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Tag: Niger Delta region

  • UNODC Launches Youth Peace Champions in Bayelsa on International Youth Day: Empowering Young People to #FrameTheFuture

    UNODC Launches Youth Peace Champions in Bayelsa on International Youth Day: Empowering Young People to #FrameTheFuture

    Marking a significant stride in empowering young Nigerians as drivers of sustainable peace, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in partnership with the Bayelsa State Government and with generous support from the Government of Denmark, today launched the Youth Peace Champions programme in Bayelsa State. This strategic expansion brings a proven, youth-led peacebuilding model, celebrated for its impact in North-East Nigeria, to the Niger Delta region for the first time.

    Rooted in the conviction that sustainable peace must be people-led and youth-powered, the Youth Peace Champions initiative is a grassroots movement. It equips young people with essential tools, specialized training, mentorship, and influential platforms to become effective peacebuilders and positive changemakers within their own communities.

    Implemented under the project “Strengthening the Niger Delta Peace Architecture using Community-based Crime and Violence Prevention Strategies” (funded by Denmark), the Bayelsa launch directly aligns with the state’s pioneering youth policy. It stands as a potential blueprint for youth-led transformation across Nigeria.

    Investing in Youth, Building Resilient Communities

    Building on documented successes in the North-East, where 32 Youth Peace Champions reached over 9 million people with campaigns like #SeeTheChild, UNODC is adapting its methodology to Bayelsa’s unique context. A diverse cohort of 25 young leaders has been meticulously selected from five communities: Otuan, Ekeremor, Ikebiri 1, Ekowe, and Ayamasa. This group, representing both formal and informal sectors, includes 13 females (one with a disability) and 12 males.

    These champions will undergo intensive training in peacebuilding, crime and drug use prevention, future-forward skills, creative communication, and emerging trends. Crucially, they will be mentored by established leaders across various sectors who share UNODC’s core belief: peace must be youth-led and locally driven. Beyond advocacy, they will serve as visible community role models, fostering social cohesion, driving positive change, and promoting self-reliance through inclusive, sustainable, community-owned actions.

    The programme was inaugurated during the International Youth Day commemoration jointly hosted by UNODC and the Bayelsa State Government in Yenagoa.

    Mr. Cheikh Toure, UNODC Country Representative for Nigeria, stated: “The theme for this year’s International Youth Day, ‘Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,’ underscores the perfect timing of this inauguration. We are equipping these young people not merely with skills but with a powerful platform to amplify their voices, propose solutions, and stand as beacons of hope for their peers. This is not charity. It is not tokenism. It is a vital investment in leadership, in resilient communities, and in the peaceful, prosperous Nigeria we collectively envision. The Bayelsa Youth Peace Champions now join a growing national movement, spanning geopolitical zones and cultures, united by a common purpose: to reclaim peace and rebuild futures.”

    Hon Alfred Kemepado, Commissioner for Youth, Bayelsa State, emphasized: “On this International Youth Day, we stand united with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to ignite a movement, one that empowers our young people to become torchbearers of peace and leadership. The inauguration of the Youth Peace Champions is more than a program; it is a call to action. It is a bold statement that the voices, courage, and vision of our youth will shape the destiny of Bayelsa, of Nigeria, and of the world. Together, we are raising a generation that will not only dream of peace but will defend it, live it, and lead it.”

    This initiative directly supports the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security, emphasizing the critical need for inclusive, localized approaches in fragile contexts.

    With rising interest from other Nigerian states, UNODC extends an invitation to strategic partners. Supporting the scaling of this transformative, evidence-based model offers an opportunity to promote peace, prevent crime, foster youth livelihoods, and create a powerful ripple effect of hope across Nigeria, CHAMPION by CHAMPION.

  • Nigeria to auction 31 oil blocs in race to boost oil output

    Nigeria to auction 31 oil blocs in race to boost oil output

    Nigeria is preparing to open bids for 31 onshore and offshore oil and gas blocs in a race to increase oil output and attract new investment, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

    “These 31 oil and gas blocs have been carefully selected for their potential to boost our reserves and stimulate economic activities,” Enorense Amadasu, executive commissioner of development and production at the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said at an event in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

    Amadasu noted that further details on the bidding timeline would be released soon.

    According to NUPRC, Nigeria’s current production rate, including crude oil and condensates, has reached 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd), up from 1.54 million bpd in September. Plans are to push this figure to 2 million bpd by year-end.

    Amadasu confirmed the anticipated growth, attributing it to enhanced security around oil infrastructure and new incentives designed to draw investors.

    Nigeria’s increased production trajectory, however, could challenge its OPEC+ production cap of 1.5 million bpd of crude.

    While the 23-nation OPEC+ group aims to limit supply to stabilize global oil prices, Nigeria’s target output of 2 million bpd, which includes condensates, could exceed its cap.

    Nigeria’s government is focused on revitalising its energy sector after years of underinvestment, theft, and vandalism, particularly in the Niger Delta region, which has hindered the country’s ability to meet its production targets.

    As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria has struggled in recent years to stay within its OPEC+ quota, largely due to production disruptions.

    To address these issues, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has implemented new incentives, including tax breaks for producers and expedited asset sales, to increase both domestic and foreign investment.

    The renewed focus on drawing investment comes as part of broader economic reforms aimed at boosting local production capacity and creating jobs in the energy sector.

    The auctioning of the 31 oil blocks is one of several steps Nigeria is taking to encourage exploration and secure sustainable production growth.

    Industry experts believe that these efforts, combined with ongoing security improvements, could position Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leading oil producer within OPEC+. The NUPRC has emphasized that while meeting OPEC+ guidelines is a priority, it is equally focused on maximising Nigeria’s energy potential to support long-term economic growth.

    Culled from BusinessDay

  • Chevron Advances Africa’s Energy Renaissance as a Diamond Sponsor of African Energy Week (AEW) 2023

    Chevron Advances Africa’s Energy Renaissance as a Diamond Sponsor of African Energy Week (AEW) 2023

    …Multinational integrated energy corporation Chevron has joined the African Energy Week 2023 conference as a diamond sponsor

    As the role of Africa’s abundant resources assumes increasing global significance, exploration and production (E&P) activities are paramount to harnessing the continent’s potential. It is within this context that Chevron, a multinational energy corporation, reaffirms its commitment to Africa’s energy future by returning to the African Energy Week (AEW) conference as a Diamond Sponsor. This annual conference and exhibition, set to take place from October 16-20, 2023 in Cape Town, stands as Africa’s premier event for the energy sector and serves as the continent’s official meeting ground for key energy stakeholders.

    The continued development of Africa’s energy sector remains a pivotal factor in driving the continent’s economic growth. Chevron, with its rich history spanning more than a century in Africa, plays a vital role in building on existing assets and exploring new opportunities across the continent. Today, Chevron ranks among the top petroleum producers in Nigeria and Angola. The company’s footprint extends to other African nations, including Benin, Cameroon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, the Republic of Congo, and Togo.

    In Nigeria, Chevron operates and has a 40% stake in eight concessions in the onshore and near-offshore Niger Delta regions through a joint venture with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. The company also has interests in nine deepwater exploration and production blocks, with operational control of three. Notably, Chevron discovered the Agbami Field in 1998, a deepwater project connected to one of the world’s largest Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading vessels. Additionally, in 2020, Chevron launched an infill drilling program in the Niger Delta to boost production and counter field decline.

    Continuing its expansion in Africa, the company recently announced its plans to commence its oil and natural gas exploration well in the Red Sea, offshore Egypt, during the first half of 2024. This undertaking accomplished its initial phase of activities, which included seismic surveys, geological studies, and geophysical data collection for the region, at an estimated expenditure of around $20 million. The company also signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2023 with Egypt’s government to reduce emissions, showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability and collaborative efforts in mitigating climate change. Additionally, the company’s ongoing investments and commitment to research and exploration underscore its strategic partnership with Egypt and its ambition to position Egypt as a regional hub for energy exports.

    In 2023, Chevron demonstrated its strong commitment to sustainable E&P activities by launching production at the Lifua-A project, an offshore field in Angola’s Block 0. Collaborating with the National Oil, Gas, and Biofuels Agency, Chevron’s phased approach includes the installation of a metallic platform, production wells, and injectors, aiming for an output of 6,500 barrels of oil per day. This endeavor showcases Chevron’s dedication to innovation and operational efficiency, effectively reducing waste and environmental impact. Notably, all equipment used in this project was locally manufactured in Angola, highlighting the company’s emphasis on cost-efficiency and sustainability. Block 0, where Chevron holds a 39.2% stake, remains a pivotal asset, with continuous efforts to improve energy production and sustainability practices.

    Meanwhile, in Equatorial Guinea’s Block 1, Chevron maintains a 38% stake in the Aseng oilfield and the Yolanda natural gas field, and in Block O, holds a 45% interest in the Alen gas and condensate field. Chevron is also the operator of all three fields. Moreover, the company also operates in the Yoyo Block in Cameroon’s Douala Basin. Chevron’s commitment to Africa’s energy landscape extends to midstream development. The company maintains a substantial 36.7% interest in the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited, which plays a pivotal role in supplying Nigerian natural gas to customers in Benin, Ghana, and Togo. This investment not only bolsters regional energy security but also contributes to economic growth and access to cleaner energy sources across West Africa. Chevron’s dedication to sustainable energy solutions remains at the forefront of its operations in the region.

    “Chevron’s operations in Africa reflect its unwavering commitment to Africa’s energy sector. From Nigeria and Angola to Egypt and Equatorial Guinea, Chevron’s impact is undeniable. The company’s ongoing investments and collaborative efforts in emissions reduction initiatives demonstrate their proactive approach to environmental sustainability,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC).

    Chevron’s return as a Diamond Sponsor at AEW 2023 reflects the company’s commitment to driving Africa’s energy renaissance. The company has long-r