NEWS MIRROR

L-R: Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Nigerian Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti; Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Osagie Okunbor; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Simbi Wabote; Executive Vice President, Gas and Power of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Abdulkadre Ahmed; and Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, Elohor Aiboni, at the Shell stand during the opening session of the 11th Practical Nigerian Content Forum held in Uyo received.  

Abiru  The Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Mr Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru has gotten the nod  of the Federal Government to complete 30-km Ikorodu Sagamu  and also embark on the rehabilitation of 32-km Itokin Roads in 2023 He obtained the approval yesterday ( Wednesday) during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola in his  office in Mabushi, Abuja.  Abiru, who represents the Lagos East Senatorial Districts at the Red Chamber, also leverage on the visit to appreciate the efforts of the Minister on the two critical Federal roads, which he started on assumption of office as a senator two years ago. The roads are Ikorodu- Itoikin and Ikorodu/ Sagamu. The Senator further seized the visit to extend the gratitudes of his constituents to the minister for his great support to the  projects. On his  part, Fashola informed the senator that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved complete rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Itoikin Roa

Reps during a sitting  By Akinola Ajibade The Federal Government should try and expedite actions on the planned exploration of hydrocarbon (crude oil) deposit in the Bida Basin, the House of Representatives, has said. The House also advised three of the nation's oil institutions namely the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to conclude the geophysical survey that the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) started in order to ascertain the availability of hydro-carbon in commercial quantity in Bida Basin. This is sequel to the consideration and adoption of a motion on notice on the ‘Need to Fast-Track Geo-Physical Survey/Seismic Data Acquisition to Ascertain availability of Hydro-Carbon in Commercial Quantity in the Bida Basin,’ brought by Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, member representing Bida/Gbajo/Kacha federal constituency of Niger State. Pr

NMDPRA's officials during the exercise By Akinola Ajibade Fuel queues across the country will soon disappear as marketers commence massive loading of petroleum products, the Chief Executive, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Ahmed Farouk has said  He gave this assurance yesterday,during a stock monitoring exercise within depots in Lagos. The NMDPRA boss led staff of the Authority to NIPCO, Total, Aiteo, OVH, Conoil, 11 Plc and HOGL depots in Apapa for on the spot assessment. Farouk said the stock taking exercise was to ensure availability and effective distribution of petroleum products across the nation to reduce queues at filling stations. “This exercise would  ensure that the entire states are wet with petroleum products to avoid scarcity and panic buying by commuters during this period. “As an Authority, we are doing everything within our powers to make sure that there are enough petroleum products in the system to help all

IPMAN members in Ejigbo  By Akinola Ajibade Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria ( IPMAN) under the Ejigbo Satellite Depot is asking the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to sell fuel to them at regulated depot price of N148.17 per litre. It said the idea would enable her members to use the same window given to Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria(MOMANN). IPMAN's Chairman, Ejigbo Depot, Mr Akin Akinrinade, said this yesterday in Lagos, during a media parley called to explain the rationale behind price disparity of petrol to IPMAN members by depot owners. He explained  why private depots get petrol from NNPCL at official rate of N148. 17 per litre but sell at N220 per liter ex-depot price to IPMAN. He, however, issued seven days ultimatum to NNPCL to work out a concrete arrangement for IPMAN to buy fuel at regulated price of N148.17 per litre. According to him, lPMAN had an agreement with NNPCL on fuel supply but   has refused t

Abiru By Akinola Ajibade Beneficiaries of Senator Tokunbo Abiru COVID-19 Financial Relief Scheme have gotten more than N150million in the last twenty three months.. The money, which  was directly credited into their  respective bank accounts was for the social services support of the beneficiaries.  They have also received payment for November this year. In a statement made available to the News Mirror, and signed by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Mr Ibrahim Olukotun, Senator  Adetokunbo Abiru, has disbu over N150million  to the vulnerables, especially poor people in Lagos East Senatorial District under his COVID-19 Financial Relief Scheme. The scheme, the statement said,   covers over 2,500 beneficiaries  comprising widows; people with physical disabilities; aged; unemployed youth and women who receive direct credit transfers of N5,000 each into their respective bank accounts every other month. . "  Those who received payment for the month of November  20

By Akinola Ajibade Sprite Zero, a sugar free soft drink in the household of Coco Cola, the world softdrink giants, threw film enthusiastics into excitement in Lagos recently. The event:release of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther film titled:“Wakanda Forever”,  Sprite Zero achieved this goal through partnership  with the Filmhouse on a West African Premiere.. The programme came on the heels of a global collaboration between Marvel Studios and Sprite Zero Sugar, which has a refreshing new campaign tagged “Infinite Potential and Zero Limits”. The campaign features limited-edition packaging, new TV creative and a QR-activated AR and digital experience—all to inspire and empower tomorrow’s creative talent to explore and patiently pursue their true gifts. Held at the Filmhouse IMAX Cinema, Lekki, Lagos, the event brought together guests and celebrities, who displayed rich African culture, while at the same time,  treated to ice-cold signature Sprite Zero cocktails from the Zero Limi

Favour Ajibade The Federal government should take immediate steps to reverse the current hiked price of fuel N240, The Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC), has said.  NLC said this in a joint statement signed by NLC and TUC Presidents, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Comrade Festus Osifo. According to them, the ongoing price hike of fuel is unnecessary, crippling and pain-inducing to Nigerians, adding that Nigerians they are  suffering beyond measure because of government policies. The Labour Centres are seriously bewildered and disturbed by the persistent shortage and uncontrollable prices that players in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry are meeting out to Nigerians. The statement added:“The persistent shortages of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol in the country has become a source of pain to the Nigerian people.It has led not just to long avoidable queues, adulteration of the product by the unscrupulous elements, exploitation of the consumers, turning fuel statio

By Favour Ajibade Chevron Nigeria Limited (“CNL”), operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”) and CNL (“NNPC/CNL JV”)  has secured $1.4billion finance, with a view to fund the NNPC/CNL JV infill drilling program  (“Project”)  between 2022 to 2026. The financing arrangement was executed on Wednesday November 30, 2022. The Project includes the drilling of 37 wells in the offshore and onshore Escravos area. This will helping in  reserves and increase production by arresting decline and supporting domestic gas supply. The Project is in alignment with the NNPC/CNL JV’s lower carbon ambitions and helps support a lower carbon future through increased gas resources for commercialization. The NNPC/CNL JV recognizes the strategic imperative to supplement funding of the NNPC/CNL JV operations to enable high impact projects that can deliver near term production. The NNPC/CNL JV is one of the largest producers and investors in Nigeria. CNL

World Cup Stadium in Qatar  By Lord Segun The Coca-Cola System recently brought football  lovers in Nigeria together, with a view to watch  the ongoing World Cup in Qatar.   The Company, which comprises of  Coca-Cola Nigeria and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company, achieves this goal through hosting lovers of the round leather game in a viewing centre in Victoria Island.  Specifically, the centre  is not only located at Landmark Beach, Lagos, but also allowed people to catch fun, while watching the game organised by Federation Internationale Football Association ( FIFA).  Incidence, Coca Cola is a lead sponsor of the 2022 World Cup, a development, which is borne out of a long standing partnership  with FIFA. Interestingly, the beverage company was able to treat consumers to an electrifying evening on Sunday November 20th in an ambience that was  reminiscent of a Qatari stadium. 2022 World Cup's logo  Speaking on the issue, the Managing Director,

Indiscrimate dumping of refuse  Over 176.3 million Nigerians are living in dirty environment, a report from  Clean Up Nigeria (CUN), an international non governmental organization (NGO) has said. The report came from the studies carried out between December 2021 to November 2022 by the organisation.  It, however, named Akwa Ibom state as the cleanest states in Nigeria. According to the CUN, report, Akwa Ibom state scored 54% to emerged the most clean state in Nigeria followed by Ebonyi and Bauchi states respectively. At a briefing in Abuja, Clean-up Nigeria's Founder,  Prince Ene Baba Owoh Jr. stated that there is need to encourage alternative actions on personal hygiene/sanitation in order to ensure a cleaner, healthier and safer Nigeria for all and in the end make the world a better place to live. According to him, their organisation’s statistical data indicates that 32 out of 36 States including the rest of FCT, are rated as unclean States. He added:”Performance indi

Left: Director, Biomedical Engineering Training & Technical Services, Medshare, Eben Armstrong; Coca-Cola's Communication Manager, Ifeyinwa Ejindu; Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, (UITH), Dr. L.O. Odeigah; Consultant Physician and Nephrologist, (UITH), Dr. T.O. Olanrewaju; and Distribution Manager - Ilorin, Nigerian Bottling Company, Tejumola Opeyemi, during the event  recently. Story by Lord Segun The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria says its unwavering commitment to help develop the health and educational sector in the country. This happens, as the company donated ultra modern medical equipment to the University of Ilorin under its Safe Birth Initiative ( SBI) recently. The idea is in continuation of the efforts of Coca Cola to strategically improve maternal and neonatal mortality system in one of the most institutions in Nigeria. While presenting the equipment, which is estimated to be over $500,000.00 yesterday ( Thursday), the firm's Communication Manager,

Managing Director, EKEDC, Mrs Tinuade Sanda,  Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) has described the assault on its staff while on duty, as barbaric and inhumane. Its  spokesman, Godwin Ihemudia, in a. statement, said that the assault on one Mr. Sanmi Mathew Akanni, a staff with the Ikate zone team under its Orile district on 29th November 2022, was bad and devoid of human feelings.  He stated that  Sanmi was assaulted by one Mr. Ayomide Oyebanjo after an illegal connection was discovered.  “While in the process of disconnecting the illegal connection, bottles were broken by Mr. Ayomide Oyebanjo, and the driver Mr. Sanmi was stabbed severally, we have pictorial evidence to prove this”.he added. He said the case was immediately reported at Itire Police Station by the company’s District Legal Officer and the culprit was arrested. He was charged to court on Wednesday, November 30 th , refused bail, and remanded at Ikoyi Prison. Meanwhile, the driver Mr. San

Ogbechie  By Akinola Ajibade Police has absolved the Chief Executive officer, Rainoil Limited, Dr Gabriel Ogbechie of allegations that he was planning to murder  one Prince Ned Nwoko, a politician law maker, who once represented Anochia Oshimili Federal Constituency in Abuja.  The police in its recently concluded investigations exonerated the business mogul ( Ogbechie) of the blame, adding that he practically knew nothing about the land and chieftaincy  disputes in Idumuje-Ugboko community, in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Subsequently, the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, has commenced hearing of defamation suit against Ogbechie.  In the report released by the police, a certified true copy of which was made available to the media, the police completely exonerated  Ogbechie of all criminal allegations made by Prince Ned Nwoko.  Recall  that sometimes in February, 2021, Nwoko made series of allegations bothering on threat to life, murder and terror

Men caught with human head  By Akinola Ajibade Police operatives have arrested two married men, Peter Ochigbo, 42, and Samuel Bachu, 35 with a human head. They are Peter Ochigbo, 42 and Samuel Bachu, 35. The two were caught in Abuja with the head of a yet-to-be identified woman. In a video, the suspects could be seen with the head answering questions from a security personnel.  During the interrogation, Peter Ochigbo claimed he was set up by his friend named Peter Etuma. He claims Etuma was the one who took him to Abuja and also provided the human head. He added that Etuma called him to meet him somewhere and he did, not knowing that Etuma had called the police. He said when the police arrived they arrested him with the human head, when asked where the got the head from, Ochigbo feigned ignorance. The police are still investigating the matter and those culpable would face the law.

Usman  By Akinola Ajibade Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, Bala Usman,  will spend the next three months in prison, if the judgement of Federal High Court sitting in  Abuja is anything to go by. Usman was sentenced to prison for disobeying a court order. The Presiding Judge, Mobolaji Olajuwon,  presiding judge, issued the ruling yesterday ( Tuesday), following a suit filed by Patrick Okoli, a former police officer who claims he was unlawfully and compulsorily retired from the Nigerian police force. In an affidavits signed in support of the suit, the applicant (Okoli) an officer was believed to have been forcefully retired in June 1992. He had challenged his forceful retirement in Court, after which a  Bauchi high court on February 19, 1994, delivered judgment in his  favour and further quashed the letter of compulsory retirement. Also, the court ordered that the applicant be reinstated with all rights and privileges. Recalled that the Police Service Commission (PS

PHOTO AND CAPTION Okunbor   Shell has started distribution of $1million relief materials to victims of flood in the Niger Delta region, just as the International Oil Companies  (IOC) and other stakeholders called on Nigerians to follow suit,  Speaking on the issue, Country Chairman, Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), Mr. Osagie Okunbor, said that it would be a good thing, if other corporate institutions supported the victims during their difficult times.  Okunbor, while speaking during the distribution of relief matr to victims at Ahoada, Rivers state, recently, noted that  Shell commenced distribution of relief materials to   some   impacted communities   in   Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Imo   states. He said that: “Shell is providing these relief materials because we do not want you to go through this sad experience alone   as   government and concerned institutions continue to work to make life go back

Sadiya Farouk  By Akinola Ajibade The Finance Ministry has  padded the 2023 budget of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs,  Disaster Management and Social Development, with N206 billion, its Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has said. She disclosed this recently during her appearance before the Senate Panel on Special Duties to defend the 2023 budget.. According to her, the inistry requested for some projects for the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and National Social Safety Net Project in the 2022 budget, the funds were however not released to it by the finance ministry. She expressed surprise that the funds found their way into the 2023 budget, only this time they were increased 10 times than the original request made. She said:”Yes we made mention of the projects for 2022 which were not released and part of it was for the NEDC.The money was not released and now we have seen it recurring by almost 10 folds and we are also going to clarify from the ministry of financ

UCH building By Akinola Ajibade No fewer than 780 health workers have resigned from the University Teaching Hospital (UCH) in the past one year. They  include Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses among other clinical workers.  UCH in a report, said the institution have been finding it difficult to get replacement for them, due to problems such as poor welfare conditions, insecurity among others. The Chief Medical Director, UCH, Prof Jesse Otegbayo said at a news conference to mark the 65th Founder Day of the institution in Ibadan recently. He said that at least 15 Nurses, Doctors and Pharmacists, among others exit the varsity’s teaching institution every week, a figure, which when multiplued by 52 weeks in a year, gives a total of 780 workers. He said: “Every week, I signed resignation letters of 15 health workers at the institution, who are mostly clinicians, that is, Nurses, Doctors and Pharmacists, among others.” According to him,between 2020 and October 15, 2022, no few

Gen Danjuma ( retd) By Akinola Ajibade A firm owned by a Nigerian billionaire and former defense minister, Gen Theophilus Danjuma( rted) is suing an ex-business partner that’s at the center of a high-stakes London trial over an $11 billion arbitration award, previously unreported court documents show. A UK tribunal ordered Nigeria’s government in 2017 to pay Process and Industrial Development Ltd $6.6 billion in damages after a gas-supply deal soured, and the amount has ballooned with interest. Theophilius Danjuma’s Tita-Kuru Petrochemicals Ltd. brought its own arbitration claim against P&ID in London in 2020, alleging that its designs had been “unlawfully misappropriated” to secure the gas contract, Nigeria said in a filing to a UK court in February. “P&ID firmly denies that it unlawfully misappropriated anything from Tita-Kuru,” the company’s majority shareholder, Seamus Andrew, said by email, declining to comment further on the arbitration because the proceedings