A crew of DStv sports journalists traveling to cover the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, were attacked and kidnapped.

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed that six of the crew members have been rescued.

According to a statement from the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the media crew was abducted along the Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala Local Government Area while they were traveling from Lagos to Uyo.

Joint security forces launched a rescue operation following the incident, which led to the safe recovery of six kidnapped journalists.

“Joint security forces have successfully rescued six members of the media crew who were abducted while traveling from Lagos to Uyo along Isseke-Orlu Road in Ihiala,” Ikenga said as quoted by Sahara Reporters.

The police spokesperson added, “Meanwhile, operations are still ongoing for the possible rescue of the seventh crew member. Further development shall be communicated.”

Meanwhile, a prominent journalist and former staff of the broadcast station, Colin Udoh confirmed that one of the crew members is dead.

He tweeted, “A journalist, one of my former SuperSport colleagues, was killed yesterday when members of the production crew for Friday’s game against Libya were kidnapped on their way to Uyo. Some of the crew have been freed, while at least 2 others are still unaccounted for.”

Vanguard News

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has postponed the inspection of election materials used in the Edo governorship election indefinitely.

The postponement was sequel to a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the commission’s secretariat in the state.

The electoral commission initially fixed the inspection for Wednesday after the PDP alleged it was prevented from inspecting the materials on Monday.

Thereafter, INEC fixed Thursday for the inspection following an objection by the APC.

The party alleged that the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) were brought to INEC’s secretariat in vehicles owned by the Edo government, adding that it did not get enough notice before the inspection was to commence on Wednesday.

Goodluck Osaretin, one of the representatives of the PDP, described APC’s objection as “desperation to prevent us from inspecting the BVAS machines”.

“We are not surprised by what is happening,” Osaretin said.

Gunshots could be heard and that forced INEC to postpone the inspection of election materials indefinitely.

Inspecting the election materials is a prerequisite for the PDP to file its case at the Edo governorship election tribunal.

Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the PDP, is challenging the victory of Monday Okpebholo, Edo governor-elect.

[TheCable]

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has extensively considered the series of complaints raised against the Acting National Chairman, Amb. Illiya Damagum and National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu particularly with regard to the letter addressed by them to the Court of Appeal in Appeal No:CA/PH/307/2024 against the Party’s position in the case involving the 27 former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who vacated their seats upon decamping from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The NWC condemned this anti-party activity of the Acting National Chairman and the National Secretary which is in gross violation of the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017) and their Oath of Office.

Consequently, the NWC, pursuant to Sections 57, 58 and 59 of the PDP Constitution, has suspended Amb. Illiya Damagum and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as Acting National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party respectively and referred them to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action.

In the meantime, the two officials are suspended from all meetings, activities and programs of the NWC pending the conclusion of investigation by the National Disciplinary Committee.

Signed:

Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary

The Federal Government is exploring gas reticulation systems for urban buildings in Nigeria and has established a Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop a policy for safe and efficient gas distribution.

Gas reticulation involves a network of pipes supplying gas directly to buildings, a practice common in developed countries for efficient energy delivery.

This initiative, led by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, aims to improve urban gas distribution with a focus on energy efficiency and safety.

The TWG, a collaboration between the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), was inaugurated by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Amb. Nicholas Ella.

Amb. Ella highlighted that a key tool in achieving such cities is adherence to the National Building Code, which provides guidelines for building design, construction, and post-construction stages.

“Most modern cities in developed countries have evolved to energy smart cities where energy, specifically gas and other utilities are piped to districts and estates. 

“However, one of the key tools in creating energy smart city is the National Building 
Code which, in essence, sets the guidelines on Building Pre-design, designs, construction and post-construction stages,” he said.

He outlined the benefits of reticulated gas systems, noting that they allow for metered gas supply, similar to water and electricity services, eliminating the need for frequent manual refills.

Additionally, he explained that these systems enhance safety by using buried pipes and advanced safety equipment.

More insight 

The TWG is responsible for designing a comprehensive policy to establish best practices for gas distribution using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Piped Natural Gas (PNG), and Bio-Gas in Nigeria’s building sector.

• Its tasks include reviewing the National Building Code, assessing global standards, and recommending quality standards for materials used in gas installations.

• Amb. Ella stressed the importance of rigorous safety protocols and urged the group to consider environmental sustainability in their recommendations.

• The TWG is expected to submit its report by November 15.

• Mr. Samson Opaliwah, Chairman of CORBON, assured the council’s commitment to collaborating with the TWG.

• He highlighted CORBON’s expertise in ensuring the safe integration of gas infrastructure into buildings and estates across Nigeria. He emphasized that their efforts would result in standardized guidelines for safe and effective gas systems, supported by a skilled workforce.

• This initiative aims to address gaps in Nigeria’s gas supply chain, ensuring a reliable and safe gas supply to urban areas.

The Federal Government hopes that by resolving issues associated with manual refills and inefficient distribution, the quality of life for residents will improve, supporting broader economic growth.

[Nairametrics]

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad, Enugu State Police Command, have arrested one Dr. Emmanuel Chimaobi Ugwumba of Ezimo-Agu, Udenu Local Government Area of the state for his alleged involvement in child trafficking.

A statement by the spokesman of the Command, Daniel Ndukwe disclosed that the arrested suspect has been arraigned in court and remanded in a Nigerian Correctional Centre, pending further hearing.

Ndukwe explained that the doctor’s arrest followed the interception of a public notice on an abandoned child he made and endorsed in the name of the Enugu State Ministry of Gender and Social Development as the Director of OTZ.

