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Drama As Board Nullifies Sack Of Eko DISCO MD/CEO

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The crisis rocking Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) took a dramatic twist on Tuesday with its Board members cancelling the purported termination of the appointment of its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Tinuade Sanda.

The EKEDC CEO was said to have been sacked by the chairman of EKEDC, Dere Otubu allegedly in compliance with the orders of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

But the Director, Chairman Legal and Regulatory Committee of EKEDC, Babor Egeregor, in a statement described the order as unambiguous, incapable of, and unyielding to plural interpretations.

He said there was nowhere in the order where NERC requested the removal of any staff either seconded to or hired by EKEDC except those connected to the alleged fraud and negligence i.e Wola Joseph Condotti, Sheri Adegbenro, and Aik Alenkhe.

According to him, NERC’s directives were issued to compel the Board of EKEDC, following picketing by the union and unrelenting staff protests, to act appropriately in the face of a determined position of a majority of the Board members to cover up the alleged use of ghost workers together with the alleged fraud and protect Wola Joseph Condotti especially.

The statement reads, “It has come to my notice that by a letter dated 26th of March 2024, the Chairman of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Mr. Dere Otubu purportedly terminated the Contract of Employment of Dr. Tinuade Sanda, the MD/CEO of EKEDC, allegedly in compliance with Orders/Directives issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

“The said Order of the NERC, herein displayed, are unambiguous, incapable of, and unyielding to plural interpretations. There was nowhere in the Order where NERC requested the removal of any staff either seconded to or hired by EKEDC EXCEPT those connected to the alleged fraud and negligence.

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“In fact, NERC’s directives were issued to compel the Board of EKEDC, following picketing by the union and unrelenting Staff protests, to act appropriately in the face of a determined position of a majority of the Board members to cover up the alleged use of ghost workers together with the alleged fraud and protect Wola Joseph Condotti especially.

“Mr. Dere Otubu’s letter, therefore, was done in bad faith and in vengeful revenge against the MD/CEO for escalating the alleged fraud and issuing queries against one of his protégés, whom he has desperately swore to protect by all means. As a matter of fact, the Acting DG of the BPE, representing the government on the Board of EKEDC, vehemently rejected the attempt to cover up the alleged crime and insisted on compliance with the punishment prescribed in the Conditions of Service.

“Rather than comply with the Orders of NERC, a recourse to subterfuge was hatched with the purported termination and the publication of different misleading headlines such as “FG Sacks MD of EKEDC”, “Tinuade Sanda relieved of her position as MD, Eko Distribution Company”. There are no doubts about a deliberate agenda and unconcealed mischief to misread the Orders of the NERC to malign Dr. Sanda’s reputation for daring to escalate and issue queries to the suspects for alleged fraud through the use of ghost workers for three years, and continuous payment of salaries to exited staffs despite personally receiving their resignation letters.

“Similar queries were issued to Sheri Adegbenro, the Chief Audit and Compliance Officer and Aik Alenkhe, the Chief Human Resources Officers respectively for their failure and gross negligence to audit and detect fraudulent payments on pay roll for over 3 years.

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“We are also aware of a purported press release appointing Mrs Rekiat Momoh as the Acting MD/CEO.

“The Board of EKEDC, on which I sit has neither met nor decided on the purported appointment of Mrs. Rekiah Momoh as Acting MD/CEO, except Mr. Otubu and his close circle of colleagues have transformed themselves into “The Board”. I and all well-meaning members of the EKEDC Board, I believe, should vehemently distance themselves from this contrivance.

“The Board is not a one man show, and matters are to be collectively deliberated on and approved by Board members. Mrs Momoh is the Chief Commercial Officer of EKEDC and remains so.

“Mr. Otubu and his co-travellers have chosen to cherry pick the exhaustive interaction with NERC where one of the Commissioners wondered why no one was yet to be tried or in prison for these grievous allegations and how to recover lost funds part owned by the federal government. They are more focused on settling scores with our performance driven MD/CEO, Mrs Tinu Sanda

“At EKEDC, we are known for due process and legality, and anything that would take away from our avowed commitment to due process and corporate governance would be resisted.

“Therefore, let it be known that Dr. Tinuade Sanda remains the MD/CEO of Eko Electricity Distribution Company and has since her assumption of office as the MD/CEO, turned EKEDC around for good, with very great milestones and achievements which every sector player recognises. She made EKEDC the number one distribution company in Nigeria.

“The Investors, Board, and Management of EKEDC believe firmly in her leadership and look forward to many more record setting and breaking moments. This is for the information of the general public and all NESI stakeholders.”

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P-CNGi, LNG Arete sign pact for $27.3m gas plant project

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The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGi) and LNG Arete Ltd. on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on $27.3 million gas plant project to boost CNG infrastructure investment, expansion and availability.

The Programme Director/Chief Executive Officer, P-CNGi, Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, said the partnership aimed at constructing a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant with a processing capacity of seven million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD).

