The Federal Government on Friday disclosed that the supply of petrol from Dangote Refinery will commence on tomorrow after both parties reached an agreement on pricing and supply.

NNPC will remain as the sole off-taker of petrol from the refinery with other marketers getting the product from the national oil company. 

Speaking in Abuja, a member of the Presidential Committee on the Sale of crude Oil and Refined Products and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji said in return NNPC Limited would commence the supply of 385,000 barrels of crude oil to Dangote Refinery on October 1, 2024.

Adedeji announced that “all agreements have been completed and loading of the first batch of PMS from the Dangote Refinery will commence on Sunday 15th September”.

He disclosed that Dangote Refinery will in return supply PMS and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid for in Naira.

He said other decisions reached by the committee include the sale of Diesel in Naira by the Dangote Refinery to any interested off-taker while PMS will only be sold to NNPC.

“From 1 October, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385kbpd of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery to be paid for in Naira

“In return, the Dangote Refinery will supply PMS and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid in Naira.

“Diesel will be sold in Naira by the Dangote Refinery to any interested off-taker. PMS will only be sold to NNPC, NNPC will then sell to various marketers for now. All associated regulatory costs will also be paid for in Naira”, he added.

The agreement is expected to ease the acute shortage of petrol across the country and also allow the government to continue the payment of subsidies on the product. 

The Presidential Committee on the Sale of Crude Oil and Refined Product has announced that loading of the first batch of petrol from the Dangote Refinery will commence on Sunday, September 15.

A member of the committee and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday. Briefing journalists, the FIRS boss said that from October 1, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) will commence the supply of about 385kbpd of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery to be paid for in Naira.

La Liga giants Villarreal have added a new defensive asset to their squad after confirming the signing of 21-year-old Nigerian centre-back Ekerette Udom for their reserve team.

The young defender, known for his towering height and strength in aerial duels, arrives from Rivers United, a club in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). 

Villarreal made the announcement on their official website, stating:

“Villarreal CF have reached an agreement with Rivers United for the transfer of young defender Ekerette Udom, who joins Villarreal B’s ranks.”

Standing at 1.98 metres tall, Udom brings both physicality and versatility to Villarreal B, as he is capable of playing as a centre-back and a holding midfielder.

His solid performances in the NPFL, particularly for Rivers United, have caught the attention of European scouts, leading to this exciting move to Spain.

Udom will initially join Villarreal’s B team, which competes in the Primera Federación – Group 2.

The platform will allow him to hone his skills while aiming for promotion to the senior squad. Villarreal B, founded in 1999, plays its home matches at the Estadio de la Cerámica, a 23,008-seat stadium in Valencia.

This transfer marks a significant milestone in Udom’s career, as he embarks on his European journey with a three-year contract.

His experience in the CAF Confederation Cup, as well as stints with various Nigerian clubs like Nasarawa United and Sunshine Stars, have prepared him for this next chapter.

Now with the opportunity to develop further in one of Europe’s top football environments, Udom will be eager to make an impact at Villarreal B and work his way into the first team.

The Lagos State Police Command said the body of a 17-year-old boy, identified as Adeolu Olubade has been found buried in a shallow grave at an apartment on Jesus Assembly Omoguwa Street in the Ejigbo area of Lagos.

The deceased boy’s family had alleged that a suspect was responsible for the death of the teenage boy while the unnamed 30-year-old suspect has been arrested for questioning.

Spokesperson of the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, a Superintendent of Police disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday.

“On September 3, 2024, at about 8:00 am, a family member of the deceased approached and reported at the station that his 17-year-old cousin was discovered dead and buried in one of the rooms at Jesus Assembly Omoguwa Street, Ejigbo.

“They suspected the crime was carried by a 30-year-old suspect of the same address between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

“Based on this report, a team of detectives was dispatched to the crime scene and took photographs of the shallow grave before the corpse was exhumed

Mohbad’s Widow Wunmi Pens Heartfelt Tribute On First Anniversary Of His Death
“The body has been taken to the Isolo General Hospital for post-mortem examination and the suspect mentioned has been apprehended, and the shovel suspected to have been used to bury the victim has been recovered, taken to the station, and registered as an exhibit,” Hundeyin said.

The police image-maker added that the case file, the suspect, and the exhibits are transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba for further investigation.

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), said its purchasing portal would be reopened as soon as the backlog of orders for petrol was cleared.

Marketers had complained about the  portal shutdown, adding that it encourages round-tripping of product supplies while driving prices.

However, in a press statement obtained by Vanguard, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, said: “We have a significant backlog to address. The closure is intended to prevent us from holding marketers’ funds for an extended period. 

“It will be reopened once the backlog has been sufficiently reduced. We are working to address it as soon as possible.”

Dele Agbeyo, Nigerian gospel singer popularly known as Dele Gold, has passed away.

His death was confirmed by fellow gospel artist Alayo Melody, who took to social media on Wednesday to share the tragic news.

In an Instagram post, Melody expressed shock and sadness, writing: “Dele Gold died kee?? Ahhh This is getting too much ooo!!!! May God help us stop this untimely death. Dele Agbeyo, May your soul rest well.”

Wonder Doyin Kujore, another gospel singer, also expressed his grief on Instagram.

“Nothing in this world… let us live today and leave tomorrow for God. It saddens my heart to post about those who die prematurely, but I have to pay my last respects. Rest in peace Dele Agbotikuyo, Dele Gold,” he wrote.

In 2019, Dele Gold made headlines when he collaborated with Juju music legend Ebenezer Obey on one of his albums, solidifying his place in the Nigerian gospel music scene.

He recently celebrated his birthday in April, where he reflected on what he described as “rare blessings and favour.”

His death follows that of another gospel singer, Aduke Ajayi, better known as Aduke Gold, who died from cervical cancer in August. Ajayi was laid to rest in Lagos on August 23.

Dele Gold’s passing marks a somber moment for the Nigerian gospel community, which has now lost two of its voices in quick succession.

A 30-year-old motorcyclist, Michael Olorunfemi, has been arrested for allegedly raping his wife’s 17-year-old sister inside the bush, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The suspect, a father of four, was said to have raped the victim sometime in August 2024, at 10 p.m., in the Onigaari area of Irese Road, Akure.

Police source told Vanguard that the suspect had confessed to the crime.

A source said that the suspect confesses that “The victim approached me to take her to her boyfriend’s house, and on our way, I stopped near a bush and raped her.

“I promised to give her money, which I did not. She then reported me to her mother, which led to my arrest.”

Contacted, the police image maker, Funmi Odunlami said that the suspect had been charged to court.
Odunlami said the suspect has been remanded at Olokuta prison by the court, over the alleged rape.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Oniyere, said the defendant committed the offence sometime in August 2024, at 10p.m., in the Onigaari area of Irese Road, Akure.

Oniyere added that the defendant unlawfully had carnal knowledge of the 17-year-old girl (name withheld).

The offence, according to the charge, contravened Sections 357 and 358 of the Criminal Code Law of Ondo State, 2006.

Police prosecutor, Oniyere, urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

The trial Chief Magistrate, Kolawole Aro, has, therefore, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Olokuta prison and that the case file be transferred to the DPP for advice.
Magistrate Aro has adjourned the case till October 31, 2024, for review

Sweden’s government said, on Thursday, it would drastically increase grants for immigrants who choose to leave the country.

As of 2026, immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries would be eligible to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000).

This is up from the current 10,000 kronor.

The amount, $34,000, is N55,930,000, using the recent exchange rate of N1,645/$.

The move is to encourage more migrants to make the choice.

The right-wing government, which is propped up by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, made these known in a statement.

Wunmi, the widow of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has shared an emotional tribute on social media to mark the one-year anniversary of his death.
In her heartfelt message on Instagram, Wunmi expressed how deeply she and their son, Liam, have missed Mohbad since his passing.

She reflected on the plans they had together and prayed for his soul to find peace, asking God to forgive his shortcomings.

In the lengthy tribute, she wrote: “llerioluwa mi, Husband of my youth, my best friend! It’s been a year today-a year since you left me and our Liam in this cold world. It’s been so hard. I miss you so much. Liam misses you too. I wish you were here to see him; you would have been an incredible father.

