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The Dangote Petrolchemicals Refinery has effected another reduction in the ex-gantry price of its Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol below the publicly announced N835 per litre.
Sources confirmed on Monday that the refinery has reduced its price to N825 per litre for its customers, through a rebate of N10 after successful loading of products at the refinery.
The sources said marketers are still paying N835 per litre for products but receive a N10 refund after loading and evacuating them from the refinery.
The covert price adjustment has allowed its customers and marketers to retail the product at a lower band of N830 to N835, outpricing importing marketers and private depot owners.
The official said, “The Dangote refinery has started giving a rebate on its products. It’s not an official reduction yet, but paid back after marketers buy products from them.”
Last month, the Dangote refinery effected a price reduction twice within the space of a week, crashing its gantry price by N45 from N880 to N835 per litre.
This followed the restart and full implementation of the Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners after an earlier suspension.
Efforts to get an official reaction from Dangote Spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, on the price reduction were futile.
‘Nigerians Will Soon Fight Us Back ‘- Reps Decry Trend Of Boko Haram Attacks On Military Assets
AFOLABI
Members of the House of Representatives have expressed deep concern over the alarming resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and the looting of military assets worth trillions of naira, warning that continued government inaction could trigger widespread public backlash and a breakdown of trust in democratic institutions.
The lawmakers spoke during debate on a motion moved by Rep. Ahmed Satomi (APC, Borno) on the recent fire incident at the 127 Battalion armoury in Giwa Barracks, Maiduguri, and the increasing attacks on military bases across Borno and Yobe States.
Contributing to the motion, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) said insurgents had over the years carted away tanks and weapons worth trillions of naira from military formations, despite budgetary provisions made by the National Assembly to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
“The pictures I saw from the Giwa Barracks attack frightened me,” Gagdi said. “How can we guarantee the safety of Nigerian citizens when the platforms meant to protect them are in the hands of the enemy? If care is not taken, Nigerians will soon begin to fight us the way they fight criminals and Boko Haram.”
He warned that persistent negligence by military leadership and the indifference of key government officials risked pushing the country toward anarchy. “We must go beyond passing motions. We must summon these agencies to explain their failures publicly,” he added.
In his lead debate, Satomi described the fire incident and continued attacks on military installations as a grave threat to national security and public safety. “These attacks are not only undermining our military strength but leaving civilian communities dangerously exposed,” he said.
Other lawmakers shared similarly grim reports. Rep. Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) revealed that Boko Haram now uses sophisticated, weaponised drones to strike both military and civilian targets.
“In Chibok, 14 farmers were butchered. In Izge, a captain and a senior officer were killed. Boko Haram is now more advanced than the Nigerian military in terms of equipment,” he said.
Rep. Zainab Gimba (APC, Borno) recounted a deadly attack on a multinational joint task force base in Kala Balge, where over 20 soldiers lost their lives. She emphasized that attacks on communities in her constituency have intensified, leaving civilians and military formations increasingly vulnerable.
Rep. Lawan Shettima Ali (APC, Yobe) pointed to a possible foreign connection to the insurgents’ growing technological edge.
“The firepower Boko Haram wields now suggests external support. We must investigate this,” he urged.
Lawmakers also called on President Bola Tinubu to hold military commanders and security chiefs accountable for operational failures and to take immediate steps to restore public confidence.
Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, has described the last two years in the administration of President Bola Tinubu as a disaster.
Naija News reports that Bucknor-Akerele, in an interview with Vanguard, stated that Tinubu built on the ‘disaster’ of the previous administration of former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Bucknor-Akerele, Nigerians have emaciated, stressing that Tinubu’s administration is not the kind of government the country needs.
She said, “Well, personally, I believe the last two years have been a disaster. The eight years before were also a disaster. And I think Tinubu’s administration has just come to build on that disaster. I mean, people cannot eat. Just before I came down to meet you, somebody was phoning me, saying: ‘Mama, please send me some money, I have no food to eat.’ I get calls like that everyday. And it is not that they just want money. It is true. You can even see them.
“They are emaciated. People have lost weight because they are not eating properly. So I do not believe that this is the kind of government that we actually need.”
Asked if she had reconciled with his former principal, Tinubu, Bucknor Akerele said, “Well, I was never fighting with anybody. I was just standing my ground because he wanted to take over the party that we formed. And we had even formed the party before he returned from his so-called exile.”
Speaking on the conduct of the present National Assembly, She added, “I would say the calibre of people who are in the Senate now are not comparable to the calibre of people that were in the Senate when I was in the senate.
“You know, we really had dedicated people. A lot of professionals also. People who were self-made before going into the senate. Now a lot of them are career politicians. And that has made a difference because when I say career, these are people who make politics their career and have no other means of livelihood.”
Nigerian celebrities brought their A-game to the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, AMVCA.
The 2025 edition is currently ongoing at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. As always, many top names in African film and television turned up in style for a night of celebration, fashion and recognition.
The internet is currently agog with beautiful styles from Nollywood actresses and other entertainment celebrities across Africa.
Celebrities like Lateef Adedimeji, Mo Bimpe, Uche Jombo, Mercy Aigbe, BBNaija Doyin, Liquorose, Ini Dima Okojie, Sophie Alakija, Pretty Mike, Mercy Eke, Eniola Badmus, Ebuka Uchendu, Bimbo Ademoye, Stan Nze and wife Blessing Obasi, Erica Nlewedim, Eriata Ese, Laura Ikeji, Nengi, Morey Faith and more.
The APC Youth Leaders Network has disowned a recent protest demanding the probe of Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence.
On Friday, members of the All Progressives Congress Young Leaders Alliance (APC-YLA) protested at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, demanding the resumption of investigation into alleged corruption involving Matawalle when he served as governor of Zamfara state.
The group accused the EFCC of going silent on the case despite multiple petitions and earlier commitments to investigate the former Zamfara governor.
Matawalle was governor of Zamfara from 2019 to 2023.
He lost his re-election bid in the 2023 elections and was later appointed minister of state for defence by President Bola Tinubu.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, Olayemi Isaac, the convener of the APC Youth Leaders Network, claimed that the protest was sponsored by politicians in Zamfara.
“Apparently, the recent events of a sponsored protest to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by a compromised faction that claimed to be APC youths, demanding an investigation of Matawalle, should be seen as nothing short of an embarrassing attempt to spread falsehood for vendetta politics,” the statement reads.
“Indeed, these trying times call for an urgent need for Nigerians to circumspectly evaluate any spurious allegations flying around.
“Nevertheless, our commitment to truth, justice, and the preservation of democratic integrity that the APC stands for remains undeterred.
“Let it be made clear: Minister Bello Matawalle is a respected patriot whose legacy and contributions to national security, particularly in the north-west, continue to uphold the visionary Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Isaac said rather than sponsor protests for political gains, politicians should focus on tackling the deteriorating security in the state.
“Daily news of banditry festers, communities being ransacked, lives being lost in thousands, and the cry of protection that was never answered,” he said.
Since leaving office as governor, there have been petitions against him over alleged corruption.
Despite the allegations, Matawalle has not been arraigned in court.
A sweeping move by U.S. President Donald Trump to slash domestic drug prices may have unintended consequences for nations like Nigeria, where access to affordable medications is already a major challenge.
In a late Sunday announcement on his Truth Social account, Trump revealed that he would be signing an executive order on Monday morning to reduce the prices of prescription medications in the United States by 30 to 80 percent.
“They will rise throughout the World in order to equalize and, for the first time in many years, bring FAIRNESS TO AMERICA!” he declared.
The U.S. president argued that Americans have long borne the burden of inflated drug costs, largely due to pharmaceutical companies citing research and development (R\&D) expenses as justification. Trump contends this has placed an undue financial load on American consumers.
Trump said, “I will be instituting a MOST FAVORED NATION’S POLICY whereby the United States will pay the same price as the Nation that pays the lowest price anywhere in the World.
“Our Country will finally be treated fairly, and our citizens Healthcare Costs will be reduced by numbers never even thought of before.
“Additionally, on top of everything else, the United States will save TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS.”
Framing the executive order as part of his “Make America Great Again” vision, Trump underscored the historic nature of the policy shift.
A Global Rebalancing That May Hit Nigeria Hard
While the policy aims to reduce U.S. drug prices, experts warn that pharmaceutical companies may attempt to offset their revenue losses by hiking prices in less regulated markets, including developing countries like Nigeria.
Nigeria’s healthcare system is heavily reliant on imports, with over 70 percent of its pharmaceutical products sourced from abroad. Of the country’s estimated $10 billion healthcare expenditure, medicines alone account for around $4 billion. Domestic drug production only meets roughly a quarter of national demand.
Moreover, out-of-pocket spending makes up more than 60 percent of Nigeria’s healthcare expenditure, largely due to limited health insurance coverage. This makes the average Nigerian particularly vulnerable to global pharmaceutical price shocks.
If drugmakers adjust to U.S. pricing restrictions by scaling back supply or increasing costs elsewhere, Nigerians could find themselves paying more for essential medicines, especially branded or specialty drugs used for chronic illnesses or infectious diseases.
Nigeria also benefits significantly from U.S. health aid programs such as PEPFAR, which support treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Although Trump’s executive order does not directly target aid, his administration has previously reviewed or paused international assistance. Any disruption to procurement systems or aid-funded drug programs could further strain access to affordable medicines in Nigeria.
As the U.S. moves to protect its citizens from high drug costs, it remains to be seen how the rest of the world—particularly countries with fragile healthcare systems—will absorb the fallout. For Nigeria, the coming months may present a new set of challenges in ensuring medicine remains within reach for millions.
Public primary schools in Owukpa, a district in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, are facing a slow and painful extinction.
Once nurturing grounds that shaped some of Nigeria state’s finest doctors, lawyers, journalists and professionals, these schools have now deteriorated into crumbling structures, deserted by both teachers and pupils, now overrun by reptiles.
Years of government neglect, insecurity and policy setbacks have left the schools in ruins, with classrooms sitting empty, walls fallen apart, roofs blown off and only a handful of pupils still enrolled.
