National News

KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)

Published

5 months ago

August 1, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)

By: Michael Mike

Kacran Appeals To Protesters To Suspend Planned Demonstrations And Calls On Federal, State, And Local Governments To Take Necessary Actions.

As the ten-day nationwide protest planned by Nigerian youths and their supporters approaches, there is still no clear indication of dialogue between the Federal Government and the protesters. This lack of communication could lead to severe and undesirable consequences for the peace, unity, and corporate existence of our nation. Therefore, the members of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), an association dedicated to fostering peace and unity between farmers, herders, and the good people of our beloved country, strongly urge the protesters to suspend their planned demonstrations. We also call on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to take the necessary actions to ensure the protest does not occur.

Our urgent appeal to both parties is based on the following reasons:

Although we acknowledge that Nigerians are experiencing severe hardships, including extreme hunger and other difficulties that make life unbearable due to the removal of oil subsidies, increased NEPA bills, and skyrocketing prices of food and essential commodities, we firmly believe that protests will not achieve the desired objectives. Instead, they will likely worsen the situation.

Protests, in our understanding, signify a rejection of certain government policies and programs for specific reasons stated by the protesters. In clearer terms, protests often represent a revolt against government actions or unwelcome decisions, which frequently lead to clashes between protesters and government forces, resulting in loss of lives and property, including those of innocent people who have no involvement in the protests.

Another reason for our serious concern is that protests in Nigeria often produce highly regrettable negative outcomes, which are more harmful to the protesters, the governed, and the rulers than providing solutions to the issues at hand.

In this regard, KACRAN has ample examples to illustrate why we do not support any protests. For instance:

We have witnessed how protests led to the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991.
It is also documented that protests over the increase in the cost of bread from one pound to two devastated Sudan, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Sudanese, many of whom fled the country. Now, the cost of bread has multiplied to 250 Sudanese pounds.
Libya is another example where protests, remotely influenced by Western powers, led to the downfall of the country. Libyans who celebrated the death of their leader, Muammar Gaddafi, are now suffering immensely.
The pitiable situation in Kenya due to ongoing protests, where many Kenyans have been brutally killed, is another example of why protests are detrimental, especially in the Third World countries of Africa where hooliganism often prevails.
In Nigeria, the recent End SARS protests in Lagos resulted in the deaths of many innocent people, the burning of numerous places, and the destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.

The fact that protests are likely to be hijacked by miscreants who steal and destroy property is another reason why protests are not the solution to our current problems of high living costs and lack of money to buy the now costly food.

Lastly, KACRAN is not in favor of protests and urges the parties involved to engage in peaceful dialogue to solve our country’s economic hardships. Nationwide protests pose a threat to Nigeria’s security and corporate existence, potentially leading to anarchy, statelessness, and, God forbid, disintegration. This would create a terrible situation where everyone is against everyone else.

KACRAN’s Suggestions for Solving Our Problems:

We fervently call on the protesters to suspend their planned demonstrations.
We urge the Federal, State, and Local Governments to take the necessary actions to achieve a permanent solution to our problems.
At the federal level, we call on the Federal Government to thoroughly review the protesters’ demands with a view to addressing what can be met. We also plead with the protesters to reduce their demands to acceptable levels.

Among the protesters’ demands, we passionately request the Federal Government to reconsider the removal of oil subsidies and the increase in NEPA bills.

We also call on the Federal Government to embark on the massive importation of food and other essential commodities and distribute them free of charge to our people for at least three months before the harvest period.

Additionally, we call on the Federal Government to provide relief materials and substantial funds to its commissions, such as the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and other commissions in the country, to purchase and distribute food and other essential materials to Nigerians for free.

At the state level, we call on our State Governments to purchase large quantities of food items and distribute them through their State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) and other relevant agencies.

We also urge our Local Governments to allocate substantial funds to purchase food items for immediate distribution to our local populace, particularly those residing in villages and rural areas.

