The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Wike ‘will’ develop stakeholder communities 

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has said he will develop stakeholder communities in Oil Mining Lease (OML 25).

    A statement by his media aide, Simeon Nwakaudu, said the governor would  promote a conducive investment environment.

    He said Wike pledged to create the right environment for international and local investors to operate

    The statement reads: “To Governor Wike, the interest of Rivers State is paramount … he takes actions to enhance the overall interest of the state. The facts on OML 25 are very clear – the facility was shutdown in 2017 by some persons who were allegedly primed by an interest group.

    ‘’The governor made no attempt to intervene since this interest group claimed that an indigenous operator had also applied for the operating licence. In October 2018, the APC-led Federal Government, through the NNPC, renewed the Operating Licence of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). This operating licence will remain valid for the next 20 years.

    “The governor’s position is simple – due process of the law must be observed… The company with the operating licence for OML 25 should be allowed to carry out its legitimate business. If the indigenous firm is able to obtain the operating licence from the Federal Government, then the state will fully back it.

    Read Also: We’re ready to tackle insecurity, says Wike

    “But at present, the operating licence of the SPDC has been renewed by the Federal Government. This renewal was not facilitated by the Rivers State governor; all the governor did was to promote a conducive investment environment in Rivers State.

    ‘’Governor Wike has continued to create the right environment for international and local investors to operate.

    “The governor will never lay credence to illegal acquisition of businesses under any guise. There are laid down procedures for operating any oil facility.

    “The Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Rowland Sekibo, at a meeting convened by Governor Wike, said Belema Oil management created the impression that they bought the OML 25 from SPDC, but the company refused to transfer the operational right.

    He said at a meeting with stakeholders at NNPC Abuja, it was discovered that the licence of OML 25 was still under the ownership of Shell.

    “According to Sekibo, though the owner of Belema Oil is from the area, it was illegal to shutdown the facility to armtwist the system to sell it to Belema Oil, as such action would negatively affect other businessmen with oil operating licences in other states.

    “Stakeholder Communities of OML 25 and SPDC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the reopening of the closed flow station, and the payment of outstanding funds owed Stakeholder Communities under the extant Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU). The MoU also mandated Shell to pay N1.36 billion into a dedicated account.

    “The governor has said he will not support any company not to carry out their corporate social responsibilities to their host communities. However, communities must not take laws into their hands. They must not stop production by the operating companies. Such actions will negatively affect the finances of the Federal Government, the state and the local government areas. However, where companies fail to act within the expectations of the communities, the government will mediate through the Steering Committee on Cluster Development Boards.”

  • Edo PDP, APC celebrate ex-governor

    Leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State put politics aside to celebrate ex-APC National Chair, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, at 80, on Monday.

    PDP’s National Chairman Uche Secondus, who described Oyegun as a national leader, led party chieftains to the occasion, including the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; ex-Governor Lucky Igbinedion; and state PDP Chairman Osagie Ize-Iyamu Dan Orbih.

    APC’s National Chairman and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole was, however, absent at the event.

    At a thanksgiving mass at Saint Paul Catholic Church, Bishop of Benin Archdiocese Rev. Augustine Akubeze described Oyegun as one of the few former governors “who is living out his faith.”

    The cleric said Oyegun did not join politics to deceive the electorate.

    Read Also: Oyegun, an enigma, says Akeredolu

    He urged political leaders to respect constituted authorities, saying political leaders should know anybody who wants peace must work for justice.

    Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Destiny Enabulele was beaten at the birthday reception.

    Enabulele, who attended the event with his aides, was harassed by private security guards hired for the event.

    The guards requested Enabulele’s access card. Attempts by his aides to introduce him were rebuffed by the guards, who insisted on a card before he could go in.

    One of the guards held Enabulele on the neck while others pushed him. His aides were also pushed out and prevented from entering the reception.

    It took the intervention of some dignitaries before the guards allowed Enabulele in manhandling him.

  • Buhari greets Indimi at 72

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm greetings to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Oriental Energy Resources, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, on his 72nd birthday.

    He prayed for more grace of good health and strength for him.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, joined family members, friends and business associates of the consummate businessman in celebrating the auspicious moment, which falls within the Eid-el-Kabir season.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Chief Odigie Oyegun at 80

    He congratulated Indimi for a life of purpose, sacrifice and love for humanity.

    The President underscored the hard work, discipline and focus that have cumulated in building the Indimi business empire, commending his patriotism for investing heavily in human capacity and promotion of the Nigerian brand to the global business community.

  • Jukun-Tiv crisis: Workers, students relocate to Benue from Wukari

    Workers and students of Tiv extraction in the Federal University, Wukari (FUW), Taraba State,  have continued to flee from the institution.

    Most of them are now taking refuge in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, for their safety.

    It followed the bloody crisis between Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups in Wukari.

    Wukari shares a boundary with Hkum Local Government Area in Benue State.

    The crisis started more than three months ago and has continued unabated despite an effort by Benue and Taraba states’ governors to curtail it.

    So far, it is estimated that about 200 persons have lost their lives and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

    The Tiv workers and students have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the crisis rocking the university to save lives.

    Read Also: Gunmen kidnap college of education provost in Benue

    They made the appeal in a letter addressed to the President , dated August  6 and copied to the university’s Chairman, Governing Board, Pro-Chancellor and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), governors of Benue and Taraba states.

    The letter was signed by the university’s Chairman of the Tiv Staff Forum, Mr. Patrick Tion, and Secretary Mr. Ikyer Godwin on behalf of others. It called on the Federal Government to wade into the bloody crisis and save their lives and restore permanent peace, law and order to the institution.

    “The true position devoid of sentiments is that there exists a serious security breach at the Federal University, Wukari and a serious war is raging between the Jukun and Tiv in Wukari, where the university is situated.”

    They claimed that the tribal war started since April 1.

    According to them, the Jukun youths in Wukari are fond of blocking roads leading to Wukari, including the federal highway leading to and from the university. The forum added that the Jukum would forcefully remove Tiv people from vehicles and killed them.

    Tion, who condemned the brutal murder of two students, Emmanuel Vihiior and Fater Ayatse Felix of the Departments of Microbiology and Sociology as well as a staff in the Department of Students Affairs, Mr. Mark Tsav – all Tiv – described the killings as “barbaric, uncalled for and highly condemnable”.

    He called on the university’s management to stay action on the resumption of academic activities due to begin tomorrow, pending when adequate security measures will be provided.

    He denied involvement of workers and students of Tiv extraction in the crisis and power tussle between Jukun and Tiv in Wukari.

  • Groups threaten to recall Bauchi’s ex-Speaker Damina

    Two groups – Bauchi Assembly of Youths Political Actors (BAYOPA) and Body of Bauchi Lawyers of Conscience (BOBALAC) – have threatened to initiate a recall process against the former Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Kawuwa Damina and 16 other lawmakers after paying a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

    The groups have, therefore, handed down seven days ultimatum to the former Speaker and the 16 aggrieved lawmakers to rescind their latest decision on the leadership tussle or face recall.

    The House of Assembly was thrown into confusion and crisis on June 20, when members-elect held parallel inauguration leading to the emergence of two speakers.

    Damina and16 other members later succumb to pressure  from stakeholders and were  inaugurated at a special session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Danlami Kawule of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Read Also: Buhari vows to ensure fair play in Bauchi, Edo Houses of Assembly crises

    However, the narrative changed when Damina and his members, led by the All Progressive Congress (APC)  national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, briefed Buhari in Abuja on events leading to the crisis in the House.

    But, addressing reporters at a news conference in Bauchi yesterday, BAYOPA Coordinator, Hashim Bala Pali, said they were satisfied with the stand taken by the President to be guided by the letter and spirit of the constitution and the law on the issue.

    They, however, condemned “in the strongest possible terms the laughable, unfortunate, unreasonable, anti-people and anti-democratic decision by some of the much-thought repentant members of the 9th assembly led by Damina”.

    “It is, therefore, against the background of the foregoing that we are using this avenue to serve a seven-day warning on the misguided faction of the 9th Assembly to once and for all rescind their latest decision on the issue, failing which we shall proceed with recall process against them,” the group said.

  • Kogi 2019: I’ll lead Kogi to promise land, says Audu

    A leading governorship aspirant in the Kogi State All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Muhammed Audu, has said that if elected the governor, he will lead the people to the promised land.

    Speaking on Monday during the media parley organised by the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja, he said the Kogi people have suffered a lot under Yahaya Bello’s administration.

    Audu, who is a son of a former governor, the late Prince Abubakar Audu, faulted the process that brought Bello, after the demise of the Kogi APC governorship candidate in 2015.

    Read Also: More troubles in Kogi APC

    He stressed that it was not a right as the son of the former governor to contest the governorship poll, but he added that as a young man, his ambition is to aspire like his father.

    Audu said: “The processes of election do not give room for dynasty. It’s the people that can decide, who becomes the next governor. But I have made up my mind to make myself available for the selection process for the election.

    “The state has gone through a very high level of decay. We are trying to manage a complete breakdown of the state. The state is heavily-dependent on federal allocation. We need to look for ways we can generate money internally without depending on monthly allocation from the Federal Government.”

  • Air Force hits another Boko Haram tactical base in Borno

    More successes are being recorded by the Nigerian Air Force against Boko Haram terrorists as their tactical base in Izza, Borno State, was hit by airstrikes on Monday.

    Scores of Boko Haram fighters were killed during the attack, Air Force spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said in a statement.

