News
Ex-Rep Drags Wabote To EFCC Over Disbursement Of Funds For NCDMB Projects In Bayelsa

A former member of the Federal House of Representative from Bayelsa State, Isreal Sunny-Goli, has filed a petition before the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, over the need for a thorough investigation into the controversies surrounding the payment of $35 million for projects in the state.
The projects includes the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited, the Atlantic International Refinery & Petrochemical Limited, as well as the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited.
Recall that recently the House of Representative Committee on Local Content, led by its chairman, Boma Goodhead, launched a probe into the alleged payment of the sum of $35 million, with 40 per cent equity, to a company with a registration value of N10 million.
During the probe, the Committee accused the former management team of the Nigerian Content and Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB, headed by erstwhile Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, of showing signs of alleged financial recklessness for investing a total of N14 billion for shares to a company one year after it was registered in 2020.
Sunny-Goli, who was a member of the Federal House of Representative representing Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State in the 9th Assembly, urged the EFCC to investigate the projects, which are situated within the precinct of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
He said given his years of active political and communal leadership and by all standards, he is qualified to express concerns about the overall development of his people and to protect same.
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Parts of the petition read: “It is on this premise that I hereby wish to forward a petition to the Commission for a thorough investigation and possible prosecution.
“It relates to the disbursement of funds for the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited, the Atlantic International Refinery & Petrochemical Limited, as well as the Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited, all situated within the precinct of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, during the tenure of the immediate past Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), Eng. Simbi Kesiye Wabote.”
Sunny-Goli pointed out that the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Limited was a project conceived to establish two trains of 5,000MTPD methanol plants and one train of 500MMscf per day processing plant and associated infrastructure to be sited in Odiama, Brass Island, Bayelsa State, with a total NCDMB equity contribution for this project is $200m.
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“With an initial payment of $20m made in May, 2021, and an annual payment of $60m over the period of 3 years. He alleged that the NCDMB Directors involved were the past Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Simbi Wabote and Mohammed Umar with one Mr. Ben Okoye as the Keyman.
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“Also the Atlantic International Refinery & Petrochemical Limited: This project was conceived for the establishment of a 2,000bpd Modular Refinery, a jetty facility, and a 2MW power plant in the Brass Free Trade Zone (FTZ), Bayelsa State. With the project current status as nothing tangible has been accomplished on this project, thus making its delivery uncertain and gloomy.
“Its target completion period was 24 months from the date of financial close. Full investment amount of $35m was released in one bullet in October 2020. The Keyman is one Akindele Akintoye and the NCDMB Directors involved are Simbi Wabote and Isaac Yalah. Current Status of Project: The project has stalled and has little or nothing to show for the disbursement made. Delivery timeline is also uncertain.
“Brass Petroleum Product Terminal Limited: The investment was for the establishment of a 50 million-litre facility with a two-way product jetty, automated storage tanks, and loading bay in Brass, Baylesa State. Project was initially conceived to have the NNPC Limited and the NCDMB as shareholders with the private company but was curiously financed by the Simbi-led NCDMB alone. The Keymen involved as NCDMB Directors are Simbi Wabote and Mohammed Umar.
“Current Status of Project: The project for which funds were disbursed in September 2021, has not progressed as expected, and its completion remains not only uncertain but funding by the other shareholders is also not assured,” the petition added.

News
Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.
Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.
Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.
“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.
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He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.
According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.
Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.
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He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.
One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.
He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
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Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
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Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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