Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Video - Oil workers and Nigerian government continue negotiations to end strike
Nigerian government says it's made major headway in talks with striking oil workers. Even though Monday's session was inconclusive, talks continued on Tuesday, the 12th of July. Until workers call off their strike, Nigeria is teetering on the verge of a fuel crisis. Kelechi Emekalam has the latest on the industrial action that's threatening to cripple Africa's largest economy.
Paul Le Guen appointed new Super Eagles coach
According to the PUNCH, the football house picked the Frenchman, from a three-man shortlist that included Salisu Yusuf and Tom Saintfiet.
It is also understood that the NFF will consider Yusuf as an assistant coach. The former Kano Pillars boss had earlier said he was not interested in being second in command to anybody.
The official said: “As it is now the position of the deputy has been thrown open because Yusuf is still insisting that he would not work as an assistant to Le Guen.
“Those who worked on their entries picked the Frenchman and with the hope that Yusuf could learn a lot from him for the immediate future but he (Yusuf) appears to have some other ideas so the federation will now have to consider a new person altogether to replace Yusuf.”
Football referees in Nigeria threaten boycott
President of Nigeria Referees Association (NRA), Tade Azeez, has said they might be forced to pull out of Nigerian leagues, because of several assaults on match officials.
Angry fans descended on referee Daniel Akure and his assistants, following Warri Wolves 1-1 draw at home with league leaders, Wikki Tourists last weekend.
According to reports, one of Akure’s assistants escaped the assault, by running into Wikki’s team bus.
Azeez has warned that such attacks will no longer be tolerated.
“The attack on referees has surprisingly continued with Sunday’s attack on the referee who handled the Warri Wolves versus Wikki Tourists game,” he said in a statement released by the body.
“The NRA has considered it necessary to boycott all matches involving any team where referees are either harassed or physically assaulted by them and their supporters.”
Angry fans descended on referee Daniel Akure and his assistants, following Warri Wolves 1-1 draw at home with league leaders, Wikki Tourists last weekend.
According to reports, one of Akure’s assistants escaped the assault, by running into Wikki’s team bus.
Azeez has warned that such attacks will no longer be tolerated.
“The attack on referees has surprisingly continued with Sunday’s attack on the referee who handled the Warri Wolves versus Wikki Tourists game,” he said in a statement released by the body.
“The NRA has considered it necessary to boycott all matches involving any team where referees are either harassed or physically assaulted by them and their supporters.”
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
FIFA president Gianni Infantino set to visit Nigeria
Fifa president Gianni Infantino will meet senior football association leaders from across Africa on a two-day working visit to Nigeria in July.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Monday Infantino will arrive in Abjua on 24 July and will meet "a legion of African FA presidents".
Infantino, elected in February this year, will be accompanied by new Fifa secretary-general Fatma Samoura.
NFF president Amaju Pinnick met Infantino for talks in Paris on Sunday.
"The Fifa president and secretary-general will arrive in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Sunday 24th July on a two-day working visit to Nigeria," Pinnick said on the NFF website.
The statement said the Fifa officials will meet Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari and hold a meeting "with a legion of African FA presidents, who are expected in Nigeria" at the same time.
Nigeria is seen as one of the giants of African football even though the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the second time in succession.
The NFF has been dogged by factional disputes over its leadership and Fifa has threatened Nigeria with suspension from international competition because of irregularities in the leadership voting process.
Aliko Dangote plans to end Nigeria's gasoline problem
A plan by Africa's richest man to transform one of the continent's largest oil industries is taking shape on a swampy piece of land outside Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos.
Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote is constructing a refinery that has the capacity to turn 650,000 barrels of oil into gasoline, diesel, kerosene and jet fuel — enough to potentially satisfy all the country's daily needs.
When completed, it could end Nigeria's reliance on imported gasoline and diesel.
A weeks-long shortage of imported fuel that occurred earlier this year is one reason why economists believe Africa's biggest economy is poised to enter a recession.
"By and large, you are looking at the future of the country," Dangote, who made his $14.4 billion fortune from his sugar, flour and cement companies, told journalists during a visit to the construction site of the refinery and adjoining fertilizer plant.
When Nigerians go to the pump, they're usually filling up with imported gasoline and diesel. The country has four refineries, but they barely work, so Nigeria exports its crude and buys back the fuel it needs.
Disputes and strikes have periodically led to disruptions in fuel importation, leading to shortages across the country.
By refining oil at home, Dangote says importation will end.
"I mean, it's simple, you have it here. As you're producing, it's going into the market," he said.
Supply and demand
Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and most populous country. Those aspects may ultimately undermine Dangote's ability to serve the country's fuel needs, said oil and gas analyst Bala Zakka.
Nigeria doesn't produce enough power to keep the lights on all the time, and those who can afford it rely on gasoline or diesel generators.
As the population grows, Zakka says demand may outstrip supply.
"Strategic domestic, strategic commercial and strategic industrial are being run on generators. And those generators will require so much diesel and petrol. And that will mean we will not have even enough for the automobiles," Zakka said.
Another problem Dangote may face is oil supply. Pipelines are targets for oil thieves and, more recently, organized militants. Attacks by a group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers have cut Nigeria's oil production by as much as half.
Refinery administrators have cited pipeline attacks as one reason they can't produce enough gasoline.
Dangote plans to build the pipeline supplying oil to the refinery underwater, in hopes that will keep saboteurs away. He also plans to build two natural gas pipelines to feed power plants.
If Dangote's refinery pays off, Zakka said it will be a signal to other refiners that Nigeria is ready for investment.
"I wouldn't want to say he's a guinea pig, but Dangote is definitely going to be a pilot test," Zakka said.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Video - Nigeria track and field team beset by funding problems
Nigeria has concluded its Olympics trials in the track and field event and now looks forward to the main event in Rio. That's despite a cloud hanging over the country's participation, over a lack of funding. The trials took place in the town of Sapele in southern Nigeria.
Video - Growth in elderly population raises concerns
Nigeria's population is expected to hit 440 million by 2050, 30 million of that growth would be made up of people of 60 years and above-adding to a growing lot vulnerable groups like children and physically challenged. CCTV's Kelechi Emekalam takes a look at care for the elderly in Africa's most populous nation.
Militants are devastating Nigeria’s oil industry again
There’s a new group attacking Nigeria’s oil industry — or, at least, claiming responsibility for the attacks: the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA). The NDA started threatening attacks at the start of 2016. Since May, pipelines, oil wells and other infrastructure have been exploding regularly, cutting Nigeria’s oil production by nearly one-third, from 2.2 million to 1.5 million barrels per day. President Muhammadu Buhari at first responded with tough talk — but now has resorted to begging the attackers to stop hurting the economy.
But the NDA’s attacks are only the most recent symptoms of the region’s longstanding problems. To understand the resurgence of violence, we need to examine the history and unrest in the Niger Delta.
What is the history of violence in the Niger Delta?
Armed militancy is only one part of the Niger Delta’s complex web of violence, as I found in my research. There’s rebel insurgency against the Nigerian state and multinational oil companies, such as that of the NDA. But there’s also political violence, gang rivalries and violent inter- and intra-communal conflicts. Politicians seeking political power mobilized and armed young men to intimidate opponents during elections when Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. Competition by rival youth gangs led to violent confrontation in such cities as Port Harcourt. Leadership tussles in communities led to violence. When local goverments’ administrative headquarters were relocated, historical rivalries between ethnic communities reignited, leading to violence. My research found that the different forms of violence intersect.
Some groups involved in those internecine skirmishes transformed into groups rebelling against the government’s absolute control of the oil industry — and gained power by doing so. The groups that emerged claimed to represent the grievances of local communities against oil companies and the Nigerian government. These grievances include how local communities were marginalized as oil revenues were distributed; a failure to develop infrastructures in the area; and few or no oil job opportunities for locals.
Notably, in the 2000s, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and other militant groups organized attacks on oil industry infrastructure. In doing so, the militant leaders gained more regional power and influence. Militant groups targeting oil industry infrastructure made the rebellion the key problem of the Nigerian government and oil companies in the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian government sent in its military to fight the rebels. Oil companies also used government forces to secure some locations. Apart from these military strategies, oil companies contracted with militant leaders or their proxies to protect their facilities — turning militancy into a high-end extortion racket that paid off.
Politicians similarly patronized armed militants during elections. In fact, one governor signed an accord with militants in his state at the peak of the insurgency. To secure their new positions of power in politics and the oil industry, militant leaders got rid of potential challengers in their communities, suppressing other would-be militant groups.
Despite the patronage, the militants occasionally attacked oil installations. They justified those attacks as an expression of the grievances of the Niger Delta people against the oil companies and the state, particularly at the lack of development. By doing so, they stayed relevant in their local communities and stayed visible in the media. My research found that in some cases, militant leaders used cash gained from militancy to help support non-militants in their communities.
How did the first insurgency end?
While president from 2007 to 2010, Umaru Yar’Adua initiated a peace process that was supposed to help the entire Niger Delta. The government promised to build roads, schools, hospitals and other community infrastructure and offered a process involving amnesty, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration for ex-militants.
This Nigerian government peace process became the most expensive such program in the world. Ex-militant fighters received monthly stipends averaging $400 and were enrolled in costly reentry and job training programs, both in Nigeria and overseas. The government also awarded contracts worth millions of dollars to ex-militant leaders to protect oil infrastructure — further amplifying those leaders’ power over both the oil industry and other parts of the economy.
But the peace process focused mainly on armed militants — and ignored the local violence that those militants had been controlling lest it threaten their newfound power. That oversight continued when Goodluck Jonathan replaced Yar’Adua as president in 2011. As a result, Nigerians learned that militant violence would be rewarded — and the only people who would benefit from any peace would be the militants and the politicians involved in distributing the peace process’s largesse. It was a corrupt bargain all around.
Nevertheless, the system did keep the Niger Delta region stable for five years.
What accounts for renewed violence?
But in 2015, Buhari’s government not only called an end to the ex-militants’ security contracts, but also started investigating some prominent militant leaders for alleged corruption. His government has also cut the reintegration plan’s budget — thus reducing payments for ex-militant fighters. He has also canceled one of his predecessor’s few development efforts, the construction of a maritime university that was supposed to create education opportunities and jobs for the local population in the maritime industry. Many locals see the cancellation of this university as an attempt by Buhari to deny the region development and educational opportunities. This is also the opinion of ex-militant leaders who claim to be acting in the interest of the local people.
Buhari disrupted the uneasy balance of patronage and power that sustained peace in the Niger Delta. And so the conflicts have begun flaring up again. And so has the anti-oil insurgency.
The NDA has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks in Delta State, but other new groups, such as the Red Scorpions, have emerged as well — and more may be proliferating
Why?
First, ex-militant leaders displaced by Buhari’s policies may be using violence to renegotiate with the state. Second, those with a history of violence but who hadn’t gotten any of the peace process’s dividends are now competing for the next round of protection money.
But the NDA’s attacks are only the most recent symptoms of the region’s longstanding problems. To understand the resurgence of violence, we need to examine the history and unrest in the Niger Delta.
What is the history of violence in the Niger Delta?
Armed militancy is only one part of the Niger Delta’s complex web of violence, as I found in my research. There’s rebel insurgency against the Nigerian state and multinational oil companies, such as that of the NDA. But there’s also political violence, gang rivalries and violent inter- and intra-communal conflicts. Politicians seeking political power mobilized and armed young men to intimidate opponents during elections when Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999. Competition by rival youth gangs led to violent confrontation in such cities as Port Harcourt. Leadership tussles in communities led to violence. When local goverments’ administrative headquarters were relocated, historical rivalries between ethnic communities reignited, leading to violence. My research found that the different forms of violence intersect.
Some groups involved in those internecine skirmishes transformed into groups rebelling against the government’s absolute control of the oil industry — and gained power by doing so. The groups that emerged claimed to represent the grievances of local communities against oil companies and the Nigerian government. These grievances include how local communities were marginalized as oil revenues were distributed; a failure to develop infrastructures in the area; and few or no oil job opportunities for locals.
Notably, in the 2000s, the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and other militant groups organized attacks on oil industry infrastructure. In doing so, the militant leaders gained more regional power and influence. Militant groups targeting oil industry infrastructure made the rebellion the key problem of the Nigerian government and oil companies in the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian government sent in its military to fight the rebels. Oil companies also used government forces to secure some locations. Apart from these military strategies, oil companies contracted with militant leaders or their proxies to protect their facilities — turning militancy into a high-end extortion racket that paid off.
Politicians similarly patronized armed militants during elections. In fact, one governor signed an accord with militants in his state at the peak of the insurgency. To secure their new positions of power in politics and the oil industry, militant leaders got rid of potential challengers in their communities, suppressing other would-be militant groups.
Despite the patronage, the militants occasionally attacked oil installations. They justified those attacks as an expression of the grievances of the Niger Delta people against the oil companies and the state, particularly at the lack of development. By doing so, they stayed relevant in their local communities and stayed visible in the media. My research found that in some cases, militant leaders used cash gained from militancy to help support non-militants in their communities.
How did the first insurgency end?
While president from 2007 to 2010, Umaru Yar’Adua initiated a peace process that was supposed to help the entire Niger Delta. The government promised to build roads, schools, hospitals and other community infrastructure and offered a process involving amnesty, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration for ex-militants.
This Nigerian government peace process became the most expensive such program in the world. Ex-militant fighters received monthly stipends averaging $400 and were enrolled in costly reentry and job training programs, both in Nigeria and overseas. The government also awarded contracts worth millions of dollars to ex-militant leaders to protect oil infrastructure — further amplifying those leaders’ power over both the oil industry and other parts of the economy.
But the peace process focused mainly on armed militants — and ignored the local violence that those militants had been controlling lest it threaten their newfound power. That oversight continued when Goodluck Jonathan replaced Yar’Adua as president in 2011. As a result, Nigerians learned that militant violence would be rewarded — and the only people who would benefit from any peace would be the militants and the politicians involved in distributing the peace process’s largesse. It was a corrupt bargain all around.
Nevertheless, the system did keep the Niger Delta region stable for five years.
What accounts for renewed violence?
But in 2015, Buhari’s government not only called an end to the ex-militants’ security contracts, but also started investigating some prominent militant leaders for alleged corruption. His government has also cut the reintegration plan’s budget — thus reducing payments for ex-militant fighters. He has also canceled one of his predecessor’s few development efforts, the construction of a maritime university that was supposed to create education opportunities and jobs for the local population in the maritime industry. Many locals see the cancellation of this university as an attempt by Buhari to deny the region development and educational opportunities. This is also the opinion of ex-militant leaders who claim to be acting in the interest of the local people.
Buhari disrupted the uneasy balance of patronage and power that sustained peace in the Niger Delta. And so the conflicts have begun flaring up again. And so has the anti-oil insurgency.
The NDA has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks in Delta State, but other new groups, such as the Red Scorpions, have emerged as well — and more may be proliferating
Why?
First, ex-militant leaders displaced by Buhari’s policies may be using violence to renegotiate with the state. Second, those with a history of violence but who hadn’t gotten any of the peace process’s dividends are now competing for the next round of protection money.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Video - Shake up in Nigeria’s petroleum sector to revitalize oil & gas sector
Nigeria's President Muhamudu Buhari recently removed his petroleum minister Ibe Kachikwu as group managing director of state owned NNPC. Kachikwu would now chair a newly reconstituted board that will oversee the management of NNPC. 70% of government revenue comes from oil and gas exports managed by NNPC but the institution has been variously accused of being opaque and inefficient.
India opens textile training centre in Nigeria
India has set up an apparel training centre in Nigeria to support textiles industry of the west African country.
This is a first of its kind centre in Nigeria set up in partnership with their government, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement.
The centre has been established in Kaduna, Nigeria under the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa which is being implemented by the Indian Department of Commerce. It was inaugurated on June 22.
“The center is aimed to support and catalyze the initiative of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton and textile value chain and address the need for skilled workforce for domestic as well export-oriented apparel industry in the west African region,” the statement said.
Nigeria is an important trading partner of India. The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 12.17 billion in 2015-16 as against USD 16.36 billion in the previous fiscal.
Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer, and its major export to India is crude.
There are over 100 Indian companies present in Nigeria mainly in telecom, hydrocarbons, textiles, chemicals, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, plastics, IT and autos sectors.
India’s exports to that country includes machinery and instruments, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, transport equipment and electronic goods. The major items of import are petroleum, crude, non-ferrous metals, wood and wood products, cashew nuts.
This is a first of its kind centre in Nigeria set up in partnership with their government, the Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement.
The centre has been established in Kaduna, Nigeria under the Cotton Technical Assistance Programme for Africa which is being implemented by the Indian Department of Commerce. It was inaugurated on June 22.
“The center is aimed to support and catalyze the initiative of Nigeria in realising the objectives to rebuild the cotton and textile value chain and address the need for skilled workforce for domestic as well export-oriented apparel industry in the west African region,” the statement said.
Nigeria is an important trading partner of India. The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at USD 12.17 billion in 2015-16 as against USD 16.36 billion in the previous fiscal.
Nigeria is Africa’s biggest oil producer, and its major export to India is crude.
There are over 100 Indian companies present in Nigeria mainly in telecom, hydrocarbons, textiles, chemicals, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, plastics, IT and autos sectors.
India’s exports to that country includes machinery and instruments, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, transport equipment and electronic goods. The major items of import are petroleum, crude, non-ferrous metals, wood and wood products, cashew nuts.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Video - Nigeria’s government introduces port reforms to increase exports
Nigeria has been hard hit by a slump in oil revenue. To boost the economy and diversify from crude, the government is focusing on streamlining operations at its ports. It hopes this will increase exports and productivity.
Nigerian beaten to death in Italy
A Nigerian migrant was beaten to death in a racist attack by a right-wing football fan in a central Italian town, officials said Wednesday.
Emmanuel Chidi, 36, was walking with his girlfriend in the heart of the small town of Paolo Calcinora on Tuesday, when they had racial abuse heaped on them by the supporter of a local football club, the Agi news agency reported.
That led to an altercation and Chidi was brutally beaten on the head until he fell to the ground. He never recovered consciousness and died in hospital on Wednesday.
"As mayor of a town that is welcoming and open to integration, I feel I'm living in a nightmare," the town's mayor said.
Chidi had been living in the area for eight months and was lodged in a shelter run by Catholic charity Caritas.
His girlfriend had lost her baby after a perilous Mediterranean crossing.
Hundreds of migrants arrive daily in Italy. The Italian interior ministry said last week that a total of 70,930 people landed between January and June -- almost exactly the same number as the same period in 2015 and only slightly higher than in 2014.
The full-year total of migrant arrivals for 2015 was 153,000.
Emmanuel Chidi, 36, was walking with his girlfriend in the heart of the small town of Paolo Calcinora on Tuesday, when they had racial abuse heaped on them by the supporter of a local football club, the Agi news agency reported.
That led to an altercation and Chidi was brutally beaten on the head until he fell to the ground. He never recovered consciousness and died in hospital on Wednesday.
"As mayor of a town that is welcoming and open to integration, I feel I'm living in a nightmare," the town's mayor said.
Chidi had been living in the area for eight months and was lodged in a shelter run by Catholic charity Caritas.
His girlfriend had lost her baby after a perilous Mediterranean crossing.
Hundreds of migrants arrive daily in Italy. The Italian interior ministry said last week that a total of 70,930 people landed between January and June -- almost exactly the same number as the same period in 2015 and only slightly higher than in 2014.
The full-year total of migrant arrivals for 2015 was 153,000.
Conflict between Herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria escalates
On the heels of an insurgency launched seven years ago by the armed group Boko Haram, Nigeria is embroiled in another conflict that has divided people across ethnic and religious lines with thousands killed over the past few years.
It's a conflict that 16-year-old Haruna Mohammed and his cow-herding family know all too well.
Not only are they at the centre of it, but they are also being blamed for it.
"They call us killers," he says. "But we don't kill. We are peaceful."
In a wide-open field in Akwanga, central Nigeria, Haruna guides his father's flock of nearly 2,000 cows to a stream in a forest. The cattle hustle past him in a mad dash for the cool, freshwater. Haruna touches them fondly. He knows each cow by name. He knows when each cow was born. He knows the lazy cows and he knows the playful ones. He knows which ones produce the best milk, and which ones produce the most dung.
"The cows are special to us Fulani," Haruna says. "They are part of our family."
Every weekend, Haruna walks several kilometres through pastures and roads with the cows as they chomp on grass.
He says that he enjoys this chore. It's a break from his secondary school studies and a way for him to preserve his culture. His family hails from a generations-old cow-breeding tradition.
West Africa's cattle herders
The pastoral Fulani people - also called Peul, Fulbe, Fula and believed to be the world's largest semi-nomadic ethnic group - follow their cows today as they have done for centuries across the West African Sahel, from Senegal to central Africa.
In the past, farmers welcomed the seasonal migration of the Fulani and their cattle. The cows fertilised the farmers' fields with dung and the farmers reserved land for the cows to graze. It was somewhat of a mutual relationship, dented every now and then by conflicts, particularly when the cattle would trample the farmers' crops.
But today, the relationship between Fulani cattle-herders and farmers in Nigeria has taken a deadly turn.
Haruna and his family are viewed with suspicion.
As the last of the cows finish drinking water from the stream, a woman runs towards Haruna and his younger brothers. She shoos them away with her hands. Speaking Hausa, she tells the boys to get away from her field.
Haruna beckons his two younger brothers. They direct the cows towards another route.
In the past five years, fights over land and water between Fulani herders and farmers across Nigeria have left thousands of people dead. The farmers accuse the herdsmen of instigating the violence because the roaming herdsmen end up in communities where farmers have already settled for decades, even centuries.
"This is our ancestral land and we have been living here. Then these Fulani people come here once or twice a year with their cows and they are killing us," says Ngozi Ugwu.
Dozens of people were killed in her town of Nimbo in southeastern Nigeria when masked gunmen descended in an early morning raid.
The residents blamed the Fulani herdsmen. Last month, Nigerian police officials released photos of the assailants.
"For years now, the Fulanis have been coming here to fight us and on April 29 they did their worst attack yet," she says in tears. She is consumed in a fit of rage that makes it difficult to understand what she's saying.
Her brother was among those killed in the April attack and she hasn't yet recovered from his death. Her neighbours fear she may now be mentally unstable.
She and others have seen horrendous killings allegedly committed by Fulani herdsmen.
Pieces of bodies laid in a pile after the April raid. Chopped-off hands and severed feet aroused terror among the people in Nimbo.
"They were slaughtered like bush meat," says John Orajiaka. He saw the assailants as they entered his church compound, shouting and shooting with Kalashnikov assault rifles. He said that he saw tesbih, prayer beads, dangling from their hands.
Every few weeks, more Nigerian communities join the growing list of those attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen: Agatu, Nimbo, Galadima, Obiaruku, Abraka, Tarka, Buruku, Ngodo and Biogbolo.
A new brand of criminals tagged by security analysts as "Fulani militant herdsmen", has emerged to describe people travelling with large flocks of cows and raiding communities.
The 2015 Global Terrorism Index reported that "Fulani militants" are the fourth most deadly terrorist group in the world, responsible for the deaths of 1,229 people in 2014 - up from 63 in 2013.
"They now pose a serious threat to stability," the report says.
In 2010, survivors of an incident that left 500 people dead in the central Nigerian state of Plateau said their attackers shouted at them in Fulani language, according to Human Rights Watch.
This year, suspected herdsmen have killed more people in Nigeria than Boko Haram has, according to statistics from the Council on Foreign Relation's Nigeria Security Tracker.
In May, exiled Nigerian human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe testified before a Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives to tell American politicians that "the atrocities perpetrated by Muslim herdsmen of the Fulani tribe" is "a clear and present danger to national peace" for many Nigerians.
Ogebe describes details of a fact-finding mission to the farming community of Agatu in central Nigeria where soldiers were deployed after suspected Fulani herdsmen allegedly killed about 300 Agatu residents in February. Corpses and bloodied pieces of bodies were left at the scene of the violent attack, which happened in a locality too remote for even local journalists to venture.
"The sight was unnerving," Ogebe's claims in his testimony. "The tales of victims could not possibly capture the extent of the devastation. Travelling on end, mile after mile on bumpy dirt roads, there were no humans to be seen in village after burned down village."
Mohammed Husseini, a Fulani leader, explained that in Agatu, young men were stealing the Fulani's cows and that cattle theft is a crime that frequently goes unpunished.
Husseini is the head of one of the state chapters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association. He claims that the constant thieving of Fulanis' cows puts the Fulani people at risk, and that they deserve to protect themselves.
Apart from the cow thefts, analysts also attribute the rise in violence to climate change. The landscape of northern Nigeria - where many of the Fulani in Nigeria originate - is changing as desertification from the Sahara encroaches. Fulani cow herders are staying longer in the south, where the rainy season lasts longer and produces rich, dense greenery. But in the south, they are trespassing on farmers' lands.
But not everyone supports this theory.
"It's nonsense. It's just Western propaganda by people who don't know what is really happening in Nigeria," says a prominent Fulani politician, who asked to remain anonymous. He says that the rise in criminality among Fulani cattle-herders began in the 1980s, the same time that organised crime - drug trafficking and gang violence - increased across Nigeria.
"Nigeria should be very alarmed. These Fulani boys are armed with dangerous weapons and they know how to use them. I am Fulani, so I know what is happening," he tells Al Jazeera. He is working behind the scenes with Fulani community leaders to find a solution to the criminality. He suggests that the perpetrators must be disarmed.
The Nigerian government is yet to find an effective means of tackling arms proliferation, and even the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted the free flow of arms trafficking that surged in the region after the fall of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi compounded Nigeria's security challenges.
Furthermore, the ignition of religious hostilities has sparked a furious flame.
Religious tensions
"The Fulanis are against Christians. They see us as slaves," says 51-year-old Paul Odiegwu. He is an elder at the church in Nimbo where most of the destruction took place during the recent assault.
He is among many Nigerians who believe that this wave of violence by herdsmen is a continuation of the Fulani uprising of 1804. The historic raids, led by Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, shaped the political and cultural landscape of what was to become the nation of Nigeria more than 100 years later.
A cavalry of Fulani fighters - some on horseback, others on foot - took over communities across north and central Nigeria and parts of Cameroon with the aim of propagating a purer version of Islam.
They subjected people from other ethnic groups as slaves, established an empire, dethroned local leaders, and set themselves up as the ruling aristocracy. Their rule continues in many communities today. Many of the most revered Muslim leaders in Nigeria are from Fulani families.
This history is what many Nigerians fear is playing out again.
So communities in the predominantly Christian southeastern region are employing local defence strategies to protect themselves against the herdsmen.
In the southeastern state of Abia, the governor congregated men of a vigilante group known as the Bakassi Boys to train youth to assist in community policing.
At the federal government level, President Buhari - who is also a Fulani who owns many cows - has ordered a crackdown on herdsmen. After a backlash from outraged Nigerians who went on social media to complain about what they perceived as silence and ethnic bias from Buhari, the president came out to declare his administration will not tolerate violence and ordered security officials to "secure all communities under attack by herdsmen".
But despite this order, attacks continue. Recently, a community in the southern state of Bayelsa reported an attack by herdsmen and concerns over a possible link between Fulani and Boko Haram. But details of ties are unclear.
Ballama Mustapha, a civil society activist based in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, where Boko Haram began, says there are elements of Boko Haram within the herdsmen.
"The issue is that some Fulani herdsmen have joined Boko Haram and also some Boko Haram members have stolen cows that belong to Fulani and are now moving with those cows disguising as Fulani," Mustapha tells Al Jazeera.
Mike Ejiofor, a security analyst and former senior official at the Nigerian Department of State Security, says Boko Haram members have infiltrated Fulani communities in an attempt to flee Nigerian soldiers who have advanced on them.
Nigeria's chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, said last month that herdsmen might have ties with Boko Haram.
Ejiofor and Mustapha fear the violence may be a more fatal security threat than Boko Haram because the herdsmen roam across the country.
While escalating tensions threaten to destroy any semblance of national unity, Haruna is just trying to live a normal teenager's life. He watches locally produced Kannywood movies, but he says he prefers American action films. Rambo is his favourite.
"Sylvester Stallone is cool," he says.
Just before the mosquitoes come out in droves in the evening, Haruna walks the cows back home. He plays with his younger siblings. He lies out on the grass and listens to news on the radio, hoping to one day be a journalist.
When his mother calls him, he goes inside to eat dinner. This night, it's soup made of moringa leaves scooped on top of white rice.
It's a conflict that 16-year-old Haruna Mohammed and his cow-herding family know all too well.
Not only are they at the centre of it, but they are also being blamed for it.
"They call us killers," he says. "But we don't kill. We are peaceful."
In a wide-open field in Akwanga, central Nigeria, Haruna guides his father's flock of nearly 2,000 cows to a stream in a forest. The cattle hustle past him in a mad dash for the cool, freshwater. Haruna touches them fondly. He knows each cow by name. He knows when each cow was born. He knows the lazy cows and he knows the playful ones. He knows which ones produce the best milk, and which ones produce the most dung.
"The cows are special to us Fulani," Haruna says. "They are part of our family."
Every weekend, Haruna walks several kilometres through pastures and roads with the cows as they chomp on grass.
He says that he enjoys this chore. It's a break from his secondary school studies and a way for him to preserve his culture. His family hails from a generations-old cow-breeding tradition.
West Africa's cattle herders
The pastoral Fulani people - also called Peul, Fulbe, Fula and believed to be the world's largest semi-nomadic ethnic group - follow their cows today as they have done for centuries across the West African Sahel, from Senegal to central Africa.
In the past, farmers welcomed the seasonal migration of the Fulani and their cattle. The cows fertilised the farmers' fields with dung and the farmers reserved land for the cows to graze. It was somewhat of a mutual relationship, dented every now and then by conflicts, particularly when the cattle would trample the farmers' crops.
But today, the relationship between Fulani cattle-herders and farmers in Nigeria has taken a deadly turn.
Haruna and his family are viewed with suspicion.
As the last of the cows finish drinking water from the stream, a woman runs towards Haruna and his younger brothers. She shoos them away with her hands. Speaking Hausa, she tells the boys to get away from her field.
Haruna beckons his two younger brothers. They direct the cows towards another route.
In the past five years, fights over land and water between Fulani herders and farmers across Nigeria have left thousands of people dead. The farmers accuse the herdsmen of instigating the violence because the roaming herdsmen end up in communities where farmers have already settled for decades, even centuries.
"This is our ancestral land and we have been living here. Then these Fulani people come here once or twice a year with their cows and they are killing us," says Ngozi Ugwu.
Dozens of people were killed in her town of Nimbo in southeastern Nigeria when masked gunmen descended in an early morning raid.
The residents blamed the Fulani herdsmen. Last month, Nigerian police officials released photos of the assailants.
"For years now, the Fulanis have been coming here to fight us and on April 29 they did their worst attack yet," she says in tears. She is consumed in a fit of rage that makes it difficult to understand what she's saying.
Her brother was among those killed in the April attack and she hasn't yet recovered from his death. Her neighbours fear she may now be mentally unstable.
She and others have seen horrendous killings allegedly committed by Fulani herdsmen.
Pieces of bodies laid in a pile after the April raid. Chopped-off hands and severed feet aroused terror among the people in Nimbo.
"They were slaughtered like bush meat," says John Orajiaka. He saw the assailants as they entered his church compound, shouting and shooting with Kalashnikov assault rifles. He said that he saw tesbih, prayer beads, dangling from their hands.
Every few weeks, more Nigerian communities join the growing list of those attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen: Agatu, Nimbo, Galadima, Obiaruku, Abraka, Tarka, Buruku, Ngodo and Biogbolo.
A new brand of criminals tagged by security analysts as "Fulani militant herdsmen", has emerged to describe people travelling with large flocks of cows and raiding communities.
The 2015 Global Terrorism Index reported that "Fulani militants" are the fourth most deadly terrorist group in the world, responsible for the deaths of 1,229 people in 2014 - up from 63 in 2013.
"They now pose a serious threat to stability," the report says.
In 2010, survivors of an incident that left 500 people dead in the central Nigerian state of Plateau said their attackers shouted at them in Fulani language, according to Human Rights Watch.
This year, suspected herdsmen have killed more people in Nigeria than Boko Haram has, according to statistics from the Council on Foreign Relation's Nigeria Security Tracker.
In May, exiled Nigerian human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe testified before a Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the US House of Representatives to tell American politicians that "the atrocities perpetrated by Muslim herdsmen of the Fulani tribe" is "a clear and present danger to national peace" for many Nigerians.
Ogebe describes details of a fact-finding mission to the farming community of Agatu in central Nigeria where soldiers were deployed after suspected Fulani herdsmen allegedly killed about 300 Agatu residents in February. Corpses and bloodied pieces of bodies were left at the scene of the violent attack, which happened in a locality too remote for even local journalists to venture.
"The sight was unnerving," Ogebe's claims in his testimony. "The tales of victims could not possibly capture the extent of the devastation. Travelling on end, mile after mile on bumpy dirt roads, there were no humans to be seen in village after burned down village."
Mohammed Husseini, a Fulani leader, explained that in Agatu, young men were stealing the Fulani's cows and that cattle theft is a crime that frequently goes unpunished.
Husseini is the head of one of the state chapters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association. He claims that the constant thieving of Fulanis' cows puts the Fulani people at risk, and that they deserve to protect themselves.
Apart from the cow thefts, analysts also attribute the rise in violence to climate change. The landscape of northern Nigeria - where many of the Fulani in Nigeria originate - is changing as desertification from the Sahara encroaches. Fulani cow herders are staying longer in the south, where the rainy season lasts longer and produces rich, dense greenery. But in the south, they are trespassing on farmers' lands.
But not everyone supports this theory.
"It's nonsense. It's just Western propaganda by people who don't know what is really happening in Nigeria," says a prominent Fulani politician, who asked to remain anonymous. He says that the rise in criminality among Fulani cattle-herders began in the 1980s, the same time that organised crime - drug trafficking and gang violence - increased across Nigeria.
"Nigeria should be very alarmed. These Fulani boys are armed with dangerous weapons and they know how to use them. I am Fulani, so I know what is happening," he tells Al Jazeera. He is working behind the scenes with Fulani community leaders to find a solution to the criminality. He suggests that the perpetrators must be disarmed.
The Nigerian government is yet to find an effective means of tackling arms proliferation, and even the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted the free flow of arms trafficking that surged in the region after the fall of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi compounded Nigeria's security challenges.
Furthermore, the ignition of religious hostilities has sparked a furious flame.
Religious tensions
"The Fulanis are against Christians. They see us as slaves," says 51-year-old Paul Odiegwu. He is an elder at the church in Nimbo where most of the destruction took place during the recent assault.
He is among many Nigerians who believe that this wave of violence by herdsmen is a continuation of the Fulani uprising of 1804. The historic raids, led by Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, shaped the political and cultural landscape of what was to become the nation of Nigeria more than 100 years later.
A cavalry of Fulani fighters - some on horseback, others on foot - took over communities across north and central Nigeria and parts of Cameroon with the aim of propagating a purer version of Islam.
They subjected people from other ethnic groups as slaves, established an empire, dethroned local leaders, and set themselves up as the ruling aristocracy. Their rule continues in many communities today. Many of the most revered Muslim leaders in Nigeria are from Fulani families.
This history is what many Nigerians fear is playing out again.
So communities in the predominantly Christian southeastern region are employing local defence strategies to protect themselves against the herdsmen.
In the southeastern state of Abia, the governor congregated men of a vigilante group known as the Bakassi Boys to train youth to assist in community policing.
At the federal government level, President Buhari - who is also a Fulani who owns many cows - has ordered a crackdown on herdsmen. After a backlash from outraged Nigerians who went on social media to complain about what they perceived as silence and ethnic bias from Buhari, the president came out to declare his administration will not tolerate violence and ordered security officials to "secure all communities under attack by herdsmen".
But despite this order, attacks continue. Recently, a community in the southern state of Bayelsa reported an attack by herdsmen and concerns over a possible link between Fulani and Boko Haram. But details of ties are unclear.
Ballama Mustapha, a civil society activist based in the northeastern city of Maiduguri, where Boko Haram began, says there are elements of Boko Haram within the herdsmen.
"The issue is that some Fulani herdsmen have joined Boko Haram and also some Boko Haram members have stolen cows that belong to Fulani and are now moving with those cows disguising as Fulani," Mustapha tells Al Jazeera.
Mike Ejiofor, a security analyst and former senior official at the Nigerian Department of State Security, says Boko Haram members have infiltrated Fulani communities in an attempt to flee Nigerian soldiers who have advanced on them.
Nigeria's chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, said last month that herdsmen might have ties with Boko Haram.
Ejiofor and Mustapha fear the violence may be a more fatal security threat than Boko Haram because the herdsmen roam across the country.
While escalating tensions threaten to destroy any semblance of national unity, Haruna is just trying to live a normal teenager's life. He watches locally produced Kannywood movies, but he says he prefers American action films. Rambo is his favourite.
"Sylvester Stallone is cool," he says.
Just before the mosquitoes come out in droves in the evening, Haruna walks the cows back home. He plays with his younger siblings. He lies out on the grass and listens to news on the radio, hoping to one day be a journalist.
When his mother calls him, he goes inside to eat dinner. This night, it's soup made of moringa leaves scooped on top of white rice.
Nigerian government condemns murder of another Nigerian teenager in London
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Wednesday, decried the killing of a 17 year-old Nigerian, Fola Orebiyi, in London.
Dabiri-Erewa said this in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
The statement noted that the killing of Orebiyi was unacceptable to the citizens and government of Nigeria.
She said the death of Orebiyi and other unjustified murders of Nigerians in the UK was growing worrisome.
Dabiri-Erewa who condoled with the bereaved family also called on the UK government to ensure that thorough investigation and justice is done.
She said Nigeria will no longer tolerate the undue killing and execution of Nigerian citizens abroad.
Orebiyi, who had finished his General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at Holland Park in London and preparing for his A levels, was stabbed to his untimely death during a clash between opposing gangs at Nottinghill, London.
The 17-year-old was reportedly chased down a busy road and stabbed in the neck in the presence of shocked tourist and passerby.
A neighbour to the deceased, Osman Sahel, told the police that Orebiyi “was a nice boy and very considerate; none of us can understand how this could have happened.”
“As far as I knew, he was never in trouble. I suppose we must now wait for the police to investigate.”
A yet to identified 15-year-old has been arrested by the London police in connection to his death.
Dabiri-Erewa said this in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
The statement noted that the killing of Orebiyi was unacceptable to the citizens and government of Nigeria.
She said the death of Orebiyi and other unjustified murders of Nigerians in the UK was growing worrisome.
Dabiri-Erewa who condoled with the bereaved family also called on the UK government to ensure that thorough investigation and justice is done.
She said Nigeria will no longer tolerate the undue killing and execution of Nigerian citizens abroad.
Orebiyi, who had finished his General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at Holland Park in London and preparing for his A levels, was stabbed to his untimely death during a clash between opposing gangs at Nottinghill, London.
The 17-year-old was reportedly chased down a busy road and stabbed in the neck in the presence of shocked tourist and passerby.
A neighbour to the deceased, Osman Sahel, told the police that Orebiyi “was a nice boy and very considerate; none of us can understand how this could have happened.”
“As far as I knew, he was never in trouble. I suppose we must now wait for the police to investigate.”
A yet to identified 15-year-old has been arrested by the London police in connection to his death.
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Video - U.S. warns of possible attacks against foreigners in Nigeria
The American embassy in Nigeria has warned of possible attacks against expatriates and foreigners in Lagos. The announcement comes ahead of the public holidays that signify the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Tuesday and Wednesday are public holidays in Nigeria and celebrations are expected to take place across the country. A similar security warning was issued in December last year.
Video - Nigerian bank offers flexi-time to employees
Lagos is notorious for its traffic gridlock. Often, residents spend hours commuting from their homes on one side of the city to their jobs on the other. One Nigerian bank has come up with a solution to help its employees skip the hassles of traffic.
Video - Delegation to fast-track multibillion-dollar deals between China and Nigeria
A high-powered delegation from China is in Nigeria to fast-track agreements signed in April. Nigeria's is seeking multibillion-dollar Chinese investment in its oil and gas sector -- as well as a loan to plug a huge budget deficit.
Video - Niger Delta Avengers claim to have blown up Chevron pipeline
The Niger Delta Avengers have claimed to have blown up a Chevron well and oil pipelines near the city of Warri. The group has pushed production to 30-year lows in the past few weeks, through a spate of attacks. The Avengers say they've blown up a Nigerian Petroleum Development Company manifold, close to Banta, and two crude pipelines operated by the state oil company. A manifold platform is where small oil or gas pipelines converge before connecting to a larger storage hub. The group also claims to have targeted "Chevron Well 10", close to the Otunana flow station. Chevron and N-N-P-C have not been available to comment.
FC Barcelona opens academy in Nigeria
Director of Social Area, Pau Vilanova, said yesterday during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode at the State House, Alausa.
Leader of the delegation, Vilanova explained that the club had special interest in the city considering its population and other laudable achievement recorded by the State.
Head of the Barcelona Academy, Oscar Grao, said they wanted to be in the city because of its status as the fastest growing megacity, saying "We have 17 football Academies across the world. We have in America, China Canada and others. But there was none in Africa."
"For us, it is an honour to be here. The establishment of such school in this part of Africa is very important. I think we have a special philosophy about the game that is how we defend and attack.
Brexit impact on Nigeria
Brexit will be positive for Nigeria, according to Peter Kohli, the CEO of DMS Funds. In an article published in NASDAQ online, he explains that Britain, without Brussels will be able to make lucrative trade deals with the world and especially commonwealth countries, including Nigeria.
“In my humble opinion, Britain extricating itself from that pompous union will be a net positive for Nigeria,” he writes. “So whether or not Nigeria makes it economically is totally up to them. Recently, the Nigerian Central Bank abandoned the currency peg and allowed the Naira to sink or swim. There was initial optimism that the move would draw in foreign investors, but that optimism was short-lived. The spectre of a recession is beginning to loom larger, mainly, in my opinion, because the economy is not well diversified.”
According to Kohli, Nigeria’s GDP in the first quarter of 2016 came in at a negative 0.4% year-over-year. However, it actually contracted 13.7% quarter-over-quarter. Exports (mainly of oil and gas) were down 65% year-over-year from March 2016, and that of course robs the treasury of much needed revenue.
As for the current cost of producing a barrel of oil in Nigeria, it’s $31.60. But the breakeven price for that country is $141.70! “So something has to give. And don’t blame it on Brexit because that will have no adverse effect on the Nigerian economy,” writes Kohli.
“In my humble opinion, Britain extricating itself from that pompous union will be a net positive for Nigeria,” he writes. “So whether or not Nigeria makes it economically is totally up to them. Recently, the Nigerian Central Bank abandoned the currency peg and allowed the Naira to sink or swim. There was initial optimism that the move would draw in foreign investors, but that optimism was short-lived. The spectre of a recession is beginning to loom larger, mainly, in my opinion, because the economy is not well diversified.”
According to Kohli, Nigeria’s GDP in the first quarter of 2016 came in at a negative 0.4% year-over-year. However, it actually contracted 13.7% quarter-over-quarter. Exports (mainly of oil and gas) were down 65% year-over-year from March 2016, and that of course robs the treasury of much needed revenue.
As for the current cost of producing a barrel of oil in Nigeria, it’s $31.60. But the breakeven price for that country is $141.70! “So something has to give. And don’t blame it on Brexit because that will have no adverse effect on the Nigerian economy,” writes Kohli.
Sierra Leone diplomat kidnapped in Nigeria freed
The former head of Sierra Leone's army who was kidnapped in Nigeria last week has been freed, officials say.
They say Maj Gen Nelson Williams, who is now Sierra Leone's Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, is back at his base in the capital Abuja.
It was not immediately clear whether any ransom was paid for his release.
He was seized on Friday as he was travelling to the northern state of Kaduna for a military ceremony.
"He is in sound health," Nigerian police spokesman Don Awunah was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
Maj Gen Williams is believed to be the first Sierra Leone diplomat to be abducted anywhere in the world since the country became independent in 1961.
His seizure was hugely embarrassing for the Nigerian government, correspondent say.
Kidnapping for ransom is common in some parts of Nigeria.
They say Maj Gen Nelson Williams, who is now Sierra Leone's Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, is back at his base in the capital Abuja.
It was not immediately clear whether any ransom was paid for his release.
He was seized on Friday as he was travelling to the northern state of Kaduna for a military ceremony.
"He is in sound health," Nigerian police spokesman Don Awunah was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
Maj Gen Williams is believed to be the first Sierra Leone diplomat to be abducted anywhere in the world since the country became independent in 1961.
His seizure was hugely embarrassing for the Nigerian government, correspondent say.
Kidnapping for ransom is common in some parts of Nigeria.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Video - Nigeria's Skye Bank sacks top executives
Nigerian Central Bank has sacked top executives of Skye Bank over capital adequacy issues. Chief Executive Timothy Oguntayo -- who led Skye to acquire nationalised lender Mainstreet in 2014 -- resigned before the announcement on Monday. Last year, the central bank gave three commercial lenders until June 2016 to recapitalise after they failed to hit a minimum capital adequacy rate of 10 percent. Local media are reporting that Skye Bank has a non-performing loan portfolio of just under 2-point-5 billion dollars.
Nigeria's oil minister Kachikwu replaced as state oil boss
Oil accounts for about 70 percent of Nigeria' revenue, but the OPEC member has been hit hard by a prolonged drop in crude prices that has caused the deepest crisis in Africa's biggest economy for more than a decade.
Dr Maikanti Kacalla Baru, previously group executive director for exploration and production, will take the reins from Kachikwu, who will remain on the board as chairman, the president's spokesman said on Monday.
Buhari, elected last year, has accused the previous administration of failing to save when crude oil cost more than $100 a barrel. In 2013 the central bank governor said that tens of billions of dollars in oil revenue had failed to make it into state coffers, which the company denied.
Kachikwu was appointed minister of state for oil last year, making him a junior minister, while Buhari kept the petroleum minister portfolio for himself in order to oversee energy sector reforms.
Baru's previous roles at the state oil company included a six year stint, from 1993 to 1999, as an executive at the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), an NNPC subsidiary, where he worked on gas-related projects.
"President Buhari urges the new board to ensure the successful delivery of the mandate of NNPC and serve the nation by upholding the public trust placed on them in managing this critical national asset," said Buhari's spokesman Femi Adesina.
The president's chief of staff, Abba Kyari, joins the new board, which replaces the one dissolved by Buhari in June last year.
"Reconstituting the board appears to be an attempt to adopt a different approach with a sense of proper oversight and accountability," said Antony Goldman, head of Nigeria-focused PM Consulting.
"The issue in the past has been that NNPC has been involved in deals that benefited certain individuals but not Nigeria as a whole," he added.
Kachikwu, a former Exxon Mobil executive, was brought in by Buhari as head of NNPC last August and was named as minister of state for oil when his cabinet was appointed a few months later.
Rolake Akinkugbe, head of energy and natural resources at FBN Capital, said there was "always a question around how you could have the head of the national oil company who was also the oil minister".
"Being moved to chairman, where he will not be involved in day-to-day operations but retains strategic input, helps to resolve that issue," she said.
