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CSR: Reps Vow To Fight Back Companies Who Refuse To Honour Invitation 

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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Committee investigating the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility by multi national oil companies operating in the South-South region of Nigeria has vowed to drag in the mud the image of the companies operating in the region, who have refuse to honour the committee’s invitation
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Lilian Orogbu who stated this at the resumed hearing of the committee expressed displeasure about the attitude of some companies, according to her, they were being disrespectful to the National Assembly.
She said some of the companies have been ignoring invitations from the Committee, and that after three invitations, the committee will be left with no option that to invoke the powers or the parliament on the affected companies.
She said: “We don’t know who you are. This committee was formed to investigate petitions coming from those places where you operate. Series of petitions coming from your host communities. We are not here to witch hunt anybody,  not by any means.
“We are here to work together to see that your operations are carried out with all sense of responsibility and that those communities where you operate feel happy that they are also benefiting from these companies operating in their midst.
“We are all talking about building a new Nigeria,  while the Presidency is talking about renewed hope agenda. We need to give hope to our citizens.
“The committee report will be prepared very soon and we won’t want your companies to be indicted. In the next few days, you are going to see me in Channels TV discussing the host community issues, the company issues and how these companies have been handling the host community issues. I am sure you won’t want your companies to be mentioned.
“If that does not mean anything to you, by the time we begin to invoke the powers of the National Assembly and the powers of the constitution on your companies, I am sure you won’t like it.
“We are here to work with you and in the area where you are not meeting up, the committee will advice you to do the needful and we will come on sight of to oversight what youbare doing. But don’t make us look as if we are witch hunting you.
“But if we find out that your company has become a troublesome company to this committee, I will weild everything I have and the committee will use all its powers to fight back. So please, we would want you to conduct yourself in the most appropriate manner expected of companies of your repute”.
Rep. Orogbu said the meeting was a follow up to the initial one held on the 6th of March, and also part of the efforts being undertaking to ascertain the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by Multi national oil companies and other corporate bodies operating in the South-South zone.
“It is an incontrovertible fact in Nigeria that the South-South region is the life blood of our nation’s economy, rich in natural resources and brimming potentials.
“However, alongside this bounty comes responsibility — a responsibility for corporate bodies to ensure their operations contributes positively to the socio-economic and environmental well-being of this region in line with Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021”, she added.
According to the Committee Chairman, the investigation was to find out how efficient are companies integrating CSR principles into their operations, whether Local Communities benefiting from the presence of the corporate bodies and determinie the balance between resources extraction and environmental sustainability?
“These findings will be Instrumental in shaping future policies and fostering a more responsible and sustainable business environment in the South South.
“I urge all participating companies to approach this process with transparency and commitment to the nation. We want to work with you, not against you to create a win win situation where businesses flourish along thriving and empowered communities.
“For those multi national oll companies and corporate bodies operating in the South South who have disrespectfully ignored this Joint Committee’s invitations for this strategic steering meeting consecutively, the Joint Committee wishes to unequivocally state that, It will employ all the constitutional means at its disposal including the invocation section 89(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended) to compel them to appear before the Committee.
“I am optimistic that this investigation will be a catalyst for positive change in the South-South and a model for responsible corporate conduct throughout our nation Nigeria”, Orogbu asserted
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2025 Budget is ambitious, growth sustaining -Prof Nnamchi

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Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, a federal lawmaker, has praised the 2025 national budget proposal, calling it ambitious and growth-sustaining.

He believed that the budget was aimed at reassessing the government’s transformation agenda, its impact on the production and the overall economy in addition to making sure that the government’s monetary and fiscal policies were in tandem.

The proposed budget according to him, “is expected to bring down interest rates, support investments, promote production, and sustain growth and reduce inflation. He stressed.

Professor Nnamchi also acknowledged the progress made in security, particularly in the Niger Delta region, which has contributed to the increase in oil production from 1.2 barrels a day to 1.8 barrels a day.

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Key highlights of the budget proposal include: A significant allocation to security, which Professor Nnamchi observed that it was crucial for addressing food security concerns and reducing the cost of staple foods.

“Increase in oil production and agriculture due to improved security situation in the troubled areas will raise our GDP significantly, which could bring down inflation from 39% to 15 % going by medium term expenditure frameworks”
He noted stressing that the budget outlined proposed measures that would also support investments, promote production, and sustain growth while reducing inflation.

Such measures, he stated includes investments in infrastructure development, which were expected to stimulate economic growth and attract foreign direct investments.

“While ambitious, this budget is grounded in sound economic principles, and its successful implementation will depend on our collective resolve as representatives of the people to ensure that every naira allocated serves its purpose and delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians.”

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Overall, Professor Nnamchi emphasized the need to prioritize national interest and work towards moving the nation forward urging that Nigeria should be placed above sectional interest.

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Work for Peace and Unity of Nigeria’, Obi tasks Ohaneaze president, Mbata

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The leader of the opposition Labour Party and the 2023 Presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, has admonished the newly elected leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Senator John Azuta Mbata to work towards peace and unity of the nation.

Writing on his X handle in a congratulatory message to the Executive, Obi urged the new Executive to leverage their position, which shows the people’s confidence in them to strengthen the Igbo family and unite the country.

“On behalf of my family and the Obedient movement, I congratulate the Newly Elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata; the Deputy President General, Prince Okey Nwadinobi; the Secretary-General, Emeka Sibeudu, and other newly elected executive members, on their emergence as the leaders of the noble organization.

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“Their emergence as the leaders of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the umbrella body that unites the Igbo people, underscores the level of confidence and hope the people have in their leadership ability and their commitment to the development of the region and the nation in general.

“I pray that they will leverage their new offices to continue to work for the peace and unity of our nation and contribute immeasurably to ideas that will drive development, peace, and progress among the people.

“May God give you all, the wisdom and strength to serve the people.
A New Nigeria remains Possible.

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Minor cabinet reshuffle: Delta gov redeploys Information Commissioner to Ministry of Special Duties

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In a minor cabinet reshuffle, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has redeployed Information Commissioner to Ministry of Special Duties.

As part of the changes, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, the Commissioner for Information, has been reassigned to the Ministry of Special Duties.

In the interim, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, the Commissioner for Works, Rural and Riverine Roads, will oversee the Ministry of Information.

Also, a reliable source within the inner circle of the government has also verified the same development.

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There are mixed reactions among journalists regarding Governor Oborevwori’s directive for the Ministry of Information to be overseen by Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu.

This sentiment stems from lingering grievances over the fallout between journalists and the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Journalists have expressed dissatisfaction with Okowa’s refusal to acknowledge their efforts during his eight-year tenure with a ‘parting gift.’

It is worth recalling that Okowa was accused of denying journalists of same gesture of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, fully implemented by Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, extended to media professionals, both government house press crew and those outside the Government House.

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