El Rufai’s Unpleasant Parting Gift To Royal Fathers; Deposes Them

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May 23, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

For being Traditional Rulers in Diaspora, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has deposed the Traditional Ruler of Piriga, Paragua Zamua.

Also told to vacate the throne is the Monarch of Arak Chiefdoms, Gen Aliyu Iliyah Yammah (retd.).

El Rufai, who spoke through the State Commissioner for Local Government, Hajiya Umma Ahmad, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

The statement said that the two Traditional Rulers cease to hold their respective offices from Monday, 22nd May 2023.

Rufai added that the deposition followed recommendations by the Ministry of Local Government in line with the provisions of Section 11 of the Traditional Institutions Law No. 21 of 2021.

The statement added that “the District Head of Garun Kurama, Babangida Sule, will oversee the affairs of Piriga Chiefdom, pending the appointment of a new chief, while the Council Secretary has been directed to initiate the process for the appointment of a new Chief.

“Gomna Ahmadu, the Council Secretary of Arak Chiefdom, will oversee the affairs of the chiefdom and also initiate the process for the appointment of a new Chief.

“The government found unacceptable the response of General Iliyah Yammah to the query regarding his appointment of four District Heads, contrary to the one approved for his chiefdom, and his non-residence within Arak chiefdom.

“The deposition of Jonathan Zamuna follows the recent communal clashes between the Gure and Kitimi communities of Piriga chiefdom in Lere LGA, and his non-residence within the chiefdom.”

The statement also announced the immediate disengagement of the village heads of Aban, Abujan Mada and Anjil in Arak Chiefdom.

El-Rufai has, in the past few days been on rampage. He has just revoked the Certificates of Occupancy to the properties an companies belonging to Ahmed Markarfi, a former Governor of the State, and promises to keep sacking bad people until 12 midnight, May 28, 2023. He ceases being a Governor thereafter.

Bwala Gives Reasons Akpabio Can’t Be Senate President

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 22, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Senator-Elect, Godswill Obot Akpabio’s hopes of becoming the Senate President could suffer a setback following the statement by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Council, Spokesperson, Daniel Bwala.

Bwala categorically stated that the former Akwa Ibom State Governor cannot become the Senate President of the 10th Assembly.

Bwala stated this in a tweet on Monday via his Twitter handle that despite the nomination of Akpabio by the APC, his bid to run for the leadership of the upper chamber is hindered by a thick, heavy cloud.

He wrote, “Godswill Akpabio would not be elected as Senate President. The cloud gathering against his aspiration is heavy and thick. It is not motivated by religion, but regional and as well as the revenge of the coalition of all foes. Most of the Senators following him are not with him.”

The Choice of Akpabio as the APC anointed Candidate has led to a lot of issues within the Party as some of the Senators that had indicated interest in the coveted Senate Presidency Seat have been botched.

He faces stiff opposition from Senators like Ali Ndume, Orji Uzor Kalu, and Jibrin Barau, amongst others.

It would be recalled that some geopolitical zones have been clamouring that the Seat should be ceded to their zones, with the South East Region urging the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to wade into the issue as they have been marginalized for too long.

Ooni of Ife to Peter Obi: “You Are The Tsunami”

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The Source

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May 22, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

The revered Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Monday, 22nd May, called Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, “the tsunami.”

The Ooni hailed Obi with this name at the historic commissioning of the 650,000 -barrel a day Petroleum Refinery, promoted and owned by Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man.

The Refinery is located at Ibeju, Lekki, Lagos, and was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari, in the presence of five other African Presidents.

It was witnessed by a mammoth crowd of dignitaries within and outside Nigeria, including members of the Diplomatic Community.

Both the Ooni and Obi were present. On sighting Obi, who was in company with former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, the Ooni hailed him: “The tsunami. You are the tsunami. You are the tsunami.”

The Ooni was apparently referring to Obi’s unprecedented performance at Nigeria’s Presidential Election held on February 25, 2023.

A couple of months after he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and joined the comatose Labour Party, Obi gave life to the LP, drawing millions of Nigerians to the party, and carried out the most robust Presidential Campaign by any Candidate, ever, in Nigeria, with youths as his target.

At the election, he gave the Presidential Candidates of the old entrenched Political Parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a run ” for their money.”

Even though the election was, allegedly, heavily rigged against him, Obi won 12 states as did the Candidates of the APC and PDP – Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar. And even though the Electoral Umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Tinubu the winner, not a few people insist Obi was, allegedly, brazenly robbed of victory.

Both Obi and Atiku are in Court challenging the declaration of Tinubu as the President-elect.

Tinubu will be sworn-in as President on 29th May, 2023.

CBN Governor Says Dangote Refinery Has Paid Over $6bn Owed Access, Zenith

By

James Orji

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May 22, 2023

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Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, has disclosed that Dangote Group has repaid close to 70 percent of the loans the company took to build Dangote Petrochemical Refinery.

The mega 650,000 barrel per day capacity refinery in Lagos was commissioned on Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President of Ghana, Ado Kufo and other West African leaders also graced the epoch-making ceremony of the largest refinery in Africa.

President Buhari said during the commissioning that the refinery cost a whopping $18. 5 billion, part of which was borrowed from banks.

Aliko Dangote said during the commissioning that a larger part of the loans was sourced from Access Bank and Zenith Bank Plc to build the project, adding that other commercial banks in the country also contributed to ensure that the refinery becomes a reality.

Speaking at the event, Emefiele disclosed that a large part of the loan taken by Dangote from banks have been paid back.

Specifically, the CBN Governor said a total of $6.3 billion has already been paid, leaving a balance of $2.7 billion.

According to him, “The Dangote Group has paid down its total loans outstanding on this Refinery project from $ 9 billion to $ 2.7 billion today.

“This is a reflection of the credit worthiness of the Dangote Group,” Emefiele said.

The Dangote Refinery is the single largest of its kind globally, and is expected to meet Nigeria’s fuel requirement apart from generating foreign exchange for the country

The company, promoted by Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote said on Monday that its first fuel production will be released by next month.

Wike Endorses Uzodinma’s Second Term, Honours Him With Highest Rivers Award

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The Source

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May 22, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has endorsed Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for a second term in office as Governor.

He will, also, on Saturday, 27th May, 2023, honour Uzodinma with the highest award instituted by Rivers State, patterned after the Federal Government National Honours Roll.

Wike will bestow on Uzodinma the Grand Service Star of Rivers State, GSSRS, an award thought to have been reserved for only serving and former Rivers State Governors but which Wike, has, in the past few months, extended to, at least, one other State Governor outside Rivers State – Ebonyi State’s Dave Umahi -and another former State Governor, Edo State’s Adams Oshiomhole, who was also a National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Both Umahi and Adams were Wike’s political enemies, and so was Uzodinma.

Wike fought to sack Umahi as Governor for dumping PDP for APC. He also fought Oshiomhole, bitterly, in Edo State in the election that saw to the shaming of the former Edo State Governor and his candidate, and the re-election, into office, of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki.

In the case of Uzodinma, Wike fully backed former Governor Emeka Ihedioha against Uzodinma, during, and after the 2019 Governorship elections, and had said a couple of uncomplimentary things against the Imo Governor before now.

But things have since changed. Wike has embraced all his former political enemies in the APC, and fallen out with a number of his former political friends in the PDP.

And, even though Wike remains in the PDP, he is, publicly, pro-APC.

In his personally signed letter to Governor Uzodinma, where he informed him of the award, Wike said he was honouring Uzodinma for his “commitment to national unity and equity.”

Wike, also, noted that considering Uzodinma’s achievements in his first tenure in office, his re-election into office in the 11th November, 2023 Governorship election is given.

Wike’s endorsement of Uzodinma is a huge blow to the Imo State PDP Governorship Candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu ( SamDaddy), who was regarded as “Wike’s boy”, and who became the National Secretary of the PDP, thanks to Wike. What it means is that Wike has dumped SamDaddy and would work for Uzodinma’s re-election.

Governor Wike’s letter to Governor Uzodinma reads:

“I am pleased to notify you of my approval for conferring the highest Rivers State Honours on you as the Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS).

