By Edith Ike-Eboh

The New Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) currently before the National Assembly has proposed the establishment of a Midstream Gas Infrastructure Fund for effective gas development in the country.

The bill obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) in Abuja revealed that the fund would help to facilitate gas infrastructure develoment in the country.

NAN recalls that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had declared 2020 as the year of gas.

He said that Nigeria had more of gas deposit than crude oil and government was making effort to ensure full development of the country through gas.

Undoubtedly, natural gas has the enormous potential to diversify and grow the Nigerian economy, power its industries and homes, produce ever-so-lacking wealth, create jobs, develop associated industries in the petrochemical sector, raise people out of poverty, the list goes on.

Naming 2020 the year of gas for Nigeria has a really nice ring to it, but marketing alone will not cut it.

Concerted governmental action is essential if we are to see true growth in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector, and first of all, we need to see a conclusion to the long delayed Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme, he said.

The new PIB revealed that the Midstream Gas Infrastructure Fund would have a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, adding that it would reside in the Authority, the proposed regulatory body for the sector.

The Midstream Gas Infrastructure Fund shall have power to acquire, hold, and dispose of property, sue and be sued in its corporate name.

There shall be a governing council which shall supervise and make investment decision for the fund, it said.

It further noted that the governing council shall comprise of the minister, who would be the chairman of the council.

The council will have representative of the Central Bank of Nigeria not below the rank of a Director, representative of the ministry of finance not below the rank of a Director and the chief Executive of the regulatory body the Authority.

It added that the Executive Director of the fund and two independent members appointed by Minister of Finance for a period of four years would be part of the council.

It said that the Legal adviser of the regulatory body, the Authority would serve as the secretary of the governing council.

On sources of revenue for the Fund, it said that it should not be more than one per cent of the levy prescribed in a regulation under the act, derived from wholesale price of petrol, electricity products sold in Nigeria and natural gas produced, sold and collected on wholesale basis.

Funds and grants accuring from multilateral agencies, bilateral institutions and related sources dedicated partly or wholly for the development of infrastructure for midstream gas operations in Nigeria.

Interest, if any payable in respect of Money in the Midstream Gas Infrastructure fund and other sum, freely donated or accruing to the fund for development of infrastructure, it said.

It added that the regulatory body, the Authority would ensure the prompt payment of all such sums directly into the funds account.

The bill further noted that the purpose of the fund would be to make equity investments of Government owned participation or shareholders interest in infrastructure related to midstream gas operations.

Increase the domestic consumption of natural gas in Nigeria in projects which are financed in part by private investment and encouraging private investment among others, it added.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

#ENDSARS protesters

By Emmanuel Afonne

Nigerians in the United Kingdom have urged youths to be peaceful, united and coordinated as they demand for an end to police brutality and reform of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The call was made on Sunday in a statement by Nigerian Community Leaders, UK (NCLUK) comprising of different Nigerian ethnic socio-cultural groups, association and UK Mayors of Nigerian descent.

The group is made up of Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, Nigerians in Diaspora (NIDO) UK, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Northern Ireland as well as serving and former UK Mayors of Nigerian origin.

It urged the youths not to allow themselves to be divided along ethnic or religious lines by people who do not wish them well and those with hidden agenda.

We share and support the objectives of peaceful #EndSARS youths demanding immediate end to police brutality and good governance and a better society in Nigeria.

Nigerian Community Leaders in UK, condemn anarchy, arson, looting, and wanton destruction of private properties, public utilities, institutions and facilities.

The group called for the setting up of a judicial panel of inquiry into the alleged army shooting of peaceful protesters and all forceful disruptions of the peaceful protesters.

It also supported the special fund for families that suffered police or military brutality before and during the #EndSARS protests across the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Nnanna Igwe, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Northern Ireland

By Emmanuel Afonne

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Northern Ireland on Sunday condemned the looting and wanton destruction of private properties, public utilities, institutions and facilities by hoodlums following the #EndSARS protests in the country.

