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NNPCL Awaits Presidential Directive N48BN Pipeline Deal

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The Federal Government has not issued any directive for the cancellation or re-award of the N48bn oil pipeline surveillance contract in the Niger Delta, contrary to speculations in some quarters.

It was, however, gathered that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited was awaiting the presidential directive on the future of the contract.

In August last 2022, it was reported that the government awarded the pipeline contract to a security firm of the former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.

The surveillance contract, reportedly worth N48bn per year (N4bn per month), elicited diverse reactions, as some stakeholders commended the move, while others kicked against it, leading to recent claims that it might be cancelled or awarded to another firm.

This came as oil sector operators and analysts advised the Federal Government to analyse the Key Performance Indicators of the contract before re-awarding or terminating it.

Recall that the Senate through its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, in January, summoned the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, over the pipeline contract, following a petition by the Isoko Community, alleging that their young men were not carried along in the multi-billion naira project.

The Isoko people under the auspices of Interested Isoko Youth Groups, through a petition sent to the Senate on their behalf by Stanley Okonmah, had alleged that they were completely marginalised in the contract award.

The lsoko Ethnic Nationality had requested the Senate to probe the award of the contract and prevail on the NNPCL management to award a fresh contract to a company owned by an Isoko person.

But sources at the NNPCL stated on Friday that though there had been speculations recently that the contract could be re-awarded, no directive had been issued on that.

When asked whether the NNPCL would cancel or re-award the contract, an official of the national oil firm replied, “This question should be directed at the Presidency/National Security Adviser. It’s not a decision NNPC can make.”

When probed further on whether it was not the NNPCL that engaged the security firm, the official replied, “with presidential approval.”

Kyari had defended the contract around the time it was awarded, as he explained that the decision was necessitated by the need for Nigeria to hire private contractors to man its oil pipeline network nationwide due to massive oil theft.

He said, “The security agencies are doing their part, end-to-end pipeline surveillance would require the involvement of private entities and community stakeholders.

“We need private contractors to man the right of way to these pipelines. So we put up a framework for contractors to come and bid and they were selected through a tender process. And we believe we made the right decision,” the NNPCL boss had stated.

CBN Releases Financial Statements of 7-Years

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has released the Consolidated Financial Statements for the last seven years, making it the first time since 2015 that the apex bank will be making its book available for public scrutiny.

The Consolidated Financial Statements, which were released by the CBN, are for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 financial periods.

The CBN declared a profit after tax of N103.8bn in 2022, up from N75.13bn reported a year earlier.

Also, the CBN owes JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs a combined sum of $7.5bn as of the financial year ended December 2022.

Included as part of its liabilities is another $6.3bn owned in foreign currency forwards.

The apex bank, however, stated it owes Goldman Sachs $500 million and JP Morgan $7 billion in what it classified as securities lending.

The 2022 financial statement read, “The Group entered into a securities lending agreement with Goldman Sachs and J. P. Morgan and as part of the agreement, the Group pledged its holdings on foreign securities in return for cash. The cash received from Goldman Sachs is N0.23tn ($500m), 2021: N0.22tn ($500m), and JP Morgan N3.23tn ($7bn), 2021: N3.05tn ($7bn) is recognised in other foreign securities.”

Securities lending forms part of the CBN’s total external reserves of about N14.3tn or $29bn using the official exchange rate of N494/$1 as of 2022.

However, the apex bank also owes another N3.15tn ($6.3bn) in foreign currency forward which are forex obligations it needs to make to foreign investors.

The financial statements uploaded on the CBN website is an indication that the apex bank, under the leadership of acting Governor Folashodun Shonubi, is ready to open its book to public scrutiny.

The suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had come under attack for not releasing the financial statements to the public.

Since 2005 when it started publishing details of its annual report on its website, the CBN never failed to publish the report until 2016, when it stopped the publication of the crucial documents.

According to the CBN Act 2007, the apex bank is expected to publish its report within two months after the end of each financial year.

“The Bank shall, within two months after the close of each financial year, transmit to the National Assembly and the President a copy of its annual accounts certified by the Auditor.

