THE Federal Government on Monday said it has started to distribute an additional 10 trucks of 50kg rice to each state to be sold at designated centres at N40,000

This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has insisted that there is no need for the protest as most of the demands put forward by the organizers are being addressed.

Already, ahead of the August 1 national protest, President Bola Tinubu has said that he is protesting on behalf of the youth by addressing most of their grievances.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Council meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that 10 trucks of rice to each state was a measure put in place to address poverty and high cost of living.

The Minister said, “And the position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the federal government and therefore it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again because most of those things that the protesters are putting forward are already actually been addressed or are being addressed by government and like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.

“The President has listened to be voices of all those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it.

“Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want a government to do for example, the effort that government is making, in ensuring that food is being made available.

“The last Council meeting here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks 20 precisely had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to those who actually In need of them to poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need, but government did not stop there there is also rice that is being sold at about 50% of its cost, a bag of rice is being sold at N40,000 as we speak now.

“This rice have been taken to various centers across all the states of the federation, and is being sold at 40,000 Naira, centers have been created. So that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at 40,000 naira

“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states and indeed, this is just the beginning I know that some of the comments you hear is that it is never enough. Government has not pretended that this supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps that are being made and more of such interventions are being made in the interim.

“Of course, this is like I I said an interim measure because there is so much investment that is going into the agricultural sector. And the rainy season is here. We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made not just for the traditional agricultural produce, but also for the irrigation activities in many of these states of the federation. So we expect that as we move forward, prizes of food items, commodities will of course, come down.

“These are part of of the measures and the President feels and the federal executive council believes that already some of the youth wont protest, some of the answers that they are looking for are already actually being provided. For example, only recently the federal government has begun the disbursement of the students loans. There’s a provision already for
over two million students.

“Only about 110,000 applications have thus far been received as at last week, of course, more are going to come. So there’s adequate provision for all those who are qualified, who can access these loans and who have fulfilled this condition.”

He said that the desire of the President is to ensure that no student, no young person that has gained admission into any of the nation’s tertiary institutions will be left out because his parents or his guardian is unable to pay for his fees.

“But beyond that, there is also the provision that is being made for these young people. We are aware of the effort that is being made to ensure that about three million of them are being put into employment through the MTT program.

“There is also for the general public the reduction that is envisaged by the time the CNG initiative of the federal government actually takes full course .
Already, some of these buses have been imported. Some of the conversion kits are already available. The conversion centers are already beginning to get active. The delays are largely because you don’t just go to the market and get these things off the shelves.

“First the procurement processes have to be followed. And then of course you have to place order for them and it is envisaged that as we make the transition from fossil fuel to renewables, there is going to be a reduction of over 60% in the cost that people put in transportation.

“If you have your car, it is envisaged that you’re going to spend about 60% less and that money that comes back to your pocket, but the emphasis at the beginning is going to be on commercial busses, for mass transit so that workers especially and those who are moving around will have reduction in the fares that they pay.

“Now this in combination with so many other things that government is doing government is appealing once again, to those who have the intention of embarking on this protest to please think about it once again. There is just no need for that.

“Of course, it is the democratic right of every Nigerian to engage in peaceful protests. And the government is not an opponent to that .But what government is doing is to ensure that while there is this right for you to protest, your right will also end where someone else‘s own begin.

“Therefore, while you are thinking of protesting, government is appealing to you to first shelve it because it has the great likelihood that this protest may be hijacked and may turn violent by unscrupulous elements, and Nigeria will not be good for it.

“Of course, we know that people are saying that there is no intention for violence in this, but our history has shown that there’s the possibility that this protest can be hijacked and could turn violent.

“It is an appeal again that the federal government is making to ensure that as government is making an effort to satisfy the demands of Nigerians in several respects in health care, in agriculture, in the provision of infrastructure in ensuring that our youth the young population go to school, and that they can also get employed when they finish and even before they do that.

“The Social Security system is being put out there so that no one is left behind. Please, there is no need for this protest.”

No oil marketer is going to buy Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and sell at the prevalent pump prices at filling stations in Nigeria except the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, operators in the downstream oil sector have declared.

On July 15, 2024, The PUNCH reported that the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, announced that the $20bn refinery was set to roll out its petrol in August 2024, having resolved its crude oil supply issues through the help of NNPC and the Federal Government.

“Gasoline (petrol) production is to commence in July with sales from August. Annual revenue is projected to exceed $26bn,” Dangote had stated while delivering a presentation at the plant last month.

But oil marketers told our correspondent on Sunday that no dealer in Nigeria would be able to buy the petrol from the Dangote refinery, because the product would be priced at the international market rate, far higher than the domestic cost at the pumps.

When contacted and asked whether oil marketers had been briefed about the price of petrol from the Dangote refinery, the Deputy National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Zarma Mustapha, gave a negative reply.

He, however, stressed that PMS from the plant would be sold at the international market rate, adding that no marketer would want to pay such price currently.

“There has been no official communication from them yet on pricing for petrol. However, one thing I want you to understand is that even if the Dangote refinery starts to release products, particularly PMS, no marketer can be able to buy the product from him.

“This is because the refinery is an independent commercial entity and they must recoup their cost of refining and add some margin before they sell out the product. The current price of the product within the country is below the international price of a litre of PMS.

“So you cannot buy the product from the refinery at the international price and then sell it at the prevailing price at the retail outlets. If you do, you are going to lose a huge amount of money, which is a difference of between N400 and N500/litre,” Mustapha stated.

The IPMAN official, however, noted that for Nigeria to have Dangote petrol across its filling stations, the NNPC would have to intervene by purchasing the product and reselling it to dealers at discounted rates.

“NNPC may have to offtake the product, just like they are importing from other countries for upward supply to Nigerian marketers, I think only the national oil company can offtake PMS from them and know how best they can continue to supply it to marketers to sell at the approved current price.

“If it is not done this way, no marketer will be able to buy the product and sell it at a loss of over N400 to N500/litre. It is not possible” Mustapha stated.

On July 18, 2024, The PUNCH reported that the landing cost of petrol was N1,117/litre as of July 16, 2024, according to data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria. MEMAN disclosed this during a webinar with journalists.

The association had also revealed that the landing cost of diesel was N1,157/litre, while that of aviation fuel was N1,127/litre, at the time.

The N1,117 landing cost of petrol is far above the pump price of the product in Nigeria. Currently, the pump price of petrol is between N660/litre and N800/litre, depending on the area of purchase.

When contacted and asked whether major marketers would be able to buy petrol from the Dangote refinery, the Executive Secretary, MEMAN, Clement Isong, said his group had earlier published the landing cost of PMS, adding that this was the realistic cost of the product.

“You have seen the price we published which is the realistic cost, and you know the cost at the pumps today, and Dangote refinery is a business entity that will not want to make losses. So that is all I will say,” he stated.

NNPC is currently the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria. Other marketers stopped importing the product due to their inability to access the United States dollar required for PMS imports. NNPC had yet to respond to enquiries on the matter when contacted, up till when this report was filed.

Arewa Youth Assembly has urged Dangote Refinery’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aliko Dangote, to comply with guidelines and standards of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited as the country’s regulatory body for the oil and gas industry.

The speaker of the Assembly, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, said it would be selfish for Dangote to expect the NNPCL to bend the regulations to serve them.

Dangote and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, alongside the NNPCL, have been embroiled in a dispute recently, ranging from monopoly allegations to crude oil supply for the refinery, substandard fuel imports, and ownership of blending plants in Malta.

However, Danlami said before establishing the Aliko Dangote refinery, the NNPCL, NUPRC, and NMDPRA existed to carry out their duties as regulatory bodies.

He said Dangote should understand that these are sectors dealing with regulations.

“Therefore, the bodies expect him to abide by the rules and nothing more. Even the Dangote Group has rules and regulations that all stakeholders must adhere to.

“It is surprising that Aliko Dangote, as a businessman, has forgotten that competition is inevitable in business.

“Our findings show that he wants NMDPRA not to license anyone else to bring in products. They said no! He blackmails them and is trying to incite Nigerians against NMDPRA, claiming they are giving licenses to marketers who bring in substandard products into the country.

“We are calling on the National Assembly to make public the laboratory results from his own refinery because information we are getting from different sources indicates that the products are substandard.

“We know Mr. Dangote has been operating all his life in an industry without regulation, but the oil and energy industry has rules and regulations,” he said.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says there are indications that telecommunications companies (telcos) in the country are trying to frustrate the planned protest.

In a statement on Sunday, Adegboruwa said complaints of network restrictions among citizens have risen as the protest nears.

The demonstration, slated to begin on August 1, is against the economic hardship in the country.

Adegboruwa warned that telcos should not attempt to sabotage the planned protest by restricting internet access among displeased citizens.

“For the past few days, some telecom companies have been disconnecting their subscribers for flimsy and untenable reasons,” the SAN said.

“Some allege lack of NIN registration or linking, while others didn’t give any reason at all.

“This action is coming on the heels of the proposed struggle of the people against hunger, poverty, suffering, and the suffocating economic policies of the Tinubu administration.

“From all indications, it would seem that the underlying target of the telecom companies is to limit the reach of their customers in order to restrict access and thus frustrate the protests.”

Adegboruwa said contracts between telecommunication companies and their subscribers remain sacrosanct and should not be tampered with.

“Sufficient information and opportunity should be given for subscribers to remedy any alleged breach or error,” he said.

“So many telephone users deploy their numbers for their businesses and other lawful engagements, not to talk of those who may have medical and health-related emergencies.”

The human rights lawyer urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to look into the matter.

Adegboruwa had written security agencies requesting protection for protesters.

The Federal Government may be forced to restrict British Airways from Nigeria’s premier airport, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos over a slot issue in the United Kingdom.

The UK slot system has forced Nigeria’s airline Air Peace to fly to Gatwick Airport instead of Heathrow, the UK number one airport.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, disclosed on Friday that the ministry had written to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to allow Air Peace fly to Heathrow Airport in London in line with the reciprocity principle in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).

Daily Trust reports that Air Peace commenced direct flight to the UK Gatwick Airport in March this year after a long battle with the authorities in a bid to get a slot at Heathrow.

However speaking at the 28th Annual Conference of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) in Lagos, Keyamo said it was unfair to allow British Airways unfettered access to MMIA, the country’s busiest airport while the same privilege was not accorded to Nigerian airline in UK in line with the BASA.

Keyamo said that the ministry was awaiting a response from the ministry in the UK.

He insisted that countries must abide by the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) arrangement that Nigeria reached with their governments, saying that failure to do this might lead to a reactive action from the Nigerian Government.

