in Kaduna.

He said, the NASENI boss disclosed this on Wednesday when the new Commandant of AFIT, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) S.L. Rabe paid him a courtesy visit at NASENI headquarters in Abuja, and congratulated the new AFIT boss on resumption of duty.

Giving further details, Olusegun said, AVM Rabe came to NASENI with AFIT Provost, Professor Dauda Mohammed; Director, Quality Assurance, AFIT, Dr I. Yahuza and Director of Projects, AFIT, Group Cpt Ahmed. He said his visit to NASENI was to congratulate the EVC on his appointment as well as touch base with him on the collaboration for the establishment of NASENI Institute in Kaduna.

He said it was an honour and he looked forward to strengthening ties with NASENI to develop AADVI and also fast-track the ongoing work on the made-in-Nigeria helicopter. He promised to work with NASENI and asked that AFIT staff should be part of pieces of training for unskilled talents such as welding, etc. “I am of the opinion that the AFIT staff should be part of the NASENI trainings to gain knowledge from the trainings.”

Dr. Gwandu informed him that he was barely two months on the job since his appointment and that he has been visiting NASENI Institutes to see what some of them are doing. “Surely, our work with the Air Force and the military establishment are areas that I want to focus on because there are some of our key projects that AFIT is championing and that cooperation is very important to us in particular and to the country.”

He said the main reason for having the helicopter and the AAVDI is for Nigeria to be self-reliant in aviation technology, noting that there will be manufacturing of components for the helicopter and other aircrafts that NASENI can produce. “We can train people to learn to produce the components. “Iike I said, we have been looking at different components of aircrafts in particular and how we can penetrate that industry”

“We produce a lot of titanium in this country, as we know the body of aircrafts in particular use composite materials which do not work with aluminum as we all know because of corrosion. One of the key projects I am working on is getting a team to work on Titanium.

“I have companies that I am talking to courtesy of your colleague at NASENI. We will work with what we have to produce some of the parts. We have Institutes like HEDI in Kano that produce hydraulics that is needed in aviation. We are trying to form a team that we can train in different areas of aerospace such as satellites, down to aircraft aviation.

He said “one of the key projects we’ve discussed on Airbus is the MRO in Abuja. Instead of taking all our aircrafts out, we want to establish an MRO here so that we can do it here. Why Abuja is important is because it is centre of Africa. The distance to anywhere from Abuja is not more than five hours. It is the most central location and also not much rain activities as much as it is in other places”

On training on aircraft parts and systems including Avionics, he said NASENI was interested in developing that areas that were earlier mentioned. “We are just starting and we have to start from somewhere. We have to do something fast or else we will find ourselves lagging behind. Most of the advanced countries are making money mainly from high-tech that we do. We need to be there and compete with them. That is the thinking,” Dr. Gwandu added.

The Air Force Institute of Technology has already provided land/space for the construction of NASENI’s Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute, including other necessary infrastructures for the smooth take-off of the projects; and also to provide counterpart technical team during aviation equipment installation and test-running.

The AFIT is also to provide training on helicopter piloting, maintenance of helicopters and development of Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) plans; provide counterpart technical team required for hangar development and testing as well as provide technical team for avionics and reverse engineering of Dynali helicopter.

On its part, NASENI would work with AFIT on prefabricated structures/homes in areas where there is deficiency, provide technical team with respect to setting up AFIT’s Laser Cutting machine and automation systems.

The Agency will also provide counterpart technical team required during skills acquisition programmes, hands-on training workshop, seminars, conferences and other trainings as well as provide AFIT recommended science kits.

In December 21, 2021, a presidential order was given for relocation of the NASENI Made-in-Nigeria helicopter project to AFIT and also the establishment of the AAVDi within AFIT

Commander 13 Brigade Assures Residents Of Akpabuyo Local Government Area Of Enhanced Security

The Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA) Brigadier General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro has warned criminals in Cross River State to desist from their misguided ways or meet their waterloo at the hands of the gallant and highly motivated troops of 13 Brigade NA.

The Brigade Commander gave the stern warning during a stakeholders meeting held at the Primary School Akwa Ikot Eyo Edem, Akpabuyo LGA of Cross Rivers State on Tuesday 18 July 2023.

Brigadier General Okoro stated emphatically that criminals who were not ready to turn a new leaf would be decisively dealt and given what they deserved. He asserted that troops had been given express directives to deal ruthlessly with criminals in line with extant Rules of Engagement and Standard Operating Procedures during Internal Security operations.

