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NiMet to Offer Technical Know-how To Upgrade NWRI

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The Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) is to provide technical know-how to support National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) in manpower training on operational hydrology in Africa.

Prof. Sani Mashi, the Director-General of the Agency disclosed this when he received a delegation from the Institute in his office.

According to him, such move will upgrade NWRI hydrology center to regional center of excellence recognised by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) for manpower training in operational hydrology in Africa.

“We saw the need for the institute to visit NiMet in order to solicit for support, get necessary information, exchange views and learn more about each other.

“NWRI is concerned with water which is an element that affects all lives. Even without the WMO factor, we are together by virtue of our interactions with the water component.

“ We are happy that the WMO is giving Nigeria another opportunity to demonstrate its capacity and capability toward managing the affairs at the regional level,” he said.

The director-general said such confidence by WMO in Nigeria’s capability to host an operational hydrology center was premised on the track record demonstrated by NiMet at the global stage.

Mashi, who was also representative of WMO in Nigeria, said the organisation felt there was need to also adopt a center that would deal exclusively with training on operational hydrology.

Prof. Sani Mashi
NiMet Director General

“WMO has asked us to comment and recommend a reputable Water Resources Institute that can serve the aforementioned purpose.

“ We have therefore, submitted the name of the National Water Resources Institute as a prestigious option for WMO to adopt,” Mashi said.

He, however, said in spite of NWRI’s long standing history in water resources management, the institute still needed some guidance on how to navigate their relationship with the WMO.

He said that the institute could leverage on NiMet’s experience with the world body, garnered since 1954 when the Nigerian WMO Regional Training centre was established in Lagos.

The director-general urged the institute to deploy the use of technology to deliver training in order to make their request more compelling and appealing to the World Meteorological Organisation.

“This will enable the institute to place itself in good stead ahead of other competing African countries.

“ Really, this meeting marks the beginning of a fruitful relationship which will eventually culminate into in signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties,” he said.

Earlier, NWRI Executive Secretary, Prof. Emmanuel Adanu, who led a delegation from the Institute to NiMet , solicited the agency’s cooperation in the quest to actualise the institute’s mandate.

He said the institute would also like to cooperate with NiMet to set up a regional training center.

Adamu highlighted mandate of the institute to include researching and analysing of water distribution, modifying systems for the benefit of Nigerians among others.

The executive secretary appealed to NiMet to assist the institute in the areas of capacity building, skill and manpower interchange between the two Federal Government organisations.

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No Payment for Constituency Projects Executed Without FG Guidelines – AGF

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The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has vowed to withhold payment for constituency projects executed nationwide that do not follow the Federal Government’s guidelines and circulars on execution.

The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Babatunde Ogunjimi, made this known when the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, visited him in Abuja.

Ogunjimi reaffirmed the support of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for the campaign by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to enforce compliance with government guidelines and circulars on execution and payment for constituency projects.

“We will give bite to these guidelines; we will ensure that these guidelines are projected adequately and that they become part of the prerequisite documentation for all constituency projects,” the AGF said.

He noted that the guidelines on constituency projects will be made an important part of discussions at all OAGF engagements with its stakeholders and that the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs will be given the opportunity to make presentations at such occasions.

Ogunjimi stated further that in OAGF circulars on closure and capital projects, emphasis will be made on compliance with the guidelines on constituency projects.

He advised the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to continue the engagement with relevant government agencies, stakeholders, and the National Assembly to increase awareness of the guidelines and circulars.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Ihemelandu, requested that no payments should be made for constituency projects that are not executed in line with the Federal Government guidelines and circulars and duly certified by his ministry.

The permanent secretary observed that despite the federal government’s guidelines and circulars, many agencies have executed and paid for constituency projects without adherence to the guidelines and circulars and due verification. According to him, this practice does not allow the government to get maximum value for the funds spent on these projects.

Ihemelandu called for collaboration between his ministry and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) to guarantee that the guidelines are implemented fully and no payments are made for constituency projects unless after verification by his ministry.

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TINUBU EULOGISES ARCHBISHOP JOHNPRAISE DANIEL AT 65

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By Ojone Grace Odaudu

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Archbishop Johnpraise Daniel, the presiding Bishop of the Dominion Chapel International Church, on his 65th birthday on May 2.

The President has also commended Archbishop Daniel’s contributions to nation-building, peace and unity in his current role as Chairman of the Pentecostal Bishops Forum for 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the  President also nnoted his active participation in the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), and the Interfaith Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

Tinubu further acknowledged the Archbishop’s mentoring of ministers of the Gospel and his humanitarian efforts through the JohnPraise Foundation for Peace and Human Development.

He specifically eexpressed his appreciation for the Archbishop’s inspiring sermon, “Better Together in Renewed Hope and Restoration,” delivered during the 2023 Presidential Inauguration Service.

“Archbishop Daniel’s life has been one of faithful service in the Lord’s vineyard, marked by unwavering dedication, scholarship, and impactful ministry across Nigeria and beyond”, President Tinubu said, praying for continued strength, wisdom, and divine grace for the cleric as he advances moral leadership in society and spiritual guidance to the faithful.

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Kogi Professionals Applaud Lawmaker’s Bold Move to Regulate Mining in Omala

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By Elizabeth Okwe| April 30, 2025

In what many have described as a timely and courageous step, Hon. Yahaya Umar, the lawmaker representing Omala State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, is receiving accolades for raising the alarm over the environmental and public health crisis caused by coal mining in his constituency.

The motion, which called for an immediate suspension of all mining activities in Omala Local Government Area, has drawn commendation from across the state — most notably from the Convener of the Kogi Professionals Network and seasoned development administrator, Dr. James Odaudu.

Reacting to the motion, Dr. Odaudu described Hon. Umar’s action as “a courageous stand in defence of environmental justice,” saying it was refreshing to see a legislator so passionately defending the health and welfare of his constituents.

According to him, “These mining companies were licensed to support Nigeria’s electricity development goals, yet instead of power, they have brought pollution, contaminated rivers, and destroyed farmlands in host communities.”

He praised the Kogi State House of Assembly for backing the motion and setting up an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter, describing it as “how democracy is supposed to work — responsive and people-centered.”Dr. Odaudu, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, also issued a passionate appeal to the Government of Kogi State to move swiftly beyond legislative action and implement practical relief measures for affected communities.

Dr. James Odaudu
Convener, Kogi Professionals Network

“We urge the State Government to begin immediate clean-up of polluted water sources in Omala and surrounding areas, while putting in place a sustainable plan to provide potable water as a long-term solution,” he stressed.

He further emphasized the need for mining companies operating in the state to honor their corporate social responsibilities and sign enforceable Community Development Agreements (CDAs) with the local government administrations in line with global best practices.

“Profiteering must not come at the expense of our people’s lives and their future, We trust that the government of Governor Usman Ododo will  do the needful as usual ” Dr. Odaudu added.

The coal mining controversy in Omala and other parts of Kogi State has stirred increasing public concern, with calls for stronger regulation, corporate accountability, and community protection gaining momentum.

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