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If you don’t tackle security of oil infrastructures, doom inevitable- IOC tells Tinubu

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…As Nigeria lost N2.3trn in one-year to oil theft

The incoming government led by president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged to focus on fixing oil and gas security, otherwise risk Nigeria’s economy’s collapse.

Dr Osagie Okubor, Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, disclosed this recently at the just concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja.

He lamented that vandalism had heavily affected the nation’s oil and gas production capacity.

Accordingly, the country continued to produce crude and gas below capacity due to damage vandals had done to pipelines in the Niger Delta region.

He said the country had lost N2.3 trillion in oil revenue if the prevailing $83 per barrel rate is used.

The amount translates to about 65 700 000 crude Brent losses to vandalism and oil theft in under one year.

He cited the example of TNP, a Joint Venture operated by SPDC, which is a major pipeline capable of transporting about 180,000 barrels of crude per day to the Bonny export terminal.

Okunbor added the TNP was shut down for a year due to oil theft but was reopened for operations after over 460 illegal connections were discovered by the company.

“So, if you ask me what the number one issue has to be for the incoming administration, it has to be the security of oil and gas infrastructure. If you don’t fix it, we have a huge problem,” Okunbor said.

Nigerians in Sudan: Onyeama Offers to evacuate stranded students

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Again, the owner of Airpeace, Allen Onyeama, has pledged to evacuate Nigerians stranded in fighting Sudan for free.

Recall that there has been serious concern over the federal government’s delays in evacuating its citizens, just as France, Portugal and other countries have.

However, the Nigerian government said it is waiting for clearance from both forces in Sudan despite increasing killings in the region.

Meanwhile, Onyeama on Monday said everything must not be left in the hands of the government, indicating that it would evacuate Nigerians stranded for free.

“Again, Air Peace is willing to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan free of charge if the government can get them to a safe and secure airport in any of the neighbouring countries bordering Sudan”, he stated.

In 2019, Onyeama offered his flight to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa over xenophobic attacks against Africans.

Again, the owner of Airpeace, Allen Onyeama, has pledged to evacuate Nigerians stranded in fighting Sudan for free.

Recall that there has been serious concern over the federal government’s delays in evacuating its citizens, just as France, Portugal and other countries have.

However, the Nigerian government said it is waiting for clearance from both forces in Sudan despite increasing killings in the region.

Meanwhile, Onyeama on Monday said everything must not be left in the hands of the government, indicating that it would evacuate Nigerians stranded for free.

“Again, Air Peace is willing to evacuate Nigerians stranded in Sudan free of charge if the government can get them to a safe and secure airport in any of the neighbouring countries bordering Sudan”, he stated.

In 2019, Onyeama offered his flight to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa over xenophobic attacks against Africans.

Gowon unwelcome in Southeast-Simon Ekpa warns Otti against trending on wrong footing

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A popular pro-Biafra Separatist agitator, Mazi Simon Ekpa, has reacted to the proposed visit of former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, to Abia State.

Recall that General Gowon had hinted at visiting Abia state for a post-inauguration prayer on Sunday, April 23 but was later suspended due to criticism.

However, in a statement on Monday, Ekpa said that Gowon is unwanted in the Southeast region.

He noted that not Gowon’s prayers are not needed in the Southeast.

Finland-based Ekpa urged Alex Otti, the governor-elect of Abia state, to be careful not to start his administration on a wrong footing.

“Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) is the big evil tree, and we, the present generation of Biafrans, are the axes that have been sharpened to cut him down. Gowon dug a pit for Biafrans, but we survived it.

“Gowon’s evil feet will never march on Biafran soil again. He will be alive, and Biafra will be actualized before his sad eyes because Biafra is coming very soon.

“Yakubu Gowon, the prayer of the wicked is an abomination in the sight of God. Who are you coming to pray to in Biafraland – A holy man, an evil man or a born-again Christian? The name of God should not come out of a bad heart.

“Hon. Alex Otti, we warn you to be careful about antagonizing Biafrans. It is surprising that even before your swearing-in ceremony, you are already bringing in enemies of Biafra into Biafraland. It seems that you want to start your administration on the wrong foot with the little time you have as a Governor under Nigeria State before Biafra emerges as a nation. Therefore, know now that our searchlight is on you”, he stated.

Why I’m still a virgin at 33 – Destiny Etiko reveals

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Curvy Nollywood actress, Destiny Etiko, has disclosed that she is still a virgin.
She revealed this in a recent interview with Oak TV.
According to the 33-year-old thespian, she is celibate because of her crippling social anxiety.
She said she hasn’t been in a relationship that got to the level of sexual intimacy.
“I’m still a virgin because of my crippling social anxiety. I still have not been in a relationship that has gone to that level,” Etiko said when asked about her body count.
Her revelation has left many bewildered online with some fans expressing their shock.
Nigeria’s react on Twitter:
@dinidankwara

In the old America 🇺🇸 normally we used to call the person who visited Virginia so many times while wasn’t living there or not a citizen of the so called Virginia state of illinois, so that’s what @destinyetikoo means normally . Forget the odds at believe in me😂

@dun1214700

She might be correct. I was surprised to found out my wife is a virgin after we had our 3rd child. This world na wonders full am.

What Nigeria’s economy stands to gain from Halal products Industry- SON reveals

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The Standard Organization of Nigeria has revealed what the Nigerian economy would gain from the Halal products industry.

According to SON, the sector is valued at trillions of US dollars.

Farouk Salim, the Director General of SON, said this during the weekend at the Validation Meeting of the Final Draft Report on the Roadmap and Operational Framework for developing the Halal Industry in Nigeria.

The Head Halal Desk, Mrs Amina Haliru represented Salim.

He reiterated his commitment to promoting the best standards for Halal products across the Country.

“It will boost the Nigerian economy because the Halal Global Market is valued at trillions of dollars,” he said.

In Islam, Halal means ‘lawfully’ and ‘allowed’; here, Halal Products are consumable foods allowed into the Country after necessary certification.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Industry, Amb. Maryam Katagum said the Halal products industry would boost Nigeria’s economy.

Sustain Presidential Power Initiative – Ondo commissioner, Obe tells FG

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Engr Razaq Obe, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in Ondo State, has appealed to the Federal Government and president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to sustain the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).

He made this call in an interview with Nigerian Newssphere on Thursday at the just concluded Nigeria International Energy Summit in Abuja (NIES2023).

According to him, the federal government must fulfill its promise to significantly improve the country’s power sector. He noted that realising the PPI would impact Nigeria’s power sector meaningfully.

Obe said the country’s power supply capacity would increase from 4 gigawatts to 25 gigawatts if the initiative is fully implemented.
“The presidential power initiative is one of the most successful initiatives by this current government. We want to encourage the incoming government to ensure that by 2025, the 25 gigawatts promised is delivered to Nigerians.
“We are happy to see all those transformers coming from Germany to Nigeria; we are happy to see them installed at different substations. We are appealing to the federal government to make this come through. It will grow Nigeria’s available power from 4 gigawatts to 25 gigawatts which will be a quantum leap for our country. We appeal to the federal government not to relent”.

This year’s NIES with the theme, ‘Global Perspectives for a Sustainable Energy Future’ kick-started on the 16th and ended on the 20th of April 2023. The PPI is a £63 million deal between the federal government and Siemens to boost Nigeria’s power capacity. The Federal Executive Council approved it in December 2021.

News-elected House of Rep member, Maihanci dies at 37 in Abuja

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Hon Ismaila Maihanci, a newly-elected member of the Federal House of Representatives under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP died in Abuja.

Maihanci, elected to represent Jalingo, Yorro, Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State, passed on early Saturday morning in Abuja.

His janaza, also known as Funeral is scheduled to hold at the National Mosque in Abuja.

Irammae Andeta’rang, Taraba state PDP spokesperson disclosed this on Saturday.

Accordingly him, the desist fell sick shortly after the February 25 elections and had been receiving treatment in the Nation’s capital.

Maihanci was born 22 October 1986, a former special to Taraba state Governor Darius Ishaku.

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Nigeria’s ‘Decade of Gas Policy’ initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration should not be trashed by the incoming government led by President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it is a workable tool to reposition the nation’s gas industry.

Championed under the leadership of Chief Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State Petroleum, January 2021 to December 31, 2030, was declared as Nigeria’s Decade of Gas; within this period, the government aspires to power the economy, foster gas utilization, industrialize the country and address energy poverty.

The country is Africa’s largest gas reserve, yet the untamed energy crisis has continued to stare its ugly face on Nigerians and businesses.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria occupies an unenviable position as one of the top seven gas-flaring countries in the world. While the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) has succeeded in beating the war of fines, and sanctions on oil companies responsible for gas flaring, the country feast on gas wastage.

One of the International Oil Companies, IOCs, had pledged to end routine gas flaring; Mr Victor Bamidele, Deputy Manager, Deepwater TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria, disclosed this on Wednesday at the ongoing Nigeria International Energy Summit, 2023, in Abuja.

No doubt there was hope when Buhari launched Nigeria’s decade of gas policy in 2021; however, less than 10 per cent of its objectives and targets have been achieved two years after.