A recent tour of the community by DAILY POST reporter revealed the alarming extent of the decay, raising urgent questions about the future of public education in Owukpa.
One of the most disturbing sights on the tour was at LGEA Primary School Ikwo, a village in Itabono that borders Enugu State.
Established in the early 1970s, this once-thriving educational institution has deteriorated beyond recognition.
The school is now in a state of complete disrepair.
The buildings have collapsed, classrooms are without chairs and the walls have crumbled to dust.
The school currently has no single pupil, only snakes and lizards now roam freely through the abandoned structure.
The decay is not confined to Ikwo alone. At LGEA Primary School Ekere Owukpa, the situation is even worse.
The school, founded in the 1950s, which once played a central role in educating the community, now faces a severe shortage of both teachers and pupils.
The classrooms are now largely empty, with many parents opting to send their children to private schools instead.
Clement ‘All-Rounder’ Ocheme, a former headteacher and education supervisor from Ekere Owukpa, said that the lack of interest in public schools has been a major contributing factor.
“Parents no longer see the value in public education. They are pulling their children out and enrolling them in private schools, which they believe offer better opportunities,” Ocheme told our reporter.
Chief John Ameh Onuh, a veteran teacher and the traditional ruler of Agbogiri Clan, echoed similar concerns.
He recalled the days in the 1960s-1990s when the schools in the region were bustling with pupils.
“We had over 500 students enrolled at that time, but now, the population has dwindled to less than 20,” Onuh noted with a sense of despair.
“We need the government to take action before these schools vanish entirely.
“There are hardly any teachers left. Since many of us retired, the government hasn’t recruited replacements and that has left a huge gap,” Chief Onuh lamented.
“Most parents are no longer willing to gamble with their children’s future, so they’re turning to private schools. Take Ekere, for example, we have only one teacher in the entire school. How can one person possibly handle six different classes? It’s a heartbreaking reality. Public primary schools in our communities are slowly dying.”
Similarly, at LGEA Primary School Achi Ugbugbu, the situation is particularly dire.
The school, which once produced countless individuals who went on to make a mark in various fields, today has structures that are falling apart, classrooms that are bare, and not a single teacher to be found.
Edwin ‘Dandy’ Apochi, a teacher who served in the school for decades, described the situation as “pathetic.”
He said for years now, the school has had no teachers and its future is now uncertain.
Sadly, LGEA Primary School Udaburu has also fallen into a state of neglect, with just two teachers left and only three pupils enrolled, most of whom barely show up for classes.
Godwin Adikwu, one of the school’s teachers employed by the community, is responsible for all the classes, a daunting task given the school’s declining enrollment.
Many parents have since pulled their children out, unable to tolerate the lack of proper facilities or teachers.
Speaking with our reporter, the Clan Head of Udaburu, Chief Simon Idoko, said the situation is beyond the community’s control and requires urgent government intervention.
“We have done all we can as a people, raised funds, employed volunteer teachers, even provided teaching materials from our pockets, but there’s only so much a community can do.
“The schools are collapsing, both physically and structurally. Our children are being left behind, and that is something no society can afford.
“This is not just a local issue anymore; it is a state emergency. If the government continues to look away, we will wake up one day to find that public primary education in Owukpa no longer exists,” he lamented.
Barrister David Mike Agada, a legal practitioner and proud alumnus of LGEA Primary School Udaburu, also decried the current state of his alma mater.
Agada, who graduated from the school in 1993, recalled the vibrancy and overpopulation that once defined the institution.
“Back then, the classrooms were so full that some pupils were sent home simply because there wasn’t enough space to accommodate everyone,” he reminisced.
“Imagine being told you were too small to be in school because the place was bursting with pupils. That’s how vibrant the school used to be.
“It’s heartbreaking to return to a place that once shaped the future of so many, only to find it in ruins.
“It’s not just a building falling apart; it’s an entire generation’s opportunity being lost. Government silence is no longer just neglect; it’s a betrayal,” Agada added.
The situation has only worsened since the retirement of key education figures in the area.
Chief Simon Agada, former Head of School Services in Ogbadibo LGA, who is a native of Udaburu, voiced his frustration with the government’s neglect of public education in the region.
“Since my wife, who was the headteacher of LGEA Primary School Udaburu, retired, the school has been left in the hands of no one,” Agada explained.
“The people we have now are what we call gatecrashers; most of them lack proper training.
“The government is not helping matters at all. The last time there was a meaningful recruitment of teachers was during George Akume’s tenure as governor back in 2007.
“Since then, successive administrations have ignored the plight of government schools, not just in Owukpa, but across the entire Idoma land and Benue State at large.
“The government has failed to provide the necessary support to keep these schools operational,” he lamented.
In Ejule, another community within Owukpa, the public school faces similar challenges.
The school, which once produced some of the region’s best medical doctors and lawyers, is now largely abandoned.
“The lack of attention from the government is appalling,” said Mr Benedict Abutu, Education Secretary of Ogbadibo.
Mr Augustine Akor Ameh, a former headteacher in the school, said, “One of our major challenges is the lack of basic teaching materials. For instance, many schools don’t even have chairs or desks, not for the pupils and not even for the teachers.
