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A 30-year-old Nigerian woman, Cynthia Oguzie, was reportedly killed after an overhead water tank crashed on her when the ceiling of her room caved in. A short video seen by PUNCH Metro showed the victim lying on her bed motionless though a woman could be heard saying the victim was still alive at the time.
Hot SourceTinubu Pushes for Local Arms, Ammunition Production to Enhance Insurgency Fight
*Says his administration desirous of institutions’ strengthening
*Optimistic about renewed confidence in Nigeria’s economy
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday vowed to scale up local production of arms and ammunition as part of his renewed push to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture. He said boosting homegrown defence capacity will not only reduce dependence on foreign suppliers but also sharpen the nation’s fight against insecurity.
Speaking in Abuja during the graduation ceremony of Course 33 of the National Defence College, the President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described the College as a vivid representation of his administration’s commitment to building human capital in areas critical to our national survival.
Tinubu stressed that strengthening indigenous manufacturing of military hardware was crucial in enhancing Nigeria’s security and development.
He applauded the culture of excellence in research at the National Defence College (NDC), citing the Presidential Treaties on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040, as an affirmation of the strength of such a tradition in the country.
“I must also commend the tradition of research excellence in this College. Your Presidential Treaties on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040 is a clear demonstration of this strength.
“I have directed that relevant stakeholders study your recommendations and harvest the strategies you proposed, because strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development,” the President stated.
He expressed delight at the theme for the College’s Course 33, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” pointing out that the foundation of every successful society was strong and resilient institutions.
Noting that his administration has since made strong institutions a national priority, Tinubu said, “They uphold the rule of law, safeguard citizens’ rights, promote accountability, and deliver essential services. In national security, they are the framework for managing conflict, countering threats, and building resilience against instability.
“In development, they ensure sound governance, effective planning, and the delivery of policies that serve the common good. This is why this administration has made institutional strengthening a national priority, and I trust that the knowledge you have acquired here will be deployed to fortify the institutions of Nigeria and of your respective nations.”
The President expressed firm belief that “without strong institutions there can be no lasting democracy,” stating that in pursuit of this conviction, his administration has taken bold steps to reposition the nation’s “economy for growth and shared prosperity.
“Today, there is renewed confidence in our economy, reflected in the nation’s rising business outlook. Today, even the stock market has grown by over forty-eight percent year on year, the best performance in almost three decades.
“While this reflects investor faith in our reforms, I acknowledge that we must continue to tackle inflation and food insecurity to ensure that this growth translates into real prosperity for every Nigerian,” he declared.
Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s resolve to complete construction at the permanent site of the National Defence College in Piwoyi, saying that while it is a matter close to the heart of the College, he had been briefed on the state of infrastructure at the site.
According to him: “While progress has been made, much remains to be done. I assure you that this administration is committed to completing the permanent site, to ensure that the College continues to deliver strategic training not only for Nigeria but also for allied nations. When fully equipped, this College can, and should, evolve into a Defence Postgraduate University.
“I have therefore directed the Commandant to work closely with the Minister of Defence to develop a clear strategy to upgrade the facilities, while government explores further interventions to enhance the infrastructure,” he assured.
The President implored the Course 33 graduands to join hands in delivering his administration’s renewed hope to Nigerians, just as he recalled that his pledge to the people is “to provide effective and creative leadership, and I call on you to be partners in the task of birthing the new Nigeria we all dream of.
“Graduates of Course 33, you step out today into a world more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous than when you began your course last year. Global economic headwinds, the war in Ukraine, the disruptive force of emerging technologies, the threats in cyberspace, and the unsettling resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government in our region form the backdrop of your service.
“But you have been prepared for this moment. You have been trained to think and act strategically. You have been equipped to lead with vision and courage,” he also stated.
Tinubu further commended the Commandant, the management team, and the Faculty of the College for grooming the Course 33 graduands for the “Armed Forces, for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and for the friendly nations represented,” in the Course.
Earlier, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral J.O. Okosu, welcomed the President to the ceremony, highlighting his administration’s solid support for the military institution.
He expressed confidence in the graduands’ abilities to deliver, stressing that the training programme is aimed, among other things, at tackling several pertinent security challenges, including banditry and oil theft in the Niger Delta region.
On his part, the Deputy Commandant of NDC, Major General Kevin Ukandu, explained that knowledge and skills were imparted to the participants in several areas, including defense management, strategy formulation, command, and geopolitics.
According to him, the training was designed to prepare them to undertake high-level policy, command, and staff functions in single and joint service headquarters, as well as civil appointments at national and international levels.
The Course 33 graduates are drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force, and other institutions both within and outside Nigeria
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Hot SourceNNPC, Gas Suppliers Sign 1.29bscf/d Feedgas Supply Deals with NLNG
*Lokpobiri: FG wooing global oil firms with new incentives
*American firm eyes investment in OML 145
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and some upstream gas suppliers yesterday signed long-term Gas Supply Agreements (GSAs) with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) for the delivery of 1.29 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscf/d) of feed gas.
This emerged as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said President Bola Tinubu remains committed to ensuring that oil companies that once exited the country are compelled to return, given the recent incentives provided in the sector by the government.
The 20-year agreements, with extension options between the NNPC and GSAs, were signed in Abuja, by the NLNG and Amni International Petroleum Development Company Limited; Sunlink Energies and Resources Limited; First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited; SNEPCo; NNPC Gas Marketing Limited; NNPC E&P Limited; Shell Nigeria Gas Solutions Limited; Oando Group; and Aradel Holdings.
The agreements, a statement from the NNPC said, aims at bridging the prolonged shortfall in upstream gas availability, and marks a major boost for Nigeria’s energy transition agenda and the federal government’s gas reforms aimed at strengthening the nation’s economic prosperity and energy security.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, commended NLNG’s shareholders and the government for their long-term commitment to value delivery despite the challenges faced over the years.
He described the agreements as a giant step towards value creation and sustainable gas supply.
“These GSAs have opened up opportunities for the growth of our industry both for local and international development. They’re hinged on collaboration, synergies and opportunities. We need to leverage economies of scale, share risk and opportunities for us to attain Mr. President’s Decade of Gas vision,” he said.
Ojulari lauded the enabling environment and private sector support fostered by Tinubu.
“It is important to commend the President’s tremendous effort that has enabled the business through the issuance of Executive Orders targeted at gas developments and ease of doing business,” he added.
The GCEO reaffirmed NNPC’s readiness to accelerate the realisation of the Presidential Executive Orders for the industry, pledging to work with partners to unlock opportunities for collective prosperity, in line with the national gas development targets for incremental production.
In his remarks, NLNG Managing Director, Philip Mshelbila, who hailed the GSAs as a game-changer for Nigeria’s gas industry, said they will enhance local gas production capacity, improve supply reliability, and advance the nation’s energy security, industrialisation aspirations, and economic growth.
“We could not have achieved this sooner without the deliberate and concerted efforts of our shareholders and stakeholders in the energy industry in Nigeria. These agreements are a turning point in NLNG’s journey, restoring reliability of supply and ensuring we remain firmly on the path of growth and expansion,” Mshelbila noted.
According to him, the new GSAs reinforce Nigeria’s role in the global energy market while strengthening feed gas supply to the Bonny Island plant and supporting the company’s expansion drive.
The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) is an incorporated joint venture (IJV), with NNPC Ltd holding 49 per cent, Shell Gas 25.6 per cent, TotalEnergies 15 per cent, and Eni International 10.4 per cent.
The third-party gas suppliers, a separate statement from NLNG said, is a strategic move to strengthen feedgas supply to its existing trains on Bonny Island and support the company’s expansion drive.
It said the new GSAs represent a significant boost to feedgas availability, enhancing NLNG’s capacity to meet its commercial commitments while laying the groundwork for expansion.
“This development is aligned with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, which places natural gas at the centre of Nigeria’s industrialisation and energy transition agenda,” it added.
Meanwhile, Lokpobiri, has said Tinubu is ensuring that oil companies which once exited the country are compelled to return, given recent incentives provided in the sector by the government.
To this end, the minister noted that Nigeria is strengthening its position as a top global investment destination, welcoming international partners back to its oil and gas industry with competitive incentives and a renewed commitment to collaboration.
A statement in Abuja yesterday by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, said Lokpobiri made the remarks while receiving a delegation from Vaalco Energy, an American independent oil and gas exploration and development company.
In recent years, Nigeria has introduced a range of incentives in the oil sector aimed at attracting investment, boosting production, and stabilising revenues. Central to this is the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, which overhauled the fiscal and regulatory framework.
The law provides for more competitive royalty and tax regimes, especially for deep offshore and frontier acreages, where exploration costs are high as well as ensure that investors are offered production allowances, reduced hydrocarbon tax rates, and flexible royalty structures tied to price and terrain.
Beyond fiscal reforms, the government has also promoted gas development through incentives such as tax holidays, zero customs duties on equipment, and capital allowances for companies investing in domestic gas supply and infrastructure.
According to the statement, the American firm has also already expressed interest in re-entering Nigeria through the acquisition of Svenska’s PSC interest in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 145.
“The Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is particularly interested in creating a better environment for companies that were once here but left for various reasons to return. We are prepared to offer incentives comparable to the best available globally.
“It is gratifying for us as a nation when those who have worked here become ambassadors, speaking of how friendly and conducive Nigeria is for business. We are glad to welcome you back,” Lokpobiri, who commended Vaalco’s renewed interest in Nigeria, was quoted as saying.
Lokpobiri assured that Nigeria’s oil sector policies now provide clarity, fiscal stability, and investor-friendly frameworks that encourage long-term partnerships.
“Your renewed presence will help us ramp up production and achieve our national energy objectives. Together, we can build a future of shared growth and prosperity,” he stressed.
In his remarks, Vaalco Energy’s Managing Director, Pieter Van der Groen, said the company still sees Nigeria as a key investment hub, explaining that as a listed company in the US, the firm already has access to funding.
“We are here to seek regulatory guidance for acquiring Svenska’s interest in OML 145, but more importantly, to return to Nigeria and invest in a stronger way. As a New York Stock Exchange-listed company, we have access to funding to develop the assets we acquire. We are not here to sit on them; we are here to produce,” the MD stated
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