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Ethnic Youth Leaders’ Forum Condemns Dissolution of House Joint Committee on the Oil Sector

Published

2 years ago

August 6, 2024

Nigerian youths under the aegis of Ethnic Youth Leaders’ Forum (EYLF) have condemned in strong terms the dissolution of the House of Representatives ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee by the Honourable Speaker of the House of Reps, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

In a press statement signed by EYLF’s National Coordinator, Comrade Godwin Meliga, the Forum stated that the sudden, arbitrary and inexplicable dissolution of the House ad-hoc Joint Committee shortly after it commenced its assignment was a brazen attempt by the leadership of the House of Representatives to silence the committee’s courageous exposure of wanton corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL); the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and by extension the nation’s oil and gas industry.

“Only recently, the media space was inundated with allegations that the investigations of the committee were ruffling feathers in the NNPCL, hence the oil regulatory body was making frantic efforts to financially influence the House leadership to achieve the disbandment of the committee. The House Deputy Spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, also called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Group CEO of NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari; as well as the CEO of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, for allegedly stifling the nation’s economic growth due to the oil sector crisis. In our candid opinion, the timing of the committee’s dissolution tends to lend credence to these grievous allegations,” stated Comrade Meliga.

Expressing firm confidence in the Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and Hon. Henry Okogie jointly chaired committee’s capacity and commitment to thoroughly investigate and proffer practicable solutions the niggling challenges in the nation’s oil and gas sector, the Forum demanded that the committee’s allegations of corruption in the NNPCL must be thoroughly investigated rather than swept under the carpet, adding that the arbitrary dissolution of the committee grossly undermines probity, transparency and accountability within the NNPCL and NMDPRA, as well as the fight against corruption in the country.

Consequently, the Forum further demanded the following:

A clear and concise explanation by the Honourable Speaker, of the reasons behind the unilateral and arbitrary dissolution of the Joint Committee, in order to dispel mounting allegations of compromise against the leadership of the House in the public domain.
The immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the Joint Committee, as well as a level playing ground to enable it continue and conclude its investigations into the rot in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
Assurances of government’s protection for whistleblowers within and outside the NNPCL.

Recall that the House of Representatives ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee was inaugurated two weeks ago, with the mandate to conduct legislative forensic investigation into the nations’ oil and gas sector. Details of the committee’s mandate include investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues. The committee was supposed to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.

However, in a knee-jerk reaction the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, yesterday announced the dissolution of the committee without giving reasons for its action, stating that it would be succeeded by a newly constituted ad-hoc committee with the same mandate.

“Nigeria’s future depends on our collective fight against corruption. The dissolution of the House of Reps ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee by the Honourable Speaker has the capacity to create escape routes for looters of our common patrimony, particularly in a season when Nigerians are protesting against hunger and bad governance in the country. We will not be silenced again by leaders who hold the mandate of the people,” stated Comrade Meliga.

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

19 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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