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Akpabio’s alleged sexual scandal: female CSOs demand Akpabio’s resignation for impartial investigation 

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By Amos Tauna, Kaduna

The Coalition of Female Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria has called for the immediate and unconditional resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged sexual scandals involving Senator Natasha of Kogi State and other related cases from the past.

The coalition stated that it is to allow for an unbiased, thorough, and fair investigation into the allegations.

A statement issued on Monday by the Coalition of female CSOs signed by its coordinators from the six geopolitical zones of the country expressed  concern over the allegations leveled against the Senate President for sexual assault by his colleague, Senator Natasha.

The Coordinators who signed the statement are Amina Usman Zubairu-North West, Falmata Babagana Gire-North East, Oyindamola Ojulari-

South West, Chinelo Emeka Augustin-

South East, Prisca Planknan Auta-North Central and Linda Emonefe-South South.

The group described the allegations as heavy, embarrassing, and an abuse of the Senator’s gender existence as a woman, saying, “Unless the Senate President had another motive (sexual harassment, which he is accused of) he had no justification for walking Senator Natasha out and threatening her with suspension or impeachment for rejecting a seating arrangement, something he did under Saraki’s leadership, and he wasn’t met with similar action.”

The Coalition, citing a newspaper report from the Whistler stated that Senator Akpabio has always had issues with women, stated that in 2022, a sexual assault allegation was made against him by former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh.

According to her, the statement  explained that Akpabio promised to make her “NDDC substantive MD”, saying that it’s the same tactics Senator Natasha has accused Akpabio of, that if she acquiesced to sexual gratification, that she could “enjoy a whole lot in the Senate.”

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The statement added that he (Akpabio) also talked down on another female colleague, Senator Kingib, during plenary and denied her the opportunity to contribute.

As a Female Civil Society Organisation that is gender sensitive, the statement explained, “we frown at these behaviors of the Senate President, we condemn them and also call for his resignation as Senate President to allow for uninterrupted investigations.”

As a subject of investigations into sexual harassment allegations, the group said that Akpabio should step aside and cannot be a judge in his own case, believing that his presence as the Senate President can compromise the course of investigation.

The group promised to come out next week with about 5,000 in number and shut down activities of the National Assembly in anger on Akpabio’s relationship with women if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.

The also called on the National Human Rights Commission, Ethics and Privilege Committee of the National Assembly and other international bodies fighting against gender discrimination and sexual harassment of women to investigate Senator Akpabio, for this allegation and previous ones, saying that an injury to one, is an injury to all.

 

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Nigeria’s oil reserves stand at 37.28bn barrels, gas hit 210.54 tcf – NUPRC

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The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on Friday said that the nation’s crude oil reserves stood at 37.28 billion barrels (bb) as at Jan. 1, 2025.

The commission also said that Nigeria’s gas reserves hit 210.54 trillion Cubic Feet (tcf).

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, who stated this said that oil and condensate reserves stood at 31.44bb and 5.84bb respectively, amounting to a total of 37.28 bb.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the figure is against the 37.50 bb of proven crude oil reserves and proven natural gas reserves 209.26 tcf recorded in 2024.

Komolafe said the Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas reserves stood at 101.03 tcf and 109.51 tcf, respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf.

According to Komolafe, the commission in keeping with its mandate as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021), is committed to driving the efficiency and effectiveness of the upstream oil and gas sector.

He assured enhancing the growth of oil and gas reserves towards ensuring sustainable increase in production for shared prosperity, as articulated in the Regulatory Action Plan for 2024 and the Near Term.

“Against the foregoing, I am pleased to present to you an overview of the Nation’s oil, condensate, associated gas, and non-associated gas reserves as of January 1, 2025, as follows:

“Crude Oil and Condensate reserves stands at 31.44bb and 5.84bb respectively, amounting to a total of 37.28bb.

“Associated Gas and Non-Associated Gas reserves stands at 101.03 tcf and 109.51 tcf, respectively, resulting in total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf.

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“The Reserves Life Index is 64 Years and 93 Years for Oil and Gas, respectively.

“In view of the above, and in furtherance of Chapter 1, Part III, Section 7 (g), (i), (j), (k), (m), (q), (r), and other powers enabling me in this respect, I, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, CCE, hereby declare the total oil and condensate reserves of 37.28bb.

“And total gas reserves of 210.54 tcf as the official National Petroleum Reserves Position as of Jan. 1, 2025,’’ he said. (NAN)

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Boko Haram Holding Authority In Three Borno Communities— Ndume

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Boko Haram terrorists are holding authorities in some communities in three local government areas of Borno State, according to Senator Ali Ndume.

The Borno South lawmaker said this on Friday when he was featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

According to him, there are no civil authorities in those areas, which he said are being governed by the terrorists.

“Yes, three,” he said on Friday’s edition of the show when asked if areas are being governed by the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East state.

“What we are saying is that there is no civil authority there, and the authority is Boko Haram,” the Borno South Senator said.

He listed the areas as “Gudumbali (in Guzamala LGA), Marte, and Abadam”.

“None,” he said when asked if there are civil authority in these areas.

Senator Ndume said the security agencies are not properly equipped to tackle the insurgency, which he decried is beginning to fester in the North-East state.

His comment came days after the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, decried the rising spate of insecurity in the area.

The governor said the state is losing ground in the fight against Boko Haram, asking for help.

“As I address this important gathering today, it is unfortunate that the renewed Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings in many communities almost on a daily basis without confrontation signalled that Borno State is losing ground,” the governor said, a fact Ndume agrees with.

During the show, the vocal lawmaker of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said there have been hundreds of attacks in Borno State since the beginning of the year.

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“From November last year till date, there were over 250 attacks in the state, and somebody is saying we should ignore the governor,” the APC chieftain said.

“We have lost more than 100 soldiers, nearly 300 civilians even though our soldiers gallantly killed 800 of those terrorists within this period.”

“It is like a stagnated situation,” he said about the state of security in the country, arguing that President Bola Tinubu should declare a state of emergency on security, the welfare of the citizens, and the economy.

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FG Forms Sub-Committee To Evaluate US Tariff Impact

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The federal government has constituted a sub-committee to evaluate the potential economic impact of the recent tariff measures announced by the United States government.

The decision followed a meeting of the Economic Management Team (EMT), chaired by Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, according to a statement issued on Friday by Mohammed Manga, director of information and public relations at the ministry.

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced sweeping global tariffs on all imports into the country, including Nigeria.

A few days later, Edun said Nigeria is well-positioned to withstand global trade disruptions, including the United States import tariffs.

He said plans were underway for possible budget adjustment and prioritisation where possible.

To assess the impact of the tariffs, Manga said the EMT convened earlier in the week with key ministries and agencies to review the fiscal and macroeconomic implications of emerging global trade dynamics.

He said the EMT noted that while Nigeria’s major export — crude oil — has not been directly targeted by the new US tariffs, the policy shift has coincided with a dip in international oil prices, raising concern over potential revenue and budgetary pressures.

“To support evidence-based policymaking, the EMT has established a sub-committee tasked with conducting a detailed review of the direct and indirect economic impacts of both the emerging tariff measures and the global commodity price shifts,” Manga said.

“The sub-committee includes representatives from the ministry of finance, ministry of budget and economic planning, (including budget office of the Federation), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).”

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Manga also said the sub-committee has already held its inaugural meeting and is expected to present its findings to the full EMT without delay.

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