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.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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