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…Lauds Security Agencies for Swift Action
…Wants FG, Edo Govts To Stem Raging Insecurity
The Esan Okpa Initiative EOI), a pan-Esan group has strongly decried the violence and unlawful acts leading to the tragic events that recently unfolded in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Expressing deep sorrow and concern over the unfortunate events in which some lives were lost, the association appeals to “our brothers and sisters from the northern parts of the country to resist the temptation of retaliation or reprisal actions” noting that “violence begets violence.”
It also argues that “taking the law into one’s own hands can only deepen the crisis and endanger the peace that we all cherish as no one wins when there’s violence”.
While lauding the security agencies for their swift action in calming frayed nerves, the organization calls on the Federal and Edo State Governments to provide lasting solutions to stem the raging insecurity issues and heightened cases of kidnappings in Esanland.
A statement signed by its President, Rt Hon Matthew Egbadon and Public Relations Officer, Mr Tony Iyare and released in Benin City, the state capital, read in parts:
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for strength and healing for all affected.
“We unequivocally condemn all forms of violence and unlawful acts, regardless of the circumstances.There is no doubt that the security challenges facing our communities in Esanland, indeed across Edo State, including the persistent acts of kidnappings and other forms of criminal attacks, have led to heightened tension and fear among the people.
“However, taking the law into one’s own hands can only deepen the crisis and endanger the peace and unity we all cherish. Experience has shown that no one wins when there is violence.
“We commend the Edo State Government and all security Agencies, for their swift intervention in seeking to douse tensions arising from the ugly and despicable incident which occurred at Uromi, and we urge all parties, both within and outside Esanland, to remain calm and allow constituted authorities to handle the situation. The rule of law must prevail, and we trust that justice will be done to all affected parties.
“At this moment, we appeal to our brothers and sisters from the Northern part of the country, to resist the temptation of retaliation or reprisal actions. Violence begets more violence, and our shared humanity must guide our actions in these trying times.
“Let us as Nigerians stand together for peace, dialogue, and reconciliation.We must all say,“ NO” to political opportunists, who seek to leverage the unfortunate incident to score cheap political goals by issuing reckless and tendentious statements.
“Furthermore, we call on the government and security agencies to redouble their efforts in addressing the lingering insecurity that has made life unbearable for our people in Esanland. The inability of our farmers to access their farms and work places, as well as the general fear of insecurity that has gripped our communities require urgent and decisive action.
“Security is a fundamental right of all citizens, and we urge the authorities at State and Federal levels to provide lasting solutions that will ensure safety and prosperity for all.
“Finally, we appeal to all stakeholders to continue to work to promote peace, unity, and justice in Esanland and beyond. Let wisdom, restraint, and the pursuit of peace guide us all,” the statement concludes.
The naira continued appreciating against the dollar on Wednesday at the official foreign exchange market after the Eid-el-Fitr holidays.
The Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the naira strengthened to N1,531.25 per dollar on Wednesday from N1,536.82 recorded last Friday.
This means that the naira gained N5.57 per dollar on a day-to-day basis.
Meanwhile, on the black market, the naira depreciated to N1,555 per dollar on Wednesday from N1,550 traded on Friday before the Eid-el-Fitr holidays.
DAILY POST reports that over the weekend, the Central Bank of Nigeria announced that the Net Foreign Exchange Reserve, NFER, stood at $23.11 billion, the highest level in over three years.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disowned a circular claiming that the financial regulator has introduced N5,000 and N10,000 notes.
The circular, purportedly from the CBN, has been widely shared on WhatsApp.
According to the fake circular, the new notes are to be circulated from May 1.
In a post on X on Tuesday, the CBN clarified that the circular did not originate from the bank.
The apex bank also said the claim was fake.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has officially announced the introduction of two new denominations – N5,000 and N10,000 bankrotes; as part of ongoing efforts to streamline cash transactions and improve liquidity management,” the circular reads.
