News
Group cautions Asari Dokubo over allegations against Army, Navy
National Probity And Values For Nation Building Organization (NPVNBO) has cautioned a former militant leader in the Niger Delta Mujaheed Asari Dokubo to be tactful and honest while exercising what he feels are his civic responsibilities and not to be carried away with euphoria, he is on borderline behavioural dysregulation, he should not be seen trying too hard to impress President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for very obvious reasons.
We find it appalling that Mujaheed Asari Dokubo could make such wide off the mark allegations against the Nigerian Armed Forces – particularly the Nigerian Army and Navy respectively of their alleged involvement in crude oil theft and economic sabotage.
We feel such spurious and unguarded claims should better be avoided as it is capable of heating up the polity within the Armed Forces in a government that is still in transition, this is obviously tactless and garrulous and we believe the nascent administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be crowded and distracted with such unsubstantiated allegations that is capable of sowing distrust.
We are of the opinion that if and when Asare Dokubo is a privy to any confidential informations regarding the security of this country at best he should have brought it to the knowledge of the President privately since he was a guest of the President and bearing in mind the weighty allegations and the confidentiality and integrity that the office of the President demands in dealing with such security issues, the President still maintains the prerogatives on national security as he is the commander in chief of the armed forces.
The public acknowledgement to this point by all parties involved in the pipeline surveillance engagement – the federal government, NNPCL, the private security contractors, the armed forces and community stakeholders have all alluded to the complementary working relationships and laudable efforts by all involved in the surveillance and protection of the pipelines and the correlating increase in the production of crude oil since August of 2022 when the federal government reinvigorated its onslaught against crude oil theft, the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Navy respectively in particular as institutions of repute have been singled out for commendation for their work against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft in the last year.
As stakeholders in this country and particularly in the Niger Delta region we believe in the fight against crude oil theft and its total eradication, the prosecution of the criminals behind it and the elimination of the twin evil of environmental degradation, our unwavering focus is on the total rehabilitation of the Niger Delta – environmentally, infrastructurally and economically and as such we will support all efforts that will help eliminate the variable threats and sabotage that are ultimately responsible for the summed aggregate deficits in the region, what we are saying without mincing words is that we have always worked with the armed forces in our communities to flush out criminals and whatever inducements that are there, we recognise the daunting efforts of the armed forces in our communities in peace building and crime fighting, so in situations where reported that some purported bad elements within the armed forces are involved in economic sabotage we must be careful and disciplined enough to isolate such and not tar the entire armed forces with such brush of an act of infamy.
There are hundreds of thousands of men and women of the armed forces of Nigeria who are sworn to oath and put their lives in line of fire in the call of duty daily to secure and protect Nigeria and as such we must bear in mind their salutary sacrifices and must not dishonour, discourage and criminalise them because of a few purported bad eggs.
On Nnamdi Kanu, the acclaimed leader of IPOB, the group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reach into the depths of his rich resume of leadership dynamism to finding an understanding for dealing with the issues that led to the agitations in the south east of the country and find out a better understanding of the the dynamics for the success of a multi layered social and diverse ethno-religious society as ours.
We are surprised by the irony of Mujaheed Asare Dokubo’s position, yesterday it was Asare Dokubo who bore arms against the Nigerian State under the guise of a liberation struggle for his people and to this day still parades himself and carries the toga of the “Supreme Leader of NDPVF” (Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, an organisation that confronted the Nigerian State )
Today it is Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho, depending on what aisle of the argument you stand, spurred on rightly or wrongly by a perceived sense of injustice standing up to liberate and defend their people in Igbo Land (Eastern region) and Yoruba Land (Western region) respectively, in a supposedly federal and democratic society, this has also put them in a collision cause with the Nigerian State, we are using this medium to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to critically evaluate the issues that frequently gives rise to such separatists tendencies in the different regions of the country with an aim to finding lasting solutions that will help heal and instill in all a sense of belonging and patriotism needed for nation building.
