NASENI Kicks-off Virtual ASPEN Plus Training Across Development Institutes

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has launched a week-long intensive training on ASPEN Plus, a process simulation software, at the agency’s Virtual Manufacturing Lab at its headquarters in Abuja.

The hybrid training which was held across NASENI’s Development Institutes, marks a significant step forward in NASENI’s commitment to advancing technical capacity in renewable energy and engineering design.

The opening ceremony featured remarks from Dr. Chika Ezeanyanso, Deputy Director of the Nano Science Department and representative of the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NASENI. In her address, she emphasized NASENI’s dedication to providing its staff with cutting-edge knowledge to drive innovation in renewable energy.

Dr. Ezeanyanso, on behalf of the participants, expressed her gratitude to the EVC for his approval that championed this initiative and his steadfast commitment to ensuring that NASENI personnel remain at the forefront of technological advancement in biogas and other renewable energy sectors.

The Special Adviser to the EVC on Science and Engineering Commercialization Engr. Anas Yazid Balarabe encouraged participants by emphasizing the value of bridging research and commercialization.

He stressed that the knowledge gained from the training would advance renewable energy solutions and promote innovation, helping NASENI transform research into marketable products that meet national energy needs and support sustainable development.

This training is a follow-up to the successful conclusion of NASENI’s Biogas and Biomethanol Plant Design Training, held in collaboration with SRH Berlin University. It was recommended as part of the agency’s broader strategy to enhance the technical expertise of its staff in the design and commercialization of renewable energy solutions.

The ASPEN Plus training, aimed at empowering 50 carefully selected NASENI Engineers and biochemists who participated in the last training, provides advanced tools for process design, optimization, and simulation, further equipping the team to contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable energy goals.

The participants are expected to leverage this training to design and develop more efficient biogas plants, as well as other sustainable energy solutions. She encouraged the trainees to make good use of the opportunity and apply it for the growth and development of the Agency and Nigeria at large.

Oyebanji signs anti-land grabbing law, two others

MUBARAK LUKMON EKITI

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Wednesday signed three critical bills including Ekiti state property protection (Anti land grabbing, second amendment law, 2024) passed by the state House of Assembly into law with, stressing the need to regulate and sanitize land acquisition processes in the state.

The law, when fully operational will prohibit forceful entry, illegal occupation of landed properties, fraudulent and violent conducts pertaining to landed properties in the state.

Other bills that were signed into law included High Court Law (first amendment, 2014) and Ekiti state legislative House (Powers and Privileges) Law, 2024.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye accompanied by the Leader of the House, Hon Toku Ige and the Clerk, Mrs Agbede presented the documents to the Governor for his assent at a brief ceremony held at the executive council chamber, Governor’s Office, Ado- Ekiti.

Speaking shortly after assenting to the laws, Governor Oyebanji, affirmed that the property protection law will definitely bring an end to the menace of forceful and illegal occupation of landed properties by land miscreants called land grabbers.

The Governor also commended members of the Seventh Assembly for their sagacity, noting that the state has enjoyed remarkable and impactful growth with their cooperation.

He also expressed his sincere appreciation to the legislators for being pillar of support to his administration, stating that his achievement as a Governor could not be personal but achievement of all.

“And for the laws that we are signing, I am particularly excited about the anti-land grabbing law. This has been an issue in this state, it has taunted growth, it has taunted development, but now that we have a regulatory framework that that gives us the legal power, I can assure you that we will implement that law to the letter, no matter who is involved.

“Without your support, there is no way we would have been able to do anything because you provided legal framework that enable us to implement most of those decisions that has translated into the outcomes we are all proud of today. I am also grateful to you for your understanding in ensuring we put people first by slicing the cake in a way and manner that everybody will have a piece of that cake.

“Going forward, the next two years is going to characterized by many achievements that will surpassed the first two years as it is said that reward for hardwork is more work. We enjoy goodwill with our people in Ekiti state, people seems to like what we are doing, but there is a danger in that, the danger is, me must not rest on our oars because, we must avoid a reversal of the gains we have had in the last two years.

