Former Military Governor of Kaduna State, retired Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avoid those he called desperate Lobbyists.
In a statement today, July 11, Col. Umar said: “Mr. President, please avoid the company of people who show embarrassing desperation in lobbying for appointment in your government.
“Public Office is a trust which should not be extended to persons of dubious character particularly former Governors who have bankrupted their states and left them with heavy debt burden and deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines.
“You cannot afford to be diverted from the onerous task of reclaiming the country which Dr Umar Ardo correctly characterised as a failed state.”
President Bola Tinubu has appointed his long time media assistant, Tunde Rahman as his senior special assistant (SSA) on media matters, amongst 19 others.
Tunde Rahman, a native of Iwo in Osun State, was political editor of the Daily Times before he moved over to the Punch where he headed the Abuja bureau of the newspaper and later the group news editor of the paper at its headquarters in Lagos.
He moved to ThisDay newspaper in 2004 where he held several editorial positions, including the editorship of the Sunday paper. He left Thisday after 10 years in 2014.
He recently bagged an MBA from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
President Tinubu also appointed Ibrahim Masari as SSA on political matters while Abdulaziz Abdulaziz was appointed SSA on print media.
The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has confirmed that Nigerian boarders with neighbouring countries remain closed.
This is coming against the backdrop of the news making the rounds in social media that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the reopening of the borders.
The Comptroller General, who spoke to newsmen today, July 11, shortly after an audience with President Tinubu at the Presidential villa, Abuja, said that it is not true that all Nigerian borders have been opened.
“The status quo ante still exists in the borders.
“If you remember that the borders were completely shut down in 2018 up until 2022, when some selected strategic borders were reopened, that is to the situation as we speak.
“And this was why we had an adhoc arrangement of a special unit coordinated by the Office of the NSA to enforce that border closure.
“But as we speak, about five of them have been reopened. Four were initially reopened and two more were opened after that. And that is still the situation.
“There are ongoing processes to review this situation against the objective of the border closure itself. And the processes are not yet completed.
“And of course, when the borders are reopened, it’s not going to be subject of rumour in any way.”
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said that the discussion he had with the President bordered how to actively engage customs administration’s across the borders, particularly the strategic ones.
He said that the President stressed the need for them to work and collaborate to achieve common objectives of border security and regional integration.
“In the next one week, or thereabout, I will be paying an official visit to Republic of Benin, to have discussions with the Customs Administration of Benin, and see how we can take forward the issue of collaborations between us, the issue of border security, the issue of importation across the border, and more importantly, how we can deploy technological solutions to very complex border problems.
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi expressed gratitude to the President for finding him worthy of being appointed the Acting Comptroller General of customs and also to felicitate with him for his recent appointment as the chairman of ECOWAS.
“For us in the Nigerian Customs Service, ECOWAS represents a very bold attempt to forge regional integration, cooperation in border security and monetary affairs.
“And it is so good to note that my assumption of Office coincided with that period when attention will be focused on Nigeria holding the flag of regional integration.
“I had the opportunity to have very useful discussions and a very constructive engagement with Mr. President. And for all of you that have known him, I’ve worked with him very, very closely. You know that, Mr. President, is a very good listener.
“We had discussions regarding what customs can bring to the table, to actualize the vision of renewed hope for Nigeria, what customers can do in terms of addressing gaps in revenue generation in the customs, our enforcement strategies, and, most importantly, the issue of promoting port efficiency and competitiveness of our ports.
“So these are generally the issues that we discussed. And I believe that in the days ahead, we will be prioritising some of these issues for the benefits of the Nigerian economy.
On the report recently that the government is going to merge customs with some other revenue generating agencies like FIRS under one particular agency, the Customs Boss said that he too read the report but that there is no details yet.
“What I feel is that there is a common base between all those agencies that are generating revenue for the country. And then there are some cross cutting issues.
“There are some areas where we overlap. And there are some areas where we can complement each other. “But in terms of bringing the agencies together under one organization, we are yet to get details of that. And we’ll be waiting to get the details and see how that pans out.”
On the report that despite fuel subsidy removal, smuggling of fuel still persists, he said that it might take some time before the issue of smuggling of fuel across the border is completely dissipated.
“So in some border areas, we had reports of seizures of fuel and that is what we heard. So it was the assumption generally, that because of the fuel is now sold at N500 per liter, it will be a disincentive for smuggling. But contrary to that, we have seen that they are smuggling it across the borders.
“The rate at which this is being smuggled has reduced considerably. “And it is our hope that by the time we mix some of these other policies that government is working on, it will completely eliminate the problems of smuggling of fuel across borders.”
Government and People of Ogun State have welcomed home, former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who served for eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking at a public thanksgiving and appreciation reception organized by the Ikenne Development Association in his hometown, Ikenne, the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun described Professor Osinbajo as one who inspires, unites and empowers individuals to reach their full potential. According to the Governor, “Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s ability to inspire and unite people is truly extraordinary. He has fostered an inclusive and collaborative environment, encouraging teamwork and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. His leadership style has not only brought about tangible results but has also nurtured a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose among the good people of Ogun State.” While citing the great sons and daughters of Ogun State, Abiodun referenced the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, and noted how Prof. Osinbajo carries on the legacy and ideals of the former leader of the Western Region. He said: “years after his (Awolowo) demise, his ideals and belief in the entrenchment of good governance have continued to inspire us to strive for excellence. In furtherance of his legacy and ideology, Prof. Osinbajo has not only distinguished himself in his calling but also raised the bar in good governance. The Governor said that the government and people of Ogun “are all proud that Professor Osinbajo has exhibited an unwavering commitment to the socio-economic and political development of our dear Nation, Nigeria. “Personally, I take it as an utmost pride to be a brother, a mentee to this exemplary leader, and erudite Professor. His virtues of accountability, transparency, and commitment to the entrenchment of the rules of law are worthy of emulation.” The well-attended event had the presence of the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; Governor of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri; the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha as well as the Akarigbo of Remo, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Others include former Governors such as Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; Donald Duke of Cross River State; Otunba Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State and immediate past Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. Also in attendance were the Alakenne of Ikenne land, Oba Onakade, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, Wale Babalakin, SAN, Segun Awolowo, amongst others.
Cleaners at Kuje General Hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have cried out to the FCT Administration, the authorities, Civil Society Organizations and others to come to their rescue, from what they called “slave salaries.”
In a petition, obtained by Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper, the Cleaners complained that for nearly 15 years in which some of them have been engaged through private firm, their salaries have rose from N6,000 to N18,000.
They expressed worry that instead of the new private firm to increase the salary, in the light of the high cost of things, it reduced it to N15,000 per month.
The cleaners, in the petition signed on their behalf by two leaders who, we, at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper, would prefer to keep as anonymous, said that the new employer has asked any of them that is not comfortable with N15,000 to resign, without any benefit.
“They threatened to sack any of us that would not cooperate with them.”
The cleaners said: “the former cleaning company – Mamo Killa Cottage Industry Limited – had been paying eighteen thousand (N18,000) per month for the three years of operation in Kuje General Hospital, FCT, until the last salary which is not yet paid.
“The new cleaning company was signed by the Human and Health Services Secretariat this year by name Amangu Nigeria Limited, which started deduction of all the staff salary by N3,000. From previous N18,000 now to N15,000.
“With the economic meltdown in the country, which resulted to high prices of goods and services, and the reduction of number of staff from 20 to 18, the money cannot catre for food, transportation, house rent, children’s school fees and many others.”
The cleaners said that when the management of Amangu Nigeria Limited reduced the salary from N18,000 which was not even enough for them, to N15,000, it threatened to sack any of them that refused to cooperate.
“The work of cleaners including washing and cleaning of public toilets, cleaning of blood in accident case and in emergency, dressing of patients’ bed, etc.
“Even during the period of COVID-19, cleaners were not allowed to go home and rest despite the danger involved. And at the end of COVID-19, the hospital management or the consulting company did not show any appreciation, talk more of adding to our remunerations.
“In conclusion, we want the Civil society Organisations, patriotic Nigerians and the concerned authorities to come to our aid and rescue us from this situation. We are dying in secret because the money being paid to us cannot buy half a bag of rice, beans, corn or pay the school fees of our children or buy school uniform, take care of our transport fares and house rent, to mention but a few.”
Efforts made by our reporter to hear from Amangu Nigeria Limited management proved abortive as the top management of the kept dodging. They would neither receive phone calls nor respond to text messages.
Senior Pastor of Covenant Christian Centre, Poju Oyemade, has come under fire over his comments which insinuated that he is mocking the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25, 2023 polls in Nigeria, Peter Obi
Pastor Oyemade is the host of The Platform, which attracts resource persons to discuss matters affecting the nation. Obi was a frequent feature on The Platform.
The post, tagged: “The wisdom of Solomon,” made reference to the judgment of Solomon in the Bible in which King Solomon ruled between two women claiming to be the mother of a child.
Though the cleric did not mention any name or make reference to any political issue but his tweet was seen as questionable, especially with the post-election outcome, sparking a backlash and fierce criticism.
Oyemade wrote: “Solomon in his wisdom wanted to find out who the mother of the child truly was.
“He had a dilemma for the two women who claimed the child was theirs.
“Back then there was no DNA test so this could only be solved through unusual wisdom.
“Solomon said to bring out a knife and attempt to kill the baby.
“Whoever truly owned the baby will rather have the baby live even if not with her than to see the child die.
“There and then the owner of the baby was revealed for a true mother will rather see her baby live with another than witness the baby crying in deep pain as she bleeds to death under the slice of a sharp knife.
“Selah.”
Pastor Oyemade’s post attracted a flurry of reactions, with many alleging that the cleric “blocked” them because of their opposing views.
Reacting @CharmXtova: said: “Since the sham elections, everyone on the opposing side has pushed Obidients.
“They stole our mandate and asked us to go to court.
“We did.
“They said we shouldn’t come out to protest and allow the courts do their job (but they came out to protest).
“We allowed the courts do their job.
“They told us not to protest on inauguration day so as to not scuttle the peace of the Nation.
“We heeded.
“The case at the court have begun to seem like it’ll end in our favor, they have already started protesting and threatening the peace of the Nation.”
Dr. Kelvin Alaneme posited: “You cannot gaslight your way to the truth.
“As a pastor, you are meant to be an apostle of truth.
“But alas!
“It is a shame to see your unraveling.
“Retrace your steps before it is too late.
“You know the truth.
“Only that truth will set you free.
“Selah.”
Another commentator, Dr. Kelechi Ugonna (PhD), said: “Thank you @pastorpoju.
“And the disciples asked him, what is the meaning of this parable.
“And he said unto them.
“The baby is the seat of power in Nigeria.
“The mothers are the presidential contestants in the past election, and Solomon is the judiciary.
“The mother who stole the baby is that candidate who was illegally declared the winner with fraudulent documents.
“He did not care if he’s putting a knife through the heart of democracy in Nigeria, he wanted the prize at all cost.
“The other mother is the one who chose the path of peace through the courts to reclaim his stolen mandate, and asked his people to follow the process.”
@klez_evans1, said: “When talking about the wisdom of Solomon, let’s also talk about the process and condition a baby was put through before the real mother was found.
“That’s how to discern who is envisioning the larger picture, despite a personal sense of being exploited, aggrieved or taken advantage of.
“If you own it, your first priority will be its survival.”
A Private Security Contractor engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Messrs. Tantita Security Services has reportedly intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil on board.
A statement from the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPCL, Garba Deen Muhammad, said that the Vessel, MT TURA II (IMO number: 6620462), owned by a Nigerian Registered Company, HOLAB MARITIME SERVICES LIMITED with Registration Number RC813311, was heading to Cameroun with the Cargo on board when it was apprehended at an offshore location (Latitude: 5.8197194477543235°, Longitude: 4.789002723991871°), with the Captain and Crew members on board.
The statement said that a preliminary investigation revealed that the crude oil cargo onboard was illegally sourced from a well jacket offshore Ondo State, Nigeria.
It said that there was no valid documentation for the Vessel or the Crude Oil Cargo onboard at the time of the arrest.
It said that further investigation into the activities of the vessel at the NNPC Ltd. Command and Control Centre also revealed that the Vessel has been operating in stealth mode for the last twelve years.
“The last reported location of the Vessel was Tin Can Port in July 2011.
“Details of this arrest and the outcomes of the investigations were escalated to the appropriate Government authorities, upon which it was concluded to destroy the Vessel to serve as a strong warning and deterrent to all those participating in such illegal activities to cease and desist.
“Destroying vessels involved in transporting stolen crude oil is of paramount importance as a strong deterrent. The illegal trade of stolen crude oil not only inflicts significant economic losses on Nigeria and legitimate stakeholders in the oil industry, but also perpetuates a cycle of corruption, environmental devastation, and social instability.
“NNPC Ltd. assures Nigerians that we will sustain the momentum in the war against crude oil theft until it is brought to a halt.”
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria LNG Limited are collaborating to roll out tender opportunities from the gas production and processing company on the Oil and Gas E-Market Place.
This is aimed at implementing a key provision of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
Section 106 of the NOGICD Act defines the “Oil and Gas E-Market Place” as a virtual platform for buyers and sellers of goods and services in the oil and gas industry that allows for speedy and transparent transactions.”
This provision of the Act had not been implemented since the enactment of the Act in 2010.
Speaking today, July 10, at the Nigerian Content Seminar at the Nigerian Oil And Gas Energy Week (NOG 2023) held in Abuja, the Executive Secretary NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote announced that the roll out of the Oil and Gas E-Market Place project would be carried out in phases and is starting with the Nigerian LNG Limited.
He said that a joint working committee comprising members of the company and the Board was formed to co-create the Blueprint for the Phase-1 implementation of the E-Marketplace, while subsequent phases of the project will include members of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG), and the other stakeholder groups.
He commended the Management and Staff of Nigeria LNG Ltd for being ever ready to comply with the provisions of the NOGICD Act and for demonstrating genuine willingness to partner with the Board in various initiatives, recalling that the Service Level Agreements (SLA) was initiated with the company in 2017, to drive the timely approvals of requests submitted to the Board.
The Executive Secretary explained that the Board uses the Nigerian Content Seminar to discuss the various elements of the NOGICD Act with industry operators, service providers and other stakeholders in the industry, noting that this year’s seminar provided a platform to clarify the provisions of the NOGICD Act (2010), the Ministerial Regulations, guidelines, tools and initiatives.
Speaking on various segments of the NOGICD Act, Wabote quoted section 70 (h) to justify the Board’s assistance of local contractors and support of Nigerian companies to develop their capabilities and capacities in furtherance of Nigerian Content development in the Oil and Gas industry.
He said that the clarity is meant to correct the wrong perception held in some quarters that the Board is acting outside its mandate by supporting and partnering companies in strategic business ventures.
Wabote emphasized that this provision is “at the heart of developing local capacities and capabilities in the oil and gas industry.
According to him, this provision explains why the Board embarked on several initiatives including the funding support and other initiatives that are directed toward developing both human capital and infrastructure.
He listed some of the initiatives to include the $300million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund with the Bank of Industry (BoI), the $100million Matched Fund with NEXIM Bank, the $50million R&D Intervention Fund and the $50million NOGAPS Manufacturing Fund.
Other support provided by the Board to local companies include partnering with local businesses to establish modular refineries, gas processing plants, LPG storage facilities, Base Oil production plant, LPG depot and refilling plants, and others with clear exit plans once the target goals are achieved.
The NCDMB boss observed that there are severe challenges negating manufacturing in the oil and gas industry, which is why the Board is developing the NOGAPS Industrial Parks to provide modern infrastructure using the “sites and services” model to support in-country manufacturing.
He said that the Industrial Parks are at various stages of development in seven states namely Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, and Ondo states.
“The NOGAPS Industrial Parks at Odukpani in Cross River state and the one at Emeyal-1 in Bayelsa state are both at advanced stages of completion and will commence operations in 2024.“
While appreciating the contribution of the Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture and the ExxonMobil Joint Venture for their contributions to the industrial parks using the CDI programmes, he confirmed that the Board has commenced the allocation of manufacturing shop floors and services plots at the Odukpani and Emeyal-1 parks to qualified applicants.
Speaking at the panel session, titled: “Exploring Emerging Opportunities for Local Content in Achieving Energy Security,” the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, NCDMB, Abdulmalik Halilu emphasized the need to focus on manufacturing as a veritable strategy for promoting local content in the oil and gas industry.
The reason, he said, is because manufacturing accounts for 54 percent of the spend on major oil and gas projects. He hinted that the Board’s programmes for supporting manufacturing included developmental and monitoring interventions.
The developmental interventions include the Nigerian Content Manufacturing Initiative (NCMI) which is the precursor of the Nigerian Content Equipment Certification (NCEC).
Those programmes are geared to compel original equipment manufacturers to rethink their business models and to begin the manufacture some components of their equipment in Nigeria.
Other initiatives include the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme (NOGaPS), which is designed to enhance efficiency of manufacturing and cut off entry barriers.
Also speaking, the Director, Capacity Building, NCDMB, Dr Ama Ikuru canvassed that the Federal Government should address the challenges that militate against manufacturing in the oil and gas industry.
Some of the initiatives included providing dedicated power and fixing roads that lead to manufacturing facilities.
Penelope Williams, a nurse in the United Kingdom, who had sex with a patient in the parking lot in Wrexham, Wales, and he died of a heart attack, has been fired from her job.
Williams was fired after the hospital learned that she had maintained an affair with a patient for over a year, ending when the man died following a sexual encounter, Fox reports.
A disciplinary hearing in Cardiff was told that the pair had had a year-long sexual relationship.
He suffered a heart attack with his trousers around his ankles during the late-night tryst with Williams.
According to the report, the man, known as patient A, was receiving dialysis treatment, and he died of a heart attack during the late-night meeting in January last year.
Williams, 42, failed to call for an ambulance after the patient collapsed in the back of his car. He later died from “heart failure and chronic kidney disease triggered by a medical episode.”
The episode triggered an investigation and hearing before a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) fitness-to-practice panel, which heard testimony that Williams had ignored advice from colleagues who had urged her to call an ambulance.
Patient A had met Williams through work, with Williams helping to treat him for his condition. When emergency personnel eventually arrived, they found Patient A partially naked and unresponsive.
Williams had called a colleague instead of emergency personnel, and the colleague urged her to immediately call an ambulance, only for Williams to delay in doing so.
She was “crying and distressed and asking for help as she tried to explain that someone had died.”
The colleague ended up calling an ambulance instead and Patient A was found dead upon the arrival of the medical team.
A disciplinary hearing found that the pair had had a year-long sexual relationship.
During the late-night tryst with Williams, he suffered a heart attack with his trousers around his ankles.
Williams initially told police and a paramedic that she had gone to meet with him after he had messaged her on Facebook that he felt unwell.
She claimed she had spent only about “30 to 45 minutes” in the back of his car “just talking,” according to The Telegraph.
“She further explained that (the patient) started groaning and suddenly died,” she had testified at an initial February hearing.
Williams hid her 12-month affair with the man despite knowing that he was a dialysis patient under her at Wrexham Maelor hospital.
She later admitted to the ongoing relationship and that she had met up with him that night for a sexual encounter.
Her admission at a later hearing in May resulted in her final dismissal from her job.
The board determined that Williams had “brought the nursing profession into disrepute.”
Ailing Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has written to the State House of Assembly, extending his medical leave.
In a letter of extension of medical leave to the Ondo State House of Assembly today, July 10, the governor said that his action is in line with Section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
In the letter, Akeredolu said that his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa would continue to act as governor until there was a written declaration to the contrary.
The letter was received on behalf of other lawmakers by the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji.
The Speaker expressed appreciation to God for the speedy recovery of the Governor and expressed optimism that he would soon resume his duty.
Recall that following doctor’s advice on the need to take adequate medical attention, Governor Akeredolu had written to the state legislature in line with constitutional provisions to proceed on medical leave and to hand over instruments of power to his deputy, Lucky Ayeditawa.
In the letter of 5th June, 2023, Akeredolu had said that he would return to resume duty on 6th July, 2023.
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President Bola Tinubu has appointed his long time media assistant, Tunde Rahman as his senior special assistant (SSA) on media matters, amongst 19 others.
The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has confirmed that Nigerian boarders with neighbouring countries remain closed.
Government and People of Ogun State have welcomed home, former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who served for eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari.
Senior Pastor of Covenant Christian Centre, Poju Oyemade, has come under fire over his comments which insinuated that he is mocking the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25, 2023 polls in Nigeria, Peter Obi
A Private Security Contractor engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Messrs. Tantita Security Services has reportedly intercepted a suspicious Vessel with a Cargo of Crude oil on board.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigeria LNG Limited are collaborating to roll out tender opportunities from the gas production and processing company on the Oil and Gas E-Market Place.
Penelope Williams, a nurse in the United Kingdom, who had sex with a patient in the parking lot in Wrexham, Wales, and he died of a heart attack, has been fired from her job.
Ailing Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has written to the State House of Assembly, extending his medical leave.
