REA Boss To Speak On Energy Transition Initiative At Oriental News Confab

Mohammed Shosanya

The Acting Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, will be addressing key energy professionals and other government officials on the agency’s current drive towards delivering clean and reliable electricity in Nigeria.

Aliyu,who has confirmed his participation at the conference will tell attendees about World Bank approved Nigeria Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) project, a statement said on Saturday.

Its Publisher,Yemisi Izuora,who signed the statement, also said
the Director General, D-G of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, would be x-raying key policies and options available in the country’s drive to strengthen her national economy while aligning with global push towards promoting green economy.

All of these will be the high point at the 3rd National Conference being put together by Oriental News Nigeria, billed to hold on July 25th , 2024, at Radisson Blue GRA Ikeja, Lagos .

The theme of the 2024 Conference: ” Green Economy, Sustainable Growth and Infrastructure Transformation” considers various options available for Nigeria to sustain economic development and growth.

Its sub-themes include, Green Finance, marketing, and supply chain, Strategies and Policies for a green economy, Renewable energy and Ecosystem for a green economy and Digital economy Entrepreneurship.

Agama,who has confirmed his attendance, according to the statement expressed the belief that opportunities in terms of green economy are linked to the enormous possibilities for sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, ecotourism, and coastal development.

Other stakeholders have highlighted that Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing its natural resource potential could make the country a pioneer in promoting green economy development, hence the choice of the theme of the conference.

The conference is segmented into two main broad areas, with the opening programme to address the key thematic topic through the guest speakers intervention and chairmans remarks with comments from participants which centers around the conference theme.

The second segment is round-table discussion through wider engagement by select professionals to discuss the main theme and sub-themes of the conference.

In recent years, economies all around the world have been experiencing a protracted slowdown driven by structural, global, and cyclical factors. Economic strategies that have been implemented to tackle recession and achieve rapid economic development have endangered sustainable growth by contributing to environmental degradation, global warming, and other negative repercussions.

Changing the paradigm to a green economy will boost natural capital stocks, safeguard the environment, and ensure social justice by providing practical tools and approaches to achieve sustainable growth while reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. A transition to a green economy, however, faces challenges such as a lack of an appropriate policy framework, inadequate capital expenditure, varying levels of development, and resource endowments.

Therefore, for green sustainable development, newer business models, strategic changes and innovation in the use of resources, responsible and cleaner business practices, and green technologies are needed.

The conference will draw together and engage researchers, eminent practitioners, and policymakers from across the country who will form part of the plenary (Round-Table) session that will deliberate on the latest findings on practices and policies for a green economy and sustainable growth through strategic change and identify priorities for action by stakeholders to pursue the most promising policies and practices.

The conference will also serve as a venue where academic peers may exchange information, share experiences, collaborate, and develop management answers to pressing business issues.

NEMA Receives 103 Nigerian Deportees From Turkey

Mohammed Shosanya

One hundred and three Nigerians deported from the Republic of Turkiye to Nigeria were received by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other stakeholders when they arrived at the Nnamdi Arzikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

A Southwind Airlines flight TCGRB that conveyed the deportees from Turkey to Nigeria, touched down in Abuja at about 7pm on Friday and taxied to the pilgrims wing of the airport where they were received by the Federal Government officials led by NEMA.

The Director General NEMA,Mrs Zubaida Umar advised them to accept their experience in good faithnand be law abiding.

Umar,who was represented by the Director North Central Zone Alhaji Bashir Idris Garga said the returnees were received with dignity to assuage their experience and assure the concerns of Federal Government over their plights.

A statement by NEMA on Saturday said the DG informed them that a token of financial support had been provided to assist in their transportation to their various locations.

Other stakeholders who joined to receive the deportees were officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service, National Commission for Refugees Migrant and Internally Displaced Persons, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Federal Airport Authority of Nigerian, Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and NDLEA. Others were officials of Port Health Authority and National Intelligence Agency.

After being screened by officials of Port Health authority on arrival the deportees were fed and profiled by NEMA and NCFRMI. They were also cleared by the Nigerian Immigration Service before being handed the transportation support provided by NEMA to go home.

Stop Denigrating Traditional Religion,Ifa Devotees Warn Oluwo

Mohammed Shosanya

The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR),told Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrashed Akanbi, to desist from denigrating the traditional religion and Yoruba tradition and culture.

The group also implored the Osun state government,Yoruba Elders and all Yoruba Socio-Cultural organizations to also call the monarch to order.

President of ICIR, Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode made the call on Saturday,during the inauguration of the new executive committee of The Council at the World Ifa Temple, Oke-Itase, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

He noted that the monarch’s utterances have always caused religious discord and embarrassment for other traditional leaders who are custodians of Yoruba tradition and culture within the Yoruba kingdom and abroad.

“We implore the people who are fanning the ember of religious discord in our land to desist. We advise the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrashed Akanbi to refrain from using unprintable statements against the Yoruba tradition, culture and religion.

“We also call on the government, especially the government of Osun State,Yoruba socio-cultural organizations and Yoruba elders to call Oba Abdulrashed to order before his utterances cause problems.”

Fatunde also appeal for calm in the crisis that started in Iseyin between the Muslim and Christian community where a Pastor was alleged to have assaulted an Alfa over attempt to slaughter ram on Eid-Ile-Fitri (Ileya) day.

“For the sake of peace, we implore practitioners of all religions and traditions to live in harmony and focus on what unites us rather than what separates us
In view of this, we appeal to both parties, Muslims and Christians fighting in Iseyin to allow peace to reign,” he said.

Dr. Fakayode charged the new executive committee to see the opportunity to serve as a way to contribute their quota to world peace and human progress as the committee was formed at a time when the Yoruba land and its tradition, as well as religion are facing challenges.

He emphasized the need for the Ifa adherents to be true custodians of the Yoruba tradition, culture and religion.