Latest news with #Bayo
Business Insider
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Nigeria's NNPC considers refinery sale despite billions spent on repairs
Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, says efforts to revive Nigeria's state-owned refineries are becoming 'a bit more complicated.' Efforts to revive Nigeria's state-owned refineries are encountering increased complications, according to the CEO of NNPC Limited, Bayo Ojulari. Despite significant investments into modernizing refinery technology, expected improvements have yet to be realized due to unforeseen challenges. The Port Harcourt refinery continues to face operational issues, requiring periodic shutdowns for maintenance following its initial restart. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is weighing the option of divesting its state-owned refineries, following years of expensive rehabilitation efforts that have produced little progress. Speaking to Bloomberg on the sidelines of the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, said the NNPC is currently reassessing its refinery strategy, with plans to complete the review by the end of the year. What Bayo said: 'So refineries, we made quite a lot of investment over the last several years and brought in a lot of technologies. We've been challenged, ' he said. 'Some of those technologies have not worked as we expected so far. But also, as you know, when you're refining a very old refinery that has been abandoned for some time, what we're finding is that it's becoming a little bit more complicated," 'So we're reviewing all our refinery strategies now. We hope before the end of the year, we'll be able to conclude that review. That review may lead to us doing things slightly differently.' His comments come amid renewed scrutiny of the Port Harcourt refinery, which NNPC announced had begun crude oil processing on November 26, 2024. However, the plant was shut down again in May for maintenance. Several billions of dollars have been pumped into reviving Nigeria's state-owned refineries. In March 2021, the federal government approved $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery. Later that year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also approved $1.48 billion for the phased rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna refineries, with timelines of 21, 23, and 33 months respectively. Yet, despite the heavy investment, the facilities are still not producing any refined products. Africa's richest man and owner of the world's largest single-train refinery, Aliko Dangote, recently expressed scepticism about the viability of Nigeria's state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, despite an estimated $18 billion reportedly spent on their rehabilitation over the years.
San Francisco Chronicle
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Review: ‘The Tiny Things Are Heavier' is a reflection on young adulthood and migration
'The Tiny Things Are Heavier,' by author Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo, is a reflection on young adulthood, migration, cultural misunderstanding and family relationships. Okonkwo's debut novel is at turns amusing and heartbreaking as it follows Sommy, a Nigerian graduate student trying to navigate her new life in Iowa. Lonesome and homesick, Sommy tries to fit in as she studies for her master's degree, eventually befriending several other women in their 20s and engaging in a complicated sexual relationship with her gregarious Nigerian roommate, Bayo. Through it all, Sommy is haunted by guilt over her brother Mezie's attempted suicide just two weeks before she left her homeland for the United States. She's also frustrated that Mezie answers her frequent phone calls and text messages with silence, leaving her to wonder what he's thinking and where their relationship stands. Okonkwo astutely captures the awkwardness and insecurities of a young woman from any country or culture starting an independent life as an adult. She also shows how relationships with family members can change when young people reach adulthood and head out on their own. While still involved with Bayo, Sommy falls for Bryan, who was born to a white mother and a Nigerian father he never knew. After Sommy carries out her deceit for some time, Bayo eventually learns that his roommate is now with someone else and leaves deeply hurt. Bryan and Sommy form a serious relationship and make plans to visit Nigeria so he can track down his father. When they finally make the trip, Bryan's quest to finally know his dad turns out to be highly disappointing. Sommy has some luck connecting with her brother, but she sees him with different eyes now that she's an adult. An unexpected tragedy during the Nigeria visit suddenly changes everyone's future forever.
