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Kwara govt only recovered what belongs to It, There Is No Living Quaters On The Land — Ajadi Committee
Controversy over the reclamation of the land bordering the civil service clinic was needless because the Kwara State Government has only recovered a property that originally belonged to it but was unlawfully diverted for private use, a committee that probed the sales of some Kwara properties said on Sunday.Senator Suleiman Ajadi, chairman of the Committee on the Review of Kwara State Government Properties from 1999 to 2019, told a news briefing in Ilorin that many of the publications on the land were either erroneous or mischievous as there are no proofs anywhere that the land ever belongs to Asa Investment Limited.“The issue of the land in question came under the terms of reference of this committee which considered several other properties of government and submitted its recommendations in July 2019,” Ajadi said.“As was the case with all the properties looked into by the committee, the committee’s recommendations were based on strictly available records from the archives of government. And based on the available records, the Committee did not see proof of any payments nor an approved Right of Occupancy even though there was a letter of allocation in principle.“In reaching its conclusions, the Committee noted foundation work with erected columns at varying areas of the larger segment of the land. The Committee also noted that the land in question was also a part of a larger parcel of land, part of which has been developed into the Civil Service Clinic and Secretariat complex now housing the State Ministry of Finance, among others.“Finally, based on the existing convention that land acquired by Government in overriding public interest cannot be converted to private use, unless under extraneous circumstances which requires the express approval of the Governor of the State, the Committee did not see a case made for this land and neither was there any approval from the Governor of the state to convert it to private use. In view of the above reasons, therefore, the committee was compelled to recommend that the land be repossessed and put to the original use it was meant for.”Flanked by some members of the committee, Ajadi also described as false the claims that the government demolished a belonging to the late politician Senator Olusola Saraki, wondering how a place bordering a hospital could be used for political meetings where noise and commotion were rife.He added: “let me draw the attention of Nigerians to the use of “ile arugbo” to describe the land in question. Usage of that phrase leads to many people erroneously thinking of a structured building where old people were catered for. This is not so. What was on the ground up until the physical reclamation by the government was a garage-like structure (a shed) used by the older Saraki to keep people waiting to see him or to hold political meetings.“In addition, it is important to discuss the issue of ownership which should be central to the whole debate. With emphasis, from all records available, there is no “Right of Occupancy” or “Certificate of Occupancy” available to the private firm to which the land was allocated in principle. There also no receipt of payments for the land. Where, therefore, is the right to a claim to this land?“Another issue of note is the absurdity of putting a political gathering place beside a (medical) clinic. An hospital is supposed to be a serene environment for medical welfare of patients; it is definitely not a political war centre where people make the loudest noise, fight, or find themselves enmeshed in commotion and fatal stampede etc which was the lot of that place.“I, therefore, on behalf of all of my committee members, some of whom are present here today, believe it was necessary and prudent to make this public clarification on an issue that has generated needless controversy.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and appointed Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as his replacement. Ahmadu Musa Kida has also been named the new non-executive chairman of the board.
Additionally, Tinubu has sacked all board members appointed alongside Akinyelure and Kyari in November 2023. Adedapo Segun, who became Chief Financial Officer (CFO) last year, has been retained on the newly restructured board.
New Board Composition
The newly appointed board consists of six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones:
Bello Rabiu (North West)
Yusuf Usman (North East)
Babs Omotowa (North Central)
Austin Avuru (South-South)
David Ige (South West)
Henry Obih (South East)
Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, will represent the ministry, while Aminu Said Ahmed will represent the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Objectives of the Restructured Board
President Tinubu emphasized that the restructuring aims to enhance operational efficiency, restore investor confidence, boost local content, drive economic growth, and advance gas commercialization and diversification.
The new board has been tasked with the following objectives:
Conduct a strategic portfolio review of NNPCL’s operated and joint venture assets to align with value maximization goals.
Increase oil sector investments from $17 billion (2023) to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.
Raise daily oil production to 2 million barrels by 2027 and 3 million barrels by 2030.
Boost gas production to 8 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and 10 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.
Expand NNPCL’s share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels daily by 2027 and 500,000 barrels by 2030.
Profiles of Key Appointees
Ahmadu Musa Kida – New Board Chairman
Ahmadu Musa Kida, from Borno State, holds a degree in civil engineering from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francais du Petrol (IFP) in Paris.
He began his oil industry career at Elf Petroleum Nigeria before joining Total Exploration and Production in 1985. In 2015, he became Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services at Total Nigeria. In 2023, he was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group. Outside the oil industry, he served as president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Bashir Bayo Ojulari – New GCEO
Ojulari, from Kwara State, was formerly the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. He led the recent $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) by a consortium of indigenous energy firms.
A mechanical engineering graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Ojulari started his career at Elf Aquitaine and later joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria in 1991. He worked in various roles across Europe and the Middle East as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager. In 2015, he was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).
Ojulari has also served as chairman and trustee of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Acknowledgment of Outgoing Board Members
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the outgoing board members for their service, particularly their contributions to rehabilitating the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, which have resumed petroleum production after prolonged inactivity. He wished them success in their future endeavors.
The restructuring underscores Tinubu’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with ambitious goals for increased production and investment.
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has cautioned youths in the state against launching attacks on non-indigenes following the killing of 16 Hausa travelers in Uromi, Edo State.
Speaking on Sunday after leading the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the Kofar Mata Eid ground, the Emir urged restraint and called for justice through legal means rather than retaliation.
“We received reports on Saturday evening that some youths in certain areas were planning reprisal attacks on non-indigenous residents after the Eid prayers. We strongly advise against such actions,” Sanusi stated.
He emphasized the need to maintain peace and avoid lawlessness. “We appeal to them not to take the law into their own hands. It is crucial to prevent any breakdown of law and order. Traditional leaders across the state must remain vigilant,” he added.
The Emir also called on authorities to ensure that those responsible for the killings in Edo are brought to justice. “The relevant agencies must thoroughly investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of this barbaric act,” he urged.
Furthermore, he reminded Muslims to uphold the values of discipline and righteousness learned during Ramadan. “As we conclude the fasting period, we must sustain the lessons of Ramadan and refrain from returning to sinful acts,” he advised.
Sanusi’s message reinforces the importance of peaceful coexistence and lawful redress in the wake of the tragic incident.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s ability to transform Nigeria, stating that millions of Nigerians share this belief. He further emphasized that if Tinubu cannot fix the country, many would see it as a loss of hope.
Speaking on Saturday at the President’s 73rd birthday celebration in Abuja, Uzodimma highlighted Tinubu’s bold economic decisions as a testament to his commitment to addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
“Only a leader with strong conviction and genuine love for the nation could have made such bold yet necessary decisions. These decisions have averted economic collapse and are now restoring hope and confidence across the country,” Uzodimma stated.
He reiterated his stance, saying, “As I have said before, and I emphasize again tonight, millions of Nigerians believe that if you cannot fix this country, then all hope is lost. I am pleased to confirm that you have not let us down. Through your purposeful and transformative leadership, Nigeria is back on track and progressing with renewed determination toward a brighter future.”
Uzodimma credited Tinubu with reigniting the Nigerian spirit of ingenuity and resilience, restoring faith in the nation, and securing his place in history through bold reforms and dedicated service. He extended his best wishes to the President, praying for divine guidance and strength.
As Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors Forum, Uzodimma underscored the importance of Tinubu’s leadership, noting that the nation still needs his direction. He assured the President of continued prayers for strength to fulfill his mission for Nigeria.
“We still rely on your leadership, Mr. President. While we may not have silver or gold to offer, we will always pray for you, asking God to strengthen your resolve to leave a lasting legacy for this generation and those yet to come,” he concluded.
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