By Precious Okolobo

September 1 2004, was like any other Wednesday in the Niger Delta. But it was strikingly different for one man and his company. The man walked into his office in Port Harcourt and took his seat, and Nigerians rose to their feet to celebrate history.

Mr. Basil Omiyi had just spent his first minutes in office as the pioneer Nigerian Managing Director of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC.) It was the first time a Nigerian would assume the leadership of a Nigerian subsidiary of an international oil and gas company and the media and other industry watchers hailed the appointment as a good omen for developing Nigerian muscle in the industry.

The meaning of the moment was also not lost on Mr. Omiyi, an industry veteran who joined SPDC in 1970 as trainee petroleum engineer. “I am honoured to be the first of what I expect will be many Nigerians to hold the post,” he said. He and other Nigerians calling for more of the same have not been disappointed.

Some 18 years after he walked into the C-Suite, the third Nigerian is in place as the MD of Nigeria’s premier oil and gas company. Not only that, the two other Shell companies in Nigeria, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) are also headed by Nigerians.

The appointment of Nigerians into key posts is only one aspect of a deliberate effort by Shell to encourage Nigerian content development, which for the over 60 years of Shell’s operations in Nigeria, has ranged from developing talents and supporting contractors and suppliers to provide services in critical areas of the upstream businesses.

The socio-economic spin-offs include employment creation, enterprise development in the Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole. In May last year, Shell companies were named the International Oil Company with the most impactful local content initiatives at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair.

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) honoured Shell Companies in Nigeria as the best local content operators at its 2022 industry dinner and awards held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State Capital, last month. The Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, was also named sole recipient of the PETAN Chairman Outstanding Achievement Award, while her predecessor, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, clinched the PETAN Distinguished Achievement Award.

PETAN should know. Based in Port Harcourt, this association of more than 80 indigenous technical oilfield service companies in the upstream and downstream sectors with a combined annual revenue of more than $500 million, promotes the development of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria through their services and contributions to policy ideas and formulation. “Shell companies have always stood by local service companies, and they have been part of our local content journey right from the beginning, and have been consistent,” PETAN Chairman Nicholas Odinuwe, said while handing the award to Shell’s representatives.

Mr. Odinuwe described Shell companies as a major pillar to the growth of local content in Nigeria by driving the pre-legislation initiatives and providing funding intervention to give opportunity to even start-ups in the service sector to play in the oil and gas supply chain.

Efforts by Shell companies to develop Nigerian content in their operations pre-date the establishment of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in 2010. These efforts have facilitated the growth of Nigerian businesses in the manufacture of tools and technical kits, operation of helicopter flights in the Niger Delta and strategic partnerships between foreign and local companies to stimulate technology transfer and capacity development.

Thus,the Nigerian content development strategy of Shell companies is consistent with the framework of the NCDMB with strong emphasis on research and development, promotion of local manufacturing, indigenous asset ownership and human capacity development.

Among other achievements, Shell Nigeria deployed contractor support fund to enable indigenous entrepreneurs to gain access to credit and sponsoring research in Nigerian universities with the objective of creating local alternatives to imported fluids and additives.

In 2021,Shell Companies in Nigeria awarded contracts worth $800 million (the same as in 2020) to Nigerian-registered companies, of which 92% was to companies where the Nigerian ownership was at least 51%. Also in 2021,over 8,500 contractors supported the operations of the companies last year.

Recognizing the global nature and standards of oil and gas production,Shell does not just award contracts to Nigerians and leave them on their own to struggle for the necessary certifications and improvement of skills. It works with such companies to improve management systems and technical capacity and achieve the necessary certification for their products and services so that they can qualify for tenders and contracts to provide goods and services not only across Shell’s operations and the Nigerian oil and gas sector but also in sub-Saharan Africa.

For example, Caverton Nigeria Ltd which operates in West Africa beneiftted from Shell’s support for developing standards to global levels when it started helicopter services for Shell Nigeria. Apart from technical support, Shell Companies in Nigeria have helped to solve the challenge of contract financing by establishing the Shell Contractor Support Fund in 2012. Nearly $1.6 billion has been provided as loans to 901 Nigerian vendors since the inception of the Fund.

But it is in deep water that Shell’s efforts at Nigerian content development have been very pronounced. The development of the Bonga field by SNEPCo in 2005 gave rise to the first generation of Nigerian deep-water oil and gas engineers. SNEPCo hired Nigerian engineers who cut their teeth on this project, developing knowledge and skills that would advance the country’s oil and gas production and exploration capacity.

The company awarded major engineering and construction contracts to indigenous companies which were involved in the installation of new production manifolds, subsea umbilical systems, oil production and water injection flowlines. In 2019, a local company refurbished one of Bonga’s subsea wellhead control systems, known as a Christmas tree.

Today, wholly indigenous companies manufacture and rebuild hydraulic flying leads (HFLs) in-country in a major technical breakthrough. A Nigerian company also continues to refurbish old subsea Christmas trees. Nigerian companies also played key roles in the seventh turnaround maintenance of the Bonga field which was successfully undertaken in October 2022.

In recognition of these efforts, the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Mr. Simbi Wabote, paid glowing tribute to Shell for being the first international oil company in Nigeria to demonstrate belief in the capabilities of Nigerian companies and give them the inroad to participate fully in the oil and gas industry.

He was speaking at a local content workshop for the judiciary in Bayelsa State. No doubt, the pioneering efforts of Shell have helped the NCDMB to achieve nearly 50 per cent local content attainment in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. This translates to retention of over $8 billion of the $20 billion annual spending in the industry. The NCDMB is looking to achieve 70 per cent local content penetration by 2027.

The Board and indeed Nigerians can continue to count on the history-making strides of Shell in Nigerian content development. This is a guarantee of more Mr. Omiyi’s moments.

By Faruq Atofarati

Atiku won’t cease to amaze Nigerians. Some said he’s healthy, but since he does not routinely appear on Fanmilk bicycle, he might not be as healthy, yet every day he proves them wrong.

The tweeting elites say he’s more like the “Messi” of Nigerian politics, what they know is that he has played very well in past World Cups but didn’t win, so he’s playing very well now, clearing all doubts and dribbling his way through. He has not just earned his credibility as the party flag bearer, so it’s not new.

But in fact, Atiku is the embodiment of many characters: the patience of Moses, the endurance of Noah. Talk about the boldness of Elijah and Job’s perseverance. Atiku is an embodiment, what’s in fact missing is arrogance, a selling point of his major opponent.

His ideas are unwavering couriers of vision, and his candidacy is the best thing that could happen to Nigerians. Yesterday, Obidients confirmed it. People who detested the PDP were amazed. People who had never heard him speak started comparing him with the other candidate. Atiku is the eldest in the room, so every other opinion had to take a bow. He wasn’t even a joker Vice President.

So Atiku faced millions of Nigerians to discuss and debate his plans. The difference was clear. It was a manifesto devouring other manifestos. The scathed Obidients couldn’t believe it, so they couldn’t distort the truth. What are they waiting for? Isn’t Atiku the better candidate?

The Waziri of Adamawa has impressed even the deaf. He has appeared many times to discuss his plans. Many thought his candidacy would be lurking in the shadows of men, but no! he continues to solve complex political puzzles, and he’s intentional. Nigerians have no problem with his credentials, nor do they have one with his status. Atiku moves up and down, and he does it with his full chest.

So you can no longer deny that Atiku is a great man. You can no longer say he’s not presidential. Atiku is like myself, a writer. And as Joseph Conrad, a novelist, would say, the first job of the writer is to make the reader see.

So, Atiku has and it’s left for Nigerians to choose between vision and intermittent unstoppable blankness without judging with sentiments.

Paper Delivered By Bimbo Esho At The University of Lagos, Wednesday 23rd, 2022

Music preservation is an act of preserving and maintaining art found throughout the ages be it sculpture, paintings, books, etc

Most people who are preservationist usually first start as collectors. Good example is a renowned music collector in Nigeria Mr Femi Esho, Chairman of Evergreen Musical Company,who owns the largest collection of music of yesteryears in Nigeria and Omoba Yemisi Shyllon founder of OYASAF, who has the largest work of art in Nigeria today and whose Museum is situated at Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.

Femi Esho started his collection of musical works since the age of twelve. It started as a passion and love for music. His passion took him round Nigeria and he moved with the biggest names in Nigeria music industry.

Today, he is acclaimed as the largest collector of music of yesteryears in Nigeria with over 100,000 original vinyls of the works of musicians from all over the world particularly those in Africa.

Also,his Lagos office has overtime become a beehive of activities where researchers, musicians, students, etc all come to learn about Nigerian music heritage.

In his Lagos office are original works of most of Nigerian musicians some of whom he owns copyright to their works also on display in his heritage Office are musical instruments like Gramophone of 100 years, Reel to Reel, Turntable, etc.

It is good to know that collectors overtime become preservationist as they think deeply about ways to safeguard most of their collected works for posterity. Sometimes they are seen as performing surgical operation on the piece of music/ art in their custody.I remember few years back while discussing with Mr Femi Esho, my dad.

He told me of a most painful experience he has had a collector. I am sure you will also laugh when you hear this story. He said while sorting out his many collections one of the 78rpm record plate fell and broke into pieces, Guess what? He said tears rolled down from his eyes!.

One may wonder why such display of emotions but for him he believes he has lost an heritage and an entire musical work that may never be found again.

Now back to the focus of the day. In explaining the preservation of our music I will love to split this topic into three:

1) Music Storage Materials and how it has been improved on over the years

2) The Future

3) Need for preservation of our Musical Heritage.

Storage System

In explaining musical storage device and how it has been improved on over the years,we will start by tracing back to over 3,400 years ago when the first musical form was discovered in Syria during excavation process.

The archaeological finding was a hymn inscribed on clay tablet. This has since been transcribed and put into song. We can find that song on YouTube.

While discussing this mention must be made of the earliest musical instruments like the Iyre which is 1400 BC and the Neanderthal flute which has been estimated as over 60,000 years.

Coming back to Nigeria, historical Research confirms Canon Jesse Ransome Kuti, Fela Kuti’s grandfathers songs as the first to be released in Nigeria on Vinyl in the year 1925 under Zonophone record label.

In understanding Zonophone,please note it was not really a company per se but it name applied to records and machines (Talking Machines).

Years ago people always thought it was the dog on the gramophone that sang. The technology of the Gramophone was introduced in, 1887. The Gramophone was used to play what was known as the 78rmp plate and also known as breakable plates.In 1920 the reel to reel was introduced.

Later in 1948,technology continued to improve hence the introduction of 33 RPM records from Colombia Records. Then we had turntable to play this. In 1958 the Cassette player was invented then later in 1982 the invention of CDs.

For us that are collectors,I can say that the CD system has been like the poorest storage system. Once the CDs scratches, it loses its relevance and starts to skip during play.Sometimes the musical content can vamoose sorry with my word lol leaving the CD empty.

The other devices are relatively okay and have been able to stand the test of time especially if not exposed to heat.The MP3 Project began in 1977 but first put into use in 1998 according to research.The digital process allowed songs from earlier mention storage facilities to be converted to MP3 then stored on hard drive and computers.

There is reservation for the digital era because in a bid for preservation of the original works as old as 100 years some end up losing the original sound texture including original local musical instruments used in the production while trying to eradicate noise and scratches.

There is no gainsaying that the digital age has helped musicians particularly contemporary ones in selling their music around the world unlike the sale of vinyl and cassettes which required face to face purchase.

Now artistes can connect to their fans easily through streaming of their works on different platforms online like Amazon, iTunes, Boomplay, etc

The Future

Global Music Vault are trying new technology that will help keep music for 10,000 years on a platter stem technology from a Microsoft research project dubbed project silica which uses recent discoveries in ultrafast laser optics according to them the glass is capable of holding over 20,000 songs for around 10,000 years.

Need For Preservation Of Our Musical Heritage

There is need to preserve our musical heritage to avoid distortion of original lyrics. Unavailability of our music will cause young minds to embrace foreign cultures that are available.

We learn our cultures through music and allowing its extinction is at our own detriment. We all have noticed that contemporary music nourishes itself from older music traditions many we will notice in the songs remix of the present age.

The loss of our musical heritage will mean the loss of our unique stories that carries mythologies, records of our ancestors , taboos, social norms, etc

Thank You.

The current socioeconomic challenges confronting the Nigerian over the years has called for consistent and innovative ways to solve the problems.As it is said, government cannot do it alone and government has no business in doing business, it is imperative for collaborations and provision of suitable environment for the private sector to do business and improve economic growth.

As such, there is a deliberate need for strategic partnerships between the government and the private sector in order to drive growth and economic sustainability.From the perspective of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), a private sector policy advocacy thinks tank that provides evidence-based analysis; one may ask how Nigeria’s economic conundrum happened on their watch.

However, going down the timeline of policy recommendations made by the NESG since its inception in 1993 and recently its engagements with the current administration, it is immediately evident that much has been said in the national interest, which was not adhered to.

For instance, in October 2015 at the 21st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES), six months after the new government was constituted.

According to the NESG, “Nigeria’s remarkable growth performance in the last decade has not translated into shared prosperity for average. Symptoms include high youth unemployment, high poverty incidence, declining crude oil price in the international market, the foreign-exchange crisis, and significant capital outflows”. This quote made seven years ago sounds familiar; it is the same situation plaguing Africa’s most populous nation today.

Under the theme “Tough Choices: Achieving Competitiveness, Inclusive Growth and Sustainability”, the 21st NES in 2015 discussed and distilled issues on how to leverage Nigeria’s competitive advantage; reinvent public institutions in Nigeria; make SMEs strive, mainstream the social inclusion agenda and map out skills and innovation to boost productivity.

The NESG proposed three scenarios built by modelling the outcome of varying assumptions around reforms on the input variables – The Base, Moderate and Optimistic Scenarios.

The NESG warned the government against the Base scenario, which is adopting the status quo. “If adopted, the economy may go into recession”, NESG recommendations said. A few months later, Nigeria did go into recession in the second quarter of 2016; one can guess that the status quo was adopted.However, the NESG undeterred proposed fixes at the 22nd NES with the theme “Made-in-Nigeria”, which focused on the need to revitalize the economy through strategies that promote inclusive growth and higher levels of broad-based production and consumption.

Over the years, the NESG has anchored solutionist conversations on “Opportunities, Productivity & Employment: Actualizing the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan” and “Poverty to Prosperity: Making Governance and Institutions Work”, which guided thematic discussions at the 23rd and 24th Nigerian Economic Summits.

However, with the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan running out coupled with the United Nations projection of Nigeria’s population by 2050 to be 410 million and the brink of a Fourth Industrialization Revolution characterised by economic nationalism and trends towards deglobalisation, the NESG again followed up its previous recommendations with addendums. “Nigeria 2050: Shifting Gears”, “Building Partnerships for Resilience”, and “Securing or Future: the Fierce Urgency of Now” provided thematic frameworks to advocate for execution speed in the wake of growing security threats, rising unemployment, high poverty rate, widening inequality and an economy in slow recovery.

It is easy to juxtapose the lack of action on the public-private deliberations made to the country’s insecurity and socioeconomic challenges today. These challenges are evolving aggressively across every social institution in Nigeria.

Even as the country prepares for a monumental transition of political power, the NESG proposes discussions on “2023 and Beyond: Priorities for Shared Prosperity” to recognize the pivotal role of government in jump-starting and to address with utmost urgency six critical challenges, including non-inclusive economic growth, macroeconomic instability, infrastructure deficit, human capital deficit and skills gap, national insecurity and weak economic competitiveness.

This current mandate resides not only with the political actors but with all stakeholders from old to young, educated to underserved, private to the public sector, etc.

The Relevance of Goverment-Private Sector Partnership In Nigeria

Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has also recently admitted that it is the private sector, rather than government, that can spur growth and development of the Nigerian economy.Also, Mr. Osinbajo says the private sector is expected to invest N298 trillion or about 86 per cent of the projected investments in the National Development Plan(NDP) 2021-2025.

The vice president said that in line with its objective of creating a more conducive business environment in Nigeria, the Federal Government would continue to deepen business reforms and partner with the private sector to ensure wholesome national development.“

It is important to restate that the Federal Government has committed itself to partner with the private sector, recognising that the private sector is better equipped and resourced to lead the development of the economy.”

He said that public-private synergy was the crux of the NDP as the Federal Government remained committed to the reforms being driven by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).“

The president has by several directives, approvals and executive orders set in motion and in many cases with the private sector, the most aggressive drive yet for appropriate infrastructure, power, roads, rail, and broadband connectivity.He said that NDP was a collaboration between the government and the private sector, with an investment commitment of N348 trillion.“The private sector is expected to invest N298trillion or about 86 per cent of the projected investments.”

This simply means that government must create the most conducive environment for private enterprise in Nigeria,” he said.As such, the pronouncements by the vice president who chairs the National Economic Council (NEC) validates the need for collaborations with private sector to drive Economic growth which the NESG has highlighted in it’s summit recommendations.

The 28th edition of the Nigerian Economic Summit with the theme “2023 and Beyond: Priorities for Shared Prosperity” scheduled to hold on the 14th and 15th of November, 2022 will further highlight the importance of public private partnerships by galvanizing stakeholders to deliberate on an actionable framework for transformative political leadership and effective governance, to facilitate economic growth and nation building.

By Precious Okolobo

The Group General Manager of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, visited Bonga, Nigeria’s first deep-water development, last month and came away with an endorsement that shines a light on the status of the field as a pioneer.

He described Bonga as “best in class.” He was referring to decades of safe production of oil and gas in a location that is 120km offshore, in water depths of more than 1,000 metres across an area of 60 square kilometres.

Mr. Wunti, who led his leadership team to Bonga ahead of the 7th turnaround maintenance planned for the asset, then declared: “One of the best companies on planet earth is called Shell.”

This was in apparent reference to the achievements of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo,) which pioneered deep-water oil and gas production in Nigeria with the coming on stream of Bonga in 2005, accounting for 10 percent of the country’s output at the time.

In continuation with the success story, SNEPCo implemented the Bonga Northwest project in 2014, adding some 40,000 barrels per day potential to the total production from this field. Bonga Northwest won the global Platts Engineering Project of the Year award in 2015.

Mr. Wunti is right. Bonga is a class act!The Bonga story is set in a complex geological zone where treacherous conditions including freezing temperatures, water pressure and pitch darkness make oil and gas production a major technical and environmental challenge. One mistake could cost lives and money.

In 1993, Shell, with impressive deep-water credentials, set up SNEPCo to pioneer deep-water oil production in the Gulf of Guinea. This would be long after Shell had taken the same game-changing step when it pioneered oil and gas production on land through the operations of what later became known as The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC).

The company exported the first shipment of oil from Nigeria in February 1958. The efforts of SNEPCo paid off when first oil flowed from Bonga field. The field has the capacity to produce more than 200,000 barrels of oil a day and 150 million standard cubic feet of gas a day. Production is through the giant Floating, Production, Storage, Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which receives crude through undersea pipelines that is then offloaded to tankers while the gas is piped to LNG plant.

The FPSO was upgraded to handle the additional oil from Bonga Northwest. This facility is not like anything you’ve seen. As an employee of Shell, I visited the FPSO in 2011, in a trip that opened my eyes to the complexity of deep-water oil and gas production.

The 300-metre FPSO, one of the largest in the world, is the height of a 12-storey building while its deck spans roughly the size of three football fields. But this monster of a vessel sits lonely in the middle of nowhere, like a speck when seen from a distance, at the mercy of Mother Nature whom it must continue to watch if it wants to remain in business.

As our helicopter made to land, sight gave way to imagination in my search for land. I was looking in the wrong direction. This was the Atlantic Ocean, the second largest in the world! Onboard, the vessel surprisingly felt like home, rocked gently by the clear and inviting blue waters. When I remarked about the calmness, I was quickly reminded that the rocking often gave way to tossing in line with the capricious mood of Mother Nature.

Thankfully, I was spared the mood swing! I left behind colleagues working for Nigeria, as SNEPCo, with the support of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), and the co-venture partners –TotalEnergies, Nigerian Agip Oil Company, and ExxonMobil – safely and efficiently produce oil and gas from Bonga and related fields, launching Nigeria into the league of deep-water producers.

Bonga has produced more than 950 million barrels of oil since 2005. Oil production has gone side by side with contributions to the Nigerian purse. Last year, SNEPCo remitted $562 million in corporate tax and payments to government, and another $23 million to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC.) SNEPCo’s operations have inspired several significant discoveries of oil and gas over the last two decades, including the Bolia and Doro fields, in which it has 55 percent interest.

Today, nearly one-third of Nigeria’s deep-water oil and gas production comes from Bonga and the non-operated Erha fields.The operations at Bonga have resulted in the creation of a generation of deep-water professionals, suppliers and service providers, with SNEPCo awarding major engineering and construction contracts to indigenous companies. In one example, the manufacture and rebuild of hydraulic flying leads and refurbishment of old subsea trees are being carried out in-country by wholly indigenous companies.

The efforts of SNEPCo to develop Nigerian content predate the enactment of the Nigerian Content Act in 2010. The efforts have seen Bonga evolve as a Nigerian venture delivered by Nigerians using expertise and best-practice provided by Shell.

Some 96 percent of the staff of SNEPCo are Nigerian, and since 2005, the Managing Director of the company has been Nigerian, with Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, currently the first female in the role. Social investments, especially in education and health, are a key part of SNEPCo’s operations. It’s National University Scholarship, delivered in conjunction with NNPC, has supported over 490 Nigerian students since the programme was launched in 2016.

Another postgraduate scholarship programme introduced in 2017 enables graduates from any Nigerian state to obtain a master’s degree in oil and gas-related disciplines from leading universities in the United Kingdom. Late last year, Nigeria’s Tertiary Education Trust Fund presented an award to SNEPCo for consistent contributions towards the growth of the public tertiary education sector. In 2019, the company launched the Vision First Initiative, taking medical eyecare to various parts of the country.

The latest outreach in the programme held in Lagos two months ago with more than 2000 people benefitting.Bonga’s class act ties in nicely with the turnaround maintenance being conducted this month. This is an opportunity for rebirth, a time to review facilities and processes with a view to revitalizing them for continuous optimum use.

The exercise will focus on the FPSO and refresh it for more years of service. The exercise will, among other things, help to further deepen deep water technology in Nigeria as several indigenous companies and personnel will play key roles.

SNEPCo’s Managing Director Elohor Aiboni set out her vision in a meeting with contractors: “The Bonga turnaround maintenance is important to revitalise this critical national asset. But more important is carrying out the turnaround safely.

That is what keeps me awake at night. It is our top priority as a company, and we promote this by encouraging our staff and contractors to speak up and work only if it is safe.” The class act looks set to continue.

Precious is a retired Media Relations Manager for Shell companies in Nigeria

By Akeem Lasisi

The Ughelli people of Delta State recently lost an illustrious matriarch. That was Lady Edith Mary Iwhewhe, a thoroughbred teacher, church leader and socio-cultural mobilizer. Based on her contributions to national development, especially in the area of education, Lady Iwhewhe’s death is indeed a national loss.

But for the Ughelli, Delta State-born gem, her family and other loved ones, there is a big consolation. This borders on the fact that hers was a roundly impactful life. Apart from making a robust success of her cherished profession, which is teaching, she was able to raise an enviably successful family despite the fact that she lost her husband, the late Mathew Diyeri Iwhewhe, just 21 years after their marriage – when they already had six children whom she then had to single-handedly bring up.

Six tender daughters! By the time the widow of value and valour was joining her creator on August 10, 2022, however, the amazing damsels had stepped up educationally, professionally and socially.

As a matter of fact, one of them is no other person than the Managing Director of Shell Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), Mrs Elohor Aiboni. Interestingly, Aiboni is the first female to attain the height in the top-rate company.The other children are Mrs Okiemute Linda Uwadia, Mrs Ochuko Wendy Afa, Miss Ovonmo Regina Iwhewhe, Miss Onajiyovwi Theresa Iwhewhe and Miss Oghenetega Patricia Iwhewhe.

The story of the life of Lady Edith Mary Iwhewhe, indeed, harbours a lesson in dedication, perseverance, godliness and the principle of cause and effect. She invested all in her passion, calling, family and dedication to God’s work and she reaped abundance fulfilment. So, she must have returned to her creator armed with a beautiful report to submit to the angels.

Below is a summary of the account of her eventful journey through life.Born on 21st April, 1944 to Chief Peter Akpomedaye of Ekakpramre in Jeremi clan of Ughelli-South LGA and Madam Winnie Sokoh of Ovwian in Udu clan of Ughelli South LGA of DELTA State, Lady Iwhewhe attended the African Church Primary School Dawudu in Warri from 1949-1958.

After completing her primary education, she stayed with her maternal grandmother in Ovwian, a town in the Udu Clan, Delta State, from 1958-1961. In 1962, her uncle took her into his home to further her education. She got into St. Theresa’s Teacher’s Training College, Ughelli, after her secondary education from 1964 to 1968, where she earned a National Certificate Education.

She met her husband,Matthew Diyeri Iwhewhe (MDI), who she got to know through a close senior school friend (Theresa Iwhewhe) who was a younger sister to her husband. They got married in 1969 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Warri, Delta State. MDI worked with U.A.C Foods and, as a regional manager for the southern region, there was no other better place to settle down than Lagos. In 1974 he got transferred to the East and the family moved to Port Harcourt which soon became home for his beautiful family.

This union produced six damsels and this beautiful family devoutly practised their faith in the Catholic Church. The couple both enjoyed working and supporting church activities and joined several Pious Societies. Not surprised that they got nominated to join the Order of Knights of St Mulumba in 1986.Lady Edith Iwhewhe enjoyed teaching, she did this passionately and had close bonds with her students and their parents.

Her quest for education saw her go back to school in 1988 to further her education (part time with the University of Ibadan) while raising her lovely girls in Port Harcourt. MDI supported her through this and was always veryo proud of her. Sadly, he didn’t see her complete the programme when tragedy struck in March 1990! Her charming husband became sick and passed on in June 1990, leaving her alone with their beautiful damsels who were still very young.

Lady Edith had no one except God and taught her girls the same. She held on to her faith in the Catholic Church and was strongly attached to Our Lady. She devoutly said her daily devotion to Our Lady and joined societies dedicated to Our Lady (Five Sisters, Block Rosary).

Lady E, as she was fondly called, also joined other Pious societies in the church (Sacred Heart, St Jude, Infant Jesus of Prague, Divine Mercy, Purgatorial Society). She was active in the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), zonal wards in the church and was a Silent Preacher (training of seminarians to become priests).Mummy was simply graceful and an epitome of humility. She mentored and loved all around her.

She had so many adopted sons and daughters as she opened her home and heart to all.She loved travelling and wouldn’t miss any opportunity to learn about different cultures. Settling in Port Harcourt made it easy for her to learn about the eastern culture – she grew to know 60% of the states and villages including their culture and food.

Mummy did not leave her girls out of her travel adventure as she would visit them regularly and kept abreast of news in their locations.In her last trip, she was not in any hurry to leave – I guess that was her way of leaving her girls with fond memories of her for years to come.

She prayed for a Happy and Peaceful exit in life and God granted her that. A lot of people have asked – was she sick? How did it happen? Mum started 9th of August full of life, she was planning to attend two weddings that weekend and spent the day planning for it and in-between made several calls to loved ones – little did they know it was her way of saying ‘Goodbye’.

She had her evening stroll with one of her grandsons and thereafter ate her dinner with much enthusiasm. Mummy retired to her room where she listened to Mass and finished her Thank you Jesus Rosary afterwards, then laid down in bed at about 11pm.

She got up shortly afterwards with a cough, asking for water and we noticed she had difficulty in her breathing and rushed her to the hospital. The medical team was so sure that mummy would pull out of this as she still had pulse upon our arrival at the hospital.

Sadly, our thoughts were not her Maker`s thoughts as He called her home at 12.40am 10th of August. She is survived by Children, Grandchildren, Brother, Sisters & In-laws.

The Song of LADY EDITH MARY IWHEWHE has ended but the melody will always linger on in our hearts.

By Tony Attah

Nigeria has had a very long history with “oil” starting from the very agrarian era of the 19th century, when palm oil was the main “oil” of the economy even though we have now lost our edge on this front to other nations like Malaysia, and Indonesia who have been more deliberate in deploying technology to scale up the integration of the entire palm oil chain for optimal value. I chose to open with this analogy hoping that we can draw some parallels with our crude oil and gas industry to see if there are any lessons, we can learn therefrom hoping that we will not lose our edge in Deja-vu, as we have seen in the case of palm oil industry.

While the 1950s/60s were characterised by the palm oil trade, the 1970s to date have been largely about crude oil and more recently gas. I do not need to repeat the history of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, but you will all remember the journey from Oloibiri and the emergence of the IOCs onshore and Nigeria becoming a member of OPEC nations in 1971 through to the recent foray into deep offshore and the growth of Nigeria as a recognised Oil Nation to now becoming, as some would say a gas nation with some oil.

It is however important to put a few things in perspective in respect of the enablers that underpinned the growth we enjoyed largely between the mid-80s and early 2000s – from the Petroleum Act 1969 (as amended) through the IOC partnerships that underpinned the likes of the 1986 MoU and the 2000 MoU; without which it may have been difficult to realise the kind of growth that Nigeria experienced in that period.

All through the ’80s and ‘90s the global focus was on oil as the major source of energy and a key component of the energy mix and indeed revenue earner for producer nations. This energy mix was underpinned by the demand from western economies, predominantly for transportation, residential and commercial heating as well as support for massive industrialisation, and a key source of competitiveness for western economies. Indeed, Oil and Gas guaranteed the Energy security for western economies over the last century and more.
Nigeria’s case is no different, but even more so that oil became the country’s major revenue and foreign exchange earner to date.

Nigeria’s oil activities were always underpinned by the partnerships with western IOCs and more recently, the independent and indigenous producers, heralding the era of the joint ventures which largely was dominated, and still is, by the federal government with an average of about 57% of the entire onshore JV equity and strong holder-ship of most of the concessions offshore which are modelled as Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs).

The JVs by their nature are designed such that you contribute and distribute earnings according to equity holding, which essentially means government by implication is required to contribute about 57% of the entire cost of running the onshore JV business as well as entitled to take commensurate value in return.

As you may recall, the industry over time struggled with government cash calls for funding its share which subsisted till very recently when creative solutions were developed by NNPC leadership working with the IOCs to resolve the cash call arears to enable the industry move forward and ensure that government continues to play in the game. Since then we have seen the advent of some creative options like the “Outright Carry arrangements, Modified Carry Agreements, Strategic alliances and more recently the Financial and Technical Services Agreements (FTSA).

It is pertinent to note that the industry is highly capital intensive and as such the creativities of the 1990s and early 2000s largely addressed the issues of funding and incentivising the IOCs; but also facilitated the emergence of smaller indigenous players to diversify the game, noting the importance of the industry to Nigeria as a key contributor to both GDP at about 10% and over 80% Forex and more than 75% of government’s revenue. This perhaps is why the industry was referred to as the goose that lays the golden eggs!
While the 90s and 2000s were characterised by the issues of funding, cash calls, and trust deficit between partners, today’s industry in Nigeria is facing more local challenges and globally interwoven issues of higher complexities and dimensions requiring more collaborations and broader creativity if Nigeria is to remain in reckoning globally – thus giving eloquence to the need for a new agenda that is robust and consistent with current realities. Permit me to dimension the current issues broadly as internal and external; but first, lets start with the external.

Most of the external issues are largely around the global interconnectivities of the world and the integration of energy systems beyond geographical boundaries giving credence to the analogy of a butterfly flapping its wings in Australia and floods happening in New York, Hurricane in Florida, Tsunami in Japan and earth quakes in Africa in the chaos theory and butterfly effect also known as the Edward Lorenz, theory of deterministic chaos.

Global energy integration has become intertwined with geopolitical power to the extent of becoming an instrument of economic and political weaponization, as we are currently experiencing in Europe.

The global consequences of climate change and the need for cleaner energy has also served to raise more consciousness on the need for decarbonisation of the energy systems resulting in energy transition with a fast-changing energy mix. Even though the world needs more energy as a result of global population growth from the current 8 billion to 10 billion people by 2050 (Nigeria expected to double; 400mln).

The world no longer needs energy at all costs, thus instigating the current dilemma on energy. Yes, the world needs more energy, but it, also needs it cleaner, cheaper and in abundant supply. The requirements for “cleaner” and advancement in technology have led to the quantum growth in renewables which remain the cleanest but unfortunately is still costly and constrained by intermittency in most cases and unable to meet the full energy demand growth thus making gas, the next best option of a global transition fuel to power the world.

In all of these, the key considerations of Availability, Affordability and Accessibility must be maintained to guarantee sustainability, which gives gas a crucial edge in the energy mix, even though Hydrogen is fast gaining ground on the back of improvements in technology.

As the demand for energy prioritises electrons over hydrocarbons to meet the projected 30% demand growth, suppliers need to prioritize which hydrocarbons will bridge that transition before Hydrogen takes centre stage. On balance, Gas meets that standard and checks most of the boxes today.

Energy transition is also exacerbating the issue of how we secure funds for new projects development including new exploration scope, especially for gas and being able to produce at capacity consistent with our massive oil and gas reserves.

Securing funding remains a key challenge for the industry with the international banks, Export Credit agencies and Multilateral Institutions no longer keen on financing fossils/oil and gas projects that are either outside of their territories or perceived as contributing to further CO2 emissions. This in addition to the introduction of carbon taxation portends very grave impediments to oil and gas projects’ viability going forward, even though the ongoing Russia and Ukraine crisis is slowing down the overall pace of the energy transition in Europe.

Let me touch on the internal dimensions. The internal dimension of course follows the need to respond to the global issues of climate change, energy transition with the attendant consequence of reduced funding for the development of oil and gas infrastructure projects across the world and the emergence of new global energy powers with the shale revolution in the US and new major discoveries around Africa in places like Mozambique, Senegal, Namibia, Tanzania and Ghana creating more competition for Nigeria and a massive challenge to our market share.

Beyond the response to the external dimensions highlighted, the local above-ground risks and issues are perhaps the biggest for our industry today; issues like crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, insecurity, community development and agitations, Infrastructure deficit, and value attacks due to multiple agencies/ministries with cross functions making the ease of doing business in the industry more cumbersome compared to the new frontiers in Africa.

That said, it is commendable to see the progress made to approve the PIA; at least we now have a clear basis to go forward on the fiscals to attract new investments into the industry. However, there has been some critique on how long it took to pass PIB to PIA; some believe it’s come rather late and may not have taken full cognisance of global dynamics in the world of energy where the energy mix is fast changing, and the energy system balance is shifting both in joule terms and the extremes of political power.

Moreso, they argue, asserting that the PIA fiscals may not be inspirational enough to lure back investors and attract the requisite level of investments needed to unleash the potential of the industry again.

Irrespective of our thoughts, the fact remains that the PIA indeed took so long and while waiting, Nigeria lost quite some grounds and opportunities noting that, of the over $70bln investments that came into Africa between 2015 and 2020, only about 5% made it into Nigeria, 5%! ($4bln)!

Essentially the rest of the world continued to move on while we were vacillating on the passage of the PIB over the last 20 years. That said, I personally think the PIA is a welcome development which will go down in history as one of the key legacies of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration even though the real value addition will be tested by how well we are able to operationalise and make it effective to attract new investments while protecting the existing ones through preserving the sanctity of contracts and agreements.

Operationalising the PIA and being able to sort out the now near cancerous issue of crude oil theft and its attendant impact on the industry, environment and indeed the nation’s economy, will have to form the key pillar of whatever new agenda will be developed in order to have a fighting chance of regaining our position as industry leader and a force to reckon with in Africa.
The industry in Nigeria continues to be plagued by massive and industrial scale crude theft which is now becoming endemic and on the brink of completely getting out of hand if extraordinary steps are not taken to stem this ugly situation. It is estimated that a sizeable amount of crude oil (100-400kbbls) is allegedly stolen every day, amounting to about $1billion consequential loss to Nigeria on a monthly basis; this translates to a monstrous loss of over $10bln per annum, which is almost 25% of Nigeria’s national budget!

Beyond these incredible financial losses to the nation, this menace also has huge potential to snowball into a full-blown crisis akin to the Mexican and Colombian drug cartels with its attendant complexity and challenges from the standpoint of security, economy and even regional stability. Most of the economic and social issues of today are being linked to this menace as potential root cause of why the nation is unable to meet both its OPEC production quota or balance its budget in the face of dwindling national revenues with knock on effect on the economy as a whole.

While it is debatable whether the recent exits of the IOCs from the onshore plays in Nigeria is linked to this issue of chronic crude oil theft, the resulting divestments could portend a hint of opportunity to deepen and grow more local content participation and capacity building with more independent and indigenous players emerging as part of the new agenda. Essentially, we are beginning to see the advent of indigenous companies’ consolidation on the back of IOCs divestments which could also mop up some of the recent marginal fields in whatever guise of partnerships, merger or outright takeover for scale. I see a future where there will be mainly 3-5 major independent producers in Nigeria with capacity to manage the onshore scope against all odds while also playing a crucial role across the African sub region alongside the now commercial NNPC Limited.

The future of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry will not be complete without ensuring the consolidation of the independent and indigenous players. It is instructive to note that the indigenous producers have grown tremendously over the last decade to be accountable for about 30% of national production (from just about 2% in 2010) with capital and development investment of over $20bln within the same time frame. The role of the indigenous players has got to be a critical element of the new agenda.
Against the backdrop of the foregoing, permit me to put some stakes in the ground in respect of what should be the main building blocks of the new agenda for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry going forward:

Let Me Start With The PIA As An Opportunity:

The opportunities offered by the approval of the PIA which is designed to deliver effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, competitiveness, and safety are immense if the Act is conscientiously and diligently applied as the new foundational basis for a reset of the Nigerian oil and gas industry; it could become a key enabler to win back investor confidence and restore Nigeria’s hitherto vantage position in Africa. This should inspire the unbundling of the full industry value chain, thus creating an improved enabling environment for Nigeria to become the investment destination of choice once again.

While we are at it, it is very heart-warming to see NNPC Limited emerge as a key product of the PIA, repositioning it as a commercial entity under CAMA regime, consistent with the realities of other private entities in the industry. This can only serve to increase the much-needed transparency to boost investor confidence in the overall governance of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. I congratulate Mr President and Minister of Petroleum, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum, the National Assembly and the NNPC, IOC leadership, and other well-meaning stakeholders who made this happen.

Another critical component of the new agenda linking to the PIA must be the focus on Energy transition, the fast-changing energy mix and the new global direction with respect to Energy systems. Even though the ongoing geopolitical situation in Ukraine seems to have slowed down the initial momentum of the transition, this is seen in some quarters, as just a temporary but necessary desperate measure to focus on the survival of Europe which needs to manage its over dependence on Russia while working to create new avenues to guarantee security of supply to wean itself from Russian oil and gas.

There is however, another school of thought which suggests that Energy transition will switch to over-drive mode once the dark cloud over the uncertainty around Russia lifts giving clarity to policy makers in the EU. Hence, we need to brace to respond to an even steeper trajectory in the energy transition journey but note the tempered refinements including accepting Gas as the credible transition fuel as against the blanket castigation of all fossil fuels as dirty and harmful to the planet. This may also catalyse the acceleration of further state backed investments in renewables which holistically could accelerate the pace of transition but either way, gas remains a credible partner to renewables and hydrogen as the transition fuel of choice.