“This award recognizes your outstanding commitment and contributions to advancing national unity, equity and justice and your valuable support for Government and people of Rivers.”

It would be recalled that few weeks ago, Governor Wike had declared on a national television that Governor Uzodinma has the capacity “to crush any governorship candidate in Imo State.”

Wike further expressed confidence that with the achievements of Governor Uzodinma in his first tenure, it was almost certain that his reelection is given.

An appreciative Governor Uzodinma said he will not take the honour bestowed on him by the Rivers State Government for granted.

Wike will, along with most State Governors and the President, leave office on May 29, 2023.

ASUU Re-Elects Osodeke, Others

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Ayodele Oni

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May 22, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) has re-elected Prof Emmanuel Osodeke unopposed as its National President for another two years.

Apart from Osodeke of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, the union members also re-elected Chris Piwuna, a Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Professor in the College of Medicine, University of Jos, as Vice President.

They were re-elected during their 22nd National Delegates Conference of ASUU which was hosted by the University of Jos, Plateau State between May 19 and 21, 2023

Other National Officers of ASUU who were also re-elected during the conference include Prof. Siji Sowande (Treasurer); Prof. Ade Adejumo (Financial Secretary); Dr Austen Sado (Investment Secretary); Dr Adamu Babayo (Internal Auditor) and Dr Aisha Bawa who replaced Dr Stella-Maris Okey as the Welfare Secretary.

Osodeke who spoke with journalists after the National Delegates Conference described it as successful.

He said “We have finished with our national delegates conference in Jos. It was successful. We are on our way back to Abuja.

“We will issue a statement regarding the conference and my re-election and other national officers when we get back to our station . Thank you”

NIMASA: Minister Commissions Enforcement Boats, Clinic

By

James Orji

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May 22, 2023

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The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, in Lagos, commissioned five enforcement boats and four ferries for staff of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Also commissioned were newly acquired gadgets to enhance communication between NIMASA operational base and vessels in Nigerian waters, an ultra-modern Search and Rescue Base clinic located in Apapa, the newly developed multipurpose hall, and an administrative block for the Agency in its Kirikiri operational base.

While commending the Jamoh-led administration at NIMASA for the achievements, the Honorable Minister noted that the new facilities would have tremendous positive impacts on the Agency and the entire blue economy of Nigeria especially as the nation seeks more vibrant ways of diversifying its economy.

According to Sambo, “Maritime remains the catalyst for our growth as a country and we must do all we can to ensure the sector remains viable for investors. If we want to benefit from the potentials of our blue economy, we must be able to reinvent the wheel in such a manner that would boost the confidence of foreign and local investors in our maritime domain and these projects are laying credence to our efforts.

“It is our belief that our efforts to bring these projects to fruition would have made significant positive impacts on the decisions of investors in our maritime sector.

“Specifically talking about enforcement boats, I am aware of the impact these boats would have on the regulatory mandate of NIMASA. It is expected that those who have plans of carrying out nefarious acts in our maritime domain would have a rethink because NIMASA now has additional platforms to enforce compliance of its regulations. This will further enhance security in our domain in order for maritime businesses to thrive.”

Jamoh, on his part, said that the newly commissioned assets would ensure Nigeria’s Maritime Administration sustains its leadership role in the maritime sector of Africa, ensuring that the impact of its maritime security architecture is felt in the Gulf of Guinea and the entire African maritime domain.

He noted that the investment in the communication gadgets alongside the enforcement boats will not only add more value to our maritime security architecture but also enhance NIMASA’s primary role of Port and Flag State Administration, adding that the Search and Rescue Base Clinic (SARBC) was to meet basic requirements of the IMO, since Nigeria is host to the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center for the West and Central Africa Region.

“Maritime cannot thrive without effective Search and Rescue because as much as we don’t want accidents, when they occur, we should be able to respond effectively. The Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinating Centre for West and Central Africa Region is domiciled here and we have the SARBC to complement its activities. What NIMASA has done is to upgrade the SAR clinic to the standards that would ensure it meets up with rescue centers of global repute.

