NEWS
Coy Begins Training of 345 People on Biogas Production Technology in Kaduna
A company, Green Panacea Limited, has begun training of 345 people drawn from the 23 LGAs in Kaduna State on biogas production technology.
Biogas is a renewable fuel that is produced when organic matter, such as food or animal waste, is broken down by microorganisms in the absence of oxygen.
The training, is supported by the Kaduna State Ministry of Local Government and Ministry for Environment.
Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the training, Dr Aisha Yusuf, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Green Panacea Limited said the training was to enhance the capacity of young people towards fighting climate change.
Describing biogas as a major component in the conversion and impact creation for mitigating climate change, she said it has a viable means of job creation for the teeming youth population.
Yusuf added that the training was aimed at ensuring the possibilities of every home in Kaduna imbibe the culture of biogas usage and production.
She noted that the unfriendly economic situation in the country, where the cost of LPG cooking gas is always on the rise, should be a key reason for the shift to biogas.
“We also want to see the possibilities of reducing the rate of deforestation in our environments, and of course people can not be stopped from what they are naturally used to without giving them alternative.
“The alternative here is biogas production, we want to see every home having access to, or producing their biogas,”Yusuf said.
Speaking on the associated risk in using biogas for cooking, the CEO noted that it is safe for usage and has low or even zero volatility.
“As the name implies; biogas is biological and natural, it does not cause havoc to anybody using it, it is free of all the elements that causes volatility,”she said.
She commended the Kaduna State Government for mobilising and sponsoring the participants for the training.
A participant, Mr Wisdom Katuka from Jaba LGA, said with the current state of the economy, he is indebted to the company on ensuring that he also train members of his community on biogas production.
He said that he has over the years been hearing of biogas, where in the training he testified that it is workable.
“With this training, I will one day become an employer of labour, more to that, I will be producing my own biogas for my home use, it will actually save me so much cost and improve my financial capacity,”he said.
Similarly, Mr Aliyu Yusuf from Igabi LGA, said the training on biogas production would be very beneficial to him, adding that being a business man, he has seen a way of diversifying his business.
He thanked the company and the Kaduna State Government for the opportunity, noting that the training, if put into reality will improve their livelihood in many ways.
Also, Ms Naomi Iliya, said with the abundance of waste in Kaduna, biogas production would be her target business.
She therefore thanked the organisers of the training for the opportunity while pledging to make judicious use of the skills she acquired to train members of her community.
NEWS
FCTA Moves to Curb Medical Tourism
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Federal capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to provide the necessary support for the successful completion and operation of the African Medical Center of Excellence, with a view to reversing medical tourism.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, made this pledge during a site tour of the state of the art facility, of African Medical Centre for Excellence, billed to be operational in early 2025.
Mahmoud noted that the partnership between the African Export-Import Bank and Kings College Hospital London to establish the 170-bed hospital was a testament to the commitment to advancing clinical care, training, and research in specialty areas such as oncology, cardiovascular services, hematology, diagnostics, and general medical services.
The minister further added; “The potential impact of this initiative in reversing medical tourism and reducing healthcare worker migration is commendable.
“I am encouraged by the prospect of over 1000 workers being employed to support the hospital’s operations.
“Therefore, I am fully committed to ensuring that the Federal Capital Territory Administration provides the necessary support for the successful establishment and operation of the African Medical Center of Excellence.
“We are happy to see, that the 6.5 hectares of land, which was donated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as part of the host country agreement, has been developed to accomodate this hospital.”
While conducting the minister round the project, the Chief Executive Officer, African Medical Center of Excellence, Mr. Brian Deaver, commended the FCT Administration for the strategic partnership.
He used the occasion to inform the minister that the management staff of the medical centre are looking forward to further contributions of the Administration to improvement in the management of non communicable diseases in the territory.
Deaver stressed that the potential benefits of the location of this hospital in Abuja is significant, just as he expressed confidence that the partnership would yield positive outcomes for the healthcare sector in the region.
