The officials of the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme commended the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his passion to bring deliberate succour to its citizenry promptly.
Okowa at NG CARES
They gave this commendation when the governor officially flag-off Result Area 1 and 2 of the D-CARES programme in the state.
The Director Economic Growth, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning/Chairman, Federal CARES Technical Committee, Mr. Aso Ovakporaye thanked His Excellency for making Delta State proud for been the first to flag- off the program with Result Area 3 in September, 2021. “You will recall that when you flag-off Result Area 3, I was here. You did us proud for been the first flag-off which has made number one”
Mr. Ovakporaye thanked the Governor for all the support he has been given to the various Result Areas is impactful while pointing out that some state chose small numbers of the delivery platforms but Delta state chose all the platforms and assures them of delivery with the high level of their commitment so far even said they are they can kick-out poverty from Delta State.
The chairman revealed that at the technical level they told the world bank not to leave it Nigeria CARES but every state should domesticate it and Delta was superior.
He thanked the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Chairman State CARES Steering committee for level of mobilization which has enable the state to be number among others.
In the same vein, the National Coordinator, NG-CARES Program Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje also commended the Governor for his personal touch and attention for the NG- CARES programme in the State, saying that Okowa is the kind of Governor that should be leading the country even as he wish him the best in in endeavors.
Dr. Obaje disclosed the programme is performance for Result, for when the state spend to implement the programme they will be reimbursed by world bank after verification.
Comrade Nneka Glory Nwachukwu, Internal Auditor of the Federal Information Chapel Of The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), is one of the foremost and versatile Information Officer of the Federal Ministry, Delta State Center…
Comrade Nwachukwu, Our meeting was orchestrated by just an event, we have been good friends ever since, she has been a friend more like a sister to me. I have followed and observed her throughout the life span of our friendship and today i celebrate your consistency, commitment to the Federal Information Chapel Of The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), your family, friends and core belief, your heart of compassion and above all your spirit of contentment.
Comrade Nneka Glory Nwachukwu
As you add another year today, I welcome you to your appointed days of harvests and rewards. May the years ahead of you be brighter, rewarding and fruitful.
Happy birthday to you my friendship, my sister and my dearest colleague…
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has felicitated the Asagba of Asaba, Asagba (Prof) Chike Edozien on his 98th birthday and 31st anniversary on the throne as the Asaba of Asaba kingdom.
Elumelu in a Statement on Thursday, eulogized the traditional ruler and described him as a renowned icon and outstanding monarch who has contributed immensely to the medical profession, the traditional institution, the development of Asaba and humanity in general.
Asagba / Elumelu
He appreciated God for preserving the life of the traditional ruler, saying that the Lord God Almighty in His love and mercy has continued to make the Asagba’s reign eventful and glorious.
“On behalf of the Elumelu family, the good people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency and of course the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, I, with the utmost reverence and joy celebrate you, Your Royal Majesty, our father, the Asagba of Asaba, (Prof) Joseph Chike Edozien, on your 98th birthday and 31st anniversary on the throne.
Prof. Chike Edozie, Asagba of Asaba
“I give thanks to God Almighty always for keeping you in very sound health with great wisdom, grace and strength as the fountain and wellspring of blessings to the people of Asaba kingdom, our State Delta and our nation, Nigeria in general.
“Since your ascendancy to the throne, you have continued to radiate a transcendental glory, love, uprightness, justice, fairness as well as inexorable source of inspiration in all virtues; honesty, diligence, industry, accommodation and peaceful coexistence for which our people are known.
“At 98, you remain a living legend, an outstanding national Icon, a renowned statesman and patriot who has contributed immensely to the development of the medical profession, the traditional institution as well as the unity, stability and development of Delta State and Nigeria at large.
Ndudi Elumelu
“To the younger generation of leaders, you remain a beacon of light and shining demonstration that the essence of leadership lies only in seeking the good, happiness and sustenance of others at all times.
“Your Royal Majesty, on this great day, as our people roll out the big drums in celebration, I pray to God to preserve you in good health, peace, unlimited joy and grant you many more decades on the throne to the Glory of His Name and the benefit of humanity,” Elumelu stated.
To formerly fulfill his political ambition to represent Burutu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) Deputy Clerk, Legislative Matters, Chief (Dr.) Ebi Franklin Waboke, FCIM, has voluntarily retired his appointment with the Delta State Government.
Waboke revealed this in his retirement’s notification letter, dated 16th May, 2022, he submitted to the Delta State Government which he made it’s acknowledged copy available to journalists in Asaba while briefing on the reasons he was seeking political powers.
He said subsequent to his emergence as the flag bearer for the Burutu Federal Constituency of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), he voluntarily commenced his retirement at 58 years of age to enable him contest the 2023 general elections scheduled for 25th February, 2023.
Waboke who noted that the care for human life and happiness, not their exploitation and extinction was the first and only legitimate object of good governance, therefore the worth of every State through its government was the worth of her citizens, said he was seeking the attainment of political power through legitimate, democratic and constitutional means for the purpose of building an egalitarian society predicated on the principles of equity, freedom and social justice.
Chief Dr Ebi Franklin Waboke
Adding, he said “Providing basic infrastructure and necessities of life, and for the observance of open democratic process in all organs of the party, State and to defend the sovereignty of the people, and the development of the Nigerian (ljaw) youth through the establishment and sustenance of social, cultural, sporting and entrepreneurial engagement activities.
“AIso for the development of leadership capable of effectively and efficiently managing National institutions and resources, as well as creating conditions and opportunities for the development or the potentials of all Nigerians”.
While noting that philosophers have always interpreted the world in various ways, and that the point of all was to change it, Dr Ebi Waboke, The Lomafe Of Laje Land, stated that a political mandate was required to transform the resources and economic strength for the benefit of all.
Chief Dr Ebi Franklin Waboke
“For this purpose, I Seek the mandate of the good people of Burutu Local Government Area, together with the support of all well meaning people all over Burutu Federal Constituency Seat in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly in the forth Coming General Elections on the 25 of February, 2023”. The DTHA Deputy Clerk on Legislative Matters stated.
Chief Dr Ebi Franklin Waboke thanked Almighty God for the experiences gathered so far from the service which he said he would put into use for the service of his Constituency, The State and the nation at large.
The Weeping Poet, John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo’s 1970 post civil war poem, “The Casualties”, affirmed that “we are all casualties.”
In today’s Nigeria, people have characteristically become ‘OBIdients’. One could say, like Clark-Bekederemo, that “we are all ‘OBIdients’.” ‘OBIdients’ are voluntary followers of the political ideology of Mr Peter Gregory Obi, the former Governor (extraordinaire) of Anambra State, Nigeria.
He has refused to offer a dime ‘shishi’, in contrast to the auctioning of the votes as seen in the previously held national conventions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Obi has become the 2023 Marcus Garvey of the (Federal Republic of ‘OBIdients’), hopefully leading them to a new Nigeria. They meant it when most of them sang: “Carry me dey go, Peter Obi carry me dey go for better Naija.”
The first cadets of this moral army were the netizens (citizens of the internet), the Generation Z, who were charmed by Peter Obi’s mantra: “Go and verify”. If eternal life had been preached the way Peter Obi is being preached, the ‘Kingdom’ would have come since June 2022. Senator Chimaroke Nnamani could not manage the frustration of a regular politician, and declared the Generation Z as intolerant, rude, condescending, intellectually averse and shallow. One respondent to Nnamani’s July 7, 2022 outburst was Rev Fr Ted Onumaegbu.
Peter Obi
He said: “For a Nigerian elder politician who characteristically has always breathed down so hard on the young, who views the younger generation with deep-seated suspicion, and who doesn’t know the difference between the www. of an internet and the https:// as the protocol that brings the internet to billions of users, all of these young people with so much knowledge are “rude, intolerant, condescending…. Yes, Gen Zs are cute, knowledgeable, they think in hashtags, twitter and Instagram. Oh, one more thing: they are the quintessential ‘copy and paste’ generation.” One cannot agree any less than Onumaegbu’s analysis.
They became members of a moral army, not by conscription, option of employment, remuneration, nor status symbol, but united in the drive to reorder and take back a lost country, plundered by the political class, who believe and activate the Nicholo Machiavelli principle: ”Politics have no relation to morals.” This army is desirous of politics guarded by morals and virtue; they believe that prayer goes with action; the hashtag is #TakeBackNaija.
They were derided by the squander-mania political class as being social media noise-makers, who are following a party with no structure, but before one shouted Jack Robinson, the structure emerged. In two weeks, the Independent Electoral Commission recorded well over ten million new registrations for the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) as at June 27, instant; and the campaign for PVC is massively gaining momentum. It is speculated that age 18-34 make up 39.7% and age 35-49 make up 32.5% (72.2% of registered voters) and this is the bulk of the army. Samson Akintaro on June 27th reported emphatically that the youths accounted for 70% of completed voter registrations (www.nairametrics.com).
Peter Obi / Datti Ahmed
The Sri Lanka revolution of July 9th is ripe in Nigeria, but approached in a different manner; not invading the President’s palace and chasing him away, which will result in bloodshed as never seen before, in a polarised country like Nigeria. The Nigerian youths have rather started the long awaited bloodless revolution (the Nigerian BASTILLE DAY) by being ‘OBIdients’ (and lately, ‘YUSful, in relation to the Labour Party Vice- Presidential candidate Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed).
‘OBidients’ belong to PDP, APC, (or any other parties), they may not be partisan nor inclined to any religious or ethnic identity; they have risen above these dividing factors, and have identified themselves with one common goal: to bring back the glories and dreams of a Nigeria once thought of as an African promised land, flowing with milk and honey. ‘OBIdients’ are teenagers, young adults, adults, wrinkled, anyone who ‘hungers and thirsts for uprightness’, justice, equity and fairness in Nigeria. They shall, like the Great Master said, “Be Satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).
This land has been raped (or rather gang-raped) by greedy, visionless, avaricious, heartless managers, beginning from President Buhari who looked away and allowed the pillage, to the unfortunate members of the National Assembly who sold their ‘birthright’ and refused to checkmate the excesses of the government in power, with the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, promising to assent to whatever would be brought to his desk by President Buhari.
There is the tragedy of the judicial mafia, that lost the integrity of the hallowed wig and gavel, allowing the judicial system to almost belong to the whims and caprices of the ruling party, and a property of the executive arm of government, as widely speculated. It got so embarrassing that there had to be a palace coup, that saw to the resignation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Tanko Mohammed, who is being investigated for financial misappropriation and a host of other allegations.
The security agencies became a nightmare, and the nemesis of the common Nigerians who turned a blind eye to the snake that crept into the neighbour’s roof; now the snake’s offspring has spread into every roof in the neighborhood. The cahoots of the Police, Army, Customs and others have allowed the infiltration of ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members into the system, as reported by Ibrahim Adeyemi on July 9, 2022 (www.premiumtimesng.com). Adamu Aliero, declared wanted by the Police as a bandit kingpin was just crowned Sarkin Fulani (leader of Fulani) by the Emir of Sabon Birnin Yatondo, Zamfara State, amidst heavy Police presence to protect the criminal.
Today, Shakespeare’s voice could be heard – Cawdor shall sleep no more, Macbeth shall sleep no more. Little wonder Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed declared that no government in Nigeria’s history promoted corruption like Buhari (Vanguard, July 18, 2022).
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) always issued Communiqués (as some other groups), harping on the nose-dive mode of the aircraft piloted by the politicians. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, and lately Nuru Khalid (the Chief Imam of Apo Mosque that was sacked on April 4, instant, for criticising the government), have been vocal, but always criticised in defence of those that pay the pipers. Interestingly, Kukah openly challenged Buhari’s media men to an open debate on the claimed good governance offered by this administration, and the government quarters have been silent since April 19, 2022. Nigerians need, as a matter of urgency, a detailed report on those displaced, maimed, kidnapped, and killed from the time Boko Haram became a political tool in Borno State, as widely speculated, and especially through April 2015 when President Buhari took over the administration of Nigeria, till date; all classes of citizens slaughtered in broad daylight should be made available. On July 16, another report of two Priests kidnapped in Kaduna State made the headlines, a recurrent shock, just days after Kaduna Diocesan Priests protested the killing of Fr Vitus Borogo.
The failure to bring back Leah Sharibu (and even the remaining Chibok Girls in captivity), the culpable complicity in the recent Kuje prison break, the invasion of the Kaduna International Airport by terrorists who have still been tagged as bandits, the multiple massacre of the Ondo Catholic Church worshippers in June 2022 with no arrests yet; the stoning to death of Deborah Samuel in a tertiary institution, and more. The daily kidnappings and killings of victims, not forgetting the Abuja-Kaduna railway attack victims, where the Federal Government has shown itself to be emasculated to safeguard the citizens, and arrest the culprits. President Buhari promised security during his campaigns, but like Nero, he has ‘fiddled while Rome burned’. Nigerians live more in fear today than before, especially after the release of over 800 inmates of Kuje prison by the terrorists, who freed all their jailed members. It happened few weeks after it became public knowledge that the condition for releasing Abuja train victims was to let go the jailed terrorists. Few hours after the jail break, some kidnapped victims were curiously released. Such coincidences are rare. No one is safe any longer; thus the new mantra: ‘OBIdience’ is better than sacrifice.
On July 14, 2022, the ASUU strike entered the sixth month, with no end in sight, as the Federal Government of Nigeria is not going to blink first. For the umpteenth time the Federal Government has failed to fulfill its promises and financial obligations to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and stiffled the motivation needed by Nigerian students who were recovering from the previous lengthy ASUU strike of 2021. This Valentine’s gift (as the strike started on February 14, 2022) to Nigerian students, their parents and guardians, by ASUU and the Federal Government, has taken a curious turn, as the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has fielded Bola Ahmad Tinubu (projecting a volatile situation of a Muslim-Muslim ticket), whose speech on July 13, 2022, at the political mega rally in Osun State, only added insult to injury, when he publicly said: ‘They will labour till DEATH’ (Vanguard Newspaper, July 13, 2022). This was taking it further from the earlier slogan against the ‘OBIdients’ and Labour Party, that they will labour in vain.
Mr Peter Gregory Obi has replied Tinubu in a refined way, characteristic of himself and which is the yardstick of ‘OBIdients’, thus: “There is dignity in labour…labour members will not labour till death.” There are heightened concerns that if the elections are rigged or auctioned, the President Mohammadu Buhari APC led government will hand over the batton of a continued ASUU strike to Tinubu, who already has poured his venom, his death manifesto on young Nigerian, and they are not taking it lightly. The Punch Newspaper reported a terrified serving Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, harassed by a Nigerian at a cafeteria in the USA (the video is circulating). Incidents as this may continue for those who blossomed with Marie Antoinette’s Louis XVI, while the people starved and died.
By stroke of chance or design, while Tinubu cursed ‘OBIdients’ in Osun State, Mr Matthew Okpebholo in Edo State donated a magnificent building for Peter Obi’s campaign, declaring his happiness in what he was doing, being ‘OBIdient’, maybe, and resolved to employ Mr Peter Obi with the PVC in 2023 with other ‘OBIdients’. In Abuja, Mr Kelechi Abonuyo, Director General of New Nigerians Anchor Point (NNAP) published an article on the redemption mission of this group which has unified nationals from all parts of the country with the same objectives: the choice of a credible candidate for 2023 elections (NNAP is under the umbrella of ‘OBIdients’), and Peter Obi won NNAP’s national election anyway. In Enugu State, a teenager, Covenant Onyebuchi, donated her life savings, an undisclosed amount of money, to Mr Peter Obi, to enhance the electoral logistics that will fast-track his entry into Aso-Rock.
‘OBIdients’ and their motivations were perfectly captured by Channels TV news anchor, Seun Okinbaloye’s powerful speech on July 13, 2022, on the need to not gamble with 2023 elections, as it is a defining moment, when the rest of Africa is waiting for her sleeping giant to wake up and rise. He emphasized that “the nation is choking, it can no longer breathe, there is a shortage of air, we need to allow this nation to thrive…this nation Nigeria cannot be taken as a private enterprise anymore”.
There is equally a tweet ascribed to Umar Musa Matazu that says: “Whether you like Buhari or not, you must agree that he improved some industries and sectors in Nigeria: ‘The banditry industry got better; the Federal Ministry of Kidnapping had a big boost; National Agency of Suffering had expanded very well, and is touching everybody. Sai Baba’”, he ended. Last of all, a recent viral video of a dog eating roasted corn, with background voices in Yoruba and pidgin English on the hunger rate in Nigeria would convince a doubting Thomas that something is ‘rotten in the city of Denmark’.
This moral army is determined to take back Nigeria, and the slogan in today’s Nigeria has moved from “No PVC, no food”, to “No PVC, no ‘ze oza’ room”, a serious threat to the men who show laissez-faire attitude towards the PETER OBI movement championed by Youths, Women, the Labour Party, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Civil Society Organisations, the Nigerian Students Organisations, and even some Preachers at the pulpit.
Peter Obi is also ‘OBIdient’, because ‘OBIdients’ have declared that if he refuses to enter Aso Rock Abuja come 2023, they will carry him and force him on that Presidential seat. In 2023, ‘OBIdients’ believe that it is Peter Obi (with Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as his running mate) against other party Presidential flag bearers. Obi knows the problems of Nigeria, which he pointed out by likening Nigeria to the ill-fated Titanic, saying that while the lower class was battling with the sinking ship, the upper class was busy partying, until the whole ship went under, before they could realise it. His knowledge of the solution gave rise to the spontaneous emergence of this moral army, stronger by the day. END.
Fr Prof. Fidelis I. Agwulonu (Ahiara Diocese) is the Vice Chancellor of UNIVERSITÉ NOTRE DAME DE TANGANYIKA, Congo (DRC); the Dean of Academics, and Head of Departments of UNITATIS UNIVERSITAS SALVATORIS, Virginia, USA.
The first batch of the Oyo State Labour Intensive Public Workfare Beneficiaries (OYS-CARES LIPW) under the NIGERIA CARES operation selected from eighteen local government areas of the State have been deployed to their different communities to carry out public works activities.
The youths, who have started working since May 2022, will be paid a monthly stipend of ten thousand naira for four hours per day and twenty days per month works in the areas of grass cutting, filling of potholes, clearing of drainages, sweeping of dirty environment, collection and disposal of refuse as well as traffic control at major public institutions like community halls, hospitals, courts among others.
The Head of the Oyo State of LIPW, Mr Sangogade Olusumbo, while monitoring the activities of some beneficiaries within Ibadan metropolis on Wednesday morning, said the local government areas where the beneficiaries were deployed include Ibadan North East, Ibadan North West, Egbeda, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East, Ibarapa North, Ido, Irepo, Iwajowa, and Kajola local government areas.
Others, according to him, are Ogo-Oluwa, Olorunsogo, Oluyole, Oriire, Saki East and Surulere local government areas, where the local government Community Development Officer will keep up the daily monitoring of the beneficiaries at their respective duty posts.
Sangogade hinted that the Oyo State government bought into the idea to further empower the youths to contribute to the development of their communities while being paid a stipend to show appreciation for their efforts monthly.
“This effort is another area where the State government, through the Federal government and the World Bank, has co-opted the youths who might have been idle at these communities and the beneficiaries will contribute towards maintaining a hygienic environment while ensuring traffic sanity, especially in the major metropolis.
“The office has a system of monitoring the beneficiaries so that they will do their expected rounds daily within the specified time as apart from the routine monitoring by our office from Ibadan, each local government Community Development Officer is also saddled with the responsibility of going round these beats to monitor beneficiaries doing their public works.”
He added that other local governments areas that were yet to benefit from the programme would soon get the same opportunity as soon as fund is available for selection of beneficiaries and their deployment.
NEW NNPC WILL GUARANTEE NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY, PMB….
UNVEILS AFRICA’S LARGEST NATIONAL OIL COMPANY
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja unveiled the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), affirming that the company is mandated by law to ensure that Nigeria’s National Energy Security is guaranteed.
Speaking at the historic occasion at State House Conference Centre, the President said Africa’s largest National Oil Company (NOC) would also support sustainable growth across other sectors of the economy as it delivers energy to the world.
At the event, which featured a Special rendition of the Theme Song ”Energy for today, Energy for tomorrow, Energy for Everyone” by an Ensemble, the President recounted how God had used him to consistently play an important role in shaping the destiny of the country’s NOC in the last 45 years.
He expressed optimism that the NNPC Limited will sustainably deliver value to its over 200 million shareholders and the global energy community; operate without relying on government funding and free from institutional regulations such as the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
‘‘This is a landmark event for the Nigerian oil industry.
‘‘Our country places high premium in creating the right atmosphere that supports investment and growth to boost our economy and continue to play an important role in sustaining global energy requirements.
‘‘We are transforming our petroleum industry, to strengthen its capacity and market relevance for the present and future global energy priorities.
‘‘By chance of history, I was privileged to lead the creation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on the 1st July 1977. Forty-Four (44) years later, I was again privileged to sign the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2021, heralding the long-awaited reform of our petroleum sector.
‘‘The provisions of PIA 2021, have given the Nigerian petroleum industry a new impetus, with improved fiscal framework, transparent governance, enhanced regulation and the creation of a commercially-driven and independent National Oil Company that will operate without relying on government funding and free from institutional regulations such as the Treasury Single Account, Public Procurement and Fiscal Responsibility Acts.
‘‘It will, of course, conduct itself under the best international business practice in transparency, governance and commercial viability.
‘‘Coincidentally, I, on the 1st of July 2022 authorized transfer of assets from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to its successor company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, and steered the implementation leading to the unveiling of Africa’s largest National Oil Company today.
‘‘I therefore thank Almighty God for choosing me to consistently play an important role in shaping the destiny of our National Oil Company from the good to the great.’’
The President, therefore, assured stakeholders in the industry that Africa’s largest NOC will adhere to its fundamental corporate values of Integrity, Excellence and Sustainability, while operating as a commercial, independent and viable NOC at par with its peers around the world.
He added that the company would focus on becoming a dynamic global energy company of choice to deliver energy for today, for tomorrow, for the day days after tomorrow.
He thanked the leadership and members of the National Assembly for demonstrating uncommon courage and patriotism in the passage of PIA that culminated in the creation of NNPCL.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said with the signing of the PIA, which assures international and local oil companies of adequate protection for their investments, the nation’s petroleum industry is no longer rudderless.
‘‘From the onset of this administration, Mr. President never concealed his desire to create a more conducive environment for growth of the oil and gas sector, and addressing legitimate grievances of communities most impacted by extractive industries.
‘‘While the country was waiting for the PIA, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry lost about $50 billion worth of investments. In fact, between 2015 and 2019, KPMG states that “only 4 percent of the $70 billion investment inflows into Africa’s oil and gas industry came to Nigeria even though the country is the continent’s biggest producer and the largest reserves.
‘‘We are setting all these woes behind us, and a clear path for the survival and growth of our petroleum industry is now before us,’’ he said.
Sylva described the unveiling of NNPC Limited as a new dawn in the quest for the growth and development of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, opening new vintages for partnerships.
He thanked the President for his unparalleled leadership, steadfastness, and unalloyed support towards ensuring that the country’s oil and gas industry is on a sound footing.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, announced that the company had adopted a strategic initiative to achieve the mandate of energy security for the country by rolling out a comprehensive expansion plan to grow its fuel retail presence from 547 to over 1500 outlets within the next six months.
He assured stakeholders and the global energy community that the new company was endowed with the ‘‘best human resources one can find anywhere in the industry.’’
‘‘NNPC Limited is positioned to lead Africa’s gradual transition to new energy by deepening natural gas production to create low carbon activities and positively change the story of energy poverty at home and around the world,’’ he said.
Foremost Nigeria constitutional lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, OFR, SAN, has noted that Nigeria’s education system was crumbling with tertiary institutions failing below standard as glorious citadels of higher learning being eclipsed in the eyes of alumni.
Olanipekun stated this in his lecture, titled ” Building Blocks for Unbundling the Critical Problems Plaguing Education In Nigeria: A clarion call to Alumni Associations To Rebuild The Collapsing Portals Through Which They Passed”, he delivered at the 2022 University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) National Public Service Lecture, held at the Dame Edith Okowa Auditorium, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.
He referenced a Nigeria reputable journalist, Dan Agbese, where he bemoaned that “the current ASUU strike was as good a time as any, for the nation to pause, even if briefly, from the madness of politics and the politicians and spare some serious thoughts what it wants to make of its education.”
While calling on alumni associations to, as a matter of urgency, rescue their alma maters, the legal luminary and Principal of Wole Olanipekun & Co, who noted that Nigeria’s universities and tertiary institutions were failing and falling, said the problems were not overemphasised; rather, that they were under emphasised, adding that and Government would not believe or agree that “we have sunk this low.”
Olanipekun, who noted that Nigeria had an educational emergency, said “to address and tackle that emergency, the alumni associations must come to the rescue and find their feet.
“The time to act is now, and not later than now. Even in developed countries where their governments appreciate the value and cardinal position of education, and humongous funds are committed to Education, alumni associations still play substantial roles, and make beneficial impacts of sustaining the portals through which they passed.
They do this in different and diverse ways,” he said.
In charting the way forward, Olanipekun opined that with the appalling state of events in the country, “considering Nigeria from all fundamental angles, and juxtaposing same with recent happenings and events, taking cognisance of the fact that ours is a monolithic economy, depending solely and wholly on oil, reminding ourselves of the threatening security situation that Nigeria has been plunged into, as well as other vagaries of the present, realistically juxtaposed with the future, alumni associations in Nigeria will be living in self-delusion, if they still expect much from any Government vis-a-vis their old schools and portals.
“Governments at all levels in this country today appear not to be able to help themselves, how much more remembering or thinking of educational institutions, whether at primary, secondary or tertiary levels. It then behoves each alumni association to wake up and rise to the daunting reality facing their old schools.”
Earlier in her address, Prof. Elsie Olufunke Adewoye, President of UIAA Worldwide, disclosed that the lecture was specially introduced by the Executive Council of the Alumni Association to give opportunity to very worthy Nigerians, who though not alumni of University of Ibadan but have done so well that their voice, their contributions to the growth of the society could not be ignored.
She said that the association chose to allow them use a credible platform like that of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, among other equally platforms, to speak to the world, to promote and stimulate dialogues and complement its yearly alumni lecture series which began over four decades ago.
“And so, it is apparently to bring to the fore the important role alumni and alumni associations can play in turning for the better the fortunes of their alma mater,” she said.
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has in an affirmative nomination picked foremost political wig and mobilizer, Hon. Isioma Theodora Ndah as House of Representatives candidate for the Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency ahead of the the 2023 General Election.
With this decision, Isioma Ndah will be digging it out with incumbent Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu who is candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The affirmative decision for Hon. Isioma Theodora Ndah, was taken in Asaba by the party’s leadership, following the withdrawal of the APGA’s candidate, Mr Chinedu Frank Isamah.
Hon. Isioma Theodora Ndah
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Hon Isioma Ndah said the party’s decision was in the right track.
She said the party’s decision was is one of equity, stressing that out of the two ethnic nationalities in the constituency, Oshimili had never been given the mantle to represent the constituency.
According to her, “I believe I have the political prowess to win the election. I have the intellectual capacity and sound mind. I am one of the younger generations that wants to see Nigeria work.”
The dinitaries that attended the Substitution Affirmation Primary Nomination of The Thedora Isioma Ndah for Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency included the south-south APGA Chairman, Ogbueshi Tony Eboka, APGA State Chairman Elder Afamefune Enemonwu, State Organizing Secretary, Comrade Chidi Okonji, Hon Odikpo Nwayobuijeuwa Eleazar and some observers from the state Executive committee of the party.
The Aniocha Oshimili LGA Chairmen, Secretaries and other delegates were in attendance. A crowd of party faithfuls also witnessed the affirmation nomination.
As the Eid-l-Kabir celebration continues in consistent with age-long practice of royal homage, the Emir of Ilorin, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR received the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore in his palace shortly after Eid prayer.
The royal father thanked the visiting Permanent Secretary while he urged him to continue to make ancient city of Ilorin proud in the course of discharging his selfless service to the nation. He disclosed that the country has benefitted immensely from his experience and wealth of knowledge which the royal father said is evident in his administrative prowess.
He said further that Kwara State has felt his impact as the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior in the last two years of his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Responding, Dr. Belgore prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant the Emir of Ilorin more years on the throne laden with prosperity, development and growth of the people of his domain and its environs. He promised the Emir of Ilorin that he would to abide by the oath of office in service to humanity as he assured of his continued contribution to the upliftment of Ilorin and Kwara State in general.
Dr. Belgore was accompanied by the Comptroller General, Federal Fire Service (FFS), Mr. Abdulganiyu Jaji, who is also a son of the soil. Federal Fire Service is one of the paramilitary outfits under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior. He was recently appointed to the position of Comptroller General, Federal Fire Service.
Mr. Jaji said he would bring his expertise to bare to transform Federal Fire Service for optimal performance reminiscent of modern day Fire Service outfit anywhere in the world.
Abdulraheem Saad
Protocol Officer to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior
