Nigeria News (Standard)
OGTAN President Urges Boost in Oil Output, Lower Costs at Warri Press Briefing
Chris Osarumwense highlights manpower gaps ahead of Human Capacity Development Conference set for August in Delta State
Chris Osarumwense highlights manpower gaps ahead of Human Capacity Development Conference set for August in Delta State
The President of the Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria (OGTAN), Chris Osarumwense, has called for urgent measures to increase Nigeria’s oil production and reduce operational costs, citing ongoing challenges with skilled manpower. Osarumwense made the call on Tuesday during a press briefing in Warri, Delta State, ahead of the association’s Human Capacity Development (HCD) Conference and Trainers’ Fair scheduled for August.
According to Osarumwense, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector still faces significant gaps in technical skills and professional readiness among graduates entering the industry. He noted that operators often spend between 12 and 18 months retraining new hires before they are fit for workplace demands. “Human capacity remains one of the biggest issues in the industry today. There is still a disconnect between what is taught in Nigerian universities and what the industry actually needs,” he said.
He explained that OGTAN is working to bridge this gap by fostering stronger collaboration between universities, training institutions and industry players. The aim, he said, is to ensure graduates are better aligned with employer expectations and can contribute more effectively to national oil output. He also pointed out that as international oil companies (IOCs) continue to divest from onshore assets, indigenous operators must step up capacity development efforts if Nigeria hopes to meet production targets.
Industry stakeholders have raised concerns that high production costs—driven partly by inadequate local expertise—are affecting Nigeria’s competitiveness in global oil markets. The upcoming HCD Conference in Warri will focus on strategies for human capital development as a key driver for sector growth.
Osarumwense said the association remains committed to addressing these challenges through targeted training programmes and partnerships. He urged government agencies, universities and private sector leaders to prioritise workforce development so Nigeria can achieve sustainable growth in its oil sector.
Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/ogtan-seeks-higher-oil-output-lower-production-cost/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Hoodlums Attack Journalists Covering Ekiti Governorship Election in Iyin-Ekiti
Incident raises fresh concerns about media safety as stakeholders urge security agencies to guarantee free, fair, and peaceful polls
Incident raises fresh concerns about media safety as stakeholders urge security agencies to guarantee free, fair, and peaceful polls
Suspected hoodlums on Saturday attacked journalists from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and The Nation newspaper while they were covering pre-election activities in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The incident occurred as political actors and party supporters gathered in the town ahead of the forthcoming 2026 governorship election.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants targeted reporters who were documenting campaign movements, seizing their equipment and forcing them out of the area. The attack disrupted media coverage as journalists attempted to monitor preparations for what is expected to be a keenly contested poll between major political parties in the South-West state.
The safety of journalists during election cycles has become a recurring concern in Nigeria, especially in states with heated political contests. Media practitioners have often faced intimidation or violence while reporting on rallies, voting centres, or collation points. Observers say such incidents threaten press freedom and undermine the transparency of Nigeria’s electoral process.
No official statement had been issued by the Ekiti State Police Command as at Saturday evening regarding arrests or investigations into the attack. However, advocacy groups and election observers have called on security agencies to ensure adequate protection for all accredited journalists and voters throughout the election period. “It is critical that every stakeholder upholds the rights of journalists to report freely,” one civil society leader said.
As preparations continue for the Ekiti governorship election, attention is now focused on whether authorities can guarantee a peaceful environment for both media professionals and voters. The incident in Iyin-Ekiti has heightened calls for improved security arrangements ahead of polling day.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Officer Woos Threatens Legal Action Over Viral NAFDAC Drug Trafficking Allegation in Lagos
Comedian’s lawyers demand public apology within 48 hours, citing Nigerian defamation and cybercrime laws
Comedian’s lawyers demand public apology within 48 hours, citing Nigerian defamation and cybercrime laws
Popular Nigerian skit maker, Jubril Oladapo Gbadamosi, known as Officer Woos, has threatened legal action against individuals behind viral social media claims alleging his arrest by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over drug trafficking. The incident, which trended widely on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), reportedly originated from anonymous posts accusing Officer Woos of importing cocaine-laced bread and brownies from Mexico to Lagos in 2025.
Officer Woos, through his legal representatives Versed Attorneys, described the allegations as entirely false and fabricated. In a formal statement released on Thursday in Lagos, his lawyers stated that Gbadamosi has never been arrested, investigated, or charged with any drug-related offence by NAFDAC or any other authority. The legal team further accused the originators of the rumour of orchestrating a “deliberate and malicious campaign” aimed at damaging their client’s reputation.
The controversy gained momentum after a tweet on 18 June 2026 claimed that Officer Woos had been detained by NAFDAC since 2025 for alleged drug trafficking. The post also suggested he stopped creating content to focus on a supposed bread business. However, Versed Attorneys firmly refuted both claims, clarifying that Officer Woos has not made any announcement regarding the death of an associate or changed his professional activities due to legal trouble.
According to the statement signed by his legal counsel, “Our client categorically denies the said publications in their entirety and demands an immediate and unconditional retraction from all pages, handles, and individuals responsible for the publication and circulation of these false statements.” The lawyers warned that failure to issue a public apology within forty-eight hours would trigger civil proceedings for damages under Nigerian defamation law and petitions to relevant law enforcement agencies under the Cybercrimes Act.
The case highlights growing concerns over misinformation targeting public figures on social media in Nigeria. While neither NAFDAC nor any regulatory body has issued any official comment on the incident as at press time, Officer Woos’s legal team insisted they would pursue all available remedies should defamatory content continue to circulate. Nigerians have been urged by the lawyers to disregard unverified claims online and rely only on credible sources.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Edo Police Arrest Kidnap Gang, Recover ₦4.5 Million and Weapons in Benin City Abduction
Governor Okpebholo pledges special courts for kidnapping cases after suspect claims security chief supplied firearms
Governor Okpebholo pledges special courts for kidnapping cases after suspect claims security chief supplied firearms
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested suspected members of a kidnapping gang in Benin City, recovering over ₦4.5 million in cash, firearms, and a Lexus SUV following the abduction of a woman at the city’s Vegetable Market on 14 June. The operation, which led to the death of one suspect during a gun battle, was confirmed by Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika on Thursday.
According to police accounts and video evidence from the scene, the gang—comprising four men—carried out a daylight attack using an RX 350 Lexus SUV. They targeted a parked vehicle at the market, shooting its tyre before dragging out two occupants. While the male victim managed to escape, the female was pursued and eventually abducted by the attackers.
One of the suspects, Marvellous Isaac (32), told investigators that his group sourced their weapons from a community security chief in Oredo Local Government Area identified as Liberty. Isaac claimed that fellow gang member Precious—who was killed during police operations—facilitated contact with Liberty and that the security chief received ₦1.5 million from the ₦8 million ransom paid by the victim’s family. Isaac also said that firearms rented from Liberty were used by multiple groups in Benin City.
Commissioner Agbonika stated that intelligence-led efforts by the command’s Intelligence Response Team led to several arrests and the recovery of ₦2.25 million cash believed to be part of the ransom, another ₦2.25 million from crime proceeds, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a motorcycle and the SUV used in the abduction. He confirmed that investigations into alleged internal sabotage and collusion among local security personnel are ongoing.
Governor Monday Okpebholo (APC) commended security agencies for their swift action during a briefing on Thursday and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fighting kidnapping and violent crime in Edo State (South-South). The governor announced plans to establish special courts dedicated to handling kidnapping and cultism cases for faster prosecution and sentencing. The state government says it will also review community security structures following allegations against local chiefs.
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