Barely two months after Britain’s new Labour government scrapped plans to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda, Germany has proposed adopting the scheme. Its migration commissioner, Joachim Stamp, said Thursday that the German plan would focus on migrants coming across the European Union’s eastern border. Germany has accepted millions of refugees over the past decade, but its ruling coalition government is facing rising pressure to restrict irregular migration. This follows a deadly stabbing at a festival in the city of Solingen last month, which was claimed by the Islamic State group. The incident further fuelled far-right criticism of Germany’s migration policies.…
Author: Editor Francis
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has supplied 30 million barrels of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and is set to deliver an additional 17 million barrels by October. This announcement was made by NNPC spokesperson, Segun, during an interview on Arise Television, where he explained that the crude oil supply is part of the Federal Government’s strategy to sell oil to local refineries. Segun disclosed that 6.3 million barrels will be delivered in September, with 11.3 million barrels slated for October. The September delivery will be transported in seven cargoes. However, he raised concerns over the current…
President Bola Tinubu has tasked Vice President Kashim Shettima with leading a high-level meeting to address the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, particularly issues related to fuel pricing and scarcity. This follows the recent hike in petrol prices from N617 to N897 per litre. On Thursday, Vice President Shettima met with key industry stakeholders at the Presidential Villa, including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri; Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; and Executive Director of the Nigerian Midstream, Downstream, and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Ugbogu Ukoha. Addressing reporters,…
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has clarified that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has not begun lifting refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from its facility, refuting a recent report. The clarification follows a headline in BusinessDay on Wednesday, 4 September 2024, claiming that NNPC had lifted petrol from the refinery and was selling it at N897 per litre. In a statement issued by Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Refinery emphasised that it is still finalising its contract with NNPC, and therefore, the question of setting a price for petrol from its refinery does not arise. The company…
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a stern warning that the recent increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, could trigger widespread social unrest in the country. In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by its president, Festus Osifo, the union condemned the sudden hike in petrol prices, which saw the pump price surge to N897 and N855 per liter from N617 earlier this week. The TUC argued that the increase would further deepen poverty, particularly among workers, and worsen the already difficult living conditions in Nigeria. The union criticised…
The Ogbomoso Muslim Community has raised concerns over the ongoing conflict between the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, and the town’s Chief Imam, Sheik Teliat Yunus Ayilara, warning that the feud is threatening peace and stability in the area. In a statement released on Wednesday, Alhaji Akintoye AbdusSalam Olla, Chairman of the Ogbomoso Muslim Community, expressed alarm over the deteriorating relationship between the traditional ruler and the religious leader, a situation that has persisted since Oba Olaoye ascended the throne. The latest point of contention arose after Oba Olaoye appointed Habib Ayilara as the palace Imam, a move that…
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned dealers against displaying vehicles at unauthorised locations in the state. The general manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, gave the warning during a visit to him by members of the Lagos Motor Dealers Association on Wednesday in Lagos. According to Mr Bakare-Oki, the display of vehicles for sale on road setbacks, walkways, and other prohibited areas obstructs the free flow of traffic. Mr Bakare-Oki emphasised the importance of maintaining order and ensuring smooth traffic flow. He said that LASTMA had received numerous complaints from community development associations regarding the illegal activities of…
A faction of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has refuted claims that the group is planning a massive shutdown of major cities across Nigeria to protest the recent hike in fuel prices. Earlier on Wednesday, Okunomo Henry Adewumi, the President of the NANS Senate, issued a notice stating that the organisation would stage a nationwide protest on September 15, 2024, if the fuel price increase was not reversed. However, this announcement was swiftly dismissed in a statement released later the same day by another NANS Senate President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez. In the statement, Afeez clarified that NANS…
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) during a visit to Beijing, China. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the quality of the road network and infrastructure in Lagos State. The agreement, announced on Wednesday by Governor Sanwo-Olu through his official account on X.com, highlights the state’s commitment to improving the lives of its citizens through better transport infrastructure. The project will focus on constructing the Lekki-Epe Link Bridge, which is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion and improve the commute experience within the Lekki-Epe axis. “We believe…
Investigative journalist David Hundeyin has spoken out following the Nigeria Police Force’s declaration naming him as an accomplice in the trial of whistleblower Isaac Tamunobifiri, widely known as PIDOM. In an interview with News Central Television on Wednesday, Hundeyin attributed the police’s actions to his relentless truth-telling in an administration that views such actions as an affront. He also suggested that the move was part of an effort to involve him in a criminal investigation, discredit his international refugee status, and potentially place him on an Interpol notice list. Hundeyin disclosed that in 2023, Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA) made…
No fewer than 3,590 inmates across custodial centres in Nigeria are on death row, the Nigeria Correctional Service has revealed. NCoS Public Relations Officer, Assistant Controller of Corrections Abubakar Umar, made this known while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja. Umar stated that the total number of inmates in centres across the country is 84,741, comprising 82,821 males and 1,920 females, as of September 3, 2024. The NCoS spokesman put the total number of Awaiting Trial Inmates at 57,750, comprising 56,303 males and 1,447 females. “The breakdown according to their categories is as follows: convicted…
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has raised concerns about Nigeria’s low tax collection rates, which he says pose significant challenges to financing critical sectors such as health and education. Gates made these remarks during the Nutrivision 2024 Pan-African youth dialogue on nutrition held in Abuja on Tuesday. Addressing a question on potential financing mechanisms for large-scale public health initiatives, Gates emphasised the need for Nigeria to improve its tax collection efforts. He noted that increased tax revenues could enable the government to better fund essential services like education and healthcare. “Over time, there are plans…