Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Nigerian poet, novelist, playwright and columnist, Sam Omatseye, has described the disagreement between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a ‘storm in a teacup.’

Omatseye spoke on TVC’s Sam’s Take programme on Friday morning while discussing political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the disagreement was largely between Wike and three governors, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, rather than a broader dispute involving all APC governors.

‘The Wike coalition or the rainbow coalition; the expression rainbow might even be an exaggeration. It is not so much a rainbow coalition, but Wike’s efforts. But you know you need to give it a grandiose name to make it look bigger than what it is, but it is a storm in a teacup,’ Omatseye said.

According to him, Wike has consistently maintained that he supports President Bola Tinubu but is not a member of the APC.

‘He has always said, ‘I am for the president, I am not for APC’. Even when he says that, he still fights for the APC, because the president’s interest is all over APC,’ he said.

Omatseye said Wike’s political support for Tinubu extends beyond the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State.

‘Wike says, ‘I am going to deliver where I will deliver to the president, FCT and Rivers’. He believes he has those two places locked in,’ he said.

He attributed part of the disagreement between Wike and AbdulRazaq to the Kwara governor’s handling of some APC members who later received support from Wike.

‘What the people are fighting him for is that he has party positions elsewhere and he has a problem with AbdulRazaq, because AbdulRazaq pushed APC people out of the party and Wike received them on behalf of Tinubu, so they don’t go to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and AbdulRazaq is fighting him,’ Omatseye said.

Responding to concerns that the disagreement could widen into a bigger political problem for Tinubu ahead of 2027, Omatseye said the situation would depend largely on the President.

‘The crack cannot expand unless the president wants it to expand. Wike is an asset to the president, and the president cannot let him go like that,’ he said.

Omatseye illustrated his point by quoting Chinua Achebe’s A Man of the People.

‘If you thought that a sensible man would spit out the juicy morsel that good fortune placed in his mouth,’ he said, adding that Tinubu was playing the political game involving Wike and would not want him to leave.

He also argued that the governors were not necessarily threatened by Wike in states such as Delta, Akwa Ibom and Kaduna.

‘The other governors are okay on their own right, but they don’t find Wike’s PDP threatened. It is not threatened in a place like Delta, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, or any other place. The places they are threatening are the places PDP are fighting back,’ he said.

Omatseye further predicted that Tinubu would intervene to resolve the disagreement between Wike and the aggrieved governors.

He said the President would ‘surely broker peace between Wike and the aggrieved governors’ when he returns to the country.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has explained the absence of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from the national team camp ahead of today’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.

Okoye is not yet with the squad in Uyo after being granted permission to remain with his club to attend to club-related matters.

Chelle confirmed that Udinese made a request concerning the goalkeeper and he agreed to release him from the national team engagement.

‘Maduka Okoye is not here. His club asked me to allow him to do some club-related activities and I agreed,’ Chelle said. ‘He isn’t here now, so I have to manage the situation.’

Okoye’s absence leaves Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo as the two available goalkeepers in the Super Eagles camp for the opening Group L encounter against the Barea of Madagascar.

Nwabali has been Nigeria’s regular first-choice goalkeeper in recent international assignments before he became clueless in February this year. He recently re-joined his estranged club, Chippa United, while Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Okonkwo provides Chelle with another option between the posts.

Okonkwo made his senior international debut for Nigeria during the Unity Cup in London in May and will be hoping for another opportunity if called upon.

The Super Eagles will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, today as they begin their quest for a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.

With co-hosts Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the tournament, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively competing for the other qualification ticket available from Group L.

Veteran actor Pete Edochie has dismissed reports of rift between him and the late Nollywood icon, Olu Jacobs, describing their relationship as cordial and one built on mutual respect.

Edochie spoke about Jacobs in an interview before the death of the veteran actor but released following the actor’s death.

In the interview, Edochie recalled their years of friendship and the private moments they shared away from the cameras.

