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By Emmanuella AnokamThe National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has applauded the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) for bringing to life the moribund Port Harcourt refinery. It’s Executive Director, Blessing Akinlosotu said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja. The 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery, being managed by the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) on Tuesday began truck-out of petroleum products after years of being moribund. “The refinery’s impressive operational capacity of 70 per cent is a testament to the tireless efforts and unwavering dedication of the NNPC Ltd team, led by Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer. “With ambitious plans to ramp up to 90 per cent capacity in the near future, this achievement represe...

By Constance Athekame Mr Mahmuda Mamman, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power says achieving universal energy access requires robust collaboration between the public and private sectors as well as international development partners. Mamman, represented by Mr Baba Mustapha, Director Distribution, Ministry of Power, said this in Abuja on Thursday at a sensitisation workshop. The workshop was on Approved Standards and Regulations for Solar Mini-Grid Components/Materials Equipment and Safety Installation in Nigeria. The workshop was organised by the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP). Mamman said that achieving universal energy access was a key component of the country’s national developme...

Some participants at the 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at Gwagwalada on Thursday By Jacinta Nwachukwu A coalition group has empowered grassroots women with tools to combat gender-based violence, focusing on financial empowerment and skill building. This initiative was announced at the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” in Gwagwalada on Thursday. Lucy Abagi, CEO of the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), explained that financial independence enabled women to make informed decisions and live independently. Abagi represented by Ms Precious Adigwe, Programme Officer, Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion, PPDC, emphasised the importance of financial empowerment, urging women to develop skills in savings, budgeting, and investing to secur...

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer  The Drector general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON ), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, says his agency is set to collaborate with the  Bayero University, Kano Alumni Association (BUKAA) for development of education in the institution. Ndace described the University as a fertile ground for robust learning and constructive engagement.  The VON boss stated  this when he received the executive members of BUKAA,  Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter led by its chairman, Mr Alhassan Muhammed. Ndace strrssed that, inspite of position occupied in the society, Nigerians and alumni of higher institutions should always remember their alma mater. According to him, this will help in contributing to the development of education, research and i...

The Public Compliant Commission (PCC), has commenced a training program from November 25th - 29th, 2024, on Data Analysis and Reporting for staff members at Akwa Ibom State, for capacity building and National development of the country. Mr. Ubong Uwa, the Honorable Commissioner Akwa Ibom, in his opening address welcomed all participants, while he encouraged them to take the program seriously, stressing the importance of acquiring new skills and knowledge to improve their work. The training took place at New Point Hotel and Suites, Uyo, and was attended by 51 participants. According to him, the initiative is aimed to equiping members of staff with essential skills, knowledge, and tools to enhance their performance and productivity in addressing public complaints effectively. Th...

The Public Compliant Commission (PCC), has commenced a training program from November 25th - 29th, 2024, on Data Analysis and Reporting for staff members at Akwa Ibom State, for capacity building and National development of the country. Mr. Ubong Uwa, the Honorable Commissioner Akwa Ibom, in his opening address welcomed all participants, while he encouraged them to take the program seriously, stressing the importance of acquiring new skills and knowledge to improve their work. The training took place at New Point Hotel and Suites, Uyo, and was attended by 51 participants. According to him, the initiative is aimed to equiping members of staff with essential skills, knowledge, and tools to enhance their performance and productivity in addressing public complaints effectively. Th...

The Public Complaints Commission (PCC), on November 18th - 22nd, 2024, organized a five-day training program for all its staff at Abia State for capacity building and National development of the country. The training program inaugurated by the Honorable Commissioner, Abia State, Mr. Madukwe E.E. Ukeagbu, in his opening remarks, said it was focused on Ethics and Professionalism in the work place, aimed at enhancing the professional capabilities of the staff and improve their overall efficiency in service delivery. He emphasized the importance of the training and encouraged all staff to actively participate and fully engage with the consultants. Mr. Ukeagbu highlighted the need for open-mindedness, active involvement, and a commitment to applying the new knowledge gained to their dail...

