Business
Expose Crude Oil Thieves, Elumelu Challenges FG
Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to reveal the identities of those responsible for the massive theft of crude oil in Nigeria, particularly through vessels moving in and out of the country’s territorial waters.
Elumelu, who made the appeal in an interview published by the British daily newspaper, Financial Times (FT), on Friday, highlighted the grave impact of oil theft on Nigeria’s economy and the comsequent exodus of international oil companies from the country.
He described oil theft as a significant factor behind the divestment of international oil companies (IOCs) from Nigeria’s onshore assets.
Sharing his personal experience, Elumelu recounted how criminal gangs began siphoning crude oil from his company’s pipelines, leading to a drastic reduction in production.
In 2022, Elumelu reacted when it got to a critixal point by taking the to social media, by tweeting, “How can we be losing over 95 per cent of oil production to thieves?
“Look at the Bonny Terminal, which should be receiving over 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily; instead, it receives less than 3,000 barrels, leading the operator, Shell, to declare force majeure.
“The reason Nigeria is unable to meet its OPEC production quota is not because of low investment, but because of theft, pure and simple!”
He expressed his dismay at the failure of Nigerian authorities to curb the oil theft, contrasting the situation with the efficiency of security agencies in other countries.
“This is oil theft, we’re not talking about stealing a bottle of Coke you can put in your pocket. The government should know, they should tell us.
“Look at America: Donald Trump was shot at and quickly they knew the background of who aters and we don’t know?” he questioned.
Despite the ongoing theft, which still claims about 18 per cent of his company’s daily production of 42,000 barrels, Elumelu remains optimistic.
He is, however, also critical of the government’s handling of the situation, recalling a past incident where the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari allegedly blocked his attempt to acquire an oilfield.
According to Elumelu, Heirs Holdings had raised $2.5 billion to purchase an oilfield since 2017, but the deal was thwarted by Buhari and his late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, on the grounds that such a strategic asset could not be sold to a private operator.
“This defied logic,” Elumelu said, noting that the oilfield was being sold by a foreign company.
Elumelu, who made his fortune outside the oil industry, explained that his decision to purchase a 45 per cent stake in an oilfield three years ago, at a time when International Oil Companies (IOCs) were divesting from Nigeria’s shallow water assets, was driven by a desire to ensure energy security for the country.
He said, “We wanted to become a Fortune 500 company and we estimated what we needed. It’s not naira, it’s huge dollars. Energy security is crucial for a country that doesn’t produce enough electricity for its roughly 200 million citizens”.
Speaking on the increasing port for those seeking greener pastures abroad.
trend of Nigerians emigrating for better opportunities, known as the “japa syndrome”, Elumelu expressed his support for those seeking greener pastures abroad.
“I support it, totally. I don’t have a problem with people saying ‘I’m going to Canada, UK or US.’ Joblessness is the betrayal of a generation. You’ve gone to school and come back with your dreams and aspirations and you don’t have the opportunity.
“For people who decide to find solutions elsewhere, no one should stop them. But for those who decide to stay, they should try to create an impact and build a legacy”, he stated.
MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter
