Author: tdpel

By Cecilia Ologunagba

A U.S.-based Nigerian and political analyst, Mr Gbenga Omotayo says the Russo-Ukraine conflict will have dire consequences for Nigeria because of the population of Nigerians working and schooling in Ukraine.

Omotayo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that the crisis has serious implications for Africa because of its relations with the two countries.

“The implication will be dire; it will be dire for Nigeria and Africa because a lot of citizens are students in Ukraine.

“I am aware too that a Nigerian owns the biggest Church in Ukraine, and that the President attends so you will find a lot of Nigerian population in the country,’’ he said.

Omotayo, Chairman, Nigerian Americans Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC), New York said that in terms of trade, Russia is charting a course with Africa.

“Russia is charting a course with Africa, based on its antecedent, it seems to be doing good by us in Africa.

“However, it holds annual International trade forum for Africa leaders.

“The implication is that if they go to war, that relationship is going to be affected.

“The event will not hold because none of the leaders will want to go to Russia,’’ he said.

The political action committee leader, however, the crisis might lead to lots of problems if not managed properly, noting that it might lead to dysfunctional families.

He said the problem might lead to people being displaced and separated, and in many cases even losing their lives.

“A lot of Nigerian citizens residing in Ukraine are working and helping their people back at home.

“Economically, it is going to affect Nigeria and Africa as well because of trade relations with the two countries,’’ he added.

Omotayo said the crisis would not only affect Nigeria and Africa but the entire world.

“We know the two countries are Super Powers and NATO, which is being led by the U.S. has Super Powers as its members.

“In respect of the cause of this conflict, nobody goes to war and comes out the same.

“You can see what has happened in some countries ravaged by war in Africa and even in Iraq.

“Many times, war is not always the solution,’’’ he said.

NAN reports that on Feb. 21, Russia officially recognised the two breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent states.

With the recognition, Russia swiftly deployed troops to Donbas, in a move interpreted as Russia’s breach of the Minsk Protocol.

The breakaway republics were recognised in the boundaries of their respective Ukrainian oblasts, which extend far beyond the line of contact.

On Feb. 22, Putin said that the Minsk agreements were no longer valid and the same day, the Federation Council unanimously authorised the use of military force in the territories.

Putin, on Feb. 24, announced that Russia was initiating a “special military operation” in the Donbas, and launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine. (NAN)

By Lizzy Okoji

The Federal Government with the support of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has evacuated 128 more Nigerians from Libya under its continuous evacuation exercise.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Kabiru Musa, the Charge d’ Affairs, Nigerian Mission in Libya  on Tuesday in Abuja.

“They departed from the Misrata Airport, Libya on flight UZ0289 MRA and are expected to arrive the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

“The Nigerian Mission in Libya under the directives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is engaging the Libyan authorities to ensure the evacuation of stranded Nigerians,” he said.

Lamenting the situation of the stranded Nigerians in Libya, Musa said the Nigerian government would continue with the evacuation until no Nigerian is left behind.

“The evacuated Nigerians include men, women and children who have been victims of human trafficking, forced labour, prostitution amongst others.

“We have been on a constant engagement with the Libyan authorities and even checking detention camps to ensure no Nigerian is left stranded.

“A lot of them have expressed willingness to return home but cannot because of how they were trafficked irregularly.

“And, that is why the Nigerian government with the assistance of the IOM is doing everything possible to get the back home.

“We have officials on ground in Nigeria who are waiting to receive them to help reintegrate them into society and reunite with their families.

“This is our second evacuation within one week, we have carried out series of others in the past months and we will continue to carry out more until no Nigerian is left stranded in Libya,” Musa said. (NAN)

By Sandra Umeh

Worried by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the President of the African Bar Association (AfBA), Mr Hanbali Uwaifo, has called for adherence to international humanitarian laws by the countries.

Uwaifo made the call on Tuesday in a statement issued by AfBA’s Director of Strategic Communication, Mr Douglas Ogbankwa, in Lagos.

NAN reports that AfBA is the umbrella body of bar associations in the 54 African countries.

According to Uwaifo, AfBA is concerned about the fate of old people, women and children in the midst of the `heavy bombardment and mortar fire’.

“AfBA hereby urges parties to this conflict to show circumspection, not to hit civilian targets, as enshrined in the Geneva Convention.

“AfBA also calls on parties to exercise restraint and resort to conference table, as the world cannot afford another devastating phenomenon that will adversely affect the world’s economic order in the midst of the endemic coronavirus.

“AfBA calls on all requisite multilateral organisations to provide a humanitarian corridor for vulnerable citizens of both countries, who may be unable to surmount the excruciating conditions pervading this avoidable warfare,” he said.

Uwaifo said that strict observance of the provisions of international humanitarian laws was necessary. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

While some poeple haven’t won the lottery at all for once no matter how long they have been playing, some players have won more than once.

And this isn’t about knowing what or how to predict, as the lottery numbers are completely random, it is simply about luck.

Juan Hernandez of Uniondale, in Nassau County, New York hit a $10 million payout in February – after previously winning the exact same prize value in 2019. Talk about beating the odds!

In fact, Hernandez has said he’s “still trying to spend the $10 million” he won three years ago. Now that’s a problem anyone would surely like to have.

His first win was on the $350,000,000 Cash Spectacular scratch-off game.

He chose to take his latest prize as a single lump sum payout of $6,510,000 after tax withholdings.

The chances of winning the Deluxe game’s top prize are 1 in 3,521,600. So imagine how incredibly much higher the odds are of winning twice.

In August 2021, a South Carolina man hit a $3 million prize only 11 days after he took home a $40,000 payout.

And in October, a retired utility worker from Maryland won a $2 million lottery prize for the second time.

Thomas Perretta has beaten some pretty steep odds. The Stamford, Connecticut resident won $30,000 in March 2020 on a 30X Cash scratch ticket from the same store where he bought another $30,000 winning ticket for the same game four years ago!

Perretta said he purchased the ticket since the game had been lucky for him in the past.

“I bought this 30X ticket at the same store four years ago and I won,” he said. “The first time the prize helped me pay some bills. This time, it’s going towards a new kitchen remodel.”

Another winner from March 2020, an anonymous Maryland man claimed a $50,000 scratch-off jackpot – his second big lottery win in just a year.

The 45-year-old from Pasadena in Anne Arundel County purchased a $30 Rose Gold Black scratch-off ticket at the St. Paul Mini Mart in Baltimore on his way home from work.

He scratched the ticket while sitting in his vehicle and scanned it using the Lottery’s app. He was thrilled to confirm he’d hit the game’s jackpot.

The big win came just a year after he won a large prize on a different scratch game. He put the first win towards buying a house, and like Perretta, he’s planning a home renovation with his second win.

“I called my wife on the phone and told her that our projects were paid for,” the Maryland winner said.

Linda Tate of Durham, North Carolina is unquestionably a very lucky lady – in January 2020, she won a $1 million prize on the $10,000,000 Colossal Cash scratch-off game.

But Tate’s lucky streak actually started when she enjoyed a $4 million win on the Millionaire Bucks game back in August 2018.

In May 2019, Peggy Dodson of Pennsylvania hit the $1 million jackpot on the Max-a-Million scratch game.

If that wasn’t exciting enough, it was the 72-year-old’s second big win in a short time – she won $100,000 on another scratch-off ticket from the same convenience store two years before.

Vineland, New Jersey resident Eugene Martellio was the lucky winner of a $3 million top prize on the CA$H OUT scratch-off game in April 2019.

His big win came just two years after he won over $730,000 on a Jersey Cash 5 ticket.

And Martellio said he’s not done yet – he said he hoped to win again, maybe on Powerball or Mega Millions.

Concord, North Carolina man Terry Splawn won $1 million twice – at the same store – in less than two years.

Splawn won his most recent $1 million prize in March 2019 with a $150 Million Cash Explosion instant win ticket purchased from Sam’s Mini Stop in Concord. The odds of winning the $1 million prize in that game were 1 in 1.8 million.