“The issue of health in the Transport sector must always be at the front burner. The NIMASA Search and Rescue Base Clinic is another stride for the maritime sector because it meets international standards and would serve more purposes of taking care of patients within and beyond the transport sector,” the NIMASA boss stated.

administration at NIMASA for the achievements, the Honorable Minister noted that the new facilities would have tremendous positive impacts on the Agency and the entire blue economy of Nigeria especially as the nation seeks more vibrant ways of diversifying its economy.

According to Sambo, “Maritime remains the catalyst for our growth as a country and we must do all we can to ensure the sector remains viable for investors. If we want to benefit from the potentials of our blue economy, we must be able to reinvent the wheel in such a manner that would boost the confidence of foreign and local investors in our maritime domain and these projects are laying credence to our efforts.

“It is our belief that our efforts to bring these projects to fruition would have made significant positive impacts on the decisions of investors in our maritime sector.

“Specifically talking about enforcement boats, I am aware of the impact these boats would have on the regulatory mandate of NIMASA. It is expected that those who have plans of carrying out nefarious acts in our maritime domain would have a rethink because NIMASA now has additional platforms to enforce compliance of its regulations. This will further enhance security in our domain in order for maritime businesses to thrive.”

Jamoh, on his part, said that the newly commissioned assets would ensure Nigeria’s Maritime Administration sustains its leadership role in the maritime sector of Africa, ensuring that the impact of its maritime security architecture is felt in the Gulf of Guinea and the entire African maritime domain.

He noted that the investment in the communication gadgets alongside the enforcement boats will not only add more value to our maritime security architecture but also enhance NIMASA’s primary role of Port and Flag State Administration, adding that the Search and Rescue Base Clinic (SARBC) was to meet basic requirements of the IMO, since Nigeria is host to the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Center for the West and Central Africa Region.

“Maritime cannot thrive without effective Search and Rescue because as much as we don’t want accidents, when they occur, we should be able to respond effectively. The Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinating Centre for West and Central Africa Region is domiciled here and we have the SARBC to complement its activities. What NIMASA has done is to upgrade the SAR clinic to the standards that would ensure it meets up with rescue centers of global repute.

“The issue of health in the Transport sector must always be at the front burner. The NIMASA Search and Rescue Base Clinic is another stride for the maritime sector because it meets international standards and would serve more purposes of taking care of patients within and beyond the transport sector,” the NIMASA boss stated.

Dangote Refinery To Provide Energy Security, 130,000 Jobs

By

James Orji

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May 22, 2023

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Mele Kyari, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Limited, says the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery will serve as energy security for Nigeria.

He spoke at the commissioning of the 650,000-barrel crude oil refinery by President Muhammadu Buhari in Lagos today.

The refinery, by the time it starts work fully will provide over 130, 000 indirect and direct jobs for Nigerians, according to Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN governor.

Not a few have disagreed with the view that the gigantic refinery owned by Africa’s richest businessman Aliko Dangote will solve the nation’s perennial fuel problems.

But the NNPC Limited chief executive said the refinery represents positive implications for the nation’s energy and national security.

According to him, the war between Russia and Ukraine has redefined the world energy supply and the need for countries to seek self-sufficiency in energy for their citizens.

Kyari said, “The benefits will be real and tangible for consumers as well as the economy and the country more generally.

“This remarkable achievement is not taking place in a vacuum, this extraordinary facility that we see here today is not standing alone, but with the enabling environment that our government continues to provide and we are most grateful for this.

“The reforms that we have undertaken in the Nigerian petroleum industry under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari were built around a clear set of principles that anticipate the tremendous changes that will take place in the international energy market in the decades to come.

“NNPCL will continue to support investment in domestic refining to satisfy the growing demand for refined petroleum products in both local and regional markets as against simply exporting crude to diminishing markets overseas.”

“The Dangote Refinery with the new deal that we have been building, supported by the enabling Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), will surely provide domestic security of supply in our country.

“The lingering challenges of petroleum subsidies are clearly getting out of the capacity of the state to bear and the differentials that domestic refining will provide are insignificant and cannot compensate for the subsidies.”

Meanwhile, Dangote said the first fuel products from the refinery will be ready by next month.

ng of the 650,000-barrel crude oil refinery by President Muhammadu Buhari in Lagos today.