Business

FG On Transfer Technology MoU

Published

9 years ago

June 27, 2016

The Nigeria-Czech Republic Trade and Investment Council has urged the Federal Government to quickly implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on transfer of technology between the two countries.
Chairman of the Council, Alhaji Dahiru Mohammed, told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that the implementation of the MoU would facilitate
the industrialisation of Nigeria.
“As soon as we came on board, we had to look at what we can gain from Czech Republic as a country.
“We have got them to sign MoU on Transfer of Technology, which I am telling you, we are the only African country they have agreed to do that with.
“It has been signed and we are about setting up the implementation team and once we do that, it will help us to move Nigeria to an industrialised nation within a short period of time.
“What we expect is implementation of agreements, adding that “One of the areas that Nigeria has not done well is lack of implementation of bilateral agreements signed over a period of time.
“But I am so happy that the present President (Muhammadu Buhari) is committed to seeing that all previous agreements signed are implemented, stressing that “Once the Federal Government can provide that enabling environment and that support for implementation of agreements signed, Nigeria is going to be a better place.”
Dahiru said the MoU to be implemented borders on energy technology, agricultural and food technology, mining industry and genomic energy, among others.
The chairman explained that the council was established to resuscitate trade and investment relationship between Nigeria and Czech Republic following the reopening of Nigeria’s embassy after being closed for 10 years.
According to him, through its activities, the council was able to increase the trade volume between the two countries from as paltry two million U.S. dollars to about 100 million U.S. dollars as at 2014.
“The council was set up in 2013 after the reopening of our embassy in Czech Republic and the mandate is to see how we can help to promote trade and investment relationship between the two countries.
“Prior to that, the trade volume between Nigeria and Czech Republic was at its very low position due to the fact that our embassy was closed for almost 10 years in that country.
“So with the establishment of the council, we revived the lost business relationships we had with them and also established new ones.
“We are doing all these in order to help the government diversify our economy to be non-reliant on oil and so far so good, we have been able to move the trade volume to a considerable amount within the last three years.
“From the available statistics, as at 2014, we have about 100 million dollars; in 2013, it was less than two million dollars.
“Even though we can do more and it is in the spirit of doing more that you can see that the Czech Republic has sent a very powerful business delegation headed by three ministers to Nigeria and very soon, we are going to do the same.”
Mohammed said that the relationship between Nigeria and the Czech Republic was moving to a new level adding, it would help Nigeria to attain technological development.
The MoU was signed between the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) in May 2014.
He said the main objective of the MoU was to support and promote bilateral and multilateral scientific research and development activities.

Business

PETAN, Others Unveil ALCO, Get NCDMB’s Support … Mull Synergy With APPO, AU

Published

1 hour ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

Oil and gas service providers across the African continent have formed a continental forum called “African Local Content Organisation (ALCO)”.

A statement from the Corporate Communications of the Nigeria Content Development Management Board (NCDMB) says the aim of the new continental body is to foster collaboration among oil and gas service providers to deliver complex projects, create and retain value in the multi billion dollar continent’s energy sector, and grow the economy.

The Tide learnt that the organisation was unveiled on Wednesday, at the 2025 Namibian Oil and Gas Conference, which took place in Windhoek, the Namibian capital.

According to the NCDMB, membership of the organization is open to national associations of service providers in the oil and gas and mining sectors across African.

Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and member of NCDMB Governing Council, Mr. Wole Ogunsanya, introduced the organisation and explained that the body would serve as the private sector arm of the African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO), which comprises African governments engaged in oil and gas operations.

He underscored the pivotal and complimentary roles the private sector plays in building African local content, particularly in the development of competent human capacities, deployment of technologies and equipment, mobilization of private capital, and execution of projects.

Ogunsanya said the organisation would be launched officially at the 2026 African Union (AU) conference, in view of its strategic importance to the continent’s economy, noting that the body plans to institute close partnership with APPO and the African Energy Bank (AEB).

“The AEB was recently set up by APPO to fund big ticket energy projects across the continent and bridge the funding gap impeding the development of key energy projects.

“Members of ALCO are well positioned to execute key scopes of the projects that would be financed by the Energy Bank. This would guarantee value and spend retention in the continent, helping to catalyze the economy”, he said.

Other key objectives of the forum according to the PETAN boss include, facilitating exchange of knowledge and capacities among African energy service companies, enabling collaboration on projects, and growing Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“Through the forum we can carry out benchmark studies, join forces to solve industry problems. It’s also a forum where African energy service companies can link up and find partners across the continent.

“It would enable the exchange of equipment and partnership on major industry projects. As Namibia or any other African country develops energy projects, you can count on your African brothers to share our over 70 years knowledge and experience in the oil and gas industry.

“14 African countries have already joined the organisation, including Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, etc”, the PETAN Chairman added.

The Statement from the Directorate of Corporate Communications of the Board further stated that while the PETAN Chairman is serving as the interim Chair of the ALCO, Ibrahim Talla from Senegal is the Secretary.

The Statement read in part: “The new organisation has received endorsement from the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, who described it a key platform for advancing African local content.

“Represented at the Namibian event by the Director, Corporate Services, Dr. Abdulmalik Halilu, the NCDMB boss referenced the vital roles the Board played in the establishment of the African Energy Bank, assuring that it would continue to promote African local content and extend every possible assistance to the ALCO”.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Business

AON Lifts Ban On Freed Ibom Air Passenger

Published

1 hour ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

The lifetime ban imposed on an Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, who was earlier penalised for unruly conduct, has been lifted by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

AON in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, which was obtained by aviation correspondents, announced that the decision was made after an appeal from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Okonkwo in the statement explained that the operators agreed to lift the sanction after weighing all relevant factors, such as Emmanson’s expression of remorse, the withdrawal of the complaint, the dismissal of charges, and her release from custody.

He praised the Federal Government for introducing a retreat to retrain Aviation Security staff and airline crew on managing disruptive passengers.

AON also called on aviation agencies to enhance public awareness about the risks and legal repercussions of unruly behaviour, as provided in Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.

Such conduct, he said, covers assault or threats to crew members, refusal to follow safety instructions, smoking in restricted areas, fighting, disorderly actions, or interfering with aircraft equipment.

The AON stressed that pilots-in-command and AVSEC officers have the authority to restrain and de-board disruptive passengers, handing them over to competent authorities to ensure flight safety and order.

Okonkwo also confirmed that members shall cooperate with the relevant aviation agencies and participate in the retraining retreats on how to handle cases of unruly and disruptive passengers as proposed by the minister.

By; Corlins Walter

Business

Ex-NIMASA DG Harps On Blue Economy Importance

Published

2 hours ago

August 18, 2025

The Tide

A former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, has emphasised the importance of strategic reforms and stronger collaboration among agencies and stakeholders in unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.

In a lecture titled “Blue Economy and Economic Diversification: Opportunities and Challenges” at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Jos, Plateau State, Dosunmu highlighted the sector’s capacity to drive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.

He said, “the blue economy offers a unique and timely solution to Nigeria’s perennial dependence on hydrocarbon resources.

“With strategic reforms, robust policies, and stronger collaboration among agencies and stakeholders, the sector can significantly boost national revenue and secure a prosperous future for our country.”

He explained that this call to action underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to diversify its economy and reduce its over-reliance on hydrocarbons.

The blue economy, as outlined by Dosunmu, has the potential to transform Nigeria’s economic landscape.

By harnessing the opportunities in this sector, the country can create new revenue streams, foster sustainable development, and promote economic resilience, he explained further.

Dosunmu also emphasized the need to address key challenges facing the blue economy, including regulatory gaps, environmental threats, and capacity constraints.

The lecture was part of a broader engagement that featured papers on foreign direct investment, sustainable coastal tourism, and fisheries and aquaculture in Nigeria’s blue economy.

The NIPSS, Nigeria’s foremost policy think-tank, aims to develop top-level leaders and policymakers capable of formulating and implementing strategies for national development.

The lecture noted the blue economy’s potential, which includes driving economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. The challenges, however, include regulatory gaps, environmental threats, and capacity constraints.

Some of the solutions include strategic reforms, robust policies, and stronger collaboration among agencies and stakeholders.