LAGOS HEALTH DISTRICT IV ORGANISED CHILD RIGHTS, PROTECTION SENSITISATION PROGRAMME. (PHOTO). #PRESS RELEASE.

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 LAGOS HEALTH DISTRICT IV ORGANISED CHILD RIGHTS, PROTECTION SENSITISATION PROGRAMME … Urges Parents To Protect Wards From Abuse  Parents have been urged to pay closer attention to their children and take serious note of changes in their behaviour that may indicate abuse or emotional distress. The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health District IV, Dr. Abimbola Bowale, gave the advice at a child rights and protection sensitisation programme the district organised for secondary school students in Surulere. The programme, held at New Era Senior Secondary School, Surulere, brought together pupils from different secondary schools and was facilitated by resource persons from the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF). Dr. Abimbola Bowale, who was represented by the Director, Medical Services and Disease Control, Dr. Sotunde Oludolapo, stressed the need for children to be aware of their rights and the avenues available fo...

WHY NIGERIA'S VAST MINERAL RESOURCES REMAIN UNTAPPED- DEPUTY SPEAKER KALU. (PHOTO).


 Why Nigeria’s vast mineral resources remain untapped – Deputy Speaker Kalu


Nigeria is home to a wealth of untapped mineral resources, yet the country continues to rely on imports for refined mineral products. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for urgent reforms in education and infrastructure to bridge this gap.


Speaking at the 37th Convocation Ceremony and 50th Anniversary of the University of Calabar, Hon. Kalu stressed the need for a shift towards a more practical, skills-based education system. Addressing an audience at the University of Calabar, Deputy Speaker Kalu pointed out that Nigeria’s education system has focused too much on theory while neglecting industries that could transform the economy. He highlighted the country’s vast mineral wealth, citing major deposits across different regions from gold and lithium to tin and coal.


Kalu: “Nigeria is abundantly blessed with solid minerals, yet for decades, our education system has focused more on theoretical disciplines than on harnessing the country’s vast natural wealth. Few universities dedicate faculties to mining, mineral processing, or extractive metallurgy. Research into value addition, refining, and sustainable mining practices remains minimal.”


Despite these vast resources, Nigeria remains a net importer of many refined mineral products. According to Kalu, the mining sector contributed only 0.3% to Nigeria’s GDP in the third quarter of 2022—an increase from 0.2% in 2021 but still far below its potential.


He detailed the distribution of Nigeria’s rich mineral deposits:


North Central: Tin, columbite, tantalite, barite


North West: Gold, granite, limestone


North East: Gypsum, kaolin, bentonite


South West: Bitumen, feldspar, lithium


South East: Lead, zinc, coal, oil, and gas


South South: Limestone, clay, rare earth elements


To harness these resources, Kalu is advocating for universities to establish specialized faculties in mining, collaborate with industry leaders, and offer hands-on training in mineral processing. Beyond education, the Deputy Speaker also emphasized the urgent need to improve Nigeria’s power infrastructure, arguing that industrialization cannot thrive without a stable electricity supply.


Kalu: “No economy whether maritime, digital, or industrial can thrive in darkness. Reliable electricity is the backbone of development, yet communities remain trapped in cycles of blackouts. The Electricity Act of 2023 was a watershed moment, but more needs to be done to ensure its full implementation.”


He urged investments in gas distribution infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions to power industries across the country. With the right policies, investments, and an education system aligned with national resources, Kalu believes Nigeria can unlock its full potential and achieve economic prosperity. But will these proposed changes be implemented? Only time will tell.

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