General News
Nigerian Government reiterates commitment to reposition gas sector
The Federal Government on Thursday, reiterated its commitment to reposition the gas sector for effective service delivery.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made this known while declaring open the 2021 World Energy Day Conference in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has as its theme: “Energy Transition: Gas as the Fuel of Choice”.
Osinbajo, represented by the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Agba, stressed the importance of gas in actualising energy transition.
According to him, we cannot execute this transition without gas. Gas enables this transition with options for AutoGas on vehicles and even more importantly gas power to replace dirty coal plants across the world.
“Gas is cleaner than coal or oil and initially was touted as a critical transition fuel.
“Later, climate change policy, particularly in the West, began to turn against gas with very strict policies from many lenders against even funding upstream, midstream or downstream gas projects.
“This has created the scenario we face today with insufficient gas investment without commiserate replacement by renewable leading to scarcity and high prices,’’ he said.
While restating Nigeria’s commitment to lead local and global discussions on the position of gas in the new world order, Osinbajo said that the Federal Government had given the go ahead for the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Train 7.
According to him, Train 7 is more than N10 billion investment that will keep Nigeria in the top five globally in Liquefied Natural Gas and position the country to benefit from the critical role that gas will play in the Energy Transition.
He pointed out that the Federal Government inaugurated the Decade of Gas under the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
“Mr President said on March 29, when we declared 2020 as “The Year of Gas” In Nigeria, it was to demonstrate our resolve that gas development and utilisation should be a national priority.
“Now, we are going a step further to dedicate this decade to industrialising Nigeria using gas.
“As part of the Decade of Gas, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna—Kano Natural Gas Pipeline set for completion in 2023, will not only allow for gas power and industries across Nigeria but will also create the ability to ramp up renewable.
“This is as we will have base load power to balance intermittent solar power plants that need to be built to meet our climate goals.
The vice president, however, expressed concern over inadequate investments in energy to meet net-zero targets.
“There is simply not enough investment in renewable to support the intended accelerated pace of removal of Fossil fuels.
“Today, fossil fuels satisfy 83 per cent of primary demand for energy.
“Unfortunately, investment in fossil fuels has also dropped by 40 per cent since 2015 without the requisite ramp up in renewable.’’
According to Osinbajo, if we have learnt anything over the past few weeks is that the Energy Transition will not be easy, it will not be seamless and it will not be done without difficult choices.
The vice president said that the risks of trying to make 30-year commitments in reaching net-zero were plain and apparent for all to see.
“The Economist reported that since May, the combined prices of oil, coal and gas increased by 95 per cent. It was also reported that Britain has turned back on some coal-fired power stations.
“I surely believe that the Energy Transition was not meant to make energy less available and unaffordable.
“These events if not handled carefully may turn global public sentiment against climate change policies,’’ Osinbajo said.
Earlier, Dr Al-Mujtaba, the President, ACCI, commended the Federal Government for crafting a gas agenda which became Nigeria’s response to the energy transition question.
According to him, the gas commercialisation agenda, the Autogas initiatives and other policy response have provided much needed answers to Nigeria’s need for energy transition.
Similarly, Mr Olawale Rasheed, the Director Policy, ACCI, stressed the need for Nigeria meeting her target on reduction on carbon emission without undermining national interest.
“Basically, we are saying we need gas it is good for us and gas is cleaner,’’ Rasheed said.
Also speakinhg, Mr Olakpode Sowunmi, Chief Executive Officer CABTRI called for increased capacity to produce more gas.
According to him, the tempo is how we can increase our capacity to produce more gas.
People ask the question we flare a lot of gas why can’t we use that for cooking gas but it is not exactly the same.
“It is like you have water in the river, but that do not necessarily translate to drinking water.
“The gas needs to be processed for it to be useful for domestic consumption,’’ he said. (NAN)
…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.
The Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, has called on political leaders to prioritize the welfare of citizens.
During a recent church service in Abuja, Ndukuba noted that many Nigerians are struggling with challenges brought on by the global economic downturn. He urged state and local governments to implement new initiatives to lessen the impact on their communities.
The Primate also stressed that the federal government must effectively monitor its programs to ensure that Nigerians fully benefit from the nation’s democratic gains. He argued that if the current administration can effectively tackle corruption, the country would significantly benefit from the economic policies of President Tinubu’s government.
Ndukuba concluded by asking the congregation to continue praying for those in authority, remain committed to national unity, and show love and support for the less privileged. He also tasked the newly inducted members of the Church Mothers’ Guild with aggressively spreading the gospel.
Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, has expressed deep concern about the current situation in Nigeria.
Enenche stated that the nation is under an evil spell due to the economic hardship affecting the country. He described Nigeria as being covered by a “blanket of sorcery and darkness,” leading many citizens to endure poverty and hardship in silence.
“There’s a blanket of sorcery and darkness over this nation—an evil spell making people tolerate what should provoke outrage,” he wrote.
In a post on his official X account on Thursday, the cleric highlighted the economic struggles faced by many Nigerians, noting that an increasing number of church members now line up after services not for spiritual counselling or prayer, but to help with basic needs such as rent, school fees, food, and medical bills.
“People are suffering. Pastors are exhausted. Members now queue after service not for prayer, but for assistance,” he lamented.
He also criticised political leaders for their insensitivity and failure to address the dire situation across the country.
“Yet, the leaders act as though nothing is wrong. This is not normal—it is witchcraft. It is a spell of patience in captivity, leading to a demonic tolerance of suffering.”
Calling for divine intervention, Enenche declared, “Let every evil spell over this land be broken! Let those misruling with arrogance and mocking the people’s pain face divine judgment. They shall not see the celebration of their wickedness.”
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