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Behind The Oil Theft In Nigeria, Behind the Menace

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Nigeria, as presently constituted, qualifies to be named a crime scene. From state-sanctioned insecurity to massive corruption, down to outright abuse of state power. It appears as though Nigeria is fast becoming a banana republic of some sort. With every passing day, a new development occurs, attempting to cement the notion that Nigeria is a criminal state where only crime and criminality thrive.

The anomalies are endless and the situation is rotten and sour.

With no big shot at redemption, Nigeria has continued to crumble, and may very soon become irredeemable.

Ironically, it took recent revelations about the grand schemes of oil theft for many Nigerians to come to the new realisation.

About a month ago, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari dropped a bombshell when he announced that the government of the day just discovered a loading port somewhere in Niger Delta that had been in operation for over nine years undetected. This loading port had a 4 km illegal pipeline connected to it that ran from Forcados in Delta State down to the sea where the cycle of economic sabotage against Nigeria is rounded up.

The recent discoveries of the magnitude of oil theft going on in Nigeria clearly underscore the fact that Nigeria is a criminal state. How can a country be so blessed yet appear so cursed? A country blessed with huge deposits of crude under its soil yet it remains home to the highest number of the poorest people. Terrible!

Given the magnitude and sophistication of the ongoing crude oil theft going on in the country, it is safe to posit that it is the biggest organised crime in the history of Nigeria as a country. This is a scheme that is perpetrated by people who fully understand that their ugly scheme is not only causing life-threatening environmental pollution, but also causing the government a massive loss in revenue at a time when every dollar is needed to keep the country’s economy above the waters. Oil companies are divesting from the country in the face of revenue losses and the country’s oil industry is now looking like a shadow of itself.

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Over the past six years, Nigeria has consistently failed to meet its quota in the global oil market as capped by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), for reasons ranging from vandalism to a gargantuan scale oil theft. This has impacted government revenues in very debilitating ways. More throbbing is the fact that, at a period when many oil producing countries around the world have been reaping billions of dollars and Euros from the Russia-Ukraine windfall, Nigeria is severely handicapped.

According to industry experts, the quantity of oil stolen in the country daily is well over 100,000 barrels. With a barrel of oil selling for an average of $100 for a better part of the year, it meant an income of $10 million was being donated to oil thieves. The question on the lips of Nigerians in the face of all this is, who are those committing this economic sabotage against Nigeria?

One thing that has been severally reiterated is that oil theft at that scale cannot take place without active connivance with people who control instruments of the state, the protection of regulators in the industry, and funding by the elites. Of course, there is no way a 10,000-tonne barge will move from a point of loading in the creeks down to the sea without being detected. There is surely no way big ocean liners which are deployed to lift stolen crude oil move freely within the territorial waters of Nigeria without being noticed by the Nigerian security team who are paid using taxpayers money to keep Nigeria’s security system safe.

It is important to point out that contrary to popular misconceptions, oil theft did not start recently. Interestingly, prior to becoming President, Buhari had accused Jonathan of not doing enough to end oil theft. Buhari alleged that about 400,000 barrels of crude were stolen daily under Jonathan’s nose. Of course, he vowed to end it if Nigerians elect him as their next President, and sadly, seven years later, rather than end it, he institutionalised it and this time, Nigerians are paying a heavier price for his ineptitude as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and Minister of Petroleum. That Nigeria is still insolvent despite the scale of theft and abuse it has continued to experience should be the 8th wonder of the world.

The failure of successive governments to check this situation clearly provides an idea as to how poor governance in Nigeria has been. The reality is that currently, oil thieves have grown so powerful that they now hold the Nigerian state to ransome. The whole situation clearly underscores the embarrassing failure of the security architecture in Nigeria and how useless they have proven to be. It is curious to believe that after over two decades of disruptions in the oil and gas sector in the Nigeria Delta, the Nigerian Navy is yet to come up with a single specialised capacity to protect a sector that is primarily the source of blood to the Nigerian body. The truth remains that if this madness is allowed to continue unabated, it will bring Nigeria to its knees financially, politically and economically.

The present situation in Nigeria is not only embarrassing, but is also suffocating and stifling the hopes of over 200 million citizens who have now been turned into paupers even in the midst of plenty.

These things surely raise questions about the whole essence and existence of Nigeria because anomalies and illegalities are fast becoming the norm in the country. While the economy is on a fast lane to absolute destruction, those saddled with the responsibility of sailing the ship to safety are abdicating their responsibilities not minding the fact that the economy is gradually caving in.

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What Nigerians must know right now is that their oil wealth is being stolen by a syndicate that has sworn to keep them on the ground. The group of people stealing Nigeria’s oil comprise the military, oil companies, the navy, and government officials, which is why they seem unstoppable.

The list isn’t complete without mentioning current and former governors, ministers, and members of the Fulani oligarchy. Interestingly, one of them is even running for President in 2023!

Oil theft is threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, and Nigerians should better start speaking before it is too late.

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AFRICA

Paul Grant, Known for Harry Potter and Star Wars Roles, Passes Away at 56

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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of British actor Paul Grant, who has died at the age of 56. Grant, who was known for his roles in both the Harry Potter and Star Wars franchises, passed away on Monday after his family made the difficult decision to switch off his life support machine the day before.

The news of Grant’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Sophie Jayne Grant, who spoke to Sky News about the heartbreaking loss of her father. She described herself as “heartbroken” and expressed her belief that “no girl deserves their dad to be taken away”. She also spoke about the impact that her father had on the world through his work, saying that he was “so well known and loved” and that he had gone “too soon”.

