All Posts in "Day: July 10, 2023"

IOCs Stifling Investment In Africa For Selfish Reason

Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, the Secretary General of African Petroleum Producers’ Organisation (APPO),Monday stated that International Oil Companies (IOCs) are shying away from investing in Africa on account of the consequences from their home countries.

He spoke in his key note address at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 16th Nigerian Association for Energy Economics (NAEE), a three day annual international conference with the theme: ‘Energy Evolution, Transition and Reform: Prospects for African Economies’ holding in Abuja.

According to him,currently climate activism is driven more by the quest for energy security by the developed countries than by concerns about the environment.

He added that a good demonstration of this reality is the response of today’s champions of energy transition to the use of fossil fuels in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.

He said:”The very people that announced an end to funding oil and gas projects especially in Africa, ostensibly because they are considered dirty fuels and dangerous to humanity, sent high powered delegations to our countries offering to fund oil and gas projects that for decades were begging for investors.

” Of course, the condition was that the oil and gas should go to the investors. In other words, Africa is encouraged to produce oil and gas only if they are meant for export to developed countries to ameliorate their special circumstances due to the war, but the production of that same oil and gas is dangerous to humanity if it is meant to be burnt in Africa.

“Put differently, oil and gas are harmful today because they are foreign controlled. If the West was the place endowed with so much fossil fuels, the emphasis would have been on developing and perfecting the technology to
make fossil fuels environmentally friendly, not on rushing to end fossil fuel use.

“It is interesting to note that these countries that have used fossil fuels to grow their economies, have largely succeeded in moving their economies from relying on industrial manufacturing for their wealth creation,to
reliance on services, the manufacture of knowledge and Artificial realization that shale cannot compete with conventional crude, that made these countries to switch focus to some other source of energy” he said.

Speaking, Dr. Bello Aliyu Gusau, the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) reiterated that the Fund will not relent in partnering with stakeholders in finding solutions for better energy solutions in the country.

He noted that the Fund has supported various universities in the country, stressing that apart from sending Nigerians abroad for capacity building, the Fund has developed facilities across the nation through partnership with local universities.

admin by — July 10, 2023 in Oil&Gas 0

Nigeria is the 10th largest contributor of foreign students to the United States, a statement has said.

It also said last year, over 14,000 Nigerian students were enrolled in over 1,000 U.S. higher education institutions,according to the statement issued by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria.

It said: “Approximately 700 students are benefiting this year from the U.S. Mission’s EducationUSA advising services in Nigeria, including 73 Opportunity Funds recipients.

“EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State-supported network of over 430 international student advising centers across the world that provide information and guidance on the U.S. higher education admissions process.”

It noted that the EducationUSA’s Opportunity Funds Program assists highly qualified students, who are likely to be awarded full financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities, but lack the financial means to cover their pre-U.S. arrival costs such as application fees, test fees, and international airfare.

The United States (U.S.) Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos had last week, hosted pre-departure orientations for several hundreds of Nigerian students who will soon depart for study in the United States.

Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Rolf Olson, Counselor for Public Affairs, Adnan Siddiqi, and Lagos Public Affairs Officer, Joseph Kruzich, congratulated the students and wished them well.

In Abuja, Olson expressed optimism that the students will “enhance Nigerian infrastructure and society as future doctors, entrepreneurs, engineers, politicians, and so much more,” and that they will share their knowledge and skills with their own communities in Nigeria upon their return.

The statement said that “In Lagos, Mr. Kruzich urged the students to “take advantage of all the opportunities American universities have to offer and become actively involved in the many organizations and clubs that will enrich your experience as a foreign student.”

admin by — July 10, 2023 in Education 0
Tinubu Needs More Chartered Accountants In His Cabinet -ICAN

Mohammed Shosanya

The Chartered Institute of Accountants,ICAN,has implored President Bola Tinubu to appoint more chartered accountants in his cabinet in order to firm up the nation’s economy.

Its President,Innocent Okwuosa,who conveyed the suggestion in a statement made available to Premium News on Sunday,said the socio-political challenges facing Nigeria currently needs the intervention of chartered accountants in public governance.

He maintained that chartered accountants should man key sensitive positions requiring proper accountability as there cannot be effective public governance without accountants.

He recalled that recent study conducted by the body provides evidence which shows that there is positive correlation between having more chartered accountants within a work force and better organisational performance.

He added:”In other words, organisations that employ more chartered accountants perform better than those employing less chartered accountants in terms of service delivery and financial performance. This has been proven empirically drawing experiences from Zenith Bank, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and Lagos State government. These three organisations span private sector, a government agency and state government respectively.

“We believe that President Tinubu’s administration will experience same performance success if more chartered accountants are engaged by his administration.

“Today we are looking for a Minister of Finance that will clean up government monetary policy. What we need is a chartered accountant economist i.e. an economist that is a chartered accountant and not just an economist alone.

“We want to state that within the ICAN chartered accountants, we have economists, engineers, doctors, pharmacists, architects, political scientists, pastors, imams, you name it. So inherent in ICAN chartered accountants are other disciplines, while accounting and finance predominates.

“When accountability permeates every cabinet member and his or her ministry, corruption will be minimised, better governance elevated and Nigerians will instantly begin to feel the dividend of democracy. Incidentally the President is an accountant and understands what we are saying here”

He said the body identifies with some bold economic policy reforms which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated within the short time of assumption of office such as removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate unification.

He also said the body also identifies with Tinubu’s support for clean energy transition that factors in the vast gas resources of the country which in our view is energy justice and will reduce debt exposure of the country.

He added:We commend him for these quick and bold actions, drawing attention to consideration of the plight of those within the low income bracket”.

admin by — July 10, 2023 in News 0
How Mother’s Death Crashed My Marriage — Jim Iyke

Mohammed Shosanya

Nollywood actor, Jim Iyke, has disclosed that
his marriage failed due to the death of his mother, adding that he was the cause of his marriage failure.

He revealed while speaking in an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo.

He said, while grieving over his mother’s death, he emotionally abandoned his partner, who recently gave birth to his first son.

Jim Iyke noted that he invested all the love he had in his child and “left his wife behind.”

He said, “I have had a failed marriage but nobody knows that. I have three kids. I caused my marriage to fail. I am not the type that would blame anybody for my mistakes. There is a saying, ‘to boss up, own up’, There is a part of me that would take the easier route out.

“Anytime I did anything mediocre in my life, I always did it when I was emotional because I am extremely proficient in being deliberate and being strategic about everything I do.

“Every time I failed; it was because I got emotional. I became mediocre then I appeal to the smaller man in me and the part that was not emotionally intelligent.”

Jim Iyke said due to his closeness with his mother, no one was willing to inform him about her death.

He said:“When I lost my mother, I could not find my feet for years. There was a lifestyle, spiritual connection that I lost. It took them 72 hours to tell me that I had lost my mother. I just got out of an interview in London.

“There is always that one person in the family that is a deliverer of bad news. The person who does that in our family said he would not break the news to me because there is a great chance I would not make it.”

Speaking on how his mother’s death impacted his relationship with his wife and son, the actor stated, “Just when I was getting over it, my woman was pregnant with my first son.

He added:“I had a quiet space, there was nobody around me to take care of me anymore. There was nothing all of a sudden and the grief hit me. The loss hit me and I could not sleep for days. I was irritated and was not the loving man she met.

“I am a goofball, forget the perception out there. I am the prankster of the family and the guy that starts the laugh at the most serious issue. They don’t even invite me to family meetings because I start with a joke then my father calls me to order.

“I lost my sense of humour, the lion in me and the leader in me. I just gave myself to the elements, so she suffered for that. I became an obsessive dad. I took everything in me to my son.

“I was changing diapers; I was the proper stay-home dad. I took everything to him and left her behind. I took all my love and attention and invested it in my son and left her behind. I was an excellent father and a woeful husband. They are white, they are not built like us”.

