Petroleum marketers in Nigeria have raised concerns about the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) shutting down its portal, which is used for purchasing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol. According to Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson for the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the closure has left over 2,000 pending purchase tickets for 45,000 litres of petrol each, which could lead to fuel scarcity across the country. Ukadike expressed concern about the potential nationwide impact, noting that the total volume of petrol involved amounts to millions of litres. The price of a 45,000-liter truckload is approximately ₦39.5 million, which…
Author: Editor Francis
On Wednesday, the Senate stood down a bill seeking to establish standards and licensing conditions for the operation of private investigators in Nigeria. The bill, sponsored by Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West), was met with opposition from a majority of lawmakers during the debate in the Senate. Senator Ngwu, the Senate Minority Whip, introduced the bill with the aim of creating a legal framework for the licencing and regulation of private investigators in the country, modelled after similar systems in the UK, US, Australia, and Canada. He emphasised the need for professional standards in the industry, stating that many…
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced the recovery of over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds during September 2024. The Chairman of the Commission, Adamu Aliyu, made this disclosure while launching the ICPC’s 2024-2028 strategic action plan in Abuja on Tuesday. Aliyu did not specify the individuals or sectors involved but emphasised that the ICPC has been working tirelessly to fulfil its mandate. “Over the past year, the ICPC has made significant progress in discharging its mandate. For example, we recovered over ₦13 billion in diverted public funds in September 2024 alone,” Aliyu stated.…
The Yola zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on the federal government to stop delaying the implementation of agreed-upon terms, urging immediate action to avoid further disruption in Nigeria’s higher education system. In a statement released on Wednesday, October 2, ASUU’s Yola Zone emphasised the need for the government to fully implement the agreements reached in 2022, which led to the suspension of a previous strike. The statement comes just a week before the expiration of a new two-week ultimatum issued by ASUU’s national leadership. The Yola Zone, which comprises six branches—Modibbo Adama University Yola,…
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held phone discussions with European counterparts immediately after Iran’s missile attack on Israel, according to state media reports on Wednesday. The Iranian news agency IRNA reported that Araghchi communicated with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, as well as ministers in the UK, France, and other nations following the missile strike. Araghchi informed them that the attack had been completed but warned that any retaliatory action from Israel would prompt an even stronger response. Araghchi emphasised that Iran does not seek further escalation but does not fear war. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that…
In celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on several prominent figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau. In his October 1st nationwide broadcast, Tinubu announced that Senate President Akpabio and Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun have been awarded the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). Deputy Senate President Barau and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, received the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) honour, while Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu was bestowed…
The ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has seen three judges withdraw from the case, sparking concerns over fairness in the legal process. Kanu, who has been facing charges since 2015, including treasonable felony and terrorism, has seen his trial linger with multiple delays. Kanu was granted bail in 2017 but fled Nigeria following a military invasion of his residence in Abia State. He was rearrested in Kenya in 2021 through extraordinary rendition and brought back to Nigeria to face fresh terrorism charges. While the Court of Appeal acquitted him in 2022, citing…
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed a significant reduction in Nigeria’s petrol importation following the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu in May 2023. The total volume of petrol imports fell by 13.77%, decreasing from 23.54 billion litres in 2022 to 20.30 billion litres in 2023. In its latest petroleum products distribution report, the NBS noted a sharp decline in petrol imports during the second half of 2023. The country imported 8.36 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the latter half of the year, a 29.99% decrease from the 11.94 billion litres imported in…
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has launched an investigation into a viral video showing two individuals staging a scene on Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, without proper authorization. The video captures one man exiting a grey Camry parked in the middle of the road, sitting on the car’s bonnet, while another walks in front of the car and strikes a pose. In a statement issued on Tuesday by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, the agency confirmed that swift action is being taken to address the incident. “The attention of the Lagos State Traffic Management…
Marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has praised the country’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit despite ongoing global challenges. In a post on X.com on Tuesday, Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged the difficulties facing Nigeria but urged Nigerians to appreciate the uniqueness of their country. She wrote, “Though times are tough internationally and nationally, we should appreciate that we are from one of the most interesting countries in the world with some of the most exciting and entrepreneurial people in the world! I certainly appreciate and thank God for this!” Meanwhile, in his Independence Day address, President…
Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has condemned the National Assembly’s involvement in investigating the ongoing feud between social media influencers Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, and Martins Ortse, popularly called VeryDarkMan. Ahmad expressed his disapproval in a post on X, describing the inquiry as unnecessary and calling for attention to more pressing national issues. He wrote, “Forming a National Assembly committee to investigate the VDM and Bobrisky saga is completely unnecessary. Nigeria is currently grappling with far more pressing challenges, and this issue holds no real national importance, at all.” The investigation stems from…
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has formally requested the National Assembly to amend the Constitution, proposing a six-year single term for the President and state governors. In a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also advocated for the rotation of the presidency between Nigeria’s North and South. This proposal mirrors a similar idea supported by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his administration. Atiku emphasized the importance of a six-year single term, stating, “The office of the President shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the federation…