The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has disclosed it was following an ‘energy transition pathway’ that combines technology, investment, business strategies and policy.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva made this known on Tuesday, 17th May 2022 at the virtual Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), Lagos Annual Technical Symposium and Exhibition, with the theme, ‘‘Energy Transition In Africa: A Strategic Pathway To Net Zero”.

According to the Petroleum boss, the aforementioned plan would enable Nigeria transition from its current energy system to a low-carbon energy system with natural gas playing a pivotal role over the next generation, between now and 2060.

Sylva opined that natural gas was a key resource for energy transition and had all the credentials to support Nigeria and indeed Africa meet up with her commitment with the United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He stated that as a major source of wealth and energy in Africa, the development of oil and gas resources proved critical for the continent’s economic growth and revenue expansion, saying fossil fuels would remain relevant in the energy mix despite ongoing campaigns and global energy transition.

He said, “First off, Africa and the world need oil, and gas for that matter. The world needs oil and gas because it is what the world relies on for its most basic needs. And that will not change overnight.

“Therefore, African governments and leaders should continue to invest in oil and gas, even as we work to help speed progress to a lower-carbon future. The International Energy Agency, on its part, has reversed its calls for lower oil and gas spending.

“In just a few months, the industry think tank group has changed its tune and is now urging oil and gas companies to increase production. Multiple pathways to the energy transition should and must exist in order to ensure that no country is left behind in the process of achieving net-zero by 2060.”

The Petroleum minister further stated that as a continent, Africa needed to be intentional and recognize the need to develop hydrocarbon resources in environmentally and socially responsible ways.

“And as alluded to by the African Union, we need to be realistic in choosing the energy transition pathways which addresses our unique requirements and circumstances.

“We need to enhance policy, legislation and implementation approaches across national, regional, and continental levels, to enable a favourable environment for development. We need to develop bankable projects to scale up access to funding and investment.

“We need to adopt a mix of energy solutions to address the needs of each country including solutions to high tariffs and accessibility to sustainable energy options.

“We need to promote energy efficiency which is necessary for energy transition and focus on building energy infrastructure and strengthening transmission corridors.”  he said.

Sylva lauded the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on Monday 16th May 2022 between the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) for the creation of a multi-billion-dollar African Energy Bank.

He disclosed the energy bank would provide vital financing for new and existing oil and gas projects, as well as energy advancements across the whole value chain, with the goal of increasing private sector investment in African oil and gas projects, noting that the bank was arriving at a critical time for Africa’s energy sector, following major oil company divestment and a shift in global investment trends.

The problem with Nigeria remains that her various leaders would make brilliant speeches at events, but would fail to subsequently act in line with what they preach at the public sphere. Hence, they are double-mouthed.

Leveraging on technology to create Nigeria’s ‘energy transition pathway’, as pointed out by Sylva, cannot be feasible if formidable policies aren’t put in place and duly implemented.

This is one of the areas borrowing becomes imperative, especially as Afreximbank and APPO sign MOU for creation of African Energy Bank. But it’s pathetic that it’s only in this part of the world that funds borrowed by the government are eventually channeled into recurrent expenditure.

Jurgen Klopp’s men pulled off another miracle with a bionic showing against The Saints as they overhauled Southampton to keep the title still in contention.

Very unpredictably, Klopp made nine changes to the side that triumphed in the FA Cup final last weekend. With injuries already dealt to Salah, Van Dijk and Fabinho, the starting line-up was further star-striped as essentials like Arnold(replaced by Gomez), Robertson(replaced by Tsimikas), Mane, Diaz, Thiago were made to sit out on this one, Klopp turning his squad entirely upside down. Opting for less of a capable squad, the German tactician managed to get the important job done.

The Reds’ evening was seemingly getting sour as The Saints picked up an early lead courtesy of a 13th minute counter attack that saw Redmond break through the left flank before curling a shot into the net off Milner’s foot.

Liverpool drew level shortly before the half hour mark as Joe Gomez weaved a good cross into the box and Jota teed up Minamino for a powerful blast into McCarthy’s goal.

