Contrary to media reports, Dangote Refinery has not backtracked on its claims regarding crude oil supply from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief, Branding and Communications Officer, clarified the company’s position in a statement on Friday.
Dangote Refinery emphasized that it has never accused NNPC of failing to supply crude oil.
Instead, the company has consistently expressed concerns about the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) reluctance to enforce domestic crude supply obligations.
The statement explained that Dangote Refinery requires 15 cargoes of crude oil for September, but NNPC only allocated six.
Despite appeals to NUPRC, the company has been unable to secure the remaining cargoes from NNPC or International Oil Companies (IOCs) producing in Nigeria.
As a result, Dangote Refinery is forced to purchase Nigerian crude from international traders at a premium of $3-$4 per barrel, translating to an additional $3-$4 million per cargo.
The company reiterated its call for NUPRC to fully enforce the domestic crude supply obligation as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
The Honourble Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni has called on the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff to strengthen their security cooperation inorder to enhance their defence capabilities against any security threat.The Minister made the call during the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff in Abuja. This was made available in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr Director ( Information and Public Relations)The meeting which started today brought together top military leaders from West Africa to address the region’s pressing security concerns.Badaru emphasized the significance of collective efforts in combating terrorism, cross-border crimes, and hybrid threats, stressing the need for enhanced regional security cooperation to safeguard nations and promote sustainable development.According to him, the meeting will focus on critical issues, including the proposed ECOWAS Security Support Mission in Sierra Leone, ongoing peace operations, and the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force.The Minister encouraged open dialogue, shared expertise, and collaborative solutions to strengthen security cooperation and enhance regional defence capabilities.While he reaffirmed the commitment to achieving peace and security in West Africa, the Minister said the security landscape of West Africa is presently marked by both complex challenges and called for joint efforts towards countering terrorism, managing cross- border crimes amongst others in the region.
The attention of the Executive Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has been drawn to an unfortunate, malicious, scandalous, and untrue viral video circulating on social media. In the video, a man claiming to be a Keke Napep driver alleges that he was given five thousand naira by the AMAC Chairman to avoid participating in the protest in Abuja.
In light of this, it is essential to set the record straight for those who may be misled by such false information. On July 30, 2024, the day the purported video was released, the Executive Chairman of AMAC was engaged in a crucial security meeting with security agencies and preparing for the presentation ceremony of staff office to the newly inaugurated traditional rulers of Karu Chiefdom.
This clarification is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Kingsley Madaki, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to the Executive Chairman of AMAC.
We are surprised and disappointed that the creators of this video and the enemies of the Council are attempting to tarnish the good image of the AMAC Chairman. Their goal seems to be to instigate protesters and residents against the Chairman through targeted misinformation.
This dangerous act of blackmail is unwarranted and must stop. We demand that security agencies bring the perpetrators of this hate video to justice in line with the Cybercrimes Act.
We also urge residents and readers to scrutinize any information on social media to avoid being misled by false and misleading content.
We firmly state that the claims made in the recorded video are false. The Executive Chairman of AMAC did not attend any event or give any Keke Napep driver five thousand naira as claimed.
On behalf of the management of Abuja Municipal Area Council, we acknowledge the frustrations and concerns that led to the protests. We are committed to addressing the challenges our nation faces today.
The Council Chairman appreciates that the protesters have expressed their grievances through peaceful means and not through riots or criminal activities. We commend their conduct in not destroying public and private properties. The government has heard your voices and promises to address your demands one by one.
It is crucial to note that the government discourages continued protests, as they may lead to further trouble in our society. Violence and vandalism will undermine our collective progress. We cannot allow the destruction of our shared property and disruption of public order. Destroying government properties is not the solution. Let us work together to solve our problems and build a better future for ourselves and future generations.
On behalf of the Management of the Council, the Council Chairman sympathizes with the victims of this protest and calls for dialogue with the government to resolve our collective issues.
In a pioneering move to improve healthcare access for the most vulnerable populations, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched a Medical Palliatives Program, providing free medications to those in need.
This initiative, spearheaded by FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike, aims to provide free medications to those in need, ensuring better health outcomes and alleviating the financial burden of healthcare.
Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, announced the program’s launch at Gwarimpa General Hospital, highlighting its potential to create a more equitable healthcare system.
“I am happy to announce that the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has approved the concept of medical palliatives, and she is eagerly awaiting to see its impact,” Dr. Fasawe stated.
He emphasized that the program is not a medical outreach but a highly controlled initiative managed by doctors in FCT hospitals. “Doctors will use scientific guidelines and their discretion to determine who qualifies for medical palliatives. These medications will be given out for free,” he explained.
The program is part of a pilot scheme under the Renewed Hope Initiative championed by President Bola Tinubu. Dr. Fasawe stressed the importance of sustainability and the need for thorough testing before rolling out the program nationwide. “We are doctors and scientists. We like to pilot tests, see how it works before making it a project or program,” she said.
Addressing concerns about funding, Dr. Fasawe highlighted the role of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). “To qualify for medical palliatives, individuals will register on the NHIS for free, which has a provision for vulnerable people,” she noted. The program will leverage community leaders to identify the poorest residents who will benefit from free treatment under the scheme.
The Minister of the FCT, often called “Mr. Projects,” is not only focused on infrastructure but also on building sustainable systems to improve health outcomes. “This is a selfless project. The doctors and nurses involved will not receive extra pay for their participation,” Dr. Fasawe added.
Dr. Fasawe also addressed the issue of medication wastage, explaining that the program will use medications that are nearing their expiration date but are still effective. “We are not giving out expired drugs. We are providing medications that have excess stock to those in need,” she clarified.
The program will start with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, providing a one-month dose for free to patients. “This will help patients use their funds for other necessities, contributing to financial stability and improved health,” Dr. Fasawe said.
Dr. Ali Pate, the Minister of Health and Social Development said: “The health and well-being of Nigerians is central to the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda. We’ve worked hard to improve healthcare, and today’s medical palliatives launch with the FCTA is another step towards delivering better health outcomes. We’re supporting pregnant women with essential items for self-delivery, malaria protection, and micronutrient supplements to build their bodies and their unborn children’s strength.”
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary Baba Gana Adam, the package also includes institutional support and financial assistance for those in need. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched a comprehensive welfare package to support residents, including free medical tests and distribution of foodstuffs such as rice, garri, and tom brown for children.
A significant benefit of the package is the free enrollment of pregnant women into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme for one year, including coverage for newborns. This ensures that mothers and their babies receive essential healthcare services without financial burden.
To facilitate registration, a desk officer has been designated for FCT Health Insurance, and residents can inquire about the registration process at their local hospital. The administration’s commitment to residents’ welfare is evident in these measures, which aim to provide access to essential health services and support during challenging times.
…Says it is profound and has endured over the years
The Honourble Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar CON, has commended the bilateral relations between Nigeria and China pointing out that it is profound and enduring relationship that has grown significantly over the years with both nation’s working together to pursue common interests in addressing common challenges.
In a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr Director ( Information and Public Relations), The Minister made the commendation during the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army at Chinese Embassy, Abuja.
He commended the PLA’s enduring resilience, strength, discipline, and dedication, which have transformed into a formidable force of safeguarding China’s sovereignty and development.
He said: “In the realm of defence and security, our cooperation has been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding and enhancing our collective capacity to tackle regional and global threats.”
Badaru also emphasized the robust partnership particularly in defence and military cooperation in areas of experience/ knowledge sharing and training/ technology transfers saying they have been a cornerstone of both nations’ shared efforts to build a stronger and more capable military institution.
He highlighted the significant milestone in the history of the People’s Republic of China and praised the PLA’s evolution into a modern and technologically advanced military force.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation, particularly in defence and military cooperation, and called for collective action to address contemporary hybrid challenges.
The Minister extended his heartfelt congratulations to the PLA on its significant anniversary and expressed gratitude for the friendship gesture.
