Author Archives: MOONLIGHT NEWS

… says it’s baseless, retrogressive

Group under aegis of Nineteen-Seventeen Northern Consensus Movement for Peace Unity Empowerment and Development Initiative (NSNCM) has described those calling for sack of the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Engineer Mele Kyari as enemies of progress and blackmailers.

According to the group, the call for his sack is not only baseless;biased, but also very retrogressive, citing proactive measures taken to block all their possible ways and means to continue the cannibalization of the Nigeria oil sector as only reason for the attacks.

“Apparently the handiwork of so-called 401 ethnic Nationalities Leaders sponsored by enemies of Nigerians Economic transformation and general development who also are suspected boys of Bunkers and their agents.” It added.

The National Chairman of the group,Comrade Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, who disclosed this during a Press conference held at Abuja said ,” It is clear that Mele Kyari is one of the best things that have ever happened to NNPC Ltd and therefore, it would be suicidal to nurse any negative attempt to unseat him at this crucial time that he is already transforming the corporation, unless if the nation is not truly after the economic transformation and revitalization of NNPC Ltd and Nigeria.

He further said, “We don’t want to believe someone somewhere is nursing an Anti-North agenda which we strongly believe is not President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, having known how much the North rally around him with the massive vote and looking towards 2027 for his re-election,considering the President, Economic, Security and Infrastructural developmental drive a word is enough for a wize.

“The transformational and developmental drive of the oil sector by Mal. Mele Kyari, through robust revenue generation, redirection and scientific upliftment of the Nigeria oil sector, is making this enemies of Nigeria Economic boom to have sleepless night.”

Speaking on how deliberate efforts were made to strengthened Nigeria’s energy security and improved the profitability and efficiency of its oil and gas sector, the Chairman of group of Amalgamation of 596 registered affiliated grassroots Northern Association from Nineteen Northern States and associations of Northerners Resident in the Seventeen Southern States and FCT, further stated: “President Buhari appointed Mele Kyari as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC in July 2019, succeeding Maikanti Baru upon his retirement. Since assuming the role, Kyari has implemented numerous reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the corporation.

“One of Kyari’s major initiatives is the TAPE agenda, which focuses on transparency, accountability, performance, and excellence.
This agenda seeks to eradicate corruption, bribery, and racketeering within NNPC, transforming it into a reputable oil giant.

“Kyari has also set ambitious goals for the corporation, including raising crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day and increasing reserves to 40 billion barrels by 2023. His efforts have already led to significant achievements, such as resolving a longstanding dispute in the Akuku Toru community of Rivers State, which restored 35,000 barrels of oil production per day.

“Under his leadership, the NNPC successfully reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) on Train 7 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) in November 2019, a project expected to generate over $20 billion in revenue and create over 50,000 jobs. Additionally, Kyari oversaw the commencement of the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project, with funding secured from a Chinese bank.

“Kyari has also driven the digitization of NNPC’s operations, reducing human-related operational risks. For instance, the corporation launched software that enables marketers to view inventories across 22 depots in real-time, improving decision-making and efficiency.

“In terms of recruitment, Kyari organized a transparent and fair exercise, leading to the employment of 1,050 candidates out of 600,000 applicants. This marked the first publicly advertised recruitment exercise by NNPC since 2012.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyari mobilized stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to raise N21 billion for the Petroleum Industry Intervention Fund, supporting medical interventions across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

“The creation of the National Assembly has significantly empowered NNPC Limited to ensure Nigeria’s energy security, a critical aspect of national security. This responsibility is particularly crucial during the year-end festivities and beyond, with the NNPC Limited making robust plans to avoid any shortages in petroleum product supplies.

“The enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 by the National Assembly has transformed the NNPC into a commercially-oriented National Oil Company governed by the Company & Allied Matters Act (CAMA). This legislative effort has turned NNPC from a loss-making entity, with a loss of N803 billion in 2018, to a profitable organization, declaring a net profit of N674 billion in 2021.

“The leadership of Mele Kyari played a pivotal role in this turnaround, reducing losses dramatically in 2019 and achieving profitability by 2020. The company is now aiming for a profit increase of N2 trillion in its 2022 Audited Financial Statements.

“NNPC Limited’s acquisition of OVH Energy in 2022 and its existing assets have positioned it as a major player in the African energy market. This move has significantly boosted the profitability of its subsidiary, NNPC Retail, to N18.4 billion in the first quarter of this year.

“Addressing challenges like crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, NNPC has adopted advanced surveillance methods similar to those used by Saudi Aramco. The Central Coordination, Data Integration, and Activation Control Room enable real-time monitoring of the Niger Delta’s pipeline networks, enhancing security and increasing crude oil production. This system has already recovered over 22 million litres of stolen crude through improved surveillance and intelligence.

“Citing the above transformational and developmental drive of the oil sector by Mal. Mele Kyari, through robust revenue generation, redirection and scientific upliftment of the Nigeria oil sector, is making this enemies of Nigeria Economic boom to have sleepless night.

“Therefore, we are requesting, that the transformational government of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu to get this people arrested for undermining National Economic development and trying to create bad blood and disharmony between the North, other Nationality and the Government.”

The former lawmaker representing Kaduna Senatorial district, Senator Shehu Sani has asked people of Kaduna State and Nigerians to ignore former Governor Nasir Elrufai’s Commissioners.

According the him, the investigation conducted by the Kaduna State House of Assembly is unbiased,comprehensive and evidently backed by facts and figures.

Some former commissioners who served under former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, had dismissed the probe of their administration by the state House of Assembly as an hatchet job.

The commissioners described the report of the probe as the outcome of a process motivated by malice and conducted with patent unfairness.

But Senator Shehu Sani in a reply to the Commissioners via a Facebook post said, “it’s sad and unfortunate that people who financially ruined,strangled and incapacitated the state for eight years still have the shameless boldness of disparaging an impartial probe that exposed the systemic thievery and open heist that became the art and science of governance in Kaduna State.

He further stated: “Never in the history of Kaduna State or any state in Northern Nigeria has there ever been such a clinical and forensic probe of scandalous,unbridled,gargantuan scale corruption.The report speaks for itself in clarity and substance.They should be ashamed of themselves.

“They plundered our resources,enriched themselves and suffocated the economy of our state with debt that will take generations to service.Many of them were struggling to live before 2015 and today they live large from collective resources of the people of Kaduna State.

“I Challenge all of them to make public the content of the Code of Conduct forms they filled in 2015 and the one they filled in 2023.

“For eight years,Kaduna was a heaven for opacity,official larceny,Financial thuggery and fiscal banditry by fraudulent contractors,thieving consultants and parasites in the Government House.People who cannot even be councilors in their states of origin came to Kaduna and looted the resources of our people.

“People who should be returning the money they stole and seek forgiveness are today striving hard to smear an investigation that cast light on their anus.

“They ruined the economy and lives of millions of our people.They amassed wealth for themselves.Any attempt to jettison the KSHA report can lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state.

“They must be brought to book.If anyone has ever given me any contract in Kaduna State of even ONE NAIRA from 1999 to date should come forward.Kaduna Lawmakers must stand courageously firm and never bend in the face of any intimidation or cowardly threat by the beneficiaries of that looting regime.

“A toilet paper stained with the feaces of a full blown adult is more useful than their piece of thrash.”

By Comrade Musa Mohammed (Moonlight)

“ Eighth years of Nasiru El-Rufai reign as governor of Kaduna state, he singlehandedly siphoned, diverted over $758 million.’’

The kaduna former governor Nasir El-Rufai’s who in the past claimed of running an administration of integrity, “mercilessly” depleted the state’s resources and acquired humongous loans worth over $700 million on projects that would take more than 20 years to complete.

El-Rufai left his successor Senator Uba Sani wallowing in over $758 million debt that he couldn’t account for.

The Anti-graft agencies should quickly and immediately investigate El-Rufai’s alleged financial misconduct during his eight-year term which ended in May 2023.

Records shows that the state only incurred $235 million in debt which was later cleared in all of the 50 years, specifically between 1965 and 2015 prior to El-Rufai’s administration. But El-Rufai in just eight years in office took out new loans totalling $758 million.

Also, the records shows El-Rufai in 2015 inherited a buoyant state with N3 billion in government coffers to kick-start his administration, a feat he could not replicate as he rather left his successor to drown in debt.

“From 1965 to when he (El-Rufai) was handed power to, the total debt taken by Kaduna State was $235 million”.

“By the time he (El-Rufai) came into office in 2015, the domestic debt incurred by the previous government was completely wiped off. He came in, there was zero debt, and then they left behind for him monies worth about N34 billion to kick off his government”.

I wonder, the man El-Rufai who called his administration of integrity amid huge loans obtained from the Africa Development Bank and Islamic Bank expended on projects that he executed “60 per cent” halfway and later abandoned, and the claims were not made up as there were documents to buttress his assertions.

There were several millions of dollars collected from Africa Development Bank and Islamic Bank to execute specific projects that were never done.

We will see how MALAM NASIRU EL-RUFAI will shamelessly respond to all allegations (accusations).

Northern Coalition for Democracy and Good Governance (NOCODGOG )has replied the Nigerian Labour Congress over recent attack on the personality of the Secretary of Federal Government, Mr George Akume .

Mr. Akume had declared that he cannot afford to pay each of his four drivers N100, 000 as salary in a month.

But in reaction,the Nigerian Labour Congress via press statement issued on Friday said, it was “disheartening” that the SGF, a high ranking government official would make statement to trivialise the genuine grievances of Nigerian workers, when he said, he can’t afford to pay his four drivers N100,000 each as salary.

According to the group in the statement signed by Comrade Abdullahi Baffa Ringim and Comrade Andrew Bartholomew Rufus , the NLC’s reaction was undoubtedly grossly insensitive and inconsiderate to the personality someone,who was a former Governor; former Senator and the current SGF.

The further reads:”We know Akume as a patriot and a sensitive Nigerian,who considers the reality on ground rather than playing to the gallery.He was just being honest by making such statement over lingering matter of minimum wage for workers .

“The statement Akume made was because he didn’t steal public funds while in positions of authority held over the years. It is only corrupt leaders and thieves that afford to pay such unrealistic demands by Labour unions.

“We also deemed unacceptable for NLC to express disappointment over Akume’s comments, where the SGF described the “legitimate and constitutionally protected industrial action” as a “treasonable felony” and “economic sabotage” .

It asked, “what is “deeply troubling” that has undermined the spirit of constructive dialogue necessary for resolving the ongoing issues with the realistic statement made by the SGF”

“We make bold to say , Akume not among those who loot our treasury around the country, those who diverted public resources meant for hospitals and schools, padded budgets and inflated contracts including those who steal trillions of naira in the name of subsidy are the real economic saboteurs who commit treasonable felony.

While stating that the SGF is not one those NLC described people paying personal staff “starvation wages”,the group said considerations must be given to background of leaders to reach conclusion.

“The SGF during his as Governor of Benue State was not committed to regular payments workers,but also an advocate their rights and welfare.”it added .

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has been hailed as a trailblazer and a champion of progress by the Northwest Progressives League, a non-partisan group of concerned citizens.

This was made known at a press conference held at Arewa House in Kaduna, by the group’s Secretary-General, Hasana Labaran Ali. She revealed that Governor Sani’s administration has achieved in one year what others couldn’t in four.

According to Ali, Governor Sani’s remarkable achievements include signing an Executive Order to benefit over 2 million poor and underserved people, releasing N3 billion to pensioners and families of deceased civil servants, commissioning the first Township stadium in rural Kaduna, kickstarting rural electrification and roads, launching Mobile Clinics for remote areas, and introducing a home-grown economic intervention measure called ‘A Kori Talauci’.

The group also praised Governor Sani for being the first Governor to spend N11.4 billion to alleviate citizens’ suffering and establish a Security Trust Fund, distributing 150 operational vehicles to security agents and offering logistics support in the war on terror.

“This is a testament to Governor Sani’s commitment to delivering qualitative governance services to the people of Kaduna State,” Ali said. “His achievements will improve the lives of millions of residents, create jobs, and drive economic growth.”

The Northwest Progressives League commended Governor Sani for his tireless efforts and urged him to sustain the tempo. The group’s endorsement is a significant boost to Governor Sani’s administration, as it comes from a non-partisan organization known for its objective assessment of governance.

Governor Sani’s remarkable achievements have set a new standard for governance in Kaduna State, and his commitment to the people’s welfare has earned him widespread recognition. As the state continues to witness unprecedented progress, one thing is clear: Uba Sani has done in one year what others couldn’t do in four!

The Commissioner of Environment and Climate Change in Taraba State, Hon. Aishat Barde, stated that the Ministry has taken significant steps to address environmental challenges in the state.

She made this known during the tree planting event to mark this year’s World Environment Day at the State Secretariat complex in Jalingo.

The event started with a road walk from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to the State Secretariat on Wednesday, 5th June 2024, at around eight o’clock in the morning.

The Commissioner revealed that her Ministry is working on designing three comprehensive policy documents aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing renewable energy use, and promoting sustainable land and water management.

She emphasized that efforts are being made towards restoring degraded lands, protecting natural habitats, and investing in green infrastructure to build resilience against climate impacts, especially evident in the major roads of Jalingo city.

Furthermore, Hon. Aishat Barde stressed that the journey toward environmental sustainability and climate resilience requires collective action.

She highlighted the need for collective commitment to restoring ecosystems, protecting the planet, and ensuring a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.

The Commissioner emphasized the important role our ecosystems play in maintaining the balance of life on Earth, providing clean air, fresh water, fertile soil, and a stable climate.

Climate change, perennial flooding, soil erosion, biodiversity loss, pollution, landslides, and deforestation were pointed out as pressing issues that demand immediate and sustained attention.

According to her, the science is clear, and the impacts are visible, stressing that collective action is required from governments, businesses, communities, and individuals.

The Commissioner called on stakeholders to support and amplify community-led conservation initiatives, promote eco-friendly practices in daily lives, and support stronger environmental initiatives.

She also stressed the importance of education and awareness, ensuring that children understand the importance of protecting the environment and are equipped with the knowledge and skills to become future stewards of the planet.

Moreover, she emphasized that schools, media, and civic organizations play a crucial role in fostering a culture of environmental consciousness and responsibility.

In conclusion, Hon. Aishat Barde expressed her gratitude to the World Bank team, the National Coordinator and his team, and all environmental advocates, scientists, educators, and policymakers who have dedicated their lives to this cause.

As the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) embark on a nationwide strike over inability of the tripartite committee to agree on the new minimum wage and hike in electricity tariff commences tomorrow, a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations have decided to pulled out of the strike .

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations said the decision to pull out was taken out of considerations that the current economic situation and untold hardship facing Nigerians, as any nation strike now might degenerate into anarchy and make things worse.

The Nigeria Labour unions on Friday declared an indefinite nationwide strike, starting on Monday, June 3, 2024, due to the Federal Government’s refusal to increase the proposed minimum wage above N60,000.

But the CSOs in the press State statement gave reasons the labour unions should consider what the Federal uad offered on grounds that : ” A few percentage in Nigeria are the only one that are working and accept what the federal has offered.

In the press statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator and Secretary Dr. Mansir Jaafar Ndagi and Mr.Biodun Dele, the Coalition of CSOs cautioned the labour unions against should not jacking up minimum wage to the rate that the state governments will not be able to afford the pay.

“The fear arising from another rate of inflation should be matter for condition, should labour added money beyond the reasonable level.

” We are urging Federal government to increase the numbers of people that are giving conditional cash transfer,who are not in the working category'”. it added .

Meanwhile ,the CSOs urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene Toda to avert the indefinite strike action scheduled to start on Monday.

It however, appealed to the labour unions to shelve strike action immediately and go back to negotiating table to continue to discuss with FG with a mind set that majority of Nigerians are not civil servants.

The leadership and the entire members of Rescue Movement For New Nigeria aka Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative celebrate their worldwide capacity leader, Comrade Faduri Oluwadare Joseph popularly known as Fadojoe, as we mark the day such a star was born into this side of the planet.

Fadojoe, a multi talented and patriotic Nigerian is a celebrated musician, a seasoned MC, award winning Nollywood actor and producer that has good number of movies to his credit.

A philanthropist that his service to humanity has attracted both national and international well known awards.

