Nigeria Requires Synergy, Collaboration & Capacity Building – ECN Boss, Dr. Abdullahi 

OMOGBOLAHAN BABAWALE 

The Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, has called on the World Energy Council (WEC) to collaborate with the country and other African nations in its current move to redesign the energy potential for billions of people across the globe.

The ECN boss made the call earlier today during a virtual conference with the World Energy Council (WEC) attended by the Council’s Secretary-General/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Angela Wilkinson.

Dr. Abdullahi, who also spoke during the virtual engagement as the Chairman of the Nigeria Member Committee of the world’s energy body, spoke extensively on the basic needs of the country in term of her energy requirements to include, inter alia,

1. Synergy with stakeholders that include expanding the network with international partners and private sector.

2. Organising international summits in the country where other African nations can gather to proffer solutions to the continent’s energy needs.

3. Capacity building in terms of workshops, education and providing more knowledge for professionals.

4. Funding from across the globe to explore the energy wherewithal of the African continent.

In her response, Dr. Wilkinson affirmed, while commending the leadership deliverables of Dr. Abdullahi in a short period of his assumption of office, her readiness to visit the country – Nigeria, make, where necessary, media noise about the Council’s planned strategies on exploring energy potential. Her words,

“I can’t wait to visit Nigeria and make noise about it. Africa is a continent with at least 1billion people. It has so much opportunities in the area of energy ecosystem. We are committed to making energy transitions happen worldwide for the benefit of all people.” She submitted.

Dr. Abdullahi further appreciated the commitment of the world energy body under the able leadership of Dr. Wilkinson. The Energy expert specifically thanked the Council of its planned project for the African continent. He averred,

“I will like to, once again, thank Dr. Wilkinson and the Council for their readiness to visit the country. I also want to affirm our readiness to host and collaborate with the Council. Our Commission, the Energy Commission of Nigeria is solely for policy making and implementation. We are also not going to shy away from projects that can better the lots of the ordinary Nigerians, and by extension, Africans. So, we embrace the Council’s programme. And as the lead agency for anything energy in the country, Nigeria is open to all collaborations and synergies that will further whet her energy potentials.” Dr. Abdullahi stated.

Zarma Ismaila, Deputy Director at the Energy Commission of Nigeria, who also doubles as the Programme Coordinator, Private Sector Development at the Japan International Cooperation Agency, (JICA), Nigeria Office, thanked the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Abdullahi for providing the necessary leadership – both professionally and politically for the Commission.