Comatose Industries In Kaduna May Roll Back, As NNPC, Kaduna Govt Sign MoU On Gas

August 26, 2021

Many flourishing industries in Kaduna in the 80’s which collapsed towards the end of the last century may return to life soon, with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Kaduna State Government on utilisation and expansion of gas supply in the state.

Speaking at the signing in Kaduna today, August 26, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, confirmed the central role gas utilisation and expansion will play to the revival of most of the dead industries not only in Kaduna but also Nigeria.

“We all know that Kaduna used to be a hub when it comes to industries. It is our hope that this MoU signing will help provide the gas needed for some of those industries to come back to life,” Kyari emphasized.

He described the moment as another watershed in the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative which is aimed at utilising the nation’s abundant gas resources to power the nation’s economy through a number of strategic gas expansion projects such as the ongoing OB3 and Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline Projects.

The event which was facilitated by the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) would ensure long-term involvement and support of Kaduna State Government and key gas sector players such as the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC) and virtual pipeline companies to provide gas supply assurance to industries within the state on competitive terms.

The NNPC boss said that the Corporation is committed to the commercialization of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources to support balanced economic growth and job creation across the country.

According to him, the world is transiting to low carbon energy and therefore, the nation’s huge gas resources would continue to be an important source of clean energy for today and the future.

“There is no better way of making cheaper and cleaner energy than delivering gas into the domestic market,” he declared.

The NNPC helmsman said that the Corporation would continue to engage with stakeholders and partners to secure early market and ensure that the economic benefits of the AKK gas pipeline were maximized.

“NNPC is leading this coordinated effort with State Governments and private sector investors to develop demand framework for immediate and long-term gas supply solutions ahead of the completion of the AKK gas pipeline project.”

The GMD expressed gratitude to the Kaduna Government for hosting NNPC’s facilities such as the Refinery complex, the Depot, the ongoing AKK gas pipeline and Independent Power Plant Projects (IPPs).

Responding, Governor Nasiru el-Rufai said that Kaduna State Government is delighted with the prospect of having an additional energy source to power businesses in the state.

“We wholeheartedly welcome this project. Gas provides a cost-effective option for powering factories, homes and vehicles. For the Kaduna State Government, this project is a welcome boost to our investment and job creation strategy.

“It will create jobs and provide skills for artisans who will work on the gas pipelines and associated infrastructure. Beyond that, this project will power the industries that have responded with enthusiasm to our investment promotion campaign.”

Governor el-Rufai particularly thanked the GMD NNPC and the Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria for the gas utilization and expansion initiative and zeal displayed by to deliver the project.

“Let there be no doubt that the Kaduna State Government is committed to this MoU and the realisation of its goals in the interest of the people of Kaduna State.”

The MoU was signed by Mallam Kyari on behalf of the Corporation while the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai signed on behalf of the State Government.

70 Students Of Islamiyya School Kidnapped In Niger State In June Released

Editorial staff

August 26, 2021

Over 70 students of Islamiyya school in Tegina town who were kidnapped in June this year by armed bandits in Niger State have been released by their abductors.

A security source told hinted today, August 26 that the students are on their way to Minna en route Kagara from Birnin Gwari.

The Islamiya students where held for 88 days and 11 hours according to the timeline of the days and time they have spent in the bandits’ captivity.

Source: PRNigeria.

More later…

Ex Naval Officer Reveals How Boko Haram Named Current Govs, Others As Sponsors

Editorial staff

August 25, 2021

A former Navy Commodore, Kunle Olawunmi, has revealed how Boko Haram terrorists mentioned names of current governors, senators, and Aso Rock officials as the ones sponsoring them.

He said the naming of the high-profile sponsors was made during interrogation of the insurgents.

Olawunmi, who spoke today, August 25 when he featured on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ breakfast programme, described as an “aberration”, Tuesday attack by bloodthirsty bandits on the Kaduna campus of Nigeria’s foremost military university, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where two military officers were killed and another kidnapped.

“It is an aberration; you don’t attack the Nigerian Defence Academy and get away with it.”

According to him, NDA, like other military environments in the country, carelessly opens its doors to everyone on Friday for Jumat prayer.

Olawunmi said that terrorists and criminals profile military environments during the weekly Muslim prayer on Fridays.

“In 2017, I carried out an investigation by the minister of defence that wanted me to check what was going on with the training and the security there (NDA). I remember I spent about a week in the NDA with the commandant and the staff but something struck me: every Friday, the gate of NDA is thrown open and everybody has access to pray in the mosque.

“On Fridays, you are going to see the same thing happening across all military formations in the country…If you go to Defence Headquarters, I served at the Defence Headquarters as the Deputy Director, Defence Administration between 2015 and 2017, throughout my two years at the Defence Headquarters, I received visitors twice because of the strict security architecture there but every Friday, the gate of the Defence Headquarters is thrown wide open for everybody to come in and observe Jumat.

“That is the time the terrorists have the time to profile our security environment. It has always been the case. I have served the military intelligence for the past 35 years. Our problem is religion and socio-cultural.”

Olawunmi, a Professor of Global Security Studies, said that he was a member of the Intelligence Brief at the Defence Headquarters during the leadership of the then Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin (retd.).

The intelligence expert said he told the then CDS that the centre of gravity of the Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the North-East and spreading to other parts of Nigeria was the sponsors.

“I told General Olonisakin then that the centre of this problem cannot be solved the same way we solved the problem of the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta problem was solved during (Ex-President Umaru Yar’adua) basically by me and I told them that we can’t use that same template for Boko Haram.

“I told General Olonisakin to look at the centre of gravity of the problem. I was made a member of the committee in 2016-2017, including (the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim) Attahiru that died.

“I told them that the centre of gravity of Boko Haram in Nigeria is the sponsors of the programme. It was beyond us because the job we needed to do was kinetic but we cannot resolve issues of sponsors of Boko Haram that were in Buhari’s government that we know them. That was why we couldn’t pursue that aspect that could have resolved the issue (insurgency) because we need to arrest people.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had earlier in the year, said that the Nigerian Government arrested some Bureau De Change operators who were facilitating the transfer of money to Boko Haram terrorists.

Olawunmi said the government has not been able to prosecute the sponsors because it is allegedly partisan.

“Recently, 400 people were gathered as sponsors of Boko Haram, why is it that the Buhari government has refused to try them? Why can’t this government bring them to trial if not that they are partisan and part of the charade that is going on?

“You remember this Boko Haram issue started in 2012 and I was in the military intelligence at that time. We arrested those people. My organisation actually conducted interrogation and they (suspects) mentioned names. I can’t come on air and start mentioning names of people that are presently in government that I know that the boys that we arrested mentioned. “Some of them are governors now, some of them are in the Senate, some of them are in Aso Rock.

“Why should a government decide to cause this kind of embarrassment and insecurity to the sense of what happened yesterday (Tuesday attack on NDA)?” he queried, adding that terrorist financiers want to turn Nigeria to a Taliban type of country.

‘DSS has information on terrorism sponsors but can’t act without Buhari’s order.”

Olawunmi also said that the Department of State Services has “tremendous information on terrorists but they can’t do anything except the body language of the Commander-In-Chief.”

He, however, expressed hope that the next Nigerian President in 2023 might have the willpower to bring the high-profile sponsors of Boko Haram to book.

It was reported earlier that a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Obadiah Mailafia, said in August 2020 that repentant terrorists revealed that a serving northern governor is a Boko Haram leader.

Source: The Punch.

You Must Remit Half Of N1.8 Trillion Evaded Tax To FIRS, Tribunal Orders DSTV

Editorial staff

August 25, 2021

The Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) sitting in Lagos has ordered Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of popular cable television services, DSTV, to pay 50 per cent of N1.8 trillion to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the amount in taxes that Multichoice Nigeria Limited had failed to pay to the Government of Nigeria in past assessment years. The amount was determined through a forensic audit.

The five-member Tribunal, led by its Chairman, Professor A.B. Ahmed, issued the order following an application to it by the Counsel to FIRS under Order XI of the TAT Procedure Rules 2010 which enables a party to make an application at any stage of the proceedings. Counsel to the FIRS drew the attention of the Tribunal to Paragraph 15 (7) of the Fifth Schedule to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007 and called on the Tribunal to direct Multichoice Nigeria Limited to deposit with the FIRS, 50 percent of the amount of the Assessment under Appeal as security and a condition that must be fulfilled before the prosecution of the Appeal is brought before TAT.

In certain defined circumstances to which the Multichoice appeal fits, Paragraph 15 (7) of the Fifth Schedule to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007 (FIRS Act) requires persons or companies seeking to contest a tax assessment to pay all or a stipulated percentage of the tax assessed before they can be allowed to argue their appeal contesting the assessment at TAT.

Multichoice Nigeria Limited filed the matter at the Lagos TAT following its dispute over FIRS’ issuance of Notices of Assessment and Demand Note in the sum of N1, 822, 923,909,313.94k on 7 April 2021. The amount constitutes what the FIRS calculated as due in taxation to the Federal Government of Nigeria from Multichoice after an investigation over several months to determine the extent to which Multichoice has been evading taxes in Nigeria.

At yessday’s, August 24 hearing of the matter in Appeal No: TAT/LZ/CIT/062/2021 19/08/2021 (Multichoice Nigeria Limited v. Federal Inland Revenue Service), Multichoice Nigeria Limited amended its notice of Appeal and thereafter sought through its counsel, Bidemi Olumide, an adjournment of the proceedings to enable it to respond to the FIRS’ formal application for accelerated hearing of the Appeal and prayer before the TAT directing Multichoice to produce the integrated Annual report and Management Account Statements of Multichoice Group Ltd for Tax Years 2012 to 2020., among other prayers.

In response, however, the FIRS Counsel asked TAT to issue an order requiring that Multichoice makes the statutory deposit of 50 percent of the disputed sum.

After hearing arguments from both sides, TAT upheld the FIRS submission and directed Multichoice Nigeria Limited to deposit with the FIRS, an amount equals 50 percent of the Assessment under the Appeal, plus a sum equal to 10 percent of the said deposit as a condition precedent for further Hearing of the Appeal.

Thereafter, TAT adjourned the Appeal to 23 September 2021 for report of compliance with its Order and continuation of the hearing, subject to compliance with the Tribunal’s order.

Buhari To NDA Attackers, Criminals: Do Your Worse, We’ll Soon End Your Reign Of Terror

Editorial staff

August 25, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a strong word to unknown gunmen who attacked and killed serving soldiers at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) yesterday, August 24 and other criminals parading the country that rather than throwing a dampener into the morale of our Armed Forces as it is intended to, such actions will buoy their determination to make a decisive end to the criminality in the country.

In a statement today, August 25 by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President stressed that the attack at NDA came at a time that the military had put insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other types of criminals on the retreat.

According to the President, the heinous action would accelerate the total uprooting of evil in the polity, which members of the Armed Forces are solidly resolved to accomplish in the shortest possible time.

Commiserating with the families who lost their loved ones, and praying to God to comfort them, President Buhari vowed that the deceased would not die in vain, as the degenerate act would have consequences that will eventually clean the country of vermin, and emancipate the polity from deliberate, targeted and contrived atrocious acts.

He appreciated all Nigerians who value and appreciate the efforts of our military, and asked those who are playing hateful politics with the dastardly act to desist.

He wanted them and all patriots as well as people of goodwill to support and encourage those who are in the vanguard of the battle against wickedness in the land.

House Of Reps Gives Standing Ovation To NNPC Boss On 2022-2024 Revenue Projection Framework

Editorial staff

August 25, 2021

The House of Representatives Committee on Finance, today, August 25, gave a standing ovation to the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari after providing detailed explanations on some burning Oil Industry issues at an interactive session on the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure and Revenue Framework and Fiscal Strategy.

Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abiodun James Faleke, on behalf of members, praised the Group Managing Director for providing an in-depth explanation and insider perspective on some issues surrounding the operations of the NNPC and Oil Industry.

“You have made our day. The committee is better informed based on explanations provided by the GMD.”

Mallam Kyari, in his presentation, provided a base oil price scenario in the medium term as follows: $57 per barrel for 2022, $61 per barrel for 2023 and $62 per barrel for 2024.

Kyari explained that the assumptions were arrived at after a careful appraisal of the three-year historical dated Brent Oil Price average of $59.07 per barrel premised on Platts Spot Prices.

“Price growth is to be moderated by the lingering concerns over COVID-19, increased energy efficiency, switching due to increased utilization of gas and alternatives for electricity generation. These are reflected in the Medium Term Revenue Framework.”

On the perennial issue of smuggling of petroleum products, Kyari implored the National Assembly to come to the aid of the Corporation in battling the menace, saying that the Corporation, based on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, had mobilized some Federal Agencies like the Customs, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Police, Civil Defence Corps and others, to find workable solutions to the menace.

On the propriety of establishing NNPC Retail stations in neigbouring countries to curb the challenge of illegal haulage of petroleum products across the border, Kyari said that though the NNPC once considered the option, it had to jettison the idea when it became imperative that the measure would be counterproductive.

He explained that people who are smuggling are not looking for officially priced petroleum products, adding that establishing NNPC Retail stations would not yield the desired result since the people who take products across the border are not interested in selling at the official prevailing prices at approved stations but are interested in under the counter deals.

The NNPC GMD also took time to provide detailed explanation on the Corporation’s equity shareholding interest in Dangote Refinery, noting that the package which was at the instance of NNPC is designed to guarantee national energy security.

He said that the equity interest was secured after due consideration of the national interest and best possible options.

“We will have right to 20 percent of production from this facility. We structured our equity participation on the basis that the refinery must buy at least 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day of our production. This guarantees our market at a period when every country is struggling to find market for their crude oil.”

Presidency Describes Benue Gov, Ortom, As Ethnic Champion, Unprincipled, Unfit To Govern

Editorial staff

August 25, 2021

The Presidency is obviously angry with the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, describing him as an unprincipled politician, ethnic champion and unfit to govern an important state like Benue.

In a statement today, August 25, senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that Governor Ortom has few political principles, adding “we can see this from the fact that he has changed political party five times during his undistinguished career. Every time he feels the wind may be blowing in a certain direction, he follows it.

“Unfortunately, for the good citizens of Benue State, the most dangerous direction he blows in today is that of sectarianism and ethnicity.”

Garba Shehu said that in an attempt to boost his sinking political fortunes, Ortom takes the cheapest and lowest route possible by playing on ethnic themes – and in doing so knowingly causes deaths of innocent Nigerians by inciting farmers against herders, and Christians against Muslims.

“Specifically, Ortom stirs up hatred by targeting one single ethnic group in Nigeria – using language reminiscent of the Rwandan genocide.

“As was the case in Rwanda where the then Hutu leaders of the country incited their countrymen against each other, claiming there was a “secret Tutsi agenda” over the Hutu, Ortom claims there is a “secret Fulanization agenda” over other ethnic groups in his state and in Nigeria.

“This is a copy of the language of Hutu Power – which falsely, and intentionally, accused the Rwandan Tutsi of plans to dominate the country.

“This wicked talk is aimed at giving cover to his so-called “policy” on the Ranches Establishment Law – which in reality is purely an act of denial of the law – intended to withhold rights and freedoms from one ethnic group alone, whilst inciting race hatred against them amongst all others.”

The presidency insisted that these are not the actions of a man who should be trusted with running public services or holding public office.”

The spokesman said that for the governor of a major state in Nigeria to be politically driven by ethnic hatred is a stain on our country.

“The good, and fair-minded people of Benue State deserve more than this, and we look forward to the next elections when they have an opportunity to restore its greatness.”

We’re Determined To Support NPDC For Rapid Oil Production, Ogoni Leaders Pledge

Greenbarge Reporters

August 24, 2021

The leaders of Ogoniland in Rivers State under the auspices of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative have pledged to support the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in the exploration and production of oil and gas resources in its territory.

The Ogoni leaders who spoke today, August 24, at the Ogoni Liberation Day which held in Bori with the Managing Director of NPDC, Mohammed Ali-Zarah in attendance, commended the Court of Appeal for the judgement confirming NPDC as the valid operator of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11.

The Convener and leader of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative, Rev. Douglas Fabeke, said that the Ogoni people welcomed with great joy, the intervention of the Federal Government and the takeover of the oil assets by NPDC following the judgement of the Appeal Court in Abuja.

The Ogoni leader described the judgment that handed OML11 to NPDC as liberation for the Ogoni people, stressing that the people of Ogoni have “looked forward to this freedom over the years.”

He praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his administration’s commitment to the development of Ogoniland, adding that his people would support all efforts aimed at restoring the environment and exploring its huge natural resources for the benefit of all.

He said that Ogoni leaders have resolved to eschew bitterness and work with the Federal Government to ensure that the people benefitted from the resources in their land.

“The Ogoni people are ready for oil and gas business in the land to entrench development in partnership with the NNPC and the Federal Government of Nigeria through a transformed template and practical community development delivered by the host communities.

“The Ogoni people are ready to do all forms of businesses with the State, Federal and Global Corporate Communities for the development of their land, provided the business is anchored upon Ogoni development.”

He submitted a communique on behalf of the people of Ogoni to the Federal Government as the request of Ogoni people and as condition for the mutual relationship between the people and NPDC.

The communique, among other things, requested that “the issue of clean-up in Ogoniland should be re-visited and the Government should mandate the handling agency to expedite actions and clean the land in tune with the UNEP Report’s recommendation or allow the Ogoni people to bring experts that would perfectly implement the recommendations of the UNEP Report to the letter”

It also called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the provisions of infrastructure to the Ogoni people.

“The Ogoni people will not work under any political manipulation that will affect the development and smooth operation in the land without capturing the interest of the people. We stand by every word drafted here and will implement it to the letter, and also ready to give the Federal Government of Nigeria maximum cooperation to achieve its aim for the success and benefit of the nation and the Ogoni people.”

The Managing Director of NPDC, Mr. Mohammed Ali-Zarah, said the company understood the concerns and yearnings of the Ogoni people and shared in their pain.

He said that NPDC and the Federal Government would work with the Ogoni people to bring development, employment and growth to the land, remediate the environment and ensure that future exploration and production activities do not impact negatively on the environment.

Ali-Zarah noted that the large turn-out of people, including traditional rulers, at the event was a huge moral boost to NPDC’s confidence in its re-entry plan.

“Indeed, this is a clear testimonial and demonstration of the strong cordial relationship that has existed between us over the years. This, for us, is our social license to operate in this peace-loving community.”

The Managing Director observed that it is in the best interest of the country to speedily restore the environment of Ogoniland and create the needed condition for the social economic development of the communities.

“As a viable partner, we would join you to pursue the greater good of our people and the nation. We stand with you and would work with you to achieve this within the shortest possible time.”

On the communique submitted by the Ogoni Liberation Initiative signed by leaders of various communities that make up Ogoniland, Ali-Zarah assured them that he would send the document to the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation for onward transmission to the relevant quarters, including the Presidency.

Oil production operations were suspended in Ogoniland in the early 1990s due to disruptions caused by local unrest. The oilfields and other installations have since largely remained dormant.

Hope was, however, rekindled last week following an Appeal Court judgment that paved the way for NPDC to take over the operatorship of the oil assets in Ogoniland from Shell.

The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja upturned the August 23, 2019, ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja which held that the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) was entitled to the renewal of the Lease on OML 11.

In the ruling, the Appellate Court held that the Minister of Petroleum Resources has the discretion whether or not to renew the OML 11 Lease in favor of SPDC.

The Court further held that the Minister rightly exercised his discretion in awarding the OML 11 Lease to NPDC, a subsidiary of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

BREAKING: Gunmen Kill 2 Soldiers, Kidnap And Injure Others At Kaduna Defence Academy

Greenbarge Reporters

August 24, 2021

Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper now said that a large number of gunmen, early this morning, August 24, stormed the Afaka barracks of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, killing a naval officer.
The information had it that the invading gunmen also kidnapped two Majors in the army.
Sources within the barracks told our correspondent that security has been beefed up within and around the barracks to stop the gunmen from escaping with the officers.
“It was a terrible experience, the gunmen took advantage of the time when most people had gone to bed to attack the barracks,” a source said.
“Right now, the whole barracks is under lock and key and security has been beefed up so that the gunmen would not leave the barracks… it is believed that they are still within.”

One of the officers who was injured in the attack is currently being treated at a hospital within the barracks.

The source said there are, however, fears that the gunmen may decide to kill the officers in a bid to escape.

The Public Relations Officer of the Academy, Major Bashir Muhammed Jajira issued a statement this morning detailing how it all happened. Please read on:
The security architecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy was compromised early this morning by unknown gunmen who gained access into the residential area within the Academy in Afaka. During the unfortunate incident, we lost two personnel and one was abducted.
The Academy in collaboration with the 1Division Nigerian Army and Air Training Command as well as other security agencies in Kaduna state has since commenced pursuit of the unknown gunmen within the general area with a view to tracking them and rescue the abducted personnel.
The NDA community and Cadets are safe in the Academy. We assure the general public that this unknown gunmen would soon be apprehended and the abducted personnel rescued.
Bashir Muhd Jajira
Major
Academy Public Relations Officer
24 August 2021.

With 4 Gold, 3 Bronze Nigeria Has Reason To Celebrate Nairobi Outing – Buhari

Editorial staff

August 23, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigerian athletes on their outstanding achievements at the just concluded World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

In a statement today, August 23 by a presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President said that with four gold and three bronze medals to finish third on the final medal table, Nigeria has many reasons to celebrate.

“With four gold and three bronze medals to finish third on the final medals table, the President believes that our sports ambassadors in Nairobi and the entire contingent have every reason to celebrate their well-deserved laurels, while putting the track and field world on notice of their intentions to surpass their achievements in the nearest future.”

President Buhari commended the team and their handlers for showcasing to the world that Nigeria is blessed with some of the best talents in the world of sport who by dint of hardwork and perseverance can dazzle anytime and anywhere.

He also thanked the victorious athletes for flying the country’s flag high at the competition, breaking new records from personal bests and national records all the way to championship record.

He celebrated with all Nigerians for the feat by the patriotic athletes “for reinforcing the can-do and resilient spirit of the Nigerian.”

1...619620621...2,495 Page 620 of 2,495