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Queen Victoria Of Nigeria’s Oil Industry: Success Story of BOVAS & Company Limited

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HUMAN history would easily be taunted as distortion of reality, if failing to make recourse to heroic antics of some empresses, in handling global challenges that was threatening the desire of mankind to conquer the environment. The corollary of this is that human world as achieved today would have been a mirage if only men but no women strive. Feminist writers like Marian Levy (1952) in her parochial view believes that the human world is ” made in women”.

Little then should one wonder that many empires, kingdoms and even modern societies have queen mothers, queen mums, queen dowagers and heroine of all sorts that their folklore flourishes in their wider celebrations in monument of their heroic contributions to the development of society.

Though, in the traditional African society, the women’s roles were exclusively those of house wives and motherhood. These two roles as far as African women are concerned were the main sources of respect, prestige and status.

Their contributions to nation building were not considered significant and were not recognized as such in the society but Mama Victoria . A Samson does not share the same feelings and believes on these critical issues, she has been able to encourage, support the women to be self-reliance, leaders and a sense of important tools who has a significant role to play in the society.

From very humble beginnings, in 1980, she was a dealer under Texaco Nigeria Ltd., now MRS Plc. Mrs Victoria Samson further distinguished herself by winning the most priced Texaco Plc Best Dealer Award in sales, marketing innovativeness among others for the Latin American/West African Region. And shortly, an indigenous independent petroleum marketing company was birthed, and christened BOVAS group.

BOVAS Service Station.

The Managing Director of BOVAS & Company Limited, Mrs Victoria Samson is a marketer per excellence armed with an experience of over twenty-five (25) years in the Oil and Gas industry as Dealer with both Texaco Nigeria Plc and Mobil Plc. For the records, she was the first Nigerian to win the highly competitive Texaco Latin America West Africa (LAWA) Award for Best Overall Dealer in 1990 for the highest sales in both regions combined.

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Due to her managerial acumen, dexterity, ingenuity and hard work, subsequently, BOVAS opened her first service station in Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State Nigeria in 1991 with a view of assisting the government towards making petroleum products more accessible to everyone. The Company now operates service stations across the country and has several more under various stages of construction, which are to be delivered at intervals.

BOVAS Gas

Maintaining a rhythmic progress, a Liquefied Petroleum Gas Plant was added to the group’s products in 1995, mainly to cater for the domestic gas customers in the southwestern part of the country.

The LPG plant, which was situated at Jegede Bus Stop, Akanran Road, Ibadan, Oyo State commenced operations also in 1995. Its supply LPG directly to homes and other major domestic users of LPG and also provide refilling services. The company has also introduced innovative LPG Auto Skid Units at selected service stations and locations across the nation.

Adhering to Marxian theory, Mrs Victoria A. Samson believes that there is a structured forms of conflict in the society which generates from the relationship between bourgeoisies who monopolized our political, economic and social resources and the proletariats that are separated from the process of materialism.

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“Mama BOVAS” further posited that such exploitative and domineering power of the bourgeoisies will evolve into conflict in which the proletariats will in revolution revolt and overthrow the property class to establish the SOCIALIST ORDER that put the masses in control.

BOVAS Bulk Storage Facilities.

Not minding the risks, Mama BOVAS did not only revolted the oil cabals in their heartless characteristics of milking Nigerians, but put the masses in control. When a litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, was sold for N200 and above in Nigeria, and Motorists were stranded as a result of unending queues at many filling stations. Then, the scarcity also forced motorists indoors. The level of scarcity increased and the situation was further compounded as the price was jerked up by various petrol stations.

During these perilous periods, BOVAS, an independent marketer, sold its products at the official price. BOVAS has been a major marketer easing fuel scarcity in Nigeria.

BOVAS’ management philosophy is based on Solid Foundation, Confidence, Truth and Vigor. BOVAS, also provides employment opportunities for the Nigerian Youths and people want to work with the reputable company because it has not only created an environment that encourages team building, project management, skill transfer, and career development but also maintains adequate safety and security of its employees, customers and environment.

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The company’s MISSION and VISION is to create an Effective and efficient Distribution network of Service Stations, operating with Integrity, Honesty, Reliability and Excellence, as well as to be a Household name in Petroleum Products in Nigeria which the company has achieved through a dedicated team.

BOVAS is growing through expansion to cover other parts of the West Coasts, other African countries and beyond.

It is a fact that cannot be erased that the beautiful, dutiful, hardworking, Mrs Victoria Samson has contributed constructively, effectively and positively to the society. History will remember her as a compassionate Woman of distinction who has great passion for the downtrodden.

 

By Idowu Ayodele, Ibadan.

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National Issues

16 Governors Back State Police Amid Security Concerns

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In response to the escalating security challenges plaguing Nigeria, no fewer than 16 state governors have thrown their weight behind the establishment of state police forces.

This development was disclosed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its 140th meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, which took place virtually on Thursday.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, who briefed State House Correspondents after the meeting, revealed that out of the 36 states, 20 governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were yet to submit their positions on the matter, though he did not specify which states were among them.

The governors advocating for state police also pushed for a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Constitution to accommodate this crucial reform. Their move underscores the urgency and gravity of the security situation across the nation.

Similarly, the NEC received an abridged report from the ad-hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control. This committee, headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, highlighted the areas of oil leakages within the industry and identified instances of infractions.

Governor Uzodinma’s committee stressed the imperative of political will to drive the necessary changes and reforms needed to combat crude oil theft effectively.