Months back, while providing the policy’s performance updates during a session at the just concluded Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC) 2023 in Lagos, the Southwest Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Ayo Cardoso, however, said some improvements had been recorded.

“So, if we look at some of the projections the government gave us, just like I had mentioned before – about 85 per cent of base increase yearly. What we have is just about 5 per cent”, he said.

Tracing the growth of gas facilities between 2017 and 2022, he explained that Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities were five in 2017 and 42 in 2022, while Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities stood at 97 in 2017 and 112 as of 2022.

According to him, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plants in 2017 “were 675, and in 2022, we had 13,038. LPG add-ons in the filling stations have grown little since 2017. It’s still battling between 500 and 585. So, from our calculation, we have not gone as far as the government expected us to go regarding the Decade of Gas.

Nigeria has potential 900 billion standard cubic feet (scf) of gas in the National Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP). Nigeria’s LNG industry has grown significantly, and the government was more interested in gas-to-power, just like other critical sectors, adding that about 70 per cent of the gas was to be dedicated to gas-to-power.

In this editorial, Nigerian Newssphere notes that the incoming cannot afford to jettison Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Project; this is part of Buhari’s legacy to Tinubu.

Development within the oil and gas industry is long-term based, so this government must have the necessary stamina and resilience to carry on consistently.

An integral part of the process is the development of gas infrastructure, with the construction of the 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline the number one starting point.

The goal is simple, to increase the domestic utilization of LPG and CNG, commercialize gas flares, develop industrial gas markets and improve gas-to-power.

The government must sustain investment in building pipelines and distribution networks to reach residential and business areas and improve access to LPG.

Also, while the country has significant natural gas reserves, a lack of investment in the sector has led to low production of LPG and a hike in prices. It is time for the government to encourage investment in the industry to increase domestic production and thus curb the importation of LPG.

The government must provide a fertile working environment for domestic and foreign investments in the LNG industry.

Last, though the number of Nigerians using LNG, popularly known as cooking gas, widen daily, there is a need for the government to provide subsidy LNG to encourage more usage.

Court fines Buhari N5bn, restores Ararume as NNPCL Chairman

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Federal High Court in Abuja restored Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume as non-Executive Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL.
The Court on Tuesday voided the sack of the businessman and set aside the removal done on January 17, 2023, by President Muhammadu Buhari on the ground that the action of the President was arbitrary, unlawful and illegal.
Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo in a judgment in a suit by Ararume awarded N5 billion against Buhari and the NNPCL to be paid to Ararume as damages for the wrongful sack and disruption of his appointment.
Justice Ekwo ordered that Ararume be immediately restored to office as a non-Executive Chairman of the NNPCL.
The Judge also declared as null and void all decisions of the Board of Directors of the NNPCL carried out in the absence of Ararume.
Justice Ekwo held that Buhari acted ultra vires, wrongful, illegal, null and void in the ways and manners Ararume was sacked after using his name to register NNPCL and that such a brazen act cannot stand in the face of the law.
Ararume had dragged Buhari before the Court praying it to declare his removal as NNPC Chief illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional and that it is a total breach of CAMA law under which NNPCL was incorporated.
Apart from asking the court to issue an order to return him to office, Ararume also demanded N100 billion as compensation for the damages he suffered nationally and internationally in the unlawful way and manner his removal was carried out by President Buhari.
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Nigeria, other developing countries can achieve 10 per cent economic growth like China- World Bank

The World Bank has said that Nigeria and other developing countries can achieve a 10 per cent growth rate like China.

The Washington-based bank stated that for seamless growth in Nigeria, the incoming government must tackle insecurity, ensure diversification away from crude oil, solve the problem of dual foreign exchange markets and reduce inflation.

On Thursday, the President of the World Bank, David Malpass, disclosed this at a press briefing in the ongoing Spring Meetings of the Bretton Woods institutions in Washington.

World Bank had forecasted 2.8 per cent growth for Nigeria in 2023, a drop from the 3.3 per cent forecast in the prior year.

Malpass explained developing countries like Nigeria could achieve the feat of China and India in terms of economic growth acceleration.

However, it stated that the incoming government of Bola Ahmed Tinubu should work toward addressing insecurity, harmonizing the foreign exchange market, and creating a deep-rooted diversification agenda and monetary policy required to cut down the Country’s inflation.

“Nigeria has trade protection that blocks market development; they have a dual exchange rate that is very expensive for the people of Nigeria; they have high inflation and not enough diversification of the economy to make sufficient progress.

“Showing up like China, developing countries can grow at a 10 per cent rate and catch up with advanced economies in years and decades”, he stated.

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