Gulf Today
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
‘The Tiny Things Are Heavier': A reflection on young adulthood and migration
Author Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo's debut novel is at turns amusing and heartbreaking as it follows Sommy, a Nigerian graduate student trying to navigate her new life in Iowa. Lonesome and homesick, Sommy tries to fit in as she studies for her master's degree, eventually befriending several other women in their 20s and engaging in a complicated relationship with her gregarious Nigerian roommate, Bayo. Through it all, Sommy is haunted by guilt over her brother Mezie's attempted suicide just two weeks before she left her homeland for the United States. She's also frustrated that Mezie answers her frequent phone calls and text messages with silence, leaving her to wonder what he's thinking and where their relationship stands. Okonkwo astutely captures the awkwardness and insecurities of a young woman from any country or culture starting an independent life as an adult. She also shows how relationships with family members can change when young people reach adulthood and head out on their own. While still involved with Bayo, Sommy falls for Bryan, who was born to a white mother and a Nigerian father he never knew. After Sommy carries out her deceit for some time, Bayo eventually learns that his roommate is now with someone else and leaves deeply hurt. Bryan and Sommy form a serious relationship and make plans to visit Nigeria so he can track down his father. When they finally make the trip, Bryan's quest to finally know his dad turns out to be highly disappointing. Sommy has some luck connecting with her brother, but she sees him with different eyes now that she's an adult. An unexpected tragedy during the Nigeria visit suddenly changes everyone's future forever. Associated Press
Hamilton Spectator
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Book Review: ‘The Tiny Things Are Heavier' is a reflection on young adulthood and migration
'The Tiny Things Are Heavier,' by author Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo, is a reflection on young adulthood, migration, cultural misunderstanding and family relationships. Okonkwo's debut novel is at turns amusing and heartbreaking as it follows Sommy, a Nigerian graduate student trying to navigate her new life in Iowa. Lonesome and homesick, Sommy tries to fit in as she studies for her master's degree, eventually befriending several other women in their 20s and engaging in a complicated sexual relationship with her gregarious Nigerian roommate, Bayo. Through it all, Sommy is haunted by guilt over her brother Mezie's attempted suicide just two weeks before she left her homeland for the United States. She's also frustrated that Mezie answers her frequent phone calls and text messages with silence, leaving her to wonder what he's thinking and where their relationship stands. Okonkwo astutely captures the awkwardness and insecurities of a young woman from any country or culture starting an independent life as an adult. She also shows how relationships with family members can change when young people reach adulthood and head out on their own. While still involved with Bayo, Sommy falls for Bryan, who was born to a white mother and a Nigerian father he never knew. After Sommy carries out her deceit for some time, Bayo eventually learns that his roommate is now with someone else and leaves deeply hurt. Bryan and Sommy form a serious relationship and make plans to visit Nigeria so he can track down his father. When they finally make the trip, Bryan's quest to finally know his dad turns out to be highly disappointing. Sommy has some luck connecting with her brother, but she sees him with different eyes now that she's an adult. An unexpected tragedy during the Nigeria visit suddenly changes everyone's future forever. ___ AP book reviews:
Winnipeg Free Press
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Book Review: ‘The Tiny Things Are Heavier' is a reflection on young adulthood and migration
'The Tiny Things Are Heavier,' by author Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo, is a reflection on young adulthood, migration, cultural misunderstanding and family relationships. Okonkwo's debut novel is at turns amusing and heartbreaking as it follows Sommy, a Nigerian graduate student trying to navigate her new life in Iowa. Lonesome and homesick, Sommy tries to fit in as she studies for her master's degree, eventually befriending several other women in their 20s and engaging in a complicated sexual relationship with her gregarious Nigerian roommate, Bayo. Through it all, Sommy is haunted by guilt over her brother Mezie's attempted suicide just two weeks before she left her homeland for the United States. She's also frustrated that Mezie answers her frequent phone calls and text messages with silence, leaving her to wonder what he's thinking and where their relationship stands. Okonkwo astutely captures the awkwardness and insecurities of a young woman from any country or culture starting an independent life as an adult. She also shows how relationships with family members can change when young people reach adulthood and head out on their own. While still involved with Bayo, Sommy falls for Bryan, who was born to a white mother and a Nigerian father he never knew. After Sommy carries out her deceit for some time, Bayo eventually learns that his roommate is now with someone else and leaves deeply hurt. Bryan and Sommy form a serious relationship and make plans to visit Nigeria so he can track down his father. When they finally make the trip, Bryan's quest to finally know his dad turns out to be highly disappointing. Sommy has some luck connecting with her brother, but she sees him with different eyes now that she's an adult. An unexpected tragedy during the Nigeria visit suddenly changes everyone's future forever. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. ___ AP book reviews:
