The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Transforming Nigeria’s oil and gas upstream operations through advanced declaration solution platform

    Transforming Nigeria’s oil and gas upstream operations through advanced declaration solution platform

    By Mogaji Wole Arisekola

    If you know Engineer Olugbenga Komolafe, the CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), you won’t be surprised by the groundbreaking transformation currently underway in his commission. 

    A man of integrity and vision, Komolafe is a patriotic Nigerian who genuinely desires the best for his country.

    I have always maintained—and will reiterate—that it takes just one patriotic individual to make a significant impact in reducing the corruption that plagues our nation. While many Nigerians know the right path to take, far too many prioritize selfish interests over collective progress.

    The administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is taking bold steps to close the loopholes that have long enabled unscrupulous individuals to siphon public funds. 

    For years, government resources have been treated as personal treasure chests by those with little more than a secondary school certificate, who somehow amass unimaginable wealth overnight. Many of these so-called leaders disguise themselves as devout Christians or Muslims, yet operate as “fantastic criminals.”

    Against this backdrop, the NUPRC’s Advanced Declaration Solution (ADS) Platform emerges as a beacon of change. 

    This revolutionary innovation is designed to tackle decades of corruption and inefficiencies in Nigeria’s crude oil production and sales. 

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    By redefining how Nigeria manages its oil resources, the ADS platform is setting a new standard in transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

    The platform seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technology with stakeholder collaboration to transform the oil and gas sector. It symbolizes Nigeria’s commitment to ensuring that the wealth derived from its natural resources benefits every citizen.

    For years, systemic corruption and inefficiencies have plagued the sector. Practices such as crude oil theft, underreporting of production volumes, and opaque sales agreements have drained billions from Nigeria’s economy. 

    The ADS platform directly addresses these issues, using advanced digital tools to enable real-time tracking, accurate reporting, and robust accountability.

    Real-time tracking and blockchain integration

    One of the platform’s most remarkable features is its ability to track crude oil from extraction to export. By leveraging blockchain technology and advanced analytics, it ensures that every barrel of oil is accounted for. 

    This transparency not only reduces theft and unauthorized sales but also builds trust among international investors and trading partners.

    Stakeholder collaboration

    The ADS platform fosters a collaborative ecosystem by integrating government agencies, oil companies, and regulators. This seamless data-sharing environment promotes trust, improves operational efficiency, and enhances decision-making, ultimately leading to increased revenue.

    Enhanced security

    Real-time monitoring capabilities allow the ADS platform to detect anomalies and potential breaches quickly, enabling swift intervention. 

    This proactive approach safeguards critical infrastructure and ensures uninterrupted operations—essential for Nigeria’s economic growth.

    The platform aligns with global best practices in the oil and gas industry. Many resource-rich nations have adopted similar digital solutions to boost transparency and efficiency. 

    By implementing this cutting-edge technology, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in the global energy market while advancing its commitment to sustainable development.

    Beyond its immediate impact, the ADS platform holds enormous potential for Nigeria’s economy and governance. By curbing corruption and increasing revenue, it can fund critical infrastructure, improve social services, and reduce the nation’s reliance on external borrowing. 

    Furthermore, the emphasis on transparency and accountability sets a precedent for other sectors, encouraging a culture of integrity across the board.

    The success of the ADS platform will depend on collective effort. Adequate training, robust infrastructure, and consistent monitoring are critical for its effectiveness. The government must also remain resolute in enforcing compliance and addressing resistance from vested interests.

    The ADS platform is more than just a technological innovation—it is a symbol of hope for Nigeria. It represents a bold step toward reclaiming the nation’s oil wealth and ensuring that it benefits every Nigerian. By addressing long-standing challenges with modern solutions, Nigeria is paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future in its oil and gas sector.

    This groundbreaking initiative promises to transform Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas operations by enhancing transparency, efficiency, and security. It is a testament to the nation’s resilience, ingenuity, and determination to achieve sustainable development.

    As Nigeria embarks on this transformative journey, it is up to all citizens to support the government’s efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Together, we can build a nation free from corruption, where resources are used for the collective good.

    Now that I have seen and witnessed the digital revolution by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in their office today, which will change the old ways of doing business in the oil and gas sector, it is now up to us, the people who love Nigeria, to pray for the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We pray for more wisdom to lead our country to the promised land.

    My slogan is: NUPRC is coming—goodbye to all crude oil thieves and their godfathers, both civilians and criminals in security uniforms.

    – Wole Arisekola is the Publisher of StreetJournal Newspaper and National Chairman of the Association of Online Media Practitioners in Nigeria AMPCON

  • Of slow-motion service and audacity of tariffs hike

    Of slow-motion service and audacity of tariffs hike

    • By Bright Okuta

    Sir: The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved a hike in call, SMS, and data tariffs by up to 50% for telecommunications services. I patiently read through to find out the reason for the hike. But I didn’t find what I thought was the reason, or what should ordinarily be the major reason. The telecom companies are not increasing prices because of excellent service delivery to be expected. They are not increasing it to improve their communication infrastructure to boost network service.

    I was left wondering when we would get the network services we desperately need in Nigeria to make communications easy. Why have the NCC and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy allowed these conditions to persist, year after year, with no improvement in service quality?

    In Abuja, where one would expect some semblance of technological advancement as the nation’s capital, 5G networks are either unavailable or barely functional. 4G networks flicker like a naked candle. Download speeds barely manage 50 kbps during the day and 125 kbps at night, and these are days when the connection does not drop completely. Even in the heart of the city, where such networks are supposed to shine, the reality is different. We cannot have an excellent network service, but we are expected to pay high tariffs.

    The NCC and Communications Ministry have done nothing to address the issue of network stability. No one seems to care about the poor service that always leaves millions of Nigerians in a perpetual state of connectivity limbo.

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    The NCC gave the telecom operators the go-ahead to raise these charges without pushing for meaningful improvements in network infrastructure. If the service quality cannot support these new tariffs, then what exactly are Nigerians paying for?

    How do people whose jobs rely steadily on online communications cope? How many other Nigerians are experiencing the same frustration daily? How many have lost vital work opportunities, or worse, the ability to simply communicate with family and friends due to these perpetually unpredictable network conditions?

    As usual, the burden of these increases would be borne by ordinary Nigerians, who are already struggling with the repercussions of a faltering economy.

    Nigerians are now left with the option of complaining again and again, expending emotional energy, and ultimately resigning to the status quo—adjusting to another layer of systemic frustration. We will silently accommodate the new harsh reality of these increased tariffs and unchanged network quality. It is one of the features of an average Nigerian. The system has trained us like that.

    •Bright Okuta,

    brightokuta@gmail.com

  • Kemi Badenoch and the elevation of hypocrisy

    Kemi Badenoch and the elevation of hypocrisy

    • By Jude Ndukwe

    Sir: Leader of British Conservative Party and Opposition in the United Kingdom Parliament, Kemi Badenoch, has continued to stir the hornet’s nest with her controversial statements about Nigeria since assuming office . She has made what many consider denigrating statements against Nigeria, her country of origin, while exalting the UK, her adopted country.

    While her remarks about the country cannot entirely be dismissed,  her flawed and effusive glorification of the United Kingdom, prove that she is either grossly ignorant of Nigeria’s foundational deficiencies or she deliberately chooses to ignore the facts and spew heavily skewed narratives against Nigeria to the advantage of the UK mainly to feather her own political nest.

    Everything Nigeria suffers today is arguably a direct result of the brutish legacies of the British in colonial Africa. From Nembe Kingdom to the Oyo Empire; from the Owa Kingdom to the Benin Kingdom; from today’s Chibok to Calabar; from Zaria to Opobo; from Onitsha to Ife; the nation reeks of British infamous heritage of blood, sorrow, fraud, corruption, outright stealing among other unspeakable vices.

    While we agree that our police, and by extension, our political leaders, need to do far better, Badenoch should have focused on her new role as leader of the opposition in the UK to help clean up the heinous history of that country. History shows that our police and political leaders inherited several vices from the British. Such vices include but not limited to Kemi Badenoch’s Britain holding tightly on to their monumental loot from Africa.

    In 1897, the British forcefully seized 500 ivory tusks worth over two million British pounds from the Benin Empire after the forced ousting of the then Oba, Ovonramwen Nogbaisi. As of today, the British Museum alone holds around 73,0000 valuable cultural objects looted from Africa by the British colonial usurpers. And all efforts to get them to return these looted artefacts back to their original owners in Africa have met with a brick wall.

