The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is to supply fuel to about 150,000 retail outlets operated by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria following a meeting between the management of the refinery and executives of IPMAN.

Last week Monday, The PUNCH exclusively reported that IPMAN had scheduled a meeting with the management of Dangote refinery as regards the supply of products to independent marketers.

When contacted on Friday evening to confirm if the meeting was held, the President, IPMAN, Abubakar Maigandi, stated that the association had finally met with the management of the refinery, adding that the latter agreed to supply products to the over 30,000 members of IPMAN.

This came as it was further gathered that the regulator of the downstream oil sector was currently examining the refined products from the refinery before the facility would be given approval to dispense fuel to the market.

Recall that seven major oil marketers in Nigeria had registered with the refinery for the lifting and distribution of refined petroleum products produced by the $20bn plant.

The report stated that dealers under the aegis of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria confirmed on Sunday that with the registration, they would commence the distribution of fuel produced from the facility once the commercial terms were sorted.

The seven major marketers include 11 Plc, Conoil Plc, Ardova Plc, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, OVH Energy Marketing Limited, Total Nigeria Plc and NNPC Retail.

Similarly, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria had also stated that PETROAN was engaging the management of the multi-billion dollar refinery for the supply of products from the facility.

On January 12, 2024, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced that it had commenced the production of Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, and JetA1 also known as aviation fuel.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting between IPMAN and the Dangote refinery during a conversation with our correspondent on Friday, the association’s president said the management of the plant would be supplying products to the 150,000 stations of IPMAN nationwide.

“The meeting went well, so right now we are just expecting their reply in terms of products that they are going to give us. They have agreed to dispense products to IPMAN members,” Maigandi stated.

Asked to state the number of oil marketers that are members of IPMAN, he replied, “We have 30,000 members as of our last census, which was done two years ago. And they agreed to supply products to us. Also, our retail outlets are 150,000 stations across the country.”

Probed further to tell whether every member and station of IPMAN would be able to get supply from Dangote, Maigandi said, “What he (Dangote) is producing is for Nigeria’s consumption. He can supply Nigeria and can export some of the products.

“It is not a small refinery. It is a very big refinery. I was there to see things for myself and it is a massive refinery.”

When told that Dangote promised to get the products to the market in January, and whether this was realistic based, the IPMAN President stated that there was hope.

“There is hope since they have started production. Immediately when they finish production, the next thing is to sell. I can confirm this because I was there myself. And I know immediately he gets approval to sell, he can start selling at any time.

“So it is not a small project. It is a very good thing for Nigeria. They are to start with aviation fuel and diesel. You know that independent petroleum marketers also buy diesel.

“Therefore by God’s grace, our 30,000 members are ready to buy and distribute across the 150,000 retail outlets nationwide. So anywhere you go you will see fuel. The issue of scarcity of fuel will be no more once he (Dangote) starts,” Maigandi stated.

On whether IPMAN discussed pricing with the management of the refinery, he said, “No we didn’t discuss the price, but all that we know is that the price is going to be a little bit lower than what we have been selling.”

The Dangote refinery, located in Lagos, has so far received six million barrels of crude oil at its two SPMs located 25km from the shore. The first crude delivery was done on December 12, 2023, and the 6th cargo was delivered on January 8, 2024.

The refinery can load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries. The products from the refinery will conform to Euro V specifications, according to the firm.

“The refinery design complies with the World Bank, US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources emission/effluent norms, employing state-of-the-art technology,” the company had stated in a statement.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Project, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, is a 650,000 barrels per day crude oil refinery, located in Dangote Industries Free Zone, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is an industrial plant that transforms crude oil into various usable petroleum products such as diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and kerosene.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery with a capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day covers an area of approximately 2,635 hectares in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos.

Regulators examine products

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources said the regulator of the downstream oil sector had been visiting the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to carry out the processes required to issue regulatory approvals before the release of diesel and aviation fuel into the market.

