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CELEBRATING GBENGA KOMOLAFE’S TRANSFORMATIVE FOOTPRINTS

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CELEBRATING GBENGA KOMOLAFE'S TRANSFORMATIVE FOOTPRINTS* By Aminu Kaita

*CELEBRATING GBENGA KOMOLAFE’S TRANSFORMATIVE FOOTPRINTS*

By Aminu Kaita

Imagine a young Gbenga Komolafe stepping into the labyrinthine world of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over three decades ago, his heart alight with a quiet resolve to serve his nation. Today, as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), this 62-year-old engineer stands as a towering figure, a visionary whose transformative leadership has turned the oil and gas sector into a beacon of hope and progress.

 

On his birthday, the story of a man whose multifaceted brilliance—part goal-getter, part social crusader, part disciplined innovator is unravelled. The remarkable life of a man who has left an indelible mark on Nigeria, his achievements as intricate and inspiring as a masterfully decoded cypher. Komolafe’s journey is a saga of resilience, a tale of a leader who navigates challenges like a seasoned explorer charting unmapped territories.

 

From his NNPC roots to his current stewardship at NUPRC, Komolafe has woven a legacy of transparency, accountability, and collaboration. His leadership style, a blend of inclusivity and results-driven pragmatism, has earned him quiet acclaim, often unsung yet ubiquitous in its impact.

 

Komolafe is a man of many positive faces. To some, he represents an unwavering goal-getter, while to others, he is an unflinching and dogged social crusader, and an astute people-oriented pacesetter with outstanding records of proven achievements, a phenomenon that is difficult to understand or explain.

 

An unsung hero, who remains essentially ubiquitous, his several laudable achievements at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have been sparking curiosity and interest, encouraging several people to try to understand or solve them.

 

A resilient performer with an austere ability to bounce back from setbacks and failures, and a consistent capacity to adjust to changing circumstances, Engr. Gbenga remains a curious student of exploration, learning new ideas and perspectives, and understanding his strengths, weaknesses, and emotions, with the admirable grasp and intelligence to know that he can develop through effort and learning.

 

A well-disciplined personality who is consistently applying himself to achieve goals by concentrating on high-priority tasks and minimising distractions, Engr. Komolafe is driven and motivated by a genuine patriotic national interest and enthusiastic about fostering social reforms that will bring about social welfare and enduring benefits to all Nigerians.

 

Komolafe has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, accountability, positivity, transparency, and collaborative networking, leveraging relationships to achieve goals, embracing opportunities for growth and development, and enduring reforms, effecting the present positive impact, and changing narratives witnessed at the NUPRC today. His leadership style, characterised by transparency, inclusivity, and a focus on results, has earned him widespread recognition and acclaim.

 

Engr. Komolafe’s visionary stewardship at the NUPRC has implemented a series of groundbreaking reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the oil and gas sector, leading to a significant increase in oil production, with Nigeria’s daily output reaching 1.7 million barrels, juxtaposed with the successful curbing of oil theft, reducing the menace to 5,000 barrels per day.

 

In the area of gas production, he has also achieved admirable successes, notably increasing and averaging seven billion standard cubic feet per day, and surpassing its targeted revenue with internally generated revenue exceeding 84%.

 

A genuinely transparent and result-based personality, Engr. Komolafe’s willingness to take calculated risks and ownership of his actions, decisions, and outcomes has not only effectively attracted others to join him in his reform programs but has instilled in them confidence and enabled him to foster enhanced diverse perspectives, leading to his several accomplishments.

 

A highly esteemed innovator, deliberate on sustainable development, value addition, and game-changing, Engr. Komolafe’s vision for the oil and gas sector extends beyond mere production increases to a desirable commitment to driving innovation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

 

Hence, initiative reforms such as the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) and the Carbon Credits Earning Framework are demonstrations of his avowal to reduce the oil and gas industry’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable energy practices.

 

Most significantly, Komolafe’s contribution has been his prioritisation of transparency and accountability, and the introduction of cutting-edge regulatory frameworks, such as the Hydrocarbon Metering Regulations and Automated Cargo Declaration Systems, which have institutionalised transparency and bolstered Nigeria’s earnings from its hydrocarbon resources.

CELEBRATING GBENGA KOMOLAFE'S TRANSFORMATIVE FOOTPRINTS*

By Aminu Kaita

He has also sufficiently demonstrated a legacy that extends far beyond his impressive resume, becoming a beacon of shining light and an exemplary symbol of hope and transformation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. His commitment to reform, innovate, and sustain productive, positive and pragmatic reforms in the oil and gas sector has set a new standard for regulatory bodies in Africa, and made it a compass to the world.

