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Obasanjo Sounds Alarm Over Massive Crude Oil Theft In Nigeria
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo sounded the alarm on Nigeria’s economic challenges, fingering widespread oil theft as a major contributor.
Obasanjo highlighted that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s crude oil was being stolen, exceeding the allocated quota and severely impacting the nation’s financial stability.
This is as Prof. Ango Abdullahi, former Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, delivered a scathing critique of Nigeria’s leadership, declaring it a failure and emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to address the leadership deficit.
This was disclosed during a gathering in Abuja, coinciding with the launch of ‘Court and Politics,’ a book by Dr. Umar Ardo, a former associate of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Obasanjo, represented by ex-governor Babangida Aliyu, expressed concern about Nigeria’s economy, questioning how it could thrive when over 80 percent of its crude oil was stolen.
The former president highlighted that despite the crude oil quota standing at approximately two million barrels per day, a staggering over 1.7 million barrels were being stolen.
Despite advocating for the presidential system, Obasanjo noted that adherence to rules is lacking among Nigerians.
Abdullahi, presiding over the occasion, called for a collective acknowledgment of failures and a return to the drawing board to tackle the country’s myriad challenges.
He said, “Enough of our failures. Something else must give way to our failures. We have failed this country. This must stop. Time has come for us to go back to the drawing boards to rescue this country.”
He drew attention to Nigeria’s struggle to generate a mere 4,000 megawatts of power for a population exceeding 200 million, stressing the need for urgent, comprehensive solutions.
Sharing an encounter with elder statesman Aminu Dantata, Abdullahi revealed Dantata’s frustration with northerners, blaming them for the failures in the North.
Abdullahi emphasized a collective acknowledgment of these failures, stating, “Enough is enough; we must agree that we failed enough.
“I visited Dantata and he was very angry with me, saying the people of the North have failed the North and Nigeria. Until the North accepts that they have failed the North and sit together to discuss the way forward, there won’t be progress.
“We gathered in 1978 when we wanted to return to civilian rule. We were to discuss why the system of 1961 failed but we were shocked when they said the parliamentary system of government was not going to be discussed and that we should go for the federal system of government.
“And they gave us two options: that of the French and America. And now we have practised the presidential system for 24 years and it has failed and I will score it F9.
“Time has come for us to go back to the drawing board so that we can save this country.”
Former PDP National Chairman Prince Secondus advocated for judicial reforms, aiming to ensure that elections are decided by the people rather than being subjected to judicial interventions.
However, former Attorney General Kanu Agabi defended the judiciary, emphasizing its crucial role in preventing the disintegration of Nigeria.
Further contributing to the discussion, former PDP National Chairman Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo claimed he was ousted from office for championing internal democracy within the party.
He argued that promoting internal democracy would reduce the courts’ involvement in political party affairs.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.
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