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Shell Makes $40m Social Investment in Nigeria

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SNEPCo workers Shell

By Adedapo Adesanya

Shell has disclosed that Nigeria benefited most from its social investment spending in 2019 as it invested $40 million through its three subsidiaries operating in the country.

This was disclosed in its Nigerian Briefing Notes released on Thursday. Shell said the investments were done through Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO), and Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG).

They were used in the provision of access to affordable healthcare, educational support, enterprise support, accelerating access to energy, and providing assistance and safety.

The multinational company explained in the last 14 years, it has invested $252 million in community-driven programmes of which there are 667,000 beneficiaries in its health outreach beneficiaries, adding that it has given out 6,000 university grants since 2011.

According to the company, Nigeria is a thriving and vibrant country, offering opportunities for people to improve their livelihoods, adding that the scale of the opportunity was mirrored by the scale of the challenges to provide affordable energy, education, healthcare and conditions for local businesses to grow.

According to Shell, the companies undertake two types of social investment activities:  direct social investment and community development programmes across Nigeria. The former, it noted focuses on community and enterprise development, education, community health, access-to-energy, road safety and since 2018, biodiversity.

The companies, it said, also undertake community-driven development programmes and initiatives in the Niger Delta, which focus on various themes as determined by benefitting communities and delivered through a Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), adding that are currently 39 active GMoUs in Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers States.

In 2019; Shell noted that three new GMoUs were deployed and 10 GMOUs renewed. These GMoUs provide secure five-year funding for communities to implement development projects of their choice.

According to Shell, since 2006, a total of $252 million had been disbursed to communities through these GMoUs, noting that GMoU projects cover community health, education, enterprise development and social infrastructures, such as improved water and power supply, and sanitation.

In the area of education, Shell said: “Educating Nigeria’s young population is critical to the success of the country. Shell Companies in Nigeria have a long history of supporting education through scholarships and other initiatives. Since the 1950s, the Shell scholarship schemes have supported several thousands of students many of whom are among Nigeria’s business, political and social leaders.

“In 2019, the SPDC JV and SNEPCo invested $7.8 million in scholarships. Since 2011, the schemes have awarded more than 9,400 secondary school grants and over 6,000 university grants to students.”

In the area of Enterprise support, the company said: “Shell works to improve the chances for Nigerians to achieve their ambitions. In addition to providing access to loans to small and medium businesses which could become Shell suppliers and contractors, there is also the LiveWIRE youth enterprise development programme.

“LiveWIRE was launched in Nigeria in 2003 and provides training and finance to young people between the ages of 18-35 to start or expand their own businesses.

“In 2019, 140 people benefitted from the LiveWIRE programme, receiving training in enterprise development and management, as well as business start-up grants. More than 7,000 Nigerian youths have so far been trained under the programme and almost 4,000 young entrepreneurs were provided with business grants.”

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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Ojulari Vows to Consolidate on Mele Kyari’s Legacy

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Bayo Ojulari Mele Kyari NNPC

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The new chief executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Bayo Ojulari, has promised to consolidate on the legacy and achievements of his predecessor, Mr Mele Kyari.

He made this pledge while taking over from Mr Kyari on Friday at the organisation’s headquarters in Abuja, the country’s seat of power.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday dissolved the board of the NNPC and appointed new members to pilot affairs of the oil company.

In a statement today by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC, Mr Olufemi Soneye, it was disclosed that the new CEO praised Mr Kyari for his contributions to the growth of NNPC Ltd and his sterling service to the nation, noting that the objective of his management is to consolidate on the successes of his predecessor and take the company to the next level.

He said though the targets set for his management were quite enormous, he would be relying on the co-operation of the Management and staff of the company, as well as the counsel of his predecessor to achieve set targets.

“I will be counting on your support. I will need it. I will be coming around to seek your counsel,” Mr Ojulari told Mr Kyari.

Earlier in his remarks, the erstwhile NNPC chief congratulated his successor and thanked the management and staff of the company for their support while in office, vowing to do everything within his power to support the new team to succeed, stressing he is only a call away.

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Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Empowers Host Communities

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dangote cement ibese plant

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Some persons living around the Ibese Plant of Dangote Cement Plc have been equipped with some skills that could make them stand on their own and contribute to the economic development of Ogun State and Nigeria in general.

The beneficiaries participated in the 2024 Youth Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme designed to give back to society.

This initiative, executed under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) with host communities by Dangote Cement, according to the federal government, is worthy of emulation.

The Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Mr Dele Alake, while speaking through the South-West Zonal Coordinator for Mines Environment Compliance for the Ministry, Mr Mathew Ochimana, praised the cement maker for the diligent execution of the agreement for the benefit of the rural communities, thereby fostering atmosphere of peace all year round.

While presenting certificates and starter packs to the trainees, the Minister said the government had no cause to wade into any dispute between the company and host communities.

He urged Dangote Cement to continue to partner with the host communities with more empowerment programmes to develop the communities and equip the people.

Mr Alake enjoined the host communities to reciprocate the good gesture by maintaining peace and supporting the company to do more.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of Host Communities Joint Consultative Committee, Mr Dayo Ogunyinka, thanked Dangote Cement for always rising up to the occasion noting that the company has never shied away from its social responsibilities by constantly developing programmes that could lift the people and add value to them.

“I can remember we have gathered here before to graduate thos who were trained in the art of electrical electronics, those who specialized in shoe making, those who chose acupuncture, and today its painting and Plaster of Paris (PoP).

“Worthy of mentioning is the fact Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant don’t just train, they also provide the starter pack to start for the graduands to start working straightaway, we cant ask for less. I am however saddened that some of our youths run away from this lofty training by not presenting themselves.

“We are very lucky in our communities to have Dangote Cement here, they not only cater for the youths, they do for the wome, the elderly, the farmers and others, we are indeed lucky. We can only pray that God will continue to be with the organization,” he stated.

Addressing the youths earlier, Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Director, Mr Roy Uttam, explained that the training initiative was a partnership between Dangote Cement Plc and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Abeokuta Area Office, and that it underscored the company’s commitment to socio-economic development in its host communities.

He reaffirmed the company’s dedication to corporate social responsibility, emphasizing its focus on Health, Education, Infrastructure, and Empowerment, noting that the Dangote Academy and various training programs have continued to create employment opportunities and enhance skill acquisition among Nigerian youths.

He commended the thirty (30) graduates from the 17 host communities who successfully completed training in Plaster of Paris (PoP), screeding, and painting, urging them to utilize their newfound skills to build sustainable careers. The trainees received start-up kits, including tools such as trowels, measuring tapes, and shovels, to aid them in establishing their businesses.

Also speaking at the event, the ITF Area Manager, Abeokuta, Mrs Abolanle Ajibade, thanked Dangote Cement for the initiative, adding that, “It is with a sense of accomplishment that I stand before you to bring this impactful 2024 skills acquisition and empowerment training program to a close.

“This training program, PoP, screeding, and painting, was not merely an opportunity to gain knowledge but also an avenue to forge connections, share experiences, and challenge ourselves to go beyond our comfort zones.

“To our facilitators, your dedication and expertise have been invaluable. You have gone above and beyond to provide us with tools, insights, and guidance needed to thrive, and to participants, congratulations on your commitment, resilience, and passion throughout this training.”

The Chairman of Yewa North Local Government, Mr Akinbode Olusola, advised the youth participants to see the training as a life time opportunity to make a difference in life noting that thousands of youth in the society would not have access to the opportunity they are getting on a platter of gold.

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Sanwo-Olu Swears in Ladi Oluwaloni as Ayobo Ipaja LCDA Chairman

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Sanwo-Olu Ladi Oluwaloni

By Dipo Olowookere

The acting chairman of Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Oladipupo Oluwaloni, popularly known as Ladi, has been sworn-in as the substantive chairman of the council.

He was sworn in on Thursday by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State at a brief ceremony attended by several loyalists of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The grassroots politician was appointed as the acting chairman of Ayobo Ipaja LCDA last month by the Governor following the long absence of his boss, Mrs Bola Shobowale.

He served as the deputy chairman of the local council before his elevation following the death of Mrs Shobowale after a protracted illness on March 21, 2025.

At the swearing-in ceremony yesterday, Mr Sanwo-Olu charged Mr Oluwaloni to listen to collaborate closely with the community as he was there to serve them.”

“Together, through unity, we can achieve our vision for a greater Lagos,” the Governor tasked the new chairman, who could not hide his excitement.

In his response, the new council chairman promised to align fully with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of the present administration, promising to prioritize the socioeconomic development of the people and uphold democratic values in service delivery.

Mr Oluwaloni, when he was asked to occupy the position in an acting capacity two weeks ago, said, “This is a great responsibility, and I am fully committed to upholding the trust placed in me.

“My focus will be on ensuring that governance at the grassroots remains effective, responsive, and aligned with the developmental agenda of our great state.”

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