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COCSON, BAVCCA Warn Against Planned Protest Against NNPCL’s Kyari

Published

3 years ago

November 2, 2023

By Idris Ibrahim

…Says NNPCL GCEO has demonstrated exceptional leadership

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association (BAVCCA) have cautioned against the planned protest by over 1000 lawyers, who have been calling for the sack of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL, Engr. Mele Kyari.

Recall that a few days ago, Lawyers under the Coalition of Nigerian Legal Practitioners, had demanded the sack of Kyari, over scarcity and arbitrary hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS), across the country.

Their demand was contained in a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu, dated October 30, 2023, with the subject “Petition Against The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited(NNPCL) And Call For His Immediate Sack,”and signed by Bernard Adesina, Peter Agbonghan, Igwe Chukwudi, and others.

The lawyers further threatened to mobilize over 1,000 lawyers to occupy NNPCL headquarters on November 2, 2023, to register their displeasure.

Speaking at a joint media briefing on Thursday in Abuja, Abimbola Ademola, Director of Admin, BAVCCA, and Tijani Ali Danjuma, National Secretary, COCSON, described the planned protest as “unfortunate and ill-advised.”

Ademola pointed out that any disruption caused by protests or strikes will not only worsen the situation but also will negatively impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

According to Ademola: We have gathered to express their unwavering support for Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), amidst the threatened protest by 1000 lawyers and various ethnic and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) concerning fuel hike and scarcity issues.

“COCSON and BAVCCA firmly believe that Mr. Mele Kyari has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the betterment of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

“Under his guidance, NNPCL has made significant strides in ensuring stability, accountability, and efficiency in the distribution and management of petroleum resources.

“We understand that the recent increase in fuel prices has caused hardship and raised concerns among the Nigerian people.

“However, we firmly believe that these measures, adopted by NNPCL and the Federal Government, are necessary to navigate the challenges posed by global economic fluctuations and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Nigerian petroleum sector.

“The threatened protest by 1000 lawyers and other ethnic/CSO groups is unfortunate and ill-advised.

“We urge these groups to engage in constructive dialogue with NNPCL and other stakeholders, rather than resorting to disruptive actions that may undermine the progress made by Mr. Mele Kyari and his team

“We would like to highlight that the Nigerian petroleum industry is a vital pillar of the country’s economy, and any disruption caused by protests or strikes will only worsen the situation and negatively impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.”

The leadership of BAVCCA and COCSON, therefore, called on all well-meaning Nigerians to support the efforts of Kyari and NNPCL in ensuring the availability and accessibility of petroleum products across the country.

While sounding a note of warning to those fanning the embers of discord and crises, COCSON and BAVCCA said they would not hesitate to proceed to court or employ every legal means, including but not limited to organising a peaceful advocacy march, to ensure that these agents of doom are contained.

“COCSON and BAVCCA remain committed to promoting transparent governance and accountability in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

“We believe that dialogue, collaboration, and understanding are the key to addressing the concerns of the people and working towards a prosperous nation,” Ademola said.

End.

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

6 hours ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

By James Samuel, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.

This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.

“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.

“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”

He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.

“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.

He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.

“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.

She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.

“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.

The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.

The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.

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