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Niger Delta youths back NNPCL over pipeline surveillance contract
The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Groups, has back the award pipeline surveillance contract to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), to ensure a brighter future for the region and Nigerians.
The Coalition also unequivocally expresses its unwavering support and confidence in the leadership of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the able stewardship of Mele Kyari.
The Coalition made this pledge in a press statement signed by its National Coordinator of Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC), Comrade Israel Uwejeyan; National President of Isoko Youth Forum, Prince Brozie Utomodo; Convener of South-south Youth Vanguard, Barr. Preye Oporomo; and Mr. Valentine Ugboli, National Coordinator of Niger Delta Youth Movement for Youth Empowerment, shared with journalists in Abuja on Friday.
According to the coalition, our unified efforts will continue to ensure that the benefits of the pipeline surveillance contract are maximized for the well-being of all Nigerians.
They noted that the Kyari’s endorsement is founded on the remarkable strides achieved through the pipeline surveillance contract, which has proven to be a game-changer for Nigeria.
According to the statement, “The pipeline surveillance contract has yielded manifold benefits, foremost among them being its significant impact on our oil production capacity.
“The reduction in oil bunkering not only safeguards our precious resources but also has a far-reaching positive effect on the environment, mitigating the devastating ecological consequences of oil spills.
“Perhaps most importantly, the pipeline surveillance contract has become a wellspring of employment opportunities for the youth of the Niger Delta region. It has created both direct and indirect jobs, offering our young people a chance at meaningful livelihoods, thereby reducing the allure of illicit activities driven by unemployment.
“It has come to our attention that there are individuals engaged in orchestrated protests against the leadership of the NNPC and the pipeline surveillance contract. We wish to emphatically state that these dissenting voices are in the employ of oil thieves and bunkerers who seek to disrupt the progress we have made. It is essential to recognize that dissenting voices, often driven by vested interests, should not deter us from the path of progress,” the statement partly reads.
The groups further appeals to the leadership of the NNPCL to include the Isoko Ethnic Nationality in the Pipeline Surveillance contract, adding that, “The Isoko people are major oil producers, and their commitment to maintaining peace and safeguarding oil facilities is evident through years of responsible coexistence with the industry.
“We believe it is both fair and just to recognize the Isoko ethnic nationalities by involving them in pipeline surveillance contracts. Doing so would not only reward their years of dedication but also strengthen the bond between the oil industry and the local communities.”
The honorable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing local defence production and military innovation through strategic partnerships with the private sector.
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of Homeland Protectors and Supplies Ltd, led by Chairman Muhammad Ali bin Aadi, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, Matawalle outlined plans for a long-term joint venture between the company and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The discussions, held at Ship House, focused on capacity-building training and the deployment of advanced technological solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s defence and security framework.
In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Matawalle emphasised that such collaborations align with the newly enacted DICON Act, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The legislation mandates that all military procurement be channelled through DICON, cementing its pivotal role in Nigeria’s defence industrial ecosystem.
“The Federal Government is dedicated to enhancing indigenous capabilities in defence production,” Matawalle said, underscoring the importance of private sector involvement in achieving these goals.
The partnership is expected to bolster Nigeria’s ability to address security challenges through homegrown solutions, reducing reliance on foreign military imports.
Over 500 anti-corruption lawyers on Wednesday stormed the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) at the Ministry of Justice in Abuja, demanding the immediate probe of Mele Kyari, the erstwhile Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In a remarkable show of patriotism, the lawyers, under the aegis of the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law said they are out to rid the nation of corruption especially in the oil industry where Kyari and his allies sold the nation for a piece of porridge.
According to a petition co-signed Barrister Emmanuel Agada and Jonathan Uchendu, the lawyers lamented that Kyari’s leadership of the NNPCL was plagued with countless allegations of corruption, which were allegedly made inevitable by the opaque way he ran the organization.
The lawyers cited the controversy surrounding the rehabilitation and restreaming of government-owned refineries, where billions of dollars were spent, but the figures and facts do not add up.
The petition highlighted the case of Matrix Energy Limited, which allegedly invested $400 million in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, even as the Federal Executive Council had approved $1.5 billion for the repairs of the same facility.
The NNPCL is now reportedly owing Matrix Energy more than $2 billion, with the debt being serviced through daily crude oil allocations to Matrix Energy that are not being paid for.
The lawyers demanded that the AGF review all agreements entered into by the NNPCL under Kyari’s administration, launch a fact-finding investigation into the questionable transactions, and institute a commission of inquiry into the NNPCL’s handling of the refineries’ repairs under Kyari.
