Year: 2025

TotalEnergies sells stake in Bonga field to Shell

 

TotalEnergies has announced that its subsidiary, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, has signed an agreement with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd for the sale of its non-operated 12.5 per cent interest in the OML118 Production Sharing Contract.

 

In a statement on Thursday, the company disclosed that the deal is valued at $510m.

 

OML118 PSC is operated by SNEPCo (55 per cent), in partnership with Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (20 per cent), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria (12.5 per cent), and Nigerian Agip Exploration (12.5 per cent).

 

“TotalEnergies announces that its subsidiary, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria, signed an agreement with Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd for the sale of its non-operated 12.5 per cent interest in the OML118 Production Sharing Contract for an amount of $510m,” the company disclosed.

 

Located deep offshore at 120 km south of the Niger Delta in Nigeria, it contains the Bonga field, which started production in 2005, as well as the Bonga North field, the development of which started in 2024.

 

The statement explained that production from the OML 118 PSC, which is mainly oil, represents approximately 11,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the Company’s share in 2024.

According to TotalEnergies, the completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.

 

The President of Exploration & Production at TotalEnergies, Nicolas Terraz, said the firm would now focus on assets with low technical costs and emissions.

 

Terraz stated that it company also intends to lower its cash breakeven.

 

He added that the company is focusing on its operated gas and offshore oil assets and is currently progressing the development of the Ubeta project, designed to sustain gas supply to Nigeria LNG.

 

“TotalEnergies continues to actively high-grade its Upstream portfolio, to focus on assets with low technical costs and low emissions, and to lower its cash breakeven.

 

“The company is focusing on its operated gas and offshore oil assets and is currently progressing the development of the Ubeta project, designed to sustain gas supply to Nigeria LNG,” Terraz stated.

NDLEA arrests would-be pilgrims with cocaine 29th Ma

 

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), on Wednesday, revealed the arrest of two individuals who attempted to smuggle cocaine while posing as pilgrims en route to Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj.

 

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control meeting in Abuja, Marwa disclosed that the suspects had ingested the illicit drug, pretending to be devout Muslims embarking on the holy pilgrimage.

 

“Just a few days ago, we arrested two would-be pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. They swallowed cocaine, pretending to be going to the country to pray,” he said.

 

The NDLEA boss expressed concern over the disturbing trend of criminal networks exploiting religious sentiments, especially during Hajj, to traffic drugs internationally.

 

“We have had incidents where people were deceived in the name of Hajj.

 

Two years ago, three women were duped. Some individuals offered to pay for their tickets, and visas among others. Before they left, they were given a small bag to deliver to a supposed relative in Saudi Arabia. Unknown to them, cocaine had been sewn into the lining of the bag,” he recounted.

 

Marwa noted that despite funding challenges affecting the full implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan (2021–2025), the agency remained steadfast in its mission.

“Instead, we stay resolute, drawing strength from our shared vision, commitment, and collective responsibility to overcome this limitation. Encouragingly, certain developments promise to bolster the achievement of our objectives. One such step is the amendment of the NDLEA Act, which is expected to significantly strengthen the agency’s institutional capacity in drug supply reduction. I am pleased to inform this esteemed assembly that the amended Act has been passed by the National Assembly and is currently awaiting presidential assent,” he stated.

 

Reviewing major programmes implemented across the strategic pillars of the NDCMP in 2023 and 2024, Marwa said the agency made commendable progress on the Fourth National Action Plan, in comparison with previous iterations.

 

“Under the Supply Reduction pillar, our operational efforts and strategic offensives led to the arrest of 31,334 drug offenders, of whom 6,839 were convicted.

 

“We also recorded the seizure of 4,333,636.9 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs and undertook the destruction of 426.46724 hectares of cannabis farms.

 

Under the Drug Demand Reduction strategic pillar, we provided counselling and rehabilitation services to 19,033 individuals, “ he added.

 

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, expressed hope that the recent amendment of the NDLEA Act by the National Assembly would bolster Nigeria’s drug control efforts once signed by President Bola Tinubu.

 

He said, “The Federal Ministry of Justice has worked together with the NDLEA to ensure that our national legal system effectively supports the drug control efforts of the Agency. We are at the final stage of the amendment process for the NDLEA Act, which will significantly enhance the organizational capability of the Agency to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria. The ministry is also providing appropriate support in the area of proceeds of crime management, which is essential for dismantling the financial networks of drug traffickers.

NiMet, HEDA partner to boost climate information for small-scale farmers

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency and Human and Environmental Development Agenda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve access to weather and climate information for smallholder farmers across Nigeria.

 

This development was announced in a statement released by NiMet’s media team on Wednesday following the signing of a MoU at the agency’s headquarters.

 

“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has formalised its partnership with the Human and Environmental Development Agenda by signing a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding agro-meteorological information delivery to smallholder farmers across Nigeria,” the statement partly reads.

 

The new agreement builds on a collaborative relationship that began in 2010 and signals a renewed joint commitment to delivering timely, accessible climate data to rural communities.

 

Present at the signing ceremony were Sulaimon Arigbabu, Executive Secretary of HEDA Resource Centre, and Miss Tonye Dappa, Legal and Liaison Officer, who both expressed appreciation to NiMet’s Director-General and CEO, Professor Charles Anosike, for his ongoing support and leadership.

NiMet Boss, Anosike highlighted the role of partnerships in connecting climate science with grassroots action.

 

He also offered NiMet’s studio facilities for the co-creation of climate education content tailored to farmers.

 

According to the statement, the collaboration aims to expand access to climate information, enhance disaster preparedness, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen national resilience to climate impacts.

 

“The partnership is expected to improve early warning systems, support climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen national resilience to climate change.

 

“Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to inclusive access to vital weather and climate information,” the statement concluded.

Juma Jux surprises Priscilla Ojo with Range Rover during wedding in Tanzania

 

Tanzanian music star, Juma Jux, surprised his bride, Priscilla Ojo, with a brand-new Range Rover during the reception of their grand, multi-country wedding finale, themed ‘African Royal Wedding’, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Wednesday.

 

During the final leg of the ceremony, Juma made a heartwarming announcement, asking guests to follow him outside for what he called a “small gift” for his wife.

 

“Please, I want everybody to follow me outside, I have a very small gift for my baby. Can you guys follow me outside?

 

“Baby, it is not big, it is small…” the East African artist said.

 

As the crowd exited the beautifully decorated hall, they gathered around in anticipation.

 

Priscilla screamed excitedly upon seeing the surprise, a luxurious Range Rover adorned with red ribbons and filled with red balloons.

 

She was ushered into the front seat, where Juma joined her, both of them visibly overwhelmed by the moment, surrounded by guests and well-wishers.

 

As one of Juma’s hit songs, “Shaylaa,” played in the background, Priscilla’s mother, Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo, was seen glowing with pride and joy.

She cheered on the couple, calling out affectionate names like, “Juma Odogwu”, “My Presido,” “Priscilla,” and “Odogwu.”

 

Priscilla hugged and kissed her husband in appreciation of the lavish gesture, eventually breaking into tears. “Thank you,” she said emotionally.

 

Watch video below

 

 

In another clip, Iyabo Ojo was spotted with reality TV star, Chioma Ikokwu, popularly known as Chioma GoodHair, proudly declaring, “we brag differently,” as they celebrated the memorable moment.

 

The wedding, dubbed JP2025, had numerous Nigerian celebrities in attendance, including Funke Akindele, Enioluwa, Jaiye Kuti, Chioma Ikokwu, Lola Alao, Michelle Gentry, among other notable personalities.

Earlier, PUNCH Online reported that Juma Jux had announced May 28 as the date for the final wedding celebration with Priscilla Ojo.

 

He made the announcement via a video on his Instagram story, revealing that the grand finale would be held in his home country.

PDP Crisis: No intimidation will make me deny Wike — Anyanwu

 

 

As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party over the position of National Secretary remains unresolved, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who maintains that he is still the PDP National Secretary, stated that no intimidation will make him disown the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

 

In an interview with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Anyanwu questioned what offenses he could have committed for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to want him removed.

 

Since the 2023 elections, the PDP has been mired in internal conflicts, which intensified in December 2024 when the South East Zonal Caucus and a lower court recognised former National Youth Leader Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.

 

While PDP governors, the Board of Trustees, and the National Working Committee accepted the court ruling, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, challenged it at the Supreme Court. On March 21, the court nullified Anyanwu’s removal, ruling that internal party matters are beyond the judiciary’s jurisdiction.

 

Following the ruling, on April 14, PDP governors requested the South East to present a new nominee, resulting in Deputy Secretary Setonji Koshoedo being appointed Acting National Secretary. His nomination was ratified by the NWC during its 600th meeting on April 29.

 

Despite this, the dispute over the National Secretary position continues to divide the party’s leadership, with many blaming former Rivers State Governor Wike, who on Sunday withdrew from the PDP peace pact.

 

Anyanwu questioned the urgency behind some PDP governors’ efforts to remove him, especially with less than five months remaining in his term.

 

He stated, “My question is, what will Governor Makinde say that I did to him? Have I stressed him for any reason? Have I called him funny names? What is my sin? What is my problem with him? Have I done anything against him? What have I done against him? I consider him as my friend.

“When people have a motive, a vision, what would my vision be? Whether you want to be president, whether you want to be governor, what would my position do? My position will end by December. Election is 2027. Primaries are 2026. I will not be there. So what would my position now do?

 

“His Excellency, the FCT Minister, is my friend and my boss, and I can never, for any intimidation, deny him. Nobody can make me deny my friend because after position, there’s still life.

 

“This is what I tell my NWC members. We came here as a united family. It would be nice for us to go as a united family. So that we can still meet tomorrow and say we are brothers. We served an organization. Let nobody try to fragment the National Working Committee. We have been here for three years plus. We just have four months to go. Let us do it and go in peace.

 

“We just have a few months to go. Why would anybody want to break his head? Some people will say Senator Anyanwu, he is pro-Wike. What is pro-Wike? Everybody knows his role in this party. Everybody knows when it mattered most. He was there for the party.”

 

Anyanwu urged party leaders to handle the situation carefully to protect the future of the PDP.

 

He continued, “So, I think that our parties should be very careful. They should be very, very careful.

“And you see, I respect our governors. I respect them because I know it’s not easy to be a governor. But that you’re a governor does not mean that you cannot come out and tell your colleagues the truth. They know the truth. Why are they shying away from it? They know the truth.”

I’ll borrow when absolutely necessary – Otti

 

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that his administration will only borrow money to run the state when it is absolutely necessary.

 

The governor made the vow in Umuahia on Wednesday during a lecture series to mark his two years in office.

 

Otti, while responding to some of the issues raised by the lecturer, Dr Idika Kalu, a one-time Finance Minister, said borrowing was not to be done recklessly, adding that he would only borrow when necessary.

 

The governor said he had to inculcate financial discipline and responsibility in the system to get the state to a greater level.

 

He said he had been paying workers and pensioners, having found that it made more economic sense to pay than to keep the money at the bank.

 

“We shall commit the remaining two years of this term to institutionalising the reforms that have been initiated.

 

“Collectively, we shall make Abia the hub of transformational ideas; we shall not be tired of listening to new ideas, for that is the path to continuous growth and progress,” Otti stated.

 

The governor thanked Kalu for accepting the invitation to deliver his administration’s second anniversary lecture.

 

Otti said the state put the lecture together to “talk to ourselves honestly and evaluate how far we have come, what we have done right, and what we can do better.”

In his lecture, the former Minister of Finance urged the governor to borrow to expand projects that would create value for the state.

 

The octogenarian maintained that such borrowing was not bad once it was done in the interest of the state.

 

The lecture was titled, “Two years of transformation; Sustaining the momentum.”

 

Kalu also urged Otti to use the media in major roles in his development efforts because of its power to cause change.

 

“The media can help this nation get back to life so don’t give them minor roles but give them key roles,” Kalu said.

Kalu commended Otti for his numerous projects some of which he said he had seen delivered while some are still ongoing.

 

He urged the government to always abide by the rule of law and to show examples of how things should be done rightly and uprightly.

 

Kalu harped on the need to punish errant persons who instilled impunity in the society, noting that a society where impunity reigned was not modernised.

 

NAN

AI won’t replace artists, will boost creativity – Spotify CEO

 

The founder and Chief Executive Officer of music streaming giant, Spotify, Daniel Ek, has said that Artificial intelligence will drive more people to create music and should not be seen as a threat to the industry.

 

Speaking at an Open House event at Spotify’s headquarters in Stockholm, Ek addressed growing concerns surrounding the use of AI in music production.

 

Some worry that machine-generated tracks — even those attributed to entirely fabricated artists — could eventually sideline human musicians.

“I’m mostly optimistic and mostly very excited because we’re just at the beginning of understanding this future of creativity that we’re entering,” Ek told reporters

 

AI will boost music creativity, not replace artists – Spotify CEO

Join fight against corruption, ICPC urges youth

 

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission has called for the active involvement of youths in the fight against corruption in the country.

 

The Resident Anti-corruption Commissioner in Osun State, Yusuf Olatunji, made the call on Wednesday in Osogbo during an anti-corruption competition organised by the Commission in collaboration with the Osun State Government for secondary school students in the state.

 

The ICPC boss said the fight against corruption is not a one-man war, adding that corruption portends danger to every sector of national life.

 

“The fight against corruption is not a one-man war; it requires collective responsibility, inter-agency synergy, and above all, the active involvement of our youths.

 

“The theme of this programme, ‘Corruption: A Virus That We Must Eradicate’, is profoundly relevant and timely. Just like a deadly virus, corruption infects every sector of our national life. It weakens our ever-joined institutions, distorts our values, deprives citizens of basic services, and stifles development.

“Like a virus, corruption mutates, it adapts, finds new hosts, and spreads across generations if left unchecked. And like a virus, it requires a deliberate, strategic, and well-coordinated response involving both prevention and enforcement,” Olatunji said.

 

Olatunji subsequently advised the younger generation to take the bull by the horns and make a difference in the fight against corruption, urging parents and teachers to be good role models to the younger ones.

 

He said, “You are not too young to make a difference. Your voices matter. Your creativity matters. Your ideals, when rooted in integrity, are powerful tools that can challenge societal norms and inspire others to do what is right.

 

“Let me emphasise this: the battle against corruption begins in the mind. It begins with personal choices, choosing to do your assignments honestly, refusing to engage in examination malpractice, reporting injustice when you see it, and treating others with fairness and respect. We must, therefore, continue to invest in character development and civic education. Our educational institutions must become sanctuaries of integrity and innovation.”

 

In his remarks at the event, the chairman of Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr Ibukun Fadipe, who commended the organisers of the competition, said the state government would establish anti-corruption groups in the secondary schools across the state.

Wike refutes NEMA report, dismisses Abuja suicide bomber claim

 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports that an explosion at the Mogadishu Barracks in Abuja was the result of a failed suicide bombing attempt.

 

Speaking to journalists following road inspections on Wednesday, Wike clarified that the victim had unknowingly stolen an Improvised Explosive Device from a quarry, adding that the report by the National Emergency Management Agency was inaccurate.

 

“The security agencies never stated that it was a suicide bomber. Therefore, we should avoid creating unnecessary fear among the public. NEMA is not the lead security agency; security agencies are responsible for such matters.

 

“What happened was that someone went to a quarry site, where rocks are blasted, and took an explosive device, placing it in his pocket without understanding its danger. The device then detonated on him.

“This does not mean it was a suicide bombing. We must be careful with the narratives we promote; we should not send misleading messages to residents,” he emphasised.

 

Earlier, The PUNCH reported that an explosion at the barracks along the Nyanya-Mararaba road had caused panic among residents and passersby.

 

While NEMA had claimed the explosion was caused by a failed suicide bomber attempting to enter the barracks with the IED, the Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, stated that the Police had launched a thorough investigation, including forensic analysis, to ascertain the cause and nature of the explosion.

EU unveils plan to stop startups from moving to US

 

The European Commission inaugurated a strategy on Wednesday to promote small businesses and assist them to grow in an attempt to keep these companies in Europe.

 

“Startups and scaleups are essential to Europe’s future, driving innovation and sustainable growth, creating high-quality jobs, attracting investment, and reducing strategic dependencies.

 

“Yet, despite the strong foundations, too many still struggle to take ideas from the lab to market or grow at scale within the EU,’’ the commission said at the inauguration.

 

While more startups were founded in the EU than in the U.S., almost 30 per cent of EU “unicorn’’ startups moved their headquarters out of the bloc over the past 15 years, ” the commission, Vice president Stéphane Séjourné, said.

 

According to previous information from the commission, most unicorn startups that grew to be worth more than one billion dollars moved to the U.S.

 

Sejourné said the aim was to seek ways to keep successful startups that were currently in their growth phase and in need of financing in the EU.

The commission envisaged 20 measures to stop companies moving abroad.

 

It focuses on strategic technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced semiconductors, biotechnology, clean technologies and energy, defence and space, and robotics.

 

Regulations on insolvency, labour, and tax law are to be simplified, and companies would be able to communicate digitally with government authorities throughout the EU.

 

Improved financing and investment options are to be made available, and access to skilled workers is to be improved.

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