Nigerian Content Development Kickstarts Construction Of Ondo Oil And Gas Park Soon

July 25, 2023

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has assured that construction of a low-cost manufacturing hub for equipment components and spare parts used in the oil and gas industry will start in Ondo State soonest.
Located at Ilaje, Ilaje Local Government Area of the State, the facility is one of the six being built in different parts of the country under NCDMB’s Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGAPS) in furtherance of its corporate mandate to develop in-country capacity in the oil and gas industry.
NOGAPS, at Odukpani, Cross River State, and at Emeyal 1, Bayelsa State, are at 99 per cent completion, according to a statement today July 25, by the corporate department of the NCDMB.
The statement quoted the NCDMB’s Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Akintunde Adelana as informing top government functionaries, including Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, industrialists and investors as well as representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU), that the agency is conceived to provide “a springboard to galvanise different sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

He said that the oil and gas industrial parks, developed by the Board in conjunction with Shell Petroleum Development Company, ExxonMobil and Nigerian Agip Oil Company (with particular reference to NOGAPS, Emeyal 1 and NOGAPS, Odukpani) consist of manufacturing shop floors and factories, warehouses, training centres, mini estates, fire stations, truck parking and holding spaces, hostels and administrative blocks. They are intended to eliminate importation of equipment components and spares required in oil industry operations.
Speaking on Day 1 of the ongoing “Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit,” in Akure, the state capital, Adelana said that in line with the core mandate of the Board, which revolves around “domesticating and domiciling value-adding activities in the oil and gas industry,” regulations on utilisation of home-grown resources, that is, local manpower, technical services of indigenous firms, goods manufactured locally as well as raw materials available in the country, have been rigorously enforced.
With specific reference to Ondo State, he emphasised that NCDMB wants “to align with the State Government, support the State to ensure that her dreams and aspirations come to reality.” He said Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centres have been built in parts of the State to facilitate digital education and thus equip the youth with appropriate skills for gainful employment and self-development.
On the Board’s role in facilitating access to energy, Adelana, who represented the Board’s Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, said an effective way of doing it is by building capacities, which NCDMB has done consistently since its creation in 2010 through trainings for manpower development, equity participation in companies like Waltersmith Modular Refineries, blending plants and cylinder manufacturing companies, as well as strategic interventions in funding to indigenous companies through the Nigeria Content Development Fund, and sundry initiatives.
Earlier, the Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed appreciation to the Local Organising Committee of the Summit, the international partners, being the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and European Union (EU), “for their invaluable contribution and support,” industrialists and investors as well as sponsors, namely, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Toyota, JETOUR and Green Energy.
He assured industrialists and prospective investors that Ondo is resource-rich and investment-friendly, noting that the Develop Ondo 2.0 Investment Summit “aims to attract US$2 billion investment” to the State. Recalling successes attained since the earlier edition tagged Develop Ondo 1.0 Investment Summit, he said, “2.0 symbolises our drive for continuous improvement and innovation.”
He said that the State is on the cusp of a remarkable industrial revolution.
He drew attention to investment opportunities in the ongoing “development of an inland gas corridor,” Port Ondo Project, and the Ondo Industrial City, which is envisaged to have a free trade zone status.
The NDDC, which is Platinum Sponsor of the Summit, assured the Government of Ondo State of its continued support in its development efforts. The Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, also noted that the Niger Delta would need to plan ahead for a life without revenues from oil as international oil companies are steadily divesting from Nigeria. According to him, “NDDC is looking beyond oil,” noting that if present-day leaders failed to plan and utilise resources judiciously, future generations would demand explanation.
Emphasising the depth of his conviction on the need for collaboration with stakeholders, he said, “I will ensure my Commission is always on the same page with our Governments on development matters.” He assured that Budget 2024 of the Commission would be prepared with participation of all state governments within the areas covered by its mandate to ensure that only projects that matter to the people are captured.
Other speakers at the three-day Summit with the theme “Developing Possibilities” include Engr. Razaq Obe, Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources/Chairman, Organising Committee; Ruben Alba Aguilera, Acting Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the EU to Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Ms. Fati Attahiru, Deputy Resident Representative – Operations, A.I./UNDP Nigeria. The Summit will end on Wednesday, 26 July.

Suspended CBN Governor, Emefiele Appears Before Court, Granted N20 Million Bail

Greenbarge Reporters

July 25, 2023

Suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has finally been taken to Federal High Court in Lagos today, July 25. This was even as the court granted him N20 Million bail, shifting the trial proper to November 14, 2023.
He was charged with possession of a gun and ammunition without a licence by the Department of State Services (DSS) after being detained for over a month now.
The secret police had picked him up at his Lagos residence and flew him to Abuja.
Meanwhile, Justice Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High in Lagos has admitted Emefiele to bail in the sum of N20million and adjourned his trial to November 14.
Emefiele is standing trial on a two-counts charge bordering on possession of a single barrel shot gun, as well as possession of123 rounds of live ammunition without licences
At the court today, July 25, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After his plea, defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN) who led four other senior advocates, informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the defendant.
Dedence counsel told the court that same had been served on the prosecution, adding that there is a stamp of the office of the Attorney General as proof.
But the prosecutor, Mrs. N.B Jones, objected to the bail application on the grounds that she had not been served with a copy of the application.
She informed the court that her office had been on the look out for a possible bail application of the defendant but had seen none.
She added that since she has just been aware of the application in court, she then requires time to respond by way of affidavit, since facts have been deposed.
She said that since there is no sitting Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) at the moment, the defence could not have effectively served same.
But defence counsel told the court that the prosecutor had no excuse not to proceed today in response of the bail application as same had been duly served on prosecution’s office.
He argued that the office of the AGF is a creation of statute, and so cannot exist in a vacuum.
In a short ruling the court agreed with the submission of defence counsel, and urged him to move the defendant’s bail application.
Moving the application, defence counsel urged the court to admit the defendant to bail as he is not a flight risk being, a reputable former Governor of CBN.
He told the court that the defendant had been kept in custody for long and had lost so much weight and so, requires medical attention.
Defence also informed the court that the defendant will be available to stand trial , adding that assuming the prosexutor had produced a witness, the defence would have been ready to proceed.
He therefore, urged the court to grant the defendant bail.
In response, the prosecutor informed the court that she wss opposed to the bail application of the defendant as he was a flight risk
She told the court that the defendant had refused to submit his international passport which indicates such flight risk
Besides, she also told the court that being a very influencial citizen of Nigeria, the defendant could also interfere with the case and evidences intended to be led by prosecution.
She urged the court to refuse bail
In his rulling, Justice Oweibo agreed with the submission of the defence counsel on the grounds that the offence for which the defendant is charged is bailable.
The court held that bail can only be denied where any of the circumstances set out in section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, is established.
The court held that the prosecution has not furnished such circumstances before the court.
The court consequently, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.
The court held that the surety must depose to an affidavit of means. and have a landed property .
He urged that the defendant be remanded in custody of the correctional service pending perfection of bail.
In the charge, the prosecutor, told the court that the defendant who resides at No 8 Colorado street in Maitama Abuja, committed the offence on June 15, at No. 3b Iru close, Ikoyi Lagos.
He was alleged to have in his possession a single barrel shot (Jojeff Magnum 8371) without licence.
The defendant was also alleged to have in his possession, 123 rounds of live ammunition cartridges, without licence.
The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 4 and 8 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Law of the Federation, 2004.
Source: NAN.

Nigeria’s VP, Shettima, In Tete-a-tete with Italian PM

Greenbarge Reporters

July 25, 2023

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima holds a bilateral talk with the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni on the side of the UN Food Systems Summit in Rome ,Italy yesterday, July 24.

Nigerian Govt Mobilises $500 Million For Food System Transformation – VP Shettima

Greenbarge Reporters

July 25, 2023

Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima has said that the government of Bola Tinubu has mobilized over half a billion dollars ($500 million) for innovative and sustainable food system transformation initiative for the country.
The Vice President, who chaired a high-level meeting of the UN Food Systems Summit in Rome, Italy yesterday, July 24, said that the funds were mobilised “through domestic resources, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, climate funds leading agro-businesses.”
According to him, the fund would be used for innovation finance for food system transformation; development of Nigeria’s agro value chain and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programmes.
Vice President Shettima said: “in this event, the Government of Nigeria will be showcasing its Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) as a unique example of a successful partnership between producers, the public sector and private operators.
“The VCDP which is co-funded by the of Nigeria and IFAD has empowered vulnerable farmers and youth to engage into commercial partnerships with some of the biggest food processing and marketing firms in the world such as OLAM, a world leading agri-business company operating in over 60 countries with an annual revenue of about $39.8 billion.”
Shettima said that building on the success of the VCDP, the Federal Government is determined to capacitate Nigeria’s rural smallholders and operators, youth and women living below the poverty line to take advantage of the new Special Processing Zones.
On the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ), Vice President Shettima said that it would bring together local governments, IFAD, AfDB, IsDB, GCF, OLAM and other private actors alongside the government of Nigeria for transformative financing of food systems that leaves no-one behind.
While featuring in the panel discussion with the Prime Minister of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud; Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Ouhoudou Mahamadou, the Vice President said that President Tinubu is determined to transform the concept and meaning of modern governance by demonstrating commitment towards the food system in the country.
According to him: “President Tinubu hit the ground running from day one of his administration, which is barely two months in office, and has therefore declared state of emergency in food security and took it as a livelihood item within the National Security Council.”
On removing impediments to economic recovery, he said: “we had two albatrosses around our necks: subsidy on petrol and multiple exchange rates system.
“We withdrew the subsidy on petrol from day one, just like President Ruto did in Kenya. To mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal, the government embarked on the immediate release of grains and fertilizers.
“A commodity marketing board has been put in place to continuously review and monitor the prices of food items.”
“Along this way, the President has already approved the infusion of huge quantum of funds towards repositioning of our security architecture because we have similar problems with Somalia and Kenya, especially in the northeast and northwest regions of the country. We are repositioning our security architecture to provide support for farms and farmers.”
In attendance were the President of IFAD, Dr. Alvaro Lario, H.E. Muhammad Suleiman Al Jasser, President of Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Vice President of AfDB, Mrs. Hassatau N’Sele, Vice President of OLAM International Mr. Reji George and Vice President, Commodity Aaliance Forum (Representative of farmers) Mrs Ejim Lovelyn.
Declaring the Summit open, the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guteress commended the participating countries for their commitment to addressing the problems of hunger and malnutrition.
“This is the gathering about food system. It is essentially to fulfill those basic of human rights – the right to food. It is outrageous that people continue to suffer in the world of plenty.”

Family Of 2 Brothers, Shot And Wounded In Abuja By Vigilantes, Cry Out For Justice

Editorial staff

July 24, 2023

The family of two brothers who were shot and wounded by gun-totting Vigilantes in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have cried out to the authorities for quick intervention to get justice.

Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper showed that the vigilantes, who shot them had previously been convicted in Nasarawa State and publicly paraded online for involvement in ballot box theft and electoral violence.

The family of the two brothers, Abdulmalik Abubakar and Ibrahim Abdullahi, want urgent action on the culprits, who carried out the action recently in the Bobota/Dabi Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

It was gathered that the incident occurred when the two brothers were asleep in their room on Sunday, July 9, and the Vigilantes invaded the premises, opening fire indiscriminately.

As a result, both brothers sustained gunshot wounds in their legs and buttocks and were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

One of the victims, Abdulmalik, told our correspondent that he was shot because he refused to surrender his phone to the Vigilantes.

This is even as their sister, Jemilah, called for justice, saying that the family is facing financial constraints and cannot provide money for proper treatment of the injured brothers.

She said that the General Hospital Kwali initially rejected the victims, as a result of which they were taken to the Specialist Hospital Gwagwalada for medical attention.

She said that due to the required fee of N50,000 to conduct surgical operation on the victims, the family has been unable to proceed with the necessary medical procedures.

She said that the two brothers are orphans who have no means of raising the money for proper medical care, and pleaded to the authorities to come to their rescue, and to mete out necessary punishment on the culprits.

Following the incident, one of the suspects was arrested after the case was reported to the Kwali Police Division.

When contacted, Abdulkareem, one of the alleged culprits, admitted to being a member of the vigilante group but denied any involvement in the shooting.

He claimed to be a hunter and vigilante but denied knowledge of the incident.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the Federal Capital Territory FCT Command, Josephine Ameh has promised to get in touch with the Kwali Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for information regarding the incident and promised to provide further updates.

435 Children Killed Within 3 Months In Sudan’s War

Editorial staff

July 24, 2023

Report reaching us indicated that no fewer than 435 children have been killed and 2,025 injured since violence broke out three months ago in Sudan.

A statement today, July 24, by the UN children’s agency (UNICEF), described the impact which the conflict has had on children in Sudan over the last 100 days as unfathomable,.

The UNICEF deputy executive director, Ted Chaiban said that in total, the UN children’s agency has received reports of 2,500 child rights violations so far, but the number is actually likely to be much higher.

“Every day, children are killed, injured, abducted and witness schools, hospitals and vital infrastructure being damaged, destroyed or looted,” said Chaiban, who is currently in Sudan.

In Sudan, former Vice President, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo’s RSF militia, a paramilitary, made up of tens of thousands of fighters that emerged from Arab militias in Darfur is fighting the armed forces, led by de-facto President, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

Meanwhile, series of truces, brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States, have largely failed to hold amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

Source: dpa/NAN.

We’re Determined To Withdraw Mobile Police From VIP To Adequately Protect Ordinary Nigerians – Police Boss

Editorial staff

July 24, 2023

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has vowed to go ahead with the decision to withdraw Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel from certain important personalities, otherwise known as Very Important Personalities (VIP).

A statement today, July 24, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, quoted the IGP as saying that the decision to withdraw the Police Mobile Force personnel from escort and guard duties is part of ongoing efforts to optimize the allocation of resources and enhance the efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force in its core mandate of safeguarding the lives and properties of all citizens.

“The Inspector-General of Police remains resolute in his pursuit of reforms and initiatives that will enhance the professionalism and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.

“The decision to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIPs is driven by the need to create a more robust, efficient, and people-centered police force that caters to the security needs of all citizens equally.”

The statement which said that the withdrawal process has already commenced with a comprehensive report that had been submitted by the constituted committee assigned to oversee the seamless implementation of this directive, said that the IGP has activated the mobilization process for the establishment of the Police Quick Intervention Squad which precedes the withdrawal policy.

It said that just as the Nigeria Police Force is determined to ensure a smooth transition, it would remain committed to providing adequate security arrangements for VIPs who are entitled to such protection. “Meanwhile, the Force will carefully consider the provisions of Sections 23 to 25 of the Police Act 2020, in recruiting more supernumerary officers, to handle VIP security responsibilities.

“No VIP or critical infrastructure will be left unprotected as a result of the new policy.

The police boss called on members of the public and all stakeholders to support and cooperate with the Force during this transition period to strengthen the security apparatus and create a safer environment for everyone to thrive.

Police Arrest 4 suspected Boko Haram Members At Atiku’s Yola Resident

Editorial staff

July 24, 2023

Police in Yola, capital of Adamawa State, have arrested four men who confessed to be members’ of the dreaded Boko Haram at the Yola resident of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Atiku Abubakar.

A statement from Atiku Media Office said that at about 9:44 pm yesterday, July 23, a man seeking to confirm the residence of Atiku in Yola was apprehended at the gate of the residence.

The statement said that the man, who was apprehended by security operatives at the residence of Atiku was later handed over to the police.

“Upon further interrogation by the Police, the suspect identified himself as a 29 year-old Jubrila Mohammed and confessed to being a Boko Haram member from Damboa in Borno State.

“The suspect also informed the Police that he and his colleagues, who were later arrested too, intended to attack organizations associated with Atiku Abubakar and some other sensitive locations in Yola.

“All four suspects have been handed over to military authorities.

“We commend the police for the work that they continue to do in this particular investigation.

“We further ask that other relevant security agencies remain on top of their brief.”

Drug Law Enforcement Agency Seizes 5 Million Tramadol Worth N3.7 Billion In Lagos

Greenbarge Reporters

July 24, 2023

Officials of Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has impounded over five million pills of Tramadol worth N3.7 billion at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos.
In a statement, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said that the seizure was achieved through the collaboration of men of the Nigeria Customs Service and others working at the airport’s DHL cargo warehouse.
“Attempts to smuggle 98 cartons containing 5,122,900 pills of Tramadol 225mg with an estimated street value of about N3.7bn only into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, have been thwarted through the robust synergy between men of the Nigeria Customs Service and NDLEA officers at the airport as well as those at the DHL cargo warehouse.”
The NDLEA spokesman said that preliminary investigations revealed that the consignments were imported from India and Pakistan, while some of the seized consignments had Freetown, Sierra Leone as the final destination.
The Agency also arrested a suspected drug kingpin identified as Charles Uwagbale in his hotel room in the Okota area of Lagos.
The NDLEA alleged that the 43-year-old Uwagbale have been sponsoring young Nigerians to move “Class A” drugs to European countries.

Vice President Shettima Goes To Italy, Russia, To Represent Tinubu At Summits

Editorial staff

July 23, 2023

Vice President Kashim Shettima has left Nigeria for Rome, capital of Italy and St Petersburg in Russia to represent President Bola Tinubu at two major international Summits.

A statement from the Presidency said that the Vice President, who left today, July 23, will, in Rome, join other global leaders for the first Stocktaking Moment (STM) Summit, themed: “Transforming Food Systems for People, Planet and Prosperity.” It scheduled to hold tomorrow, July 24 and end on July 26.

The statement said that during the Summit, the Vice President will chair a high-level session themed: “Innovative Financing for Food System Transformation: the Case of Nigeria” and the side event on ”Scaling up Multi Stakeholders Collaboration and Investment in the Implementation of Food Systems Transformation Pathways in Nigeria.”

It said that the event is being organized in collaboration with the Rome-based UN Agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and World Food Programme (WFP), as well as the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and wider UN system.

“Vice President Shettima will then proceed from Rome to St. Petersburg in Russia to represent the President at the Russia-Africa Summit scheduled from Wednesday, 26th to Saturday, 29th July.

“While in Russia, the Vice President will join other political and business leaders at the 2nd Russia–Africa Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum focused on strategizing to enhance relations between Russia and the African continent, among other benefits.

“Also, Vice President Shettima will participate in bilateral meetings with representatives of relevant Russian senior government officials and business leaders to discuss relations between Russia and Nigeria.

“Vice President Shettima who is accompanied by senior government officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, is expected back in the country at the end of the week.”

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