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Africa requires $200bn yearly for energy, climate goals – NLNG
Managing Director of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Ltd., Mr Philip Mshelbila, has said Africa’s energy sector needs over 200 billion dollars in annual investments to meet its energy and climate goals.
Mshelbila spoke at the networking session reception, hosted by Nigeria LNG in Berlin, Germany, on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards has the theme; “Achieving the balance between energy security and decarbonisation”.
Mshelbila, who was represented by Mr Nnamdi Anowi, General Manager, Production, NLNG, said this investment was essential to meeting the growing energy needs of a young and dynamic population with a median age of just 20 years.
According to him, in a continent where the average GDP per capita is only a quarter of the global average, the stakes have never been higher.
“The Global Energy Investment landscape requires a critical balancing act: the need for immediate energy access through fossil fuels, alongside the urgent transition to sustainable energy sources.
“At NLNG, we understand this duality. As one of Africa’s leading energy companies, we are dedicated to sustainably producing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), a cleaner energy alternative.
“We see natural gas as not only a vital bridge in the energy transition journey but also a sustainable component of the energy mix, enhancing renewable sources like solar and wind.
“However, investment alone is not sufficient. To truly harness Africa’s energy potential, we must foster a collaborative environment,” Mshelbila said.
He suggested that policymakers, private sector players and investors must work together to create enabling frameworks that attract capital.
The NLNG boss said that there was need to enhance transparency, improve infrastructure, and develop human capital that could drive innovation and implementation of energy projects.
He said that it was imperative that these goals were aligned, not just for economic growth but for the welfare of the communities and the sustainability of the environment.
“The time for action is now. Let us invest in Africa’s energies with a shared vision for a prosperous, sustainable future.
“We, at NLNG, are conscious of our sustainability hallmark. We recently refreshed our brand identity with a new logo and tagline that speaks to inspiring a sustainable future.
“Our new logo is not just a visual change; it represents our commitment to innovation, excellence and sustainability.
“It symbolises our dedication to evolving with the times while staying true to our core values.
“Our positioning in the global scheme of things is to provide energy to improve lives sustainably.
“We believe in the strategic strengthening of the natural gas industry’s value in advancing environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.
“Thank you for your attention and together we can create a transformative energy landscape for the world,” he said.
In her remarks, Parul Patel, Operations Manager, DMG Events lauded, Nigeria LNG Ltd., for its investment in LNG and stakeholder support.
Patel said Nigeria LNG Ltd.(NLNG) had made substantial investments in liquefied natural gas (LNG), reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
She said that this investment not only enhanced Nigeria’s position in the global LNG market but had also contributed significantly to the local economy.
“As part of their ongoing efforts to foster collaboration and dialogue within the industry, NLNG recently hosted a welcome reception for all stakeholders.
“This event provided an invaluable platform for networking and discussing the future of LNG in Nigeria, showcasing NLNG’s dedication to strengthening partnerships across the energy sector.
“The support from Nigeria LNG Limited is vital as it facilitates growth and innovation, paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.
“We applaud NLNG for its leadership and commitment to enhancing the LNG landscape in Nigeria,” she added.
NAN also reports that the 24th World LNG Summit and wards which recorded 750 attendees and 200 speakers representing 500 companies from across the energy value chain is being organised by DMG events.(NAN)
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.