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Policy advocacy platform tasks Nigerian government on recovery of gold assets in mining sector
Policy advocacy platform tasks Nigerian government on recovery of gold assets in mining sector
By: Michael Mike
The Think Tank on Nigeria (TTON) organisation, a policy advocacy platform has called on Nigerian Government to get more serious about recovery of gold assets in the mining sector through transparent national and international bidding.
This was contained in a-19 point resolution reached after a deliberation which focused on the theme, ’The mining sector and national development’, adding that the recovered gold can be put in a secured vault
The organisation in the communique endorsed by 79 members pointed out that a national mining company should be created to own the assets and be listed on the gold stock exchange in London, United States of America (USA) and Hong Kong.
The other resolutions stated that gold refineries must be established to refine some of the gold from time to time to make ornaments and jewelry for sale locally and internationally.
The advocacy platform added that this same process can be applied to over 36 other minerals available in Nigeria in commercial quantities but currently exploited by artisanal or illegal miners, stressing that government should industrialize the sector by supporting it with more mechanized and advanced mining technology.
Some of the resolutions include: “This would lead to the reduction of unemployment within the country especially within the mining localities. The local miners are knowledgeable, skilled, and organized. All they need is motivation from either the organized corporate sector or people-oriented investors.”
*The Minister that will be appointed to man the Mines and Steel Ministry must possess the requisite knowledge of the industry. He / She, like other Ministers, must be ready to sign a performance contract that will spell out timelines to effectively diversify the Nigerian economy from oil to mining.
*There must be a seamless synergy between the State and Federal Government. The Federal Government must give exploration licenses to the States with the natural minerals; in order to harmonize the artisanal miners properly into cooperative societies.
*There should be a declaration of a state of emergency in this sector as most of the precious minerals are being mined illegally and sold every day without returns to Government. Empowerment of the Local Government Areas to become major stakeholders in these mining sites will ease the tension of insurgency and burden exploitation by some faceless foreigners. Using representative fractions, the Local tier should exercise higher authority over fiscal reality.
*There must be political willpower and readiness from the security operatives to combat the mess of natural resources exploitation in Nigeria. Remedial measures should be put in place by the Regulatory agency or Ministry, mandating Mining companies, to put in place, measures to remediate the environment that has been negatively impacted by mining exploration activities.
*Mining activities leave host communities environmentally devastated. Hence, it became mandatory for them to restore the mined sites to its original topography. Mining operations/activities generate fine dust and soot that are dangerous to humans. Mining companies should be mandated to provide basic primary health facilities to host communities. A dispensary, managed by a local matron, will be ideal in a mining community.
*Where host communities/villages share proximity location with mineral mining locations, for health reasons, such communities should be relocated far from mining locations to prevent health hazards to children and others.
*Government, Ministry, or any other regulatory agency, must create a unit to supervise remedial work to ‘heal’ the environment of local communities that have been devastated by mining operations, with a view to managing the environment, and post- mining operations situation.”
The communique said the locals/villagers must be aware and properly oriented to hold the miners accountable for all forms of land degradation that might have occurred in the process of mining operations.
*Part of the ways to improve what the government is doing is PPP (Public Private Partnership). Considering this private participation, there is a need to break down the value chain, and the participatory roles expected from the private sector, this step of PPP could stop and stabilize the theft currently experienced in the mining industry
*The Nigerian Customs Service must rise to the occasion of their responsibilities to curb the excesses of illegal exportation of these resources out of Nigeria which evidently goes through the border post of Nigeria.
*The 13% derivative approach given to the oil producing states should be applicable to the mining host states. The same 13% derivative should be allocated to the mining host states. Environmental impact assessment, health risk analysis, and other safety procedures must be adopted to ensure residents of these mining locations are free of health endemics.”
The organisation has 286 members of various professions, drawn from the geo-political zones of Nigeria, charged with discussing Nigerian politics, as well as analysing political candidates and policies.
*The goal is to proffer solutions to policies and developmental challenges which the country might be faced with, through diverse contributions of expertise in different fields, which could be converted to veritable actions if adopted, to bring needed positive changes.
The discussion moderated by the Convener, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, noted that despite the sector’s potential to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the nation, it has remained depleted, underutilized, and underproductive to the disadvantage of national development.
‘Rather, the sector has become tainted with consistent. Today, the labour force in the mining sector is largely informal, under-trained, and underpaid among others. How can that be changed?’, the meeting stated.
Policy advocacy platform tasks Nigerian government on recovery of gold assets in mining sector
Zulum Congratulates Daniel Bwala on Appointment as Special Adviser to the President
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has congratulated Barrister Daniel Bwala on his appointment as the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication.