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had stated on Friday that the products would be released to the market after regulatory approvals.

“We have started the production of diesel and aviation fuel, and the products will be in the market within this month once we receive regulatory approvals. This is a big day for Nigeria.

“We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects. This is a game changer for our country, and I am very fulfilled with the actualisation of this project,” Dangote had stated.

When asked whether the regulatory approvals had been issued to the facility to release products into the market, an official of the petroleum ministry replied in the negative.

The official, who pleaded not to be named due to lack of authorisation, was, however, quick to state that the process was ongoing, as officials from the NMDPRA had been visiting the plant.

“There is no licence yet. But it is in the process because the licence is not just issued like that. There are things that should be done and these things must be completed, and they (regulatory officials) are there right now as we speak.

“The issuance of a licence goes through a process. So we have to go through that process. But it is said that the products are to be in the market before the end of this month and so before it comes to market, it is expected that they would have issued it,” the source stated.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Dangote refinery in May 2023. The facility missed its crude oil refining target a number of times due to the non-supply of crude to the plant by oil producers.

It, however, started receiving crude oil batches of one million barrels each in December 2023 and got the 6th batch of one million barrels of crude this month. Officials at the plant had explained that the refinery required six million barrels of crude to commence production.

A faction of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has insisted that the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, remains expelled from the party.

The faction added that Buba Galadima, as well as the entire membership of the old National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Alhaji Abbah Kawu, has also been expelled.

The position of the faction was contained in a statement on Saturday, by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Dr. Temitope Aluko.

He further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop dealing with the affected persons, update its records and recognize the expulsion of the affected persons.

“Once again, may we use this public space to remind the INEC, through its chairman, that we have requested the urgent need to update their records of the National Executive Committee of the NNPP.

“It is instructive to indicate herein that the constitution of the NNPP is supreme and binding on all members, without prejudice to the overarching Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.

“With the nation’s Constitution being the unquestionable ground norm, every other establishment in Nigeria derives its powers of establishment and operations from the said Constitution,” Aluko said.

He added that INEC does not have the power to meddle in the internal affairs of a party as such powers are not constitutionally granted to the electoral body.

“However, INEC does not have powers to meddle in the internal administration and management of political parties.

“Otherwise, it will be equivalent to an avoidable breach of the constitutional rights of Nigerians to associate freely.

“What we try to put across herein is simple and unambiguous.

“The extant powers of the board members of the NNPP about resolution of the party’s internal matters are very clear.

“The board has powers to call to order, any member who acts contrary to its norms,” he said.

The BOT chairman submitted that the unceremonious exit of the NNPP’s former National Chairman, Prof. Rufai Alkali, Prof. Angwe Samuel, and Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, among others, were pointers that all was not well with the internal administration of the party.

He accused the former NNPP NWC members of corruption, high-handedness, lack of transparency, and accountability.

“All these avoidable acts of gross misconduct led to the invitation of the concerned persons by the Board of Trustees for explanation but they refused to provide answers to the queries.

“Indeed, the board had to invoke its inherent powers by calling them all to order and decisively expelling them.

“The action of the board, having subsequently been ratified by the General Assembly of the Party, has been communicated to the Chairman of INEC, and the commission duly acknowledged the same and pledged to update its records.

“The surprising and very embarrassing thing today is that INEC is still dealing with the expelled members of the party.

“This is aside from the fact that this matter is pending before a Federal High Court, with INEC duly served and notified,” Aluko said.

Aspirants hoping to clinch the Labour Party (LP) ticket for the September 21 Edo State governorship polls have rejected the N30 million charged by the party for expression of interest and nomination forms.

This was made known by one of the aspirants, Dr Egbe Omorodion, who told newsmen in Benin on Sunday that all the governorship aspirants want a reduced fee and have scheduled a meeting for Monday, to take a stand on the matter.

According to him, if the Labour Party could reduce the fees for Imo State to N15m, then the same should be done for Edo State.

