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CSR REPORTERS, the organizing body for the annual CSR Reporters’ Nonprofit Roundtable and Excellence Award has announced that Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) has been voted as the winner of the prestigious 2022 UN-SDG GOAL 3: Good Health and Wellbeing Champion of the Year award. Announcing the award in Abuja, the CSR Reporters also indicated that AHOA’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje shall be conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award. These were communicated to AHOA and Adirieje in letters signed on the 6th of May, 2023 by Eche Munonye, the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, and Bukola Olaosebikan Deputy Editor/Head of the Awards Committee, disclosing that, AHOA, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje won the awards of the year meritoriously. Both awards shall be formally presented on the 6th of July 2023, at Nigerian National Merit Award House, Abuja, Nigeria.

The Awards program honors non-governmental organizations, leaders, funders, and volunteers from throughout Nigeria that demonstrate extraordinary effort, innovation, leadership, and excellence in providing service to humanity. CSR Reporters’ Nonprofit Excellence. The awards do not only recognize prominent international NGOs, but also the smaller, lesser-known NGOs in remote areas, whose exemplary service and success may have gone unnoticed and unappreciated on the national stage.
Nominations were received from various individuals and organizations with knowledge of the nominee- organization and the work being done. Thereafter, nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges composed of experts drawn from both international and local NGOs, media and intergovernmental organizations.

“Dear Sir, you were selected for receipt of this award because of your work in building a more sustainable Nigerian society through dedication to social impact initiatives.”, said the award letter to Dr. Adirieje. With the theme: “Driving Nonprofit Performance and Innovation Through Effective Leadership”, the organizers stated that “this discourse will (motivate) nonprofit leaders think conceptually about performance-measurement systems, …examine the rationale behind performance measurement and how to align your organization’s mission, strategy, and performance; (thereby) developing a culture of learning and innovation at your NGO.”

In the letter of award notice to Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) as the “SDG GOAL 3: Good Health and Wellbeing – Champion of the Year Award”, the CSR Reporters said that AHOA “was selected for receipt of the award based on your commitment to the achievement of UN-SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) … The judges also considered the transparency and inclusiveness with which you carry out your operations.” Goal 3 target which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages.

Reactions have trailed the announcement of these Awards to AHOA and her CEO, some of which are shared below.
Linus Onah-Igwe of Association of Grassroots Counsellors on Health and Development (Cross River State, Nigeria) commented that “Dr Adirieje really deserves this honour and even more. Congrats in advance sir.” “Congratulations Dr you deserve it and it was long overdue” was the response of Lindokuhle Sibiya of Action against NCDs, Eswatini, Southern Africa; while Okorie Agwu Ama of the National Programme for Food Security (Nigeria) thundered “A very big congratulations to you my big brother and Oga. May God continually lift u up, Amen”

Dr. Bamgboye Morakinyo Afolabi, Chief Medical Director of the Health, Environment and Development Foundation (Nigeria) wrote to AHOA: “Big Congratulations. I am so proud of you and all your achievements.”, while Mrs. Beatrice Eluaka, an Independent Consultant Nutritionist from Nigeria wrote: “Hearty Congratulations Dr. Adirieje. More feathers to your cap!”; and Baroness Frances Ihuoma Bekey of the Women Empowerment Self-help and Social Development Initiative (Nigeria) offered “Congratulations Doc for this well-deserved honour.” In her reaction, Mrs. Anita Adeyemi of the Women in Renewable Energy Association (Nigeria) wrote: “Congratulations Dr Adirieje. Thanks for your dedicated service to the advancement of mankind”, while Rodgers Gibson Kaunda of the Bwalo Initiative, Malawi offered “Congrats to you Dr for noble tasks”; just as Elder Effiong of COHDAT, Nigeria wrote “Wao! I just saw this. You deserve it Sir. Congratulations! More grease to your elbows”.

