Lawmakers Express Displeasure over Oil Companies’ CEOs Evasion of Alleged $2.4bn Missing Crude Probe
AdminThe House of Representatives Adhoc Committee investigating all crude oil exports from 2014 till date and the alleged illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil resulting in the loss of $2.4 billion revenue has frowned at chief executives of oil companies for avoiding the probe.
At the resumed investigative hearing of the committee yesterday, its Chairman, Hon. Mark Gbollah, expressed concern that chief executives of oil companies, which he listed to include Total Energies and Oriental Energies, invited for the probe rather sent representatives.
Gbillah said, “Like I mentioned to Total, your MD (Oriental) has not at any time during this hearing deemed it necessary to make himself available to talk to the parliament about issues that pertain to our commonwealth which your company is also managing on our behalf.
“We can see that since your last appearance on the 9th of the April, you had ample time within which he could have made the effort to appear before the House, but once again we are only receiving a letter of delegation.
“These are things that also would inform what conclusion we also make in our reports with regards to the willingness or otherwise of companies to cooperate with the parliament in carrying out our statutory constitutional duties.
“But considering also the time within which we have to conclude our assignment, we would engage you based on this correspondence but we would like to let you know that if we have cause for you to still appear before the conclusion of our report, then we would have to insist that the MD appears before the committee subsequently.”
However, among documents expected to be submitted by the oil companies over the probe were the name of the federal government appointed reshipment inspection agent or contractor for each of the crude oil cargo they lifted and exported out of Nigeria from 2014 to 2022, including the pre-shipment inspection records, reports and certificate of inspection.
They were also expected to submit the name of the bank or banks, account number or numbers of their forex accounts in Nigerian banks, where they have made payment of the proceeds from each of the crude oil cargoes exported in the period under review and the bank statement for each of these accounts.
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the reappointment of Abike Dabiri-Erewa as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
Barely three weeks ago, President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the Senate requesting the lawmakers to consider Abike Dabiri-Erewa for another term as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NiDCOM.
In a letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan during the week’s plenary, Buhari made the case for Dabiri-Erewa to continue her role at the helm of the commission.
Buhari’s request was given a positive response on Tuesday following the presentation of the consideration and adoption of a report by the Committee on Diaspora and NGOs chaired by Senator Michael Nnachi, Naija News understands.
According to Nnachi, the President’s nominee possessed the technical and academic qualifications to occupy the position.
He said there was no petition against her. The Senate also confirmed the appointment of three persons as the Niger Delta Development Commission board members.
This followed the adoption of the report by the committee on NDDC, presented by the chairman, Senator Amos Bulus.
The nominees are Benard Oboatarihieyeren Okwmagba (Delta), Patric Aisowieren (Edo) and Kyrian Chidiebere Uchegbu (Imo).
President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday the people of Niger Republic would defend him if anyone moved against him after leaving office.
He also said he deliberately shut the nation’s land borders to force Nigerians to patronise goods made in the country.
The President’s declaration, however, drew the ire of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere and Middle Belt Forum, MBF, which described his stance as non-committal to Nigeria and that Nigerians would not miss him when he exits office.
But Buhari, who spoke extempore at the commissioning of the new corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, in Abuja, said he was speaking his mind, reiterating his earlier decision to be far away from Abuja at the end of his administration.
He said: “That is why when I became the President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because, based on personal and national issues, the neighbourhood is very important.
“If you don’t secure the confidence and cooperation of your neighbours, you are in trouble, your children and grandchildren will be in trouble.
“So it is very good that I established a relationship with my neighbours. I said these few things about my personal belief because I have only six more days to go. And I try to plan to be as far away from Abuja as possible.
‘’Thank goodness, I come from an area which is far away from Abuja. I said if anybody forces me, I have a good relationship with my neighbours, Niger people will defend me.”
The President said he closed the country’s land borders to encourage Nigerians to produce food for their consumption, adding that though the move was initially criticised, Nigerians eventually appreciated it.
A former British Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair, has expressed his readiness to support the incoming administration of Sen. Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s President-elect.
According to a statement issued by Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Tinubu’s Media Aide on Tuesday in Abuja, Blair gave the commitment when he visited the president-elect at the Defence House, Abuja.
He said the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, which he founded, would be a willing partner of the Tinubu administration, especially in prioritising its goals and delivery.
Blair said since leaving office as the UK Prime Minister, he had been working with governments around the world to help them deliver on their mandates.
He said the Blair Institute had a project in place in Nigeria and felt it was incumbent upon him to meet Nigeria’s incoming president to understand the administration’s priorities.
