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The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has announced that seized petrol in Adamawa State will be sold at an auction price of ₦630 per litre.
This directive was made during a press conference held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG), Aliyu Alajogun, Adeniyi highlighted the significant successes achieved by Operation Whirlwind in combating fuel smuggling in the region.
Alajogun revealed that the operation resulted in the seizure of two lorries, 1,046 kegs filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and 12 drums of petroleum products.
In light of these successes, the Customs CG ordered the immediate auction of the seized petrol at two designated petrol stations in Yola.
The auction price of ₦630 per litre aims to provide an opportunity for residents to access fuel at a more affordable rate amidst the ongoing economic challenges in the country.
He said, “Our ongoing operations have recorded substantial seizures in various locations, including the North-West borders in the Sokoto-Kebbi axis, the South-West borders around the Seme-Badagry and Idiroko axis, and the southern borders in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
“I am pleased to announce that in this latest phase of Operation Whirlwind, we have seized two lorries carrying smuggled petroleum products, 1,046 kegs filled with PMS, and 12 drums of petroleum products. Additionally, one suspect has been apprehended in connection with these smuggling activities.”
President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, over the death of his daughter.
The President, in a condolence message on Friday, described the death of Fatima, Kyari’s child, as irreparable and painful.
President Tinubu also prayed for the repose of Fatima’s soul and urged the Kyari family to stay strong during these trying times.
Naija News earlier reported that Kyari’s daughter, Fatima, passed away on Friday at the age of 25 after a prolonged illness and has been buried in Abuja according to Islamic rites.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Zazzau, Alhaji Umar Shehu Idris has been reported dead.
Reports obtained by Naija News revealed that Alhaji Idris, who held the title of Dan Isan Zazzau, died following an auto crash on the Kaduna-Abuja expressway on Tuesday afternoon.
At the time of his passing, the late Umar Shehu Idris served as the Assistant Secretary to the Zazzau Emirate Council.
He was 41 years old and is survived by two wives and two children.
Mallam Abdullahi Aliyu Kwarbai, the Media and Publicity Officer of the emirate, confirmed the news of his death, stating that his remains would be interred at an appropriate time.
It is noteworthy that his biological mother, who was the spouse of the late Emir Dr. Shehu Idris and the mother-in-law of the current Emir, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, passed away just 39 days prior.
… accuses saboteurs of frustration reforms
Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) has urged President Bola Tinubu to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians by intervening in the escalating costs of food and energy.
He raised concerns about “fifth columnists” collaborating with saboteurs who are working to undermine the legacy the Tinubu administration aims to build for the nation.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Ndume highlighted the staggering rise in fuel, food, and essential goods prices, which he says has made life increasingly unbearable for ordinary Nigerians, especially the poor and vulnerable.
“Bad elements are trying hard to turn the people against President Tinubu’s administration by advocating for harsh reforms and ineffective policies, rather than focusing on controlling inflation and the exchange rate, which are making life difficult for Nigerians,” he stated.
He expressed dismay that those intent on tarnishing the President’s image would stop at nothing to inflict pain on the populace through “so-called reforms,” ultimately shifting the blame onto President Tinubu when the situation deteriorates.
Ndume advised the administration to consider the struggles of many families, who are struggling to meet daily needs due to hyperinflation caused by the continuous rise in the prices of essential goods and services.
“I believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu genuinely wants to improve Nigeria and the lives of its citizens. I know this because of what he stands for. However, some of his advisers may not have the best interests of the people at heart and are giving him misguided advice,” Ndume remarked.
“I urge him to resist these negative influences that seek to pit the people against his administration. The hardship inflicted by these advisers is becoming unbearable. I’m currently in Borno, and I can attest to the suffering, hunger, frustration, and anger among the people.”
He added, “In Borno State, many families can’t afford to eat. The relentless price increases have created unimaginable hardship. Farmers struggle to transport their products due to exorbitant transportation costs. Those who can still sell their goods raise prices to cover these expenses, making food unaffordable for many. Travel has become prohibitively expensive; for example, the cost of traveling by road from Abuja to Maiduguri is astronomical. How can our people afford this?”
