National
Oil Pipelines Surveillance Contracts; Niger Delta Group Accuses NNPCL, Vanguard Newspaper of Bias, Ethic Agenda
The Niger Delta Forum for Truth and Justice (NDJTF) , has accused the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase 111 and Pipelines Infrastructure Nigeria Limited ( PINL) of averse to the whole truth , stating that a public defence of Mrs oritsemeyiwa Eyesan Vice President, Upstream sector of NNPCL would have been exonerating.
A statement released to media men on Sunday by the President, Ejiroghene Marierie challenged the duos and his accomplices of been economical with the truths, stating that the Vanguard newspaper publication of 26th, January on page 23 was face saving.
The President of the body maintained that security reports along with envisaged patronage had overridden the sense of reasoning which feigned his underperforming company that lacks capacity to carry out security surveillance job, hence Eyesan’s recommendation to an under perfoming and undeserved company belonging to the monarch.
He further confronted the NNPCL top shot as a tribal and clanish czar, who is soaked in ethnic coloration, while describing PINL as unfit, unqualified and operating against public procurement acts.
He described the PINL as an inefficient company and unqualified with evidences of it’s malfeasance and inefficiency , stating that under olu firm about 112 incidences was recorded in a week of oil thefts, with many vandalism as reported by the officials of NNPCL.
He also questioned the integrity of PINL rather than compromising with oil vandals and collaborators, while challenging him to come to truth about the arrest of any oil thefts in his area of security surveillance , that deserve more larger commitment from NNPCL particularly in Rivers and Imo.
While the group President maintained that they would have been no need for the high profile monarch moving from one personalty or the other for contract renewal and review upwards in the nation’s city with a qualified company, stating that this was evidence that Olu is still on the board of PINL.
While touting the half baked media handlers and publication of the vanguard newspaper as diversionary and side taking, he wants media houses to remain unbiased, so as to sustain the corporate existence and transparency in the activities of both individuals and corporate entities in the country.
He reiterated that the action of the Vanguard newspaper known for its efficient and effective media coverage, balance journalism over the years had eroded the good intentions of the founding fathers, having reduced it’s activities to clanish and sectional stance.
He said the group was not questioning the award of the security surveillance contract to PINL by an ijaw man, Engineer Adokie Tomboamieye , but against reawarding on the basis of inefficient and effective as well as compromise with oil thefts already displayed in it’s activities.
“Eyesan is blinded on the cocoon of ethnic agenda were the itsekiris will continue to hold swat against other tribes like the urhobos of patronage, asking them to display the CAC certificate of registration for PINL, if the Olu of Warri will not be culpable.”
He also made reference to Trans forcados earlier awarded to PINL that turned to haven of oil thefts, crippled activities but when rewarded to another company, Industrial wide security, normalcy returned the Delta area.
Ejiroghene assured that the only way transparent and non translucent activities could take place is to remove Eyesan from the entire process , as she is self serving, ethnic bigot and monarchical underdog operating under the whims and caprices of olu of Warri’s PINL, as she deliberately refused to incorporate other tribes of Urhobo, except the exclusive preserve of the itsekiris.
The release further states…
NIGER DELTA FORUM FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE (NDFTJ)
80, CHINDA ROAD, OFF ADA GEORGE ROAD, PORT-HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE.
OIL PIPELINES SURVEILLANCE CONTRACT IMPROPRIETIES: THE WISHY- WASHY RESPONSE BY OLU OF WARRI, OGIAME ATUWATSE III AND PIPELINES INFRASTRUCTURES NIGERIA LIMITED (PINL).
“The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase III, could have done a better job in the public defence of one of his subjects, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, the Vice President, Upstream Operations, NNPCL.”
“To conceal the truth and avoid thorough public scrutiny of the matter, the high flown Warri monarch threw her under the bus with a tacky, wishy washy publication in the Vanguard Newspapers of 26th January 2024, page 23.”
“Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan had stuck out her neck and probably put her job on the line, when she endorsed the Itsekiri Royal father’s under performing company, Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL), for a bigger contract in the provision of surveillance and protection for the nation’s oil assets in the Niger Delta.”
“With regular updated security reports on crude oil exploration available to her high office, Mrs. Eyesan can’t feigned ignorance of the monarch’s security outfit lacking capacity to effectively carry out pipelines protection.”
“Despite the knowledge, she went ahead to recommend that the undeserving company should be awarded a beefed up contract.”
“In our publication of 23rd January 2024, to which they made a rejoinder, we had addressed the contract renewal, and why Mrs. Eyesan should be removed from office as Vice President, Upstream Operations, in the NNPCL. ”
“We accused her of being clanish, and for ethnic loyalty had endorsed PINL for a job, it is unfit. ”
That based on the company’s history of inefficiency, it should rather have been suspended from vying for pipelines security contracts.”
“We anchored our publication on the many failures of the company and its inability to live up its duties.”
“There are hard evidence to substantiate allegations of inefficiency against the Olu’s firm.”
“In a period of a week, under PINL supervision, over 112 incidents of oil theft were recorded in its area of operation, with a legion of vandalism cases, as revealed by the management of NNPCL.”
“If the aforesaid are facts, on what basis does, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, find PINL good enough for a bigger contract? ”
“Another question to ponder, is if PINL has at any time apprehended or arrested a single oil thief or vessel, despite the unending crude theft in territories under its control? ”
“These are the areas we had wanted the Olu of Warri, or his affiliates to address, but the half -baked proxies he hired to respond for him, went on a rigmarole that led to no where.”
“The Olu and his PINL are desirous that their shoddy performance be swept under the carpet and remains uncovered.”
“In normal situations, PINL would be struck off the list of companies to be considered for contracts.”
“Apart from the denial that the Olu of Warri is not in the board of PINL, the palace sponsored rebuttal never addressed the accusation of PINL’s dereliction of duties and competence. Nor the involvement of Mrs. Eyesan scooping a larger contract for her monarch.”
“We want to quash their lies from another angle. If the Olu is not in the board of directors of PINL as stated, on what basis is he moving from one office and hotel room to the other in Abuja, soliciting for re-award and expansion of the pipelines protection contract for PINL?”
“It is no secret that while in the FCT he mounts a ceaseless pressure to speedily facilitate the award.”
“The harebrained hirelings of the Olu Palace just driblled and beat around the bush, as they were bereft of ideas on the matter.”
“It’s more disappointing to note that with the stupendous wealth at his disposal, the Olu of Warri could only mobilise a few hollow heads, lacking intellectual sophistication, as media handlers.”
“Hence, they had no good fulcrum to leverage a defence, either for PINL or Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.”
“They flew of the cuff unrestrained with umbrage and insults on those they consider their paymaster’s enemies but failed to cover up the monarch’s shenanigans. ”
“No matter whose horse is gored, our take remains the national interest.”
“The Vanguard Newspaper has lost its national appeal that was rooted in balanced journalism ethos. The publication has gradually fallen from its Olympian heights, to a mere ethnic propagandist tool of the Olu of Warri. In a manner of speaking, and sadly enough too, the Vanguard flagship has now assumed the notoriety of Itsekiri megaphone.”
“It unwittingly rejected our publication on flimsy excuses, other media houses, however, differed and accepted it. ”
“But in a volte face, the paper accepted abinitio to publish the Olu and PINL’s rejoinder.”
“We posit that Vanguard’s action is unprofessional and ethnically parochial.
We hope that its Publisher, the great Uncle Sam Amuka, muster courage to salvage the newspaper, which is gradually losing its national appeal.”
“The Itsekiri and Olu of Warri interest influenced the paper’s decision.”