“After a while, she said, I can’t find who I married. Then we parted as friends. I told her, ‘I am here but I am not here. There is no presence here. I don’t know what it would take me to heal and bring myself back here but if you want to wait for me I will appreciate it and if you can’t I will understand’. She said she can’t.”

admin by — July 10, 2023 in Arts/Entertainment 0
Second Tenure: Makinde Seeks Residents Support On Value Addition

Mohammed Shosanya

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has implored residents of the state to support his administration to have a successful tenure,stressing that once the governor records success, the impact will be felt by all the residents.

Governor Makinde, who commended the people of the state for their support for his administration in the first four years and their support during the election, said he would never take that support for granted.

“From the bottom of my heart I cannot take your support for granted. You have supported us for a second tenure and you must support us to have a successful tenure because, if we are successful, Oyo State is successful and the impact will definitely be on all of us,” the governor added.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, indicated that Governor Makinde stated this at the Omituntun 2.0 Victory Invitational Golf Tournament Dinner, held at the Ibadan Golf Club, Ibadan.

He appreciated his friends for putting the event together, noting that he would continue to strive to develop the game of Golf and ensure it is played across the state.

He reiterated that his administration would continue to put in the hard work necessary to put the state on the path of sustainable development.

He noted that there was the need to continue to support the administration so that it could achieve its set goals of uplifting the state and bringing about sustainable development.

The governor added that he would be receptive to constructive criticisms and ideas that could help move the state forward and that residents who have concerns about the spread of government’s efforts to their localities should feel free to express such.

He said: “This is an event organised completely by my friends and associates. I want to let you know that a dime did not come from me nor from the coffers of Oyo State for this event.

“Let me thank the good people of Oyo State and all of you seated here for your support. Some of you may not have supported me directly but I am aware that you did that indirectly.

“People may not know that I do monitor the Whatsapp loop of this Club and I know those that criticise me. But once God has vindicated one, there is no need to engage in any sort of fight further. Yes, we can disagree to agree, in as much as the end result is to make our society better.

“So, I will say that even under Omituntun 2.0, you can challenge and tell us where we are not doing well. Tell us when good projects have not gotten to your neighbourhood and we won’t take it personal but, instead, address your genuine concerns. Victory is sweet after the hard work. For the past almost six weeks after we were sworn in for the second tenure in office, we have just been enjoying ourselves.

“I know it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work again. But we are here tonight to celebrate the sweet victory that occurred on March 18th through the support of the majority of you, and to have a victory party. By the grace of God, one thing I can promise the people is that we will continue to work really hard to take our state on the path of sustainable development.”

The governor noted that his love for the game of Golf would not wane, even as he called on the Club and its members not to hesitate to ask for his assistance.

admin by — July 10, 2023 in News 0
Ondo Cocoa Farmers Drag Akeredolu’s Son To Court

Mohammed Shosanya

Cocoa farmers in Oluwa forest reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State would be returning to court on Monday over continued grading of the farmlands by a firm, SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited.

A statement by the attorney to the farmers, Tope Temokun, on Sunday and made available to newsmen in Akure, disclosed that the farmers would be starting off contempt proceedings against the Managing Director of the firm, Ayo Sotinrin having filed Form 48.

A motion has been filed by the farmers to join the son of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Babajide, in the matter being the Director-General of Ondo State Performance and Project Monitoring Implementation Unit (PPIMU).

The statement revealed that Babajide was in charge of directives on the grading of the cocoa farmers plantations.

According to Temokun, “The Oluwa Forest Reserve Farmers in their thousands will be returning to the court tomorrow, Monday, July 10, 2023 in Ondo over the continued grading of their cocoa farmlands by SAO AGRO-ALLIED SERVICES LTD, in conjunction with the Ondo State Government.

“The farmers have filed Form 48 to kickstart contempt proceedings against the Managing Director of SAO AGRO-ALLIED SERVICES LTD, Mr. Ayo Sotinrin and have also filed a motion to join the son of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, BABAJIDE AKEREDOLU, who is the Director-General of Ondo State Performance and Project Monitoring Implementation Unit (PPIMU), Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, who is currently in charge of directives on the grading of the farmers’ cocoa trees by SAO AGRO-ALLIED SERVICES LTD, which shall be heard tomorrow.”

