The United Kingdom, has pledged its support for the 2016 Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF 2016), holding from 12th to 13th April, at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. The UK Minister for International Development, Hon. Nick Hurd, who will be speaking at the event, disclosed this in a letter to the organisers. ‘I am keen to keep up the momentum of the Energy Africa campaign and I would be delighted to speak at this event. Nigeria is a key partner in the campaign and it would be an honour to follow the speech by Vice President Osinbajo. There is a real momentum to drive the acceleration of energy access in Africa, and I am keen to support this event on the road to meeting Global Goal7’. The 2016 Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF 2016) aims to facilitate increased energy access, strengthen energy capacity building initiatives and attract direct foreign investment to Nigeria’s electricity sector. Hon.Hurd, will make a presentation titled ‘Sustainable Energy in Africa – Rising to the Challenge’ while , the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been invited to be the Chief Host of the Forum and to formally open the event with a keynote speech titled ‘Sustainable Energy for All Nigerians – Grand Challenges, Big Opportunities’ on 12th April 2016. Recalled that in 2015, the UK launched an Energy Africa campaign to achieve universal electricity access in Africa using solar technologies by 2030. Nigeria was among the first of six other African countries to complete the agreement, which was signed in London by, Vice President Osinbajo, on October 22, 2015. About 80 million people in Nigeria are currently without electricity access – this is 45% of the population and equivalent to the total population of UK. Together with the UK Energy Africa campaign, the 2016 Nigeria Energy Forum will facilitate increased energy access to Nigerians, strengthen energy capacity building initiatives and increase investment in off-grid energy firms. The two day event will address the grand challenges and big opportunities for sustainable energy development in Nigeria. On Day one, there will be the Opening Plenary Session, Energy Innovation Exhibition, Four Super Sessions and a Sustainable Energy Dinner. The Super Sessions will focus on: The Energy Policy Landscape; Strategic Development of the Nigerian Gas and Electricity Infrastructure; Sustainable Energy for National Development; and Financing the New Energy System. Day two will open with a special session on Capacity Building for Regional Energy Sustainability, which is to facilitate sustainable development of regional energy resources for increased energy access. Also, four technical sessions will be held in parallel to focus on: Improved Energy Services for Large Industries and Manufacturers; Smarter Grids and Innovative Metering Solutions; Meeting the Sustainable Energy for All Goals; and Opportunities for Research Development and Innovation. According to the organisers, over 50 distinguished speakers and experts and 300 delegates across the world are expected to attend the event. Some distinguished speakers, who have confirmed participation in the Energy Forum include: Prof. Eli Jidere Bala (DG, Energy Commission of Nigeria); Prof. Henry Louie (Seattle University, USA); Prof. Akin Iwayemi (University of Ibadan, Nigeria); Dr. Dharshana Muthumini (Managing Director, Manitoba HVDC Research Centre, Canada); Dr. Jamil Gwamna (MD/CEO, Kano Disco); Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (Senior Partner, Olisa Agbakoba Legal); Mr. Baldeh Batchi (Power Director, Africa Finance Corporation); Mr Nasir Giwa (Country Manager, Siemens Power and Gas), Mr. Mohammed Mijindadi (MD, GE Gas Power Systems). The 2016 Africa Energy Essay and Photography competitions organized for the forum have attracted over 380 entries from young professionals under age 35 from 20 different countries across 4 continents. The essays were written in the form of a letter to the UN Secretary General, on the topic ‘How can Africa achieve sustainable and affordable energy for all by 2030?’. Winners will be awarded at the Sustainable Energy Dinner on 12th April. Furthermore, NEF 2016 is set to reward excellence in the sustainable energy sector at the 2016 Sustainable Energy Africa Awards. This prestigious award is to recognise organisations and individual who are setting the pace for sustainable energy development in Nigeria and other African countries. Awards Categories include: International Energy Partnerships of the Year, Outstanding Contribution in Energy, Energy Project of the Year; Women in Energy, and Emerging Leaders in Energy. On Tuesday, 26th January 2016, the Acting Nigeria High Commissioner in the UK, His Excellency, Mr Adah Simon Ogah, formally hosted the NEF 2016 UK Team during an official visit to the High Commission, London UK. Mr. Ogah endorsed the NEF 2016 goals towards sustainable development of Nigeria’s electricity sector. A flag-off event, hosted by the sulyben.blogspot.comNigeria High Commission UK, will be held in London on April 6, 2016.
Read more at: http://sulyben.blogspot.com /2016/04/uk-backs-nigeria-energy-forum/
No comments:
Post a Comment