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PIA: FG Tasks Host Community Trusts on Utilisation of 3% Funds

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The Federal Government has urged Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) in the Niger Delta to maximize the three per cent funds to ensure that communities reap the benefits of such funds.

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 mandates oil firms to set aside three per cent of its operational expenses for development of its host communities.

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen.

Heineken Lokpobiri, gave the charge during the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.

NAN reports that the theme for the event is “Envisioning Sustainable Community Development in Niger Delta Host Communities: Identifying Challenges and Actualizing The PIA Paradigm Shift.

According to Lokpobiri, in a bid to bring stability to the oil sector and to address the agitations occasioned by lack of development in host communities, the federal government enacted the PIA and set aside three per cent operational expenses by oil and gas firms for host communities development.

The Minister pointed out that infighting amongst stakeholders in host communities has made it difficult for oil bearing communities to access the funds accruing to the HCDTs.

He called on host communities to collaborate with the federal government and operating companies to ensure that oil production services are not disrupted, stating that host communities will be the eventual losers if oil production are disrupted.

“This KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum is to see how host communities can maximize the benefits from the Host Communities Trust Funds as prescribed by the PIA.

“I came to speak to them about taking ownership of oil and gas facilities that are located in different parts of the country.

“Any time there is disruption in oil production everybody loses, the federal government, oil production companies and the host communities.

“That is why I said it is important they take this message home, let them work with all stakeholders, the federal government, oil companies and host communities should work together.

“As stakeholders who have their respective stakes in oil and gas operations in the country, we should work together to ensure that we maximize the benefits of oil and gas.

“Don’t forget there is a global campaign against the continuation of production of fossil fuel.

“Fossils fuel will never go away. Fossil fuel will not have any value unless you bring it out of the ground or from the sea to the market that is why we need this collaboration,” he said.

According to him: “I want to recommend this KEFFESO model to all parts of the country that are into oil and gas that when you have sustained peace you will benefit.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Omotsola Ogbe reiterated the commitment of the Board to leverage on the provision of the NOCGIiC Act.

He equally said that the NCDMB’s Community Content Guidelines aim to ensure sustained community engagement and play the part vested on the Board and ensure that the community content is respected and recognized in the entire oil and gas value chain.

Represented by the Director Legal Services of the Board, Mr Naboth Onyesoh, commended the KEFFESO Host Community Development Trust.

First E & P and the Minister of State Petroleum Resources Oil towards the support government to the KEFFESO trust fund.

On his part, the MD/CEO of First E & P, Mr Ademola Adeyemi-Bero said the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum is a veritable platform to discuss and strategize for a meaningful and sustainable future for host communities.

He noted that the forum marks a pivotal commitment of the company’s journey towards tackling the present challenges faced by the marginalized communities in the Niger Delta. (NAN)

Education

FG vows full WAEC CBT shift by 2026 – Minister

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The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to fully transitioning to Computer-Based Test (CBT) examinations for the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and other exam bodies by 2026.

Dr Alausa made this known while monitoring the conduct of WAEC’s CBT examinations in Abuja on Wednesday.

He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s capacity to modernise its examination system and reduce widespread malpractice through digital innovation.

Commending WAEC’s initiative, the minister described the shift from traditional pen-and-paper exams to CBT as a historic and crucial step toward fairness and educational integrity.

“We are working very hard to eliminate fraud in our exam system, and WAEC is taking the lead,” he said.

Highlighting the advantages of CBT, Alausa noted that the system simplified the exam process while significantly curbing cheating.

“We now have clear evidence that when exams are done using technology, the level of fraud is minimised to almost zero,” he stated.

He further lauded WAEC’s internal safeguards, explaining that the CBT system was operated via a secured Local Area Network (LAN), making it “literally impossible” to hack.

According to the minister, by Nov. 2025, all WAEC multiple-choice exams will be conducted using CBT.

He added that essay questions and NECO examinations would follow suit by 2026.

On infrastructure and logistics, particularly in remote areas, Alausa acknowledged the challenges but assured that scalable solutions are in progress.

“Are we going to be ready to provide every single needed infrastructure by November? Absolutely not.

“But as we move into the future, we will be ready. We have to challenge ourselves as government,” he said.

He also addressed concerns over the logistics of conducting multiple exams.

“In WAEC, the average student takes about eight to nine papers.

“They do it over several days. Those are the logistics we, as administrators, have to work through, and we already are,” he explained.

The ongoing WAEC exams, which began on April 24, are scheduled to conclude on June 20, 2025.

A total of 1,973,253 candidates from 23,554 schools are participating. Of this number, 979,228 candidates are male, accounting for 49.63 per cent, while 994,025 candidates are female, making up 50.37 per cent.(NAN)

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Ex-NBA President Seeks Higher Minimum Entry Requirements into Police

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A Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), JB Daudu (SAN),has advocated for a higher minimum entry requirement for the Nigerian Police Force, suggesting a university degree or its equivalent.Daudu, who is the Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation made the call at the 13th Webinar series organized by the foundation on Tuesday in Abuja.

Report says that the webinar had the theme `Overview and Mid-Term Report of The Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (May2023-May 2025)’.
He suggests that a more educated workforce would be better equipped to handle the challenges of policing, potentially leading to improved performance and effectiveness“This will ensure that all entry level officers receive a mandatory course in the recognition and enforcement of fundamental human rights that have been enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
“It will also ensure that they receive sufficient training in the handling of firearms to curb the wave of accidental discharge of firearms and all other cases of abuse of firearms that our citizens now suffer from’’.“As far as many Nigerians are concerned, the police force is not only moribund, but a large percentage of its personnel are branded as corrupt.“Most Nigerians don’t report crimes in which they are victims because of the fear that they may, in the course of pursuing their rights, be branded as the criminals, or be exploited for financial gain.“The federal government must commence the rebranding of the Nigerian Police Force’’.He equally called for improvement in their remuneration package, the provision of institutional support such as insurance cover, mandatory housing program, promotions as and when due, affordable health services, and educational support.The Learned Silk stressed the need to rewrite the disciplinary protocols of all security agencies and ensure that these rules are subjected to ordinary laws of the land through trials in our criminal courts.“Offences by errant policemen amounting not only to civil disciplinary issues but are also criminal in nature, must attract punishments that fit the offence.“Such offences as reckless misuse of firearms and police power leading to death or serious bodily harm of, and on, innocent victims must be appropriately punished rather than a mere slap on the wrist”.He added that serious and immediate thought must be given to the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force.“20 years ago, I championed the advocacy of an autonomous and independent state police completely severed from the umbilical cord of the federal police that is the Nigeria Police Force.“I cannot in good conscience state today that I can still support the creation of a blanket State Police left in the hands of the Governor of a State.“The reason for this shift in position is that the political maturity, and I say this with the utmost respect and humility, of our new set of leaders at the state level is not such as was in existence 25 years ago’’.He noted that creating state police at this point in time is to encourage flashpoints in different parts of the country some of which may escalate into ‘civil wars’.“I shudder to think of what would have happened if certain states which were recently plunged into political crisis had recourse to their police units during the political crisis that recently plagued their states.“For now and until the political actors improve in their political maturity, the alternative would be and should be ‘community police’.“I propose most respectfully a measure where every ward in a local government would have an office of the community police that will monitor and ensure the reportage of all crimes.“This should include the movement of all suspicious characters who may likely pose a threat to the peace and harmony of the community”.He added that where the threat is beyond the capability of the community, and escalates to the remaining wards and the Local government Headquarters, the State Police Command should step in.He said that all the funds being used to buy rice and other palliatives could be used to fund and equip security-watch offices in these locations as described above.“This means therefore that the local government council of every LGA must be made to be the centre point of the maintenance of law and order and the promotion of security in Nigeria.“Note that there is still the corruption factor and strict or severe punishment must be meted on local community police officers who corruptly abuse their power”. (NAN)

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NYCN Demands Probe into DPO’s Killing

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The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called for a thorough investigation into the killing of CSP Baba Ali, a Divisional Police Officer in Kano State. Report says that the Police Command in Kano confirmed the killing on Monday, along with the burning of the Rano police station.

The DPO was reportedly killed by angry youths in Rano town, Rano Local Government Area, sparking widespread condemnation and concern across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna, NYCN National President, Isah Abubakar, expressed sorrow and described the incident as a grave national loss. “CSP Baba Ali served with dedication and integrity. His commitment to peace and security must be recognised and remembered,” Abubakar stated.
Abubakar urged the Federal Government to launch an impartial investigation, calling for cooperation among relevant agencies to reveal the circumstances of the officer’s death. He emphasised that the investigation must be transparent, keeping the victim’s family and the public informed at every stage. The NYCN president also demanded justice not only for CSP Baba Ali but for all Nigerians striving for safety and security. He called on the government to adopt measures that strengthen security forces and ensure better protection for officers on duty. “The death of CSP Baba Ali underscores the urgent need for united efforts against violence. Government must act decisively to prevent similar tragedies,” he added. (NAN)

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