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FG Demands Oil Firms Step Up Corporate Social Responsibility For Host Communities

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The Federal Government has urged oil companies operating in Nigeria to demonstrate genuine commitment to the development of their host communities through robust implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives as stipulated under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), made the appeal during a mediation meeting between Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company (SEEPCO), Orient Petroleum, and their host communities in Anambra State. The session, observed by the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), was held on Friday at the RMAFC headquarters in Abuja.

According to Maryam Umar Yusuf, Head of Information and Public Relations at RMAFC, Shehu emphasized the Commission’s dedication to safeguarding the rights and welfare of communities hosting oil operations. “This Commission will always stand for transparency and fairness. We expect oil companies to fulfill their obligations to the people in whose communities they operate,” he said, noting that the meeting was convened following complaints of neglect from some host communities.

Hon. Ekene Enefe, Chairman of the Investment Monitoring Committee (IMC) at RMAFC, expressed concern over SEEPCO’s CSR performance. “Based on available information, the current CSR efforts are unsatisfactory. SEEPCO must deliver tangible projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, electricity, and job opportunities. This is the expected outcome from the deductions made from operational costs,” he stated.

Enefe directed SEEPCO to submit audited reports on its three percent host community expenditure since the enactment of the PIA, stressing that oversight visits would be conducted to verify compliance. “We will reconcile reported expenditures with executed projects. Our committee will not hesitate to enforce oversight to ensure communities benefit as required by law,” he said.

Representatives of the Ogwu Ikpele and Ogwu Aniocha communities in Anambra State voiced frustration over years of neglect. Delegation leader Mr. Esumai Patrick said, “Our people live without good roads, schools, or hospitals while companies extract oil from our land. We welcome investment, but we demand fairness, electricity, employment for our youth, and tangible development projects.”

Responding, Barr. Emmanuel Ajang of SEEPCO assured that the company had begun implementing its Host Community Development Trust, with identified projects set to commence in compliance with the PIA. Engr. Ayke Akuwezumba of Orient Petroleum added that the company had shifted focus to gas production in partnership with Cottonwooden Gas Refinery, channeling resources into compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to benefit industries and households, describing it as a sustainable plan with long-term economic impact.

Mr. Enorense Amadasu, Executive Commissioner for Development and Production at NUPRC, confirmed that the regulator is closely monitoring the companies’ activities to ensure adherence to statutory obligations and proper execution of community development initiatives under the Host Community Trust.

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You Will See Our Young Beautiful Women Indecent On The Streets – 2Baba’s Ex Wife Natasha Osawaru Raises Alarm.

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Natasha Osawaru, wife of Nigerian music star 2Baba and a member of the Edo State House of Assembly, has called for measures to discourage indecent dressing among women in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Osawaru, who represents Egor Constituency and serves as the minority leader of the assembly, raised the issue during a plenary session.

The lawmaker urged her colleagues to support efforts aimed at promoting decent dressing, arguing that women’s appearance should reflect the cultural values and traditions of Edo State.

Osawaru maintained that modest dressing has traditionally been an important part of Benin culture and should be preserved by younger generations.

Speaking during the session, she said: “THE GIRL CHILD ARE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW 🙏 Mr. Speaker, my matter of urgent importance is the inappropriate ways that our women in Edo state dress these days. The motion is to caution indecent dressing in Edo state.

“Edo state is an ancestral state with high value and traditions. You will see our young beautiful women indecent on the streets. Dressing is a major part of Benin culture. In Benin culture and tradition, a woman dressed in the paid dignity, modesty, royalty and good home trade.

“Even in the state of Assembly here I have corrected a lot of our workers.”

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IGP Takes Major Decision, Suspends Police Officers’ Leave Nationwide.

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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the immediate cancellation of leave for police officers assigned to election security duties ahead of the 2027 general elections.News reports that Disu also directed the intensification of operations against bandits and other criminal groups across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities experiencing repeated attacks.

The police chief issued the directives on Wednesday during a monthly meeting with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.

Disu acknowledged that bandit attacks were still being recorded in several parts of the country, leaving residents vulnerable and threatening their safety and livelihoods.

He said: “Bandit attacks are ongoing in some states across the federation, and communities in those areas continue to face real threats to their safety and livelihoods.

“This is a challenge we are confronting directly, and I will not allow this conference to pretend otherwise.

“I am therefore directing as follows, with immediate effect: all Commissioners of Police in affected commands are to submit updated threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters within 72 hours.

“I want specifics, not generalities. The DIG in charge of Operations is to coordinate the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility and air support to the most affected areas, in consultation with the commands concerned.

“Intelligence-led operations must be sustained and intensified. Every command must have a standing operational plan for its high-risk zones.

“Community intelligence must be deepened. Traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups in affected areas must be engaged and incorporated into our intelligence architecture. The people know who the bandits are. We must give them the confidence to tell us. The bandits do not rest, neither shall we.

“All leave is cancelled for officers and men deployed for election security duties, effective immediately. All Commissioners of Police and senior officers are to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process. Any travel outside your command requires express approval from Force Headquarters.

“I will not tolerate any officer using the authority of the police to advance the interest of any political party, candidate or sponsor. Any officer found to be colluding with political actors, facilitating thuggery, compromising the integrity of the electoral process or interfering with the rights of voters will be disciplined according to the law.

“The Nigeria Police Force is not a tool for any politician, any party or any interest. If you allow yourself to be used, you will face the consequences alone. Protect the process, protect the people, and protect your own career and reputation. Do not be used.

“I have directed that all outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to the families of our fallen personnel be cleared without further delay, and that Commissioners of Police personally verify the status of every pending case in their commands. No family of a fallen officer should be left to struggle alone.”

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‘I Used My Military Connections To Create Banana Island’ – Terry Waya Reveals.

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Nigerian businessman and socialite Terry Waya has once again claimed that he played a major role in the creation of Banana Island, one of the most expensive residential estates in Lagos State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Waya made the claim during an appearance on the School of Hard Knocks podcast, where he disclosed that he leveraged his military connections to facilitate the development of the high-end estate.

The businessman insisted that he was instrumental in bringing Banana Island into existence, pointing to the wealthy individuals who currently reside there as evidence of the value of the project.

Speaking during the interview, Waya said: “I was the one that created Banana Island using my military contacts. Today, the richest people in Nigeria live there.

“I’m not a millionaire, I’m a billionaire. I became a billionaire 20 years ago.

“I’m one of the biggest farmers in Nigeria. Very, very serious farmer.

“My secret is investment in people. So tomorrow, if I get up and I happen to need anything, just a phone call away, I have enough contacts. Yes, I’ve got a lot of network.

“Nigerians like to copy, and any copy is always better than the original. Because you go to a board meeting with a Nigerian, he’s intelligent enough to watch you take the first move. No, he will destroy you from your first move.

“From your first move, he knows where you are going. When you are going to a negotiation, a desperate man will always make mistakes. I hate desperation. I’m calm. Go in as if you’re not interested, and then you have the leverage.

“If you lose your family trying to be rich, when you get rich, you may not have them back. They are gone. Just pray that you don’t lose too much in trying to be successful.”

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