“A report required to be submitted to the National Assembly and the President shall be published by the Bank in such a manner as the Governor may direct

“The Board shall ensure that accounts submitted pursuant to this section shall as soon as possible be published in the Gazette.

“The Bank shall as soon as may be practicable after the last day of each month makeup end publish a return of its assets and liabilities as at the close of business on that day, or if that day is a holiday, as at the close of business on the last preceding business day,” the Act reads.

Analysts are of the view that the failure of the CBN to publish the report could send wrong signals to investors and others interested in understanding the state of the economy.

President Bola Tinubu had appointed Jim Obazee as a Special Investigator to probe the activities of the CBN and other related entities.

In a letter dated July 28, Tinubu said the appointment of Obazee, relying on the fundamental objective set forth in Section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution, was in furtherance of his administration’s anti-corruption fight.

The appointment is with immediate effect, and Obazee is to report directly to the President.

According to the letter signed by the President, the full terms of Obazee’s engagement as a special investigator will be communicated to him in due course.

80 People Confirmed Dead By Wildfires In Hawaiian Island of Maui

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Eighty people have now been confirmed to have been killed by wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, officials say.

There are fears the numbers will rise further, as hundreds are still uncontactable.

Firefighters have been trying to contain fires in several areas, including the historic town of Lahaina which has been utterly devastated.

Hawaii’s attorney general has announced a “comprehensive review” into how the authorities responded to the wildfires.

It comes as questions mount over whether officials warned residents fast enough.

On the Honoapiilani Highway – one of the only available routes into Lahaina – cars sat bumper-to-bumper, with families looking tired and worried alongside trucks piled high with supplies, water, fuel, nappies and toilet paper.

But within hours after opening, the road was shut to everyone but emergency services.

Authorities told the BBC that police had been called in to address a “situation” but would not elaborate.

Evacuated Lahaina residents later said they believed their homes had been struck by looting, though this was not confirmed by police.

Still, for hours after the closure, families sat in a mile-long line.

Earlier, Governor Josh Green had warned residents would be greeted by “destruction like they’ve not ever seen in their lives”.

And for many of Lahaina’s evacuees, that waiting devastation is still too much to see.

In Paukukalo, a coastal neighbourhood east of Lahaina, 23 stranded members of the Tacderan family gathered with relatives to take stock of the loss.

“Protect The Pacific Ocean!” South Korean Activists Protest Against Fukushima Water Discharge

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Hundreds of South Korean activists gathered in central Seoul on Saturday to protest against Japan’s plan to release treated radioactive water from the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean.

Japan’s Asahi Shimbun daily reported earlier this week that the country plans to start releasing the water into the ocean as early as late August, citing unidentified government sources.

“If it is discarded, radioactive substances contained in the contaminated water will eventually destroy the marine ecosystem,” said Choi Kyoungsook of Korea Radiation Watch, an activist group that organised the protest.

“We are opposed… because we believe the sea is not just for the Japanese government, but for all of us and for mankind.”

Hundreds of protesters held up signs saying “Keep It Inland” and “Protect the Pacific Ocean!” while singing songs and listening to rally organisers.

Japan’s nuclear regulator last month granted approval for plant operator Tokyo Electric Power (9501.T) to start releasing the water, which Japan and the International Atomic Energy Agency said is safe but nearby countries fear may contaminate food.

U.S. President Joe Biden will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for a trilateral summit on Aug. 18.

“There is talk that the dumping of contaminated water is on the summit agenda. The governments of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan should view it an environmental disaster, rather than a political issue, and agree to block it… for future generations,” Choi said.

Hawaii Recent Wildfires Disaster Second Only To 1992 Hurricane Iniki

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The total insured loss from the ongoing wildfires on Maui island is expected to be the second largest in Hawaii’s history, according to catastrophe modeling firm Karen Clark & Company (KCC).

The fast-moving inferno, which started earlier this week, ravaged the historic resort town of Lahaina that was once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

The impact of the fire would be second only to the Hurricane Iniki, which hit Hawaii in 1992, based on today’s property value, KCC said in a note.

The firm estimates the total area burned at about 2,200 acres, while roughly 3,500 buildings within the fire perimeter.

Search teams on Maui on Friday would comb through the charred ruins of Lahaina looking for more victims of the wildfire, with officials expecting the death toll of 55 to rise.

Insurance broker Aon said the extreme devastation to homes, businesses and other structures in Lahaina would likely drive economic and insured losses into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Since the situation is ongoing, losses may continue to rise and significant disruption to tourism in Maui, a major part of the local economy, would be realized for the foreseeable future, Aon in its weekly catastrophe report said.

Exploring Blue Hole Park, Bermuda

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Blue Hole Park, better known as Tom Moore’s Jungle as well as Walsingham Nature Reserve, is a unique natural feature that is a popular getaway spot, and it is located in the eastern part of the Hamilton Parish, within the northern part of the British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda.

This 5 hectares (12 acres) park is certainly becoming a more popular one, as it allows the visitors to see something different from the tiny island territory.

The locals refer to the park as Tom Moore’s Jungle, after the Irish poet who wrote some of his greatest work when he was here, getting inspired by this heaven on Earth.

Still, the entire natural feature is actually a connection of pools, caves and underground tunnels, and the main pool that is quite large is surrounded by mangrove forest, cliff jumping spots, and an intriguing cave.

Getting here is easy, as there are trails which lead to the pool, nonetheless, there are different offshoot paths that lead through the dense woodland area to various attractions.

Even though the area is partially owned by the Bermuda Government, in addition to the group of trustees and another private landowner, the entrance to this natural gem is free of charge, however, swimming inside the caves is not permitted.

After all, just swimming in the main pool that is surrounded by the amazing mangrove forest is simply an ideal opportunity for everyone to be mesmerized by the nature that is somehow hidden in this part of Bermuda.

Once Upon A Time – August 12 – 1908 – Henry Ford’s Company Builds The First Model T Car

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1121 Battle of Didgori: the Georgian army under King David the Builder wins a decisive victory over the famous Seljuk commander Ilghazi

1480 Battle of Otranto – Ottoman troops behead 800 Christians for refusing to convert to Islam

1851 American inventor Isaac Singer patents the sewing machine

1908 Henry Ford’s company builds the first Model T car

1981 IBM introduces its first Personal Computer (PC & PC-DOS version 1.0)

Historical Events Today Events in 2023

Today in Film & TV

1927 “Wings”, one of only two silent films – the other being The Artist in 2011 – to win an Oscar for best picture, opens starring Clara Bow (Outstanding Picture 1929)

Today in Music

1991 Heavy metal band Metallica release their 5th album “Metallica”; debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 chart

Today in Sport

1964 Mickey Mantle switch-hits HR record 10th & final time in a game with one going up 502 feet

1883 The last quagga (zebra subspecies with less slashes) dies at the Artis Magistra zoo in Amsterdam.

1980 Nicaragua celebrates the end of their National Literary Crusade – a massive effort over five months that reduced illiteracy from 50% to 12%

Famous Weddings

1806 Frontiersman Davy Crockett (20) weds Polly Finley in Tennessee

1940 PGA golfer Sam Snead (28) weds high school sweetheart Audrey Karnes

1941 “I Love Lucy” actress Vivan Vance (32) weds actor Philip Ober (39)

England vs Colombia – Women’s World Cup Preview

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  • The last Women’s World Cup quarter-final is between England & Colombia
  • Lionesses have struggled to consistently perform so far
  • Colombia claimed the massive scalp of Germany in the group stage

England are on the cusp of reaching a third successive Women’s World Cup semi-final, but they must first beat a Colombia side that has been one of the tournament’s surprise packages.

12 months on from winning Euro 2022, the Lionesses are having a very different experience in Australia. Laboured performances against Haiti and Denmark in the group stage were followed by a demolition of China, before being outplayed by Nigeria in the last 16 but somehow sneaking through.

England certainly have tournament knowhow under their belt and, right now, it is carrying them.

Colombia have already surpassed their previous best at a World Cup tournament just by being in the last eight. They have improved each time they have competed on this stage, going out in the group stage on their 2011 debut and reaching the last 16 in 2015.

Their win against Germany in the group stage, including an incredible goal from teenage superstar Linda Caicedo, automatically makes them a potential danger.

England vs Colombia H2H record

“I remember the 2015 World Cup when we played Colombia, their fans were so bloody loud,” Fara Williams said before this year’s tournament began.

The pair met in the group stage eight years ago, a game that the Lioneses won 2-1 thanks to goals from Williams herself and Karen Carney. Colombia pulled one back from the spot right at the end. Both teams progressed to the knockout stages along with France in the old tournament format.

That game in Montreal is the only time England have faced Colombia until now.


Women’s World Cup 2023 – England & Colombia results so far

RoundEnglandColombia
Group stage matchday 1England 1-0 HaitiColombia 2-0 South Korea
Group stage matchday 2England 1-0 DenmarkGermany 1-2 Colombia
Group stage matchday 3China 1-6 EnglandMorocco 1-0 Colombia
Last 16England (p) 0-0 NigeriaColombia 1-0 Jamaica

Australia vs France – Women’s World Cup preview

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  • Co-hosts Australia looking to reach semi-finals for first time
  • France were knocked out at quarter-final stage in both 2015 and 2019
  • Winner will face England or Colombia

Australia and France are battling for a place in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals, with every chance that the winner of this quarter-final tie will make a it all the way through to the final.

Australia came into their home World Cup with huge expectations, only to lose star player Sam Kerr to injury and struggle in their opening two group games. But things have finally clicked in more recent outings, with more polished performances against both Canada and Denmark.

Now, they have the oportunity to reach the semi-finals for the first time, having been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in 2007, 2011 and 2015. The Matildas have already outperformed their 2019 efforts when it was a disappointing last 16 exit.

France have scored 10 goals across their last two games at this tournament against Panama and Morocco, but they have long been international football’s great underachievers.

Les Bleues usually start fast and end up fading, as at Euro 2022 a year ago, although it has been the reverse of that so far in 2023 after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica to begin with last month.

Australia vs France H2H record

Australia and France played a warm-up game in Melbourne a few days prior to the tournament starting, which the hosts won 1-0 thanks to a single goal from Mary Fowler.

Games between them haven’t been all that freuqent, with only three others in that last 10 years – each winning a friendly, while France edged a Cyprus Cup clash in 2014.

Australia were unbeaten across their first three meetings with France, all played in the space of a single week in January 2001 at the invitational Australia Cup.


Women’s World Cup 2023 – Australia & France results so far

RoundAustraliaFrance
Group stage matchday 1Australia 1-0 Republic of IrelandFrance 0-0 Jamaica
Group stage matchday 2Australia 2-3 NigeriaFrance 2-1 Brazil
Group stage matchday 3Canada 0-4 AustraliaPanama 3-6 France
Last 16Australia 2-0 DenmarkFrance 4-0 Morocco

I Have Crush On Alex Iwobi – Super Falcons Star Michelle Alozie

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Nigerian football fans are currently in awe of the Super Falcons player due to her stunning attractiveness

Super Falcons defender, Michelle Alozie, has candidly admitted her crush on Super Eagles and Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi,

The US-based player, who went from a cancer research technician to a rising star on the football field, revealed during an engaging Instagram Live Conversation titled “The Three Musketeers” her crush for the Nigerian forward.

Alozie, whose skills and prowess have dazzled Nigerian fans and audiences worldwide, remains a standout figure from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Her contribution was pivotal in propelling the team to the tournament’s second round, where they displayed remarkable resilience before being eliminated by England via a gripping penalty shootout.

Fans have celebrated Alozie’s on-field accomplishments and lauded her captivating beauty, often referring to her as the most beautiful player on the Nigerian women’s senior national team.

However, in a widely circulated video, the soccer sensation can be seen in a candid moment where she openly acknowledges her crush on Everton’s forward.

The revelation surfaced in response to an interviewer’s playful inquiry about any crushes among the players on the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the male national football team.

The interviewer asked: “Just as we’ve got some tempting, beautiful, good-looking ladies in the national team, we’ve got the same in the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Have you got any crush among those players?”

Alozie’s swift and straightforward response was met with smiles and laughter: “Alex Iwobi.”

This revelation has only added to Alozie’s charm and relatability, endearing her further to fans who admire her footballing prowess and her candid and genuine nature.