Chairperson of new NNPC board still unclear

Although the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Act as amended in 2007 provides for the appointment of nine persons to the Board, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, named six members, leaving the public, including the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, as well as NNPC with the need for clarification.  

Statutorily, the Chairman of the board should either be the Minister of Petroleum Resources or the Group Managing Director appointed by the President; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance; six other persons appointed by the President, who by their experience and knowledge of the oil and gas industry, have the capability of contributing to the Corporation.  

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina announced yesterday that Buhari had reconstituted the NNPC Board following the expiration of the term of the board members appointed in 2016.

While the six other members, as listed by extant regulations were appointed by the President and are Mohammed Lawal (North West), Tajudeen Umar (North East), Adamu Mahmood Attah (North Central), Senator Magnus Abe (South South), Dr Stephen Dike (South East), and Pius Akinyelure (South West).

Expectations were that the GMD, Mele Kyari, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse and the Minister or State Minister of Petroleum Resources, who should be the chairman would make up the other three members of the new board.

Recall that Buhari had appointed Dr Thomas John last year as an acting alternate chairman of the Governing Board of NNPC to end the tenure of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu.

John was expected to hold the position until the appointment of a new Minister or Minister of State for Petroleum Resources. 

It was, however, not clear, if the President, who doubles as Minister of Petroleum Resources is holding to the chairmanship of the board or the Minister of State, Timipre Sylva.

When asked of the full list of the board, a reliable source at NNPC noted that the corporation is still awaiting communication on the matter from the Presidency.

Another source noted that Sylva has been chairing the board of the corporation and that the board has been active. At the time of filing this report, request for further clarification from the Presidency was not attended to.

Energy expert, Adeoye Adefulu stated that the lack of a properly constituted board is not just a breach of the enabling law of NNPC, but also takes away one of the most important mechanisms for ensuring accountability, providing a strategic direction and bolstering corporate governance of the Corporation.

Prophet Odumeje apologizes to Arondizuogu, Awka communities

An Onitsha-based cleric, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere popularly known as Odumeje, has apologised to the people of Awka, Anambra state capital over his alleged threat to destroy their festival, known as Imo-Awka.

The controversial cleric also tendered an unreserved apology to the people of Arondizuogu in Imo state for allegedly vowing to put a stop to the Ikeji festival of the community.

In a statement on Monday, Odumeje described the people of both communities as peace-loving, who he claimed to have known and shared fellowship in his church over the years.

However, he said that the experience had thought him that ungaurded utterances with divisive tendencies needed to be checked. The statement partly reads: 

“My attention has been drawn to the publications on social media over the alleged face-off between me and the good people of Awka and Arondizuogu Clcommunities in Anambra and Imo state respectively.

In the said posts, I was potrayed as declaring war on the people of these communities and their respective traditional festivals and beliefs, It was also alleged that I had vowed to destroy Imo-Awka festival and put a stop to the Ikeji festival of Arondizuogu.

Consequently, upon the above, I wish to acknowledge that the people of Awka and Arondizuogu Communities are peace loving and I have over the years come to share fellowship and service in church with a great number of them.

These two communities and their renouned indegenes have been known and recognised as major contributors to the development of their states, Igboland and the nation at large.

Awka and Arondizuogu communities have produced great men and women of integrity and pedigree and have always remained at the top of great sons and daughters of Igbo land.

Against this backdrop and with every humility as a Servant of the Living God, I sincerely apologise to the great people of these two communities, to the entire people of Igbo land and to my elders for my utterances.I will not make any attempts to justify my statement as even I can see that it is hurtful in all its ramifications.

I also want to specially apologize to the family of Mazi Pericomo of Arondizuogu who I understand until his passing was a diligent servant( Evangelist) of God.

I apologise and put it on record that this experience has thought me that words that speak any form of divisive conversation amongst our people MUST be checked. This is a time for unity, love and unwavering support for each other.

Similarly, I lend my voice to the directives of the federal and state government in observing all the COVID-19 protocols, while waiting on the Lord for the end of the pandemic.”

Bauchi State Governor threatens Daily Trust reporter

On Friday, the governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed made an open threat to a reporter of The Daily Trust, Hassan Ibrahim, for asking some questions which provoked the governor.

Mohammed, who made the threat at his first anniversary media chat, accused the journalist of treachery and working for the opposition party.

Ibrahim drew the rage of the governor when he asked some questions which infuriated him.

The reporter asked the governor to react to allegations by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that his administration was financially strangulating the state’s House of Assembly.

But the governor reacted angrily, saying: “You think you are the only journalist?

I had reported before you.

You have taken a position.

You even reported that we abandoned somebody in Alkaleri, in my place.

You always look for the negative things to say about Bauchi state.

Negative report is not good; try to be positive for God’s sake.”

The governor alleged that Ibrahim was trying to insult him on the one year anniversary of his administration.

He added: “You’re always making sure I have conflict with my Assembly.

You’re APC sponsored, that’s why you’re doing what you’re doing.

The majority of the house is APC, so how will I strangulate them?

