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Delta, SPDC Open Talks On Relocation To Warri

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The Delta State Government has opened talks with the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, on the return of the multinational oil conglomerate to Warri, which it fled over 10 years ago, citing insecurity in the oil city.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who sealed a N78 billion contract for three flyover bridges, cloverleaf and road expansion projects in Warri and Effurun with construction giant, Julius Berger, last week, is behind the bold initiative .

Already, SPDC , which relocated it’s western operational headquarters from Warri, in 2013, according to a dependable informant, has consented to bring back some of its departments back to Warri.

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The Commissioner, Oil and Gas in the state, Chief Vincent Oyibode, who led a Delta State- government delegation to a preliminary dialogue, said that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori instructed him to undertake the assignment.

READ ALSO: World War II Veteran, Obaseki Descendants Salute Oba Of Benin On Birthday, 7th Coronation Anniversary

Vanguard learned that the SPDC team would soon hold a formal discussion with Governor Oborevwori to deepen the negotiations, and agreement on the company’s return to the state.

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Oyibode, who shed light after his budget presentation at the Ministry of Economic Planning, Asaba, weekend, stated that Oborevwori assured the SPDC of a peaceful and investor-friendly environment, and appealed to other oil companies that deserted the state to return.

His words: “Few weeks ago, I represented the state governor, Rt. Hon Oborevwori, in an interface with the SPDC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State during the Shell’s celebration of Independence. We met with all the top management officials of Shell in Nigeria, including the Country Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CEO”

“We told Shell to come back to Warri; we explained the nucleus of the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori administration, which is meaningful development; opportunity for all; realistic reforms; and enhanced peace and security.

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“We made them to understand that the governor, being a home- bred ‘Warri boy’ knows what is right for the people.

READ ALSO: Delta Teacher Attacked By Pupil’s Father Dies, Colleagues Demand Justice

“We also justified our request with the quick intervention of the governor when some communities threatened to shut down a Shell flow station at Otumara in the state The prompt attention the governor gave to the matter made them to understand our position, and they applauded it as well .

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“Then, we also discussed why conflict resolution, one of the excuses they gave for their exit could not surface anymore, and that they would agree with us that the Oborevwori administration is grassrooted.

“Some of us, who are Commissioners were not brought from London or Lagos, we are home-bred, we are full-blown Warri boys. Therefore, we informed Shell that if it is coming back this time around, we, in the government, know the who is who, and anybody that will try any rubbish.

“You will agree with me that Delta is a peaceful state, the era has passed where an Ijaw man, Itsekiri man, and Urhobo man would not want to see themselves. You can see that there is nothing like ethnic crisis in Warri, and Delta state at large.

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“And any little one that rears up is easily quashed, so there is peace, and when there is peace, the government will create an enabling environment for investors to come in, and that is what the Ministry of Oil and Gas is driving at, particularly with the companies operating under the oil and gas sector.”

VANGUARD

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‘We Cure Madness With Madness’: Five Things To know About Taye Currency

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The name ‘Taye Currency’ has continued to trend on social media following the Fuji music artiste’s performance at the coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, on Friday.

Taye Currency, during his performance at the coronation event which took place at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, rendered a line in Yoruba, “Were la fi n wo were,” which translates to “we cure madness with madness.”

The line, which seems not to have sat well with many Nigerians, particularly those of Yoruba heritage, has continued to generate a lot of criticism, with many opining that such lyrics were not befitting for the occasion, which had in attendance dignitaries including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, ministers, traditional rulers, and other crème de la crème of society.

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Reacting to the development, the Olu of Kemta Orile in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Adetokunbo Tejuosho, criticised Taye Currency for what he described as “classless and unbefitting lyrics.”

According to him, the musician failed to accord the coronation its due respect, describing his lyrics as unbefitting of the sacred ceremony.

READ ALSO:Ogun Monarch Slams Taye Currency Over Performance At Olubadan Coronation

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He said, “The throne of our ancestors is not a stage for mockery, nor the coronation of a great monarch a subject for careless entertainment.

“Kingship is sacred, adorned with honor and guarded by tradition. It demands reverence, dignity, honor, class and the utmost respect from all who stand in its presence.

“Listening to the musician (Taye Currency), who was invited to render music before the Crown, as a matter of fact before the entire world, to serenade the audience and sing in a way to express admiration, singing songs like (were lafi n wo were) We use madness to cure madness.

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“Such lyrics were classless and unbefitting of such occasions, it is insulting to the sacredness of the gathering.”

While Taye Currency is well known among Fuji music lovers, especially those from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, his performance at the Olubadan coronation has made people want to know more about him.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: Ladoja Crowned 44th Olubadan, Set To Receive Staff Of Office

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In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five things to know about the trending Fuji musician.

