General
NDDC and Girl Child Education
By Jerome-Mario Utomi
Each passing day brings to mind the fact that the Governing board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are fast becoming a bunch trademarked for appreciating education as the bedrock for sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and reputed for commitment to promoting learning among youths from the region, particularly the girl child.
Aside from the well-thought-out scholarships awarded a few months ago, to 200 deserving candidates from the region to pursue Master’s Degrees overseas, a programme which of course forms an important component of the agency’s human capital development that seeks to use education to change the fortunes of the region, the latest of such efforts was the recent call by the commission’s Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie, for prioritization of education of the girl child as it holds the key to sustainable development in the country.
Speaking at a ceremony put together by the Commission, on Friday, July 5, 2024, in Agbor, Delta state, to mark International Women’s Day, the Commission urged the various tiers of government to evolve measures that will enable the girl child to secure access to quality education. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of NDDC, who was represented at the ceremony by Hon. John C. Aleh, his Special Assistant, said as a pivotal segment of the population, educating the girl child empowers women to succeed in all areas of life.
The guest speaker, Mrs Ben Utalor Goziem, who spoke on: “Girl Child Education”, said that women are the heart of the nation, hence, they should be equipped with sound education. According to her, “It is very important for the girl child to be educated.
‘A good education is a foundation for the girl child. An educated woman possesses so many attributes that will make her survive tomorrow’s challenges. I am confident that if we want our future to be full of joy, we need to educate every girl in our society. I have known for a long time that girls’ education is a way to nation-building. Perhaps, this is a time to give our girls a chance to explore their potential through quality education. ”
Indeed, while this piece commends Ebie and the NDDC for supporting the fight for the education and empowerment of women, there are, however, more reasons that render the present call by Ebie and NDDC as germane, commendable and an initiative that other government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and of course, good spirited Nigerians must imbibe.
First and very fundamental, it is globally acknowledged that when the leader protects and empowers a girl child in all aspects of her identity, such a leader automatically assists her, takes her own decisions as well as ensures the future against absenteeism of women from different socio-political and economical spheres of the country.
In the same vein, in the words of the late former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Kofi Annan, ‘there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women, and no other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity, or to reduce infant and maternal mortality’.
Analysts also believe that a significant function of the education of the girl-child in Nigeria is that it offers her the opportunity to chart her destiny with the skills and information she acquired from basic education up to tertiary education.
Separate from providing the girl child with diverse basic knowledge, skills, and training which contribute to national development, the report also has it that education offers girls the necessary skills and information needed to excel in a chosen career in future; hence, a girl who is educated can grow to become a teacher, architect, doctor, computer scientist, lawyer and pharmacist, among other lucrative and noble professions. And by giving girls a right to education we can be able to right the wrongs in our society’.
Very unique about NDDC’s educational and empowerment initiatives is the consciousness that it considers education and youth development from a democratized prism that goes beyond conventional learning to include holistic knowledge areas that cover agriculture, skill and talent development and all-around insight.
A typical example of a similar learning and human capital development plan is the agency’s Project HOPE programme, a visionary initiative born out of the renewed hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, targeted at changing the narrative of the Niger Delta region from one of agitation and unrest to peace and prosperity and ensures that the youths will be matched with suitable and legitimate means of livelihood.
Speaking recently on the programme, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of NDDC, stated that Project HOPE was designed to develop an exhaustive digital repository comprising vital information about the youths of the Niger Delta region, including their qualifications, skills, interests, needs and current employment status, noting that the database would serve as a plank for data-driven planning, enabling the formulation of impactful policies and programmes targeted at the youths- and will help eliminate the past practice of youths benefitting in our programmes multiple times. But now, once you’ve been engaged, it will be recorded in our database,”
Ogbuku added that the NDDC had identified what should be done to fill the development gap in the Niger Delta region, stating: “We need to create a balance between infrastructure projects and agricultural programmes that will help to guarantee food security in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.”
While he described “Project HOPE as a means of training teeming youths, a means of empowerment and means of changing the toga of militancy to one of skills and useful youths, Ogbuku assures that the HOPE initiative is real and will be sustained. The database that we are building will not only help us to select the right persons, but it will also help us to monitor their progress. We are using technology to ensure that you do not need to know anybody to be enlisted into the programme.”
‘The initiative is positioned to create youth employment opportunities, especially in agriculture through support to small-holder farmers to ensure operational growth while shifting from traditional to mechanized farming methods. Because of the arable wetlands, rainfalls and other favourable ecological factors to plant various crops and vegetables at least four times within a farming season, the agency is proactively moving away from the oil economy to the agricultural sector which can accommodate our youths in large numbers.”
Explicitly, why this author is particularly thrilled about these recent initiatives formulated by the Commission’s board and management is that they advertised a detailed understanding that education and youth empowerment are pivotal to achieving development and therefore, must be at the centre of such moves. This is in addition to the fact that NDDC’s solution to youth unemployment and the development of a climate for a sustainable future and innovation will assist in promoting the critical thrust of governance and maximize the benefits citizens derive from their leaders.
The present efforts (promotion of girl-child education, Project Hope, among others) by NDDC’s governing board and management become even more appreciated when one remembers that very recently, the nation was warned with mountains of statistics that we are in a dire state of strait because unemployment has diverse implications and Security-wise, a large unemployed youth population is a threat to the security of the few that are employed. This concern is not Niger Delta-specific but cuts across regions, religions, and tribes, and has in the past led to the proliferation of ethnic militia as well as youth restiveness across the country.
What the above information tells us as a nation is that the ongoing creative and transformative leadership at NDDC calls for collective support from all critical stakeholders.
For their part, youths from the region (Niger Delta) must take advantage of these initiatives. Those who have benefitted in the past from such programmes/skills by NDDC should take both practical and coordinated steps to put such knowledge/skill into use, particularly as any knowledge derived but not applied ‘remains but a mere library in between the two ears’.
Utomi Jerome-Mario, a Media Professional, writes from Lagos, Nigeria. He can be reached via [email protected]/08032725374
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Government has expressed its readiness to get a brand-new Building Code next year, to achieve the high-performance standards needed to make Lagos a sustainable and Smart City.
The government’s readiness was disclosed at the Lagos State Executive Council Retreat on the Domestication of the Lagos Building Code, organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development, held at Ikeja GRA on Wednesday.
Speaking during the retreat, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu emphasised the need for more collaboration among all the ministries and agencies in the built sector, to ensure the state development in line with global best practices.
He said the motive behind the Lagos Building Code is to have a building regulation that would make Lagos much more resilient.
“We (Lagos State Government) are the first to domesticate the National Building Code, which is the creation of the Federal Government. We are not doing anything outside the vision at the sovereign and sub-sovereign levels. But what is unique about our own is the fact that all the cabinet members see the need to have an input because it would be an outcome that would affect lives and different ministries and agencies.
“So, there is a need for everybody to have a say, and at the end of the day, collectively we will resolve to have a way.
“What we are trying to do is for Lagos State to do what is obtainable internationally: have a building regulation in which we have a standard of construction in design, manner of land use occupancy, and use of building materials, which we believe would eventually improve and help with health, safety, and occupancy issues.
“It is all about building sustainably, making Lagos a lot more resilient and able to absorb shock in the future and able to stand in the comity of developed cities and city-states as we see in various parts of the world,” he said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, Mr Olajide Babatunde, stated that the Lagos Building Code is to complement the existing regulatory framework and provide a comprehensive solution to the challenges of land use, physical development, and urban planning.
Mr Babatunde said the Lagos Building Code will regulate building control, planning permission, and address the issues of setbacks; take care of the safety and sustainability of the environment; and also prevent the collapse of buildings.
“We have been working on the domestication of the National Building Code, and by next year, we are going to have our own brand-new Lagos Building Code. We have worked with professional bodies and people from academia, market women, and the public in general, and through a participatory approach, we can come out with a document that is acceptable to everyone and useful to the entire state,” he said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Daramola, described the Lagos State Building Code initiative by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration as the next step to Green Lagos that will enable the state to plan buildings properly and ensure durable infrastructure in the state.
During the retreat, members of the Lagos State Executive Council brainstormed and advocated aggressive sensitisation for residents of the State on the Lagos Building Code before implementation.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A report released by Spotify has revealed that in 2024, Apostle Femi Lazarus was the most streamed podcast on its platform, closely followed by Motivation Daily by Motiversity.
Podcasts are one of Africa’s favourite ways to tell stories. With almost 4 billion minutes of podcast audio played in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, the continent’s appetite for this content is loud and clear.
South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya listened to the most shows this year, with South Africa contributing over 2 billion minutes. If you started playing podcasts on one device today, it would make for about 30 centuries of listening.
“The numbers don’t lie. Podcasting is here to stay because it lets creators take control of their narratives and tell these stories on their terms while bringing their community along for the journey,” the Sub-Saharan Africa Podcast Manager for Spotify, Ncebakazi Manzi, stated.
Motivational shows around issues like managing finances, relationships, personal goals and health remain popular across the three leading countries. Shows like “The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett”, “Motivation Daily by Motiversity” and “The Success Addicted Podcast” have attracted listeners who want to get their lives in order and learn from the stories of inspirational people.
