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Dec302024 by RareviewNo Comments

RIVERS LEADERSHIP CRISIS: ODILI VS. WIKE—WHO HOLDS THE MORAL HIGH GROUND?

News

Fmr. Governor of River State Dr. Peter Odili By Els William Former Rivers State governor and one-time presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Odili, has accused Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike of attempting to turn Rivers State into his private estate. Dr. Odili commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for demonstrating remarkable courage in resisting Wike’s alleged political maneuvers. Dr. Odili made these remarks at a Christmas ballad he organized to honor Governor Fubara and his family. He praised the governor for steadying governance in the state, making civil servants happier, and ensuring stability despite an “unnecessary political war” initiated by Wike. Odili’s Accusations and Praise for Fubara According to Odili, Governor Fu...

Dec302024 by RareviewNo Comments

DANGOTE REFINERY CAN’T BE NIGERIA’S SOLE FUEL SOLUTION, MAURICE IBE WARNS

Energy

Photo credit: Realnews By Ono Yima Maurice Ibe, an Oil and Gas Industry Consultant, has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) to ensure that the country's four government-owned refineries operate at full capacity. Ibe, who is the Group Executive Chairman of the Benham Group, made this statement during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday. He stressed that a fully functional refining system is critical for achieving a significant reduction in petroleum product prices in Nigeria. He noted that until the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries are operating optimally, the nation would remain heavily reliant on the privately owned Dangote Refinery. "The Port Harcourt Refinery is functional, ...

Dec212024 by RareviewNo Comments

TRAGEDY IN OKIJA: STAMPEDE AT FREE RICE SHARING LEAVES NO LESS THAN 100 PERSONS DEAD

News

Picture credit: Sahara Reporters By Ali Elias A tragic stampede on Saturday in Okija, Anambra State, has left several residents feared dead during the distribution of free rice. The food donation was organized by Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, popularly known as Obijackson, a prominent businessman and indigene of the town. The incident unfolded when a large crowd gathered to receive the free bags of rice, leading to chaos and a stampede that claimed the lives of many. A viral video circulating on social media captures the heartbreaking aftermath, with bodies, mostly women, lying motionless on the ground. In the video, a distressed voice laments, “This happened at Okija. They went to get their free share of rice being shared by Obijackson. So many dead bodies, including pregna...

Dec202024 by RareviewNo Comments

NIGERIA’S PATH TO LNG LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTED AT 2024 WORLD ENERGY SUMMIT

Energy

By Ali Elias Nigeria’s prospects in the global energy landscape received a significant boost during the 2024 World LNG Summit and Awards, themed *“Achieving the Balance Between Energy Security and Decarbonisation.”* The event, a vital platform for strategic collaboration and innovation, underscored Nigeria's crucial role as one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) producers. With President Bola Tinubu at the helm, Nigeria presented its energy transition plans, emphasizing its vast untapped natural gas reserves and calling for increased global investment to overcome underinvestment and infrastructure challenges. Stakeholders at the summit discussed issues ranging from climate change and energy security to emerging markets and technological innovations in LNG. ...

Dec202024 by RareviewNo Comments

COURT OF APPEAL TO CUSTOMS: CONFISCATING GOODS ON HIGHWAYS ILLEGAL, FOCUS ON BORDERS

News

Photo credit: Sahara Reporters By Ono Yima In a landmark ruling, the Court of Appeal in Kaduna has restricted the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) from confiscating foreign rice from buyers on highways or in open markets, limiting its enforcement authority to Nigeria’s land borders. Delivering the judgment on Wednesday, Justice Ntong Ntong, on behalf of the three-member appellate panel, declared such highway seizures unlawful. The ruling came after Customs filed an appeal against a Federal High Court decision that cleared businessman Suleiman Mohammed of charges related to the alleged importation of foreign goods. The court ordered Customs to release 613 bags of foreign rice, 80 bags of millet worth approximately N200 million, and a truck seized from Mohammed on June 1...

Dec202024 by RareviewNo Comments

“MY LORD, TELL ME WHERE TO KEEP YOUR BRIBE”

Opinion

OPINION A lovely piece of poem by a blunt and courageous poet that will make your day.... Prof Niyi Osundare boldly lampoons and ridicules Judges and Nigerian judicial Council (NJC) in this illustrative poetry; which captures the mood of the moment. A POEM by Prof. Niyi Osundare My Lord, Tell Me Where To Keep Your Bribe Do I drop it in your venerable chambers Or carry the heavy booty to your immaculate mansion Shall I bury it in the capacious water tank In your well laundered backyard Or will it breathe better in the septic tank Since money can deodorize the smelliest crime Shall I haul it up the attic Between the ceiling and your lofty roof Or shall I conjure the wall...

Dec192024 by RareviewNo Comments

THE TAX REFORM BILL AND DEVOLUTION OF POWERS

Opinion

OPINION By Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN The Tax Reform Bill strikes at the heart of devolution of powers in Nigeria. The implications of the Bill are evident from the revenue side, but it has wider significance. The resistance to the Bill is not just about the distribution of tax revenue. The underlying issues are more sensitive and political. These issues challenge the very nature of federalism in Nigeria. This is a most opportune time to take up the debate. I cannot understand why the Federal Government should act merely as a collecting agency to distribute revenue to the states! The Federal Government has far more important constitutional responsibilities to Nigerians. VAT is simply a sales or consumption tax applicable at the state level, certainly not federal. Consumption and...

Dec192024 by RareviewNo Comments

ECHOES OF GANI VS. ROTIMI: AFE BABALOLA’S CASE AGAINST DELE FAROTIMI SPARKS CONTROVERSY

Opinion

Photo credit: PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images) By Ali Elias This intriguing case story, titled, “From The Archive”, is published as received and is especially compelling in light of the ongoing legal clash between Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi, a battle that has captivated public attention. Please read on. “Gani Fawehinmi was the best legal mind of his time. But he was not even the best in his university days; truthfully, he had ordinary pass in his law degree, not even a Third Class degree. He could be classified as “Let My People Go” in those days. After Gani left the university and passed out of law school, there was nothing ordinary again in his life. He became the best in everything he touched. He wrote lots of legal books and journals in Nigeria. He visite...

Dec182024 by RareviewNo Comments

NCDMB UNDERSCORES AIMS OF NATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE ESSAY COMPETITION AS 2024 EDITION WINNERS EMERGE

Energy

By PR The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Monday in Yenagoa held the 8th Award and Prize-giving Ceremony of its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition 2024, with a reiteration of the objectives that underlie signature events of the Board, such as competitive essaying and its twin programme the Science Quiz Competition for High School students. In a keynote address at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, said the Essay Competition is “one of NCDMB’s multiple interventions to lift the standard of education in Nigeria” and “to promote proficiency in writing, awareness of local content and its benefit to the national economy, and to engender citizen engagement from undergraduate level.” He explained that s...

Dec182024 by RareviewNo Comments

NCDMB LAUDS PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY ASSOCIATION, PROPOSES MENTORSHIP, EMPOWERMENT FOR EMERGING INDIGENOUS COMPANIES

Energy

By PR The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Friday commended the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) for its remarkable contributions to the energy industry, and charged it to lead in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive oil and gas sector. Speaking at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Association in Lagos, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile Esq, recalled the pivotal role of PETAN, through stakeholder engagements and strident advocacy, in the enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010. ...