By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders have expressed commitment through developing measures to achieve net-zero objectives by 2060.

The President of Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke, made the commitment at a stakeholders meeting on Net-Zero Nigeria 2060, organised by SPP in Abuja on Friday.

Okereke said that the top 10 net-zero measures was a project which aimed at identifying 10 key steps and decisions that if taken in coming years would enable Nigeria to meet its objective.

The measures to reach net zero will map some 10 key steps and decisions that, if taken, years to come, will underpin a socio-economic transformation required to enable Nigeria to meet its 2060 net-zero objective.

The aim of the workshop is to harvest the idea in different sectors to come up with what they think the top 10 in Nigeria can do to achieve the net zero target.

This project presents these steps and decisions in a format that is accessible to a wider public through communication materials that can stimulate and inform a wider public debate, he said.

Okereke recalled that in 2021 President Mohammadu Buhari announced that Nigeria would cut its emissions to net-zero in 2060, at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26 in Glasgow.

According to him, the way we are handling the project is that we will go through all the policies that Nigeria has produced in the last 10 years.

The policy includes the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which involve the energy transition plan, the mid-term development plan, the long-term vision and the national recovery plan.

Then from all these documents where interesting measures that can help Nigeria achieve its long-term climate goal are, we will now combine these measures so that anybody can have it in one sheet of document.

This effort will support the measures to go according to their potential to help the country achieve the net-zero target by 2060, he said.

The president said that the NDCs was a very ambitious document, which would be ending by 2030, adding that with the way Nigeria was going, the NDCs might not get to the 2030 target.

He said that there were certain measures the country could take to help tackle climate change as well as building the countrys economy.

These measures will also help to achieve long-term goals by stopping gas flaring and having alternative energy from renewable sources.

These are measures which will also help to reduce the amount of emissions which we are putting into the atmosphere, some of them are organic agriculture farming, climate smart agriculture, he said.

Okereke said that the organisation was also working on the housing sector, adding that the rate people were building houses was worrisome and could cause problems in future.

As the population increases, in the next 40 years, if we do not take action to curtail the situation, then we may not have the chance of achieving the net-zero by 2060.

A failure to put Nigeria on the decarbonisation path in the near term will possibly foreclose the opportunity for net zero emission by 2060.

So, the building sector is one of the important sectors we are giving attention in this workshop, he said.

Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director, Climate Change in the Ministry of Environment, said that the international Panel on Climate Change had urged for urgent measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Abiola-Awe said that Nigeria as a Party to the UNFCCC, signed the Paris Agreement that seeks to ensure the limiting of global warming to below two degrees.

She said that government would not relent in its effort toward achieving the global commitment.

Government is partnering other relevant organisations both local and international to ensure that it will continue to drive national actions on climate change.

The ministry will continue to provide necessary technical support and look forward to deliberations from this meeting, she said.

Dr Aisha Mahmood, Special Adviser, on Sustainable Banking, to Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, said that government was executing environmental, social, and governance strategies through policy frameworks.

Mahmood said that the effort in implementation and regulation of the strategy since 2012 was throughout the financial system.

She said that the strategy was being reviewed to align with national priorities such as the Climate Change Act and the Net Zero objective.

The financial system is implementing the strategy by lending and investing decisions, to avoid lending to sectors that will negatively impact the environment, she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Donald Ugwu

Source: NAN News

By Gami Tadanyigbe

E-entrepreneur, an NGO has called on Nigerians, especially the youths to embrace e-commerce and become innovative through digital economy for self-reliance and economic development of the country.

The founder and chairman of E-entrepreneur, Mr Michael Hansen, made the call on Friday in Abuja, during a one-day training and flag-off of Abuja Biggest E-commerce Revolution.

Hansen said e-commerce was the buying and selling of goods and services or the transmission of funds or data over an electronic network, primarily via the internet.

According to him, developments in the area of new online business-to-consumer venture creation has been accompanied by varying degrees of success and also recognised that online venture creation does not materialise overnight.

He said the training discusses the vital entrepreneurial requirements for conceptualisation and the integration of the real and virtual business within the global digital system development.

He added, however, that the training would provide the youths with innovative ideas and technical skills for improved livelihoods and productivity towards reducing poverty and unemployment in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Villads Veds-Hansen said e-commerce was powered by the internet, where customers access an online store to browse and place orders for products or services via their own devices.

He said the training became necessary following observed need for sustainable interventions in quality skills on digital economic development for self-reliance and gainful networking.

According to him, e-business development typically follows an evolutionary cycle of initial experimentation with Internet technologies and transformation of consumer propositions towards the creation of a commercially viable online presence.

He said the business transactions occur either as business-to-business, business-to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer or consumer-to-business networking channels.

The CEO explained that to achieve its specific objectives, support of wide array of digital entrepreneurs through e-commerce and expert skill support were required for development. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The Proprietress, Val-Hill Montessori School, Mrs Glory Akpan, has tasked the Federal Government with the urgent need to address the falling standard of education in the country.

Akpan stated this at the first graduation and end of 2021/2022 academic year party in Abuja on Friday.

