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Tag: Abuja

  • NNPC gets $2b discounts on upstream contracts

    NNPC gets $2b discounts on upstream contracts

    …reduces cost of prodcution to $22/barrel
    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation  (NNPC), has secured $2billion discounts in the last one year from renegotiated Upstream contracts being executed by its various service providers.

    The Corporation said the feat was achieved in the quest to continually drive down the high cost of production in the industry.

    This was made known on Tuesday by NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, in a podcast message to the Corporation’s Staff to mark One-Year Anniversary of his appointment as the Corporation’s helmsman.

    Dr. Baru, who took over the mantle of leadership of NNPC from Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, July 4, last year, said already NNPC had lowered operating costs of production from $27/barrels to $22/barrels.

    “For the Upstream, cost reduction and efficiency are key features that we will pay attention to”, Dr. Baru stated in the 25-minute podcast.

    Dr. Baru directed that focal points for efficiency in each of the Corporation’s Autonomous Business Units, ABUs, and Corporate Services Units, CSUs, should be identified to ensure the realisation of the key performance indicators enshrined in the 2017 budget, adding that the Corporation must attain a six-month contracting cycle.  

    Speaking further on the achievement of NNPC in the past year with him at the helms of affairs of the Corporation, Dr. Baru said there had been a significant increase in crude oil reserves and production, stressing that during the period, the national average daily production was 1.83million barrels of oil and condensate while currently, the Year-To-Date 2017 average production hovers around 1.88million barrels.

    He said with the improvement in security and resumption of production operation on the Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) and Qua Iboe Terminal (QIT) pipelines, the average national production was expected to increase and surpass 2017 target of 2.2million barrels of oil and condensate per day.

    The GMD stated that in October last year, the Owowo Field, located close to the producing ExxonMobil-operated Usan Field was found, adding that the Field’s location could allow for early production through a tie-back to the Usan Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO).

    The Field, he noted, had added a currently estimated reserve of 1billion barrels to the national crude oil reserves.

    Baru noted that the Corporation had grown the production of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, NNPC’s flagship Upstream Company, from 15,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) to the current peak-operated volume of 210,000bopd in June 2017.

    He stated that the ownership of Oil Mining Licence, OML13 had been restored to NPDC following a presidential intervention, with first oil from the well expected before the end of the year.

    The GMD said the confidence of the NNPC JV partners to pursue new projects had been rekindled following the repayment agreements for JV cash call arrears that were negotiated and executed for outstanding up to end 2015 by all the IOC Partners of the Corporation’s Joint Venture Companies (JVCs).

    In the gas sector, the GMD said gas supply to power plants and industries in the Country had been significantly increased.

    Dr. Baru listed the accomplishments of the Corporation in the sector to include: Completion of the repairs of the vandalized 20” Escravos Lagos Pipeline System A (ELPS –A) in August 2016 which ramped up Chevron Escravos Gas plant supply from nil to 259MMscfd and the Completion of repairs of the vandalized Chevron offshore gas pipeline in February 2017 which equally peaked the company’s gas supply to 430MMscfd.

    Other accomplishments under this category are: the completion of repair works on the vandalized 48” Forcados Oil Terminal (FOT) export gas pipeline in June 2017, which had reactivated shut down gas plants, including Oredo Gas Plant, Sapele Gas Plant, Ovade Gas Plant, Oben and NGC Gas Compressors; and the commissioning of NPDC’s Utorogu NAG2 and Oredo EPF 2 gas plants.

    The GMD explained that the concomitant effect of the efforts was a significant growth in domestic gas supply in the last few months, adding that during the period, domestic gas supply had increased from an average of 700MMscf in July 2016 to an average of 1,220MMscfd currently, with about 7 of the volume supplied to thermal power plants.

    “A lot of Generation Companies (GENCOs) are rejecting gas due to the inability of Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to wheel-out the power generated”, Dr. Baru said.

    Dr. Baru informed that since his assumption of office a year ago, resources had been deployed to the Benue Trough, with exploration efforts commenced there in earnest.

    He explained that seismic data acquisition was ongoing in the frontier region using the services of Integrated Data Services limited, IDSL, and her partners to pursue Government’s aspiration to grow the reserves base of the Country.

    The GMD stated that drilling activities were expected to commence in Benue Trough in Q4 this year.
    He said: “We are working with the security agencies for an early return to the Chad Basin. Drilling activities will be a priority on resumption while continuing with seismic data acquisition with improved parameters.”

    In the Downstream Sector, Dr. Baru explained that in the last one year, NNPC had stabilised the market with sufficient products’ availability across the Country through modest local refining efforts as well as the Direct Supply Direct Purchase, DSDP, scheme,  which he observed had saved the nation about N40billion in 2017.

    “We have also commenced the resuscitation of our products transportation pipelines network, thus enabling us to move products to depots at a faster rate and cheaper distribution costs to consumers. The Aba, Mosimi, Atlas-Cove and Kano Depots have all been re-commissioned and are currently receiving products, thereby enhancing products’ availability across the Country”, the GMD said. 

    Baru said in the last one year, NNPC had improved capacity utilisation of the refineries with the projection that they would attain supplying 50 per cent of the non-gasoline white products to the nation, including Diesel and Kerosene that are commonly consumed in the Country.

    The GMD said after more than seven years of dormancy, the Asphalt Blowing Unit of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, KRPC, was resuscitated to meet road construction needs in the Country.
    He declared that efforts were ongoing to secure 3rd party financing to revamp the refineries to their full operational capacities.

    Drawing his address to a close, Dr. Baru disclosed that the overwhelming support he received from the Corporation’s staff and the Industry’s in-house Unions, Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, contributed to the successes recorded by NNPC Management under his leadership in the past year.

    “I look forward to your continued cooperation and support as we navigate the Corporation out of its current challenges towards profitability with integrity and transparency,” the GMD stated.

  • IAEA storms Nigeria to assess nuclear regulatory infrastructure

    • Reps raise nuclear materials security concerns

    The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) yesterday stormed Nigeria to assess the nuclear infrastructure in the country.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony in Abuja, the Director General, Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Prof. Lawrence Dim, noted that the “IAEA and international nuclear professionals and experts in the field of nuclear science and technology, are in Nigeria today (yesterday) to assess our regulatory infrastructure.”

    He explained that the IAEA had selected its professionals on the basis of competence and expertise to inspect Nigerian’s nuclear regulatory infrastructure.

    Dim, acknowledged the fact that the nuclear regulatory process is international in nature and the practice are always advocated and applied.

    The authority, according to him, will become an independent nuclear regulator when the nuclear safety, security and safeguard bill is signed into law.

    He added that NNRA has prepared the bill which the IAEA has reviewed and is now set for onward presentation to the National Assembly for passage into law.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, who declared the ceremony opened, said that the ministry will continue to live up to its expectation of ensuring nuclear safety while celebrating closely with an international agency such as IAEA, and its expert advice, radioactive equipment and training.

    His Senior Special Technical Adviser, Mr. Adegbite Adeniji who represented him, said that Nigeria was grateful to the international agency for granting her request for a peer review.

    Meanwhile, the IRRS Coordinator, Mr. Theodros Hailu, disclosed that the mission was to assess the national regulatory framework of nuclear, radiation and safety.

    The team, he said, which would remain in Nigeria in the next 12 days, will send its findings and recommendations to the federal government.

    The chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Hon. Victor Nwokolo raised concern about the security of nuclear materials in Nigeria.

    Speaking with journalists, he explained that “what I was saying is that one, as days pass by, the nuisance in our society develop more sophisticated methods of bringing arms against the state.

    “In a nutshell or in a very clear language, we want these materials to be properly secured so that this issue of a bomb blast, the same materials that are used in our mining sector, the same materials that are used by our quarries, are what they also use in this crime.”

    He noted that the propensity to use the materials for committing a crime has made it necessary to ensure that they do not go to the wrong hands.

  • Customs yet to know expected revenue from e-auction

    Customs yet to know expected revenue from e-auction

    The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammed Ali (retired) on Monday said that the service was yet to know how much revenue it was expecting from the e-auction that it just commenced.

    Ali, who was fielding questions from reporters in Abuja during the launch of the e-auction platform for forfeited cars, noted that in the long run, the NCS will be able to state the amount so far generated from the exercise.

    He stressed that it was difficult to state the amount from the flag-off since the seizure has no end.

    Asked to state how much revenue the organisation was expecting from the exercise, he said that “at this stage we will be unable to tell you how much we are expecting because it all involves items from seizures from the cargo. As we get them condemned by the regular court we include them into the process. So, it is an ongoing process that we do not schedule and end to it.And for us to say this is how much we are expecting at this stage I think it will not be correct.

    But we know the number of items we have and we know we are still in the process of doing the evaluation of some of them which will be included in the portal. But for us to categorically tell you this is how much we are expecting, I think at this stage is not possible but in the midstream, we will be able to tell you how much so far.

    And for us to say this is how much we are expecting at this stage I think it will not be correct. But we know the number of items we have and we know we are still in the process of doing the evaluation of some of them which will be included in the portal. But for us to categorically tell you this is how much we are expecting, I think at this stage is not possible but in the midstream, we will be able to tell you how much so far.

    The platform which has now replaced the manual process is to ensure effective sales of seized cars, as well as to create an avenue to generate more revenue while ensuring accountability and transparency in the process.

    According to him,  the auction exercise is in line with the provision of Section 167 (2) CAP C45 and section 2(1) and (2) CAP C46 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) which gives the service the powers to dispose seized and overtime cargoes after they must have undergone judicial process.

    The Controller-General in his words, “In the past, stakeholders had accused the service of Nepotism, short-changing the government of revenue through arbitrary auction fees to be paid by allottees and sundry corruption allegation against the service”. Adding that this innovation seeks to put an end to the usual bottlenecks encountered in the auction process.

    The process which is a continuous one, has seized cars in the website which is open to bidders from all works of life and the highest bidder will be notified via email and thereby given the necessary directives.

    Speaking on the process, the technical group disclosed that a website has been made available for interested individuals to visit. Adding that the process has been simplified for the common man to understand as it only involves three key steps.

    Participants are however required to create an e-wallet on the platform, and pay in an administrative fee of one thousand naira to be granted access to bid in any available auction. Participants are expected to bid with a minimum of N10,000. At the end of each auction, the highest bidder(winner) is given five working days to pay, failure to so automatically means the second highest bidder will be declared the Winner.

    He however called on the general public to do the right thing to avoid their goods being seized.

  • Nigeria to hit 40b barrels oil reserve by 2020

    Nigeria to hit 40b barrels oil reserve by 2020

    • As NNPC/FIRST JV secure over $700 Schlumberger funding for new filed

    The plan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to grow the nation’s crude oil reserves to 40 billion barrels by the year 2020 received a major boost on Thursday with the execution of a tripartite agreement in Abuja.

    The agreement was between the NNPC/FIRST Exploration & Production Joint Venture and Schlumberger for the development of the Anyalu and Madu fields in the Niger Delta under Oil Mining Licence, OML 83 and OML 85, offshore Nigeria.

    Under the agreement, Schlumberger would provide the over $700 million development cost of the Anyala and Madu fields which would generate 193 million barrels of crude oil into the current reserves of 37.2billion barrels and an additional 800 billion cubic feet of gas into the nation’s proven gas reserves which currently stand at 197 Trillion Cubic feet of gas.

    In terms of daily production, the fields will yield 50, 000 barrels of crude oil per day and 120 million standard cubic feet of gas per day by early 2019.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony, Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said the innovative approach to funding JV operations in response to the challenging economic environment was novel and aligned wholly with the government’s aspiration to increase crude oil and gas production, reserves growth and monetization of the nation’s enormous gas resources.

    He added that apart from serving as a test case for future funding mechanism, the approach adopted was in sync with the realisation of the corporation’s 12 Business Focus Areas (BUFA) which is to ramp up crude oil production and reserves growth, amongst others.

    He said the projected increase in production of gas would come in handy as the Corporation strived to sustain the supply of gas to the existing power plants as well as the planned power projects billed to come on board within the period.

    Managing Director and CEO, FIRST E&P, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, who signed on behalf of FIRST E&P, remarked that the partnership between the NNPC/FIRST E&P JV and Schlumberger would infuse a novel asset development model which combines FIRST E&P’s local knowledge and market position as an indigenous operating company, with Schlumberger’s financing and broad technical capabilities.

    He added that the joint project team would strengthen FIRST E&P’s project delivery abilities and the model would offer the Upstream subsector a credible alternative funding and technical partnership model for growing production and adding reserves.

