UAE Has Not Totally Closed Visa For Nigerians – Ambassador

November 13, 2023

The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi has said that his country visa restriction for Nigerians is not total.
According to him, the travel restrictions were introduced to close existing gaps.
Ambassador Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, who spoke when he visited the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike in Abuja today, November 11, stressed that the door to the UAE is not entirely closed to Nigerians
“Regarding the Visa issue, I would say that the door is not closed, but it’s not widely open “We issue a lot of visa daily. A lot of people from Nigeria go to the UAE and come back with very easy access to get the visa.”
The Ambassador was responding to the minister request for the review of the visa ban on Nigeria.
Wike referred to the lingering issue of travel bans and flight restrictions imposed on Nigerians by the UAE, saying that Nigerians love the UAE, especially Dubai.
He requested for a quick resolution of the process of Visa allocation, which he said us becoming too cumbersome and hindering smooth relations.
“We also hope that the issue of visa ban and flight restriction of the United Emirates will be resolved as soon as possible.
“Nigerians love UAE, Dubai especially. We believe that we will not have hindrance in terms of visa procurement.”

Group Thumbs Up For Kogi Gov-Elect, Ododo

November 13, 2023

A socio cultural group, Ebira Youth Congress (EYC) has sent a message of congratulation to Kogi State Governor-elect, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on his victory at the Saturday, November 11 election.

The group confessed, in a statement today, November 13, by its President-general, Aliyu Ateiza Obiyo, that members were excited by electoral victory of Ododo.

It suggested to the Governor-elect to give emphasis on what it called “all-inclusive administration,” when he formally assumes office.

The group advised that the victory should not diminish the sensibilities of the people, even as it called for adequate service delivery to engrave the names of leaders in the hearts of the electorates.

The EYC acknowledged the positive aspects of the outgoing administration and hoped that the incoming government will address its shortcomings to build confidence in the masses.

The group commended the serenity of the election process in the Kogi, attributing it to the efforts of the sitting governor, INEC and the voting public.

The EYC acknowledged that government is a conglomerate of interests, and called for cooperation and understanding among all segments to ensure that the State thrives.

It expressed the hope that the remaining part of Governor Yahaya Bello’s tenure would bring even greater comfort to the people of the State.

EYC looked forward to the fulfillment of all the pledges, particularly related to the Ebira Education Trust Fund, under the Governor elect, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Issues Around Past Census In Kogi Revisited, By Kenneth S. S Enebe

Greenbarge Reporters

November 13, 2023

Issues of population census has been endemicaly used and orchestrated as a tool of political domination for ethnic interest in Kogi State and to undermine human morality for rotational governance.
This has lingered on since the creation of the state in 1991, up to 2016.
Critical analysis has been revealed in the November 16, 2019 Kogi state governorship election, a testimony that proclamation of higher population in Kogi state has all been figures manufactured on paper, far from realities.
To buttress these are the comparative and circumstancial scenarios in 1963 ,1991 and 2006 Nigeria population census figures for each constituent of the state as shown below:-
In 1963:
Kogi Central – 208,995
Kogi Eeat – 161,603
Kogi West – 84,686
In 1991:
KC- 753456
KE- 949435*
KW- 444,865*
In 2006:
KC – 928,655
KE – 1,484,345
KW – 909,746
Population increases :-
KC 1963 – 1991 – 544, 461 KC 1991-2006 – 175,199 KE 1963 -1991 – 787, 832 KE 1991- 2006 – 534,910 KW 1963 -1991- 360,179 KW 1991- 2006 – 464,881
It is on record that in 1963, census was conducted on the basis of Division Locality with kogi Central (Ebira Division), Kogi East (Idah, Dekina and Ankpa Divisions) and Kogi West ( Kabba Division)
The United Nations approved minimum population percentage growth over 10 years circle, but over the years did not apply in Kogi Central, whose population degenerated to a mere increase of 175,199 between 1991 and 2006 census?
It is interesting to know that from 1963 to 2006, there was no war, famine, natural disasters, migration, etc; rather the people were actively fertile. Most of the people are Muslims and traditionalists who married multiple matrimony and therefore have more births, in addition to emigration of people for social and economic endowment activities.
What therefore should be the justification for Ebira Division population to crawl, growing 208,995, ridiculously, while that of Dekina, Idah and Ankpa Divisions population of 161,603 in 1963 respectively were ridiculously growing?
There is also the issue of the 2006 population census that have remained unattended.
It is on record and is contestable that people of Kogi East(Igallas) ganged up and desperately protested against Kogi state National population Commissioner, S.S Lawal for his removal prior to 2006 census and replaced him with Chief PKC Atuwo and Director, Dr.K.O Lawal, who were used and who requested for an additional 24 boxes of form NP.01 from NPC HQ that were meant for enumeration of 96,000 people which was exclusively diverted and distributed among the nine LGA of Kogi East thus:- Dekina 5, Ofu 2, Olamoboro 2, Igalamela Odolu 2, Idah 2, Ibaji 2, Ankpa3, Bassa 2 and Omala 4.
The European Union census officials were privy to the report of this manipulation.
These facts about Population Questions in kogi state should be an eye opener to all Kogite, especially those in the Central Senatorial District.
These questions are begging for answers and seeking for the normalization of the obvious anomalies.

Enebe wrote in from Abuja

Saudi Arabia Turns Back 177 Nigerian Passengers At Jeddah Airport, Cancels Their Visas

Greenbarge Reporters

November 13, 2023

The Saudi Arabian authorities have returned 177 out of a total of 264 passengers airlifted by Nigeria’s Air Peace on arrival in Jeddah from Kano, after cancelling their visas without advancing any reason.
Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper however said that out of the 264 passengers, only 87 were cleared by Saudi Arabian authorities after intense intervention by Nigerian embassy officials.
The flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos through the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on yesterday night, November 12, and arrived in Saudi Arabia’s major city on today without issues but on landing, Saudi Arabian authorities announced that all passengers’ visas were cancelled.
A source said that all passengers and the airline personnel were shocked at the cancellation of the visas because during the check-in, passengers went through the Advanced Passengers Pre-screening System (APPS), which was also monitored by the Saudi Arabian authorities before the flight left and departed Nigeria.
The source wondered whether what happened was a strategy to discourage the airline from operating to the destination because since it started the operation, it has been recording high load factors.
He said that even the flight which is expected to leave tomorrow , November 14, to Jeddah was already fully booked.
When the Nigerian embassy waded in, Saudi authorities were said to have reduced the number of passengers that would be returned to Nigeria to 177 from 264.
Saudi Air has been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia and since Air Peace started flight service to the Middle East nation at relatively lower fares, it has been receiving high patronage and as a Nigerian carrier, it helps to conserve foreign exchange for the country.
A source from the Nigerian embassy in Jeddah said that even the Saudi immigration personnel said they didn’t know who cancelled the visas but that they were cancelled when the airline was already airborne to Jeddah.
The source said: “The airline was exonerated in all this as the Advanced Passenger Pre-screening System (APPS) which is live between both countries would have screened out any invalid visa and its passenger. The system accepted all affected passengers and passed them on.”
Those deported were 177 passengers and Air Peace has already left with them back to Nigeria.
The source said: “They are on their way to Nigeria now.”
Industry observers attributed this to aeropolitics, saying that it is a way to force the Nigerian operator out of the route; unless the government intervenes, adopting the principle of reciprocity.
In his reaction to the incident, industry expert and the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security and Safety Consult, Nigeria, Group Captain John Ojikutu attributed the action of the Saudis to aero politics and diplomacy and asked that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should intervene in the case step in immediately.
He said that what happened showed why it is important for the Nigerian government to stand strongly with any Nigerian carrier designated to operate international destinations.
Ojikutu said that Nigeria should designate Nigerian airlines approved to operate out of the country as flag carriers, noting that the United States has no national carrier but all the airlines are supported by the government and are designated as flag carriers.
“The action of the Saudi Authorities is shocking. There is aero politics there and there is also diplomacy. There is the need for the Nigerian government to stand firmly with Nigerian carriers and also designate them as flag carriers; so that other countries will know that they represent Nigeria.
“Government must come out and intervene. The government must be behind Air Peace now to ensure that it is not denied its rights as contained in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between the two countries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must not keep quiet. Nigeria must not keep quiet. Ideally, the government is expected to stand behind any of the country’s airlines that it designates to fly overseas.”

Source: The Eagle online.

