Amazing Discoveries Within Boko Haram’s Birthplace

May 22, 2019

By Yushau A. Shuaib

Every time I have reason to travel to Maiduguri for an assignment, my family members become prayer warriors, and clarifications are sought around my dreams at such periods to check for what might be portents, while safety measures are devised against any possible untoward development.

As the birthplace of Boko Haram, Borno State is mostly associated with media tales of abandoned orphans, homeless widows, suffering internally displaced persons (IDPs), heartless suicide bombers and brutal terrorists etc.

Since my itinerary in the State usually revolves around humanitarian engagements, adequate security is routinely provided throughout my stay by the respective federal agencies that are my hosts.

In all the tours, I never paid much attention to the programmes and activities of the Borno State government. Like the proverbial bandwagon effect, I occasionally joined others in expressing deep resentments against State officials, traditional institutions and the political elite for doing little to curtail the excesses of the terrorists rampaging across the State.

Attempts by Isa Gusau, the spokesperson to Governor Kashim Shettima to convince some cynics like me with images and videos of positive strides being made in the State frequently met brick walls because we generally have a feeling that with technology, anything can be manipulated.

Therefore, when I received an invitation for a media tour of the State a few days to the commencement of the Ramadan fasting, I accepted the offer, even as I didn’t have any nightmare at the period that required dream interpreters. As usual, my prayer warriors conducted a special prayer for my safety on this more recent trip to Maiduguri.

I was delighted to meet some renowned newspaper columnists on the tour, including Mallam Mahmud Jega of Daily Trust, Mike Awoyinfa of The Sun, Sam Omatseye of The Nation and Zainab Suleiman Okino of Blueprint, among others.

Rather than being escorted and protected by fully armed bodyguards in armoured vehicles, we were received by Governor Shettima, who personally drove the lead car for the media tour of various projects and facilities in the State, without the use of sirens. A few state officials also accompanied us on the tour.

The first ports of call were the state-of-the-art primary schools newly built by the Borno State government, where the Commissioner of Education, Musa Inuwa Kubo took us round air-conditioned classrooms. The beautiful furniture there were locally produced in Maiduguri, even if the digitalised teaching boards and modern gadgets were unavoidably imported. The schools have fine libraries, expansive dining halls and roomy dormitories. I pinched my cheeks harder to reassure myself I wasn’t daydreaming in fantasy when we entered a spacious Disneyland-like playground.

We also inspected mega secondary schools with exquisite boarding facilities, infrastructure and sports arena. The newly constructed Borno State University is another world on its own, which is better than most newly established universities in terms of space, its physical ambience and buildings, and a conducive learning environment. The campus is slated to commence operation soon with the recent engagement of its principal officers.

Again, Shettima, who is equally the Senator-elect for Borno Central, led us to the newly established Industrial Park on the outskirt of Maiduguri, where the manager of the facility, Engineer Ibrahim Ali, informed us about the 16 tightly knit plants there, which have machinery for solar panel production, with the capacity to generate 120 megawatts of electricity. There are also plants in the Park for crop dehydration, and the production of PVC pipes, canopy-yarn, laminated sacks, plastic mats, school desks and chairs.

In our presence, plastic tables and chairs were produced, some of which I sat on with the fullness of my weight in order to test their strength, and quite impressively they were as solid as the rock of Gibraltar.

In the Industrial Park, there are also plants for processing cassava and tomato, biscuit making, and the extraction of assorted juice, among other plants whose raw materials are produced locally in the State. In fact, there is a plastic-roofed greenhouse near the park where two types of tomatoes are farmed. There, I plucked and munched on some of the ripe tomatoes to ensure they were not plastic ones.

We were all amazed at the immense scale and beauty of the residential estates built by Governor Shettima. Most of the buildings are duplex apartments, flats, and bungalows. One may not likely have the fear of Boko Haram, If only one could be able to live in any of the glamorous estates in the serene environment!

While thrilled at the amazing discoveries, we could hardly feel the intensity of the over 40 degree Celsius sun, when the Governor swiveled his saloon car towards to the Borno Specialist Hospital. There, we were received by the State Health Commissioner, Dr. Salisu Kwayabura, who conducted us round the medical facility that offers the latest in high-tech medical care and advanced imaging services, such as latest mammogram, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and echocardiogram equipment for the early detection of cancer in the human body.

There are also sophisticated Computer Tomography (CT) scanners that features “intraoperative teleconferencing technology”. Some of the new equipment in the facility are rare or very few in the West African region. The multi-disciplinary medical services on offer at the Borno Specialist Hospital, which feature cutting-edge tools that are fully digital and Internet-enabled, are designed to manage the data of patients electronically, in a completely paperless manner.

The hospital’s ultramodern kidney dialysis centre has the capacity to handle more than 40 patients, while the Intensive Care Unit and the theatre are fitted with facilities for neurosurgery and other advanced procedures from General Electric (GE), including the 4D ultrasound (Voluson E10) scanning machine for finer clinical details and diagnosis.

While I didn’t pray to fall sick during the visit, yet I felt like I could be very easily diagnosed and treated in this five-star, technologically advanced medical facility in Maiduguri for any future ailment or sickness. It is simply so cozy and soothing as a place of medical care.

I wondered how contractors, engineers, technicians, suppliers and other labourers were able to successfully deliver on the projects in the State considering the existence of Boko Haram terrorists and political insurgents in contiguous area, who could have wreaked havoc on them to make a strong statement?

After over six hours of tours, Governor Shettima led us to the Government House for a dinner with the incoming governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

When I was asked to speak on behalf of the senior media practitioners present, I commended the governor for personally taking us round on the inspection tour of the beautiful structures and highly sophisticated facilities his administration had remarkably put together without any armed bodyguard or the use of sirens. I nevertheless expressed my fear about the management of the huge projects, both in terms of their maintenance and the quality of personnel to be hired to man them. I then asked: “Would these projects boost the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the State?”

Governor Shettima’s response was apt. He said: “My tenure will expire in about a month… What gives me so much joy is that the structure, infrastructure and the facilities we put in place will be adequately maintained and improved upon, because we are privileged to have Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as my successor. And this is because he has demonstrated a consistent passion for our dearest Borno.

“Professor Zulum is head and shoulder above me in intellect, competence, compassion, and integrity. He has demonstrated those qualities, especially with his tremendous sacrifice and the risk he took as the Commissioner of Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in addressing the plight of the distressed and displaced people in the State.”

Governor Kashim Shettima, a humble person, is quite an erudite intellectual with brilliant and remarkable ideas on governance, politics, and social development. His outstanding legacies in revolutionising the key sectors in Borno State, despite a debilitating insurgency, shall remain indelible in the minds of the people, and in history.

After the dinner, I couldn’t help but contemplate what could be the nature of the future relationship between the outgoing and incoming administrations in the State. That is, beyond their apparently pleasant rapport at this time, would the mutually supportive relationship between Senator-elect Shettima and Professor Zurum endure after their different inaugurations or take a frosty turn like the known cases of the Kwankwaso-Ganduje saga and the Tinubu-Ambode imbroglio? Or the Orji Kalu-Theodore Orji clash, the Goje-Dankwambo rivalry, the Attah-Akpabio conflict or even the Akume-Suswan fiasco, among other similar incidents between political godfathers and their godsons?

Someone tells me that theirs will be a perfect example of non-interference but mutual encouragement in their respective constitutional mandates. I fervently pray that this is so.