Let Me Touch On The Role of Gas In This New Agenda.

The new thinking of gas as a global transition fuel has got to be a second opportunity for Nigeria to reposition and take advantage of the new demand and supply gaps to deploy our gas reserves as the catalyst for development and industrialisation while taking centre stage as a leading gas nation supplying most of Africa, Europe, and rest of the world. Nigeria currently has over 206Tcf of proven gas reserves with massive potential to become top five in the league of Qatar, USA and Russia as a gas superpower.

We must crank the engine on gas to bring about massive developments deploying and taking advantage of the PIA but also being very deliberate about the focus on gas with thoughts around exclusive moratorium to create more gas development incentives and waivers to inspire new investments in the gas value chain. We must take advantage of the ongoing work on the declared “Decade of Gas” programme which is meant to form the bedrock of how we transition Nigeria into a full-fledged gas economy as a national priority and a key element of the new national agenda for the oil and gas industry.

Therefore, the other key components of the new agenda must be hinged on gas development, specifically on deliberate gas exploration to rebase our gas reserves, and consideration for more attractive fiscals to incentivise further gas developments, infrastructure investments and cost reflective pricing for the domestic and export gas supplies. Essentially government needs to do everything including granting additional and far-reaching fiscal incentives focused on gas development as the main pillar on which our industrialisation will be built and also for global exports as a key forex revenue earner for the nation. The potential 5bcf/d local market for gas is huge and we must domesticate a significant part of our gas development to drive our national economy.

This focus on gas should also result in a structural improvement of the current ministerial portfolios to create a critical position solely to focus on gas development – the “Minister for Gas” should be tasked with doing every and anything possible and necessary to ensure all the gas policies and guidelines cum initiatives are brought to fruition as part of the call to declare emergency on gas and power development in Nigeria.

This Story Will Not Be Complete Without Addressing The Issue Of Crude Theft

Against the backdrop our current reality, whatever agenda we design will be inconsequential if it cannot resolve the issue of the massive industrial scale crude oil theft and illegal artisanal refineries plus pipeline vandalization currently going on. This is of major concern both locally and internationally to the extent that there does not seem to be any quick fix solution in sight without government rising up to its responsibilities of securing lives and livelihoods.

I have followed active debates on the subject and note some of the proffered solutions including the socio-political ones and deployment of technology which largely are about detection of the criminality rather than very robust response and deterrence to ensure full consequences for these illegal activities.

Government at all levels and across all arms need to, in unison, declare a state of emergency on crude oil theft and deploy technology to fight the crises and deal more decisively and transparently too as a deterrent to those involved in the nefarious activities and economic sabotage. This singular issue threatens our economic and energy security and so must be dealt with as a consequential security emergency.

In summary we need to press the reset button as part of the new agenda to galvanise the oil and gas industry in a post PIA world. The basic components of the new agenda can be encapsulated in the following suggestions:
1. First and foremost, we need to take back control and secure our oil and gas production territories to create a more enabling environment by declaring a security state of emergency on crude oil theft and illegal artisanal refining activities in the Niger Delta.

2. While it is encouraging to read about government’s recent push towards tackling the crude oil theft menace, this needs to be sustained and underpinned by fresh thinking including deployment of geo referencing and geo-spatial tracking technology and diplomatic cooperation across the Gulf of Guinea. This new drive should include active Gulf of Guinea regional and international cooperation and partnerships especially with the EU, USA, and the Britain to help proffer and implement sustainable solutions including fingerprinting our crude oil,and following both the molecules and the money in order to tackle crude theft once and for all.

3. Fully operationalise the PIA by deploying all the enabling fiscal incentives therein to boost investor confidence and attract new investments to continue to stay relevant in Africa and globally.

4. Focus on gas as a strategic imperative to drive the ongoing Decade of Gas declaration to cause the implementation of very deliberate moratorium and gas focused incentives and waivers to instigate massive exploration and development of our gas reserves for both domestic and export markets.

5. As part of the strategic imperative on gas, bring the subject to the Federal Executive Council table by creating a focused position for the “Minister for Gas” to ensure laser pointed focus on gas matters including actionable policies, fiscals and investments to reposition gas as the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialisation

6. Take advantage of the ongoing global demand and supply imbalance to partner with the EU, towards unlocking the requisite funding and technology needed to develop our gas reserves within this decade of gas agenda.

7. Encourage government to bite the bullet on the petroleum subsidy issue by enabling more modular refineries to scale up alongside the much-anticipated Dangote Refinery and the rehabilitated NNPC refineries to supply the domestic market and the sub region as a net exporter of petroleum product thus eliminating smuggling.

8. Deliberately focus on more human capacity development and skills acquisition to international standards to make Nigeria a net exporter of skilled engineers and technicians across emerging oil and gas markets in Africa.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our over 60 years of operating a functional oil and gas industry has got to count for something to restore our dignity as the giant of Africa one more time!

Amaopusenibo Engineer Tony Attah (FNSE)
Independent Energy Consultant

By:Mohammed Haruna Likpata

Next year will mark 24th anniversary of return of democracy in Kwara state and Nigeria. Sadly, a particular region of the three senatorial districts in the State has been a victim of injustice and imbalance in terms of political leadership of the state, despite the contributions of this district to the overall economic growth and development of the state.

While the other two districts, Kwara Central and Kwara South have both produced governors, the Kwara North has not been opportune to do so.

By its nature, democracy advocates justice, fairness and a sense of belonging to all. It also spurs citizens to form opinions on a number of issues of concern including choosing their leaders during elections.

It is important as good citizens of the state to reflect on this opinion before the campaigns for the 2023 general elections commence. Physiologically, it is important to note that while people tend to assume that oppression benefits the non-oppressed class, the ordinary voters also do not benefit from these oppressions; making our citizens poorer and making the whole economy poorer.

But it is not unusual for people to favor policies that harm themselves economically, putting the entire citizens in a state of jeopardy.

Today’s opinion would shape our thinking as we approach the 2023 general elections in Nigeria and in particular, Kwara State. This opinion should guide millions of citizens of the state to critically examine our long age relationships; in terms of political life, socio-economic life, and cultural values among the three senatorial zones.

But,the key question is; can Kwara state be better managed as regards to keeping our state more prosperous; rich in agriculture as a visible foreign investments, open and transparent running of government, deliberate policies that will transform and empower our communities for a more inclusive governance in the state?

Kwara,as a whole on a global scale is considered as a rich state in agriculture as a large population of its people are into farming, with Kwara North having the largest contributions in this regard. Other main investment opportunities in Kwara include mining, tourism and manufacturing.

As a writer, critical stakeholder and an eligible voter whose vote can bring the needed change in Kwara we all desire, I appeal to the readers of today’s opinion to deeply reflect on the future of this state and for the purpose in which its Motto stand for. If we all have this belief in our minds that our votes can change a Kwara of today to a state that works for all, then we can secure our votes to count and make a difference.

We can collectively bring in government of the people and for the people. We can bring in a government that will see every part of the state as a big stakeholder and not disregarded by the system.

This is why it is important for every Kwaran to pick an interest in what becomes of Kwara in 2023 and beyond. A Kwara that will develop common conscience and ideology to fight against the injustice being done to some part of the state.

Kwarans must raise their voices that it is not about sectionalism when it comes to 2023 elections, but a section that can have their due equality and justice. Kwara North section has equally contributed to the economic development of the State. Next year’s governorship election should be a referendum for Kwara North to produce the next Governor for the state. It is not about emotions that should be play against the people of Kwara North.

The issues I will be dwelling on as my talking points are not far fetch from your many responsibilities that every part of the state should be given a due advantage when it comes to who becomes the next governor of Kwara state next year.

All over the world, the marginalized communities are communities that don’t contribute to the economic power of the state.These are people for whatever reason, are denied involvement in the mainstream economic, political, cultural and social activities. This is not the case in the state of harmony.

The three (3) Senatorial zones have contributed greatly to the development of the state, with each zone having its own potentials and economic values.