By Jessica Dogo The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) has emphasised the importance of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Dr Abdullahi Bello, Chairman of CCB, made the call at the maiden graduation ceremony of the Behavioral Insights Network, Transparency, and Accountability (BINTA) project in Abuja on Wednesday. Bello expressed his excitement about the partnership between the CCB and private partners, acknowledging the support of the MacArthur Foundation. He believed that the knowledge and insights gained by the BINTA fellows would significantly impact the approach to governance and anti-corruption initiatives in Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the BINTA fellowship, organised by the Policy Innovation Centre (PIC) ...

Honourable Taofeek Adebayo Aderogba (mni), a prominent aspirant for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Alhaji Fatal Ibikunle following his recent nomination as a member of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by President Bola Tinubu. In a press statement from his media office, Aderogba emphasized that Ibikunle’s nomination is a testament to his integrity and commitment to public service. He stated, "Your nomination is no doubt a significant step toward strengthening the mandate of the Code of Conduct Bureau." Aderogba highlighted that Ibikunle's extensive experience and leadership skills will be invaluable assets to the CCB. He expressed confidence in Ibikunle’s ability to contribute posit...

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to December 10 while remanding him in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC had also opposed his bail application in court on Wednesday. Yahaya Bello had earlier pleaded "not guity" to the 16 counts charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the Federal High Court. His case was adjourned to December 10 for the reading of his bail application. He is to remain with the EFCC. The fraud trial involving Yahaya Bello, had become chaotic on Wednesday morning when a crowd of his supporters stormed the court room. Bello, who was arraigned at the FCT High Court on Wednesday, had asked his rascally followers ...

A leading aspirant for the Ibadan North Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Honourable Taofeek Adebayo Aderogba (mni), has donated a computer set worth over a million Naira to the Oyo State Secretariat of the party at Oke Ado, Ibadan. Making the donation on behalf of Honourable Aderogba, the leader of Aderogba Vanguard, Mr. Ademoye Ajani, stated that this donation aims to assist the State Secretariat in carrying out its work effectively. According to him, Honourable Aderogba is a grassroots politician whose love for the masses is unrivaled. "Honourable Taofeek Adebayo Aderogba is a politician with a heart of kindness. He is a man of integrity whose good reputation precedes him wherever he goes. He has the experience and expertise to ele...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained for prosecution a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, over alleged multi billion naira fraud. EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said that the former governor of Kogi was arrested at about 12 54 p.m on Tuesday and detained in its Abuja office. He said that Mr Bello, who was declared wanted by the commission, never submitted himself but got arrested by the operatives of the agency in Abuja. Mr Oyewale stated, ‘‘We arrested him (Yahaya Bello) at 12.54pm; he did not surrender himself to the commission, three of his lawyers are here with him. Following his arrest, he is having a session with investigators of the commission. He is being detained in our custody and he is going to be arraigned in court accordingly.”

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended his media aide, Wale Ajetunmobi, over comments he made on social media admitting the execution of #EndSARS protesters in 2020. In a statement on Tuesday, the governor’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, said Mr Ajetunmobi’s suspension followed his “misrepresentation of facts on his personal X account on a past incident.” “The governor wishes to state categorically that his administration frowns at any form of extrajudicial punishment and will not be a part of any such action. That is not who we are. That is not our way,” said Mr Sanwo-Olu’s aide. Mr Ajetunmobi had, in a now-deleted post on Sunday, confessed that some of the arsonists who set ablaze Television Continental (TVC) during the nationwide protest against police brutality were executed...

