General
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Safety of Aid Workers
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Federal government has reiterated its commitment to protection of humanitarian workers across the country and beyond.
This assurance was given by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), Mr Boss Mustapha, in his keynote address on the occasion of the Annual World Humanitarian Day in Abuja on Saturday, August 19, 2018.
Mr Mustapha said humanitarian workers deserved to be protected and should not be an object of attack during crises “there is need to demonstrate as well as demand greater humanity and create support for humanitarian action” he said.
According to him, the scope and complexity of the challenges faced by the Humanitarian community are expanding by the day as the World become more volatile, stressing that it was imperative to stand in solidarity with the Humanitarian actors who are working in risky and hazardous environments around the world to assist the vulnerable people affected by disaster and conflict.
Represented the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Mr Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, said Secretary to the Government of the Federation urged the Humanitarian community not to work in silos, but in fellowship, even as he noted that early warning System and forecasting have a very important role to play in the reduction of the impact of natural or human- induced disaster.
Speaking on the issue of security challenges in Nigeria, Mr Mustapha assured that the Federal government was doing everything possible to end Boko Haram insurgency is the North Eastern part of the country, adding that the rights and protection of civilians and Humanitarian Workers must be guaranteed in the process.
He commended the Nigerian military and security personnel in the desert, Forest and trenches outside the comfort of their homes to guarantee the security of the nation.
“The federal government of Nigeria will not rest on her oars until terrorism is completely subdued in our country,” he said.
Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced persons (NCFRMI), Ms Sadiya Umar Farouq, earlier in her address, said the uniqueness of the 2018 commemoration was reflected in the global theme “#NOT A TARGET” urging that we must come to term with the fact that conflict is exacting massive toll on people’s lives.
“People in cities and towns struggle to find food, water and safe shelter, while fighting drives millions of people from their homes.
“Children are recruited by armed groups and used to fight, and their schools are destroyed. Women are abused and humiliated.
“As humanitarian workers attempt to deliver aid and medical workers treat the sick and the wounded, they are directly targeted, treated as threats, and prevented from bringing relief and care to those in desperate need. In most situations, these humanitarian workers pay the supreme price,” she stressed.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Increase in production volume at refineries in Nigeria will reduce petrol deficit in the country by 39 per cent to 170,000 barrels per day in 2025 from 280,000 barrels per day, according to Kpler.
Kpler, a market insights firm focused on the energy and shipping markets, said in a report that increasing output at the Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries throughout 2025 are expected to significantly lengthen not just Nigeria but West Africa’s petroleum (gasoline) balances.
“Increasing refinery runs at Nigeria’s Dangote and Port Harcourt refineries throughout 2025 are expected to significantly lengthen West Africa’s gasoline balances,” the firm said.
It confirmed that the shift will pose challenges for European refiners, with European gasoline exports to Nigeria already dropping to a four-year low of 70,000 barrels per day in December.
Recall that the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) recently said that the increased production of petroleum products by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the importation of refined products from Europe.
The 650,000 barrels per day Dangote oil refinery built by Nigerian billionaire, Mr Aliko Dangote, in Lagos, had affirmed to compete with European refiners when operating at full capacity.
Although, when it started operations last year, it struggled to secure sufficient crude locally — as production remains below target and tied to contracts with other players by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
Kpler said that following the commissioning of key units within the gasoline block-Reformer, isomerization, RFCC, and Alkylation-this output is reflected in the sharp reduction in residue and naphtha production.
“We estimate that Dangote’s RFCC (the most critical unit for high- volume gasoline production) is currently operating at 40-45% capacity, placing total Nigerian gasoline production at above 100 kbd,” Kpler added.
It wrote that, “Dangote’s fuel oil exports, for instance, fell from 60 kbd in 23 to just 6 kbd in Q4, while naphtha exports also dropped significantly q/q,” adding that, “Achieving higher yields and production volumes will depend on further romping up RFCC unit rates, a milestone antiopated by late 2025.”
Kpler pointed out increased production volumes at Dangote will reduce “Nigeria’s gasoline deficit from -280 kbd in 2024 to -170 kbd in 2025 (and-100 kbd in 2026).”
It explained that while Dangote’s petrol will primarily cater to domestic markets, the refinery is also poised to become a major suppler across Western, Central, and Southern Africa.
It added that Dangote Refinery shipped about 60,000 barrels per day in the last quarter of 2024 to Congo, Ghana, Angola, Cameroon, and others.
By Bon Peters
As the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) braces up for the February 2025 election, a chieftain and incumbent General Secretary of the group at the Onne Seaport chapter, Mr Chinedu Ikenga, has promised to be the voice of members.
Mr Ikenga is contesting for the chairmanship position of the chapter and while unveiling his 7-Point Agenda in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, he said, “I firmly believe that every member of ANLCA in general and Onne chapter, in particular, deserves a voice, and I am committed to be that voice for each and every one of you.”
The association’s scribe, who described ANLCA as a place of learning, growth and development, promised to continue on that part, noting that such values should be the touchstone for anybody who aspires to lead the chapter.
Relying on his accessibility, humility, honesty, integrity, inclusiveness, commitment, dedication and uprightness, industry watchers and critical stakeholders believe that Mr Ikenga is the man for the top job, all things being equal.
The GS, who is the chief executive of Prestige Associates Limited, said he would prioritise members’ needs and concerns when elected.
He also pledged to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued, promote a friendly and conducive environment for business to thrive, ensure ANLCA becomes a better place for members, and create opportunities that would guarantee members’ welfare.
He also promised to sustain and improve on the foundation led by previous administrations for the benefit of the group.
After launching his manifesto, Mr Ikenga visited some of the government agencies at the ports, including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the West African Container Terminal (WACT), and the Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), among others.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The wife of a former Commissioner of Police (CP) in Lagos, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, Mrs Folashade Odumosu, has been rescued from the kidnappers’ den.
Mrs Odumosu, whose husband retired as an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), regained freedom in the earlier hours of Thursday, January 23, 2025, after some police detective launched an attack on her abductors.
She was forcefully picked up by the suspects on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at about 9:45 pm from her car outside her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State allegedly by four masked gunmen.
Immediately after the incident, police operatives attached to the Ogun State Command began surveillance for her rescue, which finally happened a week later.
In a statement issued by the police spokesman, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, narrated that the Ogun State police operatives engaged in extensive surveillance of the creeks surrounding Arepo, gathering crucial information to track down the assailants.
It was stated that their efforts culminated in a raid today after an intelligence-led operation took the police to a creek in the swampy area of Ikorodu where the kidnappers were reportedly planning their next attack.
Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the kidnappers, who opened fire. In the ensuing confrontation, two of the gunmen were neutralized, while four others fled the scene, abandoning their operational weapons.
The victim, Mrs Odumosu was rescued within the swampy creeks during the operation, unharmed. She is currently undergoing medical evaluation as a precautionary measure and has since been reunited with her family.
The police also recovered four AK-47 rifles, three locally made single barrel rifles, ammunition of various calibres, and the sum of N10 million ransom previously demanded by the kidnappers, further ensuring that justice is served.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, commended the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Ogunlowo, and his operatives for the successful operation, saying it exemplifies the dedication and resilience of police officers.
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