Finally the group advises the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be very careful in handling issues of national security and especially as it relates to the pipeline surveillance engagement with the armed forces, we are advising the President to get his briefings from the GCO of the NNPCL and the Chief of Defence Staff respectively who understands the dynamics of the crude oil theft and have the intelligence gathering on those involved in this illicit trade of great economic proportions and sabotage. The serious matter of national security cannot be left in the hands of pedestrians in the public domain of gossips.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
As Nigerians continue to rely on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) for their daily financial transactions, a new trend of card swapping has emerged, leaving many victims bewildered and financially vulnerable. In this article, we will explore the root of this issue and provide guidance on how to avoid falling prey to this scam.
The Modus Operandi
The scam typically occurs when an ATM user inserts their card into the machine, only to have it retained or spat out. In many cases, the machine may appear to malfunction, prompting the user to remove their card and reinsert it. However, unbeknownst to the user, the machine may have swapped their card with a different one, often with a similar appearance.
The Consequences
When the user attempts to use the swapped card, they will inevitably encounter difficulties, as the card will not match their password or PIN. This can lead to frustration, financial losses, and even identity theft.
Implementation and Prevention
To avoid falling victim to this scam, it is essential to be vigilant when using ATMs. Here are some preventive measures to take:
1. Verify the card*: Before reinserting your card into the ATM, ensure it is indeed your card. Check the name, card number, and expiration date to confirm its authenticity.
2. Be cautious of malfunctioning ATMs*: If the ATM appears to be malfunctioning or retains your card, do not attempt to reinsert it. Instead, contact your bank or the ATM operator to report the issue.
3. Monitor your account activity*: Regularly check your account statements to detect any suspicious transactions.
4. Use ATMs at secure locations*: Opt for ATMs located in well-lit, secure areas, such as bank branches or shopping malls.
Tracing the Root of Card Swap
While the exact cause of card swapping is still unclear, it is believed to be the result of a combination of factors, including:
1. ATM maintenance and repair: Poorly maintained or repaired ATMs may be more prone to card swapping.
2. Card skimming and shimming: Criminals may use card skimming or shimming devices to steal card information and swap cards.
3. Insider involvement: In some cases, bank employees or ATM technicians may be complicit in the card swapping scheme.
Conclusion
Card swapping is a growing concern in Nigeria, and it is essential for ATM users to be aware of the risks and take preventive measures. By verifying the card, being cautious of malfunctioning ATMs, monitoring account activity, and using ATMs at secure locations, Nigerians can reduce their chances of falling victim to this scam. Remember, vigilance is key to protecting your financial security.
Eneojoh writes from Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fired the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mallam Mele Kyari from office.
All the board members of NNPCL led by Chief Pius Akinyelure have also been sacked, according to a statement made available to Media Houses in the early hours of Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said, all board members who were appointed in November, 2023 were dissolved to give way for new members.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu inthe statement acknowledged the effort of Mele Kyari and his team in their contributions to rehabilitating the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which enabled the resumption of petroleum production.
The statement partly reads, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping reconstitution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited board, removing the chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure and the group chief executive officer, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari.
“President Tinubu removed all other board members appointed with Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023.”
In the new 11-member board, Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari has been named as the Group CEO, while Ahmadu Musa Kida takes over as the non-executive chairman. Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the company’s chief financial officer last year, has also been appointed to the new board.
Representing the country’s six geopolitical zones as non-executive directors are Bello Rabiu (North West), Yusuf Usman (North East), and Babs Omotowa (North Central). Others include Austin Avuru (South-South), David Ige (South West), and Henry Obih (South East).
Additionally, Mrs Lydia Shehu Jafiya from the Federal Ministry of Finance and Aminu Said Ahmed from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources have been appointed to represent their respective ministries.
According to the statement, the appointments take effect immediately, with President Tinubu citing Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, as the basis for the restructuring.
The statement noted that the move is aimed at improving operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, increasing local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.
The new board has been tasked with conducting a strategic review of NNPC’s portfolio, particularly its operated and joint venture assets, to align them with value maximisation goals.
As part of its targets, the administration is pushing to increase oil production to two million barrels per day by 2027 and three million by 2030, while gas output is expected to reach eight billion cubic feet daily by 2027 and 10 billion by 2030.
The new board is also expected to expand NNPC’s share of crude oil refining, aiming for 200,000 barrels per day by 2027 and 500,000 by 2030.
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