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Akeredolu Flay’s Award Of Pipeline Surveillance Contract To Private Individual

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman, Southern Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has called for a thorough scrutiny of Nigeria’s security architecture, especially those put in its charge.

Aketi, as being fondly called, frowned at the award of controversial pipelines surveillance contract to a private security outfit.

There has been outrage over the award of a contract to a private company, owned by a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo, to secure oil pipeline in the Niger/Delta axis of Nigeria.

Governor Akeredolu, in a statement he personally signed that it is  shocking that the Federal Government awarded the contract to such a security outfit.

The Governor pointed out that “it is safe to conclude that the Federal Government has, impliedly, permitted non state actors to bear heavy assault weapons while denying same privilege to the States, the federating units.”

According to him,  engagement of private organisations to handle serious security challenges reinforces the belief that the whole defence architecture in the country needs an urgent overhaul.

The NNPC had explained why the Federal Government awarded the controversial pipelines surveillance contract to a former Niger Delta agitator, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari stated that it was not the first time that individuals within the Niger Delta region were awarded a contract for pipeline surveillance, noting that the contract was for the interest of the people.

He said it was his belief that the Federal Government has taken the right decision to hire private contractors to man its oil pipeline network nationwide.

Kyari argued that although the security agencies are doing their part, end-to-end pipeline surveillance would require the involvement of private entities and community stakeholders.

However, Akeredolu in a statement titled WHO ACTUALLY NEEDS WEAPON? said: “The Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, has been consistent in its refusal to accede to the request by some States in the Federation to strengthen the complementary initiatives adopted to protect lives and property.

“This is done in spite of the knowledge that the very issues which necessitated the creation of these outfits support providing adequate weaponry.

All attempts to persuade the Federal Government to look, critically, into the current security architecture have been rebuffed despite the manifest fundamental defects engendered by over-centralization.

“It is, therefore, shocking to read that the Federal Government has maintained the award of the contract to ‘protect’ the country’s pipeline from vandals to private organisations.

“This story, if true, leaves a sour taste in the mouth. The NSA will, obviously, not advise the President to approve the award of a contract of such magnitude if the operators have not displayed sufficient capacity to checkmate the criminal activities of equally powerful groups.

“Consequently, it is safe to conclude that the Federal Government has, impliedly, permitted non state actors to bear heavy assault weapons while denying same privilege to the States, the federating units.

“The award of contract to private organisations to protect vandalisation of pipelines raise fundamental questions on the sincerity of the advisers of the Government on security issues.

“The open and seeming enthusiastic embrace of this oddity, despite the constant and consistent avowal of the readiness by the Security Agencies in particular the Navy to contain the pervasive and deepening crises of breaches and threats to lives and property, attracts the charge of insincerity bordering, deplorably, on dubiety.

“If the State Governments, which are keenly desirous of protecting their citizens, establish ancillary security outfits and there has been pronounced reluctance, if not outright refusal, to consider permitting them to bear arms for the sole purpose of defence, granting private individuals and or Organisations unfettered access to assault weapons suggests, curiously, deep-seated suspicion and distrust between the Federal Government and the presumed federating units.”

2023: Nigerians Express Shock As Tinubu, Jonathan Meet

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Tinubu Visits Jonathan Good

Reactions have continued to trail the visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The APC flagbearer and former governor of Lagos state visited the former Nigerian leader in his Abuja home on Tuesday as part of his efforts to gain his support for his presidential bid next year.

Tinubu who is currently facing a serious backlash over his decision to pick Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim as his running mate has recently paid a similar visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Even though sources informed the magazine that Tinubu was well received by Jonathan, keen observers of political events in the country have expressed shock over the development considering that the former Lagos helmsman led the coalition that ousted the PDP government of Jonathan from power in 2015.

The opposition APC had during the runup to the keenly contested election labeled Jonathan’s government clueless, apart from other verbal attacks against the former leader from key APC leaders.

“Politicians are shameless. Could anyone have thought that the same Tinubu who rubbished Jonathan and called him all manner of names will go to the former president to ask for his support? It only points to one thing, that Nigerian politicians are without principle,” a PDP chieftain who spoke in confidence said.

