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Mar262025 by RareviewNo Comments

DANGOTE REFINERY AND MODULAR PLANTS MAY SPEND $8.56BN ON CRUDE IMPORTS

Energy

By Ali Elias The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and several modular refineries in Nigeria may need to spend approximately $8.56 billion to import an estimated 122.4 million barrels of crude oil over six months to maintain full operational capacity. This equates to about $1.43 billion per month in crude oil importation costs, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria’s domestic refining sector. Challenges in Domestic Crude Supply The need for imports stems from uncertainties surrounding the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's (NNPCL) naira-for-crude policy and the Federal Government’s Domestic Crude Supply Obligation. An expected meeting between the Technical Sub-Committee on the policy, Dangote Refinery, and government officials did not hold as planned, with s...

Mar262025 by RareviewNo Comments

TRUMP THREATENS 25% TARIFFS ON COUNTRIES IMPORTING VENEZUELAN OIL

Energy

By Ali Elias As reported by multiple sources, former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on U.S. imports from countries that purchase oil from Venezuela. Trump described the measure as a “secondary tariff,” claiming it is intended to penalize the Latin American nation “for numerous reasons,” including allegations that Venezuela has “purposefully” sent gang members to the U.S. According to Trump, he is also considering easing tariffs on imports from other countries, stating that he “may give a lot of countries breaks.” His comments appeared to confirm reports that he was narrowing the scope of the tariffs set to be announced on April 2. Previously, Trump had proposed a “reciprocal” tariff system where U.S. trading partners would face equivalent charges...

Mar252025 by RareviewNo Comments

U.S. FACES WORKERS SHORTAGE IN SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS; SEEKS FOREIGN TALENT

News

Image Source: Gistreel The U.S is grappling with a shortage of skilled workers, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that the country will require approximately 1 million additional STEM workers between 2023 and 2033, with job growth in the tech sector outpacing the overall labor market. To help bridge this gap, the H-1B visa program—introduced in 1990—has played a crucial role by allowing U.S. companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialised fields. Under this program, businesses and immigration attorneys submit petitions on behalf of foreign professionals seeking employment in the United States. Congress has set an annual limit of 65,000 H-1B visas, with a...

Mar252025 by RareviewNo Comments

NNPC CHAMPIONS EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF HOST COMMUNITY FUNDS TO DRIVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGER DELTA

Energy

By PR NNPC Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that funds allocated under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) are effectively utilized to deliver meaningful development in host communities. This pledge was made during a stakeholder engagement session held with the KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), a cluster of host communities comprising Koluama 1 and 2, Ezetu 1 and 2, Foropa, Fish Town, Ekeni, Sangana, Opu Okumbiri, Okumbiribeleu, and Oginibiri in Bayelsa State, under the NNPC Limited/FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) JV, at the weekend. Speaking at the engagement session which held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Limited, Engr. Seyi Omotowa, said NNPC Ltd was committed to ens...

Mar252025 by RareviewNo Comments

SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNORS REJECT RIVERS STATE EMERGENCY RULE, DEMAND REVERSAL

News

Photo courtesy: TBI Africa Ali Elias The South-South Governors’ Forum has called for the immediate reversal of the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, the governors emphasized that the emergency rule was unwarranted and urged the federal government to reconsider its decision. “To reduce tensions and establish a foundation for enduring peace, we propose the rescission of the state of emergency,” the statement read. The forum further advocated for dialogue as the appropriate means to address the political crisis in Rivers State and called on all parties to exercise restraint and uphold the country’s constitutional framework. “The...

Mar252025 by RareviewNo Comments

PETER OBI WARNS LABOUR PARTY LAWMAKERS: “DO NOT BETRAY DEMOCRACY”

News

By Ali Elias Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged members of his party in the National Assembly to stand firm against actions that threaten Nigeria’s democracy, particularly in light of the unfolding political crisis in Rivers State. In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi expressed concern over what he described as a "deteriorating democratic process", citing electoral malpractice, disregard for educational qualifications for leadership positions, and the unconstitutional removal of elected officials as dangerous trends undermining the country’s democracy. Addressing Labour Party lawmakers directly, Obi reminded them of their responsibility to protect the will of the people. "Since your inauguration as Distinguished and Honourabl...

Mar242025 by RareviewNo Comments

NNAMDI KANU APOLOGIZES IN COURT, SEEKS FORGIVENESS FROM JUDGE, PROSECUTOR

News

photo courtesy: Daily Post By Ali Elias Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally apologized to the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Binta Nyako, and Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, over his misconduct during his last court appearance. In an emotional plea, Kanu acknowledged his outburst and verbal attacks on the judge, the prosecution, and even his own lawyers during the previous trial session. His apology was delivered in court through his lead counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi, SAN, a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. Kanu’s Emotional Plea for Forgiveness Reading from a prepared speech, Agabi made an impassioned appeal on Kanu’s behalf, urging the court and the prosecution to forgive his clien...

Mar242025 by RareviewNo Comments

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE, DANGOTE TELLS HARVARD SCHOLARS

Energy

Aliko Dangote, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, has called on young entrepreneurs and scholars to rise above challenges and pursue their ambitions with determination. He made this call on Wednesday while addressing a delegation of scholars from Harvard Kennedy School during their visit to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals complex and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos. Speaking to the 50 scholars from 18 different nationalities, Dangote emphasized the importance of ambition, resilience, and the drive to create lasting impact. He pointed to the construction of the world’s largest single-train refinery as an example of what is possible with a "can-do" spirit. “Life is not worth living without ambition. In this life...

Mar202025 by RareviewNo Comments

THE DOUBLE TONGUE OF POWER: TINUBU, FROM CRITIC TO ENFORCER ON STATE OF EMERGENCY

Opinion

By Ali Elias OPINION Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s current president, has recently declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing security concerns. However, his stance on such drastic measures appears to have shifted significantly over the years. Back in 2013, when then-President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa due to escalating Boko Haram insurgency, Tinubu vehemently condemned the decision. In an article titled “Jonathan Bares His Fangs”, published in Premium Times on May 15, 2013, Tinubu accused Jonathan of using security concerns as a pretext for political maneuvering, arguing that such actions undermined democracy and could lead to greater instability. Now, in a striking twist, Tinubu himself has taken a similar path, raising ...

Mar202025 by RareviewNo Comments

RIVERS IN CRISIS: EMERGENCY RULE SPARKS OUTRAGE

News

By Ali Elias FEATURE The political landscape of Rivers State has been shaken to its core following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and subsequent suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The move has ignited fierce debates, with many seeing it as a dangerous overreach of executive power and a major assault on democracy. The Controversial Decision Citing prolonged political turmoil between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike—now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—President Tinubu justified the emergency declaration as necessary to restore order. The President accused Governor Fubara of failing to implement a Supreme Court ruling reinstating 27 pro-Wike lawmakers and failing to rebuild the state’s House of Assembly, which was demol...