“We would like to help in any way with your administration, we only need to know what the leadership priorities are and help in how to actualise them,” Blair said.
He commended Tinubu’s campaign focus on key areas of security, economy, agriculture and power, describing the intertwined nature of the areas as critical to the development of any society.
Blair expressed optimism that with the appetite shown by investors to invest in Nigeria, the Tinubu administration could get the support it needed to spur economic development in Nigeria.
He acknowledged the difficult task before Tinubu and other leaders around the world at a time of global turmoil.
“Being in government today anywhere in the world is tough, you have things happening around the world which affect you and for which you can’t do anything much,” Blair said.
Tinubu commended the former UK Prime Minister for the visit and for the offer to work with the incoming administration.
Tinubu spoke of the shared vision between him and the Tony Blair Institute in their priority areas.
He, however, underlined the importance of tackling investment challanges and the need for social investment to fight poverty.
“We have to invest more, put technology in place and keep terrorists at bay, because without effective security, there is no guarantee investors will come,” Tinubu said.
He promised to provide a conducive environment that would encourage investors and open up opportunities for Nigerians.
Governor AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman of Kwara state has emerged as the new Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum.
This is contained in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye Wednesday morning to journalists in Ilorin.
According to the statement,the exalted office was bestowed on him by his colleagues.
The governor among others pledged to uphold the ideals and vision of the NGF
as a most credible, authoritative, influential and effective inter-party platform for consensus building and peaceful resolution and advancement of pan-Nigeria goals, interests and aspirations
The statement reads,”I want to thank Allah, exalted is He, for the historic event in which my brother Governors bestowed upon me the Chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
It added that,”The significance and the huge responsibilities of this office are not lost on me.
“I hereby pledge to uphold the ideals and vision of the NGF whilst recognising and appreciating the eminent track record of the institution as a most credible, authoritative, influential and effective inter-party platform for consensus building and peaceful resolution and advancement of pan-Nigeria goals, interests and aspirations.
“l will ensure regular consultation with all members in order to arrive at consensus on all issues for the advancement and promotion of national interest, peace, progress, and stability of the nation.”
“As a body, we will also continue our tradition of maintaining a close and cordial relationship with His Excellency the President, the National Assembly, all Federal and State institutions, the business community, the civil society, media, and development partners.
“Finally, l wish to thank my dear colleagues for the confidence reposed in me as the new Chairman of NGF.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his desire to quickly leave office as he maintained that he could hardly cope with pressure around him in recent times.
With just six days left in his second and final tenure, Buhari arrived late to the Regimental Dinner organized on Tuesday night in his honour by the nation’s armed forces at the Nigerian Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, blaming his inability to arrive promptly on pressure.
Noting that he had faced enormous pressure in the last few days, he explained that he had struggled to meet up with the activities lined up for him and at the same time wrapping up his tenure.
The President, who had earlier in the day, presided over an extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), virtually commissioned some projects and as well physically attended the inauguration event of the Customs headquarters in Abuja, apologized for his lateness.
He said: “Please, I will like to digress a bit from the prepared speech. I apologise most sincerely for keeping you waiting for about at least half an hour, actually I can hardly cope with the pressure and I’m desperately looking forward for the next six days.”
President Buhari, who expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made so far made, used the occasion to charge the men of the armed forces, as well as other security and intelligence agencies, not to relent in their efforts to ensure absolute security in all parts of the country,
He added: “Please permit me use to this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their unwavering loyalty, hard work, dedication and selfless service to our beloved nation. I’m fully aware of all your sacrifices and commitment to tackling the various security challenges and your contributions to the successful elections in our country.
“However, until the issue of insecurity is surmounted, much more is still desired from the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Consequently, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the other security agencies must always remain resolute in the face of the country’s security challenges. In this vein, our administration, though winding down soon, will never relent in providing the needed support to the military, to enable them to effectively carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
“Let me now thank the chief host, the Chief of Defense Staff, the Honourable Minister of Defense, the Service Chiefs and heads of other security agencies at this event, for your dedicated service to the nation. I commend you and thank our esteemed guests for coming to this historic occasion.
“Let me now pray for the repose of the souls of our fallen heroes. Their ultimate sacrifice will never be in vain. May the Almighty God continue to grant them eternal rest.”
Some of the other dignitaries at the dinner were the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu; Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu; Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; members of the National Assembly and many others.
A mother of four, Mrs Chika Nwoko, is among members of a syndicate arrested in Enugu for allegedly swapping and defrauding a man of N495, 000 while pretending to help him withdraw money from an automated teller machine.
Their arrest was effected by the police operatives of the Enugu State Police Command’s Hawk Tactical Squad in conjunction with the troops of the Nigerian Air Force, Enugu, on 06/05/2023 at about 4.30pm.
This was disclosed by the state police command’s public relations officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, in a release made available to THE WHISTLER on Wednesday.
The suspects were identified as Michael Sopuruchi, aged 36; Osinachi Godwin, 18; Moses Ani, 29, and a mother of four, Chika Nwoko, aged 29.
According to Ndukwe, “The suspects were arrested while escaping to their criminal hideout at Emene, Enugu, after they fraudulently stole the ATM card and the personal identification number (PIN) of an unsuspecting 63-year-old-male victim, while pretending to assist him to withdraw money from a commercial bank ATM along Ogui road, Enugu.
“Immediately after the switcheroo, the suspects used the card and PIN to withdraw the total sum of four hundred and ninety-five thousand naira (N495,000.00) from the victim’s account.”
Ndukwe said the suspects confessed to the crime, stating that they had carried out many other criminal acts of ATM cards swapping and fraud within Enugu metropolis.
According to him, the suspects were arraigned in court on Tuesday where the magistrate ordered that they be remanded at the Enugu Custodial Centre, while the case is adjourned to 07/06/2023 for further hearing.
Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police, CP Ahmed Ammani, while commending the joint operatives for bringing the criminal syndicate to book, called on bank customers, particularly the elderly and those without proper knowledge of how to use ATM of banks, to exercise caution and seek the assistance of bank staffers while using their cards on ATM.
Says one out of four drug users is a woman
THE chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa on Tuesday, lamented that more than 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 years use psychoactive substances other than alcohol and tobacco, thereby constituting grave danger for the future of youth in the country.
He added that one out of four drug users is a woman while one in five persons who use drugs in Nigeria is suffering from drug use disorders, stressing that drug use is most common among the ages of 25 and 39 years.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the occasion of the Annual Public Lecture organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), with the theme, “Culture, Drug Abuse and the Future of the Nigerian Youth”.
He observed that the prevalent of drug abuse among the youth in the country was responsible for rising cases of prostitution, kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism and banditry, noting that the drug users under influence commit all manner of criminality, including contracting HIV/AIDS as well mental health diseases.
Marwa said the event was apt and timely not only because it would create awareness on the dangers inherent in drug abuse but also sensitise the entire society on their roles in drug abuse prevention, treatment and care.
While quoting a report by the National Drug Use Survey conducted by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2018, Marwa disclosed people who inject drugs constitute a sizeable proportion of high-risk drug users in Nigeria as 1 in 5 high risk drug users is injecting drugs.
He explained that drug abuse referred to the consumption of drugs in a manner that deviates from approved medical or social norms and can lead to negative physical, psychological and social consequences, pointing out that drug use in Nigeria cuts across all ages, gender, religion, socio economic status and regions.
Marwa said: “I wish to start this presentation by commending the organisers of this Annual Public Lecture, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) for your thoughtfulness and initiative at organising this very important event. This has, in many ways, demonstrated your deep commitment and passion to rid our society of the menace of drug abuse and its associated consequences.
“This event is apt and timely not only because it will create awareness on the dangers inherent in drug abuse but will also sensitise the entire society on their roles in drug abuse prevention, treatment and care,” he said.
He said: “The National Drug Use Survey conducted by UNODC (2018) revealed that about 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 years use psychoactive substances other than alcohol and tobacco.
“The most common drug of use is Cannabis, followed by pharmaceutical opioids, cocaine, heroin etc. Another disturbing finding of the National Survey is the fact that one out of four drug users is a woman while one in five persons who use drugs in Nigeria are suffering from drug use disorders and drug use was most common among the ages of 25 and 39 years.
“People who inject drugs constitute a sizeable proportion of high risk drug users in Nigeria as 1 in 5 high risk drug users is injecting drugs.
“Drugs/Psychoactive substances are substances that when taken exert major action on the brain and the spinal cord and are classified as:
“Depressants: These substances depress the central nervous system by slowing down the activity of the brain. They are often medically prescribed but are abused for their intoxicating effect; examples are alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturate and heroin, cough syrup with codeine, morphine, pethidine and Methadone.
“The National Drug Use Survey 2018 revealed that an estimated 4.6 million Nigerians had used opioids (such as tramadol, codeine, or morphine) for non-medical purposes. The non-medical use of cough syrups containing codeine and dextromethorphan is estimated at 2.4 million people,” he stated.
Executive secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Ado Muhammed Yahuza, in his welcome address, raised the alarm over drug and substance abuse especially among Nigerian youths, expressing the urgent need for collective action in order to save youths and the nation from avoidable negative consequences.
Yahuza, commended the Executive Chairman/Chief Executive and management of Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement agency for the aggressive, proactive and effective manner it has executed its mandate in the last couple of years.
He said the war against drug abuse prosecuted by NDLEA has been a huge success considering the large number of arrest and convictions they have secured.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed who was represented by the Director, International Cultural Relations, Zainab Ali-Biu, described as worrisome the menace of drug abuse among youths, saying this remains a critical issue that deserves the attention and urgent action not only by government and its relevant agencies such as NDLEA, National Orientation Agency (NOA), NICO and a host of others but all and sundry.
He added that family, religious bodies, socio-cultural organizations, civil society organizations and the mass media all have a role to play to complement the efforts of government in addressing the problem in order to save the nation from its devastating consequences.
Chairman of the occasion, Senator Rochas Okorocha, who is also the chairman Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, cautioned the youth against drug abuse and addiction, stressing that it was capable of ruining their lives and destinies.
He also warned against the social media war against the youth, urging them to make positive use of cell phones and other forms Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
Amid encomium from eminent personalities, which included President Mohammadu Buhari and five other African heads of state, President of the pan-African Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote disclosed yesterday that the newly commissioned 650,000pbd refinery would employ over 100,000 Nigerians youths as well as generate over $21 billion, therefore saving the country huge forex, that would have been used for fuel importation. The company, according to him, now has over 33,000 employees.
Much to the excitement of Nigerians, Dangote said the commissioning has marked the beginning of the new journey of the self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products and exportation of same just as been achieved in Cement and lately fertilizer.
Dangote lamented that the current fuel crisis has had negative impact on the nation’s economy and that informed his decision to build a world class refinery that would change the trend and that though faced challenges but decided to trudge on.
He highlighted events leading to his firm deciding to build its own refinery after his attempt to acquire one of the existing moribund did not materialize noting that he decided to change marketing strategy and settle for gigantic project ever undertaken by an individual world over.
According to him, the refinery plant would be run at the highest effective and efficient level for maximum benefits to all Nigerians noting “we will replicate what we achieved in cement and fertilizer by attaining self-sufficiency and becoming net exporter.
Dangote assured Nigerians that 40 per cent of the production capacity will be available for export with the coming on stream of the plant guaranteeing raw materials for plastic, and pharmaceutical industries.
In his remark, President Buhari congratulated Dangote Group, saying "the 650,000 barrels a day of crude which will enable our country to achieve self-sufficiency in refined products and even have some supplies for export saying the government and people of Nigeria are proud of the doggedness and tenacity of Dangote as entrepreneur.
Said he; "This feat at this time of the nation’s economic development clearly made this event a notable milestone for our economy and the game changer for the downstream petroleum products not only for Nigeria but the entire African continent. Dangote Group has helped transform our economy from heavy import dependence to a net exporter in some critical industries, including cement and Fertiliser."
He noted that the economy which has been stressed for many decades by huge deficits in economic infrastructure and over a decade of insurgency has also been severely impacted by several external crises, including the global financial crisis, the collapse of world crisis the Coronavirus pandemic and the Russia Ukraine war.
"The consequences of these challenges constitute a severe strain on our economy and limiting government's ability to provide basic infrastructure without resorting to borrowing. Government therefore decide to focus attention on creating an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and fill the enormous gap in investments not only in infrastructure, but also in all critical sectors.
"We recognize that without active participation of the private sector and a strong commitment to public-private partnership, the economy will not be able to continue to meet the challenge and economic growth”, while expressing the hope that the coming administration will continue to apply such innovative schemes to accelerate the fruition of critical infrastructure, in particular roads and gas pipelines.
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele while commending Mr. Dangote for the successful completion of the refinery project said it would not only aid that nation’s domestic petrol needs, but also help in generating export revenues for our country.
Emefiele recalled; “In September 2013, when Alhaji Aliko Dangote announced his plans for the refinery, it was estimated to cost about US$9 billion, of which US$3 billion was projected as equity investment by the Dangote Group and the balance financed through commercial loans. Due to an array of factors, the project was eventually completed with a total of US$18.5 billion with funding distributed into 50 percent equity investment and 50 percent debt finance. I am proud to state that the commercial loan component of the project was financed majorly by our domestic banks with the balance sourced from foreign banks. The Central Bank of Nigeria also partnered, as always, with the Dangote Group in ensuring the successful completion of the project by providing about N125 billion, to cover domestic currency requirements for the venture.
