Articles by Lawrence Olaoye,New Telegraph

World

Tinubu Greets Ex-NNPC Boss, Obaseki At 80

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the former Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Gaius Obaseki, as he clocks 80. In a personal message issued on Monday, the President wrote: “I congratulate you on your 80th birthday on November 25. It is a rare blessing to reach such a venerable age after decades of hard work, diligent service, and the pursuit of excellence. “I join your family, friends and associates to celebrate you and your outstanding accomplishments, including your remarkable contributions to the development of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. “Joining the Nigerian National Oil Company, which later became the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, as a geologist many decades ago, you rose to become the first manager of the National Reserve Evaluation Project at the company by dint of dedication and industry. “Later, based on your knowledge and expertise, you became the managing director of the Nigerian Gas Company and group general manager of the crude oil marketing division at NNPC in 1998. “In 1999, you eventually emerged as the group managing director of the NNPC, during which you launched a series of robust reforms to reposition the nation’s oil and gas industry. “You made enduring impressions and exceptional impact across onshore-to-offshore operations, from deep offshore to gas development, pipeline to depot construction, refinery rehabilitation, LNG development, and global petroleum diplomacy. “Leveraging your extensive understanding of the oil and gas industry, you initiated comprehensive operational and legal reforms, an external marketing strategy, and the construction of mega stations. “Indeed, many still talk about your enduring legacy at NNPC to this day. I commend your brilliance, diligence, and patriotism and thank you for your service to our nation. As you join the Octogenarian Club, I pray that God Almighty will grant you continued strength and the grace of more years in good health.”

17 hours ago

Politics

AU-EU Summit: Nigeria Intensifies Bid To Secure UN Security Council Permanent Seats

...as Tinubu demands Africa-led solutions to insecurity, rejects private military firms on continen Nigeria has intensified the bid to secure permanent seats with veto-wielding authority in the United Nations (UN) Security Council for Africa, insisting that a comprehensive reform of the global governance system was long overdue. This came just as President Bola Tinubu has tasked the European Union (EU) with co-creating peace and security initiatives alongside its African partners, anchored on African-led frameworks, as a pathway to achieving sustainable stability across the continent. The Nigerian leader made the call on Monday during the first plenary session on Peace, Security, Governance and Multilateralism at the 7th African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola. Tinubu, represented by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, disclosed that over 250,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals had surrendered in early 2025 following the Nigerian Government’s kinetic and non-kinetic measures. He stressed that the challenges of armed conflict, illicit weapons, climate pressures, irregular migration, and political instability across Africa now demand stronger cooperation. “It is time for Africa to occupy permanent seats on the UN Security Council, with all attendant privileges, including the veto. Genuine text-based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) framework must now commence. It is our hope that EU Member States will support Africa’s long-standing and legitimate call for reform of the United Nations,” the President stated. He noted that addressing these challenges required renewed AU–EU focus on preventive diplomacy, inclusive governance, and long-term investment in people and infrastructure. While acknowledging that the EU has remained one of the AU’s most reliable partners since the creation of the African Peace and Security Architecture in 2002, the President recalled that Nigeria’s experience has shown that regional instability, if left unchecked, fuels terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and transnational organised crime. In addressing this, the President stated that his administration has adopted a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin, which, according to him, remains an effective model of African-led cooperative security. He further noted that a major component of Nigeria’s strategy continued to yield positive security outcomes, adding: “As of early 2025, over 120,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals, including family members, have surrendered.” “Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability is further reinforced by the recent Sea-Lift Agreement between the Nigerian Navy and the AU Standby Force (ASF), enhancing Africa’s rapid deployment capabilities for peace operations and humanitarian support,” he added. Furthermore, the President commended the EU’s commitment to restoring peace in the Sahel, while recognising Europe’s understandable concern over irregular migration, much of which originates from ungoverned spaces shaped by insecurity. On the security situation, the President called for an EU initiative anchored on African-led frameworks and regional ownership to drive positive outcomes. He said, “However, recent experience has shown that externally driven initiatives, however well-intentioned, cannot succeed at pace without strong regional ownership and a grounded understanding of local dynamics. Peace and security initiatives must therefore be co-created with African partners and anchored in African-led frameworks.” On irregular migration, the President advised that the issue must be addressed in a manner that acknowledges its deep economic and demographic drivers, as criminalising mobility has only compounded insecurity across the continent and beyond.

17 hours ago

World

SGF Confirms Statutory Termina Leave For  NEITI E’Secretary

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Chairman, NEITI National Stakeholders Working Group (NSWG), Sen. George Akume, has accepted and confirmed the voluntary request by the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, to proceed on his statutory terminal leave ahead of the completion of his five-year single tenure, which ends on 19th February 2026. This followed Orji’s formal notification in full compliance with the statutory Public Service Rules. The Federal Government commended Orji for his distinguished and reform-focused service to the nation and to the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) community. Orji also championed the establishment of the NEITI Data Centre, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a leading and credible EITI-implementing country. The Federal Government remained committed to safeguarding NEITI’s independence, strengthening its statutory mandate, and preserving the transparency reforms critical to Nigeria’s extractive sector and national development. On behalf of President Bola Tinubu and the NSWG, the Federal Government conveys its best wishes to Orji Ogbonnaya Orji after a meritorious and accomplished service to the nation.

17 hours ago

World

Insecurity: High-Level Engagements Between Nigeria, US Will Strengthen Partnership – Presidency

The Presidency has said that the high-level discussions and engagements held last week between a Nigerian delegation and United States (US) officials would help strengthen security partnerships between the two countries and open new avenues for cooperation to protect Nigerian citizens. The delegation, led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met with senior officials across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War. In all engagements in Washington, DC, the Nigerian delegation refuted allegations of genocide in Nigeria, emphasising that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines. The delegation strongly rejected wrongful framing of the situation, saying such would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground. According to the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, following these engagements, the United States Government affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria. This included enhanced intelligence support, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles—subject to availability—to reinforce ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups. The United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms. Both countries agreed to implement immediately a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to the agreed areas of cooperation. In return, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures. The discussions provided ample opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, forged a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States, reinforced mutual trust, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt. The Federal Government restated its awareness of heightened sensitivities regarding religious freedom and security, and urges citizens to remain assured that firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to secure the nation. Members of the delegation included Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation; Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence; Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA; and Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser.

1 days ago