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FG to convert 250,000 vehicles to CNG annually – Coordinator
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative is set to mobilise all 36 states by year-end, converting petrol-powered vehicles to CNG, a cleaner and more affordable alternative.
The P-CNGi’s Programme Execution Coordinator, Folarin Oworu, announced this at a rally held at the Mando Inter State Terminal, Kaduna, on Thursday, where 100 conversion kits were distributed to commercial transport union members.
According to him, the initiative targets commercial vehicles, with partners in various states, aiming to convert 250,000 vehicles per year starting next year.
He stated that the conversion kits, worth N1.5m, would be free for transport unions, to reduce transportation costs for the masses.
He added that the next rally is scheduled for Lagos, with plans to cover all states before year-end.
Oworu said, “What we are doing here today is front-to-back CNG conversion mobilisation. Mr. President has decided to make conversion free for the road transport unions – that is the NURTW, NATO and other road transport unions.
“The idea is to bring down the cost of commercial transportation. How do we do that? It is by converting the commercial vehicles of transport unions to make their running cost cheaper. The idea is for them to translate these savings to the end users by making transportation cheaper.
“We are starting here in Kaduna and from Kaduna, we shall move to Lagos and before the end of the year, we would have gone to the whole 36 states.
“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was done by the conversion partners we have at the various locations. The commercial vehicles will go and have their vehicles converted. The conversion kits are one hundred per cent free. The conversion cost is one hundred per cent free. That is the agreement in the MOU.”
In his goodwill message, former National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Najim Yasin, commended President Tinubu’s initiative on the P-CNGi agenda, aimed at converting commercial vehicles to use compressed natural gas.
Yasmin applauded the President’s support for the transport sector and the decision to provide conversion kits free of charge to commercial vehicles, estimated to benefit 1 million vehicles.
He encouraged members of NURTW, NATO, and other road users to key into the program, which is aimed at reducing the suffering of the masses by decreasing transportation costs and fuel prices.
Yasmin thanked the President and organisers for involving transport workers in the program and expressed appreciation for the support from neighbouring states.
He emphasised the program’s potential to reduce fuel prices and transportation costs, benefiting the masses. The program is set to roll out across all 36 states in the country.
Yasmin said, “This programme will move around the 36 states of this country. We, the National Union of Road Transport Workers of Nigeria, the National Association of Transport Owners, use this opportunity to commend President Bola Tinubu for this laudable initiative and support for the transport sector in Nigeria.
“I called on entire transport organizations- NURTWN, NATO…etc across the country to key into the programme. They have signed the agreement with the company for the conversion here in our present. We have got a number of vehicles that as of today can move to the conversion centres so that these vehicles can be converted one by one.
“This one is strictly for commercial vehicles and that is why we are involved so that we ensure that our members key into this programme. We appreciate Mr. President and all those who work tirelessly to make this programme a reality.
“We know how much a litre of fuel is now sold and if you fill your tank for N50,000, N45,000, it depends on the number of litres your vehicle is consuming. Before you go from Kaduna to Abuja, that fuel is gone. Automatically, it will affect the transport fare.”
The Presidential CNG initiative is a key component of President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s palliative measures to mitigate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal policy on the masses.
The initiative is seeking to provide relief to Nigerians by promoting the use of compressed natural gas as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to fuel.
The move is part of the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal and ensure a smoother transition to a more sustainable energy future.
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Video: Watch moment Senator Manu tasks NAFDAC officials on poor budget presentation
The Senator representing Taraba Central, Manu Haruna white washed officials of NAFDAC for poor budget presentation during 2025 budget defense on Friday.
In a video, Senator Manu a former Deputy Governor of Taraba State opened the underbelly of NAFDAC on improper presentation of figures in the outlines.
He pointedly told the officials that the presentation was designed to mislead senators.
Watch video below:
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Why I returned N100m excess fund to Kano Govt Commissioner
The Kano State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Tajo Othman, who was recently in the news for returning N100 million excess fund to the state government, has revealed the reason behind his action.