Ndume continued, “I know that President Tinubu means well for Nigerians, and he should not allow a few misguided advisers to ruin this country. I implore him to take action before it’s too late. Testing the patience of Nigerians is unwise, and that is precisely what these bad advisers are doing.”
He concluded, “Upon the President’s return to Nigeria, I urge him to urgently address these pressing issues. The purchasing power of Nigerians is severely weakened, and they cannot afford the burdens imposed by those who wish to harm the state.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima has extended his condolences to Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), following the passing of his daughter, Fatima Kyari.
Fatima, aged 25, passed away on Friday. In his message, VP Shettima prayed for her peaceful repose and asked God to grant the family strength during this difficult time, acknowledging the painful loss of their daughter, who was in the prime of her life.
The Vice President was among the mourners who attended the funeral prayers held at the Annur Mosque in Abuja.
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has made a donation of N1 billion.
She made the donation after reminiscing her time as a student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 2.7km Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way and a pavilion and monument donated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Mrs. Tinubu expressed concern over the diminishing greenery on campus.
The First Lady also called for immediate environmental restoration efforts to revive the beauty of the academic community, which she fondly remembered.
Blaming poor maintenance culture for the erosion of beautiful landscapes on the university’s campus, Tinubu subsequently announced the donation of N1 billion towards the restoration of the OAU horticultural landscape.
She said, “I will donate N1 billion for the OAU horticultural landscape to be restored. The campus used to be beautiful while I was here. Ife is crying out for help. It used to be a beautiful campus and the beauty must be restored.”
Commenting on the projects named after her by the royal father, the First Lady lauded the gesture, saying the event was part of those lined up to mark the 50th birthday anniversary of Oba Ogunwusi.
Speaking earlier, Oba Ogunwusi said the projects were named after Senator Tinubu in recognition of her contributions to the well-being of humanity.
The royal father also said Mrs Tinubu has over the years, demonstrated outstanding leadership and a deep commitment to the cause of education, women’s empowerment, and national unity.
He said,, “A golden statue is erected to immortalise her virtuous person and to showcase the strength of a teacher, a mother, and a wife in her at the very heart of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
“Furthermore, built, is a state-of-the-art hostel whose dynamic pavilion reflects her progressive nature.
“The construction of a 2.7km road with glowing street Solar Lamps; the luminous, glowing, solar-powered street lamps provided a viable alternative for goal-driven Obafemi Awolowo University students during recent blackouts on campus.
“The road that will henceforth be known as ‘Senator Oluremi Tinubu Way’ is symbolic of those many paths she has opened for youth, women, and the underprivileged in our society.
“The biggest hostel and pavilion in the history of Obafemi Awolowo University that bears her name represents her efforts to create spaces of learning, development, and empowerment for all.”
In his remarks, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, said his administration has not reneged on its pledge to ensure the upgrade of infrastructural amenities across the state.
The event, held in honor of Oba Ogunwusi’s 50th birthday celebration, saw Mrs. Tinubu expressing her gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her by the Ooni.
An endangered leatherback sea turtle has been released back into the ocean at Opu-Okumbiri in Akassa Clan, Bayelsa State.
The turtle measuring over 5ft in length was caught in a fisherman's net and he informed team members of the Safe Earth Foundation who swung into action.
It is believed that there are less than 40,000 leatherback sea turtle left in the world.
See Photos Below;
A mother has fainted after finding out that her 14-year-old son, Sulaiman Abubakar was apprehended by the security officers at Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly stealing wire and cables within the complex.
It was gathered that Abubakar, a JSS 2 student of Eleyele High School, Ibadan, was said to be pilfering the items in the main bowl of the stadium, on Thursday night.
Investigations by PUNCH Online revealed that he gained entrance into the main-bowl during the training session of the Shooting Star Football Club of Ibadan.
An informed security source told our correspondent that he had confessed that he slept in one of the rooms after the training.
“He (suspect) said, during an interrogation, that he slept in one of the rooms overnight after the security officers securely locked all entrances to the main bowl,” the security source said.
One of the traders, who preferred anonymity, also said, “Upon interrogation, the boy confirmed that he broke the pipes with a big stone to cut the camera cables and wires that connect the canopy light.
“He also admitted that he planned to sell it. And the items stolen, according to people, were estimated to be N300,000.00.”
It was further gathered that the mother of the suspect, who lives at Sabo Area, Mokola, was said to have fainted when she saw her son being handcuffed.
“It took the intervention of the stadium workers to revive her. When she later regained consciousness, she stated that the boy offended her the previous night and he was penalised,”she said.
When contacted, the General Manager of the state Sports Council, Tunde Ajibike, confirmed the incident.
Ajibike said he had since been handed over to the police for further investigations.
“Yes, it was true. The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, has visited the scene of the incident.
“The commissioner, after visiting the stadium for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the attempted theft, admonished members of staff of the Sports Council, the landlords of the Stadium, to be more vigilant.
“She said maintenance of security at the stadium is the responsibility of all stakeholders. The commissioner pledged that the State Government will strengthen the security network of the sports complex to guide against future occurrences,” the Sports Council GM said.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), prohibiting them from removing Umar Damagum as the Acting National Chairman of the party.
The court’s decision was made on Friday, ensuring that Damagum remains the only recognized national chairman until the party’s national convention scheduled for December next year.
Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgment in response to a suit filed by Senator Umar El-Gash Maina, asserting that any changes to the party’s leadership structure must adhere to the provisions outlined in the PDP Constitution.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu emphasized that according to Articles 42, 47, and 67 of the PDP Constitution, national officers can only be elected during the National Convention.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024, highlighted concerns raised by the plaintiff, who claimed that certain stakeholders within the PDP were clandestinely plotting to oust Damagum from his position.
Maina, who identifies himself as the Chairman of the PDP in Yobe State, alleged that there were efforts to install Dr. Phillip Omeiza Salawu, a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, as Damagum’s replacement.
In his submission, Maina noted that he had previously sent two letters to the national secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, detailing his concerns about these covert meetings.
Despite receiving acknowledgment of the letters, he stated that neither the National Secretary nor BoT members took action on the issues raised.
The court found merit in Maina’s arguments, ruling that the chairmanship of the PDP should rotate between the northern and southern regions, strictly following the constitutional procedures established by the party.
Justice Lifu affirmed that any attempt to remove Damagum without the convening of a national convention or a court order would violate the party’s Constitution.
In his concluding remarks, Justice Lifu cautioned that any efforts to disrupt the remaining tenure of the northern leadership would be viewed as a significant breach of the PDP Constitution.
Earlier, the judge had dismissed the opposition of the defendants to the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff had no locus standi to bring out the case and that the court lacked jurisdiction.
Justice Lifu held that the plaintiff predicated his suit on the protection of the PDP Constitution from being violated and the northern region, where he hailed from, from being short-changed from the four-year tenure.
Justice Lifu said that the plaintiff, having displayed his PDP membership card before the court and having raised the fundamental issue of protection of PDP’s Constitution, had sufficient interest and justiciable cause to institute the case.
The judge, therefore, declared that the party’s Constitution binds PDP NEC and BoT and that Damagum as national chairman can only be replaced through the party’s national convention.
He also held that Damagum, having been appointed from the northern region where the former national chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, hailed from, is entitled to serve out the remaining tenure of the national chairman.
Former Presidential aspirant, Adewole Adebayo, has described theTinubu-led administration as nothing more than a badly run fuel station.
The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 presidential elections, in a post via his official X handle, decried the pains of Nigerians over the pump price hike.
He also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of breaching the oath of office, wondering why Nigerians should languish in penury and why the economy should be allowed to collapse when the solution is not far-fetched.
