News
FG Ramps up Preparedness for Nuclear Energy Emergency
Federal government claims it is ramping up its preparedness to handle emergencies resulting from the use of nuclear and radiological materials in the country.
The government stated that a protection strategy in such emergencies remain one of the elements that must be put in place for taking response actions in cases of emergencies, given the growing use of peaceful deployment of nuclear power in the country.
Speaking during a workshop which brought together all the emergency response agencies of government in the country, Prof. Yusuf Ahmed, acting chairman of the Nigerian Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), noted that part of the objectives was to ensure that all the nuclear energies deployed in various parts of the country are kept safe.
He noted that in cases of emergencies, the first responders needed to know what to do to protect people, communities and the environment around the facilities, adding that the national coordination of response team has been a challenge.
“There are security people and other emergency responders who are supposed to respond when such incidents happen. What we are trying to do is how to harmonise all these emergency responses wherever it happens within the country.
“How to coordinate their actions and so this is one of such exercises to put them together under one roof and these are the standards in the nuclear industry.
“We need to know the standards in the security forces, emergency management experts and harmonise to ensure planning, including deploying facilities,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria has been using nuclear power for peaceful applications since the 1980s, stressing that nuclear power can be used for other purposes aside deploying it for violent purposes.
He stated that Nigeria has continued to build on the development of its nuclear power for use in agriculture, health, water resources, mining and on the environment.
The objectives of the workshop, the commission said was to train personnel of relevant response organisations on how to develop, justify and optimise protection strategy for nuclear use and understand the domestic framework that guides the process of implementing protection strategy.
On the expected outcome of the programme organised in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ahmed stated that hazard assessment, among others would form the fulcrum of the workshop.
Participants included personnel from NAEC and its centres, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the media.
Others were the military, Nigeria police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), medical responders as well as state and local authorities responsible for decision-making.
News
Legit.ng, Shade of Life Foundation Partner to Advance Autism Awareness in Nigeria
Legit.ng recently joined forces with the Shade of Life Foundation to become a voice of autism, and drive advocacy for improved media support during Autism Awareness Month.
Conversations around media support exploration was led by Joseph Omotayo, head of Department for Human Interest Stories at Legit.ng, and Dr. Eziafakaku Nwokolo, founder and CEO of the Shade of Life Foundation,
This partnership is a response to the concerns raised by organizations like the Shade of Life Foundation about the level of support received from the media in discussing autism as a disability.
While other disabilities may receive attention, autism, with its critical developmental implications often lacks adequate representation in mainstream media.
Recognizing the importance of addressing these concerns, Legit.ng took proactive steps by integrating itself into the essence of autism awareness.
It facilitated a one-hour workshop with Dr. Nwokolo, the founder of the foundation, to deepen our understanding of autism, its various spectrums, and the language boundaries associated with it.
Other steps we took in advocating autism awareness in the media, can be seen in our attached press release.
Legit.ng believes that by amplifying the voices of autism and advocating for better media representation, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all.
News
As Nigeria Struggle, Tanzania Turns off Power Plants Due to Excess Supply
While 85 per cent of Nigeria is in darkness, Tanzania, an African country has shut down five hydroelectric stations in a bid to reduce excess electricity in the national grid.
Kassim Majaliwa, prime minister, Tanzania, has said the main plant, Mwalimu Nyerere Hydroelectric Station, alone generated enough electricity to power major cities, including Dar es Salaam, the country’s commercial hub.
It is the first time Tanzania, which suffers chronic power shortages, has closed hydroelectric stations due to excess production.
“We have turned off all these stations because the demand is low and the electricity production is too much, we have no allocation now,” an official from state-run power company, Tanesco, said.
The 2,115MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam is said to be almost filled with water following heavy rains that started early this year.
Meanwhile, while the country has an installed capacity of 1,938MW and the grid installed capacity of 1,899MW, Nigeria which has an installed capacity of 13,000MW is struggling to electrify 85 per cent of its electricity consumers.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Jim Ovia as Student Loan Fund Chairman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jim Ovia, renowned banker and businessman, as the Chairman, Board of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Ovia’s appointment is contained in a State House statement titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as Chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund,’ and issued on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President, Media & Publicity.
The statement noted that “Ovia is the founder of one of Nigeria’s leading banks and a respected business leader, with a surfeit of efforts and benefaction towards nurturing and empowering young Nigerians.
“He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School and holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana.”
The National Student Loan Programme is a pivotal intervention that seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementing institution of this innovation, demands excellence and Nigerians of the finest professional ilk to guide and manage.
“The President believes Mr. Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience and professional stature to this role to advance the all-important vision of ensuring that no Nigerian student suffers a capricious end to their pursuit of higher education over a lack of funds,” the statement partly read.
Ovia’s appointment will also ensure “that Nigerian youths, irrespective of who they are, have access to higher education and skills that will make them productive members of society and core contributors to the knowledge-based global economy of this century.”
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