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  • How IDPs can be resettled, by Alia

    How IDPs can be resettled, by Alia

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has reiterated his determination to collaborate with the military to secure the state so that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) can return home. 

    He said:” We need peace in the form that enables our IDPs to go back home to their ancestral farmlands and for everyone to sleep with two eyes closed.”

    Rev.Fr. Alia held a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, in Abuja on how to enhance military operations in  to ensure that peace is totally restored and displaced people are relieved. 

     The governor thanked the troops of ‘Operation Whirl  Stroke in Benue for making  progress in the fight against insecurity.

    He acknowledged that since assumption of office, the state has enjoyed relative peace.

    Alia said: “Operation Whirl Stroke’ is at home with the people, as they are in the trenches, across the 23 local government areas of the state, and sought for more presence of the military. But like Oliver Twist, we came to ask for more and present some more prayers, because we want not just relative peace, we want absolute peace.”

    The governor, in a statement  by his Principal Special Assistant on Print Media, Donald Kumun, extolled the military under the leadership of Gen.Musa, for the swift interventions in the state.

    He called for more military onslaught against bandits and killers operating in the state’s valley, killing innocent people, displacing families, sacking residents from their farmlands, and other destroying properties worth millions of naira.

    Alia urged the military to establish more forward operation bases, especially in local government areas that share border with the Cameroon in the state.

    The governor described Benue is one of the top states with solid minerals, adding that there is need to increase security to enable the state government derive economic benefits from the resources.

    Alia promised to support the military with resources to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

     Gen. Musa, assured the governor that the military would continue to enhance its operations and secure the state.

    Describing security as a joint enterprise, the Chief of Defence Staff urged stakeholders to assist security agencies with intelligence gathering. 

    He said: “We want to assure you that we will take these things into consideration in our deployment and we are going to enhance our capabilities going forward.

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    “We want Benue State and the rest of Nigeria to be peaceful, we want every Nigerian to enjoy being in Nigeria and we want the internally displaced persons’ camps closed.

    “We want farmers to be able to go back to their farms and communities, so that they can live well. These are the efforts and the task we have ahead of us, and we assure Nigerians that they can rely and trust that the armed forces of Nigeria is here for them”.

    Alia  had flagged- off Exercise Enduring Peace III, on October 2in Guma local government area, being conducted by formations and units of the Nigerian Army, which has brought stability in the rural areas, as it is simultaneously being done in Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Abuja.

    The exercise is ongoing till January, 2024. It will go a long way in promoting inter-agency cooperation between officers and men of the Nigerian Army and the other security agencies with keen interest to participate in the Exercise. 

    Since it flag-off, it has strengthened civil/ military relations between the military and Benue people, through civil-military cooperation, including medical outreach programmes, educational and relief support.

     The exercise has turned the heat on criminals, kidnappers, armed robbers, cattle rustlers, recalcitrant herders/farmers, across the Benue communities.

  • Benue: Imperative of healing, reconciliation 

    Benue: Imperative of healing, reconciliation 

    • By Donald Kumun

    An unhealthy political cloud has enveloped the politics of Benue State as we speak. While someone may not be interested in apportioning the blames on any party to the development, it is equally of great essence to place it on the records that, in an atmosphere of rancour, things fall apart rapidly. The ties that ninds, even as they appear to be in larger quantum, have now been jettisoned and some primordial sentiments are radicalised.

    However, the time for political gladiators to heal Benue State is now. Benue State was plagued by some level of insecurity which thwarted all efforts to place her in a position where it can compete favourably with her peers. But since the inauguration of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia , as the 6th democratically elected Governor of the state, on 29th May, 2023, relative peace have returned to the state. This is heartwarming and cheering. We need to build a great capital on this prevailing scenario and galvanise all efforts to chat the course of a new developmental pattern.

    It is time for all political parties and individuals to put their differences aside and work together with the Governor in the saddle to bring about actions, policies, programmes and projects that will bring about an assured mutual prosperity, giving that he has began well, according to fillers, and nobility of expressions. Some of the projects within six months of his Leadership, are glaring for our comprehension.

    Healing Benue state requires a collective effort from all political gladiators. They must set aside personal interests and prioritize the needs of the people. This means putting an end to political vehemence. It also means focusing on developmental strides that will benefit the people and improve their quality of life.

    This is the time to engage in a dialogue to address the root causes of the heat they have needlessly generated in Benue state. This could involve constructively discussing imagined issues hovering on an alleged political marginalization. By understanding and addressing these underlying issues, they can work towards long-term solutions that will foster peace and stability in the state.

    In the first place, what really does all the sides of the divide want? We must start by interrogating our conscience from this viewpoint and then accelerate into other areas of common concerns.

    Furthermore, there is every need to work towards promoting inclusivity and unity among the diverse communities in Benue state. This can be done through initiatives that encourage dialogue and the spirit of sportsmanship, 

    Healing Benue state also involves implementing policies that seeks to eliminate the bad governance that slipped the state into a comma. This is a pivotal effort towards restoring sanity, law and order and will go a long way to protect the sanctity of our collective existence.

    Those who seek to make a political capital from this situation where brothers are fighting themselves in order to retain dominance must first and foremost desist from this drift forth with.

    In saner climes, key players does exists and actually do play a crucial role in resolving political tensions and other issues related thereto. These array and various layers of stakeholders include politicians, government officials, community leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and the general public.

    Development-oriented political stakeholders must swing into action by acting as mediators in resolving the brouhaha by facilitating dialogue and negotiations between different political parties or factions. They can help create a conducive environment for dialogue and strive to find a common ground. 

    It is now the best time for all the stakeholders and indeed the gatekeepers of our society to use their influence, wealth of experience, and resources to advocate for efforts that will foster peaceful existence that accounts for a redirection of efforts and elimination of both the centripetal and centrifugal conjugations. They need to speak out, not necessarily, to apportion blames, name and shame anyone, but to promote a healthy conversation at a time like now that such is needed. Diplomacy should be the focal point in this instance.

    Political stakeholders must now embark on a mission to rekindle the trust, reunite and work towards building a lasting legacy of selfless service by showing good examples to the teeming younger generation that is keenly watching and documenting their outings. They must work assiduously to heal our land and re-unite for a common objective-develop a human capital base. Too much heat is not good for Benue state.

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    Our stakeholders must and can play a role in ensuring that all relevant parties are involved in the reconfiguration process. This includes marginalized groups, such as women, youth, and minority communities. By promoting inclusivity and participation, political stakeholders can help to address grievances and build a more friendly and participatory space.

    It sinks badly when those who are vertically and horizontally placed in places of responsibility turnaround and start playing the roles of the devil’s advocates. An abrupt deviation from this malpractice will salvage the situation and rededicate our energy into more productive ventures. Benue State is not known to be a ‘wide wide state’. It is time for the “Critical Stakeholders”, and indeed, all the first class Chiefs, who have seen it all, to step up their games.

    Good enough, most of this honourable and distinguished personalities have already spoken on the news to give His Excellency a level-playing ground for him to steer the affairs of the state. Those who haven’t done so are enjoined to follow suit. This is the least of the duties that they owe Benue state at the moment.

    Overall, no political elder need not promote any form of negative energy. It is important that each and everyone of them refrains from recruiting jobbers to escalate issues and elevate them out of proportion. Through mediation, advocacy, reconciliation efforts, mutual respect, inclusivity, monitoring, and promoting good governance, they can contribute to much needed long-term peace and tranquility that we crave for in the state.

    Kumun, is the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media.

  • Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers crisis constitutional, says Basorun

    Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers crisis constitutional, says Basorun

    All Progressives Congress (APC) elder Olorunfunmi Basorun has said that President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the protracted Rivers State political crisis is constitutional. 

    He described the President as the father of the nation who should be concerned about crisis in any part of the country. 

    Basorun, Third Republic Secretary to Lagos State Government, objected to the positions taken by two eminent lawyers-Chief Edwin Clark and Femi Falana- saying that they could be misleading. 

    He said:” President Tinubu has acted as father of the nation by intervening in the Rivers crisis. His action is not unconstitutional. It is super-constitutional. Also, the defectors who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot lose their seats.”

    Basorun, who spoke on phone, said there is no President who will close his eyes when a unit of the federation is on fire.

    He said:”In recent times, members of the public, particularly people in the legal profession, have been commenting on Rivers State. In my opinion, they seem to be misleading the public with the opinion they have taken. I doubt if Nigerians can be taken for granted. 

    “As an individual, I take exception to the positions taken by the lawyers. I want to remind us that recently, there was an imbroglio in Ondo State  between the governor and his deputy. President Tinubu intervened and as at today, the matter has been resolved. 

    “The president intervened, not because he is a member of the APC, but as president of Nigeria, the father of the country and number one citizen, who sees all Nigerians as his own people, irrespective of political parties. That was why he intervened. I believe he can still intervene if there are other issues that undermine the unity and peace of this country.”

    Basorun, a lawyer and member of the APC Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, lamented that the disagreement between the godfather, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the beneficiary, Governor Siminalayi Fubara,  led the latter to deploy caterpillar to demolish the House of Assembly. 

    Taking exception to Falana’s remarks that Tinubu’s intervention was unconstitutional, he queried:”Where is it in the constitution that the president should keep quiet when the country is burning. I don’t know the part of the constitution he was quoting.  

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    “It is super-constitutional for Tinubu to intervene in any part of the country. Tinubu only intervened to restore peace.”

    Basorun also disagreed with the view that the 27 members of the House of Assembly who had defected should lose their seats. 

    He said:”They don’t have to lose their seats. There is dispute in the party. Wike and Fubara are in PDP. They are quarrelling. That is a local one. At the national level, there is leadership crisis. The party has problem. There are disputes here and there. Therefor,  their seats cannot be vacant.” 

    Basorun disagreed with Clark, who rejected the eight-point resolutions,  saying that the sections of the constitution he quoted were not relevant to the event. 

    He said at over 90,the elderstatesman should promote the cause of peace and not condemn the resolutions. 

  • Insecurity: Obi of Onitsha endorses PISE-P

    Insecurity: Obi of Onitsha endorses PISE-P

    The Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has endorsed the non kinetic approach of resolving the violence in the south east region of the country.

    The approach is being canvassed by the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) initiated by the members of the National Assemby from the region led by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

    The initiative has also received massive support and endorsement from the Presidency, the National Assemby leadership, the business and corporate worlds as well as the entertainment industry among others.

    Speaking on Wednesday night when Kalu led a delegation of the PISE-P members to pay him a courtesy call in Abuja, Achebe commended the initiative, saying it was time restore peace in the south east.

    He said: “Your spirit is in the right direction. We are looking for the same thing. We just have to join forces and make things happen. We want peace and reconciliation in Igboland. Our strength is in what we can do for ourselves”, he said.

    Kalu said that PISE-P was conceived to address the sociological challenges in the south east, stressing kinetic means had not solved the issues of the region.

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    According to him: “That’s why we came up with this concept to use the non kinetic approach, using these pillars that will include integration through infrastructures, skills acquisition, education, etc, to appeal to our people to calm down not to depending on the government alone. Time will not allow me to go through all of them but this is something that has been welcomed massively.”

    PISE-P is expected to be formally unveiled in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on December 29, 2023.

  • JUST IN: Police arrest seven over armed robbery, cultism

    JUST IN: Police arrest seven over armed robbery, cultism

    Police operatives in Enugu state have arrested seven youths including a former local government councillor for alleged conspiracy, armed robbery, secret cult, and unlawful possession of firearm.

    The ex-lawmaker, whose name was given as Henry Agbo Ogbonna, is a former Councillor in Enugu South Local Government Area of the State.

    A statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Dan Ndukwe made available to journalist on Thursday, stated that the lawmaker and the six others were apprehended at various times in the state.

