Breaking
BREAKING: Ohanaeze Requests for Additional State in the South-East
BREAKING: Ohanaeze Requests for Additional State in the South-East
By Anthony Beauty
Owerri, Nigeria – In a bold move, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, has formally appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly for the creation of a new state in the Southeast region to rectify the longstanding issue of inequality. Ohanaeze’s President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, tabled this demand during a press briefing in Owerri, stressing that if the Federal Government fails to respond positively, they would pursue legal action to interpret Nigeria’s constitution accurately.
The crux of Ohanaeze’s request lies in the perceived injustice stemming from the Southeast’s limited representation and the evident disregard for the principle of Federal Character in recent appointments to the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Out of 48 appointments made, only five ministers were chosen from the Southeast, a significant underrepresentation.
Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, while addressing the issue, stated, “Ohaneze-Ndigbo stands for equity and justice. Ohaneze-Ndigbo believes that equity and justice are fundamental prerequisites for an enduring harmonious relationship in a country such as Nigeria with many diversities.”
The Southeast has historically had only five states, while other regions have a minimum of six or seven. This disparity has repercussions, as many appointments and resource allocations are based on the equality of states. This inequality has not only led to a lack of political representation but also financial losses over the past three decades.
Iwuanyanwu emphasized, “For the avoidance of doubt, Southeast is committed to the peace, progress, and development of all parts of Nigeria; we, therefore, appeal to the President and the National Assembly to look into our case and ensure that the National Executive Council is adjusted to reflect the Federal Character.”
This appeal comes in the wake of ongoing debates surrounding the creation of more states in Nigeria. Particularly, during the era of former President Goodluck Jonathan, discussions seemed to favor the South-East, as it is the only geopolitical zone with five states, unlike others with at least six each. There were even discussions of establishing an “Anioma State” for the Igbo-speaking communities in present-day Delta and Edo States.
However, the political will to effect these changes has been lacking, even during President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term. Notably, various ethnic groups across Nigeria are also advocating for the creation of new states to ensure a more equitable sense of belonging and representation.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s formal request for a new state in the Southeast marks a significant step in addressing the long-standing issue of regional imbalance and unequal representation within the Nigerian political landscape. The ball is now in the court of the Federal Government and the National Assembly, and the response to this appeal will undoubtedly shape the future of Nigeria’s quest for fairness and justice.
By Admin
In a major shake-up of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mallam Mele Kyari and Board Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure, along with all board members appointed in November 2023.
This development was announced early Wednesday in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. The statement revealed that a newly constituted 11-member board will now oversee the affairs of NNPC Limited, with Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari taking over as the Group CEO and Ahmadu Musa Kida assuming the role of Non-Executive Chairman.
Additionally, President Tinubu appointed Adedapo Segun, who replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as the Chief Financial Officer last year, as a board member. The board also includes six non-executive directors representing Nigeria’s geopolitical zones: Bello Rabiu (North West), Yusuf Usman (North East), and Babs Omotowa, former Managing Director of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), representing North Central. From the southern regions, Austin Avuru (South-South), David Ige (South-West), and Henry Obih (South-East) were also named as non-executive directors.
Further, Mrs. Lydia Shehu Jafiya, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and Aminu Said Ahmed from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources will represent their respective ministries on the board.
The statement emphasized that “all the appointments are effective today, April 2.” It also outlined Tinubu’s rationale for the restructuring, citing Section 59, subsection 2 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. According to Onanuga, the move is aimed at “enhancing operational efficiency, restoring investor confidence, boosting local content, driving economic growth, and advancing gas commercialisation and diversification.”
Furthermore, President Tinubu has tasked the newly appointed board with conducting a “strategic portfolio review of NNPC-operated and joint venture assets to ensure alignment with value maximisation objectives.”
Under Tinubu’s leadership, the federal government has been implementing major reforms in the oil sector to attract more investment. In 2023, NNPC recorded $17 billion in new investments, with the administration now aiming to increase that figure to $30 billion by 2027 and $60 billion by 2030.
The government also has ambitious targets for oil and gas production. The goal is to raise daily crude oil output to two million barrels by 2027 and three million barrels by 2030. Likewise, gas production is expected to reach 8 billion cubic feet per day by 2027 and expand further to 10 billion cubic feet daily by 2030.
Additionally, Tinubu has charged the new board with increasing NNPC’s crude oil refining capacity. “The new board is expected to elevate NNPC’s share of crude oil refining output to 200,000 barrels by 2027 and reach 500,000 by 2030,” the statement noted.
The newly appointed board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, hails from Borno State. A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a degree in civil engineering, Kida also holds a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris.
His career in the oil and gas industry began at Elf Petroleum Nigeria before moving to Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985. He later rose to the position of Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services at Total Nigeria in 2015. Last year, he became an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group.
Beyond his contributions to the oil sector, Kida is well-known in the sports community as a former basketball player and the President of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF).
Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the newly appointed NNPC Limited Group CEO, is from Kwara State. Before his appointment, he was the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. His recent efforts led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the $2.4 billion acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC).
Ojulari is also a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a degree in mechanical engineering. His career started at Elf Aquitaine, where he became the first Nigerian process engineer before transitioning to Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991. Over the years, he worked in various roles in Europe and the Middle East, excelling as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager.
In 2015, Ojulari was appointed Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO). He also served as chairman and a board trustee member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and is a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the former NNPC board members for their contributions, particularly in overseeing the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. Their efforts led to the resumption of petroleum product production after years of inactivity. He wished them success in their future endeavors.
By Divine Perezide
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe, a former senator from Kwara Central, as the new Chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). The appointment, which took effect on March 11, 2025, is set for an initial term of four years.
The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Sunday. Dr. Oloriegbe, a seasoned healthcare professional and policymaker, previously led the Senate Committee on Health between 2019 and 2023. He also chaired the Joint National Assembly Committee on Health, where he played a key role in shaping health policies.
Dr. Oloriegbe brings a strong academic background to his new role. He holds a Master’s degree in Coaching and Consultation from the University of Oxford and HEC Paris, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. His professional affiliations include membership in the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), and the International AIDS Society (IAS).
His appointment is expected to strengthen the NHIA’s leadership and enhance health insurance accessibility in Nigeria. This decision aligns with President Tinubu’s boader strategy of appointing experienced professionals to key positions in the health sector to drive meaningful reforms.
Would you like any further refinements?
Video details:
Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State bans the planned hosting of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike anywhere in Bayelsa State.
IduwiniVoice
Credit: Channels Television