“Moreover, there has been no clear effort or commitment from the government to support or motivate teachers.
“Right now, private schools are taking over because they provide better learning environments and parents are withdrawing their children from public schools in large numbers.
“Imagine, only two teachers are managing an entire primary school with six classes. That’s unacceptable. The government needs to take urgent action.”
Wesley Primary School in Okpudu, the first primary school in Owukpa community, is yet another victim of this neglect.
With its roofs blown off and classrooms empty, the school stands as a shadow of its former self.
The school has no teacher with less than 10 pupils
The situation in Atamaka, where insecurity has taken a heavy toll, is perhaps the most troubling.
Last year, six young men were kidnapped along the Atamaka-Ugbugbu road, causing the only teacher at the LGEA Primary School Atamaka to flee.
Today, the school stands vacant and parents are left with no choice but to seek alternatives for their children.
“The situation is dire,” said a community leader.
“We need urgent intervention from the government to ensure the safety of our children and teachers,” he added.
Other schools, such as LGEA Primary School Ai-Fam (St Michael), LGEA Priamry School Ai-Ujah, LGEA Primary School Ikpochi and LGEA Primary School Ai-Odu, are also in a state of disrepair, lacking teachers and proper facilities.
The situation has been worsened by the policies of the current state government.
In 2022, the Benue State Government under then-Governor Samuel Ortom recruited a number of civil servants, including teachers.
However, shortly after assuming office, Governor Hyacinth Alia reversed the move, ordering the dismissal of those employed during Ortom’s final months in office, among them, the newly recruited teachers.
DAILY POST learnt that the last time the state government recruited teachers in large numbers was in 2007, during the first tenure of then-Governor George Akume.
Nearly two decades later, many of those teachers have either retired or died, with no replacements hired, leaving a devastating vacuum in the public education system.
When this reporter contacted the office of Grace Adagba, Chairperson of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), which oversees public primary schools in the state, an official requested a call back in one hour.
Also, when the reporter visited the High Level, Makurdi office of the board, an official redirected him to the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, stating that the ministry was in a better position to respond to the development.
“This matter you are talking about falls under the purview of the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management.
“They’re better positioned to provide detailed responses,” the official who craved anonymity said.
However, repeated attempts to reach the Commissioner, Frederick Ikyaan, were unsuccessful, as calls were ignored and text messages went unanswered.
Meanwhile, when reached for reaction, Mr Emmanuel Agese, information officer, SUBEB, denied knowledge of such dire situation in Owukpa.
“There is no situation of dilapidated primary schools in Owukpa which has made pupils attend schools in neighboring states to the knowledge of SUBEB.
“If there is such a situation then the head teachers of such schools have not reported the conditions of such schools to the executive chairman of SUBEB, Grace Adagba who is very proactive in responding to such cases.
“The head teacher may not have reported the exodus of pupils from their schools because they could be benefiting from such an unfortunate incident.
“The Executive Chairman is committed to the positive development of primary education in the state as can be seen in the uncommon transformation of the sector like the modern structures in our schools.
“The head teachers should endeavor to promptly report such a situation to the appropriate authority if at all there is any.”
[DailyPost]
• PDP, SDP chairmen, LP tackle APC chair
The one-party state controversy, which arose after a spate of defections into the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the tsunami in Delta State, deepened at the weekend.
Many commentators and opposition figures have accused the APC of plotting a one-party state by wooing and winning over opposition political office holders – governors, federal and state lawmakers.
But the APC has consistently said those joining it are doing so willingly, having been attracted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s performance and plans for the country.
The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, chided those accusing the ruling party of plotting to push the country into a one-party system.
Ganduje, a former Kano State governor, said: “A one-party state is not by force. It’s by negotiation. It’s because other political parties see the effect of the positive governance of our party.
“If they decide to come to our party, willingly, I think there is nothing wrong with that.
“Today, democratic China is one of the strongest countries in the world, and it’s a one-party system.
“We are not saying we are working for a one-party system, but if this is the wish of Nigerians, we cannot quarrel with that.
“You know they say too many cooks spoil the soup, too many political parties spoil governance.”
Ganduje spoke at Aso Villa when he led the three Kebbi State senators – Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) – all elected on the PDP platform, to meet with President Tinubu for final negotiation ahead of their defection this week to the ruling party.
But PDP National Chairman Umar Ilya Damagum and National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Shehu Musa Gabam lashed out at Ganduje on his position.
Damgum described the idea of a single-party state as “madness”.
He said: “One-party system can only happen somewhere else, not in this country.
“Recall what history says about anybody wishing for a one-party state. Where will such people end?”
Gabam said: “The PDP, the party in power before the emergence of APC, passed through that route some time ago, deluding themselves that they would be in control of levers of power forever, but that fell on their faces.
“It is Nigerians who are in the best position to tell if their lives have changed for the better or that they have been impacted positively under the APC.
“The motivation of the ongoing gale of defections, particularly by some governors and elected political office holders, is not altruistic.
“It is self-serving and undeniably done for self-preservation.
“Nigerians are in agreement that the power of choice through democratic options that multi-party democracy offers is one that cannot and should not be compromised.
