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Center Trains Media and CSOs on Fostering Accountability in Constituency Projects

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The training

 

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), a non-governmental organization, has organized a one-day training in Kano for Kano-based journalists and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to enhance their capacity to promote transparency and accountability in constituency project service delivery.

In his opening remarks on Monday, Dr Zikrullah Ibrahim emphasized that the aim of the training was to equip relevant stakeholders with information on constituency projects to ensure effective delivery of critical social services, especially in relation to constituency projects.

“Journalists and CSOs need to work closely by shining a spotlight on the activities of the government, especially programs on which the government expends public funds,” he explained.

The Director, represented by the Programs and Communication Manager of the NGO, Mr Armsfree Ajanaku, solicited for a synergy between the media and other stakeholders, emphasizing that this will result in mass coverage and information dissemination to reduce corruption.

Ibrahim added that the accountability skills and capacities of media and CSOs must be enhanced to face serious challenges posed by the lack of transparent and accountable governance.

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The Executive Director commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for its consistent efforts to track constituency projects, empowering citizens by publishing project details on its website, and empaneling a team of expert trackers to archive the set goals.

In their separate presentations, two female journalists, Bilkisu Zango and Khadija Bawas, highlighted the need for the media to change strategies in advocating for transparency and accountability. Bawas called on media and CSOs to leverage convergence in the media ecosystem for constituency project reporting.

Zango also tasked stakeholders on best practices for promoting gender and social inclusion in constituency project reporting.

Some of the participants pledged to promote accountability in constituency projects through reportage.

The training, which took place at Mambayya House in Kano, was attended by about 35 journalists and civil society organizations. It was tagged “Fostering Transparency and Accountability in Constituency Project Delivery in Kano State

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President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar

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The governing council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has been dissolved by President Bola Tinubu.

The president dissolved the council and approved the removal of the institution’s vice-chancellor Bernard Odoh and the university registrar, Rosemary Nwokike.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy said the action by Tinubu follows allegations of procedural violations in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.

He also said that the council led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and including five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin was accused of bypassing due process to appoint an unqualified candidate, prompting federal intervention.

Onanuga said, “The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.

He added that following the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address the rivalry between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the institution.

“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process”, Onanuga added.

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Boost for Nigeria’s Oil Production, As NNPC’s Utapate Crude Grade Hits Global Oil Market

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Managing Director, NNPC E & P Limited (NEPL), Mr. Nicholas Foucart speaks at the official unveiling of the Utapate crude oil blend during the Utapate Crude Roadshow held on the sidelines of the 2024 Argus European Crude Conference in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday.

 

 

In a major boost for Nigeria’s crude oil production, revenue generation and
economic growth efforts, the NNPC Ltd has officially unveiled its latest crude oil
grade, the Utapate crude oil blend, before the international crude oil market.

It would be recalled that in July, 2024, NNPC Ltd and its partner, the Sterling Oil
Exploration & Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) Ltd introduced the Utapate
crude oil blend, following the lifting of first cargo of 950,000 barrels which headed
for Spain.

During a ceremony held at the Argus European Crude Conference taking place in
London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, the Managing Director, NNPC E & P
Limited (NEPL), Mr. Nicholas Foucart described the introduction of the Utapate
crude oil blend into the market as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s crude oil
export to the global energy market.

