FEATURES

FEATURES

Seplat Energy says it has completed the acquisition of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPNU) from ExxonMobil.

In a statement on Thursday, Seplat Energy described the transaction as transformative.


Seplat said it will more than double production and position the company to foster growth and profitability, whilst contributing significantly to Nigeria’s future prosperity.


“MPNU adds substantial reserves and production to Seplat Energy; 409 MMboe 2P reserves and 670 MMboe 2P + 2C reserves and resources as at 30 June 2024 and 6M 2024 average daily production of 71.4 kboepd,” Seplat said.

“As operator, Seplat’s immediate tasks are to ensure smooth transition of MPNU staff into Seplat, and on the operations, to swiftly target numerous opportunities that exist to organically grow production and further enhance the value of the assets for all stakeholders.”

Seplat said detailed guidance for the enlarged group in 2025 would be provided with Seplat’s full-year 2024 results, expected to be filed in February 2025.


‘READMISSION OF SHARES TO TRADING’


As regards the completion of the acquisition of MPNU, Seplat said the listing of its existing ordinary shares on the official list of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the United Kingdom is expected to be cancelled with effect from the close of trading later today.


Afterwards, Seplat said the shares would be readmitted to the equity shares (international commercial companies secondary listing) segment of the official list of the FCA and to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

Seplat said the readmission is expected to occur at 8:00am on December 13.

“No new shares will be issued in connection with Re-admission,” the company said.

“The Company’s ordinary shares will continue to trade under the name Seplat Energy plc with the ticker symbol “SEPL” and ISIN NGSEPLAT0008.”

Commenting on the transaction, Udoma Udoma, chairman of Seplat Energy, commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the transaction, appreciating the support and diligence of the various ministries and regulators for all the efforts to reach a successful conclusion.

“We are delighted to welcome the MPNU employees to Seplat Energy. We are excited to begin our journey in a new region of the country, and we look forward to replicating the positive impacts we have achieved within our communities in our current areas of operations,” he said.

“Seplat’s mission is to deliver value to all our stakeholders, and we treasure the good relationships we have developed with the Government, regulators, communities and our staff.”

On his part, Roger Brown, chief executive officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy, said the company has achieved a major feat.

Brown further thanked the entire Seplat team for their diligence and perseverance in completing the transaction.

“MPNU’s employees and contractors have a strong reputation for safety and operational excellence, and I welcome them to the Seplat Energy Group,” he said.

“We have acquired a company with one of the best portfolios of assets and related infrastructure in a world class basin, providing enormous potential for the Seplat Group. Our commitment is to invest to increase oil and gas production while reducing costs and emissions, maximising value for all our stakeholders.

“MPNU is a perfect fit with our strategy to build a sustainable business that can deliver affordable, accessible and reliable energy for Nigeria alongside attractive returns to our shareholders.”

On October 21, Gbenga Komolafe, the CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), announced approval of the deal by the federal government.

Seplat had said it will complete the transaction with a final consideration of $800 million.

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has slammed Kemi Badenoch, leader of the United Kingdom, UK, Conservative Party over her reply to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
 
Fani-Kayode in a statement on X on Thurday stated that Nigeria doesn't need Badenoch.
 
He said: “No you are not & neither do we need or want you to. You are however doing PR for the House Ni*gers Association & the racist, fascist scum that constitutes the far right wing of your adopted country. Do us a favour by shutting your foul mouth, dropping ‘Kemi’ as your name & changing it to ‘Aunty Jemimah’ instead.”
 
The statement comes after Kemi replied Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, saying she stands by her remarks about Nigeria despite criticism that she is denigrating the country.
 
Badenoch had allegedly described her upbringing in Nigeria as being overshadowed by fear and insecurity in a country plagued by corruption.
 
Reacting to the statement, Shettima on Monday accused Kemi of denigrating Nigeria.
 
Shettima spoke on Monday at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue at the State House in Abuja.
 
The Vice President went on to ask Badenoch to remove the “Kemi” from her name if she was not proud of her nation of origin.
 
Replying Shettima, the Conservative Party leader reiterated her position on previous comments. She insisted that she was not doing PR for Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has urged those criticising President Bola Tinubu and his administration to put a stop to their actions.

Matawalle, in a statement on Thursday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, Henshaw Ogubike, observed that several of the criticisms against President Tinubu are coming from the North.

 

He, however, observed that Tinubu is working, and his economic policies are producing positive results across the country, hence the call for those criticising the President to desist and join hands with him in the task of nation-building.

 

The Minister said the turnaround would benefit all Nigerians in the long run.

“In the light of ongoing criticism, particularly from some quarters in Northern Nigeria, I urge critics to be positive in their narratives.

“I also call on citizens to remain steadfast in their support for the President and to reject divisive narratives.

“It is crucial for Nigerians to stand united behind Mr President, who is diligently working hard to revitalise our economy through series of effective policies, programmes and reforms,” he said.

Speaking on the controversial tax reform bills, Matawalle said President Tinubu is laying a foundation for a sustainable economy through his reform proposals.

The Minister said the tax reforms, when effective, would turn the country’s economy around positively, increase revenue generation for the government and lessen the tax burden on ordinary citizens and small businesses.

“By broadening the tax base and ensuring that everyone pays their fair share, President Tinubu is laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth.

“These reforms will not only increase government revenues but also stimulate investment and job creation across various sectors,” Matawalle explained.

The Minister also commended the Tinubu government for its strides in security and military welfare.

According to him, the present administration has made giant strides in enhancing the capabilities of the Nigerian military through the provision of modern hardware and equipment.

 

He added that the welfare of military personnel has been made the priority by the Tinubu government, and the troops always receive their salaries and allowances on time.

He, therefore, urged everyone to recognize the positive changes taking place under the current administration and give it all the necessary support.

“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are witnessing a renewed commitment to the safety and well-being of all Nigerians, and I encourage everyone to recognise the positive changes taking place,” the minister said.

There was an uproar at the house of representatives on Thursday after Ajang Iliya, a Plateau lawmaker, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Labour Party (LP).

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, read the defection letter of Illiya who represents Jos south/Jos east federal constituency on the floor of the green chamber.

The Plateau rep cited the leadership crisis in the LP as the reason he left the party.

Though a court has since recognised Julius Abure as the chair of the LP, a caretaker committee led by Nenadi Usman has claimed to be in charge of the party.

Illiya said there is a need to also align with the developmental policies of President Bola Tinubu.

“It is difficult to align with LP’s position on current issues,” his letter read.

But some opposition lawmakers expressed dismay over the development.

Kingsley Chinda, minority leader of the house, said the defection should be rejected because the lawmaker had not met constitutional requirements to defect to the APC.

Chinda said Illiya needed to join the APC at his ward in Plateau first.

The development came about a week after four LP reps defected to the APC.

The lawmakers were Chinedu Okere (Owerri municipal/Owerri north/Owerri west federal constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura federal constituency of Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar municipal/Odukpani federal constituency of Cross River), and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo federal constituency of Edo).

The lawmakers attributed their defection to an alleged crisis in the LP.

Last modified on Thursday, 12 December 2024 14:45
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has opened up on his relationship with Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
 
He claimed the lawmaker is his father.
 
Okpebholo said he shares a strong bond with Oshiomhole that goes beyond politics, adding that he can always count on the senator’s advice.
 
The governor spoke during his valedictory session organized in his honor by the Senate on Wednesday.
 
Okpebholo was the senator representing Edo Central until his election as governor in September 2024.
 
However, speaking during the session, the governor said: “Allow me to extend my heartfelt thanks to Akpabio, the uncommon Senate President; your leadership has been remarkable.
 
“To the deputy Senate President, your wisdom has been a guiding force, and I want to acknowledge all my colleagues in this Senate, their friendship, support, and shared commitment to our great nation.
 
“Special mention goes to my father and dependable leader, Adams Oshiomhole. Being from the same state, we share a bond that goes beyond politics, and I can always count on you for advice as I take on my new responsibility.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed the use of computer-generated slips for voter accreditation during elections.

Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, disclosed this on Thursday at a meeting with the resident electoral commissioners (REC) on planning and reform learning from the experience of the 2023 general election.

Yakubu said the commission consulted widely internally with its officials and external stakeholders to identify 142 recommendations dealing with the general state of preparedness, voter management, voter education, public communication and the electoral legal framework.

The chairman said on the legal review, there are eight recommendations that require legislative action by the national assembly.

“Very soon, the commission will make a presentation to the joint committee of the senate and house of representatives on electoral matters as they continue to deliberate on electoral reform,” he said.

Yakubu said with the introduction of the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS), the use of the permanent voters’ cards (PVC) as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on election day should be reviewed.

“Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation,” he said.

“This will not only save cost, it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them.”

He said the report also contains recommendations on early/special voting for the millions of Nigerians who do not vote at the moment on account of the roles they play during elections.

They include INEC officials, security personnel, ad hoc staff, observers and journalists who are deployed outside the places where they registered to vote.

“There are also recommendations in support of diaspora voting, the unbundling of the commission with the establishment of electoral offences tribunal and a separate agency to handle the registration and regulation of political parties,” he said.

“Similarly, the commission will step up action on voter access and distribution to polling units.”

Access Holdings says its banking subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, has entered into a binding agreement with South African-based Bidvest Group Limited for the acquisition of a 100 percent equity stake in Bidvest Bank Limited.

Sunday Ekwochi, Access Holdings’ secretary, announced the agreement in a corporate filing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) on Thursday.

Access Holdings said the acquisition is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

 

“This agreement reflects the Bank’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in South Africa and consolidating on its position as the continent’s gateway to global markets as it seeks to optimise the benefits of recent acquisitions and accelerate its transition towards a greater focus on efficiencies,” the statement reads.

 

“Founded in 2000, Bidvest Bank is a niche and profitable South African financial institution providing a diverse range of services, including corporate and business banking solutions and diverse retail banking products.

“As of its financial year ended June 2024, Bidvest Bank reported total assets equivalent to $665 million and audited profit before tax of $20 million.

“Upon conclusion of this acquisition, Bidvest Bank will be merged with the Bank’s existing South African subsidiary to create an enlarged platform to anchor the regional growth strategy for the SADC region.”

 

‘ACQUISITION OF BIDVEST BANK WILL SUPPORT ACCESS BANK’S EXPANSION PLAN’

 

Commenting on the deal, Roosevelt Ogbonna, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer  (CEO) of Access Bank, said the acquisition supports the company’s ambition to expand across Africa and solidify its presence in key markets, with South Africa being a top priority. 

“It underscores our commitment to establishing a more resilient, diversified, and sustainable business model that leverages technology to meet evolving customer needs,” Ogbonna said.

“Bidvest Bank provides a unique opportunity to blend its strong local expertise with Access Bank’s robust trade and retail banking capabilities, creating a platform for long-term growth and value creation.”

 

On his part, Mpumi Madisa, chief executive officer of Bidvest Group, said he is pleased that Access Bank meets the objectives of the South African company, and provides reassurance for the continued sustainability and prosperity of the bank.

“The transaction aligns with Access Bank’s expansion objective to build the scale needed to become a major player in its market,” Madisa said. 

“By leveraging Bidvest Bank’s robust local capabilities and Access Bank’s established pan-African presence, the Bank will have increased capacity for intra- and inter-Africa trade, connecting businesses and creating new opportunities for regional integration.”

Madisa said the deal will enable the bank to advance, scale, and sustainably grow in today’s fast-changing, technology-driven, and highly competitive sector.

The World Bank has said until Nigeria has an efficient data-gathering process the fight against corruption and transparency in governance will continue to be affected.

The World Bank Country Director, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, stated this in Abuja at the AGORA Policy conversation on anti-corruption.

Represented by the Senior Bank Official, Debby Isa, Diop noted that Nigeria must get its data-gathering process right to avoid leakages.

 

We talk about transparency, but to achieve transparent reports, you need accurate and reliable data. Right now, the data system involves numerous manual processes that allow for leakages, long compromising fiscal transparency,” Diop said.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Adele Jinadu, explained that the current method anti-corruption agencies are adopting in tackling graft would not achieve the desired result.

He condemned the country’s leaders’ attitude towards the law. He also warned against scapegoating some citizens in the guise of fighting corruption.

We are dealing with a toxic environment where corruption pervades every institution. No matter the reforms, corruption is ultimately about morality. Our leaders consistently act contrary to the laws they pledge to uphold.

“The message is clear: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. Let the sentinels on the watchtower remain awake. Nurturing such civic virtues is an indispensable guardrail against the culture of impunity in our political system,” Professor Jinadu said.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, decried that corruption is pervasive in all government offices at all levels.

Represented by Mrs. Adjoke Liman, Olukoyede called for attitudinal change.

He assured that the commission would continue to intensify its fight against graft.

Corruption remains a huge enterprise involving theft of public resources at all levels of government. Public skepticism and the ease with which public funds are siphoned without warning systems hinder the fight,” he said.

Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has stated that his principal is qualified to contest elections in 2027.

Bwala insisted that Tinubu would not be distracted by people’s comments about the 2027 poll.

He stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“So, the time for politicking is not yet, and when that time comes, we are going to be ready for everyone.

“The president’s agenda, which is working well, is what will naturally endear Nigerians to vote for him for the second term.

“He is more than eminently qualified constitutionally to contest for the second term in office, and God willing, if God gives him life and health, we do hope that he will run his cause as provided by the Constitution,”
 he said.


Bwala said the APC is not bothered by the victory recorded by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana’s presidential election.

The presidential spokesperson said Tinubu’s administration has gained public trust, noting that Nigerians are witnessing its impactful efforts, “focusing on everyday realities beyond political affiliations”.

“They don’t actually care whether you are white or black-skinned or whatever, as long as what matters to them on their dinner table is dealt with
,” he said.

There is palpable tension in the nation’s aviation sector as the tenure of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) acting director general, Capt Chris Najomo, expires on Thursday, December 12, 2024.

The minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo, appointed Capt. Najomo in acting capacity on December 13, 2023, after suspending the substantive director-general, Capt Musa Nuhu, over alleged corrupt practices.