Naija News recalls the party had announced that interested aspirants in the party’s ticket for Edo State would pay N30 million for nomination and expression of interest forms. The party also fixed February 22 for the conduct of the primary election.

But according to Omorodion, the fee is outrageous and the party leadership should consider a reduction of the amount.

“I, as an aspirant, am saying that this amount is outrageously ridiculous.

“I see the move as a strategy to stifle the voices of those who joined LP with a genuine desire to serve the Edo people.

“If the party’s leadership reduced the fee to N15 million for the Imo election, why can’t it do the same for the Edo election?”

“My appeal is that I don’t think my voice and those of others who believe in my project should be muted by this huge amount.

“A good number of aspirants and supporters may become disgruntled and may just take a walk if the party leadership refuses to budge,” he said.

Omorodion, who is the LP Chairman, UK chapter, said edo State could be robbed of imminently qualified persons if the fee is not reduced.

He added, “Edo people may be denied the opportunity of my dream and desires to take the state to the next level.”

“Yes, other aspirants are also dissatisfied with the fee. We will be meeting on Monday.

“Hopefully, we will be able to come up with a position on the matter.”

If you are last seen with a person before the person turns up dead in a circumstance looking like murder, you will be presumed to be the killer of that person. This is known as the doctrine of last seen. This doctrine of last seen, in basic terms, simply means that the law presumes that the person who was last seen with a deceased individual bears full responsibility for their death.

In the case of Madu v State, (2012) LPELR-7867(SC) the Supreme Court declared that this doctrine is indeed of global application, that is to say that this doctrine is applied in most criminal jurisdictions around the world. The apex court stated that in some other jurisdictions, it is called “the last seen theory”. In support of this, the Supreme Court cited an Indian case where the Indian Supreme Court applied and upheld this principle. The Indian case is the case of Rajesh Khanna Vs. State of A.P (2006) 10 SCC 172, where the Indian Supreme Court noted as follows: “The last seen theory, comes into play when the time gap between the point of time when the accused and the deceased were last seen alive and the deceased is found dead is so small that possibility of any person other than the accused being the author of the crime becomes impossible”. 

In the case of NJOKU V. STATE (2012) LPELR-20608(SC), the Supreme Court held that this principle of last seen is usually invoked where there is no explanation as to what happened to or caused the death of a deceased who was last seen in the company of the accused except the accused explains to the satisfaction of the Court as to what really happened or caused the death of the said deceased.

It is noteworthy that the criminal justice system and the evidence act have placed the duty to prove the guilt of an accused beyond a reasonable doubt on the prosecution, so even as this principle of last seen has been judicially noted and serially applied by the court in a plethora of cases, the prosecution still has it as a magnanimous duty to prove before the court that the accused who was last seen in the company of the deceased indeed caused the death of the deceased. When the prosecution has successfully executed this duty of proving beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the accused, the onus is then shifted to the accused to satisfactorily explain to the court what happened to the deceased or for him to prove his innocence. 

The accused who was last seen at the company of the deceased proving his innocence was the position of the court of appeal in the case of Madu v state (2000) LPELR-9875(CA) when his Lordship, IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD, JCA stated thus, “…If the prosecution proves the commission of a crime beyond reasonable doubt, the burden of proving reasonable doubt is shifted on to the accused.”

In summary, the doctrine of the last seen or the last seen theory only raises the presumption (although rebuttable) that the last person who was in the company of the deceased caused the death of the deceased and/or if he did not cause the death of the deceased will have a solid explanation as to what caused the death of the deceased.

Stan Alieke is an Abuja based legal practitioner.

