News
Why Nigeria Will Continue To Produce Fossil Fuels – Lokpobiri
Published
9 months agoon
By
Editor
In spite of the ongoing global energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Nigeria will continue to produce fossil fuels, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has stated.
Lokpobiri who made the assertion on Tuesday, while speaking at the 13th Practical Nigerian Content organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, said Nigeria already has enough market for fossil fuels in Africa.
His remarks, which highlighted the theme of the programme, ‘Deepening the Next Frontier for Nigerian Content Implementation’, pointed out that no country in the world will stop the production of fossil fuels when there is still a market for it.
According to him, even a nation that champions energy transition like the United Kingdom awarded over 100 licences to companies to continue crude oil exploration.
He said, “All the nations that say we should stop the production of fossil fuel, we will never stop the production in Nigeria; no country in the world will stop it.
“Just in 2023, the United Kingdom contributed 4.8 per cent of global emissions, higher than the entire OPEC countries put together. The entire African continent together contributes about three per cent, but the UK contributes 4.8 per cent, and they gave over 100 licences to new companies for new exploration.
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“America is the highest producer of fossil fuels, so why should we stop? Those who are telling us to stop are themselves not stopping, so we should know that it is about politics.
“Let me also use this opportunity to challenge the industry that with the emergence of Trump, the price of oil may be battered. What I want us to do is to increase our production. Africa already has enough market, we can produce enough fuel to supply the West African region and the entire Africa, but our biggest challenge has to do with funding.”
The Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, challenged NCDMB to engage grassroots stakeholders by incorporating diverse perspectives to ensure that their strategies are inclusive and reflective of the aspirations of all Nigerians.
Ewhrudjakpo urged participants at the forum to move beyond dialogue to implementation with a view to ensuring that the outcomes of the conference drove real and meaningful change in the oil and gas industry.
He described the theme of the Practical Nigerian Content as forward-looking and called on the participants to engage actively with a focus on transforming ideas into actionable strategies that would yield lasting impacts.
He said, “Leveraging technology and empowering local talent will create a vibrant ecosystem that promotes creativity, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.”
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While commending NCDMB for their leadership and commitment to advancing Nigerian content that has established a framework for excellence and innovation, he assured that “Bayelsa remains steadfast in its collaboration with the NCDMB and other credible partners across various sectors such as energy, agriculture, healthcare and tourism which align with the state’s ASSURED Prosperity Agenda.
“Let us focus on building resilient and sustainable frameworks that enable communities to actively participate in emerging sectors, particularly the digital economy. This will ensure shared prosperity and a future where no one is left behind.
“Together, we can redefine the landscape of Nigerian content implementation. By fostering innovation, inclusivity, and strategic partnerships, we can unlock new frontiers for growth and sustainable development.”
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Felix Ogbe, highlighted some of the milestones achieved in the last 7 years including the commissioning of the new library at the Niger Delta University, Amassoma in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company and other joint partners.
Others include the commissioning of the Kwale Gas Gathering and injection facility in Delta State, the commissioning of 150 LPG in Kaduna State as well as the inauguration of the gas leak detection facility in Abuja as some of the achievements recorded.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, urged local businesses in the country to invest in Compressed Natural Gas, saying gas will be the mainstay of the economy after the energy transition.
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Ekpo said, “Gas will be the mainstay of Nigeria’s energy shift, and we are giving local businesses a chance to engage in gas distribution, processing and power generation. The probable replacement for PMS has been determined to be natural gas in the form of CNG.
“Let me reiterate this administration’s unwavering commitment to advancing local content as a cornerstone of our energy strategy. Together, we have the opportunity to build an energy industry that empowers Nigerians, strengthens our economy and contributes to a sustainable future.”
In his goodwill message, Dr Omar Farouk Ibrahim of the African Energy Bank said Africa should not be deterred by the global energy transition to renewable energy and that the objective of establishing the bank was to continue to fund investments in oil and gas.
Earlier, Ogbe said the board had achieved 56 per cent in Nigerian Content implementation level in 2024 compared to 26 per cent in 2016.
Ogbe cited some achievements of the board including the commissioning of Amal Technologies in Idu, Abuja and the Kwale Gas Gathering facility in Delta State; approval of 312 Nigerian Content Plans and the issuance of 402 Nigerian Content Compliance Certificates amongst others.
The conference would continue on Wednesday with several panel sessions.
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News
‘My Wife Keeps Late Nights, Returns Home Drunk, Denies Me Sex Since She Joined OPC’
Published
1 hour agoon
September 13, 2025By
Editor
Grade A Customary Court 2 sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the 13-year-old wedlock between a couple, Adisa and Falilat, on the grounds of no love, irresponsibility, drunkenness and keeping of late nights by the latter.
Adisa stated that Falilat became wild and uncontrollable after she joined the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).
Adisa explained that Falilat hardly slept at home and on the few occasions she did, she always denied him s3x.
According to the plaintiff, the last time he and the defendant had s3x was almost two years ago.
He added that their children always looked haggard and unkempt because she seldom cooks for them nor gave attention to their appearance.
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Adisa said he could no longer stomach Falilat’s excesses and therefore prayed that their union be dissolved.
Falilat refused to come to court in spite of being served court summonses.
Adisa in his evidence said, My wife and I got married 13 years ago although I did not pay her bride price.
“The once intimate and steady relationship between my wife and I has turned sour and degenerated because of her rebellious nature.
“She has made life unbearable for me ever since she joined the OPC. Falilat is now wild and uncontrollable.
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“She refuses to take instructions from me and dares that I do my worst any time we have a misunderstanding.
“My wife has completely abandoned her duties at home.
“She neither cooks for our children nor ensures that they appear neat. They look haggard and unkempt all the time.
“Falilat hardly sleeps at home. On the few occasions she did, she would return home in the middle of the night drunk and disturbing the neighbourhood.
“She has turned me into a source of ridicule in our compound and neighbourhood.
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“Falilat denies me my conjugal right. The last time we had sex was almost two years ago.
“My lord, I am better off without a wife than have Falilat under my roof.
“I pray the court to stop our relationship so that I can have peace of mind.”
The court president, Mrs O.E Qwoseni, while giving her judgment stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was carried out and the bride price was not paid.
Owoseni added that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend herself but that she failed to make use of the opportunity.
According to her, the evidence of the plaintiff was deemed admitted.
Ruling, Owoseni dissolved their union.
News
Tears As MKO Abiola’s Wife Doyinsola Laid To Rest In Lagos
Published
14 hours agoon
September 12, 2025By
Editor
Dr Doyinsola Abiola, pioneering journalist and widow of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, was laid to rest on Friday in Lekki, Lagos, following a solemn funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina.
Her burial concluded a week of tributes that began on Tuesday at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, where family, colleagues, and associates celebrated her groundbreaking contributions to journalism and her service to Nigeria.
The funeral service, officiated by Ven. Henry Adelegan, Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral, featured scriptural readings by family and close associates. Psalm 91 was read by Midun Tobun, while the Epistle from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 was delivered by Suru Aboaba.
In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. Pelu Johnson, reflected on Abiola’s legacy under the theme of restoration and hope. He hailed her as a “record-breaker who shattered glass ceilings,” noting her trailblazing achievements as Nigeria’s first female Ph.D. holder in journalism, first female editor of a national daily, and the first woman to lead a national newspaper as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the National Concord.
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“She stood resolutely with her husband during Nigeria’s democratic struggle, using Concord Newspapers as a powerful voice in the battle for freedom. Her legacy lives on through the generations she inspired and mentored,” Bishop Johnson said.
He also used the occasion to urge the government to confront Nigeria’s current challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, and corruption, while easing the burden on citizens.
The service drew a distinguished audience, including President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Minister of Finance Wale Edun; Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode; former Ogun State governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel; and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nike Akande.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Eniola Bello, Managing Director of ThisDay; Adesoji Ajayi-Bembe, Obanikoro of Lagos; Sir Steve Omojafor, Chairman of STB-McCann; Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti; former presidential aide Femi Adesina; Mrs Abimbola Fashola, wife of former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola; Dele Babarinsa, co-founder of Tell magazine; Yemi Ogunbiyi, Managing Director of Daily Times; and Gbenga Adefaye, Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.
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Following the service, her body was conveyed to her final resting place in Lekki, where she was laid to rest amid prayers, hymns, and heartfelt tributes.
Dr Doyinsola Abiola, who died on August 5, 2025, at the age of 82, is remembered as a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism, a defender of democracy, and a matriarch whose quiet strength and enduring influence left an indelible mark on the nation.
News
Air Peace Reacts To NSIB’s Report On Drug, Alcohol
Published
17 hours agoon
September 12, 2025By
Editor
The management of Air Peace has reacted to media reports based on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, regarding an incident involving one of its aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
The airline’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by its management and shared on its official X account on Friday.
Air Peace, which operates domestic and regional routes, has in recent years positioned itself as Nigeria’s flagship private carrier, with a reputation for relatively strong operational standards in an industry often plagued by safety concerns.
The airline is also IOSA-certified, a global safety benchmark by the International Air Transport Association.
The PUNCH reports that the NSIB on Friday indicted an Air Peace pilot and a Co-pilot for taking hard drugs and alcohol.
The accident investigators tested the crew positive for the substances after the aircraft they flew was involved in a runway excursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Air Peace Crew Tested Positive For Alcohol, Drug — NSIB Report
This was contained in a preliminary report signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, made available to PUNCH Online on Friday.
However, reacting to the report, on Friday, the airline’s statement partly read: “Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.
“We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident.”
The carrier emphasised that it places the highest priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, describing the report as misleading.
“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight,” the statement said.
The airline further explained its internal policies on crew discipline, stating, “Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tension As Air Peace Flight Veers Off Runway In Port Harcourt
Providing details of actions taken after the Port Harcourt incident, Air Peace revealed that the captain of the affected flight was grounded.
“The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot but not for testing positive to the breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date”, the airline’s statement added.
However, the airline defended the co-pilot, saying he acted professionally during the incident. “Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
“The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties”, it stated.
The airline added that if the relieved captain’s test result later proves positive, then it would “increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.”
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Air Peace also stressed the importance of retraining and stricter monitoring going forward.
“Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasised. We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy”, the statement continued.
Reassuring passengers and the Nigerian public, the airline added: “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace.”
The July 13, 2025, incident at Port Harcourt International Airport reportedly involved a go-around manoeuvre initiated by the co-pilot after the captain allegedly failed to adhere to standard landing procedures.
Media reports suggested that alcohol consumption may have been a factor, citing a breathalyser test.
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