“PINL should bury its head in shame, the company nor its board members were not bold enough to respond directly to the issues canvassed in our publication. We had expected a direct civilized reply, but they chose to use clueless, ill mannered irritants to bell their cat. Which depicts a desire to gloss over the facts.”
“PINL has no defence. Its reply posed more questions than answers. It neither addressed any issue, nor shield the Olu of Warri from public scrutiny he is trying hard to evade. ”
“In the end, it exposed Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan to opprobrium and the guillotine. She must at this point have regretted her involvement in the saga. She stuck her neck out for those who won’t cross a puddle for her.”
“Why mentioning Engineer Adokie Tombomieye, a supposed Ijaw man in the matter under reference?”
“Has he done anything wrong in being part of the team that awarded the contract to PINL abinitio? How does the award of the contracts to PINL and other surveillance contract companies by an Ijaw man made it difficult for PINL to deliver and perform? Did we question the award of the contracts to PINL and other companies abinitio?”
“We expected a succinct response to allegations of poor performance, aiding and abetting crude oil theft and desperation by Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan to reward a non-performing contactor for ethnic hegemony.”
” We spoke about non-performance of PINL, a germane issue the errand hands failed to address in the rebuttal.
Dropping Adokie Tombomieye’s name can’t wish the issues away.”
“The signatories didn’t explain why oil bunkering, theft and assets vandalism are prevalent in the areas under the supervision of the monarch’s PINL, that is, Rivers and Imo States. Nor did they say anything on the 112 oil theft cases within 7 days in December 2023, majority of which occurred in the areas under the watch of PINL. Or these infractions were caused by the award of the contracts to PINL and other companies by Adokie Tombomieye, an Ijaw man?”
“They also skipped to comment on the incessant attacks and pillage in Trans-Forcados Pipelines in Delta state. Oil production in the area was completely crippled when PINL held the surveillance contract. Reports has it that it was due to connivance with criminal elements.”
“The PINL contract in the area was terminated and re-awarded to Industrial – Wide Security.”
“Today, the Trans-Forcados Pipelines is at peace. And why were some PINL’s contracts terminated and re-awarded to Industrial-Wide Security?”
” They also have explanations to why their area of surveillance became a haven for criminal gangs and oil theft.”
“Silence is said to be golden, but it is also an acquiescence to guilt.”
“It is a shame that the Olu of Warri could not find credible people in the employ of PINL to speak for him and defend Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.”
“The hired nitwits made a poor showing. It is the company that should have shown its CAC registration documents and proffered statement to whether the Olu is a board member or not.”
” Everything done so far on behalf of the Olu and PINL shows there is more than meets the eyes.”
“Our position remains that PINL and Olu have under performed and should not be given additional contracts, nor their scope of operation expanded.”
“It becomes a scam when people are rewarded for failure.”
“Ethnic favouritism and loyalty blinded
Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), has stated that he conducted his service with a deep sense of reverence for God.
Following a significant reshuffle within the oil corporation, various reports have emerged concerning Kyari’s tenure.
One such report revealed that N80 billion was discovered in the account of a recently dismissed Managing Director of one of the refineries who was under Kyari’s leadership.
Bayo Ojulari, Kyari’s successor, has initiated a major restructuring that has resulted in the departure of numerous individuals who served alongside him.
Additionally, there have been allegations of corruption during Kyari’s administration.
In response to rumors suggesting that he was in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kyari indicated that he had received numerous calls from concerned friends and family regarding the unfounded claims.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria with integrity and expressed his readiness to account for his actions.
“In recent days, particularly in the last couple of hours, I have been overwhelmed with calls from worried family and friends regarding an online newspaper’s assertion that I am in EFCC custody,” Kyari stated.
“This is a blatant act of mischief and a deliberate attempt by the publication and its backers to achieve an undisclosed aim.
“Currently, I am enjoying a well-deserved break following the dissolution of the NNPCL management and board, where I held the position of Group Chief Executive.
