NEWS
NCDMB Moves Conference To Uyo, Cites ‘Unprecedented Flood In The Country’
The management of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has announced the movement of her flagship annual Practical Nigerian Content conference to Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.
The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote made the announcement in an email to staff and other stakeholders to confirm that the event would still be held on the scheduled dates, which are 5th – 8th December 2022, and would attract major stakeholders in the oil and gas industry from across Nigeria.
Wabote explained that the change in venue for the conference was due to the unprecedented flood situation that has ravaged 31 states in the country and its impact on the scheduled conference.
He said: “We are saddened to come to the realization that the event is now threatened due to the unprecedented flooding that affected 31 states in the country, including Bayelsa State with most parts of the state seriously affected, including Yenagoa, the state capital and host city for the event.
“While we acknowledge that the flood has begun to recede, it is doubtful that significant recoveries would be made from now to the date of the event, which is about six (6) weeks away.”
The NCDMB boss further noted that the East-West Road, which is one of the major arteries to the state has been badly impacted making it difficult for human and vehicular movements. He pointed out that facilities on the ground in Yenagoa for the hosting of the PNC 2022 have also been heavily impacted. These include hotels, eateries, small businesses/service providers to our partners, logistics support, etc.
He added that “most of our operational vehicles that would provide logistic support to the PNC team are also stuck either in Port Harcourt, Rivers State or Warri, Delta State due to the state of the East-West Road.”
“In view of the foregoing, I am constrained to write to inform all staff of the movement of the venue of the PNC 2022 from Yenagoa to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to hold on the same date.” Wabote said.
He assured that the PNC 2022 Planning Committee would still deliver a top-notch event at Uyo, with the Board’s partners, DMG Nigeria Events.
The Executive Secretary pointed that the movement of the venue is only for the Year 2022, as the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa remains the preferred destination for this NCDMB flagship event. According to him the next edition in 2023 will return to Yenagoa bigger and better to celebrate the resilience of the city.
He expressed shock at the devastating impact of the flooding on livelihoods, businesses, and government activities in Bayelsa State and as well as other states in the country and sympathized with Nigerians on the impact in their homes, including, separation from their loved ones.
The Practical Nigerian Content Forum is a flagship event of the Board which attracts major stakeholders in the oil and gas industry from across Nigeria. The event serves as an opportunity to showcase the practical investment opportunities and achievements by NCDMB in the Nigerian oil and gas industry and its linkage sectors. It also hosts senior government officials, heads of International and Indigenous Oil Companies, and exhibitions of industry products and services in the upcoming event.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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