*Utsev: Appraising the Renewed Hope Change Catalyst*

By Adeniyi Adeleke

Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, has brought a renewed sense of hope and transformation to the ministry. With his wealth of experience and expertise, Utsev is tackling the nation’s water challenges head-on, prioritising sustainable access to safe and sufficient water for all Nigerians. Under his visionary leadership, the Ministry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by innovative strategies and collaborative efforts.

Utsev’s mandate is clear: to develop and implement policies, projects, and programs that ensure sustainable access to safe and sufficient water for all Nigerians. This includes harnessing both surface and underground water resources to drive socio-economic development. To achieve this, Utsev will rely on innovative strategies and collaborative efforts, as seen in the River Basin Strategy for Poverty Alleviation (RB-SPA).

The RB-SPA plan has already yielded impressive results, promoting inclusive growth, improving market access, and driving grassroots mobilization in River Basin Areas. This approach aligns with President Ahmed Tinubu’s 8-Point Agenda and the Renewed Hope Mandate of the Ministry, which prioritizes food security and poverty eradication.

Utsev’s unwavering determination and commitment to transforming the twelve River Basins into viable purposes and result-oriented organs of his ministry has led to efficient service delivery, capacity building, and the implementation of various comprehensive reforms. One such ambitious and dynamic reform undertaken by Prof. Joseph is in the area of the Water for Expanded Irrigated Agricultural Programme (WEIRPRO). This innovative programme has enhanced the expansion of irrigation as well as boosted crop production with increased yields and support for livelihoods.

A pragmatic and altruistic leader, Utsev has also changed the narrative in the utilization of the River Basin systems. Through the Partnership for Expanded Irrigation Programme (PEIRPRO), the Ministry has made giant strides and peculiar inroads into the utilization of efficient technologies and cross-sectorial collaboration for sustainable national development.

All these programmes have not only changed the narratives but are clear paradigm shifts in water resources management, which targets the optimization of the utilization of the River Basins to benefit from their full potential.

Another pivotal hallmark achievement is in the area of the Clean Nigeria Campaign which seeks to eliminate open defecation across the nation. Working in collaboration with sister agencies, Utsev declared a state of emergency on open defecation. Today there is steady, consistent and positively laudable progress in achieving the 2025 target.

In a concerted and demonstrable effort towards ensuring that Nigeria becomes a prosperous country, and considering the positive impact of the sugar sector on the creation of jobs, and the national economy, with its added value in sugar sufficiency, Utsev, diligently collaborated with the National Sugar Development Council to ensure the provision of sustainable water to sugarcane farms and factories in the country, thereby giving assurance for a steady production of the commodity.

Today, the collaboration has achieved excellent rewards as major water dams and water reservoirs have been designated to ensure unhindered supply to sugarcane farms, thereby having the combined advantages of mitigating perennial flooding as well as enhancing the blue economy.

Conscious about the yearly menace and devastating effect of flooding, especially in Makurdi, Benue State, as a result of the proximity of settlers along the bank of the River Benue, and to mitigate it, Prof. Joseph initiated the construction of a Dam at Dura in Benue State, to control the overflow of water from River Katsina-Ala. Consequently, this year, contrary to various expectations and predictions, there has been a tremendous decline in the incidence of flooding in Benue State.

His visionary and pragmatic leadership has heralded outstanding breakthrough initiatives in addressing the complexities of the water challenges of the country. He has effectively addressed the debilitating problem of flooding across the country using his rich expertise and innovative initiatives which combine collaboration, foresight and foreknowledge.

His deliberate development of internationally sustainable water infrastructures and innovative technologies has heralded a system of sustainable access to clean water all year round in all parts of the country. His frequent embarks tours, visitation to project sites, interaction with stakeholders, and inspections and enforcement of projects’ timely delivery and within budget have eliminated the incidences of variations, wastages and delays in project completion accounting for the numerous projects commissioned within his tenure, as well as enhancing a system of hands-on approach which ensures transparency, accountability, and fosters a culture of excellence within the Ministry.