Minamino’s effort silenced Southampton’s and the away side continued to put pressure eventually claiming the highly coveted three points through an awkward second half Joel Matip header whose projectile trajectory managed to beat McCarthy.

It was a decent night for Klopp and his away fans. Konate was great, Matip did a good job, Tsimikas was able to deliver a number of crosses, Jones frequently cut through the left flank and middle, holding for Liverpool.

In the end, Liverpool were able to sidestep this challenge without a handful of top stars thanks to Jurgen’s canons. The Reds now sit on 89 points behind City’s 90 and will travel to Wolves this weekend for a do-or-die fixture whilst hoping club legend and Aston Villa manager, Steven Gerrard can do them a huge favour by upsetting their competitors when his side takes on Guardiola’s.

Liverpool will meet Southampton on Tuesday and they look to stay on course in their relatively unprecedented quest for a mind-blowing quadruple after denying Chelsea a second English Cup on Saturday.

Let’s talk a bit about the FA final
The Reds were victorious in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out as youngster, Kostas Tsimikas scored the final kick to hand his team their second title in Wembley this year at the expense of the same old Blues. Captain Cesar Azpilicueta and fan favourite Mason Mount were the fallguys.

It was Liverpool’s anyway during normal time as the elite club had a handful of breathtaking moments that could have gone their way. Tuchel and co were cut to the quick has they had also been defeated by Liverpool in the EFL final barely two months ago.

Liverpool are firing on all cylinders and are seemingly invincible at the moment. With EFL and FA already settled, the English colossus looks to repeat their successes at Europe’s elite stage and also the domestic league. Helped by a 2-2 draw between Manchester City and Westham, the top two picture will likely be reverted to its original position prior to the 1-1 upset caused by Tottenham two weeks ago; with four points seperating both teams, Klopp and his men will be more than happy to sneak back to a point less than their contestants as the Titanic battle for the domestic league should ultimately climax on Matchday 38 as it had done between both teams in 2019 when City won the title with 98 points compared to Liverpool’s 97.

Southampton, on the other hand, have nothing to lose heading into this tie. The upper and lower boundaries are already sealed against them and the red-and-white striped team will once again be registering as a quotidian member of the topflight next fall. There fore the outcome of this game won’t make much of a difference, perhaps, only to boost their ego and give their fans a well deserved performance. No Champions league football, no Europa league, no relegation-jumprope, just the customary EPL

Liverpool predicted XI:
Alisson, Robertson, Konate, Matip, Arnold, Thiago, Keita, Henderson, Diaz, Mane, Jota

Southampton predicted XI:
Foster, Bednarek, Perraud, Walker Peters, Salisu, S. Armstrong, Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Diallo, A. Armstrong, Broja

When it comes to dicy situations and tight corners like this, it is in the best interest of every tactician to be canny in decision-making. Klopp has to weigh the consequences of putting some players out there on the pitch. With both EPL and UCL still on his radar, the German must be pragmatic about this. Liverpool frontman, Mo Salah who suffered an injury during the FA final will have to watch from the stands in this one. Fabinho and Van Djik join that pack as something even greater and more gruelling than the Saints and EPL lies in wait for the inhabitants of Anfield on May 28.

Klopp has announced the absence of all three of these men as he definitely doesn’t want to jeopardise his European ambitions for Tuesday night’s match. Given ample time to rest, the pivotal trio could be back to donning Red Shirts for their club in the UCL finals where it matters most. Also, Robertson who suffered a minor cramp against Chelsea and had match winner, Tsimikas, take his place, should be back to the starting line-up against The Saints

It must be admitted that Klopp has his back to the wall in this one. Trying to simultaneously steal Mancity and Madrid’s thunder, Liverpool’s season-ending schedule has really been arduous. Three definitive games within the space of a week is no joke including one that spanned an exhaustive two-hour period. Should Anfield win this at The Saints ground, they’d still have to defeat Wolves in another hectic tie which is just four days from now while hoping City don’t overcome Aston Villa.