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  • Join the race if opposed to Turaki as consensus candidate – Zamfara Gov.

    Join the race if opposed to Turaki as consensus candidate – Zamfara Gov.

    Describes the agitation by some members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the adoption of Sen. Tanimu Turaki as the consensus candidate for the party’s national chairman as normal in politics

    The Zamfara state governor, Dauda Lawal has challenged members of the party who are opposed to the emergence of Tanimu Turaki as consensus candidate for the Chairmanship of the party to join the race.

    Tanimu Turaki

    Lawal, who is the Chairman of the Convention Special Duties Sub-Committee, stated this in an interview with newsmen after the sub-committee’s inaugural meeting at the PDP headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

    The PDP Northern Stakeholders had, on Wednesday, endorsed Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, as their consensus candidate for the party’s Nov. 15 national convention in Ibadan.

    Lawal, while stating that consensus was allowed in PDP’s constitution, however advised anyone not comfortable with it to test his popularity at the national convention.

    “No matter what we do, some people will still be aggrieved. Even if we bring you, some people will say ‘No’, you have an issue. It is normal. It is part of politics.

    “What we are doing is to try and bring everybody together in the interest of this party.

    “It is an ongoing process and I can assure that things will be okay. But it is normal to have agitations.

    “You can see, we have gone through a lot in the past and now, things are getting better day by day. I am very sure, very optimistic, that we will bounce back. In fact, we are already bouncing back.

    “In the constitution of our party, there is a provision for consensus. So there is nothing new. It is okay; it is normal. It is part of our constitution in PDP,” he said.

    Lawal, however, urged all the sub-committees to accord the committee the needed cooperation and respect for the success of the convention.

    “To the members of special duties committee, the trust reposed in you is immense. You are the architects of our convention’s solvency and the guidance of its operational integrity. I have every confidence that you will rise to this challenge with distinction,” he said.

    Speaking earlier during the accreditation sub-committee’s inaugural meeting at the Legacy House in Abuja, Lawal said that the party was working internally to bring everyone on board for a successful convention.

    “Well, I don’t think that should be something we should be concerned about, because in politics, it’s about give and take. No matter who is selected, there will always be agitation from the other members.

    “So it’s normal, It is something that is internal. And we are working on making sure everybody is on board so that we can have a very, very successful conference,” he said.

    Lawal, who also chaired the accreditation sub-committee meeting, acknowledged the current political climate, urging members of the party and stakeholders to embrace unity and genuine reconciliation.

    Addressing concerns over the defection of some governors from the party, Lawal said PDP remained unshaken.

    “The only thing that is constant and permanent is change.

    “In 2015, when PDP had over 29 to 30 governors, what happened at the end of the day? I’m sure you’ll be the judge. So as I said, no shaking, no alarm.

    “Our great party is a family, and like any family, we may have disagreements, but the overall interest of this collective family must supersede individual ambitions,” he said.

    The governor called on PDP leaders to provide unbiased and selfless service to consensus-building and a truly all-inclusive convention.

    “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. We must stand together; we must work together; we must heal together,” he stated.

    Lawal also tasked members of the accreditation committee to uphold integrity, fairness and transparency as the ‘gatekeepers of the convention’.

    He implored them to give the assignment the ‘total dedication and selfless commitment it demands’.

    “The work you are about to undertake is the very foundation upon which a credible, transparent and successful convention will be built,” he said.

    Lawal described the committee’s mandate as both a honour and a very heavy burden, with clear responsibilities including provision of delegate tags and ensuring the welfare and accreditation of all participants, from dedicated delegates and observers to the Board of Trustees.

    “This is not merely an administrative task; it is a sacred trust. You are the gatekeepers of our convention’s integrity,” he said.

    On the logistics, the governor assured that arrangements were in place for the transportation and accommodation of all delegates.

    “The whole essence of this committee is to work on the logistics. There will be no major issue,” he assured.

  • I Won’t Negotiate Election Integrity, My Coming to INEC is Divine – Amupitan

    I Won’t Negotiate Election Integrity, My Coming to INEC is Divine – Amupitan

    …Says ‘Eyes of the nation are upon us’ as he assumes office as INEC Chairman

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, who formally assumed office at the Commission’s headquarters, Thursday, in Abuja has described his appointment as a divine call to service.

    Consequently, he pledged to uphold integrity and transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process.

    Amupitan, who has been sworn in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took over from May Agbamuche-Mbu, who had been serving as Acting Chairman of the Commission following the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    Speaking during an interactive meeting with INEC directors shortly after taking over, the new chairman expressed gratitude to God for what he described as a “divine assignment,” vowing that election integrity would not be compromised under his watch.

    “I am here for a purpose. Maybe if I had a choice, I would have said I would not come here. But from all indications, I can see that God is moving this country, and my coming is divine. With God saying go, who am I to say no? I am here because I have a role to play to ensure that a new Nigeria is birthed,” Amupitan said.

    He stressed that the integrity of elections is not negotiable, adding that every Nigerian voter must trust that their vote will count.

    “Our mandate is very clear, to deliver free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people. Every voter must feel confident that their vote counts,” he said.

    Amupitan, who was accompanied by his wife, children, and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, along with other officials from the institution where he previously served, assured INEC staff that his administration would prioritize their welfare and professional development.

    He emphasized the importance of teamwork, accountability, and synergy among departments, noting that the success of the Commission depends on collective effort.

    “For me, staff welfare is going to be a priority. We will expect a lot from you, and because of that, you also deserve to be well equipped and supported to deliver. We will work assiduously to ensure that your working conditions are conducive and that you have the necessary resources to excel,” he said.

    The new INEC boss acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly the forthcoming Anambra governorship election, which he said would serve as a litmus test for the Commission’s commitment to credible polls.

    “Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work tirelessly for the credibility of our elections. The task may be challenging, but if we stand united, there is nothing we cannot achieve. The eyes of the nation are upon us. We must rise to the occasion and demonstrate that we are capable of conducting elections that meet the expectations of Nigerians,” he declared.

    Amupitan also commended Agbamuche-Mbu for her leadership during the transition period and thanked INEC staff for their continued dedication to duty.

    He urged them to work in unity, break silos, and commit to strengthening democratic values through credible elections.

  • Senate Commends EFCC for Record 4,111 Convictions in 2024

    Senate Commends EFCC for Record 4,111 Convictions in 2024


    …praises anti-graft agency’s resilience, call for stronger legislative support

    The Nigerian Senate has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for ecuring 4,111 convictions in 2024.

    The upper legislative body said the performance represents the highest annual figure since the anticrime agency was established.

    The commendation came following the adoption of a motion titled “Urgent Need to Commend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for Its Significant Gains Made in Recent Times, Particularly in 2024, Despite the Challenges It Has Encountered.”

    The motion was sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende Memga (Benue North-East) during plenary on Tuesday.

    Presenting the motion, Senator Udende described the EFCC as a “frontline agency mandated to combat economic and financial crimes in Nigeria,” with powers to investigate, prevent, and prosecute offenders involved in money laundering, cybercrimes, advance fee fraud, and other related offences.

    He noted that the Commission has played a crucial role in promoting accountability, transparency, and integrity across the public and private sectors, thereby safeguarding the country’s financial system.

    According to data presented to the Senate, the EFCC in 2024 received 15,724 petitions, opened and investigated 12,000 cases, and filed 5,081 cases in court.

    Despite operational and resource limitations, the Commission recorded 4,111 convictions, marking the highest number in any operational year since its inception.

    Senator Udende said, “The EFCC has remained steadfast and professional in the discharge of its statutory mandate despite threats to its personnel and the increasing sophistication of financial crimes. The Commission’s resilience is commendable.”

