Headlines

A massive influx of job applications has caused technical issues on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s website, leading to slow load times and difficulties for applicants.

This is coming hours after the NNPC announced that it is set to hire new workers.

The NNPC had announced a major recruitment, seeking talented and dedicated individuals to fill various positions across its departments.

However, the overwhelming response from job seekers has put a strain on the company’s website, resulting in technical glitches.

Checks by punch Online show a 404 error on the website.

“Due to unprecedented traffic to the NNPC Ltd. career page from applicants applying for vacancies, the site is currently experiencing slow load times.

“Our technicians are working diligently to rectify the problem as quickly as possible.

“Please be assured that the application process deadline remains August 20, 2024,” the NNPC confirmed in a statement on X.

PUNCH Online reports that the recruitment exercise may be the largest since NNPC’s transformation into a limited company in 2022.

President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for a 20% increase in pension benefits for Armed Forces personnel, as announced by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, on Thursday.

This statement was made at the 2024 Accounts and Budget Seminar themed “Optimising Nigerian Navy Non-Public Fund Opportunities In A Dynamic Economic Environment: The Nigerian Navy Personnel In Focus.”

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan, Ogalla addressed the two-day event, held from July 25 to July 26 at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to improving the welfare of serving and retired Armed Forces personnel, citing the recent 20% pension increase, which took effect in January, as a key initiative to enhance morale and productivity.

“This seminar is timely as we explore strategies to generate funds independently from budgetary allocations to address welfare needs and enhance living standards for personnel,” Ogalla stated.

“Such initiatives are crucial for operational efficiency, as the human factor is key to the success of any organization, including the Nigerian Navy.”

He emphasized the importance of optimizing non-public funds to improve personnel welfare, which in turn helps retain skilled personnel and enhance operational effectiveness.

Ogalla highlighted several schemes the Nigerian Navy operates to support its personnel, including navy insurance, car refurbishing loans, and welfare loan schemes, managed by the Directorate of Non-Public Funds.

“These schemes are vital for protecting our maritime environment, essential for the nation’s economic prosperity, a responsibility entrusted to the Nigerian Navy,” Ogalla said. He stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and continuous evaluation in managing these schemes to meet personnel needs.

“I am pleased that this seminar includes lectures designed to elucidate these factors and develop innovations to utilize non-public funds for personnel welfare. Discussions on packages like mortgages could contribute to a more resilient and capable naval force,” he added.

Ogalla urged attendees to use the seminar to brainstorm on critical policy issues related to non-public fund opportunities to improve operational efficiency and personnel welfare.

He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his guidance and unwavering support to the service, particularly for enhancing welfare packages for the Armed Forces. “We remain committed to carrying out our statutory mandate for economic prosperity and poverty eradication in line with your renewed hope for Nigeria,” Ogalla concluded.

A directive from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has outlawed all forms of protests between August 1 and 10, 2024.

This move comes as Nigerians gear up for nationwide protests against bad governance and hardship during the same period.

It should be recalled that the government, through Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, had earlier said that citizens have the right to peaceful protests.

A leaked memo from police commissioners to state criminal investigation departments and other police units reveals a contradictory stance.

The memo states that the IGP has ordered police units to mobilize personnel and equipment, collaborate with other agencies and the military, occupy strategic points and engage with community stakeholders.

The memo stressed that “no form of protest must be allowed” during the specified period.

“The INGENPOL (inspector general of police) directs that you be proactive X mobilise well kitted and equipped personnel yours X synergies with other sister agencies and the military X take over all strategic points in your AOR (Areas of Responsibility) x deploy undercover for intelligence gathering x disperse unlawful gathering x be in heart-to-heart conversation with community stakeholders x no form of protest must be allowed during the period,” the memo said.

China’s President, Xi Jinping has extended an invitation to President Bola Tinubu to pay a state visit to China in September.

China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chen Xiaodong delivered the invitation to Tinubu at the Aso Villa on Thursday.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement issued via his social media handle on Friday.

According to the statement, Tinubu has accepted the invitation and hoped that it would strengthen Nigeria-China bilateral relations and the proposed currency swap agreement.

The statement added, “Chen, who came with a large entourage, said President Xi would also welcome First Lady Remi Tinubu during the visit.”

Details Later….

Nigeria’s local refinery owners, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, claim they can end the country’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products within 18 months, provided the Federal Government collaborates with and supports their plans.

The refiners, who spoke under the aegis of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, said there are other refineries at different stages of completion to join the 650,000-capacity Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

In an interview, CORAN Publicity Secretary, Eche Idoko, told The PUNCH that the Dangote refinery and others in the country can satisfy the fuel needs of the nation.

