News
THE CONCLAVE publisher, Sufuyan Ojeifo, loses mother, Aishetu, aged 91
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Madam Aishetu Ojeifo, mother of publisher of THE CONCLAVE online newspaper, Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo, is dead.
Mr Ojeifo confirmed that his mother died in the morning of Saturday, October 12, 2024, from a brief illness (body aches) and old age-related issues, in their family home in the ancient city of Owo in Ondo State, exactly two months to her 92nd birthday
He said he spoke with his mother on phone about 6.52 am to ask how she was feeling and if she had taken her drugs before setting out to the gym.
According to him: “ten missed calls from my elder brother, five from my uncle and four from my niece were enough trigger of fear about some sinister news eager to berth as I scrolled down the list of missed calls on my phone.
“The first number to press was that of my niece. She picked my call and she was crying. She did not have to tell me that my mother has died. I knew it. Is mama dead? I asked her. She replied in the affirmative. I said: I will make arrangements with some of my friends in Owo to come over to take her to the mortuary.”
The late Madam Aishetu in the middle during her 85th birthday celebration in Owo about seven years ago
Mr Ojeifo, who lost his father on January 12, 1992, said he had remained devoted to his mother, fulfilling his father’s parting request on his sick bed to: “please take care of your mother for me.”
Known for his unwavering support and affection for his mother, Mr Ojeifo, in a chat with this reporter, spoke of the deep bond they shared, a connection that continued to strengthen over the years even in her death.
Madam Aishetu Ojeifo, full time house wife to the late Pa Isa Isu Ojeifo, was into “moimoi”, “akara” and “puff-puff” making for patronage by the locals, a trade that popularized her in the community. She was a devout Christian, who cared for others and demonstrated her love for the Almighty God through her act of piety.
The late Madam Aishetu Ojeifo during the church thanksgiving service to mark her 85th birthday.
Born on December 12, 1933 to the royal family of Agbede, in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, the late Madam Ojeifo married Pa Isa Isu Ojeifo, who once worked with the UAC as a clerk before joining the JOF group of companies in Owo as a manager.
She had seven children with him, but survived by three, namely Mr Mayor Ojeifo (a retired secondary school principal), Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo (journalist and publisher) and Mr Kabir Ojeifo (a quantity surveyor with the Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA). She is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In a heartfelt condolence message to Mr. Ojeifo, his longtime colleague, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi of the Baze University in Abuja, praised the late matriarch as an “illustrious and achieving” woman.
Prof Adeniyi credited her for raising a hardworking and resilient professional like Mr Ojeifo, whose journalistic contributions have left an indelible mark on the Nigerian media.
The professor of diasporic communication encouraged Mr Ojeifo to take solace in his mother’s long life and enduring legacy while offering prayers for her soul’s peaceful repose.
Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN), a close friend of the Ojeifo family in Owo, commiserated with Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo and other members of their family on the loss of “a good mother indeed” even as he declared, after some short reflections, that her passing was “after all, a celebration of life.” He prayed that the Almighty God would grant her soul eternal rest in heaven.
Chief Tajudeen Aderibigbe, the Nene of Owo Kingdom and intrepid business mogul, also commiserated with his childhood friend, Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo on the loss of “a very dear mother who took care of our circle of friends while we were growing up and spending time in one another’s houses.” He prayed the Almighty God to grant her beautiful soul eternal repose in His Bosom.
Another childhood friend of Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo and US-based medical professional, Pastor Kolade Harrison, described the death of “Mama” as he is wont to call her (Madam Aishetu) as “a great, irreplaceable loss of a good natured and loving mother, who was one, if not the last, of the Mohicans of matriarchs in the community in which we were raised by our mothers, virtually all of them now resting in the Bosom of their Creator.”
Meanwhile, THE CONCLAVE reports that the Ojeifo family had assured family friends and others who wished to celebrate with them the wonderful life and times of their matriarch that funeral arrangements would be shared in due course.
Credit: The Conclave
(By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, paid a visit to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), at his residence in Minna, Niger State.
In a post shared on his X account on Thursday, Obi confirmed the visit, which followed his earlier meeting with Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi.
The discussions with IBB reportedly centered on national issues, with Obi also taking the opportunity to wish the elder statesman a happy new year.
Describing Babangida as a “father figure” and “wise man,” Obi expressed his admiration for the former leader’s insights and guidance.
He wrote:
“From Jigawa State, I traveled to Minna, Niger State to pay a visit to a father figure, elder statesman, and leader, the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, at his residence in Minna. The visit was an opportunity to wish him a happy New Year and to exchange thoughts on national issues.
“General Babangida’s wisdom and perspectives remain very important, and I always deeply appreciate the chance to visit him and listen to his invaluable advice and words of wisdom.
“A new Nigeria is POssible!”
