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The Tank Farm/Satellite Town Saga:
……The True Story
The Festering story of the Satellite Town and Tank Farm are not getting abated, if the truth must be told. Banters and expansions on the raging matter were espoused by opposing parties on the issues, and the interesting conclusion is that both parties have now agreed on a Mutual and Consolidated Agreement to move on and make things Workable in the interest of Peace, Harmony and Progress.
Residents of a largely populated area in satellite town area of Lagos state, have cried out to the Lagos state Government to come out to their aid on the activities of Tank farm in their immediate vicinity.
The residents made up mainly of all the Estates, roads and close accessed through the old, worn-out, frail, rocky and gully road of the area linked to old Ojo Road, Wobbly Navy Road, and the uncharted shell-Abule Osun Road, with the broken steps and ridges and water collectors interior, are gathered here at the closest level of government.
They are bemoaning their state of desolation and now earnestly drawing the attention of the government to the very appalling and deplorable situation of their Community.
Their groves rise from the operation of a disparate group of over 50 Tank farms operated by 13 marketing Companies.
This ugly situation led to a massive protest by the residents who trooped out on Tuesday ,July 9, 2019 to condemn what they describe as unwarranted invasion of their community by the oil company. They therefore insisted that the operators should relocate their companies to another area as the current is becoming inhabitable due to environmental pollution ravaging the community.
According to the chairman, Satellite Town Forum, Mr. Michael Imitinl, all government agencies should plan well before approving location of facilities in areas to avoid ugly situation in future just like what is happening in the Niger Delta.
However, we also heared the side of Tank Farms via the secretary, Ijegun-Egba Tank Farms Owners/ Operators, Satellite Town, Lagos Barrister Eslist Eslist who explained, ‘What is essential is that, whatever we discussed at inception of the relationship is that both parties should adhere to the black and white of the deal.
We don’t have issue, their demand are roads, infrastructural deficit which civil construction are going on at Pioneer Road, the road will be fully rehabilitated. Before our company starts operation at Satellite Town, we have to pass through Marwa Road, every collapsed portion in that area has been rehabilitated by our Tank Farm is 3.8 km road beginning of Marwa Road down to the end is long term measure with expansion and the drainage. The issue of flooding whatever concerns the community also concerns us. We want to take water out of the Community down to the lagoon. Work is in progress and the engineer in charge is the Nigerian Army Construction Company . Eventually, whatever that is affecting the community in terms of drainage, water and flooding has been addressed. An expansion of the road is on going which will be completed soon. What we need from the community is cooperation in terms of relationship. As a corporate organization, enjoying good relationship with the community people is our priority.
We have had several meetings and the most important thing is whether the work we promised has commenced or not. Yes, it has commenced, and they are seeing it going on smoothly, and this is why we are appealing to the Community to be patient as the work goes on. We are on the job, and will not abandon the job half-way until it is finished beyond logical conclusion. Above this, our presence, whether you like it or not, has made this community a better one in the eyes of the external world, and we are even making moves to make satellite Town/ Ijegun Egba Community more attractive. It is only good for our Company, not the Hearken to the needs of the Community and we are ever ready to give them what they most desired as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. We have a cordial relationship with the Community, and it is only a foolish businessman that will operate in a hostile environment, especially when people around him are unhappy. They believe that Tank farm will turn the place into an economic zone, and the Government will be easily attracted to the Community. That is why the LASG has been sending their Interventional team to establish a fire- fighting unity in the Community, just as Tank Farms has established its own fire combating outfit, which can also serve the Community, in case of any unexpected fire outbreak.
We are not here illegally we are here Legitimately, and all Companies are duly approved and licensed by Government, so whatever we are doing here is backed by law, and we can only add value to the surrounding Communities by giving them what they lack, by way of Amenities.
On whatever there were prior meetings between firms and the Community, it was ascertained that several meeting were held between both parties and those meetings ended
in mutual agreement of how the company and the Community can move forward in terms of community development and Corporate Social Responsibility on the part of Tank Farm.
