Category: General News

Dr Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said oil revenue remained vital for building the nation’s economy.

Baru said this while speaking on investment in the Oil and Gas Industry at the ongoing 7th OPEC International Seminar on Thursday in Vienna, Austria.

He said the NNPC recognised the challenge as well as the opportunity oil demand growth presented for the country.

“The balance of objectives requires that we undertake a paradigm shift in our business model to ensure that we attract capital and sustain flow of investment.
“Much more, the recent fiscal challenge experienced by the nation places a burden for change; hence we have undertaken to broaden the base of investment sources outside traditional government funding.

“To encourage the existing players in the industry, particularly the traditional JV partners, we undertook to settle all outstanding cash call arrears amounting to 5 billion dollars.
“This has restored confidence in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

“We have also signed third party financing deals with international banks on new oil and gas development worth over 3 billion dollars,” he said.

Baru said the NNPC had also executed a contractor financing deal of about 1 billion dollars with Schlumberger for the development of 250 Million Barrels of Oil Equivalent fields in the Niger Delta.
He also spoke about gas supply to the domestic market which he said had tripled from 500mmscf/d in 2010 to about 1500mmscf/d currently.

“We have completed and commissioned almost 600km of new gas pipelines thereby connecting all existing power plants to permanent gas supply pipeline.

“The recently sanctioned $2.8 billion, 614 Km Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano pipeline projects is a demonstration of commitment to investing in local gas development,” he said.

Also, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Oil Corporation, Libya, Mr Mustafa Sanalla, said the 2011 uprising in the country saw production fall by about 450,000 barrels per day.

He said between 2012 and 2017, the country had lost an equivalent of 107 billion dollars in oil production.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Saudi Arabia, Mr Khalid Al-Falih, said the country would not allow a glut to materialise again in the market.

He also said he was confident that on Saturday, when OPEC and non-OPEC members meet to decide whether or not to lift the oil production cut, they would reach a consensus.

Al-Falih was hopeful of an agreement to boost oil production and that the bone of contention would be the distribution of the increase among participating countries. (NAN)

No fewer than 6,800 delegates are expected to vote for aspirants contesting for positions in the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at its National Convention on Saturday.

The Chairman of the Media Subcommittee for the National Convention Planning Committee, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, stated this on Thursday in Abuja.

Ajimobi, who spoke after the committee members inspected the Eagle Square, venue of the convention, added that the party was prepared to ensure a rancor free convention.

“We are very happy about all the preparations, everything is in place, you can see what we call a very professional arrangement for tomorrow,” he said.

He added that some aspirants may however drop from the race before the convention.

“Politics is about conflict and resolution, today we are meeting the aspirants to interview them, there will be a give and take so that it will be a smooth operation on Saturday,” he said.

Also speaking, former Governor of Zamfara, Sen. Ahmed Yarima, who is the Chairman of the Convention Subcommittee for Accreditation, said the committee had commenced the screening and accreditation of delegates from the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.

He assured that delegates would be properly scrutinised before entering the convention venue.

“We are going to put numbering and security code so that as soon as you come to the gate you are properly identified, screened and then you enter.

“Even as they vote inside, you have another card that you present so you can be allowed to vote” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tenure of the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led APC national executive ends on June 25. (NAN)

Mr Olukunle Iyanda, President, Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), on Thursday expressed concern over the alteration of the budget by the National Assembly.

Iyanda said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, the National Assembly has made the public to perceive it as an obstacle to the budget process.

He said a more agreeable budget was expected after the delay which had put on hold activities across all the sectors of the economy.

Iyanda said the National Assembly had presented itself as a rival to the Executive.

“The NASS is being perceived as a rival that sets itself up as an impediment and obstacle to the successful implementation of the plans and projects of the government.

“It is an act which may be received by the people to be an abuse of its power, of approval of the budget,” said Iyanda.

He explained that projects such as roads, electricity, and security which were of benefit to majority of the citizens must be top priority in any budget planning and execution.

He urged the National Assembly to be service conscious and consistently work with the interest of the people at heart.

“Anything short of this is self-serving of the NASS and against the interest of the people.

According to him, the National Assembly must not be seen as one that swims against the tide of decentralisation as the responsibilities of government are spread across all levels of governance.

The NIM President said the President Muhammadu Buhari should not have signed the budget having observed the abnormalities contained in it.

He, however, commended the intention of the President to seek remedy on some critical issues through a supplementary budget. (NAN)

Major highways leading to Kaduna High Court along Independence Way in Kaduna metropolis were on Thursday shutdown over the arraignment of the embattled leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as Shi’ite, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky,

Journalists who trooped to the court premises to cover the case were also barred from entering by heavily armed security men stationed at all strategic points leading to the court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that motorists were denied access to Independence Way right from Kabala West Roundabout up to Waff Road junction.

Those coming from Tafawa Balewa Way through the College of Business and Management Studies of Kaduna Polytechnic were also prevented from accessing Independence Way.

Similarly, motorists from Yakubu Gowon Way were also denied access to Bida Road along national and state libraries, NBTE, NAN office Kaduna State Judiciary, Police Headquarters, including First Bank, Wema Bank and Access Bank located there.

NAN reports that members of the movement on Wednesday clashed with the police during a protest along Ahmadu Bello way demanding the release of their leader.

El-Zakzaki is facing charges of unlawful gathering, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide. (NAN)

Nigerians in St. Petersburg have urged the Super Eagles to go all out for outright victory against Iceland in their second group D encounter on Friday at Volgograd.

The Super Eagles had earlier suffered a 2 – 0 painful defeat in the hands of Vatreni of Croatia in their first match in Group D on Saturday at Kaliningrad stadium.

The Nigerians told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday, that the only way to redeem the team’s pre-tournament rating was for the Coach Garnet Rohr tutored side to come out strong against their opponents.

Celestine Okonkwo, a Nigerian who is in Russia to witness the Mundial said that for Nigeria to remain in contention, the Eagles must up their game and beat Iceland outrightly.

“Before the competition, a lot of people rated the team to do well, but since they fail to beat Croatia in the first game the only option now is to go all out for victory against Iceland.

“It will not be too good for the Eagles to crash out of the competition in the first round of the tournament. It is better for the players and the coaching crew to work out a winning formula against their next opponents,’’ he said.

Mohammed Abdullaih, another Nigerian, told NAN that the match against Iceland must be won by Super Eagles to redeem not only Nigeria’s image but also that of Africa.

“After the exit of Egypt and Morocco from the competition, Nigeria must join Senegal to redeem the continent’s image by winning the match against Iceland tomorrow,’’ he said.

According to him, the team needs to be more aggressive in their opponent’s goal area unlike what happened against Croatia in their first game to achieve their mission.

Festus Ennahirre, another Nigerian who spoke to NAN, said that the only saving grace for the Eagles would be for the team to win the game against Iceland.

“It will not only keep them in the competition but also enhance the team’s image and rating.

“Prior to the competition, a lot of Nigerians at home and abroad expected much from the team, but after the scandalous 0-2 loss to Croatia they appeared disappointed.

“So the only thing left now is for them to win,’’ the soccer fan said.

He stressed that anything short of total victory against Iceland would not be acceptable to Nigerians and the followers of the team.

NAN investigation in the team’s camp revealed that the technical crew led by Coach Rohr have been working hard to ensure that the Eagles come out victorious on Friday.(NAN)

Mrs Veronica Onyegbula, a defendant in the N14billion police pension scam, on Wednesday, closed her case at the FCT High Court, Maitama, in the trial- within –trial, to ascertain the voluntariness of her statement to EFCC.

Onyegbula, is the fourth defendant in the case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against her and six others.

Others are: Esar Dangabar, Atiku Kigo, Ahmed Wada, Sani Zira, Uzoma Attang, and Christian Madubuke.

EFCC alleged that they were responsible for the disappearance of N14 billion police pension fund.

Onyegbula’s counsel, Mr Ernest Ikeji, had earlier, informed the court that EFCC forced his client to make the statements which the anti-graft agency wanted to tender and prayed for trial-within-trial.

Onyegbula, cross examined by Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN ), the prosecuting counsel, told the court that she made10 statements to the EFCC.

She added that five out of the statements were not made voluntarily.

Onyegbula further told the court that she made the statements in the recording room of EFCC in the presence of Mustapha Gandaya and Aliyu Habibu.

“They were dictating what to write on the first day, they told me to write my personal information and I did, they said I should write everything about myself,” she said.

She told the court that all the five contentious statements were dictated to her and that the EFCC asked her to co-operate so that they will call her as a witness to testify against her directors.

She added that the EFCC officers dictated to her to write that she stole N14 billion with her directors, and that she refused to write it, but rather told them that she never saw such money.

Onyegbula said that she was promised by the EFCC that if she cooperates, her name will be dropped from the allegations.

She said that after she was released on bail, she made five additional statements.

The judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, after listening to her testimony, adjourned the matter until October 9 for adoption of written addresses. (NAN)

The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Command  in Badagry, says it has destroyed expired and seized medicament’s  in its warehouse with a Duty Paid Value (DVP) of  N102.4million.

The command’s spokesperson, Mr Saidu Abdullahi, made the disclosure in a statement released in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said the destruction was supervised by the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye and the Area Controller, Mohammed Aliyu.

Drugs destroyed were Tramadol caps and tabs, Codeine, Diazepam tabs, Analgen Injection, Medik 5, Paracetamol with caffeine, Dexamethasone tabs.

Others were expired rice, fertilizers and food seasonings.

The area controller said the destruction was in compliance with the service extant law.

“The destruction of these items are in compliance with the policies of the Federal Government and we are determined to get rid of dangerous and illicit drugs coming through the border.

“We will keep on strengthening the synergy with sister agencies so as to ensure that our borders remain safe in all departments,” Aliyu said.

He warned drug traffickers to desist from smuggling noting that the enforcement team would track them.

Adeyeye commended the efforts of the command noting that the synergy would ensure that illicit drugs were not brought into the country.

“We are determined to flush out all illicit and dangerous drugs from all corners of the country because they are harmful and dangerous especially for our children.

“We must all join hands together in the fight of the usage of illicit drugs especially by the youths,” she said. (NAN)

 

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it has concluded plans to resume its Post-Graduate Foreign scholarship to qualified indigent youths in the Niger Delta.

Mr Ibitoye Abosede, NDDC’s Director of Corporate Communications, announced this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He stated that the Governing Board and Management of the company had met and approved the commencement of the 2018 award process worth about 30,000 U.S. dollars per annum.

He noted that the programme was cancelled earlier to allow the commission to carry out comprehensive restructuring of the scheme.

He stated that “NDDC regrets the cancellation of the inconclusive 2017 award process and the inconveniences suffered by students who applied for the scholarship.

“To this end, all outstanding tuition for recipients of the scholarship have been cleared. This is to provide a fresh start and a seamless process.

“However, any student who has proof of non-receipt of payment should feel free to contact the commission immediately.”

Abosede explained that the scheme covered disciplines in engineering, medical sciences, computer science technology, geosciences, environmental sciences, agriculture, environment, oil and gas law and project management.

He added that advertisement for the scholarship would be published in national media and the commission’s website.

Established in 2010, the scholarship is designed to produce top level professionals with technical manpower, capacity and expertise to compete in oil and gas industry and in other sectors.

So far, 1,409 students have benefitted from the programme, including Charles Igwe, whose unique redesign of the Turcot Interchange road saved the Montreal Area Municipality (Canada) over one billion dollars.

Igwe is a Ph.D student of Construction Engineering at Concordia University in Canada.

Similarly, Mr Ubong Peters won a global three-minute thesis competition.

The NDDC spokesman, therefore, urged interested and qualified candidates to take advantage of the opportunity to apply for the foreign scholarship. (NAN)

 

The UN has urged the Nigerian authorities to give more attention to protecting the girls and children, who were victims of sexual violence and abuse by the Boko Haram terrorists.

Ms Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, stated this while briefing on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflicts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plight of the girls, who were victims of sexual violence and abuse by Boko Haram terrorists, were among the spotlights for the Day.

Under this year’s theme, “The Plight and Rights of Children Born of War,” the Day encourages solidarity with the survivors, who have endured multiple ordeals, in the wake of sexual violence.

A short video clip featured ‘Khadija’, who was kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists at Banki, Borno and impregnated, being tagged ‘Boko Haram wife’ and her baby, ‘Boko Haram sin’ in the camp.

Patten recalled her meeting with the victim girls and children born out of rape arising from the sexual violence and abuse when she travelled to Maiduguri in 2017.

“I met with 200 young girls and there were 162 babies and I was really disturbed by the fact that these young girls and their babies were not only rejected by their families and by their communities but also by the very people they were living with inside the camp.

My visit to Maiduguri made me realise that more attention needs to be given; I think the focus really has to be on the rights.

“There’s a convention on the rights of the child that protect these children and more needs to be done,’’ she said.

According to her, all the girls that she met at the internally displaced people camps in Maiduguri were released from the captivity of Boko Haram.

She said some of them still had complaints about sexual violence and food, explaining that these were issues that she raised with the government, following her visit to the camp.

“I raised the issue with the authority, with the Acting President (Yemi Osinbajo), whom I met and who reassured that actions would be taken.’’

She said government followed up to ensure the review of the administration of the camp.

She added with further follow up by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, the distribution of food was handed over to the World Food Programme to ensure cases of sexual abuse were minimised.

My office is trying to support the government of Nigeria and other partners and agencies to meet the needs of the very young survivors of sexual violence and their children through access to some kind of livelihoods support.

That`s in the process of negotiation with Nigeria.’’

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said the effects of conflict-related sexual violence echoes across generations, in the form of trauma, stigma and unwanted pregnancy.

The UN chief described the scourge as “a threat to our collective security’’ and “a stain on our common humanity.’’

“Children conceived through wartime rape often struggle with issues of identity and belonging for decades after the guns have fallen silent.

“They may be left in a legal limbo or at risk of becoming stateless.

“They are vulnerable to recruitment, trafficking and exploitation, with broad implications for peace and security as well as human rights.

“Their mothers may be marginalised and shunned by their own families and communities.

“These women and children are sometimes seen as affiliates of armed and violent extremist groups, rather than as victims and survivors,’’ Guterres said.

Lord Ahmad, the British Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations, also condemned Boko Haram terrorists’ activities against girls.

“Female illiteracy in some countries is running at 60, 70 or 80 per cent and there are bigoted fanatics, who actually campaign to stop girls from going to school, including the numbskulls from Boko Haram who will raid schools, abduct children and inflict any atrocity in order to deny girls an education.

“As recently as February, Boko Haram kidnapped 110 girls from a school in Dapchi and we all remember how 276 were taken from Chibok in 2014.

“When I visited Borno last year, I met girls who had been told they would be shot if they dared learn to read, as the Taliban shot Malala,’’ Ahmad said.

Similarly, Ms Ninette Kelley, Director of UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in New York, while launching the UNHCR’s Global Trends Report, urged governments to ensure voluntary return of IDPs to their communities.

She added that no displaced person should be forced to return until certain factors are considered. (NAN)