Connect with us

Nation

Nigeria, Ukraine Collaborate On Mines, Steel

Published

16 years ago

on

Minister of Mines and Steel Development Musa Sada has urged Ukrainian entrepreneurs to invest in Nigeria’s steel sub-sector.

A statement issued in Abuja by the minister’s Press Secretary, Marshall Gundu, said that Sada made the call during a meeting with a delegation of Ukrainian investors from Reprom Company, led by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Valerri Vasyliev.

Sada pledged Nigeria’s readiness to partner with Ukranian investors in efforts to develop the mines and steel sector.

The minister said that the Federal Government had already put in place some regulatory instruments with the enactment of the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007 to revitalise the mining industry.

He said that the mining law had created an enabling environment for potential investors, adding that the government only played the roles of a regulator, while the exploitation and exploration of mineral resources were left in the hands of investors.

Sada said that his ministry was working aggressively to make some parts of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, operational.

He stressed that the overhaul of some parts of the two companies would improve the companies’ physical and economic appeal to potential investors.

“If we put life in the two companies now, it will be better for us,’’ he said.

The minister, however, said that efforts aimed at moving Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited forward must include the engagement of its workers to man the steel plant.

“If we want to take Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited forward, we will have to work with the old hands,” he added.

Sada said that the government had received the preliminary report on the technical audit of the two companies, adding that the final report was being awaited.

The minister assured the delegation of the Federal Government’s determination to collaborate with interested investors in developing the country’s mining sector.

In his remarks, the Ukrainian envoy, Vasyliev, said that the purpose of the visit was to indicate the investors’ interest in plans to develop Nigeria’s steel sub-sector.

He also commended the minister for the support and cooperation which Ukranian investors were receiving from Nigeria.

Vasyliev said that Reprom Company commenced operations in Nigeria in 2004, adding that, the company had successfully rehabilitated and managed some rolling mills in Nigeria.

He said that the company also carried out the technical audit of Ajaokuta Steel Company and National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Nation

Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

Published

6 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.
The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.
The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.
Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.
While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.
Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.
“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.
The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.
He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.
Continue Reading

Nation

Enugu North LG chairman presents ?10.8bn 2026 Budget, prioritises roads …Security, Healthcare, Human Capital Development

Published

6 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh, has presented a Ten Billion Eight Hundred Million Naira (?10.8bn) 2026 budget to the legislative council of the local government.
The budget, tagged “Budget of Continued Growth and Consolidation,” was presented on Wednesday during a plenary session attended by councillors, department heads, and other stakeholders.
Dr. Onoh explained that the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate achievements recorded in 2025 while scaling up development across the council’s 13 wards. Priority areas include road infrastructure, grassroots security, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, and digital governance.
He also reviewed the 2025 budget performance, highlighting significant revenue growth and successful completion of key projects. Notably, the council’s internally generated revenue more than doubled, attributed to the introduction of digital revenue collection platforms and other innovative measures.
Among the 2025 achievements, Dr. Onoh mentioned the reconstruction of major roads at European Quarters, Hilltop, Coal Camp, and Ukwa Street, Ihewuishi, as well as the upgrade of the local security architecture through the reorganisation of the neighbourhood watch into “The City Watch.”
On the 2026 budget, the chairman stated that projected revenue would come from statutory allocations, VAT, internally generated revenue, and counterpart funding through public-private partnerships.
He noted that capital expenditure would take the larger share of the budget, with over half allocated to the economic sector. Planned projects include:
Completion of transport terminals at Aria Market
Construction and reconstruction of urban roads
Establishment of two sports centres
Healthcare interventions
Youth skills development programmes.
Dr. Onoh emphasised that the projects, policies, and programmes outlined in the budget are aimed at complementing the initiatives of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, who is setting standards for local government councils to follow.
Responding, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Chizoba Nnamani, said the budget would be carefully scrutinised in the interest of residents before its passage.
Continue Reading

Nation

Christians Convert To Islam or die As ISWAP burns down Christian village

Published

6 days ago

on

January 2, 2026

By

Christians in Adamawa have been asked to Convert to Islam or die as commanded by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
.The ISWAP forcedly burnt down Christian village in Adamawa Nigeria as reported on January 1, 2026.
The Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, has continued to wreak havoc on Christian communities in the Northeast, Nigeria.
This comes as ISWAP burned down a Christian village in Adamawa State.
A security expert, Brant Philip, disclosed this on Thursday in a viral video released by the terrorists.
“ISWAP released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to “spare their blood” by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP,” Brant Philip wrote on X.
The move is perceived as retaliation for recent joint airstrikes by the Nigerian and United States military against a terrorist enclave in Sokoto, Nigeria.
Recall that five days ago, United States President Donald Trump announced that the US military launched airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State.
Continue Reading

Trending