He thereafter assured residents of the community of the NA’s readiness to safeguard the lives and properties of citizens, appreciating them for their unwavering support to the Brigade in the discharge of its responsibilities Furthermore, the Brigade Commander solicited for the community’s support and cooperation in the provision of timely and actionable information in tackling crimes and criminalities in the State, assuring that the Brigade would scale up its patrols, check points and roadblocks amongst other kinetic and non-kinetic measures.

Brigadier General Okoro equally harped on the importance of inter-agency collaboration and synergy in the conduct of effective kinetic and non-kinetic operations within the joint operating environment, lauding other security agencies for their support and cooperation in fostering peace and tranquility in Cross-Rivers State.

While giving the vote of thanks, the Paramount ruler of Akpabuyo His Royal Majesty Etinyin Maurice EE Nyan appreciated the Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army for coming to visit and listening to their problems. He further appreciated the Commander for his support in most areas around Akpabuyo LGA for the relative peace and provision of security. He stated that the Commander has given the community hope.

Present at the meeting was the Clan Head Edem Odo Clan / Paramount ruler of Akpabuyo, Village Heads of different Clans, President of the Youth Council, family heads, women leader, and residents of the community, amongst others.

Diaspora Organization Faults Naming Port Harcourt Airport; Wants Indigene of Niger Delta Named

Ogbakor Ikwerre USA/Canada (OIUSA/Canada), a socio-cultural organization of Iwhuruohna indigenes of the Niger Delta who are resident in North America, has faulted the re-naming of Port Harcourt International Airport after a non-indigene of the Niger Delta. The Muhammadu Buhari administration, in its last day, re-named the airport Obafemi Awolowo International Airport.

according to a press release signed by Chris W. Ogbondah, Professor of Journalism
Department of Communication Studies
339 Lang Building
University of Northern Iowa on the 10th July, 2023, the North America-based diaspora organization rose from its international emergency meeting on Monday, June 12, 2023, wondering why the airport was not named after a prominent indigene of the Niger Delta geo-political zone where the airport is located.

Members of the organization recalled that OIUSA/Canada and other diasporic organizations had made appeals in the past for the naming of the airport after late Senator (Dr.) Obi Wali, a prominent citizen of the area where the airport is located.

The president of the U.S.A./Canada-based organization, Mr. Patrick Anyawoke, recalled that as far back as September 6, 2021, the North America- based Niger Delta indigenes forwarded a proposal and a letter to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Executive Council, urging the government to name the airport after Senator (Dr.) Wali. He recalled that OIUSA/Canada made a similar appeal to the federal government in 2004.

Anyawoke said that naming the airport after Senator (Dr.) Wali was the proper thing to do in view of the late Senator’s extensive and remarkable contributions in the creation of Rivers State, as well as his immense and enormous self-sacrifices, even at the expensive of his life for the unity of the country during the Nigerian civil war.

Senator Wali was among the prominent indigenes of Rivers State who vehemently opposed the secession that led to the Nigerian Civil War, 1967-1970. A member of the North-America-based organization, Mr. Adolphus Omodu, noted that: “By his unequivocal opposition of secession, Senator (Dr.) Wali put his own life on the line during the period of hostility when few had the courage to do so. “Naming the airport after Senator (Dr.) Wali will be a befitting posthumous reward to brave a nationalist?”

Another member of OIUSA/Canada, Mr. Chindah Wami, noted that: “Most airports in Nigeria are named after prominent indigenes where those airports are located. For instance, Enugu Airport is named after Akanu Ibiam. Owerri Airport is named after Sam Mbakwe. Kano Airport is named after Aminu Kano and Calabar Airport, after Margaret Ekpo.” He wondered why the Airport in Omogwa would not have been named after such a prominent figure as Senator (Dr.) Wali.

Another member of the North America-based organization, Mrs. Vera Ezeronye, recalled out that Senator (Dr.) Wali risked his life on several occasions for the unity of Nigeria during the civil war, adding that: “OIUSA/Canada strongly and unequivocally believes that naming the airport at Omagwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area after Senator (Dr.) Wali is the most appropriate thing to do. This is especially because of his contributions to the development of Nigeria and in drafting the 1979 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as being a member of the Constituent Assembly.”

Anyawoke contended that other compelling rationales for naming the airport in Omagwa after Senator (Dr.) Wali include the fact that he was not only a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee, he was a member of the Constituent Assembly that ratified the Constitution, adding that being the Senate Minority leader during the Second Republic Senator (Dr.) contributed to the political stability and democratic development of the country.