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is a community-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) international Movement/Network Coalition and Think-tank deeply engaged in promoting policies, practices, programmes and interventions that enhance productivity, accountability, transparency and civil society’s coordination/contributions in Society Welfare/Social Safety nets, Development Work/Sustainable Development, Health; and in educational, literary, scientific, social, development, cultural, sporting, and charitable intervention(s)/purpose(s). AHOA’s mandate includes Building an inclusive and broad movement for Health and Sustainable Development; Creating avenues to influence the design and implementation of policies, practices, programmes and interventions; Promoting coordination, information exchange and harmonization among the civil society and stakeholder groups across the world; and Promoting citizen involvement, leadership and accountability mechanisms in the implementation of respective interventions. AHOA has a global membership/partnership of over 1,700 (One Thousand, Seven Hundred) organizations mainly from the global South and promotes the ‘One Health’ paradigm where Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. AHOA uses partnership/collaboration, advocacy, research/evidence generation, capacity development, outreaches, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as strategies. AHOA’s activities/interventions are for the benefit of rural and poor urban dwellers, marginalized, vulnerable and disadvantaged populations of women, children, adolescents, persons with disability, persons in conflict-affected areas, the poor, elderly, rural, disadvantaged and vulnerable persons, orphans and the elderly. The AHOA CSOs Movement/Network Coalition and Think-tank works to explore the nexus between and within the following sectors:

1. Health – including UHC, PHC, Reproductive Health, PHC, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria, NCDs, NTDs, Vaccines/Immunization and COVID-19;
2. Energy and Environment – including biodiversity, environment, ecosystems, renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation and climate change (BEEREEECCC);
3. Nutrition/micronutrients and Food Security;
4. Gender, Democracy, Good Governance, Peace, Human Security and Human Rights; and
5. Sustainable Development across regions, populations, communities and generations
   AHOA partners with the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN). AHOA has members/local Chapters in Nigeria’s 36 States and Federal Capital Abuja, National Chapters in some countries, sub-regional Chapters in North Africa, West and Central Africa, East and Southern Africa; and in America, Asia, Caribbean, Europe and Oceania regions. AHOA has a Consultative Status at the United Nations ECOSOC; and an Accredited Observer status at the UNEP/United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is an independent Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Consultant, Clinician, Certified Management Trainer/Facilitator; Climate Change, Energy and Biodiversity Advocate, Certified Management Consultant, Health Economist, and PMERLT (Project/Programme Planning/Management, M&E, Research and Learning/Training) Expert; Conference Organizer, Columnist/Writer, Activist, CEO of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), Global Coordinator of the ‘Disability, Elderly, Women, Vulnerable and Youth (DEWVY) Project of AHOA, Initiator of the After50 Group Club, and President of the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN). He’s pioneer Fellow and President, Nigeria Association of Evaluators (2019-2022); Consultant that drafted Nigeria’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Policy which was approved by the Nigerian Government; and produced Nigeria’s SDG-3/Health Evaluation synthesis. He’s a key participant in Nigeria’s national evaluation of the Sustainable Development Goals 3 & 4; an active participant in African Evaluation Association and recipient of the 2022 Recognition Award from the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation for his “enduring commitment and valuable contributions”. He holds a ‘Certificate of Participation’ from the 7th International Conference on National Evaluation Capacities (NEC 2022) with the theme ‘Resilient National Evaluation Systems for Sustainable Development’ held at the International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) in Turin, Italy, 25-28 October 2022; and organized by the UNDP in collaboration with the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI). In 2022, Dr Adirieje was one of 8 Africans selected by qualification to participate in the six-weeks maiden Boot Camp of the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE). Uzodinma Adirieje was the Chairperson of Nigeria’s National World Malaria Day Committee in 2019; Conference Manager of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in 2005, and Projects Coordinator of the Nigeria National Health Conferences in 2006 and 2009 respectively. He was the Technical Consultant/Adviser to the Hon. Minister of State I, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Conference Coordinator for the 2nd GlobalPOWER Women Network Africa High-Level Meeting (HLM) Abuja 2013, organized by the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the African Union and with support of UNAIDS; 27-28 June 2013. He’s a Member of, the Technical Committee Meeting on Draft Standards for Renewable Energy in Nigeria. Dr Adirieje participated in the 2018 African Ministerial Conference on Environment (AMCEN) in Nairobi and the 2018 meetings/activities of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). During 2017-2018, Adirieje was Project Director of the vastly media-reported ‘Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) in Nigeria’s Niger Delta’ Project funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), which addressed many Energy, Environment and SDGs challenge across 81 communities/LGAs in 9 States Niger Delta. Chairman, Nigeria Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (NiPBES) since 2019. He’s Member, National Technical Working Group on M&E; member, National Core Working Group on 2020 Voluntary National Review (CWG-VNR), and Chairman, Civil Society Response for Nigeria’s 2020 VNR. He’s also the President, Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN) and Global Coordinator of the Civil Society Actions for Climate Change, Energy and Biodiversity (CSA4CEB). Dr. Adirieje is a ‘One Health’ Champion and Reproductive Health Advocate, Development Worker, Health and Community Systems Strengthening Specialist, and Community leader. Uzodinma has over twenty years of proven competencies in managing/supporting and evaluating projects, policies, programmes and interventions that enhance results/productivity, accountability, inclusivity and transparency in Society Welfare/Social Safety nets, Development Work, Sustainable Development/Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Health; using Partnerships/Collaborations, Advocacy, Research/Evidence, Capacity/Organizational Development, Community Engagements, and Outreach interventions. Dr. Adirieje was Co-Principal Consultant that drafted Nigeria’s Monitoring and Evaluation Policy recently approved by the Nigerian Government. He was the consultant that produced Nigeria’s SDG-3/Health Evaluation synthesis; and key participant in Nigeria’s national evaluation of SDGs 3 and 4. He is an active participant in African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) and recipient of 2022 Recognition Award from the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE) for his “enduring commitment and valuable contributions”. Uzodinma was the National Team Supervisor and Data Collection Team Leader (data collector, data analyst and data quality assessment) of the Global Fund/NMEP/ISA’s Malaria Matchbox Nigeria Project 2020-2021 in conflict-ridden Northeastern Nigeria. He’s Member of Nigeria’s National Technical Working Group (TWG) on M&E. Dr Adirieje is a gender activist, and author of the ‘Female Circumcision (Female Genital Mutilation): 40 Dangerous Effects Parents and Relations Must Know (publication now catalogued at the Media/Materials Clearinghouse of the Johns Hopkins University, USA, for worldwide distribution, as M/MC ID#: PL NGA 318)’. He’s successfully conceptualize/planned and managed scores of local and international conferences, workshops, trainings, seminars, symposia, research, advocacy, health and development programmes, projects and activities/interventions.

The ECOWAS Commission held its Annual Procurement Capacity Building Training workshop in Lagos, Nigeria from June 15-17, 2023.

The Opening Ceremony was attended by Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi DARMA, Commissioner for Internal Services of the ECOWAS Commission, the Director of Administration and General Services, Mr. Seydou BANGOURA, the Director of Strategic Planning & Monitoring and Evaluation, the Ag. Director of Human Resources as well as various procurement
practitioners and actors from ECOWAS Institutions, Agencies, and Technical Departments.

The objectives of the training were outlined by Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi DARMA, who encouraged participants to embrace and adhere to best practices with regard to the regulation and procedures of the ECOWAS Procurement Code and Manual. He further indicated that the success of the workshop will lead to improved efficiency of procurement processes within all Institutions and Agencies.

The Director of Administration and General Services, Mr. BANGOURA, also highlighted the importance of the workshop, encouraging the participants to share and discuss experiences and issues pertaining to procurement in order to facilitate the smooth implementation of projects and programmes.

The three days event will be concluded by the adoption of several recommendations proposed by the participants.

By Wale Agbore-Lokoja

All miners in Kogi State have been Invited for a day meeting at Edge drive Hotel in front of Riverton Hotel Lokoja

A statement by the Federal Mines Officer in charge of Kogi State, Engineer Mrs B.F Kuye in Lokoja today stated that the meeting would commence on Thursday the twenty second of this month beginning from ten o’ clock in the morning.

The statement urged miners across the State to be punctual noting that attendance is mandatory.

It urged individual seeking further enquires to call telephone number 07034199145.

