Business
General Hydrocarbons Assures Resolution of Debt Disputes With First Bank
The GIL Chairman noted the remarkable successes achieved through their collaboration and emphasised GIL roles in saving First Bank from financial distress while simultaneously discovering crude oil “to the glory of Nigeria”.
▪︎UGC image of First Bank and General Hydrocarbons
General Hydrocarbons Limited (GHL) the operators of OML 120, Deep Offshore Nigeria, has reaffirmed its commitment to resolving its ongoing dispute with First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN).
In a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the Board of GHL, Nduka Obaigbena, GIL also reassured its stakeholders and partners that the company remains financially strong and committed to its operations.
The GIL Chairman noted the remarkable successes achieved through their collaboration and emphasised GIL roles in saving First Bank from financial distress while simultaneously discovering crude oil “to the glory of Nigeria”.
“We willingly rescued First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN) from the abyss and are not about to throw away the baby with the bathwater.
Through our collaboration, we have resolved FBN’s financial challenges and discovered crude oil to the glory of Nigeria,” said the statement.
He expained that the partnership, which began under a Subrogation Agreement, allowed GHL to assist in financing FBN’s operations and addressing its Non-Performing Loans (NPLs).
This effort, GHL noted, restored FBN to profitability and laid the groundwork for the exploration and development of OML 120.
However, GHL accused FBN of breaching its obligations under the Subrogation and Tripartite Agreements, resulting in a legal dispute that is currently being addressed through court proceedings and arbitration.
Despite a court judgment in GHL’s favour, the company alleged that FBN continues to disregard the ruling.
GHL highlighted its achievements in discovering oil and gas reserves, crediting Nigerian-born engineers and global technical partners such as Schlumberger (SLB), Baker Hughes, and Century Group for their contributions.
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Business
WEF could appoint Lagarde as its next chair, sources say
The WEF’s Board of Trustees, which includes Lagarde herself, was due to meet on November 2 and could elect her as its next chair, said the people close to the organisation, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
•European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde
The World Economic Forum could appoint Christine Lagarde as its next chair as soon as next month, four people close to the organisation told Reuters, meaning she would step down early as European Central Bank chief and trigger a wider reshuffle at the top of the ECB.Lagarde’s ECB term is scheduled to end in October 2027.
Leaving early would give European Union leaders a chance to pick a new ECB President before France’s spring presidential election, which opinion polls suggest the far-right could win, and could pave the way for a deal involving two other senior ECB roles.
The WEF’s Board of Trustees, which includes Lagarde herself, was due to meet on November 2 and could elect her as its next chair, said the people close to the organisation, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
No final decision has been taken yet, they said.
A spokesperson for the WEF said the forum could not confirm when the next full Board of Trustees meeting would take place, but that the aim was to hold one before the end of the year.
Business
Germany plans tax on sugary drinks
The tax is expected to generate additional revenue for the federal government of €690 million in 2027 and €925 million in 2028.
The German cabinet has approved draft legislation to tax sugary drinks in Europe’s biggest economy.
If passed by the German Bundestag, the tax will take effect on 1 July 2027.
The coalition aims to raise revenue for the federal budget while encouraging manufacturers to reduce sugar content and offer healthier products.
The levy is intended to ease pressure on the healthcare system, which faces costs of more than €2 billion every year linked to the high consumption of sugary drinks, which contributes to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.
According to the federal government, Berlin is using the tax to implement “what associations from the fields of health, science, child protection, and consumer protection have long been demanding.”
The tax is expected to generate additional revenue for the federal government of €690 million in 2027 and €925 million in 2028.
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