“A one-party system breeds authoritarian rule and erodes the freedom of the electorate.
“It is not debatable that Nigeria needs a strong opposition for democratic consolidation.”
Gabam spoke through the National Publicity Secretary of SDP, Rufus Aiyenigba.
The Labour Party, which criticised the ruling class for being selfish, said self-interest is behind defections to the ruling party.
Publicity Secretary of the Julius Abure faction, Obiora Ifoh, who spoke on behalf of the party, said Nigerians would not support a one-party state.
He said: “One-party system is undemocratic and it breeds tyranny. Nigerians will not be pushed into that political system.
“However, it must be said that many political parties are in crisis today because some leaders of those parties are not willing to subject themselves to party supremacy.
“As such, political office holders use the inherent confusion in these parties to jump over to the ruling party, hoping to have easy access to political relevance and the cover provided by the ruling party.
“Is it not absurd that a governor of an opposition party cannot even critique constructively or even appraise the ruling party in the face of the myriad economic challenges in the country today?
“Or how do you explain how another opposition governor, barely two years into a government, is now campaigning for a president from another party against his own party?
“The political class is so selfish that what counts for them is survival first, and they can do everything to ensure that they hold onto power, including betraying the party that sponsored them to the office.”
[TheNation]
President Bola Tinubu has bagged the Lifetime African Achievement award from the Millennium Excellence Foundation based in Ghana, NAN reports on Monday.
Tinubu, while receiving the award, commended the patron of the Foundation, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, for the invitation extended to him and the success of the event put together by the foundation.
The President, represented by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, received the award as special guest of honour during the 25th anniversary of the Millennium Excellence Prize in Kumasi, Ghana.
Tinubu said, “I salute the visionaries who have nurtured this institution for a quarter of a century and also celebrate the values of honour, integrity, service, and excellence that underpin its work.
“Specifically, the organisers for identifying and celebrating Africa’s shining lights, individuals whose lives and work had lifted the continent and inspired generations.
“It is no small achievement to have honoured such illustrious figures as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prof. Wole Soyinka, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Mo Ibrahim, among others.”
He charged the young generation of Africans to rise with courage towards contributing their quota to make the African continent a more united, peaceful, and prosperous one.
He emphasised the need for such contribution to be carried out in the area of science, technology, education, governance, entrepreneurship and arts.
He further called on Africans to always work closely together in shaping their shared destiny, while urging the event organisers to continue to inspire excellence, uphold values of leadership with service and invest in the youth to foster collaboration across borders.
“The award ceremony, from inception in 1988, remained a beacon of inspiration and recognition across the continent.
“Its mission of identifying, celebrating and supporting those who had distinguished themselves in the pursuit of African development resonated deeply with the aspirations of Nigeria and indeed, all African nations,” he added.
The event featured the presentation of the Lifetime African Achievement Prize to Tinubu, the global intra-African trade excellence in Africa to the President/Chairman, African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), Dr Benedict Oramah.
Also, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, received the Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize for Governance and Public Service, the Founder/Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji AbdulSamad Rabiu, received African Excellence in Business, while Mr Dumo Lulu-Briggs received the African Traditional Leadership and Business Excellence award.
NAN
President Bola Tinubu is expected to inaugurate the disaster relief fund (DRF) committee on May 13.
According to an invitation by Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, the launch and inauguration of the committee will be held at the council chamber of the State House, Abuja.
The planned inauguration follows a directive by the federal executive council (FEC) on September 23, 2024, calling for the establishment of a coordinated national strategy to respond to disasters.
Edun said the launch will mark the commencement of the committee’s mandate to develop a nationwide disaster-response and climate-resilience framework.
The committee will be chaired by Tony Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, representing the private sector.
Other members of the committee include AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara and chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (representing sub-national governments); Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare; and Abubakar Bagudu, the minister of budget and economic planning.
Others are Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation; Joseph Utsev, minister of water resources; Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment; and Zubaida Umar, the director-general of the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
[TheCable]
More...
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno on Sunday returned to his spiritual roots at The Apostolic Church, Lagos where he revealed the prophecy behind his emergence as governor of oil-rich Akwa Ibom State.
The governor returned to the church and held a thanking service at the church he said nurtured him spiritually, and prophesied that he would be a governor one day.
Governor Eno, who served in various ministerial capacities within the church before relocating to Akwa Ibom State in 1995, described the visit as a deeply emotional and significant spiritual milestone.
“Thirty years after leaving, it is emotional being back,” the Governor said. “The Spirit of the Lord laid heavily upon my heart to return to Bethel. When you read Genesis 35, it will be clear to you why we’re here. This is a significant spiritual exercise. When a child forgets the blessings of yesterday, he will foreclose and forfeit the blessings of tomorrow.”
He recalled his healing from chronic illness during a church revival in 1975, a transformative moment that marked the beginning of his enduring faith and service.
“By the grace of God, I got my healing in that revival. My mother and I began attending this church regularly. I went through school here, and everyone in the neighborhood knew us.”
