The plight of oil host communities and the need to ensure that funds allocated to them under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are effectively utilized to deliver meaningful development in host communities came into sharp focus at a recent stakeholder engagement session held with the KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT).  The KEFFESO HCDT serves as the representative body for various oil producing communities including Koluama 1 and 2, Ezetu 1 and 2, Okumbiri, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu, Okumbiribeleu and Oginibiri in Bayelsa State, under the NNPCL/First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) JV.

The Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, which consigned Petroleum Act and Petroleum Tax Act of 1967 to history allocated 3 percent Host Community Development Fund for the development of oil host communities. This significant legislation which brings the oil host communities into sharp focus is imbued with revolutionary fervor; for the first time, it created a special fund which ensures that allocated funds are properly channeled to foster tangible development in the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta and elsewhere. Given the pivotal role he played in the birthing of the Petroleum Industry Act, his tireless advocacy, strategic engagements with critical stakeholders within the legislative branch and the oil and gas sector, it incontestable that the PIA Act has the imprimatur of Mele Kyari. This assertion is without prejudice to the unwavering commitment and strong political will exhibited by the Buhari administration which broke the over two decades stalemate of the bill.  The Act created a Host Community Development Trust Fund with the aim to cushion the negative impact oil exploration may have on oil producing communities. The fund would be managed by a Board of Trustees. Funding for the Trust Fund will be secured from holders of Licenses or leases who will contribute three per cent of the operating expenditures of the previous year in respect of all petroleum operations affecting the host communities.

Kyari’s unbridled enthusiasm and full support of the allocation to oil producing communities is driven by his strong passion to drive development in oil producing states, who suffered decades of neglect. In giving ringing endorsement to the Act, he believes that emplacement of the Act will galvanize massive development for oil producing communities. As corporate leader with human face, Mele Kyari, even before the PIA was deeply committed to interventions that would impact the lives of oil host communities as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of NNPC. It mattered so much to him that the Act would cure observed anomalies of the past by ensuring that the host communities take full responsibility and ownership of development projects that would be sited in their communities. This is in furtherance of the commitment of NNPC to improve physical and material wellbeing of the people. Under this arrangement, only projects with direct developmental impact on the people would be implemented through the fund. The active participation of members of the host communities in the power structure of the organization emplaced to manage the fund will ensure that the resources will be used in a manner that conforms to the aspirations of the host communities.  According to the spirit of the Act, the fund will be deployed in such a manner to engender sustainable development for the benefit of the host communities. Also, the fund will be used to advance and propagate educational development of the people, support healthcare and local initiatives that will enhance protection of the environment.

According to Kyari, “The whole concept of the Host Communities was the creation of the executive and the government decided that the PIB must have a provision in the law where the welfare of host communities is taking back to them.

“The Host Communities Fund is in control of the host communities; it is not one that will be managed by the oil companies. It is our responsibility as government to ensure that those funds are set up.

“The data along how much oil companies are spending in a year is no longer secret, the PIB has made it clear that you must disclose your spending for the purpose of taxation to the FIRS and therefore your cost of operation is no longer secret.

“Let us not forget that every attempt in the past to ensure that development comes to the host communities failed. Without any contradiction, I can tell you that the 13 per cent derivation was designed to make sure development comes to the Niger Delta region and by implication the host communities.

“Secondly, we have the NNDC to ensure that development comes to the Niger Delta Region and more so by implication the host communities.

“So, this is an addition to complement what is on ground and we will make sure the existing structure delivers what it is meant to achieve. While the NDDC is doing what it should do according to its Act, the Host Communities Fund will drive massive development that will be driven by the communities.

“We know what the host communities go through, there are villages that are just 200 metres away from a flow station that don’t have drinking water, no hospitals, the schools are not operating and yet there are massive provisions that we have made as an industry to make this work but this won’t happen. Going forward, these communities will decide what they want and it will be done because the funds are available.”

