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End oil theft, pipeline vandalism now, Tinubu orders security chiefs

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Security Chiefs

End oil theft, pipeline vandalism now, Tinubu orders security chiefs

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given  marching orders to the Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), General Christopher Musa to curb the menace of crude oil theft and vandalism in the Niger Delta region of the country in the shortest possible time.

Tinubu, said the order had become necessary as oil theft had become a national issue that needed to be surmounted to boost oil production in the country.

The Group Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL), Mele Kyari, made this known in an interview with journalists at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, after a meeting of all security and intelligence agency heads convened by the Chief of Defence Staff.

Kyari, while noting that achieving the desired economic stability would be impossible without curbing oil theft and other crimes in the Niger Delta region, said, “We are here to engage with the CDS based on the directive of the president.

He said “The president has directed the CDS to take control of the crisis we are having in the Niger Delta operational area. Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have become a national issue, the president has directed the CDS to contend this within the shortest possible time so that we can restore national production to the level the president and the country is expecting.

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“ To do this, he needs the coordination and cooperation of all armed forces, the police, the DIA, the DSS among others. It is the survival of our country that is at stake today. Without restoring oil and gas production, we cannot have the economic stability that we desire. The president is clearly focused on this to deliver value to our country. It is impossible to do this without settling the crisis around our operational areas.

Speaking further, the NNPCL boss said “We are already seeing progress, we are seeing substantial value that is being created by the coordination but we are very convinced that a solution is in sight.”

Also Speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, vowed to eliminate all acts of vandalism and other criminal activities throughout the South-South region.

He said, “The truth about it is that whatever is happening in the South-South has been ongoing for such a very long time. And we feel it is high time that it is stopped. What we are promising Nigerians is that henceforth, the entire South-South will be cleared of any acts of vandalism, or criminality within the general area.

“As we said, the President has given us a mandate to ensure that we secure the entire South-South and to enable NNPC and others to carry out their tasks so that we can have improved production. We know that Nigeria relies so much on what we produce. And so we want to use this medium to appeal to the communities, to have an understanding.”

Gen. Musa while calling on the host communities to trust and give the security agencies the needed support, said, the operations of the security agencies would be harmonised to achieve the task given to him by the president.

“Yes, we know trust has been a problem. But they can trust us, they can trust the government, that we want to do things differently. Everyone will be carried along.

“Everyone has a role to play. It is not only for the security agencies alone. We need the communities to understand that pipeline vandalism and all the hazards being caused are also affecting them directly.”

End oil theft, pipeline vandalism now, Tinubu orders security chiefs

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No child should go to bed hungry, Tinubu seeks French investment in Nigeria’s food security

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President Bola Tinubu and France President, Emmanuel Macron

No child should go to bed hungry, Tinubu seeks French investment in Nigeria’s food security

President Bola Tinubu, Thursday, at the prestigious Palais des L’Élysée, told France President, Emmanuel Macron, that a starved nation will not care about weather or environment, and that in the 21st century no child should go to bed hungry.

President Tinubu at a high-profile meeting with President Macron also affirmed Nigeria’s strong commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors such as food security, energy, solid minerals, education, and defense. At a joint press conference, President Tinubu highlighted the vast, yet largely untapped potential within Nigeria’s agricultural sector and beckoned international investors to capitalize on the nation’s welcoming investment climate.

Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said: “The French-Nigeria Business Forum is doing a lot already, but we need to do more on food security. We cannot help but invest in another’s country.”

He emphasised Nigeria’s flourishing financial sector as a facilitator for foreign investment, particularly from French enterprises, as part of the drive to bolster food security.

“Nigeria’s financial sector is evolving and flourishing. We are also creating grounds for investment in Nigeria’s economy for French nationals, especially in the area of food security.

“It is our responsibility to put together a food security programme for the private sector to come and invest in the country.

“We are working on stability and we are getting closer and closer, but we can do better and better,” the President stated.

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President Tinubu said Nigeria’s economy was being repositioned for more Foreign Direct Investment that will directly impact the livelihood of the citizens.

“I can assure you that Nigeria is open for business and close to this, we have a vibrant youth population that is educated, and ready to be trained in various areas of entrepreneurship and development,” he said.

No child should go to bed hungry, Tinubu seeks French investment in Nigeria’s food security

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2023 Hajj: NAHCON refunds N5.3b to states, tour operators

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2023 Hajj: NAHCON refunds N5.3b to states, tour operators

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said it has disbursed refunds amounting to N4.4 billion to 36 States’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Armed Forces pertaining to the Masha’ir (core Hajj period) electricity services not rendered properly by the Saudi Authorities during the 2023 Hajj

The Head, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Malam Muhammad Musa, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Musa explained that in addition, the Commission has refunded a sum of N917,148,479.99 to 192 accredited Tour Companies that participated in the 2023 hajj.

” This amount is intended for onward disbursement to their respective pilgrims, while the remaining participating companies will also be refunded after due reconciliation.

“This refund underscores NAHCON’s commitment, under the leadership of its Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj operations.”

Musa explained that all pilgrims who participated in the 2023 hajj were advised to contact their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, Boards and Commissions or tour operators to claim their refunds.

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“Each Pilgrim, is entitled to receive a refund of N61,080.00. A detailed breakdown of the number of pilgrims per state and the corresponding amounts is attached to this press statement.

“The commission hereby calls upon all 2025 hajj intending pilgrims to promptly deposit their hajj fares with their respective state pilgrims boards.

“This measure is essential to ensure the timely transmission of funds to NAHCON, thereby facilitating early arrangements of the 2025 Hajj in strict compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“In the interest of transparency and due process, NAHCON calls upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant security agencies to closely monitor the refund process.

“This collaboration aims to ensure that all refunds are appropriately disbursed and reached the intended beneficiaries without any discrepancy,” Musa said.

 

2023 Hajj: NAHCON refunds N5.3b to states, tour operators

(NAN)

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Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

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France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and first lady Brigitte Macron (2ndL) welcome their Nigerian counterpart Bola Tinubu (2ndR) and Oluremi Tinubu

Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday began a two-day visit to France, with both countries seeking increased economic cooperation and Paris looking to boost ties in English-speaking Africa following a series of setbacks with former allies on the continent.

French President Emmanuel Macron met his counterpart at the historic Invalides Memorial Complex, with the first official state visit by a Nigerian leader in more than two decades.

The two national anthems sang out in the courtyard of one of Paris’ landmarks, kicking off a visit focused on encouraging economic partnerships between France and Africa’s most populous country.

Macron has sought a “renewal” between Paris and Africa since his 2017 election and after military coups and changing attitudes lessened France’s influence in Africa.

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The visit is “an opportunity to deepen the already dynamic relationship between France and Nigeria”, Macron’s office said.

Nigeria is Africa’s leading oil producer and has a robust film and entertainment industry.

However challenges posed by insecurity and corruption have left 129 million Nigerians — more than half the country’s population — living below the poverty line.

Nigeria is seeking to build ties in “agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement, innovation and energy transition,” Tinubu’s office said in a statement, adding that the president had landed in Paris on Wednesday evening.

Tinubu and Macron will also address “shared values concerning finance, solid minerals, trade and investment, and communication,” it added.

Macron welcomes Tinubu, Remi in historic France visit

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