He said, “We have already written to the United Kingdom to give Nigerian carriers, especially Air Peace Heathrow Airport, which is a tier one airport, just as we have British Airways, using our Lagos airport. We may as well give BA Ilorin to operate to. When we asked for Heathrow Airport, you’re telling us to go to a slot committee. Who does that? Air Peace I can tell you is on its way to Heathrow away from Gatwick.

“The local operators are struggling to cover their routes locally, not to talk of our international routes; Air France is coming here 10 times a week, we are not going to Paris, Lufthansa is coming here, we are not going to Frankfurt, Delta and United from America are all coming here, but we are not reciprocating. Even, South African Airways is coming here, we are not going there.

“We only managed to have Air Peace in London and to Gatwick, but we are pushing for them to take us to Heathrow. You can’t tell us you have a slot committee. Your airport operator should know that you have an existing relationship and they should respect it.

“For connectivity, people prefer Heathrow. That is an airport you can have an airline to codeshare with so that there can be connectivity.”

The minister also invited investors around the world to take advantage of the huge investment opportunities in the aviation industry especially the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility.

He said: “For us, we are looking at various issues; MROs. People are already talking to us, we don’t want to let the cat out of the bag. Very soon we are going to advertise to call for partnership in the project.

“For our banks, financial institutions, financers, and others, don’t say foreigners are coming to take your business, it’s a big business. If we bring them in, we will take all the aircraft in West and Central Africa and even a part of Southern Africa if we can get the MRO into Nigeria.

“The Arabs, Chinese, Europeans and Americans; they all want to invest and they are talking to us. And something about MRO is that you can’t invest it in an independent environment, but an existing airport. You will need a runway for an aircraft to land. So, you need to talk to us to give you land within our international airports.”

Bags Of Rice Donated By Tinubu Government Repackaged In Kogi, Sold Out To Residents

The bags of rice recently distributed by the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government have been seen in a video being re-bagged for commercial sale in Kogi State.

The government had earlier said it gave 20 trucks of 25kg rice to each state of the federation for free distribution to vulnerable households.

Each truck is said to contain 1200 bags as one the interventionary measures of the FG in tackling the surging food inflation in the country.

In the video obtained by SaharaReporters, residents were seen stating that as against the directive that the rice should be distributed for free, some persons are repackaging them to be sold in open market.

“The rice shared by the federal government is being repackaged for sale. As you can see on the body is written “not for sale”, however we accosted these persons trying to repackage it. They said they got the rice from the Agriculture ministry in the country” the incensed residents noted in the video.

They lamented the rising cost of living and how the intervention meant was also subjected to fraudulent practices.

“It’s unfortunate, I bought a tin of Beans for N380 yesterday and see what they are doing to this rice now” another person said in the video.

It would be recalled that the government said it is committed to tackling food inflation, rolling out interventionary measures to tackle the food inflation.

Distribution of palliatives has always come with corruption and corruption allegation in Nigeria.

During the COVID-19 era, different palliatives meant to be shared to residents of different states were seen hoarded in stores, a development that led to anger among citizens.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Nigeria's largest, is taking the unusual step of reselling crude oil cargoes from the United States and Nigeria due to technical challenges at the plant.

Despite commencing production in January 2024, the refinery is facing operational issues, particularly with its crude distillation unit (CDU).

While a Dangote executive maintains that the CDU is functional, the refinery is reselling rare cargoes, including Nigerian Escravos and Forcados grades, as well as U.S. WTI Midland crude.

The refinery aims to become the largest in Africa and Europe, transforming Nigeria into a fuel exporter, but these technical hurdles may hinder its progress.

Constructed at a cost of $20billion by Africa's wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility represents a significant investment in Nigeria's oil and gas sector.

Dangote's ambition is to eliminate Nigeria's dependency on imported fuel, an ongoing issue despite the nation being Africa's top oil producer.

According to Oli Price.Com citing Reuters sources, this situation arises amid other significant moves by the Dangote Group, which plans to list its refinery and a fertilizer subsidiary on the Nigerian stock exchange by early 2025.

This public listing strategy hopes to alleviate foreign exchange pressures on the Nigerian economy.

The refinery has been importing considerable volumes of U.S. crude, with more than 16 million barrels of West Texas Intermediate crude purchased in 2024 alone. This trend is expected to continue, with increased imports slated for the coming months.

While the plan is for the refinery to meet Nigeria's entire demand for refined petroleum products and generate a surplus for export, the current technical issues pose a significant hurdle.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission reached an agreement with oil producers earlier this month to supply crude oil to domestic refineries at market prices, ending a lengthy supply dispute.

Elder statesman and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, said his mother carried his pregnancy for 12 months before his birth, attributing the delay to the handiwork of witches and wizards.

Obasanjo, who is the only Nigerian to have ruled the country as a military dictator and a democratically elected president, claimed the witches and wizards gave his mother a tough time before God’s intervention.

This was revealed in a statement by his media assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi,issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The statement noted that the former president made the assertion during a drama presentation titled “Aremu Omo Asabi” held to mark the 66th anniversary of his late mother, Bernice Obasanjo’s passing.

The drama was held on Wednesday at the main auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The ex-president lamented that it was unfortunate that his mother never lived to see how marvelously God had helped him become great in life and enjoy the fruits of her hard labor.

He said that although his mother gave birth to nine children, only two of them, himself and his sister, survived.

“I was told I was in my mother’s womb for 12 months, and since I was born, I have not been left for once. She had nine children, but two of us survived, myself and my sister,” he said.

“I was the only one who went to school because my father’s belief was that no matter how educated a female child is, she would end up in the kitchen.”

The former president promised to support the troupe’s quest to present the longest open drama to clinch a Guinness Book of Records entry.

Speaking at the programme, the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said mothers will forever be the bedrock upon which the foundation of any society is built.

The deputy governor described Obasanjo’s mother as a great woman while alive, saying her influence would continue to endure through the lives of her children, especially Obasanjo, who remains a formidable figure in Nigeria’s history.

The governor added that the musical drama titled ‘Aremu Omo Asabi,’ performed in celebration of her life, was not just recounting history but also a prompt reminder of the sacrifices mothers make and the indelible spirit they pass on to their children.

“This tribute is also a call to action for all of us to honour and support mothers in every way possible. It reminds us of our collective responsibility to create an enabling environment where every mother’s hope for their children can flourish,” she said.

“This is why the present administration continues to pursue policies that ensure access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities for all so that the dreams that mothers have for their children can be realised,” he said.

Nigeria’s petroleum importation from Malta surged significantly to $2.8 billion in 2023.

Nigeria is one of Africa’s biggest oil-producing nations — but it lacks local refining capacity.

Speaking at an event in May, Vice-President Kashim Shettima had said over $25 billion is expended on the importation of refined petroleum products yearly.

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is the sole importer of petroleum products in the country.

According to data from Trademap, a database on international trade statistics, between 2017 and 2022, there were no imports of the commodity from Malta — an island country in Southern Europe located in the Mediterranean Sea.

However, the value of imported petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals was $13.32 million in 2016.

This represents a 20,921 percent increase compared to the amount ($2.8 billion) recorded in 2023, according to TheCable Index analysis.

Further checks showed that the importation of petroleum products from Malta gulped $47.5 million in 2013. The amount increased to $59.98 million and $117.01 million in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Similar import figures were also shared on social media by StatiSense, a data company.

On July 22, Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, said some personnel of the NNPC Limited, oil traders and terminals have opened a blending plant in Malta.

“Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people and some traders have opened a blending plant somewhere off Malta,” the billionaire had said.

“We all know these areas. We know what they are doing.”

In response to Dangote’s allegation, Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the NNPC, said he does not own a blending plant in Malta.

An oil blending plant is a facility which has no refining capability but is either capable of producing finished motor gasoline through mechanical blending or blends oxygenates with motor gasoline.

The Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, says he would continue to be a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) as long as Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, remains in the party.

Ndume stated this on Thursday at his residence in Maiduguri, while addressing some groups of women supporters, who vowed to stage a peaceful protest naked at the national assembly against his removal as Chief Whip of the Senate.

He said: “On the call by APC National Working Committee (NWC) that I should leave the party and join any other political party, let me say that, it is only God that gives power to whom He wishes.

“And so, I want to categorically state that I am one of the founding members of the APC. Our Leader, Governor Zulum, is in APC, and wherever our Governor is, that is where I belong.”

Speaking on behalf of the groups, Pastor Moni Mushari, quoting John 8:31, said: “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”.

Pastor Mashari said they are strongly behind Senator Ndume for “speaking the truth.”
Ndume was removed as Chief Whip for criticising the President Bola Tinubu-led government, following a letter transmitted to the Senate by the national leadership of the APC.

He was also stripped of his position as Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has narrated how angry Nigerians crashed his phone with calls over the nightclub comment he made against his colleague, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpabio had told Natasha during plenary last week that the Senate chamber was not a “nightclub” therefore, the female senator must be recognised before she speaks.

But the statement was greeted with heavy bashing from Nigerians.

During plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio, who presided over the session apologised, saying he would never deliberately denigrate a woman and that he never intended to insult Senator Natasha.

He said it was not his intention to ridicule the female senator and attributed the social media ‘twist’ to handiwork of their political enemies.

The senate president said his wife’s phone number was made public, adding that she received over 3,000 calls daily.

He said: “I am still learning. Even those of us who have been in the Senate for the 16 years are still learning, so we will do well to continue to learn.

“In the course of talking to one of my distinguished sisters, I said she should speak whenever she is recognised.

“I made reference to the fact that we are not in a night club where people have to shout above the noise of the music and the social media got agog. I am not on social media but my wife called me that people got angry and published her phone number for people to occupy her.

“She received over 2000 to 3000 phone calls a day, then I tried to put on one of my phones and then I realized it was in the public. In fact the phone crashed after about three hours.”

A member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Abdul-Majid Umar was on Saturday attacked by a mob at an event attended by the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero.

The incident occurred during an annual prayer for peace and stability organised at Isyaka Rabiu’s residence in the Goron Dutse area of Kano.

Umar, who is the lawmaker representing Gwale local government area under the ruling New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), was seated beside the deposed emir at the event.

Tensions rose after the lawmaker left the venue with some people accusing him of supporting the bill that led to the Bayero’s dethronement and this led to a violent attack on the lawmaker.

Umar recounted the harrowing experience to BBC HAUSA stating, “After the deposed emir arrived at the event, his supporters started abusing me and my colleagues, accusing us of repealing the Emirate Council Law 2019 that led to the dethronement of the Emir.

“The deposed Emir stopped one of the palace guards who attempted to hit me. The deposed Emir himself used his hand to bounce back one of the palace guards and shouted at another who attempted to hit me.”

Feeling increasingly unsafe as the only government official present at the event, Umar decided to leave the event. “I became more disturbed after I left the venue as people armed with dangerous weapons attacked me. I hastily jumped into a police vehicle. That was how I was rescued from the attack. Two of my supporters were injured while we were leaving the venue,” he added.

However, a media aide to the deposed Emir, Khalid Adamu, refuted claims that the attackers were part of the emir’s entourage.

He insisted that although Bayero had many supporters present, none were armed.

LEADERSHIP reports there is ongoing strife in Kano following the lawmakers’ decision on May 23 to repeal the State Emirate Council Law 2019.

The law, enacted under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, had created four new emirates, significantly altering the traditional emirate structure.

The repeal of the of law has continued to fuel tension in the state with the deposed Emir Bayero clinging to the throne at the Nasarawa Mini Palace while the reinstated Emir Mohammad Sanusi II occupies the main palace.

Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, has alleged some personnel of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, oil traders and terminals have opened a blending plant in Malta.

Dangote spoke at the house of representatives on Monday.

An oil blending plant has no refining capability but can be used to blend re-refined oil (a used motor oil that has been treated to remove dirt, fuel, and water) with additives to create finished lubricant products.

The billionaire said the areas of the blending plants are known.

“Some of the terminals, some of the NNPC people and some traders have opened a blending plant somewhere off Malta,” the chairman said.

“We all know these areas. We know what they are doing.”

Addressing the drop in diesel prices, the billionaire said the diesel produced locally at 650 parts per million (ppm) and 700 ppm is of better quality than imported fuel.

Dangote said many vehicle issues can be traced back to the “substandard” imported fuel.

He urged the leadership of the house of representatives to set up an independent committee to verify the quality of petrol available at filling stations.

“I want you to set up a committee that will come with every representative headed by your chosen honourable member to come and lead in taking samples from filling stations because I must tell you today that all the test certificates that people are busy floating around, where are the labs? Even if they have the labs, I can tell you they are fake certificates,” he said.

“The real one that you now know that they are right is to take from the filling station and also come and take from our production line. Now, you will be able to tell Nigerians that this is it.”

On Monday, the house of representatives joint committee on petroleum resources (downstream and midstream) launched a probe into claims that local refineries, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, produce inferior products.

The committee is also investigating the allegations that the international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria are frustrating the survival of the Dangote refinery.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Dangote refinery have been embroiled in a dispute that began recently.

On July 18, Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive officer of NMDPRA had said local refineries, including the Dangote refinery, were producing inferior products compared to the ones imported into the country.

The oil regulator also accused Dangote of monopoly, claims which have been denied by the billionaire.

On Monday, Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state petroleum resources (oil), intervened in the ‘ongoing issues’ after having a meeting with Aliko Dangote, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Dangote Group and Farouk Ahmed, CEO of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

Gbenga Komolafe, CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and Mele Kyari, group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited were also at the meeting.

The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has disclosed that his friend who earlier warned him against investing in Nigeria is now taunting him for ignoring his advice.

Dangote disclosed this in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday just as reports quoted the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority as claiming that diesel from Dangote Refinery is of inferior quality.

“Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad. I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his actions in the interest of his country.

“He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and shenanigans of interest groups.

“That friend has been taunting me in the past few days, saying he warned me and that he has been proven right,” Dangote was quoted to have said.

He said he invested in the refinery to help solve a major issue in the country, wondering why some people were working against him.

He added, “As you probably know, I am 67 years old. In less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life. I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country.’

“We have been facing a fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery.

“This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture. So I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, and run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs.”

The 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery, which came to life last year after a decade of prolonged construction, cost $19 billion, more than double the initial estimate, promising to help wean Africa’s biggest oil producer off its reliance on fuel from overseas and save up 30 per cent of the total foreign exchange spent on importing goods.

On Sunday, the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, said it was expecting fresh reports to confirm the real sulphur content of the diesel produced by the Dangote refinery as the company debunked claims of inferior fuel production.

The NMDPRA spokesman, George Ene-Ita, in an interview with The PUNCH, said the agency had done its job and would not engage in a media fight with anybody over the claims made by the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, that Dangote’s diesel has more sulphur content than imported one.

According to Ene-Ita, the authority has about 15 engineers and scientists embedded in the Dangote refinery, whose fresh report about the refinery’s sulphur content will be out on Monday (today).

Africa’s richest man had earlier narrated how a cabal was blocking his moves to import crude and how it has been difficult to get products, slowing down operations.

But last week, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority said the Nigerian government was yet to license the Dangote refinery to begin operations in the country.

The Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, disclosed this while speaking with journalists at the state House on Thursday, July 18.

According to Ahmed, the claims of ongoing efforts to scuttle the operations of Dangote refinery due to lack of supply of crude oil by International Oil Companies were not true, adding that the refinery was still at the pre-commissioning stage and has not been licensed yet.

Ahmed added that the diesel product of Dangote was below international standard, a claim which the businessman had refuted.

BY ADERONKE ONI



Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, says petrol production was disrupted due to a fire incident that occurred at its refinery.

On May 18, Dangote said the refinery would begin producing petrol that month, adding that Nigeria would not have to import the product again.

However, on June 11, he said due to a minor delay, the commencement of petrol supply has been postponed to July.

Speaking to journalists at his refinery in Lagos on Saturday, Africa’s richest man said premium motor spirit (PMS) will be ready by August.

“PMS was supposed to be out by July but we had a fire incident,” the billionaire said.

“The incident disrupted us for a few days but latest 10 or 12 of August, PMS will be ready.”

A section of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery caught fire on June 26.

Anthony Chiejina, a spokesperson at Dangote Industries Limited, told TheCable that the incident occurred at the effluent treatment plant (ETP).

An ETP is a type of wastewater treatment method which is specifically designed to purify industrial wastewater for its reuse — to release safe water to the environment from the harmful effects caused by the effluent.

States across the federation have been unsettled by the ongoing plan by some faceless Nigerian youths to begin a 10-day nationwide hunger and hardship protest to draw the federal and state governments’ attention to the worsening plight of the citizens.

LEADERSHIP Weekend’s investigation in some states showed that the governors and security agencies are not comfortable with the plot and, therefore, appealed for dialogue with the government at all levels.

According to media reports, the organisers of the protest have slated August 1 to August 10, 2024 to begin the mass action across the country.

Citing the loss of life and property that characterised the #EndSARS protest in the country, the governors and other stakeholders pleaded with the organisers to shelve their plan, adding that the issues raised by them were already being addressed.

The rally organisers say “this hunger is too much.”

The federal government confirmed knowledge of hunger rally plan on Thursday when it said the “identities of many of the brains behind the protest are known, along with their collaborators who are safely residing abroad, and the government is taking necessary actions to stop their subversive plans.”
The director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, said the agency’s nationwide structure had identified the sponsors of the proposed protest and likely flashpoints.

He said the government will take measures to forestall any violent occurrences in the identified locations.

He stated that the intentions of those behind the planned protest were not about governance or the state of the economy but a decoy to destabilise the country, cause mayhem, and carry out arson, killings, and maiming of innocent citizens for narrow political reasons.

In his reaction to the planned national protest against hunger and hardship, Gombe State governor Inuwa Yahaya admonished the youth in the state not to join it.

He gave the charge when he addressed the youth at the flagged-off dredging exercise of drains in the state capital to avoid flooding, where many youths were recruited to conduct the exercise.

The governor urged the police to enforce law and order and stop any demonstrations in the state.

His Yobe State counterpart, Mai Mala Buni, urged the youths, especially in the North East region, to stop planning nationwide protests, saying such a move would be dangerous and counterproductive.

Buni said this during the launch of the Ethical and Re-orientation Campaign tagged ‘Operation Gyaran Hali’ organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Ethical Re-orientation in Damaturu, the state capital.

The governor advised the youths on the responsible use of social media to shape a positive narrative about the state and the country.

He said, “No Nigerian youths, especially from the North East in their right senses will stage a protest that will disturb the hard-earned peace that people are enjoying in the North East after years of Boko Haram insurgency.”

He said the North East was yet to recover from the impact of the deadly Boko Haram insurgency, which has left the region in ruins, with millions of people’s lives and property worth billions destroyed.

“We all have not forgotten what we have gone through during the dark days of the insurgency. Only those who have no senses will pray to go back to those years when people were running for their dear lives, not to talk about what to eat.”

He said another round of protests would worsen the precarious security situation and economic hardship currently bedevilling the region and the country.

The Kano State commissioner for information, Baba Dantiye, said the state will monitor the situation and ensure all proactive measures are taken appropriately.

The executive director of Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya, a civil society organisation in Kano, called for calm among Nigerians, saying street protests aren’t the best option to address the dilemma.

He said the economic challenges in Nigeria are enough to motivate the citizens to take to the streets to show their anger. Still, the low level of civilisation and exposure and the conflicting sentiments around religion and ethnicity may not allow for well-coordinated protests, which could translate into something else, just like the EndSARS protest.

In Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Thursday extracted a commitment from youth organisations and organised labour not to participate in the hunger protest slated for next month.
Consequently, the governor approved a N2 billion bursary for Niger students in tertiary institutions, up from an initial N500 million.

At an expanded security council meeting, the governor echoed the position of labour and youth organisations regarding their resolve not to join in the 10-day nationwide protest against hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria.

He said, “We, as youths of Niger State, have distanced ourselves from the nationwide protest because we are peaceful and want peace and tranquility. You can start demonstrations, but you cannot end demonstrations. To youths agitating for this protest, let us end this agitation and communicate and dialogue on the best way forward.”

“The food I am giving out at 50 percent subsidy was originally meant for export, but due to the hardship faced by the people, we have opened our warehouses to feed Nigerlites,” he added
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi and the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev Dr John Bogna Bakeni and other stakeholders appealed to the citizens of Borno and the country at large to shelve the planned hunger protest and embrace dialogue.

At a stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Zulum at the Government House, Maiduguri, the governor said he was appealing to the people of Borno State and Nigerians to shun any protest that would bring hardship to Nigerians.

The stakeholders meeting comprised the members of the state executive council , traditional rulers, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the state, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ), the Nigerian military, and the police, among others.

The Shehu of Borno, Dr Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi, joined Governor Zulum in appealing to the people of the state and the country at large to shun the proposed protest and embrace constructive engagement.

Also, Bishop John Bakeni, the chairman of CAN in the state, said what dialogue and constructive engagement cannot do, protest cannot solve.

