Kunle Awosika

President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chief Isiguzo, a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), Festus Ighoteguonor Ahon of the Vanguard Newspapers, Abimbola Oyetunde, the General Manager of Radio Nigeria Bronze FM, Benin City were among winners of the various categories of awards at the 3rd Journalists International Forum For Migration Global Migration (JIFORM) summit in Toronto, Canada.

…Naira will become stronger once Refinery starts production

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has disclosed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, upon which the hope of the nation rests for fuel sufficiency is now 97 percent completed. The agency has also commended the work done in the project.

The refinery, with 650,000 barrels per-day installed capacity is expected to double the total output of Nigeria’s existing ailing refining infrastructure and meet 100 per cent of the Nigerian requirement of all refined products will pump out fuel any moment soon, the Agency declared. 

The NMDPRA made this disclosure in Abuja when representatives of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery visit it in Abuja to present the work plan for the facility for 2022/2023 as the regulatory agency for the sector. 

The successful completion of Africa’s biggest petroleum refinery and the world’s largest single-train facility is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria's foreign exchange through import substitution and substantial savings in earnings. It is expected, that once the refinery commences production, the pressure on the nation’s currency will reduce and significant inflow of forex, is expected to come in through sales from the refinery. 

On completion of the refinery, it is estimated that Nigeria will import zero petroleum oil products – down from approximately $50 billion current oil product imports per year. 

“Today, representatives of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals presented their 2022/2023 work plan to the Authority which showed that the refinery project is estimated to be at 97 per cent completion.

“Dangote Oil Refinery is a 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery project under construction in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos. It is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility,” the NMDPRA said during the visit. 

NMDPRA’s Chief Executive, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, reiterated the importance of the Dangote petroleum Refinery to the country while assuring that the Authority will give all necessary support to ensure timely completion and kick-start operations.

Speaking on the refinery project, Group Executive Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development & Capital Projects, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr. Devakumar Edwin said it (refinery) would stimulate economic development in Nigeria, adding that it can meet 100 per cent of the Nigerian requirement of all liquid products (Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene and Aviation jet), and also have surplus of each of these products for export.

“The high volume of petrol output from the refinery would transform Nigeria from a petrol import-dependent country to an exporter of refined petroleum products,” he stated adding that the refinery would produce Euro-V quality gasoline, diesel, jet-fuel, kerosene and poly-propylene for local consumption and also have surplus of each of the products for export.

On employment generation, he disclosed that over 30,000 people are currently working at petroleum Refinery project sites through various contractors noting that when operational, the refinery will generate over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs for the youths.

On local content development, Edwin said the company had trained over 600 artisans selected from the host communities in the areas of masonry, AC electricians, plumbing, welding, iron bending and auto mechanics.

The refinery design, according to the company, conforms to World Bank, United States (US), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the European Union (EU), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) standards. 

The refinery has its own dedicated steam and power generation system with adequate standby units of reliable/uninterrupted utility supply to operating plants.435 Power plant in refinery. 

“It also has self-sufficient marine facility with the ability for freight optimisation; the largest single order of 5 SPMs anywhere in the world; Crude SPM for unloading ships up to ULCCs; 3 product SPM for product exports up to Suez Max vessels and 2 X 48” subsea crude pipelines with interconnection.

“Dangote industries has developed a port and constructed quays with a loading bearing capacity of 25 tonnes/sq meters to bring Over Dimensional Cargoes close to the site directly to handle liquid cargoes. The jetty is situated at a distance of 12.3 km from the refinery thereby effectively reducing the travel time. 

"Dangote Petroleum Refinery maintains high standards for all its business practices, valuing health, safety, environment and rights for its employees, compliances with all applicable local and international laws, and being a committed partner to communities, governments and the environment,” Edwin added.

Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged killer of Usifo Ataga, chief executive officer of Super TV, has narrated how she perpetrated the act.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed money laundering charges against a former Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Supo Shasore.

The management of Dangote Industries Limited has insisted that its acquisition of the Obajana Cement Plc in 2002 followed due process, contrary to claims by the Kogi State government.

The Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM) has urged the United Nations (UN) to be firm and rise to the defence of millions of Africans and migrants from third-world countries, who are constantly being harassed in Europe, North and South America and elsewhere under the guise of irregular migration.

Our attention has been drawn to a circulating Press Statement issued by the Kogi State Government, wherein the Dangote Group was accused of allegedly sponsoring arsonists to set the Kogi State House of Assembly on fire in the early hours of Monday, October 10, 2022.

The Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Alpha Osman Timbo; former Minister Immigration and Citizenship in Canada, Hon Gerry Weiner; foremost economist, Dr Andrew S. Nevin and the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chief Christopher Isiguzo are to lead discussions at the 3rd Journalists International Forum For Migration (JIFORM) summit in Toronto Canada on October 12.

A statement signed in Germany by Teresa Jacob; the Secretary in Charge of Communication for the summit confirmed the development.

Timbo, an international labour expert recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) is to deliver a keynote address on Paradigm Shift on Labour Migration and the way forward for Africa.
The minister, a political guru and lawyer is a Human Rights Activist and a promoter of Democracy, Human and Trade Union Rights. He is the principal founder of the Civil Society Movement (CSM) and served as its first spokesperson and Chief Coordinator. He worked with Civic Organizations like the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD), Civic Development Unit (CDU), Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD), Campaign for good Governance (CGG) and the National Commission for Democracy and Human Rights (NCDHR) and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in the drive towards the Restoration of Democracy in Sierra Leone.
Timbo spent over Eight (8) years of uninterrupted service in the National and International Trade Union Movement. Has worked with most if not all Donor and International Financial Institutions like the World bank, African Development Bank, DFID, NORAD, CIDA, DANIDA etc, and has great negotiations skills that has enabled him garner support from our International Cooperating Partners.
Dr Nevin, who would address diaspora and economic issues at the event is the founding Director of the Africa Institute for Leadership and Public Administration, a professional training institution whose mission is to provide skills enhancement to managers, policymakers, and leaders within the context of African society with the ultimate goal of raising the standards of performance throughout the African continent.

The Canadian is a member of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Board Committee on Research. The NESG creates an enabling environment conducive to good governance, responsible private investment and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria. NESG also shapes policy by conducting robust research and analysis on economic and critical reform issues.
Andrew is one of PwC’s leading global thinkers, working at the complex intersection of economics, strategy, capital markets, and investment. He has 32 years of professional experience as an entrepreneur, private equity investor, line manager, economist, and strategy consultant and in his professional career, has previously lived in Asia, North America, and Europe. Before joining PwC, he spent 10 years living in China and was the President of United Family Hospitals (China’s pre-eminent international hospital chain) during the SARS crisis in 2003 through early 2005.
Gerry who has been designated to unveil the summit was the former secretary to the Canadian Government, a member of the parliament and has held several leadership positions both in politics and corporate establishment. He is presently the Executive Director, Global Relations, Partnerships, and Customer Satisfaction, APS Global Partners Inc.
Christ Isiguzo, who is to deliver a paper on the role of media in the advancement of regular migration, is a journalist with over two decades experience with several professional qualifications.
He is one of few Nigerian journalists honoured with the prestigious national merit award by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The grand finale of the event is slated for October 15 at the Afromedia studio in Toronto where dignitaries would be honoured during an award session and Gala Nite

 Polaris Bank has commenced a nationwide savings campaign tagged: Polaris ‘Save & Win’ Promo to give away Millions of Naira in cash rewards to its loyal and prospective customers who would partake and emerge winners in the promo.  

Group of Shareholders Associations in Nigeria have urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene and prevail on the government of Kogi State to stop further harassment of investors in Kogi State.