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FG seeks support for establishment of Energy Bank in Nigeria
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil) has called for support to establish an African Energy Bank (AEB)in Nigeria.
Lokpobiri urged Heads of Mission, Africa Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), during a reception in Abuja, to support Nigeria in the bid to establish AEB in the capital city.
He said that Nigeria offered a strategic geographical location, robust infrastructure, and a dynamic energy sector, which made it suitable for the project.
He explained that the establishment of the bank would represent a bold and strategic move toward ensuring energy security, fostering economic growth, and promoting sustainable development across Africa.
According to him, Nigeria’s bid to host the headquarters of this pivotal institution is a testament to our unwavering commitment to these goals.
He added that the nation was committed to fostering a collaborative environment that would enable AEB to thrive and achieve its mandate effectively.
“We have achieved significant milestones, including a comprehensive assessment by the APPO Afrexim-Bank Inspection Team and their positive evaluation underscores Nigeria’s readiness and capability to host the AEB.
“However, the journey does not end here, and to secure the hosting rights, we need the collective support of all APPO member countries.
“Our competitors have intensified their efforts by appointing special envoys to lobby for their bids. In response, we are appealing to each of you to recognise the advantages of situating the AEB headquarters in Nigeria.
“Let us use this opportunity to engage, collaborate, and forge stronger ties.
”Together, we can ensure that the AEB finds its rightful home in Nigeria, where it can spearhead the next phase of Africa’s energy renaissance,” he said.
Lokpobiri also called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to campaign vigorously through its missions in APPO member countries, adding that their support was crucial to the success.
Amb. Nicholas Ella, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, said that hosting the AEB would boost collaboration and provide a neutral and inclusive platform for African countries to come together and exchange ideas.
Ella said that it would also provide an opportunity for member countries to chart a collective path toward energy security and sustainable development.
He said that Nigeria’s bid to host the bank’s headquarters was grounded in a deep-seated conviction that Abuja stood as the quintessential epi-center of energy innovation and cooperation on the continent.
According to him, Nigeria’s strategic location at the crossroads of West Africa renders Abuja as an unrivalled nexus of connectivity and accessibility with its extensive network of transportation infrastructure and logistical capabilities.
“Abuja offers a strategic gateway to the entire African continent, providing the bank with unparalleled access to key energy markets, stakeholders, and decision-makers across Africa.
“By selecting Abuja as its host city, the AEB can serve as a linchpin of connectivity, fostering collaboration and catalysing progress on a continental scale.
“Nigeria’s rich endowment of oil, gas, and renewable energy resources present an unparalleled opportunity for the bank to harness the continent’s vast energy potential and drive sustainable development.
“With proven reserves of over 37 billion barrels of oil and five trillion cubic meters of natural gas, Nigeria ranks among the top energy producers in Africa.
“Nigeria’s burgeoning renewable energy sector, characterised by abundant solar and wind resources, holds immense promise for powering Africa’s future,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s distinguished legacy of leadership within APPO underscored its unwavering commitment to fostering unity, stability, and prosperity within the African energy sector.
The permanent secretary also said that Nigeria’s proactive approach to regulatory reform had positioned the country as a paragon of stability and transparency within the global energy landscape.
He added that with a robust regulatory framework in place, Nigeria offered a conducive environment for the AEB to thrive, attract investment, foster innovation, and ensure accountability across all facets of energy governance.
Amb. Ibrahim Lamuwa, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the establishment of the AEB by APPO members held the power to shape the trajectory of energy cooperation and development.
Lamuwa, whose keynote address was delivered by Amb. Ben Okoye, expressed gratitude for unwavering dedication of APPO members to the cause and their steadfast commitment to fostering collaboration and partnership among African nations. (NAN)
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)