News
$550m Ubeta upstream gas project kicks off – Presidency
Special Adviser (SA) to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, Olu Verheijen disclosed this at an inaugural US-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue, hosted by the US State Department, in Washington, DC.
Speaking at a luncheon organised as part of the inaugural dialogue, Verheijen said the upstream gas project would deliver 350 million standard cubic feet of gas per day when operational.
A statement on the event signed by Morenike Adewunmi, Stakeholder Manager, Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Energy,
was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Verheijen told the gathering that major energy reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu since June 2023 focused on improving energy security, attracting investments and deepening collaboration with key partners including the the US government.
She said the key reforms had improved the viability of the gas-to-power value chain of the country
The reforms according to her, included initiatives to improve cash flows in electricity distribution through smart metering and the payment of outstanding debts owed investors, and to reduce carbon emissions from gas production.
She added that, to support the reform efforts, the President issued five new executive orders aimed at providing fiscal incentives for investment.and reducing the cost and time of finalising and implementing contracts to develop and expand gas infrastructure.
The presidential aide said the directives also aimed to immediately unlock up to 2.5 billion dollard in new oil and gas investments in the country.
She acknowledged the support of financing and technical partners like the US government, the World Bank and the African Development Bank towards expanding electricity access and reliability through grid and off-grid solutions.
Verheijen affirmed her optimism about the bright prospects for Nigeria’s energy sector, especially with the renewed focus on gas as a transition fuel in the race to meet the country’s commitments to the Paris climate agreement.
“We see resilient demand for gas through the energy transition as it is a readily available, cost-effective backup to renewables while cutting emissions by half immediately,” she said.
Speaking on the Dialogue, Verheijen recalled it was established in June 2023 to create a platform for the US and Nigerian governments and private sector to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance the implementation of shared energy and climate action ambitions.
“Nigeria seeks to create a robust regulatory framework and attract new investments for the production of gas for power, transportation and clean cooking.
“I cannot overstate the importance of our longstanding relationship with the US and this inaugural dialogue.
“The goal of this dialogue for us to jointly proffer solutions that will close the energy access gap for close to 100 million Nigerians who still lack reliable power.
“We want existing and potential partners to better understand our areas of priority so that our collaboration can be better targeted, and with tangible outcomes,” she said..
On his part, Geoffrey Pyatt, US Assistant Secretary of the State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources said the dialogue was apt and strategic.
“The inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Strategic Energy Dialogue has set the stage for strengthened energy collaboration between the United States and Nigeria.
“Together, we’re advancing shared energy security, decarbonization, and economic growth goals,” he said.
The Dialogue saw the launch of a new Nigeria-focused initiative, the Clean Energy Alliance of Nigeria (CLEAN), by the U.S. State Department, to mobilise stakeholders to support and promote investment in clean energy in Nigeria.
The Nigerian delegation to the event was led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Officials from the Ministry of Power, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NNPC Limited, were also in attendance.
The US delegation included representatives from the Bureau of African Affairs, USAID, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), and the Export-Import Bank
NAN recalls that the signing ceremony of the 550 million USD Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ubeta Field Development Project took place in Abuja in June
The Ubeta field, discovered in 1964 is located Northwest of Port Harcourt, Rivers state. (NAN
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the Umbrella of the Southern Kaduna United Visionary Leaders have reiterated their unwavering commitment to the party, dismissing concerns over the growing presence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the region.
The leaders made the declaration at an APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Chori, Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Addressing attendees, the host and Political Adviser to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Godfrey Ali Gaiya, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani for promoting inclusive governance. He assured that the group would continue to rally behind the administration to strengthen APC’s political foothold in Southern Kaduna.
“Our goal is to make the APC not just popular but deeply rooted in Southern Kaduna through increased membership, quality representation, and strategic political appointments,” Gaiya said. He also called for unity and peaceful coexistence, noting that development thrives only in a stable and united environment.
In his address, Mr. Ado Dogo Audu, Chairman of the group and Counsellor on Political Affairs to the Governor, played down the perceived threat posed by the SDP in Zone 3 of Kaduna State. He said recent defections to the APC are a testament to the party’s people-centric policies at both state and national levels.
“APC’s inclusive structure continues to draw support from across the region,” Audu stated.
Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Abdulmalik Durungwa emphasized the importance of deepening grassroots engagement, calling on members to make the party more visible and impactful at the community level.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary of the Renewed Hope Consolidation Mandate, Professor Dogara Matoh, urged party members to remain united and avoid divisive politics rooted in religion, ethnicity, or regionalism, especially as the 2027 elections draw nearer.
Highlighting the role of grassroots politicians, Mr. Rijo Shekari described local appointees—councilors and local government chairmen—as critical links between government and the people.
He urged them to constantly engage their constituents on government policies and developmental initiatives.
Engineer Joseph Chiroma advised party faithful to stay aligned with the party’s internal structures to avert internal conflicts. He also commended Elder Anthony Hassan for laying the groundwork for the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, calling it a landmark achievement for the grassroots.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for unity and proactive political mobilization as the APC intensifies efforts to consolidate its presence across Southern Kaduna.