1. Full Name and Age

His full name is Taye Akande Adebisi. Apart from his popular stage name, Taye Currency, he is also known as ‘Apesin.’ He celebrated his 50th birthday on December 17, 2024.

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2. Appointment as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, appointed him as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism in 2019 during the governor’s first tenure.

READ ALSO:Olubadan Unveils Economic Plan For Ibadanland

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3. Father of a Lawmaker

In 2019, Taye Currency’s son, Yusuf Oladeni Adebisi, was elected into the Oyo State House of Assembly to represent Ibadan South-West Constituency 1, which earned Taye Currency another nickname, ’Baba Honorable’ (Honourable’s father). He was re-elected in 2023 as a lawmaker on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

4. Financial Setback

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In April 2025, Taye Currency publicly lamented that he lost N10 million to CBEX, a crypto/investment scheme many now regard as a collapsed Ponzi platform. He explained that he was convinced to invest by close associates, only to see the scheme crumble shortly after.

5. Affiliation with Pasuma

Taye Currency has often maintained that although he never learnt Fuji music from his senior colleague, Wasiu Alabi Odetona, popularly known as Pasuma, whom he first met in 1993, he still considers him a boss.

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JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike May Trigger Nationwide Blackout, Thermal Plants Shut Down

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Nigerians may face a nationwide blackout from Monday as power generation companies have raised the alarm over an imminent shutdown of thermal plants following directives from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies, Joy Ogaji, raised the alarm over the imminent blackout in a WhatsApp message on Sunday.

She revealed that gas suppliers had issued notices to halt supply to thermal power stations in line with PENGASSAN’s strike resolution.

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READ ALSO:Why We Rejected Govt’s Plan To Sell Assets – PENGASSAN President

Good day, all. Thermal GenCos have received notification from our gas suppliers to shut down our thermal power plants following directives from PENGASSAN. The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company has specifically requested GenCos to comply,” Ogaji said in the post.

She warned that the development could plunge the country into darkness, as hydroelectric dams alone cannot sustain the national grid.

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Please all be notified of the imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” she added.

READ ALSO:PENGASSAN Shuts OML-18 Over Labour Dispute With NNPC Subsidiary

The warning comes hours after PENGASSAN announced that it would commence a nationwide strike on Monday to protest the dismissal of over 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

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The oil workers’ union, after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, directed its members in all oil and gas installations to down tools until the sackings were reversed.

The action could cripple crude production, fuel supply, gas distribution and now electricity generation, worsening the hardship faced by Nigerians.

With thermal stations accounting for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity supply, industry experts say the shutdown will trigger widespread outages, stretch hydro plants beyond capacity and heighten the risk of a nationwide system collapse.

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Customs Launches One-stop-shop To Cut Cargo Clearance To 48 Hours

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has officially introduced its ‘One-Stop-Shop (OSS)’ initiative aimed at reducing cargo clearance time to 48 hours.

NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Maiwada said the initiative was unveiled recently during a meeting between NCS management and Customs Area Controllers, chaired by the Comptroller-General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, in Abuja.

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He said the meeting deliberated on the service’s modernisation agenda and the role of leadership in driving reforms across commands.

READ ALSO:10 Things Candidates Should Know About Customs Recruitment CBT Exams

Maiwada quoted the C-G as describing the OSS as a “transformative shift” which aligned with global best practices and the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.

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Adeniyi said the reform was designed to sanitise operations, reduce duplication of efforts and ensure predictability in customs procedures.

The OSS initiative will not only shorten clearance time from 21 days to 48 hours, but it will also strengthen trader confidence, restore transparency and make our operations more business-friendly,” Adeniyi said.

The C-G acknowledged the role of technology in customs operations but also emphasised the importance of physical engagement with officers.

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READ ALSO:Customs Seize N905m Rolls Royce, Other Contrabands In Ogun

As much as technology has helped us, it has its limits. There are moments when physical presence, coming together under one roof, adds weight and value to our deliberations,” he said.

The NCS boss said the reform would be piloted at Apapa, Tin Can Island and Onne Ports before being rolled out nationwide.

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He added that the initiative was constitutionally supported by the NCS Act 2023 and aligned with the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

This is not just a policy. It is a statement of intent that reflects our determination to build a modern, transparent and trader-friendly Customs Service,” he said.

READ ALSO:Customs Intercepts N5.1b Illicit Drugs From India, Canada At Lagos Airport

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The spokesperson said that under the OSS framework, all customs units would work jointly on flagged declarations, eliminating multiple checks and reducing delays.

According to him, consignments cleared under the OSS will not be subject to re-interception, thereby reducing costs and enhancing trade facilitation.

He said the meeting also provided a platform to review the NCS accountability framework, including a new central dashboard that tracks clearance times, interventions and stakeholder satisfaction.

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