Former presidential aspirant under Labour Party that is leading Rescue Movement as the lone voice of opposition, but very contractive in criticism, always aiming towards a better Nigeria as a country we all can be proud of and that Nigeria once again takes her place among the Comity of Nations.

An exemplary leader whose leadership capacity has built a movement across the entire country and still going.

Blessed is that day when God released you to be born a Nigerian as we look forward to when you will take over the mantle of leadership as the Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Happy birthday to you from all of us in Rescue Movement For New Nigeria aka Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative.

SIGNED:

Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba,
National Media Director,
Rescue Movement For New Nigeria aka Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative.
For and on behalf of the entire movement worldwide.

… Commends His Commitment to Ensuring Peace Progress, Development in the State

As Nigerians celebrate the Democracy Day, the Chairman, Legislative Service Commission, Kaduna State, Rt. Hon. Nuhu Goroh Shadalafiya has congratulated Governor Uba Sani on the completion of his first year in office.

The newly appointed Chairman, in a statement personally signed said the Governor has within the one year demonstrated a high sense of commitment and capacity to engender growth and development of the State via the SUSTAIN Agenda.

According to the Chairman, Governor Uba Sani has not only kept faith with the good people of Kaduna across the three Senatorial zones, but has also created atmosphere for a sustained peaceful coexistence.

The Statement further reads:”I am from the Southern part of Kaduna and I can authoritatively say without mincing words that my Southern Kaduna brothers are really at home with the Governor. We have seen his fair treatment and commitment to ensure peace , progressive and development in our zone.

“I congratulate our indefatigably Governor, Senator Uba Sani on the occasion of 2024 Nigeria’s Democracy Day Celebrations. Your emergence as Governor during the 2023 gubernatorial elections in the State is no doubt a milestone in the march to an enduring peace , progress and development of dear Kaduna .

“We reckoned and acknowledged the doggedness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and your humble self who struggled to ensure democracy takes root in Nigeria.

Shadalafiya however ,urged the residents and citizens to continue to support Governor Uba Sani led administration, with hope that his wealth of experience as Human Right activist; Lawmaker and Businessman will be brought to bear in making Kaduna to continually be great

Angry over proposed hike in electricity Tariff, Civil Society Organisations under umbrella of Forum for Good Governance in Nigeria( FGGN) said it has concluded arrangements to Embark on Protest on Thursday against the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu for insisting on electricity tariff hike, despite economic hardship facing Nigerians.

The CSOs, which described the position of the Minister as “Insensitive” said his claim that there would be total blackout in the country in the next three months if the proposed tariff hike is not implemented is wicked .

According to the CSOs, the excuse he also gave that “if the Federal government Continue To Pay Electricity Subsidy For Nigerians, Investors Will Not Come” is illusionary and unacceptable.

In a press statement jointly signed by National Coordinator and Secretary;Comrade Abraham Douglas and Comrade Bala Galadima Ikara, the FGGN that stated this, said rather talk about hike in tariff during this dwindling period of dearth of development in the country, the Minister is expected to work on measures to restore constant power supply that help to attract investors to establish sustainable business and boost the economy.

While supporting the Senate Committee on Power, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on concerns over the suffering of Nigerians, the CSOs however joined the Senate committee to rejected the new tariff regime.

The statement further reads: “We are standing as a voice for Nigerians to continue to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack the Minister of Power, Chief Adelabu Adebayo citing alleged ineptitude.

“Nigerians know that the Ministry of Power under Chief Adebayo Adelabu is ‘powerless’ and has no value addition either to Nigerians in general or the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration in particular.

“The level of cluelessness within the ministry is nauseating and embarrassing as our national electricity grid keeps collapsing like a pack of cards.

“Adelabu has no business remaining in the critical offices he occupies .For failing Nigerians he should just take the honourable path and resign, or be faced with a frequent civil society mass actions, because Nigerians are sick and tired of his weakness and lack or capacity to deliver on Tinubu’s campaign promise .

“Just imagine,within a quarter of a year, Nigeria has experienced six incidents of electricity grid collapse with an agonising reality of the poorest and most epileptic power supply in many years with attendant impact on businesses and the economy at large”.