He said he was not surprised at the recent turn of events. “Honestly, I’m one of the people who are not shocked by what happened.  After all, the same Jonathan had recently rumoured to have joined the APC in order to contest the 2023 presidency. They are all the same,” he said.

Former President Jonathan before the APC presidential primary in June was said to have joined the ruling party to contest next year’s presidential election, which Tinubu later won after defeating close rivals Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

The dalliance between the two politicians, many say will continue to surprise not a few Nigerians considering their political antecedents, particularly after the role played by Tinubu to stop Jonathan’s re-election in 2015.

The former Lagos governor had recalled recently how he played a critical role in Jonathan’s ouster from office, by ensuring that Buhari became president after failing three times.

Speaking on how Buhari became president, Tinubu said, “If not for me talking to you today, Buhari would not have been president. It is over 25 years that I have been serving them. This one sitting behind me, Dapo Abiodun, he could not become the governor without me.

………..“If not for me that stood behind Buhari, he wouldn’t have become the president. He tried the first time, he failed, the second time, he failed, the third time, he failed.

“He even wept on national television and vowed never to contest again but I went to meet him in Kaduna and told him he will run again; I will stand by you and you will win, but you must not joke with Yorubas and he agreed,” Tinubu said in June ahead the APC presidential primary.

Meanwhile, analysts insist that the meeting between the two leaders is a normal thing that happens among politicians particularly when election is getting close. “Nothing is personal in politics. What is permanent is interest, and so long politicians share a particular interest they will always have reasons to meet,” an analyst said on Wednesday.

NNPC Reveals How Churches, Mosques Steal Nigeria’s Crude

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, has accused some churches and mosques of crude oil theft.

Mele Kyari, the chief executive officer of NNPC disclosed this barely a month after the personnel of the Nigerian Navy arrested a Very Large Crude Carrier, VLCC with IMO Number: 9858058 is a 336-meter-long tanker carrying stolen crude from Nigeria.

Oil thieves and pipeline vandals, according to government records have reduced Nigeria’s Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC production quota to 1.8 million barrels per day, and a consequential revenue loss of more than $7 million a year.

To stop the theft, the federal government has also recently contracted a firm owned by repentant militant Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo predominantly popular as Tompolo to stop oil theft, mostly in the oil bearing states of the Niger Delta

But the NNPC has now introduced a new dimension to the issue which before now was thought impossible; that religious houses are now used to steal crude from the pipelines.

Speaking during the 49th session of the weekly State House ministerial briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Kyari said churches and mosques now harbours stolen petroleum products from pipelines connected to their premises.

The NNPC chief executive said a larger part of the nation’s communities, including security agencies are involved in the problem.

According to him, “When a fire outbreak happened in one of our pipelines, we discovered that some of the pipelines were actually connected to individuals’ homes. And not only that, and with all sensitivity to our religious beliefs, you know, some of the pipelines and some of the products that we found, are actually in churches and in mosques.

“That means that everybody is involved. There is no way you will take products, bring them in trucks in populated neighborhoods, load them, and leave without everybody else knowing about it. Everybody includes members of the community, members of the religious leaders and also and most likely government officials of all natures, including security agencies personnel.

“They are everywhere. And I’ve seen this even in the Niger Delta. There’s no way you would deliver a volume and lose up to 30% and you will continue to put those products in this line.”

The Federal Government had revealed that Nigeria lost about $1 billion in revenue to pipeline vandals and oil thieves in the first quarter of 2022.

Oil theft which can also be referred to as illegal bunkering, and not a new menace in the oil and gas industry, has become quite brazen and risen to an alarming level, with some oil companies disclosing that they lose between 80% and 95% of their crude oil production to the activities of these oil thieves

Gorbachev, Former USSR Leader, Dies At 91

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

 

Mikhail Gorbachev, the former President of the United Soviet Socialist Republic, USSR who ended the Cold War with the West, without bloodshed but failed to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union, is dead.

Hospital officials in Moscow where the former Soviet leader said he died at the age of 91.

Gorbachev, the last Soviet president, forged arms reduction deals with the United States and partnerships with Western powers to remove the Iron Curtain that had divided Europe since World War Two and bring about the reunification of Germany.