The insight provided by Mele Kyari captures succinctly the neglect of oil producing communities particularly in the Niger Delta and underpins his determination to turn the page with the inauguration of the PIA. For decades, this neglect has led to environmental degradation, lack of basic amenities and social unrest. Government cannot be totally blamed for doing nothing to ameliorate the problems of the oil producing communities. Critical interventions to cure this systemic problem has recorded minimal progress at odds with billions of dollars that has poured into their operations by the federal government and players within the oil and gas ecosystem.

Even interventionist agencies such as Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) continues to be mired in lack of transparency and accountability. Instead of fulfilling its core mandate, over the years, the commission has turned out to be a cesspool of corruption, to enrich a few persons. At inception, NNDC was saddled with the mandate which included the formulation of policies and guidelines for the development of the Niger Delta region, conception, planning and implementation, in accordance with set rules and regulations, of projects and programmes for sustainable development in the areas of transportation (roads, jetties and waterways), health, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications. The commission was also saddled with the responsibility to survey the Niger Delta and come up with measures that will promote its physical and socio-economic development, prepare masterplans and schemes designed to promote the physical development of the region.

The achievement of these lofty objectives has remained a pipedream. As at 2022, a study and the forensic report, commissioned by the Social Action in conjunction with MacArthur Foundation on the activities of the commission spanning 20 years revealed that 12,000 contracts were abandoned. Among other underhand dealings, the study found that personnel of the commission diverted the larger chunk of payments made to contractors who as a result abandoned the projects. The report also discovered that the region lost over N15 trillion or $40 billion to 13,377 contracts awarded and 12,000 abandoned.

After NNDC gulped trillions with modest impact, the consensus of opinion is that everything should be done to ensure that KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT) does not go the way of the commission. The deepening of NNPCL’s activities in this sphere underscores its belief in the importance of stakeholder collaboration in driving socio-economic growth within oil producing communities. In furtherance of this objective, NNPC is leaving no stone unturned; Mele Kyari is resolute in directing PIA funds towards key development projects in education, healthcare and infrastructure. Attempts in the past to ensure that oil companies provided for the host communities were impaired because it was not carried out in the right manner in the name of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects.

As the team leader in NNPCL, he has left no one in doubt about the sustenance of robust strategic engagements by the company. According to him, “Our mission is clear. We are committed to fostering lasting peace, creating economic opportunities and transforming the Niger Delta into a model of unity and progress. NNPCL stands with the Niger Delta as it builds a prosperous future that is driven by mutual respect and collaboration.”

After initial delays in getting the Trust to take-off, NNPC and other critical stakeholders have put in place, processes to ensure that oil host communities enjoy projects covering infrastructure, social, economic and human capital investments that will lead to sustainable development of the people and the communities. Recently, in Rivers state, HCDT in conjunction with joint venture operators, Green Energy International Ltd. (GEIL) and Lekoil Oil Joint Venture kicked off several projects in the first phase of the implementation of the five year development plan in three of their host communities namely Ugama Ekede, Ayama Ekede, Asukama and Asukoyet in Ikuru Town of Andoni Local Government Area of the state. The projects include 1Km access road into Ugama Ekede, scholarship for students in primary, secondary and tertiary schools, bursary for university students in Ugama Ekede, a town hall, a box culvert in Asuk-ama and a road project in Asukoyet.

NNPCL under Kyari strongly believes that the institutionalization of the community development trust initiative and constant stakeholder engagements will engender the much needed governance, transparency and accountability in community development efforts. NNPCL has already stamped its leadership footprint on these initiatives and for the foreseeable future, will continue to provide remarkable guidance which it hopes will usher in a new era of lasting peace and economic prosperity to the oil producing communities in the Niger Delta.

•Sotonye Princewill contributed this comment from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Presidential Candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the last general elections, has decried the gruesome murder of some Northern Nigerian travelers in Edo State.

The gruesome attack happened in Udune Efandion community in Uromi, Edo State, on March 27, 2025, has sparked outrage.

