National News

UK, Italy promise support for ecological transition of developing countries

Published

4 years ago

October 28, 2021

UK, Italy promise support for ecological transition of developing countries

The United Kingdom and Italian Governments have promised to support the ecological transition of developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, the Ambassadors of the two countries who are co-hosting the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) holding in Glasgow between 31 October-12 November 2021, said both their countries are committed to support the funding of efforts at combating the threats of climate change in developing countries.

Speaking at the press briefing in Abuja, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Stefano Pontesilli said: “The Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR in Italian) launched by the Italian government to boost the economy from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has at its heart the goal of allowing the green development of our Country. Therefore a large part of the funds allocated through the ‘Next Generation EU Program’ will be invested in redeveloping our economy and our industrial system in a way that will help us, among other things, to achieve all targets set within the COP26 agenda.

“Indeed, what used to be our Ministry of Environment has been reinforced and renamed the Ministry for Ecological Transition, to highlight its accrued role in supporting the transition of our entire economy towards sustainable growth that can reduce the impact on climate.

“It is with this ambitious internal climate change agenda that Italy goes to Glasgow next week, ready to share its experience and learn from others. It brings to the table also a strong commitment to support the ecological transition of developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

He added that: “Nigeria, with its experience in the field of hydrocarbons and with a population that is due to be the fourth largest on the planet in 2050, has a significant role to play in COP26. Challenges and opportunities lay ahead, but what is clear is that the transition to green and circular economies will be at the heart of both national agendas and multilateral collaboration in the coming years and that it presents the classic ‘win-win’ scenario where Countries with mature and developing economies can collaborate successfully. Italy and its green industries are ready to collaborate with Nigerian partners, starting with the private sector, to identify and develop the opportunities that arise from the economic transition towards sustainable development.”

On her part United Kingdom’s High Commissioner Catriona Laing who was represented by the Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones at the briefing, said her government has four clear goals at COP26 which they would like all world leaders and their delegations to support.

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According to her, the goals are to secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach; to adapt behaviour to protect communities and natural habitats; to mobilise finance – developed countries must make good on their promise to mobilise at least $100 billion in climate finance per year; and to work together to deliver – finalise the Paris Rulebook (the detailed rules that make the Paris Agreement operational), and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society.

She noted that the UK would want the outcomes of the negotiations at COP26 to protect and restore nature, follow the best available science, and empower inclusive action.

She said: “We look forward to seeing Nigeria engaging actively at the World Leaders Summit and the theme days and playing a constructive role in the COP26 negotiations. We also look forward to seeing Nigeria showcasing progressive climate-related policies and actions. We hope Nigeria can help other countries to raise their levels of ambition, and commit to action.

She noted that: “The UK has committed – through its UKAID programmes considerable support to assist Nigeria as it transitions to a low carbon energy economy, and to help raise the finance needed to make this transition.”

She said: “We (UK) have secured £6 billion in green investment since the launch of the UK Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan last November, securing 56,000 high quality green jobs.

“We have committed £11.6 billion in international climate finance over the next five years.

“We were the first major economy in the world to set Net Zero in law – and we will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.

“We have grown our economy by over 75% in 30 years while cutting emissions by 44%

“We have decarbonised our economy faster than any other G20 nation and reduced greenhouse gas emissions faster than any other G7 nation since 2010.

• Increasing the amount of renewables connected to the grid by 500% since 2009.

“We are committed to hosting COP26 as a physical in person event, and have put robust covid-19 compliance measures in place which all delegates are being asked to adhere to. We have supported a significant number of delegates to be vaccinated ahead of travelling to Glasgow. We are confident that COP26 is best run as a physical in person event.”

UK, Italy promise support for ecological transition of developing countries

National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

5 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

National News

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

Published

6 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.

He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.

Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.

“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.

This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.

He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.

The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

National News

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways: for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector.

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria.

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa.

Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector.

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy