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Pipeline Contract: Northern Youth Group Backs Tompolo

Published

3 years ago

September 5, 2022

The Coalition of Northern Youths on Monday faulted the criticisms that trailed the award of multi-million dollar pipeline contract to former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

The organisation wondered why some Nigerians were kicking against the contract when the process that led to its award was well advertised and transparent.

The coordinator of CNY, Muktar Adamu, said in Abuja that the action of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited was necessitated by the need for Nigeria to hire private contractors to protect its oil pipelines nationwide against vandalism and massive oil theft.

Adamu said the NNPC was not dealing with Tompolo as an individual but rather with a private company he has an interest in, which he said is not an aberration but a step in the right direction.

While stating that Nigerians must be careful in making hasty judgement on crucial government actions or policies, Adamu said that blocking lope holes in revenue generation for the country should ordinarily elicit excitement across the country instead of referring to ethnicity and religion as a focus in the narrative.

He said, ”Nigerians must realize that oil theft has drastically reduced our production capacity, thereby affecting oil revenue accrued to the country; the development has led to a drop in the government’s earnings, creating environmental pollution and other health hazards.

“It is also a fact that Nigeria loses millions of barrels of crude oil a year because of theft and vandalism, including the tapping of crude from a maze of pipelines owned by oil majors, underscoring how poor security causes vast financial losses for the country.

“We believe that every Nigerian should be concerned that Nigeria lost $1 billion in revenue during the first quarter of this year due to crude oil theft.

“This trend poses an existential threat to the oil and gas sector and, if not curbed, the Nigerian economy. We wish to state that the government’s efforts in addressing this trend are commendable and should give well-meaning Nigerians a sense of joy that mechanisms are being put in place to address this challenge.

“Most Nigerians might not be aware that the process that led to the award of the contract was well advertised and bided for by competent companies through a most transparent bidding process that saw over five firms participating in the bid process.

”It is a statement of the fact that there is no better time than now for the government to initiate steps to stop crude oil theft in the country in our quest for improved revenue to tackle the myriads of economic challenges in the country.

“The fact that due process was followed in the contract process is also a display of unalloyed commitment by the Minister of State for Petroleum to entrench a regime of transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s critical oil and gas sector.”

The CNY said that securing critical national assets of the country knew no tribe or religion but competence, adding that the firm linked to Tompolo has the capacity and required expertise to secure critical assets in the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria.

“The fact that the country is looking inwards for solutions to our challenges is a plus for the government. As in the case of Mr Tompolo, the NNPC has indeed acted well in encouraging local content development in the oil and gas industry.

“We also wish to state that Mr Tompolo is not new to the task at hand as it is on record that he has successfully executed such contracts in times past in the country. Therefore the company’s competence to deliver is not in doubt, which remains a win for the country.

“The coalition wishes to advise those vested interests neck deep in the oil theft regime to desist from heating the polity with half-truths on the objective of the contract to secure oil infrastructures in the country. They must realize that the wealth of Nigeria belongs to Nigerians across ethnic and religious affiliations,” he added.

News

Nigeria Now Deadliest Place On Earth To Be Christian – Nigerian Bishop Laments

Published

35 minutes ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Benue State, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, says Nigeria has become the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.

Bishop Anagbe made this statement on Thursday while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, CPC

Speaking before the US Congress, the Bishop said that the controversy escalated after President Trump designated Nigeria on the CPC list on 31 October 2025.

He alleged systematic persecution of Christians in the country, saying “Attacks by Fulani militants and Boko Haram have intensified, targeting Christian communities with impunity.

“More believers are killed there annually than in the rest of the world combined, yet perpetrators face little accountability.

“Violence is spreading, displacing millions and destroying farmland, creating a humanitarian crisis worsened by food insecurity. Without urgent intervention, Christianity risks being wiped out in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.

“Nigeria, already designated a Country of Particular Concern, must now be met with decisive action,” he said.

News

Christian Genocide: Back Nigeria CPC Redesignation With Action, Nigerian Bishop Begs Trump

Published

48 minutes ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, in Benue State, Wilfred Anagbe, has appealed to President Donald Trump of the United States to match its renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, with concrete action.

Bishop Anagbe made this call on Thursday, while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC

He said, “On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter.

“It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country.”

The cleric also called on lawmakers to tie security and humanitarian aid to measurable improvements.

“Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government,” he said.

Bishop Anagbe told lawmakers that many Christian victims in Benue remain traumatised, adding that one priest he knows cannot walk after surviving a terrorist attack.

‘Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
He accused the federal government of downplaying casualty figures and abandoning survivors of repeated assaults.”

Anagbe also argued that President Donald Trump’s earlier CPC designation “aimed to stabilise Nigeria” but “worsened the safety of Christians.”

News

JUST IN: Obafemi Awolowo Olusegun Awolowo Is Dead

Published

1 hour ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

A grandson of the late Nigerian nationalist and statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, is dead.

Olusegun, who was the former executive director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), died at the age of 62.

The Awolowo family confirmed his death in a statement on Thursday.

The statement reads in part: “with extremely heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather — Olusegun Awolowo.

“He was the world’s most phenomenal husband, father and grandfather — steady, wise, endlessly loving, and the constant anchor of our family.

The family described him as a “painfully loyal servant to Nigeria” who dedicated his life to public service with vision, integrity, passion and unwavering commitment.

“He was a true family man, a great friend, a wonderful servant of God, and a deeply beautiful human being. He loved his family. He loved his work.

“He loved his country. And he lived every day with purpose, humility and a generous spirit that touched everyone who knew him,” the statement added.

The family concluded by saying, “We are shattered by this loss, but forever grateful for his life, his legacy, and the love he poured into all of us. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”