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Nigeria To Export First Indigenous LNG Stove In March
Nigeria is set to launch the first ever Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Stove in March.
The project, which is under a Pan African Investment Company,the UNICORN Group, is targeting innovative ideas, start-ups and early stage companies in the technology and technology enabled sectors across the African continent.
Disclosing this, yesterday in Lagos, during an inspection of UNICORN hub by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the Chairman of the UNICORN Group, Dr. Akintoye Akindele said the mass production of the stove, which would commence before the end of this year was being manufactured by eight young Nigerians at the Lagos UNICORN hub.
He said the production line would capture both local and export markets.
According to Akindele, the product launch would be an affirmation that the young Nigerian innovators have been able to deploy ingenuity in the process of converting the natural gas into LNG, which hitherto were being exported into cooking gas.
When completed, the UNICORN Group chairman said that the novel product would be made not only affordable to common Nigerians but available and accessible to all.
“We gave them accommodation. Some of them have jobs and left their jobs. They came here and paid, they designed the Stove in this company. We will patent it and will then export it to the world. Our gas is our blessing. We can now benefit from exporting Natural gas.
“We can now go and export LNG. This is what we are incurring in electricity bill, cooking gas is too expensive. Each of them based on this is now shareholders in this business. Their eight names will be put inside the gas burners for life.
“We are trying to use energy for industrialization and for domestic purpose. This we have been able to actualize.”
Also speaking on the innovation, one of the product designers, Bukola Bolajoko affirmed that the innovation, when launched would be environmentally friendly as it would reduce emission of carbon dioxide into the air.
In the same vein, Bolajoko also said that the innovation will help reduce pollution in the Niger Delta and address gas flaring in the country.
In his speech, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said he was in the platform with his team was not just to see the great job that UNICORN is doing, but also to help tell the world what Unicorn is doing.
The highly elated minister, who described UNICORN as a true representation of Nigerian spirit,said the surest way to build local capacity and tell African story was true education.
He, however, promised that he would support the innovators by linking them with government institutions that would partner with them to make their products and services available to the public.
“As I always say, it is not just enough to do good things. You must be seen to be doing them.
“We will give you visibility. We will tell the world what you are and what you do. And we will also take this to the government. I am sure many government MDAs will be happy to know what is going on here and to leverage on many of them. We will be the link between you and the government.”
“UNICORN is a true representation of the Nigerian spirit, giving hope and helping to build a new Nigeria.
“UNICORN is watering the seeds of innovation. UNICORN is showing that impossible is not Nigerian, impossible is not African.
“Thank you for believing in Nigeria and for putting your money where your mouth is. Bringing children into this whole ecosystem is a winner. Bringing children from different disadvantage communities is a game changer.
“Seeing young Nigerian authors rising to become world beaters is inspiring. This is where dreams come true. This is where ideas are born and they become reality.
“Having the young ones, from primary to secondary to tertiary schools to see the best of Nigeria and the best of Africa is massive. Truly, exposure is the best education.”
The minister also said he was glad to have met many companies that have graduated from the platform:Bookings Africa.com, which is monetising skills.
“Thank you for saving NTA in particular some good money. As you know, NTA is a parastatal under my ministry: ‘Film anatomies that is using 3D technology;RXALL authenticating drugs; MOBABY, YAHSHUD in the real estate industry; The 6 Charge Bar; In-school, the Education Market, taking education to all, irrespective of where they are; Edusko.com , connecting parents with good schools; I & 0 fashion catering for women of all shapes and sizes; Koniku: US-based Nigerian firm building a technology that digitizes the sense of smell and sense of taste.
“I am glad this technology is coming to Nigeria, to be used in the petroleum and health industries. Thank you for bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and Nigeria. Glad to have met all these companies and be told what they do,” he added.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.