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No fewer than 2,111 protesters were arrested in connection with the 10-day #Endbadgovernance action across the country that was held from August 1st to 10th.
Also, 1,403 have been surreptitiously arraigned in various courts. However, the suspects were ordered to be remanded in prison custody due to a lack of legal representation, whereas the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, had publicly announced its intention to provide lawyers to defend them.
Femi Falana, SAN, human rights activist, and The Chair, Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond, ASCAB, made the revelations in a fiery statement that also included an ultimatum for the government to charge them to court.
In the statement, entitled ‘HALT THE CLAMPDOWN ON PROTESTERS’, Falana also said: “Seven Polish students, who were taking part in an exchange programme in Bayero University, Kano, were arrested for taking photographs during the protest.
“They may be charged with espionage to give the impression that the protests were instigated by foreign interest groups.”
On the arrested and detained protesters, Falana demanded that “Whenever the suspects are going to be arraigned, they must be given adequate notice to be able to contact the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and their family members to make arrangements for their defence.”
Arrest across Nigeria
Falana also gave a breakdown of the distribution of protesters arrested across the states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
1. Kano — 873
2. Jigawa — 403
3. Katsina–120;
4. Gombe — 111
5. Sokoto — 110
6. Borno — 99
7. Yobe — 90
8. Bauchi-60
9. Plateau — 51
10. Kaduna — 50
11. FCT — 50
12. Nasarawa — 40
13. Niger — 25
14. Zamfara — 19
15. Cross Rivers — 10
‘Suspected looters are treated better’
According to the fiery activist, “We have also confirmed that individual lawyers who had applied for the bail of the detained suspects in police stations were not informed that they were going to be arraigned in the courts.
“We submit that the decision of the authorities to deny the suspects legal representation constitutes a violent breach of their fundamental right to fair hearing guaranteed by section 36 of the Constitution and article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
“This is highly discriminatory and illegal on the ground that politically exposed persons who are arrested for looting the treasury to the tune of several billions of Naira are usually informed in advance of the dates and of their arraignment in the courts.
“Such highly placed suspected looters are always granted bail in liberal terms and even authorised by trial judges to travel abroad for medical treatment.
“The offence allegedly committed by the 783 suspects arrested in Kano is that they displayed the Russian flag during the protest.
“A tailor who was sowing the flag was also arrested by the police. It may be difficult to press charges against the suspects in a country where the flags of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany and other European countries are hoisted by the majority of hotels in Nigeria while Churches hoist the flag of Israel based on the erroneous belief that it is a Christian country.”
The Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of AIT, Raypower and Faaji FM, Raymond Dokpesi (Jnr), has offered explanations on why he had to ease 10 Directors, including Dr. Oluwatosin Dokpesi, the wife of his late father, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, out of the company.
Dokpesi offered the explanation in an interview with Daily Sun on Wednesday, days after the sack was confirmed by the firm.
He said: “I think the first thing to recognise is that it is not a personal decision to ask anyone to go.
“If I had it left to me and to myself, I would definitely want to harness the experiences, the relationships and the skills that the existing management has for a little bit longer.
“But the reality of the matter is that we are a publicly listed company.
“We are the only publicly listed media company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and that means we are also bound by the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and the code of corporate governance is mandatory for all publicly listed companies.
“So, that means our responsibilities to our shareholders transcend personal choices or personal opinions.
“We have persons who are leaving the organisation after 27 years; we have people who are leaving after 22 years.
“The vast majority of this time, they have spent in executive management positions and yet, the code of corporate governance and our internal documents state we should only do a maximum of two terms of five years.
“So, their retirement is, in fact, long overdue.
“It was a decision which ought to have been made, even as far back as five, six, seven years ago.
“But as of that time, my dad was still alive, very present and very active and also, we were going through different political turbulence as far as our organisation is concerned.
“Nobody needs to be reminded of the history of the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration with reference to the treatment of AIT and our founder in particular.
