NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.
Researchers develop an efficient way to train more reliable AI agents
Experts call for lockdown-style measures this Christmas as flu infections grip UKBrian Robinson Jr. and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are among my four must-start fantasy football running backs for Week 12. De'Von Achane leads my weekly running back rankings. Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey and Joe Mixon are my other Top-5 options. Robinson, Kenneth Walker, James Conner, David Montgomery and Tracy also should be considered Top-10 plays for Week 12. Rico Dowdle joins Robinson, Tracy and Montgomery as my must-start plays. My rankings were compiled based on several factors, including likely workload, strength of opponent, previous matchup history, expected red zone opportunities and predicted game script. Players from the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets, who are on bye, should be benched or potentially dropped. Players from Thursday's Cleveland Browns-Pittsburgh Steelers game were removed from my rankings. Those with stock in injured running backs should continue to monitor their status leading into their respective kickoffs. My top are available here. My and also are available. All positional rankings will be updated throughout the week, based on injuries and other factors. Robinson was a borderline fantasy football RB1 in Week 11 and should provide his stock owners with an even better performance this week. The Washington Commanders running back reached the end zone in six of his eight appearances this season. He also received at least 15 touches six times this season. Robinson will now face a Dallas Cowboys defense the third-most fantasy points and second-most rushing touchdowns (1.3) per game to running backs through 11 weeks. They also just allowed 153 yards from scrimmage and three scores to Joe Mixon in Week 11. I don't expect a Mixon-level performance from Robinson, but he should eclipse 100 yards from scrimmage and reach the end zone. He is my No. 6 play. Montgomery and Detroit Lions teammate Jahmyr Gibbs were both Top 10 fantasy football running backs, on a points-per-game basis, through the first 11 weeks of the season. The star running back duo combined to score 19 touchdowns so far in 2024. Montgomery, who scored 10 of those touchdowns, outscored Gibbs over the last two weeks, when he reached the end zone three times. He sits as the No. 9 player in my Week 12 rankings due to his recent consistent production and a stellar matchup against an Indianapolis Colts defense that allowed the sixth-most rushing yards (115.1) per game to running backs through 11 weeks. That stretch included allowed at least 80 yards from scrimmage to a running back in each of their last seven games. They surrendered 121 yards from scrimmage and two scores to Breece Hall in Week 11. Look for Montgomery to score twice in this meeting, which the Lions should dominate on the ground. Tracy was a fantasy football RB2, on a points-per-game basis, over the last four weeks, but provided RB1 value in his last performance, with 104 yards from scrimmage and two scores in Week 10. That performance was the New York Giants rookie's fourth game in six weeks with at least 100 yards from scrimmage. Tracy also scored in three of those performances. This week, Tracy and the Giants will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs through 11 weeks. They also surrendered a league-high 51.3 receiving yards per game to the position. Tracy has a great shot to eclipse 100 yards from scrimmage once again in this meeting. He is my No. 10 play. Dowdle sits at No. 19 in my Top 30 running back rankings for Week 12. The Dallas Cowboys ball carrier averaged a pathetic 2.8 yards per carry in Week 11, but continues to see the majority of the work in the backfield. He has yet to score a rushing touchdown this season, but found the end zone three times as a pass catcher. This week, the Cowboys will face a Washington Commanders defense that allowed the second-most rushing yards (123.4) per game to running backs so far this season. They also tied for allowing the fourth-most rushing touchdowns (1.0) per game to the position. Saquon Barkley erupted for nearly 200 yards from scrimmage and scored twice against the Commanders in Week 11. Opposing running backs scored touchdowns against the Commanders in five of the last six weeks, reaching the end zone a total of eight times during that span. Dowdle is a solid RB2 option. 1. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins vs. NE 2. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants at LAR 3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens at LAC 4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers at GB 5. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans vs. TEN 6. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders vs. DAL 7. Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks vs. ARI 8. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals at SEA 9. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions at IND 10. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants vs. TB 11. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs at CAR 12. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers vs. KC 13. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions at IND 14. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams vs. PHI 15. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans at HOU 16. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers vs. SF 17. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts vs. DET 18. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots at MIA 19. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys at WAS 20. J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers vs. BAL 21. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NYG 22. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears vs. MIN 23. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings at CHI 24. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at LV 25. Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders vs. DAL 26. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NYG 27. Audric Estime, Denver Broncos at LV 28. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals at SEA 29. Dylan Laube, Las Vegas Raiders vs. DEN 30. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks vs. ARI
The results from their first-in-human study demonstrated that median overall survival was doubled and progression-free survival improved 3-fold The Company's novel sonodynamic therapy platform selectively targets and destroys cancer cells in the brain while preserving healthy tissue CHANHASSEN, Minn. , Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpheus Medical, Inc., a private, clinical-stage oncology company pioneering sonodynamic therapy (SDT) for the treatment of solid body cancers, today announced positive results from their Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with recurrent or refractory high-grade gliomas. The company's proprietary therapy demonstrated a strong safety profile and extended median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to historical data. The data were presented by Michael Schulder , MD, at the 2024 Society of Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Annual Meeting. "Glioblastomas are the most common and aggressive primary brain cancer, presenting a devasting diagnosis for patients and their familes," said David Reardon , MD, Clinical Director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and member of the Alpheus Medical Scientific Advisory Board. "Current treatment options are limited and often ineffective due to the diffuse spread of the disease across the blood-brain barrier and often across the entire hemisphere, making it universally fatal with a rapid timeline. The early clinical results of Alpheus's therapy are promising, offering hope for this new approach. I look forward to further exploring the potential benefits of their SDT therapy for this patient population who is in critical need of an effective solution." Alpheus Medical's non-invasive SDT treatment, which can be delivered in an outpatient setting, combines low-intensity diffuse ultrasound (LIDU TM ) with oral 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) to target and kill cancer cells across the entire hemisphere without the need for imaging or sedation. Key findings from the study include: Median overall survival (OS): 15.7 months vs. historical ~6-8 months Median progression-free survival (PFS): 5.5 months vs. historical 1.8 month Safety: No treatment-related deaths, serious adverse events (SAEs), or duration-limited toxicities (DuLTs) reported "In addition to the strong safety data and early indications of efficacy, Alpheus' non-invasive SDT therapy stands out for its ease of use - a significant improvement over the uncomfortable and often toxic treatments currently available for this rapidly fatal condition," stated Dr. Schulder, Director of the Brain Tumor Center at Northwell Health, and one of the trial's primary investigators. "We look forward to expanding the ability for patients to receive this promising therapy." The Phase 1/2 trial ( NCT05362409 ) is an open-label, multicenter, duration-escalation study evaluating the safety, optimal dose, and efficacy of Alpheus Medical's proprietary SDT platform. Twelve patients were enrolled across three cohorts, with treatment durations escalating to 60, 90, and 120 minutes per monthly session. The company plans to initiate a randomized, controlled trial at multiple centers across the U.S. in 2025. About Alpheus Medical, Inc. Alpheus Medical is a private, clinical-stage oncology company revolutionizing the treatment of solid body cancers with its pioneering sonodynamic therapy (SDT) platform that combines Low-Intensity Diffuse Ultrasound (LIDU TM ) with the sensitizing agent, oral 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). The company's proprietary, non-invasive technology is designed to selectively target and destroy cancer cells in the brain while preserving healthy tissue. Learn more at www.alpheusmedical.com . Media Contact Carla Benigni [email protected] SOURCE Alpheus MedicalBiomednewsbreaks - Why Adageis Is 'One To Watch'U.S. stock futures were little changed Sunday night as Wall Street kicked off a shortened Thanksgiving trading week. Markets are closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving Day and end early on Friday. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose just 52 points, or 0.1%. Futures tied to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 added less than 0.1% each. The major averages are coming off a winning week as the postelection rally picked up again. The 30-stock Dow advanced around 2% last week and finished at a record close. Meanwhile, the broad market index and Nasdaq Composite each rose about 1.7%. The small-cap Russell 2000 jumped roughly 4.5% during the week. President-elect Donald Trump signaled his intention to nominate Key Square Group founder Scott Bessent as Treasury secretary on Friday after the market close. Investors may view the pick favorably and see the hedge fund manager as someone who will be supportive of the equity market. To be sure, Trump stated that Bessent would help him implement protectionist trade policies, which some investors fear will hurt the market. "U.S. equities, the dollar and Treasury yields have all risen sharply in response to better-than-expected U.S. economic data and have received an additional boost from the election outcome," said MRB Partners global strategist Phillip Colmar. "However," he added, "investors should be careful not to be dogmatic in their views and positioning since the policies proposed by President-elect Trump are a conflicting mix of pro-growth fiscal stimulus and stagflationary isolationism." Despite this week's shortened trading week, the interest rate outlook is back in focus with the release of October's personal consumption expenditure (PCE) price index, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure. Minutes from the Fed's most recent policy meeting are also due out ahead of Thanksgiving. On the corporate earnings front, several retailers and tech names are slated to release quarterly results during the week. Bath and Body Works is scheduled to announce its earnings Monday morning. On Tuesday, retailers Macy's, Nordstrom and Best Buy are reporting results, as well as tech companies CrowdStrike and Dell Technologies. Stock futures open little changed U.S. stock futures traded near the flatline Sunday night. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures rose just 52 points, or 0.1%. Futures tied to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 added less than 0.1% each. — Hakyung Kim
Colombia shares higher at close of trade; COLCAP up 0.14%Letters to the Editor | December 27, 2024
TECH4GOOD One sign that the Christmas holiday season has started is the influx of migrant mendicants in cities all over the country. They are the face of the continuing saga of street dwellers, a situation that has been looking for a solution for the longest time. When you drive around the city right after dusk, you will not fail to notice these people beginning to settle down on sidewalks. Some are in karitons with a dog in tow. The situation of street dwellers is a global concern and a glaring reminder of urban poverty. More than half of the estimated 4.5 homeless individuals scattered around the country are in Metro Manila. In recent years, nomadic Badjaos have started to come to urban cities looking for subsistence opportunities, only to find themselves facing harsher living conditions. Often referred to as “sea gypsies,” they are an indigenous group originally from the coastal regions of western Mindanao. Historically, they were sea dwellers, relying on fishing and marine resources for their livelihood. Their migration to urban areas has led to significant changes in their way of life, presenting challenges that threaten their cultural identity and survival. These metropolitan street dwellers are a visible reminder of our societies’ social and economic disparities. Often referred to as the homeless, they live in precarious conditions, face numerous challenges daily, and are in a constant state of vulnerability. Many find temporary shelter in parks, sidewalks, under bridges, or makeshift settlements. These locations offer little protection from the elements, making them susceptible to harsh weather conditions, health issues, and violence. Access to basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation facilities, and healthcare is often limited. They rely on public restrooms, charitable organizations, and occasional assistance from the community and individuals for their daily needs. The lack of proper nutrition and hygiene exacerbates health problems, making street dwellers more prone to illnesses and infections. Understanding the factors that lead to homelessness, their living conditions, and potential solutions is crucial to addressing this complex issue. The reasons for homelessness are multifaceted and interlinked, varying from individual to individual. In metropolitan cities, where living costs are exorbitant, even a slight dip in income can lead to eviction and homelessness. Mental health issues and substance abuse disorders can significantly impact an individual's ability to maintain stable housing. Without adequate support and treatment, these conditions can spiral into homelessness. Family issues such as domestic violence, family breakdowns, and abuse can force individuals, particularly women and children, to flee their homes and live on the streets. The shortage of affordable housing options in urban areas is a significant contributor to homelessness. Even working individuals may find it impossible to afford rent in expensive metropolitan cities. The livelihoods of street dwellers are often precarious and informal. Securing stable employment becomes a challenge without a permanent address or proper identification. Many street dwellers resort to begging for alms, which is a common way for them to earn money. Some scour street garbage dumps to collect recyclable materials that they can sell. However, this is often insufficient to meet their basic needs. Some engage in informal work such as street vending, collecting recyclable materials, or offering shoe shining and car washing services. While these jobs provide some income, they are irregular and low-paying. Street dwellers mostly rely on the support of charitable organizations such as Rotary Clubs, non-profits, and government aid programs. Addressing homelessness requires a multifaceted and compassionate approach. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently launched its flagship anti-hunger program, “Walang Gutom” (No Hunger) Kitchen, which provides nutritious hot meals to impoverished individuals. The project also intends to examine their health and medical needs and provide access to hygiene facilities and even laundry services. It is a good start to address the need to care for the homeless, but DSWD will have to move fast to cover all those hungry and homeless individuals scattered across the country. They should also be given priority as beneficiaries of the current Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) Program. The DSWD or even the local government should start by conducting a census of these individuals. Most street dwellers I have talked to say they are not even registered voters, which explains why most local officials fail to address their needs. The development of housing projects designed for the bottom of the pyramid, employment programs, mental health services, education, community support, and substance abuse treatment can help them address underlying issues and transition into stable living conditions. Homelessness in metropolitan cities is a complex issue that requires a compassionate and comprehensive approach. Crafting appropriate policies and advocacy for systemic change is necessary to address the root causes of homelessness. We should face the issue head-on and move fast. Those street dwellers are the faces of what our country is. We should afford them the chance to live with dignity. The author is an executive member of the National Innovation Council, lead convener of the Alliance of Technology Innovators for the Nation (ATIN), vice president of the Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines, and vice president of the UP System Information Technology Foundation. ( [email protected] )
Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while WHO chief says he was meters awayA Robinhood Look Back at 2024 and Forward Into the Future
The target by the Federal Government to ramp up oil production to 3 million liters per day has been accompanied with different strategies, SUCCESS NWOGU writes Federal Government’s ambitious crude oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day in the 2025 budget has once more underscored the need to adopt proactive and effective measures to ramp up Nigeria’s crude oil production. The budget’s crude oil target was less than the initial projection. The Minister of Defence, Dr. Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, speaking recently at 6 Division Nigerian Army Barracks in Port Harcourt, said FG had set a target to increase oil production per day to 2.3 million per day by mid-2025. He claimed that the current oil production had risen from one million barrels to 1.6 to 1.7 million barrels. Abubakar said: “I believe we are now at about 1.6 to 1.7 million barrels as against 1.4 million barrels that we were on. And I believe that by the end of the year, we will see ourselves around 1.9 to two million barrels. “And by the middle of next year (God’s willing) we will be producing about 2.3 million barrels. With the arrangement that I have seen in place, and with the efforts the Arm Forces are putting in the efforts of the Chief of Defence Staff and the service Chiefs and course with the encouragement from the President. “The oil production has to continue to increase and I assure you before the end of the year we will see a tremendous increase in the oil production in this country.” 3m barrels per day target The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) said that crude oil production output of three million barrels per day was achievable up from the current 1.7million. The Chief Corporate Communications Officer (CCCO) of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, stated this in an address at a stakeholders engagement for journalists covering the National Assembly in Abuja. Soneye said the feat was attainable with support from all critical stakeholders. He said the political will towards the target was already provided by President Bola Tinubu with directives to relevant security agencies to stem the ugly tide of oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which, according to him, led to increase in daily oil production from 1.4 million to 1.7milliion barrels per day. Soneye said: “Three million barrels oil production per day is achievable in Nigeria if all the stakeholders work in synergy for that purpose from the security agencies both government and private owned, to oil companies and host communities. “With expected synergy from all the relevant stakeholders on war against oil theft and pipeline vandalism, the required enabling environment would be in place for optimal oil production to the volume of 2.5 to three million barrels per day.” He lamented that at a point, oil production dropped to 900,000 barrels per day in the country before the engagement of private security agencies and renewed efforts of the military. “At that time, we felt Nigeria was in trouble as far as oil theft was concerned but, the intensity of war against it, has allayed our fears,” he said. According to OPEC’s Monthly Oil Market Report for November, using direct communication, Nigeria crude oil production increased by 152,000 barrels per day from 1.333million barrels per day (mbpd) in October to 1.486mbpd in November. Nigeria’s average crude oil production in September fell by 27,000 barrels from 1.352mbpd in August to 1.324 million barrels per day in September, 2024 using direct communication. For August, Nigeria’s oil production increased by 30,000 barrels per day from 1.276million barrels per day in June to 1.307mbpd in July; 1.251mbpd in May; 1.281mbpd in April; 1.231mbpd in March; 1.322mbpd in February; 1.427mbpd in January, 2024 and 1.327mbpd in December, 2023. Production increase In efforts to boost crude production, Vice President Kashim Shettima recently commissioned a new Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel by Oriental Energy Resources Limited. He represented President Bola Tinubu at the Drydocks World Dubai Shipyard in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Sources said the vessel, named ENEM FPSO, with a storage capacity of one million barrels, would kick off with an initial production of 17,000 barrels per day before increasing its production capacity to 30,000 bpd. A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said the development aligned with the president’s efforts to revitalise the nation’s oil and gas sector. He added that the government aims to optimise production, reduce dependence on foreign imports and generate more revenue. According to him as Nigeria’s home-based refineries come alive, vessels like this would be instrumental in maximising the nation’s production capacity and driving economic growth. Shettima said: “This FPSO vessel is more than just a technological achievement; it is a symbol of Nigeria’s ambition and our readiness to meet global energy demands. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we are witnessing the transformation of the oil and gas sector, which is central to our economic revitalisation efforts. “He stated that the vessel is a critical link in Nigeria’s ambition to optimise productivity, enabling the country to become a central hub for hydrocarbon demand, both domestically and globally.” He stated: “Over the decades, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi has stood as a model businessman and symbol of excellence in the oil and gas industry. So, it’s not surprising that his vision has transformed Oriental Energy Resources Limited into a global phenomenon. “This outcome testifies to what is possible when ambition is matched with perseverance and expertise. His journey reminds us that Nigeria is a land of opportunity, and with dedication, there is no limit to what we can achieve. “Just about two weeks ago, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was in Paris, where he oversaw the expansion of one of Nigeria’s indigenous banks into that sphere of the European financial market. That historic moment reflected our collective aspiration as a nation. “This FPSO vessel symbolises a future where Nigerian ingenuity meets global standards, and we will be here every step of the way to ensure its utility and success.” Executive Chairman, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Muhammadu Indimi, said the facility was the first FPSO to be fully funded by a Nigerian indigenous company. He explained that the vessel named ENEM FPSO, has heralded an effort for an indigenous Nigerian oil and gas company to independently develop a marginal field, stressing that it is an important milestone for Nigeria and its indigenous oil and gas sector. “When operating at full capacity we expect the Okwok Oil Field to produce up to 30,000 barrels of oil a day, significantly enhancing Nigeria’s oil production and contributing to the government’s ambition to increase oil revenue to fund Nigeria’s development. “The Okwok field is just one step towards our long-term ambition to deliver 100,000 barrels of oil per day of production in Nigeria. We have a strong set of proven assets and a development pipeline that can deliver it,” he said. Oil theft Though Nigeria is one of Africa’s leading crude oil exporters, the large-scale oil theft has posed a major threat to national economy as it is estimated that oil theft costs Nigeria millions of dollars each month; and that about $23bn in oil revenue was lost in 2022. The Governor of River State, Siminalayi Fubara, recently donated 6 gun boats to the Nigerian Navy as one of the strategies to combat oil theft and economic sabotage. Sources said the gunboats will enhance waterway patrols and response times, especially near submerged oil export pipelines that are prone to attacks. The governor noted that oil theft is a big problem that needs all hands on deck to tackle it. He explained that the six gunboats donated by the River State government are meant to support the Nigerian Navy to ensure that the nefarious activities of oil thieves are drastically reduced. Fubara said: “We have set up local vigilantes to support the protection of oil facilities, acquired gunboats, and [are] protecting the ecosystem of the region. “We are doing our best to discourage any form of economic sabotage, which is why the country’s output has increased in recent months given our support and protection of pipelines.” “What we need is a total reorientation of the people to discourage them from stealing oil. It’s a bad situ – ation because you have children as young as 14 and 15 involved.” Illegal refineries NNPC Ltd maintained that the war against crude oil theft and oil pipelines vandalism has been on course, adding that the company and public and private security operatives have intensified efforts to rid the nation of oil thefts. In a post on its X it explained that between November 30 and December 6, it uncovered at least 34 illegal refineries and 17 illegal pipeline connections in one week across the Niger Delta region and that it recorded a total of 94 oil theft incidents in parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, and Abia States. It added that a massive illegal storage site was uncovered in Okrika 7 of River State where officials found crude oil stored in sacks ready for the black market and that illegal crude oil storages were also reportedly discovered in Igi 3, Ibudiya 1, Eborcha, and Ukua. It said: “In a series of coordinated operations, illegal pipelines were discovered and dismantled at key hotspots – Ogboingbiri, Ejehinkiri, Alabelema in Bayelsa state. “And Okrika 7 in Rivers state witnessed swift action as security forces uncovered an illicit setup used by perpetrators to exploit Nigeria’s resources. “Repairs were carried out promptly restoring the pipelines to full functionality and fortifying the nation’s hydrocarbon infrastructure.” It added: “The Crackdown didn’t stop there. Illegal refineries met their end in Ebocha, umuajuloke community, Okrika 7, and Kumkum in Rivers State, as well as Ukwa, Uzuaku, Oza West, Odogwa, Obuzor, Oandu in Abia State and Bizeni in Bayelsa state. The destruction of these sites serve as a Stern warning – no haven exists for crude oil theft in Nigeria. “The week’s incidents spanned key corridors – 39 in the central Corridor, 41 in the Eastern Corridor, four in the western Corridor, and 10 in deep blue water.” “This was achieved by the joint efforts of NNPCL command and control Centres, Shell Petroleum Development Company, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Maton Engineering Nigeria Limited, Oando PLC, New Guard Security and Consultancy Limited, and government security agencies.” Last Line: The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Mele Kyari, said the increased crude oil production was as a result of improved security measures and the support of joint venture partners. “We have reached a new peak in production that we haven’t seen in the last three years. This is related to the sustained efforts by the armed forces and other security agencies to protect our critical assets,” Kyari said in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.