But his internal reforms helped weaken the Soviet Union to the point where it fell apart, a moment that President Vladimir Putin has called the “greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the twentieth century.

“Mikhail Gorbachev passed away tonight after a serious and protracted disease,” said Russia’s Central Clinical Hospital.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin of Russia has expressed “his deepest condolences”, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax, adding that “tomorrow he will send a telegram of condolences to his family and friends”.

Reuters

PDP: “I Saw A Rapist From Rivers At Shekarau’s Homecoming” –  Wike; “It Is Sour Grapes”, PDP Sources

By
The Source
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Wike and Shekarau Kano Meeting

By Charles Igbo

Monday, August 29, 2022, was a big day for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Its National Leadership, and high profile stakeholders, including Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, his running mate,  Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, National Chairman of the Party, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, and some State Governors were present.

It was a big do. Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, who is fast acquiring the reputation of a political rolling stone, was, for the second time, returning to the PDP. Before now, Senator Shekarau had decamped from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC, then back  to the PDP,  then back to the APC, then to the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and, again, on Monday, back to the PDP.

Shekarau had joined another former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso in the NNPP after Kwankwaso inexplicably dumped the PDP for the second time. But they soon fell apart.

Shekarau said he and his supporters were not only short-changed by Kwankwaso, they were betrayed. He said none of the agreements he reached with Kwankwaso was kept. So, on Monday, he and thousands of his supporters officially dumped NNPP for the PDP.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who has been battling Atiku since the former Vice President defeated him at the Party’s Presidential Primary, then shunned him and picked Okowa as running mate was, nor surprisingly, absent. He and his Camp which includes three State Governors, have since after Okowa’s choice, given the PDP a wide berth. If anything, Wike has been engaged in what not a few people term anti-party activities. He has been, publicly, romancing Presidential candidates from other Parties, and making statements to provoke his Party, the PDP.

Even though Wike was not at the Monday event in Kano, it did not stop him from keeping an eye on the goings-on. He said he watched it on television. And he had something to say about it.

Wike did not comment on the number of Party big wigs who graced the occasion. He did not comment on the intimidating crowd which defied the heavy rain to grace it. He did not comment on Shekarau’s tough promise to deliver Kano State to Atiku. But he commented on something only a Wike will  comment on.

Wike said that while watching the television, he saw a rapist at the event. The rapist, he said, is from Rivers State, and so, Wike’s subject.

Wike neither mentioned the alleged rapist by name, or identified him, but political analysts said Wike meant to “pour cold water” on the otherwise, successful event.

Said Wike at an event in Porthacourt on Tuesday: “I was watching television yesterday (Monday), when they went to Kano to receive Shekarau. I saw one rapist from Rivers State sitting at the back where he went to join them to receive Shekarau. But I asked  him: how many people have you made to join your party in your State?

“You have gone to receive somebody somewhere, but you have not made efforts to receive other people to join your own party in your State. You like when food is ready, you’ll go and eat,  but for you to cook, no. It is where people have cooked that you go to eat the food but you won’t cook your own.

“As people who want the party to win, or who want their candidate to win the election, what role are you playing in your State to make sure your party wins the election?

“How many people have you been able to galvanise, mobilise them for them to leave their party to join your party? That  is to show you are committed, willing and ready to make your Party win an election.”

Many PDP loyalists have dismissed the Governor’s allegation as sour grapes,  and challenged him to name the rapist.

Bishop Oyekpen Of  The Anglican Communion Dies At 56

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Rt Rev Jolly Oyekpen

By Adesina Soyooye

The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has lost one of its young, vibrant  Bishops.

His Lordship, the Rt Rev. Jolly Oyekpen passed on in the morning of Monday, August 29, at the age of 56.

Until his death, he was the Bishop of Akoko Edo Diocese.

His Lordship died after what  was described as a brief illness at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

A statement released by the Church, said the late Bishop was a great mobiliser of youths.

“With great sadness, but glory to the  God Almighty, the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Announces the death of The Rt. Rev. Jolly Oyekpen, Bishop of Akoko Edo Diocese.