The Igbo socio-cultural group in a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr Nnanna Igwe and Secretary Mazi Kingsley Offor (Esq), stated that the acts were not acceptable, and negate the vision of the #EndSARS movement.

Ohanaeze UK, North Ireland, therefore, called on all those involved in the destruction of peoples shops and looting of properties to stop the reprehensible acts of vandalism in the East, South, West and North of Nigeria.

It also expressed its profound condolences to the families of the innocent and unarmed #EndSARS protesters who lost their lives in cause of the protests especially those who died at the Lekki Toll Gate.

We also remember all those killed extra-judicially in Nigeria over the years by SARS and police brutality with utter impunity; our thoughts and prayers are with them.

We condemn strongly the army shooting, attack and forcefully disruption of peaceful #EndSARS protest at Lekki Toll Gate on Oct. 20 in Lagos resulting in significant casualties and loss of lives.

This action was the lowest moment in our history and an affront to our fundamental human rights and freedom of association as enshrined in Nigerian Constitution and the International Law on Human Right to which Nigeria is signatory to.

We fully share and support the peaceful #EndSARS youths protest demanding immediate end to police brutality and request for good governance and a better society in Nigeria.

This #EndSARS protest has no ethnic or religious connotations; it was a spontaneous and united peaceful movement by all Nigerian youths to press for a change in the affairs of the nation.

The Federal Government should set up urgent judicial panel of inquiry into the army shooting and extra-judicial killings of peaceful and armless protesters and all forceful disruptions of the peaceful #EndSARS protest, the statement read.

It also called on the Federal Government to set up a special fund to support the families of those killed and maimed in the #EndSARS protests across the country.

The group urged government and leaders at various levels to listen to the yearnings of the united Nigerian youths involved in the protests.

It urged all security agencies to stop the use of force against the peaceful youth #EndSARS protesters and ensure that the culprits were brought to justice.

This, the group noted would help in dousing the tensions necessitated by the #EndSARS protests across the country.

There are urgent need for restructuring, good governance, rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of association, preservation of fundamental human rights, equity, transparency, accountability and end of corruption in Nigeria.

Ohanaeze urged the International Community such as the UK, USA, EU, China, African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations, United Nations and Amnesty International, to prevail on Nigerian government to ensure good governance and end to police brutality on citizens.

The International Community must be fully aware of the huge and costly global implications of Nigerian implosion; urgent actions must be taken to stem the tide.

We strongly and passionately appeal to all stakeholders and leaders to work together to end this impasse in Nigeria. The time to act is now, Ohanaeze said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

South-East Governors

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum and governor of Ebonyi, Chief David Umahi, has assured all Nigerians that they would be safe in any part of the southeast geopolitical zone.

Umahi made the declaration on Sunday while inspecting public property damaged by hoodlums at Okposi and Uburu communities of Ohaozara local government area of Ebonyi in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.

The governor said he had spoken with leaders from all the geopolitical zones of the country and assured them of safety for all.

They in turn, assured us of Igbo citizens safety in their lands as those of the southwest in particular urged us to ignore the threats of crisis being circulated in the social media.

We implore people from all parts of Nigeria residing in the southeast to go about their businesses peacefully and report any threat to the governors and security agencies, he said.

He noted that there were criminals across the country and that the youths had been directed to fish out the perpetrators of the destructions to face the law.

We believe in the oneness of the country where justice and equity will thrive.

We believe that together we will be stronger, he added.

Gov. Umahi appeal to Igbos across the country not to join the protests further.

They should not allow anybody to use them in terming the protests an Igbo affair, he stressed.

The governor noted that the country was going through a trying period and urged citizens to toe the path of President Muhammadu Buhari who has spoken in the nations oneness.

The president has encouraged us, commiserated with families of all those who lost their lives, including security agencies and we should give him time to address the protesters demands, he stressed

The governor expressed dismay over the wanton destruction during the protests, noting that youths should not destroy properties which belonged to them.

I will not reconstruct or repair any property that was destroyed except the people identify the culprits for them to face the law, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

The number of confirmed cases in the African continent has reached 1,707,741, the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Sunday.

The Africa CDC said in a statement that the death toll related to the pandemic stood at 41,145 as of Sunday afternoon.

A total of 1,399,238 people infected with COVID-19 have recovered across the continent, the Africa CDC said.

The most affected African countries in terms of the number of positive cases include South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Ethiopia and Nigeria.

The Southern Africa region is the most COVID-19 affected region both in terms of the number of confirmed positive cases as well as the number of deaths. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Donald Duke

By George Odok

A former Governor of Cross River, Mr Donald Duke, has said that Nigerian youths have been neglected and left with no hopes due to wrong leadership in the country.

Duke, who spoke with newsmen on Sunday while reacting to the destruction of properties on Friday and Saturday in Calabar by some hoodlums, said the act was not normal.

He said that the youths feel abandoned and depressed with no leaders to assure them that tomorrow will be better than today, hence they took laws into their hands by destroying private and government properties.

He said that from the videos and pictures he saw on the looting in Calabar, it showed that the youths felt neglected and abandoned by leaders, leaving their future in their hands with nothing put in place for them.

We often want to blame these happenings on criminals and miscreants, but they are no such people, we created them, they are human beings.

I find it deplorable when people regard others as miscreants. They are our children. If you dont provide for them, train them and give them hope, they will take laws into their hands; but the point is we need to rise up and correct these things.

We must mean what we say and say what we mean. When the youths feel that your words are empty statements, they wont take you seriously anymore, he said.

He noted that if the tragic incident that occurred in Calabar should happen again in Calabar, then the state is finished.

Duke, who charged the government to be ready to find solutions to the problems, said that the uniqueness of the state hospitality has been affected.

The youths have been bruised and we need to address that and heal their scars. My desire is to reach out to them, speak to them and ask for forgiveness; so that we can forgive them too and create a better society.

We love Cross River, the soonest we come out, we will encourage others to do same. We need the support of everyone to do this. We should encourage the government to succeed, regardless of what we think.

Some of the protesters are idle, if they are employed, they wont be on the streets. You cant say you have a right to life without given a right to livelihood.

When you see someone carting away a used toilet base, you should know there is a big problem. We need to help our young people to succeed. We need to educate, equip and sustain them, he said.

He said that the furniture, cars and other properties that were destroyed can be replaced, but no human live can be replaced, hence the youths should sheath their swords.

According to him, the youths were passing a strong message to the leaders, not through words that are loud enough. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lagos State Government

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hakeem Fahm, on Saturday debunked the news that the state governments website had been hacked.

Fahm said in a statement that the information was wrong and should be disregarded by the public.

The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to a publication by the Guardian Newspapers on Thursday, 22nd of October 2020, claiming that the Lagos State Government website was hacked.

I wish to come out to clear the air on the issue. This information is not true. Our website was never hacked.

Members of the public should always verify issues and get facts and figures right before dissemination.

For the avoidance of doubt, I hereby confirm that the Lagos State website is up and running perfectly, he said.

The commissioner said that over the past few days, the flow of misinformation on social media and other channels had been alarming and this has put the security of residents at immense risk.

Fahm assured Lagosians that the state government remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety of lives and property of its citizens and that of the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Folarin

By Akeem Abas

Some suspected hoodlums on Saturday invaded the residence of Senator Teslim Folarin (APC-Oyo Central) in Ibadan and carted away empowerment materials worth N200 million.

The ugly incident was confirmed by Folarin during a radio programme, monitored on Saturday in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the items carted away were meant for constituency empowerment programme of the lawmaker, scheduled to take place in December.

Among the items carted away are about 300 motorcycles, deep freezers and food items.

Folarin, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and former Senate Leader, said he was relieved that no life was lost.

NAN reports that normalcy has since returned to the house following the intervention of security agents in the area.

