NEWS
Omatsola Ogbe Assumes Office As Exec Sec, NCDMB
. . . Charges Staff On High Performance
The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has assumed office and held his first official meeting with the Directors and management of the Board.
The Corporate Communications of the Board, revealed this in a statement issued on Thursday, in Abuja.
Biztellers reports that Ogbe was appointed on Thursday by President Bola Tinubu, replacing Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, who had served for seven and half years in office.
The statement indicated that at a meeting on Thursday at the NCDMB’s Abuja liaison office, the new ES received a high-level briefing on the Board’s projects and initiatives from the Directors and senior management.
The new NCDMB boss lauded the achievements recorded by the agency, especially the human capacity development programme which had produced Nigerians, now providing high-tech services in other African oil-producing countries.
On the Nigerian Content 10-year strategic roadmap which had recorded 54 percent achievement in the 6th year of implementation, the new ES announced that expert consultants would be invited to certify the performance and metrics, to give it more authenticity.
He charged senior officials of the Board to continue delivering high performance in their various roles, to sustain the Board’s premium position.
Ogbe also indicated the need for the Board to carry out sensitization programmes to key stakeholders in cities across Nigeria on the opportunities created by the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
He also harped on the need for the Board to work closely with its contractors to speed up the delivery of its direct projects such as the Nigerian Oil and Gas Parks Scheme, to realize their objectives for the economy.
The new ES hails from Warri South in Delta State and is a vastly experienced oil and gas engineer and holds separate Masters Degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.
He has over 37 years of experience in core oil and gas operations in Nigeria and local content operations, notably onshore and offshore, LNG, Water Drilling, Treatment and Storage Facilities, Civil, Building, Dredging Engineering, and other construction.
His experiences were garnered in Nigeria, across Africa, Busan, South Korea and USA, where he worked in the Conceptions, Engineering Designs, Project and Construction Management to Commissioning Phases of projects.
His work experiences include Chevron Corporation, where he held top positions in Nigeria and overseas, before he retired voluntarily in June 2014, to go into private business.
While at Chevron Nigeria Limited, he served as Construction Services Group Superintendent (Escravos-Warri) and was responsible for in-house construction services requirements to support the Company Operations.
He equally served as Offshore Projects Manager, where he was responsible for all the Engineering designs, Planning and execution of Maintenance works and installation of new facilities to support productions in Chevron Nigeria Limited offshore locations.
Other assignments he held in Chevron included Construction Manager (Lagos & Escravos-Warri), Escravos Gas Project (EGP-3B), where he was responsible for the fabrication and installation of various sizes of pipelines/flowlines in offshore and onshore locations in the Niger Delta.
In his early years, he served as Construction Superintendent responsible for Engineering Designs and Construction requirements, and also worked as the Cost Control Engineer and was responsible for all Facility Engineering Division Projects’ cost controls, budgeting and cashcalls.
Ogbe is a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Council of Registered Engineers, and American Institute of Civil Engineers.
He is married with children.
NEWS
Fuel Pricing: PETROAN Accuses Dangote Refinery Of Monopoly
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
READ MORE: Nigeria’s Debt Service Ratio Falls To 65% As Tinubu Tackles Economic Woes
PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.
NEWS
Hardship: Let Us Intensify Prayers For Our Leaders – Sultan Of Sokoto Tells Nigerians
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, has called on Nigerians to avoid publicly criticizing their leaders, instead urging citizens to place their trust in God to address leadership concerns as He deems fit.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organized by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, the Sultan emphasized faith and patience in navigating the country’s challenges.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Attack Police Facility In Owerrinta, Female Detainee Killed
Acknowledging Nigeria’s current economic and social hardships, the Sultan encouraged continuous prayer, not only for the nation but for its leaders as well.
“Even though many feel times are particularly hard, we believe relief will come. Let’s increase our prayers for our leaders, trusting God to address them in His way,” he said, expressing hope that divine intervention could bring stability and prosperity.
The Sultan reminded political leaders of their ultimate accountability to God, cautioning that they will stand alone on the Day of Resurrection, with only their deeds to support them.
“On that day, every leader will stand alone. Governors, advisers—none will have support except their own deeds. Let us act with a deep sense of responsibility and fear of God,” he stated.
Addressing religious leaders, he warned against misleading their followers for personal gain, underscoring the trust many place in their religious guidance.
“Only God can save any human being,” he said, encouraging Nigerians to remain faithful and discerning in their spiritual beliefs. “Focus on worshiping Allah and leave the rest to Him. Don’t follow those who might lead you astray.”
With leaders from various religious communities, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in attendance, the Sultan called for unity, resilience, and communal effort to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and insecurity in the northern region.
He praised the North’s history of unity and resilience, warning against divisive narratives that threaten communal harmony. “When we are united, we can face any challenge and build a prosperous community,” he asserted.
The Sultan’s remarks come amid ongoing social and environmental issues in the region, including a recent surge in climate-related challenges that have exacerbated poverty and security threats.
In light of these issues, he called on both Muslims and Christians to intensify their prayers, saying, “Our country faces many challenges, and we must turn to God in prayer. Let us intensify prayers in our mosques and churches.”
NEWS
#EndBadGovernance Protests: Tinubu Orders Release Of Detained Minors
In a decisive move, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors detained by police during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
The directive, announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on Monday, underscores the government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice.
Related News: EndBadGovernance Protests: Court Sets N10m Bail Each For 67 Minors
Idris confirmed that President Tinubu’s directive prioritizes the welfare of detained minors, instructing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate their safe reunification with their families.
A committee led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will be established to oversee the welfare of the released minors and ensure compliance with the president’s orders.
Additionally, President Tinubu has directed a formal investigation into the actions of law enforcement agencies involved in the arrests.
The president emphasized that any misconduct uncovered during the investigation will result in disciplinary action, affirming his administration’s dedication to accountability within law enforcement.