Idoko’s comment is coming at a time when the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, said the country would not stop fuel importation to break the Dangote monopoly and ensure energy security.

The CORAN official argued that there was no way the government would tackle rising inflation if it did not address the high cost of fuel, especially by working with the local refiners.

“You can’t tackle inflation if you don’t address the pump price of petroleum products. You cannot say you have a plan to step down inflation and you are not involving the key sectors like the refineries; you have to involve us, let’s work together.

And CORAN is saying that, in 18 months, if the Nigerian government will work with our programmes and plans, in 18 months, we can stop the importation of petroleum products completely. There are refineries in different stages of completion. In 18 months, we can produce what Nigeria will consume,” he stated.

Idoko said Nigeria has enough crude oil to feed Dangote and other refineries but noted that crude theft has been the major challenge to the upstream oil sector.

“We have the crude oil to feed these refineries and more fields are being licensed by the day. So, there will be crude to feed the refineries. Our production figure is dropping because of the crude that is being stolen daily.

“When we have local refineries, crude theft will be reduced. People steal crude through the pipelines and most of the refineries are located close to some of these fields. What this does is that the crude oil producers will no longer need to pump their crude through the pipelines to the terminal for export.

President Bola Tinubu is presently holding a meeting with APC Governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, under the auspices of the Progressive Governors Forum..

The meeting which began at minutes past 01 pm follows growing calls for nationwide protests against economic hardship.

Although the agenda of Thursday’s meeting is unknown, it may be connected to the planned protests scheduled for August 1 – 10.

The protests, organised under the hashtag ‘EndBadGovernance,’ have gained significant traction on social media even as the organisers remain largely anonymous, with no group officially claiming responsibility.

This meeting follows an earlier conclave of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Wednesday night and comes after a last-minute cancellation of the National Economic Council meeting earlier scheduled for noon Thursday.

Our correspondent also spotted the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Ministers of Finance and Budget & Economic Planning, Wale Edun and Abubakar Bagudu, respectively.

Ginika Tor, Federal Character Commissioner representing Enugu State and Global President of OPI-Igbo Kwenu for Asiwaju-Shettima Group, has commended President Bola Tinubu for signing the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law. She also praised Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for sponsoring the bill.

Tor hailed President Tinubu’s move as a significant step towards addressing the lingering effects of the war in the Southeast region. The SEDC, covering Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, marks a milestone in Tinubu’s administration, representing a giant leap and renewed hope for the Igbo people.

The SEDC aims to expedite action on reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in Igbo land, addressing the unfulfilled promises of General Yakubu Gowon’s 3Rs (Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction) in 1970. The commission will focus on reconstructing and rehabilitating roads, houses, and infrastructure, tackling ecological problems, and addressing environmental and developmental challenges in the South-East states.

President Tinubu signed the SEDC Bill into law on Tuesday, alongside the North West Development Commission Bill. The SEDC will receive and manage funds from the federation account for regional reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

Tor called on the Igbo people to unite and seek peace among themselves, urging an end to infighting and pull-downs. She emphasized the need for integrity, transparency, commitment, and dedication to service among those who will lead the Commission. Tor prayed that the Commission’s essence would not be defeated by abuse of power, corruption, or negligence, as seen in some previous commissions.

If well-managed, Tor believes the SEDC will command the loyalty of the Southeast region and foster a sense of unity and purpose.

Yakubu Mahmood, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stated that INEC is willing and able to conduct local government elections if the responsibility is assigned to it.

Speaking on Thursday, when he appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission and Electoral Matters on preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood, said that INEC can handle the local government elections, but that would only be possible pending the amendment of the Constitution.

Yakubu, who noted that the Commission had been conducting area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, which has been devoid of the problems associated with the conduct of local government elections, said that there has never been a time when one political party has won all the seats at the elections, as is common in the states.

Renowned journalist and Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, has expressed his concerns regarding the proposed nationwide youth-led protest, slated to take place from August 1 to August 15.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Momodu said there are risks associated with protests led by faceless individuals.

Drawing from his extensive experience with protests, which spans 46 years since his time at the University of Ife in 1978, Momodu stated: “I have 46 years experience in protests, since 1978 at the University of Ife.

“There’s nothing riskier for a nation than faceless people or a mob leading protests. It is the right of everyone to protest but not the right of anyone to cause mayhem… And government has the right to protect lives and properties.”

He reiterated that while protesting is a fundamental right, it must be conducted in a manner that does not lead to violence or destruction.

The protest is being organized in response to the escalating economic challenges facing Nigerians, particularly the rising cost of living.