The people have rejected Mohammed Abubakar the former governor but you want to bring him back.

Please don’t sensationalize things; don’t create conflict where it does not exist.

Please if you are being sponsored by the former APC governor, I will excommunicate you from this state.’’

Hassan Ibrahim was later whisked out of the premises of the event by security agents.

Policeman kills colleagues in shooting spree

On Sunday morning, an unnamed policeman allegedly opened fire on his colleagues at Onikan, killing some of them.

The unnamed officer went berserk around 5am following a disagreement with other members of his team.

It was gathered that the trigger- happy cop hijacked their operational vehicle after shooting them and drove straight to Akoka in Yaba around 5am where he attempted to access a compound but couldn’t.

According to sources, the building had a metallic door and the policeman said to be attached to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) allegedly opened sporadic fire on the property to gain access.

Residents said they were frightened and took cover not knowing what was happening since it was around 5am.

We gathered that no fewer than 30 bullet holes were counted in an apartment, corridor and ceiling of the premises.

It was learnt that the shooter, who spotted black outfit and rose in a white escort van with siren, might have become more frustrated after his vehicle stock in a ditch when he made to escape.

Sources said distress calls were made to the Bariga Police Division and the Rapif Response Squad (RRS) who deployed operatives to the scene and restrained the acrive shooter.

From short videos obtained by news reporters from residents, the trigger happy policeman was screaming incoherently, a development suggestive of a possible mental illness.

He was heard alleging that some persons wanted to corrupt him and that he should be allowed to go home in the name of Jesus.

At the time of this report, police spokesman, Bala Elkana told our correspondent that the command was investigating the matter to understand what truly happened, adding that a statement would be released later.

SERAP Nigeria asks Buhari to reveal details of loans

Days after President Muhammadu Buhari wrote to the National Assembly for approval on plans to borrow a fresh $5.513bn loan, he has been asked to give details on the loans taken by his administration.

The demand was made by the Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Projects (SERAP). SERAP confirmed the move in a series of tweets on its official Twitter handle on Sunday, May 31.

According to SERAP, it filed a Freedom of Information (FoI) request on Saturday, May 30, calling for details of all the foreign loans that the Buhari administration has taken since its inception on May 29, 2015.

President Buhari solicited for approval on a $5.5 billion loan to finance the revised 2020 appropriation bill in a way that will enable the accommodation of some priority projects.

The information of the loan was contained in a letter directed to the House of Representatives by the president on Thursday, May 28.

According to the President, the funds will be used for the federal government’s priority projects and will also be channelled toward the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Just before that, an N850 billion loan requested by the President was approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 12.

The loan was requested by President Buhari for the purpose of funding the 2020 budget.

The approval by the Green Chamber was given during its plenary held in Abuja on Tuesday.

In a similar event, earlier in March this year, a disagreement broke out on the floor of the Nigerian Senate after deliberations on the $22 billion external borrowing request by President Buhari started.

Clifford Ordia, the chairman of the committee who read out the report on Thursday, March 5, suggested that the lawmakers should approve the foreign loan request.

However, the decision to deliberate behind closed doors sparked a back-and-forth for over half an hour between lawmakers and the Senate president, Ahmed Lawan.

Korra Obidi under fire for her dressing to Floyd's protest

Popular Nigerian dancer and singer, Korra Obidi recently came under attack by some of her social media followers over her choice of outfit for the protest over the killing of an African-American man, George Floyd, by the police in the US.

The death which has caused a nation-wide outrage in the country, had several thousands of Americans protesting on the streets. The popular dancer who currently resides in the US, was among those who marched.

She took to her Instagram page to share a video of herself, marching passionately and chanting the 'black lives matter' slogan. 

Sharing the video, she wrote: "No human being should be murdered in broad day light by another. #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd #lariots #antiracism"

However, her choice of outfit which exposed a lot of skin, didn't quite sit well with many people and they took to her comment section to criticize her for it.

Responding to the comments, she wrote: "You are all a bunch of hating assh*les. I showed up. What did you do? Show up on another black woman's comment section to tear her down. Use your voice where it matters B. Stop being your own enemy. Hater."

Her comment went viral and got even more reactions from people, some of whom believe she was only clout-chasing.

Below are some comments on a popular Instagram blog:

baba70seventyy: "Telling you to put some clothes on is not hating nor trying to tear you down. Allow sense fall on you please."

kiems50: "Nobody is hating on you madam, that protests is not from your mind you are just there to make headlines."

birrexy: "There’s a time to chase clout and a time to be serious... This is clout chasing."

leaddyskincare: "She should at least be decentHow many people did you see dressed like that protesting?"

gylliananthonette: "She should have atleast worn some clothes."

iam_nabby: "Dress according to the occasion that’s what they’re saying, infact you forgot the most important accessories which is mask and cardboard rather you dressed like someone who’s going for a musical concert."

eniolajolade: "Tbh her dressing to such rally looks ratchet.. Who'll take her protest serious this way."

rakunboigram: "She should dress properly for a protest IMO, this is not lgbt protest or carnival."