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The announcement by the British energy giant, Shell PLC, that it is selling off its operations in Nigeria’s onshore oil and gas sector to a consortium of mostly Nigerian companies is a welcome opportunity for further indigenization of a sector that had long been dominated by foreigners. The transaction bodes well for the industry because Nigerians’ ownership and operatorship of the oil fields will enable local solutions to be deployed to multiple issues peculiar to the Niger Delta. Opening up production with domestic expertise will have multiplier effects in the economy. In this essay, I will explain the various dimensions of the exit of Shell and how it is good for both the company and the country.
I commend President Bola Tinubu for endorsing the transaction after a long delay due to his predecessor’s refusal to approve it. I congratulate the new Nigerian owners of the oil fields as I look forward to improved relations with the host communities.

Shell is selling off its subsidiary, Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd (SPDC), which has operated in this country for close to a century, to a consortium of five companies, one foreign and four Nigerian-owned. The four are owned and managed by former Shell managers. The consortium, known as Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd (RAEC), is made up of ND Western; Aradel Energy; First E&P; Waltersmith and Petrolin. They are paying $2.4 billion for the acquisition, of which $1.3 billion would be paid immediately, and $1.1 billion, primarily relating to prior receivables and cash balances in the business, in a later date. In simple terms, the $1.3 billion is for the oil blocks, while the $1.1 billion is for the use of Shell’s pipelines and Forcados Terminal as well as the use of Shell’s offices and assets in Warri. The chief executive of Renaissance is Tony Attah, former CEO of Nigeria LNG. He leads a strong team of other shell veterans like Samuel Dossou-Aworet (representing ND Western/Petrolin Group); Abdulrazaq Isa (Waltersmith Group); Ademola Adeyemi-Bero (First E&P) and Gbite Falade (Aradel Energy).

But why is Shell quitting the onshore business? Onshore operations have been very problematic to SPDC for a long time. Vandalism of oil pipelines; the attendant oil spills and environmental degradation; community restiveness and now oil theft are the major problems. In addition, the company faced huge costly lawsuits from host communities and embarrassing campaigns from international environmental groups like Greenpeace. The killings of Ogoni 4 and Ogoni 12, including the hanging of Ken Saro-wiwa by the Sani Abacha junta in 1995, resulted in the worst moral nightmare and greatest PR disaster for Shell. The rising wave of oil theft was the last straw that broke the camel’s back, and so in 2012, the company initiated the exit process. We should also note that as far back as over 30 years ago, Shell had started developing its offshore deep-water production, the Bonga oil fields. So, selling off its onshore fields is part of a long-term business decision.

The beauty of this transaction is that Shell is loaning the Renaissance Consortium $1.2 billion to part-pay the $1.3 billion purchase price, and is also providing the Consortium additional finance of $1.3 billion to continue the development of the HA field – the shallow water oil block off Nembe area of Bayelsa State - which supplies gas to NLNG. ‘’I reckon that Shell’s business strategy is to handover 100% of its onshore shallow-water oil fields, which provide the bulk of the feed gas to NLNG, to tested and trusted hands, and in addition, give them money to operate the oilfields too’’, says Engr. Ani Udott, a retired Shell veteran who is not involved in this transaction, but is quite knowledgeable about Nigeria’s oil industry. He added matter-of-factly: ‘’When you have built a reputation of competence and the right rapport with the right people at influential positions, this type of favour lands on your lap. It is a good deal for Shell; and a good deal for the Renaissance guys’’. This deal therefore saves the consortium from the huge headache of sourcing for funds, especially funds of this magnitude, which is one of the major problems indigenous producers continue to confront.

But make no mistake, Shell is not packing up and fleeing Nigeria as some people erroneously believe. It is only selling off one part of its business empire in the country. It is natural for multinational companies to sell off one of its subsidiaries for some strategic business reason. Recently, Union Bank sold off its UK subsidiary to Fidelity Bank because the new owners of Union Bank want to concentrate and grow within Nigeria.

Shell still has three main businesses in Nigeria. They are: SNEPCO (produces oil and gas in the deep-water Gulf of Guinea); Shell Nigeria Gas (provides gas to domestic industrial and commercial customers) and Daystar Power which provides solar power to industrial and commercial users across West Africa. In addition, Shell holds 25.6% stake in NLNG.