Meanwhile, some residents of the area have condemned the act, saying there is a clear difference between protest and robbery.

The residents, who pleaded anonymity, said that the situation is seriously going out of hand, calling on the rampaging hoodlums to desist from the criminal act. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police IG Mohammed Adamu

By Mufutau Ojo
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the immediate mobilisation of all police operational assets and resources to bring to an end the violence in some parts of the country.

The IGPs directives were contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba.

He said the directive was to reclaim the public space from criminal elements masquerading as protesters in some parts of the country.

Adamu gave the directive to all Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police, Heads of Police Operational Units, Squadron and Base Commanders in charge of Zonal/State/FCT Commands.

The IGP also gave the same directive to Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit and the Special Protection Unit.

He added that Commissioners of Police and heads of police formations had also been charged to mobilise their personnel and work in sync to dominate the public space while ensuring peace and safety in the affected areas.

The IGP, while saying enough is enough to all acts of lawlessness, disruption of public peace and order and wanton violence, also ordered police strategic managers to personally lead and coordinate the operation.

He, however, urged them to use legitimate means to halt further slide into lawlessness and brigandage.

The IGP enjoined law-abiding citizens not to panic but rather join forces with the police and other members of the law enforcement community to protect their communities from the criminal elements.

He also called for the understanding and cooperation of citizens, assuring them that the action was aimed at promoting public order and safety.

The IGP, however, warned trouble makers not to test the collective will of the nation by coming out to cause any further breakdown of law and order.

Source: NAN News

#ENDSARS protesters

By Ramatu Garba

The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi has urged the youths not to allow themselves to be used to subvert security and cause anarchy in the country.

Magashi made the call at a stakeholders meeting on peace building in Kano on Saturday.

He said that the call was imperative towards promoting peace in the state and country at large.

Magashi said: In the last two weeks; the country witnessed demonstrations by youths protesting the excesses of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) under the #EndSARS.

The demonstration is largely peaceful at the initial stage until hijacked by hoodlums and subversive elements, which led to the loss of lives and the destruction of public and private property.

Innocent people sustained injuries, a situation which paralysed social and economic activities in parts of the country.

According to him, Nigerian Constitution recognises the rights of the citizens to express their grievances through peaceful process which includes demonstration.

Magashi noted that the government promptly responded to the demands of the protesters, including the immediate dissolution of the SARS and set up judicial panels in the 36 states to investigate the alleged police brutality.

We have also witnessed how the situation degenerated into ethno-religious and political crisis.

As a result of these ugly developments; the citizen are suffering a lot and the countrys image abroad is being ridiculed and battered including burning of the national flag.

Another fallout of the crisis has been the manifestation of fake news and hate speech which has further heated the polity.

We also want to remind us that the sovereignty and unity of our country are sacrosanct and non-negotiable, he said.

Magashi also called on the youths to shun negative sentiments and biases capable of threatening the national security.

He said the country was facing challenges of banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and Boko Haram insurgency among others.

The minister stressed the need for collective sacrifice to support government effort to preserve and protect the sanctity of the nation.

We are all critical stakeholders, therefore, we must do everything possible to ensure that there is peace and stability in our state and Nigeria at large.

Also speaking, Rev. Adeolu Adeyemo, Chairman, Kano State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), commended the state government in ensuring peace and stability in the state.

Adeyemo said the association had preached peace and admonished its members to shun violence and acts capable of disrupting peace in the state.

We will continue to practice peace in Kano State and Nigeria.

On his part, the Chief Imam of Kano State, Prof. Sani Zahradeen, called on the people to contribute toward peace building process.

Zaharadeen, said Islamic clerics preach peace in the their sermon, and enjoined youths to eschew violence and be law abiding citizens.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the forum was attended by Alhaji Sabo Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, AIG Abubakar Bello, in charge of Zone 1 Kano, Commissioner of Police, Mr Habu Sani, and heads of other sister security agencies in the state.

Others were representatives of development organisations and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) among others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News