 

As Nigeria’s energy sector continues to evolve, the solid and sagacious foundation laid by Engr. Gbenga will remain an indelible framework for the nation’s progress, a testament to the power of visionary and strategic leadership. On his 62nd birthday, it’s fitting to reflect on his remarkable journey and the profoundly enduring impact he is having on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

 

With a career spanning over 35 years, Engr. Komolafe has emerged as a champion of reform, driving transformative changes that have repositioned the industry for growth and sustainability. While celebrating the times and personality of this great reformer, Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, who is driving a powerful reform at NUPRC, in wishing him many more years of intentional service to the world, it is our fervent prayer that God will grant him greater self-awareness, empathy, and social skills that will continue to enhance relationships and decision-making.

 

As we honour his transformative odyssey, we pray for his enduring wisdom, empathy, and resilience to guide NUPRC forward, fueling a united, prosperous Nigeria that inspires generations to dream boldly and soar.

 

***Aminu Kaita writes from Kaduna refinery complex

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When Ramadan And Lent Meet : Prophet Genesis Calls For Peace Beyond Religion

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When Ramadan And Lent Meet : Prophet Genesis Calls For Peace Beyond Religion

 

Prophet Genesis has described the rare convergence of Ramadan and Lent as “a divine reminder that humanity must choose peace over prejudice,” urging believers across faiths to see the sacred alignment as an opportunity for unity rather than division.

“There are moments in history that feel bigger than calendars, doctrines, or denominations,” he said. “When Ramadan and Lent align in the same season, it is not coincidence — it is a reminder that God’s sovereignty transcends religion, borders, and human systems.”

Ramadan, a sacred month in Islam, is marked by fasting, prayer, charity, and deep reflection. Lent, the Christian season leading to Easter, is devoted to fasting, repentance, sacrifice, and spiritual renewal.

Though observed in different faith traditions, both seasons call believers into humility, self-discipline, generosity, repentance, and closeness to God.

“Is it not powerful,” Prophet Genesis added, “that two major faiths — followed by billions around the world — enter a period of fasting and reflection at the same time? What seems separate to us is not separate to God.”

*What Is God Showing Us?*
According to the cleric, the alignment carries a spiritual message beyond ritual observance.

“When Ramadan and Lent come together, it feels like a divine whisper,” he said. “‘Slow down. Purify your heart. Love your neighbour. Seek Me sincerely.’”

Both seasons strip away excess — food, distractions, pride — and expose the condition of the heart. And in that stripping away, he noted, humanity discovers something profound: we are more alike than different.

Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
Christians fast in various ways, giving up comforts.
Both give in charity.
Both pray more intentionally.
Both seek forgiveness.

“This convergence reveals that the core values God desires — mercy, discipline, compassion, humility — are universal,” he stated.

*Beyond Religion: Embracing Peace and Love*
In a time marked by global tension, economic hardship, displacement, and social division, Prophet Genesis stressed that religious hostility only deepens existing wounds.

“If sacred seasons themselves can align,” he asked, “why can’t we?”

Religion, he said, was never meant to divide humanity into hatred but to guide it toward righteousness. Yet history shows that faith is often used as a boundary instead of a bridge.

“When we choose peace over prejudice, love over labels, and understanding over suspicion, we reflect the very heart of God.”

He emphasised that discrimination weakens communities, division delays progress, and hatred blinds wisdom. By contrast, love strengthens society, peace builds nations, and unity multiplies impact.

For communities working closely with women and children across diverse nations and religious backgrounds, he added, peace is not optional — it is necessary for healing and empowerment.

*The Greater Lesson*
Perhaps, he suggested, the meeting of Ramadan and Lent carries a deeper reminder:

“You are one human family.
You were created by the same Creator.
Your shared humanity matters more than your differences.”

Faith, according to Prophet Genesis, should elevate character rather than inflate ego. True spirituality produces compassion, not condemnation.

“The power of this moment is not in theological debate,” he said. “It is in the opportunity for unity.”

When Muslims and Christians fast in the same season, neighbourhoods can pray for one another. Communities can share meals at sunset. Friends can check on each other’s well-being.

“This is how peace begins,” he concluded. “Not in global conferences, but in hearts.”

*A Call to Embrace Peace*
Prophet Genesis called on religious leaders, youth organisations, and families to use the sacred overlap as a practical platform for dialogue, mutual respect, and visible acts of kindness.

“Let us embrace one another beyond religion. Let us protect each other’s dignity. Let us teach our children love instead of suspicion.”

Because at the end of every fast — whether Ramadan or Lent — the true goal is transformation of the heart.

“And a transformed heart,” he said, “does not discriminate. It loves.”

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Stop Means Stop”: Legal Experts Warn Ignoring ‘Stop’ During Intimate Acts Can Be Criminally Punishable

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Stop Means Stop”: Legal Experts Warn Ignoring ‘Stop’ During Intimate Acts Can Be Criminally Punishable

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG

“Grounded in international law and consent principles, legal authorities stress that continuing sexual activity after a partner withdraws consent may constitute sexual assault and lead to imprisonment.”

