A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba has raised serious concerns over the Nigerian government’s plans to install meters at flow stations across the country.
These flow stations, pivotal in the measurement of crude oil destined for export, have become the focal point of a heated debate over transparency and national sovereignty in the management of Nigeria’s oil resources.
Agbakoba expressed skepticism over the federal government’s initiative, suggesting it reflects deeper issues within Nigeria’s oil sector governance. “The announcement by the FG that it will provide 186 meters at our flow stations is very curious and needs explanation from the Minister of Petroleum,” Agbakoba remarked.
He highlighted the crucial role of these meters in accurately measuring crude oil production, likening their absence to buying petrol without a meter at a fuel station. “How do you determine how much has been sold to you?” he questioned.
Read also: NNPC boss, Kyari, denies Dangote allegations, vows to punish staff involved in overseas petroleum plant
Drawing attention to the operational dynamics, Agbakoba pointed out that international oil companies (IOCs) currently oversee the management and operations of these flow stations and pipelines. This arrangement, according to Agbakoba, implies that the accurate measurement of Nigeria’s crude oil output is largely dependent on these companies.
“If the FG wants to place meters at these flow stations to know how much crude we produce for export, it follows that nobody, apart from the IOCs, can actually say what amount of crude oil we export on a daily basis,” he emphasized.
TVN reports Nigeria has been struggling with meetings its OPEC production quotas, while the pervasive issue of oil theft has been partly blamed for it. The country’s inability to meet its OPEC production targets has also partly been blamed on discrepancies in reported production figures.
Agbakoba’s comments highlight a growing sentiment that without reliable and independently verified metering systems, Nigeria’s ability to accurately track its oil production and revenue remains compromised.
Concluding his remarks, Agbakoba called upon the Minister of Petroleum to provide clarity on the government’s strategy and to safeguard Nigeria’s interests against what he perceives as undue influence from IOCs.
“I thank the Minister and urge him to protect us from these oil companies who have appropriated our crude oil resources,” he urged.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with the complexities of its oil industry, the installation of meters at flow stations emerges as a critical step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of one of the nation’s most vital resources.
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Protect Nigeria against pervasive influence of IOCs, Agbakoba tells petroleum minister
Shelve proposed nationwide protest, IG warns organisers
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stated on Tuesday that the proposed nationwide protest was ill-advised, urging the citizens to abandon the plan.
His comment was in response to social media campaigns mobilising for a nationwide protest slated for August 1 due to the economic hardship in the country.
Speaking during a meeting with commissioners of police in Abuja, Egbetokun noted that the country has its fair share of violent protests with dastardly consequences.
The IG added that the last #EndSARS protest aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts
He said, “Before concluding this address, it is important I address an issue of urgent national importance which appears to have gained some momentum, particularly on social media, in the past few weeks. Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategising and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.
“While the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder. As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences. The last #EndSars protest led to one-tenth destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, and the loss of several lives.
“Tales of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a well-intentioned exercise. Rather than lead to any positive outcome, EndSars merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country. Indeed, we are yet to fully recover from the huge economic losses and deep-seated psychological and emotional trauma inflicted upon our people by these protests.”
He, urged the citizens to jettison the proposed protest, adding that the police have the responsibility to protect citizens and their properties.
Egbetokun said, “Hence, our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and should be jettisoned fortuitously. We have the responsibility to protect properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities. We will therefore not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleash violence on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again.”
Egbetokun stated that measures are in place to ensure that any hoodlums attempting to disguise themselves as protesters will be apprehended.
He said, “We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and dissolving Nigerians. Consequently, I want to seize this opportunity to sound the note of serious warning to hoodlums who may want to take laws into their own hands in the name of protests. Do not worry.”
Abel Damina’s call doubtful, has dubious beginning – Bro Soviet
Pastor Abel Damina of Power Chapel International has recently been at the center of a storm of controversy. Within the Christian community, his teachings have sparked significant perplexity, with many labeling his doctrines as outright heresies. These concerns have raised serious questions about his doctrinal stance and the spiritual root of his ministry.
One of the most contentious aspects of Damina’s teachings is his assertion that sin does not condemn anyone to hell. Additionally, he has claimed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was never a virgin. These and other provocative teachings have led many to question the origin of his inspiration.
To gain deeper insight into the roots of Damina’s ministry and the controversy surrounding it, we spoke with Bro Soviet, a long-time acquaintance who knew Damina before his ministry began.
In a revealing interview, Bro Soviet shared his thoughts on the current controversies and offered a candid perspective on Damina’s spiritual journey.
“When it comes to Abel Damina, I believe he has run out of ideas,” Bro Soviet stated.
“The spirit behind his teachings is definitely not of God because there is meant to be harmony in the body of Christ. When someone finds fault with everyone else and claims to be the only one who is right, it means he is the one who is actually wrong. Abel is someone I have known even before he started his ministry.”
Bro Soviet’s familiarity with Damina dates back to the early days of his ministry. Reflecting on Damina’s early years, Bro Soviet expressed his skepticism about Damina’s calling and discipline.
“Before he started his ministry, I observed an obvious lack of clarity of call and discipline in his lifestyle. His messages don’t bear the fruit of the Spirit of God. I have not seen that clear call. He probably went into ministry because his father was a pastor in the Assemblies of God, and he grew up on church premises and got few bits of information and began to mix them up.
“To fully understand the trajectory of Abel Damina’s ministry, it’s essential to trace his roots back to his arrival in Uyo in 1990.
“When Damina first came to Uyo, I was a member of a church called Life Tabernacle. A branch of Idem Ikon’s Church in Calabar. In Calabar it is called Revival Valley.
“But when they created Akwa Ibom State, the members of the church that came to Akwa Ibom as Akwa Ibomites opened a church in Uyo called Life Tabernacle located along Oron Road in one secondary school.
“Now while the church was growing up, that was when Abel Damina came in. He introduced himself to the man of God called Atauyo Ibanga. When he introduced himself, the pastor only gave him the pulpit to greet the church and introduce himself for 5 or 15 minutes thereabouts. As soon as he dropped the microphone, he left with the two people that he came with.
“After the service, the pastor said, ‘This young man is up to something.” He said that he would never give him the pulpit again. He called Damina, “This Hausa boy,” because in Akwa Ibom then, they call everybody from the north, Hausa.
“So when I learnt that he is from the north and I am also from the north, I went after him, and tried to encourage him. In that process, we went to Dr Uma Ukpai, and he introduced himself and told Uma Ukpai what he came from the north to do and all that. Dr Uma Ukpai used a few words, he said, “Young man, Go back to the north, your assingment is not welcomed here.” That was all.
It was then. I said, “Ah! A father of faith that is supposed to receive a young, vibrant minister…”
That was when I started developing cold feet because it was rejection everywhere. Then, I was thinking that it was persecution but I found out that utterances from his mouth and what he was doing were at variance. That was when I began to develop cold feet.
“Honestly, let me tell you. From the beginning, I saw insincerity, I saw moral bankruptcy, I saw all these things from the beginning. And like I said, that was why I refused to be part of his work.
“Now he came in and introduced himself that he never came to establish any church, rather, he came for a ministers association called ICMA, meaning International Charismatic Ministers Association. Not too long after that, he started a fellowship, calling it FFF. Friday Fire Fellowship. Not too long Power Chapel International started. That was when it was confirmed that he was up to something else other than what he told people when he came.
“As I’m talking today, everything metamorphosed from ICMA to FFF, then to Power Chapel International, and now it is Power City.
“Honestly, there had never been any honesty from the beginning. There had never been a clean, clear vision, from the beginning.
“The foundation was faulty and it’s the same thing that is happening up to date.”
Bro Soviet’s concerns about Damina’s doctrinal stance are not unfounded. “If I met him today, I would tell him to apologize to the body of Christ. His heretical ideas and teachings are leading some gullible young generation of Christians astray. But all I know is, just like music, it will all fizzle away,” Bro Soviet said.
Bro Soviet believes that those who are genuinely seeking Christ will eventually find their way back, despite the confusion caused by Damina’s teachings.
Reflecting on the financial aspect of Damina’s ministry, Bro Soviet shared his experiences from the past. “As a preacher, if your message centers on how to collect money from people every time, then something is wrong. Way back, I used to give him money. Though I was never comfortable because of his character, I knew he was not the one to reward me but God. He had no capacity to manage the money. This was someone who was preaching that all tithes belonged to him and he could do whatever he wanted with it.”
Despite Damina’s current stance against giving, Bro Soviet remains hypocritical. “Like I told you, when you run out of lies, you need to cook up more lies to cover up the previous lies you have told. At the beginning, his foundation was faulty. When the first phase expired, he needed more lies to sustain his life. I don’t know of any academic certificate that he has. He is not a graduate because he didn’t go to any university to my knowledge.”
Bro Soviet’s critique extends beyond Damina’s teachings to his personal life and foundation. “There are men of God in Nigeria who have integrity, but right from the beginning, he exhibited an abysmal level of moral and character bankruptcy in all ramifications. That is why he has the audacity to say once born again, always born again.”
Bro Soviet concluded with a call for accountability and repentance. “As a servant of the kingdom, he should humble himself and apologize to the world for misleading people. Some of us have invested so much into his life and ministry. He has benefited a lot. I housed him and his pastors for one year and six months in Uyo, so I know what I am saying.
“Joshua Talena, if he is sincere, knows what I’m talking about. His own younger brother, Gideon was in the picture. At the beginning as I have been saying, there were a number of people who rushed in thinking they had found a ministry with which they could grow, but not too long after, they were all discouraged and fizzled away. Persons like Joe Odobre, Joe Udomio, Bro Tony that he turned into his driver, Rev. Benny Momoh and Macdonald Edward with his wife and a daughter then; all of them lived in my house at No. 53 Enwe street by Oron Road. Bro Uduak Ekong, Sister Aniebo Ndada Inyang, Bro Charles Uko. There were many more brethren whose names I cannot remember anymore because this was some 34 years ago.
Bro Soviet hasn’t been able to reach Damina to discuss these issues directly. “I will tell him to his face that he should apologize to those men of God he has insulted. He should apologize for misleading people. From the Bible, you can pick one or two scriptures and build any negative message. But the foundation is what is important. A message built on falsehood will eventually crumble. We must remember it is not just about those he has insulted; it’s about the body of Christ. If a man of God twists scripture for personal gain, it’s a problem.”
In Bro Soviet’s view, Damina’s recent messages are fueled by jealousy. “His new messages are products of jealousy. He feels left behind and there is nothing he can do to measure up to the standard of those he is attacking. The men of God he’s talking about, one branch of their church is more than everything he has worked for in his entire life. I urge those fathers of faith he has defamed to forgive him and pray for his repentance.”
Brain Jotter visits Mike Ejeagha, iconic singer behind viral “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo” hit
Nigerian skit maker, Brain Jotter, on Monday paid a visit to legendary highlife singer Mike ‘Gentleman’ Ejeagha.
This visit comes after Brain Jotter’s viral dance moves to Ejeagha’s iconic song “Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche,” gained widespread popularity.
The dance routine involves a series of lively steps, including facing opposite directions, walking towards each other, performing a comical leg dance, and finally, chase each other to the catchy chorus of “Gwo Gwo Gwo Ngwo”.
Ejeagha, now 93, has seen his song, which tells the story of a cunning tortoise outsmarting an elephant, resonate with a new generation, bringing renewed attention to Nigerian folklore and Igbo culture.
The song, part of the Akuko Na Egwu album, Vol. 1, narrates how a clever tortoise tricked an elephant to win a princess’s hand in marriage.
The princess had declined numerous proposals until her father, the king, enquired as to why. She informed him that she was in search of a groom who would present her with an elephant. Next, the tortoise tricked the elephant by pretending to be the chairman of a ceremony. However, the cunning tortoise—a common figure in Igbo mythology—only succeeded in tricking his friend, which infuriated the giant.
Brain Jotter’s initial Instagram clip of the dance, shared on July 5, garnered nearly one million likes by July 21.
Similar videos on TikTok have been viewed massively, with over a thousand recreations and many Nigerians, including celebrities, joining in.Brain Jotter on Monday shared a photo with the highlife legend where he was seated beside Mike Ejeagha with his hand across his shoulder, on Instagram, expressing his joy over the meeting and hinting at a forthcoming story.
He captioned the photo, , “So happy I did this. Story coming soon.”