“According to the Deputy CBN Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Tahir Jr., the move is aimed at reducing cash-handling costs and providing Nigerians with more efficient means of conducting large transactions.”
The apex bank urged the public to refer only to the official CBN website (cbn.gov.ng) for authentic information.
“The content is not from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Kindly note that the official website of the CBN is cbn.gov.ng,” the financial regulator said.
In 2023, there were controversies over the redesigning of the N200, N500 and N1,000 notes.
On February 6, 2023, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) said CBN should have introduced a N5,000 note rather than embarking on a currency redesign.
Sola Obadimu, former director-general of NACCIMA, said there would have been less pressure on Nigerians if the naira redesign policy was implemented differently.
Obadimu had said the creation of N5,000 note would have mopped up the money in circulation without creating discomfort.
He said the CBN would have also spent less money on printing new notes.
On November 29, 2023, the supreme court ruled that the new notes — N200, N500 and N1,000 — were to coexist with the old notes as legal tender.
On December 13, 2024, CBN reassured the public that both the old and redesigned naira notes will continue to serve as legal tender without any deadline.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, approved the dismissal of Mele Kyari as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) following mounting concerns over various aspects of the company’s operations.
Naija News had earlier reported that the dissolution of the entire NNPCL board accompanied this decision.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga confirmed that Tinubu had authorized a comprehensive reconstitution of the NNPCL board.
This restructuring saw the removal of Chairman Pius Akinyelure and Group CEO, Mele Kolo Kyari, alongside other board members appointed in November 2023.
As part of the restructuring, Tinubu appointed Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the new Group CEO, while Ahmadu Musa Kida was appointed as the non-executive Chairman of the board.
The president also retained Adedapo Segun, who had replaced Umaru Isa Ajiya as Chief Financial Officer in November 2023, on the newly formed board.
In addition to these key appointments, six non-executive directors were appointed to represent Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The appointees include Bello Rabiu from the North West, Yusuf Usman from the North East, and Babs Omotowa, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), representing North Central. Austin Avuru from the South South, David Ige from the South West, and Henry Obih from the South East also joined the new board.
Furthermore, Lydia Shehu Jafiya, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance, and Aminu Said Ahmed, representing the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, were appointed as members of the new board.
Here is the profile of the new appointees:
Bashir Bayo Ojulari
Ojulari, the new NNPCL GCEO, hails from Kwara State. Until his new appointment, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company, which recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of the entire equity holding in the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion.
Ojulari is also an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, according to the statement. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for Elf Aquitaine as the first Nigerian process engineer to begin a stellar career in the oil sector.
From Elf, he joined Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd in 1991, as an associate production technologist. Apart from working in Nigeria, he worked in Europe and the Middle East in different capacities as a petroleum process and production engineer, strategic planner, field developer, and asset manager.
In 2015, he became the managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO). During his career, he was chairman and member of the board of trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Nigerian Council) and a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Ahmad Musa Kida – Chairman
The new board chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, hails from Borno State and is an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received a degree in civil engineering in 1984.
He also obtained a postgraduate diploma in petroleum engineering from the Institut Francaise du Petrol (IFP) in Paris.
He started his career in the oil industry at Elf Petroleum Nigeria and later joined Total Exploration and Production as a trainee engineer in 1985. Kida became Total Nigeria’s Deputy Managing Director of Deep Water Services in 2015.
He was an Independent Non-Executive Director at Pan Ocean-Newcross Group. Apart from his oil industry career, Kida is a former basketball player and the president of the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) board.
Adedapo Segun – CFO
The new Chief Financial Officer worked with Chevron as a Financial Services Manager for five years, 10 months before joining NNPC as a Group General Manager, Treasury. He was also Chief Finance and Investor Relations Officer and Executive Vice-President of Downstream.
Board Members (NNPCL)
Bello Rabiu, North West
Bello Rabiu was Chief Operating Officer/Group Executive Director, Upstream of NNPC, where he oversaw the activities of the Corporation’s Upstream businesses, including; National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO), Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) and NNPC Oil Field Services (NOFS).
He has a balanced knowledge of the Exploration & Production industry in Nigeria with capability which combines commercial/fiscal knowledge with operations.
Rabiu retired from the services of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in July 2019 after 28 years of service.
Yusuf Usman, North East
He has over 30-year experience in the oil and gas industry. He started his career as Facilities/Project Engineer with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Warri, from 1987 to 1993. In 1993, he joined the Services of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as Facilities Engineer. Between 1993 to October 2007, he rose to become the Technical Assistant to GGM NAPIMS.
During the period, Usman superintended over many projects, including the EKPE Gas Compression Station for EXXON Mobil JV in Houston, France & Nigeria, AMENAM/KPONO Oil and Gas Development for Total JV in Dubai, France & Nigeria, FEED of Brass and Olokola LNG Gas Supply Projects for CNL JV in Houston, USA, Gbaran/Ubie Central Gas Processing Facilities for SPDC/NNPC Joint Venture in UK and Nigeria, Dry Dock of MV Oloibiri for Texaco Overseas/NNPC JV in Greece, Usan FPSO Project for Total/NNPC Joint Venture in France, South Korea and Nigeria etc.
Babs Omotowa- North Central
Babs Omotowa is described as an international leader in the Energy industry across Europe, Africa, the United States of America, Asia, and the Middle East, in organisation leadership, commercial, strategy and operational roles spanning over 26 years.
Omotowa was the Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria LNG Limited (“NLNG”) for almost 5 years from December 2011 to September 2016.
Prior to joining Nigeria LNG, he served in different capacities including as a Vice-President, Shell Sub-Saharan Africa, Director at Shell Petroleum Development Company, a Non-Executive Director of West Africa Gas Pipeline Company, amongst others.
After his role as MD, NLNG, he served as a Vice President of Shell Global Upstream E&P and later as Special Adviser to the Shell Global Upstream Director.
Austin Avuru – Non-Executive Director, South-South
Austin Avuru is a Geologist by training who spent over 40 years in the Nigerian oil and gas sector and was Managing Director of Platform Petroleum Limited and in 2010, became the pioneer CEO of Seplat Ltd, a company he co-founded.
Under his leadership, Seplat was listed on the London Stock Exchange and Nigeria Stock Exchange. He retired as CEO of Seplat in 2020 and remains on the Board.
He is a fellow and past President of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and recipient of the Aret Adams Award. He is the author of “Politics, Economics & the Nigerian Petroleum Industry” and co-author of “Nigerian Petroleum Business, A Handbook”.
David Ige – Non-executive director (South West)
David Oluseyi Ige was former Group Executive Director of the NNPC. He has over 25 years work experience which cuts across Oil & Gas, management consulting and academics in world class organisations.
His experience spans Exploration, Development and Production of Oil and Natural Gas plus Midstream infrastructure and Downstream disposal of Hydrocarbons.
He is widely recognised for initiating and developing the Nigeria Gas Master Plan and policy, in response to a major threat to the nation’s energy agenda arising from lack of a viable gas infrastructure.
Henry Obih –Non-executive director (South East)
Henry Obih was former Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Downstream in NNPC until his retirement in 2019.
Prior to joining NNPC as GED/COO in 2016, Engr. Obih had a 22-year sojourn at Mobil Oil Nigeria (ExxonMobil Nigeria Downstream) and held several other high- profile positions across different areas across the organisation such as Operations, Customer Service and Logistics.
His recent leadership roles include board positions at Nigeria Gas Marketing Company Limited, Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited, NNPC Retail Limited, NIDAS Marine Limited (a subsidiary of NNPC in joint venture with Daewoo Industries South Korea), NIKORMA Limited (a subsidiary of NNPC in joint venture with Hyundai Heavy Industries South Korea) and Duke Oil Company Inc.
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, has shared his reservation over President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Paris, France amid series of crises in the country, saying reasons for such journey were best known to him and his handlers.
Speaking via a statement titled, ‘Whither Nigeria, my beloved country’, which was made available to Naija News on Wednesday, the elder statesman lamented that it was shameful that while Nigerians don’t feel safe anymore in their fatherland, the Federal Government led by Tinubu was focused on trivial matters such as the recall of the embattled Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The PDP chieftain, while expressing concern over the state of affairs in the country, noted that those in charge of the polity have closed their ears to reasoning and deliberately came out with policies capable of disintegrating the country, saying that it was disheartening that Nigeria was precariously and dangerously staggering on the path of self-destruction.
This was just as he noted that history is a faithful record of the past, and also a prophecy of what is coming, saying that he saw what led to the collapse of the First and Second republics being repeated by the APC-led Federal Government.
He said, “Today, and with the series of crises, insecurity, hunger, joblessness and other vices in the country, President Bola Tinubu has taken off to Paris, France for reasons best known to him and his handlers.
“Nigerians don’t feel safe anymore in their fatherland, but the Federal Government, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Senate are only interested in recalling Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. What a shame!
“Aside from the fact that history is a faithful record of the past, it is also a prophecy of what is coming. That is why Fela’s song is still apt, decades after. Today, I see what led to the collapse of the First and Second republics being repeated by the APC-led Federal Government.”
‘You Have Started Well’ – Obaseki’s Family Congratulates Okpebholo Over Victory At Election Tribunal
AFOLABI
The family of the immediate past governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, has lauded the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja for affirming the election victory of Monday Okpebholo as the governor of the State.
The three-member tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the allegations brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, for lack of credible evidence.
On Wednesday, Naija News reported that the Tribunal ruled that the PDP and Ighodalo failed to prove their claims against Okpebholo.
The Tribunal stated that “no competent witnesses were called” by the petitioners to substantiate their petition, thereby upholding the victory of Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, who was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
In a statement jointly signed by Benjamin Igbinovia Obaseki, Osaro Obaseki, and Emwanta Obaseki, the former governor’s family congratulated Okpebholo on his well-deserved victory at the Tribunal.
The family commended Okpebholo’s administration, adding that it will be eight years of performance and reforms.
The statement read, “The judiciary again has proven they are the hope of the people and a pillar for which justice and democracy shall continually stand.
“Meanwhile, you have demonstrated that you have come to protect and build a new Edo where every resident and visitor will have a memorable lifetime share of the dividends of Democracy.
“Your stand and support against illegal and oppressive unions dues collections, the awards of road contracts, public service and Local Government reforms, industrial investments and economic revival are signs that you are ready to build Edo of our collective dream.s
“You have started well, and God will help you to end well
“It is going to be eight years of performance and reforms
“Once again, congratulations from the House of the Obasekis.”
Indications have emerged that sweeping changes are imminent within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiaries, following the assumption of office by the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Bayo Ojulari.
Ojulari officially resumed duties on Monday amidst growing anticipation of a comprehensive reorganisation of the national oil company’s operations.
The changes, according to internal sources, will begin from the corporate headquarters and extend across the entire NNPCL ecosystem, including its Upstream, Gas and Power, New Energy, Downstream, and Non-Energy businesses.
According to Vanguard findings, the impending restructuring is part of efforts by the new leadership to align the company with national objectives and inject greater efficiency into the oil and gas industry.
The goal is to place “round pegs in round holes,” focusing on performance and results-driven leadership.