“What you may not be fully aware of, Your Excellencies, is that the Dangote Group has started repaying some of the commercial loans even before the commissioning of this facility. This reflects the commercial capability of the Group and its Chairman. I am pleased to inform everyone today that, following extensive repayments, outstanding debt has dropped appreciably from over US$9 billion to US$3 billion.”
The CBN Governor commended Nigerian banks saying they did not only partnered with the project through effective financing but were keenly aware of the importance of the project for our nation. “They provided immense support and exceptional understanding, even when interest payments and principal repayment had fallen due.”
He described the successful completion of the refinery to President Buhari’s astute vision to ensure that Nigeria produces what Nigerians consume and that we consume what we produce. “The refinery and petrochemical project by the Dangote Group is a testament to your vision for Nigeria. It shows that, regardless of what the world thinks, Nigeria can be self-sufficient in all products that we consume and at the same time export our excess output to the rest of the world.”
“Aside enumerating our strategic efforts in the agriculture and other critical sectors, a sterling projects that we highlighted was the gigantic Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical project. The world doubted our willpower to succeed with this project. In hindsight, I could appreciate their skepticism because they do not understand how a single individual could build a refinery capable of serving an entire nation. To them, projects of this magnitude are usually only undertaken by sovereigns not individuals.”
Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC), Mele Kolo Kyari said the NNPC was happy to partner Dangote Refinery because the project has potentials for smooth supply of petroleum and it would guarantee healthy competition for the benefits of the nation’s economy.
He said the NNPC Ltd. was committed to value addition to the potentials of the project noting that the new Petroleum Industry Act will provide security of supply of refined products and protect the plant. The NNPC boss added that his was happy the refinery is coming on board at a time the subsidy on imported products has become unbearable for government.
In their respective goodwill messages, Presidents of Ghana, Senegal, Niger, Benin Republic and Chad expressed satisfaction that the Dangote Refinery will serve the West African region and that their countries would be beneficiaries saying the Dangote Refiner is an African company for Africa by an African entrepreneur.
L-R: President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari; President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo; President of Senegal, Macky Sall; President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum; President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe, at the commissioning of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, (650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refining and 900,000 tonnes per annum Polypropylene Production) in Lagos on Monday, May 22, 2023.
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Senate President, Sen. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan; President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, cutting the tape; President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; and Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, at the commissioning of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, (650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refining and 900,000 tonnes per annum Polypropylene Production) in Lagos on Monday, May 22, 2023.
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, and Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, at the commissioning of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, (650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refining and 900,000 tonnes per annum Polypropylene Production) in Lagos on Monday, May 22, 2023.
L-R: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari; President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; and Group Executive Director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, at the commissioning of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, (650,000 barrels per day Petroleum Refining and 900,000 tonnes per annum Polypropylene Production) in Lagos on Monday, May 22, 2023.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero warned that the incoming government might face a series of labour crises due to unresolved agreements left by the previous administration.
As such, he expressed sympathy for the incoming Bola Tinubu administration, acknowledging the numerous unsettled industrial challenges left unaddressed by the outgoing Buhari government.
In assessing the welfare of Nigerian workers under President Muhammadu Buhari’s rule, Ajaero suggested a possible “spillover effect” on the new government.
He acknowledged Buhari’s efforts to foster industrial peace and harmony but stated it wasn’t sufficient to meet the needs of the workforce.
His comments were made during an appearance on the Channels TV programme, Politics Today.
Ajaero raised concerns about impending industrial disputes stemming from unfulfilled agreements with professionals in academia, healthcare, and the power sector.
He noted, “The Buhari administration tried its best in ensuring there is industrial peace and harmony, but it was not enough as most of the industrial disputes the government treated are unfinished. A lot of industrial crisis seems to be looming.”
When queried about potential solutions to preempt strike actions, Ajaero highlighted the need for capable technocrats to manage various sectors.
He emphasized that honouring agreements is the key to resolving many of today’s disputes.
“The best way to go is to sit down and study the situation. They will be able to handle the issues one after the other and it will do them a lot of good if they bring in proper technocrats to handle that sector,” he stated.
Ajaero insisted that trade unions and their leaders are reasonable, and if the new government listens and employs the right individuals to handle these issues, resolutions can be found.
He ended by underscoring that honouring agreements, even those made five or ten years ago, is paramount to resolving the crisis.
More...
President Muhammadu Buhari has pointed out that the country has vast borders and only God could secure the nation from the activities of criminals.
He said that his decision to close Nigeria’s borders at some point was in the interest of the economy and that the citizens would appreciate it later.
The President spoke on Tuesday at the commissioning of the new corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Abuja.