Yushau A. Shuaib is the Publisher of PRNigeria www.YAShuaib.com

Buhari Asks Ministers To Handover May 28, Gives Reason Why He Didn’t Change Cabinet

Greenbarge Reporters

May 22, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed all the ministers in the Federal cabinet to hand over their offices to the permanent secretaries in the ministries on May 28, a day to his inauguration for a second term as president of the federal republic of Nigeria.
The President, who held the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting with the ministers today, Wednesday, at the Council chamber of the presidential Villa, Abuja, said that the ministers would continue to function in their offices despite that today’s meeting was the last in the life of the administration’s first term.
The President said that he refused to reshuffle his cabinet for four years because every minister brought special knowledge and commitment into the government, and that he allowed such special attributes to develop fully for the development of the country.
At the meeting, which was tagged: “valedictory FEC meeting,” each minister took time to pour his or her heart out about the experience gathered in the federal cabinet and what were learnt from interactive sessions with the President.
The minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama in particular, described the President choice of his second in command, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as the best, adding that it has been a dream team.
“It is a team made in heaven. Nigeria is now respected around the world because of your integrity.”
This was even as the minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige said that his membership of the Federal Executive Council had provided him an opportunity to learn new lessons on good leadership.
He said that his closeness to the President had made him to know how simple and friendly the President is.
“When I tell people that the President cracks jokes and laughs raising his legs, many people don’t believe me, having had the memory of a tough military officer he used to be.
“I suggest that the President should organize a social gathering where he will crack jokes, laugh and raise legs, ” to which president Buhari, who was careful listening to each minister, smiled.
Minister of State for Petroleum resources, Ibe Kachikwu said that despite his position as minister of Petroleum resources, President Buhari never allocated any oil block to himself or any of his family members and friends, which he said, is very rare.
The ministers concluded that Buhari had introduced a new vista of service with no strings attached to the leadership, different from the past leadership style that placed emphasis on grabbing nation’s resources and giving friends, families and well wishers huge handouts.

Full text of President Buhari remarks at the valedictory session of FEC is reproduced here:
Today’s Federal Executive Council meeting is the last time we will meet as a cabinet before the commencement of the second and final term of this Administration.
Our first meeting in this chamber was in November 2015. Over the
past three and a half years, we worked together to deliver our campaign promises. I strongly believe that it is this team work that led to the successes recorded during our first term.
Some of our colleagues, with whom we started this journey, unfortunately are not here to join us in celebrating our successes.
Specifically, I must recognise our late brother, James Ocholi SAN who passed away in a fearful motor accident with his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua only four months after being sworn in as a Minister.
I want us to all put him, and indeed his family, in our memory. He was a true patriot committed to our CHANGE agenda.
I also acknowledge the contributions of other Council members who
resigned before the completion of our tenure to pursue other opportunities.
You will recall that when we started this journey, our country was
facing numerous challenges.
We inherited a broken economy which eventually went into recession in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2016. The situation was further compounded by insecurity and massive corruption.
Many would have given up. Indeed, many outside commentators said
our situation was well nigh hopeless. However, we all came together and
pushed forward to deliver our campaign promise to rescue our country
from its parlous state.
Although we all had a common vision, we frequently had heated
debates in this room on the best way to achieve our goals. These
differing views are what made the decisions we took all the more
rational.
It is this quality that made me retain my cabinet for the full term.
Each of you in this room has a unique skill and strength. We are a
reflection of the Nigeria we aspire to achieve. A diverse but tolerant
nation where no one is silenced and where every opinion should be
heard and considered.
I want you all to leave this meeting proud to have served your nation to the best of your ability.
You should be proud to have been part of the Government that
liberated the local governments previously under Boko Haram rule.
You should be proud to have contributed to our food security and
economic diversification agenda which led to the revival of our rural
agrarian economy
You should be proud to have been part of the team that developed
the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan which led Nigeria exiting its
worst recession in decades.
You should be proud to have introduced the social investment
program that enhanced livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.
You should be proud to have participated in settling outstanding
pensions of many senior citizens abandoned by previous governments
while supporting state governments to meet their salary arrears.
And of course, you should all be proud to have overseen the most
ambitious road, rail and airport rehabilitation programs in the history of our country.
I want to put on record, that your achievements in the last three and
a half hears has guaranteed your position in the history books of this nation. You have certainly built the foundations for an improved economy and a more purposeful government.
Although today is our last council meeting, I expect all of you to
continue working until Tuesday, 28th May 2019 when you will officially
hand over your schedules to your respective Permanent Secretaries.
Your handing over letters should be submitted to the Office of the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
I want to conclude by thanking all of you for agreeing to serve our
nation during these difficult times. I want to use this opportunity to
recognise the silent partners to this cabinet, your spouses, families and friends, who supported you through these years.
I wish you the very best of luck and pray for your successes, for your families and our for country in the years ahead.