    On his part, Patrick Schorn, Vice President, Schlumberger, who signed on behalf of Schlumberger traced the advent of the multi-national oil fields service company in Nigeria to the first commercial oil find in Oloibiri when Schlumberger played a role in Shell’s drilling effort.

    He noted that the partnership with NNPC and FIRST E&P would provide Schlumberger the opportunity to leverage on its reservoir knowledge, oil field services and project management expertise to lower development costs and maximize value for the partners.

    The OMLs 83& 85 are in shallow waters 40 km offshore in the Niger Delta, NNPC holds 60% interest in the licences while, FIRST E&P, the operator of the JV, holds the remaining 40% interest. Apart from providing funding for the development of the fields, Schlumberger would also provide other Oilfield Services to the JV on a limited exclusive basis.

    A joint project team would be established to drive technology transfer whilst leveraging on the global technical expertise of Schlumberger and the extensive local knowledge of the JV partners.

  • Ministry seeks N32bn to meet 2017 Irrigation target

    The Federal Ministry of Water Resources says it will require no less that N32 billion to meet the target of 100,000 hectares of irrigated agriculture in the 2017 budget.

    The Director, Irrigation and Drainage in the ministry, disclosed this on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Abuja.

    He said there was a shortfall already in the 2017 budget for irrigation purposes.

    According to him, the shortfall is one of the challenges that may affect the implementation of all projects listed in the Ministry’s strategic plan.

    He said that, “although, there are promises from extra budgetary funding, it was however important that intervention funds be available to close the gaps.

    “We need additional N32 billion to meet the target, so that, if we inject these funds into the irrigation schemes, we will be able to meet up.

    “If we do it this year and also do something corresponding to that next year, we will be able to meet up with the target of adding additional 100, 000 hectares.

    “This is because we can’t fund these budgets from normal appropriation, we need intervention funds, and the Presidency is encouraging us.

    “If we have to develop 100,000 hectares, we cannot rely on normal budgetary provisions, we had made this request last year, and we have positive response,” he said.

    Offie said the ministry was assessing the cash flows and the specific amount required to develop additional hectares to avoid the mistakes of the previous administrations.

    He said that developing irrigation farming was paramount for meeting the target goals of food security and job creation.

    He said that agriculture cannot rely on raid-fed agriculture, saying with developed irrigation practices, Nigeria could supplement, thereby helping farmers to develop their crops.

    He said that Nigeria is blessed with a weather that could promote three cropping season in a year, adding that with well-developed agriculture, employment would be created.

    Offie said the ministry has realised that, if the nation must attain food security, it must embark on deliberate measures to encourage irrigation farming.

    He said that rain water dependence would not meet the needs of agriculture, especially in the Northern states, saying the season was usually short with little water collection.

  • Material scientists meet in Abuja

    The 2017 special lecture of the Material Science and Technology Society of Nigeria (MSN) will hold next Thursday at RMRDC Auditorium in Maitama, Abuja. The event organised in collaboration with Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and Pan-African Materials Institute (PAMI).

    Six prominent scholars and academics are expected to speak on contemporary research and developments on the field of material science. The facilitators are led by Executive Vice-Chairman of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Prof M.S. Haruna, who is expected to speak on Materials in artificial intelligence development.

    Others speakers are Executive Director of Rubber Research Institute in Edo State, Dr A.I. Aigbodion, Prof P.B. Onaji of the Moddibo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) in Yola, Adamawa State, Prof B.I. Imasogie of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Mr Isah Onobere of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited in Kogi State, and Prof Peter Kanu of the Florida State University in the United States.

    A statement by the MSN’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Baba Alafara, said tomorrow is the deadline for regular registration, after which participants would be made to pay additional N5,000 for the registration. It said certificates of participation would also be issued to attendees.

  • France to invest over €1b in Nigeria oil industry

    France to invest over €1b in Nigeria oil industry

    The French Government has said that it has set aside about one billion euros to be invested in the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry, stating that Nigeria remains her first economic trading partner in Africa.

    France Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer, declared this when the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division (GPAD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, led a delegation to his office in Abuja.

    Mr. Gauer said that French Development Agency has put in place about one billion Euros to encourage French investors to invest in the Nigeria Oil and Gas sector, adding that the French government is also cooperating with the Federal Government in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

    The French Ambassador commended the Federal Government for stemming the Niger Delta insecurity situation noting that Total, a French multinational Oil and Gas Company, had significant investment equity in the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) and Egina project.

    NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

    He however, expressed concern that some other French companies were having challenges with the unclear Nigeria’s fiscal policies in the Oil and Gas sector revealing that some French investors were currently developing wind energy and solar energy in Katsina State.

    Earlier, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of NNPC, Mr. Ughamadu, said the Corporation under the current management led by the Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, was well positioned and open to investment opportunities from the French Government and investors.

    Mr. Ughamadu noted that with the significant scale down in pipeline vandalism and insecurity which has boosted oil production, global investors such as the French Government can now invest in renewable energy, gas and power infrastructural development, pipeline construction, storage facility and the direct sales and direct purchase of Nigeria crude oil grades.

    He said the NNPC as the state-owned oil and gas Corporation had global operations and called for closer collaboration between the French Government and the Corporation especially in the area of consular services in order to enable NNPC top executives and staff meet their global engagements.

    The GGM thanked the Ambassador for the warm reception accorded the NNPC delegation and assured him that with the leadership of the new NNPC management, the Corporation was determined to develop a robust business atmosphere for investors.

  • Fire guts House on the Rock Abuja

    Fire guts House on the Rock Abuja

    House on Rock Church, Abuja, popularly known as Citadel and Tower, caught fire yesterday following an electrical surge. The service already closed before the fire started.

    The inferno, which began about 2pm, according to an eyewitness, started from the part of the building that was being renovated, and lasted for several hours before fire officials could extinguish it.

    It was learnt no one died because the main auditorium was closed for renovation while a makeshift auditorium was provided beside it.

    A church member, who pleaded for anonymity, said they heard loud sparks from the section under renovation.

    “Gradually, we begun to see smoke and that attracted the attention of other church workers. We immediately contacted other church officials and together, we begun to discuss how to put out the fire. But the more we tried, the more the fire spread until it overwhelmed us. “The fire officials we called tried their best but achieved little result.

    “While the fire was burning, some worshippers and passers-by watched helplessly but prayerfully, as they awaited the arrival of reinforcement from superior officials.

    “However, it was fire officials from Julius Berger construction company, and headquarters of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), about 5.10pm, assisted by NEMA officials, who put out the fire, after over six fire trucks from the Federal and FCT fire services made little or no effort.”

    Result of preliminary investigation, according to the Wuye Divisional Police Officer, Salomi Jimbest, confirmed that the fire was caused by a power surge.

    She also confirmed that no one died as members had vacated the building before the fire started.

    Neither the pastor nor any of the church management could comment on the development.

  • Fire guts House on the Rock in Abuja

    Fire guts House on the Rock in Abuja

    Most parts of the House on Rock church, Abuja popularly known as Citadel and Tower went up in flames on Sunday following an electrical fault that was said to have caused a fire incident few hours after the worshipers closed for the Sunday service.
    The inferno which began at about 2:00 pm according to an eyewitness started from the part of the building that was being renovated and lasted for several hours before fire officials could put if off.
    The Nation learnt that no life was lost because the main church building was closed for total renovation while a makeshift auditorium was provided beside the building for use during Sunday services and other church programmes.
    A church member who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the fire started when they heard a loud spark from the section under renovation. “Gradually, we begun to see smoke and that attracted the attention of other church workers.”
    “We immediately contacted other church officials and together, we begun to put heads together on how to extinguish the fire. But the more we tried, the more the fire spread until the fire overwhelmed us. The fire officials contacted few minutes after tried all they could but achieve little result. I was totally disappointed with the FCT and federal fire officials.”
    While the fire was burning, some worshipers and passersby watched helplessly but prayerfully as they await the arrival of reinforcement from superior officials.
    However, the fire was put off following the arrival of fire officials from Julius Berger construction company and the headquarters of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) at about 5: 10pm, assisted by NEMA officials at about 6: 00pm after over six fire trucks from federal and FCT fire services battled the inferno.
    Result of preliminary investigation, according to  Wuye Divisional Police Officer, ASP Salomi Jimbest confirmed that the fire was caused by power surge at the auditorium.
    She also confirmed that no life was lost, as all the members had vacated the building before the commencement of the incident.
    No official of the church management could speak to journalists on the incident.
  • Reduce agitation with PIB – South south OMPALAN youths

    Reduce agitation with PIB – South south OMPALAN youths

    Following the October 1 quit notice that the Coalition of Northern Youths have given to the Igbo living in the north, the Youths from the South-South zone of our Country under the umbrella body of Oil & Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) yesterday urged the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law to reduce agitation and restiveness of the different ethnic groups.

