News
Stop distracting Tinubu, NNPCL, groups warn politicians
Nigerian politicians have been warned to desist from heating up the system through frivolous and unsubstantiated allegations and criticisms aimed at distracting President Bola Tinubu from his focus on reforming Nigeria for the good of the citizens.
At a joint press conference held at Barcelona Hotel Abuja on Saturday themed “Separating Politics from Governance” the two groups, First Green White Resources (FGWR) and Strategic Communication Centre for Defence and Security (SCCDS), also raised concern over media attacks on the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who is barely three months in office, describing those sponsoring the attacks as economic terrorists.
Bonaventure Phillips Melah, Founder of FGWR, said well-meaning Nigerians are aware that President Tinubu’s reforms are yielding positive reforms and require the support of patriotic citizens to see the positive outcomes of the agenda go full bloom, adding regrettably that politicians, especially those who have fallen out of favour with the establishment are making statements that are targeted at casting the government in bad light. He warned that casting unnecessary aspersions on NNPCL when there was no reason to do so, was deliberate moves to de-market the nation’s oil industry and therefore meant to destroy the economy.
He said even though rebuilding the economy of Nigeria is a work in process, much has been achieved and mentioned reduction in the price of some essential commodities like rice and petrol as well as establishment of Nigerian Students’ Loan Scheme and others as practical testimonies that the government was moving in the right direction.
He said- “Let me quickly talk about just a few of the numerous areas the reforms are performing well:
1. In this country, we bought one bag of rice at N110,000 about two years ago. Today, one bag of the same 50kg is selling at between N63,000 and N67,000.
2. Following the removal of oil subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR on the first day of his inauguration, prices of petroleum products rose astronomically up to N1,500 per litre of premium motor spirit which we also call petrol. But as the president promised, through reforms in the petroleum industry and the support by government to indigenous players, there is now a healthy competition among investors to the extent that currently, prices of petrol are hovering around N900 and N840 per litre, depending on where you bought from.
3. The removal of subsidy has helped the government to save money which is being invested in massive legacy projects like the rapid transformation of FCT, the 770-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway running from Lagos and across 13 states to Cross River State. That project may end up as Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure investment in history when completed. States are currently receiving more than three times their previous statutory allocations while there is enough money to pay workers, university teachers as well as pay other bills.
4. The Nigerian Students Loan Scheme established by the present administration commenced operations just may last year and has so far disbursed ₦73.2billion to 396,252 students from 206 tertiary institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); just to mention a few.”
He said rather than applaud the government for the milestones recorded, detractors and others motivated by political inclinations are making frantic efforts, including inserting toxic media contents to pour tar on the achievements, aimed at diminishing the gains being recorded. “This is not only unpatriotic, but meant to mislead the public, especially citizens of the country, that nothing is working, when they know it is deliberate falsehood.”
Melah said the two groups decided to organize the press conference, majorly, to address the ongoing media war against the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), especially personal attacks on its Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari.
“I want to quickly remind us that someone was NNPCL CEO for many years until recently and the roof was not brought down as it has been plotted today. The current CEO assumed office less than four months ago, in fact, he clocked 100 days in office on Tuesday this week. Even though he has neither awarded contracts nor leased oil blocks, the barrage of attacks on him and how the attacks are being celebrated in the media should be a matter of concern to well-meaning citizens.
“President Tinubu, while announcing Bayo Olujiri’s appointment, made it clear that he is to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of the company, inject reform policies necessary for NNPCL to operate with global best practices and therefore profitable to the country and our people. It is not surprising or rather expected that some interests would try to resist the change, no matter how necessary. The unthinkable however is when the resistance comes within the system which can be seen as a coup d’etat.
“We have heard that the lead master-minder of the attacks, is a top management staff who recently tendered his resignation through a WhatsApp message but is now running from pillar to pole, in desperate efforts to return to the system, which makes it look like infighting. We have also been reliably informed that the attackers’ audacity is being prodded and nudged-on, by vested interests in Nigeria’s oil money, especially politically exposed persons, some of whom are being investigated for some financial infractions committed in the recent past.
“The issue at stake here is not only the unwarranted attacks through meaningless and unsubstantiated allegations against the new CEO of NNPCL, what is at stake mostly, is that these attacks have the potency to de-market Nigeria’s oil industry and scare investors away. Being the major cash cow of the nation, if the oil industry is being attacked needlessly as is the case currently through reckless allegations, it should be seen and taken as economic terrorism.
“We have all come to the consensus that opposition is a necessary force to strengthen democratic governance. But that is when opposition is done with the intent to bring out the best out of those in government for the good of a greater majority. A situation where the government sets up a students’ loan scheme to help expand academic space and empower children of less privileged members of the society as a jamboree is not patriotic opposition. It is also a pitiable vomit to say that rewarding victorious Falcons with cash, houses and national honour is eye-service on the part of the government. When adults embark on these lines of thinking, they are no longer opposition but should not be taken seriously by serious minded people.
He therefore called on the federal government to take decisive action against those attempting to destroy the nation’s economy through a reckless campaign of calumny against the NNPCL and its management.
“As a way of summary therefore, we hereby call on politicians to separate politics from governance. There is a time for politics and a time for nation-building. The idea of attacking strategic institutions of government as a way of getting to the President because of 2027 is a great de-service to the nation and a direct attack on the wellbeing of our people,” he stated.
On his part, Yashim Luka, Director of Publicity, Strategic Communications Centre for Defence and Security, called on politicians to stop overheating the system and allow the government to function while also praising President Tinubu for the achievements recorded so far.
He said it was too early in the day for politicians to overshadow the focus of Nigerians to the 2027 election rather than suggesting ways to better the economy through constructive criticisms.
“We all are witnesses to the fact that politicians have hijacked the nation’s airwaves, including television and radio stations, newspapers, online and social media platforms. And most times, they are passing messages of doom, rather than uplift the peoples’ morale through messages of hope.
“It is unfortunate, to put mildly, for someone who has served the nation as governor, senator, minister, whatever, to come to the public and say that Nigeria would collapse soon; or that there is no hope for the people, just to undermine the system and heat up the system unnecessarily in order to advance personal interest and in the process, gain political milage at the detriment of Nigerian people.
“For us, the convergence for 2027 is rather too early and therefore becoming a source of serious distraction.”
“We also support the idea that the new management of NNPCL is just 100 days in office and should be allowed to work. The federal government should therefore take decisive action to stop the shenanigans against such a strategic institution like NNPCL as any threat on the nation’s oil industry is a threat against national security, since the sector is currently the mainstay of our economy,” he concluded.
….Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market
Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Photo caption: L R: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.
“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Photo caption: LR: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.
“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.
Some women in Ezimo community, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Saturday, staged a protest over the alleged kidnap of five residents and the shooting of another during an attack on the community.
The protesters, who marched through major parts of the community, said the incident had heightened fear and insecurity in the area.
One victim of the attack is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
A social media influencer, ‘Sen.’ Chijinkem Ugwuanyi, made this known via Facebook on Saturday.
Ugwuanyi revealed that resident who confirmed the incident said recent cases of abductions and shootings had left the community unsafe, prompting the women to demand urgent government intervention.
In a video shared on Ugwuanyi’s Facebook page, the protesters called on the Enugu State Government and security agencies to step in and restore peace, warning that residents could no longer live under constant fear of attacks.
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