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Groups Plan Protest Over Ararume’s Reinstatement As NNPCL Chair

Published

3 years ago

April 23, 2023

A coalition of over 25 civil society organisations has protested against a court judgment that reinstated Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as Non-Executive Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, after his removal by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The coalition called on the Department of State Services to release its security report on Ararume during his screening by the National Assembly while hinting at a major protest against the judgment in Abuja next week.

According to the groups, under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance, the security report by the DSS on Ararume would give a clear indication of why he was dropped from the board of the NNPCL.

Convener of the CCSGGG, Dominic Ogakwu, issued the protest notice and made the call to the DSS in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, titled ‘Ararume vs. NNPCL: Coalition Urges DSS to Release Security Report, Plans Protest.’

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on Tuesday nullified Ararume’s sacking by the President and reinstated him as Non-Executive Chairman of the NNPCL. In the judgment delivered by Justice Ikwo Inyang, the court had also awarded him N5bn in damages.

The President had on Wednesday sued for calm from all parties involved in the board chairmanship tussle, saying due process would take its course.

Ogakwu stated, “We have undertaken to express our dismay by protesting in Abuja next week, as the judiciary cannot be seen to overreach itself, which, unfortunately, has become the common denominator over the past few weeks.

“The political implication of what has happened in this matter is not lost on those of us that are watching events in the oil and gas sector keenly.

“After a hitch-free transition from the wholly owned government entity to a public liability company, and focused administration since the unbundling, this judgment seeks to muddy the waters and allow elements with less than noble intentions to undermine the operations of the NNPC Limited.

“We had imagined that the courts would take into account not just the national interest but also the international dimension and not project Nigeria as an unstable oil and gas investment destination.”

Ogakwu commended the President for indicating that the Federal Government was appealing the judgment.

“It is gratifying that President Buhari has directed that the judgment be appealed and that the CAMA does not supersede the constitutional provisions of the president to hire and fire any appointee of government. We are also pleased to note a groundswell of opposition to the judgment and we hope that when the federal government appeals the controversial judgment, the appellate court will see reason not to allow the miscarriage of just to stand,” he stated.

On January 5, 2022, Buhari appointed the Board and Management of the NNPCL, replacing Ararume with Margery Okadigbo, widow of the late Chuba Okadigbo who was Buhari’s running mate in the 2003 presidential election.

He also named Mele Kyari as Chief Executive Officer and Umar Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer.

The appointment came barely five months after Buhari signed into law the Petroleum Industry Act (2021).

In September 2021 the President had written to the Senate on the administrative structure amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act, which included the appointment of Non-Executive Board Members, removal of the Ministries of Petroleum and Finance from the Board of the two new institutions, and appointment of Executive Directors.

The appointments took effect from the date of the incorporation of the NNPCL on September 29, 2021.

However, Ararume’s replacement set off a long legal battle that culminated in his favour on Tuesday.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

2 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

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.

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

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

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

Published

18 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

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.
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‎ 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.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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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.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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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