“It is important to note that after dedicating 34 years to NNPC and subsequently NNPCL—17 of which were in management positions, including the last five years and nine months—I rarely had time for even a two-week vacation.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve under the leadership of Their Excellencies, Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I must stress that I served with the fear of God, fully aware that, as a Muslim, I will eventually account for my actions before Allah, should I fail to do so before man. Thus, I welcome the chance to explain my stewardship in this world.”
Kyari cautioned that misleading narratives about his tenure could negatively impact investor confidence and the perception of the international community.
“In this context, I urge the media to exercise caution and refrain from being rushed into disseminating unverified information or issues that require further investigation by the appropriate authorities.”
“I sincerely appreciate my family and friends who have reached out to me or attempted to do so, and I assure them that I am open to addressing all legitimate inquiries,” he concluded.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Coordinator of the Conference of Patriotic Nigerians (COPAN), Barrister Uchenna Odieli, has issued a stern warning to the factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, urging him not to allow politicians to manipulate him into targeting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement sent to Elanza News on Friday night, Odieli, who described himself as a stakeholder in NANS, accused certain individuals of exploiting Isah to tarnish Seyi Tinubu’s reputation for political gain.
“If you contest an election and lose, you should go and rest. You must not be a NANS president,” Odieli said, questioning why Isah was allowing himself to be used to attack “an innocent man” simply because he is the president’s son.
Odieli defended Seyi Tinubu, describing him as a humble, well-mannered lawyer who has been unfairly vilified.
“I know Barr. Seyi Tinubu very well, not through tabloids or whispers, but through shared moments, quiet gestures, and the kind of humanity that doesn’t make the news,” he said.
“He is not perfect; none of us is. He is not a violent man, nor the monster being painted by those too eager to condemn.”
The COPAN coordinator expressed concern over what he described as a pattern of targeting Seyi Tinubu to gain public attention.
“What baffles me is that most of these charlatans do not know Seyi in person. They only see him from afar and have not had the opportunity to meet him one-on-one, but I know their game. Once one wants to be popular, the only gateway is to attack Seyi Tinubu,” Odieli stated.
He called for restraint and urged the public to avoid “mob justice” in judging Seyi Tinubu.
“Justice must be blind, yes, but not deaf to truth or mercy. Let the facts come forth, let the law take its course, but let us not forget that the son of the president is still a son, a brother, and a human being,” Odieli said, appealing for a fair and measured approach.
Odieli further praised Seyi Tinubu’s character, describing him as a “soft-spoken gentleman” trained in the Western world, who strives to maintain dignity despite the pressures of his family name.
“Seyi is a very kind man, well-behaved, well-trained. Violence is not his way, so you should stop pouring your frustration on Seyi,” he added.
It has been a full week of listening to Politricktians struggling to defend the indefensible. I have watched some struggle to present purely self-seeking and egocentric predilections and decisions as altruistic and popular. The usual lie told when politicians decamp from one Party to another was rife in the news-wave. It was repeated every so often they were confronted with ‘why did you decamp to a Party you had mocked and described as soulless and directionless?”. And the lies would come streaming with shameless Olympic stupidity and shenanigans unbridled.
If your reason for moving from the PDP to the APC is to connect Delta State to the Centre ditto to Abuja, who Abuja elp? How has the Partisan affinity or connection with Abuja helped Lagos State? How has it benefitted Benue State? How has it made life better for the people in Bornu State? And how has the lot of the people in Imo State improved? The States here in reference are APC States, and are badly messed up.
Since 1999 Lagos State has never had it so bad, Lagos State for instance fared better when it wasn’t in partisan sync with the centre. No sane person can compare Tinubu’s term as Governor of Lagos State with Sanwo-Olu’s, none can compare Fashola’s, or Ambode’s one term, albeit as opposition Governors with the most lethargic and uneventful watch that Lagos State has produced in the last 26 years Sanwo-Olu’s connect with Abuja notwithstanding. Lagos is presently experiencing it’s worst leadership deficit and lethargy in 26 years, but Sanwo-Olu is not the trust of this piece, so I will let him be, but I shall return to substantiate my position, if his spin-doctors provoke me.