The acquisition of SPDC by RAEC has been a long and tedious process. Four Nigerian companies (Seplat, Heirs Oil & Gas; Sahara Energy and ND Western) first bided for it in 2021. As of June, last year, the Renaissance Group and Tony Elumelu’s Heirs Oil & Gas were serious contenders, but Renaissance’s track records, as I have outlined earlier, paid off for them. The fact that Renaissance is led by former Shell stars is also a strong factor.

This deal is coming at a very difficult time in the nation’s energy industry. Nigerians who acquired marginal oil fields many years ago are still struggling financially; many are yet to strike oil and are shackled with huge debt burdens. There are no new investments; technical skills are scarce and expensive and revenues are yet to be realized, yet the government is breathing down on their neck for royalty and tax. It is a tough business. But Renaissance is banking on the fact that they are inheriting very active wells and they are hoping to keep production costs far below SPDC’s.

Shell’s divestment from onshore and shallow-waters production is coming after Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Equinor left. The fact that their assets are being acquired by Nigerians is an indication that our people are now ready to participate actively in the core business of oil exploration and production. But I am surprised that the Buhari administration had refused to approve the Shell-Renaissance deal, thus delaying it for a long time. President Tinubu is allowing the sale to proceed, apparently because he has a better understanding of business than his predecessor.

Many state governors voted themselves humongous pension payments and allowances. Many of the same governors actually chose not to pay the pensions and gratuities for their former workers whilst they were in office. Not less than 20 of them are in the Senate where they also receive jumbo salaries and allowances.

Lagos was the first state to implement a pension law for its former governors. The Lagos State Pension for Ex-Governors was enacted in 2007. Since then, majority of States adopted the Lagos model. But the pension laws for Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States are the most scandalous.
The details of the pension enjoyed by former Governors of Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States are set out below:

1. PENSION FOR LAGOS STATE EX-GOVERNORS :

i. Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor.

ii. Accommodation: One residential house in Lagos and another in FCT.

iii. Transport: Three cars, two back-up cars and one pilot car every three years.

iv. Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every two years.

v. House maintenance: 10% of annual basic salary.

vi. Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be pensionable.

vii. Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and members of their families (not just spouses).

viii. Security: Two SSS operatives, one female officer, eight policemen (four each for house and personal security) for the ex-governor.

ix. Personal Assistant: 25% of annual basic salary.

x. Car maintenance: 30% of annual basic salary.

xi. Entertainment: 10% of annual basic salary.

xii. Utility: 20% of annual basic salary.

xiii. Drivers: Pensionable (no limit to number of drivers).

2. PENSION FOR RIVERS STATE EX-GOVERNORS:

i. Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor.

ii. Accommodation: One residential house “anywhere of his choice in Nigeria”.

iii.Transport: Three cars every four years.

iv.Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every four years.

v.House maintenance: 10% of annual basic salary.

vi. Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be non-pensionable.

vii. Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and members of their families (not just spouses and no cap).

viii. Security: Two SSS operatives, four policemen (two each for house and personal security).

ix.Personal Assistant: 25% of annual basic salary.

x. Car maintenance: 30% of annual basic salary.

xi. Entertainment: 10% of annual basic salary.

xii. Utility: 20% of annual basic salary.

xiii. Drivers: Non-pensionable (no limit to number of drivers).

3. PENSION FOR AKWA-IBOM STATE EX-GOVERNORS:

i. Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor.

ii. Accommodation: One house not below 5-bed maisonette in either Abuja or Akwa Ibom.

iii. Transport: One car and one utility car every four years.

iv. Furniture: 300% of annual basic salary every four years.

v. Domestic staff: Amount not above N5 million to employ cook, chauffeurs and security.

vi. Medical: Free treatment and spouse not exceeding N100 million per year (this provision will soon be reverted to “free” without limit following outcry).

vii.Security: “Adequate” (not specified).

viii. Personal Assistant: One.

ix. Car maintenance: 300% of annual basic salary.

x. Entertainment: 100% of annual basic salary.

xi. Utility: 100% of annual basic salary.

xii. Drivers: Amount not above N5 million.

xiii. Severance gratuity: 300% annual basic salary.