She said the continued fall in education standard in Nigeria, especially public schools, called for a major concern as this implied a continued decline in its level of economic growth.

She noted that most public schools lacked the needed facilities to aid learning, urged the government to increase budgetary allocations to education.

According to her, government has a major part to play in ensuring a good standard of education, saying education is the key to a vibrant and growing nation.

The Federal Government should take decisive steps towards improving the standard of education.

Education is the key to a vibrant and growing nation. We need to lay good foundation for our tomorrows future leaders today.

A good education is the responsibility of the government. So government has a part to play to ensure the system works well for its citizens, she said.

She explained that the school, which was established in 2021, was aimed at providing a conducive learning environment for all learners to become better citizens in future.

Val-Hill was founded in 2021 to provide a stimulating and nurturing environment that provides children with ultimate success and inner joy to becoming lifelong learners.

The school, which is governed by a Board of Directors, is tailored towards contributing to the general educational well-being and development of the child. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Source: NAN News

By Lydia Ngwakwe

Unity Bank Plc has announced a gross earnings of N27.6 billion for the first half of 2022 ended June 30.

This is contained in the companys unaudited half-year results submitted to the Nigeria Exchange Group Ltd. on Friday.

The figure represented a growth of 17.09 per cent compared with N23.6 billion posted in the comparative period of 2021.

The banks profit before tax during the period under review rose by 23 per cent to N1.8 billion from N1.5 billion in the corresponding period of 2021.

Profit after tax for the period equally increased by 23 per cent to close at N1.6 billion from N1.38 billion in the preceding period.

The key highlights of the financial statements showed growth in interest and similar income, which rose from 18 per cent to N23.94 billion from N20.27 billion in the corresponding period of 2021.

The company said this showed an indication of sustained growth in the loan book as well as improved earnings from the lenders robust digital channels, arising from sustained investment in its digital payment infrastructure.

Similarly, the lender posted sustained asset growth as total assets moved up by seven per cent to N574.3 billion from N538.9 billion in 2021.

Other key highlights of the financial statement include a 12 per cent growth in deposits, which rose to N359.5 billion from N322.3 billion in December 2021.

The bank said the growth in deposit was a clear indication of the positive trend of its innovative retail products targeting several segments of the retail market.

It added that enhanced customer acquisition strategies for emerging products rolled out to the market during the period under review contributed to the growth in deposit.

Commenting on the performance, Mrs Tomi Somefun, the banks Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, said that the bank posted impressive earnings in spite of the challenging operating environment.

She noted that while the key performance indicators continue on an upward trajectory, the outlook for our financial position had now moderated significantly looking at other fees and income lines which performance was hitherto characterised by volatilities in the operating environment.

Somefun said, As the bank aims to further grow all indices to double-digit regions in the coming years, one reassuring take from the financial position lies in the market confidence, as well as steadily growing retail and SME franchise arising from the development of products that resonate with different markets segments.

This, she said, would enable the bank to continue to operate and successfully navigate the tough operating environment, amid rising economic headwinds.

Having invested massively in technology to drive a major revamp in our digital banking products and channels including the Unifi Mobile App, our USSD, *7799#, internet banking, among others, the major focus is to drive increased optimisation which will enable the bank to provide electronic convenience, she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Editing by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday raided Wuse Zone 4, home to most bureaux de change in Abuja.

The raid, conducted on other locations across the country, was undertaken days after the CBN blamed currency speculators of exacerbating the crash of the naira against the dollar and other foreign currencies.

An authoritative source at the commission told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the raid was a product of weeks of covert operation.

The idea is to dislodge currency speculators who are massively mopping up all available foreign currencies.

The raid was a product of weeks of surveillance where agents of the EFCC monitored the activities of most of the bureaux de change operators in the Wuse 4 axis, he said.

According to the source, enough intelligence was gathered that some people with massive naira inflow had mobilised resources and are buying up available foreign currency, especially the dollar.

Similar operation has also been carried out at major airports in the country.

Its a nationwide co-ordinated operation and will be extended to major commercial cities of Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt, the source added.

Efforts to get official confirmation on the raid from EFCC spokesperson, Mr Wilson Uwujaren were not successful as his phone was switched off. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed/Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

The Sports Renaissance Africa Partners (SRAP), an international sports Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has called for more focus on coaching clinics to develop grassroots basketball in the country.

Mrs Relindis Mbu, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SRAP, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that with proper coaching and training facilities, Nigeria would bounce back to global reckoning in basketball.

She said to this end, the organisation had concluded plans to organise an internationally certified coaching clinic with renowned basketball skills coach, Ganon Baker.

At SRAP, we are passionate about bringing in experts from the world with tactical experience that can help develop our young talents.

The training clinic and certification programme with the renowned Ganon Baker will hold in Abuja at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium from Aug. 15 to Aug. 20; while that of Lagos is from Aug. 22- Aug. 27, she said.

Mbu said the NGO was working with Baker because of his over 30 years experience in the game and his systematic curriculum that takes young players from zero to pro.

She said SRAP would also be working with other stakeholders and the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to ensure better exposure and scouting for young Nigerian talents.