The story with the caption, 25 Persons Killed, Scores Injured As Armed Herdsmen Attack Enugu Village is not only built on devious masturbatory hallucination, but completely false.
Agreed that lately marauding herdsmen have been running amok across the Country, invading towns and villages, and leaving a trail of sorrow, tears and blood in their path. However, there was no such invaders attack on the agrarian communities of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area in Enugu State that left 25 persons dead.
This independent rebuttal of the falsehood targeted at diminishing the halcyon strides of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Enugu State Government in the area of Security is long overdue. We MUST not suffer ‘alarmists and fifth Columnists’ gladly. We have therefore chosen to debunk the devious falsehood of tale-mongers and bearers of false report and fake news.
Twice the false tale of marauding Herdsmen sacking communities in Enugu State have been bandied by those who are desperate to undermine the success of Enugu State in protecting lives and property. Not having any scores against the Enugu State Government in areas of Infrastructural Development, Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, and regarding facts about the profound strides of the Enugu State Government, naysayers have resorted to the Politricks Of Insecurity. They have chosen to hype isolated incidents and falsely alarm lovers of the State, Ndi’Enugu and Nigerians.
We, the Concerned Professionals For Good Governance (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group) upon seeing the news that has since gone viral regarding 25 Persons allegedly mowed down by Herdsmen in Enugu State proceeded to verify the news. We reached out to local Vigilantes, to Security Agencies as well as Agents of Government at the State and the Local Government level, sadly we found out that it was untrue. And we decided to query the possible reasons cum intention of the bearers of the false report and the fake news.
Enugu State has a premium time Digitalised Security Control Centre. Enugu State collaborates seamlessly with the Police, the Army and other Para-Military Agencies charged with the protection of lives and property. Enugu State is doing profoundly well in almost all the sectors of leadership, and Enugu State has become the go-to location for Corporate, Public Sector and Private Sector retreats and Conventions as well as Governmental events. It has become the shinning example in good governance. But Enugu State has also clearly become the envy of other States, such that Politicians seeking to diminish the laudable feats of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and His Team have resorted to the Politricks of fear-mongering and insecurity, but we shall not fold our hands and allow falsehood to stick.
Enugu State is arguably the safest State in the entire South, thanks to the commitment of the Enugu State to the protection of lives and property. This Truism have been attested to by Nigerians of different tendencies including friends and even members of Parties in the opposition in Enugu State. The commitment of the ebullient Governor of Enugu State to security is Olympic and indisputable, and not only is the State Government supportive of Security outfits with funding, the State has in place a Public and a Private Sector fueled fund to support Security Agencies in the furtherance of the Security of the State.
We can say without equivocation that Enugu State is safe and is deservedly emerging a preferred destination for investments, business, tourism, and living. It is proudly emerging a conferencing capital, ready and able to host tier one events such as the forthcoming NBA conference and Nigerian Guild of Editors Conference, among others. Ndi’Enugu are hospitable and willing to play host to legitimate institutions, as the State government in partnership with all available Security Agencies work seamlessly to guarantee peace and security in Enugu State.
We urge and encourage the media to always verify and validate information particularly issues bothering on Security before publication. That way, fake news on matters of Security will be shibboleth. And that way the Politricks Of Insecurity would cease to oil the frontiers of devious politics.
Enugu State is safe and will remain so, as the government is unalterably committed to the protection of lives and property.
Okechukwu Nwafor
Concerned Professionals For Good Governance. (A Good Leadership Advocacy Group).
The Rivers Judicial Service Commission (JSC) says the retirement of Chief Magistrate Ejike King George is not connected to the political crisis in the state.
George announced his retirement on Monday, citing the current political crisis in the state, which led to the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers House of Assembly.
“This difficult and regrettable decision is informed largely by my discomfort with the recent appointment of a quasi-military administration to run the affairs of a modern State like ours,” his letter announcing the resignation read.
But in a statement on Tuesday, the commission’s Acting Secretary Blessings Vic-Jumbo denied claims that George’s retirement was voluntary and politically motivated.
The JSC said George was compulsorily retired by the Commission through a letter dated 12th February 2025, following disciplinary actions tied to his prolonged unauthorized absence from duty. It detailed that the former chief magistrate had been absent without leave from August 25, 2023, to December 2024.
According to Vic-Jumbo, the disciplinary panel, which reviewed George’s conduct, found him wanting and recommended that he be offered the option to retire voluntarily within a set time frame.
Upon his failure to do so, the Commission proceeded with compulsory retirement effective February 10, 2025, the statement added.
This action, the statement emphasized, had no connection to the current political climate in Rivers State. The JSC took issue with recent comments by George, which allegedly suggested that his departure was triggered by the rise of a so-called “quasi-military administration” in the state.
The Commission firmly described George’s claims as “a contrived falsehood” and “a mischievous action calculated to deceive the public, attract undue sympathy, and undeserved patronage.”
“The general public should be properly guided,” the disclaimer added, distancing the judiciary from political narratives being woven around the former magistrate’s exit.
This development adds to the growing tension and sensitivity surrounding governance and judicial matters in Rivers State, particularly amidst recent political upheavals.