Conclusions

In the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) v Attorney-GeneraloftheFederation, (Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1497/2017 and Alhaji Garba Umar v Taraba State Government (Suit No: NICN/JOS/26/2016, the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court declared as null and void the payment of pension and gratuity to former governors and deputy governors.

In 2022, the Lagos State Government announced the 50 percent reduction in the pension. Senators Daniel and Dankwambo have directed the Governments of Ogun and Gombe to stop paying them the pension since they are receiving salaries and allowances in the National Assembly. The Governments of Kwara, Imo and Zamfara States have abolished the payment of the pension. We call on other state Governments to abolish the pension as soon as possible. Nigeria can no longer afford to pay scandalous pension to ex-governors while workers are owed arrears of meagre pension. Therefore, the pension laws applicable to other public officers should also apply to all ex-governors.

Femi Falana SAN, The Chair, Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB)

Software giant, Microsoft, has reported a breach on its system by Russian government-backed hackers known as Midnight Blizzard, with a warning that all organizations now face risks from well-resourced nation-state threat actors.   

The company disclosed this in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday.

Microsoft disclosed that the hackers gained access to some of its corporate email accounts, including members of its senior leadership team and employees in its cybersecurity, legal, and other functions. It said the attackers were able to exfiltrate some emails and attached documents from its system.  

According to Microsoft, the hackers who gained access to its system from late November 2023 until they were discovered on January 12, 2024, were targeting information relating to them on Microsoft’s system.  

The filling 

Providing the details of the attack in the SEC filing, Microsoft said: 

• “The Microsoft security team detected a nation-state attack on our corporate systems on January 12, 2024, and immediately activated our response process to investigate, disrupt malicious activity, mitigate the attack, and deny the threat actor further access.  
• Microsoft has identified the threat actor as Midnight Blizzard, the Russian state-sponsored actor also known as Nobelium. As part of our ongoing commitment to responsible transparency as recently affirmed in our Secure Future Initiative (SFI), we are sharing this update.   
• “Beginning in late November 2023, the threat actor used a password spray attack to compromise a legacy non-production test tenant account and gain a foothold, and then used the account’s permissions to access a very small percentage of Microsoft corporate email accounts, including members of our senior leadership team and employees in our cybersecurity, legal, and other functions, and exfiltrated some emails and attached documents.  

Microsoft added that its investigation indicates the attackers were initially targeting email accounts for information related to Midnight Blizzard itself.

The company said it was in the process of notifying employees whose email was accessed. 

Customers not affected 

The company, however, noted that the attack was not the result of a vulnerability in its products or services as customers were not affected. According to Microsoft, to date, there is no evidence that the threat actor had any access to customer environments, production systems, source code, or AI systems. Microsoft said it would notify its customers if any action is required.   

• “This attack does highlight the continued risk posed to all organizations from well-resourced nation-state threat actors like Midnight Blizzard. 
• “As we said late last year when we announced Secure Future Initiative (SFI), given the reality of threat actors that are resourced and funded by nation states, we are shifting the balance we need to strike between security and business risk – the traditional sort of calculus is simply no longer sufficient.  
• “For Microsoft, this incident has highlighted the urgent need to move even faster. We will act immediately to apply our current security standards to Microsoft-owned legacy systems and internal business processes, even when these changes might disrupt existing business processes,” the company stated.   

Microsoft said this would likely cause some level of disruption while it adapts to this new reality, but it is a necessary step, and only the first of several we would be taking to embrace this philosophy.   

 [Nairametrics]

Born in the Netherlands and educated in England, Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has not looked back at the international level since opting to represent Nigeria.

