Diezani Alison-Madueke denies awarding $24bn oil swap deal without contract, says she will speak in due time

Former Minister for Petroleum resources, Diezani Alison Madueke has denied an allegation by former group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Austen Oniwon, that she awarded $24 billion oil swap deals without a contract during her tenure as Petroleum Minister. Oniwon made the allegation when he appeared before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Petroleum resources.

In a statement released by her spokesperson, Clem Aguiyi today February 24th, Diezani denied the allegation and said she will speak in due time

“Following the recommendation of the then GMD of NNPC, the minister approved OPAs for a new term of 2 years commencing from 1st January 2015. The entities recommended by NNPC were Sahara Energy Resources Ltd, Aiteo Energy and Duke Oil. NNPC strongly recommended and outlined the benefits of the OPA over the SWAPs and put forward the case for migration from the OPA and crude exchange (SWAP) Contracts to OPAs fully. NNPC posited that the ‘experienced benefits of the OPA to the Federation’, would be much greater. There would have been little need to respond to this particular issue at this time considering that the former minister is still indisposed and would have wished to be left alone to recuperate. She will speak for herself in due time. It is nevertheless imperative that records are set straight so that Nigerians and posterity will know the truth. Mr. Oniwon was right when he stated that the 445000 barrels of crude oil were the property of NNPC, bought from the federal government of Nigeria at the prevailing rate and therefore as GMD, he did not need the Federal Executive Councillor Presidential Approval to enter into SWAP arrangements that will enable NNPC fulfill its statutory obligations. It was also correct that contrary to the picture being painted in the media, not more than 210,000 bpd out of the 445000 bpd lifted by NNPC to ensure adequate supply and distribution of petroleum products were traded under the SWAP arrangement. What the GMD required to execute the above was statutory approval from the minister for the companies! Refineries chosen by NNPC to participate in the SWAP arrangement as outlined in section 4 of the Petroleum Act and section 20 of the NNPC Act. It is however incorrect to say that the former minister gave ‘approval for extension’ unless ‘extension’ can legally be substituted for “renewal” because what the Minister gave (and the records are there) was approval for ‘renewal of contract’. And these approvals were given based on letters of request received from the GMD of NNPC.”the statement read

Photos: President Buhari with Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in Medina, Saudi Arabia

President Buhari arrived Medina earlier today for lesser Hajj. He met with Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and his entourage. More photos after the cut...

Chika Ike steps out in Denim plunging Neck line Jumpsuit

Nice look!

Lil Kesh Set To Drop His Album In March

Rapper, Lil Kesh, has anounced that his album will be dropping this March.
The young and talented rapper, revealed this via twitter, tweeting that:

LiL KESH ✔ ‎@lilkeshofficial

I be like baddo I wan drop my album for March And e be like. Osheeyy! Mr me YAGI. It's about time Give dem! #YAGI cc @olamide_YBNL

7:03 PM - 23 Feb 2016

Lil Kesh was earlier supposed to drop the album Y.A.G.I (Young And Making It) in 2015, but decided against it, saying he was not ready for the album to drop.
The YBNL act, made news early this year after losing Next Rated Award at the Headies to Reekado Banks of Mavin Records, an act that did not go down well with his fan.

GLO Drops Psquare As Brand Ambassadors

Telecommunication company, Globacom, has dropped brothers, Peter  and Paul Okoye of famed group Psqaure, as its brand ambassador.
According to reports, The pair were dropped following the way Peter, handled an issue that occurred during the grand finale of dance competition, ‘Dance with Peter’.

Peter and one of the company’s representative had been involved in a issue that the singer/dancer handled unprofessionally, resulting in their termination as brand ambassador.
The sources also revealed that truly, the company had defaiulted in some of the promises made, but that did not give Peter the right to insult them.
As at the time of this report, no comment has been gotten from Psquare.

D’banj Never Paid Me For Emergency Beat – P Loops Calls D’banj Out

Yesterday, D’banj, revealed that he only met the producer of his new single, ‘Emergency’ for the first time yesterday.
The said producer, P Loops, has spoken to Pulse.ng alleging that the koko master never paid nor gave him credit for the beat.

According to P Loops:

I was in shock when I heard the next morning that the song was out. I didn’t record with D’banj, I think Olu sent the beat to him, and he recorded. There was no credit at all, no credit on the promo copy, there was no credit online, no credit whatsoever.
I did try to talk to them, I talked to Olu Maintain in my office. My trademark was removed. The original beat had my trademark. I talked to them about it, and we were going to have a brief meeting about it, but till now, there has been no credit.

D’banj is yet to respond to this new allegation.

M.I releases new dapper photos

MI is looking dapper in the new Martell shoot as he was recently announced as the Martell House advocate in Nigeria. Martell is currently rewarding consumers in a grand style, with its 300 year promotion where consumers stand a chance to win a Porsche Cayman S and other amazing prizes. All you need to do is buy a bottle of Martell Caractère to get a raffle ticket OR a bottle of Martell XO to get two raffle tickets to qualify. See more photos and video after the cut...

The video below...

For more information, visit www.martell.com or like the official Facebook page: facebook.com/martellnigeria and/or be part of the Twitter conversation, follow us at @martellnigeria

Emirates unveils new Airbus A380 with 615 seats after ripping out first class to pack in more passengers

Already the world's largest passenger plane, the new two-class Airbus A380 built for Emirates will hold the most seats ever, with 557 in economy (centre) and 58 in business (top left). Despite more seats being crammed on board, economy passengers will not lose any legroom as first class has been scrapped and there are fewer flat-bed seats in business. The Dubai-based airline said economy will still be spacious and comfortable, and guests will enjoy one of the widest in-flight entertainment screens, at 13.3inches wide. See more photos after the cut...

In addition to more space, those in business class will be able to belly up to an on-board lounge for canapes and drinks. The airline has taken delivery of two of the redesigned A380s and will debut them on the airline's new Dubai to Copenhagen route.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum (middle), the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai, greets a flight attendant while touring Emirates' new Airbus A380 during the Dubai Airshow

Police did not kill pro-biafran protesters - Nigerian police

Read the press statement below...

The attention of the Nigeria Police Force High Command has been drawn to several false posts on Facebook and other social media, accusing Police of shooting, maiming and even killing members of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who have taken their protests to streets, markets and other public places in some eastern states of Nigeria, infringing on the rights and freedom of innocent citizens who were ordinarily going about their lawful businesses.

Despite provocation, the Police have maintained and managed the situation with high sense of responsibility and professionalism.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, fdc, NPM wishes to state that, the Nigeria Police Force is conscious of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association amongst others as enshrined in Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), and cannot afford to maim or kill citizens exercising these rights.

Noting that the Nigeria Police are duty-bound to enforce these rights, the IGP charged Police officers in State Commands to ensure that citizens embarking on rallies and other peaceful demonstrations are provided adequate security in line with the standard operational practice of the Force.

The Inspector-General of Police therefore called on all law abiding citizens to disregard the allegations by these groups, describing their allegations as false and calculated attempt to attract undue attention and sympathy. Even though the Nigeria Police Force appreciates the freedom and rights of citizens under the Constitution, the groups are strongly advised to respect the rights and freedom of others while exercising theirs.

The IGP, while calling on leadership of Ohanaeze to wade into these superfluous protests, to save the law-abiding and innocent citizens in the affected states from the hardship being melted out by the groups,reminded those embarking on violent protests/assemblies that such actions are criminalised by law, and anybody arrested will be treated as such under the appropriate legislations.

Ag. ACP OLABISI KOLAWOLE FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA.

Photos: Buhari swears in new Permanent Secretaries

President Buhari swore in the new Perm. Secs. today November 12th. Continue to see more photos..
 

Fashola's ministerial appointment: I'm now a proud grandfather- Tinubu

 
 Former Lagos state governor and APC National leader, Bola Tinubu says Fashola becoming a Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has made him a proud grandfather. Tinubu said this while speaking at the commissioning of the Mile 12-Ikorodu road widening and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) operation.

“We conquered the enemy when they said it was impossible through Babatunde Raji Fashola. You saw what happened when he was made minister yesterday. Lagos took the front seat. I am now a proud grandfather and I have no doubt he will succeed in that assignment. Leadership is about how many people you are able to bring up, build up and develop. I have many of them who are extremely gifted and talented.” he said

Pope Francis against the death penalty: criminals too have the right to life

Christians must work to abolish the death penalty and improve prison conditions, Pope Francis said on Sunday.

After praying the Angelus on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis called on all Christians and people of good will to work “not only for the abolition of the death penalty” but also to improve the conditions in prison. These efforts would respect the human dignity of prisoners, he said.

He appealed to the consciences of government leaders to join “the international consensus for the abolition of the death penalty.” He asked Catholic leaders not to hold executions during the Year of Mercy. This would be as a “courageous and exemplary act,” he said Feb. 21.
Rome will host an international convention for those working to abolish the death penalty on Feb. 22. The event is being promoted by the Sant’Egidio Community.

Pope Francis said he hoped that the gathering can strengthen efforts to abolish capital punishment.
“The commandment ‘Thou shall not kill’ has absolute value and concerns both the innocent and the guilty,” he said. Even criminals “maintain the inviolable right to life, the gift of God.”

He said the penal system must always be open to the hope of reintegrating criminals into society.
The Pope condemned the death penalty on Sept. 24, 2015 during his visit to the United States

“The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development,” he told a joint meeting of Congress.

Before the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis discussed the Gospel reading and the Transfiguration of Jesus. He connected this to his recent trip to Mexico.

The Pope said his apostolic visit to Mexico was “an experience of transfiguration.” He added: “the Lord has shown us the light of his glory through the body of the Church, the body of his holy people who live in that land.”

The Pope spoke with many people during the Feb. 12-18 visit, including families, workers and prisoners.
He said these people gave “a testimony of a clear and strong faith, the testimony of a lived faith, of a faith that transfigures life.”