Headlines

The Federal Government has weighed into the rift between Africa’s wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Daily Trust reports that Dangote has been having issues with the government over his refinery project in Lagos.

He had earlier narrated how a cabal was blocking his moves to import crude and how it has been difficult to get products, slowing down operations.

But the situation took a worse turn when the NMDPRA said the government was yet to license the Dangote refinery to begin operations.

Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive officer (CEO) of NMDPRA, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the state House on Thursday.

According to Ahmed, the claims of ongoing efforts to scuttle the operations of Dangote refinery due to lack of supply of crude oil by International Oil Companies were not true, adding that the refinery was still at the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed yet.

Ahmed added that the diesel product of Dangote was below international standard, a claim which the businessman refuted during an interactive session at the weekend.

But at an interactive session with House of Representatives members at the weekend, Dangote countered the claim, saying the diesel from his refinery is of a very high standard.

On Monday, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders to address and resolve the issues around the Dangote Refinery.

Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, said the meeting involves: Mr. Aliko Dangote, Chairman and CEO of Dangote Group; Mr. Farouk Ahmed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA); Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Mr. Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC).

“The stakeholders expressed their gratitude to the minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating this crucial dialogue. The meeting focused on finding a sustainable and lasting solution to the current impasse affecting the Dangote Refinery, with all parties demonstrating a commitment to collaborative and proactive problem-solving.”

The statement added that the minister emphasized the importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure the success and optimal performance of the Oil and Gas sector, which is pivotal for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has approved the appointment of 8 Assistant Corps Marshals (ACM), to the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM).

In the same vein, three of the DCMs are to proceed on immediate retirement, while the remaining 5 are to fill up existing vacancies in the South South, South East, South West, North Central, and North West geopolitical zones.

The Officers to fill up existing vacancies are: Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele fdc, to represent North Central geopolitical zone, DCM Chidiebere Nkwonta, fwc, represents the South East geopolitical zone while DCM Sunday Iyamah, fwc is appointed to fill up the vacancy in the South South geopolitical zone.

The Officers to fill up existing vacancies are: Deputy Corps Marshal Clement Oladele fdc, to represent North Central geopolitical zone, DCM Chidiebere Nkwonta, fwc, represents the South East geopolitical zone while DCM Sunday Iyamah, fwc is appointed to fill up the vacancy in the South South geopolitical zone.

Others are DCM MR Yerima, fdc to represent the North West geopolitical zone and DCM Abiodun Akinlade to now represent the South West geopolitical zone when Dcm Bisi kazeem bows out in August.

The promoted senior officers to proceed on immediate retirement are: Deputy Corps Marshal Kingsley Agomoh, mni, Deputy Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu mni, as well as Deputy Corps Marshal Zubairu Mato.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation expressed delight over the level of transparency and objectivity that heralded the whole process.

He urged the appointed officers to show more commitment and rededicate themselves to achieving the corporate vision of the Corps which is to eradicate road traffic crashes and create a safer motoring environment in the country.

The SGF stated that the appointment was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive towards rewarding excellence, diligence and hard work which is in line with the administrative philosophy of the present leadership of the Hope Agenda regime.

The Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed equally congratulated the newly-elevated officers for their excellent performances during the exercise.

He noted that “every promotion comes with greater responsibilities.”

He charged them to put in their best in the course of their duties “as the new rank calls for more focus, more dedication, commitment and passion.”

He advised those who were not fortunate in thid appointment year to keep faith alive and be loyal to the system.

Speaking further, the Corps Marshal promised to improve the general welfare of the personnel of the Corps.

“As such, he beckoned on all personnel to be of good cheer and put in great efforts towards the realisation of the corporate mandate of the Corps, a statement signed by Olusegun Ogungbemide, Corps Commander, Ag. Corps Public Education Officer, said.

The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has won the sum of ₦500 million after emerging as the winners of the fourth edition of the National Tertiary Admissions Performance-Merit Award for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic sessions.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq, made the announcement during the 2024 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions organised by the Board.”

The award was instituted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board and presented to the Vice Chancellor of UNILORIN, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole (SAN) by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin.

The Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq, made the announcement during the 2024 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions organised by the Board.”

Jibrin was assisted by dignitaries including the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Tanko Sununu; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, and a host of others.

US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle acknowledged on Monday that the agency failed in its mission to prevent the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.

“The Secret Service’s solemn mission is to protect our nation’s leaders,” Cheatle said during testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

“On July 13, we failed,” she said. “As director of the United States Secret Service, I take full responsibility for any security lapse.” But she rejected a wave of bipartisan calls for her resignation.

Cheatle said the attack on Trump, who was slightly wounded in his right ear while speaking at a campaign rally, was “the most significant operational failure of the Secret Service in decades.”

“There clearly was a mistake and we will make every effort to make sure that this never happens again,” she said.

The 20-year-old gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire on Trump with an AR-style assault rifle just minutes after the former Republican president and current White House candidate began speaking at the campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Crooks, who was perched on the roof of a nearby building with a clear sightline of the stage, was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper 26 seconds after firing the first of eight shots.

Investigators have concluded that Crooks, who lived in a town about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Butler, acted alone and have not been able to identify any strong ideological or political leanings.

Two rally attendees were seriously wounded in the shooting and a 50-year-old firefighter, Corey Comperatore, of Freeport, Pennsylvania, was shot dead.

Aliko Dangote, the chairman and President of Dangote group has asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to buy out his Dangote Refinery after allegations of him been a Monopolist.

This is coming after the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, made claims that the Dangote refinery had requested the regulator to stop giving import licences to other marketers to be the only fuel supplier in Nigeria. In a video interview with State House correspondents, Ahmed stated that. “We cannot rely heavily on one refinery to feed the nation, because Dangote is requesting that we should suspend or stop importation of all petroleum products, especially AGO and direct all marketers to the refinery, that is not good for the nation in terms of energy security. And that is not good for the market, because of monopoly.”

Dangote in his defence said that, if his Refinery is bought out by the NNPCL, then allegations of him been a Monopolist would no longer be valid.

“Let them (NNPCL) buy me out and run the refinery the best way they can. They have labelled me a monopolist. That’s an incorrect and unfair allegation, but it’s OK. If they buy me out, at least, their so-called monopolist would be out of the way”.

“We have been facing fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery”, Dangote said.

Dangote also revealed to Reporters that the challenges his refinery is currently facing have validated the warnings of his friends and associates, who advised him to exercise caution when investing billions of dollars in the Nigerian economy.

“As you probably know, I am 67 years old, in less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life. I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country.

“This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs,” he said.