In a strategic move to bolster its renewable energy capabilities, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has commenced a 5-day training to enhance the skills and knowledge of 20 staff drawn from the Headquarters and Institutes for the design and operation of Biogas and Biomethanol plants holding at the headquarters, Abuja.

The intensive onsite training which will end on Friday, July 26, 2024, is being conducted in collaboration with SRH Berlin, Germany, a reputable organization known for the design and development of commercial-scale biogas and biomethanol plants.

 In addition to the onsite training, NASENI and SRH Berlin are offering two online training courses on the design of medium-scale biogas and biomethanol plants. Trainees will be trained on several aspects of the design process, including process control, CAD/CAM, material science for biogas production, methanol synthesis, hydrogen production, and safety principles.

The Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Mr, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, ably represented by the Deputy Director, Nano Science Department, Science Infrastructure, Dr. Chika Ezeanyanaso said, “this training is a very important step in equipping our staff with the necessary knowledge and expertise to design and manage biogas and biomethanol plants effectively.”

“The participants were carefully selected to represent different NASENI institutes, ensuring a comprehensive transfer of knowledge across the organization,” she said, further revealing that the model design for the biogas plant had already been developed and the training would focus on the practical application and hands-on learning.

She urged the 20 participants to approach the training with utmost seriousness and importance, emphasizing the transformative impact it would have on NASENI’s renewable energy initiatives.

The training is being facilitated by a team of seven experts from SRH Berlin, Germany, namely: Ronald Schnell, Gnana Swaroop, Osvaldo Romero, Edward Antwi, Nomu I, Uduak Bassey, and Michael Hartman. The training will also empower the staff with cutting-edge skills and knowledge.

Engr. Anas Yadiz, SA to the EVC on Science and Engineering Commercialisation, who is the coordinator of the training, said NASENI was poised to drive the adoption of biogas and biomethanol technologies, contributing to Nigeria’s broader renewable energy goals and paving the way for a more sustainable future. He said this collaborative effort showcases the Agency’s commitment to fostering innovation, enhancing the skills of its workforce, and leading the charge towards a greener, more energy-efficient Nigeria.

The Nigerian government announced that the era of purchasing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as fuel, for prices between N750 and N1000 per litre is coming to an end.

Within the next 90 days, they plan to commission 30,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered vehicles.

Michael Oluwagbemi, Project Director and CEO of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, revealed this during the Park to Park CNG Mobilisation program at Ojota Park in Lagos on Saturday.

The initiative will cost N36 billion and includes 30,000 CNG conversion kits, which will be distributed free of charge nationwide within the specified period. Each kit and conversion is valued at N1.2 million per vehicle, totaling N36 billion over the next three months.

Oluwagbemi emphasized that the move aims to promote CNG as an alternative fuel for transportation. “Today, we are here with conversion kits.

We have bought over 30,000 of these kits, mainly for distribution in the next 90 days. The President has told us that this is not just to end with 30,000 kits, the target is one million kits. We want to make sure all of you can benefit from this government initiative,” he stated.

“The era of buying N750, N800, or N1000/liter fuel is over. We are not doing that again. We will start using the gas under our feet so that we can buy it at N230/kg,” he added.

Previously, President Bola Tinubu had directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to procure CNG-powered vehicles as a measure to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) has expressed profound grief over the passing of the State APC Auditor and former Chairman of Afijio Local Government, Hon. Lukman Anwo.

This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abas and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Ibadan.

Alli described Anwo’s death as a rude shock and significant loss to the APC family as well as the state.

The lawmaker commended Anwo’s dedication and service to the party and the people of Afijio Local Government.

He noted that Anwo’s leadership and commitment had left an indelible mark on the community, earning him respect and admiration from colleagues and constituents alike.

“Hon. Lukman Anwo was a man of integrity and unwavering commitment to the progress of our party and the development of his local government.

“His demise is a painful blow to all of us who knew and worked with him. He will be sorely missed,” Alli said.

The senator prayed that Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannat Firdaos.

He prayed for strength and comfort for the family, friends, associates and the APC family during this difficult time, urging them to find solace in the legacy of service and dedication that Anwo left behind.

Alli called on party members and the entire community to honour Anwo’s memory by continuing to work towards the ideals and values he upheld.

“Let us unite in our grief and strive to achieve the vision of a better Oyo State, which Hon. Anwo so passionately pursued,” he said.

Oyo State Born Philanthropist and the President of the Beulah Adeoye Foundation, Amofin Beulah Adeoye trained over 100 youths on Thursday at the Beulah House, Mokola, Ibadan. The participants were exposed to first-hand industry information and principles, covering the fundamentals of establishing a start-up, actionable plans for growth, deep market research, customer satisfaction, and goal setting using the SMART system.

The session, attended by over 200 individuals including participants, was anchored by top industry leaders. Additionally, inspirational youth such as Sanni Hassan, Ayodele Toluade, and Tijesu Abeni Adeoye, among others also graced the occasion and shared their innovation and practical experiences. Through their storytelling power, these leaders evoked deeply rooted emotions, reminding the participants of the enormous opportunities awaiting them in the business world.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Director-General of the Beulah Olufemi Ayanfe Adeoye Trust (BOAAT), Alhaji Afeez Suberu, stated, “We welcome all of you to this insightful event, and rest assured that we are prepared to impact you with relevant knowledge and support. We are determined to change the narratives of our youths, and vocational training is one of the effective ways to change this status-quo”.

The Under-Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Entrepreneurship and Investment at the Foundation, Mr. Olansile Olanrewaju, equally expressed his profound delight: “For me, today is one of my greatest days. I have always been passionate about driving worthwhile changes, and I am glad that Amofin Beulah Adeoye found me worthy of pursuing this initiative. He has supported us beyond measure, it is no doubt his deeply rooted love to see a functional society where youth become the stronghold.”

Mr. Yussuf, one of the participants, when interviewed, said, “I do not have words to describe Amofin Beulah Adeoye. And that’s because I wasn’t expecting an event as colorful and resourceful as this. He even promised participants ₦50,000 each for seed funding. Even governments who sweep us off our feet with generosity as huge as this are few. And for me, I am confident that he has introduced us to a genuine path; the path where self-sustainability is the core focus. We need more people like him in this nation. He has really done well, and I am glad to be among the lucky ones.”

Mr. Ridwan Fasasi, the Chief of Staff to the President of the Foundation, also noted, “At the Beulah Adeoye Foundation, we have not yet started. What we are doing is just ground-testing. We understand the divine assignment of youths in nation-building, and we are here to help them achieve that. To show them the light and guide them to the right path, our youths are our future, our hope, and we will not deny them opportunity in making them fulfill their purpose.”

It is beyond doubt that a nation cannot grow beyond the level of its education. Delving deeper, we can assert that no nation can advance beyond the level of its productivity, which encompasses the vocational input and expertise of its youth and the vitality of their healthy minds.

In a world where visionary leaders are rare, one man’s dedication to the holistic development of our nation through youth empowerment and up-skilling stands out. What do we call such a man? A pioneer, a trailblazer, a beacon of hope.

Amofin, the esteemed President of the Foundation, exemplifies this visionary leadership. Among his many commendable efforts, he trained 100 youths with diverse vocational skills in Ibadan just yesterday. The carefully selected participants were taken through the dynamic processes of the entrepreneurship world, as well as the sacrifices that come with it, without leaving behind practical steps to navigate challenges and scale up.

This initiative commemorated the celebration of World Youth Skills Day, themed “VOCATIONAL SKILLS: Pathway to Prosperity.” It was an exceptionally rich session that left an indelible mark on all who attended. The event featured distinguished speakers and resource persons, including Ayodele Toluade, Founder of Sheda Studios; Sanni Hassan, Creative Director of Degenius Bespoke; and Comfort Adeoye.

