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Heineken Lokpobiri:Port Harcourt Refinery To Be Back On Stream December

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The minister and his team during the inspection

 

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ending petroleum product importation soon, as efforts are being redoubled to restore the nation’s local refining capacity.

This was made known by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work progress at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The Minister, who was in the company of his counterpart, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Gabriel T. Aduda, and the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, said considering the level of progress recorded in the PHRC rehabilitation project, the plant will come back on stream by December this year.

“Our objective in coming here today is to ensure that in the next few years, Nigeria stops fuel importation. From what we have seen here today, Port Harcourt Refinery will come on board by the end of the year, Warri will come on stream by the end of the first quarter of next year, and Kaduna will also come on board towards the end of next year. If you add that to the Dangote Refinery, we will be able to stop fuel importation, and Nigerians will enjoy the full benefits of deregulation,” the Minister assured.

The Minister also said he was satisfied with the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt refinery, noting that once all the refineries are back on stream, Nigerians will enjoy a better supply of petroleum products, and foreign exchange will be domesticated, leading to an improved economy.

Earlier in his remarks, the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, said bringing back the refineries to their optimal levels is a national aspiration, and the Company remains focused on delivering that.

“We are aware of our nation’s challenges in terms of fuel supply. But we are not here to give excuses. We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity. We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products,” Kyari stated.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo said: “We are here to go into the field. Yesterday was the era of subsidies. Today, we don’t have subsidies. Today, people are in a desperate situation to heave a sigh of relief; and see how to live. You all know that petrol is very vital to our economy. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the refineries are working,” he stated.

In a statement by Garba Deen Muhammad Chief Corporate communications officer NNPC Lited said during the visit, the two Ministers also participated in the Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee meeting and held a meeting with the refinery’s Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contractors.

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Hon. Bichi Sponsors 200 Postgraduate Scholarships in Constituency

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The Kabir Abubakar Bichi Foundation led by Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, the member of the House of Representatives for Bichi Federal Constituency from Kano State and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has sponsored 200 constituents for postgraduate studies in various Nigerian universities.

The secretary General of the Foundation Zahraddeen Bello stated this to newsmen in Kano

He said among the beneficiaries of the scholarship program are 37 PhD candidates and 163 students pursuing master’s degrees.

According to him ,the lawmaker has allocated over N46 million (N46,171,792.50) to fund the scholarships. His sponsorship initiative also includes providing support for students from Bichi Local Government Area studying in various Nigerian universities. Additionally, he sponsors all science and technical boarding students from Bichi and the distribution of educational and instructional materials to all SS 1 students of the constituency.

The distribution of beneficiaries spans several institutions, including:

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1.Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU) – 3

2.Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria – 19

3.Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology, Wudil – 26

4.Al-Qalam University, Katsina – 3

5.Bayero University, Kano – 95

6.Federal University Dutse, Jigawa – 3

7.Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina – 22

8.Federal University of Technology, Minna – 5

9.Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola – 3

10National Open University of Nigeria – 1

11.Sa’adu Zungur State University, Gadau – 1

12.Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina – 2

13.University of Benin – 1

14.University of Ibadan – 1

15.University of Jos – 1

16.Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto – 1

17.Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano – 13

He pointed out that the initiative is part of Honourable Bichi’s broader commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in his constituency.

Accordingly ,the distribution of the postgraduate scholarship by Rep. Bichi through his foundation is a yearly gesture since his election as member of the House of representatives in 2019 and 2023 respectively .

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Nigerian Youth Movement Mulls Over Strategy to Capture Power from Establishment

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A Nigerian youth movement is considering strategies to wrestle political power from the nation’s establishment in a bid to reposition the country, according to human rights lawyer Barrister Abba Hikima.

Hikima, in an exclusive interview with Nigerian Tracker, revealed that the movement aims to address the challenges facing Nigeria by reorganizing the country’s political structure. “The youth movement is borne out of the present situation; there is a need to reorganize Nigeria,” Hikima said. “The youth are at the receiving end, and we want to come up with a political solution, either by contesting or by presenting good people to contest.”

He emphasized the importance of youth participation in Nigeria’s democratic process, noting that they constitute the largest demographic. “Youth are the highest in number. Repositioning Nigeria is a must, and since democracy is a game of numbers, let the youth start,” Hikima stated.

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Highlighting the dissatisfaction with current leadership, Hikima urged the youth to take action if they believe those in power are not governing effectively. “If we say somebody is not doing the right thing, let’s use our numbers,” he added, suggesting that the movement could establish its own political party or align with an existing one. The goal, according to Hikima, is to “retire the present tyrannical leaders.”

Barrister Abba Hikima

Barrister Abba Hikima

The lawyer disclosed that the movement has its origins in Northern Nigeria but plans to expand across the federation in the near future. “The idea started from the North, but in the near future, the movement will spread all over the federation,” he concluded.

The group has yet to formalize its structure but has already sparked interest among Nigerian youth who are eager to see a shift in the country’s political landscape.

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KANSIEC Praises Police Efforts in Safeguarding Democracy

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Prof Sani Lawal Malumfashi KANSIEC Chairman

The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has described the Nigeria Police Force as a crucial institution in any political dispensation. Prof. Sani Lawal Manumfashi emphasized that as custodians of law and order, the police also play a key role in safeguarding democracy.

The Chairman made this statement during a visit to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 1, Ari Mahd Ali, at his office on Tuesday.

Professor Manumfashi noted that the police are key players in providing security, protecting the electoral process, and maintaining law and order in society during and after elections. He stressed that this vital role makes the police force the true guardians of democracy, as their presence is essential in every electoral process.

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He further added that with Kano being the most populous state in the country, having 44 local government areas, 484 wards, and 11,222 polling units, the need for police service in the state is paramount.

In his remarks, AIG Ali assured that his command is fully prepared to provide maximum support and cooperation to ensure the success of the upcoming local government elections in the state. He also mentioned that his phone line is available 24 hours, and the commission can reach him whenever necessary. AIG Ali commended the Commission Chairman for demonstrating his academic expertise by providing essential information about Kano during his brief speech.

In a statement signed by Director public enlightenment of the commission Bashir Habib Yahaya said the visit included the presentation of election guidelines and the 2024 election calendar to the AIG by the Chairman of the Commission.

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