Dangote Refinery has announced that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), is yet to lift Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol from its refinery.
It also added that the refinery is yet to announce any price for the sale of petrol from its refinery to members of the public.
The Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, made the clarification in a statement on Thursday where the company reacted to a report which claimed the NNPC has lifted fuel from Dangote refinery and is selling it at ₦897 per litre.
Dangote said it is yet to finalize contractual agreements with the NNPC nor announce a price for its products, hence members of the public should disregard any misleading information on the subject matter.
The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a headline “NNPC lifts Dangote Petrol, sells at ₦897 per litre” published in the BusinessDay Newspapers of Wednesday, 4 September 2024.
“We would like to state that NNPC has not commenced lifting of refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from our Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
“Therefore, the issue of fixing the price of petrol lifted from our refinery does not arise, as we are yet to finalize our contract with NNPC.
“The PMS market is strictly regulated, which is known to all oil marketers and stakeholders in the sector, hence we can not determine, fix, or influence the product price, which falls under the purview of relevant government authorities.
“We urge the public to disregard the headline as it is misleading and does not represent the true position in this matter.
“We are guaranteeing Nigerians of exceptionally high quality petroleum products that will be readily available all over the country.”
The Executive Vice President (Downstream) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Adedapo Segun, has urged Nigerians to brace for more fuel scarcity.
This warning follows a recent surge in fuel prices, which has significantly impacted citizens nationwide.
Naija News recalls that the NNPC, on Tuesday, adjusted the pump price per litre of petrol to ₦855 across its filling stations.
Segun, while speaking on Thursday on Arise Television’s Morning Show, emphasized the importance of establishing a competitive market to stabilize fuel prices and ensure a steady supply.
“The pump price today is not market reflective. NNPCL is the sole importer of PMS in the country, which is abnormal. We should be moving towards a situation where the free market determines prices,” Segun emphasized, highlighting that pricing should be dictated by competitive forces rather than a single entity.
Segun elaborated that NNPCL’s position as the exclusive importer of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was not by design, but rather a reaction to shifting market dynamics. He made it clear that the company did not intend to monopolize the market.
“Let me put it in the proper context. NNPCL is not a regulator. We didn’t choose to be the sole importer. We don’t determine who plays in the market. We stepped in when others reduced their participation. It’s not about wanting to be monopolists,” Segun clarified, underscoring that the company’s role emerged due to a lack of participation from other market players.
Additionally, Segun pointed out that for fuel prices to stabilize, there must be ideal market conditions, especially concerning foreign exchange availability.
“Market conditions need to be perfect, and there must be FX liquidity,” he remarked, implying that resolving the pricing issue would likely involve broader economic reforms to improve liquidity and competition in the market.
The scarcity, already visible across the country, is linked to NNPCL’s challenges in managing fuel imports and debts to suppliers.
Additionally, experts have called for more strategic borrowing by the NNPCL to address supply issues and prevent further disruptions in fuel availability.
This spike in fuel costs has further strained the pockets of Nigerian citizens, many of whom are already grappling with the high cost of living.
The situation has also sparked concerns about the potential impact on transportation costs and the prices of goods and services, which are likely to rise as a result.
Burkina Faso has officially removed the logo of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from its new biometric passports, a move that underscores the country’s decision to withdraw from the 15-member regional bloc.
This development follows the decision of Burkina Faso, along with Niger and Mali, to sever ties with ECOWAS after the organization imposed sanctions on them in response to military coups.
The bloc has consistently called for the return to constitutional order as a condition for lifting the sanctions.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Mahamadou Sana, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Security, confirmed the move, stating: “On this passport, there’s no ECOWAS logo, and no mention of ECOWAS either. Since January, Burkina Faso has decided to withdraw from this body, and this is just a realisation of the action already taken by Burkina Faso.”
Burkina Faso’s decision to omit ECOWAS from its passports further signals the country’s growing estrangement from the regional organization.
All three nations — Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — have accused ECOWAS of prioritizing selfish interests over the spirit of pan-Africanism.
ECOWAS has warned that the withdrawal of these countries could negatively impact the bloc’s common market and the freedom of movement for the 400 million people living within the region.
Despite these tensions, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, who serves as the current ECOWAS chairman, and his team continue to seek diplomatic avenues to bring Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali back into the fold.
Tinubu emphasized that the bloc remains open and friendly to the nations despite the current situation.
According to the Henley Passport Index, Burkina Faso’s passport ranks 78th globally, with access to 60 visa-free destinations, including many ECOWAS member states.
Whether this change will affect Burkina Faso’s visa agreements within the bloc remains to be seen.
One of the travellers kidnapped on Saturday along the Emure-Eporo Road in Emure, Ekiti State, has been killed, PUNCH gathered on Wednesday.
The victim, identified as Shile Ogunmolasuyi, a recent secondary school graduate, was abducted alongside her mother, Mrs Yemi Ogunmolasuyi.
The kidnappers later released Yemi and another woman, Caroline Taiwo, whose husband, Oluwole Taiwo, was killed during the abduction last week Wednesday.
According to family members, who spoke with our correspondent on Wednesday, the victims were released after a N10m ransom was paid.
A community leader in Emure, who spoke with one of the victims, said Shile was killed after being repeatedly raped, which left her unable to walk.
“The kidnappers made them walk for 24 hours nonstop without food or water. Shile, who had been raped several times, became too weak to continue and was subsequently killed by the kidnappers,” the community leader said.
The victims were abducted around 5:30 PM on Saturday near Oyimo River, along the Emure-Eporo Road.
The kidnappers shot and killed Taiwo Oluwole, who was driving the car transporting the victims to Akure after an event in Emure.
Sources revealed that the kidnappers initially demanded a N30m ransom around 8 PM on Sunday.
However, the families were able to raise N10m, which was delivered at a spot on the Owo-Ikare-Benin Road in Owo, Ondo State.
The captives were later released around 1:30 AM on Wednesday in Owo.
“Efforts are reportedly underway to locate Shile’s body and recover her remains”, said one of the family members.
The Secretary of Emure Progressives Association, Niyi Awopetu, confirmed the release of the victims, stating, “Two people were released at midnight, but a girl among them was killed. I learnt the kidnappers collected N10m ransom.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, did not respond to calls or messages from our correspondent seeking his reaction to the development.
PUNCH Metro reported that some pupils and teachers of Apostolic Faith Children School were kidnapped at the same spot on January 29.
Five pupils, three female teachers and a driver of the school bus were kidnapped.
Mrs Atinuke, wife of a retiree, Albert Adanikin, was also kidnapped on July 13 around the same area.
China’s President Xi Jinping has committed $50 billion in financial support and promised increased military cooperation to Africa over the next three years.
Speaking at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, Xi outlined his vision for strengthening ties with the continent, which he declared is experiencing its most favorable period in history.
In his 10-minute speech, Xi outlined ten key areas for future cooperation, including infrastructure connectivity, trade, security, and green development.
The focus on green technology aligns with China’s broader goal to expand its export of green technologies, reflecting its evolving strategic interests. Xi proposed elevating diplomatic relations with all African nations to a strategic partnership level, a move he believes will mark the apex of China-Africa relations CNN first reported.
Some context
The substantial $50 billion pledge includes a mix of credit funds, assistance, and private investment from Chinese firms.
This new commitment surpasses the $30 billion pledged three years ago and, while lower than the $60 billion pledged in 2015 and 2018, it aims to reaffirm China’s dedication to the continent. In addition, Xi announced another $280 million in aid, split evenly between military and food assistance.
The $140 million allocated for military aid is the largest sum earmarked for this purpose at the Forum to date, signaling a heightened focus on security in the bilateral relationship.
The Forum, which includes leaders such as South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya’s William Ruto, and Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu, comes at a critical juncture. The event highlights China’s ongoing strategic interest in Africa amid increasing competition from the US and Europe. Xi’s speech and pledges are seen as part of China’s effort to counter Western influence and secure its position as a rising global power.
What to know
Xi also stressed the importance of China and Africa working together to address global challenges such as conflict, climate change, and the geopolitical rivalry over critical minerals. South Africa’s Ramaphosa praised China’s “solidarity” with Africa, emphasizing the continent’s hope and opportunity amidst these global challenges. “These challenges affect all nations but are more often severely felt on the African continent,” he said.
However, there are concerns about how Xi’s pledges will align with the expectations of African leaders and the practicalities of implementing these promises. Analysts have pointed out difficulties in tracking the fulfillment of past commitments, which could complicate the assessment of this new pledge. Beijing’s extensive past investments, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative, have faced criticism for contributing to debt burdens in several African nations. While Xi did not address these debt issues directly, the current pledge is seen as a strategic maneuver to underscore China’s continued commitment amid growing global competition.
Xi’s emphasis on security cooperation, including a promise to train 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 law enforcement officers, reflects Beijing’s broader ambitions in Africa. This push for greater security ties comes as China seeks to expand its strategic partnerships in a region that has become increasingly important to its geopolitical and economic goals.
[Nairametrics]
Victor Osimhen’s transfer to Galatasaray has ignited a significant surge in the Turkish club’s social media following. The reigning African Footballer of the Year officially joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan from Napoli for the 2024/25 season on Wednesday, after the Italian club agreed to a loan move.
Osimhen‘s arrival has not only bolstered Galatasaray’s presence in European football but has also significantly boosted the club’s social media profile.
Since the announcement, Galatasaray’s X account (formerly Twitter) has gained over 100,000 new followers, surpassing the one million mark from its initial 920,000 followers.
This rapid growth underscores Osimhen’s influence as one of Africa’s most prominent footballers and highlights the excitement surrounding his move to Turkey.
The Nigerian striker received a hero’s welcome in Istanbul on Monday night, with thousands of passionate Galatasaray fans gathering at the airport to greet him with cheers and chants, creating a memorable moment that set the tone for his loan spell.
The 25-year-old’s move to Galatasaray followed a dramatic transfer saga that saw a potential move to Chelsea collapse on deadline day. Despite a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, who were willing to pay Osimhen a staggering €30 million per year for four years, the Nigerian star chose to continue his career in Europe, leading to his loan move to the Turkish club.