“This is because even after the protest, we will still come back for dialogue, so why waste energy taking part in destruction when there is constructive engagement? Issues are not resolved in protest but in dialogue. The issue at hand is a wake-up call to us. We as leaders must work for justice,” he said.
In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru, the minister of works David Umahi and the senior programme manager of Development Integrity Intervention Goal, DiG Foundation, Mr. Anele Okoro-Agha, declared that Ebonyi youths and CSOs will not take part in the proposed prrotest

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the chief press secretary to the governor, Dr. Monday Uzor said the federal government is working assiduously to end the hardship being experienced in the country and called on the people of the state to be patient with the President.
Similarly, Umahi urged the people of Ebonyi and Southeast to reject calls for protests against the current government.

The minister made this appeal on Wednesday during the unveiling of Tinubu’s legacy road projects to stakeholders and residents of the state.

In Akwa Ibom State, the commissioners for information, Iniobong Ememobong; agriculture, Offiong Offor, and economic development, Emem Bob, said the administration of Governor Umo Eno, through various food and agricultural interventions, had reduced tension and given people hope of a return of normalcy in the food price regime.

Mrs Offor said the government had set up a Bulk Purchase Agency (BPA) to purchase food in large quantities for onward free disbursement to the very poor with government vouchers in the 2,272 gazetted villages across the 31 LGAs.

Demonstration Is A Constitutional Right – CSOs

Reacting to the planned protest, the chief executive, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade Debo Odeniran, declared that protest is a fundamental human right that the government should not deny.

He stated, “Everybody has a right to peaceful protest as this a fundamental right that should not be disputed. However, the protest has to be structured, and there will be a demand that will be understandable to the target audience.

“The protest should be itemised and directed to the government stating what they want. And there should be suggestions or demands for what they want and ways how the government can attend to it, as there should be a spokesperson for negotiation.

“If it’s a 10-day thing, it should be stated; and you don’t just put a mark on the endpoint without stating the objective before arriving at the protest days, because: what if all the demands were met on the second day?”

Adeniran told the protesters not cause a breakdown of economic activity as people are already facing hardships. He, however, said CDHR and another CSO, CACOL, were yet to decide whether they would be joining in the protest.

On his part, the Ebonyi State senior programmes manager, Development Integrity Intervention Goals, Mr Anele Okoro-Agha, said the CSOs had not been notified of the planned protest, adding that the organisation will mobilise for the protest.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday, the director/CEO of AHDC, Prof Gabriel Umoh, lamented the pains Nigerians have to go through by a single pronouncement of Mr President that “fuel subsidy is gone”, knowing fully well that everything in Nigeria – transportation, production and every other businesses – depend on energy.

He signed on to the action but kicked against it being used as a weapon to drive destructive causes. He advised the demonstrators against destroying public assets established with taxpayers’ money.

“The whole problems stem from a single pronouncement by the President that subsidy has been removed, and the sector is the engine room driving the economy. If the oil sector is stable and the government fight corruption sincerely, recover the stolen funds and plough it back into the economy, the system will be fixed,” Umoh, a Professor of Agricultural and Development Economics at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO), explained.

On its part, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) declared support for the protest and called on security agencies to respond to Nigerians’ yearnings with civility.

Its national chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, urged the citizens not to allow the planned peaceful protest to be hijacked.

Gabam highlighted that the struggle for a better Nigeria is a collective responsibility, regardless of political differences and dispositions.

The senior special assistant to the governor of Delta State on civil society and NGOs, Comrade Victor Ojei, popularly called Wong Box, has said rather than engaging in potentially dangerous protests, youths must advocate for systemic change via alternative means and hold leaders accountable for creating a Nigeria that prioritises the welfare and security of its citizens.

Ojei, who is the facilitator of the Young Nigerian Rights Organisation (YNRO), said there is no need for a protest, considering the severe insecurity prevalent in all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

“We face numerous threats from hoodlums and criminals who exploit such platforms to engage in robbery, looting, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.

“What we need as a nation is not more protests but a focused effort on researching alternative solutions to our current challenges. The government must create a functional welfare system and study other countries with people-oriented systems to ensure the welfare and security of our citizens.

“However, history has shown, as with the ENDSARS protest, that such mobilizations can result in unnecessary loss of life,” Ojei advised.

On its part, a Bauchi State-based rights group, Prison Inmate Development Initiative (PIDI-Nigeria), said that youths’ planned protest against the current hunger and hardship in the country is aimless without a rigorous blueprint for authorities to use to end the crisis.

The group leader, Mr Mbami Sabka, stated this in an interview on Friday with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Bauchi.

He said while it is a constitutional right of citizens to peacefully protest to air their grievances over issues they feel are not going well in the country, such moves must have a clear-cut design to achieve the desired results.

Northern Students, Others Pull Out

Meanwhile, Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum (ACCF) has condemned the planned August nationwide protest, describing it as an attempt by desperate politicians to undermine President Bola Tinubu-led government.

The group, in a statement by National Coordinator Matthew Victor Bobai and general secretary Hon. Rabi Aminu Zaria, said the protest was ill-timed, misguided, and potentially harmful to the nation.

The duo said, “These protests are not only synchronised and well-coordinated but also have the potential to cause collateral damage and distract the Tinubu government from its efforts to rebuild the nation.”

The Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU) has also dissociated itself from any upcoming protest seemingly directed against the administration of Governor Uba Sani.

The union’s national president, Tabara Kato, revealed this during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Thursday in Kaduna.

He expressed deep satisfaction with Governor Sani’s administration’s policy trajectory and lauded the equitable and inclusive execution of projects across the state.

The Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups (CASG) has cautioned Nigerians regarding the upcoming nationwide protest saying such protests may lead to anarchy.

The CASG warns that advocates.

In a press conference held yesterday, the director-general of CASG, Kailani, proposed peaceful and constructive engagement instead.

Another group known as Concerned Northern Youths and Students called on youths and students across northern Nigeria to withdraw from the nationwide protests.

Students National Senate President Jibril Sani Bello, who also serves as the group’s coordinator, made the call at a press conference following a general meeting of student leaders from the north on Wednesday in Kano.

He also called on the students to appreciate President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s plans for Nigerian students who enjoy interest-free loans to support their education.

Youths in Kwara State may not participate in the hunger protest that some youths in the country are planning.

The chairman of Kwara State’s chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ali Nasir, indicated this during an interview with our reporter in Ilorin, the state capital.

Nasir said the youths in the state believe in the principles of dialogue as against protests and would only participate if dialogue failed to produce the desired results.

Security Agencies Place Personnel On Alert
Meanwhile, security agencies have mobilised the personnel to put the situation under control.

The Nigerian Air Force suspended “passes and leaves” for its personnel following the nationwide protest.

A circular cited by LEADERSHIP Weekend asked Commanders to step up security measures, monitor the situation and train personnel on crowd dispersal methods.

The circular reads: “Intelligence suggests likely nationwide protests and breakdown of law and order due to unresolved issues of minimum wage, hence the need to emplace strict security measures across all units.

“Furthermore, commanders are to review and forward complaints against violent protests. Commanders are to monitor and forward situation reports daily to acquit all personnel with complaints and train for crowd dispersal scenarios in line with the rules of engagement.”

When contacted, the director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, said the ban on leave and passes in the NAF is not unusual during perceived threats.

In Akwa Ibom State, the commissioner of police (CP), Waheed Ayilara, reiterated his zero tolerance for violence and his determination to sustain the state’s peaceful ambience.

In Ebony State, the police public relations officer Joshua Ukandu said the command had yet to receive a letter on the protest, adding that if the letter were brought to the command, modalities for the protest would be issued to the organisers.

In Sokoto, the police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, said the Command planned to engage stakeholders in dialogue to reach a compromise.

“We plan to hold a dialogue with stakeholders, starting Monday, with community leaders throughout the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, the commandant-general of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC), Dr Abubakar Ahmed Audi, said he had already deployed undercover officers nationwide to monitor and curb violence during the planned nationwide hunger protest.

The NSCDC boss, who spoke through his national spokesperson, CSC Babawale Afolabi, stressed that the Corps will stop at nothing to secure all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of government (CNAI)

While highlighting their major mandate to include safeguarding CNAI, disaster management, training, supervision, and issuing practicing licences to Private Guard Companies (PGCs), he added that their role had further been expanded to include the protection of farmers and mining sites, amongst others.

Audi, who further revealed that his men would be deployed strategically to identify flash points, said that in view of the foregoing, all zonal commanders, state commandants, component commanders and special forces across all formations had been directed to be on red alert.

“Our synergy with other sister security agencies remains strong and undiluted as we continue to ensure the peace and stability of the nation without compromise,” he said.

The Federal Government is set to spend N3tn on the new minimum wage and the payment of pensions and gratuities, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this on Friday during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Olamilekan Adeola.

The minister presented the general principles of the newly amended 2024 budget to the committee at the meeting.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had, after a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on Thursday, approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for Nigerian workers. The president also pledged to review the national minimum wage law every three years.

The National Assembly, in both chambers, had on Wednesday passed for first and second readings an amendment of N6.2tn to the 2024 budget, increasing the budget size to N33.7tn.

In a letter to the Senate, read in plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu sought the withdrawal of N3.2tn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for capital expenditure. Additionally, he requested another N3tn for additional recurrent expenditure for the year ending on December 31, 2024.

For expeditious consideration, the Senate gave the requests presented as executive bills, first and second readings, and mandated its committees on Appropriations and Finance to inject more legislative inputs and report back within a week. In his lead debate on the Appropriation Amendment Bill, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the amendment sought to authorise the issuance of N3.2tn for capital expenditure and N3tn for recurrent expenditure from the consolidated fund. He explained that this would help fund capital infrastructure development, education, healthcare access, and public welfare initiatives.

Senator Adamu Aliero supported the bills, citing the need to fund the expected minimum wage for workers. Senator Adams Oshiomhole emphasised the necessity of funding the personnel costs arising from the minimum wage adjustment. He stressed that the increase in personnel expenditure must be legally backed to prevent financial shortfalls.

During the Friday meeting with the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the minister noted that the new budget additions would not be funded by loans but by an already reserved profit.

Bagudu explained that priorities were given to projects that would open up roads for investments and emergencies, while other road projects would be addressed in subsequent batches. He highlighted the country’s historical underinvestment in infrastructure as a root cause of recent problems and commended President Tinubu for addressing the infrastructure deficit.

Bagudu assured that the Federal Executive Council would continue to approve funding for other road projects as funds become available. He provided a sectoral overview of the N3.2tn for the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Projects and the N3tn increase in the recurrent component of the budget.

Senator Adeola affirmed the government’s capacity to finance the 2024 budget and requested a detailed breakdown of the N6.2tn approval.

This breakdown, to be submitted next week, will be debated by both chambers of the National Assembly. Senate Spokesperson, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that ministries, departments, and agencies would defend their budget allocations before the relevant Senate committees.

