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Solid Minerals: A Resurrection Tool For Nigeria’s Economy- Alake

Published

2 years ago

September 30, 2023

Joel Ajay

The Honourable Minister of SolidMinerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake has stated that the solid minerals Nigeria is endowed with in abundance will be a resurrection tool to revamp the nation’s economy, just as he affirmed that the present administration is shifting attention from hydro-carbon.

Dr. Alake made this declaration when a delegation of the Nigeria-China Chamber of Mines led by its National President, Dr. Olugbenga Ajala paid him a courtesy visit in his Office at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Elaborating further, the Minister stated that the Ministry has initiated several deliberate policies and programs which are geared towards achieving set objectives for economic prosperity; as outlined in the roadmap that was recently released to the public. He affirmed that the establishment of the Solid Minerals Corporation and promotion of public-private ventures is crucial to these objectives; adding, it will ensure sustainability, and increase revenue accruable to the government, with a significant contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Continuing, Dr. Alake acknowledged the importance of the security of investors, which according to him, is crucial to achieving the Ministry’s vision of repositioning and sanitizing the minerals sector for maximum contribution to the nation’s socio-economic development and the present administration’s renewed hope agenda.

To this end, he said the Ministry is committed to establishing a multi-agency task force that will put a stop to the activities of illegal miners and their collaborators. ‘’The government will come down firmly on these unscrupulous foreign operators sponsoring banditry to perpetrate illegal mining: let me use this medium to appeal through you to tell those sponsors to desist or face the full wrath of the law’’, the Minister stated.

The Minister restated that the government has given illegal miners 30 days grace, stressing, that it is not a punitive measure but a way to formalize and make them legitimate to continue in their trade. He also asserted that the aim is to streamline and structure the Small Scale of Artisanal Miners for maximum yield to the Federal Government.

Speaking earlier, the National President, of Nigeria -China Chamber of Mines, Dr. Olugbenga Ajala informed the Minister that their visit is to celebrate his appointment as Minister for Solid Minerals Development.

The Association, he stated, has preferred ideas and suggestions to the Ministry; that will advance and grow the sector for socio-economic development of the country. Some of these include improving data synergy between the Mining Cadastre Office and the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency.

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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