NEWS
Ortom, Ode, Asemakaha Felicitates With Alia on 58th Birthday
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Former Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, the incumbent Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Ode and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Wednesday, extended their felicitations to the State Governor, Rev Fr.
The former governor in a statement signed by his Media Aide,Terver Akase and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, prayed God to grant Governor Alia the wisdom and health to steer the affairs of the state.
He maintained that God would grant Alia the enablement to surmount all challenges fronting his administration and wished him a memorable birthday celebration and many more years ahead.
The statement read in part: “Your Excellency, as you celebrate, I pray that God grants you wisdom, good health and strength to enable you to continue to steer the affairs of our dear state.
“Leadership comes with its numerous challenges, but I have no doubt that with God’s grace and guidance, all problems are surmountable.”
Similarly, the Deputy Governor of the State, Barr. Sam Odeh, on behalf of the State Executive Council (SEC), prayed that Governor Alia’s birthday would be a celebration of his uncommon passion for speedy transformation of the state.
“On behalf of the Benue State Executive Council, I write to warmly felicitate with Your Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State on the occasion of your 58th birthday anniversary.
“As you mark your years of existence on earth today, we heartily join your family, the good people of Benue State and the entire nation in wishing Your Excellency a very happy birthday.
“May your 58th birthday be a celebration of your positive energy and uncommon passion for speedy transformation of Benue State. As Governor of our dear state, you have, in the last one year, demonstrated pragmatic leadership with selflessness and dedication, by rendering quality service to the good people of Benue.
“Your ability to turn challenges into opportunities is truly admirable. We have every reason to celebrate you today, because your transformation drive has brought the state to national and global prominence with many laudable initiatives and partnerships that are now yielding positive results in various sectors of Benue economy.
“Happy Birthday! Your Excellency, you are truly a special gift to the state and a beacon of inspiration for us all. May your birthday mark the beginning of a new chapter filled with even greater successes and fulfillment.
“We pray that the Almighty God will continue to uphold, keep and strengthen you for His glory and to the benefit of humanity. Congratulations and happy birthday!, Ode stated”.
On his part, the MD/CEO, BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, on behalf of the management and staff of the company, said the governor had so far demonstrated visionary leadership, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment to the transformation of Benue State.
Governor Alia’s exemplary governance and dedication to the welfare of the people are truly inspiring, stressing that this milestone birthday marks the beginning of another remarkable year filled with wisdom, good health, and unparalleled success.
NEWS
CBN Unveils Strategy to Boost Remittances
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has activated plans to double foreign-currency remittance flows through formal channels by granting 14 new International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) Approval-in-Principle (AIP).
This was disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday, by the Bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs.
She said, “This will spur liquidity in Nigeria’s Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX), augmenting price discovery to enable a market-driven fair value for the naira.
“It will be recalled that the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, had recently declared: “We’ve set ourselves a target to double remittance flows into Nigeria within a year, a goal I firmly believe is within reach.
“We are wasting no time driving progress to remove any bottlenecks hindering flows through formal channels permanently. We have a determined pathway and a sequenced approach to tackling all challenges ahead, working hand in hand with key stakeholders in the remittance industry,” she stated.
Continuing, Sidi Ali, said that the CBN viewed increasing formal remittance flows—one of the major sources of foreign exchange, accounting for over 6% of GDP—as a means of reducing the historical volatility in Nigeria’s exchange rate caused by external factors, such as fluctuations in foreign investment and oil export proceeds.
The increase in the number of IMTOs is one of the primary actions initiated by the CBN’s remittance task force, overseen by Governor Cardoso as a collaborative unit pulling together specialists to work closely with the private sector and market operators to facilitate the ease of doing business in the remittance ecosystem in Nigeria.
The task force was established as a direct result of an executive learning session with IMTOs during the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings held in Washington DC, United States of America, in April 2024. The task force will meet regularly to implement strategy and monitor the impact of its measures on remittance inflows.