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IPMAN Backs Appointment of Cordier by NNPC

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IPMAN 2.5 million Members

By Adedapo Adesanya

Following a spate of backlash faced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited over the appointment of a French-Swiss national, Mr Jean-Marc Cordier, as the head of the company’s oil trading subsidiary, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has shown solidarity with the state oil company.

NNPC recently announced Mr Cordier to head NNPC Trading Limited, making him the second after another expatriate, Mr Hubb Stockman, who heads NNPCL Retail Limited.

The announcement of the employment of foreigners to head NNPC Ltd subsidiaries has triggered mixed reactions among Nigerians, especially since the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board is targeting 70 per cent Nigerian content in the oil and gas sector by 2027.

IPMAN, reacting to this, said the decision of NNPC Limited to engage foreigners was the best innovation for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, as it shows that NNPCL was committed to operational effectiveness and efficiency of the downstream sector of the industry.

IPMAN Chairman in Rivers State, Mr Joseph Obele, said before now, marketers had to bribe and lobby to get product allocation from NNPC.

This, he claims, will end, as he charged the new bosses to ensure the necessary things are done.

He also tasked Mr Stockman to end the suffering of marketers by introducing the seamless application, approval, and allocation of products to marketers.

Mr Obele urged the management of NNPC Limited not to be distracted by the protesters, who he described as friends of the corrupt regime and enemies of reformations and also tasked them to engage more foreigners to handle key offices.

“The decision to engage foreigners is the best innovation for the downstream sector of Nigeria’s oil & gas industry, and we found nothing wrong with the development as it will usher in a corrupt free system. It will eradicate ethnic dominance, survival of the fittest, jumping the queue, bribery, and religious connections.

“Evidence and observations show that engagement of a foreigner in the person of Mr Hubb Stockman as the Managing Director of NNPCL Retail Ltd. has brought a series of reformations in the downstream sector as it concerns retail outlets.

“It takes less than one hour to apply for a product on the portal and get approval electronically. You don’t need to make any phone calls, beg or neither bribe anyone to get your allocation as a licensed Petroleum Marketer with NNPC Retail Ltd.

“Before now, you will have a make several phone calls, bribe some officers, travel to Abuja for lobbying or contact someone who knows someone for you to get your allocation.

“Mr Hubb Stockman is less than five months in office as the Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd, and the achievements are obvious for all to see.

“The process of applying for allocation is now automated courtesy of Mr Hubb Stockman’s team. Petroleum Marketers now apply for Products from the comfort of their homes and get approval automatically without any stress.

“The automated system is configured in such a way that each Marketer gets one truck within seven days. This is a great achievement for us in the industry, as it has eradicated the dichotomy between super marketers and lesser Marketers. Each marketer gets one truck of PMS per retail outlet in seven days irrespective of the status of the Marketer.”

The IPMAN chairman also revealed that it was easier to access the expatriates than it was difficult to access other Nigerian managers, drawing on a recent experience.

“Recently, we visited Mr Hubb Stockman in his office in Abuja, it didn’t take five minutes to see him, and you don’t need to pass through any Personal Assistant or junior manager to see him. Family members and friends of previous Managing Directors of PPMC will make things difficult for anyone to see the MD in the office. The case is different with foreigners in the office as we speak, you can reach him on the phone anytime, and you can see him in the office as a marketer without connections.

“With the recent reforms in the sector, you don’t even need to see or visit the MD for any reason. Nigerians should be watchful to ascertain the intent of those that are aggrieved with the engagement of foreigners to head key subsidiaries of NNPC Ltd.

“We had earlier alerted that the beneficiaries of the bottleneck administration will not be comfortable with the reformations. The expatriation process involves many technical and professional aspects.”

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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World Youth Day 2025: NBC Spotlights Young Changemakers Driving Nigeria’s Future

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NBC World Youth Day 2025

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), the official bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in Nigeria, is marking World Youth Day 2025 by celebrating the resilience, innovation, and impact of young Nigerians who are transforming their communities and driving inclusive growth.

At the core of this celebration is NBC’s flagship #YouthEmpowered initiative—designed to equip young people with essential life and business skills for the future of work. Since its launch in Nigeria in 2017, the program has empowered over 60,000 youth through hands-on training, digital upskilling, mentorship, and entrepreneurial coaching.

As part of this year’s activities, NBC will premiere a documentary that spotlights inspiring YouthEmpowered alumni who are building businesses, leading change, and shaping brighter futures for themselves and their communities. The documentary will be available to the public on NBC’s official website, YouTube channel, and social media platforms.

Featured in the film is Esohe Ekunwe, who now leads Alpha Connect, a community initiative focused on financial literacy, wellness, and civic engagement. She credits the YouthEmpowered program with not only influencing her business journey but also transforming her mindset.

