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Maritime Nations Need Finance To Develop Fossil Fuel-IMO

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Secretary-General, International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr Kitack Lim, says maritime nations need finance to invest in fossil fuels.
Disclosing this at the 2022 Nigerian International Maritime Summit held in Lagos on Monday, Lim noted that this would help reduce carbon footprint in the environment.
He stressed the need for a market-based measure to be adopted to help generate funds used for technology development of fossil fuels.
“Decarbonisation is one of the challenges of our time owing to the fact that climate change has started having its impact on developing nations.
“Decarbonisation and automation are critical to shaping the future, and IMO has set the target of cutting down emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2050 across international shipping,” he said.
Noting that IMO would partner the Nigerian government to achieve port community system for the west and central Africa region, Lim said that IMO would support Nigeria’s maritime industry to achieve cleaner oceans and greener shipping system.
He commended the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for effectively collaborating with local, regional and international partners to achieve success in the war against piracy.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Sambo, while declaring the summit open noted that finance was a critical driver for unlocking the potential of the blue economy in Africa and in particular Nigeria.
According to Sambo, sustainable financing models are importiant to build critical maritime assets such as shipyards and ports across the country.
He noted that the need to reshape the way the shipping industry operates in the face of current and future challenges, ranging from changing climate and decarbonisation by 2050 cannot be overemphasised.
“Nigeria’s commitment to the sustainability of the blue economy is demonstrated by the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“To this end, an Expanded Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy in Nigeria (ECSBEN) under the leadership of no less a person than the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is driving the implementation process and to perfect the agenda for a national strategy.
“This agenda is focused on providing an assessment of the current realities, opportunities and challenges for economic diversification and the growth of a sustainable blue economy.
“It includes the identification and review of relevant policies and institutional/capacity-building mechanisms,” he said.
The Minister said there was a need to identify regional and cross-border partnerships for the implementation of the blue economy plan.
“This summit is an important step in the continuing shift in strategic thinking about the blue economy.
“It will undoubtedly serve as a benchmark for stakeholders in Nigeria and beyond to further develop innovative strategies to sustainably harness the vast potential of the blue economy.

“It is my hope that the deliberations at this event will lead to viable solutions for overcoming this challenge,” he said.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Sea Transport Group, Alhaji Aminu Umar, noted the cardinal points industry stakeholders needed to push to help reduce carbon emissions.

“There is a need to optimise voyage plan, the vessel speed should be reduced and fuel consumption so as to reduce carbon footprint.

“Efficiency of the port will help the reduction of waiting time and this is because waiting to berth creates so much carbon burning,” he said.

Also, Mrs Margaret Orakwusi, the Chairman, Morbod Group, noted that in tackling the challenge hampering meeting the objectives, there was the need to reduce old vessels plying the waters.

Orakwusi called for information sharing among stakeholders, nothing that whatever that happens in a country could affect the other.

Some of the dignitaries at the event include Dr Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and Mr George Moghalu, Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority.

 

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Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

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The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

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Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

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Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

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Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

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The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

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