Thank you and God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Kogi Gov Threatens To Sack 4 Council Bosses If They Fail To Produce Killers Of 15 Herdsmen

Greenbarge Reporters

May 21, 2019

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has directed four local administrators in the state to produce killers of 15 herdsmen within seven days or get sacked.

The governor, who issued the ultimatum to the local government chiefs during a stakeholders meeting on security held in Lokoja today, Tuesday, stressed that he will sack the administrators who he also accused of ineptitude and dereliction of duty.

The affected council bosses are the administrators of Yagba West local government where 11 of the herdsmen were killed between May 18 and May 20, Omala, Dekina and Igalamela local government councils where the remaining four herdsmen were killed.

The governor said that his administration would not condone killings of any citizen in the state under whatever guise.

He directed the administrators to work with their traditional rulers to unveil the perpetrators.

“These Fulanis have been staying with us in the state peacefully without any rancour, any politicians or detractors who are behind this killing will be made to face the full wrath of the law. “My administration will not spare anybody no matter how highly placed in the society.”

The administrator of Yagba West where the killing of 11 herdsmen took place, Joseph Olutimi, reportedly confirmed the development.

He said that the initial report he got was that a farmer was killed by herdsmen, saying that he quickly informed security agents of the development. Olutimi explained that the herdsmen were killed by yet to be identified persons.

According to him, the people of the local government had been living peacefully with the Fulani hersmen for years.

Commenting on the development, Governor Bello’s special adviser on security, Jerry Omadara, explained that the action was a reprisal attack on herdsmen for the death of a farmer few days ago.

He said that three corpses of herdsmen were found in Oluja community in Dekina local government while several cows were also killed by unknown gunmen.

The secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Yagba West local government, Mohammed Mainasara, said 11 of his members were killed, asking for justice in the matter.

Source: Daily Trust.

You Face ‘Unspecified Consequences’ If…North Korea Warns America Over Seized Ship

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

North Korea has again warned that the United States could face unspecified consequences if it does not return a cargo ship it seized.

North Korea’s Ambassador to the UN, Kim Song, said in a news conference at the UN today, Tuesday that the U.S should think about how its outrageous acts will affect developments between the two countries.

The U.S. government seized the North Korean ship, which was being used to export coal, earlier this month. It marked the first time Washington has taken such a step against Pyongyang.

Kim said: “Pyongyang will be watching Washington’s next move.

“Everything is in the hands of the United States; we will sharply watch the reaction of the United States. The seizure of the vessel is an infringement of Pyongyang’s sovereignty.”

According to him, the seizure also undermines the spirit of the U.S.-North Korea joint statement agreed at the summit between Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018.

The vessel, the Wise Honest, was seized amid suspicions it was violating UN and U.S. sanctions. It was then brought to American Samoa in the South Pacific. U.S. authorities said the ship attempted to hide its country of origin.

The Justice Department described the 17,061-tonne, single-hull bulk carrier ship as one of North Korea’s largest.

Negotiations regarding North Korea’s nuclear weapons have stalled and tensions between the two countries have been rising since another summit in February ended without result in Hanoi.

Pyongyang and Washington have recently tested weapons systems. North Korea launched short-range “projectiles,’’ while the U.S. tested intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Source: NAN.

April: Federal, State, Local Governments Share N616.198 Billion

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

The Nigeria’s Federal, State and local governments have shared a total sum of N616.198 billion from the federation account for the month of April, 2019.

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, who made this known today, Tuesday, at the end of the meeting of the end of the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja, said “the gross statutory revenue of N518.916 billion received for the month is higher than the N446.647 billion received in the previous month by N72.269 billion.”

“Revenues from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Import duty and Companies Income Tax (CIT) recorded significant increases while Oil Royalty and Export duty decreased substantially while Value Added Tax (VAT) increased marginally.

“The gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) N96, 485 billion as against N92, 181 billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in an increase of N4, 304 billion.”

Represented by the Director of Funds, Office of the AGF, Mohammed Usman, the Accountant General said that the total revenue distributable for the current month (including VAT and Exchange Gain) was N616.198 billion.

Shared amount comprised of the Month’s statutory distributable revenue of N512.609 billion and N96.485 billion from VAT.

Accordingly, from Net Statutory revenue, Federal Government received N253.918 billion representing (52.68%); States received N168.056 billion (26.72%); Local Government Councils received N126.278 billion representing (20.60%) while the Oil Producing States received N46.353 billion as 13% derivation revenue.

From the revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT), Federal Government received N13.894 billion (15%); States received N46.313 billion (50%) while the Local Government Councils received N32.419 billion (35%).

Nigeria Closes Down Its Embassies In Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Republic Of Serbia

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

President Buhari and foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has announced that the nation’s foreign missions in Sri Lanka, Czech Republic and Republic of Serbia have been closed, while the mission in Ukraine was drastically downsized due to lack of funds.

The minister, who spoke today, Tuesday, about the activities of the ministry in the last three years, said that before the closure Nigeria had 119 foreign missions, adding that the reduction of Nigeria’s foreign missions remains one of the agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Geoffrey Onyeama explained that the closure of the missions was occasioned by inability of the ministry to maintain them due to insufficient funds.

“Every embassy has written to us about their huge financial demands and when we go to these embassies we see clearly very unattractive state that does not reflect well on the country.

“Very often the staff of the embassy really find things extremely difficult.

“Clearly, if we want to operate on the scale and scope in which we are at the moment with over a 100 missions around the world, we need to spend a lot more.”

The minister said that though Nigeria has spent a lot, it is not enough, compared to what other countries around the world spend.

“What I am saying is that rather than having this terrible circle of inadequate funding for missions, headquarters and so forth we have to reduce the scope.

“We should have foreign missions that we can fund, we might not necessarily close the embassies per se, it might be reducing the number of staff in the embassies.

“Because what we found out is that it is more expensive to close the embassies than operating them.”

Senate President Investigates Controversial New Guidelines For Accrediting Journalists

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has vowed to investigate the new guidelines issued by the National Assembly’s Director of Information, Emmanuel Agada, for accreditation of journalists covering the activities of the legislative arm.

speaking through his Special Assistant on New Media, Olu Onemola, Senator Saraki said that he was not aware of the new guideline and promised that it would be ”promptly be investigated.”

In a tweet, Onemola said the senate president “remains committed to the freedom of the press.” He said Saraki’s antecedents as the chairman of the eight National Assembly showed that he has always believed in the right of journalists to operate unhindered in order to promote transparency.

The tweet reads: “The attention of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has just been drawn to a story that is circulating on social media about the National Assembly issuing new guidelines to journalists.

“These alleged guidelines have not emanated from either the Senate President or the Speaker, and will be promptly investigated.

“The public should note that the 8th National Assembly has been committed to the freedom of the press as exemplified by its work to bring governance closer to the people through live streams and live tweets.

“This is because the leadership of the 8th National Assembly believes strongly in the freedom of the press and in carrying the Nigerian public along.