The commissioner while addressing newsmen in Kano on Friday said his action was influenced by the state governor’s “exemplary leadership style,” adding that in an ideal situation, leaders are always a pace setter for others to follow.
He said he did not expect Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf to reveal the act to the public, but the governor chose to do so during the flag-off of the free uniform distribution to encourage the future generation to be transparent.
He said, “In an ideal governance setting, the leader is a pace setter for others to follow. We have seen the governor’s body language and as such we fall in. That is what exactly happened. it is the wish of the governor that everybody should be as transparent as possible.
“He is a transparent governor and therefore we should be transparent as well. I never expected the governor to go public with it, but I believe the reason behind his announcement is indeed genuine.”
The commissioner added that as the head of the committee for school uniform distribution, the state governor entrusted him with the task and advised the committee to execute it to the best of their ability.
The commissioner who was a retired customs officer was in the news when the Governor Yusuf publicly commended him for returning N100 million in unspent funds from a N2 billion budget earmarked for the production of 798,000 uniforms for pupils of primary 1 in the state.
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Nigerian Online Population Shows Strong Enthusiasm for AI – Report
A new global survey report from Ipsos and Google has shown widespread use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools among Nigerian online population.
The study, tagged: “Our Life with AI: From Innovation to Application,” surveyed 21,000 people across 21 countries, and observed that global AI usage has jumped to 48 per cent and excitement about its potential now exceeds concerns (57 per cent vs. 43 per cent, up from 50 per cent / 50 per cent last year).
According to the report, in Nigeria, AI adoption and enthusiasm are even higher, as 70 per cent of the Nigerian online population used generative AI, surpassing the 48 per cent global average. Moreover, 87 per cent are excited about AI’s potential and see its benefits outweighing the risks.
Analysing the report, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, Kent Walker, said: “AI is starting to deliver magic at scale, making people’s lives easier and better. The survey results show the more people use these tools, the more excited they get about the possibilities and about the personal, professional, and scientific breakthroughs on the way.”
The survey results indicate that optimism about AI is growing within the surveyed online community in Nigeria. Key findings from the survey, show that among survey participants in Nigeria, 70 per cent reported using generative AI in the past year, which is significantly higher than the global average of 48 per cent. A substantial 87 per cent of Nigerian respondents feel that AI’s potential benefits outweigh the associated risks, suggesting a strong belief in the positive impact of AI. A significant 81 per cent of surveyed Nigerian adults believe AI will positively change the economy.
Furthermore, 90 per cent of the survey respondents in Nigeria anticipate AI having a positive impact on science and medicine, demonstrating the widespread belief in the potential of AI to drive progress in these sectors.
According to the report, Nigeria’s online population demonstrates a higher level of excitement and adoption of AI when compared to other regions. The survey indicates: Nigeria is among the top countries in terms of AI usage and excitement about its potential.
This contrasts with more cautious sentiment in some European and North American countries.
The report also said the Nigerian online community saw immense potential for AI in science and medical advancements:
“A significant 90 per cent of survey respondents expect AI to have a positive impact on science and medicine. This is one of the highest rates globally, highlighting the strong anticipation of breakthroughs in these fields through AI,” the report said, and onlinerd that the population in Nigeria recognised AI’s potential to enhance personal and professional development:
“Many believe AI can make people’s lives better by boosting productivity and providing access to resources. Within the Nigerian online population surveyed, there is a prevailing sentiment that supports the fostering of AI advancement rather than restrictive regulations. This suggests that those surveyed are keen to embrace innovation,” the report further said.
The survey results highlight the strong enthusiasm and optimism of the surveyed online population in Nigeria about the role of AI in various aspects of life, particularly in the economy, healthcare, and scientific advancement. The findings suggest that Nigeria’s online community is among the most enthusiastic globally about the transformative potential of AI.
Google has been pursuing AI boldly and responsibly for years. In 2018, Google was one of the first companies to establish AI Principles grounded in beneficial use and avoidance of harm. Two years ago, it unveiled its opportunity agenda, which shard concrete recommendations for governments to ensure AI benefits the broadest range of people possible.
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