    The statement reads: “The Commissioner of Police Enugu State Command, Kanayo Uzuegbu, psc (+)*, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Police to continuously clamp down on unrepentant criminal elements in the State.

    “The reaffirmation is following the arrest of seven (7) male suspects, including a former Local Government councilor, for the m s, and secret cultism. Six (6) firearms, sixteen (16) live cartridges, and a snatched motor vehicle were recovered.

    “A brief description of the arrests and recoveries shows that Police Operatives serving in the Abakpa Police Division of the Command, in synergy with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, on 06/12/2023 at about 9.30p.m., arrested one Ndubuisi Ugochukwu Eze Oboro aged 27.

    “The suspect and cohorts, who escaped, had attacked their male victim, dispossessed him of his phones and snatched his Toyota Camry car in the process. But were on the verge of escaping when Operatives swooped on them, arrested the suspect, and recovered one (1) locally made double-barreled pistol and the vehicle.

    “In a different development, Police Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad of the Command, in the month of November 2023, arrested the following male suspects: Kosisochukwu Ochiora aged 25, Agbo Daniel (a.k.a. Ara) aged 25, Henry Agbo Ogbonna aged 42, Ani Samuel aged 17, and Okolo Ndukanachi aged 24.

    “The suspects were arrested for their involvement in a case of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, and cultism.

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    “Their arrest led to the recovery of four (4) firearms, comprising two (2) locally made double-barreled and one locally made revolver pistol, one (1) cut-to-size single-barreled gun, and sixteen (16) live cartridges.

    “Investigations have proved that the suspects confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity, while one of them, Henry Agbo Ogbonna, was found to be the former Councillor of Ikiriki Ward 6 in Enugu South Local Government Legislative Council, acclaimed Senior Special Assistance on Works to the Council’s Executive Chairman, and is a member and sponsor of the secret cult group activities.

    “It further revealed that the suspects, in the month of November 2023, perfected plans to avenge the attack on one of their cult group members by a notorious member of a rival cult group, Apache Tiger (also known as Two-two). This is before the Operatives swung into action and arrested them.

    “Similarly, the Operatives of the Squad, on 24/11/23 at about 8.30 p.m., arrested a male suspect, Ani Chidera aged 28, for his involvement in the case of burglary. A painstaking investigation led to the recovery of one (1) locally made pistol from the suspect, who also confessed to being a member of Viking’s Viking Confraternity. The suspect has been arraigned in court and remanded in the Correctional Custodial Centre.

    “The unprosecuted of the cases shall be charged to court and the suspects prosecuted once ongoing investigations are concluded.”

  • Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

    Prioritise your health, strengthen bonds with loved ones, God – First Lady tells elderly Nigerians

    First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged elderly citizens to strengthen their bonds with their loved ones and God, saying this is an important key to a rich and fulfilling life in golden years.

    She spoke on Thursday, December 21, at the maiden edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme (RHIESS) in Abuja

    In a statement issued by her spokesperson, Busola Kukoyi, First Lady noted that this period is a time of joy and comfort, adding that no citizen, irrespective of age or gender, should be left out.

    She said: “As we approach the festive season, it becomes very important to emphasise the significance of prioritizing our elderly citizens in our Initiative. By reaching out to the elderly this festive period, we not only honor their contributions but also acknowledge the unique encounters they face.

    “This economic empowerment programme is borne of a steadfast commitment to the well-being of our elderly citizens and it marks a significant stride in our collective pursuit of a more inclusive and compassionate society”, she said.

    Also speaking at the event was the Chief of Defence Staff; General C.G Musa, OFR who was represented at the event,  thanked the First Lady for her constant acknowledgement and support for the Armed Forces and the Police.

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    He thanked the veterans for their unalloyed service and commitment to the nation and assured them that the Armed Forces and Police will always look after their well-being”.

    The theme for the maiden edition of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme, RHIESS is Better Days Ahead and according to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the programme serves as a beacon of Renewed Hope, dignity and prosperity for the elders of the nation.

