Headline

National Peace Summit Scores FG Low, Demands Implementation of 2014 Confab, Improved Security Others

Published

5 years ago

December 18, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The National Prayer/Peace Summit has asked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the reports of the 2014 National Conference, which were decisions taken by the vast majority of Nigerians through selected representatives in 2014.

The conference, which lasted several weeks drew participants from every part of Nigeria, and is said to be all inclusive.

It also asked the federal government to take more interest in, and improve the security of the citizens in the face of incessant killings, kidnappings, armed robbery, terrorism and more, with the recent massacre of rice farmers in Borno State, and the abduction and release of over 330 schoolboys from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.

It further admonished the Buhari-led administration to learn from the churches in Nigeria on how they have ’embraced effective and efficient provision of services in the areas of Education, Electricity and Healthcare – all with resources of the Church’.

The Summit, chaired by the President, Christian Council of Nigeria, Most Rev. Benebo Fubera Fubera-Manual,
made this position known when it rose from a consultation meeting of the Steering/Facilitation Committee of Christian leaders in Lagos comprising leaders of thought drawn from various and diverse Christian organisations in Nigeria.

At the end of proceedings, the meeting made 26 major recommendations, which formed the communique, and signed by 16 representatives from diverse Christian denominations.

The resolutions, which were contained in a document titled CONSULTATION MEETING OF THE STEERING/FACILITATION COMMITTEE FOR PROPOSED NATIONAL PRAYERS/PEACE SUMMIT WITH CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN LAGOS HELD ON SUNDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2020, and made available to The Boss, noted as follows:

i. That the Church in Nigeria should play its appropriate role in guiding the government of the day.

ii. That the Church should be united to play this strategic role of guiding government.

iii. That the government should, as a matter of urgency, revisit the Report of the 2014. Constitutional Confab, and for that matter urgently take steps to actualize positive actions on Constitutional Review.

iv. That the Church should play a predominant role in preaching peace to Nigerians, thereby promoting unity in the Country.

V. That the Church should impress it on the Federal Government to take a cue on how the Church leadership in Nigeria had embraced effective and efficient provision of services in the areas of Education, Electricity and Healthcare – all with resources of the Church.

vi. That the Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, pay active attention to security and scale down the activities of insurgent groups.

vii. That the Church should set up budget monitoring teams (at both Federal and State levels) to enhance National growth

viii. That the Federal Government should take urgent steps to direct Universities in the country to resume academic activities in order to reduce youth restiveness.

ix. That the Church should be co-opted to play a defined role in promoting grassroot development.

x. That Traditional Rulers should be engaged actively to play positive roles on governance to promote peace and development.

xi. That Government should carry out a survey on the demography of Nigerians in order to pin-point key areas of needed social investment.

xii. That Government should recognise that truth is the only factor that can heal the wounds in our country.

xiii. That the Church should not fail to play its expected strong spiritual role in building the conscience of the nation, so that truth and justice can always be promoted.

xiv. That the Church should preach the full gospel of Jesus Christ by speaking truth to the leadership of the country as everything that emanate from the pulpit collectively shape the social and political outlook of a country.

xv. That the Federal Government should place high premium on human life, as the primary responsibility of every government is the promotion of the welfare of its citizens.

xvi. That Government should re-evaluate our educational system that places too much emphasis on paper qualifications, but instead promote the acquisition of technical skills that can engender more development.

xvii. That the Church Leadership should liaise with identified or perceived Leaders of the recent “ENDSARS” protests and advise them to jetlison any plan of embarking on a second “ENDSARS” protest, but instead enter into dialogue with the Federal Government.

xviii. That the Federal Government should stop paying lip service to the various issues of security, hunger and social justice, but instead create an environment of fairness and equity for all and sundry.

The document was signed by:

Most Rev. Benebo Fubera Fubera-Manual
President, Christian Council of Nigeria.

ii) Mrs. Laurenstia Mallam Catholic Women Leader

I. M. Mukail, Youth leader, St. Mary’s Catholic Church Magboro.

iv) Amb. Nnaemeka Akpee
National Youth President, Kingdom Ways Living Church.

v) Pastor Wole Oladiyun
Senior Pastor, Christ Living Spring Apostolic Ministry.

vi) Pastor Chioma Mercy Ndeobi
Senior Pastor, Straight Gate International Church, Ikeja.

vii) Apostle Paul Ndeobi
General Overseer, Straight Gate International Church, Ikeja.

viii) Rev Dr. Peace Goodday
Lead Pastor, Christ Believers Church.

iv) Bishop (Dr) Olufemi Bankole
Presiding Bishop, the Redeemer Apostolic Mission.

x) Rt. Rev. Best F. Orike
CCN Church Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria.

xi) The Most Rev Alfred A. Martins
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos
(Represented by Rev. Fr. Vitalis Ezeigwe)

xii) Very Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemera
General Secretary, Christian Council of Nigeria.

xiii) Pastor J. T. Kalejaiye
Redeemed Christian Church of God.

xiv) Superior Evangelist Mathew Olatosho Oshoffa
Celestial Church of Christ.

xv) Hon. Mary Manzo
Evangelist, World Royal City Church
Founder, Mary Elika-Foundation.

xvi) Archbishop (Prof.) M. A. FADEYI
Presiding Bishop, Christian Faith Assembly Inc.

The National Prayer/Peace Summit is the brain child of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission, Reverend Yakubu Pam.

Headline

Corruption Allegations: NMDPRA Boss Farouk Ahmed Meets Tinubu, Resigns

Published

7 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Eric

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has resigned following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu amid corruption allegations.

Tinubu, on Wednesday, summoned Ahmed to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, following allegations of economic sabotage and corruption.

Also caught in the web of resignation was the CEO of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Gbenga Komolafe, according to a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy.

Tinubu was said to have nominated successors to the senate for approval.

“Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nominations of two new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),” the statement reads.

“The requests followed the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC.

“Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.”

Onanuga said the two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.

Headline

Alleged Corrupt Practices: Dangote Petitions ICPC Against NMDPRA MD Farouk

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Eric

Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has formally submitted a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) against the Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Ahmed Farouk, over alleged corruption and financial impropriety.

The petition, dated December 16, 2025, was submitted through Dangote’s lawyer, Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, and received at the office of the ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN.

In the petition, Dangote called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the NMDPRA boss, alleging that Farouk has been living far above his legitimate means as a public servant.

Dangote specifically accused Ahmed Farouk of allegedly spending over seven million United States dollars on the education of his four children in Switzerland, paid upfront for a six-year period, without any lawful explanation for the source of the funds.

According to the petition, the four children and their respective schools in Switzerland were clearly identified, along with the amounts paid on their behalf, to enable the ICPC verify the allegations.

The industrialist further alleged that Farouk Ahmed had been using his position at the NMDPRA to embezzle and divert public funds for personal gain and private interests, actions which he claimed had recently triggered public protests and widespread criticism of the agency.

Dangote maintained that Ahmed Farouk has spent his adult life working in Nigeria’s public sector, adding that his cumulative earnings over the years could not reasonably account for the alleged seven million dollars reportedly spent on the overseas education of his children.

“It is without doubt that the above facts in relation to abuse of office, breach of the Code of Conduct for public officers, corrupt enrichment and embezzlement constitute gross acts of corruption, for which your Commission is statutorily empowered under Section 19 of the ICPC Act to investigate and prosecute,” the petition stated.

It further noted that under the same section of the ICPC Act, any person found guilty of such offences is liable to imprisonment for a term of five years without an option of fine.

Dangote urged the commission to act decisively, stressing that the ICPC, alongside other anti-graft agencies, is strategically positioned to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences.

“In view of the foregoing, we call on the Commission under your leadership to investigate the complaint of abuse of office and corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting,” the petition added.

The Dangote Group Chairman also expressed confidence that the matter, being in the public domain, would not be ignored, urging the ICPC to act in the interest of justice and to protect the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Dangote further pledged his readiness to provide additional evidence to substantiate his allegations of corrupt enrichment, abuse of office and impunity against the NMDPRA Managing Director.

Headline

Tinubu Didn’t Win 2023 Election, Will Lose in 2027 – Abaribe

Published

2 days ago

December 16, 2025

Eric

The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has predicted that it would be impossible for President Bola Tinubu to win second termn in the 2027 presidential election.

Abaribe, who claimed that the President never won the 2023 election, said the level of hardship Nigerians are currently facing has made them more determined to ensure that Tinubu does not return as president after 2027.

Reacting to suggestions that Tinubu has never lost an election, Abaribe, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, said, “I do not think so. Everybody loses elections, and you will see when the time comes. He will lose in 2027 because I know what Nigerians are feeling outside.”

He added: “Tinubu never won the 2023 election, and everybody knows it. But we said fine, he has been declared the winner, no problem. We acknowledge him as president, but we are going to meet him in the field, and I will see how he is going to cobble together what will make him win again.

“It won’t work, because this time everybody will be ready. It will no longer be an announcement at 3am before people wake up in the morning. This time, people are ready; we are ready, and the masses are even more ready.”

The senator, who said the economy has collapsed under Tinubu and that the president has yet to solve the problem of insecurity, wondered where he would get the votes to win in 2027.

On the defection of some opposition leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abaribe vowed never to join the wave, saying he would be the last person to do so.

He said that rather than strengthening the APC as a party, the defections would deepen internal divisions and fuel leadership tussles.

“If there is anybody who is going to defect to the APC, I think I should be the very, very last one. By the time I defect, it would mean there are no parties left in Nigeria, including the APC,” he said.

“I have a very simple theory about defections. I think it is very good for us in the opposition that these defections are happening. All the APC is doing is absorbing all the problems it is going to face; they are right inside the party now. Ask yourself, in all the states where there are defections, what is going on there now?”

The lawmaker described the APC as a giant with feet of clay, saying the opposition would target its weak points during the election, leading to its collapse.

Abaribe, who reaffirmed his membership of the opposition coalition, said there is a consensus among opposition leaders to unite in order to dislodge the APC from power.

The coalition has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the platform for the 2027 elections, but many have claimed the move is a strategy to enthrone Atiku Abubakar and compel all opposition members to support him.

However, Abaribe disagreed, saying the party has yet to release its guidelines and other arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.