The federal government and France have agreed to collaborate on projects to boost and diversify the value chain of key minerals in both nations’ solid mineral sectors.
Copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements are all critical minerals for sustainable energy technology.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by Segun Tomori, the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, the agreement will create new prospects for the repair of over 2,000 abandoned pits across the country.
Recently, at least 65 people sadly died in different mining pit collapse accidents around the country.
In a Memorandum of Understanding signed on the occasion of President Bola Tinubu’s official visit to France, both countries committed to work on research, training, and Franco-Nigerian student exchanges to transfer knowledge and skills.
The statement read, “A key component of the MOU is the promotion of sustainable mining activities by executing projects and programs that reduce the environmental impact of mining on carbon emissions, water consumption, and climate change.
“It also includes the establishment of joint extractive and processing projects through co-financing by public and private entities to diversify and secure the supply of critical minerals and decarbonise energy projects critical to the value chain.”
According to the release, Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, signed, while France’s Inter-Ministerial Delegate for Critical Ores and Metals, Mr. Benjamin Gallezot, signed on behalf of the Republic of France.
Both countries agreed to follow worldwide best practices in the implementation of programs designed to enhance the conditions of the local population affected by mining, with a focus on openness.
Administrators of important metals institutions are expected to increase their capacity to manage the sector’s value chain by participating in frequent bilateral and international training, conferences, and events.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