Members of the Diaspora organization further argued that naming the airport after Senator (Dr.) Wali was more appropriate in view of the late federal lawmaker’s contributions in the federal government’s rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation initiatives in Rivers State which was affected by the civil war.

Anyawoke argued that it is in view of these compelling rationales that OIUSA/Canada was dismayed that the airport should be named after Dr. Senator Obi Wali. He said, “This is why we are calling on the Federal Government to reverse the renaming of the airport,” adding that: “It is not late or unusual to rename this airport properly. University of Lagos which was at one time named Moshood Abiola University was later reversed and named properly as University of Lagos. This is the more reason why the government should reverse the naming of Port Harcourt International Airport immediately.”

NPA lauds NASS over CDS confirmation

The National Peace Advocate, NPA during the weekend has acknowledged the efforts of the National Assembly members in the smooth and fast confirmation of the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. C. G. Musa, and other Service Chiefs describing the quick confirmation as a welcome development.

The group in a press release signed by the NPA Commander, Obinna Obiozor stated that President Bola Tinubu made the right choice in the new Service Chiefs as they have the potential to sustain the synergy and drive against terrorists and bandits put in place by their immediate predecessors.

According to NPA”The Distinguish members of the Senate are not unaware of the sterling performance of the CDS during his time as Theater Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. Hence, the confidence reposed in him to quickly get down to work.

“We congratulate the CDS and his team for the confirmation of their appointments by the National Assembly.

“For the CDS, Nigerians want to quickly see you repeat the magic that saw people of the North-East begin to return to their various means of livelihood during your tenure as Theater Commander, Operation Hadin Kai.

“We use this opportunity to appeal to those who are causing crisis in the South-East to lay down arms. The economic development of that region is being affected negatively. We cannot continue to destroy ourselves.

“We are confident that the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. C. G. Musa has an answer for those who don’t want peace and development to reign in the South-East,” the group added.

Combined Troops Neutralize ESN/IPOB Fighters In Encounter

Combined troops of 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and Operatives of the Department of State Services have neutralized two IPOB/ESN fighters and arrested five others after a fierce encounter that took place on Monday 17 July 2023 at Fuji Junction general area in Asaba, Delta state.

Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations in a press release he signed on
18 July 2023, the encounter followed distress calls that the community was under attack by the terrorists, to which the combined troops swiftly responded. The terrorists succumbed to the overwhelming fire power of the troops, after two of their members fell in the fire fight that ensued, while the survivors fled to their hideout around Okpanam river.
The gallant troops in pursuit of the fleeing criminal elements, successfully trailed them to their enclave in a house around Okpanam river, where they were nabbed. The troops also recovered one AK 47 Rifle, one Pump Action Semi Automatic Rifle, 15 Live Cartridges, one AK 47 Rifle Magazine and a Baofeng Radio Receiver.
We implore members of the public to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by providing actionable information to support their operations to tackle security challenges.

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has lauded the combined troops for their effort and urged them to sustain the synergy, as they restore peace and tranquility in the region.

APC National Chairman: Hon. Ahmed Gizu Best Chioce- Says Ambassador Batati

National Coordinator, National All Progressive Congress Supporters Center, Ambassador Ibrahim Abubakar-Batati has appealed to the National Working Committee and members of the ruling All Progressive Congress to consider Hon. Amos Gizu as the National Chairman of the Party.

According to a press release signed by his media assistant, Bashir Opaluwa Idris, he said,
Ambassador Batati made the appeal in a statement while reacting to the resignation of the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

He said Hon. Ahmed Gizu who hails from Plateau State contributed immensely to the victory of the All Progressive Congress in the twenty twenty-three Presidential election.

“From the begining of President Bola Tinubu’ race, Hon. Ahmed Gizu has been telling all the support group to put more effort and not look about money, ethnicity or religion, we should go ahead and take control of our party to make sure Senator Ahmed Tinubu emerge so today we thank God, this type of elder suppose to be given opportunity to lead the great party.”

“Today, our President and his vice are Muslims, Christians also should be given opportunity to lead the party.”

Recall that Senator Abdullahi Adamu officially resigned his position as the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress on Monday Seventeenth of July, 2023 due to reason best known to him.

NASENI tasks Producers of Lithium Batteries to Manufacture in Nigeria

By Emmanuel Daudu

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is calling on investors to collaborate with the Agency in local production and domestication of Lithium batteries among other renewable energy solutions.

