The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • NNPC fails to remit N77.92b, says NEITI

    The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) on Thursday accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of under-remitting N77.92billion to the Federation Account in 2017.

    The report which is pilot study on the sale of crude oil, however, noted that there is an ongoing reconciliation of the amount that arose from KPMG Forensic audit.

    In a statement endorsed by its Director, Communications and Advocacy, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, NEITI said:  “N77.92 billion was under-remitted by NNPC to the Federation Account from Domestic Crude Allocation in 2017. NNPC acknowledges the under-remittance and states that there is an ongoing reconciliation to net off the N77.92 billion from “the established Federation indebtedness to the Corporation of N797billion arising arising from KPMG Forensic audit of the Corporation at the instance of the Federation.”

    It said the total revenue from sale of federation share of oil and gas for 2017 was $14.5 billion—$13.18 billion or 90.8 per cent from crude oil and $1.32 billion or 9.1per cent from gas.

    Read Also: NNPC gets NHIS accreditation for medical services

    The report said the NNPC, deducted N297 billion from earnings from the Domestic Crude Allocation as costs and losses, broken down as follows: N141.6 billion for under-recovery on petroleum products; N25 billion for crude and product losses; and N130.4 billion for pipeline repairs and maintenance.

    According to NEITI, from the report, the total crude oil production for 2017 was 692 million barrels.

    Out of this volume, the share that went to the federation was 240.9 million barrels representing 35per cent of the total crude oil production for the year 2017.

    Analysis of the year under review showed that the federation share was four per cent higher than the 231.6 million barrels in the same category for 2016 but was 19per cent lower than the 297.8 million barrels for 2015.

    The report said  it showed that while there was a slight improvement on the figure for 2016 (a year characterized by vandalism and sabotage of oil facilities), crude production for 2017 was about a fifth less than the 2015 level.

    The statement read: “A further breakdown of key findings in the report show that 240.9 million barrels federation share for 2017 was disaggregated as follows: Domestic Crude Allocation (DCA): 105. 9 million barrels or 44 per cent of federation share; Federal inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Liftings: 57.3 million barrels or 24 per cent of federation share; Federation Export: 50. 2 million barrels or 21per cent of federation share; Third Party Financing: 17.6 million or seven per cent of federation share; DPR liftings: 9.9 million barrels or four per cent of federation share.

  • SWAN congratulates Sunday Dare

    The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has congratulated the newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, describing his appointment as well-deserved.

    “His appointment as Minister for Youth and Sports represents a new frontier in the administration of sports in Nigeria and one that is expected to usher in dynamism, resourcefulness and focused leadership.

    “As the umbrella body of all sports journalists in Nigeria, affiliated to the Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive (AIPS) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), SWAN calls on the new Minister to give every Sport adequate attention, unlike some of his predecessors that focused mainly on football to the detriment of others.

    A statement issued by the National Secretariat of SWAN and signed by the Deputy Secretary-General, Babafemi Raji noted that over the years, the fortune of Nigeria in international championships have continued to dwindle due largely to lack of concerted effort to discover budding talents that abound in the length and breadth of the country.

    “SWAN believes that Nigeria deserves more than what the country is getting from sports given the the abundance of natural talents in practically every field; hence our hope that you will give priority to grassroots sports.

    “Equally of importance to SWAN is the regrettable state of federal government-owned sports facilities; we make bold to say that they are mostly in dire need of rehabilitation, especially the pitch of the now Moshood Abiola National Stadium, where it is evident that anthills are freely springing up due to lack of maintenance.”

    Read Also: Veteran Journalist Sunday Dare is new sports minister

    “The recent embarrassment the country faced after the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) allegedly diverted about $135,000 the world Athletics body mistakenly paid to it, is yet to abate, just as athletes representing the country at international championships were thrown out of their hotel accommodation; amidst cases of unpaid allowances and corruption in the sector.

    “SWAN equally expects that the yearly allocation to the sports sector from the Federation Account will

    significantly improve, because sports is a huge industry, that if well programmed has the potential to meaningfully engage a lot of the teeming youths.

    “SWAN will be ready to support you push for an increase in the allocation that comes to the Ministry, by engaging relevant government agencies both at the Executive and Legislative arms.

    “SWAN is also looking forward to the enactment of a workable national sports policy that will enable

    every sport to grow, and the creation of an endowment fund for our sports heroes; as well as, an environment that will encourage private sector investment.

    “SWAN advocates the upgrading of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) to a Degree Awarding Institute as well as the establishment of a University for Sports with campuses across the country.

    “As an Association, we express our readiness to work with any progressive idea you bring to the table, in addition to performing our responsibilities as the watchdog of the sports sector, through constructive engagements”.

  • Labour, FG meet again over minimum wage adjustment

    The Federal Government and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council are scheduled to meet on Friday to try and finalise negotiations on the consequential adjustment on the new minimum wage which has been stalled due to disagreement between the two parties.

    The Nation learnt from sources close to that team that a lot of progress has been made in the negotiations and that there are indications that an agreement might be reached after the meeting.

    Read Also: My immediate task is to put minimum wage issue to rest, says Ngige

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige had told newsmen in Wednesday that he will immediately get down to business to ensure that the issues in contention are amicably resolved so that workers will begin to enjoy the new wages.

    While workers are demanding for 30 percent adjustment for workers on grade levels 07-14 and 25 percent for levels 15-17, the government is offering 9.5 and 5 percent respectively.

    A formal agreement on the consequential agreement is delaying the implementation of the new minimum wage signed into law on April 18 by the President.

  • NERC to justify tariff hike decision

    The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof. James Momoh on Thursday said the Commission was ready to present the market fundamentals that resulted in the tariff hike to its opposers.

    Momoh, who spoke to reporters in Abuja said: “If any customer or NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) comes, we will show them how we did it. And I am sure they (NLC) will show the customers how we did it to understand us.”

    The NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba had on July 16, warned the commission against any tariff hike.

    The labour leader insisted that the hardship in the country was already unbearable that the congress was not ready to tolerate an increase in any cost in the country.

    Read Also: JUST IN: FG injects N600b into electricity market

    He said: “On our part, anything that will add cost to the consumers at this point in time, certainly, as a consumer and somebody that represents a large constituency, we will not be able to bear the cost.”

    He said the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) were defrauding consumers with fraudulent and unsubstantiated estimated bills.

    But asked what would the NERC do to manage the concerns of the NLC and other consumers that are opposed to the hike, Momoh promised to make a presentation of the parameters to them.

  • TCN seeks DisCo’s liquidation

    The Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Usman Gur  Mohammed on Thursday, said he has made recommendation that one of the 11 distribution companies (DisCos) be liquidated.

    He told the new Minister of Power, Engr. Mamman Sale and the Minister of State, Goddy Jedy Agba, who were taking their inaugural briefings from the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) heads in Abuja that the recommendation was due to lack of performance of the DisCo.

    Mohammed who did not mention the name of the power firm, insisted that the TCN has the power under its Act to make such recommendation.

    He said: “Honourable Ministers, as we speak with you, we have actually recommended the liquidation of one DisCo for lack of performance.”

    Responding,  Agba said he was aware of the need for an effective and efficient power sector in Nigeria that has remained an unending pain to the citizenry.

    Read Also: Senate seeks divestment of 40% govt’s stake in DisCos

    He said: “There is no reason why we cannot change this despicable and miserable narrative. This is what Nigerians expect from us as we begin this new journey. We must therefore brace to face this challenge.”

    Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Company, Dr. Marilyn Amobi, said  in the last payment, last month, the company has borne a payment of N181billion to five generation companies (GenCos) for electricity that Nigerians did not use.

    According to her, in the context of the N701billion power sector intervention fund, the Federal Government paid N105billion as five per cent to GenCos for unused electricity. The payments, she said, were due to the power purchase agreements that government had with the companies.

    Reacting to the comment, the Permanent Secretary, Louis Edozien, told the minister that Nigerians were agitated about the quality of service in the industry.

    “We created an industry that places a huge continent liability on the government. We have to apply our intellect to this problem to solve it. The Minister of State, I know this is an area you are familiar with. Both of you have to lead us out of this quagmire,” he said.

  • Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Oshoala, Ordega, Okobi 3 others pull out

    Super Falcons’ head coach Thomas Dennerby has stated that six players invited for the first leg of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Women Football qualifier bill for August 28th in Blida, Algeria, will not be available due to club duties.

    The players who opted out of the match and have duly informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are Asisat Oshoala, Fracisca Ordega, Ngozi Okobi, Ngozi Ebere, Rashidat Ajibade and Osinachi Ohale.

    Dennerby disclosed that the players have club matches on 25th and 26th and it will be difficult for them to arrive in Nigeria a day after their engagements to secure visas as Algeria doesn’t issue a visa at the point of entry.

    Read Also: Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Okagbare to run 100m, 200m sprints

    “I know I will miss them but the players I picked for the qualifier are equally good to win the match.

    Algeria Women Football Team is not a threat to our girls. I will not underrate them but they will not beat us in Algeria,” Dennerby boasted.

    He also revealed that the six players will be available for the return leg scheduled for October 3rd, at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

  • Olubadan chieftaincy case: Appeal Court rejects out-of-court settlement

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on Thursday refused to accede to an out-of-court settlement filed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in the Olubadan chieftaincy case involving the controversial coronation of 21 kings by former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    Instead, the appellate court in its judgment yesterday ordered that the case to be remitted  back to the High Court for trial before another judge.

    The appeal was filed by former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi against Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland Senator Rasidi Ladoja and Chairman of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Review Panel Justice Akintunde Boade (retd) as respondents.

    Both the Olubadan, Oba  Saliu Adetunji and the Osi Olubadan separately sued the former governor, the state government and the 21 new kings at the state High Court.

    While the lower court had delivered judgment in the case filed by Ladoja, it has not done so in the litigation instituted by the Olubadan.

    Read Also: Ibadan 21 kings may lose crowns soon

    Makinde, who inherited the matter had last Tuesday opted for an out-of-court settlement to restore peace, unity and good relationships between the Olubadan and his estranged chiefs.

    Ladoja had earlier secured the judgment of the High Court, which ruled that the processes leading to the crowing and installation of more kings in Ibadan as illegal, null, void and of no effect.

    Following moves by Makinde to reconcile the Olubadan-in-Council via terms of settlement, the Attorney-General, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, informed the appellate court of the progress made on the matter.

    He subsequently filed an application to settle the case out-of-court.

    However, the appellate court, in its judgment delivered by Justice Abubakar Ma’ud Talba, said the matter had been fixed for judgment, saying that the court allowed the interlocutory appeal of the appellants.

    Ma’ud Talba said the case of the first respondent ought to have been commenced by a way of writ of summons as opposed to an originating summon.

    He, therefore, ordered that the case be remitted back to the lower court for trial before another judge of the state high court.

    On January 19, 2018, an Ibadan High Court presided over by Justice O. I. Aiki granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the governor, his agent or servant from accepting, implementing or gazetting any recommendation made by the judicial commission of inquiry over the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration of the Olubadan and other related matters.

  • 12th African Games: Taekwondo wins Team Nigeria first gold medal

    Taekwondo event has fetched Team Nigeria five medals at the 12th African Games after Chinazum Nwosu claimed the first gold medal in the women -53kg, while Sunday Onofe (-87kg) and Benjamin Okuomose (+87kg) added two bronze medals in the men event.

    Also, the quest for medals in taekwondo continued yesterday in six events when Elizabeth Anyanacho and Uzoamaka Otuadinma also settled for bronze medals in the women’s -67kg and -73kg of the tournament, while the trio of Arinola Abdullateef, Bright Kolade and Chiamaka Onumonu were unlucky in their quarterfinal ties as they lost and will miss out from mounting the podium.