On July 30, 2024, a landmark summit was held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, bringing together key health stakeholders to champion the crucial role of self-testing and Point-of-Care In-Vitro Diagnostics (POC IVDs) in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
Led by Dr. Ali Johnson Onoja, CEO of the African Health Project, the summit titled “Community Engagement in Diagnosis of ATM and Hepatitis in Nigeria – The Place of Self-Test and Point-of-Care In-Vitro Diagnostics (POC IVDs)” emphasized the importance of empowering communities with self-testing and POC IVDs to enhance disease surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention efforts.
Dr. Onoja highlighted the transformative potential of these tools in bridging healthcare gaps and presented findings from the African Health Project’s operational research on HIV self-testing in Nigeria. The study revealed high acceptability and accuracy for both blood-based and oral-based testing methods, with significant variations across different states.
Key recommendations from the study include comprehensive education campaigns, enhanced training for healthcare workers, streamlined testing procedures, and increased accessibility and affordability of self-testing kits. These measures aim to bolster Nigeria’s healthcare system, ensuring it meets the needs of all Nigerians, especially the most at-risk and hard-to-reach populations.
Dr. Onoja concluded, “Let us harness the power of self-test and POC IVDs, alongside community engagement, to create a healthier, more resilient Nigeria.” The summit underscored the collective commitment to advancing healthcare delivery and achieving global health targets.
Adding a critical perspective to the summit, Ofutalu Polinus Nnamdi, Head of the In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Department at the Medical Lab Science Council of Nigeria and lab manager at the National Reference Laboratory in Yaba, Lagos, emphasized the necessity of quality test kits for effective disease diagnostics and surveillance.
“Our laboratory in Yaba is the National Reference Laboratory where all test kits, whether produced in Nigeria or imported, undergo rigorous validation testing for in-country use,” Nnamdi stated. “We were invited to this summit to stress the importance of quality in self-testing, rapid diagnostics, and point-of-care testing.”
Nnamdi underscored that for diseases of public health importance, it is crucial that the test kits used, whether for diagnostics or self-testing, meet stringent quality standards. “The regulatory body, Medical Lab Science Council of Nigeria, plays a vital role in this. We are here to highlight our commitment to quality and to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements,” he added.
He called on manufacturers and importers of IVDs to adhere strictly to regulatory standards and urged laboratorians and those who own labs across Nigeria to ensure they procure test kits with the MLSCN IVD listing number, which serves as evidence of quality checks.
“Through this summit, we hope to raise awareness among NGOs, implementing partners, and organizations about the importance of demanding quality products. Whenever they procure test kits, they should look for the IVD listing number as proof of compliance with quality standards,” Nnamdi emphasized.
By enforcing these standards, the Medical Lab Science Council of Nigeria aims to ensure that all diagnostic and self-testing kits used in the country are of the highest quality, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of disease diagnostics and surveillance efforts.
Also, Dr. Chigozie Ujam, Deputy Director of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), lauded the efforts of the African Health Project and other organizations in promoting HIV self-testing as part of the broader strategy to combat infectious diseases in Nigeria.
“I’m here on behalf of the government of Nigeria. I’m also here to lend support to the organization because what they’re doing is fantastic,” Dr. Ujam stated. “As the government of Nigeria, our goal is to create enabling environments for initiatives like this. At NACA, our mandate is to ensure that we can get as many people on treatment as possible, starting with testing, keeping them on treatment, and achieving viral suppression.”
Dr. Ujam emphasized the importance of widespread testing in achieving the global 95-95-95 targets, which aim to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95% of those receiving therapy achieve viral suppression. “This target cannot be achieved if people do not test. Part of testing is not just what we do in the community, but enabling people to test themselves in the convenience of their own homes through HIV self-testing. It is already part of the testing algorithm from the Ministry of Health,” he noted.
He highlighted the significant strides Nigeria has made in HIV treatment, stating, “We are ahead of the curve in terms of the 95-95-95 targets. We already hit that target. As of 2018, we had 1.6 million people on treatment, which is fantastic. Our prevalence rate has dropped from double figures, like 10%, to as low as 1.7% in some estimates. This is a remarkable achievement.”
Dr. Ujam’s comments were part of a broader discussion at the summit, which focused on “Community Engagement in Diagnosis of ATM and Hepatitis in Nigeria – The Place of Self-Test and Point-of-Care In-Vitro Diagnostics (POC IVDs).” The summit, organized by the African Health Project, brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, NGO representatives, and community leaders to explore innovative healthcare solutions.
Mr. Manason Garkuwa, one of the resource persons at the summit, presented on the issue of acute HIV infection and its impact on controlling the HIV epidemic in Nigeria. “Most testing that is done for HIV has what we call a ‘window period’ the time between infection and when a test can detect it. People within that period may unknowingly spread the virus because they don’t know they are infected and therefore are not under treatment,” Garkuwa explained. “New technologies are emerging that can narrow this window period, allowing us to detect infections sooner and prevent further transmission.”
***As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Reforms Are Yielding Results
***Says Mr. President will do more to meet the needs of Nigerians.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, has called on the organizers of the proposed protest to shelve the idea and come to a roundtable and dialogue with Federal Government as Tinubu’s reforms have started yielding fruitfull results adding that the nation’s economy is on a gradual but steady path of recovery and assured citizens that this administration will do more to meet their needs.
According to the Minister, the reforms initiated by Mr. President have started improving the lives of Nigerians as the economic growth in Q1 2024 was the second fastest first-quarter growth in the last six years.
Defence strategy as enshrined in the Renewed Hope Agenda in improving security is yielding result as well. Mr. President is committed to the safety of lives and property through various security interventions. “There is serious improvement in security as most of the roads and highways hitherto closed due to insecurity have been opened. Herders and farmers clashes have been solved by the creation of Livestock Ministry and many farmers have returned to their farms. Mr. President is supporting the farmers and has encouraged State Governors to do same. Also, there is massive surrendering of terrorists and high profile terrorist kingpins have been arrested. Another example of President Tinubu’s initiative according to the Minister is the creation of instrument to support students. The introduction of the Nigerian Student Loan Scheme was initiated to increase access to higher education and reduce financial burdens on students. Furthermore, he said that another innovation of Mr. President is the massive increase in funding for infrastructures like roads, rails, energy, irrigation (Dams and Channels) through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF). The Minister opined that the innovation of selling crude oil to indigenous refining companies in Naira is another robust effort by Mr. President and the signing of the National Minimum Wage Act into Law, which is aimed at enhancing the welfare of the Nigerian Workers are all efforts at stabilising the economy. He also stated that another bold step taken by Mr. President is the autonomy granted to the Local Governments for effective accountability, development at the grassroots and strengthening of governance. Adding that the President has also given different levels of palliatives to the State Government to support Nigerians to live a better life, in addition to social security intervention to states (Sub-Nationals), Post Subsidy Removal Presidential Grant and Loans Scheme, Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) and Skilled-Up Artisan Initiative (SUPA). The Minister said that since the launch of compressed natural gas initiative (CNG) by Mr. President, it is expected that the cost of transportation will reduce as much as 50 percent adding that, this has unlocked the nation’s huge potential in the gas sector. CNG conversion centres are growing exponentially across the country thereby creating job opportunities, he explained. The Federal Government has also made available 30,000 kits for the conversion 30,000 petrol-powered engines at no cost within the next 90 days. Also, the first batch of CNG Mass Transit Buses procured by the Federal Government for distribution to the 36 states and FCT have arrived. In addressing the high cost of drugs and to encourage local production, the Minister Stated that Mr. President has signed an executive order introducing zero tariffs and duties on imports of raw materials, active pharmaceutical ingredients and manufacturing equipment. Also, the Federal Government has conducted two rounds of disbursement for primary healthcare revitalisation through the basic health provision fund. While acknowledging the democratic right to protest, the Minister cautioned against using the protest to cause mayhem, emphasizing that the proposed August 1 protest is poorly timed given the positive turnaround in the economy.
Amidst a lingering crisis, Dangote Refinery has revealed that the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) is supplying insufficient crude oil for its production demand, prompting plans to source from Brazil and the United States.
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, along with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and NNPC, has been embroiled in disputes ranging from monopoly allegations to crude supply, substandard fuel imports, and ownership of blending plants in Malta.
