Nigeria’s ill timed military foray in West Africa

Nigerian soldiers

By Paul Arhewe

It is rather perplexing that it is when there are knots to untie in the continent that the magnificence and might of Nigeria is overtly and absolutely embraced. Juxtaposing the gains the country has received from her big brother sacrificial roles in Africa with the accruable benefits, what one sees is a non-commensurate reward. Why this assessment one may ask? Nigeria’s past Afrocentric engagements, whether solidarity supports or foreign military pacification operations, are known to attract momentary applause, but quickly forgotten as soon as the problems are fixed. The problems associated with military usurpation of power the West African states of Mali and Guinea Bissau, are engaging the attention of the leaders of the sub region in particular and both the Africa Union and the UN in general.

Domestic oil supply disequilibrium and Niger’s offer

Port Harcourt refinery

By Paul Arhewe

How did our blessed Nigeria, with her abundance of crude oil deposit and a leading global exporter of crude could get reduced to the lowly status of relying on external supply for her domestic oil consumption? The lowest point of the national embarrassment is the gesture from Niger Republic. Our neighbor up North on the fringe of Sahara Desert has expressed her willingness to come to our rescue with her residual 13, 000 barrels (2.06 million litres) of premium motor spirit (PMS) of her daily refined oil output of 20, 000 barrels. This gesture was made by Nigerien minister of petroleum, Foumakoye Gado, last week during a visit to Nigeria.