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Senate Uncovers N300 Billion Crude Oil Discrepancy, Sparks National Outcry.

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The Nigerian Senate’s ad-hoc committee probing crude oil theft in the Niger Delta has revealed that approximately N300 billion in crude oil revenues remains unaccounted for, igniting nationwide concern.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The committee’s interim report highlighted widespread discrepancies, inadequate oversight, and systemic lapses that have allowed significant diversion of the country’s crude oil proceeds. A forensic audit of domestic crude sales and tax oil records uncovered discrepancies and unrecorded funds totaling roughly $22 billion. It also noted a shortfall of $81 billion between receipts reported by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and figures recorded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for 2016 and 2017.

Further investigations, incorporating international consultancy data, suggested that over $200 billion in global crude oil proceeds have not been accounted for. The report attributed these losses to flawed measurement systems, poor regulatory oversight, and weak interagency coordination. It specifically flagged the use of unverified instruments, lack of metrological control, and disjointed enforcement mechanisms as key enablers of oil theft.

The committee criticized the suspension of the Weights and Measures Department’s activities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, arguing that this decision undermined accountability and accurate measurement in crude operations. It also highlighted the absence of a dedicated court for prosecuting oil thieves and the non-implementation of the Host Communities Development Trust Fund (HCDTF) as factors fueling persistent sabotage and theft in oil-producing regions.

The Senate committee projected that unaccounted domestic crude sales alone amounted to roughly N300 billion and urged immediate local and international efforts to trace and recover stolen funds. It recommended mandating the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to enforce international crude measurement standards, restoring the Weights and Measures Department’s regulatory role, and equipping security agencies with modern surveillance technologies, including drones, to detect theft in real time.

Additionally, the committee called for the creation of a Maritime Trust Fund to support maritime infrastructure, the establishment of a special court for prosecuting crude oil thieves, and the full implementation of the HCDTF to reduce community sabotage and enhance inclusive resource management.

The report also expressed concern about abandoned and poorly decommissioned oil wells in the Niger Delta, which are leaking oil and gas into local communities. It suggested that these wells be transferred to the NUPRC and allocated to modular refineries to boost domestic crude supply and reduce vandalism.

Despite these challenges, the committee noted a modest recovery in crude oil production, which rose by 9.5 percent in 2023, from 490.95 million barrels in 2022 to 537.57 million barrels, signaling improvements in production and security.

The committee, reconstituted in February 2025 following the death of its former chairman, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, requested Senate approval to track and recover stolen crude oil proceeds globally. It stressed that recovering these funds is crucial for restoring accountability in the oil sector, strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal position, and deterring future theft.

While commending the committee’s work, the Senate clarified that it is not responsible for fund recovery, directing the panel to finalize its investigation and identify perpetrators, after which recommendations would be forwarded to the executive for action.

Public reactions to the report have ranged from outrage and disappointment to calls for decisive action. Analysts like Idowu Christopher criticized the government for failing to act on known oil theft and emphasized the need to recover unregulated oil wells and fully implement the HCDTF. Legal practitioner Chikia Umeayo suggested that such revelations have become a normalized aspect of Nigeria’s oil sector, noting that the lack of enforcement often renders reports ineffectual.

The interim findings underscore the urgent need for structural reforms, strict enforcement, and effective monitoring to curb oil theft and safeguard national resources.

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Abiodun Launches Massive Grassroots Campaign, Unveils 50,400 Renewed Hope Apostles.

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Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has inaugurated 50,400 grassroots political mobilisers, known as Renewed Hope Apostles, across the state as part of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s strategy to secure victory in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The initiative will see the canvassers conduct coordinated door-to-door campaigns across Ogun State’s 236 wards, with the aim of strengthening grassroots engagement, expanding the party’s support base and informing voters about the achievements of APC-led governments at the federal, state and local government levels.

Abiodun announced the initiative during a series of strategic meetings with party leaders and stakeholders across the state’s 20 local government areas. The meetings were attended by local government and ward executives, council chairmen, councillors, governorship and other party candidates, party elders, governors’ liaison officers and political appointees.