The Governor paid tribute to the late Apostle George Isong, former District Pastor, who played a pivotal role in his early development and advised him to marry young. “I married at 22, my wife was 19. These are the products you see today,” he remarked with gratitude.
Governor Eno also acknowledged Pastor James Okon and other mentors who positively shaped his life. He recounted a prophetic message he received in 1980 from a young girl during a church prayer meeting, who foretold his future leadership: “She said, ‘Umo Bassey, for your labour of love, I will return you to your homeland, and you’ll be a governor of my people.’”
Though skeptical at the time, the Governor admitted that the prophecy remained etched in his heart. “My mother told me, ‘Mbakara, every vision is for an appointed time.’ I never forgot those words.”
Reflecting on the diversity of people who supported his rise, Governor Eno emphasized inclusivity and kindness beyond ethnic or religious lines.
“God’s destiny helpers may be Christians, Muslims, or even pagans. The person God uses to help you may not be from your village. This is why I cannot be tribalistic in anything I do.”
He also expressed deep appreciation for former Governor Deacon Udom Emmanuel, whom he credited with playing a divine role in the fulfillment of the 1980 prophecy. “I will never dishonor Deacon Udom Emmanuel. God used him to fulfill the words spoken right here in this church.”
In keeping with the spirit of thanksgiving, the Governor announced a range of empowerment initiatives and support for members of the church and the broader congregation. He also acknowledged generous donations from friends and associates who accompanied him.
In a sermon titled “Greatness in Humility,” Pastor Dr. Senior Gabriel Uyeh, National Vice President of The Apostolic Church, praised Governor Eno’s humility and simplicity, noting that true greatness stems from a humble heart. “Pride and arrogance have destroyed many destinies. Humility lifts men up,” he said.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, lauded Governor Eno’s accomplishments and moral foundation.
“Your leadership reflects the values shaped by your formative years in Lagos. This thanksgiving reminds us that without God, we can achieve nothing.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the District Apostle and Area Superintendent, Pastor Dr. Solomon Nkopeti, celebrated Governor Eno as a faithful steward of the Apostolic vision.
He listed numerous roles the Governor had held in the church—from chorister and deacon to elder and committee chairman—and commended him for his consistent dedication.
“Your Excellency, today in Akwa Ibom State, your administration is a living testimony of Proverbs 29:2: ‘When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.’ Your inclusive leadership, commitment to accountability, and investment in people continue to reshape the future of our state.”
Pastor Nkopeti concluded by acknowledging that although the Governor’s divine assignment took him to Akwa Ibom, his spiritual roots remain firmly planted in the Maboju Assembly.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umar Ganduje, has been criticised over his statement on a one-party state.
Recall that Ganduje, on Friday, at the presidential villa, argued that it is unnecessary to fear Nigeria could slide into a one-party state.
APC National Chairman noted that China, under a one-party state, has achieved tremendous economic progress.
“Leaders worried about a one-party state have no need to fear. A one-party state is not by force; it is by negotiation. It is by other political parties seeing the effect of the positive governance of our party. If they decide to come to our party willingly, I think there is nothing wrong with that,” he stated.
Reacting to the former governor of Kano State’s statement, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Chairman in Kano, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, said Ganduje lacks democratic ideals.
“I was not surprised by Ganduje’s thoughts on a one-party system, because it shows a lack of commitment to democratic ideals. A true democrat believes in participation, diversity of opinion, and the value of opposition.
“When someone in a position of power disregards other parties or voices, it raises serious concerns. Democracy is about openness, inclusion, and respecting the legitimacy of diverse political actors. Being in another party doesn’t make one irrelevant—it enriches democratic discourse.
“When someone starts believing that only one party should exist, or that only their views matter, it becomes a problem. No country develops without a viable opposition. The democracies we admire—like Britain and the United States—do not operate one-party systems.”
Kano NNPP chairman urged Ganduje to withdraw his statement, noting that power is transient.
“Leadership requires respect for the fact that power ultimately comes from the people. One day, someone else will hold the positions we do today. That’s the essence of democracy. I sincerely urge him to withdraw the statement, as I believe most Nigerians are uncomfortable with such remarks,” he told Daily Trust.
One-Part State Not Possible – Ohanaeze
Speaking, the National Publicity Secretary of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ezechi Chukwu, warned that a one-party state is not healthy for democracy.
Chukwu urged proponents to note that Nigeria cannot thrive under a one-party state. He, however, stated that Nigeria needs strong opposition parties.
He stressed that only strong opposition would make a multi-party democracy thrive.
“One-party state or mono-party democracy is not healthy for our contemporary polity. The constitution of Nigeria as it is today does not provide for a one-party state. It provides for a multi-party democracy,” he said.
“It is obvious that the framers of our constitution must have considered the pluralistic characteristics of our country and our desires as a people, which is the rationale for the multi-party system enshrined in our constitution.
“Consequently, anything that is perpetrated or institutionalised to undermine the multifaceted political nature of our constitution is not healthy for our democracy.
“There is no serious opposition because we do not have strong, robust, and independent institutions. If we had institutions that were de-personalised and not at the mercy of any government in power, our multi-party democracy would thrive.”