Also, the coordinator, Ijegun- Egba Tank farms owners and Operators Association, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed corroborated the earlier speaker.
He said, we have met with the Community severally, and we have briefed them on the work that is going on which they readily saw and identified. Actually, we are supposed to have started earlier than this, but because of the rain, we had to start in May, and hopefully, when the rain subsides, we should be through with the work by the end of September, all things being equal why the work has not been progressing is because of the weather; if not so the work should have been completed since but that is not an excuse for us. We can only hope that the Community will bear with us, even as they can see that work is going on steadily and in no time, they will begin to enjoy the goodies of the job.
Another issue is that of misplacement of trust among the various parties involved. Many meetings were called and invitation sent to the community to address the main issue, only for the Community to renege and give them their own condition, which was to come and meet them at their own behest, with express permission and approval from their directors. They are however waiting for another meeting that can be mutually fixed and issues settled amicably. As for the Tank Farm, they have been job opportunities for the community, and this will not stop because as long as the inhabitants are gainfully employed, the Tank farms will also be greatly rewarded by what the people are giving back to them. So it is a gain-gain situation for the two parties. Tank farms and satellite town entities. Good enough, all the Tank farms have now come together as one body to come as a positive Form in aid of the Community, and this is a good signal for good things to come which include,
medical facility, education, social amenities that will further raise the standard of the satellite town Community. This will be coming as a collective responsibility of the Tank farmers and the host Community.
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Nigeria’s ‘Fake’ Agency Exposed: Meet Director, 20 State Coordinators, China, US Representatives
The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office had a structure spanning several states and two foreign countries, with an acclaimed national coordinator, zonal directors, state coordinators and representatives in China and the United States,
A check by our correspondent on Saturday found that the office’s website listed Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator,” alongside a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives for the United States and China.
Recall that the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Musa Aliyu, disclosed on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, identified by the commission as “the promoter” of the alleged fake office.
Tinubu also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — following the discovery of the office, which the ICPC said it had been allocated space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential authorisation.
The ICPC said the promoter was also found to have operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.
Nwabueze and Zonal directors
The website listed Nwabueze as the “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”
It also listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as “Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF”; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director, National Administration; Mr Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director, South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director, North; and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director, South-East.
Made in Nigeria Zonal Directors
Made in Nigeria Zonal Directors. Credit: website
The website also claimed that the project operated under the OSGF. Its framework page described the project as being overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, in the OSGF.
However, this claimed government connection is significant in light of the ICPC’s finding that the office was operating without presidential authorisation.
20 state coordinators
The website listed the following as state coordinators:
Katsina: Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma
Kaduna: Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim
Delta: Hon. Dr Godwin Adolor
Kebbi: Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI
Osun: Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan
Anambra: Hon. Chiamaka Nnake
Nasarawa: Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD
Plateau: Mrs Salome Audu Bidda
Benue: Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon
Ondo: Amb. Orioye G. Benedict
Ogun: Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE
Sokoto: Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu
Abia: Hon. Mrs Nwosu Chinyere R.
Zamfara: Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa
Niger: Haj. Zainab Mohammed
Kano: Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa)
Taraba: Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu
Oyo: Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA
Bauchi: Hon. Farouq Siyi
Kogi: Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi
Made in Nigeria state coordinators. Credit: website
Newsthumb check also found indications that some of those listed had previously held public positions or had links to established political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.
Another fake agency! FG suspends three perm secs, orders arrest
Made in Nigeria state coordinators. Credit: website
Made in Nigeria state coordinators. Credit: website
In Taraba, Tyopuusu has been identified in recent reports as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy, while serving as the state coordinator of the Made in Nigeria Special Project.
Made in Nigeria state coordinators. Credit: website
Their inclusion on the website does not, by itself, establish that they were aware that the organisation had allegedly lacked government authorisation.
Efforts made so far to reach the management of the acclaimed agency is abortive as of the time of filing the report as all three phone numbers on its website are switched off. Message sent to the acclaimed national cordinator by our correspondent has not been replied.
Reps in US, China
The website also listed Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as “Country Rep./Coordinator, U.S.A.” and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as “Country Rep./Coordinator, China.”
