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Update: Gabon Coup Foiled

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Gabon’s envoy to Paris said an attempted coup in Libreville has been foiled, calm restored and four rebel military leaders arrested.

However, one of the rebel leaders escaped.

“The government is in place, the institutions are in place”, a Gabon government spokesman, Guy-Bertrand Mapangou said.

Mapangou also told AFP: “Calm has returned, the situation is under control”.

Soldiers burst into state radio offices at dawn and called on the public to “rise up”, an appeal made as President Ali Bongo remained in Morocco after suffering a stroke last year.

Shots were heard around state broadcasting headquarters in Libreville, capital of the oil-rich West African nation, at about the same time as the message was read at 6:30 am (0530 GMT).

But within a few hours, government spokesman Guy-Bertrand ”

Of the five who entered the radio station, “four have been arrested and one is on the run,” according to Mapangou.

Security forces have been deployed in the capital and will remain there over the coming days in order to maintain order, he said.

The gunfire, he said, was used to control a crowd.

The elite Republican Guard was deployed around the building and armoured vehicles blocked access to the area, an AFP correspondent saw.

In a rundown district nearby, dozens of young people torched a car and set fire to tyres, while the security forces fired teargas to try to disperse them.

The dramatic developments came as Bongo is living at a private residence in the Moroccan capital Rabat after suffering a stroke. He made a televised speech on New Year’s Eve but has not been in the country since October.

A message was read on state radio by a person who identified himself as Lieutenant Ondo Obiang Kelly, the deputy commander of the Republican Guard and head of a previously unknown group, the Patriotic Youth Movement of the Gabonese Defence and Security Forces (MPJFDS).

He announced a “national restoration council” would be formed “to guarantee a democratic transition for the Gabonese people”.

The movement “calls on all young people from forces for the defence and security and Gabonese young people to join us,” the officer said.

Three soldiers wearing the green beret of the Republican Guard, two of them carrying assault rifles, were visible on a video of the speech released on social media.

“We cannot abandon our homeland,” the officer said.

“The eagerly-awaited day has arrived when the army has decided to put itself on the side of the people in order to save Gabon from chaos.

“If you are eating, stop; if you are having a drink, stop; if you are sleeping, wake up. Wake up your neighbours… rise up as one and take control of the street,” he said, calling on the people to seize public buildings and airports.

The 59-year-old Bongo has not been back to Gabon since he fell ill in Saudi Arabia on October 24.

In his absence, the Constitutional Court transferred part of the powers of the president to the prime minister and the vice president.

The statement read out on Monday attacked the arrangement as “illegitimate and illegal.”

On December 31, Bongo addressed the country for the first time since falling ill, saying in a recorded speech from Morocco that he had “been through a difficult period.”

His critics seized on signs of apparent ill-health, pointing to an address that was unusually short, his slurred speech and a right hand that seemed stiff and immobile.

The speech was “shameful,” the officer said in Monday’s address, describing Gabon as “country (which) has lost its dignity.”

The Bongo family has governed the equatorial African nation for five decades.

Bongo took over from his father Omar, who took office in 1967 and gained the reputation of a kleptocrat — one of the wealthiest men in the world, with a fortune derived from Gabon’s oil wealth.

He was also a pillar of “Francafrique” — a now much-contested strategy by which France bound itself to its former African colonies through cronyism, often tainted with corruption and rights abuses.

Ali Bongo was elected head of state after his father’s death in 2009.

He was narrowly re-elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud.

The African Union said it “strongly condemns” the coup attempt and reaffirmed its “total rejection of all unconstitutional change of power”.

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NiMet DG/CEO Anosike Tasks Staff On Transparent Processes At 2024 Budget Retreat

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NiMet DG/CEO Anosike Tasks Staff On Transparent Processes At 2024 Budget Retreat

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Director General, Chief Executive Officer of The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has asked Directors and staff of the agency to ensure strict compliance to budgetary provisions.
Professor Anosike was speaking at the Budget Retreat of the agency on Monday, 6th May, 2024.

While declaring the retreat open, Professor Anosike said; “The NiMet Budget Retreat is fundamental for the new management and staff. It is an opportunity for us to improve our budgetary practices and also to discuss the 2024 budgetary provisions”.

Continuing, Professor Anosike tasked the Directors and senior staff of the agency who participated in the retreat to listen, participate and contribute to the robust discussions.

“Anticipated outcome of the retreat is that all will embrace performance-based budgeting which will lead to transparent and accountable budgetary processes.
This will help management and staff to achieve our set goals during the budget year, in line with the performance bond signed with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN”, Professor Anosike concluded.

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ASR AFRICA COMMENCES CONSTRUCTION OF 500-CAPACITY LECTURE THEATRE AND FACILITIES WORTH 250 MILLION NAIRA FOR ADAMAWA UNIVERSITY

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H


The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) commences the construction of a 500-capacity lecture theatre and wash facilities for the Adamawa State University, Mubi.

L-R: Nakama Keri, Multilateral Coordination Specialist, ASR Africa; Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa; Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, Ag. Vice Chancellor, Adamama State University; Engr E. B. Filli, Director, Physical Planning & Devt., and Mallam Aminu Aliyu Alkali, Registrar at the Groundbreaking Ceremony in Mubi, Adamawa State.

This project is coming after the nomination of the institution as a recipient of the ASR Africa Tertiary Education Grant Scheme (TEGS), by the Board of Directors of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative.


Speaking at the event, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, expressed his appreciation to the Chairman of BUA group and ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the rare philanthropy gesture towards the university.

He stated that the intervention of the Chairman would reduce the physical infrastructure deficit at their new campus and promote sanitation and hygiene in the university.

L-R: Dr. Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa and Dr. Stephen A. Lagu, Ag. Vice Chancellor Adamawa State University at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Abdul Samad Rabiu 500-capacity Lecture Hall with other facilities.

He added that the choice of the 500-seat lecture theatre with the four boreholes at different locations within the campus was identified and agreed to by the relevant organs of the institution with the ASR Africa team.


Dr Ubon Udoh (MD / CEO, ASR Africa), in his remarks, congratulated the institution for qualifying for the nomination by the Board of Directors of ASR Africa.

He stated that the rigorous selection process which includes stringent criteria such as the quality of service delivered by the university and the pedigree of graduands from the institution at the national and international levels, proves that the university is keeping up with its vision as a leading institution of learning in the region.

He encouraged the management and students to ensure proper use and maintenance of the facilities as a show of appreciation for the grant given to them.


The Tertiary Education Grant Scheme of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative is part of the efforts of the Chairman of BUA Group and ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu to give back to the African continent and make a lasting impact in education as a means of uplifting and restoring the dignity and lives of Africans.


About ASR Africa
ASR Africa is the brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa. 

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Seplat Energy Named Daily Independent’s Indigenous Oil & Gas Company of the Year

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… Also Emerges as The Industry’s Sustainable Energy Company for 2023

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Seplat Energy PLC, leading Nigerian independent energy company listed on both the Nigerian Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, has clinched the Daily Independent Newspaper’s Indigenous Oil & Gas Company of the Year Award.

L-R: Publisher, The Niche Newspaper, Ikechukwu Amaechi; General Manager, Finance, Seplat Energy Plc, Adetaiwo Osindero; Manager Corporate Communications, Stanley Opara; and Associate General Counsel Corporate & Compliance, Adebowale Eboda, at the Daily Independent Newspaper Awards, where Seplat Energy was name as the Indigenous Oil & Gas Company of the Year, held in Lagos … recently.  

 The company was recognised for recording remarkable exploits in the Nigerian oil and gas sector while partnering local communities who are seen and treated as key stakeholders to its operations and overall corporate well-being through inclusive engagement models.

Speaking at the Independent Newspaper Award Ceremony held in Lagos at the weekend, the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of the Publication, Mr. Steve Omanufeme, said Seplat Energy was also recognised for its invaluable contributions to the Nigerian economy in many other ways since it was founded, including the supply of natural gas to the domestic market while helping to displace expensive and carbon-intensive oil based power, which dominates Nigeria’s electricity sector.

Omanufeme added: “In all of these, the Company creates direct and indirect employment, while enhancing expertise and technology across the nation’s energy value-chain.

L-R: Head of Marketing, PZ Wilmar, Chioma Mbanugo; Manager Corporate Communications, Seplat Energy Plc, Stanley Opara; and Head of Digital Marketing (B2C) Olam Grains Nigeria, Oladotun Babatunde,  during The Industry Summit & Awards, where Seplat Energy emerged as the Sustainable Energy Company of the Year, held in Lagos … recently.

“This award is to celebrate this Company that has stayed committed to its mission of leading Nigeria’s energy transition with accessible, affordable, and reliable energy that drives social and economic prosperity.”

The award ceremony was attended by leaders across industries in Nigeria, regulators, politicians, and other government leaders. Seplat Energy was represented at the event by General Manager, Finance, Adetaiwo Osindero; Associate General Counsel Corporate & Compliance, Adebowale Eboda; and Manager Corporate Communications, Stanley Opara.

In a related development, The Industry Newspaper at its 2024 Summit and Awards, also announced Seplat Energy as the Sustainable Energy Company of the Year whilst its Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Chioma Afe, was honoured as the 2023 Industry Pathfinder in Sustainability (Corporate).

The Publication noted that Seplat Energy has demonstrated the capacity to be responsible and adhering to the ethics of the business during the period under review.

Responding to the awards by Daily Independent and The Industry Newspapers, Seplat Energy thanked the publications for the recognition and commended them for their display of professionalism, tact and commitment to developmental reportage over the years.

The company thus reemphasized its resolve to leading energy transition in Nigeria with strong focus on the environment, communities and governance frameworks.  

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