Ndukwe averred that upon the arrest of the suspect, he was found to be involved in child trafficking, with one pregnant woman, the four-year-old publicised child and another two-year-old child, both female, being rescued.

He added that investigation revealed that the suspect, who claimed to be a graduate of medicine and surgery from the University of Jos, owns and manages Chima Hospital and Maternity located at Ugbaike Enugu-Ezike in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

Ndukwe stated that further investigation revealed that between 2017 and 2024, the doctor conspired with an acclaimed staff of the Ministry and others at large to conduct anti-natal care and delivery of seven yet-to-be traced children from different mothers in the hospital.

“The suspect was also found to be in unauthorised possession of different documents from the Ministry of Gender Affairs and unverified pest/vector certificates from the Enugu State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources,” he stated.

A report from the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) has ranked 510 ministries, departments and agencies of government low in transparency and integrity.

The report, which was released yesterday in Abuja tagged “Transparency and Integrity Index 2024” assessed 514 different MDAs out of which only four were ranked high.

Presenting the report, the Executive Director of the centre, Mr. Umar Yakubu said the MDAs were assessed based on sub-variables including “anti-bribery policy, whistleblower policy, conflict of interest policy, control of corruption implementation report and citizens engagement,”

He added that the report “Is geared towards assessing openness and transparency of public institutions by evaluating the publication of vital information relating to good governance, as it aims to evaluate the publication of information that is statutorily supposed to be within the public domain,”

Other variables used in scoring the MDAs according to him include “Budget allocation of last eight years, budget released in the last eight years, budget implementation in the last eight years, revenue remitted in the last eight years as well as auditor general’s report of the last eight years.

 A breakdown of the report by Daily Trust shows that among the least ranked agencies, who scored only 4 points out of 100 include the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, National Assembly Service Commission, Ministry of Police Affairs, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations

Other least ranked MDAs who scored 8 points out of 100 points include Nigeria Football Federation, National Broadcasting Commission, Ministry of Petroleum resources, National health insurance scheme, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC).

Others are National Hajj Commission, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Ministry of Transportation, NAFDAC, Ministry of Défence, Ministry of Aviation, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Transportation.

Also on the least ranked agencies are the Bureau of Public Procurement, Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigerian Shippers Council, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Debt Management Office, Office of Auditor General of the Federation, NNPCL, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria-Export Import Bank among others.

On the other hand, the four agencies that were ranked high are National Oil Spill Detention and Response Agency, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Development Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) noted that “The BPSR’s partnership with CeFTPI is inspired by the bureau’s strategic role as a driver as a driver in MDAs strategic reforms which aligns with the development objective of the public financial management reforms,”

He further stated that since the commencement of the Presentation of the report in 2021, “Records have revealed that most public institutions have adopted the methodology matrix, although responses remain low, the BPSR intend to intensify drive towards a broader awareness by all public institutions.”

[DailyTrust]

Fulham star, Alex Iwobi has named his four best ever Super Eagles players of all-time.

Iwobi spoke ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier with Libya on Friday in Uyo.

In a recent interview with PoojaDissects, Iwobi was asked to name his four best ever Super Eagles players.

The former Arsenal player simply said: “[Austin] Jay-Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo and Victor Osimhen.”

Okocha, Kanu and Yobo have all retired from football.

Osimhen, meanwhile, is currently playing for Galatasaray on loan from Napoli.

Petrol pump prices rose to N998 and N1,030 per litre on Wednesday at various outlets of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) in Lagos and Abuja, respectively.

The recent development comes after the NNPC decided to terminate its exclusive purchase agreement with Dangote Refinery.

Here are five ways to reduce fuel consumption

1. Use AC when driving at higher speeds:

While it might seem counterintuitive, driving with your windows down at speeds above 80km/h can actually use more fuel due to increased wind resistance. In this case, it’s more efficient to switch on the air conditioning—your car will glide more smoothly without the extra drag.

2. Accelerate smoothly:

Rapid acceleration and revving your engine to high RPMs might feel powerful, but it guzzles fuel. A steady, smooth acceleration keeps your engine running efficiently and helps conserve fuel, making your drive easier on both your wallet and your car.

3. Brake gently:

Slamming on your brakes not only wears them down faster but also forces you to burn more fuel when you accelerate again. Try to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, so you can brake gradually and avoid wasteful fuel usage.

4. Turn off the engine when idle:

If you’re waiting for more than a couple of minutes, it’s a good idea to turn off your engine. Even when you’re stationary, an idling engine continues to consume fuel unnecessarily. A quick switch-off can save fuel and reduce emissions. 

5. Keep your tires properly inflated:

Underinflated tires create more friction with the road, causing your car to work harder and consume more fuel. Keeping your tires at the right pressure not only enhances fuel efficiency but also extends the life of your tires, saving you from future expenses.

[TheNation]

The National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Garima, has stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited owes petroleum marketers almost N15bn.

Garima stated this on Thursday when he was featured on Channel TV’s Sunrise Daily.

According to him, its members have yet to load a single truck since the NNPCL increased its pump price.

Responding to a question about how much NNPCL is owing its members, he said, “Roughly, it is almost getting to N15bn. Our money is already with the NNPCL. It has refused to give us the product we paid for and is asking us to complete the difference.

“Our money has been with the NNPCL for almost three months now. Either they sell for us at the same rate they are getting the product from Dangote Refinery or refund us so we can buy directly from Dangote Refinery.”

Recall that PUNCH Online had reported that after one week the NNPCL commenced loading Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, most filling stations across the country have yet to get the product.

PUNCH Online had also reported that IPMAN in its independence message on October 1, 2024, urged the Federal Government to allow its members to source a direct supply of petroleum products to ease the pressure in the sector.

[Punch]