Author: Dave Oludare Oso

A data released by the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria MEMAN) on Thursday indicated that the landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, has dropped to N981/litre. The petrol landing cost, around N1,130 in previous weeks, came down by over N140 as of September 25, 2024, occasioned the recent drop in global crude oil prices.Crude oil price and foreign exchange rates are the major factors that determine the cost of refined petroleum products including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, and kerosene, among others.Brent, the global benchmark for crude, traded above an average of 80/barrel in August 2024 but…

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said that the Federal Government has concluded plans to toll all major roads in the country upon completion of construction and renovation.The minister spoke at an Inter-ministerial press briefing, part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary in Abuja on Thursday.He said, ”We have the Lagos-Ibadan (expressway), we are completing it and we are tolling it,” listing some of the roads as Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano road and Makurdi 9th Mile, among others.Umahi said private sector members have been engaged “to bring in funds, construct these roads, work with the…

In a show of solidarity, Sowore was in Abuja court today as the Nigerian government begins the trial of protesters arrested during the August #EndBadGovernance protest, a cause he championed As the Nigerian government moves to avert another looming protest tagged #FearlessInOctober, it has commenced the trial of 10 Nigerians for their alleged participation in the August 1-10 nationwide protests nicknamed #EndBadGovernance.The protesters, who trooped out to demand good governance and an end to poor economic policies, hardship, and insecurity, were arrested by the police and other security agents at various locations in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe.The protesters were…

The Federal Government has reiterated its decision to ban students under the age of 18 years from sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE)Disclosing this on Thursday in Abuja at a briefing by government officials on the preparations for next week’s celebration of the nation’s Independence anniversary on October 1, Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman accused parents of unnecessarily hurrying their children and wards.Earlier in July, the Minister had announced that that starting from 2025, candidates below 18 would not be allowed to sit for the SSCE, a move that had created ripples across the country, prompting a backlash…

The dare-devil robbers, who, on April 5, 2018, attacked banks and police stations in Offa, Kwara State, killing scores of people, including police officers, have been sentenced to death.Justice Haleemah Salman of Kwara State High Court in Ilorin sentenced the armed robbers to death by hanging on Thursday.The names of the convicts are Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Adeola Abraham, Salahudeen Azeez and Ayoade Akinnibosun.Also, the court sentenced each of them to three years in jail for being in possession of illegal firearms. Delivering her three-hour verdict, Justice Salman said the prosecution proved the offences against the defendants beyond doubt.She said:…

The Federal Government has started the implementation of the new minimum wage regime.The government began payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage on Thursday, several months after it began negotiations with labour unions in the country.According to a Punch report, payment of the new salary and its consequential adjustments to 1.2 million civil servants on the payroll of the Federal Government across all levels has considerably shot up the annual national new wage bill to N4.019 trillion.The over 1.2 million civil servants will be paid the newly approved minimum wage in September.The Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr Oluwatoyin Madein, in…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the erstwhile governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and current emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi was not sacked from the apex bank in 2014 but was suspended.Jonathan also said $49.8 billion did not go missing during his administration, insisting that there was no way such an amount of money would be stolen from Nigeria without immediate impact and repercussion.Jonathan was Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015.Sanusi had claimed that the sum could not be accounted for, in a letter dated September 25, 2013.The former President spoke in Abuja during the launch…

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to defy global ceasefire calls, including from its staunch ally, the United States, over 600 people have been killed in Lebanon since Monday as Israel continues its bombardment. Lebanon’s health ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike hit the outskirts of Beirut on Thursday, killing two people and injuring 15, including a critically wounded woman.The attack brought the total death toll from overnight strikes to 28. Reuters also stated that the strike killed Mohammad Surur, a senior commander of Hezbollah’s air force unit, according to security sources.Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV broadcast images of smoke rising from…

In a bid to forestall any breakdown of law and order, the Nigeria Police Force has directed all its formations to deploy covert operatives to all nooks and crannies of the country to ensure that there is no protest during Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary celebrations on October 1.A Police Wireless Message, obtained on Thursday evening, from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, through the Nigerian Police Department of Operations to all AIG Zone 1 to 17, Commands and units confirmed this.The signal with Ref: DTO: 261604/09/2024, 0900/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.T9/395 X SECURITY GENERAL X RE: CB mandated that all necessary measures should be…

The Defence Headquarters has said that relevant military agencies are diligently investigating allegations of banditry sponsorship in the country’s northeastern region.Disclosing this at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the DHQ’s Director of Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba affirmed that relevant agencies tasked with such responsibilities were diligently investigating the matter.This came against the backdrop of accusations and counter-accusations between Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and his predecessor and incumbent the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle over sponsorship of banditry in the state.An unpleasant drama had played out earlier when the Defence Minister challenged…