Made in Nigeria country reps. Credit: website
The claimed international structure was presented alongside the state and zonal network as part of the organisation’s purported nationwide and international operations.
The office’s website described its activities as including trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, claim ICPC disputed.
The development is the latest in an investigation into purported fictitious government bodies.
The ICPC had previously identified the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and two other alleged fictitious bodies, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as chairman and vice chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, according to the list released Saturday morning.
Party Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda will also serve as vice chairman, while former Zamfara State governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari will serve as the director-general of the campaign.
Governor Hope Uzodimma will serve as secretary of the campaign council. APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as deputy and assistant secretaries.
The chairman of the campaign Council, President Tinubu, will work with a body of advisers comprising Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abass, and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State have been assigned as deputy director-generals for the campaign in the south and the north. They will work with Senator Bamidele Opeyemi and Senator Jibril Barau in the two zones.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole will serve as deputy director-general in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff will serve as deputy director-general for administration.
James Abiodun Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, has returned as deputy director-general for election planning, coordination and monitoring.
Faleke will work with zonal directors, with Senator Olushola Adeyeye in the South West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme in the South South, Senator Uche Ekwunife in the South East, Muntaqha Rabe in the North West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso in the North Central, and Senator Sani Danladi in the North East.
Ms Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori will serve as secretaries of the election planning directorate.
Muiz Adeyemi Banire will lead the legal directorate as director, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies. Other members are Prince Lateef Fagbemi, former governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, will serve as the coordinating director for media and Strategic Communication, along with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and Lanre Issa-Onilu. The media directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala, and Felix Morka, who have been assigned as coordinating deputy directors.
Abdulaziz AbdulAziz will work with three others, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke, and Frederick Nwabufor, as coordinating secretaries of the media directorate. Segun Dada will serve as Director, New Media, the same role he performed in 2022. Solomon Arowolo will serve as Secretary, New Media.
The campaign has also appointed five spokespersons, led by Dele Alake. Other spokespersons are Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda.
President Tinubu has charged all council members to work tirelessly to deliver victory for the party in the January 2027 elections. He has also encouraged the leaders of the various directorates to reach out to other party members who may not have been formally listed to join their crucial efforts.
“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians. As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet—let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards.”
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of one George Buchi Nwabueze and the suspension of three permanent secretaries over the discovery of another fake agency operating within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
They include M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah.
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN disclosed this to State House correspondents on Friday after briefing the President for the second time in two days, following an earlier meeting on Thursday.
Aliyu said the newly uncovered fake office, operating under the name “National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office,” had been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the OSGF, contrary to extant laws and without presidential authorisation.
He said, “Upon further briefing by ICPC to Mr President on the ongoing investigations into the fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and procedural weaknesses in the public service, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has uncovered another fake agency and office operating under the name National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, which has been illegally allocated office space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,” Aliyu said.
He said the discovery emerged in the course of the commission’s broader investigation, as earlier directed by President Tinubu, and identified the promoter of the fake office as one Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, who was found to be operating under multiple aliases.
“The fake agency office, National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, was promoted by one George Buchi Nwabueze, with active suspected collaborators in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contrary to extant laws and without authorisation of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The promoter was discovered to also operate under four other variations of his name: George Nathan, George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze,” Aliyu said.
He revealed that the ICPC had engaged the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ascertain vital information relating to the fake office under investigation, and had comprehensively briefed the President on the new developments.
“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigations accordingly,” he said.
Aliyu said following the discovery, “Mr President has directed as follows: the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze; the immediate suspension of the following permanent secretaries; M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah,” he said.
Friday’s development is the latest in a scandal that began with the exposure of the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, whose self-styled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, is currently facing prosecution on charges of forgery and impersonation.
The ICPC’s interim report, submitted to the President on August 6 after a 30-day investigation, had earlier disclosed the existence of two other fictitious bodies, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.
The National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office is the fourth fake agency uncovered after the PFIFC scandal since early April.
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