Diri, Of PDP, Re-Elected Bayelsa Governor

Greenbarge Reporters

November 13, 2023

The incumbent and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Douye Diri, has been declared the winner of the Saturday, November 11, Bayelsa State governorship election.
The INEC Returning Officer for the election and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Professor Faruk Kuta, announced the result of the election today, November 13, in Yenagoa, the state capital.
He said that Diri defeated his closest challenger and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, by over 65,000 votes.
He said: “That Diri Douye of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
Diri scored 175,196 votes, while Sylva polled 110,108 votes, with the Labour Party having a paltry 905 votes to come a distant third.
All the results
Southern Ijaw LGA
APC: 18,174
LP: 119
PDP: 24,685
Brass LGA
APC: 18,431
LP: 83
PDP: 12,602
Sagbama LGA
APC: 6,608
LP: 217
PDP: 35,504
Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA
APC: 5,349
LP: 22
PDP: 18,465
Ogbia LGA
APC: 16,319
LP: 57
PDP: 18,435
Yenagoa LGA
APC: 14,534
LP: 244
PDP: 37,777
Nembe LGA
APC: 22,248
LP: 113
PDP: 4,556
Ekeremor LGA
APC: 8,445
LP: 50
PDP: 23,172.

NNPCL Restores 275,000bpd Production As PENGASSAN, NUPENG Suspend Strike

Greenbarge Reporters

November 13, 2023

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) has restored 275, 000 barrels of oil per day production.

This came on the heels of the suspension of the strike embarked on by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The suspension of the strike came with the intervention of NNPCL after long dispute between the management of Total Energies, operator of the NNPC/Total JV and the two unions.

A statement today, November 12, by the NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, said that all parties are committed to resolving the issues within an agreed time frame.

The statement reads: “Following a peace deal brokered on Sunday by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, between the Management of Total Energies, operator of the NNPC/Total JV, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the unions have agreed to suspend ongoing industrial action leading to immediate restoration of 275, 000 barrels of oil per day production.

“In a communique issued at the end of a marathon negotiation session chaired by Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPCL, all parties committed to resolving all the issues within an agreed framework.

“The communique was signed by Total Energies MD/CEO Mr. Matthieu Bouyer, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Festus Osifo and NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha. It was witnessed by NNPC Ltd, EVP Upstream, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, and Mr. Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, (NUIMS). Also in attendance was Mr. Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Total Energies.”

Reports have it that the restoration of the 275, 000 barrels of oil per day production draws Nigeria close to the expected production threshold of 1.8 million bpd set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Nigeria’s oil production increased to 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) in October, making it the highest record production since January 2023.

Routine Turnaround Maintenance Won’t Amount To Total Shutdown – NLNG

Greenbarge Reporters

November 13, 2023

The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has made it clear that the routine turnaround maintenance which it is embarking on will not result in a total shutdown.

The company was reacting to a media report on 12th November 2023, titled: “Gas Supply Constraints May Worsen in Nigeria, as NLNG Embarks on Plant Maintenance by February 2024,” alluding to an alleged total shutdown of the company’s six-train plant over a proposed maintenance operation scheduled for February or March 2024.

In a statement by the

General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Andy Odeh, the NLNG “categorically states that this report is false.

“The Company’s commitment to the safe and uninterrupted functioning of its plant underscores the significance of routine turnaround maintenance, referred to technically as a “Shutdown.”

The statement said that contrary to the report, a routine turnaround maintenance, while temporarily taking a specific train or unit offline for maintenance purposes, does not entail a complete shutdown of the entire plant.

“The meticulous planning and execution of this essential activity allows for the seamless transfer of production loads to unaffected trains, resulting in minimal impact on overall production.

“The shutdown, alluded to in the report is a routine turnaround maintenance and is part of NLNG’s production calendar.

“NLNG takes exception to the disconcerting lack of factual accuracy in the report, highlighting the evident absence of discretion.

“The company emphasises its track record of global achievements during turnaround maintenance, consistently setting high standards in safety and project management to ensure the continued operational efficiency of its assets.

“A classic example of NLNG’s achievements is the deployment of the Add-On Gate Valve (AOGV) technology in 2022 which involved the replacement of a critical valve while the plant remained online and active.

“NLNG plant was the first in Africa to implement this technology and its 36” line was the largest pipe size across the globe that the AOGV has ever been deployed on.

“It is this kind of engineering excellence and unparalleled maintenance execution discipline that NLNG is known for.”

The oil and gas giant insisted that the media report was not fact-based and was deprived of any balance, in contradiction to the ethics of responsible journalism, as no spokesperson of the Company was reached for comments.

“In light of these discrepancies, NLNG urges for accuracy in conveying the nuanced details of the energy industry.”

BREAKING: APC’s Ahmed Usman Ododo Wins Kogi Governorship Election

Greenbarge Reporters

November 12, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, as the winner of the Kogi state off-cycle governorship election.
The declaration was made on today, November 12 (night) by the state Returning Officer for the election, Professor Johnson Urama.
The APC candidate polled 446,237, while his closest rival, Alhaji Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, of the Social Democratic Party (PDP), polled 259,052.
Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came third with the total votes of 46,362, closely followed by Abejide Leke of the African Democratic Confess with the total votes of 21, 891.
Source: PRNigeria

INEC Tentatively Fixes Nov 18 For Election In 9 Suspended Polling Units In Kogi Guber Poll

Greenbarge Reporters

November 12, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has tentatively fixed next Saturday, November 18, for the election to be held in nine wards in which election was suspended over discovered malpractices in the Kogi State governorship election held yesterday, November 11.
The nine Wards are Eni, Okibo, Okesi, Ileteju, Aiyeromi, Ugugu, Obinoyin, Obatgben and Oturu, involving 59 Polling Units and 15,136 registered voters.
In a statement today, November 12, the INEC’s
National Commissioner & Member
Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said that in the case of Ogori/Magongo LGA, only the result of Oshobane Ward II with eight Polling Units and 2,264 registered voters has been collated.
“In line with Section 24 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 59 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines on the Conduct of Elections 2022, fresh election will be held on Saturday 18thNovember 2023 in the affected Polling Units.
“The decision to hold fresh elections is subject to the Returning Officer’s determination of the application of the Margin of Lead Principle. “However, this decision is without prejudice to our avowed commitment to follow the audit trail of personnel and materials to ascertain those who may have been complicit in undermining the process and apply appropriate sanctions where necessary.
According to Mohammed Haruna, the new decision has been taken following an update received from the Kogi State office, regarding the suspension of election in some locations in the State where result sheets were completed before the commencement of voting.
“The most critical incident occurred in nine out of 10 Wards in Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area (LGA).
“We received reports of similar and other incidents in Adavi (5 Polling Units in Okunchi/Ozuri/Onieka Ward), Ajaokuta (5 Polling Units in Adogo Ward), Okehi (1 Polling Unit in Eika/Ohizenyi Ward) and Okene (5 Polling Units in Obehira Uvete Ward). Results from the affected Polling Units have been accounted for in Form EC40G for the four LGAs.”
He assured the voters in Kogi State that their votes will continue to count and their wishes respected.

Akpabio To Gov Uzodinma: Congrat For The Rough Road To Victory

Greenbarge Reporters

November 12, 2023

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has congratulated Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state on the rough road he trode to victory in the election conducted yesterday, November 11.
In a letter to the reelected Governor, the Senate President recalled the many obstacles Uzodinma passed through to victory.
According to Akpabio, “despite threats, attempted strikes and manipulated blackmail from enemies of your people, God took control.”
He commended the resilience and commitment of the Governor to genuine democratic practices.
“Good governance has triumphed over propaganda.

“Your Excellency, I wish to heartily congratulate and rejoice with you and the people of Imo State on your well-deserved re-election as the Executive Governor of Imo state. Your victory is a testimony of your excellent performance in office in the last four years.
“I must say, this victory is an affirmation by the Ndi Imo of your sterling leadership qualities and confirmation of your outstanding performance and delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people.
“It is also an indication that our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is firmly established in the South East and accepted by the good people of the region.
“On behalf of the APC family in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I congratulate you on this resounding 2nd term victory and pray for God’s wisdom to translate this victory into more tangible dividends of democracy for the good people of Imo state.”
Senator Akpabio also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for refusing to give into blackmail and conducting a free and fair elections.
“I commend INEC for providing a level playing field for all the candidates and for conducting a transparent elections. I also commend the security agencies for keeping the trouble makers at bay and ensuring a peaceful conduct during the polls.
“I urge you to be magnanimous in victory by extending your hands of fellowship to your fellow contestants and see this re-election as a renewed mandate to build on the foundations that you have already laid towards improving the lives of the people of Imo State.”

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