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Farouk Ahmed’s Template of Probity, Transparency and Accountability at NMDPRA
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
Engr Farouk Ahmed was appointed by the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Midstream, Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA, soon after the unbundling of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources DPR, into upstream and downstream.
Upon assumption of duty few years down the line , he has ensured a level playing ground , away from the translucent practices bedeviling the petroleum sector over the years.
With his indepth experience from the NNPCL over the years as the maiden Chief Executive Officer, no doubt Farouk was possessed the prerequisites to pilot diligently the affairs of the downstream sector of Nigeria’s petroleum industry sector, particularly in the area of acquisition and disposition of same products across the country.
Over a year down the line, he has brought not only probity, transparency and accountability to the new organization, but ensured that sanity is not only maintained as the core value of the newly unbundled organization.
Therefore, in the course of carrying out its mandate and statutory functions, many toes will have to be trampled upon to sustain the best practices both within and outside the shores of the country.
Having had enough wealth experiences from the petroleum sector, a feat that was unique and led to his appointment based on merit, the strife to do the right thing in the context of Nigeria, is expected to meet stiff resistances.
The recent altercations between the authority and a conglomerate of Dangote group was one out of many after his assumption of duty , having botched many sharp practices prevalent in the organization that was becoming a norm on assumption of duty.
In the industry, particularly the downstream sector , it is common to assess both substandard, fake and adulterated products as part of the gimmicks to shortchange hapless Nigerians on the basis of which the authority was convened.
To ensure adequate monitoring and regulatory framework in place , the Farouk Ahmed led NMDPRA was poised not to only nip in the bud , but ensured the right thing was done so as to contain needles and unforseen crises in the energy sector of the country.
Therefore, aside management decisions that ensured the mandate of the agency was not compromised, the readily available staff trained to confront the activities of the authority as it relates to customers, suppliers and vendors was not compromised under any guise, a feat he had maintained.
Inspite any unforseen circumstances, affluence and influence on the management and staff of the agency, the commitment to the core values of transparency and accountability must not be compromised.
The efforts of its operators to prevail on the management with a view to shortchanging hapless Nigerians capable of derailing the chain of distribution in the downstream sector, will not be condoned at the expense of hapless Nigerians.
The insistence to do the needful and the right thing formed the basis of series of confrontation, altercations between the management and it’s vendors.
Alas, the Farouk Ahmed led NMDPRA was poised to continue to sustain the age long legacy of doing the right thing, so as to avoid any crises in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
In a startling turn of events, a video has surfaced online showing a group of armed bandits conducting Eid prayers deep within the forests of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
The footage, which has sparked widespread alarm, was shared by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on his account on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
According to reports, the armed groups gathered in at least two distinct locations Maidaro, Sabon Birni, and East Kaduna, within the Dogon Dawa Forest.
The bandits armed with a variety of sophisticated weapons. In addition to carrying automatic rifles, the bandits were seen equipped with drones and mobile phones, suggesting an alarming level of coordination and access to technology.
Security analysts, including Makama, have expressed deep concern over the implications of this gathering. Tagging both the Nigerian Army and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in his post, Makama emphasised the urgent need for strategic countermeasures against these criminal elements.
The National Youth Vanguard of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations made by Honourable Aminu Sani Jaji, who accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, of orchestrating claims of anti-party activities against him.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Adeniyi Wale, described Jaji’s accusations as “baseless” and an attempt to distract from his own political manoeuvres.
“Jaji has long positioned himself as a loyal APC member and a unifying force within the party, but his actions suggest otherwise. His political moves appear more self-serving than focused on party unity,” Wale said.
The APC Vanguard emphasised that Nigerians deserve transparent and accountable leaders rather than those who, it said, manipulate public trust for personal gain. The group also questioned Jaji’s credibility, citing what it described as a pattern of inconsistency in his political engagements.
“The remarks made by Jaji not only lack substantiation but also raise concerns about his reliability and judgment,” the statement read. “Leadership is not merely about holding a position of power; it is about demonstrating qualities that inspire trust and confidence among the people.”
The group commended Minister Matawalle for his efforts in strengthening national security and promoting peace. It said his leadership had contributed significantly to fostering unity and improving community relations across the country.
“Minister Matawalle exemplifies the qualities of effective leadership. Under his stewardship, significant progress has been made in enhancing national security and community relations,” the statement said.
The APC Vanguard further criticised Jaji’s leadership approach, accusing him of lacking the foresight and responsibility required for credible governance.
“This pattern of inconsistency not only weakens the integrity of his decisions but also erodes the confidence of party members and stakeholders who seek dependable representation,” Wale added.
The group reaffirmed its support for Matawalle and urged APC members to remain focused on unity and national progress while rejecting divisive rhetoric that could undermine the party’s strength.
News
Two brothers Launch Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, Sponsor WAEC Registration For 50 vulnerable Students
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
In a significant effort to promote education, two brothers have launched the Sardaunan Ikulu Fans Foundation, sponsoring the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) registration for 50 vulnerable students in Kamaru Ikulu Ward, Zango-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, Yusuf Ismail Ashafa, popularly known as Sardaunan Ikulu, urged the beneficiaries to remain dedicated to their studies and strive for academic excellence. He assured them that the foundation would continue to support outstanding students by facilitating their admission into higher institutions.
Ashafa also called on parents to play an active role in motivating their children to focus on education, emphasizing that their success would contribute to a brighter future for the community.
Meanwhile, Ashafa, who played a crucial role in the emergence of Engr. Bege Gaiya Joseph as the Executive Chairman of Zango-Kataf Local Government Area, expressed deep appreciation for Joseph and his brother, Reuben Richman Bissla, for sponsoring the students’ WAEC registration in his honor.
He pledged to build on these efforts, ensuring continued support for students’ education as a means of fostering societal development.
In his remarks, the co-sponsor, Engr. Joseph Bege Gaiya, popularly known as Lordbeckson, disclosed that the initiative was aimed at improving the education of the most vulnerable students for the betterment of society.
“I am one of the beneficiaries of the goodwill of Sardaunan Ikulu. If he had wanted to become the Council Chairman, he would have been, but he decided to push me forward, and today I am the Council Chairman through his mentorship,” he stated.
He urged the beneficiaries to consider themselves fortunate and to take full advantage of the opportunity by studying hard to achieve excellent results.
“With the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, we must ensure that our students pursue science courses. We cannot afford to have a Federal University in our region and yet have our children unable to gain admission to study science-related fields,” he added.
The initiative has been widely commended as a timely intervention, helping underprivileged students overcome financial barriers to education.