COVER
NNPC, Stena Bulk and Caverton Launch New Shipping Venture
By Joel Oladele, Abuja(with Agency reports)
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) on Tuesday, announced a joint venture with Swedish tanker giant, Stena Bulk and Nigerian offshore logistics leader Caverton Marine to overhaul maritime transportation in West Africa.
The newly formed company will streamline crude oil, refined products and LNG shipping across West Africa and cater to other oil producers and traders in the region with modern vessels.
The companies did not share financial details of the deal, which was signed last week.
“By combining our expertise with Stena Bulk and Caverton Marine, we are creating a robust platform that will enhance our domestic refining, import and export capabilities and strengthen Nigeria’s position in global energy logistics,” Panos Gliatis, Managing Director of NNPC Shipping, said in a statement.
A Reuters report quoted Erik Hånell, President & CEO of Stena Bulk to have said the partnership aligns with the group’s strategy to expand its presence in key growth markets.
Nigeria boasts Africa’s largest oil refinery and meets 5% of global LNG demand.
NUPEND, Lagos Dialogue over Towing Issues
In Lagos however, the National Union of Petroleum and And Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) says it is engaging the Lagos State Government to resolve the ongoing issue of towed trucks.
It said that the negotiation aims to prevent disruptions in fuel distribution, which could lead to widespread scarcity.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos, General Secretary, NUPENG, Mr Olawale Afolabi, explained that the union had withdrawn its services in response to the recent attacks and arrests of tanker drivers by security personnel from the Lagos State Government.
Afolabi reassured that the situation would be resolved with the state authorities, and that the towed trucks would be released to the union as promised by the government.
NAN reports that on Feb. 22, the Lagos State Task Force towed away several trucks and arrested several members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Association, a branch of NUPENG, near the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki for parking on the highways.
Afolabi added that a meeting is ongoing between NUPENG and the Lagos State Government, with both parties hopeful of reaching an agreement that will enable depot operations to resume.
He, however, said that the outcome of these talks remains uncertain, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting further updates.
Similarly, Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the Chairman of NUPENG, Lagos branch, confirmed that the service withdrawal was in response to the mistreatment and arrest of tanker drivers by security personnel.
He clarified that the union had previously instructed drivers not to operate at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.
He said that in spite of this, drivers who stopped to rest were reportedly targeted by security officers.
“We had instructed tanker drivers not to travel at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.
“But when drivers parked to rest, security personnel towed their vehicles, arrested our members, and even damaged the union’s patrol vehicle,” Aboyeji said.
He added, “As a result, we decided to suspend services in the state until the government is ready to provide a safe and convenient space for tanker drivers, ensuring that such incidents do not occur again.”
Aboyeji assured that the national leadership of the union is in talks with the state government and that the matter would be resolved once discussions are concluded.
“There are ongoing discussions, and if they are completed today or tomorrow, the issue will be resolved,” he stated. (NAN)
By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened its strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) through a high-level meeting held in Beijing on July 25.According to NCS Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement on Sunday, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, the meeting aimed to explore bilateral knowledge exchange and capacity development in customs administration.
The NCS delegation, led by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, discussed customs training methodologies, modernization models, and technology-driven solutions with GACC officials. The Chinese Customs authorities shared their structured training system, which incorporates virtual reality, 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches.The meeting highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in China-led customs development initiatives, with over 200 African customs officers trained since 2023. The Chinese Customs officials commended Nigeria’s growing leadership in international customs platforms and appreciated the election of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.Both parties expressed mutual interest in exploring technical exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and officer exchange schemes. The NCS aims to strengthen its human capital, advance intergovernmental partnerships, and modernize customs operations in accordance with global standards.The engagement aligns with promoting knowledge sharing, harmonizing customs procedures, and building an integrated trade infrastructure for sustainable development, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has called for religious tolerance among religious groups in Nigeria.Kaigama made the call during the 25 years Priestly Celebration of the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev.
