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Nigeria Launches Portal to Enhance Midstream and Downstream Service Delivery

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja
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The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has inaugurated the Midstream and Downstream Oil and Gas Industry Service Permit (MDOGISP) application portal to enhance effective service delivery.

The portal, which will be effective from March 31, is aimed at enabling issuance of valid permit to companies or operators for operations in the oil and gas industry.

It is strictly for operators wishing to provide services in the midstream and downstream sector of the petroleum industry, and it aims to boost revenue for the organisation.

Speaking at the inauguration of the portal in Abuja, the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, NMDPRA, Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, said the development was in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021.

According to him, the permit will be issued in two categories, namely; general major and specialised categories.

Ukoha said that the unveiling of the application portal and the six gazetted regulations in the midstream and downstream petroleum industry were highpoints for the authority, as it approached the 18th month of its constitution.

General Manager, Information Communication and Technology, NMDPRA, Mrs Anne Omezi, said the authority, under PIA, was mandated to provide the service to the midstream and downstream sector.

She said that no company or person would be engaged by any licensee or operator without a valid permit issued on the portal.

Omezi said that the licensees and operators were not expected to allow anyone render services to them without having a valid permit issued by NMDPRA.

“The general category addresses artisans who want to perform services in this space, while major and specialised categories process and verify skills as well as places of service.

“You can access the portal through its website www.nmdpra.gov.ng for inquiries and feedbacks,” she said.

Omezi urged the regional directors and coordinators to drive the awareness to all stakeholders.

 

 

 

NAN/Hauwa Abu

Nigeria’s Paramount ruler inaugurates African Religion Day in Brazil

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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The Nigerian Paramount Ruler and Co-Chairman, National Traditional Council, Ooni of Ife, His imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11, has inaugurated the annual African Traditional religion day called Isese Day, in Brazil.

He inaugurated the religious day at the banquet hall, Presidential palace, Brazilia, when he was hosted by President Lula da Silva as part of a working visit to Sao Paulo, Rio De Janeiro, Salvador, Bahia and Brasilia.

His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, was in Brazil in continuation of his global tour for African People’s Peace and Progress Agenda as well as the unveiling initiatives for the re-unification of the over 100 million Afro-Brazilians via his program tagged “Back To Home.”

He used the visit to appreciate the outstanding contributions of Afro-Brazilians to the country and urged President Lula not to renege on his promise of an inclusive pro- African government.

“I can remember very vividly your pronouncement on love and respect to African people during your visit to Nigeria in 2003 while the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s was in the office. We have you in our prayers and we pray that the Almighty Olodumare (God) continues to be with you.  Africa is proud of you”.

In his response, President Lula da Silva thanked the Ooni and lauded the king for his mission towards reunification of not just the Afro-Brazilians but also Africans worldwide which he believes means well for global peace.

Commitment

President Lula told Ooni Ogunwusi that the efforts of the Afro-Brazilians towards nation building in Brazil cannot be over emphasized, adding that his government is committed to strengthening the ties between Brazil and Africa which is the home continent of his people.

“My wife is here, always calls you “My father. Your love for us and for our country is indeed well appreciated and I promise you of my continued love for Africa. I have visited 44 countries in Africa and opened 19 embassies because Brazil of my administration has an historic pact to Africa,” President Lula stated.

The Brazilian President assured that the annual African Religion Day – Isese Day has come to stay in Brazil.

Special parliamentary session

As part of his official schedule in Brazil, the Ooni addressed a parliamentary session at the Federal House of Representatives Chamber in Brasilia where he called for the unity of African descendants across the world, urging the legislative arm to support President Lula with necessary pro Afro-Brazilian legislations.

 

“We cannot afford to be divided again. We are one, irrespective of colour and race. President Lula is our pride, he remains determined to do well for Africa, and you must support him with legislations helpful to his mission for Africa. That’s all I beg of you if truly we are one big family. What we need now is to unite for growth of all persons and be good to all regardless of religious and cultural differences,” he said.

He assured the Brazilians of plots of land to build houses in Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yoruba people.

“I’m sitting on an ancient throne of over hundreds of centuries, a sacred throne of the Kingdom where most of you all migrated from. Beyond here in Brasil, I am delighted to inform you that you all have a home in my Kingdom and there are free lands for you to come and build your homes across Africa.”

A Caring Father

In his welcome address, the Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, Hon. Deputado Vicentinho Requerente, who led other lawmakers to receive the foremost African monarch in the parliament, described the Ooni as a caring father whom the Afro-Brazilian community holds in a very high esteem.

The lawmaker who expressed his heartfelt joy in Portuguese, said, “Your presence here today has added to the dignity of people of African origin in Brazil and this day will remain a history making day for life.”

After the parliamentary session, the Arole Oduduwa was hosted at the Nigeria House in Brasil by the Nigerian Ambassador to the country, Ambassador Ahmad Muhammed Makarfi. who led other African Diplomats to receive the Spiritual Leader of the Yoruba people and the Oduduwa race worldwide.

The Paramount ruler travelled to Brazil with over 40 entourage comprising of two queens and traditional Rulers among others.

Streaming elevates Amapiano female voices globally -Spotify

Oluchi Okwuego
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An online streaming platform, Spotify, revealed that streaming, has helped in elevating the voices of female Amapiano artistes across the globe.

READ MORE: Spotify unveils Top Ten Exported Amapiano Tracks

The Spotify’s Head of Music in Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
She said that according to Spotify’s data, women were increasingly taking up space in Amapiano music through the power of streaming.

“At Spotify we have been championing Amapiano since we first started to see this exciting new genre take shape, and one of the things we are most excited about is how women are coming up in the genre.

“From singers and songwriters, to Disc Jockeys and producers, we are really seeing how this genre and its fans have embraced this female talent.

“Spotify, which has been a champion of the genre since its birth, has given the women of Amapiano a place to showcase their talents, break barriers and defy stereotypes.”

“Some of the top streamed women Amapiano artistes over the past 90 days include Boohle, Babalwa M, Kamo Mphela, Sha Sha, Msaki and Lady Du,” she said.

Okumu noted that Spotify had also been championing Amapiano artistes through programmes like ‘EQUAL’, ‘Fresh Finds’ and ‘RADAR’.

She said DBN Gogo was Spotify’s first South African EQUAL Ambassador in 2021, while rising star, Tyla, was the most recent.

“Amapiano music has over two billion streams on our platform, and our Amapiano Grooves playlist, which accounts for over a billion of these, features a strong mix of some of the most talented women in the genre right now,” she said.

According to Okumu, collaborations between Amapiano artistes and women artistes whose music are not typically part of the genre, are further driving music discovery.

She explained that artistes like Ami Faku, who calls her genre of music “Modern Afro Soul”, Msaki, who is most known for her folk sound, and even Nigeria’s Tiwa Savage, all featured in the most streamed Amapiano tracks.

According to her, they all feature a female artiste because of collaborations that they have done with artistes like DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small.

“With the power of streaming, Amapiano women artistes are going global.

“Spotify data shows that about 43 per cent of all Amapiano music is being listened to outside of South Africa, showcasing its massive international appeal,” she said.

She said collaborations were not just driving genre-bending, they were also driving exports of women artistes’ music.

“It is no surprise that female Amapiano artistsy are speaking directly to Gen Z.

“Spotify data shows that the top female Amapiano artistes like Boohle, Babalwa M and Msaki are all most popular among 18-24 year old audiences with the number of streams dropping off in older audience brackets.

“One artiste who appears to have bucked this trend is Makhadzi, whose streams in the 35-44 year age bracket are only about 2 per cent lower than in the 18-24 year old audience,” she added.

 

 

NAN/O.O

Lagos Labour Party Candidate Tasks Abia Governor-elect on development

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Labour Party candidate in the last governorship election in Lagos, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has congratulated the governor-elect of Abia state, Dr Alex Otti, on his election victory.

Rhodes-Vivour challenged him not to waste any time in rolling up his sleeves to rescue the state from the shackles of the under-development and poor standard of living, which has been a big albatross for the people over the years.

