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Minister visits Dangote Cement Ibese, lauds Plant’s promotion of best practices

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Minster of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako (middle); Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Director, Azad Nawabuddin (2nd left); Dangote Senior General manager Special Duty Projects, Abdullaziz Kolo (left); Ogun state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya (2nd right) and Member of Ogun state House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyanju Adegoke (right), during the visit of Minister of State for Environment to Dangote Cement Ibese plant Ogun state 

The Federal Government has commended the leading roles being played by the Dangote Group to complement government’s efforts to diversify the nation’s economy and the company’s dedication to promotion of best practices in all its operations.

The commendation came even as the Ogun State government said the Dangote Cement is a key driver of the state’s economy with the citing of the continent’s second biggest cement plant in the state.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Saloko made these remarks while on a familiarisation visit to Dangote Cement plant, Ibese, Ogun State. The visit was followed by a community engagement preparatory to the Expert Panel Review of the report of an Environmental Impact Assessment carried out on Coal milling at the Plant.

The Minister declared: “Dangote Industries as a whole is an international conglomerate and I am happy that the company is at the forefront of promoting best practices in terms of conception, planning, implementation, management of factories that are manufacturers like this.”

Dr. Salako and his entourage, who were received by the Plant Management led the Plant Director, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, described mining as one of the key industrial sectors that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has targeted for economic diversification as the nation embarks on gradual shift from oil and gas dependency.

He said it was for this reason that Dangote Cement should be commended for the huge cement plant which is creating jobs and opportunities for export. He added that limestone mining activities, a key raw material in cement manufacturing is one such area that attention of the government is shifting to.

Dr. Salako pointed out that while mining sector has huge potential to develop the nation’s economy, many challenges are associated with mining activities. He then commended Dangote cement for its adherence to best practices, saying, “having gone round to see the operations in the plant, I give kudos to Dangote Cement for the automation and high technology-driven operations.”

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He explained that his visit was not unconnected with the Environmental Impact Assessment, which is being done on the plant Coal Mill, noting “there is a need for mining operations to be done in a sustainable manner so that the environment is not adversely affected. But I applaud Dangote Cement for being at the forefront of promoting best practices.”

The Minister said further: “For us in the ministry of environment, it means we must also sit up. Mining as it comes with its advantages, also comes with its challenges. So, we must be up and doing, as we expand the economy and grow Nigeria. We should also do it in a sustainable manner so that the environment is not adversely affected.

“We must continue in that respect to ensure that best practices are always promoted, environmental and social impact assessments are properly carried out, the stakeholders are properly involved, and the environment is properly protected so that our growth can be sustainable. That’s why we are here and I am happy that Dangote is at the forefront of that.”

While speaking also, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya who represented the Governor, Dapo Abiodun said the state is a beneficiary of Dangote Cement presence with the amount of levies and taxes it has paid into the state coffer.

He called for a more collaboration between the state agencies and the company noting that the state was not unaware of the activities of the plant to lift its host communities. He added that the state would be mote than ready to assist the company in any way possible.

In his remark, Mr. Nawabuddin took the minister through the social investments and infrastructural milestones recorded by the Plant since inception, saying the Company has been able to substantially contribute to infrastructure development and employment in the host communities.

The Plant Director told the Minister that the plant deals with 17 host communities across Yewa North and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of the state, saying they have greatly felt the impacts of the company through empowerment programmes and provision of infrastructure.

Mr. Nawabuddin told his guests that Dangote Cement Ibese Plant has been a major contributor to economic diversification efforts of both the state and federal governments by creating jobs, exporting cement and clinker to neighbouring countries to attract foreign exchange into the country, and paying humongous taxes and levies to the state and federal government.

The Community engagement that held after the Minister’s tour of the plant also saw the communities’ leaders thanking Dangote Cement for its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) projects so far for the people of Yewa.

The Olu of Imasayi, Oba Kuoye Olalekan, a top monarch in Yewaland expressed his subjects’ appreciation to Dangote Cement for its developmental strides in the area. “Dangote Cement is the transformer and illumination of Yewaland”, he stated.

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Hakimi: Labour Party Will Capture Northern Nigeria Under Abure’s Leadership

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The Director of Peter Obi Coalition 2023 (CPO), Sadisu Isyaku Hakimi, has expressed strong confidence in the leadership of Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP).