The documentary also highlights other changemakers such as Doyin Ogunye, founder of Women and Youth Empowerment, whose environmental work in Lagos is tackling waste and creating jobs; and Kingsley Oguchechukwu, founder of Kingsman Luxury in Enugu, who turned a major business setback into a thriving fashion brand.

By shining a light on these stories, NBC reaffirms its commitment to empowering young Nigerians and supporting their vital role in national development.

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Two Nigerian Innovators Shine at 2025 Anzisha Prize Awards Gala

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2025 Anzisha Prize Awards Gala

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

It was a glorious moment for Ms Bunmi Esther Olalude and Ms Christianah Madu, the two Nigerian innovators honoured at the prestigious Anzisha Prize Awards Gala held on August 6, 2025.

They were among the four prize winners who received a $10,000 prize each to further the impactful work they are already delivering in their communities.

Ms Olalude was honoured with the Job Creation Award for creating the most jobs, particularly for women and youth, and she informed the audience, “If I keep on doing what I am doing, I know I can go anywhere and reach my biggest dreams.”

On her part, Ms Madu was awarded the Storytelling Award for her powerful communication and ability to increase visibility for her venture.

Another winner was Ms Cebolenkosi Gcabashe from South Africa, who earned the Revenue Growth Award for his business which showed the greatest increase in profitability.

“As a person from a rural area, this award means the world to me and the community I come from,” he said, urging young business leaders to “start where you are with what you have and the rest will come along with your journey.”

The fourth winner, Mr Tafadzwa Manyanye, received the Systems of Delivery Award for building strong operational systems to scale efficiently, and he advised other aspiring entrepreneurs to “just start,” noting, “whatever you are doing, starting today means you are gearing up for a successful tomorrow.”

The ceremony was part of the Anzisha Entrepreneurship Education in Africa (EEA) Summit, held at the African Leadership Academy campus.

The event concluded with a powerful call to action for business and community leaders to support the continent’s very young entrepreneurs.

The summit brought together policy architects, educators, investors, and business leaders to explore best practices in entrepreneurship education and celebrate the innovative strategies driving youth-led growth.

“Youth entrepreneurship isn’t the backup plan, it’s the blueprint. For too long we have treated entrepreneurship as plan B, the path we take when the real systems fail you. But today has reminded us that youth-led enterprise isn’t what happens when things go wrong, it’s what happens when young people take control of their futures,” Anzisha Prize Managing Editor, Didi Onwu, said.

“We’ve heard from our entrepreneurs who are running digital schools, inventing organic farming alternatives, designing global fashion brands, solving health challenges and more – all before the age of 25. They’re not asking if they’re too young. They’re building anyway,” Onwu added.

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Nigeria Racing to Meet EU’s Cocoa Sustainability Deadline

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Cocoa Processing Plant

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole, has described the regulation of the European Union (EU) on cocoa sustainability, which could impact Nigeria’s export, as both a “formidable challenge and a transformative opportunity” for the country.

On Monday, the federal government and stakeholders in the cocoa value chain met to assess the progress so far made towards complying with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on sustainability.

She said the regulation was a call to action as it remained a “pivotal moment for Nigeria’s cocoa industry.”

The EU, which accounts for over 60 per cent of Nigerian cocoa exports, had set the December 31, 2020, deadline (later extended to December 2025) for Nigerian cocoa farmers to comply with the regulation which bordered on sustainable cocoa trade under the EUDR Compliance framework.

The deadline applies to the broader EUDR, which includes cocoa and other commodities, and was extended from an earlier date to allow for more preparation time.

Failure to comply could lead to rejection of Nigeria cocoa exports to Europe, among other punitive measures.

Mrs Oduwole said the roundtable was more than a high-level dialogue but a “platform to align national ambition with global standards, as well as a crucial step in ensuring the resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness of our cocoa value chain.”

The Minister pointed out that the the EU deforestation regulation was reshaping the way agricultural commodities are traded globally.

“But beyond that, Nigeria and this administration is at the forefront of climate change and climate justice, and what is important to is the use of our land for sustainability.

“So, without even an external project, this is something that is Nigeria first. As Mr President has put it, always Nigeria first in this issue. We’re thinking first and then joining the rest of the world to see how we’re using our resources for the betterment of everybody.

“So, for Nigeria, Africa’s fourth largest cocoa exporter, it’s both a formidable challenge and a transformative opportunity.

“With the EU accounting for over 60 per cent of our cocoa exports, compliance is not optional. It is an economic, environmental, and developmental imperative. And importantly, we have to support our domestic farmers and investors who are in this space,” she said.

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