Audiences in Nigeria and South Africa embrace shows about spirituality. “Christian Motivation” had one of the most shared episodes in South Africa while “Apostle Joshua Selman” maintained his popularity in Nigeria for another year. As the continent’s second-largest podcast market, Nigeria listened to 700 million minutes in 2024 and it created half of the new shows published in Sub-Saharan Africa this year.
Even though spirituality dominated Nigeria’s top charts, the continued popularity of shows like “I Said What I Said” and “The HonestBunch Podcast” tell us that listeners also want conversation-style shows. Listeners in Kenya and South Africa also showed an affinity toward these shows.
A good laugh with friends
The “ShxtsnGigs” podcast, an opinion show hosted by two best friends James and Fuhad, tapped into audiences’ hunger for conversational shows. The humorous podcast has made its way to the top charts in six of the top 10 podcast-playing African countries. In Kenya, The 97s Podcast has been inspired by this approach where funny and frank chats between hosts Trevor, Frank and Dante have led the podcast to take the number-one spot in the country for the first time.
Kenya’s broader listening data shows that relationships are a meaningful taking point. Seven of the 10 most shared episodes in the country discuss love, sex lives and dating. Julia Gaitho’s “So This Is Love” holds three out of the top five most shared podcast episodes in the country. Her interviews resonated because she draws lessons from her guest’s stories about lost lovers.
Some listeners just wanted to laugh through the pain. Ensemble shows like “Mic Cheque Podcast” and “The Sandwich Podcast” made Kenyans feel like they were hanging out with a close circle of friends. When difficult topics come up, moments of infectious laughter help lighten the mood.
Women creators like Murugi Munyi, Julia Gaitho, Sharon Machira and Lydia K.M. take this comedic approach to a new level on shows like “The Messy Inbetween” and ‘It’s Related, I Promise’. This genre contributed heavily to the country’s 400 million podcast minutes streamed in 2024.
Below are the most streamed and shared podcasts for the year;
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TOP STREAMED PODCASTS IN SOUTH AFRICA |
TOP STREAMED PODCASTS IN NIGERIA |
TOP STREAMED PODCASTS IN KENYA |
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2. Motivation Daily by Motiversity 3. Success Addicted Podcast with the voice of Earl Nightingale ; Napoleon Hill ; Jim Rohn and many more |
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TOP SHARED PODCAST EPISODES IN SOUTH AFRICA |
TOP SHARED PODCAST EPISODES IN KENYA |
TOP SHARED PODCAST EPISODES IN NIGERIA |
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By Dipo Olowookere
A $15 million debt facility has been obtained by Watt Renewable Corporation from the AfriGreen Debt Impact Fund to finance hybrid solar power plants to be built and operated by the former, especially in Nigeria.
WATT intends to use the projects to serve commercial and industrial clients in Nigeria, particularly in the telecommunication and financial services sectors.
By integrating solar hybrid solutions, the firm aims to significantly reduce diesel consumption and CO2 emissions, enabling its clients to achieve substantial energy cost savings while promoting environmental sustainability.
As a pioneer in renewable energy solutions, WATT continues to drive innovation in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The company’s robust roll-out plan includes deploying hundreds of hybrid solar power sites nationwide to meet the growing energy demands of commercial & industrial clients.
This strategic expansion aligns with WATT’s vision to revolutionize energy access across Africa, enabling sustainable development and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The funds from AfriGreen provide the critical capital needed to accelerate WATT’s ambitious projects, strengthening its market position and empowering businesses with reliable and affordable energy solutions.
Business Post gathered that to mitigate the currency risk for WATT in the event of devaluation of the Nigerian Naira, AfriGreen is offering a local currency facility that matches the payment structure of the power purchase agreements.
“We are thrilled to partner with AFRIGREEN on this transformative journey to expand reliable and sustainable energy solutions across Africa.
“With this support, it enables us to accelerate our shared mission of providing hybrid solar power to businesses, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting economic growth while enhancing energy security for our clients,” the Managing Director of WATT, Mr Oluwole Eweje, said.
“We are delighted to support WATT in rolling out hundreds of hybrid sites across the country.
“This represents another key transaction for AFRIGREEN in Nigeria. The combination of high energy prices, good solar irradiation, and strong demand from industrial and commercial energy users makes this market particularly attractive for companies like WATT.
“By leveraging these favourable market conditions alongside WATT’s exceptional operational performance and a well-structured financing solution, we are setting the stage for a strong and lasting business partnership,” the Managing Director of AfriGreen, Mr Alexandre Gilles, stated.
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