Dangote Cement Moves To Empower Local Communities In Alternative Fuel Project

May 6, 2022

Dangote Cement has made moves to empower stakeholders in the value chain of Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) supply as part of its strategies to shore up and sustain its availability as a waste that is co-processed in the cement kiln.

The cement manufacturer said that the moves are parts of its contribution to the global environmental preservation efforts and circular economy.

A statement yesterday, May 5, said that the company has instituted periodic value chain analysis and community engagements with the waste (PKS) collectors as well as the palm oil millers in communities across Nigeria to explore avenues to empowering them to bolster production which will lead to sustainable generation of PKS to be co-processed in the cement kilns.

It said that a team from the Cement, led by the Head, Alternative Fuel Project, Engr. Peter Anagbe and Head, Sustainability, Dr. Igazeuma Okoroba was at one of the farm settlements in Ikire, in Irewole local government area of Osun State where PKS are sourced to ascertain the needs of the community and ways through which the company can empower them.

Engr. Anagbe told the community that Dangote Cement is desirous of ensuring sustainable collection of waste materials in the form of PKS, as a means of improving the environment and an addition to the source of livelihood for them.

He advised the people to always look at alternative value, adding that they seize the opportunities to wastes in whatever they are doing, taking a cue from the PKS which hitherto was a waste.

One of the community leaders, Elder Hammed Adekunle, who conducted the team round the site of palm oil mills, explained that the main stay of the community economy is palm oil milling and that the use of PKS for co-processing offered them opportunity to expand and diversify.

He said that the process of palm oil production, which in turn generates PKS waste, is a very tedious one and would appreciate any support from Dangote Cement for them to acquire modern machines to process the palm oil and in turn, generate the PKS.

“The entire process of getting PKS from the harvesting of palm tree involves as much as 30 people, depending on the volume of the palm tree being harvested.”

Elder Adekunle expressed gratitude at the gesture of the management of Dangote Cement, which he said was the first to pay them a visit and show empathy.

“This means Dangote cement values us as a critical stakeholder in the value chain of ensuring zero waste-to-landfill by evacuating the waste palm kernel shell (PKS).”

Earlier, the Dangote team met with the various stakeholders within the Ikire hub, during which the actors in the value chain enumerated the challenges faced by them while trying to collect the waste from different locations.

According to one of them, Prince Oloyan Lawal, a general challenge faced by them is the issue of logistics as they have to move from one settlement to the other to collect the waste and the settlements are usually not motorable.

Speaking on behalf of others, he thanked the Dangote Cement team for coming to enlightening them the more on waste management and the benefits inherent in the value chain.

He said that most of them are farmers and that the value exchanged for the waste (PKS as a by-product of palm oil) collection is seen as a part time activity and that given the enlightenment by Dangote Cement team, they would devote more attention to the activity.

Engr. Igazeuma urged the stakeholders to have an open mind-set towards a circular economy as most of the materials which are dumped as wastes are now sources of waste-to-wealth that will go a long way to improve the environment as well as the economy of the rural dwellers.

They assured that Dangote Cement would partner with them to ensure that they reap the desired benefits from the culture of turning waste to wealth and protecting the environment.

The team later headed to Ibese cement plant on a tour of the Alternative Fuel Pneumatic Feeding System and the PKS storage area.

The feeding system was fabricated and assembled in-house, using obsolete equipment that were recycled. The feeding system systematically dozes the PKS into the calciner of the cement kiln, where the waste is co-processed at high temperatures, leaving zero waste and emissions.

Palm Oil Extractions In Progress In Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

May 5, 2022

Igaezuma Okoroba, Head, Sustainability, Dangote Cement Plc (l) and Peter Anagbe, Head, Alternative Fuel Project, Dangote Cement Plc (r) observing the palm oil kernel extraction process while Hammed Adekunle, a Palm Oil miller (Second left) and Mama Abibat Salawu (second right) explains the process at Buoye farm settlement, Ikire …..as Dangote Cement Plc joined the rest of the World to mark the Mother Earth Day in grand style, with series of activities by the Dangote Cement Plc’s Sustainability and Alternative Fuel Project team. The team visited selected Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) value chain stakeholders in Ikire in Irewole Local Govt area of Osun state and the PKS Pneumatics Feeding System used in Dangote cement, Ibese cement plant.

Court Jails Pastor For Life For Raping Friend Twin Daughters In His Care

Editorial staff

May 4, 2022

An Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court has sentenced a 54-year-old Pastor, Michael Oliseh, to life imprisonment for defiling his friend’s 12-year-old twin daughters.

Justice Abiola Soladoye, in the judgment today, May 4, described Oliseh, the assistant Pastor of the Anointed Chosen Vessel Ministry in Okota, Lagos, as a “serial rapist” who took turns to defile his friend’s daughters.

The Judge held that the prosecution had convincingly proved the charges of defilement against Oliseh beyond any reasonable doubt.

The judge sentenced Oliseh to life imprisonment on two counts bordering on defilement.

“The testimony of the defendant portrayed him as a serial rapist who took turns to defile the survivors.

“What a disloyal and untrustworthy pastor, who shamelessly and audaciously had sexual intercourse with his friend’s children who were entrusted in his care.

“His conduct is unbecoming of a pastor.

“Having been found guilty as charged with the two offences, the defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.”

She said that the sentences should run concurrently, adding that he should have his name entered in the Sex Offenders Register of the Lagos State Government.

Justice Soladoye berated the parents of the survivors for lack of discipline by sending the survivors to stay with the convict.

“Parents of the survivors lack discipline and ought not to have sent their children to go stay in Oliseh’s house.

“Children are not to be entrusted with rowdy adults. They should be kept in the hands of responsible adults who have their goodwill at heart.

“The need for responsible parenting cannot be overemphasized.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five witnesses testified at the trial and five exhibits were tendered.

According to the prosecution counsel, Olufunke Adegoke, Oliseh committed the crimes sometimes in November 2017 in Ago, near Okota, a suburb of Lagos.

Adegoke said that the defendant defiled the survivors after their father had entrusted them in his care and travelled to the village for a burial.

She said that Oliseh then threatened the survivors that their father would become jobless if they told anyone about the sexual encounter.

She also submitted that Oliseh was caught by one of the neighbours after he had chased one of the survivors in the compound and dragged her with her pant.

The prosecution said that the offences violated Section 137 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

I Saw Hope On The Faces Of Borno People In Spite Of Terrorism – UN Scribe

Editorial staff

May 4, 2022

UN Secretary General and Borno State Governor, Zulum

The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, has said that what he saw when he visited Borno State yesterday, May 3, was hope on the faces of the people, despite frequent terrorism attacks.

He said that what he saw was actually different from the pictures of hopelessness and despair painted by media to the outside world.

He added that ”people exuded hope.’’

The UN Scribe spoke today, May 4, when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, Abuja, Nigeria.

He said: “yesterday, I visited Maiduguri where the United Nations is supporting the internally displaced. I was deeply moved by their stories and struggles.

“These include the struggles with hunger, with the World Food Programme projecting 4.1 million people in the North East of Nigeria to be food insecure in the upcoming lean season.”

Guterres said that the United Nations had called for an additional 351 million dollars as part of the overall 1.1 billion dollars for the humanitarian response plan for Nigeria.

“But despite all they have seen and endured, the people I met remain hopeful and committed to returning to their communities and resuming their lives. To that end, I welcome the establishment of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Returns and Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the North East.

“This spirit of hope amidst hardship – and solidarity in struggle – was also at the centre of my discussions with the Presidency today.’’

The UN Scribe also discussed with President Buhari on the laying of groundwork to ensure peaceful and democratic elections next year, as well as the full participation of Nigeria’s women and young people.

Responding, President Buhari said that Nigeria remains grateful to the United Nations and some world leaders on their steadfast partnership in fighting terrorism.

He said that the spotlight on Russia and Ukraine could easily distract from other pertinent global challenges.

He said that Nigeria and the African continent were already concerned that the attention on Russia and Ukraine would crowd out other issues, but that the ongoing visit of the UN scribe clearly showed that “the world has not forgotten us.”

The President said that terrorism remains a threat to global peace, security and progress, with many already killed, while millions had been displaced by the insurgents over many years.

“When we assumed office, the North-East was the major security problem we inherited in 2015, but we have been able to make people understand that you cannot kill people and shout ‘Allahu Akbar,’ (God is great!).

“It is either you don’t know what you are saying or you are simply stupid. God is a God of justice, so you cannot kill people and say God is great. Luckily the people understood our message and it has made great impact.”

President Buhari told the UN scribe that the government had started a gradual, but steady process of resettlement and reintegration where citizens get encouraged to return to their farms, businesses and other pursuits in life.

The President thanked the Secretary General for the maiden visit to Nigeria.

EDITORIAL: Zoning: Our Stand

Editorial staff

May 3, 2022

As the political parties, mainly the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepare for primaries to elect candidates to contest the main elections in 2023, the issue of zoning, especially of the Presidency, has lately dominated the discourse across the country.

Historically, zoning was first introduced into Nigerian political lexicon by the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic in the 80’s. The NPN believed that no individual or a group of Nigerians should allocate to themselves the ownership of the country and that everybody was a joint owner of the country. The party therefore, developed the concept of zoning to ensure that every member and every segment of Nigeria has access to that exotic office of the president at certain time.

And, of course, all political conferences that took place after NPN adopted the idea of zoning and aligned themselves to the concept. Even the regime of late General Sani Abacha attempted to include the zoning as part of the provisions in the Nigerian Constitution during his reign. The constitutional conference which Abacha instituted in 1994/1995 recommended the zoning and was on the way to incorporating it into the constitution of Nigeria. The idea Abacha had was to make zoning as part of conditions for registering political parties. Unfortunately, Abacha died and the reforms died with him.

Since then, majority of Nigerians have accepted zoning as a very good strategy that will give everybody a sense of belonging. Those who are able to get the position to their side will be satisfied and those who have yet to get it, were assured that they will get it at appropriate time.

Rewind fast forward, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reviewed its constitution before the 2015 general elections, and inserted zoning via Section 7 (2) (c). In this section, the party says: …”in pursuant of the principles of equity, justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices and it shall be enforced by the appropriate executive committee at all levels.”

It says in the preamble: “…to create socio-political conditions conducive to national peace and unity by ensuring fair and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, to conform with the principles of power shift and power sharing by rotating key political offices among the diverse peoples of our country and evolving powers equitably between the federal, states and local governments in the spirit of federalism.”
According to a United States based Legal Practitioner, Ayo Turton: “what is unequivocal in the letters and also unmistakable in the spirit of PDP Constitution is that zoning is not for the sake of North/South dichotomy but for equity, fairness and justice,” adding: “the letters and the spirit of this Constitution clearly states that the party shall adhere to the principles of rotation and zoning in pursuit of the principles of equity, justice and fairness.”

Of course, there is no provision for zoning or rotation in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, nor in the Constitution of the ruling APC, but, like Tanko Yakassai, a northern leader and former Liaison Officer to then-President Shehu Shagari, said: “for Nigeria to enjoy political stability, unity across the country and a sense of equity, the Presidency and other key national offices should be rotated and shared among the country’s geo-political zones.”

Yakassai recalled that there was a time when competent people were not sufficient all over the country but that every local government in Nigeria now has competent and qualified Nigerians to seek any public office, including the Presidency “and so, there is no reason why zoning will not be acceptable by any Nigerian.”

We in Greenbarge Reporters online newspapers, believe that, within the confines of democracy, every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to accept zoning or reject it, but insist too, that majority have bought fully into the concept, believing that zoning will bring inclusiveness now and in the future.

And, above all, if any individual or political party prefers to pretend that zoning is only acceptable when it favours them and their ambitions (as in the case of the PDP), and or such politicians or political party blatantly disregard what can be described as ‘gentleman’ agreement on zoning, as in the case of the APC, we wonder what kind of leadership such individual or political party will subsequently provide the country. To us, it amounts to lack of care about what becomes of the country after they might have won the election; it is not far from an abuse of the party’s Constitution or gentleman agreement. And, it is not far from desperation!

Access Bank Promotes 800 Employees

Editorial staff

May 3, 2022

Access Bank PLC has announced the promotion of 800 employees who the bank ranked as having exhibited what it called transparent and robust performance.

The announcement came in the heels of the bank’s transition to a Holding Company (Holdco) starting from May 1st, 2022.

According to a statement, the Bank’s consistent growth over the years has been due to the immeasurable effort and sacrifice of its employees.

The beneficiaries of the promotions cut across Bank’s senior, middle and junior management levels.

The statement said that the management is making more efforts to continuously put employees in the best position to grow and be successful in today’s highly competitive work environment.

It said that over the years, Access Bank has demonstrated that employee performance and rewards remain a critical pillar of the Bank’s business operations.

“The Bank has consistently provided adequate resources to deepen core job skills while entrenching a culture of high performance amongst employees.

“The Bank’s penchant for rewarding high performance is particularly highlighted by the annual CEO Awards, one of the programs under it’s ‘We Clap Initiative’ which is designed to support the development of a culture of excellence as well as motivate employees and teams for superior performance.

The statement recalled that recently, the Bank was named the best institution to work in Nigeria by global professional network company, LinkedIn, having assessed data across seven pillars that serve as identifiers of career progression, namely: the ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity and spread of educational backgrounds.

Edo Gov Put Smiles On Faces Of Workers, With N40,000 Ninimum Wage

Editorial staff

May 2, 2022

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has approved N40,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state, in commemoration of this year’s Workers’ Day.

The governor, who made the announcement while delivering his 2022 Workers’ day speech, said his government will continue to prioritise the welfare of Edo workers, equipping them with the capacity and environment to deliver efficient and quality service to the people.

“As we all know, the minimum of N30,000 can barely sustain a family. It will be immoral and mindless of us to continue to pretend that we do not know that our workers are suffering.

“The government of Edo has now decided to review the minimum for Edo workers from N30,000 to N40,000 a month. Undoubtedly, Edo is the first state since the current outbreak of coronavirus to take this initiative.

“Even though we would have loved to pay more, we hope that this little adjustment would enable us to cushion the impact of the inflation that we are faced with. There is no doubt that the financial implications will be heavy and put another burden on the government. But as a government, we are prepared to make the sacrifices so that the workers can live a better life. Your welfare is our number one priority.”

Reassuring his government’s relentless support to senior citizens in the state, Obaseki lamented the hardship experienced by pensioners and other senior citizens as a result of rising cost of food and other items.

“I am particularly interested in our senior citizens because they are one of the most vulnerable in our society. We took interest in payments of outstanding pensions to our pensioners in spite of the fact that these pensions were held by the previous administration.

“In view of the prevailing economic circumstances, I have now approved, effective this May, the agreement we reached with the Union of Pensioners that the harmonised amount would be paid from May 2022.

“Government is aware of the difficulties faced by the pensioners due to the non-payment of pension and gratuities to pensioners by previous governments. This responsibility is huge and it will require a substantial part of our resources to settle them.

“However, we are not a government that is known for running away from challenges; we will look for a way to tackle these challenges.”

Obaseki however urged workers in the state to take advantage of opportunities offered by his administration in the agricultural sector to increase food production in the country. Earlier in his address, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Odion Olaye, charged the federal government to step up efforts to tackle the high rate of insecurity, unemployment and hunger in the country.

Buhari Cautions Journalists To Be Mindful Of Sponsored Political Publications To Incite Hatred, Chaos

