Tag: General News

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has faulted reports in a section of the
media (Not THE WHISTLER)that claimed some underhand dealings in the allocation of oil blocks during the 2024 oil licensing bid round.

The Commission said the publication appears to be the work of a notorious blackmailer, and a malicious attack intended to generate unnecessary controversy, as there have been no such deals with any individual, group or institution.

In a statement signed by Mr Bashiru Indabawa, Chairman 2024 Bid Round Committee, NUPRC, it dismissed the reports stating that the bid rounds were done in line with global best practices.

The NUPRC recently undertook the initiation and conclusion of the 2024 Oil Bid Round.

The process was characterised by a comprehensive and rigorous framework designed to ensure transparency and stakeholder engagement.

Among the key components of this meticulous process were public hearings held at various stages, where all relevant industry stakeholders were encouraged to participate and voice their perspectives.

These hearings facilitated a collaborative atmosphere, allowing for input from regulatory agencies and all parties operating in, and oversighting industry operations.

Their involvement, according to the NUPRC, was not limited to the final stages of the bid round but played an integral role from the very outset, contributing to the development of regulations and guiding the bid process.

It added that this level of engagement and procedural rigour underscores a commitment to fostering a fair and competitive bidding environment in the Nigerian oil sector.

The statement added, “The selection process for the 2024 oil bid round was a comprehensive and inclusive event, involving a diverse array of stakeholders such as the International Oil Companies (IOCs), various local and international firms, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), relevant government agencies, civil society organisations, and both national and international media representatives.

“This process was conducted in a manner that upheld the principles of competitiveness, openness and transparency, as mandated by section 73 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“The licensing round conducted by NUPRC under Engr Komolafe was the first in nearly 70 years of Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry history to leverage digital technology, devoid of any human interference, in a manner adjudged to be in line with global best practices.

“The outcome was televised live and attended by all the aforementioned stakeholders. There was no room for any manipulation to warrant any underhand dealings whatsoever, as insinuated mischievously in the publication.

“Therefore, any allegations or insinuations regarding underhand dealings or bribery lack merit and are entirely unfounded, serving only to mislead.

“These claims are not rooted in truth, and disregard the rigorous standards upheld throughout the selection process.

“The article is nothing more than a fabricated narrative aimed at defaming the leadership of the Commission. Its reliance on anonymous sources undermines the credibility of the claims made, raising serious doubts about the journalistic integrity of the piece.”

The Commission stated that the meticulous processes and regulatory frameworks established by the NUPRC during the 2024 Oil Bid Round demonstrate a commitment to transparency and fairness in the industry.

” Allegations of misconduct, particularly those lacking substantive evidence, distract from the real advancements being made in the oil sector and contribute to a culture of misinformation.

“It is essential for media outlets to uphold rigorous standards of accuracy, especially when discussing matters of significant public interest and economic importance.

“The baseless claims made in the aforementioned article serve only to mislead and create unnecessary controversy, detracting from the progress being achieved within the framework of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

“Regardless of the mischievous motives of those behind the smear campaigns, the NUPRC leadership is unwavering in its firm commitment to the implementation of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold reform initiatives in the Nigerian oil and gas sector for optimisation of federation revenue in the overall national interest,” it added.

Ends

Underhand Dealings Claims In Oil Blocks Licensing Bid Round, False, Malicious—NUPRC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler

Austine Akaeze, a seasoned academic and property consultant, revisited his alma mater two decades after graduation, and what he saw left him with a sense of dismay. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he earned his Mass Communication degree, seems to have stagnated, with dilapidated buildings and a lack of notable development. Akaeze, a lecturer at the Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, pursuing a PhD in his Alma mater, shared his disappointing experience and reflections with THE WHISTLER.

After your degree, twenty years back, have you visited your alma mater or is this your first visit?

After my degree in 2005, I returned again in 2009 for my master’s and left in 2012. I returned for my PhD in 2024. I registered in November.

What were the surprising things you noticed after your return?

Nothing surprising. The impression was not encouraging. If I look at the Faculty of Arts, which is my primary home, it’s still the same way we left it. Nothing changed. In the Mass Communications Department, for instance, the final year class, the third year class… they are all the same way we left it.

Then, the Postgraduate area has been turned into a computer lab that is just a mounted exhibition. Nobody uses it. So, we, the postgraduate students, most times have our lectures in the lecturer’s office or in the library. The library is dirty, unkempt, unarranged, and there are three staff working there. I keep wondering what they do.