“Notwithstanding, whatever you want to say about the incumbent administration, I think, to some large extent, they have shown their capacity for accommodation of all shades of opinions from public broadcasters.
“We don’t feel the heat and the intimidation of governments as we did a couple of years ago and the time is opportune and right as well for us to review where exactly we want to go, going forward from here.
“For me, and I think also for the vast majority of members of our board, the decision comes down to simply determining: Do we want to continue on our existing trajectory or do we want to do something differently?
“And if we are looking at doing something differently, it means we have to subject ourselves to abide by the terms and conditions of extant laws and regulations to give the investing public confidence into our organisation and the administration and also to be able to attract the kinds of funds and investments we need to grow and expand beyond our existing programmes.”
DAAR Communications PLC announced the retirement of members of its Executive Management with effect from October 31, 2024 in compliance with Code of Corporate Governance as well as Company’s Internal Control Policies and Procedures Manual.
A statement signed by the Company Secretary, Miji Jonah, said the affected officials have spent over 10 years in such capacity.
Those affected were Senior High Chief Tony Akiotu, Dr. Oluwatosin Dokpesi, Dr. Ambrose Somide, Anthony Uyah, Paulyn Ugbodaga, Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi, Faith Ikems, Imoni Amarere, John Iwarue and Johnson Onime.
The Board of DAAR Communications PLC expressed gratitude to all the retiring Executive Board members for their invaluable contributions to the company during their tenure and wished them the very best in their future endeavours.
The statement added that the media conglomerate is working on major restructuring of its leadership and once this is concluded, the Nigerian Exchange Limited and other regulatory authorities, its shareholders and the general public would be notified.
Key Points
- Arrie Rautenbach announces early retirement as Absa Group CEO, effective April 2025, after 27 years with the bank.
- Charles Russon will serve as interim CEO starting Oct. 2024, pending regulatory approval, amid Absa’s ongoing market challenges.
- Yasmin Masithela takes on the role of Interim CEO for Absa’s Corporate and Investment Bank, supporting the leadership transition.
Absa Group has announced the early retirement of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Arrie Rautenbach, effective from 15 April 2025.
Following discussions with the Board, Rautenbach will step down as CEO and executive director of Absa Group and Absa Bank on 15 October 2024. He will then serve a six-month garden leave period until his official retirement.
Rautenbach, who became CEO in 2022, is the sixth leader to head the bank in the past six years. His 27-year career with Absa includes significant contributions to the organization’s growth.
The Absa Board expressed its gratitude for Rautenbach’s dedicated service and the impact he made during his tenure.
Absa group under Arrie Rautenbach
Under the leadership of Arrie Rautenbach, Absa Group has demonstrated robust financial performance, surpassing $5 billion in revenue for fiscal 2023.
Notable moves include a multi-million dollar vehicle finance partnership with Renault South Africa, a subsidiary of the French multinational automobile manufacturer Renault, and a $60 million trade finance facility provided to Volcafe, a leading green coffee merchant, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Charles Russon takes the helm as interim CEO
Charles Russon, currently the Chief Executive of Absa’s Corporate and Investment Bank, will step in as the interim Group Chief Executive Officer on 15th, Oct. 2024. His appointment is pending regulatory approval, and he will also join the boards of Absa Group and Absa Bank as an executive director.
Russon’s experience at Absa dates back to 2006. He has held several key positions, including Chief Financial Officer of Absa Capital, Regional Head of Finance, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Executive of Engineering Services.
A chartered accountant and Rhodes University graduate, Russon also gained international experience at Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank in London and Frankfurt.
Absa has struggled to maintain market share in recent years. The Board believes that Russon’s leadership will provide the stability needed during this transition. They plan to conduct a thorough search for a permanent Group Chief Executive.
[Billionaire Africa]
Upon his return, Naija News understands that Tinubu will preside over the inauguration of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria on Friday.