“He passed away peacefully  early this morning August 29, 2022 at the University of Benin, Edo State after he complained of brief illness. He was born 7th September, 1966.

“We offer sympathies and prayers to his family, to the Priests, and the faithful whose lives he touched throughout his years of Priestly and Episcopal Ministry.

“His approachable and youthful nature will be how Bishop Oyekpen will be remembered as he was the Bishop Coordinator to the Anglican Youth Fellowship of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion until 2021. He was elected Bishop in 2007 to pioneer the Diocese of Akoko-Edo.

Please, pray for the wife, family, friends, and the Diocese he left behind.”

Bishop Oyekpen was born in Iruekpen, Edo State and was educated at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

ASUU Strike: FG Set To Meet Vice Chancellors, Councils On September 6 Over Lingering Strike

By
Akinwale Kasali
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ASUU President and Ngige

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government is set to meet with Vice Chancellors and Pro- Chancellors of Federal and State Universities over the indefinite strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

The National Universities Commission, NUC, has convened the September 6th, 2022, meeting to address the lingering strike action that has crippled the nation’s educational system.

The meeting is scheduled for the NUC secretariat in Abuja, on the stipulated date.

This was conveyed in a letter written by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration, of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki and addressed to all Pro-chancellors, Chairmen of Councils, and Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities.

“As the Pro-Chancellors and Chairmen of Councils and the Vice-Chancellors are quite aware, the industrial action by the Union has led to the closure of the institutions since February 2022.

“You are, also, aware that the non-teaching unions have suspended their industrial actions with effect from August 24, 2022, while a final decision is being awaited from ASUU.

“It has become necessary for the Governing Councils and the managements of the universities to be briefed on the decisions and actions taken by the Federal Government so far to allow a for a well-coordinated review of the situation including building consensus around succeeding actions.

“Consequently, I am to invite the Pro-Chancellors & Chairmen of Councils as well as Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities to a special interactive meeting with the Honourable Minister of Education on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.”

LAWMA Reads Riot Act, Says No One Is Exempted From Paying Waste Bills

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ibrahim Odumboni - LAWMA MD

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has announced that no Lagosian, regardless of status, is exempted from paying Waste Bills, stressing that anyone found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.

Making this disclosure is the Managing Director/CEO of Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ibrahim Odumboni, who Urged Lagos residents to support efforts of the Authority to rid the environment of filth, by paying their waste bills promptly.

He stressed that payment for waste services was very crucial to achieving the state’s vision of establishing a cleaner and livable environment, adding that no one was exempted from paying waste bills, regardless of occupation or societal status.

According to him, “We want to appeal to all residents in the state, to make it a duty to pay their waste bills. This is very important because the operations of service providers, rely heavily on people paying for waste services. As a matter of fact, nobody is exempted from this, including civil servants”.

“For the sake of emphasis, there is no section of the Civil Service Rule that exempts government workers from paying for services rendered by PSP operators. This applies to every other profession. We must take responsibility for the change we want to see in our environment. Anyone caught dumping indiscriminately under the guise of belonging to a particular profession, would be made to face the wrath of the law”, he said.

The LAWMA boss reiterated the Authority’s commitment to ensuring that every part of the metropolis was properly sanitised, adding that the agency had stepped up efforts to rid the environment of waste backlogs, through intensive morning and night operations.

He further stated, “We deploy thousands of sweepers, and waste collection trucks daily, across major routes in the city, as well as ensure that waste generated by tenements is taken care of, by PSP operators. We want to assure Lagosians that we will not relent on our efforts to make the environment cleaner and healthier for all”.

Odumboni said the Authority was also working with other sister agencies, such as Neighbourhood Watch and Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA), to check waste migration, a situation where some residents move wastes generated at home in their vehicles, and dump while transiting to another point.

Speaking further, he called on the populace to embrace the culture of recycling and waste sorting from source, which apart from saving the environment from plastic pollution, had numerous economic benefits.

He admonished residents to always bag and containerise their waste, while waiting for the arrival of assigned PSP operators, adding that the practice of

waste containerisation would eventually help curb littering and indiscriminate refuse disposal around the city.