The veteran actor said he had previously heard reports that he and Jacobs had quarrelled over money while working on location, adding that similar claims had been made about his relationship with the late Sam Loco.

‘There was a time they said I disagreed with Olu on a location that we quarreled over money. They also said I quarreled with Sam Loco.’

Edochie said his relationship with Jacobs was marked by respect, particularly because he regarded him as a senior colleague. He recalled a custom they observed whenever they met.

‘Olu grew up in the North and each time we meet I bring a bottle of Campari and I give it to him to touch before I open it, that’s our custom. He’s a senior. He would touch it and I would open it, then we would sit down and begin to drink quietly.’

The actor recalled their final meeting, which he said took place as both men were leaving different locations. According to Edochie, Jacobs became emotional as they spoke about colleagues they had lost over the years.

‘The last time we met, I was coming out of a location while he was coming out too and we met at the center of the road. Olu looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, ‘Pete our mates are gone.’ Immediately he said it, tears came to my eyes and we held each other.’

Edochie said the encounter became an emotional moment for both actors as they reflected on the deaths of several of their colleagues.

‘We were being photographed and we were there mourning ourselves. When he said this, Sam Loco had gone, Justice Esiri had gone, Enebeli and others had gone. When he said it, it was coming from his heart and I said well, may the good Lord keep us.’

While debunking reports of disagreements between them, Edochie said he shared a close relationship with Jacobs that was not always apparent to outsiders. ‘I have never disagreed with Olu for one day. There are jokes we make among ourselves that only people who are used to us will understand.’

Describing the late actor’s place in his career, Edochie said Jacobs was the colleague he respected most as a senior in the industry.

‘He is perhaps the only person I respect in the industry as a senior and the first day I heard that Olu was ill, that I saw his wife saying Olu is not there anymore, I sat down and I thought about the last time we met each other that tears came.’

‘You will not know how close we are until you see us together,’ he added

First Green White Resource Centre (FGWRC), organisers of Nigeria’s Pride Awards, has announced Air Peace as the recipient of its Outstanding Corporate Citizen of the Decade Award on Excellence, Patriotism and Best Quality Service.

The airline will receive the award at the fifth edition of the event scheduled for November 10 as part of a Strategic Townhall with the theme, ‘Unlocking Nigeria’s Potentials: Pathways to Sustainable Investment.’

Founder and Facilitator of Nigeria’s Pride Awards, Bonaventure Phillips Melah, announced the award in a statement on Friday.

He said Air Peace was selected in recognition of what the organisers described as its corporate leadership, investment in national development, service delivery, employment creation, empowerment initiatives and contributions to Nigeria’s aviation sector.

Melah said the airline would be honoured alongside the TY Danjuma Foundation, the Nigerian Communications Commission and other recipients.

He said the awards seek to recognise individuals, companies, government agencies, ministries, diplomatic missions, foundations, charities and other organisations whose activities contribute to Nigeria’s development and the wellbeing of its people.

According to him, Air Peace has distinguished itself through its expansion of its fleet, investment in aviation infrastructure, international route development and various interventions during national and international emergencies.

He cited the airline’s Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility under construction at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as one of its major investments in the aviation sector.

The project, which covers about 34,000 square metres and includes a 6,200-square-metre hangar, workshops, warehouse and aircraft apron, is expected to increase local aircraft maintenance capacity.

Melah also highlighted Air Peace’s international operations, including its London, Johannesburg, Jeddah and Mumbai routes, as well as its domestic and regional services.

He noted that the airline’s entry into the Lagos-London market in 2024 increased competition on the route and provided Nigerian travellers with another option for international travel.

The organisers also cited Air Peace’s humanitarian interventions, including its evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa during the 2019 xenophobic attacks, its involvement in the evacuation of Nigerians during the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 and its participation in the evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan in 2023.

Melah further pointed to the airline’s involvement in Nigerian sports, including its transportation of the Super Eagles for an international fixture in 2021 and its subsequent reward to the team after its victory.

He said Air Peace had also demonstrated support for members of Nigeria’s security services, citing an occasion when military and police personnel received priority boarding and public recognition for their service.

Melah said the various initiatives formed the basis of the organisers’ decision to recognise Air Peace as a Nigerian corporate citizen deserving of the award.

Other members of the Nigeria’s Pride Awards Organising Committee are former Executive Director/Acting Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr Ahaziah Suleiman, who is Chairman; Hajia Medina Dauda Nadabo, Bureau Coordinator/Programmes Officer, Voice of America, Nigeria, who is Secretary; and Victorson Agbenson, General Manager, Bronze FM Benin, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will soon transmit to the National Assembly two Executive Bills seeking special legislative seats for women and representation for persons with disabilities at the national and sub-national levels.

House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced this when he hosted the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku; President of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof. Justin Green, and other members of the board on a visit.

Informing his guests about the legislative initiatives of the 10th National Assembly, Abbas said the proposed legislation on women’s representation would provide special seats for women in the National Assembly, besides existing elective seats that legislative candidates contested for.

The Speaker stated that the Federal Ministry of Justice was fine-tuning the Bill, following President Tinubu’s agreement to sponsor it as an Executive Bill.

‘We have persuaded Mr. President, and he has accepted for the very first time to sponsor the Executive Bill. Through our efforts, the Executive Bill proposed to the National Assembly to provide seats, special seats for women, that would be independent from the regular seats that have been contested,’ Abbas said.

The Speaker also said President Tinubu was expected to transmit another Executive Bill in the coming weeks that will provide legislative representation for persons with disabilities at both the national and the sub-national levels.

He said the National Assembly facilitated the initiative in collaboration with the Presidency to increase representation of persons with disabilities in legislative institutions across the country.

‘We also initiated and facilitated, through Mr. President, for the very first time, the inclusion of representation of the physically challenged in the National Assembly and the sub-nationals,’ he said.

Abbas said the initiatives were part of the efforts of the 10th Assembly, which began in June 2023, to promote inclusivity and broaden participation in governance.

He added that the House had introduced the National Assembly Open Day, an annual initiative designed to enable Nigerians to scrutinise its legislative activities and engage directly with lawmakers and committees.

According to him, the third anniversary of the initiative recently provided an opportunity for people from different sectors to interact with the House, examine its legislative activities and make recommendations.

Abbas said the initiative was aimed at making the National Assembly more accessible and responsive to Nigerians, promising that the House would continue to introduce measures to strengthen public participation in the legislative process.

Commenting on Nigeria’s hosting of the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), scheduled for November 15 to 22, the Speaker described the event as a ‘historic opportunity to showcase the country’s potential to the international community’.

He said the forum would provide participants from around the world an opportunity to see Nigeria beyond the perceptions of its development challenges.

‘I am happy, particularly not because of the 126 countries coming, but for the opportunity that will present itself for those doubting Thomases around the world who think Nigeria is at the lowest ebb of development, to come and see with their eyes what Nigeria is and what Nigeria is promising to be in the future,’ Abbas said.

The Speaker assured the organisers of the National Assembly’s support for the forum, describing Nigeria’s hosting of the international gathering as a significant achievement.

Neliaku had said Nigeria had overcome several hurdles and international doubts about its readiness before securing the right to host the WPRF.

He noted that although Africa first hosted the WPRF in 2007, the forthcoming event would be the first time the global forum would be held alongside the continental public relations conference.

Neliaku said the successful defence of Nigeria’s hosting bid had helped to reinforce confidence in the country’s capacity to host the global event.

Green said Nigeria’s hosting of the WPRF followed a decade-long effort to bring the global public relations gathering to Africa, despite persistent misconceptions about the continent.

He recalled that an earlier attempt to host the forum in Africa in 2015 was cancelled.

‘This has been 10 years in the making,’ Green said, describing Nigeria’s successful bid as a major breakthrough after years of setbacks.

Green also hailed Abbas for legislative initiatives promoting inclusivity, particularly those involving children, youth, women and persons with disabilities.

He said the initiatives reflected the values of the Global Alliance, which seeks to bring people from different regions and cultures together.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Tochi Okechukwu has reiterated his stance against early marriage, saying it often robs young women of the chance to discover themselves.

In a post on his Instagram story, Tochi said early marriage forces young girls to settle down before they figure out who they are or what they can achieve.

‘I have always been an advocate against early marriage for women. It often forces young girls to settle down before they even get a chance to figure out who they are or what they can achieve. When a young woman is pushed into marriage and having babies too early, her dreams usually have to take a back seat,’ he wrote.

He noted that many promising girls lose their identity to marriage and motherhood.

‘A girl who could have grown up to become a doctor, a successful businesswoman, or a leader ends up having her entire life reduced to just being known as ‘the wife of Chima Solar Enterprise.’ Her name, her talent, and her future disappear behind her having kids and her husband’s life,’ he added.

Tochi, however, said marriage remains a good institution but emphasised that timing is key.

‘Marriage is a good thing, but timing matters. Girls need time to finish school, learn a skill, and stand on their own two feet first. When we let young women grow up and build their own lives before getting married, the whole community becomes stronger for it,’ he said.

Former Big Brother Naija housemates Khafi Kareem and Gedoni Ekpata are celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary.

Khafi celebrated the milestone on Friday with a heartfelt message to her husband on her Instagram page, @acupofkhafi.

She wrote, ‘6 whole years. 6 whole years! Married to this wonderful man @Gedoni. God is so good, and I can’t help but feel so proud of how we have allowed God to shape us, mould us and surrender to Him in our marriage. We have loved, we have fought, we have laughed, we have cried, and most of all, we have tried! Through it all, God has held us, and I am so incredibly grateful’.

Khafi admitted she is often hesitant to discuss marriage publicly due to scrutiny, adding that she does not consider herself an expert.

She, however, described marriage as one of her favourite subjects, noting that it requires humility, growth and unconditional love.

‘I always feel nervous to talk about marriage online because it opens you up to scrutiny and I don’t feel I know enough. I certainly don’t feel I am an expert of any sort with our 6 years compared to the many 30-, 40-, 50-year-plus married couples that exist (where we are headed in Jesus name!).

‘But marriage is definitely one of my favourite subjects. I do know that it takes two people willing to humble themselves, willing to grow, willing to stretch and willing to love always. Plus, I do think I have been blessed with whom I get to be married to; as a lover, you really do make it easy (now hehe).

‘Gedoni, I am grateful for your life, grateful for your good, good love, and grateful that we get to create and curate the beautiful family God has given us. Thank you for steering our family aright, thank you for loving me like Christ loves the church and thank you for allowing yourself to be led by God. You are so tolerant, patient and just an all-round blessing. May this be year 6 of 100, onwards and upwards, my very own Emmanuel (God with me). Happy anniversary, my love; I love you! God is so good, loving, and has given us’, she added.

Khafi and Gedoni met during the 2019 edition of Big Brother Naija and began a relationship on the show.

They married afterwards and have since built a family together.

Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan in Lagos will on Saturday, September 26, host an attempt to push a Nollywood premiere into Guinness World Records history.

The film is Black Market. The target is 50,000 simultaneous viewers. The existing benchmark is 43,624 attendees at a single film screening.

If the Lagos gathering reaches its goal and is verified, the result will place a Nigerian production at the centre of a new global cinema record.

But, the numbers tell only the most obvious part of the story. Behind the attempt is a collaboration between Switch Visuals Productions and Rixel Studios, two creative companies trying to build an experience large enough to justify the scale of the promise.