Edo State-born top politician and socialite, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has congratulated former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on his appointment as President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff.

The former Director General if the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, said he was not surprised at the rise and rise of the former Reps Speaker.

“We, the Surulere Boys club have turned out real good, to the glory of God,” Onaiwu stated in his message.

Continuing, Onaiwu said, “My relationship with Hon. Gbajabiamila transcends the last 24 years of our new democratic dispensation. Femi is my brother and alongside Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Olisa Agbakoba and Chike Ogeah amongst others, we rocked Surulere as youths.”

“Even though the “boys” have not towed the same rout as per political association, we have all turned out good.”

Onaiwu thanked President Tinubu for chosing Hon. Gbajabiamila whom he said will surely deliver the goods. He also praised Tinubu for his actions since he became president two weeks ago.

The Federal Government, on Tuesday in Abuja, presented a licence for the establishment of Belema Sweet Export Terminal, the first of its kind in the world.

With the grant of the licence, Nigeria has successfully acquired its first Hybrid Crude Export Terminal, with eight million barrels storage capacity.

The licence was presented on behalf of the Federal Government by the Nigerian Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Presenting the licence to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Belema Oil Producing Limited, Mr Tein Jack-Rich, the CEO of NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Ahmed noted that with the presentation of the licence to Belema Sweet Export Terminal, the indigenous oil company becomes the second to acquire such a license, the first being the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Exploration and Production Limited.

The NMDPRA boss explained that except in accordance with the appropriate licence by the Authority, no company or entity had the right to engage in any exploration activity in the country, except the two companies.

He stressed that no entity had the right to operate, establish a terminal or other facilities for export or importation of crude oil or petroleum products.

”In line with this, the authority has processed and hereby approved terminal establishment licenses to these two organisations.

”One is the NNPC Exploration and Production Limited, with 2,179,704 barrels of crude oil terminal at Off Shore Akwa Ibom State within the waters of the exclusive zone.

”The second is the Belema Sweet Export Terminal in Kula, Rivers State, with 2million barrels of crude oil terminal,” Farouk said.

According to him, the terminals are expected to operate within the provisions of the conditions of the licences as contained in the document.

He therefore, called on investors to invest in the sector as the government was determined to ensure a business friendly environment for them.

Speaking after the ceremony,  Jack-Rich said the event marked a great milestone for the country, and attestation to the great success story of President Bola Tinubu, in less than two weeks of assuming office.

”With the establishment of Belema Sweet Crude Export Terminal, Nigeria now ranks number one in the world to  establish a crude oil Export Terminal that is climate conscious, where  traditional energy and renewable energy integration is operated through virtual power plant model.

”This is in line with energy efficiency/sustainability to protect our ecosystem,” Jack-Rich said.

”This will also create over 100,000 jobs for families in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

Also speaking, Mr Modibbo Ahmed, who received the licence on behalf of the NNPC, said that Nigeria should expect the crude oil terminal in the next one to three months.

Belema Sweet Export Terminal Project is designed to be the first hybrid crude oil export terminal in the world.

It is a land-based terminal with good proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, via the San Bartholomeo River, for ease of offtake.

The terminal is divided into two sections; the crude oil processing terminal section and the oil export loading terminal section.

The first phase of the project will comprise of a 2,000,000 million barrels storage capacity.

The export loading terminal would be able to receive any crude oil carrier size such as Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), Suezmax, Aframax, among others.

Another key feature of the Belema Sweet Export Terminal include:400,000 Barrel of Liquid per day central processing facility (CPF).

By Emmanuel Daudu

Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI today 12 June 2023 conducted ambush operation to bandits hideout at KAIRU/KYARAM villages in BUKKUYUM Local Government Area of Zamfara State. During the operation, troops made contact with terrorists and following a fire fight, three (3) terrorists were neutralized. Troops also recovered two (2) AK 47 rifles, one (1) pump action gun, three (3) motorcycles and other sundry items.