“Our political leaders have a moral burden to create an enabling environment for our democracy to excel. Anything to the contrary will jeopardise the foundations on which our political life is anchored,” he said.
Nigerians Will Resist One-Party State – Afenifere
Also speaking with Daily Trust, the spokesman of Afenifere, Prince Justice Faloye, decried that Lagos State has been under a one-party state for 12 years, stating that it cannot happen in Nigeria.
Faloye said a one-party state is undemocratic and should not be encouraged. He noted that the defection of politicians to the ruling party is caused by an undemocratic electoral system.
“One-party state is not democratic, and this is a democratic dispensation. We know that’s where they are heading—with defections, intimidating governors to cross over.
“It is what happens in Lagos which has effectively been a one-party state for 12 years. But Nigerians will resist it.
“We’ve seen it. With INEC in his pocket, police in his pocket, judiciary in his pocket—democracy is dead. If peaceful change becomes impossible, violent change becomes inevitable.”
“If you do a very good job, people will vote for you. PDP thought they would rule for 60 years—but when they lost, they stepped aside. If Tinubu loses, we expect the same. No one-party state has ever avoided eventual revolt,” he said.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has mocked the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara over his latest comment.
Fubara had disclosed that he is not desperate to return to office.
The suspended Governor disclosed this during the service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, in Port Harcourt, on Sunday.
Fubara revealed that his spirit had already left the governorship position.
“Can’t you see how better I look? Do you think I am interested in it?
“Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit had already left that place long ago,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu had suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu; and members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
Tinubu also declared a state of emergency in Rivers State while appointing a Sole Administrator, retired naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ibas.
The suspension was a countermeasure by the president to prevent further escalation of the political crisis in Rivers State.
Rivers State crisis was due to the face-off between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
The duo were battling for the control of the political resources in the state, a situation that almost snowballed into a full security issue, following threats by Niger Delta militants to attack oil installations in the state.
Responding to Fubara’s remark, Olayinka while painting a picture of a failed marriage, said the suspended governor should simply opt out since his “spirit already left.”
Posting on X, Olayinka wrote: “It is not really compulsory to stay in a marriage your spirit already left. Simply opt out legally.”
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has refuted claims by oil marketers that the facility does not have the capacity to meet local fuel demand.
Officials of the refinery told our correspondent that the refinery has enough fuel to satisfy local needs and export to other countries.
Following a statement by the founder of the refinery, Aliko Dangote, that some cabals who are major marketers and traders were fighting against the survival of the $20bn refinery, the Executive Secretary of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Olufemi Adewole, said marketers only want to keep their businesses running by importing fuel.
Adewole dismissed allegations of a ‘cabal’ in the sector but admitted the existence of vested interests among private depot owners, who he said have invested billions of naira over the years to keep fuel flowing to Nigerians.
The DAPPMAN official alleged that the Dangote refinery, despite its massive 650,000-barrel capacity, has not been able to meet even the current reduced local consumption needs. He argued that private depot owners continue to bear the bulk of the fuel distribution burden across the country.
“Quoting the authority’s (NMDPRA) chief executive in his recent presentation at the Villa, he stated that the Dangote refinery is not meeting up to even the reduced local consumption volume. So, for now, the Dangote refinery cannot meet up. It is we, the private depot owners, that have been bridging the gap and meeting the needs of Nigerians,” the DAPPMAN scribe stated.
However, a senior official of the Dangote refinery, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence due to the lack of authorisation to speak on the matter, said the refinery is still exporting fuel outside the country after supplying to the local market.
According to him, the refinery loads out millions of litres every day, wondering how the marketers concluded that the refinery could not meet local demand.
He argued that Nigeria’s local consumption figures have been manipulated over the years to suit various purposes, especially during the fuel subsidy regime, saying the true consumption figure will be revealed for Nigerians to see one day.
“I have seen different reports where the marketers alleged that our refinery could not meet local demands. That is not true.
We produce more than enough fuel for the local market, and we export,” the official said.
Another official of the refinery noted that the decision by President Bola Tinubu to stop the importation of goods that could be produced locally is the only way to grow the economy, warning, however, that importers will strive to frustrate the ‘Nigeria First Policy’.
“The President’s decision to ban imports is the only way we can grow the economy, but importers will do everything to ensure that the policy doesn’t succeed. Why are we importing what we have locally?” the source asked.
The DAPPMAN boss had on Friday accused Dangote of plans to monopolise the downstream sector, especially as the refinery engaged in price cuts. He disclosed that price slashes after cargoes have left the gantry have left many marketers absorbing losses quietly, just to stay afloat.
“We didn’t come out to make noise. But we’ve been bearing the brunt, just to remain sustainable and profitable,” Adewole stated.
Responding, the Dangote source said that some importers do not care about the ordinary man in the country, as they are only interested in profiteering. He said many of them engaged in round-tripping when the Federal Government was still paying subsidies on imported petroleum products.
“These people don’t care for the ordinary man. They are interested in their pockets. Many of them engaged in round-tripping during the fuel subsidy era,” he stated.
The source also queried the current daily fuel consumption figure, saying the real figure must be disclosed.
