Energy
Nabalayo, Major, Win Asharami Synergy Kenya Creative Writing Competition
Hope Nabalayo and Ariel Major, both students at University of Nairobi have emerged as joint winners the Asharami Synergy Kenya Limited’s, creative writing competition.
Biztellers reports that their winning was announced at an awards ceremony at the KCA University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Cheryl Omolo, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Julius Musya Kilonzo, University of Baraton, and Nelson Gichuki, Kisii University emerged third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
In 2023 Asharami Synergy Kenya and the Sahara Group Foundation organised a creative writing competition for university students in Kenya aimed at fostering greater understanding and participation of youth in climate action, energy transition discourse, and sustainability.
Tagged the ‘Asharami Synergy Creative Writing Competition, the initiative received 225 submissions from university students who sent in essays, poems and plays on “creating a sustainable path for Africa’s energy transition.”
The winning entries stood out for their creativity, originality, and ability to convey compelling messages capable of facilitating the participation of young Kenyans in Africa’s March towards energy access and sustainability.
Director, Sahara Group Foundation, Ejiro Gray, said, “This has been mission accomplished for Sahara Group Foundation and Asharami Synergy Kenya as our focus was to get youths in Kenya involved in the conversation around climate change and energy transition in Africa, especially seeing that they will bear the brunt of decisions made today.
“The quality of the entries indicate we are on course to preparing Kenya youths for a seamless generational sustainability.”
Commending Sahara Group and Asharami Synergy Kenya for the initiative, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Outreach, KCA University, Prof. Vincent Onywera, said, “climate change is a matter that calls for inclusive engagement of all stakeholders leaving no one behind, so this creative writing competition for our youths is important because we must catch them young.”
According to Operations Supervisor, Asharami Synergy Kenya, Lavinah Gonah, “Sahara Group is delighted at the success of the competition and commend all students who participated. Asharami Synergy Kenya remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure Kenya becomes a leading voice in driving a just energy transition for Africa.”
Gonah added that Asharami Synergy Kenya in collaboration with the Sahara Group Foundation and Treedom had since commenced the planting of 1100 trees in Kenya to reduce carbon emissions.
Excited winner, Nabalayo said, “Today, winning this award has validated me as a creative writer. I want to thank Asharami Synergy for giving me and many other students the opportunity to truly express ourselves, and contribute to the cause of creating sustainable solutions.
“Winning this award allows me to tap further into my creativity and be more vocal in environmental matters that affect Africa and knowing that as a youth I am at the forefront of fulfilling this mandate.”
Beaming with smiles, joint winner, Major said, “I’m happy to have won this competition put together by the Sahara Group and Asharami Synergy Kenya. This is a milestone for me, I am passionate about climate justice and climate change. This competition is a step towards developing a clean Kenya and a clean Africa. These are steps that will lead towards clean energy and environmental sustainability.”
In line with Sahara Group’s dedication to celebrating and rewarding excellence, the top five winners received cash prizes, plaques, and certificates for their excellent performance. The joint winners received $500 each, while the third, fourth and fifth winners received $250, $150, and $100, respectively.
In addition, outstanding entries will be published on the competition’s dedicated portal and other platforms.
Asharami Synergy Kenya Limited is a frontline downstream company that contributes to economic growth in the nation by promoting access to reliable and clean energy solutions.
Energy
Nigeria’s Gas Output Increases By 2.9%, Reaching 2.29 MSCF
Amid a slight increase in gas production, Nigeria’s oil output experienced a substantial rise in November 2024.
Gas production saw a 2.9% month-on-month (MoM) increase, reaching 2,292,951 million standard cubic feet (MSCF) from 2,292,471 MSCF in October.
However, on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the growth was minimal, with a mere 0.02% increase in output for the first 11 months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
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The latest gas report from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also revealed a 1.6% increase in domestic gas consumption.
A total of 606,658 MSCF was consumed locally, compared to 596,861 MSCF during the same period in 2023. Gas exports, meanwhile, rose by 6.9%, reaching 829,156 MSCF, up from 775,547 MSCF in the corresponding period of 2023.
This growth in exports continues to play a vital role in bolstering Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
Despite these positive figures, sources close to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) noted that oil remains the dominant force in Nigeria’s energy sector, with gas taking a secondary role.
On the other hand, the NUPRC’s oil production report revealed a remarkable surge.
Nigeria’s oil output, including condensates, rose by 13.3% year-on-year in November 2024, reaching 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd), up from 1.5 million bpd in November 2023. Month-on-month, oil production also increased by 10%, from 1.5 million bpd in October 2024.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), discussed the broader structural dynamics within Nigeria’s economy, highlighting the dominance of the non-oil sector.
In his 2025 Outlook, Dr. Yusuf noted that the non-oil sector contributed 94.43% to Nigeria’s GDP in Q3 2024, while the oil sector accounted for just 5.57%.
“However, the economy is characterized by a paradox of the oil sector contributing an estimated 90% of foreign exchange earnings, while the non-oil sector accounts for about 10%,” Dr. Yusuf said.
“This is a structural shortcoming in our economy which needs to be addressed, as sectors that contribute hugely to GDP have no corresponding contribution to foreign exchange earnings.”
He further emphasized the need to address the challenges faced by the non-oil sector, which include issues related to productivity, infrastructure, funding, and regulatory constraints.
“The policy implication is that more should be done to fix the challenges of productivity and competitiveness of the non-oil sector of the economy,” Dr. Yusuf added
Energy
JUST IN: NNPC Ltd Reopens Warri Refinery
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced that the 125,000-barrel-per-day Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Warri, Delta State, has become operational.
This is coming about a month after the commencement of operations at the 60,000-barrel-per-day-old Port Harcourt Refinery.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, made the disclosure during a tour of the facility on Monday.
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A video posted by Channels TV on Monday showed Kyari addressing a tour team, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.
Before the tour commenced, Kyari explained that the inspection aimed to show Nigerians the level of work completed so far.
According to him, although the repairs on the facility are not yet 100 per cent complete, operations have commenced.
He said, “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”
Located in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji, Warri, the petrochemical plant produces 13,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTA) of polypropylene and 18,000 MTA of carbon black.
Commissioned in 1978 and managed by NNPC Ltd, the WRPC was built to supply markets in the southern and southwestern regions of Nigeria.
The mechanical completion of the facility was initially scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, according to the Spokesperson of the NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye.
“Warri should be done by Q1 (first quarter) 2024,” Soneye stated.
The WRPC is one of Nigeria’s four refineries. Others include the old and new Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company in Kaduna State.
Energy
Dangote Partnership: MRS Urges Nigerians To Insist On N935/Litre Petrol Price Nationwide
MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, a prominent player in the Nigerian downstream oil industry, has implemented a new petrol price of N935 per litre across all its retail service stations nationwide.
The company has also called on Nigerians to monitor and report any outlets that fail to adhere to the new price structure.
Biztellers reports that this is consequent upon an announcement by the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has partnered with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, following a reduction in the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre.
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It was gathered that MRS Oil Nigeria Plc has instructed all its outlets to implement the new price immediately, setting up a digital platform and monitoring team to ensure full compliance.
In a statement on Monday night, the company declared, “Petrol is now being sold at N935 at MRS Filling Stations nationwide. If you find any station not following this price, please report it. Call 08009447853 or email: NG-FMKPMGWHISTLEBLOWING@NG.KPMG.COM”
Emphasising the eco-friendly nature of its products, MRS Oil added, “We call on all petrol station owners to join MRS Oil Nigeria Plc in improving the supply chain of our beloved country, ensuring product quality and availability in every corner of Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
In Lagos, commuters were seen queuing at MRS filling stations to purchase petrol, with many expressing their gratitude to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil and Gas, urging other marketers to support the indigenous refinery rather than import off-spec products into the country.
A commuter at the MRS station at Alapere on the Lagos Ibadan Express way, Ibukun Phillips, could not hide her joy as her husband filled up their car.
“I am very happy today. This is a victory for Nigeria,” she said. “The price reduction is the best gift of the season. But beyond just the reduction, we are buying standard, eco-friendly petrol at a lower rate. My husband and I have decided we will only be using MRS from now on because we are confident in the quality of the product and supporting the economy.”
A commercial bus driver, Adio Ajibade described the price reduction as a great relief, especially during the festive season.
“The reduction is a great relief. It will reduce transportation costs and benefit Nigerians. God will continue to bless Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” he said.
A public affairs analyst and university lecturer, Dr. Tunde Akanni, said the collaboration between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil represents a significant step towards improving the affordability, quality, and sustainability of petroleum products in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Akanni, “this move will not only help ease the financial burden on Nigerians but also promote a more environmentally conscious approach to fuel consumption, benefitting both the economy and public health in the long term.”