Nigerian army averts triple suicide bombing
Nigeria's army said it thwarted a suicide bombing on Monday when soldiers killed two female suspects before they were able to attack displaced people, while a third died when her explosives detonated prematurely.
Army spokesperson Colonel Sani Usman said the trio tried to attack internally displaced people (IDPs) collecting water at a well on the outskirts of Monguno, in Borno state, at about 06:15 (05:15 GMT).
Two of the three women, who he described as "Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers" were shot and killed, causing their explosives to detonate, injuring two civilians.
The third suspect's explosives went off about an hour later at a nearby location, Usman said.
The attempted attack came just before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is marked in Nigeria with two days' public holiday – Tuesday and Wednesday.
It also follows a similar attempted suicide bombing at a mosque in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, on June 27, which saw two men try to target Ramadan night prayers at a city mosque.
Both incidents underlined the threat posed by Boko Haram, which has used suicide bombers against civilian "soft targets" as part of its seven-year insurgency to create a hard-line Islamic state.
A military counter-offensive waged since January last year has pushed out the militants into remote border areas around Lake Chad. The rate of attacks has declined in recent months.
Borno governor Kashim Shettima meanwhile announced there would be no restriction on movement in or out of the state during the celebrations to mark the end of a month of fasting and prayer.
It is the first time in six years that restrictions will be lifted.
But Shettima said "stringent security measures" will be in place at prayer grounds, where large crowds were expected.
Army spokesperson Colonel Sani Usman said the trio tried to attack internally displaced people (IDPs) collecting water at a well on the outskirts of Monguno, in Borno state, at about 06:15 (05:15 GMT).
Two of the three women, who he described as "Boko Haram terrorists suicide bombers" were shot and killed, causing their explosives to detonate, injuring two civilians.
The third suspect's explosives went off about an hour later at a nearby location, Usman said.
The attempted attack came just before the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is marked in Nigeria with two days' public holiday – Tuesday and Wednesday.
It also follows a similar attempted suicide bombing at a mosque in the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, on June 27, which saw two men try to target Ramadan night prayers at a city mosque.
Both incidents underlined the threat posed by Boko Haram, which has used suicide bombers against civilian "soft targets" as part of its seven-year insurgency to create a hard-line Islamic state.
A military counter-offensive waged since January last year has pushed out the militants into remote border areas around Lake Chad. The rate of attacks has declined in recent months.
Borno governor Kashim Shettima meanwhile announced there would be no restriction on movement in or out of the state during the celebrations to mark the end of a month of fasting and prayer.
It is the first time in six years that restrictions will be lifted.
But Shettima said "stringent security measures" will be in place at prayer grounds, where large crowds were expected.
Monday, July 4, 2016
Video - Renowned Nigerian author Elechi Amadi dies aged 82
Nigeria is remembering the life and literary contribution of author Elechi Amadi who died age 82, after a long illness earlier this week.
Leicester to sign Nigerian football star Ahmed Musa
Premier League champions Leicester City are to sign Nigerian international attacking midfielder Ahmed Musa from Russian champions CSKA Moscow for $21 million (18.8 million euros). Separately, Leicester announced earlier Sunday they had signed former France Under-21 midfielder Nampalys Mendy from Nice on a four-year deal, as they bolster their squad for a tilt at the Champions League.
The 23-year-old Musa, who scored a brace for Nigeria in a 3-2 defeat against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup finals, is to sign a five-year deal. “He’ll be leaving Tuesday,” CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky told Russian media of the player, who joined CSKA in 2012 and has scored 53 goals in 161 games. “And if you look at the way things are done over there you’ll see he is a player just made for English football,” Slutsky said. Leicester’s first signing since winning the English Premier League was Sporting Gijon defender Luis Hernandez on a free transfer.
Manchester City to block Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho from playing at Olympics
Manchester City are set to prevent Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho from playing for his country at this summer's Olympics in Rio, Brazil.
New City boss Pep Guardiola wants the 19-year-old to stay with the English Premier League side for pre-season.
Nigeria included Iheanacho in their provisional squad, despite having received a letter from City to say the player would not be available.
"I don't know if my team and my country have decided," Iheanacho said.
"If your country wants you to play for them you surely have to do so, but it's not up for me to decide. I don't know if it has been concluded or not."
Iheanacho, who joined City from the Taye Academy in his native Nigeria in January 2014, broke into the club's senior side last season and scored 14 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions.
His displays have seen him move above Wilfried Bony, the experienced Ivory Coast international, in the pecking order.
If he went to Brazil for the Olympics for the football tournament, which takes place between 3-20 August, he would missing the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
City believe that the Iheanacho would benefit more from spending a full pre-season working with Guardiola as the player seeks to establish himself as a first-team regular.
Versatile
Speaking at a fan event at City's Academy Stadium, Iheanacho said: "Everyone knows Pep and what he can do. I think he is a great manager and I think he will bring many things to this team.
"I can play number 9, 10, 7 and 11 as well so I can play in different positions. Anywhere I can fit in, I will play.
"I am happy with what I did last season and now I have to work really hard this season to get something for the team and work for the team as well."
Iheanacho faces fierce competition to win a regular place in City's line-up, with new signing Nolito able to play in attack, as well as Bony and first-choice forward Sergio Aguero.
But the teenager believes that he can persuade Guardiola to give him a chance as City seek to improve on last season's fourth-place finish.
He said: "Everyone wants to start games and work hard. I need to work extra hard and I will get a chance," he added.
"It will be a big season for me, and for every player."
Video - Niger Delta Avengers claim five attacks
The Niger Delta Avengers, a militant group that has been carrying out attacks on Nigerian oil facilities in the past few months, claimed responsibility on Sunday for five new attacks in the southern energy hub since Friday.
The group had previously not laid claim to any attacks in the Niger Delta - the source of most of the OPEC member's oil - since June 16.
Petroleum Ministry sources said in late June that a month-long truce had been agreed with militants. But the Avengers said they did not "remember" agreeing to a ceasefire.
Attacks in the Niger Delta have pushed Nigerian crude production to 30-year lows, although the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said last week that output was rising because of repairs and a fall-off in attacks.
In messages posted on Twitter in the early hours of Sunday, the Avengers said they had attacked a pipeline connected to the Warri refinery operated by NNPC on Friday night.
They added that they blew up two lines on Saturday night close to Batan flow station in Delta state run by NPDC, a subsidiary of NNPC.
The militants also said two Chevron facilities close to Abiteye flow station, in Delta state, came under attack early on Sunday.
Residents in some of those areas reported hearing blasts.
"All five operations" were carried out by an Avengers "strike team", the group said.
Garba Deen Muhammad, a spokesman for state oil company NNPC, whose managing director is the oil minister, confirmed that the crude facilities identified by the Avengers had been attacked.
"Government will not be deterred in its efforts to find a lasting solution to these attacks," he said.
Chevron spokeswoman Isabel Ordonez said that "as a matter of long-standing policy," the company did not comment on "the safety and security" of its personnel and operations.
The militants say they want a greater share of Nigeria's oil wealth, which accounts for around 70 percent of national income, to be passed on to communities in the impoverished region and for areas blighted by oil spills to be cleaned up.
On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari hosted a group of community leaders from the Delta and urged them to pacify people in the restive region where anger is widespread.
Eric Omare, of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), which represents the Delta's biggest ethnic group, said the "resumption" of attacks was "worrisome", adding that the government had failed to build on goodwill generated by the oil minister's visit to the region in June.
"The federal government has not taken any practical step toward resolving the issues," said Omare, adding that the IYC urged the Avengers not to carry out further attacks in order to "give room for constructive dialogue".
Nigeria to draw up shortlist for the Super Eagles coaching job by Friday
Nigeria have started the process of finding a new manager of the national team, according to the country's football federation.
The Super Eagles have been without a permanent coach since Sunday Oliseh quit the post in February.
The Nigerian Football Federation is hoping to be able to draw up a shortlist of candidates by Friday.
"We encourage applications from all highly-qualified persons, whether they be Nigerians or expatriates," it said.
"Applications are welcome until Wednesday, and the Technical and Development Committee will meet on Friday to look through all applications and release a shortlist."
Caretaker manager Salisu Yusuf guided Nigeria to victories over Mali and Luxembourg in two friendly matches in May, but the NFF president Amaju Pinnick has publicly declared his intention to appoint a foreign manager for the country instead.
Nigeria were rocked by Oliseh's exit, brought about by a dispute over contract violations, and they had to play two crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt in March under the temporary charge of Under-23 coach Samson Siasia.
The three-time African champions were eliminated from the competition and will not feature at next year's finals in Gabon.
Opinions are sharply divided about what direction the NFF should follow after the country's failure to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 Nations Cup tournaments under local managers.
Nigeria have been drawn in the same African 2018 World Cup qualifying group B as former champions Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia.
The group includes three of the five African countries who went to the last World Cup in Brazil and they will be battling for a single place at the tournament in Russia.
Algeria and Nigeria both got past the group phase in 2014 and were eliminated in the round of 16 while Cameroon, hampered before arriving in Brazil by a player strike over money, lost all three games and conceded nine goals.
The Super Eagles have been without a permanent coach since Sunday Oliseh quit the post in February.
The Nigerian Football Federation is hoping to be able to draw up a shortlist of candidates by Friday.
"We encourage applications from all highly-qualified persons, whether they be Nigerians or expatriates," it said.
"Applications are welcome until Wednesday, and the Technical and Development Committee will meet on Friday to look through all applications and release a shortlist."
Caretaker manager Salisu Yusuf guided Nigeria to victories over Mali and Luxembourg in two friendly matches in May, but the NFF president Amaju Pinnick has publicly declared his intention to appoint a foreign manager for the country instead.
Nigeria were rocked by Oliseh's exit, brought about by a dispute over contract violations, and they had to play two crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt in March under the temporary charge of Under-23 coach Samson Siasia.
The three-time African champions were eliminated from the competition and will not feature at next year's finals in Gabon.
Opinions are sharply divided about what direction the NFF should follow after the country's failure to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 Nations Cup tournaments under local managers.
Nigeria have been drawn in the same African 2018 World Cup qualifying group B as former champions Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia.
The group includes three of the five African countries who went to the last World Cup in Brazil and they will be battling for a single place at the tournament in Russia.
Algeria and Nigeria both got past the group phase in 2014 and were eliminated in the round of 16 while Cameroon, hampered before arriving in Brazil by a player strike over money, lost all three games and conceded nine goals.
USA to block Nigeria's looted funds from banks
James Entwistle, the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, has expressed his country’s readiness to stand hand in hand with Nigeria and provide any assitance needed to jointly combat corruption. He also assured that no looted funds are laundered through the American banking system. According to the diplomat, the Obama administration has already offered technical assistance to local anti-graft agencies for the training of investigators and prosecutors.
Mr Entwistle made the announcement during the 240th United States Independence Anniversary celebration cocktail party in Abuja on Saturday. He said: “Not just the political freedom you exercised last year, but freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom from sickness, and freedom from corruption. The last election was tremendous democratic success, not only for Nigeria, but the growth of democracy across Africa. As you fight Boko Haram and secure and rebuild the Northeast, and you strive for harmony in the Niger Delta and across the land, we will continue to help in every appropriate way.
Indeed, let us redouble our efforts on the humanitarian front in the Northeast. Nigerians are dying of starvation in Nigeria. The United States stands with every Nigerian who believes that Nigeria can be healthier, safer, and more prosperous.” On economy and investments The ambassador also commended Nigeria’s economy direction, stressing the importance of fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange rate control. Besides, he urged the government to keep developing investment-friendy environment to attract more foreign companies thus boosting economy.
“As you continue privatization of the power grid, through President Obama’s Power Africa initiative, we stand ready to, among other things, help companies invest in building more electricity infrastructure, especially environmentally-friendly power generation. As you increase your commitment to healthcare and education, we support those efforts too,” he assured Mr. Entwistle, who has worked 35 and a half years at the U.S. Foreign Service, is planning to retire and leave his post of the ambassador to Nigeria by the end of this month. He has described his stay in Nigeria as a fascinating time and expressed optimism and hope for the better future for Nigeria. However, he refused to comment on his letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, over sexual allegations against three Nigerian lawmakers while on official trip to the U.S. months ago.