COVID-19 : Doctor dies after treating patient in Jigawa

A medical doctor with the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu in Jigawa State, Dr Naseer Adam, is dead.

The deceased died on Saturday of COVID-19-related symptoms.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Kano State, Dr Sanusi Bala, confirmed the death of the deceased today.

“Yes, I know. The late Adam worked with the Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu in Jigawa State,” he said.

The deceased was said to have managed a patient with an acute respiratory infection about three weeks ago.

The patient returned to the hospital again due to worsening breathlessness and after isolation, the patient tested positive for COVID-19.

However, four days ago, the doctor started having running nose and dry cough, forcing him to be admitted at the emergency section.

He, however, died on Saturday at the health facility where he was receiving medical attention.

One of his colleagues, Dr Abbas Bello, paid tribute to him on social media, saying, “Truly, one of the darkest moments of a doctor’s life is when they couldn’t help save the life of a colleague, friend and one of their own!

Dr Naseer Adam was one of the most hardworking, humble, kind, generous, industrious, and down to the earth, I have recently come across.

Because of his empathy and generosity, almost all the indigent patients want to see him as he will review them, prescribe, pay for the medication he prescribed and give them transport fare.”

Forget using schools as isolation centres - Proprietors to FG

Private school owners (proprietors) under the umbrella of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools have said they weren’t ready to convert their facilities to isolation centres.

This is coming after the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Thursday said that the Federal Government would require hotels and school dormitories as quarantine and isolation centres because of a shortage of hospital beds.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that due to the increasing number of cases amid hospital bed shortage, hotels and schools could be required as isolation centres. He said, 

“We need to continue increasing bed capacity to match the probable number of patients so that we do not experience horrific scenes of bed space shortages seen in some European hospitals.

In event of overflow, we can require hotels and school dormitories to be prepared for level 1, which is quarantine, and level 2, is the isolation of COVID-19 positive with zero or mild symptoms, to free hospital beds to be dedicated to level 3, which are moderate to severe cases, and level 4, which is for the high dependency and the intensive care unit.”

However, school proprietors have rejected the idea, saying there were other public places such as moribund hospital complexes that the government could convert to isolation centres.

The President of NAPPS, Chief Yomi Otubela, said that before the health minister suggested the idea, they had already rejected it. He said, 

“I don’t know how many of the Western countries whose methods we are copying use schools as isolation centres; I have not seen any. We should copy and copy rightly. 

Schools are meant for children and we should not use them for a purpose that will make them abandon schooling.

Private school owners reject this idea. In fact, private schools should be considered for reopening because it is easy to maintain physical distancing than in public schools because they are usually crowded.

Private school owners will not and never allow the use of their facilities for isolation centres.”

Otubela said there were many public places that the government could convert to isolation centres.

“There are large expanses of land and moribund hospital facilities that the government can quickly fix and use for isolation centres,” he added.

"Lockdown will lead to baby boom" - Pastor Adeboye

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said that the lockdown which is caused by the coronavirus pandemic would produce “great things”.

The 78-year-old cleric stated this today during a sermon broadcast live via the church’s media, DOVE TV.

Adeboye, who traced lockdown to the era of biblical characters like Joseph, Elijah, David, John the beloved, and many others, said one of the “great things” that would come out of the lockdown is an increase in birthrate all over the world. He said, 

“A lot of great things are going to come out of this lockdown. Let me advise those of you who are pastors – you are resting now; I am busy. 

Get ready because early next year, you’ll be having a lot of naming ceremonies. You’ll be going from house to house naming newborn babies as a result of the lockdown.”

He noted that the rate of coronavirus recoveries across the globe is “amazing”, saying that the percentage of discharged patients is less than one-tenth of the associated deaths recorded.

“Aren’t you amazed at the number of those released compared to people who died? Check all over the world, you’ll find out that the number is less than those who have been healed.

If you do a scientific study, you’ll find out that the number of people who had died as a result of coronavirus is far less than those who died by accidents and other means,” he said.

Somalia blast : 10 killed, 12 injured

The government of Somalia has said that at least 10 people died and 12 were wounded when an explosive device ripped through a minibus outside the Somalia capital, Mogadishu today.

The deadly explosion occurred near Lafole village along the Afgoye-Mogadishu where the passenger bus was travelling early in the day.

“At least 10 civilians were killed in an explosion at Lafole area this morning, those who died were all civilians,” the information ministry said in a statement, adding that the victims were on their way to a funeral.

Witnesses said the minibus was completely destroyed, and described a horrific scene with everyone on board either dead or wounded and many bodies ripped apart or burned beyond recognition.

“This was a horrible incident this morning, the explosive device went off as the bus was passing by the area and destroyed it completely,” said Daud Doyow, a witness.

“Bodies of civilians were strewn in pieces and most of the people died,” he added.

“There were more than 20 people on board and 10 of them were confirmed dead while the rest are seriously wounded and taken to hospital, this is a horrible scene here,” said another witness, Abdirisak Adan.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, but Somalia’s al Qaeda-aligned Shabaab group carries out regular attacks in and around the capital, often killing civilians.