@Debosky

The FG's desition is like locating the following  in Warri with the reason being "O, come on. Come on; the place I went to study at the Federal College of Science and Technology in London. It is the biggest training ground for mining and petroleum engineers, and there is not a drop of oil in London".

i. stock exchange
ii. leather research institute
iii. cattle decease research institute
iv. coal research institute
v. tin research institute
vi. coal research institute
vii. bauxite research institute
viii. gold research institute
ix.  iron ore research institute
x. cashew nut factory

There is something wrong with trying to farm fish in sand, so we put them in ponds.
The same thing that is wrong with all the above suggestions is wrong with the siting of a petroleum institution (or a refinery for that matter) in Kaduna.

Yar Adua is a very tiring man. At the height of crisis in the ND, he springs this!
The funniest part of this ridiculous story is that London, which Lukman mentioned isn't even in Nigeria.

FG started FUPRE at PTI, bought equipments and enrolled students who shld be in 200L now, the skool even get signboard, now dem wan degrade am, wat abt d students?

PapaBrowne:

For the first time on Nairaland, Debosky is talking rubbish!!
Even the smartest fellows have their bad days, and Debosky, this is surely one of them for you!!

Your line of argument, though sound and very logical, it is becomes baseless when you apply simple common sense.
There is no credible reason, why such an announcement to cancel OBJ's choice of Warri and replace same with Kaduna, would made be at a time of very heightened  tensions emanating from injustices on the Niger Delta.

This govt has officially declared itself blind and brainless!

Thank God for MEND, as they seem a credible antidote to all these kind of stupid policies!

With due respect, there is a clear misconception here - there is no 'replacement' of anything. No university is being built elsewhere, there is not going to be ANY university of petroleum resources, either in Kaduna or Warri. What is being established is an institute of policy and strategic studies focusing on petroleum, similar to the NIPSS in Kuru, Jos Plateau State. Unless you regard NIPSS Kuru as a university, then there is no basis in saying anything was moved - this remains the crux of the matter.

I am not in support of the timing of the action and the poor presentation of the facts, but I do believe there is much benefit in stepping back from the understandable emotional backlash and examining the actual facts as they stand.

Nigerians are stupid ignoramus.

and so what, must everything be sighted in Niger Delta because they want resource control? Is kaduna not part of Nigeria? you guys had better stop holding others ransome and behave yourselves.

It beats me that Debosky is still trying to rationalise the very irrational
Now Debo,truth be told this issue of siting one institute here and not siting there is not the crux of the matter,but rather an off-shoot of the very crux of the matter,which is resource control as obtains under fiscal federalism.Now if the constitution were to be ammended as we have been clamouring for,to ensure each state controls the resources found in those states and will only be required to pay royalties to the centre,would oil-dry states be talking of hosting any institution that has to do with petroleum.

Try stand logic on its head as much as you like,but there's something very very serious going on,which originated in the creeks of the ND and which the insurgents have served notice that they're well capable of extending it to any part of this geographic contraption called Nigeria.The movement is so alluring to the youths in the creeks as their leaders have very huge war chests and intimidatingly sophisticated weaponry.We are all aware that Nigeria used to export 3million BPD,but now we are just hovering slightly above half that figure and MEND has said they wont stop till oil export grinds to a halt.Now that's one scary scenario as with just half of their mission accomplished,the FG is broke and has offered amnesty that nobody requested for,they've even hurriedly released Henry Okah (a gesture which WILL NOT achieve anything positive for the government as Okah former deputy Boyloaf is now completely an independent leader of his troops and is not impressed one bit about that cowardly move,addded to the fact that Tompolo is still lurking in the corners,Fara Dagogo,Egberipapa, Ateke Tom and all the splinter groups are getting more and more empowered by the governors and the Russian and Chinese businessmen who guaranty them steady supplies of sophisticated arms and petrodollars in exchange for bunkered oil)

Soon and very soon,we shall reap the result of this struggle as no amount of pro FG posts on this thread can halt that move and by the time we achieve our goal of resource control,maybe the Petroleum intitute and the refinary in Kaduna will be converted to Nunu intitute and dairy factory respectively

Alright rasputinn - move the institute to the ND and we will have peace.   

This is a distraction like I've said - you can whip up as much sentiment as you like but it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

The manpower issue in the delta is primarily middle/low level - removing focus from this will ensure that majority of youths remain unemployed and focused on militancy. Keep the PTI with its current focus and it will make an impact. That remains the reality whether you choose to accept it or not.

Even if you paid taxes to the centre - strategic policy making can still be done by the FG - who says they wouldn't do the same thing then? Sometimes I wonder if you've thought through some of your comments, an overly simplistic view doesn't often give any insight into a problem.

People are chasing shadows by making a big deal out of a 14bn institute when the drive should be for seeking ways to optimise the PTI's output and not get it muddled up with further bureaucracy.

The timing is insensitive, the motives could be read as being domineering, the management of the whole issue leaves a lot to be desired, but even with all this, we cannot afford to make emotional judgments on issues like these.

debosky:

Alright asha - move the institute to the ND and we will have peace.

This is a distraction like I've said - you can whip up as much sentiment as you like but it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

The manpower issue in the delta is primarily middle/low level - removing focus from this will ensure that majority of youths remain unemployed and focused on militancy. Keep the PTI with its current focus and it will make an impact. That remains the reality whether you choose to accept it or not.

Even if you paid taxes to the centre - strategic policy making can still be done by the FG - who says they wouldn't do the same thing then? Sometimes I wonder if you think through some of your comments.

People are chasing shadows by making a big deal out of a 14bn institute when the drive should be for seeking ways to optimise the PTI's output and not get it muddled up with further bureaucracy.

The timing is insensitive, the motives could be read as being domineering, the management of the whole issue leaves a lot to be desired, but even with all this, we cannot afford to make emotional judgments on issues like these.

i do not remeber posting on this thread.

sorry mate, i will edit that now

asha80 oya edit the one u quoted.

debosky:

Alright rasputinn - move the institute to the ND and we will have peace.   

Like I mentioned earlier,the issue is beyond the institute and time will surely tell even as the boys are no longer prepared to sit back and take any acts of oppression lightly

debosky:

This is a distraction like I've said - you can whip up as much sentiment as you like but it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

I'm sure it's only your scrutiny which is lopsided

debosky:


The manpower issue in the delta is primarily middle/low level - removing focus from this will ensure that majority of youths remain unemployed and focused on militancy. Keep the PTI with its current focus and it will make an impact. That remains the reality whether you choose to accept it or not.

Who says PTI must be tampered with,it could be left as a campus of the proposed university and run in such a way that the current curricula of the institution will largely remain unaltered

debosky:

Even if you paid taxes to the centre - strategic policy making can still be done by the FG - who says they wouldn't do the same thing then? Sometimes I wonder if you've thought through some of your comments, an overly simplistic view doesn't often give any insight into a problem.

You amuse me.Do you know how much Nigeria realised from the sale of crude at full export capacity some years ago,and the region got a pittance in the form of a 13% that was not even paid in full.Now if the states in the region got 100% of whatevered was got from there and paid about 10% tax to the centre,what kind of lean-budget strategic policy do you want to make that will make states in the region green with envy.In a true federalism,even states have a very wide ambit to rove as far as foreign investments are concerned and I assure you the region will not lose any sleep about what you are driving at.
In any case Debosky,you really don't know the northern oligarchs,if the centre could fare very well under true federalism ,they would have gone for it a long time ago.This is sad,because it's made so many states very lazy in the area of IGR,as all they have to do is just go cap in hand to Abuja to share oil loot,little wonder everybody wants to be at the centre,well I'm glad the centre is becoming less and less attractive now

debosky:

People are chasing shadows by making a big deal out of a 14bn institute when the drive should be for seeking ways to optimise the PTI's output and not get it muddled up with further bureaucracy.

