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Exclusive: How Kano Govt. Withdraws Accreditation of 14 Journalists Covering Government House

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4 weeks ago

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The Kano state government’s sudden withdrawal of accreditation for 14 journalists covering the Government House has raised questions about its commitment to media freedom and sparked speculation about the reasons behind this decision.

Investigation by the Nigerian Tracker revealed that the relationship between the Government House press crew and state officials has been strained since the coming of Abba Kabir Yusuf as the governor of Kano state, with challenges ranging from poor working conditions, lack of welfare, motivation and ongoing tensions with security personnel.

Journalists reported several incidents where government officials, including the governor’s aides and security team, limited their access to governor’s activities.

Two incidents that occurred recently are seen as the reason behind the journalists withdrawal.

First incident was during the governor’s recent visit to Jigawa State.

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Journalists accompanying him were denied entry to the venue where governor Yusuf was meeting with the Jigawa governor, with security citing limited space as the reason.

Although they were assured they would be allowed in to cover his speech, the meeting concluded without them covering the event.

The journalists voiced out their worry immediately.

When they returned to Kano, they sought to address the issue with the governor. As he briefly gave them audience, but no solution was provided immediately.

Nigerian Tracker gathered that another incident involving the journalists reportedly took place during an official visit by the Bauchi State Governor to Kano. Aliyu Yusuf, the Director of Public Enlightenment at the Government House led the journalists to meet the Bauchi state governor at his lodge in Kano.

Upon arrival, they learned that Kano state deputy governor Aminu Abdussalam, was there with his team. Deputy Governor’s Press Crew expressed displeasure with the presence of the media team covering the governor’s office. Knowing that the governor himself was not there.

Tensions escalated when the Deputy Governor’s Aide called the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Shehu Wada Sagagi and informed him.

The Chief of Staff sent a Governor’s Aide who had reportedly clashed with the press on multiple occasions to the scene, and he reported back to the Chief of Staff, to the hearing of the Governor eventually.

The internal political power dynamics may have influenced the decision to revoke the journalists’ accreditation.

The struggle reportedly involves the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Commissioner for Information Baba Halilu Dantiye, and the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The DG Media, close to Governor Yusuf, has held significant sway over government publicity, often sidelining the Commissioner for Information.

The Chief of Staff, meanwhile, has been a vocal critic of the DG’s handling of the press and accused the Government House journalists of lacking competence.

Some insiders believe the decision to remove these journalists may be an attempt to diminish the DG Media’s influence by targeting his loyal media representatives.

Observers note that the move could signal an ongoing effort to reassign responsibilities within the governor’s communication team.

As journalists now face an uncertain future in covering Government House, questions asked are about the impact of these developments on transparency and media relations within Kano state’s political landscape.

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Breaking: Former Secretary of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Ahmadu Kurfi Passes On at 93

Published

2 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

By

Late Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi

 

A former secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, has passed away.

A family source, Jafar Yakubu, informed NIGERIAN TRACKER about the death of the pioneer secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, who supervised the 1979 general election.

 

Jafar Yakubu said Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi died at the age of 93 and his Janaza funeral prayers will take place by 2:30 PM at Kurfi in KATSINA state .

 

Dr. Amadu Kurfi, OFR, was born in 1931. He was a former chairman of the then Marketing Board, former Federal Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, and the first person to acquire a BSc degree in the whole of Katsina State, at University College London in 1957.

 

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President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar

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16 hours ago

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November 20, 2024

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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

Published

17 hours ago

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November 20, 2024

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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.

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“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).

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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