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    Does she not feel embarrassed that the world’s largest diamond known as the Star of Africa which weighs a whopping 530 carats and set in the British royal scepter with which King Charles III was coronated in May 2023, and still holds to date, was stolen from Africa in 1905 by the colonial British usurpers?

    Does she not cringe or get flummoxed knowing full well that a similar piece of diamond also stolen from Africa by British colonial masters, even though smaller, is also set in the Imperial State Crown worn by British monarchs on ceremonial occasions?

    How does she feel knowing that the highly revered British monarchs are coronated with a sceptre and a crown emblazoned with stolen jewels from Africa? How does she feel seeing her monarch flaunting stolen pieces of diamond with relish before the entire world in the name of royalty?

    It was the same crown and sceptre emblazoned with looted diamonds from Africa that the British crowned the late Queen Elizabeth with 70 years ago. How come Britain still hold on to stolen property from Africa for so long with such impunity and still crown their monarchs with the items right in the full glare of the whole world while Kemi Badenoch continues to play the ostrich?

    One can only imagine what would have happened if the tables turned and an African Head of State is crowned with jewels stolen from the West!

    Rather than hypocritically pontificate about Nigeria and the UK, Kemi should use her privileged position as leader of the country’s Conservative Party to clean up Britain’s criminal record of mindless looting of our artefacts and precious jewels and ensure their return to their original owners in Africa. She can go beyond mere rhetoric by following in the footsteps of a former Foreign Secretary, Charles James Fox who initiated the anti-slavery Bill that eventually saw to the abolition of slavery in Britain.

    They steal our resources through subterfuge; they become so rich and powerful through them, and then turn around to lecture us on morality.

    That nonsense must stop forthwith!

    •Jude Ndukwe,

      Abuja.

  • Artificial Intelligence and its impacts on education

    Artificial Intelligence and its impacts on education

    • By Daniel Ighakpe

    Sir: Technology is changing our world at an astonishing pace! Its sweeping changes can be found everywhere and they can be described as both thrilling, and at the same time terrifying. Although people in many parts of the world are still trying to come to terms with earlier technological revolutions along with their sweeping social and educational implications – which are still unfolding, they have awoken to the reality of yet another digital revolution – the AI revolution.

     Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology refers to the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks that would otherwise have been carried out by humans. AI systems are designed to have the intellectual processes that characterize humans, such as the ability to reason, discover meaning, generalize or learn from past experience. With AI technology, vast amounts of information and text can be processed far beyond any human capacity. AI can also be used to produce a vast variety of new content.

    In the field of education, AI technology comes with the potential to enable new forms of teaching, learning and educational management. It can also enhance learning experiences and support teacher tasks. However, despite its positive potential, AI also poses significant risks to students, the teaching community, education systems and society at large.

    What are some of these risks? AI can reduce teaching and learning processes to calculations and automated tasks in ways that devalue the role and influence of teachers and weaken their relationships with learners. It can narrow education to only that which AI can process, model and deliver. AI can also worsen the worldwide shortage of qualified teachers through disproportionate spending on technology at the expense of investment in human capacity development.

    The use of AI in education also creates some fundamental questions about the capacity of teachers to act purposefully and constructively in determining how and when to make judicious use of this technology in an effort to direct their professional growth, find solutions to challenges they face and improve their practice.

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    Teachers are the primary users of AI in education, and they are expected to be the designers and facilitators of students’ learning with AI, the guardians of safe and ethical practice across AI-rich educational environments, and to act as role models for lifelong learning about AI.

    To assume these responsibilities, teachers need to be supported to develop their capabilities to leverage the potential benefits of AI while mitigating its risks in education settings and wider society.

     AI tools should never be designed to replace the legitimate accountability of teachers in education. Teachers should remain accountable for pedagogical decisions in the use of AI in teaching and in facilitating its uses by students. For teachers to be accountable at the practical level, a pre-condition is that policy-makers, teacher education institutions and schools assume responsibility for preparing and supporting teachers in the proper use of AI. When introducing AI in education, legal protections must also be established to protect teachers’ rights, and long-term financial commitments need to be made to ensure inclusive access by teachers to technological environments and basic AI tools as vital resources for adapting to the AI era.

