News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has praised President Bola Tinubu's visionary leadership that led to the resolution of longstanding dispute over OPL 245, an act he believed will reposition the economy and strengthen the country's fiscal muscle.  Fagbemi spoke after signing the legal agreement that brought the dispute to an end in Abuja, describing the development as a milestone in repositioning Nigeria’s economic landscape. "The agreement marks a turning point for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector after more than two decades of legal battles and international arbitration," he said. Federal Government reached the settlement with Eni and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL), effectively ending the protracted dispute over OPL 245. The AGF emphasised that resolving the dispute over OPL 245 will recalibrate the national economy and bolster the Federal Government's fiscal position. Accordin...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Vice President Kashim Shettima has stated that the implementation of new tax reforms will eliminate the burden of multiple levies and charges on small businesses and low-income earners in Nigeria, thereby helping to reduce poverty.   This was even as he noted that the planning and implementation of the tax reforms were carefully designed to improve livelihoods, contrary to the claims of political detractors.  Shettima spoke on behalf of President Bola Tinubu at the interfaith breaking of fast for Ramadan and Lent held at the State House.  Attendees included members of the Federal Executive Council, the Central Bank governor, special advisers, senior special assistants and heads of agencies and parastatals. He urged them to remain champions of the government’s reforms.  The Vice President said that the government is genuinely concerned about Nigerians' plight and is releasing policy instruments to lift many out of poverty without...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians and members of the Armed Forces that the nation will ultimately prevail against all forms of insecurity, emphasising that the sacrifices of the country’s brave servicemen and women will never be in vain. Tinubu gave the assurances on Friday during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the Armed Forces at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of officers and men on the frontline.  "I have listened to the Chief of Army Staff on my recent approvals to the Nigerian Armed Forces. My duty is to thank all of you on behalf of a grateful nation, knowing fully well that many times you are without your families and that you stay away from them. Some of you are facing attacks by bandits and terrorists. "I commend your courage, sacrifice, and professionalism as you put your lives on the line in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the safety of...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to power sector reforms, President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated an 11-member committee for the smooth sailing incorporation of the Grid Asset Management Company Limited (GAMCO). The committee's constitution followed the Federal Executive Council's approval of the company's establishment at its Wednesday meeting.  In proposing GAMCO, President Tinubu was optimistic that the committee will come up with a  quick-fix solution to the endemic problems of stranded power, grid management and transmission in the country's electricity sector.  The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who performed the inauguration on behalf of the President on Friday, said that the committee was critical to the realisation of President Tinubu’s aspirations in Nigeria’s power sector. "The proposed establishment of GAMCO is one of the revolutionary steps taken by Mr President and this administration in the all-important power sector. We...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the postings of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations.  This is even as a former presidential spokesperson, Reno Omokri, and former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode made the list.  The latest postings bring the number of Ambassadors to 65, just as the Senate confirmed the ambassadors-designate last December. POSTINGS OF NON-CAREER AMBASSADORS / HIGH COMMISSIONERS 1. Grace Bent: Lome, Togo 2. Ita Enang: South Africa 3. Ikpeazu Victor: Spain 4. Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu: Tel-Aviv, Israel 5. Mahmood Yakubu: Qatar 6. Paul Oga Adikwu: The Vatican City, Holy See 7. Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas: The Philippines 8. Reno Omokri: Mexico City, Mexico 9. Abasi Braimah (Fmhr): Budapest, Hungary 10. Erelu Angela Adebayo: Portugal 11. Olumilua Oluwayimika Ayotunwa: Tokyo, Japan 12. Ugwuanyi Ifeanyi Lawrence: Athens, Greece 13. Chioma Priscilla Ohakim: Warsaw, Poland 14. Aminu Dalhat...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has unlocked major deepwater investment with the resolution of OPL 245 dispute.  The controversy ended with the historic settlement of an agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria, ENI, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL).  Tinubu disclosed this at a meeting held in his office and attended by the Chief Executive Officer of Eni, Claudio Descalzi; Chief Operating Officer, Guido Brusco; Head of Sub-Saharan Region, Mario Bello; Managing Director of Nigerian Agip Exploration, Fabrizio Bolondi; and Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen.  The agreement terminated the long-standing dispute over Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, paving the way for the development of one of Nigeria's most significant deepwater resources. Signed in Abuja, the agreement marked the resolution of a dispute spanning more than 15 years. It restores clarity and stability to an asset widely recognised as...