Latest news with #KashimShettima
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Key takeaways from Vice President Shettima visit to Mokwa as Tinubu approve N2bn to rebuild destroyed houses
Nigeria President Bola Tinubu don approve di immediate release of ₦2 billion for di reconstruction of all houses wey flood destroy for Mokwa, Niger State, north-central region, Nigeria, Channels TV report. Vice President, Kashim Shettima, announce dis informate wen e visit Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State. North-central Nigeria for on di spot assessment, afta di devastating flood wey destroy lives and property, and render hundreds of pipo homeless. Oga Shettima add say di President don authorise di immediate release of 20 trucks of rice wey dem go deliver to victims. Di floods, wey authorities describe as di worst for di area in 60 years, sweep through di Mokwa districts of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa afta heavyfall. Di official death toll afta di deadly floods hit di Nigerian town of Mokwa on Thursday, 29 May don rise to more dan 200, officials tok. Anoda 500 still dey miss for di town, and local official Musa Kimboku tell BBC say rescue efforts don stop bicos authorities no believe say dem still fit find anyone alive. Key points from VP Kashim Shettima visit to Mokwa During im vist, Vice-President Shettima assess di extent of damage to infrastructure and agricultural lands for di town wey dey known as "di home of grains." E say im visit na part of Nigeria goment immediate response to di flood disaster, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directive to provide swift assistance to affected residents. E assure di pipo of di state say di kontri leader heart dey wit di pipo and goment go address all di issues wey dey affect dem. Bridges: Oga Shettima say President Tinubu don order make dem fix all di affected bridges immediately. Drainages: On di issue of drainage, Oga Shettima add say di president don direct di immediate rehabilitation of drainages for Mokwa town.
Ya Biladi
3 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Abuja seeks investors for $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project
On Monday, Nigeria's federal government announced it is actively seeking international investors for the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, designed to supply gas to Europe via Morocco. Speaking at a meeting with Swiss-based Dutch multinational energy and commodity trading company Vitol Group, Nigeria's Vice President Kashim Shettima urged global investors to «mobilize resources and join us in this transparent project». «We hold the world's eighth-largest gas reserves and aim to fully harness their potential due to the stability and transparency of the gas sector. This is why we are seriously exploring the export of gas to Europe via this undersea pipeline—a costly $25 billion project that requires technical expertise more than money», Shettima said. «Nigeria has been a crucial country for Vitol. We have been involved in financing, trading, and supporting government initiatives. Vitol is committed and ready to deploy capital when needed», Jeffrey Dellapina, Vitol's CFO and delegation leader, promised. The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline remains a top priority for the Nigerian government. In May, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed the project's significance, calling it a «top priority». It is worth noting that the project is gaining momentum with recent substantial funding support from the United Arab Emirates. Other major financiers include the European Investment Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the OPEC Fund. Chinese company Jingye Steel has secured the contract to supply materials for the pipeline. The United States has also expressed interest in investing. Morocco has completed feasibility and engineering studies for the 5,660 km pipeline, which will pass through 13 African countries. First gas deliveries are expected by 2029. A joint venture between Rabat and Abuja has been established to oversee the project's implementation.
Arabian Post
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Arabian Post
Nigeria's Women Urged to Embrace Bold Empowerment
Mrs Nana Shettima, spouse of Vice President Kashim Shettima, joined Senator Rochas Okorocha, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, and other prominent figures in calling on Nigerian women to assert themselves confidently in all spheres of life. Their appeal came during a gathering focused on advancing women's empowerment, where speakers highlighted the need for greater female participation in politics, business, and social leadership. The event underscored the critical role women play in national development and urged them to overcome societal barriers that often limit their opportunities. Mrs Shettima emphasised the importance of resilience and determination, encouraging women to seize leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria's growth. She pointed out that empowering women is not merely a social obligation but a strategic imperative to harness the full potential of the nation's population. Senator Okorocha supported this message by stressing that women's empowerment should translate into tangible policy actions and legislative support. He advocated for inclusive governance structures that accommodate and promote women's voices, arguing that diversity strengthens democratic institutions. Deputy Speaker Kalu echoed these sentiments, highlighting that legislative backing for gender equality must be consistent and robust to create lasting change. These calls come amid ongoing challenges faced by Nigerian women, including limited access to education, economic disparities, and cultural norms that often restrict their roles to traditional settings. Despite improvements over the years, women's representation in government and key industries remains disproportionately low compared to men. Experts at the event pointed to emerging trends that offer new opportunities for women. The growth of digital technology and social media platforms, for example, provides women with innovative tools to build businesses, influence public opinion, and engage in activism. However, speakers cautioned that access to these technologies must be broadened, especially in rural areas where infrastructure and digital literacy lag behind. The discussion also highlighted the importance of education as a cornerstone for empowerment. Increasing enrolment rates for girls in schools and expanding vocational training programmes were identified as critical steps toward enabling women to compete on equal footing in the job market. Investment in female education correlates directly with economic development and social progress, creating a multiplier effect for communities and the broader economy. Legislators and policymakers were urged to strengthen frameworks protecting women's rights and to implement laws aimed at reducing gender-based violence and discrimination. Several proposals were discussed, including incentives for female entrepreneurship, improved maternity benefits, and targeted financial support for women-led initiatives. The Vice President's wife reiterated that collaboration among government bodies, civil society, and the private sector is essential to accelerate progress. She stressed that societal mindsets must shift to recognise women's capabilities beyond traditional roles, enabling them to contribute at all levels of decision-making. This vision aligns with Nigeria's commitment to international agreements on gender equality and women's rights, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women . While enthusiasm for women's empowerment is growing, implementation remains uneven across regions and sectors. Rural communities, in particular, face entrenched patriarchal attitudes that hinder women's advancement. Addressing these cultural barriers requires community engagement and awareness campaigns tailored to local contexts. Economic empowerment was a key theme, with discussions on how to close the gender gap in labour participation and wage equality. Women entrepreneurs were encouraged to access capital and markets through formalised structures that reduce bureaucratic obstacles. The role of microfinance and cooperative societies was also examined as vehicles for scaling women's businesses and improving their financial independence. The gathering coincided with broader efforts by the Nigerian government to enhance gender equality through national action plans and strategic policies. Recent initiatives include the establishment of dedicated agencies to monitor and promote women's welfare and the integration of gender perspectives into economic and social programmes. Global partnerships also play a vital role, as Nigeria collaborates with international organisations to implement best practices and mobilise resources. The emphasis on women's empowerment is part of a larger global agenda aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality. Despite progress, challenges persist in translating policies into measurable outcomes. Institutional weaknesses, funding constraints, and gaps in enforcement limit the effectiveness of empowerment efforts. This reality underscores the need for sustained commitment and accountability among all stakeholders.
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Shettima calls for EU-Africa collaboration to deliver transformative impact
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the European Union (EU) and African nations to deepen their strategic partnership and harness their collective potential for transformative development across the continent. Speaking on Thursday at the Presidential Villa during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the EU led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Shettima described the EU as Nigeria's 'natural partner' and stressed the need to move beyond promises to tangible outcomes in areas such as infrastructure, trade, education, and digital inclusion. Shettima said, 'Our expectations as Nigerians and as Africans are clear. We want this partnership to graduate from well-meaning commitments to transformative outcomes. We want more joint ventures, deeper trade facilitation under the AfCFTA, and irreversible investments in energy, education and digital inclusion.' He reiterated Nigeria's commitment to leveraging the EU's Global Gateway initiative to fast-track priority projects such as high-speed rail, renewable energy infrastructure, port modernisation, and vocational training centres. 'The EU are our natural allies. I am guided by logic and rationality, not sentiment. We see this relationship as long-term and strategic. 'We hope to see the EU move from being a donor to being a co-creator of African prosperity. We really want to be partners, not just aid recipients,' he said, while advocating for a shift from donor-recipient dynamics to a model of co-creation and shared prosperity. Shettima also highlighted the shared values between Nigeria and the EU, including democratic governance, freedom of worship, gender empowerment, and climate resilience. On the African Union (AU), the Vice President commended the current leadership of the AU Commission for reinvigorating the institution's vision, noting, 'They are poised to reposition Africa not just as a subject of global discussion, but as a co-author of the world's next chapter.' In his remarks, Ambassador Mignot emphasized the long-standing and deep-rooted relationship between the EU and Africa, which he said is celebrating 25 years of strong bilateral cooperation. 'The EU is Africa's first trading partner, first investor, first provider of development aid, and first humanitarian donor,' Mignot noted. 'Our foreign direct investment in Africa reached €309 billion in 2022—more than the U.S. and China combined.' The Ambassador said the visit was also to review the progress of the Joint Vision for 2030, a framework agreed at the 2022 AU-EU Summit, which aligns with Africa's Agenda 2063 and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). In a separate engagement on Thursday, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to sustaining the strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and Zambia. He gave the assurance while receiving Dr. Samuel Miambo, Special Envoy of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who delivered a personal message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Describing Nigeria and Zambia as 'fraternal nations,' Shettima lauded Zambia's contributions to the liberation struggles of southern Africa and its continued democratic stability. He assured of Nigeria's support for Zambia in its efforts to improve governance and the lives of its citizens. Dr. Miambo, on his part, sought Nigeria's backing for his candidacy for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB), outlining a vision focused on energy security, infrastructure development, and the establishment of an African Centre of Excellence for Energy in Nigeria. He said Nigeria's leadership role on the continent would be pivotal to the success of such a candidacy. The envoy was accompanied by Zambia's High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador George Imbuwa, and senior advisers to the Zambian president, Mr. Manfred Ndonuie and Mrs. Elita Mwambazi.
Business Insider
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Foreign oil giants seek re-entry into Nigeria's oil market, eye deepwater prospects
Petrobas' re-entry into Nigeria's oil market marks a significant shift from its previous divestment strategy, reflecting a renewed commitment to expanding its international presence. The development was disclosed in a post by Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on X (formerly Twitter) yesterday. Shettima attributed Petrobras' renewed interest in Nigeria to the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu-led administration. ' As the economic reforms of the administration of President take root, the company, which had previously wound down its operations in Nigeria at the Agbami Field, is now actively engaging with Nigerian authorities as part of broader efforts to revitalise bilateral cooperation ahead of the 2025 Nigeria–Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM), ' he noted. Speaking further, Shettima added, ' We have not maximally capitalised on the fraternity between us and Brazil, but it is better late than never. The upcoming SDM presents an opportunity to execute sector-specific Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and unlock investment flows.' The update came amid an inter-ministerial review meeting chaired by the Vice President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, convened to coordinate Nigeria's preparations for the second session of the SDM, scheduled for June 2025. Confirming the development, Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar—who was part of the delegation—stated that Petrobras is keen on acquiring frontier acreage in Nigeria's deep waters. "Petrobras is no longer active in Nigeria, but they are very keen on coming back to Nigeria. They said they want frontier acreage in deep waters," Tuggar was quoted in a statement from the vice president's office as saying. This interest aligns with Nigeria's broader efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with Brazil, particularly in the energy sector. Earlier this year, Petrobras had also expressed interest in acquiring stakes in African assets from major oil companies such as ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies. Petrobas' interests in Nigeria's oil industry Petrobras, officially known as Petróleo Brasileiro S.A., is Brazil's state-controlled oil and gas corporation and stands as one of the largest energy companies globally. Petrobras initiated its operations in Nigeria in 1998, participating in several deepwater projects as part of its international expansion strategy. Petrobras held an indirect 8% stake in the Agbami Field (OML 127), operated by Chevron, which peaked at around 250,000 barrels per day. It also had a 16% indirect interest in the Akpo and Egina Fields (OML 130), operated by TotalEnergies, with peak outputs of 175,000 and 200,000 barrels per day, respectively. However, in 2020, Petrobras sold its 50% stake in Petrobras Oil & Gas B.V. (POGBV), a joint venture through which it held its Nigerian assets. This divestment marked the company's exit from the Nigerian oil sector and was part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and refocus on core domestic projects in Brazil. Now, in 2025, Petrobras is seeking to re-enter the Nigerian oil industry with a specific interest in frontier deepwater acreage.