    Read Also: Taekwondo adds two bronze medals to Nigeria’s medal haul

    In cycling, Kenya’s Tiffany Keep and Namibia’s Tristan De Lange won cross-country gold in Casablanca.

    Kenyan Keep claimed the women’s title in 1hr 19min 15.377sec, finishing almost 50 seconds ahead of Aurelie Marie Halbwachs from Mauritius. Halbwachs took the silver medal on the 22.8 kilometres course, made up of six 3.8km circuits in Rabat, in a time of 1:20:03.900. Her compatriot Kimberley Le Court De Billot completed the podium in 1:22:52.541.

    De Lange won Namibia’s first gold of the continental tournament in the men’s 30.4km race. He led home compatriot Alexander Miller to take the top step on the medal rostrum in 1:24:45.502. Miller clocked 1:25:31.847 for second, with Tunisian Maher Habouria taking bronze in 1:29:52.145.

    Algeria won three of the four A finals as the first of the rowing medals were awarded in Morocco. Nawel

    Chiali got the gold rush started in the women’s single sculls 1,000m final. She surged to victory in 3:56.62 as Dareen Hegazy of Egypt took silver in 3:58.34. Nour Elhouda Ettaieb of Tunisia finished third in 4:01.10.

  • Athletes grumble over $100 daily allowance

    All may not be well in the camp of Team Nigeria as athletes are currently at daggers drawn with officials of the Ministry of Youth and Sports over their daily allowance.

    Some of the athletes who spoke to NationSport on condition of anonymity, said unlike in 2015 when they were given $150 daily allowance, the officials are insisting on giving them $100 daily in Morocco.

    “I am surprised with the way our officials have been treating athletes especially in major competitions like this. They are always eager to see us excel but they are not ready to motivate us. How can you think that four years ago we got $150 as daily allowance and now in 2019, they want to give us $100? I don’t know where it is done globally. We are the ones that will be competing while they will just be sitting down waiting to be counting medals. This is very unfair,” a female athlete lamented.

    Read Also: 12th African Games: Oshonaike recalls maiden outing with Toriola

    Already, the athletes lamented the number of officials in Rabat, adding that rather than motivate the athletes with money, hundreds of officials including government delegation were lodged in hotels all over Morocco.

    “This is the most uninspiring African Games because in 2015, we were well-motivated and we gave our best but it seems we are not ready for the games. Some of us that came from Europe were not given grants and I wonder what they expect from us in Morocco,” a male athlete regretted.

    In one of the major hotels in Rabat on Thursday, August 22, some government delegation were seen trying to check into the hotel as they were part of the second batch of the contingent that came through the chartered flight from Abuja.

  • Foundation launch to cater for the aged

    The Olori Aderonke Omolola Erinle Foundation has concluded plans for its formal launch, charity and Fundraising Ball holding on the 14th of September at Oriental Hotel, Lagos Island

    The Founder and President of the foundation, Olori Aderonke Omolola Erinle disclose this at a press conference held recently in Lagos, said that the event is set towards unveiling of the Adult Care Centre (Old People’s Home) and a fashion line for the aged which has been created to sustain the foundation.

    She said that the Old People’s Home will provide a decent and wholesome environment for the vulnerable aged.

    She noted that the foundation advocates and propagates the need to help, invigorate and rehabilitate the senior citizens in the society.

    Read Also: Foundation donates to orphanage

    Erinle noted that the foundation was borne out of her passion to the elderly having watched her late mother took care of her grandparents tendering and attending to her needs.

    She posited further that actions by her mother led to adopt the idea of caring for the elderly in her church and there she took it to the larger society.

    “With our motto which is positively affecting lives, our mission is to dispense total care by providing financial assistance and emotional support to the vulnerable and our Vision is touching lives”, she said.

    She added that the foundation is actively involved in various charity programmes geared towards assisting the widows, the motherless children and physically challenged in our society.