Osimhen’s presence in Turkey has already begun to make waves both on and off the pitch, bringing excitement to Galatasaray and their fervent supporters.
[BusinessDay]
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said President Bola Tinubu must keep his promise during the last negotiation on minimum wage that fuel prices will not be increased.
The NLC Head of Information Department, Benson Upah, said the organized labour knew that ₦70,000 minimum wage was not ideal, but they wanted to avoid fuel price rising to ₦2,000 per litre.
“We knew ₦70,000 was not ideal for the average Nigerian, but we had to make a deal, expecting President Tinubu to keep his word,” Upah said.
In an interview, on Wednesday, with Arise TV, NLC advised Nigerians to give labour time to process decisions that would come from its different organs.
He said, “Well, we have not said we are going on strike. I would want you to read our statement carefully. We said the appropriate organs of the Congress will need to take appropriate decisions, and those decisions will be made public. So I would want you to be patient to see whether a strike will be one of them.
“But let’s assume that a strike is an option. Our strike is the least harmful, as effective as a strike can be. Our strikes are essentially to wake the government up and point in the right direction. When other Nigerians strike, the difference is always clear. You remember Endsars? You remember the last strike? I mean, the end hunger protests. You remember that?
“But I tell you this, what we are sensitizing government to is the possible consequences of a people outrage, the outrage of Nigerians, because they have had it up to neck. And government must realize this fact. You see, it is wanting to talk about extreme right-wing market policies. It is another thing to implement them and diligently too.”
Benson Upah explained that President Tinubu chose an extreme right-wing market policy approach, but failed to adopt social security measures that go along with extreme right-wing market approach.
He decried that Nigerians pay for everything that government should provide and the government has shown no interest in living up to its social welfare responsibility.
“For the entities that implement extreme right-market policies, the way Mr. President is doing, they carry something on the left hand. They mitigate the harsh effects of those right-wing policies. You have social protection policies dealing with job losses, dealing with health insurance, dealing with energy, dealing with particularly other aspects of life. And this manages resentment, dissolution and uprising.
“But here we have a country where you do not have anything called social protection. Everybody is on their own. Even right-wing issue providing light and security, you are on your own. And government is carrying on as if it does not owe us an obligation. It is deceiving itself,” Upah added.
[NaijaNews]
With today, September 5, 2024 being the deadline given by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for banking agents, known as Point of Sale(POS) operators to register their activities or face prosecution, the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) has challenged the directive in court.
Recall that the federal government through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) had issued a two-month registration deadline for POS companies, to register their agents, merchants, and individuals with the commission in line with legal requirements and the directives of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
This new directive came against the backdrop of frequent fraud incidents involving POS terminals and plans to stop trading in cryptocurrency or any virtual currency by the CBN.
According to a report by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc, POS terminals accounted for 26.37 per cent of fraud incidents in 2023, according to fraud. CAC said the move would curb fraud in the system, kidnapping and payment of ransoms.
The national general secretary, AMMBAN, Oluwasegun Elegbede, in an interview with LEADERSHIP, argued that the registration requirements imposed by CAC, violated the provision of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which “explicitly states that the commission has no jurisdiction over individuals not operating as a company.
“According to section 863(1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2004, the order to enforce CAC directive on individual PoS agents operating under their name is wrong and will be challenged, as it contravenes the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which explicitly states that CAC has no jurisdiction over individuals not operating as a company.
“The matter is already in court and the court has scheduled this September for hearing. The court will have to intervene in the interpretation of the quoted section of the CAMA if individuals operating as a sub-agent (likened to a bank branch) must register with CAC,” Elegbede added.
Speaking on the concerns raised by CAC, Elegbede said, fighting crime is beyond the jurisdiction of CAC, adding that AMMBAN, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, is curbing the prevalence of fraud in the industry.
“Every POS operator has a BVN/NIN, so they are all traceable. We can trace them through NIBSS, as no operator can have a POS without NIBSS knowing. We can trace them with their SIM cards.
We can also trace them to the company/bank that issued the POS machine to them. So, there is no hiding place for operators, if they default,” he added.
The national general secretary emphasised the critical role that mobile money agents play in driving financial inclusion across Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where traditional banking services are scarce.
Speaking on the impact of the registration on members, he averred that CAC registration cost nothing less than N35,000, adding that, some of their members do not even have that figure as capital. “These are young people trying to make a living for themselves. Imposing N35,000 on them could potentially cripple the operations of many small-scale agents across the country.
“While we understand the need for regulation, it is essential that such measures do not stifle the growth of the sector or place undue burdens on small business owners. We are confident that the court will recognize the merit in our case,” he stated.
Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP findings show that many of the operators have been complying with the directive.
This is even as the association of PoS Operators say they are still awaiting the outcome of the court case on the matter.
Findings showed that many POS operators had registered as some of the financial service providers had created a way to make it easier to make registration with CAC.
A POS operator, Akeem, who uses a terminal provided by Opay said he had been able to register through the financial service provider.