Rhodes-Vivour said he had no doubt in his mind that the people of Abia state have made the best choice and assured them that they will never regret pitching their tent with the Labour Party (LP).

READ ALSO: Alex Otti wins Abia State Gubernatorial election

“I am confident that Sir Alex Otti will not waste time to prove to Nigerians through Abia state that indeed our great party, the Labour Party (LP), is an idea whose time has come. I believe he will approach governance from the people-first perspectives, which the LP represents.

“The people of Abia state have spoken and we have heard them loud and clear. We appreciate their trust in the Labour Party and we assure them they will never regret this.

READ MORE: Jubilation in Abia State as Alex Otti Emerges Governor-elect

“To my brother, the governor-elect, this is the time to get to work without delay. The job starts now and not until after the inauguration. There is a need to prove to other states and Nigerians as a whole that the Labour Party (LP) is in a class of its own, and through you, we strengthen the movement of retiring those who have hoodwinked many Nigerians into believing that they are the best the nation can produce.

“Once again, I congratulate you and wish you a development-filled administration in Abia state”.

Otti, who was declared winner of the Abia state governorship election, polled a total of 175,466 to defeat the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Okey Ahiwe, who had only 88,526.

 

N.O

SDGs: ECA Calls for Investment in Data and Statistics

Hauwa Abubakar Anaja
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The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has emphasised the need to invest in effective data and statistical systems on the continent in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Director of Africa Center for Statistics (ACS), Oliver Chinganya, made the call in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while speaking with the communication team on the sidelines of the 55th session of the ECA.

He quoted current research as saying that Africa was set to miss most of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if adequate action was not taken.

“Data is a public good, the new oil, the gold that Africa must invest in to support its development

“The mission of the Africa Centre for Statistics is to enable national statistical systems in Africa to produce high-quality statistics, data and geospatial information.

“To inform sound and evidence decision-making in support of sustainable development, regional and national priorities.

“We need to invest in data and statistics to support Africa’s industrialisation agenda,” Chinganya said.

The director gave more insights into the role of data and statistical systems in the development of Africa, particularly in the achievement of SDGs.

According to him, data is the collection of information put into numbers. When you manipulate those numbers and create averages, they turn into statistics.

He described statistics as an “aggregation of a collection of numbers” and value-added data which could be interpreted for some use.

Chinganya said the state of data and statistics on the continent had improved compared to over 20 years ago when data was poor and nearly non-existent in some cases.

He noted that much more could be done to make data available, but overall, many countries were progressing well.

Chinganya, who said many countries were yet to conduct the 2020 census, explained that if not conducted, reporting of the SDGs and other development frameworks, including the national development plans, would be altered.

“A census is the count of all people residing within a territory. The purpose of that is to help countries plan for the people in that particular territory.

“Some countries have not prioritised this. To date, 21 countries in Africa have not conducted their censuses, and most of them are unlikely to complete them before 2024,” he said.

Chinganya said for AfCTA to drive the transformational agenda on the continent, “we must understand what each country is producing or trading in terms of items, volumes and comparative advantages.

“And for that to be possible, you need data,” he said.

 

 

 

NAN/Hauwa Abu

Ramadan: Transportation Minister calls for Prayers for Nigeria

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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Nigeria’s Minister for Transportation, Mr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, has advised Muslims to engage in self-reflection and prayers for the country during Ramadan.

 

In his Ramadan message, the Minister extended warm wishes to Islam faithfuls and prayed Almighty Allah to shower them with love, peace, prosperity and joy.

 

He stated that in this holy month, Muslims should deepen their devotion, show brotherly love to everyone around, particularly the less privileged.

 

“Let us therefore in this Holy month deepen our devotion, extend our bond of fellowship and compassion to everyone around, particularly the less privileged in our communities. Let the love go round”, he said.

 

The Minister also prayed for the security of all Nigerians and prosperity for the country.

 

“May the Almighty Allah ease our adversity, shower us with love, peace, prosperity and joy. May we and ours be free from harm, may our homes be abodes of peace and ease. May our Nation be blessed, may Nigeria be prosperous”, he added.

UN encourages Women participation in technology, innovations

Bilkisu Halilu Pai
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UN Women have called for more avenues to create policies and initiatives that would increase women and girls’ digital literacy and encourage their active participation in technology.

Stakeholders at a showcase event organized by UN Women identified technology and innovation as critical to the advancement of gender equality and concrete change for women and girls worldwide.

The event seeks to use technological innovations and tools to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and inclusion.

It aimed at giving visibility, exposure and the opportunity to network, receive feedback, mentorship and other supports to women and men.

The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, explained that the showcase was part of UN Women’s International Women’s Day activities, which aligned with the theme for this year’s celebration; DigitALL Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality;

“As today’s presentations demonstrate, young women and men in Nigeria are leading the way to create and provide digital and innovative solutions to a variety of issues across a number of sectors of society: gender-based violence, tailored education and training courses, health and medical issues, financial and banking services, access to markets, and environmentally conscious products and energy solutions, she explained.

The UN Resident Coordinator, Matthias Schmale, stressed the need for all to get involved in bridging the digital gender gap.

 “Digital gender gap comes with massive costs. According to a report from UN Women, the exclusion of women from the digital world has shaved $1 trillion from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries including Nigeria over the past decade. Therefore, closing the digital gender gap requires significant investment by the Government of Nigeria in both innovations and services” he stressed.

 

Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa, noted that “from Nov 2022 to date, we have trained more than two hundred and twenty-two thousand young people. We believe that in Nigeria, we have the growing young population, we have vibrant entrepreneurial and expanding tech eco system which if we can leverage on can provide and create an opportunity for us to achieve gender equality and women empowerment. Together we can make Nigeria better”.

Mr. Inuwa, added that the agency was working on the Gender digital bridge strategy to close all the gap.

He further highlighted some actionable ideas that would help one become an innovative person.

“To be innovative, you need to move out of your comfort zone and try something new.  You need to believe in yourself, whether you are a man or a woman, you need to identify your unique ability to do whatever you want to do, we need to promote and collaborate with others because innovation doesn’t happen in Isolation. And innovation is about bringing new things or taking an idea from inception to an impact. We need to agree that failure is part of the process when you try and fail. You need to think creatively,” he advised.

Through a call for submissions and nominations, UN Women selected ten young women and men to present their innovations to a variety of stakeholders, including relevant government MDAs, members of the private and tech sector, donor agencies from different countries and heads of UN agencies.

The ten young women and men displayed and pitched their innovations as part of the showcase event.

Present at showcase event were Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria; Finland to Nigeria; Ambassador of France to Nigeria and Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria.

UN WOMEN UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Nigerian Government to invest more in meteorological data generation

Foluke Ibitomi
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The Federal Government on Thursday in Abuja said it would invest more in meteorological data generation to improve weather prediction across the country.

Prof. Mansur Matazu, the Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) made the promise during his keynote address on the occasion of the World Meteorological Day.

Matazu , who was represented by Prof. Effiom Oku, NiMet Director, Research and Training, said the Federal Government had been investing in meteorological data generation over land, water and in the atmosphere.

The theme of the event is “The future of weather, climate and water across generations. The data generated are so critical for past assessments and future predictions including forecasting”.

” In NiMet, we have placed special importance in the future generations by working with the young minds in the country”.

“ Usually, our weather observers are largely youths who begin their careers in the field of meteorology at a very young age. Similarly, we have designed, developed and implemented a programme called Young Meteorological Ambassadors whose members are here today”, he said.

He said the agency had signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with several universities in Nigeria to promote the science of meteorology within the academic institutions at tertiary level to support national and regional development.

He said that NiMet continued to render services in support of aviation, agriculture, construction, tourism, defence, water resources management, telecommunications, environment and communications among others.

According to him, the development of NiMet`s products and services include the effective utilization of young minds as well as the experienced ones within the agency creating innovations “to what it does and how it does them”.

“This has positively impacted on our routine publications and on-demand services such as the Seasonal Climate Prediction as part of the Agency’s meteorological Early Warning System in line with the United Nations Early Warning for ALL”.

