Strong resolutions aimed at reviving Geo- Fluids Plc, a company that has been dormant for more than a decade dominated discussions at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja, as shareholders and board members charted a new strategic direction focused on bitumen exploration, solid minerals, and broader extractive opportunities.

Speaking at the meeting, former Minister of state for solid minerals, Abubakar Bawa Bwari expressed confidence that the company was on the path to recovery, citing the pedigree and experience of its leadership.

He said the priority going forward is to “bring the company back to life,” ensure seamless operations, and ultimately restore value to shareholders.

“With the calibre of people on the board and the pedigree of our chairman, expectations are understandably high,” Buhari said.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. Our responsibility is to bring cheers to our shareholders and advise government appropriately to support the sector.”

A major highlight of the AGM was the company’s renewed focus on bitumen exploration in Ondo State, which Buhari described as one of Africa’s richest bitumen belts. According to him, Ondo hosts some of the largest and most accessible bitumen deposits on the continent, with reliable geological data significantly reducing exploration risks.

“Ondo is very rich in bitumen, among the best deposits in Africa and indeed globally,” he said. “With the commitment being shown by the chairman, extensive exploration will take place. I encourage Nigerians to invest in bitumen production, though it requires patience and substantial capital.”

Former Minister of Power and Steel, Murtala Aliyu, said the resolutions adopted at the AGM were deliberately designed to resuscitate the company and reposition it for growth after years of inactivity.

“The company has been down for over a decade. What we have done today is to wake it up and place it on the right pedestal,” Aliyu said.

He explained that the company’s rebranding and restructuring, including the adoption of a new group identity, was informed by its expansion beyond oil servicing. According to him, the new structure allows for diversified operations in bitumen refining, other petroleum derivatives, and solid minerals such as lithium.

“We are no longer limiting ourselves to oil servicing,” he said. “We want to explore and exploit bitumen, refine it into usable products, and also venture into other mining sectors. That is why we now have different groups under one umbrella.”

Aliyu also addressed the challenge of illegal mining in Nigeria, noting that it is a global issue that requires country-specific solutions based on effective regulation and enforcement.

On his part, Suleiman Hassan, a former Minister of Environment and board member, said the company’s reorganization would enable it to participate fully in the exploration, exploitation, and marketing of bitumen and related products.

“We are resuscitating the company and repositioning it to play a more active role in the extractive industry,” Hassan said.

He stressed that environmental protection remains a core priority, particularly in the context of climate change and growing global concerns about environmental degradation.

“That is why people with environmental expertise are on the board,” Hassan said. “Before any activity begins, strict guidelines will be followed to prevent pollution, protect host communities, and ensure emergency response mechanisms are in place.”

The AGM ended with optimism among shareholders that the new resolutions, leadership drive, and strategic focus on bitumen and solid minerals could mark a turning point for the company and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s resource diversification agenda.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his political career would suffer irreparable damage if Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, secures a second term in office.

Wike made the remark on Saturday while addressing stakeholders at a meeting in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Although the FCT minister did not mention the governor by name, he warned that a firm decision had already been taken regarding the 2027 governorship contest.

Wike said: “We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one (Fubara’s re-election) — no way. Because if we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again.

“So everybody should know we have made a decision.”

The FCT minister has intensified his criticism of Fubara since the governor defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month. Wike accused the governor of violating the terms of a peace agreement reached before the lifting of the emergency rule in the state, which enabled Fubara’s return to office.

Earlier in the week, Wike said what he described as a “leadership mistake” in Rivers would be corrected in 2027, promising to disclose details of the agreement that restored Fubara to power.

“We will not make the same mistake again at the state level in 2027, but we will talk about it later when the time comes,” he said, adding that leaders should prioritise the will of the people over personal interests.

At a separate stakeholders’ meeting on Friday in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Wike dismissed suggestions that Fubara’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would guarantee the governor’s re-election.

“If you played well with the first one and succeeded, do you think you can succeed with the second one? There cannot be two markets in one day,” Wike said, in a veiled reference to previous peace agreements.

He warned against assurances that backing Tinubu alone would secure another term for the governor.

“So, whoever is assuring you that everything will be fine once you sign on your mandate, you are mistaken,” he said.

“All of us have decided to work for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no discussion about that.”
Wike said efforts were underway to avoid repeating past errors.

“Of course, you know we won’t make the mistake we made last time. We are here to correct the mistake. We will do all we can to ensure that we give Tinubu all the total support that is required.”

Questioning Fubara’s leadership style, Wike added: “Someone who cannot relate with the local government chairmen, state assembly members and national assembly members — what kind of leadership do you want to provide?”

He also reacted to Fubara’s New Year remarks in which the governor reportedly described Wike’s comments as “noise,” insisting that Fubara owed his emergence as governor to him despite lacking widespread popularity at the time.

“I made him governor even when he was not popular among the people,” Wike said.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a coordinated response to attacks on Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas, troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), supported by the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma, neutralized at least 23 armed bandits who fled Kano State.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Major Zubairu Babatunde, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, the bandits carried out attacks from Thursday night into early Friday morning. Ground troops successfully repelled the assaults, inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers before pursuing them into neighboring Katsina State.

Intelligence reports indicated that the fleeing bandits later gathered at Dan Marke in Matazu Local Government Area, Katsina, to bury members killed in the initial engagement. Following aerial surveillance, the Air Component tracked the group’s movement to Karaduwa village, where they conducted a precision air strike.

“The strike neutralized at least 23 terrorists, with several others believed to have sustained injuries,” Major Babatunde stated.

He added that the operation, supported by aerial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), also led to the destruction of several weapons and equipment belonging to the assailants.

The Commander of the 3 Brigade commended the Air Component and ground troops for their bravery and resilience, emphasizing that their actions helped restore stability to the affected areas.

Major Babatunde confirmed that the security situation in Kano State remains calm, with troops maintaining robust patrols and surveillance. He reported high troop morale and operational readiness, while also acknowledging public support in the ongoing fight against banditry and terrorism.

The Nigerian Army urges citizens to continue providing timely information to security agencies and reaffirms its commitment—in collaboration with other security forces—to protect lives and property and ensure national security.