    He further disclosed that the EFCC’s efforts in 2024 led to significant monetary recoveries and asset forfeitures that comprised of
    173 automobiles, 378 electronic devices, 1 hotel, 2 gold Cuban chains, 14 landed properties, 784 estates, and Unspecified quantities of petroleum products.

    Seconding the motion, Senator Nwaebonyi Onyeka (Ebonyi East) described the EFCC’s effort as “unprecedented,” commending the Commission’s diligence in recovering the nation’s stolen wealth.

    He emphasized the need for the relevant committees of the National Assembly to strengthen legislative oversight and provide continuous institutional support to the Commission.

    Ruling on the motion, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the EFCC for its dedication and attributed the agency’s recent successes to what he described as “the right choice in the appointment of the Commission’s leadership” by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Akpabio also urged the EFCC to publish the total number of genuine convictions as well as petitions found to be frivolous or politically motivated, as a way of deepening public trust and enhancing the integrity of its anti-corruption drive.

    “Transparency in outcomes will further strengthen the EFCC’s credibility and sustain public confidence in the fight against corruption,” Akpabio stated.

    The Senate President further saluted the integrity and professionalism of EFCC staff, pledging the continued legislative support of the National Assembly to the Commission and other anti-corruption agencies in the country.

    Monetary recoveries included ₦9,477,977,318.78, $2,605,858.30, £1,600.13, and various digital currencies such as 13.37 BTC (worth $572,992.86), 5.97886094 Ethereum ($13,353.06), 298.4770071 Green Satoshi Tokens ($6), 1,002.547631 USDT ($1,002.22), and an additional 2,699,233 USDT (TRC-20).

    The Senate observed that these results have significantly enhanced Nigeria’s global image and public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption drive.


    The Lawmakers also acknowledged the sacrifices of EFCC officers who, despite operating under difficult conditions and personal risks, continue to pursue justice and protect the nation’s economic well-being.

    The upper chamber therefore resolved to commend the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its dedication, professionalism, integrity, patriotism, and remarkable achievements in the fight against financial crimes.

    The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to supporting anti-graft institutions in their pursuit of integrity, national development, and financial accountability.

  • Pardons, clemency, and the death of moral clarity

    Pardons, clemency, and the death of moral clarity

    By

    UGO ONUOHA

    LATEEF Fagbemi is Nigeria’s attorney-general and minister of justice. He has been at the job since August 2023. He is a senior advocate, the equivalent of a King’s [formerly Queen’s] Counsel in the United Kingdom. He might have been a brilliant lawyer but his lawyering skills became more pronounced with his dexterity over election matters. My understanding is that he has had quite a few victories in high profile electoral disputes. And the crowning prize of his nose for winning election disputes was in 2023 when he led a team of other senior lawyers and a motley of nondescript attorneys to persuade the Supreme Court to rubber stamp the award of the presidency of Nigeria by the ‘Independent’ National Electoral Commission [INEC] to Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It should be obvious that that win was what contributed in recommending him for the job of the top law officer of this country. We know that winning legal victories in court on election matters are often not strictly based on laws. Many of our judges are known to be corrupt. The additional qualification of Fagbemi was that he is Yoruba. In our country, being controversial comes with the job of being attorney-general and minister of justice. You are not expected to be at the service of Nigerians. You are the lickspittle of the president who appointed you. To be fair, Fagbemi is not alone. He is in the same boat as his predecessors.

    In some jurisdictions the attorney-general and the minister of justice are too separate individuals – the minister can be a partisan hack while the attorney-general is not. In our country, some advocates have been campaigning to separate the two offices. But the advocacies had been half-hearted at best. Even as recent as last year, there was a bill introduced in the House of Representatives by opposition lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] to separate the ministry of justice and the office of the attorney-general. The bill introduced by Mansur Soro [Darazo/Ganjuwa federal constituency in Bauchi state), and Oluwole Oke of Osun state, was then said to be receiving ‘legislative input from the House Committee on Constitution Review chaired the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu’. The bill was designed to alter section 150 of the 1999 Constitution with the introduction of sub-section 1 to read’:

    “There shall be an Attorney-General of the Federation who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the Federation different from the person occupying the position of the Minister of Justice to be appointed by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate”. In the same bill a sub-section to section 195 of the Constitution was proposed. The new sub-section should read, “There shall be an Attorney-General for each state who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the state to be appointed by the Governor, subject to the confirmation of the Governor”. Two things are possible with this bill. One, the bill is still alive awaiting the consummation of the alteration of the Constitution which has remained a work in progress since 2023, or that the bill fell by the way side. Two, the proponents had abandoned the bill in the wake of mass defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress [APC] by governors and lawmakers nationwide. The PDP is so decapitated that it is possible that the sponsors of the bill had jumped ship. And as a member of the ruling party you cannot be seen to be backing a bill that will offend the deity inside the Rock who is the owner of the party and the parliament. That will be the day. A similar move to separate the offices failed at the last hurdle in 2017 when the alteration couldn’t muster the concurrence of two-third of the 36 state assemblies.

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    So Fagbemi, as the attorney-general and minister of justice, and as an apparatchik of the APC, has been working his socks off for the president, the APC, and Nigerians in that order. By the virtue of his office, he is the chief legal adviser to the president. When you work for Tinubu, especially as it pertains to politics, independence of mind is not a virtue that’s encouraged. You are better served if you can correctly read his mind and proceed to do such things that he has in mind. And so far Fagbemi appears to be good at it. Between Tinubu and Fagbemi, they have the Supreme [Cult] Court for its imprimatur as the need arises. That informed the approach to the Supreme Court by the duo to make the combined 774 local government areas as a federating unit in Nigeria along with the federal and state governments. Their lame argument was that the Constitution prescribed that the Councils should be financially autonomous, and so should receive their allocations directly from Abuja. Tinubu and Fagbemi conveniently ignored another constitutional provision which stipulated that the states shall superintendent the operations and activities of the local government areas within their jurisdictions. The duo expectedly extracted victory from the pliant justices of the Supreme Court. But for all intents and purposes, it appears so far to be a pyrrhic victory. State governors had continued to use Council allocations as slush funds. The easier and better thing to do would have been to delete the council areas from the Constitution, allow states to create as many local governments or whatever name they choose to call them, and administer and fund them.

    As part of duty as the chief legal adviser to Tinubu, Fagbemi is complicit in the constitutional aberration in the suspension and removal from office for six months of the elected governor, deputy governor, and lawmakers of the Rivers state House of Assembly. And the appointment of an obviously illegal Sole Administrator. A court in Abuja only ruled on technicalities after the fact of the suspension. The main suit challenging what has been variously described as an abuse of power by the president is still languishing in the dockets of one of the courts in the federal capital. This could only happen because like the national assembly, the judiciary is now being widely regarded as a parastatal of the presidency. In like manner the same attorney-general recommended the seizure of the financial allocations to the council areas of Rivers state in the wake of a controversial council election conducted under the governor before he was sacked. But Fagbemi supported the release of the same funds to unelected councils under the Sole Administrator, and in contravention of a Supreme Court judgment that unelected councils should not receive any funds from the federal purse. Fagbemi was also behind the stalemate in Osun state where he has sided with the APC claimants to councils’ chairmanship positions against the PDP. There was a report recently that the PDP governor of Osun state, along with his wealthy songster nephew, had been paying the local government workers from their personal finances. This is not how to run a country or its subnational.