In a new revelation, Dangote stated that for the $20 billion refinery to meet its production demand, it must seek other sources of crude oil supply overseas as the NNPC allocation is insufficient. The refinery, with a capacity of refining 650,000 barrels per day, cannot rely solely on short supplies from Nigeria’s oil company.
Rabiu A. Umar, Group Chief Commercial Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, told newsmen in Kano on Friday that NNPC supplies only 33 percent of the crude needed by the refinery, necessitating the search for the remaining 67 percent from elsewhere to meet production capacity. Umar disclosed that the refinery had concluded plans to source crude oil from Brazil and the United States by August.
“First of all, the refinery is here in Nigeria. We have the crude oil here in Nigeria. We thought we would get the crude oil here and refine it here in our refinery for the benefit of the country and the citizens. Ironically, the country takes the crude oil overseas for refining while we have a refinery, one of the biggest in the world. So, we will not stay idle. We have to look for other sources to meet our production capacity. If we get the crude oil supply here in the country, we have no reason to go overseas. Even now, we are planning to supply crude oil from countries like Brazil and the USA,” he said.
Umar revealed that the refinery had commenced supplies to foreign countries since February, receiving orders from various countries for supply, especially aviation fuel. He also noted that the refinery needs 15 cargos of crude oil in September, but NNPC has promised only five, lamenting that the government’s lackadaisical actions towards the refinery appear to be sabotage.
He emphasized that the refinery, as the biggest employer of labor with over 50,000 workers, should be celebrated and embraced by the government rather than being painted negatively. Umar asserted that, contrary to the government’s false narratives, the refinery had started on a positive note, producing world-standard quality refined products. He mentioned that the House of Representatives, under its speaker’s leadership, visited the refinery, saw the difference, and was satisfied with the quality of the products.
“We are here to defend ourselves, and all the government narratives are not true. We urge the people to take samples of our products to ascertain their quality. We will not be deterred by the government’s criticism. We will continue until we reach the promised land,” Umar stated.
A business analyst in Kano, Abdussalam Kani, demanded an apology to Dangote from the federal government and the National Assembly. He also deemed NMDPRA boss Ahmed Farouk’s comments against the refinery a treasonable offense deserving punishment.
In a stirring sermon that has captured the hearts of many, Pastor Ezekiel Odeyemi, the Continent Overseer 2 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), emphasized the biblical theme of restoration, urging Nigerians to hold onto faith amid economic and personal hardships.
He announced this on Saturday in Abuja during a prayer meeting titled “Morning of Joy” with the theme “Restore” organized by the RCCG FCT Province 7, Gwarinpa.
“The whole of the Bible is a single story of restoration. All you need to do is to take time to read through. In Genesis, humans lost the garden, and in Revelation, God restores it back,” Pastor Odeyemi began, addressing a packed congregation. “Whatever it may be that you might have lost through your carelessness or otherwise, the Lord will restore it in Jesus’ name.”
Reflecting on his personal journey, Pastor Odeyemi recounted a challenging period two decades ago when his health was failing, impacting his ability to fulfill his ministerial duties.
“I discovered that I was struggling to survive and yet had a lot of ministration to do. And I realized there was one thing I was not doing right. As soon as I corrected it, today, I am stronger than I used to be 20 years ago.”
Drawing from Luke 13:10-13, he spoke about a woman who had suffered for 18 years before Jesus healed her, using her story to highlight the importance of unwavering faith.
“We live at a time when our heads are bowed down by what the economic situation has done. This woman did not stop going to church, unlike people today. Under no circumstances must you stop coming to church, no matter what the enemy throws at you.”
Pastor Odeyemi structured his message into three key outlines: Restoration to Individuals, Restoration to Families, and Restoration to the Whole City.
Buttressing the Restoration of Individuals, he emphasized that Jesus’ healing power is absolute and nothing is too difficult for Him. “On a particular day, the Lord took notice of her and attended to her case, and that infirmity disappeared. Why did Jesus heal her? Because there is nothing absolutely difficult for Him to do. Luke 1:37 says, ‘For with God, nothing shall be impossible.’ Don’t put God in the same category as your government. You put all your faith in a government that at times does not know its way.”
Also, while speaking on Restoration at the Family Level, Pastor Odeyemi recalled the story of the widow in 1 Kings 17:8-15, who, despite facing famine, was instructed by God to feed the prophet Elijah. Her obedience led to abundant provision.
“There are several things you cannot change in life, so why worry about them? Like the dollar rising against the naira. Leave each day by faith; the Bible says ‘the just shall live by faith.’ How God will feed your family, I don’t know, but your blessings will come to your house. God will not let you be put to shame in this time of famine.”
Similarly, while hinting on Restoration of the Whole City, he cited 2 Kings 2:19-22, Pastor Odeyemi expressed hope for Nigeria’s future despite its current challenges. “The situation of Nigeria looks so hopeless, but I believe something good will come out of it. Elijah spoke the word, and the barren land was healed. The land of Nigeria will prosper you.”
Pastor Odeyemi urged Nigerians to study the word of God and embrace its power. “Every word possesses power. Take all stories as if they appear for you. When it is your time, the Lord will create a vacancy for you. Just receive it.”
In closing, he reminded the congregation of the transformative power of faith and divine intervention. “Our strength lies in our ability to come together, support one another, and work collectively toward a better Nigeria. Let us all remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God’ (Matthew 5:9).”
As Nigeria faces its current trials, Pastor Odeyemi’s message of restoration offers a beacon of hope and a call to unwavering faith, resonating deeply with individuals, families, and communities across the nation.
In a landmark move towards digital transformation, Havel Corporate Concept, an affiliate of ioSafe Nigeria, unveiled a comprehensive Strategic Road Map for the Abuja Smart City Project during the 2024 Nigeria Data Expo and Conference yesterday in Abuja.
The event, which took place in Abuja, also saw the launch of the project’s logo and official website.
Dr. Ahmed Badanga, Chief Executive Officer of Havel Corporate Concept and convener of the project, articulated the ambitious vision to transform Nigeria’s capital city into a smart city by 2040.
This initiative is designed to align with and support the ongoing transformation efforts spearheaded by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
“Only a few services and transactions taking place in Abuja, from the studies and data we have collected, are being done digitally. So many services are being delivered manually and for that reason, we feel it is time to digitalise services in Abuja,” Badanga stated.
Highlighting the crucial role of data, Badanga noted that the data expo and conference aim to raise awareness about the integral link between data and the smart city project. “You cannot talk about smart cities without talking about data; they are intertwined. We have been promoting data awareness and promoting data issues in Nigeria for about 10 years now and we feel there is a need for us to also see how we can utilise the opportunity of having the right infrastructure to transit Abuja to a smart city,” he added.
Meanwhile,Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, underscored the indispensable nature of data in planning and policy-making. “Without data, you can’t plan; without data, you can’t have a policy. What we are doing here today is really important and strategic for national planning, socio-economic development, and sustainable development of the country,” Olatunji emphasized.
He also pointed out the rapid growth of Abuja and the necessity of planning to avoid future chaos. “If you plan, you will envisage the number of people that come in, you look at the kind of infrastructure you want to put in place. You will also look at the kind of social amenities you want to put in place, the kind of security that you want to put in place, business opportunities in the city, housing urbanisation, and the rest,”Olatunji elaborated.
Adding an international perspective, Mr. Robb Moore, a Data and Smart Grid Specialist from the United States, emphasized the need for innovative minds to drive the transformation. “If you don’t have the people here in Nigeria that are willing to take the chance, make the business, make it grow, risk everything, you won’t have the creators or the agents that make things grow. You must be able to listen to people who are telling you what others are not telling you to make a difference,” Moore advised
Mr. Nasiru Usman, Vice-Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), lauded the Abuja Smart City Initiative as crucial for transforming Abuja into a befitting capital city. He highlighted AMAC’s partnerships with relevant government agencies on data generation and management to address security concerns.
“Efforts are ongoing to empower residents of the council with information and communication technology skills. This will enable the people to tap from the opportunities the digital-driven world provides,”Usman concluded.
As the Abuja Smart City Project gains momentum, the collaborative efforts between government bodies, technology firms, and data specialists promise to usher in a new era of digital efficiency and urban sophistication for Nigeria’s capital.
