Month: April 2025

‘First Highest-Level Trip in Decades,’ Saudi Defense Minister Visits Iran

Damilola Olonade

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud arrived in Tehran on Thursday, in a rare visit by a senior Saudi royal to the Islamic Republic. Prince Khalid met Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Iranian news outlet ISNA reported, adding that “developing defense relations and regional cooperation to strengthen peace and stability in the region, as well as combating terrorism, are among the topics of discussion between the two senior defense officials.” It has been decades since a senior Saudi royal last visited…

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‘Going, Going;’ Trump Mulls Shutdown of US Embassies in Africa

Damilola Olonade

The administration of United States President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the closure of nearly 30 American embassies and consulates around the world, with several facilities in Africa potentially affected. According to a CNN report citing an internal document from the U.S. State Department on Wednesday, embassies in the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Lesotho, and South Sudan are among those recommended for shutdown. A US consulate in South Africa is also on the list. The document proposes the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates across Europe, Africa,…

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‘You’ll Do Well Here,’ Delta Gov Assures Safety, Success for Renaissance

Efe Wellington

    Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwore, has pledged his administration’s full support for the operations of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, successor to the Shell Petroleum Development Company and operator of the NNPC/Renaissance/TotalEnergies/AENR Joint Venture. Platforms Africa reports quoting a statement that the governor spoke in Asaba, the state capital on Thursday, assuring the Renaissance leadership of the safety and success of their operations in Delta State. “You will do well in Delta State. I assure you that your operations here are safe. Delta State is one of the…

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‘I’m Honored to be Named NIPR’s Overall Spokesperson of the Year’ – Soneye

Aliyu Aliyu

  …dedicates award to NNPCL Media Team     The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Olufemi Soneye, has reacted to his emergence as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Spokesperson of the Year 2025. The prestigious award was presented during a highly competitive event held in Abuja on Wednesday night. In his acceptance statement, Soneye, who explained that he made a vow to be a transparent and professional spokesperson, committed to timely, accurate, and impactful communication, edged out top contenders, including…

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NiPeTE Secures National Technical Board’s Approval

Efe Wellington

. Rebrands to boost professionalism in oil, gas industry The Nigerian Institution of Petroleum Engineers (NiPeTE) a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (Formerly the Petroleum Division) has announced plans to rebrand as the Nigerian Institute of Petroleum and Gas Engineers, as part of a strategic move to enhance professionalism and drive growth in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Engr. Prisca Kanebi, Chairperson of NiPeTE, disclosed this at a media conference held in Lagos to brief the press on the Institute’s renewed focus and future direction. ‘Deep-Water Pioneer,’ SNEPCo…

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‘Deep-Water Pioneer,’ SNEPCo Named Major Oil Company of the Year’

Precious Ibekwe

. Former MD Elohor Aiboni is Amazon of Nigeria’s Oil Sector   Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) has been named Major Oil Company of the Year for last year by a Nigerian publication, Energy Times in recognition of its contributions to deep-water oil and gas development and the industry generally. Energy Times also awarded the title of Amazon of Nigeria’s Oil Sector for 2024 to Mrs. Elohor Aiboni, a former Managing Director of SNEPCo now on international assignment in Brunei. The awards were presented to SNEPCo’s Senior Operations…

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UK Supreme Court Says Legal Definition Of ‘Woman’ Excludes Trans Women, In Landmark Ruling

Ganiyu Amodu

The United Kingdom’s highest court ruled that the legal definition of “woman” excludes trans women, in a case with sweeping consequences for how equality laws are applied. Britain’s Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the definition of a woman in equality legislation refers to “a biological woman and biological sex,” sparking celebrations outside court among gender-critical campaigners but warnings it was a “worrying” development for transgender people. The case centered on whether trans women with a gender recognition certificate (GRC) – which offers legal recognition of someone’s female sex – are…

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‘Arrest Her, Now,’ Yahaya Bello Demands Natasha’s Prosecution

Abibat Babalola

. ‘Let her prove her allegation that I planned to assassinate her,’ full gist in the petition the Kogi ex-governor wrote to the IGP       Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over alleged defamatory statements made against him by the suspended senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In the petition, written and signed by his solicitor, Mr. N.A. Abubakar Esq, to the IGP on Wednesday, Bello called on the Nigeria Police Force to…

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‘It’s 547k, No, It’s 572k;’ Power Minister, NERC Bicker Over 2024 Metering Data

ADEOLA YUSUF

    . ‘Crazy billing,’ Customers Woes Worsen As Metering Drops To 4-Year Low . Figures Shouldn’t Lie; what Adelabu said vs. What NERC said     Amidst the dip in metering to a four-year low, the power Minister, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) have flaunted contradicting data on the program for 2024. Checks by Platforms Africa showed that while Mr. Adelabu stated that over 572,050 meters had been deployed under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) in 2024, the sector regulator clearly stated that the…

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Court Nullifies Obasa’s Removal As Lagos Assembly Speaker

Abibat Babalola

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court has declared the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly illegal and unconstitutional. Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the court nullified the proceedings and resolutions of the Assembly held on January 13, 2025, during which Obasa was ousted from office. Obasa had filed a suit challenging his removal, naming the House of Assembly and the newly appointed Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, as defendants. READ ALSO: N800/litre Petrol In Sight As Oil Prices Tumble 15 Million Nigerians At…

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