General

Your Broadcast Came Too Late—CNPP Tells Buhari

Published

4 years ago

23/10/2020

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A group of political parties in the country under the aegis of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has said the nationwide broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night on the unrest in the country came rather too late.

The group, in a statement issued on Friday, disclosed that the President was warned earlier about the tragedy that could befall the nation if he was slow to react to the burning issues.

For nearly two weeks, youths in the country cried out to the federal government through protests across the nation calling for an end to the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force because of its impunity.

Though the police authorities announced the scrapping of the unit, the demonstrators said they were not convinced because it was not the first time such pronouncement was made.

Despite calls from many quarters, including from the international community for the President to speak to the nation on the matter raised by the youths, he did not oblige.

On Tuesday, things turned bloody after soldiers opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos, allegedly leading to the death of some of them.

However, the army has denied involvement in the shooting and the Lagos State government has maintained that no fatality was recorded in the unfortunate incident.

Yesterday, Mr Buhari addressed the nation in what many observers have claimed was pre-recorded and in the broadcast, he never made a specific mention on the Lekki shooting, sparking outrage on social media.

Today, CNPP reacted to the presidential broadcast, saying it came too late because the government was warned: “ahead of the ongoing carnage but never listened.”

In the statement signed by its Secretary-General, Mr Willy Ezugwu, the group noted that “if the President had made this statement last week, the ongoing carnage may have been averted.”

“While we continue to condemn acts of violence under whatever circumstances, what is the use of the charmer after the snake has bitten?” it asked.

“CNPP intelligence that led to the plea that President Buhari should address the nation to calm ruffled nerves fell on deaf ears.

“Equally, the warning that any attempt to shoot at the #EndSARS protesters would be catastrophic was also ignored. But today, it is hoped that the government is wiser and be more proactive in the future.

“It must be noted that CNPP as led by Alhaji Balarabe Musa, the National Chairman, is on the ground in all the states of the federation and in touch with the ordinary citizens. We feel their mood and clearly understand their feelings.

“It was an error on the path of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government to have ignored the CNPP’s warnings.

“If the President’s broadcast was made a week ago, the carnage may have been prevented but it is now coming too late in the day.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us. The ruling APC must stop seeing the voice of the opposition as the voice of enemies.

“Right now, Nigerians are tired of propaganda and mere promises. We, therefore, urge President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure justice is done by punishing adequately all SARS officers who extrajudicially killed citizens in the past and match words with actions by immediately reforming the Nigeria Police Force.

“The government must ensure that there is no cover-up in an investigation of the Lekki shooting and other investigation by the state governments. This is the only way to assuage the protesting youths.

“Nigeria must know that a well-funded police force will perform its internal security duties creditably. To this end, we call on the federal government to immediately begin the process of minimising the involvement of the Nigerian military in internal security operations, including the war on insurgency.

“A well trained, properly equipped, and well-motivated police force will provide first-class security for the country as the Nigerian police have proven to be among the best during foreign peacekeeping operations. A word is enough for the wise,” the CNPP said.

General

Nigeria, Angola, Ghana Fulfil Capital Commitments to Africa Energy Bank

Published

6 hours ago

02/04/2025

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The trio of Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana has fulfilled their capital commitments toward establishing the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) in what is seen as a significant development for Africa’s energy sector.

The AEB aims to finance oil and gas projects across the continent, addressing funding challenges posed by traditional Western financial institutions’ reluctance to support fossil fuel initiatives due to environmental concerns.

Recall that the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) requires that to operate the financial institution, members must get 44 per cent of the capital base of $5 billion.

Each of the 18 members of the group is required to provide at least $83 million and beyond Nigeria, Angola and Ghana, five additional member states – Algeria, Benin, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast – have pledged to make their payments, aligning with the bank’s goal to commence operations in the first half of 2025.

At the Congo Energy and Investment Forum last week, the Secretary General of APPO, Mr Omar Farouk Ibrahim, said the move to kick-off the bank, which is headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, is progressing.

AEB is a strategic response to Africa’s need for dedicated financial institutions that understand the continent’s unique energy landscape.

