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FG commences sensitization on implementation of Bio-ethanol project in Northwest

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The Federal Government on Tuesday in Kano commenced sensitisation of cassava stakeholders in Northwest on strategic implementation of the bio-ethanol project.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mr Nebolisa Anako, said that the aspiration of the federal government was to bring about higher GDP growth and to significantly reduce unemployment by creating meaningful opportunities for the youth.

Represented by the Director, Finance and Accounts, Alhaji Muhammed Kabir, he said that the Bio-economy Policy aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth and development by creating a Bio-based economy that would contribute to job creation, poverty reduction, and increased access to food and energy.

According to him, this will be achieved through the development of cassava Bio-economy, as well as other Bio-resources.

The Permanent Secretary lauded the efforts of Federal Ministries, Department and Agencies for their collaboration and enduring partnership in developing the Bio-economy Policy, adding that, it was a Ministerial deliverable, that was captured in the National Development Plan of 2021 – 2025.

He said that the framework would employ a Triple-Helix Knowledge Transfer Partnership in its implementation.

“This includes the Academia, Research and Development Institutes, farmers, the Private Sector and Government MDAs, as well as Civil Society, Development Partners and Development Finance Institutions.

“It is pertinent to look at the Bio-economy response and how it can contribute to the deceleration of the rising food insecurity.

”The country, at this time, needs an approach that will increase food production, youth employment, and increased growth through the provision of industrial feedstock and exportable products to boost our economy.

“To achieve this, one strategic pathway is to develop the Cassava Bio-ethanol Value Chain. This becomes even more imperative, given the recent removal of subsidy on Petroleum products, re-evaluation of the Naira through the merging of official and non-official exchange windows,” he said.

According to him, the objective of the Cassava Bio-ethanol Value Chain is to demonstrate the efficacy of private sector-led approach in promoting investment in renewable Biomass, create wealth, provide jobs, reduce poverty and improve food security.

The State Commissioner for finance, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibrin, who represented Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, restated the state government’s commitment to develop the project.

He said that a program of this nature, would benefit a large population of the state.

The consultant of the project, Prof. Ken Ife, said that the workshop would highlight the inaugural focus on the Cassava bio-ethanol value chain, which would stimulate industrial growth, and enhance food production and availability, across the nation.

He underscored the need to engage universities with a view to producing young bio-entrepreneurs and extension service agents, for the country to boost agricultural productivity.

Ife said that there was an urgent need to create new initiatives, aimed at addressing youth unemployment in the country.

Mr Felix Okonkwo, Director of Macro Economic Analysis of the Ministry, said that the objective behind the initiative was to reinforce government’s commitment to achieving key national goals.

He said that the objectives included, enhancing food nutrition, promoting agriculture, ensuring food security, and working towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Some of the participants who spoke to our correspondent commended the federal government for the project and promised to share the knowledge with orders.

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Rivers Crisis:Former Senate President Urges Tinubu To Call Wike To Order

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Senator Adolpos Wabara ,Former Senate President

Former Senate President and Chairman Board of Trustees, BOT, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to caution his appointee and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike to avoid plunging Rivers State into a “needless political crisis”.

This is coming on the heels of the move by pro- Wike lawmakers, to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

This is coming on the heels of the move by pro- Wike lawmakers, to impeach Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

Wabara also condemned the call by APC Chairman in Rivers, Tony Okocha, for the House of Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against the Fubara.

The former Senate President who accused Wike of stoking the face-off between Gov. Fubara and the lawmakers, warned that Nigeria might not survive any instability in Rivers State considering the state’s economic importance to the country

Senator Wabara appealed to President Tinubu to prevail on Wike to give peace a chance and allow his successor to discharge his constitutional roles without undue influence.

“I want to appeal to Mr President to call his appointee, Nyesom Wike to order so that his actions in Rivers do not confirm the suspicion that APC has an agenda to turn Nigeria into one party state. Wike should allow peace to reign in Rivers State.

” Mr President should appreciate the importance of Rivers as a major revenue base of the country, and should the trouble they are stoking erupt, Nigeria will definitely not escape the aftermath.”

The PDP BoT Chairman, further advised members of the Rivers House of Assembly not to yield themselves as agents of distabilization of the state “because history will not be kind to them.”

He reminded the gladiators to carefully weigh the grave implications of any attempt to forcefully remove a democratically-elected Governor or President from office.

The former Senate President who warned that the PDP would not tolerate any further intimidation or persecution of the Governor, urged “all those involved in the political brouhaha in Rivers to give peace a chance”.

On the mass exodus of PDP members in Abia State, Senator Wabara who said such scenario was not unexpected, however, urged the party faithful not to panic.

He said that the elders of the party had initiated moves to half further exit of members, describing the development as the after effect of the impunity of the last PDP-led administration in the state, and its utter disregard to internal democracy and party supremacy.

Wabara further noted that some chieftains who are leaving the party are doing so for self protection while some join the bandwagon without any deep thought of their action.

He urged PDP members in the state to remain resolute and support the on-going efforts to rebuild and reposition the party for a winning spree in 2027.

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Gombe Schools Are Safe- Prof. Maigari Assures

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Professor Aishatu Maigari Gombe state commissioner for education

 

In response to concerns about the safety of schools in Gombe State,the Commissioner of Education Professor Aishatu Maigari,has assured that schools in the state are safe.

Responding to questions from newsmen regarding school security, the Commissioner refuted rumors suggesting that schools were closed due to insecurity.

She clarified that the government decided to close schools earlier than scheduled due to various factors, including the Ramadan fast, Sallah, Easter breaks, and excessive heat.

Professor Maigari elaborated that the decision was made considering that out of the remaining two weeks, approximately ten days would be devoted to public holidays. Therefore, only four days were deducted from the academic calendar.

The Commissioner gave the public the assurance that the school calendar remained on track, because the government was implementing measures to enhance school security.

Professor Maigari therefore called on the community, stakeholders, parents, and guardians to collaborate with the government in ensuring the safety of schools.

Amidst these reassurances, Professor Maigari’s statements aim to alleviate concerns and reinforce confidence in the safety and continuity of education in Gombe State.

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Port Harcourt school smashes UTME as 50% of candidates score above 300

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Garba Usman Gero

Bishop Okoye Spiritan Secondary School has smashed the just concluded UTME as 35 students accounting for 50 percent of the entire candidates from the school, got above 300. While unveiling the result, the principal Rev. Fr Jude Ekemgba C. S. Sp, said he was filled with joy to announce the superlative performance of the students.

He attributed the success to the collective hard work of the students, staff and management. He praised the staff for their sacrifices and the students for opening their hearts to learn and to prepare adequately, which paved way for the huge success recorded. On his part the Vice principal/Dean of Studies Rev Fr Edoziem John Paul C.S.Sp described the result as a product of hardwork, strategic planning and the blessing of God.

He noted that though the school has always ranked among the best performing schools, the 2024 UTME result is a consolidation. The clergy also thanked the students and teachers for their collective role in producing the heart warming result. Also speaking the student who got the highest score of 366 Emmanuel Jeremiah returned all glory to God and thanked the school for the rigorous training that repositioned them to achieve the feat.

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