UNILORIN Partner NNPCL To Establish Research Centre

UNILORIN partner NNPCL to establish research centre. The centre will be dedicated to practical engineering and technology-driven research.

The University of Ilorin and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have set up a joint strategic committee to establish a research centre and promote cooperation between the two institutions.

This was contained in a statement by the director of Corporate Affairs of the University, Kunle Akogun, on Saturday in Ilorin.

Mr Akogun disclosed that Wahab Egbewole, SAN, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, and Bashir Ojulari, the managing director/chief executive officer of the NNPCL, led their teams, respectively.

“Discussions between the two parties centred on the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at the University, the first in West Africa.

NNPC

“It will be dedicated to practical engineering and technology-driven research and the endowment of an NNPC professorial chair at the University, to promote industry-leading expertise.

“The joint committee, which will refine the details of the partnership, is expected to report back within four weeks,” Mr Akogun said.

The director said that members of the UNILORIN delegation included Mukhtar Etudaiye, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation).

Others included Mansur Alfanla, the registrar, and the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Joshua Olaoye, among others.

Governor Sani Sets To break Own Record After Completion Of Birnin Gwari Road: KADRA MD

Governor Sani Sets to break own record after completion of Birnin Gwari road: KADRA MD. He said the road will set a new record as 66 farming communities across Birnin Gwari Local Government will benefit from the project.

Governor Uba Sani will break his own record, when the 36km Bagoma-Gagumi road project in Birnin Gwari local government is completed, surpassing the Gadan Gayan-Gwaraji-Kujama road that was earlier commissioned in February.

The Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA), Dr. Abdullahi Baba Ahmed, who disclosed this while on an inspection visit at the project site, described the Governor’s rural transformation as revolutionary.

It will be recalled that the Governor had commissioned the longest road that had been constructed the last two decades, cutting across three local governments last February.

The road 35km that stretches from Igabi, to Kajuru and Chikun local governments, includes a 130-metre bridge over River Kaduna which serves several rural communities.

Speaking during the inspection tour of the Bagoma-Gagumi road at the weekend, Dr Baba Ahmed disclosed that the road will set a new record as 66 farming communities across Birnin Gwari local government will benefit from the project when completed.

“The road will link farmers to markets, residents to schools and hospitals, and is expected to open up the area to significantly impact the local economy,” he stated.

Highlighting the benefits of the Bagoma-Gagumi road, he said that “Birnin Gwari is one of Nigeria’s leading maize-producing local governments, and this road will greatly improve the transportation of produce and boost economic growth.’’

According to the Managing Director of KADRA, the 66 farming communities will also have better access to markets, schools, and healthcare, including better jobs.

He argued that the Bagoma-Gagumi road project is part of Governor Uba Sani’s broader initiative to build 1,345 kilometers of roads across 20 local government areas, adding that he has launched 150 projects and has so far completed 66 of them.

The MD said that road is being constructed by CGC Nigeria Limited, a major construction firm which specialises in infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water supply.

Dr Baba Ahmed noted that although the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, the contractor however promised to deliver ahead of schedule.

CGC Northern Regional Manager, Mr Wang Hongxi disclosed that “we have mobilized more workers and are working around the clock to ensure timely completion of the project.’’

Residents of Bagoma and Gagumi communities expressed hope that the 36 kilometre road will improve their lives and create economic opportunities.

Governor Sani

“The road, which had been in a state of disrepair for years, is being transformed into a modern highway, easing transportation and boosting economic activities in the area.”

“We are grateful to Governor Uba Sani for his commitment to improving our infrastructure,” Alhaji Musa Bagoma, a resident of the area told newsmen.

Alhaji Dangajere Gagumi, a local trader, also said that “this road will change our lives. We will be able transport our goods to the market more easily, and our children can attend school without worrying about the rough terrain.”

On his part, Mallam Ibrahim Mande attested that the Governor Uba Sani ‘’administration is truly committed to improving the lives of rural dwellers. This road is a testament to that commitment, and we are grateful for his efforts.”

President Tinubu Establishes Petroleum Reform, Value Optimisation Task Force

President Tinubu establishes petroleum reform, value optimisation task force. President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of a Presidential Petroleum Reform and Value Optimisation Task Force to design the next phase of reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

This is contained in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Tinubu appointed Fola Adeola, co-founder of Guaranty Trust Bank and founder of Fate Foundation, as chairman of the task force.

Mr Adeola will coordinate the group’s activities and ensure the timely delivery of its mandate.

Other members include Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, Osagie Okunbor, Abubakar Suleiman, Adaeze Aguele, Farouk Gumel, Phillipa Osakwe-Okoye and Seyi Bella.

Mofoluwasho Fadayomi will serve as secretary of the task force.

According to Mr Onanuga, the group is a time-bound executive working body mandated to produce execution-ready reform blueprints for Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

“The task force will consolidate ongoing reforms, unlock capital within the sector and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a global energy investment destination,” he said.

He added that the initiative reflected the president’s commitment to building a competitive, transparent and value-driven petroleum industry.

“The task force will function as a technical reform body rather than a representative committee,” Mr Onanuga said.

He said the group would engage industry operators, regulators, investors and civil society organisations.

“The focus will remain on actionable policy design and implementation strategies,” he said.

Mr Onanuga said the task force would report directly to the president and submit monthly progress memoranda.

He added that an interim report would be delivered after three months, while the final report is expected within six months of inauguration.

Mr Tinubu expects the task force to produce three major reform blueprints.

One deliverable is an implementation toolkit for immediate structural fixes, including draft legislative amendments, executive instruments and institutional restructuring proposals.

Another is a Capital and Liquidity Acceleration Blueprint designed to unlock between five and ten billion dollars in sectoral liquidity.

The blueprint is also expected to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereign interests while attracting investment into the industry.

The third deliverable is a National Energy Transformation Strategy.

The strategy will provide a ten-year roadmap with measurable targets for production, foreign exchange earnings, GDP contribution and cost competitiveness.

Mr Tinubu directed all ministries, departments and agencies in the sector to provide full technical support to the task force.

President Tinubu

He also instructed them to submit inventories of ongoing initiatives to ensure alignment with the emerging reform framework.

The president further directed existing committees and reform teams in the petroleum sector to align their activities with the new task force.

The move, according to Mr Onanuga, will prevent duplication of mandates and ensure institutional coordination.

“All relevant documentation and ongoing workstreams must be made available to support the task force’s work,” he said.

The task force will automatically dissolve after submitting and securing acceptance of its final report.