    The programme which held simultaneously across the 36 states, FCT and for the Veteran Armed Forces had the RHI give out One Hundred Thousand Naira cash to 250 elderly persons per state, FCT and the Armed Forces Veterans.

    A total of Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira was disbursed.

    Bags of rice, wheat and other food items were also given to the beneficiaries while medical tests were also conducted.

  • Uniosun lifts ban on cooking in hostels, warns against truancy

    Uniosun lifts ban on cooking in hostels, warns against truancy

    The management of Osun State University (Uniosun) has suspended policy banning students from cooking in its hostels for the new in-take.

    The vice-chancellor of the institution, Professor Clement Adebooye made it known while addressing 6,000 new students during their matriculation programme held on campus.

    The Nation recalled that Uniosun banned cooking by students in its hostel within school campus.

    Adebooye said: “Students can now cook in school hostels to make life to be easy for you, the new in-take. Be careful while cooking and ensure you follow safety protocols.”

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    He charged the newly admitted student to explore extracurricular activities within the school and also warned against truancy.

    He added: “We uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and moral uprightness. Social vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, indecent dressing, drug abuse, sexual harassment, and truancy are vehemently condemned.”

  • PSC fixes date for screening of 416,270 police constable

    PSC fixes date for screening of 416,270 police constable

    The Police Recruitment Board has approved January 8th as the date for the commencement of screening for successful applicants for recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The Board met on Thursday, December 21, at the Corporate Headquarters of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in Jabi, Abuja and took several decisions in respect of the next stages of the recruitment exercise.

    At the close of the Recruitment Portal early this month, 416,270 Nigerian youths were found to have satisfied the initial requirements for the next stage of the exercise.

    The successful applicants are made up of 315,065 for General Duty and 101,205 for specialist cadre.

    A statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani read: “The successful candidates are expected to receive their letters of invitation  on or before the 23rd of December 2023.

    “This next stage of the exercise will include both physical and credentials screening to be conducted in the applicants state of origin. The Board has further directed that candidates invited for the screening exercise are expected to come with original copies of their certificates and other credentials  including letters of attestation from their Local Government Chairmen and/or their traditional rulers.

    “Other stages of the recruitment process include computer based test (CBT)which will hold after the screening exercise and  Medical examination.

     Dates for these  stages of the exercise would be announced in due course.

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    “Meanwhile after the closure of the recruitment portal, Kaduna State with 31,117 successful applicants tops the list, followed by Adamawa with 29,848; Benue, 25,346; Borno 24,854; Katsina 24,239 and Bauchi 22,958. Other states with high successful applicants are Kano, 21,006; Niger, 17,959; Gombe17,493; Yobe, 17,207; Nasarawa, 16,284; Jigawa, 16,007; Taraba, 15,622, Plateau, 15,389 and Kebbi, 12,917.

    “Anambra State with 1,141 has the least successful applicants nationwide, followed by Ebonyi, 1,537; Lagos, 1,775 and  Abia, 2,110.

    “The Board demands that candidates must conduct themselves in a manner required of Nigerian youths desirous of a career in the Nigeria Police Force, an Institution guided by strict laws and regulations and which holds discipline as a bedrock for its existence.

    “The board also wishes to warn candidates to beware of fraudsters who will come with tempting promises of  assisting them based on payment of certain sums of money.”

    Ani said the entire recruitment exercise is free and will be based on merit and performance at each stage of the exercise.

  • How we created our niche in energy sector – Neconde chairman

    How we created our niche in energy sector – Neconde chairman

    Many approach business like a brawl in which they must fight bare-knuckle to succeed. But Neconde Energy approaches it like an art; business to the energy player manifests as the synthesis of all creative and entrepreneurial physics.

    It is hardly the doing of any one man but the concerted efforts of scores of genii of different stripes and mindsets. It is the collaboration of the deeply creative, pragmatic, subtle and critical spirit of a team. The sum of all these efforts finally transmutes into a successful enterprise.