Sources within the Presidency informed WESTERN POST that Tinubu, who traveled to France on Monday, will make a swift return to Abuja, viewing the swearing-in of Justice Kekere-Ekun not only as a constitutional obligation but also as a historic responsibility.
It was previously reported that the National Judicial Council had recommended Justice Kekere-Ekun to succeed Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who is set to officially retire on Thursday, August 22.
Justice Kekere-Ekun, born on May 7, 1958, earned her bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos in 1980 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on July 10, 1981, after completing her studies at the Nigerian Law School. She furthered her education at the London School of Economics, obtaining a master’s degree in Law in November 1983.
Her career began in the Lagos State Judiciary as Senior Magistrate II, eventually rising to the position of State High Court Judge. Between November 1996 and May 1999, she served as Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja.
In 2004, Justice Kekere-Ekun was appointed to the Nigerian Court of Appeal, and in July 2013, she was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
[NaijaNews]
Nigerian born New Zealand’s mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya on Thursday arrived in Lagos with his parents after losing the UFC 305 crown to South African Dricus Du Plessis.
Adesanya arrived in Nigeria after the African Martial artist champion taunted his heritage during their press conference ahead of the UFC 305 middleweight title fight.
Du Plessis forced Adesanya to submit in the fourth round to retain his title and earned an opportunity to defend his title next in his home country of South Africa, as earlier promised by UFC President Dana White.
The Nigerian born style-blender, in a video shared on his Instagram and recirculated on X, arrived at Lagos airport and was received by fans who warmly welcomed him and his family with Yoruba music.
A group of local drummers performed to welcome the fighter, who famously refers to himself as “Omo Oba”, which means the king’s son or prince.
[Leadership]
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the full implementation of the directive of President Bola Tinubu on the supply of crude to Dangote refinery and modular refineries in the country.
Yakubu Maikyau, President of the NBA and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said this on Wednesday in Lekki, Lagos State.
Describing the establishment of the refinery as both nationalistic and patriotic endeavour, the umbrella professional association of lawyers, urged the Federal Government and Nigerians to support the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to end the reign of fuel scarcity and perennial queues at filling stations in the country.
It expressed disappointment that the major project is encountering strong resistance from fuel importers, who have stifled the economy and kept it reliant on imported refined petroleum products, despite Nigeria’s status as a leading crude oil producer.
Maikyau, who led other leaders and members of the association on a visit to the facility, praised the President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, for remaining steadfast despite the opposition faced.
He said: “What I have seen today gladdens my heart, but at the same time, my heart is bleeding because of the neglect and opposition that such a laudable effort is facing. It is shameful, but as I mentioned to the President of the group, his continued steadfastness and resilience despite the opposition show that there is hope for this country.
“I would describe Aliko Dangote as both a freedom fighter and an economic warrior. There is no one more honourable or patriotic than Dangote. He has proven this through his actions, not just words. This isn’t about what someone might tell you; we have witnessed the enormous investments he has made in this country.”
He urged the Federal Government to create a supportive environment for the refinery, aiming to transform Nigeria into a net exporter of refined petroleum products and to alleviate the severe hardships caused by fuel scarcity.
He lamented that it is shameful for the refinery to import crude from abroad and export refined products due to opposition from local players.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to pay deliberate and conscious attention to what Dangote is doing. Anyone serious about turning around the fortunes of this country cannot ignore Dangote’s efforts.
“This is a people-centered investment that must be supported. This is the type of investment we need, and wherever such investments exist in this country, we urge the government to create an enabling environment for the benefit of the people. If we establish a supportive environment for this refinery to operate, we will eliminate the queues on our streets and resolve the difficulties associated with the scarcity of petroleum products.
“However, we will need the government to demonstrate a willingness to support this crucial venture. We have a facility here that can compete with the best in the world, but unfortunately, it is not receiving the support and recognition it deserves. It is disgraceful that with a refinery of this capacity, where 86 tankers can be loaded at once, we still face fuel shortages,” he added.
