The last has not been heard concerning the agitation by several groups, to have direct control of the 13% derivation, paid to state governments of oil-producing areas, with the aim of developing oil-bearing communities.

In Delta State, where most of the exploration of oil & gas is on-shore, the agitation is now amongst-family, village, community, clan, ethnic and other interest groups.

Prince Emmanuel O.Oyibo, Commander, Ethnic Communities Security, a member of Federal Ethnic Council of Nigeria, is appealing to all Security Agencies to ensure that they do not allow themselves to be used by the corrupt politicians to sabotage the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan for sustainable peace and development and to keep their eyes watching for them not to run away from the country.

Prince Onyibo is making this plea, so that, public office holders to can an account for the funds including the 13% derivation funds, received by Delta State as well as other oil States to the people of Oil Communities at the grass root level through the ethnic council.

The council wants the presidency to ensure probe of the funds starts immediately before the end of March 2013, and ethnic communities’ security to unite, ensuring accountability and payment of the funds requested at July 2012 for the ethnic communities’ security outfits. The federal Government should also make the release of the monthly 250m from the 50% of the 13% derivation funds, while discussing the derivation and the (P.I.B).

File photo: Damaged ecosystem from oil spill

“The 50% of the total allocation coming to Delta State monthly from the Federation account which is supposed to be for the Oil Producing Communities is what we are talking about first, while other discussion concerning the 13% derivation setting up the Board when it will come to conclusion,” Prince Onyibo added.

But, the Governor of Delta State has spoken strongly against the agitation for the remaining 50% of the 13% Derivation, paid to the state, which he avers is being used in developing other areas of the state, advising anyone who is not satisfied with arrangement, to approach the proper court of law. The council, represented by Prince Onyibo, wants the total allocation to the Oil producing States to be managed by members of the council representing their ethnic nationalities but not the Oil Commission created by the state government.

The council therefore demanded Chief Willington Okirika and his team to give account of their stewardship, following allegations of a missing N79billion, adding that until they do, “They should not parade themselves as leaders on the issues of 13% derivation and the PIB. Failure to do so will be penalized by the Ethnic Communities Security and handed over to the Presidency.”

Strategy for sustained competitive advantage
In order to address the need to enhance the leadership capacity of African senior executives, These Young Minds and Aston Business School have partnered to offer a four-day executive education programme on strategy for a sustainable competitive advantage.

The organisers in a statement made available to Sweetcrude said the the programme, http://theseyoungminds.co.uk/strategy-for-sustained-competitive-advantage, is unique in that it is specially customised for African senior executives from the public and private sector, ensuring it reflects contextual nuances and adds immense measurable value for participants and their organisations.

The Executive Education Director, Aston Business School, Mr. Paul Butler, was quoted as saying: “We have developed this programme to provide participants with a great opportunity to enhance their capacities as strategic leaders.”

Also speaking about the programme, Founding Executive Director of These Young Minds, Mr. Alim Abubakre, said: “The programme Strategy for Sustained Competitive Advantage combines tuition in management that reflects the contextual nuances of a developing country with a platform for senior executives to shape their organisational vision while challenging their assumptions. Through this programme senior executives would broaden their horizons, enhance their ability to provide strategic leadership, improve their capability to anticipate and manage the future and present risks involved and maximise their potential to harness opportunities for their organisation in a sustainable way”.

The statement also explained that the bespoke programme will offer attendees the tools to build their own successful and sustainable strategies. It will also explore ways of mitigating potential risks to the market position of the attendees’ organisations.  Participants will also benefit from insights into the current motivations and future behaviour of competitors. An exclusive working visit to a high-profile global organisation in Birmingham will also be included.

The Sustained Competitive Advantage programme will run from June 10th to 13th, 2013. It will take place at the Aston Business School, in Birmingham, UK, which is amongst the top business schools worldwide with triple accreditation from EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB (only 50 Universities globally have attained this feat).