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Two American tourists, Liza Gatsby, and Peter Jenkins, have recounted what led them to spend over 36 years in Nigeria instead of the 10-day transit visas that were approved for them in 1988.
The two tourists made the revelation in an interview with a content creator, David Nkwa, monitored by our correspondent on Wedsnesday.
According to them, they never planned to stay in Nigeria beyond their approved days of visitation until they saw the need to save drill monkeys in the country because they were impressed by the dominance of interesting opportunities in areas of Science and Wildlife Conservation, the roads, the hospitality of Nigerians and the living condition that appeared better compared to America in those days.
“I’ll tell you what I like about Nigerians. Okay, that’s what makes Nigeria different from every other country in Africa. They would say ‘hey! Oyinbo, come in na, sit down, make we talk. Make I go buy you the drink.’ That is the difference between Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
“There were a lot of interesting opportunities in areas of Science and Wildlife Conservation that we became involved in, and we’re still here 36 years later. We arrived with a 10-day transit visa, and we have been here for 36 years.
“We founded a nonprofit organisation called Pandas that ranches monkey drills in Bano and Calabar in Cross River State. I don’t think that one species is more important than another, just like I don’t think that human beings are more important than drills or elephants are more important than whales; I think we are all of equal value, and the drill is a scarce species, it’s one of the rarest animals in Africa and it’s one of those animals you never thought you would even see when we were traveling across Africa, you know I had my Wildlife Field Guide and you look at the pictures,” Gatsby, one of the tourists said.
Speaking on why Calabar was their place of choice, Jenkins said they had done their research and that aside from Cameroon, Calabar was another place for monkey drills, stressing that no scientist or tourist had discovered that those animals were living there until 1987 when they consulted the local people in the community and got funding to make it habitable while conserving the rare species of Monkeys and other animals including girafees.
Jenkins added, “I love Nigeria, this is a great place. Come and live in Calabar and be at rest.When we got here, the population of Nigeria in early ’90s and the late 80s was around 65 million.
“The amount of natural resources that were still intact was extraordinary, and the density of wildlife generally in the forest was better compared to today. In fact, it’s appallingly low now, but in those days, this was a wonderful place to do research. Communities were very welcoming in those days; life was cheap; here, diesel, which is what our Land Rover ran on, was 35 Kobo, and with 29 kobo to the market, you would come back with two heavy bags with change in the pocket.
“We were comfortable and found Nigeria habitable. It was the best value country on this continent by far. The food was cheap, the road was perfect. There was no gallop deaper than a botlle cap.”
Meanwhile, Gabsty identified the lack of patriotism as the challenge facing many Nigerians while berating the growing negligence of the country’s culture, heritage, identity, music, traditional herbs, and healing.
“Nigerians don’t have pride in Nigeria’s natural heritage. I think that’s a big issue because that’s what it takes to try to make a difference. People don’t take pride in their cultural identity, language, traditional herbs, and healing.
“There was this huge wealth of knowledge when we came here on traditional healing and herbs from the forest, and that was another thing that put value on the natural resources here, but which of these old herbalists have an apprentice who is learning from them and when these old guys are gone all that knowledge is going to be lost?
“You go to the market now; we see herbal teas and herbal cures imported from China. How do we know that those things work? What’s wrong with our traditional ones here?” She queried.
Aremu Afolayan, the Nigerian actor, regrets not getting involved in “Yahoo Yahoo”.
“Yahoo Yahoo” is a colloquialism commonly used in Nigeria. Its prevalence among young people has become a pressing national issue.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Aremu said people had been trying to get him into becoming a “Yahoo boy”.
The 44-year-old actor said he “regrets” not participating in the cybercrime, adding that hard work “feels useless”.
“All of D days wey dem dey talk about Yahoo Yahoo, na today I regret pass say I no do am,” he wrote in pidgin English.
“Legitimate hustling has never felt super useless.”
Aremu is one of the sons of the late thespian Adeyemi Afolayan. Adeyemi, better known as Ade Love, was an actor, director and producer.
