Author: oduduwanews

The quest of Ogun State to be an oil producing State would soon materialize as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), sets to begin oil and gas exploration in the Gateway State.

Stakeholders in the oil industry, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri,
Managing Director, SHELL Petroleum Development Company Ltd, Mr. Osagie Okubor; Chief Executive, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari, stormed Ogun State on Friday on plans by the Federal Government to start oil exploration in the state.

They were received by Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

Hon. Lokpobiri, who spoke at the governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta said Ogun State has always been part of the Dahomey Basin with prospect of having huge deposit of hyrdro-carbon.

The Minister said: “We decided that we are going to resume exploration in the different Basins; we decided to come to Ogun State to reassure the people that we have very high potential of discoveries here. Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey Basin and our presence underscore the seriousness the federal government attaches to the exploration activities that we want to carry out in Ogun State.”

Hon. Lokpobiri who added that oil and gas remain the quickest way to Nigeria’s economic prosperity, said his team is in the State in continuation of the campaign for exploration activities.

He said the visit was also to demonstrate the seriousness and commitment of the federal government to shore up its revenue through the oil and gas sector.

“Today we are here to tell the people of the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue our campaign and exploration activities across the country. We are doing this exploration activities in several places across Nigeria and today we are in Ogun after which we will proceed to Sokoto State,” he added.

The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited,(NNPCL) Mr. Mele kyari, while speaking, said Ogun State is blessed to be in the Dahomey Basin corridor with expected high deposit of oil, assuring that the corporation is coming back in ernest to commence exploration activities, even as he expressed the hope that oil would be found in commercial quantity.

In his remarks, the Executive Director, Nigerians Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr. Genga Komolafe, said the coming of the team to Ogun State is to further demonstrate the commitment of the Federal Government to grow the oil reserves and enhanced federation revenue.

“We all understand that Nigeria is very prolific in oil and gas, but then there is still need to grow the reserves through exploration activities given our huge hyrdro-carbon as a bench mark,” he noted.

Komolafe informed that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) makes provision for the funding of the development of the Frontier Basins, adding that in line with the commitment and the aspirations of the government, the Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission is working in synergy with the NNPCL to leverage on the PIA to aggressively carry out oil exploration in the Dahomey Basin.

“The Dahomey Basin stretches up to Delta, Edo, Ogun and Ondo states. We intend to in the course of this exercise, cover all those states leveraging on the provision of Section 9, Subsection 4 of the PIA. This is good opportunity for the people of Ogun State and it would be complementary to the reforms and transformation initiatives of the governor. We want to congratulate the governor and the people for being the beneficiaries of this initiative,” Komolafe said.

Responding, Governor Abiodun said Ogun State is part of the OPLs 302,303 306, 307, saying the acreages present unique opportunities for the qualification as a Frontier Exploration State as defined in the PIA section 9.

He observed that the history and studies over the years allow any investment under the frontier exploration basin funding to not only realize the oil and gas potentials, but also acquire data that would aid Bitumen exploration and exploitation in Nigeria.

The country, Abiodun maintained holds the second largest resolves in the world of 42,b tons, adding that a lot of studies have shown the potential of the basins, which brings Ogun State to the fore and projecting it towards becoming a beneficiary to achieve commercial success and derive economic benefits from exploration and production within a minimum time schedule.

“It is noteworthy that this is a region of the country that provides ease of access, low entry and operating costs, a safe and welcoming community and a very active state government support and participation.

“Ogun State therefore presents some unique opportunities towards the realization of the full intentions of the PIA section 9 on frontier exploration as it will contribute to guarantee additional petroleum production of additional petroleum products for the country and afford more supply to potential refineries in the area.

“As a low hanging result, this area also presents the opportunity for Bitumen extraction, thereby reducing import dependency and bringing with its savings in foreign exchange expenditure on this single line item,” governor said.

In a bid to strengthen security in all nooks and crannies of the State, the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde has approved a fresh recruitment of able bodied local hunters and others into Oyo State Amotekun Corps as members of Amotekun Forest Rangers.

Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd)
State Commandant, Oyo Amotekun in a statement said interested applicants are to register on https://www.jobportal.oyostate.gov.ng/
He added that the online registration portal will open with effect from Saturday, 1st June 2024 and closed on 30th June 2024.

According to the statement, all application forms MUST carry Registration Number at the Top Left with AMOD prefix.

“Interested applicants who are between the ages 25 and 50 years, medically and physically fits with no criminal records or an Ex convicts are advised to seized the opportunity to register online.”

“All successful applicants are to be deployed as Amotekun Forest Guards. Therefore, they are to work in the State vulnerable forest areas to secure life and properties of citizens, prevent unauthorised economic activities as well as other illegal criminal activities within the State forest resources.”

“Applicants are advised to print out completed online forms on successful submission. They are to use ONLY recognised Government Hospital facilties for their medical test, signed by a competent Medical Officer in such facilities. The guarantor’s form Must be endorsed by the relevant traditional leaders and elected Local Government Chairpersons of the applicants. All print out copies of applicant’s forms MUST be duly endorsed by the Commissioner of Oath in any competent law Court.”

“The agency therefore enjoined all applicants to adhered to this instructions so as not to lead to outright disqualification of such applicants. Applicants are to report to designated screening centres at a date to be announced later with their duly completed and signed forms.

All dismissed Oyo Amotekun operatives are exempted from applying

A leader within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Garus Gololo, has voiced his dissatisfaction with the underperformance of certain cabinet ministers.
In a statement made during a media briefing yesterday, he urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly reorganize his cabinet to prevent further setbacks for the ruling party.

He criticized the series of specialized briefings arranged by the Federal Government to highlight Tinubu’s first year in office as misleading.
Gololo singled out the ‘dry farming project’ presented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, as an example.

Gololo highlighted, “After carefully reviewing all the presentations, I can confidently state that President Tinubu has appointed ineffective individuals, with the exceptions of Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Minister of FCT, and the Minister of Health Mohammed Ali Pate, whose exceptional accomplishments speak for themselves. Wike and Ali Pate stand out without the need for further validation.”

The former BoT member of APC emphasized that the agriculture minister persistently misled Nigerians about the purported dry farming projects across the nation, particularly in the southern region, during television appearances.
He urged for transparency and specific details on the status of these projects to enable oversight visits and ascertain their progress instead of just mere paperwork and speeches.

In its usual style to celebrate children and young kids, the Baby Blue Angels Foundation hosted Young Leaders Summit in commemoration of 2024 Children’s Day which was held on May 27, 2024, the event which was organized by its founder, Chief Mrs. Ramata Agberemi Dabo (RAD) had several dignitaries in attendance.

The event was held at the Akinyele Local Government Secretariat and several students drawn from selected public and private secondary schools in Ibadan were invited to grace the occasion.

The theme of the event, “Emerging Leaders: The Future of The Nation” was discussed by the duo of Mr. Victor Olojede and Mr. Suraj Abiodun, the Senior Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs, and Special Adviser on Education to Gov Makinde respectively.

The students were enlightened and reorientated on what is needed to achieve success in their various endeavours. The sensitization was not restricted to the students with non disability status alone but also extended to young children with disabilities.

In her remark, Mrs. Ramata Agberemi Dabo, the founder of the NGO, who also doubled as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters advised the youths to be committed to their dreams and stay away from social vices that can jeopardize the aspirations of their targeted goals.

She however urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children are given qualitative education that will build their capacity to excel in their various endeavours.

In his words, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade appealed to young children to desist from being associated with any group that engages in hard substance.

Prince Oyelade tasks the teenagers to be visionary and nurture their dreams while advising them that there is no shortcut to success other than their hard working.

Other speakers who also spoke at the event jointly encouraged the students to focus on their studies and believe in themselves while emphasizing the importance of having good plans for a better future.

Quite a number of dignitaries graced the event, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogunsina Michael, PDP Youth Leader, Mr. Victor Olojede, SSA on Students Affairs, Hon Wole Akinleye, Chairman Akinyele Local Government, amongst several others.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin has handed over a yet-to-be-identified boy to his parents.

On Tuesday, May 28, Hundeyin reported the boy, who has a speech impediment, missing as he was found roaming on Willoughby Street, in the Yaba area of the state.

However, in a post via his X handle on Thursday, May 30, Hundeyin disclosed that after requisite verification, the boy has been reunited with his parents.

He wrote: “Thank you, Twitterati. His parents came to my office today showing me the tweet and requesting to claim their son.

“They came from Ogun State where the boy ‘left home while his mum was attending to his younger one in another room.”

This is as the tripartite committee on a new national minimum wage, NNMW, reconvenes today, following abrupt adjournment due to labour’s walkout of last Tuesday’s meeting, where it accused government negotiators of unseriousness in the negotiation process.

There are strong indications that Organised Labour may begin a nationwide strike from Monday, June 3, over a new minimum wage.
This is as the tripartite committee on a new national minimum wage, NNMW, reconvenes today, following abrupt adjournment due to labour’s walkout of last Tuesday’s meeting, where it accused government negotiators of unseriousness in the negotiation process.

Meanwhile, accusing fingers are pointing to the state governors of ganging up against the Federal Government to stall the ongoing negotiation.

Labour’s negotiating team had on Tuesday, for the second time in two weeks, walked out of the committee meeting after the Federal Government increased its offer marginally to N60,000 from the N57,000 it offered on Wednesday, May 22.

Labour, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, had on May 15, walked out of the tripartite committee meeting after the government offered N48,000 and Organised Private Sector, OPS, offered N54,000, against its N615,000 demand.

However, in a letter reconvening the meeting, Ekpo Nta, member/Secretary of the committee on behalf of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NSIWC, dated May 29, said: “You are respectfully invited to attend the 7th meeting of the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage which is scheduled as follows: Date: Friday, 31, May 2024

Venue: Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, Nicon Luxury Hotel Plot 903, Tafawa Balewa Way Area 11, Garki, Abuja, Time: 10:00 am Prompt

“The minutes of the 6′ meeting and the draft agenda for the 7” meeting wil be circulated in due course.

President Bola Tinubu marked a momentous occasion on Wednesday as he kickstarted the commercial operations of the long-awaited Abuja Light Rail Mass Transit. Surrounded by fellow dignitaries, the President made a significant announcement during the inaugural event—that the free rides for commuters would be extended until the end of 2024.

This move comes just after the recent declaration by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, who had set forth a two-month free ride period for passengers. President Tinubu’s added gesture of another four months of complimentary travel was met with praise and enthusiasm from citizens present at the inauguration.

A key highlight of the day was the symbolic inaugural ride taken by the President and other officials, which commenced from the heart of the city and culminated at the airport station. In a bid to reassure the populace, President Tinubu expressed his administration’s unwavering commitment to improving the daily lives of Nigerians, emphasizing the importance of public transportation in alleviating the hardships faced by many.

During his speech, the President commended Minister Nyesom Wike for his dedicated efforts in rehabilitating the previously vandalized rail tracks and ensuring the prompt development of access roads connecting all seven railway stations. This revitalization has effectively breathed new life into the capital’s transportation infrastructure, bringing it up to par with modern standards and providing citizens with a more efficient means of travel.

As the Abuja Light Rail Mass Transit sets off on its journey of transforming the city’s commuting landscape, the extension of free rides serves as a beacon of hope and progress for all those who rely on public transportation in the nation’s capital.