The atmosphere was electrified with excitement and optimism as participants were promised fifty thousand naira (₦50,000) each for seed funding to pursue their vocational aspirations. This gesture is more than a financial boost; it is a testament to the foundation’s unwavering commitment to fostering self-reliance and innovation among the youth.

This remarkable event is not just a milestone but a significant stride towards a prosperous future, driven by empowered and skilled young minds ready to shape the nation’s destiny.

Mr. Karo Ikie, Programme Director at the Beulah Fund, informed the participants that the foundation is committed to doing more, highlighting the numerous events targeted at youth empowerment that the foundation has mapped out.

The event, championed by the Ministry of Trade, Entrepreneurship and Investment of the Foundation, has set a remarkable pace for other philanthropists and even the government to emulate. Amofin is deeply committed to youth empowerment, and he has proven this right yet again.

In addition, Mr. Boluwatife Oluwafisayo, the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Information at the Foundation, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the participants, saying, “Your enthusiasm and dedication have been truly inspiring. Seeing you all eager to learn and grow reaffirms our mission at the Beulah Adeoye Foundation. We are committed to supporting you every step of the way as you embark on this journey towards self-reliance and prosperity. Thank you for being a part of this transformative experience.”

Earlier in the day, the Multi-Billionnaire Philanthropist, Financial Expert and legal luminary, Amofin Beulah Adeoye, encouraged the teeming youth that the present and future belongs to them. He emphasized that the skills and economic empowerment afforded by the Foundation are veritable tools for their economic emancipation. This message was well received and appreciated by all.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari has declared that the Port Harcourt refinery will begin to deliver refined petroleum products in August just as he added that they were not lying.

Kyari said this in Abuja on Tuesday, July 16, when he appeared before Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East led National Assembly joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Finance during an emergency session on the state of the economy.

He said: “We are very optimistic that by December this country will be a net exporter. That means a combination of production coming from us, and also from the Dangote refinery and other smaller producing companies that we know are in line to do this.

“Latest by early August, the Port Harcourt refinery will start producing products and the new one will get to December and Warri will also be in production. I am very optimistic, i don’t have any confirmation at this moment so that nobody says we keep lying.

“We are not lying to you Mr President this is a technical process. You can put debts on a refinery start-up, but it is when you get to start-up that you see the real challenges, even for a new refinery. As you can see, even a new, porthacouurtģ refinery, it really has to take steps and processes to get it to full operationality.

Senator Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) has lauded the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government allocation, describing it as a landmark decision that would significantly accelerate grassroots development.

This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abas, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Senator Alli emphasized the critical role of local governments in fostering inclusive growth and delivering essential services to the people.

According to Senator Alli, the judgment is a victory for democracy and the rule of law, ensuring that local governments can operate independently without undue interference from state governments.

“This decision reaffirms the importance of local governance and empowers local authorities to take charge of their developmental agenda, which is crucial for the overall progress of our nation.”

Alli noted that with enhanced autonomy, local governments would be better positioned to implement policies and projects tailored to the unique needs of their communities including addressing issues of security at that level.

He said that such would lead to more efficient service delivery, improved infrastructure, and greater citizen participation in governance.

“When local governments are financially and administratively autonomous, they can respond more swiftly to the needs of their constituents, thereby driving rapid development at the grassroots level,” Alli said.

The lawmaker called on state governments to respect and uphold the Supreme Court’s judgment, stressing that any attempt to undermine local government autonomy would be counterproductive.

He urged local government officials to rise to the occasion by demonstrating accountability, transparency, and commitment to the welfare of their people.

“This is a golden opportunity for local governments to prove their worth and justify the trust placed in them by the highest court in the land,” he said.

Senator Alli reiterated his support for the ongoing efforts to strengthen local governance structures in Nigeria.

Alli expressed optimism that with the Supreme Court’s ruling, the country would witness a new era of grassroots development and democratic consolidation.

“This judgment marks a new beginning for local governments, and I am confident that it will lead to sustainable development and improved living standards for all Nigerians,” he said.

Your Excellency,

I write to you today not only as an indigene of Oyo State but as a concerned Nigerian who is passionate about the development of our nation.

First, I must commend your firm stance on local government autonomy, as stated during the governorship debate leading up to the 2023 general elections, especially during the Splash FM debate. Even in the face of potential electoral consequences, you made it categorically known that we have only two federating units (Federal and State governments), implying that the local government should be an appendage of these federating units.

You also remarked in one of your interviews that Nigerian federalism is more mysterious than real, considering the concentration of power at the center and referencing the items on our exclusive and concurrent lists.

In a recent viral video, Your Excellency, you raised a fundamental point that Nigeria needs to be productive, and that should be our priority, suggesting that local government autonomy is more of a distraction.

While I acknowledge your brilliant insights, I find some points disagreeable.

First, the local government is a recognized tier of government, the third tier after the Federal and State governments. It is designed to bring governance closer to the people at the grassroots. The first local government system in Nigeria was introduced during the colonial period but became more structured with the establishment of the 1950 Local Government Ordinance in Western Nigeria, which created elected local government councils. This system aimed to provide a more organized and autonomous local administration, working alongside the existing federal and regional governments.

The significant and more uniform establishment of local governments as the third tier of government in Nigeria came with the 1976 Local Government Reforms. These reforms standardized the local government system across the country and delineated their roles and responsibilities within the federal structure. Local government administration aims to manage primary education, healthcare delivery (especially primary healthcare) in accordance with the provisions of the World Health Organization (WHO), agricultural and natural resources, grassroots infrastructure like intra-village roads, environmental sanitation, potable water supply, and local economic development, to mention a few.

So, Your Excellency, local government is not an isolation to federalism. Even though, in my opinion, Nigeria is not operating in accordance with the true meaning of federalism but rather a quasi-federalism, local government autonomy is not a mere distraction but a win for the grassroots. Ideal development should take a bottom-up approach. You should genuinely focus on grassroots development through an agricultural revolution. Your approach to agriculture is cosmetic; state governments (across Nigeria) should stop exonerating themselves from their co-responsibility with the federal government. Governor Bago of Niger State is a good model in this area. Oyo State has a comparative advantage in agriculture; God has blessed us with arable land. Governance should not be viewed as a tea party but as serious business.

While I absolutely agree with Your Excellency on Nigeria’s need for productivity, only a productive country can have a stable economy. However, productivity can also take a bottom-up approach, especially in the area of small-scale businesses, which will be developed through local government empowerment policies following autonomy. What about an agricultural revolution through local government loans and support to genuine farmers? Your Excellency, you too have a role to play in Nigeria’s productivity status.

I am skeptical about the recent verdict of the Supreme Court on autonomy, perhaps because I am only familiar with basic law provisions. I used to think the only way to autonomy was through traditional legislation and the approval of two-thirds of the state assemblies. Maybe I was wrong. But my skepticism remains due to the provision of Section 162(3), which empowers states to have a joint account (JAC) with the local government, as governors may manipulate local government chairmen to return the allocation to the usual account or another. The provision:

Section 162(6): Each state shall maintain a special account to be called “State Joint Local Government Account,” into which shall be paid all allocations to the local government councils of the state from the Federation Account and from the state government.

Unless the above section is expunged, we are not ready.

My other skepticism is the mode of conducting elections into the council in accordance with Section 197.

Paragraph 4(a): State Independent Electoral Commission shall organize, undertake, and supervise all elections to local government councils within the state.

The above constitutional provisions will, no doubt, pose a lacuna to full-fledged autonomy.

It is, however, worthy of note that local government autonomy is the way to go. Other sectors can now be focused on, and productivity is the bedrock of economic development, Your Excellency should take responsibility and work on sustainable approach to food security and higher productivities.

Ajadi Isaac
ajadiisaac76528@gmail.com