In an interview with newsmen in Kano, Hakimi stated that if Abure’s footsteps are followed, the Labour Party has the potential to capture Northern Nigeria and ultimately the entire nation.

Praising Abure’s tenure as the best, Hakimi emphasized that the National Chairman’s focus on the interests of Northern Nigeria would lead to significant gains for the party. “Julius Abure’s tenure is the best. He has to look at the interests of Northern Nigeria, and the party will make it,” Hakimi remarked.

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Hakimi further criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the party is failing to protect the interests of the masses. “APC is not protecting the interest of the masses, and as such, the APC is going to lose the election,” he asserted.

Hakimi’s comments highlight the growing confidence within the Labour Party’s leadership and supporters. He believes that under Abure’s guidance, the party can address the needs and aspirations of the Northern Nigerian populace, leading to broader national support.

The interview has sparked discussions among political analysts and the public, with many watching closely to see how the Labour Party’s strategies unfold in the upcoming elections.

 

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Military Needs 500,000 Personnel To Defeat Insurgency-Retired General

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A former Provost Marshall of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen Pat Akem-Vingir (rtd), says the military needs at least 500,000 personnel to eliminate terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

“Our army is small. We need to have an army of at least 500,000 personnel,” the retired general said on the Friday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television

The Nigerian military has about 230,000 personnel, according to the ranking platform, Global Fire Power. Maj-Gen Akem-Vingir said much of the successes of the military in the theatre of war in Nigeria’s North-East zone have been lost because of the lack of manpower to hold the ground after clearance operations.

He said until there is sufficient manpower to secure territories after terrorist dislodgement, the blood-thirsty marauders would continue to regain those places.

He said, “When you are fighting insurgency, you must capture ground and hold it. It takes troops to do that. When you capture ground, then you build and hold so that people can resume their lives and there will be security but if you are clearing areas and you are not holding, then they (terrorists) will come back.”

The retired general also said the government should not recognise the newly formed terror group Lakurawa wreaking havoc in the North-West geopolitical zone of the country.

Maj-Gen Akem-Vingir described the Lakurawa group as “one small tiny group” seeking attention.

He said, “We shouldn’t recognise them, we shouldn’t even discuss them because they will think they are being noticed now and want to do more.

“They are one small tiny group that shouldn’t even get out attention; that should be swatted away – that shouldn’t be given any energy to feed upon. They are seeking attention.”

He urged the government to empower the military with the right equipment, training, and the “full authority” to crush the enemies of the state.

The former army provost said, “The president needs to give the instruction to security agencies in the open where Nigerians will hear it.

“When he does that openly, and tell them I want to see your needs on my table in two weeks because, without security, you can’t be talking about governance.”

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APC Youth Reject Ganduje’s Daughter’s Appointment, Demand Reversal

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A fresh controversy has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as youths within the party strongly reject the proposed appointment of Asiya Ganduje, daughter of APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as Director of Community and Rural Development in the newly established Northwest Development Commission (NWDC).

A leaked letter circulating in the media reveals that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, recommended Fatima Ganduje and 10 others for key director positions in the commission. This revelation has ignited backlash from APC youths, who are now calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reject the nomination.

Leading the opposition is renowned APC youth activist Sadiq Ali Sango, who has publicly condemned the appointment, describing it as an attempt by Ganduje to turn the APC into a family business.

According to Sadiq Sango Many loyal APC members worked tirelessly for the party’s success, yet Ganduje is only concerned about his family.

“He already holds two appointments, his son is a director in a federal agency, and now he wants to impose his daughter in the Northwest Development Commission. This is unfair, undemocratic, and must be stopped.”

He further stressed that the APC in Kano has a pool of qualified and competent individuals who deserve such appointments.

The youth activist urged President Tinubu to dismiss the proposal and appoint a more deserving APC member from Kano State.

“We call on President Tinubu to uphold fairness and reject this appointment. The APC is not a personal empire for a few privileged families. We demand justice for hardworking party members who have been sidelined.”

This is not the first time Sadiq Ali Sango has taken a stand against Ganduje. He was previously at the forefront of calls for Ganduje’s removal as APC National Chairman, a move that sparked heated debates within and beyond Kano State.

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