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FG tasks engineers to apply technological advancements in construction

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The Federal Government has urged engineers to apply technological advancement and dynamism in the construction industry that required harnessing local products.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, made the call on Thursday at the 6th Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Giri branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Abuja.

The theme of the conference is “Prospects of Natural Fibres as Viable Local Materials for Building Infrastructures (Bamboo and Fanpalm as case studies).”

Represented by Mr Solomon Labafilo, Director, Public Buildings and Housing Departments, Fashola said the subject matter was important considering the recent inauguration of the Presidential Monitoring and Evaluation Council for the full implementation of the Presidential Executive Order No. 5.

He said the council was established to ensure Planning and Execution of Nigerian Content in Contracts, Science, Engineering and Technology in the country’s desire to improve and expand indigenous capacity.

He observed that the construction industry was confronted with high cost of building materials due to high dependency on imported materials for construction activities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic also created severe economic consequences all over the world, Nigeria not an exception.

“I wish to enjoin the NSE to look inward and position itself in playing a pivotal role in the development of Nigeria by being in tune with technological advancements, competition and dynamism in the construction industry.

“One of the objectives of the economic sustainability plan of the government is to promote the manufacturing and local production at all levels and advocate the use of Made-in-Nigerian goods and services as a way of creating job opportunities.

“This will help achieve sufficiency in critical sectors of our economy and curbing unnecessary demand for foreign exchange,” he said.

He added that the ministry was committed to promoting local content, hence the use of local building materials in the on-going National Housing Programme in 34 states and the FCT.

He reiterated that the country was endowed with numerous natural resources that could be harnessed for construction locally.

Fashola assured the NSE branch of collaboration to advance the sector.

President of the NSE, Babagana Mohammed urged young engineers to get involved in innovative research in engineering to address issues of construction in the country.

Mohammed said that young people should change their mentality toward the profession adding that there was no room for scavenging.

Dr Taiwo Audu, the keynote speaker and a lecturer at the Civil Engineering Department, University of Abuja, said economic burden due to high cost of imported building materials necessitated possible locally available substitutes.

Audu described fibres as hair-like materials that are continous filaments or are in discrete elongated pieces which are similar to thread.

He, however, said that the fear for using fibres in building was the uncertainty of its durability.

According to him, 20 million tons of bamboo is often collected in rural areas by local people which plays an important role in the local economy.

Audu also said that bamboo could be used in construction, for furniture, food, biofuel, fabrics, paper, pulp, charcoal, ornamental garden planting, among others.

He added that if alternative natural fibres would be deployed into building, all aspects of engineering needed to work in synergy.

Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, Chairman, Giri NSE branch, called on other arms of engineering to join forces with the NSE to build a formidable sector.

Also, Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, said there was need for the society branch to collaborate with the academia, especially the university to mentor young engineers.

Represented by Dr Kafeyat Adeyemi, Director, Energy Research Centre, Na’Allah said by mentoring young engineers and engaging in innovative engineering, it would improve the ranking of the institution.

The event featured presentation of awards to notable members of the society and individuals who had contributed to the growth of the society’s branch. (NAN)

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Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else

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At a solemn ordination service in Abuja, senior church leaders have called on pastors to make the well-being of their congregations a top priority, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Speaking during the priesthood ordination and installation of a Sub Dean at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okene, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ajulo, described pastors as shepherds charged with the care of their flock. He urged them to shun worldly distractions and focus on meeting the spiritual and material needs of their members.

Bishop Ajulo also encouraged the newly ordained priests to remain faithful to their calling by teaching God’s word without compromise.

In his charge, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged the new clergy to preach the undiluted gospel and foster religious harmony wherever they serve. He expressed confidence that their new roles would help promote peace and unity in society.

The service also featured prayers for national leaders and divine intervention in addressing the current global economic challenges.

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1,000 Prayer Warriors Storm Ilorin for Tinubu, Nation’s Deliverance

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

In a dramatic show of faith and patriotism, over 1,000 fiery prayer warriors from across Nigeria will descend on Ilorin, Kwara State, this Saturday, lifting their voices in intense intercession for President Bola Tinubu’s success and Nigeria’s survival in the face of biting economic woes and mounting insecurity.

The spiritual siege, themed “Walking in Domini”, is the maiden convention of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), with its Kwara State Chairman, Evangelist Thomas Adeboye, vowing that “heaven will hear and respond to Nigeria’s cry.”

Aside from marathon prayers, the gathering will roll out free medical outreach to locals across Kwara’s LGAs, a gesture aimed at touching both body and soul.

Adeboye, lamenting Nigeria’s “troubling economic and security realities”, called for a nationwide prayer uprising, insisting that Tinubu has shown the will to revive the nation but needs massive divine backing to succeed.

“Banditry, a collapsing economy, and political tension demand we seek God’s face like never before,” he declared. “We will storm heaven for wisdom for the President and governors to steer Nigeria to safety.”

The convention will also feature awards to distinguished personalities, soul-lifting worship, fiery sermons, and unity-driven lectures—all capped with thunderous prayers for Nigeria’s redemption.

Adeboye urged the President to ensure every policy has “a human face,” stressing that Nigerians must not only endure but also enjoy the fruits of governance.

With the OAIC promising to reaffirm believers’ authority in Christ and rally spiritual boldness in the face of national challenges, Ilorin is set to become the epicentre of a powerful spiritual warfare for Nigeria’s destiny.

 

 

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Nigerian Anglicans Condemn Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Deepening Global Anglican Rift

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…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.

In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.

The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.

 

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