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Abuja, Lagos VIPs behind oil theft in Niger Delta – Dickson

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Senator Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa West said some very important personalities (VIPs) from Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are behind oil theft in Niger Delta.

Dickson stated this in an interview on Channels Television on Friday.

The two-term governor of Bayelsa State said the official system and oil companies are beneficiaries of oil theft in the Niger Delta.

According to him, there is an absence of national values which makes people to use the nation’s resources for selfish gains.

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He said, “People from Abuja and Lagos are the masterminds and the official system is not ignorant and not innocent. The official security system, the official oil system, the official federal system, all of it in its entirety. It’s a powerful system.

“Why should a country like Nigeria that has been producing oil, exporting oil for the past 70 years not have a scientific way of metering, recording what leaves, what is pumped, what is sold and what is not sold? And it’s deliberate.

“It’s not a Niger Delta thing; it’s just happening there and it is unfortunate that it has destroyed communities because there is too much illegal money, illegal arms, illicit drugs and it has fueled cultism because people want to get the loyalties of young people to be able to hold territories where oil facilities are.

“They need weapons and young men that are always high on drugs. You think a man who slaughters and cuts off a man’s head and dismember him is normal? So, those are people who are actively on drugs.”

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He said a global consensus should be formed that makes the international community reject stolen crude oil from Nigeria.

Dickson called for strong political will on the part of the government at all levels to stop oil theft.

Oil theft has existent in Nigeria for years with volumes of oil being lifted by in the oil sector without being accounted for.

Recall that in 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had said it uncovered an illegal oil connection operated for nine years with about 600,000 barrels per day of oil lost in the same period.

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About 108,000 barrels of crude are reportedly stolen daily in Nigeria. The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries which Nigeria is a member estimates that the country lost 2.3 million barrels monthly, amounting to over $1 billion monthly.

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Baby Mama: Elon Musk responds to calls on child support payments

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Elon Musk has responded to the allegations made by Ashley St. Clair, who accused the billionaire entrepreneur of reducing their child support payments by 60%. According to St. Clair’s claims, the drastic reduction in payments forced her to sell her Cybertruck in order to make up for the financial gap.

The allegations were made public through a post on X (formerly Twitter), where Ashley shared her frustrations about the financial support she was receiving from Musk.

In a move that quickly garnered attention, Elon Musk took to Instagram to address the situation. In his post, Musk stated that, despite not being certain whether the child in question is his, he has still provided substantial financial support to Ashley. Musk revealed that he had given Ashley $2.5 million and that he is also sending her $500,000 annually.

He also mentioned that he is open to confirming paternity, noting that he is not opposed to finding out if the child is indeed his, though there is no court order mandating such an action.

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Musk’s statement stirred up a lot of conversation online, with many reacting to the financial figures and the ongoing public drama surrounding the child support dispute. His comment about not knowing for sure whether the child is his, despite providing significant funds, has led to further scrutiny and debate about the nature of their relationship and financial arrangements.

This exchange between Musk and St. Clair highlights the complexities of high-profile relationships and the often-public nature of personal financial disputes, with both parties seemingly airing their grievances on social media platforms.

The situation has drawn a wide range of opinions, with some sympathizing with Ashley’s financial struggles, while others have questioned the level of support Musk has provided.

Regardless, the incident has undeniably sparked buzz across social media, bringing attention to both the public figures involved and the ongoing controversy surrounding child support.

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Edo Killings: Jibrin Shares Details of His Discussion with Okpebholo

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Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, has called for justice following the killing of 16 hunters in Uromi, Edo State, who were traveling to the North.

Jibrin made the statement after receiving a condolence visit from Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, who expressed his condemnation of the killings and updated Jibrin on the progress of the investigation.

Governor Okpebholo disclosed that 14 suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident and would be brought to Abuja for further interrogation. He also mentioned the formation of a committee by the Edo State Government to assist the families of the victims.

In response, Jibrin commended the governor for his efforts and urged him to ensure that justice is served, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of the perpetrators.

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He emphasized the importance of punishing those responsible to serve as a deterrent to others, stating that the primary demand from everyone was justice. Jibrin further noted that he had been in contact with the governor multiple times on the matter before their meeting.

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Deputy Speaker Appoints Hart as New Chief of Staff

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By Gloria Ikibah
The Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has appointment Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies
(NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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