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Reps probe structure, accountability of NNPC joint venture business

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The House of Representatives says it is investigating the structure and accountability of the Joint Venture (JV) business and production sharing contracts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd.

Rep Hassan Fulata, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee, on Wednesday said his committee was investigating the Joint Venture Business and Production Contract of the NNPC from 1990 till date.

Fulata said the probe became imperative as some NNPC accounts did not follow due process.

He said his committee had discovered a secret account owned by the NNPC Ltd., alleging that the Federal Government did not follow due process in opening these accounts.

However, Mr Okolieaboh Sylva, the Acting Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), who appeared before the committee on Wednesday in Abuja, denied government’s knowledge of such secret account.

The Office of the AGF, Total Energy, Shell Petroleum Company and Chevron were all present to answer questions.

The committee, however, invited other relevant heads of government and corporate agencies and companies such Seplat Oil and Gas and Newcross Oil and Gas to appear before it on Sept 27.

The lawmakers insisted they must appear in person warning that the National Assembly would not hesitate to invoke the relevant constitutional privilege should any of the heads of the agencies fail to honour its invitation.

The mandate of the committee is to establish whether various joint venture agreements of the NNPC followed due process.

“What does this stand for the country is that it creates a framework within which WIPO and its partners can support the exploitation of the IP to make impact in the lives of IP users.

“Under our medium strategic plan, the five-year vision aimed at supporting IP so that it makes an impact in the lives of ordinary citizens.

“We want to harness the IP potential of youths in the country through the framework of the National IP policy and strategy.

“We are looking at supporting the youth entrepreneurs to understand and appreciate IP system; we want to engage in mentorship and coaching programmes,’’ Asiedu said.

According to her, WIPO also wants to use IP to support the country’s Development Goals.

“Within a framework of the National IP policy and strategy, we are able to identify the comparative advantage that the country has.

“So, the area in which a country has a comparative advantage that is what we dwell to ensure that we undertake projects that make impact in the lives of IP users community.’’

Asiedu added that WIPO intended to extend its reach not only within the legislative framework of the country, but also to knowledge production institutions like universities and research institutions.

“We also want to bring together industry and academia so that we bridge the gap from the time that idea takes off, to when it  heads into market place,’’ she said.

Similarly, the delegation was received separately by the Ministers of Science and Technology, Dr Adeleke Mamora, Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama and Trade and Investment, Otunba Adebayo Adeniyi.

They pledged to support the adoption and implementation of the National IP policy and strategy, saying that the policy was imperative to the development of all sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

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Lagos-Calabar coastal project: Landmark commences refunds to customers

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The management of Landmark Resort Beach said it has commenced the refund process for customers affected by the recent demolition of portions of its properties by the Federal Government.

Landmark Africa, the parent company of Landmark Resort, made this known on Friday in a post on its X handle.

The firm acknowledged the patience of their customers, advising that completion of the refund process may be delayed due to the volume of requests.

t said: “Dear Landmark Citizens, we would like to assure you all that we have started issuing refunds to those who requested a refund of their money on the Landmark Citizen App.

“Please be patient with us, due to the volume of requests, this process will take some time. Be rest assured that all refund requests will be processed. Thank you all for your support and patience.

A portion of Landmark Beach on Victoria Island, Lagos, was recently demolished to accommodate the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

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NiMet forecasts 3-day sunny, cloudy atmosphere conditions

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudiness and sunshine from Friday to Sunday across the nation.

NiMet weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja forecast sunny skies in hazy atmosphere on Friday over the northern region with exception of Taraba state where pockets of clouds could be visible during the forecast period.

According to the agency, sunny atmosphere patches of clouds are anticipated over the North Central region during the forecast period.

“The Cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The agency said later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Abia and Imo states.

NiMet predicted sunny skies in a hazy atmosphere on Saturday over the northern region with prospects of afternoon and evening thunderstorms over parts of Kaduna state.

It anticipated sunny skies with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi and Plateau states.

“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the southern region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over the region,” it said.

According to NiMet, sunny skies in hazy atmosphere are expected over the northern region during the forecast period on Sunday.

The agency predicted sunny atmosphere with patches of clouds over the North Central region during the morning period.

NiMet forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory later in the day.

NiMet predicted Cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

It anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Ekiti, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Lagos states later in the day.

“Strong winds may precede rains in the areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur, the public should take adequate precaution.

“Airline operators are advised to get updated weather reports and forecasts from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

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Nigeria accedes to Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Devt agreement

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Nigeria has become the latest signatory to the Establishment Agreement of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the development impact-oriented subsidiary of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

This is contained in a statement signed by Vincent Musumba, Manager, Media Relations, Afreximbank, in Abuja on Friday.

Musumba said Nigeria joined the ranks of countries acceding to the Establishment Agreement of FEDA, becoming the 16th nation to do so.

He said this underscored the increasing backing the Fund enjoyed among African nations.

“This announcement comes three decades following Afreximbank’s establishment in Nigeria, a key milestone that boldly demonstrates Nigeria’s continued commitment to supporting Afreximbank and FEDA’s missions.

“ FEDA sees new memberships as critical to broadening its scope of interventions and its mission of delivering long-term capital to African economies, with a focus on industrialisation, intra-African trade and value-added exports.”

Musumba said the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement was expected to pave the way for the ratification of the agreement in due course.

“This will in turn bolster FEDA’s interventions in Nigeria.”

He quoted Prof. Benedict Oramah, President, Afreximbank and Chairman of the Boards of both Afreximbank and FEDA, as saying: ”we extend our sincere appreciation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the signing of the FEDA Establishment Agreement.

“This significant achievement further strengthens the already robust partnership between Afreximbank and Nigeria, one of the bank’s foremost supporters.

“The partnership will enhance investments in sectors critical to the development journey of Nigeria.”

Musumba said FEDA is the impact investment subsidiary of Afreximbank set up to provide equity, quasi-equity, and debt capital to finance the multi-billion-dollar funding gap (particularly in equity) needed to transform the Trade sector in Africa.

He said other countries who had acceded to FEDA’s Establishment Agreement included Rwanda, Mauritania, Guinea, Togo, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.

Musumba said others are Kenya, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Sierra Leone, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Egypt.

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