Allow Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo People To Choose Their Governors, INEC Boss Tells Officials

November 11, 2023

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has cautioned officials that will conduct the Governship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States tomorrow not to participate in choosing the governors for the people of the States.

He asked them to allow the 5,169,692 Nigerians who collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to vote in the off-cycle Governorship elections in the three States.

“As we approach the Election Day, I wish to call on our officials (both regular and ad-hoc) to demonstrate the highest level of patriotism and professionalism.

‘As I said repeatedly, not least during my recent readiness assessment visits to the three States, INEC is not a political party and we have no candidate in the election. “Our responsibility is to safeguard the process and ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

“The choice of who becomes the Governor of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States is entirely in the hands of voters.”

Professor Yakubu, who gave the final pep talks to the officials today, November 10, ahead of the election in the three States tomorrow, said that this is the first time in history that these elections are held on the same day and across three geo-political zones of the country: North Central (Kogi), South East (Imo) and South South (Bayelsa).”

He said that already, INEC had delivered all sensitive and non-sensitive materials for the elections.

“The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) have been configured for deployment to Polling Units as the only means of voter verification and fingerprint/facial biometric authentication of voters.

“Polling Unit results will be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. All election duty officials have been trained.

“Arrangements have been made for land and maritime transportation to enable us commence voting on schedule.

“In spite of the extremely difficult terrain and physical infrastructure in some locations, we are determined to ensure that our officials are there waiting for voters rather than the voters waiting for our arrival.

“For these off-cycle elections, the Commission is deploying two (2) National Commissioners, nine (9) Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and Administrative Secretaries (ASs) as well as additional staff from different States to each of the three States to support the process. “They will be deployed across the senatorial zones in the States.

“Election is a multi-stakeholder responsibility. As with every election, lessons have been learnt from recent elections.

“We will continue to ensure free, fair and credible and inclusive elections but INEC cannot do it alone.

“We have received assurances from the security agencies that the environment will be secure for electoral activities and all participants: voters, electoral officials, accredited observers, the media and polling/collation agents.

“Political parties and candidates have signed the peace accord under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC).

“Let us maintain the peace and play our roles conscientiously. By doing so, we shall continue to consolidate our democracy.”

Court Restrains Labour From Going On Strike On November 14

Editorial staff

November 10, 2023

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has issued an order of interim injunction restraining members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates from proceeding with their planned strike scheduled to commence on Tuesday, November 14.

The President of the Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, who gave the order today, November 10, ruled on an ex-parte application brought by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) on behalf of the Federal Government.

Justice Kanyip said that the order shall subsist until the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions equally filed by the AGF.

According to the judge, the court is empowered under Sections 7(1) and 19(a) of the NICN Establishment Act to hear such ex-parte application and grant such ex-parte order where a strike is threatened, but yet to be commenced as in this case.

Both labour unions had on Tuesday, November 7, declared a nationwide strike which will commence on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, in protest against the brutalization of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The unions also started to mobilize their members for a protest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The protesters, who gathered at the airport as early as 9.00 a.m. to enforce their directive to members working in the aviation sector to stop all flights to Owerri.

They were, however, prevented from gaining access to the airport by some military personnel at the checkpoint.

The protesters then blocked the entry and exit points of the airport, causing heavy vehicular traffic on both sides and thereby forcing travelers to trek to the airport.

Source: Persecondnews.

How Imo Police Handed Me Over To Thugs Who Beat Me, Dragged Me On Ground – NLC President

Editorial staff

November 10, 2023

The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero has narrated how police operatives in Imo State police command handed him over to some suspected thugs who beat him black and blue and dragged him on the ground.

Ajaero, who spoke today, November 10 at a world press conference in Abuja, lamented that the kind of beating he received after security agents handed him over to the thugs was better imagined than explained.

The NLC, who wore a dark shade to cover his swollen eyes, said that contrary to report, the NLC wrote to all the security agencies about the protest before the fateful day.

“I can’t explain the beating I received. They tied my hands and dragged me on the floor like a common criminal. I am not even a card-carrying member of any political party as alleged.”

The Imo State Police Command had said that the NLC President was taken into protective custody to save him from a mob attack.

The police statement which was issued on the official X handle of the Nigerian Police by Imo Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Okoye Henry read: “the Imo State Police Command wishes to clarify some sketchy reports alleging the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in Owerri.

“It is pertinent to state that the NLC President was in Owerri as part of arrangements of the Congress to mobilise workers for a mega protest rally in the state. In the course of their planning, it was reported that suggestions arose for the lockdown of some essential facilities particularly the airport which led to some workers and other individuals resisting the picketing process leading to scuffles heated arguments, and an eventual attack on the person of the president by a mob.

