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Steel Council Lauds Minister Audu’s Move To Revamp Sector
Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has been commended following the unveiling of plans to ‘Retool and Revitalise’ the steel industry for productivity as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and maximizing of the sector’s full potentials.
Prince Audu is partnering the National Steel Council of Nigeria in his initiative of repositioning the nation’s steel industry which is already attracting public commendations, and targeted at meeting the yearning of industry players.
The summit plan was disclosed in a programme schedule made available to newsmen by the Executive Secretary, National Steel Council, Ambassador M. Musafari on Monday in Abuja, with the theme: Rethinking, Retooling and Revitalizing the Steel Industry for Production Sufficiency By 2034.
Musafari while commending the Minister, noted that Prince Audu is working tirelessly to ensuring a holistic improvement of the steel industry as “Steel remains the catalyst for industrialization in the world”. Adding that with the programmes lined up by the Ministry of Steel Development the sector is at the verge of remarkable improvement.
“I have been with the Honourable the Minister of Steel Development and all I can see is a man working extra-hard to change the course of history with regards to steel industry. He understands what is at stake and vibrant enough to take on the task.
“Prince Audu have also re-echoed that repositioning the steel sector will play a crucial role in the ongoing steel sector revival efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It will interest Nigerians to know that the Ministry of Steel Development under Prince Audu is also aiming to ensure all dormant steel plants become operational and for Nigeria to begin steel production before the end of President Tinubu’s tenure, while focusing on drastically reducing Nigeria/s over 10 million metric tonnes importation of steel annually,” Musafari revealed,
According to Musafari, the high-powered summit aims to bring together Stakeholders in the Steel Industry in Nigeria to foster open dialogue, discuss critical issues, encourage collaboration, align goals, set priorities, and focus on shared challenges to drive progress and lay the foundation for a cohesive, forward-thinking steel sector.
He revealed that the Federal Government having identified the importance of such an auspicious event is solidly behind it; hence President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu will both be part of the summit as special guest of honour and keynote speaker respectively.
Speaking on why the steel sector needs revamping, Musafari noted that there have been many false steps in fixing the Nigerian steel industry, but with a genuine focus on the steel sector Nigerian economy stands to gain massively.
Adding that the primary objective of the programme is to generate ideas and views to determine the strategic options available to Nigeria in achieving the major goal of ensuring self-sufficiency in steel production.
Part of the objectives of the summit read:
“The Summit brings together Stakeholders in the Steel Industry in Nigeria to foster open dialogue, discuss critical issues, encourage collaboration, align goals, set priorities, and focus on shared challenges to drive progress and lay the foundation for a cohesive, forward-thinking steel sector.
“Effective stakeholder engagement is critical for the steel industry. It enables Stakeholders to consider diverse perspectives, align priorities, and foster collaborative solutions to complex challenges. By actively engaging with all Stakeholders the National Steel Council will champion the process to build trust, mitigate risks, and drive sustainable growth.
“President ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ translates into renewed hope across the country and the economy. This brings into focus the Steel Sector of the Nigerian economy. There have been many false steps in this regard, with little change in the industry. It is now time to effect a positive change that aligns with Mr. President’s Agenda, the yearning of industry players and Nigerians at large.
“Ajaokuta Steel Complex (ASC), came into existence at the same time as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In the intervening decades, the FCT has grown in leaps and bounds. Whereas, ASC which was supposed to be the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization and economic growth has remained comatose. At the moment only 800 hectares of the 24, 000 hectares of land set aside for ASC is in use.
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of our visionary President, the National Steel Council has been mandated to commence the process for revitalizing ASC and jumpstarting Nigeria’s prosperity and growth under the auspices of an INDUSTRIAL PARK housing several entities in diverse fields and serving as a convergence for industries, security structures, airport, seaport, educational institutions, and ancillary services”.
Government functionaries expected at the programme include: Managing Directors of Nigeria Railway Cooperation, Bank of Industry, Nigeria Port Authority, Nigeria Mining Cooperation, NASREA, Raw Materials Development Council, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development.
Expected Stakeholders are Production Processes and Value Chain Related Activities Entities; End Users (Stevedoring/ Construction Coys & Fabrication Yards); Importers; Engineering Companies; The National Assembly; Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government; Security Agencies; Research & Development Entities; Quality Assurance & Standardisation Entities, etc; Miners; Energy Providers (Gencos, Discos, NERC); Logistics and Transport Entities (Railways, Haulage Companies & Shippers); Manpower Resourcing Entities, Infrastructure Companies, etc; Commercial Banks; Development Bank; Bank of Industry; Bank of Agriculture; Insurance Companies; Investors and others.
The date of the summit is to be made public soon.
Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.
The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.
According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.
He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.
He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.
The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.
Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.
Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.
“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.
The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.
He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.
Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.
“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.
Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.
Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.
Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.
He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.
However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.
Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.
“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.
“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.
“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”
Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.
“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.
“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”
Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.
“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.
He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.
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