The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has postponed the nightmarish day when the South African telecoms giant, the MTN would be made to face and maybe pay the sum of $5.2 billion (over N1 Trillion) standing against it as fine for failing to deactivate 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards.
The MTN was earlier given up to today, November 16, to pay the fine, but the communication regulatory agency extended the date to allow for negotiations, according to the mobile phone operator.
The new Executive Charmian of the company, Phuthuma Nhleko said the NCC had agreed that the fine will not be payable until the end of negotiations he entered into.
“Shareholders are advised that the executive chairman of the company, Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko, has personally met with the Nigerian authorities to continue the ongoing discussions with them regarding the fine,” a statement from the company said.
“These discussions include matters of non-compliance and the remedial measures that may have to be adopted to address this.
“Shareholders are advised that the Nigerian authorities have, without prejudice, agreed that the imposed fine will not be payable until the negotiations have been concluded.”
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is MTN group’s largest market where it had over 62.8 million subscribers by the second quarter of this year.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has launched an investigation into MTN for “possible insider trading” before the company announced it had been hit by the fine.
The probe could result in South Africa’s bourse operator slapping MTN with another hefty penalty or result in criminal charges. [myad]
Many buyers of the Nigeria’s crude oil are said to be dumping the country’s crude for substitute from Angola.
Information coming in shows that the situation has now forced Nigeria to search for buyers for 80 crude cargoes worth N3.5522billion, with experts saying that if the gloomy outlook continues, government might have to look beyond oil revenue to execute projects under the 2016 budget estimates.
Of 20 crude cargoes, only one was sold in November, even as the country is still struggling to find buyers for N2.679bn worth of the commodity.
The demand for Nigeria’s crude is said to be on the decline since price began a free fall last year. Specifically, about 35 million barrels remained unsold at the international market, last December.
This came at a time when crude production dropped by 17,300 barrel per day, from 1,919m barrel per day recorded in November to 1.902m barrel per day in the same month.
The decline in sales has been attributed to the switch to Angola’s crude grades by Asian countries. It will be recalled also that the United States stopped buying Nigerian crude, in preference for its own huge stock of Shale.
Nigeria’s oil stock for December has already gone on sale. Two weeks after, however, it is still available. According to reports, the total of unsold cargoes, last month, stood at 20, dropping to 15 cargoes, last week, according to trade sources. The little differential was attributed to trend in gasoline refining, which slightly increased demand for Nigeria’s Light Sweet crude.
A peep into the country’s crude performance at the market revealed that Exxon Mobil sold a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) of Qua Iboe and Zafira oil to international oil companies via a tender, while Total sold one VLCC load of Brass and Pazflor. Trafigura supplied a cargo of Bonny Light to Pertamina through a tender.
The decline in demand for Sweet Crude comes on the heels of downturn in production, as only about 63.34 million barrels of crude and condensate were produced in August, representing an average daily production of 2.04 million barrels.
This, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), represented a decline in production by about 6.16 per cent in July. All parties lifted a total of about 65.2 million barrels of crude oil and condensate in the same month, while NNPC lifted 21.5 million barrels on behalf of the federation. [myad]
Former Nigeria Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, has warned of looming war if the on-going agitation for Biafra in parts of the South-East and South-South is not properly handled by the Nigerian Government.
She sounded the warning in an opinion piece entitled ‘The Blood of The Innocent who died in 1967 – 1970 still cry NEVER AGAIN’ released over the weekend.
Iyom Anenih wrote: “The last thing anybody who has experienced a war will like to experience again or wish for anybody is a bloody war. There are no words and there are no images that can be gory enough to adequately describe it.
“The negative psychological, emotional and physical trauma can best be imagined but cannot be sufficiently described.
“I see a looming war in Nigeria. A war that will consume the whole country if allowed to conflagrate.
“What Nigeria is battling with in the North East will fizzle into child’s play if the insidious danger that is brewing in the South East is not nipped in the bud now.
“I have listened keenly to hear the voice of Igbo Leadership but was deafened by the silence that hit me. I have asked where the Igbo Leadership is but none is answering me. Is there no Igbo Leadership?
“Before you jump up to shoot me down with an accusation of being an ethnic jingoist, I beg you to keep your gun powder dry. I pride myself as a very broad minded, detribalised Nigeria. I am Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. I am from every part of Nigeria, I am a Nigerian.
“I speak of South East Leaders because in our political arrangements and agreements we have six geo-political zones. The extant reality is that every zone, grouping or region has a Leader or Leaders. The North has Leasers, the West has identifiable Leaders. The Leaders in the East remain incommunicado.
“Could it be why Nnamdi Kanu stepped into the space and proclaimed himself a Leader? Nature abhors a vacuum. The ‘Leader’ now has followers. Perchance I am wrong in my assertion or perception that there is no visible Leader in the South East. Maybe there is.
“Why is there a deafening silence on the issue of the agitation for self-determination by a group of individuals from the South East? Why is Nnamdi not told that he is usurping a position that is not his?
“People of Nigeria, we must not let what is happening in this country now spiral into a war. We cannot afford it, and it will be an all-consuming war. Let us not let the prophesy of Doomsday prophets who prophesied that there will be no Nigeria by 2015, come to pass.
“When Boko Haram started rearing its head in the North, people thought it was a local matter which did not merit the attention of the central Government. As it was snowballing and assuming a frightening character, it was called Insurgency by a few misguided miscreants. After many years and many lost and shattered lives it is now called a terrorist attack and a war.
“If we can recollect, they became uncontrollable when their leader, Yusuf, was killed and made a martyr.
“The agitation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its handling by Nigeria is not looking much different from the initial handling of BH. Nnamdi Kanu who could have been called a rabble rouser is now being made a hero and a martyr.
“Every person has a right to speak and articulate their opinions in a democracy. Nobody should attempt to crush or stifle the voice of secession protagonists. We have robust democratic structures like the National and State Assemblies in place that can engage anybody or group in constructive dialogue. There is a danger in any attempt to stifle any voice or crush peaceful protests. The alleged death of two unarmed protesters in Anambra at the hands of law enforcement agents does not augur well for a peaceful and amicable resolution of the agitation of a few misguided or not well informed protesters.
“One would rather like to know that the law enforcement agencies are carrying out careful and painstaking investigation into the root cause of this present agitation and who/what is fuelling the agitation with a view to proffering solutions and advising the Government appropriately.
“These now peaceful and unarmed protests should be handled delicately so that it does not get out of hand because of the insidious danger it portends.” [myad]
It has been confirmed by experts that over five million Nigerians are suffering from Diabetes within a period covering the last quarter of 2015, even as the cases of diabetics around the globe has equally spiraled.
As result of the rate of the increase and spread of the diabetic conditions, stakeholders in the health sector have raised the alarm.
The health experts who made this known at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja, to commemorate the 2015 World Diabetes Day, put the global figure of those currently having the health condition at 415 million.
They stressed that the global figure was projected to rise to 642 million people by the year 2035, unless drastic measures such as consumer policies and change in lifestyles, especially healthy nutrition were adopted to put a check on the rising figures.
According to the General Manager, Sanofi Nigeria-Ghana, Abderrahmane Chakibi: “Today, only one in two people living with diabetes know they have it. By 2035,,it is estimated that 642 million people will live with the condition, accounting for the majority of death and disability worldwide.
The Public Relations Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Shola Adeyemo has won an Outstanding Performance Award conferred on him by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Federal Capital Chapter. The award is in recognition of his service and contributions to the development of public relations practice in Nigeria and the hospitality industry in particular. The award was presented to him at the 26th Annual General Meeting/Conference of NIPR, Federal Capital Chapter which was held recently. In a citation for the award, the NIPR said that Adeyemo was honoured because of his outstanding personal attributes which he has harnessed over the years to lead a robust Public Relations Department in Transcorp Hilton Abuja. The NIPR added that besides being consistently displaying passion for the Public relations profession, he also possesses exemplary leadership skills, and role as a seasoned administrator and an accomplished public relations practitioner. Presenting the award to Adeyemo at a well-attended gala dinner, the National Vice President of NIPR thanked him for his high level of professionalism and continuous commitment to the growth of corporate communications in Nigeria. Responding, Adeyemo thanked the NIPR for the recognition and honour and pledged his commitment to promoting excellence in corporate communications in Nigeria. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police not to engage in electoral manipulation.
He made it clear that he expected nothing short of a free, fair and credible election, adding that having suffered election manipulation in 2003,2007 and 2011, he would not like to have any Nigerian go through the same experience. He warned against the intimidation of voters in anyway and vowed that he was prepared to move with all the force available to him against anyone who undermines the rights of any citizen. at a brief meeting today with INEC and the police boss, President Buhari stressed his determination to rebuild the electoral system.
He askedNigerians to be wary of the PDP’s fruitless attempts to destroy national institutions, starting with the courts, then the EFCC,then onto the Police and now they are on the one-week old INEC.
“When will PDP allow our national institutions to do their job?” [myad]
Chairman of Ashaka Cement Plc, Malam Suleiman Yahaya has revealed that the company has lost over N4.5 billion as a result of the Boko Haram attack on the company’s cement plant at Funakaye local government area of Gombe state.
The chairman who spoke today at the palace of the Emir of Gombe after presenting 100 bags of polished rice to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) resident in the state, lamented the loss which company, a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, is frightening. “In spite of the fact that we have lost over N4.5 billion from those two attacks, we are determined to ensure that Ashaka Cement is one of the only surviving institution in the entire North-eastern Nigeria.”