Grant’s death came after he was found collapsed outside King’s Cross station in London last Thursday afternoon. According to reports, he was declared brain dead before his eventual passing on Monday.

Paul Grant was a highly respected actor and stuntman who had appeared in a number of iconic films throughout his career. In addition to his roles in the Harry Potter and Star Wars franchises, he also acted in the 1988 film Willow and the cult classic Labyrinth alongside David Bowie in 1986.

The news of Grant’s passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues alike. Many have taken to social media to express their condolences and pay tribute to the actor’s life and career.

A spokesperson for the London Ambulance Service also spoke about the incident, confirming that they had been called to St Pancras Station on the day of Grant’s collapse. They sent an ambulance crew and a medic in response to the call, and treated Grant at the scene before taking him to hospital as a priority.

Grant is survived by his girlfriend Maria, his two daughters and one son, as well as his stepchildren and grandchildren. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

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TikTok: Dutch Government Advises Officials Against Installing TikTok on Their Devices

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The Dutch government has recently issued a warning to its officials to avoid installing Chinese-owned video app, TikTok, and refrain from using social media from countries with “offensive” cyber programs. This move is in line with similar actions taken by other Western nations and is part of the Dutch government’s eventual plan to ban “spy-sensitive” apps from countries such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia altogether from phones used by civil servants.

Dutch digital minister Alexandra van Huffelen stated that this decision came after a recommendation by the country’s secret service (AIVD), which found that such apps posed “an inherent espionage risk.” The minister said, “The first step is to immediately discourage civil servants… from having apps installed and using them on their mobile work equipment from companies in countries with an offensive cyber program against the Netherlands.”

In addition to discouraging the use of TikTok and other social media apps, the Netherlands is planning to issue officials with mobile phones that only allow the installation of pre-approved apps and software. The decision was based on consultation with the European Union.

TikTok is a hugely popular app worldwide for sharing short, viral videos. However, governments in several countries such as the UK, US, Canada, and New Zealand have already banned TikTok on work devices, as has the European Commission. The global action against TikTok kicked off in India in 2020.

TikTok has previously admitted that ByteDance employees in China accessed details of US accounts, but it has always denied turning over data to the Chinese authorities. US President Joe Biden has also threatened to ban the app outright unless TikTok separates from ByteDance. In light of these developments, it is important for governments and individuals to be cautious about the use of apps from countries with questionable cyber programs to protect sensitive data and prevent potential espionage risks.

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AFRICA

Prophet Odumeje Declares: “I’ve Completed My Earthly Ministry, I’ll Die Soon”

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Founder Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Prophet Odumeje, has recently made a shocking announcement during a church service in Anambra. The self-proclaimed man of God revealed to his congregation that he has completed his work on earth and will soon pass away.

During the service, Prophet Odumeje shared a heart-to-heart conversation he had with his first son, David. He informed David that his time on earth was coming to an end and that he needed to prepare himself to take care of his siblings and mother once he was gone.

The controversial pastor stated that he had come to this world for a purpose, and that purpose had been fulfilled. He said that he had finished his earthly ministry and that he would soon depart from this world.

Prophet Odumeje has gained immense popularity and infamy for his peculiar style of conducting deliverance services, which involves throwing members who seek miracles on the floor in a manner similar to WWE wrestling. He has been known to challenge native doctors to competitions to prove their ability to perform miracles.

The 40-year-old pastor has had his fair share of battles and controversies, including claiming to have gone to battle with the devil in the underworld and returning with a championship belt.

Prophet Odumeje’s announcement has stirred reactions from his followers and critics alike. While some believe he may be pulling a publicity stunt or making a symbolic statement, others have expressed concern for his well-being and prayed for his health.

Whatever the case may be, the news of Prophet Odumeje’s impending departure has sparked conversations about life’s purpose, mortality, and the legacy one leaves behind. It is a reminder that, ultimately, we all have a finite time on this earth, and it is up to us to make the most of it and leave a positive impact on the world.

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Davido Makes Grand Comeback on Social Media, Announces Upcoming Album ‘Timeless’

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Davido, the Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, and record producer, has made a grand comeback on social media after a brief hiatus with a video announcement of his highly anticipated upcoming album titled “Timeless”. The video, which was shared on his social media platforms, immediately created a buzz amongst his fans, who have been eagerly waiting for new music from the superstar.

In the video, Davido takes a reflective approach as he talks about the different phases of life, highlighting the importance of each phase and the lessons that can be learned. He says, “There is a time for everything. A time to grieve and a time to heal. A time to laugh and a time to dance. A time to speak and a time for silence.” This profound message strikes a chord with his fans, as it showcases his philosophical side and his ability to connect with his audience on a deeper level.

Davido also took the opportunity to express his heartfelt gratitude to his fans, who have been unwavering in their love and support during his time away from the music scene. He said, “Thank you to everyone out there for your love and support that has held me down. All the love and messages while I was away, the gifts sent, the concerts you all threw! I appreciate it all.” This heartfelt message is a testament to his humility and his ability to acknowledge the role his fans have played in his success.

He further emphasized that while his past music may have been new at one point, it has now become timeless. He stated, “Today, I want to remind you all that what is now Timeless, was once new. It’s time for something new.” This statement shows that he is ready to take on new challenges and create new music that will stand the test of time.

The upcoming album, “Timeless”, is set to drop on March 31st, and fans are already buzzing with excitement. With the promise of new music from one of the biggest names in the music industry, this album is expected to be a hit amongst his fans and beyond. Davido’s return to social media and the music scene is a clear indication that he is ready to take the music world by storm once again, and his fans cannot wait to see what he has in store for them.

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