The governor explained that the Renewed Hope Apostles would serve as the party’s grassroots communication and mobilisation network, taking information about government policies, programmes and achievements directly to residents.

He said the initiative was also aimed at tackling misinformation and ensuring that voters understood how government policies and projects affected their daily lives.

“We have called them the Renewed Hope Apostles. They will now begin to propagate so that the people can be better informed because when there is no information, there is misinformation, and that is what we are addressing.

“In the first instance, in Ogun East, we have 15,000 of them, and across the state, we have 50,400. We expect them to multiply and spread the gospel of the party’s performance,” he said.

Abiodun disclosed that the canvassers were selected from different local government areas and organised around polling units to ensure that the campaign reached voters at the community level.

According to him, the recruitment and verification process lasted approximately three months, during which the necessary details of the participants were compiled and verified to establish an effective and accountable mobilisation structure.

He added that the canvassers would be equipped with information about the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Ogun State Government to enable them to explain the impact of APC policies to residents.

Abiodun highlights Tinubu’s projects in Ogun

Speaking on the impact of the Tinubu administration on Ogun State, the governor listed the reconstruction of the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode-Ore Road, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the facilitation of the Gateway Deep Sea Port, the revival of the Ogun LNG project and the establishment of a major Customs facility in the state.

He said the projects, alongside other federal interventions, were improving Ogun’s economic prospects, attracting investments, creating employment opportunities and strengthening its position as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial destinations.

Abiodun described the economic and policy decisions introduced by Tinubu as necessary measures that had helped stabilise the national economy and placed it on a path towards sustainable growth.

Ogun government lists achievements across sectors

The governor also highlighted the achievements of his administration in infrastructure, housing, education, healthcare, agriculture, energy and economic empowerment.

He disclosed that his government had constructed more than 1,700 kilometres of roads across the state’s three senatorial districts, rehabilitated and constructed over 1,600 schools, and provided more than 7,000 housing units currently occupied by residents.

In the health sector, Abiodun said 160 Primary Healthcare Centres had been equipped and upgraded as part of his administration’s plan to establish at least one functional primary healthcare facility in each of the state’s 236 wards.

He added that contracts had recently been awarded for the construction of new hospitals in Odogbolu, Isara and Itori, while the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital had been repositioned to improve healthcare delivery.

The governor also announced the completion of the 250-bed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence in Abeokuta, which he said had been abandoned by previous administrations.

On electricity, Abiodun said his government had established two independent power plants in Abeokuta to support industrial and social activities.

He further disclosed that more than 20,000 farmers had benefited from the distribution of agricultural inputs, including pesticides, fertilisers, seedlings and tractors.

According to him, over 60,000 women had received support through the Oko Owo Dapo initiative, while cooperative societies and artisans had benefited from more than ₦1 billion in financial assistance to expand their businesses.

In education, the governor said his administration had recruited and deployed more than 7,000 teaching personnel to address manpower shortages in public primary and secondary schools.

Abiodun also highlighted the state’s aviation project, noting that beyond developing a world-class airport, his administration had established an airline whose aircraft had commenced international operations from Lagos to Bangui.

Abiodun urges APC members to unite ahead of 2027

The governor charged the newly inaugurated Renewed Hope Apostles to carry out their duties with commitment, discipline and a clear understanding of the party’s achievements.

He said their responsibility was to engage voters, address their concerns and mobilise support for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abiodun also appealed to party leaders and members to set aside personal differences and work together to secure the party’s electoral success.

He maintained that unity and effective grassroots coordination were essential to achieving the party’s objectives.

“A divided party cannot win an election. We must work together as a team, strengthen our relationships and ensure that every member understands the importance of this assignment,” he said.

The governor explained that the meetings with party stakeholders were also designed to strengthen internal cohesion, review mobilisation strategies and establish a common direction ahead of the elections.

Prominent APC leaders, including the state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi; Director-General of the Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Lekan Mustapha; Deputy Director-General, Dr Apaye; Ogun East Senatorial Chairman, Chief Adeleke Adedotun; and APC Chairman in Odeda Local Government, Hon. Musulumi Saka, pledged their support for the party’s success.

They assured the governor of their readiness to mobilise members and supporters across their constituencies in support of President Tinubu, Governor Abiodun and other APC candidates.

The inauguration and stakeholder engagements have so far covered Remo North, Sagamu, Ikenne, Ijebu North East, Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Ifo, Ewekoro, Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda and Obafemi-Owode local government areas.

The engagements form part of a wider political outreach programme by Abiodun, who has also held consultations with religious organisations, traders, artisans, traditional worshippers, labour leaders and cooperative societies to build broader support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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2027 Election: SERAP Gives INEC Seven-Day Ultimatum Over Electoral Offenders

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to prosecute individuals suspected of involvement in electoral violence or risk facing legal action.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a letter addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, the organisation urged the commission to take urgent steps to ensure that those responsible for electoral violence are brought to justice ahead of the 2027 general elections.

SERAP warned that failure to prosecute the suspects could encourage politicians and political thugs to continue using violence to intimidate voters and manipulate election outcomes.

The rights group also called on INEC to make public the identities of the suspects and provide updates on the progress of their prosecution to demonstrate its commitment to credible, free and fair elections.

“We are giving INEC seven days to take concrete steps to prosecute electoral violence suspects. If nothing is done, we will head to court to compel the commission to do its job,” the organisation stated.

SERAP described electoral violence as one of the major threats to Nigeria’s democracy, noting that fear of attacks has discouraged many citizens from going to polling units to exercise their voting rights.

The organisation further maintained that INEC has the authority under the Electoral Act to prosecute electoral offenders, insisting that the commission should not ignore its responsibility to address the problem.

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Super Eagles Coach Chelle Sets Fresh Target Ahead Of Tanzania Encounter.

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Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has charged his players to sustain their winning momentum when Nigeria take on Tanzania in Tuesday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match in Zanzibar.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Nigeria defeated Tanzania’s Taifa Stars 3-1 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, November 13, after recovering from a first-half equaliser to claim all three points.

Alhassan Yusuf opened the scoring for the Super Eagles just two minutes into the encounter. However, Tanzania restored parity before the break.

Substitute Tolu Arokodare later scored twice in the second half to secure Nigeria’s victory.

The result moved Nigeria to second place in Group L with six points from three matches, one point behind leaders Guinea-Bissau, who played out a 1-1 draw with Madagascar on Thursday.

Despite the victory, Chelle has warned his players against complacency, insisting that they must reproduce the performance in the return fixture. He maintained that the victory in Uyo would count for little if the team failed to secure another win in Tanzania.

The Nigerian coach expressed disappointment over his side’s inability to protect their early lead after Yusuf’s opening goal.

“They have nothing, and you give them something to eat. So they took it,” Chelle said during his post-match press conference.

He emphasised the need for greater concentration and determination ahead of Tuesday’s encounter.

“We have to go to Tanzania to win this game. So I am happy for the players because, you know, it is not easy. But the reality is nothing. We have the second game after. The most important is the next game,” he said.

Chelle also disclosed that the team were motivated to respond positively after suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their previous qualifying match.

“We played badly against Guinea-Bissau. We spoke to the players after the game, and our motivation was to bounce back. We played under pressure. This victory is good, but it is important that we think about the next game, which we must also win,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nigeria will be without forward Ademola Lookman for the return fixture after he sustained a knee ligament injury during Friday’s match.

The Atletico Madrid attacker, who provided the assist for Yusuf’s opening goal, was forced off in first-half stoppage time and replaced by Moses Simon.

However, Calvin Bassey and Benjamin Fredrick have reportedly recovered from cramps suffered during the encounter and are expected to be available for Tuesday’s match.

Tanzania have already secured their place at the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts, leaving Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar to battle for the remaining qualification spot in Group L.

The Super Eagles will face the Taifa Stars at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Tuesday, November 17, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm Nigerian time.

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