    The latest scandal is that this same attorney-general and minister of justice is currently reviewing a proclamation already publicly issued by the president on clemency and pardons for categories of detainees and prisoners who included merchants of psychotropic drugs and murderers. The review of the proclamation of a presidential order suggests that the buck does not stop at Tinubu’s desk any longer. And that the input prior to the pardons, if any, of the National Council of State comprising former presidents, heads of state, former and current heads of the three arms of government, governors, and other selected personages was of no consequence. What this tardiness, lack of vigour and rigour exposes is that governance is a charade in our clime. And especially in this dispensation. Members of sensitive and critical councils or committees or commissions lend themselves to be used as rubber stamps in decision-making including those involving life and death. They are herded into the Aso Rock Chamber without being armed in advance with briefing folders to acquaint themselves with the details of the issues they are expected to deliberate on and endorse. How is this possible with personages who should ordinarily be regarded as protectors of the realm? Should Fagbemi still be regarded as a fit and proper person for the exalted office he occupies?

    In some other places, and we verily believe that the same applies here, nobody has the authority or power to vary a clemency or pardon which has already been publicly granted by the president especially when that favour has passed through recognised persons and agencies of state. The office of the attorney-general is setting a dangerous precedent by purporting to be working to potentially vary a presidential decree. The likely argument that the pardons had not been gazetted and that the beneficiaries had not been freed from prison is neither here nor there. If the regime in the course of the ongoing review advances salient reasons why some of the beneficiaries of the pardon should be unpardoned, it will only confirm the widely held views that our rulers are neither thorough nor serious on matters concerning the wellbeing of Nigerians. In addition, anyone who had been pardoned and then unpardoned, and who can muster the courage may approach the courts to challenge the flipflop. The person could make a number of claims including discrimination and emotional trauma. The only drawback will be that the people who pardoned and unpardoned also own the courts and the judges.

    Apart from suggestions that this controversial clemency and pardons which have enraged a cross section of Nigerians were tailored to favour kindred spirits, there’s a greater concern that they will be disincentives to those who work tirelessly to ensure that the rule of law prevails. When drug traffickers and merchants are whimsically pardoned, you kill the zeal of the diligent officers of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA] and similar institutions. A corollary to this is that you embolden those who are minded to get into the illicit and deadly business. We also create more drug addicts who will become a menace to society and a burden to our health facilities. Those who are responsible for the administration of justice may not be motivated to do more, seeing how their efforts can be undone by a casual and careless stroke of an apparently presidential auto pen. No matter how this ends, the country will be worse for it.

  • APC blames opposition for #FreeNnamdiKanuProtest

    APC blames opposition for #FreeNnamdiKanuProtest

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), reputed for street protests and demonstrations, has taken a swipe at organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuProtest.

    Mr Seye Oladejo, APC Spokesperson in Lagos, Monday in Lagos condemned nationwide street agitations being staged in parts of the country, especially across the South East and Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

    In a signed statement, Mr. Oladejo said that the party condemns, in the strongest terms what he calls “the orchestrated tension and politically motivated street agitations.”

    According to him, the party finds it deeply disturbing that certain opposition leaders, who should know better, are the ones  endorsing and sponsoring the protests.

    He said that the alleged the involvement of opposition leaders revealed what could only be described “as a classic case of the Biblical hand of Jacob but the voice of Esau”.

    He said that the protest was a deceitful manipulation hiding behind the façade of activism.

    “While freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are sacrosanct in any democracy, what we are witnessing is far from a legitimate call for justice.

    “It is a dangerous display of reckless politics, carefully scripted by desperate opposition figures who see chaos as their last political weapon.

    “This so-called protest is not about justice; it is about political frustration.

    “It represents the height of bitter, destructive politics – an attempt by those who have been roundly rejected by Nigerians at the polls to exploit national issues in search of cheap relevance,” Oladejo said.

    He described as shocking the insensitivity of the protest organisers and their sponsors.

    Oladejo lamented that the protesters were embarking on a protest at a time when the South East was still bleeding from years of mindless bloodshed, kidnappings, and enforced sit-at-home orders.

    He said that with all consequences of violent agitation, the protesters had chosen to mock the memories of the victims.

    “They ignore the tears of widows, the pains of orphans, and the devastation of communities ruined by senseless violence.

    “Their protest is not a demand for justice; it is a betrayal of the sacrifices of the innocent,” the APC chieftain said.