Part of the team that lost to Lionel Messi and Argentina at the 2018 World Cup, Troost-Ekong is currently taking part in his third Africa Cup of Nations and he kept a remarkably cool head to score the decisive penalty in the 1-0 win over hosts Ivory Coast on Thursday.

That result left the three-time continental champions primed to clinch a spot in the last 16 when they play Guinea-Bissau in their last group game in Abidjan on Monday.

“It is so early still, but my belief in the team has stayed the same,” the 30-year-old centre-back, who won his first cap in 2015, told AFP.

“If I look at the players we have now, I think it might be the best team I have played in for Nigeria. That is with all due respect to some of the legends that have been there.”

Amid all the talk of Nigeria’s fearsome attack, spearheaded by African footballer of the year Victor Osimhen, it was Nigeria’s defence that perhaps surprisingly stood out against the Ivorians, with Troost-Ekong marshalling a five-man backline.

“I think we have the most exciting attack in Africa. We have the best player in Africa who is our number nine. But I was not surprised, I think I know what the defenders can do as well and I believe so much in this group,” he said.

“I think we have maybe been underrated a little bit defensively.”

Troost-Ekong, who is wearing boots at the AFCON made from bamboo and other sustainable materials, was born just outside Amsterdam to a Nigerian father and Dutch mother, and was capped at youth level by the Netherlands.

‘Haven’t looked back’
He admits he dreamed of representing the Oranje senior team before a call from Stephen Keshi, then the Super Eagles coach, convinced him to pull on a Nigerian shirt.

“I watched a lot of football with my Dad. He was always watching the Super Eagles, but growing up in Holland, I also dreamt about playing for the Dutch national team,” said the defender, who moved to the UK aged 12 to attend boarding school.

“But when I got the phone call from Stephen Keshi at the time, who was a player and a legend who I watched growing up as a kid, especially as a central defender, I was kind of taken aback, and for him to ask me to play for Nigeria, I didn’t have to think twice.

“I think I said yes before I even had to think about anything or ask anyone because it just felt right, and I haven’t looked back since.

“Something really feels right about playing for Nigeria.”

Troost-Ekong, who has family in the southern city of Uyo as well as in Lagos, spent several months on holiday in Nigeria every year while growing up and says the country “felt very much like home and still does”.

He has turned out for clubs all over Europe, notably playing in Serie A for Udinese and in the English Premier League for Watford.

However, he recently joined leading Greek side PAOK – and opted to offset the carbon from the travel required to complete his transfer in another nod to the environment.

As he settles in Thessaloniki, he is now hoping this year to add some winners medals to the Olympic bronze he won with Nigeria in 2016.

“I have played in Serie A and in England, which are considered probably the top leagues, but for teams that are trying to stay in the league or to survive,” said the player who is so heavily tattooed he claims to have lost count of how many he has.

“Now playing at PAOK it is different because the ambition there is to win the league, win the cup, and win the Europa Conference League.

“I am really enjoying it and I am hopeful that I can add some silverware to my career, here as well as back home.”

[NaijaTimes]

The Police Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has urged Nigerians to report anyone seen with live ammunition to curb arms proliferation in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement shared on Sunday on his official X account.

Sharing a picture of live ammunition, Adejobi said, “These are live ammunition, called “èpà” or “groundnuts” in the street.

“They are deadly, not to be seen with anyone except security agents. Statutory security agents, no other ones.

“If you see them with any friend or civilian, please expose him or her. We need to collectively curb the proliferation of arms and ammunition in Nigeria.”

Recall that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade on Thursday paraded 34 suspects of crimes including armed robbery, stealing, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms one month into office.

In what Fayoade called a mark of his achievements since taking office, the police commissioner listed no fewer than 14 cases cracked and a recovery of a total of 16 firearms including a toy pistol, 72 live cartridges, 75 live ammunition, one expended cartridge and one pistol magazine.

The police also recovered six axes, four daggers, one digger, five cutlasses, two vehicles, one POS Machine, fake registration plates and various charms.

[Punch]