I remain in PDP, I’m not going anywhere – Plateau Gov Mutfwang

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, says he remains loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, dismissing rumours of him joining the All Progressives Congress, APC.




A social media report had gone viral containing an electronic flex banner with the governor’s image suggesting his defection to the APC.




Responding in a statement, the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere, described the reports as misleading.




According to him, the governor firmly upholds the party’s values and the trust placed in him by the people of Plateau State who overwhelmingly elected him in the 2023 elections under the PDP.




Bere said while this baseless rumour does not warrant a formal response, it has become necessary to dispel any misconceptions that may mislead the public and to preserve the governor’s integrity.




He added that the governor acknowledged that the people of Plateau State regard the PDP as their trusted political platform for leadership and the notion that he has contemplated leaving it for APC is entirely false.




He urged the public to disregard the actions of the detractors, with the sole aim of tarnishing the governor’s reputation for their selfish political gain, adding that Governor Mutfwang has not authorized anyone to create or circulate any such flex banner, and he remains steadfast in his commitment to the PDP and the people of Plateau State.




“This orchestrated falsehood, crafted by certain individuals and executed by mischief-makers, is aimed at creating division between the governor and the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as well as his dedicated supporters in Plateau State,” the statement read.

I remain in PDP, I’m not going anywhere – Plateau Gov Mutfwang

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, says he remains
loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, dismissing rumours of him joining
the All Progressives Congress, APC.



 



A social media report had gone viral containing an
electronic flex banner with the governor’s image suggesting his defection to
the APC.



 



Responding in a statement, the Director of Press and Public
Affairs to the Governor, Gyang Bere, described the reports as misleading.



 



According to him, the governor firmly upholds the party’s values
and the trust placed in him by the people of Plateau State who overwhelmingly
elected him in the 2023 elections under the PDP.



 





Bere said while this baseless rumour does not warrant a
formal response, it has become necessary to dispel any misconceptions that may
mislead the public and to preserve the governor’s integrity.



 



He added that the governor acknowledged that the people of
Plateau State regard the PDP as their trusted political platform for leadership
and the notion that he has contemplated leaving it for APC is entirely false.



 



He urged the public to disregard the actions of the
detractors, with the sole aim of tarnishing the governor’s reputation for their
selfish political gain, adding that Governor Mutfwang has not authorized anyone
to create or circulate any such flex banner, and he remains steadfast in his
commitment to the PDP and the people of Plateau State.



 



“This orchestrated falsehood, crafted by certain individuals
and executed by mischief-makers, is aimed at creating division between the
governor and the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as well as
his dedicated supporters in Plateau State,” the statement read.

We’ve exited ways and means… CBN would no longer fund FG’s debt —Wale Edun

Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of
the economy, says the federal government had “exited” servicing its debts
through ways and means.



 



Edun spoke on Thursday at the 2024 Access corporate forum,
themed, ‘Nigeria’s Economic Rebirth: Hopes and Implications’.



 



His statement comes days after the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) said it would sustain its ways and means advances to the federal
government at a 5 percent limit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.



 



Ways and means is a loan facility through which the CBN
finances the federal government’s budget shortfalls.



 





Speaking on plans to boost revenue and managing finance, the
minister said the government would no longer be going to the CBN to clear
debts.



 



“We have exited Ways and Means. What does that mean? It means
that the government, when it has to pay domestic debt service or foreign debt
service, does not go to the central bank to debit the consolidated revenue fund
of the government, which means just printing the money,” Edun said.



 



“But more importantly, we are putting in place, with the
backing and support of Mr. President, a world-class treasury and liability
management system that will take this country to where it should be in terms of
financial management.”



 



Edun said the successful delivery of the government’s
economic stabilisation plan would reinforce the gains being recorded from
reforms.



 



 The minister also
said plans are ongoing to mobilise 360,000 farmers to cultivate 360,000
hectares of land to yield an estimated harvest of 1.4 million metric tonnes of
maize, wheat, and cassava because “we must produce the food that we eat”.



 



In addition, he said the government is providing support and
relief to manufacturers through fiscal measures, noting that the economic
management team would be reconvened soon, as the government is documenting its
economic plan.



 



According to Edun, the federal government aims to reduce the
number of taxes businesses pay to a single digit.



 



 “The rationale is
this: 90 percent or so of the tax revenues that arrive in the government
coffers comes from less than 10 taxes,” he said.



 



“There is ongoing work to bring down the rate of corporate
income tax as we are trying to encourage investments in order to grow the
economy.”



 



Edun said foods, pharmaceuticals, and health products will
exempted from VAT, while “taxes on luxury items will be adjusted upwards”.

Nigeria is bankrupt – Governor Obaseki

Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State has stated that Nigeria is technically bankrupt.




Obeseki during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, elaborated on his concerns over the country’s financial health.




While criticising the Federal Government for being stuck in the past, the governor emphasized the urgent need for restructuring to facilitate progress.




“Nigeria is technically bankrupt. When you are bankrupt anywhere in the world like in the state.




“You restructure your affairs so that you can reorganize and be able to meet your obligations. But Nigeria is still behaving as if they have money like it used to.




“Nigeria has been in trouble for a while. We don’t have enough to cover our expenditures and we are not reducing our expenditures and we are not earning more. The federal government does not have the capacity anymore to manage the economy.”

Edo people don’t need Wike to know whom to vote for – Obaseki

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said that Edo people are wise enough to decide whom to vote for.




Obaseki stated this while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday,




The governor also insisted that his fallout with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, will not hurt the chances of the Peoples Democratic Party to emerge victorious in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.




Recall that Wike was one of the figureheads that worked for Obaseki’s victory against Adams Oshiomhole-backed candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All-Progressives Congress, APC, in 2020.




Wike has vowed not to support his candidate, Asue Ighodalo, come Saturday, having fallen out politically with Obaseki after the 2020 election.




Obaseki said, “He (Wike) came to get Edo people to vote for me, right? Wow! Edo people are not that dumb, they know who to vote for.




“They don’t require the services of an outsider to make their decisions. Edo people will make their decisions this time because they know what they want.”




According to the governor, he does not regret falling out with some of his political associates, including Oshiomhole, Philip Shaibu, among others, adding that some politicians were not happy with him because he had used money from government’s revenues to solve people’s needs.

Refiners kick as Marketers dump Dangote Refinery for imported petrol

Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria has kicked against a move by petroleum marketers to import Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) despite the availability of Dangote Refinery Petrol.




Publicity Secretary of CORAN, Eche Idoko, made this known in a statement condemning the move.




His comments come as a report emerged that 141 million liters of PMS are being conveyed to Nigeria by oil vessels following the full deregulation of the downstream oil sector by the Federal Government.




Recall that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company on Monday announced a fresh price list for its retail outlets nationwide upon the lifting of Dangote Petrol.




According to the NNPCL, the price adjustments will see petrol sold between N950 to N1,019.22 per liter depending on the location.




This comes after NNPCL trucks successfully lifted Petrol from Dangote Refinery on Sunday.




The development had created a price controversy between Dangote Refinery and NNPC. NNPC had insisted that it bought Dangote Petrol at a per liter pump price of N898, but the 650,000 barrels per day Lagos-based refinery had disagreed with the state-owned firm.




However, in the latest move, petrol marketers, who seemed unsatisfied with the price regime of Dangote Refinery, had to consider the importation of petrol.




Reacting to the development, CORAN alleged that some imported petrol was substandard and was blended in Malta or Togo.




“So I would assure you this regime will pay them way better than the regime of importing petroleum products, where they sell to us, substandard products blended in Malta or Togo and imported into our country,” Idoko stated.




He called for backward integration, saying some were afraid that Dangote would become a monopoly.




“The fear marketers are having is that Dangote will become a monopoly, but that has been taken care of by Dangote subscribing to our association.




“With the Petroleum Industry Act in place and all the agencies in play, there is no way that Dangote can become a monopoly”, he said.




Earlier, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority had declared that imported petrol would be subjected to three tests before being allowed to be sold across the country.




NMDPRA spokesperson, George Ene-Ita, disclosed this amid petrol import concerns.




He stressed that marketers with import licenses were free to import PMS but noted that the products must be subjected to three major tests by the agency.




The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote had earlier in May 2024 stated that the commencement of his refinery will end fuel importation in Nigeria.

Kano journalist accused of ‘insulting’ Abba Yusuf rearrested, remanded in prison

Muktar Dahiru, a journalist, accused of making a Facebook
post considered “insulting” to Abba Yusuf, governor of the state, has been
rearrested and remanded in prison.



 



Yusuf Isah, Dahiru’s lawyer, said the journalist was
rearrested two days after his release and sent to the Kurmawa correctional
facility for failing to perfect some of the bail conditions.



 



Dahiru, who works with Pyramid FM Kano, a radio station
managed by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), was arrested on
August 29.



 



The journalist was said to have been secretly charged with
criminal conspiracy, defamation of character, and intentional insult.





Ummah Kurawa, the presiding magistrate, remanded Dahiru in a
correctional centre, pending the hearing of the bail application on September
3.



 



The journalist allegedly shared multiple audio interviews in
which opposition politicians criticised the Kano governor.



 



He was also said to have posted an audio programme in which
one person accused Muhammadu Sanusi, the reinstated Emir of Kano, of portraying
himself as sympathetic to the poor while living an expensive lifestyle.



 



At the court session on September 3, the presiding
magistrate granted the journalist a N1 million bail and banned him from posting
content on social media that may be deemed offensive to the officials of the
state government.



 



The defendant was also asked to provide three sureties,
including his wife, the chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),
and a reputable individual endorsed by the Kano hisbah board.

New era of war beginning — Israel warns Hezbollah

Israel on Wednesday warned that a new era of war was beginning, CNN reports.




This is even as Israel tacitly acknowledged its role in shock twin attacks targeting Hezbollah that have pushed the Middle East back to the brink of wider conflict.




Lebanon was rocked by more deadly blasts as walkie-talkies detonated in Beirut and the south of Lebanon.




The development came almost exactly 24 hours after explosions targeting the pagers of Hezbollah members killed multiple people, including children, and injured more than 2,800.






According to the report, at least 20 people were killed and more than 450 injured in Wednesday’s explosions, citing Lebanon’s health ministry.




However, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant appeared to reference the attacks during a visit Wednesday to the Ramat-David Air Force base in northern Israel.




“We are at the beginning of a new era in this war and we need to adapt ourselves,” Gallant said.




He also extolled the “excellent achievements” of the IDF together with the country’s security agency, the Shin Bet, and its intelligence agency Mossad.

EFCC besieged Kogi lodge to forcefully arrest Yahaya Bello, says his media office

 The media office of Yahaya Bello has alleged that on
Wednesday night, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) laid siege to the Kogi Government Lodge in Abuja, in a bid to forcefully
arrest the former governor.





 



The claim comes hours after Bello’s media office said the
ex-governor had honoured the anti-graft agency’s invitation.



 



The EFCC had immediately denied that Bello was in its
custody, restating that the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was still
a wanted man.



 



However, Bello’s media office responded by saying the
politician was not interrogated when he visited the EFCC office and was turned
back.





 



 “He was accompanied
to the commission’s office by Gov Usman Ododo,” the media team had said.



 



‘THEY SHOT
SPORADICALLY’



 



In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Ohiare Michael,
director of the Yahaya Bello Media Office, said the operatives shot
sporadically during the siege.



 



 “It has come to our
notice that people suspected to be operatives of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, are currently around the Kogi Government Lodge, Asokoro in
an attempt to forcefully arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello,” the statement
reads.



 



“They were shooting sporadically.



 



“It was reported earlier that the former Governor went to
the EFCC Office voluntarily, but the commission told him to leave and come at a
later date, only to mount an attack on the Kogi Government facility in Asokoro.



 



“We want to place it on record that the EFCC should be held
accountable if anything untoward happens to him.



 



 “Tonight’s attack was
needless as the former Governor made himself available to the EFCC in their
office for interrogation.



 



“The EFCC had no question to ask Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the
morning, but suddenly, they are out to arrest him.



 



“This action is condemnable. They have displayed the very
reason many Nigerians believe they are fighting political battles instead of
the mandate to fight corruption.



 



“This action reflects much more than a fight against
corruption. We will keep Nigerians posted.”



BACKGROUND



 



On April 18, 2024, the EFCC declared Bello wanted over
alleged money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation to the tune of
N80.2 billion.



 



The commission declared Bello wanted after several attempts
to arrest him proved unsuccessful.



 



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
Bello 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.



 



On August 20, the court of appeal in Abuja ordered Bello to
surrender himself for arraignment.



 



Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, had said the court’s ruling
was a “vindication” of the EFCC’s stance that Bello must face trial.



 



Sources have said that Bello has been hiding in plain sight
— holed up in the “protective custody” of the Kogi state government — since he
was declared wanted by the EFCC.

Do not harbour suspected cultists – Timi of Ede warns house owners

The Timi of Ede land, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal has warned landlords and house owners in Ede town against harbouring suspected cultists.




Oba Lawal also asked the landlords, especially those harbouring students, to report any of them suspected to be engaging in secret cult activities.




The traditional ruler issued the warning during a meeting with the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, who visited him in his palace on Wednesday.




The meeting was called to seek ways in improving the security around the campus of the institution.




The monarch said, “Some of these students are living in our community. If you are a member of a cult group and you take an accommodation and we get to know your involvement, we will call the landlord to eject such students if they refuse to denounce cultism.




“We will invite all the landlords here. If you suspect any student that takes accommodation of being a member of a cult group, we will call such a student and counsel him or her. If he or she fails to yield to our advice, then we send him or her out of that building.”




Speaking earlier, the Governing Council led by its Chairman, Prof Taiwo Olaiya said house owners in the community would be invited and briefed on their roles in the security measures that would be applied henceforth.




Olaiya also revealed that the security situation on campus had improved significantly.




He called on the polytechnic host community to collaborate with the management to further secure the lives and properties of both the students and members of staff.

Edo Guber: APC accuses 3 INEC staff of plot to compromise election

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State has written to the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), alleging an attempt to compromise Saturday’s governorship election in the state.




The party alleged that three staff of the electoral umpire, HOD Operation, Inoyengieni Frank Ogbise, the Head of ICT, Lawrence Akan and the Electoral Officer, EO, of Akoko Edo LGA, Blessing Suleman, are concluding plots to thwart the will of the people of the state.




The APC made the allegation in a letter addressed to the INEC Chairman and titled ‘Attempt to Compromise the Edo Governorship Election’.




The letter reads: “Our concerns and reservations are directed at three (3) Staff of your Commission: 1. THE HOD OPERATION EDO STATE: MR. INOYENGIENI FRANK 0GBISE.




“The above officer has been recruiting some staff of your commission from outside Edo State to work for the interest of the P.D.P. in the September 21st 2024 Governorship election in Edo State.




“It is further noted that the said HOD Operation has been involved in the planting of some INEC staff from your headquarters in a Hotel belonging to the Director General of the P.D.P. Campaign organization.




“We urge you to ensure that all the INEC staff who are currently accommodated in ETERNO HOTEL belong to the Director General of the P.D.P. Campaign Organization, one HON. MATTHEW IDUORIYEMKEWEN are relocated to ensure that the election is conducted properly.




“It is noted that the said MR. INOYENGIENI OGBISE and a Deputy Director lCT of your Commission in Edo State were sited at the Edo State Government House on the 17th of September, 2024.




“We also have it on good authority that shortly before this period, the said HOD Operation, relocated his family to Canada, as he is planning to travel out of the country immediately after the election.




“THE HEAD OF ICT EDO STATE: MR. LAWRENCE AKAN We have on good authority that the head of ICT of your Commission in Edo is acting to Compromise the election in Edo State.




“It is noted that the Head of ICT, was seen giving out money to his immediate staff to share, stating that the money came from P.D.P. It is also noted that he took some staff of your Commission to ETERNO HOTEL, which is owned by MR. MATTHEW IDUORIYEMKEWEN, who is the Director General of the P.D.P. organization.




“THE ELECTORAL OFFICER (EO) OF AKOKO EDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE: BLESSING SULEIMAN It is noted that the Electoral Officer, BLESSING SULEIMAN was sited at the Government House. She was also seen with the unit Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, who is a member of P.D.P.




“It is further noted that she gave PvC belonging to registered voters to the Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, thereby depriving the registered voters of the opportunity to collect their Voters Card.




“Flowing from the above, we urge you to use your good office to intervene, as our party has lost confidence in the ability of these staff to conduct a free and fair election in Edo State on behalf of your Commission.”

Pope bestows Papal honour on Otedola’s mum for service to church

  






Christine Doja Otedola, the mother of Femi Otedola, the
Nigerian billionaire businessman, has been conferred with a Papal honour by
Pope Francis.



 



A Papal Papal honour — one of the highest awards in the
Catholic church — is a distinction granted by the Pope to individuals in
recognition of their service to the church and society.



 



On September 14, the title was conferred on Christine by
Alfred Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, on
behalf of the Pope.



 



She was honoured in the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice category.



 





Otedola took to his X page to share photos from the event
and congratulate his mother on the award.



 



“Congratulations Mummy – Dame Christine Doja on your award
of the Papal honour of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by His Holiness Pope Francis.
This is a honour well deserved,” he wrote.



 



See photos below:





Born on April 3, 1932, in Ijebu, Ogun, Christine married the
late Michael Agbolade Otedola, a former Governor of Lagos, after six years of
courtship. They welcomed six children; Ayokunle, Femi, Rotimi, Tola, Lola, and
Olumuyiwa.

 

The 92-year-old is also blessed with grandchildren and
great-grandchildren.

 





Christine’s dedication to her faith is evident in her
multifaceted contributions to the church. She was an active member of Ladies of
Lumumba and president of Christian Mothers at St Anthony’s, Gbaja. She remains
the vice president at the Catholic Front-liners Society of St Sebastian
Cathedral, Ijebu Ode.

Edo Guber: HURIWA raises concerns, calls on US, UK, others to intervene

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and 13 other affiliated organizations have expressed deep concerns over the potential compromise of the upcoming Edo State governorship election, scheduled for September 21, 2024.




The group said it is alarmed by the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, who is allegedly a kinsman of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.




The rights association expressed fears that this could undermine the neutrality and integrity of the election process, especially given the close ties between Onuoha and Wike, a minister under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.




In a press conference ahead of the election, held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, HURIWA and its coalition of 13 affiliated NGOs highlighted several red flags, raising concerns about the impartiality of the election’s key players.




The association questioned INEC’s decision to retain Onuoha despite calls for his redeployment from opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).




“The PDP has been vocal about Onuoha’s past service under Wike during his tenure as the Governor of Rivers State, arguing that such a relationship could compromise his ability to oversee a free and fair election,” HURIWA noted.




It reiterated that the neutrality of INEC officials is essential to ensuring credibility in the electoral process, warning that Onuoha’s continued presence could lead to accusations of bias, particularly if the election outcome is contested.




“We are calling on INEC to reconsider its stance on this matter. The refusal to redeploy Mr. Onuoha raises serious questions about the commission’s commitment to conducting a credible election in Edo State.




“INEC’s reputation is on the line, and the Nigerian people deserve an election that is transparent and free of external influences,” HURIWA stated.




Adding to its concerns, HURIWA pointed to the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, whom it claims is also compromised. The association alleged that the Commissioner of Police has demonstrated a clear interest in favoring the APC in the lead-up to the election, citing reports of biased policing and arrests targeting PDP chieftains.




According to HURIWA, these actions signal a concerted effort to intimidate and undermine the opposition, further calling into question the fairness of the electoral process.




The human rights group expressed dismay over the perceived collusion between the Edo State Police Command and the APC, which it claims is creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the state.




It referenced recent incidents where PDP leaders were allegedly arrested and detained under dubious circumstances, only to be released after prolonged legal battles. HURIWA described this as a deliberate attempt to weaken the opposition and stifle its capacity to campaign effectively.




In light of these developments, the group made a direct appeal to the National Security Adviser (NSA), urging him to take charge of overseeing security for the election.




The association emphasized that the NSA, as a non-partisan figure, is best positioned to ensure that the police and other security agencies remain impartial throughout the electoral process.




“We are calling on the NSA to take immediate and direct control of security operations for the Edo 2024 elections. Given the compromised state of the Edo Police Command and the allegations surrounding its leadership, a non-partisan body must take charge to prevent any form of manipulation or undue influence. The Nigerian people deserve an election that is free from fear, coercion, or intimidation,” HURIWA stated.




The association argued that the involvement of the NSA is necessary to restore confidence in the electoral process.




According to HURIWA, the current situation in Edo State threatens to derail the progress made in electoral reforms, and all stakeholders must work together to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent election.




It also urged the international community to remain vigilant in monitoring the situation in Edo State.




The association appealed to diplomatic missions, including the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, to send observers to the state and ensure that the election is conducted in line with international democratic standards.




HURIWA further requested the United States and the United Kingdom to impose visa bans on any individuals found to be involved in undermining the credibility of the Edo State governorship election.




“We urge the USA and UK governments to take decisive action by imposing visa bans on any person or group attempting to compromise this election. International pressure is vital to ensuring accountability and upholding democratic principles,” the statement read.




“Edo State is at a crossroads, and the upcoming election will determine the future of its governance. We must not allow any form of compromise or malpractice to mar this critical process. We are calling on the international community to stand with the people of Edo and ensure that their right to vote is protected,” HURIWA concluded.

Four Soldiers killed in Southern Gaza combat – Israeli Army

The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that four soldiers were killed during intense fighting in southern Gaza on Tuesday.




Among the fallen was a female paramedic. Six additional soldiers were wounded, with three critically injured.




The fatalities are the latest in Israel’s ongoing ground offensive in Gaza, which began on October 27.




According to official figures, the military’s death toll has now reached 348 since the operation commenced.




The situation remains volatile, with frequent clashes between Israeli forces and militants in the densely populated Palestinian territory.

Nigerian Govt alerts states on release of water from Cameroon Dam

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, has urged states along the Benue River to increase their vigilance.




The call is coming following the ongoing plan by the management of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon to open the dam for water to gush out.




In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the NIHSA, signed by the Director General and the Chief Executive Officer, Umar Ibrahim Mohamed, he said the states likely to be affected by the flow of water from the dam are: Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.




The agency also called on governments at all levels to implement adequate preparedness measures to mitigate potential flooding that may result from rising river levels during this period.




The release of water, the statement said, will begin at a rate of 100 cubic meters per second (8.64 million cubic meters per day) and is expected to gradually increase to 1,000 cubic meters per second over the next seven days, depending on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, the primary feeder of the reservoir and a significant contributor to the Benue River.




“The Cameroonian dam authorities assured NIHSA that the water releases will be regulated to avoid exceeding the capacity of the Benue River and triggering major flooding downstream in Nigeria.




“The controlled water releases will cease once there is a noticeable decrease in inflow into the Lagdo reservoir,” the statement read.




NIHSA emphasized that there was no immediate cause for concern, as significant flooding downstream in Nigeria was not anticipated, adding that current water levels along the Benue River remained within safe limits.




The agency also assured the public that it would continue to closely monitor water levels along the Benue and other national inland rivers, providing regular updates to prevent any flood-related disasters.

‘It’s getting out of control’ – Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar worries over economic hardship

Former Nigerian Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has expressed concerns over the country’s economic hardship, stating that it is “getting out of control.”




Abubakar stated this while receiving the leadership of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights, led by Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, who visited his uphill residence in Minna, Niger State, on Tuesday.




He noted that many Nigerians struggle to afford basic needs like food and transportation.




“Everybody is crying about this hardship and it seems to be getting out of control, people cannot afford three square meals.






“The issue of transportation, the hike in fuel, the hike in school fees for the children and the lack of funds in everybody’s pocket is making life difficult for everybody,” the elder statesman observed.




Gen. Abubakar disclosed that he belongs to a forum that had passed three recommendations to the federal government on the way out of the economic hardship, as giving out palliatives is not the solution to hikes in food and other commodities across the nation.




He suggested the government should provide affordable food options by buying and selling essential items at lower prices.




According to him: “There is a need for government to flood and saturate the communities with food, let them (government) buy food and sell it at lesser prices to the people so that people will try to buy some of these food items depending on their pockets and income.”




Abubakar also urged peaceful protests ahead of the planned #EndBadGovernance demonstration on October 1, recalling the violence and looting that marred previous protests.




He lamented: “During the last protest, we saw unnecessary, uncalled for carnage, theft and criminalities; instead of protesting, the people went about looting even private houses; private individuals suffered in the hands of the demonstrators.”




Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Abdullahi Jabi, told the elder statesman that they were in his residence to rejoice with him on the celebration of his birthday, and prayed for long life and good health for him.




He also urged Gen. Abubakar to help prevail on the federal government to solve the problem of hardship and hunger in the land while soliciting his assistance for the implementation of some of its programmes.

‘I’m your biggest fan’ – Rihanna tells Nigerian director, Dammy Twitch

Famous singer, Rihanna has revealed that she is a huge fan
of popular Nigerian music video director, Dammy Twitch.



 



Music executive Bizzle Osikoya shared the clip of Rihanna’s
meeting with Dammy Twitch at a recent event via his X handle on Tuesday.



 



He revealed that Rihanna said she’s Twitch’s biggest fan and
also said she would like to listen to rising Nigerian singer, ShineTTW’s songs.



 



He wrote, “Yoooo @rihanna just said she is @DammyTwitch
biggest fan. And she told @shinettw_ she wants to hear his music.”



 




Yoooo @rihanna just said she is @DammyTwitch biggest fan. And she told @shinettw_ she wants to hear his music pic.twitter.com/t9iHF9kla3— Bizzleosikoya.eth (@bizzleosikoya) September 16, 2024


Meanwhile, Dammy Twitch has relished his meeting with
Rihanna.



 



He shared a clip of the superstar hugging him at a recent
Fenty event via his X handle.



 



Twitch captioned the clip, “Dammy Twitch x Rihanna



 



“Locked in. “What God cannot do does not exist.”

PDP must act now, tolerated Wike for too long – Ex-National Auditor, Nnaji

Former National Auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bar. Ray Nnaji has suggested that the party tolerated the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike for too long.




Nnaji stated this in an exclusive interview with newsmen while offering his view on the crisis plaguing the party.




This comes amid the challenge from Wike daring any governor or leader of the PDP to publicly call him a mole.




The Minister threw the challenge when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.




He had previously dared State governors elected under the platform of the PDP over his threat that he will put fire in their states.




Wike said he had no apology to anybody, insisting that heaven will not fall.




However, lamenting on what has become of the party, the former auditor stated that no right member of the PDP will commend what’s happening in the party, saying he doesn’t see Wike being in APC and the PDP at the same time.




Nnaji also said that the PDP wasted time in replacing its former National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, insisting that the vacuum created room for the crisis.




His words: “No right member of the PDP will commend what’s happening in the party.




“I don’t see Wike being in APC and the PDP at the same time. It’s the soul of Rivers State they are pursuing for the purposes of 2027.




“You know quite well that Wike used his power as a former governor to make sure that APC was assisted to come to power, that was why he was compensated with a ministerial appointment.




“He (Wike) wanted to pull the structure he had then into the APC. That explains why the APC dissolved its Rivers state executives, which prompted the members to go to the court.




“Wike himself, and those 25 State House of Assembly members who defected, when they found out that others weren’t following them, the problem in the state started.




“The main fact is that the acting Chairman failed to do what he ought to do. It cannot be blamed on the acting Chairman alone, it should be blamed on the Party entirely because the constitution is very clear.




“When a vacancy exists, what do you do? Of course, the constitution provided answers to all those things, but they failed to do it.




“Iyorchia Ayu was from North Central, when he left the position, Damagun came just to fill the gap.




“The party shouldn’t have wasted time in replacing Iyorchia Ayu. The party would have replaced Ayu with another person from that zone. If that would have been done, I don’t think we would have entered into this crisis.




“I don’t think it is as difficult with the party as it was with Amodu Sheriff, which ended up in the Supreme Court before the 2019 election.




“I still believe that the party will still come out of it, even though they didn’t do what they ought to have done early enough.”




On setting up a reconciliation committee, Nnaji had this to say: “I don’t know who they are reconciling with. Is it Wike or the Governor?




“From the look of things, the government is not ready to play ball, when Wike wants the structure. And if you give Wike the structure, the governor becomes a follower of Wike.




“That is not what the governor wants, he’s supposed to be the leader of the party in the state and take charge.




“Wike, seeing what’s happening, believes he has done his parallel congress and produced a structure. Of course, the governor has his own structure, who the national picks will be another issue.




“I learnt Wike was invited to the disciplinary committee, I don’t know the outcome of the invitation but they waited too long to allow Wike to this point.




“He was not part of the formation of the party but he’s the most beneficiary of the PDP. Going ahead to seek the destruction of the party he has benefited a lot from doesn’t augur well for him, especially in the future.




“If he destroys PDP, who’s sure the APC will be a comfortable place for him to stay?




“I don’t think he’s thinking from that angle. It is his personal interest that matters most for him now.




“The PDP has to make sure it puts its house in order to see if it can liberate the country come 2027.”

18 killed in road accident along Sagamu-Benin expressway

The Ogun state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency
(TRACE) says 18 persons have died in a road accident in the Ogbere axis of the
Benin-Sagamu expressway.



 



In a statement, Babatunde Akinbiyi, the agency’s
spokesperson, said a Toyota Hiace (XA 690 AKU) vehicle crashed into a bad
section of the road, leaving passengers burnt beyond recognition, with one
injured.



 



Akinbiyi said an explosion, triggered by petroleum motor
spirit (PMS) stored in a jerrycan in the vehicle, compounded the situation.



 



“Eyewitnesses and the driver confirmed that a jerrycan
filled with PMS fell over when the bus hit a bad section of the road,” he said.





 



 “The fuel spilled onto
the bus floor and ignited after coming into contact with the exhaust pipe,
causing the vehicle to catch fire in transit.



 



“The partially burnt and injured driver rescued was taken to
Rona Hospital in Ijebu Ode, while the dead were deposited at State Hospital
Mortuary, Ijebu.”



 



Akinbiyi asked drivers to refrain from storing fuel in kegs
to avert disasters.



 



The TRACE spokesperson extended “heartfelt condolences” to
bereaved families.



 



In August, the agency reported that four people died in road
accidents in Abeokuta, the state capital.



 



On Monday, no fewer than 36 Muslim worshippers lost their
lives in a road accident in Kaduna state.



 

Zamfara: Bello Turji will be killed soon, only a matter of time — Gov Lawal

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has expressed optimism that the reign of terror unleashed on the state and its environs by notorious and wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji will soon come to an end.




The governor stated this on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today when asked about the likelihood that the notorious bandit will be stopped.




Governor Lawal was positive that the bandit leader will soon be apprehended or eliminated.




“With what we have in place, with the collaboration between us (the state government) and the Federal Government, security agencies, believe me, it is only a matter of time; Turji would be killed very, very soon,” he said.






This is coming just days after the military made significant gains against bandits, killing wanted bandit leader Halilu Sububu, who had been terrorising citizens in Zamfara, Sokoto and other parts of the North-West.




Recall that Sububu and more than 30 other bandits were killed last week.

#BBNaija: Nelly, Anita, Tjay, Handi… 9 housemates nominated for eviction

Nelly, Anita, Kassia, Victoria, Shaun, Tjay, Handi, Wanni
and Onyeka are the nine housemates nominated for possible eviction this week in
the BBNaija ‘No Loose Guard’ show



 



Similar to last week, Biggie asked the housemates to write
down the names of two other contestants they wanted to nominate for possible
eviction.



 



He also scattered the housemates to prevent the issue of
conspiracy which led to the strikes that were earlier issued to Wanni, Handi,
Kassia and Shaun.



 



Big Brother also asked each person to publicly announce the
names of the housemates they had put up for eviction.



 





Nelly and Anita got 5 nominations — the highest — followed
by Wanni and Kassia who were nominated three times.



 



Tjay, Handi, Onyeka, Shaun and Victoria got two nominations
while Ozee and KellyRae were nominated once. One or two housemates will exit
the house on Sunday at the live eviction show.



 



16 housemates have so far been sent packing from the reality
show.



 



Team Tami (Damilola and Toyosi) was the first pair of ‘No
Loose Guard’ housemates to be evicted — on August 4 — while Ndi Nne (Chinne and
Nne) followed suit a week later.



 



On August 18, Team Streeze (Mayor and Tobi Forge) and Team
Flourish (Ruthie and DJ Flo) were asked to leave Biggie’s house.



 



Team Zinwe — Zion and Chinwe — exited the reality show on
August 25 while Team Radicals (Fairme David and Mitchky) was evicted on
September 1.



 



Chizoba and Ben were sent home last Sunday.

Kassia, Shaun, Wanni issued strikes for flouting #BBNaija rules

 




Kassia, Shaun, Wanni and Handi, the Big Brother Naija
(BBNaija) season nine housemates, have been issued strikes for disobeying the
house rules.








Strikes are a form of punishment issued by Big Brother to
housemates who have consistently defied certain house rules.



 



A culmination of three strikes by any contestant means they
are automatically disqualified from the competition.



 



Shortly after the head of house games, the authoritative
voice behind the show asked the housemates to gather in the lounge and play
some clips for them.



 








The clips showed certain housemates talking about the
eviction and nomination processes.



 



Breaking News: Handi, Kassia, Shaun, and Wanni have been
officially issued a strike for violating Article 16 of the house rules. After a
thorough review, they have been found guilty of conspiracy. #BBNaija #BBNaijaS9


Breaking News: Handi, Kassia, Shaun, and Wanni have been officially issued a strike for violating Article 16 of the house rules. After a thorough review, they have been found guilty of conspiracy. #BBNaija #BBNaijaS9

For more:
https://t.co/5HYPiwFXqx pic.twitter.com/r8LR4JIBXS— Big Brother Naija (@BBNaija) September 16, 2024




 



Big Brother reminded Handi, Wandi, Kassia, and Shaun of
previous warnings against discussing evictions after nominations. Additionally,
he emphasized the prohibition of conspiring to nominate or evict fellow
contestants.



 



The quartet received strikes for violating these rules, with
Big Brother cautioning that two further strikes would result in immediate
disqualification.



 



This marks the first instance of strikes being issued since
the beginning of the ‘No Loose Guard’ edition.



 



The winner of the 2024 season will go home with the grand
prize of N100 million. 

I’ll never surrender – Trump breaks silence after second assassination attempt

Former US president, Donald Trump, has vowed never to
surrender following another assassination attempt on his life on Sunday.



 



Gunshots were fired at Trump’s golf course near West Palm
Beach while he was present.



 



Feds have since confirmed that the incident was a failed
assassination attempt.



 



An alert sent out by Trump’s team insisted that the Republican
candidate is “safe and well”.



 





It read: “There were gunshots in my vicinity, but before
rumors start spiraling out of control, I wanted you to hear this first: I am
safe and well



 



“Nothing will slow me down. I will never surrender.”



 



This comes months after Trump survived a separate attempt on
his life that saw him shot in the ear.

Nigeria’s democracy suffers untold setbacks, leadership failure – Peter Obi

Former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has decried the state of Nigeria’s democracy, saying it has suffered untold setbacks, which is burdened by leadership failure.




In a post via his official X handle, Obi said the dearth in the nation’s democracy has brought about uncontrolled systemic corruption, high level of insecurity, lack of freedom of speech, increasing poverty and unprecedented levels of hunger and hardship.




He stated this on the commemoration of the International Democracy Day, stressing that the day reminds Nigeria the need to uphold the tenets of democracy.




The former Anambra State Governor enjoined political leaders to pause and examine the country’s democratic journey and strive to build the nation on the solid rock of true democracy where every Nigerian is given a voice and a fair hearing, irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliation.




“Democracy in Nigeria has continued to suffer untold setbacks, heavily burdened by leadership failure which has brought about uncontrolled systemic corruption, high levels of insecurity, lack of freedom of speech, increasing poverty and unprecedented levels of hunger and hardship.




“These problems have not only remained unsolved but are growing geometrically. The democratic ideals of the nation have, sadly, continued to erode with time, and today, we can be classified as a captured state where the citizens have continued to suffer untold hardship, deprivation and insecurity while the political leadership feasts on state resources .




“In every measurement of true democracy, we have continued to rank low and perform badly, signalling a critical deficiency in our democratic system,” he tweeted.

Dangote refinery counters NNPC’s claim of selling petrol at N898 per litre

 Dangote Petroleum Refinery says the claim by the Nigerian
National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited that the refiner sold petrol at N898
per litre is misleading.





 



In a statement on Sunday, the company described the claim by
NNPC as “mischievous”.



 



Earlier, Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications
officer of NNPC, told TheCable that “this initial loading, it was N898 per
litre so far”.



 



NNPC began loading petrol from the refinery on Sunday.



 





Addressing the price announced by NNPC, Dangote refinery
said Nigerians should disregard the “malicious statement” and await a formal
announcement on the pricing by the technical sub-committee on naira-based crude
sales to local refineries.



 



“Our attention has been drawn to a statement attributed to
NNPCL spokesperson, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, that we sell our PMS at N898 per litre
to the NNPCL,” the company said.



 



“This statement is both misleading and mischievous,
deliberately aimed at undermining the milestone achievement recorded today,
September 15, 2024, towards addressing energy insufficiency and insecurity,
which has bedeviled the economy in the past 50 years.



 



“We urge Nigerians to disregard this malicious statement and
await a formal announcement on the pricing, by the Technical Sub-Committee on
Naira-based crude sales to local refineries, appointed by His Excellency,
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which will commence on October 1, 2024,
bearing in mind that our current stock of crude was procured in dollars.



 



“It should also be noted that we sold the products to NNPCL
in dollars with a lot of savings against what they are currently importing.
With this action, there will be petrol in every local government area of the
country regardless of their remote nature.”



 



Dangote refinery assured Nigerians of the availability of
quality petroleum products and ending petrol scarcity in the country.



