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There is a saying in engineering that you cannot fix what you will not first measure. For decades, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) operated in a fog of opaque numbers, political interference, and a governance culture that seemed almost allergic to scrutiny. That era, by all available evidence, is finally coming to an end.

On April 2, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made what many initially dismissed as just another political reshuffle. He dissolved the entire NNPC board and executive management, and appointed an entirely new leadership team headed by Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari as Group Chief Executive Officer and Ahmadu Musa Kida as non-executive Chairman. The surprise was not just in the timing, but in the composition.

The board was populated almost entirely by technocrats with deep private-sector experience, former directors of Shell, Total, NLNG, and even NNPC, alongside other seasoned financiers and engineers.

One year on, the early returns suggest that this was not a cosmetic change but a structural reset. Let us start with first principles. What does “governance” actually mean for a national oil company? Under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, NNPC Limited was incorporated as a limited liability company under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), obligated to its shareholders, ostensibly all 200 million Nigerians, and required to declare profits. But the PIA alone could not change culture. That required leadership.

Ojulari’s first move upon assuming office was to reinstate monthly financial and operational performance reports, a transparency measure that had been allowed to lapse. According to Dr Ogbonnaya Orji, immediate past Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), “This level of disclosure sends a powerful signal to the market. Transparency is critical to restoring confidence”. NEITI has since publicly backed Ojulari’s reform agenda, urging NNPC to stand as a model of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and civic engagement.

Beyond disclosure, the new leadership created two new offices: a Chief Compliance Officer and a Chief Sustainability Officer, aligning NNPC with international accountability and environmental responsibility standards. These are not ceremonial titles. They represent a deliberate institutionalisation of oversight that was previously absent.

Even the board’s composition reflects a departure from the past. The new 11-member board includes former NLNG Managing Director Babs Omotowa, respected industry veteran Austin Avuru, and David Ige, alongside representatives from the finance and petroleum ministries. Kida, the chairman, brings over three decades of experience from Elf and Total, where he rose to Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services. This is not a board of political appointees; it is a board of seasoned operators.

Perhaps the most visible test of governance has been the handling of Nigeria’s refineries. Ojulari’s approach has been fundamentally different. Speaking at the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) 2026 in Abuja, he laid out a starkly realistic assessment: “Getting refineries up and running requires three critical elements: financing, a competent engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, and world-class operational capacity”. He also made it clear that NNPC would resist pressure to continue running the refineries at a loss. “NNPC Ltd has embarked on a comprehensive review to recalibrate its refinery strategy, while engaging partners to fulfil its role as supplier of last resort,” he told delegates.

Instead of signing yet another operations and maintenance contract, the new leadership is actively pursuing technical equity partners with proven global expertise. According to Ojulari, NNPC is not selling its refineries outright, but is open to ceding equity to strategic investors who will lead operations, share financial risk, and rebuild internal technical capacity.

A major Chinese petrochemical firm is already in advanced discussions. This is a marked shift from the contractor-led model that left NNPC holding operational responsibility without the capacity to perform.

When President Tinubu issued Executive Order No. 9 of 2026, which stripped NNPC of its automatic 30 per cent management fee on profit oil and gas and directed direct remittance of oil revenues to the Federation Account, many predicted chaos. The conventional wisdom was that NNPC, starved of its customary cash flows, would push back publicly and grind to a halt.

Instead, the new leadership chose engagement over confrontation. The company complied, reframed its financial model, and used the moment to demonstrate fiscal discipline rather than entitlement. This is the kind of institutional maturity that only a board with depth and private-sector instinct can produce.

Nowhere has the change in tone been more evident than in NNPC’s relationship with the Dangote Refinery. Under the previous leadership. In February 2026, Ojulari led a high-level management delegation on a facility tour of the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Ibeju-Lekki.

The visit was not ceremonial. High-level discussions culminated in a renewed commitment to strategic collaboration across multiple fronts. According to Ojulari, the partnership will “unlock synergies across assets, infrastructure, capital, and markets” and provide “visibility of all NNPC-Dangote business relations.”

He further noted opportunities for expansion into upstream operations, trading, shipping, and gas supplies. For his part, Alhaji Aliko Dangote was equally effusive, stating that “Nigerians will be the beneficiaries of the synergy between Dangote Group and NNPC Limited, because our collaboration will achieve economies of scale and unlock value on a large scale”.

This is not the language of reluctant partners. It is the language of aligned commercial interests.

To be fair, not everything has been smooth. Some industry observers have noted that NNPC’s crude production targets remain ambitious, with 2025 federal budget benchmarks of 2.06 million barrels per day still out of reach. Ojulari himself acknowledged at NIES 2026 that achieving 1.8 million barrels per day in 2026 would be a more realistic goal. Critics also point to lingering questions about legacy financial discrepancies, with the Senate Committee on Public Accounts still seeking further clarifications on historical entries.

These are legitimate concerns, and the new leadership would do well to accelerate the reconciliation process.

Perhaps the most significant signal of all is the one least discussed in public. The current leadership is not building a company for today; it is building a company for public listing. More importantly it is working hard towards bequeathing a legacy that will be the pride of all Nigerians.

Every governance reform, from monthly financial disclosures to the creation of compliance offices, from equity partnerships in refineries to transparent engagement with Dangote, is a step towards the day when NNPC Limited becomes a publicly traded company that is accountable to global investors.

That is the ultimate test of governance. And by that measure, Ojulari’s board and leadership may well prove to be a stitch in time that saves actually saves nine.

-Adekayode is an energy analyst with over fifteen years of experience covering African oil, gas, and power sectors.

NNPC Board Reset: A Stitch In Time For Governance, Performance is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

By Juliet Umeh

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Afam Osigwe, has criticized the involvement of the executive arm of government in providing infrastructure and welfare items for judges, describing the practice as wrong and damaging to the integrity of the judiciary.

Speaking on Channels Television, Osigwe said: “It is wrong for the executive to build courtrooms, buy cars for judges, invite judges and hand over vehicles to them.

He lamented that, “ the growing trend portrays judges as beneficiaries of political patronage and weakens public trust in the justice system.

“Sometimes it would appear that the judiciary is happy. The judges are happy to be paraded by politicians receiving cars, as if the person were doing them a favor.

“As if the governor or minister or whoever is spending his own personal money. It demeans the judges. It demeans the judiciary.”

According to him, such actions create a troubling perception of closeness between the judiciary and the executive,” he stated.

He described the issue as a moral concern, stressing that it raises doubts about fairness in the justice system.

Osigwe maintained that “judicial needs should be handled through proper budgetary processes. If the courts need houses, they should be put in their budget, and the courts should be allowed to handle it. The public display is demeaning and robs them of the perception of being independent,” he said.

On judicial independence, he said: “Constitutionally, yes. But in reality, the perception is that the judiciary is not fully independent.”

He attributed this to financial control by governors, noting: “Sometimes the Chief Judge is reduced to going to the Government House to beg for release of statutory allocations. To that extent, it is not independent.”

Osigwe also warned against the increasing judicialization of politics.

“Over the years, there have been worries that the electoral process has been overly judicialized, with fears of corrupt practices affecting judgments,” he said.

He urged restraint by legal practitioners, adding, “Lawyers should not be a tool in the hands of politicians, not to use litigation to manipulate the political process.”

He further warned, “If the legal and judicial process is put to the wrong use, we may have the tendency of truncating democracy.”

The post Executive building courts, gifting judges undermines judiciary – NBA chair appeared first on Vanguard News.

Former Argentina defender, Oscar Ruggeri, has named Spain, France and England as the three biggest contenders to win the 2026 World Cup apart from his country.

According to Ruggeri, the aforementioned countries have very good players in their squads.

Speaking to BOLA VIP about the contenders to challenge Argentina for the World Cup, Ruggeri said, “For me, Spain, France, and England — I see very good players in them, I’m not sure about them as a unit — but I will still put them in.

“The Germans. We get frustrated, but somehow, they might not show much early on, and then you see them among the top four. And I think Brazil will improve,” he said.

The World Cup will take place in the summer and will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Argentina is the current defending champion of the World Cup after they won it four years ago in Qatar.

2026 World Cup: Ex-Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri names three biggest contenders to win trophy

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that his administration will return missionary schools in the state to their original owners as part of efforts to strengthen partnerships in the education sector.

The governor made this known on Friday while receiving the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, alongside the Catholic Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Francis Obafemi Adesina, the Catholic Bishop of Abeokuta, Peter Odetoyinbo, and other church officials.

Abiodun acknowledged the longstanding contributions of religious bodies to the education and health sectors, stressing that government alone cannot drive development without the active involvement of private and faith-based institutions.

“We will return all missionary schools to their owners. It is not our policy to do it alone. We need to join hands with private individuals, and we encourage further partnership with the Church to expand development,” he said.

The governor described Ogun State as a hub of religious harmony and a growing destination for religious tourism, noting that faith-based organizations continue to play a vital role in sustaining peace and development.

He highlighted the impact of the Catholic Church, citing its global population of about 1.2 billion, with an estimated 34 million adherents in Nigeria and about 1.2 million in Ogun State, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

According to him, the peaceful coexistence among adherents of different religions in the state has significantly contributed to its socio-economic progress.

“The services rendered by religious bodies help in achieving peace in the state. Our people believe you more than politicians because they believe politicians make promises without fulfilling them. The role of faith-based organizations is duly appreciated,” Abiodun added.

While attributing the successes recorded by his administration to the support and prayers of the faithful, the governor congratulated the papal nuncio on his appointment, expressing confidence in his capacity to succeed.

“Do not doubt that you will do well in your chosen path, and this visit will benefit both the Church and the state,” he said.

Earlier, Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty commended the governor for promoting religious harmony and providing a conducive environment for the Church’s activities in the state.

“Your provision of a stable and supportive political environment has significantly enhanced the mission of the Catholic Church in your state, and we are grateful for that,” he said.

He urged the state government to sustain collaboration with the Church, particularly in the health and education sectors, where both institutions share common goals.

Crotty also lauded the governor for initiating the process of returning schools to their original owners, expressing optimism that Catholic schools—especially those in the dioceses of Ijebu-Ode and Abeokuta—would be among those returned.

“The Catholic Church is willing to collaborate with the state in strengthening human development, which is central to the mission and social teaching of the Church,” he added.

The post We’ll return missionary schools to original owners – Abiodun appeared first on Vanguard News.

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, inaugurated 60-megawatt gas turbine plants at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The president also inaugurated other projects implemented by the Gov. Douye Diri-led administration such as 630 metre Angiama-Oporoma Bridge, Sagbama/Ekeremor Road, and 2.9km Dual-Carriageway in Yenagoa.

Speaking at a stakeholder meeting held at the Bayelsa Government House, Tinubu commended Diri for implementing the independent power project.

The president said that Bayelsa people deserved to see governance translated into physical development and better quality of life.

“We are all working hard. Independent power supply is a good thing. I assure Nigerians that they will have electricity to power their growth,” he said.

He urged the governor to implement more people-oriented projects, and pledged that the Federal Government would support his government to achieve more for the state.

Also speaking, Diri commended the president for the visit, and described him as a friend of the Bayelsa people.

“We are confident that you will recognise the depth of our appreciation for taking time from your busy schedule to inaugurate these landmark projects.

“Your administration’s decisive policy interventions have paved the way for meaningful reforms in various sectors including power.

“This has enabled us to deliver on our pledge to establish reliable, independent energy through the construction of these gas‑powered turbines.

“For us as a state, this is not just an achievement, it is a cause for thanksgiving and rejoicing,” he said.

The visit attracted the presence of notable personalities including former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Tinubu inaugurates 60-Megawatt Gas Turbine Plants In Bayelsa is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps, have arrested two suspected kidnappers and armed robbers operating in the state.

While parading the suspects at the headquarters of the Corps in Alagbaka, Akure, the Commander Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that the suspects were arrested in Owo, the headquarters of the Owo Local Council Area of the state.

Adeleye, who also stated that others were apprehended within the Oloko axis of Akure metropolis during a week-long clearance operation across the state, noted that the arrests were carried out by joint operations of security agencies in the state.

According to the Amotekun boss, a total of 164 suspects were being paraded with several stolen items recovered, adding that 144 were arrested for breaches of law and order, one rape case, 15 cases of human trafficking, and one violation of the state’s anti-open grazing law.

“One Godwin was arrested over alleged murder and rape. Other suspects include Azeez (30), accused of arson and escape from lawful custody, alongside Ademola, Imole, and Japhet, aged between 26 and 32, who were arrested for offences ranging from conspiracy and abduction to assault on security personnel.

” Emmanuel (38) and Ibrahim (20) were apprehended for conspiracy, breach of peace, and possession of stolen motorcycles. Emeri and Moses were also arrested for allegedly aiding human trafficking and defrauding unsuspecting victims in Akure.”

Amotekun parades suspected criminals in Ondo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 general election.

Mr Mohammed Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Haruna, who did not state reasons for the postponement, said the decision was taken at the commission’s meeting in Abuja.

“Following deliberations, the commission resolved to postpone the exercise until after the 2027 general election,” he said.

He described voter revalidation as a critical component of INEC’s mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters.

According to him, the exercise is designed to verify and review existing voter records, ensure the accuracy of personal data, eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries, and strengthen the integrity of the voter register.

He added that it would also provide registered voters the opportunity to confirm their details and make necessary corrections where required.

Haruna reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.

INEC Postpones Voter Revalidation Until After 2027 Polls is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Every day, thousands of football fans watch the same matches and back the same teams. But only a handful consistently get it right. The difference is not luck, it is strategy.

The punters who last longest in the game are the ones who think before they select. When it comes to football predictions and sports betting, instinct alone won’t carry you far. The smartest punters know that beyond the obvious, there are deliberate habits that separate consistent winners from everyone else.

What Makes a Good Football Prediction?

In the world of football predictions, the difference between getting it right and getting it wrong often comes down to one thing: Information.

A guess is built on instinct or bias. A correct prediction is built on patterns, context, and understanding. If you want better outcomes and more wins, these three factors will sharpen your approach.

1. Form: Bet on What’s Happening Now

Forget reputation, informed predictions focus on the present. Are they winning consistently? Scoring freely? Conceding late? Form reflects a team’s current rhythm and momentum. Ignoring it means betting on history instead of reality.

2. Head-to-Head: Let the Records Speak

Some fixtures carry patterns beyond current form. Records reveal how teams have historically matched up. Psychological advantage and style matchups often matter more than league position. Always check the history before you pick.

3. Odds Value: Think Beyond the Favourite

Most punters back the obvious choice. Smart football predictions go further by identifying value, assessing whether the best odds truly reflect the likely outcome. The smartest move is rarely the most popular one.

Sports Betting vs PunterClash: A Smarter Way to Play

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How OddScore Works: Why Best Odds Matter More Than You Think

OddScore is PunterClash’s contest system built to reward smart, strategic punters, not just safe pickers.

Correct predictions matter, but picking only obvious outcomes won’t move you up the leaderboard.

What really counts is finding value in the Best odds. Higher odds mean higher points.
The real challenge is balancing accuracy with bold, well-calculated football predictions.
On OddScore, it is not just about getting it right. It is about getting it right strategically.

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How to Enter Soccer Contests on PunterClash

Getting started takes less than a minute:

Sign up or log in to your PunterClash account
Look through available OddScore contests
Make your football predictions before kickoff
Submit your entry early
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Once matches begin, predictions are locked. From there it is purely about how your selections perform against every other punter in the contest.

Responsible Gaming: How to Keep It Fun and Stay in Control

The best punters are not just smart, they are disciplined.

PunterClash promotes responsible gaming by moving away from endless wagering and toward structured competition. Entering defined soccer contests rather than placing unlimited bets naturally reduces the urge to chase losses or bet impulsively.

Set your limits. Play within your means. Treat it as entertainment, not financial pressure. Responsible gaming is not just a rule on PunterClash, it is part of the culture.

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Enjoy Football Predictions Smartly: Best Odds, Correct Selections, Responsible Gaming on PunterClash.

A former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, was on Friday sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling petrol to Boko Haram terrorists.

Habeeb, who contested the 2015 election, was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on a one-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism.

Trial Justice Peter Lifu held that the Federal Government had successfully established its case against him.

The convict, a fuel dealer in Maiduguri, Borno State, admitted in open court that insurgents had obtained fuel from his station. However, he claimed his attendants had carried out the sales.

He knelt before the court throughout the proceedings, pleading for leniency.

According to Habeeb, he has two wives and six children who depend on him. He added that he had been unable to see or communicate with any family members for over 10 years while in detention.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. David Kaswe, from the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed the convict’s plea for leniency.

Kaswe insisted that the logistical support Habeeb rendered to terrorists had led to the deaths of several people and the destruction of homes and properties.

While acknowledging that Habeeb had been in detention for over 10 years, the government lawyer urged the court to impose a 20-year jail term.

He maintained that Boko Haram would not have been able to use their motorcycles to launch attacks on innocent people and escape into the bush without fuel supplies.

In delivering judgment, Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence Habeeb was a Boko Haram member or had received weapons training. The judge added that the sole accusation against him was the sale of fuel to the terrorists.

Justice Lifu further noted that the Federal Government did not refute Habeeb’s claim of having spent 10 years in pre-trial detention.

Consequently, he sentenced Habeeb to 10 years’ imprisonment, to run from the date of his arrest and detention.

The court ordered Habeeb’s release upon the signing of his release warrant, to enable him to undergo extensive rehabilitation.

Ex-Senatorial Candidate Jailed For Supplying Fuel To Boko Haram is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

A 16‑year‑old boy has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of 14‑year‑old Eghosa Ogbebor in Woolwich, southeast London.

Police said the teenager was first arrested on Saturday, 4 April, and released on bail before being re‑arrested on Thursday, 9 April.

According to Sky News, officers were called to Lord Warwick Street, near the Woolwich Ferry and Woolwich Dockyard train station, at around 3.40pm on 2 April after reports of gunfire. Eghosa was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accused, from Romford, is scheduled to appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

The 16-year-old was first arrested, along with a 19-year-old man, on suspicion of murder. A 46-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All three were subsequently released on bail, police said.

The day before, a 14-year-old boy, 16-year-old boy and 18-year-old man were arrested in connection with Eghosa’s death.

They have also been bailed while inquiries continue.

On 10 April, a further 16-year-old boy was also arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.

The post Teenager charged with murder over shooting of 14-yr-old Eghosa Ogbebor in London appeared first on Vanguard News.