The Chairman said that specialized manpower were lost just as the security situation led to poor market and invariably dwindled income for the company. The company is believed to have lost over 10 trips of Ammonium Sulphate and more than 18 Toyota Hilux vans, 10 brand new ambulances were either taken away or vandalized by the insurgents. [myad]
Movement for the Actualization of a Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has made clear that they are determined to sacrifice anything to achieve their aim of attaining a status of Republic even as they condemned recent statement credited to Enugu Catholic priest Rev. Fr. Mbaka against the agitation for Biafra.
Describing his utterances as insensitive, un-guided and selfish, MASSOB Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu expressed shock in a statement that a revered Igbo clergy “will descend so low to make such a condemnable statement few days after Buhari’s wife visited him. “Mr. President should be aware that no amount of persuasion and friendship with Mbaka can frustrate or diminish the rising status, consciousness and global re awakening/acceptance of Biafra. “A man who speak with both sides of the mouth at a time is a hypocrite and is not worthy to be trusted. The Igbo Christians, Catholics and even The Pope will prove Mbaka wrong. Other Igbo clergy including Catholic priests are not in support of Mbaka’s anti Biafra comment. “This is why the Igbo youths and other citizens have lost confidence and trust on many Igbo leaders in Nigeria. “Biafra agitators are more determined to sacrifice our shops, businesses, jobs, comfort and even the supreme price for the sake of our freedom. “Mbaka himself benefited from the protests as his business through products like Aqua Rapha satchet/bottle water and Yogurts boomed as the demonstration lasted. During a sermon at his weekly Adoration Ministry in Enugu yesterday, Mbaka had condemned the recent agitation and protests for Biafra describing the action as `evil.’ The cleric urged youths in the South East and South-South to go back to their business as the protest could lead to their death. “Locking up your shops and disrupting economic activities will not add any naira to your pocket, whatever grievance you have could be resolved through dialogue. He lambasted those leaders that were behind the agitation and protests, saying that they should use their children for the struggle. [myad]
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is said to have began talks with prominent political leaders from the northern part of the country, including the present Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and former governor of Kano state, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwas, all belonging to All Progressives Congress (APC), for the 2019 presidential election. Also on the list are former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State
PDP had recently announced that it would zone its presidential ticket to the north, resulting in the National Working Committee of the party engaging in series of meetings with prominent politicians from the north, especially those who defected from PDP to APC.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, confirmed the secret meetings the leadership of the party had been having with its former members, saying that he was partaking in such meetings, even as he confessed that it would be premature to mention those who were contacted to return to their former party.
But he said the party is only considering those he said have electoral values and had yet to constantly condemn the party and everything it stood for in the past.
“Yes, I can confirm that we have opened discussions with our former members who left us due to misunderstandings and were aggrieved. We are already having meetings with them and I can assure you that the discussions are going to yield positive results.
“But for the fact that some of these gentlemen are holding sensitive positions in the APC and in government, we won’t be able to mention their names.
“They are not happy with the Federal Government and some of its policies and they have decided to team up with us come 2019.”
Danger seems to be looming in the Nigerian prisons across the country as the contractors supplying food items and gas to them have complained of being broke. The contractors complained that unless President Muhammadu Buhari and the new minister of Interior personally intervene to settle a total of N6 Billion they are being owed by the federal government, they would be grounded. The contractors, under the aegis of Nigeria Prison Service Ration and Gas Contractors (NPSRGC), stressed that if urgent measure is not taken to settle the backlog of the debt, they might not be able to supply food items and gas in the month of December as they have exhausted not only their financial resources but also the sources where they have been getting the money. In a Save-Our-Sour (SOS) letter, addressed to President Buhari, dated Friday, November 13, the contractors said that they have not been paid for the supply of the food items and gas to the prisons since January this year, and that they have resorted to taking bank loans with all the accumulative interests, even as some of them have had to dispose of their houses and other properties just so that they would meet up. The letter of appeal to the President, copies of which were sent to the minister of Interior, the Comptroller-General of the Prison and others, was signed by the association’s President, Chief S. K Sanni, National Secretary, Mr. Eugene Agro and the National Vice President (North West), Alhaji Ibrahim A. Asarakawa. The contractors made it clear that if they are not paid the outstanding money before the end of November, they would have no money to continue to supply food items and gas to the prisons in December, a situation which they said, poses great danger to the fragile security of the country. “Needless to say that if prisoners and inmates of the nation’s prisons are not fed for two days, they could go hay wire and the consequences are not good to imagine. We don’t want any national embarrassment for Mr. President and his new government.” The contractors said that before this year, they used to be paid two weeks ahead of time, but wondered why the system changed to the extent that they were the ones using their money to buy the food items and gas for the prisons before they were reimbursed. “We are therefore appealing to the Commander-In-Chief to mobilise funds from anywhere to settle our bill before it is too late, knowing that top on his priority is security. We have endured long enough.” [myad]
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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has postponed the nightmarish day when the South African telecoms giant, the MTN would be made to face and maybe pay the sum of $5.2 billion (over N1 Trillion) standing against it as fine for failing to deactivate 5.1 million unregistered SIM cards.
