Only enemies of Nigeria will rubbish Dangote refinery, students leadership declares – Newstrends
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Only enemies of Nigeria will rubbish Dangote refinery, students leadership declares

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2 months ago

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Only enemies of Nigeria will rubbish Dangote refinery, students leadership declares

Students across tertiary institutions in the country under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have passed a vote of confidence on the Dangote Refinery describing the recent demarketing of the world’s largest single train refinery by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as the greatest disservice to the nation’s economy.

The students’ position came amidst alleged efforts by management of the NNPCL to induce the students’ body’s leadership with $250,000 to dissuade it from going ahead to declare support for Dangote Refinery in the current spat between the refinery and NNPCL.

Speaking after a tour of the Refinery facility yesterday in Lagos, leaders of the students’ body comprising of those from Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, said it would take an enemy of Nigeria to rubbish the gigantic project that would stop importation of fuel once and for all and save the nation of the scarce forex. 

The NANS Senate President, Akinteye Babatunde Afiz addressing the management of the Dangote Refinery said they had the mandate of Nigerian Students to come and assess the situation of the refinery having been told that the refinery was uncompleted and inferior in all standards. 

He said: we had a meeting on the situation in the country vis a vis the uncertainty in the oil and gas industry, especially the current fuel scarcity and we resolved to visit Dangote refinery to see things for ourselves, having gone round the facility, our heart melted at the humongous size of the refinery.

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“We are speaking the minds of all Nigerian students that Government should direct all marketers to patronize Dangote refinery and ease the current fuel hardship. If anyone wants to compete with Dangote let them go and build their own. Government has four refineries and they are not working yet they don’t want the one that is available to sell. We will not accept that. 

“Dangote Refinery has come to stay. We have discovered that all claims being bandied around are false. Our impression is that they never expected the refinery to stand, that is why they are against you. But we are pledging our resolve to stand by you. 

“We have seen the refinery laboratory and we could see that it is world class. We can’t allow this type of project that holds great potential for Nigeria’s economy to go down through some people’s disdain for the success of Alhaji Aliko Dangote.” He then urged the government to do all possible to support Dangote Refinery and protect it from saboteurs. 

Earlier, The Vice-President, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin while welcoming the student leaders to the Refinery thanked them for the concern for the facility ad the resolve to stand for the truth by rejecting the monetary inducement.

He told the students that President Tinubu has intervened and commended the President for the directive for crude to be sold to Dangote Refinery in Naira currency, saying it is a good development for all Nigerians. 

Edwin said the concern of the students was well placed as all Nigerians should be worried indeed because abut 90 percent of Nigeria forex goes into importation of fuel and that Dangote Refinery could help solve the problem as 43 percent of its capacity production could satisfy domestic demand while the remaining will be exported to generate more forex into the country. 

Wondering why anyone would want to frustrate the refinery, Edwin noted “So much has been spent on the government refineries and there was nothing to show for it as they remained moribund. 

“What we want to do in Refinery, we have done it other businesses, Nigeria used to be the biggest importer of Sugar, we came in and change the narrative. We led the backward integration scheme of the federal government, and we now produce sugar locally for domestic consumption and others have joined us. We did same in Cement by opening up production plant and today Nigeria exports cement to other countries. 

“In a business no one was interested in investing into, Dangote delved into it determined to ensure Nigeria no longer imports fuel, invested massively and come up with the world’s largest single train refinery.  He said he would not take his money to Dubai or Swiss banks as others are doing, he decided to invest at home and now they are saying he wants to create monopoly. 

“We didn’t ask for any favour other than that we want to buy crude to produce, first they said there was no crude, later they said we would have to pay some dollars above the prevailing crude market price. And this is a global market where you can track crude prices anytime. We resorted to buying crude from Brazil and United States. Later they said we should not be announcing the price of the products. 

“Even the US that is the leading proponent of free market economy protects its local industries by imposing huge duty on from foreign imports just to protect local industries. This is a man that Saudi Aramco once approached to come and cite hie refinery in Saudi Arabia, promising steady supply of cruse. Abu Dahbi also invited him to do same on their soil but he rejected insiting he would build at home, now he did that and a facility that is supposed to add value to Nigeria’s economy is being frustrated.” 

The Dangote Industries boss said the Company would continue to focus on its business strategy which is to add value to Nigeria economy through investments and job creation for the teeming Nigerian masses. 

Only enemies of Nigeria will rubbish Dangote refinery, students leadership declares

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School teachers begin indefinite strike in Abuja

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9 hours ago

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September 18, 2024

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School teachers begin indefinite strike in Abuja

Teachers in government-owned schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have started an indefinite strike. This action follows the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Chapter, to the six area councils in the territory.

On Wednesday, pupils who arrived at school were sent home by their teachers upon reaching the school gates, leaving them disappointed.

Comrade Ameh Baba, the NUT Chairman in Kubwa, confirmed the strike, explaining that it was initiated to push for the payment of 60 percent of the minimum wage arrears owed by the area councils.

He also criticized the councils for failing to implement the payment of 40 percent peculiar allowances and the 25 percent and 35 percent salary increments for teachers.

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Comrade Ameh stressed the importance of primary education as the foundation of human development and urged the government to treat the matter seriously.

The union warned that if the government does not respond within seven days, they will escalate the strike by picketing the area council secretariats and organizing protests, with secondary school teachers joining in solidarity. He also noted that the strike would impact Junior Secondary School 1 students, as their results are due for release.

School teachers begin indefinite strike in Abuja

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Students can reapply for loans, we’ve resolved BVN verification glitch – NELFUND

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9 hours ago

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September 18, 2024

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Managing Director of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr

Students can reapply for loans, we’ve resolved BVN verification glitch – NELFUND

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has announced the resolution of a technical issue that disrupted the BVN (Bank Verification Number) verification process for students applying for loans.

The issue, which began over the weekend and persisted through the public holiday, caused delays for many applicants.

In a statement posted on NELFUND’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, the organization confirmed that the issue had been fully resolved by Tuesday morning. NELFUND advised all affected students to log back into the portal, complete their BVN verification, and proceed with their loan applications.

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“Dear Students, 

“We have observed that many of you experienced issues with BVN verification while applying for the student loan over the last weekend, including the public holiday. 

“We are pleased to inform you that the issue has been addressed and fully resolved as of yesterday morning. 

“We kindly advise all affected students to log back into the portal, complete the BVN verification process, and proceed with your loan application,” the statement read in part.

NELFUND also expressed gratitude to students for their patience during the disruption and reassured them that the application process can now continue smoothly without further issues.

 

Students can reapply for loans, we’ve resolved BVN verification glitch – NELFUND

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Obasanjo reveals how Abdulsalami almost awarded $280m telecom deal for $3m to friends

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9 hours ago

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September 18, 2024

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo reveals how Abdulsalami almost awarded $280m telecom deal for $3m to friends

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has recounted how the former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), almost shortchanged Nigeria in a lucrative telecommunications deal.

Obasanjo revealed that Abdulsalami almost robbed Nigeria of a $280 million deal during nation’s transition to mobile telecommunications.

Obasanjo said when Nigeria was about to make the switch from landline telephones to mobile phones, some major telecommunication companies approached the country and promised to provide mobile lines for the citizenry, but Abubakar wanted to award the deal to his friends for $3 million.

The former President, however, said he suggested that the contract be made public for investors to bid and the highest bidder was awarded the contract, leading to the $280 million sale.

He made the revelation at the launch of a book titled ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution through a Journalist’s lens,’ authored by an immediate past Editor of The PUNCH Newspapers, Mr Dayo Oketola, in Lagos.

He also disclosed that he was able to get Etisalat to pay $450 million to get the licence to operate in Nigeria.

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Speaking at the event, Obasanjo said: “The story of telecommunications, particularly mobile telecommunication, is a very interesting one. Before mobile telecommunication, we had spent a lot of money, we had all sorts of companies invited from America, France and even from Britain, but we did not get more than 500,000 lines. People had to queue at the telephone kiosk to call their loved ones abroad. And then, of course, the mobile telephone age came in.

“When it came in, my predecessor in office was trying to give it away, I think, to their friend for $3 million. Then we said, what we would do was to auction it. The three that came in first, I think, paid $280 million for the line. $280 million for something about to be given away for $3 million. That was the first thing we did. Not only that, we achieved competition.

“The three of them were competing. And, of course, the one that had the upper hand in terms of spread, I think, was MTN, followed by Glo. And then, there was Econet. They are now Airtel. And then, of course, later on, we had the fourth one, Etisalat. When Etisalat came, I told them the last one we did was $280 million. We told Etisalat to pay $450 million. They did.

“When they paid $450 million, the ball went in the post and then we were playing. That was how we got money to do what we did at the time we did it. That opportunity can still be made available. The money to develop Nigeria is out there, but that money will not come in unless we create a conducive atmosphere for that money to come in.

“What we did or what Nigeria has done in the good days when things were going well, are still there and can still be done today only if we put ourselves and we are honest to ourselves. We have to show character and attitude.”

Obasanjo reveals how Abdulsalami almost awarded $280m telecom deal for $3m to friends

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