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X-RAYING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NIGERIA’S LEADERSHIP OF THE AFRICAN PETROLEUM REGULATORY FORUM FOR AFRICA

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As Plato aptly stated, “Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.” This profound assertion underscores the necessity of wisdom to distinguish belief from truth. Without clear understanding, opinions, no matter how well-intentioned, remain elusive and inherently subjective, lacking the objectivity required for transformative progress. 

 

To transition from ignorance to knowledge, rigorous interrogation, analysis, and redefinition are essential. This philosophical backdrop frames the remarkable leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the Interim Chairman of the African Petroleum Regulatory Forum (AFRIPERF), whose tenure exemplifies a paradigm shift in Africa’s petroleum sector. His appointment is not merely a recognition of personal excellence but a testament to the trust placed in him by African leaders in the oil and gas industry.

 

Engr. Komolafe’s years of consistent, transformative leadership have catalyzed significant reforms, positioning Nigeria as a continental leader in strengthening petroleum governance through shared values, collaboration, and effective coordination among member regulators.

 

Engr. Komolafe’s leadership is rooted in a visionary approach to unifying petroleum regulation across Africa, fostering an environment conducive to attracting investment and driving regional economic growth. His strategic foresight reflects a radical, multi-sectoral approach to problem-solving, for which he is widely respected.

 

Under his stewardship, AFRIPERF has emerged as a dynamic platform for harmonizing ideas, fostering expertise, and entrenching best practices in the petroleum sector. The forum’s objectives include addressing regional challenges, facilitating knowledge sharing, and enhancing energy security, all of which are critical to unlocking Africa’s economic potential.

 

The African petroleum sector is poised for unprecedented growth, with Nigeria leading the charge toward achieving a projected $600 billion in annual upstream investments. Engr. Komolafe’s leadership of AFRIPERF has positioned Nigeria as a continental force capable of rewriting Africa’s energy narrative through sustainable development. His appointment reflects his patriotic zeal, exemplary performance, and a proven record of stewardship, making him a round peg in a round hole.

 

Since assuming the role, he has driven pragmatic reforms aimed at transforming regulatory practices, safeguarding AFRIPERF’s core mandate, and prioritizing frameworks that strengthen governance, ensure environmental compliance, promote sustainable practices, and enhance community participation.

 

Engr. Komolafe’s disciplined and focused leadership has reshaped continental narratives, transitioning the sector from irresponsible practices to responsible mining techniques, reforestation programs, and land reclamation initiatives that mitigate environmental impacts. His alignment with initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the Africa Mining Vision (AMV) has bolstered transparency in revenue management and accountability in the mining sector.

 

By fostering collaboration with organizations such as the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), he has created a robust network for policy harmonization and sustainable resource development.

 

Recognizing the importance of a skilled and innovative workforce in a rapidly evolving digital era, Engr. Komolafe has prioritized extensive training and capacity-building programs. His investments in human capital development, research, and innovative technology have significantly enhanced sectoral growth and governance. His extensive experience, credibility, and profound knowledge have positively influenced regulatory frameworks across African nations.

 

For instance, Senegal has adopted a transparent and inclusive governance structure with clear licensing criteria, while Tanzania has strengthened its legal framework to emphasize community development and environmental protection. In South Africa, Engr. Komolafe’s influence has driven transformative community welfare and transparency reforms, resolving long-standing conflicts in the mining sector.

 

As a proactive and resilient leader, Engr. Komolafe has established effective monitoring mechanisms and consistent regulatory enforcement, significantly reducing illicit financial flows and corruption in the sector. His strengthening of institutional mechanisms has enhanced transparency and accountability, creating a stable and attractive investment environment.

 

His achievements as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) further underscore his qualifications for leading AFRIPERF. At NUPRC, he garnered global acclaim for his transformative leadership, implementing transparent licensing rounds, fiscal disclosures, and compliance monitoring to ensure regulatory adherence. His establishment of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) has promoted transparency and social responsibility, providing tangible benefits to local communities.

 

Additionally, his decentralized stakeholder engagement model has restored public trust by fostering collaboration with communities, civil society, and other stakeholders, ensuring sustainable reforms.

Engr. Komolafe’s leadership of AFRIPERF carries profound implications for Africa, as the forum strengthens regional petroleum governance, promotes cooperation, and enhances regulatory frameworks across the continent.

 

Under his guidance, AFRIPERF is innovating sustainable solutions and leveraging Africa’s vast oil and gas reserves—estimated at 125 billion barrels and 620 trillion cubic feet, respectively—to attract investment and boost economic growth. By standardizing regulations and fostering knowledge sharing, he has enabled member countries to adopt best practices and create a unified regulatory approach.

 

A staunch advocate for Africa’s economic independence in the global energy landscape, Engr. Komolafe integrates renewable energy and emissions reduction into existing policies, ensuring a balanced approach to energy security. His diplomatic efforts have deepened collaborative dialogue with industry stakeholders and international organizations, addressing regional challenges with mutual respect and shared value. His leadership fosters inclusivity, collaboration, and partnership, enhancing training, research, and innovation to build resilient regulatory institutions.

 

Engr. Gbenga Komolafe’s leadership of AFRIPERF is not a mere coincidence but a recognition of his outstanding track record, unwavering commitment, and resilience in the oil and gas sector. His appointment holds immense potential to transform Africa’s petroleum industry, driving economic growth, sustainable development, and energy security for the continent and beyond.

 

Through his visionary leadership, Africa is poised to redefine its energy future, harnessing its vast resources to achieve prosperity and global relevance.

 

Prince writes from Abuja

Entertainment

Davido breaks silence after Grammy Award loss

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Five-time Grammy nominee, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted after losing the Best African Music Performance category at the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, United States.

 

The Afrobeats star shared a message of faith and resilience following the outcome of the ceremony, which took place on Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in California.

In a post on his Instagram page, Davido shared photos with his wife, Chioma, from the event and wrote, “Oluwa Dey my side,” alongside prayer and music emojis.
Hours later, he posted another set of pictures of himself and Chioma at the Grammys, reflecting on the loss in a longer caption.

“I said baby listen we lost again let’s not go ! she said ‘Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat’ we outside,” he wrote.
Chioma also reacted via her Instagram page, praising the singer, “You already know that you’re the perfect one, @davido,” she wrote, while sharing photos from the awards night.
Davido was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards but lost to South African singer Tyla, who won with her song Push 2 Start.

Other nominees in the category included Burna Boy (Love), Ayra Starr and Wizkid (Gimme Dat), Davido (With You featuring Omah Lay), and Eddy Kenzo and Mehran Matin (Hope & Love).

The win marked Tyla’s second Grammy Award, following her first victory in 2024 for her hit single Water.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, the singer revealed that With You, featuring Omah Lay, almost did not make the final tracklist of his album 5IVE.
“Man, it’s so crazy because that song almost didn’t make the album. With You was not in anybody’s top five.
“And now look at it go. Every time I was performing it, my heart would just start beating like, what if I didn’t put this song?” he told OkayAfrica.

Davido also recounted how he learned about the Grammy nomination, saying the news came unexpectedly while he was in Dubai, days before his birthday.

“I was in the car, actually, checking a car, and then my phone rang. They were like, ‘Oh yeah, another nomination.’ I was like, wow. Thank God,” he said.

“With You” was released in April 2025 as the 17th track on Davido’s fifth studio album, 5IVE, and has since become one of his most successful recent records, surpassing 100 million streams on Spotify.

Despite the song’s success, Nigeria did not record a win at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Davido said he is now focused on touring and releasing new music.

He is also billed to perform at Coachella 2026, where he will be the only Nigerian artiste on the festival lineup, performing on April 11 and April 18, 2026, in Indio, California.

-Guardian

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Kunle Afolayan gives reasons to marry many women

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Nollywood filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, has stirred reactions after advising men to “marry many women” while reflecting on his upbringing in a polygamous home.

 

The actor and producer made the remarks at the watch party of Aníkúlápó: The Ghoul Awakens, with a clip from the event going viral on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Afolayan linked his existence and achievements to his late father’s decision to marry several wives.

“Without my father, there wouldn’t have been a KAP Village or even Kunle Afolayan. I am the seventh born of my father because my father had ten wives. For the men, marry many women, or rather be involved with many women. You know why? If my father didn’t, he would not have born me, and that is the honest truth. But today, a few of us are lifting his legacy. Life is short, death is constant. Nobody has life forever. Everybody has a period. Use your period,” he said.

