Federal Government has announced a plan to establish an Evergreen City to exclusively host industrial manufacturers of renewable energy technology, components and accessories.
Consequently, President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp) headed by Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, as the Lead Arranger and Developer of the Evergreen City.
According to a statement on Sunday issued by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the move is in line with his commitment to ensure industrial development that meets the demands of the present and the future.
He mandated the new green industrial zone with the following terms of reference:
(1) Selection of partners/consultants to undertake critical development activities, including project design, environmental impact assessments, feasibility studies, financial modelling, and market engagement.
(2) Raising private funding for the development of the city and constituent projects.
(3) Coordinating with partners, development institutions, and other providers of capital and technical assistance.
(4) Reporting to the Supervisory Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen
The statement noted that Chief Executive Officer of InfraCorp, Dr. Lazarus Angbazo, holds a first-class Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics; a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of Iowa, and a Doctorate degree in Corporate Finance from the New York University.
He was President and Chief Executive Officer of General Electric in Nigeria, where he doubled GE’s revenue. He was also the CEO of General Electric Grid Solutions Africa and led GE’s regional operations between 2008 and 2012 as President and CEO, West, East & Central Africa.
Furthermore, the President has approved the establishment of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen, the supervisory technical working group, to oversee the pioneering endeavour.
The Presidential Steering Committee is composed of the following members:
(1) Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action – Chairman
(2) Lolade Abiola (UN SE4ALL) – Secretary
(3) Lazarus Angbazo (CEO, InfraCorp) – Member
(4) Salisu Dahiru (CEO, NCCC) – Member
(5) Aminu Umar-Sadiq (CEO, NSIA) – Member
(6) Khalil Halilu (CEO, NASENI) – Member
(7) Abba Abubabkar Aliyu (CEO, REA) – Member
(8) Fatima Shinkafi (CEO, SMDF) – Member
(9) Uzoma Nwagba (CEO, CrediCorp) – Member
(10) Bala Bello (Deputy Governor, CBN) – Member
(11) Teni Majekodunmi (NCCC) – Member
(12) Nana Maidugu (NSIA) – Member
(13) Michael Ivenso (NCCC) – Member
(14) Suleiman Yusuf (Blue Camel Energy) – Member
(15) Chidi Ajaere (Jet EV) – Member
“The President expects absolute dedication and professionalism to drive this critical project with the clear objective of making Nigeria the leading manufacturing hub in Africa for renewable energy technologies, green solutions, and climate-adaptation technologies for the maximum benefit of Nigerians and Africans at large”, added the statement by Ngelale.