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VP Shettima charges journalists on courage to serve as conscience of the nation
VP Shettima charges journalists on courage to serve as conscience of the nation
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has implored media professionals in Nigeria to be more focused on objectively speaking truth to power rather than antagonising the government.
Drawing the distinction between antagonism and speaking truth to power, he also urged members of the fourth estate of the realm to, as a matter of necessity, always strive to strike a balance between their allegiance to self and to truth.
Senator Shettima who gave the charge on Saturday during the Public Presentation of the Book, “Persona Non Grata,” authored by a seasoned journalist, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, said the goal must hinge on serving a greater good and a deserving humanity.
“What must be spelt out is that there is a distinction between antagonising a government and speaking truth to power. The latter is driven by a noble principle to serve a greater good and a deserving humanity.
“The former, on the other hand, is usually a self-serving exercise that fades into futility, and that is not the end we should aspire to achieve with the information and ideas we labour to acquire and process in our line of work,” he stated.
Taking a leaf from “The Republic,” a Socratic dialogue, written by the Greek Philosopher, Plato, the Vice President pointed out that to really build a nation that can best be described as an ideal state, the intellectual class, especially the journalists, must be allowed to be the nation’s conscience.
Categorically, the VP told the journalists that apart from speaking truth to power, the nation also needs them, as media professionals, to serve as the country’s conscience.
He continued: “No political leader, however sincere their intentions, can excel beyond the scale of the knowledge at their disposal, and this is particularly telling in our political space.
“While we need an army of courageous media professionals to speak the truth to power, we also need them to serve as the conscience of the political institutions and individuals who influence the evolution of society, including the questions of our collective survival.”
VP Shettima however observed that the real courage required to serve as the conscience of the nation “lies in resisting compromise in one’s pursuit of truth.
“True courage is being able to tell the truth even in a congress of critics and bullies. The rush to partake in a smear campaign, even in the face of superior facts, is, of course, not an act of courage. This distinction sets courage apart from cowardice. It takes rare integrity to recognise the difference between the two “Cs”, he added.
Urging both leaders and media practitioners, as well as other well-meaning citizens to “aspire to learn where and when to draw the line between courage and cowardice,” the Vice President described the author of the book, Mr. Omipidan, as a journalist who “has shown that, in reporting the ups and downs of his nation, true allegiance isn’t to oneself, but to one’s society.
“This awakening has defined his kind—the realisation of what one truly aspires to accomplish in advocating for a nation that functions, a nation that cares, and a nation that’s accountable. You cannot solve a crime objectively by investigating the cause away from the crime scene,” he said.
Describing the book, “Persona Non Grata”, as “a declaration of the price of adhering to noble principles even in the face of corrupting temptation,” VP Shettima pointed out that the book is not “a record of the journey to being cancelled for telling uncomfortable truths.”
He recommended Omipidan’s book to both practising and aspiring journalists, as well as any professional seeking “to find a balance between their allegiance to self and to truth” as a cautionary tale that “will inspire sobering reflections even within Nigeria’s media ecosystem.
“The man on whose invitation we gather here today must not go down in our history as either a persona non grata or a provocateur. He has been an essential pillar of our interactions as a nation and has helped determine the direction our society is headed. Each of us, therefore, must not fail in the performance of our duty to fill this moral vacuum,” he further stated.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief Host of the book launch, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, thanked Vice President Shettima “for taking time out of his demanding schedule to attend the book launch.
He said the book is a compilation of the vast experiences of the author, his work in the private and public sectors.
According to him, the book speaks volumes about the author’s strength of character, resilience and commitment that defines his personal and professional judgement, as well as integrity in journalism.
“The title of the book, “Persona Non Grata,” states his curiosity and rightly so. As I delve into the pages it became apparently clear that he put his mind and soul into his work. It is not just a professional memoir, it is a profound commentary of the complexities of power and unforeseen forces that shape public perception,” Oyetola stated.
On his part, the book reviewer, and the Editor of Saturday Tribune, Mr. Lasisi Olagunju, said Omipidan’s book has 31 short chapters with the foreword written by Farouk Gberugi.
He said that he has taken time to read the book from the title page to all the pages that chronicle the author’s early life, and his many experiences.
In his vote of thanks, the author of the book, Ismail Omipidan, thanked the Vice President for honouring his invitation.
He recalled the first time he discussed with him ten years ago about writing a book, and the VP told him: “You have not seen anything yet; what are you writing about?”
Omipidan said he accepted to work with Oyetola when he was the Governor of Osun State because he is a man of honesty and integrity.
Among others who made brief remarks about the author were the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama, who recalled Omipidan’s days as a journalist in Borno State where he enjoyed the protection of the Vice President, and former President of the Guild of Editors, Funke Egbemode, who recounted her experience with him as a colleague in the newsroom at the Sun newspaper.
VP Shettima charges journalists on courage to serve as conscience of the nation
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Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established to Propel Completion of Ondo Refinery, FTZ Project
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established to Propel Completion of Ondo Refinery, FTZ Project
By: Michael Mike
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited has been established as the execution platform for the proposed Ondo State’s refinery and free trade zone project
to propel its realization.
The Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited and the state government had formalised a joint venture platform and commenced technical engagements including site assessments for a refinery and free trade zone project in Ilaje Local Government Area.
The latest least of life came after Backbone Infrastructure Ltd recently disclosed that it has secured more than $50 billion in funding commitments for a 500,000bpd refinery and the Sunshine Free Trade Zone in Ilaje, Ondo State.
According to the disclosure, the funding was facilitated through a joint venture agreement between BINL and NEFEX Holdings Limited of Canada, which marks one of the largest single private sector investment packages targeted at Nigeria’s downstream oil and gas industry.
A statement at the weekend by the Vice President, Corporate Services at Backbone Infrastructure Limited, Wale Adekola, revealed that the agreement has led to the creation of Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited, which will serve as the execution platform for the refinery and industrial corridor.
Adekola disclosed that the entity was established after months of technical reviews and information-sharing sessions with the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency, bringing together BINL, NEFEX Petro Line Limited and Cooldeal Limited to work with the state government through ONDIPA.
He noted that the partners in the JV include Bacckbone Infrastructure Limited, NEFEX Petro Line Limited and Cooldeal Limited, working in partnership with the Ondo State Government through ONDIPA.
Adekola said NEFEX is represented in the joint venture by Messrs Navid, Egbal and MJ, while BINL’s representation includes its Directors, Henry Owonka and Steve Dike. Namvapor Maryam Fard is representing Cooldeal Limited.
The statement read: “As a follow up to the engagements and sharing of information and technical reviews and presentations with the Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency, the partners have initiated the necessary process by the establishment of the Sunshine Joint venture Infrastructure Limited, the platform by the partners, Bacckbone Infrastructure Limited, NEFEX Petro Line Limited and Cooldeall Limited, to work with the Ondo State Government, represented by ONDIPA.”
In order to advance the implementation roadmap, ONDIPA officials had led a combined team of JV partners and global technical consultants from China Harbour, China Engineering and Honeywell on a site assessment tour across the Ilaje waterways.
The visit, which included engagements with community stakeholders, covered the designated development zones earmarked for the refinery and free trade operations.
Adekola described the visit as “a major milestone confirming the readiness of partners to move from planning to structured execution.”
Adekola added that the team had earlier been received by the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, during a courtesy visit led by the Chairman of BINL and former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani.
Aiyedatiwa had lauded the investors for selecting Ondo as the destination for the large-scale project, noting that the initiative would accelerate industrial growth in the state and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
“We are committed to providing a conducive environment for this partnership to thrive and for all stakeholders to enjoy mutually beneficial outcomes,” the governor was quoted as saying.
The delegation also visited the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, who expressed strong support for the project, particularly its potential to transform the Ilaje coast into a major industrial hub.
The monarch warmly received the foreign partners, including Egbal, JM and Maryam, and assured them of the kingdom’s backing, including community cooperation and security.
“Ugbo Kingdom will give full support to ensure the success of the project for the benefit of all,” the Olugbo told the team.
Adekola said the joint venture remains committed not only to the project’s technical success but also to ensuring local communities benefit from modern social amenities. Planned interventions include hospitals, schools, potable water systems, and new settlement clusters equipped with essential infrastructure.
“The team is fully aligned with the design plans and will follow through on every step of the roadmap to deliver a world-class industrial project,” he added.
The refinery and free trade zone development project forms part of Ondo State’s long-term industrialisation plan aimed at leveraging the economic potential of its coastal belt. Earlier project outlines include pipelines, tank farms, modular and standard refinery units, fabrication yards, export-processing facilities and a dedicated logistics corridor intended to attract global energy and manufacturing players.
The refinery, upon completion, is expected to meet local demand for petroleum products, provide feedstock to industries, and export refined products to international markets. It will also include storage facilities, loading bays, terminals, and a network of internal roads, according to the project brief.
Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established to Propel Completion of Ondo Refinery, FTZ Project
NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted the claim that female inmates are left without menstrual care, insisting that it is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality on the ground at correctional facilities.
A statement on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Adamu Duza read: “The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) FCT Command, has been drawn to a recent narrative alleging that female inmates across Nigeria are being “left without menstrual care” citing the Medium Security Custodial Centre Suleja. This claim is false, misleading, and does not reflect the reality on the ground.
“In line with its mandate and international best practices, NCoS supplies sanitary pads and hygiene kits to all female inmates at no cost, with monthly distribution recorded in inmates’ welfare registers.”
He added that: “Custodial Centres has a designated healthcare unit with qualified nurses and doctors that attend to the medical needs of female inmates, including menstrual-related issues, with free consultations, medications, and referrals to nearby hospitals when required.
“The Service also collaborates with development partners, civil society organisations, and faith-based groups that regularly donate sanitary products and conduct menstrual-hygiene awareness sessions. Recently the service received a donation of sanitary pads from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to promote menstrual hygiene, amongst others. This is a testament of the power of collaboration.
“Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command remains committed to the dignity and humane treatment of all inmates, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, the Nelson Mandela Rules, and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.
“The Service hereby advise reporters to confirm sources of their information regarding the Nigerian Correctional Service before going to press in order not to mislead the general public.”
NCoS Refutes Claim of Neglecting Female Inmates’ Menstrual Care
News
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
By: Michael Mike
The Department of State Services (DSS) has recaptured a top commander of the Ansari terrorist group, Abdulazeez Obadaki, believed to have masterminded the August 7, 2012 mass shooting of Christian worshippers at a Deeper Life Bible Church, near Okene, in Kogi State.
At least 19 worshippers, including the pastor were killed, with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries after three men armed with AK-47 rifles walked into the church and opened fire on the worshippers.
Security sources said Obadaki, who, after the church mass shooting, also masterminded another attack on five commercial banks in Uromi, Edo State, was arrested, but escaped during the July 2022 jailbreak at Kuje Custodial Centre.
Security sources disclosed that the suspected terrorist leader confessed to orchestrating the Kuje Custodial centre jailbreak following his transfer from Kabba Custodial Centre in June 2022.
According to the sources, after over three years of being on the run, DSS operatives in a, well-oiled intelligence operation recaptured Obadaki aka Bomboy, on Friday morning.
This arrest comes barely two months after the secret police arraigned five suspects linked to the 2022 Catholic Church attack in Owo, Ondo State.
During the February 2022 daylight bank robberies in Uromi, Edo State, which instilled widespread fear across the region, several policemen and bank customers were killed, while hundreds of millions of Naira was reportedly carted away.
The secret police has, of recent, been recording a chain of successes in the capture of terrorists and criminal elements across the nation, with its new leadership fast-tracking the trial of the arrested suspects.
Owo church Massacre: DSS recaptures Ansaru Terrorists Mastermind of deeper life church shootings
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Sunshine Joint Venture Infrastructure Limited Established to Propel Completion of Ondo Refinery, FTZ Project
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