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Tag: Nigerians

  • FG Launches Distribution of 1 Million Free Gas Cylinders to Promote Clean Cooking

    FG Launches Distribution of 1 Million Free Gas Cylinders to Promote Clean Cooking

    The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of free gas cylinders as part of an initiative to promote clean cooking energy, aiming to convert at least one million households to clean cooking gas by 2030. The program, known as LPG Grassroots Penetration under the ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, targets the distribution of approximately 250,000 gas cylinders to women in rural areas across Nigeria.

    At the launch event in the Apo Resettlement area of Abuja, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasized the administration’s commitment to increasing domestic gas consumption. Ekpo personally oversaw the distribution of 1,000 gas-filled 3kg cylinders to rural women from the six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

    “We’re not only introducing a program today; we’re on a mission to change millions of Nigerians’ lives in our six geographical zones,” Ekpo stated. He highlighted that the government’s advocacy for gas usage as the primary cooking fuel would significantly improve the health of women and girls, who are most affected by the harmful effects of traditional cooking fuels.

    Ekpo further elaborated on the program’s ambitious target: “By 2030, we want to convert 250,000 houses a year to clean cooking gas, which is a lofty but attainable target. This program is evidence of our steadfast dedication to lessening the over-reliance on solid fuels, which for a long time served as many households’ primary source of energy, including firewood, kerosene, and charcoal.”

    The Coordinating Director of the ‘Decade of Gas’ program, Ed Ubong, noted that the initiative, funded by the private sector, aims to eliminate the use of wood and kerosene in households. Aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s theme, “Gas to Prosperity, a Renewed Hope,” the program focuses on distributing over a million cooking cylinders, primarily to rural women, leveraging Nigeria’s abundant gas resources.

    This effort will be carried out in partnership with the private sector, under the supervision of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), aiming to foster a significant shift towards cleaner, healthier cooking practices across the nation.

  • Don’t despair Edu tells poor, vulnerable Nigerians, promise Renewed Hope touch in 2024

    Don’t despair Edu tells poor, vulnerable Nigerians, promise Renewed Hope touch in 2024

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    In a new year message, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has admonished Nigerians not to despair as the poor and vulnerable which experience the Renewed Hope touch in 2024.

    The minister stated that her Ministry’s efforts at pulling the vulnerable out of poverty in 2024 is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to eradicate poverty and reduce humanitarian challenges in the country.

    The minister stated that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is irrevocably committed to the rejuvenation of the economy.”

    Edu explained that her ministry has the mandate and the president’s backing to pull 50 million Nigerians out of poverty within 42 months in line with the Renewed Hope, adding that the ministry has an unwavering drive for a target of 100% delivery.
    She said that the Federal Government’s various social interventions are already yielding positive results across the country via economic independence and a new lease of life for beneficiaries.

    “In no distant time from now, we will be rolling out various programmes that will enable the ministry to meet the set target, including end hunger, Code Nigeria and many more others aimed at pulling Millions of Nigerians out of poverty, Edu disclosed.

  • Nigerians Are The Smartest People In The World – Akon

    Nigerians Are The Smartest People In The World – Akon

    Senegalese-American singer, Akon, has said Nigerians are arguably the “smartest people” in the world.

    The ‘Oh Africa’ crooner made the assertion while featuring on the Drink Champs podcast co-hosted by N.O.R.E and DJ EFN.

    He claimed that more billionaires are being made in Nigeria than anywhere in the world.

    Akon, however, admitted that there are a few “bad apples” tarnishing the image of the country.

    He said, “This could be debatable, but the Nigerians are the smartest people on the planet. I promise you, there is nobody more smarter than a Nigerian. Of course, there is a few bad apples that came out. They [the bad apples] are extremely smart. But they put their intelligence all in wrong place.

    “If they were to gear that towards something more positive or productive… Because the ones that did, there’s more billionaires being made in Nigeria than anywhere in the world.”

  • Sudan: First Batch Of Stranded Nigerians Finally Arrives Abuja

    Sudan: First Batch Of Stranded Nigerians Finally Arrives Abuja

    The first batch of evacuees from the war-torn Sudan to Egypt arrived in Nigeria on Wednesday.

    The evacuees were the first batch who arrived at the Argeen border last week Wednesday, April 26 for airlifting in Aswan Egypt.

    The first batch of evacuees experienced some delays as a result of the formalities issued by the Egyptian authorities to enable them to be airlifted to Nigeria.

    In an audio sent to the Nigerian in the Diaspora Commission Situation Room on Wednesday, a Nigerian official explained the reasons for the delay in the airlifting of stranded Nigerians who ought to have arrived in the country earlier today.

    The official explained, “Two aircraft, Air Peace and NAF C130, are supposed to airlift 350 passengers. Unfortunately, 26 additional persons sneaked into the buses. The Egyptian personnel were there. They counted and they found 376 Nigerians. They refused the 26 people to stay back at the airport and they also refused to allow Nigerian officials to take the 26 people back to the border.

    “Now, they want everyone to leave. Neither will they allow them to go back to the border. The only option is to overload the aircraft. The pilots were consulted and they said they could not airlift more people and have plenty of luggage.”

    However, the Air Peace plane arrived at 11:35pm with 278 passengers while NAF C130 arrived at 11:55pm with 98 passengers.

    The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa expressed hope that those yet to arrive would be airlifted speedily.

    Dabiri-Erewa said, “Everyone is excited to receive them. We hope that those over there will come back speedily. We are expecting that with the arrangements made by NEMA, there are going to be more planes because Egypt makes it difficult.

    “For stranded Nigerians at Port Sudan, they are trying to get tickets because it is even more difficult to get flights to Port Sudan. But they have an airline. They are processing it, and once they get tickets, they will come back home. If other airlines get the landed permits, they will quickly go and airlift stranded Nigerians. We are glad that no one lost his or her life. Priority was given to women and children.”

  • Sudan: NAF To Airlift Stranded Nigerians Evacuated In Egypt

    Sudan: NAF To Airlift Stranded Nigerians Evacuated In Egypt

    Amid the crisis rocking Sudan, the Federal Government has said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will commence the airlifting of Nigerian evacuees from Egypt on Friday.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Peace and other Airlines have received clearance to fly to Egypt. The NAF C-130H is scheduled to leave Abuja tomorrow, 28th April, 2023 to commence the airlifting of the evacuees,” said Amb. Janet Olisa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    The government also said arrangements are being concluded to airlift all Nigerians that have already escaped on their own to safety in other countries neighbouring Sudan.

    See full statement:

    JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (MFA) AND THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS, DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (FMHADMSD) ON THE EVACUATION OF NIGERIANS CAUGHT UP IN THE ON-GOING CRISIS IN SUDAN

    Issued at Abuja, Nigeria on 27th April, 2023

    The Ministers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development convened a Situation Room on the Evacuation of Nigerian nationals from Sudan chaired by the Permanent Secretary FMHADMSD, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, mni, NPOM, meets daily. This followed the lingering crisis in Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RAF)
    Members of the Situation Room include Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHADMSD), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Office of the Chief of Staff, National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF). Other members include the various Nigerian Foreign Missions relevant to the evacuation exercise.

    Seizing the window of the three (3) day United States negotiated ceasefire in Sudan, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR approved the immediate deployment of both human and financial resources towards the evacuation of Nigerians caught up in the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

    Consequently, forty (40) buses have been secured in Sudan to convey the students and other Nigerians from Khartoum to Aswan border in Egypt, which is one of the identified safe reception borders. As at the time of the release of this statement, the 1st batch of buses had already departed Khartoum.

    The Nigerian Mission in Egypt is liaising with the Egyptian Authorities to facilitate the evacuation exercise, by providing emergency entry documents and holding shelters, until the stranded Nigerian are airlifted back to Nigeria.

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Peace and other Airlines have received clearance to fly to Egypt. The NAF C-130H is scheduled to leave Abuja tomorrow, 28th April, 2023 to commence the airlifting of the evacuees. Similarly, arrangements are being concluded to airlift all Nigerians that have already escaped on their own to safety in other countries neighbouring Sudan.

    Some Nigerian students who found their way to the Ethiopian border on 22nd April, 2023 and got stranded were allowed entry into Ethiopia on 24th April, 2023 following the intervention of some Nigerian leaders. The students are safe and in good condition and have already made personal travel arrangements to return to Nigeria.

    Similarly, another group of Nigerians assisted by the Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived Jeddah and are being taken care of by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Nigerian Embassy in KSA. Arrangements are being made to bring them back home safely.

    The initial hitches encountered during the commencement of the exercise, including incidents of bus drivers stopping in the desert due to non-payment have been resolved. The buses have continued towards the Egyptian border. The evacuation exercise is progressing and will continue until all stranded Nigerians are brought back home safely.

    Signed:
    Amb. Janet Olisa, OON
    Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, MFA
    Signed
    Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo mni, NPOM Permanent Secretary
    FMHADMSD

  • 2023: US president advises Nigerians Ahead of Polls

    2023: US president advises Nigerians Ahead of Polls

    American President Joe Biden yesterday called on all eligible Nigerians to go out and vote their preferred candidates on Saturday.

    Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly elections will be held tomorrow.

    In a statement to Nigerians ahead of the polls, Biden said Nigerians, especially the young people, should make their voice heard.

    “Elections are a fundamental part of a functioning democracy, and all Nigerians deserve this chance to choose their future, freely and fairly.

    “On election day, I encourage all Nigerians, no matter their religion, region, or ethnicity, to exercise this fundamental freedom and make their voices heard, including young voters, many of whom may be heading to the ballot box for the first time.

    “While the United States does not support any single candidate or party, we strongly support a peaceful and transparent process that reflects the will of the people of Nigeria,” Biden said.

    He expressed delight that the political parties and candidates running in Nigeria’s presidential election had signed a peace accord, assuring that the U.S. would stand with the Nigerian people as they chart a path toward a more democratic, prosperous, and secure future.

  • Dangote targets 300,000 fresh jobs for Nigerians

    Dangote targets 300,000 fresh jobs for Nigerians

    Africa’s richest industrialist Aliko Dangote is optimistic that the new multi-billion naira investment in the sugar sub-sector would create no fewer than 300,000 jobs.
    A statement from the Corporate Communication Department of the company, said that the Group’s President, Dangote said the company was providing fresh funds to expand its operations in the sugar sub-sector.

    Dangote, who was speaking at the kick-off the 2022/2023 Crushing Season and Outgrower Scheme Awards in Numan, Adamawa, said the opportunities would include both direct and indirect jobs.

    He said: “We are making massive investment in Adamawa State through expansion of DSR Numan’s sugar refining capacity from 3000tcd to 6000tcd, 9800tcd, and to 15,000tcd.

    “DSR will be able to create about three hundred thousand jobs, direct and indirect, with positive multiplier effects on the economy nationwide.”

    Dangote was appointed Chairman, National Job Creation Committee in 2010 to assist the Federal Government in providing more employment opportunities for Nigerians.

    The Dangote President had also announced that his company was doubling its spending on CSR schemes in host communities in Adamawa State, the location of its 32,000 hectares integrated sugar complex.

    Speaking in Numan, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, described the Dangote Sugar Refinery as the biggest contributor to the development of the sugar development effort of the Federal Government.

    The minister also commended Dangote for the massive support through his Corporate Social Responsibility scheme.

    In the same vein, the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals is expected to create some 250,000 job opportunities when completed next year.

  • North Leads as 133m Nigerians Living in Poverty – NBS

    North Leads as 133m Nigerians Living in Poverty – NBS

    No fewer than 133 million Nigerians, representing 63 per cent of the population are currently living in multi-dimensional poverty, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed yesterday.

    Of the total, 105.98 million poor Nigerians are located in rural areas compared to 16.97 million in urban areas.In August 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari committed to empowering an additional 100 million people to escape extreme poverty by 2030.This implied that on average, 10 million people must be lifted out of poverty each year, starting in 2020.

    However, with the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on livelihoods, and unemployment, the challenge was more evident.According to the Nigeria Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2022 Survey, which was released yesterday by the statistical agency, there are high deprivations in sanitation, time to healthcare, food insecurity, and housing.

    Also, poor people experience over one-quarter of all possible deprivations.Moreover, both the incidence and intensity of poverty at 62.9 per cent and 40.9 per cent respectively exceeded the 26 per cent poverty cut-off threshold.The report stated that over half of the 200 million population who are multi-dimensionally poor cook with dung, wood, or charcoal, rather than clean energy.

    According to the report, multidimensional poverty is higher in rural areas where 72 per cent of the people are poor compared to 42 per cent in urban areas.It stated that about 70 per cent of Nigerians live in rural areas, yet these areas are home to 80 per cent of poor people.The report pointed out that the North accounted for 65 per cent or 86 million poor Nigerians while 35 per cent or about 47 million people living in poverty reside in the South.