However, Section 7 of the federal government’s Public Service Rules on Acting Appointment states that any officer appointed in acting capacity cannot serve more than 12 months in such a position.

The relevant Section 7 of the federal government’s Civil Service Rules also said that recommendations for such an appointee in  acting capacity must be forwarded to the Federal Civil Service Commission and must include a certificate stating that the acting officer would assume the full duties and responsibilities of the post.

With Najomo’s assumption of office in acting capacity on December 13, 2023, according to the civil service rules, his one-year tenure is expected to end today, December 12, 2024.

With this, he is expected to step down from office unless reappointed by the president on the recommendation of the minister on or before December 13, 2024.

 

However, stepping down from office will create a vacuum in the administration of the nation’s leading regulatory agency in the aviation sector.

The rules added, “The period of acting appointment shall not exceed one year but, in exceptional circumstances, may be extended for another year.”

LEADERSHIP, however, gathered that the substantive DG, Capt Nuhu’s refusal to resign or step down from office delayed Capt. Najomo’s confirmation kept him in the acting position for 12 months.

This is because section 3 of the Manage­ment and Staff of the Authority of NCAA Act 2022 states that the substantive director-general can only be removed from office by the pres­ident, subject to confirmation by the Senate, when he is of unsound mind, absent from five consecutive board meetings without the chairman’s consent unless he shows good reason for such absence, or guilty of serious misconduct.

Other conditions for removal are if the person is disqualified or suspended from practising his profession in any part of the world by an order of a competent au­thority or is in a conflict of interest as stipulated in the First Schedule to the Act, among others.

LEADERSHIP gathered that Capt. Nuhu had assumed office on   February 24, 2020 and that his five-year tenure was expected to end on February 23, 2025.

Speaking on the uncertainty about the agency’s leadership, an industry analyst and former Commandant of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, Capt. John Ojikutu said a substantive DG cannot be appointed without Capt Nuhu’s exit.

He wondered why Capt Najomo’s name was not sent to the National Assembly almost 12 months after his appointment.

“I understand that they still have runnings with the issue about Nuhu, and if they refuse to settle, they can’t proceed on Najomo,” Ojikutu argued.

All efforts to speak to the minister on when Najomo’s name will be sent to the Senate for confirmation were futile. At the time of filing this report, text messages sent to the minister, Festus Keyamo, and his spokesman, Tunde Moshood, had not been responded to.

LEADERSHIP reports that stakeholders have been seriously lobbying for Najomo to be confirmed as substantive DG in the last few weeks.

For instance, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), through its vice president, Allen Onyema, has urged the government to approve Najomo’s appointment as substantive DG.

Onyema, who is also the chairman of Air Peace, said that Najomo’s arrival at the NCAA had revolutionised the sector by ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers and other topical issues that airlines and airport workers take seriously.

He said, “This man has come into the industry; he is not a novice. This is one of Nigeria’s finest pilots ever created under the sun. Quote me: Captain Chris Najomo is one of the most proficient pilots, not just in Nigeria. He has paid his dues.

“Not only that, but he has also paid his dues in airline management. Don’t forget that he was once the managing director of an airline. So he knows the pains of the operators. On the other hand, you need to go to the NCAA. When you go to the NCAA today, the people are full of smiles because of Najomo. This is the kind of thing nobody should pray to lose. If we take it for granted, our fingers will be burnt.”

 Cargo Airplane Skids-off, Safety Bureau Investigates Incident

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an enquiry into the runway incident involving a Boeing 737-400 Cargo aircraft at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

Both the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the safety of all crew members after a cargo airplane skidded off the runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The aircraft with registration and nationality marks 5N-JRT is operated by Allied Air.

The director of consumer protection and public affairs, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, while confirming the incident, said, “Due to an incident at the Abuja airport, passengers may experience some delays, please be patient and orderly.”

FAAN spokesperson Obiageli Orah said: “At 10:05 am on December 11, 2024, an Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja with five souls on board with no reported injury. They were all safely evacuated and taken to the FAAN clinic for further checks.”

The FAAN thanked the aviation community and the general public for their understanding and patience and requested that all speculation be put on hold until the preliminary report is released by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance Bimbo Oladeji said the incident occurred at approximately 10:06 a.m. local time on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

“The aircraft, operating as flight AJK206 from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, skidded off the right side of Runway 22 into the grass verge after landing. No fatalities or injuries to the crew or ground personnel have been reported.

“The aircraft sustained significant damage. Emergency response teams were promptly deployed to the scene to ensure the safety of all personnel and secure the site.

“The NSIB has initiated an investigation to determine the causal and contributory factors that led to this incident. Our Go Team has been dispatched to the site to conduct an on-site assessment, recover relevant data, and interview involved parties.

[Leadership]