“Upon receiving this report, the Imo Police Command swiftly deployed police operatives to the scene where the Officer in Charge exercised his operational discretion by taking the NLC President into protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to ensure the protection of his life and that he was not lynched in the scuffle that followed.

“The Commissioner of Police thereafter directed that he should be taken to the Police Medical Services, Owerri, where he would be accorded medical attention as a result of the attack. He has therefore been accorded adequate security cover to proceed on his other legitimate engagements for the day.”

NNPC Foundation Trains Youths Corps On Financial Literacy, Targets Over 200,000 Graduates

Greenbarge Reporters

November 10, 2023

The NNPC Foundation, in partnership with Kudimata Nigeria Limited, a financial education outfit, have trained the Batch C members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in basic financial literacy skills.
A statement today, November 10 by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Limited, Femi Soneye said that the training scheme has been designed to build the capacity of youth towards making them employers of labour.
He said that the training, which aligned with the objectives of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) scheme of NYSC, had its maiden edition featuring Batch B stream in the past months.
“So far over 118,000 youth corps members have been trained in financial literacy, while about 70,000 are being trained across the 37 NYSC orientation camps in the country.
Soneye quoted the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, as describing financial literacy as not only the bedrock of all successes in the ever-competitive labour market, but a journey towards attaining self-actualization, thereby heralding the trajectory to sustainable prosperity of the nation.
Arukwe implored the corps members to leverage on the knowledge garnered from the training to avert white collar job syndrome, adding that the NNPC Foundation is committed to impacting the youth corps members to become employers of labour.
“We are partnering with both NYSC and Kudimata to bring financial literacy to the corps members, as this will help them make better-informed decisions. We are very passionate about young people and NYSC is a veritable ground as it cuts across 20 to 30 years old youth, thus, making it the right demography.
“This programme cuts across the 36 states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This is the first step towards a series of programmes that will culminate in instilling entrepreneurship in the Corps members. After this training, those who pass the examination by 70 percent will move to the next stage. The next stage will keep them better informed on how to run businesses to ensure success in their businesses.
“Thereafter, we will do a pitching where those who are properly trained will be selected and be given start-up kits to go ahead and be on their own.”
The MD noted that unemployment has remained the greatest problem of young graduates, saying: “We are aware of unemployment as a challenge plaguing young graduates and we recognize the need to empower the youths through capacity building of this magnitude for them to empower the whole nation.
“This training will help reduce unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria, thereby making the corps members employers of labour.”
Speaking also, the FCT Coordinator, NYSC, Shokpeka Winifred expressed profound gratitude to both NNPC Foundation and Kudimata Nigeria Ltd for their unwavering support to empower the corps members to enable them to become self-reliant individuals and wealth creators.
Winifred described the training as a platform for young people to learn the best ways of managing their finances, while also grooming them to become good managers of resources.
“Going forward, I’m confident that they will put what they have learnt to use by utilizing their funds well as they are now aware of how to earn, maintain and multiply their finances. “We are striving to see them becoming business owners tomorrow through further mentorship.”
One of the corps members at the NYSC orientation camp in Abuja, Prudence Enema said: “I’m thrilled that the NNPC Foundation took their time to train us on financial literacy, we are aware that financial literacy is very important, and we have learnt a lot on how to multiply our money in order not to suffer in the future.”
Another corps member, Okeke Ugochukwu said that the training is worthwhile as the importance of saving and categorization of finances were taught effectively.

Nigeria Just Strikes Oil And Gas Partnership Deal With Saudi Arabia

Editorial staff

November 9, 2023

Nigeria has entered into a preliminary partnership agreement with the kingdom of Saudi on energy-related cooperation.

The Saudi Energy Minister, Abdulaziz bin Salman, at the Saudi-Arab-African economic conference in Riyadh today, November 9, said that the agreement with Nigeria and other African countries is to have a joint action in the field of energy.

This was even as the

Saudi Finance Minister, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, also said at the conference that the Saudi Fund for Development will sign agreements worth two billion riyals (USD 533 million) with African countries.

“We are working with partners to support Ghana and other countries regarding their debt.”

With the recent global pandemic COVID-19, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Saudi-Africa Summit is seeking to fill the gaps and increase economic growth within the Arab-African trade zone.

The Arab-African trade is believed to possess the potential to shoot to over $37.6 billion by 2027, a 31 percent increase over the 2021 value.

By resolving trade barriers and channelling investment into sectors with growth potential, such as plastics, machinery and energy, by 2027 the Arab State could increase annual export to Africa by $26.4bn and Africa by $11bn to the Arab States.

While African exports to Arab States have been on the ascendency over the past decades, exports of Arab States to Africa have not increased in recent years.

Source: Persecond News

University Professor Returns N1.1 Million Wrongly Paid Into His Account

Greenbarge Reporters

November 9, 2023

A senior lecturer in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Professor Umar Ka’oje has voluntarily returned the sum of N1,153,953.36 wrongly paid to him by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
According to information, the money was paid to the don after expiration of his teaching contract with the nation’s apex military academy.
The Commandant of the NDA, Major General John-Ochefu Ochai, visited the Professor in Zaria yesterday, November 8, to deliver a letter of commendation from NDA to him, dated Sept. 11.
The Head of the Department of Political Science and International Studies, Dr. Rahanatu Lawal, who received the Commandant: said: ”Only a few people today could exhibit Professor Ka’oje’s uncommon moral courage stressing such exemplary character should be emulated.”
This was even as the commandant said that he had to follow up the letter of commendation earlier written to the professor with the physical visit to further show appreciation for such act.
According to him, the act exhibited by Ka’oje was extremely rare in Africa’s clime.
He pledged the NDA’s readiness to further honour the professor at an appropriate time.
The commandant also expressed gratitude to the department for its well established culture of training leaders to be honest and accountable.
In his response, Ka’oje commended the academy, saying: ”the Commandant equally deserved commendation for recognising and rewarding honesty.”

How Russia-Ukraine Conflict Affects Nigeria’s Crude Inflow Into International Markets – NNPCL

Greenbarge Reporters

November 9, 2023

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confessed that the lingering conflict between Russia and Ukraine has negatively impacted Nigerian crude oil inflows in the international oil market, leading to a dip in demand from the once-dependable Asian market at the onset of hostilities in the Eastern bloc.
The Executive Director, Crude & Condensate, NNPC Trading Limited, Maryamu Idris, said in a panel presentation at the Argus European Crude Conference in London, that in addition to the substantial price shocks impacting commodity and energy prices globally, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has triggered a situation where India, a primary destination for Nigerian grades, increased its appetite for discounted Russian barrels to the detriment of some Nigerian volumes.
“To illustrate the extent of this shift, Nigeria’s crude exports to India dwindled from approximately 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the six months preceding the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine to 194,000 in the subsequent six months afterwards. And so far, this year, only around 120,000 bpd of Nigerian crude volumes have made their way to India.”
She said that the Nigerian crude flow to Europe has increased in a bid to fill supply gaps left by the ban on Russian crude, pointing out that six months before the war, 678,000 bpd of Nigerian crude grades went to Europe, compared to 710,000 bpd six months later and 730,000 bpd so far this year.
“This trend makes it evident that Nigerian grades are increasingly becoming a significant component in the post-war palette of European refiners. Several Nigerian distillate-rich grades have become a steady preference for many European refiners, given the absence of Russian Urals and diesel. Forcados Blend, Escravos Light, Bonga, and Egina appear to be the most popular, and our latest addition — Nembe Crude – fits well into this basket. This was a strong factor behind our choice of London and the Argus European Crude Conference as the most ideal launch hub for the grade,” Idris also said.
On production challenges, Idris said that Nigeria had faced production challenges aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including reduced investment in the upstream sector, supply chain disruptions impacting upstream operations, ageing oil fields, and oil theft by unscrupulous elements. These factors, she said, contributed to production declines in the second half of 2022 and early 2023.
Idris, however, noted that the challenges are fast becoming a thing of the past with the introduction and implementation of a new framework for the domestic petroleum industry (the PIA of 2021), rejuvenating the business landscape, and re-positioning NNPC Limited to adopt a more commercial approach to the management of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources.
According to her, NNPC Limited has secured vital partnerships with notable financial institutions to promote upstream investments to restore and sustainably grow production capacity in the coming years.
“NNPC Limited is championing concerted efforts in partnership with host communities and private stakeholders to address the security and environmental challenges in the Niger Delta to further fortify production growth. “Suffice to say we have already begun seeing significant progress on the rebound. In September 2023, Nigeria recorded its highest crude oil and condensate output in nearly two years, reaching 1.72 million barrels per day. This, we believe, is just the beginning of our production rebound.”
She said that in addition to sustainably growing upstream production volumes, NNPC Limited is also increasing its participation in the downstream sector in line with a ‘wells-to-wheels’ approach, taking the country’s unique hydrocarbon molecules as close as possible to end-users.”
The vehicle for this, she said, is the restructured NNPC Trading Company, focused on growing NNPC’s presence in the global market for crude, condensate, gas, and petroleum products.
The Argus Crude European Crude Conference Panel Session was held with the theme, ‘The Invisible Hand: How Are Shareholders and Asset Managers Meeting the Crude Industry? What Does This Mean for the Future of Crude in Europe?’
Vice President Crude of Argus, James Gooder, moderated the event.

Tinubu Appoints Commissioners For National Population Commission In 20 States

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2023

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of twenty Nigerians to serve as Federal Commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC) with nine current Federal Commissioners being appointed for a second term in office.
They are:
(1) Hon. Emmanuel Trump Eke for Abia State
(2) Dr. Clifford Zirra for Adamawa State (reappointed)
(3) Mr. Chidi Christopher Ezeoke for Anambra State (reappointed)
(4) Barr. Isa Audu Buratai for Borno State (reappointed)
(5) Bishop Alex Ukam for Cross River State
(6) Ms. Blessyn Brume-Ataguba for Delta State
(7) Dr. Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu for Ebonyi State
(8) Dr. Tony Aiyejina for Edo State (reappointed)
(9) Mr. Ejike Ezeh for Enugu State (reappointed)
(10) Mr. Abubakar Damburam for Gombe State (reappointed)
(11) Prof. Uba Nnabue for Imo State (reappointed)
(12) Ms. Sa’adatu Dogon Bauchi Garba for Kaduna State
(13) Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa for Kano State
(14) Hon. Yori Afolabi for Kogi State
(15) Hon. Olakunle Sobukola for Ogun State
(16) Hon. Temitayo Oluseye Oluwatuyi for Ondo State
(17) Sen. Mudashiru Hussain for Osun State (reappointed)
(18) Ms. Mary Ishaya Afan for Plateau State
(19) Mr. Ogiri Itotenaan Henry for Rivers State
(20) Mr. Saany Sale for Taraba State (reappointed)
The President charged the new and returning NPC Federal Commissioners to successfully implement all measures taken by his administration to produce and effectively appropriate accurate population data with which lasting solutions to Nigeria’s socio-political and economic challenges can be conclusively developed and executed.

Nov 11 Guber Poll: Vice President Shettima Asks Bayelsa People To Join The Centre By Voting APC Candidate

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2023

APC Grand finale rally in Yenagoa…

Vice President Kashim Shettima has advised the people of Bayelsa State to vote the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylvia in the next Saturday, November 11 Governship election to enable them enjoy all the federal government’s goodies.
“It is high time the people of Bayelsa State joined the government at the centre. The opportunity is here and the time is now.”
Shettima, who addressed a mammoth crowd of supporters at the grand finale rally, said that what the Bayelsa people owe Timipre Sylvia are their support and loyalty for him to succeed.
“This is the more reason why all Bayelsans must come out on Saturday and rally round our party and candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, who is your own and known for his tenacity for excellence.”
The Vice President reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment towards the overall development of the Niger Delta as well as other parts of the country.
He said that Bayelsa State, like every other state in Nigeria, remained dear to the visions and developmental focus of the Tinubu administration.
According to him, a wholistic plan for the development of the Niger Delta and all parts of Nigeria in terms of infrastructure, technological advancements, education and harnessing of the bountiful resources has not only been mapped out but is being gradually laid out.
“My Principal, our President is a man filled with vision, willpower and total commitment to the Nigerian project. He is unwavering and in a rush to ensure the speedy development of the Niger Delta and all other parts of the country.”
The National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, described Sylva as a refined technocrat and politician who is committed to transforming and redefining the political, economic and developmental landscape of Bayelsa State.
This was even as the APC candidate, Chief Sylva, said that given his track record of excellence and commitment to service, his blueprint is meticulously tailored towards total revamping of the fortunes of Bayelsa State.
Chief Sylva pledged transparent utilization of resources of the state, adding that if elected, each and every part of the state will witness a transformation never imagined before, just as indigene and community participation in governance would be optimally held.

When Vice President Shettima Becomes Niger Delta Chief

Greenbarge Reporters

November 8, 2023

Vice President Kashim Shettima, (second from right), from Borno State in the far Northeast, transformed into a Niger Delta Chief, in the far South South, with their traditional attire, when he arrived today, November 8, to witness the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governship campaign rally in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.

Vice President Shettima in handshake with Niger Delta traditional rulers who turned up to welcome him to Bayelsa State.

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