The Port Harcourt Refinery, managed by NNPCL through the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited has commenced operations after undergoing rehabilitation and modernisation. The refinery with 210,000 bpd refining capacity located at Alesa, Eleme, in Port Harcourt, comprises two operational units established in 1965 and 1989. The old plant refines a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the new plant refines 150,000bpd. The federal government, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, had in March 2021 secured a $1.5 billion loan to rehabilitate the facility, which contract was awarded to an Italian firm, Tecnimont S.P.A, a subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group. NNPCL boss Mele Kyari is leading the team in inspecting the first lifting of petroleum products from the facilit...

Abuja, Nov. 25, 2024 - Sports entrepreneur and former Gombe United FC Chairman Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara-Gombe has said that only administrators with skeletons in sports can afford to bar stakeholders from expressing their views on sports development in Nigeria. In a chat with journalists recently, Gara-Gombe noted that on several occasions, he has been barred from expressing his views over major development and appointment in Nigeria sports in Radio and Television Stations in Nigeria. "All sports stakeholders and those who appreciate my modest contributions in Nigeria sports, especially trying to always put sports administrators and managers on their toes." "I advise them not to worry as many people have been calling me, sending messages to my friends and close associates asking w...

Following his incessant acquisition of both public and private lands for housing estates and shopping malls, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former gubernatorial aspirant, Engineer Oyedele Hakeem Alao, has urged Governor Seyi Makinde to control his insatiable appetite for land acquisition. In a press statement from his media office, Alao criticized the Governor's continued land acquisitions, which he said have significantly increased hardship for the people of Oyo State. "With your insatiable appetite for acquiring both public and private lands in Oyo State, especially in Ibadan, you will be remembered as the governor who used his office to promote land grabbing activities in the State. Your conversion of public lands into housing estates without ...

From Left: Ngozi Anukwu, Director Social Security, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, MD/CE NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, Executive Director Operations, Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay& Executive Director Finance, Adegoke Adedeji at the NSITF Service Awards Ceremony, Thursday, in Abuja. By Joan Nwagwu Mr Muhammadu Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment has urged the management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF) to intensify efforts towards the enrollment of more workers in all sectors into the Employees Compensation Scheme(ECS) . Dingyadi said this at the NSITF 2022/2023 Service Award on Sunday in Abuja.This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Nwachukwu Godson, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of NSITF. Dingyadi represented by Mrs Ngozi Anukwu, D...

The Chadash Empowerment Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated N200,000 each to 29 orphanage homes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), totaling N5.8 million The Founder of the Foundation, Mrs Temitope Adeola, stated this at the organisation’s 2024 World Orphans Day event, held in honor of orphans in the FCT on Saturday in Abuja. She said the donation aimed to alleviate the plights of orphans in the country. Adeola stated that the initiative had grown from supporting 25 orphanages last year to assisting 30 this year, with quarterly donations of food and other necessities. She explained that the initiative was born out of her desire in 2018 to help widows and orphans. “The Foundation has also constructed a new two-bedroom flat for Maranata orphanag...

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says its operatives in Borno have recovered some explosives in Maiduguri, the state capital. In a statement issued on Saturday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, police spokesperson, said the explosive ordnance disposal—chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team recovered the explosives. All ordnances were safely evacuated without any loss of life, injury, or property damage, and normalcy has been restored,” the statement reads. All ordnances were safely evacuated without any loss of life, injury, or property damage, and normalcy has been restored,” the statement reads. In the Dala Kacchallah area, the operatives recovered six (6) unexploded projectiles and one (1) mortar bomb near an uncompleted building. “Reports indicate that the item...

By Constance Athekame A power expert, Prof. Stephen Ogaji, has emphasised the need for the system operator to complete and inaugurate the Supervisory Control and Data (SCADA) project to effectively supervise the national grid. Ogaji made the call at the 2024 Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) Media Engagement and Training in Abuja on Thursday. He also urged the system operator to implement the Generation Dispatch Tool (GDT) and enforce all provisions of the grid code. Additionally, Ogaji called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) to approve the procurement of Ancillary Services that provide secondary controls (Spinning Reserve). Ogaji warned that the incessant disruption of normal grid operation could lead to reduced plant availability, hi...