Ndume said he taught in the polytechnic for 20 years before joining politics.

He spoke on Channels TV’s Politics Today while faulting those against his stance on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills.

Ndume said people see him as ignorant because he wears Agbada.

The lawmaker said despite schooling in Nigeria and the United States, while two of his daughters are married to Yoruba men, some people still consider him ignorant.

He said: “I’m 65 years old. I schooled in Nigeria and in America. Because I’m wearing Agbada and because I’m from Borno State, some people call me ignorant. I taught in polytechnics for 20 years before I joined politics. I married two of my daughters to Yoruba men.”

On Thursday, there was an uproar and a shouting match on the floor of the Senate over the tax reform bills.

Ndume had kicked against the bills, identifying timing as one of the elements drawing antagonism to the proposed bills.

He said introducing such a bill at the moment was bad timing, noting the current perception of the present administration by the populace.

The former Nigerian Minister of Tourism, Femi Fani-Kayode, has tackled critics of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited upon the recent revival of Port Harcourt Refinery.

This comes as he alleged that some elements within the private sector in the oil and gas industry want to undermine and understate the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

Fani-Kayode made this known in a statement on his official X handle on Thursday, noting that the oil business is not the same thing as selling sugar, spaghetti, and cement, tackling Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Refinery.

His comments come amid claims against the viability of Port Harcourt Refinery after NNPCL announced that the plant has begun trucking out petroleum products on Tuesday.

Recall that Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday alleged that Port Harcourt Refinery trucked out old stock, not freshly refined petroleum products.

However, Fani-Kayode fingered some elements in the private sector of the industry as responsible for the campaign of calumny to discredit the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the commencement of Port Harcourt Refinery after years of being in comatose.

He stressed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is a great victory for Nigeria.

According to him, what Nigerians need is for NNPCL refineries to flourish, and the same for Dangote Refinery and others.

He said, “The resurrection of the PH refinery is one of the most encouraging things that has happened in the petroleum sector for many years, and the credit for this must go to the President and the GMD of NNPC.

“It is a pity that some elements in the private sector who are new in the field are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria.

“The oil business is not the same as selling sugar, spaghetti, cement, or rice, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot muscle your way and create a monopoly on the sale of refined products as you did for other commodities over the years.”.

He added: “NNPC will go from strength to strength, and once its other refineries are working as well, Nigerians will have cause to smile again. Let the new kid on the block flourish, but let the NNPC refineries flourish too. That should be our goal and not a squalid attempt to discredit NNPC and its leadership.

“Every optimistic and true lover of Nigeria’s progress and President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda must be proud of the GMD Mele Kyari. His tenacity, bravery, ingenuity, and forthrightness have been rewarded with this great feat. Surely this is hope renewed for Nigerians.”.

DAILY POST recalls that on Tuesday the NNPCL announced the commencement of petroleum product production at the Port Harcourt Refinery.

President Bola Tinubu’s visit to France reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties and attracting investment in critical economic sectors.

This high-profile visit comes as 2024 half-year foreign trade data highlights France as Nigeria’s sixth-largest trading partner, with total trade volumes at N4.4 trillion.

Notably, exports to France stood at N3.4 trillion, making it Nigeria’s largest single-country export destination and second only to Africa as a region.

In a high-profile meeting at the historic Palais des L’Elysée, President Tinubu and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, explored avenues to strengthen their economic and diplomatic ties.

Tinubu outlined an ambitious agenda focusing on key areas of collaboration, aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s untapped potential and fostering mutual prosperity.

Nairametrics research highlights the ten key areas of economic partnership President Tinubu sought to strengthen during his visit to France, aimed at fostering mutual growth and unlocking Nigeria’s vast economic potential.

1. Agricultural Development and Food Security

President Tinubu called for French investment to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural productivity, emphasizing food security as a top priority. He noted:

“The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another’s country. It is our responsibility to put together a food security program for the private sector to come and invest in the country.”

Tinubu highlighted Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a catalyst for foreign investments in agriculture. He assured:

“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security.”

Nigeria’s financial services sector recorded a GDP growth rate of 30.83% in the third quarter of 2024 boosting overall GDP growth rate to 3.46%

2. Solid Minerals Exploration

The President invited French investors to explore opportunities in Nigeria’s underdeveloped solid minerals sector. He emphasized de-risking the sector for easier investment:

“We should de-risk the opportunities in the solid minerals. We have the potentials and we have agreed on a deeper and deeper relationship.”