    The latest offensive against the insurgents, he added, was under the auspices of Operation Green Sweep 3.

    Read Also: Airforce denies dropping weapons for herdsmen in Enugu

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The intensive air strikes being conducted under the auspices of Green Sweep 3 have yielded more successes as the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole, on August 9, 19, decimated a major tactical base of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) and neutralised scores of their fighters at Izza on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State.

    “The location was designated for the attack after Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions had established that the location was being used as a staging area from where the BHT elements launch their attacks.

    “Consequently, the ATF scrambled three Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the location, with the timing synchronised to inflict maximum damage and mortality on the terrorists.

    “As a result, there was massive devastation on the affected target while scores of terrorists were killed in the process.”

  • Ogun governor’s wife hosts children to mark Eid-El-Kabir

    Ogun State Governor’s wife Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun has urged children to be upright in their studies and obedient to their parents and teachers as she hosted the 2019 Ileya Kiddies Party at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    Over 750 pupils of primary and junior secondary schools drawn from all parts of the state, representing 130 schools, attended the party.

    Read Also: Hard times await kidnappers in Ogun – Abiodun

    At the ceremony were Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Mr. Olu-ola Aikulola; the Speaker’s wife, Mrs. Victoria Oluomo; Chief of Staff’s wife Dr. Rashidat Salisu; Head of Service’s wife Alhaja Busola Bisiriyu and other top personalities, including religious leaders.

    The governor’s wife expressed gratitude to Allah for His continued protection over the children and for increasing them in wisdom and knowledge of learning towards fulfilling their faith and education.

  • Ondo APC elder Aiyegbusi dies at 84

    A member of the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Committee, Chief Felix Idowu Aiyegbusi, is dead. He was 84.

    Pa Aiyegbusi, a distinguished son of Arigidi-Akoko, died on August 7 after a brief illness, according to a statement by his son, Mr. Fola Ayegbusi.

    A consummate politician and community leader, Pa Aiyegbusi, was a progressive all his life, being a member of the Action Group in the First Republic, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in the Second Republic and in the aborted Third Republic, a leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as chairman in Akoko North Local Government.

    Read Also: Edo govt to host ex-APC chair at 80

    In his younger days, he was a sportsman, participating in athletics and playing football.

    Some of the people he played football with were former international players, including the late Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun and Isiaka Krobo.

    He was national chairman of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) and the pioneer chairman of Ile-Oluji Cocoa Products Company between 1979 and 1983, appointed by the late Second Republic governor of old Ondo State, Chief Adekunle Ajasin.

    The family is yet to announce the burial programme.

  • Fayemi seeks citizens’ support for Army to tackle kidnapping, others

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has called for more support for the military formations to enable them overcome kidnapping, banditry and attendant killings.

    Fayemi hailed Army’s peace-keeping efforts in the Northeast, where it has been battling insurgency in the last 10 years and succeeded in upholding the nation’s territorial integrity.

    The governor gave the commendation while receiving in audience the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Anthony Bamidele Omozeje and other officers who were on tour of military formations and units under the division.

    Fayemi, who spoke through his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, assured that the government of Ekiti State would not rest on its oars to continue to give the needed support to boost the morale of the men and officers of the Army in the state.

    According to a statement issued yesterday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, Omozeje was on an official visit to Army unit in the state to assess the welfare of soldiers and see what could be done to come to their aid.

    The governor, who wanted the military to prioritise the safety of lives and property of Ekiti people, said he was expecting the Federal Government to give drones to the men of Nigerian forces serving in the state to be able to fish out miscreants.

    Fayemi assured that his administration would complement the efforts of the Federal Government in making men of the military comfortable in discharging their responsibilities.

    Read Also: Kidnappings: Obaseki, NAF set to partner on periodic aerial surveillance

    He said: “We appreciate your efforts and we know what you are doing in the country as a whole. This is not an easy time for soldiers in the country; we are all humans, we know what you are going through and we really appreciate.

    “I know you are everywhere in the country. The work you are doing in the far North is courageous. We need to thank all the soldiers that are involved and your boss, Lt.-Gen. (Tukur) Buratai; he’s always in the picture of all things. I salute his courage.

    “On behalf of the governor and good people of my state, we are appreciating the good efforts of the Army.

    “We will try our best to make sure that the Federal Government do what they should do to make them comfortable in discharging their duties.

    “If there is anything we are supposed to do for your people in this area, you can be assured of that. You have your station in Ekiti here. We were thinking you would have brought everything down there now, but we are still expecting to complement what you intend to bring down there.”

    Omozoje hailed the support the Army has been receiving from the state government in discharging their duties of keeping the state safe.

    The GOC, who delivered the goodwill of Buratai, promised that the military would work together with the state government to ensure safety of lives and property.