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CORAN urges the government to consider selling NNPC refineries as a means to finance modular plants.

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The Federal Government has been urged to consider selling the state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna in order to finance the development of modular refineries.

The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria has urged for the sale of the refineries, asserting that this is the only solution to the ongoing fuel crisis plaguing the nation.

Eche Idoko, the Publicity Secretary of CORAN, raised concerns regarding the Federal Government’s investment of over $1 billion in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery. Unfortunately, despite six delays, the refinery has still not commenced production.

He said, “We are not asking for free money. The government should set up an intervention fund in which people can access credit. So, it’s not free money. There are a lot of intervention funds in the agricultural sector,”

“The $1.5bn spent on the Port Harcourt refinery could be used to develop 10 modular refineries to be able to produce PMS of a minimum of 10,000 barrels per day. That is about 100,000 barrels a day.

“And if you have 100,000 barrels per day, at least, with the Dangote refinery, you would have solved that problem. We would actually have enough to begin to export,”

“The low-hanging fruit is simply to empower the modular refineries.

“A modular refinery takes an average of 12 to a maximum of 18 months to set up. This administration can identify and select from the modular refineries that are already on stream to support them.

“Right now, we have about 15 of them – five are operating but not producing PMS; the other 10 are at various stages of completion. If the government supported these 15 modular refineries to produce PMS, in about 12 months or less, they would have solved this problem of fuel scarcity, rather than say, you are putting money into the Port Harcourt refinery, Warri refinery, or Kaduna refinery.

“That was why there was a particular administration that tried to sell those facilities. Most of them are obsolete.

Technology has changed. I would have said that the government should sell them off. We know that the issue of fuel crisis is a serious issue, but do we have a solution to it now? We don’t have a quick-fix solution other than what is being done right now, which is importation.

“But that is simply not sustainable. For how long can you continue like this? And so, what we are saying is that give yourself a target of the time to completely wind down the importation of petroleum products. Bring stakeholders like the modular refineries and the traders together. We will all put our heads together and then work out a scheme.”

“Saudi Aramco is a purely private-loaned entity. It has shares, it has boards, it runs as a private entity. In the United States, in all the countries where you are seeing self-sufficiency in their refineries, the private sector takes the lead. All the government does is to create an enabling environment to provide support.”

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YouTube to cut monetization for low-effort and A.I. content from July 15.

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From July 15, 2025, YouTube will implement a new set of rules in its monetization policies within the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), focused on eliminating repetitive, automated, and low-value content.

According to the official announcement, YouTube will update its monetization policies specifically to address two types of content considered “inauthentic”.

The first type is “mass-produced content”.

According to the announcement, this includes “videos created in bulk with minimal human input, such as automated presentations with synthetic voices and no personalized narrative.”

Another type of content that will be cut are “repetitive content. This includes “videos that reuse formats, scripts, or styles without offering distinctive value, such as reaction mashups, remixes of existing content, or compilations with minimal editing.”

This type of content, while it may have previously met technical requirements, will now be demonetized for lacking originality and real value for viewers.

According to the announcement, all videos that fall into the following categories will be excluded from monetization:

“Reuse third-party material without significant transformation.

“Use auto-generated voices or subtitles without adding commentary or original context.

“Publish the same type of video repeatedly without variation or innovation.

“Be superficially edited to appear new (e.g., changing colors, cropping scenes, or applying filters without adding value).
Channels that continue using these practices risk being removed from the YouTube Partner Program.”

YouTube will reward monetization only to creators producing original and authentic content, including:

“Educational videos with unique explanations, research, or tutorials that teach something new.

“Innovative entertainment content, such as original sketches, short films, vlogs, or creative analysis.

“Narration and editing with the creator’s own voice and style, avoiding exclusive reliance on artificial narrators or automated tools.”

The platform clarified that AI is not prohibited, as long as the creator adds meaningful human value…

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IMO STATE LAUNCHES DIGITAL LAND INFORMATION CENTER, UNLOCKING NEW ERA FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT

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Imo State has taken a major leap in land administration with the unveiling of the Imo Land Information Service Centre (IMLISC), a modern, technology-driven facility established under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma. Located within the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning in Owerri, this state-of-the-art centre is set to transform land governance, boost investor confidence, and protect citizens from fraudulent land dealings.

The IMLISC introduces a fully digital system that streamlines land transactions and offers services such as e-land searches, land recertification, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), and ownership transfers. These automated processes ensure faster, more transparent, and accountable land administration, marking a clear departure from outdated, manual methods.

Governor Uzodimma’s administration has championed this initiative as part of its broader commitment to innovative governance and economic reform. The centre provides Imo citizens with secure access to land-related data, shielding them from scams and ensuring legitimacy in property transactions. It builds trust and simplifies land ownership—making it both secure and straightforward.

For the business community, IMLISC is a game-changer. Entrepreneurs and real estate developers now have access to clear documentation, reliable data, and efficient processing—eliminating bottlenecks that previously hampered progress. The result is a more attractive business climate that welcomes both local and diaspora investors with open arms.

Moreover, the new system is expected to enhance internally generated revenue (IGR). With better documentation and fewer disputes, land transactions will be more organized and traceable, increasing state earnings from legitimate dealings. These funds can then be reinvested into critical sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education—ultimately benefiting every Imo resident.

The centre will also serve as a hub for land dispute resolution, offering timely and fair intervention mechanisms. Through data-driven decision-making, it will support sustainable urban planning and responsible land use policies across the state.

Governor Uzodimma’s foresight in establishing the IMLISC is a testament to his commitment to good governance, transparency, and economic growth. The centre is not just a building—it is a symbol of Imo State’s readiness for progress, a safeguard for property rights, and a magnet for investment.

With this initiative, Imo is setting a new benchmark in land administration—one that empowers citizens, supports business growth, attracts global investors, and drives development for the future.

#HopeNewAndElectronicMediaCenter

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French Tesla customers sue over brand becoming ‘extreme right’

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Tesla sales in the EU have nearly halved, with many customers looking for electric cars put off by Elon Musk's political positions. Photo: JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP/File Source: AFP

Around 10 French clients with leases on Teslas are suing the US carmaker, run by Elon Musk, because they consider the vehicles to be “extreme-right” symbols, the law firm representing them said on Wednesday.

They feel they suffered “direct and concrete” damage from the way Teslas are now associated with “Elon Musk’s actions”, the GKA law firm said.

They are demanding the Paris commercial court order their lease contracts be terminated and legal costs reimbursed, it said in a statement, signed by lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel.

The lawsuit comes as Tesla sales in the European Union have almost halved since the beginning of the year, a slump attributed to Musk’s political activities.

Those activities include him — until last week — standing firmly with US President Donald Trump, and overseeing efforts to cut down US departments and agencies.

He has also lent public support to Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and came under criticism for making a repeated gesture with an out-thrust arm interpreted by many historians to be a Nazi salute.

“Because of Elon Musk’s actions… Tesla branded vehicles have become strong political symbols and now appear to be veritable extreme-right ‘totems’, to the dismay of those who acquired them with the sole aim of possessing an innovative and ecological vehicle,” GKA said in a statement.

The perception of the Teslas they leased “prevents them from fully enjoying their car”, it said.

Most of the leases run for four years, with an option at the end to buy the vehicle.

Tesla cars in Europe and elsewhere have been targeted by vandals, with some drivers reporting they have been insulted for using what is sometimes called on social media a “swasti-car”.

Several owners have taken to putting stickers on their Teslas reading “I bought this before Elon went crazy”.

“The situation is both unexpected and impossible for French Tesla owners,” Klugman told AFP.

“Musk’s political positions have interrupted enjoyment” of the vehicles, and “we believe that Mr Musk owes these buyers the peaceful possession of the thing sold”, he said.

Contacted by AFP for comment, Tesla did not immediately respond.

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