News

CONFODEV Defends Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari NNPCL Throws Weight Behind President Tinubu

Published

1 year ago

August 28, 2025

The Coalition of Niger Delta People for Development (CONFODEV) has publicly declared its support for the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, while also expressing full confidence in the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

During a press conference held on Wednesday, the coalition—which consists of several influential groups such as the Niger Delta Development Agenda (NDDA), Niger Delta Renaissance and Development Movement, Rivers State Ex-Agitators Network, Ndigbo Progressive Youths Coalition, and the Niger Delta Liberators and Ex-Agitators Forum—firmly denounced recent allegations of corruption and marginalisation aimed at Mr. Ojulari.

Describing the accusations as “baseless, politically motivated, and a calculated smear campaign,” the coalition claimed that these attacks were orchestrated by individuals threatened by ongoing reforms in the oil sector.

“Mr. Ojulari has been in office for only four months, yet his leadership has already resulted in increased crude oil production, revitalized key infrastructure, and the initiation of empowerment programs for host communities,” CONFODEV said.

The group alleged that certain entrenched interests—who previously benefited from nepotistic contract awards—are now behind the recent wave of attacks. They commended Ojulari’s commitment to equity, transparency, and reform, which they believe is unsettling corrupt elements within the industry.

In response to the situation, CONFODEV resolved to:

Condemn the politically motivated attacks on NNPCL GCEO, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari.

Pass a vote of confidence on both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ojulari for their efforts in repositioning Nigeria’s oil sector.

Advise Niger Delta youths against being used as pawns by corrupt interests seeking to destabilize the region.

Urge the Presidency and NNPCL leadership to continue dismantling the ethnic monopoly of pipeline surveillance contracts and promote inclusivity.

“Those calling for Mr. Ojulari’s removal have exposed themselves as agents of sabotage,” the coalition stated. “Nigerians must rally behind leadership that reflects our collective aspirations for a fair, transparent, and prosperous oil industry.”

CONFODEV reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms in the petroleum sector and warned against any efforts to drag the Niger Delta back into an era of exploitation and inequality.

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Foreign news

Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja

Published

8 hours ago

November 12, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.

The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.

Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.

He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.

On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.

He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.

On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.

Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.

Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.

He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.

The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.

He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.

Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.

He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.

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