The Ijegun-Egba Tank farm owners and Operators have resolved to sell the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to marketers at ex-depot price of N172 beginning from Monday.

This is to ensure that filling stations across the country sell the product at the government approved price and to reduce the hardship faced by Nigeria in accessing it.

In a communiqué by Mr Adebowale Olujimi, Chairman of the group, the owners said they are working with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to achieve an uninterrupted distribution by Monday of the 127 million litres of its February allocation.

‘’We will utilize our storage networks to supply and distribute petroleum products to various part of the country to ensure that Nigerians have Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) for their daily operations. We are also committed to maintaining our transparency in this respect.

“That our Tank farms will continue to sell and load at the government regulated price of N172 Ex Depot to all marketers. All our members’ retail outlets across the Nation will continue to sell petroleum products at the government approved price.

“We consider ourselves as an integral part of petroleum product supply chain in ensuring product supply, energy stability and energy security. We have played and will continue to play significant roles in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the nation.

“Our members are committed to ensuring efficient petroleum product distribution, and by extension ensuring energy security in line with the Federal Government’s policies and regulations.”

The tank farm owner further reiterated their resolve to contribute to National economy, energy security and play significant roles in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the nation to ameliorate adverse effects the current challenges have on business and commercial activities.

It also restated its members’ commitment to continue to contribute to government’s effort in building a robust business environment to stimulate economic growth, especially in making petrol available to Nigerians.

The association is an umbrella organisation of all the oil companies currently engaged in the operation of petroleum storage tank farms and facilities at Ijegun – Egba, Satellite Town, Lagos, along the Ojo Creek Channel.

They are A.A. RANO Nigeria Limited, JGold Nigeria Limited, Chipet International Limited, Emadeb Energy Services Limited, First Royal Oil Nigeria Limited, MAO Petroleum Company Limited, Menj Oil Limited, Ocean Pride Energy Services Limited, Stallionaire Nigeria Limited, Wosbab Energy Solutions Limited and Rainoil Limited.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Some participants at Post-COP 27 and Pre-COP 28 Consultative Workshop in Abuja.

By Vivian Emoni

The Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), an NGO, has called on all relevant stakeholders to support and intervene on those vulnerable communities, youth and women, affected by climate change and other environmental crisis across the country.

The Executive Secretary of the LHF, Pius Oko, said this at Post-COP 27 and Pre-COP 28 Consultative Workshop, on Thursday in Abuja.

Oko said that the collaboration of the relevant stakeholders would help to pressurise developed countries to redeem their financial commitment and other support.

He said that such intervention would aid to address environmental crises for those vulnerable communities, the youth and women, thereby assisting in promoting smart agriculture and other activities in the country.

According to him, “we want all stakeholders to come together and ensure that the voices of the vulnerable, those that have been suffering from the impact of climate change is heard.

“It is not a discussion for policy makers, it should be a decision that concern people at the grassroots, so let us come together and make sure that voices are being heard through strong advocacy.

“Yes, we strongly need more of advocacy and sensitisation, especially to those climate deniers who have refused to understand the impact of climate change in our environment.

“Climate change issues are too important to be left in the hands of deniers.

“So, we need to educate them to let them know that the climate change we are talking about is real and it is impacting us negatively.

Oko said that in 2022, floods claimed lives of Nigerians, displaced millions of people and washed away hundreds of farms and farm lands across the country.

He said that the issues would continue in frequency and magnitude, if the present trend could not be reversed to build climate resilience.

He urged stakeholders to strongly put more strategies that would support in the implementation of programmes and decisions taken in 2022 at COP 27, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

He, however, called on Nigerians to intensify more action, especially at the community levels, to ensure that the environmental crisis was tackled effectively.

The Chief of Mission to Nigeria, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Laurent de Boeck, said that climate change, environmental degradation and disaster were reshaping contemporary human mobility patterns around the world.

Boeck said that extensive array of international agreements and frameworks attest to urgency of addressing climate change and human mobility together.

He said that Nigerians should integrate climate risks into humanitarian response plans and programming to ensure response to climate-related displacement.

The Executive Director, Education as a Vaccine (EVA), Toyin Chukwudozie, said that the organisation had a discussion with women and girls in various states affected by climate change and other environmental impact.

“After the discussion, we recommended that there should be a guarantee equitable participation of women and girls in all their diversity in climate change policy process, programming and decision making at all levels.

