News
Niger Delta coalition calls for dismissal of NNPC’s Managing Director
By Abubakar Yunusa
A coalition comprising approximately 26 youth associations from the Niger Delta region, known as the Niger Delta Coalition, organized a peaceful protest in Warri, Delta State on Wednesday. They demanded the immediate removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), citing allegations of misconduct and other grievances.
Accompanied by songs of solidarity, the coalition’s hundreds of members marched from Okumagba Avenue to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. They carried placards with inscriptions such as “Protect our Nation, President Tinubu, sack Mele Kyari now,” among others.
The groups issued a joint statement signed by key figures, including Mr. Oris Bakpa, National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Youth Alliance; Bridget Oghenekohwo, National Chairwoman of Niger Delta Women for Change; Elvis Abebiyein, President of Niger Delta Youth Empowerment Network; and Peter Okprgboro, Regional Coordinator of South-South United Youth Association.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Mr. Oris Bakpa, the National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Youth Alliance (NDYA), urged President Tinubu to take immediate action, remove Kyari from his position, and initiate a comprehensive inquiry into his conduct.
He cited several reasons for their demand, including alleged financial impropriety, misuse of authority, lack of vision, poor performance, and autocratic behavior. Bakpa also expressed concern about the NNPCL’s inability to operate dormant refineries, which has led to the nation’s reliance on imported petroleum products, resulting in adverse effects on the economy.
According to Bakpa, the over-reliance on the oil industry has contributed to a staggering inflation rate of 25.80 percent in August 2023, adversely impacting the cost of living and overall economic stability.
Bakpa further emphasized that there has been no increase in crude oil production and remittance to the federation account during Kyari’s leadership.
He stated, “Nigeria is blessed with abundant oil resources. Nevertheless, a glaring deficiency within the NNPCL is the presence of dormant refineries scattered across the country.”
He continued, “The NNPC boasts of four refineries, two in Port Harcourt and one each in Warri and Kaduna. Regrettably, despite the staggering allocation of N100 billion for refinery rehabilitation in 2022, these facilities, with a combined production capacity of 445,000 barrels per day, have failed to produce any refined products for the past several years.”
Bakpa expressed concern about alleged irregularities in the awarding of oil production contracts, which have raised questions about transparency and accountability in financial transactions related to the Federation Account.
“As a collective of concerned and dedicated Niger Delta people, we vow to uphold the law and employ peaceful demonstrations as a means to persuade President Tinubu to remove Kyari from his position and launch an investigation into the leadership and management of the NNPCL to address the urgent issues of refinery rehabilitation,” Bakpa added.
A senior staff member from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) responded to the protesters, advising them to take their case to Abuja for proper consideration instead of disrupting activities at the NNPC building.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
Hon. Mustapha Danladi Babaladi, the esteemed Vice Chairman of Jaba Local Government in Kaduna State, extends his warmest wishes to the Muslim Ummah as they celebrate the sacred occasion of Eid-El-Fitr.
This significant festival marks the culmination of Ramadan, a period of immense devotion, faith, and obedience to the Almighty.
Hon. Mustapha expresses his heartfelt congratulations to all Muslim brothers and sisters within Jaba Local Government, Kaduna State, and across Nigeria.
He acknowledges their commitment to fasting and spiritual reflection throughout the holy month and commends their perseverance in observing this fundamental pillar of Islam.
The holy month of Ramadan instils invaluable virtues such as piety, faith, sacrifice, patience, and kindness. Hon. Mustapha emphasises that these principles are essential for fostering a strong, united, and just society.
By embracing these values, individuals can contribute to the development and harmony of their local communities and the broader Nigerian society.
He encourages the Muslim Ummah to carry forward these spiritual lessons beyond Ramadan, applying them in their daily interactions, decision-making, and community engagements. “By doing so, we can help build a more cohesive, compassionate, and prosperous society” Hon. Mustapha stated.
The Vice Chairman extends his prayers for the well-being of all Muslims and Christians. He seeks Allah’s guidance and blessings upon the faithful, praying for their continued health, protection, and prosperity. He also hopes that Allah grants them the opportunity to witness and partake in many more Ramadan seasons in the future.
Hon. Mustapha further urges the Muslim community to embrace the spirit of unity and generosity, supporting those in need and fostering goodwill among people of all backgrounds.
He believes that by upholding these principles, the Muslim Ummah will continue to play a vital role in nurturing peace and progress within Jaba Local Government and beyond.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Mustapha Danladi Babaladi reiterates his heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim Ummah once more, on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
Hon. Mustapha also urged citizens to support the good government of Governor Uba Sani and Hon. Laria Sylvia Ishaku for positive Kaduna State.
He prays for a joyous and blessed Eid-El-Fitr, filled with love, happiness, and divine favour.
Barka Da Sallah.
Acclaimed gospel artist and songwriter Dr. Panam Percy Paul has disclosed that he rejected a substantial £24 million record deal in 1995 due to its stipulation requiring a reduction in the mention of “Jesus” in his music.
In a recent interview with Pastor Emmanuel Iren, Paul shared that the three-year contract, valued at approximately N7 billion at the time, included conditions that contradicted his religious beliefs.
The record label proposed that he substitute names like “Righteous One” or “Greatest Lover” for direct references to Jesus.
“The condition was, ‘Can you limit the number of times you mention the name Jesus in your songs?’” Paul recalled. “One representative even suggested, ‘You don’t really need to say Jesus. You can use other names instead.’ I was taken aback and responded, ‘You can keep the money; I’ll keep the name.’”
The seasoned gospel musician also voiced concerns regarding the growing commercialization of gospel music, asserting that record labels and marketers now dictate the creative direction of artists.
“Currently, the situation has escalated to where the music ministry has transformed into a music industry,” he expressed. “The industry now prescribes what ministers should do, how they should perform, and when they should do it.”
Paul’s revelation has ignited conversations about the impact of commercial interests on gospel music and the challenges artists face in preserving their faith-based messages.
The Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji, has placed fire service personnel on red alert to ensure swift response to emergencies during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
Jaji also urged Nigerians to adopt fire safety measures, particularly while cooking, to prevent avoidable incidents during the festive period.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, the fire service boss advised against leaving cooking unattended and emphasized the need to store gas cylinders outside kitchens and keep matches away from children.
“These safety measures are crucial in preventing fire outbreaks, especially during a period when many people travel, increasing the risks of fuel tanker accidents,” he said.
He added that all fire service commands and zones across the country have been placed on high alert to respond promptly to emergencies.
“I urge citizens to familiarize themselves with the contact details of their local fire service units for quick intervention in case of any fire incident,” Jaji stated.
The fire chief also stressed the need for fuel tankers and other articulated vehicles transporting flammable materials to be fitted with onboard cameras to enhance safety.
“Many tankers on Nigerian roads still fail to meet modern safety standards. These substandard vehicles contribute to rising accident figures, leading to loss of lives and property and leaving many families in distress,” he said.
Jaji noted that modern tankers come with features such as anti-rollover systems, anti-spill devices, and onboard cameras to monitor drivers’ behavior, which help in preventing road crashes.
“The continued use of substandard tankers without these safety features remains a major risk,” he warned.
While acknowledging the financial burden of replacing old fleets, Jaji suggested an alternative approach—installing onboard computers to monitor driving patterns, speed, and nighttime movements.
“Although the complete replacement or retrofitting of tankers with modern safety devices like anti-skid systems, speed limiters, and automatic emergency braking remains a priority, government agencies responsible for enforcing these measures are working to address the issue. Over time, we are confident that these improvements will be implemented,” he assured.