NEWS MIRROR

Seplat Energy Board's pose with  the  youth entrepreneurs and special guests, during the cheque presentation to C4C and capacity building for past beneficiaries (Fellows) of the programme held in Abuja recently. By Akinola Ajibade  Seplat Energy Joint Venture(JV)  organised a workshop recently in order to develop the leadership skills and management capacity of both young and old entrepreneurs in Nigeria.  Tagged Fellowship Programme for Entrepreneurs, the programme was a huge success for the company, which was listed in both the London and Nigerian Stock Exchanges respectively,  as participants  reminisced  on their achievements and those waiting for them to achieve, in the event that they utilise their potentials well. Dated back to 2019, the programme, which was organised by Seplat Energy and its partners notably Conversation for Change (C4C) received  another  N16.5 million for funding. Speaking at the event in Abuja recently,   the Director, External Affairs &

By Akinola Ajibade The Comptroller, Apapa Customs Command, AB AB Mohammed, says that the unit posted two hundred and twelve billion, five hundred and nighty two million, six hundred and eighty thousand, seven hundred naira, ninety-two kobo(212,592,680,700.99) in the first quarter of 2023. While speaking during a media parley in Lagos yesterday ( Tuesday),  Mohammed said that the revenue generated in the last three months was  impressive, adding that the Command would try and improve on it subsequently. He noted that the Command is focused on activities such as generation/ collection of revenue, suppression of smuggling and facilitating legitimate trade in the first three months of 2023. According to him, he has been meeting  stakeholders and partnered  government agencies on how to sustain tempo of compliance in the ports since he took over the office as Comptroller Apapa Customs months ago.  On export trade, Mohammed said,”The command processed agricultural goods such as s

Adesina  No fewer than 600 million people do not have access to electriciy, while 970 million are unable to use  clean energy for cooking in Africa,  the President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina has said.  He said the development has made it pretty difficult for the continent to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal ( SDG), adding that the continent  must connect 90 million to electricity by 2030 in order to speed up the growth of Africa. Africa, Akinwuunmi said, needs to shift 130 million 130 million people from dirty cooking fuels yearly to achieve more growth in that area. He disclosed that Africa’s energy transition would require an estimated $100 billion annually between 2020 and 2040. While addressing participants at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, Akinwuunmi  said that urgent action is needed in order to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and harness Africa’s renewable energy sources. German and Nigeria hoste

Joshua exchanging punches with Franklin  Favour Ajibade  Former heavy champion, Anthony Joshua,  yesterday ( Saturday) recorded victory over Jermaine Franklin  in a bout at London's  02 Arena.   The victory was the first since 2020, as he has suffered  successive defeats; the major one was the loss to Oleksandr Usyk, former Olympian Jone. Based on this, the 33-year former champion seems to have returned to winning ways with  unanimous points-decision victory over Franklin. Joshua was given the win after 12 rounds. He according to scorecards  of the three judges won 118-111, 117-111, 117-111.  There were ugly scenes at the end of the bout as the corners and fighters clashed momentarily and security stepped in to calm the situation.

Dr  Sanda  Leadership is the force that propels change, meaningful change. This has remained true from time, and continues to be the bedrock upon which great accomplishments are based.  The above describes what the Managing Director/ Chief Executive officer, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC),Dr Mrs Tinuade  Sanda, who  marked one-year in office recently,writes Akinola Ajibade, Managing Editor, News Mirror.  Appointed MD/CEO in March of 2022,.Dr Sanda’s emergence was greeted with much excitement and anticipation. As a female professional who had built a long and established career in corporate finance and administration, many were eager to see what the reputed change-maker would do at the helm of a big energy company in a very challenging industry. It was a huge responsibility, a big job. On the evidence of her one-year record, it is now abundantly clear that she has provided an adequate enough response to all the curious minds! Upon assuming office, Dr. Sanda too

By Akinola Ajibade Shell  Companies in Nigeria ( SiN) have paid $4,521,134,915 to the Federal Government in the fiscal year ended 2022.  The firms, in a reports titled Shell's  Sustainability, Cilmate & Energy Transition, Lobbying and Payments to the Federal Government, said that the money covers  production entitlements, royalties, taxes and fees expected of them as corporate institutions operating in Nigeria  Published this week Tuesday, the reports give up-to-date financials plans and programmes of the multinational Oil Company ( IOC) in the country. In the reports, which catalogued the activities of Shell Petroleum Development Company SPDC and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company SNEPCO, a sum of  $3,035,996 was paid as production entitlement, $ 711, 850,070 as taxes $691, 648,502( royalties) and fees of $81,639,634. Altogether, Shell's companies have paid a total paid a total of  $ 4,521,134,915. The reports added that the  money realised throug