    The association also urged Federal Government to address the challenges in the solid minerals host communities for easy job creation that will bring peace and development.

    Condemning the notice in a statement that the youths signed and released to The Nation, they submitted that Nigeria needs now is “Peace and Unity” which is chief among the Vision & Mission of OMPALAN.

    The statement which the Leaders of the youths, Hon. Ngokanya, Benjamin and Captain John Victor Etim signed noted that the youths met in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    The other members that were in attendance, according to the statement, were Hon. Benjamin Ngokanya, Captain John Victor Etim, Barr. Dave Owate Wokoma, Barr Favour Okokon, Mr. Dandy Loveday, Harry Aparama Kelvin, Envang. Benard Oluka, Jeff Nwafor Eric Dudu Obeta, Umeh Christian, and Hon Asukwo Effiong.
    The youths said that God has blessed every state of Nigeria with one mineral deposit or the other that the nation is yet to harness.

    They added that: “We, therefore, implore the Federal Government to explore these rich and diverse endowments in order to create new jobs for sustainable development goals.

    “As key stakeholders who believe firmly in the Nigeria Project, the South-South OMPALAN youths advocate for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) for the the host communities by the National Assembly which should equally be extended to solid mineral producing States so as to reduce youth restiveness and other forms of agitations that impede development  as we believe that Nigeria can thrive and develop faster when the God-given natural resources impact host communities positively and commensurately.”

    The group commended acting President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for rising to the threat and suing for peace across the length and breath the country through the meetings with the 36 State Governors of the Federation and leaders of the South East and Northern Nigeria.

    Continuing, the association’s youths said that: “We cannot blame the entire Igbo’s or South East region for the isolated actions of a tiny but, vocal group (ISOB and MASSOP) in much the same way the North East region cannot be blamed and penalized for the monumental destructions and killings occasioned by Boko Haram which has cost the taxpayer in Nigeria trillions of Naira.

    “No section of our nation can be seen or said to be greater than the entire Country, Nigeria. Our unity in diversity should be guarded jealously by every citizen of this great Country. As such, hate speeches and tribal threats will only help to destroy our unity and threaten constitutional peace.”

    The South-South youths “called on the coalition of northern youths to support the rule of law and shun disgruntled politicians who are working to truncate the hard-earned democratic experiment in Nigeria because this great Country belongs to everyone citizen of Nigeria especially the youths who will grow to take over the management of the Country.

    “We equally advise the IPOB and MASSOB to sheath the sword and be part of Nigeria’s indissoluble sovereignty and unity. Our refrain should be ‘One Nigeria! Every Nigerian’. OMPALAN stands for one united and sovereign Nigeria for every Nigerian in any part of Nigeria. We are willing to engage both the coalition of Northern Youths, IPOB, MASSOB and other aggrieved organisations in a dialogue to build peace development across the entire Country in order to strengthen corporate governance.

    “All forms of agitations and threats for secession across the Country should cease forthwith. Our political leaders and elders should come to a round table discussing without further delay to fashion a way forward for our dear Country and remove the fragile peace process from limbo aware that so many Countries are looking up to us for leadership and inspiration.

    “Finally, the S’South youths of OMPALAN requests the Presidency to convene a youth summit of major youth formations across Nigeria to drum support for the rule of law and douse the tension generated by the treasonable and shocking statement credited to the coalition of northern youths asking the Igbos to leave the north.

    “There is only one Nigerian Government with one constitution. The sit at home order and hate speeches only convey the treasonable message within Nigeria and beyond that, there are three parallel governments in the Country managed jointly by the Federal Government, the coalition of northern youths and secessionist movements.

    “This ugly development has dire consequences on national security and stability, especially in the nation’s oil fields. We expect the nation’s robust security agencies to deploy their arsenal effectively to bring the prevailing security threats that are burning like wildfire under control and guarantee the right of every law-abiding citizen of sovereign Nigeria to live and work in any part of the Country without fear or molestation.”