You don't get it do you? the issue is far beyond the misplaced 14billion naira institue

debosky:


The timing is insensitive, the motives could be read as being domineering,

Did you say could be read    how else do you want an idiot to tell you that hey man,you see all this gra gra wey you dey make,I no really send you oo,me I go do anything wey I wan do,I no send,,,,,,how else

Don't worry,time will tell

rasputinn:

Who says PTI must be tampered with,it could be left as a campus of the proposed university and run in such a way that the current curricula of the institution will largely remain unaltered

What is with the insistence on a university as if it is the solution to the problems? This dogmatism is baffling - is a lack of universities the problem with employment of ND people in the industry?

You amuse me.Do you know how much Nigeria realised from the sale of crude at full export capacity some years ago,and the region got a pittance in the form of a 13% that was not even paid in full.Now if the states in the region got 100% of whatevered was got from there and paid about 10% tax to the centre,what kind of lean-budget strategic policy do you want to make that will make states in the region green with envy.In a true federalism,even states have a very wide ambit to rove as far as foreign investments are concerned and I assure you the region will not lose any sleep about what you are driving at.
In any case Debosky,you really don't know the northern oligarchs,if the centre could fare very well under true federalism ,they would have gone for it a long time ago.This is sad,because it's made so many states very lazy in the area of IGR,as all they have to do is just go cap in hand to Abuja to share oil loot,little wonder everybody wants to be at the centre,well I'm glad the centre is becoming less and less attractive now

I hear all you're saying bro - what you are missing out is this - can we discuss the merits of this particular line of action WITHOUT undue reference to the wider issues? Can an objective analysis be made of the move without the pre-judgment before facts approach of casually tying it in with other 'oppressive actions' of the 'oligarchy'? That is the question I ask - can we actually stop and THINK about this first?

You don't get it do you? the issue is far beyond the misplaced 14billion naira institue

Clearly the problems of the ND are beyond the institute - are you saying no action can be viewed except as being detrimental to the Delta?

Did you say could be read    how else do you want an idiot to tell you that hey man,you see all this gra gra wey you dey make,I no really send you oo,me I go do anything wey I wan do,I no send,,,,,,how else

By making investments that really count - roads, hospitals, electricity and giving people a means to earn their own livelihood. There is this great emotional response to this move, while when the disruptions to the east-west road project leads to JB pulling out there is no noise. When will the ND realise what it's true problems are and attack them accordingly?

I am not denying there are problems here - but each action/step should be examined for it's own merit/demerits and not simply lumped together with the rest of the wider issue without due consideration.

The whole hullabaloo about FG reversing the PTI Upgrade should be blamed on the irresponsible journalism of VANGUARD Newspapers!!!
I have my facts and can confidently confirm the following from a position of knowledge and involvement:

1. PTI Upgrade was meant to improve the infrastructure and capacity of PTI Effurun to perform their core duty of training middle level manpower & to stem the tide of expatriate technicians in the oil industry while the youths of the Niger Delta are jobless
2. The Program of action approved by OBJ for PTI was not meant to turn PTI to a University
3. There exists a Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), in Effurun that was approved by OBJ during the twilight of his tenure & that currently has a take-off site at the PTI conference centre
4. PTI is an institution under the Ministry of Petroleum resources as such they have NUPENG & PENGASSAN while FUPRE is a University under the ministry of Education with ASUU & NASU

It is because the Vanguard reporters were out to make mischief & the Minister too is not 'informed' that the 'interview' took the dimension it took; if you are in doubt contact anybody in PTI

Diplenty:

The whole hullabaloo about FG reversing the PTI Upgrade should be blamed on the irresponsible journalism of VANGUARD Newspapers!!!
I have my facts and can confidently confirm the following from a position of knowledge and involvement:

1. PTI Upgrade was meant to improve the infrastructure and capacity of PTI Effurun to perform their core duty of training middle level manpower & to stem the tide of expatriate technicians in the oil industry while the youths of the Niger Delta are jobless
2. The Program of action approved by OBJ for PTI was not meant to turn PTI to a University
3. There exists a Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), in Effurun that was approved by OBJ during the twilight of his tenure & that currently has a take-off site at the PTI conference centre
4. PTI is an institution under the Ministry of Petroleum resources as such they have NUPENG & PENGASSAN while FUPRE is a University under the ministry of Education with ASUU & NASU

It is because the Vanguard reporters were out to make mischief & the Minister too is not 'informed' that the 'interview' took the dimension it took; if you are in doubt contact anybody in PTI 

I have been screaming my head off about the first two points to anyone willing to listen, but sensationalism seems to have a greater appeal to most of the respondents here.

i am ashamed of what is going on in this country. at every turn almost everyone
is trying to stand reason on its head!

@ diplenty, fanx for the shedding more light. in otherwords, the minister of a whole pertroleum ministry does not even know what is on ground on such sensitive issue like dis, what with all the Special Assts and Senior special assts on this and that attending to the minister. i tire o.

but the bone of contention still remains, y Kaduna? What makes Kaduna a home for great projects of Nigeria? I it that its safe or sumthing? I need to know. Just learnt today Lukman too is from Kaduna, so he wants to contribute his own quota too?

y not anyother state out of the other 35 states? Tribalism/Nepotism the order of the day.

like i earlier said, it wud happen someday, same day it happened in the states. liberation must come and very soon.

when the number 1 man no even believe in One Nigeria, wot do peeps like us do?

God help us!

Nothing can be done in the Niger-Delta without those same militants taking the opportunity to kidnap and kill. No company prays to win a construction contract in the Niger-Delta, so how is the government going to upgrade the PTI in Warri?

If our youth don't want anything to be done down here, please let them go and do it where the people will allow.

At the right time, I will post something. I'm currently busy.

steaming:

@ diplenty, fanx for the shedding more light. in otherwords[b], the minister of a whole pertroleum ministry does not even know what is on ground on such sensitive issue like dis,[/b] what with all the Special Assts and Senior special assts on this and that attending to the minister. i tire o.

That is a wrong statement - have you actually READ FOR YOURSELF what the minister said? Instead you are making comments on sensationalist reporting without looking at the FACTS as they stand for themselves.

The urge for misinformation on this matter is amazing - people talk about something being moved and other things being downgraded when this is not the case.

Warri PTI upgrade has not been canceled - a 'proposed' University sited adjacent has been canceled. Nothing has been 'moved' to Kaduna, an existing institute is being upgraded, just like PTI has been upgraded. Nothing more.

debosky:

That is a wrong statement - have you actually READ FOR YOURSELF what the minister said? Instead you are making comments on sensationalist reporting without looking at the FACTS as they stand for themselves.

The urge for misinformation on this matter is amazing - people talk about something being moved and other things being downgraded when this is not the case.

Warri PTI upgrade has not been canceled - a 'proposed' University sited adjacent has been canceled. Nothing has been 'moved' to Kaduna, an existing institute is being upgraded, just like PTI has been upgraded. Nothing more.

And why cancel that ''proposed'' university?

Delta State has no Federal University anywhere in that state. So, if this Petroleum University in Delta is a way of making the people of that state feel and have a sense of belonging, why on earth did the FG relocate it to Kaduna?

Kaduna have the NDA - A degree awarding military institution. They also have the Aviation school and a host of other Federal Government controlled agencies. So, why relocate this strategic petroleum university to Kaduna? Why not Bayelsa or Akwa-Ibom - if they MUST relocate it?

And don't come up with that bull crap excuse of ''federal character'' and stuff. . . .  , I will not buy into it.

ono:

And why cancel that ''proposed'' university?

Delta State has no Federal University anywhere in that state. So, if this Petroleum University in Delta is a way of making the people of that state feel and have a sense of belonging, why on earth did the FG relocate it to Kaduna?

Kaduna have the NDA - A degree awarding military institution. They also have the Aviation school and a host of other Federal Government controlled agencies. So, why relocate this strategic petroleum uiversity to Kaduna? Why not Bayelsa or Akwa-Ibom - if they MUST relocate it?

For the last time, NOTHING was RELOCATED!!

The Kaduna UPGRADE is a separate and distinct act in itself. There is no petroleum university ANYWHERE. an institute for strategic studies CANNOT be called a university in any shape or form.

I agree Delta has no federal University and that issue should be tackled separately, with a clear focus and not placed in conflict with the PTI or distract the institution from it's own unique mandate.

That's how all the deceit and foul play starts.

NDA is an ''academy''. I gathered that ''academy'' didn't start awarding degrees from the start. But a time came and the FG felt it was good enough to start awarding degrees in all the courses run by the institution - 1985 or thereabout. How do you plan to convince anyone that thesame scenario that played out with NDA is not what these cattle herdsmen are planning to foist on us at this time?

PTI has been in existence since the early 70s - it's probably the oldest federal institution still awarding diplomas and certificates in this country. Well, this is not about PTI like you rightly stated. But there is a Federal University of Petroleum Resources fledging and growing nearby the PTI. Just when this was taking off, that's when Lukman and his crop of ethnic biased northerners felt they need to clip the wings of the new University - and move it to their own dry, perched and arid ground.

I urge all MEND boys to blow to shreds any presence of any new ''upgrades'' anywhere.

wat is the sense in all these?

@ Debosky
I kind of understand what you are trying to say. Well the problem there or i think the problem there is not about the Kaduna Upgrade, The problem there is the reversal of a proposed upgrade in an already tensed up area and taking the upgrade to an area which many feel is the root of the ND problem. At a time when you are trying to find a solution to the oil-war problem. Well i think it is a bad decision with a bad timing.[/font[/color

The facts:

1. A Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE was established by the FG during the Obasanjo administration some 2 or 3 years ago near the PTI in Effurun, Delta State. Of course, the Delta State Government supported the moves with some 250 million naira - food for thought for some misguided elements who believe the ND States government spend their monies turning themselves from pot bellied men to women in London!

2. The upgrade of the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun has been on for more than 2 years now. In fact, the upgrade runs alongside the establishment of the FUPRE nearby the PTI. The upgrade is mainly around facilities refurbishments, construction of new office blocks or complex, hostles and stuff like that. As per the PTI awarding degree for their graduates, that's a different matter entirely, even though that was in the offing too.

3. The school in Kaduna -  The College of Petroleum Studies(?) has never been in the limelight, non existent or just another cash cow of some sorts.

4. Lukman Rilwanu only woke up lately to realise that the Kaduna school will fade into oblivion with the take off of FUPRE in Warri. All the elements to support the fledging FUPRE were there in the Niger Delta - right environment, access to research materials, industries, people, etc etc. So, the herdsmen in the north, who are BOKOs (lately) felt their grip on ''oil'' is fast waning and so resorted to cheap ethnic propaganda to make the Kaduna schools a ''High level manpower generator for the oil industry''

5. Before now, the issue of FUPRE (the Federal University of Petroleum Resources) did not generate any controversy, and was not brought into the limelight.

6. Truth is that this matter is about the FUPRE against Rilwanu Lukman's Kaduna Oil school and not PTI.

now we can see what is playing out: the niger delta is only fit to produce 'low level'
manpower while the north must produce 'high level' (managerial) manpower to continue
with the hidden agenda of controlling the resources they don't have! how smart!

ono:

The facts:

1. A Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE was established by the FG during the Obasanjo administration some 2 or 3 years ago near the PTI in Effurun, Delta State. Of course, the Delta State Government supported the moves with some 250 million naira - food for thought for some misguided elements who believe the ND States government spend their monies turning themselves from pot bellied men to women in London!

Can you tell us what the alleged 250m was used for? Can you show us this money didn't end up in London as well?

Kindly show us one policy document telling us the mission/vision of FUPRE to show it was not another 'off the cuff' unplanned white elephant.

2. The upgrade of the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun has been on for more than 2 years now. In fact, the upgrade runs alongside the establishment of the FUPRE nearby the PTI. [b]The upgrade is mainly around facilities refurbishments, construction of new office blocks or complex, hostles and stuff like that. [/b]As per the PTI awarding degree for their graduates, that's a different matter entirely, even though that was in the offing too.

This is partly true, but the upgrade was a whole lot more:

The Organizational upgrade includes the following:
• Skills audit
• New Mission & Vision and New Organogram
• Staff Development & Training for strategic and Senior Management Staff
• Staff Development & Training for Management Staff
• Quality Control/Quality Assurance management system (QC/QA)
• Health Safety & Environment (HSE)

(II) Infrastructural Upgrade includes work segments such as:
- Procurement of Workshops Equipment
- Procurement of Laboratories Equipment
- Power Supply (Electrical Works)
- Telecommunications and Information Technology
- Buildings (New and Renovations), etc

3. The school in Kaduna -  The College of Petroleum Studies(?) has never been in the limelight, non existent or just another cash cow of some sorts.

Proof to back your allegations - according to The Minister of State for the Niger Delta, the CPS had been scheduled for an upgrade by OBJ around the same time as PTI's but the former was only getting it's own upgrade carried out now

“The Federal Government has not removed any university (from Delta State). The Petroleum College in Kaduna has been in existence since 1995. The previous administration of Olusegun Obasanjo had approved the reactivation of the Petroleum College in Kaduna and that of PTI, Effurun. But it was only that of Effurun that was done at that time.

4. Lukman Rilwanu only woke up lately to realise that the Kaduna school will fade into oblivion with the take off of FUPRE in Warri. All the elements to support the fledging FUPRE were there in the Niger Delta - right environment, access to research materials, industries, people, etc etc. So, the herdsmen in the north, who are BOKOs (lately) felt their grip on ''oil'' is fast waning and so resorted to cheap ethnic propaganda to make the Kaduna schools a ''High level manpower generator for the oil industry''

Again this is mere speculation not based on a SINGLE FACT. This is what the minister said

of course, we cannot say that everybody employed in the oil and gas industry must come from the Niger-Delta region but the majority and the bulk of the people are going to, of course, come from the area. [/b]The Petroleum College in Kaduna is not going train everybody in the sector.

[b]It is going to train managers, and without prejudice, it will have a high enough standard and people will from all over Africa will come and be trained.

By managers, it means people ALREADY in the oil companies who will be trained to handle more responsibilities or improve themselves - with majority of employees coming from the ND, a similar proportion will study at the NIPPSS.

5. Before now, the issue of FUPRE (the Federal University of Petroleum Resources) did not generate any controversy, and was not brought into the limelight.

Because there was no political capital or amnesty fund to be gained by making a fuss out of it. I seriously doubt the intentions of the people turning this debate into a school being moved when no such idea was ever mooted.

6. Truth is that this matter is about the FUPRE against Rilwanu Lukman's Kaduna Oil school and not PTI.

This is the perception being created, a false perception that does not have a basis in fact anywhere.

that was a loaded one, i must say

FUPRE or no FUPRE,I foresee a situation where the insurgency in the ND will drag on for a looooong time at very great cost to the national economy until the FG cedes more ground on the route to total fiscal federalism

naijatoday and your co-travellers. i hail you for a poor job of wasting a limited resource, time.
why are you so daft to have fallen prey, cheaply, to the the deceits of an insensitive and conscienceless mischievous writer. the distractful writer must be the happiest man (or woman) in nigeria now, and by extension, on earth  ( because nigeria still holds the record of the happiest people on earth), having achieved his goal of charging  you ignoramuses into frantic massaging of your crooked brains in search of adjectives to qualify (or disqualify??) president Yar'adua.
haba; nairalanders, are you so gullible that you must swallow every bait hook, line and sinker??
are you so confused that you can not differentiate facts and fiction even when a lie is in 3D and tangible??
can't you wait a split second, take a look before you leap? apart from nigerian leaders (most of them anyway), i've never been so disappointed in my life like your blind overaction to a figment of an amateur writers imagination.
you must earnestly seek for forgiveness, from God, or anyother sources, for all the abuses you have raned (or you are still howling) on president Yar'adua and others on account of the ill conceived newspaper article. (on other counts i don't know).
now this is the bottom line: Fg Reverses Warri Pti Upgrade. mothing can be farther from the truth. think about it. if you ca not think, be patient and wait for time to tell you what you ought to know.