News
NNPC, IOCs Real Sabateurs -Rep …As Lower Chamber Tours Customs, Projects
A House Representatives member, Hon Johnson Agbonayinma, yesterday said multinational oil companies, not Niger Delta Avengers, were the real saboteurs in Nigeria’s oil sector.
He said that while the militants only destroyed oil pipelines in protest over several Niger Delta issues, the multinationals collude with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) officials to steal crude oil and take it outside the country.
Agbonayinma told newsmen in Abuja that the oil racket was complete with the involvement of some Nigerian elite and nationals of foreign countries where the oil was delivered.
He disclosed that with help of an American firm, Loumos Group, contracted by the Federal Government under former President Goodluck Jonathan, stolen crude oil were traced to some countries, including 57 million barrels to the U.S.
He said that part of the fraud was committed through under-declaration by the NNPC and the cabal of volume of oil exports, adding that oil theft was a flourishing venture by NNPC officials and people in high places.
The lawmaker, who represents Egor/ Ikpoba-Okha Constituency of Edo, therefore, urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s fight against corruption.
According to him, Niger Delta Avengers are not oil thieves or saboteurs of the economy. The real thieves are the oil cabal, who are milking the nation of oil and the revenue
“They are NNPC and persons in high places and their foreign partners, and they should be made to account for the stolen crude.
Agbonayinma, therefore, said that it was disheartening that NNPC was picturing Niger Delta Avengers as saboteurs in the oil sector.
“What NNPC people are doing is using the issue of militancy to cover up. They are not telling Nigerians the truth.
“They are diverting the nation’s attention from the basic truth about huge stealing in the oil sector.
“The cabal is responsible for non-functioning of the refineries. It is pre-meditated and being manipulated so that they can continue to defraud the system,’’ he said.
He recalled that the refineries were built by the military and challenged civilian leaders to show what they had built or how they had maintained the existing ones.
Agbonayinma called on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and civil society organisations to rise against oil thieves “who are in high places, NNPC and multinationals.
“There is a lot of corruption in the system and labour leaders and CSOs should lead workers and the masses on activities to encourage President Buhari in sustain the anti-corruption fight.
“There are no two ways about it than to support Buhari so that anyone found wanting should face the law. That is what we need to do.’’
He pointed out that there was corruption all over the world, but that “the one in Nigeria is done with impunity’’.
“There is corruption in America, Europe and rest of the world, but those found guilty of it always face the law.
“Unfortunately in Nigeria, even though you are caught red-handed, you go scot-free, while those who steal N10, 000 or less go to jail and `pen robbers’ go free.
“Nigeria is not broke. Money in the hands of some corrupt elite is enough to keep the country afloat,’’ the lawmaker said.
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has overtaken Egypt’s Omar Assar to become Africa’s highest-ranked player in the world, now sitting at 18th in the week 12 ranking released on Tuesday.
Aruna moved up from 19th place in week 11 to 18th in the latest ranking, while Assar dropped from 17th to 19th.
Denmark’s Jonathan Groth took over Assar’s 17th place, moving up from 18th.
Despite finishing as runner-up at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, Aruna’s impressive performances at the WTT tournaments this year have boosted his ranking.
Aruna remains the only African male player to have reached the semi-finals of the WTT Contender Doha, repeating his 2023 feat earlier this year in January.
This achievement has propelled him ahead of Assar, who beat him to become the champion of the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup.
Aruna’s next tournament is the WTT Contender Chennai which serves off in India from March 23 to 20.
In the women’s singles, Egypt’s Hana Goda maintained her top spot in Africa, moving up one place to 26th in the week 12 ITTF ranking. Her compatriot, Dina Meshref, remained static at 33rd, holding her position as the second-best-ranked female player in Africa.
China’s Wang Chuqin retained his position as the second-best player globally, behind his compatriot Lin Shidong, who continues to hold the top spot. Japanese superstar Tomokazu Harimoto dethroned China’s Liang Jingkun as the third-best player in the world after his semifinal finish in Chongqing.
In the women’s ranking, the top five remained unchanged, with China’s Sun Yingsha holding onto her top spot after retaining her WTT Champions Chongqing title.
Mr Mike Okiro, former Inspector-General of Police( I-G), has called on warring factions in the Rivers crisis to lay down their arms and engage in peaceful dialogue to find a lasting solution that benefits all parties.
This is contained in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, where Okiro expressed concern about the political unrest that plagued the state for nearly two years.
The Tide source reports that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers following persistent crisis there.
Tinubu had earlier presided over a high-level emergency meeting involving principal officers of the National Assembly and top security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja over the River crisis.
This followed the political standoff in Rivers, which raised tensions, leading to fears of instability in the state.
The meeting also followed a pipeline explosion that rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers.
The blast, which occurred late on Monday near the Bodo-Bonny Road, further heightened concerns over security and stability in the oil-rich region.
Declaring the state of emergency in a broadcast on national television afterwards, the president said the decision had become compelling after the Governor and his Deputy failed to seek presidential intervention.
Meanwhile, the former I-G urged the parties to exercise caution and respect human rights.
Okiro said “I call on all warring factions to lay down their arms and engage in peaceful dialogue to find a resolution that will benefit all the parties.”
He highlighted the need for unity, dialogue and respect for human rights to overcome the current crisis in the area.
He recalled his successful efforts in spearheading the amnesty programme for the Niger Delta region in 2009, which brought peace to the area after years of militancy.
He emphasised the importance of working together as a community to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens during challenging times.
He called for a peaceful and sustainable solution that upholds the principles of democracy and respects the rights of all individuals.
Okiro said he is ready to work with other elders and stakeholders in the state to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
“Just over two weeks ago, I was about to form a committee of elders and stakeholders in Rivers to address this political impasse,” he said.
He, however, urged all parties involved to comply with directives from the President and work toward peaceful resolution of the issues at stake.
-
Politics4 days ago
2027: Drop Merger Talks, Join SDP, el-Rufai Tells Atiku, Obi, Others
-
Sports4 days ago
Arsenal Edge Chelsea To Stay 12 Behind
-
Featured3 hours agoAbuja Truck Explosion Death Toll Rises To 10 …As Another Truck Crashes On Same Spot
-
Sports2 hours ago
Amusan, Others Absent From World Athletic Indoor Final List
-
Oil & Energy4 days agoPENGASSAN Laments Sterling Oil’s Anti-Labour Practices
-
Niger Delta4 days agoBoard Lauds CMD Over Innovations In FMC, Asaba
-
Niger Delta2 hours ago
D’Gov Tasks LG Chairmen On Health Officers’ Supervision
-
Nation24 mins ago
Jigawa Police Support 35 Families Of Deceased Officers