In a statement published on his personal Facebook page, Kwankwaso described the attack as a “harrowing display of mob injustice and a sad reminder of the barbarity of jungle justice.”

He emphasized that all Nigerians should be able to move around without harassment or intimidation.

“It is general perception that the citizens all over the country must be able to move about without intimidation or harassment,” he said.

Kwankwaso asked the authorities concerned to thoroughly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“I appeal to the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this tragic accident and prosecute the offenders,” he said.

The ex-governor also commiserated with the families of the victims, the government of Kano state, and the other states affected by this disaster, praying for those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

Pressure is mounting on the police and security agencies to ensure that justice is done.

[DailyTrust]

The Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has denied that former Governor, Nasir El-Rufai is a registered member of the party.

El-Rufai, a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently announced his departure from the ruling party, citing a misalignment with its current direction.

However, at a press conference on Friday, SDP’s Assistant National Secretary for the Northwest Zone, Idris Inuwa, clarified that El-Rufai’s membership remains a rumor since he has not followed due process.

Inuwa emphasized that neither the Kaduna North Local Government Chapter nor the leadership of Unguwar Sarki ward had any record of El-Rufai’s membership.

He advised the former governor to complete the necessary procedures if he intends to officially join the party.

Additionally, Inuwa rejected the purported dissolution of the Kaduna SDP State Working Committee, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of due process.

He stressed that the committee was elected through a valid State Congress and has a four-year mandate.

The Kaduna SDP leadership reaffirmed its openness to new members but insisted that all must adhere to proper registration procedures.

[DailyPost]

Heirs Holdings Founder and Group Chair, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has been appointed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to its Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth, convened by IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva.

Elumelu, Africa’s leading advocate of entrepreneurship and whose Foundation has funded, mentored and trained over 25,000 African entrepreneurs since 2015, champions entrepreneurship as the engine for the economic transformation of Africa. A self-made entrepreneur, Elumelu’s embracing of entrepreneurship is fundamental to his concept of Africapitalism, his belief that Africa’s private sector can and must play a leading role in the continent’s development, making long-term investments, that deliver social and economic value.

The Advisory Council comprises global business leaders, policymakers, and academics, dedicated to identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship. Its mandate is to recommend policies that enhance resource allocation, stimulate innovation, and catalyse sustainable private sector-led economic growth. Elumelu will be instrumental in ensuring that Africa’s entrepreneurial potential is central to global economic policymaking.

Other members of the Council include: Harberger Professor of Economics, University of Chicago, Professor Ufuk Akcigit; Saudi Ambassador to the United States, HRH Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud; Chair, CEO, and Co-Founder of Salesforce, Mr. Marc Benioff; Executive Chair, Banco Santander, Ms. Ana Botín; Chairman, Tata Group, Mr. Natarajan Chandrasekaran; Chief Executive, Vodafone Group, Ms. Margherita Della Valle; Founder, Chairman and CEO, Vista Equity Partners, Mr. Robert Smith and Argentine Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Mr. Federico Sturzenegger.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Council on Wednesday 26 March 2025, the IMF Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, noted: “The Council brings together a group of leading thinkers and practitioners in business, finance, academia, and policymaking to share their views and experiences on how macroeconomic and financial policies can provide a supportive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity—key ingredients for a thriving private sector and strong economic growth.”

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and soldiers clashed on Thursday afternoon resulting to gun battle at the popular Banex Plaza, Abuja. 

The clash occurred just hours after the United States Embassy in Nigeria issued a security alert, warning its citizens about planned IMN protests in Abuja and other major cities on Friday.

In the advisory, the US Embassy cautioned that demonstrations could lead to disruptions such as roadblocks, traffic congestion, and possible confrontations.

“The Islamic Movement of Nigeria has called for demonstrations in Abuja and other major cities on Friday, March 28, 2025. Heavy traffic and other disruptions are possible. Based on past occurrences, protests may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations,” the embassy stated.

The security warning listed potential protest locations, including Banex Plaza, Berger Junction, Unity Fountain, the National Human Rights Commission Head Office, Eagle Square, Area 10 Shopping Plaza, the National Mosque, Al-Noor Mosque, and Fouad Lababidi Mosque.

Details of the incident is sketchy as at when filing this report. 

Efforts to get the reaction of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Police Public Relations Officer, SO Josephine Adeh were futile as call and messages put across were not responded to. 

Details shortly…… 

[TheNation]

Gunmen have reportedly launched a deadly attack on mourners in Ruwi community, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State and killed ten persons.

The mourners were said to have gathered at a deceased family’s house in the community when the gunmen attacked them on Thursday night.

According to eyewitnesses, the victims were mostly women, with seven being brutally clubbed to death with machetes.

Witnesses added that three men were among those killed, while two other women were injured in the attack.

The Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LG, Mr. Kefas Mallai, confirmed the killings to The PUNCH in Jos on Friday, stating that the perpetrators took advantage of the mourners’ gathering to carry out the heinous act.

Mallai noted that security personnel were alerted to the attack, but unfortunately, they arrived after the perpetrators had fled the scene.

The chairman said, “Yes, it is true. It was around 10pm yesterday, March 27, 2025, at Ruwi community in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state.

“The victims were mostly women. Seven women were clubbed to death with matchettes. Three men were killed, too, with two other women injured because many of them were women.

“They came to mourn their loved one that died a natural death. So, they were just there as is our tradition which demands that they would gather at the deceased family house and many of them would sleep over till the next day and even three days especially relatives just to keep the deceased family company.

“So that was the situation, and the enemy took advantage of that and came in the night and slaughtered the mourners around 10pm. I learnt the perpetrators were killer Fulani herders. When the attack was taking place, I learnt security men were called to the village, but before they could arrive at the place, the killers had finished their evil act and fled the scene.

“But as it is now, there is no any retaliation from the community and even the Bokkos town is calm but if you go the affected community, that is where you will see crowd that has gathered, bemoaning the calamity that has befallen the people ”

“So at the moment, the community is currently in a state of shock and mourning, with many gathering at the affected community to bemoan the calamity”

When contacted, the Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached immediately as his phone indicated that it was switched off.

The attack came barely one week after the police Command had convened an enlarged stakeholders meeting where participants, including farmers and herders, pledged to keep the peace in the state.

[Punch]

At least 144 people have been killed, and more than 730 were injured in the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, according to the head of the country’s military government.

A strong aftershock of 6.4 magnitude also hit Myanmar, with tremors felt across Thailand and in China.

According to military government officials, the quake triggered the collapse of buildings hundreds of miles away in Thailand.

At least three people have died in the nation’s capital, and authorities are racing to free 81 people believed to be trapped under the rubble of an under-construction high-rise in the city, officials said.

Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest nations, is reeling from a civil war sparked by a 2021 military coup. Weak infrastructure makes it ill-equipped to deal with major natural disasters.

Swathes of the country are run by a patchwork of militias, making it extremely difficult to gather reliable information. The military also regularly cuts communications in conflict zones.

CNN

The Kano State Police Command has banned all Sallah Durbar celebrations across the state ahead of the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr festivities.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori announced the ban while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters, citing security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest.

According to CP Bakori, intelligence reports indicated plans by certain groups to disrupt the Durbar festivities and create instability. After consulting with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders, the police command deemed it necessary to prohibit the event.

“In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” Bakori said.

“Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”

The police commissioner urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated praying grounds and adhere to security guidelines, including: Avoid carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion. No horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving. Parents and guardians should caution their children against involvement in any disruptive activities.

The public is advised to avoid actions that could lead to a breach of peace or breakdown of law and order.

CP Bakori assured residents that adequate security personnel would be deployed to ensure a peaceful Sallah celebration.

