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2022 IS A WAKE UP CALL FOR NATIONAL SECURITY – NAOSNP PRESIDENT, OKI SAMSON; URGES PRES. BUHARI TO ROOT OUT INSECURITY, CHARGES ARMY, POLICE, OTHERS TO NAME AND SHAME BAD EGGS AMONG THEM

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The year 2020 has been greeted with great excitement by Nigerians in different strata of society. It is a year that they regard as full of opportunities for national development.

Phenomenal as the year preceding that of the general elections hence full of political activities, keeping the peace and security is crucial. This is the crux of the New Year goodwill message of the President of National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), Comrade Oki Samson to all Nigerians.

In his message, Mr. Oki demands that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Pres. Muhammadu Buhari GCFR ensure the security of lives and properties in the New Year. He said. ‘The primary role of government in a society is security. I am charging President Buhari GCFR whom the citizens have given the mandate to be the President and leader to ensure security.

The government should sit up and address the issue of insecurity across the country. We cannot continue to allow our citizens to die like chicken. The citizens believe so much in him as a war general to keep the peace.

They elected him not once but twice because of his track record of achievements as a fine officer of international repute. This tense insecurity situation should not continue under his watch especially as he rounds up his administration as a democrat.’

‘President Buhari should not tarnish his good image. Nigerians love him. It is this mindset that made them vote for him massively. He should address insecurity and deal with the people behind it.’

To the state governors, he added: ‘I call on state governors, you are the Chief Security Officer of your states. When things happen, we hear ‘we will investigate, we will investigate’, till date no outcome of investigation. Yet security issues are emerging everyday in all states. Your role is to provide security.’

The NAOSNP President who doubles as Publisher of Trek Africa Newspaper called on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, COAS Farouk Yahaya, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi and heads of security agencies to name and shame bad eggs hiding in their forces. In his message, he charged them that the days of shielding bad  are over. ‘I call on the IGP Alkali Usman Baba, COAS Farouk Yahaya and other leaders to take up responsibility and call their men to order especially when they themselves are giving their best. There are some bad eggs in your force that are messing up your good image.’

‘It is high time that the IGP Alkali Usman Baba, COAS Farouk Yahaya, and other leaders redeem the image of their respective agencies by sanitising the system. When any officer is found involved in this shameful acts and public disgrace, name and shame them immediately. That’s the way to go. Enough of shielding them. For example, the issue of the drunk policeman who killed a 16-year-old girl in Itire-Ikate, Lagos, the Police deleted the identity of that man on Facebook and when the Nigerian media requested for the pictures of the officer, they didn’t release it. That must not continue.’

‘When any officer commits a blunder, you should name and shame him. By so doing, it will reduce the atrocities of our officers. When you carry gun and wear uniforms, you are not better than the average citizens, you are just privileged to be in that position. What you are meant to do is to be a protector agent not a killer agent.’

‘There is need for reorientation of our officers across board. Citizens should not see them and be afraid rather they should be happy. You are not meant to brutalize but to keep the peace. Security agencies are not created to harass citizens but to protect citizens. I recall the incident of a military officer who dealt blows and kicked a lady out of a bus in Maryland, Lagos. The driver cannot talk. Other passengers cannot talk. Yet, the bus moved on like that with the officer because he carried arms bought by taxpayers money for him.’

‘Our officers really need reorientation in this New Year. This is why many citizens see them as enemies which is not supposed to be. The uniformed officers need the civil population to succeed. They need public confidence.’

On a final note, ‘2022 should be a prosperous year for all Nigerians but security must be guaranteed. We want a 2022 in which everyone can prosper. Food security is a serious national issue because farmers cannot get to their farmland to till the land because of insecurity. People can’t travel for their businesses and families because of insecurity and not everyone can afford air travel. This is causing businesses to collapse, families to divide, and poverty.’

‘All hands must be on deck for national development which has its foundation in security. 2022 is a wake up call for national security’, the National President of NAOSNP concluded in his 2022 goodwill message.

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Transcorp Group delivers impressive Q1 2024 performance; sustains revenue growth of 173% and PBT of N45 billion

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Transnational Corporation Plc (“Transcorp” or the “Group”), Nigeria’s leading, listed conglomerate with investment in the Power, Hospitality, and Energy sectors, has announced impressive Q1 financial results for the period ended March 31, 2024.


In its Q1 2024 unaudited results, Transcorp reported significant year-on-year growth, with revenue rising to N88.6 billion from N32.4 billion in 2023, representing a 173% increase.


The impressive results are largely driven by a remarkable 209% year-on-year revenue growth within the power business, highlighting significant strategic progress as part of Transcorp Group’s implementation of its integrated power strategy.


The hospitality business recorded a 68% year-on-year growth in revenue, driven by an increase in occupancy rate from 75% to 82% compared to the previous year.


The results show substantial growth across all financial indicators, reinforcing its market leadership and strategic positioning.

Highlight of Transcorp Group Results:
• Q1 2024 Revenue was N88.6 billion, a significant increase of 173%, compared to Q1 2023.


• Operating income increased by 479%, from N8.5 billion in Q1 2023 to N49.1 billion in Q1 2024.


• Operating expenses saw an increase of 40% year on year to N8.2 billion in Q1 2024, reflecting the impact of inflation and cost of operations.


• Net finance cost increased by 14% to N3.7 billion in 2024 from N3.2 billion in 2023 due to a slightly higher interest rate review in line with MPR.


• Profit before tax from ordinary business of the Group surged by 1110%, amounting to N34.7 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N2.9 billion in Q1 2023 in the same period last year.


• Profit before tax inclusive of extra ordinary income was N45.7 billion in 2024 compared to N2.9 billion in 2023.


• The Group recorded extra ordinary income of N11 billion during the period from the realised gain from the sale of shares.


• Profit after Tax including the extra ordinary income improved 1832% year-on-year to N35.9 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N1.9 billion in Q1 2023 in the same period last year.


• Earnings per share of the Group was N61.12k in Q1 2024, compared to N2.58k in Q1 2023.


• On the balance sheet, total assets grew by 8.3%, from N530 billion in December 2023 to N574 billion in Q1 2024 due to the increase in operational activities.


• Shareholders’ funds increased by 20% from N187billion in December 2023 to N224 billion at the end of Q1 2024 due to profit accreted to retained earnings.

In response to the results, Dr. Owen D. Omogiafo, President/Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp, commented, “Our Q1 2024 results demonstrates Transcorp Group’s resilience and commitment to excellence.

Despite the challenges, we achieved growth across all major indices, focusing on operational efficiency at both our power plants, and maximising opportunities within our hospitality business, showing our ability to adapt and succeed in changing markets.

We will continue to deliver sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and value for our shareholders.”


This robust achievement is a further demonstration of the Group’s strategic focus and effective execution. Transcorp is dedicated to its transformation agenda, emphasising sustained growth and a relentless pursuit of long-term value for shareholders.

About Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Plc)
Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) is a leading, listed African conglomerate, with strategic investments in the power, hospitality, and energy sectors. Driven by its mission to improve lives and transform Africa, Transcorp has built a longstanding reputation for sector transformation, operational excellence, and exceptional financial performance, delivering value to its shareholders.
In the power sector, Transcorp’s businesses – Transcorp Power Plc and Transafam Power – provide over 16% of Nigeria’s installed power capacity.

Through its investments in the energy sector including OPL287, Transcorp is developing Nigeria’s domestic energy value chain.

The Group’s listed hospitality business, Transcorp Hotels Plc, owns the iconic Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Nigeria’s flagship hospitality destination, and Aura by Transcorp Hotels, a digital hospitality platform enabling travellers to book accommodation across Africa.

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AEDC Partners with Government and Stakeholders to Tackle Power Challenges in Nasarawa and Niger State.

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Amid mounting concerns over erratic power supply in Nasarawa State, Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the electricity challenges facing the region.

Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly (middle), alongside Yakubu Suleiman Umar, GM of Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (fifth left), and Engr. Johnathan Adeyemi, Chief Business Officer of Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa (KNN) regions (sixth right), and other delegates engaged in a crucial dialogue on electricity service enhancement at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Lafia on April 30th, 2024.