By Akinola Ajibade The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday  (Tuesday) shelved the plans to embark on a nationwide strike over scarcity of cash,  a development, which is having undesirable consequences on many Nigerians. The body, instead,has given both the Federal Government and Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) a grace of two weeks to further monitor the level of compliance of cash disbursement through commercial banks.  NLC and its affilate--Trade Union Congress ( TUC) had planned to start strike (Wednesday ( March 29th). However, they they  changed their plans after consultations with members, which advised against the decision in order not to further weaken the economy. Speaking on the development, NLC President, Joe Ajaero said that there was a change in plans,  after a meeting with the members of its National Executive Council( NEC). Recall that NLC  issued an ultimatum to go on strike beginning from Wednesday, nationwide, part of which included a plan to picket the va

Scene of oil thefts in Nigeria By Akinola Ajibade The President, Major General, Muhammadu Buhari( retd) has received reports on Oil Theft and Losses in Nigeria. The report is titled ''Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft and Losses'' was submitted to the President, through the National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno. Speaking on the issue, the Head, Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr Zakari Usman said in a statement obtained by News Mirror, said the Federal Governments will fast track the implementation of  the reports in view of the problems, which the issue has caused Nigeria  He said that members of the panel are drawn from key stakeholders within and outside the oil and gas industry, state governments, ministries, departments and agencies; security agencies; regulatory agencies; international and indigenous oil companies; traditional institutions; host communities; artisanal refiner

One of the Aramco's facilities  By Favour and Akinola Ajibade Saudi Aramco have partnered  with two Chinese Companies to build a 600,000 barrels refinery capacity in China.  The project, a major investment for Saudi Aramco, is expected to cost $10 billion and completed in the next three years.  Billed to help refine more crudes and produce petrochemical products, the the idea is conceived  in order to take advantage of China's  growing demand for energy.  Armaco said in a statement that the refinery will have a capacity of 300,000 barrels of crude daily and out of this, it will supply 201,000 barrels per day to the facility. The project, the statement added,  will be carried out in partnership between Aramco and two Chinese companies. Construction works should begin in the second half of this year, with the project scheduled for completion in 2026.  “This important project, the firm said, will support China’s growing demand across fuel and chemical products. It also

NCC/ NIMASA partnership coming By Akinola Ajibade A regulatory framework to stimulate effienciency in the use of submarine cables for operators in the nation's telecommunication sector is in the offing courtesy of the plans by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to work together on the issue.  The framework would assist in providing guidelines for Submarine Cable and Pipeline Operators in Nigeria. A submarine Cables are often times, thousands of miles in length, are used in transmitting huge amounts of  data rapidly from one point to another for effective operation of telecom companies.  According to NIMASA's Assistant Director, Public Operations, Mr Edward Osagie, the officials of the two organisations have reached an agreement on during a a pre-audit meeting on submarine cable Osagie in a statement made available to the media, quoted the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir J

Obasanjo                          Iwuanyanwu The fight between the Igbos and Yorubas is in the realm of speculations and therefore should be downplay by Nigerians across boards, the business mogul, Chief Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu gave this indication in Awka, Anambra state capital recently.  Speaking during one-year anniversary of Prof Chukwuma Sokudo in office as Governor of the state,  Iwuanyanwu said that the people,  destroying Igbo properties in Lagos were “political rascals”. Similarly, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, condemned the anti-Igbo sentiments in Nigeria, describing it as “Igbophobia”. Iwuanyanwu said, “I want to let our people in Lagos know, on Wednesday, I called a meeting of the Ohanaeze council of elders worldwide and we x-rayed the events in Lagos. “I want to tell you that people who attended are from the branches in America, Canada, Europe, London, and Nigeria. We have resolved and I want those from Lagos to go home and tell those in Lagos that w

By Akinola Ajibade Nasir Ali, son of Ahmadu Ali, a former Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) was yesterday arranged before a Lagos High Court for an alledged N2.2billion petrol subsidy fraud. Ali was arraigned, by the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) alongside one Christian Taylor over the issue.  Both were arraigned with Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence ,contrary to Section 8 and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006; obtaining money by false pretences. The offence is contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006; forgery, contrary to Section 363 (3)(j) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011; and use of false documents contrary to Section 364 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. The offence, Court, is contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences A

Women protest nakedly in Nasarawa  By Akinola Ajibade The recently concluded governorship election has taken a new dimension as some  aggrieved women stripped themselves naked in order to protest the outcome of the poll.  Reports showed that the women mainly from Nasarrawa state came out naked after the National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Abdullahi Sule, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the election in the state.  The reason for their protest was that INEC went ahead to announce a winner of the governorship election when there was contention in the results that emanated from Gayam and Ciroma electoral wards in the state capital. Some of the women wore black while protesting. Others stripped completely naked and bitterly expressed their displeasure in front of the camera. The women said they did not vote for Governor Sule and they accused him of rigging himself to power and forcing himself on them. They chanted songs a

By Akinola Ajibade Ahead of plans by the Nigeria Labour Congress  (NLC) to embark on a nationwide strike and further grind the country to a halt over scarcity of cash, the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) and Deposit Money Banks ( DMBs) have  agreed to pump.money into the economy, as well as working on weekends. The apex banking rregulatory body yesterday, in a statement signed by its Director, Corporate  Communication Department, Dr Isa AbdulMumin said that its going to release  banknotes from its vaults to commercial banks across the country as part of a coordinated effort to ease the circulation of banknotes of various denominations. Also, it has directed all commercial banks to open for operation on Saturdays and Sundays. AbdulMumin said that substantial amount of money in various denominations, had been received by the commercial banks for onward circulation to their respective customers. The CBN had directed all banks to load their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) as we

