Music: Young Busy - Champagne
MusicNigerian Afrobeats artist Young Busy is back with a new banger!
Nigerian Afrobeats artist Young Busy is back with a new banger!
In a dramatic twist that has silenced critics and exposed the hollowness of recent smear campaigns, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has officially ranked the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)—under the leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe—as the most transparent and compliant agency in Nigeria.
Just days after a phantom coalition alleged “financial opacity” and “secret accounts,” the Federal Government’s apex anti-graft body released its 2025 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS). The verdict? The NUPRC is not a den of corruption; it is the Gold Standard of Integrity.
The Scorecard That Ends the Debate
According to the report released on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, by ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu, the NUPRC secured the 1st position out of 357 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) assessed.
* The Score: A staggering 91.83 points.
* The Meaning: This score reflects “Substantial Compliance” with ethics, internal control mechanisms, and statutory requirements.
* The Context: This audit covers the very period Engr. Komolafe was accused of “diverting revenues.”
It is statistically and procedurally impossible for an agency to operate “33 secret bank accounts” and “conceal $20 billion” while simultaneously passing the ICPC’s rigorous forensic audit of its internal controls with the highest score in the Federation.
A Tale of Two Oil Giants: NUPRC vs. The Rest
The vindication of Komolafe’s tenure is even more stark when placed against the backdrop of the wider oil and gas sector. While Komolafe’s NUPRC topped the chart, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited was listed among the “High Corruption Risk” entities that failed to score a single point.
This data paints a clear picture: The regulator (NUPRC) was enforcing strict compliance and maintaining watertight books, while other players in the sector struggled with transparency. The narrative that Komolafe was the “problem” in the sector has been inverted by the facts. It appears his strict regulatory oversight—which likely earned him the NUPRC’s high integrity score—may have been exactly what made him a target for those resisting reform.
Dismantling the “Financial Opacity” Lie
The detractors claimed there were “leakages” and “unaccounted revenues.” The ICPC report, however, specifically evaluated MDAs on:
* Financial Management: Guidelines for funds and timely retirement of advances.
* Procurement Processes: Adherence to the Public Procurement Act.
* Internal Audit: Verification of payments and projects.
By scoring 91.83, the NUPRC demonstrated that its financial pipes were not leaking—they were among the most secure in government. While 99 other MDAs lacked guidelines for funds and 114 failed to submit financial reports, Komolafe’s NUPRC stood apart as a model of fiscal responsibility.
Facts Over Fiction
The timing of the ICPC report is poetic justice. It arrives as a final, irrefutable testimonial to Engr. Gbenga Komolafe’s service. The allegations of a “$20 billion diversion” have now been exposed for what they likely always were: a coordinated hit job designed to tarnish a reformer’s exit. But data does not lie.
As Engr. Komolafe bows out, he does so not with the stain of scandal, but with a badge of honor provided by the ICPC itself. He leaves behind an agency that is officially rated as the most ethically compliant institution in Nigeria. The smear campaign has failed. The scoreboard speaks for itself.
In every generation, a few men rise whose lives quietly redefine public service. Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere is one of such men — a scholar-statesman whose journey has been marked by intellect, courage, and an uncommon devotion to the people he represents.
As the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and the voice of Owan Federal Constituency in Edo State, Prof. Ihonvbere has consistently demonstrated that leadership is not about noise or self-praise, but about substance, vision, and results. Long before his emergence in the legislature, he had already earned national and international respect as a professor, policy thinker, and advocate for democracy and good governance. That rare depth of scholarship now reflects clearly in his legislative work.
In the House, his interventions are measured, informed, and purposeful. He understands the weight of lawmaking and approaches it with the discipline of an academic and the empathy of a grassroots representative. Whether debating national reforms, strengthening democratic institutions, or contributing to policies that affect ordinary Nigerians, his voice carries clarity and conviction.
Beyond the chambers of parliament, his impact is deeply felt at home. Communities across Owan Federal Constituency continue to benefit from his commitment to human capital development, education, infrastructure, and constituency empowerment. His belief that governance must touch lives has guided his engagement with youths, women, elders, and traditional institutions alike. For him, representation is not symbolic; it is practical and people-centered.
What sets Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere apart is his integrity. In an era where public trust is often fragile, he has remained consistent in character and principle. He listens more than he speaks, consults widely, and acts with a sense of responsibility to both his conscience and his constituents. His leadership within the House has further shown his ability to build consensus, manage differences, and keep the broader national interest in focus.
This eulogy is not merely a praise of titles or positions, but a recognition of a life devoted to service. Prof. Ihonvbere represents the possibility of a politics guided by knowledge, humility, and genuine concern for the people. His work continues to inspire confidence that thoughtful leadership can still shape Nigeria’s present and future.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Under Komolafe’s watch, NUPRC didn’t just meet revenue targets, it crushed them. The Commission recorded surpluses of 18.3% in 2022, 14.6% in 2023, and an impressive 84.2% in 2024 against a N6.98 trillion budget. Oil production climbed to 1.7 million barrels per day, while oil theft, once a monster consuming hundreds of thousands of barrels daily, was reduced to just 5,000 barrels per day.
Gas production averaged seven billion standard cubic feet per day, and internally generated revenue exceeded 84% of targets. These aren’t just statistics; they represent billions of naira flowing into Nigeria’s treasury instead of vanishing into the hands of oil thieves and corrupt operators
Komolafe’s secret wasn’t magic, it was discipline and innovation. He introduced the Hydrocarbon Metering Regulations and Automated Cargo Declaration Systems, making it nearly impossible for oil to leave Nigerian shores unaccounted for. The Advanced Cargo Declaration Regulation and Engineering Audit of Upstream Measurement Equipment plugged leakages that had bled the nation dry for decades.
But perhaps his most visionary move was Project One Million, launched in October 2024 to push the sector even further. He also ensured that oil-producing communities weren’t left behind, growing Host Community Development Trusts to over N350 billion—money that funded real projects and restored peace in volatile areas.
The Price of Integrity
Nigeria’s petroleum sector is treacherous terrain. In over three decades, few regulators have emerged unscathed. The industry is filled with powerful interests, “buccaneers,” as some call them, who profit from opacity and chaos. Komolafe’s insistence on regulatory conformity and transparency made him enemies. They waited for an opening, and the Mallam Farouk-Dangote debacle gave them one.
Industry observers agree: Komolafe’s exit isn’t about wrongdoing. It’s about a system that sometimes sacrifices its best for vested interests. Even his critics admit he repositioned Nigeria’s petroleum sector beyond recognition. His signature on the industry’s transformation is permanent.
There’s something deeply Nigerian, and deeply tragic, about this moment. A man who gave his all, who navigated minefields without personal scandal, leaves office prematurely because of forces beyond his control. It sends a chilling message to future reformers: even excellence isn’t protection enough.
Yet Komolafe leaves with his reputation intact. Unlike others caught in the recent controversy, his name remains unsullied. He proved that it’s possible to serve Nigeria with integrity, even in the petroleum sector’s murky waters.
Okhuelegbe Oseyi Sylvester, popularly known as “Young Busy” is a talented afrobeat music artist, songwriter, rapper, and singer. With a career spanning over a decade, he has made a name for himself in the music industry with his unique blend of sounds and styles.
Fast-rising artists Sheglass and Suplia have officially released their new joint single titled “SA to Naija,” a vibrant track that captures the connection between South Africa and Nigeria through music.
Blending catchy rhythms with street-inspired lyrics, SA to Naija reflects the artists’ journey, culture, and shared sound, delivering an energetic vibe that resonates across borders. The song showcases Sheglass and Suplia’s chemistry while highlighting their unique styles and storytelling.
SA to Naija is now available on all major streaming platforms. Fans can expect more exciting releases from both artists as they continue to make their mark on the music scene.