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FG, Chinese Firm Sign MoU on Electric Bicycles, Renewable Energy
Federal Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese Company, Mutual Commitment Company Limited for the assembly of electric tricycles and establish a renewable energy training centre.
The MoU signing ceremony, facilitated by the Rural Electrification Agency, was attended by Adebayo Adelabu, minister of Power, and Mr Abba Aliyu, managing director of REA.
In a statement on Tuesday byBolaji Tunji, Adelabu’s spokesman, it was disclosed that the event took place in Beijing on the eve of the opening of the African-China Co-operation Summit.
Adelabu was quoted as saying that the MoU event was important and will go down as a memorable day for Nigeria.
He congratulated the REA and the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria on the event, saying it will aid in achieving Nigeria’s vision for the renewable energy sub-sector of the entire electricity sector value chain.
Adelabu added, “I know Nigeria and China have a lot of things in common, one of which is the fact that Nigeria and China are both high population countries and with a country with high population, you have so much pressure.
“The first pressure is that of energy access, and the second is job creation. So when you take steps to achieve both, it is a thing of joy. I am particularly happy that this is happening during the tenure of President Bola Tinubu, as it is in line with achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration for the country.”
The minister reiterated the fact that Tinubu has prioritised the power sector as the driver for all other critical sectors of the economy and, he is giving the sector all the support to ensure it delivers his electoral promises.
He highlighted that energy access and expansion is the government’s major priority because nothing can be achieved without a strong, stable, functional, and reliable electricity sector.
“We have relied so much on centralisation of our power sector for so long that it is not taking us anywhere,” he stated.
Adelabu revealed that almost 40 per cent of Nigeria’s population lacks access to energy with its attendant consequences.
“So, moving away from centralisation, we have decided to adopt the distributed power model to ensure that every Nigerian has access to energy.
“A lot of our population resides in rural areas, and a lot of our educational and tertiary health institutions are isolated, and they are still facing epileptic power supply.
“We have also found out that the adoption of the distributed energy model will expand the energy net for our rural dwellers, the rural businesses, our universities and tertiary health institutions; which is why the focus is on renewable energy which we believe is scalable and can exist in isolation of national grid that is currently facing lots of pressure,” he explained.
According to him, as Nigeria continues to expand energy access, the country also wants to achieve a transition to cleaner sources of energy that are sustainable and environment friendly.
He said the MoU would achieve the vision for the renewable energy sub-segment of the power sector.
“We will be able to produce jobs for our large youthful population that is growing every day.
“Our polytechnics, technical colleges, and universities are turning up graduates every year without assurance of job placement.
“This will go a long way to make it happen. At the same time, we will be able to achieve our energy access expansion,” he added.
He noted that northern African countries such as Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, and Algeria have achieved 100 per cent electrification of their countries and in South Africa, about 95 per cent.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria is still at 62 per cent, though there are still some African countries with worse levels of achievements, but this is not where we belong. If these countries can achieve this, why is it not possible for Nigeria with the level of our natural endowment?
“We have the gas, and the dams are also there for the hydropower electric. The wind, both desert and coastal, is there while sunshine is also effective. So, what are we waiting for?
“A step like today’s will enable us to move up on our level of electrification. This will consequently lead to growth in our Gross Domestic Product because of the economic activities that would be created.
“This will also save us foreign exchange expenditure on importation and create jobs for our people if we assemble these things locally,” he posited.
Earlier, the REA boss reiterated the importance of the ceremony as it is capable of delivering on the presidential mandate of building local capacity and creating more job opportunities.
“We will track this and ensure the delivery of the commitment within the tenure of the present administration.
“We will also track the economic factor that this initiative will drive, the level of GDP contribution, the employment opportunities provided, and the socio-economic activities that will crystallise,” Aliyu remarked.
He said the MCC is presently engaged in Nigeria with the construction of 12 megawatts and 3 megawatts power plants in Maiduguri and Kaduna, respectively.
The Vice Chairman of MCC, Yan Zhezhu, who spoke through an interpreter, expressed appreciation for the power minister’s commitment to Nigeria’s energy growth.
Credit: Punch
President Bola Tinubu has not asked Yemi Cardoso to resign from his position as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), according to Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Onanuga, taking to his official X handle on Tuesday, debunked reports suggesting that Tinubu ordered Cardoso’s resignation and described the report as a “bundle of lies.”
“It’s all lies. President Tinubu has not asked Yemi Cardoso to resign,” Onanuga said while dismissing the report.
The report claimed that President Tinubu issued the directive to Cardoso before departing for China, despite efforts by influential Yoruba leaders to keep him in the position.
Cardoso has faced criticism for his inability to address the ongoing economic challenges and stabilise the Naira.
A seasoned economic and development policy advisor, he was nominated by President Tinubu on September 15, 2023, and assumed office as CBN Governor on September 22, 2023.
He and his deputies were cleared by the National Assembly days before he took over from Folashodun Shonubi, acting CBN governor.
UK government’s West Africa Research and Innovation Hub (WARIH) has launched Sankore to support economic growth by strengthening technology and innovation across West Africa, in close partnership with country governments.
Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa
UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins announced the call for creative proposals for the project from non-profit organisations (including UN Agencies) at a press conference today, 17th September 2024, in Accra.
The Sankore call for proposals will support the UK government’s partnership with Government in Nigeria and Ghana on science, technology and innovation, facilitate commercialisation of innovative solutions, improve innovation policy and enhance government digital service delivery.
Named after a West African medieval center of learning, Sankore will establish new partnerships worth up to £1.9 Million with non-profit organisations (including UN agencies) in Ghana or Nigeria.
At the launch for call for proposals, UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, said: “This initiative is all about how we can work together to strengthen the global technology sector, creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies with lots of potential to compete on the world stage.
“The Sankore grant fosters partnerships at its heart, with a strong message that we go far when we go together.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji said: “Sankore project is a pivotal opportunity for Nigeria to enhance its innovation landscape, by strengthening industry-science linkages and developing an enabling policy environment.
“This partnership underscores our shared commitment to developing practical solutions that lead to sustainable and inclusive growth.”
Also commenting, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Jonny Baxter, said: “Sankore exemplifies the UK’s commitment to driving innovation and sustainable development in Nigeria.
“The project will strengthen partnerships between businesses and innovators as well as drive the development of innovative solutions that address critical gaps in priority economic sectors.
“The project will build on the UK’s wider efforts to support economic growth, create job opportunities and propel Nigeria’s technology and innovation ecosystem.”
How to Apply:
Interested and qualified organisations and partners are encouraged to visit Sankore call for proposals: strengthening innovation and technology across West Africa – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) to learn more and apply.
Deadline for submissions is 25th October 2024, 12pm WAT.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has provided a transparent account of the process and measures taken to ensure the success of its virtual examinations, saying the allegations surrounding its recently concluded virtual examination are totally unfounded.
CIPM’s Commitment to Professional Excellence
CIPM is committed to providing a seamless and professional examination experience for all candidates. As the first professional body in Nigeria to introduce virtual examinations during the global COVID-19 pandemic, we have consistently worked to adapt, improve, and innovate within this space.
During the Institute’s September 2024 diet, 4,169 candidates were scheduled for the tests, out of which 4,049 candidates (97.12%) sat for the test as scheduled. Furthermore, 4,006 candidates representing 98.94% of those who sat for the test successfully submitted their exams.
The 2.88% of candidates not tested either failed accreditation or were absent. It is important to note and emphasize that candidates who failed accreditation or experienced technical issues were promptly advised and rescheduled for another examination at no additional cost to them.
Addressing Accreditation and Submission Failures
Accreditation and submission failures are not uncommon in virtual examinations and can be caused by various factors, including incorrect computer specifications, poor internet connectivity, and even computer literacy challenges.
CIPM, in collaboration with its technical partners, continue to work tirelessly to provide guidance and support to candidates experiencing such challenges, ensuring they are accommodated and rescheduled promptly.
In response to the challenges encountered by some candidates during the September 13, 2024, exam session, CIPM to address these challenges, extended the test window from the initial 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, allowing ample time for students experiencing network difficulties to complete their exams. All affected candidates were duly informed of this extension.
Technical Support and Continuous Improvement
CIPM recognizes that the virtual exam experience is a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders, including technical partners like Dragnet, the IT company responsible for administering our exams.
While technical issues may arise in such a setup, it is essential to highlight that CIPM actively works with all relevant parties to address concerns promptly. We have always taken the concerns of our candidates seriously, and any technical challenges are met with proactive solutions.
Addressing Concerns of Fraud and Examination Integrity
Allegations suggesting exploitation or fraudulent intent are baseless as they are unfounded. At no point has CIPM charged candidates for rescheduled exams due to technical failures.
Our rescheduling process is transparent, fair, and free of charge to those affected by genuine technical difficulties. CIPM’s commitment to integrity remains firm, and we maintain rigorous standards in ensuring that our examinations are conducted fairly and transparently.
The Institute’s examination process is guided by ISO 17024, so we are required to embed measures which ensure fairness, equity and transparency in the online examination process. Part of the measures put in place is a remote proctoring system which records candidates’ activities end-to-end, all through the examination process.
There are processes for reviewing and taking actions on the proctoring reports. Also, all computer systems without the facilities to support the remote proctoring system cannot pass accreditation and therefore are unable to access examination questions. All cases of breach of process among the accredited candidates are seriously dealt with in line with the requirements of the global standards.
CIPM Leading the Way in Virtual Examinations
CIPM as a pacesetter is proud to have set a standard and benchmark in the conduct of professional examinations in Nigeria by leading the transition to virtual examinations.
Many other institutes have since followed our lead, recognizing the benefits of virtual platforms for professional certifications. Despite the challenges, CIPM remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering high-quality examinations that meet global standards.
Looking Ahead
CIPM is dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation. We will continue to work with technical partners and stakeholders to enhance the examination experience and ensure it meets the expectations of our candidates.
Our values of Service, Creativity, Integrity, Professionalism and Teamwork guides us in all our endeavors as we strive to advance in our certification journey.
We appreciate the feedback from our stakeholders and are committed to addressing any concerns. CIPM will always act in the best interests of our candidates and the broader HR profession.
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