May 13, 2023

329 students benefit from NNPC E&P Ltd scholarship scheme in Edo, Delta others

The Management of the NNPC E&P Ltd., on Saturday held its 2023 annual scholarship Screening examination for over 329 students from its host communities in Delta, Edo, Rivers and Imo States.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scholarship screening exercise was conducted simultaneously in Warri, Egbema and Port Harcourt.

Speaking during the exercise in Warri center, the Managing Director, Ali Zarah, said that the scholarship programme was part of NNPC E&P’s Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Represented by Mr Chinedu Emelife, team lead of the Warri examination centre, Zarah said a total number of 232 students took the exam at the Warri center, 28 in Egbema and 69 in Port harcourt.

Zarah noted that the scholarship scheme has since inception benefitted over 11,000 students from its host communities.

Zarah explained that to ensure transparency, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) was engaged to conduct the examination.

“NNPC E&P Ltd. advertises through the media and the community came forward to pick forms, did nominations and we processed the nominations and forwarded the nominations to FUPRE to conduct the examination.

“As a responsible company, NNPC E&P takes its CSR seriously by building the capacity of our host communities, state and Nigeria at large.

“By this examination, we want to ensure quality and affordable education in our host communities so that they can go to school, acquire knowledge and contribute to the development of the nation,” he said.

According to him, students from over 53 communities are participating in the Warri center and the best would be selected in each community for the scholarship award.

In her remarks, Prof. Prekeyi Tawari-Fufeyin, Coordinator of the NNPC E&P scholarship examination, (FUPRE), commended the NNPC E&P for the initiative.

Tawari-Fufeyin, who described the programme as a free gift, urged the students to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire knowledge at no cost to their parents.

Miss Sarah Egerigao, a nursing science students, Delta State University, Abraka, who thanked NNPC E&P for the opportunity, said her expectation was to pass the exam and be awarded the scholarship.

Also, Miss Promise Etikpan, a medical laboratory science student, Elizade university, Ondo state, thanked NNPC E&P and her community for the opportunity.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

May 13, 2023

Society Striving to Enhance Awareness, Trained Manpower in Field of Space Science in Ethiopia

Ethiopian Space Science Society stated that it has been contributing its part in promoting the awareness about space science and enhancing professionals in the field.

The Ethiopian Space Science Society held its 18th General Assembly today in the presence of board members and administrative bodies from various universities.

Board Chairperson of the Society Mesenbet Shenkute explained about the 18 years journey of the society and presented scientific explanations.

The Chairperson also discussed about the performance of the society during the current fiscal year including the encouraging achievements and challenges.

In her explanations, she pointed out that the society is working focusing on education and capacity building activities to create awareness in the field of space science.

Mesenbet also said that efforts are being made to enhance the understanding of the field by providing aerospace related training in order to enhance scientific excellence.

The chairperson mentioned that the society is also working to improve the country’s human resources in the field space science by facilitating scholarship opportunities abroad.

According to Mesenbet, the society will exert efforts to create a prosperous space science community that will shape the future of Ethiopia through space technology development.

Manager of the Ethiopian Space Science Society, Biruk Terefe, said on his part that efforts are being made to promote space science and technology in the country.

Training is being provided to increase the awareness of space science and technology, in particular, he said.

Ethiopian space science society was established in 2004, with 47 founding members.

It is a non-profitable organization constitute of members from Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Science and technology, and the related field of professionals as well as individual , and institutional members interested in the above fields.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

May 13, 2023

Ethiopia to Host First-ever One African EXPO

The first-ever One African EXPO will be held in Addis Ababa, from May 20–30, 2023 in honor of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the African Union.

The One Africa Expo 2023 is set to be an unprecedented Business-to-Business (B2B) trade show, created specifically for African governments, private and public business sectors, global companies, and business professionals to showcase their products, services, expertise.

By providing a gateway to the global market, the OAE 2023 presents a unique opportunity to promote bilateral trade between Africa and the world.

This platform offers an exceptional visual experience of Africa, bringing together diverse industries ranging from mobility, cultural diversity, tourism, technology, green initiatives, agro-industries, financial services, and infrastructures, involving all 55 member states.