Vice Chairman of the Epe Branch of the NBA, Ivo Takor, who praised the location of the refinery in the Ibeju-Lekki-Epe axis, said that the project has the potential to resolve the long-standing issue of fuel importation, create jobs, boost foreign exchange, and save the country money currently spent on subsidising petroleum products.
“The refinery is something every Nigerian should be proud of. It is a project that will move Nigeria away from its long-standing issue of fuel importation, which comes with its own set of problems. Currently, we are dealing with fuel scarcity and long queues. I believe that once this refinery is fully operational, these challenges will be resolved.
“Additionally, the refinery has the capacity to export some of its products, bringing foreign exchange into the economy. It will also reduce the government’s expenditure on subsidies, allowing funds to be redirected towards improving infrastructure, education, and the health sector. Since its construction, many jobs have been created, and further job creation will follow when it becomes fully operational,” he said.
He, however, noted that despite these benefits, there are some entrenched cartels against the full operation of the refinery.
While praising President Bola Tinubu for directing the supply of crude to both the refinery and modular refineries across the country, he emphasised the need for stringent monitoring to ensure compliance.
He stressed that withholding crude from the refinery constitutes sabotage against the nation and should be met with appropriate sanctions.
“Unfortunately, it appears that there is a well-established cartel working against the full operation of this refinery, specifically those who do not want to supply it with crude oil. It is illogical for Nigeria to export crude oil while the refinery also imports crude.
“This situation reflects the interests of entrenched forces who benefit from fuel importation, which negatively impacts the people and the economy. Fortunately, the president has issued a directive regarding the supply of crude to the refinery.
“However, beyond this directive, it is crucial to ensure compliance. Those who do not comply should face adequate sanctions, as failure to do so constitutes sabotage not only against the refinery but against the economy as well,” he said.
The Vice President (Oil & Gas) at Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, informed the delegates, that the refinery was established primarily to source and refine local crudes for the benefit of Nigeria, while also exporting excess production to boost the economy.
Edwin noted that the lack of sufficient Nigerian crude supplies has necessitated importing crude from other countries and continents while exporting refined petroleum products abroad.
[DailyTrust]
Ndidi helped Leicester City earn a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at the King Power Stadium on Monday night.
Pedro Porro gave Spurs the lead, while Leicester City skipper James Vardy restored parity for the home side.
Ndidi had incredibly cleared the ball off the line to deny Spurs taking the lead in the sixth minute.
Smith, who was on commentary duty for Sky Sports, praised the experienced Nigerian midfielder for his heroic effort.
“That was a sensational clearance from Wilfried Ndidi off the line. It really was,” he was quoted as saying by the BBC.
The Super Eagles midfielder played the entire duration of the game.
He managed 57 touches, completed 79 per cent of his passes, had one shot on target, won four of his eight ground duels, won the only aerial duel he contested, and made four clearances and two blocks.
[DailyPost]
Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), has sealed four hotels and recreation centres in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government area over unsettled tax liabilities amounting to
N16,737,488.54 million.
The hotels sealed by the Revenue Agency include: Kyus Hotel, Secretariat Road Kafanchan, Sunshine Lodge Hotel, Secretariat Road Kafanchan, Bayan Hotel, Madakiya Road, Kafanchan and Cloud -9 Lounge Unguwan Musa, Kafanchan.
Leading the enforcement team, KADIRS Chairman, Mr Jerry Adams, said, the Service had secured court order for the immediate closure and taking over of the entire properties of the defaulting businesses until all unpaid taxes are settled.
He said KADIRS as backed by the law, will ensure that all taxes that are due to the State are remitted to the government coffers.
According to him: “As a tax administration body of Kaduna State, we are backed by the law to ensure that all taxes that are due to the State are remitted to the state. But, we have some recalcitrant tax payers who would never voluntarily comply tkk on our tax laws.
“So, this exercise today is to enforce and ensure that, ever tax payer expected to pay tax to the government pays and we will continue to enforce because we have the backing of the law.