You take lectures in lecturer’s offices and libraries? How comfortable is it?

You can imagine the comfort you have when taking a lecture in a lecturer’s office. Is that a lecture? It’s no longer a lecture. It’s not even an interaction. I think it’s just a normal chat because it’s absurd for students to receive lectures in a lecturer’s office unless maybe the lecturer is your supervisor.

How many are you people in the class?

Maybe around 20. The number varies; sometimes you see 8, 12, sometimes you see only 3 people. Sometimes you see people you have never seen before.

Were there no changes, 20 years after your degree?

The only change I noticed was in the office of the Head of Department (HOD) Mass Communication, Prof. Ukonu – the projector that was installed there and in the classes.

Recently, the department published the Record Newspaper, which they had stopped publishing for years. They are planning to launch an online version of the newspaper. There was also a recent ‘Jackson Lecture’ organized by the department. Maybe there is hope, but for now, I saw nothing to give me hope. Maybe they are waiting for us.

Who are the “us”?

Maybe they are waiting for the alumni; the old students. We really have a lot to do for the school.
This problem is not only peculiar to UNN. The university in Nigeria is a problem unto itself. The university is supposed to be the soul of society, the conscience where we produce humans for development and generate ideas, but what do we have now?
Let me take you back a little. Osita Chidoka, the former minister of aviation, conducted a study in collaboration with other persons on the state of African universities. In other countries, they visited, expenditure/income of the universities was displayed on their websites. How much they got from hostel, school fees, government subvention, but in Nigeria, no single university displayed theirs.
Nobody knows how much is coming in or going out. Everything is shrouded in secrecy; a university that is supposed to be open.

You mentioned how bad the hostels in the school were. Could you explain more?

To use the word “inhabitable” is to say the least. Those hostels are disasters waiting to happen.
Franco Hall, where I spent four years during my degree days, Eni Njoku and Alvan Ikoku Hall should all be pulled down immediately before they collapse on students.

Also, we have Nkrumah Hall, that used to be a PG Hall. It has been converted to a girls’ hostel. It underwent some renovations. I think it is still habitable.
There is Mbanefo Hall which used to be a male hostel; it has been rehabilitated to a female hostel. It is still manageable. PG students stay now in Peter Odili Hall just before Kwame Nkrumah.
Then let’s go up school; where we used to call White House, Akpabio and Akintola Halls should be pulled down immediately. They are no longer habitable.

The management of public universities usually complains of lack of funds to embark on projects. What can you say about it?

Only internally generated revenue can run a university. I don’t think funding is our problem. Our problem is the implementation of good policies that will drive us forward. The forefront of it is management. Everybody is looking for what they will get, and nobody cares about the university.

What do you think should be done in our universities? Where can we start from?

Education in Nigeria is in a chaotic state. It’s a serious problem. The country should redesign our educational approach. Our education is not designed for development. It’s designed to memorize facts that add nothing to the student and get a worthless certificate that cannot contribute to the new age. We are in the information technology age. The world is driven by technology.
Our education should become more creative, more technical, and less classroom-based. Classroom lectures can happen anywhere now. Class is digital now.
Let’s go to what UNN needs. The school needs functional classrooms that fit into the spirit of the new age, not obsolete ones. Halls of residence for students should be rebuilt and improved upon. The laboratories and library should also be upgraded.
The lecturers’ pay should be increased. We are poorly paid considering the volume of work; you teach undergraduate, postgraduate, diplomas, PGDs, you supervise, you mark. The morale of lecturers is low. I have a passion for the job, but my salary can’t take me for a week. I have to go into real estate to survive. If I depend on my salary, I will commit suicide. It’s abnormal for an academic to be running around looking for survival while doing a job that could have earned him a living.
These three issues should not only be taken care of in UNN but across all universities. If the Nigerian educational system can pull this together and then we talk about a new model for Nigerian education.

What New Model are you proposing?

I’m working on a model that will transform the quality of education in the country. I’m looking at a model where there’s one semester of classroom work and the next semester on the field, doing practical work.
For instance, why should a university with departments of Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Building Technology bring in contractors to do a building job in the university? When we have professors in those fields and students who could have used such an opportunity to gain practical experience.
A university should have a farm that can feed the university. A faculty of Agriculture with no tractor, no cassava farm, no corn farm… What are you “agriculturing”?
We should channel our efforts into practical things. A university demonstration farm, bakery, table water production… We can do all these to help ourselves and keep the students busy.
This proposed model should also be adopted in our primary and secondary schools. Mondays to Wednesdays for classroom work and Thursdays and Fridays for practical/technical work. Students will be distributed according to their areas of interest and competence.
Workshops like electrical, mechanical, furniture, welding, engineering, and so on, should be created. Education is simply discovering and nurturing a child’s natural ability. Here, we are forcing children into things that are not compatible with them.
If you come to universities today, you’ll cry when you see the culture of students; their disposition and all. You’ll wonder if it’s the same university you attended years ago.
During my days, I remember as an undergraduate, it was from hostel to class, from class to the library. That was my movement. A student in their final year now doesn’t have a notebook. All they have is a phone, data, and earpiece.
A student of Mass Communication in their final year can’t even define Mass Communication convincingly. It’s only a few of them that know what they’re there for. The new model I am proposing will help solve all these issues.

UNN Alumnus Proposes Radical Model To Change Varsity Education In Nigeria is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler

Nigerians have reacted with frustration, hope, and scepticism to President Bola Tinubu’s return from his extended leave to Paris, France, on Sunday.

“While he was away, we lost over [over 284] innocent lives at the hands of marauding herdsmen,” lamented Shagba Zaki Orturan in response to the announcement. “The food basket is becoming a blood basket. Let Mr President act now. We are helpless.”

Tinubu had extended his stay abroad beyond the two-week leave initially announced by the presidency. He departed Abuja for Paris, France, on April 2 for what was described as a retreat to enable him to “appraise his administration’s midterm performance and assess key milestones”.

Last Thursday, the presidency addressed public concerns about the president’s prolonged stay. Onanuga had assured Nigerians that Tinubu remained “fully engaged” in the country’s governance despite being overseas.

He also revealed that the president had relocated from Paris to London over the weekend and maintained “constant communication with key government officials”.

The latest trip came barely two months after Tinubu visited France on a private visit. The president has made over 30 foreign trips since assuming office on May 29, 2023.

In a Facebook post on Sunday night, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga shared photos of Tinubu’s arrival. Among the officials who welcomed him home were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Some citizens who reacted to Onanuga’s earlier post announcing Tinubu’s return expressed anger over the president’s absence during recent attacks in Plateau and Benue States, which have reportedly claimed no fewer than 284 lives.

“Were Nigerians not massacred in Plateau and Benue States when he snubbed them and jumped into the tax-payers-purchased jet to France?” questioned Smart Chukwuma Amaefula, adding, “What is his value to Nigeria?”

Another commenter, Aselemi Love, sarcastically remarked, “What is he coming back to do? I thought he was the French prime minister. You people should be ashamed of yourselves.”

However, Aliyu Ibrahim Makama expressed hope that “his return will normalise the hardship situation in this country,” noting that “Nigerians are suffering more than you can ever expect.”

He added that even grassroots mobilisers for the administration “have nothing tangible to use for a campaign, especially here in the North.”

Others used the announcement to call for policy interventions by the Tinubu administration.

Kizito Okokhere urged President Tinubu to “immediately face changing the security architecture, which he campaigned to change.” He suggested the formation of “a joint committee on state or even local government police”.

Olumuyiwa Fafure wrote, “Welcome back, Mr President. Can you reshuffle the cabinet again? The Minister of Power is useless so far.”

Nkereuwem Akpan recommended that upon return, the president should meet with governors from affected states and security chiefs for “extreme carrot and stick solutions” while also accelerating gas projects to “calm down nerves”.

While criticism dominated the reactions, some supporters maintained their faith in Tinubu’s leadership.

Olusesi Boyejo said, “Even his enemies are missing him. Atiku and Obi cannot sleep. Indeed, Tinubu is a man of destiny.”

However, others like Chidi Chukwuonye offered scathing assessments: “There is absolutely no difference between his being around and his not being around. He remains inept, clueless and incompetent, no matter where he runs Nigeria from.”

Anger, Hope As Tinubu Ends Paris-London Leave is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler

In a wave of high-profile stock selloffs preceding a major shift in U.S. trade policy, Meta Platforms Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg and several other top American executives offloaded billions of dollars’ worth of shares in the first quarter of 2025.

The timing, just weeks ahead of President Donald Trump’s April 2 announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs, has drawn renewed scrutiny over insider trading practices during periods of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Zuckerberg led the pack, divesting approximately $733m worth of Meta shares between January and March through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and its related foundation.

The sales, executed under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan established in August 2024, involved about 1.1m shares, according to data from Washington Services cited by Bloomberg.

While Meta shares were initially resilient, Trump’s declaration of a new tariff regime rattled equity markets, sending tech stocks into a tailspin. Meta was among those impacted, contributing to a drop in Zuckerberg’s net worth to $178bn — the lowest point of the year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

The share sales have sparked debate among market watchers and corporate governance experts over the ethics and optics of executive divestments ahead of sensitive policy shifts. Though legal under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rule 10b5-1, critics argue that such transactions can erode investor trust, particularly when timed before significant market-moving events.

Zuckerberg’s monthly stock option sales have reportedly continued into April, totaling an additional $565m in disposals, partially offset by an estimated $100m in exercise costs.

He was not alone. CEO of Oracle Corp., Safra Catz sold approximately $705m in stock options in January when Oracle shares were trading near record highs of $180.

Known for maintaining a relatively limited direct stake in the company, Catz’s transactions were also part of a pre-established plan tied to executive compensation.

Other prominent figures followed suit. Nikesh Arora, CEO of cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks Inc., sold 2.36 million shares worth more than $432m.

Max de Groen, a Nutanix Inc. board member and partner at Bain Capital, divested 5.5 million shares valued at roughly $410m. Chuck Davis, a director at Axis Capital Holdings Ltd. and co-CEO of Stone Point Capital, sold 4.3 million shares for nearly $400m.

Stephen Cohen, President of Palantir Technologies Inc., capitalized on a significant stock rally, selling 4.06 million shares for an estimated $337m. The company’s stock nearly doubled in value between January and February.

JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon also joined the selling spree, disposing of 866,361 shares worth $233.8m on February 20.

He later sold an additional 133,639 shares for $31.5m in April, pushing his total 2025 sales past $265m.

Eric Lefkofsky, CEO of Tempus AI Inc., sold over 4 million shares valued at $231.5m under a 10b5-1 plan, which distributes 1 per cent of his stake on a quarterly basis.

Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos liquidated 199,063 shares for $194.9m as part of a new trading plan that extends through February 2026. Travis Boersma, co-founder of Dutch Bros Inc., sold 2.5 million shares over five days in February, generating approximately $189.6m.

The synchronized timing of these substantial insider sales ahead of Trump’s tariff announcement has reignited calls for stricter disclosures and potential reforms to trading plan rules.

While none of the sales have been flagged as illegal, the pattern has heightened concerns about how executives leverage advance knowledge of political or economic developments to mitigate personal financial risk.

The broader market has reacted sharply to the evolving trade landscape. Analysts warn that further policy uncertainty, especially around tariffs and international trade relations, could sustain volatility across technology and manufacturing sectors in the months ahead.

Meta CEO, Other Tech Executives Sold Over $5bn Shares Before Trump’s Tariffs is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler

The Delta State Police Command plans to conduct an autopsy on the body of the late Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Trade and Export, Shimite Bello Love, who reportedly died under suspicious circumstances on Monday.

Shimite, also known as Madam Sabificate during her presenting days on the National Television Authority (NTA), was declared dead on arrival on Easter Monday by medical practitioners after she was rushed to the hospital by a relative.

According to reports, Shimite was found in an unhealthy condition at her residence; family members believed that she was allegedly poisoned by her husband, Pastor David Favour Love.

However, the Delta Police Command refuted the narrative and promised investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

Speaking to THE WHISTLER on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe said, “We do not have any report of any confrontation with her husband.

“It was the husband that called this morning that the wife fell ill and died, however, he is getting threats that the family of the woman may attack him, hence he called the police

“So, we took him on protective custody.

“The body has been deposited in the mortuary awaiting autopsy. It is only the autopsy that will determine if she did not die of natural sickness or if she died of any other afflicted.

“But for now, we are treating it as natural death, however, since the family of the woman has lodged a complaint against the man, we are going to do an autopsy to ascertain the cause of death.

“However, the allegation of, oh, they were fighting, those are just social media propaganda. There is nothing of such.”

Known for her in-depth documentaries of various places in Nigeria, Shimite Nwakalor as she was formerly known, stood out for her beauty, intelligence and eloquence on Television.

She was an aspirant for the Oshimili North constituency seat in the Delta House of Assembly in 2023.

She had previously served as the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency during Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration.

She was also the Group President/CEO of the Quintessential Group—a conglomerate comprising NGOs, social enterprises, and companies operating in agriculture and solid minerals.

Late Shimite Bello’s Husband In Custody As Police Conduct Autopsy is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler

Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has revealed that the club and Xabi Alonso have a gentlemen’s agreement that would allow him to leave if one of the clubs he played for during his career comes knocking.

Alonso has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid as the Spanish club eyes a summer rebuilding after crashing out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s contract is expected to run out at the end of the season, and Real Madrid are not expected to offer him a new contract, throwing the position open.

The 43-year-old enjoyed a remarkable career playing for the likes of Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.

Alonso is under contract at Bayer Leverkusen until June 2026.

He has led the club to the Bundesliga title, German Cup and DFB Supercup since taking over in 2022.

Carro has opened up on the club’s agreement with Alonso while addressing rumours about his future at the club.

He said, “We have a gentlemen’s agreement that if any of the teams he has played for call, we will sit down and talk, and we won’t put any obstacles in his way.

“Last year, Xabi had offers from important clubs, but he assured us that he would stay with us. Maybe it is a bit early to talk, as the season is still ongoing.

“Maybe things can happen. So we have given ourselves some time to decide … We are very calm, and there is not much more to say other than that.”

However, the CEO confirmed that the club has a good relationship with Real Madrid while maintaining that there has been no contact from the Spanish club for Alonso.

Carro said, “We are not naive, but the position of the coach is very important for a club, and we are preparing for the next season with him.

“We have been working with him every day; he is fully involved in that preparation. We are a very professional club, and we have to be prepared for everything.

“If at the end of the day there is interest from another club and he is interested in going to that club, we have a relationship that we would have to talk about.

“Xabi’s will is important in this; he respects us a lot, and we respect Xabi.”

In Alonso’s third season in charge, Leverkusen trail league leaders Bayern by eight points with four matches remaining. They were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich at the round-of-16 stage.

He has led the club to 18 wins, 10 draws, and two defeats in 30 Bundesliga matches this season.

You Are Free To Join Any Club, Leverkusen Tell Alonso is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler

The Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and Abuja has mourned the passing of Pope Francis, describing him as a spiritual father and global voice of conscience.

In a press statement signed by Rev. Dr Yakubu Pam, Chairman of Northern CAN, on Monday, the organisation called on Nigerians to reflect on the country’s moral direction and the need for national rebirth.

“Pope Francis lived out this calling through his relentless pursuit of compassion for the poor, dialogue among nations, and reconciliation among peoples.

“His passing during this season invites us as a nation to pause and reflect on our moral direction and the need for national rebirth,” Pam said.

The statement noted that the timing of Pope Francis’ passing during the Easter season is profoundly symbolic, calling for renewal and a new dawn for Nigeria.

“Easter is a season of renewal—a call to rise above pain and darkness into a new dawn,” he said.

CAN also condemned the ongoing insecurity, violence, and terrorism in several states, including Plateau, Benue, and Borno.

“The bloodshed, displacement, and destruction of communities are not just tragic—they are unacceptable,” Pam said. “We must not allow these challenges to become a new normal.”

The Christian organisation called on the federal government, state governors, security agencies, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to renew their commitment to protecting lives and restoring peace across Nigeria.

“The urgency of the situation demands unified action, genuine political will, and a return to justice and accountability at all levels of leadership,” Pam said.

CAN emphasised the need for unity among Christians, Muslims, and people of all faiths and backgrounds to heal the nation and restore the dignity of every Nigerian citizen.

“Let the memory and legacy of Pope Francis inspire us to reject indifference and apathy. Let us rise together—Christians, Muslims, and people of all faiths and backgrounds—to heal our land and restore the dignity of every Nigerian citizen,” Pam said.

The statement concluded by praying for the Catholic Church, the global Christian family, and Nigeria, and calling for a new determination to build a just, secure, and united Nigeria.

“May the passing of this great servant of God awaken in us a new determination to build a just, secure, and united Nigeria,” Pam said.

THE WHISTLER reports that only recently, a crisis engulfed the association over tenure elongation.

At the centre of the crisis is the tenure of Rev. Yakubu Pam, whose term as chairman allegedly expired over two years ago.

The crisis took a turn for the worse when Rev. Hayab’s group conducted an election, appointing him as the new chairman, while Rev. Pam’s faction has denounced the move, describing it as a “religious coup” and “fraudulent”.

Northern CAN Mourns Pope Francis, Calls For National Rebirth is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Source: The Whistler