 “As we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us prioritize peace above all else, set aside our differences, and unite as law-abiding citizens for the progress of our state and nation,” Bakori urged.

He also encouraged residents to report suspicious activities to the police via emergency contact numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926 or through the NPF Rescue Me application.

The police command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order, calling on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring a peaceful Sallah celebration.

 [Vanguard]

Humphrey Nwosu, former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), publicly said MKO Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. 

Nwosu chaired the NEC from 1989 to 1993. He oversaw the contest between Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).

The election has remained controversial following its annulment by the military government headed by Ibrahim Babangida.

Nwosu died in October 2024 and is set to be buried on Saturday in his home state of Anambra.

On Thursday, the senate rejected a motion to honour the former election umpire.

Adams Oshiomole, senator representing Edo north, claimed that Nwosu does not deserve national honour because he died without confessing that Abiola won the June 12 election.

However, in an interview with Sahara TV in 2014, Nwosu said all the results of the June 12 election were tendered in court as “public documents”.

He added that his commission fought injunctions against the conduct of the election and the announcement of the outcome.

Nwosu added that the military dissolved his commission two days before a court ruling that would have allowed him to announce the results of the election.

“When the results started coming in on June 13 and 14, it [the collation process] was to be completed around June 17 and 18. The other party, NRC, had even congratulated SDP for winning. Suddenly, there was a letter on me by the commissioner of police that we should cease releasing the results,” he said.

“On June 16, I summoned an emergency meeting of the commission. All the results had come in except from Taraba. The resident commissioner was on his way from Taraba with the results. We would have released the results at around June 17. So they said stop.”

‘ABACHA SCREAMED AT ME, IBB TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN’

Nwosu added that Sani Abacha, the chief of defence staff who seized power less than three months after IBB “stepped aside”, also barked at him over the announcement of the results.

“The military then said a committee headed by Abacha should find a solution to the problem. Abacha was in that committee, Murtala Nyako, Aliyu Gusau and David Mark were also in that committee. Then, another sub-committee was created,” he said.

“I told them that there was nothing to meet about that; the law is clear because an election has been conducted and results have been collated, and the only one remaining was that of Taraba, and we have come along with it.

“I told them to allow us to complete the exercise. Abacha screamed at me when he heard this. He told me who do I think I was. He said I was not a member of the national security council and that I went ahead and held an election even after the court had declared it illegal.

“In fact, I was called into a meeting by the national defence and security council and asked if I would release the result without informing the military body. I replied: ‘That is the law. There was no provision for the highest ruling military body to vet the result. The law says the results should be announced at ward, local, state and, finally, headquarters level’.

“I and my national commissioners were summoned to Aso Rock, and Babangida asked what the NEC’s position was on the election. We answered that the NEC should be allowed to conclude the election and announce the result and that we would challenge the letter served by the commissioner of police halting the release of election results. Then Babangida told us, ‘You people are on your own’.

“Then we went to court. The attorney general of the federation should have championed our position, but he did not. It was Bukhari Bello, director of NEC’s Lagos services, who went to the Kaduna court of appeal and filed the papers.”

Nwosu added that the military dissolved NEC on June 23 to prevent the court from certifying results of the poll.

“We submitted all the results, including that of Taraba, showing that Abiola won the election. Abiola was represented by K Ajayi, and Tofa was also represented. The court held its first sitting, and Justice Okey Achike was the chairman,” he said.

“He was ready to conclude, and he ordered the Abuja high court to submit all matters relating to the election. All the results were submitted to his court for accelerated hearing and decision [slated] for June 25, 1993.

“When you submit something to the court, it becomes a public document, is it not? All the results were submitted to the court headed by Okey Achike, showing that Abiola won. Abiola knew. When this was to be done on June 25, the military quickly dissolved my commission on June 23.

“I am saying for public record that Abiola won the June 12 election. In all the documents that we submitted, as far back as June 20, 1993.”

[TheCable]