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How we will improve the Petroleum industry in 2017 – Ibe Kachikwu reveals

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The Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, says the federal government will pass the Petroleum Industry Bill and revamp the nation’s refineries in 2017.

Mr. Kachikwu who made this known while highlighting the plans of the petroleum ministry for 2017, disclosed that government will dissect the nation’s oil and gas policies for optimum productivity.

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He also assured that the ministry will accelerate revenue generation by looking into areas the government could make more money, stressing that the plan will enable it support the 2017 financing.

The minister said that apart from completing all outstanding Memoranda of Understanding, MOU, the government will leverage on the relationship the president has built over time to relate with foreign investors.

Mr. Kachikwu said in addition to trips to the United States and China, he will also embark on a roadshow to the gulf so that the Nigeria will cease to be a  forgotten state and become an active participation block where investment can flow into.

“We are going to receive and complete all the MOUs that we began… the one in China…the one in India… we are going to do a roadshow to the UK…for Europe. We are going to do a roadshow to the U.S. with President Donald Trump coming in,” Mr. Kachikwu said.

While commenting on the activities embarked upon in the outgone year, Mr. Kachikwu explained that the government was able to take away fraud impacted volume by reducing the volume of PMS the nation consumes daily from N50 million litres to N28 million litres.

He assured Nigerians that the nation’s oil industry will be run transparently, as against the opaque manner it was run in the past.

 

Mr. Kachikwu also confirmed that oil blocks will also be allocated in 2017, to partly fund the budget.

Oil refineries

Commenting on the state of the nation’s oil refineries, the minister said the president has given him a matching order to commence refinery revamp. He reiterated the government’s plan to diversify the refining process so that the refineries can work optimally, noting that the process will begin this year.

Mr. Kachikwu also said that the government will work within liberalisation infrastructure such that it will take away the low hanging difficulties in the industry.

“We will focus on downstream issues. Although we have liberalised, there are still some challenges. The reality is that the marketers are still suffering,” he said.

Niger Delta

The minister also pledged to look into security concerns in the Niger Delta region, stressing that government will ensure that the peace efforts put in place are maintained and improved upon.

“We are going to focus on the Niger Delta. It’s been too long a lingering issue. We are going to work with every aspect of the presidency to try and find solutions to this. We are going to work to stabilise oil production… a lot of work is required.”

Mr. Kachikwu also assured industry players that government will develop agreement and opportunities on international oil companies, IOCs, and partners for better collaboration through engaging policies that will bring investment into the country. He said the ministry will run an oil industry that is at par with its counterparts worldwide; adding that efforts will be strengthened on investor relations.

On oil production, the minister said government will begin for the first time to track oil movement from production to destination, noting that there are too many leakages in the oil production chain in Nigeria.

“This year we are going to commit to trying to find a way of tracking our oil so that from the moment when molecule is produced, to the time when it is sold and where it is sold, we will be able to track that. If we do that, we envisage billions of dollars in savings from the federal government.”

Private sector driven industry

While highlighting the challenges associated with public sector driven system, Mr. Kachikwu pledged to ensure that the industry is driven by private hands in 2017. He said that the industry has always been public sector-led and there have been problems.

He also promised to create a “private sector industry player club” to chart 2017 goals and mark out delivery system.

 

“Public sector is key to be able to regulate the sector and make sure people are operating within parameters; but ultimately, the infrastructure, investment, services and discipline have to be private sector led.

“We will galvanise the energy of the private sector within the first two months,” he said.

Gas revolution

According to the minister, gas revolution will form a key aspect of the government’s policy for the year and it would boost government revenue.

“Gas revolution will be key. First, we are going to track gas flare and commercialise it so that no more flare happen in this country. We have set a 2020 date for ourselves even though the international fora at the UN had set a 2030 date. We are very aggressive about this, we want to make money from flare,” he said.

Mr. Kachikwu also promised that the government will look at the gas infrastructure that are suffering, complete the investment and get gas in every part of the country because it is key to power delivery.

The minister said the nation has four times volume of gas than oil, adding that even though oil has contributed immensely to the nation’s growth, gas is the future. He explained that gas will provide power, clean energy, and day-to-day burning of fuel at homes.

“For so long we have pretended to be an oil producing nation and yes we were; but Nigeria really is a gas nation with a lot of substantial gift of oil.”

Stakeholders’ relations

The minister promised to give priority to stakeholders’ relation in the year, noting that periodicals will be published to highlight activities embarked upon towards achieving the industry’s goals.

 

He explained that the efforts will begin with a road show with state governments, adding that oil producing states will be brought together to look at long term dynamic investments areas across the states as well as how they engage companies in their states.

“This year we are going to be open, we are going to be as much the manager of the oil resource as I am going to be. We are going to owe the responsibility to the Nigerian nation to deliver on those blueprints that we have set ourselves to deliver.”

 

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$87m Theft: Investors of Afriq Arbitrage System Boos,Jeer At Abayomi, Remanded in Suleja Until Bail Perfection As Court Adjourns Till 14th

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$87m Theft: Investors of Afriq Arbitrage System Boos,Jeer At Abayomi, Remanded in Suleja Until Bail Perfection As Court Adjourns Till 14th

$87m Theft: Investors of Afriq Arbitrage System Boos,Jeer At Abayomi, Remanded in Suleja Until Bail Perfection As Court Adjourns Till 14th ( Video)

 

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The arraignment of Abayomi Oluwasesan over the lingering theft saga to the tune of $87m commenced today with the review of his bail conditions.

Abayomi Segun Oluwasesan who allegedly committed the heinous crime of defrauding the leading global crypto space known as Afriq Arbitrage System was arraigned alongside his wife at the FCT High court, Jabi in Abuja.

Earlier, the defendants’ lawyer appealed for leniency on the stringent bail condition on behalf of Abayomi OluwaSesan citing their prolonged detention and promising their availability for trial if granted bail. However, the complainant lawyer, Sidi Abdulrasheed, opposed the bail request, highlighting previous instances where the defendants had allegedly fled after being granted bail.

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Responding to the bail review, the presiding judge, Ms. Idris insisted the earlier bail conditions remain valid with little modification. It would be recalled that the conditions initially given included provision of two sureties each with 500 million Naira, owning property in Maitama, and also two directors in the federal civil service. Additionally, the sureties must deposit the title documents of their properties in court. However, in his ruling today, he said the sureties should be owners of properties anywhere within the FCT and worth 400 million naira and above. He also reiterated that the two directors should be serving directors and the properties be valued by a licensed estate valuer registered with the federal government.

Thereafter, he adjourned the proceedings till 14th ,15th and 16th of May 2024 for speedy trials.

 

Speaking to Jesam Micheal, the CEO of Afriq Arbitrage System (AAS) after the court proceedings, he clarified the wrong narratives about the case. He said the appearance of Abayomi in court has justified the truth that he defrauded the company to the tune of $87m and that he has confessed to his crime. He narrated how Abayomi who was entrusted with the platform while he went for liver transplant tempered with the systems and defrauded the community of the staggering sum of $87m. He stated that all he is after is for him to refund the stolen funds.

Also, the complainant’s counsel, Barrister Obeten revealed that justice will be served at the court as the suspect has allegedly admitted to committing the crime.

 

Meanwhile, there was mild drama in court as thousands of investors stormed the court today, booed and jeered at Abayomi and his wife. Their anger was not unconnected to the fact that his actions gravely affected them and their means of livelihood.

 

 

It would be recalled that Abayomi and his wife were tracked to an estate in Lagos and brought back to Abuja on Sunday, March 24th, 2024 over the lingering financial scam to the tune of 87 million dollar and criminal activities he perpetrated against AAS and the CEO, Jesam Micheal.

 

 

The arraignment of Abayomi by the IG of police at the Federal High Court in Abuja witnessed a significant development on Thursday, March 28th, 2024, as the case involving the alleged theft of 87 million dollar by Abayomi OluwaSesan charged by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, proceeded with significant deliberations.

 

 

The accused individuals were charged for purportedly accessing millions of subscribers’ investments at the Afriq Arbitrage Company’s online trading platform until October 9th, 2023.

 

$87m Theft: Investors of Afriq Arbitrage System Boos,Jeer At Abayomi, Remanded in Suleja Until Bail Perfection As Court Adjourns Till 14th

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Wema Bank Celebrates Remarkable Journey of 79 years

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Wema Bank Celebrates Remarkable Journey of 79 years

 

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In a remarkable celebration of heritage and innov ation, Wema Bank, Nigeria’s most innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT today announced a joint celebration marking Wema Bank’s 79th years and ALAT’s 7 years anniversaries. This significant celebration not only commemorates nearly eight decades of exceptional service and innovation in the Nigerian banking sector but also celebrates the bank’s seven years of digital excellence with ALAT.

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Wema Bank Celebrates Remarkable Journey of 79 years

 

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Since its inception in 1945, Wema Bank has been at the forefront of financial innovation, constantly adapting to meet the evolving needs of its customers. Over the decades, the bank has evolved from a regional bank to a national bank, adapting continuously to meet the dynamic needs of its customers and establishing itself as a pillar of trust and reliability for millions of individuals and businesses across Nigeria.

According to the MD/CEO Wema Bank, Mr. Moruf Oseni, the bank’s evolution from being Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank to being at the forefront of innovation, pioneering Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, has been a true story of resilience and transformation.

“At 79, Wema Bank stand stronger than ever, and this achievement would not have been possible without the support of our customers and employees. We thank them for believing in the Wema vision, for entrusting their financial security to us, and for allowing us to contribute to their personal and professional aspirations. Their faith in us is deeply cherished, and we are honored to serve them.”

“As we mark our 79th year today, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering lives through innovation, and exceeding our customers expectations with unparalleled banking experiences tailored to their needs. Our pledge is to stand by our customers through every stage of life, offering enabling platforms to accelerate their growth and propel them to extraordinary heights.”

“While the past 79 years have been remarkable, we anticipate that the coming decades will be even more inspiring. With the partnership of our customers and employees, Wema Bank is poised to set new standards in financial services and redefine the future.” He concluded.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, Wema Bank and ALAT are rolling out a series of customer-focused activities designed to reward loyalty and enhance the customer experience. Throughout the anniversary month, customers will enjoy various promotions, including discounts on transactions, cash prizes, special loan offers and much more.

This anniversary is more than a celebration; it’s a reaffirmation of Wema Bank’s resilience and ongoing commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction in a competitive industry. Both Wema Bank and ALAT are poised for further growth, with strategic initiatives designed to enhance customer-centric services and expand the reach yearsw capability of digital banking solutions.

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Federal Housing Authority goes digital …As the MD/CEO flags off Digitalisation drive

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Federal Housing Authority goes digital
…As the MD/CEO flags off Digitalisation drive.

 

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The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Federal Housing Authority, Hon Oyetunde Ojo, May 1st, 2024 flagged off the Authority’s digitization drive.
In a ceremony at FHA’s head office, the MD CEO noted that the digitalisation effort is the first phase of the organisation’s march towards being a fully digitized outfit. This phase he stated covers all the Authority’s internal operations. He stated that the next phase that would take off in the coming weeks would be the real time interface with the public: allottees, prospective customers and Stakeholders.

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Describing the event as a significant milestone in the Authority’s history and corporate existence, Hon Ojo noted that it has become necessary for FHA to embrace digitalisation to stay competitive and relevant.

 

Federal Housing Authority goes digital
...As the MD/CEO flags off Digitalisation drive.

 

In his words, the MD said : ” in today’s rapidly evolving world, where technology continues to reshape industries and redefine how we operate, it has become imperative for us to embrace digitalisation to stay competitive, efficient and relevant.
The FHA Chief Executive noted that when his management resumed duties about two months ago, they found It unacceptable to lead the nation’s premier housing agency operating analogue in the this 21st century. He noted that their resolve and commitment to modernize and streamline the Authority’s operations, enhance service delivery, and ultimately serve the Stakeholders better, was the driving and motivating force behind them.
Hon Oyetunde Ojo also emphasized that the robust programmes of his management towards expanding the operations of the Authority has made it expedient to embrace digitalisation.
Citing FHA’S role in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) on Housing, the commencement of the Authority’s Diaspora City initiative as some of the projects FHA is currently involved in, he pointed out that the enormity of the projects can only be supported by digitalisation.
According to him, “…it has become more pertinent now that FHA is in the fore front of Housing revolution in the country through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in Housing… the Authority is also getting set fir the take off of the Diaspora City initiative, meant to help our people living outside the country to gave befitting homes back home”
Continuing, he said that the enormous nature of these projects has made digitization of FHA more expedient.
” We are repositioning an FHA where people could stay in the confines of their homes and monitor their investments with us, buy houses, obtain any information the want, just by the click of a button”. He said.
The MD revealed that the coming months and years will witness series of digital initiatives that would be rolled out across the Authority. He declared, ” … from automating manual processes to digitizing records, implementing advanced analytics, and enhancing cybersecurity measures, our digitalisation efforts will touch every aspect of our organization”.
Hon Ojo encouraged the staff to embrace the changes that comes with digitalisation. ” As we embark on this journey, I encourage each and every one of you to embrace change, to be open to new ideas, and actively participate in our digital transformation. Together, we have the opportunity to shape the future of FHA and pave the way for a more innovative, efficient, resilient organization “. He said.

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