The One Africa Expo 2023 is a must-attend event for those seeking to explore and expand their business potential in Africa, while also contributing to the development of the continent’s economic success.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

May 13, 2023

World Bank, Ethiopia Working to Provide Electricity to More than 56 million people in Ethiopia

World Bank disclosed that it is working in partnership with Ethiopian Electric Power to provide electric power to more than 56 million people in Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Electric Power Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ashebir Balcha urged the bank to intensify its partnership with the Ethiopian Electric Power.

The remarks were made today at a training program organized by the World Bank to modernize the Ethiopian Electric Power institutional capacity and discuss on its strategic plans.

Erik Fernstrom, Practice Manager at the World Bank East Africa Region said the Bank is working in partnership with the Ethiopian Electric Power to provide electric power to more than 56 million people in Ethiopia.

He stressed the need to make efforts in order to address the challenges that might encounter in the efforts to expedite the ongoing works.

According to him, the training will help to bring strategic ideas and enhance partnership.

Ethiopian Electric Power Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ashebir Balcha has also called up on the bank to continue its support.

During the occasion, the three years plan of Ethiopian Electric Power in the production of electric power, construction of transmission lines and distribution stations has been presented for discussion.

The three days training will discuss on selected topics vital for the effective implementation of the strategies, it was learned.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

May 13, 2023

Construction of Modern Shedes with Cost of 7.7 Billion Birr Underway in Addis Ababa

The construction of modern shedes to be used for micro and small enterprises as well as other businesses in Addis Ababa is underway with a cost of 7.7 billion Birr, Mayor of the City Administration, Adanech Abiebie said.

The Mayor disclosed this today during her meeting with women in the capital to discuss on ways to ensuring their economic and other benefits.

During the occasion, the participants have expressed that the projects being implemented by the government to ensure equal benefits for women are encouraged.

They mentioned that they have been benefiting from the various development projects being carried out in the capital to improve their likelihoods.

Urban agriculture and school feeding programs are some of the projects mentioned by the participants.

Mayor of City Administration, Adanech Abiebie said there has been a real change in school feeding program and other activities that are implemented to ease the pressure on women in terms of decision-making and leadership.

According to the Mayor, construction of modern shedes to be used for various businesses in Addis Ababa is underway with a cost of 7.7 billion Birr.

Noting that Addis Ababa is the seat of international diplomatic community, she said several facilities are being built for micro, small enterprises as well as other kinds of businesses in a manner that fit the existing realities of city.

Accordingly, works are underway to replace old business areas built with plastics by modern shades.

The Mayor added the facilities are expected to help ensure the benefit of women in the capital.

On the other, she stated various activities are being carried out to address the questions of good governance and development step by step in the capital.

The mayor urged women to play their part to ensure lasting peace, which is the basis for the development of the country and the benefit of all citizens.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

May 13, 2023

Ethiopia Striving to Become Self-sufficient in Sugar Production in Five Years

The Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group revealed that concerted efforts have been carried out to completely replace the country’s demand for sugar with domestic production in the upcoming five years.

Ethiopia has planned to increase sugar production from the current 3.6 million quintals to 13 million quintals in the next five years.

Reta Demeke, Public Relations and Participation Head at the Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group told ENA that the domestic production and supply of sugar has not been matching the ever-growing demand of the public.

Following this, Reta stated that the Ethiopian Sugar Industry Group was re-established in March 2022 with the intention to match the supply and demand of sugar production.

The head added that since the industry group was re-established, it has been working hard on solutions by identifying the bottlenecks that caused the decline in sugarcane production and the raising in production costs.

Attention has been given to expanding the irrigation infrastructure for the newly built sugar factories.

Therefore, maximum efforts are being intensified to fully meet the domestic demand and replace sugar production imports beginning in 2025, the head explained.

“The country has embarked on a strategic plan so that the demand for sugar production can be covered domestically. A five-year strategic plan is introduced to identify the bottlenecks for the reduction of sugar products and the reasons for the increase in production costs. Therefore, the strategy is for her to overcome these difficulties. …….. Another issue is to expand irrigation development infrastructures, especially in new projects, to increase their coverage and yield of sugarcane productivity. We are working on a plan that will help us to stop importing sugar after 2025.”

In addition to the production of sugarcane cultivated by the factories themselves, he also stated that there is a practice of buying sugarcane cultivated by farmers and associations in their respective areas.

Indicating that there are currently eight sugar factories in Ethiopia, the head said that these factories are working to produce more than 12 million quintals of sugar annually in the next five years.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency