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Nigeria, China Move To Fast-Track Mambilla Hydropower Project

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9 years ago

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The Minster of State for
Power, Works and Housing, Mr Mustapha Shehuri, says Nigeria is working closely with China to fast-track the execution of the Mambilla Hydropower project.
Shehuri said this at the official unveiling of the China Gezhouba Group International Company Ltd. (CGGC) North Central/West Africa Headquarters in Abuja.
The minister noted that the establishment of the company in Abuja would ensure speedy mobilisation to site for the commencement of the Mambilla 3050 MW HEPP.
He said that the project would be completed within the next 63 months.
“We have no doubt that our Mambilla project will be delivered in due date with the establishment of the company in Abuja.
“Eighty-five per cent of the finance is coming from NEXIM Bank of China while 15 per cent is from the Nigerian government.
He commended CGGC for coming to Nigeria to commence a laudable project for the benefit of Nigerians.
He added that this would also accelerate the advancement of market development while promoting overseas business quality and efficiency.
“Many contractors shy away from working in the North-East; so, CGGC should be commended for the bold step it has taken.
“The project, apart from making water available for industrial use, will also help cater for the well-being of the generality of the people.”
He said that the company was qualified because it is the company that constructed the world’s largest dam.
Also speaking, Mr Lv Zeziang, the CGGC President, expressed optimism that the establishment of the headquarters in Abuja would improve on its technical strength, investment and financial capacity in regional and economic construction.
Zeziang said the company would help share the fruit of development as well as build a well-being environment among North West African countries.
He added that the company would ensure that its promise to contribute to social development and promote friendship between China and Nigeria was sustained.
“Nigeria is an old friend of China; this is because China is confident of the Nigerian market.
“Setting up a regional headquarters in Abuja managing 28 countries in the North Central and West Africa is not a mistake.
“Having done this, we will do everything possible to improve the living standard of the people in the region,’’ he said.
He called for support from the governments in the region, especially, Nigeria, to meet the social contribution of the economy.

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Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons

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1 day ago

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September 22, 2025

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Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.

Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.

The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.

Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.

“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.

“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”

Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.

In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.

Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.

Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.

 

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NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years

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September 22, 2025

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
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FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year 

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1 day ago

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September 22, 2025

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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