Business
Shell LiveWIRE Initiative Empowers 9,000 Niger Delta Youths With Entrepreneurial Skills
A total of 9,000 youths in the Niger Delta have acquired entrepreneurial skills under the LiveWIRE programme of The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) since it was introduced in 2003 as part of efforts to boost employment opportunities among people aged 18 – 35 years.
It was gathered that the recipients were trained and supported with start-up grants and business mentorship enabling them to launch their own businesses and become employers of labour.
The latest training, sponsored by the SPDC Joint Venture which includes the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, TotalEnergies and Nigerian Agip Oil Company, involved more than 1,000 young entrepreneurs from host communities in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states. They graduated last week in Port Harcourt having developed business plans and pitched them to experts as part of the training. 654 trainees were selected as best-performers.
ALSO READ: CSR: Dangote Cement Fuels Education With Support Projects At Lagos Schools
“We’re delighted at the success of the LiveWIRE programme,” SPDC Director and Head Corporate Relations, Igo Weli, said at the graduation ceremony. “This training is set aside for young people from our host communities which means they can also enjoy the benefits of the programme and join the teeming number of entrepreneurs, several of whom now have the chance to participate in SPDC’s business as vendors. LIveWIRE is one of many ways through which Shell and her partners are powering progress in Nigeria.”
The graduation ceremony featured a technical conference with the theme, “Unlocking Growth: Leveraging Policies to Build an Inclusive Tech Eco System in the Niger Delta.” The keynote speaker, Iyke Kemabonta, and panelists, Soala Jumbo, Davies Awongo, Kalada Briggs, Vivien Ene and Ezieke Amaefula, challenged the beneficiaries to grow their businesses, overcome environmental challenges and enable the Niger Delta to reap the rewards of the programme.
Trainees from the 2023 Regional LiveWIRE programme from Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Edo states also joined the graduation ceremony. Beneficiaries were inducted into the LiveWIRE Alumni Group by three previous participants who now run their own businesses — Precious Adeho, Queen Esther Bolou-Ebi and Kalada Briggs. The trio encouraged the recipients to use the opportunity as launching pads into international recognition and success.
In a notable achievement, five previous beneficiaries won the LiveWIRE International “Go and Trade Enterprise Linkage Award” which enabled them to embark on trade visits to London, Dubai, Malaysia, and neighboring Ghana. Livewire Nigeria also offers beneficiaries the chance to compete for the Global Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators Award which comes with huge rewards.
LiveWIRE is Shell’s global enterprise development initiative for small businesses and is active in 18 countries. As at 2023, the programme had trained about 3,400 people and helped create more than 1,200 jobs around the world.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is under pressure to suspend its recently introduced increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction charges due to the country’s worsening economic conditions.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Marcus Onobun, a lawmaker representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency in Edo State, raised concerns over the policy through a motion of urgent public importance.
He noted that the CBN’s directive not only increases withdrawal fees but also removes free ATM transactions for customers using other banks’ machines, adding to the financial strain on Nigerians.
SEE ALSO: Direct CBN To Suspend ATM Fee Hike Pending Court Verdict, SERAP Tells Tinubu
According to the new regulations, customers withdrawing from their own bank’s ATMs will still enjoy free withdrawals.
However, those using other banks’ ATMs will now be charged N100 for withdrawals of N20,000 within a bank’s premises. At off-site ATMs, such as those in shopping malls or markets, the charge remains N100, but with an added N500 surcharge.
Onobun, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), argued that Nigerians are already struggling with economic difficulties, including high inflation, rising fuel costs, increased electricity tariffs, and multiple banking fees.
He warned that the additional charges could further discourage financial inclusion, particularly among low-income earners, contradicting the CBN’s own agenda.
“The banking sector continues to record significant profits, yet customers are being burdened with more charges without any improvement in service delivery or infrastructure. This is unfair and unacceptable,” he stated.
Following his motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the matter to a voice vote, and lawmakers overwhelmingly supported it.
As a result, the House of Representatives called on the CBN to immediately halt the implementation of the policy until further consultations are held with relevant banking and finance committees.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is already emplacing an new naira for crude contract with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, because the initial contract was for six months which expired in March 2025.
This clarification was made in a statement in Abuja by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye on Monday.
ALSO READ: Naira-For-Crude Policy Still-In-Force – Chairman, Technical Sub-Committee
According to Soneye, the NNPC Limited has noted recent reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged unilateral termination of the crude oil sales agreement in Naira between NNPC Ltd. and Dangote Refinery.
To clarify, the contract for the sale of crude oil in Naira was structured as a six-month agreement, subject to availability, and expires at the end of March 2025. Discussions are currently ongoing towards emplacing a new contract.
Under this arrangement, NNPC Ltd. has made over 48 million barrels of crude oil available to Dangote Refinery since October 2024. In aggregate, NNPC Ltd. has made over 84 million barrels of crude oil available to the Refinery since its commencement of operations in 2023.
NNPC Limited remains committed to supplying crude oil for local refining based on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group), in collaboration with Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), and other stakeholders hosted a high-impact symposium to mark International Women’s Day 2025.
Held under the theme “Accelerate Action for all Women: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment,” the event rallied stakeholders to drive gender inclusivity in Nigeria’s economy.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hon Hannatu Musa Musawa, delivered the keynote, stressing the economic and social imperative of women’s empowerment. “Investments in education, vocational training, and capital access are crucial for sustainable growth,” she stated.
On his part, Group Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga, reaffirmed the group’s commitment to gender diversity. “We are taking deliberate steps to ensure fairness and empowerment for women, enabling them to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth,” he said.
ALSO READ: Osun LGs: Adeleke Briefs Traditional Rulers
In the same vein, Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, called for reforms to boost women’s participation in capital markets.
“We must push for policies that encourage female representation in leadership and governance. This is a collective responsibility,” he urged.
In his contribution, Group Managing Director and CEO of NGX Group and Chairman of CSCS, Temi Popoola, emphasized the urgency of the symposium’s theme, “Accelerate Action.”
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to creating opportunities that empower women in business, finance, and leadership. Our goal is to build an ecosystem where women not only thrive but also inspire the next generation of leaders,” he remarked.
The event featured a panel of accomplished female leaders, including Chalya Shagaya, Hilda Baci, Pai Gamde, Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, Kari Tukur, Odiri Oginni, Solape Akinpelu, and Adaorie Udechukwu, who shared strategies for breaking barriers and fostering women’s economic empowerment. Professor Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, emphasized the role of education and mentorship in bridging gender gaps.
The NGX Group hosted the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality ceremony, a global initiative promoted by IFC, UN Global Compact, UN SSEI, UN Women, and the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE). The ceremony honoured women’s contributions to Nigeria’s capital markets and reinforced NGX Group’s commitment to inclusivity.
The event, attended by veteran actress Joke Silva and female directors from NGX Group, Ojinika Olaghere, Lilian Olubi, Ummahani Ahmad Amin, Amina Mohammed as well as SEC Commissioner, Frana Chukwuogor, called for accelerated action to empower women across all sectors.
The symposium and the closing gong ceremony reinforced NGX Group’s role in driving gender equality and economic growth. As Honourable Hannatu Musa Musawa aptly stated, “The time for rhetoric is over. It is time for action.”
Couple Impersonates Katsina First Lady, Defrauds Victims Of N197m
Natasha Distorted Facts, Embarrassed The Senate – Akpabio
JUST IN: VDM In Trouble As Court Issues Arrest Warrant
Senate Passes Vote of Confidence In Akpabio Amid Controversy
Peter Obi In High-Level Meeting With Gov Bala Mohammed