Subsidiaries Likely to Be Affected
The businesses expected to be impacted include:
- NNPC E&P Limited (NEPL)
- NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS)
- NNPC Energy Services Limited (EnServ)
- NNPC Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO)
- NNPC New Energy Limited (NNEL)
- NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC)
- NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML)
- NNPC Gas & Power Investment Services (NGPIS)
- NNPC Trading Limited (NTL)
- NNPC Retail Limited (NRL)
- NNPC Shipping Limited (NSL)
- NNPC RefChem Limited (NRCL)
- NNPC Downstream Investment Services (NDIS)
- Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company Limited (NPSC)
- National Energy Reserve Management Company (NERMC)
- NNPC Non-Energy Investment Services (NNIS)
- NNPC Foundation Limited/Gte
- NNPC Academy
- NNPC Properties Limited (NPL)
- NNPC Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
- Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI)
Reacting to the leadership change, oil and gas industry experts have begun setting a reform agenda for the new NNPCL management.
Prof. Wumi Iledare, Executive Director of the Emmanuel Egbogah Foundation, urged the Ojulari-led team to revisit the Naira-for-Crude initiative with local refineries and consider the public listing of NNPCL shares—placing purchase limits on individuals and excluding corporate interests.
He also recommended:
1. Divestment of Joint Venture shares from International Oil Companies (IOCs);
2. Full alignment of NNPCL with the intentions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA);
3. Ending the “agency mindset” and adopting a commercially-driven approach;
4. Promoting economies of scale;
5. Enhancing recruitment, training, and capacity development to boost productivity.
Prof. Iledare also commended the former GCEO, Mele Kyari, for his efforts in steering the company through major reforms, expressing optimism in the new team’s ability to deliver value.
Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), emphasized the importance of professional and independent governance in transforming NNPCL into a globally competitive institution.
“Our peers like Saudi Aramco, PETRONAS, and China National Petroleum Corporation have leveraged their national oil companies for economic transformation. We expect NNPCL to do the same under this new leadership,” he said.
Dr. Yusuf called for:
- Dramatic improvements in corporate governance;
- Optimisation of oil and gas assets;
- A PPP investment model to drive profitability;
- An end to the burden of moribund refineries;
And the listing of NNPCL on both local and international stock exchanges to enforce transparency and accountability.
He, however, warned that success would depend on shielding NNPCL from political interference.
“For this vision to be realized, the independence of the new NNPCL must be guaranteed. There should be zero tolerance for interference from political leadership, the National Assembly, or bureaucratic bottlenecks,” he stressed.
The World Bank has approved three financing operations totalling $1.08bn to support education, nutrition, and economic resilience in Nigeria.
According to a statement on the bank’s website on Wednesday, the concessional loans are aimed at improving the quality of education, building household and community resilience, and enhancing nutrition for underserved groups.
The statement read, “The World Bank has approved three operations in Nigeria, totalling $1.08bn in concessional financing, to enhance education quality, build household and community resilience, and improve nutrition for underserved groups.”
The approved operations include $500m in additional financing for the Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Programme, $80m for Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRIN 2.0), and $500m for the Hope for Quality Basic Education for All (HOPE-EDU) initiative.
According to the statement, the NG-CARES Programme, which was initially designed to address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, will support the government’s efforts to expand access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants for poor and vulnerable households.
The programme, which has already reached over 15 million beneficiaries, has evolved into a shock-responsive platform providing multisectoral interventions, including social transfers, labour-intensive public works, livelihood grants, and support for small businesses.
The new financing will bolster the programme’s reach, particularly as the country grapples with economic challenges arising from the 2023 fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange rate unification.
The Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria programme aims to enhance the use of quality nutrition services for pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under five.
The initiative is designed to improve maternal and child health, nutrition services, and food security in selected areas. The programme aligns with Nigeria’s National Development Plan (2021–2025) and the Multisectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, focusing on preventive and curative nutrition interventions, improved feeding practices, and increased access to micronutrient-rich foods.
ANRIN 2.0 builds on the success of the initial programme, which delivered nutrition services to over 13 million children under five between 2018 and 2024.
The HOPE-EDU initiative, which forms part of a series of interrelated operations, will support foundational literacy and numeracy, enhance access to basic education, and strengthen education systems across participating states.