Ernest Obodo, held at St. Mary Catholic Church, Udi Council Area of Enugu State at the weekend. The celebration began with Holy Mass officiated by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke.In his homily, Kaigama decried what he described as ‘very severe’, the existence of religious intolerance in the country, warning that, “if we do not get rid of it, we shall continue to make three steps forward and five steps backward.“Professor Chinua Achebe did identify the problems of Nigeria as bad leadership, corruption, and tribalism, and I wish to add religious intolerance and fanaticism.He expressed the need for more solidarity of the Catholic Church in Eastern Nigeria with the Church in Northern Nigeria in view of the present socio-economic, cultural and religious circumstances in the world.The clergyman equally called on those in political leadership to ensure that the resources of the nation were equitably distributed and also to ensure a fair representation in government.He advised them not to let any section of the nation become marginalised for whatever reason but to ensure honesty, transparency, and accountability in the leadership of the country.“My village was once captured, destroyed, and our chief was subordinated to the religious leaders. Since then, it was only some three years ago that we received a government response.“Nigerians expect from political leaders a corporal work of mercy to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, care for the sick and wounded, educate the school children, care for prisoners and the poor.“Build and maintain the roads, keep our schools and hospitals open, and not only when there are casualties, then we rush to open them and be concerned,” he stressed.The Archbishop added that while we demand good governance from those voted in authority, we demand equally a changing mentality on the part of those Nigerians who saw government resources as available to be used with reckless abandonment.To the celebrant and his class of 2000, Kaigama said, “25 years ago, they answered the Lord’s call to serve the church as shepherds of God’s people.“Today we give thanks to God for the gift of their vocation, perseverance in ministry, and for the grace that has sustained them through joys and trials alike,” he said.In his remark, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, described Obodo as an embodiment of initiatives geared towards lifting people out of poverty through his agricultural project.“So I want to join your well-wishers and indeed your congregation here to congratulate and to celebrate with you. There is something that you represent, which I would also love that we continue to imbibe, that is, the true spirit of service.“But your humility is also something very disarming,” Mbah said.Commending the participants, Obodo announced that 33 bishops all over Nigeria attended the event, saying that 20 of them were present while 13 were represented.He thanked God for sparing 10 of them who were ordained priest in 2000, disclosing that, “10 of us are healthy and hearty today and we give gratitude to God”.Many priests, laity, traditional rulers and government officials graced the celebration.
From Dan Amasingha, Minna, Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Niger Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said 13 dead bodies have been recovered while 26 people were rescued from the recent boat mishap in Gini village, Shiroro Local Government Area.This is contained in a statement by Alhaji Abdullahi Arah, the Director- General of the agency on Sunday in Minna.
The incident occurred at about 11:45am on Saturday around Kwata, as the boat was heading to Zumba market. According to the agency, the boat, which was fully loaded with goods and passengers capsized while conveying them to the weekly market.“We have confirmed a boat mishap incident with 13 bodies recovered while 26 were rescued bringing the total number of people in the boat to 39.”“Those that were recovered had since been buried and among them were eight women, three men and two children,” he said.NSENI’s Director of Information and Special Duties, Dr. Ibrahim Hussaini confirmed in a statement that the boat driver and few passengers were rescued.Hussaini said that one of the victims was admitted at the General Hospital Kuta, and had been discharged.The Niger Government through NSEMA, National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission N-HYPPADEC and NIWA have distributed life jackets to various riverine communities.Abductors of Six Nigerian Law School Students Opens Discussions, Demands N20M RansomThe kidnappers of the six Nigerian Law School students, have contacted and opened discussions with the families of their victims, demanding N20 million as ransom for their release.The six Nigerian Law School Students were reportedly abducted by suspected armed bandits while on their way to resume at the school’s Yola campus in Adamawa State on Saturday.It was gathered that the incident took place in the late hours of Saturday, along the ‘deadly’ federal highway between Wukari in Taraba State and parts of Benue State.According to a fellow student of the Yola campus, who identified himself as Johnson, said the kidnappers have contacted families of the victims and are demanding a ransom of N20 million for their release.The abducted students were on their way back to campus after completing their mandatory court externship, ahead of the resumption of academic activities scheduled for Monday.Those confirmed to be abducted includes; Rev. Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, Obalem Emmanuel, and Obiorah David.They were reportedly travelling in a vehicle operated by AJ Dan Pullo Transport Company, a commercial operator based in Onitsha, Anambra State.Authorities have yet to release an official statement.The Wukari-Benue axis, where the kidnapping is suspected to have taken place, has long been flagged as a high-risk corridor due to recurring incidents of abduction and violent crime.
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