“I still don’t know how I’ve survived without you. God, I wish you were here every single day-every millisecond of the day. Your passing brought me unbearable pain, but it has also shaped me. I’ve learned so much, and I’m still learning. I’ll never be okay with you not being here; it messes with my head.

“I keep thinking it’s a nightmare I’ll wake up from, but 366 days have passed, and I haven’t. Oko mi, we had so many plans together, and you had so much more to give to this world. It hurts deeply to know that all our dreams, everything you worked so hard for, are now gone with you.

“I want you to know that Liam and I are holding on to the strength and love you gave us. Every day, I see pieces of you in him-your kindness, your smile, your spirit. I promise to raise him with the same love and care you would have given him, keeping your memory alive in every step of his life.

“But today, I choose to celebrate you. Today, I choose to honor your legacy. Today, I choose to give all glory to God for blessing me with you, llerioluwa. Today, I choose to be grateful for the gift of Liam-the beauty for our ashes.

“My love, I pray for your soul today. I ask that God forgives you of all your shortcomings and welcomes you to rest at His right hand. I hope it’s always a celebration up there for you. I love you so much. Thank you for Liam-I’m forever grateful for the gift of him! Fly high with the angels, love of my life.”

Her emotional message touched many fans and followers, who offered their support in the comments, as they remembered Mohbad on this solemn occasion.

One year after the mysterious death of rapper Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as MohBad, head of the Aloba family’s legal team, Taiwo Odumosu, has shared the difficulties in securing pathologists for the case.

Odumosu revealed in an interview with The Punch that the investigation is proceeding through various channels, including a second autopsy and toxicology test, as directed by the court.

According to Odumosu, forensic experts have sent the specimen abroad for analysis, opting for a European lab rather than the USA due to the controversies surrounding the initial autopsy.

The court is also expected to rule on objections raised by Wunmi regarding the DNA test on October 18.

“Presently, we are approaching the issue from different angles. The second autopsy and toxicology test is being conducted as directed by the court. We hope this will shed more light on the circumstances leading to the death of MohBad. Presently, the specimen has been taken abroad by forensic experts for the toxicology examination.

“Given the controversy generated by the first autopsy, the forensic experts in their professional estimation believed the laboratory in Europe would be better. So they avoided the USA altogether. The DNA test too. Wunmi brought preliminary objection on some flimsy grounds. We have argued the objections and the ruling is reserved by the court for October 18,” Odumosu revealed.

Securing pathologists has proven challenging as Odumosu disclosed that attempts to engage four different experts from locations such as Kaduna and Maiduguri were unsuccessful, as they declined due to the influence of powerful figures involved in the case.

Odumosu said, “Getting pathologists to attend to the matter was a bit tough. We got in touch with four pathologists: one from Kaduna, another from Maiduguri and one other place but they said powerful individuals were interested in the matter and declined to take it on.

“We also consulted those in America. However, because of the controversy trailing the first autopsy, we decided to boycott America altogether. For those who agreed to help us now, we thank them. The way to justice is always strewn with thorns. But we have the firm belief we shall get there.”

Odumosu noted that the decision to enlist a forensic pathologist from the northern region was driven by concerns over potential compromises in the process.

“We don’t want anybody to compromise the process. We suspected that the delay of transferring the previous specimen to America took a long time. We also suspected government intervention and institutional laxity on the part of the police, so we decided to look elsewhere to do what we wanted. But we eventually got somebody,” he added.

Speaking on the key challenges the legal team has faced in seeking justice for Mohbad’s family, Odumosu said, “The biggest challenge we have had so far is from the Nigerian Police. Apart from the shoddy investigation that is clear even to the novice, they have refused to cooperate with us on certain levels.

“It is an open secret that the court granted the Aloba family an order to conduct another autopsy and toxicology test after the government-assisted toxicology test led to inconclusiveness. We sent a letter to the police informing them of the order of the court and the need for them to release documents and exhibits to the forensic experts.

“They didn’t acknowledge nor release the documents to the forensic pathologists. We sent a reminder to them and still, they ignored it. This sort of attitude does not commend the police to the populace.”