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Gulf Of Mexico Disaster, Lesson For Nigeria – NNPC

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The Group General Manager of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Engr. Austen Oniwon, has stated the preparedness of the corporation, along with its partners, to deal with oil spillage emergencies and reduce their impacts towards ensuring a balanced ecological condition in its areas of operation.

Oniwon made the remark on Friday at the World Environment Day celebration event organised by the Environment and Safety Department in the Engineering and Technology Division of the NNPC, which took place in Abuja.

He also said the current BP oil spillage brouhaha in the Gulf of Mexico putting a lot of pressure on off-shore oil exploration, adding that it was also an opportunity for the industry to learn to forestall such incidents in the future.

He stated that, “The incident that is happening in the Gulf of Mexico is a disaster, and it can happen anywhere in the world, including Nigeria. However, it is putting a lot of pressure on off-shore oil drilling.

“It is also a challenge mankind to find a solution to such failures in future; this is the first time a failure is occurring between the downward emission and the atmosphere. It also presents an opportunity for mankind to learn and improve in its handling of such matters.

“I am sure that lessons that will be learned from the mishap will go a long way to ensure that oil exploration is made much safer and ecologically friendly in the future. Every disaster gives another opportunity for humanity to learn and I can assure you that Nigeria, and more specifically the NNPC, would be learning a lot from this case in order to ensure that

Speaking further on the theme of the event, Biodiversity – Ecosystems Management and the Green Economy, Oniwon noted that the Corporation’s Ethanol development project, which would ensure cleaner energy options for consumers in the country, was still on course.

According to him, “NNPC is taking full advantages of all the opportunities to entrench green fuel and green energy delivery in the country. Primarily, we are a hydro-carbon company, but we believe that if coal can be made clean, then oil can even be made cleaner.

“This is because coal is the worst producer of carbon-dioxide that is ever seen, while hydrocarbon contains both hydrogen and carbon and the amount of carbon-dioxide that can be seen in hydrocarbon is not as harmful as in coal technology.”

The NNPC GMD further stressed that the corporation “is doing everything to ensure that the blending comes up in such a way to ensure that the ethanol mix to oil hydrocarbon becomes a better mix for us to have cleaner oil.

“Our ethanol development project is ongoing because our people in Exploration and Technology division are working extremely hard to make sure that we achieve our objective for cleaner energy in the nearest future.

He explained that the Ethanol initiative would involve further reduction of the amount of carbon-dioxide in the hydrocarbon oil by blending it with ethanol.

The GMD noted, however, that the initiative is not undertaken 100 percent by the Corporation but with the support and partnership of some private companies.

“The reason is because we do not believe in being the sole participants, and we think private companies should be a part of this project. Also, there are a lot of logistic issues that have to be resolved. For instance, ethanol that you mix with hydrocarbon is very hydroscopic; it absorbs a lot of water from the air, so we have to be put in place infrastructure that will convince most private companies to come in invest in the project; most of the blending outfits in the country do not have the infrastructure at all.

“When this is completed, we are going to bring in ethanol and make sure that we are able to use it in such a manner that will maximize the benefit for Nigerians. We are doing a lot in that aspect.”

Also speaking at the event, the General Executive Director, Engineering and Technology of the NNPC, Mr. Billy Agha reaffirmed the commitment of corporation to responsible environmental practices.

“As a recognized leader in the oil and gas industry, we also want to set the pace in promoting environmental awareness and protection. Over the years, we have demonstrated this commitment through our corporate social responsibility practices and day to day business operations.

“The NNPC as a national oil and gas company has embarked on global warming control measures such as striving with its joint venture (JV) partners to achieve gas flare-down in all the operations,” he added.

Agha noted that the corporation is targeting the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects by establishing CDM Working Groups that will project the NNPC into international Carbon Trading to reduce carbon emission.

“NNPC has also eliminated the application of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) based materials in its operations in compliance with the requirements of the Montreal Protocol. Furthermore, many gas utilization projects are under construction or planned to recover and utilize associated gas from oil wells that was otherwise flared or vented,” he added.

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Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.06%

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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Three States Record Lowest rates Published 16 Mar 2026 By  Dave Ibemere 3 min read The NBS has revealed that inflation rates dropped again in February 2026 The bureau noted that both headline and food inflation eased on a year-on-year basis Inflation was lowest in Katsina, Imo, and Ebonyi, while the highest was recorded in Kogi.
 Nigerian economy, the stock market, and broader market trends. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that Nigeria’s inflation rate slowed further in February 2026. According to the bureau in its latest CPI report, the headline inflation dropped slightly to 15.06% from 15.10% in January 2026. Nigeria’s inflation eases to 15%, offering relief to households. It was 11.21 percentage points lower than the 26.27% recorded in February 2025. From breaking news to viral moments.  On a month-on-month basis, inflation stood at 2.01% in February, up from -2.88% in January, showing that prices rose at a faster pace than the previous month. Nigerian stock market records weekly gain as turnover hits N164.8billion Urban vs Rural Inflation NBS noted that urban inflation stood at 15.53% year-on-year, down from 28.49% in February 2025, while rural inflation was 13.93%, compared with 22.73% in the same period last year. Every month, urban inflation rose to 2.55% in February from 2.72% in January, while rural inflation eased to 0.71% from -3.29%. Food Inflation Food inflation dropped to 12.12% year-on-year in February, down sharply from 26.98% in February 2025. Monthly, food prices rose by 4.69%, higher than the -6.02% recorded in January. The NBS attributed the moderation to slower price increases in staples such as beans, cassava tuber, yam flour, crayfish, millet flour, cowpeas, and okazi leaf. The twelve-month average for food inflation was 19.08%, compared with 37.40% in February 2025. States breakdown for All Items The states with the highest all-items inflation rates were: Kogi (23.57%) Benue (22.85%) Anambra (22.09%) The lowest rates were recorded in: READ ALSO Naira appreciates by N27 against US dollar as external reserves cross $50bn Katsina (7.78%) Imo (11.66%) Ebonyi (11.71%) On a month-on-month basis, the highest increases were in Enugu (5.92%), Ogun (4.39%), and Anambra (4.11%), while declines were seen in Zamfara (-2.14%), Bauchi (-1.23%), and Katsina (-1.06%). Food staples contribute less to inflation as prices moderate in February. Photo: Bloomberg Source: Getty Images State Breakdown for Food Inflation Food inflation was highest in: Kogi (26.91%) Adamawa (23.12%) Benue (21.89%) The lowest food inflation rates were seen in: Katsina (5.09%) Bauchi (7.09%) Imo (7.65%) Month-on-Month Food Inflation The states with the highest month-on-month increases in food inflation were: Bayelsa (8.81%) Ebonyi (8.51%) Edo (7.72%) The states that recorded declines were: Katsina (-0.70%) Nasarawa (0.17%) Kano (1.39%) Food price changes across markets in Nigeria Earlier, The  Tide source reported that due to Ramadan, staple food prices across the country are recording sharp increases as Muslims begin the Ramadan fasting season Ramadan is not only a period of abstinence from food and drink, but also a time for ‘reflection, discipline and heightened devotion’ Several traders in Abuja, Taraba, and Kaduna states are taking advantage and have hiked price. The NBS has revealed that inflation rates dropped again in February 2026 The bureau noted that both headline and food inflation eased on a year-on-year basis Inflation was lowest in Katsina, Imo, and Ebonyi, while the highest was recorded in Kogi.
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NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes On Investment In The Region 

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture  (NDCCTMA), and the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Domestic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The bodies made the call at a Business Round Table organized by NDDCTMA, in Port Harcourt.
Chairman of NDDCTMA, Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can  do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here.”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase”, he stated.
Ogan noted that the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where saying “that is why we are gathered here in this room”.
Also speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment  as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city, we have gone to Lagos,we have moved  our families to Abuja and Lagos. If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
By; John Bibor
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Cash Handouts Unproductive For Sustainable Agricultural Development – Engineer Kii

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6 days ago

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March 23, 2026

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Rivers State by its natural disposition is gifted with strategic economic advantage, particularly in  agricultural potentials and fortunes. This informs successive governments’ interest in  developing the agricultural sector, such as the School to Land Program, the Shongai Project, among several others.
The objective is to engender and leverage the sector  beyond mere subsistence practices into a full thriving economy, with the engagement and involvement of the youthful and productive population.
The Farm to Future Agro Based Training for Rivers youths by the present administration is notably one of the most pragmatic efforts of the Rivers State Government to engage the prospective creative capital of both the natural and human resources in the agricultural sector for sustainable development.
The concept, premised on the imperative of maximizing the huge agrarian prowess of the state, targets creation of sustainable livelihood for the teeming youth of the state. The project is also intended to achieve the chore needs of food sufficiency and job creation in the state.
This implies a significant deviation from the acculturised norm of expectations of financial benefits as the outcome of government programs and policies.
The tenets of the program are expressly difined in concept and practice as shown in the phases of its execution.
However, some beneficiaries of the project recently staged a protest, allegdging unpaid largesse, diversion of funds and perceived slighting by the Rivers State Ministry of agriculture. The said protest has stirred up concerns among stakeholders about how people view  government policies.
Many see the protest  as an attempt to create tension around the program and sabotage its original objectives.
Stakeholders and commentators are of the view that the Rivers State is in dire need of development in every critical sector, as such the  Ministry of Agriculture and its partners should be given the benefit of the doubt to implement the project to its logical conclusion without being hauled with accusations.
The former Commissioner for Agriculture, Engineer Victor Kii who was at the fore of driving the program has in a press statement debunked the allegations and sued for calm, restraint and understanding. Engineer Kii assured the participants that the empowerment phase will be implemented as soon as administrative normalcy is restored.
He commended the participants for their commitment and discipline during the training and urged them to uphold the norms of the program rather than misrepresenting its intentions.
Some pundits who commented on the recent development decried the fact that many people  still hold on to the notion that  incentives billed to create sustainable impact through skills based programs, should be given out as  largess, without adroit supervision of its utility function. This practice  has however created a culture of economic doldrum, dependency and servitude in the past.
Thus the idea of seen the Rivers Farm to Future project  as a mere quixotic experiment for cash benefits  without achieving set goals is counter productive. Such opportunistic thinking have stunted government efforts  over the years in achieving long term objectives of development.
As disclosed by the former commissioner for Agriculture in his detailed explanation, the Farm to Future project was strategically designed to address this culpable deficit in institutional planning and consolidation of results.
The former commissioner gave an  explicit description of the nexus of operation of the program.
As revealed by him;  ” The program is a strategic intervention to equip young people in Rivers with practical skills and to nurture a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. 500 beneficiaries received intensive agri business training in the first phase.”
 He pointed out that the program was conceived and designed in line with global best practices which de emphasizes indiscriminate cash handouts for beneficiaries. Rather it promotes practical engagements in agricultural activities and business initiatives.
At the end of the training in February, beneficiaries were encouraged either individually or in cooperative clusters to identify value chain for establishment of viable businesses.
They were also asked to produce structured business proposals for perusal and review by the ministry of agriculture and appointed consultants, after which successful proposals would be forwarded to the Bank of Agriculture with Rivers State Government providing guarantees.
The strategies for implementation include field inspections and evaluation for beneficiaries who had already commenced practical activities in identified locations.
The approach was to discourage the commonplace ideology of diverting funds meant for specific projects for unrelated purposes, thereby undermining the conscious exploration of creative potentials into long term benefits.
The process was however temporary interrupted by the dissolution of the Rivers State Executive Council and the ongoing renovation of the Rivers State Secretariat complex but the profound optimism and positive expectations that are the hallmark of the project remains sacrosanct.
Engineer Kii assures.
By: Beemene Taneh
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