The recurrent budget of N3tn will fund the minimum wage, pensions, and gratuities, while the capital component of N3.2tn will augment existing road projects on state and federal routes, including coastal roads, the Sokoto-Badagry road, railway construction, and dam irrigation.

Acceptance of N70,000 minimum wage act of solidarity — NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Friday night stated that its acceptance of the N70,000 minimum wage proposed by Tinubu was an act of solidarity.

The congress made this known in a statement released at the end of its National Executive Council meeting. The statement, which was signed by the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, affirmed that the NLC would continue to defend the rights of Nigerian workers at all times.

The statement read, “NEC-in-session concluded that this decision, though challenging and far from our initial demand, was made in the spirit of solidarity and sacrifice for the Nigerian masses to avert a threatened further hike in the price of petrol, which would inflict more hardship on the already suffering masses.

“Once again, NEC-in-session restates the commitment of the NLC to continue standing resolutely in its mission to defend and advance the rights of Nigerian workers and the Nigerian people at all times.

“It therefore calls on all Nigerians to unite in this cause and to hold our leaders accountable to the same standards of sacrifice and service.”


N70,000 can’t sustain workers in Lagos, says labour

Also, the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has urged the state government to consider the peculiarities of the state when the new N70,000 minimum wage comes into effect.

The state chairman of the NLC, Mrs Funmi Sessi, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos that the N70,000 minimum wage approved by President Bola Tinubu could not sustain workers in the state.

“We, in Lagos State, still need to negotiate further with the government on issues such as rent, transportation and feeding. The government needs to look critically at our wage and add the ‘Lagos factor’.

“We know that if Ogun, Oyo, Edo, and Ekiti are paying the N70,000 stipulated by law, for Lagos, Kano, Rivers, and Abuja, there will always be that special factor for their allowances.

“So, we use this medium to appeal to our loving and good Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is always willing to appreciate the good works of workers and alleviate their sufferings.

“We want to tell the governor that the ‘Lagos factor’ should be considered for the workers in the state. N70,000 is not sustainable for workers residing in the state.

“We will, however, continue to engage and dialogue until what we feel will be best for the workers is achieved,” she said.

BY ADERONKE ONI


The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has imposed a fine of $220 million on Meta, parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, for multiple data privacy violations.

According to a statement on Friday signed by Adamu Abdullahi, FCCPC’s acting chief executive officer, the penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (administrative penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).

FCCPC said the penalty follows a joint investigation by FCCPC, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta platforms’ conduct, privacy policies, the operation thereof, and practices between May 2021 and December 2023, and over this period of 38 months.

The commission said it found Meta culpable of denying Nigerians the right to self-determine, unauthorised transfer and sharing of Nigerian data, including cross-border storage in violation; discrimination and disparate treatment, abuse of dominance, and tying and bundling.

“On May 2021, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Commission) based on available evidence and sufficient probable cause issued an Order and Notice to Show Cause (ONSC) to WhatsApp LLC and Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly called Facebook Inc.) jointly referred to as ‘Meta Parties’ in respect to this investigation,” FCCPC said.

“The subject of the ONSC was to relay the Commission’s investigative report in respect of its findings that the Meta Parties by their conduct have violated the above stated provisions of the FCCPA and NDPR (which was in force prior to the enactment and operationalisation of the NDPA (Nigeria Data Protection Act), 2023) and for the Meta Parties to show reasonable cause why the Commission should not proceed to enter its orders as final and enforceable pursuant to the FCCPA, particularly sections 17, 18, 155, and 159.

“Between May 2021 and December 2023, and over this period of 38 months, a joint investigation by the Commission, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into Meta Parties conduct, privacy policies, the operation thereof, and Meta Parties practices has evolved.

“Meta Parties have provided some information/evidence that are in part responsive to document requests and summons under the joint investigation.

“Meta Parties by themselves, and retained counsels have also repeatedly engaged with, and met with investigators and analysts from the Commission, and the NDPC, including as recently as April 4, 2024.

“The totality of the investigation has concluded that Meta Parties over a protracted period of time have engaged in conduct that constitute multiple and repeated, as well as continuing infringements of the FCCA and NDPR, particularly, but not limited to abusive, and invasive practices against data subjects/consumers in Nigeria, such as appropriating personal data or information without consent, discriminatory practices against Nigerian data subjects/consumers or disparate treatment of consumers/data subjects compared with other jurisdictions with similar regulatory frameworks, abuse of dominant market position by forcing unscrupulous, exploitative, and non-compliant privacy policies which appropriated consumer personal information without the option or opportunity to self-determine or otherwise withhold or provide consent to the gathering, use, and/or sharing of such personal data.

“Being satisfied with the significant evidence on the record, and that Meta Parties have been provided every opportunity to articulate any position, representations, refutations, explanations or defences of their conduct and practices under law, the Commission have now entered a Final Order, and issued a penalty against Meta Parties.

“The Final Order more elaborately describes the specific conduct or practices of the Meta Parties, relationship between Meta Parties with respect to the infringements, particularly with regard to: Denying Nigerian data subjects the right to self-determine; Unauthorized transfer and sharing of Nigerian data-subjects personal data, including cross- border storage in violation of then, and now prevailing law; Discrimination and disparate treatment; Abuse of Dominance; and Tying and bundling.

“The Final Order of the Commission mandates steps and actions Meta Parties must take to comply with prevailing law and cease the exploitation of Nigerian consumers and their market abuse, as well as desist from future similar or other conduct/practices that do not meet nationally applicable standards and undermine the rights of consumers.

“The Final order also imposes a monetary penalty of Two Hundred and Twenty Million U.S. Dollars only ($220,000,000.00) (at prevailing exchange rate where applicable) which penalty is in accordance with the FCCPA 2018, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Administrative Penalties) Regulations 2020 (APR).”


FCCPC COMMITTED TO PROTECTING PRIVACY OF NIGERIANS

The commission reiterated its commitment to protecting the privacy of Nigerians under the constitution and all data protection laws and regulations, as well as ensuring that consumer rights are respected, and the markets operate fairly and transparently.

FCCPC acknowledged the collaboration with the NDPC, adding that this joint investigation demonstrates the mutual desire to ensure compliance with the law and that misconduct leads to appropriate accountability.

Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, has rejected his appointment as Chairman Senate Committee on Tourism.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio had given Ndume the new position following his removal as chief whip of the 10th Senate.

The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had asked Akpabio to remove Ndume over his recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu.

Ndume, while reacting to his removal in a chat with newsmen in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on Friday, defended his action, saying he had no regret.

“On me being removed as Chairman of Appropriation Committee, I was not desperate about it. I was begged to accept the position of Chief whip knowing fully well that I led the campaign for Akpabio’ s Emergence as the senate President and I was begged to choose the committee I wanted and I chose vice Chairman Appropriation committee. I am not desperate.

“I learnt that I was given the Chairman of Tourism Committee; nobody wrote to me, but I want state here clearly that I decline this offer for two reasons; I am not a tourist so I am not interested in accepting the Chairman on Tourism. I am not knowledgeable about Tourism.”

Ndume also urged the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to look into issues that he raised, reiterating that the masses are hungry and angry.

“It is unpatriotic to stand by Mr President with whatever he does, it is patriotic to speak the truth not only to the President but anybody for that matter. It unpatriotic not to speak the truth to power or anybody and still stand by that.

“In doing so, it is also worthy to note that in Hausa language (Allah ya na tare da mai gaskiya) meaning that God is always on the side of truthful people.

“I know I am not wrong; the people are not wrong by speaking the truth and by standing by the truth. I expect the president who I believe that the report has gotten to him to look into what I have said and take appropriate measures to alleviate the suffering.

“People are not happy, people are suffering and angry. Leaders in this country need to take a review; they should get back to me to tell me whether I said anything that is not true or is wrong. It is God that gave me that position and it is God that took it, so I bear no grudge against anyone. Afterall, I didn’t contest to be the Chief Whip, I didn’t contest to be the Vice Chairman appropriation committee, I contested to be the senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Alhamdulillah, God granted me victory and I am with God.”

By Daily Trust


President Bola Tinubu on Thursday increased the Federal Government’s offer on the national minimum wage from N62,000 to N70,000, with an assurance that it will be reviewed after three years, instead of five years.

Tinubu said he had to intervene in the negotiations, knowing the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians, and the need to provide urgent succour.

He said this at a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

“I have heard all your presentations. You came here with the intention to get something on behalf of your members. It has been tough globally. And if you review my track record, I have never been found wanting in ameliorating the problem of workers.”

“I belong to the people and to all of you in leadership. Without you, this job is not interesting,” the President said.

He said the labour leaders challenged the thinking faculty of leadership, “and we have reviewed the position. I have consulted widely, and when the tripartite committee submitted their reports, I reviewed them again and started to think and rethink.

“Last week, I brought the workload to you because we have a timeline. We have a problem, and we recognise that you have a problem too.

“We are in the same economy. We are in the same country. We may have different rooms, different addresses, and different houses; we are just members of one family that must care for each other.

“We must look at the parameters of things. Here, I have a speed limit, and I must pay attention to traffic warnings; slippery when wet, curved roads, and be careful not to have an accident. That is why I went as far as having this meeting today.”

He said the government and labour leaders were driving the economy together.

“Let us look at the tenure of review. Let us agree on that, and affirm three years. Two years is too short. We affirm three years. We will review.

“I am going to move from the tripartite committee. I am going to edge a little bit forward, looking at the review that we have done.

“Yes, no one in the federal establishment should earn less than N70,000. So, we are going to benchmark at N70,000,” he said.

Tinubu explained that renewing the hope of Nigerians extended to providing infrastructure that would improve their livelihoods and create an inclusive economy that all could participate and benefit.

The President said the government was committed to reducing the cost of transportation with the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses, which would be cheaper and efficient.

He also assured the labour unions of providing buses that would be deployed across the country.

President Tinubu also said the entitlements of members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions would be considered.

He urged the Ministries of Finance, and Budget & Economic Planning to look at the possibilities of clearing the backlog.

At the meeting, Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, thanked the President for his consideration of issues as the “Father of the Nation” and scheduling two meetings to resolve the initial impasse.

“Mr President, at the tripartite meeting, and the resolutions of the government, Organised Private Sector and labour unions; we were all united as one family to promote and grow our economy, and deepen our democracy, by implication to the benefit of all.”

“Basically, that is what we are saying today. We have a listening President here,” said Akume.

Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, and Comrade Festus Osifo, his TUC counterpart, thanked the President for creating time to host two meetings on the review of the national minimum wage.