Mr Entwistle made the announcement during the 240th United States Independence Anniversary celebration cocktail party in Abuja on Saturday. He said: “Not just the political freedom you exercised last year, but freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom from sickness, and freedom from corruption. The last election was tremendous democratic success, not only for Nigeria, but the growth of democracy across Africa. As you fight Boko Haram and secure and rebuild the Northeast, and you strive for harmony in the Niger Delta and across the land, we will continue to help in every appropriate way.
Indeed, let us redouble our efforts on the humanitarian front in the Northeast. Nigerians are dying of starvation in Nigeria. The United States stands with every Nigerian who believes that Nigeria can be healthier, safer, and more prosperous.” On economy and investments The ambassador also commended Nigeria’s economy direction, stressing the importance of fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange rate control. Besides, he urged the government to keep developing investment-friendy environment to attract more foreign companies thus boosting economy.
“As you continue privatization of the power grid, through President Obama’s Power Africa initiative, we stand ready to, among other things, help companies invest in building more electricity infrastructure, especially environmentally-friendly power generation. As you increase your commitment to healthcare and education, we support those efforts too,” he assured Mr. Entwistle, who has worked 35 and a half years at the U.S. Foreign Service, is planning to retire and leave his post of the ambassador to Nigeria by the end of this month. He has described his stay in Nigeria as a fascinating time and expressed optimism and hope for the better future for Nigeria. However, he refused to comment on his letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, over sexual allegations against three Nigerian lawmakers while on official trip to the U.S. months ago.
Friday, July 1, 2016
Video - Plan to raise over $90bln to stabilize Nigeria
Stabilizing oil prices should help Nigeria's engineer an economic recovery, but Africa's largest economy also needs a lot more funding to develop -- that's why a Nigerian business delegation is in China this week. Is that a hard sell? Cheng Lei spoke to Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria's state minister for petroleum resources, to find out how the fundraising is going.
Nigeria strengthens airport security after Turkey terrorist attack
Nigerian authorities have reacted swiftly to the terror attack in Turkey by beefing up security at all major airports across the country.
Following the twin explosions and gunfire that rocked the Turkish international airport of Ataturk in Istanbul, killing 36 and leaving more than 40 people injured, Nigerian authorities have reacted to possible terrorist threats.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, said yesterday that technological devices such as metal detectors and 3D screening machines had been installed to counter any possible security breach.
FAAN advised all airport passengers to be security conscious at all times and weary of any threats or suspicious packages.
The Presidency meanwhile reacted to the terrorist attacks in Turkey, calling it very sad and wishing that all the victims to rest in peace.
News24 reported that two explosive devices were set off in the Ataturk International airport with video footage captured by CCTV cameras showing the exact moment a suicide bomber detonated the device.
Following the twin explosions and gunfire that rocked the Turkish international airport of Ataturk in Istanbul, killing 36 and leaving more than 40 people injured, Nigerian authorities have reacted to possible terrorist threats.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, said yesterday that technological devices such as metal detectors and 3D screening machines had been installed to counter any possible security breach.
FAAN advised all airport passengers to be security conscious at all times and weary of any threats or suspicious packages.
The Presidency meanwhile reacted to the terrorist attacks in Turkey, calling it very sad and wishing that all the victims to rest in peace.
News24 reported that two explosive devices were set off in the Ataturk International airport with video footage captured by CCTV cameras showing the exact moment a suicide bomber detonated the device.
Lagos shutting down churches and mosques to reduce noise pollution
Authorities in Nigeria's Lagos State have shut 70 churches and 20 mosques in an attempt to reduce high noise levels.
About 10 hotels, pubs and club houses were also closed, officials said.
Some estimates put Lagos' population at around 20 million, creating a constant background of noise - from the blaring of car horns, to the Muslim call to prayer and loud singing in churches.
The state government has vowed to make the city, the biggest in Africa, noise-free by 2020.
In August, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LEPA) closed 22 premises after residents complained about noise emanating from them.
Following the latest crackdown, its general manager Bola Shabi said the agency would no longer allow people to pray in makeshift buildings and tents.
Mr Shabi said noise levels had been reduced by about 35%, but this was not a "pass mark yet".
"Enforcement is a continuous exercise and we have set a target for ourselves. We want to ensure that Lagos is noise-free by the year 2020," he said.
Mr Shabi said mosques complied with their instructions more than churches because when they are ordered to shut down, they "instantly bring down their speakers or reduce the noise they make''.
Nigerians are extremely religious, with a large number of evangelical churches operating in Lagos.
Christians form the majority in the city.
In 2014, 116 people died when a building owned by popular televangelist TB Joshua collapsed in Lagos.
About 10 hotels, pubs and club houses were also closed, officials said.
Some estimates put Lagos' population at around 20 million, creating a constant background of noise - from the blaring of car horns, to the Muslim call to prayer and loud singing in churches.
The state government has vowed to make the city, the biggest in Africa, noise-free by 2020.
In August, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LEPA) closed 22 premises after residents complained about noise emanating from them.
Following the latest crackdown, its general manager Bola Shabi said the agency would no longer allow people to pray in makeshift buildings and tents.
Mr Shabi said noise levels had been reduced by about 35%, but this was not a "pass mark yet".
"Enforcement is a continuous exercise and we have set a target for ourselves. We want to ensure that Lagos is noise-free by the year 2020," he said.
Mr Shabi said mosques complied with their instructions more than churches because when they are ordered to shut down, they "instantly bring down their speakers or reduce the noise they make''.
Nigerians are extremely religious, with a large number of evangelical churches operating in Lagos.
Christians form the majority in the city.
In 2014, 116 people died when a building owned by popular televangelist TB Joshua collapsed in Lagos.
President Buhari appeals for patience as government 'rebuilds' Nigeria
The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, has appealed to the citizenry to exercise patience as his administration works assiduously to rebuild Africa’s most populous nation.
The president’s appeal was contained in a press release after he had met with a delegation of Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him beyond building Nigeria to become a nation that generations to come would be proud to inherit, under his watch Nigeria will also witness judicious utilization of resources.
“We intend to rebuild this country; so that our children and grand-children will have a good place they can call their own. A lot of damage has been done, so I want you to tell the people to be patient. We will utilize the resources of Nigeria with integrity and rebuild the country,” he assured.
He further disclosed that the Niger Delta Amnesty programme signed by the late president Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration was been studied with a view to determining what had been fulfilled, promising that whatever is left would equally be addressed.
He tasked local leaders like His Royal Highness, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State, who led the group that met him to talk to groups in the region to maintain peace and calm as government works to address their plights.
He also sympathized with business people whose capital investment in the Niger Delta region was being badly affected due to insecurity. The traditional authority on his part reiterated that the group was made of peace builders, dedicated to peace and stability in the region.
The president’s appeal was contained in a press release after he had met with a delegation of Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group at the State House in Abuja on Thursday.
According to him beyond building Nigeria to become a nation that generations to come would be proud to inherit, under his watch Nigeria will also witness judicious utilization of resources.
“We intend to rebuild this country; so that our children and grand-children will have a good place they can call their own. A lot of damage has been done, so I want you to tell the people to be patient. We will utilize the resources of Nigeria with integrity and rebuild the country,” he assured.
He further disclosed that the Niger Delta Amnesty programme signed by the late president Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration was been studied with a view to determining what had been fulfilled, promising that whatever is left would equally be addressed.
He tasked local leaders like His Royal Highness, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State, who led the group that met him to talk to groups in the region to maintain peace and calm as government works to address their plights.
He also sympathized with business people whose capital investment in the Niger Delta region was being badly affected due to insecurity. The traditional authority on his part reiterated that the group was made of peace builders, dedicated to peace and stability in the region.
China spends $80 billion on oil and gas in Nigeria
Chinese businesses have pledged to invest US$80 billion on oil and gas infrastructure projects in Nigeria, the country’s state oil company said.
The announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding follows a roadshow in China by Nigeria’s Oil Minister and chief of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu. The deals, NNPC said in a statement, involve everything from pipelines to refineries to power generation.
The West African country, which has traditionally been ranked as the sixth-largest oil producer globally, has recently run into serious trouble, and its oil and gas infrastructure are in need of a serious update, with none of its four refineries reaching peak production due to poor maintenance.
"Memorandum of understandings (MoUs) worth over $80 billion to be spent on investments in oil and gas infrastructure, pipelines, refineries, power, facility refurbishments and upstream have been signed with Chinese companies," said NNPC in a statement.
On top of the sharp oil price decline of the past two years, Nigeria has had to deal with a huge fraud scandal concerning the NNPC’s alleged failure to pay US$16 billion to the government.
The latest blow to the industry that contributes the most to GDP was the flurry of militant attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta by an organization calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers, which vowed to bring the country’s oil production to zero through bombings of production and transportation facilities, in defense of the interests of communities living in the Niger Delta.
This zero production status has not been reached yet, but the organization has managed to cut output by 600,000 barrels per day, and is now calling for a referendum aiming to overhaul Nigeria’s political system. Meanwhile, the attacks prompted a temporary rally in international crude prices, highlighting Nigeria’s importance in benchmark price-setting.
The announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding follows a roadshow in China by Nigeria’s Oil Minister and chief of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu. The deals, NNPC said in a statement, involve everything from pipelines to refineries to power generation.
The West African country, which has traditionally been ranked as the sixth-largest oil producer globally, has recently run into serious trouble, and its oil and gas infrastructure are in need of a serious update, with none of its four refineries reaching peak production due to poor maintenance.
"Memorandum of understandings (MoUs) worth over $80 billion to be spent on investments in oil and gas infrastructure, pipelines, refineries, power, facility refurbishments and upstream have been signed with Chinese companies," said NNPC in a statement.
On top of the sharp oil price decline of the past two years, Nigeria has had to deal with a huge fraud scandal concerning the NNPC’s alleged failure to pay US$16 billion to the government.
The latest blow to the industry that contributes the most to GDP was the flurry of militant attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta by an organization calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers, which vowed to bring the country’s oil production to zero through bombings of production and transportation facilities, in defense of the interests of communities living in the Niger Delta.
This zero production status has not been reached yet, but the organization has managed to cut output by 600,000 barrels per day, and is now calling for a referendum aiming to overhaul Nigeria’s political system. Meanwhile, the attacks prompted a temporary rally in international crude prices, highlighting Nigeria’s importance in benchmark price-setting.
By Irina Slav, Oilprice.com
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Chelsea celebrates John Mikel Obi's 10 years at the club
Mikel joined the Stamford Bridge outfit from Lyn Oslo of Norway in the Summer of 2006 after a controversial transfer saga with Manchester United also claiming to have signed him ahead of Chelsea.
The then 19-year-old Mikel made his debut for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League on 12 September 2006, against Bulgarian club Levski Sofia. Mikel received many positive comments for his performance in the match.
The Nigerian joined during the Mourinho era when Chelsea boasted an African contingent that included Ivorians Didier Drogba and Solomon Kalou and former Ghana international Michael Essien.
Even though he started out as an attacking midfielder, the Portuguese manager was quick to reshape Mikel into a holding midfielder cast in the mould of Chelsea great Claude Makalele. 10 years on, Mikel has served Chelsea in the holding midfield role.
The club’s website on Mikel’s summary page wrote thus, ‘‘Despite the presence in our squad of arguably the greatest holding midfielder of all time, Claude Makelele, Mikel still made over 40 appearances in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and he has maintained a high level of consistency throughout his Chelsea career.’‘
Sometime during the ‘second coming’ of José Mourinho, there were strong reservations about his lifestyle outside of Stamford Bridge, and the club were reportedly considering offloading the player. Deals were announced but never materialized.
In his ten years stay with Chelsea he has won all available domestic club trophies including the Europa League and the prestigious UEFA Champions League. The only continental club trophies to have eluded him are the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA club World Cup.