Splawn’s first million dollar win was in April 2017 after he bought a Millionaire Bucks scratch-off ticket at the same retailer. The odds of winning $1 million in that game were 1 in 1.248 million.

Framingham man Howard Rankin won a $1 million instant jackpot on the $2,500,000 Holiday Bonus game in November 2015.

In September 2016, a ticket from the same store netted him an additional $1 million scratch-off win!

There are many more of such examples. However, don’t getyourself addicted to the game. When it’s no longer fun, QUIT!

By Ginika Okoye

Ekanem Etim, an Assistant Vice-President with DLM Advisory, has advised investors to approach investing from an overall portfolio perspective and create a workable blueprint to be followed in the long-term.

Etim said in a statement on Tuesday, that most investors usually pondered on the best investment strategies to adopt, especially in an election year.

She explained that in 2015, the Nigerian stock market witnessed a 10-day stretch of gains, upon the announcement of President Muhammadu Buhari’s win on grounds of possible anti-corruption interventions.

The vice-president said that decisions on whether to buy, sell or hold assets, currency pairs and other financial assets were currently top on the list of most investors.

Etim advised that investment plan should allocate ones’ portfolio to different chosen asset classes; financial assets – stocks, bond and alternative assets such as real estate.

“You should maintain the discipline to strictly follow your investment plan and approach this without sentiments.

“Market cycles will fluctuate with policy changes, economic conditions, and other events during your investment horizon.

“In this period, endeavor to keep to your investment plan since it is a long-term strategy.

“Therefore, the elections should not influence your long-term investment strategy,” she advised.

DLM Advisory is a subsidiary of the DLM Capital Group, a Development Investment Bank (DIB) that provides innovative solutions to economic and social development problems. (NAN)

By Aderogba George

The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) on Tuesday began a three-day day retreat for participants drawn from the 36 states of the federation and FCT, on operational productivity, policies and legislative framework.

The retreat holding in Keffi, Nasarawa State, is supported by the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policy (FIIAPP), from Tuesday, March 1, till Thursday, March 3.

FIIAPP, a Spanish public foundation is funded by the European Union (EU) and is anchoring the project in Nigeria titled: ‘Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM)’.

In his welcome address, NACTAL President, Mr Abdulganiyu Abubakar, stated that the retreat would centre on how to reposition the country against human trafficking.

He added that the retreat would look into what NACTAL had done right in the past, what is left for the organisation to be done and every other loopholes, all in the aim of enhancing operations.

“An holistic review of where we are coming from, where we ought to be and where we are going. FIIAPP, who is the organiser and sponsor of this programme, it is one of our major partners.”

On his part, representative of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mr Gav Festus, commended NACTAL for being an icon in the fight against human trafficking in the country.

Festus said that NACTAL is basically supporting the work of NAPTIP, adding that most of its activities are in tandem with NAPTIP mandate.

Festus said that Nigerians must continue to be vigilant about the antics of human traffickers, adding that their antics continue to change on daily basis.

He further said that Nigerians must remain vigilant, they must be conscious of fantastic offers meant to lure them into all kind of forced labour, adding that they are all lies and deceptive.

“Although the economy of the world has been passing through many challenges, this is not peculiar to Nigeria alone, there is no free money or free gift anywhere.

“We must continuously to be cautious,  those offers are seen as basic lies, deceptions to take us away and exploit us,” he said.

Similarly, Mrs Veronica Usman, NACTAL Board Chairman, commended NAPTIP and NACTAL on the awareness they are creating on human trafficking.

Usman, who was also at the programme representing Mrs Titi Atiku, the founder, Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication (WOTCLEF), stated that the awareness should be high since the menace was increasing.

Mr Bello Omotosho, who represented the A-TIPSOM, said the retreat was organised to build the capacity of NACTAL members and enhance their productivity. (www.nannews.ng)

By Habibu Harisu

Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM), has called on the Police and other security agencies to embrace the use of modern identification devices.