While his daughter, Eyiyemi Afolayan, joined him on stage, the filmmaker compared his childhood experience with his relationship with his children.

“They are lucky. For her, staying by my side is luck. Do you know why? I couldn’t stand it with my father. My father didn’t know my school. My father didn’t know my date of birth. He did not know anything about me other than, ‘He is the son of that person.’ But today, I’m so proud of my father,” he added.

Afolayan also spoke about fatherhood.

“Sometimes when people say ‘Happy Father’s Day,’ I’m always saying whether he pays child support or not, he’s still a father. I have been going to court because I want to get a divorce. I don’t mind being in the witness box, and I experienced the shit, so that I can marry many wives,” he said.

He thereafter prayed for his daughter, praising her role in the series.

“Hephzibah, her mother is the one who gave her the name. I don’t care, but I am proud of you. You started with the film, you did the first season, and now with the second season, you did amazingly well. My good Lord will continue to increase you in wisdom, in knowledge, and in understanding. If this is your path, the good Lord will see you through.”
However, this is not the first time the filmmaker has spoken about his late father’s polygamous lifestyle.

In March 2021, Afolayan told BBC Pidgin that his father, Adeyemi Afolayan, who died in 1996, married 10 wives and had 25 children, a decision he said took a toll on the family.

“I would not want to marry many wives because my father had 10 wives and I knew what happened throughout that period. I knew that really distracted my father. In this age, nobody needs to tell you before you know what’s right,” he said at the time.

He also disclosed that growing up in a polygamous home affected bonding among the children due to language and other barriers.

Afolayan further narrated how he battled poverty in his early years, revealing that he once lived in a one-room apartment in Ebute-Metta and sometimes had to deal with flooding.

“I was born in Ebute-Metta and have lived in one-room apartment before that we even have to grapple with flood sometimes. It’s not shame to say have been poor before. But if you see how l made it, it’s a matter of consistency. My father was a very popular filmmaker and ordinarily, people would expect me to life the kind of live akin to Hollywood stars,” he said.

“But that wasn’t the case. How would one live such life when you’re living in a room with ten women. That doesn’t mean there was no love among us.”

He had advised young filmmakers to start with the little resources available to them while working towards their dreams.

 

-Guardian

 

 

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Court adjourns Ganduje’s corruption trial to April 15

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A Kano State High Court has adjourned until April 15 the trial of former governor Abdullahi Ganduje, his wife, Hafsat Umar, and son, Abdullahi Umar, alongside five other defendants, over alleged misappropriation of public funds amounting to billions of naira.

 

The defendants are facing an 11-count charge bordering on bribery, conspiracy, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds. The remaining accused persons are Abubakar Bawuro, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lasage General Enterprises Ltd.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution told the court it was ready to proceed and drew attention to a motion dated November 24, 2025, seeking leave to file additional proof of evidence.

However, defence lawyers raised objections, informing the court that multiple applications were pending and must be resolved before the trial could continue.

Lydia Oluwakemi-Oyewo, counsel to some of the defendants, said the defence had filed a motion dated July 17, 2025, seeking a stay of proceedings.
Adekunle Taiye-Falola, representing the third and seventh defendants, also referred to a separate motion dated May 23, 2025.
In addition, Muhammad Shehu, counsel to the fifth defendant, told the court that an affidavit had been filed notifying it of a pending application for stay of proceedings before the Court of Appeal.
Abubakar Ahmad, counsel to the sixth defendant, informed the court that he had filed a notice of preliminary objection and an application for extension of time to respond on points of law dated February 2, urging the court to fix a date for hearing.

Only Faruk Asekome, counsel to the eighth defendant, indicated readiness to proceed with the trial.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the presiding judge, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, adjourned the matter to April 15 for the hearing of all pending applications and preliminary objections.

The trial has suffered repeated delays due to legal challenges. The high court had earlier dismissed preliminary objections raised by the defence as “incompetent” and affirmed its jurisdiction to hear the case.
That ruling was appealed by the defendants, who argued that the trial court lacked jurisdiction. However, in October 2025, the Kano Division of the Court of Appeal struck out the appeal, citing failure to properly transmit the record of appeal.

-Guardian

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