The project is expected to directly benefit 29 million public primary school pupils, 500,000 teachers, and more than 65,000 public primary schools. The initiative will also address issues related to school overcrowding and decentralised allocation of education funds. HOPE-EDU will receive additional funding of $52.18m from the Global Partnership for Education Fund.
Commenting on the initiative, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr Ndiamé Diop, said, “Investing in human capital is critical for Nigeria as it offers the best opportunity to unlock the enormous potential of Nigeria.
“These new programmes will help accelerate education quality and support vulnerable citizens. The HOPE-EDU programme will enable better education outcomes by implementing bold reforms and making the right investments to equip the fast-growing young population with foundational skills necessary for rapid and inclusive economic growth.”
Diop added that the ANRIN interventions would improve access to micronutrient-rich foods and nutrition services at primary healthcare levels, while the NG-CARES funding would help Nigeria move from pandemic response to long-term resilience, especially amid ongoing economic challenges.
A High Court in the Eastern Cape division of South Africa has acquitted Timothy Omotoso, a Nigerian televangelist, accused of raping young women in his church.
Omotoso and his two co-defendants were arraigned on a 32-count charge bordering on rape and human trafficking
News24 reported that Omotoso would be deported to Nigeria immediately after the judgment.
The co-defendants are Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho.
Several young women had accused the pastor of luring them into his home in Umhlanga, a town in South Africa, where he allegedly molested them.
In April 2017, the Nigerian pastor was arrested shortly after he landed at an airport in South Africa.
He is the senior pastor of the Jesus Dominion International based in Durban, South Africa. He is also the founder of Tim Omotoso Global Outreach and Ancient of Day Broadcasting Network
According to News24, Irma Schoeman, the trial judge, yesterday, ruled that the state prosecutor did not prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.
The Nigerian pastor had been in South African prison since his arrest in 2017.
A man from Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, has been left devastated after losing KSh 2.8 million (approx. N33 million) meant for his studies abroad to sports betting.
Dismas Mutai reportedly lost the substantial sum while betting on Aviator, an online gambling platform, and has since taken to social media to seek assistance from well-wishers, including politicians.
He expressed his distress and admitted that the loss had affected his mental well-being.
“I’m not okay; I will no longer pretend to be okay. I have fallen into a disastrous trap. A trap that I never anticipated in my life. Depression is slowly taking me to the grave. You must have even noticed an unusual change in my behaviour. Aviator flew away with over KSh 2.8 million of people’s money,” he stated as quoted by Tuko News, a popular Kenyan news website.
Seeking Forgiveness and Support
Mutai used the platform to plead for support from Kenyans of goodwill, acknowledging his mistake and the toll it has taken on his life.
He apologised to his family for disappointing them, stating that he had struggled with gambling addiction despite having strong ambitions for a better future.
“To my mum and the entire family, forgive me. I understand the level of trust you had in me. I have weaknesses just like any other human being, and this has become my greatest weakness,” stated Mutai.
He also appealed to his community for forgiveness, emphasizing his previous involvement in village affairs and his hope for a second chance.
“Perhaps the UK was not meant for me, but just give me a chance to survive so that I can be a living testimony to many,” he pleaded.
Mutai’s Educational Aspirations
Mutai had secured a scholarship to study for a Master of Science in International Project Management at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in London.
Screenshots shared online indicate that his program was set to begin on January 13, 2025, and conclude on January 16, 2026.
Public Reactions and Warnings Against Sports Betting
The incident has sparked reactions from Kenyans online, many of whom condemned gambling as a dangerous habit that can lead to financial ruin and mental distress.
Some called on the government to regulate or ban platforms like Aviator to prevent similar cases in the future.
More...
After initial hesitation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has increased the pump price of petrol to N925 per litre at its retail stations in Lagos and N950 per litre in Abuja.
The new price regime, effective from April 2, 2025, represents an increase of N65 from the previous price of N860 per litre in Lagos and an N70 difference from the N880 previously sold in the North.
Recall that last week, MRS and other independent marketers increased the price of petrol, raising its pump price to N930 per litre in Lagos and N960 for residents living in the northern part of the country.
Industry experts said the new increase is a direct fallout of the recent suspension of sales of petroleum products in naira by the Dangote refinery.
This adjustment reflects ongoing changes in Nigeria’s deregulated fuel market and follows shifts in market competition, supply costs, and global oil price trends.
The development also comes against the backdrop of a new leadership at the national oil firm. President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Bayo Ojulari to replace Mele Kyari in the early hours of Wednesday, while also restructuring the NNPCL board.
Our correspondent confirmed that NNPC stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ikorodu Road now sell at N925 per litre, after initially displaying N930 per litre to its customers.
Also, the NNPCL retail stations at Fadeyi, Ago Palace Way, and Ogba, as well as the NNPC station on College Road, have adjusted their prices to N925. In Ikeja, outlets on Acme Road and the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway have also raised their pump prices to the new rate.
However, not all NNPC stations in Lagos may have updated their prices at the same time due to logistical delays.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the national oil firm station located along the Kubwa expressway increased its price to N950 from N880 per litre. Other stations along Wuse effected the same increase.
This adjustment comes after months of price competition. In March 2025, NNPC reduced its price to N860 per litre to match Dangote Refinery’s lower rates. However, due to rising global oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and changes in crude oil sourcing costs, NNPC has now revised prices upward.
Earlier in 2025, NNPC had sold petrol at N925 per litre in December 2024 before several price shifts. The current rate in Lagos is still lower than in some cities, like Abuja, where prices recently stood at N880 per litre.
Former lawmaker representing Adamawa North in the Senate, Elijah Ishaku Abbo, has alleged that he lost his senatorial seat in the 10th Senate due to what he described as “judicial banditry.”
Abbo made the claim during an interview on Arise News Channel’s PrimeTime show on Wednesday night, monitored by our correspondent.
He accused the judiciary of manipulating the 2023 election outcome against him.
“I lost my senatorial seat through judicial banditry because there is no law that backs what happened,” Abbo asserted. “I believe the judge knows what she did, and that is why she had to send Ken Nnamani to my house to come and beg me.”
According to Abbo, former Senate President Nnamani’s visit was a confirmation of irregularities in the judicial process. “And it’s true, Ken Nnamani is still alive,” he added, emphasising that the former Senate President could corroborate his claims.
The former federal lawmaker further criticised the court’s decision, particularly the cancellation of election results in two out of five local government areas of Adamawa North without ordering a rerun.
“A situation where a judge said that an election that took place in five local governments, and she cancelled the election in two local governments, disenfranchised two local governments, 263 polling units, and did not order a re-election as the law stipulates—that is not the law, that is robbery, that is a coup against democracy,” he maintained.
Abbo also alleged that the judge was pressured to rule against him, claiming that the judicial system was compromised. “Of course, she was pressured, and I have stated it time and time again. Unfortunately, I petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), but the NJC has become a body that only punishes small judges—Magistrates and High Court Judges—but cannot punish big Judges,” he said.
Expressing frustration over what he described as a lack of accountability in the judiciary, Senator Abbo advocated the dissolution of the NJC, arguing that it had failed in its duty.
“They should dismantle the NJC, they are doing nothing,” he declared. “I am advocating that the NBA should be the one punishing judges by passing a vote of no confidence on erring judges,” he added.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the Court of Appeal in Abuja had, on October 16, 2023, nullified Abbo’s election and declared Amos Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the rightful winner of the February 25, 2023 senatorial election in Adamawa North.
A man, Godwin Anuka, who was kidnapped by suspected Fulani herders alongside his wife and two children in the Ubulu-Uku area of Delta State, has been killed in the presence of his wife and children.
The Senior Special Assistant on Civil Society and Youth Mobilisation to the Delta State Governor, Harrison Gwamnishu, disclosed this in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
Gwamnishu noted that the kidnappers had abducted two persons on March 23 and taken them into the bush while demanding ransom.