The two labour leaders acknowledged that at the last meeting, the President directed the rescheduling of an official trip in order to attend the second meeting.

The labour leaders also expressed their appreciation to the President, applauding him for his clear show of commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers. (NAN)

Comrade Philip Shaibu, impeached but reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, came under gun attack in Benin City, capital of Edo State, on Thursday.

Shaibu, whose impeachment was voided by a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, had returned to Edo from Abuja when his convoy was attacked.

He was in company of the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, when the assailants who reportedly killed a policeman in their convoy, struck.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident occurred on Airport Road, when Okpebholo and several others, arrived the city from Abuja aboard a chartered flight.

It was not immediately known if Okpebholo was wounded, but he is said to be hospitalized in an undisclosed hospital in Benin City.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, had on Wednesday voided the impeachment of Shaibu as the state deputy governor by the state House of Assembly.

The House of Assembly, however, in a statement, said it had appealed the judgement.

The gunmen, in a vehicle, at the exit gate of the airport, were said to have opened fire on the convoy, which led to a reprisal by the armed security details attached to the APC candidate and Shaibu.

The incident forced shops and offices to hurriedly shot down, while majority of motorists abandoned their vehicles and scampered to safety.

When contacted, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo said the incident was being investigated.

“It is premature for the police to confirm at this time until the investigation is concluded,” he said.

Meanwhile, a check showed that security had been strengthened at the premises of the state Deputy Governor, Godwins Omobayo located at Osadebey Avenue, near the airport, in Benin to forestall any attack on him.

In a statement on Thursday, Edo Government, alleged that it had observed the level of wanton destruction perpetrated by thugs working in connivance with the former deputy governor.

Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation alleged that Shaibu led thugs have unleashed mayhem on innocent citizens in the guise of enforcing the judgment reinstating him to office.

“We want to reiterate that Shaibu will face the consequences of violence that he has resorted to in pursuit of his aim to return to the Government House even when he is aware that a stay of execution of the judgement has been filed,” he said.

The Commissioner enjoined the general public to be calm and go about their lawful businesses as government restore peace to the ancient city.

However, efforts to get the reaction of Shaibu proved abortive.

But a statement by Mr Godswill Inegbe, an aide to Okpebholo, said his principal was attacked by the gunmen.

“During the unprovoked attack, three mobile policemen attached to the security detail of Sen. Okpebholo were injured with bullet wounds, while one of the policemen has been feared dead,” Inegbe said.

According to him, Okpebholo is at this moment admitted in an undisclosed hospital in Benin for medical attention with other members of the entourage. (NAN)

Former National Vice Chairman, Northwest, of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Salihu Moh. Lukman has accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio of reducing the Nigerian Senate to a parastatal under the President Bola Tinubu APC-led administration.

Lukman’s position is against the backdrop of the sack of the Senate Whip, Mohammed Ndume by the Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee NWC of the party.

In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja and titled “Fanatical Mindset”, the former Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum PGF said all patriotic Nigerians must wake up to the responsibility of rescuing the country.

Querying how Nigerians can have a democracy that produces leaders who are intolerant to criticisms, Lukman Nigerians should not allow a situation whereby so-called leaders of the ruling party will behave like officials of military tribunals who operate with the fanatical mindset of condemning everyone accused of wrongdoing without the benefit of fair hearing.

“It is quite interesting that Dr. Ganduje and Sen. Basiru could ask Sen. Ndume to ‘honourably resign the membership of APC and join any opposition party of his choice formally’. Already, with non-functioning organs, the APC has basically dismissed all its members.

“Nowhere in the Constitution of APC where the National Chairman, National Secretary, or any official, or even the National Working Committee is given the powers to summarily remove any principal officer of the National Assembly.

“It is a shame that the APC Senate Caucus will permit such an act of illegality. By so doing, they have set a precedence that will further erode the independence of the National Assembly.

“Already, with the way Sen. Godswill Akpabio has been conducting himself almost reducing the Senate Chamber to the status of a parastatal of government, the action of the APC under the leadership of Dr Ganduje to direct removal of principal officers for criticizing President Tinubu’s government highlights the fanatical mindset undermining Nigerian democracy.

“Any democracy that cannot accommodate criticisms is no democracy. A democracy that subverts fair hearing is a dictatorship. A democracy that permits a ruling party to demobilize its organs and inadvertently expels its members is worse than a military government. All patriotic Nigerian political leaders must unite to restore Nigeria’s democracy. Nigerian opposition leaders must unite to build a truly strong political party to rebuild Nigerian democracy. All our opposition leaders and orphaned leaders of APC must come together and unite. Sen. Ndume being the newest APC orphan is welcome to join the efforts of political leaders in the country to restore and rebuild our democracy.

“So long as APC, its leadership and Asiwaju Tinubu’s government have taken the self-destructive path, which is equivalent to a declaration of working to end their tenure in 2027, patriotic Nigerians must help them to ensure their defeat in 2027!”

APC had in a letter to Akpabio alleged that Sen. Ndume “have been making uncouth and rabid outbursts against the government, before the international and before the global community is not only harmful to the government’s image alone but also undermines the party’s unity and cohesion and in addition, undermines the government’s efforts to bring in foreign direct investments to Nigeria”.

The letter referred to a televised interview with Arise Television where Sen. Ndume expressed the concern that the APC government of President Tinubu was going down because according to him the government is being run by kakistocrats, which he explains to mean ‘a government run by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens’.

He went further to add that the ‘government is populated by kakistocrats and kleptocrats’, explaining that kleptocratic component refers to people ‘who are in government for what they can make for themselves’.

Accordingly, the letter to the Senate requested Sen. Ndume to ‘honourably resign the membership of APC and join any opposition party of his choice formally instead of hiding behind the veil of crass activism to decimate the hard-earned cohesion and goodwill that …the APC is enjoying within and outside the country.’

However, Lukman said in an ideal democratic setting where the organs of the party are functioning, a competent organ of the party would have been convened to deliberate on the issues raised by Sen. Ndume.

He said if the organs of the party were functioning, instead of raising the issues in a television station, the issue would have been raised at a meeting of a competent organ of the party. Such a competent organ would have been the National Caucus, National Executive Committee (NEC) or National Advisory Council.

“Somehow, the letter directing the removal of Sen. Ndume confirmed the allegations of a government of Kakistocrat. Dr. Ganduje and Sen. Ajibola and perhaps a small group of party leaders who have caged the President usurped the powers of organs of the APC and proceeded to pass judgement on Sen. Ndume. It is very doubtful if members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party are given the benefit of being part of those who took the decision to remove Sen. Ndume as the Chief Whip of the Senate. It is also doubtful if members of the APC Caucus in the Senate were consulted before the decision was taken to both remove Sen. Ndume and appoint Sen. Monguno as his replacement. It is simply an action taken by party leaders with fanatical mindset of blocking any attempt to scrutinize the President and actions being taken either directly by him or by his representatives, in whatever guise.

“Beyond issues of fair hearing, the substantive allegation made by Sen. Ndume is that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is inaccessible. Those he refers to as Kakistocrats and Kleptocrats have caged the President so much so that even Ministers are not able to access him. These are not new allegations. The way the government is being managed is quite worrisome. Anybody who knows Asiwaju Tinubu and how he has operated throughout his political life, will certainly know that it is unlike Asiwaju Tinubu to be insular. Many of the decisions taken betrays the true Asiwaju Tinubu. For instance, it is doubtful if Asiwaju Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State for eight years has had any instance of reversing any of the decisions he took. But as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the last one year, Nigerians are beginning to lose count of the number of decisions he took and ended up reversing them”, he submitted.

The Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) said local petrol prices will continue to increase as trading arms offer cargoes at $2-$4 per barrel above the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) official price.


Vice President of Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Mr DVG Edwin stated this while responding to a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of NUPRC, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, in an interview on ARISE News TV where he said: “it is ‘erroneous’ for one to say that the International Oil Companies (IOCs) are refusing to make crude oil available to domestic refiners, as the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) has a stipulation that calls for a willing buyer-willing seller relationship.”

Edwin, in a statement Wednesday, insisted that International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria have consistently frustrated Dangote Refinery’s requests for locally produced crude as feedstock for its refining process.

Edwin said: “When cargoes are offered to the oil company by the trading arms, it is sometimes at a $2-$4 (per barrel) premium above the official price set by NUPRC.

“As an example, we paid $96.23 per barrel for a cargo of Bonga crude grade in April (excluding transport). The price consisted of $90.15 dated Brent price + $5.08 NNPC premium (NSP) + $1 trader premium.

“In the same month, we were able to buy WTI at a dated Brent price of $90.15 + $0.93 trader premium including transport.

“When NNPC subsequently lowered its premium based on market feedback that it was too high, some traders then started asking us for a premium of up to $4m over and above the NSP for a cargo of Bonny Light.

“Data on platforms like Platts and Argus shows that the price offered to us is way higher than the market prices tracked by these platforms.

“We recently had to escalate this to NUPRC”, Edwin said and urged the regulatory commission to take a second look at the issue of pricing.

He commended the NUPRC for its various interventions in the oil company’s crude supply requests from International Oil Companies (IOCs), and for publishing the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) guidelines to enshrine transparency in the oil industry.

He however said: “If the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO) guidelines are diligently implemented, this will ensure that we deal directly with the companies producing the crude oil in Nigeria as stipulated by the PIA.”

Edwin further noted that the NUPRC has been very supportive of the Dangote Refinery as they have intervened several times to help it secure crude supply.

However, he said “The NUPRC Chief Executive was probably misquoted by some people hence his statement that IOCs did not refuse to sell to us. To set the records straight, we would like to recap the facts that aside from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), to date, we have only purchased crude directly from one other local producer (Sapetro). All other producers refer us to their international trading arms.

“These international trading arms are non-value adding middlemen who sit abroad and earn margin from crude being produced and consumed in Nigeria. They are not bound by Nigerian laws and do not pay tax in Nigeria on the unjustifiable margin they earn.

“The trading arm of one of the IOCs refused to sell to us directly and asked us to find a middleman who would buy from them and then sell to us at a margin. We dialogued with them for 9 months and in the end, we had to escalate to NUPRC who helped resolve the situation,” Edwin stated.

By Gbenga Salau


Lagos State House of Assembly spent N36.78 million on the construction of visitors’ toilets in 2023, a budget document has revealed. But the Assembly is not done as it plans to spend an additional N50 million on the same project in 2024, according to budget documents sighted by The Guardian.

In the first document, between January and September 2023, which is the first three quarters of the year, the Assembly spent N12.71 million on the construction of toilets for visitors.

In the second document, between October and December 2023, which is the fourth quarter of the year, it spent N24.07 million on the construction of toilets for visitors.

