FPSO Fire Incident In Ondo Coast: Impact Assessment Without Govt, Community Reps Is Unacceptable

FPSO Fire Incident In Ondo Coast: Impact Assessment Without Govt, Community Reps Is Unacceptable

Ondo State Government has received the preliminary report on last week’s explosion of Trinity Spirit floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel which belongs to Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd (SEPCOL), producer from OML 108 covering 750 square km (290 square miles) off the waters of the Niger Delta.

The massive spill of over 50,000 barrels is a high-rated environmental disaster which poses great danger to the people of the coastal communities.

While not preempting any adverse step on the part of any, Government warns that toxic oil dispersants should not be deployed in Ondo State waters. Such are hazardous to the health of our people in the affected areas.

Similarly, any Impact Assessment without the participation of representatives of the Ondo State Government as well as the affected communities will not be acceptable.

Government therefore calls on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to leave no stone unturned in carrying out their duties.

Also, residents of the areas with actionable proximity to the points in question are enjoined to refrain from unprotected aquatic activities. This becomes very pertinent in view of reports regarding the unusual death of fishes in the compromised zone.

HACKATHON 2022: NITDA TRIGGERS ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPIRIT AMONGST SOUTH-SOUTH YOUTHS

HACKATHON 2022: NITDA TRIGGERS ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPIRIT AMONGST SOUTH-SOUTH YOUTHS

A challenge has been thrown to the youths from the South-south geopolitical region to be spirited in utilizing their God-given talents through digital innovations to become entrepreneurs and job creators.

The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, represented by Dr. Salihu Abdulkareem of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, threw the challenge during the south-south HACKATHON, held at the Senate Chambers of University of Calabar, Cross Rivers.

Inuwa said “driving digital innovation and entrepreneurship by challenging Nigeria’s youth to create and develop solutions from inception to commercialization will, no doubt, boost the country’s economy.”

The challenge’s theme is “Innovation-Driven Ideas for addressing local challenges in Health, Government, Transportation, Financial Services and Smart city in Nigeria for Social and Economic Development.”

The DG asserted that digital innovation and entrepreneurship would help fast-track the recovery of other traditional economic sectors by supporting the provision and adoption of indigenous and tailor-made solutions for nationwide implementation of the policy through automation, intelligent processes, and ICT solutions.

He further revealed that NITDA Hackathon 2022 aims to find solutions towards building a digital Nigeria, adding that talented Nigerians are challenged to come up with clearly defined ideas and prototypes of solutions around agriculture, logistics, and security for the swift growth and development of the country.

According to Kashifu, “African continent is full of problems waiting to be solved, this presents the next biggest market worldwide. Nigeria, in particular, has a rapidly growing youthful population by which taking advantage of the market will lead to the creation of jobs, solutions, and revenue flow for the country”, he added.

The DG maintained that collective responsibility is needed to achieve the positive impacts, for which the nation yearns for solutions. He encouraged the young innovators not to relent in their various efforts towards tackling the problems bedeviling the country, saying that such solutions will go a long way in addressing development issues.

He appeals to teeming youths from the region to always showcase their talents which will serve as channels for solutions to some of the problems that require immediate panacea.

He revealed that the program also provides an avenue for young Nigerians to contribute their quota in the solution-finding and provides opportunities for creating jobs both directly and indirectly, keying into the Digital Economy policy that will facilitate the swift growth and development of the country.

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Calabar, Professor Florence Banji Obi, ably represented by Professor Idingesit Akpabio, Chairman, Committee of Deans, the University of Calabar, in her earlier remarks, appreciated NITDA for choosing the University of Calabar for the program. She commended the initiatives and the manner of their implementation across the country for the growth of our nation.

She commented that technology is changing how we do things and has fast-tracked operations processes. “Programs like this are needed to keep the young people busy solving the problems faced by the country, more so that such programs give an avenue for teeming youth to showcase their talents which will help solve those challenges,” she added.

Prof. Obi encouraged participants not to stop at solution finding after this program but to go further in actualizing what they have started, which she believes will bring about solutions to the problems faced in the country.

Winners from the pitching context received cash prizes ranging from N1.5million for the overall Winners, N1 million for the first runner ups, and N500,000 to the second runner ups as the 3-day event came to a close with fanfare and beautiful memories.

The Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe on Saturday expresses worry over insecurity challenges in South East describing it as a tragedy.

The Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe on Saturday expresses worry over insecurity challenges in South East describing it as a tragedy.

Senator Abaribe who stated this in Enugu on Saturday while Speaking during the investiture of the 16th President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture(ECCIMA), Barr. Jasper Nduagwuike on Saturday called on Ndigbo to concentrate on making the Southeast as the economic hub of Nigeria irrespective of the outcome of their 2023 presidential quest.

He also lamented the negative effect of Mondays’ sit-at-home on the economy of the region, saying rather than achieve anything good, the exercise had ended up driving businessmen away from the region.

He urged the businessmen, industrialists and all stakeholders in the Southeast to emulate the people of Bavaria in Germany and Catalonia in Spain for jettisoning everything about ruling the countries but concentrated on making their regions economic hub of their countries.

“We want to turn the Southeast into the Catalonia of Spain, the biggest industrial area in that country. It doesn’t matter that they are seeking their own self-sufficiency.

“They still become the industrial hub of that place so that at the end, even if you are going anywhere, you are going to become a viable country.

“If you destroy your place, where are you going to be when everything is destroyed.

“We want to turn the Southeast into the Bavaria of Nigeria. Bavaria is the industrial hub of Germany today. No Bavarian has been made president of Germany because they are the people that are holding the economy.

“I want to task each and every one of us especially the chamber of commerce that our job is cut out for us,” he said

Senator Abaribe stressed the need to make Southeast to become more attractive to businesses, adding that giving into Mondays’sit-at-home could succeed in destroying the economy of the region.

According to him “What we need in the southeast is to turn the zone to a place that attracts people not the place that people are running away from. We cannot grow as a region if we don’t work 24 hours daily to uplift our standard of living”

He said that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, told him while in detention that he neither ordered nor knew about the Monday sit-at-home which has continued to be observed in the Southeast.

“It is unfortunate that businesses were now relocating to other regions as a result of insecurity in the region.

“What is happening in Southeast is a tragedy. Every Monday people sit at home in what they call ‘Holy Monday’. What is holy in making people suffer like this?

“IPOB has said countless times that they are not the ones enforcing the order. We don’t know who is enforcing it neither does it seem like we have a way to solve it.

“I went with Ike Ekweremadu and two Bishops to the DSS to see Nnamdi Kanu and he told us ‘I have never said people should sit at home. I told him that nobody believes you outside. Because people have said they don’t like it but they keep sitting at home.

“There is no way we are going to survive like this. You are sitting at home and the people who you are doing these things for are in Lagos and in Abuja and everywhere and they don’t care. And you are here killing your own.

“Aba is known for bringing and opening containers of imported goods on Mondays. So, the problem we’re having today is that because of the sit-at-home, people now go to Port Harcourt, Uyo and Calabar to open their containers. They’re leaving Southeast and moving out to Lagos. When we all leave, who will you blame? The captains of industries are no longer there,” he said

Senator Abaribe who lamented that the insecurity of the Southeast had assumed the biggest problem of the region said Insecurity in Southeast is the biggest problem we are facing now. And the sooner we tackle it the better for us.

“Even if you are seeking a separate country, why would you destroy your own place with your hands? You need to have a viable country and not a scattered one”

In his address, Jasper Nduagwuike expresses his commitment to work in the repositioning of the chamber.

He added that his administration will ensure the construction of a befitting Trade Fair Complex in Enugu.

“Since every effort to get the Federal Government to build the complex seemed to have failed, the chamber under my leadership will take up the construction of the complex,” he said.

Wedding Is Not Expensive, Says Newly-wed Man As He Shares Details Of Private Wedding

Wedding Is Not Expensive, Says Newly-wed Man As He Shares Details Of Private Wedding

A lawyer, Ani Nnamdi Chris has encouraged men to shun elaborate weddings and go for intimate events.

Ani, who got married in Port Harcourt on Friday revealed the modest expenses he had to make on his wedding day.

He said, “I got married yesterday (Friday) at the Port Harcourt Marriage Registry. I paid a statutory fee of N15,500 and additional N5,000 for what the Registrar called ‘drink money’.

“Thereafter, I hosted 10 guests (including my wife and I) to a beautiful reception at a lounge, PH.”

In a subsequent tweet, he concluded, “Emeka, marriage no cost, na you wan wed like ritualist.”

Goya oil has become so sacred to Nigerian Christians.

Goya oil has become so sacred to Nigerian Christians.

Goya oil has become so sacred to Nigerian Christians. If you are a Christian in Nigeria and you have not at least sipped the oil for healings or applied it on your body for protection against demons or used it for deliverance, then you must be among the very few exceptions.

In Nigeria, Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil is considered a Holy Anointing Oil that can drive away demons. In Spain where the founder Don Prudencio Unanue was from, and in America where he later founded the Goya company in 1936, Goya oil is simply a cooking oil or for Salad or for marinating.