“Ask them to state how much we consume as a nation. Let them give us the real figure. That’s what they don’t want the masses to know. But the masses will know that one day. Those keeping the secrets know themselves, but nothing lasts forever. We produce every day, and we export steadily. So, what are they talking about?” he queried.
A consultant to the 650,000 barrels per day facility challenged DAPPMAN, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria to disclose the quantity of fuel the refinery has in stock before concluding that it does not have enough to meet local demands.
“We need to ask DAPPMAN and the other marketers how they got to know the amount of stock that Dangote has. How did they arrive at the conclusion that the refinery can’t satisfy local needs?” the consultant asked.
The PUNCH recalls that during a tour of the refinery recently, Aliko Dangote said the refinery will soon reach its 650,000 barrels per day full production capacity, adding that Nigeria cannot consume up to 50 per cent of its refined products.
“We can satisfy more than the local needs of Nigeria. We have more than enough. The refinery is producing enough refined products, like gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, to meet 100 per cent of Nigeria’s requirements,” he stated.
Dangote maintained that the local fuel consumption in Nigeria is 40 per cent of the refinery’s total production, stating that the remaining 60 per cent is for export to other countries, especially Africa.
“The maximum local consumption is around 40 per cent, but 60 per cent will be exported. We are making a lot of arrangements with some banks to make sure most of the products are sold within Africa; so that it can be a real African refinery, not done just for us to come and process raw materials and ship the products outside Africa,“ he said.
The Vice President of the Dangote Group, Davakumar Edwin, also reiterated that the refinery can meet all local requirements. Analysing the refinery’s production data during a presentation, he stressed that the facility can produce 104 million litres of different petroleum products per day.
“57 million litres of petrol every day, 20 million litres of jet fuel, 37 million litres of diesel is our daily production. The local consumption is just 46 million litres. The rest, 58 million litres, will be exported on a daily basis,” Edwin explained.
As of February, the refinery supplied 33 million litres of PMS for daily local consumption; diesel is 10 million litres per day, and aviation fuel is 3 million litres, according to Edwin.
February data from the tank farm showed that the refinery has reservoirs to store fuel for days. It has 12 tanks to store up to 600 million litres of petrol, which can serve the country for 18 days. It has 17 tanks for 408 million litres of aviation fuel for 136 days, and 14 tanks to store 340 million litres of diesel for 34 days. Similarly, 20 tanks are in place for 2.4 billion litres of crude oil for 20 days. In all, there are 177 tanks of 4.742 billion litres capacity,” the data showed.
While unveiling the refinery’s first PMS last year, Dangote noted that the facility will show the true daily petrol consumption in Nigeria. The billionaire businessman said, “There is a lot of round-tripping where people now do documentation and the fuel does not come into Nigeria, and this is a fact.
“Right now, as we have this refinery working, it will show the true consumption of Nigeria. We can track every single loaded truck, and we will try as much as possible to track the loaded ships. Trucks, we can tell you where they are, just as now some of the products that we do, we can tell you exactly the consumption pattern.”
Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja last month, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, disclosed that petrol importation declined from 44.6 million litres per day in August 2024 to 14.7 million litres as of April 13, 2025.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the same Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum, Ogbugo Ukoha, had said that daily petrol consumption has averaged 50 million litres per day and local refineries could not produce 50 per cent of this.
“The daily PMS supply sufficiency was always in excess of 60 million litres, in fact, averaging about 66 million litres a day for PMS. And following Mr President’s withdrawal of subsidy, the announcement on May 29th, 2023, we immediately saw a steep decline in consumption, and between then and as we speak, we’ve continued to do plus or minus 50 million litres.
“Of these 50 million litres, averaging for each day, less than 50 per cent of that is contributed by domestic refineries and so the shortfall, in accordance with the PIA (Petroleum Industry Act), is sourced by way of imports,” the NMDPRA official said.
Our correspondent observed that the figure for daily imported petrol and that of daily consumption provided by the two officials seem to contradict each other.
Ukoha’s revelation indicated that an average of 25 million litres of PMS is being imported daily, if the daily consumption is 50 million litres and more than 50 per cent comes from imports. But the NMDPRA chief executive said importation has dropped to 14.7 million litres.
With the country still struggling to curb fuel smuggling, it may be difficult to get the actual daily petrol consumption figure. Earlier, Aliko Dangote revealed that he was still fighting cabals.
Dangote pointed out that some individuals who “for a very, very long time” have “made a lot of money from” government-subsidised oil imports into Nigeria, were the ones trying to sabotage the 650,000 barrels per day oil refinery situated in Lekki, Lagos.
Dangote was quoted as saying that “those groups have funded resistance to the Bola Tinubu government’s removal of petrol subsidies and are opposed to the refinery operating easily in the country.”
However, Dangote was confident that the battle between him and the groups would be won, priding himself as a long-time fighter.
“We’re fighting, and the fight is not yet finished. But I have been fighting all my life, and I am ready and 100 per cent sure I will win at the end of the day,” he said, disclosing later that the cabals were major marketers and traders.
However, DAPPMAN said there were no cabals, but there were vested interests, stressing that individuals were protecting their investments and trying to prevent a monopoly.