Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and production Company Ltd (SNEPCo), Bayo Ojulari
Nigeria has suffered a loss of about $5.45 billion or N2.3 trillion in oil revenue over the last year, as a result of pipeline vandalism and oil theft.
Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Dr. Osagie Okubor, who made this known at the just concluded Nigerian International Energy Summit in Abuja, said that the Trans Niger Pipeline, capable of transporting 180,000 barrels of crude per day, has been shut down for over a year, resulting in a loss of approximately 65,700,000 barrels of oil.
“If the average oil price of $83 during the period is used this equals a loss of around $5.45 billion or N2.3 trillion in revenue.
“The loss has not only impacted Nigeria’s oil production quota to the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries but is also affecting the gas supply to the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas.
“The shutdown of the pipeline has had severe consequences, as it is responsible for the 60% capacity of gas supply for the country,” he added.
Osagie Okubor stressed the need for the incoming Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritize the security of oil infrastructure, as the loss from pipeline vandalism and oil theft has had devastating implications.
He said that the lack of power to execute recommendations and policies in the various documents and laws of the oil sector remains a challenge to the industry.
This was even as the Managing Director of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, Philip Mshelbila, said that 40% of the capacity of globally renowned gas firms had been lying fallow due to theft.
Despite various frameworks and written documents on how to tackle the challenges in the oil sector, implementation still needs to be improved.
Last year, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company reported detecting an illegal connection on the Trans Escravos pipeline looped to the Afremo test line.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been the dominant force in Nigerian politics since its formation in 2013.
The party’s victory in the 2015 presidential election, as well as winning the majority of legislative seats in the National and State Assemblies, and again in the 2019 General Election, proves its dominance.
However, the unity of purpose that brought together the members of the party in achieving this feat has fragmented in Kogi State with the outcome of the recently concluded gubernatorial primary election. Hon. Ahmed Usman-Ododo, a former Auditor-General in the state, emerged as the flag bearer, defeating political heavyweights, including the Deputy Governor Edward Onoja, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Hon. Abdulakarim Jamiu Asuku, Hon. Yakubu Murtala Ajaka, amongst others.
The emergence of Hon. Usman-Ododo has thrown up some challenges of internal misalignment and disagreements among members, particularly the aspirants. While their loss at the primary election may be painful and disappointing, especially after the endorsement of Hon. Usman-Ododo by the incumbent governor, His Excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, these aggrieved aspirants who are equally qualified to fly the party’s flag must understand that the party is supreme and bigger than any single individual. Some aspirants are unhappy with the endorsement of the governor or even the conduct of the primary election, but history remembers that some of them have either benefited from similar endorsements or were party to it in the past.
While it is within the rights of the aggrieved parties to seek redress through the right process, such redress must not be at the detriment of the party. To ensure the continued success of the APC in Kogi State, it is essential for all aggrieved politicians and leaders to rally behind and support Hon. Usman-Ododo’s candidacy for the governorship election. There are several reasons why this is necessary.
Firstly, he has a track record of success in public service. He has served in various capacities in Kogi State, including as the former Chairman of the Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). During his tenure, he was able to implement policies that significantly improved the quality of education in the state. He also oversaw the construction of several school buildings and the provision of educational materials to students. This demonstrates his ability to deliver on his promises and his commitment to improving the lives of Kogi State residents. His strides as the Auditor-General in charge of Local Government are enviable, and his successes remain indelible.
Secondly, Hon. Usman-Ododo is a unifying figure who has the ability to bring together all aggrieved personalities within the APC. Although some are aggrieved over his endorsement by Governor Bello, it is important to note that heavy-weight politicians within and outside the state have endorsed his candidacy, indicating that he has the support of the party’s leadership and is capable of uniting its members towards a common goal of victory in the forthcoming election and the sustenance of APC’s and Governor Bello’s outstanding legacy of security, infrastructure, agriculture, and education in Kogi State.
Thirdly, he is a grassroots politician who understands the needs and aspirations of the people of Kogi State. He has been actively involved in community development initiatives and has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving the lives of ordinary citizens. This is a quality that is highly valued by voters and is likely to give him an edge in the governorship election.
