- President asks NNPC to fast-track reactivation of Warri, Kaduna Refineries
President Bola Tinubu will today depart Abuja to France for a three-day state visit.
The visit is “in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement Tuesday.
He said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”
Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, will be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.
During the visit, Tinubu and Macron will harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
Onanuga said both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication.
They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.
Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Tinubu and his wife will be hosted at a state dinner by the French leader before their departure.
“Top government officials will accompany President Tinubu on the trip,” said the Presidency.
President asks NNPC to fast-track reactivation of Warri, Kaduna Refineries
In a related development, President Tinubu has commended the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited over the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt refinery.
On Tuesday, NNPCL announced the official commencement of crude oil processing at the refinery — a feat that comes after three years of rehabilitation work.
In a statement on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Tinubu implored the NNPC to fast-track the reactivation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
Tinubu, who acknowledged the effort of former President Muhammadu Buhari in achieving the feat, reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving energy sufficiency in Nigeria.
“The President acknowledges the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all our refineries and expresses gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project.
“Furthermore, President Tinubu commends the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve this milestone.
“With the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, President Tinubu urges NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries,” he said.
Tinubu noted that the commencement of petrol production at the refinery will boost the country’s domestic production and make Nigeria a major energy hub.
He appealed to individuals, institutions, and citizens entrusted with public infrastructure to uphold trust in their service to the nation.
“These efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make our country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration.
“In alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda focused on shared economic prosperity for all, the President reaffirms his administration’s commitment to achieving energy sufficiency, enhancing energy security, and boosting export capacity for Nigeria,” Onanuga said.