To the States of Bornu, Benue and Imo, the vouched partisan affinity with Abuja is a curse more than a blessing. Bornu and Benue are theatres of unmitigated security challenges. I won’t mention Jos, Plateau so Partisans wouldn’t challenge me that Plateau State is PDP. However, in today’s Nigeria most of the States troubled silly with insecurity are APC States. Human barbecues are dished with reckless abandon by the Haramists and Herders, and Abuja has done little to help, it has been more words and little action. All the people see, read and know is the blood soaked and blood stained mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Party. The APC has failed them like it has failed most Nigerians, so the people who decamped from the PDP to the APC in Delta State should stop telling stupid lies of how a contrived partisan sync with Abuja will benefit Delta State, that na big lie. The truth is that that decision of theirs is absolutely self-seeking, egotistic and individualistic, it was a shenanigans shameless and utterly soulless.
Is Imo an example of a State benefitting from her partisan sync with Abuja? I beg make I laugh small. And to make matters worse they call Governor Hope Uzodinma the Chairman of the Unprogressive, oh sorry, Progressive Governor’s Forum. That means that Hope Uzodinma is the Chairman of the Forum of APC Governors. I beg ask Ndi’Imo how market? Now Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is an APC Governor, and I hear that Pastor Eno of Akwa Ibom is joining soon. If no be craze, how will a Governor wey dey try small go go join Party wey the Governor wey no dey try at all, go be im Chairman? What in today’s Nigeria is testament to the laudable rule of the APC? And why is the APC attractive to the defectors streaming into the Party? I am committed to telling all I know, and more in the sequel to this piece, yes Part 3 dey come.
I am committed to making sure that each of this series is short and reader friendly. However, I will not conclude this without calling out Nigerians to consistently interrogate Public Office Holders and Political Operators, we must understand that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and we must refuse to drink from the poisoned chalice of deceit, falsehood, and debauchery that self-serving Politricktians wield. And we must say no to their lies, half truths and mendacity.
Compatriots, those defending the egocentric and self-seeking defection of the Delta State Governor and his Team from the PDP to the APC are smart by half. And to those wondering whether we can effectively organize to stop the rudderless APC, the gail of defections notwithstanding, I bring great hope. Yes, there is enough time to perfect and pull through with the needed coalition to defeat the underperforming APC in 2027. Do not forget that Peter Obi didn’t have a State Governor when the Labour Party won the election in 2023. Tinubu didn’t win the majority of the total votes cast when INEC declared him winner, and having failed, as he continues to outperform Buhari in failure, the hail of defections will only deepen the Tinubu rejection.
Do not forget that Delta State was home to the Obidient Movement in 2023, and still is. Do not also forget that Okowa, Sheriff Oborevwori and the PDP machinery was roundly trounced and defeated by the Obidient Movement/Labour Party at the Presidential polls in Delta State in 2023, and that it took the Obidients rejecting Senator Ovie Omo-agege for Oborevwori to emerge Governor in 2023. May the Proud, the Arrogant and the Boastful use their tongue count their teeth, e no far again.
Delta State in 2027 offers a beautiful turf for the replay of the contest between the Peoples Power, and the Power of the men in power. Indeed, 2027 will be a Ballot Based People’s Revolution deeper and more effective than what happened in 2023. Take note that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC are consistently their own greatest undoing, not with Buhari’s colossal failure becoming Child’s play compared with Tinubu’s uneventful and Olympic failure.
Folks, we shall coalesce and unite to make Tinubu a One-Term President, that’s the least duty we owe Nigeria.
I shall return very soon with Part 3, but before then, please stay safe and protect yourselves, ‘no be me talk am, na one Oga DSS dem say na im talk am.’
God Bless Nigeria.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.