The P-CNGi (investing six million dollars) is co-investing alongside the LNG Arete (investing $12 million) and the Midstream Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, under the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Oluwagbemi said the project, which would employ over 100 Nigerians, would accelerate CNG infrastructure development in the north, securing a 25 per cent equity stake in LNG Arete’s seven MSCFD mini LNG facility located in Ajaokuta, Kogi state.

According to him, the project which will become operational in the next 12 to 16 months, will establish a critical supply hub for CNG across Northern Nigeria, and beyond.

He said it would ensure stable cost-competitive CNG supply for industry and residential users in the north which was underserved.

Oluwagbemi said due to increasing demands to access gas for transportation and industrialisation, the President was determined to bring affordable transportation programmes by leveraging abundant gas resources and boost steady supply to the end users.

“Gas is cheaper, it is safer, and more reliable.

“Of course, the previous administration and this administration have been committed to moving gas from the region where it is primarily produced today, which is the southern part of the country, to the rest of the country.

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“That is why the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and its partners have been investing in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline.

“From the producing fields, the project will focus on a liquefaction plant and implant storage at Ajaokuta, and eventual pipeline trucks which will be able to move gas over further distances across the north of Nigeria,’’ he assured.

He said the LNG which would be transformed to CNG could be utilised by our power plants, as well as our vehicles and other industries, boosting industrialisation.

The P-CNGi boss said many industries across the north, ranging from textile, agriculture, processing to manufacturing, would benefit hugely from the project.

“The logistics, of course, of moving goods and food items from the north down to the south, especially, processed and manufactured products, will also be cheaper because of this project.

“And even more importantly, is that even when the north gets piped by natural gas in a few years’ time, this plant is still going to be very critical to enable LNG trucks that run more efficiently on LNG, even better than CNG.

“Those LNG trucks will begin to move Nigerian products from Nigeria to Ghana, and to Senegal, ensuring Nigerian products are very competitive and creating jobs,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Hajara Pitan, Project Director, LNG Arete, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the management of P-CNGi and other enablers that ensured the reality of the agreement.

“A major reason for the lack of development of the gas sector has been the fact that infrastructure and gas is expensive, but with the mini LNG technology, we’re able to participate as Nigerians in this sector in a major way.

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“Our aim is clear in LNG Arete to support the Federal Government in deepening gas utilisation across Nigeria, and especially in the underserved regions of northern Nigeria.

“LNG is liquefied natural gas, and so what that means is that we take gas from where it originates, we liquefy it by reducing the quantity and allow it to move around more easily,’’ she said. (NAN)

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Cross River ND-PYLF accuses governor Otu of neglecting youths

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The Cross River State chapter of the Niger Delta Progressive Youth Leadership Foundation (ND-PYLF), has criticized Governor Bassey Otu for failing to fulfill his promises to the youth since the beginning of his first term in office.

ND-PYLF lamented the absence of sustainable initiatives that could equip young people with skills, employment, or entrepreneurial support.

The secretary, Engr. Sunday Odey Ogbudu and spokesperson, Wilfred Ekawu, in a statement, expressed disappointment over what it described as the governor’s lack of commitment to youth development, job creation, and empowerment programs.

They said: “Governor Otu came into office with promises of a brighter future for the youth, but so far, there has been little to no progress. Unemployment remains high, and opportunities for young people are scarce. His administration has not prioritized youth empowerment as expected.

“We had high hopes that his leadership would usher in a new era of youth inclusiveness in governance and economic development, but what we see today is neglect and a failure to engage the youth meaningfully.”

The group urged the governor to reassess his administration’s approach and implement concrete policies that would benefit the younger generation before the situation worsens.

“The youth are the backbone of Cross River’s future, and if they are ignored, the state will suffer in the long run. We call on Governor Otu to fulfill his campaign promises and take decisive action toward youth development.”

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Students To Honor Ogun Transport Official ,Olugboyega For Leadership

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The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), Nigeria Chapter, a leading Pan-African student organisation, has announced its intention to honour Engr Ademehin Olugboyega, the State Director of Vehicle Inspection Services at the Ogun State Ministry of Transportation, for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to duty.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Friday by PSM President, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, and shared with journalists.

The group praised Engr Olugboyega for his exemplary service, describing him as a hardworking, principled, and compassionate individual with an impeccable reputation.

“PSM strongly believes in recognising individuals who have diligently distinguished themselves in their duties,” the statement read.

“Information at our disposal shows that Engr Ademehin Olugboyega is an uncompromising man of high standards, a true lover of the Most High God, and someone with an unblemished reputation.

“We firmly believe that with more people like him in service, Nigeria will become a better place.”

In recognition of his significant contributions to nation-building, the PSM Nigeria Chapter revealed plans to confer upon Engr Olugboyega the prestigious “Icon of National Development” award.

The accolade is intended to celebrate his exceptional leadership and dedication to improving standards within his field.

The PSM, known for its advocacy on behalf of students and its promotion of progressive ideals across Africa, stated that the award would be formally bestowed in the near future, underscoring its commitment to spotlighting role models in Nigerian society.

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