VP Shettima Visits El-Rufai, Consoles Ex-Kaduna Gov Over Mother’s Demise

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has commiserated with former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over the death of his mother, late Hajiya Fatima Umma.

The Vice President who paid the El-Rufai family at their Abuja residence called for collective effort in uniting the nation aside political differences.

Senator Shettima prayed for the repose of the soul of the late matriarch of the El-Rufai family.

The late Hajiya Fatima Umma El-Rufai passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt, at the age of 96.

The Vice President was received by former Governor of Bauchi State, Ahmad Adamu Muazu; former Chief of Army Staff, General Abdurrahman Dambazau; Abdullahi Sarkin Gobir Adiya, and the member Representing Kaduna North, Bello El-Rufai, Bashir El-Rufai.

VP Shettima Visits El-Rufai, Consoles Ex-Kaduna Gov Over Mother’s Demise

Stakeholders Push for Scaled-Up Energy Efficiency in Nigeria’s Industrial Sector

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders from government, the organised private sector, development agencies, and civil society have called for stronger collaboration and expanded financing to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and cleaner production practices in Nigeria’s industrial sector.

The call was made on Monday during a special project-specific interactive session and Efficiency Champions Competition organised under the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Industrial Development Organization Industrial Energy Efficiency and Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production project in Abuja.

The event brought together representatives of industries, non-governmental organisations, financial institutions, policy makers, and members of the media to review the progress of the initiative and explore opportunities for expanding sustainable industrial practices across the country.

Speakers at the session emphasised that improving energy efficiency and reducing waste in industrial operations are essential for lowering production costs, boosting competitiveness and promoting environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Opening the session, the project leadership said the initiative had recorded significant progress in promoting industrial energy efficiency and resource-efficient production methods within Nigeria’s manufacturing sector.

According to the National Project Coordinator, GEF-UNIDO IEE and RECP Project, Jacob Oladipo revealed that the project has supported capacity building programmes, cleaner production assessments, policy engagement and innovative financing mechanisms designed to help industries reduce energy consumption while improving productivity.

He explained that the project had demonstrated that sustainable industrial practices are not only environmentally responsible but also economically beneficial to businesses.

The session also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the outcomes of the project and identify lessons that could support the wider adoption of energy-efficient technologies and cleaner production systems across industries.

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Kunle Fadare said the initiative was both timely and strategic for Nigeria’s industrial growth.

He noted that the industrial sector accounts for more than thirty per cent of the country’s total energy consumption but still operates far below optimal efficiency levels.

Fadare said studies have shown that improvements in energy efficiency within Nigerian industries could lead to savings of between twenty and forty per cent in energy use.

He added that such gains would translate into reduced production costs, improved competitiveness and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

He also highlighted the environmental implications of industrial waste, noting that Nigeria generates more than thirty-two million tonnes of solid waste annually, a significant portion of which originates from industrial activities.

According to him, adopting resource-efficient and cleaner production practices would not only reduce waste but also strengthen long-term business sustainability.

Fadare further praised the Efficiency Champions Competition, describing it as an important platform for recognising businesses that are taking concrete steps toward sustainable production.

He said the initiative would help showcase best practices and encourage other companies to adopt energy-efficient technologies.

Global trends, he added, show that markets increasingly favour environmentally responsible production systems, particularly as access to international markets becomes tied to sustainability and environmental compliance.

He therefore urged Nigerian businesses to proactively embrace energy efficiency and cleaner production practices to remain competitive in regional and global markets.

Also speaking, the Global Environment Facility desk officer commended the collaboration among stakeholders involved in implementing the project.

The official expressed appreciation to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization for providing technical guidance and to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for supporting the implementation of the initiative.

The desk officer also acknowledged the role played by various government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, in advancing the project’s objectives.

According to the official, the interactive session was designed to allow stakeholders to examine emerging issues related to energy use in industries, share experiences, address challenges and identify opportunities for improvement.