The Project Adviser, Mr Sani Dantuni-Bello, made the call on Tuesday at a three-day capacity building programme organised by the organisation in Sokoto.

A-TIPSOM is a project being funded by the European Union and implemented by Ibero-America Foundation for Administration and Public Policy (FIIAPP) to reduce human trafficking in the country.

The project was part of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) signed between the European Union and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to him, the use of such devices will help in tracking and reducing human trafficking in the country.

Dantuni-Bello said that the programme was aimed at training the participants on identifying migrants, smugglers and human traffickers for investigation and prosecution of perpetrators.

Represented by the Project Team Leader, Mr Rafael Molina, Dantuni-Bello, said that the training was meant to strengthen the capacity of the participants in different areas of trafficking.

”The exercise is part of the measures to combat trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Nigeria.

”Frontline officers are from National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS); Nigeria Police Force (NPF); and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

”We also included civil society organisations that were closer to people in order to facilitate more understanding on trafficking and identification techniques, ” Dantuni-Bello said.

He noted that the project was contributing to the government’s initiatives aimed at reducing the ratio of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants at national and regional levels.

”This is done through direct support to Police, NIS, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the civil society organisations represented by the Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL), ” Dantuni-Bello said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 70 participants were selected from Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna States, Illela, Jibiya and Kamba to participate in the training.

Lectures would be presented on the Role of Civil Society in Identification of TIPSOM, Gender Considerations, Identification and Profiling Indicators and Standard Operating Procedures, amongst other topics. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Ella Anokam

Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to supply gas from Nigerian offshore fields to the neighbouring Equatorial Guinea Gas Processing Facility at Punta Europa.

This MOU kicks off a strategic economic collaboration across the Gulf of Guinea wherein Nigeria’s abundant natural gas reserves compliments Equatorial Guinea’s world class Gas Processing and Liquefaction infrastructure.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources,  Chief Timipre Sylva, stated this in Abuja at the MoU signing on the sideline of ongoing fifth Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2022).

The minister said that the execution of the MOU met one of the imperatives of the “Decade of Gas” in Nigeria

Sylva said the recent passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) coupled with “Nigeria’s Decade of Gas” initiative together created an enabling environment which triggered conception of the project, facilitating major investment inflow from Equatorial Guinea into Nigeria.

The project. according to him, also signals the joint effort of the two countries in working towards a greener energy world.

“Whilst we are focused on the domestic gas agenda, we are keeping an eye on the global gas market as well.

“Nigeria has huge gas resources, a significant amount of which is offshore and will require unprecedented investment in infrastructure to bring them to market.

“This collaboration allows much of that stranded gas to access the global gas market within 18 to 24 months in what will be the fastest timeline to market for a Nigerian offshore gas asset.

“This is possible because Equatorial Guinea brings to the table a major portfolio of world class gas processing and liquefaction infrastructure already in place in Punta Europa, coupled with investment funds for development,” he said.

Additionally, he said the project, which envisioned an offshore gas pipeline development, would also create huge in-country local content opportunities for pipeline and other infrastructure service providers.

This is in addition to accelerated royalty revenues that come from producing many gas fields that would have otherwise remained stranded.

Mr Gabriel Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea, stated that the execution of the MOU was a great example of the South-South cooperation between neighbouring Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

“As the global geopolitics of natural gas evolves and within the context of the world transitioning to a lower carbon footprint, it was imperative that we think differently on how to remain an important player in energy markets.

“New, fast, and competitive sources will be a major determinant of success.

“This strategic collaboration breaks down geographical boundaries and allows delivery of gas from Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea’s Punta Europa facilities, extending their life and providing access to the regional and global energy markets,” he said.

He noted that the NNPC and its’ JV partners could get a unique opportunity to monetise gas that would have otherwise been stranded offshore due to absence of infrastructure.

According to him, as the world dynamics change, Nigeria aims to adapt rapidly to ensure that we remain at the forefront of credible gas exporters. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Ella Anokam

The Federal Government has tasked the National, International and Indigenous Oil Companies to come up with workable and accelerated energy transition strategies for the country.

This includes focusing on critical factors that can make them happen, whether these factors relate to the government, society, policy makers, technology, investors or the industry itself.

Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the CEO Roundtable Session at the ongoing fifth Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2022).

The summit has its theme as “Revitalising the Industry: Future Fuels and Energy Transition”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Roundtable which engaged top CEOs from the National Oil Company, International and Indigenous Companies dwelt on “Strategies for Confronting the Energy Transition” in the country.

He noted that it assembled the companies on session in the bid to drive a new narrative and make energy transition the cornerstone of the country’s industry policy.

“What is obvious from this energy transition journey is that the oil and gas industry will face more scrutiny in their operations and business models.

“They will have to explain more often the impact of their activities to the environment, their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

“While we pursue the country’s energy transition agenda, let us also recognise that fossil fuels will continue to play a critical role in our energy and economic systems,” he said.

He said while the role might appear to be in contradiction with the energy transition agenda, fossil fuels would still remain important and would remain integral part of the vision in our energy transition journey.

He gave the assurance that the ministry in discharge of its mandate would become an enabler to make a seamless energy transition in Nigeria happen.

Sylva also noted that the ministry had strived to ensure an enabling environment to improve the Oil and Gas value chain, driven by modern technology, industry, best practices, stakeholders’ engagement and innovations in alternative energy.

“No energy company will be unaffected by this energy transitions. Every part of the industry needs to consider how to respond.

“Doing nothing is simply not an option,” Sylva said, quoting the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Speaking, Mr Victor Bandele, Deputy Managing Director, Deepwater, TotalEnergies, said it focused on increased participation and partnership with companies that were fully aligned with its aspirations.

According to him, it also partners the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas because it believes gas is a transition fuel.

Bandele wondered that if currently there were 7.6 billion people globally, by 2060 being the targeted year for zero emission, there would be 10 billion people, thereby posing challenge to the country.

He said it was investing in Nigeria and promoting access to clean energy and embracing project that had a notion of reducing emission.

“We are deliberate in our effort, believing the will demonstrated in Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021),” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Osagie Okunbor, Chairman Shell Company, said it strongly believed in universal energy targeting zero net emission in 2060.

Okunbor said it was looking forward to increasing gas component by 55 per cent for energy mix adding that it had clear target for net zero emission. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Ella Anokam

The Federal Government says the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has addressed the relationship with host communities with the creation of the Host Community Development Trust Fund (HCDTF).

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva said this at the PIA session of the ongoing fifth Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2022) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Sylva said the Fund would foster sustainable prosperity and economic benefits from petroleum to host communities.

He said the fund would also provide direct social economic benefits and enhance peaceful and harmonious coexistence between oil companies and host communities.

The minister said a new dawn was ushered into Nigeria’s oil and gas industry the day President Muhammadu Buhari signed the PIB into law.

Before this landmark Act, he said Nigeria’s petroleum industry was governed by the Petroleum Act of 1969 and other obsolete legislation.

Sylva said the President never concealed his desire toward creating a more conducive environment for the growth of the sector and addressing legitimate grievances of communities most impacted by extractive industries.

He said the PIB was introduced over two decades ago but despite the controversies and the difficulties, the Buhari administration believed that its concept, objectives and long-term goals remained impeccable.

“While the country was waiting for the PIA, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry lost about 50 billion dollars worth of investments.

“In fact, between 2015 and 2019, KPMG states that “only four per cent of the 70 billion dollars investment inflows into Africa’s oil and gas industry came to Nigeria even though the country is the continent’s biggest producer and the largest reserves.

“It is a no brainer, therefore, to see that the absence of the legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the industry contributed to the huge loss Nigeria has witnessed,” he said.

Sylva noted that the President had assured multinational oil companies and global oil industry investment community of adequate protection for their business interest in Nigeria.

“It is crucial for all stakeholders as well as all arms of government to embrace the common desire to make the PIA and its intended brief of sanitising the oil industry a reality,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)