He noted that while the kidnappers were hiding in the bush with the two abducted victims, they saw Anuka alongside his wife and two underage children working on their farm.
The SSA noted that the kidnappers proceeded to abduct Anuka and his family and began demanding ransom.
Gwamnishu said, “Mr Godwin Anuka, his wife, and two underage children were kidnapped on March 29, 2025, at their farm in Ubulu-Uku, Delta State. It’s the same five sets of Fulani armed kidnappers that carried out these heinous crimes.
“They kidnapped Chibueze from Ogwashi-Uku, trekked to Ubulu-Uku, and kidnapped Mr Afam. They trekked, crossed the Isah Ogwashi/Ubulu-Uku road to Power Line, and headed to a farm road towards Ani-Uje Ubulu-Uku, where they camped for days and started calling for ransom.
“It was where they camped that they saw Mr Godwin and his family and kidnapped all of them.”
He disclosed that the chairman of the local government mobilised military men to carry out a rescue operation, but after a ransom was paid, the kidnappers released some of the abducted persons, while it was revealed that Anuka was shot dead in the presence of his wife and children.
He wrote, “The Ubulu-Uku Central Vigilante team and the Nigerian Army mobilised by the Aniocha South LGA Chairman, Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike, and the Ubulu-Uku Palace made an effort to rescue them.
“Yesterday, after a huge ransom was paid, the kidnappers released Chibueze, Mr Afam, late Godwin’s wife, and two children, and we were told that Mr Godwin was shot and killed right inside the farm in the presence of his wife and children.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, proved abortive as he had yet to respond to calls and messages at the time of filing this report.
PUNCH Metro reported on March 28 that Gwamnishu decried the rise in kidnappings in some parts of the state allegedly perpetrated by some Fulani herders.
Gwamnishu disclosed this while referencing the death of a female land agent, Esther Osaze, whose body was found dead a few days after she was abducted.
While expressing sadness over Esther’s death, the SSA noted that some of the victims were still in the kidnappers’ den because their families could not pay the requested ransom.
The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has dismissed accusations that the telecom operator steals customer data, a persistent complaint he says he’s faced in every market during his career, MyJoyOnline, Ghanaian online news portal, reported on Wednesday.
His comments come as a wave of similar concerns sweeps through Nigeria, where subscribers are also pointing fingers at the country’s largest telco, with over 80 million users, and other operators for what they claim is the unfair depletion of their data.
The PUNCH reported on Tuesday that customers have flooded the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission with emails and messages, demanding a probe into unexplained data consumption.
The operators who spoke on the matter denied any system to siphon data, blaming increased usage on shifts from 3G and 4G to 5G networks and heavier video streaming.
At MTN House in Accra, Blewett addressed the widespread belief that data vanishes due to deliberate tampering.
“I’ve heard ‘You’re stealing my data’ in every country I’ve worked—not just at MTN,” he said, reflecting on his long industry tenure, adding, “I swear to God as my witness: we have no reason to steal your data.”
Blewett argued that there’s no financial incentive for such actions, noting his bonus depends on declared revenue.
“If I steal data, I can’t report it—I’d lose my bonus,” he said, seeking to dispel notions of profit-driven manipulation by MTN or its peers.
He attributed rapid data depletion to enhanced networks, not foul play.
“A better network speeds up data use,” he explained.
“YouTube switches to higher resolution on stronger signals—it’s like Pac-Man eating your data. We don’t control that,” he added.
To build trust, Blewett highlighted MTN’s oversight mechanisms. “We’re independently audited—billing errors would fail our financials,” he said, adding that an internal revenue assurance team constantly checks for discrepancies to ensure compliance and accuracy.
“We don’t want revenue leaks or incorrect billing,” he stressed, underscoring MTN’s commitment to transparency amid customer frustration over vanishing data.