    A human-centred approach to AI in education is critical – an approach that promotes key ethical and practical principles to help regulate and guide practices of all stakeholders throughout the entire life cycle of AI systems. Education, given its function to protect as well as facilitate development and learning, has a special obligation to be fully aware of and responsive to the risks of AI – both the known risks and those only just coming into view. But too often the risks are ignored. The use of AI in education therefore requires careful consideration, including an examination of the evolving roles teachers need to play and the competencies required of teachers to make ethical and effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology.

    •Daniel Ighakpe,

    FESTAC Town, Lagos.

  • Abaribe and arch-guarantors

    Abaribe and arch-guarantors

    At the turn of the new year, Enyinnaya Abaribe, the sitting senator representing Abia South, was talking all the talk: release Nnamdi Kanu, and others and I would be guarantors for South East peace!

    That’s quite noble.  But has Abaribe forgotten what happened when he was one of the sureties for Nnamdi Kanu’s bail?  Kanu jumped bail and the best Abaribe could plead was that he did not know when and how the accused he stood surety for vanished!

    So long for his second coming as Kanu’s arch-guarantor!

    Perhaps affronted by the South East lobby for the “unconditional release” of Kanu, Bashir Ahmad, new-media aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, railed against the Free Kanu campaign.  He dubbed whoever behind the push enemies of Nigeria.

    That is now the subject of a legal suit — at least its particulars.  But in general, it is no less a legitimate voice for Kanu’s continuous canning than voices calling for his release.  It’s all the varied political prisms of a matter before a court of competent jurisdiction.

    Still, might all of this begging be necessary, had South East leaders cautioned Kanu as he made it his self-imposed duty to libel, insult and traduce every other part of Nigeria, just to drive his IPOB mission?

    While others reeled under Kanu’s crude and coarse attacks, what did Igbo leaders do? At worst, annoying justifications.  At best, criminal rationalizations. 

    And after he had jumped bail?  His Buhari as “Jubril of Sudan” stunt, at a very delicate stage of the former President’s convalescence?  His clear order to his goons, in Lagos, to go on a spree of arson, during the End SARS riots?

    At the very early part, was it not till some other “northern youths” started threatening the Igbo to relocate to their region, that the South East leaders regained their voice?  Even then, how decisive or even sincere was that voice of caution?

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    Like Kanu before his rendition, detention and current trial, the Finland-based Simon Ekpa too was vomiting murder and blaring hate. Again, mum was it from South East elders who should have warned and cautioned him. 

    Ekpa seized Kanu-in-the-can to impose his own brand of democratic(?) anarchy — pushing his thugs to bump off security agents, and not blinking an eyelid to kill and maim their own Igbo folks.  That drumming got to an abrupt stop only when Finland tossed him into the can, for alleged e-bullying and terrorism.  He faces his day in court.

    However the Kanu issue is resolved — conviction or acquittal in court, or some political amnesty — is left to President Bola Tinubu and his government.  But blaring “unconditional release” is insensitive — nay, outrageous —  to other Nigerians, who were at the receiving end of Kanu’s crude and acidic tongue.

    Kanu is no MKO Abiola that won a fair election and died for it. He is rather an extremely uncouth youth, who hid behind the neo-Biafra campaign, to manifest his coarseness.  His tongue is his No. 1 enemy as he’s finding out.

    If South East leaders are begging for mercy on his behalf, only penitence, not entitlement, would do it.  Enough of this crap about “unconditional release”!

  • Now that Port Harcourt, Warri refineries are back

    Now that Port Harcourt, Warri refineries are back

    Sir: Congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the bold steps taken to revive the nation’s oil refineries. To his administration’s credit, two out of the four refineries – Port Harcourt and Warri – are back in operation after decades of abandonment by successive governments. Just like every Nigerian who wanted the best for the country, I was very excited on hearing the news and so compelled to publicly commend the administration for this giant feat. Much more, I’m convinced Nigeria will work and will be better for us if we are consistently blessed with leaders who would put the interest of all Nigerians over the interest of the few.

    Now that we have two of our refineries working, there are other pressing issues begging to be addressed. As a nation, it is high time we imbibed or enforced the culture of sustainability through timely and regular attention to such critical national facilities. Things would only be better for us a nation and prosperity shared among Nigerians if we are able to keep up the culture.

