National
Minister advocates for regional security cooperation
Defence Minister, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru, has called for enhanced joint efforts towards countering terrorism, managing cross border crimes and other hybrid threats within the West African sub-region.
Badaru made the call at the opening of the 42nd Ordinary Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, on Wednesday in Abuja.
He also called on member states of ECOWAS to work towards enhancing transparency in safeguarding their nations and promoting sustainable development.
Badaru said the meeting would provide a crucial platform to address the collective security challenges facing the West African region and to strategise on the best approaches to ensure peace and stability.
According to him, the security landscape of West Africa is presently marked by both complex challenges and opportunities for cooperation.
“Accordingly, joint efforts towards countering terrorism, managing cross border crimes, hybrid threats, as well as enhancing transparency are vital to subguarding our nations and promoting sustainable development.
“Therefore, this meeting is particularly apt considering the world’s security paradigms and the emerging threats that confront us.
“You will all agree with me that we are currently faced with various levels of security threats in our daily lives which requires consulted and unified response.
“With this in mind, it becomes obvious that it is only through our collective strengths and shared expertise that we can effectively address those issues and work towards lasting solutions,’’ he said.
The minister said that countries must continue to consider greater collaboration, share vital intelligence and coordinate their strategies to address the common threats.
He said that the ability of the nations to operate as a cohesive and responsive force was essential for maintaining regional stability.
“We must and should also collaborate with our partners to leverage their expertise, resources and intelligence in our efforts to tackle those threats.
“Consequently, I encourage us all to engage in open and consulting guidelines, share our experiences and insight through working together towards innovative solutions.
“Our discussions over the coming years will undoubtedly strengthen our security cooperation and enhance international defence opportunities,’’ he added.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, said the meeting was a further testament of the collective and resolute commitment of ECOWAS to the peace, security and stability of the region.
Tuggar said that the armed forces played key roles in developing new strategies and coordinate regional security, ensuring peace, stability and effective responses to emerging threats.
He urged them to deeply reflect on the rapidly evolving complex security situation, ranging from violence, terrorism and insurgency to organised crime and piracy.
He said that the recent unconstitutional changes in government had revealed the fragile nature of democratic institutions and the urgency for robust and coordinated responses.
“As such, the success of this force is necessary for our region to effectively address the current political challenges.
“The illicit movement of small arms and light weapons in our region has reached alarming levels.
“We must, therefore, develop new mechanisms to complement the existing ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons to effectively prevent further proliferation of these weapons.
“I urge the Committee to formulate recommendations to tackle this menace.
“Rest assured that once your recommendations are presented to the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level, they will also receive the highest priorities,”he said.
The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, said that directives were issued to this committee following the forceful takeover of government in Niger in 2023.
Musa said the defence chiefs were directed to take all necessary measures, including the activation of the standby force to restore constitutional order by force, if necessary in the Republic of Niger.
He said that while the preparation for the kinetic operation was in progress, diplomatic channels were equally explored, adding that the diplomatic efforts were given priority.
According to him, the activities of terrorist armed groups and violent instrument groups, inter-communal conflicts as well as transnational organised crime networks have continued to undermine peace and security in our region.
“It is also to be noted that the littoral states continue to bend the pressure of terrorists from the Sahel, exemplified by the recent incursions of terrorists into Northern Togo and Northern Benin respectively.
“It is my fervent hope that deliberations and recommendations of this meeting will further energise and galvanise the region to give further impetus to on-going uncertain actions.
“To strengthen our collective resolved for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous ECOWAS states,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by the Nigerian Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs and Interior as well as other service chiefs.
Also, the Chairman of Senate and House Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmed Lawan and Babajimi Benson, also attended. (NAN)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially dissolved the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which includes the removal of Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari and Chairman Pius Akinyelure, along with all other board members appointed in November 2023.
In an announcement, the President introduced an 11-member restructured board, appointing Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new GCEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida as the Non-Executive Chairman. These changes are effective immediately, as stated by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
Emphasizing the need for “enhanced operational efficiency, restored investor confidence, and a more commercially viable NNPC,” President Tinubu exercised his authority under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to implement this significant reorganization.
The newly formed board comprises Adedapo Segun, who continues as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), alongside six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones: Bello Rabiu (North West), Yusuf Usman (North East), Babs Omotowa (North Central), Austin Avuru (South-South), David Ige (South West), and Henry Obih (South East). Additionally, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and Aminu Said Ahmed, representing the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, will serve on the board.
The President has charged the new board with conducting a strategic review of NNPC-operated and Joint Venture assets to optimize value. This includes increasing crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2027 and 3 million bpd by 2030, boosting gas production to 8 billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion by 2030, and expanding NNPC’s refining capacity to 200,000 bpd by 2027 and 500,000 bpd by 2030. The administration also aims to attract $30 billion in oil investments by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030, building on the $17 billion secured in 2024.
Ahmadu Musa Kida, the new Chairman, is a Borno-born engineer and former Deputy Managing Director of Total Nigeria. He also has a background in basketball, having served as the ex-president of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF). Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the newly appointed GCEO, hails from Kwara State and was previously the Executive Vice President of Renaissance Africa Energy, where he led a $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell’s Nigerian assets. He brings extensive experience from Elf and Shell, having worked across Europe and the Middle East.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing board for their contributions, particularly their efforts in reviving the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which have resumed production after years of dormancy. Analysts view this leadership change as part of Tinubu’s broader reforms in the oil sector, following last year’s removal of fuel subsidies and the promotion of private refinery investments. With the new team established, there are high expectations for enhanced transparency, efficiency, and profitability within Nigeria’s state oil enterprise.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The minority caucus in the house of representatives has condemned the killing of 16 Kano-bound hunters in Edo state.
On Thursday, a mob in the Uromi area of Edo killed 16 hunters of northern descent who were travelling from Elele, Rivers state.
The travellers were attacked and lynched after some vigilance group members raised the alarm on suspicion that they were kidnappers.
The Edo state government said 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killing would be transferred to Abuja for further interrogation.
During a visit to some of the families of the victims at Bankure LGA in Kano, Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, assured that justice would be served.
In a statement issued on Monday, the minority caucus described the killing of the hunters as “barbaric”.
“We find such brutal killings of innocent Nigerians in any part of the country by lawless mobs very reprehensible, and if allowed to fester without being put in check by responsible organs of the federal government, such actions could threaten the peace and unity of the country,” the statement reads.
The lawmakers asked Nigerians never to resort to jungle attacks on fellow citizens but to always report any concerns to security agencies.
“We are a nation under the rule of laws, and our law enforcement agencies are always available to partner with every Nigerian to assuage their concerns,” the caucus said.
While noting that the incident is “already setting emotions on edge” in parts of the country, the legislators urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the security agencies investigate this matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Also, adequate compensation should be paid to the affected families,” the caucus said.
The lawmakers implored Nigerians to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding and allow the federal and state governments to investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
The statement was signed by Kingsley Chinda, minority leader; Ali Isa, minority whip; and Aliyu Madaki, deputy minority leader.