In 2023, the people of Kwara must in the interest of justice, fairness and overall development of Kwara, support Kwara North to produce the next Governor of our state. This is one good way we can show appreciation to the contributions of Kwara North to the development of Kwara since its creation. Let’s embrace equality, equity, and inclusive representation that drives peace, unity and togetherness.

All over the world, developments happen when citizens believes in one identity. Developments happen when citizens embrace true patriotism. Developments happen when every citizen believes everyone has potentials and can offer the best in them that can benefit the entire citizenry.

Economic development must also be in tune with political, cultural and social life, and strive to eliminate political poverty among the three senatorial zones, infrastructural poverty and as well as the culture of poverty that affects some part of Kwara state in particular the Kwara North

This is the time all citizens of the state should come together and ensure a Kwara Northerner be voted as the next Governor of Kwara state.

This is the moment that we all stand up, old and young that equality is development. This is the moment, both the rich and the poor come together and say Kwara North deserves their total supports to become the next governor of Kwara state. This is the moment that no individuals will say they cant support it. We are asking for fairness. We are asking for equality and justice. And we are asking that it is time and come 2023, it has to be a fulfilling unity for one Kwara.

This is not about political party, but a true reflection of who we are as a people of this state. For a state like Kwara, it is imperative for the people of Kwara to leverage on the socio-economic values that are in abundance in every part of the state and left untapped, to bring about reforms and policies that would better enrich the state and ultimately, lasting development.

Agribusiness is the second most richest industry in the world after oil. This is one opportunity that Kwara State has and can generate billions of Dollars if there are deliberate policies and investments in agriculture. Some of the principal cash crops that Kwara state can greatly invests in and available to tap includes; cotton, cocoa, coffee, peanut, tobacco, benseed, and palm produce.

Developments can only happen when we all take responsibility that every part of the state is important and can contribute to the economic values of the state in an all inclusive representation in the management of State resources.

A Kwara Northerner becoming a governor of the state in the 2023 elections will further unite and create an enabling environment and opportunities for all Kwarans. We all have responsibility as voters to correct this anomalies to allow a Kwara Northerner be giving the opportunity to change the State from its state of lean current economic ideas, where short term solutions are being used to address long term challenges without results.

We need a government that understands the economic ideas that fits into the current and global trend of economic prosperity. Kwara state has come a long way to be among the competitive states of the federation where other states can come and invest in it. We have the potentials and with a new leadership in the state, Kwara can be better for all.

Efficiency and visibility are paramount when it comes to occupying any political office. Once there is equality and justice for every part of the state, It allows all hidden potentials be showcased. It can bridge the gap between the poor and the rich. It would allow greater inclusiveness and promotion of a better state.

No political promises by any individual or political parties could ever make a better State where equality and political injustice continued to exist among her people. This doesn’t promote true love and bring about genuine development that takes into considerations every part of the state.

Until every part of the state is consider in the mainstream economic and top political decisions as number one citizen of the state, no meaningful developments can be seen. If the citizens of Kwara state allow every part of the state to have sense of belonging, governors from different part of the state will fairly compete in developments and bring about reforms that will better improve the state of harmony.

The big question is;who has responsibility to fulfill interms of capacity, oral judgment, sagacity to fix so many challenges facing the Kwara of today as it affects all of us?From insecurity, silence in governance, lack of proper perspectives on the issues of economy, poor investments in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and mining.

Economically, when there is high investments in production and export as revenue, there will be a greater IGR for infrastructural developments, creating more jobs for our young graduates, accessibility to borrowing by the young entrepreneurs to invest in their private businesses, long term planning to addressing long term challenges, and this will greatly reduce dependency on federal allocations.

There are enough opportunities in this state for our growing population to gainfully be employed, but all we need is to put in place a prosperous leadership that understands what the issues are. This is not the time for a state like Kwara to be micro managing short term interventions to addressing the long term challenges facing the state.

Dear Kwarans, we all have responsibility to fulfill. All candidates today are equally qualified, but we can only prosper as a people when we employ all inclusive citizen that drive a strong political unity in the state by voting a Kwara Northerner after 24years of democracy come 2023. Conversations like this is essential because it open up a platform for debate and feedback, which is essence, it’s what politics encapsulates.

For some politicians, they will pin their hope of victory on the things they have done and still doing, some will hope on door to door canvassing aspect of their campaign, and some will largely be dependent on the prevoius election to come return to government.

Not the promise of I will do, but what the real issues of governance hope to be and should be. As a good citizens of Kwara state, we must begin to hold ourselves accountable for the development of our dear state. Not interms of the promises politicians or political parties will make to us that have not been heard. But accountability in fairness, equity and justice.Accountability that every part of the state has a responsibility to fulfil. Accountability that we must allow every part of the zone to produce a governor which is fair, just, and equitable.

Kwara state cannot be an exception against itself denying other part of the State not to produce a Governor for all Kwarans come 2023. This is Kwara North turn and should be supported by all.

Look at Niger state today, they have grown their political unity above sentiments and emotions as one political families, where every part of the state has accepted the political rotation in the office of a Governor. There is no political crisis in Niger state today, every part of the state are seen as one.

They tolerate and accepted their political marriage across the three Senatorial zones. What has become of Kwara of today? Where did we get it wrong? Has Kwara North committed any sin against the other two zones that has caused them this hatred? We must build trust, we must reflect in our actions, and we must tolerate and see every part of the state as one. Kwara citizens and our political leaders should reflect and take a cue of what become a Kwara for all.

Politicians must know that there is no substitute in telling the truth, while citizens fulfill their rights by voting a Kwara Northerner as the next governor of Kwara state next year.

The next governor of Kwara state should be a man that knows the challenges in the state and through Agriculture, industries and mining can turn Kwara to an investors hub. The Peoples Democratic party (PDP) has graciously be sensitive about the plight of Kwara North to have its gubernatorial candidate from this part of the state, who has rich credentials.

A former civil servant, an administrator, an investor in a private driven company with over 25years can safely manage the Kwara for all.Alhaji Shuaib Yaman over the years has gone through systems of rigorous understanding of what running of government entails.

2023 is not going to be about promises but solutions to the problems and challenges of good governance facing the state. We need solutions that build wealth. High level of public spending on infrastructures require high levels of internally generated revenues in providing expanded public services like infrastructures, quality healthcare, quality education, promotion of young entrepreneurs, and provision of general social security services across the state. Kwarans need leaders that knows about the solutions that build wealth.

We all have seen enough of partly governance systems in the state. The issues of governance today in Kwara remains as it is and best to the understanding of the occupiers. The value addition in the life of citizens of the state has remained a mirage of an orphan without an option.

Voters have had more than enough of promises and there is need to collaborate your intentions with your solutions for the citizenry.As a candidate, eyeing the number one seat in the state, your campaign messages should be about real issues and solutions. How you intend to achieve a balance between warmth and authority.

Politics should always be about personality first and policies that will take Kwara back to a state of social safety and prosperity, a state of generosity and warmth to her citizens,a state of law and order as well as one we would all call a home.

By Yusuf Babatunde

According to the data of the World Bank on development indicators, Nigeria’s workforce is about 700,000, a country of over 200 million people. This means we have a lot of jobless and uninformed youths population. When you sit and think of it, being a data boy is a very easy choice, the earnings may not be much and may irritate audience who see them constitute nuisance and circulate misinformation across social media.

If there is anything Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaqhas successfully borrowed from Ibrahim Babangida’s style of politics, it is giving people a sense of belonging and making them feel like the most important on earth during the moment they are together with him.

This, Governor AA has successfully done with the exploitable population of youths in the State. What is even more painful is that he created an atmosphere that this category of people have attained the peak of their potentials. Hence, they close eyes to learning and seeking opportunities.

When you engage them, they tell you that they are fulfilled and not driven by gains and ambitions; in contrary to what Nelson Mandela believes – that regret follows when we don’t attain the heights we should have attained by limiting ourselves. I’ve read brilliant works on Nation building from Kwara, statehood and philosophical expressions indicating that some sizeable number of people have a kind of future they envision for themselves and the state. These category of people are unfortunately very few in Kwara.