According to a press release signed by Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, Director Information & Protocol on Monday, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI Dr, Bashir Gwandu speaking in Abuja said the Agency was ready to partner with international companies that are willing to set up their industries in Nigeria and start local production of renewable energy solutions, electric vehicles parts and other capital goods that could create jobs and reduce Nigeria dependence on foreign goods that exert pressure on our foreign exchange for the country.

Dr. Gwandu who disclosed this while receiving a business delegation from LEMI Technology Shenzhen, China at NASENI headquarters said that “NASENI is already doing a lot in the area of Solar Panel Production”.

He says very soon NASENI will attract solar cell manufacturing to improve synergy with its existing work on solar panel assembly. He said the Agency has held meetings with other companies from around the world with a view to seeking partnership on local production of lithium-based end-products in Nigeria as against the normal practice of foreign companies exporting the raw materials outside the country for processing.

According to him, taking some of the visions of NASENI forward, which is domestication of technologies, capital goods production and commercialization in Nigeria, NASENI would help bridge the technological gaps between Nigeria and other countries, help stop importation of these technologies and encourage local production.

He also said NASENI will be working with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) to encourage development and production of electric vehicles and even conversion of existing vehicles to electric-vehicles as against producing from scratch. In that same regard, NASENI is also in discussion with various stakeholders on promotion of the installation of electric vehicle charging stations on major roads across the country.

“So, we are inviting friends of Nigeria to come here and establish here. We are encouraging those who can come and produce locally. We will give them support and ensure that the investment environment is encouraging,” he said.

The NASENI EVC hoped that this call is an opportunity to partners who want to produce in Nigeria to do so. The Federal Government, he disclosed, “would welcome any company who gets to us first”, adding that on the production of Lithium batteries, the Agency was ready to go into partnership with companies that are willing to establish their factories in Nigeria.

Dr. Gwandu suggested that NASENI and LEMI Technology should work out the areas of possible collaborations in the production of the lithium battery and ensure that all the safety and environment regulations are followed.

While emphasizing NASENI’s priority area to be the production of lithium battery and inverters, Dr Gwandu expressed delight in working out a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LEMI Technology with a view to ensuring safest means of producing the lithium-based batteries, taking into cognizance Nigeria environmental peculiarities.

The founder of LEMI Technology, Ms. Joyce Chen in her speech said the company is ready to partner with NASENI and invest in the country, promising that they look forward to a rewarding relationship with NASENI and the Nigerian government. Other members of the delegation include the Chief Investment Officer, Mr. Rocky Hu; Chief Financial Officer, Ms. Biju Yao; Oversea Business Director, Ms. Monica Liang and Engineer Mr. Lucia Peng.

Giving details of the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of LEMI Technology Mr. Xie Feng expressed his company’s willingness to partner with NASENI through MoU on renewable energy with particular reference to products like solar and television panels, inverters and battery production.

He said Nigeria and China have a brotherhood that spans many years, adding that Nigeria with its teeming population, it is critical for investment opportunities. Mr. Feng added that LEMI Technology has been operating in the Nigerian market since 2018 and had provided job opportunities to Nigerians and have sold renewable energy products to over 200,000 Nigerian households.

NASENI is the Nigerian only purpose-built Agency with specific mandate in the area of capital goods research, production, and reverse engineering in the following broad areas: Engineering Materials, Industrial and Analytical Chemical Materials, Scientific Equipment and components, Engineering Equipment, Engineering Designs and Standardization, and Power Equipment.

On resumption of duty, one of the projects embarked upon by the EVC of NASENI amongst many others was to summon some of the key exporters of Lithium from within Nigeria and advised them to start thinking of inviting their offtakers in different parts of the world who manufacture lithium batteries to start planning to come and invest in the end-product production in Nigeria.

He encouraged them to take advantage of the discussion and harness the first mover-advantage because those who come to invest will be assisted by NASENI through promotion of government policy to limit export of all types of lithium except what Nigeria cannot process to an end-product.

He emphasized that Nigeria cannot continue to export raw lithium if other countries such as Zimbabwe have gone to the extent of lithium processing. He stated that Nigeria should be at the fore-front of battery production since it has all the relevant raw materials including Phosphate.

He stated that in any area where NASENI can attract manufacturers be it in renewables or other areas such as aerospace industries, any company that can come to Nigeria and process the raw elements into end-product will be supported by NASENI. Companies invited for earlier discussion on the Lithium included suppliers to CATL and LEMI of China.

Today the EVC received the first delegation from LEMI of China to start conversation on the local production of various types of lithium batteries and other products in the photovoltaics value chain.