“The state needs the monies to provide infrastructures. As you can see, the Governor, Senator Uba is doing so much despite the huge debt burden on the state.”
Adams said the Service will go to all the major cities on the enforcement exercise, calling on all individuals and organizations to pay their taxes.
[TheNation]
The body of UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch was recovered Thursday from his sunken yacht off Sicily, as the search continued for the last of the six people missing.
Specialist divers were still looking for a missing woman, a coastguard official told AFP, with a source close to the investigation having earlier indicated Lynch’s 18-year-old daughter Hannah had yet to be found.
On Wednesday they pulled up four bodies from the wreck of the “Bayesian”, while another was brought to shore in Porticello, on the north of the Italian island near Palermo, Thursday morning.
The latest grim discovery brings the death toll to six, after the body of a man believed to be the yacht’s chef was found shortly after the ship went down in a storm before dawn on Monday.
The 56-metre (185 feet) British-flagged sailing boat had been anchored some 700 metres off Porticello, near Palermo on the north of the Italian island, when it was struck by a waterspout — akin to a mini-tornado.
It sank within minutes.
Fifteen people were rescued, including Lynch’s wife, but the businessman and his daughter were among six people reported missing.
‘Errors’
The passengers were guests of 59-year-old Lynch — a celebrated technology entrepreneur and investor sometimes referred to as the UK’s answer to Bill Gates — celebrating his recent acquittal in a massive US fraud case.
Lynch’s lawyer Christopher Morvillo and his wife Neda, and Jonathan Bloomer, the chair of Morgan Stanley International, and his wife Judy, were also among the missing.
Many questions remain about why the yacht sank, and on Thursday the head of the company which built the boat said the tragedy could have been avoided.
“Everything that was done reveals a very long summation of errors,” said Giovanni Costantino, head of the Italian Sea Group, which includes the Perini Navi company that built “Bayesian”.
He told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper that bad weather was forecast and all the passengers should have been gathered at a pre-arranged assembly point, with all the doors and hatches closed.
Security camera footage of the ship from the shore showed the lights on its mast going out, which Costantino said indicated a short circuit, meaning that the ship had already taken on water.
“A Perini ship resisted Hurricane Katrina, a category 5 (hurricane). Does it seem to you that it can’t resist a tornado from here?” he told the newspaper.
‘Trapped like mice’
Costantino said it was “good practice when the ship is at anchor to have a guard on the bridge, and if there was one he could not have failed to see the storm coming”.
“Instead it took on water with the guests still in the cabin… They ended up in a trap, those poor people ended up like mice in a trap,” he said.
The “Bayesian” was built by the Italian shipbuilding firm Perini Navi in 2008 and boasted a 75-metre mast, the tallest aluminium sailing mast in the world, according to the Charter World website.
It was reportedly owned by Lynch’s family.
Lynch was acquitted on all charges in a San Francisco court in June after he was accused of an $11 billion fraud linked to the sale of his software firm Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard.
A co-defendant, former Autonomy executive Stephen Chamberlain, died after being hit by a car on Saturday in England.
Italian authorities have opened a probe into the sinking, while the UK’s marine accident investigation branch sent four inspectors to Palermo.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has adjourned a hearing in the FCT minister‘s motion on the restriction order on participants of the hunger protest until Sept. 4.
The adjournment came after counsel to the FCT minister (claimant), Moses Ebute, SAN, told the court that he served the motion on notice on the respondents.
The counsel for the 1st to 4th respondents, Dr S.M. Oyeghe, did not oppose but asked for the motion to be served on them in court.
The other respondents were neither present in court nor legally represented.
Justice Oriji directed the claimant counsel to serve all the respondents, then adjourned until Sept. 4 for the motion.
The respondents in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG of Police, and Commissioner of Police.
Others are the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and the Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th respondents.
In his ruling on July 31, Justice Oriji recognised the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, but restricted them to the stadium in view of the genuine fears expressed by the minister.
“In the light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed.
He added that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed,” the judge held.
He therefore ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.
In addition, the court ordered the service of processes in the suit as well as the confinement order on the respondents by placing the same in the newspapers.
The judge gave the order following an application to that effect filed by Dr Ogwu Onoja, SAN, on behalf of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
At the sitting on Aug. 13, the FCT Minister, through his lawyer, drew the attention of the judge to a statement issued by one Damilare Adenola in which she threatened that the nationwide protests may be extended beyond the initial 10 days.
Onoja argued that since they were not in court and no one knew their next plan of action.
”It would be in order to extend the order to ensure that peace in the FCT was not unjustly disrupted.”
In a brief ruling, the judge granted the request and affirmed that the order of July 31 remained valid and in force.
Oriji further ordered that the respondents should be served with the hearing notice before the next adjourned date.
He subsequently adjourned until Aug. 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.
(NAN)
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Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, says the budget for government agencies under the presidency will be on a needs assessment basis.
Gbajabiamila spoke with reporters on Wednesday in Abuja after touring agencies that directly report to the presidency.
He was accompanied on the tour by Ibrahim Hadeija, deputy chief of staff, and Olufunso Adebiyi, permanent secretary of the Aso Rock villa, among others.
Some of the agencies under the state house are the Nigeria Agriculture and Land Development Agency (NALDA), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission (NAEC), and the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
The chief of staff said resources are limited and must be allocated to these agencies based on actual requirements.
“In any country in the world, resources are limited. For us it is about prioritising,” the former speaker of the house of representatives said.
“Where are we so far? What have the agencies done? How have they measured up to their mandates and how important are their mandates in terms of the vision of this administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda?
“A lot of agencies are not properly funded. Do we merge some of these agencies, do we scrap some?
“In 2025 we are not going to budget in a vacuum. We will budget based on needs assessment.”
At NALDA, the chief of staff said the Tinubu administration is committed to diversifying the economy in which agriculture has a major role to play.
“This government is particular about diversifying our economy and the role the agriculture sector has to play is very important,” he said.
“This government is focusing very seriously on agriculture and food security and we trust that NALDA will continue to be innovative in its operations, including developing greenhouses and supporting the cultivation of more arable land across the country.”
While visiting the NAEC office, Gbajabiamila reiterated the federal government’s commitment to developing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes such as electricity generation.
[TheCable]
Isah Bawa, the Emir of Gobir in Gawata town of Sokoto state, has been reportedly killed by bandits.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, Shuaibu Gobir, the Magaji of the town, said they received the news of the emir’s death on Tuesday.
The traditional ruler was abducted at the Kwanar Maharba area in Sokoto while returning from an event three weeks ago.
Earlier, in a viral video, the traditional ruler was shown tied up by his abductors, pleading with the state government to pay the ransom to the bandits for his release.
“My brothers and sisters, friends, and the state government, I am informing you that I have reached the deadline today. I am pleading with you all to help me,” the traditional ruler said.
“These people (bandits) are tired of us and have done their best to ensure the government intervened in my situation, but nothing has been done.
“I am 74 years old, and I have served the government for over 40 years.”
Gobir said the bandits killed the district head on Tuesday.
“The information I received is that the gunmen shot him yesterday [Tuesday] after the Asr prayer, and those who went to negotiate the ransom saw the emir’s body lying on the ground,” he said.
He said the body of the Emir had not been recovered yet, adding that they are currently working on rescuing the son who was kidnapped alongside the traditional ruler.
“On Tuesday morning, the leader of the kidnappers called and inquired about the ransom. When they asked to speak with the emir, he replied that the emir was warming himself by the fire,” he added.
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“When Kabiru was contacted, he confirmed that the emir was there warming himself, but he kept pleading for the ransom to be paid to secure their release.”
When contacted, Ahmad Rufai, police spokesperson, said the family of the district head was yet to report his death at the station.
The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) says the plan to sell Nigeria-denominated crude in naira will potentially worsen Nigeria’s currency volatility and foreign exchange receipts.
