society
CELEBRATING GBENGA KOMOLAFE’S TRANSFORMATIVE FOOTPRINTS
*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.
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
society
Still Earth Holdings Strengthens Governance Structure Through EFCC–SCUML Compliance Training
Still Earth Holdings Strengthens Governance Structure Through EFCC–SCUML Compliance Training
Lagos, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), has conducted an intensive Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance training for the board and senior management of Still Earth Holdings.
The programme, held over the weekend, was designed to reinforce corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management across the group and its subsidiaries.
Delivering the keynote, Ibinabo Mary Amachree, Head of SCUML Lagos, underscored the importance of board-level responsibility in compliance. She emphasised that under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022, directors now face both personal and corporate liability for systemic failures.
Reinforcing this regulatory warning with a strategic vision, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, Chairman of Still Earth Holdings, framed governance as both a moral compass and a competitive differentiator for the group.
“Our responsibility as leaders is not only to deliver profits but to safeguard the reputation and resilience of the institutions we steward,” Sunmonu noted. He asserted that the board’s role is to ensure that every subsidiary—whether in construction, energy, or finance—operates under the same uncompromising ethical framework. “Governance is not a department; it is the DNA of Still Earth,” he added, highlighting that the company’s legacy depends on its ability to harmonize compliance with innovation.
The training session covered critical areas including board responsibilities in AML/CFT oversight, fundamentals of money laundering, terrorism financing risks, legal frameworks, preventive measures, and governance duties. Participants were trained on Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures, customer due diligence, suspicious transaction reporting, targeted financial sanctions screening, and record keeping.
Interactive case studies exposed sector-specific risks across subsidiaries such as Tirex Petroleum & Energy, Still Earth Construction, and Still Earth Capital Finance. Discussions highlighted issues including over-invoicing, shell companies, offshore payments, contract splitting, and the identification of politically exposed persons (PEPs).
Commenting on the operational impact of this vision, Kingsley Inyama, Head of Credit Risk, described the programme as both timely and essential.
He noted: “The essence of the training is to understand when anti-money laundering violations or terrorism financing may be taking place. In business, especially in the international sector, it is important to know the source of funds.” Inyama stressed the importance of identifying beneficial owners in transactions, noting that “the penalties for failing to do so can include fines, sanctions, and even imprisonment.”
The training concluded with a commitment to several high-level board resolutions aimed at cultivating a brand synonymous with probity and excellence:
• Adoption of a zero-tolerance policy on money laundering and terrorism financing.
• Establishment of compliance committees to ensure constant oversight.
• Mandating annual training programmes for staff and management.
• Approval for independent audits to validate internal compliance claims.
The annual compliance programme was attended by staff and management of Still Earth Holdings and its subsidiaries, reinforcing the group’s commitment to embedding integrity at the heart of its operations and building a corporate legacy that transcends financial earnings.
society
King Saheed Osupa Releases New 2-in-1 Album, Acapella & Metamorphosis By Alhaji Arems (Baba Fuji)
King Saheed Osupa Releases New 2-in-1 Album, Acapella & Metamorphosis
By Alhaji Arems (Baba Fuji)
Veteran Fuji music icon King Dr. Saheed Osupa has officially released his new 2-in-1 album, Acapella & Metamorphosis, now live on Apple Music and being promoted across other digital platforms. Apple Music lists the project as a 2026 Fuji release containing five songs with a total runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The release arrives after a buildup of promotional activity across social media, where posts describing the project as available on major streaming platforms helped fuel anticipation ahead of the drop. Public-facing materials tied to the rollout also framed the album as a significant new entry in Osupa’s catalog.
With Acapella & Metamorphosis, Osupa extends a career that has long positioned him among the most respected voices in Fuji music. His work has consistently carried the weight of Yoruba cultural storytelling, strong lyrical identity, and a sound that continues to resonate with longtime Fuji listeners as well as newer audiences drawn to traditional rhythms. Apple Music’s artist page also places the album at the top of his latest releases, underscoring the project’s arrival as his newest major body of work.
The album’s title gives the project an immediate conceptual edge. Acapella suggests a stripped-down, voice-led expression, while Metamorphosis points toward growth, reinvention, and artistic transition. Together, the two titles create the sense of a project that may balance classic Fuji sensibilities with a refreshed presentation, a combination that fits Osupa’s reputation for preserving the foundation of the genre while remaining visibly active in the present era. That reading is an editorial inference based on the album title and release framing, not an official statement from the artist.
The release also reflects a wider pattern among legacy acts who continue to treat full-length projects as statements of intent. In an era where many artists rely heavily on singles and shorter drops, a five-track, hour-long album signals patience, range, and confidence in the listening experience. For Osupa, it is also another reminder that Fuji still has room to breathe, evolve, and command attention in a fast-moving streaming landscape.
Fans following the rollout have continued to react positively online, with messages of support and anticipation circulating ahead of the release. With the album now available, attention will turn to how listeners receive the project and whether Acapella & Metamorphosis becomes another defining entry in the singer’s long-running catalogue.
Acapella & Metamorphosis is available now for streaming.
society
Dr. Bernard Shiaunda Eete Mobilizes Loyalists Ahead of Kenya’s General Election
Dr. Bernard Shiaunda Eete Mobilizes Loyalists Ahead of Kenya’s General Election
Ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election, Nyanza ODM aspirant Dr. Bernard Shiaunda Eete, popularly known as Dumex3, has intensified grassroots mobilization by holding a strategic meeting with his loyalists across the region. The gathering was aimed at aligning his team, refining campaign strategies, and positioning the movement for a decisive outcome at the polls.
The meeting provided an important platform for open consultation, idea exchange, and consensus building. Dr. Eete emphasized the need for unity, discipline, and clear communication as the campaign enters a critical phase. According to attendees, the discussions focused on strengthening the political structure on the ground, addressing community concerns, and ensuring that the movement remains responsive to the aspirations of the people.
A key focus was Dr. Eete’s developmental agenda for Nyanza. He outlined his commitments to education, youth empowerment, healthcare access, and infrastructure development, noting that these areas remain central to transforming lives in the region. He urged his loyalists to carry the message to the grassroots, explaining both what has been achieved so far and what the region stands to gain if they rally behind his candidacy.
“This is not just about winning an election. It’s about building a stronger, united political movement that delivers real change for our people,” Dr. Eete told the gathering. He called on his supporters to remain focused, avoid divisive rhetoric, and engage voters with facts about his track record and plans.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment from the loyalists to expand outreach, coordinate ward-level activities, and mobilize voters ahead of party primaries and the general election. Organizers described the session as productive, noting that it sharpened the team’s resolve and clarified immediate next steps.
As political activity heats up in Nyanza, Dr. Eete’s camp says the strategy is clear: consolidate support, communicate consistently, and deliver a campaign anchored on service and results.
Live update from Kenya by Hon. Babatunde Seidu, Youths Ambassador._
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