Ade Love is the brother of actress Toyin Afolayan as well as the father to film actors, Kunle Afolayan, Gabriel Afolayan, Moji Afolayan, and Aremu.
Aremu is married to Kafilat Quadri. The couple has a daughter named Iyunade Afolayan.
Last year, Aremu went on an expletive-laden rant to register his displeasure at his family members for not buying him a car.
“Why can’t I find a single person in my family to buy me a car in this life till I become older? What kind of useless head do I have?” he asked.
“I don’t have any useful family members.”
The police in Lagos have arraigned two employees of Keystone Bank Limited, Ebele Okpala and Perpetua Onyeto, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged involvement in an N35 million fraud.
The Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police docked Okpala and Onyeto before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on a five-count charge of conspiracy, theft, money laundering, and obtaining money by false presence.
The police prosecutor, Eliot Ejie, told the judge that the defendants committed the offences sometime in July 2023.
Ejie, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), also informed the court that Okpala, who worked in one of the bank’s branches in Anambra state, in connivance with Onyeto, who worked at a branch of the bank in Nsukka, Enugu State, to commit the financial fraud.
He further claimed that the first defendant fraudulently transferred N35 million from a company’s account to her account as proof of funds to facilitate her daughter’s approval of a Canadian Visa.
He maintained that the offences contravened sections 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and were punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
The prosecutor also insisted that the offences violated sections 516 and 383 (1) of the Criminal Code Act LFN 2004. Sections 21(a) and 18 (2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 are punishable under section 18(3) of the same Act.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After arguments on their bail applications, Justice Dipeolu admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N10 million each with two sureties in like sum.
The matter has been adjourned to November 6 for the two defendants’ trial.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wednesday condemned the increase in the pump price of fuel to over N1,000 per liter in various parts of the country, describing it as a brutal assault on the sensibility and wellbeing of Nigerians.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Limited, NNPC, had yesterday increased its pump price of fuel from N617 per litre to N897 per litre. An action, that has been widely condemned by Nigerians.
Reacting to the increase by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, PDP said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration has plugged over 150 million Nigerians to below poverty line, noting that businesses are collapsing daily as the Naira now exchange for over N1,600 to a Dollar with over 34% inflation rate and over 40% unemployment rate which are expected to rise further with the latest draconian increase in the price of fuel.
Read the full statement below:
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects the punishing increase in the pump price of fuel to over N1,000 per liter in various parts of the country describing it as a brutal assault on the sensibility and wellbeing of Nigerians by the insensitive and arrogant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
“The thoughtless increase in fuel price especially at this time, is a huge recipe for crisis as Nigerians cannot bear its worsening effect on the suffocating economic hardship which they currently face under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC administration.
“The secretive and corrupt administration of the petroleum sector and persistent increase in fuel price under the Tinubu-administration without due regard to the wellbeing of the people is akin to pushing Nigerians to the wall and daring them to do their worse.
“The APC administration has consistently shown itself to be anti-people, unconcerned and deaf to the agonies of millions of Nigerians who can no longer afford their daily meals, medications and basic support for families due to the catastrophic high cost of living occasioned by the insensitive and reckless policies of the Tinubu administration.
“Today, under the Tinubu-led APC administration over 150 million Nigerians have sunk below poverty line, businesses are collapsing daily as the Naira now exchange for over N1,600 to a Dollar with over 34% inflation rate and over 40% unemployment rate which are expected to rise further with the latest draconian increase in the price of fuel.
“There is practically no hope in sight under the current APC government policies as major multi-national companies continue to exit our country in droves in the face of ill-conceived and ill-implemented macro-economic policies.
“The admission by the APC-led Federal Government that it has handed the fate of Nigerians to oil racketeers in the name of free market economy further validates the position of the PDP that the Tinubu-led administration has abdicated the primary purpose of government; which is to provide for the welfare and security of the citizens.