    According to him, for years, ordinary citizens in the South East have lived in fear.

    He said that traders were afraid to open their shops, transporters grounded by threats, children deprived of education, and families shattered by insecurity.

    Oladejo said: “Yet, instead of standing with their people to heal these wounds, these political opportunists have returned to fan the embers of division, hoping to profit from instability.

    “Let it be clear: no one is above the law. The case of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu remains a judicial matter properly before the courts.

    “Nigeria’s judiciary is competent, independent, and capable of delivering justice without recourse to mob pressure or street intimidation.”

    He called on security agencies to remain vigilant, urging  all patriotic Nigerians, especially leaders of thought in the South East, to reject the antics of those who traffic in bitterness.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must not allow political desperation to tear it apart.

    “There must indeed be a limit to bitter politics,” he added.

    Media reports indicate that there have been several appeals to President Bola Tinubu to grant clemency to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

  • Anambra Guber: CP assures fair treatment for all

    Anambra Guber: CP assures fair treatment for all

    The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, has assured the public of professional conduct and neutrality among its personnel during the Nov. 8 governorship election in the state.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, gave the assurance in a statement on Monday in Awka.

    Ikenga quoted Orutugu as also calling for strict adherence to the rule of law among the officers and men, during the election.

    “As part of the ongoing security preparations for the forthcoming Anambra gubernatorial election, the CP, Anambra Command, Ikioye Orutugu has embarked on an operational tour and evaluation across the Police Area Command to assess the readiness of the officers and men for the crucial assignment.

    “The exercise which commenced with a visit to the Onitsha Area Command, saw the CP leading the high-visibility patrols through major routes and strategic locations within the area.

    “He also addressed officers and men  emphasizing the need for professionalism, neutrality, and strict adherence to the rule of law during election duties,” Ikenga said.

    The police spokesman also quoted the CP as calling on the officers and men to remain disciplined and committed to upholding the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The  Command reiterated its commitment to provide a safe and secure environment before, during and after the election.

    Orutugu noted the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, to free, fair, and credible elections nationwide.

    Ikenga said that during the patrol, the CP inspected operational formations, police posts, and checkpoints in the area to ensure that the deployed officers and men were alert and properly equipped.

    The CP commended the cooperation of sister security agencies as well as other security stakeholders in the area for their synergy and support to the police.

    Orutugu further urged residents of the state to remain law-abiding and to report all suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

  • NUPRC opposes establishment of oil, gas decommissioning body

    NUPRC opposes establishment of oil, gas decommissioning body

    The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has opposed the National Commission for Decommissioning of Oil and Gas Installations (NC-DOGI) establishment Bill (2024).

    The position of NUPRC was contained in a memorandum submitted at a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) in Abuja.

    Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Rep. Ado Doguwa (APC-Kano), said that over the years, Nigeria’s petroleum industry had continued to face challenges in the decommissioning and abandonment of oil and gas facilities.

    According to him, these challenges have environmental, economic and social impacts, particularly on host communities.

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    “This, therefore, calls for a closer look at whether the existing regulatory frameworks are sufficient or need to be strengthened and whether establishing a dedicated body, such as the proposed commission, would better serve national interests.

    “It is, however, important to note that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) already provides for decommissioning and abandonment under Sections 232 and 233, assigning specific responsibilities to the NUPRC and MDPRA and also establishing a fund to ensure these activities are properly planned and financed in line with regulations,” he said.

    The chairman said that the NC-DOGI bill which was sponsored by the leadership of the house is a significant legislative proposal as it sought to address matters that affected human and environmental welfare.

    He said it reflected parliament’s commitment to ensuring the growth of the oil and gas sectors as well as ensuring environmental responsibility and sustainable community development.

    Doguwa explained that the public hearing was part of the legislative process of the National Assembly that ensured transparency, participation and inclusiveness in lawmaking.

    He said that the purpose for engagement was to provide a formal platform for stakeholders to express their views, make observations and offer recommendations that will ensure a fair and informed decision by parliament.