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Weak Institutions Impede Nigeria’s Sustainable Development – Says US Don

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Renowned academician, Professor Augustine Okereke, from the Medgar Evers College/City University of New York, has emphasised the detrimental impact of a lack of strong social institutions on Nigeria’s sustainable development.

Presenting a lead paper at the First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference hosted by the University of Ibadan, Professor Okereke urged President Bola Tinubu to foster robust institutions capable of combatting corruption and addressing social ills.

“All our institutions are on the decline,” warned Professor Okereke, underscoring the urgent need for effective structures to facilitate sustainable development. He highlighted the challenges faced by African countries, emphasising the risk of continued poverty, underemployment, and injustice without these foundational structures.

The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ezebunwa Nwokocha, asserted the university’s commitment to providing intellectual, context-specific solutions to Nigeria’s challenges.

He called on state and federal governments to patronise researchers in the country, emphasising the faculty’s reputation for producing intellectual leaders.

Professor Nwokocha stated, “Our faculty is reputed for offering deeply intellectual, workable, and context-specific solutions to the challenges faced by Nigeria over the ages.” He emphasised the significance of the conference’s theme in aiding Nigeria’s navigation through its complex existential reality marked by despair, rising inflation, insecurity, corruption, and unemployment.

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During the conference’s opening, Vice Chancellor Professor Kayode Adebowale noted the relevance of the theme, “Social Science, Contemporary Social Issues, and the Actualization of Sustainable Development,” urging participants to generate transformative ideas for Nigeria.

Acknowledging the nation’s progress over 63 years, he expressed concern over setbacks in the economy and social indices, hoping the conference would proffer solutions.

In his keynote address, Professor Lai Erinosho stressed the rapid worldwide social change in the digital age, citing both benefits and unanticipated consequences for human survival. He cautioned against embracing same-sex relationships, citing dangerous implications for humanity.

The First Annual Ibadan Social Science Conference convened a diverse array of participants to explore solutions and intellectual leadership in addressing Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

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National Issues

Nigerians’ Wallets Under Strain As Inflation Soars to 28.92%

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As the country grapples with economic challenges, the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed a surge in the inflation rate to 28.92%, according to the December 2023 Consumer Price Index (CPI) released on a Monday afternoon.

The CPI, tracking the fluctuation in prices of goods and services, illustrates a notable increase from the previous month’s 28.20%, underscoring the pressing concerns surrounding the nation’s economic stability.

In a recent report, the Statistics Office revealed a notable uptick in the headline inflation rate for December 2023, marking a 0.72 percentage point increase from the previous month’s figure in November 2023.

On a year-on-year basis, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlighted a significant surge, with the December 2023 rate standing at 7.58 percentage points higher compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

December 2022 witnessed an inflation rate of 21.34 percent, underscoring the economic dynamics at play.

“This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in December 2023 when compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., December 2022),” NBS said.

In a further revelation, the bureau disclosed that the month-on-month headline inflation rate for December 2023 experienced a 2.29 percent surge, surpassing November 2023 by 0.20 percent. This indicates a swifter rise in the average price level compared to the preceding month.

The report highlighted a concerning acceleration in food inflation, reaching 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis for December 2023. This marked a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from December 2022’s rate of 23.75 percent. The data underscores the persistent upward trend in food prices, a trend exacerbated by various government policies, including the removal of subsidies on petrol.

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Notably, in July 2023, President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency on food insecurity to address the escalating food prices. Taking decisive action, the President mandated that issues related to food and water availability and affordability fall under the jurisdiction of the National Security Council, recognising these as essential livelihood items in need of urgent attention.

In Monday’s inflation report, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) detailed the key contributors to the year-on-year increase in the headline index. The leading factors include food & non-alcoholic beverages at 14.98 percent, housing water, electricity, gas & other fuel at 4.84 percent, clothing & footwear at 2.21 percent, and transport at 1.88 percent.

Additional contributors encompass furnishings & household equipment & maintenance (1.45 percent), education (1.14 percent), health (0.87 percent), miscellaneous goods & services (0.48 percent), restaurant & hotels (0.35 percent), alcoholic beverages, tobacco & kola (0.31 percent), recreation & culture (0.20 percent), and communication (0.20 percent).

The report highlighted a substantial 24.66 percent change in the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month period. This represents a significant 5.81 percent increase compared to the 18.85 percent recorded in December 2022, indicating ongoing inflationary pressures in the economy.

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Food Inflation

In a concerning trend, the food inflation rate for December 2023 surged to 33.93 percent on a year-on-year basis, marking a substantial 10.18 percent points increase from the same period in 2022, when the rate stood at 23.75 percent.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) attributed this rise in food inflation to notable increases in the prices of various essential items. Key contributors include bread and cereals, oil and fat, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, fish, meat, fruit, milk, cheese, and eggs.

These price hikes collectively contributed to the intensified strain on consumers, highlighting the complex dynamics driving the upward trajectory of food prices.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in December 2023 was 2.72 percent, this was 0.30 percent higher compared to the rate recorded in November 2023 (2.42 percent),” it said.

Clarifying the dynamics behind the recent uptick, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) explained that the month-on-month increase in food inflation for December 2023 was spurred by a heightened rate of escalation in the average prices of oil and fat, meat, bread, and cereals, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, as well as fish and dairy products like milk, cheese, and eggs.

“The average annual rate of food inflation for the twelve months ending December 2023 over the previous twelve-month average was 27.96 percent, which was a 7.02 percent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in December 2022 (20.94 percent),” the report added.

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