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Senate 2019: Uduaghan Denies Stepping Down

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By Dipo Olowookere

The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Mr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has debunked rumour making the rounds that he has chickened out of the senatorial race ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Uduaghan stated this in his Warri residence when he played host to the Coalition of Bomadi LGA Elders led by its leader, Revd. Gbenekuru England and dozens of youths drawn from different youth groups in Bomadi Local Government Area.

The group, which is an amalgam of all the community elders in Bomadi, had inquired if the dynamic former Governor had stepped down again for their Senator James Manager at his recent public declaration at the PDP mega rally for Governor Okowa which held in Oleh.

Allaying their fears, Dr Uduaghan said, “I have not stepped down for anybody and I am not going to even contemplate stepping down for anyone. In fact, I have put my hands on the plough and there is no going back. By the grace of God, we will be in Abuja in 2019.

“It was in the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan’s votes from Delta that made me withdraw from the race, last minute. The stability of the state was very important to me. I needed to concentrate on the state and prepare it for a peaceful transition; otherwise, I had all the machinery to win the seat if I had so wanted it like I do now.”

On whether he was scared of opposition, Mr Uduaghan said, “I have paid my dues in stemming ethnic violence and militia uprising in the creeks to deserve the senatorial seat. How many people can make such sacrifice? How can somebody who has fought plenty political battles as a serving governor be scared of anybody? That is very laughable to me.”

The visibly relieved group, buoyed by the news, broke into dancing and singing in Ijaw.

All the leaders of the group who spoke agreed to throw their weight behind Dr. Uduaghan’s senatorial bid, because according to them, Delta South is ready for a new beginning and Dr. Uduaghan is the new beginning. They believe when he gets to the senate, the district will get qualitative representation and he will empower not just his Itsekiri people but also the Ijaw and Isoko people as he did when he was a two-term governor of the state.

“We had tested your capacity when you were governor we know that the Ijaw nation benefited from your administration. Our son, the current occupant of the seat, who has been there for four tenures has tried his best but it is now time for a new beginning. It is the turn of the Itsekiris based on fairness and equity. Your Excellency, you are the new beginning for Delta South,” Revd. England asserted.

The senatorial hopeful revealed that he and his family had heard from God clearly in January 2018, that victory was sure for him at the polls. He used the opportunity to assure all his supporters, friends and well-wishers that plans for his campaign would soon roll out in a massive dimension and everyone would be carried along.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via dipo.olowookere@businesspost.ng

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Dabiri-Erewa Lauds $600m Boost in Diaspora Remittances

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dabiri-erewa Diaspora Remittances

By Adedapo Adesanya

The chief executive of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has attributed the recent increase in diaspora remittances to the economic reforms of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She also said it indicated the presence of  trust and confidence that Nigerians in diaspora have in the system, according to a statement issued by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Abdur-Rahman Balogun, in Abuja on Monday.

She described the boost to Nigeria’s economy from its diaspora community in recent times as “humongous”.

Diaspora remittance inflows tripled to $600 million monthly over the past two months, according to statistics from the central bank.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa appreciated the apex bank under the leadership of Olayemi Cardoso, whose various policies she said have led to the upsurge in remittances, including the introduction of the Non-Resident BVN and an exchange rate which, according to her, encouraged more formal channels of remitting funds.

Sharing the CBN Governor’s optimism that the figure could reach $1 billion per month by 2026, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM would continue to propagate activities like the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, National Diaspora Day, Diaspora Youth Summit and constant engagement with the diaspora wherever they are.

The NIDCOM boss also commended the trust and the patriotism of Nigerians in diaspora, adding that the President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to improve the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad.

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LCCI Urges FG to Turn Trade Agreements into Feasible Results

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By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has urged the Nigerian government to turn recent global trade agreements into actionable results.

The Director-General of LCCI, Mrs Chinyere Almona, gave this advice on Monday in reaction to the outcomes of President Bola Tinubu’s recent diplomatic missions to Brazil and Japan.

Mrs Almona said given the persistent tariff tensions worldwide, the outcomes presented new trade opportunities worth exploring as Nigeria strove to push trade to new frontiers.

Already, Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose by 19.6 per cent to $3.22 billion in the first half of 2025, driven by global demand for products such as cocoa and urea/fertilizer, cashew nuts.

The LCCI Director-General stressed the need for the country to remain focused on supporting these statistics by creating new market routes to new trade partners.

According to her, an increase in non-oil exports to 4.04 million metric tons from 3.83 million tons shows an increased capacity to process non-oil exports and boost our export earnings.

She urged government to reach out to strategic partners that would place Nigeria in a stronger negotiating position when needed.

“LCCI commends the signing of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Brazil, which enables direct flights between the two nations.

“This agreement will expand export markets, boost tourism and cultural exchange, and unlock new trade routes for Nigerian businesses.

“Beyond aviation, it offers opportunities for technical partnerships in aircraft maintenance, aerospace engineering, and vocational training for Nigerian youth.

“BASA should not be just about flights, but about creating new pathways for trade, mobility, and job opportunities for Nigerian youths and must therefore be activated quickly and strategically,” she said.

Mrs Almona also lauded the 238 million dollars collaborative financing framework outcome of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) to upgrade the national electricity generation grid infrastructure.

She said the investment gestures from Japan and other economies would encourage Nigeria to equip its youth population with vocational and technical skills.

This, she added, would enable them capitalise on opportunities in labour-intensive sectors, such as those found in high-manufacturing countries like Japan.

Mrs Almona stated that Nigeria’s foreign policy must now focus on translating agreements into tangible outcomes.

She advised that the private sector be well-integrated in operationalising these agreements through follow-up mechanisms, setting clear timelines for implementation, and prioritising vocational and technical skills development in markets.

“Japan sees our youth as Africa’s biggest strength and Nigeria must equip its young people with the technical skills to compete globally.

“By combining visionary diplomacy with practical action, Nigeria can shift global perceptions from challenges to opportunities and rebrand itself as a reform-driven, youth-powered, and investment-ready economy,” she said.

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Nigeria, TotalEnergies Sign New Deepwater Oil Contract

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By Adedapo Adesany

Nigeria has signed a new deepwater oil contract with French oil and gas giant,  TotalEnergies.

The contract, which is a Production-Sharing Contract (PSC), also includes local firm South Atlantic Petroleum, and will involve two offshore blocks.

The deal was done in a step to boost exploration and attract investment under its new oil framework.

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, is seeking to revitalize its upstream sector amid global energy transition pressures and declining investment in fossil fuels.

The deal covers petroleum prospecting licences 2000 and 2001, awarded during the 2024 licensing round, and spans about 2,000 square km (772 square miles) in the Niger Delta Basin.

Already, TotalEnergies holds an 80 per cent contractor interest, while Sapetro holds 20 per cent, the upstream oil regulator said on Monday.

Speaking on the deal, Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said this will help Nigeria tap into its underutilized reserves and help boost production.

“This PSC signals the start of a committed work programme that will help us unlock the untapped geological potential of our deepwater, expand our reserves, boost production, and strengthen Nigeria’s energy security,” he said.

The contract includes provisions for signature and production bonuses, minimum work guarantees, profit-sharing, and compliance with host community development obligations.

It also outlines environmental safeguards, including decommissioning and remediation funds.

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