A growing body of legal interpretation and expert opinion reaffirm that consent in intimate encounters is not a one-off event but an ongoing requirement; withdrawn at any time by either participant. Legal practitioners and rights advocates are increasingly warning that if one partner clearly says “stop” during sexual activity and the other continues, this conduct can constitute a criminal offence with significant penalties, including imprisonment.

Consent must be “a voluntary agreement to engage in the sexual activity in question,” and crucially can be revoked at any stage. Once a partner expresses withdrawal of consent (by words like “stop” or by unmistakable conduct) the other party is legally obligated to cease all activity immediately. Failure to respect this is widely recognised in multiple legal jurisdictions as sexual assault or rape.

Professor Deborah Rhode, a prominent authority on legal ethics, has stated: “Respect for autonomy and bodily integrity lies at the core of consent law. Ignoring a partner’s withdrawal of consent undermines basic personal freedoms and is treated as a serious offence in criminal law.”

According to experts, this legal principle is not limited to strangers but applies equally to long-term partners and spouses. The Criminal Code in many countries explicitly rejects implied or blanket consent based on relationship status.

Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has similarly emphasised that clear communication and mutual agreement are essential, and that “once consent is withdrawn, any continued sexual activity crosses the line into criminal conduct.”

This means that in places where consent law is well-established, ignoring an explicit “stop” can lead to charges of sexual assault, with courts interpreting such conduct as a violation of an individual’s autonomy and dignity.

The issue has gained media and legal attention in recent years across numerous jurisdictions (including Canada, parts of Europe, and reform discussions in U.S. states) as courts and legislatures clarify that sexual consent is continuous and revocable at any time. Although no globally consolidated database exists of individual cases tied specifically to a news report on this warning, reputable legal frameworks consistently reinforce that continuing after “stop” is unlawful.

The subject engages legal scholars, criminal law practitioners, human rights experts, and statutory bodies advocating sexual violence prevention. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors may pursue charges when clear evidence shows that consent was withdrawn and ignored.

In practice, consent frameworks require that the person initiating or continuing sexual activity take reasonable steps to ensure ongoing affirmation of willingness. Silence, passive behaviour, or failure to stop when asked cannot substitute for ongoing consent.

In summary, the legal maxim is clear: verbal or unambiguous withdrawal of consent must be respected. Ignoring it shifts the encounter from consensual to criminal, potentially resulting in serious legal consequences including imprisonment.

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Lagos Family Property Dispute Turns Violent After Death of Omotayo Ojo

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Lagos Family Property Dispute Turns Violent After Death of Chief Omotayo Ojo

By Ifeoma Ikem

A festering family dispute over property has escalated into a series of violent attacks in Lagos, leaving residents of a contested apartment in fear for their safety.

Mrs. Omotayo-Ojo-Alolagbe (Nee Omotayo-Ojo) the third child and first daughter of the late Omotayo Ojo, has alleged repeated assaults and destruction of property by her siblings from her father’s other marriages.

According to her account, hostility against her began while her father was still alive, allegedly fueled by the affection and support he showed her. She claimed that tensions worsened after his death in 2019.

Mrs. Alolagbe stated that her late father had given her a particular apartment during his lifetime, assuring her she would not suffer hardship, especially after her husband left the marriage. She said the property became her primary source of livelihood and shelter.

However, she alleged that her siblings had sold off several other family properties and were determined to dispossess her of the apartment allocated to her by their father.
The dispute reportedly turned violent on Nov. 15, 2025, when unknown persons allegedly attacked the building. She said the incident prompted her to petition the Chief Judge of Lagos State and the Commissioner of Police.

Despite the pending legal proceedings, she alleged that another attack occurred on Jan. 21, 2026. During that incident, parts of the building were vandalised, including the walkway and the main gate, which was reportedly removed.

A third attack was said to have taken place on Feb.18, 2026, during which the roof, gates, and sections of the walkway were allegedly dismantled. Residents were reportedly assaulted, and some were allegedly forced to part with money under duress.

Tenants in the apartment complex are said to be living in fear amid the repeated invasions, expressing concern over their safety and uncertainty about further violence.

Mrs. Alolagbe alleged that the attacks were led by a man identified as Mr. Alliu, popularly known as aka “Champion,” whom she described as a political thug. She claimed he arrived with a group of about 50 men, allegedly brandishing weapons and breaking bottles to intimidate residents.

She further alleged that the group boasted of connections with senior police officers, politicians in Lagos State, and even the presidency, claiming they were untouchable.

According to her, some arrests were initially made following the incidents, but the suspects were later released. She expressed concern that the alleged perpetrators continue to threaten her, making it difficult for her to move freely.

She also disclosed that during a meeting on Feb. 23, 2026, an Area Commander reportedly told her that little could be done because the matter was already before a court of law.

The development has raised concerns about the enforcement of law and order in civil disputes that degenerate into violence, particularly when court cases are pending.
As tensions persist, residents and observers are calling on relevant authorities to ensure the safety of lives and properties ,while allowing the courts to determine ownership and bring lasting resolution to the dispute.

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