“Other products and services include Hydrometeorological Bulletin, Annual State of Climate report in Nigeria, Agrometeorological Bulletin, Climate and Health Bulletin, Daily weather outlooks and bulletins, TV weather forecasts, Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts, Marine Bulletin, and impact-Based Weather Forecast. Multitudes of other routine and on-demand products and services cutting across all socio-economic sectors, “ he said.

The NiMet boss said the agency was also working to preserve its past resources in terms of publications and instrumentation, while developing new ones to provide a robust knowledge base for the upcoming generations.

He urged every Nigerian to invest in future generations and create awareness on the dangers of climate change such as extreme weather and loss of livelihoods by making the World a safer place for All.

Contributing, Dr Bernard Gomez, WMO representative North Central and West Africa, said science and innovation were also key tools to scale up the contribution of weather and climate services to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We all must continue to remember that climate change threatens the achievement of many of these goals and indeed our individual plans.

The world celebrates Meteorological Day on March 23 of every year.

The day commemorates the coming into force on March 23, 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organisation.

The National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) around the world have continued to monitor through observation (air, land and water) the weather and climate.

“Also providing evidence of the changing climate and leading actions through prediction towards adaptation, mitigation and creation of resilient societies. “ he said.

NAN / F.I

U.S carries out air strikes in Syria

Zainab Sa'id
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The United States has carried out multiple air strikes in Syria against Iran-aligned groups.

According to the Pentagon, the strikes are in retaliation of a deadly drone attack that killed an American contractor, injured another and wounded five U.S. troops on Thursday.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the retaliatory strikes were carried out at the direction of President Joe Biden and targeted facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

“The air strikes were conducted in response to today’s attack as well as a series of recent attacks against Coalition forces in Syria by groups affiliated with the IRGC,” Austin said in a statement.

“No group will strike our troops with impunity.”

The attack against U.S. personnel took place at a coalition base near Hasakah in northeast Syria at approximately 1:38 p.m. (1038 GMT) on Thursday, it said.

The U.S. intelligence community assessed that the one-way attack drone was Iranian in origin, the military said, a conclusion that could further aggravate already strained tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Also Read: US urges UN to approve more aid access to Syria

The drone attack caused wounds that, for three services members and a contractor, required medical evacuation to Iraq, where the U.S.-led coalition battling the remnants of Islamic State has medical facilities, the military said.

The other two wounded American troops were treated at the base in northeast Syria, the Pentagon said.

The number of casualties – one killed and six wounded – is highly unusual, even though attempted drone attacks against U.S. personnel in Syria are somewhat common.

U.S. troops have come under attack by Iranian-backed groups about 78 times since the beginning of 2021, according to Army General Erik Kurilla, who oversees U.S. troops in the Middle East as the head of Central Command.

The attack came just weeks after the top U.S. general, Mark Milley, visited northeast Syria to assess the mission against Islamic State and the risk to U.S. personnel.

 

Zainab Sa’id

Brazil: 13 killed in clashes with police

Zainab Sa'id
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At least 13 people were killed in clashes with police outside Brazil’s seaside city of Rio de Janeiro after a raid to arrest a gang leader.

The clashes took place in the working-class Salgueiro neighbourhood in the city of Sao Goncalo, northeast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s second-largest city.

The raid on Thursday sought to arrest Leonardo Costa Araujo in an operation that also employed helicopters and armoured vehicles, according to police.

Also Read: Brazil Supreme Court Includes Jair Bolsonaro in Riot Probe

Araujo, accused of being a drug gang leader from the northern state of Para, is among the dead.

He was implicated in the death of several police officers in Para in recent years and police believed he was hiding in the area.

According to the police, those killed were all suspected criminals.

Rio state police forces regularly carry out deadly raids in the metro area’s sprawling slums.

“We will not allow Rio to be used as a hideout for bandits from other states,” Governor Claudio Castro of Rio de Janiero state wrote in a post on social media.

Three local residents with no suspected criminal connections were also shot and injured during the clashes, the police added.

 

Zainab Sa’id

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