Business and Economy
Wildlife value incalculable – Goni

Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator General National Park Service says the value of wildlife is incalculable, and that that includes conserving life both on land and below water to halt biodiversity loss. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Goni said this on the backdrop of the World wildlife day, celebrated every March 3.
He said that the theme for the World Wildlife Day 2020 is ‘Sustaining all life on Earth’ and that the Service will always join the world in wildlife conservation.
Wildlife refers to undomesticated animal species and plants that live and grow in an area without being introduced by humans.
They include all mammals, birds, rainforests, grasslands in fact it encompasses all wild animal and plant species as a component of biodiversity.
“These animals and plants have economic, environmental and social impacts in our lives.
“Their intrinsic values contribute to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being”.
“We depend on the constant interplay and interlinkages between all elements of the biosphere for all our needs.
“This includes the air we breathe, the food we eat, the energy we use, and the materials we need for all purposes”, he said.
The C-G added that unsustainable human activities and overexploitation of the species and natural resources are imperiling the world’s biodiversity.
He said that World Wildlife celebration is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people.
He said there is an urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species.
“Look at the recent cruel and barbaric treatment meted to a stray manatee, an animal found in Delta State and the cannibalisation of a whale washed ashore in Ijaw kiri community water front, Brass Akpoama in 2019.
“It’s illegal to hunt these animals, since they are endangered species and therefore should be protected as part of our environment”.
He said the Service will continue to sensitise the public on the need to preserve and conserve the nation’s biodiversity.
“We will continue to use any opportunity we have to educate the public on the importance of these wildlife in our environment and our well-being in general.
“However, ignorance of the law is not an excuse so anyone caught violating environmental laws will be arrested and prosecuted.
“They should be punished so that it would serve as a deterrent to others,” he added.
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FG, Afreximbank Assess Nigeria’s Readiness for Africa Energy Bank Commencement

Ahead of the commencement of operations of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) in Abuja, the Federal Government and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) teams have assessed the country’s readiness to host the bank.
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A statement issued on Thursday by Nneamaka Okafor, Special Adviser, Media and Communications to Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), stated that the assessment followed the visit of Dr. Benedict Oramah, President, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).
According to the statement, the visit/assessment was in furtherance of ongoing engagements towards the commencement of operations by the Africa Energy Bank, a landmark initiative expected to transform the continent’s energy landscape.
“The establishment of the bank is a collaborative move between Afreximbank and the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), which will see the bank take off with an asset base of five billion dollars.
“It is projected to grow to 120 billion dollars in five years’ time, marking a significant milestone in Africa’s quest for energy security and sustainability.
“Afreximbank, as a key partner, is transferring her full equity investment in the oil and gas sector, underscoring its commitment to driving energy infrastructure development across the continent.”
Okafor quoted Lokpobiri as reiterating during the meeting, Nigeria’s strong support for the AEB and its pivotal role in unlocking Africa’s energy potential.
He called on industry stakeholders to engage proactively and explore the vast opportunities this initiative presents.
“The bank represents a bold step in ensuring that Africa controls and finances its energy future. It is an avenue for stakeholders to invest in a self-sustaining energy sector that will drive industrialisation, job creation and economic prosperity.
“Nigeria, as a leading oil and gas producer, is well-positioned to leverage this transformative initiative. We encourage industry players to seize this opportunity to invest in Africa’s energy future,” the statement quoted Lokpobiri as saying.
Following the discussions, the minister and Afreximbank president proceeded to the AEB Headquarters for an inspection to assess the level of readiness ahead of the commencement of operations.
The visit provided first hand insights into the bank’s operational preparedness and strategic alignment with Africa’s broader energy development goals.
Speaking on the significance of the AEB, The Afreximbank President, Oramah, emphasised the bank’s role in bridging Africa’s energy financing gap.
According to him, the establishment of the AEB is a game-changer for the continent.
He commended Nigeria for taking the bull by the horn in hosting the AEB headquarters and expressed confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas portfolio, as it would not only benefit the sector, but would guarantee immediate benefit for Nigeria.
The bank was initially scheduled to commence operations January this year. (NAN)
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Kogi GOBO Initiative Empowers Petty Traders in Kabba Central Market, Reinforces Support for Governor Ododo

By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
The Kogi Forum of Senior Special Assistants (KFSSA) and leaders of the Governor Ododo Business Outreach (GOBO) today 22-11-2024 visited Kabba Central Market to empower local traders and engage community leaders.
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Led by Hon. Yahaya Shehu Ahmed, Chairman and Director General of GOBO, the delegation began their activities with a courtesy visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi. The traditional ruler commended the initiative and the foresight of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in appointing competent individuals dedicated to improving the lives of citizens.
The team then visited the official residence of the Executive Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts of KFSSA and GOBO, noting that the outreach was a commendable step toward bridging the gap between government appointees and the grassroots.
At Kabba Central Market, the GOBO team provided direct financial support to 20 petty traders, including sellers of berneseed, tomatoes, and roasted plantains. Each beneficiary received 50,000 naira to expand their businesses. The gesture aimed to improve the economic situation of the traders and inspire confidence in the government’s dedication to addressing the needs of ordinary citizens.
The initiative also included plans to monitor the progress of the beneficiaries, ensuring that the financial assistance achieves its intended purpose. Hon. Femi Esemikose and Hon. Augustine Egbebi were tasked with following up on the traders’ activities.
The success of the Kabba-Bunu outreach is expected to serve as a model for similar initiatives in other parts of Kogi West Senatorial District and the state. As the GOBO program continues to expand, more communities will benefit from its efforts to empower individuals and enhance economic development.
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Business and Economy
Naira appreciates N28.85 against dollar at official market

The Naira on Thursday, November 21st, 2024 appreciated at the official market trading at N1,658.67 against the dollar.
Data from the official trading platform of the FMDQ Exchange, revealed that the Naira gained N28.
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This represents a 1.7 per cent gain, compared to the previous trading date on Wednesday when it exchanged at N1,687.52 to a dollar.
However, the total daily turnover reduced to 163.66 million dollars on Thursday, down from to 173.29 million dollars recorded on Wednesday.
At the Investor’s and Exporter’s (I&E) window, the Naira traded between N1,707.50 and N1,631.00 against the dollar.
Source: NAN
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