Fourthly, Hon. Usman-Ododo has a clear vision for the development of Kogi state. He has outlined his plans for improving infrastructure, creating job opportunities, and enhancing the state’s agricultural sector. His plans are realistic and achievable, and are designed to address the needs of all Kogi state residents, regardless of their tribe, creed, or political affiliations.
The APC has a proven track record of delivering good governance, and this can only be sustained through the election of capable and committed leaders like Hon. Usman-Ododo. It is therefore incumbent on all members of the party to set aside their personal interests and focus on the bigger picture: the continued progress and development of Kogi state under the APC.
In conclusion, the recent APC gubernatorial primary election in Kogi state may have caused some internal disagreements and misalignment among party members, but it is important for all aggrieved parties to unite behind the party’s flag bearer, Hon. Usman-Ododo. His track record of success, his ability to unite the party, his grassroots connections, his clear vision for development, and his reputation for honesty and transparency make him the best candidate to continue the great work of Governor Bello and lead Kogi state to even greater heights. It is time for all members of the APC to put aside their differences and work together for the greater good of the party and the people of Kogi state.
Abubakar Sidiq Usman is a Media Aide to the President of the Senate.
“My flourishing and manned law Chambers (whilst I am away on national assignment) and my real estate investments are still far more financially profitable than serving my country.”
These was the response, by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), while reacting to those who accused him of diverting government money to acquire properties in America.
In a statement, Keyamo said: “those who are very closely to me over the years know exactly what I am talking about. Ours is a labour of love to my country.
“My Assets Declaration is there for all to see. (Again, this is verifiable.) “Some of us don’t need Government funds or patronage to get by. Whatever we do and whoever we support is out of our deep convictions.
“And yes, we have worked our socks off in the last 30 years! Please, expect more videos!”
The mister said that he set a bait for the opposition politicians and they fell for it.
“Two days ago, I decided to bait the horde of sore losers at the last elections with a video of my vacation in ONE OF MY PROPERTIES abroad as I did a light workout. Expectedly, they fell so terribly for the bait.
“Being folks of low moral standards, they seem to view everyone from their own depraved universe. Given same position of public trust and authority, I bet they would easily compromise.
“So, they assume everyone will wallow in the same moral squalor like them.
“For some of us who have built a huge reputation of honour, integrity and accountability and championed the fight against corruption — long before public office- probity and openness remain our guiding principles.
“By letters dated March 6, 2019 (long before I was appointed a Minister and immediately I was appointed a Board member of the NDIC), and in line with our Constitution, I wrote to the relevant government agencies, informing them of the closure of my foreign account(s) and the repatriation of my funds to the country, being some savings I had made as a private legal practitioner and a property investor over decades.
“The numbers of those accounts, both abroad and in Nigeria were clearly stated in those letters.
“Those foreign funds were lying in my accounts until my appointment as a Minister later in 2019 and formed part of my assets declaration.
“In 2021, I again wrote to the relevant agencies (by letters dated January 22, 2021), informing them of the movement of those funds out of the country to purchase a property as a better investment decision, instead of the funds lying idly in the account whilst I am in public office.
“The letters were duly acknowledged. I followed up again with Whatsapp chats same day to the heads of those agencies, informing them of the delivery of those letters and the contents of the letters and they acknowledged receipt. I have the acknowledged copies of those letters and those chats and replies are still on my phone, showing the dates of those chats.
“So, I had a good laugh when I saw the trending issues regarding just one of my properties in the US. It is even very laughable to think that after active, high-profile practice of law culminating in my privilege as a member of the Inner Bar (together with being an International Arbitrator) and thoughtful investments in real estate spanning over 30 years, I cannot afford such a relatively modest property.
“Understandably, some people seem to underrate us because we live a simple, modest life and we are not given to ostentatious display of wealth and the vanities of life like some people do. Lol.
“Well, for these haters, I have another bad news for them: let me now disclose that of my entire real estate portfolio (both home and abroad), this is about the CHEAPEST of my several properties.”
A former governor and current federal lawmaker representing Enugu East, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani has advised the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi, to withdraw his petition against the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and stop wasting his time.
In a series of tweets today, April 23, Nnamani said: “he (Peter Obi) does not have near spread and national appeal. His petition is ego-driven, a joke carried too far. His attempt to highlight non electoral issues is trying to embarrass the President-elect.”
He asked Peter Obi to come down from his high horse to allow sedate minds to negotiate on behalf of the Igbo and South East for safe landing.
He insisted that Obi did not gather enough votes across the six geographical zones of the country to win the presidential election and that his case is dead on arrival.
According to Nnamani, what Obi is doing with his petition is “bad belle, petulance and demarketing Tinubu.
“His petition is dead on arrival. He does not have the spread or national appeal. His appeal to non-electoral matters is to demarket the President-elect and besmirch his reputation.”
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote has suggested annual status reports on the three year implementation of the Decade of Gas Programme. The reports, he said, should take a look at the successes, support required and target completion dates. He made the suggestion at the Nigerian International Energy Summit (NIES) in Abuja, in separate presentations on Local Content Investment and Sustainable Energy Future and Building Local Content and Capacity for Realization of Nigeria’s Decade of Gas. He suggested that the status reports would be prepared by agencies, entities and stakeholders that are responsible for the various projects and initiatives identified in the Decade of Gas programme and presented at the NIES which holds annually at Abuja. He asked stakeholders not to get distracted or lose steam in the implementation of the programme, even as a new administration is set to assume office on May 29, 2023. Wabote, who called for the continuity of the Decade of Gas programmes, said: “it is possible that the incoming government will give the programme a new name but we must not lose focus on the importance of gas to our energy needs and economic development.” The Executive Secretary highlighted eight focus areas the Board is utilizing to drive the realization of the Decade of Gas initiative of the Federal Government. They include Human Capacity Development, Construction of Industrial Parks, Public-Private Partnerships and Nigerian Content Intervention Funds. Others are Research and Development, Regulatory Framework, Regional Collaboration, and Enabling Business Environment. He spoke on the capacity building programmes required to enhance the training and re-training of capable workforce for the industry, saying that NCDMB has “delivered close to 14 million manhours of training for acquisition of various skill sets required to explore, develop, operate, and maintain hydrocarbon facilities.” He listed some of the Board’s Human Capacity Development tools and programmes to include the Expatriate Quota Management System, STEM Education, Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET), Institutional Strengthening, ICT Centers, and Training Certifications. He said that the Board’s capacity-building programmes were impactful and acknowledged internationally, adding that the survey carried out by African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO) to assess the standards in training institutions on the African continent rated Nigeria as one of the top countries with credible institutions for training the required manpower for the oil and gas industry. He gave updates on the construction of oil and gas industrial parks, adding that the Board has commenced issuance of allocation letters to credible investors in readiness for the commencement of operations within the NOGAPS Industrial Parks located in Bayelsa and Cross River states. “The NCDMB Gas Hub at Polaku is fully dedicated to domiciliation of gas related enterprises such as Pressure Reduction and Metering Station, CNG mother stations, LPG cylinder manufacturing plant, Gas processing facilities, power plant, and other similar facilities.” Speaking on the theme of the summit, which is Global Perspectives for a Sustainable Energy, Wabote said the challenges of energy transition “has brought to the fore the need for every nation to leverage its own comparative cost advantage by developing the energy resources that it has in relative abundance” adding: “most countries, including Nigeria have a mix of these resources, and they must apply local content investments to realise sustainable energy future.” He described local content development as a philosophy that seeks to encourage the utilization of local resources such as humans, goods, services, oil, gas, wind, hydro, or solar while at the same time promoting in-country domiciliation of value-adding activities. He said that narratives around energy transition have shifted significantly from Energy swap to Energy mix and this was because of the factual recognition that all forms of energy are important rather than demonising one form of energy against the other, simply because some nations have depleted their reserves of certain energy sources. He also noted that the European Union had re-classified gas and nuclear energy as Green-energy in 2022, while “coal production and consumption are on the resurgence as discussions are now about how to make it cleaner rather than referring to coal as ‘dirty fuel’.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has recalled, as he prepares to quit the stage after eight years of Being civilian President of Nigeria that his journey was not all smooth
President Buhari said that he contested elections three times: 2003, 2007 and 2011, without success, saying: “I dared the politicians and ended up at the Supreme Court three times.
“They laughed at me, and I responded, ‘God dey,’ (and) God sent technology to my rescue, with Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC). The fraudulent people became unemployed.”
President, who received residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sallah homage, thanked Nigerians for the honour they afforded him to serve for two terms: 2015-2023, even as he asked for pardon from those he might have hurt while discharging his duties.
President Buhari said that he accepted all the complaints and criticisms in good stead, knowing it was part of the leadership he prayed and asked from God.
“God gave me an incredible opportunity to serve the country. We are all humans, if I have hurt some people along the line of my service to the country, I ask that they pardon me.
“All those that I have hurt, I ask that they pardon me.”
President Buhari said that he remains grateful to Nigerians, who voted him in 2015 and 2019, without any monetary incentive, with some trooping to the campaigns, and receptions in states just to catch a glimpse.
“I think it is a good coincidence for me to say goodbye to you, and thank you for tolerating me for almost eight years.”
With less than 37 days left in office, the President still recounting his leadership roles in the country for more than forty years He said that he served variously as a military officer, military governor, minister, and Head of State, and returning as a democratically elected President in 2015, adding that he was incarcerated for three years, after the coup that ousted him from power in August, 1984.
He recalled that during his eight years reign, attempts were made by faceless people to make life uncomfortable for Nigerians, especially in Abuja.
“It is good to reflect on what used to happen here, in FCT, especially on security. Security is not only about the North East, it also spread to the FCT and all over the country.
“Those who wanted to make our lives uncomfortable reached the FCT, and they have been marginalized.”
President Buhari highlighted the strengths of democracy as a system of government, particularly in providing opportunity to participate, and fostering a sense of belonging among citizens.
“I have been counting the years. Democracy is good, otherwise how can someone come from one end of the country to rule for eight years. My home town, Daura, is about eight kilometres to Niger Republic.
“When the Minister of Interior wanted to shut down petrol stations ten kilometres from the border, there was a fuel station close to my house, and I pleaded if he could allow it to keep operating.”
The President said that he decided to retire to Daura, which was far away from Abuja in order to get some respite, after years of work.
“I can’t wait to go home to Daura. If they make any noise to disturb me in Daura, I will leave for the Niger Republic. I deliberately arranged to be as far away as possible. I got what I wanted and will quietly retire to my home town.
“In spite of technology, it will not be easy to get to Daura.”
This was as the Minister of FCT thanked the President for hosting residents for the 9th Eid-el-Fitr, and allowing more people into the Villa for the last homage, before his handing over on May 29th.
The minister said that the conceptualization and realization of the FCT was historic and deserved commendation, reminding President Buhari of his role as part of the military Recce Team for the capital in the 70s.
The minister, accompanied by Umaru Shagalinku, the man who started one of the oldest restaurants in Abuja, and some contractors, thanked the President for the privilege of serving in the same position for close to eight years.
The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, SGF, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Senator Philip Aduda, and CAN Chairman in FCT, Rev. Timothy Amakum were also at the Sallah homage.
The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawal has said that the issue of Mayorship status for the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will continued to be pushed in the National Assembly until it succeeds.
The Senate President, while giving example of many bills that could not sail through I the Senate, in answering questions from journalists today, April 21 in Abuja, assured that the Mayorship status of the FCT will come to pass sooner or later.
“Let me give you an example (about bills that could not make it). The Mayor for FCT; almost every constitutional amendment period Mayor of FCT will surface. But it has not been passed.
“Does that mean that we shouldn’t continue to ask for Major for FCT, especially by those that feel that there should be a Mayor? No!”
“We shouldn’t really lose hope: we should continue to campaign, we should talk to more and more members of the National Assembly. And we should also re strategize.”
Senator Lawal said that there were issues that concerned National Assembly itself that have not been passed.
“I felt bad that we couldn’t pass any of them. But I’m also very optimistic that if we re-strategize, look at the way we campaign, we could get either all of them or some of them passed in the next assembly by the grace of God.”
He confessed that there are things that “we have not been able to satisfactorily deal with. “And this is natural, because one, we don’t have sufficient funds; two, as human being, there are areas that naturally whatever you do, you may not get it right.
“But it’s for us to identify those areas, go back and rework them and this administration, as it winds up, a new one, an APC administration is coming in to take over and by the grace of God will have a national assembly that is also APC.
“So we will continue to work on those areas that we need to improve. So I am not going to talk about what areas because the time we have here is very limited.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he had no doubt that Nigerians will continue to defend the Democracy against all manners of threats.
Saying that the future of democracy, as a system of government is bright, the President said that as he prepares to leave office in a little over a month, he is satisfied and fulfilled.
President Buhari, who spoke to newsman shortly after observing the Eid prayer, marking the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting by Muslims, President Buhari said: “Nigerians appreciate the stability of democracy.
“The outcome of the elections, in which more than ten governors failed to make it to the senate sent a clear message that ordinary Nigerians know the power of their votes and how to use it.
“Nigerians cherish democracy. They have shown their love for it and will defend it against real or perceived threats. They will continue to vote one way or the other depending on their preferences.”
President Buhari assured that the May 29th hand over date remains sacrosanct.
“God willing, nothing will stop it,” he added.
On His plans after leaving office, the President said he is fulfilled because God had made it possible for him to serve two terms of four years each and looks forward to an orderly handover.
“I thank God for what He has done for me personally and for what He has enabled us to achieve.
“I am looking forward to returning to my town, to be as far away as I can from Abuja so that the in-coming President will have the time and the space to take decisions without my distracting him.”
The Senate President, Ahmed Lawal has warned against ignoring members of the opposition parties in the National Assembly as the new legislators-elect are preparing to assume duty in the next dispensation.
Answering questions from journalists at the Presidential villa, Abuja today, April 21, Senator Ahmed stressed that the APC majority members will need the minority to function effectively.
The Senate President stressed the need for cross fertilisation of ideas between the majority and minority for better result at the end of the day.
“We need to be on the same page, because we need opposition to ensure that we get most of our constitutional amendments passed when the time is right, because we can’t have the 73 in the Senate.
“We need 73 senators at least for us to have any constitutional amendment. So we will need opposition.
“That’s why it is very, very critical; it is very essential that we work with opposition right from the beginning. Don’t ever think the opposition should be pushed away. I believe in the very bipartisan chamber because it is more productive. It is more stable and calm, and it gives us the kind of outcome that we will never get with a very rancourous chamber. And I’ve seen it, we have done it.
Senator Lawal said that he did not think that opposition parties are planning to take over the leadership of the legislature, “because it is presumptuous that the APC as a United party will get the opposition parties to simply work with the APC majority for us to have stability. “There is no way an opposition will decide who should be the senate president; who should be the speaker. It is our party and other leaders that will decide which zone or whoever, and the rest of us in the party will key in and, of course, the opposition would have no option but to support.
The Senate President expressed confidence that the APC members and senators-elect will respect whatever the party and its leaders will eventually come up with. “We are praying that we are able to deal with it as decisively as possible, and then keep ourselves united and work together with other parties.
“We have been able to work together with other parties in the ninth assembly in a very bipartisan way, smoothly and seamlessly. And I believe that we can repeat that.
“And it is very, very essential that we have a very United National Assembly. And I’m very confident that we will do that.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he has Fulfilled his pledged to leave behind, free and fair election to Nigeria as he quits the stage in May 2023 after eight years on the saddle.
According to him, the peaceful outcome of the 2023 general elections is the testimony to that pledge, and that it will go down on record as one of the proudest achievements of his administration in addition to his neutrality in the conduct of the elections.
In his goodwill message to Muslims today, April 20′ on the occasion of the Eidel Fitr celebration tomorrow, May 21, to mark the end of the 30-day Ramadan fasting season, Buhari said that the outcomes of the elections were in line with his pledge to leave a legacy of free and fair elections.
“I’m proud that I have created a level playing field for all contestants regardless of party affiliation in order to produce a fair outcome for all.”
According to the President, “free and fair elections are the only principles that give credibility to our democracy, because the subversion of the will of the people undermines democracy itself.
“The elections were so transparent that even members of my own party were routed and unseated. At no point did I interfere with the process in order to give unfair advantage to anyone.”
President Buhari congratulated Muslims on successfully completing the demanding Ramadan Fasting which he said is a spiritual obligation.
He prayed that Allah would reward the Muslims for their sacrifices during the fasting season, saying: “we shouldn’t forget the important lessons of the Ramadan which includes improving our bond with the underprivileged and poor members of society.
“Aabstention from food and drinks during the fasting period had made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of those who go without eating every day.”
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