Nigeria

VP INAUGURATES COMMITTEE TO TAP MORE BENEFITS FROM OCEANIC RESOURCES

Published

3 years ago

January 18, 2022

_*Blue economy offers a new vista, says Osinbajo_

Bringing together top officials from Federal and State governments, international agencies alongside other stakeholders, the Buhari Administration is set to further explore the economic opportunities available through oceanic and marine resources around the country.

This is as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, inaugurated an Expanded Partnership Committee on Sustainable Blue Economy today at the Presidential Villa. The committee that is chaired by the Vice President is composed of State Governors, several ministers, representatives of military and security agencies and other members from the private sector.

The Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. It entails emerging renewable energy, seabed extractive activities and marine biotechnology and bio-prospecting.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Osinbajo stated that “the blue economy offers a whole new vista of opportunity for economic activity especially in areas close to oceans, rivers and coasts, but more importantly, perhaps the entire country, because practically everywhere has some body of water that can be exploited.”

On the composition of the committee, the Vice President mentioned that it has “representatives from the States and the geo-political zones, we have agency representation, Chief of Naval Staff, Comptroller-General of Customs, NIMASA and several other agencies. There are also ministries such as Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Environment.”

According to him, “there will be several agencies and several interactions between institutions because we are dealing with ports and terminals, oil and gas, the environment, tourism, hospitality – a whole range of economic activities that are connected to what is described as the Blue Economy.”

The inauguration was attended by the Governor of Borno State, Prof. (Engr.) Babagana Umara Zulum; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikpeazu; Minister of State for Power, Godwin Agba; and the representative of the Transportation Minister, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation. Others include the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo; Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd); Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, amongst others, and private sector representatives.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference include providing an assessment of the current realities, opportunities and challenges for economic diversification and the growth of a sustainable blue economy in Nigeria, as well as identifying and reviewing relevant policies and institutional/capacity building mechanisms for blue economy development in Nigeria, and others.

*Laolu Akande,*
*Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity,*
*Office of the Vice President.*

Nigeria

Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff bags “Hero of Gender Advocacy Award”

Published

2 years ago

December 14, 2022

Fredrick Fadipe

The Twon Ibe Opuyingibo 1, of Twon Brass Kingdom,Her Majesty Queen Dame Josephine Aruoriwo Diete-Spiff Esq was honoured by the International Centre for the Research on African Women in Nation Building and Gender Studies (ICRAWINGS) as “HERO OF GENDER ADVOCACY” for selfless and incomparable contributions towards uplifting the living standard of Women and Girl Child in Bayelsa, Nigeria and Africa at large.

The event which was held in Abuja to commemorate the 16 days activism against sexual and gender based violence according to the organization (ICRAWINGS), which is under the authority of Standtall Africa Initiative (STAi).

The Award programme was Graced by His Majesty,King Alfred Pepepreye Diete-Spiff of Twon Brass Kingdom, important dignitaries from all works of life and captains of Industry.

Responding,the Awardee, Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff requested that everyone should join her to thank God for yet another feather added to her already crowded and adorned crown as she bags the Hero of Gender Advocacy Award from such a reputable and life impacting organization.

Dame Josephine Diete-Spiff,a Queen & Matriarch of Twon Brass Kingdom, Bayelsa State, Past Chairperson, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Wives Association (BSTWA), President, Royal Queens of the Niger Delta Initiative,

Patron, Advocate for Maternal and Child Health Award – National Council
Women Societies of Nigeria. (NCWS).

Woman of Excellence in Nigeria Award – Thisday Newspaper

Award of Honour to the growth of Entrepreneurship and HR
Development -AETMAN

Distinguished Service Award (DISA) as an Icon of
Transformation- International Centre for Population & Development
Activities (CIPA)

Most Respected Women Professionals in Nigeria, Virtuous
Amazon -The Guardian Newspaper

Gold Award for Selfless Service to Humanity -NEPAD
Bayelsa State

Golden Jubilee Nigerian Women Award for Leadership –
Radio Nigeria

Award of Honour as an Investor in Education – Celebrity Int.
Education Festival

Golden Advocate Award for an immense contribution towards
the progress of the Nigerian Child – African Children Emergency
Foundation (ACEF)

Award of Honour as the most outstanding Queen/Female
Humanitarian of 2018 – Ijaw Women of Substance Worldwide

Lifetime Achievement Award for Humanitarian Services –
Catholic Chaplaincy of the Nigeria Police Force: Our Lady of
Victory Chaplaincy.

Humanitarian Award for selfless Service– Rotary Foundation
International

Selfless Service Award 2012 by Gesi Publications, Bayelsa
State.

Patron, Red Cross Society, Port Harcourt, Patron, Nigerian Girl Guide Association

Chairperson, Board of Trustees; Foundation for Children Orientation, President & Founder Lady Josephine Akporero Diete-Spiff Foundation for Widows, Physically Challenged, Orphans and the Aged.

Matron, Women Wing, Rivers State Chapter of HostCom,

Past Chairperson, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women, South-South, Nigeria.

Past National President, Ladies Golf Union of Nigeria and many more.

She has also been described because of her several endeavours as A Royal Mother, an Advocate, Humanitarian, Educationist,dogged supporter of Living Visions and Recipient of local and global awards.