News
After Obasanjo’s outburst NNPCL invites him to PH Refinery, Speaks on ‘Halting Crude Oil Supply to Dangote
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has invited former President Olusegun Obasanjo to visit the Port Harcourt Refinery and assess its operational status firsthand.
Naijablitznews reports this is coming barely hours after the former president’s on the reactivated refineries.
Obasanjo had granted interview on Channels Television, in which he cited advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) raising concerns about the refinery’s potential inefficiency.
SPDC, which had been approached for equity participation in the refinery, reportedly attributed these concerns to corruption impacting operations.
Obasanjo also accused NNPCL of misleading the public regarding the refinery’s performance.
In response, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, emphasized the company’s commitment to transparency and invited Obasanjo to see the progress made since the refinery’s rehabilitation.
Soneye highlighted that the rehabilitation efforts involved more than just maintenance, but a complete overhaul to meet international standards, with similar projects underway at the Warri, old Port Harcourt, and Kaduna refineries.
Soneye also noted that NNPCL’s transition from a government corporation to a private entity with limited liability has refocused the company on profitability, aiming to position it as a competitive global energy player. He reassured Nigerians of NNPCL’s dedication to sustaining operations that meet global standards and contribute to the nation’s energy security.
Addressing Obasanjo’s comments, Soneye acknowledged the former president’s role in national discussions and reaffirmed NNPCL’s commitment to a brighter future. Regarding rumors about NNPCL cutting crude oil supplies to the Dangote Refinery, Soneye dismissed the reports as false, indicating there was no need to respond to such claims.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
On Thursday, marking the inaugural trading day of 2025, global oil prices experienced a modest increase.
Brent crude futures experienced an increase, reaching $74.80 a barrel by 0547 GMT, marking a gain of 17 cents, or 0.06%
Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose by 19 cents, or 0.26%, settling at $71.91 a barrel
On Tuesday, New Year’s Eve, Brent crude oil prices increased by 65 cents, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) saw a rise of 73 cents on the same day
In 2024, global oil prices experienced significant fluctuations, driven by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and a notable decline in oil demand from China
China’s Economic Growth Fuels Optimism.
Investors are closely monitoring the expansion of China’s economy.
According to a report by Reuters, oil investors are expressing optimism regarding potential growth in China’s economy, which may lead to increased oil demand from the Asian powerhouse
This sentiment follows President Xi Jinping’s commitment to fostering growth by 2025
In his New Year’s address, the President of China committed to enacting more proactive policies aimed at stimulating economic growth in 2025
China’s factory activity experienced sluggish growth in December 2024, according to a recent survey by Caixin and S&P Global
However, there are indications of a modest recovery in the services and construction sectors, pointing to the potential impact of policy stimulus measures.
Impact of US Economic Policies
As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, investors are expressing concerns about the potential effects of tariffs
Due to the New Year holiday, the Energy Information Administration has delayed the release of the weekly U.S. oil stocks data until Thursday, which investors are currently anticipating
Market analyst Tony Sycamore shared insights with Reuters, noting that the weekly chart for WTI is narrowing, suggesting that a significant price movement is on the horizon
The upcoming US ISM manufacturing release is poised to play a crucial role in determining the next direction for crude oil prices.
Instead of attempting to forecast the direction of the impending break, he suggested that it would be more prudent to observe it as it happens and then align with it.
Nigeria’s oil price assumption for the year
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has established the 2025 budget based on the expectation that global oil prices will hover around $75 per barrel.
Additionally, the government has committed to increasing oil production to exceed 2 million barrels per day
Elements influencing oil prices in 2025. We project China’s oil demand to peak in 2025. We anticipate an increase in oil prices should this occur
The Economic and Technological Research Institute (ETRI) of the China National Petroleum Corporation forecasts an increase in oil demand to around 770 million tonnes in the world’s second-largest economy by 2025. India’s Demand: If demand surges in India, the country with the highest population globally, we could witness a significant increase in oil prices. Analysts predict that India is poised to overtake China as the dominant oil market in Asia.
Trump’s commitment to the slogan “drill, baby, drill” has sparked significant discussion regarding energy policies and environmental implications. Upon taking office, President Trump has committed to an immediate increase in oil production within the United States. Experts suggest that this scenario may be unlikely, as the private sector predominantly influences the oil and gas industry in America. The impact of OPEC: Last year, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) faced challenges managing oil prices despite implementing production cuts.
We cannot yet predict the potential impact on the oil market in 2025. Analysts suggest that OPEC’s influence in the global oil market has diminished compared to its historical prominence.
Photos) Obi Visits IBB, Reveals Their Discussion
After Obasanjo’s outburst NNPCL invites him to PH Refinery, Speaks on ‘Halting Crude Oil Supply to Dangote
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