By providing tailored financing solutions, the bank is poised to accelerate energy project development, enhance energy security and drive economic growth.

As more countries contribute their capital shares, the bank is expected to play a pivotal role in unlocking investment, bridging financing gaps and ensuring sustainable energy expansion across Africa.

Nigeria remains sub-Saharan Africa’s largest oil producer, offering significant opportunities in the oil and gas sector, including a 2025 bid round.

The implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act has introduced regulatory reforms to enhance transparency and attract investment, driving major projects forward.

Recent final investment decisions (FIDs) include TotalEnergies’ $550 million Ubeta Gas Field Development and Shell’s $5 billion Bonga North Project, yet additional financing is crucial to advancing Nigeria’s gas agenda and unlocking its full potential in the energy transition.

Angola, on its part, is actively diversifying its energy portfolio while advancing major deepwater developments, including TotalEnergies’ $6 billion Kaminho Deepwater Project, Eni’s Agogo Integrated West Hub and a limited public tender, with a long-term goal of increasing production to 2 million barrels per day.

Ghana is strengthening its position as a leading oil and gas player with new commitments from Eni and Tullow Oil. In March, Eni and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation signed an agreement to enhance offshore exploration, optimize existing assets and advance untapped reserves.

General

Tinubu Congratulates Jim Ovia on Freedom of the City of London Admission

Published

15 hours ago

01/04/2025

Modupe Gbadeyanka

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia, has been congratulated on his admission to the Freedom of the City of London.

The retired banker was congratulated by President Bola Tinubu in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.

President Tinubu described the honour as a fitting recognition of Mr Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.

“This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations.

“As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise,” Mr Tinubu stated, commending the Zenith Bank chairman for being a distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector and wished him continued success in his endeavours.

Admission to the Freedom of the City of London is an honour bestowed on individuals either for their service to the city or for their achievements.

General

Lagos to Establish Waste Material Recovery Facility in Badagry

Published

1 day ago

31/03/2025

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos State Government is setting up a material recovery facility at Badagry to boost waste management.

The chief executive of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said this initiative was part of efforts to reduce waste pollution and promote a circular economy.

According to him, LAWMA will close the Olusosun dumpsite at Ojota and other dumpsites to pave the way for the establishment of the facility and other waste-to-energy plants in the metropolis, noting that the construction of the material recovery facility will take about 15 months.

“When we close the dumpsites, we will divert the waste to a material recovery facility at Badagry. We will extract all the biogas to generate electricity and cover the waste.

“In the case of Olusosun, we are looking at working with industrial facilities at the back of the dumpsite, which can use the gas to power their generators,” he said.

Mr Gbadegesin said the state government was partnering with some investors to establish the waste-to-energy plants in strategic places.

“We are planning a biogas facility, we completed the feasibility study last year in partnership with the Swedish Government.

“Sweden has achieved zero waste because it takes up its sewage and organic waste and uses them to produce biomethane in large quantities.

“If they can do it, we can. We are planning to replicate the Swedish model here.

“Out of the 13,000 tonnes of waste generated daily in Lagos State, 6,500 tonnes are organic, which should not be going to landfills.

“We should be able to use the organic waste to produce compost for greenery and agriculture and also to produce biomethane,” he informed the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Lagos.

Mr Gbadegesin said the feasibility study for the biogas facility was done by LAWMA in partnership with the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), adding, “It will be bringing in 2,000 compressed natural gas-powered buses. Once the biogas plant is completed, they will be using it.”

He noted that LAWMA was in partnership with a Dutch company to generate electricity through waste.

“We want to set it up at Epe. We have closed the landfill at Epe to set up the waste-to-energy plant. This will be set up in partnership with a private investor, a Dutch company, Harvest Waste.”

Mr Gbadegesin said that the Dutch company would support the setting up of the plant to the tune of 100 million euros.

According to the managing director, the plant would take about 2,500 tonnes of waste daily and produce 60 to 80 megawatts of electricity.

“From the development, we are moving to another level. It gives us hope that if we put our minds to development, we can be the best,” he said.