An agreement was signed during the visit, signaling increased French commitment to the sector.

Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria’s mining sector is set to become a key driver of economic diversification and growth.

• The administration aims to modernize the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act to attract global investors, ensure environmental sustainability, and improve community welfare.
• Key initiatives include developing infrastructure to support mining operations, combating illegal mining through a dedicated Mining Marshal Corps, and fostering human capital development through training and research programs.
• To boost foreign investment, incentives like tax waivers and security reforms have been introduced, alongside efforts to mandate local mineral processing and revoke dormant licenses.

3. Youth Development and Training

Tinubu stressed the importance of equipping Nigeria’s youthful population with skills through French-backed training initiatives. He stated:

“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business. We have a vibrant youth population that is educated and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development.”

Tinubu requested specific programs aimed at building the entrepreneurial capacities of Nigerian youths.

4. Energy Transition

The President urged French companies to collaborate with Nigeria in its drive toward cleaner energy solutions while maximizing existing resources.

• While not directly quoted in this sector, Tinubu’s broader remarks about foreign investments in critical areas aligned with Nigeria’s energy priorities.
• Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria’s energy transition plan aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 while ensuring economic growth and energy access.
• The strategy focuses on decarbonizing key sectors: power, cooking, oil and gas, transport, and industry.
• Initiatives include increasing renewable energy contributions, promoting clean cooking technologies, and adopting natural gas as a transitional fuel.

The government is also investing in infrastructure, such as compressed natural gas (CNG) stations, to provide affordable alternatives to petrol and reduce transportation costs. International partnerships, like the agreement with Germany on wind energy development, support these efforts.

5. Blue Economy and Fisheries

Tinubu highlighted the opportunities in Nigeria’s untapped blue economy, particularly in fisheries, citing Lagos as an example of effective resource management:

“In Lagos, we have tamed the Atlantic Ocean. For us, fishery is an important aspect of investment.”

He encouraged French investors to explore these prospects, assuring:

“We want to assure the French investment community that Nigeria is open for business. It shall be easy in, and easy out.”

Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is prioritizing the development of its blue economy to stimulate economic growth and sustainability.

• The administration is focusing on enhancing maritime security through initiatives like the Deep Blue Project, which has significantly reduced piracy in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea.
• Collaborations with regional partners aim to address maritime insecurity comprehensively.

6. Security Cooperation

Acknowledging global security challenges, Tinubu called for collaborative measures to combat terrorism and reduce migration pressures. He stated:

“Nigeria is a partner in progress. We are ready to partner with France so that we can have security operations that will stop the challenge of migration.”

7. Education and Child Welfare

Tinubu emphasized the importance of child education and welfare as a cornerstone for national development. He noted:

“A starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and in the 21st century, no child should go to bed hungry.”

Proposing solutions, he said:

“If an African child is given a glass of milk in a class, there will be no problem in getting him to return and stay in school to learn. The more educated the children are, the better it is for us.”

8. Defense and Technology

In discussions on defense, Tinubu sought advanced technology solutions to address security threats and enhance Nigeria’s defense capabilities. He emphasized the shared responsibility of governments to ensure regional stability.

9. Support for Creative Industries

President Macron praised Nigeria’s creative industries as a growth engine and pledged France’s support. Tinubu encouraged deeper collaboration in promoting Nigerian art, music, and film globally, as part of broader youth-focused initiatives.

10. Trade and Investment Ease

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to business and reassured potential French investors of a friendly operating environment:

“We are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better.”

He emphasized ongoing reforms to simplify trade and encourage foreign direct investment, stating:

“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business.”

Macron’s Commitment to Strengthened Ties

President Emmanuel Macron described Tinubu’s visit as a landmark in bilateral relations, applauding his leadership and vision:

“You are the great leader of the great country in Africa. We appreciate your visionary leadership and energy in transforming the economy of your country.”

Macron pledged to expand cooperation, especially in solid minerals and youth development, emphasizing that global challenges require collaborative solutions:

“We have confidence that you, Mr. President, will reinforce our relationship with Nigeria, and it will cover the West Coast region, with ECOWAS playing the leading role.”

 [Nairametrics]

The operational capacity of the recently rehabilitated Port Harcourt Refining Company faced significant scrutiny on Thursday.

Allegations surfaced that petroleum products loaded from the facility on Tuesday were not newly refined but were, instead, products stored in its tanks for over three years. 

This situation has reignited skepticism surrounding the refinery, which has experienced repeated delays and missed deadlines, with seven failed attempts to resume operations.

Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, claimed during a Thursday interview that the refinery’s 60,000 barrels per day capacity is far from being fully operational, contradicting the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) assertions.

The Alesa community, located in Eleme, Rivers State, hosts the Port Harcourt refinery.

Mgbere alleged that only six trucks of petroleum products were loaded on Tuesday, despite NNPCL’s claim that 200 trucks would be dispatched daily.

He further highlighted that the ceremony marking the plant’s reopening was largely symbolic, stating that full operations had not commenced.

Industry experts have called on NNPCL to substantiate its claims by selling products directly to oil marketers. However, NNPCL spokesperson Femi Soneye declined to respond to inquiries on the matter.

The refinery resumed operations on Tuesday after years of inactivity. NNPCL stated that the revamped complex of the old refinery operates at 70% of its installed capacity, producing diesel, Pour Fuel Oil, and other petroleum products. According to NNPCL, the facility is expected to release 200 trucks of petrol daily into the Nigerian market.

However, Mgbere described the reopening event as a superficial showcase, adding that not all units of the old complex are functional. He insisted that what was presented to the public does not reflect the reality on the ground.

Mgbere further criticized the refinery’s automation claims, stating that inefficiencies remain evident.

He also accused the contractor of incompetence, pointing out that the project was heavily reliant on subcontractors, many of whom lacked the required equipment.

He said, “The Port Harcourt refinery, and by extension, the Port Harcourt depot, happens to be the mainstay of the Alesa community economy. The economic activities emanating from the operations of these depots mean a lot to us as a community people, but as it were, now, I don’t think it’s a cause for celebration yet because what we are having in the media space is different from what we have on the ground.

“I can tell you on authority as a community person, that what happened on Tuesday was just a mere show at the Port Harcourt depot. A mere show in the sense that the Port Harcourt refinery, we call it area five, that is the old refinery, is merely in skeletal operation. When I say skeletal, I mean that some units of the refinery were brought up and are running, but not the entire unit of the old refinery is functional, as we speak.

“I will give them the credit that at least they have started something, but not to say, according to the Head of Corporate Communication, Femi Soneye, like it is in the media that they are already producing 1.4m barrels per day. That’s not the case. That’s not true. I don’t want to use the word lie, but as an agency that is holding the oil industry in trust for Nigerians, they shouldn’t put out information that is not true.”

He argued that “the true picture of what happened on Tuesday is that the NNPC has been under pressure to televise to Nigerians that everything is okay and that the old refinery has started functioning.

“I can tell you that the MD or the CEO of the refinery, was in Port Harcourt since Monday; the other MDs were also in Port Harcourt. The MD of Port Harcourt refinery and those heading the operations department didn’t sleep through the night of Monday to Tuesday because of the whole event they had on Tuesday.

“What is the true picture? The Old Port Harcourt refinery is built with its utilities, different from the new complex. The tank farm that is servicing the Old Port Harcourt refinery has a different loading gantry at the depot.”

Continuing, he said, “The party they had on Tuesday was held at the new loading gantry that is directly connected to the new refinery. And so, how does that work? It is impossible. The feedstock storage facility for the old refinery had some stock, old stock that has been there for over three years.

“And so what they did was to release that stock, and then loaded six trucks and then televised it to Nigerians that it is the production from the old refinery. That’s not true. And so I like Nigerians to know the truth, but they don’t need to believe me, because Nigerians, no matter how you paint the true pictures to them, they get sentimental. They get tribalistic. They want to whip some sentiment and all that the product that was loaded. But let it be on record that it was only six trucks that they used to calibrate the new loading gantry. The product was not a new refined product from the old refinery.”

Energy experts echoed Mgbere’s concerns, urging NNPCL to disclose the source of its feedstock and the state of its distillation points.

Bala Zaka, an energy consultant, questioned why products were being stored rather than immediately released to the market, arguing that such practices increase costs unnecessarily.

He said in a telephone interview with The PUNCH, “Generally, when a company produces a product regardless of the type or time, whether it is biscuit or toilet rolls. The first thing you do immediately when products come out of production is to send them to the market. You send them out to customers.