He has worked with a handful of managers since joining, he played twice under Jose Mourinho, twice under Guus Hiddink as caretaker, Israeli Avram Grant (also as caretaker after Mourinho’s first exit).
He also served under Roberto De Matteo (as cartaker and substantive manager), he was around during Andre Villas Boas’ tenure, during Luis Felipe Scolari and Italian Carlo Anchelloti.
At the national team level, Mikel has played 75 games for the Super Eagles and currently is captain of the team, he has four goals to his credit and was part of the triumphant team that won the AFCON 2004 in South Africa under the late Stephen Keshi.
Kachikwu warns China against fraudulent oil deals in Nigeria
The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, says the era of discretionary sale of crude oil by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is now a thing of history.
Dr Kachikwu warned Chinese businessmen seeking clarifications at the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing about offers for sale of crude oil from Nigeria, that such offers are scam.
The Minister spoke at a reception organized by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing.
The forum provided an opportunity for officials of the embassy to seek clarification about the sale of crude oil in Nigeria following enquiries from Chinese businessmen who got fraudulent offers from Nigeria
He explained that only 11 companies were approved to lift crude oil from Nigeria following an open bid process and that the next bids will hold in April 2017.
He said that the use of discretion in the sale of crude oil by previous administrations led to corruption in country’s oil industry.
The Minister said that Nigeria is also investigating reported discovery of Nigeria’s stolen oil in China and appealed to Chinese businessmen who buy stolen oil to stop the practice because it encourages vandalism and militancy in Nigeria.
The meeting was one of the activities on the NNPC roadshow in China to seek investment for the repair and expansion of infrastructure in the nation’s oil industry.
Over 50 billion dollars memorandum of understanding for investment in the oil industry has been signed. One of the agreements is with China’s leading oil company, Sinopec
The Minister and his officials also signed an agreement with China’s largest securities and assets management company, Cinda Group
The company specializes in providing financial lifelines for big companies in the country
The roadshow for investment in the oil sector is also scheduled for India and gulf countries.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Ojo Madueke passes away at age 71
Born on May 6, 1945, Madueke also served as Minister of Culture and Tourism and Minister of Transportation under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Walid Jubrin confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Jubrin said he was shocked to learn about the death of Maduekwe.
He said that the former Nigerian Ambassador to Canada passed on at a critical time when the party needed him most.
Jubrin said that he was waiting for Maduekwe come back from U.S., where he travelled to, so that they could put heads together to address the party’s leadership problem .
“I learnt with sadness and great shock about the death of this very devoted member of the party, a very dependable member and a very useful member with whom we have worked very closely together.
We have been trying our best to find a solution to this problem and it is so sad that Maduekwe died at a very critical moment.
It is sad that at this critical moment, Maduekwe had to go and we are definitely going to miss him and his ideas.
He meant very well for this party, he meant very well for the BoT.
He had very fantastic ideas on the way out for our party crisis.
Maduekwe has been national secretary of the PDP, he has been a Nigerian ambassador and so, we were utilizing his knowhow in BoT.
He did very well for the few months he was in BoT. I will never forget him.
I have lost a great partner,” Jubrin said.
He prayed to God to give members of the deceased family as well as PDP faithful the fortitude to bear this great loss.
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
MTN Nigeria winner of the 2.6GHz spectrum auction
After a transparent and competitive auction process, the Nigerian telecoms regulatory authority, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) , Wednesday formally declared MTN Nigeria as the winner of the 2.6GHz spectrum auction.
Accordingly, the auction process had afforded both local and foreign operators the opportunity to enjoy equal and unfettered rights of participation in line with the NCC’s desire for transparency and ensuring a level playing field for all.
It would be recalled that NCC had earlier confirmed that MTN’s bid was in full compliance with the relevant provisions of the Information Memorandum (IM) for the exercise in which MTN emerged as sole approved bidder.
The NCC has described this spectrum as a significant trigger for a broadband revolution that will unlock benefits such as greater coverage, access, affordability and innovation, with the customer at the centre of these gains.
Speaking on the new development, MTN Nigeria Chief Executive Officer, Ferdi Moolman said that, “After complying with all the requirements for the 2.6GHz auction and making the licence payment of N18.96 billion to the NCC, MTN has been issued a letter of award.
With the 2.6 GHz band, we expect to roll out and provide the full range of LTE services to Nigerians, empowering Nigeria with the latest mobile broadband technology.” According to him, “We are very pleased with this development at this time, which is a further step in the right direction for Nigeria.
Indeed, MTN is fully aligned and supports the NCC’s objective to deliver broadband services to present and future generations of subscribers, in line with the National Broadband Plan of 2013.” The 2.6GHz acquisition, he said has set the stage for the roll-out of 4G LTE broadband internet services across the country, starting in the major cities of Lagos and Abuja.
He added “This license acquisition further demonstrates MTN’s abiding faith in the future of Nigeria and the resilience of the Nigerian economy. MTN continues to believe in Nigeria and we have expressed this belief in the level of our investment, which currently stands at approximately USD 15 billion and counting.
We strongly believe that there is need for significant levels of investment in broadband infrastructure and services to truly launch Nigeria into the information age. We are honoured to be the arrowhead. “In addition, we are also delighted that the matter of the fine imposed by the NCC was amicably settled in the interest of all parties.
I am pleased to announce that the first payment of N30 billion in the terms of settlement has already been disbursed to the NCC. In addition to the earlier payment of N50 billion which we paid in good faith and without prejudice on February 24, this means we have now paid a total of N80 billion. “Our subscribers, especially those in clustered areas such as the major cities, can expect distinct improvements in browsing speed, quality and experience.
This means that they will have fast access to high definition video streaming, as well as conferencing and calling, lag-free music streaming, and improved data uploads and downloads”.
As such, MTN’s success in this auction is a big boost to its plan to deliver global mobile broadband and LTE 4G services to over 60 million customers in Nigeria. MTN also plans to use FDD networks in addition to its existing WIMAX over TDD networks, as this provides for greater consistency with existing 2G and 3G deployments.
Although Nigeria is one of 28 African countries that currently offer 4G/LTE services, the rate of penetration is restricted to a few major cities. Meanwhile, studies by McKinsey have shown that a 10% increase in broadband penetration is associated with a 1.4% increase in GDP growth in developing markets.
Nigerian government introduces scheme to end violence between farmers and herders
A community project in Kano, northeast Nigeria, is under way in a bid to end violence between cattle herders and farmers.
Video - Authorities try to verify if insurgents are among those rescued
Where the authorities in Nigeria are set to question thousands of people the military claims to have freed from Boko Haram. The military is trying to find out how many of them are insurgents. Nigeria's military claims it rescued five thousand captives from Boko Haram this past weekend.
Former ministers in Nigeria charged with laundering 4.9 billion naira
Two former Nigerian ministers have been charged with theft of over 4.9 billion naira (£13 million) of government funds and money laundering, the financial crimes agency said on Tuesday.
Nenadi Usman and Femi Fani-Kayode served as finance and aviation ministers in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) administration led by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, whose tenure ended in 2007.
The defendants, who appeared before a federal high court in the commercial capital, Lagos, pleaded not guilty.
The PDP was in power for 16 years prior to President Muhammadu Buhari taking office last year. Buhari won an election mainly on his vow to crackdown on corruption.
Usman was in charge of the PDP's finances during the election campaign and Kayode was the party's head of publicity.
The EFCC said the pair, along with a company, faced a "17-count charge" in which they were accused of conspiracy, stealing and corruption.
"The accused were alleged to have stolen and illegally disbursed about 4.9 billion naira belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria for political and personal uses," said EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren.
An EFCC source said the defendants were accused of using defence money, that would have been used in the fight against militant group Boko Haram, to help fund the election campaign of the then president Goodluck Jonathan.
The source, who did not want to be named, also said they were accused of diverting a large part of the money into personal bank accounts.
The offences were allegedly carried out in January last year, two months before the election.
A number of former government officials have faced criminal charges, which they have all denied. The PDP has previously accused Buhari, a 73-year-old former military ruler, of mounting a witch-hunt against its members.
Usman and Fani-Kayode were remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until Friday.
Nenadi Usman and Femi Fani-Kayode served as finance and aviation ministers in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) administration led by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, whose tenure ended in 2007.
The defendants, who appeared before a federal high court in the commercial capital, Lagos, pleaded not guilty.
The PDP was in power for 16 years prior to President Muhammadu Buhari taking office last year. Buhari won an election mainly on his vow to crackdown on corruption.
Usman was in charge of the PDP's finances during the election campaign and Kayode was the party's head of publicity.
The EFCC said the pair, along with a company, faced a "17-count charge" in which they were accused of conspiracy, stealing and corruption.
"The accused were alleged to have stolen and illegally disbursed about 4.9 billion naira belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria for political and personal uses," said EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren.
An EFCC source said the defendants were accused of using defence money, that would have been used in the fight against militant group Boko Haram, to help fund the election campaign of the then president Goodluck Jonathan.
The source, who did not want to be named, also said they were accused of diverting a large part of the money into personal bank accounts.
The offences were allegedly carried out in January last year, two months before the election.
A number of former government officials have faced criminal charges, which they have all denied. The PDP has previously accused Buhari, a 73-year-old former military ruler, of mounting a witch-hunt against its members.
Usman and Fani-Kayode were remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until Friday.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Video - Nigerian air force makes progress against insurgents
Nigeria's air force has been playing a major role in the fight against Boko Haram. A key part of its contribution is tracking targets on the ground. CCTV's Deji Badmus has secured rare access to that mission and filed this report.
Nigerian pastor jailed for 9 years in UK over fraud
A Nigerian, who works as a school accountant in the United Kingdom, was on Friday given a 9-year jail term by a Woolwich Court after he was convicted of stealing about Ј4.1 million of school funds.
Dailymail reports that the vast sum of money was missing from the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation Trust in South London.
Identified as Sam Kayode, the 59-year old was also said to be a part-time pastor.
Kayode was said to have spent the money on his late wife, Grace, a “second wife”, Olubunmi Halima, 33, and two other female “partners”, names given as Toyin Lawal, 50 years old and Yetunde Turtak.
The court sentenced Kayode, who gets Ј57,000 a year wage, after he was found guilty of obtaining Ј150,000 by theft and Ј3.95 million by fraud.
He constantly looted the school account for 7 years until he was apprehended in 2012, after a school cleaner came across his paper work and made an anonymous call to the Chief Financial Officer.
He claimed to have moved the money to Nigeria where he has a Ј1 million empire with Halima but the Trust could not recover any asset from Nigeria.
They were, however, able to recover only Ј800,000 from the total money he stole.
Apart from spending money on his real wife Grace’s private health care until her death in 2013, he also signed documents showing he was making investments with Halima, and renting flats in Kent for ‘partners’, Toyin and Yetunde.
During trial, Kayode tried to blame the theft on his late wife Grace and an office junior, saying that they conspired to smear him by transferring the money to his joint account in revenge for his adultery.
He denied having affairs with the other women, and said that he lied about marrying Halima.
However, Toyin also denied they were lovers, saying that as her pastor, he paid for her rent for one month when she was short of cash.
Dailymail reports that the vast sum of money was missing from the Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation Trust in South London.
Identified as Sam Kayode, the 59-year old was also said to be a part-time pastor.
Kayode was said to have spent the money on his late wife, Grace, a “second wife”, Olubunmi Halima, 33, and two other female “partners”, names given as Toyin Lawal, 50 years old and Yetunde Turtak.
The court sentenced Kayode, who gets Ј57,000 a year wage, after he was found guilty of obtaining Ј150,000 by theft and Ј3.95 million by fraud.
He constantly looted the school account for 7 years until he was apprehended in 2012, after a school cleaner came across his paper work and made an anonymous call to the Chief Financial Officer.
He claimed to have moved the money to Nigeria where he has a Ј1 million empire with Halima but the Trust could not recover any asset from Nigeria.
They were, however, able to recover only Ј800,000 from the total money he stole.
