NMDPRA Boss, Engr. Farouk, Resigns Amidst Fraud Allegation

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Engr. Ahmed Farouk, has tendered his resignation letter amidst corruption allegations levelled against him by the President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

The development was announced on Wednesday evening by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

This newspaper had reported that the Dangote’s petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) specifically alleges that Ahmed spent over $7 million on his children’s education in Switzerland—funds Dangote claims cannot be justified by a public servant’s legitimate earnings. The petition calls for Ahmed’s arrest, investigation, and prosecution.

Following the petition, the ICPC vows to scrutinize the allegation with due diligence.

Meanwhile, pursuant to the resignation of Engr. Farouk, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent new nomination for the NMDPRA position to the Senate for confirmation.

The new nominee is Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed.

He was born in 1957 in Gombe, and graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering. He was announced today as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.

His prior roles include Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, as well as Chair of the boards of West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Workers and civil society groups took to the streets across Nigeria on Wednesday in a nationwide protest against rampant insecurity and a deepening economic crisis. The demonstrations, organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), underscore growing public frustration with the state of the nation.

Despite a last-minute meeting between NLC President Joe Ajaero and President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night, the union proceeded with the planned action, citing unresolved critical issues.

The protest follows a December 4 resolution by the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC), which declared the nation’s security situation “alarming and unacceptable.” The union pointed to the November 17 abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State—where two staff members were killed—as a stark example. The NEC strongly condemned the reported withdrawal of security personnel prior to that attack.

In Abuja, protesters gathered at the NLC Secretariat, joined by civil society allies including activist Omoyele Sowore. In Lagos, a large crowd assembled in Ikeja, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding government action against kidnappings and violent crime. The sentiment was captured by one protester who told News Central TV, “Any kidnapper should be sentenced to death. They should kill them immediately.”

Beyond insecurity, the NLC highlighted a range of unaddressed grievances, including: unresolved agreements with the Federal Government, a crippling rise in the cost of living, and the direct impact of violence on workers’ safety, productivity, and livelihoods.

The union lamented the deaths of numerous members, including teachers, farmers, and artisans, amid what it termed government inaction.

Framing the protest as a constitutional right and civic duty, the NLC aims to mobilise public opinion and compel concrete reforms. In a December 10 notice to its state chapters, the union emphasised peaceful demonstrations and called on the police who were duly notified to protect citizens’ right to assemble.

“Solidarity is our shield,” the union stated, urging authorities to prioritise the safety and welfare of Nigerians above all else.

A grassroots politician, House of Representatives Rivers Caucus leader, Hon Dum Dekor has bagged the 2025 Leadership award in ‘Constituents Empowerment ‘.

The award was bestowed on the seasoned politician by Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness CCLCA in conjunction with Naijablitznews and Hellosis on Wednesday in Abuja.

Dekor in his acceptance speech dedicated the award to his constituents and his political leader, FCT minister, Chief Nyesom Wike.

He thanked the organisers, his constituents and his leader Wike for the confidence reposed in him as he would continue to do more.

In a brief citation read on behalf of DG of CCLCA, Dr Gabriel Nwambu by Naijablitznews Associate Editor captured some of the impactful things perfected by Hon Dekor.

Read below:
RT. HON. DEKOR DUMNAMENE ROBINSON, popularly called “Dum Dekor” by friends, colleagues, associates, and constituents can be described as one of the very few “well grounded” politicians in Nigeria.

After graduating from the illustrious University of Port Harcourt in 1991, with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography; in flying colours, he began his political career as a member of the Caretaker
Committee in KHANA Local Government Council, where he served as SUPERVISOR FOR WORKS from 2002-2003.

The desire to have better understanding and knowledge of the basic, and critical rudiments of elections planning, operations, monitoring, and evaluation, led to his appointment with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, (RSIEC), and was posted to AHOADA EAST LGA as the ELECTORAL OFFICER from 2004-2006.

Thereafter, he was elected as a Member of the 6th RIVERS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY in 2007, where he represented KHANA 2 CONSTITUENCY. Recognizing his versatility and experiences, in varied strata of politics and democracy, he was elected as the DEPUTY SPEAKER by his colleagues in the House, and served meritoriously in that capacity between 2007 and 2011.

Having served the State, and his party, the PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, (PDP) in some other relevant positions and assignments, he was beckoned to offer his lofty experiences to the EXECUTIVE branch of Rivers State. In 2017, he was appointed as the State’s COMMISSIONER FOR WORKS under the administration of HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR EZENWO NYESOM WIKE. As expected, his record of achievements in the Ministry elicited official endorsements by his principal, and overwhelming commendation by the people of Rivers State.

Conscious of the need to improve the quality of the State’s representation at the Federal House of Representatives, he was elected in 2019, as a Member for KHANA/GOKANA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY. Impressed by his performances, and contributions to Rivers State, and democratic development, he was re-elected in 2023. He presently serves as CHAIRMAN, HOUSE COMMITTEE on HOST COMMUNITIES.

All through his political career, Rt. Hon. Dum Dekor has emphasized PEOPLE as the FULCRUM of any, and every engagement. He believes strongly that, to achieve having meaningful and enduring impact on his CONSTITUENTS, and the CITIZENRY, TRANSPARENCY, INTEGRITY, and TIMELY FEEDBACK in the LEGISLATIVE PROCESS are very important.

Known to have touched the lives of people in his past positions and offices in Rivers State, RT. HON. DEKOR has not only increased the tempo but also improved on the qualities of his numerous programmes and projects for the constituents.

In the past six years, he has embarked on Infrastructure Development; Healthcare; Education; Economic Empowerment; and Community Development of the good people of KHANA/GOKANA Federal Constituency. Initiatives and projects facilitated include Rural Electrification; Provision of Potable Water; Construction & Re-modelling of Schools; Building of ICT Centres; and Provision of Integrated Solar Street Lights.

Others include Grants for Agricultural Training of Women & Youths; Establishment & Upgrade of Skill Acquisition Centres; Provision of Grants for Women & Youths in Small & Medium Enterprises; Training of Youths & Women in different Skills including Fisheries & Aquaculture, Catering Services, and other vocations; Provision of Instructional Materials, Textbooks, & other Equipment for Schools; Educational Grants, Scholarships, & Regular Financial Support to children, youths in tertiary institutions and secondary schools.

Indeed, these milestones and other landmark achievements by RT. HON. DUM DEKOR has certainly justified the confidence reposed in him by the good people of KHANA/GOKANA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY.