Information Minister Tours Zulum’s 104 Mega Schools, EV Charging Terminal

By: Our Reporter

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, on Wednesday, conducted an inspection tour of key legacy projects executed by the administration of Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, including one of the 104 mega schools and newly installed Electric Vehicle (EV) charging terminals in Maiduguri.

The tour was a highlight of the ongoing strategy meeting for Commissioners of Information from All Progressives Congress (APC)-governed states held in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Accompanied by his Borno State counterpart, Prof. Usman Tar, and information commissioners from across the APC states, the minister assessed the scale and quality of the infrastructure developments championed by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

The first point of call was one of the 104 mega schools named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which was constructed to provide quality education and a conducive learning environment for children, many of whom have been affected by the over-decade-long insurgency in Borno.

The minister and his delegation commended the modern facilities which included spacious classrooms, laboratories, libraries and sporting facilities.

Following the school inspection, the team visited the location of the newly constructed EV charging terminal. This initiative, the largest in Nigeria, is part of Zulum’s forward-looking policy to promote green energy and modernise the state’s transport infrastructure.

Speaking to journalists after the tour, the minister lauded Governor Zulum’s visionary leadership and transformative projects:

“We have seen flyover bridges, a number of projects and investments that the state government have executed in education. We have been to some of the schools built by Borno State government. About 104 of them have been completed. We have seen the world-class facility in those schools,” the minister stated.

The minister also visited some federal government facilities in Maiduguri, including the Maiduguri power plant, the University of Maiduguri Solar Farm, and Muhammadu Buhari International Airport.

The strategy meeting is expected to conclude on Thursday (today) with a communiqué outlining a unified communication framework for the federal government and the information commissioners of the APC states.

Information Minister Tours Zulum’s 104 Mega Schools, EV Charging Terminal

New Solar farm in FUL is ultimate solution to energy crisis in school campus – Prof Akinwumi

By our reporter

The Vice Chancellor Federal University Lokoja (FUL) Prof Olayemi Akinwumi has described the African Development Bank (ADB) Solar Panel farm project built at the university as a permanent solution to energy crisis in the school campus.

Prof Akinwumi made this known during a project inspection tour which was part of activities lined up for the 9th Convocation of the university scheduled for Saturday this week.

According to the VC, FUL had embarked on a major project constructing a 1.72 Megawatt Solar Hybrid Project worth $200 million as a way of cushioning it’s electricity needs.

“The project, assisted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Bank under the Energising Education programme, is a significant step towards sustainable energy.

“The Solar Panel farm itself is a solution to the energy requirements of the institution that will certainly put an end to energy needs at our campuses and hostels.

The VC who took journalists on tour of project sites after the pre-convocation press conference noted that the landmark project is a testament to the university’s commitment to environmental responsibility and operational self-reliance.

He said, “the 1.72 Megawatt solar power system, will enable the university to generate surplus electricity and achieve energy self-sufficiency, and benefit students and staff for generations to come.

“The solar power project is part of the University’s efforts to promote innovation and sustainability. The project will not only reduce the University’s reliance on public electricity but also provide a clean and renewable source of energy.

Speaking at the site of the multi-millions naira project during a media facility tour, Consultant of the project Engineer Ahmed, said the project which started two years ago is almost completed.

He hinted that the project consists of a workshop and training centre which will be used to train students in renewed energy technology.

Engineer Ahmed assured that the 1.7 megawatts solar farm will diffidently power the entire Felele campus of the University.

“We are training staff of the University who will take over the routine maintenance of the project so that it will serve the institution better” he said.

New Solar farm in FUL is ultimate solution to energy crisis in school campus – Prof Akinwumi

Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth

By: Michael Mike

Top policy influencers, business leaders, development partners, and women entrepreneurs from across Nigeria will gathered in Abuja as the Women Enterprise Alliance (WenA) is set to host its 5th Annual Conference

The conference, with the theme “Translating Policy into Practice: Cost-Reduction and Tax Reforms for Sustainable SME Growth,” is scheduled for Thursday, 16th October 2025, at the Diamond Hall, A-Class Event Centre, Wuse II, Abuja.

This year’s edition underscores WenA’s commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-led businesses, by addressing critical barriers such as high operational costs and complex tax regimes.

The event will feature key policy discussions, expert panels, and collaborative sessions designed to translate government policies into actionable strategies for sustainable business growth.

At the centre of this initiative is Her Excellency Aisha Babangida, Founder of WenA, whose leadership and advocacy for women’s economic empowerment have positioned her as a reference point in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial space.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Babangida stated, “At WenA, we believe that empowering SMEs, especially women-led enterprises, means empowering Nigeria’s future.

“This conference is not just a gathering; it is a call to action for stakeholders across sectors to translate policy into tangible, impactful change.”

Among the confirmed speakers are Ms Chayla Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship, who will deliver a keynote address on scaling SMEs through cost-reduction reforms, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who is expected to present critical fiscal reforms aimed at creating a more supportive tax environment for SMEs.

The conference will also feature a strategic policy roadmap presentation developed by WenA in partnership with UN Women. This document outlines practical recommendations to address the pressing challenges facing SMEs, particularly in taxation and regulatory compliance.

A high-level panel discussion will include insights from Dr Fausat Aleshinloye, Economist and Policy Analyst; Ifeoma Malo, CEO of Clean Tech Hub; Mrs Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo of SheVentures (FCMB); and representatives from Nigeria’s energy sector. The conversation will be moderated by Dr Dahiru Sani.

A dedicated session will focus on simplifying Nigeria’s tax regime, with emphasis on harmonisation, ease of compliance, and improved transparency to reduce the burden on small businesses. Participants will also benefit from extensive networking opportunities, with stakeholders from government, finance, energy, and development sectors expected to attend.

As part of recognising excellence in the SME ecosystem, the conference will celebrate standout entrepreneurs and initiatives. Awards will include the prestigious “Most Scalable Business in North-Central Nigeria” and certificates of excellence for innovation and community impact.

Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth