Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station

Tag: Commonwealth

  • Commonwealth to Support Nigeria on Deep-Sea Mining

    The Federal Government has started discussions about deep-sea mining in the country’s coastal waters.

    This is part of efforts to make use of the profitable opportunities and abundant mineral resources available.

    During a visit to the Commonwealth Secretariat, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, led a Nigerian delegation and highlighted this action as a priority, emphasizing that the government intends to seek international assistance to enhance the solid minerals sector’s competitiveness on a global scale.

    ”President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has identified the solid minerals sector as a fundamental component of Nigeria’s ongoing economic diversification efforts. To support this objective, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has established a seven-point agenda. This agenda encompasses the establishment of a solid minerals company, collecting comprehensive data on mineral reserves to minimize investment risks, ensuring better security measures for the mines, and promoting socio-economic development in mining communities through effective community development agreements.”

    Dr. Alake emphasized that the Commonwealth, with its wealth of expertise, should support the Tinubu administration’s endeavours.

    In response, Paul Kautoke, the Senior Director of the Trade, Oceans, and Natural Resources Department, welcomed the Nigerian delegation and acknowledged Nigeria’s potential to explore deep-sea mineral extractions like copper, cobalt, nickel, gold, and rare earth elements.

    He highlighted how other Commonwealth countries in the Pacific region are making progress in deep-sea mining and assured Nigeria of the Commonwealth’s assistance in developing a policy in this regard.

    Other speakers at the forum, including Victor Kitange, Director of Natural Resources, Opeyemi Abebe, Trade and Investment Adviser, Daniel Wilder, Economic Adviser of Trade, Oceans, and Natural Resources; and Allison Swaddling, Adviser on Ocean Governance, expressed their concerns regarding the slower progress of African countries in deep sea mining.

    They also mentioned that the department’s online training programs could enhance Nigeria’s capabilities in this field.

    Dr. Alake responded by acknowledging the importance of the discussion and ensuring that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development would collaborate with other ministries to assess the potential for deep-sea mining.

    He added that they would present a proposal for the country’s consideration based on this new dimension of mineral development.

    FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule

    Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group

  • Consider the nation’s diversity as a blessing – Anyaoku

    Elder State man and former Secretary General, the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku wants Nigerians to only consider and vote for leaders they could trust to revamp the country’s political structure and security management amongst other concerns 

    He gave the charge at the 11th Emeka Anyaoku lecture series on good governance in Ibadan

    He tasked politicians to also refrain from abuse of persons but focus on issues and manifestos as the 2023 general elections would be a watershed.

    While blaming military incursion into Nigeria’s polity as a consequence of the many challenges confronting the nation, Chief Anyaoku urged Nigerians to consider the nation’s diversity as a blessing, and work to strengthen its cohesion as other countries of diverse nationality were making significant progress across the globe. 

    Earlier, Keynote Speaker, Professor Ayo Olukotun while delivering a lecture on the theme entitled “imperative of good governance in Nigeria” noted that most Nigerians had become sufficiently fed up and losing hope for a better nation, and challenged politicians and citizens to begin to live up to the Nigerian dream. 

    Also speaking, the chief host, Governor Seyi Makinde explained how his administration had brought to bear good governance in Oyo State and pledged to always support and stay true to the course of good governance in Nigeria

    The 11th chief Emeka Anyaoku lecture series was organized by the Youth Affairs International Foundation in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Youths and Sport. 

    Iyabo Adebisi

    Subscribe to our Telegram Channel and join our Whatsapp Update Group

  • Commonwealth Set to Receive Gabon, Togo as Members

    Former French colonies Gabon and Togo are set to become the latest countries to join the Commonwealth, which is made up of 54 nations most of which were once part of the British Empire.

    They will be the first new members in more than a decade – the last one being Rwanda, which joined in 2009.

    Rwanda is currently hosting the biennial meeting of heads of Commonwealth states.

    Mozambique, which also did not have links to the British Empire, joined in 1995.

    Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said French-speaking Togo’s inclusion into the Commonwealth would “help it develop closer ties with English-speaking countries, opening up new horizons outside of France’s sphere of influence in West Africa.”

    Since joining in 2009, Rwanda has praised the Commonwealth for helping the country with election support, combatting corruption and creating a stronger judicial system.

    Togo and Gabon are expected to be admitted later on Friday.

    BBC/Simeon Ugbodovon