Watch the video of his visit here
NNPC boss, Kyari, denies Dangote allegations, vows to punish staff involved in overseas petroleum plant
Mele Kyari, the Group Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has strongly refuted allegations made by Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group.
In a statement released on Tuesday through his X handle, Kyari addressed claims that NNPC staff established a petroleum blending plant in Malta, potentially hindering local production.
Kyari categorically denied owning or operating any business ventures outside of a “local mini Agric venture,” emphasizing his own lack of involvement.
He further stated that he’s unaware of any NNPC employee possessing or operating such a blending plant anywhere globally.
Kyari downplayed the potential impact of a Maltese blending plant, asserting it has no bearing on the NNPC’s business decisions or strategic actions. He pledged to enforce the NNPC’s compliance protocols, vowing to punish any employee proven to be involved in such activities.
Read Also: Tinubu writes NASS over quick passage of Minimum Wage Bill
Kyari suggested publicly exposing any staff found to be linked to the alleged plant and notifying relevant government security agencies for further investigation, citing potential national security concerns.
His statement reads, “I am inundated by enquiries from family members, friends and associates on the public declaration by the President of Dangote Group that some NNPC workers have established a blending plant in Malta thereby impeding procurements from local production of Petroleum products.
“To clarify the allegations regarding blending plant, I do not own or operate any business directly or by proxy anywhere in the world with the exception of a local mini Agric venture.
“Neither am I aware of any employee of the NNPC, that owns or operates a blending plant in Malta or anywhere else in the world.
“A blending plant in Malta or any part of the world has no influence over NNPC’s business operations and strategic actions.
“For further assurance, our compliance sanction grid shall apply to any NNPC employee who is established to be involved in doing so if availed and I strongly recommend that such individuals be declared public and be made known to relevant government security agencies for necessary actions in view of the grave implications for national energy security.”
This statement follows recent comments by Dangote, who accused some NNPC staff of establishing a blending plant in Malta, potentially importing low-quality fuel and undermining domestic production.
The post NNPC boss, Kyari, denies Dangote allegations, vows to punish staff involved in overseas petroleum plant appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
180 lawmakers seek release of Nnamdi Kanu
The House of Representatives minority caucus has called for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu.
In a meeting held in Abuja, over 180 lawmakers elected on the platform of minority political parties made the call following the adoption of a motion moved at the special meeting of the caucus on Monday night by Mr Obi Aguocha.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the lawmaker who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Abia State urged his colleagues to take a definitive position on the ongoing lobby to explore possible political solution to the continued detention of the IPOB leader.
The minority caucus is made up of the Peoples Democratic Party which has 115 seats, Labour Party- 35, New Nigeria Peoples Party-19 and the All Progressives Grand Alliance with five seats.
Others are the Social Democratic Party-two seats, the Young Progressives Party and the African Democratic Congress with two seats apiece.
Aguocha emphasised the importance of a common front within the minority caucus, noting that the resolution on Nnamdi Kanu’s case is crucial for national peace, stability, and unity.
“Today, the opposition parties have taken a decisive stand on M
Nnamdi Kanu, the planned protest, insecurity, the dilapidated infrastructure, and the economy,” Aguocha said.
This is just as he called for immediate and strategic engagement with relevant stakeholders to advocate for a peaceful and political resolution to the matter, which he said, “has significant implications for the socio-political landscape of Nigeria.”
He added that dialogue and reconciliation rather than a prolonged abuse of legal processes and confrontation, remain the best option in dealing with the matter.
He expressed his belief that a political solution could pave the way for enhanced national integration and the restoration of trust among various communities.
The adoption of the motion followed the lawmaker’s recent visits to the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, among other interventions.
Details later…
Tinubu writes NASS over quick passage of Minimum Wage Bill
President Bola Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly to enact the minimum wage bill into law, paving the way for the implementation of the recently agreed upon N70,000 minimum wage.
In letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary sessions, Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite the passage of the bill. This move aims to formalize the new minimum wage agreed upon by the federal government and organized labor.
Read Also: Something murky is going on, Ezekwesili weighs in on the Dangote, NNPCL saga
This development comes on the heels of Tinubu’s request last week to increase the 2024 Appropriation Act by N6.2 trillion, with N3.2 trillion allocated for infrastructure projects and N3 trillion for recurrent expenditure.
The swift passage of the minimum wage bill is expected to bring relief to Nigerian workers, who have been awaiting the implementation of the new wage structure. The National Assembly’s prompt action on this matter will be crucial in ensuring the timely realization of this significant policy initiative.
The post Tinubu writes NASS over quick passage of Minimum Wage Bill appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Alleged land grabbing: Detention of my husband, staff, infringement on their rights – Wife begs Tinubu
Mrs Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the alleged unlawful detention of her husband and staff by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Mrs Isaac, who begged the President to direct that the rule of law take its course in the release and prosecution of her husband and staff, alleged a flagrant violation of section 35 of the Nigerian constitution.
Making the appeal in a press statement she signed and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Mrs Isaac said the continuous detention of her husband and staff despite satisfying all bail conditions required by law to release them, amounts to an infringement on their fundamental human rights.
Mr Godwin-Isaac, husband to Mrs Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac and their staff were arrested over two weeks ago following allegations of land grabbing by the EFCC.
The duo was said to have been arrested without investigation into a reported matter at the anti-graft office.
”Section 35 of the Nigerian constitution prescribes that no law enforcement agency has the right to detain one in a civil matter for more than 48 hours.
“This is 13 days and still counting that my husband and several workers are detained by EFCC operatives without prosecuting or releasing them.
“It is a contravention of section 35 of Nigeria’s constitution and an infringement on their right to freedom,” she said.
Mrs Isaac, who is known in the Real Estate sector, condemned the alleged undue detention and asked the EFCC not to take laws into their hands.
She affirmed that her husband and others had satisfied all bail conditions required by law to release them and yet were denied bail, insisting that they ought to be released or charged to court according to the laws rather than incarceration without trial.
Omokamo Godwin-Isaac who expressed her belief in the democratic leadership qualities of President Tinubu, appealed to him to let justice prevail.
“The EFCC Chairman has asked the Elizabeth Eke-led E&SS department to release my husband and yet they refused.
“I don’t know her personal interest in the matter that she has refused to obey the law and her boss ”
She explained that she had never met the Yesufu family who are alleged to be behind the arrest of her husband and staff over a non-existent land-grabbing allegations.
“My husband and I are people of integrity without any record of corruption or fraud or land grabbing, so I wonder why EFCC should be terrorizing us.”
Omokamo Godwin-Isaac appealed to President Tinubu, men and women of good conscience to help preserve Nigeria’s law by calling on EFCC to release her husband and staff.
Alleged land grabbing: Detention of my husband, staff, infringement on their rights – Wife begs Tinubu
BREAKING: Senate passes National Minimum Wage bill into law
The National Minimum Wage Amendment Act, which introduces a new N70,000 national minimum wage, has been passed into law by the Senate.
The executive bill, which was received from the executive arm of government, seeking amendment to the Act to enable upward review of workers’ salaries, was laid for first reading.
Reading the general principles of the bill, Senate Leader Bamidele Opeyemi also explained that the bill, if passed, would reduce the period of review of the minimum wage from five years to three years in line with economic realities, given that the Act was last amended in 2019.
Senators were unanimous on the need to approve the bill, which followed negotiations between the executive and organized labour.
The Senate immediately passed the bill for second reading after which senators dissolved into the committee of the whole for its passage for the third reading
BREAKING: Senate passes National Minimum Wage bill into law
DSS denies arresting Kano man for printing protest T-shirts
The Department of State Services, DSS, has denied reports alleging that operatives of the Service arrested one Bashir Abubakar for printing T-shirts with the inscription ‘#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria’ ahead of the planned nationwide protest.
TVN reports that African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, had in a post on his official X handle on Monday, alleged that Bashir was arrested by the DSS.
According to Sowore, who is one of the organizers of the EndBadGovernment protest scheduled for August, Bashir was released from the DSS custody on Monday.
He wrote, “The team of lawyers sent to the @OfficialDSSNG today secured the release of Bashir Abubakar from the DSS dungeon.
“Bashir was the youth activist from Kano who was accused of producing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria T-shirts in Kano”.
However, when contacted by TVN, the spokesperson of the secret police, Peter Afunanya simply said, “It is not true”.
DSS denies arresting Kano man for printing protest T-shirts