Apart from spending money on his real wife Grace’s private health care until her death in 2013, he also signed documents showing he was making investments with Halima, and renting flats in Kent for ‘partners’, Toyin and Yetunde.
During trial, Kayode tried to blame the theft on his late wife Grace and an office junior, saying that they conspired to smear him by transferring the money to his joint account in revenge for his adultery.
He denied having affairs with the other women, and said that he lied about marrying Halima.
However, Toyin also denied they were lovers, saying that as her pastor, he paid for her rent for one month when she was short of cash.
Senate leader Bukola Saraki denies forgery charges
The leader of Nigeria's senate, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy have pleaded not guilty to forgery and criminal conspiracy charges.
Mr Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu are accused of trying to forge the senate rules in order to help them secure their positions.
If found guilty they face up to 14 years in prison.
President Muhammadu Buhari has been at loggerheads with Mr Saraki as his party did not want him as senate leader.
Mr Buhari's preferred candidate was not present when the senate elected its president last year.
Mr Saraki's opponents say that that election was not valid and was conducted under rules which they allege were forged.
The case could have widespread political ramifications, correspondents say.
The accused arrived at court in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, in bus accompanied by senate colleagues, the BBC's Chris Ewokor reports.
Mr Saraki is also involved in another court case in which he is accused of false asset declaration, a charge he denies.
Mr Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu are accused of trying to forge the senate rules in order to help them secure their positions.
If found guilty they face up to 14 years in prison.
President Muhammadu Buhari has been at loggerheads with Mr Saraki as his party did not want him as senate leader.
Mr Buhari's preferred candidate was not present when the senate elected its president last year.
Mr Saraki's opponents say that that election was not valid and was conducted under rules which they allege were forged.
The case could have widespread political ramifications, correspondents say.
The accused arrived at court in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, in bus accompanied by senate colleagues, the BBC's Chris Ewokor reports.
Mr Saraki is also involved in another court case in which he is accused of false asset declaration, a charge he denies.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote aiming for 50% of Nigeria's crude refined internally by 2021
“Our target is that in the next five years or so from now, we hope and we believe that half of Nigeria’s crude will be refined and exported rather than just exporting crude to go and create jobs elsewhere.”
The words of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote during a press briefing after touring the construction site of his refinery expected to begin operations in 2019.
He was accompanied on the tour by Nigeria’s vice president Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos State, where the refinery is being built and a number of key federal level ministers.
Governor Ambode, said that the Dangote Lekki Refinery, Petrochemical Projects will boost Nigeria’s economy, because it would be a major strategic asset not for Lagos alone but for Nigeria’s wobbly power supply system.
Africa’s richest man disclosed in an interview with Reuters News Agency on Friday (June 24) plans to open Nigeria’s first private oil refinery estimated at a cost of $12 million dollars with the funds to be pooled from multiple sources.
The refinery, which would be complemented by petrochemical, gas & fertilizer projects by Aliko Dangote at Lekki Free Zone (LFZ) in Lagos is expected to be completed in 2018 but start operations the next year.
The Governor of Nigeria’s commercial hub said “Firstly, there is a refinery project that is ongoing, second there is a petrochemical project that is also ongoing. There is pipeline transfer project that brings gas from Bonny down to Olokonla and down to Lekki and then the fourth one is the fertilizer project all in one location.”
The Petrochemical project that is coming on stream by December 2017, whiles the refinery comes on stream by the first quarter of 2019, in between both the Gas project will come on stream by 2018.
The Vice President refinery’s on his part said the Gas Project upon completion has the capacity to produce about three billion cubic feet of gas daily, which would permanently address the two billion cubic feet daily gas required to power the country.
Some of the ministers that were on the trip included Minister for Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister for Solid Minerals, Kayode Fayemi; Power, Works and Housing minister, Babatunde Fashola and Industry, Trade and Investment minister Okechukwu Enelamah.
Niger Delta Avengers want Brexit style referendum for Nigeria
Oil militants who have slashed Nigeria's petroleum production with attacks on pipelines called Sunday for a referendum on breaking up the Nigerian federation.
The Niger Delta Avengers group posted a map on social media suggesting that the West African power house could divide into five countries.
Analysts had predicted that the stunning result of the British referendum to leave the EU would encourage separatists in Nigeria. "Separatist groups will feel emboldened," Nigeria's SBM Intelligence warned in an analysis of the fallout from the British vote.
"President (Muhammadu) Buhari should call for a referendum to enable every Nigerian to vote if they want to stay as Nigerians or not, just like what David Cameron of Great Britain did," the Avengers posted on Twitter.
Based in the southern Niger Delta, the Avengers have allied themselves with separatist groups from the southeastern Igbo people, and said they, too, might demand a separate state. Igbo separatist groups have had a resurgence in the past year. Nigeria suffered a civil war from 1965 to 1970 that killed a million people after the Igbo declared an independent state of Biafra. Former colonial power Britain sided with the federal government while France supported the secessionists.
All Nigeria's oil production is in the Niger Delta and offshore of the southern region. Oil militants and non-violent activists have been demanding a greater share of the wealth from oil, an industry that has massively polluted their lands and destroyed the livelihoods of communities that rely on fishing and agriculture.
Oil provides 70 percent of the federal government's revenue. Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said the Avenger's attacks — on facilities of U.S.-based Chevron, Dutch-British Shell and Italian Agip — cost the government nearly $60 million in May. The attacks have stopped production at two of Nigeria's five oil refineries, disrupted supplies from two export terminals and made buyers cautious of Nigerian oil.
Nigeria also confronts an Islamic extremist uprising in the northeast by a group allied with the Islamic State that has killed more than 20,000 people and an upsurge in deadly confrontations in the Middle Belt between Muslim nomadic cattle herders and Christian farmers.
The Niger Delta Avengers group posted a map on social media suggesting that the West African power house could divide into five countries.
Analysts had predicted that the stunning result of the British referendum to leave the EU would encourage separatists in Nigeria. "Separatist groups will feel emboldened," Nigeria's SBM Intelligence warned in an analysis of the fallout from the British vote.
"President (Muhammadu) Buhari should call for a referendum to enable every Nigerian to vote if they want to stay as Nigerians or not, just like what David Cameron of Great Britain did," the Avengers posted on Twitter.
Based in the southern Niger Delta, the Avengers have allied themselves with separatist groups from the southeastern Igbo people, and said they, too, might demand a separate state. Igbo separatist groups have had a resurgence in the past year. Nigeria suffered a civil war from 1965 to 1970 that killed a million people after the Igbo declared an independent state of Biafra. Former colonial power Britain sided with the federal government while France supported the secessionists.
All Nigeria's oil production is in the Niger Delta and offshore of the southern region. Oil militants and non-violent activists have been demanding a greater share of the wealth from oil, an industry that has massively polluted their lands and destroyed the livelihoods of communities that rely on fishing and agriculture.
Oil provides 70 percent of the federal government's revenue. Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun said the Avenger's attacks — on facilities of U.S.-based Chevron, Dutch-British Shell and Italian Agip — cost the government nearly $60 million in May. The attacks have stopped production at two of Nigeria's five oil refineries, disrupted supplies from two export terminals and made buyers cautious of Nigerian oil.
Nigeria also confronts an Islamic extremist uprising in the northeast by a group allied with the Islamic State that has killed more than 20,000 people and an upsurge in deadly confrontations in the Middle Belt between Muslim nomadic cattle herders and Christian farmers.
Video - Foreign nationals kidnapped in Nigeria released
The Commissioner of Police in Cross River, Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, on Sunday confirmed the release of five workers of Macmahon Construction Company abducted on June 22.
Two Australians, one South African and two Nigerians were seized by gunmen at Edundun Bridge in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River.
The police said their driver was killed during the attack.
Ozi-Obeh told newsmen in Calabar that no ransom was paid to release the workers.
He said the success recorded during the rescue was the result of the combined efforts of the security operatives with the support of the state government.
The Cross River Security Adviser, Jude Ngaji, also confirmed the release of the workers.
"I can confirm that they have been released. I was with them a short while ago.
"It is only the two Nigerians that had injuries while one or two others had some scars," he said.
Ngaji said the workers had been treated and that they had spoken with their family members.
Friday, June 24, 2016
AMCON seizes assets from Nigerian politicians and business men
The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria is doubling its efforts to recover 14 billion dollars owed by 4-hundred defaulters. Today, the AMCON seized properties owned by Silverbird Group, one of Nigeria's largest multi-media companies. It says the group -- owned by serving senator Ben Murray Bruce -- owes about 38 million dollars. AMCON was set up in 2008 to purchase toxic loans from banks during a crisis in the sector. The corporation also has court orders to repossess assets belonging to wealthy and popular Nigerian businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim. Last month President Buhari approved the establishment of an inter-agency committee to aid AMCON, especially in its dealings with politically connected and business heavyweights.
Nigeria to end fuel importation by 2019 - Kachikwu
Minister of State for Petreleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu yesterday said Nigeria would end fuel importation by 2019.
He said it requires $50billion dollars to fill the infrastructural gap in the industry and get it functioning optimally.
He said by 2019, Nigeria expects to become a net exporter of refined products, adding that an investment drive is ongoing to meet the infrastructure requirement.
Kachukwu was a guest speaker at the 10th Annual Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) in Abuja, with the theme: Law reform and economic development.
Speaking on the sub-theme: Future prospects for the oil and gas industry, the minister said the refineries are currently working at about 40-50 per cent capacity.
He said the aim is to get them working at 90 per cent capacity or more and build the needed infrastructure as investors come in.
On why refineries are working at low capacity, he said: “How does a refineries work if the pipelines supplying them are out most of the year and so they can’t supply crude? You can’t refine an empty space.
“How does it work when you don’t do your turnaround maintenance or if when monies are budgeted for them they are diverted? How does it work if your contracting process is so long that you never meet the turnaround days you’re supposed to? How does it work when you send the wrong set of people with the wrong set of skills to what should have been very important portfolios in the establishment?” he said.
The minister said engagements with militants in the Niger Delta has been successful, resulting in a ceaseful and rise in crude production.
He said he visited the creeks and met with the local chiefs with a view to finding a short, medium and long term solution to the crisis.
Kachukwu praised President Muhammadu Buhari for not employing force in solving the problem, adding that when he visited the creeks, the militants “never fired a gun” while he was there.
The minister said oil production has picked up as the Niger Delta crisis is being resolved.
According to him, 1.89million barrels was produced as at Wednesday. He said he expects it to hit 2.3million barrels by next month.
He said it requires $50billion dollars to fill the infrastructural gap in the industry and get it functioning optimally.
He said by 2019, Nigeria expects to become a net exporter of refined products, adding that an investment drive is ongoing to meet the infrastructure requirement.
Kachukwu was a guest speaker at the 10th Annual Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) in Abuja, with the theme: Law reform and economic development.
Speaking on the sub-theme: Future prospects for the oil and gas industry, the minister said the refineries are currently working at about 40-50 per cent capacity.
He said the aim is to get them working at 90 per cent capacity or more and build the needed infrastructure as investors come in.
On why refineries are working at low capacity, he said: “How does a refineries work if the pipelines supplying them are out most of the year and so they can’t supply crude? You can’t refine an empty space.
“How does it work when you don’t do your turnaround maintenance or if when monies are budgeted for them they are diverted? How does it work if your contracting process is so long that you never meet the turnaround days you’re supposed to? How does it work when you send the wrong set of people with the wrong set of skills to what should have been very important portfolios in the establishment?” he said.
The minister said engagements with militants in the Niger Delta has been successful, resulting in a ceaseful and rise in crude production.
He said he visited the creeks and met with the local chiefs with a view to finding a short, medium and long term solution to the crisis.
Kachukwu praised President Muhammadu Buhari for not employing force in solving the problem, adding that when he visited the creeks, the militants “never fired a gun” while he was there.
The minister said oil production has picked up as the Niger Delta crisis is being resolved.
According to him, 1.89million barrels was produced as at Wednesday. He said he expects it to hit 2.3million barrels by next month.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)