He explained that he had been able to register online with the help of area coordinators sent by Opay at a sum of N19,000.
The same procedure had applied for POS operators who are using the Moniepoint terminals.
A poultry products retailer in Lagos, Kemisola, while speaking to LEADERSHIP said her financial services provider had blocked the terminal with her business name because she had not registered it with the CAC. However, she continues to use the terminal that is attached to her personal account.
“I use my personal account now. How much do I make from the sales that the government is requiring that I register. I got the POS because of the issues we faced last year during the cash scarcity and to make it easier for my customers to make payment without cash. I still pay charges on this POS and customers don’t want to pay the extra charges.
“If they block one of my personal accounts, I will just revert to collecting cash only because even transfers are not that reliable. There is a fake alert and sometimes payment reverses when the transfer is done.” she explained
many POS operators had registered as some of the financial service providers had created a way to make it easier to register with the CAC.
According to a POS operator, Akeem who uses a terminal provided by Opay, said he had been able to register through the financial service provider.
He explained that he had been able to register online with the help of area coordinators sent by OPAY at a sum of N19,000. The same procedure had applied for POS operators who are using the Moniepoint terminals.
[Leadership]
- Caretaker to conduct election in party offices within 90 days
The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) escalated yesterday, despite a strident attempt to resolve it.
National Chairman, Julius Abure, rejected the 29-member interim committee headed by Senator Esther Nnenadi Usman, former Minister of State for Finance, describing it as illegal.
The committee was set up during the extended stakeholders’ meeting of the party convened by the Abia State Governor Alex Otti and the national leader of the party, Mr. Peter Obi.
Otti is the only governor elected on the platform of the party.
Nnenadi, who accepted to lead the party, promised to embark on a rescue mission.
However, the National Working Committee(NWC), led by Abure, a lawyer, described the committee as unconstitutional.
Although Abure was contacted about the meeting by the convener, he did not show up.
The caretaker committee is made up of three representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), three representatives of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), three Senators, four House of Representatives members, three House of Assembly members, representatives from six geo-political zones, and four former governorship candidates.
The committee’s term of reference is the conduct of party congresses and the national convention within 90 days.
Otti, who hosted the meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Umuahia, said there was an urgent need to save the party from an impending danger that may lead to its extinction.
The governor, who clarified that he was not interested in whoever becomes the national chairman, said if the party was not rescued, it may jeopardize its participation in future elections.
Otti said while the Abure-led leadership has the right to challenge the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the court, it is better for LP to avoid any action that may render its actions illegal in the future.
Obi, who described LP as the third largest party in the country, called for unity and support for the caretaker committee.
The NLC National Vice President, Salamatu Aliu, who witnessed the meeting, said the rule of law should be followed in setting up a transition committee.
He said the leadership should be put to rest, adding that previous mistakes should also be avoided.
In a communiqué read by the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the party in Plateau State, Edward Pwajok, the stakeholders called on party members in court to withdraw the cases.
They also affirmed their confidence in Obi as the national leader while hailing the setting up of the caretaker committee to fill the leadership vacuum in the party.
The stakeholders commended Otti for his effort to deliver the democratic dividend to the people of Abia State.
Nnenadi Usman, who promised to unite the party, assured that her committee will deliver on the assignment within 90 days.
She said LP should go into future elections as a united front, adding that the party can produce the next president in 2027.
A chieftain, Senator Victor Umeh, said those calling for the resignation of Obi as the national leader are on a white goose chase.
At the meeting were Kelvin Chukwu, Okey Ezea, Victor Lar, Nneji Achonu, Yusuf Datti, Ikechukwu Emetu, Obi Aguocha, Senator Neda Imasuen, Barr. Sunday Umeha, Deputy Speaker, Abia House of Assembly, Austin Okezie Meregini, some LP-NWC members, NEC members; NLC, TUC and other statutory members, former governorship candidates from the six geopolitical zones and Prof. Kenneth Kalu, Secretary to Abia State Government.
Abure rejects caretaker committee
The Julius Abure-led NWC rejected the caretaker committee, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.
He said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, that he remained the legitimate national chairman.
It described the meeting in Umuahia as a “charade, a waste of time and resources of Abia People.”
The statement reads: “As clearly stated in our previous statement, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and all others who have converged on Umuahia have no power within the Party Constitution, the Electoral Act and even within the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to convene any meeting of the Party.
“The combined reading of the two provisions show clearly that the so called meeting in Umuahia is a charade, a waste of time and resources of Abia People.
“The premise on which Governor Alex Otti called the meeting is not only faulty but mischievous. Government business is not transacted verbally but through official communication and correspondences which are done in writing.
“As we speak, there is no communication whatsoever from INEC to the Party as regards any objection to the conduct of the National Convention.
“We challenge Alex Otti to produce the official letter addressed to him from INEC on the subject matter. There is no vacuum in the leadership of the Party.
“Consequently, the so-called caretaker committee set up by the Governor of Abia State is not known to the constitution of the Party and can best be described as a department in Abia State Government House.
“We are shocked to note that the so-called chairman of the caretaker committee is not a registered member of the Party. She surfaced during the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign to assist Peter Obi in his campaign.”
[TheNation]
It was a carnival-like event as the wife of the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State chapter, Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo, took to major streets in Benin City like Mission Road, New Benin area and other streets to canvass votes for her husband, Asue Ighodalo ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
The roadshow had thousands of women clad in branded fez caps, t-shirts, clothes and other paraphernalia dancing to Asue Ighodalo’s jingles, which were played repeatedly.
Addressing people in Igbo, Esan languages
Addressing those who left their wares to listen to her, she introduced herself as the wife of the governorship candidate of the PDP and spoke in the Igbo language, the area being dominated by Igbo traders and intermittently greeted the people in Esan, her husband’s language.
She told the women that she was one of them and appealed to them to vote for her husband.
Mrs Ighodalo, who showed her dancing skills while on the motorcade, said: “This is the time you need to support a woman like you. With your support for my husband, we, together, will make our state work. Governor Obaseki has done very well but there is a need to continue from where he will stop and my husband is the right man for the job. We need your support.”
[Vanguard]
More...
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed Nigeria’s current challenges to a lack of effective leadership, asserting that the country is not inherently difficult to govern.
Obasanjo made this observation during the inaugural memorial lecture in honor of the late Akintola Williams, titled “Leadership Dynamics: Current Realities And Way Forward.”
The event was organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Lagos.
While acknowledging the country’s complexities, Obasanjo emphasized that strong leadership is crucial for national progress.
“I always say Nigeria is a complex country, you must understand that but Nigeria is not a difficult country to manage. You have to be honest with yourself, Nigeria and your God,” he said.
Reflecting on his presidency, Obasanjo claimed that he managed the nation’s resources effectively, leading to notable economic improvements.
“When I was there, I did everything I should do for Nigeria and I can beat my chest and say that.
“I took over as the affairs of Nigeria as elected President with ₦3.7b in reserves and we were spending ₦3.5b to service debt, so I decided we must debt relief and I went out from it even though we were fifth country in all exporting in the world and we got debt relief.
“Not only did we not get relief from a quantum debt of ₦3.36b we came to a quantum debt of N3.6bn and I left with over ₦25b in what we call excess crude that is the money we saved from the budget and what we actually received and we had a reserve of over ₦45b,” he said
He praised Akintola Williams as a visionary who contributed significantly in various sectors.
“He deserves every honor that we can confer posthumously not for what he did for this country but what he did politically, socially and economically,” Obasanjo remarked.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the federal government is more focused on arresting protesters than addressing the worsening insecurity in the country.
In a post on his X Page on Wednesday, Abubakar condemned the terrorist attack in Yobe state on Sunday.
On Sunday, Dungus Abdulkarim, Yobe police spokesperson, said suspected Boko Haram insurgents looted and set shops and houses on fire in Mafa village under Tarmuwa LGA.
Abdulkarim said the gunmen killed an “unspecified number of people and dropped some fliers with Arabic inscriptions”.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, also reported that the attack occurred during the Muslims’ Maghrib prayer when the gunmen shot sporadically into the gathering.
Makama said 34 worshippers were killed, adding that the gunmen also laid multiple explosives on the path to the village.
Meanwhile, Nigerians staged a 10-day nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest from August 1, demanding a reduction in governance costs, petrol subsidy reinstatement, food security, and fiscal discipline, among others.
The demonstration turned violent in some parts of the country and was characterised by looting and vandalism.
The police announced the arrest of the alleged perpetrators and secured an order to detain them for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigations.
One hundred and twenty-four protesters are in prison custody in the federal capital territory (FCT).
Ten of the 124 persons in custody took their plea on Monday before a federal high court in Abuja.
However, the former vice-president, while reacting to these developments, said the federal government has “preoccupied itself with stifling dissent and imposing death sentences on protesters”.
Abubakar said the “atrocity in Yobe is a stark testament to the failure of the current security framework, demanding immediate and comprehensive reform”.
“Despite the tragic bloodshed in Yobe, which has claimed scores of lives, and the rampant destruction across numerous villages in Katsina, Sokoto, and other towns within the North-West and North-Central regions, the government seems to remain detached, engrossed in inconsequential affairs,” Atiku wrote.
“The turmoil extends to the South as well, where the disquiet wrought by Boko Haram and the unsettling political discord threatens the nation’s peace.
“Amidst these grave challenges, the Federal Government preoccupies itself with stifling dissent, resorting to draconian measures such as imposing death sentences on protesters.
“The atrocity in Yobe is a stark testament to the failure of the current security framework, demanding immediate and comprehensive reform.
“My heart goes out to the victims of these horrific attacks, and I fervently implore the Tinubu administration to demonstrate a heightened commitment to safeguarding life and property across the nation.”
[TheCable]
Three PMS vessels arrive, transport fares jump as major marketers raise fuel price
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has reportedly suspended the sale of Premium Motor Spirit – popularly called petrol – to independent marketers after it hiked the product’s price on Tuesday.