According to Major General Musa Danmadami, Director Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters on Monday
12 June 2023, the military high command commends troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and encourages the general public to avail troops with credible and timely information on terrorist and all criminal activities within their area.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency(NiMet) has commenced the upgrade and installation of the 2023 version of Clidata for improved service delivery.

The Clidata is a Climatic Database Management System (CDBMS) used for the archival, retrieval and for product generation. It also provides easy data acquisition, quality control, calculations, reporting and map generation.

The installation and training are part of the NiMet’s Strategic Plan to improve its capacity to generate multi-sectoral products and services for it’s stakeholders.
The training is being conducted by technical experts from the Czech Republic, who are currently on site upgrading and installing the 2023 version of Clidata.
Officers from the Data Management and ICT Units of the Agency will be trained on the cutting- edge features of the software. The interactive, hands – on – training will also include the installation of the new generation hardware.

The CBDMS was acquired in 2011 and since the assumption of office as the DG/CEO in 2021, Professor Mansur Bako Matazu, has often reiterated that the upgrade of the Agency’s observational equipment is part of his policy thrust.
He believes that the acquisition will help the NiMet deliver cutting-edge products and services for various sectors of the nation’s economy.

Nigeria Belgium Luxembourg Business Forum kicked off in Luxembourg yesterday with Nigeria’s Ambassador to Belgium, Mr. Obinna Chiedu Onowu wooing investors in ICT, youth entrepreneurship, agriculture, construction/real estate, among others

Speaking at the first day of the Business Forum, Ambassador Onowu said Luxembourg is a solid financial hub in Europe and strategic partner of Nigeria.

According to him, the event provides the opportunity to enhance collaboration between Luxembourg and Nigeria, and also grow the non-oil sector of the Nigerian economy.

The Envoy said the business environment, challenges and prospect for improved trade relations between the two countries would be discussed by participants both from public and private sectors.

While stressing the need to increase on the “minimal” trade activities between Nigeria and Luxembourg, Onowu said “Luxembourg being a financial hub would naturally like to strengthen ties with countries that place premium on issue of governance compliance, tax incentives among others. “

The Ambassador noted that the Federal Government being aware of this is determined to improve on conditions of doing business in Nigeria adding that it was in the light of that, the government institutionalized some reforms.

In his words:” Government has signed multi-lateral cooperation agreement on mutual assistance on criminal matters. Far reaching reforms have been embarked upon to diversify the country’s economy as we have moved away from fossil oil fuel to green energy; we expect more partnerships in the non-oil sector including financial services.”

He noted that Nigeria is open to investment in ICT, youth entrepreneurship, agriculture, construction/real estate among others.

Onowu disclosed further that the presentation that would be made by Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) will address any area of concern of would be investors.

In his presentation, the Director, Investment Promotion of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Abubarkar Yerima said though Trade between Nigeria and Luxembourg has been relatively small, Luxembourg is a major global financial center and its finance and investment management expertise has attracted interest from Nigerian stakeholders

His words” Though progressively capital goods import has risen, the volume of export from Nigeria to Luxembourg has been insignificant.”

On why Nigeria should be a destination for investors, Yerima disclosed that its economy is on the path of steady growth recording 3.1% growth rate in 2022 and 2.3% in the first quarter of 2023

According to him, Nigeria’s key competitive advantage is reflected in its large growing population, growing middle class, favourable weather, young energetic tech-savvy entrepreneurial population, among others.

He said Nigeria is more ready for Foreign Direct Investment than most African countries adding” many Nigerian companies particularly in the service sector have long developed the capacity to serve the rest of Africa.

He listed some sectors where Nigeria is opened for investment as transportation and storage, education, entertainment and tourism, human health and social services, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, banking and finance, food and beverages and other sectors.

In his remarks, the President of Nigerian Chapter of Belgium Luxembourg Nigeria Chamber of Commerce (BLNCC) Dr. Johnson Somadina Anene also encouraged investors in Luxembourg to see Nigeria as their destination.

Presentations were also made by the Managing Director of Hofstede Insights BELUX Luxembourg, Marc Jacobs, Managing Director of VectoTrade Luxembourg, Robert Konigs, B Medical Systems Regional Manager Africa, Emma Njoku among others.