    Nonetheless, there is no gainsaying that the world of business equally manifests, like a perilous coast rippling with storms. Amid the turbulence, Neconde Energy rides the tides, steered by an unyielding spirit and a team of genii.

    So far, the latter has guided the franchise through the bittersweet, cut-throat world of global commerce with astounding results.  As you read, Necondes Energy subsists as one of the very few viable enterprises in Nigeria’s mainstream oil sector.

    Its strategic business model though fundamentally designed to make immense profit from the global business terrain, seeks to increase the organisation’s positive impact on both local and global socioeconomic sectors.

    The future of energy resilience is optimally on display in the operations of Neconde Energy; the company has successfully created its niche as an innovative player designed to furnish the energy sector with unrelenting verve, capital, utility and human resources.

    The goal, according to the company’s management is to develop systems to help make the energy sector more profitable and resilient. The company is showing what can happen when the right conditions converge to support crucial players in the local energy sector.

    Established in November 26, 2010, Neconde Energy Limited stands as an independent oil and gas company, serving as a specialized vehicle for acquiring and developing petroleum assets. The company’s primary focus is on exploring and producing oil and gas assets for sale in Nigeria’s crude oil and gas stock market.

    Neconde Energy Limited secured a 45% stake in the OML 42 field after a successful bid for its acquisition in January 2011. NEPL, formerly NPDC, stands as its partner with a 55% stake in the field.

    Throughout its existence, Neconde has thrived, credited to its high corporate value centred on superior service delivery, innovative leadership, and world-class standards within the oil and gas industry. In 2019, the company spearheaded an alternative crude oil evacuation method, showcasing its innovative prowess as an industry leader.

    The company’s success is further propelled by its Board of Directors, comprised of seasoned industry professionals with extensive regional and global expertise. These professionals contribute diverse skills, steering the company as an innovative and leading industry player. Here are the profiles of the board members:

    Mr. Franz Wohlfart: Recently appointed as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Franz Wohlfart brings over 23 years of oil and gas industry experience across Austria, Romania, and Russia. He has held various positions, including Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of TDE, Director of Workover Division in OMV, and Deputy Director of Drilling at ROSNEFT Upstream.

    Mr. Musa Bello Mustapha: An Independent Non-Executive Director with over 28 years of oil and gas industry experience, Musa Bello Mustapha served as the pioneer Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of AMNI International Petroleum Development Company Limited. He has held significant roles within the Federal Government of Nigeria and the EFCC.

    Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa: With over three decades of banking and finance experience, Abdulrahman Yinusa’s career spans various financial institutions. He has held executive roles in banking, including Managing Director/CEO and CFO positions. He currently chairs the Audit Committee of Neconde’s Board.

    Mr. Ubaka Emelumadu: An Energy Consultant with over 35 years of oil industry experience, Ubaka Emelumadu served as General Manager and Vice President of Gas at Shell Nigeria. He also held executive positions at SPDC and chaired the Board of Shell Nigeria Gas.

    Mr. Akin Oparison: A Senior Fellow at the Lagos Business School, Akin Oparison has over 25 years of management and leadership experience in multinational companies. He specializes in leadership development and organizational excellence.

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    Mr. Sambo Ahmadu: Retired as Group General Manager in charge of Group Finance for NNPC, Sambo Ahmadu boasts over 35 years of experience in both public and private sectors in Nigeria and the USA. He holds professional accounting qualifications and currently serves on several Boards of Directors.

    Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch: With over 30 years of professional experience in various management positions, Wolfgang Goetsch served as Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC for nearly 10 years. He currently holds the position of Executive Vice-President in ILF Consulting Engineers and chairs Neconde’s Nomination, Remuneration & Governance Committee.

    Uche Val Obi SAN: The Managing Partner of Alliance Law Firm, Uche Val Obi SAN heads the firm’s transaction, corporate commercial, and dispute resolution practice. He holds several prestigious degrees, including a Master of Laws Degree and a Master of Business Administration, and is recognized as a Top Lawyer by Chambers Global 500.

    Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi: The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, an MBA, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Business Administration. He’s also the Executive Chairman of the Obijackson Group of Companies, established over 35 years ago.

    Recently, Neconde Energy Limited concluded its annual retreat for Board Directors and Executive Management, strategizing for enhanced effectiveness and future productivity. Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi emphasised that the diverse and accomplished directors underscore Neconde’s commitment to sustained leadership, innovation, and excellence in the oil and gas industry, ensuring the company’s continued success and prominence in the market.

  • Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

    Yuletide: Don’t think of vacation this season, we’ve burden of Nigerians on our shoulders, Shettima tells NEC

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday, December 21, charged members of the National Economic Council (NEC) to shelve the idea of vacation in the yuletide and carry on with issues of governance to ease the burden of Nigerians hanging on their shoulders.

    He charged the council members to be alive to the demands of Nigerians, noting that, “as the year draws to a close, none of us in this chamber should anticipate a vacation. I tend to think so because upon our shoulders rests the weight of responsibilities from which we cannot escape. We are returning to be judged by the promises we made to be here.”

    Speaking on Thursday during the 138th meeting of the NEC, which held virtually, the Vice President said his principal, President Bola Tinubu has shown that the challenges inherited by his administration are surmountable, and has offered visionary leadership and presented a coherent development plan to assist in the country’s pursuit of order, abundance, and stability.

    According to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima explained that government, at all levels, cannot afford to relax at the current stage of things because constituents are waiting to see the manifestation of all campaign promises.

    He said: “Each of us owes their constituents the scorecard of their stewardship in these few months of translating ideas into tangible actions. That’s why we can’t afford to fail, and the new year must be, for us, a timeout to reflect on how we have fared so far and what we must do differently to keep the hope of the nation alive.”

    Apparently keen about getting results of the government’s ongoing reforms in good time, the VP stressed the need for the citizens to feel the positive impact of fuel subsidy removal and forex unification, noting that high inflation and cost of living are global challenges that have affected the economies of all countries.

    Shettima said they should be considered as enough “inspiration for us to come together and tackle ours through realistic interventions”.

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    Meanwhile, following deliberations on critical economic matters and assessments of potential short-term, medium and long-term strategies for addressing pressing economic issues, NEC set up the committees on Economic Affairs, as well as the committee on Crude Oil Theft And Management.

    Both committees are to be headed by Kwara State Governor, Alh AbdulRahman AbdulRazak, and his Imo State counterpart, Senator Hope Uzodimma, respectively.

    The Economic Matters committee to be chaired by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman, is saddled with the task of preparing a clear roadmap for dealing with petroleum subsidy, including a framework for defending wage negotiations, exchange rate management and fiscal consolidation sustainability, liquidity management and inflation, medium term investment and growth, fiscal transparency and accountability, as well as state of emergency on food production for 2024.

    Members of the committee include the Gombe State Governor, representing North East; Governor of Lagos (South West); the Governor of Akwa Ibom (South-South); the Governor of Anambra (South East); the Governor of Niger (North Central), and Governor of Kaduna (North West).

    Rukaiya El-Rufai, Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change is to serve as Secretary.

    The second committee on Crude Oil Theft and Management, an existing NEC committee, has been reconstituted with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the chairman.

    Other members are the Governor of Ogun State representing South West; the Governor of Plateau State (North Central); the Governor of Rivers (South-South) Governor of Borno (North East); Governor of Jigawa State (North West); the Governor of Abia State (South East); Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; CBN Governor; GCEO of NNPCL, NDDC Chairman, and Service Chiefs.

    The secretariat will be domiciled at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr Tope Fasua will serve on the committee.

    Council also received an update on account balances as at 31st October 2023. The Excess Crude Account as at 31st October, 2023 stood at $473,754.57, while the Stabilization Account was N32,063,186,474.96 during the same period. Development Of Natural Resources Account as at 31st October 2023 stood at N156,770,745,529.74.