While people in the US, Puerto Rico, Spain, and even in the UK keep Goya oil in their kitchens, those in Nigeria and various parts of West Africa, keep theirs on their Altars, sick people’s beds, and church handbags.

I am not in any way playing down on your faith because I know for a fact that with God, he can use anything he so pleases to transmit his power and blessings.

But you can’t ask a pregnant woman to be drinking a complete bottle of Goya oil every day so that she will deliver her baby like the “Hebrew women” and expect me to keep quiet.

You can’t be ignorantly applying cooking oil inside your eyes like an eye drop because you were told that it is an anointing oil that can open your eyes to see the demons around you and expect Fr Kelvin not to react.

You can’t go to bless people’s houses and empty more than 10 bottles of Goya oil at every corner of the building in the name of driving away demons and expect your ritual and ignorance to be left unquestioned.

You can’t be giving your children Goya oil on their way to school, asking them to rub it on their pens for exam success, or on their private parts to remain virgins and you expect everyone to fold hands and not talk.

You can’t take because you are an invited preacher to a crusade and come with your oil, claiming yours is more powerful than others even though they all carry the same labels. . .then you sell yours three times the original price because you claim it cures HIV/AIDS, and expect that no one will call you out.

There are many things you all should just stop. These abuses should just stop!

More disheartening is that many of what some of you consume as Goya olive oil in Nigeria is fake. Even as you read this, there are people somewhere using paraffin Oil and color to produce the oil, then they package it with the name Goya Extra Virgin Olive Oil to sell to you.

Well, I do not fully understand the reason why Christians of other denominations use Goya oil, so I won’t question them. . . But I will question Catholics.

If you are a Catholic, you have to convince me why you are using Goya oil for ANOINTING? Where exactly did you get your teachings from?

First, you cannot anoint yourself by yourself. It is not theological, it is not biblical, it is not Catholic practice. Even a priest when sick, cannot anoint himself.

In the book of James 5:14, the sick person is supposed to call the elders who will anoint him or her with oil. In Leviticus 8:12, Moses anointed Aaron. In 1 Sam 16:13, Samuel anointed David. We can go on and on.

Note this: there are cases in the bible in which people were said to have anointed themselves with oil, but it was used in the same context as telling someone to rub cream and look good. For example, Matthew 6:17 says “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face.” The word “anoint” here is like saying, “apply” hair cream. (This is not the type of “anointing” we are talking about.)

Secondly, the Catholic church already has provisions for Anointing and the oils to be used are clear. If you are sick, the priest anoints you with the OIL OF THE SICK. Before baptism, you are anointed with the OIL OF CATECHUMEN to exorcise you of any powers that are not from God. Then at baptism, confirmation, and priestly ordination, you are anointed with CHRISM OIL which signifies that you are a priest, a king, and a prophet.

These three oils: Oil of Chrism, Oil of the Sick, and Oil of Catechumen are blessed by the Bishop of the diocese every year during the Chrism Mass and given to all priests to use on the people of God. How did Goya oil come into the picture as anointing oil? I am asking you my dear Nigerian Catholics.

Fr. Kelvin Ugwu

FacebookTelevision

In this kind – Fred Obetoh

In this kind – Fred Obetoh

We as Christian must understand that in this world that we live we are very unique and our kind is not common. Our kind is unique and that is why we are special breed as Christian. The desciple came to Jesus and recanted and also made their challenges known, Jesus made them know that there are kind of affliction that will not go unless through fasting and praying.

Christians have various kind of challenges ranging from unforgiveness, bitterness and worrying. These are kinds of issues that we pass through but we forget the position of St Paul that said that we should drop our past and move on. The ability to drop these various kinds of issues matters as a Christian.

Our mouth should be vital to our destiny. The kind of utterance that we have matters and it is very important that we do not dwell in negativity. As the Lord chastise prophet on mourning for Saul and encouraged him to go to the House of Jesse and anoint him a king. The kind of way that God wants us varies to the way we think.

Our kind of thinking and wishes maters. There is a way that seeth that it is right but the truth is that the way of the Lord is the kind of way we should follow. In a world that is so engulfed by materialism, the kind of informations and messages that we are bombarded with on daily basis is that the kind of message we ought to hear. We must seek to follow the doers of the the gospel. In a day that Christianity is being bombarded by materialism, we Christians must know the kind of people we follow.

So what is your kind of a person? You must know that your days are coming when you will be talked about, what you do now matters a lot and how you lead your life matters today. So what kind of life are tog leading. We must always examine our hearts at every time and do a personal appraisal or check up.

In churches today, people do come to churches for various thing and the kind of mentality people exhibit in churches today varies from coming to notice people or to showcase, majority have it in mind that is what they want and forgetting the crucial thing which is worshipping of God.

Folks, we must know that in live, we must know the kind of things we do and think. We must not sit back and wait for pity party and let people say sorry. We must know that we have to have a kind of mentality of victory even if we fail we have to try again because Christ is in us and strengthen us. The woman of blood had this sickness for over 12 years and jesus was going to heal a daughter that is 12 years walking with his disciple but the kind of miracle that the woman wanted was one of a kind and she touched it. That is the kind of faith we Christians must demonstrate.

As a man thinketh in his house so he is, the kind of thinking and utterance we do matter. We must always think positive and the kind of people we have around matters. The kind is important. What we have we must value and know that the kind of gift God give us matters a lot and we must appreciate it.

1st Samuel chapter 1, the Bible was clear in this passage how important it is to present our petition to God and the way Hannah presented this was important. When she met the priest (Eli) and was told that her prayers was heard, he countenance changed and she went home happy. So when you are told that God has answered your prayer, be happy and know it will definitely come to pass willy nilly.

Message of
Faith Cathedral International Ministry
Egbeda
Lagos

Dr. Peter Daniels Debunks Political Posters in Akwa Ibom, Pleads People to Exercise Patience

Dr. Peter Daniels Debunks Political Posters in Akwa Ibom, Pleads People to Exercise Patience


The popular cliché of a Gold fish not having a hiding place, can be said to be personified in the context of political travails of Dr. Peter Daniels. There have been rumors flying around in the Akwa Ibom political space, that Peter Daniel has chosen a particular political party to make his gubernatorial intentions known. Peter Daniel has appreciated the confidence people have bequeathed on him and also believing his capacity to captain the state to the promise land. He also made it known that he hasn’t chose any particular political party.


Debunking the news that he has chosen a select party; this is coming when his posters are seen in the city and the nook and crannies of the state. The Man of God, Peter Daniel has come out to say that the people should disregard the poster and that he will make his intention(s) known in due cause. It is clear that the people of Akwa Ibom are rooting for a paradigm shift and it is also connected with the decision to pick the man of God may not be unconnected to his numerous philanthropic and religious activities in the state and FCT covering nakedness of several widows and less privileged ones in the society. Daniel reveals that he is yet to conclude any arrangements with any political party as of press time.


It was recall that Akwa Ibom state born Prophet Peter Daniels has become a voice of the people within the political landscape of Akwa Ibom state and he has been seen as the next governor considering his strides and the impacts that he has made in the states especially to the less privilege and the indigent in the state. The team of Pastor Daniel understand the pulse of people and encourage the good people of the state to give them time and have patience so that the amiable Daniel will make the desired widespread consultation with the critical stakeholders and then work in tandem with the political calendar stipulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and also follow the political processes stipulated by the constitution.


“I understand the yearning of the people and the need for them to make me run for the electoral post. I feel humbled by these gestures and I will make my political intention known in due time. As it stands for now, I am pleading with the good people of the state to disregard the posters and fliers in state until I am done with the widespread consultation”, Daniel concluded.

Emma Clems

Tony Elumelu Speaks on Strategic Leadership with Military Officers

Tony Elumelu Speaks on Strategic Leadership with Military Officers

In his words Tony Elumelu posted on his official Facebook page that “
I was at the National Defence College to speak on Strategic Leadership with Military Officers of the rank of Brigadier Generals and Colonels, senior participants from para-military organisations, and military officers from 16 friendly countries across Africa and Asia.

I shared my experience in applying strategic leadership in my journey so far as a business leader. The creation of Standard Trust Bank and subsequent merger with UBA, the creation of an integrated energy play through Heirs Oil and Gas, and Transcorp and lastly, how we empower young Africans through the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

I also shared the core leadership principles I have applied in our journey to success on these ventures:

  1. Strategic leaders must start by setting a purpose and identifying what the goals are for an organisation or a project.
  2. Leaders think of the HOW. How will this purpose be executed? How can it come to life?
  3. They set clear timelines and milestones to be achieved along the journey to success. Milestones create short term wins and can be a source of encouragement.
  4. Strategic leaders must learn to communicate with clarity the purpose of a company or a project. Everyone should be carried along.
  5. They know the importance of resources and know how to mobilise people to achieve their goals. This involves emotional intelligence, social intelligence and how to make their people feel like they can walk on water.
  6. Strategic leaders create a merit-driven reward system to recognise their people and their results.
  7. Strategic leaders think of culture, ethics, ethos, values, and principles – what guides our people and how should we behave as an organisation.
  8. Strategic leadership is about replicating oneself as a leader – You must have others who are a better version of yourself. It’s about infusing your DNA in your organisation
  9. Lastly, strategic leadership is about building to last, it’s about legacy and most importantly, sustainability. Leaders should identify and work towards the legacy they want to leave behind, keeping in mind that they will not occupy a position forever.

I concluded by speaking about a leader who inspires me, Steve Jobs. He lived a short and impactful life. Long after his death, his company became the first corporation in the world to cross the 1 trillion dollars & subsequently 3 trillion dollars in market capitalisation. That is building to last. This happened because he built with the end in mind, he put in place processes, cultures, people, and principles that stood the test of time. It is in the lack of this that companies have contributed to poverty, misery, and unemployment. “

TOEway

NITDA ENGAGES LAGOS TECH INNOVATORS FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY

NITDA ENGAGES LAGOS TECH INNOVATORS FOR ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY

In furtherance to strengthening the country’s digital economy by increasing contributions of ICT to GDP, as well as promoting indigenous content through patronizing indigenous IT products and services, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) met with the Lagos State Software and Innovation ecosystem stakeholders.
The event aimed at proffering solutions to challenges faced in the ecosystem had various critical players from multiple industries at the Bon Hotel in Lagos.

The NITDA Director-General, Kahisfu Inuwa, CCIE, represented by the Agency’s Digital Economy Department Acting Director, Engr. Salisu Kaka expressed his pleasure at the turnout and appreciated all innovators present despite their busy schedules.

The DG, while giving his opening remark, stated that a symbiotic relationship between the Government and the players in the ecosystem was essential to achieve a collective desired result. “Whatever the government is out to achieve, the private sector should help the government achieve it, and whatever the privat e sector is set to achieve, the government should help and support,” he stated.

Inuwa disclosed that the engagement was geared at interacting with the stakeholders to identify challenges faced by the ecosystem and proffering solutions to them. He emphasized the need to map out a partnership framework between the Agency and the ecosystem in addressing these identified challenges.

Speaking on the vast amount of human and natural resources amassed by the Nation, the NITDA DG urged stakeholders in the Software and Innovation ecosystem to harness and utilize these resources for optimal productivity.

He emphatically admonished all participants to freely critique constructively, challenge what needs to be challenged, and also give recommendations on how the challenges faced can be surmounted.

“We are here to listen to you, and I am positive that today will be a historical day where we co-create and re-identify our routes in bridging identified gaps and creating a bright future,” he concluded.

The Acting Coordinator of the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Yakubu Musa, while intimating the ecosystem stakeholders on the realignment of the former specially purpose vehicles (SPVs), introduced the strategic intents of the ONDI as well as initiatives.

“The ONDI has been mandated to work with the ecosystem to design and implement strategic programs and initiatives that will drive and foster the ecosystem’s growth through interventions and addressing some of the issues being faced in the ecosystem,” he averred.

Musa, in his remark, stated that ‘strategic human capital development, ‘funding and support to the ecosystem,’ ‘research and insights,’ ‘monitoring and compliance,’ ‘partnerships’ and ‘implementation of guidelines’ are the focus areas in which the Agency is willing to collaborate with the stakeholders in creating a formidable and enviable ecosystem.

The President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Mr. ChinenyeMba-Uzoukwu (FNCS), while giving a recap of contributions made by all heads of Industries, Groups, and Associations present, thanked the Agency for the insightful event but clamoured for a more effective communication and transparency.

NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION BUREAU (NDPB) GETS THE PIONEER DG, DR OLATUNJI

NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION BUREAU (NDPB) GETS THE PIONEER DG, DR OLATUNJI

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB). This followed a request made by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami). The NDPB has been established in line with global best practice and will focus on data protection and privacy for the country, among others.

The successful implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria has significantly increased the adoption of data platforms and accelerated the datafication of our society. This has increased the importance of having an institution that focuses on data protection and privacy.

Furthermore, the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in January 2019, as a subsidiary legislation to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007, has increased awareness about the need for data protection and privacy. The Bureau will be responsible for consolidating the gains of the NDPR and supporting the process for the development of a primary legislation for data protection and privacy.

I President Buhari also approves the recommendation of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Pantami, for Dr. Vincent Olatunji to serve as the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau. Dr. Olatunji hails from Ekiti State and, at the time of his appointment, was the Director of the eGovernment Development and Regulations Department at NITDA. The appointment takes effect immediately.