NECA Tells NNPC: Disclose Details Of Refineries Repair Deal With Chinese Firms

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association has asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to disclose details of the refineries revamp agreement with Chinese firms.

On April 30, the NNPC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms to explore a partnership for the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries.

The agreement was signed with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd.

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In a statement on Sunday, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, NECA director-general, said Nigeria cannot afford another failed refinery rehabilitation after spending about $25 billion on turnaround maintenance projects with little measurable results.

According to NAN, the statement is titled ‘Enough of MoU Governance and Failed Revamps on Port Harcourt and Other Refineries’.

He said repeated rehabilitation efforts at the Port Harcourt refinery had failed to deliver sustainable refining output despite huge public investments over the years.

“It will be unpatriotic to endorse another opaque refinery deal while questions surrounding past spending and failed rehabilitation projects remain unresolved,” Oyerinde said.

“Nigeria cannot continue spending billions of dollars on refinery turnaround maintenance without sustainable refining output or measurable economic value.

“NNPC must rebuild public trust through transparency, accountability and a clear business model capable of ending repeated refinery rehabilitation failures.”

The NECA DG said Nigerians deserve clear explanations on previous spending, audit outcomes and safeguards against delays, cost overruns, and repeated operational failures.

He asked NNPC to disclose details of the proposed technical partnerships, local content plans, and technology transfer arrangements under the agreement.

Oyerinde said businesses have suffered decades of energy insecurity caused by rising production costs, fuel import dependence, and job losses linked to dysfunctional refineries.

The NECA executive reiterated the association’s call for the privatisation or concession of the refineries, adding that governance reforms must precede further rehabilitation projects.

He said the NECA would only support refinery revamp efforts carried out under transparent, accountable and commercially sustainable arrangements capable of restoring public confidence.

NECA UNVEILS ESG IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE TO STRENGTHEN MSME SUSTAINABILITY

The association’s position comes days after it officially launched the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) implementation guide for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria,

The move, announced in a separate statement on Monday, aims to strengthen sustainable business practices and enhance the competitiveness of small businesses across the country.

The launch, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), was designed to help MSMEs integrate ESG principles into their operations, enabling them to adopt more responsible, transparent, and sustainable business practices.

Speaking at the launch, Oyerinde said ESG has evolved into a critical global business conversation that determines long-term sustainability, competitiveness, and access to opportunities for organisations across sectors.

Oyerinde said many MSMEs struggle to understand and practically implement ESG requirements cost-effectively

This, he said, has driven NECA and its partners to develop the guide based on extensive research into the level of ESG awareness and adoption among Nigerian businesses.

“From investors and regulators to consumers and global value chains, there is a growing expectation for businesses, regardless of size, to demonstrate responsible and sustainable practices,” Oyerinde was quoted as saying.

“This guide is designed to be practical, accessible, and action-oriented. It provides MSMEs with clear guidance on understanding ESG concepts, implementing sustainable business practices, identifying ESG risks and opportunities, and positioning their businesses for improved access to finance and market opportunities.”

He reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to supporting businesses beyond the launch of the guide through continuous engagement, training, advisory services, and strategic partnerships to deepen ESG adoption across sectors.

NNPC

Oyerinde urged government institutions, financial organisations, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders to collaborate to create an enabling environment that supports MSMEs on their sustainability journey.

“For Nigeria, supporting MSMEs to adopt ESG practices is also central to achieving inclusive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable national development,” he said.

“At NECA, we recognize that the transition to sustainable business practices requires more than guidance, it requires continuous engagement, capacity building, and collaboration.”

Following the launch, a capacity-building training session was reportedly conducted for 60 selected participants to deepen their understanding of ESG principles and provide practical insights into implementing the guide within their respective organisations.

Dabiri-Erewa Calls On Diaspora Athletes To Invest In African Youth

‎Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has urged Nigerian athletes in the diaspora to invest actively in the next generation of African talents.

‎She made the call while receiving Nigerian basketball star Ejimofor “E.J.” Anosike and his co-founder, Ibrahim Famouke Doumbia, at the Commission’s office in Abuja. The visit was made under the banner of the Meta Africa Sports Foundation.

‎Dabiri-Erewa praised the Foundation’s efforts in supporting young Africans through sports and mentorship, describing it as a strong example of how Nigerians in the diaspora, and Africans generally, can contribute meaningfully to youth development across the continent.

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‎She expressed hope that the Initiative would inspire more athletes and professionals abroad to become mentors and leaders in sports, education and youth empowerment.

‎Speaking during the visit, Anosike, who is the first player in the history of the league to win all major accolades, including the NBL Championship (2026), Finals MVP (2026), Regular Season Scoring Leader (2024), Best International Player (2025), two-time All-Star (2025, 2026), and All-Star Slam Dunk Champion (2026), described giving back as a personal responsibility.

‎“It took a village to raise me to where I am today. This is my own way of giving back to Nigeria and helping young people discover their potential,” he said.

‎Speaking on the Foundation’s vision, Anosike said it was built on a simple but powerful idea: empowering young Africans through sports, education and life skills.

‎According to him, the Foundation has, over the past four to five years, mentored hundreds of young people across Africa and donated nearly 3,000 pairs of basketball shoes across the continent, including about 400 pairs distributed to young Nigerians. In addition, over 10 young Africans are currently playing in the US.

‎Beyond sports, the Initiative also runs English language training alongside basketball programmes, equipping young people with skills that extend beyond the court.

Dabiri-Erewa

‎Doumbia, co-founder of the Foundation and a professional basketball player, said the organisation opened an academy in Mali last year, offering training in sports, education, agriculture and entrepreneurship.

‎Anosike also announced plans to launch Under-16 and Under-18 basketball tournaments in Nigeria later this year to identify and nurture emerging talents at the grassroots level.

‎He further called on diaspora athletes to invest in African sports and youth development, describing the continent’s sports industry as a growing sector with enormous potential.

‎E-Signed: Violet Nwosu Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, ‎. NiDCOM

NAF Special Forces, Police EOD Team Boost Counter-Led Warfare Capabilities In Bauchi

To maintain operational dominance across increasingly complex security environments, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA), Bauchi, in collaboration with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Bauchi State Command, conducted a specialized training package on the identification of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) for trainees of Special Forces Course 13/2026.

The training was aimed at sharpening the situational awareness, force protection capabilities, and operational effectiveness of the trainees to enable them effectively counter explosive threats within contemporary operational environments.

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The exercise further reflects the Nigerian Air Force’s sustained commitment to producing highly skilled and mission-ready special forces personnel capable of executing precision operations across diverse theatres.

Speaking during the exercise, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Lawrence Akpan, stated that the training was in line with the Centre’s mandate to produce resilient and combat-ready special forces personnel capable of operating effectively in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environments.

He emphasized the importance of equipping personnel with the tactical knowledge required to detect, identify, and safely respond to explosive threats during operations.

Squadron Leader Akpan further noted that the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has continued to prioritize realistic training, operational adaptability, and mission-oriented capacity development to ensure NAF personnel remain decisive, proactive, and dominant in the conduct of counterterrorism and other special operations.

During the practical sessions, trainees were exposed to various forms of IEDs, threat indicators, and safety procedures applicable during combat operations. The NPF EOD Team conducted practical demonstrations on the detonation mechanism of pressure plate IEDs while also exposing trainees to the critical components of explosive devices, including containers, initiators, charges, power sources, and switch mechanisms.

NAF Special Forces, Police

The exercise provided participants with valuable operational insight into the construction and functioning of explosive devices commonly encountered during operations.

The collaboration further underscored the growing importance of inter-agency synergy in strengthening national security architecture and enhancing operational effectiveness against insurgency, terrorism, and other asymmetric threats confronting the nation.