Atiku Abubakar calls for suspension of NNPC’s refinery deal with Chinese firms
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the immediate suspension and public scrutiny of the “Technical Equity Partnership” announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPC with two Chinese firms, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng Fuzhou Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd. Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the deal as a “dangerous gamble” with Nigeria’s economic future, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of attempting to mortgage national assets through opaque arrangements lacking technical credibility, transparency, and accountability. He questioned the competence of the Chinese firms, stating that independent assessments indicated neither company possesses the necessary pedigree or technical depth for rehabilitating and managing complex crude oil refineries like those in Port Harcourt and Warri. Atiku highlighted that Sanjiang Chemical specializes in petrochemical derivatives, not crude oil refining, and that Xingcheng Fuzhou Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd. is primarily an industrial park and infrastructure management company. He also cited troubling financial indicators for Sanjiang Chemical, including declining revenues and significant short-term debt, questioning its ability to revive the refineries. Atiku warned that the deal risks turning Nigeria’s refineries into “another expensive black hole of failed promises, reckless ex
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Must ReadTroops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued 47 individuals, primarily women and children, from an Islamic State West Africa Province ISWAP enclave in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on June 20. Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, stated that the rescue followed sustained military offensives against terrorist hideouts in the Lake Chad region. He explained that intensified ground and air assaults forced insurgents to abandon their positions, allowing the captives to escape. The rescued persons are currently receiving medical attention and humanitarian support at a secure location, with plans for their reintegration. Goni emphasized the military's commitment to protecting civilians and weakening terrorist networks, vowing to continue operations to dismantle remaining cells and restore peace to the North-East. Borno State has been a focal point of insurgency for over a decade, with the military recently intensifying operations across the Lake Chad basin and Sambisa axis.
Erling Haaland scored two goals, leading Norway to a 3-2 victory over Senegal and securing their spot in the World Cup last 32. Substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen opened the scoring for Norway in the first half, with Haaland extending their lead after the break. Although Ismaila Sarr reduced the deficit for Senegal, Haaland capitalized on defensive errors to score again. Sarr scored a late consolation goal, but Norway held on for the win. Haaland now has four goals in two tournament games. Norway, with only one loss in their last 18 matches, will face France for the top spot in their group. Senegal must defeat Iraq in their final game to have a chance of avoiding an early exit. Norway's dominant performance, featuring Haaland's 59th and 60th international goals in 52 games, marked their first back-to-back World Cup wins. Key moments included Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy making several saves, but a mistake from captain Kalidou Koulibaly led to Pedersen's goal. Haaland scored his first goal after a counter-attack, set up by Martin Odegaard. Sarr responded for Senegal, but Koulibaly's failure to clear allowed Haaland to score his second. Despite a late goal from Sarr, Norway secured their progression, joining France in the knockout rounds.
Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have lauded the Federal Government's recent passport reforms, particularly the contactless renewal system, for significantly reducing delays and streamlining the passport delivery process. Introduced in November 2024, the new system enables eligible individuals to renew expired or exhausted passports from home, eliminating the need for physical visits to the Nigerian High Commission. Testimonies from various Nigerian community members across the UK, as reported by the Ministry of Interior, highlight a stark contrast to previous experiences marked by frustrating delays, extensive travel, and bureaucratic hurdles. Timileyin Gbenga, a Nigerian community figure in Birmingham, noted that while the traditional process took over six months and required travel for biometrics, the contactless method for a family member resulted in passport delivery in less than two weeks. He credited the transformation to the leadership of Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo under President Bola Tinubu's administration. Gbenga Ogunderu, based in Coventry, described the initiative as a significant digital shift, allowing applications and doorstep delivery without stress, often within two weeks. Dr. Adekunle Shonola, a senior lecturer at Coventry University and president of Nigerians in Coventry, recalled the previous necessity of traveling from Coventry to London for biometrics, a process that often took over six months. He observed that community members no