Abuja Reports

ACJ Sets to Increase CNG Awareness Through Undergraduates’ Essay Competition

Published

5 days ago

November 28, 2024

By Our Correspondent

In a bold move to drive awareness towards Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), as a cleaner, more sustainable energy option In Nigeria, Abuja City Journal (ACJ), a high flying magazine with focus on news around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has announced the 2024 edition of its annual essay competition.

This year’s edition essay, according to the publisher of the Abuja-centric magazine cum electronic media, Foluso Silvanus Ojo, was designed to promote the gains inherent in the new government’s effort to provide CNG as alternative to the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), in the wake of the skyrocketing cost of the latter, following fuel subsidy removal on May 29, 2023.

This initiative, which targets 20 undergraduates in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, promises to be a transformative platform for young intellectuals to explore and contribute to the discourse on Nigeria’s energy future.

The competition aims to enhance the understanding and acceptance of CNG as a clean and sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum products.

With Nigeria’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and diversifying its energy resources, the essay competition aligns with the nation’s strategic vision of leveraging gas as a driver for economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Participants will not only gain critical insights into the energy sector but also compete for significant monetary prizes, positioning the initiative as a game-changer in youth engagement and policy advocacy.

The competition ensures transparency, inclusivity, and maximum impact. Contestants invited for the Grand Finale will engage in immersive activities designed to enrich their understanding of CNG’s practical applications.

These activities include visits to conversion centers, refueling stations, and the Pi-CNG headquarters.

Participants will have the rare opportunity to experience firsthand the transformative potential of CNG in Nigeria’s energy landscape.

To support their research and ensure optimal performance, contestants will have access to fully equipped facilities with uninterrupted power and Wi-Fi.

The culmination of this process will be a grand finale, where the top three essays will be announced and celebrated.

These winners will not only receive substantial monetary prizes but also enjoy free CNG conversions for their vehicles as part of the rewards, underscoring the practical benefits of embracing clean energy solutions.

The competition is a testament to the power of strategic collaboration, with ACJ and PCNGi working closely to promote the CNG initiative.

The organizers have called on stakeholders in the energy sector, including Mikano, CGI, Mono Energy, ABG, Kojo Motors, and others, to lend their support to this noble cause.

This year’s competition not only seeks to inspire young Nigerians but also to build a movement of advocates who will champion the adoption of CNG across the nation.

The Grand Finale, promising to be a melting pot of innovation, policy advocacy, and youthful creativity, the ACJ National Essay Competition on CNG is poised to be a defining moment in Nigeria’s journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Abuja Reports

FCT Teachers Strike Over Unpaid Wages, Disrupt Exams

Published

9 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Alexis Uchendu

Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have embarked on a fresh strike over unpaid wages, halting first-term examinations just three days before their conclusion.

The strike stems from the area councils’ failure to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage, leaving pupils stranded as schools were shut on Monday.

This latest disruption follows a three-week strike earlier in the term, further destabilizing the academic calendar.

Comrade Ameh Baba, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), in the Kubwa chapter, stated that the action was necessitated by the councils’ non-compliance with the ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which took effect on December 1.

“The area council chairmen have refused to pay arrears and implement the new wage. We have no option but to comply with the NLC directive,” Baba said.

Although FCT Minister Nyesom Wike had approved the ₦70,000 wage, with November salaries expected to reflect the increase, teachers under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), are yet to benefit.

Baba also revealed that teachers are owed a ₦40,000 peculiar allowance and a ₦35,000 wage award for over a year.

He emphasized that the strike would persist until all outstanding payments were made and the councils complied fully with the minimum wage implementation.

This strike adds to a growing list of challenges facing education in the FCT, raising concerns over its long-term impact on pupils’ learning and academic progress.

Abuja Reports

Creditors Demand ₦12B Salary Deductions from FG

Published

9 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Samson Adeyanju

By Alexis Uchendu

The Humanity Development and Empowerment Organisation (HDEO), a coalition of money lenders, has urged the Federal Government to remit ₦12 billion in loans deducted from civil servants’ salaries but not credited to creditors.

Speaking at a leadership handover ceremony in Abuja, outgoing National President Osita Nebolisa decried the situation, noting that while the funds were deducted through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), they remain unremitted.

He called on the new executives, led by National President Dele Apanisile, to address the issue with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

“The non-remittance of these deductions has caused severe economic hardship for both lenders and workers.

“It is crucial for the incoming leadership to recover these funds and rectify the flaws in the IPPIS deduction system,” Nebolisa said.

Highlighting his tenure’s achievements from 2022 to 2024, Nebolisa cited the issuance of over ₦6.2 billion in loans to more than 2,400 federal civil servants and the signing of a Service Level Agreement with the Accountant General’s Office to ensure equitable access to credit.

The newly inaugurated executives vowed to prioritize the ₦12 billion remittance challenge while building on HDEO’s efforts to promote fair lending practices and financial inclusion.

HDEO includes commercial banks, microfinance banks, and other financial institutions, working collaboratively to support Nigerian workers and enhance the country’s credit ecosystem.

Abuja Reports

Countdown to Excellence: ACJ National Essay Competition Set to Thrill Abuja

Published

10 hours ago

December 2, 2024

ADMIN

By Our Correspondent

The stage is set for one of Nigeria’s most anticipated intellectual events of the year; the ACJ National Essay Competition, happening in just seven days at the prestigious Musa Yar’Adua Event Centre, Abuja.

Organized by the renowned Abuja City Journal (ACJ), an Abuja-based online platform and monthly magazine publication owned by Mr Ojo Sylvanus Foluso, the competition is already sparking excitement among participants and observers.

Designed to promote education and intellectual growth among young Nigerians, the initiative promises an enriching experience for all involved.

In a commendable show of support, ACJ has extended an open call to corporate giants like Unilever, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nestlé, Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia Foundation, and First Bank to sponsor this impactful event.

Such partnerships could amplify the competition’s reach and ensure its sustainability in fostering creativity and critical thinking in the nation’s youth.

The ACJ National Essay Competition is more than a contest; it’s a celebration of ideas, innovation, and the boundless potential of young Nigerians.

With the countdown now officially underway, all eyes turn to Abuja for a showcase of talent, intellect, and the spirit of excellence.