Nigerian oil and gas company UTM Offshore aims to make FID on its pioneering FLNG facility in Nigeria in 2024, with production targeted for 2026. The company advanced the project to the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning phase in March 2024, laying the foundation for a fast-tracked and high-impact development.

In line with its commitment to driving innovation in Nigeria’s energy sector, UTM Offshore has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy 2024 conference – taking place November 4-8 in Cape Town – as a gold sponsor and a sponsor of the FLNG strategic panel session. The company’s involvement in AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 underscores its commitment to advancing Africa’s energy future and highlights the significance of its FLNG project in addressing domestic energy needs and reducing gas flaring.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

The FLNG project, Nigeria’s first FLNG facility developed by an indigenous company, is being developed by UTM Offshore in partnership with the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The facility is central to Nigeria’s energy transition strategy, focusing on gas monetization and clean energy solutions. The project is set to revolutionize Nigeria’s energy landscape by producing 176 million cubic feet of gas per day from the Yoho Field, with 1.5 million tons of LNG and 300,000 metric tons of LPG expected to be produced annually. While LNG is destined for export, LPG will be produced for the domestic market. Expected to be complete by 2026, the project is poised to provide direct employment for 3,000 Nigerians and indirect employment for an additional 4,000, further driving economic growth and sustainability.

The UTM FLNG project has also garnered substantial support through a project preparation facility agreement signed with pan-African multilateral financial institution the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to finance the construction of the FLNG facility in Akwa Ibom State. Afreximbank’s backing will facilitate the financing of key project preparatory activities, advancing the initiative towards full bankability.

Additionally, the company’s expertise spans various sectors within the oil and gas industry, including construction and management of FLNG facilities, meticulous pipeline monitoring and security, specialized oil services training, marine logistics with a fleet of advanced vessels, precision dredging for improved navigation and efficient distribution channels through their Direct Sales Distribution Program. This diverse range of services highlights UTM Offshore Limited’s versatility and its pivotal role in advancing Africa’s energy infrastructure and sustainability.

“UTM Offshore’s FLNG project is a monumental achievement, not just for Nigeria, but for Africa as a whole. This project exemplifies how local companies can drive innovation and development in the energy sector while prioritizing domestic needs. By focusing on gas monetization and clean energy solutions, UTM Offshore is leading the charge toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for the region,” states NJ Ayuk Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

As a gold sponsor, UTM Offshore will contribute to AEW: Invest in African Energy 2024 by showcasing its cutting-edge FLNG technology and strategic initiatives. The company is expected to contribute to discussions focused on the future of FLNG in Africa, sharing insights on the impact of their project on Nigeria’s energy landscape and the broader region’s energy sector. These discussions will explore the challenges and opportunities in FLNG development, offering valuable perspectives to industry stakeholders.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (www.UNDP.org) today announced the launch of the #IAMSahel campaign. This transformative and storified initiative is designed to reshape global perceptions of the Sahel region, which has historically been viewed through a lens of adversity. Informed by current realities, the campaign highlights the strength, potential, dynamism, and ambition of Sahelians.

“The Sahel is characterised by rich cultural diversity, geopolitical significance, and abundant resources, but stories of conflict, crises, and despair have often overshadowed its full potential. Yet, beneath these challenges lies a wellspring of remarkable human spirit, community resilience, innovation, and ingenuity.” Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa.  “The #IAMSahel campaign is not merely a collection of stories; it symbolises our renewed commitment to supporting the Sahel as it regenerates itself through our programmatic offer focusing on – Governance, Youth and Renewable Energy”, she added.

The #IAMSahel campaign complements UNDP’s substantive programmatic contribution (https://apo-opa.co/4dkD2Nw) to implementing the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS), which has positively impacted the lives of more than 172.2 million people since 2021. This includes fostering employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for more than 10 million youth, facilitating access to justice, electoral processes, livelihoods, and infrastructure for 91.5 million people, and expanding renewable energy access for 70.7 million people across the region.

The campaign brings to the forefront the lived experiences of resilience and hope, spotlighting significant achievements and contributions of Sahelians, particularly women and youth. It aims to inspire localised collective action to forge development pathways and shape a narrative that helps catalyze investment in homegrown solutions.

“This is a moment for us to get together to inspire change. Where some observers see only crisis and turbulence, I see resilience, creativity, imagination, and determination for change,” said Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, UN Under-Secretary-General and Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel. “Friends of #IAMSahel, we are in a generational moment and a generational movement. A movement that is telling us that our old and some of our current response systems and instruments in the Sahel may have reached their effectiveness and efficiency limits. The future of the Sahel is a future of people’s agency and human dignity,” he added.

Emerging stories from the region showcase community-driven initiatives and innovative solutions as essential to transformative impact. They highlight a region actively shaping its own development and Sahelians leading it—this is an essential narrative of the Sahel that is missing significantly in the world today. This is a region that is more than the challenges it faces.

“My experience across the region and Africa at large has shown me that we can shape the lives we want regardless of our circumstances or where we come from. I believe this is what grit is all about, and there is grit in many Sahelians striving to make a difference every day”. Patoranking, UNDP Africa Regional Goodwill Ambassador. “It is critical to tell stories about ourselves in the best light possible because no one will do it for us. Most importantly, we should aim to use our stories to inspire a lasting and positive change that flows down to where it matters the most,” he added.

By spotlighting the Sahel’s vast opportunities, resources, human capital, and vibrant cultures, as seen through the eyes of its people, UNDP is laying the foundation for a renewed Sahelian narrative and much-needed investment throughout the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

For more information and media enquiries, contact:
Dakar:
Ugochukwu Kingsley Ahuchaogu
Regional Communications Analyst
UNDP Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa
ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org

Addis Ababa:
Ngele Ali, Regional Communications Advisor
UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
ngele.ali@undp.org

Laetitia Ouoba
Regional Programme Communications Specialist
UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa
laetitia.ouoba@undp.org

New York:
Eve Sabbagh
Strategic Communications Specialist
UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa
eve.sabbagh@undp.org

About the #IAMSahel Campaign:
UNDP, through the #IAMSahel campaign, seeks to highlight the stories of progress, hope, and resilience emanating from the region, which is home to 384 million people.

Framed across the core pillars of the UNDP Sahel Offer – Governance, Youth and Renewable Energy – the campaign is designed to be a people-central driven by evidence and data to showcase another side of Sahel to the world and create a sense of collective pride and belonging. It is envisaged that the #IAMSahel campaign will take a life of its own, growing beyond the current scope of creation, where many other untold stories that align with the vision will surface.

Learn more at https://apo-opa.co/3X6szQ8

How to Participate:

Use the #IAMSahel/#JeSuisSahel hashtag on social media platforms to share your stories (including what makes you proud to be a Sahelian) and raise awareness about the campaign.
Please encourage others to share stories of how Sahelians are making a difference in their communities.
Tag @ UNDPWACA (https://apo-opa.co/3WMXzTN) (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) and engage with the campaign and its content.
Download Campaign Materials: Access videos, images, and other resources from our campaign Trello board (https://apo-opa.co/3WQHAEs) and help amplify the campaign.
Host a Local Event: Organize events in your community to discuss and promote the campaign’s goals.
Get your network to participate in the campaign.
Partner with Us: Contact us (ugochukwu.kingsley@undp.org/) to learn how your organisation can get involved.
Create social media videos (More Details Below)

Create video statements explaining what the Sahel is/means to you or how you are leading change in the region. Then, call on other Sahelians to participate in the campaign.
Highlight many campaign opportunities created throughout the rest of the year for people to get engaged.
Share posts on social media, including key messages on what the Sahel means to you.

About UNDP:
UNDP is the leading United Nations organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

Learn more at https://apo-opa.co/3X62HE5

A majority of Africans want their governments to invest more in preparations for future health emergencies, even if doing so will diminish the resources available for other health services, Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org) surveys show.

Africans see health as the second-most important problem requiring government intervention, and only half of them think their governments are ready to deal with future public health emergencies like COVID-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) this week declared mpox a global public health emergency of international concern. The WHO has called for coordinated international action in response to an uptick in mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several other African countries.

Key findings

Health-related issues (29%) rank second among the most important problems that Africans want their governments to address, following unemployment (33%) (Figure 1).
Only half (51%) of Africans believe that their government is “somewhat” or “very” prepared for a future public health emergency like COVID-19 (Figure 2).
Fewer than one-fourth of citizens in Cabo Verde (24%), Lesotho (21%), and Gabon (15%) think their government is ready to deal with a pandemic (Figure 2).
Almost six in 10 Africans (58%) “agree” or “strongly agree” that their government should invest more in preparations for future health emergencies like COVID-19, even if it means fewer resources are available for other health services (Figure 3).
Three-fourths or more of citizens support greater investment in pandemic preparedness in Liberia (82%), Tanzania (75%), and Ethiopia (75%).
But majorities in Gabon (70%) and Congo-Brazzaville (55%) disagree.

Afrobarometer surveys

Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Nine survey rounds in up to 42 countries have been completed since 1999. Round 9 surveys (2021/2023) cover 39 countries.

Afrobarometer’s national partners conduct face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice. National samples of 1,200-2,400 yield country-level results with margins of error of +/-2 to +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.

For more information, please contact:
Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny
Director of communications
Email: jappiah@afrobarometer.org
Telephone: +233 243240933
Visit us online at: http://www.Afrobarometer.org/.  

Follow us:
Facebook: /Afrobarometer
Twitter:  @Afrobarometer
Youtube:  @Afrobarometer
Follow our releases on #VoicesAfrica. 

Watch “More Than a Mother” animation film here: https://apo-opa.co/3yEget6.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KgaA Germany and Africa Reproductive Care society (ARCS) together conducted the Third Edition of “World Infertility Awareness Summit (WIAS) 2024”. The Summit was co-chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign and also Chairperson of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) together with Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and also The Nigerian Academy of Medicine Specialties.

It was attended by Dr. Edem Hiadzi, Immediate past President of the Fertility Society Of Ghana (FERSOG); Prof. Justin E. MBOLOKO, Immediate Past President, Inter-African Fertility Research and Application Study Group (GIERAF) and Dr. Moustapha Thiam, Obstetrician Gynecologist IVF President, Senegal. This summit is conducted annually to mark the world fertility awareness month and raise awareness about infertility stigma, male infertility and infertility prevention in Africa and beyond.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej emphasized, “We marked World Fertility Awareness Month with our Merck Foundation Alumni, fertility and reproductive care experts, presidents of fertility societies and members of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and our media partners through 3rd Merck Foundation “World Infertility Awareness Summit”.

The summit is part of our efforts towards raising awareness about infertility. especially male infertility, and to sensitizing communities to end the stigma associated with infertility and empower infertile women&couples through access to information, education, health and change of mindset.

I am very proud to share that we, at Merck Foundation, have provided till today more than 574 scholarships of Embryology, Fertility and Sexual&Reproductive care to young doctors from 39 different countries in Africa and Asia.”

“Many of our Alumni are trained to be the first local experts in their countries, where they never used to have local embryologists or fertility specialists before our program, such as The Gambia, Burundi, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Malawi, Congo and more.” Dr. Kelej added.

During the program, Merck Foundation showcased their animation film “More Than a Mother”, adapted from their storybook, to emphasize strong family values of love and respect from a young age which will reflect on eliminating the stigma of infertility and the resulted domestic violence in the future.

“Together with African First Ladies, and other important partners, we are making history and reshaping the landscape of fertility&Reproductive care across Africa and beyond.” She explained.

Prof. Oladapo Ashiru OFR, President of Africa Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) said, “Infertility has a great psychological impact on the women suffering from infertility stigma due to emotional and physical distress caused to her. In some cases, women also go through physical and psychological violence and lacks the family support. Infertility is not only a medical issue but also a social issue and emotional issue. It is imperative that the community is informed and educated about the issue.”

“Infertility can be preventive by adopting various measures like switching to a healthy lifestyle, quitting smoking, reducing stress and anxiety, and ending the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

I appreciate the efforts of Merck Foundation for breaking the stigma around infertility and also raising awareness through various campaigns and efforts around infertility stigma.” He emphasized.

The objectives of the Summit were:

To raise awareness about infertility especially male infertility.
To highlight preventive measure in infertility in Africa and developing countries.
To discuss the challenges and define solutions to improve access to quality and equitable Infertility, Sexual&Reproductive Care via building healthcare capacity and raising community awareness.
Define interventions to break infertility stigma around women and couples.

The online program was attended by over 350 participants including Merck Foundation partners and Alumni who are future Fertility Specialists, Reproductive and Sexual Care Specialists, and Embryologists, Healthcare Providers, Policy Makers, and Media Professionals from over 25 countries in Africa and beyond, and over 4500 online viewers on our social media platforms. The experts answered questions from the media.

It was conducted under Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”, a historic movement that defines interventions to build quality and equitable Reproductive and Fertility Care Capacity, Break Infertility Stigma and Raise Awareness about Infertility Prevention and Male Infertility.

According to WHO data, more than 180 million couples in developing countries – that is 1 in every 4 couple, suffer from infertility. In many cultures in Africa, infertility is a huge stigma. Women are solely blamed for failing to conceive and the social stigma of childlessness, especially for women leads to isolation and stigmatization and results in discrimination and ostracism. This mostly also leads to divorce or physical or psychological violence. As a part of “More Than a Mother” Campaign, Merck Foundation has launched many initiatives to break this stigma and create a culture shift.

Moreover, Merck Foundation has trained more than 3200 media representatives from more than 35 countries to raise community awareness and break the stigma around infertility and infertile and childless women.

Merck Foundation’s pan African TV program “Our Africa”, that is conceptualized, produced, directed, and co-hosted by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and features African Fashion Designers, Singers, and prominent experts from various domains with the aim to raise awareness and create a culture shift across Africa, has many episodes dedicated to raise awareness about infertility and breaking infertility stigma.

Watch the episodes here:

Episode 3: https://apo-opa.co/3X6rGHg

Episode 5: https://apo-opa.co/46LwMMl

Episode 10: https://apo-opa.co/3X4uTqU

Merck Foundation has also released about 30 songs, many of these songs have been created with the aim to break the infertility stigma, as a part of their “More Than a Mother” campaign.

Listen to all “More than a Mother” songs here: 
https://apo-opa.co/3WN74m3

To address this important issue of breaking infertility stigma and also a wide range of other social issues, Merck Foundation annually launches their ‘More Than a Mother’ Awards in partnership with African First Ladies, for Media, Fashion, Film making, and Musicians, students, and potential talents in these fields, to create a culture shift and break the silence about one or more of the following topics: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, and/ or Stopping GBV at all levels. Entries can be submitted on submit@merck-foundation.com.

Merck Foundation also conducts MARS Awards to empower African young researchers&women researchers, advancing their research capacity and promote their contribution to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Details of Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards 2024:
Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS 2024 will have scientific support from African Union Scientific-Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC); African Reproductive Care Society (ARCS) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).

Theme: The Role of Scientific Research in Women Health and Reproductive Care

Who can apply:
Abstracts are invited from final year PhD students, young investigators involved in research and Medical Doctors in Postgraduate Medical Fellowship program related to either of the following topics:

1) Women Health

2) Infertility and Reproductive Health

How to apply: Applications and abstracts can be submitted by clicking on:
https://apo-opa.co/3X6Hie0

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

Contact details:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
+91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
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Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download the Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3X6smwi

About Merck Foundation: 
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality&equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website.  Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/3X5qmUV), Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4dIoDuo), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3yD4MxT), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/3AlpwKU) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4dM7XCk).