    Secondly, one expects the administration to take further steps to protect and prevent unauthorized exploitation of the nation’s oil resources by unscrupulous Nigerians and foreigners. In my opinion, declaring emergency on the facilities surrounding the oil wells should be the next task. Nigerian Navy and other relevant agencies saddled with responsibilities of securing and preventing illegal exploitation are seemingly overstretched and overwhelmed by the operation of illegal operators. This has not only resulted to huge loss to our nation but has adversely affected the nation’s economic drive.

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    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has on several occasions declared that Nigeria is in a bad situation over the menace of oil theft and pipeline vandalism. In the first quarter of year 2024, it was widely reported that Nigeria lost $1bn in revenue to crude oil theft and production shut-in caused by pipeline vandalism.

    No doubt, oil theft has been in existence for over two decades going by several reports by government and concerned stakeholders. Indeed, several hundreds of illegal refineries have reportedly been deactivated with several illegal reservoirs and illegal oil connection lines destroyed; yet the menace seems not to have abated. It is high time the Tinubu administration take the bull by the horn to check the activities of the saboteurs. The time has come for the administration to adopt a holistic approach to address the crude oil revenue loss challenge.

    • Kolawole Owoseni,Ado Ekiti.

  • Macron’s sabre-rattling

    Macron’s sabre-rattling

    French President Emmanuel Macron recently touched a raw nerve in post-colonial consciousness of Africa. He said some African nations have not shown enough gratitude for his country’s deployment of troops to help them battle insurgents and thereby preserve their sovereignty. Countries of the Sahel region beset by civil conflicts and Islamic extremism, according to him, remained sovereign only because of deployment of French forces.

    Speaking to French ambassadors at a conference in Paris, the president dismissed the narrative that his country’s troops were expelled from the Sahel owing to waning influence of Paris on its former colonies. “We had a security relationship. It was in two folds: one was our commitment against terrorism since 2013,” he said. “I think someone forgot to say ‘thank you.’ But not to worry, it will come with time. Ingratitude, I am well placed to know, is a disease not transmissible in man,” he added, insisting that France’s influence was not in decline in Africa but that the nation was only “reorganising itself” on the continent.

    In recent years, French troops had to withdraw from Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali following military coups in those countries, upon which anti-French sentiment intensified. Presently, they are preparing their exit from Chad, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Chad had last November announced it was ending its defense pact with France to reassert its sovereignty. In 2022, French forces left the Central African Republic after deploying there in 2013, following a coup that sparked civil war.

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    Macron ascribed the exit of his country’s forces from the region to reasoned choice following successive coups. He said: “We left because there were coups d’état. We were there at the request of sovereign states that had asked France to come. From the moment there were coups d’état, and when people said, ‘Our priority is no longer the fight against terrorism’… France no longer had a place there because we are not auxiliaries to putschists. So, we left.”

    Macron’s submissions irritated African leaders, especially those of countries that are former French colonies. Chadian foreign affairs minister, Abderaman Koulamallah, accused the French leader of showing contempt towards Africa and Africans. He said in a statement: “France has never endowed the Chadian army in any significant way nor contributed to its structural development.” According to him, French contribution to Chad’s nationhood has often been limited to its own strategic interests, “with no real lasting impact on the development of the Chadian people.”

    Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko explained that his country’s decision to close all foreign military bases, including those of the French, “stems from its sole will as a free, independent and sovereign country.”

    Whatever may have been Macron’s frustrations, his comment was insulting to Africa and portrayed Africans as incapable of self-governance. He should apologise.

  • The Nigerian dream or nightmare?

    The Nigerian dream or nightmare?

    Sir: The idea of the “Nigerian Dream” should ideally evoke a vision of prosperity, peace, and progress—a nation where hard work is rewarded, governance is transparent, and citizens can aspire to a better future. However, for many Nigerians, the dream appears elusive, overshadowed by decades of political instability, corruption, and an ever-widening trust deficit between the governed and those who govern. The reality for many is not a dream but a nightmare, fuelled by broken promises, systemic failures, and a persistent cycle of distrust between the people and their leaders.

    From the days of independence in 1960, Nigerians have been sold the idea of a great nation—a beacon of hope for Africa. The first-generation leaders, though not without their flaws, presented a semblance of vision and patriotism. However, successive governments—military and civilian—turned the dream into a mirage.

    Each electoral cycle is marked by grand promises: eradication of poverty, job creation, infrastructural development, and national unity. Yet, as soon as the votes are counted and power is secured, the promises fade, replaced by self-serving governance, nepotism, and financial recklessness. This pattern has left Nigerians increasingly sceptical, with many resigning themselves to a fate where they expect little from their leaders and are rarely disappointed.

    The relationship between Nigerian citizens and their leaders is characterized by deep-seated mistrust. The average Nigerian does not believe that politicians have their best interests at heart, and for good reason. Politicians frequently campaign on the rhetoric of service and transformation but, once in office, prioritize personal enrichment over national development.

    Public trust is further eroded by the fact that government spending, budget allocations, and policy decisions are often shrouded in secrecy. Public officials live in opulence while millions struggle to afford necessities.

    From failed electricity reforms to unfulfilled employment schemes, leaders repeatedly make pledges that they never honour leaving Nigeria consistently ranking among the most corrupt nations globally, as inflated contracts to brazen looting of public funds, corruption attained institutionalized heights.

    To sound like a broken record, roads are death traps, hospitals lack basic equipment, and universities are frequently shut due to strikes. The absence of functional public services makes citizens question the competence and sincerity of their leaders.

    Interestingly, the trust deficit is not just between the people and the government—it has extended to interpersonal relationships among Nigerians themselves. Decades of ethnic and religious divisions, exacerbated by political manipulation, have turned citizens against one another. The fear of the “other” persists, fuelled by stereotypes and prejudices that leaders exploit for their gain.

    With a potpourri of ethno-religious and cultural age-long propaganda, the national identity that should unite Nigerians has been replaced by regional and religious loyalties. In such an environment, it becomes difficult to build a unified front against bad governance.

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    A country’s youth should be its greatest asset, but in Nigeria, they are often treated as an inconvenience. Young Nigerians grow up witnessing leaders who remain in power for decades, recycling themselves through different political positions while offering little innovation or reform. The result? A disillusioned generation that sees little incentive to engage in politics or public service.

    The recent wave of Japa (mass emigration) reflects this reality. Skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and students are leaving Nigeria in droves, searching for opportunities in countries that offer stability and meritocracy. Many who remain are caught in cycles of unemployment, underemployment, or political thuggery.

    If the youth—the backbone of any nation’s future—no longer believe in the Nigerian Dream, can the dream still exist? Or has it already turned into a nightmare?

    For the Nigerian Dream to be revived, fundamental changes must occur, and leaders must commit to openness, ensuring that government dealings are subject to public scrutiny. Nigerians must move beyond complaining and actively participate in governance, from voting to demanding accountability. The electoral process must be strengthened to ensure that votes count.

    Nigerians need to be reoriented to prioritize national unity over ethnic and religious divisions. Young people must be encouraged and empowered to take up leadership roles rather than being used as political tools.

    So, is the Nigerian Dream alive, or is it merely a cruel illusion? The answer depends on perspective. For many, the daily struggle to survive makes it seem like a nightmare. But for others—those who continue to fight for justice, advocate for change, and refuse to give up—there is still a flicker of hope.

    Nigeria continues to stand at a crossroads. It can either continue its descent into deeper mistrust and dysfunction or choose the harder path of reform and renewal. The Nigerian Dream is not yet dead, but it is on life support. The question remains: Who will step up to revive it?

    •Prince Charles Dickson, PhDpcdbooks@gmail.com>

  • Dikko-Maje and the human cost of negligence

    Dikko-Maje and the human cost of negligence

    Sir: The bustling community of Dikko-Maje in Niger State bore witness to an unspeakable tragedy recently as a tanker explosion claimed the lives of over 70 people and left 56 others critically injured. The catastrophe, which also destroyed property and livelihoods, has become yet another haunting reminder of the dangers posed by unsafe practices in handling hazardous materials.

    At the heart of this tragedy was an avoidable mistake. A tanker, heavily loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), had crashed along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway near Dikko-Maje Road. Attempts to transfer the spilled fuel to another vehicle using a generator set off a fiery inferno, reducing everything in its path to ashes. Entire families perished in the flames, and the remains of some victims were unrecognizable. For those who survived, the physical injuries pale in comparison to the emotional scars they now bear.

