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Petrol Price Set To Crash To N550 A Litre – National President IPMAN

April 8, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

All things being equal, Premium Motor Spirit PMS, otherwise known as petrol will be sold at Lagos markets and environs at the cost of N550, with slight modifications in other regions due to differentials in logistical costs.

The National President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria IPMAN, Alhaji Abubakar Migandi Garima, who disclosed this on Monday, April 8, 2024, said the Umbrella body of Petroleum products marketers are currently holding discussions with the Management of the country’s only known Privately owned Refining facility ,the Dangote Refinery in this regard.

The Source reports that following the official removal of all subsidies on petroleum products by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, earlier on in the life of the administration ,prices of petroleum products skyrocketed, with the PMS used mostly by motorists presently selling at between N700 and N750 a litre across the country.

But IPMAN president has assured that , the association’s on going discussions with Dangote ,will considerably ease the price burden on PMS users ,when the refinery finally comes on stream,in no distance time.

Alhaji Garima while emphasising the costs advantages of locally refined petroleum products, noted that while the average cost of PMS is expected to be N550 in Lagos and environs,the product will be slightly higher in other geopolitical zones due to higher cost of transportation.

However, he asserted that with access to domestic supply of crude and less logistical costs ,Dangote refinery and other locally refined petroleum products will be cheaper

The IPMAN President expressed the optimism that the ongoing discussions between the association and Dangote Refinery,will lead to an agreement in the areas of price margins and other operational costs ,before the commencement of full operations by the Refinery.

It is widely anticipated that ,a marginal reduction in the prices of petroleum products ,has the huge potentials to drive down the costs of goods and services,presently out of the reach of ordinary Nigerians.

Police Recruitment Board Invites Specialist Applicants For Practical Tests/Medical Screening

The Source

April 8, 2024

The Police Recruitment Board has invited Specialist- applicants for practical tests/medical screening in the ongoing recruitment of Constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

According to a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, on Monday, the tests will run concurrently with the medical screening of both General Duty applicants and Specialists which had earlier been scheduled to start on Tuesday, April 16th 2024 and last for two weeks.

Applicants are expected to be tested in various fields which include band, carpentry, Commumication, driving, electrical, information technology, masonry and marine technology.

Other fields include, mechanic, medical assistants, painting, plumbing, tiling, printing, welding and Veterinary assistants.

The practical tests have been scheduled to hold at twenty locations which are the 17 Zonal Command Headquarters and Kaduna, Yobe and Zamfara state Command Headquarters.

Specialist applicants from these states are to do their practical tests in their respective states of origin.

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase retired Inspector General of Police said the Commission is desirous of returning the Nigeria Police Force to its glorious past when its specialists were the best you can get anywhere and when the Force handled most of its ancillary services by itself.

Dr. Arase noted that the Police Force then had seasoned mechanics that handled repairs of its vehicles, Masons that built Police barracks, engineers who were into road construction and tailors who sewed Police uniforms, etc.

Dr. Arase said the practical tests for the Specialist applicants will be meticulously handled to ensure that the best hands are selected.

He further commended the Recruitment Board for their industry and commitment to this noble national assignment, adding that their selfless Service will not go unnoticed.

“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Dubious, Meant To Deceive Nigerians”

The Source

April 8, 2024

“Former Vice President to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar, who was, also, the Presidential Candidate of the PDP in the 2023 Presidential Election, won by the APC Candidate, now President Bola Tinubu, tackles the President over the much-talked Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, in a statement signed on his behalf by his Media Aide, Paul Ibe.”

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has again inadvertently revealed its penchant for dubious and shady deals in the face of this 700km Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

This project returned to public discourse at the twilight of the Goodluck Jonathan administration in November 2014 wherein it was announced President Jonathan had signed the 10-state, 22-station project with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at a cost of $ 11.97bn .

However, former President Jonathan could not begin the project before he lost the election. But his successor, former President Muhammadu Buhari expressed his intention to begin it and announced in 2016 that the project had been renegotiated downward by $800m to $11.1bn and that it would be ready within three years. But it continued to stall.

In August 2021, while Buhari was on vacation, it was announced by then Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, that the FEC had “approved the memo for the ratification of the president’s approval for the award” of the $11.1 billion project, and that it would be completed in six years. But nothing was done.

In September 2023, barely weeks after being appointed by Tinubu, Works Minister, Engr. Dave Umahi announced that the project had been awarded to Gilbert Chagoury’s Hitech Construction Company Limited (Hitech) without any record of a competitive bidding or a decision by FEC.

Umahi refused to reveal how much the project would cost. He only explained that it would run through nine states and would have a rail road running through the middle. Most importantly, the works minister said the project would come at zero cost to Nigeria, which is currently facing an all-time high level of debt.

The works minister even stated, “Let me announce that it is under public-private partnership. The Hitech group are going to look for the money. They have already found the money, and that is the good news because we don’t waste our time talking and holding meetings and wasting resources.”

The concept of the project was build, operate and transfer, meaning that Hitech would construct the road, operate it for some years and then recoup its money through tollgates before handing it back to the Nigerian government.

Because the project did not require public funds, it did not go through approval from the National Assembly, which holds the power of appropriation. Also, the project only went through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) with no record of a competitive bidding since Chagoury’s firm was to fund the project 100%.

However, to the shock of many Nigerians, Umahi returned to FEC with a memo in March 2024 seeking the approval of N1.06 trillion that would be paid to Chagoury’s firm for the first phase of the project which is wholly in Lagos.

This pilot phase was to begin from the edge of Chagoury’s Eko Atlantic City on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, and terminate at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Ibeju-Lekki, a distance of 47.47km.

Till date, the Tinubu administration has refused to reveal how much the project will cost in total. Umahi, who even came on Channels Television recently, evaded questions as to the total cost of the project.

But if 47.47km costs about N1.06tn, it means each kilometre is being built at N22.5 billion or $18 million. For a project that is going to be 700km, it means the total cost could be N15.7 trillion or $12.56 billion, which is higher than previous estimates.

It is curious that the terms of such an audacious project continues to be shrouded in secrecy. Worse still, it is expected to lead to job losses like the demolition of Landmark Beach Resort in Oniru which will lead to the loss of over 12,000 direct and indirect jobs and over $200m in investments according to its management.

More curious is the fact that the entire pilot phase of this project begins and ends in Lagos, especially within the axis of Bola Tinubu’s business interests. It is no secret that both Tinubu and Chagoury are business partners.

This same Hitech, owned by Chagoury, was unable to complete the 50km Lekki-Epe Expressway. Despite installing two toll gates along the axis, Hitech which was part of the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) consortium was only able to construct about 20km, forcing the Lagos State Government to buy it back at the cost of N7.5 billion ($50 million at the time) in 2013 which came at a loss to the people of Lagos.

Tinubu has once again put his personal business interest ahead of that of the Nigerian people in violation of his oath of office where he swore that “I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions”.

The so-called pilot phase from Eko Atlantic to Lekki Deep Sea Port was initially conceived as a Lagos State Government project but because of its huge cost coupled with the fact that Lagos State has a huge debt burden no thanks to Tinubu, the Federal Government is now implementing it under the guise of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

This perhaps explains why there are fears that the project will never get to Calabar, and this is the same reason the project is beginning from Lagos and not Calabar.

Despite not revealing the cost of this entire project, the Tinubu administration is now on the verge of setting up a so-called Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, a fund targeted at constructing capital projects without the usual budgeting process.

With a target of N20 trillion or $14.5 billion as seed capital, the fund targets the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and other projects. The initiative targets Pension Funds, Concessionary Loans, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, private sector arms of multilateral development institutions, and bilateral private sector investors, among others, to secure $35bn annually.

The Diaspora funding and equity and endowment funds are also expected to play their part in the plan.

But this renewed hope fund, which will be spent at the discretion of Tinubu and without transparency, will likely become another means of siphoning public funds through shady projects. With the current Lagos-Calabar highway already being handled in secrecy, it remains to be seen how such a fund will be managed.

Signed:
Paul Ibe
Coordinator
Atiku Media Office Abuja
7th April, 2024.

Ondo: Governor Aiyedatiwa Distributes FG’s Grain Palliatives To Farmers

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

It was the turn of livestock farmers in Ondo state as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa distributed 40 trailers of maize to poultry, fish, and piggery farmers.

This is in line with Governor’s vision to place food security at the forefront of Ondo State’s development agenda.

At the flag off of the programme on Monday in Akure, the Governor explained that this gesture was in form of palliatives to farmers in the State.

A statement by Ebenezer Adeniyan, chief Press Secretary to the governor, stated that the 40 trailers of grains, were supplied by the Federal Government, and will be distributed to poultry, piggery and fishery farmers across the 18 local government areas of the State.

The Governor highlighted the establishment of the committee on Agriculture and Food Security tasked with taking immediate action in response to this challenge.

The Governor said: “Today’s programme is the first among the activities and initiatives lined up to make our State zero tolerant to food insecurity accompanied by massive modern agricultural interventions needed to catapult us to an enviable position in the comity of States.

“The effects of painful but necessary subsidy removal on petrol had compounded the food security situation in Ondo State and indeed Nigeria. Rising inflation on food items and others have made life somewhat unbearable to the people.

“As a government, we must check this ugly trend and make sure that food is not just available, but affordable to the generality of the people.”

The Governor highlighted infrastructural projects aimed at improving market access via rural roads, as well as empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women and youths, through training, capacity building, and access to credit.

Governor Aiyedatiwa praised the significant contribution of agriculture to the state’s economy, noting Ondo State’s role in supplying 75 percent of tomatoes to markets in Lagos State.

The Governor also appreciated the support of the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in approving the distribution of grains and other commodities across the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, Mr. Rotimi Akinsola, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, commended the governor for establishing the committee as a testament to the commitment to the welfare of the people.

He stated that the committee is dedicated to realizing the governor’s agricultural initiatives and encouraged farmers, who have received agricultural commodities to utilize them effectively, thereby contributing to lower prices.

He envisioned the state becoming a leading agricultural hub due to its abundant natural resources, pledging to visit farmers in their communities to understand their challenges and relay them to the governor for prompt solutions.

Pro-Abure Supporters Mobilize, Stage Protest Against NLC

Akinwale Kasali

April 8, 2024

Abure Supporters Protest Against NLC in Abuja

By Akinwale Kasali

“Abure’s problem is not only the NLC. A number of the Party’s stakeholders are not happy with him over the controversial National Convention he insisted on holding where he was returned as the National Chairman. They include Party Elders, BoT members, Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, House of Representatives caucus of the Party, and more”

Supporters of National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Julius Abure took to the streets in Gudu, Abuja, to protest against the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, following what they say is the “Labour Group meddling into the affairs of LP.”

Dozens of protesters carrying placards with inscriptions such as “On Abure’s mandate we stand”, “NLC leave Abure alone,” and “Nnewi National Convention is valid”, began their march from the new Abuja chapter secretariat.

Abure has been in conflict between the NLC and the Abure-led Labour Party leadership.

The situation had escalated to the point where the NLC accused Abure of running the affairs of the LP as a sole administrator. As a result, the NLC passed a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the national chair of the party and consequently called for his resignation.

The friction between them captured public attention when the political wing of the NLC invaded the Abuja Headquarters of the Party and demanded for Abure’s resignation.

At the heart of the conflict is the battle for the control of the party structure.

Major stakeholders of the party have accused Abure of running the affairs of the party like a personal estate, a charge Abure consistently denies.

It would be recalled that the demand for Abure resignation stated soon after the 2023 general elections when some party members under the leadership of Alhaji Lamidi Apapa and Abayomi Arabambi accused him of mismanaging party’s funds.

A series of court cases followed and Abure’s leadership was upheld by the Court of Appeal.

However, not long afterwards, the party’s erstwhile National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Oparah, went public with allegations that Abure be made to account for over N3.5bn she claimed the party received from the sale of forms and donations for during the 2023 elections.

For her efforts, she was suspended for six months for bringing the reputation of the party to disrepute.

The Abure-led NWC of the LP is currently at loggerheads with not only the NLC but also the House of Representatives caucus of the party over the conduct of the national convention by Abure without the impute of stakeholders.

Traditional Ruler Allegedly Slaps Chief In Ekiti, Others Boycott Palace Activities

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

For allegedly slapping one of his Chiefs, the Traditional Ruler of Itapa in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba David Ajaja, has incurred the wrath of other title holders in the community.

Traditional Chiefs in the community, in reaction, staged a walkout on the Monarch and vowed not to return to the Palace for any meeting over an assault against the Elemo of Itapa-Ekiti, Chief Samuel Osasona, during a meeting on the installation of a new chief priest.

The chiefs further accused the traditional ruler of exhibiting high-handedness in governing the community.

Speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, alongside 14 other chiefs, Chief Osasona claimed that he was assaulted by the traditional ruler for opposing his plan to install a new chief priest when the occupier of the position is still alive and without adhering to the community’s established traditions.

Chief Osasona explained that the traditional ruler did not possess the sole authority to replace the current chief priest, Chief Ilesanmi Osanyigbemi, without the approval of the council of chiefs.

He asserted that the assault on him, which occurred on March 18, 2024, led the majority of the chiefs to boycott palace activities until further notice.

Chief Osasona stated that: ” I was slapped by the Kabiyesi during our meeting on March 18 when the issues of a new chief priest was being discussed.

“Our traditional ruler was saying he will install a new person as chief priest even though we have someone at the position which was recognized by the community.

”But due to the allegations that the person was not loyal or doing his biddings, he wants to replace him and I objected at the meeting, which made him to assault me in front of other chiefs.”

Chief Abiodun Onipede also spoke on the matter, highlighting that the recent actions of the traditional ruler had prompted them to submit a petition to the state deputy governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, and other relevant authorities.

He urged the state government to intervene and encourage Oba Ajaja to govern with dignity in the interest of peace within the community.

He expressed concerns that the traditional ruler was threatening to depose any chiefs who opposed him, noting that such actions could hinder the progress and development of the community.

Onipede emphasized, “We are appealing to the state government to protect us from our traditional ruler. He is even threatening chiefs who oppose him with deposition, belittling us as High Chiefs and claiming we are not significant.

“We have already submitted a petition to the office of the Commissioner of Police and the office of the deputy governor.”

Meanwhile, the Olominio of Itapa-Ekiti, Chief Folorunsho Ogunleye while reacting on behalf of the traditional ruler, denied knowledge of the alleged assault on the chief by the Owatapa of Itapa-Ekiti.

The Olominio disagreed with his colleagues for abandoning the palace in protest against the monarch, urging them to retrace their steps in the interest of peace in the community.

He disclosed that the traditional ruler is out of the country at the moment, expressing optimism that upon his return all contentious issues would be soon resolved.

37-Year Old Omobayo To Be Sworn-in Friday As Edo’s Deputy Governor

Akinwale Kasali

April 8, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Few hours after the impeachment of Philip Shaibu, Omobayo Godwin who Governor Obaseki picked as his new Deputy Governor will be sworn-in.

A video posted by Channels Television on X shows that Omobayo’s inauguration is set to hold Monday at the State Government House in Benin City.

The video shows that some guests were already seated while some were just arriving for the swearing-in ceremony.

The relatively unknown 37-Year Omobayo Godwin would be sworn in a the New Deputy Governor of the State.

The Edo State House of Assembly impeached Shaibu today after it adopted the report of a seven-member probe panel set up to probe allegations of gross misconduct against him.

The State Assembly had accused Shaibu of leaking the State Government ’s secrets and committing perjury, describing Shaibu’s alleged offences as impeachable.

“My Impeachment Dangerous Descent Into Dictatorship, Threat To Foundation Of Democracy – Philip Shuaibu

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Impeached deputy governor of Edo state, Philip Shuaibu has declared that his impeachment by the Edo state House of Assembly was based on trumped up charges and remains illegal.

Reacting to the Monday morning sack by the assembly, Shuaibu described the action as “dangerous descent into dictatorship and a threat to the foundation of our democracy.

Shuaibu stated that “I thank you all for standing by me under these troubling circumstances. As the Deputy Governor of Edo State, it is with a heavy heart, yet a resolute spirit, that I stand before you to address the recent events that have unfolded within our dear state.

“I denounce in the strongest terms the illegal impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly over trumped-up charges. This is not just an attack on me as an individual, but on the very democratic principles that we hold dear. It is a dangerous descent into dictatorship and a threat to the foundation of our democracy.

“Let me be clear – I believe that this impeachment was hatched because of my ambition to contest the Edo 2024 governorship elections under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“It is a sad reality that in our political landscape, ambition is met with resistance, and those in power seek to silence opposition through illegitimate means.

“I have dedicated my life to serving the good people of Edo State with integrity and honesty. I have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of our citizens and to uphold the values of democracy and justice. And yet, in return, I am faced with baseless accusations and a blatant disregard for due process and the rule of law.

“The allegations brought against me are nothing more than a smokescreen to conceal the true motive behind this impeachment. It is a flagrant abuse of power and a betrayal of the trust that the people of Edo State have placed in their elected officials.

“We refuse to stand idly by while our democratic institutions are manipulated and exploited for personal gain. We will fight this injustice with every ounce of strength in my being, for the sake of the people of Edo State and for the future of our democracy.

“I call upon all well-meaning citizens of Edo State, and indeed all Nigerians who believe in the principles of democracy and justice, to stand with me in this moment of crisis.

“We cannot allow tyranny and oppression to take root in our society. We must resist the forces that seek to undermine our freedoms and trample upon our rights.

“To the members of the Edo State House of Assembly who have chosen to forsake their oath of office and participate in this charade, I say this – history will judge you harshly for your betrayal of the people who elected you to represent their interests. But know this, you do not have the power to silence the voice of justice and truth.

“I call upon the judiciary and all relevant authorities to intervene and uphold the principles of justice and fairness. Let the truth prevail over lies and let the rule of law triumph over lawlessness. I am confident that the legal system will vindicate me and expose the sham that has been orchestrated against me.

“I want to reaffirm my commitment to the people of Edo State and to the values that bind us together as a collective. I will not be deterred or intimidated by those who seek to subvert our democracy.

“I will continue to fight for the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians, and I will stand firm in my resolve to see justice done.

“As we stand united in the face of tyranny and oppression. Together, we will overcome this dark chapter in our history and emerge stronger and more resolute in our pursuit of a free and just society.”

Edo Gov Obaseki Nominates 38 Year-Old Engineer As Shuaibu’s Successor

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Few hours after Edo state House of Assembly impeached Philip Shuaibu as deputy governor, Governor Godwin Obaseki has nominated Omobayo Marvellous Godwins as his deputy.

Omobayo Marvellous Godwins hails from Akoko-Edo, Edo North Senatorial District of the state.

Shaibu was impeached by the State Assembly after they adopted the report of a seven-man panel that investigated allegations of misconduct against him.

The retired Justice S. A. Omonuwa-led panel had its inaugural sitting last Wednesday in Benin, the state capital.

The panel ended its sitting on Friday with Shaibu or his counsel failing to show up to defend the allegations levelled against him.

The panel had adjourned till Thursday for Shaibu to open his defence, and when he did not show up, he was given till Friday to come and defend the allegation against him, which he failed to do.

The Edo State House of Assembly, which is the petitioner in the case, had on Wednesday opened and closed its case, paving the way for Shaibu to defend the allegations levelled against him.

The state House of Assembly will still have to screen and approve the nominee before his inauguration as the deputy governor.

Godwins is a seasoned Engineer with a proven track record and professional experience in the oil and gas sector. Born July 19, 1986, Omobayo hails from Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the State.

With a B.Eng Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Msc in Public Administration from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), he is well suited for the role as a professional and an expert in public administration.

He is a registered member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

Edo Assembly Impeaches Deputy Governor Shuaibu

Ayodele Oni

April 8, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State House of Assembly has impeached the embattled deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.

The Assembly which began sitting at 9.41 am on Monday, voted for the impeachment of the deputy governor by a vote of 18 against one who voted against, among the 20 members present with the speaker expected to give the deciding vote in case of a tie.

Shaibu, according to Justice Stephen Omonua (Rtd)-led a seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate the allegation of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor, submitted that the deputy governor was guilty of disclosure of official secret.

The panel, however, exonerated the impeached deputy governor on the allegation of perjury as it was not “made up”, that is proven.

With his impeachment, Shuaibu can no longer seek elective office, except he goes to court to reverse the assembly’s decision.

Shuaibu travails started immediately he signified intention to contest for the governorship of the state, a decision that was opposed to by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

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