From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, advocated an increase in the 13 per cent derivation to oil producing states in the country.

Chief Obasanjo said the present benchmark was a starting point that can be negotiated upwards.

The former president spoke at a ceremony marking the inauguration of the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) of the Azikel Refinery at Obunagha in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The one billion dollar refinery project, which is owned by the Azikel Petroleum under the Azikel Group, is expected to produce 2.

Obasanjo lauded the Azikel Group president, Dr. Azibapu Eruani, for initiating the refinery project and urged him to ensure its completion within the next 12 months.

He expressed appreciation to the refinery’s technical and engineering team as well as the African Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Afrexim Bank for their support to the project and advocated more support to ensure its completion.

Obasanjo also lauded the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for supporting the project, saying whenever Eruani spoke to him about it, he always mentioned the governor’s contribution.

He further stated that the governor has put into proper use funds accruable to Bayelsa as evident in the numerous projects all over the state.

He said: “I have told Dr. Eruani that I will officially be 90 years old by next year March. It means I will take the boarding pass soon. So, he has to make sure the project is completed before I exit.

“Governor, I want to thank you most sincerely.  Every time Dr. Eruani has spoken to me about this project, he has mentioned the critical role you have been playing and that is the way to go.

“You are right that the states and oil producing communities have not got a fair deal so far. Thirteen per cent is the beginning. You can continue to talk. The most important thing is that even the little you have received, you have used it well.

“I want to express appreciation to those who have given the technical and engineering support for this project. When I came here (eight years ago), there was nothing like this but now it has become a diffrent thing.

“I want also to thank those two financial institutions, African Finance Corporation and the Afrexim Bank. My challenge to you Dr. Eruani is to ensure that the refinery is completed within the next 12 months. With this done, you can even double the capacity.”

Also speaking, President, Azikel Group, Dr. Azibapu Eruani, stated that the refinery will kickstart Bayelsa and Niger Delta region’s industrialisation, recalling how Obasanjo laid the foundation for the refinery eight years ago, and expressed delight over his presence for the installation of the CDU, which he described as the  beginning of the completion of the refinery.

Eruani said the refinery was conceived to ensure that the Niger Delta becomes an active player in the oil industry, saying it is the second largest full scale refinery in the country.

He hailed President Bola Tinubu for supporting indigenous refineries, saying they stand in alignment with the vision of the Federal Government to make petroleum products available and affordable to the people.

He also expressed appreciation to Governor Diri as well as the AFC and the Afrexim Bank for their invaluable support.

In his remarks, Governor Douye Diri said the refinery justified the years of agitation by the region against the injustice in the oil industry.

He noted that as producers of crude oil, the people of the region deserved to be key players in the industry.

Governor Diri again faulted the Land Use Act and the current 13 per cent derivation to oil producing states, and maintained that the region deserved more from their God-given resources as obtainable in other parts of the world.

He expressed delight over the establishment of the refinery, saying it will make people of the state major players in the oil industry and charged Bayelsans to equip themselves to benefit from the project.

Diri also emphasised the need for Africans to process their own resources as it was the only way the continent can benefit from them.

The Bayelsa helmsman called on the oil companies operating within the Gbarain/Obunagha area to complement the efforts of the state government by rehabilitating the road leading to the refinery.

His words: “As people of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, we have protested and fought because we feel that God gave us something in our land but we are not benefiting from it. Others are benefiting and see us as second class citizens. It has been a long journey to be part of what God has given to us under our soil.

“The Land Use Act is unfair. Surface resources belong to states but what lies underneath belongs to the Federal Government.  That law is obnoxious and not good for any just society.

“We do not want to take everything for granted. We just want to be co-players in determining how it is done. Thirteen per cent is not enough for the states.”

He congratulated Eruani on behalf of people of the state while charging other youths to emulate the Azikel Group president.

In their separate remarks, a board member of the Azikel Petroleum, Dr. Daru Owei, and the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom and chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Bubaraye Dakolo, both lauded Eruani for the project, saying it will impact positively on the economic fortunes of the state, the region and the country.

Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Dr. Ibrahim Kana, has urged defence correspondents to sustain positive reportage of Nigeria’s security situation.

Kana made the call in his goodwill message at the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Conference 2026 on Monday in Abuja.

The conference has as its theme, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security”.

He said he had maintained a very cordial relationship with defence journalists since his first day in the Ministry of Defence, recognising the importance of journalists.

”Over the years, Nigeria has had a bad image, not because the country is bad, but because people choose to represent the nation in a very bad light.

”I have seen that virtually all of you are highly responsible Nigerians. You report Nigeria positively, and I say congratulations,” he said.

He noted that reportage was taken very seriously globally because it constituted open source intelligence, adding that people use social media to access such intelligence.

”I want to urge you therefore as you have been doing to continue reporting the Armed Forces and the security situation in a very positive light”, he said.

The permanent secretary commended the armed forces for their sacrifices, saying Nigerians would not appreciate what the military does until they work closely with them.

”Truly, some people are sleeping. Some people are remaining awake, while some of us are actually sleeping and sleeping soundly.

”It is only the armed forces in Nigeria that can stand proudly to say it represents Nigeria in all facets of our lives.

”They represent Nigeria positively, devote their lives, sacrifice their families, their freedom, and their own world just to protect the integrity of our country,” he said.

Kana said he was proud to be associated with Nigeria and the defence community, even though he was no longer in the ministry of defence.

”When I was departing the ministry, the then Chief of Defence Staff actually gave me an honour, the Defence Recognition Medal. I still have that medal with me and I attach it to my name as DRM.

”Therefore, I cannot but continue to associate with the defence industry,” he said.

On his part, DECAN President, Odita Sunday, said the theme of the programme reflected what was going on in the country at present.

He said the war against terrorism required collaborations to nip it in the bud.

”Intelligence gathering and the use of modern technology must work in sync to address these challenges.

”Our security agencies must work together and share timely information to be ahead of the enemies of the state,” he said. (NAN)

Deputy Medical Director, General Hospital, Apapa, Dr. Ridwan Kekere-Ekun, said high costs of dental materials, equipment and hospital operations limit Nigerians’ access to timely dental care.

Kekere-Ekun, Chief Dental Officer at the hospital, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday.

Kekere-Ekun identified imported dental equipment and materials, whose prices were affected by the naira’s depreciation, as major factors driving up treatment costs.

He added that high energy costs, including petrol and diesel for generators, increased hospitals’ operational expenses, which were transferred to patients through higher bills.

The dentist also attributed the problem to inadequate government funding of hospitals and limited public trust in health insurance schemes.

He said poor insurance coverage forced many Nigerians to pay out-of-pocket for consultations, X-rays, prescriptions and dental treatments.

According to him, financial constraints often prevent patients from completing investigations and recommended procedures, forcing some to abandon treatment or select only one of several planned interventions.

Kekere-Ekun added that delayed treatment could necessitate referrals and specialist reviews, while increasing morbidity and mortality risks.

He said the problem was common among patients visiting his hospital, noting that feedback from patients regularly highlighted the financial difficulties they encountered.

The dentist said some patients moved between dental facilities in search of cheaper and more affordable treatment.

He urged the government to increase funding for dental units and reduce import duties on dental equipment to make services more affordable.

Kekere-Ekun also called for mandatory enrolment in health insurance schemes, supported by adequate public sensitisation, to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket expenditure.

He recommended greater investment in preventive dental care through public education, community outreach, free scaling and polishing, and public-private partnerships.

The dentist further urged the government to expand dental services and reduce hospitals’ energy costs through electricity and diesel subsidies, generator support and solar installations. (NAN)