    The calamity has once again spotlighted the alarming prevalence of safety negligence in Nigeria. Fuel transfer practices that blatantly disregard safety protocols remain widespread, despite years of awareness campaigns and warnings from agencies like the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). In Dikko-Maje, the consequences of this recklessness have left an entire community devastated.

    Amidst the chaos, NEMA’s swift response offered a glimmer of hope as emergency teams worked alongside local responders to evacuate victims, provide medical attention, and offer immediate relief to affected families. While the agency’s efforts were commendable, even NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, could not hide her frustration at the avoidable tragedy.

    The Dikko-Maje explosion is certainly not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend across Nigeria. From Lagos to Port Harcourt, similar tragedies involving fuel tankers, pipeline vandalism, and improper handling of flammable substances have wreaked havoc on communities.

    What makes this disaster particularly painful is the sheer human cost. Shops and small businesses—the backbone of Dikko-Maje’s economy—are now charred ruins. Families who relied on these ventures for their daily sustenance have lost everything. Survivors face months, if not years, of painful recovery. For some, the psychological burden of witnessing the destruction of loved ones will never heal.

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    But as the ashes settle, the question remains: how do we break this cycle? The answers lie not just in responding to tragedies but in preventing them from occurring in the first place. Nigeria urgently needs stricter enforcement of safety regulations and harsher penalties for those who flout them. Beyond this, there must be a shift in public consciousness—a recognition that the shortcuts taken to save time or money often lead to irreparable losses.

    One of the most pressing solutions is education. Grassroots communities, where unsafe fuel handling practices are most common, must be the focus of targeted awareness campaigns. People need to understand the risks they are taking, not just to themselves but to everyone around them. NEMA and other relevant agencies must deepen their efforts to reach these communities, collaborating with traditional leaders, religious organizations, and local media to spread their message.

    Another critical step is investing in infrastructure and technology to reduce the reliance on manual or makeshift fuel transfer methods. Modernizing fuel transportation systems and ensuring that safety equipment is readily available could go a long way in mitigating risks.

    For Dikko-Maje, the road to recovery will be long and arduous. Rebuilding destroyed lives and livelihoods is a task that will require the combined efforts of government agencies, NGOs, and compassionate citizens. But while recovery efforts are necessary, they must also serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and stakeholders.

    The lives lost in this tragedy must not be reduced to statistics. Each victim had a story, a family, and dreams for the future. Their memory should inspire a renewed commitment to prioritizing safety over convenience. The Dikko-Maje explosion is a sober reminder that negligence has a human cost, one that Nigeria cannot afford to continue paying.

    As we mourn the victims, let this incident serve as a clarion call for change. The time to act is now—before another community wakes up to horror, before more lives are senselessly lost. Only through collective responsibility, strict enforcement, and relentless education can we hope to prevent such tragedies from becoming a permanent feature of our national landscape.

    •Abdulhamid Abdullahi Aliyu (NYSC) Abuja.

  • N10tr revenue: A perspective into NNPCL’s trajectory of profitability, accountability

    N10tr revenue: A perspective into NNPCL’s trajectory of profitability, accountability

    By Ade Faniyi

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has been a focal point in Nigeria’s economic discourse, often subjected to scrutiny from critics questioning its operations, transparency, and efficiency. However, under the leadership of Mallam Mele Kyari, the corporation has consistently delivered remarkable results that counter narratives of inefficiency and opaqueness. The recent revelation of NNPCL remitting N10 trillion in 2024 to the nation’s coffers underscores the company’s evolution into a model of profitability and accountability.

    Despite campaigns of calumny to undermine the performance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the dynamic leadership of Mallam Melee Kyari, the gains and bright prospects of the corporation have continued to dwarf the cacophony of noise from the sponsored critics and their backers.

    Nigerians were shocked to learn recently that the NNPCL remitted a whopping N10 trillion to the nation’s coffers. This revealed that NNPCL is the highest taxpayer in the country and the only company in Nigeria that publishes 100% of its account statements annually.

    Kyari, whom critics wrongly accused of opaqueness, stated this during a presentation on NNPCL’s 2024 revenue performance and 2025 projections to the National Assembly’s joint committee on Finance.

    Obviously putting his accusers to shame, the Nigeria’s oil corporation czar called for a forensic audit of the funds spent by NNPCL on fuel price stabilization and ensuring uninterrupted petrol supply between January and September 2024.

    His words: “Until October 1, 2024, NNPCL, as mandated by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), acted as the supplier of last resort for fuel supply.

    “A forensic audit is needed to determine the financial obligations of NNPCL and any owed entities. Our transactional accounts are transparent and published annually, reinforcing our status as the top taxpayer and the highest contributor of royalties and dividends”, he said.

    Regarding the company’s 2025 revenue projections, Kyari indicated that a definitive figure would be provided after the upcoming board of directors meeting in two weeks.

    He assured the committee that the parameters for the 2025 budget were both realistic and achievable.

    In an era when global energy markets are grappling with volatility, NNPCL’s ability to generate and remit N10 trillion in revenue stands as a testament to the effectiveness of its operational strategies. This achievement speaks volume of the capacity of Mallam Melee Kyari, a significant milestone in a country where government revenues heavily depend on oil and gas.

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    The N10 trillion remittance serves as a critical lifeline for Nigeria’s economy, funding essential infrastructure, public services, and economic diversification efforts. It also highlights the corporation’s growing capacity to operate efficiently in a challenging global environment marked by fluctuating oil prices, energy transitions, and domestic demands.

    One of the most compelling aspects of Mele Kyari’s leadership has been his unwavering commitment to transparency. NNPCL remains the only company in Nigeria that publishes 100% of its account statements annually. This practice not only demonstrates compliance with global best practices but also builds public trust in an organization historically viewed with skepticism.

    Additionally, Kyari’s proactive stance in seeking a forensic audit highlights his determination to clarify NNPCL’s financial commitments during this period. This move will not only provide clarity on expenditures but also reinforce the corporation’s credibility in managing public resources.

    Kyari’s call for a forensic audit of NNPCL’s expenditures on fuel price stabilization between January and September 2024 exemplifies this commitment to accountability. By inviting external scrutiny, the NNPCL CEO has positioned the corporation as a transparent custodian of public funds, countering accusations of financial mismanagement.

    This feat was achievable largely due to the visionary leadership of Kyari. It will be recalled that from January to September 2024, NNPCL operated as the supplier of last resort, ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply and stabilizing prices in line with its mandate under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). While this role was critical for maintaining economic stability and preventing nationwide fuel scarcity, it came with significant financial obligations.

    The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which Mallam Kyari midwived has redefined the operational framework of NNPCL, transitioning it from a state-run entity to a commercially driven organization and profitable going concern. This transformation has empowered NNPCL to operate with greater efficiency, profitability, and accountability. Kyari’s leadership has been instrumental in aligning the corporation’s operations with the PIA’s provisions, enabling it to compete effectively in a liberalized market.

    Under Kyari, NNPCL has embraced reforms that prioritize efficiency and sustainability. These reforms include investments in infrastructure, technology, and human capital, all aimed at enhancing the corporation’s competitive edge in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

    Looking ahead, NNPCL’s 2025 revenue projections are grounded in a clear understanding of market dynamics. Kyari has assured stakeholders that the parameters for the 2025 budget are both achievable and aligned with the corporation’s strategic objectives. While definitive figures are pending the upcoming board meeting, there is optimism that NNPCL will sustain its trajectory of growth and profitability.

    In achieving set goals and objectives, the NNPCL is focusing on leveraging technology and partnerships to increase oil and gas production, while enhancing efficiency in downstream operations, thereby expanding upstream and downstream operations.

    In addition, the corporation under Kyari is also diversifying into renewable energy, positioning NNPCL as a leader in renewable energy development, in line with global energy transition trends.

    Collaborating with local and international stakeholders to unlock new opportunities and drive economic growth and accelerating efforts to operationalize refineries and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, also forms areas of interest for the organisation to maintain profitability and impact.

    NNPCL’s impact extends beyond revenue generation. The corporation plays a pivotal role in driving national development through initiatives such as job creation, infrastructure development, and community empowerment. By investing in critical sectors and fostering partnerships, NNPCL is contributing to Nigeria’s long-term growth and stability.

     •Faniyi, a public affairs analyst writes from Abuja