NEWS
Edo Leads in Female Empowerment with Ground-breaking CNG Conversion Training
The Edo State Government on Friday, July 4, 2025 set a new national standard in female empowerment and economic development, as 50 bold young women graduated from a specialized training programme on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion.
The pioneering initiative, a collaboration between the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), the Edo State Government and the Lady Mechanic Initiative, marks a historic first in Nigeria, with all participants being female mechanics.
The event, themed “CNG Conversion: A New Horizon for Women in the Automotive Industry,” was held in Benin City and saw high-level representation from the Edo State government and federal ministries.
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Delivering the speech of the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor, noted that the governor lauded the uniqueness of the Edo State programme.
The SSG said, “I’m very much aware that this conversion of CNG programme is a programme carried out by NADDC and it has done that in about three States, Edo, Ekiti and Imo States,”
“But Edo State is very unique because this is the first time that all participants are women. Women trained as mechanics and also done in collaboration with the Lady Mechanic Initiative. So Edo State is setting a standard that will be difficult to beat by any other state.”
The governor underscored the state’s strong commitment to women’s empowerment, emphasizing its recognition as not just a matter of social justice but also “smart economics.”
He highlighted studies demonstrating that empowering women leads to economic growth and an increase in GDP. “In Edo State, we are reflecting this vision,” he affirmed, citing the careful selection of the right person to anchor the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
He revealed, “Within our administration’s four-year tenure, there is an approved plan to train and empower 54,000 women, with a quarterly target of empowering 1,000 women. The governor also recently launched an interest-free loan of N1 billion for female traders and market women”.
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaam Sulaiman-Ibrahim FSI, delivering her speech said the programme is an example of the renewed hope agenda in action.
She expressed immense pride in the graduates that have been trained in CNG conversation.
She stated, “This moment marks more than a graduation, it is a declaration of what is possible when bold policies meet courageous women.
“It is a living example of the renewed hope agenda in action, empowering Nigerian women with the tools, skills, and platforms to shape the future.”
The Minister commended the NADDC and all partners for the “catalyst initiative,” declaring, “Together, we are proving that when women rise, nations thrive.”
She highlighted “PowerHer 774,” a flagship intervention reaching 3 million women across all 774 local governments in Nigeria with clean energy access, entrepreneurial training, and financial linkages.
According to her, “The graduates before us today are a vivid example of what we are scaling nationwide, women with skills, confidence, and the courage to lead their communities towards clean, sustainable growth. That it is happening in Edo State is no coincidence. Edo is a beacon of progressive leadership and women-led development.”
The Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Edesili Anani Okpebholo commended governor Monday Okpebholo for creating an enabling environment for women to achieve greatness and represent a beacon of hope for Edo women.
“We congratulate the 50 ladies who have successfully gained skills in CNG conversations. When we empower our women, we empower our country and the world. When you empower the women you are giving them strength”.
Other notable speakers at the event included the Director General and CEO of NADDC, Oluwemino Joseph Osanipin; the Honourable Commissioner, Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; the Honourable Commissioner, Edo State Ministry of Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu; and the Coordinator for the office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, among others.
The graduation ceremony marks a significant stride in national efforts to diversify the economy, promote clean energy, and, critically, empower women to play a leading role in emerging industries.
Edo State has undoubtedly set a formidable benchmark for other states to emulate in the pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
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The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
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He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
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Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.
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