According to a statement on Monday, Abdulrazak Isa, chairman of IPPG, expressed the group’s concern in a letter to Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive officer (CEO), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
On July 29, the federal executive council (FEC) approved a proposal by President Bola Tinubu directing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to sell crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and other refineries in naira.
The sale of crude oil in naira will commence on October 1.
Speaking on the issue, Isa said such a move was not in tandem with the law.
He said a significant source of the government’s royalty and taxation earnings such as petroleum profit tax (PPT), company income tax (CIT), and hydrocarbon tax (HT), which are denominated in dollars, would be affected, and could further disrupt the fiscal regime.
“We are (also) aware of suggestions and proposal to sell crude in Naira, this is inconsistent with the law and will further put a materially significant strain on the efforts of the Government to manage the Naira as it will reduce Nigeria’s FX receipts from its highest FX revenue earner – the oil and gas industry, which is a significant source of the Nigerian Government’s royalty and income taxes earnings (PPT, CIT and HT) that are denominated in US Dollars,’’ Isa said.
Isa also expressed concerns over recent industry developments, including NUPRC’s domestic crude oil refining requirements and production forecast for 2024, and the request for monthly quotations for local refineries.
“However, it is important to highlight certain contractual, legal, financial and factual incongruencies that exist in the increasing push and demands on petroleum producers and particularly on members of the IPPG,” he said.
“We are indeed constrained to say that the current position on this matter may inevitably lead to economic damage and self-sabotage of the Nigerian economy. This is simply an inescapable fact.’’
The IPPG chairman, citing a potential economic emergency, said he is aware that the group’s members are mandated to allocate crude volumes to the domestic market for the second half of 2024, in line with the NUPRC’s domestic crude oil supply obligations (DCSO) guideline.
Isa said under Nigerian law, “any supply of crude oil to a refinery even under a DCSO umbrella is required to be on a willing buyer and willing seller basis”.
“This is the position of the principal law that cannot be derogated by regulation or guideline,” he said.
“Additionally, all producers (including NNPC Limited) are currently beholden to either fixed supply contracts or forward sale contracts to international traders who have stepped in to fill the financing gap to fund upstream investments since international finance institutions have reduced their funding positions to fossil fuels due mainly to ESG requirements.
“These contractual arrangements have become the necessary collateral obligations for producers (including NNPC Limited) and thus they currently have contractual rights to producers’ barrels of crude oil.
“In addition, crude cargoes are normally sold at least three (3) months in advance and therefore your recent letters to some of our members received in August mandating DCSO volumes from July to December 2024 are not achievable, particularly as most, if not all, of the cargoes from July to October will already have been sold.’’
‘NIGERIA’S OIL PRODUCTION LEVEL WILL BE AFFECTED’
The IPPG chairman reaffirmed that any action that jeopardises the aforementioned funding mechanism would thereby jeopardise a substantial portion of Nigeria’s crude oil production.
He also said that any unilateral directive to IPPG members to supply domestic refineries in violation of the primary legislation would have certain repercussions, such as producers’ failure to fulfil their offtake obligations to buyers of crude oil who have already entered into contracts.
Isa said it would also impact the ability to raise the current production levels from 1.3 million barrels of oil per day to the federal government’s projected 2-2.5 million barrels of oil per day.
The oil producer said it could also put the country in an adversarial position with the international traders, who finance a significant portion of upstream activity, alongside their respective institutional investors.
He said it could cause cross defaults across IPPG members and this would dry up a critical source of foreign exchange (FX) for the country.
“This FX shortage would be acutely felt given that NNPC Limited has engaged in (and is currently marketing) a series of Forward Sale Agreements which mean future revenues are being secured against upfront funding,” he said.
If IPPG members cannot augment this gap with their FX inflows, he said it creates a spiral of liquidity funding that would further impair the economy on a macro level.
Silverbird Group, organisers of the Miss Universe Nigeria contest, has unveiled the contestants for its 2024 pageant.
The pageant organisers said this year’s winner would receive ₦10 million in cash alongside other prizes.
Arthur Ngwube, brand manager of Silverbird Group, said the theme for the 2024 competition is ‘Digital Divas’.
Ngwube said the theme reflects the growing significance of digital presence and influence.
He urged the contestants to use technology, social media, and digital platforms in their quest for the crown.
The voting process will remain open until the eve of the event on August 30, 2024.
Mitchel Ihezue of Imo state was crowned the Miss Universe Nigeria 2023 pageant winner.
Ihezue thereafter represented Nigeria at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador.
Below are the 25 contestants:
- Miss Abia — Chioma Nkumeh
“I am working on an advocacy of empowering women and I want women to become the best version of themselves.”
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- Miss Abuja — Lucille Oputa
“I stand for every voice that needs to be heard and every dream that wants to thrive.”
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- Miss Akwa Ibom — Happiness Enetak
“I believe in designing people’s lives.”
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- Miss Anambra — Paula Ezendu
“They say the universe listens to stubborn people’s hearts, but for me, resilient people’s hearts will command the universe to listen.”
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- Miss Bayelsa — Fortune Kurobo
“I am passionate about women’s reproductive health issues.”
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- Miss Benue — Joy Omanibe
“I will amplify my advocacy focused on education and healthcare for children living in rural areas.”
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- Miss Cross River — Emanuella Igbodor
“I am committed to making a difference and I want to offer a unique perspective on creating change beyond the beauty aspect.”
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- Miss Delta — Sarah Olotu
“My vision is to humbly represent our beloved country on a global stage as the Miss Universe platform.”
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- Miss Ebonyi — Mother Theresa Orji
“I am confident that I will win and in turn, I will use my platform to advocate for causes that are personal and close to my heart.”
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- Miss Edo — Edeifo Aikhuele
“I promise to continue serving our great nation through advocacy for children, healthcare, and education.”
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- Miss Ekiti — Esther Gabriel
“I want to use the Miss Universe platform to campaign for causes I am passionate about, especially those related to girl child education.”
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- Miss Enugu — Uchechi Uchenna
“If I win, I will focus on my personal advocacy for mental health and education for underprivileged children.”
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- Miss Imo — Queeneth Igbokwe
“My vision is to help women who are victims of domestic violence escape their relationships before it’s too late. I intend to provide financial and mental support to help them regain their confidence and move forward.”
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- Miss Kaduna — Sophia Nelson
“With the crown, I can push my plan on a bigger scale.”
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- Miss Kogi — Zuleihat Oyarazi
“I will fulfill my dream of becoming an ambassador of strength for the next generation and bring the Miss Universe crown home.”
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- Miss Kwara — Ufa Dania
“I am here to champion important causes, empower others, and create a positive impact that extends far beyond this pageant and into the community.”
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- Miss Lagos — Favour John
“I want to inspire people, impact lives, and remind young people to believe in themselves and their abilities.”
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- Miss Niger — Priscilla Umehea
“I want to make a positive impact on the world.”
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- Miss Ogun — Deborah Anosike
“I will create a platform that will make schools accessible to children and empower women in Nigeria.”
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- Miss Ondo — Peace Ayegbidun
“I am living proof that women can be strong, beautiful, resilient, and successful businesswomen.”
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- Miss Osun — Ifunanya Nledo
“I want to represent Nigeria on the international stage”
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- Miss Oyo — Elizabeth Salawu
“I will use fitness and technology to create a society where we prioritise mental health.”
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- Miss Plateau — Chioma Ogbonna
“I plan to give back through my foundation.”
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- Miss Rivers — Nyekachi Douglas
“I want to refocus Nigerian pageants on their core purpose; advocacy.”
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- Miss Taraba — Chidimma Adetshina
“As women, we have faced adversity, and I want to use my voice and story to promote inclusion and acceptance. I also want to educate people about the power of diversity in building a strong community that benefits everyone.”
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