Switch Visuals, led by Chief Executive Officer Damilola Osikoya, is driving the event-production side of the undertaking. Rixel Studios, led by filmmaker Nora Awolowo, is behind ‘Black Market.’

The result is a premiere that looks more like a festival than an industry screening. TBS will host entertainment, food, games and other activities around the film, allowing the audience to experience the venue for hours before attention finally turns to the screen.

Fifty thousand people cannot simply be invited to arrive at the same moment and sit down. The event has to create its own rhythm, absorbing the crowd and turning waiting time into part of the experience.

Osikoya has described the project as particularly meaningful because of what it represents about young people challenging convention. She has spoken about bold ideas, determination and collaboration, three qualities that become practical necessities when a film premiere begins to operate at the scale of a stadium event.

Rixel’s Nora Awolowo brings a similar appetite for experimentation from the filmmaking side. ‘Black Market’ is the studio’s second feature after ‘Red Circle’ and extends its interest in finding new ways for Nigerian stories to connect with audiences.

Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay and written by Gimsay with Abdul Tijani-Ahmed, ‘Black Market’ features an ensemble cast including Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Ibrahim Yekini, Scarlet Gomez, Omowunmi Dada, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok and Uzor Arukwe.

The film was shot in Abeokuta, but its most public moment will unfold in the heart of Lagos. TBS gives the attempt both capacity and symbolism. It is a venue associated with national events and huge gatherings, making it an unusually fitting stage for a project that wants its scale to be immediately understood.

The organisers are also expecting the wider event to attract people beyond the 50,000 required for the simultaneous screening. That broader crowd reinforces the festival character of the day while keeping the Guinness target focused on the specific audience participating in the film screening.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is targeting a 17 per cent year-on-year growth in real output, thereby pursuing an increase in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to N23.2 trillion by implementing a new Bill mandating 30 per cent value addition to raw materials before export.

One of the premises of this target is that, according to the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s real GDP in 2024 averaged N19.83 trillion, when Quarter-on-Quarter performance stood at N18.28 trillion, N18.29 trillion, N20.12 trillion, and N22.61 trillion for Q1 to Q4 of the preceding year.

Last year, the real GDP grew by 3.87 per cent. Therefore, an increase of 17 per cent in the average real output would push GDP to N23.2 trillion. It is an ambitious target, but achievable if the foundation and strategic pillars are properly set; and if the process of legislation is appropriate, and the consequent policy is well implemented, end-to-end.

In my view, this is a very important step in the right direction. I am therefore in support of the Bill.

As the engine room of incubation and development of innovation and materials and in Nigeria; the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), will play a key ‘focal point’ role to upscale the value of our production, industrial growth to international standards and more importantly to make our products to be effectively competitive, sellable and acceptable. This will surely add value to our export earnings, enable the achievement of the ‘Nigeria First’ policy of President Bola Tinubu, and consequently significantly upscale our GDP by ensuring sustainability.

Accordingly, over a year ago, on July 2, 2025, the Senate approved an amendment to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act, 2022, which will mandate that exporters must process at least 30% of raw materials locally before exporting.

While the bill is undergoing legislation, I reiterate (as I have stated in other forums) that the following key points should be noted:

The value addition policy and Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market:

According to a Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum, Nigeria scored 48.33 points out of 100 (48.33%) in 2019. Before then, the Competitiveness Index in Nigeria averaged 13.81 Points from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all-time high of 48.33 Points in 2019 and a record low of 3.37 Points in 2011. These are key indications of how important the value addition policy will be to upscaling the competitiveness of Nigeria’s products and services in the continental and global arena.

If the value addition policy is successful, our products and services will be more competitive in the international market. For example, in the agriculture sector, fruits, vegetables, and even flowers from Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, India, etc., are very competitive in the international market. But Nigerian exporters are not competitive due to value addition, post-harvest/post-production challenges like poor storage, poor logistics and supply chain infrastructure and systems, use of some pesticides during planting or post-harvest, etc.

Consequently, a lot of Nigerian products and services are rejected or underpriced. Therefore, the value addition is a welcome development if properly formulated, and more importantly, if the policy is well implemented.

Reversing trade deficits to become a trade surplus:

Essentially, Nigeria cannot achieve its social and economic objectives by just exporting raw materials, products, and services without processing and/ or value addition. I also strongly believe that the value addition policy, if properly implemented, will significantly change Nigeria’s trade deficits to become trade surpluses, and make the country more competitive in international trade and investment. This will significantly increase foreign exchange earnings and foreign direct investments in the real critical sectors of the economy.

Technology transfer and job creation:

Furthermore, the value addition policy will anchor foreign investors to situate their industries within Nigeria, thereby ensuring employment for our teeming youth, ensuring technology transfer and achieving economic values within the country and exports with concomitant effect on our economy, while also ensuring sustainability.

Standardisation:

In my view, during the process of Legislation, some germane questions should be addressed as stakeholders distill the ‘30%’ value addition within the framework of the Bill. For example; What are the standards? What makes up 30% value addition, in terms of the products? What are the standards for that 30% value addition? Because, again, in my view, value addition should also encompass storage, logistics and supply chain, infrastructure, facilities, and systems, etc. For example, in the case of agri-products, the quality of most products degrades by the time you move the products to the seaport or airport for export. This is notwithstanding the processing and value-addition on to the products. Therefore, the products (especially fruits and vegetables, and other perishables) will not be competitive, or will not even be sellable or acceptable in the global market.

Accordioning, I hope that there will be clear definitions and boundaries of standards with regard to value addition and processing. It is also crucial that almost all our national policies key into an overarching national development strategy, in terms of industrialization, trade, and investment, etc. Thus, there should be policy coordination and policy coherence as the Bill undergoes legislation, such that when enacted into law, the policy will not be in conflict with other Bills or policies that are already in place, and if so, for a realignment or streamlining to be done, so as to ensure success.

Infrastructure:

Infrastructure is crucial to the achievement of this very laudable bill. Particularly, logistics and supply chain platforms and systems (land, sea, and air), intermodal transportation networks, storage, etc., are also key to the success of the value addition policy. As an illustration, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has stated that over 50% of the agricultural products we produce in Nigeria get wasted from the farmland to the market or even to the dining table. Therefore, value addition and bridging the infrastructure deficit are crucial to our national economic diversification strategy, achieving the N2.3 trillion GDP, and also achieving the $1 trillion economy target set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So, I hope that the foundation laying and the strategic pillars setting will key into an overarching national strategy, so that we are moving lockstep in the right direction, to achieve successful legislation and passage of this laudable Bill, and effective implementation.

Power/ energy as a sine qua non:

Earlier on, I stated that value addition and processing, cannot be achieved without infrastructure in terms of power. Nigeria is lagging far behind in terms of meeting its power/energy requirements for any meaningful economic turnaround, growth, and development.

Last year, President Tinubu signed into law, the legislation that enables all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, to generate, transmit, and distribute their power/energy capacities to drive socio-economic development. Thus, Nigerians want to see value innovation by the governors. We also expect decisiveness by the federal and state governments in result-oriented moves to ensure that we have enough power/ energy that will recover and sustain our industrial sector, and the Micro-Small-and-Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in the short to mid-term, even if it is in a phased fashion. Our expectation is that governments at the federal and state levels are able to generate, distribute, transmit, and more power/energy for industries.

Infrastructure connectivity and interlinks:

Furthermore, as stated earlier, the other critical infrastructure, i.e., intermodal transportation, rural feeder roads and bridges, logistics and supply chain, are critical to the success of the value addition policy. When production/ processing/value addition is completed, the efficient and safe movement of products from production location to the market, whether domestic or international, is also critical in the value chain. Therefore, the qualities and standard of the road network, and airports (passenger and cargo) we build, should fit into our short to long-term socio-economic visions and strategies to support and sustain the economy. It is very important for us to also have effective interlinks between land, air, and sea transportation systems so that we are able to succeed in a timely and coordinated manner.

In conclusion, I advise that there should be policy consultation, and policy coherence so that there are efficient and effective synergies coordination across; Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to ensure success and achievement of the desirable objective(s), i.e., national economic recovery, economic growth, and sustainable economic development.

The OML 30 Flow Stations Presidents-General Forum (PGF) has given Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) two weeks to address outstanding issues relating to payments to indigenous contractors, employment opportunities, scholarships and the implementation of Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) projects. The OML 30 is located in Urhobo land in Delta State.

The forum also called for greater consideration of qualified indigenous contractors in the award of projects within OML 30, the review and implementation of its scholarship programme, and employment opportunities for qualified graduates from host communities.

Other concerns raised by the forum include the payment of agreed stipends and appreciation payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders, as well as the implementation and award of contracts for already-scoped HCDT community projects.

The demands were contained in a letter signed by the Presidents-General of the affected communities, comprising Evwreni PG, Chief Kenneth Ukpebitere; Afiesere PG, Mr Luke Umukoro; PG Owhe, Engr Wilfred Atunu; PG Kokori, Mr George Eghwrude; and PG Effurun-Otor, Chief Godwin Ikolo.

Others are PG Uzere, Chief Onyagbodor E.; Eriemu CDC Chairman, Mr Ibebe Matthew; PG Oleh, Chief Unuafe Believe; PG Olomoro, Chief Anthony Ukpagha; PG Igbide, Ven. Hon. Augustine Aziakpono Ovie, JP; and PG Eruemukohwarien, Mr Anigboro Godwin.

The letter, addressed to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HEOSL, was copied to the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Delta State Government, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, security agencies, traditional rulers, OML 30 HCDT, relevant PIA authorities, Manager, Contracts and Procurement, HEOSL, Managing Director, NNPCL, Managing Director, Shoreline Limited, and Uherevie Trust.

The forum said it represented host communities in OML 30 and sought urgent attention to issues it described as affecting the welfare, economic development and relationship between the operating company and its host communities.

The statement said the concerns include delays in payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders, the review and implementation of scholarship programmes, employment opportunities for qualified indigenous graduates, award of contracts to qualified indigenous contractors, delayed payment of contract sums and the implementation of already-scoped HCDT projects.

The forum particularly called for an urgent review of the scholarship programme, employment opportunities for qualified youths from the host communities and increased participation of qualified indigenous contractors in projects within OML 30.

It said delays in payments to traditional rulers and other stakeholders had generated concerns in the communities, noting that such payments had traditionally supported cordial relations between the operating company and its host communities.

The forum also called for the payment of outstanding contract sums owed to indigenous contractors and adherence to agreed contractual payment timelines, including mobilisation funds for future contracts where applicable.

It said greater participation of qualified contractors from OML 30 host communities would support local employment, capacity development and economic opportunities.

On education and employment, the forum called for the implementation of scholarship programmes which, it said, had not been implemented for the past year, as well as opportunities for qualified graduates from the host communities to join the company’s workforce.

The forum also expressed concern over delays in implementing projects already scoped under the OML 30 HCDT and urged the relevant authorities to proceed with the award of contracts for the projects to qualified contractors.

It said its preferred approach remained dialogue, consultation and partnership with the operating company and other stakeholders.

The forum, however, urged the relevant authorities to address the outstanding issues within the stipulated period in order to strengthen confidence and maintain peaceful relations between the company and its host communities.

It also called for compliance with relevant provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), particularly those relating to benefits accruing to host communities.

It reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful engagement, saying failure to address the issues could result in protests at OML 30 facilities within its jurisdiction.

It appealed to the company and other stakeholders to act promptly to resolve the concerns and preserve the existing peaceful relationship between the operating company and its host communities.