“Since we started producing the Utapate Field in May 2024, we have rapidly
ramped up production to 40,000 barrels per day (bpd) with minimum downtime.
So far, we have exported five cargoes, largely to Spain and the East Coast of the
United States; while two more additional cargoes have been secured for November
and December 2024, representing a significant boost to Nigeria’s crude oil export
to the global market,” Foucart told a packed audience of European crude oil
marketers.
He added that since its introduction into the global market, the Utapate crude oil
blend has enjoyed a positive response from the international crude oil market, due
to its highly attractive qualities.
Foucart said the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13, fully operated by NEPL and Natural
Oilfield Services Ltd (NOSL), a subsidiary of SEEPCO Ltd, boasts a huge reserves of
330million barrels of crude oil reserves, 45 million barrels of condensate and 3.5 tcf
of gas.
“We have a number of ongoing projects to increase our production from the
current 40,000bopd to 50,000bopd by January 2025 and 60,000bopd to
65,000bopd by June 2025. Essentially, we are targeting opportunities to increase
production to 80,000bopd by the end of 2025,” Foucart added.He said the Utapate crude oil terminal is sustainable, affordable and fully compliant
with the rigorous environmental regulations and sustainability principles especially
those aimed at reducing carbon emissions and other ecological effects.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NNPC Trading Ltd (NTL), Mr. Lawal Sade
said the pricing structure of the Utapate crude oil blend is similar to that of
Amenam crude as it is a light sweet crude which is highly sought after by refiners
across the world due to its low sulphur content, efficient yield of high-value
products, API gravity and other similarities.
He said in bringing the new crude oil blend to the global market, NNPC Ltd wanted
to optimise value for both its producers and counterparties across the globe.
He added to ensure predictability and sustainability of supply, the NNPC Trading
intends to run a term contract on the Utapate crude oil blend cargoes, principally
targeting off-takers from the European and the US East Coast refineries.
Produced from the Utapate field in OML 13 in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, the
Utapate crude oil blend is similar to the Nembe crude oil grade. It has a low sulphur
content of 0.0655% and low carbon footprint due to flare gas elimination, fitting
perfectly into the required specification of major buyers in Europe.
The NNPC E&P Ltd and NOSL partnership is also committed to operating in a
manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to the local
communities.
The Utapate field development plan, executed between 2013-2019 and approved in
October, included converting wells and facilities from swamp/marine to land-
based operations.
The plan involved a multi-rig drilling campaign for 40 wells and the development
of significant infrastructure such as production facilities, storage tank, a subsea
pipeline and an offshore loading platform to facilitate crude oil evacuation and
loading.

The entry of the Utapate crude oil blend into the market is coming barely a year
after the NNPC Ltd announced the launch of Nembe crude oil, produced by the
NNPC/Aiteo operated Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 Joint Venture (JV).

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In a statement by Olufemi O Soneye Chief corporate communications officer NNPCL said the remarkable achievement signals the commitment of the NNPC Ltd to
increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production and growing its reserves through the
development of new assets.

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Nasir Buba Expresses Dissatisfaction with AIG Zone One’s Conclusion Despite Submitting Over 1000 Pieces of Evidence

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Nasir Buba has voiced dissatisfaction with the AIG Zone One’s conclusion, despite submitting over 1000 pieces of evidence alleging illicit affairs between Auwalu Danladi Sankara and his wife, Tasleem.

Contrary to his expectations, the police found no prima facie case against the suspects, effectively clearing them of wrongdoing.

Addressing Journalists, Tuesday the Complainant said he tendered before the Police 854 pictures, 150 pages of WhatsApp conversations between Auwalu and Tasleem, explaining that he obtained the evidences from his wife’s phone.

The complainant however said he would not take any further decision since the office of the AIG which is the highest Police authority in Kano vindicated the duo, noting that he has chosen to put his trust in divine justice.

Also in his response, Counsel to Mr. Buba, Barrister Rabi’u Sidi expressed his surprised with the Police finding despite the plethora of evidences tendered to them.

He added that the complainant was not in court the day it delivered the ruling and according to him was not represented by his lawyer.

“As complainant we’re necessary and very important party to this case. We were not informed of the day the court delivered its ruling, discharging Auwalu and Tasleem.” The Counsel argued.

He Counsel stated that the legal team of the complainant will sit down and study the findings of Police

Justice Watch News, earlier reports that the Kano State Upper Shari’a Court presided over by Ibrahim Sarki Yola terminated the case against Auwal Danladi Sankara and Tasleem Baba Nabegu.

He said his position predicated upon submissions of AIG Zone One Kano and Legal Advise from Kano Attorney General

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