“There is a need to be a gender balance and inclusion in selection of decision making bodies such as the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and other relevant committees.”

Chukwudozie said that women and girls should be involved in conversations about the climate change issues to enable them make solution on how it can be tackled. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Some executives of KPA

By Angela Atabo

The Kwararafa Peoples’ Assembly (KPA), a socio-cultural organisation, on Friay called on its people to embrace peace and unity to enable them uphold  the defunct Kwararafa Empire’s legacies.

The organisation’s interim National President,Prof. Emmanuel Oloja- Ejeikwu, made the appeal at a news briefing in Abuja.

The theme of he conference was ”The Kwararafa Empire:The Journey ,The History ,The People ,Their Tribulations and Their Future in Nigeria’’.

“We have been neglected and ignored over the years, referred to, and treated as minorities, which we are not.

“ The solution to this is for us to reunite and come together as one family, imbibe the spirit of strong brotherhood and the spirit of being our brothers’ keepers.

“The essence of the movement, KPA, is to pull the people of the Kwararafa Empire together ideologically, so that we can tell the world that we are no longer a willing tool, neither are we a conquered territory.

“We are the majority, not minorities as we are referred to in Nigeria; we intend to overcome this battle peacefully using our PVCs through our electoral strength,” he said.

According to Oloja- Ejeikwu, the erstwhile Kwararafa Empire occupied at least 27 of the present 36 States, including the FCT.

She said added that  the people constituted  significant per cent of Nigeria’s population,and had over the years ‘determined who emerged winner of  presidential elections in the country.

Oloja- Ejeikwu said that  the organisation would embark on sensitisation  of its communities,  villages, elders, women,youth groups,and market women on need for peace and unity.

“The Kwararafa people need to be given the due recognition in  the political space and socioeconomic development,’’ he sad.

Oloja- Ejeikwu said that it was  important for  the people of the old Kwararafa Empire to remain as one indivisible Nigeria.

Dr Nanchak Nirizing ,Turakin Gari Langtang North Local Government, Plateau, called on Nigerians to elect leaders with the capabilities  to revive the nation’s economy,promote peace and unity. .

Nirizing said: “It is imperative for Nigerians to know that without peace nothing works .

“A peaceful environment can only be sustained with a ruler that is determined,knows the people and their problems and can solve them.

“We advise every Nigerian that this time around ,it should not be money inducements, tribe or religion, but it should be about who will deliver us.”

Alhaji Ali Na-Ali,Osekalago of Benue, enjoined  the people to unite in order to attract development.

He said: “I advise my followers to elect credible leaders, that will lead us very well and take us to the promise land.”
He called on the citizens to shun material and monetary inducements and vote based oncapabilities for the good of all .

Mr Omale Tanko,Aku-gyogo of Agyogo, said that the conference was meant to bring together the people to chart the way forward for peace and progress .

“We have to join hands together so that the old Kwararafa empire can be sustained,”he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Victor Asije/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, says Federal Government is ready to implement Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) to enhance safety at all phases of flight.

Sirika made the declaration at the “ SBAS Flight Demonstration and Outreach Prgramme“ in Abuja on Thursday.

The minister explained that the implementation of SBAS would enhance accuracy, integrity, reliability, availability and continuity of air navigation service in continental, remote continental and oceanic airspaces.

According to him, the implementation of SBAS in Nigeria will help to survive the prevailing global economic and security challenges in aviation sector.

“The programme could not have come at a better time than now when the aviation industry is desperately seeking for safe, efficient and cost effective ways of recovering from the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

“Therefore, to support the aviation industry to attain full recovery and resilience, strategic measures must be implemented to enhance safety, efficiency, capacity, cost effectiveness, interoperability, seamlessness, access and equity, as well as environmental sustainability.

“ In the course of this workshop you will be enlightened on how the above strategic objectives can be achieved with SBAS implementation at all phases of flight,” he said

Sirika said the necessity for implementation of SBAS in Nigeria and the African region at large could not be overemphasized regarding the high cost of installing, maintaining and calibrating ground navigational facilities at less busy airports.

According to him, the African Union Agenda 2063 identified regional connectivity as the catalysts for the growth, expansion and development of the African Region.

He added that the African Union Commission (AUC) recommended the implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) to facilitate the attainment of the Yamoussoukro declaration.

“The successful implementation of the SAATM is predicated on the implementation of the Single African Sky that will require the application of SBAS for a seamless airspace within the African region.

“Therefore, the planned demonstration flight and the brainstorming sessions that will take place during this event, will no doubt give further assurances on expected benefits of SBAS to Africa and the rest of the world, “ he said.

Contributing, Mr Pwajok Lawrence, Ag. Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, said the objective of the SBAS flight demonstration and outreach workshop was to provide a forum for collaborative.

`According to him, the event aimed at demonstrating the use of SBAS service for en route navigation, terminal approach and landing to provide proof of concept on availability, reliability, accuracy and integrity of service for safe and efficient flight operations.

Lawrence explained that there were many benefits the nation would derive from implementation of SBAS in aviation sector.

“Expected benefits of SBAS implementation include- enhancement of airspace capacity and utilization, increased accessibility into remote airspace or aerodromes, higher level of accuracy, integrity, reliability, availability and continuity.

“Reduction of operational and maintenance cost for air navigation service providers, enhancement of ATM Capacity, reduction in flight delays and flight times, reduction in flight time, reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

“Also, reduction of Pilot and Air Traffic Control workload, enhancement of safety and efficiency of flight operations, implementation of continuous climb and continuous descent operations, supporting of low flying helicopters in the coastal areas, “ he said.

Others he said are flights over remote continental airspace, flights over oceanic airspace, SBAS will support ATFM, increasing airspace capacity and utilisation, enhancing search and rescue, increasing airspace capacity and Reduced Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) risk/accident.

According to him, the implemention of SBAS will reduce delays, diversions and cancellations due to weather conditions, reduce flight crew workload by eliminating RAIM prediction requirements and to avail airlines with optimum flight trajectories.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was hosted by Nigeria (NAMA, NigComSat and NCAA) in conjunction with international partners such as the Joint Programme Office of the Satellite Navigation for Africa.

Other parts of international partner are European Union Global Action on Space and Augmented Navigation for Africa (ANGA) among others. NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

Cross section of participants at Gender Based Violence programme in Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Thursday

By Segun Giwa
The Ondo State government on Thursday said it would henceforth prosecute families shielding perpetrators of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the state.

Mrs Bolanle Afolabi, Executive Director, Ondo State Agency Against Gender Based Violence (OSAA-GBV), said this on Thursday in Iju, Akure North Local Government area of the state, during an advocacy on Gender Based violence.

The programme was in collaboration with Westminster Foundation For Democracy.

Afolabi said the agency would continue to implement policy to protect the rights of women and children and safeguard them against all forms of abuse in the state.

She said that families or anybody shielding perpetrators of GBV would be prosecuted for conspiracy against the law.

In her presentation on Violence Against Person Prohibition (VAPP)- Law and Draft of Child Protection and Safeguarding policy, the Guest speaker, Mrs Oluwatoba Olaifa, emphasised the need to enforce law that protect children and women against abuse in the state.

Olaifa said people must know about the law, “hence the need for people at the grassroots to steer clear of breaking the laws.”

She warned the people against harmful practices against children and women.

The Senior Special Assistant, office of the Wife of the Governor on Gender Matters, Mrs Temitope Daniyan said the advocacy was to reduce cases of Gender Based Violence in the rural areas.

Earlier, the Country Director of WFD, Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, said that the programme was taken to the grassroots to pass the message to the people and educate them on the penalties of breaking the law.

Olorunmola said that the organisation would continue to strengthen ties with Ondo State government to ensure that the children’s rights and safety are protected towards a safe society.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Mr Bankole Ogbesetore, appreciated the state government for taking the programme to the grassroots.

Ogbesetore, represented by a Director at the local government, Mr Adejumo Adewale, said the programme was appreciated by the people in the community and would disseminate the information to all communities in the area. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

Gregory Mmaduakolam

Mrs Chinyere Uromta on Thursday took over as the Acting Registrar of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) from the former registrar, Mr Samuel Nwakoha.

This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Muftahu Ya’u, Chairman, Committee on Media and Publicity of the CRFFN on Thursday, in Abuja.

Uromta, speaking at the hand-over ceremony gave assurance that her leadership thrust would be transparent and enhance collaboration between the organisation and freight forwarders.

According to her, the Council will continue to prioritise training of freight forwarders to ensure they are at par with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

This, she said, would enhance professionalism and greater revenue generation for the country.

“We shall cut through the fog of mistrust and resort to intensive dialogue and reconciliation with all concerned parties including members of staff and the freight forwarders.

“We will endeavour to make wise choices and works transparently, flexibly and honestly as we take cognisance of the fact that members of staff are the Primary key to the actualisation of the Council’s success.

“Hence, we solicit for their cooperation in the bid to speedily reposition the council and the industry at large, bearing in mind that if we work together as one unit we would attain the desired progress.

“We shall be there as the management to guide and supervise our staff and other stakeholders’’, she said.

Uromta equally appreciated the CRFFN’S Governing Council under the leadership of the Chairman, Dr Abubakar Tsanni, who she described as an indefatigable leader that had guided the Council on a path of Progress and notable accomplishments.

She also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu,azu Jaji Sambo and the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry , Dr Magdalene Ajani , for prioritising  the ideals  of the Council over the years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  reports that prior to her appointment as the acting registrar, Uromta had been the Director, Regulation and Enforcement and had earlier served as the Director, Corporate Affairs at the Agency.

Earlier, the Chairman, Media Committee on the CRFFN Governing Council conveyed the commendation of the Governing Chairman on the emergence of Uromta as acting registrar.

“This event is for handing over the administrative affairs of CRFFN from the outgoing registrar, Nwakohu, whose tenure expired on Jan.31.He handed over to the most senior management staff of the Council which is Uromta,’’ Ya’u said.

Ya’u noted that the committees was set up by the governing council to oversee the handover process to ensure that there was no vacuum in leadership at the organization, following expiration of the former registrar’s tenure.

The delegation which presided over the handover ceremony, was led by Mrs Oyerinde , while other members were Dr Kayode Farinto, Alhaji Moshood Tijani , Mr Tochukwu Esizi and the committee’s Secretary, Ya,u .(NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Taiye Agbaje
National Industrial Court, Abuja has fixed Feb. 16, for adoption of final written addresses in suit filed by Mr Funmilayo Omosule against the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority Administration (OGFZAA) over his alleged unlawful suspension.

Justice Olufunke Anuwe, in a short ruling, also directed parties to regularise their processes before the next adjourned date.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omosule and OGFZAA had been locked in a fierce legal battle to resolve the legality or otherwise of his suspension, following his petition against some management staff of the agency on alleged corruption.

Upon resumed hearing, Omosule’s counsel, Dr Tunji Abayomi, informed that the defendant had just served him with their written address shortly before the commencement of proceeding.

Abayomi said new issues were raised in the process which would need a response, even though he had already filed their written address following the failure of the defendant to do so on time.

OGFZAA’s lawyer, Mr Michael Ajara, who apologised for late filing of their application, said a motion for an extension of time had been filed.

He said the motion sought an order to deem their application as being properly filed.
Consequently, Justice Anuwe granted the motion and adjourned the matter until Feb. 16 for adoption of final written addresses.

The judge, who held that the adjournment would also allow Abayomi respond to the defendant’s final written address by filing a fresh one, directed parties to regularise their processes before the next date.

NAN reports that OGFZAA had, via a letter dated April 18, 2011, suspended Omosule as the manager of its Abuja office on the grounds that he had refused to comply with its letter dated December 3, 2010, which had directed him to present the originals of his credentials for verification.

Omosule, however, refuted the claim of the authority, stating that he made available to the defendant CTCs of his educational certificates/credentials, including GCE ‘O Level certificates and degree certificates as instructed.

Omosule had claimed that the originals of his credentials were misplaced in untraceable circumstances as at 2010 when the report to submit originals was made.

The claimant also averred that the CTCs of his certificates submitted to the defendant were certified by the issuing institutions, which included the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the University of Ado-Ekiti, then Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti, respectively.

The claimant is seeking the court‘s declaration that he was still a staff of the organisation and entitled to all the rights, privileges and benefits due to him by reason of his employment.

He is praying the court for an order directing the defendant to reinstate him to the position of a director, on grade level 17, a position he claimed his contemporaries were holding currently.

Omosule is equally seeking the order of the court to direct the defendant to pay all his outstanding salaries, benefits and entitlement since 2011 and to also order the defendant to pay him the sum of N50 million as exemplary and general damages.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Sadiya Hamza