Professor Utsev within his short stay in office has commissioned several water projects. These projects include two hundred thousand litres corrugated surface steel water tank serviced borehole, powered by the hybrid solar inverter to supply water to seven hundred households in Dutsen Dodo Birnin-Kudu, Jigawa State, one hundred and thirty-five kilowatts capacity solar panels installed at Birnin-Kudu water works as replacement for the diesel-powered generators for both the intake and booster pumps that ensure sustainable operations of the treatment plant and distribution of safe drinking water. Also, a water bottling factory meant to provide potable water on a commercial basis for citizens of Kano in line with the partial commercialization arrangement of the Federal Government. This project has also provided jobs for youths with a projected annual turnover of over three hundred million naira.

Other projects commissioned by Professor Utsev include Kabba Bunnu, Lessel in Ushongo and Rafin Yashin Multipurpose Dam all these are to ensure the provision of water for the citizens and irrigation for farming.

His selfless dedication and exemplary service have led to a workforce that is determined to see to the success of the mandate of the ministry.

A highly educated and skilled professional, Prof. Utsev has demonstrated equanimity, resilience and the highest level of expertise in the discharge of his duties, thereby justifying the confidence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment, as he achieves remarkable hallmark milestone within a very short period. He has effectively used his capacity, competence and capability to reposition the country’s water resources and sanitation sector to an enviable, result-oriented revenue generating institution. Surely, this is his turn to turn around the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.

Adeleke wrote this piece from Bodija, Ibadan.

Presidency, Educators, HR Experts, RedStar Express, NABTEB, Others to attend the Unveiling Ceremony of the 21st Century Skills Roadmap

Leading stakeholders in Nigeria’s skills development and engagement space are set to attend the Unveiling Ceremony of the 21st Century Skills Roadmap (21st CSR), which holds at the University of Lagos on Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th, 2024. Participants shall jointly seek credible and practical solution pathways to resolving the endemic problem that has spanned decades and seemingly defied solutions.

Expected participants, include special advisors from the Presidency, academic institutions/educators, human resources experts, employers of labour, development institutions, policymakers (including ministries, government executives at federal, state, and local government levels etc.). Also expected are business strategists, chief executives/managers of corporate organisations, the media, Non-Governmental Organisations and philanthropists, community leaders, learners, PTAs/parents & guardians.

Hosted by Career Digest (CD) Limited, a social business enterprise, in collaboration with leading stakeholders in the education sector, the event promises to unveil before a colourful audience, the fundamentals of the perennial wide-scale skills gaps between the institutions of learning and the workplace in Nigeria and across parts of Africa. The Epoch-making event which is planned as a hybrid occurrence, will host hundreds of onsite and offsite participants. It will feature activities including keynote addresses, goodwill messages, a Big Picture presentation, panel discussions, official endorsements, Business to Business (B2B) Sessions and, networking, among others.

Keynote address will be delivered by Emeritus Professor, Olugbemiro Jegede, Foundation Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria, former Chief Executive & Secretary General of the Association of African Universities, and theimmediate past Secretary to the Government of Kogi State.

A recent statement by the CEO of Career Digest, Mrs. Joy Chinwokwu noted that “The Career Digest initiative is designed to empower skillful and morally upright students, youth, and women to help themselves, their families, industries, and the economy.” Among the expected outcomes is an enabled mutual training environment for the classroom and workplace and a close-knit work interface among various sector stakeholders. The initiative has been applauded by leading members of both the public and private sectors as “a timely and long-awaited social business tonic for career and curriculum reforms.

Career Digest (CD) Limited, is a recently established organisation primarily focused on advocating and implementing stakeholders’ interventions to attain 21st Century Skills and ultimately create quality jobs that will help stem the wide trend of unemployment and multi-dimensional poverty. The mission is to impact the economy of individuals, families, and communities through sustainable stakeholders’ partnerships that will facilitate the development and implementation of world-class digital skills, beginning with Nigeria and dovetailing to other African countries.

DANGOTE GROUP, SUBSIDIARIES SHINE AT NECA’S 2024 VISIBLE IMPACT AWARDS

…Dangote Cement, Refinery win Sectoral, Groundbreaking investment awards 

In a blitz of honour, the Pan-Africa Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), and its subsidiaries Dangote Cement Plc and Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals stole the show at the weekend in Lagos when they carted away excellence awards bestowed by the private sector employers’ body, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) during its 2024 annual night of recognitions.

Dangote Group was recognised under the Visible Impact Award for Resilience & Entrepreneurship; Dangote Cement won the Sectoral Excellence Award in the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products category, while the 650,000bpd capacity world’s largest single train refinery, Dangote Refinery won the Groundbreaking Investment award.

Basking in the euphoria of the recognitions, Dangote Industries Limited’s Vice-President, Oil and Gas, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, who was on ground to receive the awards described them as reflecting the values of Dangote Group and its subsidiaries as top employers of labour showing resilience in the face of tough business operating environment.

He said the award would only spur the management of Dangote to continue in the trajectory of the fine best global best practices in business with more investments in the task of rejuvenating the nation’s economy.

In the same vein, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole and her counterpart in Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) were recipients of the “Visible Impact in Public Service Award.”

This year’s awards, dubbed “Defying the odds”, NECA said, is geared towards promoting and encouraging best practices in Corporate Performance, People Management and Industrial Relations practices amongst employers in Nigeria.

This, it explained, is in a bid to celebrate outstanding contributions of enterprise to national development, noting that the award provided a platform for celebrating the resilience, doggedness and outstanding performance of employers in Nigeria.

In his welcome address, President of NECA, Dr. Ifeanyi Eric Okoye, noted that the award ceremony was to celebrate the excellence, resilience, innovation and unwavering commitment demonstrated by businesses across the various sectors of the Nigerian economy in 2024.

He said the Awards’ theme, “Defying the Odds,” reflected the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian enterprises that had consistently risen to the challenges posed by the dynamic and demanding local and global economic landscape.

Said he, “This annual ceremony is a testament to remarkable progress made by organisations that share our vision of a thriving private sector as the bedrock of national development. Over the years, the NECA’s Excellence Award has become a hallmark of prestige highlighting organisations that exemplify best practices in corporate governance, industrial relations and environmental sustainability.

“Our honours tonight do not only serve as a beacon of hope, and a reminder that in the face of adversities excellence is achievable, it is also an opportunity to increase visibility by highlighting their achievements and innovations to a wider audience.

“As we celebrate tonight, let us not only celebrate the achievements of the award recipients; let also celebrate all businesses here present and those that have left in the past few years and recommit ourselves to fostering innovation, inclusivity and resilience in all that we do. Together we can build a future where Nigerian enterprises thrive as global leaders.”

Also speaking, the Director General of NECA, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, explained that the awards were a statement that, irrespective of the challenges the private sector employers have been facing “since January till now, there is time for all of us to sit down and just breathe and celebrate the resilience, doggedness, innovations your businesses were able to bring on-board and their contributions to national development”.

Oyerinde stated further: “So, we are gathered this evening to celebrate your businesses, contribution and support to NECA. We have broken away from the traditional issues of labour and employment that you know us with and are now dealing with all fundamental issues that affect your businesses either now or in the future like Environmental, Social and Governance in sustainability issues.

“We are also deepening our collaboration with CIPE moving into the realms of ethics with emphasis on doing business correctly. We are also deepening our engagements with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the context of responsible business conduct for our members to operate responsibly within the context of the law.

“This strengthens our hands to advocate against unfavourable business regulations that see businesses as cash cows rather than agents of national development.”

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Head of Service, Lagos State, Mr. Shuaheeb Agoro, commended NECA for its remarkable legacy of championing enterprise, competitiveness, responsible business practices and industrial harmony describing the award as another remarkable way of motivating employers in the private sector.

Sanwo-Olu said, “This year’s theme could not to be more apt as it speaks to the determination that Nigerian employers have continued to demonstrate in overcoming challenges to sustain businesses, create jobs and drive national development. This resilience is a reflection of enduring entrepreneurial spirit that defines our great nation.”

The governor pointed out that the award inspires the culture of   best practices in corporate governance, industrial relations, environmental sustainability and responsible business conduct.”