Governor Zulum described the appointment as well-deserved, noting that Barrister Bwala has distinguished himself not only in the legal profession but also in the fields of public relations and communication.
The governor expressed confidence that Bwala will leverage his extensive experience to effectively manage the media image of the president, especially at this critical period of the nation’s history.
As a proud indigene of Borno State, Governor Zulum emphasized his belief that Barrister Bwala will contribute significantly to projecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and advancing the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his statement, Governor Zulum said: “Bwala is an inspiration to many young people in Nigeria. He is frank, cerebral, and has immensely contributed to the advancement of our democracy through his constant public engagements in the media space. This is indeed a well-deserved appointment.”
Governor Zulum extended his best wishes to Barrister Daniel Bwala for a successful tenure in office as he takes on this important national role.
Buni consoles Kalli over his wife’s demise
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor Mai Mala Buni CON of Yobe state has condoled with the family of Alhaji Kashim Kalli Tijjani, permanent secretary protocol, over the passing of his wife Hajiya Hadiza.
Governor Buni described the death of Hajiya Hadiza as a sad and great loss to the family and the community.
“She will be remembered as a humble wife, a great mother, and a dedicated civil servant who handled all responsibilities assigned to her with diligence.”
Similarly, Governor Mai Mala Buni commiserated with the family of Alhaji Larema Baktama, who died recently in Damaturu.
The governor further condoled with the Mai Sanda family over the death of their mother and grandmother, Hajiya Ya-Kolo Lawan.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdausi.
“May Allah (SWT) admit their souls into Aljannatul Firdaus.
“May He grant members of their families the fortitude to bear the sad loss of their loved ones.
Buni consoles Kalli over his wife’s demise
EU Says It’s Interested in Stable, United, Prosperous Nigeria
…Inaugurates 25 Young People into Youth Sounding Board
By: Michael Mike
The European Union (EU) has explained that its main interest in Nigeria is to help in building a stable, united, prosperous, and sustainable future.
It made this revelation at the inauguration of the second cohort of the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) Nigeria, comprising 25 young people drawn from across the country.
Through the YSB Nigeria, the European Union provides a platform for young people to have an influence on the policies and programmes by the EU Delegation in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the European Union Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, explained that through the programme, the EU hopes to enable active engagement and exchanges between young people and decision-makers.
He further stated that the YSB has been advising the EU Delegation on youth participation and empowerment across a broad range of topics, such as employment, education, environment and climate change, human rights and democracy, peace and security, digitalisation, technology, gender, and social inclusion.
He said: “Sometimes, the EU is asked what its interest, purpose, and objective are in cooperating with Nigeria. Our main interest is to help this country build a stable, united, prosperous, and sustainable future. This is also in our interest.
“Young people are the future. Now, there is a stronger inter-generational gap. This is because society has changed, technology has changed, and there are, perhaps, more differences between how young people are living their formative years compared to older generations,” he said.
Mignot further noted that the YSB was created to influence the EU Delegation’s interventions and its impact on local communities across Nigeria. “Only young people know what other young people expect, need, and yearn for. That is why the voice of young people is so important,” he added.
Speaking about the expectations for the new cohort of the YSB, he said, “Today, we welcome another group of 25 remarkable young Nigerians who remind us of the vast potential inherent within this country. The selection process started in May 2024. We received over 3,000 applications from young people across Nigeria. It was a very selective process, and we conducted three rounds of selection to identify the 25 individuals who now form this second cohort.
“Each of these 25 young people has a strong passion for youth inclusion and I am very hopeful that over the course of their tenure as members of the Youth Sounding Board, they will build on the results achieved by the first cohort and make their own mark in ensuring that the European Union’s interventions are increasingly youth-inclusive.”
Iswat Badmus, a youth development and engagement expert and a member of the pioneer cohort of the YSB Nigeria, said, “Being a YSB member has been eye-opening for me because, through my work as a Youth and Policy Advisor with the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, I was able to understand the workings of the EU in Nigeria and also understand the struggles of young people in Nigeria when it comes to getting their voices heard and participating in decision-making processes.
“So far, my key contribution as a YSB member is amplifying the voices of young people—that is, acting as an intermediary between young people and the EU. I let the EU know what young people clamour for and how they can fully protect their interests when it comes to projects, policies, and programmes.
“To the incoming YSB members, I say congratulations to you. One key piece of advice I will give is to come in with huge energy, fresh perspectives, and innovations, and work as a team. Your team spirit is what will help you move forward and faster.”
EU Says It’s Interested in Stable, United, Prosperous Nigeria
Zulum Congratulates Daniel Bwala on Appointment as Special Adviser to the President
Buni consoles Kalli over his wife’s demise
EU Says It’s Interested in Stable, United, Prosperous Nigeria
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