Buhari restated his earlier position that he would be far away from Abuja at the end of his administration and noted that he was speaking his mind.
He said, “Please note that from Lake Chad to Benin is more than 1,600Km. Only God can effectively guard that border. So you need a person who will have the energy and the competence to effectively supervise it.
“I deliberately closed the borders because knowing Nigerians, they order rice and give some Niger address and then they bring the rice here. We have our potential. Thank God Nigeria is so blessed with people. We have land, we have weather. How many nations are so lucky like Nigeria in the world? Very few nations are as lucky as we are. We thank God for that.
“Closing that border 1,600Km from Lake Chad to Benin and Nigerians insist they have to help their neighbour and other people; they should eat foreign rice. I said you eat what you grow or grow what you eat or you die. I think I am trying to make my point.
“Later Nigerians will appreciate it because it provides more jobs. People go back to agriculture. We have the land and they will produce what we eat. And for people who think that our neighbours are going to lose, let’s continue to be with our neighbours. Those who are producing excess rice let them eat their rice or go and sell it elsewhere.”
Buhari also said that Nigeriens would defend him if anyone moved against him when he is no longer in office.
He said, “That is why when I became the Head of State that is President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because based on personal and national issues, the neighbourhood is very important. If you don’t secure the confidence and cooperation of your neighbours, you are in trouble. Your children and grandchildren will be in trouble.
“It is very good that I established a relationship with my neighbours. I said these few things about my personal belief because I have only six more days to go, and I try to plan to be as far away from Abuja as possible. Thank goodness, I come from an area which is far away from Abuja. I said if anybody forces me, I have a good relationship with my neighbours. Niger people will defend me.”
Buhari said that he appointed only ladies as Ministers of finance because of the cultural belief that people would feel too big to go to them for favours.
He expatiated that “I made sure I gave Ministers of Finance to ladies because of the cultural behaviours of Nigerians. Once ladies are in charge people feel too big to go to ladies. So, I am sure things will not be the same in the Ministry of Finance where people go and start lobbying for their contracts to be paid. They will feel too big to go to a lady. So, I make sure a lady is in charge. That gave me a lot of peace.”
Explaining how he lost two of his children to Sickle Cell, Buhari disclosed that he moved to Kaduna after his incarceration due to the health and education of his children.
He said, “We moved to Kaduna for the education and health of my family, these children had sickle cell anemia. I lost my first two children, a girl and Musa, my first son. I lost them. We did not know about it technically although we were vulnerable to it in Africa generally. So I had to move to Kaduna for the education and healthcare of my children.”
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) in his address disclosed that the contract for the building which was originally awarded at N2.8 billion in 2005 went through several variations.
He explained that the building was remodelled and expanded to comply with the regulations of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), which raised the contract sum to N9.6 billion in 2012 and later to N19.6 billion in 2022.
Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) expressed satisfaction that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was able to build a befitting headquarters which would host highly sophisticated and digitalized equipment for the Customs.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, absolved himself of blame in the situation that led to the relocation of the $19bn Dangote refinery from Ogun State to Lagos.
Abiodun, who confirmed that he was Chairman, Olokola Free Trade Zone, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state during the administration of former governor Ibikunle Amosun, said he was not part of the moves that frustrated Dangote out of the state.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin on Tuesday, said he should not be blamed for the loss.
Dangote had initially chosen Ogun State for the site of the refinery, which was inaugurated on Monday, in Lagos, but discussion broke down between Ogun State government and the billionaire businessman, leading to the relocation of the project to Lagos.
In the statement on Tuesday, he said his predecessor, Amosun, should be blamed Ogun lost the opportunity to host the mega refinery.
“Any true born Ogun indigene will sincerely be pained by the huge investment loss, especially when Ogun had been marked as the most suitable natural location for the mega project in Olokola Free Trade Zone, in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state,” the governor lamented.
Explaining his role, he said, “Governor Abiodun, as the chairman of the committee and a big player in the oil and gas industry himself, did everything possible to make sure the project saw the light of the day.
“The then governor, perhaps, having a personal axe to grind with the promoter of the refinery project, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, frustrated all the efforts of Governor Abiodun and his committee.
“The immediate Chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mrs Ronke Sokefun, who was then a commissioner, served as the secretary of the committee, which engaged Dangote on the mega project.
“Instead of showing enthusiasm towards hosting the project in the state, the former governor brazenly opposed and obstructed efforts of the Abiodun-led committee in ensuring that the OKFTZ came into fruition.”
Abiodun’s statement was in reaction to a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, who blamed the incumbent governor for the loss of the $19bn Dangote refinery.
Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on has felicitated Dangote on the inauguration of the integrated refinery.
Sule, who spoke during the opening and handover of the 2.2 kilometre Loko-Oweto Bridge constructed by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), described the refinery as “the end of the energy crisis in Nigeria.”
On the bridge, Sule said, “It’s another dream come true for the people of Loko and Oweto in Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, as well as all the Southeastern part of the country. We are celebrating a dream come true of the bridge.
“Mr President, we can’t thank you enough. We believe you have paid your dues, you have done well for us and by the grace of God, God will be kind also to you.”
Also, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday said the 650,000bpd Dangote refinery had opened a new vista of opportunity for the nation’s economy, saying, “What this means is that we will be saving up to $15bn in a year for not importing. That’s more than the amount we spend today on all our infrastructure, education, and health. That sort of money is coming back to the government for growth.”
Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a statement on Tuesday congratulated Dangote on the refinery, describing him as a game changer.
Gbajabiamila said Dangote’s “patriotic pan-Nigerian posture” is worthy of emulation by other Nigerian investors and wished the billionaire well “in his endeavour towards making Nigeria a virile economic giant in Africa.”
On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) in Abuja ordered the merger of the cases filed by Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to challenge Bola Tinubu’s victory as Nigeria’s president-elect.
In a ruling detailing a report of its pre-hearing session on Mr Obi’s petition, the court ordered a consolidation of the three pending petitions (Obi, Atiku and APM).
The panel’s chair, Mr Tsammani, citing Paragraph 50 of the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022, said the interest of justice would be served by a merger of the petitions.
“The justice of these petitions demands that this petition be consolidated,” Mr Tsammani said.
Legal perspective
Consolidation in this stance means to combine (two or more lawsuits or matters that involve a common question of law or fact) into one compare class action
NOTE: Consolidation of matters in the federal court is governed by Rule 42 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Consolidated cases may become one single action with a single judgment, or may retain their individual identities although tried together. The court may also try one representative case and render a judgment binding on the other cases (which is based on the discretion of the court to decide). Hence, it is constitutional and not a policy decision as in the case of the live broadcast of proceedings put forward by Atiku and Obi’s legal team.
What this implies
With the consolidation of the three pending petitions, the court is bound to conclude proceedings and give judgment on all pending suits by 16 September as against waiting till the expiration of the 180 days for hearing. Hence, the petitioners must assemble all their witnesses to testify before the court before the aforementioned date.
Obi’s prayers
1. (i) That it be determined that at the time of the Presidential Election held on 25th February 2023, the 2nd and 3rd Respondents (Tinubu and Shettima) were not qualified to contest the election.
(ii) That it be determined that all the votes recorded for the 2nd respondent in the election are wasted votes, owing to the non-qualification/disqualification of the 2nd and 3rd respondents.
(iii) That it be determined that on the basis of the remaining votes (after discountenancing the votes credited to the 2nd Respondent), the 1st petitioner (Mr. Obi) scored a majority of the lawful votes cast at the election and had not less than 25 per cent of the votes cast in each of at least 2/3 (two-third) of the states of the federation, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and satisfied the constitutional requirements to be declared the winner of the 25 February 2023 presidential election.
2. That it be determined that the 2nd Respondent having failed to score one-quarter of the votes cast at the presidential election in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was not entitled to be declared and returned as the winner of the presidential election held on 25 February 2023.
IN THE ALTERNATIVE TO 2 ABOVE:
3. An order cancelling the election and compelling the 1st Respondent to conduct a fresh election at which the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Respondents shall not participate.
IN THE ALTERNATIVE TO 1, 2 AND 3 ABOVE:
4. (i) That it may be determined that the 2nd Respondent was not duly elected by a majority of the lawful votes cast in the election for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on 25 February 2023; and therefore, the declaration and return of the 2nd Respondent as the winner of the Presidential election are unlawful, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.
(ii) That it be determined that based on the valid votes cast at the Presidential election of 25 February 2023, the 1st Petitioner scored the highest number of votes cast at the election and not less than one-quarter of the votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the States in the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and ought to be declared and returned as the winner of the Presidential election.
(iii) An Order directing the 1st Respondent to issue the Certificate of Return to the 1st Petitioner as the duly elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(iv) That it be determined that the Certificate of Return wrongly issued to the 2nd Respondent by the 1st Respondent is null and void and be set aside.
FURTHER ALTERNATIVES TO 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ABOVE
5 (i) That the Presidential election conducted on 25th February 2023 is void on the ground that the election was not conducted substantially in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended,
(ii) An order cancelling the’ Presidential Election conducted on 25th February 2023 and mandating the 1st Respondent to conduct a fresh election for the office of President, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Atiku’s prayers
In seeking to upturn Mr Tinubu’s victory, Atiku set out seven prayers.
He urged the court to determine that Mr Tinubu was “not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast, and therefore the president-elect’s victory “is unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional…null and void.”
Atiku prayed the court to determine that Mr Tinubu at the time of the election was not qualified to contest the said election.
“That it may be determined that the return of the 2nd Respondent (Mr Tinubu) by the 1st respondent (INEC) was wrongful, unlawful, undue, null and void having not satisfied the requirements of the Electoral Act and constitution…” which mandatorily requires Mr Tinubu “to score bot less than one quarter (25%) of the lawful votes cast at the election in each of at least two-thirds of all the states in the federal and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
He urged the court to declare him the winner of the presidential election, as he “scored the majority of lawful votes cast at the presidential election.
In the alternative, Atiku asked the court to make an “order directing” INEC “to conduct a second election (run-off) between” him and Mr Tinubu.
“That the election to the office of the President of Nigeria held on 25 February, 2023, be nullified and a fresh election be ordered,” the petitioners prayed.
APM’s prayers
On its part, the APM filed a petition against the outcome of the 25 February presidential election on 20 March, asking the tribunal to declare Atiku as the president-elect.
In its petition, the APM whose presidential candidate, Chichi Ojei, polled 25,961 votes, argued that Tinubu was not properly sponsored by the APC by fielding Shettima as vice presidential candidate for the election.
Tinubu, while submitting his presidential nomination form to INEC in June 2022, chose Ibrahim Masari, a politician from President Muhammadu Buhari’s home state Katsina, as a “placeholder” for the substantive vice presidential candidate who would later be Mr Shettima.
Masari served as a placeholder and later announced his withdrawal from the position, which paved the way for Tinubu to name Mr Shettima as his running mate on 10 July 2022.
The APM referenced this as one of its major grounds for complaint over the outcome of the presidential election.
The Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday revoked the operating licenses of 179 microfinance banks in the country.
This was disclosed in the official gazette of the Federal Government, which was published on the website of the CBN on Tuesday.
The gazette stated that the licenses of the financial institutions were revoked because they ceased to carry on in Nigeria, the type of business for which their licences were issued for a continuous period of six months.
The banks also failed to fulfil or comply with the conditions subject to which their licences were granted; or failed to comply with the obligations imposed upon them by the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, Act No. 5.
The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, according to the document revoked the licenses in the exercise of the powers conferred on the Central Bank of Nigeria under Section 12 of BOFIA 2020, Act No. 5.
The microfinance banks include – Atlas Microfinance Bank, Bluewhales Microfinance Bank, Everest Microfinance Bank, Igangan Microfinance Bank, Mainsail Microfinance Bank, Merit Microfinance Bank, Minna Microfinance Bank, Musharaka Microfinance Bank, Nopov Microfinance Bank, Ohon Microfinance Bank, and others.
Finance companies whose licenses were revoked include – HHL Invest & Trust Limited, TFS Finance Limited and Treasures & Trust Limited while the four primary mortgage banks whose licenses were revoked are – Resort Savings & Loans, Safetrust Mortgage Bank, Adamawa Savings & Loans and Kogi Savings & Loans.
Meanwhile, following the revocation of licenses of 179 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) and four Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has assured depositors of the closed banks speedy payment of their insured sums.
The NDIC Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Bello Hassan gave this assurance in a statement which followed the revocation of the licenses of the affected MFBs and PMBs by the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, CON.
Hassan said, as deposit insurer, the NDIC would begin the process of payment of the insured sums immediately with the verification of eligible depositors at the respective premises of the closed banks.
He enjoined such depositors to get the required documents for the exercise such as proof of account ownership, verifiable means of identification and alternate bank account to facilitate their seamless verification and payment of their insured deposits.
The NDIC Boss stated that the insured deposit is the first claim that the Corporation pays to depositors upon revocation of bank’s license by the CBN, adding that the maximum specified limits for the MFB and PMB sub-sectors are N200,000.00 and N500,000.00 per depositor per bank, respectively.
As liquidator, the MD disclosed that the Corporation has also put machinery in motion to commence sales of assets of the defunct banks as well as recover debts owed to them in order to declare liquidation dividends on pro -rata basis to the affected depositors with claims exceeding the maximum insured sums of N200,000.00 for MFBs and N500,000.00 for PMBs.
He assured that regulatory authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the soundness of the banking system is not compromised, stressing that there is no need for the public to panic over the safety of their bank deposits.