In conclusion, given the severe consequences associated with nationwide protests as outlined above, we passionately request and appeal to our youths to suspend their planned demonstrations. We also urge our Federal, State, and Local Governments, in the interest of peace and unity in our beloved country, to promptly address the protesters’ demands and consider KACRAN’s additional suggestions for timely implementation.

KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)

National News

Tinubu Asked to Stop Shell from Selling Remaining Shares

Published

2 days ago

December 17, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Tinubu Asked to Stop Shell from Selling Remaining Shares

By: Michael Mike

A conglomerate of Civil Society Organisations, community leaders, and concerned citizens have called on President Bola Tinubu to sustain the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) rejection of Shell’s request to sell its remaining shares in the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to the Renaissance consortium.

The group while alleging that other international oil corporations, such as TotalEnergies, are also attempting to sell their stakes in SPDC and other Nigerian onshore oil assets, stated that any approval of Shell’s and Total’s requests would weaken regulatory independence, ignore the interests of the Niger Delta communities, jeopardize the environmental and social well-being of the region for generations to come, and undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Signatories to the request are Nnimmo Bassey (Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)), Dr. Isaac ‘Asume’ Osuoka (Social Action Nigeria), Olanrewaju Suraju (HEDA Resource Centre), Emem Okon (Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre),
Akinbode Oluwafemi (Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)), Idoreyin Bassey (League of Queens International Empowerment),
Tijah Bolton-Akpan (Policy Alert), Ken Henshaw (We the People), Rita Uwaka (Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria), David Ugolor (Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)) Mfon Utin (Healthy Life Development initiative), Comr. Cynthia Buluebiere Bright (Gbolekekro Women Empowerment And Development Organization (GWEDO)), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani (Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)), Cookey Tammy (Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD)), Umo Isua-Ikoh (Peace Point Development Foundation),
Friday Nbani (Lekeh Development Foundation)

Others are Amanie Stella (Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA)), Martha Agbani (Lokiaka Community Development Centre), Akpobari Celestine (People’s Advancement Centre
Ogoni Solidarity Forum), Chido Onumah (Africa Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)), Ibrahim Zikirullahi (Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED)), Odey Friday (Accountability Lab International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC)), Arochukwu Ogbonna (Civil Rights Council) and Josesphine Alabi (Keen and Care Initiative)

The group stated that: “We are, again, compelled to ask for a comprehensive halt to all divestment requests from oil corporations in the Niger Delta, including Shell, Total, and other IOCs with similar plans, until the issues of concerned are addressed.”

Among the issues include: It is critical to emphasize that the Nigerian Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the NUPRC’s responsibility to uphold this law were clearly outlined when Shell’s divestment request was initially rejected. NUPRC’s refusal was based on legitimate concerns, including Shell’s failure to adequately address the significant environmental and social liabilities associated with its operations in the Niger Delta, as was independently assessed and recommended by international assessors contracted by the country. Among the reasons for rejecting the sale, NUPRC cited the inability of the Renaissance consortium, a shady company with links to past Shell executives and Nigerian political actors, to demonstrate its financial and technical capacities to manage the assets and the pressing need for proper environmental remediation.
NUPRC’s rejection was in line with the responsibilities outlined under Nigerian law and global best practices for corporate accountability. It is a decision rooted in national interest — protecting the health, safety, and environment of the Niger Delta communities. Any attempt to approve Shell’s sale despite these valid concerns would risk undermining regulatory independence and signaling that Nigerian law can be bypassed to serve the interests of multinational corporations.
The Legacy of Pollution and Health Crisis
The environmental and health crises caused by Shell and other oil corporations operating in the Niger Delta are well documented. The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) report on Ogoniland describes an ecological disaster of immense proportions. UNEP’s findings revealed that:

Drinking water sources are contaminated with dangerous levels of hydrocarbons, making them unsafe for human consumption.
Oil spills have destroyed entire ecosystems, killing marine life and damaging the biodiversity that is crucial for the livelihood of local communities.
The soil in Ogoniland has been contaminated with toxic substances, rendering it infertile and unsuitable for farming, exacerbating food insecurity in the region.
UNEP’s assessment concluded that the cost of remediating the “environmental catastrophe” in Ogoniland alone would exceed $1 billion over the initial five years, with the cleanup expected to last more than 30 years. Yet, these costs are still insufficient to cover the broader environmental impacts of oil extraction across the Niger Delta, where similar damages exist.
The Bayelsa State Oil and Environment Commission’s (BSOEC) report provides a detailed analysis of the severe pollution caused by Shell’s and other multinational companies’ operations, including health impacts on local populations. According to the BSOEC:
High levels of toxins from oil pollution, such as total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and heavy metals (HMs), have infiltrated the air, water, and soil across the region, contributing to a public health emergency.
Communities are suffering from respiratory issues, skin diseases, and cancers linked to oil pollution, and these problems are worsening by the year.
The economic cost of these health impacts and the degradation of natural resources is incalculable, leaving most of the people in poverty and unable to sustain themselves through traditional means like farming and fishing.
The BSOEC report also estimates that the cost of remediating the damage in Bayelsa State alone would exceed $12 billion over 12 years. Based on the UNEP and BSOEC reports, it would take about $100 billion to address the environmental damage in the entire Niger Delta comprehensively. Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the United States, BP, the company responsible, paid over $60 billion to address the impacts of one oil spill incident alone. The environmental damage of the Niger Delta is much worse and has spanned decades. Therefore, to allow Shell, TotalEnergies, or any other company to walk away from their responsibilities would mean transferring these liabilities to the Nigerian state, the Niger Delta states, and the Nigerian people. This is an unjust and unsustainable burden that would further exacerbate the challenges faced by communities already suffering from the effects of pollution and environmental neglect.
Dangerous Lessons from Past Asset Sales
The experiences from past asset sales by Shell, ENI/AGIP, and ExxonMobil offer grave lessons. In the case of Shell’s divestment in Nembe to Aiteo, for instance, the local communities were left with unresolved pollution and no proper remedy for the environmental damage caused by decades of oil extraction. Environmental destruction has worsened in the area. Similarly, when ExxonMobil divested some of its assets, the responsibility for remediation was inadequately transferred to new operators, who were ill-prepared to manage the legacy of contamination. In ENI/AGIP’s case, the sale of assets to Oando continued to worsen the situation in the host communities as there were no comprehensive cleanup efforts undertaken.
These sales not only failed to address the critical environmental liabilities but also deepened the social tensions in the Niger Delta, as new operators took over without addressing the root causes of community unrest or the longstanding health and environmental challenges. This pattern of irresponsible divestment must not be repeated, and the Nigerian government has a responsibility to stop it.
The National Interest and the Urgency for Action
We ask Mr. President to ensure that the immediate financial interests of a few multinational corporations and local profiteers do not outweigh the health, future, and survival of millions of Nigerians who have suffered for decades. President Tinubu must safeguard the future of Nigeria, ensuring that all its people, especially those in the Niger Delta, are not sacrificed for the benefit of global capital and a few local profiteers.
An Approval of the Sale of Shell’s and Total’s Assets Would Be a Declaration of War with the Niger Delta
We want to make it absolutely clear: approving Shell’s or TotalEnergies’ divestment in its current form without addressing the profound environmental and social costs would be a grave injustice to the people of the Niger Delta and could lead to significant unrest in the region. It would be an affront to the generations of Niger Deltans who have fought and died for environmental justice, their homes, and their livelihoods.
Approving Shell’s SPDC share sale would send a dangerous message to all multinational corporations operating in Nigeria that they can extract our resources, leave devastation behind, and walk away without consequence. This is not just a question of corporate accountability; it is about Nigeria’s sovereignty, dignity, and the right of its people to live in a clean and safe environment.
They demanded that President Tinubu: “Immediately halt all divestment processes until a transparent, comprehensive, and inclusive review is undertaken that addresses Shell’s and TotalEnergies’ historical environmental and social liabilities.

“Ensure inclusive and transparent consultation with state governments and the people of the sites of oil and gas extraction in the Niger Delta before any further divestment of IOC assets.

“Hold Shell, TotalEnergies, and all other IOCs accountable for their past and ongoing environmental damage, and ensure they fund a full cleanup and remediation program across the Niger Delta.

“Uphold the regulatory independence of NUPRC and allow it to fulfill its statutory duties without political interference.

“Respect the resolution of the National Assembly, which has called for a halt to all divestments by international oil companies in Nigeria.

“Ensure that new operators are properly vetted and committed to responsible environmental management and community welfare.

“Create an Environmental Restoration Fund that is sufficiently funded to meet the full and complete costs of environmental cleanup and reparations based on credible estimates of independent international experts and contributed to by Shell, TotalEnergies, and other international oil companies and future operators to address the long-term damage caused by their operations.

“Provide community profit-sharing opportunities for host communities as part of any divestment agreement, ensuring that the local people benefit from the oil resources they have hosted for decades.

“Mandate full disclosure of all environmental liabilities before divestment, requiring Shell, TotalEnergies, and any future operators to publicly declare and address all damages.

“Include gas flaring cessation and decommissioning plans in any divestment agreement, with clear timelines for ending harmful practices.

“Account for carbon emissions related to the divested assets and propose mitigation plans that align with Nigeria’s climate commitments.”

They stated that: “This is a defining moment in Nigeria. We urge President Tinubu to stand with the people of the Niger Delta and uphold the values of justice, fairness, and environmental protection. By halting Shell’s, TotalEnergies’ and any other IOC divestment and demanding accountability,

“President Tinubu will send a powerful message that Nigeria’s sovereignty and the welfare of its citizens are paramount.
We ask President Tinubu not to undermine Nigeria’s national interest and the oversight of democratic institutions. We stand ready to continue our advocacy but need President Tinubu to show leadership to ensure a just, sustainable, and prosperous future for all Nigerians.”

Tinubu Asked to Stop Shell from Selling Remaining Shares

National News

NDLEA intercepts N3.3billion Meth, Loud Christmas shipments in auto parts from Canada

Published

3 days ago

December 15, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NDLEA intercepts N3.3billion Meth, Loud Christmas shipments in auto parts from Canada
. Arrests 3 businessmen linked to consignments in Lagos; recovers N4.4billion worth opioids in Rivers

By: Michael Mike

The other container bearing automobile spare parts checked on Friday 13th December was found to contain 1, 735 parcels of Loud packed in 44 jumbo bags with a total weight of 867.5kg and six plastic coolers containing 87 packs of methamphetamine weighing 78.3kg. At least, two businessmen: Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe have been arrested in connection with the seizure.
The two meth consignments have a combined weight of 83.301kg worth One Hundred and Twenty-Four Million Nine Hundred and Fifty-One Thousand Naira (124,951,000.00) while the 867.5kg Loud is worth Two Billion One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,168,750,000.00) in street value.
The seizures were made during a joint examination of the shipments with Customs and other port stakeholders. This followed months of intelligence processing and tracking of the consignments from their ports of loading in Canada to the landing port in Lagos by combined Special Operations Units in NDLEA and the Tincan Port Strategic Command of the Agency.
The first container with 5.001kg meth came under the radar of NDLEA’s intelligence network on 4th October 2024 when the preparation for the shipment began in Toronto, Canada, monitored through 8th October when the shipment was received at the rail ramp, loaded on the rail and departed to Montreal, Canada where it arrived and was unloaded the following day 9th October. The consignment was further monitored till it was loaded on a vessel on 19th October through when the vessel arrived and discharged at Antwerp in Belgium on 30th October after which the consignment was trans-shipped and loaded on 14th November before arriving Lagos port on 1st December and released to a bonded terminal two days after.
The second shipment containing 867.5kg Loud and 78.3kg methamphetamine followed the same route. It came under NDLEA’s intelligence tracking on 8th October 2024 when the consignments were delivered to the shipper in Toronto, Canada, loaded on the rail on 14th October and arrived Montreal the following day, 15th, after which they were loaded on a vessel to Europe on 20th October. After arrival and trans-shipment at Antwerp in Belgium on 6th and 17th November respectively, the consignments were tracked till they arrived and discharged from the vessel at Lagos port on 6th December before being moved to the terminal on 10th December.
At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state, no fewer than Six Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand Six Hundred (636,600) bottles of codeine-based syrup worth Four Billion Four Hundred and Fifty-Six Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N4,456,200,000.00) in street value were intercepted in shipments from India on Monday 9th, Wednesday 11th and Friday 13th December 2024.
The seizures were made during joint examination of four containers by NDLEA officers, men of Customs and other security agencies at the port following processed credible intelligence on the shipments.
With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of City Comprehensive College, Ogidi, Anambra; Government Secondary School, Toungo, Adamawa; Bonny Camp Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos; Government Junior Secondary School, Yarganji, Kano, while Oyo state command of NDLEA delivered WADA enlightenment lecture to leaders, elders, youths and residents of Tapa community, Tapa, among others.
While commending the officers and men of the Special Operations Units, Tincan, and Onne Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that the operational successes should show the drug barons and cartels that the Agency has the capacity and intelligence network to track their movements and their consignments even before getting to Nigeria. He said they will continue to lose heavily if they fail to back down on the criminal trade.

Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja
Sunday 15th December 2024 NDLEA intercepts N3.3billion Meth, Loud Christmas shipments in auto parts from Canada
. Arrests 3 businessmen linked to consignments in Lagos; recovers N4.4billion worth opioids in Rivers

Multi-billion-naira worth of shipments of Methamphetamine and Loud, a strong synthetic strain of cannabis meant for distribution during the Christmas and New Year festive season, concealed in automobile spare parts imported from Canada, have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Tincan seaport in Lagos after months of intelligence-driven tracking of the cargoes across three continents.
For the first time in the history of NDLEA’s anti-narcotic operations, two consignments of methamphetamine weighing 83.301 kilograms were on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th December 2024, recovered from separate containers bearing vehicles and spare parts coming from Canada and heading to warehouses in the Ladipo automobile parts market in Mushin area of Lagos.
While one of the containers going to Ladipo market through the Sifax bonded terminal was examined on Thursday 12th December, not less than 5.001kg methamphetamine hidden in a bag wrapped in bed sheet that came in a Toyota Camry car, was recovered, even as a businessman, Isaac Onwumere linked with the consignment was promptly arrested.
The other container bearing automobile spare parts checked on Friday 13th December was found to contain 1, 735 parcels of Loud packed in 44 jumbo bags with a total weight of 867.5kg and six plastic coolers containing 87 packs of methamphetamine weighing 78.3kg. At least, two businessmen: Nwanolue Emeka and Friday Ogbe have been arrested in connection with the seizure.
The two meth consignments have a combined weight of 83.301kg worth One Hundred and Twenty-Four Million Nine Hundred and Fifty-One Thousand Naira (124,951,000.00) while the 867.5kg Loud is worth Two Billion One Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,168,750,000.00) in street value.
The seizures were made during a joint examination of the shipments with Customs and other port stakeholders. This followed months of intelligence processing and tracking of the consignments from their ports of loading in Canada to the landing port in Lagos by combined Special Operations Units in NDLEA and the Tincan Port Strategic Command of the Agency.
The first container with 5.001kg meth came under the radar of NDLEA’s intelligence network on 4th October 2024 when the preparation for the shipment began in Toronto, Canada, monitored through 8th October when the shipment was received at the rail ramp, loaded on the rail and departed to Montreal, Canada where it arrived and was unloaded the following day 9th October. The consignment was further monitored till it was loaded on a vessel on 19th October through when the vessel arrived and discharged at Antwerp in Belgium on 30th October after which the consignment was trans-shipped and loaded on 14th November before arriving Lagos port on 1st December and released to a bonded terminal two days after.
The second shipment containing 867.5kg Loud and 78.3kg methamphetamine followed the same route. It came under NDLEA’s intelligence tracking on 8th October 2024 when the consignments were delivered to the shipper in Toronto, Canada, loaded on the rail on 14th October and arrived Montreal the following day, 15th, after which they were loaded on a vessel to Europe on 20th October. After arrival and trans-shipment at Antwerp in Belgium on 6th and 17th November respectively, the consignments were tracked till they arrived and discharged from the vessel at Lagos port on 6th December before being moved to the terminal on 10th December.

At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state, no fewer than Six Hundred and Thirty-Six Thousand Six Hundred (636,600) bottles of codeine-based syrup worth Four Billion Four Hundred and Fifty-Six Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N4,456,200,000.00) in street value were intercepted in shipments from India on Monday 9th, Wednesday 11th and Friday 13th December 2024.
The seizures were made during joint examination of four containers by NDLEA officers, men of Customs and other security agencies at the port following processed credible intelligence on the shipments.
With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitisation lecture to students and staff of City Comprehensive College, Ogidi, Anambra; Government Secondary School, Toungo, Adamawa; Bonny Camp Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos; Government Junior Secondary School, Yarganji, Kano, while Oyo state command of NDLEA delivered WADA enlightenment lecture to leaders, elders, youths and residents of Tapa community, Tapa, among others.
While commending the officers and men of the Special Operations Units, Tincan, and Onne Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) stated that the operational successes should show the drug barons and cartels that the Agency has the capacity and intelligence network to track their movements and their consignments even before getting to Nigeria. He said they will continue to lose heavily if they fail to back down on the criminal trade.

NDLEA intercepts N3.3billion Meth, Loud Christmas shipments in auto parts from Canada

National News

Nigeria’s Crude Production To Increase By 30,000bpd

Published

4 days ago

December 14, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Nigeria’s Crude Production To Increase By 30,000bpd

*** As VP Shettima launches Oriental Energy’s FPSO facility in Dubai, says it’s symbol of national ambition

*** Vessel heads for Nigeria as firm launches $315m offshore asset

By: Our Reporter

In a major gain for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s oil sector reforms, Nigeria’s Oriental Energy Resources Limited has unveiled a $315 million Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel to boost Nigeria’s oil production capacity.

The FPSO vessel, with a storage capacity of one million barrels, which will kick off with an initial production of 17,000 barrels per day before increasing its production capacity to 30,000 bpd is expected to depart for Nigeria in Q1 2025 and commence production at the Okwok Oil Field in the first half of 2025.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the commissioning and naming ceremony of the vessel, described the facility as more than just a maritime infrastructure project, saying it is a pointer to the success of President Tinubu’s reforms in the sector as well as Nigeria’s growing global influence.

Speaking on Saturday while commissioning the oil facility at the Drydocks World Dubai Shipyard in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, VP Shettima pointed out that what sets Nigerians apart is not merely the audacity of their ambition, but their unique understanding of where the world is headed.

“This FPSO vessel is more than just a technological achievement; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and our readiness to meet global energy demands. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are witnessing the transformation of the oil and gas sector, which is central to our economic revitalisation efforts,” the Vice President said.

According to him, the vessel is a critical link in Nigeria’s ambition to optimise productivity, enabling the country to become a central hub for hydrocarbon demand, both domestically and globally.

The Vice President lauded Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, the Executive Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, for his remarkable contributions to the industry.

He stated: “Over the decades, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi has stood as a model businessman and symbol of excellence in the oil and gas industry. So, it’s not surprising that his vision has transformed Oriental Energy Resources Limited into a global phenomenon.

“This outcome testifies to what is possible when ambition is matched with perseverance and expertise. His journey reminds us that Nigeria is a land of opportunity, and with dedication, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”

VP Shettima further explained that as Nigeria’s home-based refineries come alive, vessels like this will be instrumental in maximising the nation’s production capacity and driving economic growth.

“Just about two weeks ago, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was in Paris, where he oversaw the expansion of one of Nigeria’s indigenous banks into that sphere of the European financial market. That historic moment reflected our collective aspiration as a nation,” he noted.

Senator Shettima further pointed out that the UAE demonstrates what can be achieved when natural resources are leveraged effectively, just as he reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s support for transformative initiatives “which align with Nigeria’s vision for expanding hydrocarbon exploration, storage, and refining.

“This FPSO vessel symbolises a future where Nigerian ingenuity meets global standards, and we will be here every step of the way to ensure its utility and success,” he added.

Expressing delight in the project, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, commended the vision and tenacity of the Chairman of Oriental Energy Nigeria, saying his investment will stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities for many Nigerians, as well as ensure steady growth and development of the nation’s economy.

Governor Zulum said, “Today is one of my happiest moments to stand before this gathering. I make my brief remark because Alhaji Ndimi is from Borno State, and I’m happy to note that the production of this vessel was born 100 percent by his own company, which has never happened in Nigeria. This goes to show how committed Alhaji Mohammed Ndimi is to the growth and development of not only Borno State but the entire country.”

Also, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, applauded the Chairman of Oriental Energy, Alhaji Indimi, and his technical partners, noting that to truly appreciate the oil mogul, it would be best to know that he wasn’t the only person that was allocated an oil block in the 90s.

“There were so many of them. But from what we are witnessing today, he will go down as one who believes in Nigeria, who believes in investing in Nigeria, who believes in the government of Nigeria, who appreciates Nigeria. And that is the reason why he is investing in this baby here that is going to store one million barrels of crude oil,” he noted.

Earlier, while welcoming the Vice President and his entourage at the event, Chairman/CEO of Oriental Energy Resources Ltd, Alhaji Indimi, revealed that the facility is the first FPSO to be fully funded by a Nigerian indigenous company.

The vessel named ENEM FPSO, the chairman added, has heralded an effort for an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas company to independently develop a marginal field, stressing that it is an important milestone for Nigeria and its indigenous oil and gas sector.

He continued: “When operating at full capacity we expect the Okwok Oil Field to produce up to 30,000 barrels of oil a day, significantly enhancing Nigeria’s oil production and contributing to the government’s ambition to increase oil revenue to fund Nigeria’s development.

“The Okwok field is just one step towards our long term ambition to deliver 100,000 barrels of oil per day of production in Nigeria. We have a strong set of proven assets, and a development pipeline that can deliver it.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the Nigerian government; His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; His Excellency Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the dedicated officials and civil servants in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NURPC and the other agencies that have provided the enabling environment for this investment”.

In his own remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Drydocks Dubai, Capt. Dr. Antolovic Rado, assured that the vessel, when fully operational, will contribute significantly to the sustainable development of the Okwok oil field region and would support economic growth and energy security.

He noted that the success achieved by Oriental Energy’s huge investment in the oil sector, has set a benchmark for operational excellence and safety to Oriental Energy Resources Limited and other partners.

On his part, representative of partners, HBA & World Carriers Corporation, Mr Hassan Basma, said the vessel, EMEM, with many features is significant in many ways, especially being the first of its kind (indigenous-owned project) in Nigeria, financed wholly in Nigeria and predominantly done by a Nigerian workforce.

He added that the partners aimed to develop the vessel to become the centre of excellence, not only for Nigeria, but for the entire coast of Africa.

According to him, the completion of the project satisfied not only the NCD requirements, but aligned with the company’s ESG in line with the spirit of Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Crude Production To Increase By 30,000bpd