He said, “The Administration of @officialABAT is nothing more than a badly run fuelling station in which virtually everyone is jostling to be a price gouger rather than a government as stipulated in Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to grow the economy.
“Failure of @OfficialAPCNg and @OfficialPDPNig to observe the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy is a breach of the oath of office and an albatross.
“How can the people languish in penury and the economy collapse into doldrums when we have the solutions firmly in our hands? Macroeconomics is neither witchcraft nor rocketry.
“All that is required is data-fed development planning anchored on rational choices in line with broad principles and set targets that lower costs of factors of production and increases capacity for productivity and Naira as a store-of-value currency and a fiscal policy and monetary management that orientate allocative efficiencies to reward delayed gratification by way of multidimensional investments.
“It means full employment of labour and other factors is sacrosanct. We cannot leave our people behind and hope to achieve prosperity. Enough word for the wise.”
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said policies being implemented by President Bola Tinubu won't be reversed.
This is as the party dismissed calls from the opposition to reconsider the policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement released on Friday, the party responded to accusations from the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who alleged that the APC rigged the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
The PDP claims that the ruling party’s actions are part of a broader strategy to establish a one-party system and totalitarian rule in Nigeria.
The chairman of the PDP’s BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, expressed his concerns over the worsening socio-economic conditions in the country, attributing them to the policies of the APC-led government.
Wabara spoke to newsmen following a BoT meeting held at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, where he reiterated the opposition’s stance against the government’s alleged electoral manipulation.
In a counter-response, the APC’s Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, refuted the opposition’s claims during a telephone interview with Daily Trust.
Ibrahim emphasized that the APC is committed to upholding democracy and has no intention of undermining it. He described the opposition’s assertions as unfounded and an attempt to deflect attention from their own shortcomings.
Ibrahim said, “The APC as a ruling party is not intending to foist on the country anything that is going to injure democracy.
“The APC is a progressive party; it is a party that is out to bring changes that will bring about dividend of democracy to the people. Democracy is only vibrant when there is opposition, but let the opposition be constructive, not destructive.
“The country had been bleeding heavily under the leadership of the PDP; they mismanaged the country. So Nigerians are still watching and beginning to understand what change means.”
Ibrahim said the policies of the APC-led government were not anti-people but aimed at uplifting their socio-economic well-being in a near future.
He urged the opposition to bury the thought of policy reversal and support the government.
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The three-count charge of s3xual intercourse, s3xual exploitation and r@pe preferred against Dr Stephen Ukenna, a former lecturer in the Department of Business Administration, Covenant University Ota, Ogun State, was on 5th June 2024, struck out by the High Court of Justice Ota Judicial Division sitting at Ilaro, Ogun State in Charge Number: HCT/78c/2021- The State vs. Stephen Ukenna.
Dr. Stephen Ukenna was alleged to have committed the act against a 17-year-old female student of the Department of Human Resources of the same university on or about the 11th day of March 2021.
The defendant was subsequently charged to court and the case pended for more than three years without the prosecution producing their witnesses to prove the alleged offences.
During these period, the case came up first before Honourable Justice N. O. Durojaiye (later transferred to another Judicial division) and later Honourable Justice A. A. Shobayo.
Premised on this, on 5th June 2024 the prosecutor, O. A. Osunsami, State Counsel, informed the court that she had been directed by the Director of Public Prosecution to withdraw the charges against the defendant as all efforts to get their witnesses had proved unsuccessful.
The High Court, presided by Honourable Justice A. A. Shobayo, struck out the case and the defendant discharged.
Fuel Price Hike: ‘Don’t Know If We Were Betrayed Or Deceived’ – NLC President Shares Details Of Agreement With Tinubu On Minimum Wage
AFOLABI
The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on Friday insisted that there was an agreement with President Bola Tinubu that there would not be further fuel price increases if they accept a minimum wage of ₦70,000 for Nigerian workers.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise News, Ajaero said the labour leaders were told to choose between accepting ₦70,000 minimum wage with no increase in fuel price or their demand of ₦250,000 and expect fuel price increases.
Ajaero, in his speech, insisted that based on the condition, organized labour settled for ₦70,000 minimum wage.
The NLC president stated this while reacting to the latest hike in the price of petrol in Nigeria.
According to him, he doesn’t know if betrayed or deceived would be the right word to use in describing the agreement with President Tinubu during negotiations and the subsequent increase in fuel price.
Ajaero said: “I have to narrate the scenario to you, and then we now choose the appropriate word, whether betrayed, deceived or whatever. While we were discussing because we stalemated at 62,000 Naira, even the states were saying they won’t pay, so there was a stalemate that took us to Mr. President.
“And we insisted on 250 (Thousand Naira) and Mr President at the meeting, turned to me and said, Ajaero, you are the person holding my hand from increasing further.
“I said increase what? He said, since I said subsidy is gone, we should have gotten the appropriate price. We should have increased. I want to sponsor you people, labour, to travel to these West African countries and know how much they are paying.
“Some are paying 2,000 (Naira), 1,800 (Naira), 1700 (Naira). As he announced it, we declined immediately that we are not going to take that sponsorship.
“He said, okay, I will go to my office for one hour. You guys decide if you agree for me to increase, I will pay you 250 (Thousand Naira), if not, you take this 62 (Thousand Naira). He stood up and we said, Mr. President, no, we can’t sit down here to decide in your office, we will take about one week to go back and discuss and get back to you, which was exactly what happened, ask anybody, and we adjourned for one week.
“He said, oh, I’m supposed to travel, but because of you, I will cancel my trip until after one week, and when we, reconvened, we were clear to Mr. President that we didn’t have any mandate to come here to discuss a price of a petroleum product or increase, we’re only here to discuss minimum wage and minimum wage alone we’re going to discuss. And we agreed on the basis of that we accepted 70,000 (Naira).”
On what would be the next line of action with the increase in fuel price, Ajaero said that the organs of the NLC will meet next week to discuss the development, stressing that no single person can decide if a strike would be the response or not as the decision must be taken by the all the organs of the labour movement.
“No NLC President will come out and say, we are going to start strike tomorrow or next tomorrow without the organs meeting. In instances, either the CWC (Central Working Committee) or the NEC (National Executive Council), so we are following that process,” Ajaero said.
Asked whether the Congress has started consultations in-house on that, he said, “By latest next week we should be able to meet and have a conversation around this so that the personal view of the leader (NLC President), does not becloud the position of the of the members.”
Veteran Nollywood actor, Sunday Omobolanle popularly known as Pa Aluwe turned 70 on Thursday, October 10.
To celebrate his special day, he expressed gratitude to his maker writing;
”Thank God for life ??? Happy 70th Birthday to me ??? I wish myself long life and prosperity in good health in Jesus name ??? pappyluwe omo iya alaro ??? @70”
Nigerian TikToker, Ojesanmi Afeez, popularly known as Salo, has reportedly been shot in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
Salo was shot in the leg at a filling station in Lekki by assailants who robbed him of his gold chain.
An eyewitness who spoke with Punch on anonymity said the content creator is currently fighting for his life at Perez Medcare Hospital, Lekki Phase 2.
The source said, “When I got to the hospital, I was not allowed to enter, the nurse just said we should keep praying for him because his condition is critical.
“We don’t know who he offended. Just like he might not know too. You cannot be wiser and tricky than the person watching you. I just advise him to be careful if he eventually survives this.”
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said,“Salo was truly shot yesterday at Admiralty Way, Lekki. We have begun investigation into the incident and I will give you further updates.”
Before the incident, Salo reportedly had an altercation with his fellow TikToker, Tobi Nation, over the purchase of a new apartment.
Salo claimed to have connected Tobi Nation with the agent that sold his Lekki house to him, but Tobi Nation disagreed, saying that he didn’t subscribe to the payment option he suggested.
However, reacting to the attack, Tobi Nation said it was sad to hear the news, stressing that he had visited the hospital where Salo was admitted but was not allowed in.