 



On Saturday, NNPC mobilised over 100 trucks to Dangote
refinery to load petrol after the federal government said the national oil
company will be the sole distributor for petrol produced by the refiner.



 



The company commenced petrol production on September 3.



 



On the same day, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream
Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said the Dangote refinery is expected
to supply 25 million litres of petrol daily in September and will subsequently
increase the volume to 30 million litres daily from October.

#BBNaija: Ben, Chizoba evicted from reality show

Big Brother Season 9 housemates, Ben and Chizoba have been
evicted from the reality show.



 



This was made known by the hosts, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu during
the Sunday Live Eviction show.



 



The duo who were in a ‘ship’ in the house have their
eviction as the first set of evictions since the pairs in the house were
dissolved.



 



The grand prize for this season is a spectacular ₦100
million, which includes a cash prize and an SUV, with additional sponsored
prizes to be announced.



 





The show which is now going into its eight week will run for
10 weeks, concluding with the finale on Sunday, October 6, 2024.

NNPC trucks begin petrol loading at Dangote refinery

A fleet of trucks at the Dangote Refinery, located in the
Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, began lifting Premium Motor Spirit, known as
petrol, on Sunday.



 



The trucks, belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation Limited, were seen in videos posted on the X handle of the Dangote
Group.



 



The tweet read, “First set of trucks set for loading of PMS
at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.”



 



Another tweet read, “NNPC begins PMS lifting at the Dangote
Petroleum Refinery.”







The $20bn Lekki-based facility is equipped with 86 gantries
making it possible to load 86 trucks simultaneously.



 



At the start of the process, 10 trucks drove into gantries
while their compartments were filled with petrol from a computerised gadget,
the Nigerian Television Authority reports.



 






The loading of the Dangote petrol signifies an end to the
month-long debate over the quality and sale of the product.



 



However, one major issue that remains unresolved is the
price at which the 650,000 barrel-per-day refinery would sell the product to
oil marketers and subsequently, the public.



 

Meanwhile, the national oil firm, in a tweet on Saturday,
noted that hundreds of trucks would be deployed to the refinery today (Sunday)
for PMS loading.



 






The NNPC stated, “In preparation for the Dangote Refinery’s
scheduled petrol loading on Sunday, September 15, 2024, NNPC Ltd has been
mobilising trucks to the refinery’s fuel loading gantry in Ibeju-Lekki. As of
Saturday afternoon, NNPC Ltd had deployed over 100 trucks, with hundreds more
en route.”



 



The Federal Government, through the Minister of Finance and
the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, announced on Friday in
Abuja that the NNPC would be the sole buyer of petrol from the refinery, adding
that the refinery would commence the distribution of petrol to marketers on
Sunday with an initial 25 million litres per day.



 



This followed the national oil firm’s statement that it was
not the exclusive off-taker of products from the Dangote refinery and that the
refinery was free to sell its petrol to any marketer.



 



He said, “I am glad to announce that all agreements have
been put in place, and the loading of the first batch of PMS, as already
announced by NNPC, will commence on Sunday, September 15, 2024. And from
October 1, NNPC will commence the supply of crude oil to the Dangote refinery
to be paid in naira.



 



“In return, Dangote refinery will supply PMS and diesel of
equivalent value to the domestic market to be paid in naira. But for now, PMS
will only be sold to NNPC. NNPC will then sell to various marketers.”



 



The National Publicity Secretary, Independent Petroleum
Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, said the market should be
open for all in line with the willing-buyer and willing-seller commitment
earlier made by the corporation.



 



“It should be open for all in line with the willing-buyer
and willing-seller comments made by the NNPC. We are also looking at how to
build our logistics and come up with our price,” he stated.



 



Also, the National President, Petroleum Products Retail
Outlets Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, raised concerns over the
risks of creating a new domestic monopoly in the oil and gas sector.



 



Gillis-Harry said, “Right now, even on Saturday, that
business (petrol) is going to start rolling out tomorrow (Sunday), we don’t
know what the price might be. Nobody has informed us about anything; we are not
aware of what the government is doing.



 



“We don’t know any of the pricing templates yet or the
matrix that will bring about the pricing template. We have been asking Dangote
or anybody that is in charge of this transaction to be transparent, but somehow,
we have not got any of that information.



 



“We are about to leave NNPC monopoly from importation and
now we are also going to have that in a domestic environment, that portends
danger for the industry.”

BREAKING: DSS arrests Sowore on return to Nigeria

The Department of State Services, DSS, has reportedly
arrested popular activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore.





 



Sowore was said to have been arrested upon his return to
Nigeria.



 



The activist’s arrest was confirmed  by fellow
activist, Deji Adeyanju on Sunday.



 



Adeyanju said, “SOWORE was arrested by the jobless and
lawless Nigerian government for calling for an End to Bad Governance protest,”
he said.



 





Also, Saharareporters reported: “NewsFlash: DSS Arrests
Sowore Upon Arrival To Nigeria After Order By New DSS Boss.”



 



Recall that Sowore had revealed that the Nigerian security
forces were attempting to track him down in his hometown in Ondo State.



 



The former presidential candidate claimed that security
agencies were plotting to frame him as guilty of bogus offences.



 



He had disclosed this via his verified Facebook page on
Saturday.



 



Sowore said, “Yeah! All around in my home town, they’re
tryin’ to track me down, yeah! They say they want to bring me in guilty.



 



“However Babylon must fall! #FearlessInOctober.”

Guber election: Okpebholo, right man to take Edo to next level – VP Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima, has said that the All
Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo,
is the right man to take Edo State to the next level.



 



Vice President Shettima made the remarks in Benin City at
the grand finale campaign rally in support of the party’s candidate ahead of
next Saturday’s governorship election.



 



He assured the people of the state of the Federal
Government’s commitment to supporting the incoming government’s efforts to
develop the state.



 



The vice president, who described the APC candidate as a
seasoned leader with a proven track record of excellence, assured that the
Federal Government would work tirelessly to ensure that Edo State receives the
support it deserves.



 





While stressing the importance of unity and peace in
achieving progress, he noted that the signing of the peace accord by the party
without hesitation shows its dedication to putting the interests of Edo above
all else.



 



He noted that with the increase in allocation to states, the
incoming government would have the resources to bankroll developmental projects
in the state.



 



According to him, “I am a man who feels it all and has a
story to tell. I understand the struggles of Edo State, and I am committed to
being part of the solution.”



 



In his remarks, the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, urged the electorate to vote en masse for the APC
candidate on Sept 21.



 



“The clouds of intimidation have lifted, and the ground is
fertile for our party’s vision to flourish. Edo has become a symbol of literary
and economic resurgence,” he stated.



 



He also praised the state’s party leadership, adding that
their commitment to the party is unwavering, and acknowledged their tireless
efforts.



 



In his address, shortly after receiving the party’s flag,
Okpebholo promised to revive the economy of the state, describing the eight
years of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s government as a failure.



 



Okpebholo said Edo people had suffered for long and voting
out the PDP remained the only way to stop it.



 



“Our mumu don do, and by voting for the APC, we are voting
for education, security, social infrastructure, good healthcare services, and
agriculture.”



 



“Under agriculture, we are going to provide loans for our
farmers and soft loans for our market women,” he added.



 



He promised to employ 10,000 teachers, half of whom, he
said, would be employed within the first 100 days in office.



 



The APC candidate described the state of basic education in
the state as dire, saying there were no teachers in basic schools.



 



He also promised to declare a state of emergency on
infrastructure, decrying the deplorable state of roads in the state.



 



Other APC stalwarts who canvassed votes for the party’s
candidate at the rally included the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Senator
Adams Oshiomhole, and Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River, who is the chairman
of the national governorship campaign council for the state election.



 



The rally was attended by a massive crowd of APC supporters,
state governors from across the six geopolitical zones of the country, among
others.

Tinubu returns to Nigeria Sunday after China, Dubai, UK trip

President Bola Tinubu is expected back in Abuja on Sunday
after his official trip to China and stopover in the United Kingdom.



 



On August 29, Tinubu left Abuja for Beijing in China but had
a stopover in Dubai, UAE.



 



He arrived in Beijing on 1 September to begin his official
visit to China.



 



The president started his official visit on September 2,
with a meeting with President Xi Jinping in the Great Hall of the People.



 





President Tinubu was accorded a 21-gun salute. He also
inspected the guards.



 



A statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said “five
Memoranda of Understanding were signed between Nigeria and China at the
meeting.



 



“President Tinubu led his team to another round of bilateral
talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang the following day.”



 



On the evening of the same day, President Xi Jinping and his
wife, Peng Liyuan, hosted him at the Welcoming Banquet and Cultural Gala
Performance on the eve of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.



 



Tinubu left Beijing for London, where he spent some days.



 



On Thursday, he met with King Charles III to discuss issues
related to climate change.

300 trucks in Dangote Refinery to lift petrol on Sunday – NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited on Saturday said about 300 trucks have arrived at the Dangote Refinery ahead of the loading of petrol.




We had reported that NNPC announced that the first batch of petrol would be loaded from Dangote Refinery on Sunday.




The company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed the arrival of the trucks at the refinery via X.




Soneye wrote: “NNPC Ltd. trucks are arriving at the Dangote Refinery in preparation for the scheduled petrol loading on Sunday, September 15, 2024.




“By the end of today, at least 300 trucks will be stationed at the refinery’s fuel loading gantry.”




Similarly, NNPC said trucks have been mobilized to the refinery ahead of Sunday’s loading.




“In preparation for the Dangote Refinery’s scheduled petrol loading on Sunday, September 15, 2024, NNPC Ltd. has been mobilizing trucks to the refinery’s fuel loading gantry in Ibeju-Lekki.




“As of Saturday afternoon, NNPC Ltd. had deployed over 100 trucks, with hundreds more en route,” NNPC Ltd. wrote on X.




Last week, the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, announced the commencement of fuel production.

We can’t force Abuja landlords to reduce rent – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has admitted the government cannot force landlords in the city to reduce rent.




According to Wike, the cost of rent is market-driven.




The minister stated this while speaking during the inspection of the Zeberced Quarry in Kubwa on Saturday.




Wike said: “No government puts a cap as regards the cost of rent. It is the market forces.




“You are aware that everything has actually increased because of costs. The man who built the house didn’t build that he would not make profit at the end of the day.




“I don’t agree with people always complaining about rent increases, there are increases in everything today, so rent should not be singled out.




“Do you want us to make a law and say that a 2-bed room flat should not be more than N50,000 or N100,000, for example?”

Lagos govt increases boarding fees from N35,000 to N100,000 per term

Lagos State Government has increased boarding fees in all
secondary schools from N35,000 to N100,000 per term.



 



This was confirmed in a letter to all boarding school
principals signed by the Director, Basic Education Services, Lagos State
Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Olufemi Asaolu, on Friday.



 



It read, “I have the directive of the Honourable
Commissioner to inform all Public Boarding House schools in Lagos State that
the State Government has approved the review of the Boarding fee payable in all
Public Boarding House schools in Lagos State.



 



“The newly approved fee is N100,000 Only.”



 





The letter also added no additional fee should be charged by
the schools and that the resumption date was now September 15, 2024.

Minister Keyamo calls out Moroccan airline over inhuman treatment of Nigerians

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, has called out a Moroccan Airline, Royal Air Maroc, over the alleged ill-treatment of Nigerians in Morocco.




The Minister explained that the flight had taken off from Casablanca and was headed for Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, but had to make an emergency landing in Marrakesh, Morocco, for some technical reason




The Minister’s anger was that when this happened, the Airline abandoned their passengers who were mostly Nigerians, without food and shelter, with some of them, including women and children, sleeping on the floor.




“I have just been informed of the inhuman treatment some Nigerians have been subjected to by ROYAL AIR MAROC @RAM_Maroc in Marrakesh, Morocco,” he wrote on his official X handle.




“The passengers, majority of whom are Nigerians, have been left without care at the terminal and without food and decent shelter, with women and children sleeping on the floor!




“Whilst I call on ROYAL AIR MAROC @RAM_Maroc to immediately remedy this situation, I have directed the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA to immediately engage ROYAL AIR MAROC NIGERIA @royalairmarocng to bring immediate relief to these Nigerians.”

2025 AFCONQ: Rwanda coach comments on Lookman’s disallowed goal

Rwanda head coach Torsten Spittler has said the Moroccan referee was right to cancel Ademola Lookman’s goal for the Super Eagles in Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kigali.




The two countries battled to a 0-0 draw in the matchday two contest at the Amahoro Stadium.




Lookman’s 22nd minute header was chalked off by the centre referee.




Spittler claimed there was an infringement leading to the goal.






“There was a foul leading to the goal, the player (Semi Ajayi) heading to the second post pushed our player,” Spittler explained.




“The referee was in a good position to make the call.”