Since assumption of office, job creation has not been the focus of this government and the youth population are unworried, by the time the governor will leave government if he accidentally wins his second term though the political atmosphere and dynamics in the state doesn’t suggest that, and the perception by some that Saraki will die a natural political death after 2023, and by 2027.

Are these youths equally bearing in mind that a whole of us will be closed to, or be above 30 years by then. Years that could have been better invested into something else.

Do these people ever realise that writings can form part of a Résumé, the numerous publications they’ve had can constitute part of a CV. However, how many of them can sieve through their writings and attach it as part of a CV to seek job or appointment.

One of my friends from Kwara that HE, Dr. Bukola Saraki facilitated his appointment just 1 month ago was able to get better placement in his workplace; simply because he can write and the numerous publications in his CV wasn’t even about singing praises of Saraki, but nation building, national growth and development, policy implementation among others.

It is my humble advice to this population of teeming youths, whom Governor AA has not facilitated a single appointment of a Federal Ministry, Parastatal or Agency for; to have a rethink. Bukola Saraki may have even lost counts on people he has facilitated appointments for. It is even admirable that even though not as much as when he was in office, he still struggles to get one or two facilitated for his State.

How many place, or who can Governor AA put a call through to Abuja to assist Kwarans with appointments despite being with Federal Government and the ruling party? Even Professor Gambari, who is Buhari’s Chief of Staff has facilitated some appointments, while Oloriegbe was able to get few via his capacity as Chairman, Health Committee in the Senate. Go to other Northern States and see how Governors are using their office to ensure they push people up for national employments.

With all sense of honesty and God bearing me as witness, statistics show today that most Kwarans whose appointments were facilitated by Saraki or Professor Oba Abubakar (even though Bukola Saraki facilitated Prof. Abu’s appointment as Chairman of Federal Character) will become Directors across different Agencies in Nigeria in due time. That is what true leadership means, that is what it means to envision something for your people.

Our population of youths are better fit to use our energy in Kwara’s Civil Service and Federal Civil Service than arming us with mobile data and a stipend ahead of positioning Kwara and ensuring the State is not missing in efforts to strengthen Nigeria. Don’t make us “data boys bandits”, our Governor should make us “employable and useful boys” by using his office, not letting them admire him for carrying his own bag or wearing squeezed clothes around. What’s so special about that?

The “data boys” comment in the Governor’s interview means the place of the youths working with him has been cemented, they can be nothing more or less, their job and sole existence is built on laundering/promoting his image. Bolaji Abdullahi has records of policies and implementation, but these same set of data boys are asking him how much he has spent or how many people has he assisted in the past, but want people to clap for the Governor’s limited and not very impacting policies in addressing deficits in our social structures. How many of them, known and unknown has AA assisted with jobs in the State or Federal?

A wise population of youth seek opportunity, as their elevation and young age is an asset, a youth wasted can’t be gotten back. There is need for them to critically evaluate what impact the Governor has made in their life beyond the 30k stipend, or policies that create an environment to thrive on gifts and potentials (Not APCpreneur).

Those of us who can go into private sectors should seek opportunity there, those who can build businesses should commence immediately and dedicate our lives to building something and those who are aspiring to serve their country and state should seek opportunity and enrolment that will ensure everyone has a meaningful life.

It extended to some of us in opposition parties, we must envision something about our lives, service isn’t bad, but we must seek a stage and avenue that grows our talents and promotes our skills, not cement our fate as errand boys and social media activists for eternity.

When our mates who went out to seek opportunity or have already dedicated their lives to building something return to the scene and become successful in respective areas, where are we going to be? Honourable Muhammed Ajia Ibrahim and Mallam Saliu Mustapha (though not very bright) should teach us all a lesson, that being a major actor and impact maker in politics isn’t by being data boy or fake boy to politicians, not even Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq .

By Zubair Fatimah Adenike

It may interest you to know that statistics show that women constitute about 49-50% of the world total population. Yet, they are still very underrepresented in governance, leadership and our political space.

The constitution of Nigeria grants men and women equal status, as well as free and lowborn, the greatest discovery of the world may not be the respective discoveries of science, but democracy itself. The ‘concept’ democracy has redefined world order and shaped history, not perfect and may not be perfect as versions of traditional and modern democracy continue to debate certain aspects of freedom, free speech, equality, equity till date.

According to the United Nations, research has it that we have only 25% of women involved in the national politics. How then do we explain “equal rights” when about 75% are left out of the process?

Women have fought greater battles in world history, in redefining their roles and purpose of existence. Exhibiting equal intelligence and excellence that were ascribed to men, courage and innovative actions that redirected the course of human history. Yet, the 21st century Nigeria and by extension Kwara seems to be rubbishing the efforts made across respective centuries to create space for women.

Has Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Dora Akunyili, Gbemisola Saraki and other women who have made impact in our national space not sufficient reason to have an understanding of feminism, instead of the stereotyping that is prevalent in our social space? Feminism is not one gender concept, it is not a must to believe in it, but it is encouraged to share in the understanding of feminism for the prosperity of our shared existence.

Feminism got women into the workforce, got the girl child into school, women into the army, what then is the problem? The excesses of few should not dismiss the essence of feminism and it must not be pitched side-by-side with religion.

Until our brothers and sisters understand this, Kwara to be specific will continue to produce crop of educated women who will be able to do nothing out of intimidation, fear of the harsh criticisms that meets their aspirations. Religion and feminism are mutually exclusive, Islamists are unable to distinguish between using the Qur’an and hadith as the basis for creating an egalitarian society. Conservatives and modern Islamists continue to argue for decades on the position of feminism in Islam. However, that is not the issue, the issue is the refusal to share understanding. People exclusively discuss governance, politics, democracy, equality, justice, international politics, social policies, morality exclusively from religion.

This makes one wonder why feminism fails to be discussed exclusively and always find its way into religion. This is one of the numerous problems in an environment like Kwara.

Feminism is not competition between genders, it shouldn’t be in Kwara, that defeats the essence and struggles of those that fought for what our mothers, sisters and friends now enjoy today. It is purely about skill development, women capacity development and giving them an avenue for productivity, trusting their intelligence and believing that they are essential part of nation and state building efforts.

It’s undeniable that women participation in politics increased over the past few years but the fact still remains that 25% of the total population means underrepresentation. Since the return of democracy in 1999, the office of President and that of it Vice has never been occupied by a woman. Before then, it was the same story with the only difference being that there was more inclusion of women after democracy. The highest percentage of women in the senate since 1999 is 7.3% which was 8 members with 101 men, house of reps with 26 as the highest number of women with over 300 men. Women have never held the office of a Governor and a very few Deputy Governor. It goes on like that to the position as low as a Councilor.

Women are mostly found in markets, mostly relegated to political followership and reliable voting bloc. Regardless of gender sentiments, we can collectively agree that there is need for more accomodation and improved role of women.

Recently, Funke Akindele got nominated as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, then people said they should be notified when the movie premiere is to be done. That is mockery, not question of competence. The President of Ukraine, Zelensky was a comedian. More recently, he posed for Vogue Magazine while his country was on fire. If it had been a woman, the world would have switched and daily remembrance would have been made on why women should not be trusted with power.

For the sake of prosperity, women must be given a platform to fail and succeed, everyone must grant this freedom within disciplined limits and without conflict with religious provisions. Feminism is not a ‘crime’, though people make ‘mistakes’ in interpretation and advocacy. However, mistakes are to be corrected via re-education while crimes are to be published.

Women that are already in the system should be celebrated and encouraged, this will serve as a motivation and inspiration for more women to step up.

There’s a need for understanding that this isn’t war against men nor is it competition between genders. It is merely granting the freedom to allow all and sundry to contribute to our nation building efforts. There is considerable improvement on presence of women in our state’s politics. However, there is need to do more with our willingness to let women participate in statehood and governance.

That is how the future of Kwara can be sustained, that is how girl child and women won’t be a burden to the future of Kwara State and Nigeria at large. They are part of the state’s asset and must be efficiently utilized.