The official stressed that sustainable economic growth requires strong collaboration among government, industry, development partners and civil society.

Participants were therefore encouraged to actively contribute ideas and insights that could help strengthen the implementation of energy-efficient industrial practices in Nigeria.

Representatives of the organised private sector also highlighted the need to scale up financing mechanisms that support industries seeking to adopt energy-efficient technologies.

They noted that while progress had been made through innovative financing models and technical support programmes, wider adoption would require increased investment, stronger policy support and continued capacity building for industries, particularly small and medium enterprises.

Stakeholders agreed that the engagement of the organised private sector, non-governmental organisations and the media would be critical in sustaining the momentum generated by the project.

They emphasised that awareness creation, knowledge sharing and policy advocacy would play key roles in expanding the adoption of energy-efficient and cleaner production practices across Nigeria’s industrial landscape.

Participants expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among stakeholders would help accelerate the transition toward a more efficient, competitive and environmentally sustainable industrial sector in Nigeria.

Stakeholders Push for Scaled-Up Energy Efficiency in Nigeria’s Industrial Sector

FG: Over 9m Nigerians Benefit from HoPE Cash Transfer Programme

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government on Monday disclosed that more than nine million Nigerians have so far benefited from the Household Prosperity and Empowerment Cash Transfer (HoPE-CT) Programme, a social protection initiative aimed at easing the impact of rising living costs on vulnerable households across the country.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Benard Doro, revealed this during a ministerial briefing and press conference in Abuja, noting that the programme has made significant progress since it was launched in December 2023.

According to the minister, a total of 9,178,837 beneficiaries have received the first tranche of the intervention, while 7,203,579 have been paid the second tranche and 6,497,089 have already accessed the third tranche.

He said the figures reflect the growing reach of the initiative and its role in supporting millions of Nigerian households struggling with economic pressures.

“Each eligible household receives seventy-five thousand naira paid in three instalments. The support enables families to meet basic needs such as food, healthcare and education,” he explained.

Doro noted that the intervention, implemented under the National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up, represents a strategic shift from short-term humanitarian responses to a more structured and transparent national social protection system.

“We are no longer responding to poverty episodically. We are building systems to end it sustainably,” he said.

He further explained that beneficiaries are selected from the National Social Register, with identities verified through the National Identity Management Commission using the National Identification Number and Bank Verification Number to ensure transparency and prevent duplication.

The minister also highlighted the programme’s gender balance, revealing that women account for 58.7 per cent of beneficiaries while men make up 41.3 per cent.

He warned members of the public against paying money to access the scheme, stressing that the programme is completely free.

“Let me be unequivocal; this programme is entirely free. No Nigerian should pay to be registered, enrolled or benefit. Anyone demanding payment is engaging in criminal activity,” he said.

To strengthen accountability and address complaints, the government has established a multi-layer grievance redress mechanism, including a toll-free line for enquiries and reporting of irregularities.

In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the integration of digital identity into the programme has significantly improved transparency and efficiency.

She disclosed that more than 13.2 million beneficiary records were submitted for verification, out of which about 11.8 million were successfully authenticated.

“Through the NIN-based verification system, we are eliminating duplication, reducing leakages and strengthening public trust in government interventions,” she said.

Coker-Odusote added that an additional 3.1 million records are currently undergoing verification as part of efforts to expand coverage.

Earlier in his welcome address, the National Programme Manager of the National Cash Transfer Office, Abdullahi Alhassan Imam, said the programme was designed to provide immediate relief for poor households while also creating pathways for long-term economic stability.

He revealed that the initiative is supported by an eight hundred million United States dollar facility from the World Bank’s International Development Association and initially targeted 10.4 million households nationwide.

Imam noted that the Federal Government has since expanded the target to fifteen million households, underlining its commitment to strengthening social protection for vulnerable citizens.

The HoPE-CT Programme is being implemented across the thirty-six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at reducing poverty and promoting inclusive economic growth.

FG: Over 9m Nigerians Benefit from HoPE Cash Transfer Programme