    The incidence of multidimensional poverty was high in Sokoto State which accounted for 96 per cent of poor Nigerians and the lowest incidence of 27 per cent was recorded in Ondo.

    In terms of the proportion of poverty and its intensity, the poorest states included Sokoto, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe, and Yobe.“But we cannot say for sure which of these is the poorest because statistically, their confidence intervals or the range within which the true value falls considering the sample overlap, ” the report noted.

    The report, among other things, said two-thirds of children aged 0-17 are poor and accounted for 65 per cent compared to 58.7 per cent of adults, adding that “This gives rise to the sobering reality that over half of all poor people are children”.

    The report also stated that the incidence of monetary poverty was lower than the incidence of multidimensional poverty across most states.It pointed out that the incidence of national monetary poverty stood at 40 per cent in 2018/2019, compared to 63 per cent who are multi-dimensionally poor in 2022.

    The report also noted that 29 per cent of all school-aged children are not attending school while 94 per cent of all out-of-school children are poor.The report, among other recommendations, urged the government to set child poverty reduction as a top national priority.The survey further stated that, “While the COVID-19 regulatory measures implemented in Nigeria helped to control the spread of the virus, many of these necessary and lifesaving measures had deleterious effects on livelihoods, health, human wellbeing, state-society relations, and social harmony.

    “The Nigerian economy has grown post-COVID, with the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate rising from -1.92% in 2020 to +3.40 per cent in 2021.“Despite this economic recovery, the lingering impact of the 2020 recession has undermined household welfare and exacerbated poverty and vulnerability.”

  • 133m Nigerians Living In Poverty – FG

    133m Nigerians Living In Poverty – FG

    The Federal Government, through the National Bureau of Statistics, on Thursday said 130 million Nigerians are poor.

    In its 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index Survey released in Abuja on Thursday, the NBS said the figure represents 63 per cent of the nation’s population.

    It added that the poverty index is mostly experienced in rural areas especially in the north with women and children being the most affected.

    Reports gathered that the survey was conducted by the NBS, the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).

    It was gathered that the measure used to calculate the figure was based on Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with five components of health, living standard, education, security, and unemployment.

    According to the survey, over 50 per cent of children across the country are affected by poverty.

    In his remarks, the Statistician-General of the Federation, Mr Adeyemi Adeniran, noted that 56,610 households were surveyed and areas such as health, education, living standards, food security, water reliability, underemployment, security shocks, and school attendance were considered.

    While the multidimensional poverty index stood at 27 per cent in Ondo State, the figure is estimated at 90 percent in Sokoto state.

    Details later….

  • Climate change: Nigerians to benefit from UK £95m support

    Climate change: Nigerians to benefit from UK £95m support

    The UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, has said at least four million Nigerians will benefit from the £95m Propcom+ investment aimed at increasing productivity and adapting to the effects of climate change while at the same time reducing emissions.

    Cleverly, revealed this at the COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

    In a statement made available by the British High Commission on Tuesday, the new £95m Propcom+ programme is set to help address key barriers to sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.

    It would support the development of climate-resilient agricultural policies, actions, and investments that deliver nutrition, increase productivity, adapt and build resilience while reducing emissions, and protect and restore natural ecosystems.

    COP 27: Buhari seeks G7 support
    According to the statement, the new Propcom+ programme involves supporting inclusive and resilient growth by promoting the progressive transformation of Nigeria’s rural economy.

    It stated, “The new programme will build the capacity of small-scale farmers and rural communities in climate-smart agriculture. It will work with Nigeria’s vibrant private sector on agriculture to increase productivity, improve nutrition and food security, enhance climate resilience, pursue lower emissions, and halt and reverse biodiversity loss, as well as helping to tackle some of Nigeria’s underlying drivers of conflict and insecurity.”

    Cleverly said, “The Glasgow Climate Pact gave the world the tools to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees and build a secure and sustainable future. Now is the time for all countries to step up their action on climate change and deliver the tangible change needed. The UK will continue to play a leading role in this mission. The funding we have announced will support countries that are facing the devastating impact of climate change, to adapt effectively.”

    UK Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones said Nigeria is vulnerable to climate change. Llewellyn, however, noted that the UK is committed to supporting climate resilient growth in Nigeria.