    In the memorandum the NUPRC had opposed the proposed establishment of the commission, saying it is unnecessary, duplicative and contrary to international best practices and is likely to discourage investments in the oil and gas industry.

    The commission maintained that the PIA already empowers NUPRC and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (MDPRA) to effectively manage decommissioning in their respective sectors of the oil and gas industry and these responsibilities are currently being discharged competently.

    “Section 232 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) mandates every licensee/lessee to submit a Decommissioning and Abandonment Plan aligned with the approver Feld Development Plan and the Commission already enforces this requirement through an established review workflow.

    “The House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) is respectfully urged to maintain decommissioning and abandonment oversight within the existing petroleum regulatory framework (NUPRC and NMDPRA).

    “This approach will ensure technical coherence, economic efficiency and alignment with both PlA 2021 and global standards, thereby safeguarding Nigeria’s interests in the oil and gas sector and promoting the Federal Government’s ease of doing business initiatives,” it said.

  • Adeosun seeks targeted funding to boost LPG use

    Adeosun seeks targeted funding to boost LPG use

    Mr Olumide Adeosun, Managing Director of Eterna Plc, has called for targeted funding and policy-driven investments in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) sector to scale up domestic usage and promote clean cooking across Nigeria.

    Adeosun made the call while speaking on the theme, “Driving a Sustainable Energy Future through Investment in Midstream and Downstream Infrastructure”, on Wednesday in Lagos.

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    He emphasised the need to shift more attention toward LPG, describing it as vital to public health and environmental protection.

    “Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is currently receiving a lot of attention, and rightly so, it holds great promise for the future of heavy goods transportation in Nigeria.

    “However, we can not overlook LPG, especially for household use,” he said.

    Adeosun noted that Nigeria’s LPG consumption had declined in recent years, in spite of earlier projections of reaching five million metric tonnes per annum by 2025.

    “The problem isn’t production; it’s distribution.

    “Gas isn’t getting to where it’s most needed, at the grassroots, largely due to inadequate investment in last-mile infrastructure,” he said.

    According to him, the real challenge lies in the affordability and availability of cooking cylinders, which remain the primary means of LPG use at the household level.

    “You don’t cook from a plant or a skid. You cook using a 3kg or 12.5kg cylinder.
    But without financing models to make these bottles accessible to end users, especially low-income households, LPG adoption will remain limited,” he said.

    He commended Techno Oil for establishing a 500,000-bottle-per-annum cylinder manufacturing plant but stressed that much more needs to be done to ensure broad-based access to cooking gas.

    “The money is available. What’s missing is a bankable business case, a practical financial model that supports distribution and end-user affordability,” Adeosun added.

    He revealed that Eterna Plc is focusing on retail-level engagement aimed at meeting customers where they are, ensuring consistent restocking and support for new users.

    Adeosun acknowledged the risks associated with initiatives such as pay-as-you-go LPG models, where customers might default or disappear with loaned cylinders, but maintained that innovation remains key to achieving wider adoption.

    “Until we solve these challenges, we won’t see the kind of growth we’re aiming for,” he warned.

    To fast-track gas adoption, Adeosun urged the government to incentivise the conversion of heavy-duty vehicles and industrial machinery to CNG.

    He also called on the government to subsidise the distribution of LPG adoption kits, cylinders, stoves, and cookers to rural and low-income households.

    “Government should mandate gas infrastructure inclusion in all future residential estates and encourage retrofitting of existing ones,” he said.

    Adeosun pointed out that without these structural interventions, particularly at the last mile, the government’s campaign to deepen gas penetration might fall short of its objectives.

    “We must develop demand centres through proper infrastructure. Only then can we bridge the gap between supply and real usage,” he noted.

  • Benue juice factory, ready for commercial production

    Benue juice factory, ready for commercial production

    The Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) on Wednesday test-ran its juice factory known as Benfruits Juice Industry and is ready for commercial fruit juice.

    The sweet, fresh and additive-free juice was produced during the test run.

    Those who tasted the juice described it as natural and one of the best that they have taken.

    BIPC Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, told newsmen shortly after the test run that the juice was produced purely from Benue oranges.

    Asemakaha stated that when the factory becomes fully operational, no Benue oranges would leave the state in large quantities.

    GMD pointed out that orange farmers would not only get a market for their products but full value as well.

    He said that the factory would also create many jobs for Benue people.

    “This is the juice produced from our Benue oranges. From these same oranges we will produce oil, and the chaffs will be used for organic fertiliser. There is no waste here.

    “After this test running, we will check the whole process again and make sure that everywhere is set for takeoff.

    “We are going to do something that has not been done before in this state. Just give Gov. Hyacinth Alia six more years, and our yams, mangoes and oranges will never waste again. Our farmers will have full value for their products,” he said.

    He recalled that BIPC took over the management of the state-owned juice processing factory in July.

    According to him, the company was dormant for over 20 years, and BIPC, upon takeover, engaged Sono Company, experts in juice production in the world, to revive the industry.

    The factory’s Plant Engineer, Mr Henry Boager, said the factory has the capacity to produce four metric tonnes of juice per hour.

    Boager boasted that they have a competent technical team to handle the factory machines for optimal results.

    He assured the people that post-harvest losses would be minimised and farmers would get real value for their produce.

  • ‘Real Warri Pikin’ becomes brand ambassador for Purna Gummies

    ‘Real Warri Pikin’ becomes brand ambassador for Purna Gummies

    Popular comedian and wellness advocate Anita Asuoha, popularly known as Real Warri Pikin, has become brand ambassador for Purna Gummies.

    Purna Gummies is a  leading supplement and nutritional support brand.

    The ace artiste was unveiled at an official ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Unveiling of the star artiste  as Purna’s ambassador reaffirms the brand’s  premium NAFDAC approved gummy in the supplement industry.

    The gravid artiste specially represent’s Purna’s  Mama Bear,  a prenatal and postnatal supplement designed to support the health and well-being of mums and mums-to-be.

    Introducing  the new brand ambassador, Dr Everest Okpara, Chairman, Purna Gummies Nigeria Limited, said the artiste’s charisma, acceptability and commitment to healthy living depict what the brand represents.

    “She is a remarkable woman, that each time she mounts the podium, her audience, her fans,  begin to get inspired because of her words.

    “It’s our pleasure to have her on board as Brand Ambassador of Purna Gummies Nigeria Limited, representing the brands of Purna Gummies.

    “Purna Gummies have a range of products at the moment, including the Mama Bear , which she  represents, and  we are still working towards producing multiple line of products.

     “At Purna,  our mission is to get Nigerians  vitamised by providing safe, effective and NAFDAC approved Purna gummies,” he said.

    In speech, Real Warri Pikin said she decided to become the ambassador of the Purna because of its commitment to the provision effective and convenient nutritional support for Nigerians.

    She  lauded the company’s commitment to maternal health, with the introduction of Mama Bear brand, a tasty, chewable gummies packed with essential nutrients to help meet the unique needs of pregnancy and motherhood.

     “I am committed to wellness and that is why I’m delighted to be part of this partnership.

    “Of course Purna gummies have different products and I’m representing the Mama Bear Gummies for pregnant women and  lactating mothers.

    “It is very important when you’re pregnant, you take your prenatal, and then your postnatal  care seriously, and it’s Mama Bear Gummies or nothing for me,” she said.

    Earlier , Mrs Roseline Okpara, Customer Care Representative of the company, said : “Real Warri Pikin  represents the brand in every sense of it.

    “As you can see, she’s healthy, she’s looking good, and also her unborn child, and I’m super excited.

    “As a woman, she represents the Purna Mama Bear  to encourage pregnant women to make sure that they stick to it because it will go a long way for both   mother’s and baby’s wellness,” she said.