“President Tinubu is the Minister of Petroleum Resources and cannot exonerate his government and officials from the secretive and fraudulent management of the petroleum sector which is fast pushing our nation’s economy to the precipice.
“Moreover, it is inexplicable that the APC administration continues to increase fuel price despite the scandalous revelation in the public domain that it is secretly paying a whopping N5.4 trillion as fuel subsidy for 2024
“The APC government has now become an enabler of a cabal of corrupt APC rent-seekers who apparently derive pleasure in inflicting pains on Nigerians while hugely benefiting from the proceeds of incessant increase in fuel price to satisfy and fund their luxury appetite and consumption.
“With the hopeless state of affairs of our nation today, our Party wonders what President Tinubu, during his numerous trips abroad, says to his foreign counterparts in nations where leaders prioritize the welfare of their people!
“Nigerians will recall that the PDP had on several occasions offered constructive advice and suggestions on the management of the economy which the APC government in its arrogance in failure ignored.
“Our Party restates that with a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage and national refining capacity, petrol should not sell more than N250 per liter in Nigeria.
“The PDP calls on President Tinubu to save the country from further socio-economic dislocation by immediately reversing the latest provocative increase in fuel price and revisit all life-discounting and suffocating policies of the APC government”.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced free legal representation and support for victims of the #Endbadgovernance protesters across the country.
Newly inaugurated President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe made the disclosure on his verified X handle on Wednesday.
Osigwe said he had directed all branches of the NBA to monitor the trials to ensure that no defendant suffers injustice, adding that he had launched a free support initiative for the protesters.
He said, “I have directed the branches of the Nigerian Bar Association @NigBarAssoc to monitor the trials of the #EndBadGovernance protesters. Additionally, I have launched a Pro Bono support initiative for protesters who lack legal representation.
“The Nigerian Bar Association Citizens’ Liberties Committee (NBA-CLC) has been tasked with liaising closely with the Chairmen and Human Rights Committees of NBA branches in regions where protesters are currently being prosecuted. This ensures that no defendant suffers injustice.
“The NBA legal team will continue to monitor court proceedings to ensure that trials are conducted with strict adherence to due process, safeguarding the legal rights of all defendants.
“The Nigerian Bar Association legal teams are in courts and will continue to monitor proceedings to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, the human rights of defendants are protected, and justice is served”, he said.
Recall that some of the arrested protesters were arraigned in court and remanded in prison custody for allegedly “plotting a war against Nigeria and attempting to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration”.
Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja, had on Monday ordered the remand of 10 persons after the prosecutor, Simon Lough, opposed their bail applications.
A suspect, Joseph Ajegba, has narrated how and why he shot his friend in Ikun-Akoko in Akoko South West local government area of Ondo State.
Ajegba, who was paraded alongside a notorious car theft syndicate at the police headquarters in Akure, said he shot his friend for having sexual relationship with his girlfriend in the house he rented for her in the community.
Narrating how he shot his friend, Ajegba said he had dropped a bush meat for his girlfriend earlier in the day and went out in the night for another round of game.
According to him, “I was surprised when I got to the house to see another man having a sexual relationship with my girlfriend.”
His words, “I went out hunting after I had taken some bottles of beer but I ran out of cartridges. I wanted to return to the house of my girlfriend to sleep there. When I got there, I saw the door locked. I now went to the window, and I opened it and saw a co-hunter sleeping with my girlfriend. That was why I shot the gun in my hand.”
Parading the suspects, the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Abayomi Oladipo said, “On the 23rd of August, 2024 at about 2300hrs, a case of attempted murder was reported to the Police, the victim went to his friend who is a divorcee in her house. One, Ajegba Joseph ‘m’, a hunter aged 38 years who is also having an affair with the woman, went to visit her on the same day in possession of an unlicensed single-barrel gun. However, upon sighting the victim with the woman in bed, the suspect shot the victim through the window side.”
Oladipo who also informed that a syndicate who specialised in snatching cars was arrested by the command, noted that the suspects were members of a four-man gang who specialised in inter-state car theft and snatching.
According to the CP, through intelligence gathering, the suspects were arrested in Ogun State, where they usually take the stolen vehicles to sell, stressing that seven vehicles were recovered while efforts were ongoing to apprehend others.
“On July 11, 2024, a petition was received at the Command detailing a daring armed robbery. A Toyota Corolla, a Tecno POP 5 phone, and N1.5 million in cash were stolen at gunpoint. Our Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, using advanced intelligence, traced the perpetrators of the crime to Ogun State, where some suspects were arrested,” he said.
The CP identified the suspects as Akinsanya Sarafa Adeniyi, an alleged notorious receiver of stolen vehicles, known in certain circles as “Oba Idan.”
Also arrested was a female accomplice who produced fake vehicular documents and others who aided the principal suspect in evading arrest.
“Despite our success, the mastermind remains at large, and our search for him continues.”
On August 11, 2024, the CP narrated that a commercial motorcyclist was attacked in another act of violence, while simply trying to earn his daily bread.
Contracted to carry a passenger to Oke-Agbe, Adefarati Road in Akungba Akoko, the motorcyclist was ambushed by the passenger and two others who emerged from the bushes.
“Shot in the thigh, he was left for dead as they fled with his motorcycle. Fortunately, the victim survived and was able to identify one of his attackers, leading to the arrest of Saheed Musa, a member of the Neo Black Movement (Aiye Confraternity),” the police chief said.
Prospective Corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme posted to Jigawa State have voiced their dissatisfaction with the quality of meals provided for them at the orientation camp in Dutse, the State capital.
Reports indicated that numerous prospective corps members have criticized the NYSC management for serving what they claimed were insufficient and nutritionally deficient food portions.
The concerns were amplified by photographs shared online, showing a corps member holding a small serving of watery beans accompanied by a slice of yam.
One disgruntled corps member expressed frustration, stating, “That is what we have been facing. They have been feeding us this since we arrived at the camp. This is bad.”
The complaints have prompted a response from the NYSC’s acting spokesperson, Mrs. Carol Lembu, who assured that the issue would be promptly addressed. “Thank you for this information. We will look into this right away,” she stated.
Former spokesman to Obi/Datti campaign organization, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said the opposition parties cannot take power from President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Kenneth Okonkwo alleged that President Tinubu was able to overthrow the due process of Nigeria system to achieve his presidential ambition. He stated that the President cannot allow his overthrow by the opposition in 2027.
The lawyer said the opposition political parties in Nigeria have failed to live up to their expectations by holding the government responsible.
He explained this in an interview with Arise TV, on Tuesday.
He added that opposition parties have failed to prove to Nigerians they can provide good government if elected.
“Well, let me make it clear that as long as politics is concerned, the secret of acquiring political power is cohesion amongst your own group and collaboration with others. So coming together will always be an unbeatable denominator in a democratic process of acquiring power.
“However, I sincerely agree that the opposition is failing because they are concentrating on acquiring power from a ruling party rather than immediately after the election concentrating on consolidating their platforms and then taking on the ruling party on policies to convince Nigerians that they are the alternative force that should take over.
“The issue of the opposition trying to take power from a Tinubu will be a tall dream. And the reason is this, our electoral system and judicial system have been overthrown. As long as the electoral process is concerned. Here are my reasons, I was a member of the presidential team and I can tell you unequivocally that our electoral jurisprudence has been destroyed.
“And the courts did this by giving INEC discretion to do whatever they like. The courts say INEC has discretion on whether to transmit electronically or not. This is not what the law says. Let me make it clear in my own opinion. So power does not proceed any longer from the will of the people in Nigeria but from the discretion of INEC and from the desecration of the judiciary,” Okonkwo said.
The Nollywood legend aligned with the position of the former governor of Jigawa State, that the opposition would be wasting their time if they did not come together and form strong force before next election and live up to their responsibility of holding the current administration to account.
He emphasized that the Court in the last presidential election cases failed to uphold the law, but played to favour the APC.
Kenneth Okonkwo continued, “And having that as bottom line, the opposition they are just wasting their time. What Lamido said is true because a Tinubu outside government was able to overwhelm the system. What about a Tinubu inside government? Now let me tell you why I say our electoral jurisprudence has been overthrown. The court said if you do not bring your petition, if you do not bring all your witness statements on oath, if you don’t bring all your evidence within 21 days, your case is dead.
“Respectfully again, that’s not what the law says. The law says in section 285, subsection 5, petitions should be presented within 21 days. According to rule 4, subsection 1d, petitions simply means the facts that you need to prove, the grounds and the relief sought. It is not the evidence.
“In rule 5, the rule for procedure for election said evidence need not be stated in the petition but the court may give order that you should provide further particulars to prevent surprise and avoid unnecessary expense and to ensure fair and proper hearing of the suit.
“Meaning the court by subpoena can allow subpoena witnesses to give evidence after 21 days because that’s the only way that you will avoid unnecessary expense to the petition and ensure fair hearing. Why? An adverse witness will never voluntarily give you evidence that you will use against it.”
The Federal High Court in Lagos has jailed one Courage Ipaka for impersonating Nigerian singer Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour N’abania.
The convict was sentenced to two years imprisonment for duping a U.S. citizen, Yvelte M. Thompson, of $53,000.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu handed down the sentence on Tuesday after Ipaka pleaded guilty to two counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge also gave Ipaka the option of a ₦2 million, fine and ordered the forfeiture of ₦7.9 m to the victim.
The EFCC’s Prosecutor Suleiman Suleiman presented evidence through the investigator, Azibagiri Ekpar, who explained how Ipaka executed the fraud.
“Ipaka impersonated Flavour by claiming he would organise shows in the United States and received payments through his Bitcoin wallets,” Ekpar said.
Ekpar further revealed that the EFCC uncovered the scam after receiving a petition from one Eyitayo Abiodun and others on behalf of Thompson.
“We invited Flavour, who came forward and denied any involvement in the allegations. Our investigation led us to Benin City, where we found that Ipaka Courage was the real culprit,” Ekpar said.
He added, “Ipaka admitted in his statement that he impersonated Flavour and scammed Mrs Thompson of $53,000 in 2021.
“Ipaka said he converted the funds into naira and deposited them into his Access Bank account.
“The sum of N7.9m was recovered from Ipaka’s accounts through the manager’s cheques from Zenith and Access banks.”
Justice Dipeolu, after reviewing the evidence, sentenced Ipaka to two years imprisonment with the option of a fine.
The Aramoko Archdeaconry of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Ekiti West Diocese, has suspended a vicar, Rev. Emmanuel Gbenga Erinle, over alleged s3xual misconduct.
The suspension order was conveyed to the embattled priest through a letter dated September 2, 2024, and signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Rt. Revd. Cornelius Adagbada.
“The Diocese frowns upon the alleged s3xual misconduct, considering that such nefarious acts were making worshipers leave the church daily for other churches,” the letter stated.
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Billionaire business mogul, Femi Otedola, has sent an important message to oil importers in the country.
He urged them to dismantle their depots and sell them as scrap.
Otedola said this following the announcement earlier on Tuesday that Dangote Refinery is now fully ready to churn out petroleum products, including the Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol across the country.
Recall that the President of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday announced the rollout of Petrol from his 650,000 barrels per day.
He had in an earlier report said that the Petrol from the refinery will be available in the Nigerian market in 48 hours depending on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Otedola, in a post on X, said the development has practically put an end to the business of fuel importers in the country.
“..You have not just built a refinery; you have liberated us from the chains of economic dependence that have held this nation back for far too long,” he wrote.
“Now, with your refinery in full swing…the depot owners should take heed—it’s time to dismantle those depots and sell them as scrap while the market is still high.
“The world has changed, and those who do not adapt will be left behind.”
Women in Edo State have called on the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Adams Oshiomhole, to issue a public apology for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Dr. Betsy Obaseki, the wife of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Naija News understands that Oshiomhole in a trending video, had reportedly referred to Dr. Obaseki as childless.
The protest, led by the Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Maria Edeko, took place in Benin on Thursday.
During the protest, the women expressed their outrage, condemning the senator’s remarks and emphasizing that such statements are offensive and disrespectful, especially towards women facing fertility challenges.
The protesters demanded that Oshiomhole retract his comments and offer a formal apology to the Obaseki family.
According to the demonstrators, childlessness should not be used as a weapon in political discourse, and they urged for more sensitivity and respect in political engagements.
Edeko said, “It is sad to see a person (Oshiomhole) who has once governed the state, condescend to such a level. It is a taboo, a sacrilege and a desecration of Edo land to mock a woman or a couple for not bearing a child. Those who mock others for not having children yet could be described as one of the most ungrateful persons on earth.
“We rise as women of Edo State, home and abroad, to denounce the shameful conduct of Oshiomhole. We call on all women and couples that have gone through the pain of not bearing a child on time or not having a child at all, to express displeasure over the pathetic development.”
The Presidency has said at no time did President Bola Tinubu promise the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) that his administration would not increase the pump price of fuel.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said this on Tuesday, in reaction to organized labour’s outcry that workers have been betrayed.
Recall that the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, demanded an immediate reversal of the adjusted fuel price increase by Tinubu’s government.
Ajaero said Labour accepted the ₦70,000 minimum wage because the President promised there would not be an increase in fuel price.
Labour had in the build-up to the minimum wage negotiation, held onto ₦250,000 to be the minimum wage.
“We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the federal government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS. One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.
“We recall vividly when Mr President gave us the devil’s alternatives to choose from: either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to the rise of the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) and N70,000 (at old pms rates), we opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians,” Labour said, in a statement, on Tuesday.
Abdulaziz, in response, accused Ajaero and Labour of playing dirty politics and deceiving Nigerians. He stated that the two meetings Tinubu had with Labour had no discussion concerning fuel price increases in exchange for minimum wage.
“I sat through the two meetings President Bola Tinubu had with Labour leaders on minimum wage. At neither of the meetings was an offer made in exchange of fuel price hike. Ajaero is once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians,” Abdulaziz wrote on his X handle.
- Action a betrayal , says NLC
On the day Dangote Refinery commenced the supply of petrol with a promise to make the product available in the market in 48 hours, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited filling stations adjusted their meters to reflect new prices.
This action was amid a long-running scarcity of the product across the country.
There was no word from the national oil company on the new price regime.
The company only later in the day denied issuing a city-by-city price template which was circulating on social media.
Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) spokesman Ukadike Chinedu said NNPCL had not officially informed members about the price increase.
He said depot owners and marketers were awaiting further directives from the company.
Experts, however, gave reasons the oil giant might have effected the price change.
Petrol which sold for N568 at NNPCL filling stations in Lagos went for N855 per litre.
In Abuja where it sold for N617, the oil firm’s filling stations moved the price to N897.
The upward review came after NNPCL at the weekend admitted owing suppliers $6 billion, as a result of which they were reluctant to make the product available to them.
The company warned that the situation could result in its inability to make the product available to Nigerians.
The firm’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Umar Ajiya previously said the NNPCL was taking care of the shortfall in the supply system and was selling petrol at half the landing cost.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rejected the new price.
It called for its immediate reversal.
NLC President Joe Ajaero in a statement described the increase as a “betrayal” after the Federal Government promised no pump price hike as a condition for the N70,000 minimum wage.
Other marketers jacked up prices to N897 per litre following NNPCL’s adjustment – by over 30 per cent.
The Minister of State (Petroleum) Heineken Lokpobiri denied that the Federal Government directed NNPCL to peg fuel prices at N1,000.
His media adviser Nnemaka Okafor described the reports as “blatantly false and malicious claims regarding petroleum pricing directive.”
“The Ministry of Petroleum Resources does not, and will not, interfere in the internal decisions of NNPCL, including pricing matters,” he said.
Some stakeholders said the increase was unavoidable.
They believe it will help alleviate the subsidy burden on both the Federal Government and the NNPCL.
An oil and gas consultant, Henry Adigun, said while the price increase was a step towards addressing the subsidy issue, it did not resolve the need for total deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector.
“Unless market prices align with international product prices, NNPCL will remain the sole importer,” Adigun said.
He welcomed the commencement of petrol production by Dangote Refinery but noted that supply would hinge on favourable market conditions.
‘Subsidy would have grown to N10t by the end of the year’
Managing Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), Dr Muda Yusuf, urged Nigerians to show understanding with the Federal Government in this “difficult period”.
According to him, the government was subsidising every litre of petrol with about N500 while the product sold for between N610 to N700.
He warned that subsidy payment would have risen to between N8 trillion and N10 trillion at the end of the year should the country continue on that trajectory.
Yusuf said: “The subsidy figure rose to this level because of the depreciation of the naira as all the petroleum products consumed locally are imported.
“Secondly, the price of the products locally and the West African sub-region had widened and it is sold at an equivalent of between N1300 to N1500 per litre.
“The incentive for smuggling is very high and with our huge porous border and waterways largely unmanned there is little or nothing those entrusted with that duty can do.
“In this scenario, the government was not only subsidising her citizens but the whole of the West African sub-region up to the Central African Republic.
“This is part of the dilemma the government is faced with.”
To him, there is a possibility the government will be subsidising petrol to an extent with the new price of N855 per litre.
Yusuf said: “This must be a tipping point for the government as it was almost going bankrupt. This much the NNPC admitted with the over $6 billion debt.
“The situation in which we have found ourselves is not palatable to either citizens or the private sector because of the high cost of operation.”
He expressed optimism that Dangote Refinery and others in the pipeline will help the government ensure the pump price does not go beyond this.
Yusuf called on the government to roll out fiscal policies that would enable citizens to transit to other energy uses such as CNG, LPG, renewable energy solutions and wind power.
He said: “We need to subsidise this so that people can move away from fossil fuel. Again government do not have any choice now but to adopt an effective logistics and transportation strategy to ensure that products get to the people on time unlike now where it takes between one to two weeks to get petroleum products to other cities across the country due to the collapse of the railway and rusted pipelines.
“All these no doubt increase the cost. I will only appeal to Nigerians to be a little more patient as the government is no doubt on the right track to grow the economy.”
Black marketers in Abuja sold petrol in 10-litre containers for N13,000.
Despite the hike, retail outlets recorded endless queues that increased transport fares.
Kubwa bus stop to Byazhin Across that was N300 by tricycle rose to N500.
Kubwa to Berger which was previously N600 soared to N800 while Kubwa to Nyanya which was N800 rose to N1,000.
NLC demands reversal
NLC said it felt betrayed by the Federal Government following the latest increase in the pump price of petrol.
In a statement by Ajaero, the Labour Centre urged the government to reverse the increase in prices.
Ajaero said the organs of the NLC would meet in the coming days and decide on its next move.
He said: “We are filled with a deep sense of betrayal as the Federal Government clandestinely increases the pump price of PMS.
“One of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as the national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of PMS would not be increased even as we knew that N70,000 was not sufficient.
“We recall vividly when Mr President gave us the devil’s alternatives to choose from: either N250,000 as minimum wage (subject to the rise of the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000) and N70,000 (at old pms rates), we opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians.
“But here we are, barely one month after and with the government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain.
“It is both traumatic and nightmarish.
“Yet, when we told the government that its approach to resolving the fuel subsidy contradictions was patently faulty and would not last, its front-row cheerleaders sneered at us, saying we did not understand basic economics.”
[TheNation]