On May 2, 2023, the Ondo State High Court at Ore Judicial Division sitting in Ondo, Ondo State, presided over by Justice Aderemi Adegoroye, granted an interim injunction, restraining the Ondo State Government and SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited, among others, from further grading the cocoa plantations of the farmers.

But,SAO Agro-Allied Services Limited has allegedly continued grading work on the farmers plantations, destroying the farmers’ trees and replacing the cocoa trees destroyed with its oil palm trees.

admin by — July 10, 2023 in News 0
Dipo Fasina, Former ASUU President Missing

Omobolanle Shosanya

Former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dipo Fasina, popularly known as ‘Jingo,’ has been missing since penultimate Saturday, incumbent President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke,has confirmed.

Mr. Fasina, was travelling to Algeria at the invitation of the Algerian government when he was said to have missed his connecting flight from Istanbul, Turkey.

His whereabouts is unknown hithertho

A scholar, activist, and unionist, Mr. Fasina taught Philosophy for 34 years at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, which he joined in 1979 after returning from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he bagged his Ph.D. certificate.

A trustee of ASUU and the Chairperson of the Joint Action Front (JAF), a coalition of labour movements and civil society organisations championing pro-people struggles in Nigeria, Mr. Fasina was born to the Ashogbon royal family of Lagos.

He was nicknamed Jingo by his students as the favourite name he used to cite examples in his crowded classes.

He was also credited with having founded the Philosophy department at Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), where he was said to have donated his entitlements to establish a library.

Many friends and associates of the missing scholar including bodies such as ASUU and JAF are working towards his safe return.

ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, in a reaction, said the union is working hard to confirm the union’s leader’s whereabouts and ensure his return.

“Yes, we are aware of the development and we are working on it, so when we are through in the next two or three days we will let you know,” Mr Osodeke said.

Another associate of Mr Fasina who does pleaded anonymity,describing the matter as personal, confirmed that they may be travelling soon for the search.

“This is a personal matter and not a media case. We are working to bring him back and he will be fine. I may have to travel any moment from now to bring him back,” he added.

admin by — July 10, 2023 in News 0
Your Remarks On Veteran Actors Rude,Yomi. Fabiyi Tells Jaiye Kuti

Mohammed Shosanya

Nigerian actor, Yomi Fabiyi, has faulted a post by his colleague Jaiyeola Kuti, slamming veteran Yoruba colleagues who beg Nigerians for financial assistance on social media in difficult times.

Jaiye had in a viral Instagram criticized the veterans for their poor financial decisions over the years, adding that their action is bringing disrepute to the Theatre Arts And Motion Pictures Practitioners Association Of Nigeria (TAMPAN) body and its members.

She said: “We have the Yoruba and English sectors and those in the English sector have members who face hard times but seek help amongst themselves. Our members, on the other hand, have ridiculed us with their need to publicly beg for help, to the point that many now see Yoruba actors as wretched all because some people did not prepare for their future.”

Acknowledging the power of social media,Jaiye punched Yoruba actors who use these platforms to seek help constantly, adding that it is making people believe that the entertainment industry isn’t profitable.”

But Fabiyi, in a post on his Instagram page, slammed the actress calling her “arrogant” and asking that she let these people breathe if she has no help to offer.

He said: “If anybody needs help and indeed comes public with his or her brand, name, and face only, I don’t see why it should bother anyone. If you cannot find the means to recover all these veterans’ losses via piracy and exploitation by capitalists, then let them breathe. We, new millennium actors, are a little luckier but not better.

“We must learn to respect people’s decisions, choices, and actions. All man for himself. Comparison is proof of nothing. I prefer these veterans’ stars to seek charity than go into drug Trafficking, Fraud, Rituals, etc just to survive their present hardship. Maybe this charity should be in a more packaged means because truth be told, many old actors are suffering in silence and likely to die disgracefully if they don’t seek help

“Let it be clear, no matter how uncomfortable and displeased you are with someone’s actions or decisions, if it is not against the law of the land and falls within the rights of the person, it is an outright arrogance, crime, and grandeur of delusion to attempt to rubbish such person. Caveat!”

admin by — July 10, 2023 in Arts/Entertainment 0
NNPC, SNEPCo Offer Free Eye Screening, Surgeries

Mohammed Shosanya

Over 4000 residents of Lagos Island communities enjoyed free eye care services at the just concluded Vision First Initiative of the Shell Nigeria and Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria Limited (SNEPCo) and its partner, Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

The programme offered free screening, glasses, surgeries, and prescriptions in the second Lagos edition of the programme launched in 2022.

The Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, described medical eyecare as a critical necessity that should be accessible, affordable and of priority.

He added: “Clear vision should be a fundamental right for all, and not a luxury. That is why the NNPC and SNEPCo launched the Vision First Initiative as our contributions to preventive and corrective visual aids to Nigerians.”

Wunti,who was represented by NUIMS Manager, Stakeholder Relations, Ms. Julie Utang, said: “We will continue to champion the implementation of sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility projects and programmes that positively impact the lives of Nigerians.”

Speaking,Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mrs Elohor Aiboni, said the initiative would continue to focus on visual aids, surgical treatments, and prevention of visual impairment and childhood blindness.

Aiboni,who spoke through her representative and SNEPCo’s Managing Counsel, Mrs Lara Taiwo-Ogunbodede, said, “Vision acuity and clear eyesight play an important role in the quality of life of an individual, and this initiative therefore seeks to eliminate preventable and treatable blindness while also providing risk communication on poor health-seeking behaviours.”

Assessing the performance of the programme, the SNEPCo boss said: “Around 2,000 people were screened; 1,199 prescription glasses dispensed; 1,310 beneficiaries received medication; while 189 people had successful procedures.”

Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, represented by the Deputy Director, Dr Adeniran Ifeyemi, thanked NNPC, SNEPCo and their co-venture partners for the initiative.

She said, “Health is one of the integral components of the ‘T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda’ of the state government and the health component of the agenda is anchored on the premise of the Lagos State Health Scheme designed to ensure that every resident has quality, equitable and affordable healthcare.”

Chairman, Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Mr. Muibi Folawiyo, commended the “Vision First Initiative” for the people of his local council and invited other organisations to emulate SNEPCo and its partners.

admin by — July 10, 2023 in Health 0
Misconduct: PSC Fires 3 Senior Officers, Demotes Nine Others

The Police Service Commission has dismissed three senior Police officers due to cases of misconduct and abuse of office.

Nine other officers have been demoted in rank, including a Commissioner of Police due to similar offence.

These decisions were reached during the continuation of the 21st Plenary Meeting, which commenced on Thursday, July 6th, 2023, at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

The meeting was chaired by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court stood in for Dr. Solomon Arase the Chairman of the Commission and a retired Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission.

Dr. Arase expressed his appreciation for their diligent attention to disciplinary matter and restated his commitment to aid the career growth of any officer. He assured that the decisions made by the Commission align with this promise.

During the meeting, the Commission also approved the compulsory retirement of an Assistant Commissioner and instructed the refund of all erroneously paid entitlements to this officer.

In recognition of late Inspector Ifeanyi Oroke’s acts of gallantry, the Commission granted him a posthumous promotion to the next rank of ASP 11,while Inspector Augustina Oko, who was previously dismissed, was reinstated, effective from the date of her dismissal.

Besides,the Commission sanctioned severe reprimands for 16 officers, while another 18 officers received reprimands.Letters of warning were directed to be given to two other officers.

Earlier, the Commission approved the appeal to adjust the date of promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police for ACP Woke Iheanyi Kingsley. It also reinstated CSP Anaele Samuel Onuoha in compliance with a court judgment.

admin by — July 10, 2023 in News 0