Year: 2025

NCDMB, Renaissance Energy Commit to Collaboration, Local Content Developmen

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, on Wednesday expressed total support for the vision and long-term plan of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, a consortium that concluded acquisition of onshore oil assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in March 2025.

Addressing a high-powered delegation of the company in his office at the Nigerian Content Tower (NCT) in Swali, Yenagoa, Engr. Ogbe said indigenous oil and gas companies are ever assured of an enabling environment by the Board, and that its Management team would be willing to engage with their counterparts from the Renaissance Group whenever the need arose.

He commended the company’s emphasis on Nigerian Content and plans to establish a foothold in other countries across Africa, assuring the delegation that NCDMB would provide their company with “double enabling environment” in support of its growth in Nigeria and abroad.

The NCDMB boss noted that Renaissance Africa Energy Company has a promising future, given the very competent hands in its employ who had held responsible positions in companies with track records of performance in the oil and gas sector.

Earlier the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Tony Attah, had thanked the Executive Secretary for the warm reception, assuring him and the NCDMB Management, “We are ourselves Nigerian Content – we’re wholly Nigerian.”

On the company’s long-term plan, he said, “We invest in Nigeria, but represent Nigerian Content across Africa…. Our mission is to be the African leader in energy but most importantly to enable energy security, to enable industrialisation.”

In his own remarks, the Chairman of the Renaissance Group, Dr. Layi Fatona, recalled that the NCDMB had been very supportive to the SPDC in the past, and that it was their expectation that the new company which has acquired the assets of the Anglo-Dutch giant would continue to enjoy the same relationship.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination of the NCDMB, Barr. Esueme Dan Kikile, in a brief comment noted that the vision of the NCDMB aligns with that of Renaissance, and that the two organisations would be able to collaborate productively to advance local content.

Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited is a consortium comprising four leading indigenous oil companies, namely, ND Western Limited, Aradel Holdings, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P), and Waltersmith Group, and an international energy company known as Petroni.

 

 

 

The distinguished Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Navy, His Excellency, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, has extended warm congratulations to Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

 

In a heartfelt message, Senator Daniel praised Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing for his outstanding dedication and immense contributions to the Nigerian housing sector. He described the celebrant as a shining example in the business community, whose passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on the real estate industry across Nigeria.

 

“You are indeed a source of inspiration to your generation and a shining example within the business environment. There is no doubt that you had written your name in an indelible ink across Nigeria and most especially among the real estate developers,” he wrote.

 

Senator Daniel also acknowledged Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing’s conferment as the ‘Otun-Asiwaju of Remo Christians’ by the Ogun State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), as a reflection of his God-fearing nature, philanthropic spirit, and commitment to humanity.

 

The senator offered prayers for good health, greater accomplishments, and many more remarkable years ahead for the business mogul.

 

He concluded by affirming his highest regards and admiration for the celebrant.

The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has declared the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly illegal and unconstitutional.

 

In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro nullified the House’s proceedings and resolutions of January that led to Obasa’s ouster.

 

Obasa had filed a suit against the Lagos State House of Assembly and Mojisola Meranda, who was named the new Speaker, challenging the legality of the process that resulted in his removal.

 

Represented by his counsel, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, Obasa argued that the decision to remove him was taken by 36 lawmakers while the Assembly was on recess and he was out of the country

He maintained that the session was invalid, as it was convened without his authority or a formal delegation of power, in violation of the House’s procedures.

 

The suit was based on nine grounds, referencing relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Standing Orders of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

 

Details later…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has dissociated itself from the ongoing circulation of false, misleading, and criminal messages targeting candidates who registered for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

 

The JAMB spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, said the messages were being disseminated by suspected fraudsters to defraud unsuspecting individuals.

 

Benjamin noted that the perpetrators had exploited the numerical variant of UTME, 8863, and merged it with the Board’s short code, 55019, to create a deceptive code that mimics JAMB’s official messaging system.

 

According to him, through this fraudulent scheme, they have been sending misleading messages to candidates, falsely claiming to detect manipulations in their JAMB details and urging them to contact certain individuals who would “assist” in resolving these fabricated issues.

“We want to emphasise that these messages are not from JAMB. Security agencies have been notified and are actively tracking the perpetrators behind this scam.

 

“Candidates are strongly advised to ignore such messages. This is a common tactic employed by fraudsters who seek to exploit the examination period to deceive and defraud innocent candidates.”

 

He, therefore, urged the general public to remain vigilant and critically assess the messages they receive, adding that any communication that does not align with JAMB’s official channels or uses suspicious language or instructions should be treated as fraudulent.

Gabon international striker Aaron Boupendza died on Wednesday at the age of 28 when he fell from the 11th floor of a building in China, according to the national football federation (Fegafoot).

 

“The Gabonese international died following a fall from the 11th floor of his building in China, where he was playing for Zhejiang FC,” the federation said in a statement on X.

 

“Aged 28, Boupendza leaves us with the memory of a great striker who left his mark on the CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) in Cameroon.”

 

In 2022, the Panthers were eliminated in the last 16 of the AFCON by Burkina Faso.

 

“Fegafoot and the entire Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his biological family,” the federation added.

 

Gabonese president-elect Brice Oligui Nguema also took to X to add his condolences.

 

“It is with immense sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football,” he posted.

 

Broadcaster Gabon 24 said that while “the exact circumstances of this tragedy are still unclear,” an investigation is underway to establish the facts.

 

Born in Moanda, Boupendza joined French side Bordeaux in 2016, spending most of his time on loan at other French clubs.

 

In 2020 he signed for Turkish side Hatayspor, and was top scorer in the Super Lig in 2020–21 before moving on to Al Arabi, with whom he won the Qatar FA Cup, and Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.

 

Spells in the USA with FC Cincinnati and Romania’s Rapid Bucharest followed ahead of his move to China in January.

Gabon international striker Aaron Boupendza died on Wednesday at the age of 28 when he fell from the 11th floor of a building in China, according to the national football federation (Fegafoot).

 

“The Gabonese international died following a fall from the 11th floor of his building in China, where he was playing for Zhejiang FC,” the federation said in a statement on X.

 

“Aged 28, Boupendza leaves us with the memory of a great striker who left his mark on the CAN (Africa Cup of Nations) in Cameroon.”

In 2022, the Panthers were eliminated in the last 16 of the AFCON by Burkina Faso.

 

“Fegafoot and the entire Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his biological family,” the federation added.

 

Gabonese president-elect Brice Oligui Nguema also took to X to add his condolences.

 

“It is with immense sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football,” he posted.

 

Broadcaster Gabon 24 said that while “the exact circumstances of this tragedy are still unclear,” an investigation is underway to establish the facts.

 

Born in Moanda, Boupendza joined French side Bordeaux in 2016, spending most of his time on loan at other French clubs.

 

In 2020 he signed for Turkish side Hatayspor, and was top scorer in the Super Lig in 2020–21 before moving on to Al Arabi, with whom he won the Qatar FA Cup, and Al Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.

 

Spells in the USA with FC Cincinnati and Romania’s Rapid Bucharest followed ahead of his move to China in January.

The House of Representatives’ 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee, constituted to oversee governance in Rivers State following the declaration of emergency rule by President Bola Tinubu, is yet to be briefed on how to carry out its mandate, The PUNCH has gathered.

 

President Tinubu declared a six-month emergency rule in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, after a prolonged political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly.

 

He suspended both parties and appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) as Sole Administrator—a move ratified by both chambers of the National Assembly.

 

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, inaugurated the committee on Tuesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, appointing House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, as Chairman.

 

Despite the formal inauguration, members say they are yet to receive clear directives.

 

Speaking to The PUNCH, Patrick Umoh, representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, said: “The committee has just been inaugurated today (Tuesday). We are yet to be fully briefed on the modalities and rules of engagement. We hope the clarifications will be provided in due course.”

 

Another member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that the maiden meeting was largely ceremonial:

 

“Nothing took place at the meeting. We listened to the charge by the Speaker during the inauguration and we are prepared to hit the ground running. The meeting was for members to familiarise with one another.”

 

Attempts to get a comment from committee chairman, Prof Ihonvbere, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to messages sent to his phone.

 

Meanwhile, Speaker Abbas used the occasion to remind the appointed Sole Administrator that the Constitution requires him to report to the National Assembly.

“It is paramount to note that the current administration in Rivers State is inherently temporary. With the suspension of the state governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, and the entire House of Assembly, a caretaker administration has been installed under the stewardship of Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.).

 

“His role is strictly circumscribed, as he is charged with maintaining law and order and ensuring that the basic functions of governance are met only until full democratic governance is restored,”Abbas said.

 

Referencing past interventions during emergencies in Plateau (2004), Ekiti (2006), and in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa (2013), Abbas noted the constitutional authority of the National Assembly under Section 11(4) to legislate in such situations.

 

“This committee has a clear and non-partisan mandate. Its purpose is to monitor the implementation of federal directives and policies in Rivers State, ensure that the caretaker administration adheres to the law, and protect the public interest while facilitating the re-establishment of full democratic governance in the state,” he stated.

“The task before this committee is not routine; it is a mission of national significance that will serve as a litmus test for our commitment to democratic principles and constitutional governance.”

 

Urging members to maintain impartiality, the Speaker added,“You must conduct your oversight in strict accordance with the Constitution and avoid all forms of partisanship or bias. The National Assembly’s intervention in Rivers State is not an instrument of political vendetta but a constitutional necessity.”

 

In his response, Prof Ihonvbere assured of the panel’s readiness:“This is probably the strongest ad hoc committee ever set up since 2019. This will make our work a lot easier, and with the experience, exposure, dedication, and commitment to unbiased dispositions on national issues, I assure you, on behalf of my colleagues in the ad hoc committee, that we will not disappoint you, the National Assembly and Nigeria.”

 

Members of the committee include Prof Julius Ihonvbere (Chairman), Ali Isah (Deputy Chairman), Idris Wase, Muktar Betara, Sada Soli, Iduma Igariwey, Shehu Rijau, Wole Oke, Akarachi Amadi, Patrick Umoh, Isa Anka, and Chris Nkwonta, among others.

 

The representative for the South West, James Faleke, was absent at the inauguration.