This is even as three vessels berthed at the Apapa, Lagos jetty on Wednesday to discharge imported petrol.
The price hike sparked a protest in Delta State as commercial tricycle operators, also known as ‘keke’ riders, took to the streets of Warri and Effurun metropolis to resist the price hike.
Checks by our correspondents revealed that commuters across the country were either stranded or trekked long distances on Wednesday as fuel queues worsened amid scarcity of the product.
Few commercial motorists came out for business, with most of them lamenting the agonising hike in fuel, barely a month after the hardship protest rocked the nation.
The National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Hammed Fashola, told The PUNCH that the NNPC stopped selling fuel to independent marketers on Tuesday when it raised the price of a litre of PMS to N855 and above across its retail outlets nationwide.
Independent marketers sold the product for as much as N1,200 and N1,300/litre in some states following the upward review of prices by the NNPC.
Fashola wondered why the national oil firm would suspend the sale of petrol to the marketers take without any official communication, even when the marketers had paid for the product over two months ago.
Asked if it was true that many of the independent marketers did not go to the depot to lift fuel, Fashola responded, “What are they going there to do? They have stopped our loading. All the tickets we have in the kitties of NNPC, they are not treating them; everything has been suspended.”
When our correspondent inquired to know if the suspension was done despite having paid for the product ordered, he replied, “Yes, our tickets were suspended for loading. They have not been attending to us since yesterday (Tuesday), and there is no official communication yet.
“It is a very bad situation for somebody who has paid for the product, maybe like two to three months ago, and all of a sudden, you stopped loading, maybe because you want to change the price. And it’s not the fault of that customer, because it is supposed to be cash-and-carry. So, I think the NNPC should look at that situation critically.”
It was learnt that NNPC usually prioritised major marketers while IPMAN members resorted to private depot owners, who sold at higher prices, leading to a wide gap between the prices offered by both categories of marketers.
“We’re usually forced to go to private depots, it’s not out of our own volition. We were forced to go there because of inadequate supply,” Fashola stressed.
Speaking on the Dangote refinery fuel, which is expected to hit the pumps soon, Fashola said marketers would monitor the situation till Friday.
“We are watching the development. We are monitoring it; we will wait, maybe by Friday we will know where we are going by the time the Federal Government makes a pronouncement as regards the price. There is no official communication yet.”
The IPMAN official added that each filling station sold at their convenient price because NNPC couldn’t fix prices for other operators in the sector.
He stated that the new price announced by the state-owned company is only binding on the NNPC retail outlets.
“You know, NNPC cannot fix the price for us. They fixed the price for their stations; they are now a limited company. They have their retail outlets. That new price is their internal arrangement. So, we are yet to have an ex-depot price or marketer’s price,” he explained.
While believing that the new arrangement will close the price disparity between major and independent marketers, Fashola reiterated that at N855 per litre, the NNPC was still paying subsidy on petrol.
“I believe the price disparity gap will be closed somehow now. That is our belief. The truth is that, with the N855 in Lagos, and the landing cost of petrol, there are still some elements of subsidy. If the NNPC claimed that they are selling at half the cost of the landing price at N568/litre, it means the landing cost should be around N1, 200/litre. If they are selling a litre of petrol at N855/litre, there are still some elements of subsidy,” he added.
He said the association was expecting the details of the arrangement between Dangote and the government on the supply of PMS, especially as Aliko Dangote announced that the NNPC would fix the price.
“For now, we don’t have the details; it’s only Dangote who made the announcement that NNPC would fix the price. So, it’s in two ways. Maybe NNPC wants to act as an off-taker for the Dangote refinery, and they will now start distributing on behalf of Dangote to the marketers. There are a lot of things involved in this Dangote naira-to-naira transaction. There must be something that’s a factor. Maybe that will bring the price to a reasonable level, I don’t know. It may not be called a subsidy, maybe an in-house arrangement.
“If Dangote is buying naira-to-naira, there must be some little difference in terms of cost. It might be so small, but I believe there must be a difference. They know what they are doing, we are waiting for them to come out and we will react,” Fshola noted.
NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, did not reply to calls or messages from our correspondent on the matter.
The PUNCH reports that the fuel crisis that has lingered for two months worsened on Wednesday following the price hike.
Several filling stations seized the opportunity to extort customers who were in dire need of the product for their vehicles, power generators and other machines.
Some of the stations in Lagos and along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway sold petrol around N900 and N1,200/litre as the queues worsened across Nigeria’s commercial capital city.
Residents of Ogun border communities disclosed that they got PMS at N1,600/litre from black marketers, claiming petrol supply had been banned from the areas.
Though the NNPC denied ordering Tuesday price increase, all its retail stations have adjusted to the new price, leaving Nigerians not knowing who to believe.
Commuters were stranded as there were a few commercial buses on the road to convey passengers. The drivers conveyed only commuters who were ready to pay more for transport fares, blaming the rise in fares on the high cost of fuel
Three vessels arrive
The PUNCH gathered that three vessels arrived the Apapa depot in Lagos on Wednesday to discharge petrol.
Multiple sources told our correspondent that loading improved on Wednesday compared to Tuesday, when the marketers stayed away.
“Loading is picking up slowly. It is far better than yesterday (Tuesday),” a source said.
Another depot operator, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said supply was ramped up by the NNPC, the sole importer of petrol.
“Supply is good today (Wednesday). Three PMS-laden vessels are in Apapa jetty now as we speak. Two of them are already discharging the product,” the depot official said.
It was gathered that the NNPC was making efforts to sell its old stocks before starting its transaction with Dangote refinery.
While unveiling its PMS on Tuesday, Dangote announced that the product would hit the market in 48 hours, adding, however, that this was subject to the readiness of the Federal Government and the NNPC.
Nigerians are eager to know whether or not the Dangote refinery could crash the price of PMS.
TUC slams FG
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria on Wednesday expressed shock and dismay over Tuesday’s hike in the pump price of petrol, demanding its immediate reversal by the Federal Government.
TUC in a statement by its president, Festus Osifo, contended that the sudden hike in fuel and electricity costs will exacerbate the poverty level, worsen the suffering and hardships across the country and may trigger social unrest.
The statement read, “TUC received the news of PMS Price hike with great contestation and grave concern. The burden of PMS price increase is huge and percolates all facet of our social-economic life.
“This sudden hike, implemented without consultation with critical stakeholders, represents a blatant disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people, particularly the working class who bear the brunt of such decisions.
“The disturbing news of the increase in PMS pump price all over the country has sent a wave of apprehension and depression across the length and breadth of the nation.
“This is in the wake of an already existing unprecedented hardship upon citizens.
“In addition, we are deeply troubled by the further hike in electricity tariffs to 250 percent a service that is essential for the survival of the poorest in our society. The timing and magnitude of these increases, in the absence of any meaningful social security measures, demonstrate a lack of empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians.”
It added, “Why does it have to be the common Nigerians bearing all the pains of high cost of living while those in power enjoy increased allocation and affluence?
“The government has not made any concerted efforts to reduce the cost of governance or personal effects, nor have they focused on directing resources or effecting policies that would strengthen the naira and improve the standard of living of our citizens.
“The Congress has long posited several strategies that should be activated towards improving the strength of the Naira and give value to every kobo spent by Nigerians as this is one of the root causes of all the economic woes we face as a country today. Yet much hasn’t been done about these recommendations.”
Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday responded to the denial by the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, regarding an agreement on minimum wage and fuel price hike.
The union described Abdulaziz’s denial as “amusing” and questioned his credibility, suggesting he might be suffering from “selective amnesia” or “attention span deficit.”
The Presidency on Wednesday accused NLC president, Joe Ajaero, of playing dirty politics following his declaration that the Tinubu administration betrayed the NLC by increasing the price of fuel despite a mutual agreement.
Speaking in a statement signed by Benson Upah, Head, Public Relations, NLC, the union reaffirmed its statement, challenging Abdulaziz to reveal the truth about the presidential meetings with labour leaders. They also criticized his personal attack on Joe Ajaero, stating that Nigerians don’t need Ajaero to recognize the harsh realities of life under the current government.
“The union emphasised that Nigerians deserve a decent life, free from harassment and starvation, and warned that “falsehood does not live forever.” They remain resolute in their stance, despite the government’s attempts to discredit them.
“Whatever the matter is with Abdulaziz, we stand by our statement. And if Abdulaziz was at those meetings as he claimed, he should be courageous enough to let the world know whether the President gave the labour leaders one hour to meet and resolve to either accept and allow increase or accept N62,000.
“Labour leaders instead chose to meet outside the Villa and report in a week. When they came back, they were blunt and rejected the offer.
“As for Abdulaziz’s side-dig, he should stop insulting the intelligence of Nigerians as they do not need Comrade Joe Ajaero to know they have been taken for a ride and that life has never been this mean, all due to the policies of government.
“We also find it necessary to let Abdulaziz and those who sent him know that Nigerians are entitled to a decent, respectable life free from harassment, intimidation and starvation.
“Government may have all the ultimate weapons of coercion, true power resides with the people. Finally, we are also acutely conscious of the fact that falsehood does not live forever.”
Protest, lamentations
Commercial tricycle operators in Warri and Effurun metropolis of Delta State, alongside aggrieved women and youths took to the streets on Wednesday in a peaceful protest over the persistent scarcity of fuel amidst the hike in price.
The market women and the cyclists, in their hundreds, marched through the major roads, calling on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and reverse the fuel price hike.
The protesters carried placards and chanted slogans expressing their frustration and anger over the government’s decision to increase fuel price to almost N1100/litre, which they say has worsened their economic struggles.
Some of the placards had inscriptions such as ‘Tinubu, intervene now to alleviate commuters sufferings’, ‘Tinubu, activate Warri, Kaduna refineries without further delay’, and ‘We are suffering in silence, the fuel price hike is a killer.’
One of our correspondents observed that most of the filling stations along the Warri-Sapele road were shut to motorists on Wednesday morning while the few that were open for business sold petrol at above N1,000.
Consequently, the development had adverse effects on commuters within the metropolis as well as inter-state travellers as motorists adjusted their transport fares upwards.
Workers ride bicycles
Following the increase in pump price on Tuesday, more residents and workers, including civil servants in Borno State, have embraced trekking, tricycles and bicycles for mobility.
During the early hours of Wednesday in Maiduguri, the state capital, there were less vehicles and more pedestrians on major roads.
Some residents of Nasarawa State lamented the hike after it forced many of them to resort to trekking as they could not afford the luxury of boarding tricycles and buses.
The product, which used to be sold between N930 and N950/litre in most stations in Lafia and its environs, is now sold between N990 and N1,000/litre.
Our correspondent in Lafia observed on Wednesday that many workers and businessmen trekked short distances to their workplaces to avoid spending outside their budgets.
Tricycles, motorcycles and vehicles operators in the state capital had jacked up their prices for both short and long distances due to the rising cost of fuel.
Tricycle riders in Lafia had fixed N250 for a drop per passenger but with the increase in price, the transporters jacked up their prices to between N350 and N400.
In Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, residents stayed indoors following the increase in fuel price.
There was a dearth of vehicles on the streets of Ilorin as a result of the increase in the price of PMS.
Many vehicle owners, who were caught unaware, angrily abandoned their cars at home or parked by the roadside to make use of commercial motorcycles and tricycles to their respective destinations.
A litre of petrol was sold at N870/litre at NNPC stations while independent marketers sold at between N950 and N1,200/litre.
However, commercial vehicle operators in Ilorin complained of low turnout by passengers.
Similarly, one of the leaders of IPMAN in the state, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, tasked the Presidency to halt what he described as “their flamboyant lifestyles” while masses were being pushed deeper into poverty.
The septuagenarian told The PUNCH that it was regrettable that the Presidency was travelling around the globe in needless multi-billion Naira private jets while its citizens lived in penury.
He said, “There has to be a social service that any government must provide for her people but the present government hasn’t done anything in this regard. Instead all of them, the Presidency and National Assembly members, are living flamboyant lifestyles while the masses are suffering more and more.
“The former price of N580/litre was on a very high side, we complained bitterly against it and expected that Dangote product would give us a relief but here we are with another increase and all manner of sabotage stories about Dangote refinery. What kind of a government is this?” “I haven’t sold PMS for over three months now because of the increase because I can’t stand people’s curses on me for what I don’t know anything about.”
The hikealso left hundreds of commuters stranded in Kaduna, with many filing stations closing shop or selling at exorbitant prices.
On Wednesday, residents were forced to trek long distances or opt for expensive alternative transportation.
Journalist Amos Mathew parked his car due to the hike, spending N400 on a tricycle ride instead of the usual N100.
[Punch]
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has warned the federal government that the latest increase in the pump price of petroleum products would worsen poverty among workers
The union said the sudden hike allegedly “implemented without consultation with critical stakeholders,” represented a blatant disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people, particularly the working class who bear the brunt of such decisions.
In a statement by its president, Comrade Festus Osifo, the TUC urged the government to “immediately rescind these decisions, promote policies that will strengthen the naira, and take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.”
According to the statement, the federal government must “act swiftly to restore confidence and prevent further deterioration in the living conditions of its citizens.”
The statement said: “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) received the news of the PMS price hike with great contestation and grave concern. The burden of PMS price increase is huge and percolates to all facets of our social-economic life. This sudden hike, implemented without consultation with critical stakeholders, represents a blatant disregard for the welfare of the Nigerian people, particularly the working class who bear the brunt of such decisions.
“The disturbing news of the increase in PMS pump price all over the country has sent a wave of apprehension and depression across the length and breadth of the nation. This is in the wake of an already existing unprecedented hardship upon citizens.
“In addition, we are deeply troubled by the further hike in electricity tariffs to 250%, a service that is essential for the survival of the poorest in our society. The timing and magnitude of these increases, in the absence of any meaningful social security measures, demonstrate a lack of empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians.
“Why does it have to be the common Nigerians bearing all the pains of the high cost of living while those in power enjoy increased allocation and affluence? The government has not made any concerted efforts to reduce the cost of governance or personal effects, nor have they focused on directing resources or effecting policies that would strengthen the naira and improve the standard of living of our citizens.
“The Congress has long posited several strategies that should be activated towards improving the strength of the Naira and give value to every kobo spent by Nigerians as this is one of the root causes of all the economic woes we face as a country today. Yet much hasn’t been done about these recommendations.
“Congress stands with the working people of Nigeria who are struggling under the weight of rising inflation, a high cost of living, and a deficient work environment that fails to provide the basic standards of decency and dignity. The sudden hike in fuel and electricity costs will only exacerbate these challenges, leading to further hardship and potential social unrest.
“We urge the government to immediately rescind these decisions, promote policies that will strengthen the naira, and take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. The government must act swiftly to restore confidence and prevent further deterioration in the living conditions of its citizens.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria remains committed to defending the rights and interests of Nigerian workers and will continue to advocate for policies that promote social justice, fair wages, and a decent work environment.”
[TheNation]