Earlier, Speaker of Ekiti state House, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye said the event signpost the journey to further advance the dividends of democracy to the people as he also noted that members of the House is always working in tandem with the executive which has helped deepen development in the state.

The Speaker stressed that the event signified another pivotal chapter in the shared journey to effective governance to safe guide citizens’ rights, the holistic welfare of the people and the promotion of socio-economic development of the state through responsive and responsible legislation.

Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; members of the state House of Assembly and members of the state executive council.

Oyebanji Presents N42million cash prizes to 82 deserving workers

MUBARAK LUKMON EKITI

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has reiterated his commitment towards ensuring that the state civil service becomes the envy of others in the comity of states of the Federation with reforms aimed at improving their efficiency, capacity and capability to drive the activities of government.

Governor Oyebanji who made this assertion at the 2024 Public Service Forum and Award ceremony organized as part of the programmes marking the second anniversary of his administration on Monday at the State Secretariat complex in Ado Ekiti, commended labour centers in the state for showing understanding with government which has brought remarkable conducive working relationship between government and labour in the state.

He spoke spoke at the well attended event where 82 workers got cash prizes totaling 42 million naira for emerging top in different categories of the award of excellence

While affirming that strike and conflicts should always be the last option, Governor Oyebanji promised to strengthen the Civil Service to respond to the needs of all citizens to enable it continue to render quality services adding that in the following years, training and retraining of workers will become a regular feature of the public service.

He noted further that his government will lead a number of reform initiatives, which include the development and adoption of specific service goals that will make civil servants alive to their responsibilities.

On national minimum wage, Governor Oyebanji reassured workers that they will smile at the end of the day because he believes in the rule of law and since the minimum wage was a function of the law already passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, he added that it has become mandatory for him to abide by it because he swore to uphold the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Governor however affirmed that the implementation was having little delay because of the need to ensure that all segments of the public service including pensioners benefit at the same time.

“Let me start by appreciating Ekiti state workers for your support for the past two years, I am extremely grateful to all of you for your understanding, for your patience and for your trust in us. Be rest assured that I will not take this support for granted, I appreciate everything you have done, what you are doing and what you will do, without your support, we would not have recorded any achievement. Government can come up with policies and ideas but if you are not there to implement them faithfully, nothing worthwhile can be achieved.

“I know that some of you are fighting with bare knuckles, we’ve not been able to provide you with enough working tools, but despite that, you have kept faith with us and have delivered all the assignment we have given you. And that is why I support the Head of Service in attempt to ensure that we continue to reward performance. I will continue to scale it up on yearly basis because you deserve the best and the best we will give you.

“I just want to plead with you to trust your labour leaders, they are fighting for you, but because we have been transparent and we are always discussing together, so we don’t have to fight before we do what we need to do. If they are not calling for strike, it is not because they are weak, its because they recognize that at the end of the day, we still negotiate and that is why I do a lot of things for workers without even waiting for them.

“I discussed with Head of Service to know the main focus of the administration for the civil service, I told her that the service must be ready for reforms, this require a lot of training and retraining, and I will give her very strong support to ensure that we have a service that is fit for the 21st century, so as from next year, get ready for a lot of training innovations in the service.

Earlier, the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi thanked the Governor for his unrivalled support for the state civil service especially in the areas of prompt payment of salaries, payment of deductions, approval for payment of car and housing loans to workers.

Dr Olomojobi also commended Governor Oyebanji for not owing arrears of salaries and promotions as well as providing a well conducive environment for workers in the state which had invariably assisted in boosting their outputs.

In their separate goodwill messages, chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde; Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Sola Adigun and Chairman Joint Negotiating Council, Comrade Femi Ajoloko noted that labour in the state has been able to overcome pressure from public servants through the welfare programme of the Governor as they also commended the Governor for rewarding hardworking and deserving civil servants in the state.
Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, members of executive council, labour leaders and civil servants among others.