National
CSOs to Host Sensitization Interactions On Petroleum Act, NNPCL In August
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has condemned the allegations made by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
SERAP recently leveled an allegation against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited over failure to account for and explain the whereabouts of alleged missing $2.04 billion and N164 billion oil revenues.
SERAP, in a statement signed by the Deputy Director of SERAP, Kolawole Oluwadare, in the recently published 2020 audited report by the Auditor-General of the Federation that the NNPC failed to remit the alleged money into the Federation Account, claiming that the money may have been diverted to unknown destinations.
At a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the Executive Director of the CSOs, Blessing A. Akinlosotu, explained that we make bold to assert, without fear of contradictions or condemnations, that almost all the allegations leveled against the management of the NNPCL so far are unfounded and misrepresentations of facts and figures.
He noted that despite the fact that no public institution in Nigeria today can be absolutely exonerated or given a 100% clean bill of health forensically in terms of corruption and bad eggs.
Mr. Blessings said the Council perceives a deliberate plot in some quarters that are both politically and economically motivated to frustrate the ongoing reforms in the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria and transformation in the NNPCL.
“Some of these detractors are internal forces of economic saboteurs, while others are high-level international business actors that have hitherto taken undue advantages of the country’s previous weak laws and naïve policies in the Petroleum Industry.
“Some mischief makers, especially within the Media Sector and Civil Society Community, have taken advantage of the negative past records and maladministration in the defunct Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to continuously smear the image and blackmail the current management of the NNPCL that is determined to salvage our Petroleum Industry.
“These detractors and saboteurs probably have the ultimate aim of casting aspersions at the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the leadership of NCSCN sympathizes with the management of the NNPCL on their unenviable and herculean task of reforming and rebranding a battered organizational image of the former NNPC to a desirous and acceptable bride.
We call on the operators of the Media Industry to eschew unnecessary sensationalism, instead to deploy more professionalism in carrying out their highly sensitive and sacred responsibility of information dissemination.
The Media should not be a weapon of blackmail or vendetta but should serve as eyes and ears of the Society, playing a complementary role in National Development. Investigative journalism should be the mindset, while patriotism is the keyword.
NNPCL must work assiduously to purge itself of any corrupt tendencies and bad eggs, thus living above board at all times. If the system is now truly rebirthed as we believe it to be, then transparency and accountability must be sustained as hallmarks without compromise at any point.
We hope to have all our 500 existing affiliates at the proposed 1st National Civil Society Conversation on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and NNPCL.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Christians and other Nigerians, to leverage the lessons of Christ’s resurrection and imbibe the message of hope and victory over the nation’s current challenges.
Jonathan stated this in his Easter message, by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, on Friday in Abuja.
Jonathan encouraged Nigerians to remain positive and draw strength from Christ’s love and sacrificial death for humanity and his gift of salvation.
The former president reminded leaders to be selfless and embrace the virtues of servanthood, sacrifice and passion for service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
“I join millions of Christians around the world to commemorate Good Friday.
“This day reminds us all of the sacrificial death of Christ for humanity and His gift of salvation and redemption to all believers.
“This moment reminds Christians of servanthood and passion of service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, who died to save humanity from sin and reconcile all to God.
“At Easter, we reflect on the power of Christ’s love, the gift of righteousness and the triumph of hope over despair and every challenge in life,” Jonathan said.
He further noted that the death and resurrection of Christ on the cross, awakens all to the boundless love of God toward mankind.
The former president also said that Easter also served as a reminder of the possibilities, faith in God, offered man on earth.
“I urge all citizens to be encouraged by the story of the resurrection of Christ and the lessons of hope and victory that are contained in it.
“Let us be reminded about the purpose of salvation and the essence of mercy and the triumphing power of faith and hope over all circumstances,” he said.
Jonathan also urged the citizens to remain positive of the possibilities within the nation.
He also urged Nigerians to draw strength through hope that the people would triumph over challenges they faced, both as individuals and collectively as a nation.
“This moment points us to the virtues of servanthood, sacrifice and passion for service. Let us recommit to pursuing peace and justice for all.
“As a people, let this season renew our faith, strengthen our hope and guarantee us peace.
“Let us continue to imbibe and pursue these virtues and work toward building a nation of peace, unity and love,” he said.(NAN)
…Gives condition to forgive Fubara
… Says I wanted Fubara’s removal, Tinubu saved Rivers
Abubakar Yunusa
Nyesom Wike has described talks about a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu as not sincere and believes those behind it are doing so for selfish reasons.
Wike, the Minister of the FCT, said this in Abuja on Friday during a media chat, accusing the masterminds of running away from issues bedevilling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party.
He said, “those who are looking for a coalition are for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?
“Why not come in to repair your party? Everybody wants to become president of the country, nobody wants to say, look, let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power.
“You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is let me find a way; how I will be the one, and if that does not happen, then it’s to your tent, oh Israel,” the immediate past governor of Rivers state said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, are among political heavyweights planning to float a coalition to dislodge President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
That push has continued to make headlines in the country in the past months, but Wike said those behind it, especially members of the main opposition PDP, should fix their party instead.
Wike criticised Atiku, the arrowhead of the coalition movement, saying the ex-VP is about to make the mistakes that led to the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
“You make the mistake yesterday, you want to repeat the same mistake today, tomorrow you make the same mistake, and then you come out to say you were rigged out, who rigged you out? You’ve already rigged yourself by causing crisis,” Wike said.
The minister, who is a member of the PDP, also said the party is not ready for the next presidential election scheduled for 2027.
“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class,” he said.
“That is the situation of the PDP. So, they cannot say for sure that they are ready for 2027. Power struggle cannot help the party.”
Governor Uba Sani says his administration has improved access to tertiary education in Kaduna State by reducing tuition fees of state-owned tertiary institutions by 50%.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union and a public lecture, the Governor stated that the tuition cut has enabled more students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university degrees with greater ease.
Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to the students for honouring him with the Sword of Honour Award and acknowledged their recognition of his administration’s developmental strides.
He reassured the students of his government’s continued support, urging them to maintain peace to allow development initiatives to thrive. “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course,” he said.
The Governor advised students not to allow themselves to be used by agents of disunity and chaos, warning that no meaningful development can occur in a climate of unrest and distrust. However, he commended students for being “reliable partners of progress.”
Addressing the issue of security, Uba Sani recalled how parts of the state were under siege due to insecurity, which disrupted farming and business activities. He said the situation has improved considerably through the efforts of security agencies, leading to safer roads, the return of farmers, and the reopening of local markets—including the Birnin Gwari cattle market after a decade-long closure.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure efforts, the Governor said his administration has embarked on over 78 road projects covering 775 kilometers, many of which are rural link roads. He added that General Hospitals are being remodelled and 255 healthcare centres upgraded. Additionally, new schools are being constructed while existing ones are being refurbished to create a better learning environment.
The student union explained that Governor Uba Sani was awarded the Sword of Honour for his commitment to educational development. They praised the tuition reduction and the establishment of new faculties at KASU, including his facilitation of the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering.
They also commended the Governor’s directive allowing students to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding fees, describing it as a gesture of compassion and commitment to inclusive education.
The union concluded that Governor Uba Sani has redefined good governance by prioritizing education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.