Terfa Akpoyibo, Chief Operating Officer of SRAP, told NAN that the coaching clinic with Baker which would be a continuous programme would go a long way in developing Nigerias grassroots basketball.

NAN reports that SRAP is a sports business organisation focused on championing industry standards in the delivery of quality sports development in Africa.

While Ganon Baker is one of the the most respected figures in the world of basketball, he has been into training and coaching for over 30 years, working with the NBA, WNBA, CBA, Euro League, NCAA, NJCAA, U Sports among others.(NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Bosede Olufunmi

A total of 260 pilgrims from Kano State, who took part in this years Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia returned to the country on Friday afternoon.

The pilgrims, who boarded AZMAN flight ZQ2349 arrived at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, at about 02:41p.m.

The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Muhammed Abba-Danbatta, disclosed this to newsmen on Friday.

He said the pilgrims were obedient and law-abiding in the holy land.

Abba-Danbatta thanked the state government for its support during the exercise.

He also thanked God for the success from the beginning of the Hajj up to the end of it.

The executive secretary disclosed that the second batch of pilgrims was being expected (NAN)()

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Yinusa Ishola

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere- Ekiti (BOUEST).

Mr Yinka Oyebode, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, said the dissolution was with immediate effect.

According to Oyebode, the dissolution is in line with the states extant transition policy.

He said Gov. Fayemi thanked the chairman and members of council for their contributions towards the development of the institution.

The governor wishes them the very best in their future endeavours, Oyebode added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

ByPatricia Amogu

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Abubakar, has re-assured farmers of the Federal Governments commitment to support with mechanised equipments to promote Agricultural development for a sustainable economy.

Abubakar gave this assurance at the maiden edition of the West Africa Agro- Fair 2022 conference organised by the Afrinex West Africa Limited in collaboration with various stakeholders on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of NIgeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the 3-day event is Promoting Sustainable Economic Development through Mechanised Agriculture .

The minister stressed that the event targeted at promoting mechanisation and funding of Agriculture, creating new market and partnership for exhibitors subsequently promoting agricultural development for a sustainable economic development.

It also complements President Muhammadu Buharis action plan on food security, economic development and job creation.

This will avail participants with the opportunity to introduce their products and services, make contacts with leading Agricultural manufacturers across the world and platform for new engagements.

It will drive Investment into Agricultural sector, provide opportunity for youths and improve national economic growth for families, he said.

According to him, it is pertinent to note that there is a nexus between technological growth and food security.

Modern technological food equipments are meant to provide efficiency in production and processing , while Nigerian farmers have used rudimentary equipments over the years with little productivity.

The Government is working with local and international companies to engage in bi-lateral and multilateral agreements, aimed at providing basic Agricultural machineries for our farmers.

About 10,000 tractors and 50,000 processing equipments are expected to be imported and will be distributed to all local governments across the country which will create hundreds of jobs.

The government is doing everything possible to increase the number of tractors in the country to be made available especially to small holder farmers, he said.

According to him, agricultural sector is a fundamental driver of the economic diversification and growth, agriculture is the only sector with endless resources and we can never move away from Agriculture, he added.

The President, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr Farouk Rabiu-Mudi, said that the laudable initiative will not stop at boosting productivity and boosting the economy but will also hinder post harvest losses associated with storage equipments.

This development in the Agriculture space draw definitely affect everybody because of the high cost of food in the country.

Without mechanisation, the issue of food price hike may further soar higher because unlike manual labour, its a more subsidized farming method, its faster and saves a lot of time spent on labour in the farm.

Using manual labour for one hectare of land will cost you about N40,000 but with mechanised equipment you do same land tilling at just the cost of N6,000.

This way, the cost of production is reduced and the cost of food will be reduced automatically,also post harvest loses will be reduced drastically, he added.

NAN also reports that Afrinex West Africa Ltd, Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Abuja trade fair centre and All Farmers Association of NIgeria and Tata are among notable partners in the West Africa Agro fair 2022.

NAN reports that mechanization is a multi-dimensional concept widely used in agriculture(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Source: NAN News

By Amina Ahmed

Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said that the agency has confirmed its first case of Monkey Pox.

Mohammed told newsmen on Friday in Bauchi that two other suspected cases were under observation and investigation.

One person has been diagnosed with the disease while two others are under observation.

The patient came from Adamawa and he is presently receiving medical attention at one of the facilities in the state.

We will not allow him to go until we are satisfied with his condition so that he does not infect others.

Unlike Cholera where you have to wait for about 15 cases before you declare an outbreak, with just one confirmed case, you can declare an outbreak of Monkey Pox, he added.

He, however, assured the public that the agency in collaboration with development partners were working to curtail the spread of the disease.

Mohammed further explained that surveillance had been intensified to ensure that suspected cases are immediately treated.

He appealed to the general public to look out for symptoms of the disease for effective medical management.

Mohammed listed the symptoms to include: fever, headache, muscle and back ache, swollen lymph nodes; chills and exhaustion.

He listed others as: respiratory symptoms and a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside the mouth and other parts of the body.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Iziama/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News