The documents showed that N50 million was appropriated in the 2023 budget for the construction of the toilets, but N36.78 million was what was released for the project, which means the project recorded a 73.6 per cent budget performance.

The Guardian gathered from sources in the Assembly that there are no less than five spots within the complex where toilet facilities are available for visitors. They, therefore, wondered why the Assembly needed to construct additional toilets for visitors again.

According to the sources, there are dedicated visitors’ toilets within the building housing lawmakers’ offices called the legislators’ wing. It was gathered that on every floor of the five-storey building, there is at least one female and male toilet each. This implies that there are 12 toilets within the building alone.

Aside from the toilet facilities within the legislators’ wing of the Assembly complex, the sources also said there are toilet facilities for visitors within the Speaker’s floor, legislative chamber, Assembly’s security post, mosque, chapel and gym. In all, from the source’s explanations, there are six points already within the Assembly complex where there are toilet facilities for visitors.

Findings from the sources further revealed that no project as visitors’ toilet is at present being executed by the Assembly even though the Assembly claimed it had spent about N36.7 million for the construction of toilet facilities in 2023 with an additional provision of N50 million in the 2024 budget.

Meanwhile, when contacted, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Stephen Ogundipe, claimed he was on medical leave and could not speak, asking that the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker should be contacted.

When he was told that the issue was about the Assembly and not the Speaker, he still maintained that he would not speak as he was on medical leave. He also declined to suggest a member of his committee to comment on his behalf.

Thereafter, the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, when contacted, denied knowledge of the additional visitors’ toilets, urging The Guardian to do an independent investigation of the claim.

He said: “I do not know about that. You can come to see by yourself. We have sufficient toilets in the Assembly complex. Where would they even build it? That is a false claim.”

“I do not want you to take my word for it. You can come to the Assembly as construction is not something that is hidden, it is either built against an existing structure or built as a standalone. Whichever one it is, it will be conspicuous,” he said.

By Bakare Majeed


The National Assembly lobbied the Nigerian government to sign the Samoa Agreement, PREMIUM TIMES can report.

This newspaper obtained a letter from the National Assembly to the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, asking the government to sign the Agreement.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the House urged the government to suspend the implementation of the Agreement on Thursday, pending an investigation by its committee.

However, the letter shows that contrary to the position of the House on the Agreement, the National Assembly as an institution was involved in pushing for the government to sign it.

Not only did it push for the Agreement, but the federal legislature also participated as “observers” and nominated a candidate to take a position in the parliamentary wing of the organisation.

In the letter, dated 9 May 2024, and signed by Muhammed Argungu, the National Assembly urged the minister to sign the Agreement and pay all of Nigeria’s outstanding obligations to the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and European Union, Joint Parliamentary Assembly (OACPS-EU-JPA).

Mr Argungu, a director of International Parliamentary Organisations, signed the letter on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CAN), Sani Tambawal.

In the letter, the National Assembly lobbied the government to sign the Agreement so that a Nigerian lawmaker could be elected into the OACPS-EU-JPA.

“The Leader of the Nigerian Delegation was nominated during the meetings to represent West Africa in the Bureau of the Regional Assembly. Regrettably, her nomination was, however, stepped down because Nigeria had not signed the Samoa Agreement and also due to Nigeria’s indebtedness.

“Accordingly, the Honourable Minister is requested to kindly consider the above and put in place machinery for signing the agreement and payment of the accumulated subscriptions to the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and European Union (OACPS) to avoid the Nigerian delegation to the meetings being subjected to ridicule,” the letter reads in part.

The letter’s content contradicts the claim by many lawmakers that they were not involved in negotiating and ultimately signing the Agreement.

When contacted for comment, House spokesperson Akin Rotimi stated that since the matter is before a House committee, he would not comment.


Background

The Samoa Agreement, named after the South Pacific country where it was signed, is a legal framework between European Union (EU) member states and more than half of the 79 members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).

The Agreement is the legal framework for the European Union’s relations with 79 countries, including 48 African, 16 Caribbean, and 15 Pacific countries.

Two weeks ago, Daily Trust newspaper, in a report, raised concerns over clauses that allegedly mandate LGBT rights in the Agreement signed by the Nigerian government on 28 June.

The report, premised on an opinion article by Sonnie Ekwowusi, a Lagos-based lawyer, was amplified by other news platforms.
It led to a backlash against the federal government, as many Nigerians criticised it for sacrificing the country’s moral values for Western aid.

However, the Nigerian government denied the claim and said there was no LGBTQ+ clause in the agreement.

PREMIUM TIMES fact-checked the Daily Trust report and found it untrue. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also debunked the claim in the report. The Nigerian government has since formally reported Daily Trust to the media ombudsman.

Despite these, the House of Representatives, acting on a motion by the Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki (NNPP, Kano), urged the government to suspend implementation over the alleged controversial clauses.


Campaign of Falsehood

The lawmakers have not been entirely truthful about the whole debacle over the Samoa Agreement, starting with some of the claims they made during the debate on Tuesday.

Most lawmakers who participated in the debate relied on the false claim of an “LGBTQ+ clause” despite available information.

Hours after the resolution, the House issued a statement saying it did not ask the executive to suspend the probe.

PREMIUM TIMES exposed the falsehood in a report, showing that the House adopted the resolution

With just over a year in office, a campaign billboard of President Bola Tinubu for his reelection in 2027 has been spotted in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

On the billboard is a picture of Tinubu holding his wife, Remi, in a lovey-dovey manner with the inscription “Grassroots support for Tinubu 2027”.

The billboard, mounted close to the Velodrome of the national stadium, along Area 1 Road, is sponsored by a group called “Dark matters”.

The reelection campaign for Tinubu is coming a few months after he celebrated his one year as president of Nigeria.

There are growing concerns about the policies of the present administration, which many believe have worsened the economic situation in the country.

There are fears that the president’s popularity is waning among citizens despite having spent less than two years in office.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to fix a timetable for the 2027 elections.

In May, Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the ruling party was being strengthened to enable Tinubu to secure a second term in office.

Ganduje said the APC national leadership is working with states to ensure that the party has functional offices in wards across the country.

Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, has been holed up in the “protective custody” of Kogi state government since he was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), TheCable understands.

Bello, who handpicked Ahmed Usman Ododo as his successor, has been enjoying protection from the security agents attached to the state since the aborted attempt by the EFCC to arrest him.

TheCable understands that the EFCC has issued a Red Notice on Bello to the international police organisation, also known as Interpol, based on the warrant of arrest issued by a federal high court in Abuja.

A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or surrender.

It means Bello can now be arrested in any country he visits — except Micronesia, North Korea, Palau and Tuvalu, which are not members of Interpol.

BOTCHED ARREST, 19-COUNT CHARGE

In April, the EFCC declared Bello wanted over alleged N80 billion fraud.

Prior to the development, some EFCC operatives had barricaded his Abuja residence to arrest him.

During the siege, Ododo arrived at the residence and was said to have helped the former governor evade arrest.

Reacting to the incident, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), warned against obstructing the EFCC in the discharge of its operations.

Subsequently, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) placed Bello on a watchlist while the police headquarters ordered the withdrawal of officers attached to the former governor.

Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, would later allege that Bello withdrew $720,000 from Kogi’s coffers to pay his child’s school fees in advance.

The anti-graft agency also filed a 19-count charge against him over alleged money laundering.

However, the arraignment was stalled due to the absence of the former governor.

In May, Abdulwahab Mohammed, counsel to Bello, told the court that the former governor’s whereabouts remain unknown and that he was nurturing some safety concerns.

The anti-graft agency had recently asked Interpol operatives in three North African countries — Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria — to add Bello to their watchlist.

With the latest Red Notice, it is now a risk for him to visit virtually any country.

DAMILARE FAMUYIWA


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The suspect was accused of using charm to hypnotise the victim, which was said to have rendered her unconscious.

Auwalu Haruna, a self-acclaimed cleric in Yobe State, is under investigation following his arrest for kidnapping and impregnating his wife’s friend.

The suspect was said to have kidnapped his wife’s friend and over time had sexual intercourse with her while she was in his captivity.

It was gathered that the 20-year-old victim, who had been missing for several days, was discovered pregnant in Haruna’s custody in Anguwan Arewa, located in the Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State.

In a telephone interview, Dungus Abdulkarim, the spokesperson for the state police command, disclosed that Haruna is accused of hypnotising the victim using a concoction that rendered her unconscious.

Abdulkarim explained that the case has been transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough investigation. "The suspect operates as a cleric, performing rituals for people. It is alleged that he forced the victim to drink a certain concoction, which made her fall in love with him. He then eloped with her to Anguwan Arewa in Kano," Abdulkarim said.

The victim’s father reported the abduction to the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters, alleging Haruna's involvement.

Following an extensive search, police operatives apprehended Haruna in Kano along with the victim, who was confirmed to be two months pregnant.

"The investigation is ongoing at the Yobe SCID, and there are certain processes we must follow. Once we complete our investigation, we will transfer the case file to the Yobe State Ministry of Justice. The ministry will review the file and, if satisfied with the investigation, provide legal assistance to the police, leading to the suspect's arraignment in court," Abdulkarim concluded.

Haruna is likely to be charged to court, as police authorities are working to ensure justice is served for the victim.

By Mumini AbdulKareem, Ilorin


Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lt. Col. Nurudeen Yusuf, will, on Saturday, receive his staff of office as the next Elemona of Ilemona in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

Daily Trust had reported how the kingmakers selected the senior military officer for the stool occupied by his late father, Oba Yusuf Omokanye Oyekanmi, who died at the age of 95 in May.

The Interesting Things About Pha Din Pass, Dien Bien That Just A Few People Know

The Kwara State government later ratified the selection.

Speaking with Daily Trust, on Saturday morning, Kwara State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon Abdullahi Abubakar Bata, confirmed that the president’s ADC has accepted his appointment.

“Yes, it is true, he (Yusuf) will receive the staff of office any moment from now,” the commissioner said.

A former state House of Assembly member from Oyun who preferred not to be named also confirmed the issue.

The former lawmaker said the monarch after his installation will appoint a regent to hold forth for him on the throne pending his retirement from the military service.

“Being a security expert and well educated fellow, he is expected to use everything at his disposal to advance the cause of his people”, he submitted.

A government house source told our correspondent that the activities for the ceremony were to commence at 11am on Saturday, but “nothing has commenced yet, we are still waiting though”.


WHO IS YUSUF?

After completing his Ordinary National Diploma in Computer Science from Offa Polytechnic in 2000, Yusuf enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical-Electronics).

Between 2004 and 2005, he attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in the United Kingdom.

The RMAS is an institution where all officers in the British Army are trained to take on the responsibility of leading their soldiers.

In 2006, he attended the Nigerian Army Intelligence School in Lagos where he was trained in intelligence and security-related subjects in accordance with the Nigerian Army training policies and directives.

Attending the Young Officer’s Course Infantry, NASI, another course in Kaduna in 2007 equipped him with military skills on the use of various types of weapon systems used in infantry units as well as special operations

In 2008, Yusuf completed the Tactical Intelligence Officers and Security Investigations courses to improve his capabilities as a military officer. Between 2009 and 2018, the multilingual officer, who is fluent in Yoruba, Hausa, English and French, had several military trainings in Mali, Pakistan, China, Israel and the United Kingdom.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has yet to implement President Bola Tinubu’s directive that Nicholas Agbo-Ella be allowed to represent Nigeria as OPEC Governor, in what appears to some people a disobedience of President Bola Tinubu’s order.

In a directive issued on 6 May, Mr Tinubu asked Mr Lokpobiri, whom he appointed in August 2023, to submit the name of Mr Agbo-Ella, the current Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources as the representative of Nigeria in OPEC.

Mr Agbo-Ella replaced Gabriel Aduda as the Permanent Secretary for the Petroleum Ministry after the latter was redeployed to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in February.

Top officials in the ministry have told this newspaper that Mr Aduda, a brother to former FCT Senator Philip Aduda, has continued to attend functions as OPEC governor, a move sources said was backed by Mr Lokpobiri.

President Tinubu emphasised in his memo to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and copied to Mr Lokpobiri that Mr Lokpobiri should “take immediate steps to notify OPEC of the change of Permanent Secretary and replace Ambassador Gabriel T. Aduda’s name with Ambassador Nicholas Agbo-Ella as the Governor nominated by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, being the current Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum.”

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively obtained the memo in which the president said the minister should ensure the “replacement is confirmed by the conference scheduled for 1 June 2024.”

However, in what some administration insiders consider a disregard of a valid presidential directive, Mr Lokpobiri does not appear to have submitted Mr Agbo-Ella’s name to the OPEC Board of Governors, at least as of 1 June, an insider at the petroleum ministry said.

PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately confirm the reason for Mr Lokpobiri’s action. It is also unclear why Mr Aduda, whose function is now with the Ministry of Women Affairs, continued to serve as OPEC governor.

PREMIUM TIMES’ calls and text messages to the minister seeking comments about the submission of Mr Agbo-Ella’s name to the OPEC were neither acknowledged nor returned.

This newspaper also contacted the SGF’s office to know what efforts he has made to ensure that the president’s directive is complied with. Segun Imohiosen, the spokesperson of the SGF’s Office, first asked for some time to clarify the minister’s stance. He subsequently refused to return calls and text messages sent to him.

Checks by this medium show that Mr Aduda is still listed as the Governor of Nigeria on the OPEC website. He also still addresses himself as the OPEC governor of Nigeria on his X account.

Nigeria joined OPEC in 1971 to enhance the country’s crude oil production.

The Petroleum Act only recognises a high-ranking official from the petroleum ministry to represent Nigeria’s interest at OPEC. “Hence, the approval to allow the current Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to serve as the representative of Nigeria at the OPEC meeting,” the president’s letter to the SGF read.

In the letter, Mr Tinubu granted approval for Mr Agbo-Ella to attend the 165th Meeting of the OPEC Board of Governors (BOG) in May.

But, it was Mr Aduda who attended the BOG meeting.

“Critically examining the Organisation’s strategic, financial and administrative affairs. At the ongoing 165th Meeting of OPEC’s Board of Governors,” Mr Aduda wrote on X, attaching his pictures from the event.

Mr Aduda ignored PREMIUM TIMES’ repeated requests for comments on why he is still serving as OPEC governor despite being redeployed to a new ministry.

Other OPEC meetings that were supposed to be attended by Mr Lokpobiri and Mr Agbo-Ella during the trip to the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna, Austria, were the 188th Meeting of the Conference, the 54th Meeting of the JMMC and the 37th Meeting of the ONOM.

Insiders at the ministry also said despite his redeployment from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr Aduda wwas recently seen in a photograph receiving the OPEC Secretary General, Haitham Al Ghais, in Nigeria.

Similarly, Mr Lokpobiri and Mr Aduda were seen in a photograph dated 2 June 2024, where the pair attended an OPEC meeting virtually.

Minister Lokpobiri attend s meeting with Gabriel Aduda Credit: Gabriel Aduda X account
Minister Lokpobiri attend s meeting with Gabriel Aduda Credit: Gabriel Aduda X account
This is not the first controversy Mr Aduda will be embroiled in.

This newspaper, in an exclusive report in May 2014, detailed Mr Aduda’s entry into the federal civil service despite failing promotional and confirmation examinations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

After Mr Aduda flunked the examination, he resigned after a re-mark of his papers showed that he indeed performed abysmally.

However, six months after his resignation, Mr Aduda was named the Director in charge of the Economic Research and Policy Management Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance. From then, he served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Petroleum Resources and now with the Ministry of Women Affairs.

AHMED OLUWASANJO


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says former Governor Yahaya Bello remains wanted, and his arrest is a collective responsibility of all security agencies in Nigeria.

“We have declared him wanted, and he is still wanted,” Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the anti-graft agency, told Peoples Gazette on Thursday.

When asked why the fugitive former governor had not been arrested since he was declared wanted months ago, Mr Oyewale said, “When a suspected is declared wanted in law enforcement, the responsibility of his arrest is on all the security agencies.”

According to the EFCC official, there are other suspects that the agency has launched a manhunt.

“It is not Yahaya Bello alone. There are so many suspects declared wanted by the EFCC, and we ate on their trail. Until we are done with them, they remain declared wanted,” said the EFCC spokesman.

Mr Oyewale added, “So it is not about him alone. Go to our website, you’ll see so many suspects declared wanted, and they remain in that status until they are arrested.”

In April, the EFCC declared the ex-governor wanted for alleged crimes of stealing N80 billion from Kogi’s treasury.

The declaration came after the agency faced considerable resistance from Mr Bello’s security detail during a previous attempt to arrest him for prosecution.

By OLUYEMI OGUNSEYIN


A new report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has shown a concerning picture of bribery in Nigeria, with Nigerian public officials receiving no less than ₦721 billion ($1.26 billion) in bribes in 2023; an amount which translates to roughly 0.35% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The report, titled “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” was released on Thursday. The findings were based on a survey conducted with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The survey revealed that the average cash bribe in 2023 was ₦8,284, up from ₦5,754 in 2019. Despite this increase, the inflation-adjusted value of the average bribe in 2023 was 29% smaller than in 2019.

The report read in part, “According to the 2023 survey, the average cash bribe paid was 8,284 Nigerian Naira. While the nominal average cash bribe size increased since 2019 (from NGN 5,754), this does not account for inflation. The inflation-adjusted average cash bribe in 2023 was 29 per cent smaller than in 2019 in terms of what could be bought with the money.

“Overall, it is estimated that a total of roughly NGN 721 billion (US$1.26 billion) was paid in cash bribes to public officials in Nigeria in 2023, corresponding to 0.35 per cent of the entire Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria.”

Corruption was identified as the fourth most significant issue in the country, following the cost of living, insecurity, and unemployment. The report also indicated a decline in Nigerians’ confidence in the government’s anti-corruption efforts. While over half of the citizens believed in the government’s effectiveness in combating corruption in 2019, this figure dropped to less than a third in 2023.

All six geopolitical zones of Nigeria recorded more than a 10 percentage point drop in the share of citizens who thought the government was effective against corruption between 2019 and 2023.

The reports added, “This suggests relatively stable and high levels of concerns about corruption over time and compared to other concerns such as education or housing.

“Nigerians’ confidence in the government’s anti-corruption effort has been declining over time and across regions. While in 2019, more than half of all citizens thought that the government was effective in fighting corruption, in 2023, the share declined to less than a third of all citizens. The downward trend in the citizen’s confidence is observable across the entire country, with all six zones recording reductions of more than 10 percentage points between 2019 and 2023 in terms of the share of citizens who thought the government was effective in fighting corruption.”

In 2023, 56% of Nigerians interacted with public officials, down from 63% in 2019. Despite this reduction, bribery remained widespread, with an average of 5.1 bribes per payer, totalling about 87 million bribes nationwide, a decrease from the 117 million bribes estimated in 2019.

Bribery was more prevalent in rural areas, with rural residents paying an average of 5.8 bribes compared to 4.5 bribes in urban areas.

The report noted that over 95% of bribes were paid in cash or money transfers in 2023. Public officials were the primary recipients of bribes, but the involvement of private sector actors, including doctors in private hospitals, rose from 6% in 2019 to 14% in 2023. However, bribery in the public sector remained about twice as high as in the private sector.

In 2023, 27% of Nigerians who interacted with a public official paid a bribe, slightly down from 29% in 2019. Including instances where bribes were requested but refused, over one-third of interactions between citizens and public officials involved bribery.

There was also a notable increase in Nigerians refusing to pay bribes. In 2023, 70% of those asked to pay a bribe refused at least once, with the highest refusal rates in the North-West zone at 76%. All regions recorded refusal rates above 60%, indicating a growing resistance to corruption.

The percentage of citizens who viewed bribery as acceptable to expedite procedures decreased from 29% in 2019 to 23% in 2023. Fewer citizens reported suffering negative consequences for refusing to pay bribes in 2023 compared to 2019, suggesting increasing empowerment to confront corrupt officials without fear of repercussions.

The report also revealed that not less than 60% of public sector workers were hired through nepotism, bribery, or both between 2020 and 2023. Specifically, 27% of these candidates used bribery, 13% used nepotism, and 19% used both. Meanwhile, 40% of candidates claimed to have secured their positions without resorting to any unethical means.

The recruitment process in the public sector was found to require closer monitoring, as 46% of people who secured jobs in the public sector in the three years before the survey admitted to paying a bribe. This was about 1.5 times the share found in the 2019 survey. Additionally, 32% of successful applicants were helped by friends or relatives.

The report indicated that the use of bribery was notably lower when the recruitment process included formal assessments. Among candidates who underwent a written test or oral interview, 41% used bribery or nepotism, compared to 53% among those who were not formally assessed.

The report read: “The 2023 survey data show that approximately half (49 per cent) of those who secured a position in the public sector in the three years before the survey passed a written test and/or oral interview during the recruitment selection process. Importantly, the data suggest that the means of selection had a role in facilitating or preventing the use of illegal practices during recruitment. Among those who underwent an assessment procedure (written test / oral interview), 41 per cent made use of bribery, while the share was as much as 53 per cent among those who were not formally assessed.”