The protesting lawyers vowed to continue their agitation until Kyari is brought to justice and the truth about the alleged corruption is uncovered.
The petition added: “The Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law strongly believe that getting to the root of this matter will help the Federal Government to account for how public resources were squandered on the controversial refineries’ repairs undertaken under the Kyari leadership.
“In view of the facts stated above, we request that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to immediately review all agreements entered by the NNPCL under the Mele Kyari administration.
“An investigation into the questionable transactions would also point the government in the direction of what funds to recover and from whom, which is sorely needed now considering Nigeria’s economic condition.
“Furthermore, investigating all that transpired will set the stage for holding even the current leadership accountable while equally identifying potential pitfalls for those who are now in charge so that Nigeria is not caught in a loop of repeating the same mistakes.
“A fact-finding investigation be launched to ascertain how much the Federal Government has lost to such agreements and recommendations on concrete steps to recover identified funds. We demand for an immediate judicial review of all matters related thereto.
“The Guardians of Democracy And Rule of Law will appreciate it if the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation can escalate the issue to a point where the Federal Government institutes a commission of inquiry into NNPCL’s handling of the refineries’ repairs under Kyari and the sacked board. “
A deputy Director at the office of the AGF, Winifred Adekunle who received the petition promised to deliver it to the Justice minister and assured them that prompt action will be taken.
The passing of Pope Francis, whose burial is scheduled for Saturday, has reignited discussions regarding the possibility of an African ascending to the papacy.
Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Nigeria’s Abuja Diocese expressed that African Cardinals possess an equal opportunity to become pope, similar to candidates from any other region.
In related news, it was announced on Tuesday that numerous world leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Javier Milei, are expected to attend the funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Prince William will also represent the King at the funeral, according to Kensington Palace, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has met with the Pope three times, plans to attend as well.
In an interview monitored by THISDAY, Archbishop Kaigama emphasized that while qualified Africans do not have lesser chances, the current need is for a Pope with a diverse perspective. He stated, “Historically, there have been black Popes, particularly in the early centuries of the Church, but there has not been a black Pope in modern times. Who says a black person cannot be Pope?”
He affirmed, “An African can be Pope. We have African Cardinals who hold the same chances as anyone from America or Europe. However, we are not solely praying for an African Pope; we seek a good and holy Pope, regardless of race or origin—be it black, Asian, American, or European.”
Africans are hopeful that one of their own may become the first modern Black Pope, continuing Francis’s legacy of supporting the developing world, although reports suggest the likelihood of this occurring is slim.
Africa, where religion deeply influences both private and public life, is home to the fastest-growing Roman Catholic population, as indicated by recent Vatican statistics.
Charles Yapi, a Catholic priest from Ivory Coast’s commercial hub, Abidjan, remarked, “Having a Black Pope would invigorate the Christian faith in Africa and reshape perceptions of the continent by demonstrating that an African can hold this esteemed position.”
Potential African papal candidates include Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, 76, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 65, and Ivory Coast’s Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo, 63.
As of 2023, Africa accounted for approximately 20 percent of the global Catholic population, adding 9 million adherents the previous year.
It’s important to note that an African pope may not necessarily align with Pope Francis’s more progressive views, such as the conditional blessing of same-sex unions, which has been a contentious issue among Africa’s predominantly conservative followers. Yapi noted that an African pope might assert that same-sex relationships “are not part of our culture” and resist external pressures to accept them.
This issue could influence the cardinal electors during the conclave, as many may prefer a candidate whose views are more aligned with those of Pope Francis.
Pope Francis, aged 88, passed away on Monday following a stroke and cardiac arrest, marking the end of a often tumultuous papacy characterized by conflicts with traditionalists and advocacy for the marginalized.
He spent five weeks hospitalized earlier this year due to double pneumonia and had been on a path to recovery. However, the Vatican reported that his death was swift and painless. He began feeling unwell around 5:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) on Monday, received immediate attention, and approximately an hour later, he bid farewell to his nurse before slipping into a coma. His time of death was recorded at 7:35 a.m.
As part of the funeral preparations, his body will be transported to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. in a procession led by cardinals, where he will lie in state until Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service is set for the following day at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista, the 91-year-old Dean of the College of Cardinals.
While Europe still represents the largest portion of cardinal electors at approximately 39 percent, this is a decrease from 52 percent in 2013 when Pope Francis took office. The second largest group of electors now hails from Asia and Oceania, making up about 20 percent.