Make Welfare Of Women Priority Of Your Administration; Mrs Fayemi Charges Ekiti Gov-elect

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Female gender advocate and Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Bisi Fayemi has advised  the State Governor -elect, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to be gender sensitive by prioritizing protection and promotion of  women.

The Governor’s wife, who chaired the women’s wing of the governorship campaign, made the call in Ado Ekiti when the  Governor – elect, Mr Oyebanji and his Deputy , Chief Monisade Afuye, paid a thank you visit to the Ekiti APC Women Campaign Council for 2022 gubernatorial election.

Erelu Fayemi said women needed to be well positioned in the incoming administration in order to add value and make meaningful contributions urging him to also provide necessary support for the office of the first lady to enable the office function optimally .

The Director General of the campaign council, Mrs Oluremi Ajayi said the voting power of Ekiti women contributed in no small measure to the success of the election, promising that the incoming administration will be given maximum support by the women .

In a remark,  Ekiti APC State chairman, Paul Omotoso appreciated the mobilisation strategies  put in place by the women campaign council during the electioneering campaign.

“We are here to register our appreciation  to the efforts of the Governor’s wife and Chairperson of the women campaign council, Erelu Bisi Fayemi during the last Governorship election in the state.

“For any state to progress, there is the need for continuity of the party in power. Lagos is where it is, because of continuity in governance.”

Mr Omotoso explained that people of the state would soon realize that they have voted right by the time  development of the state is given accelerated attention.

Responding, the  Governor- elect, thanked the wife of the Governor and members of the women campaign council for their efforts and genuine love which resulted to victory at the polls .

He however pleaded with the women not to engage in politics of bitterness capable of demeaning their fellow women within the party so as not to cause division.

Mr Oyebanji promised to build on the legacy of the outgoing government and consolidate on the good works of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi  to propel more successes for the state in all ramifications.

NNPC Announces Deadline For Importation Of Petroleum Products

By
Ayodele Oni
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Buhari Unveils New NNPC

By Ayodele Oni

There is a deadline when Nigeria will stop any form of fuel importation into the country and this is official.

This is because the total output from the recently unbundled Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), and some privately owned refineries will be sufficient for the country.

The NNPC Ltd said on Tuesday that the importation of petroleum products into the country will be stopped by mid-2023.

NNPC was recently unbundled by the Federal Government, divesting government hold on the company.

Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd,  Mele Kyari, disclosed this at the State House Ministerial Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team.

According to him, the combined output of Nigeria’s refineries being revamped and Dangote refinery would be enough to stop importation.

“Even if all the refineries are working today, you will still have a net deficit of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to import into this country.

“This is what it means, because our population has grown; demand has grown; the middle class has grown.  I am sure everybody here owns one or two cars; and as such, the volume of petroleum products we require in this country has grown exponentially.”

Kyari explained that this was as a result of a clearly exponential growth in our need for Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS).

“So, even if they all come, we are going to stop importation of petroleum products, but happily also, NNPC Ltd owns 20 per cent equity in the Dangote Refinery and we are very proud of this.”

Kyari statex further that aside from owning 20 per cent equity in Dangote Refinery, NNPC Ltd had the right of first refusal to supply crude oil to that plant.

“But, we saw this energy transition challenge coming; we knew that time will come when you will look for people who will buy your crude oil, you will not find.

“And that means we have locked down the ability to sell crude oil for 33,000 barrels minimum by right for the next 20 years. By right also, we have access to 20 per cent of the production from that plant.”

He expressed optimism that Dangote Refinery would become operational by the middle of 2023.

The refinery, he added, has a production capacity of 650, 000 barrels per day, with a different technology.

“Which means that, it can crack the crude in a manner that you can have more gasoline than a typical refinery; that means the refinery has the ability to produce up to 50 million litres of PMS.

“So, the combination of that and our own ability to bring back our refinery will completely eliminate any importation of petroleum products into this country.

“This is very practical; this is possible; as a matter of fact, what we have done with our own refineries and the Dangote Refinery with many other small initiatives we have put in place—small, modular, condensate refineries that we are building.

“If that happens, we are very optimistic it will happen; you will see that this country will now be a net exporter.’’

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