By Akinola Ajibade Savannah Energy Plc, yesterday, promised to pursue all of its legal rights against the decree issued by the President of Republic of Chad, Mahamat Deby on the issue of nationalising assets Savannah Energy in Chad   The Chadian leader had issued a decree on March 23rd this year, announcing the decision of his government to bring the assets of Savannah Inco under the control of Chad, as well as ensuring that the country owns the assets. Hitherto, Chad Inc's was formerly now as  Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc upstream production assets in Chad. In a statement issued to the News Mirror and signed by, Senior Consultant, Strategy and Business Management, Chain Reactions Africa, Chidebiere Onuoha, Savannah Energy that its completed the acquisition of EEPCI on December 9,last year. The firm further said the actions of the Republic of Chad are in direct breach of the Conventions to which SCI and the Republic of Chad among other parties signed.  It ad

By Akinola Ajibade Stakeholders in the nation's energy sector yesterday gathered together to  brainstorm on the challenges facing the oil and gas operations in Africa and at the same time, proffered solution to them.  The operators, who were drawn from the Nigerian Petroleum Downstream Industry and African Refiners and Distributors Association  (ARDA) at a virtual meeting, agreed that the industry in Nigeria and beyond needs to put in   place effective risk management and deregulation programmes in order to have a highly profitable and vibrant industry. Deregulation and liberalised petroleum sector, they said are key to its development and the economy in particular. Other benefits, according to the virtual workshop moderated by the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria ( MOMAN) Chairman, Mr Olumide Adeosun, are a robust participation of all players in the energy industry and a strengthening economy. The Nigerian Petroleum Downstream Industry abs and African Refiner

Members in solidarity march  By Akinola Ajibade The Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) will embark on strike over the prevailing scarcity  of cash next week Wednesday ( March 29th), if all go according to plans.  This is coming on the heels of the decision of  the NLC's President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, to direct public workers to down tools over the issue, as from next Wednesday, if the Federal Government does not provide urgent solution to the matter.  Also, Ajaero, has  directed affiliate unions constituting the Nigeria Labour Congress to be on standby, with a view to go on picketing exercise across all branches of the apex bank next week. Prior to this period, the Central Working Committee of the union last week, issued  warning threats to go on strike after criticising the cash swap policy of the Federal Government. The committee  lamented that despite the Supreme Court order allowing the old N500 and N1000 notes to circulate with the new notes till December 31st this yea

Nigerias President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinibu, his opponents in the Poll, Mr Peter Obi and Alhaji Abubakar Atiku INEC"s Chair, Prof Yakubu By Akinola Ajibade No fewer than four presidential candidates in the February 25 election are seeking nullification of the poll, which produced the All Progressive Congress  APC National Leader, Bola  Ahmed Tinubu as the Nigeria's President- Elect.   The candidates and their parties are Alhaji Atiku Abubakar  (PDP) of the People Democratic Party ( PDP), Mr Peter Obi, Labour Party (LP) and Allied People's Movement ( APM). Also joining them at the Presidential Election Petition Court(PEPC) in Abuja to clarify issues surrounding the declaration of Tinubu as the  eventual of the election is the nation's umpire- National Independent Electorial Commission (INEC).   Recall that the legal fireworks  on the issue began last Tuesday, when the PDP's presidential candidate filed a petition on the issue in Abuja

By Akinola Ajibade The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday( Monday) debunked the allegations that it sacked the duo of Messrs Finidi George and Ike Shorunmi from the Super Eagles  team. Both retired Super Eagles players have been drafted into the team as  members of its  technical crew.  While clarifying issues surrounding  alledged sack of the players, the Federation said: “As part of cost-cutting measures instituted at the beginning of the new administration, we established a rotation policy among the assistant coaches, based on the high number, which was agreed with all of them. The last time that the team had a programme, Mr. Finidi George was the person who travelled for the friendly match in Portugal. This rotation policy is only for matches. When there is a tournament, all of them will be with the team. “He knew at that time that the next trip would be that of Mr. Usman Abdallah. Abdallah is simply taking his turn to be in the camp for the program of Super Ea

By Favour Ajibade The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan is battling poor facilities, occasioned by paucity of funds.  According to the Network for Better Life Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation ( NGO)the teaching hospital is in dire need of help, as it its unable to carry out blood transfusion seamlessly among other providing health care services to its many patients.  The development, among several others, the NGO said, is making it difficult for the institution to restore its lost glory. The body, in a statement, issued yesterday, by  its Southwest Coordinator, Mr  Bisitolu Adebiyi regretted that patients at UCH suffer unjustly with many resigning to fates as the blood Bank of the hospital is experiencing downward trend because of the lack of power supply. ‘Worse still, health officers now resort to the use of light from their handsets to transfuse blood to patients. The UCH at nights is now like ghost community with patients lacking quality medical support