The Federal Government and the NNPC Limited/FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (JV), have called for collaboration among stakeholders in the oil-production communities to ensure sustainable development.

This call was made by the Managing Director of FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi-Bero and the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, (Ph.D), at the KEFFESO Stakeholders Forum held at Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

In line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust (KHCDT) was established by NNPC/FIRST E&P in 2023. The trust convened the KHCDT stakeholder forum with the theme, ‘Envisioning Sustainable Community Development in Niger Delta Host Communities: Identifying Challenges and Actualizing the PIA Paradigm Shift’ to provide a platform for dialogue, reflection, and collaboration amongst Host Community Development Trusts. The event had in attendance representatives from oil and gas regulatory agencies, over 100 Host Community Trusts, Settlors and representatives from the private sector.
In his keynote address at the event, Lokpobiri commended NNPC/FIRST E&P for sustaining the strategic partnership with the KEFFESO Host Community Development Trust (KHCDT) and stressed the need for the leadership of various host communities to work harmoniously.
“The KEFFESO Host Communities Development Trust has shown its commitment to utilize the funds provided for them to ensure that there is meaningful development in the host communities. I believe that when community leaders work together, they can bring about real development,” he said.
In his remarks, Managing Director, FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company, Ademola Adeyemi-Bero, who was represented by the General Manager, Engineering and Capital Projects, John Alamu described the company’s establishment of the Trust as a tangible demonstration of its enduring commitment to supporting the host communities’ long-term socio-economic development.

He acknowledged the notable strides achieved by the Trust through the implementation of impactful interventions across health, education, infrastructure, water, capacity building and local content development.
Also speaking, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Engr. Seyi Omotowa, who was represented by the Deputy Manager, External Relations, NUIMS, Edith Lawson, explained that the forum serves as an opportunity to develop actionable strategies that could foster sustainable development, ensuring that the benefits of the Petroleum Industry Act are not only realized but equitably distributed among stakeholders.

According to Omotowa, the Petroleum Industry Act represents a significant shift in policy and approach, offering a framework for more equitable resource management and community development.
Chairman, KEFFESO Host Communities’ Development Trust (KHCDT), HRH Moko-ama Sangana Kingdom, Moses Theophilus, in his remarks said that implementing the PIA has the potential to bring about transformative changes, ensuring that the benefits of oil and gas activities reach those in oil producing host communities.
While expressing profound gratitude to the NNPC/FIRST E&P JV for the invaluable support in establishing the KHCDT, he noted that the prompt funding and commitment to the development of the KEFFESO communities by the company has been instrumental in bringing the forum to life.
Commenting on the forum, The Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Gbenga Komolafe, represented by the Executive Commissioner, Safety, Environment and Community, Captain John Tonlagha, stated that institutionalization of the community development trust initiative remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s petroleum sector unlike previous community development efforts that lacked focus on governance, transparency and accountability.

The event also included a series of panel sessions that highlighted challenges confronted by the host communities and possible solutions to improving the welfare of the people.

Aviation unions have threatened to withdraw their services from airports across the country on March 31, 2025, unless the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) addresses the physical assault by Customs officers on members of staff of the Authority.

The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), and the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), jointly announced the decision in a letter addressed to FAAN management and cited repeated physical attacks on FAAN personnel, including a recent assault on the Director of Aviation Security.

In the letter, the unions demanded the immediate establishment of ‘clear work protocols’ between FAAN and security agencies which aligns with global best practices. They also demanded sanctions for violations to ensure the safety of staff and a formal response and action from FAAN, which they claim has ignored prior ultimatums.

The unions said: “Considering the enormity and frequency of physical and psychological assault on the staff and management personnel of FAAN of which there is no end in sight, we are compelled to inform the management of the unwavering determination of our Unions to cause the establishment of a clear framework of mutual respect among FAAN staff and the security agencies operating at the airports.

“We wish to inform the management of FAAN that, unless clear work protocols that are in tandem with global best practices and with consequential sanctions are in place which guarantees the safety and human rights of FAAN staff, we shall direct all the workers to withdraw from the airports with effect from 31st March, 2025 pending when such protocols are established. The recent assault on no less a personality as the Director of Aviation security of FAAN is one too many which leaves a taste too bitter to swallow.”

FAAN and the Nigeria Customs Service have not responded to the warnings.

A magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, has remanded a 56-year-old, Adenike Okunrinmeta, in the Ilesa correctional facility for allegedly obtaining a sum of N25 million from one Azizi Danjuma under the pretence of assisting him to procure visa to the United Kingdom.

Okunrinmeta was arraigned before a magistrate, Olusegun Ayilara, on three counts of fraud and pervasion of justice on Monday.

According to the charge sheet obtained, “Okunrinmeta between April 2023 and January 2024 allegedly obtained the sum of twenty-five million, two hundred and ten thousand naira (#25,210,000:00k) from one Azizi Danjuma under the pretence of procuring a Contract of Sponsor (COS) visa to the United Kingdom for him.”

After the matter was reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department of Osun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Okunrinmeta was arrested and granted bail on November 24, 2024.

The police, however, alleged that the defendant upon her bail, refused to make herself available again before she was rearrested.

Addressing the court, the Police Prosecutor Elisa Olusegun said the offences committed by the defendant, were contrary to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the three charges levelled against her.

Mr J.P Jones, who had earlier announced an appearance for the defendant, prayed the court to admit her to bail in the most liberal term, noting that she was presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

But the prosecutor objected to the oral bail application, arguing that the defendant had earlier jumped administrative bail granted her by the police.

Ayilara subsequently adjourned the case till March 26, 2025, for ruling on bail and subsequently remanded the defendant.

PUNCH