Author: Alade Adisa

The decision of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to present the N1.18 trillion budgetary estimate for 2025 to the factional state House of Assembly comprising three lawmakers on Monday is currently generating tension in the oil-rich state. Governor Fubara, in a move reminiscent of last year, presented the budget to the three-man factional Assembly led by the Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, shunning the 27 other lawmakers loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike. Apart from Oko-Jumbo, other members of the Assembly are the Deputy Speaker, Adolphus Orubienimigha, and the House Leader, Sokari Goodboy Sokari. The Rivers State…

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has said that the projection of the federal government is to achieve a target of three million barrels per day (bpd) in crude oil production by next year. Speaking during the launch of the second phase of Operation Delta Sanity II (OPDS II) by the Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt on Monday, the minister said the initial phase of OPDS, launched on January 10, has contributed to the improved production figures, prompting the navy to proceed with the second phase. He said, “In August 2023, Nigeria’s daily crude oil production was…

Following the long-awaited commencement of operations at the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited, oil marketers and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) have said the prices of refined petroleum products are set to drop further. The thinking among industry stakeholders and dealers in the downstream oil sector is that with the resultant competition in the sector pace getting stiffer, domestic refiners would be forced to reduce prices to corner buyers to their sides. NMDPRA stated this following the announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that the 125,000 barrels per day WRPC in Delta…

…After nightmare showing against Newcastle Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United have been savaged by club legend Gary Neville after their terrible first half against Newcastle United. *Man Utd lose 2-0 to Newcastle United*Sit just seven points clear of relegation spots*Neville slams Man Utd as the ‘worst’ ·WHAT HAPPENED? Manchester United’s struggles seem to have no end at the moment and Amorim’s side’s attempts to get a result against Newcastle United at Old Trafford were dashed in the fourth minute of the clash as Alexander Isak put the Magpies 1-0 up. Joelinton made it 2-0 before the 20th minute and effectively ended…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has approved the appointment of three new Permanent Secretaries in the state public service, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to effective governance and service delivery. The newly appointed officials are Mr Abdul Rafiu Omowole Fashola, who currently serves as the Director of Administration and Human Resources and Secretary of the Staff Housing and Loans Board; Mrs Kaphayah Olayemi Sarumi, Director of State Counsel at the Lagos State Waterways Authority and Mr Abdul-Rasheed Abiola Muri-Okunola, Director of Administration and Human Resources as well as General Manager of the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA). In a statement…

Following the dismissal of Paulo Fonseca, AC Milan on Monday appointed Sergio Conceição as their new head coach. Fonseca was relieved of his duties after failing to secure a consistent push for Champions League qualification in Serie A. The 51-year-old Portuguese manager hinted at his departure during the post-match press conference on Sunday after Milan’s draw with AS Roma, stating he had been fired as he exited the San Siro. Conceição, renowned for his achievements with FC Porto, now steps in to guide Milan through a crucial phase.His arrival signals the club’s determination to return to Europe’s elite competition and…

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, on Monday, signed the N375.79 billion 2025 budget into law. The budget totals N375.79bn, with 51 per cent allocated for recurrent expenditure and 49 per cent for capital expenditure after being passed by the state House of Assembly and presented to the governor for assent. While signing the document into law in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Oyebanji said the budget, “which is a product of wide consultation with the people of Ekiti State, was prepared based on our expected economic realities over the next year. It also aligns with the fiscal principles of…

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State may have run into troubled waters as the Presidency on Monday demanded that he retracts what it called his “inflammatory” statement on the Tax Reform Bill. The presidency was particularly concerned about Mohammed’s statement, “We’ll show Tinubu our true colour,” saying the statement neither reflects the stance of the North nor the constructive dialogue needed between states and the Federal Government. Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Mr Sunday Dare, stated this in a post he shared on his X handle Monday morning titled ‘RE: We’ll show Tinubu our True…

The Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) has commenced operations. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, disclosed this during a tour of the facility on Monday. Addressing the team during the tour of the facility, Kyari said, “This plant is running. Although it is not 100 percent complete, we are still in the process. “Many people think these matters are not real. They believe real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.” Located in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji, Warri, the 125,000 barrels…

With 2024 coming to an end in just a little over 24 hours, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has yet again voiced his optimism about Nigeria getting ahead of the myriads of challenges currently affecting her socio-economic growth and development. Speaking in an interview on ARISE TV aired on Monday morning, Obasanjo said, “I will say to Nigerians, we are going through hardship, but they should never lose hope. I am an incurable optimist about Nigeria, and we have a great country.” The former president, while expressing his optimism, admitted though that the country is not where it should be at…