”Hence, the senate president and all his colleagues will continue to work to ensure that these freedoms remain unhindered.”

The National Assembly management had, in two separate letters yesterday, Monday, released 20 stringent conditions for journalists and media houses’ accreditation.

Source: NAN.

Gov Okorocha Advises EFCC Boss Not To Be A Tool In Hands Of Politicians

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has advised the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, to stick strictly to the mandate of the commission and not be a tool in hands of politicians.

In a statement today, Tuesday, the Governor Okorocha, through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said that the way Magu and his men have been going about his government lately had raised genuine concern, adding that it has added fillip to his earlier worry that those behind the drama over his Certificate of Return have not gone to sleep but have continued to spread their dragnets or tentacles.

“On Monday, May 20, 2019, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Alhaji Ibrahim Magu was quoted to have told Journalists at a Press Conference in London that the Commission was investigating Governor Rochas Okorocha over the bailout fund.

“Also on Friday, May 17, 2019, the Commission’s Zonal Head for South-East, Mr. Usman Imam held a Press Conference in Enugu where he told the world too that the Commission was investigating Governor Okorocha.

“So, Mr. Imam holding his own Press Conference on Okorocha on Friday, May 17, 2019, in Enugu and the Chairman of the Commission himself Alhaji Magu holding his own press conference also on Okorocha, on Monday, May 20, 2019, and only two days after,

“If you ask us, we won’t join issues with the EFCC as an Institution and with Alhaji Magu as an individual. Investigating individuals, governments, institutions etc, is part of the Commission’s own rules of engagement and nobody should prevent them or begrudge them for doing that. We only pray that the Commission should not allow undue infiltration.

“Good enough, both Alhaji Magu and Mr. Imam never accused the governor of mismanagement or diversion, looking at the Contents of their Press Conferences. They confirmed that the Commission is in Custody of the money. Out of the N8billion they quoted, they also confirmed that N7.9billion is what they blocked. Then, what is Owelle’s case? And the governor is not owing salary.

“Mr. Imam also threw a kite which could not fly when he told his audience that if not for their timely intervention“Over N5billion would have allegedly been deployed in vote-buying by Okorocha’s administration.

“How he arrived at that conclusion is what he never said. In other words, he believed what the petitioners wrote. Since investigation is still on, perhaps, at the end of it, the truth will become clearer especially when the incident happened long before the 2019 elections. And one could not have bought votes in the vacuum. Ultimately, vote-buying must be on the election day and perhaps, at the Polling Units where the voters were expected to be.

“Alhaji Magu is doing a good job as the head of the EFCC. But he should keep the 5th columnists at arms length. He should not eat with them even with the longest spoon. With more than one thousand landmark and verifiable projects to his credit, Governor Okorocha must have managed the resources of the State in his time as governor with high sense of prudence. And for patriotic Imo people, he remains the Defending Champion of the Imo governorship since what he has achieved in eight years exceeded all that those before him had achieved put together.”

Any Nigerian That Breaks Other Country’s Law Must Blame Self – Buhari

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to respect the law of other countries whenever they travel, warning that any of them that breaks such laws must have himself or herself to blame.

“Every country has its own unpatriotic citizens. In China and Saudi Arabia, the laws are stringent on these things (illicit drugs). Our citizens must obey our laws. They must respect the laws of other jurisdictions and if they don’t, then they should blame themselves, not the harsh laws that they meet.”

President Buhari, who received leaders of Nigerian Community in Saudi Arabia today, Tuesday, at the end of his Umrah trip, has a word of advice to Nigerians: “refrain from breaching the laws of Nigeria and other countries.”

He said that efforts should be intensified to expose those involved in drug trafficking and illegal trade in the country, assuring that appropriate actions would be taken.

The President stressed that sweeping offensive against drug trafficking will be sustained, even as he asked Nigerians in Diaspora to always provide information that will help the government to curb the menace.

President Buhari said that the recent exposure of a network of drug dealers operating at one of Nigeria’s international airports, who were discovered to be tagging bags filled with drugs in the name of innocent passengers, called for expansion of searchlights.

He expressed gratitude to Nigerians in Saudi Arabia for the support and prayers for wellbeing of the country, assuring them that his administration will do its best to secure the country, improve economy and fight corruption.

“We have tried in the war against terrorism and citizens in the Northeast are our best witnesses. Agriculture is doing well, to the point that we are food self-sufficient, as a result helping the nation to save money on imports.”

On the renewal of his mandate for a second term, President Buhari said he owed Nigerians a debt of gratitude.

“We are doing our best. I will continue to keep the trust of citizens. I am happy Nigerians have confidence in us. The crowds I witnessed in my campaign across the 36 states were not staged. No amount of money could have generated that enthusiasm. I assure everyone that I will continue to do my best. I will keep the trust of Nigerians.”

The leader of Nigerian Diaspora community delegation, Alhaji Umar Abubakar Dan Hadejia, congratulated the President on his second term re-election and promised their continued support.

The delegation listed a number of challenges they were facing in Saudi Arabia, including activities of drug traffickers, highlighting the recent incident of Miss Zainab Habibu Aliyu, whose name tag was attached to a drug-filled bag at the airport in Kano, leading to her arrest and prolonged detention in Saudi Arabia.

Miss Aliyu was released after President Buhari’s intervention and had been reunited with her family.

President Buhari, who arrived in Nigeria today, Tuesday at about 6.30 pm, was seen to the airport in Jeddah by the Governor, Prince Mashel Bin Majed Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Shell Says It Paid N366 Billion In Revenue To Nigerian Government In 2018

Editorial staff

May 21, 2019

Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and production Company Ltd (SNEPCo), Bayo Ojulari

Nigeria’s foremost deep-water oil and gas company, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), has said that it paid N366 billion in 2018 as revenue to the federal government from its exploration activities, while it made another N2.1 billion as statutory payment to the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The company’s Managing Director, Bayo Ojulari spoke to news men in Lagos at the media launch of the 2019 edition of the Shell in Nigeria Briefing Notes, an annual publication detailing the activities of the business interests of the global energy giant in Nigeria covering SNEPCo; The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC); Shell Nigeria Gas; and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas.

According to Ojulari, the payments resulted from oil and gas production by SNEPCo’s flagship investment, Bonga, which is Nigeria’s first oil and gas project in water depths of over 1,000 metres. “At the end of 2018, SNEPCo had produced 819 million barrels of oil from the Bonga field which translates into huge contributions to the Nigerian economy in addition to the significant human capital development of deep-water expertise among Nigerians.”

He noted that the pride of SNEPCo was the increase in its Nigerian workforce to over 96 percent and the creation of Nigeria’s first oil and gas engineers with deep-water experience. “The success story at Bonga is not only that it is Nigeria’s first deep-water project but the fact that Bonga is a Nigerian venture delivered by Nigerians using global expertise and processes offered by the Shell Group that have launched Nigeria into the league of notable deep-water players.”

Apart from payments to government, SNEPCo is also credited with many social investment initiatives nationwide, particularly in education, health and sports which Ojulari said were considered very critical to the overall well-being of Nigerians. According to him, the company spent over N2.2 billion on various social investment programmes in 2018.

“Today, SNEPCo supports 298 undergraduates towards achieving their degrees with beneficiaries across the 36 states of Nigeria and another 375 scholars on full-board secondary school scholarship programme for pupils from public schools into seven top-flight private secondary schools across Nigeria to enhance access to quality education,” he said.

On the ongoing Bonga South West Aparo, a new project in the Bonga field, Ojulari said the company was making progress with the 150,000 barrel per day capacity project after signing the Head of Terms agreement with partners last February and released Invitation to Tenders to contractors in the same month.

“We are working with our government and other partners to take the project to a point where we are able to take the final investment decision.”

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