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• January 3, 2025
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Falana reveals reason Yar’Adua cancelled sale of Port Harcourt Refinery to Dangote

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has revealed the reason former President Umaru Yar’Adua did not sell the Port Harcourt refinery to a consortium led by Dangote. Falana said the reversal was a pivotal step to address the legal and ethical breaches surrounding the transaction and to protect Nigeria’s national interest. The senior lawyer, in a
Falana reveals reason Yar’Adua cancelled sale of Port Harcourt Refinery to Dangote

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has revealed the reason former President Umaru Yar’Adua did not sell the Port Harcourt refinery to a consortium led by Dangote.

Falana said the reversal was a pivotal step to address the legal and ethical breaches surrounding the transaction and to protect Nigeria’s national interest.

The senior lawyer, in a statement, explained that under the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act, the Vice President is the chairman of the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, the body responsible for overseeing the privatisation of public enterprises.

Falana, however, alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo bypassed this legal requirement by sidelining then-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and directly managing the privatisation of several state-owned enterprises.

“On May 17, 2007, President Obasanjo sold a 51 per cent stake in the Port Harcourt refinery to Bluestar Oil for US$561 million. In another transaction that took place on May 28, 2007, President Obasanjo sold 51 per cent shares in Kaduna Refinery to Bluestar Oil for $160 million,” Falana revealed.

The human rights activist stressed that the deals drew sharp criticism from key stakeholders, including the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN.

According to him, the unions raised concerns over due process and alleged that the country had been shortchanged.

He further explained that they also alleged that the nation had been shortchanged as the shares acquired in the Port Harcourt refinery for $516 million were worth $5 billion.

“It is on record that the cancellation of the privatisation was not challenged in any court as it was carried out contrary to the letter and spirit of the Privatisation and Commercialisation Act,” Falana stated.

He further commended the role of NUPENG and PENGASSAN in advocating for national interest and called on them to remain vigilant amid renewed calls for the privatisation of Nigeria’s refineries.

Falana’s statement emphasised the ongoing debate over privatisation in Nigeria, with advocates stressing the need for transparency and due process in managing the country’s public assets.

Falana reveals reason Yar’Adua cancelled sale of Port Harcourt Refinery to Dangote

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• January 3, 2025
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Mike Johnson re-elected U.S. House of Rep Speaker

Speaker-designate Mike Johnson has been re-elected to lead the United States’ House of Representatives. Fox News reports that the Louisiana Republican won along party lines during the first round of voting. The development comes despite sabre-rattling by some conservatives who threatened to withhold support from Johnson in protest of his handling of government funding and
Mike Johnson re-elected U.S. House of Rep Speaker

Speaker-designate Mike Johnson has been re-elected to lead the United States’ House of Representatives.

Fox News reports that the Louisiana Republican won along party lines during the first round of voting.

The development comes despite sabre-rattling by some conservatives who threatened to withhold support from Johnson in protest of his handling of government funding and several other issues in the 118th Congress.

Johnson’s allies warned in return that a prolonged House Speaker fight could delay Congress’ joint session to certify President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, slated for January 6.

Johnson also had a key backer in President-elect Donald Trump, who emphasised his support for the GOP leader hours before the midday vote.

Mike Johnson re-elected U.S. House of Rep Speaker

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• January 3, 2025
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Trump criticises UK energy policy, calls for North Sea oil revival

Former United States President and incoming President-elect Donald Trump has condemned the United Kingdom’s energy policy, urging the nation to abandon wind farms and expand oil and gas extraction in the North Sea. “The UK is making a very big mistake. Open up the North Sea. Get rid of Windmills!” Trump said in a post
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Former United States President and incoming President-elect Donald Trump has condemned the United Kingdom’s energy policy, urging the nation to abandon wind farms and expand oil and gas extraction in the North Sea. “The UK is making a very big mistake. Open up the North Sea. Get rid of Windmills!” Trump said in a post

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• January 3, 2025
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EPL: Amorim confirms Maguire contract extension, Amad set for new deal

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that the club has triggered a one-year extension to Harry Maguire’s contract, while discussions for a new deal with winger Amad Diallo are nearing completion. Maguire, 31, had been linked with a potential departure following his reduced playing time and the loss of the captaincy in July
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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that the club has triggered a one-year extension to Harry Maguire’s contract, while discussions for a new deal with winger Amad Diallo are nearing completion. Maguire, 31, had been linked with a potential departure following his reduced playing time and the loss of the captaincy in July

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• January 3, 2025
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Oyo to distribute appointment letters to 5,600 new teachers

Oyo State Government, on Friday, said that the distribution of letters of appointment to 5,600 newly recruited basic school teachers in the state will begin on Monday, January 6, 2025. The distribution exercise will take place at Universal Basic Education office in all local government areas across the state. The Chairman of the state Universal
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Oyo State Government, on Friday, said that the distribution of letters of appointment to 5,600 newly recruited basic school teachers in the state will begin on Monday, January 6, 2025. The distribution exercise will take place at Universal Basic Education office in all local government areas across the state. The Chairman of the state Universal

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• January 3, 2025
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I’m best governor Rivers State ever produced — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike,  has responded to a recent allegation by former Governor Peter Odili that he turned Rivers State into his personal estate. DAILY POST reported how Odili, who led Rivers State for eight years, accused Wike, also an ex-governor, of turning the oil-rich state into his personal property.
I’m best governor Rivers State ever produced — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike,  has responded to a recent allegation by former Governor Peter Odili that he turned Rivers State into his personal estate.

DAILY POST reported how Odili, who led Rivers State for eight years, accused Wike, also an ex-governor, of turning the oil-rich state into his personal property.

Odili had commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for preventing the FCT Minister from turning the state into his private estate.

However, speaking at a luncheon in Port Harcourt on Friday, Wike fired back at the former governor.

The minister denied converting Rivers State into his private estate.

He said: “I never said so. I paid money for Rivers people to be medical doctors. I am trying to make Rivers State the medical hub of South-South Nigeria. How did I now come to convert Rivers State into a personal estate?

“I am the best governor that Rivers State has ever produced. How did I convert Rivers State as my personal estate? And people will not answer simple question.”

I’m best governor Rivers State ever produced — Wike