Engr. Jonathan Adeyemi, AEDC’s Chief Business Officer for Kogi, Niger, and Nasarawa, represented tye Disco at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly on April 30th, 2024, following its summon by the assembly to address the pressing issues.

Acknowledging the frustrations of residents grappling with inconsistent electricity provision, AEDC assured Niger State’s residents of its proactive measures to ameliorate the situation. Promising increased allocation contingent on national generation improvements, AEDC emphasized its dedication to meeting the energy needs of the community. Engr. Adeyemi also urged residents to embrace the deregulation of prepaid meters to expedite their deployment, thus facilitating more efficient monitoring and management of electricity consumption.

During constructive discussions with representatives from the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, both entities resolved to collaborate towards enhancing customer satisfaction and improved service delivery.

In Niger State, AEDC is working to proactively ensure the safety and security of its personnel and infrastructure. Engr. Samuel Odekina, the Niger State Regional Manager and his team, paid a courtesy visit to key law enforcement officials, including the Commissioner of Police, Niger State, CP Ebenezer Danmamman, and the Commandant of NSCDC Niger State Command, Cmdr. Joachin Okafor, on April 26th, 2024. The aim was to foster a conducive environment for reliable electricity supply by addressing pertinent security concerns.

Through continued dialogue and cooperation among AEDC, government agencies, and customers, there exists a shared determination to surmount challenges and improve the electricity landscape in both Niger and Nasarawa state respectively.

Customers were advised to escalate all electricity-related issues via AEDC’s social media platforms or its offices for technical or commercial support.

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Tree4Life Project: NEPL/Seplat JV, Edo Sign Reforestation Agreement

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The NNPC Exploration and Production Ltd/Seplat Energy Joint Venture and the Edo State Government have signed an agreement that will see the state government allocate 6,000 hectares of land from its protected forest reserves to enable a large-scale tree planting initiative by Seplat Energy Plc.

This is in furtherance to the Seplat Tree4Life Initiative and the Edo State Government’s identification of the need to increase forest cover and carbon sequestration efforts within the region.

Seplat Energy has been selected as the partner to implement this reforestation project, which aims to plant millions of indigenous trees on the allocated land over the next five (5) years. This project represents a significant investment in environmental conservation and sustainable development for the state.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony, which happened in Edo State Government House, the Managing Director, Seplat West Limited, Seplat Energy, Ayodele Olatunde, said the partnership will contribute in the global efforts around mitigating the effects of climate change, whilst providing economic, social, health and other environmental benefits to the region.

“This will stir more advocacy as far as climate change is concerned and put the Edo State Government with the Seplat JV on the map as change agents. The partnership is well aligned with our Tree4Life Initiative and has the capacity to boost our economy and the environment; advance our soil health and drive carbon capture; preserve our ecosystem; enhance biodiversity; create jobs; conserve our forests; and promote physical and mental wellbeing of our people,” Olatunde said.

The Commissioner for Environment & Sustainability, Edo State, Joshua Omokhodion, said the synergy between Edo State and the Seplat JV is a huge attempt at mitigating the impacts of climate change in Nigeria. “Beyond the economics of this move, the science of it is very important to us because it is an attempt to deliberately create an ambience that will be conducive for humans and other creatures here.”

The Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy, Chioma Afe, in her address, thanked the Edo State Government for partnering with the NEPL/Seplat JV on this sustainable journey of reforestation.  She said: “This will drive forward our shared goals of environmental conservation and sustainable land use.

“These 6,000 hectares of land being allocated today, we believe, will provide a major boost to efforts at increasing tree cover and also to sequester carbon in our region. We believe also that this will not only tackle climate change, but will promote the local economy as well as local wildlife. The agreement demonstrates the NEPL/Seplat JV strong commitment to supporting impactful environmental projects.

The Managing Director, NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, represented by Mr. Uzoma Ezulu, DM Operations Management Seplat, NEPL, said the partnership between the state government and NEPL/Seplat JV is a laudable response to the global warming crisis. “The world is turning around for the worst; human activities in the name of development have done more harm than good to the environment. The Tree4Life project, therefore, is a conservative effort for all of us,” he said. Teasoo Consulting Limited was also among the facilitators of the agreement signing ceremony.

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