Greenbarge Reporters

May 2, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has counselled journalists in Nigeria to be mindful of sponsored political publications that are capable of inciting hatred, division, violence and chaos in the polity.
In solidarity message to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day which comes up tomorrow, May 3, the President said: “with the elections in sight, I urge the media to be mindful of sponsored political news or publications capable of inciting hatred, division, violence, and chaos in the country, while also ensuring that the electoral umpire and other stakeholders play their roles in delivering free, fair, credible and transparent elections to Nigerians.”
According to him, the free performance of media roles and responsibilities during the electoral process is as important as the sanctity and will of Nigerians, expressed through the ballot box.
Buhari asked the Nigerian Press to use World Press Freedom Day to reflect on the need to embrace the best professional standards and practices, especially in the build-up to the forthcoming general elections.
He congratulated the Nigerian media for continually playing their role in strengthening democracy, acknowledging the courage and determination of those who daily go the extra time, sometimes at great personal risks, to keep the society well informed.
President Buhari reiterated his government’s commitment to freedom of the press, pledging to continue ensuring the protection of the rights and privileges of journalists in the lawful performance of their professional duties.
He asked Nigerians to stay united in supporting media professionals who work hard to de-escalate violent conflict and promote peaceful societies without compromising the responsibility to report.
He called on the government information managers to ensure that the press and the general public have access to facts and figures of government information, without tears.
The President assured that in line with the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day: ”Journalism under digital siege,” government agencies under his watch will be encouraged to always stand against actions that are capable of limiting the preservation of the freedom of the Press guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said that the Federal Government is working hard to support media organizations in Nigeria through provision of better internet access to underserved communities, and achieve 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030.
Buhari appreciated journalists, whose diligent work, he said, has helped to guarantee peace, stability, and progress in the country.
Meanwhile, the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, has scheduled a one-day symposium to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day.
A statement by the IPI Secretary, Ahmed I. Shekarau, said that a former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Professor Tonnie Iredia will be the guest speaker at the symposium.
The statement said that Professor Iredia, who is now a lecturer in Mass Communications Department of the Nasarawa State University will speak on: “What Journalists and Media in Nigeria Need to Do to Keep Safe, Retain Credibility and be Sustainable.”
The statement said that among those to discuss the former NTA DG’s presentation are the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the First Lady, Muhammad Sani Zorro; President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs. Ladi Bala and the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The panel discussion, according to the statement, will be moderated by the Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP, Azubuike Ishiekwene.
According to the statement, the event, which is scheduled to hold on May 6, 2022, at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Area 8, Garki, Abuja, will be graced by top media leaders, editors and reporters.
It also announced that provision has been made for remote participation by stakeholders who may not be at the venue of the event.
The Zoom link for virtual participation is as follows:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87905583791?pwd=dnpuV3NRM2RjdEd5QVhqV2E2cVEzdz09
Meeting ID: 879 0558 3791
Passcode: qV94NB
The statement said that IPI Nigeria will be hosting the World Press Freedom Day symposium in collaboration with the national body of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
IPI Nigeria is an affiliate of IPI, with headquarters in Vienna, Austria, which is a global network of media executives, editors and leading journalists, established in 1950, to crusade for media freedom in every corner of the world.
Members of the body are totally committed to credible and independent journalism, media freedom, freedom of speech and the free flow of news and information.

Our Editor-In-Chief At Eid Ground With Kids

Greenbarge Reporters

May 2, 2022

Editor-In-Chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper and hardcopy magazine, Yusuf Ozi Usman, joined other Muslims at Kuje, FCT Eid ground today, May 2, along with his children, to offer two-Rakah prayer to mark Eid-el-Fitr, after the 30-day Fasting. We wish our readers, advertisers ,admirers a joy-filled Sallah.

God Is Angry With Nigeria, Imam Sheikh Ishaq Warns

Greenbarge Reporters

May 2, 2022

A leading Imam in Kuje, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sheikh Saidu Ishaq has warned that Allah is angry with Nigeria, which is why things have gone awry in the last few years.
“God is punishing us for abandoning His ways, by engaging in wanton sexual immorality, by not respecting the sanctity of human lives and other vices.”
Sheikh Ishaq, in a sermon shortly after leading hundreds of Muslims in a two-Rakah prayer to mark Eid-el-Fitr today, May 2, stressed the need for Nigerians to pray and return to the way of Allah “Who is merciful and compassionate enough to forgive us and restore the country to the glorious past, of peace, tranquillity and happiness.”
The Imam advised Muslims and other religious people to give emphasis on charity and being one another’s brother’s keeper, adding that the wealth Allah bestowed on the rich ones is a test from Him.
According to him, using wealth to assist the poor and orphans is the greater part of religions and the means for the societal growth.
Sheikh Ishaq prayed to Allah to change the bad situation Nigeria has found itself in, adding that He can do so overnight, “because there is nothing He cannot do.”
He called on all Nigerians to embark of serious prayers by asking Allah to deliver us from the strangle hold of Shaitan (devils) that have come in the form of Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, and others.

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